Chapter 4: The Temple Of Akatosh
A few days later, Sonic and the others were ready to head to Akatosh's temple. It was located in the city of Solitude, and would take a few days to get there. Sonic had been having dreams of Alduin. The dragon never did much in his dreams, but each one had left Sonic feeling unsettled and nervous. Almost like someone was watching him. He yawned and walked up to his family.
"Ready to go?"
"Ready when you are," Manic said.
Sonic smiled. He grabbed his bag and walked out of the house. Manic and the others followed. As they walked out of Riften, Sonic looked at his brother. "Since you're a vampire, you can't be out during the day, right?"
"I can. I'm just not as strong."
"How so?"
"Exactly what I said. I'm not as strong in the sun as when I'm out of it."
Sonic nodded in understanding. "What do you think about being a vampire?"
"It's not as good or bad as people think."
"The powers you have sound neat."
"They can be."
"What about your immortality?"
"It's great so far."
"It must be nice, not being able to die," Shadic said.
"And terrifying. I can remember every way I've died since becoming a vampire. Except one, but I don't think it counts."
"You've died? But I thought you said you were immortal."
"Immortal just means I don't stay dead. Stabbing me through the heart doesn't kill me, but other things can sort of do the truck. Until I heal and wake back up, anyway." Manic shot him a smile. "Even as a vampire, there's only so much a body can take before it stops working."
Shadic nodded. He was still confused, but put a smile on his face. They made it to Solitude a few days later. Sonic looked at his brother, and saw that his eyes were gold. He gulped.
"Do you need to feed?" He asked Manic. "What's with your eyes?"
"I'm fine. Just- I'll be back soon, okay? Don't wait for me." Manic ran off before Sonic could say anything.
"Hope he doesn't cause a panic in town," Shadow said.
"He's not that stupid," Sonic said.
"Whatever. Let's head to the temple."
Sonic agreed and he, Shadic and Shadow walked ahead. Once they reached the Temple of Akatosh, they went inside. The three of them looked around the temple as they walked in. Sonic walked up to the altar and began to pray. The candles lit on fire and a voice could be heard.
"Welcome, Sonic," Akatosh said, appearing before them. "I have been waiting for you."
"Well, I'm here now."
Akatosh smiled, and looked at Shadow and Shadic. Both hedgehogs bowed.
"It's an honor to be in your presence, Akatosh," Shadow said.
The dragon god smiled, and looked at Sonic. "I see you have been having dreams of Alduin."
Sonic nodded. "Yeah. Strange ones."
"Describe them to me."
"Not much to say. I just see him. And they always leave me feeling nervous. Like I'm being watched."
"He can also become a dragon," Shadow said.
Akatosh looked at Sonic with interest.
"Not really," Sonic said. "I've been trying, but can't."
Akatosh smiled. "I'll teach you."
Sonic looked at him. "You will?"
The god nodded. "What dragon forms do you have?"
"I don't know."
"He has an anthro dragon form," Shadic told the god.
"I take it he's been in this form before?"
"Once," Shadow said.
"When was this?"
"A few days ago, after he absorbed a dragon soul. First he changed into a full dragon, and then an anthropomorphic one."
"I see."
"Can you help me control the transformations?" Sonic asked Akatosh.
"Of course I can. But there are times when it will be necessary, and you won't be able to stop the changes."
Sonic nodded. "Sounds fair."
"But right now there are more important matters."
"Like Alduin?" Manic asked as he walked in.
"Exactly."
Sonic looked at Manic and saw blood on his mouth. He sighed.
"So what do we need about Alduin?" Manic asked.
"He's my son, and known as the World Eater," Akatosh said. "His purpose is to destroy the world."
"So... We... Sonic needs to prevent him from doing that?"
"He does. He is the Dragonborn."
"That explains a lot," Shadow said.
Akatosh looked at Shadic. "I sense powerful magic inside you, young one."
"Powerful?"
The god nodded. "I suggest you go to the College of Winterhold and learn to use it."
"I guess I could. Sometime."
Akatosh smiled and looked at them.
"Is there anything else we should know?" Manic asked.
"Sonic must learn to use his power. The Greybeards should be able to help."
"Greybeards?"
"Who are they?" Shadow asked Akatosh.
"They are masters of the Thu'um who live in High Hrothgar, atop the Throat of the World."
"We'll leave at once, then. Oh...when should Shadic go to the College?"
"That isn't up to me to decide."
Akatosh vanished, and the four hedgehogs looked at each other.
"This is going to be great," Sonic said.
"I agree," Shadow said. He looked at his son. "We should get you enrolled in the College of Winterhold as well."
Shadic nodded. "Can that wait?"
"Sure."
The group left the temple.