"JOOR! ZAH FRUL!"
"RII! VAAZ ZOL!"
The two destructive forces collided deafeningly over the boneyard. The dragons' magic passed one another faster than a mortal's heartbeat. With the rumbling of their powerful voices, time resumed.
The wings of the dragon beat frantically against the sour air then crumpled uselessly. Durnehviir's tail thrashed wildly as he fell from the sky. Below him, Azriel was thrown backward, her body smashing through ancient tombstones and blood sprayed from her orifices. Serana's knees buckled as Azriel's pain overwhelmed her. In that instant, the agony was indescribable. Doubled over, Serana's memories flashed through her mind to a single conversation about the Dov.
'Words are powerful to the Dov, really, when you see us fight it's just a deadly verbal debate…'
Now, as her insides seemed to tear to shreds, their deadly verbal debate became so much more. Ancient and raw, the two dragons' magic was unyielding. Her mother caught her from behind as both the dragon and the Dragonborn tumbled.
Durnehviir's shout had devastated her even though she wasn't his intended victim.
She barely managed to look over the ledge of the wall. She found the Dragonborn and watched helplessly from the wall-walk as blood poured from Azriel mouth. Even as Azriel sputtered, Serana could only languish for her lover, there was nothing in her power she could do to help her. Serana fought desperately to get to her feet, but only managed to fall against Valerica. As her mother comforted her, she could only watch as the two dragons struggled in pain of their own, each attempting to move and resume their fight. Azriel's nails dug into the scorched earth and Durnehviir twitched against the wall where he laid crumpled. The words of his shout burned into Serana's mind as the meaning of it dawned on her.
She opened her mouth, but her voice failed her. Only a gurgling sound issued from it. His words had stripped her of her strength. Serana could feel the dwindling flames which surrounded Azriel inside of herself. The electricity that cracked and popped also danced over Serana's skin. As her eyes traveled between the two dragons, she understood why. Azriel's emotions were the key to her harnessed magic. It seemed so odd to her to finally understand so much more about Azriel as she lay on the stone.
She had realized something else as events had moved in slowly in front of her. The terrible and humorless thoughts surfaced. Azriel had fully intended to make this her final stand. Azriel was willingly sacrificing herself so that both she and her mother could flee the Soul Cairn. The weight of it pressed down on Serana's entire being as her mother stroked her hair. Dehydrated and injured, Azriel would not survive her battle with the dragon. She planned to burn herself out of existence along with him. Serana hated that her mother was once again right and there was nothing she could do to change it.
The dragon roared in outrage for being knocked from the sky. His great leathery wings flopped uselessly against the ground. He had crashed near where they stood on the wall. But, the distance was meaningless because Serana could barely think. The pain that wracked her body and stole her voice was directly because he had tried to tear Azriel's soul from her body.
Valerica pushed Serana back to the stone as she moved. "Rest for a moment…" Her words seemed to be carried by wisps of air to Serana's ears. "His magic affects you. This is why we must flee." Serana caught Valerica's look as she looked down on her. "Volumes have been written about Durnehviir. He cannot be vanquished…"
Serana looked back out into the yard. She could only watch as Azriel struggled to rise, floundering almost vulnerably. The flames around her dwindled and her powerful glow subsided. For the first time, Serana could see the extent of the injuries the damned had inflicted upon her. Gone were her boots and vest, her breeches and tunic barely remained as tattered fragments of their former selves. Her sword was missing, yet still firmly in place was her ruck sack. A small smile crept onto Serana's face. The undamaged bag clung firmly to the Dragonborn and she took it as an omen of hope.
"Open your eyes. Do you not see?" Her mother's voice carried to her ears as though she was leagues away. "She struggles now against a dragon that cannot be defeated. We still have time, Serana. Let her go… She will die here!"
Serana's fingers clenched against Valerica's words. Her nails dug into her palms, yet she remained silent, words still failed her. Her eyes never strayed from the woman in the center of the bone yard. Wordlessly, Serana was willing Azriel to rise and fight, to prove her mother wrong.
Below them, Durnehviir slowly gathered himself. It was obvious he either hadn't seen Valerica and Serana where they stood, or he was ignoring them. Shoving himself away from the wall, he turned and began to lumber towards Azriel.
Serana gulped the pungent air, trying to steady herself and gather her strength.
The mighty dragon stumbled, collapsing to the ground.
Her bond to Azriel had given her so much that she never considered the burdens it could possibly provide. Now when Azriel needed her help the most, Serana was as useless as the dragon's wings. She cursed endlessly within her own mind as she fought to stand. She looked back to Durnehviir only to see him rise once more. Using his claws to drag himself up, he sluggishly began closing the distance between Azriel and himself.
Yet, Azriel had only made it to all fours. She was still tormented with a coughing fit, blind to the approaching dragon. Serana struggled against her own pain, her mother finally helping her to her feet.
"Serana, we must go." This time when she spoke, she didn't sound far away.
The growl caught in Serana's throat. Defiance burned in her heart. "No."
She pushed herself away from Valerica. She caught the look of surprise, which turned to anger. "You fool! She is already dead!"
Serana's first couple steps were faulty, yet she maintained her balance. She focused on each foot, until it felt natural again. Her eyes never left the lumbering dragon. Breaking into a run, she ran the length of the wall, leaping out just as the dragon passed closest to her. In a single smooth motion, she drew her sword, her body pivoting in the air. When her feet touched the scales of his back, he roared again. His head swung and in a few blurred moments, Serana was latched on to the horns of his head. Over and over she hacked at him. As she did, she could hear someone screaming.
Thousands of years of anger, loneliness, and frustration found their way into her blade. As the dragon shook violently, Serana hung on. Her blade scored its slimy head countless number of times. The world around her no longer existed, only her sword and the screaming. Her only desire was to hack the dragon to pieces and to punish him for the torment in her life. The cold fury coursed through her veins. The dragon writhed and Serana slashed. The years of interment fueled the energy to swing her sword. Dozens of angry thoughts flashed through her mind, each she took out on the dragon.
In that moment, Serana realized the screaming was her own.
With a final cry over the shuddering dragon, Serana plunged the dragonbone blade directly into his eye. His head collapsed to the ground. Serana jumped away from him towards the wall just as he disintegrated under her in purple-blue flames.
For a moment she could only stare at the spot where blood and slime had pooled. She realized the only sound within the boneyard was of Azriel's gagging coughs. Her eyes drifted the expanse and landed on the Dragonborn. Their eyes met and Serana could only see the warning in them.
Azriel's mouth moved, but only blood came from it.
Serana took a single step forward.
Azriel gave her head a weak shake.
Serana ignored it taking another tentative step forward.
Azriel coughed hard, issuing more blood from her nose and mouth.
Serana watched her struggle to lift her hand off the ground in warning just as she took another step.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Purple flames burned the soil between them. An image of a dragon shimmered to life in front of her as Durnehviir reformed.
"Serana, RUN!" Valerica shouted at her from the wall.
Serana took three retreating steps quickly. The dragon roared into the cold acidic air as his form became corporeal. Durnehviir leveled his gaze on Serana. She lifted her sword as she let the electricity flow from her fingertips.
"FO KRAH DIIN!"
Serana dove aside, the wintery chill grazing her back as she rolled away from the dragon. Springing to her feet, she ran, trying to circle around to his wing to clip it. The dragon moved swiftly, thrashing his head towards her. Serana narrowly missed being swept of her feet as she dove out of the way.
Above her, lightning crackled, illuminating the dragon with bluish electricity. Durnehviir roared again, this time turning towards the wall. Serana took a chance diving under him and coming up just in the downbeat of his mangled wing. The gout of flames extinguished the sky above her as the dragon lit the wall. Her sword cut through the membrane between his primary claws. His tail slammed into the ground, knocking her off balance. His head swung under his wing, snapping at her, driving Serana aside.
The dragon roared in outrage as boney warriors rose around them. "YOU DARE!?"
Valerica's cold laughter rang out from the wall. Another torrent of electricity arced through the air, striking the dragon in the head. Serana lead her mother's warriors against the dragon. Driving her sword into his side, she flayed the dragon under his dismembered wing. Carving open his side, Serana leapt away as Durnehviir sprayed ice over the ground. His tail lashed the ground, sending the skeletal warriors and Serana sprawling. In an instant, Durnehviir was on Serana, his claws raking the ground around her.
"IIZ!"
The ice formed around her legs and arms, instantly.
"Serana! NO!" Valerica cried out from the wall-walk.
Bound, Serana was at the dragon's mercy.
"Ganog!" Durnehviir leaned down, "Hi fen lingraav ek dir." His claw spun Serana in place as he spoke.
Serana gasped at the sight of Azriel, blood running down her face, on her feet. In her hands, she held a Daedric spear. Serana managed to glimpse the scraggly Daedric words burning down its shaft. Bitter Mercy… What an unusual name…
Durnehviir opened his mouth, but Azriel roared at him. "WULD!"
The force of the single word carried her forward faster than Serana's eyes could track.
The sound of the spear piercing the dragon's skull echoed around the yard. "Choke on it…" Azriel growled at him. Snapping the spear in half, she unleashed all the power the spear contained at once. She threw her body over Serana's just as the explosion in the dragon's mouth blew his head apart. His body collapsed on the ground and burst into flames next to them.
Serana could hear Azriel whispering to the air around them, the warmth of it made her skin tingle as the ice melted. The almost silent thump behind them was followed by footsteps. "Serana?" Valerica's voice was full of concern in the simple act of calling her name.
"I'm fine, Mother." Serana snapped back at her. She sat up, but Azriel flopped on the ground next to her.
"Damn, Vampire." Azriel coughed out the words with both blood and sarcasm. "Why can't you ever just run?"
Azriel rolled to her side with another coughing fit and Serana knelt down next to her. "Why in Oblivion would you think I'd just walk out on you?"
Azriel opened her mouth, but Serana cut her off. "Don't answer…"
Azriel coughed in acknowledgement. For a few moments Serana just stayed by her side as she continued to cough.
"She needs water, Serana." Valerica's words were softly spoken.
Serana rummaged around in Azriel's ruck sack, pulling her depleted waterskin out. She narrowed her brow at the nearly dry skin. "Azriel, we need to get you out of here."
Her mother's quick movements caught her attention as she took the skin from Serana.
"I can do nothing for your wounds, young one. But, for saving my daughter's life…" The skin began to bloat. "…I can give you half a chance to make it out of the Cairn alive." She handed the skin back to Serana.
Serana wasted no time in pouring the water over Azriel's broken lips. At first Azriel struggled, spluttering as the water ran down her obviously dry throat. Serana held her closer, supporting her weight, letting her drink more freely. Azriel drank greedily when her coughing fit had finally subsided. Serana let her drink to her contentment, handing the waterskin to her mother to refill.
"Better?" She asked both quietly and sweetly.
Azriel simply nodded.
Serana leaned closer. "Remember your promise to me…"
Azriel shifted to look at her fully. "We need to go. I still feel Durnehviir close."
Serana gave a simple nod of ascent, helping Azriel to her feet. She looped her arm around her waist to help steady her. She could feel how woozy Azriel felt, even sensing how weak her wolf was feeling. She knew Azriel had pushed herself past her limits to free her from Durnehviir.
"Serana, we must be swift. There's no telling whether or not Durnehviir will return." Valerica shifted her gaze from Azriel to Serana, handing back the waterskin. "As I said, volumes have been written about him. You must forgive my surprise in seeing him bested." Valerica added, settling her gaze on Azriel.
Azriel grumbled quietly. "Why do I feel like there's something you're not telling us?"
Valerica looked at her carefully. "I'll escort you both to the portal…"
Azriel lunged for her, the wolf inside of her bellowing furiously. Serana restrained her, glaring at her mother, the hurt had changed to anger. "You're not coming with us?"
Valerica glared at Azriel. "If I were to return to Tamriel, Harkon would know."
The fervor of Azriel's growling increased. "So instead, you'd send Serana back to face him alone?"
Valerica leveled her glowering stare on Azriel. "I would do anything to protect Serana…"
"Then come with us! Together we can face him…" The words conveyed Serana's exasperation.
Valerica eyed her angrily. "Have you honestly forgotten, Serana? Returning to Tamriel would give him two chances to complete the Prophecy."
Serana backed down immediately and placed her hand on Azriel's stomach, restraining her. Azriel scowled at Valerica, still growling. Breaking her gaze, she looked at Serana's disappointed face. "Let's go." Azriel lead Serana and limping passed Valerica.
Valerica exhaled sharply in agitation, but followed the pair silently otherwise.
They crossed the bone yard swiftly, mostly because Serana was half-carrying, half-dragging Azriel with her. Upon reaching the doors, Serana let out a frustrated breath. "I fucking forgot… they're welded shut." There was no mistaking the cluck of disapproval that Valerica issued from beside them.
Azriel took a step forward, looking at the door. "I've always wanted to do this…" She took a deeper breath. "FUS! RO DAH!"
The doors burst from the hinges, flying over the dilapidated stairs and skid to a stop out in the plane, twisted. Azriel gave a weak crooked grin. "That… was satisfying." She tossed Serana a playful look.
But, Serana could tell Azriel was covering the pain she was really in. They needed to get out of the Soul Cairn. Loosing track of time didn't help matters. Aela had been waiting on them, but for how long? Serana tried to shake the thoughts as they exited the bone yard. How long has Aela been waiting? Did she abandon the tower? Her thoughts took a darker turn as they stepped out onto the terrace. Was leaving her a mistake? What if Father finds her? She glanced at Azriel's troubled face as the descended the staircase. "What is it?"
Purple-blue flames erupted on the crumbled structure across from the stair near the path. Serana pushed Azriel behind her as the dragon reformed in front of them. Lightning sparked to life in her hands.
"Stay your weapons. I would speak with you, Qahnaarin… and you as well, Kendov." The dragon's golden eye was fixed on Azriel's then moved to Serana's.
The sky above them churned and a cold breeze picked up.
Azriel put her hand over Serana's. "It's alright." She looked back at Durnehviir. "Why did you call me Qahnaarin?"
Durnehviir chuckled. "Even in the Soul Cairn, the defeat of the World Eater has reached my ears, Dovahkiin. You may not be dovah in body, but the conquest of Alduin earns you the right of title of Thur."
Azriel remained silent. It was obvious she was thinking. The low hiss behind Serana told her exactly how her mother felt finding out Azriel was Dragonborn.
Azriel cocked her head to the side. "Why did you wish to speak?"
"I believe in civility amongst warriors and I find you worthy of my words." Durnehviir said simply, resting his gaze once more on Serana. "My claws have rendered the flesh of my every foe. I have never once been felled on the field of battle." Durnehviir cocked his head slightly, looking at both of them. "You bested me the first time, Kendov. This was no easy feat." He turned slightly to look at Azriel. "I name you Qahnaarin."
Lightning cracked in the distance and the clouds swirled above them. The Soul Cairn had resumed its moody disposition.
Serana gave a small smile in acknowledgment. She felt out of place having the dragon address her as well, but she wasn't sure why.
"You words do me great honor, Elder." But, there was no smirk on Azriel's face. The lack of humor in her voice worried Serana. "I find you to be equally worthy."
Serana scrutinized her. This dragon nearly kills you and you find him worthy? Interesting word choice.
The dragon bowed his head humbly. "Your words honor me. My desire to speak with you was born of our battle."
"I sense you wish to ask something…" It was obvious the dragon held Azriel's interest.
"For countless centuries, I have roamed the Soul Cairn in unintended service to the Ideal Masters. I desire to return to Tamriel, but I fear my time here has taken its toll. I share a bond with this dreaded place. Should I roam too far, my strength would wane, and I would be no more. I wish to place my name with you, to offer Grah-Zeymahzin, and fight at your side. If you do me this great honor, I will teach you my Thu'um."
Azriel didn't hesitate. "It would be an honor. I accept and you have my word. I will summon you and you will feel the Sun on your wings once more when you claim the skies of Tamriel."
The dragon bowed his head once more. "When you do, I will acknowledge you as my Thuri, Dovahkiin."
Azriel took a shaky step forward. "My name is Ahziial."
A low grumble stirred in Durnehviir's throat. "Be swift leaving this place. Your defeat of the Keepers and I has undoubtedly brought attention to you."
Azriel looked over her shoulder first at Serana, then Valerica. "What will they do?"
Valerica shrugged. "I do not know. I can only imagine they will attempt to strike a deal or…" The pause was pregnant and the thought never finished.
Azriel looked back to Durnehviir. "Thank you. You have my word, I will call you soon." Durnehviir stretched his wings, but Azriel wasted no time to watch him lift into the sky. She started limping down the path towards the portal. "Let's go home, Serana."
Her blatant disregard for Valerica didn't go unnoticed by either vampire. Serana let out a sigh. She wouldn't deny her disappointment or her frustration. She understood her mother's fear of her father and she shared it. She knew her mother well enough to know, her mind was made up.
She caught up to Azriel and looped her arm around her waist without a word. Azriel's hair hung in her face. Bits of bone, dirt, and blood clung to it. The claw marks and bite wounds that blanketed her skin were already beginning to heal. Her limp was still pronounced, yet she hobbled along quietly. Serana decided to keep the peace and remain silent.
Time passed as they walked, yet it was impossible to gauge how long. They had been in the Soul Cairn for so long, everything looked the same. It annoyed Serana. She was ready to be back in Tamriel. She counted the breaks they took during their walk. After losing track of time when they had entered, counting things had given her respite from constantly worrying about things trying to kill them.
Azriel had stopped bleeding from her multiple wounds, but her overall condition hadn't improved. He limp was more pronounced, her ankle had been reinjured during her fight and the walking wasn't helping it. Her dehydration and exhaustion were Serana's biggest concern, not to mention her lack of appetite.
Everything lead back to the dream she had been pulled into with Aela, back in her mother's study. Events certainly had a direct impact on how Azriel had been acting the in the Soul Cairn. The lack of desire for food, constant thirst, and mental and physical exhaustion masked Azriel in an aura of darkness Serana couldn't penetrate. She couldn't shake the feeling that the addiction stretched past what Azriel understood. Perhaps Aela was right? But, at the same time, she wouldn't bring it up with her mother near.
Azriel and Valerica had kept their silent vigil the entire time they had walked. It was obvious neither had any desire to talk to each other or to her, so she had endured their silence.
The Soul Cairn itself had also taken on a more sinister air. Serana pondered the ways in which it had changed since leaving the bone yard. The wind had picked up, swirling sand and small pieces of brush through the air. Frost clung to everything in sight. The clouded sky above them was angry, yet no storm had emerged. The lightning existed of course, but something else seemed to lurk on the fringes. Even the souls they passed seemed more agitated. Some muttered to themselves, others paced wordlessly. None were loitering aimlessly as they did before.
She found it to be curiously unsettling.
Serana totted up the few clemencies they had. The most prominent was the dead didn't seem interested in any more bouts. She wondered further if that in itself was a true mercy since the entire time they had walked from the bone yard, nothing had risen or attacked. The more she thought about it, the more it struck her as being strange. Durnehviir had warned them that they wouldn't be allowed to just leave. She didn't see it favoring the Ideal Masters either. She and Azriel had strolled in, defeated their every obstacle and freed her mother. Yet, since leaving the bone yard, they had done nothing to attempt to claim them.
Could it be that simple? Serana could only hope that it was.
She stole a glimpse of her mother as they trudged forth. Valerica walked slightly ahead of them and to her right. She walked with a strong purpose, as if she herself were leaving the Cairn for good. But, her mother had shown no interest in recanting her stance on returning to Tamriel their entire walk. Nor had her mother had any additional input on her thoughts on the Ideal Masters. Which made Serana worry that much more about things to herself since she was shrouded in a cloak of perpetual silence from the other two.
She adjusted her grip on Azriel's waist as they walked. She looked out to the looming fortress wall. Nothing moved on the wall walk and the path to the stairs leading to the other side remained clear. Serana made another mental check point to have a rest as the breeze around them increased the closer they got to the wall.
As they passed one of the large crystals, Serana noticed Azriel look up at them. Her steps slowed and out of curiosity she looked up to the crystal as well.
"Valerica, what do the crystals do?" The volume of Azriel's voice was barely above a whisper, but it surprised Serana nonetheless.
Serana looked at her mother, who broke her stride. Azriel's question seemed to have caught her unaware as well. Looking up at the crystal that Azriel watched intently, Valerica answered. "Well, some necromancers believe that those large crystalline structures are the Ideal Masters."
"You don't sound convinced." Azriel stated matter of fact, without missing a beat.
Valerica contemplated her for a moment, before sitting down on a broken section of a structure. "I believe there's more to it than that."
Azriel sat down next to her. "How so?"
"I believe they transcend what we perceive as a physical form. Perhaps they were once corporeal beings, but they've obviously reached a point where they no longer require a tangible presence."
Azriel looked back up to the crystal. "And the crystals?"
Valerica smirked at the ignorant Dragonborn. "I have observed them to be conduits through which the Ideal Masters speak to their underlings and feed on their victims. The Ideal Masters' weakness is their insatiable hunger for pure souls. This is the only leverage a necromancer has when striking a bargain. It is the very reason for the Soul Cairn existing."
Serana watched as Azriel took a long drink from her waterskin with her eyes closed. She chose to take advantage of the moment to take her in. The water beaded on Azriel's chapped lips and for a moment that captured Serana. She let herself linger for a moment before moving on to consider the wounds on Azriel's face. Two on her forehead would definitely scar, even with Azriel and her wolf's ability to heal. From over Azriel's shoulder, Serana saw Valerica roll her eyes. Serana looked away quickly to the fortress wall. She dawdled on it, there was something that nagged at her as she did. "Does anyone else think things have been too easy?"
A single droplet of water clung to Azriel's lips as she finally let the waterskin drop away. "After Durnehviir's warning? As much as I hate to say it, I do. I don't think we're going to be allowed to just traipse in, kick ass, and walk out."
Valerica scoffed. "I would find it uncharacteristically queer if they did. The Ideal Masters don't let perfectly good souls out of their grasp. However, I'm at a loss for what they would do. You've already defeated their Keepers…"
"And that Reaper thing… Whatever the hell that was." Azriel chipped in with a shiver.
"…and Durnehviir also…" Serana muttered in thought.
Azriel surveyed the sky above them. "Well, unless they decide to take on form and come after us themselves, I think we should just keep going and get back to the portal. I'm pretty sick of Oblivion and the dead."
"They have other means of 'coming after us'… Dragonborn."
Serana scrutinized her mother's face and Valerica looked pointedly at her. She could feel the displeasure radiating off of her mother. Serana opened her mouth, but Valerica silenced her with a glare. She resigned herself to the fact there was no winning this battle with her mother. Nothing would change her mind about Azriel.
Azriel brushed herself off and stood. She cast one last look to the crystal the hovered just over the rooftop of the ancient black-stoned building. "Let's go."
Serana lead them to the stairs of the fortress walls. When her left foot hit the first step of the staircase, she paused with a feeling of foreboding oozing over her. "Be on your guard." She called over her shoulder without looking back. Whatever it was, it was coming. She couldn't pinpoint it, but she knew it was waiting for them on the other side.
Valerica matched her pace, walking next to her, leaving Azriel slightly behind them. "I feel it as well, my daughter. Stay alert."
They crested the stairs, looking out to valleys on the other side. Without warriors in sight, nothing seemed amiss ahead of them. Serana tentatively began to descend the stairs with Valerica right by her side. The menacing feeling grew with each step she took. The fog around them thickened. The pressure changed in the atmosphere around them. The air filled with static. Serana rubbed her ears unconsciously looking from the valley to the sky. The clouds above boiled furiously. Lightning light up the sky more than usual, even more so for the creepy place. Serana looked to her mother, noting the worried look on her face as she too observed the threatening changes.
Azriel came up to Serana side, but didn't stop. "Keep going, its getting louder."
The statement took Serana aback. "Louder? What's getting louder?" Serana threw her mother a questioning look. Valerica only returned it with a briefly startled shrug.
They followed the shuffling Dragonborn along the path. The fog became so dense that for a brief moment, Serana contemplated using her ring to detect Azriel as she stumbled ahead of them. She quickly picked up her pace, Valerica matching her stride. They passed things quickly, which surprised her with the shape Azriel was in. The dense mist swirled around them, alive with electricity. So much so, she could hear a slight buzz in her ears. Moving faster, she wanted to catch up to Azriel. Her skin was crawling with her anxiety. The feeling of being in peril surrounded them. The very fabric of the plane of Oblivion seemed to be condensing. Through the murkiness, she moved quickly until she literally bumped in to the back of Azriel.
Azriel turned around slowly.
Serana could feel her emotions rising within her turbidly with each heartbeat. In her eyes she saw the longing and greed as she looked at Serana.
Azriel blinked.
Her eyes focused on Valerica and remained.
Valerica returned Azriel's stare. "Whatever they offer you is a lie."
For one long moment, Serana could only hear Azriel's breathing and her rapid heartbeat. Her eyes never left Valerica.
"No deal!" Azriel blurted out.
The mist around them evaporated. Electricity which had charged the air, erupted all around them from the ground in massive bolts. It lashed out, striking Azriel and Valerica first. It was the last thing Serana saw before the hair on her head stood straight up and bluish light engulfed her.
Azriel slammed against the wall. Electricity arced over her, but through the hurt she managed to look to where Valerica had been thrown by the lightning on the other side of the pathway. The vampire was shaking, trying to rise. Her long black hair tumbling out of her severely swept up buns, splayed out around her. Azriel looked around for Serana as she reached into her bag. Shaking the cobwebs out of her head she drew Spellbreaker. "Valerica!" Azriel wasted no time racing to the fallen vampire.
All around them was the heavy ozone generated from the electrical current. The ground and air snapped and sparked.
Valerica sat up shakily. "Where is Serana?"
Azriel looked from their location to the crumped heap in the middle of the path. Serana was unconscious. "Get up!"
Lightning coursed from the sky, striking the pathway near the stairs leading up to the portal.
"They mean to close the portal!" Valerica grabbed Azriel by the arm, dragging her to Serana. Lightning struck the shield Azriel held over her head as she collapsed near Serana.
Two of the steps exploded, the debris lifted into the sky, obscuring part of the portal.
"Take her, go back to Tamriel." Azriel deflected another series of strikes from overhead. Valerica watched as three more steps exploded and drifted upwards.
"Valerica, you must take her! The staircase will be destroyed in seconds!" Azriel shouted over the crackle of electricity and exploding rock. She reached in her ruck sack again, this time drawing Dawnbreaker. Rock exploded, emphasizing her exclamation. Valerica pulled Serana into her arms, giving the brilliantly glowing sword only the briefest of scornful glimpse.
"Run!" Azriel dropped the shield and Valerica sprinted towards the remaining steps. She heard Azriel's footsteps rapidly head towards the tower where the nearest crystal resided.
The sizzling energy filled every part of her being as Valerica sprinted. Fragments of rock sprayed her face and onto Serana as more of the steps detonated. Valerica jumped upwards. She leapt to each one carefully, even as others were destroyed. As she neared the portal she heard the Dragonborn's booming voice above all other sounds coming from every direction.
"MERIDIA! HEAR ME!"
Clutching Serana close to her chest, Valerica leapt with all of her strength through the closing portal without a backwards glance.
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