Stepping through the portal was not unlike stepping into a pool of cold Dwarven oil, something I had done before, and I wasn't happy to be repeating the experience. When I could see again, I gasped. The Soul Cairn was not a hospitable place. Dead trees and bushes dotted the landscape, interspersed by cracks in the earth that glowed with the same fel energy as the portal. Lightning flashed as it struck the ground more times in a minute than I usually saw in a year, and thunder rumbled through the realm like a rolling dirge. Looking up, I saw clouds swirling around a black void, that seemed as empty and endless as a starless night. A single moon hung low in the sky, though the glow was not familiar. It was cold, and though it shone dimly, it seemed somehow dark.

"This is an empty place," I said, voice low.

"I'd heard stories about it," Serana said beside me. "It's about what I imagined."

We continued walking, and the impression that something was deeply wrong stuck with me. It was only when I sniffed the air and smelled nothing that I realized what had happened. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry with an unknown fear. My wolf had been trapped with the gem.

The distorted landscape seemed even more twisted to me now, more terrifying. I had my bow, but as evidenced in the castle, that wasn't enough. I couldn't change shape, or call on my beast for assistance. I was... alone.

Dimly, I realized I had stopped walking. Serana turned around to look at me. "Are you alright?"

My mouth moved, but words didn't come out. My face, drained of blood, startled her. "What's wrong?" she demanded.

"My wolf," I croaked, my breath coming out in short gasps. "I can't feel her. She's gone."

She was rendered speechless. That made sense. To lose your other half hurt beyond anything I had ever felt, but I didn't know if she had any idea what that was like, and right now, I didn't care. I wanted to run, hide, and cower like the prey animal I was now that my wolf had been torn away, trapped, and sold like a pelt shorn from a fresh-kill. I felt exposed, like thousands of eyes were watching me and plotting my brutal death while I could do nothing but fight the terror that threatened to bubble up from my throat as a scream.

"Elayn!" Serana snapped, jerking me out of my downward spiral. Her golden eyes blazed as they met mine. Were mine still the same silver I had known all my life? That my mother and father had both held? My pack?

She said my name again, and I physically jolted. "What?" I demanded, my voice higher than I ever remembered it being. "What do you want?"

"Stop thinking like prey." The accusation forced indignation to the forefront of my brain, an emotion I was used to. Something that was mind-numbing fear...

No. I couldn't think like that. Serana needed me, needed me to be strong, and to keep her strong. Find her mother, find the scroll, and stop Harkon before he could secure the destruction of mortal kind. That was what was important. I could still fight, had done so in human form before and I had survived that.

This wasn't going to be the thing that killed me. Not today.

I drew in a ragged breath and released it, calming my heart in a similar way to when I would try to hold back my beast. It helped, somewhat, and I was able to focus. "Sorry," I said, almost like normal. "The soul trap, it must have taken her. I've... I've never been alone like this."

Serana reached forward and gripped my hand in her's. "You're not alone," she said, like she was willing me to believe it.

And I did.

I nodded, shifting my hand to grip her's. "We need to find Valerica. Let's hurry."

She didn't insult me by checking on me every three minutes, but I caught her glancing at me, like I was some sort of child that could break at any moment. It hurt, that something like that was a possibility, but that possibility kept me going. I would not break, even if it meant my life.

Ghosts wandered through the barren ground, seeming both aimless and committed. From what some of them were saying, I determined that many were reliving their final moments. That saddened me, but they left us alone.

Skeletons, with bones of congealed shadow, attacked us periodically. Serana kept them back, her necromancy a powerful ally in this, while I did what I could with my bow and arrows. The far-off castle, topped by spires that broke off towards the top, got closer and closer until we reached the doors. There a woman stood, a vampire bearing close resemblance to the one next to me.

"Mother!" Serana called, running to her. She stopped short, an invisible barrier blocking her path.

"Serana?" The woman seemed to be the more astonished one. "It can't be."

"Is it really you? I can't believe it!" She was smiling widely, ecstatic, for once looking as young as she was. "How did you get inside? We have to talk."

Valerica was less thrilled. "Serana, what are you doing here? Where is your father?"

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

Valerica's face fell. "I must have failed. Harkon has found a way to decipher the prophecy, hasn't he?"

"No, you've got it all wrong!" She shook her head to accentuate the point. "We're here to complete the prophecy our way, not his."

Serana's repeated use of "we" seemed to finally register with her mother. "Wait a moment, you've brought a stranger her? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, you don't-"

"You," Valerica interrupted, looking to me furiously. "Come forward. I would speak with you."

I stepped up to the barrier, my arms crossed, and eyeing her with as much respect as I currently had for this woman: very little.

"So," she sneered. "How has it come to pass that my daughter is in the company of a vampire hunter? It pains me to think you'd travel with her under the guise of her protector in an effort to hunt me down."

I curled my lip. "My only business with you is to help Serana find you. I've been keeping her safe."

"Safe?" She laughed scornfully. "You call bringing her here safe? Has she explained anything to you? Serana has sacrificed everything to prevent Harkon from completing the prophecy. I would have expected her to explain that to you."

I growled low in my throat. "You mean you sacrificed, and you sacrificed her to prevent Harkon from completing the prophecy. We're here for the Elder Scroll, to stop him."

Her eyes glowed with outrage. "You think I'd have the audacity to place my own daughter in the tomb for the protection of her Elder Scroll alone? The scroll is merely a means to an end. The key to the Tyranny of the Sun is Serana herself."

That stopped me. "What do you mean?"

"When I fled Castle Volkihar, I fled with two Elder Scrolls," she explained, as if irritated to be doing it. "The scroll Serana had speaks of Auriel and his arcane weapon. The second scroll declares that "The blood of Coldharbour's Daughter will blind the eye of the dragon."

"And where does Serana fit in?" I had a guess, but I was hoping desperately that I was wrong.

"Like myself, Serana was once human. We were devout followers of Lord Molag Bal." Her lip curled again, but not at me. "Tradition dictates the females be offered to Molag Bal on his summoning day. Few survive the ordeal, and those that do emerge as pure-blooded vampires. We call such beings the 'Daughters of Coldharbour'."

That was somewhat more information than I really ever needed or wanted. "The Tyranny of the Sun requires her blood, then."

She nodded slowly. "Now you're beginning to understand why I wanted to protect Serana, why I kept the other Elder Scrolls as far from her as possible. If her father obtained Auriel's Bow, and used her blood to taint the weapon, the Tyranny of the Sun would be complete. In his eyes, she'd be dying for the good of all vampires."

"Then Harkon means to kill her." I growled again. "I will not let that happen."

"And how exactly do you plan to complete the prophecy without the death of my daughter?" she asked haughtily.

"I'll kill Harkon." I meant that too, no matter how powerful he was.

She scowled. "If you believe that, you're a bigger fool than I suspected. Don't you think I weighed that option before I enacted my plans?"

"And Serana's opinion on this?" I asked abruptly. "How does she feel about being used by her parents, do you think?"

She lifted her chin. "You're a vampire hunter at heart. You're here because we're abominations, evil creatures that need to be destroyed."

"You know nothing of me or what I do," I snarled. "Serana believes in me. Why won't you?"

Valerica turned her attention back to her daughter, effectively ignoring me. "This stranger allies herself with those would would hunt you down and slay you like an animal, yet I should entrust you to her?"

"This 'stranger' has done more for me in the brief time I've known her than you've done in centuries!" Serana snapped.

"How dare you!" she shrieked, outraged. "I gave up everything I care about to protect you from that fanatic you call a father!"

"He may be a fanatic, he may have changed, but he's still my father," she yelled. "Why can't you understand how that makes me feel?"

"Oh, Serana, if you'd only open your eyes!" Her tone became cajoling. "The moment your father discovers your role in the prophecy, discovers that he needs your blood, you will be in terrible danger."

"So to protect me, you shut me away from everything I cared about?" Serana demanded. "You never asked me if hiding 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. You might have had a better motivation, but in the end, I'm just a pawn to you, too. I want us to be a family again, but I don't know if that can ever happen."

Her voice lowered. "Maybe we don't deserve that happiness. Maybe it isn't for us. But we have to stop him, before he goes too far, and for that, we need the Elder Scroll."

Her mother looked stricken, and ashamed. "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." She lowered her head. "If you want the Elder Scroll, it's yours."

"Your intentions are still somewhat unclear to me," she said, speaking to me again. "But for Serana's sake, I'll assist you if I can."

"Were it not for my beast locked in a soul gem in this place, you and I would be having a discussion," I growled, still offended by her words. "But as it stands, I'll settle for keeping her safe."

I saw recognition and understanding dawn on her. "You're a werewolf? Then why do you ally yourself with vampire hunters?"

I snorted. "Because vampires tend to be the only prey that gives me a real fight, short of attacking giants. There was a feral group near Riften that I helped Isran destroy. I planned on leaving before events occurred, and I met Serana."

"I..." She paused. "I believe you will keep her safe. I can see it in your eyes. Forgive me. I would have noticed sooner, but your eyes are green, not silver."

The reminder of what I no longer was sat ill with me, but I nodded in acceptance of the apology. "Where is the Elder Scroll?"

"I've kept it safely secured since I was imprisoned," she said. "Unfortunately since I am locked in here, I cannot reach it right now."

"Then how do you get you out of there?"

She pointed out in the distance. "The tallest of the spires use the energy from the exiled souls to keep this barrier active. Destroy the keepers that are tending to them, and it should bring the barrier down."

"We'll be back soon," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait." I looked back. "There's a dragon that calls itself Durnehviir roaming the Cairn. Be wary of him. The Ideal Masters have him overseeing the Keepers, and he will undoubtedly intervene if he sees you as a threat. Be careful... And keep my daughter safe."

"Let's go," Serana said firmly, and we set off.

The Keepers were somewhat more difficult than the bonemen, but there where there were many of those, we only fought one Keeper at a time. They were dead before long, and we returned to Valerica. She was standing outside the barrier, waiting.

"You managed to destroy all three Keepers? Impressive." She really did look impressed, though she sounded condescending. I was beginning to wonder if that was just her voice.

"Can you give us the scroll now?" I asked.

"Yes. Please, follow me, and watch out for Durnehviir. With the barrier down, he is likely to investigate."

She led us to a courtyard, but halfway across, she stopped. "Wait," Serana said, looking around. "I hear something."

A moment later, I heard it, the roar of a dragon. "It's Durnehviir!" Valerica called. "Defend yourself!"

The roaring grew closer, until the thunder of dragonwings was directly overhead. He bellowed a challenge, to which I roared back, "Dinok wah hi, o viingaal prakem!"

That got his attention. His Thu'um rattled my very bones, as well as those of the undead that clawed their way out of the ground. Valerica and Serana handled those as the dragon landed, heavily, and began snapping at me. I grabbed a sword that lay on the ground and ran at him.

I did not escape unscathed, but he was worse off. I managed to clamber onto the back of his head and drive the steel sword into his skull. He roared once more, rearing up, before dropping to the ground limply. I leapt from him, dropping the sword in the process, and stood before the now burning dragon.

The usual gold light was absent, replaced by more purple flame. It devoured Durnehviir entirely, leaving nothing behind. Valerica moved to stand beside me, gaping. "Forgive my astonishment, but I never thought I'd witness the death of that dragon."

I winced. "He isn't dead. I didn't devour his soul. He'll reform, but when, I do not know."

"Then I suggest we don't wait around to find out. Come, let's get your Elder Scroll." She led us to an alcove across the courtyard, and to an ornate box. She unlocked it, and handed me the scroll.

"That's it," Serana said. "The last scroll. We should take it to Dexion."

"Before you go-" Valerica's eyes flickered to me. "The matter of your soul. I assume my daughter applied some of my lessons in necromancy. I'm sure you'll be wanting that back."

That caught my attention. "Where is it?" I demanded.

"Your soul was trapped inside a gem, and given to the Ideal Masters as payment. You just need to retrieve the gem. The moment you touch it, your soul will be restored." She paused, thinking. "There's an offering altar not far from here. I'm willing to bet the gem you're looking for is there."

"You're staying here?"

"I have no choice." She sighed. "As I told you before, I am a Daughter of Coldharbour. If I return to Tamriel, the chances of Harkon bringing the Tyranny of the Sun to fruition increase twofold."

"We'll return for you when we can," I told her. "When this is taken care of."

The corners of her mouth turned up in amusement. "I appreciate your concern, but Serana is all I care about. Keep her safe, at all costs. Remember that Harkon cannot be trusted. No matter what he promises, he will deceive you to get what he wants. My daughter is all I have left. Please keep her safe. Farewell."

Serana and I walked away then. She sighed unhappily. "I'm glad we found the scroll, but... I wish we could bring her back with us."

"Once this is dealt with," I told her gently. "We'll come back."

Outside the courtyard, we immediately found the slain dragon waiting for us. "Stay your weapons," he said, resting his head on a rock. "I would speak with you, Qahnaarin."

I stepped forward. "I knew you would be back. I take it the Ideal Masters have your soul?"

"That they do," he rumbled. "Doomed to exist in this form for all eternity. Trapped between laas and dinok, between life and death."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why are we speaking, if the Ideal Masters command you?"

"I believe in civility between seasoned warriors," he said. "And I find your ear worthy of my words. My claws have rended the flesh from innumerable foes, but I have never once been felled on the battlefield." A noise like a growl, but softer, rumbled in his throat. "I therefore honor-name you as 'Qahnaarin,' or 'Vanquisher' in your tongue."

I bowed my head. "I found you equally worthy, kul do lok."

"You words do me great honor," he replied. "And I must admit I am surprised at your master of the dovahzul. My desire desire to speak with you was born of our battle, Qahnaarin. I merely wish to respectfully ask a favor of you."

"What kind of favor?" I asked carefully.

He exhaled through his nose, a rush of air that tousled my hair. "For countless years I've roamed the Soul Cairn, in unintended service to the Ideal Masters. Before this, I roamed the skies of Tamriel. I desire to return there."

"What keeps you from returning?"

"I fear that my time here has taken its toll on me," he explained. "I share a bond with this dreaded place. If I ventured too far from the Soul Cairn, my strength would begin to wane until I was no more."

Both my dragon soul and my heart ached to hear it. To be trapped under this desolate sky would pain me as well. "How could I help?"

"I will place my name with you, and grant you the right to call my name from Tamriel. Do me this simple honor, and I will fight at your side as Grah-Zeymahzin, your ally, and teach you my Thu'um."

"You can leave for a time if I call you?" He nodded. "I will happily call you to fight at my side, mighty dragon."

He said his name, and with it came an immediate understanding of the dragon. His name meant he was cursed never to die, and all that entailed was ingrained into my mind. "I will call you when I have need of a powerful ally," I promised.

"Aal ven brud hi gut," he rumbled, before taking flight.

Serana stared after him, dumbfounded. "That was... very civil."

I chuckled. "Dragon shouts are, in their tongue, real words. A fight is really just a very heated debate." I watched him go, slightly sad. "They love to talk, to anyone they deem worthy. I fear he has not found anyone like that in a very long time."

"Then perhaps your summons will help," she said gently. "We should hurry and retrieve your soul."

The altar was nearby, and not terribly inconspicuous. We slayed the undead guarding it, and I looked for my soul. It was a black soul gem, that seemed to pulse with light to the same beat of my heart. I grabbed it, and gasped as I felt my beast return. It was similar to absorbing a dragons soul, but deeper. Part of me had returned.

I rolled my shoulders and flexed my hands, feeling the strength I had lost rush through me. Serana smiled. "Your eyes are silver again," she said, answering my questioning look.

"Let's get back to Fort Dawnguard," I said, revelling in the rasp and rumble of my beast-blood in my voice.