"WHAT DID YOU DO!!" Serana's shocked cries resounded through the otherwise silent night.
"YOU FUCKING KILLED HIM! I WILL DESTROY YOU." The enraged vampire growled as lightning danced around her fingers. She was ready to assault the poor mage as tears flowed down her perfect face.
Isran held her back with all his power as Falion inspected my body before letting out a sigh of relief, which made the enraged vampire calm down a bit as she shook loose from Isran's hold on her.
Running towards my body, she gasped in relief as she saw my chest rise and fall.
"What happened?" She asked Falion, which was without words as he inspected Dracars body.
He softly opened Dracars eyelids and saw no trace of his vampiric eyes.
"Well, he isn't a vampire anymore, and he is alive. But I'm not certain as to why he isn't waking up. Hmm, how peculiar I have never seen anything like this." The man said as he was deep in his thoughts.
"He is NOT one of your experiments! Bring him back right now!" Serana hissed dangerously at the mage.
"Calm down, Serana. Let the man work," Isran said calmly, which earned him a deathly glare from the female vampire.
"Don't you tell me what to do? You don't care for him as I do." Serana hissed dangerously.
She inched close to dracar as she cupped his face and began to shake it.
"Wake up!! You made a fucking promise!" Serana yelled as tears flowed down her face.
I took a look around me, but all I could see was endless nothingness well, except that giant creature standing there staring at me. The thing stood as tall as a mountain its arms folded as it seemed to be guarding this unknown realm. It seemed to look at me however its eye sockets were horrifically empty.
The huge creature started to move which startled me reaching for my sword but alas my hands touched no hilt as I frantically tried to grab hold of a blade that wasn't there.
Mortified I looked on as the creature extended its hands toward his side as its huge fingers pointed at a materializing corridor.
Hesitantly I took a few steps forward never letting my eyes off the titanic being in front of me. Every step I took was weighed by my unwillingness to move.
I've never felt so terrified in my life. The way toward the corridor seemed to take forever once I stepped foot inside the corridor the entire scenery changed before my eyes.
Entire forests filled with dead trees seemed to be the only vegetation around. Cracks in the ground revealed enormous fissures from which green fires seemed to ooze out. The sounds of visceral screaming filled the air. Dark glowing eyes seemed to float all around me the sound of eerie incomprehensible whispers seemed to emanate from them.
Reluctantly I started to walk along a cracked road leading me further into the cursed landscape.
I was weary every now and then looking around me to search for any threat oddly enough there seemed to be no living or dead soul roaming this place.
After a while of roaming around, I noticed the surroundings changing again.
My eyes opened wide in shock as I now found myself standing inside a twisted form of the Imperial city.
To my surprise, I saw a few people standing in front of me clad in typical imperial fashion.
To my better judgment, I sprinted toward them eager for a sense of normalcy in this twisted realm.
"HEY!! you people! How did you get here? How can we leave??" I yelled as I reached them placing my hand on one's shoulder and turning him around.
My eyes shot wide open as I stumbled backward horrified at the sight before me. The creature wasn't human its mouth was twisted in an inhuman grin its skin was as gray as a corpse.
Green sluggish goo oozed out of its eye sockets. It was hard for me to keep last night's meal inside my stomach as the feeling of nausea overtook every sense in my body.
The creature opened its mouth which started secreting thousands of insects as the stench of death filled my nostrils.
Ah, the Dragonborn.* Its eerie voice uttered as it sounded more guttural than anything normal.
I decided to try my luck seeing as these beings were the first things I could actually converse with.
"What is this place? How do I get out of here?" I asked the terrifying creatures.
Its eyes devoid of life stared at me as it began to laugh maniacally.
hahaha, you wish to leave? My master will never allow it. You will be tried for your crimes against your family.* It uttered out in its guttural voice.
A purple glowing sphere surrounded me as its bright light blinded me. Suddenly I found myself at a familiar place, my eyes widened in shock as realization hit me. The doors of my former home in Cyrodill stood before me.
My legs began to shake as I frantically tried to move away. Step by step I inched closer to the doors my body unresponsive as I screamed out in agony.
"NO PLEASE... ANYTHING BUT THIS!! PLEASE!!" I screamed out my voice filled with fear of the agonizing memory.
The doors slowly opened and I saw my late wife standing in front of me. Her angry gaze bore right into me.
"WHY?! my dear why!!" Her agonizing screams filled the air.
My eyes started to water as I saw the lifeless body of our son in her arms blood dripping from his wounds down her fingers.
"It...it wasn't me Aurora... please forgive me for what I have done I didn't have control of my body." I whimpered looking at my wife with a pleading gaze.
A sword materialized in front of her she wrapped her fingers around it and drove it straight through her chest.
My eyes widened in shock as I screamed out in terror.
"NOOOO."
I dropped down to my knees sobbing uncontrollably as an uncontrollable rage filled my being.
The ground began to break under my feet as I felt my rage grow immensely the familiar feeling of dragon fire welling up in my throat waiting for me to unleash an inferno.
As I opened my mouth to scream an enormous inferno left my mouth destroying every single atom in its path.
My home and every occupant in it were reduced to dust before me as my tears flowed down my cheeks.
As I looked before me the same house stood there again. As the events from moments ago repeated themselves again and again. The screams of my family dying repeating themselves with it every fiber of my body trembled as I was made to watch those horrible events. I felt my heart break bit by bit tears flowed down my cheeks as the feeling of despair descended down on me.
"Please stop this." I whimpered looking at the dark sky above me.
It was the fourth hour since Falion performed the ritual and Serana still hasn't left Dracar's side. While Falion desperately tried to bring me back to the world of the living.
"I have tried everything... I can't seem to get a hold of him wherever he might be. It seems his body is here alive and well but his mind is gone." Falion said as he inspected my features.
Serana looked up at the man glaring daggers at him.
"If you don't bring him back I will make sure you follow in his footsteps." Serana hissed dangerously at the mage.
Falion gulped as he cast another spell that seemed to have zero effect.
Isran walked up to Serana placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe you need to step away for a bit and let the man do his work Serana." He proclaimed pointing at the mage who was sweating profusely.
Serana seemed to calm down a bit after seeing that.
"He needs to save him Isran we can't defeat my father without him. Besides that, I can't go on without him..." She whimpered as a sad expression graced her features.
Isran seemed surprised by the vampire's honesty and feelings as he softened his gaze.
"I have my reservations with your kind Serana but I can't help being surprised at how different you seem to be." He replied.
Serana scoffed at the redguard man.
"We aren't all mindless beasts. We have feelings dreams and goals in life. A lot of us live our lives peacefully living alongside you people." Serana replied stoically.
"You might act differently from other vampires Serena, but even you can't deny the vile actions of your kind. You can talk all you want about you being different but even you see that your father and his kin need to be stopped. " Isran replied stoically before walking away.
Serana scoffed at the ignorant redguard as she walked back towards Falion and Dracar.
"How is he?" She asked worried as she glanced over at Dracar's lifeless body. A pang of guilt shot through her as she was the one who turned him.
if only I was more proficient at healing magic I could have saved him otherwise.* She thought as she studied his features.
She saw a single tear drop coming from his eyes. Surprised she nudged Falion who looked at Dracar intrigued.
"It seems his mind is in turmoil, how peculiar. Somehow his mind is witnessing something which brings forth this emotional response." Falion said as he pondered where Dracar's mind is.
Suddenly Serana thought of something.
"Wait are you saying his mind is influencing his body THAT'S GREAT!" Serana said excitedly.
Falion looked at the vampire with a questioning gaze.
"What are you implying?" Falion asked intrigued.
"If his mind is still in Mundus I can influence it and reach out to him with my magic. I need to enthrall him to do it but I can reach out to him!" Serana yelled, as she quickly moved to Dracar's side.
I saw my family die before me for what felt like the thousandth time my expression has gone blank a long time ago as every feeling has left my being.
Suddenly a woman clad in a long robe appeared before me her gaze was ice cold as a wicked smile grazed her face.
"What do you want from me?" I asked my voice broken and hoarse from all the screaming.
The woman seemed intrigued by my question as she studied my face.
"It's not about wanting anything, you are here to atone for your sins. " She replied that sickening smile never leaving her face.
"I never committed these acts... I never wanted this." I replied weakly
The woman began to laugh loudly as the entire realm seemed to shake with her laugh.
"Oh but you did child of Akatosh, you killed your family. Ran your sword through your wife and son and burned your daughter alive." She replied.
"It wasn't me!! That vile vampire put me up to it." I screamed back as I felt rage well up in me.
"It wasn't his hands that held the sword Dracar it was yours and deep down you know you could have stopped it. Weak was your resolve weak was your mind weak were your hands when you killed your wife." The woman replied mocking me.
Rage filled my being as the woman continued to mock me.
"You have no idea what you are talking about," I replied gritting my teeth as my fist clenched tightly.
"Weakness disgusts me son of Akatosh for that weakness enabled me to infest your dreams." The woman replied scornfully.
The realization hit me I was standing before the deadric prince of nightmares psychological terror and torment.
I scoffed.
"Finally I understand, you are Vearmina. The deadric lord of nightmares you are punishing me you are leeching off my torment." I replied stoically.
The deadric prince looked at me shocked for a moment before she began to laugh loudly.
"So now you know my identity you think it will change anything? You are a being tormented by many things someone with so many demons I could draw power from your terror for an eternity hahaha." Vearmina laughed wickedly.
"Not if I can stop it." A familiar voice resounded through the realm.
Vearmina seemed shocked as she glanced around her for the origin of the unknown voice.
Her eyes widened as she saw a woman standing next to Dracar.
"Serana..." I said smiling weakly at the female vampire locking eyes with her she returned my smile with a radiant one.
"Hey, there hero it's time I get you out of here," Serana said as she caressed my face.
Somehow with Serana being here, I found the strength to stand again. As I slowly stood up beside the female vampire.
"HOW CAN THIS BE!! WHO ARE YOU !" Vearmina screamed as the very foundations of the realm began to shake. She could feel her hold of Dracar's soul diminish rapidly.
I smiled at Serana as I took her hand.
"Are you ready?" She asked smiling widely at me her loving gaze made my heart flutter.
"Just a moment," I said as I turned my attention toward Vearmina.
"The days of you tormenting my soul ends here," I said as I felt my dragon blood boil.
I turned towards my house.
FUS RO DAH*
The enormous shockwave blasted the house to pieces as Vearmina screamed in defiance. I grabbed Serana's hand and I could feel myself being pulled upwards at incredible speed.
Slowly my eyes opened as I was met with the familiar sight of Mundus two moons I sighed in relief as a massive headache started welling up.
My eyes started to water as I looked to my side a perplexed Falion and a worried Serana stood beside me.
Serana came closer quickly as she wrapped her arms around me softly stroking through my brown hair.
"You are save Dracar." She whispered as she kept caressing my hair.
My arms wrapped around her tightly as finally, my feelings returned to me I began to shake in her embrace.
"Thank you..." I softly whispered.
After a while of holding each other, I slowly got up from the altar. The enormous headache was still present as I sighed again.
"You have no idea what I just went through," I said as I rubbed my temple.
Serana looked at me with a loving gaze.
"You don't have to recall the events Dracar just try to forget it okay," Serana replied.
"I Don't think I ever will Serana I am just glad to be back," I said grimacing at the events that just transpired.
Falion then stepped up.
"Where did your soul go to? Were you caught in oblivion? " He asked intrigued.
Serana shot him a dangerous look but I shook my head at her.
"I was in the realm of Vearmina, she was feeding off my soul's turmoil. How it happened I have no idea all I remember was an enormous power pulling me down as you performed the ritual." I replied still rubbing my head.
"Interesting! I have to document this in my research. Well, I won't bother you about this anymore. I am glad you are back here." Falion replied as he took some notes in his journal.
"Thank you for curing me Falion," I replied as I smiled at the man.
Falion smiled back at me.
"You don't have to thank me I would do it anytime," Falion replied as he walked off.
I turned to look at Serana who smiled at me.
"Can you help me up? I am still a bit dazed." I asked her.
She helped me up and we walked back towards the castle. As we were slowly strolling up to the gate I couldn't help but wonder how Serana had saved me. Finally, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to ask her.
"So, Serana how did you manage to save me?" I asked.
Serana seemed a bit uncomfortable at my question as she averted her eyes from me. She fidgeted with her fingers as she looked like a kid caught with her hands in the cookie jar.
"Please don't get mad..."She replied almost inaudibly.
"I would never Serana you saved my life you don't know what I had to see down there," I replied nudging her softly.
Serana sighed as she took a deep breath.
"I enthralled you that's why you are having trouble walking and why you are having that headache..." Serana replied softly.
"I see, thank you Serana," I replied smiling at the woman.
Serana looked at me with a surprised expression.
"Wait, you aren't mad at me??" She asked as she looked at me.
"No, that place was a nightmare I couldn't do anything I was powerless that vile Deadra did unspeakable things. Like I said I'm glad to be back. Without you here I would have been stuck there for eternity..." I replied gritting my teeth as I grimaced at the thought.
Serana smiled at me.
"I would do anything to keep you safe. I am sorry I couldn't prevent you from experiencing whatever you saw there." Serana replied apologetically.
"It is not your fault you are always here for me saved me multiple times now I am glad you are with me. I don't ever want to lose you Serana you mean the world to me." I spoke as unfiltered honesty left my lips.
One thing I have learned from being there is that life is hard and unforgiving so I have to treasure the people closest to me. Especially her in the short time I have known her she rid my dreams of nightmares and showed me how great life can be and that it is worth living again. I will never descend into despair again. * I thought as I looked at the flustered vampire.
Serena's heart skipped a beat at my words as she felt heat rise to her cheeks she couldn't help but blush at the handsome man's words.
She had grown dependent on him not in a protective kind of way but in a way she couldn't imagine living her life without the Imperial. He made her feel wanted important appreciated and loved. To be fair she had fallen for him the first time she saw him strictly on appearance she was heartbroken at his hatred for her in the beginning but hearing him say these words affirming he feels the same made her so happy.
"I feel the same way Dracar. And don't worry together we can face anything." She replied looking at me intently.
Her face inching closer to mine as I did the same feeling her cold breath on my lips intoxicated me as the sweet smell of juniper berries filled my nostrils.
She softly caressed my face as her lips grazed against mine I parted my lips to allow her tongue to enter my mouth.
We softly kissed each other as our hands were holding each other's faces.
Serana then parted her lips from mine as she looked at me intently her cheeks a soft rose color while she bit the underside of her lips.
I was probably just as flustered as she was. As we stood there in comfortable silence just looking at each other.
"That was... nice," Serana said breaking the silence.
"It was," I replied looking at the beautiful woman before me.
Suddenly the gates opened and Isran stood before us.
"Are you two going to get in ?" He asked with a quirked eyebrow.
We both blushed a bit as we walked past the redguard.
Isran laid his hand on my shoulder stopping me in my tracks.
"I am glad you survived Dracar now get some rest the both of you," Isran said as he walked away.
Serana and I walked to our quarters.
"Do you think he noticed?" Serana spoke up.
"Oh, he noticed," I replied with a smirk.
"He must think you are a traitor," Serana replied smiling.
"Kissing with a creature he hates he must be fuming hahaha," I replied.
"I can see him foaming with anger hahaha." Serana laughed
As we entered our quarters we made ready for bed. For the first time we laid down holding each other I felt a soothing calm feeling come over me as I felt myself falling into a deep slumber.
The next morning I awoke from one of the best night's sleep in a long time. My chest felt heavy as the female vampire was snuggled on my chest slightly drooling.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight as I softly ran my fingers through her hair black hair.
"Please a few more minutesss," Serana murmured to which I couldn't help but smile widely.
For a moment all the problems of Skyrim seemed to fade and it was just me and Serana laying in bed cuddling no care in the world but enjoying each other's company.
The moment was fleeting however as we were shaken from our intimate moment by a knock on our door.
I groaned loudly annoyed at the person who dared disrupt our peace.
I reluctantly left Serana which sighed in deviance.
"Can't you just ignore whoever is at the door and stay with me." She said as she perked her lips in a pout.
If I was honest with myself I wanted nothing more than lay with her for the rest of my days, but I know that there was no time for this. No time to play lovey-dovey with the female vampire there was too much at stake and too much to lose.
I slowly strolled over to the door and was met with Dexion the imperial scholar.
He didn't have his eyes covered anymore which told me his sight had recovered.
"Ah, Dracar, Serana I hope I am not intruding. But I found something quite interesting for the both of you." Dexion said with an excited tone.
"You kinda are..." I could barely hear an annoyed Serana say.
I shot her a look at which she pouted at me again.
If there was one thing I knew about Dexion he only got excited if it involved knowledge or another elder scroll. The man's gleeful smile told me it was probably the latter.
"You weren't Dexion we were just getting up from bed we had a taxing few days behind us," I replied returning a smile to the scholar.
"Ah, I see I am glad you both are okay in your line of work taxing days spell nothing but misfortune. I hope my news can get the both of you in high spirits." Dexion replied with a hint of worry in his voice I couldn't help but like the man. He was thoughtful well mannered and very intelligent something Skyrim could use more of.
"Do tell your news Dexion I am eager to hear about your discovery," I replied with a smile.
Dexion waved his hands at me shaking his head.
"Please, proceed with your morning ritual I would just like to speak to you after breakfast. Would the both of you please come to my study after eating?" Dexion replied before excusing himself.
I closed the door and glanced at Serana who seemed intrigued as to what the moth priest had to tell us.
"What do you think he has to tell us?" Serana asked as she got out of bed. She was wearing nothing but a loose-fitting shirt and underwear and I can't help but gawk at the amazing sight before me.
Serana noticing me staring smirked.
"You pervert eyeing me up and down like that you should be ashamed of yourself have some decency!" Serana said fake glaring at me sneaking a seductive wink in there.
My face must have been so red as a tomato because Serana burst out in melodic laughter. Before nudging me slightly.
"I don't mind if it is you looking just keep something for the imagination will you." She purred in my ear which made me shudder.
Left speechless and flustered I decided it was best to not entertain her teasing further and just dress myself.
Serana made a few more teasing comments as she dressed herself as well before following me to the dining hall.
Once there I noticed the rest of the dawnguard soldiers didn't have the fear in their eyes anymore as they looked at me. Probably word has gone around of me being cured, Serana and I ate our breakfast and made our way over to Dexion's study.
Once we entered the smell of old books filled the air. As I looked around the room was littered with books laying on a desk in the middle of the room and bookcases were placed against every wall. It seemed Dexion had collected quite a collection in his short time in Skyrim.
The man I question was sitting at his desk rummaging through a pile of books. He looked up noticing us and smiled.
"Ah, Dracar, Serana I'm so glad the both of you could come so quickly." He said.
"It's no problem Dexion we are anxious to hear about your discovery no more blinding accidents I hope," I remarked which earned me a laugh.
"Hahaha, no Dracar nothing of the sort however it is related to the cause of my blindness. I seem to have stumbled upon a possible location of another elder scroll." Dexion replied as he rummaged through some books a bit more.
"Where is it? I swear I had it laying here somewhere." Dexion murmured to himself as he frantically searched through the pile of books.
"Need some help searching?" I asked.
"No, I have it right here somewhere please have some patience with an old man." Dexion responded before pulling a book with a golden-lined cover out of the pile.
"Ah, here it is! Please the both of you come closer." Dexion said excitedly as he opened the book and motioned us to come closer.
Both I and Serana walked over to either side of Dexion looking over his shoulder at the book Dexion scrolled through the pages. Before ending up on a page that described an event in the past.
"See here these few pages are telling about an ancient legend of three heroes who defeated Alduin back in the age of dragons," Dexion remarked reading through the pages of the book.
"At first I was skeptical as a man such as me knows better than to trust legend-related literature. But after reading for a while I became intrigued by the details of the story." Dexion continued flipping another page over an illustration of three people fighting Alduin were depicted in it. Looking at it my eyes widened what seemed like a mage was holding an elder scroll.
"Is that what I think it is?" Both me and Serana spoke up.
Dexion smiled at us.
"Yes, it is! The story tells of the three warriors defeating the world eater with an elder scroll banishing the dragon through time and space. Once I noticed this I just had to get you two." Dexion said excitedly.
"What!! Does the book tell anything about the location of the elder scroll?" I almost yelled.
With a third elder scroll we could finally read the entire prophecy and maybe find a way to defeat both Harkon and Alduin. I glanced over at Dexion hopefully but his expression wasn't what I was expecting Of course there had to be a catch. Nothing came easy in our recent adventures.
"Sadly the story doesn't disclose the location of an elder scroll," Dexion replied apologetically.
"Well, that gets us far," Serana remarked I shot her a look at which she shrugged her shoulders with a (what its the truth) look on her face.
"You are right Serana however I might know a few people who could point you in the right direction," Dexion replied.
A glimmer of hope went through me as I looked at the moth priest.
"Please tell us," I said hopefully.
"High Hrothgar, the story also tells us that Alduin was defeated at the throat of the world. If there are people who could tell you where to find that elder scroll it is them." Dexion remarked.
"Thank you Dexion we will make sure to go there when we head off we are truly grateful for your help. We wouldn't have known where to look without you." I said as I patted the old man on his back.
Dexion smiled at me.
"Now hurry you two, you have a world to save." Dexion spoke after us as we left his study.
Serana and I looked at each other both fired up at the prospect of getting one step closer to our goal.
"So, Dracar what do you think of all this? Do you believe the greybeards will know the location of an elder scroll?" Serana asked clearly more skeptical than me.
I pondered on it for a while before replying, I had no idea if they know and if they do know they are willing to tell us. They have always been clear about letting the natural order of things happen as they should happen. So intervening between quarrels is unlikely for them.
"I don't know Serana they have always been reluctant to help us out with matters which regard violence. If they knew I doubt they would tell us Paarthurnax however might be a completely different story seeing as he rebelled against Alduin." I remarked.
"Let us hope so Dracar I don't look forward to another wild goose chase through the entire province," Serana said as she sighed loudly.
We packed up our gear and made ready for the two-day trip toward the throat of the world. Making sure we had enough healing potions food and septims. For all, we knew this was going to take a long time and we best be prepared for anything.
I made sure to go to Sorine as Isran told me she had finished her new crossbow designs. They apparently had more firepower and the bolts presumably exploded on impact which I couldn't lie sounded quite effective for any adversary we might encounter.
I wasn't proficient at using bows but was reassured the crossbow required little to no skill just aim fire and cog the springs again.
Seems straightforward enough.* I thought to myself as I inspected the mechanism. I coged a bolt in-between the holding mechanism and the string and aimed it at a target.
Placing my finger at the trigger I fired the bolt moved faster than any arrow I had ever seen and after connecting with its mark it exploded blowing straw and splinters in every direction.
"Impressive, but please please watch out where you point that thing!" Serana remarked urgently.
Meanwhile, my eyes were filled with a childlike glee as my lips curled into an evil smile.
"THIS THING IS AWESOME!" I screamed into the air at which Serana shook her head.
"Man... helpless always craving destruction." She remarked looking at me sternly.
I nudged Serana softly as I held the thing up high.
"Come on Serana! This thing IS GREAT ." I yelled out once again ecstatic.
Serana just sighed and shook her head again but couldn't help but smile a little at my child-like glee.
"Are you ready to go?" She asked as she mounted her horse.
"I am ready," I replied as I confidently got up my horse.
So here it is guys chapter seventeen, sorry for the long wait I know some of you have been waiting for a while for this. The holidays just had me preoccupied with the more important things in life family my beautiful girlfriend and enjoying the moments we spent together.
Well anyway, enough about me I hope all of you had a great Christmas and New Year I hope all your wishes for this year will come true, and enjoy this chapter.
As always your comments votes and nice replies are deeply appreciated it brings me a lot of joy knowing you like my writing.