Chapter 20 – Finish The Quest

"May the light of Auri-El illuminate your darkest hour" – Quote, Gelebor

"Tai…" Serana started, the look in his eyes was beyond horrified. Serana took a step towards him, now in his human form. He seemed to have found some armour, mix and matching the steels from the dead to cover himself.

"Stay back!" He ordered, pointing the sword he had found at Serana. She stared, tears falling from her eyes.

"I had no choice Tai. There was no other way" Serana started explaining, Tai cut her off with a snarl.

"A child… A child Serana!" Tai was shaking, his blade wavering as he pointed it at Serana. This was something he never counted on, pointing his weapon at Serana in defense. He couldn't fathom he was holding a blade to Serana, she had fallen though. She had torn a child's throat out, and then covered her tracks by slitting the child's dead throat, all with a smile on her face.

"Do you think me such a monster that I wanted to do that?" Serana cried.

"Want is not of importance… You. You… Enjoyed it. You enjoyed killing and mutilating a child's body"

"I…" Serana trailed off, guilt clearly showing in her eyes, painted across her face.

"You can't deny it! I saw the look in your eye, the inhuman joy on your face. I watched you, stalking that child then killing. Deny it all you want, but I saw" Tai was fuming; he still held the blade between them.

"No. The vampire did, not me! It's just like your wolf. Did you enjoy eating those Falmer alive? Did you enjoy crushing an Orc's skull in?" Serana growled back, the blood running down her chin dripped onto her chest, flowing down in a warm crimson line. Tai saw Serana's momentary joy, before a sudden shame. Tai wondered if he was correct. The blade stayed.

"I never murdered a child" Tai held to his argument. Serana rolled her eyes, almost inhumanly. Tai guessed the vampire inside her was raging.

"No. You are not so clean yourself though Tai. Please, don't judge me on this; it was her life or the world. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own morals and do what has to be done"

"A child down here. She saw you and was hopeful you would help her. You killed her with a friendly smile. How can I trust your emotions when you lie so easily?" Tai's hand steadied, blade point lowering slightly.

"I wanted to let her last moment be a hopeful one. She had no life, I saw her wounds Tai. She's like me, save for the Falmer's entertainment. There is no recovering from that in her life time" Serana finally answered, her eyes dimming sadly. Tai swallowed. Serana took another step forwards, Tai rose his blade savagely; he didn't know what to think.

"Insult the man with a blade to you. Smart move Serana"

Serana stared at him, sudden steel to her eyes as she walked straight up to the blade. She paused, the blade flat against her heart. Tai paused, his sudden nerves offset by Serana tearing her shirt open to reveal her heart, the blade now against bare skin.

"If you think that I'm a monster push that blade through me" Serana challenged. Tai stood in shock.

"Think clearly Serana!"

"No Tai. You told me once; if I ever raise a blade at you I should be willing to use it. You think I wanted to be this monster? Do you think I wanted to have to murder to hold my health? It's a curse! The power is a blessing but the means are a curse. I can't give this up because I have suffered too much to gain it, but that does not mean I enjoy my life as this… monster"

"Serana. I am defending, not attacking" Tai's voice shook, her eyes never left his, the sincerity in them broke Tai's heart.

"Do you think I haven't tried this before? To end my existence? I can't die that way Tai; I can only live as if I will until I feed" Serana pushed herself against the blade more, blood dripping from the blades point.

"Serana… Don't start this now"

"I didn't, you did."

"Stop this!" Tai demanded, still the blade hadn't moved.

"I had a choice Tai. To end a girl with no possible brightness ahead, everyday living in fear. It was a mercy killing and it meant I could come and help you. The other choice was to lie on the ground like I was dying an agonising death for eternity, and risk losing you if you were injured. I couldn't take that chance Tai" Serana seemed so cold, yet so emotional at the same time; Tai took a step back, freeing the blade.

"You shouldn't have walked into a blade" Tai answered, resting his hand over the wound.

"It won't harm me"

"But you feel pain. You're no use if you can't fight, said so yourself. I can't ignore this though Serana, it's shaken me… Can you heal that?" Tai was confused. His instincts screamed to help her, but his mind was fighting against it. She had just murdered a child; Tai couldn't forgive it because she simply stabbed herself.

They continued walking, fighting through traps and creatures alike. Tai was scared of how aggressive Serana became, her spells often mutilating before killing. Serana however was stinking of guilt, shame emanating from her in waves. This was her life however, Tai didn't pretend to understand, he couldn't. Not yet. Finally they reached two wires.

"Whatever's on the other side, the Falmer want to keep it there" Serana commented, pulling Tai back a few steps.

"The other pullie?"

"Might end up triggering all those traps" Serana replied, pointing to the traps, all cleverly hidden. Tai nodded.

"Oh"

Tai nervously pulled one rope, the traps sprung to life. Serana however didn't even flinch as the arrows and spears of the trap flew for her, Tai quickly pulled the other rope. The traps stopped, returning to their position as the rock before Serana began to lower. She stood, magic ready as the cave behind came into view. Serana gasped, as did Tai. It was stunning.

It seemed to glow, despite been like the path the rocks glowed a brilliant bright blue. The plants glowed in a variety of different colours. What wasn't good for glowing was the sabre cat roaring before them.

Serana growled, a blackness surrounding her. She fell to her knees, struggling and gasping. Tai leapt to block the attacking sabre cat, his arms locking around its neck as he stood up over its back. The creature writhed in his arms as Tai bent it. Suddenly it slashed him across the calf, dropping him to one knee. Tai rolled as the creature chased him, over the next cliff Tai would stumble from.

Serana clawed the ground, her nails growing as the black mist shot through her veins. She was struggling to keep herself contained, what happened next was something she could never deal with. Often she had been chained for her cool down period; however she had no chance this time. She felt her brow shifting as her skin rippled and tore. Her voice came out faintly, building, slowly into the loudest scream Tai had ever heard. Finally Serana stood, throwing her arms apart with roar.

Tai struggled in the cold water, he hated how it glowed, reflecting the brightness surrounding him. The cat blended perfectly, making Tai's struggle that much harder. He sloshed in the water as he spun, catching the roaring Sabre cat in a bear hug. He fell back; his back and sides were brutalised by the rocks in the reasonably deep water. He could still stand, he didn't know if a wood elf could. Tai realised too late that there was more than one cat stalking him, he had by then thrown the cat and stumbled from the river. He was gasping, his makeshift armour torn from several sabre cat assaults. His left ribs were aching, broken, and his neck bleeding slightly. He couldn't keep fighting, not in this form, not without a weapon.

The cat stalked over him, claws at the ready as Tai groaned, head leaning back. Suddenly the weight was gone, and the cats yowled. He forced his head up, instantly he wished he hadn't.

He saw Serana, but she wasn't Serana. She was like her father's form, save having a strip of cloth tied around her breast. She appeared much older, yet young for a lord. The creature she became was insane, snarling at each of the cats surrounding them.

The first launched, sending Serana rolling head over heels, somehow along the surface of the water. Tai shuddered in horror as he realised, the water had turned to ice. Serana grabbed the cat by the head and pushed. It vanished beneath the ice, scratching desperately as Serana turned her eyes to the next cat. As it launched she suddenly vanished. The cat was suddenly lifted from behind; Serana wasted no time in snapping it. The third cat ran, Serana turned with a laugh before she vanished into a swarm of bats. The cat ran into her expecting paw, its neck pierced by her hungry claws. One final cat lurked towards Tai. He silently wished the cat to turn and hide, something about this Serana wasn't right. Instead it was hit by a ball of red energy, it yowled as it floated. It continued yowling as well as writhing in pain before Serana simply closed her hand. The cat stopped struggling.

Serana quickly rushed to the first cat, driving her paw into the water she yanked it out. Somehow it was still alive, Serana hissed at it.

"Run before I lose control" then threw it to the opposite bank. The cat did not look back as it fled. Serana dropped to her knees, the skin shredding from her as she screamed loudly, it seemed transformations for her were not easy.

Serana appeared again, her clothes still on her. Her eyes flashed to Tai, still crazed. She closed the distance between them at a run, she tore at her clothing; suddenly they seemed to itch her. Tai stood, groaning as the armour bent into him.

"Here" Serana started, her fingers on the leather straps, pulling them undone. Tai slapped her hand aside, Serana snarled at him. Tai froze; the intention in her snarl was control, dominance. He looked beyond though; it had been guttural, desperate. He could almost feel her desire burning as she looked him in the eye, apologetically as he held her hand softly. He cursed himself, holding her hand when he was angry. Tai's instincts won that round.

"Let me" She controlled herself after a moment, speaking too coolly to be completely sated. Tai sighed, griping into the rock as Serana returned to undoing the straps. She truly was incredible; she raised her eyes to his again, smiling as she finished undoing one side. Tai groaned, the sudden freedom was unbearable to his ribs.

"That's not a good sign I take it" Tai winced, Serana had by then undone the other side, now her eyes were on the ribs.

"Arms" Serana whispered, removing the armour as Tai moved to aid her, tears escaping his clenched eyes at every little movement against his injured ribs.

"So. What do you like?" Serana asked suddenly. Tai looked at her in shock.

"What? What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean? What are those special points" Serana was been very forward. Tai grinned.

"Pay attention next time" He had his arm out as Serana unlaced his gauntlet on his bad side, he winced.

"I'm sorry. After changes my… desires become, more acute" Serana struggled, her eyes fixing firmly on his arm as the blush crept up her. Tai sighed as she placed her healing spell on his ribs. His eyes burned into hers as her magic reset his bones, he almost smiled at how soft her touch was against his shirtless side.

"Well. I can't answer for me, but I've figured you" Tai grinned, seeing Serana's blushing rushing to her cheeks. Tai grinned as her hand left his wound.

"It'll need healing, but you're too…" Serana never finished her sentence as Tai stood and began to move. He was far too smooth to be a man, he was a true hunter, prowling, stalking Serana back towards the water. He suddenly grabbed her and spun, forcing her to sit on the rock as he stood over her. Serana gasped.

"Do you want me to show you?" Tai asked in a husky voice. His own breathing was slightly heavy, yet controlled. Serana closed her eyes, struggling not to simply scream her answer. She had to be controlled, even if Tai wouldn't be.

"Tai. Don't get me aroused" Serana almost begged, Tai smiled, gently blowing down her neck, Serana shuddered at the sudden warmth.

"I know you like your neck been gently touched" Tai whispered in her ear, his hand trailing from just behind her earlobe down her neck, so soft it could have been a feather. Serana gasped quietly, instantly tension shot through her body.

"You love your shoulders been teased. You're a very upper body girl" Tai teased, his hand stroking her bra strap aside slightly as Serana shuddered. This wasn't fair.

"Please… Stop" She breathed, Tai chuckled. He flicked his finger another way that made Serana arch into him with a sudden squeal. She then closed her eyes, humiliated by how Tai forced her to surrender. He hadn't even touched her anywhere personal yet. His hand left her softly, his own eyes dark. Somehow he managed to take the step back.

"That's just a little, I'll show you more once we finish. If you're still interested" Tai spoke casually as Serana caught her breath, panting heavily. Her eyes darkened on Tai as he smirked. This was one side she didn't like.

"I told you not to get me aroused" Serana spat at him in a whisper, Tai closed his hand around hers gently.

"I'm sorry. I thought you were teasing" Tai sounded so honest; Serana shook in the knees at his saddened look. Tai silently restored her bra, retightened her leather then moved behind her, his strong arms circling around her waist in an apologetic hug. Serana leaned into him with a satisfied sigh.

"I'm guessing, this is you showing me how much stronger you are, so I won't kill you" Serana sighed sadly, turning in his arms slightly, her head over her shoulder to stare into his face.

"I forgot all about that" Tai admitted, his own gaze soft as Serana nodded.

"You need to sleep with that wound" she tried to avoid the gaze he was giving her. She didn't deserve it.

"Sleep with me?" He asked quietly, Serana froze. He had just apologised, and now he wanted again?

"Tai. It's not safe" Serana started, she saw the slight blush creep up Tai, after a momentary confusion.

"I meant just lay. I don't want you in that way right now, well I do but not until you're comfortable. If I did, I wouldn't have stopped" Tai explained a little quickly, obviously uneasy with his words despite their truth. Serana fixed him a look then smiled.

"That's fine. But if I bite you I did want you" Serana stated. Tai raised his brow.

"You want me?"

"Warn. I meant to say warn" Serana corrected herself with a blush, her wet clothing clinging to her. The cold made her shiver. Tai was also shivering. He weakly began working on the boots, undoing them as Serana stared nervously.

"When clothes are wet, it's warmer to remove them. You can use the pants" Tai explained, pulling one boot free with a groan. Serana shook her head.

"I'm a vampire; you need them more than me"

"For your comfort I won't try anything" Tai snapped slightly, then hung his head at Serana's look.

"Oh"

"Serana. I have done my reading, I suspected things. I know the correct thing to be done during your time… and with Molag Bal. I get how hard this is for you. I don't want to push you, even if it means I have to sacrifice a bit. Feel comfortable with me before trying anything again, I can wait" Tai reassured a nervous Serana. She smiled at him, not trusting her voice. She simply pulled the fur from her pack. Nothing more.

"God that man knows how to use his tongue"

Serana blushed, remembering his skills full well. She lay the furs down in a safe place, sheltered by the glowing rock. She knew Tai would easily sleep, even if she had to make him. She doubted for herself. The situation shouldn't be so hard, nor so relaxed. Tai had nearly completely forgotten about her killing the girl, not a few hours before. He had also forgotten her vampire form meltdown. She didn't deserve his forgiveness. As for the troubles, she had seen him naked before, he had seen her. They both had felt, explored each other. They had gone the extra mile, now it was just sleeping in the same furs… naked. This wasn't done when Serana was raised, for Tai it seemed so easy. She finished setting the makeshift shelter up, Tai had finished stripping off and skinned the sabre cats.

"Extra warmth. They may stink later, I can't tan them" Tai announced, Serana noticed how he had made a poor covering with the scrappy parts. He shocked her however when he offered her a dress of sorts, short, not very fashionable but warm and covering enough. She smiled as she took it, noting the slight disappointment in Tai's face.

She stared down at her dripping self as she threw the dress over the furs; Tai stared at her as he thoughtlessly dropped to his knees before Serana could act. He began undoing her laces, and pants before Serana gasped slightly. His fingers had breezed just below her hip joint, another point for her she assumed. Tai stopped, instead removing her boots wordlessly. Then he stood, looking her in the eye as he reached around her, undoing the corset. Serana wrapped her own arms around herself, undoing her gauntlets between her own and Tai's chest. She shivered, it was very cold and Tai was so very warm.

Tai wordlessly slid the corset down her, again hooking his thumb in her pants and underwear. He moved quickly, too quickly for Serana to enjoy, dropping to his knee once more. She herself had undone her gauntlets and dropped them as Tai straightened and gathered part of her shirt in his hands, he looked to her questioningly. She nodded; it was only after that Tai lifted her shirt, over her head and into his chest. He tossed it over the leather as she stood in only a bra, Tai struggled to keep his eyes from her as Serana herself reached around her back and finished removing the last bit of clothing.

"By the blood you're beautiful" Tai gasped as she stepped backwards from her clothing, giving Tai a full view of her. Tai's eyes somehow remained on her eyes after a swift inspection, Serana laughed uneasily, crossing her arms as she looked away. She knew Tai was lying. Tai closed the distance between them, his finger thumb closing around her chin as he raised her eyes to regard his.

"Don't. You are beautiful" Tai whispered again, Serana watched as his head drew closer. She felt his chin rest over her shoulder as he pulled her into a tender hug, Serana smiled. For a boy with such a criminal reputation Tai was currently been a saint. A silver tongued, struggling romantic, saint.

Tai respectfully averted his eyes as Serana crept into the furs, she couldn't help feel hurt. He hadn't wished to watch her naked? Was she so repulsive?

"It was respect" Tai whispered as he followed. His eyes were now hungry on Serana, who had forgotten the dress. Still, she knew Tai would behave himself, he promised… didn't he?

Serana flinched as Tai gently ran his hand across her belly, pulling her into him. Tai laughed softly, then sighed.

"It's warmer" he explained, Serana guessed it was also more pleasant as she rolled over to stare at him then gently trailed her tongue along his bleeding neck. Tai seemed serene with the fact that his hungry little vampire friend had just tasted him… again.

She shuddered. She had to admit, Tai tasted good in more ways than one, yet his blood was not the nicest she had tasted. Maybe it was her emotions getting the better of her. She shrugged the thought of the girl aside with a deepening sickness, she needed a distraction. She would not use Tai for that however; she silently listened for his snores before she began crying weakly. Tai's arm tightened around her as she sobbed into him, half her body wrapped around him as he whispered his comforting words softly to her.

They rested a while, by the time they had dressed and dried off they had still not spoken, Tai was angry again, as was Serana. The silence was only adding fuel to the fire, the two separate fires on a course to crash.

"How dare he!" Serana's thoughts raged. He had woken her vampire, she had been forced to change and he dare judge her. He had no idea of what she had been through. He couldn't understand her family troubles; he had been an orphan, a slave. She saddened at this; it did explain many of his faults, but what of his strengths?

"No! Stop, just stop… Serana no. Focus. You're mad at him, stay mad"

The Wayshrine and glowing blue ghost ahead gave her the perfect escape.

"Look, over there. That must be one of those Wayshrines ahead" Serana pointed ahead, Tai nodded. His jaw was tight, his tongue, for the first time Serana had ever known, silent.

"Tai must be seriously upset with me" Serana realised in horror.

"Thanks" he mumbled to her as he passed, careless if he knocked her or not. He was still confused, should he forgive Serana or kill her. His oath said he had to kill her, but in his heart he knew he couldn't. He hated this emotion, not having control of his own life. He hated the fact such a creature held his heart, and by that, part of his mind.

They climbed to the Wayshrine, still bitter towards each other. Tai felt the rage still boiling in his blood; he blamed himself for Serana's sudden lack of control. Had he unleashed something? The priest was talking, taking too much time for Tai's liking.

"Yes, yes" Tai answered mid-sentence; the priest smiled and continued talking. Tai sighed as Serana contained her smile; the priest shot the magic as he finished his sentence.

The Wayshrine was like the first, save one portal, Tai shuddered as he dipped the Ewer into the basin in the centre. The weight, Tai discovered joyfully, increased drastically less than what he had expected. Maybe he could do this easily after all.

Serana gripped his shoulder, comforting and controlling in its pressure as Tai neared the portal. He suddenly doubted, like Serana somehow knew he would. Without a moments compassion she lifted him by the scruff of his collar, the cheap shirt he had completed was suddenly a curse as Serana pushed him through the portal, again Tai felt sick as they exited at the other side.