I clear the mist from my path, Shouting, to reach Alduin, and the Hall of Valour. "Lok Vah Koor!"

Part of me can't really grasp that I'm here. Mother always told me that there was nothing in the Nordic mythos that was real… yet I am here. Standing. Shouting, in Sovngarde.

Then again, she never said that I'd be Dragonborn, either, so. I suppose it's to be expected.

I clear the Skies a few more times, spying Alduin flying up after feeding on the souls of the dead occasionally.

Once I don't have to Shout anymore, I'm amazed at what I see.

It's so….. Beautiful….

Hesitantly, I approach the bridge, only to be stopped, by a man. Why is he glowing?

"Well, well, Dragonborn. I am Tsun, Shield-Thane to Shor. It has been a long time since an Elf has crossed into our realm. You do not normally follow the Nordic pantheon… But you are welcome here." He grins at me, perhaps happy because of my purpose. He can only be a god to be here, and not be terrified of Alduin's presence.

"Then you know why I'm here," I respond, uneasy about him. He's a god, guarding a bridge… and Nordic culture is focused around battle and honor. I wouldn't be surprised if I had to fight him to pass into the Hall of Valor.

"Aye, that I do. But, Shor has decreed that only those who have passed a test of strength may proceed to the Hall." he folds his arms across his chest.

Huh, I'm right. Who would have thought.

"By what right do you claim entry into the Hall of Valor?" he asks, trying to glower at me. It's not really working, he looks far too happy for some reason….

"By right of birth; I am Dragonborn," I answer, feeling rather stupid. Who just declares this? Is this literally how Nord culture works?

"It has been too long since I faced a hero, doom-driven by the Dovah Sos." he smiles, and pulls his battle axe from his back, shifting into an attacking position. "Prove your worth to enter the Hall, as decreed by Shor."

With that, he attacks, running at me with his axe raised far above his head. I jump out of the way, a little appalled that I just went through an entire Temple of Draugr, battled a dragon priest, a dragon, and came to the realm of the Nordic dead, just to fight a god.

I'm a little tired of this.

I grit my teeth, raising my sword and slashing at him, catching his exposed side. Why is he only wearing half clothing?

His blood sparkles like rubies in the ethereal light, and he turns so quickly I'm almost unable to block the blow, my sword coming up just in time. The blow sends shivers down my arms, my muscles screaming in protest already. I've only traded a single blow, and I already want to lay down my arms.

But I can't, because of this stupid dragon and stupid world-ending prophecy hanging over my head.

So I push back, as my unoccupied hand brings out a Lightning spell. I always like to use it- no race has an inborn ability to resist it, like with fire or ice. I shock him, the spell playing along his skin and stinging his flesh.

The annoyed look on his face only grows as the spell spreads, little sparks traveling across his torso and legs easily, feeding off of my magic. It feels…. Different here. More centered. Like I'm stronger.

Tsun breaks my block, his ax slashing my arm and face, just inches from my throat. Is he actually trying to kill me? Is that a requirement here?

I jump back, on instinct, and, without looking, I dodge Tsun's next strike. I don't let myself ponder how I knew to do that, not in a fight.

My hand tingles, and I discharge a stronger spell at Tsun, the god charging at me, battle axe raised high above his head, a snarl audible. I back up more, almost tripping over my own feet to get a few more feet between us. If I hit him with enough magical energy behind the attack, he should be launched backwards…. Would that be enough, though?

Doubtful.

Nevertheless, I launch more shocking spells at him, eager to get this fight over with. I have a task to accomplish, and a realm to save. No god will stand in my way, not when I'm this close.

Without thinking, my blade leaps forward, not blocking his own strike, which lands in my shoulder, but it rests against his neck, the edge of the metal ready to sever his head from his body.

Blood spurts into the air between us, and I grimace, the pain thrusting my thoughts into higher focus. Slowly, I slide my blade along his neck, drawing a bit of golden blood from the cut. My face breaks into a grin, knowing that I've got him.

Tsun swallows, and smiles at me. "I am glad to see that the Last Dragonborn is a warrior, although not as traditional as the Dragonborns past. You may pass to the Hall of Valor."

I look into his eyes, and can't determine what I see there, but I pull my sword away from his neck without damaging him further, though I can't sheathe it with my shoulder as it is.

He yanks the ax out, and I wince a bit. What can I say, ax wounds hurt.

The god returns to his station, arms crossed and ax once more strapped securely across his back. His gaze looks out at the misted valley that lead me here.

I sit down on a small boulder, looking around as I start up a healing spell. My uninjured hand hovers over my injured flesh as it knits itself together seamlessly, only a small line scarring over.

"Alduin grows stronger the longer you waste here, Dragonborn. You might wish to continue onwards," Tsun advises me, and I growl back at him.

"I'm not the one who sliced my shoulder open," I remind him, and stand up, shrugging my slightly damaged armor over to cover the area once more. Fragments of glass were strewn about the area; it has a tendency to shatter with such extreme force, particularly when applied suddenly.

He only chuckles in response, and I trudge forward, sword now sheathed at my side. It had been resting against the boulder while I healed myself, but now held it's rightful position at my side.

When I see the bridge, I sigh. "Why whale bones, I wonder. Why do Nords make everything so complicated? How can people walk on these things and not fall through?"

I hear Tsun's chuckle following me as I move across the bridge, sticking close to the middle. That would be the cruelest death; to die in Sovngarde, only moments away from saving the realm. Falling off a bridge, though, that'd just be sad.

Sovngarde is impressive, but the Hall of Valor…. It's a bit lackluster, in my opinion. Although, I do see the merits of it. Nice open construction, the hall is warm, and the mead seems to be ever-flowing. More akin to a warrior's culture, I suppose, so it's fitting.

"Hail, friend!" a voice calls to my left, and I turn, curious.

"Is this your first journey to the Hall of Valor?" the man continues, chuckling. "But of course. I am Ysgramor, the founder of the Companions. We have had no new arrivals since the World-Eater laid his soul-snare. Shor forbid us from going out and battling against the dragon- perhaps he had some insight into your very arrival."

"Shor…?" I question, and he laughs, pointing towards the throne in the middle of the hall- but it's

Empty.

"He is absent from here, for now, but he rules Sovngarde, our afterlife. In your culture, he is Lorkhan." Ysgramor explains, and I nod. I kind of get it- most of the religious cultures of Tamriel are intertwined. Lorkhan, Sheogorath, Auri-El, just to name a few.

The ancient warrior nods in a different direction, making me swivel my head to look too. "Those heroes…. I've seen them before."

I turn back to Ysgramor to catch a sly grin, before he clears his throat and it drops. "They will help you battle Alduin and free Men and Mer alike from his curse. Though, Dragonborn, I believe I must tell you…. We here in Sovngarde are grateful for your intervention. We do not often find ourselves in a position where we require help; and we have watched you since the beginning."

My eyes meet his, and I see something in them I'm unfamiliar with…. Sadness? Gratitude? Pity? I'm not a good read on character, nor on emotions.

"Just…. Thank you. You will insure that we will meet our ancestors, and greet them, as we should. I hope that we will meet again, Dragonborn. Though, under better circumstances." he smiles at me with that last thought, and nods once more towards the group of people waiting for me to lead them into battle- although I'm still unsure why they would want me to do so.

Turning to look at them, I walk over, recognizing them from the Time-Wound, and my first real battle with Alduin. Helgen doesn't really count…. I couldn't really fight back. Hmm…. would that be the position that Alduin will be put in, only moments away?

"Dragonborn! Will you lead us into battle to defeat the World-Eater?" the younger man yells, though I suppose age is relative here.

I sigh, but nod. "Uh, yes, I guess."

"Come on, show some spirit! We've got a dragon to take down!" roars Gormlaith Golden-hilt, very enthusiastic. I wince, the volume of her voice surprising and startling me. Ouch.

Those two dash out of the Hall, leaving me with the older man in his robes, the one who initiated throwing Alduin forward in time, and kind of causing this mess. But, I suppose it's better than being enslaved by the dragons for millennia.

"I am grateful to have you here, to fight by our side, Dovahkiin. I am Felldir the Old. We have honed our skills, since we last faced him." he dips his head, walking with me towards the exit of the Hall.

I push open the door, hesitating after he walks out.

He turns back, asking, "Dovahkiin?"

I shake my head, continuing into Sovngarde proper. "It is nothing. But I hope you are right, Felldir."

Gormlaith and the other man, Hakon One-Eye, I think I hear Gormlaith shout out in excitement, run ahead, drawing weapons already and crossing the Whale Bone bridge without even looking where their feet were falling. Maybe it's a dead thing?

Felldir notices my careful footfalls, and chuckles. "Calm yourself, Dovahkiin. No one has fallen from the bridge yet."

"Yet." I chuckle nervously, though. "Doesn't mean it can't happen."

"True, but we have a greater enemy to face than the possibility of falling from here." he points out, and I sigh.

"Right. Of course." I mumble, and we finally cross the bridge, Tsun watching us carefully.

Something about him seems familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Mentally shaking my head, I put the thought out of my mind, and focus. Alduin is priority right now. I can do this. We can do this.

"We have to clear away the mist to draw him out. If we combine our Shouts, then it should do it. Clear Skies!" Felldir calls out, drawing his own weapon, and my eyes scan the horizon for a glimpse of black wings. I see nothing of the sort.

"Lok Vah Koor!" I lead the Shout, the others joining in readily. Mist clears away, almost recoiling in fear.

A few seconds pass, when a voice calls out, undoubtedly Alduin's. No one else in the mist should be able to Shout.

"Ven Mul Riik!"

The mist comes flooding back in, and I sigh, already tired of this game.

"Again!" Hakon calls out, frustration tinging his voice.

"Lok Vah Koor!" we Shout again, and the mist retreats, maybe a bit confused. Can mist have such thoughts?

Another moment of silence passes, and I hear Alduin give a roar, Shouting out again, "Ven Mul Riik!"

I sigh in frustration, and Shout, hopefully for the last time for a while, to push back the mist. "LOK VAH KOOR!"

Did the others even Shout with me? I don't know…. But I can almost feel Alduin giving up his cowardice, taking off from his hiding spot and coming to face us. Finally.

I draw my sword, choosing a lightning spell that starts crackling between my fingertips on my left hand. My eyes scan the skies for any sign of the World-Eater, as do all the others'. We're eager for this to be over, but also… this is terrifying. Not even they're immune to that- and they're literally the souls of the dead.

Makes me feel a little better about the shake in my hands and the jumping of the sparks. It's not even a charged spell- that shouldn't be happening.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but it doesn't work- it's interrupted by Alduin's roar. He's soaring over us, and Gormlaith Shouts Dragonrend at him, forcing him to land.

Which the black dragon does, though his frustration and anger can be felt- practically tasted- in the air.

Immediately, he's attacked, charged by these ancient Nord heroes who cast him back in time. He's got to have a grudge against them…. I power up my spell, sending a stream of lightning that sparks against his scales, the magic moving along his entire form and covering him, briefly, in glowing magic.

I keep it up, the strikes leaving my hands until my palm feels seared from the high temperature and the lack of magicka. The heroes are panting, though, if they're dead, how can they be tired…..

And Alduin takes off again, flying up and then crashing down about five seconds later, near me instead. I've been standing back- I'm the Dragonborn, if I die in the first attack, is that such a good thing?

He bites at me, catching my leg in his maw. I can practically feel his triumph at hurting the last Dragonborn, his ultimate enemy, when I scream. Dragon bites hurt fiercely.

"FUS RO DAH!" Shouts Felldir, or Hakon, or Gormlaith, whomever, pushing Alduin back. Reflexively, he lets go of me, and Gormlaith hurries to help me.

I bite my lip as I pull up a healing spell, leaning heavily on Gormlaith.

"Did he bite your bone?" she asks, the other two keeping him at bay for now.

I shake my head no, and grit my teeth as I cast the spell, my hand hovering over the wound and sealing it up. I don't have time for a full recovery, though, and only get it 'sewn' up until it's stopped bleeding.

"Dragonborn, are you sure that's wise?" Gormlaith asks, and I stand on my own two legs again, hissing lightly at the pain.

"No, but we have to deal with Alduin, and Felldir and Hakon can't do it on their own." I reply, another lightning spell sparking against my fingers- in a few moments, it's charged up enough, and I let it fly through the air, striking Alduin full-on.

Gormlaith nods, hesitating no longer, and charges into battle with her sword, as eager to fight him today as she was back in her mortal days.

Together, blow after blow, slash after slash, spell after spell, we tackle the World-Eater, each Shouting at him when he tries to fly off, setting him on fire, pushing him off our comrades, intent upon saving each other and ridding the world of him forever.

Finally, with a few more blows each, Alduin shudders to a halt, giving a last cry and one last effort, throwing himself at me, jaws ready to rip, tear, bite me apart.

Instead, I Shout at him, "YOL!"

The flames blind him, and I thrust my sword into his maw, stabbing upward. A little more pressure, and it tears through, the half Elven blade sticking out of his snout proudly.

Alduin clamps down on my arm, though- pain racks through me again- and Felldir the Old strikes the final blow, sending his greatsword through his chest and, presumably, his heart.

The World-Eater opens his jaws, breathing out his last, while I jerk both my arm and my sword out of his reach, immediately casting another healing spell over the wound- I swear, I've done more Restoration in this one encounter than in all my years.

Alduin gives a great cry, and something…. Weird happens.

His soul, instead of going to me, more….. Flows into the fabric of Sovngarde. I guess.

The words he utters are guttural, hard to follow, like blood is welling up in his throat and making it difficult for him to speak. Does he even say anything at all?

Maybe he does; maybe he doesn't. If they were words, then, would I care? Do they really matter?

I watch him, interest keeping my gaze locked on him, as he turns into a black dragon skeleton, his bones the only reminder of his presence here. The mist has all cleared away, his soul snare cleansed, finally.

The skeleton explodes, the pieces melting away into… something. Magic, maybe….

"Congratulations, Dragonborn. You have won a great victory here today, and you have saved both your world, and this one. Truly, you are worthy of the title of Last Dragonborn," Tsun speaks, and I remember that he watched the whole thing.

"Take this Shout to help you in the mortal realm; it will summon a hero of Sovngarde to aid you in battle." the Shout simply appears in my mind, as Tsun grants me the knowledge. "I can send you back to the mortal realm when you are ready, Dragonborn."

I hear from the others, behind me, shouting for joy at the end of the World-Eater. Glancing back, I smile at them, tiredly. "Thank you for your help."

They smile back at me, and continue cheering. I turn back to Tsun, and nod. "I'm ready to return to my world, Tsun."

He smiles at me. "We will not forget this, Korina."

I don't have time to ask him how he knew my name, when he Shouts me back.

"Nahl Daal Vus!"

I guess Gods can be as rude as humans.

(A/N: Happy Women's March, stay safe, and review please! They're little pockets of sunshine.)