DRAGON CRISIS

Destiny Unraveled

IV

1st of Sun's Dawn, 4E 203

New Life Festival was an annual celebration held every year in Tamrielic cities.

It represented new beginnings, the joy of life, and hope for a better future. Bullshit, Ziiah thought as she stood on the edge of the cliff overlooking the valley ahead. In her mind, life was about the cyclical exchange of energies, giving and taking but never celebrating either. Nature required no veneration, no worship - it was what it was. The only thing Ziiah agreed with the common opinion was the fact that nature must be respected as the forces that governed the universe were far beyond the abilities of any mage - or hero.

Sighing, Ziiah retreated from the edge of the cliff and went back inside the monastery.


Kaani pinched the bridge of her nose. She was sleep-deprived, nauseous, uncomfortable, and irritated. Not to mention, she was bored. High Hrothgar, despite its peaceful atmosphere, was utterly dull and plain. She had been through every part of the premises, and she knew her way around the monastery even with her eyes closed - she tried. However, by the third day, she could no longer find anything interesting to do: there were no secret crooks and crannies, no magical focal points or mysteries, and no one besides monks and Ziiah to talk to. Monks don't talk and I don't know when I last spoke to Ziiah, she suddenly remembered, noticing that her friend had been quiet since they came to the monastery.

Kaani looked around the common room where she was sitting, alone again. She noticed that there were several pots of snowberries in the corners of the room and a single firepit in the center of the massive circular stone table. The cold and quiet room suddenly became even colder and quieter, if that was possible. The silence was deafening and terrifying, and she couldn't imagine herself living in such a place. I can't stand this place anymore. One would think that the College of Winterhold was not much different and they would be correct which was why she had left it in the first place. That, and Sybil's sudden change of character. Kaani took in a deep breath. She felt a strange knot in her stomach, the kind that she felt whenever she did something she probably shouldn't have. You made a decision, she reminded herself. Deal with it.

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of metal doors opening. Kaani didn't pay much attention to it until she heard the approaching footsteps. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Ziiah emerge from the hallway. Kaani frowned; her friend had changed. The beautiful raven locks that once framed her oval face were pulled up in a tight fishbone braid that hung down her back. Her golden eyes were more vibrant and focused, making her seem more aware of her surroundings. Her overall presence became more apparent and noticeable which was strange as she was a thief and normally more reclusive. Her stride was no longer silent and her movements were more nonchalant than restrained. This place did something to her, alright. Ziiah entered the common room and sat on the chair next to Kaani. She didn't say anything for a while, simply staring at the firepit. Kaani felt awkward with the silence between them, especially since she could no longer recognize her friend. Ziiah shifted from a shallow thief to a mysterious warrior in merely several days. Kaani thought the change was welcome but still - mere days?

After a long while, Ziiah finally spoke, "We can't stay here forever, can we?"

Kaani frowned.

Ziiah sighed. "I'm not supposed to be holed up on a mountain."

Kaani nodded slowly. "I agree."

"But I want to stay," Ziiah said solemnly while looking up at Kaani, a hint of a smile on her lips. "I like it here. It's calm and serene. I feel at peace here. Is it wrong of me to want a simple life?"

Kaani stared at her friend, shocked at the words she had just heard. "You want to stay…here? Where it's cold, damp, windy, and snowy all the time?"

Ziiah chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I do."

"You guess," Kaani stressed, "or you know?"

Ziiah looked back at the firepit. "I saw her again. That woman…"

Kaani said nothing.

"She appears from time to time," Ziiah continued. "I think she doesn't want me to stay here either."

Kaani swallowed a lump in her throat. "I will pretend that you don't sound completely insane."

"It's no insanity," Ziiah said softly. "She's as real as you and I."

"Ziiah, she's a hallucination," Kaani said slowly. "It's your mind playing tricks. You're stressed."

"Am I?" Ziiah asked. "All this time, I've been meditating and training, and I haven't even heard of what's going on in the world below. I've never been less stressed."

Kaani looked at her and she couldn't disagree with her statement. She was relaxed as she sat in her chair, completely composed and unbothered. Thieves were normally either pretending not to notice the stares or obsessing over whether they were seen in public. Ziiah had no traces of either behavior.

"If you desire to stay," Kaani said calmly, "you will be on your own."

Ziiah was silent for a moment. "You'll leave me?"

Kaani nodded hesitantly.

Ziiah smiled sadly. "Well, I can't blame you."

Kaani looked down. "I won't say sorry."

Ziiah looked down as well. The silence grew as they struggled to find any words to say. The fact was, there was nothing left to say; Ziiah found safety and peace in High Hrothgar, and Kaani had her own dreams and goals, none of which included her being imprisoned atop a mountain. Eventually, Kaani rose to her feet, and with a single squeeze on Ziiah's shoulder, she left the common room and headed down the hallway. Once she was alone, Ziiah sighed and buried her face in her hands. Shit, she thought bitterly.

"You appear close."

Ziiah snapped her head toward the hallway and noticed master Arngeir standing at the entrance to the common room. He had a sad smile on his face.

"We are," Ziiah answered, returning the smile.

Arngeir then walked over to her, resting his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Dragonborn."

As am I, Ziiah thought solemnly…


"Bandit leader."

Loro looked at the Elf. "...What?"

Tarhrin scratched his chin. "I think you were a bandit leader before joining the Companions."

Loro rolled his eyes, ignoring the Bosmer while he ate the rest of his stew. The pair had arrived in the humble village of Iverstead merely hours earlier. Loro was convinced that he was spared the pestering and idiotic comments when they went over Tarhrin's 'plan' - which Loro called a 'suicide idea'. However, when they rented a room at the local inn, Tarhrin started to pester the Orsimer again. Needless to say, Loro's nerves were about to break.

"Not a bandit?" Tarhrin asked. "Then stronghold warrior or even a brother to the chief."

Loro groaned. "Will you stop already?"

Tarhrin raised his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright! Touchy…"

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Loro growled, munching on a piece of bread as he was already losing his appetite.

Tarhrin hummed. "At this moment? Not really, no."

Loro sighed.

The rest of the day went on quite uneventfully. Tarhrin stopped bothering the Orc once he found another victim to toy with. It was a young local woman who seemingly had love troubles. Loro scoffed when he heard the Bosmer boast - albeit, subtly - about his love expertise. He went on to advise the girl on matters of the heart, settling her debate of whether to choose a local but boring older Nord or an adventuring but also passive-aggressive Imperial snob. The girl, under Tarhrin's 'caring' supervision, decided on eloping with the Imperial and leaving the village.

"Spread your wings, my dear," Tarhrin said softly. "The world is waiting for you."

Loro rolled his eyes before finding something smarter to do. After snooping around the inn, he eventually settled for a walk around the village. Luckily, his absence went unnoticed by his fellow traveler who was immersed in local gossip. Sneaking out, or at least trying to sneak out, Loro opened the door of the inn before squeezing outside. Once on the porch, he took in a deep breath. The sun was already setting behind the neighboring hills, casting a beautiful blanket of shimmering sunrays over the surrounding area. As he enjoyed the moment of complete appreciation for life, Loro suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He rolled his shoulders and clenched his fists but the tension was still there. Curious if he was perhaps being watched, he slowly turned his head over his shoulder. The trail leading down from the mountain was clear and the surrounding area was empty as well. There was no one in sight. I'm just imagining things, he thought before sighing and glancing back at the sunset. Instantly, he was startled by a pair of green eyes staring at him rather disapprovingly. His sight wandered from the pointed ears to the flickering tail and he resisted the urge to chuckle. She's rather cute when she's mad, Loro thought humorously as he looked into Kaani's green orbs again.

"Harbinger," Kaani said surprisingly politely.

"Mistress Kaani," Loro said respectfully.

Her eyes squinted as she folded her arms. "What are you doing here?"

Loro lifted a brow. "Something the matter?"

"Don't patronize me," Kaani almost seethed. "I know that you've come to check up on Ziiah."

Loro chuckled. "You're so certain that I came here for the Dragonborn. Maybe I'm on business?"

Kaani rolled her eyes. "I expected someone would trail after her. Chances were either the Jarl's brother or yourself."

"Not the court mage?" Loro asked. "He's your friend, isn't he? Makes more sense for him to volunteer."

Kaani scoffed. "As much as I love the man, Farengar is not the type to do anything resembling manual labor. He leaves that kind of work to the warriors - like you."

I don't know if that was meant as an offense, Loro thought before saying, "Well, you sniffed me out."

"You won't even try to deny it?" Kaani said incredulously.

"Why should I?" Loro retorted. "It's bad enough that I have to deal with you and I don't want to make our relationship worse by insulting your intelligence."

"Well thought," Kaani said a bit sarcastically.

Loro frowned but didn't comment as he noticed that she was by her lonesome. Kaani caught his glance as it was directed over her shoulder.

"She's still at the monastery," Kaani dead-panned after a while of him searching with his eyes behind her person.

"You left her?" Loro asked, surprised.

Kaani looked down, staying silent. Her ears folded over ever so slightly, indicating remorse or grief. Loro wondered if the two had a falling out of sorts.

"There you are!"

Oh for fuck's sake, Loro thought as Tarhrin approached them with a smile on his face. Kaani made a sour face as she watched a strange Bosmer make his way toward them. Apart from his rich dark brown apparel and exquisite leather boots, he was a typical Wood Elf; skinny frame, tan skin, golden eyes, and burgundy hair. She wasn't sure which feature stroke her as weird more, the hair or the eyes. It's like I'm looking at Ziiah, she thought as she noticed the familiar mischievous glint dance within the golden hues.

"Sneaking out like that," Tarhrin clicked his tongue. "I mean, I do understand every man has his needs but I never thought a Khajiit would be your type."

Kaani almost choked on her saliva while Loro pierced him with a deadly glare. Tarhrin looked at Loro innocently, as if he hadn't suggested something as frivolous as an affair between an Orc mercenary and a cat mage. People can't even take a joke anymore, he thought with a smirk on his lips. Such a shame, in these dark times. He chuckled before changing the subject.

"Forgive me, my lady, I didn't mean to offend," Tarhrin said, offering to take Kaani's hand. "If you'd be so kind."

Kaani placed her palm in his hesitantly. What a strange man, she thought, bewildered. Meanwhile, Tarhrin kissed her furry knuckles and she was surprised at how gentle he was. Not only that, she was surprised by his mannerisms. Normally, no one would even dare to kiss a Khajiit's hand - you know, fur and all - and yet, this man, Elf, was doing exactly that. There was no hint of displeasure or discomfort on his face or in his movements. So very, very strange.

"Who are you?" Kaani asked.

Tarhrin offered a curt bow. "Thane Tarhrin of Falkreath. Charmed."

"I take it you and the Harbinger know each other," Kaani said.

"Barely," Loro drawled.

"Absolutely," Tarhrin exclaimed at the same time.

Kaani scoffed. "Well, that's not confusing at all."

Tarhrin smiled while Loro rolled his eyes. This is getting ridiculous, the Orc thought as he tried not to look at the obnoxious Bosmer by his side.

"If I may be rude for a moment and ask," Tarhrin said, "who might you be, my lady?"

Kaani was silent for a moment. "Kaani, mistress of magic and College of Winterhold alumnus."

"She's also been charged with escorting the Dragonborn to the monastery," Loro added.

Tarhrin lifted a brow, acting impressed by her status. In truth, he was more than aware of her identity and the power she possessed.

"If we're done with the introductions," Loro sighed, "can we move on to the more important matter?"

"Ah yes, quite right," Tarhrin said. "Mistress Kaani, would you be so kind as to tell us where the Dragonborn is?"

Kaani looked up at the top of the mountain, searching for the monastery hidden in the misty clouds. "Where do you think?"

Tarhrin followed her gaze only to look back at the Khajiit. "She's at the monastery still?"

Kaani nodded. "Yup."

"Well," Tarhrin said while sighing, "that's going to be an issue."

Kaani looked at him then at Loro, wordlessly asking for an explanation.

Loro sighed. "The Jarl wants her back in Whiterun - now."

"Why" Kaani asked. "It's been barely a week since we've left."

Tarhrin and Loro exchanged knowing looks before Loro spoke again, "Did you receive any news in the meanwhile?"

Kaani shook her head. "No? I would be surprised to see any couriers at the top of the Seven Thousand Steps. Did something happen?"

What she heard next shook her not in a way she expected but shook her nevertheless. The words came nonchalantly from Loro's mouth as if he'd been telling her how his morning had gone. Four simple words carried so much meaning and so much impact that Kaani felt slightly lightheaded as she tried to comprehend the situation.

"The Emperor is dead."


Kaani sat near the fireplace, seemingly lost in thought. She was observed by Loro and Tarhrin who were sitting nearby. The inn was quiet, save for the sound of fire cracking and the lute strings playing a soft tune. It had been days since they'd arrived at Iverstead and they were yet to see the Dragonborn return from the High Hrothgar. The tensions were evident between the three; Loro was frustrated that he had to be present, Kaani was frustrated for a similar reason, and Tarhrin wasn't frustrated at all, further heating up the tempers. After sitting in silence like that for a while, Kaani growled and stood up. She turned sharply toward the other two and she was baring her fangs at them.

"That's it, I've had it," she exclaimed, collecting her bag and cloak. "If you want to wait for her, fine! I have more important business to attend to."

"Such as?" Tarhrin asked nonchalantly.

Kaani glared at him. "Such as my life's work. I intended to return to the College to resume my research when I came down from that mountain."

"Mages," Loro muttered, rolling his eyes. "Nothing but a bunch of lazy bags."

"I'll have you know that us mages concoct those healing potions you warriors chug down every other second," Kaani seethed.

Loro merely glanced at her before returning his attention to the tankard in his hands. Kaani was already fuming with rage and was close to incinerating the Orc right then and there. However, Tarhrin lifted his hands in defeat, calling for a ceasefire.

"I think that was enough arguing for today," he said slowly. "Must I remind you that we're here on business?"

"No, you are on business," Kaani clarified. "No one's paying me to sit and wait for Ziiah to bring her ungrateful ass here."

Tarhrin frowned as he thought about Kaani's specific choice of words. Adding in her disposition and evident foul mood, he came to a, what he found, very interesting conclusion.

"You fought with her," Tarhrin said, adding, "and don't even try to deny it."

Caught off guard, Kaani found herself stumbling for words. "How - "

"It's obvious," Loro piped in, not looking at either of them. "You left her yet you couldn't leave the base of the mountain for a week."

"I don't trust you to treat her properly," Kaani seethed. "That is why I remained."

"That's not the reason," Tarhrin countered. "What happened up there?"

Kaani glared at him in silence for a while before sighing. "She's changed and I don't think it's for the better."

"Changed how?" Loro asked.

"It's difficult to explain," Kaani said, rubbing her forehead. "She's clear-minded but her statements sound off. She feels at peace yet she sees things that are not there."

Tarhrin quirked a brow. "She's hallucinating?"

Kaani nodded. "It seems she attracted the attention of a lonely ghost. The reason she began this journey is because of that ghost."

Tarhrin hummed but said nothing as he got lost in thought. Meanwhile, Kaani sighed in frustration as she sat next to the men, joining them at their table. She rested her chin against her palms and stared into the wall ahead, reimagining Ziiah's solemn expression upon Kaani's departure. Her eyes prickling, Kaani shook away the intruding thoughts and took a swig from Loro's tankard. He didn't mind it.


Ziiah took in a deep breath as she focused her mind on a single word.

"Control your emotions," she heard Arngeir say as he put his palm between her shoulder blades. "Keep your breath steady."

One inhale, two inhales, three inhales; she repeated the exercise several times before she felt the familiar sensation of energy surging through her gullet. Expecting the booming emergence of flames, Ziiah clenched her abdominal muscles and prepared for what she knew would be quite an impact. Opening her mouth, a solid and clear Yol escaped her throat along with a gush of flames that projected forward. The fire spread out before incinerating the stone beneath her feet. Breathing heavily, Ziiah put a hand on her stomach before focusing on her exercise once more. Breath in, breath out; on it went until she felt her heartbeat slow down to a normal pace. Sighing, she looked at Arngeir with a smile on her face and earned a proud smile in return.

"Congratulations," Arngeir said. "You are now ready for your final trial."

Ziiah bowed. "I understand master. What is the final trial?"

Arngeir exchanged looks with his brothers who nodded approvingly to the man. Turning his attention back to Ziiah, Arngeir approached the Dragonborn and urged her to raise her head.

"You have done marvelously these past few weeks," he said softly, "but your destiny is not here, atop the Throat of the World."

Ziiah frowned. "I do not understand."

"You are Dragonborn, Akatosh's chosen," Arngeir said, hiding his hands in the long sleeves of his grey robes. "The rules and restrictions of our order do not apply to you. You may stay at High Hrothgar if you wish but sooner or later, the world will call you to defend it."

"I don't care about the world," Ziiah said defiantly. "I want to stay here and study."

Arngeir smiled softly. "While I understand that you may be bitter with the rest of the world, you are not meant to stay here."

With an almost pleading expression on her face, Ziiah took hold of Arngeir's hand, whispering, "Why not?"

Arngeir put his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "One day, you will understand."

Defeated, Ziiah looked down, evidently saddened.

Arngeir was silent for a moment. "Your final trial is a test of battle prowess."

"I thought the Voice is to be used for the worship of the Divines," Ziiah commented.

"Indeed, yes," Arngeir said. "Where you're going, however, you will have to fight regardless of your principles. Pacifism has little importance outside the walls of this monastery."

Ziiah nodded. "What am I supposed to do, then?"

"You must journey north, to the marshes," Arngeir said. "There, you will find Ustengrav and the horn of Jurgen Windcaller."

"The First Greybeard?" Ziiah asked curiously.

Arngeir nodded. "Take heed, however - the horn itself is merely proof that you've survived the journey. The resting place of our founder is no haven and the centuries of abandonment have rendered it dangerous."

Draugr, Ziiah thought.

"Once you have the horn, return it here to High Hrothgar," Arngeir said. "We will be waiting for you."

Ziiah bowed in compliance before Arngeir excused himself. She stood alone in the courtyard, amidst the white snow, watching the lonely snowflake fall from the grey skies. Lifting her hand, Ziiah reached for the snowflake. Looking at her palm, she noticed the flake had already begun to melt, moistening her leather gloves. Suddenly, a transparent hand appeared in her hand and Ziiah looked up, finding herself a breath away from the ghost she had been seeing for so long. Up close, she was even more beautiful.

"Can you hear me?" she asked and Ziiah involuntarily nodded, still in shock. "We don't have much time."

"Time?" Ziiah asked, baffled that she could speak at the moment. "Time for what?"

The ghost shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't explain everything."

Ziiah glanced behind her back, wondering if someone was pulling a prank on her. When she saw nobody, she looked back at the ghost lady. This is so weird, she thought.

"My name is Ahkriin," the ghost said, adding, "and I'm here to help you, Dovahkiin."

Ziiah was silent, uncertain as to what she was supposed to say.

"It's a bit odd, I know," the ghost said. "Truth be told, it takes a great deal of effort on my part to contact you like this."

"So," Ziiah said slowly, "you've been deliberately making me shit my small clothes every so often?"

The ghost lady was taken aback by Ziiah's particular choice of words. "It wasn't my intention but…yes."

Ziiah resisted the urge to roll her eyes, instead saying, "Will you stop spooking me now? Everyone already believes I'm insane."

The ghost scoffed. "We have that in common, kiir."

Ziiah quirked a brow. "Kiir?"

Ahkriin was about to answer but suddenly, her entire body began to flicker and she was beginning to fade. "Listen to me - you must not go alone to Ustengrav. Bring your friends with you; they are waiting for you in the village below."

Ziiah tried to make heads and tails of the situation but failed miserably. "Wait, I don't understand! What's going on?!"

"I will see you in Ustengrav," Ahkriin said, holding Ziiah's hands as tightly as she could. "Take care, kiir."

As quickly as she appeared, Ahkriin vanished into thin air, leaving nothing behind. Ziiah stood there, completely lost and confused. My friends are waiting for me? Ziiah thought while glancing at the valley below.