It seems that since accepting the fact that I am Dragonborn, my dreams have eased up. They aren't as full of flames and death as they were – some could even be called normal! My body, however, has gotten into the rhythm of getting up early, so it is just before sunrise when I wake up.
Heading up to Dragonsreach, I'm a little nervous. I have a feeling things are coming to an end at last, but that also means I won't really know what to do with myself afterwards. Pushing open the great door, I decide I'll figure that out when the time comes, and head on up the steps.
The Jarl is still having his breakfast, so I leave him to it and instead head into the wizard's study to fiddle around with the enchanter's table. I enchant the armour I currently wear, and putting it back on I feel stronger and steadier of hand. I also put a flame spell on my bow and a frost spell on the warhammer, then head back out into the main hall just in time for Balgruuf to finish his fruity meal.
"May the gods watch over your battles, friend." He greets me.
"Are you ready to spring the trap on the dragon?" I ask, only just managing to keep the nervous wobble out of my voice.
"As I promised, my men stand ready. The great chains are oiled. We wait on your word."
"I'm ready. Let's go trap a dragon."
"My men know what to do. Make sure you do your part. I'm putting my city in your hands." He rises from his seat on the bench and heads towards the giant doors upstairs. Following him through, we enter a huge open space, the end of which is a stone semi-circle sticking out into the open air. High above our heads hangs a large wooden beam, curved to allow room beneath for the beast's head. Walking out into the open area, I take a deep breath and Shout with all my might.
"Od Ah Viing!"
A few moments later, a roar echoes across the frosty skies, and a great crimson dragon appears around the eastern wall. Just as I recover from my Shout, Odahviing swoops down and snatches a poor guard off of the porch and throws him over the edge of the battlements. As the creature turns, I use Dragonrend on him, and with a blast of blue energy, he is forced to land – luckily on the porch.
With the occasional whack from my frosty warhammer, I manage to lure him under the cover of the great roof, and with a creak and a slam, the beam descends, and a couple of arms appear from inside it, wrapping around the dragon's neck and trapping him fast.
"Nid!" Odahviing cries. "Horvutah med kodaav! Caught like a bear in a trap." He raises his head to peer at me with his dark reptilian eyes. "Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki, Dovahkiin. Ah, I forget – you do not have the dovah speech. My… eagerness to meet you in battle was my… undoing, Dovahkiin. I salute your, hm, low cunning in devising such a grahmindol – stratagem. Zu'u bonaar. You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this… humiliating position. Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?"
Making sure to stay out of reach of those massive teeth, I respond: "That's right. Where is he hiding?"
"Rinik vazah - an apt phrase. Alduin bovul. One reason I came to your call was to test your Thu'um for myself. Many of us have begun to question Alduin's lordship; whether his Thu'um was truly the strongest. Among ourselves, of course. Mu ni meyye. None were yet ready to openly defy him."
"You were telling me where to find Alduin?" It seems rambling is endemic among dragon-kind.
"Unslaad krosis. Innumerable pardons, I digress. He has travelled to Sovngarde to regain his strength, devouring the sillesejoor – the souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guards. His door to Sovngarde is at Skuldafn, one of his ancient fanes high in the eastern mountains. Mindoraan pah ok middovahhe lahvraan til. I surely do not need to warn you that all his remaining strength is marshalled there. Zu'u lost ofan hin laan… now that I have answered your question, you will allow me to go free?" Odahviing says hopefully. How pitiful.
"Not until Alduin is defeated." I respond.
"Ah, well. Hmm… krosis. There is one detail about Skuldafn I neglected to mention."
"Tell me what you know then."
"Only this. You have the Thu'um of a dovah, but without the wings of one, you will never set foot in Skuldafn. Of course, I could fly you there. But not while imprisoned like this."
Great. Either I set this dragon free to take me to Skuldafn then continue his reign of terror over his little patch of territory, free him to promptly eat me and all the other people here before continuing his reign of terror over his little patch of territory, or keep him imprisoned and allow Alduin to return at full strength and end the world. Gotta love an easy decision.
"…fine. I'll set you free if you promise to take me to Skuldafn."
"Orukaan koraav gein miraad. It is wise to recognise when you only have one choice. And you can trust me. Zu'u ni tahrodiis. Alduin has proven himself unworthy to rule. I go my own way now. Free me, and I will carry you to Skuldafn."
As I retreat, heading towards the stairs up to where the controls for the trap are, Farengar eases through the great doors and trots up to the captured dragon. I hesitate to watch what can only be an amusing scene.
"Incredible!" The wizard cries, then addresses the beast. "Uh – sir, you have no idea how long I have waited for such an opportunity! I would be most appreciative if you would permit me to perform some er, tests on you. Purely in the interests of the advancement of knowledge."
"Begone, mage. Do not test my promise to the Dovahkiin." Growls Odahviing.
"I assure you," Farengar says as he walks around the wooden arm of the trap. "you will not even notice me. Most of them are hardly painful at all to a large dragon such as yourself."
"Farengar, very bad idea; even for you." Warns Irileth, to no avail.
"Surely you wouldn't miss a few scales… or a small amount of blood…" I hear the wizard say from behind the dragon.
"Joor mey!" cries the beast. "What are you doing back there?!" Suddenly, Odahviing breathes a great gout of fire at the stone wall in front of him.
"Farengar! Enough, fool!" Cries Balgruuf, and Farengar makes a very speedy retreat back inside.
Smiling to myself, I head up the stairs and grab the attention of the guard standing next to the trap control.
"I can't believe that worked!" Comes the amazed cry from behind the helmet.
"Open the trap."
"You sure about that? You want to let that dragon loose after all the trouble to catch him in there?"
"Yes, I'm sure." As sure as I can be.
"Your funeral. Someone else is going to have to help you get him back in there again." He turns and yells across the space to his companion at the other control. "Get ready to open the trap!"
I head back downstairs as the guard behind me says: "This seems like a really bad idea to me."
"Carry on, soldier." The Jarl reassures. "This is all part of the Dragonborn's plan."
At the bottom of the steps, I turn to my stalwart if dim companion and ask her to stay behind. I don't think Odahviing would be all too willing to carry the both of us, and besides, I don't think there is enough room between the great spines that line his back.
"Sure. I'll be at home if you need me." Lydia says, then heads on into Dragonsreach as behind me the great trap opens with the scrape of metal against wood.
I jog towards the open area as Odahviing turns around, twisting his head around as though stiff, even though he wasn't in the trap all that long.
"By all the gods…" I hear Irileth mutter as I pass her.
"Faas nu, zini dein ruthi ahst vaal." Odahviing says, crawling towards the open space. We reach the battlements at about the same time. "Saraan uth – I await your command, as promised. Are you ready to see the world as only a dovah can?"
"I'm ready. Take me to Skuldafn."
"Zok brit uth! I warn you, once you've flown the skies of Keizaal, your envy of the dov will only increase."
I'm still hesitant to climb on, yet eventually I do.
"You're either the bravest person I've ever met, or the biggest fool." Irileth says as I do so.
"May Kynareth guard you while you pass through her realm!" Cries the Jarl as we take off.
"Amativ! Mu bo kotin stinselok!" Odahviing cries, and with a deep swoop we leave Whiterun behind and head towards the mountainous border between Skyrim and Morrowind.
The view is amazing – the sky is so clear I swear, looking south, I can see the White-Gold Tower in the Imperial City! We're so high up I can't even see the giants wandering the volcanic plains of Eastmarch far below. It is a little hard to breathe, though – must be because of the speed of the wind blasting in my face.
Soon, we are spiralling down into an enormous valley, in which sprawls a massive dark stone ruin. With a heavy thump, we land atop a stone covered burial mound, and I slide off of the dragon's scaly neck.
"This is as far as I can take you. Krif voth ahkrin. I will look for your return, or Alduin's." With that last, Odahviing climbs back into the skies and leaves. I'm on my own.
Drawing my bow, I sneak towards the path into the complex. Ahead of me, I can see a pair of Draugr guarding the stairs, so I fire an arrow at the first, throwing it backwards and causing the other to draw its bow and head towards its comrade's corpse – and straight into my second shot.
I've barely gone two steps forward when a dragon appears, roaring as it glides towards me. The golden glint of its scales tells me it's not Odahviing changing his mind, so I draw the katana and, as it whooshes overhead, use the Dragonrend Shout to bring it to land. As it crashes to earth, I land the first couple of hits on its scaled nose. Using my usual Shout-and-sword combo, I barely give the creature time to react, and soon it is a smouldering heap of bones.
Finally I am allowed to leave the burial site, and I head up the stairs and round a toppled pillar – and almost bump into another Draugr, taking us both by surprise. Since I already had my sword in my hand, and its weapon was still strapped to its back, it was decorating the floor before it was even half ready to attack. Swapping back to my bow, I continue to sneak along the path, and spot another pair of Draugr just before they spy me.
Shooting a bow is rather difficult while a frost spell is being cast on you, but I somehow manage it and soon both of the porcupine-like corpses lie strewn across my path. Ahead of me is another open space; opposite me is an old tower, a single entrance at the bottom and two doors onto a balcony above. I'm halfway across the space when another dragon crash-lands behind me.
Spinning around to face it, I tuck my bow away and draw my sword as quick as I can, and Shout at the beast just as it lunges at me with its great sharp fangs. I jump back just in time - a massive canine scrapes against my armour. A half-second slower and I'd have lost an arm!
The bite throws me off balance halfway through my Shout, and the rebound of the lost effort feels like I've been punched in the gut. Winded, I'm finding it a little hard to swing my sword; any hits I land merely bounce off.
"Skuldafn fen kos dinok!" The dragon shouts at me as I finally recover. Gritting my teeth, I swing my sword at its face as hard as I can, causing it to flinch.
I take my chance. Using Dragonrend, and making it flinch again, I attack with all my might. The dragons here seem to be tougher than the ones back down in Skyrim. Suddenly, with a sputter, the enchantment on the katana wears off! It must have run out of charge or something. Making a mental note to recharge it when I'm done with this dragon, I continue slashing and hacking, occasionally Shouting, until the beast matches the one I left on the mound.
Continuing on toward the tower, I duck inside before anything else can have a go at me. Quietly shutting the door behind me, I can hear Draugr shuffling around, one in a side room and another on the wooden ramp spiralling up the centre of the main room. Drawing bow again, I nock an arrow and draw it to my cheek, aiming as best I can from the doorway at the Draugr in the side room. Unfortunately, I miss, catching the attention of not only my target, but also the Draugr on the ramp. As it turns out, there are two in the side room – both of them rushing at me angrily with their swords. It only takes a couple of arrows each to kill them all though.
Heading as silently as I can up the ramp, I find another pair of Draugr waiting for me, which I shoot as fast as I can before they can hit me with their huge axes. In the middle of the room is a chest, which doesn't have that much in it, but I take what interests me then head back down the ramp and out into the massive courtyard. Sneaking up towards the stairs to the north, I manage to avoid being noticed by the Draugr patrolling along the bridge above me. Something makes me look up to my right, and I spot a trio of Draugr hanging around a chest. Knowing I'll want to find out what is in that chest later, I nock an arrow and send it flying into a Draugr's back.
The three of them spin around so fast I'm amazed their arms don't fly off or something. Somehow they spot me lurking in the shadows beneath the footbridge and they all go rushing off westward towards the stairs down to my level.
Instead of going to meet them I head toward the ruined tower in the middle of the courtyard I am now in. I don't quite make it in time however – two of the Draugr come rushing around the corner, and I have just time to draw my sword before they attack me. I'm not used to fighting multiple enemies on my own. I keep expecting Lydia to come rushing up with her great-sword to hack them to pieces. But she isn't here now – I'm just going to have to do my best on my own.
I attack one while dodging the other as best as I can, and eventually I manage to kill one. I chug a health potion as I turn to face the other one, blocking its attacks with its huge axe somehow with only one hand on my sword hilt. I'm wishing I'd chosen to use a shield rather than rely on a healing spell in my left hand to heal any damage I take; sometimes that just isn't quite enough. But then, if I had a shield, I probably wouldn't have any health potions left, so I think I'll stick to my current choice.
Soon the second Draugr is dead at my feet, and I turn into the ruined tower and climb the wooden steps – how they haven't rotted away by now gods only know – to loot the chest at the top. Again, there isn't much inside worth the effort, but I take what there is anyway and head back down – bumping straight into the third Draugr. Damn – what is wrong with me today that I can't take any of these creatures by surprise anymore?
Hacking away at the creature's shrivelled face, I marvel at how cold in battle I've become. At first, in Helgen, I was thinking 'oh no, I have to kill things?', whereas now, I'm merely wondering how effective I am at fighting my enemies. That must be what the adventurer's life does to you – or at least one where you often have to fight to survive.
The Draugr, returned to the peace of death, is no longer a problem for me, so I pull out my bow yet again and head toward the stairs, only to be spotted within seconds by some patrolling Draugr at the top. This time there are at least four of them, but three of them are using bows and the sole axe wielder is the furthest away, so I ignore the archers for now and concentrate on finishing off the warrior before it gets close enough to detach a limb. Skipping out of the way of the arrows launched my way, it takes three shots to kill the axe-man. It is really rather difficult to aim when you also have to concentrate on dodging arrows, but I manage it, and since the Draugr are also attempting to dodge my shots they are none too accurate themselves.
Soon there is a small heap of bodies lying atop the steps, the axe wielder slowly sliding down them. I was lucky enough to have just enough of the arrows I was using left to finish off the last of them, so I sling a fresh quiver of arrows onto my back as I cautiously climb the steps – old Nordic arrows; how fitting.
At the top of the stairs is the main entrance to the temple, but ignoring it for now I turn right and head towards the northern tower. It is built much the same as the southern one, and contains the same enemies too, all easily killed with a couple of shots from my bow. There is, if anything, even less in this tower than there was in the other, so I leave the tower and head towards the chest that I liberated before. Prising it open, inside there is a potion and a small pile of gold. How the potion has stayed fresh since whenever it was placed in this chest, I have no idea – maybe it's because of how cold it is up here in the mountains?
OK, time for the main event, as it were. I head back towards the massive doors into the temple and push one open.
With an echoing scrape against the stone floor, the ancient door slowly opens, revealing an absolutely huge entry room. It is so big that the light from the braziers barely light the area, but there is just enough light to see that there is nothing worth looting in here. I have a choice of paths – one on the right strewn with the rubble of a fallen support column, and one on the left which seems clear. Approaching it, however, proves otherwise – there are a couple of very obvious traps in the middle of the path. Luckily, there is room to go around them, so I do, reaching a short set of stairs into a room lined with empty coffins and a table with burial urns on and around it. The previous occupants of the coffins now roam around the room, growling under their breath, so I do them a favour and put them out of their misery. I seem to be back on track with my sneak attacks now, so after looting the urns I continue on to the next room.
In here are three puzzle pillars, two of which face their solution. Along the eastern and the western walls are a pair of sarcophagi, the first of which crash open as I enter the room. Dispatching the Draugr is easy; neither of them notice me before my arrows smack into them. Turning the eastern pillar so the snake faces its equivalent image opposite, I duck around towards the western pillar – and awaken the Draugr in the remaining coffins.
Despite my scuffling footsteps being enough to wake them, they still seem to have no actual idea of where I am, so I manage to kill them both while they are still unaware of me. Strolling the rest of the way across the room, I turn the west pillar to show the fish and then head toward the central pillar.
The answer for this one isn't as obvious – there are two grates, and above each is its own solution. Taking a gamble, I turn it to the bird and give the lever a few feet in front a tug – and the right-hand grate rises into the ceiling.
Heading toward the opening, I find that the passage beyond has completely collapsed, only a chest surviving in the rubble. It holds almost nothing, like most of the chests in these ruins, so after pocketing the meagre loot I head back into the room, turn the central pillar to the snake and pull the lever again, opening the left grate.
This passage is clear, and leads to a smaller room down a wooden ramp, in which a Draugr lurks near the table in the centre, a wrapped corpse on top along with a couple of urns. Drawing an arrow to my cheek, I carefully aim at the Draugr's back, and loose. The force of the arrow slamming into its back throws it across the table, to slide to a rest at the foot of a sarcophagus.
I'm halfway down the ramp when the sarcophagus, and another up behind me somewhere, crashes open and more undead appear. I can't decide whether to attack the one in front of me or the one behind me, but I suppose it doesn't really matter, because no matter which way I turn there'll always be one behind me. I choose the one in front of me first, sending an arrow into its chest before it is close enough to hit at me with its weapon. I whip out my sword and swipe at the creature, killing it just as its companion arrives. I turn just in time to dodge its first attack, a downward slash at my arm. Returning the sentiments, my sword drives through the Draugr's chest, then up out of its shoulder as I try to tug it free. Luckily, this is all it takes to kill it, so I turn and go through the passage behind the coffin opened by the Draugr.
The web strung across the walls forewarns me of the spiders lurking at the top of the stairs around the next corner. I manage to dodge the flying wodge of webby spit, and slay the two largest, but the smaller one has crossed the space in the meantime and attempts to bite my ankle.
If it was anything else ineffectively gumming my steel boots, I'd be smiling like an idiot and saying 'Aww!'; spiders, however, don't quite cut it. My sword soon cuts a new mouth for the monster, right in the top of its head.
Continuing along the webbed corridor, I cut through the webbing covering the doorway – after stealing as many spider eggs as I could find, of course. Crushed spider eggs are a component of a pretty effective poison, as I found out a few days ago. The next corridor also contains a few spiders, which don't last very long either against my elven-made bow.
The next room, which I reach after cutting through a web to loot an almost-empty chest, holds a couple of shuffling Draugr wandering around and across a bridge crossing the room. There is also another pillar puzzle here, one pillar on front of me and another couple of pillars at either end of the bridge, each in its own alcove. Above the ones at the bridge, the answer is above them, but I can't find the one for the one in front of me.
I manage to sneak-attack the first Draugr, catching the vague attention of the other as it topples from the small platform to the floor below. The still-'living' one trots over to where the first was standing, giving me an easy shot to slay it too.
Passing the central pillar holding up the bridge, I find a chest (also holding practically nothing) and the answer to the final pillar.
Returning to the front of the room, I turn the central pillar so the snake is facing the front, then climb the wooden ramp and follow the short corridor round to the first alcove, where I turn the pillar to the bird. Across the bridge, I turn the last pillar to the fish, then return to the top of the central pillar and pull on the lever, lowering the wooden drawbridge and opening the path onwards.
Before pushing open the doors to the next room, I pause for a breather and a bite to eat. I'm starving – it's actually quite amazing how little food one can survive on; but I still need to eat, even if the middle of a ruined temple isn't exactly the prettiest picnic spot. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think I've eaten properly in several days; I never seem to have time, running from city to ruin to city, trying to save the world. I'm surprised I haven't wasted away already!
Time to move on. Dusting the last crumbs off of my armour, I push the door open and ready my bow once more.
In the next room, shuffle a trio of undead, growling to each other - almost like they are holding a conversation. They barely flinch when the first is felled by my first shot; it's only when the second joins it on the floor that the last one really reacts, hauling its battle-axe off of its back. With a thunk, my last arrow drives right through its skull, and it returns to its original state.
There is literally nothing in this room, so I follow the corridor toward a small chamber dominated by a wooden spiral staircase in the centre of the room. I don't go straight in, however: in the doorway is a raised plate, obviously the pressure plate to set off a trap. At the foot of the stairs is a puddle of oil, though, and part of me wants to set it off anyway. Giving in, I step onto the plate, then leap sideways out of the way of the flying ceramic of the lamp falling into the oil. This trap turns out to be a 'twofer' – after the oil is lit, little darts come flying out of the wall and down the corridor, clattering against the far wall.
At the back of the room, something glinting in the firelight catches my eye, and crossing the room I find it is a soul gem sitting on a shelf. Taking that, I turn and spot a gem sat on top of a skull on another shelf in a hidden alcove.
Climbing the stairs leads me into a large room, the exit of which is barred by a massive metal grate. On the other side of the room is a smaller side room, inside which two Draugr stand watching over the room I am in – and not doing a very good job of it; neither has spotted me. Opening the door to the room they're waiting in, I find the floor in front of the door is covered in oil – and a ceramic lamp hanging loosely above. As I draw an arrow to shoot it down, the sarcophagus that is also in the room crashes open and another Draugr steps into the room – straight into the flaming explosion of the igniting oil. One of the other Draugr rushes over to investigate the noise, and the two creatures burn to death. The third, however, seems to have some brain cells left, and it doesn't move from where it hovers in its alcove. This doesn't save it from my arrow, however. In the other alcove sits the lever that opens the grate, so I tug it and head on through the corridor.
This one is long, wide and sloping, and the floor is covered with oil; in the middle of the puddle is a metal pressure plate obviously meant to drop the ceramic lamp that hangs from the ceiling. Instead, I shoot it down and wait for the oil to burn out before heading over to the chest sat in front of one of the support columns. Around a corner, and I find myself in an identical corridor, this one flat and ending in a puzzle door. Lurking in front of it was a Draugr, so I duck behind one of the columns and shoot, sending the creature slamming against the door, and the sparkling object clutched in its hand clattering to the floor.
The object turns out to be the claw for opening the door, the palm etched with a fox, a moth and a dragon. After turning the door to the right facing, I use the claw to open the door.
I'm starting to feel tired now. It seems like an age since I woke up in the Bannered Mare; I wonder just how long I have been in this remote place? I could really do with Lydia's company, too – it really is quite lonely dungeon-diving on your own.
The next room contains a Word Wall. Touching the Wall, I learn Storm – now I can use the weather against my enemies; memories that definitely aren't my own show me calling lightning, the bolts striking friend and foe alike. If I do use this, it will definitely be as a last resort.
Passing a burnt corpse on the way out of the room, I wander along the corridor and reach a pair of large doors. I can feel an icy breeze blowing through the cracks under the doors – finally, I've reached the exit! In a side room, there are a couple of potions and a few coins, which I take before pulling open the ancient wood and slipping through.
Outside, night has fallen. It's already past midnight, judging by the position of the moons, and a pair of Draugr shuffle around near the top of another ruined tower. Unlike the ones inside, these ones take a little more effort to kill. Obviously the trouble I was having before was down to the ones outside being stronger than the ones inside.
At the bottom of the ruined tower is a chest, the contents of which turn out to be better than all the stuff I've found throughout all of Skuldafn. Climbing back up and turning the corner past the way back inside, I spy another pair of Draugr shambling around near the bottom of a staircase towards a strange roaring light. That must be the entrance to Sovngarde.
Shooting the Draugr dead is as easy as I expected it to be, but I still get a bit of a shock – watching me from atop a couple of decorative pillars sit a pair of dragons. I set my feet, nock an arrow… and realise that neither is actually attacking me. Warily, I climb the steps and see ahead of me a floating robed figure gliding up a short set of steps to where a staff stands, stuck into the ground. It removes the staff, and the portal to Sovngarde closes.
As it turns away, I shoot an arrow at it – somehow doing it damage despite the fact there is barely anything of it to hit. I continue shooting at it as it retaliates, blasting lightning at my ducking and dodging figure. Eventually, an arrow blasts it into a heap of ash. Replacing the arrow I had grabbed, I sheathe my bow and walk over to the dusty pile.
On top of the neat little heap sits a mask, which I pick up and tuck into my satchel before retrieving the staff and climbing the steps towards the portal lock. Neither of the dragons reacted to my slaying of the creature – maybe these ones agreed to watch for my arrival, but unlike the others decided to merely follow their orders to the letter, nothing more.
I wedge the end of the staff into the notch in the lock, and with a roar the portal re-opens. I take a deep breath, and leap in.
Light. Blinding, bright white light.
After what feels like an age, my feet hit solid ground, and I open my eyes to an amazing sight. Across a misted valley sits a massive hall – the fabled Hall of Valour – beneath a roiling red and purple sky; the colours skimming around a great black… hole. Lowering my gaze again, it comes to rest on a tall hill sticking up out of the mist, a broken Word Wall standing atop it.
I need to find out how I can slay Alduin here – someone in the Hall may know, so I start down the steps into the valley. As I approach the strange mist, I use Clear Skies to blast clear the path, accidentally causing a glimmering figure dressed in Stormcloak armour to stumble. The soul catches his balance and approaches.
"Turn back traveller!" He warns me. "Terror waits within this mist! Many have braved the shadowed vale, but vain is all courage against the peril that guards the way!" Obviously, death turns even the stoic Nords into poets.
"Who are you?" I ask. This fellow may not have any living family left; someone should remember him.
"Near Giant's Gap, in the gloom before dawn, we marched unsuspecting into the Imperials' trap. Then we stood and fought, our shield-wall defending until by dawn's light the Legion's tanks wavered. But I never knew if night's end brought victory – a swift flying arrow to Sovngarde carried me."
Oh well. So much for a name. "What's this mist?"
"I do not know, but none have passed through. Alduin, his hunger insatiable, hunts the lost souls snared within this shadowed valley. Can you lead the way to where Shor's hall waits, beckoning us on to welcome long sought?"
"Yes, it's at the far end of the valley from here." How could he have gotten lost? The valley isn't that long. Unless there's more to this mist than meets the eye… I edge away from the approaching tendrils.
"I saw it fair when first I trod this long-sought path." The soldier soul says wistfully. "The pain and fear vanished, dreamlike, and a vision beckoned – Shor's hall shimmering across the clouded vale. But quenched was hope by the shrouding mist; my mind is darkened. I've lost the way and wander blindly. Hurry! Before Alduin your life devours, bring word to Shor's hall of our hard fate!"
"Don't worry," I try to reassure the poor fellow. "I'm here to kill Alduin."
"Beware! The World-Eater waits within the mist!" Warns the soul, before he wanders away into the fog.
Shouting my way through the mist, I get glimpses of the beauty of the valley. A bank of mountain flowers here, a babbling brook crossing the path there. Soon, I'm on the other side of the valley facing a short set of steps up to a massive bridge formed by the skeleton of an enormous creature. Beyond the bridge looms Shor's hall, but my focus is mainly on the huge Nord standing guard on the bridge.
"What brings you, wayfarer grim, to wander here is Sovngarde, soul's end, Shor's gift to the honoured dead?" He asks me when I approach.
"Who are you?" I ask in awe.
"I am Tsun, shield-thane to Shor. The Whalebone Bridge he bade me guard and winnow all those souls whose heroic end sent them here, to Shor's lofty hall, where welcome well-earned awaits those I judge fit to join that fellowship of honour." He responds, sounding both grand and meek at the same time, somehow.
"I seek entrance to the Hall of Valour." I inform him.
"No shade are you, as usually here passes, but living, you dare the land of the dead. By what right do you request entry?"
"By the right of birth." I guess, seeing as the Dragonborn is a Nordic thing. "I am Dragonborn."
"Ah! It's been too long since last I faced a doom-driven hero of the dragon blood."
"Can I enter the Hall of Valour?" I ask. I think I know what is going to happen next, however.
"Living or dead, by decree of Shor, none may pass this perilous bridge 'til I judge them worthy by the Warrior's Test." I knew it.
Tsun draws the great axe from his chest and blasts me back across the stone floor with a Shout. Drawing my warhammer as I regain my balance, I take a swing at the approaching near-giant. After blocking my comparatively weak attacks, Tsun grunts and sheathes his axe again.
"You fought well." He says approvingly. "I find you worthy. It is long since one of the living has entered here. May Shor's favour follow you and your errand."
Carefully I cross the bridge, and push open the tall door into the Hall of Valour – to be greeted by a great grizzled Nord.
"Welcome, Dragonborn! Our door has stood empty since Alduin first set his soul snare here. By Shor's command we sheathed our blades and ventured not the vale's dark mist. But three await your word to loose their fury upon the perilous foe. Gormlaith the Fearless, glad-hearted in battle; Hakon the Valiant, heavy-handed warrior; Felldir the Old, far-seeing and grim." After his speech, the Nordic hero walks off towards the giant spits in the centre of the hall.
This place is amazing; the golden goblets never seem empty, and there is the sound of music and fighting coming from both ends of the hall. Standing proud at one end of the long tables are the three warriors I saw in the Elder Scroll-induced flashback. I weave through the people in the hall to join them.
"At long last!" Cries Gormlaith. "Alduin's doom is now ours to seal – just speak the word and with high hearts we'll hasten forth to smite the worm wherever he lurks."
"Hold, comrades." Felldir speaks up. "Let is counsel take before battle is blindly joined. Alduin's mist is more than a snare; its shadowy gloom is his shield and cloak. But, with four Voices joined, our valour combined, we can blast the mist and bring him to battle."
Hakon agrees: "Felldir speaks wisdom – the World-Eater, coward, fears you, Dragonborn. We must drive away his mist, Shouting together, and then unsheathe our blades in desperate battle with our black-winged foe."
"To battle, my friends!" Gormlaith, unable to wait much longer, draws her sword. "The fields will echo with the clamour of war, our wills undaunted."
The four of us head toward and through the towering doors of the Hall, run across the Whalebone Bridge and line up in front of the steps.
"The eyes of Shor are upon you this day." Tsun says behind us. "Defeat Alduin, and destroy his soul-snare."
"We cannot fight the foe in this mist!" Cries Felldir.
"Clear Skies!" Gormlaith yells beside me. "Combine our Shouts!"
I take a deep breath, and all four of us Shout with all our might, blasting away a great space in front of us.
"Ven Mul Riik!" Comes a great Shout echoing across the boiling sky, and the mist reforms.
"Again!" Demands the golden haired woman.
"Again, as one! The World-Eater fears us!" Felldir repeats.
"Lok Vah Koor!" the four Voices again clear the area in front of us, which is soon refilled with another Shout from Alduin.
"Does his strength have no end?" Hakon cries hopelessly at the other end of the line. "Is our struggle in vain?"
"Stand fast!" Reassures Gormlaith, tightening her grip on her blade. "His strength is failing. Once more, and his might will be broken!"
"His power crumbles – do not pause for breath!" The old man says.
Again, we all Shout, but this time the mist is not recreated. Over the tall hilltop, the great black shape of the World-Eater appears, his Shout calling down a rain of flaming rock.
"The endless wait gives way to battle! Alduin's doom, his death or ours!" Gormlaith ecstatically yells, using her sword to point at the beast – as if we couldn't see the monster swooping our way.
"Joor Zah Frul!" I Shout at Alduin, bathing him in the blue energy that forces the concept of mortality on dragons, and with a shuddering thump he lands in the clear space in front of us. Drawing the katana, which I have decided to name Dragonbane, I charge, yelling incoherently, at the black beast. Beside me, the three ancient heroes copy my action; Felldir uses the frosty Shout I've seen them using before. Every so often I repeat Dragonrend, to make sure Alduin stays on the ground and within whacking range. Soon, suddenly, the battle is over.
"Zu'u unslaad! Zu'u nis oblaan!" Alduin screams as he is bathed in golden light. I take a few steps back, and then suddenly, Alduin's scaly hide explodes away, revealing a disgusting, slimy form, which then proceeds to melt, the disgusting remains exploding again – and there is nothing left of the World-Eater.
The mist clears, revealing the golden vale in all its glory. It is a truly beautiful sight, and I sincerely hope with all my heart that when I do eventually die, I end up here.
"This was a mighty deed!" Cries Tsun jubilantly behind us. "The doom of Alduin encompassed at last, and cleansed is Sovngarde of his evil snare. They will sing of this battle in Shor's hall forever. But your fate lies elsewhere. When you have completed your count of days, I may welcome you again with glad friendship, and bid you join the blessed feasting." It seems that the ancient Nords are more welcoming of the other races than their descendants. It gladdens me, somehow, that no matter how badly I am treated on Nirn, I shall have a glad welcome when I pass.
"All hail the Dragonborn! Hail her with great praise!" Comes the cry from all around me; not only are the ancient heroes of the Dragon Wars cheering me, but all the previously-lost souls in the valley have arrived and are rejoicing.
It is time for me to go home, however. I don't want to outstay my welcome; the living do not really belong in the realm of the dead.
"When you are ready to re-join the living, just bid me so and I will send you back." Tsun says when I approach.
"I am ready to return to Tamriel."
"Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from Shor, my lord: a Shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need." Suddenly, I learn three new Words, and with them come the knowledge of how to use the Shout: one word brings one hero, two will bring another, and three will bring yet a different warrior to aid in my fight.
"Nahl Daal Vus!" Tsun Shouts, and I am bathed again in brilliant white light.
When my feet hit solid earth, the light clears to reveal I am standing atop the Throat of the World, surrounded by dozens of dragons. I keep my blade sheathed, however; not only am I greatly out-numbered, but also something tells me none of the beasts wish to fight.
"Alduin mahlaan." Rises a great cry around me.
"Sahrot thur qanaraan." Says one, and he and another take off to fly in circles around the mountaintop.
"Alduin mahlaan." The group repeats.
A second dragon speaks up: "Dovahkiin los ok dovahkriid." Again, he and a friend rise to the skies.
"Alduin mahlaan."
"Thu'umii los nahlot." A third dragon cries. There are now more in the sky than there are on the rock.
"Alduin mahlaan." The cry is raised again. Several of the dragons above me are spouting fire occasionally as they fly.
"Mu los vomir." The last of the strange dragons climbs into the clouds, and soon the only ones not in the air are Paarthurnax and I.
"So, it is done." The old dragon says. "Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been."
"Alduin brought this on himself." I reply.
"Indeed. Alduin wahlaan daanii. His doom was written when he claimed for himself the lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu – our father Akatosh. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same."
"The world is a better place without Alduin."
"Perhaps. At least it will continue to exist. Grik los lein. And, as you told me once, the next world will have to take care of itself. Ful nii los. Even I cannot see past time's ending. But I forget myself; krosis. So los mid fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah – one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savour your triumph, Dovahkiin. This is not the last of what you will write upon the currents of time."
Paarthurnax spreads his tattered wings and joins the dragons circling the mountain. He pauses and hovers near me for a moment.
"Goraan!" He cries. "I feel younger than I have in many an age! Many of the dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen… rightness of my Thu'um. But willing or no, they will hear it! Fare thee well, Dovahkiin!" With that, he flies off.
Above me, one of the dragons spirals down and lands in front of me.
"Pruzah wundunne wah wuth gein." Odahviing growls. "I wish the old one luck in his… quest. But I doubt many will wish to exchange Alduin's lordship for the tyranny of Paarthurnax's Way of the Voice. As for myself, you've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um. Zu'u Odahviing. Call me when you have need, and I will come if I can." With a flurry of disturbed snow, the great red dragon re-joins those above.
Yawning, I turn and start down the mountain. Shouting my way through the mist, I somehow feel different. There's the rush of victory, of course, but there is something else I can't quite put my finger on. I'm still contemplating this when I push open the great metal doors of High Hrothgar and find one of the stone beds. As I lay down, I discover what it is.
I remember everything.