The storm whipped rain around them as they stood at the jetty. Lightening flashed overhead and thunder cracked right behind it. The rain was drenching everything on the beach and woods behind them, including all of them. The squall carried the yowling angry gusts far into the woods and up into the mountains. The black sky was an omen of foreboding for what was to come.
The wind pushed the white-capped sea far up onto the shore. A tiny wooden boat bumped continuously against the old dock with the force of the waves, even though it sat filled with water. Lamae and her scions stood looking out over the water, their feet at the edge of the wet sand and waves. Their wet robes moved against the wind of their own accord. The purple color of the robes shifted as they moved, and the runes caught the light from above through the darkness of the storm.
Near them, Valerica and Movarth stood side by side as they watched the sea. The storm was churning it with murderous contempt. The half-blooded vampires waited silently behind them. Aela, Serana, and Azriel waited farther behind Valerica's group. Rain pummeled the sentries on the beach without regard or care. The storm was nearing its apex, and its fury was unrelenting.
Lamae held out her soaked hand expectantly to Valerica. "Come, it is time." There was no mistaking the authority in her voice nor could Valerica decline her summons. The scions soundlessly broke away from Lamae, making space for Valerica to stand next to their matron. Valerica braced herself and walked slowly to her side. Lamae smiled at her reassuringly, "We share a purpose here, you need not fear me. I will not harm you." Valerica accepted her hand, shivering at how cold it was. Reminding her, how much older and more powerful Lamae truly was.
Lamae held out her other hand to Serana. "You as well, dear one." Her tone was as sweet as it was when she conversed with Azriel.
Serana hesitated, even after Azriel let go of her hand. Azriel smiled at her encouragingly. "It's alright, go to Lamae. You're both safe with her," Azriel assured Serana while Lamae smiled back at Azriel. Serana nodded quietly, gathering her courage before she walked to the other side of the ancient vampire and took her hand. "You must be prepared for what is to come," Lamae continued. "You mustn't hesitate to strike when the time comes."
Valerica shifted uncomfortably, "Once we cross, Harkon's court will inevitably be waiting. He knows I am here."
"Then we shan't keep him waiting any longer." Lamae looked over her shoulder to the other scions as they waited. "Bring the children. We shall teach them our magic so that they may cross unharmed." Each of the scions took two of the half-blooded vampires in their hands, except for the last who only held one. Lamae returned her smile to Azriel and Azriel smiled back, answering her unspoken question. Azriel pulled Aela closer to herself, allowing the scions to bring the last of Valerica's half-blooded vampires to the sea.
"OD AH VIING!" Azriel roared at the sky and lightning struck the sea with her call.
Almost as fast as she called him, Odahviing dropped from the ridge above, followed by Saaraadgraat. Azriel wasted no time, jumping onto Odahviing. Aela pulled her bow, climbing onto Saaraadgraat. The dragons lifted into the air, and Azriel called down to Lamae. "We'll announce our arrival." Azriel roared into the storm-beaten sky, as the two dragons began crossing the sea with their riders. Behind them, six dragons dropped over the ridge, answering her call from where they had been waiting.
The thunderstorm continued in its howling fury, a mile offshore. The pure-blooded vampires released the half-bloods they accompanied the moment their feet touched the gravelly sand beach. From there the pure-blooded vampires raced ahead to the stone bridge. Over two hundred vampire fighters had been waiting on the bridge and beach. Above them, archers and mages stood on balconies and the towers of the castle, soaking in the rain.
From the sky, the continuous roars of the dragons were accompanied by thunder, shafts of light, and the swiftness of dragon bone arrows. The entire face of Castle Volkihar was awash in flames and lightning. Azriel and Aela were taking out archers as swiftly as the dragons were destroying the vampiric mages.
On the ground, the pure-blooded vampires carved their way through the fighters. Behind them, the half-blooded mages let their flames roll over the matrons and scions. Movarth and the other fighters used their bows to cut down the threats to the matrons.
For each fighter Movarth's group took out, a pure-blood would tear apart at least four more.
The sections of the great stone bridge that weren't on fire were covered in the gory remains of Harkon's fighters. The smooth rock was slick with blood and hail. The smell of the battle tainted the salty air foully.
Serana chanced a look up to the sky, and a wicked grin cross her face. It only took a second for her to find Aela on Saaraadgraat. The intensity on her face made her lips curl up further. Nathalie's cascading flames washed over a wave of half-blooded vampires as Valerica, and a scion tore through the four that Nathalie missed.
Serana grabbed another vampire, her fangs ripping out its throat. As he crumbled to dust, she caught a bolt of light piercing a vampiric fighter that had run toward her, disintegrating it. In a second, Azriel landed next to her and became corporeal. Blood, ice, and rain splashed around her feet.
"I knew you'd miss me." Serana gave her a cheeky grin as she wiped the blood and water off her face.
Azriel let the sword spin in her hand as she reached Serana, flashing her a crooked grin, "You know I can't be without you for long."
Serana's smile bloomed, exposing her fangs. She slicked her wet hair from her face, "And don't you dare forget that fact, little dragon."
Within a couple of steps, Aela was next to them, "Thirty-three, Dragonborn."
"Damn it," Azriel cursed. "You win, I only got thirty."
"What took you so long?" Serana asked with a laugh at their competition.
Together, they ran toward the lowered portcullis. "I have to let the Dragonborn beat me at something, or she gets grumpy." Aela tossed her a wolfish grin. Azriel scoffed playfully as she slowed to a walk. "I do not. I only get grumpy when you cheat."
Lamae and one of her scions stood waiting as a vampire emerged from the darkness behind it. "My Lady, I bid you welcome." He bowed to her and clapped his hands. "Ronthil! Joven! Quickly now." The three vampires rapidly lifted the gate.
"Master Garan," Lamae smiled at him as she crossed the threshold. "I was told to expect you. How it pleases me that you have not abandoned your station."
The elf inclined his head to her. "My Lady, I have always been here at the discretion of the Order." Behind Lamae, Serana, Aela, Azriel, Valerica, and the other vampires entered.
The smell that emanated from within the castle, made Azriel choke instantly. The putrid smell of death and decay assaulted her, suffocating her with its noxiousness. The odor assailed her senses, dredging from the depths of her mind, the echoes of her past. Her eyes watered as the milky blue eyes of the orc floated into her vision. She could feel gory flesh, squished between her fingers and toes as if it were happening in the now.
Lightning flashed as it arced from the ground to the sky. The crisp sound of thunder right behind it accompanied the hail that fell from the sky. Azriel fell against the cold stone wall, vomiting. Her throat stung as she retched and shivered uncontrollably. The overpowering odor pulled forth the hellscape of the pit she had escaped four years before. The fear she felt was overwhelming. The scent gripped her and refused to let go.
All the vampires watch her. Warm hands held her as vomited a second time. She felt another cold hand on her, and Lamae's voice floated to her, but she was lost to the horrors of her past. Next to her Aela was choking, her bile rising as an answer to the sound of Azriel vomiting.
Lamae smoothed her hair, coming to rest on the back of her neck. "Breathe slowly, Ahziial. This is not the terror of your past. I know what it is you fear, this is not that place." Lamae's whispers drew Azriel back, helping calm her as they did years ago.
Azriel nodded, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She swallowed hard, trying not to vomit again. "I'm…" She took another steadying breath. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Serana rubbed her back while helping her stand, letting her steady herself against the wall.
"This place is disgusting, and it's far worse inside." Lightning struck the bridge as if emphasizing her point.
Valerica and others held their hands to their noses, coughing. The smell of bile and salty air mixed with the sweetly putrid scents of the castle. The stink was abominable even for vampires. Aela wiped her mouth, not feeling any better herself. The smell was overpowering and toxic.
Garan watched confused by the matrons as they attended to the two mortal women. "There are a few of Lord Harkon's court left inside. I have kept my attendants separate to ensure their… continued service."
He observed Serana's obvious concern for the two mortals and shook his head disgusted before continuing. "The Lord himself awaits Lady Valerica in the chapel. He does not suspect you nor your court to be in attendance with her." He bowed once more, stepping aside, while motioning to his attendants to move out of their way.
"Then we shouldn't keep the buffoon waiting," Valerica started walking to the great wooden gate with Lamae, the half-blooded vampires and scions quickly following her.
Serana held both Aela and Azriel, keeping them with her. Serana pulled Aela forcefully to face her. "Aela, don't lose control of your wolf near my father," Serana spoke rapidly, never taking her eyes from Aela's.
"What? Why?" Aela searched her face, trying to understand her urgency. "Serana, I don't fear him."
"This isn't about what you fear." Serana pulled Aela closer, "I need you to listen to me. You cannot let your wolf free inside. You don't know what he will do to you in your wolf form. Promise me, Aela, you won't let her free."
Aela put her hand over Serana's seeing the distress in her eyes. As she examined Serana's face, she could only feel her concern. Something was bothering her, and it weighed heavily in Aela's mind. Serana's eyes bored into hers and Aela kept searching them. "Alright, I promise. I'll control her."
Azriel wiped her brow, watching the exchange. From inside she could hear the shrieks of the vampires. She dreaded walking into the den, the stench that wafted from the open door matched the horror of the sounds they were hearing from inside. The smells that surrounded them were not getting better even with the wind.
"Are you both ready?" Serana looked past them to the door and then back at them. Azriel could only nod, the queasiness still hadn't passed.
"I'm ready." Aela took Serana's hand, savoring the cool vampire's touch.
From inside the sounds died. It was so quick that Azriel turned fully toward the door, confused.
"They didn't stand a chance," Serana slipped her hand into Azriel's, the electric heat comforting both. "Mother is really angry."
"I don't feel bad for them." Aela started for the door, "We need to go, we cannot linger here any longer. We need to help Valerica."
Garan and his attendants observed them silently from the portcullis. He noticed his assistants watching them, both were as confused as he was. The pure-blooded vampire had shown so much concern for the mortals he could only guess at their bond. But for the First to also show concern, he couldn't understand the meaning. Garan turned hearing the rain change and saw a massive dark blue dragon leering back at him.
It didn't take them more than a minute to walk the entry hall to the open door. Both Aela and Azriel fought against the revolting spectacle and stink that greeted them. The sheer number of corpses that littered the main hall was surreal. Against the walls, piles of bones and goo littered the place.
Aela fought against her nausea again. "What beasts live like this?"
"This is what madness looks like," Valerica answered, casting away an arm and head of the vampire she killed.
Azriel's mouth hung open as she stood on the balcony. She slowly shook her head, taking in the horrors of the hall. "I know madness, and this isn't it. This has nothing to do with Sheogorath. This is… something else." Valerica watched her, realizing she was being honest, and she didn't argue the point. "Serana…" She finally looked at her daughter, who slowly worked her way down the stairs. "Harkon is waiting, we must go. It's time to end this."
Serana pushed Aela gently away from the stairs and back up onto the balcony. "Stay here, Aela."
Aela caught Serana's hand. "No, you're not going in there without me."
"You can't come, Aela," Serana tried to pull her hand free of Aela's. "Stay here, it's not safe for you. He'll kill you."
"Not a chance, I'm not leaving you," Aela shifted her weight on the stairs, getting closer to Serana.
"Serana," Serana looked at her mother questioningly. "It's clear you won't change her mind. Let her come," Valerica answered quietly.
Aela gave Serana a look that told her that her mother was right. Serana walked down the stairs; her worry was bleeding from her. All she could think of was Idgrod's warning.
Valerica turned to Movarth, "The rest of you should search the castle. Others may be hiding. Find them and destroy them."
Lamae and the scions waited in the main hall as the half-blooded vampires scattered to the reaches of the castle. "We shall allow you to tend to Lord Harkon… privately."
Valerica nodded and motioned for Azriel, Serana, and Aela to follow her as she moved through the main hall. They trailed her as she led them through the lower portion castle. When they ran through the castle, they couldn't hear either the storm or the dragons anymore. When Valerica reached the lower staircase, she waited for them to round the last corner and meet her.
"The chapel is up those stairs. You must be ready to face Harkon before we enter."
"Ready? I didn't know you knew how to joke, Valerica."
Azriel said with a snort before her face became serious once more. "I'm going to stuff my foot up his ass so far he's going to taste the last vampire I stepped in."
Valerica wasn't amused. "This is no laughing matter, Dragonborn. The power he possesses…"
"We understand, Valerica. We don't fear him, neither should you." Aela finished.
Valerica huffed. "I see neither of you have listened to a word I've said to this point."
"Oh, we listened, but we owe him for trying to kill," Azriel growled back, stepping up on the first stair. "My eyes still burn from that whip."
"Not to mention being stabbed and poisoned," Aela growled.
"Or drowned and driven mad…" Azriel finished angrily.
Valerica shook her head. "Very well, I understand your desires for vengeance. But do not make the mistake of underestimating him."
Serana wrung her hands while listening to them. "Aela, please stay here."
Aela scrutinized her, the silver layers held a cutting edge to them, "Not a chance in Oblivion, Serana."
Serana exhaled sharply, looking away upset. "He will kill you," she whispered.
Aela caught her cheek, forcing Serana to look at her. "No, Serana, he won't. I'm not letting him near you, nor will I leave you to face him alone. I am coming with you, and that is final."
"We aren't abandoning you." Azriel climbed the stairs and put her hand on the door. "Serana, we're not going to let him harm you or Valerica."
Valerica blinked, taken aback by Azriel's statement. "What did you say?"
"You're her mother of course we're not going to let him touch you," Azriel snapped, not looking at her. "It's like you don't know us after everything that's happened thus far."
Aela walked past the vampires, moving to the other door. "We're fighting him together; we aren't letting you do this alone. Now, let's go."
Serana nodded, not looking at either of them. She drew her sword wordlessly. She was too distraught to speak, she knew what her father was capable of.
Azriel and Aela stood with their shoulders against the two huge wooden doors at the entry of the chapel.
"Ready?" Azriel asked them.
Serana shifted her weight, sword in hand. "As I'll ever be," she still wasn't looking at them.
"Open it," Valerica said, tightening her grip on her elven blade. Azriel nodded to Aela and the two pushed open the doors.
The heavy doors creaked as they opened them. The doors dragged along the uneven stone floor, making a horrific noise as they scrapped open. Serana and Valerica strode past them, entering the chapel. From outside, they could hear both the storm and the dragons that circled high above.
The feeling in this part of the castle was colder. The stairs that had carried them upward, coincided with the sea. The waves crashed against the lower walls; the spray was visible in silhouette through the stained glass whenever lightning lit the sky.
The smell of salt, mortal blood, and ozone permeated the otherwise frozen air of the chapel.
The black stone chapel was littered with the bones of the long dead. The impressive interior was laid out to house at least one hundred people standing. The balconies that wrapped the room, overlooked a large alcove. At the center was a large, tiered fountain. Above the top tier was a face that issued blood as it overlooked the entire chapel. There was enough room in the alcove to fit several people around the shrine. Through the walls, they could hear the dragons as they landed on the roof. Their calls shook the walls of the castle. Azriel and Aela walked in behind Serana and Valerica. They walked toward the large levitating being in the center of the room. Just as they passed the scrape marks on the floor, the doors slammed shut. Sealing them inside with Harkon.
Harkon watched the four women as they came to a stop, just between the twin staircases that led up into the wraparound balconies. Serana was on the far left, with Aela between her and Valerica. On the far right stood Azriel. "So, you've finally returned home, Serana. I see you've brought me many gifts. Perhaps this is how you wish to regain my favor?" He moved closer slowly, contemplating her as he did. "Or perhaps your seditious mother has finally poisoned you against me with her hate."
"Oh Harkon, you fool. I didn't need to do anything for her to despise you, you were perfectly capable of that yourself." Valerica spat back at him.
"That's enough, both of you!" Serana tightened her grip on her sword. "It never changes, does it? You can't see you're both the problem. Especially you, Father!"
Harkon fixed Valerica with a deadly glare. "Her words drip with your venom, wife."
"You ceased being the man I married long ago!" Valerica bit back.
"No, Father! You did this, you tore apart our family over a prophecy you don't even understand."
Harkon waved dismissively at Serana, "I will enjoy killing you, Valerica."
Azriel pulled Valerica back as she took a step toward Harkon. "You aren't going to touch her or Serana." Her strength shocked Valerica. Azriel had been gentle but strong enough to force her to take a couple of steps back to regain her footing.
Harkon laughed, "Ah, Serana, I see you've brought your… pets. How I looked forward to finally being introduced to them. Though I must say, I find it interesting your tastes have remained the same. I see you still favor the red-haired ones."
The resentment Serana felt nearly swallowed her whole. "You knew?" The bitterness of those two words rippled through Azriel and Aela. Outside, the storm had finally reached its height. The force of the waves was pushing water through the mortar of the castle and into the chapel.
"Of course." He crossed his arms, in mock thought. "I even remember the mortal that you favored, what was her name? It's been so long," He chuckled darkly as he watched her face contort with rage.
Serana could feel her blood boiling and Azriel's anger merge, as Aela's wolf howled in her mind. "Her name was Helaina!"
Valerica hissed, shifting her stance, and tightening her grip on her dagger.
"She served her purpose, as they all inevitably do." Harkon snapped at her.
"I was in love with her and you killed her!" Serana hurled back at him. Her words were mixed with the hurt and the anger she had held onto for thousands of years.
"They are nothing more to us than instruments. That lesson you should have learned by now, but no matter." He glared down at her, "Now these two… I am at a loss as to who is whom."
He paused, letting his eyes sweep Aela and Azriel. He lifted his arm, pointing at Azriel. "You must be the Dragonborn, Azriel. Yes, your eyes give you away. Serana was kind enough to make a point of mentioning the color the last time she was home. She was so detailed in her description; it amused me."
Azriel didn't show any level of amusement as she kept with the vampire's formalities, "I am indeed, but I am not pleased to make your acquaintance."
He let his smile consume his face, "But I have heard so many things about you, Dragonborn. I am so glad that my darling Serana has finally brought you to me. But the other? Serana, you must introduce us."
"No," Serana snarled defiantly and glowered at him, but she didn't get the chance to say anything else.
"No?" He laughed. "Ah well, I suppose she isn't of any significance after all. Though her blood will sustain me when we finish… this." He waved his hand in the air dismissively.
The feral growl that emanated from Aela drew a sharp breath from Serana. She could hear her wolf in her mind and knew Aela was close to losing control over her with their combined fury.
Behind Harkon, all the windows lit with electrical light and shook with the rumbling thunder. He turned to Valerica ignoring Aela and the storm, "Still, it does surprise me that you would allow such vermin near our daughter, Valerica." He spat out her name. Behind him, hail shattered on the windows in the howling wind.
Aela snarled viciously at him with his insults, her claws and canines extending. The low rumble from Azriel matched the indignation Aela felt.
Over their heads, the dragons' roars became louder as they drew closer.
"Vermin, Harkon? The only vermin here are those that willingly dine amongst rats." The threat within Valerica's tone made visibly Harkon flinch.
"Remember your promise," Serana whispered fiercely to Aela while Valerica's angry voice covered her.
Aela gave her a long sideways glance, her temper cooling slightly with Serana's feelings, forcing her wolf to the back of her mind.
"They are no more vermin than Serana is. They have shown her more compassion and devotion in the short time I've been in their company than you have her entire life." Valerica continued furiously. "Where you abandoned her millennia ago, they remain at her side even when facing death."
His claws flexed at the comparison. "You dare to compare me with these pathetic beings?" The mutual hate that radiated between Valerica and Harkon, made the light in the chapel grow darker between the two.
"These two have done what you could not. However, it isn't a reach that you overestimate your own capabilities while underestimating others."
Harkon's demeanor changed with her revelation, he once again looked at the Dragonborn and the bow she held in her hand. He watched the Dragonborn's lips curl into a mocking grin. He realized the power of each was somehow tied together, of that, he was sure. "Serana, where are my Elder Scrolls?" This time, Harkon scrutinized her, watching for any telling manner that would give away Valerica's meaning in its entirety.
Azriel chuckled at him. "We don't need them anymore. That's why we're here." Next to her, Valerica narrowed her eyes at Harkon, waiting expectantly, yet her face remained a stony mask.
"Answer me, Serana." His hiss was filled with annoyance at her disobedience and the Dragonborn's arrogance.
Azriel rolled her eyes. "Harkon, can we cut this chat short? I get that vampires have all these… um… civilities you like to keep. I'd like to get to the part where we kick your ass and just save us all this long, drawn-out bullshit we're now suffering through." She kept her voice as monotone and uninterested sounding as possible.
Valerica hissed behind her, surprised at her outburst. "Be silent, Dragonborn," Valerica growled at her.
Harkon's wings expanded fully, his gray-clawed fingers curling with the indignation of being addressed by a lesser creature. "I was speaking to my daughter, not you mortal!"
"Valerica, you should know by now that I can't shut up." Azriel tightened her grip on the bow as Serana hissed in warning. "Alright, Harkon, let's try this in a way you can understand. How long, exactly, did you have to figure out this prophecy? Because the four of us figured it out in a month. You're not extraordinary for someone who considers themselves superior. So cut the shit." She tapped her free hand on her leg as she talked, getting Aela's attention. Azriel signed behind her back to her. "No one in this room is mortal. Not that it matters that much, because you be dead soon. I'm sick of you and the fucking smell in here." Aela slid her sword back into its scabbard as quietly as possible while she talked. "So, now can we skip to the ass-kicking we plan to give you or what?"
"This one is so brash, Serana." Hakon laughed at her, "She must keep you entertained." The sneer that crossed his face was filled with hate. His eyes swept over Aela and came to rest on Azriel. He inhaled deeply. "It seems you are no longer the wolf. Pity, I was looking forward to knowing what your blood tastes like after I slit your throat."
"Enough. Father." She didn't bother to check the contempt in her voice. "I won't let you hurt them again."
He held out his hand to Azriel ignoring Serana. "Give me the weapon, Dragonborn."
Azriel took three abrupt steps backward and lifted the bow, "Oh, am I ever going to give this to you…" She touched the string, letting her fingers linger on them. "Now, Aela!" Lightning lit the windows again, illuminating another colossal wave that smashed against the far wall.
Aela jumped back grabbing Valerica and pulling Serana with her. Aela spun Valerica, pinning Valerica against her chest and covering her eyes just as the bow blazed to life. "Move with me!" Aela yelled.
Just as Azriel let the arrow fly, a gargoyle sprung to life between herself and Harkon where Valerica had been standing. Aela's feet kept moving as the gargoyle reached for Serana. She twirled Serana away from the gargoyle. She kept turning, keeping them together with her, moving as quickly as she could back toward the doors they had entered from.
The blast from the bow blinded Harkon as it vaporized the gargoyle that swung perilously close to Aela's head as she danced with her partners away from its extended reach. The dust and particles of the destroyed construct froze in the air, then retracted back together, reforming the enraged gargoyle. It bellowed and charged, still unable to catch the trio as they moved.
Azriel let another arrow fly, hitting the gargoyle that ran from the far end of the chapel directly into Aela's path. Aela twirled Serana away from its claws, then shoved them under the stairs leading to the balcony. The explosion blew dust over them, the stairs blocking the larger pieces from hitting them.
Aela let go, stepping in front of them as the light died, and lifted her shield just as the spell Harkon blindly hurled flew at them. Aela deflected it, protecting them from the spell's blast.
More gargoyles exploded from statues on the ground floor as Harkon moved quickly to escape to the opposite side of the chapel. The desecrated bones on the floor rattled and began forming as both Valerica and Harkon willed them into being.
Aela saw twin portals open on either side of Serana and Valerica opened. Two Dremora stepped through them. "Vyrrny!" Azriel let another arrow fly. "Nymarr! Protect the daughters of Coldharbour!" As quickly as they had stepped through the portals, the two Dremora ran to Serana and Valerica's sides.
Azriel shot another arrow, destroying another gargoyle only to watch it reform. "Why won't they die?"
"These are different!" Serana yelled back, destroying another construct with lightning.
"No shit!"
"Shoot them in the heart!" Serana called back to her. "It will destroy their soul gems."
Azriel cursed, the gargoyles were moving too quickly for her to hit accurately. "Aela, catch!" She threw the bow high in the air, towards Aela. Azriel drew her swords, just as Aela soared into the air, catching the bow. She landed next to Serana rolling to her knees, and in a fluid motion, let the arrow fly as she came out of the tumble.
"Serana, raise everything you can!" Valerica yelled to her, already raising far more than Harkon and she was faster.
Serana looked around the chapel. The floor was so littered with bone it was impossible to tell how many full skeletons there were. Not that it mattered. "Diil Qoth Zaam!" The air in the chapel vibrated with energy as the words left Serana's mouth. All the bones in the chapel began to rise. The Dremora next to her gave her a look but said nothing.
"How the fuck did you do that?" Aela shouted over the bellows of the constructs that were coming to life.
"Necromancy!" Serana answered, dodging a sword strike from an undead warrior. The dead around the chapel bones snapped into place. Heads fitting to necks and jaws to skulls. Their chatter as they formed temporarily greater the sounds of the storm surge, dragons, and the bellows of the magical constructs combined.
"I didn't know you were a necromancer!" Aela let loose two more arrows while dodging another undead warrior. With a quick turn, she sidestepped its sword, and it thrust it toward her. She pulled the bow, letting the arrow loose inches from its ribcage, disintegrating it. She looked around the chapel, for Azriel.
Serana side-stepped the gargoyle's claws, letting a lightning bolt arc from her fingers. "Does it bother you?"
"KRII LUN AUS!" Azriel's roar filled the chapel, shaking the ground. Dust rained down on them from the ceiling, and both Aela and Serana glanced up.
"No! We can discuss it later." Aela saw Azriel, just as she shouted at Harkon. "Serana, look!" The magic of Azriel's words caused Harkon to drop from the air to the ground, clutching his chest. She was cutting through the dead, opposite of Valerica. He and Valerica traded spells as their undead warriors fought. The Dremora kept the dead from reaching Valerica.
"I'm sorry, Father," Serana whispered. The chattering dead had fully formed, now they waited for Serana's command. "Kill him!" Her voice carried across the chapel, reverberating against the walls.
Harkon let his wings expand, Valerica and the Dremora were only a few feet from him. They were surrounded by constructs and dead warriors, but they were cutting through them rapidly. His desire to murder his wife was uncontrollable. His wings arched up, preparing to push him forward.
"WULD NAH KEST!" Azriel crashed into Harkon faster than his wings could beat downward. Azriel carried him halfway across the chapel, protecting Valerica, and smashing him face-first into a pillar supporting the balcony. The force of the blow, destroyed the pillar, destabilizing a section of the balcony. Causing it to fall around them.
The undead warriors turned as one to face Harkon. Together marching toward where he worked to free himself from the rubble.
Azriel had lost one sword when they collided with the pillar; it skipped past Serana and Aela to the opposite side of the chapel on the floor. She stumbled backward; the air knocked from her lungs by the force of their impact. She fought to breathe against the dust and debris that clouded the air.
Harkon twisted, freeing himself fully from the debris, while dust clung to him as a robe. He stumbled, trying to shake Azriel's magic from himself. The pain of her magic made his bones feel brittle and dulled his senses. He stumbled a couple of steps toward the alcove.
The noises of the dead were becoming louder, but his hearing was muffled. He shook his head, trying to focus his vision. Turning, he saw the Dragonborn, just as she inhaled. "FUS RO DAH!"
Harkon howled as he was thrown into the back wall. From his left, the dead were advancing, within a few moments they'd be on top of him. As he stumbled, sliding against the wet stone wall, Harkon willed all the gargoyle constructs to life. "Destroy the Dragonborn!" Around the chapel's upper level, a dozen large gargoyles exploded from stone. From the ceiling, smaller constructs burst from their stony skins, their wings carrying them toward Azriel on the ground floor.
The chattering dead reached Harkon just as he regained his balance. The sheer number of dead that Serana had raised had uncovered most of the chapel floor. From the corner nearest Azriel, Serana willed more to rise and protect her.
Aela leaped over the staircase railing, bounding for the balcony. Another wall of water crashed into the far wall, rattling the walls. More of the mortar gave way to the power of the sea. Aela could hear the dragons' calls through the squall. She caught sight of Harkon as he shredded his way through Serana's soldiers. Drawing the bowstring, she aimed at the gargoyle that was fighting Azriel. From behind her, Aela could hear more approaching. Spinning, she aimed, killing the one just as it reached for her. Below her, she heard lightning crackle to life, splintering against the stone. Above her, two smaller gargoyles swooped at her. Their oversized wings carried them swiftly to her. Aela dodged, their talons ripping at her hair and face. She fought them, using the bow to thwart them from gripping her.
Below the balcony, Serana clashed with two other gargoyles, trying to reach Azriel's side. Above her on the balcony, she could hear Aela fighting.
Serana was directly under her and unable to help both at the same time. Azriel was fighting four large gargoyles on her own in front of her. Serana heard her mother's black skeletons as they rose around Azriel.
"Diil Qoth Zaam!" The air moved once more, glittering with Serana's magic as she summoned all the bones in the chapel to serve her.
The bones aligned themselves all around the large space. Their scrapping and rattling noises filled the cold, wet air. Harkon's eyes went wide realizing what Serana had done. He backed toward the alcove, drawing shades of his own from the black stone.
"Serana, don't let him get to the shrine!" Valerica yelled over the sounds of the dead. She was raising more behind Harkon to block his path.
Serana looked between her mother and father as the last of the bones snapped into place. "KILL HIM!" Serana issued her command. The force of her voice shook the walls of the chapel. She knew he would tear through them just as quickly as before. She chanced a look over to where Azriel was fighting ferociously against the four gargoyles; three smaller ones had joined the attack against her.
Outside the chapel, Serana heard two distinct dragons roar, just as she sprang forward. From behind her, she heard Aela's pained cry, just as she watched a fifth gargoyle smack Azriel's sword aside. Serana charged the lightning in her hands. When she connected with the gargoyle in front of her, she unleashed their combined emotions into her magic. The energy arced between all the gargoyles just as one swatted at Azriel, knocking her across the room toward the entry doors. Serana's electricity fused them in place, destroying them and their soul gems entirely. Azriel slid across the floor in a half-spin clutching her fang tightly. She jumped to her feet, turning to see where Aela was.
Azriel searched the balcony below the broken portion, the bone warriors and shades were enveloping Harkon en masse. The back wall near the alcove rattled, not from the storm, but from the dragons that were attacking it. Their bellowing calls rippled through the stone, echoing into the chapel. Blood from the shrine spilled as Odahviing and Saaraadgraat clawed at the stone.
"Give me the bow!" Harkon snarled, his wings expanding lifting himself and Aela into the air.
Her arm, holding it just out of his reach as his clawed hand strangled her. Aela clutched his wrist tightly with her other hand. She brought her legs up, kicking him hard in the face as she threw the bow over her shoulder toward Azriel. Harkon bellowed at the indignity of her ferocious kick, as he lifted Aela into the air over his head. Through the echoes of time, Tabithah's warning rang in Azriel's ears, '…never give them the first strike and never throw your weapon.'
Harkon put his free hand on her waist, lifting her directly over his head, "Your blood will aid me so that I may kill my disappointing daughter and traitorous wife!"
Azriel realize he was going to rip Aela in half. "TIID!" Praying to Kyne, Azriel hefted the dagger, throwing it as hard as she could. In the air, the bow slowly twirled, making its way in her direction. To her right, Serana was already emerging from the crimson mist in her true form. Azriel watched the lightning crawl from Valerica's clawed hands toward Harkon. The two Dremora remained faithfully at both vampires' sides.
Free from the confines of time, the fang sailed true. Even as Harkon's grip slowly changed on Aela, the fang struck its blow, directly in Harkon's gut, just above his navel. The fang wouldn't be enough to stop him, and she knew it. Azriel watched the bow knowing time was about to resume, "RII VAAZ ZOL!" Just as the magic faded, she soared into the air, her hand reaching for it.
In the next second, Serana was on Harkon.
She knocked her father's hand free of Aela's waist, punching him in the throat at the same time. He moved, trying to counter, but Serana was considerably faster. She spun him by his free arm, smashing him against the wall. "LET HER GO!" Serana roared at him; her voice deepened in this form. She bit into the back shoulder of the arm he was holding Aela with. Harkon screamed as Serana's teeth tore his muscle, removing it from the bone. Her hand crushed his arm, twisting it unnaturally to free Aela.
Serana slammed him face-first into a pillar, swallowing his flesh. "I said, let her go!" Harkon buckled as Serana drove a punch into his ribs. She knew the searing pain from the fang was impossible to ignore. Serana swung him around, simultaneously ripping the fang from his gut, then driving it into his side. "This is for poisoning them," she hissed hatefully.
Harkon screamed, trying to free himself from Serana's suppressing grip. Her attacks were so rapid, he couldn't counter her blows effectively. Even as his claws raked against her skin her movement made it impossible to see where they were going or where she was. The smell of their blood clung to the air around them.
Serana twisted his arm back until it popped from the joint, and he finally released Aela. Shoving Aela toward Azriel, she threw Aela far from her father's reach. Aela collided with the Dremora that stood helpless in the center of the room, unable to follow his charge. He caught her, quickly putting her down. "My Lord!" Azriel glanced at the Dremora, who also could not keep up with Serana any longer. "Protect the werewolf!" Azriel commanded. She couldn't track where Serana and her father were from one second to the next.
Serana was moving so fast, they were a blur of red, gray, and black. Her pauses to strike her father were still faster than the blink of an eye. Her animosity was driving her frenzy. The blood magic Serana used enveloped her father in a carmine cloud draining his life and feeding Serana.
The only clue of their location was the stone that exploded, then they were already somewhere else. Azriel held the bow, kneeling next to Aela, her hands erupted in a resplendent glow, surrounding Aela in golden light. Azriel examined her, letting the magic flow through Aela's body. Aela's windpipe and pelvis had been fractured. Azriel gently pushed aside Aela's hands that were at her throat. Her magic provided immediate relief to her pain as she strained to breathe. "Don't move, I've got you," Azriel whispered lovingly.
Valerica was torn from Serana and Harkon's fight the moment Azriel began healing Aela. Valerica only watched for a few seconds but was impressed with her use of magic. Except Valerica didn't linger on them, she needed to find Serana. She watched in amazement as structures exploded around the chapel. Even with her vision, she could no longer track her husband or daughter. She had no means to help Serana now, she could only watch as segments of the balcony and chapel were destroyed entirely in their battle.
The dragons that had been frantically clawing at the walls had stopped. The dragons had also become quiet, as if listening to Serana's onslaught. The thunderstorm still assailed the windows with hail and the far wall with waves.
Serana's confrontation with Harkon had become completely one-sided, in Serana's ire. "You destroyed our family!" Her resentment made her swift, but her vengeance made her lethal. Even her blood magic pulled from her connection with Azriel and Aela. Serana pulled Aela's pain and exasperation with Azriel's wrath, letting it fuel her furor. She slammed Harkon into another pillar head-first. "You hunted me! Me! Your own daughter!" She punched him in the back, throwing him into yet another pillar, destroying it.
The pain from the fang and Azriel's shout held him in a grip he could not escape. His blood issued from his orifices and the wounds that Serana inflicted on him. He could no longer counter her blows. "Now, you try to kill them in front of me?! HOW DARE YOU!"
Azriel let the glow die and pulled Aela to her feet. "Do you see them?" She had poured every bit of her magic into Aela to heal her hastily while still being precise.
"I will never let you hurt them!" She threw Harkon through another pillar.
"There!" Aela pointed, but the blurs disappeared and reappeared somewhere else. "No, wait," Aela was in awe of their motion. "I only see a blur for a moment then they're gone. Their voices are everywhere at once. I can't track her."
Serana kicked him through the stairs, then grabbed him by his leg, slamming him into the collapsing balcony stunning him. She threw him against the wave-battered wall, destroying it. She was on him instantly. She pulled him back into the chapel by his wing, tearing it free from his back. "I will never let you near them again!" Serana ripped the dagger free from his side, driving him through the other stairs. "You will never harm anyone I love. EVER. AGAIN!"
Serana lifted him from the ground by his shoulders, "AHZIIAL, THE BOW!" Pinning his broken and bleeding arms to his sides, she sank her fangs into his jugular vein. With a beat of her wings, she turned them both in the air, to face Azriel, giving her the shot.
Azriel whirled on her toes, following the sound of Serana's voice across the chapel, drawing the string at the same time.
"Dragonborn, NO!" Valerica cried out as the luminosity of the bow blinded her.
Azriel let the string snap and the arrow fly.