I'M BACK! Apologize if this took long to rewrite the second chapter. Truth be told, I wanted it to be the way the story should be unfolded. Not meeting the Dragonborn straight away isn't really good storytelling. At least, in my personal opinion.

Speaking of story, there is going to be a note that I wish to tell you at the end of the chapter. Something that you should all be aware of.

Oh, and sorry if I had to delete the note as I want the notifications to be recognized. That and also how the previous chapter wasn't in my best interest.

Now, as the beginning of my Author Notes are over, let's dive into where we left off.

Ashes of Skyrim Chapter Two: Problem with Income

The Ashen One has switched from his standard Knight Armor set back to the Faraam Set and switched his longsword to his trusty Zweihander. He, along with the Firekeeper, were still travelling on the path that they've been travelling for the past couple of hours. The blind woman had never felt the outside before unlike the Cemetery of Ash and it was the Unkindled to describe to her what she was standing on. She knew that due to her bare feet meeting the solid ground. Despite them wandering the strange land for a while, the Firekeeper felt her legs getting tired. Seeing that she could no longer walk beside him, the undead offered to carry her instead.

It was beginning to get dark. As much as he wanted to rest, he knew they didn't have the camping tools with them at the moment. So, their only option was to find at least a place to rest for the night and figure out where they were.

The sounds of the river flowing rang through the two's ears. They continued down the pathway until the Unkindled could see something up ahead. A small settlement that was quite lively at this hour. There weren't many people as they were either asleep or within an inn.

Without a second to waste, the Ashen One walked into the settlement as he was carrying the Firekeeper around his back. Upon entering, some who were outside stared curiously at the two due to their unique attire. Some who saw the woman on the back were taken in by her beauty. However, the Unkindled caught a glimpse of it, which made them nervous due to the way he looked at them despite having a unique looking helmet on.

Walking up a short flight of stairs that led to the inn, the Ashen One had grabbed the handle of the door and opened it. The Unkindled then placed the Firekeeper onto the floor and the two to enter while he grabbed her hand. Upon doing so, the sounds of cheering from within soon shifted to silence as all their attention had shifted to the two strangers. Many of them felt their eyes upon the beautiful woman, yet some felt nervous when the Champion of Ash looked at them back with a deadlook expression underneath his helmet.

The Firekeeper, meanwhile, was aware that the people right in front of her were not like the Ashen One. She whispered to the undead. "Ashen One, I senseth many glances at us."

"I wouldn't pay attention." He quietly told the blind woman before gently grabbing her and the two made their way to the table where a man stood on the other side. "I'll take a room for two."

The man was still silent as he glanced at the undead's attire. It is safe to say that it was intimidating yet the person underneath seemed to be friendly. "Of course! It's just for the night, right! But I'm afraid I cannot be the one to show you and that fine lady to your room."

"And why is that?" The Faraam armored Unkindled asked with curiosity laced in his voice.

"That's because it's my job, not his." A woman's voice called out to the side of the man. The Undead focused his attention and saw a middle-aged woman walking to the side of the table. Upon looking at her, the Ashen Warrior saw that she was recently dressed up in her blue clothing and was tired. Not from working around the inn, but something that kept her occupied for most of the day. Actually, it seemed like she was busy for a couple of days, which showed that she must have done something important. "If you want to stay for the night, then you'll have to pay twenty Septims for the night."

The unkindled tilted his head at one thing. "Septims?"

"That's the amount you have to pay." The lady told the Ashen One as she dug through her pocket and showed him a circular gold object with a face on one side and the other with an unfamiliar logo seen. Seeing that he was in a confused state, she thought of something to offer him. "I'll tell you what, you and the lady right beside you can stay in for the night. But you would have to pay it soon."

"Oh, I see." The Unkindled murmured as he was aware that the currency was no longer paid in souls. Rather, it comes in some sort of small object. Sooner or later, he would have to find a way to gain Twenty of those gold coins. "Thank you for the offer. It means so much for the both of us."

The next day had arrived, which meant a mission for the Unkindled. If he needed to find a way to make these 'Septims', then he would have to find a way to make at least twenty of these Septims to pay for the night he and the Firekeeper stayed within the inn. Speaking of which, he was sitting down at one of the Inn's tables with the blind lady.

He was deep down in his thoughts as he wanted a quick way to make that much so he could pay for what he owed to that woman, who goes by the name of Delephine. There was something in his mind that told him that Delphine wasn't the person she is and may be withholding from him. Despite this bothersome thought, he knew that it was not his place to poke his nose at her life.

"Art thou sure thoust dost not want any, ashen one?" The voice of the Firekeeper broke the Unkindled's thoughts. He hadn't realized that she was handing out a piece of food that was called a Sweet Roll all this time. Although she was not pushy, she had quite enjoyed the food that she had from the owner of the Riverwood's Inn. She had never tasted it before and was really delectable despite her taste-buds having been diluted.

As he didn't want to remove his helmet, the Unkindled proceeded to lift it up to reveal the lips and chuck the piece towards his mouth before he put his helmet back down. The Unkindled began to munch the soft substance in his mouth. Although he was an undead and wasn't required to either eat or sleep, there was something that made him comment. The Firekeeper tilted her head and exactly knew what he was going to say.

"It's good." At that exact moment, a small flash hit his mind as he remembered what happened the day prior. He'd remembered killing those Bandits that made their way through the Firelink Shrine and the Unkindled just mentally facepalmed. Yet a thought came to him as he remembered seeing a pathway on the side of Riverwood.

He could have at least searched through the bodies to see if they had any of these Septims with them.

"A problem, ashen one?" The Firekeeper broke his thoughts as he looked at her.

"There's something I forgot after we left the Firelink Shrine."

The Ashen One had shortly left the riverside town in the midday. The Firekeeper decided to stay in the inn instead as he knew that place was safe. He requested that Delephine woman to keep an eye on her in case there would be anyone that would make any move on her. The Innkeeper felt a bit intimidated by his words but she promised him that the Firekeeper will be looked after.

Walking down the path he took the day prior, he looked to his left to see a smaller pathway that led up to a hill. Knowing that he cannot go far and has to return before nightfall, the Unkindled grabbed the handle of Zweihander and followed the dirt tracks. After a very short walking distance, he saw a Bandit guarding an entrance to what seemed to lead to the entrance inside of the mountain.

Getting interested in what he was about to find, the Ashen One took a single step before… "You there!" The voice of the male Bandit guarding the entrance spoke to him. His weapon was drawn and was facing him with a threatening manner. "One step means your end." He shifted his gaze at the sword behind him. A smile came to his face as he thought of something. "How about you drop that Greatsword and armor of yours. Do what I say and your life will be spared?"

The Ashen One seemed rather annoyed at this as he stared blankly and wasn't intimidated by his words. The Bandit was annoyed at the lack of response. "Fine. If you want it that way, then I'll take it off from your corpse instead!" Grabbing his axe from the waist down, the Bandit directly went to where the undead was. However, within his range, the Unkindled unsheathed Zweihander and cut across the Bandit horizontally from the left shoulder to the right waist. This instantly killed the enemy and without wasting any more time, the Ashen One searched the body. It was a short search as he felt a pouch on his hand. Getting it out before opening it, he saw some Septims . He counted to see at least twelve of these gold coins.

'Alright, I got twelve of them. Now all I have to do is to go inside and clear out these Bandits.' The Unkindled thought. Seeing that Zweihander may not be suited in these types of area, he brought out his Bottomless Box and placed his colossal Greatsword in as he got out a shortsword as well as his Kite Shield. It was not fully upgraded, yet it would do him the job as it requires little stamina.

'Right, let's get on with it then?' The undead spoke in his head after he cleared out the mutilated body and headed inside the mines.

The Undead carefully began to walk and as he got further, he heard two people talking between one another. As much as he would want to grab these Septims and avoid any fighting, he knew that they would only grow bigger so that they could raid and ransack the entire Settlement of Riverwood.

He wasn't going to let that happen.

Unsheathing his shortsword, the Unkindled proceeded to sneak behind the two. Both heard the sound of footsteps and saw a strange looking armored individual. As they were about to draw their weapons out, they were immediately cut down as a sword slashed deep across their chests. The bodies dropped to the ground and the Ashen One felt their souls being absorbed into his body. He searched their pockets and totaling up the Septims was around twenty. Finally, he had enough to pay the Innkeeper of the money he owed.

But the undead was not done yet.

Seeing the bridge was not down, the Ashen One saw a lever that was on the other side of the area. Following the path and grabbing any sack of Septims, he arrived where the lever was and without wasting any more time, the undead jerkked the object inwards. This released the bridge, but also revealed two more Bandits who immediately stopped the Unkindled. Seeing his presence made them draw their weapons out and rushed towards his position.

"Now you're dead!" One of them spoke as she swung her axe which was immediately blocked by his shield. Before she could take her weapon out, the bandit was pierced through the chest and immediately died instantly. Right after that kill, he made another one by vertically slashing across the torso and stabbing right through the heart. Souls were sucked into his body as he continued through the mines and along the way, he killed a Bandit right before she could do anything.

Passing by a locked prison-like door, the Unkindled saw a chest behind locked doors. Shaking the caged door, he knew that it was locked. Looking at the recently slain Bandit beside him, he began his quick search and pulled out a small pouch of Septims, as well as a key. The undead knew where to go next and in his next course of action, he used the key in his hand to open the door and went towards the chest. Opening it, he saw a large pouch that contained a lot of Septims. His eyes caught a weapon of a Hammer and two dimly purple gems as well as some armor worn by those Bandits he had slain.

He didn't need the weapons and Armors as it wasn't top quality like those stored within his bottomless box.

Grabbing the Pouch and the gems before storing it, the Unkindled proceeded to go deeper into the mines. After a very short walking distance, the undead heard the sound of metal being hit by a Blacksmith hammer. He didn't expect a blacksmith to be present there. Taking a peak from the doorway, he saw a total of four Bandits. Two in the Blacksmith Forge, one inn the bridge and finally one within the edge of a cliffside.

Seeing how they could all be easily dispersed, the Unkindled brought out his box and replaced his shortsword with the Sellsword twinblades that were fully upgraded and enchanted with lightning. Jumping off where he stood, two Bandits near the forge saw his presence and were immediately cut down, resulting in their instant death. The Unkindled proceeded to roll to the left as a Bandit shot an arrow at him. Knowing that the remaining were going to rush towards him, the Ashen One quickly put his twinblades back in the Box and brought out his shortsword once again. He brought out his kite-shaped shield as it managed to deflect an attack from a heavily armored Bandit with wings on the side of the helmet and was wielding a war Hammer.

"Well, now ain't this a surprise?" The male Bandit spoke with cockiness heard in his voice. "Coming here and pillaging most of our gold while killing my good men. You really do have the nerve doing it." The Amored Bandit tightened his grip around the hilt of his Warhammer and was ready to give everything he has got. "Now, you'll go meet your end!" He swung to the left side to get a hit towards the unkindled one, yet he filled backwards to avoid his attack. The Ashen One had to roll once again to avoid getting hit with the arrows that were being short at him.

'Great. My surroundings are not in my best wishes.' He thought analytically. Looking at the two Bandits that remained in the area, the unkindled knew exactly that he was going to get a few wounds. 'Guess I have to deal with the warhammer first?' He was immediately brought out of his thoughts when he got it on the left side by the hammer wielding Bandit.

The Ashen One flew a few feet away from the enemy and got back up immediately. The Armored Bandit was surprised to see him getting back up to him despite dealing a heavy blow. "Ain't this a surprise. No one could get back up after dealing with my swings. You're something more than a mere human."

"...'' The undead didn't say anything as he put his shield on his back and held his shortsword with both hands. Without wasting any more time, he proceeded to rush towards his enemy. As he got closer, the Unkindled rolled inwards to avoid a swing from the Armord Bandit. Seeing that the neck was the most vulnerable part, he swung his shortword towards his neck. The weapon was stuck and the Bandit screamed in pain. This action caused the Unkindled to tightly gripped his sword to apply pressure. With one quick pull, the Bandit's head was nearly off the body as it was hanging backwards. The remains dropped to the ground and blood was flowing out the head was decapitated.

The sight didn't seem to bother the undead as he stared at a black and white phantom that was in his free hand. A fragment of Humanity. "Oh, forget this. I'm out of here!" The voice of the last remaining Bandit shouted as he proceeded to flee the area. Knowing that he'll probably won't be encountering that Bandit anytime soon.

Glancing at the remains before him, all that was left is to pillage any value that the undead could get his hands on.

The small walk back to Riverwood was uneventful to the Undead. Switching back to his Standard Knight Set as his Faraam Armor Set was quite bloodied, he took the path an hour prior and didn't see that it was almost becoming night time. Seeing the right of the quiet settlement, he entered through the main entrance and as he continued to head towards his destination, he immediately spotted the Firekeeper sitting on the porch of the Inn. Getting closer to the blind woman, he was about to greet her when she immediately spoke after sensing her presence.

"Welcome back, ashen one." The Firekeeper gently greeted the Unkindled as she got up from where she sat.

The Ashen One nodded his head at her words. "I see that Delphine has kept an eye on you, Firekeeper."

"Indeed she has." She responded back to him in her usual tone. "But may I tell thee a concern?" The Undead did not say anything as he looked at the blind lady as he waited to hear what she was going to say. "I senseth she kept a close watch on me. Yet, there is something more than what she is showing."

"I see…" The Ashen One murmured at her comment. Pondering his thoughts about the Firekeeper's words as it echoed through his head. He was aware of that since the first meeting and as much as he wanted to know more about her, the undead was aware that now it's not the right time. "Since the residents are asleep, I need some souls that need to be turned into strength. Mind if we do it somewhere in secret."

"Very well then," The Firekeeper spoke to him in her gentle manner. Both began to walk to the side of the Mill where they began to do their ritual. Before that, the Unkindled did one more look around to see if anyone was watching. Seeing that it was clear, he kneeled in front of her as a light appeared on top of his head before she chanted her usual prayer. Feeling that his body was full of new Vigor, Endurance, Vitality, and Strength, he stood to his feet and looked back at her.

"Now that is over, do you wish to return to the inn?" the Undead asked, holding his hand out to reach for her.

The Firekeeper let out a small giggle as she eventually reached the Ashen One's hand with her own. "Of course, Ashen one." Both of them began to make their way back to the Riverwood in. Today was not an event for the Firekeeper, yet it was for the Unkindled as he managed to clear an entire Bandit nearby and got a hold of enough Septims to pay for their two night stay.

The two would believe that tomorrow would be more interesting than today.

A new day had arrived and both the Ashen One and Firekeeper had exited the other way out from Riverwood as they were following the trail that led to the city called Whiterun.

Having paid Delephine the Septims they owed, as well as paying for another night, they had a total of four hundred and twenty-seven Septims left between them. That was mostly thanks to the Unkindled selling two Amethyst gems to the Riverwood Trader after Delephine told them that they could sell anything if they had value. Speaking of which, her last words rang through his head right before they departed. "If you're looking for a way to earn more gold, then head to Jorrvaskr in Whiterun. It's home to a group called the Companions and they'll pay for those who take up any jobs they offer."

'A group that will pay for those who take up any jobs they offer.' The Ashen One repeated the Innkeeper's last words as both he and the Firekeeper were walking towards the city. He let out a sigh as he only had that option left. This land, as the Natives call it Skyrim, was still new to the two and they have no knowledge about it. Perhaps once reaching their new destination, both could perhaps learn about it. Looking to where the blind lady was, he saw her clutching her chest as if she was in pain. This immediately caused him to be concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I am alright, Ashen One. But I've been meaning to tell you right before we left Firelink Shrine." The Firekeeper responded to his words. She kept her left hand onto her chest. "I have a strange feeling within me. It does not hurt, but instead fillieth me with a strange yet familiar energy." Now that she mentioned it, the Unkindled felt the same familiarity whenever he rested.

"It feels like you have the same feeling as the Bonfire." He told her and had a feeling that it must have been linked to the First Flame he had asked her to sniff out before they had ended up in the land of Skyrim. Looking back at her, he knew there was something else plaguing her mind. "Is there anything else you want to say?"

She nodded her head. "Ashen One, while you were away, I got a vision. A vision of someone with the same blindness as me within the City. She may be helpful to our curiosity."

The Unkindled blinked at her words. "Is…that so?" The Firekeeper nodded once again in confirmation. Knowing that her words were always helpful, the Ashen One was more willing to travel to the City of Whiterun to find the person she was referring to.

They were alone after all. And that person that the blind maiden mentioned could probably be their first ever companion within this strange land.

Ugh…FINALLY. This took me a while to complete the rewrite of the second chapter. But I hope you'll like this. After all, I was trying my absolute best to show, NOT tell. Which I might have failed to do.

Oh yeah, that person that the Firekeeper was referring to was a modded follower that I am not going to bluntly say. If you want a clue, then go to Reddit and search this post. 'If Dark Souls III characters were in Skyrim, what would be the appropriate mods that could be used?' Then, you'll see what I am referring to.

Just to blatantly confirm, there are mods that are going to be included in the Story. Vanilla Skyrim is good. But with mods that are probably liked by the community, I would add them to make it interesting.

At this rate, I really need a co-writer that know both of Skyrim and Dark Souls lore if I want this story to be more interesting.

Now, onto the comments.

Guest: Yes it is. Now it will be very interesting because of the mods.

NurielTO: I did a comment of yours in the old version of Chapter Two. But know, learning about both lores is going to give me a headache.

Kristoff Umber: Well, I hope you'll like the changes I made.

NurielTO #2: Fanfiction is fun. I get it. But I do hope you;ll like the rewrite.

Dasgun: Wut?

adrenonico: It indeed does.

Dup: Like I said to adrenonico, It indeed does.

Excaliburshooter: I hope you'll like this second rewrite chapter.

Now that is over, I am going to take a little break before writing the next chapter. Because I want it to be longer and make it more interesting for all of you. Sorry if there were any grammatic mistakes made and if the chapter was short, but I could possibly promise that the next chapter will be longer.

With that said, I will see you all in the next chapter. Whenever the next chapter comes.