Chapter Twenty
Ysgramor's Tomb
A/N: I'm sorry for the late update. I went through a writers black period, and then I just…didn't feel like writing. I hope this one is ok! Also, not edited.
Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim – Just Serah.
~ oOo ~
It was a treacherous journey, even for the notorious members of the Companions. Seeking Ysgramor's Tomb was no easy feat, was its location was on the northern part of the Skyrim land, closer to Winterhold than anywhere else. Trekking through snow and mountains, Serah, Farkas, Aela, Vilkas and Aragorn all pushed through the tough terrain as it was literally their backyard. This was something they had done as young children during their early years of training.
The first location they would greet was Dawnstar, the shipping village on the northern coast. It was nearing nightfall by the time they stepped into the city and all agreed it be best to sleep in the local inn rather than trudge through the night like they had been doing.
That night was the first Serah tried to sleep and it evaded her completely because of the beast blood.
She woke up the following morning groggy an irritated due to the small amount of sleep she did receive. Farkas was there to wrap an arm around her shoulder as they had shared the same bed. It was no secret anymore that the two were together, so they didn't even try to hide their affections. But once the sun speared the horizon with its light did all five Companions make their way east.
They were lucky to have evaded human contact, but fought along the way snow bears and wolves, Serah's favorite. Running had cut their time shorter for they did not stop for anything unless necessary. There were several instances they had to stop and wait for Serah. Not because she couldn't grasp the terrain or keep up with the rest of the party.
She was struggling to keep her newly found beast in check. The damn beast kept wanting to come out and seek blood, but she refrained from shifting the entire time. This slowed everyone down and the woman felt bad enough for it. Farkas reassured her it wasn't her fault and that she was going through something new that was difficult for everyone in the beginning. She smiled up at him, but always glanced at the fresh scars upon her wrists, knowing they would always be a reminder of what she once was.
On day five, they had made it. It was definitely a tomb befitting that of a King. Making their way down the spiral staircase, all five of them came across the tomb's entrance, Vilkas leading the way first. Opening the large, iron door, they entered to find a large space with a statue of the man himself right in the center.
"This is the resting place of Ysgramor. And his most trusted Generals," Vilkas commented as they glanced around the inside of the tomb. "We should be cautious."
"Cautious indeed," Serah said as she walked toward the statue. "Who knows what lay ahead. Aragorn," she turned to her Shield-Sibling. "You brought Wuuthrad, did you not?"
"Aye, I did, I have it right here." He pulled the magnificent battle axe from the hilt at his hip.
"Good, because I think it goes right here," she pointed towards Ysgramor's statue.
Walking up towards her, the other followed to see if she was correct. "Here goes nothing," he said shortly. Placing the battle axe in the statues grip, the stone tightened around the axe. Creaking was soon heard as stone slid underground. Serah glanced around to see what was making the noise to find part of the wall behind the statue now led to a path they could continue on forward.
"That must be the way," Aela commented, stepping forward.
"I would be careful," Vilkas stated before anyone moved. "Ysgramor's warriors are said to have been buried in this tomb."
"So, what, they're looking for a fight?" Farkas asked.
Vilkas shrugged. "Possibly. If anything, we need to be on our guard; they may be expecting us."
And expecting them they were. The first room they came upon, all five of them were attacked by ghosts. Everyone soon took to their own ghost and battled with all their hearts glory. And it was like that for every room they entered, there would be ghost warriors ready to pounce on the living. Everyone wasn't equally matched because the dead were easy to defeat.
They'd been searching for almost an hour when they came upon a room that was filled with spiderwebs, and Serah knew what that meant.
"I can't go on any further." Everyone stopped and turned towards the larger twin.
"And pray, why not Farkas?"
"Ever since Dustman's Cairn, the big crawling ones have become my weakness, and, well, every one has their weaknesses."
Serah stepped forward to Farkas and grasped his arm. "You won't come…even for me? I need you by my side, Farkas." She stared up at him with wide, unforgiving eyes; the man was lost in them. Moving his attention from the room up ahead towards her, the man caved.
He sighed, cupping her face. "For you Serah, I'll endure anything." He stared hard at his brother and Aragorn. "But I'm not entering that room until all the spiders have been cleared out!" And that's exactly what happened. The rest of the Companions worked diligently to clear the spiders and the nests so Farkas could walk on through.
Once the room was cleared, Serah held tightly onto Farkas' hand as they traversed the room. His fear still gripped his heart as the dead remains were still enough to ignite his fear. Still, they continued to traverse the tomb. They fought more undead Companions, but even then it wasn't enough to deter them from their path.
It wasn't long until they came upon to massive double doors, leaving Serah and Farkas to open the doors. Inside was a large room and in the middle was an ignited fire pit. As they moved closer, a figure appeared from within the fire, a figure they all knew and loved dearly.
"Oh my god," Aela whispered, to stunned to say anything else.
"It's Kodlak!"
Walking closer to their Harbinger's spirit form, Kodlak acknowledged them all by name. "Greetings everyone."
"Kodlak?" Serah stepped forward. "Is that really you?"
"Of course it is I. My fellow Harbingers and myself have bene warming ourselves here, trying our best to avoid Hircine."
"Vilkas says that you can still be cured," Farkas said, stepping forward.
"Did he now? Hmm, I can only hope. Do you still have the witches heads?"
"I brought the witches heads like you asked of me, Kodlak," Aragorn said.
"Excellent," Kodlak's ghost said calmly. "Throw one into the fire. It will release their magic, for me at least."
Aragorn first stared at Kodlak, waiting to see if there were further instructions. When none came, he turned towards his friends. "This…is the right thing to do, isn't it?" He asked. Everyone nodded.
"This is Kodlak's final wish. We must respect what he wants. If anything happens," Serah said as she clasped Farkas' arm, "We'll be right here to handle whatever may come."
His attention held on Serah for several moments, Aragorn finally relented as he slowly nodded his head in agreement. Stepping towards the basin holding blue fire, he tossed one of the witches heads inside; the flames consumed the head until their was naught but ash remaining in the basin. At first, nothing happened, the friends turning around to see fi there was something else happening in the cave, but nothing. Then, the fire burned bright red, Serah having to cover her eyes from the intensity.
It was then Kodlak's ghost fell to the ground, his blue spirit bursting with energy as a red form pulled from himself; the red form was his beast spirit.
"Now's your chance!" Kodlak screamed. "Attack the beast for I cannot!"
Quickly taking hold of a short sword from her hip, Serah was the first to charge at the beast, swinging down with all her might against the red ghost. Farkas soon followed, then Vilkas, Aragorn and Aela. All attacked from different directions, taking the monster down one-by-one. It was a fairly simple fight, Serah thought, as they all swung down their weapons one last time and the beast disappeared. A bright light escaped from the center of Kodlak's chest, and when it dispersed, all was calm. No spirit beasts, no red flames - nothing.
"Kodlak, I…" Vilkas was stammering with his words as he lowered his weapon. "I think we killed your beast."
"Yes…and so you have slain the beast inside of me," Kodlak said, as he placed a hand over his heart. "I thank you for this gift. The other Harbingers remain trapped by Hircine, however. Perhaps from Sovngarde, the heroes of old can join me in their rescue. The Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds. It would be a battle of such triumph. And perhaps some day, you'll join us in that battle. But for today, return to Jorrvaskr. Triumph in your own victory. And lead the Companions to further glory."
"But…can we do this without you, Harbinger?" Aela asked.
He chuckled at the name they preferred to call him during his life. "I am no longer your Harbinger, Aela."
"But…but!" Aela was at a loss for words.
"Before I go…" Kodlak spoke before any of the others could. Stepping towards Serah he held out his hand in a gesture for her to walk with him. "There is someone who is dying to meet you, Serah."
"…m-me?" She was incredulous, not understanding who would want to meet with her in such a place.
"Yes, you. Trust me, it is a long time overdue introduction."
Wishing she could take his hand, Serah glanced back at Farkas, not sure what was going on; he gently edged her back, stating she needed to go forward. Tentatively, Serah placed one foot forward, then the next as she followed Kodlak beyond the basin. When he stopped, so Serah as she waited for who she was to meet. Confused, she glanced backwards at her friends then faced forward.
It was then there was a glowing sphere which appeared out of nowhere. Dropping from the ceiling, this…mystical bubble landed right in front of Serah and after several moments, morphed into two figures - a young pair, male and female. One foot stepped back, unsure who these people were. The room fell silent. The man and woman merely smiled at Serah as she glanced between the two, not sure if she was supposed to know exactly who these people were. It was then the male finally said something.
"Oh my…my little Serah, look how much you've grown. But, pray, do you…not remember your father at all?"
Serah squinted her eyes at the nickname, the same one everyone always calls her. Stepping closer, she looked - truly looked - at this man. It hit her in an instant. The small freckles beneath his eyes, the small scar on his chin…it was him! "D-Daddy…?"
Fenrir smiled, head nodding up and down. "Yes my little Serah. It's me."
Leaping towards the man, Serah had to stop herself short in remembering that her father was a ghost, and she couldn't give him the hug she so desperately wanted to give. Tearing her vision away from him, she glanced at the female, knowing exactly who it was. "M-Mother…?"
Though she be a ghost, the female had tears streaming down her face as she nodded too. "Yes, it is I, my baby girl."
The female Companion copied her mother as she began to develop tears in the corner of her eyes. Clearing them away did nothing as she peered backwards at her Shield-Siblings, then back towards her parents. "Wha…What does this mean? Why…why now do you choose to come and allow me to see you?"
Asta's face fell as she peered to the side at her husband. "You see Serah…"
"Does this have anything to do with the plan you told Delvin about?"
Fenrir raised his eyebrows. "So…you've met Delvin already."
"Yeah, I have. I've also got the chests with me back at Jorrvaskr too"
The ghost couple stared at one another then smiled at their daughter. "We are glad you have received our message then. Pray, daughter, what made you go all the way to Riften to find him? How did you know what to do?" Asta asked.
"I didn't. I…well I was contacted by the Dark Brotherhood and then sought out by Astrid herself." Asta's eyes grew wide as Fenrir slapped a hand against his forehead. Instead of leaving them confused, Serah spent the next few minutes relaying exactly what has happened over the last few months, beginning with her trip to Riverwood with Aragorn and then what occurred in Falkreath. By the time she was done, her parents were so invested in the story, they were lost in their own thoughts as they began conversing with each other.
"That's not exactly how we wanted things to go."
"No dear, it is not. But look, she found the chests, so she knows why she's here."
Ears perked, Serah was lost herself. "Why am I here?" She asked. But her questions fell on deaf ears.
"But…if Astrid has known our daughter was part of the Companions this whole time, why hasn't she done anything to obtain it?"
"I don't know…we can only speculate."
"Umm…hello?"
Asta and Fenrir turned towards their daughter who had crossed her arms and was now tapping her foot against the stone. "Excuse me but I'm the one who should be asking the questions around here. You mentioned the chests again from Riften. What's so important about them?"
"Well, one is your inheritance sweetie," Asta said, reaching her hand forward to cup her daughter's cheek, only for her hand to fall through her face.
"And the other contains clues for the whereabouts of what you must find," Fenrir stated.
Rolling her eyes, Serah didn't know how to feel in the moment. "What I must…find?" Her parents nodded in unison. Shaking her head, the Companion didn't know what too think or feel in that moment. She was overall happy to be able to see her parents for the first time, but here they were, speaking in riddles to her. Just like everything else about her life; it was nothing but riddles and secrets.
"Please, I am begging you…" Serah pleaded as she stared at her mother and father. "No more riddles; no more secrets. I found Delvin…Farkas and I found the chests. What is it you are actually wanting me to find?!"
Heaving a heavy sigh, Asta took a step forward towards her living daughter. "We want you to find the means to defeating the Dark Brotherhood."
Gasping, Serah shook her head. "Excuse me….um, what?"
All her mother gave her was a soft smile. "Sweetie, by now I'm sure you know I was a previous member, correct?" She nodded. "I was born into the cult but I never wanted anything to do with it, so I ran. But not without taking something of great importance with me. I-I cannot speak of it, but you must find what your father and I hid and use it against the Dark Brotherhood to bring them down once and for all."
Flabbergasted, Serah switched her vision between her mother and father. "So you're telling me…is that you secretly put a death wish upon my shoulders?" Asta cringed. "I mean…come on! You truly expect me to be able to bring down the assassins guild?! And…and with what, something you're too scared to speak of?!"
"Don't talk to your mother that way! You have no idea what we had to do to ensure you're survival, Serah!"
"Excuse me?!" Serah was fuming at the mouth. "Ensure my survival? If anything, it was the Companions who ensured my survival because they were the ones who actually raised me because you dumped me on their door step!"
"Serah, I…!" Fenrir reached his hand out to grasp hers, only retracting when he realized he couldn't.
"No, I think I've heard enough." Turning on her heel, Serah didn't even each for Farkas' hand as she past by him and her other friends. It took some time to trek back towards the front of the tomb, but by the time she made it back, Farkas and everyone else had followed closely on her footsteps.
"Serah!" Farkas called out, just as she was about to exit the tomb.
"What is it?"! She snapped.
"Don't…" He stepped closer. "Don't you think you should at least hear them out?"
Jaw clenched, she turned towards the brawny man who was her lover. "And why should I?"
"Because regardless of what they want you to do, the Dark Brotherhood is now after you!" Farkas roared, his voice echoing against the stone walls.
Leaning against the wall, Serah released the tightness if her jaw, only for her fists to clench instead. "D-Don't you think I know that, Farkas?!" She stared intently at him. "But for them to suddenly appear and bluntly tell me that my mission in life is to defeat the Dark Brotherhood for them…? That's…just not fair!"
Wrapping his arms around her, Farkas sighed. "Trust me, I know it's not. But the situation is serious. We might as well consider what they have to say because whether we like it or not, we must do something about the cult." Placing her chin upon his chest to stare upwards at the man, Serah nodded, knowing full well that the man was right.
"What could be the harm in hearing them out?" Vilkas was the next to speak.
"Vilkas is right," Aela was next. "Forget the fact of what they are trying to make you do. Serah, you have the opportunity to speak with your parents. Not many of us are given that chance this late in life."
"So, what, I should just hear them out? Or should I actually believe that I have what it takes to bring down the Dark Brotherhood like they want?" Serah asked questionably with an eyebrow raised.
"We're not saying you have to do what they want, but hearing them out isn't such a bad idea. You…might regret it in the future," Farkas added.
Sighing with great intent, Serah agreed to go back. "Fine…fine! I'll go back and speak with them. Farkas, will you come back with me?"
"Of course I will."
"Good." She turned towards the other three. "And what about you guys?"
"I'll be heading back to Jorrvaskr. Until we have a new Harbinger, someone has to keep the whelps in their place," Aela said, arms crossed.
Vilkas spoke next. I'll stay here until you two are done then we can head home together."
"As for me," Aragorn stepped forward closer to Serah. "I must be off."
"Oh? Where must you go this time?" Farkas asked.
"I have a friend in need. Would you believe me if I said I befriended a vampire and she wants to take down her Lordly father?"
Everyone in the room blinked, Vilkas the only to say something towards their friends statement. "Considering you are the Dragonborn, it's not so surprising."
"Hey! If she's your friend, bring her by Whiterun when you guys are done, I'd like to meet her!"
Aragorn merely smiled at his female friend, ruffling her hair with a hand as he chuckled. "I will be sure to do that, little Serah."
The woman puffed her lips. "…I am not little."
This caused the Dragonborn to chuckled even more, as well as Farkas and Vilkas. "Whatever you say, little one." Serah huffed, crossing her arms. "Well, I shall see you all back in Whiterun once I return. Stay safe."
And then he exited through the wooden door and was gone.
"Same for me young ones, I must return to Whiterun." And then Aela was gone.
Watching the two of them go, Vilkas then said after a few moments, "I guess…it's just the three of us."
"That it is, brother." Farkas said, tightening his hold upon Serah. "So," he glanced down at her. "Are you ready?"
She huffed. "It's now or never, and I'd really like to get back home and rest. It's been…restless these past few days."
Running his hand through her hair, Farkas leaned forward to kiss the woman's temple. "I know it has."
Leaving Vilkas behind, the two set forth through the tomb once again. Thankfully, all the draugr and spiders had been killed during their first time through so it was a straight walk from the entrance to where they had left Serah's parents. As they entered the large room hand-in-hand, Serah glanced around to see the room was empty of both her parents and Kodlak. Their Harbinger was probably now enjoying his afterlife in Sovngarde where he respectfully deserved to finally rest.
"Hello?" Serah called out, pulling Farkas with her as she walked towards the center of the room. "Mom? Dad?" It took no time at all for Fenrir and Asta to appear before the Companion couple, their own hands intertwined, even in death.
"You're back," Fenrir stated as he watched his daughter closely.
Diverting her gaze, Serah's cheeks grew warm. "I had…no right to walk out on you like that. I…I'm sorry," she said, finally landing her attention on her parents.
"Daughter, no…it is we who must apologize," Asta said softly.
"Your mother is right, Serah. This is the first time we have seen you in a very long time and we only focused on having you finish what we couldn't."
This caused Serah to raise her head in curiosity. "Wait…you two tried to take down the Dark Brotherhood already?"
"Mmm, not necessarily. What we took away from them - which is what we want you to find - is the means for the cult to thrive. That's what we took away." Staring lovingly at her daughter, Asta moved to grasp Serah's hands, her ghost fingers falling through. "We wanted to be rid of the Dark Brotherhood once and for all, but…that's when I discovered I was pregnant with you."
"Me…?" Serah moved her attention between the male and female.
"Yes," Fenrir nodded with a bright smile on his face. "When we unfortunately lost your brother, we didn't think we would be blessed with another child. But when you came into our lives, we changed tactics and decided to live instead of trying to bring down the Dark Brotherhood."
"We wanted to remain alive for you, my dear," Asta finished for her husband.
"Oh my…" was all Serah was able to say. "So then, why must I be the one to take them down? Why can't I live my life the way that I want?"
"You most certainly can, daughter," Asta began, her eyes slightly falling. "But you're now a target. And trust me when I say this: they won't stop hunting you until you have been killed."
"So…kill them before they have a chance to kill me?"
"Exactly," Fenrir and Asta stated in unison.
She took a moment to consider the conversation. They were correct that she was now a target; but for how long until they had her cornered and dead? How long would she be able to live the life she wanted until someone from the cult finally came after her?
"Farkas?" Serah suddenly called to the man who had been quite the entire time beside her. "What do you think of all this?"
Rubbing the back of his neck, the burly man sighed. "I think all of you are in the right to say what has been said. I'm…not sure that taking down the Dark Brotherhood is necessarily a good idea, but they're right that you have a target on your back. They could strike at any time, and I…I'd like for us to have a life together," he muttered the last sentence quietly, his cheeks growing red.
Knowing Farkas had said his peace, it was time for Serah to inhale and exhale. "I'll go after the Dark Brotherhood," she admitted after several moments of silence. The faces of her parents lightened, their shocked expressions evident, but Farkas was the first to speak before them.
"Are you sure that is a good idea, Serah?"
"No," she glanced upwards at him. "I don't. But there are several reasons why I must. They took both my parents away from me and have caused me and countless others their own pain. I can't let a cult get away with what they have done."
Biting his lip, Farkas wasn't sure what to say, or if anything should be said. Leave it to Serah to decide on something, knowing she wouldn't change her mind for nothing. Arm wrapping around her shoulder, the man kissed the top of her tiny head. "Then count me in," he said. "I'll protect you the entire time."
Smiling brightly, Serah hugged her giant lover. Turning back towards her parents, Serah then fell silent. "How come…" her voice echoed across the empty chamber. "If you can visit me here, now, how come you didn't try and visit me any other time?"
Their faces fell. "Oh baby girl," Fenrir said, copying his wife's movements from earlier to try and desperately grasp her hand. "Just as Kodlak was, we're both stuck here for eternity."
"Eternity? You mean, you're both…?"
"Yes," Asta answered. "We were both part of the circle and claimed the blood of Hircine. And after all this time, we still serve him."
"Then I'll set you free!" Serah exclaimed, stepping closer to her parents. "I'll find more heads and bring them back. That's a promise!"
Serah's statement had her mother smile sadly. "Oh my daughter. You have grown into such a selfless, beautiful woman. We will not ask you to do such a thing."
"She's right. We've gone on this long in Hircine's clutches, we can survive for the rest of eternity."
"But you shouldn't have to !" Serah cried out. Fists clutched tightly against her sides, she slammed her foot down against the stone. "I promise you this: I will avenge you by defeating the Dark Brotherhood and then save you from your servitude the moment I have done so." Turning on her heel, Serah made to leave the chamber when she suddenly stopped near the doorway. Turning one last time to catch a glimpse of her loving parents, she then yelled, "I promise!"
~ oOo ~
Arriving back at the entrance, Farkas and Serah found Vilkas sitting upon the stone steps leading up tp Ysgramor's statue. Hearing their footsteps, the twin stood from his seat and watched as his brother and sister walk towards him. "Well…? How'd it go?"
Glancing at each other, Serah smiled softly. "Better," she admitted.
"It was a lot calmer," Farkas admitted.
"Good!" Vilkas clasped his arms. "That is a good thing, isn't it?"
"It is, but now we have a treacherous road upon our hands," Serah said as she made towards the door, bracing herself for the cold. As she grasped the handle, she said, "I'm going after the Dark Brotherhood!"
This had Vilkas stop in his tracks, causing Farkas to run into his brother from behind. "You're going after…? Y-You can't be serious!"
"Of I am," she said certainly.
"But, the Dark Brotherhood! Aren't they the whole reason for your parents deaths? And-And with everything you've suffered these last few months as well!"
Fist gripping tightly upon the door handle, Serah inhaled deeply then let it go. "I know." She stared long and hard at the man she had always called her brother. "But if I don't do this, then the Dark Brotherhood will cause more casualties to other families like mine. They want me dead? So be it. But apparently I have the thing to bring them down."
Vilkas stared quizzically at his brother, who merely shrugged, then back towards Serah. "Then, what is this, 'thing'?"
Serah's face fell as she tapped her nose in question. "I have absolutely no idea. But apparently there are clues in the letters from the chests I haven't read yet. So I have to start there."
Opening the door, the harsh, evening's wind pierced their skin. Thankfully, their Nordic blood prevented them from truly feeling the cold's effect on their bodies. Climbing the stairs out of the tomb, the three were finally met with the view of the ice cliffs and the ocean once more. Breathing in the fresh air, all three were glad to finally be above ground, having been inside the tomb for several hours already.
No one spoke as they left the tomb. Wading through the icy ocean water, the three Companions traversed through the open water back towards the main land.
"So what now?" Farkas was the first to speak as they tried to dry off their clothes as much as they could.
Vilkas removed his wolf helmet and shook his head, flinging droplets of water everywhere. "For now, we best start making our way back towards Whiterun so we can shift through all the letters Serah has. From their…I guess it just depends on what we can find. Serah, what do you think?" Replacing his helmet to stare at where she once stood, the woman was no where to be seen. "Serah?"
"Serah!" Farkas roared into the night. There was fog settling on the beach, coming in from the water and they didn't want to get separated before heading home.
"I'm right here!"
Making way towards where they heard her voice coming through, Vilkas and Farkas found the other Companion knelt near a dead wolf. The twins peered at each other through their peripherals when Farkas called out.
"Uh Serah…why don't we head home?"
"We're not going alone," she stated, rotating in her position to stand. As she stood to full height, Serah twisted her body to reveal she was holding something white within her arms.
"Serah?" Vilkas said immediately. "Is that…?"
She smiled up at her, only holding tighter to the fluff ball in her arms. "A wolf pup? Yes, I'm aware."
"But…why?" Vilkas stared between her and what he was assuming was its mother on the ground.
"I heard a whimpering noise and went to see what it was. The poor thing," she said, gently rubbing her hand along its back. The small animal cuddle against her warm body. "I can't just leave it here to die! She's probably only a few weeks old!"
Again, the brothers stared at one another, not knowing what to do. Vilkas sighed, leaving the situation at that, whereas Farkas was the one to step forward, a hand gently placed against the pup's back. "You sure about this? What if it turns and hurts you? You've been afraid of wolves ever since the attack when you were younger."
"Not this little girl," she said lovingly. "I can't leave her alone Farkas. She'll die out here. The mother's been dead awhile already."
Running a hand through his hair, Farkas caved, knowing he couldn't resist in allowing Serah to keep the poor pup. "Alright, we'll take her back. Just…what are you gonna call her?"
Grinning brightly, Serah answered with, "I think I'll call her…Fang."
~ oOo ~