Ch. 34 A Vision of a Pact

Yup, it's the second part to the cliffhanger of doom I left off with last chapter and this is all about Alduin and Marius kicking ass like any power couple...er power mates? Whatever the term is though expect Alduin to keep her Tsundere-like attitude.

Without further adieu,

Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters belong to Bethesda. Any OC's belong to their creators!

"Hmmph looks like you have lost in this Era, Nocturnal." Mephala said as she weaved another string in a web. "Poor you." she finished with no actual sadness.

"Mind your tongue arachnid, this is only a minor setback." Nocturnal shot back as she worked to calm herself. "The shadows can't be held back."

"Ah little Mehrunes tried that once...didn't go over so well did it?" Sheogorath asked with a smirk towards the aforementioned Prince. "A 20 foot tall monster beaten by two mortals barely over 6 feet no less."

"Shut your mouth!" Mehrunes roared out as Sheogorath just kept smirking. "You were one of them you little punk!"

"Ah ah, such a temper. Maybe Martin should've used some humor, it might've been easier to anger you to stepping back into a portal. Then again, the gold flaming dragon was a nice touch for Martin I must say...shame the sacking of the City means the Thalmor have the Statue." Sheogorath said with actual seriousness in his tone for once.

"I'll KILL YOU JESTER!" Mehrunes yelled as the Saint and Seducer at Sheogorath's sides drew their weapons immediately.

"Enough! This is getting us no where, I vote we resume this later on since some of us," Azura said with a look at Mehrunes and Sheogorath. "can't seem to resist arguing between each other." With some huffs of irritation the other Princes faded out but Sheogorath stayed with a serious look.

"Perhaps I need to speak with the Dovahkiin...I can't have Martin trapped in Alinor with people who use him as a scratching post." Sheogorath said as he turned to his escorts. "Both of you, go to Tamriel and deliver a message to the Dragonborn. Tell him to visit me in New Sheoth, he should know the way to get there."

"Yes Lord." Both replied before fading out as Sheogorath did the same.

-Marius and Alduin-

The entire field went silent as they beheld the dragons but none captured their attention than the sight of the black dragon at the front who only had eyes for the Dark Elf who tore her attention from Marius to the skies.

"You wanted the one who killed your "family"? Have fun with that." Marius said with a smirk as Alduin landed between him and Karliah. That smirk faded when her tail lashed out at him and knocked him flat on his back.

"I'll deal with you later Dovahkiin." Alduin said angrily before focusing on Karliah. "I see that whore doesn't give wisdom as well as luck."

Karliah's anger immediately overpowered her rational side at the comment. "You dare-"

"Yes I dare and I will keep daring as it's true." Alduin said calmly while Karliah began to shake. "After all, she got so needy for release that she tried to seduce my father many millenia ago."

"You lie-"

"Of course...my mother kicked her little ass all the way back to her own plain of Oblivion." Alduin continued without registering Karliah's voice. "It was a sight to see...The Aedra of Love destroying a so-called Daedric Prince."

"Nocturnal would never lust after an Aedra!"

"Oh she did...and she has held a grudge ever since. Which is why my mate failed at his...highly questionable life choice." Alduin remarked before turning to Marius. "Which we WILL have a talk about after this."

"Yea...sure." Marius drawled out, already planning how to avoid her.

Karliah was beginning to feel fear as Alduin once more turned back to her with narrowed red eyes. "Your "mistress" has lost this age."

"I refuse to be bested by a damn lizard!" Karliah shouted as Alduin growled.

"The last ones to call me that were torn limb from limb. I guess you want to join them!" Alduin roared as the ground shook with her rage. "BURN THEM ALL! Strun Vild Yem!" she Shouted as the sky turned red and meteors crashed around the battlefield, burying any caught in their path. Around the field the Imperial Legion roared in triumph before re-engaging the enemy while Dovs around them added their own destruction. The dried grass of late summer provided the kindling as large fires burned around the battlefield as the heat skyrocketed and smoke filled the air.

Marius added his own Thuum and burned the enemies around him with a Fire Breath Shout while Alduin merely blocked Karliah from getting to him and the fire behind her prevented her from fleeing.

"Your end is with me, give my regards to the...whore of Oblivion." Alduin said as Karliah snarled. "And tell her that Mara sends her best wishes." Was all Alduin said before launching herself at Karliah while the Dark Elf raised her bow and fired an arrow that bounded off her scales harmlessly.

Meanwhile, Marius had gone back to his own slaughter with his inner dragon roaring in eagerness as foes fell to him and the Legion fought like rabid dogs. The dragons added their own strength and soon the enemy fell by the score as the fires continued to burn.

"Sir, Thalmor reinforcements are coming from the South!" A scout yelled out as Marius only grinned while ripping his sword from a Bosmer.

"More meat for the blade..." Marius uttered as he turned hungry eyes to the South. "Legionnaires, look upon the enemies who wish to prevent us from a peaceful existence. Look upon those who believe we should be enslaved and used only as mere tools or animals, but we have new salvation! We have allies that have heeded our call, that will stand beside us as we forge a new Era." Marius roared as his own body felt like a raging inferno. "On this fiery battlefield, we make a pact...a pact between Men and Dov to face all who oppose the future!"

All around the field the Legion roared in excitement as the dragons added their own voice to the din while the remaining Bosmer and Khajit witnessed something unheard of. Even the Thalmor on the horizon couldn't believe their eyes as the fires roared to life and the flames licked this sky.

Out of the fire rose a majestic dragon swathed in flames as it rose toward the sky with a loud piercing screech that sounded like a war call.

"Bormah, Hi Lost Bo." Alduin said as she gazed at the dragon with reverence while Karliah began to back up in complete fear. "You heeded the call of a new Pact didn't you." she said lowly as the figure didn't respond but she didn't expect it to. He never spoke in this realm but his presence spoke volumes just by being here.

Marius beheld the Aspect of Akatosh with a large grin as the Aspect finished it's screech and all fell silent as Marius held his sword in the air and the Legion did the same as they turned South. "With divinity on our side, we forge a new Era on this night!" Marius roared as the Aspect gave it's own roar of approval before before the sky turned bright orange and the area was bathed in an orangish-red glow as if it was about to rain fire and wash away the old earth and renew it in a different world.

"FOR THE EMPIRE! FOR TAMRIEL!" Marius finished roaring as he led the charge against the Thalmor with the Legion following as the remaining Khajit and Bosmer fled the area in fear and Karliah was left alone against Alduin.

"Say good-bye little Elf...your way of life is done." Alduin said before snatching Karliah in her jaws.

Well, here is the next chapter and I know it's a bit late again but the ending...I don't know why but it felt really good to write it. Kinda like a large weight off my shoulders now that one of my plotlines is done. As for the fallout of Akatosh's Aspect appearing...that is for the next chapter sadly but feel free to speculate as I actually draw my own ideas from suggestions in reviews from my fans so in a sense I actually wrote this story with fan input so you all have your own additions whether you know it or not.

Also expect Sheogorath's request sometime in the next couple chapters as well as he is surely pissed that his old friend/statue is languishing where it is unappreciated.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and here's to another chapter!

Translations courtesy of Thuum . Org

Bormah, Hi Lost Bo – Father, You Have Arrived