AN: I almost planned on posting this on April 19th 2016. Chapter 52, exactly 52 weeks after posting the first chapter of the story. I just almost couldn't resist the symmetry. I know. That's pretty bad, huh? I know, but I had finals, then spring break. By the time I got around to writing and finishing this up, it was already almost April. I thought, what's the harm in a few more days? But then I finished it and I thought "I'm going to beat that damn 1 per week average!" Also, this chapter is a fair bit longer than most chapters. So that's a bonus.
To respond to one point, I want to say that I agree, UndeadMonkey8 – knowing that the Vampire Cure takes only a couple seconds and has no adverse effects, I think that it would be better for Luc and Serana to head for Morthal as soon as possible. Unfortunately, they don't know how easy it is. They both know Luc wouldn't leave Serana's side for anything if she was hurt, not even to fight Lamae, and they're worried that the process would injure her for at least a short while. She's older than anyone except Lamae, by this point, so that's a lot of magickal energy to undo. Since the scouts have found out that Lamae is close, they decided to postpone it – they'll either be dead or victorious, in their minds, after all.
Jul
Lucius
"Are you almost – oh!" Serana said as she entered our war tent. She smirked at me and placed one hand on her hip. "Looking good."
I smiled and turned around. I was prepared for war, it was true. I was clad in pure ebony armor, cutting an impressive silhouette even in the black of night. Not only did it mark me as the Lord-Commander of the Ebon Warriors – all of whom were present as commanders across the battlefield – but the deep black of the armor had the added benefit of keeping me difficult to see even for Vampiric night vision, a fact I had thankfully checked with Serana. Across my back was strapped the Staff of Magnus, the weapon hungering for the intense Magickal energy approaching, and Dawnbreaker, my backup plan for if things got hopeless. There was a folded up Dwemer crossbow and explosive bolts for the weapon strapped to my belt. My Dragnonbone blade was at my hip, glimmering slightly with its flame enchantment. I wore a powerful artifact that I'd recovered during my travels as a helmet, the Ancient Dragon Priest mask named for its one time master – Konahrik, or the aptly translated, Warlord. "You don't look bad yourself," I told Serana, causing the Vampire to blush.
She had four differently enchanted Daedric daggers strapped to her back, two with the handles peeking out from over her shoulders and the other two handles hanging above her hips to form an 'X' across her back. She'd been insistent that she wear Dawnguard armor I enchanted, seeing as the metal Isran had used already held a resistance to all of a Vampire's skills. And, to make sure she would not be confused for an enemy during our betrayal of the Vampires – and their probable betrayal of us.
I had the Companions nearby, scouring the surrounding area for assassins and secret armies, but I doubted they would find all of them. They were under orders to just look for them and only attack if they had a way to do so without risking their own lives. Knowing Aela and the others, they would attack anyways. I had to talk to them about that. "Delphine says you're slow," Serana said, crossing her arms, causing my mother's cloak to rustle on her shoulders. "I'm inclined to agree."
"I'm sorry I had to enchant a new set of ebony armor I received today, Serana. Not all of us can just throw on something that was prepared weeks ago," I huffed, reaching up to remove Konahrik. It slid off easily to reveal my smirk. "As for Delphine, I told her not to come. But noo, 'The Dragonborn must always be protected by the Dragonguard in times of war.' Now that the Dragonguard has more than two members, that is."
"Yes, J'zargo appreciates you got him to join. Is there any way J'zargo can you get moving, though?" a Khajiti accented voice asked, pushing his way through the tent. He was staring at me dryly from beneath his Blade's helm before he sighed and turned to Serana. "He has been this slow since we were both initiates in the College. J'zargo is glad some things do not change, though J'zargo wishes this had."
"Ha. I'm on my way," I replied, walking out of the tent with the two.
The war camp was bright with the light of dozens of burning torches, their glows casting ethereal lights and highlighting the stark divide between the bright and warm Dawnguard camp and the section of the allied forces owned and maintained by the Vampires. This area where dark and light met was where the strike team dedicated to hunting down and killing Lamae Bal was scheduled to meet.
The mortal side of things was already present. Besides Delphine, J'zargo, Serana, and myself, there were a few others. Jordis was there, ever the loyal bodyguard. Vilkas was also present, talking with Brelyna, our unit's healer mage, about sticking close to him. Agmaer, the man who had joined the Dawnguard with me, was listening to Ingjard, one of the stronger Dawnguard members. The unit was a formidable team, and each knew the secondary mission and its signal down to a 'T.'
Hadvar was also present, though only as an aide and bodyguard to the newly minted General Rikke, or rather General until she met with Tullius next. Since Tullius himself was still on his way back from meeting with the other Generals to talk about the future leadership of the Empire, Rikke had stepped up to fill his position. She had a sharp mind, and had helped the General with many of the greatest tactical victories of the Civil War. The war council was in good hands with Rikke at the helm. It had been Oblivion forcing that through, since both Isran and Harkon demanded they lead. I'd managed, knowing Harkon would believe Rikke would put less defenses around the Bow after the battle and Isran just being happy she was my personal friend. Honestly, doing that made me think that we had a real chance – I'd already managed the impossible once, what was once more?
On a table that rested on the edge of the shadows and firelight was the Bow and its quiver of Sunhallowed arrows. The decision remained with us as to who would carry the weapon into battle, a decision that would have to wait until the damnable Bitch and her Vampires showed up. "I can't believe you think I'm slow," I grumbled at Delphine. The Blade shot me a look, but she agreed. "I was practically ready yesterday compared to the Vampires."
"And it still wouldn't have been enough," Thera said from the shadows. I turned and glared as she walked towards us, followed closely by her own squadron of Vampires.
Thera herself was dressed in full Dragonscale armor, a caplet draped over her left shoulder. There were two Daedric swords on her hips, with another two crossed over her back. She looked prepared for war, as did we all. "Fear not, the true warriors have arrived."
"Whatever would we have done without you?" I growled, crossing my plated arms over my chest. "Be happier? Oh, I know, not in this position!"
"Ah, the answer to the question of who brought the pieces of Lamae's body together matters little," Thera said, grinning at me from beneath her Dragonscale helmet. I snarled at her and thought about drawing my sword, only to hold myself back – we needed the Vampires at that moment. To destroy a threat to the gods, I would ally myself even with her. "She's everyone's problem, now."
"Which is why Agmaer will be carrying the Bow," I said simply, drawing angry growls and yells from the Vampires. "He's the best option. I won't let you carry it, you won't let me carry it. I doubt any of the Vampires except you could account for the Bow's resistance against your kind, so they're all out of the question. Agmaer is the best archer besides either of us, given how proficient as he's become with projectile weapons as of late."
"I... Thanks, Luc, but do you really think this -"
I turned to the Dawnguard member. "You're ready and this is what you're best at. Vilkas is needed to protect Brelyna, and he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn anyway."
"Hey!.. Yeah..." the former werewolf grumbled.
"Ingjard is better at close quarters combat than you are, so she'll be needed to keep Lamae and her legions busy while you line up your shots. Delphine isn't willing to leave my side under any circumstance, even if its what's best, so she's a no. Same with Jordis. J'Zargo is a mage who hasn't touched a bow in his life. And Serana has the same problem that the other Vampires do. You're the best option, save myself or Thera," I explained. This did nothing to calm the young man's nerves, so I walked over to him and placed one gloved hand on his shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just stay close to Ingjard and everything will be all right."
Agmaer opened his mouth to protest, but shut it and nodded. I turned back to Thera. "As you can see, he's the only option," I said, marching towards her. I slammed my hands onto the table on either side of the Bow and glared at Thera across the divide between shadow and light. "And the worst part is that you know it."
Thera snarled. "Yes. I suppose I do," she said, glaring over at Agmaer. Her eyes were filled with hunger. "How unfortunate; I had hoped to hold the Bow in my hand one more time before you handed it over at the end of the battle." She smiled, dancing around the inevitable betrayals that we both intended to enact against the other. While they were obvious to both sides and any observers, to speak of it would be to break some kind of sacred rule. Our alliance was fragile, so allowing it to live even through denial of our own trickery was necessary.
I narrowed my eyes. Something was wrong – she was not the kind to merely listen to logic. She would deny the facts of the matter until we were all dead at Lamae's hands. "What are you up to?" I asked with eyes narrowed.
"You first, Ayleid," Thera retorted, speaking just loud enough for only me to hear. My face contorted in anger and she laughed joyfully. "Oh, don't give me that face. I'm agreeing because I must. There's no way around the fact that none of these Vampires could touch the Bow, much less use it. And he's the one of your little troop I would least mind holding what is m- ours."
Delphine narrowed her eyes and then glanced over at me. I was of a mind with her, believing firmly that Thera wasn't capable of doing anything vaguely resembling compromise. But that wasn't what was important at the moment. What remained important was that this war was about to begin. Though not until our fearless commanders decided on their last uplifting words for us. "I'm glad to see that you got this argument out of the way so easily," Rikke said, coming out from behind one of the tents on the mortal's side of the war camp. She was wearing Imperial General's armor, the metal was a golden-coated ebony with a rich, Royal Purple cape hanging over her left arm. "We can't afford petty fights amongst you all when the time for battle comes."
"Rikke," I said, bowing my head slightly. "Forgive me – General"
"Pro Tempore," Rikke corrected in the court tongue of the Empire – her official title being General pro Tempore, or for the time being. I was of the belief that this temporary position would only be temporary for a short while. "Though that matters little at the moment, Legate. What matters now is that we send you off, and you all understand what you are doing."
"I think I have a basic concept," Thera growled dryly, crossing her arms and glaring at the General. I wanted to tell her to be quiet, but this was about fostering our alliance. Besides, she had been one of those who helped draw up the plans, just like me, and Thera had never been one to be patient in the face of... anything, really.
"Be that as it may," Rikke said caustically, stepping past the sticky situation and continuing with what had to be done, "this is still a necessary briefing. Count Harkon and Commander Isran both are busy setting up the battle on the front lines – the distraction – so that you all will be able to make your way towards the locations that are designated. Thera and Lucius are central to the tertiary focus of this mission. They and those they designate as their personal squads will be taking in a frontal assault on Lamae Beolfag herself. Make no mistake, though you fight at the side of the two greatest warriors in Skyrim, your chances of survival in the short run are slimmest there. However, the secondary assault is the most important part of this battle. The Archer must survive. Agmaer will be defended by a group of you and head out to a crow's nest in the battlefield. Should Lucius and Thera distract her well enough, Agmaer will be able to tag Lamae with an arrow. From what the Dragonborn have said, this is the only way to injure her permanently. One shot should be enough, but we won't be banking on that. Agmaer, hit her as often as possible so we can be sure. Only once Lamae has been tagged by at least one Sunhallowed arrow will the assault team begin with the primary focus of the battle. I expect you to survive, but barring that I expect she will not. Make no mistake, if she does... it will be over. Today, you fight not as Men, Mer, or Beast. Not as Vampire or Mortal. Not as Blade or Thalmor. Today you fight as one thing only: the Scales of the Dragonborn."
"J'zargo likes the name," my college dorm mate muttered.
"I suppose I can put off assassinating the bitch for a few days," Delphine told me, tossing a heavily venomous glare at the Thalmor. "Though it goes against everything my bones are screaming at me."
"The bitch feels the same way about you," Thera responded.
Delphine looked like she was about to attack, but I held my hand up. "We don't have the luxury of time nor the freedom of superior power necessary for any cracks. Put it aside Delphine. Behave as if, for just this battle, you have never met her before. After our armies part, I will be the first to try for her life, but that is another day. Another war. It doesn't matter right now."
"As I said," Rikke agreed. She clasped her hands behind her back and moved on to the next order of business. "The Runic Weapons have been handed out to the three human section commanders and they, in turn, have been assigned to the three locations that Florentius says Arkay specified. Nothing he's said so far had been off base, so we're sure that will work. None of you should have any problems with Lamae's Domination over the course of the battle, as our two resident Elder Scrolls readers have testified." Rikke gestured with her right hand at me and then at Thera. "This fight will either decide that we live to fight each other to the death another day, or we end up exterminated by the first Vampire. I personally would prefer the former to the latter."
Rikke glanced around, and I did the same. The faces of each member of this strike unit were filled with growing determination. We were the first, last, and only chance at stopping the most ancient living evil on all of Nirn from exterminating mortals and overthrowing a god or two. Overall, it looked more than a little hopeless. That said, most things I ended up doing looked hopeless at first. It hadn't stopped me – and Thera – from killing Alduin, or kept me from disarming the Eye of Magnus. I've been in more hopeless fights before, I lied to myself.
I turned to the group. "Serana, Delphine, Jordis, you stick with me. J'zargo, stick with Vilkas and Brelyna to provide support and mid range attack. Ingjard will be with Agmaer," I commanded. I turned towards Thera. "Your turn."
"You four with us. You two with the Bow," she gestured after a brief moment of thought. "Do not fail."
"Yes, Lady Thera," they all muttered, bowing to their superior in the Court.
The leader of the unit's Vampires turned to me. "Are we done here?"
"I suppose so," Rikke said seriously. "Gods-speed, Dragonborn." She flashed a dry smile at Thera. "Talos guide you."
I couldn't stifle my sniggering at that.
Fahiil
Thera
I crouched in the shadows and drew my swords, watching the approaching legion of Vampires in the distance. They moved in perfect sync, marching across the planes like a horde ready to devour the entire world. If they weren't trying to murder me, I would have admired it. As it was, I could only hope they would soon be destroyed. From deep within their number came the echoing hunger and rage of Lamae Beolfag. While it had once been an all-consuming, oppressive force, the strength of the Domination had been shuttered by the presence of the ancient artifacts I had gathered. Honestly, I had been worried it would not work. I was glad to see that I had been wrong; we were in fact safe from her control.
They grew closer, and closer, approaching the location where our strike team was hiding. We had already sent off the Nord idiots with the Bow so they could find their way to a sniper's nest. This left the rest of us lying in wait to strike through the flank of the horde and make our way to the center. To the First Daughter of Coldharbour. I was thirsting for this battle. Without her vaunted Domination, she would soon find herself in a much different position than she had during our prior battles. No longer would she paralyze us all and control our minds. She would be wrought low by those she deemed so far beneath her. Me, the greatest of creatures on all of Nirn.
There was a certain poetry to – "Can you please stop posing like that? You're acting like a – well a Thalmor Vampire," Lucius growled at me, interrupting my thoughts.
"And you're acting like a boorish human. Don't tell me what to do, moron," I snapped back, my blade flashing to his throat. His bronze mask cocked to one side, the black slits of his eyes casting an angry glare at me, hiding what must have been the obvious fear on his face. I dropped my sword to my side and turned back to the encroaching horde. "Now quiet, it's almost time."
"I was – Ugh," he grumbled, returning his attention to the army. He glanced up at the sun, then frowned and looked back down."Okay, it's time."
"Agreed," I muttered, gesturing for him to stand in front of our group. For a moment, I thought about sliding my sword between his ribs and just finishing with this whole war. Of course, that would have been too dangerous at the moment, Lamae Beolfag ready to destroy the entire world and all that.
Lucius glanced over at me and we nodded at each other. The two of us glared up at the sky and combined our Voices. "Strun Bah Qo!"
The sky began to roll, thunder crashing above us and lightning flashing ominously. Streaks of the Magickal electricity crashed down to the ground, burning through members of the horrible horde. Lucius was already moving onto the next part of the plan. He stood well in front of us all, the gleaming energy of Magicka flowing through his veins and visibly crawling up his arms. He let the energy grow and compound until the ethereal glow covered his entire form. Then he let it all out, and I must wonder what a true master of Magick – an Elven master – could do with that same spell. A human sized stream of pure lightning flowed from his outstretched hands, carving a magnificent canyon of destruction into the plain far below. And, more deliciously, through the army of our foe. Entire batallions of Lamae's Vampires were exterminated in mere moments, burned away into Magickally charged ash beneath the weight of one of the most powerful spells ever crafted. After a half-minute, Lucius fell to his knees and the beam of lightning disappeared. There was a wild war cry as our military began its assault. "Attack," Lucius growled in exhaustion, his whore helping him to his feet.
I didn't really hear him, however. I was already leading the charge down from our hidey hole cave. "I will love murdering you fools," I muttered to myself as I approached the first snarling faces of my enemies. The flank of Lamae's army seemed to writhe and gather like a wave, filling the gap created by Lucius' spell and crashing against our unit. The sound of the war between our main forces and Lamae's horde echoed over our new attack, filling the world with the screams of death and the scent of blood. It was beautiful practice for the war that would inevitably come.
I quickly decapitated the closest incoming Vampire, sending its snarling face soaring above the battlefield. A moment later, a geyser of blood exploded from its throat, bathing me in its delicious, red warmth. My second blade became buried in another Vampire's heart and I used the corpse as a shield, deflecting spells and incoming arrows as I made my way towards the center of the horde. I eventually pulled my weapon from the Vampire's chest and kicked the body into one of its peers. I jabbed my weapon forward and through the throat of another enemy, then turned and barely deflected an incoming arrow with my main hand weapon. I moved to attack the fool who had attacked me, but I stopped once Lucius' servant barreled shield-first into the line of Vampires, knocking them down like dominoes and exposing them to another of our allies' attacks.
I cast a glare up at the cave, watching as the mage-elf healed him. Her enemy when the war inevitably came. Really, all I could see was the dying golden glow of her spells. Likely, Lucius was already on his way to attack Lamae from the other side and enact our plan. I turned my attention back in time to block an attack with my off hand weapon and decapitate the one who had assaulted me. "Press on!" I screamed, urging the fools following me to redouble their efforts. The hour of either my victory or my doom was at hand, and I would sacrifice anything to make sure it was the former. They roared in agreement and we made our way through the next layer of Vampires, pressing our backs together so we would not be surrounded. One of my Vampires was to my left and the Ebony clad servant of my enemy on my right.
I lashed out with my right sword, parrying an attack from one of Lamae's hordelings, twisting the blade to the side and slicing the hand off. The Vampire shrieked in pain, clutching at the stump of its hand for a moment before the 'Ebon Warrior' cleaved it in two at the gut. We advanced onward, leaving it screaming in the throes of death behind us. "For Talos!" the woman on my right screamed, raising her shield to bear the brunt of another blow. I scoffed and stabbed through the skull of her attacker. Talos. Ugh, the will of a single Man had somehow torn down the entirety of the White-Gold Concordat and rendered it a meaningless document. Of course, it was always meaningless to the Mer. Merely a clever way to get around the borders of the humans and enforce the death of a god. But now even that was taken. The Justicars had stopped patrolling since the civil war in Alinor had begun, a similar fight for control taking place there as in Cyrodiil. Not for long, of course. I caught an incoming ax with my blade, twisting it from the hand of its owner before decapitating her.
Then a shudder ran through the air. The battle itself seemed to stop as Lamae Bal herself appeared in an explosion of blood. The liquid was so much that it pooled around our ankles, creating a veritable river that we had to slog through. There was a loud, pained gasp, one of desperation for air, and Lucius and his group appeared behind her.
The woman herself was wearing glass armor, though it was thinner and the crystal was tinged the same dark crimson as the blood pooling at our boots. Her hair was done in a long braid trailing down her left shoulder. Her eyes were brilliant, glowing like suns even in the light cast by the Magelight spells all around. In her right hand was a long, jagged trident with grooves along the side of every prong. The blood beneath us began to recede and Lamae moaned appreciatively, the energy of countless cattle sating her hunger. "Now," she said, glancing around at us all, making motions with her hands to keep her horde at bay and to turn their attention back towards our army, "I believe you were looking for me?"
I growled and raised my weapons. "DIE!" I screamed, rushing towards the First Vampire.
Jul
Lucius
"Attack," I growled over my shoulder, my entire body paralyzed with the intense exhaustion of utilizing so much raw Magicka. I apparently didn't have to tell Thera, as she had already made her way down towards our enemy's forces. Serana helped me scrabble to my feet, holding me up with her shoulder. "Dammit..." I made to follow and nearly fell to my knees again.
"Still," Brelyna commanded, grabbing me by the other shoulder and channeling healing Magick through my body. "You used up too much of your energy in that assault."
"We have to move," I responded, shoving off the two women's attention. I gasped and stumbled, but kept my feet. I groaned and lowered myself to my ass, still exhausted. "Fine. I'll be fine in a few minutes, with Brelyna's aid. Serana, get the others ready to move so we can get down there as soon as possible. We can't afford to wait too long." Serana smiled gratefully down at Brelyna, who was crouching beside me and already channeling a spell to heal me, then ran off to rally the others.
"You're pretty damn lucky," the Dunmer muttered.
"Really? I'm sure Orthjolf is as well," I retorted, letting a grin come to my face. The Dunmer blushed in response. Orthjolf had always been a rebel among Nords – what was more rebellious than finding a Dunmer mage for a lover? I laughed for a short while and let the Dark Elf work silently. Eventually, however, I felt my breath come safely. "Okay, let's get going."
"Agreed," Brelyna sighed hesitantly. "I'd rather you wait another moment or two, but there seems to be little time."
"Are you all ready?" I asked, turning to the warriors assembled. Elves, Men, Beasts. Mortals and Vampires. They looked as if they were indeed ready for this battle to both begin and end. I turned and drew my Dragonbone blade, raising it above my head. "Charge!"
I ran forward, summoning a Fireball to my off hand and letting it fly into the side of the mass of Vampires, burning away a small section of the monsters. They turned, slinging spells and arrows to annihilate me and my allies. With a growl of exertion, I tossed forward a wide ward, deflecting the spells and absorbing the Magicka that had come towards me. The wall shattered from the weight of the spells, but it had already done its job. Only the arrows came towards us, easily being blocked by the shields of those behind me. I myself, allowed the projectiles to uselessly clatter against my armor and fall to the ground.
I crashed against the enemy, alone shattering the outer wall of the enemy with a Fire Storm spell and clearing a path for my squad to attack as well.
I caught the incoming blade of a Vampire with my gauntlet, stopping it hard and burying my blade in my attacker's chest. A quick spout of flames kept the encroaching swarm at bay, allowing my allies time to aid me. Two of Serana's daggers twirled through the air over my shoulder, burying themselves in the skulls of two Vampires, causing one to erupt in flames and the other to die in a burst of Lightning. This was quickly followed by a barrage of Ice Spikes that decapitated those behind them. Serana passed me as I froze an enemy solid with my Voice, flipping to grab her daggers and using them to slit the throats of another two Vampires.
"J'Zargo thinks we could do this!" my friend shouted, his Khajit voice laughing boisterously as he shot spells in defense of Brelyna and the rest of us.
"That makes all of us!" I shouted in joyous response, quickly moving to kill a Vampire creeping up behind Delphine. I smirked as she turned around, though she couldn't see it behind my mask. "Is all your time in Sky Haven Temple dulling your skills, O Leader of the Dragonguard?"
She snarled in response and her Katana flashed past my head. Blood spurted from over my shoulder. "Is your woman dulling yours?" she asked before turning away to kill another.
I glanced over at Serana, who calmly shot her right hand behind her, killing a Vampire that was advancing on her. I certainly didn't have to watch my back when she was around. I could watch hers instead – wait, that came out just a little wrong. "N-not in the way you think," I muttered, extremely glad that my face was hidden by my Dragon Priest mask.
I shook my head and returned to battle, forcing my way through the enemy as the point of a spear would through armor, pulling my friends and allies along in my wake. The enemy crashed against me, tyring to swarm and destroy me. "Fus Ro Dah!" I roared, extending my hands before me as I did. The enemy before us flew apart, clearing the path before us.
"Well, I always knew you were impressive," a somewhat familiar voice said, causing the Vampires around us to back away in deferential respect. The entire battlefield was completely silent, falling to their knees around us. From within the bowels of her army came the First Vampire herself. Lady Lamae Beolfag. She was wearing a simple, black tunic and holding a golden, cruel looking trident in her right hand. "But I think my army would fall against you alone, were I not here." She raised her hand towards us, her face shaking angrily. "Hm. Perhaps not. You found the Runed Weapons, then, didn't you? Impressive. Pointless, but clever." Her hand rose to the sky, blood congealing around her dress and forming armor of Magick around her body. It was like Glass armor, save that it was a deep crimson where it should be green and was silver where it should be gold. "Then let us see how you all fight beside me, hm?" The red exploded outward, and the world was filled with blood.
It was like drowning, filling every crevice, every breath with the red liquid. We were all dying in this cascade of blood.
And then, just like that, it was over. I gasped, painfully pulling in my first breath in what seemed like hours into my lungs. "Talos, save us," I gasped, trying to push myself to my feet. The ocean of blood beneath my feet sloshed as I did, then began to recede.
"Now, I believe you were looking for me?" the Vampiress asked, an evil grin on her face and her hand outstretched towards – Thera?
"We've been teleported," I growled. I gripped my right hand tighter, and noticed my Dragon Bone sword was gone. Wordlessly, I watched Thera rush like a fool towards the First Vampire; I drew my crossbow and began firing explosive crossbow bolts towards the monster, whose armor merely deflected them.
"What's going on?" Serana asked beside me, having become stronger as a result of the bloody explosion, rather than nearly drowning.
"That armor, it's strong enough to shrug off explosive Magicks," I told her, dropping the useless Crossbow and drawing Dawnbreaker. It quivered, both terrified and ecstatic at its first use in ages. "It's made from her Blood, so it can't be destroyed by any of us. We need to hope that Agmaer will land a hit soon..."
"Or we're dead?" Serana asked. Thera was tossed aside by one of Lamae's hands, then rolled to her feet and made to attack once again.
"Or you're all dead," I corrected grimly, slowly advancing on the monster. "I'm pretty sure she wants me alive."
I took off at a run, gripping Dawnbreaker in both hands and roaring. Lamae turned calmly towards me, raising her trident in her right hand and allowing Thera's attack to glance off of her armor. "Yes, come to me, Dragonborn. Give yourself to me," Lamae commanded, dark desire on her face.
"Oh, no he won't!" Serana's voice came from behind me. Her Ice Spikes flew past me, one shattering against Lamae's trident, and the other flying through her skull. Sadly, it gave me hope to see that. Bad idea.
Lamae's head immediately reformed, even as the Spike passed through it, blood, bone, and brain stitching together even while they were broken. "That was... a poor choice," the Vampire snarled at Serana, misting around me as I slashed at her. She appeared behind me and brought her trident down to kill Serana. The one who saved her, surprisingly enough, was Thera. She ran past me, appearing beside Serana in a flash and bringing her swords up to bear against the fork of Lamae's Trident. "And so was that." She twisted her trident, locking in Thera's blades, and snapped it to the side. The Bitch was sent flying.
Serana growled and threw her freezing dagger into Lamae's skull as the First Vampire watched Thera tumble across the ground. The ancient evil's skin froze solid, granting Serana enough time to jump backwards and letting me toss a Sunball at Lamae. She took the attack, letting it melt the ice from her face. Delphine jumped past me, catching the trident with her blade and bringing it to the ground. Jordis soon followed suit, grabbing Lamae's off hand and holding it steady so I could approach.
"Clever," Lamae admitted, easily lifting my allies with straight arms, then tossing them away. As Delphine and Jordis skidded across the ground, Lamae advanced on me. "But clever is meaningless against power. You will understand that soon, Dragonborn. You will help me to destroy gods!" She dashed towards me, trident first, and the weapon clashed against Dawnbreaker, hissing and healing against the Sun Magicks I wielded through my weapon. "So where is the Bow?"
That was around the time Serana alerted me. "Luc! Ten feet!"
I nodded, understanding what she meant. "Fus Ro Dah!" I screamed, sending the Vampiress tumbling back. I ran forward and reached out with telekinetic Magicks, pulling her down to the ground where Serana had said. The arrow collided with her right hand, and the trident was sent flying.
"Ah, you managed well," Lamae grunted, pushing herself to her feet. "Enchanting arrows with Sun Magick to break through my armor." She snapped the arrow in two and dropped. She stared at her hand, waiting for the hole to heal. Her eyes turned to me. Her voice was quietly angry, filled with ice. "What did you do?"
"She's vulnerable!" I screamed, dashing towards the First Vampire.
"No, you will not kill me!" she screamed, summoning her trident back to her hand with Magick. She slashed through the chest of one of Thera's Vampires, the blood running down the grooves of her trident. A black light shot form her hand, raising the Vampire from the dead as a zombie. The corpse ran towards me in attack. Dawnbreaker sang as I killed it again, resulting in an explosion of light that burned through Lamae as well. "Damn!"
The Vampire twirled her weapon, jamming it into the gut of the next warrior to attack her, even severing the left arm with one of its teeth. "Jordis!" I screamed, running even faster towards Lamae. I ducked beneath the next attack and lashed out with my sword. It collided with the handle of the trident, and I felt the base of the weapon slam into my skull. I grinned darkly and felt the Mask draw on my Magicka reserves, releasing an explosion of healing Magick that likely saved Jordis' life, and summoning the specter of the mask's namesake.
"A ghost!?" Lamae asked, slashing blindly at the Dragon Priest to kill it. This gave Thera enough time to tackle the Vampire to the ground, and the others began unleashing blow after blow upon her exposed face.
"No! Stop!"
I held up my hand and the group stopped attacking her. "Do you remember what Florentius told you when we first met, Lamae?" I asked. The Vampire just snarled at me. "Arkay was granting your wish, it was just going to take a while." And with that, I brought Dawnbreaker down through the skull of the Vampiress, ending the battle as all of her children around us fell to ash.
Fahiil
Thera
And with that, Oblivion broke loose. Arrows flew from the edges of the battlefield, an army of werewolf hunters rushed in from beyond the horizon. And I made my move in the confusion. I rushed towards the place where Agmaer and the Bow waited.
"We have to stop her, Serana!" Lucius shouted. "Brelyna, help Jordis. The rest of you – now!"
"So you were planning to betray us?" I inquired as I ran, sprinting at just the right speed to ensure he did not fall behind. The plan was going perfectly, so far. One dead Lamae, soon to be one captured Serana. And no Bow. Yes, my victory was close at hand. "What happened to your paltry honor, Jokaar? Did it ever really matter to you?"
"Do not taunt me, witch!" he screamed, shooting a lightning bolt that narrowly missed my head. I laughed and swerved into a nearby battle between my forces and the warriors that Lucius had brought, knowing that Lucius would fall behind trying to save them. I had to keep him close... but I wasn't suicidal.
I quickly made my way up the mountain, only stopping to laugh or taunt my opposite. He had to stay close. As I approached the clearing, I grinned. My Thrall had done exactly as commanded. "You won't get away you... witch... Ingjard, no..."
I smiled and turned around, keeping my Thrall at my back. "I enthralled this one some time ago, Ayleid. It's a good slave, huh? You thought she was strong, but she served me. The Bow is ours, as was promised!"
"The good of the world outweighs that deal," Lucius replied, readying Dawnbreaker. He glared past me at Ingjard, the foolish slave. "I'm sorry. Death is the only freedom I can grant you."
And with that, he attacked me, not even noticing the most important change that had occurred. He believed his whore could protect herself? Well, usually I'd agree. But the entire military had brought itself upon the task of capturing her. And we had already succeeded. I deflected his blow, stumbling to the side on purpose. "Run, Ingjard. Take the bow," I commanded, knowing that this was the end. He would make a single decision, and I would either be victorious or I would die.
And I was victorious.
Lucius growled and kicked at me, sending me tumbling backwards. He chased after Ingjard, and I crept away, assured in my victory over my moronic Jokaar. "Come, Lucius. Bring me my bow, and perish for your whore. Sacrifice your whole world for a single woman, just like the fool you are."
Jul
Lucius
The attack after the battle had been costly. Though Jordis had survived, she had lost her arm and likely wouldn't be able to fight ever again. Three of the Companions had fallen to the Silver Hand before the ambush had even began, and scores of Imperials, Dawnguard, and Nords alike fell to the arrows of the Dark Brotherhood archers before we finally succeeded in killing them all. But worst of all..?
Worst of all, she had been taken. It was genius, really. Even knowing that Thera planned it this way, I was going to waltz right into her trap because to do otherwise would mean she died. I'd risk everything for Serana, no matter how damnably stupid it would be to do so. But that's love, isn't it?
"We need to save her," I demanded simply, slamming the Bow down on top of the table.
"No. They can't do anything without the Bow," Isran said. He slammed his fists down atop the table. "I'm sorry about your Vampire, but this is bigger than her. You need to acknowledge she isn't as important as our war."
"She is. To me. Everyone is. Isran, you're a good General. Really," I replied, placing my Mask on the table. "A true warrior willing to make the hard choices. I respect you for that. But this is bigger than a simple fight for everything. We've won that. This right here is about a battle for the soul of the world."
"You're an idiot. That bow isn't going anywhere, Lucius," Isran snapped. He gestured at Hadvar and Rikke. "Hundreds are dead from this battle alone. We're licking our wounds. This isn't the time to assault the Volkihar."
"This is the only time to assault them. Their numbers were just as injured as ours -"
"If it weren't for the surprise attack by the Dark Brotherhood and the Silver Hand, I'd agree," Isran snapped, slamming his fist on the table again and cracking the wood. "But the Dawnguard are barely hanging on as it is."
I narrowed my eyes at Isran. "Old Man, you can't stop me. They want the bow? I'll take it, and I'll kill every one of those bastards before they can do anything about it." I slammed my fist onto the table then, shattering it completely. I caught the Bow in one hand and wrapped it around my shoulders. I continued speaking, "Isran, we both know that for that woman, I would do anything. This isn't about victory anymore. It's our duty, the duty of those in the right, to save everyone that they can. Every single life, no matter what. And as long as she's around Thera, Serana is in danger. You made me take an oath to protect all mortals I could -"
"She's not mortal!"
"She was trying to be!" I roared, causing the entire room to suddenly grow silent. Isran's gaze met mine, emotions I'm not even sure he understood running through his eyes.
"What do you mean?" he finally asked.
I sighed and ran my gauntlet through my hair. "We were planning on going to Morthal as soon as this battle ended. The rumors are that someone there knows the Cure. She... asked me to take her there. She wanted to be human," I explained, fidgeting from side to side. Her face flashed through my mind and I grew deathly still, save for rage quivering through my fist.
Isran was deathly silent, then turned to Rikke. "Take your Imperials and the Royal Army back to Solitude. I don't care much about it, but the war with the Thalmor will break out soon," he told her. Rikke glanced over at me and I nodded in agreement. She nodded deferentially and saluted, then left the tent with Hadvar at her side. Isran sighed and turned back to me, brow furrowed. His voice came out as only a low, angry growl. "You know, even now I wish that Durak had understood and sought out Thera instead of you. You're too damn soft."
I growled and stepped forward. "You -"
"Because having you around has been making me soft," the weary Imperial mumbled, causing me to freeze. He looked up, an honest to gods smile on his face. Gone was the tired, haunted look in his eyes. Instead, he had... humanity that he had long since tossed away. "I'll gather whoever I can get for your crazy little rescue mission, but it won't be much. So you better have a gods-damned plan, you crazy Dragonborn."
I smiled thankfully. "I... Yes, Sir!" I cried, snapping a salute.
