The Serana excitedly began to rummage through the extensive study. Its walls were adorned with ancient masonry artwork. Mahogany, bookshelves filled with old books stood almost as tall as the ceiling. Compared to the rest of the ruined rooms, this one seemed to be unscathed from the destruction.
My eyes then fell on a substantial collection of alchemical ingredients. It ranged from snowberries all the way to deadric hearts.
*how in the hell does someone acquire something like that.* I thought to myself, grimacing at the origin of the hearts laying there on the shelf.
"So, Serana, what are we looking for here?" I asked Serana as I began to rummage through some of the shelves.
"Something like a journal. My mother has definitely been here. I just hope we could find some clue as to where she has gone." Serana said as she was rummaging through the bookshelves with unprecedented vigor. She looked almost obsessed with finding her mother. Well, I couldn't blame her. Her mother sounded a lot nicer than her power-hungry dad.
"Serana, what if we don't find her. Or worse if your dad got to her first. It has been centuries after all..." I remarked my speech filled with remorse. I didn't like to be a pessimist, but it could be a possibility. Serana, in turn, just looked at me with a hopeful expression on her face.
"We Volkihar women are smart and resourceful Dracar. Just look at this room. My dad hasn't trashed this one which means there must be some kind of clue." She replied as she smiled weakly.
After she said that, my eyes were drawn to a weird shape on the ground. The stones almost looked like they could break open at any moment. As the plaster wasn't present between the stonework.
I decided to drop it and help Serana search for a clue as to where her mother had gone. We did this a while, and after having a lot of old books in my hands, all of which were related to necromancy and soul-stealing.
"Say Serana, and your mother seems to have had a weird obsession with necromancy. All her books are either about necromancy or related to it." I said as I looked at Serana. She just nodded in agreement.
"My mother had a thing for bringing things back from the dead. Or animating inanimate objects the gargoyles are her work." Serana replied as she continued searching through the ample supply of books.
"Well, make sure I thank her for those abominations when we see her," I replied as I grimaced at the skeletons and gargoyles we had to fight to get here.
We searched for a while, and as I was taking a look at some jarred intestines, Serana yelled loudly. "FOUND IT!" The scream almost made me drop the jar.
I quickly made my way over to Serana, and we proceeded to read through her mothers' journal.
*27th Last Seed
Harkon's shortsightedness is becoming a severe problem. I've warned him time and time again that his foolish prophecy would cast far too much light on our people, and yet he refuses to so much listen to a word I say. I've become less a wife and more of an annoyance in his eyes. Devoting attention to my work is the only solace I can find while enduring his ridiculous crusade.
28th Last Seed
I've had a breakthrough today. I was able to attune the portal vessel to the Soul Cairn properly by using a small sample of ingredients.
Although the portal opened only for a few seconds, I'm confident that with the proper formula, it can be sustained indefinitely. I feel like I'm missing a key ingredient, something of sufficient potency that can resist the forces trying to prevent my intrusion. Communing with the Ideal Masters has proved worthless. They speak in riddles and offer no assistance whether I ensure them a steady supply of souls or not. If I'm to escape Harkon's clutches, I need to keep the portal open long enough to carry me away from here... forever if need be.
3rd Hearthfire
I've done it! After wasting thousands of gold coins on components, I've discovered how to sustain the portal. I'm listing the components below without the proper amounts for my own protection. As a secondary precaution, I am combining my own blood into the formula, which should prevent anyone from being able to duplicate it and following me into the Soul Cairn.
The formula consists of:
Finely Ground Bone Meal
Purified Void Salt
Soul gem shards
Using the proper measurements, place above in the silver-lined portal vessel and add blood as a reactive agent.
I will make my way into the Soul Cairn tomorrow after gathering my things and preparing for a potentially lengthy exile. More importantly, I must enact my plans with Serana and get her to Dimhollow Crypt as soon as possible.*
I gritted my teeth at the last part. This woman was ready to sacrifice an everyday life for her and her daughter. Just so Harkon cant get his way, I understand it just partly. But to decide for your daughter that she should be locked up for the remainder of the time. Is just cruel.
"What is the Soul Cairn and the ideal masters? " I asked Serana, wondering what this place and the ideal masters are. I knew it wasn't good, but still, I wanted to know what I would get myself into.
Serana sighed loudly as she spoke in herself.
"Why go through such extreme measures, mother.."
She then looked up at me with a troubled expression.
"The soul Cairn is the place trapped souls go when you encase their souls in a black soul gem. It's a realm of oblivion, and the ideal masters are the orchestrator's and the jailors of this realm." Serana explained with a loud sigh.
"So we need to go there to find your mother? Great a realm of oblivion. I still had to scrap that from a list I never wanted to do." I replied as I grimaced at the thought of going there.
"Yeah, we do if we want to find that other scroll... But there is one major obstacle where are we going to find all those ingredients." Serana remarked, rubbing her temple. I took a look around as I scanned through the plethora of alchemical ingredients.
"There must be some still laying around here," I replied as I began to look through the ample supply of ingredients.
Before long, we had found all three ingredients and placed them in the silver chalice atop the altar in the back of the room.
"Well, now there is still one problem... We need my mother's blood to make the portal stable." Serana remarked as she leaned up against a pillar.
"Well, you are your mother's daughter. Maybe your blood will work." I plainly said.
Serena's eyes lit up with excitement as she hugged me excitedly.
"You are a genius, Dracar!" She exclaimed.
As she strode up to the altar holding her arm above the silver chalice. Knife in hand, she sliced her wrist and let the blood trickle into the mixed ingredients. A loud rumbling sound was heard, and my eyes widened as the weird pattern on the floor began to glow with a purple hue. The stones swirled into the ground as a few floated up towards the altar, making a crooked staircase leading into the vortex-like portal that was now right in front of us.
"Well, that is something different; we shouldn't waste time," I remarked as I made my way down the steps. As I made contact with the portal, a searing pain came over my whole being. As I was blasted back I landed right next to Serana.
"FUCK THAT HURT!" I yelled as my head spun as if I had been drained dry of my power.
Serana was rubbing her temple as she looked down at me.
"Of course! How stupid of me you are a living being you can't enter without some kind of payment." Serana remarked as she helped me on my feet. Before softly asking me if I was okay.
"I am fine. But what are you suggesting? Should I just die to get in there? or what." I asked Serana, which was deep in her thoughts.
"Well, no, I was a vampire can enter without problem, but for you, we need to trap a part of your soul as payment which will make you weaker, or... no, I can't ask that from you." Serana stuttered out.
"Or what Serana tell me my options, I don't know what we will encounter once we are down there I don't want to be at a disadvantage," I replied, wondering what was so terrible that she didn't want to say it.
"Or I need to turn you into a vampire..." she softly spoke, looking at me with a remorseful gaze.
My stomach twisted and twirled at the thought as my skin turned white. Me a vampire; I couldn't, but I also didn't want to lose my power. Only the divines know what abominations we might have to fight there. As I pondered on my options, I looked at Serana with a panicked expression. She, in turn, looked at the ground, clearly saddened as she softly spoke up.
"Is it so bad to turn into a vampire Dracar, I am also one, and you don't have to become evil. Besides, if you turn into a vampire, we can be together forever. I won't have to be lonely anymore..." She softly told me.
A shiver went down my spine as I couldn't believe Serana would ask me such a selfish thing. Just so she couldn't be alone anymore, she knows what vampires made me do to my family. I never could. My eyes were devoid of any emotions as flashes of my dead family flashed before them, and in a cold, harsh tone, I spoke up.
"I will never turn into such a vile thing, Serana." My harsh words left my mouth as Serana looked clearly distraught.
"Dracar... I..." Serana tried to speak up but was cut off by me.
"How can you ask such a thing of me, Serana? You of all people should know..."I spoke softly as my eyes averted from the female vampires hurt gaze.
"Dracar, I didn't mean to. I am just explaining your options to you... I just voiced my preference for turning you because I just don't want to lose someone so dear to me to something stupid as the flow of time!" She spoke up. Her voice was filled with remorse and sadness.
"I just can't, Serana. It would feel like betraying everything I stand for... everything that happened would be brought down upon me... my family died because of your father I swore to destroy every single one of your kind!" I exclaimed. My speech was filled with anger and sadness as I locked eyes with Serana tears trailing down my cheeks. "You can't expect me to do that, Serana..."
Her eyes were filled with the same sadness as she looked up at me, slowly backing away from me. "I would never force you, Dracar, but there is a time you have to let them go... I am sorry for what happened. There comes a time you have to move on with your life. There are others that care for you now."
I looked at her with disbelief as her words made something snap inside of me. My heart was filled with turmoil and strife, divided by a yearning to let the past behind me and move on finally. And the immense remorse and regret of Killing my own family. Their smiles and laughter haunted me every day as the tremendous feeling of loss had filled my being for so long. At least until I started traveling with her, she was the first person to make me smile again after such a long time of darkness. The first person to make me forget...
"I just want you to be happy again, Dracar, and look forward to the rest of your life..." Serana began as she slowly made her way over to me, touching my shoulder ever so slightly. Our eyes met as I looked at her with tears in my eyes.
"I-I-I don't know if I can, Serana... their screams still haunt my mind and probably will till the end of times... Being with you lessens my pain, but I don't think I will ever be able to put that past behind me..." I replied. " I am sorry, but I could never turn into a vampire. Too much has happened. Just trap my soul, and we will get on with our search."
Serana seemed to understand my decision. She was disappointed, but she respected my decision.
"Well, here goes... I will trap just a part of your soul, so this is going to hurt a bit. I am sorry." Serana remarked as she put both her cold hands on my head. A shiver went down my spine, but due to the emotional turmoil, I leaned into her hands. Serana noticing this smiled at me softly as she began to caress my forehead with her thumbs. "It will be okay, Dracar. We can do this together."
Her voice sounded sweet and caring as she looked at me with a knowing smile. She always knew just the way to calm me down. As I closed my eyes, I felt myself growing weaker. It only took a few seconds, but the moment seemed to last forever. I was shaken from my thoughts as Serana spoke up.
"All done, how do you feel?" She asked with a worried expression.
"I feel a bit weaker, but I will be okay, I think. Now let us go find your mother." I replied. Serana nodded as we moved into the portal.
_
"So this is the soul, Cairn, scary..." I remarked, looking at our surroundings.
The whole dimension seemed to be plagued by an eternal lightning storm as bolts of lightning constantly struck the barren landscape. The sky was filled with a strange purple hue as numerous swirls of purple energy littered the sky.
A strange feeling came over me as we made our way down from the steps. I felt like we were being watched by a thousand eyes, watching our every move. Something seemed to pull at my soul but could not grab hold of me as the uncomfortable feeling didn't seem to subside.
"What a gloomy place. I have a bad feeling about this Serana." I remarked as I looked at our surroundings. And to my surprise, I saw ghastly figures strolling around aimlessly.
" I got the same strange feeling Dracar like we shouldn't be here. " Serana replied as she inched closer to me.
The fact that even Serana felt uncomfortable here said something. As the very surrounding seemed to want us gone or worse...
Despite that simple fact, we proceeded to move on, and after a while and a lot of uncomfortable encounters with lost souls, we had made it to some kind of wall. A large staircase led to an even more immense expanse of space littered with ruined buildings and eerie souls walking by aimlessly. The more time we spent down here, the more it seemed as if time wasn't going by at all. And the more it seemed the environment reacted to us as before the souls hardly noticed us now they were acknowledging our existence.
We spotted a massive castle-like structure in front of us. We decided we would begin our search there as we didn't quite know where to start. Because of the twisted reality of the dimension, it was hard to determine how long it would take us.
After a while of walking, my face turned into that of horror as we were beset upon by ghastly black skeletons. Their eyes were an eerie blue color as a black goo seemed to be exerted from their figure continuously.
We fought them off with relative ease, but the closer we got to the castle, the more encounters we had with these ghastly cursed souls. Their numbers seemed to grow with every step we took closer to our goal.
"Serana, something isn't right here. Our surroundings are growing more hostile by the minute." I remarked as I finished of the last ghastly skeleton. Serana looked at me with a troubled expression as she seemed to agree.
"You are right to let's make haste so we can leave this place." She replied, picking up her step.
After we spoke of this, the attacks strangely seemed to stop. I felt like the surroundings were sapient, reacting to our conversation. An ever-growing feeling of dread came over me as I realized this. *something just isn't right* I thought.
We closed in on the castle-like structure, and to my surprise, some kind of forcefield seemed to block the entrance than I saw Serana bolt towards it as a figure strode around inside the forcefield.
"MOTHER !" She screamed.
I hurried to catch up with Serana as she ran up to her mother. The female figure turned around with a surprised expression on her face. I was taken aback by the resemblance she and Serana bore.
"Serana, what are you doing here!" Her mother replied.
"We came to find you, mother. We need an elder scroll. Aren't you glad we finally meet again?" Serana exclaimed, clearly excited to see her mother again. The latter wasn't as amused as her daughter was.
"You foolish girl, why do you think I went through all this trouble to lock you up and go into exile." She replied sharply.
Serana's friendly demeanor instantly changed at her mother's remark.
"But mother, it's been so long..." Serana softly replied, her tone filled with sadness.
"And who did you bring with you? Is this your thrall?" Her mother asked her.
"No, this is Dracar. He is my friend, and he is helping me to stop father." Serana replied, smiling at me.
"You dare bring a stranger, a vampire hunter, with you! How foolish are you, Serana?" Her mother spat out
"But... mother..." Serana tried to speak but was cut off by her mother.
"You come closer. I wish to speak to you." She commanded me.
*what a vile woman to treat her daughter like this after locking her up without permission.* I thought to myself as my blood began to boil at the audacity of this old hag.
"What do you want?" I asked her nonchalantly.
"My name is Valerica Volkihar. What is it that you seek by traveling with my daughter?" She spit out with spite evident in her voice.
"It is just as your daughter said we seek for a way to defeat that power-hungry madman you call a husband," I replied coldly.
"You both are foolish if you think you can defeat Harkon. And I don't trust someone's intentions when he is wearing vampire hunter armor." Valerica replied. "People like you only want one thing the destruction of our kind." She hatefully spat out.
"Mother, he isn't like that. He kept me safe on numerous occasions, and he released me from my prison." Serana tried to explain, but her mother cut her short.
"Serana, he is a vampire hunter. It would help if you didn't trust him. He will kill you when he gets the chance." Valerica remarked, shooting me a look of disapproval. "I put you there to keep you safe from that crazy father of yours."
Something in me snapped at Valerica's words.
"Excuse me, what did you ever do for your daughter! Locked her up like she was some pawn in both of your crazy crusades. You are just as bad as her father treating her like some stupid child, and you call me the bad guy here. You got some nerve calling out my intentions when you didn't even give your daughter a choice." I spat out angrily.
"Serana, reign in your pet before I hurt him! All I did was to protect my daughter. You are just using her to kill my husband." Valerica spat out in anger. I wanted to reply, but Serana cut me off.
"Really, mother, were you so selfless to lock me up in there? I didn't really have a choice now, did I ? This man has done more for me in the brief time I met him. Then you two have ever done for me, he showed me kindness, friendship, and a plethora of other things. I have never felt so happy living with you two !" Serana spat out in anger. " You wouldn't know what's best for me even if you tried, locking me up for the rest of eternity. What were you thinking!"
Valerica seemed to be taken aback by her daughter's harsh words.
"So you would trust this stranger more than your own flesh and blood? Fine! if you trust him that much I must accept it." Valerica replied in defeat. "I still don't trust your intentions, vampire hunter." She said as she seemed to study me. I just rolled my eyes at her. Someone who treated her child as a plaything to use in a power struggle with her spouse. Is of lower stature than the rats in the imperial city. I don't care if she is vampire royalty; I despise her for what she has done.
"Now, mother, we did come here for a reason," Serana spoke up as she had regained her composure. I was glad to see this as I didn't like to see her brought down to an unwanted child in front of her mother being scolded for not doing what she told her.
"Yes, yes, I know what you want, but I won't give it to them both of you," Valerica replied stoically as she crossed her arms.
"Why not, mother? It's the only way to defeat father. " Serana exclaimed as she looked at her mother with disbelief.
"Do you have any idea what the prophecy actually entails, child?" Valerica spoke in a contemptuous tone.
"Yes, mother, it speaks of a way to block out the sun so vampires can walk the earth without being weakened by the sun," Serana remarked.
Valerica sighed as she paced around, shaking her head in disdain at her daughter's comment.
"That's only half of what the prophecy is actually about, girl. The prophecy needs the blood of a daughter of the cold harbor to bring it to fulfillment. 'Our blood' that's the reason why I locked you up. That is the reason why I went so far to exile myself to this wretched place." Valerica said stoically as she pointed her fingers all around her.
"You may think of me as a bad mother, but I did all this to protect you from your wretched father. If I wouldn't have done this, he would have used you to get what he wants. He wouldn't care if it killed you as long as he could grab power." She continued as she looked at me intently while voicing her concern for her daughter.
"But mother, have you no trust in me, my friend may not look like it, but he is quite powerful. I believe we can stop, father, and now with you with us, he doesn't stand a chance." Serana remarked, hopefully trying to get her mother to see reason.
"Child, if there was a way to stop your father, don't you think I would have undertaken actions. This was the only solution to stop him. If he succeeds in his foolish crusade, our kind will be hunted to extinction by humans. And even if I wanted to help you, I am stuck here. The ideal masters offered me a safe haven here. But I had no idea how much value they placed on my soul, so I am trapped here." Valerica spoke with a hint of remorse.
"Is there a way to free you?" I asked as I looked at her.
"There is a way, but you two wouldn't survive it.." Valerica spoke with the same disdain. A nerve popped in my head at the constant disapproval in her voice.
"Hey! We came all the way out here to find a solution to this problem! Only for you to try and decide for us what we can and cannot do! I have battled undead, gargoyles, vampires, and, not to forget, literal dragons! Just so some old hag tells me I can't do something, I will fucking succeed, you hear me, and no one can tell me I won't let us prove you wrong cause we are stronger than you think, you bitch!" I ranted every little part of me wanted to choke this bitch of a woman to death for all she has done to Serana. And the way she speaks of us.
This seemed to take the old vampire by surprise as she looked at me with questioning but impressed gaze.
"This one has guts no one has dared talk to me like that in a long time. I might grow to like him, Serana." Valerica spoke as she looked at her daughter and me. "Fine, you can try to free me, but I am doubtful you will succeed. There are three guardians you have to defeat. They are situated at the various towers that you can see in the distance. They uphold the forcefield kill them, and I am free to help you."
"Just you wait and see, we will succeed," I replied spitefully.
Before we walked of Valerica notioned me over.
"I wish to speak with you." She said stoically as she stood in front of the barrier.
I walked over to her, curious as to what she want's.
"Keep my daughter safe if only one hair on her head gets cut in the wrong way, I will find a way out of here." She said with a dangerous tone.
"Ironic for you to say such a thing. I have been keeping her safe while you just wanted to doom her to an existence of eternal imprisonment." I replied coldly before walking off.
Valerica was left standing there baffled at my courage.
"Hmm, this might get interesting. There is something strange about him, something powerful," Valerica spoke to herself.
_
I ducked just in time to evade the enormous axe swinging over my head before I stood a huge hulking figure—armored in bones of long death dragons. We have been fighting the creature for quite some time but to no avail. Our swords just couldn't penetrate the huge skeleton's armor.
"Dracar, do you have a plan? We don't seem to hurt it even in the slightest!" Serana yelled at me, holding off hordes of the black skeletons.
"I am trying here, Serana! What am I supposed to do? It is immune to my attacks."I remarked, evading another big slash from the hulking figure. Sweat dripped down my face as my stamina was drained rapidly.
"Try out that new shout. Maybe that will help! I can't keep them off your back forever!" Serana yelled as she was only barely able to hold her own.
I concentrated all my energy on my inner being as I felt the familiar feeling of my dragon blood welling up inside me.
**tiid**
Time seemed to stand still as I glanced over at Serana, which appeared to be frozen still. Then I looked in front of me and saw that the hulking figure's axe was right in front of my face. I gulped before springing into action. I noticed a weak spot in the armor of the creature right in the nook between its head and shoulder blades. With a loud scream, I planted my sword in the tight place. As time seemed to resume, the creature blew up in an explosion of bones and purple energy, blasting me away a couple of feet.
Serana was about to be attacked before the black skeletons also disintegrated. As she looked over to where I used to be, she was shocked to see me laying a couple of feet away, motionless.
She hurried over to me.
"Dracar, are you alright !" She yelled as she cupped my head. She then sighed in relief as I groaned loudly.
"Fuck remind me not to stand too close to these things as I kill them. They explode, apparently. " I said as I scratched the back of my head.
"Idiot, I thought you were seriously hurt! But what was that shout? I couldn't even see you move one moment you were there, and the next you were here." Serana remarked as she frantically pointed with her fingers. This display made me chuckle a little as I looked at her, amused.
"Well, apparently, I can stop time," I remarked sheepishly.
"That's fortunate and scary at the same time. I wonder what kind of amazing shouts we still need to find!" Serana excitedly said.
At the same time, Valerica looked surprised as she heard the loud explosion. She investigated the forcefield and saw it flicker for a moment.
"Impressive they killed the first guardian." She spoke to herself. "I wonder how powerful that man is, even I couldn't defeat them."
Meanwhile, we had made our way over to the next guardian, and this one wielded a giant two-handed sword. This time we were prepared, however, as Serana froze its feet to the ground with an ice spell. So that I could shout at it without worrying that my head would be chopped off.
** fus ro dah**
The massive thundering shockwave closed in on the hulking figure blasting it into a pillar as it was freed from its frozen prison. Before it could get up on its feet, I made sure to kill it, running away as soon as I stuck my sword in its weak spot. The following explosion echoed through the landscape.
We then proceeded towards the next tower, but we noticed that more and more of the black creatures were watching us. With every passing minute, their numbers grew.
"Serana, look," I remarked as I pointed towards the growing group of undead souls watching us following us.
"That can't be good. Why aren't they attacking." Serana remarked as she watched the significant number of skeletons and souls watching us.
"It's like they are waiting for something," I replied. "Let us hurry. I have got a bad feeling about this."
Serana nodded as we hurried our way over to the next tower.
The next guardian was situated on top of the roof of the tower. We fought our way through another horde of black skeletons before reaching it. I hated to admit it, but I felt drained. Maybe Serana taking a piece of my soul was a bad idea, or perhaps it was this place. The feeling of it trying to steal my soul had grown more prominent as I struggled to catch my breath.
"Serana, I can we stop for a minute I am not feeling so good..." I weakly spoke up.
"I told you it was a bad idea to trap your soul!" Serana replied with a worried tone.
"It is not that Serana this place it's pulling at me it wants something from me. I feel like I am being drained..."I replied, trying to catch my breath. As I looked up in terror, only barely evading, a huge arrow fired at me.
"OKAY, I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" I yelled.
** yol toor shull**
A colossal inferno left my mouth, engulfing the skeleton. An immense explosion dissipated the flames as a smoldering pile of bones lay in the place where the hulking figure just stood.
"Now, let us get back to your mother!" I told Serana as I walked past her hunched over as exhaustion seemed to take over.
"Dracar, we can take a breather if you want..." Serana replied, but I shook my head violently.
"No, I need to get out of this place, and I need to get out fast!" I replied urgently Serana seemed to understand as she let me lean on her.
We made our way back to Serana, and with every step we took, more and more black skeletons seemed to follow us. This made Serana pick up her pace as she hurried over to where her mother was locked up. Once there, her mother looked at us with a surprised expression.
"Well, you have seen better days, but I can't help but congratulate you. You did the very thing I was unable to do." After saying that, Valerica's eyes widened in shock as she saw the army of skeletons menacingly stand behind us.
"Serana, just who is he!" She said with an urgent tone.
"I don't understand what you mean. The mother he is Dracar," Serana replied, confused at her mother's question.
"I am not talking who I am talking about what he is. No normal human can defeat a guardian!" Valerica seemed to speak with a more demanding tone now.
"He is the Dragonborn mother," Serana replied, still confused as to why this would matter.
"How many dragons did you vanquish?! How many souls did you take Dracar!" Valerica yelled in a panicked state.
"Four dragons? why does this matter?" I replied as I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"You idiot, do you know where you are! This whole realm exists because the ideal masters take souls as payment! You two need to leave NOW!" Valerica yelled but quickly realized we weren't getting out by going back as the group had grown even more significant.
To all of our horror, the guardians now stood in front of the massive army of skeletons. An arrow flew past our heads as they finally decided to attack.
Serana and Valerica began to barrage the army with spell after spell. It was futile, however, as they killed a skeleton, another would take its place.
"It's futile; quickly get into that gate!" Valerica yelled as the army began to advance on us. Arrows flew past our heads as we retreated into the massive castle-like structure. I turned around just before we closed the gates and mustered one last colossal shout.
** yol toor shull**
An immense wave of fire engulfed the skeletons holding them off just long enough for Valerica and Serana to close the gate.
We all fell down against the gate, catching our breath before I was slapped by Valerica in the face.
"What were you thinking walking into the realm of souls with the most valuable soul of all!" She yelled as she scolded me.
I just stood there perplexed at her actions.
"Mother, calm down. We couldn't have known.." Serana remarked as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"It is okay, but we need to get out of here. The ideal masters want your soul Dracar, and they will do anything to get it. If you die in here, your soul will walk this place for the rest of eternity." Valerica remarked.
We were shaken from our conversation at the sound of a dragon's roar filled the sky.
"Fuck, he is here," Valerica remarked.
"A Dragon by the nine !" I yelled as I searched for the origin of the sound.
"Serana, you two need to get that scroll and get out of here!" Valerica yelled as she ran towards an altar. But she was swept away by the dragon landing right in front of her.
My stomach twisted at the sight of this dragon, his skin flung loosely onto its exposed bones. As a slime-like substance secreted from its open wounds. As a yellowish drool dripped down its jaws.
He then fired a purple flame at me, which I averted by shouting as well.
**yoll toor shull **
Our flames met in the middle of the battlefield as they exploded in a beautiful vortex of red and purple flames.
Valerica looked at the display in awe as she stumbled back on her feet. The dragon didn't seem to be focused on either her or Serana, so she quickly made her way over to her.
"Serana, quick, let us get the scroll while he fights that abomination," Valerica told Serana as she tried to pull her daughter with her. She was surprised to see her daughter run into the fray firing lightning bolts at the undead dragon.
I was evading wing slaps from the dragon as I struggled to breath exhaustion finally had caught up to me. As I struggled to keep up, I felt the air leave my body as I was slapped back by the dragon's tail.
"Dracar!" Serana yelled in horror as she watched me being flung into a wall on the other side of the arena.
I coughed up blood as I stood up again, charging the dragon once more but to my surprise and horror. A loud blast was heard as now the huge gates burst open, letting the horde of skeletons in. As they advanced on us, Serana and Valerica began to deal with them.
"DRACAR, WE NEED TO LEAVE!" Serana yelled as she tried to fight of the skeletons but began to be overwhelmed.
**fus ro dah**
A shockwave blasted towards Serana and Valerica, blasting the undead abominations into the wall on the far side, killing them instantly. As I now made sure Serana and Valerica had room to breathe, I could focus on the dragon again.
I was, however, soon preoccupied with ten skeletons attacking me all at once. I struggled to fend them off as exhaustion still plagued my being. As one of their swords cut deeply in my shoulder, I cried out in pain as I tried to stop the bleeding with a healing spell. Luckily for me, Serana jumped in and blasted the rest of the skeletons away with a fireball.
To my dismay, the dragon landed right in front of me. I slashed its face with my sword as I tried to desperately get away from it. But as I tried, it grabbed a hold of my feet with its huge fangs.
**arghh ** I yelled out in anguish as I was flung into a pillar. My vision began to blurr as I tried my hardest to keep conscious.
While this all happened, Valerica made her way over towards Serana. She was noticing that the hordes of skeletons and the dragon only had eyes for me.
"Serana, he won't make it! We need to leave now while they are distracted with him!" Valerica told Serana as she began to tug at her daughter's arm.
"No, mother! I love this man, don't you understand! I can't leave him! " Serana yelled as she looked at me in horror as I was being impaled by a spear.
"DRACAR!" She screamed in terror.
Blood filled my mouth as the sharp pain of the spear embedded in me let me slip in and out of consciousness. In the distance, I could hear Serana's pleas.
*Not like this! I have to survive ! I can't die yet. She is screaming for me. I have to. I JUST HAVE TO* My thoughts were hazy as a feeling of determination came over me. I spotted the dragon as I positioned my sword in front of me, and for one last time, I focused my power on my being.
**wuld Nah kest **
The shout propelled me forward as I collided with the dragon at an enormous speed. The force of the impact propelled me and the dragon against a wall as my sword bore straight into the dragon's skull. A deafening shriek left the beast as it collided with the ground.
Valerica looked at the display with awe as she saw her jailor disintegrate in a purple flame, and with it, the skeletons disintegrated as well.
"I can understand why my daughter has fallen for you, Dracar. You are one powerful human. I hope you survive for her sake. " she spoke to herself, looking at the sight before her dumbfounded.
Serana ran over to me as my lifeless body collided with the cold hard ground. Tears fell down her cheeks as she fell to her knees in front of me.
"Don't you die! Don't you dare die on me, you asshole! "She screamed as she softly shook my face cupping my cheeks.
I looked up at her weakly as a bloody cough left my mouth a weak smile formed on my lips as I looked at the beautiful vampire.
"I wouldn't dare to, Serana. We have so many adventures to go on." I replied to her weakly. Tears dripped down from her on my face as she hugged me tightly.
"I can't lose you..."
I lost consciousness, and Serana panicked again.
"Mother the scroll! We need to get out of here." Valerica quickly brought the elder scroll over and pushed Serana, which was now carrying me towards the exit.
"Go, child! I will be okay safe, your friend!" Valerica replied as she pushed her daughter away.
Serana quickly made her way out of the castle-like structure but was put to a stop by the appearance of the dragon. Serana unsheathed her weapon as she charged up a lightning bolt.
"Stay your weapons. I would speak with you, Qahnaarin." It spoke up. " my name is Durnehviir, and I wish to talk with the Dovahkiin. I see he has lost consciousness. That's unfortunate. I wanted to strike a deal with him."
"I am in a hurry. Why are you talking to me!" Serana yelled as she looked at the dragon with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
"Easy there, vampire. If I wanted to be hostile, I wouldn't be talking to you. All I ask is if he makes it, he calls my name in the world. I long to spread my wings again. Tell him to speak out my name, and I will be forever grateful." Durnehviir spoke with a hopeful tone.
" yeah yeah, I will, but for now, he needs to get out of here! Or he will never be able to call your name." Serana replied urgently.
" you two will never make it before he dies. Climb on my back, and I will bring you towards your portal." Durnehviir replied as he bowed down for Serana to mount him.
Serana reluctantly agreed, but she saw no other way to make it to the portal in time. As the dragon took flight with Serana and me on its back, we were at the portal in just mere seconds.
As the dragon dropped us off, he turned towards Serana.
"Remember our deal." It spoke
"I will! I have to leave now." Serana desperately replied as she hurried up the stairs.
Once back in the world, Serana dropped me off in the back. As she looked at my lifeless body, only one solution came to her mind.
" I am sorry I have to do this, Dracar..." she softly spoke as she leaned in towards my neck and bit me. "I just can't lose you..."
A sharp gasp was heard from my mouth as air filled my lungs again.
_
So, guys, another chapter did! What do you think? I am thrilled with how it turned out. Please leave a reply, or a follow as it keeps motivating me to keep on writing.
Well, how do you think Dracar will react to what Serana has done to save his life? Will he be angry? Will he be thankful? Find it out in the next chapter of the curse of cold harbor!