Location: Palace of the Kings, Windhelm
26th of Rain's Hand
Meanwhile…
Ulfric Stormcloak must have read this case report over a hundred times, with the Dragonborn's confession echoing in his head.
"I. Murdered. Daren Clarke."
When she confessed her crime to him, all he could think about how broken she must have been, how mentally scarred she must have been. From what he had seen of her up close, she was feisty, not taking anything from anyone without a fight. She was beautiful, whenever she had smiled at him. She was ferocious, witnessing a fire in her that he rarely saw in soldiers. So how did she go through life with the sudden death of her father, the murder of her mother, and the plan to kill her murderous step-father?
Only one answer.
She was a Nord.
And Nords were fighters.
In the days he spent with her, he knew without a doubt that Kayleigh was the perfect example of a Nord woman.
He had just learnt that she flew from the balcony of Dragonsreach on the back of the dragon she had captured. To where? He did not know, but he knew it was to ensure Alduin's end. Yet, he prayed to Talos that she was well and that she would return to Windhelm safe and sound. No harm should befall her.
She had had enough.
Ulfric stored the case report away in a chest in the Bloodworks. No one should ever view it again. Kayleigh Leanne Bennett can live a normal live, leaving her tormented past behind her.
And as the Jarl of Windhelm, he was going to do his best to make sure that happens.
Location: Hall of Valor (Shor's Hall)
"Wow…" Kayleigh strolled in, gaping as she was fascinated by the interior of the Hall of Valor, also known as Shor's Hall. Brightly decorated, she saw many of the men and women of Sovngarde happily drinking, eating, and singing songs. Everybody looked so peaceful, despite the terror that lurked outside of the Hall.
Just then, a man with a bread and blonde hair, dressed in Ancient Nord Armor, and carrying a rather unique battle axe on his back walked up to her as she made her way down the steps.
"Welcome, Dragonborn!" He greeted her with a warm grin. "Our door has stood empty since Alduin first set his soul-snare here."
"I'm kind of happy to be in here even in this difficult time," She continued to gaze around. "This place is beautiful!" She looked at him and pulled back the hood of her black hooded cloak. "Who are you, kind sir?"
"I am Ysgramor, the harbinger of the Companions," He introduced himself. "No doubt you have visited the Companions? How have they been?"
Kayleigh gawked at him and her eyes nearly popped out. "Yah… yah… Ysgramor!"
"It is an honor as well, Dragonborn." He gave her a small bow.
"Oh my, I can't believe it!" She squealed, attempting to regain her composure and professionalism. "The Companions say hi. They are well."
"Ah, well that is good to hear." Ysgramor said, pleased.
"Are you going to help me defeat Alduin?" She asked.
"Regrettably no, my child. By Shor's command, we sheathed out blades and ventured not the vale's dark mist," He said sorrowfully. "Nevertheless, Dragonborn, three await your word to loose their fury upon Alduin," He turned around and presented three Nords standing behind the large dining table.
"Gormlaith, the fearless, glad-hearted in battle," She was the lone woman with golden shoulder-length hair and wearing steel armor.
"Hakon, the valiant, heavy-handed warrior," He was wearing fur and steel armor and had a bread and brown hair.
"And Felldir the Old, far-seeing and grim." He was the oldest amongst the three, having grey hair. He was also wearing what looked like a hoodless version of the Greybeards' robes.
"They…" Kayleigh's eyes cannot take anymore eye-popping if this keeps up. "They're the Nord Heroes!" When he recovered the Elder Scroll to learn the Dragonrend Shout, these were the Nords she had witnessed fighting Alduin in the vision.
"And they await your command. Go ahead."
And she did just that. She made her way to the three Nord Heroes were waiting patiently for her. "It is an honor."
"The honor is all ours, Dragonborn!" Gormlaith grinned. "And Alduin's doom is ours to seal! Just speak the word and with high hearts, we'll hasten forth to smite the worm where he lurks!" She pulled out her Ancient Nord Sword from his holster.
"Hold, comrades!" Felldir stopped her. "Let us counsel take before battle is blindly joined. Alduin's mist is more than a snare – its shadowy gloom is his shield and cloak," He said. "But with four voices joined, our valor combined, we can blast the mist and bring him to battle."
"Felldir speaks wisdom," Hakon then spoke. "The World-Eater fears you, Dragonborn. We must drive away his mist, shouting together and then unsheathe our blades in desperate battle with our black-winged foe."
"Indeed we will." Kayleigh nodded. "Let's go!"
The Nord Heroes readied their weapons and made their way to the main doors. "To battle, my friends! The field will echo with the clamor of war, our wills daunted!" Gormlaith cheered.
Kayleigh chuckled as she unhooked her Mace of Molag Bal. "You are a spirited one, Gormlaith!" She commented merrily and was about to join them at the main doors when-
"Kayleigh." A gentle male voice called out for her.
She spun around and immediately, her mace slipped out from her hands.
A male Nord, wearing a Stormcloak Officer's uniform, which was made from leather and bear pelt, smiled warmly at her. He had chin-length red hair and a light beard. "Hello, sweetheart. You've grown up so much!"
Tears instantly formed in her eyes. "Daddy…?"
"I'm glad you remembered."
Without thinking, she threw her arms around him and gave him the biggest hug she could give. "It's you! It's really you!"
William chuckled harmoniously. If he was not filled with so much joy from embracing his little girl after all these years, he would be crying. "I've missed you too, dear!" He patted her back. "I've missed you," He pulled back and cupped both her cheeks. "Look at you! My Goodness, ha! You look just your mother when I married her on our wedding day."
She touched his hands. "You married her while she was wearing studded armor?"
"Yep. You haven't changed!" He concluded. "Ah, I see you've found her hooded cloak."
Kayleigh instinctively touched the hood. "Yep. She said I would inherit it after… after she was gone."
"Yes, she did." He nodded, let a two-second silence pass, and sighed. "How are you, Kayleigh?"
"I'm great, Daddy, now that I've seen you," She expressed, although her green eyes then fell. "But it's been… so hard…"
"I understand, dear. I understand," He nodded. "But you'll pull through. You always have. Right now, I want you to concentrate on defeating Alduin. The fate of the world is now in your hands. Remember that."
She faked a laugh. "I honestly never thought it would be like this."
"Nobody did, dear. Nobody did. But the Gods wanted you to be the world's savior and that's what you have to be," He said. "You've managed to carry this burden and done so many things. You can't turn back now."
"I don't plan on turning back. I'm going to do everything I can!" She pledged. "Alduin will suffer!"
He smiled at that. "That's my little fighter. I knew that the world had to get ready for you," He then picked up the Mace for her. "Not exactly an ideal weapon, but a deadly weapon nonetheless. Guess Molag Bal is good for something," William commented and handed it to her. "Now, remember, it's all in the wrist, elbow and shoulder. I know it's a mace, but try to use both hands. You can deliver more damage that way."
She grinned. "Alright, daddy."
He smiled back. "Fight bravely, Kayleigh, and make the heroes of Sovngarde proud. I will be watching, as will your mother."
She gave a forlorn smile. "Mother's not here, I know…"
"But she will be guiding you. As will I," He kissed her forehead. "Talos be with you, dear. I love you."
That was all she needed to hear. She hugged him one last time and whispered, "I love you too, daddy."
Location: Sovngarde
The Nord Heroes and Kayleigh sprinted to where Tsun was guarding the Dragon Bone Bridge and stopped in their tracks. The mist had gotten heavier and thicker. It was impossible to see. How were they going to fight Alduin in this?
"Tsun? Are you going to aid us?" Kayleigh asked.
"It is not my fight, Dragonborn. It is yours, and yours alone. I have no part. Fight well and make it a worthy victory." He said with a smile.
Although disappointed that he was not going to help, she returned the smile.
"We need to disperse this mist!" Felldir said, wielding a Ancient Nord Greatsword.
"Use Clear Skies! All of you!" Kayleigh ordered.
They all agreed, so together, they shouted, "Lok… VAH KOOR!"
The mist disappeared like it was never there to begin with.
"Ven… Mul… Riik!" Alduin's voice boomed over them.
And the mist returned.
Kayleigh growled. "Again!"
"Lok… VAH KOOR!"
The mist dispelled.
"Ven… Mul… Riik!"
And the mist returned, blocking their sight once again.
Hakon was baffled. "Does his strength have no end? Is out struggle in vain?"
"His strength is failing! His might can be broken!" Gormlaith said.
"She's right..." Kayleigh said. "We are stronger than him! We can do this! Use Clear Skies until he's unable to take it anymore!"
The Nord Heroes agreed to this order.
"Lok… VAH KOOR!"
This time, the Shout was more powerful and mighty than any of the previous attempts. The mist dispersed once again, giving the Nords a much clearer view of the ground and the sky.
"Alduin!" Kayleigh called out for him, not wanting to give him a chance to use that Shout again. "It's no use hiding in your mist! We will keep blasting it until you come out! SHOW YOURSELF, YOU BIG UGLY LIZARD! COME ON!" She taunted, a fire burning within her. "I beat you once, I can DO IT AGAIN! Prove me wrong, you beast! COME OUT AND FIGHT ME!"
And Alduin's shadowy figure enveloped her.
She looked up and smirked. "Hello, bitch."
"You DARE defy ME, mortal?" He questioned. "Then come and meet your end!" With that, Alduin flew over them, roaring.
With her Mace of Molag Bal in one hand and the Lightning Bolt spell in the other, she fired bolts in his direction. "Get ready!" She told the Nord Heroes. "I'm going to bring him down!" With that, she shouted, "Joor… ZAH FRUL!"
The Dragonrend Shout made him release a pain roar. Alduin struggled to fly on but he could not. "Joor, mey (Mortal fool)!" He scolded. His wings left like they had large boulders on them, and he planted his feet on the ground. "Pahlok jorre! Hin kah fen kos banaar!"
The Nord Heroes attacked his wings while Kayleigh assaulted his front. She struck him with her Mace and it produced a bellow from him. He tried to bite her, but she blocked that with yet another strengthened strike.
Alduin was furious. He Shouted, yet no words were heard. Instead, the lovely sky of Sovngarde turned a hideous color of black and flaming meteors fell from it. The effect of the Shout sent Kayleigh flying and she landed on the ground with a thud. When the Dragonrend Shout wore off, Alduin spread his wings, pushing back the Nord Heroes and he took flight.
Kayleigh struggled to her feet, having hit the ground twice already, the first time due to the Dragon Priest she had encountered earlier. The Nord Heroes got back on their own feet as well, and Hakon realized that Kayleigh was in the way of a falling flaming meteor.
Hakon ran to her, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her out of the way.
The meteor barely missed them.
Kayleigh was brought back to reality and she realized her near-death encounter. "Gods!"
"Are you alright?" Hakon asked, pulling her up to her feet.
"Yes, I'm fine! Thank you!" She panted.
She saw Felldir and Gormlaith attempting to use the Dragonrend Shout on Alduin, but they kept missing. Alduin shouted, "Yol… Toor SHUL!" They managed to jump out of the way of the fire breath. "I have already defeated your friends once. Beyn! I do not fear them!"
"Dragonrend! Combine our Shouts!" Kayleigh instructed. "Wait for it…"
"Joor… ZAH FRUL!"
The effects of four Dragonrend Shouts should have been enough to kill a dragon altogether. Instead, the Shout enclosed Alduin and he flew from the sky and onto the ground. All of Sovngarde must have shook. "Joorre, mey!"
"GET HIM!" Kayleigh yelled, summoning a Flame Atronach to assist her and the Nord Heroes with some firebolts.
As the Nord Heroes assaulted his wings once again, they made sure to do extra damage so that he does not fly off that quickly once the effects of the Shout wears off.
"Krii LUN AUS!"
"Yol… TOOR SHUL!"
"Fo.. KRAH DIIN!"
"Fus… RO DAH!"
With the Frostbite spell in one hand and Sparks in the other, she stood her ground and targeted Alduin's face with the spells. Alduin shook his head and bellowed.
The energy was draining from her body due to the spells and Kayleigh had no choice but to halt. An idea hit her right then and she unhooked her Mace of Molag Bal from her waist once more. "Talos, guide me as I do something absolutely stupid!" Kayleigh climbed onto Alduin's head and kept her footing, using one of his horns for support.
"Joor, mey! What are you doing?" He demanded to know with what sounded like fear in his voice.
"Sending you back to wherever you came from!" Using whatever strength she had left in her, she brought the Mace down on his forehead and hit him continuously, each time more effective than before. Alduin roared in pain, unable to take it. However, Kayleigh did not stop. She kept on going.
But in one shake, Alduin tossed her off his head and she landed on the ground, face first. Just as Alduin was about to unleash his wrath on her, thin yellow swirl of lights emerged from his body and travelled into the black skies. Alduin looked confused and mortified. He looked at his wings and realized that his scales were dividing into pieces. He shook violently and refused to believe this was happening.
Kayleigh pushed herself off the ground and looked at Alduin. Those yellow swirls of lights… that was actually his soul!
"Nid!" He thundered.
Before anyone knew it, his scales 'exploded' and his skeleton disintegrated into nothing as something in the skies took his soul. The threes Nord Heroes shielded their eyes; the whole thing was near blinding.
It was over. No more black skies. No more falling flaming meteors. Alduin was gone. His reign of terror... was over.
Kayleigh was exhausted beyond measure. She could not get up at all. Then, a large hand held out to her and she looked up.
Tsun stood over her with a satisfied smile on his face.
Smiling back, she took his hand and he gently lifted her onto her feet.
"This was a mighty deed!" He said joyously. "The doom of Alduin encompassed at last, and cleansed is Sovngarde of his evil snare. They will sing this battle in Shor's Hall forever! But your fate lies elsewhere."
She saddened at that. "What do you mean?"
"You mustn't say here for long, Dragonborn. It is not advisable," He explained. "When you have completed your count of days, I may welcome you again with glad friendship and bid you join the blessed feasting."
"Oh… Well then, I look forward to seeing you again, Tsun," She turned to the Nord Heroes. "And all of you as well."
"All hail the Dragonborn! Hail her with great praise!" They hailed happily and proudly.
Kayleigh blushed and took a little modest bow. "Oh, thank you!" She giggled. She then turned back to face Shor's Hall and hung her head. "When you see my father, please tell him that I fulfilled my destiny and that I love him very much."
"Of course we will, child." Felldir smiled.
Kayleigh took one last look at the three Nord Heroes and bowed before them. "It's been an honor," And she turned back to Tsun. "I'm ready to go home."
"Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from my Lord, Shor: a Shout to bring a hero from Sovngard in your hour of need." He said.
"Seriously?" She was surprised to hear that. It was indeed a wonderful gift to take home after all that had transpired. "Wow!"
"Hun Kaal Zoor… these are the Words of Power." He informed her.
The words were etched into her memory like all the Shouts before them. She then took in a deep breath. "I'm ready."
"Take care," He smiled once more. "Nahl… DAAL VUS!"
Her vision turned white.
A/N: YAY! Alduin's been defeated! :D