Chapter 10 – Valerica

"No Lolligagging" – Quote, Guard.

Tai opened his eyes in shock as Serana stood worried over him, her hand over his heart. Tai blinked, he couldn't believe his nose was better than when he had been a werewolf. Then he remembered.

"Oh by the divines… I'm a vampire!" Tai tried to scream but something made him collect his voice, he didn't mind sounding much more civilised yet he didn't like the serial killer way about it. Serana smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry Tai" she sighed as Tai blinked again, his eyes only just taking Serana in.

He couldn't help but gasp at the split minute he saw something else in Serana. Not the perfect skinned pale vampires. No.

He saw a beautifully pale skinned girl, flawless dark hair with the deepest green blue eyes he had ever seen. For one moment he believed he could fall into them as she smiled, without fangs she was still stunning, but still she appeared lonely. Misunderstood, strong but shy the bravado of confidence.

Time however forced him to blink, when his eyes opened again vampire Serana sat before him. Tai pondered a moment, in which state was she more fair? Her human was beautiful, but somewhat weaker. Tai's usual mark. Her vampire however was stronger, less beautiful and more handsome, more confident but troubled. He gave up trying to decide.

"It isn't the looks that matter, it's what lies beneath"

Then he cursed himself. He knew Serana had easily turned his mind against him, but he by now was too far gone to care. His protective, true nature took over.

"Tai are you ok?" Serana was worried. Tai felt her fingers claw slightly as he smiled.

"That. Hurt" He raised his hand to the bleeding bite as he stood up, Serana's hand been pushed away from his speed. Tai lurched slightly; he had not expected this much of a change.

Serana seemed to skip behind him, her hands around his shoulders suddenly as she sighed, Tai shuddered at the hunger in her as her tongue trailed along the bite. Tai groaned, the cold blast was instant as Serana closed her lips around his blood with a chuckle. Suddenly she jumped back, spitting slightly as she cursed.

"Sorry. Vampire habits die hard" She sighed. Tai stared into the fire.

"Shall we go?" he asked.

Together the two stood side by side, their now both flaming eyes glowed as they together descended into darkness, into the hell itself. Into Oblivion, into the Soul Cairn.

The land was dead, the skies the same purple colour as the flames but more shades, blending into black in areas with huge gems floating. The ground was almost black, dirt and mud with ruins from a once great realm. What struck Tai were the blue shimmering souls of the dead, trapped in this realm of Oblivion. Some completely unaware several life times, several eras had passed.

"Why would your mother stay here?" Tai asked, nose flaring. His changed eyes took in the sights with a coldness that shocked him, his eyes flashed to Serana. She seemed to understand what he was asking.

"Feelings will return in time Tai… I don't think my mother would stay here willingly, maybe she got trapped by the Ideal Masters" Serana placed her hand gently on Tai's shoulder as he continued through the Soul Cairn. Everyone crying they could no longer endure the pain, it was too much. One man kept crying for someone called Arvak. Tai felt his throat close at their cries; no joy was in this place. Only death.

They continued walking, Tai feeling strange as the purple light bounced off him harmlessly. He felt so unnatural. Been a vampire was not comfortable thus far; Serana kept staring at him out the corner of her eye almost… sympathetically. Had she seen his story? Or was the taste of his blood revealing more of him than he believed?

Tai winced at the piles of bones, he and Serana both winced as they crunched through the poor souls bodies. Necromancers that had been deceived by the Ideal Masters. Serana explained in detail, Tai however was staring at her not hearing a single word she was saying, instead he watched her on a more intent level. He stared lovingly almost, concern in his face at the sorrow emanating from her in waves. There was more though, worry, regret and strangely a slight happiness. Tai couldn't help stare as she smiled, she had caught him again yet more happiness radiated from her. Tai smiled. The happy wave was like moon sugar, causing him to stumble slightly as Serana laughed lightly but her nerves showed through as they saw a castle in the distance. They stood under an arch.

"That has to be where mother is, or a clue at least" Serana suddenly pushed Tai against the arch, her nose to his neck as a floating crystal passed. Tai froze very awkwardly as Serana turned her head, ear to his chest. Tai nodded when the crystal had vanished from sight.

"I can't hear your heartbeat" Serana sounded almost sad as she stood back, allowing Tai his freedom.

Tai however didn't see it that way as he pushed her against the other side of the arch wall. Serana gasped quietly as Tai pressed his nose against hers, lips not touching. He couldn't help feel insulted as she shied back. He held her there for a minute before slowly letting her go. Serana blinked in shock as she stared around.

"Another crystal?" she asked. Tai held his straight face.

"No. I just wanted to pay you back" he smiled as Serana's tiny hand repeatedly slapped his chest, he mock shielded her as she scolded him with fluent language Tai wished he never knew she could speak. Still they both ended up laughing, Serana's tiny fist still beating on Tai's armoured chest. What scared Tai were the little dents as he caught her hand flat against his chest. They stopped laughing as they panted heavily, before the stairs. Tai felt time tense as Serana looked away up the stairs. The back of a woman was obvious. Serana walked towards this figure, her hand sliding from under Tai's as he stared at his hand almost longingly.

"Mother?" Serana asked quickly, Tai was close in tow his hand around his icky spider covered sword.

"Mother!"

"Maker… It can't be… Serana?!" The deeper but elegant flowing voice of the woman reached Tai's ears, his heart dropped. He had heard that tone. The disapproving woman who would protect her family no matter what the cost.

Tai instantly knew why Serana had helped him with his armour; he had to be seamless, immaculate to even be registered in Valerica's mind. What shocked him is Serana had been willing to help him. Did she respect Tai, was he her friend. Tai couldn't help smile as he followed the thought of Serana considering him important.

He stared straight into the disapproving eyes of Valerica with a gulp as his smile faded.

Valerica was a more aged woman; her hair was dark like Serana's, wrapped into two buns behind her ears slightly sitting like a crown upon her head. Her forehead was not as even as Serana's, temples dipping more and wrinkles disfiguring the woman slightly. Her cheeks had sunk slightly, giving a triangle between behind Valerica's nostrils to the corners of her mouth. Her eyes were also smaller than Serana's. Her features in her hay day however would have been almost exactly like Serana's, save her mother held more beauty to Serana's stronger, more handsome appearance. Their armour was near identical save Valerica's cloth was a lavender to faded white, her armour red to Serana's black.

"Mother! Is it really you? I can't believe it. How do we get inside we need to talk to you" Serana was happy, shy though before her obviously mentally towering mother. It seemed Serana held more of her father than Tai had originally thought.

"Serana what are you doing here? Where is your father?" Valerica was harsh; Tai knew Serana felt hurt by the tone.

"He doesn't know we're here. I don't have time to explain"

"I must have failed Harkon has found a way to decipher the prophecy hasn't he?" Valerica sighed. Serana shook her head.

"No mother. We're here to stop him! We need the scroll to know how. Please, let us in"

"We?" Valerica mumbled, as if seeing Tai for the first time she spat a curse.

"Serana have you lost your mind? You've bought an utter stranger here!"

"No… It's not…" Serana was cut off.

"You, hunter! I would have words" Valerica was bellowing. Tai stared at Serana with panic in his eyes, the panic was not for himself as he strode closer to the purple magic barrier holding them apart.

"I am hurt to think you would lead Serana here under the guise of her protector. Even if you became a vampire to survive the Cairn you're still a vampire hunter" Valerica was dripping venom from her voice. Tai decided he would not have this.

"I want to protect Serana! How dare you say I do not? You locked her away in a crypt I had to tear her out of! You dare judge me?" Tai let his rage show. The veins pulsed in his body as Serana looked on horrified yet unable to hear somehow.

"You think I would have to audacity to lock my daughter away for the protection of her elder scroll alone? The scrolls are only a means to an end; the key to the tyranny of the sun is Serana herself. She's a daughter of Coldharbor, a pure vampire. The second Scroll says "The blood Coldharbor's daughter will blind the eye of the dragon. Once Harkon finds he needs her blood and as I'm sure you know, Auriel's Bow she will be sacrificed" Valerica growled. Stomping her foot down causing the ground to tremble. Tai snarled.

"I will not allow anyone to hurt Serana. I want to stop Harkon and keep Serana safe. If I had not once I knew your location I would have killed her" Tai shook her hands at Valerica without digression.

"You still need her!"

"I will always need her you witch! I Love her Divines curse it!" Tai stomped back. His words seemed to reach Valerica's ears like a ton of bricks.

"Like myself, Serana was human once. We were devout followers of Lord Molag Bal. Tradition dictates that females are offered as sacrifice to Lord Bal on the day of his summoning. Few survive the ordeal. Those who do emerge as pure vampires, daughters of Coldharbor.

"Serana subjected herself willingly?" Tai was horrified as Valerica growled.

"It was an honour not to be turned down lightly! Even with the chains Serana placed herself upon Molag Bal's bed" Valerica was beginning to cool down.

"I will tell you nothing. You put on a good show but be gone" Valerica was infuriated yet cold.

"Serana believes in me! Why can't you?"

"This can't be… Serana?" Valerica was shaken as she returned her gaze to Serana who stood before, head slightly bowed.

"This stranger might call himself friend but he knows nothing of our struggle. Why should I entrust you to him?" That did it. Serana raised her head and puffed up. Tai knew Serana was about to deal her mother a piece of her mind, and then some.

"This "stranger" has done more for me in the brief time I've known him than you've done in centuries!" Valerica was also puffed up now as she replied.

"How dare you? I gave up everything I cared about to protecting you from that fanatic that you call a father!"

"Yes he's a fanatic, he's changed. But he's still my father. How can you not understand how that makes me feel?" Serana was choking up.

"Oh Serana, if you'd only open your eyes. The moment your father discovers your role in the prophecy, that he needs your blood you'd be in terrible danger." Valerica was pacing slightly, tensing her hands within each other.

"So to protect me you shut me away from everything I cared about? You never asked me if hiding away in that tomb was the best course of action, you just expected me to follow you blindly. Both of you were obsessed with your own paths. Your motives may have been different but in the end… I'm still just a pawn to you too" Serana swallowed, Tai instinctively walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Serana turned to look at him; Tai nodded and took a respectful step back, his face at great pains to show he didn't wish to.

"I want us to be a family again, but I don't know if we can ever have that. Maybe we don't deserve that kind of happiness. Maybe it isn't for us" Serana stared at Tai sadly. Finally it hit him.

He almost fell to his knees from his sudden burst of sorrow. Valerica seemed to notice this, she sympathised with Tai in her eyes briefly before turning them back to Serana. Tai let a few tears fall, tears he didn't hide well. It wasn't Serana didn't feel for him, now he thought about it she obviously felt something. It was the fact she didn't believe she deserved it that she held herself back.

"But we have to stop him before he goes too far. For that, we need the Elder Scroll"

"I'm sorry Serana. I didn't know… I didn't see. I've allowed my hatred of your father to estrange us for too long… Forgive me. If you want the Elder Scroll, it's yours." Valeria seemed saddened, shocked yet grateful Serana had spoken up. She seemed proud. Then she turned to Tai.

"Your intentions are still somewhat unclear to me. But for Serana's sake, I'll assist you anyway I can. I have the Elder Scroll with me; I've kept it securely here ever since I was imprisoned. Fortunately, you're in a position to breach the barrier that surrounds these ruins. To do so you need to locate the tallest of the rocky spires. At their bases are the souls of those trapped here, they feed the barriers holding me. Kill the Keepers tending them and it should bring the barrier down. They will not be easy to kill" Valerica's tone made Tai smile inside.

"See you in an hour" Tai spoke in an even tone, Serana smiled secretively at her mother's doubtful face.

"One more word of warning. There is a dragon that calls itself Durnehviir roaming the Cairn. Be wary of him. The Ideal Masters have charged him with overseeing the Keepers, and will undoubtedly intervene if you're perceived as a threat" Valerica seemed nervous, Tai openly laughed.

"Dragons are my specialty, I am Dovahkiin" Tai stood proudly as Serana rolled her eyes.

"Which is why he is so hairless down his body" she grinned at the shocked and mockingly offended Tai. Serana stuck her tongue out like a child, Tai laughed again as he mock threw a jab at her side, Serana squealed jumping away as Tai half tickled her side, his huge hands almost paw like in his actions. Valerica rolled her eyes.

"Makers… My daughter is flirting with a common man right before my eyes, I am forced to watch her squeal with joy in Oblivion" This only caused more of an uproar from Tai and Serana as they jogged towards the first Keeper.

"The world is doomed" Valerica sighed, walking back to her makeshift alchemy lab in the ruins.

Her eyes kept flicking to her vanishing daughter with a well concealed smile on her aged yet immortal face. She truly was proud of her daughter, and strangely drawn to Tai. The man was handsome, obviously cared for her daughter. He made her smile obviously, he respected her too. It had been too long since Valerica had seen her daughters bewitching smile and shining eyes. Even before sealing Serana away Valerica had known the stress of their family had affected Serana more than any. Serana was too kind hearted, and had not been truly happy. Again her thoughts travelled to the… Dovahkiin? No she had heard wrong, still he was obviously a gentle man and had made her daughter smile in possibly the most depressing place in all of existence.

"One down" Tai grinned, pulling his foot from the now empty dragon bone armour. The dead Keeper was huge, bigger than Tai and Serana if they combined their considerable height. It had just had a ball of darkness as a head; blue shining eyes that Tai thought made a frostbite spider look pretty. He shuddered at the thought as Serana tagged him and jogged off.

Tai chuckled, Serana was such a child in so many aspects, and yet a woman in many more. She was no longer pure, but then again her taker had been a Deadric Prince, that didn't count as a man did it? Her body was clearly well developed, ripe and perfect in Tai's mind. She was somewhat curvy without her armour Tai remembered. Serana turned to look at him, her eyes suspicious as he stared into nothing with a foolish grin.

"Tai? Come on. Two more to kill remember?" She used that somewhat blood hungry tone. Tai smiled.

"Coming"

The other two Keepers fell in a similar manner, Tai ending up with his foot or his blade, on one with a bow both through the Keeper's chest or where their head had been. Returning to Valerica Tai noticed a gathering of ghost. Serana gripped his arm, a strange magic surrounding her hand and eyes as she whispered.

"Allow me. You go ahead, I'll handle this" Serana lately had been taking a more active and mysterious role in fighting.

It wasn't that Tai minded as he walked off slightly, his eyes flicking back to Serana from time to time. Somehow she had frozen the ghost, and was picking up some form of skull. Tai had faith in Serana's abilities, but not her experience. He couldn't help worry for his naive little vampire. He adored her, he knew that he had fallen hard and fast for this manipulating little princess, but he didn't care.

A few minutes later he heard something strange. Hoof beats. Then Serana making awkward noises, Tai's eyes widened as a skeleton horse with black bones and purple flames for a main, tail and eyes came galloping towards him, Serana clinging awkwardly to its back. Tai burst out laughing as he caught the horse gently around the nose, petting it as Serana leapt off.

"I am never riding a … horse again!" She exclaimed. Tai held his breath to prevent himself laughing harder as the horse disintegrated into black mist before his eyes.

They laughed as they ran, reaching Valerica quite quickly, she smiled.

"Come now. I shall give you the scroll, watch out for the dragon" Valerica was already moving as Tai shrugged. Serana smiled, playfully punching Tai on the arm.

"You did it knight" she laughed. Tai blinked.

"Still haven't swept the princess off her feet" he replied, right as they pushed the old castle doors open.