10th of Sun's Dusk
At some point, Valerica had to make her presence known. She didn't come down from her laboratory in any real fashion until the morning. Serana and Tenaya had to go to Solitude. Her list surely meant they both were forced with all the large sized items for her Alchemy. Tenaya needed to get some regular clothes after realizing how little Castle Volkihar really had. She didn't want to walk around in vampire outfits, all of which littered every wardrobe. Tenaya accepted what she was, but it didn't mean she had to let it be every part of her life.
"I didn't expect to have company my daughter…" Valerica chided her.
"Nor did we. This was very unexpected for us as well. We ran into them at the Solitude stores." Serana replied.
"Of course. Did you get my items?"
Serana knew her mother very well. Emotions were still new having been supressed for many years. She barely had the ability to speak without requesting something and to forget other people were here, it surprised neither Tenaya nor Serana.
"Well mother, this is Matria and Ivy." Serana introduced.
"The Daughter of Coldharbour we heard about?" Valeria responded perky this time.
"Yes, I am. You must be Serana's mother." Matria chimed in unexpectedly.
"Offered and picked or other circumstances like this one?"
Valerica pointed at Tenaya. The tension between them seemed intense after her visit to Coldharbour. Everything she did came under scrutiny from the armor she wore down to the advice she gave. Nothing pleased Valerica no matter what she did. Tenaya only looked to Valerica with her different set of vampire eyes. Those eyes reminded Valerica of everything she did. Serana walking came at a price.
"Volunteered and lived like your daughter. And what of you?" Matria asked pointedly.
If a single glare could kill, Matria would be dead before their eyes locked. Matria didn't need to ask the question. Serana was the one who walked through Coldharbour and endured everything at the hands of Molag Bal just like her. Valerica faced a miserable path but not the same as they did. For what they endured, it bonded Matria and Serana. They walked that plane with only their one item.
"Still up for the babysitting job? It looks like three, not two. The pay isn't good either." Tenaya said loud enough for them all to hear it. She wanted them to know how she felt. All of this really was uncalled for. Matria didn't need the belittling of anyone. Tenaya knew they would put her through the ringer just like she did. Even with helping Serana, Valerica had the nerve to ask who she was and demand answers while in the Soul Cairn of all places.
"Excuse me? Serana and Valerica asked.
"You two need to stop this. She's a Daughter of Coldharbour, get over it. What purpose does it serve if you two are the only ones? You both hate me for going and saving her life. Why?" Tenaya asked.
Serana gave the same glare to Tenaya that Valerica did Matria. Like mother, like daughter. Tenaya walked to Serana's side and pulled her over. The great hall wasn't the place for the conversation she wanted to have. This needed to be private and between just them. She dragged Serana through the kitchen to the old cattle cells. Her hand threw Serana forward against the wall to make her feelings known.
"I gave a lot for you and this is how you act? What did she do to you?" Tenaya asked, trying to push back her emotions just to keep from yelling.
"It is you Tenaya. You do not look at me the same. I see the way you look at her, it is the same look you gave me after we first met. I am not sure I can ever repair what I did…" Serana replied.
"I have no feelings for her. To be honest, I barely know her. She sought my help to stop Isran and that is how I ended up here. You do not know what happened and what brought me here. If not for her, you would still be a zombie to Boethiah."
"Can you ever forgive me? This coldness hurts." Serana begged.
"We need time to get things back. You left me for dead Serana. I turned for you, to have a forever and you were the one who tried to kill me." Tenaya swallowed hard trying to fight back her anger. "You might have been under her control, but you have yet to even acknowledge what you did. Now, those demons you have to face alone."
Tenaya left Serana against the wall to head back to the great hall. Valerica vanished somewhere before anyone really had a chance to interact with her. Ivy looked around more nervous than anyone. The old decorations still hung and the tables while clean, permanently wore a red stain from countless years of blood being spilled. Matria didn't even look comfortable in this place.
"Sorry about that. I am still not sure about all this. Something bigger is at play I have a feeling." Tenaya said stating the obvious.
"The woman who told us to find you in Solitude, you said you might know who she is?" Ivy asked.
"If she said Azura would guide you, my guess is one of the followers on Moonshadow. One of her divine as she calls them. Until we speak with Azura, I cannot answer that for sure. It looks like we will be heading that way soon."
"Not to be a downer, but my arm isn't good enough to go on this adventure just yet." Matria said.
"Leave her with me. I wish some time with this one." Valerica commanded with Serana by her side.
Tenaya looked at Matria who nodded. If anyone had a reason to be nervous, it deserved to be Matria. To have Valerica wanting you around is never a good thing. She didn't seem hostile reaching for the potion on her belt. Matria didn't get out of the way quick enough. Valerica studied the bottle for a moment and realized others in Skyrim knew the trick pretty well.
"I will show you how to make a proper potion. This one reeks of less desirable makings."
"You and I are going alone. The other one can remain here as well. No one will hurt her." Serana demanded.
"Beats babysitting…" Ivy said with a shrug.
"Fine. We will make a detour on the way back for some materials. I need to get enough to help them with better armor."
"So be it." Serana said flat.
Tenaya walked to the far room for a quick feeding. She didn't want others to suffer at her hands choosing to eat only those who deserved to die or from one of the potions of blood Valerica seemed quite good at making. This wasn't the path she desired. A cure sat within reach if she truly wanted out of this burden. She chose to accept it for now knowing the path ahead required every edge she could get. Being a vampire gave her a few things once she figured them out.
She walked out the front of the castle. Valerica made decent repairs to the door given the destruction she left previously. Serana ran to catch up with her. She wanted to go it alone with Tenaya and have more of the conversation they needed. It wouldn't happen right now, but the opportunity would come, she knew it and Tenaya had the same feeling.
The jetty crossing was nothing but silence. Serana looked at Tenaya as she waded through the water to the far shore. Before the boat even made land, a bolt fired through the air over their heads. "Dawnguard."
Three sat on the side of the shores firing bolts. Serana fired spike after spike their direction while Tenaya kept the jetty moving. The Dawnguard scattered quickly for a regrouping. Tenaya jumped from the jetty on to land pulling her sword. A bolt sailed to her right allowing the distance to close quickly as she ran. Her sword shoved through his armor like butter while they went to the ground. His corpse caught fire with the enchantment doing its job.
Serana threw a spike over her head and through the body of the last Dawnguard coming for her head. She walked towards Tenaya who looked on in surprise. A hand extended her direction helping her get back up. Their eyes stayed locked for just the slightest of moments. Serana pulled the dagger from her armor Tenaya kept tucked inside. Human eyes wouldn't see it, her eyes however found it perfectly.
"This was for me, wasn't it?" Serana asked, noticing the crafting to match the one she pushed inside Tenaya years ago.
"We are doing this right now?" Tenaya breathed deeply, sighing. "Yes, I made it strong enough and had it enchanted to break your special armor."
"Other than the handle, it looks the same, down to the slip in the signature. This had a purpose."
"Yes, it did, until I put the puzzle together about what happened. Can you face the demon inside yourself Serana? That journey you must do alone. Until you do, we will forever be at this impasse."
"I know…" Serana said, voice fading with no chance of coming back.
Tenaya grabbed the dagger and carefully returned it to her armor. Serana stared out into space without realizing it. Her emotions scattered heavily just from a brief conversation. To forgive herself may be the hardest challenge of her lifetime. Serana never needed to accept her own actions before. Many years passed where she could blame others. First her family for their following of Molag Bal and what happened. Then her father's obsession with a prophecy or her mother for locking her away. At no point in her life did she have to face a decision she made, until now.
By the time she realized this all happened in real time and not inside her mind, Tenaya walked a good hundred feet ahead. Serana ran her direction to catch up. Tenaya walked on a mission and this would be much like the days of old. Her pace picked up even through the elements. Sunlight, the very kind Serana hated and complained about, sat high in the sky not slowing Tenaya for even a moment. No hood covered her head or sheltered her eyes.
They walked for hours with the blistering pace. Serana covered her eyes to shelter them from brightness. Every moment she opened them fully hurt. Those journeys before outside the castle came back. She hated being outside when the sun was around. Anything during the daytime made for a long day.
"How are you not suffering right now? Is there a cave or something we can go into for a bit?" Serana said.
Tenaya stopped in her tracks. She turned around to look at Serana. Tenaya had wet eyes. She suffered as much as Serana but chose to not say anything. Her eyes burned the same. "I just do not want to complain the entire time."
Serana looked on feeling stupid. Of course, this hurt her as much as it did Serana. They were one in the same now. Serana kept her mouth shut for a bit. Constantly nagging Tenaya seemed stupid, almost petty since it became more of a game back then. Before, complaining about the sun was rather amusing. She laughed it off or poked at Serana for constantly complaining outside. Now, it only irritated Tenaya.
Going through the swamps seemed out of the way and much wetter than it should be. Serana looked clueless about where they were or why they chose to go this direction instead of the roads. Dealing with the occasional skeever or bear kept things interesting for a brief minute. Serana shot ice spikes ahead to kill them before Tenaya could have fun. She cleared the path like days of old, but this time it didn't feel appreciated on any level.
Tenaya stopped in front of a house, rather a mansion from the looks of it. Serana never saw this place before. This placed looked amazing. Cows and chickens roamed freely with an entire smelter on the side. Plants and food in the garden against the towers. Serana looked on in awe realizing how beautiful the view was. Solitude made a wonderful backdrop.
"Greetings Aslfur." Tenaya said with a smile.
"My Thane, we thought you died." He replied, surprised. "Please, come in…"
"Thane?" Serana asked.
"You have much to learn about me as well Serana. I am much more than you ever cared to know."
Both walked inside the house. Serana marveled at the tranquil feelings this place had. So warm and cozy inside unlike the castle. Rooms with beds and another with armor hanging off mannequins left Serana wondering a lot about Tenaya. The hearth smelled wonderful, even to her vampire nose. The sound of a lute made the ambience so welcoming.
"Would you like your usual music? Or perhaps the Dragonborn Comes?" Sonir the Bard asked.
"Do as you like. It is good to see you all again." Tenaya replied.
Tenaya walked to the main bedroom on the lower level throwing open the doors. Aslfur kept the place spotless through the years. Her bed looked so wonderful with the blankets over them instead of pelts. She fished for something in one of the table drawers and pulled out a key. Serana wondered until she opened the safe with it. Inside sat a large collection of gems and valuables she never imagined. Tenaya truly was something else.
"You have an Amulet of Mara? Are you kidding?" Serana laughed a little loudly saying it.
"I helped them out in Riften awhile back, before we met and the Dawnguard hired my services. They gave it to me. Supposedly if you wear it and someone likes you, they will agree to marry you if asked. It reveals feelings, true feelings of someone who loves you."
"It is true, the Amulet works. To be married under Mara is considered an honor and only a select few get such privileges. Even when I was alive, the stories circulated."
Tenaya had a thought and pulled it out from the safe. She put it around her neck quickly and looked at Serana. She simply stared to see what sort of reaction Serana had. For a few seconds, she wondered what Serana thought. It was not until laughter came from Serana's mouth did Tenaya get her answer. They looked at each other, Serana unable to stop laughing while Tenaya bit her tongue.
Tenaya pushed her out of the way and stormed inside the armory. All the eyes followed her through the main hall. She dug through various drawers trying to find something. Serana walked in asking what it was she needed to find. Tenaya didn't answer her and went about her business. She looked at Serana only for a second and shifted back to the drawers and cabinets.
"An Amulet of Mara. I had no clue you were interested." Sonir said coming into the armory.
"What?" Tenaya said looking her direction.
"You wear an Amulet of Mara. It would be my pleasure to honor your desires."
She touched the Amulet hanging on Tenaya's neck. Tenaya slipped it off and watched the demeanor of Sonir slowly change. She went back to the great hall with her lute. The amulet worked as promised. People who liked others became very interested. They wanted to be married to the other at all costs. Seeing the amulet do its magic brought a sudden realization to Serana. She didn't approach or act at all like someone who wanted Tenaya, she laughed in her face. Serana ran from the armory and out the door as quickly as her feet would take her.
Tenaya continued looking around and found what she needed. She slipped it inside the bag hanging down from her waist. Tenaya threw the Amulet across the room having seen enough of it. She had everything she needed to get Azura to answer the call. A simple goodbye left everyone inside the house with a warmer feeling. Tenaya lived. Each of them felt thrilled to see the thane again. She went outside to a waiting Serana where the joy ended.
Mortified. The sound said it all. Serana cried, balling her eyes out as she waited. Whimpering mixed with sobs. She sat against the side of the house in absolute agony. Tenaya hovered over her on the ground. Every sob let out a level of emotion not seen inside her for countless years. A hand lowered to her shoulder. Serana looked up to a Tenaya who slid off the helmet over her face. Tears continued to come down her cheeks.
"Come on Serana, let's go." Tenaya said softly.
"No, you go. We are beyond repair. I can't…"
Tenaya knelt to look at her the same level, not hovering. She picked Serana up by her sides. Serana pushed against the side of the house to keep her balance. "It takes time. I am willing to give things time. I came back for you and answers. One of them I found and the other still need time."
"I just… I am… I…"
"Enough Serana. Come on."
She wrapped an arm around Serana's waist to keep her moving forward. Even in silence, Serana wept. To her, the wounds might be too great to overcome. She scarred Tenaya deep and those scars bled. Seeing Tenaya trying only made it much harder. To face the demon's inside meant something she didn't know she could do. It wasn't so much the emotions. She dealt with feelings before but trying to show someone else she can live again may not be so easy.
Both trudged through the snow to the shrine. In the distance, looming over everything sat the statue, Azura's statue. They remained out of view from every troll encountered with Serana in no mood for a fight. Gone was the desire to clear the path ahead like days of old. Gone was the push to tackle every challenge they say. All that remained was a burning desire to get through this and home where she could stay in privacy.
Step by step they climbed the mountainside towards the overlooking statue. At her base they stopped and marveled at the view for only a moment. Tenaya walked around the entire area before ascending the steps to its highest point. She reached in her bag before pulling out a star; Azura's star. Serana stared in awe realizing Tenaya had this the entire time. She managed to get her hands on one of the most prized Daedric gifts.
She set it down at the base lowering her head. Soft words escaped her lips asking for Azura to answer her calls. Serana backed away slowly when the light erupted beside Tenaya. A beautiful woman glowing blue stood beside her, looking like that of a ghost but clearly not. She looked back as real as ever with the softest of smiles. This was Azura, Daedric Prince of Dusk and Dawn. She only saw one Daedra in her lifetime and the story everyone knew by what she was. Azura felt different.
"Welcome Tenaya Darix. I answer your call as promised. Speak with me as you like." Azura said. Her tone more beautiful than anything Serana heard in a lifetime.
"Please tell me what is going on Azura. You saved my life with Meridia." Tenaya asked.
"Yes. You are of significance to the Daedra. It was written ages ago of war between Daedra in one of the Elder Scrolls. The first signs came with the formation of the place you remember. It is officially called Ashes Beyond Coldharbour. Mortals know it only as Beyond Coldharbour believing Molag Bal is solely responsible. There lies a new power, one strong enough to challenge all Daedra."
Both listened to Azura describe the written scroll. A world with a weapon so powerful it could kill another Daedra, removing them and their plane from existence. No Daedra able to stand against it without dying. The creation of Molag Bal, Malacath and fuled with Mehrunes Dagon. It remains sealed and guarded by the worst of creatures. Countless lives taken to fuel the weapon as it gets closer to a Daedra war.
"Boethiah set the entire plan in motion by writing your name on the tablet. All the Daedra noticed your name being wrote and sought you. Molag Bal had you the moment Serana Volkihar needed help. He chose not to answer and allowed you to walk his plane. No one enters Coldharbour without his permission, let alone walk it and explore beyond his summoning day. He thought he had you in his grasp, the prize to end war before it started."
"Wait, are you saying he left me for dead knowing she would help?" Serana asked rushing over.
"Yes. What he never expected was others to watch so closely. We have no power outside our own planes. Ashes Beyond Coldharbour is not an ordinary plane. He assumed you were his. If you did not notice during your plight, Malacath and Mehrunes Dagon watched on. They knew it to be important."
"Why am I so important Azura?" Tenaya asked again.
"Your destiny is tied to the Daedra. You have both sides inside you. Before you were corrupted completely, my light stopped it. As a result, you are now born of two Daedra. A Daughter of Coldharbour and a Guardian of Moonshadow. Only one other can claim such a feat."
"The woman you sent to help the others?"
"No, the one who killed her before and became a Guardian of Moonshadow ages ago. The man walks Nirn again."
"Velatin." A robed figure figure walked up the stairs.
Serana instantly tensed up setting her right hand icy and crouching down. She didn't know this woman and prepared for the worst.
"Relax Serana Volkihar, this is a Guardian of Moonshadow. Her name is Astronica."
"I will not be able to remain at your side for the one who seeks you, he walks Skyrim. His powers can seek mine as a former Guardian of Moonshadow. He has never been defeated in any battle." Astronica warned.
"Well that is just great. What am I supposed to do?" Tenaya yelled.
"In Skyrim lay four special orbs. Their location is unknown. Astronica spent hundred of years researching their location to find nothing. An Elder Scroll foretold of their appearance. The message given became clear only one time. From the yelling mountain lay four orbs able to defeat those who scorn others. Four orbs lay under four stone with four guardians of four Aedra, sought by one whose name is etched in eternal darkness."
"The Throat of the World." Tenaya said knowing a piece of it.
"Yes, this piece is all that is known. We ask you Tenaya Darix, to fulfill this prophecy. It can only be you who the prophecy speaks of."
Tenaya walked around for a moment looking over the mountains to the valley below. She took the view in with everything Skyrim had to offer with only wonder in her mind. Her hand balled tightly to a fist before she shook her head. She wasn't special, why was all this happening? People foretold of a Dragonborn or even the Tyranny of the Sun, not her. She was a peasant girl who met the right person at the right time.
"I do not believe this prophecy is about me." Tenaya said, returning to them all.
"We know this to only be fact. Only one person who lives has a name etched in eternal darkness. Do you forget words from Boethiah?"
Azura waved her hand to produce a tablet darker than anything she ever put eyes to. The darkness had no equal. She lit fire from her hand to see no change in the tablet itself. It remained in absolute darkness. Only when Astronica sprinkled snow over the tablet did anything become legible. Five names sat on the tablet with hers being the last one on the list. The others had a strike across their names leaving hers to be seen only.
Tenaya stepped backwards from where they stood. Serana grabbed her as she approached the marble edge. Astronica removed the snow from the tablet not wanting to be cursed by Boethiah any further than she already would. The tablet disappeared as quickly as it appeared leaving Tenaya in absolute denial.
"Everything with your life was destined to happen. From meeting the Dragonborn to Serana Volkihar leaving you for dead, to challenging the Daedra for her life. Anything from the moment Meridia and I saved you remains unknown. The choice is yours alone. You could leave and return to Cyrodil until the war finds you again or Velatin. You could live your days elsewhere or stay and fight."
Tenaya nodded. She understood the gravity of the situation. Azura saved her life and in return she would be the champion she needed. Fate seemed to call on her and while this world wouldn't sing the praised of her as a Dragonborn or glorified savior, she would journey through the abyss to do this.
She looked at Astronica who stood solemn beside Azura. To bring someone of her importance to this world meant greater things were around. Knowing Velatin walked freely concerned her. A man who knew no equal. The promise of someone who is spoken about by Daedra was amazing. She dealt with others before, Sanguine and his drunken times, Clavicus Vile and his damn dog, even Hircine and his witches. It seemed her fate rested with the Daedra.
"You have your champion then." Tenaya replied softly. Azura smiled her direction while Astronica sat emotionless under cover of a hood.
"Oh good. I am so happy I do not need to search this filthy place for you anymore."
Velatin walked up the steps behind them while clapping slowly.