CHAPTER TWO

...Mortal,

Finite,

Temporary...

"Dovahkiin! Dovahkiin! Dovahkiin!"

The crowd was enraged with excitement.

This was the first moment in awhile I was met with one of my half brothers. Steam escaped the vessels in his snout.

"Dovahkiin, Nii los aan."

Dragonborn, it is a pleasure.

I gave him a simple nod, his eyes had the same idea mine seemed to convey.

One thing I learned fighting dragons, not all of them come off hostile at first. You can't trust a dovah all the time. They are sneaky.

Without warning, the dovah broke free from his chains and the wind of force sent me on my behind. I closed my eyes and hit the ground, rolling on my side in pain.

As I peered up, the dragon now hovered over me. His wings spread in a glorious and beautiful arch.

"Hi los nid ronit fah aan real dovah."

You are no match for a real dragon.

I narrowed my eyes, this was my chance. I need to escape. This is it!

"The Dragonborn leaves his people for almost three years without a word."

Those words resonated in my bones, it made my chest ache with a growing pain I could not decipher. I sat there, my only chance was about to pass me by. Was it worth it? Could I get out of here? What would everyone say?

"Show zu'u daar hi los aan real Dovahkiin."

Show me you are a real Dragonborn.

The dragon spoke firmly, flapping its wings.

And just like that, I snapped out of it.

My feet felt more like on the ground and my hands lay at my sides.

"Joor Zah Frul!" I shouted, my voice was just as strong as it was before. The Thu'um was in my veins. The dragon staggered in the air, just before he hit the ground and landed.

I ran towards him, no weapons, no intent to hurt the dovah.

Quickly and swiftly, my feet left the ground as I leapt toward him. My hands dug into his scales and I used them as a ladder into its neck. The shout wore off and before I knew it…we were flying through the clouds.

The massive crowd filled with cheering soon faded away and got smaller beneath me. The loud wind replaced my quiet thoughts.

"Kolos wah, smart gein?"

Where to, smart one?

"Home."

-

I woke up naked in a barn.

My feet where frozen and I was tucked away beneath the straw. My hair was a mess and I slowly started to wake up. I stretched and let out a big yawn. My back was so sore.

What the hell did I do last night?

As I sat up, my head was pounding. I reeked of mead and cheese. Gross.

All I remember was the dovah dropping me off and I went into a nearby Inn to get a drink. Maybe that cat drugged me at the bar. Whatever happened, it's probably best I don't remember.

I looked around and stood up, I was in Whiterun hold. I could barely feel the wind hit my face as birds chirped and flew over me.

I still remember the path to my old home at the gates of Whiterun, maybe I should try and find that road again.

I look around and spot a landmark, it was a giant tree that poked out from most. I started to walk in that direction, kicking rocks as I went. Breathing this fresh air for the first time was amazing, I could enjoy it even more if I could feel.

I erupted from the trees to see the familiar road still here, I stepped out and looked around before seeing a sign that could point me towards my destination. I saw a woman standing on the nearby bridge, she and her husband were looking at the waterfall that draped across a cave, birds chirping and butterflies fluttering around them.

Before I could react, I spotted an orc in heavy plated armor, some type of hammer on his back as he approached this couple.

His voice was deep and gruff, I raised a brow as he spoke about vampires. I could hear every word he said as my ears shot up, what was he on about?

Wait, I think he's a vampire hunter. They haven't been around for a long time, why come back now?

I quickly walked down the other path before he could see me. It seemed like vampires were popular right now, at least not in a good way. The thought of vampires gave me chills, I wasn't fond of bloodsuckers. My thoughts clouded my mind as I finally made my way to the major city, Whiterun.

I got strange stares from a few people, they probably noticed my appearance. My eyes were gaunt and my skin was cold and slightly clammy—luckily they couldn't see that. People would usually mistake me for a vampire or something.

I paused, hearing the creak of Whiterun's wood gates. I slightly turned and...what?

That orc...

Was he following me? Or was this just a coincidence?

He vaguely started to approach me, eyeing me suspiciously. I froze and rose a brow, trying to form a polite smile, forgetting he couldn't see my face.

It's a good thing he didn't recognize who I am.

"Hey, you know anything about vampires?" He asks roughly, trying to act tough. I know that look in his eyes, it's fear but also experience. I scan him, taking my time to respond in a cold voice that would usually cause many to run.

Just kidding, I tried to respond nicely.

"Vampires? The ones that suck blood for a living and hate the sun like the Thalmor hate Talos?" I answer, a bit of humor in my tone as I stared at the orc.

"My colleagues and I are trying to bring the Dawnguard back up again. Are you looking to kill vampires?" He asks with authority, crossing his arms as he stood across from me. He completely passed up the laugh I was expecting from him.

I narrowed my eyes, not letting my guard down. I don't know if I should trust this man, even if I wanted to hunt vampires or something.

Part of me actually wanted to do this, another part of me was reluctant but accepting. Maybe I just needed one last adventure to log into my notebook.

One last adventure...

"Alright, where do I sign up?" I answer confidently, the orc bursting out in a fit of laughter.

"I can tell Isran is going to like you. Fort Dawnguard is just east of Riften, head on up and you'll see a cave. Just through there is the fort, I'll mark it on your map. I'm Durak by the way, good to meet you." He says nicely, his entire tone changing.

I handed him my map from my satchel.

As I slid it out from the front pocket, my dagger fell as I turned around—it hit the ground, causing a small clank.

I suddenly began to zone out as Durak continued to go on about the Dawnguard. Voices started to echo through my head as I blankly stared at the dagger.

I could hear screams of terror, frustrated yells, and cries for help. Even some of my past mistakes. My hands urging you reach down and grab it...and...

"Divines save us!"

"Sweet mother, sweet mother..."

"Get up."

"Please god no!"

"You actually came! I knew you would!"

"I wish your mother were here."

"Your first contract, hmm?"

"You're an assassin!"

"Tell my daughter I love her."

"You don't have to do this, please!"

"Get away from me!"

"Stop! You're hurting him!"

"Monster!"

Monster. That echoed through my mind.

My heart began to pick up pace and I almost collapsed right then and there. With the touch of a gloved hand, I was brought back into reality as I sucked in a deep breath. What in the oblivion just happened?

Durak places his hand over my shoulder, asking if I was alright. I squeezed my eyes shut, opening them once more to look at Durak with confusion.

"I said are you alright? You seemed out of it. Sure you're ready to fight?" He asks sincerely, letting go of my shoulder as I glanced at his hand. I quickly nodded, yanking the dagger up and shoving it far down into my knapsack where it couldn't get free. I wanted to block out the noise, just the slight touch of the dagger within my grasp erupted a deep hunger for power inside my core. I tried my best to ignore it.

"Okay, I'll see you at the fort." He says smugly before walking off, going to talk to more men about joining up with the Dawnguard. He was on some recruiting mission.

I stood there, almost lifeless as I tried to calm down. I started to feel a pounding in my head, knowing what caused the headache. Though, I guess I should keep moving and try to get to the fort. I'll stop by my home before I make my way there.

-

I entered my breeze home, resting my knapsack in a chair beside the fire and sat in the opposite chair.

The fire resides within me, in my blood. It fuels my power.

But it's dangerous too, if you get too close, you just might get hurt.

No—you will.

The past couple of years have gained me experience, I promised myself to never get close with anyone ever again. Maybe that's why I'm so distant most of the time. People only know me because of the stories told by their friends and family, or songs that bards sing in Inns.

I don't feel like much of a legend as people make me to be. I feel like a coward.

For hours, I sat by the fire, gazing.

What next?

Later, I decided I should get some rest. I hurried up the stairs after I made sure my doors were locked tight. When I first bought this home, I made sure to craft at least four more locks to install on my door.

It's just something an old friend taught me. Esbern was such a stubborn old man but he sure knew how to keep himself safe and put away.

As I fell into the cotton bed, I instantly descended into a deep slumber.

Morning came quick, it seemed like the flick of a torch that the sun decided to rise. I stretched out and sat up from my bed, looking around to see I was at home still. My scars from the camp pulsed, reminding me that I finally escaped that hell.

I didn't know what time it was but I knew the sun was high in the sky. I left my room and went downstairs into my armory, seeing all my old armor collecting dust.

Then I spotted something that caught my eye.

It was my original set of armor.

People knew me by just looking at me when I wore this. Was it such a bad idea? I'm back and I'm staying for good, why not let people know? No. That was the dumbest idea I've come up with, and I've came up with a lot of them, I thought.

I dashed over and blew on the shoulder piece, dust erupted into the air. I scrunched up my nose, collapsing into a fit of coughs.

It took me some time but I dusted my armor, making sure it looked presentable.

Who am I kidding, I'm not going anywhere wearing that.

I just had to step back and look at it.

It looked brand new, although a few scratches and fixed damages were seen. It was dragon bone armor. It's the finest set of armor I have ever seen, I remember I used to use ebony half the time.

That reminds me, I think I have a set stowed away somewhere. I don't think I've ever worn it.

Ebony chain mail or something of the sort. I remember putting it on one time and it killed my companion I met on the road, some cracked orc. I should have known he was trying to kill me, the man was off Skooma half the time.

It emits this smoke, a poisonous and deadly weapon at that. I rarely need to swing an axe just to get my hit in.

Maybe I could wear this to that Dawnguard place.