I'm not a youngling! Chapter 21, an elder scroll series fanfic

HELLO EVERYONE. JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M SORRY FOR HOW LONG THIS CHAPTER TOOK. I ENDED UP CATCHING BRONCHITIS, THEN I BROKE 3 OF MY FINGERS ON MY MAIN HAND AND THEN I GOT WEIGHED DOWN BY LIFE. BUT I'M BETTER NOW AND I HOPE TO HAVE THE CHAPTERS COMING SOONER.

The city of whiterun was on fire. Flames 50 feet high roared with life sending out waves of heat so strong that even from their spot, almost a quarter of a mile away they could feel it. but that was not what had drawn their attention; no what had were the 5 oblivion gates that had opened up around the city. Even from their spot so far away they could see red forms emerging from the gates and attacking the city. Most of the lower city was on fire. Only Jorrvaskr and the dragon's keep were not engulfed in flames. Next to him Asum felt Okan shift. Glancing sideways Asum found that Okan had pulled out his sword; and was stepping forward. "Asum, go back to the camp. Tell Ri'saad what's happening and then get as far away from here as you can. Follow the caravans if you must; just get away from here." Okan began to run; Asum shouted at his charging form. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" the wind was the only reason he heard Okan's response. "GOING TO HELP MY FELLOW COMPANIONS!"

CHAPTER 21

Okan let out a roar of rage as she charged up the small hill towards the entrance to whiterun. In front of him; the demora turned to face him. Slashing at them with his sword he felt the heavy blade cleave them in half. He didn't even pause to watch their entrails fall to the ground, or their blood to explode in every direction. Charging past the soon dead demora. The massive wooden gates had been blasted apart and now lay strewn about in thousands of pieces. The weapon store war maiden was completely engulfed in flames. Okan gulped slightly as he walked past a burnt and charred corpse lying in the doorway to the flaming shop; he could not tell if the corpse was male or female. But he had no time to think about that as more demora attacked him. Ducking a sword Okan slung around and planted his blade firmly halfway inside a demora's stomach. Letting go of his sword Okan lashed out with his claws, slashing several deep bloody gashes into the side of another demora's face. The demon staggered back giving Okan just enough time to spin around and cut halfway through the demora's body.

Okan spun around and had been about to attack another demora when 4 arrows tips pierced the demora's armor and sprouted from his chest. As the demora dropped Okan found that across the street and on top of one of the few buildings not on fire Nisha stood her bow out and drawn with 3 arrows knocked and ready to fire. "thanks." Nisha nodded but turned away from Okan and let the arrows go at an unseen attacker. Okan knew what it meant; continuing on his way through the town Okan found only a few more demora which he easily dispatched with Nisha's occasional help. Moving up the steps to the second level of the city. The gilderngreen tree was blackened; and just when it had started to blossom again. But he had no time to feel sorrow for the sacred tree as more demora charged him. Dispatching them with ease Okan watched as Nisha dropped down from the rooftops. "where is everyone?" Nisha motioned and Okan followed her up the steps towards dragonreach. As they came to the front of the castle Okan found a group of 6 guards waiting for them. Passing by them Okan soon found himself inside the castle…the situation was worse than he thought.

Whiterun had over 30 people in it. and yet only 15 or so were inside the castle; not including the few guards. Find the companions Okan knelt down and helped tend to one of the wounded. "how did this happen?" alea shrugged and continued to hold a blood stained rag to her shoulder. "we don't know. One moment everything was normal…and then…..the sky turned red, the ground shook and that damned oblivion gate appeared out of thin air, and demora poured out of it. we barely had enough time to try and save people before we were fighting." Okan growled. "do we have a plan for escaping?" one of the nearby guards shook his head. "no. the demora are between us and the city gate. There's no other way safely out of the city, unless you'd like to jump over a wall and deal with a very long drop." After a moment Alea spoke. "there may be another way." A voice behind them spoke. "tell us of this way companion." Turning Okan felt his eyes widen as he found the jarl dressed in traditional steel armor stood behind them. Alea was silent for a moment longer before speaking.

Under the skyforge there is a room; It's called the underforge. The cirlce of companion uses it when we bring a new face into the circle. Anyways there is a corridor….it leads out of whiterun. There is a drop…..but it's only 7 or 8 feet, rather than the 40 or so feet we'd have to drop if we went over the walls. If we could get there….we could escape the city." This time it was the court mage; Farengar Secret-Fire's turn to speak. "and what then? Where are we to go? If there is a gate here, it's logical to assume there are gates popping up all over skyrim. Every city, every hold is in danger. Where are we to go?" everyone was silent for a moment, then… "bleack falls barrow." Everyone looked at Okan. "the old barrow? Why?" Okan sighed and rubbed his temples. "it's high up, it overlooks the valley and we'll be able to use arrows to pick off a lot of demora before they can reach us. Does anyone else have any better plans?" no one spoke. After a moment the jarl spoke loud enough for all to hear. "Everyone stick close. We're leaving the city. Follow the companions. Guards, form a circle around the civilians. Companions form a circle around the guards. Everyone keep moving don't fall behind. We'll only get one shot at this."

Asum moved towards the doors to the keep and found Farkas next to him. "you ready for this brother?" Asum nodded and drew his sword while he watched as Farkas push open the doors to the hall. They charged out, Okan swung his sword violently cleaving a demora in half with little effort. Next to him he saw Farkas ram the blade of his own greatsword through another demora's chest before lifting him off the ground and sending the quickly dying corpse down the keep's stairs. They pushed forward; the hoard of demora was tough, for every one they killed it seemed like another would instantly take its place. Okan and Farkas pushed forward killing any and every demora they came upon until they were at the bottom of the keep's stairs. Okan turned ready to slash at another demora only to have an arrow appear in it's skull, before it dropped to the ground dead. Mentally thanking Alea Okan took a moment to rest. Demora bodies littered the ground at their feet; a testament to their skill and conviction. But he had no more time to rest instead he frced himself to Climb the small stairs to jorrvaskr before taking one of the side trails and finally coming to the entrance of the underforge.

Stepping aside Okan watched as Nisha stepped up and shoved her shoulder against the side of the rock wall; only to have it give way and reveal a room. Stepping aside Okan turned as the sounds of fighting reached his ears. Gripping his blade Okan rushed towards the battle. The whiterun guards were tough, but they were no match for the hellspawn that the demora were. Rushing up behind a demora Okan lashed out with his sword first slashing the back of the demora's neck, then back, and then the legs. The guard the demon had been fighting finished it off with the sword thrust to the demora's face. "thanks friend." Okan nodded but ducked as a demora with a battleaxe attacked him. Bending and twisting to avoid the axe's blade Okan watched as from the roof of jorrvaskr Nisha lept towards him her twin daggers sinking into the demora's back. Okan watched as Nisha planted her feet and pulled both daggers straight down effectively cutting the spine out of the demora to let out a scream of pain before dying.

They were losing the battle. Despite their small victories Okan could see that they were loosing ground. "EVERYONE TO THE UNDERFORGE NOW!" running up the short stairs Okan watched as Farkas fell in line next to him. "I have an idea shield brother. It'll help you get away." Okan nodded as he passed through the door to the underforge. Turning Okan opened his mouth to speak to Farkas, only to watch him close the door to the underforge with a wave of his hand….instantly Okan knew what Farkas's plan was. But he had no time arugue or try to save Farkas as he felt alea grab his shoulder. "he's made his choice brother. Now hurry we must escape. Okan bit his lip and offered a single fist blow to the rock wall before running bck to the group and down the passageway to safety.

FARKAS'S POV

Slowly Farkas turned away from the underforge. He knew how his 'plan' would end. But he also knew that if he didn't stay and fight none of them would have been able to make it to the barrow and to safety. Expertly he shifted his grip on his greatsword. In front of him he watched as another wave of demora cleared the stairs and charged at him. As he readied himself the memories of his years in training flooded him mind. 'keep your body loose. A hard body is easily snapped like a twig.' Farkas spun around effortlessly cleaving the head of the first demora from its shoulders. 'when you swing your blade you'll have to compensate for its heft; otherwise you'll fall flat on your ass.' It became a kind of rhythm; he would grunt as he swung his sword, it would whistle through the air, and moments later the sound of it striking demora flesh would meet his ears. Farkas watched as the crowd around him dwindled until he stood alone. Taking a deep breath Farkas moved to sheath his sword; only to look towards the direction of clapping. Farkas found that he was not alone under the gildergreen tree. In front of him framed in the archway leading to the plain district. Farkas did not have to be a genius to know the person standing in front of him was not as he appeared to be.

The man standing in front of him was a redguard. Thick muscles bulged under the man's dark skin. And yet…Farkas narrowed his eyes as he found that parts of the redguard's skin seemed to be splitting; revealing the muscles and tissue beneath. The man's eyes were blood red and seemed to glow with an eerie almost unnatural light. When he spoke Farkas could feel every hair on his body stand up in fear. "an impressive display…you're one of my brothers pets….or one of his play things; I can never remember how he treats them." Farkas cocked his head. "your brother?" the redguard nodded. "yes. Hircine…you're one of his 'hounds'." Again Farkas felt his hair tingle but the man continued. "relax who you choose to follow doesn't matter to me. Why should it? in the end I'll destroy everything…..that is after all my job." Farkas shook his head and gripped his sword. "if you want to destroy whiterun you'll have to go through me!" the redguard chuckled and pulled out a small dagger that glinted in the light of the fires surrounding them.

"well….you are right about one thing." In a flash the redguard was upon him. Farkas ducked as the dagger hissed through the air. Dropping back, he swung his sword but grunted in frustration as the man effortlessly dodged it. as they battled the man continued to speak. "you show to true promise in battle. A promise few mortal show." Farkas growled and lashed out only managing to burry his blade into the bark of the only recently blooming gildergreen tree. Planting his foot against the base he managed to wrench the blade free from the tree's bark. "why not forgo this battle and join me? Pledge allegiance to Mehrunes Dagon." Farkas only swung his sword in response; but he grunted as the man ducked it again only to have the man rush forward and lash out with his dagger. Farkas gasped in pain as he felt the dagger find a weak point in his armor near his armpit and break though the thin chainmail that protected his body. The effect was instant Farkas felt his grip on his sword weaken. From the point where the blade had pierced his skin coldness was rapidly spreading throughout his body. "can you feel it? the coldness of death spreading through your body?"

Farkas gasped for breath as he let go of his sword and tried to stagger to his feet only to drop to his hands and knees. His breathing was becoming shallow now. He watched as the redguard leaned in next to him. "you world is at its end mortal." A second later Farkas felt his heart clench and stop; he fell forward dead. The last thing he would see of this mortal world was the gildergreen tree….with it recently blooming branches.

Okan'S POV

Running from the city was not as hard as he had thought it would be. As the group ran around the back they found few demora there to oppose them; this changed almost instantly as they came around the side and began to make their way up the path towards the barrow. The demora that were not already in the city turned on them; and while most of them charged at them; some shot fireballs or arrows at them. Okan ducked a fireball and watched as a guard in front of him burst into flame as another fireball struck him. The guard dropped to the ground died; thankfully he did not suffer. Hurrying forward Okan did his best to help maintain the protective circle around the towns people who were running for their lives. They were within sight of the treeline now; if they could pass beyond that point the demora's arrows and spells would be useless and they could fight blade to blade; where the companions would have the advantage. And yet….. Okan felt his eyes widen as he and the group neared the treeline Okan watched as people stepped out from behind the trees and bushes.

These people were not in fact people at all. They were about the same height of a wood elf, and yet…feathers sprouted from their wrists, ankles; with large flare of feathers starting at their head and ending at their neck. Instead of mouths they had large hooked beaks like a hawks, and their eyes were jet black like a vulture's. Also Okan noted a long bows clutched in their claw like hands. Okan watched horrified as one of the bird-men let out a loud rasping cry. Seconds later the air was filled with the sounds of bows firing their arrows directly at them. Okan barred his teeth; and did his best to dodge one of the arrows that was flying towards his shoulder. And yet as the arrow neared his body; Okan watched as one of the feathers adorning it's shaft opened like a small wing, shifting the arrow onto a new path that sailed just above his shoulder. Turning to watch the arrow continue Okan watched as the arrow then readjusted itself back onto its old path and buried itself in a demora's face; directly between the demon's eyes. As the group ran through the trees and brush a man's voice rang out at them from all directions. "hurry mortals, my party of Asanti can only hold the hoard off for so long."

Slowly down Okan took a moment to rest; leaning against one of the large trees that dotted the landscape. Turning towards the demora hoard Okan found that the strange bird-men had managed to kill a great number of the armor clad demons; yet hundred still charged at them. Drawing in a sharp breath Okan wondered for a moment in Asum was safe. He hadn't seen the youngling since he had charged towards whiterun; and in the back of his mind he had half expected the young argonian to come running up the steps of the city with another demora hoard behind him. But he pushed those troubling thoughts from his mind; no he had more important things to focus on. Drawing his sword from his back Okan threw himself into battle with the few remaining demora that had managed to make it to the treeline.

ALMALEXIA'S POV

Almalexia raised an eyebrow as she watched Mehrunes Dagon grabbed a corpse and hurled it across the room before sitting down in the chair the corpse had been sitting in. when dagon saw her look he shrugged. "it was in my way." Almalexia rolled her eyes and turned as the doors to the hall opened and 2 more figures stepped into the light. The first an orc, his skin black and red, with a ring of thorny horns growing at the crown of his head. The second a short man with a shrew like face and beard. "brother's mogal bal, and a clavicus Vile. Welcome." Mogal bal grunted. "enough pleasantries. I've been cooped up for millennia's. Where are the virgins?" again almealexia rolled her eyes. "and you brother vile…..how are you?" vile shrugged and sat down before pouring himself a mug of ale. "fair enough. Would be better if my blasted hound was still with me. But no matter. The mutt is too loyal to be gone for too long. He'll be back and then I'll be at my full power again." Almalexia nodded. "good. I would hate for you to….become a burden to this group." A female voice spoke behind her. "have no fear. I have faith that each of us can pick up vile's slack….for a time."

Turning Almalexia found a nord warrior clan in black armor, bandages covering half his face. Next to him a dark skinned women stood, her body wrapped in living cloth that looked like freshly ripped intestines and entrails. "sister Boethiah good to see you've made it. and you've brought your champion." Boethiah nodded. "yes, I figured someone would need to fetch the ale for us." A wave laughter passed through the room. From his spot in his chair dagon spoke. "is this it?" Almalexia nodded slowly. "for now yes…although let us not forget Sheogorath. As far as I know he has yet to pick a side in this battle. And sister Vaermina is unable to join us due to her staff being destroyed and her not having a champion." Everyone nodded. "you know the survivors have fled to bleackfalls barrow?" Almalexia nodded. "I do. But they are of no concern to me at the moment. At the moment only 2 things matter to me. 1; finding and killing vivec. He's the only one who can truly thwart our plans. And 2; building the tower and readying the eye for it's true purpose. See too it that those tasks are completed and you will all be rewarded; stand in my way and I will crush you like the children you are." Mogal bal growled. "children?" a second later mogal bal flew out of his chair; hurtled across the room and slammed into the wall with enough force to make the entire keep tremble like it was made of twigs. A second later he plumited downward and hit the floor. "yes; children. Don't forget you may be daedric lords but I'm a god." Another round of laughter went through the room; this one a little more uneasy.

Okan staggered through the doors to the barrow before collapsing on the cold stone. His muscles felt like rubber and he had taken to dragging his large sword behind him. His scales were drenched in sweat and gore. Almost at once a guard rushed over to him offering him a potion to restore his fatigue. Downing the potion in a few gulps Okan spoke. "where are my fellow companions?" the guard gestured towards a passageway. "in the main chamber in front of the word wall. They're talking with the jarl about what to do." Nodding Okan stood up and reslung his sword and walked to the large main chamber. As he neared the word wall he began to understand what was being said. The jarl was speaking in an angry voice. "what do you mean you're tired?! You're the companions! Can't you just suck it up and fight through it?" stepping next to Nisha, Okan watched as alea shook her 'mhead. "I'm sorry my lord but no. we're still just normal men and women and right now I'm not even sure how many of us managed to escape. We need time to rest and come up with a-" but the jarl cut alea off. "rest? REST?! THE ENTIRE FUCKING CITY IS IN FLAMES, DEMORA HAVE SEIZED IT AND ARE PROBABLY TORTURING AND KILLING MY PEOPLE AND YOU WANT TO REST!?"

To Alea's credit she did not flinch and even blink at the fact that the jarl of whiterun was yelling at her. Instead she calmly waited for the echoes to die down before speaking. "yes my lord. Rest; we all could use some right now. I don't know if you've noticed but your guards and my fellow companions are not only exhausted but are also beaten bloodied and bruised. For now we must rest, lick our wounds, and try to figure out what just happened." Alea opened her mouth to say more but a voice behind them all spoke. "oh I think what happened was obvious." Okan felt his head feathers flare as 2 men walked out from behind the word wall. One man was tall, thin, and had a grey beard. As he walked Okan noticed he was using a cane for support. But the man next to him drew Okan's attention. This man was tall; easily 7 feet tall. Slung over his shoulder was a long bow; sprouting from his head antlers of a deer; while his eyes shown out a kind of eerie blue. And like the bird men he too had feathers on his wrists, ankles and the back of his head. After a moment the man spoke again. "you mortals didn't see the signs so you were unprepared for when the daedra broke free of their oblivions and invaded your dimensions. Now the question you must ask yourselves is this; what do you do now?" After a moment the jarl spoke. "who are you? The man smiled; revealing rows or razor sharp teeth.

"forgive my rudeness allow me to introduce myself. I am lord Hircine and this is my brother Sheogorath. We have come to swear our allegiance to lord Vivec and fight by his side."

AN: WELL FOLKS CHAPTER 21 IS UP AND DONE. SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG. AS I SAID BEFORE I CAUGHT BRONCHITIS AND THEN BROKE 3 FINGERS. BUT ENOUGH EXCUSES.

HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER. AND I HOPE TO HAVE THE NEXT ONE UP SOON.

AGAIN, SORRY FOR THE WAIT.

HOPE TO GET A FEW REVIEWS FOR THIS CHAPTER.