The Elder Scrolls of the Dead

An Elder Scrolls/Highschool of the Dead/Witcher/Fallout crossover

Prologue

The College of Winterhold.

The Dragonborn sliced through another magical anomaly with his sword. The anomaly seemed to scream in pain as it was bisected in half by the blade of his sword, and it fell to the snow in a pile of steaming magical goo. The warrior panted slightly and took a moment to observe the battlefield briefly. Members of the College, both novices and masters were engaging the magical anomalies in battle, blasting out streams of fire, lightning and frost at the anomalies that flew about, slamming their eldritch bodies into the college members. This had all started when Ancano, the Thalmor advisor (read: toady), had taken control of the Eye of Magnus and was using the artefact's insurmountable power for his own ends.

The Psjic Monks had informed the Dragonborn that he was the only one who could stop what was happening. A meeting with the Augur of Dunlain had the warrior travelling to Labyrinthian, the ancient Nord city ruin nestled deep in the frozen mountains, to recover the Staff of Magnus that would have the power to close the Eye before it could potentially destroy the world.

After a long battle with legions of undead and the Dragon Priest Morokei who commanded them, the Dragonborn had recovered the Staff and immediately made his way back to the College. It had devolved into pandemonium as Ancano's reckless misuse of the Eye had caused magical ruptures to split the borders between realms, spilling forth magical anomalies that had begun attacking everything in sight.

The warrior participated in the battle, helping his fellow college members as best he could, slicing apart the anomalies with his sword and providing healing and magicka potions to anyone who was injured in the battle against the anomalies. Mirabelle Ervine urged him to end the insanity and that was what the warrior intended to do.

Tolfdir volunteered his services to aid the Dragonborn in reaching the College and the warrior gratefully accepted the offer of the elderly but powerful wizard's help. Once the anomalies in the town had been dealt with, the pair then traversed the walkway leading to the college and they soon reached the magical barrier that barred the way. Pulling the staff of Magnus from his back, the Dragonborn raised the eldritch staff in front of him and unleashed the power of the staff onto the magical barrier barring entry.

Immediately eldritch energy shot forth from the crystal head of the staff and the stream of magic collided with the barrier in a shower of magical sparks and arcs of lightning. There was a great screaming sound as though the barrier itself were in pain but that didn't stop the warrior as he focussed on bringing the barrier down. Finally, after a tense nerve-wracking moment, the barrier was brought down, and it cracked and broke like splintering glass as 'shards' of magic fell around the College like broken glass.

Putting the staff away, the Slayer of Alduin then charged into the college with his sword at the ready and Tolfdir following closely, his hands wreathed in arcane flames.

Barging through the large oak and iron bound doors, Dragonborn and the Tolfdir entered the Hall of Elements where they found Ancano standing before the Eye of Magnus, his body enveloped in arcane magic.

"Ancano! Stop this madness! You don't know what you're doing!" the Dragonborn shouted. Ancano turned around to sneer dismissively before he replied.

"Foolish whelp! I know exactly what I'm doing!" boasted the Thalmor agent. "With the Eye at my command, the Thalmor has all it needs to wipe out both the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion from the board!" he declared.

"Ancano, please! Listen to reason!" Tolfdir cried "There are magics we were never meant to meddle with!" he yelled.

"Pathetic old man!" Ancano sneered, "I tire of your prattle!" Ancano then waved a hand and Tolfdir fell to the ground paralysed.

"No! Damn you!" shouted the Dragonborn as he blasted out a stream of lightning at Ancano but the magical aura surrounding the Altmer easily absorbed the lightning. Ancano waved another hand and it was only lightning quick reflexes that saved the Dragonborn from being struck by a paralysis spell. The hero of Skyrim then drew the staff of Magnus from his back. Ancano's eyes flashed with recognition as he saw the staff in the warrior's gauntleted hands.

"The… Staff of Magnus? You found the Staff of Magnus?!" screeched Ancano.

"I did!" the Dragonborn declared "And with it, your schemes are over!" he said as he pointed the staff towards the Eye and blasted a stream of energy at the Eye. The stream of energy collided with the Eye and the Eye closed. As the Eye closed, Ancano's magical aura faded away leaving him vulnerable. Almost immediately, the warrior was upon the Thalmor agent, his sword flashing. Ancano barely dodged each strike, trying to raise his hands to cast a spell.

The Dragonborn kept to trying to get in close so that the Thalmor lackey wouldn't be able to use any magic. Ancano in an act of desperation drew his dagger and slashed at the man who blocked the strike with his sword, but this provided Ancano with enough time to hit the Dragonborn with a telekinetic pulse which forced him back. Ancano then stretched his hand towards the Eye and cast a spell on it. The Eye opened and Ancano was then covered in magic once again.

Ancano then began throwing lightning bolts and fireballs at his foe for all he was worth. It took all of the Dragonborn's agility to avoid being hit by the destructive spells and he aimed the staff at the Eye and cast the magic of the artefact into the Eye. The eldritch magic of the staff collided with the Eye, and it began to close again. Ancano screamed in rage as he cast a counter-spell at the Eye for it to remain open. But as Ancano's counter-spell hit the Eye, it began to froth with energy and arcs of energy and lightning lashed out and there was a great cracking sound as above the Eye a tear in the fabric of reality opened and began to suck everything in.

Ancano was the first to be sucked into the blackhole and the Thalmor agent screamed in desperation as he scrambled to hold onto solid ground. The Dovahkiin acted quickly; he used his Thu'um to Shout Ice Form to anchor Tolfdir to the floor ensuring he wouldn't be sucked into the blackhole. The Dragonborn then thrust the blade of his sword deep into the ground and held on tight. The warrior's body was raised into the air as the blackhole sucked everything in the room into its gaping maw.

The Slayer of Alduin held on as tightly as he could but before he could react, his sword came free of its from its anchor and the warrior was sucked into the blackhole. The Dragonborn yelled in frustration as he was sucked into the wormhole and he struggled to try and make his way back to the Hall of Elements but as he was sucked into the blackhole, the tear sealed itself. The Dragonborn roared in disbelief as he was now cut off from his own world.

Then there was nought but darkness as the Slayer of Alduin found himself floating in a near all consuming void. The darkness seemed to stretch on forever as far as the warrior's eyes could see.

"So, this is how it ends?" the warrior said dryly before giving a grunt and adding, "Had a good run at least."

Then something or rather someone walked into view and it was a familiar sight. A tall gangly looking man wearing a finely tailored outfit coloured purple with grey-white hair and near whited-out eyes and a grin that never seemed to leave his face walked into view.

"Well, now, isn't this is a coincidence?" asked the strange man with a toothy grin on his lips.

"Sheogorath. To what do I owe this pleasure?" the Dragonborn asked tiredly having dealt with the Daedric Prince of Madness before.

"Well, I was out for a stroll and saw you were in a spot of wee bother here," the Mad God replied. "Or are you not in trouble?" he asked quizzically.

"You could say I've hit a slight snag," the Dragonborn admitted dryly. "And I suppose you're here to gloat?" he asked lightly.

"Now, what kind of man do ye take for?" Sheogorath said in mock hurt. "After the time you helped me reunite with my servant, while cutting me holiday short mind you, I think I owe ya one," he added. "Unless you want to stay here that is?" the Mad God then asked blandly.

"Where is here, exactly?"

"Och, nowhere you want to be, that's for certain," Sheogorath said. "Would you like a lift?" he then asked with a friendly grin on his lips.

"Some assistance would be nice," the Dragonborn replied with a nod of his head.

"All ye had to ask was ask," Sheogorath replied as he waved his hand before the Dovahkiin could tell him where he wanted to be dropped off.

Pont Vanis. Kovir.

Drizzling rain pattered gently down on the many rooves of Kovir as the citizens made their way through the winding streets of Pont Vanis. One individual in particular walked slowly through the water sodden streets, carefully and calmly avoiding the local denizens. She was a reasonably tall young woman with a slender hourglass figure and deep fiery red hair in twin low buns were hidden beneath the large hood she wore to keep the rain off of her head. A pair of bright green eyes were looking ahead, focussing on her destination.

This young woman was named Triss Merigold of Maribor, a powerful sorceress who formerly belonged to the Lodge of Sorceresses, a political and magical cabal of the world's most powerful mages who had been involved in more than their share of cutthroat political backstabbing and the like. So much so, that it had led the mass killings and witch hunts in the Northern Kingdoms by Radovid the Stern King of Redania.

But much of that was in the past now due to individuals who had brought about an end to the insane Radovid, not to mention the business with the Wild Hunt.

Initially, Triss had set up shop in Novigrad but was quickly forced into hiding due to Church of Eternal Fire declaring all mages to be witches and traitors and with help from Radovid, they had started exterminating anyone who so much as had a whiff of magic or learning about them. Triss found herself the head of an underground movement looking to free all the mages of Novigrad and with some help from Novigrad's underworld bosses and the assistance of the Witcher Geralt of Rivia, Triss had spirited away the mages of Novigrad to Kovir where they were given sanctuary by King Tankred.

Geralt…

Geralt was a… complicated subject for Triss to put it lightly. For years she had been in love with the Witcher, unhappily so. When Geralt had been found outside Kaer Morhen with no memory of his past, Triss, ashamedly, taken advantage of the man's amnesia, and partly due to the belief that Geralt's other half, Yennefer of Vengerberg was presumed dead, to pursue a relationship with him.

But as time went on, Geralt's memory came back and Yennefer was revealed to be alive and subsequently, the pair had gotten back together and were now more in love than ever. Of course, Geralt had forgiven Triss for deceiving and taking advantage of his amnesiac state and he too had believed Yennefer to be dead.

But still, it was a bitter sting to Triss's heart that Geralt and Yennefer had now gotten their happily ever after. Last Triss had heard, Geralt had been given a vineyard of all things as part of a reward for a monster contract in Toussaint.

But in all respects, Triss didn't have too bad either herself; she no longer had to hide her magical abilities, was in service to a king who had given the mages shelter and the whole mess with the war and the Wild Hunt was now over.

Still, Triss did often think about of her life with Geralt before. To tell the complete truth, she was lonely. The house she had received in Pont Vanis was a tad empty of human company, despite some of the servants who tended the home and as bad as she felt, Triss felt herself pining for company.

Sighing to herself, Triss made her way through the streets as she neared a brightly lit tavern. She had decided to get out of the house and spend and evening at a tavern, hoping the mood and presence of people would cheer her up. At the very least, she could get blind drunk and stumble back home with someone.

Entering the tavern, Triss felt the warm air brush over her as she lowered her hood and took in the sights of the tavern patrons, eating, drinking, singing or other such activities one would partake in a tavern. A troupe of troubadours were in stage playing a lively and merry tune and some space in the middle of the floor was cleared away for patrons to dance.

Sitting herself in a small but cosy booth, Triss gave her order to a serving girl who came back moments later with a bottle of fine Est-Est and a glass. Murmuring her thanks, Triss poured herself a glass and sipped slowly; giving a small hum of appreciation of the fine wine, Triss settled back in her seat to observe the crowd. She spotted some young couples dancing together or enjoying private intimate moments with each other; her heart panged at the sight.

Sighing heavily, Triss took another sip of her drink, hoping the alcohol would kick in and she could forget her own heartache for a while.

"Excuse me, lassie, but is this seat taken?" a voice suddenly asked and Triss looked up to see a rather peculiar man standing before her. He was clad in the most garish ensemble of orange and purple clothes, but they looked to be finely tailored and fit the man like a well-made glove. He had windswept silver-grey hair and his eyes where a pale silvery colour that made Triss think he was blind. An almost manic looking smile was on the odd man's lips as he looked at her expectantly.

"Um, no, not all, feel free," Triss said to the odd man who gave a wide grin and sat opposite her.

"Ah, thank ye, very much, lass. I've travelled quite the way here," he said as he leaned back in his seat and pulled out from his jacket a large wedge of cheese and bit into it. "Would you like some?" he offered the wedge to Triss who shook her head in response. "Hmm, more for me than," he stated as he took even larger bite of his cheese.

"Who are you, sir? What made you want to sit here?" Triss then asked, curious as to why this odd fellow wanted to sit her booth when there were others that were available.

"Well, I saw ye sitting there alone, looking like the loneliest bairn in the world and I thought I'd come sit a spell with ye," the man replied with a grin. "As for who I am, I am called Sheogorath Cheeseman, Lord of the Never-There," he then said with a bow of his head.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr Cheeseman," Triss said, feeling a little baffled at this odd man's name. Was this man a sorcerer? If he was, she'd never heard of him before. And as for his title, Lord of the Never-There, it sounded quite made-up, yet there was a little feeling that told Triss that it sounded like a real place. "I am…" she then tried to introduce herself to Sheogorath who cut her off with.

"I know who you are, lass. Triss Merigold of Maribor, the Fourteenth of the Hill and former member of the Lodge of Sorceresses," he said with a knowing grin.

"My reputation precedes me," Triss said dryly. "But I must say that I've never heard of you before, nor this Never-There," she added.

"Oh, but everyone does know me, lass," Sheogorath said with a mysterious grin. "I lurk in the back of everyone's mind, beneath the surface of every rational thought I wait and I can bring to one both brilliance and their wit's end," he added.

Triss raised an eyebrow at this; this had taken a very strange turn indeed. This Sheogorath seemed to be brimming with madness and she had half a mind to cast a spell to calm the man down and bring him to a doctor.

"I wouldn't bother trying to cast one of your spells on me. Ye'd only annoy me and you really don't want to annoy me," Sheogorath said with a grin and another bite of his cheese.

"Telepathy?" Triss asked in a guarded voice as she mentally threw up some defences around her mind.

"Oh, if only, lass," Sheogorath said with a grin. "The mind is a specialty of mine," he added.

"What is it you want from me?" Triss asked. "You obviously have a reason to be sitting here when there are other booths available. So, what is it that you want?"

"Truth be told, I'd like to play a game with ye," Sheogorath said.

"Gwent?" Triss deadpanned, wondering if the man before her was just insane.

"Oh, nothing so trite as that, bonny lass," Sheogorath said a cackle. "But if ye play this game, ye could learn more about yerself and perhaps even find love," he offered.

"And if I'm not interested?" Triss asked lightly.

"Well, you cannae do much worse than you are right now, can ye?" Sheogorath said to her. "It's all in good fun and you might find yerself enjoying it," he added.

Triss thought about it for a moment before shrugging and said, "Well, what harm could it do?"

"Knew I liked ye for a reason, bonny lass," Sheogorath said as he waved his hand at Triss before she could even say anything and she felt herself be pulled from the world and fell backwards into a void.

Tokonosu City. Japan.

What had once been a peaceful ordinary day had devolved into total chaos as the streets were packed with desperate civilians trying to flee the hungry mouths of Them.

To describe Them simply, They were once living people who had been turned into the undead with a ravenous near insatiable hunger for the flesh of the living. Worse still, so much as a scratch from even one of these undead wretches doomed those infected to become a mindless undead cannibal.

No-one knew where They had come from or how They even came to be. They just appeared and started eating and infecting the living. Many cities and nations around the world were falling prey to this killing pandemic and populations within were falling prey to more animalistic qualities such as looting or even attacking their own neighbours for supplies. Law enforcement and militaries were doing their best to contain the situation and restore civil order, but they were fighting a losing battle.

One group of survivors aboard a military grade Humvee were driving along the streets of Tokonosu city, Japan. It been roughly two days since this group of survivors had escaped their start of origin, Fujimi Academy, took shelter in the residence of the driver's friend and armed themselves before beginning the journey to the other side of the river where they could begin the search for their families.

The survivors of the group consisted of five females, two males and one dog. The eldest of the group was Nurse Shizuka Marikawa, a twenty-seven-year-old school nurse who acted as the group's medic and driver. The next eldest was Saeko Busujima, an eighteen-year-old school kendo champion who so far had been the point-man of the group with considerable swordsmanship with her bokken. Then there was Takashi Komuro and Rei Miyamoto both seventeen years old; Takashi acted as the leader of the group despite Shizuka being the eldest of the band and often worked beside Saeko and Rei as frontline fighters.

Then there were Kohta Hirano and Saya Takagi aged sixteen years old; Kohta was a chubby bespectacled boy who proved to be extremely proficient with firearms, and when they took shelter in the residence of Shizuka's friend, they had armed themselves with the various guns stored there with Kohta helping himself to a modified police carbine acting as the group's marksman and weapons expert. Saya was the resident genius of the group and had been the first to figure out that the undead were practically blind in all senses save for their hearing which proved beneficial as they could use noise to distract or draw away the zombie contingent.

The youngest member of the group was a little girl named Alice Maresato aged nine years old who had been rescued by the group after her father had been killed when trying to get his daughter to safety by cowardly survivors who refused to give them shelter. Accompanying Alice was a little dog that Kohta had named Zero after an old Japanese World War 2 fighter plane that had been nicknamed Zero by the Americans.

It had been two days since the outbreak had happened and after rescuing Alice from certain death, they had begun making their way to the other side of the river into the residential areas of the city to begin their search for their families beginning with Saya's.

Currently, Rei and Takashi were seated atop the Humvee's roof as Shizuka drove the vehicle down the winding streets while everyone else remained inside.

"Hey, Takashi?" Rei looked at her companion who glanced at her. "Have you noticed something?" she asked him.

Takashi shrugged in response to which Rei then said, "We haven't come across any of Them since last night!" A smile of relief was on Rei's face and Takashi looked and realised that she was right. Sure, there had been signs that They had been through the area such as ruined buildings and vehicles and even blood stains, but other than that, there hadn't been any sign of the undead nearby.

As the cherry blossoms began to drop their petals, Takashi closed his eyes to allow himself a moment to relax. But fate it seemed had other plans in mind.

"Who's that guy standing in the middle of the road?" Kohta asked as he looked ahead and saw a strange figure standing in the middle of the road.

"Is it one of Them?" Saeko asked tensely as she gripped her bokken in anticipation of battle.

"Slow down, just in case," Saya advised Shizuka who shifted to a lower gear and the Hummer slowed to a brisk walking pace. Everyone then laid eyes on the stranger that stood before them.

"What on earth is that guy wearing?" Saya asked as she looked upon the curious looking man who a purple suit with a cravat tied at his neck.

The stranger smiled before waving a hand at them in a flicking gesture and suddenly the Hummer was enveloped in a mysterious purple fire. Hurriedly, Takashi and Rei piled themselves back into the car as they were suddenly ripped away from the streets of Tokonosu City.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: There! First chapter of this is done and dusted! Took a long time of procrastinating and real life issues getting in the way, not to mention that as I write this chapter I am currently diagnosed with COVID-19. It was bound to happen, getting COVID that is, but that's just the way it goes unfortunately.

Now I know in the past I had a poll on my profile of what Fallout could be the setting and I haven't redone the poll, but I will put it back up again. Last I checked, New Vegas was the most popular choice which I'm fine with, but I do want to see which of the other Fallout games could be used such as Fallout 4 or Fallout 76. I've downloaded some interesting mods for Fallout 4 such as the Wasteland Mutant Menagerie mod and its add-ons regarding Far Harbor and Nuka World, I highly recommend you check it out at some stage as it's available on PC and Xbox, not for Playstation sadly given that Sony is a hard case with mods for Fallout and Skyrim. So, if you haven't already voted on the poll in the past, feel free to do so now.

I added Triss from The Witcher series because I think that the group could use another adult as in the beginning Shizuka often acted as a ditz but later on the series she stepped up to become the adult of the group so adding Triss to this story could help Shizuka with having another adult around to talk to.

And apart from that, I haven't got too much more to say, so I'll leave this here and see you all in the next one.

Be kind to one another,

Angry lil' elf.