The fields of Dawnstar were filled with a host consisting of the Soldiers of the Pale, the Vigilants of Stendarr who were present, the Companions, and the College of Winterhold, all combined with one goal: to close the portal on the mountain top and guard the city and northern province.

Horik and Jarl Brina watched Madena as she stood nearby. They hadn't known the mage herself, but there was no secret that she was a pacifist. And yet, she made no argument nor struggle when they requested she join them for battle in the fields. Though, it could have simply been because she intended to play a supporting role in combat rather than an aggressive one.

Whether she was truly an impostor or not, would soon be revealed, and they were ready to see it.

The barrier was finally growing weak. Whatever had sprung it was either put out of commission, or decided that it was time to allow the slaughter. There was precious little time left, and the forces tallied what they had available at this time. Were they enough, though?

The Daedra atop the mountains glared venomously towards the stirring army guarding Dawnstar. The Vigilants, Companions, Pale Militant, and the Mages of Winterhold gathered their forces to meet them there, and were preparing themselves to charge straight through the field and into the Hall of the Vigilant.

J'zargo shuffled through his scrolls and came upon one sort that he thought would suffice: his experimental Flame Cloaks. All he had to do was wield them, and encourage the others to do so. "With these scrolls J'zargo so skillfully weaved, we will create a wall of flames when the time is there."

Irbrand Bienne approached Nirtius Pontanian and whispered something to the Agent of Righteous Might. His boss then turned to Keeper Thorondir and explained the situation. "This barrier is weakening. I can see it. We've set the Runic Traps at the exit points of the cliffs. We've positioned men on each quarter. We can block their descent and make a straight path to the Hall."

Keeper Thorondir, Vigilant Altano, Vigilant Jacob, and Vigilant Gwyneth could see tears in the ethereal gray veil, themselves, and recognized that there was not enough time.

Vigilant Tolan and Brother Adalvald were ready. "I'm gonna form a forward wall with Adalvald." Tolan began, "We're gonna stay in front of the pack and guide the Keeper to the Hall. The rest of you cover the flanks." He turned to Gwyneth, Jacob and Altano when he ordered this.

"We hold the authority here." Altano protested. "You are not to give us orders."

Thorondir raised a hand. "Calm, Altano. Calm. As Keeper, all final positions are my domain to determine. I think Vigilant Tolan and Brother Adalvald, knowing the field better than the rest of us, would make the better forward."

Tolfdir turned to the Mages under his charge. "We have to do this; not just for Dawnstar, but for Winterhold, as well. No doubt if the Daedra are victorious here, they will come for us next."

Brelyna raised her hand. "Arch-Mage, I think we can assume that if they've broken open a portal here, that they've probably done it elsewhere too. Or at least intend to."

"How are they doing it? These portals have been closed for two-hundred years!" Vilkas grew frustrated, looking to his fellow Companions for information on this one. Last he knew, the portals were sealed tight; obscured. Hidden away. Never seen nor mentioned again. Two whole centuries had passed since the Oblivion Crisis.

"They have to desecrate the Shrines. With the Aedric influence diminished, then they can come to our world!" came a familiar voice from beyond the crowd.

Keeper Thorondir, Vigilant Tolan, Jarl Brina Merilis, Nirtius Pontanian, and Tolfdir watched as Silus Vesuius, clad in Vigilant Robes squeezed through the Pale Soldiers with Vigilant Greyvild and his troops with him.

"You-!" Viigilant Tolan's voice became a low growl as he addressed the wizard directly. He was about to lunge for him, but Brother Adalvald held him back and Vigilant Greyvild quickly shifted between them.

"This man has repented of his ways. He has come to help us save Skyrim!" Vigilant Greyvild tried to advocate for the foolish wizard.

Tolan was not having it. He wrested aggressively from Adalvald's grip. "You can't seriously believe that! We've been chasing this little bastard down for the last two years, and now he shows up here, dressed like one of us, an' you expect us to believe that he just suddenly had a change of heart?"

Nirtius Pontanian kept an eye on the barrier, and the other on Silus. "I agree. Silus Vesuius is a known member of the Mythic Dawn. If he is sincere about his conversion, he has much to prove and to answer for."

"Yes; perhaps a gesture of good faith." Keeper Thorondir proposed.

"I say we put him on the front lines and be done with it." Drevis Neloren added in, his nose curling with disgust.

"You want a gesture of good faith? Here it is!" Silus thrusted a finger towards Madena, who stood next to the Jarl. "She's a Mythic Dawn agent disguised as Madena! Kill her, quickly!"

The Mage's eyes grew dark and she snarled furiously. "Filthy traitor!" She quickly unsheathed a dagger. Everyone collectively flinched, and the soldiers unsheathed their swords.

"Unhand the Jarl!"

"Step away from her!"

"STOP HER!" Kodlak shouted aloud, gathering the Companions' attention as the fake Madena brought the knife to Jarl Brina's neck and pressed down on her flesh with the edge.

"You're all going to die anyway. It doesn't matter." spat the Mythic Dawn Cultist. "I look forward to seeing you again in the Deadlands, Silus."

Fortunately, though, Brina was a seasoned fighter, and squeezed her wrist tightly, causing the false Court Wizard to drop the knife. Then Brina headbutted her backwards and Horik caught her, and impaled the witch with his sword, through her back. "Showed your true colours at last, did you?"

Phinis Gestor shook his head. "I had a feeling. After all, I did speak with her spirit. Why does nobody ever believe me?"

Vigilant Tolan sneered. "Hmph. This still doesn't justify him. Just shows he's capable of betraying anyone."

At that moment, Vigilant Greyvild stood up to him. "I vouch for this man. Now, we have more important matters at hand, do we not, Keeper?"

It was at that moment, the earth trembled beneath their feet and the world itself seemed to shake. The Winterhold Professors pushed their students back and readied themselves. The Companions stood far away from the source of the tremor: the veil itself, and the Soldiers immediately backed away.

Down went the gray barrier, exploding into a burst of silver dust in the air. Its sudden destruction left for little time to react, but all the while, the army was dumbstruck.

The snow began to come down from above in a tempest, having grown harder overtime.

Author's Note: for this battle, play "Skyrim OST - Tooth and Claw" :)

The Daedra atop the mountain took it as their cue, and began their violent descent down the mountain. Roaring footsteps clamoured against the shouts of the rushing Nords as Tolan and Adalvald took the front center, warhammer and greatsword at the ready. Keeper Thorondir stuck to his plan, and took the center, flanked by Altano and Jacob, and supported by Gwyneth.

Nirtius Pontanian and Irbrand Bienne nodded to one another and formed the sides of the Vigilant arrowhead formation, behind Jacob and Altano, respectively. The Vigilants who'd accompanied them followed them strictly while those come from Cyrodiil took the middle, supporting the new Keeper and his council. Silus Vesuius, Vigilant Greyvild and the ones who'd accompanied them on their voyage from Wyrmstooth took to the sides to form a protective outer layer.

The legion of Pale Soldiers took the western flank, in attempt to reroute the Daedra from the roundabout of the mountain, and the Companions took the right flank, separating to the steps of the mountain leading down from Dimhollow Crypt.

Vilkas, Farkas and Aela shifted into their Werewolf forms and let out a bloodcurdling howl, which struck fear into the surrounding allies and enemies alike. On all fours, they proceeded to race up the mountain.

Sounds of blasts were heard as the Daedra activated the Rune Traps. Some were engulfed with fire and others frozen and paralyzed, holding back their troops on the narrow walkways. Those who descended past them immediately caught engagement with the werewolves, who clawed and bit them, tanking many futile hits from their swords before throwing them over the cliffside.

Ria, who was accompanied now by Athis, Njada, and Torvar, was surprised herself at seeing what the Circle had kept hidden from them for years. Still, the minor Companions, though clumsy they were in battle, improved greatly over the years. They engaged the Dremora and Spider Daedra fearlessly - with fervour that would make Ysgramor himself proud.

Blades clashed, claws scratched, and bodies piled up before them, rolling down the hill and turning to dust. Njada laughed maniacally as her hide helmet was knocked off her head by a bolt of lightning, fired by a Spider Daedra.

The winds howled as violently as the werewolves had as streams of snow blew in ribbons off of the stones, a reflection of the intensity of the war before them.

"What? That the best you have?" she laughed as she recklessly dashed ahead.

"NJADA! WAIT!" Ria called out to her Shield-Sister as she sped past her, greatsword in hand.

Njada brought the greatsword upwards in a looping arc, sliding its tip against the stone floor, and cut the head off the Spider Daedra who'd shot her. She accompanied it by kicking the body, using it as a springboard and bringing her sword down on a Dremora's head, burying it in his forehead.

The Winterhold Mages braced themselves and broke up to assist each of the factions. Brelyna joined the Companions, accompanied by J'zargo, Onmund, Faralda, and Nirya.

Colette, Tolfdir, and Drevis accompanied the Vigilants who were heading straight for the Hall of the Vigilant.

Amidst the tempest's fury, the cliffside stood defiant, its jagged edges slicing through the roiling mist. The sun, a pale witness obscured behind the gray storm clouds, cast its silvery gaze upon the battlefield below. Here, the veil between realms was thin, and the howls of war echoed through the open abyss.

The three werewolves, their fur matted with blood from innumerable cuts and their predatory eyes aflame, paced along the precipice with fangs bared. They ascended past the other Companions by leaping onto the ledge above. Their claws scraped against the cold stone, and their breaths formed ghostly plumes in the frozen air. They were monsters to be reckoned with, and the Daedra were about to learn why. Though of similar influence, these were no ordinary beasts; they were cursed warriors, bound by lunar madness and primal hunger.

Mehrunes Dagon's forces were about to feel the unbending wrath of Hircine's hunters.

Across from them, six Dremora emerged from the cast shadows of the upper mount. Their forms twisted and grotesque, each one a mockery of life. Horns curved like scythes, and their eyes glowed with malevolence on their red faces. They bore weapons forged in the fires of the Deadlands: serrated blades, spiked maces, and pikes forged of black ebony metal.

The battle began with a feral charge. The werewolves lunged, teeth bared, while the fiends met them with cunning precision. Claws clashed against arms, and the air sizzled with dark magic. The cliffside trembled as they grappled, their bodies twisting in a deadly dance.

Lycanthropic fury collided with Daedric cunning. Farkas, with his daggerlike teeth, tore through a Dremora's cuirass and into its chest, its black ichor staining the rocks to the left of them as it was throttled and launched through the air into its horde. But an Imp that hovered on the stones above conjured flames that engulfed Farkas, causing him to wrestle on his feet to put them out. This left him vulnerable to the stabs of a pike, which tore into his stomach.

The Dremora who'd impaled him was quickly dispatched by the elder Kodlak with a thrust of his battleaxe, the blunt top of it pushing him backwards and loosing the weapon from Farkas' body.

Brelyna's Frost Atronach lumbered up onto the field and Onmund cast a Healing spell on the wounded Vilkas.

The third werewolf, Aela leaped onto a narrow ledge on the rocks to their right. Her eyes locked with the Imp who was loosing flame spells. The Imp's wings unfurled, and it soared toward her, claws extended. Aela's fangs sank into his shoulder, but he laughed—a sound like razor blades on glass.

This opened her up for attack by the other Imps who'd reared their ugly heads at last, and they loosed a bombardment of attacks on the warriors below, including the red werewolf herself. Forced to release her quarry, she leapt out of the way nimbly and used Brelyna's Atronach as a shield as the others had. Its large, towering ice form provided decent cover from not just the bolts, but of the Daedric arrows being loosed by Dremora.

Below, the Daedra fought with unholy fervor against the Companions and Pale Guards on both sides. One of the Daedroths, a hulking brute, swung his mace, shattering the ground before Horik.

"We cannot let them have a quarter!" shouted Altano as he cast a Fireball at the Daedra who were swarming in front of the Hall of the Vigilant now. They were leaping off the precipice above in attempt to gatekeep them from the corrupted Shrine.

Vilkas and another large Daedroth above grappled, their bodies teetering on the edge. The fiend tore a large chunk of flesh from his shoulder with its mighty jaws. The Companion glimpsed the earth far below; a cooking ground steaming with dark souls being caught by swords and pikes. The Daedra were unrelenting; merciless. He could feel the world clouding before his eyes as the altitude stirred him. He and the Daedroth were shoulder-bound, attempting to throw one another off the high cliff. Rocks slid under his wolflike foot and dropped far below. With a determined surge of strength, Vilkas hurled the crocodile Daedra down into the open chasm. His scream echoed, fading into nothingness as his body ceased to exist against the ground.

But the cost was high. Vilkas's shoulder bled profusely, and his vision blurred. He lost consciousness and fell, and rolled down the mountain, knocking down Onmund and Brelyna upon descent. The Daedra piled down his path and converged before the mages and wounded werewolf, their malefic intent palpable. Yet, from the shadows, a mysterious figure emerged—a wizened sorceress with eyes like ancient stars.

Faralda took no prisoners. She raised her hands and the cliffside quaked. Lightning split the sky, striking the Dremoras. Their forms disintegrated, leaving only smoke and ash. The werewolves, wounded but alive, looked to her with awe.

"Perhaps... there may be something to this... magic business after all." Vilkas admitted wearily as his body began to mend itself.

The Cyrodiilic Vigilants of Stendarr stood resolute. Clad in pine green robes over silver armor, and with unwavering faith, they faced the Daedric onslaught with boldness that impressed their Nord allies. Each soldier bore the weight of their duty—to protect the mortal realm from these malevolent entities.

The guards of the Pale had often scoffed and mocked the Vigil from behind closed doors, but now, seeing the horrors with which they contended, they developed respect for the organization.

The enemy Flame Atronachs surged forth, summoned by Dremora. Their fiery forms scorched the very air. Explosive balls of fire hurled through the air at them and at the Pale Soldiers. The Vigilants raised their warding spells, but the flames licked their skin, leaving scorching marks. Some soldiers fell, their screams echoing through the mountain pass.

"DON'T LET UP! GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE!" ordered Jarl Brina Merilis, a voice crying out over the clamour of war.

Soldiers fell all around her, pelted by a hail of arrows from enemy Dremora. Horik leapt in front of her and held his large, diamond-shaped steel shield forward to repel incoming arrows. Brina nocked a Fire Arrow onto her bow and loosed it at one of the enemies before sliding across the ground to dodge an oncoming explosive ball of magic from a group of imps, who were relentless in their assault, blowing up trees and bluffs with their ongoing bursts.

The Hall of the Vigilant, nestled amidst the snow-laden peaks, stood as a bastion of Stendarr's unwavering light, once. Within its hallowed halls, the Vigilants of Stendarr kept vigil over the shrine—a sanctum of purity. To see the eerily red glow surrounding the building brok Vigilant Tolan's heart. It wasn't much, this place, but it was home. It was a place of comradery, of friendship, of faith, filled with many great memories.

To Silus Vesuius, however, not so much. This was the place where he was once imprisoned. He'd killed Vigilant Moric Sidrey to escape it during an event quite similar to this some time ago, and guilt filled him. "I have a lot to atone for." the Imperial whispered to himself.

"You aren't alone, Silus." Madena's voice came beside him as her spectre accompanied him, hovering by his side on the open fields.

"Madena!" Silus exclaimed his surprise at seeing her.

"The back of the mountain. Lead the Mages around the back of the mountain. The Daedra forces lie in wait there; they intend to spring an ambush on the Companions and Vigilants. I saw what they're intending to do! You can't let them do it." Madena informed him.

"A trap?"

"Yes; they are readying to drop boulders from the peak above - they are forging stones together with fire to make them." Madena explained. "Quickly!"

Silus stopped running and she disappeared. He quickly grabbed Vigilant Greyvild by the arm. "We have to bring the Winterhold mages - the other haalf of the Daedric Host is above there, readying to drop boulders on us all!"

Nirtius Pontanian furrowed his brows. "Surely my men would have told me-"

Immediately, he was impaled through the back by one of the Vigilants, who then pushed him forward using his foot.

"Traitors!" Vigilant Greyvild pulled away immediately, seeing the Agents of Righteous Might for what they really were - Mythic Dawn Cultists.

Irbrand Bienne's eyes opened wide as the visual sunk in. "Nirtius!" he cried out to his mentor.

But treachery had woven its web. The Mythic Dawn, those Daedric cultists, had infiltrated their ranks. Disguised as Vigilants, they whispered deceitful oaths and led their brethren into an ambush.

Vigilant Greyvild, the grizzled leader on Wyrmstooth, sensed the unease beforehand, but from where, he could not have known.

When the false Madena was exposed, Irbrand had thought them safe from any further deception. He could not have seen it coming in his own ranks. He looked down at Nirtius, who was bleeding out into the snow. His breath crystallized in the frigid air. Beside him was Gwyneth, now separated from the others due to the closing hoard of Dremora behind her. Her eyes sharp as ice shards, scanned the snowy expanse for a way out.

The snow blowed harshly, creating an obscuring veil of its own. There was nothing they could see in the whirlwind which surrounded them, creating a column into the air.

Vigilant Greyvild nodded at the predictable display. "Stay vigilant," he warned. "the Daedra love to play their games." He clenched his enchanted Steel Mace in one hand and casted Stoneflesh on himself.

As they trudged through the knee-deep snow, the disguised cultists flanked them— the first Cultist smirked at them. "It's a wonder your organization lasted this long. You're all so dense." his hood concealing glowing eyes, and he cast Fireballs at them.

The Fireballs exploded against the snow-coated ground, forming bellows of steam into the air. The true Vigilants rolled away from their center, dodging the blast.

The path narrowed, and the wind howled. Shadows danced among the pines. Then, the ground trembled. From the blizzard emerged the Daedric horde - Flame Atronachs, who began by immediately hurling fireballs at the poor Vigilants. Dremoras stood atop the cliffs above, as Madena had warned. They scoped the Pale Soldiers who engaged the Dremoras below.

The ambush was sprung. One of the Mythic Dawn's blades flashed, striking down a true Vigilant. The cultists revealed their true forms - wicked visages, eyes aflame with malicious glee. They were convinced that they'd won.

Irbrand Bienne rallied his brethren. "For Stendarr!" he bellowed, thrusting his two scythes into the air. His heart stung with the sudden loss of his mentor, but there was no time to mourn. He channeled that energy instead into his blades, which he began to use to cut down the foes before him.

Gwyneth's mace blazed, repelling the Flame Atronach which tried to scratch her once she'd closed the distance. It blazing claws brushed her face, burning her and causing her to fall back on isntinct.

Vigilant Greyvild swung his mace through several blasts of magic, shattering the skull of the smug cultist. He maneuvered around a hail of arrows, but took one in the calf, which caused him to trip.

Silus Immediately raised a Rock Wall to shield them from incoming arrows. He fired a Fireball into one of the Dremora who'd attacked from behind, but was fortunately met by Phinis Gestor and Tolfdir, who'd splintered away from the horde.

"They're planning an ambush! We need to take out the ones higher up!" Silus tried to gesture towards the high peaks past his Rock Wall which they'd ducked for cover behind.

Vigilant Greyvild took the time to pull the arrow out of his leg and casted a healing spell.

Irbrand Bienne looked to the ground as the sounds of splintering arrows hit the wall behind him. "How... how did I not notice that something was off about them? How did I not see? How long..."

Silus shook his head. "The Mythic Dawn are master manipulators. They always have been. The entire cult is built on lies to appeal to people with low self-esteem. I know."

The rock wall was beginning to destabilize behind them, and Silus took the opportunity with Tolfdir to fire bolts of Chain Lightning at the archers above, when Silus was hit in the left shoulder with an arrow.

The recoil caused him to fall to the ground and fumble into the snow. Phinis summoned two Storm Atronachs and had them cover the group as he helped Silus up quickly. Tolfdir cast a Paralysis Rune on the ground near one of the fleeing cultists, and she sprung the trap and dropped to the floor, unable to move.

But then the true horror emerged: a Dremora Valkyn, his obsidian armor etched with Daedric runes. His long, black, jagged sword hummed with unholy hunger. Vigilant Greyvild met his gaze, his Amulet of Stendarr glowing.

The Dremora lunged, his blade singing through the frost. Vigilant Greyvild parried, sparks flying. In the storm, guarded by the Atronachs and overseen by Tolfdir, Gwyneth chanted, invoking Stendarr's wrath.

The Dremora's laughter echoed; a sound like shattered faith.

Irbrand's scythe struck true, shattering the Dremora Valkyn's helm. Silus kept him at bay, throwing Ice Javelins into his chest while Tolfdir cast Wither on the Kynreve, causing its knees to buckle and shift slower.

Vigilant Greyvild leapt forward and smashed the Kynreve's head, and Irbrand caught the neck, and pulled forward with the scythe's blade, taking the head clean off.

The beast struck Irbrand in the chest with its blade, tearing his chest open diagonally. Blood splashed forward and the holy man dropped to his knees as war continued to rage around them.

The surviving Vigilants fought on against the oncoming horde. Gwyneth knelt beside Irbrand. "Hold on," she whispered. "Stendarr's light will heal you." With a well-meaning spell, the light enveloped his wounds and closed them.

"A-and Nirtius? Is there nothing we can do for him?" no sooner did Irbrand ask than Tolfdir raised a forcefield to block a massive oncoming stone.

"They are relentless!" Tolfdir growled as the force knocked him backwards.

Silus pointed to the pile of boulders on the top, which were already being moved by Dremora. "Damn it! We can't let them do this!" He summoned a Bound Bow, and Phinis joined. They began to loose arrows onto the moving Daedra, striking them in the head and chest and legs.

The boulder in their grasp slipped when they were struck and rolled down an incline, plummeting near the Pale forces, striking a few soldiers and Dremora alike in a massive burst of snow.

Rage consumed Vigilant Tolan - he was losing his handle on his temperament. With boiling Nordic blood in his veins, every muscle tensed and filled with might, he would rip and mangle the demons in front of his face. After all, they dared to come here. They dared to threaten his home. They dared to defile the shrine.

He would fight; he would tear his way through the fiends, even if it cost him his arms; his legs; his head. He did not care. The Vampire attack was enough. Never again.

"HHRRAAAAAARRRRRGH!" Vigilant Tolan roared as he loosed his Nordic Battle Cry, striking fear into the Daedra.

Colette Marence mended those who were wounded and J'zargo joined her, keeping the Daedra away from the healer. The others used the Flame Scrolls he'd granted to form a firewall against the advancing horde that had come from around the mountain.

"They're trying to surround us, the bastards!" Altano deduced. "There must be another route we've overlooked."

"Where is Gwyneth?" Keeper Thorondir asked, noting the disappearance of his other ally in the disorganized rabble that was their combined legion. All he could see were Dremora approaching from the west.

Everything was disorganized, and visibility was incredibly low under the blizzard that raged over the land surrounding them.

J'zargo launched Fireball after Fireball, blowing as many as he could up.

Nirya casted Ocato's Recital, granting herself a Flame Cloak, Longstride, and Steelflesh all at once. She rushed through the enemy lines boldly, tearing a line through their troops.

The Companion, Torvar, took the opportunity to nock a Lightning Arrow onto his bow and loosed it into a large pocket of Daedra, striking them en masse once it embedded itself in one. He grinned eagerly as it struck, and playfully nocked and loosed another.

Athis struck an Imp which encroached on him from behind, and pinned it to the stones through the chest.

Vigilant Tolan struck and slammed and pounded and minced his foes, taking them down, one after the next. His rage was palpable - striking fear into even his allies. He created a bloody path forward to the gate of the Hall of the Vigilant. His home. He had to fight these gnats, just to enter the front door.

He moved past the watchtowers and up the snow-covered path. He passed the outdoor forge, and Keeper Thorondir followed him tightly. Thankfully, the infrastructure made it difficult for Daedra to target them. The mountain and the buildings made for excellent cover as they poured inside the Hall.

The Horn of Stendarr, black and charred, flickered atop the Shrine, its glow dimmed by Daedric whispers. The Vigilants and mages gathered, their breath visible in the icy air.

"Stendarr's mercy, my brethren," Keeper Thorondir's voice carried resolve. "The shrine is tainted. Daedric beasts roam the winter fields. We must cleanse it before Oblivion claims us."

Brother Adalvald stepped forward, invoking Stendarr's name. He went down on one knee before the tainted shrine and lowered his face to the floor. "Great Stendarr, God of Mercy. I am so sorry that our negligence allowed for this to happen." He humbled himself before the god of mercy. "Please, aid us against this unrelenting onslaught. We are dreadfully outnumbered. Our magicks hold them at bay, but only for so long: our numbers are dwindling."

Indeed - the field was painted red with the blood of the Nord warriors, and the portal was still swarming with Daedra. They were becoming quickly overwhelmed.

As they neared the shrine, the ground trembled. From the blizzard outside, a Daedroth emerged another reptilian demon with scales like obsidian shards. It had leapt down the mountain precipices, and ambushed Colette, J'zargo, and the Vigilants. Its tail lashed, and its eyes smoldered.

"Oh, dear. Aren't you a lovely sight." Colette remarked with a shudder.

Other Dremora shifted their positions and found the right angle to fire an arrow right into her right abdomen. Colette shifted to the side and cried out in anguish, not having seen it coming.

J'zargo retaliated with a Fireball, which the Daedra dodged, and loosed an arrow into his leg. J'zargo stumbled and landed on a Vigilant, who propped him back up and assisted him with Restoration magic. He continued to launch fireballs at the enemies.

Brelyna from above used a levitation spell to get from one cliff to the other, avoiding a large patch of enemies, but was hit with a Spider Daedra's lightning bolt before she could make it fully, and she stumbled. Down she fell, before Nirya cast a Drop Zone for her to land on and avoid injury.

Colette removed the arrow and quickly began to cast Grand Healing on herself and those around her as arrows began to strike them. The Daedroth hurried forward, though something seemed to have caught its foot and caused it to trip, leaving it vulnerable.

Drevis Neloren appeared as if from thin air and shoved his dagger into its eye.

"Professor Drevis!" J'zargo called out in surprise.

"Hey, there! Haha! I can't believe that actually worked." the Dunmer declared humorously.

Colette ducked around one of the pillars on the Hall's balcony, avoiding another arrow, which stuck itself into the thick wooden log instead. She winced with pain from the last one but forced herself to smile. "Drevis, that was brilliant! Commendable thinking."

"Sure, sure." Drevis hurried through the condensed crowd who were trying to fight back against the Daedra as he made it to her safe space. "Colette - I don't want to come off as a jerk, but maybe, just maybe, you might have a spell that could hurt the Daedra? Maybe? Restoration?"

"Well... they aren't exactly Undead." Colette pondered. "Bane of the Undead wouldn't..."

"Nevermind. I have an idea." Drevis' mind's wheel turned in that instant as he saw straggling Dremora in the fields fighting the Pale Soldiers and Brina Merilis. He cast Frenzy onto one from afar, and the Daedra immediately went mental, tearing down its own allies.

"I'll sow discord in their host. Pardon me." Drevis dismissed himself with an Invisibility spell, leaving Colette and J'zargo confused.

The Daedroth, dagger sticking out of its eye revealed itself to be alive still, swept him with its tail as he passed by, causing Drevis to fall. It then grabbed him aggressively and hoisted him up into the air, roaring in his face with jaws that threatened to snap his head, causing Colette to shriek.

"Let go of him! Now!" she cried. The daedroth lunged, but the Fireball she conjured up struck true. J'zargo's mouth hung open upon seeing this. With unbelievable ferocity, Colette drove the Daedroth back, inch by inch with Fireball after Fireball, and the fiend dropped Drevis to the floor.

From above, Faralda briefly watched the display, proud to see Colette trying her hand at Destruction for a change. She would do a turn of her own, casting a Healing Spell onto the wounded Kodlak, who was barely able to stand after tanking many hits from his foes.

"Thank you." Kodlak expressed to the Elven woman as he was able to stand upright once again.

"Don't mention it; just focus on killing!" Faralda stated as she launched a flaming Bolide meteor into a large congregation of enemies, causing not just them, but the chunk of cliff they stood on to burst into many directions. The enemies plummeted to the ground below, landing onto the path below, near the Hall, clashing against the bombarded Daedroth and smashing into the Hall's roof and rolling off.

The Daedra managed to prepare a boulder, which they rolled down the hill. It came crashing down against a cliff above the Hall.

Phinis used his conjuration spells to raise several Dremora, who turned against their own, firing arrows at the ones atop the cliff.

Silus launched a fireball at the boulder which plummeted, shattering it into several small stones before the cliff gave away. Smaller rocks dropped onto the roof of the Hall below, to their relief.

Inside the Hall, the Shrine quivered: a heartbeat of divine defiance, but the Daedric influence had seeped into its core, like black, clawed hands gripping Stendarr's very heart.

The Vigilants had formed a circle, their prayers harmonizing. Keeper Thorondir led the prayer. "Blessed be the name of the god of mercy, Stendarr. Sacred Arbiter, take pity upon your humble servants. As you guided Tiber Septim, guide the magistrates along the narrow path of righteousness. Grant mercy unto us, your lowly servants. Keep just the works of the legion that your holy light of truth may shine across the empire. We pray in your name. Glory be Thine Forever."

The Shrine trembled, resisting the darkness. The darkness was attempting again to suffocate it - wrapping itself around like a black serpent. The ground cracked, and frost crept up the walls.

"Do not let up! Give it no quarter!" Keeper Thorondir declared as he bowed his head. "Blessed be the name of the god of mercy, Stendarr. Sacred Arbiter, take pity upon your humble servants. As you guided Tiber Septim, guide the magistrates along the narrow path of righteousness. Grant mercy unto us, your lowly servants. Keep just the works of the legion that your holy light of truth may shine across the empire. We pray in your name. Glory be Thine Forever." he prayed once again.

A pattering sound pelted the ceiling above them, but they ignored the clatter; they united their minds to one purpose: the cleansing of the Shrine. One final time, Thorondir recited the prayer: "Blessed be the name of the god of mercy, Stendarr. Sacred Arbiter, take pity upon your humble servants. As you guided Tiber Septim, guide the magistrates along the narrow path of righteousness. Grant mercy unto us, your lowly servants. Keep just the works of the legion that your holy light of truth may shine across the empire. We pray in your name. Glory be Thine Forever."

His heart lit up like a torch, blazing with passionate fire. Then, a surge—the shrine erupted in blinding radiance. The darkness was driven back like shards piercing the air like frozen stars as a vision of the God of Mercy himself surrounded his Shrine.

In that ephemeral moment, the Vigilants beheld Stendarr himself, stunning Tolan and Adalvald both.

The God of Mercy flew upwards into the air above the Shrine, in ethereal form, and looked down upon the warring legions below - all of whom caught the sight of the sacred arbiter. Stendarr drew his Hammer from his back and cast his judgment upon the Daedra who threatened to harm his children.

Onmund's eyes shot wide, as did Vilkas'. The Companion slowly pulled himself upright to stand, but stumbled upon the vision. "S-Stendarr..."

Long, long ago, Vilkas had scorned Cura when he'd declared that he cared little about the dead gods. And now, he lay wounded against a jagged stone, looking into the face of Stendarr himself. Cura was right; they were not dead, as he'd believed. It was a humbling experience, to say the least.

Onmund healed his wounds in the manner Cura had taught him. "Come on, we need to move! I can feel the danger!" the mage pulled him up to his feet and began to run down the slope.

The god levitated there in the skies, bearing his dark blue cape and sturdy armour. His white beard glistened under the light of the sun as he came to materialize in the flesh. His eyes glowed white and sparks of light trailed from their corners. His drinking horn was sashed around his waist. He bore a large, circular shield in his left hand. He wore a hood with ornamental horns bound around it on a circlet. He was incredibly large and muscular, and bore the look of a ferocious judge.

"Stuhn!" Kodlak cried out in reverence, recognizing the Nordic figure of ancient times. He lowered his head to the god his pupil, Cura had worshipped so ardently. He hoped sincerely that Stendarr would spare the Companions. It was no secret that manbeasts were among the Abominations the Divine hated. He hoped they would be distinguished due to their friendship with one of Stendarr's followers, and fortunately, he was right: Stendarr paid no attention to the werewolves.

Saying no words, Stendarr allowed his actions to speak for him, as he fixed his gaze upon the growing horde of Daedra emerging from the open portal atop the mountain. He lifted his drinking horn from his sash and turned it downwards, spilling its contents to the ground far below him.

Brother Adalvald hurried outside to see what was happening, and stood next to Colette and J'zargo.

"What... what is he doing?" J'zargo asked frightfully as the liquid splashed on the ground several feet away from them.

Colette Marence clasped her hands together in prayer and lowered her head. After all, though she was no longer a Priestess of Stendarr, she still held the Divine in high regard.

"H-he's pronouncing his judgment." Brother Adalvald trembled as he explained.

Author's Note: "God of War III : Brothers of Blood" right here. ;)

Upon the snow-capped peak, where the icy winds howled their ancient songs, Stendarr, the Divine of Mercy, descended. His presence radiated like a sunrise, casting shadows upon the jagged cliffs.

His armor, forged from celestial silver, bore the etchings of compassion and righteous wrath. His eyes, twin orbs of divine judgment, scanned the horizon. Below, the legion of Daedra swarmed, spitting blasphemies against him and hissing at his presence.

Stendarr raised his warhammer, and took it with both hands. With one swing of it, a mighty blast of energy engulfed the mountaintop, destroying the portal utterly; its physical and magical properties falling to the winds.

The Daedra who had come to conquer Nirn turned around to see their escape route cut off. The Vigilants under and surrounding the mountain fell to their knees and prostrated themselves before their Divine.

The battle commenced—a clash of divine will against daedric malevolence. The God dropped down to the mountain surface, driving his weapon downwards in a smashing strike. Stendarr's hammer struck true, tearing down hundreds with one burst of power and sundering the surface of the mountain. The world itself trembled under his resonant power, and the allied forces quickly began to flee the mountain, realizing that this was no mere fight between warriors: it was a god against those who opposed him.

United with its true master, the Hammer's potential revealed itself. The Daedric horde within the blast radius dissipated, leaving only smoky tendrils, disappearing into the sky. But the more foolish and bold came for the Divine, relentless in their hatred.

Keeper Thorondir, Jacob, and Altano began to quickly evacuate the surrounding area, calling the Companions and Mages to follow them. Brina Merilis and the Pale legion evacuated their own, as well, and all began to retreat towards the city. Injured were lifted over shoulders and those with missing legs forced to lean on others as they fled the surrounding area.

The mountain roared as Daedra were smashed, and bursts of energy shot up in all directions like thunder towards the skies. Rocks and stones loosed from the giant earth mound, collapsing down to the Hall of the Vigilant below, burying its watchtowers and the surrounding path.

Silus Vesuius did not leave with Phinis and Tolfdir when Gwyneth demanded they come with, as it was a deadly time to remain there. Irbrand and Vigilant Greyvild urged him to come with them, but he refused.

Vigilant Tolan noticed this small trio standing there and hurried to them, dodging some falling rocks. "What are you doing, you fools? This mountain's coming down! Get moving!"

"No. This is where I need to be." Silus shook his head. "I've... I've caused so much of this. I need to go down with the Daedra."

Vigilant Tolan absorbed what he was saying, and he observed the man's defeated demeanour. He truly meant to stay here and perish by Stendarr's battle!

The mountain trembled—a testament to the cosmic struggle. Stendarr invoked divine wrath, his voice echoing through the peaks. "You will trouble my children no longer!" he thundered. His hammer swept, and the daedra fell—a rain of smoldering ash.

"There is no time for this foolishess!" Irbrand snapped at him and tried to pull him. "Get up, Silus! Come, now! Quickly!"

Vigilant Tolan, without a moment's hesitation, grabbed Silus and lifted him off of his seated position.

"What?! Hey! Stop! No! Let him kill me! I deserve it!" Silus wailed as Tolan threw him over his shoulder and ran away with him. They followed the large crowd which cut down stray Daedra in the fields and continued through the forest and through Red Road Pass.

Behind them, a massive avalanche overscored the land, and a massive cloud of snow swept them like a nuclear blast; force pushed out by the utter destruction of the mountain itself.

Langley Longseer stepped out of his house to see what was occurring on the landscape, and no vision could have prepared him for what he witnessed. The mountain across the field was utterly demolished, and a figure enveloped in light shone like a star over the rubble.

He spilled his tea in his trembling hands and hurried back inside his was as he'd seen some months ago. He would note the day as "The Day the Mountains Trembled."

He sat at his desk and jotted something down on the current day after licking the pen nib and dipping it in the ink:

"The Doom Strider's arrival grows ever closer."

He quickly slid the quill back in the ink blot and rushed out of his seat to head outside once again.

As dawn painted the peaks, Stendarr stood victorious. The daedra were banished, their malevolence dissipated. The blizzard had finally subsided, and the air was clear. The sunlight blanketed the bloodstained snow below, and the forest had been levelled by the avalanche. Pieces of the mountain littered the landscape, and Dimhollow Crypt was now exposed to the sunlight.

Stendarr's time on Nirn was up, and his power had run dry for the meantime. He faded from the world once more, and prayed for the success of the Vigil going forward.

And so, the Pale bore witness of the day when mercy clashed with malevolence, and the shrine of Stendarr remained undefiled.