Summary:A vacation ruined by a dark queen, a near tragedy, and a promise of spoiling.
Or, Dai and Serana wanted a week away from the rugrats, and Salem said "nah fam,"
Daiyang grunted as he cut down another Grimm. This was getting irksome. "Damned Grimm." Dai growled, "And today was so nice," he grunted, weaving away from the massive arm of an Ursa Major. Ducking, Dai's body shone with light causing a red oil to spill. It spread quickly, causing many Grimm to slip and fall.
With a mighty leap, Daiyang was in the air, aiming his guns at the liquid. "Boom!" he grinned, firing. Before the Grimm could move, his bullet struck the oil and caused an explosion the size of a small house. "Ah, that one never gets old," Dai smirked, watching the fire spread and consume more Grimm.
"DAI!" Serana yelled, "MORE FROM THE SOUTH!" A frown marred Dai's face at the news, one that grew into a scowl at the sight of a massive hoard racing toward Bruma.
"I swear," Dai grunted, "I'm going to find that evil bastard who drew these things here, and rip him limb from limb," he snarled.
WULD... NAH KEST!
Wind gathered around him, surrounding Dai in a protective aura as the power of his Thu'um launched him forward, a sonic boom trailing in his wake.
SU... GRAH DUN!
His aura grew as his tantos were encased in mini-hurricanes. Dai became a tornado of blades and bullets, flickers of light glancing off his weapons, mowing down the Grimm by the dozen. A growl left Dai's lips as he realized he was not making enough of a dent to matter. Hearing the crackle of a shock spell, Dai grinned as an idea formed.
"SERANA! STORM FALL!" he called, the Daughter of Coldharbour, lunging back, landing on a nearby roof and charging a powerful lightning spell. Dai himself drew in a deep breath and focused.
STRUN... BAH QO!
His Thu'um reverberated through the air, causing the sky to blacken as rain fell in thick sheets. The Grimm all growled in confusion as they lost sight of their enemies. Dai, using the opportunity to retreat, joins the rest of the Bruma guards at the city gate. "Buckle up, people! Things are about to get dangerous," he warned, calling a ward up, the battle mages copying his actions.
Slowly, thunder rumbled, lightning illuminated the world, and the air began to fill with power. "Steady," Dai ordered as he sensed some guards growing nervous, "Serana knows what she's doing!" The vampire in question inhaled and raised a hand coated in magically generated lightning. Exhaling, she released the spell into the sky, her bolt piercing the heavens and causing Dai's storm to fall atop her.
A scream tore past her lips as the heavens answered her call, nature's fury striking at her open palm and fueling the spell in her other hand. In mere minutes, the army of Grimm was slaughtered, and Dai sucked in another breath.
LOK... VAH KOOR!
Like before, his Thu'um echoed over the other sounds. Unlike last time, this Shout caused the sky to open and reveal a blue sky and warm sun. In the next moment, Dai raced toward Serana, who fell as her spell ended. "Gotcha!" he breathed, catching her bridal style and cradling the vampire to his chest. "Still with me, Princess?"
"I'll tell you when the world comes back into focus, Thug," Serana said, causing the tension to leave Dai's shoulders. "Though, I could use a drink," she purred, trying to go for his neck.
"Much as I would love to indulge you, we've got more trouble," Dai said, withdrawing a sweet-smelling potion from his bag, "here, drink up," he said, never taking his eyes off the now visible whale-like Grimm, headed their way.
"Oh joy, more work," Serana huffed, sliding from his grip and swiping the potion from his hands, "You're so spoiling me after this," she grunted, downing the drink in one motion and tucking the bottle in her own bag as Dai chuckled at her complaints. "I expect the full thing, Thug: a massage, bath, a few dozen sweet rolls, your blood after some of that personal mead you make, the works!" Serana declared, causing Dai to snort.
"Whatever you say, Princess. Whatever you say."
"Wow, he's a big one, isn't he?" she asked upon seeing the sheer size of the Grimm. "So, what's our play? Cause I don't think I can handle another Storm Shot - which is why you need to get your personal mead out, by the way!" She side-eyed him as he thought.
"I'd drop Meteor Call on it, but," Dai trailed off, letting Serana reach her own conclusion.
"That'd wipe everything else out as well, Armageddon?" Serana asked.
"Same result of Meteor, just a smaller scale," Dai grunted, still thinking of ways to stop the Grimm. He opened his mouth to speak again when his back went ramrod straight. "TALOS' HAIRY BALLS! You feel that, Serana?"
"Yep," Serana grunted, popping the P, "I think you're gonna need the Big Guns for this one," she said plainly.
"Agreed," Dai said before sucking in a deep breath.
MUL... QAH DIIV!
Thunder roared as ethereal gold energy encased Dai, granting him the visage of a dragon: wings, claws, horns, and a tail made of light appeared on his body. From underneath his helmet, Dai's eyes shone like stars. His breath emerged as steam. Dai shuddered, needing a moment to adjust. "Always feels so good," he grunted, focusing on why he used Dragon Aspect. And just like every other time Dai Shouted, wind gathered around him, further enhancing his power.
Serana began to emit a bright purple light before it exploded outward, coating her in translucent purple Daedric armor adorned with giant bat wings. Under her armor, Serana's skin had gained scales of a dull green color. Crimson liquid swirled around her arms, completing her new look. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in, why don't you," she grumbled, shifting awkwardly, not liking the increased weight of her wings. "Damned Shouts!"
"Always, Princess, always" Dai grinned before turning serious. "Now, let's go and introduce ourselves," he said, wings flaring. A powerful beat later, Dai and Serana were soaring toward the massive Grimm, faces filled with stern determination.
FUS... RO DAH!
A wave of pure force smashed into the Grimm's face, obliterating a sizeable chunk of its skull. "Well," a tall woman with pale skin said, "that's one way to announce yourself," she mused as Dai and Serana landed, shaking the dying Grimm from the force. "And, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" she asked, looking them over with undisguised interest.
"Your pets are bothering the neighbors. We've come to ask that you rein them in." Serana sassed, "So, can you please fuck off?" Dai snorted at her bluntness. "I've been promised a lot of spoiling, and you're ruining that." She hissed, lips pulled back in a fang-revealing snarl, hands lightning up with magicka as she squared her stance, her wings flaring threateningly.
"An unfortunate side effect, I'm afraid." The woman said, "But, you see, I've business in this city," she purred, "business that I simply cannot put aside - oh, but where are my manners?" The woman took a long, sweeping bow. "I am Queen Salem of Reamains, and you are?"
"Lady Serana Volkhair," Serana hissed out politely.
"Daiyang Xiao Long," Dai growled, eyes narrowed.
"Ah! The Dragon and Vampire couple! I've heard much about you both," she said, eyes taking on a greedy gleam. "I am sure that there is much we can discuss. My army always has room for powerful generals," she purred. Eyeing Dai's armor-clad form predatorily. "Especially you, Dragonborn," she smirked.
"I tired of war a long time ago," Dai growled, "So, I must decline your most generous offer," he said. "Now, leave and never return," he ordered. "Your business here," he growled, his breath coming out as steam, "is finished." Dai declared. The glow of his armor intensified, filling the air with his power as he stared down the Grimm queen.
"A shame," Salem sighed, "But not an unexpected one." The woman shrugged. "Time to feed my children." Pools of black burst from the ground, and Grimm flooded the room.
Serana jumped into action. A beat of her wings kept her afloat as she began to rain spells down on the Grimm. Dai drew his tantos and began cutting a bloody path through the monsters. Dai let out a booming roar, causing his body to erupt with golden flames, causing every Grimm within 100 feet of him to keel over as if struck. Serana, also in the blast range, was enshrouded in a golden glow, recharging her magicka reserves.
"SERANA!" Dai boomed, "MAELSTROM FIELD!" The Vampiress moved instantly, a sphere of water appearing in her left hand while lightning appeared in her right, while Dai filled his lungs with air.
VEN... GAAR NOS!
A Cyclone spun into existence, dragging every Grimm into the funnel cloud. Serana brought her hands together, then thrusting them out. Dai's hurricane absorbed her spells, mixing them into a vortex of death. Dai focused, causing the tornado to spit lightning or spears of water out, destroying even more monsters.
Landing, Serana gathered more magicka in her palms. Breathing deeply, she let out an inhuman screech, throwing her hands out and releasing a wave of purple energy. "Interesting," Salem said, watching as her decaying Grimm reanimated. "Very interesting." The decaying Grimm roared as one and attacked their living counterparts, Salem frowning as she couldn't feel or control them. "I wonder."
With a small gesture, more Grimm surrounded Serana, who just groaned, "Of course, she targets me," blue flames sprung to life on her palms as she weaved her arms in an elaborate motion. With a yell, she thrust her right palm down, causing a massive explosion, waves of blue flames shooting out and obliterating the Grimm Salem had sent. A yelp escaped her lips as something smashed into her back, "Well, screw you too! Iiz!" The use of Dovahzul caused her launched Icy Spear to grow and thicken, obliterating the Griffon in a single shot.
Serana winced as her head throbbed, "Crap!" she realized, "low magicka!" Drawing the sword that her father once used, Serana began to dance. She twirled and flowed, avoiding every strike from the monsters. All the while, her sword sunk deeply into the creatures, siphoning their strength and life. "Yol!" Nectroic green flames shot from her hand, devouring several Grimm and slaying most of them. Serana sweeping through the survivors like a wave. "DAI! Dark Macabre!" Serana threw her sword skyward as darkness gathered around her hands while Dai deeply inhaled.
SUL... VUL VU!
Serana's spell was released as the sky darkened to night, a slow breath leaving the vampiress' lips. Slowly, she lifted her right hand to catch her sword. Then, Serana decapitated a Grimm on the other side of the room. A heartbeat later, she was impaling a Grimm opposite her previous location. Slowly, she began to build speed, leaving barely visible purple trails as she moved, slaughtering Grimm after Grimm.
SU... RU MAAR!
Dai was suddenly in front of an Ursa Major, fist smashing into the mighty creature with explosive force. Like Serana, he teleported to another Grimm and slew it in a single move. Together, the two warriors began to dent the Grimm population, streaks of purple filling the room. "I see." Salem grinned, eyes gleaming maliciously. "The woman is one of Bal's daughters," she purred delightedly.
"My dear," the pale woman began, "You should not have come here," a snap of her fingers had Serana screaming as the Grimm she was going to kill suddenly exploded into black sludge. "Bal's creatures, especially his daughters, make for excellent conversions," Serana screamed and struggled until the screams suddenly cut off. "As for you, Dragonborn," Salem grinned at the stunned man, "I hope your heart is strong enough for what is to come," a laugh left her as Serana, in a mutated version of her Vampire Lord form, snarled at Dai.
Now standing nearly 7ft, Serana's jet black skin camouflaged her against the night, with only her pulsing red eyes allowing Dai to see her. With a small grunt, Dai's eyes adjusted to the darkness revealing the vampiress in full. She greatly resembled the image of the Vampire Lord, but her left wing was filled, resembling a bat, while the right wing was not. Her claws were now ivory, like a Grimms, and her fangs were far more prominent.
Lightning-fast, Serana lunged for Dai, who barely dodged. "I know you're in there, Serana! You have to fight it!" He called, rising to his feet just in time to catch another lunge. Grunting, Dai held her claws at bay as Serana's speed carried both warriors back several feet. "Come on, Serana! You can beat her!" he growled, trying not to harm the vampiress. "What the fuck?!" he gasped as black blood began to drip down Serana's nose.
"Oh?" came Salem's voice, "I suppose I forgot to mention that; While Bal's daughters make for excellent converts, I still haven't figured out how to make them last for very long," malevolent delight colored her voice. "So I ask you this, Dragonborn: Will you kill her? Or let her die?" Salem laughed, causing Dai to growl.
Wrestling with Serana, who grew angrier and more powerful as her life slipped away, Dai acted quickly.
YOL... BAH KEST!
Dai's Thu'um exploded forward, sweeping Serana away. Black sludge fell from her body as she rolled across the ground, nude from the forceful transformation. Weakly, Serana vomited more of the vile liquid up, "Dai," she uttered, "I don't feel too hot."
Dai was by her side instantly, "You're ok, Serana, you're ok," he whispered, "I'll clean up, and then we'll be doing all the spoiling you want," he whispered, causing Serana to nod and fall asleep.
FUS... QLO UL
The power of his voice cocooned Serana in a protective green casing, allowing Dai to set her down. "Truly, your power was not exaggerated in the slightest, Dragonborn," Salem said, "I am most impressed." Pausing, Salem smirked, "My offer still stands, you know," Dai turned, a snarl painting his face. "Join me, and together, we'd conquer the Gods."
Heat rose within Dai's chest. And slowly spread throughout his body, bringing with it a familiar rage, causing his body to grow as the beast took hold, a red haze descending over the Dragonborn.
The Grimm swiftly converged on him, dogpiling the Dragonborn for all they were worth. Biting and clawing ineffectively at his armor, which began to glow brighter and brighter from his rage.
A wordless roar exploded from the pile, scattering and obliterating the Grimm, revealing that Dai's human body had been replaced with a bipedal Lions. Jet black fur covered thick muscles and was accentuated by a thich golden mane. The ethereal armor he bore had also changed: the tail now possessed four fins, two where it connected to his back and two at the tip.
MORO... KREIF ZIND!
His Shout echoed like thunder, filling her Grimm with fear. A shudder racked Salem's form as a primal fear overtook her, the howl of a werebeast mixing with the roar of a Dragon was not a pleasant sound. The lesser Grimm retreated while the elder Grimm stood their ground.
Divine winds enveloped Dai, allowing him to vanish from sight. A sonic boom exploded from where he was, reducing every Grimm between him and Salem to chunks. A pained grunt left Salem's lips as her stomach was torn and shredded. A bolt of raw energy left her hand and struck Dai's feline face. The werelion growled in irritation before launching a fire-clad fist into her jaw, propelling the witch back.
"Damned Hunter!" Salem growled, stretching as she pulled herself together, "I should have known you were of his accursed get!" A cyclone whipped into existence before her. And with a gesture, she hurled it toward Dai.
SU... LAH HAAS!
Salem winced as the same fear threatened to overwhelm her. A shuddering breath allowed her to focus on the Cyclone, using the fear she felt to empower the winds, making them faster and more ferocious.
A pillar erupted at Dai's feet, allowing him to stand above the cycle. Focusing on his breath, Dai roared, causing several fireballs to spew from his mouth. Salem raising a wall to block them. Pausing, Dai spat, "YoL!" and howled again, launching flames the size of large dogs at Salem.
Screeching in pain as her left arm was vapourised, Salem released a large bolt of energy at Dai, who slapped it aside and lunged.
WULD... NAH KEST!
Being reduced to just a head was an indignity Salem was not prepared to suffer, "AID ME!" she ordered, barely getting the words out before her jaw was torn off. Her eyes went wide with fear as Dai towered over her, eyes swirling with darkness and rage.
Her Grimm, the older ones, began to swarm around him. The faster among them checked the werelion hard enough to drop Salem's head. A Goliath charged Dai, forcing him back and allowing more Grimm to surround the severed head.
"BrINg iT!" Dai howled as he threw the Goliath away and charged at the Grimm, allowing Salem to be carted off by a Geist. "I'lL kiLl yOU aLl!" Dai howled, taking off in another sonic boom, a roach echoing in his wake.
Hours later, Dai finally reverted to his human form, tired, drained, and coated in sweat. "FUCK!" he grunted, "I lost it, FUCK FUCK FUCK!" Panting, he dragged his exhausted frame to a still-cocooned Serana and grunted, allowing the Shout to end. Lifting the vampiress up, he grabbed a talisman from her bag. Using his teeth to tear it, a portal to their rented room in Jerall View Inn opened, "C'mon Princess, there's a bed with our names on it."
Shouts:
Wuld Nah Kest - Whirlwind Sprint - Vanilla
Su Grah Dun - Elemental Fury - Vanilla
Mul Qah Diiv - Dragon Aspect - Vanilla
Jiid So Daan - Meteor Call | Dragon Storm Call - Modded: Thoom. Mentioned
Wuld Toor Shul - Armageddon - Modded: Thunderchild. Mentioned.
Fus Ro Dah - Unrelenting Force - Vanilla
Fus Qlo Ul - Earthquake - Modded: Thunderchild.
Moro Krif Zind - Champions Spirit - Modded: Falskaar.
Su Lah Haas - Evocation - Modded: Thunderchild.
Spells:
Lightning Storm - Vanilla
Bound Armor - True Bound Armors
Dragonhide - Vanilla | True Alteration Armor Visuals
Blood Aura - Bloodmoon
Torrent - Elemental Destruction Magic
Thunderbolt - Vanilla
Cold Fire Storm - Flames of Coldharbour
Icy Spear - Vanilla
Necrotic Combustion - Desecration
Nightfall - Triumvirate
Shadow Stride +15% movement speed in combat
Gather Shadows +50% to Melee Damage and Shadow Magic
Powers:
Oil Spill - Ordinator
Apotheosis - Ordinator
Vampire Lord - Vanilla
Beast Form - Vanilla