Chapter 8: Companions Arc Part 2

Dustman's Cairn

Both Issei and Lydia were jaw dropping shock to see that Farkas, a member of the Companions, had just turned into a werewolf.

In a flash instant, Farkas uses his claws to rip each Silver Hand members. In a matter of seconds, all five Silver Hands were now resting in pieces, quite literally everywhere. The werewolf then walks towards the passageway and activated the lever that was there. As the gate opened Issei and Lydia walked out, they saw Farkas already in his human form putting spare armor he brought.

"Hope I didn't scare either of you." Farkas simply said.

There was a brief moment of silence when Lydia said "Y-Y-You are…"

Farkas sighed and said. "Yes, I am a werewolf. I have what we call the Beast Blood in me and it allows me to transform into a werewolf."

Issei then asked. "Are any of the Companions werewolves?"

Farkas replied. "Only the members of The Circle have the Beast Blood."

"Guess that explains why Vilkas was so strong." Issei said.

"Incredible.." Lydia said.

"We should focus on getting the fragment." Farkas said. "By the way I would appreciate it if you guys pretend the transformation never happened."

"No worries." Issei said. "We Companions gotta stick together right?"

Farkas smiled and said. "Thank you. Now come on, we need to find that fragment."

As Farkas was walking ahead, Lydia was next to her Thane and said. "This is surprising."

Issei said. "I know, when I thought I saw everything, but then I totally forgot that I've never really seen a werewolf before coming to Skyrim, life really is full of surprises."

Mephala then said. {I knew those Companions were hiding something, that transformation was unnatural}

As they entered a burial room, they encountered three more Silver Hand members getting up from their seats with their swords drawn. As Farkas and Lydia draws their weapons, Issei takes out Mephala and started swinging his sword at one of the Silver Hand. As Issei and the Silver Hand were going at it, Issei twirled the Silver Hand's sword and stabbed Mephala through the bandit's stomach, killing him instantly. After the three of them killed the Silver Hand bandits, they proceeded down the hallway and entered the burial hall where three Draugr walked out of their tombs.

"This is so getting fucking old!" Issei yelled as the three charged at the draugrs.

After many encounter with draugrs and the Silver Hand, Issei, Farkas and Lydia made it to the main chamber tomb. The tomb was a circular room that was surrounded by 20 tombs on the walls. Issei then damn well that this chamber was going to be a trap. In the far end was a tomb that was in front of the Word Wall.

"Okay." Issei said. "We are all thinking the same thing here."

As he looked around, he saw stairs leading to a possible way out.

"I have a plan." Issei said as he looks at Farkas. "Unless you have another idea?"

Farkas replied. "I am all ears."

Issei then explained. "Here it is: Lydia, I want you on top of those stairs and use your arrows. If you see any of those damn zombies, kill them."

Lydia nodded her head and made her way up stairs. Issei turns to Farkas and said. "Farkas, I need you to guard the base stairs to keep Lydia safe. If they come near, make sure to keep them away from her."

Before Farkas was going to go into his position, he said. "What are you going to do?"

Issei replied. "Just gonna make sure the dead stay dead."

As soon ad Lydia and Farkas were in position, Issei made his was to the single tomb. Once he was near the tomb, the lid suddenly popped right off and a Dragur Death Lord. Once the Draugr stood on its feet, Issei just grins.

"This is going to be easy." Issei said as he readied his Shout.

He carefully aim and shouted. "FUS!"

Issei sends a blast of force towards the dragur, who only took a few steps back. The Draugr just growled and surprisingly said. "FUS..."

As Issei stood there Ddraig said. [Interesting, even as undead they can use Shouts.]

"Yeah." Issei said. "At least it's not that bad."

Boy was he wrong.

The Draugr finishes by saying. "RO DAH!"

The Draugr then unleashes a massive blast of force towards Issei that not only knocks him down, but also sends him flying 20 feet away.

"Issei!" Lydia cried as she fired her first arrow.

The arrow manages to hit the Draugr, but it only made it made. With a mighty roar, all of the tombs popped open and more Draugrs appeared with weapons at hand. As Issei got up, he took out Mephala and started cutting down the Draugrs. As Farkas was killing Draugrs that were closing in on him, there was a tomb right behind Lydia. The tomb opened and a Draugr walked out of it with an Ancient Nord Greatsword at hand. It then walks up to Lydia without her noticing it. When Lydia had a strange feeling behind her and turned around, it was too late, the Draugr brought up its sword ready to bring down the sword. Right before the draugr was going to kill Lydia, a blast of bright red energy appeared and blew off the Draugr's head off. When she turned, she saw Issei with one of his cannons on his left shoulder.

Issei gives Lydia a playful grin. "You owe me one!"

As Lydia smiled, she continued shooting her arrows, but none of them were taking any damage.

"Jeez!" Issei complained. "These things just keep coming!"

{Since these are corpse, there are highly weaken by fire, your flame magic won't be enough to kill these things. If only you have a Fire-Storm Scroll.} Mephala said.

"A what?" Issei questioned.

The jewel on the Boosted Gear glowed and a scroll appeared in his left hand.

"Huh." Issei said. "Did not know I had that."

{If you want this done and over with, open the scroll.} Mephala said.

As he puts away Mephala and opens the scroll, the paper suddenly burns and got on Issei's hands and arms. "Okay." Issei said. "What now?"

Mephala instructed him. {Just concentrate and let the magic guide you.}

As Issei nodded, he was able to feel the magic within him. Almost instinctively he closed his eyes and started to move his hands. When he brought his hands to his left side, he then brought it to his right side. Once he brought he brought up his hands with the palms facing up, his whole body started to cover in fire. Realizing what Issei's doing, Farkas rushed up the stairs, grabbed Lydia and they both fell to the ground. Just at all the Draugr looked at Issei, he balled his right fist, brought it up and slammed it to the ground. Issei released a massive blast of fire everywhere, burning all the draugr in the room. As the fire dies, Lydia and Farkas stood up and saw all the burned corpse. In the center of the burned floor was Issei standing up.

Issei looks around and whistles. "Damn, this world's magic is pretty cool."

Farkas walks up to him and said. "I hate magic."

Lydia said. "I say that was amazing."

"Thanks." Issei said. "Now then, let's find tha-"

Just then, the Draugr Death Lord got up and roared. Having enough of this, Issei blasted the Draugr's head off with a shoulder cannon.

"STAY DEAD THIS TIME!!" Issei shouted.

Farkas asked Lydia. "Is he always like this?"

Lydia replied. "From my observations, only towards Draugrs."

Issei then walked up to the wall, he found a chest. Once he opened the chest, he found what they were looking for: the fragment of Ysgramor. He also got that along with a flawless amethyst and 150 gold coins. All of a sudden, a word on the wall started to glow and light started to dance from the wall and onto Blackheart's body. After a few seconds, the light died.

"What was that feeling?" Issei asked.

Mephala replied. {It appears you learned a new Shout. Each tomb has a Word Wall like this one. If one desires to learn a new Shout, they must go through a series of tests to prove their worthiness.}

"That was the same feeling like before." Issei said. "What is this new shout?"

[I believe l might be able to answer that question. It says; "This stone commemorates the child king Jafnhar who was burned alive by the fire of the great dragon Lodunost."]

"Issei." Farkas said. "What happen?"

Issei replied. "I learned a new Shout when I walked up to this wall."

"Really?" Lydia said. "What is it?"

"I don't know." He said. "When I first used my shout, it just came naturally. But now…I can't…I don't know what to say."

Farkas then said. "At any case, you found the fragment?"

Issei held the fragment and said. "Mission accomplish. Let's head back and tell Skjor.

Whiterun

It was dead of night when Issei, Lydia and Farkas returned to Whiterun and were on their way to Jorrvaskr. Once there, they stop to see Vilkas waiting for them at the top of the stoop to the front door.

"You made it back in one peace good." Vilkas said. "And you have the shard."

"That's right." Issei said. "It was all thanks to us."

Vilkas then said. "Come, we've been waiting for you."

They all followed Vilkas to the back, to the training area where Kodlak, Skjor and Aela stood in a circle, torches were lit around them as they began the initiation ceremony. As Lydia stood to the side, Farkas and Vilkas stood by the members while Issei stood in front of them. When Kodlak asked Issei to remove his helmet, he did so and the ceremony began.

Kodlak said. "Brothers and Sister of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold. This man has endured, has challenged, and has shown his valor. Who will speak for him?"

Farkas said. "I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us."

"Would you raise your shield in his defense?" Kodlak asked.

Farkas answered. "I would stand at his back, that the world might never overtake us."

Kodlak said. "And would you raise your sword in his honor?"

Farkas said. "It stands ready to meet the blood of his foes."

Kodlak said. "And would you raise a mug in his name?"

Farkas said. "I would lead the song of triumph as our mead hall reveled in his stories."

Kodlak said. "Then the judgement of this Circle is complete. His heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distant green summers. Let it beat with ours, that the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."

"It shall be so." All members of the Circle said in unison.

Kodlak smiled at Issei and said. "Well boy, you're one of us now. I trust you won't disappoint."

Issei said. "I honored but can we talk for a minute?"

Kodlak said. "Of course, what is it lad?"

"Is it true about the the Circle?" Issei asked. "Are all members werewolves."

"Yes." Kodlak answered. "But don't worry about that, my boy. All will be revealed in time. But for now, celebrate with you new Shield Brothers and Sisters."

Issei smiles and said. "For you, I will old man."

Kodlak smiles as he places his hands on Issei's shoulders and said. "We are going to accomplish great things together, I know it."

2 weeks later

Ever since Issei joined the Companions. He's been exterminating wild animals, chasing down escaped criminals and found another fragment of Ysgramor. Along the way, he's been collecting weapons, items and other stuff to trade in to get more gold coins. With Lydia and his new Companion members at his side, Issei was enjoying Skyrim even more. However, everything will soon change not only himself, but also the fate of the Companions.

"My Thane?" Lydia asked when the two entered Whiterun.

"Yes Lydia." Issei said.

Lydia replied. "Shouldn't we be heading to High Hrothgar to meet with the Greybeards?"

Issei replied. "Lydia, they are up in the mountains. I highly doubt they are going anywhere. Just relax."

They entered Issei's house and relaxed for a bit. As Lydia was stirring the pot, she notices her Thane worried face.

"What is wrong?" Lydia asked.

Issei replied. "I was thinking: when I went to the barrows to find the Dragonstone, I approached the wall and got my shout. When the same thing happen when we went to Dustman's Cairn, nothing happen."

As Lydia handed him the bowl of stew, she said "When did you first use your shout?"

Issei replied. "Right after I killed that dragon."

{And absorbed its soul.} Mephala said. {Maybe, in order to learn a new shout, you must first have the soul of a dragon to unlock a new Shout.}

"But where am I going to find another dragon? Cuz there's no way in hell that I will use Ddraig! Ever since I learned how to transfer his soul from the Boosted Gear and into Ascalon, he's been in such a good mood that it's almost impossible to get used to." Issei said. "It's not like…wait a minute, there's more of them?!"

{Of course.} Mephala said. {What? You think there is only one dragon in Skyrim? Fool, the dragons are returning.}

"But what does their return mean?" Lydia asked.

"I don't know." Issei said as he finished his stew. "But we will soon find out."

He went upstairs to his master bedroom, changed into regular clothes, put his armor away and said. "Anyways, I am heading to the Companions to inform them that the bandit is dead. Care to join?"

Lydia shook her head and said. "It's already late. I am heading to bed. Good night, my Thane."

As she walks up the stairs, Issei said. "Good night. How about you Mephala?"

{I'll just rest for now. After all the excitement I had for the past weeks, I'd say I've earned it.}

"In that case, I'll just collect the reward and come right back."

After exiting his house, Issei makes his way to Jorrvaskr. Once he was there and entered, he was greeted by Skjor.

"Ah, my boy!" Skjor said in joy. "How was the hunt?"

Issei said. "Won't be seeing that bandit gang any time soon."

"Excellent work." Skjor said as he handed him 300 gold coins. "Because you have proved your worthiness, I have a task for you."

"Right now?" Issei said. "Well, alright. But just to let you know, I won't be starting until the first thing tomorrow."

Skjor smiled and said. "I have something different in mind. Please, follow me."

And that is what Issei did. He followed Skjor outside Jorrvaskr until the reached the Underforge. When Skjor pressed a stone, part of the wall opened and the two proceed down the tunnels. At the end, Issei saw lit candles and when he saw a giant figure, he saw a werewolf standing in front of the Sacred Font.

'Something about that werewolf smells familiar.' Thought Issei.

Skjor said. "I'm glad you come. It's been a long time since we had a heart like yours among our numbers. That pitiful ceremony behind the hall does not befit warriors like us. You are do more honor than some calls and feasting. I would hope you recognize Aela, even in this form. She's agreed to be your forebear. We do this in secret because Kodlak is too busy trying to throw away this great gift we've been granted. He thinks we've been cursed. But we've been blessed. How can something that gives this kind of prowess be a curse? So we take matters into our own hands.To reach the heights of the Companions, you must join with us in the shared blood of the wolf."

Skjor looks towards Issei. "Are you prepared to join your spirit with the beast world, friend?"

Issei's eyes widen and said. "You want me the have the powers of a werewolf? But, I thought only the members of The Circle can have this power?"

Skjor said. "Kodlak doesn't want this power to be shared with the other Companions. As I said before, he sees this as a curse. But this is a blessing from Lord Hircine himself. I have chosen you to partake in this ceremony in secret. Do you accept?"

'Ddraig, quick question. Will this even effect me since I'm a dragon.'

[First, let me remind you you only have the strength and speed of one. Second, Great Red only said full dragon to make you feel better knowing the fact you won't be a Devil in this world. Lastly, your blood is only 75% dragon as for the 25%, who knows.]

Issei thought for a moment and said. "Alright, let's do this. After what I saw a few weeks back, I want to see how this goes."

"Very well." Skjor said. "In order to receive the blessing, you must first drink from Aela's blood. Once you drink it, the Beast Blood will flow in you."

Skjor then grabs Aela's arm, cuts her wrist with a dagger in his other hand and lets the blood flow into the Font.

When he places Aela's are to the side, he said to Issei. "Now, drink from the Font."

Hesitated, Issei walks up to the Font, scoops the blood with one hand and brought it up to his face, and drank it, he said. "So how long will the…"

All of a sudden, his vision was starting to become blurry. When he tried to walk, his body was moving side to side until he fell to his knees. His body began to expand, his arms and legs lengthening, nails turning to claws, his face turning into a snout, fur coming out of his skin, coming out at his tailbone, a tail. From outside of the under forge. All nearby citizens could hear was a deafening roar.

End

(what's up readers?! Hoping your days are going well and your not too bored.)

(I know what you must be thinking 'where've you been Kurama! We've been waiting for an update!')

(Well, for what it's worth I'm sorry, just needed to mellow out my mind a bit.)

(But I'm all good now scout's honor promise to do more chapters more frequently.)

(Don't be shy to comment or PM me.)

(Remember, reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy gold, BYE!!)