She was right. She had to race around through the entire city made of a mess of confusing Dwarven architecture, all while using the pump systems to raise and lower the water just enough so no one drowned and so she could get to the next level and find more of the cubes that they needed to unlock the Black Book. Throughout all of it Neloth remained unbearably cheerful, almost morbidly so. He seemed to adore the Dwemer with every fiber in his being, something that neither Serana nor Ren agreed with. He had just skipped ahead of them, saying something about waiting for them in the reading room. Tired, wet, hungry, and extremely angry, Ren stalked into the room, Serana not too far behind. The vampire had stopped talking entirely after almost drowning the third time, which meant someone was going to get it when they left. Neloth looked up as they entered and gestured at a control pedestal, quickly scurrying over to the circle that contained the Black Book. Ren wordlessly slammed her fist onto the button. Immediately beams of light began swiveling around the room, eventually coming to focus on a large crystal up above them. The room began to tremble as the glass slid away and the Black Book rose up.

"At last. I hope it was worth it. Please…be my guest. You deserve the first look. Besides, it could be very dangerous. These books are known to drive people insane." Neloth said, cheerfulness still there. At this point, Ren would have done anything to shut him up. She snatched it up and glanced at Serana.

"Grab on. Let's see if this works." Serana wound her arms around her waist and, once Ren was satisfied that Serana couldn't possibly fall away, she opened it up.

"Oh, good. Be sure to say hello to Hermaeus Mora for me if you see him!" Neloth said. His words rang in her ears as a tentacle snatched her around the throat and pulled.

She found herself standing in the same place as before, with walls and floors and ceilings made of books, where strange glowing plants opened up doorways that had been sealed tightly beforehand. She passed through most of in a daze, alone because Serana had not been able to travel through with her. Occasionally she was attacked by the tentacle things, Seekers, a book said they were called. She memorized a spell to summon one to her aide, should she need it, and felled a Lurker that tried to attack her. She dodged around pools of black oil, from which rose tentacles that tried to grasp at her or strike her. She felt like it was all a dream, and took everything that happened with no small degree of amusement. She wouldn't have been surprised to see Ulfric riding by dressed in Imperial armor. When she finally found the Black Book that was her ticket out of Apocrypha, as Neloth had called the place, she had realized something must have poisoned her. She fumbled with her potions and found a one to cure poisons, and drank it. Almost immediately the fuzzy quality slid away. Glancing around uneasily, she reached for the book and opened it. It was huge, compared to how big it had been before, and when she opened it three orbs of green light appeared.

"All seekers of knowledge come to my realm, sooner or later." A voice spoke, slow and almost lethargic. Startled, Ren stepped away from the Black Book and, by instinct, looked up. Floating above her was a creature she knew immediately to be Hermaeus Mora. He appeared as a writhing ball of black, oily tentacles and strange eyes, most appearing to have two pupils. She was uncomfortable with the intensity which with he studied her.

"Yes, I came here to learn Miraak's secrets." She said carefully. She didn't want to anger him, at least not yet.

"All that he knows he learned from me." It sounded as if Hermeaus Mora was bragging. Her fear faded slightly, replaced by amusement.

"I know that you want to use your power as Dragonborn to bend the world to your will. Here is the knowledge you need, although you did not know you needed it. The second Word of Power. Use it to bend the will of mortals to your purpose." Ren opened her mouth to thank him, but his next words silenced her.

"But this is not enough. Miraak knows the final Word of Power. Without that, you cannot hope to surpass him. Miraak served me well, and he was rewarded. I can grant you the same power that he wields, but all knowledge has its price." Even as he spoke, Ren felt a slick barb poke her soul and engrave upon it a word, Hah. Mind. It didn't burn like Miraak's had, but rather felt like someone was forcing her to eat a cold slug. She shuddered with disgust, but let it occur. She needed to know it, after all.

"Neloth Telvanni says hello, by the way. Anyway, isn't Miraak your ally? Why help me defeat him?" She asked, once she'd recovered enough to speak. Serana could have been right, but she wanted to know Hermaeus Mora's side. Mora was silent for a moment, probably surprised by Neloth's greetings. She wondered if the Dunmer annoyed even the Daedric Prince of knowledge. It wouldn't surprise her. Or, did they not know each other?

"Interesting. He has served me long and well, but he grows restless under my guidance. His desire to return to your world will spread my influence more widely…but it will also set him free from my direct control. It may be time to replace him with a more loyal servant. One who still appreciates the gifts I have to offer." Mora's voice turned angry towards the last few sentences, but Ren couldn't take his rage seriously. He sounded like a controlling parent, furious upon finding out that their child had been sneaking out.

She prayed to Nocturnal she never sounded like that to Hroar.

"So what's your price for the final Thu'um?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest. If he wanted something stolen, she could do it easily.

"Knowledge for knowledge. The Skaal have withheld their secrets from me for many long years. The time has come for this knowledge to be added to my library."

"What if the Skaal refuse to give up their secrets?" Ren asked uneasily, suddenly realizing with no small degree of horror Hermaeus Mora could demand she kill them. Frea, and her father, Baldor, and little Aeta too.

"My servant Miraak would have found a way to bring me what I want. So will you if you wish to surpass him."

Ren was lost. For a Daedric Lord that seemed so determined to kill a loyal servant that was working at a goal that would only give him more power, Hermaeus Mora seemed to be glorifying Miraak. She doubted Mora even wanted Miraak dead. He probably just wanted to teach the former Dragon Priest a lesson. If Nocturnal was any indication, Daedra did not deal well with such emotions. They were Joor, mortal things, as Paarthurnax had once told her Alduin had believed.

"Send the Skaal shaman to me. He holds the secrets that will be mine." Hermaeus Mora declared, vanishing with a soft, wet plop. Ren shuddered at the sound and turned her attention to the green orbs. One read Dovahkiin Fus, another Dovahkiin flame, and the last read Dovahkiin Fo. Dragonborn Force, Flame, and Frost. She reached out for flame, then paused.

"Women inherently have more control of water, ice, and spirit…."

She grabbed Dovahkiin Fo, and felt the Thu'um she used to summon a blizzard to her tongue suddenly strengthen. Then the world around her blurred, darkened.

"What happened? What did you see? Different people have very different experiences when reading these books-"

"Back off! Leave her alone for a moment!"

Ren blinked and found her vision returning, and with it Neloth's excited face closer than comfortable. She realized she was lying on her back. Serana was sitting beside her, trying to push Neloth away.

"How'd I get down here?"

"You went spectral, then solidified, and promptly fell into me. So I caught you before you bashed your head open, because that's the last thing we need." Serana recounted quickly. Ren groaned and pushed herself up. Her head was screaming with pain.

"What happened?" Serana asked softly.

"I talked to Hermaeus Mora." She said, reaching for her bag. She fished around in it and pulled out a flask of Black-Briar Reserve. She took a sip in an effort to stop the pounding in her head and passed it to Serana.

"You're still acting surprisingly sane, too! What did he have to say? He must have wanted something from you." Neloth pressed.

"He wants the secrets of the Skaal in exchange for teaching me the third word." She said, standing. Serana handed back an empty flask, much to Ren's amusement. How much had the wizard talked while she'd been gone?

"Hmph. What secrets could they have worth keeping from old Mora? Sounds like a bargain to me. Hermaeus Mora learns some fascinating new ways to skin a horker and you become the second most powerful Dragonborn that ever lived. Well that gives me a lot to think about. I need to get back to Tel Mithryn. I have some ideas about how to locate more of these Black Books..." Neloth trailed off, seemingly absorbed in his own thoughts. Ren scowled at him. She was a little angry he had spoken so dismissively about the Skaal, never mind that he had just insulted her. She doubted Mora wanted to learn how to kill something. Seeing the power Storn held in the barrier alone had shocked her. But, how had the Skaal kept Mora from finding them out? Surely he had spies everywhere. Absently, she realized her headache had gone. Amazing what some hard thinking could do.

They exited the Dwemer city silently, all of them wrapped in their own thoughts. As soon as Ren emerged into sunlight she looked up, laughing softly as Serana cursed and jerked her hood lower over her eyes. She froze when she saw a massive golden Dov settled upon one of the nearby Dwemer domes.

"Miraak has commanded your death. So it shall be." The dragon rumbled, tilting his head to gaze at them. Ren took a step forward.

"What is your name, that I might have the honor of knowing my enemy before I slay him?" The Dov laughed heartily at her.

"Krosulhah, Dovahkiin. I may let you live until last, for amusing me so." Ren reached for her bow, pulling it out and stringing an arrow onto it beneath Krosulhah's watchful eye.

"Soon Miraak will return to resume his rightful Junaar over Solstheim. When he returns, all will bow before him." The Dov appeared entirely serious. Again, Ren wondered at what Miraak had done to inspire such loyalty in these Dovah that served him. Odahviing would aide her out of respect for her power. Durnehviir was loyal because there was a strong friendship between them. Paarthurnax was loyal out of gratitude and respect, much like Odahviing. But if she were to declare she was the rightful ruler of all of Tamriel, none would back her. What had these Dovah seen in Miraak?

Her thoughts ended abruptly when Krosulhah sent a stream of fire towards her. She fired her arrow at him and dove out of the way, narrowly missing it. Serana resurrected a nearby Reaver with a bow, and Neloth summoned a particularly powerful Fire Atronach. Finding an opening, Ren Shouted at Krosulhah.

"Joor Zah Frul!" Blue light enveloped the golden Dov, pouring from the heavens onto his wings like a waterfall.

"No Dovah would stoop to such vile Tahrovin!" He roared furiously, beating his wings in a desperate attempt to gain altitude even as he was forced to land on the very platform his prey stood on. The words wounded Ren on some ridiculous level that cared. She supposed it wasn't very honorable of her to use such a disgusting Thu'um, but she had never cared about that. She rarely started a fight, and most of the time she wanted the battle over with as soon as possible. Using the Dragonrend shout was a simple and effective way to solve that.

But it did leave a terrible aftertaste in her mouth.

Ren put her bow away as he landed and pulled out her sword, jumping in for some damaging hits on his wings and flanks. Serana closed in with a powerful Drain Life spell, paired with a steady volley of ice magic and a zombie Reaver with a massive Dwarven battleaxe. Neloth and his Atronach-no longer Fire, but Storm-also came in. Krosulhah stood no chance.

As fire consumed his corpse and turned into swirling curls of ethereal light, Miraak did not appear, something for which Ren was extremely grateful. She dreaded encountering the elder Dovahkiin outside of Apocrypha.

She felt Krosulhah's confusion as he passed through her soul into death, his sudden alarm as he desperately tried to grasp onto her, voice calling out frantically for a split second. Before she could react he was gone, leaving nothing but his power thrumming in her veins, power enough to fill the scars Hermaeus Mora had pressed onto her soul and give her what she needed to use the second of Miraak's Rotmulaag.

"What is with this guy? Normal assassins can't do the trick so he sends monsters after me, and now a dragon? Who in their right mind would send a dragon to assassinate someone?! They're as subtle as a mountain trying to outrun a deer in Whiterun hold!" Ren hissed furiously. Serana snickered. Neloth muttered something under his breath at the dead Krosulhah and stalked off. Neither woman tried to stop him. Serana sagged against her.

"So, back to the village?"

"I think so. Hermaeus Mora told me that Storn, Frea's father and the village shaman, would have to be sent to him. So, I think he wants Storn to read the Black Book."

"What knowledge could they hold that a Daedra would find so enthralling?" Serana breathed. Ren hooked her arm through her blood-sisters' and began walking.

"I don't know. I can't imagine it is anything strictly magical, else someone else would have discovered it."

"Hmm…." Serana fell silent, probably wrapped in her own thoughts. Ren dropped the vampire's arm and began digging through her belongings quietly. She wasn't looking for anything in particular. She was mostly just keeping her hands busy as she pondered over what had occurred.

"I don't think Hermaeus Mora wants Miraak dead."

"Yeah?" Serana replied distractedly.

"Yeah. I think if they just sat down they'd be perfectly fine again, no need for me to get involved in this stuff. To me it looks like Miraak wants to come back and he's just mad at Mora because he won't let him, and Mora wants Miraak to come back except he's about as insecure as a love struck-"

Serana whacked her, silencing her abruptly.

"Don't speak so badly of a Daedric Lord who's taken a severe interest in your life. He could choose to kill you for it."

"Then he shouldn't hate the truth so much!" Ren sniffed. Serana rolled her eyes.

"How's your mother doing?"

"Last I spoke to her she was doing alright. She says that the Ideal Masters are very angry with you, though." Serana almost sang the last part. Ren laughed.

"For what?"

"The dragon. He continuously leaves the Soul Cairn to come to your call, taking him out of the Ideal Master's direct control."

"Well then. I'll be sure to call him as soon as possible." Serana threw her head back, laughing.

"I can assure you the Ideal Masters will enjoy that. But, ah, I have a question. The villagers…They won't welcome me a second time. And, how did they know I was a vampire anyway?"

"They're very in tune with their god. They call him the All-Maker. According to Storn and Frea, he created everything and it's him who gives life. To them, life is extremely important. They're trying to live in harmony with the land, and for the most part, it appears to me as if they're succeeding. As such, they are a very spiritual people, very honorable. They can sense things other people can't, and know things they couldn't unless they really were being aided by a divine power."

"Like Florentius?"

"Sort of. Except they're not as insane. How's he doing, anyway?"

"The same, for the most part. He's declared Arkay wants him to take a pilgrimage to Falkreath to help another priest with some business." Ren stifled a smile.

Florentius was unlike any other priest of Arkay she had ever met, for a multitude of reasons. He had no qualms about lifting a blade and took great joy in hunting down undead where he saw them, a vast difference from his peaceful brethren. The thing that set him so far apart from other priests, however, was the fact he claimed to communicate directly with the Divine himself. Most of the Dawnguard believed he was insane, but they had never seen him in action. There was definitely something that protected him. His spells reacted before he had even finished casting them, and his blade struck home even if he was off balance. Whether it truly was Arkay who spoke to him or maybe just Meridia, a Daedric Lord renowned for her loathing of the undead, in a mischievous mood was beyond Ren, but either scenario wouldn't surprise her. Even gods had to entertain themselves, didn't they?

"What kind of business?" Serana tilted her head from side to side for a moment before replying.

"The dead keep not staying dead. Some vampire broke free of his bonds, and he's begun recruiting every undead in Skyrim and then some. There's a lot of necromantic energy in Skyrim, actually. Solitude reeks of it. But, anyway, the resident priest sent for Florentius because the people are trying to fight back and sort of failing. They're so desperate they're even keeping it under wraps that the Dark Brotherhood is killing and then marking the undead, so they have a base somewhere in Falkreath. Isran wants to send the Dawnguard in, but Florentius says to give him a week. If they haven't heard back from him before then, come running."

"I'm missing all the fun stuff, aren't I?" Ren groaned. Serana laughed.

"All the more for me!" Serana said, smirking.

Night had fallen by the time they made it to the Skaal village. Ren snuck into Frea's house without being seen, Serana not far behind her. Frea was awake, though. Seeing Serana, the woman pushed herself up as best she could from her bed.

"The Skaal will not-"

"Shut up. I need her help, and she promises she won't do anything un-human like."

"I won't?" Ren jerked her elbow into Serana's side.

"Ow! Alright, I won't!"

Frea regarded both of them silently for a very long moment. Ren shifted uncomfortably beneath the woman's hard gaze. She'd never seen the expression on Frea's face before, even on Isran when he had first met Serana.

"If you break your promise, outsider, the Skaal will have no choice but to kill her."

The words hung ominously in the air for a long moment before Serana broke the seriousness.

"And here I thought I was leaving Isran in Skyrim. Don't be so negative, Skaal."

"Ooh! That reminds me! I was going to ask you a question." Ren said, shrugging off her bags. Both women turned to regard her curiously.

"What?" Serana asked.

"Have you ever been to Solstheim before?"

Serana stared at her with no small degree of disbelief.

"No. I might be old but I've never traveled. Why do you always ask me that every time we go somewhere? It's not like my answer is going to change."

"And you say the same thing every time." Ren pointed out. She collapsed onto a puddle of pelts on the floor, leaving Serana the other bed.

"How was your journey?" Frea asked, butting in to the conversation. Ren felt bad about excluding the Skaal so suddenly, and she pushed herself up even as she chucked off her armor and dug through a bag, yanking on the first relatively clean shirt she found.

"Neloth was an ass. He sent us through a Dwemer city to find another Black Book."

"We nearly drowned a hundred thousand times." Serana muttered. Frea raised an eyebrow.

"It was a sunken Dwemer city. So, we found it, and the experiment failed. Serana couldn't come with me. There were a lot of tentacle things there that wanted to kill me. And then Hermaeus Mora dropped by to say hello."

"He did what?" Frea demanded, bolting upright. Serana laughed.

"Neloth told me to say hello for him, so I did, and Mora continued to pout about the fact Miraak is ignoring him and told me he wants me to kill said Dovahkiin even though Miraak's goal is technically the same as Hermaeus Mora's."

"Then why would Herma-Mora want Miraak killed?" Frea asked. She sounded as if she was asking it to herself rather than them, but Serana still replied.

"Because Daedric Lords cannot understand emotions in the same way we do. They know rage, they know anger, they know pleasure, but to fathom out such petty indulgences that they believe they are above? Hermaeus Mora would sooner flay Miraak alive than admit to such a weakness. And the Demon of Knowledge is one of the more tolerant Daedric Lords, if you would believe that." Serana added, stretching as she dropped onto the spare bed.

"Yes, the Skaal are aware of that. Hermaeus Mora is not the only Daedra to have taken an interest in our affairs." Both outsiders looked at Frea.

"What do you mean?" Ren asked. Frea shook her head slowly.

"The matter is…nothing. Forget you heard it spoken. It is not a good thing, to speak of so bluntly."

"But-"

"Go to sleep." Frea ordered, falling back onto the bed with a soft thump. Both Ren and Serana grumbled a bit, but Ren fell asleep quickly. Dwemer ruins exhausted her in every sense of the word.

Dawn came too early. Ren was the first awake, and rather than get the others up, she pulled on the Blackguard's armor Glover had given her and slipped outside, heading directly for the circle of Skaal in front of the village's main village.

Storn looked up and smiled gently at her as she plunked down beside them, reaching out a hand to him. She had done this only once before, while waiting for Serana to arrive, and hadn't liked the feeling much. But Storn said her power helped immensely, and he looked dead with exhaustion. She felt her magicka pouring from her to strengthen the barrier. It was frighteningly weak compared to what it had been the first time she had done this.

"You were right, Neloth knew more about the Black Book. He helped us get another one."

"Did you read it?" He asked softly. Ren nodded.

"I spoke to Hermaeus Mora. He said that he wants the 'secrets of the Skaal'." She felt extremely uncomfortable, although that wasn't very surprising.

"Hermaeus Mora…old Herma-Mora himself. So he is the source of Miraak's power. Of course…" Storn looked upset, as if he had missed something glaringly obvious before and was now beating himself up over it. She was surprised to realize he hadn't known it-although, thinking back, Nocturnal had told her.

"We have many tales of Herma-Mora trying to trick us into giving up our secrets to him. And now he comes again for what we have long kept from him. Why would he ask this of you?" There was no mistaking Storn's amusement.

"He said that it's the only way he'll teach me the final word of Miraak's Shout."

"So it falls to me to be the one to give up the secrets to our ancient enemy." He sighed.

"I…do not know if I have the strength to face him. The Tree Stone is still corrupted, the land still out of balance. But with the other five restored….It may be enough. It will have to do, in any case."

"You mean you'll give him what he wants?" Ren asked, alarmed. Storn nodded.

"Yes. See, the Skaal also tell of the day when we must finally give up our secrets, Ren Arex of Skyrim. When Hermaeus Mora finally wins." He turned to look at her, his gaze boring into hers.

"As shaman, it is my duty to guard these secrets, but also decide when it is necessary to give them up. I believe that time is now. If I am wrong, may my ancestors forgive me. Give me the book. I will read it and speak to old Herma-Mora himself. I will make sure he lives up to his part of the bargain." Storn's voice was hard now, surprising her. The old man stood, suddenly shedding his exhaustion and his age like a cloak. He stood there as if he was a new man, a perfect vision of who he must have been when Frea was a child.

Mutely, she fished it out and handed the object to him.

"I hope you know what you're doing." She murmured as she scrambled up. He turned the book over in his hands and looked up at her, eyes dark with worry.

"That is my hope as well. I am trusting that you will make this sacrifice worthwhile." There was no mistaking the harshness in his voice. She was shocked into silence by his sudden change. She couldn't blame him, of course, but it still surprised her.

"What…If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are the secrets of the Skaal?" Ren asked softly. He didn't reply immediately.

"Ancient lore, handed down from shaman to shaman since ancient times that have long passed. These secrets…they are how the Skaal talk to the wind and listen to the earth, how we hear the voice of the All-Maker in everything. Hermaeus Mora wants them only because it is in his nature to horde secrets to himself. Their value is of no consequence, and the fact that we have kept this knowledge from him has only increased his desire to have them."

"So this gives him the perfect opportunity to take what he's wanted for so long." Ren murmured, shrinking in on herself. It was her fault Hermaeus Mora was going to ruin these people, she realized. Her fault because she was Dragonborn, and so was Miraak, and the Skaal were the only ones who knew enough to help her.

"Do not blame yourself. Our lore has foretold this. It is the all-Maker's will." His voice was serene. He seemed entirely at peace with the choice he was about to make.

"I…We have to get Frea." She said softly.

"What about me?" She turned to find Serana, still yawning, followed by Frea, standing behind her. As vaguely curious and tired as Serana looked, Frea's face was completely expressionless. Then her eyes fell to the Black Book in Storn's hands.

Her horror was immediate.

"Father, you must not do this!" Frea cried, jumping forward and grasping an arm.

"That book is wrong, evil, against everything that you have taught me my whole life!" Even as she spoke he pulled out of her grasp.

"I must, Frea. It is the only way to free Solstheim from Miraak's shadow forever."

"But-"

"There comes a time when everything must change. Nothing that lives remains the same forever, Frea." Tears began spilling unchecked down the Skaal woman's face. Storn reached out with his free hand and touched her cheek. Feeling like she was intruding on something extremely personal, Ren inched away.

"Do not fear for me, my daughter. This is the destiny that the All-Maker has laid out for me." A deep silence fell over them, father and daughter staring quietly at one another. Frea was the first to break it. She took a quick step away from him, gaze flicking away.

"I stand beside you, father. As always."

"I am ready for whatever the foul master of this book has in store for me." Storn murmured, trying to comfort her. His words held a trace of amusement that shocked Ren. She truly didn't think the Skaal had as morbid a sense of humor as their Nordic counterparts in Skyrim, but Storn proved her wrong.

Storn walked a few steps away from them, quietly motioning for them to give him a wide berth. Ren slipped an arm around Frea. The Skaal didn't push her away, but she was so tense Ren thought she would shatter.

Storn sat cross-legged on the ground and placed the book on his lap, then opened the cover. His gaze flicked over the page and he opened his mouth, probably to speak the words, when the Black Book suddenly floated off of his lap, green Daedric runes pouring from its pages into the air. Tentacles bloomed out of it, and Ren held her breath tightly.

It happened in slow motion.

A tentacle, thicker and blacker than the other ones, burst out of the page, and directly through Storn's chest.

Frea went limp.

Someone screamed.

Ren stared in horror.

This was what he had meant? To kill Storn to gain what the shaman would have revealed without bloodshed?

"At last, the Skaal yield up their secrets to me!" Hermaeus Mora's voice was no longer quiet, slow. It was furiously powerful, raw in sheer glee.

"You…liar!" Storn gasped out, thrashing slightly against Mora's grip.

"I won't…not…for you!" The shaman's bravery at such a moment as this broke Ren's heart.

"Do something!" Frea begged, voice cracking as she sobbed.

"Dragonborn, you have delivered me the gift I requested. In return, I keep my promise, as befits a Prince of Oblivion. I give you the…Rotmulaag…that you need to challenge Miraak. You will be either a worthy opponent or his successor, as the tides of fate decree." Hermaeus Mora cried.

"No!" Storn gasped, even as his voice faded and his body went limp.

"What?!" Ren demanded, eyes widening in horror. The Demon of Knowledge laughed, tentacles rushing back into the Black Book, Storn's body falling. Again, the feeling of swallowing a slug overtook her. She choked, staggering back and falling on her back. It was acid this time, twisting, writhing, burning the word Dov into her, at the same time broadening her knowledge of the word. She could hear Frea's crying, and another person screaming, and-

"Ren! Come on, get up!" She blinked and shook her head, shaking the fuzz from her head. Serana was leaning over her, eyes wide. Ren waved her off and sat up. Frea was crying, holding her father's corpse in her arms. Blood pooled beneaeth the Skaal warrior and her father, dyeing the grey snow beneath them red.

"Frea…" She murmured, pushing herself up.

"My father sacrificed himself so that you could destroy Miraak and lift his master's shadow from the land. Go. Kill Miraak. Do not fail." She whispered, her voice jagged but carrying clearly. Ren was silent for a long moment, mulling over what had occurred.

"He…Hermaeus Mora…He wants to make me his new champion, doesn't he?" Ren asked shakily. Slowly, Frea nodded, mouth twisted with disgust.

Ren felt everything cracking, everything breaking in that instant. She felt tears burning at the back of her eyes, her throat closing up.

So her decision was made for her.

She didn't regret it, of course. She'd make the same choice in a heartbeat. But to leave her family and her friends behind so suddenly, without any sort of warning? She'd never thought she'd die like this. She'd never expected it to end like this.

"Ren…" Serana whispered slowly. She could feel the vampire stiffening beside her, realizing what was going on.

"No! You can't-"

"I have no choice!" Ren spat, scrambling to her feet. Serana rose as well, shaking her head violently.

"I-"

"I made a vow, willingly, and I fully intend to keep it. If I live, and Mora succeeds in this, I will break that vow. I will not allow that to happen!"

"Your son-"

"-Will understand! He knows! The Guild knows!" She broke down, tears streaking down her face as she stared at one of the few people outside of the Guild who knew the secret she kept, of her Nightingale status.

She had sworn her soul to Nocturnal, and to Nocturnal alone. Hermeaus Mora wanted to claim her soul for his own, but by doing what the Demon of Knowledge wanted, she would be breaking the vows she had kept for o long. By saving the island, she would be dooming herself and betraying her Lady.

"I can't…I won't be able to tell him. I can't go back, not when this needs to happen. Please, Serana, just…go back to Skyrim. Tell him…" She couldn't continue. She turned and fled to Frea's home. Almost mechanically she gathered her things, strapped on what she needed and left unnecessary items in a pack by the wall.

The door flew open and Serana burst in, the vampire's face streaked with tears. Ren pushed past her wordlessly.

"You can't just walk out of here and do this, Ren!"

"Tell him I love him, that I'm sorry. Serana, please, don't…"

The door opened in front of Ren and Frea appeared.

"What is going on?" The Skaal asked softly. Ren remained silent. Serana let out a slow breath.

"Ren is going to die. She can't risk becoming Hermaeus Mora's champion."

"I'm going to kill Miraak, and I will die in the process." Ren elaborated quietly. Frea's eyes went wide.

"Why would you-"

"I told you I made a vow. I am going to keep it. Now, somewhere on Solstheim there has to be a burial site, a mound, with stairs leading up to it. There's no way inside of it."

"…Outside the village, on a small island, but-"

"Alright then. Serana, you can help me whack the dragon. Maybe you're a good luck charm. Miraak didn't appear when you were with us at Nchardak. And you can yell all you want on the way there." Despite the attempt to lighten the mood-probably a terrible decision on her part anyway-her voice was dead.

"What would your son say if I were to come back and not have helped you on this?" There was obvious bitterness to Serana's voice. Silence wrapped around them like a blanket, stalling all conversation.

"I will make certain your father's death wasn't in vain, Frea. Thank you for what you've done, what your village has done. If I die without defeating him, I'll cripple him at the very least. Maybe you can do something with that."

"How will we know? Time may pass differently in Herma-Mora's realm than it does elsewhere." Frea whispered.

Ren turned to Serana.

"Can you ask Karliah…Ask her to visit? She'll know what I mean. I don't…I don't know if I will absorb Miraak's soul or…or if he'll absorb mine, but…" The vampire stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

"I promise. I'll take care of Hroar…And dig your will out of wherever in Oblivion you stashed it."

"Buried under some skooma and alcohol in the chest by my bed. I don't let Hroar in it officially, although he broke in once with Nelkir. He had a rough morning." Ren knew she was rambling, but it helped. It eased the agony of leaving everything behind so suddenly.

"…What was that man's name? Delvin? I'll have to set he and Isran up. And…If we can recover your body, where do you want to be buried?" Serana's voice shook as they parted.

"Wherever the living see fit to put it. But will you bring my stuff back to Hroar? And, the tome you asked about is with my will. It's really long, I have a lot of stuff…And, ah, take my amulet to Brynjolf. I need to go…Goodbye, Frea." She hugged the Skaal and then slipped outside, Serana not far behind her.

Ren was silent for a moment, realizing that although she was sad, dying didn't seem real to her.

"Thank you for coming with me, Serana." Ren whispered.

"You would do the same for me."

They fell silent as they left the village, hearing the grieving of the Skaal behind them.

"Frea…what happened? What was that thing? I thought the village was safe now!" Ren flinched as the words traveled through the air to them. With Storn gone, could they protect themselves from Miraak's influence?

"Goodbye, old friend. We will miss you, but do not worry. Frea will guide us well, thanks to you." A woman had spoken. Ren slipped gratefully into the trees outside of the village and continued on, letting out a deep breath.

"We're going to have to swim." Ren murmured, as they began scurrying down a steep cliff. It wasn't barren of trees but there were few that bothered to cling to the cold stone. Waves lapped at the rocky sand beneath them, spraying Ren's legs with cold water.

"Actually, I stopped by an alchemical shop in Raven Rock, and found some things that interested me. I've got some potions of water walking."

"Do they taste good?" Ren asked, her fingers slipping. She let out a small squeak and slid the rest of the way down the cliff. Thankfully it wasn't far, although she bruised herself and scrapped the skin off of her palms. She cursed softly as she cast a healing spell, wincing as gravel pushed out of her flesh and plunked to the ground. Serana dropped down lightly beside her.

She'd never heard of a potion of water walking. Solstheim was definitely full of surprises.

"And you're a thief?" She teased.

"Shut up." Ren muttered, digging around in her bag. She pulled out the Blackguard gloves she'd forgotten to put on earlier and slipped them on while Serana produced the potions they would need.

It tasted like diluted milk, copper, and fish, to Ren's absolute disgust. But when she placed a foot on the sea, it magically floated above the water. Serana briskly set out, leaving Ren to scramble after her.

"The effects will wear off slowly, so when you get up to your calves, we'll drink another one. I would prefer not to run out of potions. I don't know if I could fly and carry you at the same time." Serana murmured uncertainly. Ren kept her mouth shut.

She knew Serana hated shifting into the second form Molag Bal had granted his Daughters of Coldharbour. She couldn't blame Serana. Having experienced it for herself, she understood. Upon changing, all humanity seemed to fall away, or at least fade. The experience had been terrifying enough for Ren. She couldn't imagine how terrible it was for Serana, who had deliberately chosen to become a Daughter, and to assume the life of a vampire.

The island wasn't too far off, but the potion Serana had given her was fairly weak. They drank two more apiece before scrambling onto the island. Immediately afterward a small, nameless Dov roared challenge and burst from behind a slight hill. Ren scrambled for her blade as the dragon landed in front of them and barely got out of the way before a stream of flames sprayed the sand she had been lying on. She cut the Dov's snout twice before it launched itself into the air.

"Fus Ro Dah!" The Thu'um slammed into the dragon's wing like a boulder to a butterfly. The crunch was audible as it crashed to the island, letting out a shrill shriek of agony. A conjured phantasm, a wolf that blazed with fire, lunged at the dragon's other wing. Ren ran at its head pulled herself up onto it, wrapping her legs around its neck to steady herself. Her blade plunged into the Dov's eye and jerked violently to the side, silencing its screams. The body went limp, sending Ren rolling off and into the water like a log.

"Sweet Talos, its cold!" She gasped, staggering ashore. Serana didn't appear to notice. The vampire was staring, posture rigid, at the flaming Dov corpse. A worm of fear worked its way into Ren's heart and she hurried forward. She expected to see something horrible, Miraak taking the soul from her or a child's corpse trapped within the Dov's ribcage. Instead she saw…nothing.

"There's nothing I can say that will make you change your mind, is there?" Serana asked softly.

"I can't change my mind. I have to defeat Miraak for the Skaal, and I won't betray my oath. I don't want to do this, but…"

"Could you forge a pact with Hermaeus Mora? Convince him to let you escape him?" Ren laughed bitterly.

"I am the Last Dragonborn. I don't know much about anything Daedric, but I know my soul is one of a kind, and it is powerful. Do you think Hermaeus Mora himself would pass up something like that?"

"Ren…please. Think this through."

The dragon's soul poured into her, quietly sealing the scars of Mora's final word shut. Ren turned to look at Serana for a moment.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me." Ren murmured, hugging the vampire. Serana began crying again, embracing her back.

It was Serana who pulled away first.

"I can't think of any deity who I would trust enough to bless you on this." The vampire whispered, scrubbing at her damp cheek. Ren shrugged, unable to think of anything to reply with. She solemnly pulled out Miraak's Black Book, and a couple of soul gems. She pressed a black one against her sword, recharging its enchantment, and her bow as well. She'd been neglecting them as of late.

"Ah, I've got it." Serana suddenly said. Ren looked up at her, one hand resting on the book's cover.

"May the blessings of Auriel go with you."

Ren couldn't keep her tears at bay. She opened the book before she could fully break down, and was swept away by a whirlwind of green runes and black tentacles.