DISCLAIMER: all publicly recognizable characters are owned by their respective authors and I do not take credit for their creation and I make no $$$ off of the story.

All characters recognized from Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" books, Peter Jackson's filmography, TURN: Washington's Spies (Akinbode), The Underworld Saga, Blizzard's Warcraft III and Warcraft III: the Frozen Throne, Dracula: Untold (Mirena, and certain quotes), The Count of Monte Cristo (Za'Tara name and joke only.) and Dragonheart.

Sarthinias had not slept all night yet when morning arose, he could feel no pain or fatigue. He felt nothing but worry for Shaylar. He also carried his suspicion of someone watching them. He was monitoring Shaylar's breathing intently when Za'Tara spoke up, "Za'Tara thinks he should thank you on behalf of us all, you stopped that monster from killing us all."

"You would have done the same, friend." Said Sarthinias.

"Ah yes, I believe introductions are in order." interjected Xander, "I am Xander Eagle-Talons."

"Za'Tara is called Za'Tara Shadow's-Bane." said Za'Tara.

"And I am Arianna Shade-Seer, but you can call me Ari." said Arianna.

"I am Talim." said Talim.

"I am Sarthinias, and these twins are our friends Shaylan and Shaylar. We all grew up together." answered Sarthinias.

"Ah, I see this must be hard on you." said Xander.

"What are you Sarthinias, I feel Nord in you, but you fight like a Wood-Elf." asked Arianna.

"I could ask you the same thing Ari. I am a pure Nord, but I can proudly say that I was raised in a Bosmer colony. I grew up with Talim, the twins, and War-Claw, I do wonder how he is doing. I was taken in by the village's chief, Tak-Galborn, he was like a father to me." answered Sarthinias.

"I see, and as for your question I am part Bosmer, but I am also a Breton. My father was a Breton of High Rock, and my mother was a Wood-Elf of Valenwood. I am, if you've never heard the stories, an Earth Elementalist." replied Arianna with pride. Sarthinias and Talim's eyes widened at that, Za'Tara and Xander burst out laughing at Sarthinias and Talim.

"Za'Tara as you can obviously is a Khajiit. Za'Tara was once a humble merchant, but then he was impressed onto a smuggler's vessel or risk going back to prison. Za'Tara had escaped the prison and they gave him two choices be welcomed onto ship or slit his throat. Za'Tara picked the most profitable choice. That is also how Za'Tara got his name of Za'Tara." finished Za'Tara.

"Your name sounds fearsome." commented Sarthinias.

"Yes it is!" said Za'Tara with a proud smile.

"His name means Driftwood." said Ari and Xander at the same time with even larger smiles as they stifled laughter.

"Hey! Not fair!" shouted an embarrassed Za'Tara. Talim broke out laughing as Sarthinias smiled, something he had not done since he heard Snout-Snapper as they left War-Claw's den.

"What's so funny?" asked a tired voice. All eyes turned to the twins and they saw that Shaylan had awoken.

"Shaylan, my friend!" exclaimed Sarthinias with joy, but also fear as they had not yet figured out what would become of his sister.

"Where's Shaylar?" Shaylan asked. Talim's eyes widened as she realized the delicacy of the situation.

"She's resting right now, she has a mysterious injury that we have not been able to fully heal, but she's alive." said Xander.

"Ah, Shaylan this is Xander Eagle-Talons, that Khajiit is Za'Tara Shadow's-Bane, they saved your life. The young woman over there is Arianna Shade-Seer, she healed us all, including Shaylar." said Sarthinias.

"Thank you." said Shaylan heavily, then his eyes narrowed, "What of those monsters!? The ones who attacked us!?"

"Za'Tara will tell you, they're dead and ashes." answered Za'Tara with a grave look in his silver eyes.

"Good." said Shaylan.

"Well, we do not yet know if they are all dead yet, Caligula hasn't turned to ash yet." said a voice from above.

"I knew it," said Sarthinias under his breath, "We're not alone." he said aloud. Everyone that was able to, reached for their weapons.

"Do not be alarmed, for I am not a foe. I hope to be a friend." said the voice. Then a small cloud of what looked like bats, descended quickly, onto the floor of the Pass. The cloud then, reformed as a man. Yet, Sarthinias and the rest already knew what this; 'man' was. The deep crimson of his eyes betrayed the stranger's identity, he had not concealed his incisors either. This was another Vampire.

"Peace! I am not here to harm you! I swear it!" said the Vampire.

"How can we trust you?" asked Shaylan coldly. The man unbuckled his sword and sheath, then tossed it in front of them.

"Other than that, I do not know." he replied softly. His voice was polite and delicate but contained an urgency, yet not a hunger.

"He's not lying, he's not a threat." declared Arianna.

"Very well speak, but one wrong move and you'll end up like the others." promised Sarthinias.

"I can see your alarm. My family was never the best people to be around, even if you were their own flesh and blood." commented the Vampire sadly.

"Oh? Family, I'm sorry to say that none were spared that attempted to kill us." said Xander in a frosty tone.

"On the contrary, I thank you. They disowned me and cast me out! I've nothing, but indifference towards the Blood-Pact Coven." replied the Vampire. "Ah yes, where are my manners. I am Thraculas the Dishonored. You can most likely guess where I got that title."

"I am Sarthinias, this is Talim the Huntress, and the injured twins are Shaylar and Shaylan." Introduced a wary Sarthinias.

"I am Xander Eagle-Talons, the Khajiit is Za'Tara Shadow's-Bane, and the blind beauty over there is Arianna Shade-Seer." said Xander, just as wary.

"I can feel your uneasiness, and I understand why you feel it. But, I will tell you why I came down here, to speak and risk my life. Your friend, the injured girl, requires aid only I can provide." Thraculas said. Sarthinias out himself between Thraculas and Shaylar.

"Why is it he has not awoken? What help can you give her that Ari could not?" said Za'Tara.

"Simple, yet painful to reveal. By tonight she will have awoken and you'd all be dead, a fledgling is often very thirsty after their first awakening. By tonight, she will have become like a savage Vampire that you have encountered." Thraculas responded along with a heavy sigh.

"Liar." proclaimed Talim.

"How else do you think we are made? I'm different, I was born of a blooded Vampire father and bitten Vampire mother. I am near pure Vampire, I've never seen a day through the eyes of a mortal!" shouted Thraculas, his sorrow evident.

"How could it aid her then!? By killing her!?" demanded Shaylan. Thraculas smiled.

"No, by giving her my blood she will see as I do, have the majority of my strength and powers, without any decrease to me. I will make it, as if she was born a Noble Vampire, not a Feral Fledgling. Let me play my part, then kill me if to still wish to." said Thraculas. He then bit into his left wrist and blood began to seep out of his veins.

"Bring her to me Sarthinias. Quickly, her life is precious!" Ordered Thraculas. Sarthinias reluctantly but not hesitantly picked up Shaylar and laid her next to Thraculas. Her mouth was barely open, but Thraculas let his blood drip into her mouth. Her breathing quickened, then her eyes opened, turning from emerald green, to light crimson. She stood up and wiped her mouth, then she closed her eyes again. As she reopened them, they turned back to their original emerald.

"How is she able to retain her eyes!?" shouted Xander.

"She was once mortal, and an Elf at that. Some are powerful enough to retain their eyes until, they feed on blood. Then their eyes turn Vampiric." answered Thraculas.

"Don't any of you dare to even consider killing him now!" Warned Shaylar. Everyone stood dumbstruck. Shaylar had recovered faster than any of them, and Sarthinias noticed, the bite wound on Thraculas' wrist, was no longer there.

"He truly did save my life, before that time I would have been a savage beast, I already smelled you as prey in my sleep. His blood changed my thought process, it made me remember who I was. As well as," she paused with tears in her eyes. "Who my family is!" Shaylar shouted through tears as she embraced Talim and Sarthinias. They were all relieved at Shaylar's return, but they felt that the time for questions would have to wait. Time was still precious and Windhelm was less than half of a day ahead.

"Sarthinias, before you leave, I wish to speak with you." requested Thraculas.

"Very well." replied Sarthinias as he walked towards Thraculas. He noticed something different, Caligula's body was no longer on the pike! Sarthinias reached for his sword, then Thraculas stayed his hand.

"He is ash my friend. Nothing more." said Thraculas, happier than before.

"Thraculas," said Sarthinias looking down upon the ash pile, " I wish to thank you, you have earned my trust along with my family's you're welcome to join us."

"Thank you, I have nowhere else to go. Being immortal is lonely win nobody to talk to, travel with, or fight beside for that matter." said Thraculas.

"I take it you like violence?" asked Sarthinias as they began to walk with the others.

"Not violence, but when push comes to shove, I enjoy the thrill of the fight. Having somebody to fight alongside me would just be perfection. I've always fought by myself and for myself, I want a purpose than just that of a monster." Thraculas said solemnly.

"You may be a Vampire, but you're not a monster. A monster like Caligula would've watched his people die at our hands with no feeling. Would have allowed Shaylar's transformation to be violent and bloody. Yet, you saved us all and you saved her from losing herself." Sarthinias sternly told him.

"You're the reason I am still who I am. You brought me back." said Shaylar.

"Yes, but I am still what I am. I will always be, the one man I knew that could cure Vampirism is dead. He wandered into the Morthal marsh at night, and was found completely free of blood the next morning. Before you ask, no I did not kill him. But I did find the body and bury it." finished Thraculas.

"Even more proof that you're more man than monster, and you haven't even lived a day as one." Shaylar told him.

"Perhaps, I haven't necessarily gone out much. I don't know most races that are here in Skyrim." said Thraculas.

"Then let me tell you," offered Xander with a better attitude than earlier, "as an Imperial officer us was forced to travel constantly. I know every race in Skyrim. Even those that have died out."

"I am listening."

"The majority of Skyrim is populated by the Nords, a rugged but hearty race of Imperials, like me, are native to Cyrodiil, also a race of humans. The Bretons are native to High Rock, yet in the Reach hold, there are fighters known as the Forsworn, they too are Bretons. The Bretons are a highly magical, race of humans, very intelligent but not strangers to weapons. The Redguards, are native to Hammerfell, they're strong warriors, they have darkened skin and are also humans. Now onto the Elven races. The High Elves or Altmer are a taller race of Elves, with golden skin, they come from the Summerset Isles. They're also very good with soul-trapping, enchanting, and lightning. The High Elves make up most of the Aldmeri Dominion, and have certain members in Skyrim, known as the Thalmor, they root out and question suspected insurrectionists, Talos believers, and later execute them." said Xander. Sarthinias growled at the name Thalmor, his pain evident. Thraculas realized this and had Xander continue on the other Elves.

"There are also the Dark Elves, or Dunmer. They are exceptional at fire magic, and counted among the most magically powerful. They hail from Morrowind, and have a province named Solstheim near Skyrim. Then there are the Wood Elves or Bosmer like the twins and Talim. They're a peaceful people that prefer living in wooded areas. They are most in-tune with nature and it's creatures. The Bosmer come from Valenwood, and they are normally a shorter race, but the three that travel with us don't seem to have the petite gene. There are also the Orcs, Orismer. The Orcs are a warlike and brutish race. They're strong and resourceful, their capital of Orsinium has been sacked and retaken many times, peace is elusive. In Skyrim they have several camp-strongholds throughout the Nine Holds. Lastly there's the Snow Elves, Falmer. They were once a proud enlightened people, now they are blind and savage beasts that lurk in the Underground. They were blinded as betrayed by the Dwemer, the Dwarves. The Dwemer disappeared ages ago, but their machinery remains, as deadly now as it was then. There are ruins throughout Skyrim that house the mechanisms of the Dwemer. Speaking of ruins, steer clear of any Ancient Nord ruins, they're home to the Draugr. The Draugr are Ancient Nords that refused to pass on into Sovngarde, they lurk in those ruins, beware, the Undead are just as deadly as the living. The race of our friend Za'Tara, is the Khajiit. The Khajiit are a merchant and stealthy race of cat-like people. They come from the desert of Elsweyr, near Valenwood. Most Khajiit are not allowed in the cities of Skyrim, because some have been caught stealing. The final race is that of the Argonians, or in their native language, Saxhleel. The Argonians are a lizard-like people,that can breathe underwater, and they are from Black Marsh. The Argonians are mistreated as well in Skyrim, they have unfair work with low wages." Xander finished.

"You did not mention the fairies friend of Za'Tara." chided Za'Tara.

"They are no more real than the werewolves! You should know that Za'Tara." defended Xander.

"I'll tell you a story about Werewolves sometime Xander." Sarthinias said.

"And yet, people like me exist, the Vampires." said Thraculas.

"True, but I've never seen one, I doubt they exist." Xander replied.

"Thraculas, you never explained to me, what is a Blooded Vampire and a Bitten Vampire?" asked Sarthinias.

"I'm a Born Vampire, as the name obviously points out, my fathered a Blooded Vampire, he received his powers from the Daedric Lord Molag Bal himself. Or so legend says. Molag Bal spilled his blood into a chalice and had my father and brothers drink from it. The term Blooded comes from the act of drinking a Vampire's Blood to become like us. As night descended they became powerful and invulnerable except from sunlight and silver. Silver burns us, and sunlight weakens out powers if we haven't fed in several days, if we prolong feeding for long amounts of time, we burn to death. A Bitten Vampire is just as the name suggests, the were turned from a bite, usually entranced by the one who turned them or a feral monster, few can regain their will, my mother was one such individual." Thraculas explained

"What am I classified as Thraculas?" asked Shaylar.

"I'm not sure. By saving you I have broken nearly every tenet of Vampirical Law.

I guess you could say that you're one of a kind."

"Sweet."

As the conversation reached its end, they came to the edge of Darkwind Forest. The Forest, is renowned as a very dark place. Not necessarily evil, just a secluded place, free from the rest of the world. Legend has it that an ancient magic protects this forest. The trees are rumored to talk to each other, even move. There was also a Legend, of the Protector of the Forest. An ageless beauty half Fairy, half Wood-Elf. Flawless pale skin, full light pink lips, red eyes, and long pitch-black hair. The most prominent feature on this beauty was her color changing wings. From yellow to purple, they changed color. She was wise and ever watchful.

As the friends entered the forest, they felt not uneasiness, but serenity. True the forest was dark, yet the Forest seemed genuinely welcoming, unlike the false guise of friendship from Caligula and his ilk. This forest was not black, but a deep violet with a dark green, a true sight to behold. The Bosmer and Sarthinias felt at home, the birds sang their songs and the woodland creatures scurried and played with each other in the trees. A lone stream flowed out, from a large pond, in the center of the forest. The group decided that they needed to make camp here for the night, they all agreed, no fires. The forest was naturally illuminated, the ground had color, tree leaves had glint, and torch bugs and fireflies flew around in harmony. All was at peace.

"Have you ever seen a more beautiful place my friends?" asked Thraculas.

"No, I doubt that any of us has. Nor are we likely to see it's like ever again." replied Sarthinias, still amazed at the magnificence of the forest.

"Hehehe!" laughed a feminine voice.

"What was that!?" Xander almost yelled. He was reaching for his sword when Sarthinias stopped him.

"Peace. My friends there is nothing harmful within this forest. It is only laughter after all." Sarthinias said.

"I didn't expect to see so much care and wisdom from a Nord. The Bosmer here yes, and perhaps Shade-Seer, but not you." said the voice in a curious tone.

"I was raised alongside these Wood-Elves, my friends since childhood. If you knew my friend War-Claw, you'd definitely understand. Dear me, where are my manners? I am Sarthinias." he replied softly along with a charming smile.

"Sarthinias. Where have I heard that name before?"she thought, "Oh Hehehehe you still haven't seen me have you? My name is Corsica the Protector of Darkwind Forest." she said aloud, and above in the trees, the friends saw a beautiful and magnificent creature. She stood at 5 foot 3 inches and had these fantastically colorful wings. She was exactly as Legend described her, yet the Legend fell utterly short of her Beauty. She bore the cutest smile upon her face.

Down in the ground Xander and Za'Tara were staring in awe.

"I got dibs Za'Tara." Xander whispered.

"Not a chance in Oblivion Xander! Za'Tara saw her first. Besides you said fairies don't exist." Za'Tara chastised. As the two friends bickered rather loudly, Corsica was blushing pink, Thraculas and Shaylan were on the verge of bursting into laughter, Shaylar, Talim, and Sarthinias were looking sternly at the two, and Arianna wore an impish smirk on her face. She shifted her feet and where Za'Tara and Xander were a second ago only two muffled shouts were heard. Next thing the two knew they were in the canopy of a large tree.

"Ari! What was that for!?" shouted Za'Tara.

"Ouch I've got a branch everywhere. What did I do!? Get me down from here! I HATE HEIGHTS!" shouted Xander. Everyone else burst out laughing at their predicament; even Corsica.

"Very well." said Corsica slyly with a very large smile. She snapped her fingers and the branches bent letting Xander fall. He didn't fall straight down though, he hit several branches on the way down, breaking his fall. Za'Tara burst out in laughter and slipped off the branch.

"Yikes!" he yelped. He grabbed onto the nearest branch and hung there. "Lucky for Za'Tara, he is a renowned acrobat in Elsweyr." he quipped arrogantly with a large smile.

"Corsica, have you ever seen a flying cat?" Ari whispered to Corsica.

"No, why?" she replied.

"I'll show you one." Ari said with a wink and a nod towards the hanging Za'Tara. She then thrust forth her hand towards Za'Tara and a boulder launched towards Za'Tara. His eyes widened, and he pushed off the branch he held onto, and launched from it.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" yelled Za'Tara as he soared high in the air.

"That'll teach you to call dibs on a girl! Didn't you learn your lesson last time!?" she called out to him.

"NOT FAIR! Za'Tara can't help it! He loves beautiful women!" He called out as he began to fall.

"But they don't seem to love you back cat! HAHA!" Xander called.

"Don't think we're done with you yet, strong boy." Ari and Corsica said with a devilish smile.

"Not good." Xander said to himself with widened eyes. He began to run in the opposite direction. As he did so a large splash was heard, with a large OWWWWW! Za'Tara had landed in the pond. He began to walk out, or rather waddle while glaring at the two girls, and fidgeting and muttering indistinct curses. He sat down on the ground and began to wring out his tail when he broke out in laughter. Xander had been caught by Shaylar, she had put her newfound speed to good use. Ari made a hole and they dropped Xander into it.

"You've dug your hole deep, let's see if you can crawl out of it." Ari said down to him.

"Women." Xander muttered bitterly as he began to climb out. Corsica whispered something to Arianna and Shaylar, they all smiled with mischief written all over their faces. If Za'Tara could've seen them, he would've ran. Xander was nearly out of the hole and had his hand ready to push off and out of it, then he was launched out of it by the Earth itself. Za'Tara was resting on his back lazing about when he heard a muffled shout, he thought 'Looks like he's getting what he deserves'. That is until Xander fell directly on top of him. He yowled in surprise and scrambled to his feet. Only to see Corsica above him smirking, Arianna ready to burst out laughing, and Shaylar wear an amused look on her face. He looked at Xander and they both said, "Never upset them again."

"You two fools should have known better than to incur a woman's wrath." said a heavily accented voice similar to Romanian.

"Yes, especially when one is of our kind." Added another accented voice, very similar to French.

"Who are you!? Where are you!?" Sarthinias demanded. The voices only laughed in response.

"I know those laughs," Thraculas whispered, "Corsica, if there are any creatures here get them out. Now! Out of this forest, please hurry."

Corsica nodded in acknowledgement, she flew back and began to warn every creature, bird and beast. They all began to leave the forest, every creature, until the trees were the only things left. This did not go unnoticed.

"Very wise of you Thraculas though I hope unnecessary." said the Romanian voice.

"Come down where I can see you uncle." Thraculas replied coldly. By this time Sarthinias had everybody else armed and alert. An uncle of Thraculas was not about to get a warm welcome.

"Very well nephew, come Brutus." the Romanian voice said. The two voices leaped out of the trees down to the forest floor. One was slim and dressed in fine black robes, he wore his black hair in a ponytail, he had not the red eyes of the majority of Vampires, but a light glowing blue. The other was muscular dressed in a heavy dark battle-armor, his long messy brown hair fell to his shoulders, and he had pale almost grey-green eyes.

"Uncles, Brutus and Nero. What brings you here? Was it not the two of you who consoled the man I once called father; to banish me from my own home!? To take away my birthright and throw me into a world I've not known? Centuries it's been!" Thraculas spat at them with venom in his words. Yet the two looked unscathed.

"Yes that was us, and we've come to resolve that matter. As you have no doubt learned, your father is dead. You have these people here to thank for that." said the French accented Brutus with disdain.

"Believe me when I say I have literally thanked them for ridding the world of that monster." Thraculas replied.

"Yes, that is now the past. We come to inform you of your duty to lead what is left of your father's coven. With his very unexpected death and that of your mother, you are the sole heir; to this throne of power. Regardless of your feelings, the cup falls to you. Quite literally. The power we have was given to us by the Daedric Lord, Molag Bal. He poured his own blood into a chalice and gave us power and chalice that your father and we drank from to gain this power, is still with us. We present it and it's ever potent blood to you." Nero said calmly.

He waved his hands and the ancient chalice appeared. He presented it directly to Thraculas.

"Drink nephew." said Brutus.

"Claim your destiny, you will be a lord like us ." continued Nero.

As Thraculas was to drink he stopped and stared briefly into the chalice.

"And what dear uncles; must I give in return!?" Thraculas demanded. They looked directly at him.

"Everything." they replied.

Thraculas looked at them, then to his friends to the side. He then threw the chalice to the ground. His uncles were shocked and angered, ready to lunge at him. Suddenly the ground shook and a menacing laugh was heard with a burst of fire in between the two groups. A large beast stood at fifteen feet tall, with its teeth bared and claws sharpened. The monstrosity had curved horns protruding outwards, large wings that matched it's stony grey skin. It's eyes were not eyes, but holes with red fire that came out of them. This was the Daedric Lord, Molag Bal, incarnate. His true form could not cross into Tamriel, not without more gateways opened to the Oblivion plane.

"You would reject this gift?" Molag Bal asked in a booming voice. Thraculas looked right into the red fire of it's eyeholes. He stood with his long sword drawn and held tightly in hand. The sword was hand-crafted and smithed by Thraculas himself. It had intricately carved out skulls in the hilt. He stared straight into the eyes of the demon.

"And did you bring these mongrels here; just...to watch you...die?" Molag Bal asked through his incarnation.

Thraculas stood bravely in a battle stance. He looked onto the demon defiantly, with his own fire in his crimson eyes. Suddenly, flaming boulders rained down upon The Lord of Coldharbour. He roared and his two Vampiric followers, cringed from the flames.

"NOW!" shouted Sarthinias as he charged forward with Za'Tara and Xander. The monster summoned servants from the plane of Oblivion. Ten Dremora, armed to the horns; stood ready to fight and die for their Dark Lord. Nero and Brutus also stood to fight, they used their own magic to conjure Gargoyles. Nothing, however, compared to the vast and terrible power of Molag Bal.

Ari and Corsica launched both earth and flame at the monstrous demon. They rained down upon him like fire from the sky, hoping to weaken the beast. To no avail however, his wings were near impenetrable, and his hide was tough, the only possible weak spot would be his head, fifteen feet above the ground. The fire from their efforts did help Sarthinias keep Nero and Brutus at a distance. His power over part of the winds, was used to push the fire towards the two brothers even faster and keeping a safe distance. Shaylan and Talim found themselves once again firing arrows at the enemy ranks. It was fruitless, at their angle to attempt to hit the demon's head. Instead they decided to cover their friends fighting the Dremora and Gargoyles. Meanwhile, Shaylar used her new-found abilities to form half of her body into a bat cloud. She used her Blood Magic to cast spikes of ice and bolts of lightning at Molag Bal.

"Tremble before me you pathetic creatures!" shouted Molag Bal.

He began to use his Demon-Fire; the red fire blazed and scorched the trees as Shaylar narrowly dodged it. He began to set his sights lower, he took aim at Shaylan and Talim. Just as he was about to let loose the flames bright purple and yellow flashing caught his eye from below. Corsica was attempting to douse the fire on the trees with a sprinkle of ice based magic. Molag Bal saw the half-fairy for what she was, pure, dedicated to the life of the forest. 'Yes,' he thought, 'with her gone, the ancient power of this forest will die and its magic will be mine for the taking. I will be able to enter this world... She must BURN!'

He aimed his fire directly at the beautiful being attempting to put out the evil fire. He cast it with a great deal of power. Corsica did not see the flames of Oblivion ready to engulf her, but Thraculas did.

"NOOO!" he yelled as he jumped in front of her in the flame's path and it impacted him.

"Thraculas!" shouted Sarthinias.

He saw Thraculas beside Corsica, they both looked fatigued, but otherwise unharmed. They had both placed a highly powered magical shield and Ari had sensed the danger as well. Ari made sure that the shield held by channeling her magic to the Earth beneath the two for an added boost in power. To say Molag Bal was shocked was an understatement, he was outraged.

"How dare you defy me!?" he roared.

He began to build up more power and decided to stream his fire onto the Vampire and the Fairy. The Demon-Fire poured down onto the two. Sarthinias knew that their shield wouldn't hold. He directed the fire he manipulated by the wind to meet the Demon-Fire. He poured all of his magic and might to combat that fire.

Brutus and Nero no longer hindered by the fire saw their chance for vengeance. Za'Tara and Xander ran to protect Sarthinias. Ari came running to help Shaylar and Talim, they'd run out of arrows completely and the Gargoyles advanced with the Dremora close behind. The partial stony skin of the Gargoyles made them difficult to kill. Ari made it easier. She would launch earth spikes to their chests, cracking the stone defense and leaving them open for a stab from Shaylan and Talim.

The two Vampiric brothers went to attack Sarthinias, but were detoured by Za'Tara and Xander.

"You won't get to him before going through us!" declared Xander, Brutus and Nero laughed.

"Don't be foolish boys, if you can get tossed around by females; do you really think you stand a chance against us?" Nero replied smirking.

"No. But Za'Tara knows he can slow you down!" Za'Tara said resolutely as he held tight to his Elven daggers.

"Nero you get the cat, the big one is mine." Brutus said.

Xander sighed, took a deep breath, and dropped his broken sword. He then put on his war gloves; the Eagle's Talons.

"You want to man up, monster? I'll man you up." Xander said as he looked bravely at Brutus.

"Finally, a mortal worth killing." returned Brutus.

Brutus, extended his own fingers and morphed his nails to claws. They faced their opponents. Xander and Za'Tara made the first move against Brutus and Nero. They charged each other and clashed head on. Brutus and Xander exchanged punches, and slashes. Za'Tara and Nero attacked each other with claws and daggers. Each exchanging cuts and scratches on their opponent's forearms.

"Getting tired yet Khajiit? I can do this all night." Nero said.

"The Night does not only belong to the Vampire. The wise and agile Khajjit like Za'Tara have lived and thrived in the night for generations." Za'Tara replied.

As Za'Tara finished speaking he ducked under a lunge from Nero and dug his claws into the Vampire's side. Outraged Nero uppercut Za'Tara and sent him flying into a tree. Nero went in for the kill, but missed only scarring Za'Tara's nose with three distinct slashes. Regardless, Nero would let the Khajiit writhe in pain for now, he set his sights on the bigger danger, Sarthinias.

Meanwhile Brutus and Xander fought each other with innumerable strength. Xander fought to survive and save his friends from the Nightmare of the Vampires. Brutus fought in hatred he was slowly losing the upper hand against Xander, he now knew how he'd gotten the name 'Eagle Talons'. Brutus knew something had to be done. He was desperate and unfeeling, he decided to fight dirty, and then he remembered a time where he and his wife destroyed a family, just for fun.

"Xander? Ah yes I remember that name. Hahahaha! You and your pathetic family, I'm surprised a weakling like you survived the cold waters that we left you in, Sailor."

"It...It was you, ten years ago! You! I'll carve out your heart and burn it you monster!"

"Yes, your mother's blood sustained my wife. Your sisters became like us before burning along the shore when dawn arose! Your father and brothers and you, you fought worse than animals! You deserved to die, you should have drowned, I promise, I'll finish what I began!" Brutus taunted.

As Brutus finished his taunt, he cast an ice spike into Xander's chest. Xander yelled out in pain and began to choke; on his own blood. Xander stood back up and continued fighting Brutus. Again Brutus used magic, banishing the brave Imperial into a tree.

"Why don't you just give up and die?" asked Brutus.

Xander merely spat blood at the Vampire in response and landed a large blow to the Vampire's chest.

"Insolent fool!"

Brutus cast an ice spike into Xander's shoulder and another into his left arm, Xander did not even make a sound nor emotion but fell to the ground. Brutus presumed the man dead, but he sensed movement and looked behind him. To his astonishment Xander was crawling towards him, attempting to stand and fight.

"Ask for mercy and I will end your pathetic life, Imperial."

"No, I ain't gonna beg you. If the gates of Hell want me I will stand, fight, and die on my feet. I will not be executed by a monster such as you. I swear it!" replied Xander with fire in his eyes, he then rose to his feet and raised his fists to fight.

"Very well, I will kill you and sacrifice all of your friends to Lord Molag Bal." as Brutus finished he raised his right hand and was about to slash open Xander's throat; a boulder struck the Vampire Lord and Xander's wounds suddenly healed, but he was too drained of blood to move.

"Keep away from him!" shouted Arianna.

"Well, well girl. It seems that it is my lucky night..."

Back to Nero, he set his sights on Sarthinias and prepared to cast a lightning bolt at him.

"Impaler! This is from the Blood-Pact Coven to you!" Nero shot the bolt at Sarthinias.

The electricity coursed through Sarthinias' body; he howled in pain, but could not retaliate. If he defended himself Molag Bal would overpower Thraculas and Corsica. Sarthinias had no choice but to bear with the pain, and it never fact the pain increased. Nero in all of his cruelty, increased the power of his spell slowly, torturing Sarthinias. Then another pain hit the Nord, a sharp slash across his chest.

"That's for my brother!" yelled Nero.

"He chose his own fate." replied Sarthinias.

"Don't be so sure, Impaler." said a very cold and familiar voice.

Sarthinias' blood ran cold. Shaylar looked at her friend and nearly shrieked in horror, she saw the mate of the one who turned her, Caligula was alive and well, he had regenerated his arm. Thraculas looked to his friend and paled. He whispered a single word; "Father."

"My son, you've chosen quite poorly. What sort of madman chooses these mortals over his own family?" Caligula asked his son.

"And what sort of monster casts out his only son? Watches as his people are slaughtered? Let his own wife die under his watch!?"

"Silence you foolish boy! Have you no sense of family!?"

"These people have been more of a family then you have been for centuries!"

"Insolent child, how dare you challenge me!?"

"Insolence? Well father perhaps I am insolent, but you are most certainly indolent!"

"Silence child!"

"Don't... listen... to...him...Thraculas." spoke Sarthinias through literal bloodied words.

And with that Caligula struck Sarthinias once more, out of rage.

"Should...you...strike...me...down...I...promise...I...will...take...you...with...me...Caligula..."

"Prove it then weakling." Nero spat with icy venom-laced words.

"No. I will!" spoke Shaylan.

"You boy? You dare challenge us?" Caligula asked.

"Yes. Your gargoyles will serve you no better than the Dremora." Shaylan answered with fire. "Sister, use your power to aid Corsica and Thraculas. Forgive me." he said with a lone tear.

With that Shaylan drew both of his short-blades and faced certain doom. Caligula and Nero charged.

-Scene Break-

"So girl. You wish to challenge an Immortal Lord?" Brutus asked arrogantly.

"I will fight for all of my friends to our last breaths!" Ari pronounced as she took her stance and channeled all her focus on not surviving, nor killing, but protecting her friend.

"You are powerful, I give you that much. But you will still die."

"Not by your hand."

The two great powers dueled and Brutus was kept at a distance by Ari's Earth Magic. That is, until she became exhausted from creating barriers and hurling chunks of earth at Brutus. He closed in as she began to weaken.

"I promised you'd still die." Brutus said.

"She will not, Monster! The Hammer hungers!" shouted an unknown voice.

"Who the..." started Brutus as he narrowly dodged the large war-hammer that came his way. A brawny and tall Nord with green hair, blue eyes, riddled with scars, and clad in Orcish armor.

"Who are you!? That would stand against me!" barked Brutus.

"Dracgo Stone-Wall, wielder of the mighty hammer VOLENDRUNG!" answered the Nord.

"But you are still mortal and foolish to face me alone." Brutus said under false courage, he had paled considerably at the mention of the Daedric Artifact.

"Who travels alone?" Dracgo replied with a smirk as he charged the Vampire.

-Scene Break-

Shaylan was a brave and noble young man, he faced the two most powerful Vampires to exist and was holding his own. He parried their attacks and fought with a skill and power he alone could not possess. Shaylan knew he was hoping against hope, merely buying time for a miracle. He knew deep down, he would not survive this.

"You fight well boy! Even if you do not walk the night, you are strong, a pity your talent and bravery are wasted upon foolish morals!" Caligula taunted.

"Better than to be an animal like you!" Shaylan growled back.

"Perhaps, but just as well, you won't live." Nero answered.

As Nero finished he tripped Shaylan and slashed into his shoulder with his claws. Caligula then dislocated the Bosmer's shoulders, making sure he felt as much pain as possible.

"Such a strong boy yet blind to the facts. Perhaps taking your sight will allow you to truly see." Caligula said cruelly.

Nero had Shaylan immobilized completely. Then Caligula slashed towards Shaylan's eyes, but Shaylan moved his head, but only just. Caligula's strike hit Shaylan's right eye, rendering useless, forever. Shaylan cried out in pain just as Caligula yelled out.

Sarthinias was down and deeply wounded, but he refused to resign himself to his fate. He crawled towards the two Vampiric brothers who were torturing his friend. As he heard Shaylan cry out, anger and rage filled him as he stood up and drove his short-blade straight into Caligula's back.

"You! Will you not simply die!?" Nero shouted as his brother reeled in pain and back-handed Sarthinias.

"No, not while there are men like you to plague this world." Sarthinias replied honestly.

"Then you are made to suffer."Caligula pronounced as he prepared once again to slash Sarthinias. "This time I will rip out your throat!"

Just as Caligula was about to kill Sarthinias, a miracle began to unveil itself. A silver dagger struck Caligula and another to Nero. The silver burned their skin deeply as they removed it with roars of pain. A single young woman dressed in a deep black armor, with reddish-orange hair, green eyes, and a purple tattoo on her cheek raced towards Sarthinias as if to protect him. She drew a silver sword and a silver war-axe and was prepared to fight.

-Scene Break-

Molag Bal was gaining the upper hand in the power battle between he and the band of friends with a magical affinity. Just as the Daedric Lord began to gain the advantage, he lost it and it became a stalemate once more, he felt the presence of a rival Daedric Lord, the essence of Volendrung. Just as he realized this, a red-scaled Argonian strode to the three friends and began to trace runes in the scorched earth. The Argonian then began to lightly chant as the runes lit and began channeling to him. He then opened his eyes and began to cast flames towards Molag Bal converging with the three powers next to him, and gaining an advantage.

"Go back to the void of Oblivion, Daedric monster, you cannot remain here any longer!" hissed the Argonian.

Molag Bal was about to be beaten and he knew it the only chance he had was his servants, Caligula, Brutus, and Nero.

-Scene Break-

"Are you going to kill me like a man, Stone-Wall, or like an animal?" a bloodied Brutus asked.

"You're no man, how does it feel to be helpless monster!? To know that for all of your talent and strength a mere mortal with a Daedric Weapon of a rival Lord could defeat you."

Brutus sent a glare of hatred towards Dracgo, but he knew in his black and withered heart that Dracgo was correct. Suddenly he heard a voice in his head. "Servant! Return to me at once. OBEY!"

Brutus understood and immediately shifted into his bat cloud form and rushed to his master.

-Scene Break-

"Well you are quite the looker aren't you my dear?" Nero said as he eyes the red new girl on the battlefield. "Perhaps you don't have to die here, there is always room for a new a Thrall to serve me."

"Don't flatter yourself, Za'Tara will make sure you never lay a hand to a beautiful woman like her." shouted the injured Khajiit.

Za'Tara stood with only the use of one arm and walked towards the gathering of his friends and enemies.

"You survived, you are resilient, I give you that Khajiit, but it will not save you." Nero spat.

"I will finish this myself." Caligula declared as he disregarded Sarthinias and Shaylan.

Then, an arrow struck Caligula's shoulder.

"YOU!" he roared as he saw Talim walk towards them, drawing another arrow from her quiver.

"You will not harm my friends." Talim promised.

"Nero, the Khajiit is yours but these wenches are mine to kill." Caligula ordered.

The new woman and Talim fought Caligula valiantly and gained some ground, but not enough. Caligula was Ancient and did not live without knowing how to fight, in his mind the only advantage over him was silver.

Za'Tara and Nero looked at each other once more with equal hatred and attacked each other. Za'Tara was losing easily as Nero did not tire and Za'Tara was very weak. Yet, once Brutus retreated Ari carried Xander out of the forest and Dracgo went to aid his comrades and end the Vampires tormenting the group of friends.

Dracgo saw that the Khajiit would soon die if no one intervened, so he chose to help him. Unknown to Nero until it was too late, Dragco was behind him and slammed his hammer onto Nero's rib-cage, several ribs were shattered. Nero roared in pain and was forced to his knees. Za'Tara then attempted to strike his heart, but fatigue got the better of him and his blade landed two inches away from Nero's heart. Nero screeched an inhuman screech and began to change. His skin darkened slightly, his physical features that made him look human were gone, he sprouted wings and took on a very bestial form. Nero broke free of Dracgo and flew away fleeing from this battle.

Meanwhile, Caligula was dealing with two women who were trying his patience, nothing could be easy for this Vampire any longer, fate saw to it. As he finally knocked the new girl out of the way and made his way to Talim; a sharp pain coursed through him. Shaylan rose to his feet and stabbed Caligula in the back. The Ancient Vampire looked behind him, expecting to find Sarthinias, but only Shaylan was visible.

"Sarthinias now!" a familiar voice that not heard since the return from Northwatch yelled.

-Scene Break-

Sarthinias had gotten to his feet, and was hunched over but as he heard the voice call out, he knew what to do. Once more he summoned his command of the wind to pour against Molag Bal. The flames added with the wind from Sarthinias clashed against Molag Bal and exploded, not killing or severely injuring the Daedric Lord, but cutting of his stream of power along with his vision.

Suddenly a body jumped from the trees uttered a battle cry with an Orcish Battleaxe and drove the head of the axe straight into the weak spot on Molag Bal's head. The Daedric Lord roared and screamed in pain as his evil magic began to grow volatile and exploded with a burst of flame that Brutus and Caligula immediately flew away from. The death of the incarnation was not without sacrifice, the flames took the entire forest with it; only ash remained as the friends were shielded with magic by an older Nord with a staff and sword dressed in Imperial Officer Armor. The man responsible for this rescue and slaying the incarnation of Molag Bal, was none other than Arkaras the Savage.

"Grandfather, thank you for shielding my friends and I." Arkaras said.

"Daedra never play fair." his grandfather replied.

"Agreed." said the Argonian.

Sarthinias merely watched the spectacle as he saw his friend again. He could only utter words. He carried various grievous injuries, and the magical lightning Nero struck him with only injured and exhausted him further.

The aftermath of the battle had only the death of the ten Dremora, several Gargoyles, and the incarnation of Molag Bal itself. The three Vampire Lords had fled, but Sarthinias, Xander, and Za'Tara could not even stand anymore, and Shaylan, a piece of cloth served as a temporary eye-patch to stop the bleeding.

"I'm sorry that I cannot do more for you, my friends, but without the magic and purity of this forest and only the dark evil remnants, I can only close your wounds, but not fully heal them." Ari said with no tears nor shaky voice but anger as she wished she could have done more.

"Ari you saved Xander and most likely all of us who sustained serious injuries. Thank you." Sarthinias said.

"Now, Arkaras. Who are these people with you and what took you so long!?" questioned Sathinias.

"The older man is my grandfather," Arkaras began.

"Who you callin old pup?" his grandfather joked, lightening the mood.

"The tall Nord with the green hair is Dracgo Stone-Wall, the Argonian is Sanathos Blood-Scale, and the young Nord woman we just met is Selenia Star-Gazer." Arkaras finished. "As for why I am here..."

A/N: BOOM! HAHAHA sorry for the lonnnnnnngggg wait but this chapter took a long time to get onto digital paper, I deeply apologize for the wait but I hope you enjoyed. Next chapter will be shorter and as always please rate and comment I LOVE new ideas. Yes, much of the dialogue and storyboard for the conflict was borrowed, but with my own spin on things, NOT PLAGIARIZED!. Survivor of Lake-Town signing off for the day.