Tanya had been reduced to a bawling mess from the mere look Vidar regret giving her. She was blubbering out an explanation as best she could, but it came out broken and messy as she wailed. "I...I didn't...want...looking for a cure, don't...hate me!" she sniffled and sobbed. The others watched, at a loss for what to say. The Inquisitor frowned.
"We don't hate you! It's all going to be-"
"No it's not! It's not going to be okay!" she screeched. She desperately looked to her brother, who was taken aback by her outburst. She cried from time to time, but never this badly, this desperately. "Don't...don't tell anyone! Don't tell Mom and Dad! Please! I beg you!" she pleaded, still bawling.
"Tanya, please," Dorian pleaded, giving her a pitiful look, "we don't hate you! We'll figure this all out. Just breathe, in and out."
Cassandra was at a complete loss, unsure of how to comfort the weeping vampire. Vidar sighed and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Tanya."
She didn't respond, still heaving breaths.
"Tanya, look at me." he ordered. Sucking in a breath, she obeyed, looking at him. He sighed. "Look at what I am. What am I?"
She had grown so used to his beast form that she hardly thought about it anymore. She took him in; brown fur was knotted and messy in places, and the hands...paws...he had on her shoulders bore claws that he made certain didn't dig into her skin. His face had grown into a snout, and canid eyes bore into her. She hesitated.
"A werewolf?"
Vidar nodded. "Yes. A werewolf..." He smiled weakly. "Let's do each other a favor and not tell mother or father about either of our...conditions. If you won't, I won't."
She weakly laughed. "Deal."
"Besides," he murmured, "even if they did find out, they would love us no matter what. Remember when you told them about you-know-what? When Carlotta told them something important she was scared to tell them? How about when they found out you're Dragonborn? They took it well in every situation."
Tanya scoffed. "This is a bit different from those situations." The tears had stopped flowing. "But...I see your point."
"Hug it out?" Vidar asked. She nodded and the siblings embraced each other. The werewolf pulled back after a long hug, feeling his beast form begin to recede from lack of hunting. He turned back, grunting in pain briefly before being left buck naked in the snow. Tanya groaned and stood up.
"Where's your stuff? I will go blind if I have to see your nether region again."
Vidar grinned at her wolfishly and retreated behind a tree to dress himself. Tanya's eyes widened, having almost forgotten the Inquisitor and her party had just found out what she was. Sheepishly, trying to fight back any lingering tears, she turned to them. Their expressions had softened somewhat, full of concern instead. The Inquisitor in particular was giving her a look of utter pity.
"I'm sorry, Tanya. You were very brave to do this to get the Elder Scroll. You're okay with us." she reassured gently. Varric nodded.
"Agreed, Bookworm. So you're a little more, er, fangy now. It'll be okay; we'll get it sorted out."
Dorian sighed, giving her a pitiful look. "You're lucky to have such a loving family. I...I'm sorry this happened to you. Did it...hurt?"
Tanya nodded, wincing at the memory. It had felt as though all her muscles were burning as she was left convulsing on the floor in agony, every part of her wanting to scream in agony. Then it got cold, ice cold, all over, chilling her to the core. She felt her heart stop. The memory of that last heartbeat stuck with her, still.
Cassandra crossed her arms, looking conflicted. "You...you're a vampire now. I agree it was the better option over soul-trapping, but..." She sighed. "That can not have been an easy choice to make or thing to do. The Inquisitor is right; you are very brave. I can't imagine having been in your place."
Dawn handed the Dragonborn a handkerchief quietly. "Wipe your face and take some deep breaths."
Tanya took it and wiped her eyes. She exhaled sharply and miserably looked at the group. "Please, don't tell the others. Don't tell anyone. Please."
They shared a look briefly before Dawn nodded in assent. "Let's keep this under wraps. What harm will it do to keep this a secret between us?"
Varric and Dorian voiced their agreement while Cassandra hesitated. She looked upon the Dragonborn's miserable face, who still fighting back the last of her tears. The seeker relented and sighed.
"As you wish. I can keep this a secret, if the Inquisitor thinks it best."
"I do." Dawn agreed. "So, why are you out here in Morthal?"
Serana crossed her arms. "We heard of a mage named Falion who may know something about curing vampirism. We're going to seek him out in the hold capital for aid. With luck, he can cure it."
"Fantastic, let's get moving." Dorian urged. "Let's find this mage and see if he can fix this."
Falion appraised the situation after Vidar explained for his sister, who almost descended into tears again upon approaching the mage for help. They had intercepted him just as he was leaving Morthal, and they discussed the situation on the outskirts of town. The redguard nodded. "Yes," he said calmly, "I can cure your condition."
"Oh, thank the Maker." Cassandra breathed. "You can undo it?"
"That's what I said. Come here, child." he ordered the young mage. Tanya stepped forth and the conjurer examined her. "When's the last time you fed?"
"I had to force-feed her blood about eleven hours ago. She was being uncompliant." Serana answered. Falion nodded.
"Good. The ritual is...not a good idea if she was a stage four vampire. Now, then," he continued, "for this to work, we need a filled black soul gem."
"What?" Dorian blurted, horrified. "What in the world do you need that for?"
The party from Thedas had only recently heard about soul gems, soul-trapping, and black soul gems, and it had been unanimously decided that above all, that should be kept a secret from Thedas. The very idea of using even animal souls for enchanting drew great disapproval, particularly from Cole, who pitched a fit the first time he saw a soul gem. The fact he said a black soul gem immediately caused Cassandra, Dorian, Varric, and Dawn to recoil in horror. Falion sighed.
"It's necessary as an offering. Unless a filled black soul gem is proffered, we can't do anything about your vampirism." he said firmly. Serana opened her bag and pulled out one, holding it up for Falion to see. He took the soul gem and inspected it. He nodded.
"Yes, this will work; it's filled. Follow me."
"Hold on," Dawn protested, "where did you get that, Serana? Did you..."
"No, we found it on something we killed in the Soul Cairn. It was filled when we found it." Serana replied. "The fact is, we found the gem. Once the soul is in there, there's no known method for getting it out safely. We might as well make good use out of it and cure my friend's vampirism."
Cassandra was scowling. Dawn looked incredibly conflicted. Dorian was frowning, rolling a hand over his face in distress. Varric was looking down and shaking his head. "Shit." he cursed. "No one tell Cole or the Iron Lady about this. Of course, Cole will probably find out anyways..."
"What choice do we have?" Vidar barked. "Let's move and cure my sister."
The Inquisitor hesitated. "Are you absolutely sure there's no other way?"
"Nothing within immediate means." Falion snapped. "If you want the cure, we don't have time unless you want to wait for tomorrow morning. This ritual must be performed at dawn, and the sun's coming up fast."
They reached the summoning circle, and Falion wasted no time. He ordered everyone save for Tanya to stay outside of the circle and had her stand in the middle. Cassandra's hand was upon her sword, ready to utilize her abilities as a seeker should anything go wrong. She was still by far the most disapproving in the party of the whole ordeal, but they had no choice.
The black soul gem lifted in the air above the circle with magic. Tanya was left to stare at it in discomfort. The sun was coming up rapidly, and it was beginning to burn her skin. Falion, however, had made clear his order that she shouldn't move. He lifted his hands in the air and began the ritual with no time to spare.
"I call upon Oblivion realms. The home of those who are not our ancestors. Answer my plea!
As in death there is new life, in Oblivion there is a beginning for that which has ended.
I call forth that power! Accept the soul that we offer!
As the sun ends the night, end the darkness of this soul, return life to the creature you see before you!"
Tanya felt her whole body envelop in intense heat. She gasped and her knees buckled, clutching her head that felt as if it was going to explode. Knitting her eyes shut, she clutched her chest as intense pain thrummed through her. Her heart felt heavy as it forced itself to beat again. It felt like she was burning from the inside out. Her lungs needed air again, and she gasped deeply, as if she had been underwater for too long.
The others watched in shock as the sunlight grew intense and brighter around her, making her too bright to look at briefly. They shielded their eyes from the transformation, while Tanya's vision went black for a moment. Then...it all ceased as fast as it had happened. She continued to breathe heavily, gasping for air. Vidar hurried forward and helped her up while checking her vital signs. He felt a pulse in her wrist and her skin had returned to the healthy skin tone it was before, no longer icy cold. When she blinked open her eyes, he saw they had returned to simple grey eyes.
Relieved, he smiled gratefully at the mage. "Thank you. Thank you so much. She's..."
"Human again. Just like the rest of you." Falion confirmed. He couldn't help but grin at his success. "I'd appreciate if none of you went around announcing what I do out here. Consider it your payment for services rendered."
The others finally considered it safe enough to approach the Dragonborn. They touched her skin, feeling the warmth while Tanya remained dazed, having just come back to life. "How do you feel?" Cassandra asked, wide-eyed.
Tanya hesitated for a few moments, seeking the right word. "Better." she finally said, still dazed. Dorian sighed, relieved.
"Thank the Maker for that. I'm glad this whole ordeal is over. I can't imagine any part of this was enjoyable in the least for you."
Dawn turned to Varric. "Varric, I know you love telling stories, but..."
"Don't worry, Inquisitor," he reassured, "this is a story that I think I won't be telling to anyone. Bookworm's been through enough shit today to have to worry about that."