I was pacing back and forth, occasionally looking at the thick fog. The mist was covering our view of the castle since we arrived at the beach. The good thing was that the obscured vision worked both ways. We couldn't see their defenses and they couldn't see our approach. This is also why I didn't simply clear the skies with my Thu'um. Isran and I agreed it was better to both be blind than both be exposed. Serana stood to the side, anxiously rubbing her arm and shifting her weight from one foot to the other. My pacing was probably just making her more nervous, but I couldn't help it.
As I walked, I idly slit off the fingertips of my gloves. The past week of being a vampire, my nails grew and sharpened, and I wanted to be able to use them if I found myself unarmed.
I quickly sidestepped to avoid a pair of Isran's men rushing forward, their hands full. The hunters were working in pairs, unloading the boats from the wagons and moving them to the beach to prepare for the assault. The reason for my unease was Tullius' lack of reply. We arrived at the beach on time, as the sun reached its highest point in the sky. This only added to my downcast mood. I irritably pulled on my cloth hood in an effort hide from the damned sun.
Most of the boats were already laid out in a V-shaped formation, ready to proceed. Isran looked just about ready to disassemble the carriages to build a large raft to accommodate the trolls and the bowmen.
A gentle pair of hands stopped me from taking another step. The gentle hands were paired with a kind face. Serana had a hand on my arm to stop my movement, and another on my face. She ran her hand along the scarred flesh soothingly, "Mikhael, you're just going to get yourself more worked up by pacing. Let's get under the shade over there."
Serana motioned towards a couple of trees not far from where we stood. It was tempting, but my simply not going to rest.
"What if the bird didn't make it to Tullius?" I groaned.
Serana frowned before replying, "Those things are resilient. I'm sure the General's boat will be here any minute now."
I was silent, save for a frustrated sigh. A loud thud and a glance in its direction confirmed that the main attack force was ready to mount their respective boats. Isran signaled for the men to double time, and they complied. The hunters hopped aboard their boats, readying their weapons and preparing the oars as they did. Isran slowly trudged through the shallow water to make it to the boat at the lead. The bulky Redguard heaved himself onto the small watercraft and turned to me, Serana, and the remaining attackers.
"This is problematic." He didn't yell, but his voice cut through the thick air easily. Isran's stoic face was about as straight as the day I first met him. I didn't blame him. This wasn't good.
"Let's give it a little more time!" I called over. Isran gave an irritated nod before turning to face the thick fog ahead. I approached Sorine, Gunmar, and their respective platoons. "Can everyone take a few steps back?"
Hesitantly, Gunmar and Sorine moved their troops and their trolls backwards to give me a decent amount of space. I clapped my hands together and rubbed them fervently. Before Serana could question my actions, I shouted.
"DURNEHVIIR!"
A great sphere of mystical energy materialized before us. The purplish flames eventually died down to reveal the mighty Durnehviir, in the flesh. The hunters and the trolls gave out various roars and screams. Some were from shock and fear, the others were of awe.
I raised my hands and ordered, "Do not harm him, my friends! He will aid us in this battle."
Gunmar struggled to keep the trolls controlled, as he himself was staring at the undead dragon, eyes wide with fear as he took a protective step to move in front of Sorine. The bowmen reluctantly lowered their crossbows, but looked wary. I couldn't see the other hunters from where I stood, but they were surely as alert as the bowmen and the trolls.
"Greetings, Qahnaarin." The great dragon craned his head to the rear to look at the Dawnguard, frightened out of their wits at the sight of him. Durnehviir turned back to me, his head tilted slightly in a showing of curiosity. "Why have you summoned me here today?"
Before I could respond, he eagerly cut in. "Ah! The final word Soul Tear. You have kept your side of the bargain, now let me fulfill mine. Feel the last word of Soul Tearing within yourself. Zol, the un-life that results when a soul is imprisoned in dead flesh."
I sighed, and let the undead dragon's words wash over me as the word "Zol" echoed in my ears, and flashed into my vision. I had to blink a few times to clear the burning words from my vision. I needed to remember that for later.
"My thanks, Durnehviir. But, I have a task for you today. I require you to protect the boats while we make our approach to the island across the water." I paused, and allowed Durnehviir to eagerly nod before I continued.
"From there, I want you to aid us in the coming battle. Destroy every vampire you see with extreme prejudice. All of them but Serana and I."
Durnehviir unfolded his wings, and pushed off the ground with his powerful hind legs. His wings flapped, and I had to cover my face to stop sand and dirt from getting into my eyes. "You have my wing and my fang at your disposal, Dovahkiin."
With a great battle roar that made all those around me cringe, he took off and soared higher up to the clouds, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
It was hardly a second later when a sizeable vessel came into view, sails fluttering with the powerful wind, the Imperial flag raised high. The sails folded and the ship came to a slow stop close to the beach.
From here, I could see several archers lining the sides of the boat. One man stood out in particular. He was clad in heavy Imperial armor, and stood with an air of authority about him.
"Reporting for duty, Legate Mikhael!" A grin made its way to my face as the bulky captain saluted me. I returned the salute before ordering Gunmar and Sorine to move their platoons into the boat. As soon as they began mobilizing, I made my way towards Isran's boat.
Serana's hand slipped into mine as we trudged through the shallow water. "I told you they'd get here in no time." She teased with a wink.
"Durnehviir, the catapults!" I yelled over the whistling sound of their artillery looming ever closer. Our wards and fire bolts were only so useful against the massive chunks of rock they launched at us.
The undead dragon's mighty roar echoed across the span of water, but I couldn't catch a glimpse of him. In moments, another roar rang out, followed by cries of pain. We were moving at a decent pace, and were going to land in no time.
"Ward!" Isran yelled. I dropped the oar, and pulled Serana closer with one hand, using the other to cast a ward. Isran, Serana, and Agmaer raised their hands to join my ward. The massive rock collided against our magical shield and shattered on impact, sending smaller bits and pieces everywhere. We took to the oars once again, and rowed as fast as we could.
The beachhead came into view and I could see the ruined catapults lining the shoreline. Durnehviir made short work of them. Speaking of Durnehviir, he made another pass and swooped low, grabbing a vampire with his sharp talons as he did.
Naturally, there were vampires already racing towards the beach to meet us head on. The gargoyles didn't move an inch, but were undoubtedly going to snap into action when we got closer.
We reached the shore, just as the first vampire lunged forward. I swung my oar, and easily smacked him in the face, grounding him immediately. I dropped the oar and drew my blades, my companions quickly following my lead. Our assailant sprang from the water, only to receive a blade through the neck. I twisted the dagger roughly and effectively cut his neck open. Another charged forward, and was impaled by Serana's icicles. I finished him off with a quick slash at the neck.
It was going to be a matter of time before the bowmen and the trolls landed and flanked the Volkihar. Until that happened, we needed to hit them with everything we got. Isran lead the rush, warhammer held high to crush anyone in his way.
The Dawnguard charged forward, and turned the beach into an all out skirmish. Serana followed close behind as I made my way into the thick of things. One particular burly vampire lunged at me with his mace. I blocked the attack with my sword, and cut him across the neck with my dagger. He took a step back and grabbed the wound, an angry look on his face. I gathered that this was a half blood.
I didn't know much about vampires, but the way I saw it, there were basically three types. The purebloods, the half bloods, and the blooded. The purebloods are Serana, Valerica, and Harkon. The half bloods are those blooded by purebloods. The blooded are simply those who receive vampirism through Sanguinare Vampiris or from half bloods. The simplest differentiation between the three is how much power and resilience to pain one has.
I ducked and weaved to avoid the flurry of blows the vampire dealt. As I raised my blade to block another attack, a large ice spike struck the side of his head, causing him to crumple down into a bloody heap.
I gave Serana a grateful nod before turning back to the incoming vampires. I spent minutes cutting down vampire after vampire, thrall after thrall, but their numbers hardly seemed to change. Harkon had raised a small army after he discovered our attack force.
It didn't take long until I was singled out by a small pack of vampires. There were six of them surrounding me, all unarmed. They were all definitely half bloods. Serana's help would have been much appreciated, except she was nowhere to be found at the moment. I lost sight of her when things got out of hand. But I knew she was fine. I felt it in my bones.
They were circling around me, hissing like feral animals. They licked their lips and bared their fangs in a show of intimidation, their eyes screaming murder.
Deciding I wasn't going to be the victim, I snapped forward to stab the closest vampire. I was easily sidestepped, and sensed the incoming attack. I turned around quickly, and just barely met her kick. I swung my leg to block the kick and knock her off balance. I skewered her as I regained my footing. She hissed at me through bloody teeth, and I had to lean back to avoid her scratches. A grunt behind me alerted me to my second attacker. I quickly finished her off before ducking.
I swung around, sword extended to cut. I found my mark at the vampire's midsection, but the stab with my dagger was caught easily. Sharp claws raked across my face and shoved me back. I stumbled into another attacker. The vampire kicked at my hand and knocked the Blade of Woe free from my grip. He lunged with an elbow, and I craned my head to avoid it as I met him with a stab. With a sick grin, the vampire grabbed hold of the sword in his abdomen with one hand and my neck with the other. He threw me off and separated me from my weapon.
It was now that it dawned on me that this was their goal, and why they were confident enough to attack unarmed. A vampire pounced forward, and I raised my arms to guard. The attack didn't land, instead, a masked Dawnguard hunter intercepted the attack. The vampire howled in irritation and ripped the man's windpipe out in a single swift, bloody motion. I didn't let my fellow hunter's distraction go to waste. I lunged forward and grabbed the vampire's neck. Before he could make a move to break free, I dug my claws into his neck, and tore his neck open. The cry of pain went unnoticed as I was coated in his blood.
The sound of shuffling feet had me quickly move to the side. The move was ineffective, and I received a sharp quick to the back of my thigh. I spun around to face my attacker, flexing my claws and aggressively hissing at the vampire. He lifted his leg high and kicked me in the chest, sending me stumbling backwards. Another sharp pang shot into my thigh as I received another kick. Before I could be attacked again, I kicked backwards and shattered my attacker's kneecap.
I turned to face another attacker, only to get kicked by another one. I growled at the pain and fought it. With each kick I received to the hamstring, it became increasingly difficult to walk, let alone maneuver around my enemies. I deflected an incoming attack, and spun around to elbow him in the back of the head. The attack connected, and he was sent reeling forward. I grabbed him before he could step further away.
I dug my fangs into his neck, and realized that a vampire's blood was about the worst taste imaginable. I tore the flesh clean from his neck and dealt another powerful strike to the back of his head. My elbow effectively caused his skull to cave in.
Another kick was dealt to the back of my thigh, and I was sent to the ground. Another vampire landed on me, an evil glint in her eye as she raised her claws to strike. An Elven dagger dug into my attacker's back, and was used as leverage to tear her head straight off her shoulders. There stood Serana, dripping in blood, concern and anger evident on her beautiful face.
I didn't have time to thank her, nor did she have time to fend off the rest of the vampires. A loud battle horn pierced through the sounds of the skirmish around us. Serana took it as her cue to drop to the ground, and onto me. She held me protectively, and I saw her smiling in spite of the bloody conflict around us.
Dozens of bolts and arrows alike came sailing in at deadly speeds. The two remaining half bloods were killed on the spot, along with numerous other vampires in the surrounding area. We slowly helped each other up as the battle trolls suddenly made their appearance. The frost troll took the lead, grabbing vampires as he went and using them as clubs.
The trolls poured out from around the corner, wiping out the vampires like it was nothing but child's play. Several soft explosions rang out, and a swarm of gargoyles met the trolls head on. They tackled each other, biting, clawing, and kicking as they went.
"We need to push inward!" I heard Isran call from somewhere in the middle of the fray. I staggered to the side with much difficulty, and craned my head over to see the massive iron gate blocking the front door. Serana caught me when I lost my footing, and gave me a stern look, as a message of caution. She grabbed my leg with a firm hand.
"What-" She focused on her restoration, and I felt the bruised muscles healing. Serana smiled softly before cupping my cheek with her hand.
"Let's do this, Mikhael. Together?"
"Always." I leaned forward and kissed her, savoring the sweet, bloody taste of her tender lips. I pulled away first, eliciting a soft disgruntled moan from Serana.
The trolls pounded on the gate to no avail. Even if they could tear the gate down, the gargoyles were proving to be very troublesome. The trolls were swinging their arms about wildly in an attempt to swat the flying gargoyles.
"Mikhael, watch out!" I turned around to find a small swarm of gargoyles rushing forward and breakneck speed. I grabbed at my sheathes, to find that my weapons were still discarded on the ground. Serana shoved me aside, and the gargoyles grabbed her by the shoulders before taking to the air.
"Serana!" She drew her dagger, and stabbed at the stony beasts. They wouldn't relent, that much was evident.
"Go and find my father!" Was all she yelled as the gargoyles smashed into one of the castle's windows.
Talos. Mara. Akatosh, Sithis, Sheogorath! Damn them! Damn them all!
I growled deeply and recovered my weapons. I needed to get to her. I needed to get to her fast. Damn Harkon and damn the Dawnguard. I needed to find Serana. Need to find her fast. She was my top priority.
"DURNEHVIIR!" I pointed at the great iron gate. The undead dragon swooped in low and landed on the castle's wall. With a fearsome roar, he sent the trolls back, and got himself some room. Durnehviir stomped on the gate with his powerful hind legs. It did the trick, and the gate buckled to his strength and crashed down, sending out dust and rubble. Durnehviir leapt off the wall and circled around the castle, attacking the other gargoyles as he went.
I charged forward, shoving the hunters out of my way as I ran.
I kicked the front door open.
"SERANA!"
Things were just becoming a great big blur. I raced in, slashing and cutting down the vampires as I went. Isran was following close behind, keeping the others off my back as I ran about. I hardly knew where I was going. I was just running. But at the same time, there was direction in my movement. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew it was the right way.
I leapt off the balcony and to the main dining hall. A vampire cushioned my fall, and my sword pierced his throat as I landed. I dashed across the hall, weaving past swords and axes, jumping over tables and chairs. Isran skidded to a stop in the middle of the hall. He was surrounded.
He shot me a look and gave me a firm nod. Without further delay, I raced up the stairs, only stopping to behead a vampire hot on my heels. I came to a halt in front of a pair of large doors. Just standing outside, I could feel the heavy atmosphere in the next room. Whatever was in there was definitely no good.
Harkon was undoubtedly beyond these doors.
This is it, then.
I rammed the doors open with my shoulder, and saw a flash of blue.
Pain. Blood. Confusion.
I struggled to shake myself to lucidity. I was stuck. Pinned against the door. I looked at the offending object to find a large ice spike, red with my blood.
Surely enough, a large man was making his way towards me. Further into the room was a slimmer figure chained to a chair.
"How marvelous. You bring your little group of vampire hunters to my home, and in doing so, you brought back my daughter." Harkon's cold, calculating voice cut through the thick air. My discarded weapons were just out of reach.
"And you, my daughter's little pet, little Mikhael. Little, no longer mortal, half blood Mikhael." He growled as he got closer. "You brought me Auriel's Bow. The prophecy is as good as complete now, is it not?"
I looked past Harkon's menacing glare, and at Serana, whose fear probably matched my own. I wanted to tell her not to worry, but my throat felt dry and my tongue limp. I needed to act. Fast.
I tried to muster the strength to speak, but the damned spike definitely hit something major.
"I'm going to kill her, and she is going to be the catalyst that ignites the future of the vampire. A perfect world. A world without a sun to hamper our progress in earning our rightful place as the dominant species." The evil glint in Harkon's eyes were as chilling as when I first met him.
He abruptly turned around to look at Serana in her shackles. "You, Serana." He began in a snarl. "You've taken everything I've provided for you and thrown it all away for this..."
Harkon's bony hand shook in my direction. "This pathetic excuse for a half blooded vampire."
Serana's sudden ferocity startled me. Gone was the fear and the doubt. All that remained was anger. "Provided for me?! Are you insane? You've destroyed our family. You've killed other vampires. All over some prophecy that we barely understand."
"No more. I'm done with you. You will not harm him any further." I could see her straining against her chains. Her silver chains. Which is why she couldn't break them. Serana shook with rage, and her eyes burned with a fire that would have scared the wits out of me had she directed them at me.
Harkon scoffed at his daughter before turning to me again. He stared with a look of slight amusement as I tried and failed to reach for my discarded weapons. He approached me once again and slid the weapons further away with his foot.
"It appears I have you to thank for turning my daughter against me. I knew it was only a matter of time before she'd return with hatred in her heart." Harkon tilted his head to the side when I did not respond. The only sound I could produce was a low gurgling sound.
"So what was the plan, Mikhael?" He spat my name as if it were the worst curse known to man. "What happens after you've slain me? As if you can in your condition, I might add."
Harkon gripped the bloody spike in his hand and leaned in close. I tensed even more at the proximity between us. He was just out of biting range.
"Is Valerica your next target?" He trailed off for a moment. "Is Serana?"
I found my voice.
"I would never harm Serana. She's too important to me." It came out as a low growl, and had Harkon baring his teeth in anger.
"Then my daughter is truly lost. She died the moment she accepted a mortal- a half blood swine into her life."
I remained silent.
"Now for the Bow." Harkon reached forward, and grabbed the top of the Bow with one hand. "I'll be sure to leave you here to bleed out. Let you watch the life drain from Serana's eyes. A fitting punishment for the both of you for opposing me."
Harkon raised a clawed hand to strike me across the face. He only relented when Serana shouted. "No!"
He looked behind him for a moment, but it was all I needed.
"FUS RO DAH!"
Harkon's eyes widened in recognition a moment before the unrelenting force struck him and sent him flying across the room, which I belatedly realized was a cathedral to Molag Bal. The Volkihar clan's leader struck the wall hard, creating a sizeable indentation in the wall. I gripped the icicle hard. I felt breathless. But I needed to go on.
"DURNEHVIIR!" I called out, burning my throat in the process.
With a flash, Durnehviir smashed his head through the wall opposite me, just barely missing Harkon. "Dovahkiin!"
Harkon snapped into action and drew his blade. He pounced onto the dragon's neck, but not before Durnehviir sent a concentrate jet of frost in Serana's direction. She quickly snapped her chains with a swift yank, and darted to me.
Durnehviir shook about wildly, widening the hole he created and successfully shaking Harkon off. "FOH KRAH DIIIIIIIN"
Harkon was engulfed in an ice cold jet of frost. Durnehviir bought just enough time for me.
Serana snapped the icicle in half before slowly pulling me free from the wall. She stomped on my dagger's hilt, sending it flipping into the air. Serana effortlessly caught it with one hand, and slipped it into my own.
"You need this, Mikhael."
I was too weak to protest, and did not quite understand what she planned on accomplishing. I let myself lean into her, as she cradled me with one arm. My back began pulsing strongly, and I could feel Serana's restoration magic at work. But I could only guess how much she could do.
She took the Blade of Woe and used it to cut into her side, not releasing my hand as she did. I heard her hiss at the burn the dagger's drain caused.
Serana was giving me her life essence.
"No..." I mumbled weakly.
"I won't kill myself doing this, damn it. I'm just giving you a little boost." And surely enough the combination of her healing hands and the blade's drain was doing wonders. I was no longer critical, but I needed much more time and medical help. As long as I stayed in the shadows, my vampiric blood was going to try and repair what it could.
"I'll... I'll keep his thralls off your back. I- I can't... He... Just do your thing, love." Serana muttered weakly before shoving me towards her father. Harkon broke free from the small ice prison Durnehviir created. He looked livid.
Durnehviir made his exit shortly ago, presumably to assist the rest of the Dawnguard.
Harkon's long sword dripped with blood, and he eyed me hungrily. He snapped his fingers, and gargoyles began jolting to life from the shadows. They instantly went for Serana, who was weakened, yet still strong enough to fight twice as well as any warrior.
"Just you and me, Mikhael." Harkon growled with distaste. "When you showed up on my doorstep, a voice whispered to kill you."
I remained silent and kept my blades up in defense.
"I should have listened to it!" He lunged and struck twice with great speed, draining me as he did. I struggled to fight the symptoms of the drain life spell and parried the attack. I leapt forward with my dagger. Harkon sidestepped the attack, and moved to skewer me. I swung my sword and deflected his blade, spinning on my heel to face him.
I slashed diagonally with both blades, and Harkon blocked easily. He used the blades as leverage to elbow me in the face, causing me to stumble back, but not before I kicked him in the abdomen.
We spent countless minutes parrying each other's attacks, inflicting nothing more than scratches. Serana was preoccupied with the gargoyles and skeletons that were of endless supply. It became evident after a while that the swordfight was becoming little more than a game of stamina.
I kicked Harkon in the midsection, sending him stumbling a few steps back. He abruptly dropped his sword and unstrapped his gauntlets.
"No more tools and toys. We fight like the beasts do." In moments, Harkon stood in a cotton shirt and his armored breeches, no more no less. I growled quietly but complied and agreed to his terms. Maybe it was inherent Nord honor that did it. I couldn't be sure.
Harkon rushed forward and swung his leg to the side. I dropped my elbow low to meet the attack, and struck with a punch. Harkon smacked my fist away and spun around me. I narrowly ducked his elbow and impulsively dug my fangs into his side.
He roared in pain and raked his claws across my face, successfully detaching me from his side. He attacked again, aiming for my neck. I plucked his hands off the moment they reached the soft flesh of my neck. I delivered a headbutt, eliciting a crack from Harkon's nose.
I sent him into a rage. Harkon unleashed a fearsome bellow as he grabbed me roughly by the nape and rammed his knee into my chest repeatedly. I could do little more than hold my hands in front of my chest as my ribcage cracked up.
He shoved me backwards and snarled, flexing his claws as he did. I struck with several jabs, with Harkon deflecting them as I hoped. After the last jab, I struck wide with my right hand and raked my sharp nails across his face. I received a powerful kick for my effort, and staggered back.
Harkon took a great leap in my direction, and I raised my foot and delivered a kick of my own, which successfully grounded him. I quickly mounted Harkon, and struck his face repeatedly. The pounding didn't last long, and Harkon quickly reversed the roles, forcing me to block and duck his powerful blows. With a lucky strike, I knocked Harkon off of me and onto his back. We both scrambled to our feet and were at the ready in an instant.
I grew frustrated. I wanted to end this. I wanted to kill him. I needed to kill him.
"Enough games!" I growled. "We fight like how our kind was meant to fight!"
Perhaps I shouldn't have let my tempter get to me. Harkon's grin shook me to the bone, and in a flash, he stood before me as a vampire lord. His skin was green, and every inch of him was covered in thick muscles. His head resembled that of a bat, and he had wings to boot.
Mustering up what energy I had left, I let my bones and muscles snap and shift, rearranging into the structure of that of the vampire lord.
It was my first transformation.
Harkon sailed across the ground and into me, his sharp talons digging into my green skin. We exchanged blows, scratching each other and turning our green skin red with slick blood. We rolled about on the ground, scratching, kicking and biting. It was a quarter of an hour before I had to acknowledge that I was really no match for Harkon in this form, and in this state.
I didn't know how to fight like this and I should have stuck to my hands.
Numerous cuts ran along my body, including a deep gash in my stomach. If it got worse, my insides would be staining the ground.
Harkon drove my face into the ground hard. I was thankful for this vampiric form's resilience to damage. But of course, it could only do so much for me. I was weak. I was bloody. I was dying. I could just barely hear Serana crying my name when she saw him giving me a beating.
I had to kill him. I needed to.
I only had so much energy left.
I needed to do it. For the Dawnguard. For Skyrim. For Serana.
I snapped back into my human form in a flash, much to Harkon's surprise.
"DURNEHVIIR, ZU BOLOG FAH HIN AHMIK!" I shouted with all my might. The undead dragon appeared in a flash. His great horns smashed through the walls, flooding the cathedral with light. Durnehviir's massive maw wrapped around Harkon. I grabbed hold of Auriel's Bow and the single Sun hallowed arrow I carried. I needed to finish him.
A moment later, Durnehviir recoiled, roaring in pain. The vampire lord used his discarded blade to impale Durnehviir through the jaw, at the cost of a wing and a large chunk of his shoulder.
Harkon weakly took a step towards me, his feral growl not losing its vigor. Durnehviir's jaws of death clamped around Harkon's midsection, but he appeared unfazed.
"If I die, I take you with me!" Harkon roared as he raised a green, boney hand in my direction.
It all happened at once. Durnehviir wildly shook his head about in an effort to rip Harkon in half. Harkon jammed his long blade through Durnehviir's skull. A swarm of bats rammed into my back and sent me toppling over the edge along with Harkon. Serana dived and failed to catch me before I fell over the edge. She just barely avoided falling off herself.
Her cries chilled me to the bone as we fell. I wanted to tell her I was going to be fine. I wanted to hold her in my arms and let her know that I did the deed, and everything was going to be okay. But at this rate, the odds of even seeing her face one last time seemed slim.
The wind was deafening, and my eyes grew teary as I tried to keep them open.
"Apologies, Dovahkiin!" Durnehviir uttered before he faded out with a purple flash. He returned to the Soul Cairn.
Fumbling with the bow, I aimed the enchanted arrow at the sun, as Harkon tried and failed to stop me. I believed this could be considered overkill. But with vampires, purebloods no less, just how far does one have to go to kill one?
I let the arrow sail off to the sun and licked my lips for what could be my final shout.
"FEIM!"
I couldn't utter the whole shout. The effort alone might have killed me on the spot. But at least for now, for what time I had before I hit the ground, I was completely and utterly immortal. It feels cold, being ethereal. It feels like you stop existing for a period of time. Like you're there, yet you aren't.
"MIKHAEL!" Harkon roared as the sun's magically enhanced rays ate him whole. He was burned alive. Disintegrated to the last bit of bone and ash as we fell.
And with that, the tale of Harkon, child of the night, enemy of the day, was at an end.
As the ground loomed ever closer, a single face was burned into my fading vision, and an unspoken promise of eternal companionship was left haunting me.
A/N: Aaaaand we're almost at the end.
I have mostly laid out the plot for my next story, and will have that out soon enough, once Keeper (or Keepr as when I first uploaded this) is finished.
Please review, fave, and follow, my good friends. :)