Natsu was having a blast learning more Shouts and learning about the dragon culture. He was falling in love with the country Tamriel and how peaceful it all was. The land was wild and free. Magic flowed from the ground and breathed life into all the flora and fauna. The different races living here added variety with their customs and cultures. This place felt like it was made to be pure fantasy and full of wonders and magic.
He never wanted to leave but he was wanting to return home. He wouldn't mind coming back and staying longer they had spent nearly a month here but, Natsu wanted to be with his family. The family that grew from friendship and supported each other. A family that would take in all the misfits and unwanted and give them a place to come back too.
After expanding his knowledge a fair amount. Paarthurnax teaching him all the shouts he was able to learn being a fire dragon and a few that all dragons could learn in general.
Aura Whisper, for him it allowed him to see a beings heat signature through most solid objects. Fire Breath, an obvious shout to learn for when he was low on magic. Storm Call, it was very different from Gray's of course, it mostly called down flaming rocks for a bit, but for some reason, it didn't feel right to use it he didn't know why.
Unrelenting Force, but he didn't really see a need for it, maybe to get people off and away from Gray in an extremely violent manner perhaps. Throw Voice, he was going to have fun pranking people with this. And finally Elemental Fury, his inner dragon was a bit on the reluctant side of learning it but eventually accepted it, it would make him able to attack faster so that was a plus.
But Natsu was bummed that he wouldn't be able to ever learn the shout Become Ethereal. Gray was very smug showing how he could turn into a ghost-like state to avoid being hit but with the downside of also not being able to hit as well.
And the Shout Cyclone, it just allowed Gray to make a much smaller and faster version of his Storm Call around himself.
They left on good terms and went back down to the monastery to see Lucy happily speaking with the Greybeards about the history about their practice and Erza was conversing with Endoura about her armors and the enchantments that they would have.
After leaving the mountain it was time to head back to Windhelm and take a boat ride to the island of Solsthiem. Endoura spoke of the creatures there. Netches, gray levitating monsters with tendrils hanging towards the ground with a light blue glowing underbelly and produced a blue jelly that she used to paralysis poisons.
Ash Hoppers, rusty orange bugs as big as a cat and always coming up out of the ash, personally she loved them with the red jelly they produced that helped with making healing potions.
Burnt Spriggans, like a normal Spriggan but just burned and able to cast flames magic.
Albino spiders, white spiders the same size as Ash Hoppers that when exposed to different items would gain magical properties, rubies fire; sapphires ice; amethyst lightning; emeralds poison; soul gems they would latch onto a host and control them; glowing mushrooms they glow; bone meal a willing companion to help lighten your burden; and oil able to leave a puddle of oil and when a flame spell was used on it it would explode violently.
The last known Silt Strider, a large insect that was able to tread through harsh ash storms with ease.
Rieklings, small blue goblin-like creatures that rode boars and wielded spears.
Werebears, people under a curse to some and a blessing to others from the Daedric god Hircine that transformed into large bears.
Werewolves.
And finally Ash Spawn, draugr like beings made of ash with red glowing eyes and mouths with the glow also showing from the cracks in their bodies.
Endoura explained how that most of the people inhabiting the island were Dunmer; Dark Elves, and a Nord village that inhabited a tribe called the Skaal, a people in tune with nature and leading simple lives.
During the long trip ,the topic of Daedric gods and Oblivion was brought up. And a request to visit a plain of Oblivion. Endoura quickly rejected the request and told the stories of the ones she had seen.
"The first one I went to was nice but not all the realms of Oblivion are like that. The realms are what the Daedra them choose them to be or more of a manifestation of themselves. I've traveled to two. One ruled by beings called the Ideal Masters. Beings that use tricks, lies, manipulation, and unseen factors to their advantage.
The land was dead and cold. Trapped souls wander never able to rest and feel nothing but fear and confusion. Speculated to be used as some type of fuel for the Ideal Masters continued existence.
Black dead wander as well targeting me as I walked. And felt as if the black stone pillars with holes at the top were being used to watch me as I traveled. Enormous crystals that when you walked to close would start sucking out what felt like your very soul and being.
Bones left in piles that crunched under your boots as you tried to not be sick from just breathing in the very air that carried the scent of death, decay, and rot.
And the worst part was when you looked up to the sky. Nothing but a black hole with red and purple wisps of some semblance of light being sucked in and filling your being with hopelessness. That is the Soul Carin."
The group was silent. Just hearing the description of that place chilled one to the very core and left a sick acrid taste on the back of their tongues. But Endoura wasn't done.
"Another plain of Oblivion was Hermaeus Mora's library, Apocrapha. The air smelled of blood, sea water, ink, sludge, and old burning books. The ground was thin metal full of holes and covered by pages. Strong enough to hold you above the thick gelatinous black green sea with long whipping tentacles coming out of it.
The wall are nothing but books piled high or floating through the air to be moved to another spot. And the more you walk you'll find that some pages are flying around in the air to blind you for a moment.
That one precious moment as a creature made of writhing tentacles floats over to you dressed in nothing but rags and emitting loud shrieks that could make your ears bleed. And pelt you with magic. Those are Seekers. Lost souls drawn in by Mora with the promise of knowledge and now never able to leave.
Another creature stalking the plane are the Lurkers. Creatures as large as giants with ugly gray skin and deep fish-like faces. Whipping long tentacles, stomping the ground to cover it in tentacles to stop your movement, and spitting out a ball of them to poison you.
And in some places where it can be pitch black. And the longer you stay in the darkness the more your sanity will slip as the darkness itself wants you dead.
And the sky. It is nothing but a suffocating green cloud of sickness."
Everyone was silent. Looking down to the ground as they took in what was told. Lucy looked horrified her chocolate eyes so small as tears bubbled at the corners. She was biting her lip as she tried to imagine the dimensions Endoura described. The images made her sick to her stomach and had her shaking in absolute fear.
Erza had a look of utter disbelief and fear. These places sounded like the place of nightmares. She wanted to imagine them but her body quaked as her mind refused. The way those places were described made her childhood seem like a dream.
Natsu was shaking and bile was trying to push itself up his throat. He was raking his brain trying to reason to why and how such places could ever exist. Places with absolute darkness that took your sanity, creatures only ever found in horrors and nightmares but were actually real. He didn't want to know.
And Gray just looked down at the ground shaking. He had heard of these places. Isis was adamant that he learned so he could survive. But he had never visited any. But seeing as Endoura has and still contained a ounce of morality and sanity was a miracle. Her body was littered with scares from weapons, spells, and magic alike. She was a force to be reckoned with, no qualms about it.
They didn't stay too long on Solsthiem. Just long enough to see the Skaal village, Raven Rock, and Tel Mythrin. And they saw the volcano off in the distant province of Morrowind. The ash was always spouting out and the wind sent it over to the tiny island they were on.
After spending a few days to explore they sailed back to Skyrim for the two final places to visit. Blackreach and Sovenguarde itself.
They went down to Blackreach and as Endoura said it was very dark. But it was enchanting. The only lights came from large glowing mushrooms and glowing rocks. And in the distance a gigantic sphere that glowed oorange-yellow It was like a weak sun.
Endoura told them to avoid going there. Falmer lived here and would not hesitate to rip them apart. She told them what she knew about the Falmer. They used to be more intelligent but they were tortured and tricked. And over the generations in order to survive t,hey devolved into what they were now.
Every so often they ducked under some cover as Endoura took out some of the Falmer that were hiding in towers and shooting arrows. After seeing the dark underground cavern they left through the Dwemer ruin that lead to the entrance.
Wh en the sun was just cresting over the sky everyone was walking out of the ice cavern that lead to the Dwemer ruin. They climbed up to the top of the ice shelf to call their rides to reach the portal to Sovenguarde.
"So since the only way to Skuldafn is to fly we will need rides. So Natsu you'll call Odahviing, Gray Vuliizkun, and I'll call Durnehviir. Then we'll see the afterlife."
The three dragons stepped up and call their dragons. Odahviing and Vuliizkun came from the skies and landed on the snow in front of the group. They cuddled Gray and bowed in greeting to the others. But the way Durnehviir came was very different.
A glowing purple rune on the ground came and a dark green dragon with curved horns on his head materialized with a rush of purple fire. He turned to Endoura and nuzzled her. She smiled as he thanked her and she let some tears fall from her eyes.
"Of course friend. Anytime just to get you out of that place and away from them."
He purred as she hugged his neck. To everyone but Endoura, they could see the love and devotion in his eyes. With the three dragons, they started to soar the skies.
Up in the skies, all their cares melted away. All there is was the wind and the sweet chilled air. Natsu sat on Odahviing with Erza, Gray, and Lucy on Vuliizkun, and Endoura with the exceeds on Durnehviir.
They flew through the clouds and stuck their arms out to feel the wind. As they flew Endoura let out a dragon roar with no breath and Durnehviir answered. Gray followed just the loud throaty sound coming from his mouth. Natsu, Vuliizkun, and Odahviing followed, filling the sky with happy roars for themselves and their mates.
After some time they saw a large stone temple in the mountains with more dragons flying around it. They landed right on top where a large circle with black marks inside. Once Endoura was off of Durnehviir he dematerialized. With his parting words being 'Until next time, Qahnaarin.'
Odahviing and Vuliizkun just curled up together. Endoura headed to the small set of stairs in front of the circle. She turned back to the group and smiled.
"This is the only portal to Sovenguarde are you prepared to head to the land of the dead?"
Gray just nodded and the others stayed quiet and slowly nodded. At their attitude and made Endoura come down with a gentle look on her face.
"I know that I've told you about some of the bad realms but I just wanted to protect you. The Daedra are crafty and few are trustworthy. You just can't listen to their honeyed words."
At her words, they perked up a bit. Seeing that their fires were reignited she ran back up to the stairs and pulled a staff out of her pack. Once she stabbed the staff into the ground the ground of the circle crumbled and opened into a portal with a large pillar of light coming from it.
All jaws fell to the ground as Endoura turned back and smiled. But just as they were about to step towards the portal Gray stopped them.
"Uhhh. Lucy and Erza you can't go in there."
"Why not?"
"Your souls would actually leave your bodies and you'd join the dead there. The only reason we can is because of our dragon souls."
Lucy looked down dejected and Erza just looked mad at herself but Endoura just smiled and walked up to them.
"I can help you, just close your eyes."
Surprised they closed their eyes and waited for something. And that something was Endoura going into a full lip lock. She started with Lucy surprising the golden haired girl that was just a bit taller than herself.
Endoura held Lucy's cheeks as she pushed her tongue into her mouth and breathed out. As she parted from the kiss white, blue, and purple ribbons of light escaped out of Endoura's mouth and into Lucy's.
Endoura just smiled and giggled.
"You taste like the sweetest meat I've ever had. And before you ask I've gifted you a temporary dragon soul. You'll just have it long enough to see Sovenguarde."
Endoura did the same with Erza. With everyone able to go they walked over the air and towards the pillar of light.
Everything happened in a flash white light then the color of gold made them open their eyes. What they saw before them was what would inspire songs and stories.
The greenery was so full of life and vigor it looked fake. The water was so clear and clean it could be liquid glass. The air was so sweet and intoxicating. And it the temperature was just perfect. This place was the definition of perfect.
And when you looked up the sky was so clear and sharp you could make out all the stars and if you paid attention you could see three images in three colors.
A warrior holding a shield and axe in red. A mage with a beard in robes and holding a staff in blue. And a thief with their hood up holding bags of gold and a dagger on the hip in green.
Off in the distance, a large hall floated in the sky connected by a bone bridge. And people cloaked in golden light walked the wild with smiles on their faces and the fought all in good fun. No one wanted to leave but with Lucy and Erza only on borrowed time here they had to leave.
It was time to leave. The fairies were waiting for all the passengers to board the boat heading to Fiore and saying there good byes to Endoura.
Endoura just smiled and hugged them all. After the hugs, she spoke up.
"I'm glad I could meet you and show you the place I call home. Perhaps I will come to visit you sometime. But before you leave I want to give you all something to remember your time here."
Endoura took off a large and heavy pack off her back and started to rifle through it. First, she pulled six black keys. She presented them to Lucy.
"Gray told me you are a Conjurer and that you use keys to summon. Here, some creatures that could help you. They won't be able to disappear once you summon them. The only magic it takes is to summon them. And they will follow and protect you till they are slain in battle except one."
The first of the black keys had a glow of bright fire around it and it radiated heat. The second had a white glow and felt like it was made of ice. The third had blue and shocked like lightening. The fourth glowed blood red and you could feel the darkness coming from it. The fifth glowed a pale blue and felt ethereal. And finally the sixth felt like it held the most power with the purple glow coming from it.
"They summon flame, frost, and storm thralls, a Daedra, a champion of Sovenguarde, and Durnehviir. I hope that these can help you in some way or another."
Lucy looked at the six keys and held them to her heart and smiled at the woman before her. Next was Erza. Endoura pulled out a set of black armor and a long sword with a red tinted blade.
"Erza you have shown great interest in our armor here, so I have decided that I should give you this armor and sword. The main armor is called the Ebony Mail. If you are ever being attacked the armor will turn black as well as when you are trying to hide as well. If an enemy comes to close the armor will cloak them in black as well and poison your attacker.
The boots are enchanted to help you walk on water, the helmet will allow you to breath underwater, and the gauntlets will help you wield the sword I'm giving you.
And one thing you should know about ebony here. It isn't wood but the blood of a god, may it protect you well.
The blade is called the Bloodskal Blade. It gets its name for the blade's color but also if you swing it hard enough a blood red wave of energy will be shot from the blade. Use it well."
Natsu stood before Endoura with a smile on his face as she reached into her bag. What she pulled out was a bracelet made of red dragon scales with rubies and small heartstones surrounding a moon made of ice.
"Odahviing gave me his scales and I used rubies and heartstones to surround the Stalhrim moon. May this always remind you of this place and who will always stand by you."
Natsu took the bracelet and curled his fingers around it never wanting to let this go. Endoura turned to Gray and spoke before she started gathering his present.
"Gray. Sadoniizstrun. We've been friends for years and care for one another. I could never ask the gods for a better person to call my companion. Life has been tough but remember you are tougher. If you ever need anything you can always come to me even if we live seas apart. I'm here for you always."
Endoura gave him a hug and presented his gift. It was a bracelet like Natsu's but made from white blue dragon scales holding sapphires, diamonds, and Stalhrim surrounding a sun made from heartstone and rubies.
But that wasn't all she gave Gray a white and gold lute carved to look like it was made by dragon scales and also had the features of a dragon as well.
Tears started to pool in Gray's eyes as he hugged Endoura one last time. With everyone joining in. When they let go Endoura smiled and spoke once more.
"We may not be the same race and separated by the vast sea but you will always be welcome here. May your travels be safe with the wind to guide you on your path and the skies guard your fates. I hope we meet again. But for now, it is time to say farewell. And if any of us should fall in battle may we meet again in the halls of Sovenguarde. Good sailing."
With one last hug and a final farewell the fairies boarded the boat and set sail back home. After all, there were stories to tell of this wonderful place, both good and bad. But it would forever be in their hearts. They may return again someday. But for now home waits to greet them with smiles and cheer.
(A/N : So that was my Skyrim arc. Was it good, bad? Did you love it or hate it with a passion? Anyways, we'll get back to the main story after a short chapter on how Gray gets his nickname that I will reveal in that chapter. And I'm thinking of making a Ko-Fi account so for people who want to support me for writing this can. But I'm unsure if I should. If I get enought people sending me the "Shut up and take my money" Fry meme. I'll do it. So if you want me to make an account just type in the comments "Shut up and take my money!". Alright I'm out for now.)