Dimhollow Crypt. I entered the dank dungeon, expecting nothing quite out of the ordinary. A few vampires. A few weird, demonic mutts. Nothing I wasn't prepared for. Isran, Dawnguard's leader had told me the vampires were searching for some kind of artifact here that was of some great value. I was to go to the Crypt, intercept the vampires, destroy the artifact. Simplicity in itself, Isran said. I scratched my beard as I came upon a large area, with circles engraved in the ground, with braziers scattered around some of the lines. In the center was a button of sorts.

I never pictured myself as a vampire hunter. Gods, I never even imagined myself leaving my home after I slew Alduin and Skyrim lost need of me. But here I was, walking around a dark dungeon to stop a vampire uprising. Seems I finally found a purpose again. Something that tells me, I'm doing something important and I'm safeguarding the future of Tamriel from the clutches of the creatures of the night. The other Dawnguard soldiers were very enthusiastic when talking about the whole vampire hunter concept.

But they did have a point. I have to admit this is better than simply wasting away at home without a care in the world.

Lately the vampires were much bolder. Apparently, they had been for a month or so now, and I left Breezehome in time to witness this newfound boldness. Isran believed the artifact had something to do with their daring attacks in broad daylight. He said that there was something big going on or that would go on soon. The man felt it and I felt it too when he explained the situation at hand. Isran said this mission I was on was of the utmost importance, and could very well tip the scales in our favor depending on the outcome. Why it is he sent a man he barely knows, and was just recruited, why he sent me, I have no idea.

There were several vampires and thralls down by the button like device. It seemed like they were trying to get it to work. Whatever the artifact is, I could only assume that it was here. A place as big as this isn't just left empty.

I prepared the weapon that Durak, the Orc that introduced me to The Dawnguard, gave me. It was called a crossbow. When I pulled this trigger, it would fire a bolt at high speeds. Nothing better for killing vampires, he told me.

I slowly crept a little closer before standing and leaning against one of the pillars to assure my aim was steady. I aimed at one of the vampires kicking the stand in the center of room. Judging my his bleeding hand, he already tried to simply press the button, and was wounded for his effort. This caused me to pause for a moment. I assumed as much, that it was a blood seal of sorts. The button would injure or cut the person pressing it, and the blood that would coat the stand would activate some kind of mechanism and this leads to that, and the artifact would appear. Whether from the ground of from the ceiling I have no idea.

But why didn't it work for the vampire who pressed the button? Did they need pure blood? Blood untainted by vampirism? If that was the case then I'd have to suck it up and take the pain. But first I had to deal with the bloodsuckers in the immediate area.

Pulling the trigger, the bolt shot out at startling speeds, easily lodging itself in the vampire's temple. He dropped without protest and all the others in the area turned to look at him. Then they turned to my general direction, the loud snap of the crossbow always gives one's position away, which is why it is good for the first strike. But thankfully I was hidden well in the shadows, and even with their vampiric powers enhancing their vision, I was still next to impossible to spot. Even vampires couldn't see into pitch black shadows.

I used this to my advantage and easily snuck over to another pillar closer to the flank of the vampires. They were focused on my last known position and were slowly advancing towards it. I heard one of the other vampires bark an order at his thralls and point to the shadows. The thralls charged into the shadowy area, hoping to catch their attacker by surprise. But I was nowhere to be found and the thralls returned empty handed, causing their master to growl in irritation.

There was one thrall that hung slightly back and I quickly laid out a plan of action in my mind. I would have to be fast for it to work, and just a little bit lucky. I just hoped Nocturnal was still fond of me. I quickly and as quietly as possible loaded another bolt into the crossbow and transferred it to my left hand. I then drew my Blade of Woe with my right and stepped out from behind the thrall.

I struck fast, placing the Blade of Woe to the thrall's neck, causing him to stiffen and stop moving. I let out a loud, high whistle, causing them to spin around to face me. On cue, I pulled the trigger, catching another thrall in the eye. The lead vampire's hand struck out and an ice spike impaled itself into my human shield, who screamed in pain. I lowered my head for extra cover and fumbled with the crossbow, loading another bolt and resetting the string.

By the time I raised my head again, the thrall in my grip took three more spikes to the midsection, and was bleeding profusely. I dropped the thrall, allowing him to bleed out on the ground. A vampire fledgling charged, dagger high. I easily sidestepped the novice's attacked and jabbed my blade into her side as she went. I twisted the blade before yanking it out, being sure to inflict deep internal damage as I did. She stumbled and clutched her side, which squirted blood.

I grabbed the back of her robes and yanked her in my direction, quickly using her to shield an incoming ice spike. The leader of the vampires, now furious, struck with surprising speed and strength. He lunged forward, grabbing for me, instead grabbing hold of the fledgling in my grip. My eyes widened when he simply tore her head from her shoulders. Because he just saw her as an obstacle. He was cold. He would kill to achieve his goal and it didn't matter who he killed. All that mattered was pleasing whoever it was he served. The display of vampiric strength and brutality stunned me for a moment, which is what he was probably hoping for.

He grabbed me by the throat and lifted me off the ground. My vision turned red and I knew he was draining me. I shook in his grip and tried to stab with my right, but he simply grabbed my wrist with his free hand and snarled at me.

"You will not live to see tomorrow, mortal" The vampire growled, his breath smelling of blood. I didn't give him a chance to damage my windpipe further. I pulled the crossbow's trigger, firing a bolt into his knee, causing him to drop me and let out a bloodcurdling cry of pain. I felt flat on my hindquarters and crawled backwards as quickly as I could, reloading the crossbow as I did.

I got to my feet in time to watch the vampire take the bolt in his knee and rip it out. He gave me a feral hiss and bared his fangs and flexed his claws, which weren't that long but were still rather sharp. The marks on my neck were evidence enough.

He lunged again with arms spread wide. I spun to his right, slashing his side and smacking him on the head with the crossbow. He stumbled but quickly regained his footing in time to give me a death glare. A lesser man would have probably shit himself on the spot, but alas, I was no lesser man.

The vampire ran at me again, determined to end me right then and there. I decided to meet him head on. I took several strides forward and struck with my dagger catching him square in the chest and jamming the blade in hilt deep. He dropped to his knees as he went past me, but got back up and spun to face me again. I fired another bolt at him, landing the shot in his unbeating heart. The way the vampire grinned, blood all over his face, dagger in wedged into his chest, as he ripped the bolt out of his chest, was, for lack of better word, unsettling. He took a few steps towards me before I decided to kill him before it got any more out of hand.

With a powerful swing with my left hand, I smacked him hard across the face with the crossbow; the blow was powerful enough to cause him to spin around. Licking my lips, I inhaled.

"FUS RO DAH"

I sent the vampire sailing across the room. He slammed into one of the great pillars, the jarring impact causing me to cringe slightly, as the sound of bone shattering filled the air. The Blade of Woe in his chest was effectively pushed even deeper into his chest to the point of nearly exiting through his back. It would need a thorough cleaning when I got to Fort Dawnguard. When the vampire moved no longer, I approached to retrieve my blade.

I yanked the blade free with slight difficulty and looked at the cadaver before me with disgust. He simply tore her head off like it was a plaything. They were allies and he just killed her. That's what bugged me the most about my slain foe. Is that what happens to vampires who wield power like a sword? All that matters is power? Power takes precedence, forget about how the power is gained or maintained?

There are humans that are hardly any better

I frowned at my train of thought and decided to take my mind off it. I instead turned my attention to the button at the center of the room.

I approached the button and stared at it. There was already blood on the button and its stand, blood from the first vampire I killed. Deciding there was no other choice, I decided to get it over with. I placed my hand on the button. Pain seared through my hand as a spike impaled my hand, easily tearing through the dragon scale gauntlet I wore. I dropped to a knee, gripping my impaled hand. It left as quickly as it came. My blood coated the button and the stand and I quickly withdrew my hand. I shook it vigorously and took a good look at it. Amazingly, my skin was sealing itself and the wound stopped throbbing within seconds. My armor was left damaged, however. What magic was...

Before I could be amazed any longer, the ground violently shook and a ring of purple fire erupted from the circle I stood in. But it didn't burn at all. In fact it gave a rather cooling sensation. I observed the positions of the braziers and the circles on the ground before I decided to get moving. It didn't take long for me to push the braziers to the right positions and get all the flames up. The reaction was instant, a large stone monolith ejected itself from the center circle. The fires died down and the dungeon was quiet once again.

I approached the strange stone cautiously, one hand on the dagger in its sheath. I identified an opening of sorts and reached for it. Before my fingers could graze the surface, the stone slid down, revealing a woman.

She was rather pale. By her features, I guessed she was a Nord. Her clothes looked like they were from eras ago. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her face was turned to the right. Her eyes were closed, like she had simply been sleeping before the monolith opened. How long was this woman in here? Is she what or who the vampires were looking for? Is that an Elder Scroll on her back? My eyes couldn't be deceiving me. I've held a scroll in my hands before and that on her back, that long, ornate scroll on her back. That has got to be another Elder Scroll. What's she doing with an Elder Scroll?

After a few tense seconds, she slowly fell forward and her eyes snapped open. They glowed a deep shade of orange. Her eyes burned brightly like a great forest fire, but they lacked the rage and destruction carried by such a force. Instead her eyes gave an impression of kindness and curiosity. Instinct sent me forward, and I snapped forward to gently grab the mysterious woman. The woman looked up at me, a puzzled expression on her face. It was now that I got a good look of her face.

To say that woman in my arms was beautiful was like saying that Isran mildly disliked the company of vampires. Or to say that most Nords in Skyrim hate the Thalmor. Before the situation got awkward, I got her back on her feet and she gave me a brief grateful smile.

"Where's... Who sent you?" She frowned slightly as she spoke, trying to grab for the right words.

"Who were you expecting?"

The woman paused for a moment, looking unsure as to how she should answer my question. Her brow furrowed in thought, and I subconsciously mirrored her expression; she was trying to hide something.

"Someone... Like me, at least" She gestured to herself as she said this, hoping I could put two and two together.

Pale skin, fiery glowing orange eyes, fangs that she seemed to be trying not to openly flash whenever she spoke. She's one of the beings I pledged to destroy. Isran would want me to take my blade and put it through her unbeating heart before she could utter another word. But I was not a damned automated Dwemer machine incapable of thought. Something about her told me not to strike, not to do anything rash. So I let her speak, not because of what she was, but because of what I felt.

"A vampire" I muttered under my breath.

"Yeah..." She trailed off, sensing the slight distaste in my voice as I said it.

I decided not to inform her of my affiliation to Skyrim's little group of vampire hunters, since that would probably make things worse. Instead, I asked her why she was locked away in this tomb. A light frown found its way to her face once again and she bit her lip; I suppose it's a thinking habit.

"That's... complicated. And I'm not entirely sure if I can trust you." The woman smirked as she spoke, amused at the frustration I was having at the lack of clear answers. A thoughtful look crossed her face and she continued.

"But if you want to know the whole story, help me get back to my family's home" She tilted her head, an innocent look playing on her face. The lost daughter trying to get back home. There's got to be more to it than this. A story in exchange for an escort home. Isran would want me to bring her home so I could slaughter every last vampire. Personally, I wanted to see her home to know the story, no strings attached, but if reconnaissance for Isran, no bloodshed, was a plus to escorting this beauty home, then why not?

"Where do you need to go?" I offered a friendly smile. A smile graced her lips so fast that you'd have missed it if you blinked.

"My family used to live on an island to the west of Solitude. I would guess they still do" Her brow furrowed again in thought of her home.

"By the way... My name is Serana. Good to meet you." Serana. I repeated it quietly. A beautiful name to match a beautiful face I suppose. It makes one wonder if there's a beautiful personality to match.

I shook my head slightly to clear my mind from that line of thinking. Had to think of business for the moment.

"That's an Elder Scroll" It wasn't a question, and she knew it.

"It is, and it's mine" She said, her tone defensive in the slightest.

"Why do you have an Elder Scroll?

"It's... Complicated. I can't really talk about it. I'm sorry." The expression she wore was telling me to wait until we got her home so she might then be able to give me more details and stop being so secretive. I took a look at our surroundings, where I came from, and where I believed the exit to be. I gave her a slight nod and began walking.

"How long were you in there?" I asked. There was another pause and the air was still for a moment until I turned to her and found Serana to be thinking hard about my question.

"I'm not sure... It feels like a long time. Who's Skyrim's High King?"

"The Empire has put High Queen Elisif on the throne" My response was greeted with another confused frown as the vampire scratched her head.

"I've never heard of... Wait. What Empire?" Serana's genuine cluelessness caused me to stop.

"The Empire... From Cyrodiil?"

"Cyrodiil is the seat of an empire? I must have been in there longer than I thought." She massaged her temples and growled quietly in frustration. "Look let's just get back to my family. We can try and start figuring things out when we get there"

I nodded, leading the way towards the exit once again.

"I almost forgot, what should I call you?" She asked, walking faster to keep up with my pace.

"'My wonderful savior' sounds nice" I grinned at her, causing her to playfully slap my arm as she laughed.

"Mikhael. Call me Mikhael."

"Mikhael... Doesn't sound very Nordic, does it?" She smirked. I imagined that this was her way of asking me to tell her of my heritage, but she won't get it so easily.

"That, Serana, is a story for another day." I just hope that we'll have enough days for me to share it. Serana seemed to understand the subtle, unspoken afterthought, which is why she gave me a smile that seemed reassuring in nature. After all, who says we'll part ways forever after I bring her back to her family?

Isran. Would he really let me enjoy the vampire's company for long? Would he stand for one of his hunters playing nice with a vampire?

I silenced the little voice in the back of my head and decided to stay positive. Getting to know a vampire would be good for the cause. And I'd prove it to the Redguard. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? Although I sincerely hope that Serana wasn't going to become an enemy any time soon. Or ever, for that matter.

You just joined them and you're already disregarding their orders in favor of helping some vampire get home? Shame.

I frowned slightly. No. There was going to be some good that would come out of this escort home. I felt it in my gut. This was a good thing in the long run. Good for me and good for Skyrim. I knew it. I knew it like I knew something was wrong when I entered the province before I got caught in the Imperial ambush. Knew it like I knew Ancano was up to no good. I had to trust my gut. Isran wouldn't like it. Of course he wouldn't. But in the end when all's been said and done, he'd be glad I made the decisions I did. Things just needed to unfold themselves.

The sound of stone exploding caught my attention and I turned to see a pair of gargoyles stalking towards us.

"Let's see who can kill more of these things" And with that, Serana dived into combat, not waiting for my response. After a barrage of ice spikes and a whirlwind of slashes and stabs, both gargoyles dropped, and Serana barely broke a sweat. I was left rather dumbfounded, sword limp in hand, mouth agape, staring at Serana. She nonchalantly inspected her dagger for any nicks or damages, both stony beasts dead at her feet.

"Come on, it isn't fun if I'm the only one playing" She said, a cute fake pout on her features. I grinned, tightened the grip on my sword, and rushed to join my new companion as several skeletons rose to combat us. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all. Maybe I'd even make a new companion out of her in the long run.

But you don't want a simple companion following you into battle. You want more. You want her.

My thoughts as I drove my sword into the ribs of a skeleton prevented me from noticing the other man of bones sneaking up behind me. This was brought to attention when an ice spike whizzed past my ear and into the skeleton's face, effectively killing it. I looked up to see Serana, hand glowing a cold blue, a proud smirk on her features.

"You owe me one" Serana said, her sing-song voice as playful as ever. A skeleton appeared behind her and it was my turn to save her. I drew a knife from the sheath I kept in my armor and with a flick of the wrist, I sent it flying straight into the skeleton's eye. It dropped with a grunt of pain, and Serana spun around to see her dying assailant.

"Not anymore, I don't" I shot her a cheeky grin which she returned.

Serana easily cleaved through the remaining skeletons and was already making her way to the exit. I found myself standing in place, watching her retreating figure, and for a moment, I was just glad I found The Dawnguard. Glad that Isran sent me to go find the "artifact". Glad that I met her. This strange vampire hibernating for thousands of years, as gorgeous as she was deadly in battle. Serana. I belatedly realized she stopped walking when she noticed me lagging behind and was now speaking to me.

"Hello? Mikhael? Come on, time's a wasting" She beckoned for me to join her and I happily obliged, picking up my pace to catch up with her.

I was warming up to her just nicely.

A/N: Hey there, folks. So this is chapter two. First of all I'd like to apologize for several minor typos I found in the previous chapter. And a very embarrassing typo in the title itself. Ehe. I guess that's what I get for writing and uploading late into the night.

Anyways, minor clarification in my previous author's note. The oneshots ARE set after the other, but not necessarily directly. Half a quest could have gone by and not be portrayed here, although it may be mentioned.

If you folks enjoyed the action the past few chapters then I'll have to apologize as early as now, because there probably won't be action until later into the story. Though I may include snippets of action in the form of Mikhael recalling battles and such that were not shown in the story. The story leans towards showing the building trust and relationship and whatnot between the Dragonborn and Serana, so bear with me. I'm not the best at romance and the like, but I think I managed to pull it off well so far. Tell me what y'all think.

And of course, the reviews are much appreciated, and encourage me to write more. ^_^ So be sure to leave one when you finish reading. *And feel free to point out a typo I may have missed, it would be much appreciated*