THEDAS

During the last months, Leliana was haunted by many nightmares. From memories of her past and her fear from the future, not to mention Vardall, who was a constant in her mind, even when she was awake. This all was enough to prevent her from sleeping some nights, and this night was one of those.

Watching the moon, high in the sky, from her bedroom's window, Leliana was lost in thoughts. At the same time she placed her hand upon her belly, now even bigger after six months carrying her and Vardall's child. She still was on the Valence Cloister in Orlais. Mother Dorothea allowed her to stay here the time she wanted. Leliana was going to stay here until her child was born. After that... she had no idea what she was going to do.

Suddenly getting a little thirsty, Leliana goes to a water jar she had inside her room to drink a little. But she had forgotten the jar was empty, so she would have to take more water by herself. She exits her room and walks around the cloister, finding it strange why the place was so dark and not a single sound could be heard.

Suddenly, Leliana hears some strange noises somewhere near her, more like steps that sounded like were getting close to her. She gets nervous, at the same time placing her hands upon her belly as a form of trying to protect her children. Things only get worse when she hears a voice also approaching her.

"Lokaal... Lokaal..." The voice was very deep, certainly non-human. It was speaking in a language Leliana didn't know what it was. She gets even more nervous and scared while the voice continues to echo all around her. "Dii lokaal... Dii vax lokaal..."

Now Leliana was totally scared and in fear. She was looking in all directions trying to find who was talking to her, but without success. Was not until she heard a loud shout behind her.

"VAX!" Looking back quickly, Leliana almost falls to the ground at the sight of a monster. But looking better it wasn't a monster, it looked like a... bipedal dragon? The Orlesian bard thought her eyes were deceiving her, but they weren't. In fact, a bipedal dragon was in front of her.

The creature was much more taller than any man, woman and animal Leliana had ever seen. His head was the same as a dragon, but his body has a more humanoid form. His entire body was completely black, the only exception being his glowing red eyes. Also around his body, his dragon scales were made in a way it looked like he was wearing an armor, also with two longswords in his hips. He also had two giant black wings on his back, a tail and horns in his head.

That creature was both menacing and magnificent, but Leliana was too scared to even pay too much attention on the last one. She didn't even think twice and tried to run away from there, but the problem was that it was difficult to run properly in her actual state. But to her luck, the bipedal dragon looked like to only stay there, without moving a finger to try to catch her.

But that was only what she was thinking.

Roaring and using a spell, the dragon teleports himself right in front of Leliana, making her bump into him and fall on the ground.

"No! Please, don't hurt me!" She begs while trying to maintain distance from the dragon, fearing not by her life, but for the life inside her. But the dragon didn't listen, and on a quick move he grabs Leliana's head and lifts her from the ground with only one hand.

Moving his hand, the dragon forces Leliana more close to him, making her look deep into his red eyes. Also now, instead of talking in that strange language Leliana didn't know, he spoke in English, spitting venom in his words: "Farewell!"

Leliana widened her eyes even more after hearing that and if she could, she would have gasped. But she couldn't do anything else, because with just one hand, the bipedal dragon broke Leliana's neck, ending her and her child's life once and for all.

That was until she woke up screaming on her bed.

Desperately looking around her, Leliana finally realizes that it was all a nightmare and that she was safe inside her room, and her child still was fine and growing inside her. After desperately breathing for some seconds, Leliana falls back into her bed again, still trying to calm down.

From all the dreams and nightmares she already had, that certainly was the worst of them. But even so, something inside her was making her feel that it was more than just a simple nightmare.

She hopes she's wrong.

# # # # # #

The last months were a complete nightmare to Alistair, and one of the reasons he didn't want to be king: Deal with politics.

Because of eye-witnesses, it didn't took that long to all of Ferelden to discover what Vardall had done. Not just Ferelden, but all Thedas knew right now that the same man who probably saved this entire continent had destroyed Ferelden's Circle of Magi and destroyed an entire village, killing many innocents.

But it wasn't only Ferelden who was in a delicate political situation now. Also the news that Templars attacked and killed Grey Wardens spread like fire. Many places from Thedas, mainly the Anderfels, were demanding immediate answers from the Divine of why those considered "holy warriors"would attack and kill the ones who defeated the Darkspawn.

And this is exactly the subject of one more from these endless meetings.

"Shall I remind you that the ones who started this all were the Templars." Alistair crosses his arms. "If it wasn't by them, Vardall would never have done that."

Alistair was arguing for hours with the agents the Divine herself had sent. She would have come herself until Ferelden, but in the last weeks she started to have several health problems. One of the agents the Divine sent was proving to be very frustrating to Alistair.

"Have any of your searches got any result?" Cassandra Pentaghast crosses her arms, while questioning King Alistair.

Alistair sighs. "No. It has already been several months, but we have no clue from where Vardall might be." The king places both his hands upon the table. "He probably left Ferelden. Or... more Templars went rogue and decided he needed to pay for what he did with his life." Alistair puts lots of emphasis on his last words.

Cassandra knew where this was going. "I understand your anger, Your Majesty, and I admit those Templars acted wrong. But that doesn't matter anymore." Cassandra affirms. "Find and interrogate Vardall might help us avoid this situation getting even worse."

"I already told you, I don't know where he is." Alistair looks directly into Cassandra's eyes. "And even if I knew, I would not tell you or anyone from the Chantry."

"Does Vardall really mean that much to you?" Cassandra was getting a little angry with Alistair's attitude.

Alistair nods. "He does. I may not agree with what Vardall did, but he's still like a brother to me."

Cassandra wanted to tell that man some things, but well... He was Ferelden's King. She only sighs, knowing this meeting would not get anywhere, just like the others. "Then I guess we're finished." Without more words, Cassandra gets up from her chair and exits the room, leaving Alistair alone.

The king sighs heavily and covers his head with both his hands. This was a political nightmare that Vardall caused, and he was sure it would not get over yet. And even with all of this, he hopes Vardall is alive and doing fine wherever he is. Because yes, Vardall meant a lot to Alistair. More than people think or realize.

# # # # # #

TAMRIEL

Vardall and Nerevar returned to Winterhold to search for the elven enchanter Aranea told them about. Returning to the College and after some conversation with some mages inside there, they both find out the elven enchanter was a High Elf named Nelacar, a former member from the College that was asked to leave the place after some failed experiments. Luckily, Vardall and Nerevar wouldn't have to go far away to find Nelacar, as he was now living in the Frozen Hearth inn, there in Winterhold.

As soon as they both enter the inn, Vardall and Nerevar immediately spot Nelacar arguing with a man. "I'm sorry, could you describe the smell?" Nelacar crosses his arms while talking with Dagur, the innkeeper.

Dagur also crosses his arms "Like some horrible monster was turned inside out, and then exploded. What did you do?"

"It was a minor miscalculation. I've already corrected it for future experiments." The High Elf says.

Dagur sighs. "This is why people have a problem with your college, Nelacar." He then goes away, finally allowing Vardall and Nerevar to talk with Nelacar, who had returned to his private quarters inside the inn. Vardall and Nerevar follow him until those quarters.

"So you're the elven mage who studies stars?" Vardall asks while closing the door, and Nerevar remains silent. Nelacar raises both his eyebrows when he hears that. "Who sent you? Was it the College? The Jarl? We agreed there would be no more questions."

The Dragonborn crosses his arms. "A priestess of Azura sent us."

Nelacar widened his eyes. "Azura?" He sighs. "Gods, is all finally back to haunt me." He then makes a question that makes Vardall confused. "What do you know about soul gems?"

Vardall raises an eyebrow. "Soul gems? Why are you asking?"

Nelacar crosses his arms. "That's what caused all the trouble. Soul gems are used in enchanting, but they break afterwards. Except one. Azura's Star." Immediately when he hears that, Nerevar becomes even more curious about what that mage had to say. Nelacar continued. "... a Daedric artifact that allows any number of souls to pass through it. Some of us wanted to find out how. I was working under Malyn Varen, then. If only we knew what he was really planning."

Nerevar knew very well what the star was. He was not liking where this was going. "Malyn Varen? Who is he and what he did?" The Protector of Morrowind asks Nelacar.

"He was a Dark Elf mage who wanted to alter the Star." Nerevar almost closes his hands into fists when he hears that. "He wanted to do what!?" Vardall quickly puts his arm in front of Nerevar to prevent him from doing something he would regret, even knowing that would be hard to happen. The Grey Warden looks back to Nelacar. "Continue."

Nelacar nods. "Malyn was dying. Disease. He thought he could store his own soul inside the star and become immortal. It drove him mad. Students from the College started dying. Eventually, the College exiled him. He took a few loyal disciples to Ilinalta's Deep and vanished." Vardall could notice how those words have affected Nerevar. He now looked and sounded more... angry. Nelacar's next word only made things worse. "Look, I don't care who asked you to find the Star, but don't take it back to Azura. The Daedra are evil. They're the reason Malyn went insane."

"You dare talk about Lady Azura after helping that mage profane her Star!?" It looked like Nerevar would attack Nelecar. To prevent that, Vardall stops right in front of him and holds his shoulders at the same time he pushes him back a little. "Calm down, Nerevar!"

Immediately when he hears that, Nelacar's eyes widen. "N... Nerevar? Divines, you... you couldn't be..."

Vardall looks back to Nelacar, pressing his map within the Altmer's chest. "The place Malyn went to. Where it is?" He gives the Altmer his map for him to mark on it.

Nelacar was shocked for a few seconds, but shakes his head to recover his senses. "It is... It is here." The marks the location on Vardall's map and delivers back to him. He checks and sees that Ilinalta's Deep is close to the Little Vivec village. The Dragonborn puts his map back on its place and looks to Nerevar. "We already have what we need. Let's go."

Nerevar looks into Vardall's eyes then sighs. "Fine."

Vardall nods and exits the inn, with Nerevar following him. Once outside, he turns his attention back to Nerevar. "What was that!?" Vardall had a certain severely in his voice, but it was not screaming. "For one moment I was sure you would kill that guy."

Nerevar sighs and answers after a few seconds. "Forgive me, Vardall. It is just that...'' He sighs again. "Azura already helped me many times during my life. Whenever I was lost or with doubts, it was her who gave me directions and guidance. I own her too much, and see someone commit such profanity against one of her most important items..."

Vardall got what he was saying. "You know... It is because things like this that I hate religion!" He looks back to Nerevar. "You reminded me of some Chantry members back on Thedas, that when I told them that I didn't believe in the Maker, they would become totally aggressive towards me. Even after I saved their damn lives by killing the Archdemon." He sighs. "Look, it is your life and you believe in whatever you want. But you can't let that dictate your life and actions. Religion isn't the most important thing in this world. That is something everyone should learn."

Nerevar sighs again. "I will try, Vardall. Thank you."

"Just make sure that doesn't happen again." That's all what Vardall says before start walking, with Nerevar following him. They now knew what Azura wanted and the location of where Azura's Star might be, so they would not lose more time.

# # # # # #

While Vardall and Nerevar were dealing with this star business, Serana, Lucien, Arissa, Bran and Inigo were now on Dragon Bridge.

Dragon Bridge didn't look like any other ordinary town. Besides the bridge with dragon heads carved on the stone, which gives the place's name, there's also a great number of Imperial soldiers here, like... truly a lot.

Serana, Lucien and Inigo didn't understand why there were so many soldiers in that place, but Arissa knew very well why. "Dragon Bridge is an extremely strategic point in Skyrim." Everyone turned their attention to her. "Always have existed and always has existed a strong military presence here. Not to mention this is the main base from Penitus Oculatus, Emperor's main protection force."

"With all these people, it's hard someone not to have noticed if the Moth Priest passed through here." Lucien speaks.

Serana nods. "Alright. Let's ask some people, specially the guards and soldiers."

It didn't take too long for them to find any information about the Moth Priest, since that was the only thing everyone in the town was talking about. Asking some guards about it, the group learned the Moth Priest passed through there a short while ago, being escorted by several Imperial legionaries. They all crossed the bridge, going south.

Everyone headed south after that, hoping to find the priest soon, but that wasn't the case. Walking down the road, the group found the priest's carriage ambushed, with bodies of both Imperial soldiers and vampires laying on the ground.

"Damn it! Your father's forces founded the priest before us." Arissa comments to Serana. They all made their way to investigate the carriage and the bodies.

"This attack was very recent." Inigo comments. "They might still be around or hidden somewhere."

While Lucien, Arissa and Serana were arguing about what they would do now, Inigo suddenly felt a certain scent he immediately recognized. A scent that was not natural. "Wait all of you, I'm smelling incense somewhere." Bran, that was with Inigo, barks. He was smelling the scent of incense too.

They all turned their attention to Inigo. "Incense? Like..." Lucien connected the dots. "The ones used by priests in religious ceremonies!"

Now the whole group had something to follow. "Can you lead us to where this scent is?" Arissa asked the Khajiit, and he nodded. "Yes, follow me."

Inigo walked through the forest, following the incense scent. The others following him real close until the entrance of a cave, where Inigo stopped.

"Is the incense scent coming from this cave?" Serana asked Inigo, who confirmed. "Yes. And I don't feel only incense, but vampires as well."

Arissa prepares her bow. "Looks like we're in the right place."

Serana nods. "Right. Everyone be ready, they will obviously not give us the priest without a fight."

With everyone now ready, the group enters the cave. Walking inside, they all see the cave was gigantic on its inside, even having an entire structure builded in here. Upon that structure, they all spotted vampire thralls and death hounds patrolling, while 5 vampires were reunited around a sort of magical cage.

"If I should guess, that is where the Moth Priest is being held captive." Lucien whispers to the others.

Arissa nods. "Agreed. They are in greater numbers, so we'll need to kill them in stealth. All of you wait here while me and Inigo take care of them." She then looks at the blue Khajiit. "Follow me."

Arissa and Inigo clearly knew what they're doing. Even wearing a full ebony armor, Inigo still was moving like a shadow. He and Arissa silently kill a great part of the thralls and the hounds, using arrows, swords and daggers. Serana, Lucien and Bran moved when the thief and the Khajiit cleaned the path. Soon the group approached the vampires and the magical cage, now being able to hear their conversation.

"The more you fight me, the more you will suffer, mortal." A more strong voice echoes around the place. Serana immediately recognized who it was.

"Malkus!" She gasps. The Orsimer vampire was one of her father's main and most loyal followers, not to mention one of the most sadistic. "He's trying to break the priest's will and force him into servitude! We need to stop him!"

Nothing more needed to be spoken as they approached the vampires. Arissa would provide cover with her bow from a high ground, while Lucien, Serana and Bran would attack the vampires. When everyone is ready and in positions, they all act.

With extreme accuracy, Arissa shots an arrow on the head of a vampire, killing him. Right after that, Bran, Serana and Lucien ran to attack the other vampires, with Serana having her focus on Malkus and ignoring the others. When he notices Serana there, it almost looks like the Orsimer vampire roars in rage while he also changes upon Serana, leaving his three companions to deal with Inigo, Lucien and Bran.

The vampires had bigger and superior agility compared to a mortal, but that wasn't enough to save them from Bran's aggressiveness, Inigo master sword skills and Lucien's magic. The Husky distracts and confuses the vampires, opening a window for Lucien and Inigo to attack.

Meanwhile, Serana and Malkus were in a very balanced fight. With the Orsimer trying to hit the Nord vampire with his sword, while she was dodging and attacking with her spells.

"I should've known you would betray your father!" Malkus spits those words almost like poison. "You've developed a pathetic compassion for mortals over the centuries!"

Dodging again from Malkus' attacks, Serana manages to push him away. "This isn't only about mortals! My father's plans will only make all of Tamriel unite against us!"

Malkus cries out in rage and tries to strike Serana again. "No! When the prophecy is complete, this entire continent will fall beneath our strength, and neither you nor your damn little pet will stop us!"

Malkus was obviously referring to Vardall when he said 'little pet'. Serana didn't know what happened to her, but when she heard that, for one moment, she felt herself being filled with rage; she didn't know where had come from.

"Vardall is not a PET!" Now using this opportunity window, Arissa shot an arrow on the Orsimer vampire that hit his arm, making him drop his sword and look behind. Serana used that chance and angrily carved her fangs into Malkus' neck. He tried to fight, but Serana's grip was too strong while she drained the orc's entire blood. Lucien, Inigo and Bran, who already had killed the other vampires, and Arissa, only watched that scene. Than honestly scared them a little. Serana never has been so aggressive in a fight before. She almost looked like she was in a frenzy state, but it was all anger.

After some seconds, Serana finally calms down, noticing what she did. That truly shocked her; as she had developed a great self control over the time and almost never losing her head, but today was different. But why? She could not understand why an insult directed to Vardall was able to affect her that way? But that is something to think about in another moment, she had more important things to attend now.

Next to Malkus' body, Serana saw a strange stone, one that she had an idea for what that was when she spotted a little altar next to the magical barrier it was holding the Moth Priest. With the stone in her hands, she goes to the altar and places it there. Right after that, the barrier goes down and the priest is finally free.

Then the entire group reunites next to the bald man, giving him a moment. "Hmm... That certainly was the most unpleasant experience I ever had in my life."

Hearing his voice and getting a better look into the priest's face, Lucien widened his eyes when he realized who that man was. "Dexion?"

The Moth Priest looks at the blonde imperial. "Lucien? Is it you?"

Serana, Arissa and Inigo were now curious about this. "You both know each other?" Inigo asks.

Lucien confirms. "Yes. Dexion is one of my father's oldest friends." He turns his attention to the old man. "Are you alright?"

Dexion smiles and nods. "I'm quite alright Lucien, thanks to you and your friends. These vampires claimed they had some purpose in store for me, but they wouldn't say what. Probably hoping to ransom me, the fools."

Now was time for Serana to talk. "Actually they needed you to read an Elder Scroll." The nord vampire takes the Scroll from her back. "This one, in particular."

Dexion's eyes open wide when he sees the item. "You have an Elder Scroll with you? Truly remarkable."

Lucien nods. "It is. We need your help to read the Scroll, Dexion. Only that we can prevent those vampires from completing a terrible prophecy that will make them fear the sun no longer."

The priest could clearly see how that was serious. "Fear the sun no longer? That is bad." He looks back to Lucien. "If you and your friends need my aid, young Flavius, I will be pleased to assist."

Lucien smiles. "Thank you, Dexion."

"I hate to end the moment, but we need to move now." Arissa interrupts the talk. Who knows if there are other vampires around here?"

Lucien nods. "You're right. Follow us, Dexion. We'll lead you to a safe place."

The old priest smiles. "But of course. Lead the way, Lucien."

Then the entire group, and now Dexion with them, makes their way to Fort Dawnguard. They just hope Vardall is already there when they arrive.

# # # # # #

Arriving in Ilinalta's Deep, Vardall and Nerevar immediately see that it is actually an old, sunken fortress. Getting inside through one of its old towers, they both proceed within the fortress. The place was infested with necromancers, both Malyn's followers and others trying to find the Star. Fighting their way through the necromancers and being forced to swim until the depths of Ilinalta's Deep, Vardall and Nerevar finally find the skeleton of Malyn Varen. The broken Azura's Star laying in his lap.

"I never thought I would see Azura's Star again..." Nerevar said with respect in his voice. "But why it is broken?" Vardall carefully takes the broken Star from the skeleton's lap. It truly was a beautiful item, even broken as it was now. He looks back to Nerevar. "What should we do?"

"Azura will be able to restore the Star." Nerevar affirms. "To do that, we must return to Aranea."

Vardall nods. "Then let's move. Let's just be careful to not damage this even more." Carefully making their way out of Ilinalta's Deep, Vardall and Nerevar return to the Shrine of Azura, now finally with the Star.

However, on the way back, they both hear something strange. Almost arriving at the shrine, Vardall and Nerevar hear a strange noise, something like a crying animal.

"Where is this sound coming from?" Without thinking twice, Vardall starts to follow the crying sounds of some animal. He always had a soft side when it comes to animals, and it always made him sad when he had to kill one, even when it was necessary. After Sif was killed, that side of him became even stronger. Nerevar followed Vardall, also curious by this sound.

After walking a little longer, Vardall and Nerevar finally found the crying creature laying down, among the snow. It had the body of a lion, but wings, talon and beak of an eagle. A creature that was already extinct in Thedas, but still was very alive through books, paintings, songs, tales and more. "A... griffon?"

Not just any griffon, but a baby griffon. It had beautiful white feathers all over his body, less his wings that were a mixture of white and gray. Nerevar approaches Vardall, his helm hiding a very surprised face.

"What is a griffon doing here?" He asks loudly, but knowing Vardall wouldn't have the answer. "Especially this type of griffon. They are usually natives from the Summerset Isles, not Skyrim."

Slowly walking closer to the griffon, Vardall gasps and widens his eyes once he notices how badly insured that baby griffon was. Several cuts and injuries were spread all over his body and his right wing was broken. It looked like he was attacked by some animal or even by someone. Opening his eyes, the little griffon notices Vardall next to him and immediately starts panicking. Vardall is surprised when even hurt, the little griffon goes up and walks back, obviously trying to get away from Vardall.

The Grey Warden immediately tries to calm him down. "It's okay, little one. I'm not gonna hurt you." That didn't work, as the griffon was too scared to even pay attention in Vardall's words. He needed to calm that little creature somehow, and he knew just how. Vardall prepares his throat.

"Kaan..." Shouting as softly as he could, Vardall uses the first word from the shout 'Kyne's Peace' to calm down the baby griffon. That seems to work, as when Vardall does that, the griffon seems and feels more calm, falling relaxed on the ground.

Vardall promptly goes to him and immediately heals the little griffon with a spell. The winged creature immediately becomes relieved from his pain and makes a little, cute noise, which makes Vardall smile. He lay down on his knees and carefully took the griffon in his arms, holding him just like a child. His injuries had healed, but his wing still was broken.

He walks back to Nerevar, the griffon still in his arms. "He is a cute little guy, isn't he?" Vardall asks and Nerevar nods. "Indeed he is. What are you gonna do with him?" Nerevar asks while Vardall gently pets the head of the little griffon.

He looks back to Nerevar. "I'm obviously not letting him here in the middle of the snow. Let us finish this business with Azura and take this little fella back to Fort Dawnguard. I think Gunnar can take care of him for now."

Nerevar nods. "Very good, Vardall."

The Dragonborn looks to the griffon in his arms again. "You know... when I told you and the others about the Grey Wardens, I think I forgot to mention the griffons, didn't I?"

Nerevar becomes curious with his words. "Griffons exist in Thedas?" He asks.

"Existed." Vardall quickly corrects him. "Centuries before I was born and joined their ranks, the Grey Wardens were know for two things: Fight the Darkspawn and their griffons." While Vardall talked, Nerevar was listening to every word. "Not every Warden could ride a griffon, as it was the griffons who chose its rider. Both griffon and rider shared a strong bond of respect and friendship. Unfortunately, after a failed experiment with blood magic and other events, the griffons went extinct during the Fourth Blight." He looks back to the little griffon in his arms, smiling. "Nice to see here in Tamriel things are different."

Vardall and Nerevar don't have more time to talk, however, as a group of five individuals suddenly approach them. They didn't look very nice and Vardall immediately identified them as hired thugs and bandits. "I think you had something that belonged to us." The leader of the group, an Orc, tells Vardall.

He raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

The orc certainly wasn't in a good mood. "That griffon in your arms, hand it over. Our boss paid a lot of gold to smuggle that thing out from the Summerset Isles for him to escape."

Vardall didn't like where this was going. "What does your boss want with a griffon?"

The orc shrugs. "Eat it, turn into a stuffed animal... I don't know and don't care. Now hand it over to us or we'll use force to get him back."

Vardall widened his eyes once he heard that. Involving the little griffon into a more protective grip. "No way I'm delivering him back to you!"

The orc didn't like that. "Well, that's a shame." He then took a big warhammer that was on his back. The other four thugs it was with him also did the same.

Vardall roars then turns back to Nerevar, carefully delivering him the griffon. "Hold him for a moment, okay?"

He catches the animal in his arms. "What are you going to do?"

"Just watch." That's all what Vardall says before turning to face the thugs again. He pulls the Black Star from his back and starts running towards the thugs, which each one of them prepared to combat. But Vardall had a trick to help him.

"Tiid!" Using the Slow Time shout, Vardall uses the slower movements of the thugs to kill each one of them. The shout ends right when Vardall decapitates the orc who was leading the thugs. Nerevar raised both his eyebrows for how quickly that happened. Vardall returns to him and takes the griffon in his arms again.

"Come on, we're almost at the Shrine." While he walked and Nerevar followed him, Vardall made sure to not disturb the baby griffon, who was now sleeping.

Barely they knew a strange crow was following both of them since they first left the Shrine of Azura. The crow had its focus almost totally on Vardall, seeing how much he has become stronger since their last meeting. That was good and was going to serve the crow in the future.

# # # # # #

Now back to the Shrine of Azura, Vardall delivered the little griffon back to Nerevar and approached Aranea with the Azura's Star in his hands. She was praying, but when she turned back and widened her eyes once she noticed the star. "Azura's Star! I knew the Lady of Twilight had sent you for a reason." She opens her hands to receive the star. "Hand it over to me. I will ask Azura to restore the Star to its original purity."

Vardall nods and delivers the star to the Dunmer priest. While she takes the star to the altar in front of them, Vardall looks back to Nerevar, who only nods as a sign that he had nothing to fear and that he was doing the right thing. The Grey Warden sighs and returns his gaze upon Aranea, who had started to communicate with the Daedra. "Azura. Mother of Roses. Goddess of Dusk and Dawn. Your chosen champion has returned your Star to you."

Several seconds passed in a strange silence, with Vardall thinking something went wrong. But without a word, Aranea stops praying and turns to talk with Vardall. "She wishes to speak to you herself. Please, place your hands on the altar, and you will hear her voice."

Vardall walks back a little, shaking his hands. "Wait, wait, wait... AZURA wants to talk with me?"

Aranea nods in confirmation. "Yes. I understand speaking to a goddess is overwhelming to many, but there's nothing to fear. You are Azura's chosen champion, and the Goddess of Dusk and Dawn will do you no harm."

Immediately after hearing that, Vardall feels Nerevar putting one hand upon his shoulder. "Everything is everything okay, Vardall. Thrust me and go ahead." He still didn't like this, but Nerevar's words made him a little more confident. Vardall approaches the altar and sighs. "Here goes nothing."

Vardall places his hands upon the altar. At the beginning, he hears nothing. But after many seconds a strange, yet familiar voice reaches his ears. "Greetings, mortal." Azura, Daedric Prince and Goddess of Dusk and Dawn speaks with the Dragonborn.

His eyes are now wide and his mouth is slightly open as he remembers and recognizes the voice as the one he heard before Aranea rescued him in Thedas. "That voice... it truly was you."

"Yes, mortal." Azura confirms. "Oblivion has been watching you since the day you were conceived."

Vardall still wasn't understanding. "But why? WHY ME!?" Nerevar and Aranea were only watching while Vardall looked like it was shouting to the wind, but it wasn't that.

"I have seen the threads of your fate in the Twilight, and you still have much to accomplish." That's all what Azura says. Vardall grunts, still doesn't understand a thing and he doubts he would manage to understand how a God thinks. This was all much bigger than him.

Azura changes the subject of this conversation. "You have followed my guidance through the veils of Twilight and rescued my Star from Malyn Varen. But his soul still resides within, protected by his enchantments. Until he is purged, my artifact is useless to you."

He didn't like it, but Vardall decided to do the same. "Is there any way to cleanse the star?"

"Eventually, the Star will fade back into my realm in Oblivion, but I doubt you have the hundred or so years it would take to wait. At least not now." Azura's last words caught Vardall's attention. What was she talking about with 'not now'? He wasn't able to ask before Azura continued. "No, only one option remains. I will send you inside the Star. You will banish Malyn's soul there. Tell me when you are ready, mortal."

Vardall wasn't liking this, but he felt he didn't have any choice here. He sighs once more. "I am ready to enter the star."

"Have faith, mortal. I will be watching over you." Faith never was Vardall's strongest point, for obvious reasons. And wasn't now that was going to be. Suddenly the star in front of him starts to glow, so bright it made Vardall close his eyes. The same goes to Aranea and Nerevar. With the Protector of Morrowind also using his hand to protect the eyes of the little griffon in his arms. Once the glow was over, Vardall was laying down on the ground with both his eyes closed. His soul, however, was now inside the star.

# # # # # #

Vardall finally opens his eyes again and looks around, being on the Shrine of Azura no longer. His surroundings were brightly lit and composed of bluish crystalline structures, with angled ice-like shards thrusting up from the floor and down from above. The floor is made of this same material, forming many hexagonal segments at different heights.

He was inside Azura's Star.

This must have been one of the most beautiful places he has ever seen and even reminded him of the Fade in some aspects. But as long as he had the desire to explore that place, he had a task to realize inside here. Walking for some time, Vardall eventually finds a man completely covered with a black mage robe. Approaching a little more, the man notices his presence and turns around. Vardall gasps when he sees his face, almost looking like a corpse, someone who already should be dead.

That certainly was Malyn Varen.

"Ah, my disciples have sent me a fresh soul. Good. I was getting... hungry." The Dunmer conjurer makes a sadistic smile while looking at Vardall. But the smile disappears after a few seconds. "Wait... There's something different about you."

Vardall ignores him. "This experiment of your is over, Malyn."

The Dunmer laughs. "And who are you to challenge me? I have conquered mortality itself. I've spat in the eyes of the Daedric Lords. This is my realm now!"

Vardall grunts and pulls the Black Star out of his back. "I am a Dragonborn." With only those words, Vardall noticed how Malyn's expression and posture changed. "And why don't I give you a demonstration of my power?" He prepares himself. "Fus Ro Dah!"

With his Thu'um, Vardall sends Malyn flying away. When the Dunmer falls on the ground, he immediately gets up and conjures three Dremora Lords to help him in this battle. That was the first time Vardall had seen a Dremora Lord, but he wasn't either scared or Impressed. The Darkspawn and many demons from the Fade were more menacing.

Malyn assumes a defensive posture, letting the Dremora deal with Vardall. It was three against only one, but the Grey Warden already dealt with worse things. The battle followed for many minutes, the Dremora showing no mercy at any second. Vardall was most of the time on the defense, dodging all the Dremoras attacks and striking whenever he could. Things got better when he managed to kill one Dremora with his greatsword and with the help from the "Frost Breath" shout.

With more combos of his skills, spells and shouts, Vardall manages to kill the two remaining Dremora Lords, having only Malyn to deal with now.

"No! I'm not going to be defeated like this!" Like a cornered rat, the Dunmer mages tries his best to avoid Vardall, but all of that turns out to be in vain. Decided to use only his spells now; Vardall freezes Varen, having the chance to hit and kill him with a fire and lightning spells combined, finally purifying Azura's Star.

Taking some seconds to recover his breath after finally killing Malyn, the Dovahkiin hears Azura's voice. She now was sounding pleased. "The Star is free to purify itself. Don't worry, mortal. I will return you before you are cleansed." He then feels a strange sensation run through his body. He didn't get concerned because of that, because he knew what was going on. He finally opened his eyes again, still lying on the ground of the shrine. Both Aranea and Nerevar are relieved when Vardall starts to get up.

On the altar in front of him, Azura's Star was now restored back to its former glory. He did it.

"My Star has been restored and Malyn's soul has been consigned to Oblivion. You have done well, my champion." He still didn't like this, but Vardall had to admit part of him felt good for having such a powerful being calling him her champion. "As was destined, you are free to use my Star as you see fit."

He takes the star in one of his hands, being able to see and feel the power running deeply within the Daedric artifact. If he could see under Nerevar's helm, Vardall would see him smiling.

This was nice and everything, but Vardall still had one last riddle to solve. He looks directly to the giant statue in front of him. "I... could make a question to you?" He sounded almost ashamed of that, something Vardall never thought it would happen with him. "It is something that's been running through my mind for quite some time."

"Go ahead, my champion." Azura sounded almost kind now, but Vardall knew that was perhaps his mind playing tricks on him. He nods before finally asking: "Back on Thedas, what made Leliana want to act against the Blight, what made us meet each other, was a vision she claimed had received from the Maker." He sighs before continuing. "But... I never believed the Maker exists, and now is that I don't really believe."

Vardall looks directly to the statue, losing his focus on his surroundings while he finally asks what he wanted to know: "What I want to know is... The vision Leliana received. It was you?"

Only one second looked like an entire eternity to Vardall while he waited for Azura's response. "Yes." And it was exactly what he expected.

"But... why?" Vardall wasn't angry that a God had interfered in his life many times, he was just curious. "I can understand me, because I was destined to become your new champion, but why Leliana?"

Vardall certainly wasn't prepared for what Azura would say. "Because just like you, your child has many things to accomplish. Even more than you."

The Grey Warden was now with eyes wide when he looked back at the Azura statue. "Child!? What are you talking about? The only child I..." For a moment, Vardall thought Azura was referring to the child that was conceived during Morrigan's Dark Ritual. But now another possibility comes into his mind. "Andraste's blood... Leliana is pregnant?!" Shock and total disbelief were the only things Vardall had in his facial expression now.

"Correct." Azura says. "Your child still has not been conceived, but already is destined to realize great deeds. Even greater than yourself."

Vardall truly didn't know what to do or say. That made his heart break even more. His child would perhaps grow up without the father, not to mention what he or she would think about Vardall when grow up and find out what the father did.

"Thank you. That's... all I wanted to know." That's all what Vardall manages to say. The Dragonborn then turns away to go talk with Nerevar, but Azura stops him with one more message. "I have one last warning for you, my champion."

Stopping in the middle of the way, Vardall looks back to the statue, waiting for what Azura has to say. "Carefully watch over your Khajiit companion."

Vardall raises one eyebrow with those words. "You mean Inigo?"

Azura didn't answer his question this time, however. "Farewell, my champion. Know that Azura will be guarding over the threads of your fate in the Twilight."

"WAIT!" Vardall tries, but in vain. Azura doesn't answer his questions anymore, letting him talk only with the wind and with this doubt in his head. What Azura meant by that and what that means to Vardall and especially Inigo?

But that doesn't matter now, he had other things in his mind now and business to deal with.

"I wanted to thank you, Vardall." Nerevar says when Vardall approaches him and Aranea again. "I know how hard it must have been to fight against your own opinions and beliefs to help Azura, but you did what was right."

Vardall didn't answer, still with too many things in his mind. Now was time for Aranea to talk. "While you were in the Star, Azura gave me a vision, to keep and protect the Eluvian here from Tamriel."

Her words made Vardall remember another thing he still had many doubts about. "Talking about that... Where exactly is this Eluvian?"

"Give me your map, I'll show you." Vardall agrees and Aranea marks a location in his map. It was a place on Skyrim's extreme north, where there was only snow and ice. "In that location, there exists a secret cave. The Eluvian is located there."

"Azura said to you to protect the Eluvian for what purpose?" Vardall asks.

"That Eluvian is the only way to quickly travel between Tamriel and Thedas." Aranea affirms.

Vardall thinks for a moment. "So if I crossed the Eluvian I could return to Thedas..." Vardall talks that like an affirmation, not a question. "Azura said I still have many things to accomplish. Thedas may be involved somehow."

Aranea nods. "We shall trust the Goddess of Dusk and Dawn. Answers will come when it's time. It hurts me have to leave this shrine, but it I necessary."

"I think it is." Nerevar says. "Thank you for everything, Aranea."

The female Dunmer nods respectfully. "Farewell for now, Nerevarine and Guardian of the Star. It was an honor." Then Aranea grabs some things and leaves the Shrine, leaving Vardall and Nerevar alone.

"Now that this is solved, shall we return to Fort Dawnguard?" Nerevar asks Vardall.

He nods. "I suppose. At this time, the others may already have found the Moth Priest."

Nerevar agrees and they both leave the Shrine of Azura. Now with Azura's Star with them, not to mention the little griffon. They only didn't noticed the same crow from before was watching them again.

I should have posted this chapter many days ago, but the part of the battle between Vardall and Malyn was where my writer's block attacked again. I wanted to make a more detailed battle, but did only a more simple one, sorry.

Translation From Dovahzul to English:

Lokaal = Love

Dii Lokaal = My Love

Dii Vax Lokaal = My Traitor Love

Vax = Traitor