Chapter 3: Before The Storm

"Man." Issei said. "That was fucking close."

"Yes." Ralof said. "It was. Oh no."

"What?" Issei asked as he aims his dragon gauntlet around. "More of them."

"Worse." Ralof said as he pointed at a dead Stormcloak. "He was a good man. Had a family back home."

"Damn." Issei said as he lowered his gauntlet. "I feel bad for his family when they hear about his death."

Ralof looked at him and said. "You lost someone?"

Issei replied. "Something." He corrected. "Anyways, where's your friend?"

Ralof said. "I wouldn't worry about Ulfric. With the power of the Voice at his side, I am sure he will be safe."

"Ulfric?" Issei asked. "You mean that one blonde guy who was with you back at the tower was your leader?"

As Ralof nodded, Issei asked. "How the hell did he get arrested?"

Ralof replied. "He killed the High King in fair combat."

"Wow." Issei said. "Killing someone is still…Wait a minute, High King?"

As Ralof nodded once more, Issei said. "Okay, what the hell is going on here? What is this High King? Where am I?"

Ralof then picked up the sword that was near the Stormcloak and said. "I'll tell you later, right now we have company."

When Issei turned around, he saw two Imperials with their swords drawn. As one of them clashed with Ralof, Issei was stuck with the other one. In one swift instant, Issei grabbed the Imperial by the neck, and using his dragon enhanced strength, he crushed it.

After Ralof killed the other one, he saw Issei and said. "You seem to kill people with ease."

Issei lets go of the Imperial. "I kill people who are evil. That is all."

[So you would've killed Vali if he was serious about killing your parents?] Ddraig asked his host in his head.

'Damn straight I would. Honestly he was lucky when his monkey friend showed up when he did.' Issei replied.

Ralof asked curiously. "So why do you call yourself 'Red Dragon Emperor?"

"It's a really long story but in lame man's terms I possess a powerful weapon called the Boosted Gear, housing the soul of the original Red Dragon Emperor. More on this later, I found a key."

"Good." Ralof said. "Open the gate."

Issei then opens the gate and proceed down the stairwell. When they made a turn, pieces of the tower came crashing down in front of them.

"Damn." Ralof said. "That dragon doesn't give up easy."

When opened the door and entered into a room and encountered more Imperials. Issei then fired two small dragon shots, hitting both of them in the head.

As he put his arm down, Ralof stares at him and said. "Is that the weapon you talked about?"

"Yup, this is the Boosted Gear. It may be a single gauntlet but this is one of the best things I've got with me."

"Interesting." Ralof said. "Let grab what supplies we need."

As Ralof went through barrels and desk looking for healing potions and food, Issei just lazily walks over at the table. He saw the food that was sitting there and decide to grab some and put them in a pocket dimension without Ralof noticing.

Once they were done they found another door on the other side, they continued down the stairs and then Issei saw blood on the floor.

"Troll's blood." Ralof said. "It's a torture room."

Issei already suffered being 'tortured' by that bastard Raiser when at the rated game between him and Rias, so seeing some blood was something Issei was accustomed to, so he prepares for a fight. When the two entered the room they saw a female Stormcloak being beat up by two Imperials.

Stand corrected, Issei was more than willing to spill blood there's a lot of things that can push him to the edge but seeing the others prey on those who were either weaker or outnumbered was something he absolutely hated.

Issei summoned his sword Ascalon, gripping it with his right hand and yelled. "Leave her alone!"

With one swing, Issei decapitates both the Imperials' heads and they fell to the floor.

Issei walked up to the female Stormcloak. "Are you okay?"

The female Stormcloak replied in a frighten way. "Y-Yes."

Ralof rushed up to her. "Was Jarl Ulfric with you?"

She replied. "No I haven't seen him since the dragon showed up."

As Ralof wondered off, he saw something in a nearby cage. "Wait a second, looks like there's something in this cage."

When he tried to open it, he said. "It's locked. Issei, can you try to pick the lock? If so, we could use the gold once we get out."

Issei huffed and walked towards the locked cage, grabbing hold of the lock and crushing it with the dragon gauntlet.

When he opened the cage, his eyes were a bit stunned. The first thing he saw was a potion of minor magicka, then he saw a yellow book titled; Spell Tome: Lesser Ward and lastly he saw the dead mage with gold coins everywhere. When he picked up the book and opened, there were black pages. As Ralof called him and Issei turned to him, energy started to flow out of the book and into Issei's hands. When Issei turned back, the glow disappeared before he noticed it. He tossed the book to a side and grabbed the 50 gold coins that were there and the potion.

After Issei got the supplies, he regroups with Ralof and their new ally and continued onward. After a few minutes after they exited the torture room, down the stairs and passing a few cages with skeletons, they found a giant hole in the wall. After they went through the hole and down the tunnel, Issei stopped them all of a sudden.

"Hold it." Issei said. "There are six enemies up ahead. If we charge in, we will be outnumbered."

Ralof then said. "Then we have to come up with a plan to…"

Issei smiled and said. "I said we're outnumbered, not outmatched, you two sit tight."

And like that, with a burst of speed Issei killed all six Imperials with his sword. While swinging blood off the blade Issei said. "We're good."

The female looks over at Ralof and said. "You think if we ask nicely he'll join us?"

Ralof replied. "Let's hope so."

As the two walked up to Issei, the female Stormcloak said. "I'll keep watch in case Ulfric comes through here. Talos guide the both of you."

Issei then said. "Just be careful. I don't want that beautiful face getting hurt again."

As the female Stormcloak blushed, she said. "Just go."

As Issei and Ralof rushed towards a passageway, Ralof said. "You're quite a ladies' man."

Issei shrugged and said. "It's both a blessing and a curse."

[Considering your past experiences I'd say your future with females are about to get better, or worse if you piss off some wealthy woman's man.]

'Ddraig Ddraig your a soul of little faith.'

As they proceed, their way was blocked by a wooden wall. As Issei was about to blast it down, Ralof found a lever and when he pulled it, the wall fell forward, making it into a bridge. Once they crossed the bridge, and down the tunnel. All of a sudden, there was a huge tremble and rocks crashed down the entrance where they came from.

"Not going back that way now." Ralof said. "We'd better push on. The rest of them will have to find another way out."

"Agreed." Issei said. "We should follow the water flow. Hopefully, it could lead us a way out."

As Ralof agreed, the two of them followed the water flow, they eventually came to a dead end. But when they turn right, there was another tunnel leading them, hopefully, a way out. Issei was the first to notice spider webs near the end of the tunnel. When the two exited the tunnel and into the room filled with spider webs, six frostbite spiders appeared out of nowhere ready to attack Issei and Ralof.

As Ralof quickly grabbed his sword, Issei said in a sarcastic way. "Oh, giant spiders. I am so scared of them."

"You should." Ralof said. "These spiders would…"

"Okay dude." Issei said. "That was sarcasm, I can take these things out like nothing.

While Ralof was fighting two small frostbite spiders, Issei was fighting the remaining four. When they were done Ralof was breathing a bit heavy, Issei on the other hand was still breathing as if he didn't break a sweat. After encountering a bear which Issei one shotted with a single good punch with the boosted gear they continued following the water till Ralof then saw a light at the end of the tunnel. "There! Finally, a way out! Come on!"

As Issei followed Ralof to the end of the tunnel, Issei spoke. "About time."

They soon left the cave and into the sunlight. When Issei recovered his sight, his breathe was literally taken away. There were fully grown trees everywhere, green grass, in the distance was a river flowing downwards, off in the distance were mountains that was probably filled with more tree and the sky was bright blue.

"Issei." Ralof said. "Is everything alright?"

Issei hen said. "Yeah I'm fine just, taking in the sights."

Before Ralof was going to say anything, a familiar dragon flew right past them and flew off in the distance.

"We should consider ourselves lucky." Ralof said. "Looks like we won't be seeing that dragon again."

Issei remembered something and said. "So, are the giant spiders some crazy lab experiment gone wrong or something?"

Ralof replied. "They've always been like that."

"You have got to be kidding me." Issei said. "What about those people who tried to kill you?"

Ralof said. "They were Imperials. They think that their damn Empire is better than everything. We Nords have lived a good life until they came into Skyrim."

"Skyrim." Issei said. "So this place is called Skyrim?"

Ralof said proudly. "Of course! The mead around here are the finest, the woman are loving and the food are to die for! Tell me, where are you from?"

Issei replied. "I come from a city of Kouh on an archipelago called Japan."

"Sounds like an interesting place to live." Ralof spoke.

"It is, it's only a shame I left due to a betrayal of someone I loved with all my heart." Issei spoke with a little venom in his voice.

"That's horrible." Ralof said.

"Yeah, but I won't go over the details what matters is that I left to get a clean slate. To start a new life, no not just that a better life." Issei said with hope in his eyes.

"Glad to hear." Ralof said. "Now follow me. We don't want anymore Imperials following us. My village isn't far, my sister runs a mill there, so I suggest we keep moving."

Issei replied. "Right behind you.

As the two were walking down the road, Ralof said. "What type of magic did you use to make yourself move so fast?"

Issei just laughed and said. "I don't have magic, where I'm from magic is somewhat of a secret, the only ones with magic are those who are born with it, or those who have special items that gives them power. When I first started training with my former friends I found out that I had little to no magic in my body. What you saw was my Boosted Gear giving me enough power to move fast, every time the it calls out the word 'boost' my power increases fives times more powerful, the more boosts I get, the stronger I get."

"I see." Ralof said. "Well, magic isn't as much of a secret but many in Skyrim look down on it thinking it as a coward's weapon but for those who wish to learn can do it really easily."

"Really?" Issei chuckled as said. "I wonder if I'll get lucky."

"You know." Ralof said. "You should go to Windhelm and join the fight to free Skyrim. You've seen the true face of the Empire here today."

Issei huffed and said. "If all their soldiers are like the ones I fought then freedom is all guaranteed. they're more like amateurs."

"Say what you like." Ralof said. "But Skyrim needs people like you to fight for her freedom."

"You don't need to say more." Issei said. "Once I learn more about this place, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." Ralof said.

As they were walking down the road, Issei saw ruined temples off in the distance that was surrounded by snow.

Ralof saw this too and said. "See that ruin up there? Bleak Falls Barrow. I never understood how my sister could stand living in the shadow of that place, I guess you just get used to it."

When they continued walking down hill, Issei saw three giant, tall stones with strange pictures on them. One of them had the picture of a warrior, another one was a thief and the last one was a mage.

When Ralof saw the stones, he said. "These are the Guardian Stones, three of thirteen ancient standing stones that dot Skyrim's landscape. Go ahead, see for yourself."

When Issei walked up to the first one, Ralof said. "The Blessing of the Warrior: gives the person incredible strength and courage."

"Yeah." Issei said. "I already know how to fight."

As he walks over to the next one, Ralof said. "The Blessing of the Thief: gives the person light feet that can pass through their enemies without being noticed."

Again, Issei huffed and said. "Nah, sneaking around was never my forte."

Once Issei walks up to the last stone, Ralof said." The Blessing of the Mage: gives the person access to magic hidden within them."

'Hm.' Issei thought. 'What you think Ddraig?'

[Go for it, I'm actually curious about this world's magic as well, after all knowledge is power.]

'Knowledge is power.' Issei repeated.

When he touched the stone, he felt weird vibes traveling from the stone into his body. When he took his hands from the stone, he whole body started glow blue and quickly died.

"What just happened?" Issei asked.

Ralof replied. "You've just been blessed. Come on, we must hurry on."

As they were walking along the road, next to them was a river flowing downwards. Issei was thinking the people of Skyrim have no problems must have chill lives aside from a war and possible bandit problems.

After a few minutes, Ralof said. "Just remember, this isn't Stormcloak territory. If we're ahead of the news from Helgen we should be fine as long as we don't do anything stupid."

"Bad news then." Issei joked. "I am known for doing stupid things."

[Thats an understatement.]

As Ralof just shook his head, he said. "If we run into more Imperials, just let me do the talking, all right?"

"Alright." Issei said. "But if things gets out of hand, let me know and we'll make sure there'll be no witnesses."

After countless minutes, the two eventually arrived at the village of Riverwood.

"It is so good to be home." Ralof said. "And you have my thanks."

Issei replied. "Hey, no problem. If it's no trouble, I'm kind of hungry and I've been starving since I got here."

Ralof laughed and said. "I bet Gerdur will be generous to offer her fine meals to you. Come, let's go find my sister. She's probably working in her lumber mills."

Riverwood

Gerdur was working peacefully at her mill chopping wood with her husband, Hod. Her heart aches when she heard that her brother was taken by Imperials and were heading to Helgen to be executed. Painful as it is, she put those thoughts aside and continued to work. All of a sudden, there was a sudden touch behind her that made her jump. When she turned around to see how it was, she saw her brother Ralof alive.

She wrapped her arms around him, after giving him a warm embrace they look into each other's eyes. "Ralof! I thought you were dead!" I heard you were on your way to Helgen. Is Ulfric…"

Ralof then said. "He's alive. But Helgen was attacked, by a dragon."

There was a moment of silence when Gerdur said. "Have you been drinking a lot of ale, my brother? You know dragons are nothing more than fairy tales."

Out of nowhere, Issei walked up to them and said. "He's not kidding. I just got man handled by that dragon. Made me go through the ringer." Before Ralof could say anything, Gerdur said in a frighten way "What is that thing?!"

Hearing his wife cry, Hod rushed to the scene with his wooden axe at hand. When he saw Issei, he started to charge towards him.

Before he was near Issei, Ralof stepped in and said. "No, stop!."

As Hod stopped, Ralof said. "This is Issei. He's the one who saved me from the Headsman block."

There was an awkward moment of silence when Issei said. "Um, hi?"

"What is he?" Gerdur asked.

"He's…" Ralof said. "What are you again?"

Issei looked around and said. "I guess it's safe to take off my helmet."

Once Issei disabled his helmet, everyone was surprised. Ralof thought he might have been an Orc, a Thalmor, or even a Khajiit, instead, he looks close enough to be a Nord or an Imperial. He also thought Issei might have been as old as him, but instead, he was young.

"You do look handsome for your age." Gerdur said.

Issei smiled and said. "Not surprising, I'm only 17."

"17?!" Ralof said. "It is rare for someone of your age to have incredible fighting skills at a young age like you!"

Issei shrugged and said. "Just like my looks, a blessing and a curse."

Gerdur looked at Ralof and said. "You said you saw a dragon?"

Before Ralof could say anything, Issei said. "It's best if we find somewhere to talk private. We don't want anyone around here to start a panic."

"Good idea." Gerdur said. "Come inside to my house, quickly."

After passing through some of the villagers, some of them were stunned of Issei's appearance.

Once there were inside Gerdur's house, she said. "So, is it true?"

Ralof replied. "The dragon? Yes, we saw it."

"So it is true." Gerdur said. "How big was it?"

Issei replied. "Damn thing was huge! Surely anyone would have noticed it!"

Ralof then said. "I fear this village will be next. We have to get word out to Whiterun to send their soldiers over."

"He's right." Issei said. "So, how do we get there?"

Ralof said. "I'm afraid I can't go. Since I'm a Stormcloak and the Jarl of Whiterun stands with the Empire, I will be caught on sight."

Issei said. "In that case I'll go to Whiterun to warn about the dragon, just point me to where to get there."

Gerdur said. "All you have to do is follow the river and head north. You will see a giant wall surrounding the town. That will be Whiterun."

Ralof then said. "I am sure that the Jarl will be sure to send his soldiers to Riverwood."

"Jarl?" Issei said confused. "Is he some sort of a leader?"

Ralof explained. "Each city has a Jarl leading their people. And the person who stands above them is the High King, he rules Skyrim and its people."

"So this Ulfric guy murdered the High King because he was misusing he position?" Issei said. "What happens now?"

Ralof replied. "By now, since Ulfric won his battle against the last High King, he should have been named High King. But the Imperials didn't want a Nord to be their High King. So they declared it murder and drove Ulfric out of Solitude."

"Great." Issei said sarcastically. "And you think the Jarl of Whiterun will help us?"

Ralof said. "So long as you don't mention the Stormcloaks, you will be fine. Also know that Whiterun is filled with guards, towers everywhere to oversee any possible threat and highly trained guards watching over the Jarl."

"Uh huh." Issei said. "That's a lot of security. Okay then, I'll stay for a bit and I will be off."

"Good." Gerdur said. "I need supplies to cook dinner. I guess I need to go to the Riverwood Trader."

Issei then said. "Here, I'll do it. It's the least I can do for you."

Gerdur smiled and said. "Thank you. I'll make a list so that you can show to Lucan."

"Okay." Issei said. "I'll pay the guy with… Oh wait. I forgot, the money I have aren't worth anything around here."

"What do you mean?" Ralof said.

Issei replied. "You see, the currency where I'm from are pieces of paper called dollars or cash. Since I am in Skyrim, I guess you use these 'gold coins' as currency. Which sadly, I'm officially broke."

Gerdur laughed and said. "You're from out of Skyrim?"

Issei eplied. "You can say that."

After Gerdur made the list, she got a small bag and said. "Here, take these. There are 100 gold coins. After you finish buying the supplies, you can keep the rest."

"Thanks." Issei said. "I'll be right back."

Issei hen left Gerdur's house and made his way to Riverwood Trader. When he entered he saw Lucan and his sister, Camilla arguing over something.

"Well one of us has to do something!" Camilla said.

Lucan replied. "I said no! No adventure! No theatrics! No thief chasing!"

Camilla then replied. "Well what're you gonna do then huh!? Let's hear it!"

Lucan said. "We are not talking about this-"

He stopped mid sentence when he saw Issei.

"Oh." Lucan said. "A customer, sorry you had to hear that."

Issei said. "It's quite alright, I am here to get some supplies for Gerdur."

"Okay." Lucan said. "Just wait here."

After he got the supplies, Issei said. "Mind if I ask what were you two talking about?"

Lucan sighed and said. "Bandits have broke in and stole something valuable from the store. It was a golden dragon claw."

"A dragon claw?" Issei said. "You mean a giant life size claw or a handheld item?"

"What?" Lucan said. "No, it's almost the size of a hand."

"Oh." Issei laughed. "Of course! It's not like it's as big as the one I encountered."

As Lucan stood there confused, Issei said. "Look, do you know where they went to?"

"I don't know." Lucan said. "This happened in the middle of the night."

Issei thought for a moment and said. "I'll go look for it then."

Lucan and Camilla were both stunned and Camilla said. "You'd do that for us?"

"Yeah." Issei said. "Once I am finish with a little problem, I will be off to find this dragon claw."

"Problem?" Camilla said. "What problem?"

Hesitated, Issei said. "Um…it's nothing to worry about. Thanks for the supplies."

After Issei paid for the supplies and he went back to Gerdur's house, he saw their son, Frodnar, inside the house. After he gave Gerdur the supplies, she said that it was going to be a while to prepare the meal. So, as Gerdur did that, Issei decided to rest for a while. After all the actions he's been through, he was sure tired. After a half a hour later, the meal was ready. On the table, there were cooked beef, grilled chicken, baked potatoes, Nord mead and a couple of sweet rolls. When everyone took their seats and began to eat, Issei couldn't believe how rich the food tasted. Every bite Issei was taking, he felt like his taste buds were melting. And the mead tasted incredible.

After he was finished with his meal, Issei grabbed his helmet, put on and said. "Thanks for the hospitality, but I need to leave now. The sooner I informed this Jarl, the better."

"Go, my friend." Ralof said. "And remember what I told you."

"I will." Issei said. "Until then, stay safe."

And with that, Issei left their house and started to make his way to Whiterun. Taking Gerdur's advice, Issei followed the river down. As he was carefully walking down the river, he eventually saw it, Whiterun off in the distance. When he crossed the river and through the farms, there was a huge disturbance near him. He saw a couple of figures fighting a 20 ft giant that was terrorizing the farmlands. From the looks of it, the people weren't having any luck on killing it. Issei decides to help out and rushed towards them with his boosted gear at the ready.

With the Companions

Aela, Athis and Ria were having a difficult time on killing the giant. Their attacks were barely hurting the giant. As the giant swung its club at the Companions, Athis and Ria got out of the way, but Aela took it head on, almost breaking her left arm in the process. As Aela faintly got up, the giant towered over her with its club ready to come down on her.

'I guess this is the end.' Aela thought. 'Looks like Hircine will claim me now.'

As Aela looks up at the giant ready to strike until suddenly…

"Dragon Shot!"

A blast of energy appeared out of nowhere and hits the giant in the face which causes it to lose balance and begins to fall on top of Aela. Out of nowhere, Issei rushed towards Aela's side, grabs her and leaps away from the falling giant. When the giant fell to the ground, Issei checked if Aela was alright.

"Hey." Issei said. "Are you alright?"

As Aela stared at her mysterious savior, the giant started to get up. When Athis and Ria were at Aela's side, Issei said. "Don't worry, leave this one to me."

After he said that, he charged at the giant with its club ready to swing at him. When the club was in range, Issei instead of dodging the club, he yanked the club out from the giant's hand like taking a toy from a misbehaved child. He then rammed it right between the giant's legs. As the giant fell to the ground in pain, Issei fired another dragon shot, blowing the giant's head off. As the giant lay dead, the three Companions were all shocked by this turn of events.

"See." Issei said. "I told you I can handle it."

"That was incredible." Athis said. "I have never seen someone like you take on a giant all by themselves."

Ria then said. "Like he said, that was incredible!"

Issei was surprised by Athis' appearance, since this was his first time seeing a Dark Elf. Aela just stood there in silent as she slowly got up only to be in pain from her left arm.

Issei walked up to her and said. "Here, let me see that."

As Issei analyzed her arm, he saw that the arm wasn't broken but if it is not treated right away, it could be fatal.

'Ddraig put three boosts and put them in my hands.'

[Right on partner.]

Issei places his hand on her arm gently and transfers the energy into it to heal rapidly.

After her arm recovered, Aela said. "Thanks."

"No problem." Issei replied.

"You know." Ria said. "You can come visit Jorrvaskr in Whiterun. We are more than happy to accept you into the Companions if Kodlak allows you."

Issei chuckled and said. "I'll check up on that later. But I do need to go to Whiterun to meet with your leader."

"The Jarl?" Ria asked. "You mean Balgruuf the Greater?"

Issei stood there for a moment and said. "I guess so."

"Then follow us then." Athis said. "We are on our way to Whiterun."

After a few minutes of walking with the Companions, Blackheart made to the front of the gate of Whiterun. After the Companions went through the gates, the Whiterun Guards stopped Blackheart in his tracks.

"Halt." One of the guards said. "We can not allow you in the city."

"And why is that?" Issei asked. "You let the other people in. Why can't I?"

The guard responded. "The reason the city is closed is due to the news of dragons."

"Oh." Issei said. "Well in that case, I came to talk to your Jarl about the dragon situation."

The guard simply replied. "I don't believe you, how do I know your not saying that just to get in?"

Issei then said. "I came from Helgen when the fucking dragon attacked, man handled me and threw me into a fucking tower! I have all the fucking scars to prove it!"

"By the gods!" The guard said. "More news from Helgen? Please, come in."

"Thanks." Issei said. "By the way, what do you think of my armor? Be honest."

The guard replied "Amazing, but intimidating at the same time."

"Good." Issei said as he smiled. "That's all I need to know."

End