Chapter 23: Ocean Over The World
AN: Here we go, the rewrite of the Dawnguard DLC. Btw, if you are enjoying this work, be sure to check out Cyberim, my other Skyrim fanfiction.
(Act 6: Atmora)
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Stesha and Serana stood at the foot of the shore, gazing up at the unremarkable Fort Piquine. Apparently, this place was the home of Movarth Piquine, a constituent of Serana's father who'd send thralls to their spire in Atmora. The shore was black with dark sand and ripples of water.
Stesha reached down and cupped the cold, blue water with his hand, watching it mingle then released it. "So, how do we get to Atmora?"
Serana's eyes gleamed at him from under the sky's shine. "Well, first, I need to ask you something big." She got down on one knee and reached her arm behind her back.
Is she going to propose to me?!
"I'm just kidding, but seriously, I have to ask you something." Serana stood back up.
"Sure, hit me." Stesha nodded, his nerves subsiding.
"You won't survive in Atmora unless you're a vampire." Serana crossed her arms beneath her chest and leaned on one hip.
Stesha gazed around the sea, seeing dwarven dungeons embedded in icebergs along sea serpents spiraling through. Pink clouds decorating the sky as flying whales swam through them.
"Alright, I was always obsessed with vampires as a kid. Let's try it," Stesha said.
Serana stood in front of him; she was slightly taller. White chocolate and rosewater perfume. "Are you sure?" When Stesha nodded, she reached her hand into his hair and stretched his neck out. Stesha's heartbeat increased as her chest pressed against his chest, and she injected her fangs into his throat.
The last thing he remembered was collapsing to the ground, everything going dark.
"So, you're off to Atmora to find my friend, heh?" Seracles taunted. "Well, I want you to find me now. You're close enough I'll elucidate you. Someone in the Volkihar court is indeed working for me, you just have to find out who!"
"What?" Stesha dizzied, standing up in his dream. "What do you even want from me? I'm dying thanks to your disease."
"You're at the heart of this, Stesha." Seracles smiled. "I am someone you've met. We'll talk soon and all will be revealed."
Stesha covered his eyes as a blimp flew over the coast towards High Rock, supposedly carrying cargo. Or passengers trying to get away from Skyrim. The turbines of the massive blimp twirled as it lifted over into the clouds. It was then Stesha realized he was lying in someone's lap. His head between a powerful pair of thighs. He looked up into Serana as she pet his forehead.
"Look who's awake, sleeping beauty." Serana gushed through an infectious smile.
Her eyes. Why was he so struck by her. Something about her, it was like poetry. He'd never felt this feeling before.
"Turning someone, it's intimate for us vampires." Serana's smile became somber.
What do I tell her? What is this longing inside me. Stesha carefully stood up and realized his longing for skooma was gone. His instincts felt sharper, senses clearer. He looked at his reflection in the water. Vampires could see their reflection in water. His face was gaunt, and eyes were mahogany. They aren't blue like Serana's. Must be because I'm a Breton.
"I will admit, your blood is quite tasty," Serana revealed.
Stesha saw the flying whales and dolphins doing flips in the sea of clouds that decorated the skyline. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he laughed.
The unremarkable fort was shaped like your standard Skyrim fortress with rook shaped towers structured at each corresponding four square made of dark grey stone bricks. They splashed through the lowline of water as they made their way around to the back of the fortress. A lizard, fish hybrid – a fishard squirmed from under their feet back into the muddy waters as Stesha and Serana passed some crumbling constructions at the port of the fort. They passed a pen full of dead goblins, all killed due to the virus judging by the lack of wounds and greenish mold growing on them.
"How are we getting there exactly?" Stesha's mood lifted and he stood on his tippy toes to match Serana in height for a few seconds.
"Same way I got here." Serana winked slightly which sent shivers down his back.
She pulled out a small horn attached to her satchel and blew it, causing some kind of silent noise to emit from it. Stesha's thoughts loomed on death for a brief moment as his gaze fixed on a solitary point on the rockface. What did it feel like? The moment life escaped. Was there really an afterlife? What was the purpose of life then? If it all ended. Would he be reunited with his loved ones one day?
He let out a low sigh as something stirred within the waves. A whale head poked through the surface and opened its mouth. Serana stepped into the giant whale. It was dark blue with massive flippers on the side and a blowhole on top. She extended her hand and Stesha gulped, taking it and stepping in. They sat down as the whale closed its mouth and lowered back into the water. Taking off at a fast speed through the Sea of Ghosts.
"So, this whale will take us to Atmora?" Stesha prodded quietly.
"Yeah, it'll drop us off there. Pretty neat, don't you think?" Serana smiled her beautiful smile again.
I have no right to be with her, Stesha realized, I'm going to die, and she deserves better.
"Why do you look to be on the verge of tears?" Serana's features melted into a frown.
The sound of a piano played in his mind, and he swallowed his tears. "Sorry, it's probably just the virus." He laid down on the dry tongue of the whale. "Think I'm going to get some sleep. You should too, Serana."
"I will." She nodded, biting her tongue slightly. "Good night, Stesha."
"Good night, Serana," Stesha spoke somberly.
Seracles sat in a royal court, a lot like the one back in Wayrest. Stesha in the seat of the persecuted and several Davouts lining the chairs on either side of him. Though instead of the bright lights and rustle and bustle of court attendants, everything was outlined in shadows.
"Soon… soon you'll learn what this is all about. The guilty will be persecuted the same way they once persecuted others. And the forgotten ones will return," said Seracles. "Then you will be faced with a choice of who to side with."
When Stesha woke up, he was lying near a fire surrounded by a field of white. He arched up and saw Serana rubbing her hands over the flames.
"You carried me out?" Stesha blushed.
"I didn't want to wake you." Serana's face split into a beaming smile, the white reflecting off her teeth. "We're in Whiteshore, near the frozen port city of Jylkyrfyk."
Stesha turned around, the heat from the fire tickling his back. He saw a city enclosed in a cove, painted with white frost. Dozens of ships frozen over with skeletons piled all around. Steeples buried in snow.
"That's terrifying." Stesha returned to face Serana.
Serana stared at him for a while with a slight smile, her head crooked to the side a bit. – Stesha glanced down out of shame, pretending not to notice. He could see large white arches spanning field lengths away in the distance.
Serana finally turned to see where he was looking at. "Oh, that's the Glacial Basin. Come on, we should get going." She dusted off and stood up.
Stesha copied her as a pair of wings grew out of her back.
"Whoa, can I do that too?" Stesha tried and felt two sensations emanating from his shoulder blades.
"Mmhmm!" Serana nodded.
A pair of batlike wings exuded from Stesha's shoulders, and he flew around a bit, hovering in the air and doing a small spin.
"Us Atmoran Vampires are some of the last residents, if not the last residents of Atmora." Serana began flying and Stesha followed. "We've been alive since the Merethic Era."
They swooped over the land, quickly speeding towards their destination. It took a while but eventually they got there. Atmora featured giant trees covered in frost, as well as snow-sculpted mountains and bleached lakes. The Eye of the Sky was Volkihar Spire, taking in the enormous tower's white and gold construction. It had a roof shaped like a crown and coiled up. positioned behind an entirely frozen waterfall. Perched on the perch, a black and grey dragon twisted its horns back on its forehead. With four legs and two wings sticking out of his back, he had six limbs in total. Scales grooved and tail barbed.
"A Dragon guards the spire?" Stesha's eyes widened.
"This is Durnehviir." Serana spun her hand around the drake.
"Drem yol lok. Greetings, wunduniik," the Dragon intoned.
Stesha bowed and they stepped into the castle, passing by an old watchman.
"Aah Serana, you've returned at long last. How was your trip? I see you've brought a boy home." The blond bearded hearty vampire was large, and his blue eyes sharpened on Stesha. "Aah, you are one of us. So, Serana you've chosen a mate at long last?"
Serana choked on air or something and her face flushed red. "No, no, nothing like that. He's just a friend. I needed to turn him so he could survive Atmora's temperature."
I'm guessing she didn't tell anyone about Seracles' confidante. But who could it be?
The courtroom had chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and thrones were situated on an elevated platform to the front. There were three tables, two parallel to one another and one perpendicular. The middle was covered with a red carpet decorated with gold designs.
Serana's father turned to Stesha, extending a hand. "I am Harkon Volkihar, the Frozen Bearded King of Atmora."
Stesha shook his hand. "I'm Stesha Jade."
A handsome man with black curtained hair approached them, dressed in the same royal attire as Harkon, Serana, and whom Stesha presumed was Serana's mother. A few bats flit about the interior, hopping from chandelier to chandelier.
"Yes, what is it Vlad?" Harkon rubbed his golden beard thoughtfully.
"I was perhaps thinking we allow Serana and her guest to rest. I could guide them to the bedrooms and washrooms." Vlad bowed.
"Sounds like a brilliant idea," said Serana's mother. She had a passing resemblance to Serana, the same black hair but it was up in an elaborate bun.
"Thank you, Lady Valerica." Vlad nodded and led Serana and Stesha away from the main congregation.
It wasn't long before another person got in their way though. A well-muscled Atmoran man with messy hair and a thick beard attired in grey.
"What do you want, Stalf?" Serana rolled her eyes as she drew Stesha behind her to protect him.
She's protecting me, Stesha thought. He felt giddy and tingly at the idea.
"Where have you been? What have you been up to? Who's this? Your new squeeze?" Stalf interrogated her.
"I don't answer to you, you answer to me." Serana clenched her fists and stared Stalf down. "Harm a hair on this boy's head and I will turn you into ash."
"Hmph." Stalf tramped off, brushing shoulders with Stesha.
Something off about that guy.
They continued their crawl down the hallway lined with portraits and elaborate marble sculptures. Seams decorating the tiled lines on the ground. Combining curves and semi spiral staircases.
"Who was that?" Stesha inquired, gazing into Serana's face.
She brushed her nose. "Stalf Einersen, my former lover. He and his uncle, Orthjolf, live here too. You've met my parents, Harkon and Valerica, and our advisor, Vlad Dracona. But besides them there's also Velquil Velaseal the librarian, Fura Bloodmouth, Rargal Thrallmaster, Lokil and Hestla Bloodmane, Rogen and Bresoth Ing, Jeron and Eris Osiris, and then Murlst Jek the watchmen you saw earlier."
The spire was basically an indoor city with warm, steaming pools, enclosed waterfalls, chambers, archives, and hidden passages from the look of it. Made of fine stonework. Candles lighting up the way ahead on small plates or cups.
"That's it? Not many of you left." Stesha's gaze shifted to the floor. "Not many Atmorans left."
"There were more of us, but numbers dwindled with time," she answered. "Like Zyven."
"Here you are." Vlad pointed towards Serana's room and across the hall to Stesha's room before stooping down the hall.
Serana twirled around and looked at Stesha for a moment. Her arm slightly extended towards his hand. She squeezed his palm before letting go. "Thank you for coming with me."
Stesha swallowed the hard, tangled knot in his throat. "You never have to thank me. Thank you for inviting me." His heartrate increased and he could feel sweat perspire on his temples.
Serana's blue eyes bored into him and she ran a hand through her hair. "See you tomorrow," she ended with a bright grin.
"See you soon, Serana."
Stesha entered his room, his heart pounding and a few joyful tears climbing down his face. She's so nice to me. But why? Usually, women just ignore me. He stared into the enchanted vampiric mirror and saw his appearance. Long black hair, a withdrawn pale face with dark circles under his eyes. Mahogany eyes and buckteeth with fangs where his canines should be. A frail physique with muscled shoulders.
The room was basic, slated with dark marble with a bed fixed to the center, mirror stands and closets to the side along with a dresser to the forefront. A large window with curtains drawn over behind the bed. There was some vampire attire folded on his bed which he would change into after showering. – Red and black leathers with a signature wheel pin holding it in place. Stesha sat down on his bed and went over his thoughts, trying to clarify everything that had happened up until this point.
So, let's get this sorted out. Because something isn't adding up. Seracles warned Jarl Balgruuf of our arrival in one year's time. A year later, Hroct drives us out of High Rock. We meet a seer who says we will save Skyrim and we end up in Skyrim. Mannimarco was trying to steal resources from the college to stop the plague, but we killed him. The Elder Scroll of the Virus was a fake and planted there by the Davouts to distract us. Peryite has no role to play in this and Seracles' confidante is here in Atmora. One of the people in this court is aiding Seracles by giving him access to Red-Water Skooma which gives people the plague. If we can find the traitor, he'll lead us to Seracles. Hopefully.
He walked down the ancient hall to the steam room and showers, a few of the Atmorans were resting there. One, a woman, another a man. Stesha shuddered. Getting flashbacks of Jaree-Ra. He removed his shirt and settled into the steam room as the mist billowed all around, raising itself. Stone made with pipes smoking hot steam.
"A Breton? Are you Serana's friend?" Said a powerful looking woman.
"Yes." Stesha nodded fearfully.
"Eris Osiris." The woman bowed her head, nodding towards her partner. "Lokil Bloodmane."
Lokil's mouth smirked. "Want to know a little something about your Serana?"
Stesha side glanced. "What?"
"Her and Stalf, when they were together, would go for hours." Lokil's grin tightened. "You could hear them across half the castle. Don't forget Zyven either. Oh, and gods know how Molag Bal must've fucked her."
Eris elbowed Lokil in the arm. "Don't sully this innocent boy with your recollections."
Stesha stood up and sighed, stepping into the showers. The hot water ran across his skin and washed his hair and face, draining out into the plughole. The ancient grey pipes flushed waterfalls of water all across his body. Afterwards, Stesha headed back to his room.
He coughed blood onto his hands and keeled over, grabbing the floor with his hands, passing out.
"You're dying," Seracles said with a grin. The crow-masked man grabbed a chair and sat down on it. "And the only way to stop it is getting to me. Better hurry!"
Stesha dizzied within the dream and collapsed onto the ethereal floor. "Why the game, Seracles? What do you need me for?"
"I'm busy right now, enacting plans and preparing for our meeting. I need you to follow the trail to me and everything will be set up as perfectly." Seracles' eye gleamed from behind his mask. "You're the key to this, my friend."
Stesha coughed again. "I'm dying because you set me up to die. You knew I'd get the plague and chase a cure. You're trying to get me to come to you but why? Why am I so important to this! Why not anyone else?"
Seracles grinned evilly. "I want you by my side as I enact the vengeance of the forgotten ones. The reason I chose you is because you're important to me."
"How am I important to you if we've only met once?" Stesha shook his head, staring up at the crow masked man.
Seracles leaned down. "You'll see."
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AN: Well, sorry for the delay. This is the first chapter I've actually written since June. With the increase of my medication, I'm hoping I'll be able to write more and faster, but if not, then the upload rate may stagger. But I am committed to finishing the story. If it doesn't hurt, I'd also appreciate a review or constructive criticism or anything really. Just getting to hear the readers thoughts so far would really refresh me and give me insight on what you guys think of the story and to make sure I'm not going crazy and writing this all wrong. Thanks.