For my beloved E. & F.
24th Sun's Dusk… 0032…
Everything was wrong.
Her hands and knees were planted on the cold stone of the tower floor, but she felt nothing. She breathed in the dank, cold air of the room but tasted nothing. Their bodies were close enough to smell, but she couldn't even do that.
Every sound.
Every feeling.
Every single thing, even breathing…
Even the howling wolf was wrong in her mind. Its agitation and anger with them threatened to be her undoing. She was losing control.
It is… all… simply… wrong.
The only thing she could understand was the draw. The cordiality of the bone chilling cold enfolded her. The familiar gentleness of it beckoned her. It was something she had always known in her darkest hour. It had lingered with her since she could remember. The depths of the void that caressed her mind called to her. The safe haven in the storm of pain pulled her away from herself and deeper with in. The indulgent whispers crept from the icy depths, calling her within. The security it offered and the tenderness that came with it blanketed her.
The metronome ticked rhythmically in her ears.
Deeper she sank… farther away their voices sounded. The heat of their anger abated. She felt consumed and hollow knowing they were so close. So close was her madness that she recognized only one thing. That everything had gone so terribly wrong so quickly. She felt herself drawn towards the darkness, easing her chaos, enveloping her in its careful grace. The gentleness she had missed draped her in cool concern. It protected her from the self-induced fury that threatened to consume her wholly. She slipped into the dark embrace, letting the world fall away around her. The cares, the anger, and the fear all slid from her heart. Thoughts faded from her mind. Feelings gave way in her heart as she surrendered to it.
For a second, a moment, there was bliss-filled nothingness around her.
But, it wasn't… nothingness. The distinct lack of emptiness didn't frighten her. It was a memory of comfort in her moments of weakness. Stalling time and pulling her away from the suffering she always endured. Had there have been light in the darkness, she would have seen the shadow of the wing extend over her. She would have seen her protector. But, in the depths of her own mind she was blind to it. Her senses dulled from the agony of the despair she felt in the reaches of herself. As one faded to the depths, the other moved forward and slowly the two changed places. Claws in the darkness pushed forward, chains breaking, grandly releasing her soul filling the space left by one.
Her eyes closed, she took a deep, long breath.
A breath of freedom from her chains and she planned to make the most of it. Freedom, after all, had a price and the wolf barked in agreement.
Serana was furious with Aela.
The werewolf struggled against her in her arms, still venting at Azriel. It wasn't the fact she was angry that Azriel was harming herself, but it was the abuse she could not stomach. "Stop this, Aela! You're not solving anything!"
Aela tried to shove against the impossibly strong vampire. "Let me go, I'm not done with her!"
"You are! I won't let you touch her again." Serana hissed back at her from behind. "You're hurting her and I won't let you, no matter the reason!"
Aela fought for a few more seconds and finally let her shaking rage filled body rest in Serana's arms. "You don't understand, Serana!"
But, Azriel shifting positions caught their attention.
Aela growled at her, watching her move. Her anger was justified in her mind and she was going beat Azriel back into her senses if she had too.
Serana and Aela watched as Azriel pushed against the cold stone and rocked back to her knees in complete silence.
Ahziial slowly stood, enjoying the feeling of control over her body once more. The feelings that stirred around her and the presence of her mates made her rumble deeply. The dragon turned to face the pair with her glowing golden eyes.
Both women shuddered at the cold that rolled from their lover. Neither of them had ever felt such a chill roll from her in the past. Neither of them had never felt her so in control of herself as they did at that moment of time. Her struggle was gone, but what replaced it was almost as frightening.
The low rumble that escaped her made Serana pull Aela back a step.
The dragon turned fully to face them. Her dead pan expression gave no hint as to her emotions, yet both Serana and Aela felt it. "You."
Her voice was as cold as the Sea of Ghosts and both women shivered.
Aela glanced quickly over her shoulder at Serana catching her surprised expression.
"What about me, Azriel?"
The rumble was replaced with a disapproving sound. Long and low, the reptilian hiss ended in words. "You shall not call me by anything other than my name."
"That is your name!" Aela barked back, her frustration and anger fully expelling the words with force.
Ahziial moved impossibly fast in front of them. "No! My name is Ahziial. Not that disgusting word. It represents weakness that I do not possess."
Aela opened her mouth, but Serana's hand covered it.
"How did you…" Serana search rapidly for the right words. "How did you free yourself?"
Ahziial narrowed her eyes and shifted her gaze from Aela to Serana. "When she is weakest, I am strong. When she is lost, I guide her. When she is broken, I mend her. When she is frightened, I protect her."
Aela pulled Serana's hand from her face gently. "You're speaking as though…" She paused and it dawned on her. Azriel had always said she kept the darkest parts of herself at bay.
"I speak only for us. I am the ghost in the darkness. I am her protector and she keeps me in chains." The dragon finished for her. "Your assault does not go unnoticed. You caused this, even after I chose you."
Aela pushed herself free of Serana's gentle hold. "Explain, Dragonborn."
"Give me our bag. I will show you all you wish to know." The cold voice made Aela bristle and she looked down. In the matter of a few moments she had forgotten completely she had emptied that bag, calling forth the bottles of Skooma that it had contained.
She watched as Ahziial extended her hand out, but the dragon's eyes never left her face. Aela held tightly onto the bag, hearing the bottles being crushed under Ahziial's foot as she took another step closer.
For the first time in her life, Aela was afraid of Azriel. The foreign coldness from her, the chill that permeated her skin and the way she was looking at her made her realize why the dragons feared her.
"Is that so?' The calm that Ahziial extruded was nearly terrifying.
Serana shook her head. "Is what so, Ahziial?"
A cruel smile formed on her lips. "I frighten her. After years of knowing us, she is afraid of me."
The dragon pressed her hand forward, almost touching Aela and Aela couldn't help but to recoil from her.
Serana stepped nearly between them or as between them as she could. "Don't hurt her…"
Ahziial chuckled darkly. "You both fail to see, that I cannot harm or bring harm to either of you."
Serana and Aela shared another look.
"What do you mean?" Aela asked tentatively.
"I would only harm myself. My bond with you both is unbreakable. It prevents me from harming you." Ahziial answered simply.
Without meaning too, Aela sighed in relief outwardly.
"Now. Give us our bag and I will give you what you desire."
"What will you give us?" Aela was confused.
"Knowledge. Understanding. Insight. You only have scratched the surface of our dilemma, yet you fail to see why she has acted this way." Ahziial took a breath. "You only see what you wish and my freedom is limited. You must be shown to understand."
Aela passed the bag to Ahziial and the dragon snatched it away. Stepping back, she opened the bag and her smile stretched farther.
"You do not realize what we hold. You see only what you wish. This world and your understanding blinds you to the power you held in your hands." Ahziial pulled the bag and turned it inside-out. "This bag isn't only enchanted, but acts as a portal."
Serana looked carefully at the bag. In its simplicity she sensed what Ahziial was saying. "Show us."
The dragon smiled fully. "Knowledge is truth. It is power. This is only a means to access it. It is why it is weightless. It is a portal to a plane of Oblivion." Ahziial reached into the bag and pulled forth the Skull of Corruption.
Aela gasped.
Ahziial's eyes landed on her and Aela felt her skin crawl.
"So, you do remember this...?"
It took everything Aela had not to scream at her. The staff terrified her.
Serana stepped closer, but Ahziial held up her hand.
"Why do you still have that?" Aela could barely speak.
Serana shot her a glance.
"Where would you have us place it? It would be Dawnstar all over again." Ahziial didn't stop watching her as she spun the staff. "I have learned to use it to my own advantage. It was you that said I should carry it, did you not?"
Aela stared at the Dragonborn in terror. "I never meant…"
"I heard you. I was there. The dream world is the only place we are whole, you frustrating creature." Ahziial snarled back at her.
Serana thrust her hands up, exasperated between them. "Stop it, both of you." She took a calming breath; the power that the Skull emanated was both fearsome and intriguing. "You said you were going to show us something. So show us."
Ahziial stopped twirling the staff. She smiled another cold smile and slammed the staff to the stone. "LAAG!"
The calm of her voice and the single word lulled both women's eyes closed as the Skull radiated darkness around them…
Both women were simultaneously aware they were no longer in the ancient Volkihar tower.
Aela looked at Serana and gasped. The vampire was dressed in a blood-red flowing gown which took Aela's breath away. Her every curve accentuated by the gown. On her head she wore a crown of crimson thornless roses. To say the vampire looked stunning was an understatement.
"You should look down." Serana smirked at her.
And Aela complied, forcefully tearing her eyes from the gorgeous vampire and looking down at herself.
A small growl escaped her lips at the sight of the emerald green dress she wore.
"You look beautiful, don't complain." The smirk still clung to the vampire's face. "She could see us in other ways… less complimentary."
Aela reached up and touched her head, carefully lifting the gemstone crown from her brow. She inspected the emeralds it contained and glanced up at the vampire. "Where are we?"
Serana sighed. "Ahziial put us to sleep. We're both dreaming."
Aela placed the crown back on her head and looked around. "How can we both be having the same dream?"
Serana took her hand. The street they stood on was deserted and the area they were in wasn't the best from the looks of things. "I'm not sure. But, she's channeling the power of the staff to do this, so maybe we should have a look around."
Aela shivered, but the cool air of the night wasn't the cause. "That staff… its power… you don't know what it can do. It feeds on nightmares. It nearly drove all of Dawnstar mad."
Serana pulled her close. "I felt its power. Its Daedric magic and I may not have seen it in use before, but I can feel what it is capable of."
The sound of hurried footsteps caught their attention and both women turned towards the source.
A young woman emerged from the nearby alley way and stopped directly in front of them. She shifted her plain brown robes quickly and pulled from them a heavily swaddled bundle.
"Shhh… little one." Her voice was soft and filled with concern. "We're nearly there."
Both Aela and Serana saw the little bundle shift in the woman's arms and the woman kissed the infant's small fingers. She pulled back the new-born's hood and both women exchanged a look. The bright golden eyes of the child held no mystery to who she was.
The young priestess kissed the child's forehead and scurried down the street. Aela and Serana followed her silently to a nearby, rundown building.
The young woman knelt in front of the door holding Ahziial. "My Queen bids your journey to begin here, little Ahziial." She held the child for a second longer and then she set her down on the stoop. "Lady Mara, grant this dragon your blessing of compassion, let it be her heart that always stays her hand."
With a sad last look, the woman pulled a small bit of parchment from her robes and tucked it into the folds of the Ahziial's blanket. "Your life will never be easy, but may the Nine watch over you on you path."
The world around them swirled in mist and reformed.
The open room was filled with small children, shabbily dressed. Many of them were in tears as an older woman screamed at them for silence. She slapped the nearest child with a leather strap across the face.
Aela jumped to stop her, but her hands went through the woman completely.
"You can't help them." Serana's voice held only sadness. "We're only meant to watch."
Aela spun to look at Serana, who was watching the vision intently. "How do you expect me to remain idle as this monster abuses these children?"
Serana looked in the closest cubby and found a very thin Ahziial, hiding. She looked no older than three or four years of age to Serana.
Ahziial's fear and panic surged through both of them.
Serana knelt down next to her and watched the silent tears slip from her eyes. "Because I think we're supposed to see what's happened to her. The course of her life. She wants us to understand her."
The woman wheeled about the room, striking every child she could with the belt, stopping opposite of Serana. The old matron bent down and grabbed Ahziial by the hair and dragged her out of the cubby.
"So little Daedra, you think you can escape punishment?" She hefted Ahziial up by her hair striking her repeatedly with the strap.
Tears fell quickly, but Ahziial made no sounds as she endured the beating.
Aela balled her fist, her fury etched into her face. "If this woman still lives, I will kill her." She breathed heavily.
The vision faded back into mist, swirling around them.
The dreams formed and they were in the same room. Children of various ages stood in line, each waiting their turn.
The Matron stood next to an unlit hearth on the cold night, bundled in a warm wool shawl. The children in line wore only rags and each was shivering. The Matron shoved a small cup into Ahziial's hand.
"Hold it still, stupid. Don't you dare spill a drop of this mead."
Aela growled watching the old woman slap the five year old Ahziial's head.
"Drink it, little Daedra."
Obediently, Ahziial lifted the cup to her lips with both hands, drinking the contents.
The woman grabbed the cup from her hands, shoving her towards the other children curled up on the worn wooden floor. "Bed!"
The mist whirled again and the vision had once again shifted.
Ten children were dragged by chained collars down a darkened hall. The smells that assaulted Serana and Aela's noses made them both retch. This time, neither had to move as the dream shifted around them. A tall Imperial drug the dazed children to a small pen and closed the iron door behind them.
The smells became worse along with the sounds.
The dream followed them as the guard forced the children to crawl or be dragged behind him. With each step, the children fought against their chains until the guard finally stopped to whip them. Under the threat of continuing the whipping, the children moved quicker, until finally they'd reached their destination.
"Welcome to your new home, slaves." He coiled the whip and returned it to his hip. "You be sorted in a few hours. I suggest you be good little rats and don't move a muscle." The man laughed as he closed the cage door.
Aela rounded on Serana. "How are we supposed to just stand here and watch this?"
The vampire caught her and pulled her into an embrace as the dream shifted again. "Because this is Ahziial's past. She's trying to make us understand…"
"I don't know how much more of this I can bear to watch. Her life has been riddled with abuse." Aela trembled angrily in her arms and Serana smoothed her hair.
The mist stopped spinning around them and in a second their eyes adjusted to the darkness.
In the center of the damp stone dungeon was a small dirty child, chained to a wall. The wooden door behind them opened and both women turned to watch a well-dressed Thalmor and two underlings enter. He walked with purpose to the child and ripped the black hood from her head. The bruises on her small face paled in comparison to the terror in Ahziial's eyes.
Aela guess she wasn't more than ten years old.
"Well, well… if it isn't my little trouble maker." The Thalmor removed his gloves and leisurely handed them to the Altmer woman behind him. "You lost… again."
The chains rattled as Ahziial began to shiver harder.
The Thalmor grabbed her face roughly. "You know the price of losing."
Ahziial nodded, silently.
"Well then, my little muted idiot. You shall repay your debt to me." He slammed her against the wall, both Aela and Serana growled. "Unchain it."
Serana hissed violently at him, knowing it was pointless.
The other two Altmer moved quickly, unchaining Ahziial and dragging her up by her hair. The dreamscape moved rapidly as they half-dragged her down the chilly corridor to another room. The male underling stepped forward with a key, opening another wooden door.
Both Aela and Serana gasped at the sight of wounded children within the room. Each with various injuries and two healers moved silently between three badly injured children.
"Out." The Thalmor called out in a bored tone.
The healers looked between each other before rising.
"Emissary, please, these children…" The healer's voice shook as it faded.
"I said, out. Or you can join them, whichever you prefer." His tone carried an unmistakable note of finality and neither healer wasted time in removing themselves from the room.
The Emissary watched as his attendant shoved Ahziial into the room.
Aela nearly roared when the Emissary pulled a dagger from his belt, but held it in check as the man turned it and gripped it by the blade.
"Take it." He urged Ahziial.
Ahziial hesitated and the female Altmer slapped the back of her head, knocking her forward.
Aela felt her gut tighten with apprehension for what was coming.
"Take. It." He repeated.
This time Ahziial didn't hesitate.
"Good girl." The cruel smile spread across his lips as he looked down his nose at her. "Now you will repay your debt to me."
Serana scanned the room. "He can't possibly mean…"
"Kill them." The coldness in the Elf's voice was unmistakable. "All of them."
"Azriel no, you can't!" The words left both Serana and Aela's lips at the same time. But, they were powerless to stop her as she walked to the first child and looked down. Ahziial raised the dagger and plunged it straight into the girl's heart.
The vision faded.
For a moment the foggy silvered dreams moved around them. Fragments of images shifted so quickly, that neither vampire nor werewolf could catch a real glimpse of the imagery.
Fragments formed new visions.
…A tall Orc, with long black hair knelt on the ground next to Ahziial. His face stretched into a smile.
…A Dark Elf held Ahziial's hand as a single spark smoldered in it.
…Ahziial in the light of day, her dagger in her hand, fighting a wolf.
Each vision was wisp-like, each fleeting. Her feelings stirred within them as the mist gave birth to the fading dreams.
…The pounce of the lion and the tearing of her flesh.
…Ahziial licking slop from the dirt floor of her cage.
Disjointed and evanescent, each vision came faster. The nightmare became a run on, moving wilder. The chaos of it was sickening to both women.
…Her wrists bound in chains, hanging from the whipping post.
…The heat of the forge and the feel of hot metal.
…Ahziial dodging the thrust of a spear, deflecting it with her short sword.
…The goring bite of the spider.
…The thrust of her dagger through the Orc's heart.
…Hearing the last breath of the Dark elf and feeling of Ahziial's heart breaking.
The mist broke and formed a new, more solid image. The blue sky interrupted by cheers surprised both Serana and Aela. The maddening inner struggle to separate their emotions from hers stopped suddenly.
Colorful paper dropped around them and she turned to see the Emperor of Tamriel with his hand on Ahziial's shoulder. For a moment she was struck by how regal the fourteen year old looked and how thin she was.
Dressed in robes fit for her true station in life, Ahziial stared out into the multitude of people. The crimson she was adorned in nearly matched the Emperor's and held the symbols of the Empire. The difference between their clothing was distinctive only by the lion pelt Ahziial wore.
It was obvious she had never seen so many things before in her life by the way her attention was drawn everywhere at once, Serana noted. She shared a look with Aela, realizing Aela felt the same way she did.
"They really go all out for these wins, don't they?" Serana asked over the noise of the crowd.
"My Pa once told me a story of the Arena, that the winners were considered the greatest fighters in all of Tamriel. That the crowned Grand Champion was always paraded around with the Emperor." Aela looked back at Ahziial's face. The lack of smile or any outward emotion wasn't what caught her attention. She looked into her eyes and saw only the young girl's fear. "He also said that most were murdered afterwards."
The Emperor stood proudly next to her, or at least that was the image portrayed. The golden chariot bumped to gates of the White-Gold Tower's walls and Ahziial turned with the Emperor.
His hand still on her shoulder, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "This is as close as you will ever get to my tower, slave. I hope you enjoyed your freedom."
The mist swirled and reformed as a fire storm.
The air around Serana and Aela boiled. Flames raged all around them. The blaze was so intense it lacked smoke. In the middle of the inferno walked a lone figure, surrounded by a blinding white light. The mild heat of the flames licked at them, but both Aela and Serana were transfixed on the figure.
Disorder was around them.
Animals in cages thrashed trying to flee, humans fought against their chains. With each passing second the flames grew hotter until they were finally surrounded. Conflagration of animals and people was almost instant as the flames enveloped them.
Peering into the blaze, they could see the stone walls splitting as Ahziial passed them and caving in behind her. She drug twin swords along the walls burning so hotly, that the stone itself was melting.
"YOU WILL ALL BURN IN THIS TOMB MADE OF STONE!" Her voice permeated the inferno, driving the heat forth with it. "I WILL BE FREE!"
The chamber shook as she passed them, rock exploded around them. Every living creature was incinerated as she passed by.
A cloud of flames enveloped Aela and Serana and the vision shifted again.
They were standing in a field of flowers at night. The floral scent was beautiful in comparison to the smells that had afflicted their noses until now.
"This field is gorgeous..." Serana breathed lightly and Aela smiled at the vampire. It was a relief to be standing there. After everything and for the first time, Aela could feel good again.
In the moonlight, Aela was tempted to tell her how it paled in comparison to Serana's own beauty. She had only just opened her mouth when she was interrupted by the sound of Ahziial's voice.
"Eamal?" Ahziial called out weakly.
Both Serana and Aela turned quickly in the direction of her voice.
Ahziial stood with her arm full of flowers and covered in pollen. She smiled sheepishly at the hooded figure walking towards her. "Are these enough?"
When the figure reached Ahziial, Serana was already at her side. Eamal pulled her hood back with a light laugh and Serana gasped loudly.
"You must be feeling better…" Eamal traced her finger down Ahziial's cheek. "…you've out done yourself tonight."
"What is it?" Aela was at Serana's side watching her carefully.
"That vampire… Eamal…" Serana closed her mouth and shook her head.
"What about her?" Aela inspected the other vampire carefully. She was definitely around Ahziial's age and only a little taller. By rights she was incredibly beautiful, more so than a Nord. She was something else, but definitely had a bit of Nordic blood in her. Her long golden locks framed her face, her pale skin reflected the light of the moon like Serana's, but her eyes were so very different. The deep crimson of her eyes was very different than the hearth-fire glow of Serana's. But, this vampire's eyes glowed a devilish color and somehow it was significant to Aela.
For a moment Aela struggled with her jealousy. Watching the vampire stand so closely to Ahziial and watching her touch Ahziial's cheek in such a tender manner made her muscles tense.
Ahziial pushed the flowers into Eamal's hands and the vampire held on for a bit too long for Aela's liking. She growled watching the woman and threw Serana another look. But, Serana was entranced by the vampire. She was studying her face and eyes as if she was trying to remember everything about her for eternity.
"What are you doing?" Aela couldn't help the words coming out a little angrier than she intended.
"Aela… she is a pure-blood like I am." Serana whispered disbelievingly. "I… I only thought that she was possibly based on everything Ahziial told us. But, this vampire… she's ancient. She's older than I am."
The dream shifted around them in misty color and Serana let out a frustrated groan.
The pair found themselves watching a man being beheaded and Aela turned to Serana. "This is Helgen. This is how I remember it before it was destroyed." She glanced over Serana shoulder and nodded her head at Serana.
"Next! The Nibenean!" The female Captain shouted.
Aela and Serana watched as Ahziial walked forward towards the bloody headsman's block. The distant roar caught everyone's attention and Ahziial stopped walking, looking at the sky.
"There it is again! Did you hear that?"
Aela looked at the man that had spoken and nearly jumped. "Hadvar?!"
"I said, next prisoner!" The Captain repeated with a more agitated tone in her voice.
Ahziial resumed her walk and knelt next to the block. The heavy boot connected with her back shoving her face first into the bloody wood.
"Damn them! Can't they see she's a child?" Aela snarled and Serana took her hand.
The next roar was closer and Aela looked at the sky, watching something black move in the clouds.
"It's in the clouds!" Someone shouted behind them.
Aela and Serana, with the town's people and the Legionaries, watched the black dragon drop from the sky onto the tower.
"Dragon!"
"Alduin!" Aela shouted over the yells of others. She grabbed Serana and dragged her backwards.
"Get the people indoors!"
The black dragon looked around for a moment or two and then its glowing golden eyes landed on Ahziial. The dragon roared and the very air exploded in their ears. The sky swirled, clouds took on a shade of red-black like an ugly, fiery storm. Burning meteors fell from the heavens.
"Hey, Girl! Get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance." Aela turned to see Ralof drag Ahziial to her feet.
The black dragon roared again and Ahziial, Aela and Serana looked at it.
"Hi los nid wah zey. Zu'u Alduin. Zok sahrot do naan ko Lein! Hin kiindah los do nid nizraadom. Kel drey ni viik. Zu'u los zok wuth do Akatosh, hi los ahvakaar."
"Come girl!" Ralof shouted, dragging her towards another tower.
The vision faded back into the mist and Aela turned to Serana. "What did Alduin say to her?"
Serana thought for a moment. "You are nothing to me. I am Alduin, most mighty of any in the World. Your birth is of no importance. The Elder Scroll did not defeat me. I am the eldest of Akatosh, you are an abomination."
The wind picked up as the light of cool morning grew around them.
Serana watched Ahziial walk past them, dressed in ill-fitting fur and leather armor. "Dragonsreach?"
Ahziial pushed open the large wooden doors and walked up the stairs quickly.
"Ah, Dragonborn. You've returned. Good, now that you're here there is something I was hoping we could discuss." Jarl Balgruuf walked down the steps and greeted her at the table.
Ahziial bowed her head only slightly. "You said it was 'pressing'."
Balgruuf smirk slightly at her. "You impressed Irileth and my men before you left for High Hrothgar. I was hoping you would do me a personal favor."
Ahziial nodded in accent.
"Very well. My Hold is in need of a Thane. I would like you to accept the title."
Again, Ahziial only nodded, but both women noted the confusion on her face.
"As Jarl of Whiterun, I proclaim you, Azriel the Dragonborn, Thane of Whiterun." He snapped his fingers and Lydia walked down from the throne platform.
"That's it? That wasn't exactly impressive." Serana rolled her eyes.
Aela smirked. "He's not one for fanfare."
Serana shook her head. "Being Thane used to be a big deal. Well, back in my day."
Standing next to Jarl Balgruuf she simply stared at Ahziial for a minute. Then she laughed softly. "You're the Dragonborn?"
Ahziial rolled her eyes. "Was there something else, my Jarl?"
Balgruuf glared at Lydia, quelling her chuckles. "No, Dragonborn. That was all. Lydia will explain the rest to you. Thank you for coming."
Ahziial shrugged and turned to walk out the doors.
Lydia raced to keep up with her as she pushed her way out the heavy wooden doors and down the stairs. They walked to the square where Ahziial knelt next to the stream.
"Wait!" Lydia grabbed her shoulder. "You can't drink that."
They both watched Ahziial look at her questioningly.
"It's dirty." Lydia gave her a look that Aela recognized as irritated.
"Well, looks like Lydia didn't like her very much either." Aela spoke more to herself than Serana.
"Why's that?" Serana watched Lydia guide Ahziial to a leaky fountain in the square.
"That's her 'I can't believe you right now' look." Aela said with a laugh.
They watched Ahziial lick at the water that leaked from the faucet. Lydia gave an unamused sigh. She walked over and turned the spigot to let the fresh water out.
As Ahziial bent to drink, Lydia mumbled under her breath to herself. "I can't believe he named this moronic Imperial Thane."
Ahziial gripped the basin tightly and closed her eyes. The look of pain registered on her face just as the mist whirled around Aela and Serana.
Serana heaved a disgusted sigh as the mist reformed.
The dragon's shadow passed overhead and out of instinct, both women ducked. The dragon's roar shook the earth under their feet as it passed low over them. Aela stood and let out a surprised yelp.
"Well, don't you look fearsome." Serana said coyly behind her.
Aela stood looking directly into her own face. Her bow was notched and aimed at the sky as the dragon circled again in the dream.
"This is the first time we actually met…" Aela watched herself as the dragon passed overhead a second time, heading toward the wall.
The dragon's roar was met by another.
The two watched as Ahziial launched herself from the top of the wall onto the dragon as it passed by. The dream Aela loosed her arrows into it, along with the guards. Ahziial grabbed the dragon's horns and pulled back on its head.
"I'd forgotten how fearless she was." Aela said softly as the dragon and the Dragonborn disappeared into the clouds.
Serana brushed her fingers down her cheek and Aela looked at her. "It's never too late to make it up to her."
Aela shrugged. "We never had an easy friendship."
Serana noticed the change in her besides the flippancy. "What's wrong?"
The distant roars filled the sky as a helmet landed at their feet.
"We'd better move." Aela tugged Serana next to her dream self.
Serana followed obediently. "Why?"
"The dragon is about to land on us." Aela said with a smirk, still ignoring her question.
"FEIM!" Ahziial hit the ground rolling and sprung to her feet in front of an old man.
She glanced up and then shoved him and Aela aside.
The dragon crashed and skid down the road, coming to a halt at her feet. It was obviously dead before it hit the ground, but Ahziial still kicked it in the snout.
She looked at the three companions she had pushed aside and bent to help the eldest. "Forgive me, Elder. There was no time to ask you to move."
The old man chuckled with mirth. "It is of no consequence, Dragonborn." His silver eyes locked with hers and he gave her a knowing wink.
Ahziial moved quickly and extended her hand to Aela. "I hope you can forgive me as well." Aela caught her hand and the werewolf looked at the Dragonborn. For a moment, neither moved.
"What were you thinking?" Serana whispered in Aela's ear.
Aela cleared her throat. "I was pissed she had knocked us to the ground. It also surprised me. I never expected that kind of strength from her. When she touched me it was like hot metal had touched my hand. Then I realized that she was a werewolf. I wasn't sure what to do."
The dream Aela allowed Ahziial to pull her to her feet, then gave a quick glance to the elder man. He winked and Aela gave the Dragonborn a quick smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks."
Ahziial helped the last to his feet and the big wolf smiled graciously at her. "You pack a wicked push for a little twig. I'm Farkas."
Ahziial smiled fully at him.
Aela smirked. "He always says 'If anyone can knock him down he's just met someone he can like'."
Serana smiled at her.
The older man cleared his throat and Ahziial turned to him. "Dragonborn, will you do this old man a personal favor?"
Ahziial nodded at him.
"We are the Companions, we're looking to bolster our ranks…"
The dragon's body burst into flames and burned like paper in a bon fire. The purple-gold light rose out of it and everyone went silent, watching as it surrounded Ahziial.
"…my word." The old man exhaled.
Ahziial was watching the dream Aela carefully as the dragon's soul entered her.
For a few seconds the silence weighed on the town's folk and the Companions. Ahziial cleared her throat. "You were saying?"
"Um… yes. Would you do this old man a favor when you have some time to spare and come speak with me in Jorrvaskr?"
Serana watched the dream Aela's face change to disgust. "Why did you do that?"
Aela closed her eyes. "I couldn't believe the gods could hate us so much as to make an Imperial child like her the Dragonborn."
The mist swirled around them and Serana waited patiently for Aela to finish. But, Aela looked away ashamed.
The heat of the fire in the mead hall of Jorrvaskr warmed them. The party that raged around them was full of drunken merriment and music filling the air.
The door to Jorrvaskr open and Ahziial entered, with a large pile of skins over her shoulder. Behind her trailed Lydia, with another smaller pile over her shoulder.
The two made her way down the stairs and Aela groaned. Serana threw her a sharp look, but Aela was watching Farkas meet Ahziial at the bottom of the stairs.
"Well, you made it back in one piece."
Ahziial and Lydia dropped the bear skins on the floor. Both rolled their shoulders and Ahziial gave a small smile. "There were more than ten bears in the cave, Farkas."
The large Nord clapped her on the shoulder. "And? You got them all didn't you?"
"We got them all and a few of them nearly got us." Lydia groaned at him.
He counted through the skins and stood quickly. "There's a bounty on them based on the number killed, so you get five hundred gold for all these."
Ahziial smirked at Lydia. "That's enough to get us by for a while." She held out her hand as Farkas counted out the gold into it.
Aela watched as her doppelganger sauntered up with a tankard of mead and set it noisily down on the table next to the trio. "Well, well… if it isn't the little Dragonborn."
Ahziial averted her eyes, staring solely at her hand.
"Give it a rest, Aela." Lydia sneered at her between her teeth.
Aela held up her hands. It was obvious she was drunk. "I'm just trying to welcome our Shield-Sister to the party."
Serana glanced at Aela as she rubbed her forehead next to her. "I was a bitch to her." She whispered to Serana.
Farkas finished counting the gold into Ahziial's hand.
Serana watched as Aela reached out, pretending to brush the snow from Ahziial's armor.
"Care to join us?" Aela asked seductively.
Ahziial cleared her throat, but remained silent.
Aela leaned closer. "I asked you a question, Dragonborn."
Ahziial didn't look up at her. "No, thank you."
Aela knocked the gold from her hand. "Oops. So sorry about that…"
Others in the room laughed loudly at Ahziial.
Serana watched as Ahziial closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stated to move to reclaim her gold when Aela placed a hand on her shoulder restraining her. "You should have a drink with us."
Lydia took a step forward, but Ahziial gave her head the smallest shake.
"No." Ahziial's voice was barely above a whisper. "Thank you."
Aela lifted her tankard and looked at Ahziial. "I insist. Dragonborn." She threw the mead in Ahziial's face.
Ahziial said nothing for a couple of seconds and instead bending down to pick up her gold from the floor. Lydia quickly joined her until the two had retrieved every Septim. Ahziial handed all of her gold to Lydia and quietly walked out.
To both Aela and Serana's surprise the dream didn't alter.
Lydia stood slowly and faced Aela. "You should be ashamed of yourself."
Aela laughed in her face. "And why should I be?"
"I never thought you'd ever be this big of a bitch to anyone." Lydia took a breath and stepped closer to Aela. "You ever do that to her again, I'll knock your teeth out."
Aela leaned in, their noses nearly touching. "Have a thing for Imperials now, Lydia?"
Lydia scoffed at her. "What I have is called respect. Unlike you…"
The dream evaporated and the fog spun around them.
Serana turned to face Aela fully. "I'm going to guess not a single one of you has ever treated her with any respect whatsoever."
"Why didn't it change after she left?" Aela ignored her question.
Serana rolled her eyes at her. "Isn't that obvious? Ahziial can tap into our memories with that Staff."
"What are you angry about?" Aela fired back at her.
"FUS RO DAH!"
Ahziial flew past them, skidding across the oily floor on her right side.
Lydia rushed to intercept the Deathlord charging Ahziial down. Their swords clashed, the din of it piercing through the chamber of the old ruin.
Lydia fought hard, the ebony sword and shield of the Deathlord driving her back to where Ahziial laid, dazed or unconscious. Two more Draugr rushed from crypts, Lydia side stepping them, just as the Deathlord shouted again. Serana and Aela watched helplessly as Draugr lumbered passed a flamethrower statue. The flaming geyser ignited the oily floor instantly with magical flames. Through the fire, they could see Lydia crossing swords with the Draugr valiantly.
Then they all heard Ahziial's screams.
Distracted from the Deathlord for only a second, Lydia caught it's sword in her abdomen. She cried out as she fell and the Draugr hobbled away from the two women.
Ahziial crawled from the flames, badly burned on her right side. The sight of it twisted Aela and Serana. She had scorch marks on her face, her hand was blackened and her hair was burnt off on her right side. It was obvious the burns would last a life time.
She crawled to Lydia and laid her left hand over Lydia's wound. The glow surrounded the woman. For several minutes they watched in silence as Ahziial healed Lydia's wounds, but her own became more prevalent.
The fog of the dream began to dissipate as Lydia bolted upright. She grabbed Ahziial's face tenderly in her own hands and the dream swirled into infinite mist.
"That explains why Lydia never talks about it…" Aela whispered.
Serana remained quiet, but Aela never finished her thoughts.
The dreams reformed and once again the heat of fire was around them. This time they were standing on either side of the Dremora Kynmarcher. To either side of them on a shallow strip of barren rock was a sea of lava. Before them was a heavily cloaked Ahziial.
"You should not be here, Dragon. Your blood is forfeit, your flesh is mine!" The Kynmarcher snarled his ominous threat at her, but the black robed Dragonborn didn't move.
"My quest brings me to Lord Dagon's gate. Stand aside or burn." Her voice was calm, but forceful.
The Dremora barked with laughter. "Burn? Here?"
Ahziial pulled back her hood. The sight of her face made both Aela and Serana gulp their breath. The right side of her face was mottled and scared. The burns etched in her face looked painfully raw, as if they had recently been scrubbed.
Her voice was low and deadly. "Everyone can burn, Kynmarcher. So you either step out of my way or you'll find yourself going for a swim in the lava."
The Dremora stopped laughing.
For a moment he stared at her then he stepped aside.
Ahziial pulled the hood back up over her head and the vapor rolled around them. The movement was fast and it seemed time had only stretch a short while.
When the dream changed, they were standing before Mehrunes Dagon.
"So, littlest Dragon…" Dagon chuckled. "…what brings you to the Deadlands?"
Ahziial inclined her head to Dagon. "I've come to seek your favor, Lord Dagon."
Serana took a deep breath and held it.
Aela clutched her hand tightly.
Dagon leaned forward on his massive throne. "Speak, do not dawdle. Or else you waste my time."
"I wish to strike a deal, my Lord." Ahziial didn't rush her words.
Dagon scoffed. "You already carry my Razor." He waved his lower right hand around. "Though, I am intrigued." His upper right hand scratched his chin thoughtfully, but there was no mistaking the malicious look in his eyes.
Ahziial pulled her heavy hood back, exposing her face and worked the metal clasps of the thick black robes. With some effort using only one hand, she shrugged the robes off.
Aela couldn't bear the sight of how badly burned Ahziial's body was. She turned her head away and saw Serana continue to stare at her. She was still holding her breath.
"I bare the marks of elemental magic. I am Dovahkiin and I am resistant to it, but not impermeable. I wish to be impermeable to elemental magic, to gain understanding of it as the Dov and to control it."
Dagon laughed heartily.
"The Dov… are arrogant to a fault, including you. What could you possibly possess that I would give you what you desire?"
Aela looked back at Ahziial's scorched naked form. The smile that played across her lips betrayed her thoughts. "You want what the other Princes do…"
Dagon stood, towering over her, the fires in the great hall leapt upwards to the ceiling. "And what would that be, little Dragon?"
Ahziial took a fearless step forward. "I know you felt the fire that Akatosh possess and I know he sealed you here. I know that a Septim Dragonborn gave his life to thwart your conquest of Tamriel. His sacrifice summoned Akatosh to Nirn. It's true, I've earned your dagger, but I want more. What I'm willing to trade has its price, one you'd never turn your back on."
Aela closed her eyes.
"How could she…" Serana whispered the words and Aela couldn't help agree.
Both women watched as Dagon shrank to mortal size.
Ahziial pulled her dagger and held it to her finger. "I am blood and soul a Dovah. Just like Martin Septim…"
Dagon growled at the mention of Martin's name.
"…I offer my blood to you in trade for immunity and knowledge of elemental magic. The blood of the Aedra is within your grasp."
Neither woman missed the malicious look as it was replaced with calculated eagerness.
"I could kill you now for your arrogance!" Dagon hissed at her.
The smile on Ahziial's face grew. "But, it would be worthless to you. We both know it. You need the blood of the willing. Killing me would get you nothing, Dagon."
Serana let the breath she was holding out.
For a moment Dagon and Ahziial stood watching one another.
"Deal." Dagon reached out with his lower left hand.
Ahziial shook her head. "I've been tricked before. Give me what I desire and you shall be paid accordingly. Not before."
Dagon growled and grabbed her. Ahziial screamed as her entire body burst into flames. The light was so blinding, both Aela and Serana had to look away. After a few minutes of Ahziial's pain filled screams the light and heat finally faded. When they looked back, Ahziial was once again whole. Dagon held a single great sigil stone in his upper right hand.
"Read it." He extended his hand to her and Ahziial took it.
The stone levitated off her hands, slowly rotating. The light they cast on her face was dark and ominous. Once the stone rotated once completely, it floated back to Dagon's hand.
Ahziial blinked hard. "I wish to know more."
This time it was Dagon that smiled coldly. "You will, little Dragon. But, a deal is a deal. I require payment."
Without hesitation, Ahziial pricked her finger and a single droplet of blood formed. It fell to Dagon's outstretched hand. As the stone had done, the droplet of blood floated just above his hand.
Aela looked to Serana and the dream shifted once more. The vampire chewed her lip as Aela watched.
"What are you thinking?" Aela asked quietly.
Serana looked at her feet. "I don't fault her for what she did. I can understand it."
"Can you?" Aela watched the mist swirl around them.
Serana looked back up at her and Aela noted the sorrow in the twin fires. "How can't I, Aela? Look at the things she's shown us. It's no wonder she's the way she is."
The bitter wind cut through both of them.
The light the flaming sword cast down on them made the snow look as if it was covered in blood. The ancient pillar in front of them glowed bright white and the man attached to the pillar was frozen magically too it.
"It's a Daedric Shrine." Serana whispered to Aela.
"I've not seen this one before." Aela whispered back.
Both watched as the two hooded figures stood silently watching the man affixed to the post.
The taller of the two pulled a twisted ebony dagger from their cloak and slit the man's throat. His blood poured out quickly into the spiral grooves in the stone at his feet. The unearthly glow changed from white to red. The man's body tilted forward and his knees gave under his weight.
The pair watched in silence as neither of the two cloaked figures moved.
Then, the man rose to his feet. "Has the deed been done?" The man's mouth moved, but the voice was of a woman.
Serana's eyes flew wide at it.
The taller person pulled their cowl back and her red hair spilled from below it. "Yes, my Prince Boethiah. Mehrunes Dagon has been given his prize."
The dead man laughed wildly. "Has he now? Oh I'm sure he will be overjoyed with it as well! You have done well, young Dragon."
The second cloaked figure pulled back her hood.
"Janessa. I fucking hate that bitch." Aela growled so loudly, Serana nearly missed what was whispered.
"You will reap what you have sown and soon, you shall possess what you desire. You have once again proven the strength of your will to me. Your tongue's ability to lie seems to have no bounds. This pleases me."
Ahziial inclined her head only slightly.
"The dead blood of another dragon imbedded in your fingertip. How Dagon will storm!" The dead man's body racked with laughter. "Go, my ferocious, Dragon. You are truly my champion."
The wind blew around them, scattering the dream to nothingness once more.
"She deceived Dagon." Serana mumbled the words out without any real emotion.
But, Aela wasn't pleased with the revelation. "Seems so."
The mist reformed around them.
It was late night, the clouds above were thin and scattered. The cold mountain breeze cut through the pass where they were standing. The air was heavily scented with pine and snow. The crispness of the wind made Aela smile, she knew the sent well.
"Now where are we?" Serana looked around at the cavern entrance.
"Cold Rock Pass…" Aela said gently. "…fastest way to and from Morthal. I used to come this way quite a bit when I did more of the leg work for the Companions."
Ahziial treaded up the path alone and Aela gave her and unusual look.
"This area was given to her when she first joined us. Kodlak asked her to patrol the pass. But, she shouldn't be here alone. This place was crawling with Trolls and bandits at one point. We tried routing out both, but the pass wasn't a safe place. Rannveig's fast became a haven for bandit gangs."
The dream skipped forward.
The sixteen year old Dragonborn stood on an overlook, staring out over the old Nordic ruins and the valley below. Aela and Serana looked down over the ruins with her and noted the personal fires that burned lighting tents pitched among the ruins.
The dream shifted and Ahziial wrenched her sword from the eye socket of the defeated dragon. Ahziial never saw the sabre cat that crept behind her nor did she see the larger lions that circled her until it was too late.
The vision became frenzied.
One moment flames erupted across stone and weeds. The next the fight moved as a blur. Claws slashed and the wolf howled. Blood and fur obscured everything.
"Interesting." Aela watched everything that moved far too quickly for her liking. "This dream is as the wolf. I mean, this is a memory the wolf has."
Serana didn't bother to tear her eyes from the vision. "How can you tell?"
"How it moves. The way the wolf sees, smells, and senses things. Can't you feel it? It's animalistic and different."
The dream went black and after a few seconds changed again. This time they were in a large tent and Ahziial was soaking wet, bound in silver chains.
The Khajiit sat quietly as the last of the group stopped shifting. Ahziial was bound and on her knees. A bloody rag was tied around her mouth. She was badly beaten and bloodied. Her armor was gone and her body was laced in claw marks.
"Tell me again where you found her?"
The Khajiit's voice surprised Aela. She had only ever heard the smooth purr of the Elsweyr dialect. But, this Khajiit spoke like an Imperial.
Aela watched a short young woman speak. "Near the old Nordic ruins, Father. She fought and killed a green dragon. Namtso stalked her after killing it, the rest of us were hunting already and she transformed. She is a werewolf."
The young woman's appearance baffled Aela. "Father? She looks like a Breton…"
The elder Khajiit looked down at Ahziial and rose from his chair. He paced around her, bending down and inspecting her wrists and ankles. He tugged the chain carefully away from her neck and looked at the scars that resided there. He moved her hair and shifted her torn shirt and Ahziial winced away from him. The young Breton girl delivered a gut-breaking kick to her abdomen.
"Enough, Fatima!" The Khajiit snapped at her.
The girl backed away and the Khajiit loosened the gag from her mouth. "Tell me your name, young warrior."
Ahziial moved her mouth and only coughed.
The Breton girl moved to strike again, this time her father caught her hand. "I said enough." He said gently.
"Azriel." Ahziial finally managed words through her fit of coughs.
The Khajiit looked at his daughter and removed Ahziial's chains himself. "Do any of you know who this young woman is?"
No one in the room responded to him. So the Khajiit continued. "She is the Dragonborn and friend to the Khajiit. She is a member of the Thieves Guild and thus, as a friend of Tonilia she is a friend to us."
Aela let out a frustrated sigh, but remained silent.
The Khajiit circled around in front of Ahziial and knelt down. "I am Olamar and my rambunctious daughter is Fatima. You must forgive her in her eagerness to prove she is a true lioness in our pride…"
Aela took a step closer and looked into each of the groups emerald green eyes. "Not fucking possible…"
Ahziial rubbed her wrists and threw a rotten glare at the girl. "Your 'pride' leaves a lot to be desired, Olamar."
Serana rubbed Aela's arm to get her attention. "What's not possible?"
"They're werelions." Aela's tone was low.
The vision dispersed and reformed.
Olamar sat next to Ahziial's bedroll. "The nightmares are always this terrible, are they not?"
Ahziial rubbed her sweaty face and nodded. "Since coming to Skyrim they become so much worse. But, after I found the Skull of Corruption in Dawnstar, I feel like sleep is my worst enemy."
Olamar rubbed his cheek in thought. "You could always return it to Quagmire."
Ahziial laughed. "If only… I'd have to sleep to do it and I can't break through the nightmares to concentrate or be lucid enough to open the portal. It seems Aela damned me to keep the thing."
She laid back down on the bedroll and rubbed her eyes. It made Serana smile the way she did it, then she caught the look on Aela's face.
"Yet, you were the one to take it." Olamar added.
Ahziial glanced at him and sighed. "Do you think Vaemina would let me just walk away? I had to take it. Aela hates me, but I could never let her take a burden like that. Not after everything we saw at Nightcaller Temple."
"So you would choose to protect even an enemy?"
Ahziial shook her head and tried to hide her blush. "It's complicated and she's not my enemy. She just really hates me."
Olamar smirked. "Complicated?"
Ahziial rolled her eyes. "More than you can imagine."
The Khajiit patted her arm and thought for a moment longer. "There is another way perhaps…"
Ahziial sat up. "What way?"
Olamar cleared his throat. "It is more dangerous."
"I fight dragons. I think I'm doing okay with danger." She murmured.
"Very well. Perhaps you can avoid sleep for a time." Olamar added after a moment.
Ahziial shook her head. "Look, stamina potions don't work on me. I've tried those."
The Khajiit chuckled softly. "Of course they don't. Even without the gift of your wolf, your blood runs to hot. Your body burns through the potion too quickly. No, the way I suggest is more dangerous for what it is."
"That makes sense, I guess. So what do you propose?"
"Do you know what skooma is?" Olamar asked quietly.
For a moment, Ahziial just stared at him. "Yes I know what it is and no I will not..."
Olamar held up his hand for her to wait. "You see what it does to mortals. You are not mortal. You share Hircine's gift of the wolf. You dragon blood would protect you from the euphoria and the addiction that mortals feel. You would only know the rush, the energy it provides. But, that is the danger. You could become addicted to those feelings."
Ahziial pondered his words. "So by not sleeping I could become addicted as well?"
"There is a chance of it. You must ensure you sleep every other night. Taking the skooma for several nights in a row would alter you."
"Alter me? How so?"
"It would change you in darker ways. You'd become more the animal, darker in a way that would bring out your animalistic nature. Because you are a dragon, you would be more susceptible to your true nature. But, you could control how the staff feeds on you until you can learn to deal with the staff properly."
Ahziial rubbed the back of her head in irritation. "There's always some fucking thing. I can't take the feelings that that thing gives me by feeding off of me. The constant trips though nightmares to Quagmire are driving me mad. The things I see… I can't… I don't want to talk about them. But, I feel so exhausted all the time and sleeping is more exhausting than being awake."
For another few moments the two were silent.
Finally, Olamar pulled a small bottle from his robes. "If you choose to use it, remember my warning."
The vision faded back into the mist and neither Serana nor Aela said a word.
The haze revolved faster and the fragmented visions exploded forth from it. Dragons, bandits and falmer raced by them. The images mingled with a torrid of emotions and sensations. Though distinct, each was ephemeral. Faces of people, floated in and out of existence. Places blended and merged. Events unfolded in heartbeats.
Then it came to a halt.
The vapor burst with color.
"Pelagius, get behind me!"
But, the young man covered his head and sank to his knees. Instead, he shrieked at the terrors around him. The distant bellow rang out just as Ahziial leveled the Wabbajack at the hagravens.
The minotaur burst through the bushes, knocking the last remaining hagraven out of existence.
Pelagius screamed again.
Ahziial slammed herself into the minotaur and crashed the Wabbajack over its head.
The minotaur ceased to exist.
Clapping resounded around them and Ahziial helped Pelagius to his feet.
"Well done. You know, you are quickly becoming my favorite Septim." The man's voice resonated like the clapping had done a second before. "You really understand nightmares, don't you?"
Ahziial spun in a slow circle. "That's not fair, Sheogorath!"
The man's laughter echoed all around them.
Aela and Serana tripped over themselves when Sheogorath appeared in front of them.
"You know she isn't a Septim." Pelagius whispered.
Sheogorath rubbed his chin. "No. I suppose she isn't. Well, that's too bad… because I really do like her."
Sheogorath shrugged and pulled out an impossibly long scroll. "Ah well, it seems you have completed every last one of my tasks." He looked up at Ahziial. "I guess your vacation is over."
Ahziial collapsed to the ground.
Sheogorath studied her for a moment. "We could always have cheese!" He snapped his fingers. Aela and Serana found themselves seated at a banquets table filled with cheese, crumpets and tea.
Ahziial rubbed her head and groaned. "I'm not a Septim and I'm not mad."
"Of course you aren't! Of course you are!" Sheogorath cackled excitedly. He took a drink of tea and jumped to his feet. "Clean cup, move down!"
Pelagius jump into the chair next to him and Ahziial slid over one more.
Sheogorath tapped the table impatiently. "You two, move as well!"
Aela and Serana just looked at each other.
Ahziial and Pelagius looked over at them. Pelagius leaned over and whispered into Ahziial ear. "He does know those chairs are empty, right?"
Ahziial shrugged.
"I said move!"
Serana stood with Aela and both moved over one chair.
Sheogorath smiled at them. "Thank you."
He looked back at Ahziial and snapped his fingers to draw her attention. "Why are you still here?"
Ahziial looked down at her plate of cheese and crumpets. "For the food?"
He scoffed at her. "I suppose the cheese is that wonderful…" He moved to the head of the table and sat down. "But, this won't do. You need to go back now."
Ahziial looked at him confused, then slid back her chair.
"Oh, well I can't send you back empty handed. Take the Wabbajack with you. I'll be interested to see what you do with it, Septim."
"She isn't a Septim." Pelagius said taking a sip of tea.
Sheogorath sighed. "No, I suppose she is different."
"Um… how do I leave?" She asked meekly.
"Just follow the path." He answered with a smile. "Oh and take them with you!" Sheogorath waved his hand at Aela and Serana.
Ahziial looked at them. "Uh, sure. Um… come with me please."
Aela and Serana stood instantly, both of them curious if she could see them. Ahziial walked down the path a short ways and they trailed close behind her.
A door appeared in the middle of the path and she opened it.
In an instant they were standing in the Blue Palace. Ahziial looked around as if in a daze.
"Dovahkiin?"
The three of them looked at the woman in the night gown.
Ahziial attempted to recover, but couldn't. "Azriel, are you… are you alright?"
Ahziial shook her head no.
Elisif walked up to her and put her hand on her cheek. "You're feverish."
Ahziial didn't respond.
Elisif's hand slid from her cheek, catching Ahziial's hand. "Where did you come from?"
"I don't know."
Elisif's face shifted to concern. "Come with me."
But, Ahziial didn't move. "I took your key…"
Elisif clear her throat. "You did. A month ago."
For the first time, Ahziial's face changed. Her eyes focused on Elisif's. "A month? I've been gone a month?"
"Well… yes. That was the last time I saw you."
Ahziial's knees buckled and she fell. "I went into the Pelagius Wing after you gave it to me."
Elisif knelt down in front of her. "Time has a means of slipping away there." She cupped Ahziial's cheek. "Come with me. You need rest."
"Well I think we can both figure out how they became lovers." Serana said weakly.
The vision folded back into the fog and it swirled lazily around them.
The warm summer night was full of stars.
The three were following the sounds of a woman weeping though the glade. Ahziial was alone as she walked silently through the dense woods. The summer breeze held the scent of the trees and the grasses of the plains.
Aela sniffed the air when Ahziial did.
The continued their walk through the forest of dense pines. The sound the woman was making grew steadily. The three women's ears homed in on the woman and finally, after another hundred steps, Ahziial pushed aside the branches and stepped through to the clearing.
The scarlet haired woman sat on a flat rock, her feet dangling over the pool. Her ancient Nordic Armor immediately gave away who she was.
"Aela? What's happened? Why are you weeping?" Ahziial walked closer to her, around the side of the shallow pond.
Aela grabbed Serana's arm. "That's not me."
The false Huntress looked up at Ahziial. "Why am I weeping, Dragonborn?"
Serana stepped closer to the woman and inspected her. "She's using illusion magic…" She looked up at Aela. "…It's almost undetectable." Serana looked at the woman again. "Whoever this is, she's doing a good job at being believable."
Ahziial stood next to the rock that the fake Aela was now standing on. "What's happened to cause you to weep?"
The mage jumped off the rock and walked purposely towards Ahziial. "I'm weeping because my home is in chaos, you moron. I'm weeping because Kodlak blames me for this mess. I'm weeping because I cannot return home because of it. But, mostly, you imbecile, I'm weeping because no one… not even the Old Man, sees really who is to blame!"
"Very believable." Serana said looking between Ahziial and the false Aela.
Aela studied her double. "Whoever this is obviously knows too much about me." She looked at Ahziial and her mouth fell open. "I know when this is."
"What?! Are you implying this is my fault?" Ahziial asked defensively.
"When did this happen?" Serana asked.
Aela didn't get a chance to answer, because her twin drew a silver dagger.
"You disappeared again. Kodlak sent us out in pairs to look for you. The foolish old man thinks more of you, a whelp, then he does of us. You are single handedly putting a wedge between all of the Companions. You are destroying our pack!"
Ahziial held up her hands as she back away from the woman. "Aela, please. I didn't know! I didn't mean too…"
"They studied us more than we thought." Aela murmured as her fake-self advanced on Ahziial.
Ahziial continued to back away to the edge of a cliff. Her heels were inches away from her toppling over the edge. "Aela, let's go back together. We can talk to Kodlak. We can fix this together…"
The fake Huntress sprang at her. Her silver blade arced through the air and sliced through Ahziial's black leather jacket. Ahziial raised her arms defensively, but never made a move to harm the Huntress.
Each movement the false Huntress made encountered no resistance. Ahziial only pleaded with her to stop. Blood poured from multiple wounds on Ahziial's chest and arms, but the mage that had taken Aela's form gave no indication of stopping until Ahziial was dead.
The fake Aela grabbed Ahziial by her shoulder and thrust the dagger into her abdomen. "You dare ask for mercy, Dragonborn? You are ruining my life! You only deserve death!"
The entire event only lasted about a minute. Aela and Serana watched helplessly as the mage bashed the ancient Nordic shield into Ahziial and sent her off the edge of the cliff.
The pair's position shifted to the bottom of the cliff face. Ahziial lay bleeding and broken in the grassy field. She was sobbing, her arm was twisted from the fall. The taint of silver on her was unbearable. She cried out for Aela continuously, never losing consciousness. Minutes seemed to drag on for hours. Both Serana and Aela felt helpless listening to her grow ever more delirious from the poison flowing in her veins.
The heavy sound of paws and the call of the wolf broke their joint focus on her. The large black werewolf sniffed the air. His body loomed over Ahziial's and he bent and sniffed her. The wolf transformed in front of them and Farkas bent down, rolling Ahziial over onto her back carefully.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" Ahziial mumbled.
Farkas smoothed her bloody hair from her face. He bent closer to her. "Don't be…"
"Aela…" She breathed out heavily. "Tell Aela, I'm so very sorry."
Her eyes fluttered close and the vision fell away.
Serana looked at Aela. The werewolf's emotions were threatening to consume her.
"This was after the incident at the lake, wasn't it?"
Aela simply nodded.
Serana wrapped her arms around the woman to comfort her. "This wasn't your fault."
Aela let her head rest on Serana's shoulder. "They studied us better than we did them. If I hadn't been such a bitch to her in the beginning and gotten over myself, she would have never trusted that mage. She would have known. I could have spared her some of the pain she endured because of me."
The roar of the dragon was accompanied by a storm of bitter cold.
Their backs were to Riften's city walls. Arrows rained down all around them, targeting the massive beast. Ahziial and Aela fought side by side against it. Aela's arrows found their home in the dragon's face.
Ahziial dodged its claws, diving under it and rolling up. The move put the dragon between her and Aela. The dragon lunged for the Huntress and she swiftly dropped her bow, switching to her dagger.
Ahziial hacked and slashed at the dragon's side, trying desperately to get it away from Aela.
"Azriel!" The man's voice echoed off the walls of the city.
Aela and Serana looked up at the members of the Thieves' Guild armed with bows and swords. They lined the walls with the city guard in the fading twilight.
Ahziial looked up as the Dragon turned. Its tail collided with the wall, showering Aela with wood and stone. Ahziial shouted at the dragon, her fiery breath collided with it and the dragon lunged at her. Ahziial thrust her sword upward as the dragon bit down on her arm. It picked her up off the ground, slamming her body into the wall behind her.
The dream folded once more.
Serana watched as a tear rolled down Aela's cheek.
"That dragon nearly killed her..."
The next world that appeared around them was breathtaking.
The song that reached their ears lifted their souls.
The pink-purple sky above them was filled with more stars that either woman had ever seen. The ground was filled with so many flowers the air around them was filled with their scent. They stood on a hill looking down into the rolling fog around them. Everywhere they looked except that patch of ground was blanketed in the white vale.
A bloodied Ahziial trudged through the fog and they followed her. It was obvious she had been fighting for a while. She walked with a distinct limp, her clothing was torn and her armor was in shambles.
They stumbled blindly through the fog.
Through it, they heard a roar as deafening as Ahziial's own.
The mist began to thin as they walked down a narrow path. When it opened both women gasped at the sight. The expansive hall appeared as if out of thin air. The massive bridge lay just up over the stairs. Standing before the bridge was an enormous man.
As Ahziial approached him, he called out to her. "What brings you, wayfarer grim, to wander here in Sovngarde, souls-end, Shor's gift to honored dead?"
Even for her height, the man before Ahziial was humongous.
"I pursue Alduin, the World-Eater." Ahziial's voice was weary. It was obvious she was already exhausted.
"A fateful errand. No few have chafed to face the Worm since first he set his soul-snare here at Sovngarde's threshold." The giant responded. "But, Shor restrained our wrathful onslaught - perhaps, deep-counselled, your doom he foresaw."
"Or maybe, I'm just supposed to kick Alduin's ass." Ahziial tossed the comment out and the Giant smiled at her.
"Remind me to tell her to learn when to keep her mouth shut." Aela whispered to Serana.
"No shade are you, as usually here passes, but living, you dare the land of the dead." He continued nonplussed.
Ahziial rolled her eyes. "Obviously, I'm alive. The dead don't bleed. Who are you anyway?"
"I am Tsun, Shield-Thane to Shor." The Giant inclined his head to her still smiling.
"Great. Look Tsun, I'm in a bit of a hurry. Can you just step aside. I need to go inside the Hall of Valor and..."
"By what right do you request entry?" Tsun took a step closer to her.
"Seriously?"
Tsun nodded at her.
"Oh for fuck sakes." Ahziial threw up her arms in frustration. "By right of birth. I'm Dragonborn."
This time, Tsun smiled fully. "Ah! It's been too long since last I faced a doom-driven hero of the dragon blood."
"Well that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks." Ahziial shifted her weight and winced. "So can I please go in now?"
"Living or dead, by decree of Shor, none may pass this perilous bridge 'til I judge them worthy by the warrior's test."
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Ahziial answered exasperated. "I have to fight a god to get into the Hall of Valor?"
Tsun pulled a massive golden battle-axe from his back and charged her in answer.
Ahziial drew her dragon bone sword from her back. "FUS! RO! DAH!" Her Thu'um echoed out into the chasm below. Her shout slammed Tsun backward into the Whalebone post of the bridge.
The large man righted himself and Ahziial smiled. "Give up?"
Tsun smiled at her hefting his axe once more. "I've waited long for such a worthy opponent." Then he shouted at her. "FUS RO DAH!"
Ahziial's feet skid across the ground and the god stopped his advance. He looked at her queerly. For a second he looked at her feet, then back to her smiling face.
"What? I've met Draugr with a better Thu'um than you. You need to practice that shit."
The god roared at her and charged again.
"She really needs to learn to shut up." Aela offered quietly.
Tsun swung his axe and Ahziial lifted her sword in defense. Sparks showered around them as the two battled for what seemed an eternity. The golden ichor of the god rolled from his many wounds as he swung his axe from over-head.
Aela saw the move before Ahziial ever made it. She was smaller and faster than the god. His axe crashed into the ground and Ahziial stepped directly on it. The balance and grace amazed both women as her feet barely touched the golden hilt. She planted both feet into his chest, parting him from his weapon and knocking him to the ground.
Ahziial leapt down, her foot planted on his chest, her sword point at his throat. "I win. Now stand aside."
For a moment Tsun only looked at her and then he smiled. "The joy of battle burns in your heart, young Dragon."
Ahziial pulled her sword away and slipped it back into her scabbard. She held her hand out to him and he accepted it, allowing her to help him to his feet.
"You fought well. I find you worthy." He said simply. "It has been long since one of the living has sought to enter here. May Shor's favor follow you and your errand here."
Ahziial turned to the bridge and started to run.
The world around them spun and they found themselves standing next Ahziial.
She was standing high on a rock looking out onto a valley. The vision showed valley on fire and dragons circling in the sky. Ahziial's eyes were closed.
"He is so very wrong." She exhaled softly. "Meditation isn't for me."
She opened her eyes and the vision shifted. The valley was whole and intact.
"He doesn't understand what I am." She whispered.
"You mean… what you are capable of being. You have a choice." The deep rumble of the dragon's voice answered her.
"Odahviing, we're all capable of it. But, I don't really belong anywhere do I? I'm not really Dov nor am I human. I'm both yet neither." Her back was still to him.
"You are Dov and you are Muz. You are not like the joor, you are like us." Odahviing answered her.
She smiled, but shook her head. "You are the only one who accepts me without question. Why?"
The dragon's warm breath ruffled her hair. He nuzzled his snout into her hand. "You are digoliik."
For a second her shoulders slumped. "One capable of being far worse than Alduin."
"You are already greater. You did that which no other was capable of. You are Dov and you are Thur. The Old One's claims are false."
Ahziial closed her eyes once more. "It's for the best. If I… that kind of power… You don't know what I could do."
"Yet, you haven't."
Ahziial opened her eyes once more. "I know."
She turned and faced him. "I don't know what stops me. I just know I have to keep that part of myself buried. Keeping it in chains is my only options."
"It is not natural to do. Nor is it natural to not sleep."
It was obvious to both Aela and Serana that Odahviing did not approve by his tone.
"It's for the best. It's the only way. Paarthurnax is Thur and I will eventually return to… well someplace." She sighed deeply. "Look, let's just fly. It makes me feel better."
Odahviing stepped closer to the edge of the cliff and granted Aela and Serana the first glimpse of the object behind him.
Aela looked at the monstrous wing and watched in awe as Ahziial pulled on a leather harness. "She can't possibly mean to fly using that thing."
Both watched her strap herself into the leather straps of the wing and lift it effortlessly off the ground.
Serana's face reflected her shock. "Oh, I think she does."
"Remember, if anything goes wrong…"
The dragon eyed her and the wing suspiciously. "I will not allow you to fall."
She nodded at him, her face determined. She lifted the gliding wing into position and took off in a run towards the edge of the cliff. She pushed herself away from the cliff and the glider caught the air.
"WOOHOO!" Her Thu'um carried out across the valley and the dragon watched for a moment.
"Hi lost ruund hin viing." Odahviing spread his wings and launched himself from the cliff catching the current she rode.
Aela and Serana stood watching slack-jawed as Ahziial rode the air in a circle spiraling high out across the valley below.
The mist of dreams faded.
The void around them pulled them deep within.
A soft red glow caught their attention, followed by the call of the wolf. From the depths of the Cimmerian shade, the wolf walked towards them. It stopped and sat next to Aela. "She wants us to follow her."
Serana cleared her throat and looked into the gloom. The wolf stood and the two felt pulled along behind it.
A moment ticked by before either of them saw a single white dot appear. They were drawn to it, their bodies made them feel as though they were accelerating. They were in front of the singularity. It was only a moment of comprehension. Then they were falling.
Both women landed gently on their feet, on a stone floor.
Azriel was chained to the floor and next to her was the largest dragon Aela had ever seen. Serana stepped closer to the two. Azriel was crying silently and the dragon was speaking almost inaudibly too her.
"I can't do this."
The dragon's rumbled voice answered her with almost a cooing sound. "We can."
"I won't release you. I know what you are…"
"We are the same."
"No." Azriel shook her head. "We are not."
"We are."
More tears slid down her face.
"Azriel?" Serana called to her, but neither of her personalities acknowledged her. "Ahziial?"
Again, neither responded.
"Release me. Let us be whole." The dragon growled at her.
Azriel shook her head vehemently.
The dragon roared.
Serana and Aela covered their ears, but it did nothing to deafen the sound.
The dragon returned to speaking to Azriel.
Serana turned to Aela. "This is the most I've ever known of her past. The things in it… it's no wonder she never talks about it."
Aela pointed at the dragon. "Look at its feet. They're both in chains."
Serana looked at the dragon, then between the two. "You know what just occurred to me?"
Aela was lost in her own thoughts. "That we were meant to understand to help her reconcile the two parts of herself back together?"
"Yes. She's an honest person, but she hides from herself." Serana said watching the two aspects.
"All this was to hide from her past?" Aela was still watching the dragon closely.
"I don't think just her past. I think from the potential of what she can be. On that cliff she showed us what she was thinking. That she could be more terrible than the World Eater. I think she believes splitting herself in two preserves her and the world from that aspect of herself."
Aela threw Serana a quick look. "That's what's driving her mad."
"Exactly, she doesn't see it. I think Ahziial is the soul, but Azriel is the heart. If that makes any sense…?" Serana rubbed her temples. "Dragons don't know what love is..."
"But, she does." Aela responded gently.
"She does indeed. That's my point, she's not like the other dragons. That is how she is different. Whether it was that Priestess' blessing that made her different or not, it doesn't matter. The gods themselves have blessed her to be different." Serana watched as the dragon stretched its wing over Azriel. "The dragon aspect of herself protects her. Where she has split herself from it trying to separate herself from who she really is. Each time I've drunk from her, I've seen the dragon. It wasn't me she was asking to release her, the dragon was asking Azriel. They need to be made whole again, Aela."
Aela gave Serana her full attention for the first time. "How do you propose we do that?"
Serana rubbed Aela's cheek with the back of her fingers. "We need to show her we care for all of her. Both sides of her. We need to show her acceptance. It's something she's never had."
The dragon lifted its head and looked at the two women. "Praad."
24th Sun's Dusk… 0850…
Aela and Serana stirred on the cold stone floor of the tower. The two moved stiffly, shifting and trying to untangle themselves from each other. Looking around, the two noticed Ahziial leaning against the staff. Her head was touching the ram-headed skull. She turned slightly, looking through her hair at them as they helped each other to their feet.
Serana and Aela exchanged a look with each other.
"Are we awake?" Serana rubbed her head tenderly.
"With the way I feel, I think it's safe to assume we are." Aela answered her with a groan.
They looked to Ahziial's glowing eyes through her hair.
The dragon chuckled darkly at them. "Now do you understand my dark affliction?"
I think you guys waited long enough. Comments welcome.