Chapter 14: Time of the Dawnguard.
"The bow…by Stendarr, you have Auri-El's Bow!" Isran was surprised to see the legendary weapon. "I've heard it described in tales, but I could never have imagined seeing its beauty."
"Isran, the time to strike Harkon is now!" Talis said to him.
The Redguard nodded in agreement. "The day isn't won as long as Harkon still walks Tamriel." He looked over at Talis' Vampire companion. "But what about Serana? Can she be trusted to turn her blade against her own kind? Her own family?"
Serana stepped forward. "I am. That's why I came here in the first place."
Isran was silent for a second. "I guess that's all I can ask for." He turned to the Nords. "Get yourselves ready. We leave at daybreak tomorrow." Isran left to tell the rest of the Dawnguard.
Talis looked over at Serana. "I think Isran is beginning to like you."
"What makes you say that?" Serana asked.
"He did call you by your name instead of it." Tymvir pointed out.
"Hmm. You have a point." Serana said. She then looked at Talis. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what?" Talis answered.
"Have you…ever thought about curing your lycanthropy?" Serana asked.
"All the time. I won't lie, lycanthropy has its advantages, but it also has its price. If I die, my soul will be claimed by Hircine. I promised myself that after we deal with Harkon, I'll rid myself of it. My soul doesn't belong to Hircine." Talis told Serana. "And yours doesn't belong to Molag Bal."
Serana smiled and gave Talis a hug. "Thanks. You've really helped me, ever since the two of you found me in that musty old crypt."
Tymvir placed his hand on Serana's shoulder. "Hey, as far as you're concerned, you're family to us."
Serana also gave a hug to Skyrim's prince. "Thanks guys." Serana walked off.
Tymvir turned to Talis. "What was that about?"
"Don't know." Talis responded. Talis made her way to the forge. Gunmar was sharpening the weapons to be used in the coming assault. Talis began to work on a new weapon.
A few hours later…
Talis placed the Dragonbone Sword she completed against the grindstone and began to sharpen it. After completing that, she walked over to the Enchanting table. She placed a Fiery Soul Trap and Absorb Magicka enchantment on the blade.
As dawn approached, Isran gathered everyone in the central room. Serana stood beside Isran, apparently at his own request. Tymvir and Talis stood among their fellow Dawnguard members. The Dragonbone Sword was still wrapped up.
Isran began to speak. "For too long we've allowed these Vampires to poison the night and kill our people! Now we finally have the means to strike back! We now have Auri-El's Bow. The gods themselves have favored us and we must answer with action!" A few of the Dawnguard members began to cheer. "The time has come to finally put an end to Harkon and his unholy prophecy! We will march on their lair and destroy those wretched abominations so they can no longer corrupt our world! This is our fight, and this is our fate. This is the time of the Dawnguard!" The cheers rose again, and then calmed down as Talis approached Serana, the sword still in her hands.
"This is for you." She lifted the cloth to reveal the blade crafted from the bones of the Forgotten Vale's twin Dragons.
Serana took the sword by the black hilt and gave it a swing. "It's heavier that what I usually use, but I think I'll get used to it." She turned her head back to Talis. "A Fiery Soul Trap and Absorb Magicka…you usually name weapons of this caliber."
"Sosnaak Feyn." Talis said. "In the Dragontounge, it means Vampire Bane."
"It's the perfect weapon to use against my father." Serana said. She looked at Tymvir. "How come you never made a Dragonbone blade for Tymvir?"
"I offered, but he says he likes Kodaavhun so much that he refuses to use another weapon." Talis said. The two women chuckled. "Then again, I did make Kodaavhun too."
Talis recharged Dovkaalkrine back to full capacity. The edge of the blade gleamed with bright red and orange flames. "Ok Isran. We're ready."
Isran nodded. He raised his Dawnguard Warhammer. "Then onward to Castle Volkihar! To victory!" The Dawngaurd began to cry out as if they had already won the coming battle.
At Castle Volkihar…
Talis and her fellow Dawnguard members stood on the shores of the Island that was part of Harkon's domain. Everyone was carrying one of the Dawngaurd's personal weaponry, while Talis gripped Dovkaalkrine. Beleval, the only Bosmer member of the Dawnguard, was creeping back to them.
"Beleval, what did you see?" Isran asked.
"A few Vampires are guarding the bridge and entrance to the castle." The Bosmer told the Dawnguard leader.
"Looks like Harkon got your message." Tymvir said while looking at Talis. Talis gave them a smile while Isran glared at her and shook his head.
"Ok, Serana, Talis, Gunmar's troll and I will take the front. Tymvir, Gunmar, and Durak, you follow us from behind. The rest will cover us with crossbow fire." Isran gave the orders.
Everyone formed up according to Isran's orders. Isran cast Stendarr's Aura around himself and drew his Dawnguard Warhammer. Talis and Serana drew their Dragonbone weaponry and began their attack. The Volkihar clan brought Gargoyles on the bridge to life. The battle had begun.
As the two groups began to charge at each other, Isran allowed Talis to get ahead of her. "YOL TOOR SHUL!" Talis shouted at the Vampires, setting them ablaze. Talis then impaled a Nord Vampire and then decapitated a Redguard Vampire, both burning as the bodies fell. She turned to see Isran smashing in the face of a Breton one, and Serana sticking her new sword through another Nord's neck. Talis heard barking as a Death Hound ran toward her, only for Tymvir to fire a Crossbow Bolt through the mutt's mouth. "C'mon! Into the castle!" Talis yelled.
Inside Castle Volkihar, not to the Dawnguard's surprise, the rest of Harkon's court was waiting for them. Talis, Serana, Tymvir and Isran all stepped forward, their grips on their weaponry tightening. Orthjolf and Vingalmo, the two Vampires fighting for Harkon's favor, stood before Talis.
"Hey Vingalmo, how about whoever kills this mongrel will stand beside Harkon as we rule all of Tamriel?" Orthjolf told his rival.
"You do have a point Orthjolf. This bitch, both as an insult and the fact you are a female werewolf, has been a thorn in Lord Harkon's side for too long." Vingalmo agreed with Orthjolf probably for the first time since they met.
Before the two of them continued, Talis slashed diagonally at Orthjolf, spun, and did the same to Vingalmo. She saw a Dunmer running toward her, but Talis just held out Dovkaalkrine in his path. The expression on his face quickly changed to 'oh shit' when he realized what was about to happen. The blade impaled him. Talis pushed the body off of the blade.
"Serana, where is Harkon?" Talis asked.
"He's probably in the cathedral." Serana said.
"There's a cathedral here?" Tymvir asked. "That doesn't seem like something you would find in a Vampire's hideout."
"Well it is dedicated to Molag Bal." Serana explained. "This way." She led them to a doorway not too far from Harkon's throne. Serana placed her hands on the wooden frame. "My father has to be behind here."
Talis stepped forward. "We can do this Serana." She took Auri-El's Bow from the harness on her back. She turned to the rest of the Dawnguard. "Serana and I are going in. The rest of you stay here."
"Since when did she become the leader?" Agmaer asked.
"Do you want to argue with the Dragonborn?" Tymvir asked his kinsman. The young Nord shook his head.
"Alright. We'll wait here." Isran said. "Give him a good shot for me."
Talis nodded. She and Serana opened the doors to Harkon's lair. He was floating in the center of the room, already transformed into his Vampire Lord form. 'The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can forget about this.' Talis thought.
Harkon floated toward his daughter. "So, you've returned. Is your... pet keeping you entertained?"
"You know why we're here." Serana responded.
"Of course I do. You disappoint me, Serana. You've taken everything I provided for you and thrown it all away for this... pathetic being." Harkon took a look at Talis.
"Provided for me? Are you insane? You've destroyed our family. You've killed other vampires. All over some prophecy that we barely understand. No more. I'm done with you. You will not touch Talis! I won't let you!"
Harkon continued to stare at Talis. "So, I see this Dragon has fangs." At that time, Talis bared her death and growling as if the Dragon soul inside her was appearing on the outside. Harkon turned back to his daughter. "Your voice drips with the venom of your mother's influence. How alike you've become.
"No...Because unlike her, I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore." Serana said as she drew Sosnaak Feyn.
Once again Harkon turned his attention to Talis. Before he could say anything, Talis fired an arrow at him. "Your pet has little patience for talk Serana. Good, let's end this!"
"I'm not Serana's pet. I'm her friend, her real family!" Talis called out. Harkon then started to fly toward her. "FUS RO DAH!" The force of the Shout sent Harkon into the shrine of Molag Bal. He fell onto the ground, wincing in slight pain.
"Damn mongrel." Harkon growled. He summoned two Gargoyles to protect him while he was recovering. Talis drew Dovkaalkrine and charged in with Serana. The two of them slashed at the stone creatures. After they fell, Talis drew her attention back to Harkon. He created a barrier to protect himself as he healed.
"Talis, use the bow!" Serana called out. "My father's barrier can't defend sun damage."
"Alright, cover your eyes!" Talis said as she drew Auri-El's Bow. She readied one of the Sunhallowed Elven Arrows and let it loose. It pierced the blood barrier and Harkon descended back onto the floor. He roared as he charged at Talis, claws now out. Evaded and redrew Dovkaalkrine. She blocked Harkon's fists careful not to get scratched by him.
Harkon screamed in pain when he felt something hit his back. He and Talis both saw Serana sticking her sword into Harkon's back. Talis saw her chance. She ducked under Harkon's claws, and slashed at him. Harkon disappeared into a fog of bats and raised his blood shield again.
"It's just going to end the same." Talis said as she drew the bow. Serana covered her eyes and Talis fired another arrow. Just like last time, the shield came down as did Harkon. Though this time, he was in his human form, gripping a Blades sword with a bat shaped guard. "Guess he's out of power." Talis approached the Vampire Lord.
Harkon charged toward Talis, swinging his sword as he came closer. Talis raised Dovkaalkrine and blocked the blade. She pushed Harkon back and broke his stance. She slashed at his leg, cutting them open and causing him to fall. Talis also slashed downward from his shoulder, cutting off his sword arm. The floor was now covered in the blood of her Vampire foe.
Talis approached Harkon. She raised Dovkaalkrine above her head, ready to take Harkon's life.
Harkon, beaten and tired, looked at Serana. "No…Serana…your own father…"
Serana just continued watching as Talis brought Dovkaalkrine's blade down into Harkon's skull. Harkon gave out one last cry as he was engulfed by the flames of the blade's enchantment. Harkon's body became nothing but a pile of ashes. Talis turned to Serana, placing her hand on her shoulder. "It's finally over Serana."
Serana walked up to the pile of ashes that was once her father. She dusted off some to reveal a Black Soul Gem, filled with what Talis guessed was one of Harkon's victims. "Not quite yet. There's still something I have to do."