The cold tendrils burned her skin as they encircled her. She felt their pressure as the darkness once again swallowed her whole. Laughter filled her ears and the tendrils pulled against her form. She was enveloped in a haze of icy gloom that threatened her very sanity as panic set in. She didn't want this, but the dream took steady hold of her.
Azriel fought against the tendrils trying to free herself. She growled and struggled as they encircled her further. Tightening their grip, the wisps pulled and throbbed against her in icy pulses, their coldness akin to a slick wetness. The laughter surrounded her. It rang through her being and chilled her as she descended within her nightmare.
The tendrils began pulling against her harder and pulled her in every direction, seeming vying for her. She felt as though they were trying to tear her apart. Her body shuddered as their infernal grip crushed her. She could feel the layers around her, mummifying her within a cold without equal. It added to the insanity surrounding her, she had no sense of control. She lost her sense of direction, there was no up or down anymore. Only the infernal pull of the translucent coils. Even time had lost its meaning in their grasp.
Then at once, the tendrils let go.
Azriel felt herself fall rapidly through the darkness. She tumbled in space for what seemed to be an eternity. She could feel the acceleration affecting her. She reached out desperately, but the void held nothing to stop her.
In the darkness she sensed it, watching her, mocking her. The black dragon surrounded her, but never touched her, nor did it interfere. She plummeted ceaselessly and unstoppably. The density of the matter surrounding her lessened and Azriel screamed as she felt herself lose mass.
In her dream she was accelerating uncontrollably towards a point of light. A singularity that didn't have a distance or size, it simply existed in a vast obsidian void. The point pulled at her, its gravity was immense. She felt herself hurling towards it, no longer plummeting in limbo.
For a fraction of a second, Azriel felt the white light of the point surround her. The light penetrated her body and mind. She felt it condense her weightless form. It neither had heat nor sound, but something else… a vibration.
One moment she had been traveling toward this point, the next she was slammed into a soft, yet ridged substance. Pain was the only thing her mind comprehended. Her vision was blurred and her senses were completely overwhelmed.
Her sense of smell and taste were filled with a vile aroma so powerful it had texture. Light blinded her and her sense touch was overcome by agony that permeated her. Her ears buzzed, but there were no sounds she could readily identify.
She closed her eyes and laid still. It was her only defense against the onslaught that assaulted her being. Time had no end, nor did the dream, as she laid there. Eventually, she opened her eyes to revulsion. Pain seared her, as she tried to grasp the meaning of where she was. She opened her eyes a sliver of a length and horror greeted her.
The man's face that she laid against was decomposing, her cheek to his. She snapped her eyes tightly shut against the apparition. The awful realization crept over her as she slowly adjusted herself. Spongy softness surrounded rigid sharpness as she slowly began to move. She was keenly aware of the smell of decay and filth that assaulted her nose. It filled her mouth. She began to cough and vomited.
Her fingers dug into the softness and tore through it.
She moved her head and reopened her eyes to the sight of rats gnawing on bodies. As far as she could see, she only saw bodies of animals and people of every race. They were in various levels of decay, but the bodies still seemed to move. Azriel turned her head again to the man she was laying on.
She tried to scream, but no sound came from her.
She tried to move, but her body didn't respond.
Her mind screamed at her and her heart pounded in her chest. Over and over her brain screamed the same thing.
Not again, not again, not again…
The Orc beneath her was dead, but his milky blue eye penetrated her soul. She knew his name. She knew him as a living man once, long ago. She knew him as the closest thing to a father she had ever had. And she knew that she had killed him.
She crushed her eyelids together and willed her body to respond. She fought against the invisible binds that held her in place. At first, nothing happened. She fought with her might to regain control of her being. Her struggle to move was long and hard. She filled herself with the one desire, to fighting against the predicament she was in.
Slowly, she began to move. Forcing herself to crawl, she drug herself forward. The motion was incredibly slow and painful. Her fingers dug into the corpses beneath her and she moved forward to get away from him. The reminder of everything he once was. She couldn't bear the thought of being next to him, the memory of him surged against her like a torrent. He had been her teacher and friend, a father in the only way as a child she could have known him. Her mind revolted against his name, against the agonizing memories of everything he had given her and what he had given up for her. His sacrifice and its outcome was now lying next to her. She could feel the gaze of his vacant eye still on her.
The hurt she felt caused her to vomit a second time, but she didn't taste it. She tasted nothing other than the revolting degeneration that surrounded her. Sluggishly, unceasingly, she moved over the bodies. She kept her eyes tightly shut as she moved. She couldn't see it and she didn't want to.
She felt the insects in her hands and crawling on her skin. It chilled her further.
She felt herself moving downward. The massive pile of cadavers tapered and became gooey. She began to slide rather than crawl as she moved away from the Orc. Her fingers touched bone. Her skin was coated with slim, but she refused to open her eyes.
The sound of what seemed to be flowing water penetrated the buzz she heard. It dawned on her as she skimmed and slipped over the dead that the buzz was the multitude of insects feasting on flesh. The very sounds of decay fizzled with a drone.
She moved towards the water faster.
Her hand finally touched the slime of wet stone and she opened her eyes. The ooze surrounding and coating her was black, green, and yellow.
Azriel tried to summon her own healing magic, but nothing happened. She laid in the gunge for a while trying to desperately to gather herself.
The buzzing stopped.
Azriel deliberately watched the floor around her for signs of trouble. But, she saw nothing. A vibration surrounded her and the sounds of water moving filled her hearing. She scanned the area further, trying not to look at the chewed bone or partially-eaten decayed bodies, but for the reason the insects had stopped making noise.
The vibration intensified.
Her mind was not capable of logic or reason, only panic and aching. She closed her eyes again and tried to locate the source of her agony. Everything hurt at various levels, but it was her back that burned with distress. Her mind sank as she realized why and she focused on the burn.
She opened her eyes again and looked own at her naked form. Through the slime and blood what she noticed most was the significant lack of scars. It confused her further.
How is that possible?
She investigated her hands, coated with the remnants of flesh and insects parts. Her wrists were torn and bleeding and she looked to her ankles, which were the same. True revelation held her in terror. She looked once again at herself as a whole, the splashing water that was nearby drew her attention once again. Azriel crawled faster to it and looked at her reflection in the disgusting water.
She was different. Her reflection was her, but wasn't. As she stared, it dawned on her… she was fourteen again. She recoiled from her own reflection.
No! Her mind blazed and panic consumed her.
She managed to roll to her side and look around, straining her neck to look up. She was laying at the bottom of a large pit and a mountain of dead lay behind her. She screamed again. The abominable memories resurfaced of the place and her sanity fled. She was trapped once again in this place that she had longed to forget. Over and over she cried out, tears stained her face and poured endlessly from her eyes. The echoes were absorbed by the endless dead.
Faintly she heard a new sound, one of whispers that broke the silence. It was if they hung in the air surrounding her. They grew only slightly louder and she looked around for the source.
"Where are you?" Her Thu'um shook the air.
Azriel closed her eyes again trying to focus on what they were saying. It was no use, so many spoke that she couldn't hear the individual words.
She forced her body to comply with her commands. The whispers grew in intensity, but not clarity. The air vibrated more. She pushed herself up using her arms as she drew her legs under her. The whispers became louder, as if trying to command her to do several things at once.
It took an eternity for her to stand. Her body was covered in sweat, blood, bile, and gore. Yet, she stood shakily. Azriel turned taking in the true horror of the place surrounding her. She roared unleashing the full power for the first time.
The ancient walls of the pit began to crack. The stone floor under her shook with her rage. Sections of the structure broke away, revealing a darkness beyond it.
Pieces tumbled and the blackness grew color. The ceiling began to rain down, the gaps in it shown a fire red sky as if through murk. The places where the floor had broken filled with sludge. Frigid wind pushed through the cracks in the walls carrying the more whispers to her ears as well as wails of pain. The voices of so many cried out and the structure around her crumbled into nothingness.
Azriel stood in sludge to her ankles and the vision she saw tore her heart. Black burned out buildings and a burning sky. Harsh cold air surrounded her, whipping her hair around her face. She had never felt this cold in her life.
But, none of it had meaning as she watched the people.
Tears fell from her face as she stood in shocked silence watching the world around her. Mortals bound in chains were dragged from place to place by Dremora masters. She turned endlessly as the dreadfulness spun around her. Piles of dead included faces of friends and the piles were innumerable. The living screamed endlessly for release.
Blackened husks of buildings stood hollowed out, once they had been dwellings, now housed horrors that Azriel never imagined. Her eyes lingered on one such space filled with female slaves and male captors. The brutal hovel drew the air from her lungs as she watched and fought to tear her sight from the endless rape.
Her ears capture more sounds. She turned to her head and her eyes ventured to another pen with children. They were being fed to vampires who gorged themselves in a grand feast on their blood and flesh.
Finally breaking the trance, she searched herself for a weapon or anything to save them. Her fingers touched unfamiliar cloth and she looked down. She wore black robes and she had no weapons.
Chains snaked their way out of the goo and wrapped their way around her wrists and ankles, biting her and binding her in place. Her blood flowed from the wounds down her hands and feet. But, she didn't notice it.
She heard the prayers carried on the frozen wind go unanswered as mortals prayed to die. Screams of the living clashed with the laughter of Dremora. Moans of pain laced the bleak air, burning her skin.
She roared at the sky to drown out the sounds. "Why?! Why are you showing me this?"
The whispers united into a single voice. "Watch and Learn."
Disemboweled men were released from an altar, their intestines unraveling as they walked. She watched as imps peeled another's skin from his flesh. Horror lapped horror as she watched.
Movement caught her eye as a child scampered between buildings. She was caught and consumed by a creature Azriel had never seen before. She fought the chains only to watch the terror unfold. Her hope slipped as she realized the creatures of this place existed for one reason, to dominate and enslave. Pain was their treasure and agony their amusement.
Azriel struggled in place for a while until she finally gave up. She closed her eyes tightly but could not ignore the sounds.
The united voice spoke again. "Open your eyes child, what do you see?"
Azriel roared in desperation. "Free me! Let me help them."
"Watch and Learn." The voice cried.
Azriel did as she was commanded and the vision before her evolved.
Blood poured from the walls of a massive black palace and flowed into the sludge. Piles of dead littered the streets. Her eyes welled with fresh tears as the world burned around her. She smelled the burnt flesh and it revolted her.
She watched the creatures of this world entertain themselves in a plethora of ways. Dremora drug the mortals around until they fell to pieces. Men were tortured and cut to pieces. The pieces were thrown to the shadow dogs she had seen before. Young people and women were used in ways Azriel could never have thought imaginable. Vampires feasted on the flesh of the living.
Azriel scoured the landscape before her, searching for something redeeming. But, her vision landed on the husk of building that held only women once again. A disheveled face appeared in an opening that Azriel could not look away from. The woman's agony tore into Azriel's very soul.
Aela's screams for release from her Dremora captors made Azriel's knees buckle. She dropped into the sludge around her on her hands and knees as the chains tightened. Tears poured from Azriel's eyes as Aela's screams reached her ears. The knowledge of what was occurring ate into Azriel's heart.
Azriel slammed her fists into the muck and roared again and again. Her fury mingled with the hopelessness of the situation. Her mind bordered hysteria.
"Only you can change this." The voice thundered.
Azriel tipped her tear stained face to the sky and roared. She watched as the fire was blotted out by an immense shadow, her Thu'um had summoned it. She had called his name in her bleakness. His wings beat against the cruel wind. The shade circled in the sky breathing fire and ice. The Dremora laughed at it, setting the bodies of the living alight.
Alduin roared. The sky opened and meteors assailed the ground.
Azriel roared again and again… Her mind and heart cried for anything to end this atrocity, even the black dragon that haunted her nightmares each and every night.
Azriel closed her eyes as rock rained from the sky. She waited for the end to everything. The earth and air around her shook with the dragon's roar. She felt the blistering heat and the bitter cold while sinking further into the sludge in her hopelessness. Her chains bit and tore at her flesh as she wailed.
The voices entered her mind and the dream shimmered around her. Her head nearly exploding with their force, "You are their savior, Ahziial. End this, before it begins. Now… WAKE!"
Azriel's body shook hard as Serana fought to hold her down. The woman's screams had woken her, but her thrashing had become dangerous. Sweat poured from Azriel's fevered body as she struggled in her sleep. But, it was her roar that had frightened Serana the most. Its ferocity and its volume shook the caverns causing the wood to pulse. The rock overhead cracked and rain down on them. The dust was overwhelming and causing the mortals to choke.
Serana did the only thing she could think of and covered the young woman's body with her own to protect her. As Azriel thrashed against the furs, Serana pinned her down trying to guard them both. Serana could hear the mortals around them in their clamor. They scurried for shelter from the dust and debris. Serana feared the intricate network of caves would collapse in.
Azriel's eyes opened and she tried to shove the vampire from her. Serana had pinned her to the bed, pushing Azriel's arms under her as she straddled her. Serana held her in place with her legs. She held the young woman's hot face in her hands as she whispered to her. "Azriel, you're safe. Please, don't fight me."
Azriel's eyes focused on her own and then they grew wide in fear.
Azriel drew a breath and Serana knew what was coming. She covered her mouth with her hand and Azriel struggled against her.
"Stop!" Serana put as much force into her own voice as she could. "I'm not going to hurt you!"
Azriel halted her struggle and stared wide-eyed at Serana.
"Azriel, do you understand I'm not going to hurt you?" Serana asked forcefully.
Azriel managed to nod slightly under Serana's hand.
Serana exhaled tentatively. "I'm going to remove my hand, alright?"
Azriel nodded again and Serana removed her hand that covered Azriel's mouth. She held both hands on the sides of Azriel's face, keeping her in place.
Tears slipped from the corners of Azriel's eyes as Serana watched. In the quiet, Serana heard the hushed footsteps approach the door. Serana glanced at the door for a second and looked back down at the girl on the bed.
Her hair was soaked with sweat and tears. Her body was radiating so much heat that it physically hurt to hold on to her. The sadness in Azriel's eyes made Serana's feelings stir as she looked at her. She felt a deep sorrow for the young woman, but there was something else too. It struck her how beautiful of a creature she truly was.
"I'm going to get off of you now, okay?" Serana said trying to keep her voice even and calm.
Azriel silently nodded again. Carefully, Serana lifted herself up and pulled her leg over Azriel. She seated herself next to the girl. Azriel didn't move.
The footsteps stopped outside the door and the person lightly knocked. Serana cast a glance at Azriel and got up to answer the door. She opened it to Gabriella standing on the other side.
Gabriella's face reflected Serana's worry and the Elf looked from Serana to the Dragonborn. She walked in wordlessly to the bed with a pitcher and two goblets. She looked back at Serana who still stood at the door and motioned her over. Serana shut the door and walked to the bed.
Azriel hadn't moved and was staring at the ceiling. Serana could see the tears slipping from her eyes still.
Gabriella set the pitcher and goblets down on the table. She reached into her robes pulled out a cloth and a small orange vial. She poured some of the water on to the cloth and wrung it out, placing it on Azriel's forehead gently.
She poured water into one of the goblets and held the goblet to Azriel's lips. "Drink, you need it."
Azriel lifted herself weakly and Serana helped support her as she drank. Azriel collapsed back on to the bed. Gabriella traced her cheek to her neck and placed her hand there.
She plucked the vial from the table and uncorked it. "Azriel, this will taste terrible, but it will help you. Drink it and try not to throw up." She pushed the vial to Azriel's lips, then the contents into her mouth.
Azriel coughed and sputtered. "Gods, are you trying to kill me?"
"Yes, but not as quickly as your fever would have." Gabriella smiled, but it quickly faded. She gave Azriel the goblet of water. "I take it from the earthquake you caused, that you are still having nightmares?"
Azriel remained silent.
"There was a time I found your silence charming. But, I know you better now, dear Sister, so I'll take it as a yes." Her red eyes lingered on Azriel as the girl shifted on the furs. "You need to rest. Your fever should break soon enough." Gabriella said standing. "Before you leave, come see me." She sifted through her robes and pulled out a second vial. The gray syrup inside bubbled as she uncorked it. "Drink it. You'll sleep without dreaming." She pressed the vial to Azriel's lips and the woman obliged by taking it.
Gabriella looked at Serana and pulled the second goblet close. She pulled a dagger from inside her robes and drew it across her arm, allowing the blood to spill into the cup. When it had filled she wiped the dagger off and healed her arm.
Gabriella smiled as handed the goblet to Serana. She stood and walked to the door and opened it, crossing the threshold she pulled the door partially closed. She made one last snide remark. "She's all yours again, Serana." Gabriella closed the door as she left.
Azriel rolled to the side of the bed and spit out the fluid.
Serana looked at the woman disbelievingly.
"Don't look at me like that. The last thing I want right now is more sleep." Azriel said looking at her. She adjusted the pillows on the bed as sat against the headboard. Azriel rubbed her face and ran her hands through her wet hair. She took herself in and subconsciously rubbed her scarred wrists.
Serana reached out and wiped the woman's hair from her face. "Do you want to talk about it?" She smelled the goblet. The young Dunmer's blood smelled like a fine wine and she took a sip.
Azriel looked at her and then looked away. "Not even a little bit."
Serana stretched herself out on the bed next to her. She wasn't sure what to say to the woman. So she simply watched her as she drank.
Azriel looked at her. "Why… why did you help me?"
Serana looked at her and touched her hand. She felt the jolt as they touched and looked into Azriel's eyes. "Because when I needed help, you did so without hesitation."
Azriel looked down at her hands and remained silent for a minute or two. Azriel pulled away from Serana, and sat on the edge of the bed.
"I feel like shit and I want a bath. I'll be back in a little while." She stood and walked over to the chest where she had dropped her ruck sack. She picked it up and walked silently out the door.
Azriel slipped into the hot water. The old tub was the right height to rest her head against. She dipped her head forward in the water and washed her face.
This is better than any potion…
She leaned her head back against the tub wall. She tried to shake the dream from her mind, but she couldn't. So she tried thinking about something else, but that didn't work. Her head pounded as the dream haunted her mind. The vision of it danced on the fringes of her thoughts. Their faces floated in front of her, their sightless eyes followed her.
Azriel shifted in the tub again. Her thoughts took flight of their own accord. She reached over on the shelf pulled a wash cloth down and rubbed soap on it. The Orc's face floated in her mind and she dropped the rag in the water. Rubbing her temples Azriel prayed silently for the madness to leave her. But, his milky blue eyes stared into her soul.
She held her head in her hands praying. "Gods forgive me for what I did to you, Marduk. You will never know the depths of my sorrow." She whispered as silent tears rolled down her face.
"Who is Marduk?" Serana asked quietly.
Azriel snapped her head up and scowled at her. "What are you doing in here, Serana?"
"You were gone for a while and I got worried. I'm sorry for disturbing you." Serana turned her back to Azriel to walk out.
"Wait." Azriel sighed. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."
Serana turned back around and Azriel looked into her fiery eyes. They were the color of a hearth fire, yet they held so much coldness as the woman observed the world around her with almost an indifference. Azriel watched her, noticing her chest moving in the slightest motion. She looked back into Serana's eyes, yet there was something else in them. There was sorrow of course, which Azriel thought was the reason the woman seemed so cold. But, it was the way Serana looked at her. It made her stomach tie into a knot. It wasn't indifference or coldness, but longing.
Azriel could see the concern on her face, but didn't want to talk about it with her. She felt guilty for getting angry, but giving an answer would only lead to more questions. She watched the vampire as she stood completely motionless, waiting.
"Please, sit..." Azriel motioned to the chair where her wet clothes hung. "Just throw my stuff on the floor."
Serana carefully moved her things to the shelf and pulled the chair close to the tub. Azriel watched every move the woman made and when she sat, Serana watched Azriel with equal interest.
Azriel washed her face again and pulled a larger towel from the shelf to dry it. "Serana, you'll forgive me for saying I truly don't wish to talk about it. It's just…" Azriel took a breath, "too difficult to talk about."
Serana sat silently looking at her and then nodded. "I understand. But, are you sure you're okay?" Serana rubbed her hands on her legs nervously.
Azriel shook her head. "No. I'm not okay." She sighed. No one knew of her past. Not Aela, not the Greybeards, nor any of the dragons. She pulled her knees to her chest and the water around her began to steam. She hung her hand over the edge of the tub and laid her left arm across her knees. Azriel rested her chin on her arm as she stared at her right hand. She pulled it into the tub and scooped some water into it. She stared at it as the water dribbled back out.
Serana sat quietly as she did this several times. Azriel glanced at her. The vampire was patient and indulgenced her with silence. Azriel sighed. All over her ached. The vampire didn't move or speak, just watched.
Azriel took a chance and finally she spoke. "Marduk gro-Essek was an Orsimer blacksmith and a great warrior. He taught me the fundamentals of working the forge and how to swing a blade. I tended the forge with him as his apprentice from the time I was eight. At first, he frightened me. In time, I learned a great many things from him." Azriel turned her hand over and stared at it for a moment. Her hand glowed with pale white light and twinkled with frost. The frost formed ice crystals which latticed into a small sphere. The sphere developed ridges which elongated outward. The ice grew in her hand and blossomed petals. Azriel stared at the ice as lotus flower bloomed.
"When I was fourteen, I killed him." Azriel's eyes never left the flower.
Serana looked at her for a moment, leaning forward she cupped her hands around Azriel's and took the flower from her. She looked at it in wonder. "What is this?" She asked spinning it.
"It's a Sacred Lotus flower. They bloom in shallow water in Cyrodiil." Azriel said softly, watching her.
Serana smiled faintly as she regarded it and Azriel realized in that moment how beautiful the woman truly was. Her long black hair framed her snow white face. She wore it differently than the Nords. The woman's full lips were dark, but they struck Azriel as being incredibly soft. Azriel shook the thought that came next in her mind.
Her long, slender fingers traced the lines of the flower with a delicate grace. Her eyes were such contrast to her skin and hair it made Azriel wonder how she became a vampire. She struck Azriel as some kind of royalty not someone that lived in a dirty frozen cave.
She looked at Azriel for a moment. "Did he wrong you?"
Azriel shook her head. "No. Never. In his own way, whether he knew it or not, I looked up to him. He was like a father to me." Azriel sighed. "He… told me to do it. He sacrificed himself… for me. He could have easily killed me, yet he didn't." Azriel looked down at her arm. She put her chin on it and stared at the water.
She felt Serana's cold hand on hers and her fingertips traced the back of her hand. Azriel felt the electricity against her skin from the woman's touch.
"Things are done out of love, Azriel. Perhaps, he saw you as you saw him. If he sacrificed himself for you, you shouldn't have guilt over it. Instead you should honor him, by living life to its fullest."
Azriel looked at her again. The woman's eyes held so much, yet they were so hard to read. "How did you become a vampire, Serana?"
Serana looked at her over the flower. Her fingers stopped tracing Azriel's hand. For a moment she remained silent and her eyes changed slightly. "What do you know about vampires, Azriel?"
Azriel thought and the dream skirted her contemplations. She forced it aside to focus on the question. She remembered the books she read and what they had said about vampirism. None of the things in them were very kind towards vampires. Only one had sort of explained vampirism. "Well, I read a few books…" Azriel started and Serana laughed.
"Books aren't always accurate, young one. Though I am intrigued that you read, it's my favorite past time."
"…and have a few vampire friends." Azriel finished.
A look crossed Serana's face that Azriel couldn't understand. Serana fully withdrew her hand and set down the ice flower. She shifted in her chair and when her eyes found Azriel again, they held anger.
"What's wrong?" Azriel asked confused.
"You seem to have many friends." Serana said. Her words had a condescend air to them.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Serana pulled herself upright in the chair. "It doesn't mean anything…"
Azriel leaned out of the tub and grasped Serana's hand. "Tell me what's wrong."
"Why would you hunt vampires if you have them as friends?"
Azriel sighed and let go of her hand. "I told you before I'm not a vampire hunter. I made a deal with a vampire named Movarth. In return for his help, I went to the Dawnguard, like he asked me too."
Serana narrowed her eyes at her, "And you slaughtered how many vampires before you got to me?"
Azriel felt her anger rise and spoke before she could stop herself. "How many of your kin would kill me if they had a chance, Serana? Yes, I killed them. And judging by the way they were acting, they would have killed you as well. Your kin aren't always the friendliest of people."
"Did you plan to kill me?" Serana asked with a hiss.
"I didn't plan to kill anyone, Serana." Azriel was exasperated. She didn't understand where all this was going.
"I find that hard to believe. I also find it hard to believe a vampire would ask you to go to a group of vampire hunters."
Azriel stared at her in disbelief. "We made a deal… Movarth wanted to know if the Dawnguard knew he and his clan existed. So I went to the Dawnguard to see what they knew about them. I threw them off course with his clan, in return, he reassured a Jarl on their long standing agreement. Because vampires are attacking all over Skyrim, the Dawnguard sent me to your cave. So I fucking went. Those vampires hadn't a clue as to what they were looking for. And had they have found you, they would have cut you down for that Scroll."
"How many of those mindless vampires begged for their lives before you killed them?" Serana's retort was scathing.
"None." Azriel answered.
The answer seemed to shock Serana slightly.
"I don't believe you." Serana scoffed crossing her arms.
Azriel crossed her arms. "Only one begged for his life and you were the one that ate him."
Serana stared at her.
Azriel pulled the large towel from the shelf and opened it. She pulled it around herself as she stood, not caring if Serana saw.
"As for your answer, I know that vampires are made though blood magic, the same as wolves. It's a blessing from Molag Bal, just as being a werewolf is a blessing from Hircine." Azriel snapped.
Azriel gathered her belongings and started for the door when Serana appeared in front of her. Serana gently grabbed Azriel's arms and the shock traveled through her body. Azriel flushed when she realized how close Serana was to her and that her hands on her bare arms had turned her on instantly.
Serana stared into her eyes deeply and Azriel felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny. Azriel was afraid Serana would notice her scent. Serana stepped closer, their bodies almost touched. Azriel took a deep breath and for the first time, she noticed the faintest of scents emanating from Serana. It was sweet like rosewater and light as a blue mountain flower.
Serana's eyes were piercing as they bored into her. "What else do you know about us?"
Azriel took another breath, the scent seemed stronger. She looked into the fires of Serana's eyes but they were guarded.
"The first recorded vampire was a Nedic woman, Lamae Beolfag, who was raped by the Daedric Prince, Molag Bal. She was considered the mother of vampires, a blood matron. Her thirst was unquenchable and her power came from being made out of spite of Arkay. She was so powerful that fire couldn't stop her and supposedly sunlight didn't affect her. She was the proprietor of the Cyrodiil line of vampires."
Azriel could feel the cold from the woman's body. Serana's thumb was caressing her skin and the feeling made her hair stand on end. Azriel had a sudden urge to close the distance between them, but resisted.
Serana leaned closer and Azriel's entire body tingled. "I became a vampire though a ceremony on his summoning day. It was… degrading… and I don't ever want to revisit it. I don't regret the power it gave me, but I do regret what it did to my family." Serana paused. "In a way, I am like Lamae Beolfag, but the circumstances were different…" Serana let her hands fall to her sided, but her eyes never left Azriel's as she stepped back. "…we differ because of it."
Azriel exhaled a shaky breath.
"What's the point of your line of questioning, Serana?" Azriel's question was pointed and her tone had an edge to it.
"I need to know I can trust you, Azriel." Serana started to pace. "There is so much that needs to be explained still…" Serana looked to her as if searching her for answers to questions she refused to voice. "I just don't know where to begin on my own…" She looked down for a second. "It's why I need your help."
Azriel watch her closely for a moment. The vampire's eyes held that longing again. Azriel felt a twinge of something in herself for the woman. Her anger was gone, but something had taken its place and she realized how sad Serana sounded.
Azriel slipped her hand into Serana's. "You're lonely." Azriel's statement was simple, but the impact it made on Serana was apparent. She looked as if she had been hit with a war hammer. Serana looked away with a slight flush in her cheeks.
"Don't be embarrassed, it happens to the best of us."
Serana's eyes met hers again. "How can you possibly understand?"
Azriel gave her hand a squeeze. "Try being the only one of your kind… the last… The one the world wishes to kill or hold out all hope for. Then imagine what it's like never knowing if today will be your end. You guard yourself from everything and everyone… never opening yourself up to anything real and never letting yourself feel anything resembling love for any of them. Being a Dragonborn is supposed to be a blessing, but I've never seen it that way…"
Azriel's voice trailed off realizing the words made her feel hollow. But, they were the truth. And as raw as she felt, she had never uttered them before. It was a level of herself she wouldn't expose to anyone. She wasn't sure why she had told Serana, but something felt right about doing so.
Serana stared at her then she closed the gap in a blink of an eye. Before Azriel could react Serana did something Azriel never expected… she hugged her. Serana's body against hers made Azriel shudder involuntarily. Azriel closed her eyes, the crushing feelings she had made it impossible for her to understand herself.
Azriel felt her arms slip around the woman's waist and return her embrace. Serana shivered against her as they held one another.
They had been talking for hours, mostly about history. Serana had endless questions and Azriel made up funny answers if she didn't know the answer.
Azriel took a drink from her goblet. Serana had been quietly thinking of her next question.
"Azriel, do you have parents somewhere? Family?"
Azriel looked at her over the rim of the goblet. "No. I was an orphan."
Serana looked at her questioningly. "Who taught you so much about history then?"
Azriel smiled and set down the cup. "I've picked it up in the last three years I've lived in Skyrim. You know, in conversations with people, dragons, but mostly from books. I love to read."
Serana raised an eyebrow at her. "Who taught you to read?"
Azriel laughed. "What kind of question is that? No one, Serana." Azriel continued to laugh, but the look on Serana's face was of shock. "Why would anyone need to teach me to read when it's like breathing, or talking, or walking?"
"Azriel, talking… walking… and reading are all taught. You're telling me you simply know how to do those things?"
Azriel stared at her. "Yes."
Serana gave a low whistle. "That's incredible. You can read and speak in two languages?"
Azriel continued to stare at her trying to decide if this was a joke. "Yes."
"Vir eyvir dreh hi mindok daar deinok?" Serana asked.
"Eyvir ganog wah fahral hi ko nii, Serana." Azriel replied. "How do you know that language?"
"It was spoken when I was growing up by my Elders. My Mother made sure my education was thorough. She used to say 'Knowledge is power, Serana. You must learn everything, and know it well.'"
"You said your family changed after you became vampires. How so?"
"Becoming vampires wasn't a wholesome family activity. After the change my parents began to argue. My Mother spent more time in her… with her things. My Father became reclusive. They became more paranoid and started shutting people out of their lives, including me." Serana voice became bitter. "Eventually, I think they stopped seeing me as their daughter and only as means to get to one another. Then my Father learned of the Prophesy. It consumed him and he spiraled into this madness."
Azriel thought for a moment. "What exactly does this Prophesy say?"
"Well, that's the problem… no one really knows. The Prophesy speaks of a way to block out the Sun so that vampires can walk freely. For years my parents held on to these Elder Scrolls. My Father tried to have them deciphered to learn their secrets, but never could. As he fell farther into his obsession, my Mother became more infatuated with seeing him fail. Finally, one day she came to me and told me to follow her. I did and she interred me in that stone with one of the Scrolls. She told me no matter the cost to stay away from my Father and never allow him to have the Scroll. She sealed me inside to wait for her." Serana paused licking her lips. "Then you came along and woke me."
Azriel watched Serana run her tongue over her lips again. "Are you thirsty?"
Serana sighed. "I should probably go hunt."
"That's a bad idea. You don't know the people here or the area. Judging by their fucking stupid reaction to you before, I don't want to let you go on you own." Azriel thought a moment. "We could go down by the lake. But…" Azriel wondered to herself as the conversation ticked through her head. "Can you drink from a werewolf?"
Serana shifted uneasily in her chair. "I won't do that, Azriel."
With the face Serana made, Azriel thought she offended her.
"Hey look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
"You didn't offend me, Azriel." Serana sighed. "It's just… I could kill you. I'd prefer to go hunt. I won't have to care if I kill someone I don't care... know."
Azriel's curiosity was peaked. "So can you drink from werewolves?"
Serana measured her words. "I can, but I am afraid I may hurt you. Look, you are very kind to offer..."
"So if you had too, you could drink my blood."
Serana looked at her intensely. "If I had to, yes. But, I just said I may kill you."
They both sat there in silence and Azriel thought up a new question. "What's it like? Uh, drinking blood?"
Serana knit her brows together. "It depends on the person. Sometimes it can be bland and sometimes it's like drinking the very best of wines. I guess the best comes from powerful people like mages and witches. People who are powerful in their own right like some half blooded vampires are incredibly tasty. Werewolves also have powerful blood." She looked down at her hands and relaxed a little bit. "Some people's blood is bland or tasteless. I'm not sure why. But, it can have to do with the alcohol in their blood or if they are very weak people. It's difficult to explain…"
Azriel was on a roll. When her curiosity got the better of her, she had to know whatever it was she was interested in. Yet, her thoughts nagged her. "Can you drink a dragon's blood?"
Serana laughed. "I've never tried. It's not like you can sneak up on one and snatch it away somewhere quietly."
"I have dragon's blood."
Serana gawked at her. "That's true? I thought that was a myth."
Azriel smirked. "It's as much as a myth as I am."
Azriel could tell as Serana was contemplating it, her eyes became distant. A want grew in them and Azriel made her decision. She rose and walked over to where Serana was sitting and knelt in front of her. Serana watched her closely as she moved.
Azriel unlaced the front of her shirt and slipped it slightly off her shoulder. Serana gripped the arms of the chair tightly in her hands and Azriel smiled. "Relax, you aren't going to hurt me."
Serana's grip on the chair increase until she crushed the arms of the chair. "Azriel, no. I can't. I'm sorry, but I simply won't."
Azriel crossed her arms and looked up at her. "Why not?"
"Because, Azriel, I could kill you. I don't want to hurt you and I won't do it just to satisfy your curiosity."
"Is that the only reason?" Azriel asked.
"No. It isn't." Serana rubbed her temples. "Drinking a person's blood is… intimate. I don't mean from a goblet or a vial. I mean from them. For us… um… me, it creates a connection to that person. Blood is life and through it there is magic. It creates a link to that person's life and in a way I can't explain. It shows me things."
Azriel had no idea why she was so fascinated by this. "Just you?"
"I don't know. I asked my Mother about it once. She had a theory about it, but she said it was different for her and for each of us."
"One thing you need to learn about me, Serana is..." Azriel reached out and grabbed the hilt of Serana's dagger and pulled it free of its scabbard. "I'm damn stubborn when I want to know something."
Azriel sliced her shoulder open and dropped the blade.
Serana's eye's changed to a predator's at the sight of her blood.
Serana froze in her seat. The smell of Azriel's blood overloaded Serana's senses. The smell of it permeated her nose and made her mouth water. She couldn't tear her eyes from the girl's scarred and bleeding shoulder.
The deep red blood contrasted against the brown of her skin and Serana wanted nothing more than to lick her shoulder, to bite into her. Yet, she held herself in place. Serana thought desperately of escape, but the blood made her desires rise.
"Well what are you waiting for? I know you're thirsty." Serana tore her eyes from the leaking wound to the Dragonborn's golden eyes. She tried to speak, but nothing came from her mouth other than a soft moan.
She watched Azriel rise slowly in front of her. "Damnit, what do I have to do? Put it in your mouth for you?" Then a look crossed Azriel's face and she smiled. "You're seriously not going to drink from me are you?" Azriel seemed to relax.
Serana was losing her battle against her thirst as Azriel prodded her. Her eyes traveled to a droplet of blood that was sliding down into Azriel's shirt. Serana could feel the frenzy within herself and struggled against it. She closed her eyes and tried to will some control into herself. She chastised herself for letting Azriel push things this far. The woman didn't understand what she truly was.
Serana felt Azriel's hands on her arms, but refused to open her eyes. She could feel her hot breath on her face as she leaned down. "Serana, it's alright. Open your eyes."
Serana managed to shake her head slightly. She felt Azriel's weight as she sat down in her lap... and Serana lost control.
She grasped Azriel tightly with left hand as she tore her shirt down with her right. The blood had smeared against her shirt and Serana licked it away from her skin. The burn on Serana's tongue felt like the flames from a forge. She held the girl in place as she sank her teeth into her flesh. A tidal wave crashed against Serana's mouth of liquefied heat. The dragon blood was so fervid the feeling was pure ecstasy.
Serana's mouth and throat burned and the intoxicating blood made her desires primal. She crushed Azriel into herself, ignoring the girl's throaty moans.
Serana pulled Azriel around her as she moved to the floor, her hands became lost in Azriel's sea of hair. She pinned Azriel down still sucking from her shoulder. The woman's blood was powerful and she fell deeper into its spell. She sank her fangs in again, deeper allowing the blood to flow faster.
In the matter of a few seconds Serana was completely entranced by it. In her mind the vision of ebony swirled around her. The hot blood of the Dragonborn poured into her, yet a chill surrounded her. Smoky tendrils lashed at her and she felt eyes upon her.
She could feel Azriel struggle beneath her. Serana felt the werewolf howl in her mind. Through the blackness came a shadow of a dragon, so large it overpowered her. She felt the air around her move as it snapped its maw.
Azriel writhed under Serana as her blood poured forth. She hadn't expected the force the vampire had used to pin her down. Serana had woven her hands into her hair and her claws dug into her skin. The wolf howled as Azriel struggled. She felt herself becoming woozy from the loss of blood.
"Serana... Serana stop." Her voice was weak, but she pleaded with the vampire. "Serana stop, please!"
Serana's teeth bit into her again and Azriel realized the woman either wouldn't or couldn't stop herself. Azriel's strength was failing and her wolf howled again. Azriel felt herself move in and out of consciousness. She panicked. She summoned her wolf forward and her clawed hand shoved Serana from her body.
Don't hurt her...
The vampire hissed angrily as Azriel fully transformed. She rose from the floor as the wolf and roared. The bellow shook dust from the ceiling and the walls. Her golden eyes had darkened slightly in her beast form. Azriel flexed her claws and faced Serana.
Serana's eyes grew wide at the sight of the angry werewolf before her. Slowly, she rose from where Azriel had knocked her into the bed frame. She looked desperately past the wolf to the door. She didn't want to hurt Azriel any more than she already had. She knew this was preservation reaction. The large reddish werewolf made no move towards her, yet Serana felt threatened.
She watched the wolf flex its claws and then sprinted. She hit the door with her shoulder, breaking through it. Serana raced through the corridor madly. The thoughts of the damaged she had just done raced in her mind. She had no time to waste as she ran swiftly past people, knocking aside a cart. She entered a large chamber desperately looking around. The next corridor was on the other side of a large fire. She could hear the wolf approaching rapidly behind her.
Serana wasted no time and bolted ahead. She leapt through the flames and ran for the passageway. Her feet hit the wooden walk-way within seconds as she exited the corridor. She knew she was almost to the tunnel that led to the old cabin by the smell of fresh air.
She ran faster as she heard Azriel's claws on the wood. The large cavern passed in a blur and Serana entered the old tunnel. Their movements generated a massive wind in the ancient shaft.
Serana rounded the bend and she saw Raylen talking to two men. She yelled for them to move and they dove aside. Within a few short seconds she entered the cabin. She leapt up the stairs, never touching them. Standing in the front door was a Khajiit. Serana grabbed the merchant and spun her from the doorway. She had only seconds before Azriel caught up to her.
Serana didn't know where she was, so she ran for the path they had come up the night before. She rushed past the small pond and over the hill, the heavy breath and claw slaps of the werewolf told her she was right behind her.
Serana ran through the clearing and launched herself down over the rocks. She hurdled the alter where Azriel had slit the mage's throat. She could see the road in front of the lake, making the mistake of pausing when she arrived at the road.
Azriel's immense body collided with Serana's and they tumbled into the lake. The water surprised Serana with its warmth. She broke the surface and desperately looked around when she felt Azriel's hands roughly grab her. Azriel's arms wrapped around Serana, restraining her.
"Stop fighting me!" Azriel's breathed heavily over Serana's shoulder. "By the God's woman, you can run." Azriel panted hard into her ear. She couldn't remember if she ever had to give chase to something that fast. Serana stopped struggling against her.
Azriel let go of the vampire and put her hands on her thighs. She bent over to catch her breath. Serana turned around, wiping her wet hair from her face and Azriel looked up into her eyes. Serana quickly looked away, but Azriel saw the look of shame on her face as she spoke.
"Azriel, I am…" Serana looked away. "…so very sorry." Serana knew that the girl would never help her, let alone anything else.
Azriel righted herself in front of her. "I did it on purpose Serana. I had to know…"
Serana locked eyes with Azriel. "Really? You didn't listen to me… even after I told you no! I told you I could kill you." Serana grew angry. She was angry at the girl, but angrier with herself for letting Azriel push her limits. She was ashamed of herself for letting it go so far.
"…if I could trust you." Azriel finished with a breath. "I told you before, Serana I'm not stupid."
For a moment Serana was speechless. Azriel had tempted her knowing the outcome. Serana had been blind-sighted by the mortal thinking her curiosity had gotten out of control. Azriel walked out of the water and rung out her hair, but continued talking.
"You asked me to help you, but I need to know if I'm wounded in battle that you won't finish the job someone else started. I don't want you ripping out my throat because you lose control of your thirst." Azriel looked at her in such a way Serana took a step back. "Just like you just did, when I tempted you a few minutes ago."
Serana felt her mouth go dry. The woman was right, but her pride was wounded.
"Azriel… I am …"
"You need to learn control. Do you think you're the only one who was ever changed by a Daedric Prince? I know what that feels like. I understand loss of control… probably better than you'll ever know. But, I won't travel with you if you if I don't trust you. I need to be able to trust you. It's paramount." Azriel said plainly.
Serana felt like an idiot. "Azriel, I am so sorry."
She stood in the water trying to think of something to say. Her mind drew a blank, nothing seemed right. She stared at it rippling around her. She heard Azriel sigh and walk back in. She saw the ripples touch hers and felt the girl's hand under her chin.
Azriel stood there waiting. Serana's eyes held nothing other than sorrow and shame. She watched the vampire open her mouth then close it. Serana tried to look away and Azriel held her chin in place. Azriel tilted Serana's face up and her eyes bored into Serana's. "How do I know I can trust you?" Her thumb stroked Serana's lower lip.
Even soaking wet and upset, the vampire was beautiful. Azriel felt pangs of guilt at what she had done to her. But, she was resolute. She had been back-stabbed in the past and wasn't going to let it happen again.
Azriel stepped closer and the gap between them was miniscule. "Tell me how I know you won't kill me the first chance you get?" She drew her thumb across the vampire's lips slowly. "Give me a reason I can trust you once I've helped you."
Serana sighed with Azriel's touch and closed her eyes. Serana felt the longing course through her body. Her mind was flooded with a myriad of thoughts. She shivered knowing her answer meant everything.
Azriel's blood had changed her somehow. Its potency had reshaped her and she could feel the vigor it instilled in her. She needed to understand it further. Her thoughts roamed and she could feel the woman's touch. Her desire rose once again. The excitement of Azriel simple brush on her lips coursed through her body. For the first time, Serana allowed herself to fully feel the pleasure the mortal's tender touch extracted from her.
Azriel was right, trust did mean everything.
Serana opened her eyes, her voice barely a whisper. "I saw what haunts your dreams, Ahziial."
Thanks Everyone for the Favs and Alerts.
Comments welcome, but I'd also like your feed back as a review. Like I said, this is my first fanfic. Having reviews helps me gauge what you think of the story line so far.
Thanks again!