28th of Frost Fall
Serana began to stir with a pounding headache. Her body hurt all over and trying to breathe proved more difficult than she imagined. Even the air bit at her lungs with every breath. Almost everything hurt no matter what she did.
Isran knew too much. He knew the Daughters of Coldharbour better than she liked. Even when she changed forms, they were ready. She took shots before, but nothing like that. The bolt hit her wing and exploded. She couldn't get off the ground rendering her form useless. To make it worse, Isran ripped the wings off and threw it away. She couldn't hold the form anymore and reverted only to realize how much damage it did to her body.
Where was Isran? Serana opened her eyes trying to pull herself to some sort of consciousness when the weight of someone else pressed her down. Serana tried to sit up slowly only to realize she lacked the strength to do anything. Whoever they were, the armor alone weighed a ton and held her down to the ground. She needed to feed badly, and this person looked tasty enough. Her sense of smell vanished, completely unable to pick up anything. Maybe just one bite, something to bring her back around.
Serana moved the head to the side and the hair every so slightly out of the way. She positioned her head and neck closely, letting her breath go shallow to avoid drawing attention. With how vulnerable she was, this wasn't a risk. Her mouth moved forward slowly, head lifting off the ground. Her teeth touched the side of her neck and stopped.
"Want to die?" Tenaya whispered without much of a voice and the dagger almost tight to Serana's neck.
Careless. Serana should have picked up on this. Tenaya lifted her head up and pushed herself against the rocks. Serana didn't move feeling the embarrassment of being caught so carelessly. That dagger didn't move from Tenaya's hand. Her helmet stayed on as she thought of what to say or do at this moment. Four years ago, she thought they had a forever together. She gave her soul to be a vampire just to be with her. Serana ruined it all.
"Whoever you are, you saved my live. Forgive me, I am weak and hungry…" Serana said in her best innocent voice.
Tenaya stood up and stared at Serana for a moment. She didn't recognize her at all. This thought never crossed her mind. Serana didn't recognize her through the make-up and haircut. The helmet covered pieces as well she might have recognized. The moment didn't escape Tenaya at all, fueling a bit of rage deep inside she wanted to let out.
"I would not say I saved your life. All I did was prolong the inevitable if I am wrong."
Serana looked up unsure what that meant. Who was this person? She chose her words carefully, thanking her for the selfless actions and saving someone of high stature in the vampire community. The story almost made Tenaya snap in a moment. She wanted to know what made her so high and mighty.
Instead, Tenaya wanted to have her moment. She waited too long for this. The helmet slowly lifted off her face and dropped to the ground. Tenaya looked up and pulled the strip holding her hair for the helmet. She fluffed it for a moment to get the knots out while standing over Serana's body. Tenaya pulled another dagger, the dagger meant for Serana out, twirling it in her fingers.
"Does this look familiar?" Tenaya said lowering her gaze to Serana, dropping a knee on to her stomach and the other to her side to make sure she recognized her.
Her eyes went wide, no longer staring around blankly, locked on to the woman over her. "Tenaya…"
"Four years ago, you left me for dead and I spent a long time wondering why you did it. Your eyes deceive you Serana. I have seen a real Daughter of Coldharbour, not one who lost herself."
Tenaya pinned her arm down, not that Serana would put up much of a fight in this condition. She barely had the energy to move her head to try and take a bite, let alone try to actually do something to defend herself. Even the magic she tried to bring forward pulsed away.
"You finally get your revenge then…" Serana muttered.
"You owe me a reason Serana. I gave everything!" Tenaya yelled cutting her across the chest before dropping the dagger. She wanted to cut her throat but didn't. Tenaya grabbed her by the throat instead, choking in rage. "EVERYTHING! I LOVED YOU!"
Serana pulled at her hands until Tenaya released the grip. The coughing didn't make any piece of the agony better. Serana looked up cold, no expression on her face. She didn't plan to answer Tenaya no matter what she did. Those eyes didn't glow anymore. She looked like a shell of herself. After all the years, none of it came back. The woman under Tenaya didn't seem like much of a fierce warrior anymore.
"I will get my answers before you leave this world, I swear to you."
The look between them could have chilled the air around if it wasn't so cold already. Serana didn't have the mind yet to speak with any sense. It took everything she had to come up with that poor attempt at innocence. While she pondered, Tenaya didn't seem to want her dead yet. Tenaya sliced her wrist carefully, having done this before and even used the same scar she fed Serana many times on their adventures when things were bad. She raised her wrist over Serana's mouth. Without hesitation, she opened wide, taking the blood without objection. At least her instincts remained.
Her throat swallowed every bit Tenaya would willing give. Tenaya went to her bag and pulled out a piece of fabric before wrapping her wrist to stop the blood flow. Serana looked up still cold. She didn't offer a thanks or even give her a simple smile. Serana stared on with hated. She hated her, knowing Tenaya of all people did this made her sick.
Tenaya looked around and kept in the spot to Serana's side. She barely hung on to life from the looks of it. Any attempt by Tenaya was swatted away. Serana glared her direction, still refusing to utter a single word beyond those spoken. All she could do was stay there under the control and mercy of another. She wanted to run back to the castle as fast as possible to escape the closeness to her again.
The silence between them grew to the point of madness. Tenaya only dozed off the moment Serana did. For days, this continued. Tenaya kept an eye out, never lighting a fire. She had enough food to survive and nursed the wine she had left. The tension between them made death look like a pleasant alternative.
After the fourth night, Tenaya kicked Serana to wake her up. She spared little in the way of manners. Serana mumbled something between a cuss and whimper. Tenaya drug her to her feet before Serana collapsed again. Another attempt led to Serana falling to the ground, but it was not lack of trying, she just couldn't.
"Stand up damn you! We are leaving here, and I am not carrying you!" Tenaya said.
"I can't walk you idiot. If you haven't noticed, my ankle is broken." Serana said seething.
The statement felt exactly like Tenaya remembered. The cold and bitter side popped out without question. The voice she remembered falling in love with disappeared along their journey. She had a feeling something was wrong. Those moments didn't escape her. Something changed and all she needed was the reason.
"Well guess what, you get to walk whether you like it or not."
Tenaya lifted her having planned the extra day on the journey. Serana went to her feet only after being yanked by Tenaya. She did have a broken ankle, there was no way around that. The amount of torture she endured surely left its mark. Nothing like Isran doing the unthinkable all in the name of the light.
The steps outside the rock were met with a combination of agony and hatred. Tenaya stayed behind, pushing her further and further ahead. Serana limped with a swollen ankle, barely able to put the weight down. If she trusted her like all those years ago, she would be on her back already or in her arms and travelling to get her fixed up. Those days it seemed so much easier. They trusted each other and could look each other in the eye.
Hour after agonizing hour took its toll on Serana. The sun didn't let up through the entire journey, making the situation worse than she imagined. Tenaya pushed her to the point the sun went down. When the time came for camp, Serana collapsed on the ground having done more than she knew she could.
"Where are we going?" Serana spit out.
"You will see tomorrow. If I was you, I would enjoy these last few moments." Tenaya replied sharply.
Tenaya didn't sleep at all that night. Serana couldn't following those words. What was this woman planning? Serana tried to figure out in her mind what this was about. Her senses returned but she was weak, too weak to do anything. To make it worse, she wore armor that wouldn't be broken easily. She had nothing and trying to overpower Tenaya would be impossible still.
"Why don't you just kill me and get it over with?" Serana said full of hatred.
"I want my answer first. You give it to me; I will kill you right now."
Serana didn't give anything. She crossed her arms and kept her foot propped up on a rock to rest it. This was not the way she wanted any of this. Damn Tenaya for living. She fell from grace thanks to her. Once she had her strength, she planned to correct the problem and return to the side of Molag Bal again.
2nd of Sun's Dusk (The Gauntlet)
The morning light came over the mountains. Tenaya looked up a little drowsy from not sleeping. She felt good enough for today. This was now her moment, her time. If she was right, her answers would come today. If she was wrong, her heart would be destroyed forever.
Tenaya stood up and stretched before yanking Serana up. They didn't have far to go. The old Dragon Mound was just ahead. She remembered that day with Delphine, seeing the Dragonborn for the first time. It was the beginning of her adventures. Only good came from this area. She hoped it still favored her.
Step by agonizing step, Serana went forward. The snow made the trek much worse. Serana found herself slipping as Tenaya pushed her up. Each little hill made it worse. Up the hillside broke Serana down to tears but Tenaya pushed her forward. The woman drove her insane. It was not until they turned the final corner did Serana see where they were. Her steps shortened, body tightening.
"Do not like it very much huh?" Tenaya said pushing against her back.
"What are you doing here?" A voice called ahead seeing Serana and Tenaya.
"I challenge your champion. Come forward, prove yourself on her summoning day."
Tenaya pulled her sword and threw Serana to the ground. The cultists stood around allowing the priestess to move her direction.
"You challenge us? On our day? Fool!" She yelled.
Tenaya didn't back down with electric sparks crackling on her right hand. She waited for someone to make a move knowing this would be a battle. Serana scurried backwards some seeing where she was. Their champion ripped the garb off flaunting his armor. He wanted her dead for ruining the day. "You Die!" Yelled the Nord pulling a sword.
The champion broke into a run. Tenaya moved forward to him, swords clashing loudly. She spun around, returning the blow. His armor banged hers. Each of them pressed to each other, swords swinging with sparks flying. The magic crackled in her right hand before shooting forward. His body sizzled with smoke coming off the armor before her sword ran him through. Flame erupted from the spot it went through. She looked to the group waiting for another, switching from lightning to flame.
Another challenge moved forward and invited her to the ring. Tenaya happily moved forward and stepped inside. She dropped her without much effort, seeing little reason to even toast her in fire. The priestess moved up the steps, all the others came forward. Tenaya launched the fireball their direction. She danced around their eager attempts. Her sword found its target with the first, killing him instantly. The body went up in flames the same as the others. Before she knew it, the other two retreated down the hill.
Tenaya walked up the steps to the priestess who waited. She didn't want to kill her but knew it had to happen. They both appeared to know as the priestess waited, knowing her fate. "You killed our champion without breaking a sweat. She will be displeased."
"Your hated for Molag Bal is so strong and it took everything from me."
"It served a greater good."
"Tell me, were you involved?" Tenaya asked.
"I will die knowing I fulfilled my master's request to bring a Daughter of Coldharbour to her knees." She replied pointing down the steps to a shaking Serana.
Tenaya grabbed her by the arm and drug her up the steps to the steps to the Sacellum. She stared at the stone figure behind for a second. Bodies burned all around, none of it seemed to bother Tenaya. She bound the priestess' hands around the post and went back down the steps. Serana tried to get away having tried to get further down the hillside.
Tenaya grabbed Serana by her hair and drug her the entire way up. Serana protested the length, kicking and fighting the entire way. She didn't want to be here. Tenaya smiled realizing she understood a lot of things now. When the priestess saw Serana, her look dropped to the ground. She wouldn't look her in the eye. Tenaya bound her hands to the tanner's post just to make sure she didn't get away.
"Boethiah, I call you on your day, come forward if you dare face me." Tenaya yelled.
"You challenge a god?" The priestess asked.
Tenaya walked over to the priestess and grabbed the Blade of Sacrifice on her belt. She pulled her head back and slit her throat. Blood poured down her body to the circle on the ground, bringing the circle to a slight glow. Tenaya stepped back as the body rose up from the post directly and spun around it for a moment then stepped down to the ground.
"An unwise choice mortal, no one seeks my attention. On my summoning day, you dare challenge me?" A voice different than the priestess came from her body.
"You wanted my attention, you have it." Tenaya replied.
"You killed those who follow my path. Mere mortal, I do not care of you or who you are. My message belongs to another."
"Who then Boethiah?"
"Do not ask a question of me! I am Boethiah, I answer to no one!"
"I do not fear you Boethiah. You have no power here. Release her or watch what you care for vanish before your eyes."
"Fool! I could use this body to kill you if I wanted!"
"So be it…"
Tenaya reached into her bag and pulled out the bottle of blood from Matria. She pulled the top off and approached the body of the priestess. A simple drop of blood burned on the Pillar of Sacrifice. She raised it and poured out a little more causing the ground to catch fire. Blood from a Daughter of Coldharbour, untainted, the ultimate insult to Boethiah, desecrated her most sacred of places. Screams filled the air from the conduit. Tenaya turned her head hearing the shrieks.
"Release her Boethiah! If you do not, I will burn this place to the ground and destroy every shrine on Tamriel."
"You are unwise mortal, but you may serve a purpose. I will release her only if you free my follower Logrolf to continue my bidding against Molag Bal."
"I agree only if you release her first. On my word, I will free the one you seek."
"You do not trust me?"
"You are the Prince of Deceit…"
"Very well. Cleanse my seal and I will release her."
Tenaya backed away and ran down the hillside. She found one of the cultists who ran away early and brought him to the pillar. Tenaya wasted not a moment under the eyes of Boethiah and sliced his throat. The blood washed the flames away as she kept her end of the bargain. Boethiah stared on for a moment and the conduit turned to Serana. A spiraled beam shot from her eyes. The impact dropped Serana's head down.
"It is done. Free my follower or I will kill her for your lies."
"Funny coming from the Prince of Deceit."
"Your name is worthy of the Tablet of Absolute Darkness. I shall watch for you Tenaya Darix, know others might take interest in your meddling. Be careful what you wish for…"
The priestess' body collapsed to the ground around the pillar and burst into flames. Tenaya shook her head. She wasn't sure she would live to talk about this. The books she read about Boethiah from the keep might have saved her life. Only strength, never weakness. Prove your worth to gain favor.
Tenaya ran over to Serana who hung limp. She quickly cut the rope keeping her in place and lowered her head carefully to the ground. Her hands grabbed on to Serana's shoulders, moving her back and forth quickly and carefully at the same time. Serana didn't answer. She stayed on the ground, motionless. Was this another trick? Did she not get her released from the meddling of Boethiah?
"Come on Serana, wake up. Come back to me."
Serana slowly opened her eyes. Gone were the blackened eyes and the soft glow she remembered returned. A small smile came to her face looking up as Tenaya took her helmet off. The soft smile never looked so good.
"You really came back for me?" Serana said quietly.
"It's really you this time isn't it?" Tenaya said almost crying.
"I think so… My god, what did I do to you?" Serana's voice cracked.
"Do you even remember what happened?"
Her hand raised to her mouth slowly. Serana nodded realizing the entire thing wasn't a dream or some sort of nightmare. She really did try to kill Tenaya and left her for dead. On top of it, she made Isran torture her, but she survived. All of this she did without knowing. She wasn't the same.
"The last thing I remember was our trip to the College of Winterhold. One of the mages handed me a book, Boethiah's Proving. I didn't even know what it was. When I opened it, my world went black." Serana said in tears.
"We found the second Elder Scroll and then had to go to the Soul Cairn."
"By the nine, what did I do to you?"
Serana's hands trembled, arms shaking. Tenaya reached down and grabbed them to calm her down. Serana cried profusely. She put Tenaya through a hell and all for what? She fell in the trap of Boethiah. From the sounds of it, all of this just to get under the skin of Molag Bal. No other reason existed than she was a Daughter of Coldharbour, his most prized children.
"Calm down Serana. Right now, we need to get you taken care of. If you haven't noticed, you are a mess. Half of your shoulder blade is missing and you have a broken ankle. The Dawnguard did a number on you."
"You know Isran tortured you because I asked him to, right? I am so sorry Tenaya. I can't even look at you…"
Serana turned her head as if it made a difference. She truly felt like dying. Serana loved Tenaya, that part became clear. The damage over years couldn't be undone. They lost out on their forever thanks to gods playing a game. It seemed all too real now.
"Forget everything that happened. How bad of shape are you in?"
"Probably going to die if you want the truth. I can't change forms anymore. My wings were ripped off. Not to mention my body is shutting down. It isn't blood either."
"Well you are not dying on my watch. Looks like I get to carry you for this part of the journey."
Serana smiled. She seemed rather amused by the turn of events hearing that. All of a sudden, the smile Tenaya missed returned. A hand rested on her cheek and the world seemed to no longer matter. Serana wouldn't die, not unless she died also.
"Let's get you home and get you blood. You need to rest."
"You never saw my room. If I live that long I promise to show you."
Tenaya lifted Serana into her arms and started down the steps and across Skyrim.
Serana snuggled her head against Tenaya's arms. She looked up at her for a moment, but Tenaya couldn't see her with being careful in the snow. Serana felt the warmth of another again. "I missed you…"