Immediately after talking with Valerica, Vardall and Serana already spotted one of the towers where the Keepers are. The walk until there wasn't very difficult. Even being weaker inside the Soul Cairn, Vardall still was able to use his own magic to boost his own stamina and strength, which led to one doubt inside his mind: Why did his magic remain unaffected inside the Soul Cairn? But he doubts anyone, besides perhaps the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, would know the answer to that question.
"I can't believe we found my mother alive..." Serana's words, however, pulled Vardall out of his thoughts. "Well, you know what I mean."
"How are you feeling after talking to your mother?" He asked, a little concerned about her.
Serana kept staring to the ground, looking to search for the correct words to talk. It was obvious the conflict inside her. "Relieved... I think. All those things had been building for a while. You have no idea how long I wanted to say that to her."
Vardall actually had a few ideas, but nothing on the same level as Serana. "Why did you even agree to her plan?" He asked, wanting to do that for a while. "For what you already told me and what I heard back there only confirms that even more, you cared or still care about your father."
Serana sighs. "You're right, I loved my father. But when he found that prophecy... that became his life. Everything else, even me and my mother... we just became clutter." She then crosses her arms. "I was close with my mother, but she just kept feeding me her opinions of him, and eventually I started believing them."
"That's extremely dangerous." Warns Vardall. "Yourself should build your own opinions, not let others build them for you. Otherwise you may become too shortsighted and has the risk to be turned into nothing more but a puppet on other's hands."
She blinked, raising both her eyebrows. It was not the first time Vardall spoke like that - sounding like an elder who advises the youngest generations. (Very ironic, given Vardall is only 19 years old, almost turning 20.) "That's actually a really good advice. Sounds like you already dealt with very similar situations."
"Already." He sighs, running his hand through his hair. "I still remember back at the Circle's tower, just after the end of my Harrowing. Inside the Chantry, I heard a mage, an apprentice, praying to the Maker for Him to remove her 'curse'. When I asked her what curse she was talking about, she told me it was her magic." He then lets out a dry laugh. "When I first heard that, I called her blind and stupid, by considering a gift and, just as I thought back on the day, a form of superiority among all other people, as a curse, and even telling me the Chantry was right on lock all mages."
Serana was listening to Vardall's history with as much attention as possible, getting surprised by some of his words, but she was going to question him later. He continued to explain: "But after some time, I began to not feel rage for that mage, but to feel sorry and pity for her."
The Dragonborn puts his hand on his chin. "She was, just like many other mages, practically brainwashed since her childhood by the Templars and the Chantry to believe that she was nothing more than a monster; a danger to all of Thedas. She never was able to create her own opinion about those subjects - being too young and naive to create her own thoughts and beliefs."
Taking his time to take a deep breath, Vardall closes his hands into fists and releases them afterwards. "And people still didn't understand the reason I hate Templars and the Chantry so much. Besides treating mages worse than animals and foolishly praying to a God that doesn't even exist, they also do that."
Vardall was exaggerating a little, but he also was spelling some truths. While indeed existed Circles of Magi in Thedas that worked how they're planned to, and Templars who treated mages normally and even were friends with those mages, they're a great minority. Most still saw mages as dangerous creatures, and not like people.
Unfortunately, Vardall's relation with most Templars in his life marked the Grey Warden negatively, which ended creating his blind hate for Templars and strong antipathy for the Chantry. If things were different, he would have been a totally different person than he is today. History would have been much different if he had met more nicer Templars during his life.
Serana remained silent for a while, absorbing the words Vardall told her. "The more I hear about the Templars and this Chantry, the more I understand what you did." She talked those words with some reluctance, still fearing what mention of these events would cause. But Vardall didn't care, as he only shrugged and grunted.
Yet, one of the things he said to her caught the vampire's attention. She looks back to him. "You said that you considered magic a form of superiority among other people. How's that so?"
The Dragonborn heavily sighed again. This time, the vampire could see the regret inside his eyes. Another bad memory, she supposed; but even so the Dragonborn started to explain. "Together with other things, that's one of my past opinions I'm most ashamed of. For a long time, I saw those who couldn't use and control magic as weak and inferior to us mages. While mages have the powers of nature under their control - can create wonders, like a rain of fire and summon incredible creatures to fight for him - a regular warrior needs to train for his entire life to learn how to properly use a sword and a shield. Being limited to that and not having all the incredible skills a mage has." He explains. "Also my hate for Templars helped to feed this preconception of mine."
He dodges his gaze, avoiding Serana and looking at the gray and dirty ground of Soul Cairn, letting out a dry laugh after many seconds of an unnerving silence.
"The greatest hypocrisy a person can commit is to call someone a hypocrite."
His choice of words made Serana even more curious. Vardall soon explains. "I always got angry when I saw people considering others inferior to them, but I did the same for a great part of my life." He looks back to Serana. "I'm glad I abandoned that stupid line of sight before it was too late."
Serana didn't know what to say, but the problem was Vardall never gave her the chance. Soon after saying that, he sighs and walks a little. "But come on. We have more important things to do than discuss philosophy in a place such as this. Let's go kill the Keepers."
The vampire still had many things inside her mind, but ended only saying: "Alright." And following Vardall once he returned walking. But she felt they're not finished talking yet.
Serana was truly impressed and even a little speechless on how Vardall could be like that sometimes. She wouldn't mind seeing that side of him more often. Also, she and Vardall had more in common than she thought, with both of them already having committed some atrocities, and both already having feeling superior to a certain group, things that today, they both deeply regret.
But putting that out of her mind for now, she still had to free her mother. Now was time to get even more focused.
# # # # # #
While Vardall and Seran were inside the Soul Cairn, Inigo and Bran remained outside. They couldn't enter the plane of Oblivion without having their souls taken from them, so only remained for them to wait outside and guard over the portal. Everything was normal for now. The giant portal opened near them was making Inigo uneasy, but nothing very serious. The Khajiit and the Husky were alert to any signal of danger or anything out of normal, as they were deep into enemy territory after all.
Then out of nowhere, Inigo started to feel that strong headache again, the same he felt the first time he and the others visited Winterhold while searching for the Moth Priest. The pain was too much for him to handle, making the Khajiit fall on his knees, both hands holding his head. Bran obviously noticed Inigo's struggle and ran to him, barking repeatedly and trying to do something to help the blue Khajiit, but there's nothing the dog could do to help.
During the middle of his massive pain, however, Inigo started to have what looked like a vision or a hallucination. He saw a wooden pole with a piece of fabric tied to it, shaking to the wind just like a flag. After that he saw what looked like a lonely shack in the middle of the snow, and suddenly he started to hear a strange voice talking to him.
"Under the rug... Under the rug..."
Then after all of that, he saw the face of a man. He couldn't identify who it was, only it was male. It looked like the man had a beard, but Inigo wasn't sure of anything. After that, the vision ended, together with his pain.
The Khajiit only remained there, with both his hands now on the floor and him desperately inhaling, almost looking like he remained deep into water for too many time. Bran remained on his side, totally worried for that was happening. After several seconds that looked like hours, Inigo finally gathered the necessary strength to get up and look at his surroundings. Whatever that vision of his had been, Inigo only hoped it didn't happen again. He still didn't know if he would tell Vardall about that, as he didn't want to worry his friend, but he wasn't sure. All what he could do for now was to remain there and wait for his friends to return safely.
# # # # # #
"Yol!" And so, with the Fire Breath shout, Vardall sets fire on the giant and flammable grease puddle he had created with a spell. The fire kills many of those same black skeletons he and Serana already fought against, and also causes some damage to the Keeper they need to kill.
Their enemy was using a bow and arrows, meaning he was greatly vulnerable to close combat. Vardall and Serana used that advantage well, with the vampire distracting the keeper with Ice Spikes, and the Dragonborn attacking the giant creature relentlessly with his greatsword.
"Su!" Growing tired fiscally and wanting to end this once and for all, Vardall uses the Elemental Fury shout to increase his speed, attacking even more times than the Keeper could protect himself, even with his dragonbone armor. After many strong and precise strikes, the keeper finally dies, being turned into a pile of what looked like a strange and black goo, just like the other two.
Also, just like the previous Keepers, his entire body had vanished, less his weapon: a bow and several arrows, made of the bones and scales of dead dragons.
"The barrier should be gone now." Serana says to Vardall, while the Grey Warden kneels down to grab the bow and the arrows, just like he did with the other draconic weapons the other Keepers also dropped. He already had plans for them. "Let's head back."
Vardall agrees and follows Serana. From very far away they're able to see the barrier locking Valerica was no longer there, and arriving there once more, they both spotted Valerica waiting, both her arms crossed.
"You managed to destroy all three Keepers? Very impressive." By her expression, Vardall could say she indeed was impressed. With the corner of his eye, he also spotted Serana making some movement, but then stooping. If he was going to suppose, she was gonna try to hug her mother after all these centuries, but quickly abandoned the idea.
The Dragonborn looked back to Valerica. "Are you able to give us the scroll now?"
The vampire nods. "Yes. Please, follow me. Keep watch for Durnehviir. With the prison's barrier down, he's almost certain to come investigate."
Vardall nods, already with his greatsword ready. Valerica makes a signal with her hand for both to follow her. "Follow me and stay close. Keep your eyes open for that dragon."
Walking and crossing some really big and heavy metal doors, the group sees themselves into a very open area, filled with graves, a few little buildings made with that same black material, with also constant lightning falling from the sky.
"The Scroll is just there." Valerica points to a little place at the end of the open field. But their walk until there is stopped when they all hear the familiar noise of a dragon roar.
"It's Durnehviir!' Valerica yelled. "Defend yourselves!"
At the same time she says that the dragon passes flying above the group and landing upon a building. Giving a good look on Durnehviir, Vardall immediately notices how different he was from all the dragons he has encountered, even back on Thedas. His flesh is constantly decaying and his wings look extremely weathered. His scales are constantly dripping and oozing, and flies can be seen around his body, together with a yellowish drool dripping from his mouth. He also had four horns on his head.
"Dill Qoth Zaam!" Before Vardall, Valerica or Serana can do anything, Durnehviir uses some shout that makes a type of purple energy exit his mouth and go to the ground, immediately summoning more of those black skeletons - or Boneman, Mistman and Wrathman - as Valerica told them.
The Dragonborn didn't want to lose any time. "Fus Ro Dah!" He shouts towards the hordes of Boneman, making many of them fly backwards. Meanwhile, Valerica and Serana were also using her spells against the undead, with Valerica also summoning a few Boneman to aid them. Looks like she learned a few things inside this place, after all.
Seeing a window of opportunity, Vardall then uses this chance to use one of his spells, the Chain Lightning, taking out more of the Boneman. But then, things just got even more complicated when Durnehviir roars and starts flying, finally deciding to enter the fight. Vardall barely got any time to dodge when the dragon tried to strike him with the Frost Breath shout.
"Take care of these skeletons! Let Durnehviir to me!" He yells towards Valerica and Serana, before throwing a fireball on Durnehviir, hitting him and making the dragon land. He also throws the Dragonbone mace he took from one Keeper to Serana, to aid her. She rooks the weapon and both mother and daughter nod in agreement, with Vardall taking The Black Star and charging towards the undead dragon.
That mace was extremely effective against those Boneman. Valerica watched, a little impressed, by the way her daughter was fighting. Serana always knew how to fight. One of the few things Harkon and Valerica always agreed on was that their daughter should know how to defend herself. But the way Serana was moving here, the want she was attacking and using her spells... it was obvious she was much more trained than when Valerica last saw her. That made the vampire proud and made her even smile a little. If Serana kept on this way, fighting her father would be inevitable, so she would need to be even more skilled to do such a thing.
While both vampires were busy with the Boneman, Vardall was getting some trouble against Durnehviir. That dragon, just like the others, was very smart in combat. Even being that size, he somehow managed to protect his head during combat, preventing Vardall from doing a deadly strike. The great problem now to Vardall, however, was that he was again growing tired because of having his soul partially trapped. But the good thing was that the Dragonborn had an idea.
He kept dodging and blocking Durnehviir's attacks, waiting for the right moment. That moment really came once Durnehviir tried to bite Vardall. That was when he put his plan into action.
"Feim!" Using the only word he knew from the Become Ethereal shout, Vardall assumes that ghostly appearance, and when Durnehviir finally bites him, it causes no damage against the Dragonborn.
Durnehviir grows confused, until he finally realizes what happened. But that moment was deadly to the dragon, because he had given Vardall just the opportunity he wanted. At that moment, the Grey Warden smiles and immediately proceeds with his plan.
"Fo!" Using the shout Frost Breath, Vardall aims and successfully hits Durnehviir's eyes, making the dragon roar and lose his vision for only a few, but decisive seconds. With that new window of opportunity, Vardall, who was now back to normal and not ethereal anymore, quickly proceeds to climb on Durnehviir, immediately spearing his greatsword into the undead dragon's head. Durnehviir roars and quickly proceeds to try to take Vardall away from him, but the Dragonborn was able to hold his weapon and not lose his balance.
Having already dealt with the last of the Boneman, Valerica and Serana only watch as Vardall, still on the top of Durnehviir's head, strongly holds his weapon and strikes the dragon's head again, letting the lightning on its blade (Result of the runes of Lyrium Sandal made to him), do its work and fry the dragon's head. Durnehviir then roars once more, and finally succumbs to his injuries, falling on the ground, lifeless.
Recovering his breath and putting his sword again on his back, Vardall was caught by surprise when instead of absorbing his souls, Durnehviir's body was only surrounded by a strange purple fire, completely vanishing after some seconds.
Valerica truly was impressed now. This mortal had shown incredible skills and successfully defeated Durnehviir. She was starting to rethink her words and consider that her daughter had wisely chosen a protector.
She and Serana approached Vardall, who was only watching the place where Durnehviir had vanished. "Forgive my astonishment, but I never thought I'd witness the death of that dragon. Indeed, you're a Dragonborn."
"I don't think he's dead." Vardall says. "I didn't absorb his soul."
The Dragonborn's words surprised Serana, but not her mother. "Yes. The soul of a dragon is as resilient as its owner's scaly hide. It's possible that your killing blow has merely displaced Durnehviir's physical form while he reconstitutes himself."
Serana looks to her mother. "How long will that take?"
"Minutes? Hours? Years? I can't even begin to guess. I suggest we don't wait around to find out. Now, let's get you the Elder Scroll and you can be on your way." Valerica answers.
Vardall agrees, following Valerica while she finally takes them both to the Scroll that was being kept inside a fully adorned case. Opening, the vampire takes the scroll in her hands and passes to Vardall. "Now that you've retrieved the Elder Scroll, you should be on your way."
"You're staying here?" Serana questions her, to which she nods. "I have no choice, Serana. Just like you, I'm a Daughter of Coldharbour. If I return to Tamriel, that increases Harkon's likelihood of bringing the Tyranny of the Sun to fruition."
"I'll not allow that to happen!" Vardall quickly affirms. Valerica still finds his words somehow foolish, but starts to find his optimism and hope somehow contagious.
The Grey Warden then looks to Serana, thinking of his next words. "We'll return to get you out of here when Harkon's dead."
"I appreciate your concern for me, but Serana is all that I care about." Valerica says "You must keep her safe at all cost."
Vardall nods and he and Valerica share a long handshake. "Remember that Harkon isn't to be trusted. No matter what he promises, he'll deceive you in order to get what he wants." She briefly says "And promise me you'll keep my daughter safe. She's the only thing of value I have left."
Again, Vardall nods. It was obvious he was going to protect Serana, whatever it takes. After that and despising all that happened, mother and daughter shared a long hug. Serana hesitates to get away from her mother, but knew it was necessary.
"Farewell, my daughter. Please, stay safe." Valerica says, with her voice almost fading.
"Goodbye, mother." That's all what Serana says before joining again with Vardall, who still had the Elder Scroll on his hands.
Vardall couldn't not feel bad for Serana. He knew very well what it was to want more to spend with those you love, but they needed to go. Walking away and crossing that giant, metal door again, Serana sighs.
"I..." She tries to speak, but her voice only fades away.
Not wanting to let her alone, Vardall holds the scroll with only her hand and places his free hand on her shoulder again. "It's okay. Take your time."
She sighs again. "I just wanted that we could bring her with us."
Vardall nods in agreement, then removes his hand from her shoulder, wanting to give Serana some space to herself. He was caught by surprise when suddenly, she grabbed her hand and placed it back on her shoulder. The Dragonborn quickly looks at the vampire and is greeted by a smile. He smiles back, but while they're enjoying the moment, strangely some purple fire starts to gather before them, almost like it was forming something.
Vardall didn't even think twice and immediately grabbed The Black Star, while Serana also casted some spells on her hands, ready to attack.
Once the fire disappeared, Vardall widened once he saw Durnehviir again. But, instead of attaching, the undead dragon only started to talk with them: "Stay your weapons. I want only to speak with you, Qahnaarin."
Vardall and Serana quickly look at each other, confused by this, but also thinking this was some sort of trick. The Dragonborn kept his greatsword ready to strike at any surprise attack. "I had a feeling you weren't actually dead."
"Yes. I'm cursed." Durnehviir said. "Doomed to exist in this form for eternity. Trapped between laas and dinok, between life and death."
Vardall still wasn't convinced. "Why are we speaking?"
Durnehviir could notice how watchful and careful the Dovakiin was. "I believe in civility among seasoned warriors, and I find your ear worthy of my words."
Vardall honestly surprises himself once he hears those words. He lowered his greatsword only a little. "I would be lying if I said I didn't found you equally worthy."
Durnehviir nodded his head, almost like a salutation. "Your words do me great honor. My desire to speak with you was born from the result of our battle, Qahnaarin. I merely wish to respectfully ask a favor of you."
Vardall felt even more Durnehviir wasn't going to try anything, that he really only wanted to talk. That made him lower his guard even more. "What's that word you called me?"
"My claws have rendered the flesh of innumerable foes, but I have never once been felled on the field of battle. I therefore honor-name you 'Qahnaarin,' or Vanquisher in your tongue. It means 'The one who has bested a fellow dovah in battle.'."
Vardall raised one eyebrow. "Fellow dovah? I'm no dragon."
"You are the Dovahkiin. The Dragonborn. You may not be one of us in body, but you have earned the right to bear this title." Durnehviir said.
"I... thank you." Vardall found it good to be considered and called in such a way. But, returning to Durnehviir's previous question: "What favor do you want?"
The dragon's eyes even looked like they were glowing once Vardall asked him that. "For countless years I've roamed the Soul Cairn, in unintended service to the Ideal Masters. Before this, I roamed the skies above Tamriel. I desire to return there. But, I fear that my time here has taken its toll upon me. I share a bond with this dreaded place. If I ventured far from the Soul Cairn, my strength would begin to wane until I was no more."
At this time, Vardall and Serana weren't expecting any attack from Durnehviir anymore. "How can I help you?" Vardall asked.
"I will place my name with you and grant you the right to call my name from Tamriel. Do for me this simple honor and I will fight at your side as your Grah-Zeymahzin, your Ally, and teach you my Thu'um." The undead dragon said.
Vardall found that too simple. "Just call your name in Tamriel? That's it?"
Durnehviir nods. "Trivial in your mind perhaps, to me, it would mean a great deal. I don't require an answer. Dur Neh Viir, Qahnaarin. Curse Never Dying. Simply speak my name to the heavens when you feel the time is right." Then, just like the Greybeards did with Vardall, Durnehviir passes to Vardall all the knowledge he needs to use the Thu'um to summon him. And with that, Durnehviir starts flying and goes away, leaving Vardall and Serana.
The vampire looks at the Dragonborn. "That was... odd. But if what he said was true, the help of a dragon could be very useful in battles."
"Maybe not just for battles." At this time, Vardall had an idea on his mind. "Let's go. I guess you also don't want to stay here any longer." The Grey Warden comments. Serana nods in agreement and both the companions make their way to the portal where they came to finally exit this place.
# # # # # #
Back in Valerica's lab, Inigo was now sitting on a chair, lost in his own thoughts while Bran was on his side. He was thinking about that strange headache he had again, feeling it was something more serious that looked to be, but he didn't know what.
Suddenly he's caught by surprise when the open portal to Soul Cairn strongly glows again. He prepares his sword just in case, but soon lowers it down and smiles once he sees that Vardall and Serana had returned.
Talking about the Grey Warden, Vardall sighs with relief and cracks his neck. "Much better..." As soon as he steps outside the portal, the Dragonborn feels his full strength returning to him. Behind him, Serana only looks at him with a smile on her face.
Immediately after that, Bran runs in Vardall's direction, barking with joy. Vardall can only smile and kneel down to pet the husky. "Looks like someone missed me."
Inigo immediately moves to them. "My friends! Are you both okay?"
"We're fine, Inigo." Serana quickly comments. "We found my mother and the second scroll."
Vardall stops petting Bran and gets up. "Too bad we couldn't bring her with us. But anyway, did anything happen while we're away?"
The Khajiit thought carefully on his next words. Should he tell about the strong headache he suffered? He and the others had much more important business to take care of now, and he didn't want to worry or even be a dead weight to his friends.
"Nothing at all." Analyzing his options, Inigo decided to omit his pains, hoping it would not happen again.
None of Vardall or Serana managed to notice Inigo's lie, so the Dragonborn only looked at his friend and nodded. "Very well. Then let's get out of this place right now. I don't want to risk any vampire to find us."
Both Inigo and Serana agreed with his words and they all made their ways to finally exit the castle, now on procession of another Elder Scroll. They walked all the way back and after many minutes, finally arrived on the outside and started making their way to the boat they used to come to the castle.
Vardall takes a deep breath, feeling the smell of the sea. Serana looks at him while he's distracted. Every word she said to her mother was true. This man had done more to her in all the weeks she knew him, that any of her parents did in centuries. He helped her to forget with her past traumas, even that for a moment. Always making sure to help her with anything she needed. The stories they shared... their moments together... All of that meant a lot to her.
Deciding to do this on her own terms and not let her fear control her anymore, Serana touches Vardall's shoulder and quickly moves and gives the Dragonborn a little peck on the cheek.
Being completely caught by surprise, Vardall opened his eyes wide, quickly looking at Serana with a shocking expression all over his face. His heart was beating faster than ever because of that gesture.
Looking deeply inside his eyes, Serana giggles because of how red Vardall's face was now. The Warden lost his senses for a moment, having a quick memory about when Leliana did the same thing, but he quickly pushes that out of his mind. He didn't want to remember about Leliana right now.
"A way for me to say thank you. For everything you did." Serana smiles even more because of Vardall's red face and steps away, but still looking at him.
"T... thanks." Vardall dodges his gaze with a smile on his face, quickly returning to walk. Serana giggles and follows him, watching as Vardall gently runs his fingers over the place she kissed him.
She decides to end the silence above them, to also distract Vardall a little "We're finally back. That's a relief." Those words are enough for Vardall to turn his head to look at her. "I wasn't sure we'd made it out of Soul Cairn in one piece."
The Dragonborn raises one eyebrow in confusion to her words. Serana noticed that. "I know it sounds weird... but I felt worried for you - for both of us. The Ideal Masters could do anything with us inside there, really."
"Like what? Trap us inside there forever?" He asks.
She nods again. "Exactly. I wouldn't like to be a hostage for eternity - again."
Vardall grows a mischievous smile on his face, noticing a certain irony in Serana's words and decides to joke with her a little. "So a gullible vampire believes in some 'Unseen forces', huh?" The Dragonborn makes some little quote marks with his fingers.
Initially, Serana wasn't able to notice Vardall was joking and thought he was just being somehow stupid, even after seeing enough proves that the Ideal Masters were real. But soon she finally notices his joke and giggles a little, deciding after some seconds to do the same.
"Says the man who hates Gods, but is the champion of one." She said while still giggling.
Vardall's expression suddenly changes to a more serious and more sad one. He stops walking and dodges his gaze from Serana. "Don't remind me of that, please."
Serana narrowed her eyebrows because of his reaction, only noticing after some seconds what she had done. Of course that still was a sensitive matter for him. That also called Inigo's attention, making him stop walking and look behind. No words were spoken for a while. The only sound it could be heard was from the sea.
After many seconds, Vardall heavily sighs, still avoiding Serana's gaze. "I'm still struggling to even try to accept this situation. I spended my entire life believing I was the master of my own fate; but then I talk with Azura and discover that, not just my destiny is already written and I don't even know if I can't change it, but also that moments, not just from my life, were manipulated to happen. It feels..."
Vardall suddenly stopped talking worried Serana, as well he still was with his mouth slightly open, looking thoughtful. "I'm getting all philosophical again, aren't I?" He asks as he looks at Serana. She doesn't say anything and he only shakes his head. "I need to stop doing this every time I have a struggle or something." He simply then returns to walk, passing though Inigo and Bran, ignoring them both. Inigo could only watch that, very confused.
But Serana understood what Vardall was talking about. She knew very well the sensation of being used and looking like you only have an illusion of free will. She only sighs and also returns to follow him, and both Inigo and Bran do the same. All of them soon use a boat to move far from Castle Volkihar, making a silent trip all the way. Back on land, all that remained now was to return to Fort Dawnguard with the Elder Scroll, so Vardall decided to try something he had been thinking since he talked with Durnehviir.
He then looks to his friends. "Alright, say a little back, you three. I'm gonna try to summon Durnehviir."
Inigo raises an eyebrow, not understanding a thing. Serana, on the other hand, was apprehensive. "Now?"
"Yep." Vardall simply says. "If something goes wrong, we simply send him back to Soul Cairn using the old, fashioned way."
Walking until a good place, without much things to interfere, such as big rocks or trees, Vardall shouts.
"Dur Neh Viir!"
Vardall shouts against the ground, and soon the place starts to glow purple and the figure of a dragon starts to form. Vardall and the others watched impressed as Durnehviir appeared in front of them, roaring to the skies and opening his wings.
"Ah! The free air of Vus at long last." Durnehviir then looks around him, happily watching the land he was taken away for such a long time. Vardall can only smile seeing that. The dragon finally then dodges his attention to the Dragonborn. "I deeply appreciate your actions, Qahnaarin. As promised, I now teach you my Soul Tear shout: 'Rii Vaaz Zol' - Essence, Tear, Zombie." Immediately after that, Durnehviir passes the shout's knowledge to Vardall, who gladly absorbs and feels inside his mind.
This shout certainly would be one of the most useful for Vardall. Now he finally would be able to store some souls inside Azura's Star. Looking back to the undead dragon, Vardall smiles. "Thanks, Durnehviir. Now... There's another thing I wish to talk about with you. Another favor you perhaps could do not just for me, but to my friends as well." Serana and Inigo looked at each other, curious about what Vardall was going to ask the dragon.
"By all means, Qahnaarin. Anything you desire." Durnehviir affirms. If sometime ago, anyone told Vardall he would have a normal conversation with a dragon, he would call that person insane.
The Dragonborn nods in appreciation. "Isn't something you have to agree if you don't want to do - I'm not forcing you to anything. The thing is..." He breathes before keep going. "Would you allow us to ride you?"
Both Serana and Inigo widened their eyes once they heard that, almost not believing what they heard. Vardall was talking seriously? "Wait, what?" Serana quickly approaches him. "Are you seriously considering us to ride a dragon?"
He looks at her. "Just think for a moment, Serana. You know how fast dragons can fly, and riding one means we wouldn't lose lots of time crossing Skyrim. A trip that normally would take days or weeks will take much less." That was a fair point. Still, Serana wasn't a great fan of the idea.
Inigo was even less. "From all the crazy ideas you already had, my friend, this almost reaches the top."
Vardall only smiles and shrugs, looking back to Durnehviir. "So, what do you say, Durnehviir?" The Dragonborn expected the dragon to take his time to think and even refuse, but wasn't that what happened.
The dragon makes a move, almost nodding his head. "It would be a pleasure, Qahnaarin. I owe you a great debt, and I'll do whatever is needed to pay it."
Vardall raises his eyebrows, smiling right after. Durnehviir then takes position, allowing the Warden and his friends to climb on his back. Vardall then looks back to Serana, Bran and Inigo.
"Shall we?" He points to the dragon with his head. "Now... we just need to do something for Bran to remain steady upon Durnehviir and we're good to go."
Vardall and the others make their preparations to climb upon the dragon, with Serana and Inigo still thinking that was a terrible idea. But now it was too late to convince Vardall otherwise. Meanwhile, quite far from there, the figure of a woman with white hair watches over all of them, with her hand on her chin and a smile on her face. Everything was going even better than she ever imagined.
And when she saw Vardall and his friends finally ready, climbing onto the dragon's back and him starting to fly away, she knew that was the perfect moment for her to act.
# # # # # #
Right now, Vardall was feeling the closer of what was to be a real dragon. Even if he was just sitting on Durneviir' neck while the dragon flies, the sensation was incredibly marvelous. The wind on his face, Skyrim quickly passing below him, even the cold feeling on his belly when Durnehviir made some risky moves, it was great.
That was for him. The others...
Being really honest here, Serana was enjoying this much more than she thought. Just like Vardall, the wind on her face was great, and she felt more alive than ever, even before being turned into a vampire. She was also admiring the view, especially the clouds. She was so close she could almost touch them, but didn't want to risk falling from the dragon.
Now Inigo and Bran... The Khajiit was behind Serana, and this was for sure one of the worst moments of his life. Inigo always was afraid of heights, so this was a true nightmare. He was avoiding to look down as much as he could, but sometimes he couldn't avoid it.
Bran, on the other side, was actually pretty chill. He was in front of Vardall, and to prevent him from falling for this height, Vardall and the others tied some ropes around him and Durnehviir's neck (Without hurting the husky, of course), while Vardall was also holding him.
For a moment, Vardall closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He was impressed with the speed Durnehviir was flying. It looked like they could cross the whole province of Skyrim in no time.
But then, it happened again. He again felt the same presence he had when he was returning to Fort Dawnguard with that baby griffon and Nerevar. He moves his head one way to another, searching for something, bit seeing nothing, but clouds. But yet The feeling remained. The feeling that a ghost of Vardall's past was close.
Immediately, Serana noticed something was wrong with the Grey Warden. "What is it, Vardall?"
He opens his mouth to at least try to explain something to Serana, but suddenly a loud roar can be heard, calling everyone's attention. Before the Dragonborn can even look to the direction the roar echoed, a dragon quickly passes flying at their side, making Durnehviir need to dodge. Once Durnehviir stabilized himself, everyone saw the dragon flying near them again. And this time Vardall was able to put some good eyes over it, while the feeling of that presence grew stronger than ever.
At first, Vardall thought the other dragon was just some random Tamriel dragon who decided to attack; but having a better look on it, Vardall noticed that the dragon was different from the ones he was fighting until now and the one he was riding. That dragon's appearance... Vardall widened both his eyes once he noticed that the dragon had two front legs, just like the ones from Thedas.
"What?!" After that, the other dragon flies until them again, almost hitting Durnehviir. The Dovah dodged again, but with that movement, Vardall almost felt from upon him.
"Durnehviir, Land!" Vardall yells. "If that other dragon hit us, we're going to fall!" Before Durnehviir could even do anything, the other dragon hits the undead dovah with fire, right on his belly. Even not being able to die, Durnehviir still felt the damage from the attack. Trying to retrieve some of his posture, he does his best and makes a forced landing.
As soon as they hit the ground, Vardall fell off Durnehviir, rolling on the ground and only stopping once he hit a wall.
"Vardall!" The Dragonborn didn't hear Serana's shout very well. Still trying to retrieve his full senses. Once that happens, he quickly gets up and tries to run until Durnehviir, but is stopped once an arrow almost hits him. Looking to where the arrow came, only now Vardall notices he and the others had felt right in the middle of a Forsworn camp.
The Forsworn shoots yet another arrow, but again Vardall dodges.
"Fus Ro Dah!" He shouts and makes the enemy completely fly away. Using that opportunity to grab his greatsword and block a strike from another Forsworn who he heard approaching him from his back.
Noticing the Dragonborn was in trouble, both Inigo and Serana didn't lose any time to untie Bran, climb off Durnehviir and run to help Vardall. Others Forsworns spotted them and already tried to attack, but the vampire and the Khajiit easily took care of them. Another group of Forsworns were killed by Durnehviir, once he used a frost breath upon them.
Even more and more Forsworn made their ways to attack them, but Vardall and the others killed them as well. However, after cutting the head of one of them, Vardall hears again the roar from the same dragon from before. Looking back, the Warden sees as the dragon passes flying above a group of Forsworn, breathing fire and burning them alive. The dragon then landed, smashing the other two Forsworn and beating on the other three with its tail. It also grabbed one Forsworn and tossed her aside, near Vardall, Inigo, Bran and Serana.
However, they didn't have time to make questions, as more Forsworn tried to attack them.
Even being with a greater number, it was obvious the Forsworn were at a disadvantage here. With Vardall, Serana, Bran and Inigo relentlessly attacking them, not to mention two dragons, it didn't take too long for all of them to be killed.
Once the Forsworn were dealt with, the group could finally turn all their attention again to the strange dragon, who strangely, wasn't attacking them now.
"What that thing want with us? Why is not attacking?" Serana questioned, expecting anything.
Now that things were more calm, Vardall could have an even better look on that dragon. At the same time, that same sensation was all over him, so it didn't take long for him to recognize the dragon.
"Impossible!" He gasps, opening his eyes wide at the same time.
Inigo looks to his friend. "What is it?"
Before more questions could be made, that dragon started to approach them. Inigo, Bran and Serana prepare themselves for combat, but Vardall remains shocked, without moving a muscle.
Then, surprising everyone, less Vardall, that dragon starts to glow and to... become smaller? Everyone watches that with curiosity, until finally the dragon turns into a woman, who was wearing strange clothes and had her white hair looking like horns.
Once he saw the woman's face, Vardall's shock was quickly replaced by rage. The woman looks to Durnehviir, then looks directly to Vardall and starts laughing, speaking with a voice Vardall knew very well. "So you finally discovered your true nature, lad."
Vardall's friends were now very confused, while the Grey Warden closed his fists with rage and spoke with venom in his voice: "Flemeth!"
Sorry this chapter took one month. I just started my Psychology college last month and returned to gym after some time neglecting my body, so my time became really short.
New chapters will take more time to be posted, but just as I already said, the last thing I will ever do is abandon his story. It doesn't matter how long I took to finish this, but I will.