Answers to reviews:
Archangel Xireon Chaos God: Lol!
Discord sever invite code: "3VfR8ktJQ2"
Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It belongs to Bethesda Studios.
-18th of Heartfire, 4th Era 201-
Sahloknir's jaws opened wide to try and bite Rahgol, but the Dragonborb was able to dodge it and bring one of his Ebony Swords along the Dragon's jaw, causing him to roar in pain before he battered him aside with his head, causing Rahgol to grunt on impact with the ground as he rolled. However, he got back to his feet quickly, leaping to the side to avoid the Dragon's teeth as he attempted to bite on him but instead got a tree. Sahloknir crushed the trunk easily in his jaws, spitting the remains out. He growled when an arrow bounced off his scales, curtesy of Delphine, who was firing arrows.
"Be gone!" Sahloknir roared then unleashed a torrent of flame at the woman's position, causing her to quickly take cover behind a rock. Rahgol then saw Lydia creeping up on the Dragon, who was unaware until Lydia slashed at his leg, then at his wing, which definitely got his attention as he whirled around to attack her.
"FUS RO!" Rahgol Shouted, the Shout's energy striking the Dragon who grunted as he he was moved a little while Lydia had been quick to duck out of the way, using the Dragon for cover before she quickly backed off after landing a strike to his side with her Steel Sword.
"Is that the best you can do, Dovahkiin?" Sahloknir chuckled as he faced the black-haired Nord. "I expected more from you."
"Don't underestimate me, asshole." Rahgol growled, twirling his Ebony Swords before he charged at the Dragon who readied himself. When Rahgol was close, Sahloknir lunged, but Rahgol ducked and slid underneath his mouth, stabbing his blades into his jaw and dragging them along, causing blood to come pouring out from the wound, making Sahloknir shake his head. The swords, whichw ere lodged in the Dragon's neck, wouldn't come out and with Rahgol gripping them, he was jerked around as Sahloknir thrashed and writhed in pain.
"Rahgol!" Lydia shouted.
"Stay... back!" Rahgol managed to shout back to her before he ripped one blade free and manuevered to get onto the Dragon's snout, and with a roar he brought his sword directly into Sahloknir's head, causing him to roar before he flopped to the ground with laboured breathing. Rahgol panted a little as he retrived his blades, flicking the blood off them.
"Hi. .. fought pruzah. .. Dovahkiin. Zu'u eimindah hin mul. .. " Sahloknir said weakly as death began to claim him.
Rahgol gave a nod. "Ahrk Zu'u eimindah hin voth zin." He said with a nod of respect, watching as the Dragon's eyes closed, followed by the familiar sound of burning flesh and he watched his body begin to glow as the process of soul absorbing began. Rahgol closed his eyes as the feeling began, not opening until it had passed and he had absorbed the Dragon's soul. He sighed and sheathed his blades, walking over to place a hand on the skull of Sahloknir in silent respect for the Dragon, as well as the fight.
"Rahgol!" Lydia;s voice called as she and Delphine jogged over, both of them looked amazed and shocked.
"I'll be damned, you did it!" Delphine exclaimed in shock and amazement. "That was well done. So, it's true. You really are Dragonborn. I owe you some answers, don't I? Go ahead. Whatever you want to know. Nothing held back."
"Who are you and what do you want with me?" Rahgol asked instantly.
"I'm one of the last members of the Blades." Delphine explained, not seeing Rahgol narrow his eyes at the mention of the Blades. "A very long time ago, the Blades were dragonslayers, and we served the Dragonborn, the greatest dragonslayer. For the last two hundred years, since the last Dragonborn emperor, the Blades have been searching for a purpose. Now that Dragons are coming back, our purpose is clear again. We need to stop them."
Rahgol stared at her, feeling a dark feeling in his soul at her words, an angry feeling actually. He almost clenched his fists. The Blades... he knew enough about them that no good could come of them.
"Who are the Blades?" Lydia asked curiously, seeing as Rahgol was silent.
"Exactly. Nobody even remembers our name these days." Delphine said angrily. "We used to be known across Tamriel as the protectors of the Septim Emperors. Those days are long gone, though. For the last two hundred years, we've been searching for the next Dragonborn to guide and guard, as we are sworn to do. But we never found one. Until now."
"What do you know of the Dragons returning?" Rahgol asked, putting his dark thoughts to the side for the moment.
"Not a damn thing. I was just as surprised as you to find that big black Dragon here." Delphine said, before she sighed. "Damn it, we're blundering around in the dark here! We need to figure out who's behind it all!"
"Any ideas?" Rahgol asked, though he already had a suspicion on who was behind it all after seeing Alduin herself.
"The Thalmor are our best lead. If they aren't involved, they'll know who is." Delphine said with certinty.
"What makes you think they have something to do with this?" Rahgol asked with a frown.
"Nothing solid. Yet. But my gut tells me it can't be anybody else." Delphine said. "The Empire had captured Ulfric. The war was basically over. Then a dragon attacks, Ulfric escapes, and the war is back on. And now the dragons are attacking everywhere, indiscriminately. Skyrim is weakened, the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?"
"She has a point." Lydia said, looking at Rahgol who grunted.
"This is why I don't support any side in this damn war." Rahgol huffed, crossing his arms. "So, right now we're suspecting the Thalmor. How can we find proof they know about the Dragons' returning?"
"If we could get into the Thalmor Embassy... it's the center of their operations in Skyrim... Problem is, that place is locked up tighter than a miser's purse. They could teach me a few things about paranoia..." Delphine chuckled.
"So the Embassy... how do we get in?" Rahgol asked.
"I'm not sure yet. I have a few ideas, but I'll need some time to pull things together... When I have something, I'll let you know." Delphine said. "Keep an eye on the sky, this is only going to get worse. Here's the key for the basement."
Rahgol took the key and watched her depart, before Lydia spoke. "You don't trust her." She stated, seeing his expression.
"No, I don't." Rahgol said, pocketing the key.
"But why? She told you what you needed to know." Lydia pointed out.
"What she felt I needed to know." Rahgol corrected with anger. "I could hear the tone she used, ordering me like some mongrel pup. Like I'm some naive underling who has no idea what he is doing. And there's clearly the fact she just wants me to hunt down every Dragon in sight, always mentioning how the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer. I don't seek to kill every Dragon, Lydia. Because I am Dragonborn, they are essentially my race just as Nords are. And I have too much respect for Dragons to see them all as my enemies. The only ones I will face are those who attack innocents. If they choose to fight back after I warn them to leave, then they will die. But if they don't, then they are free to leave. And as for the Blades... I've read and heard enough about them to know they can't be trusted. Anyway, enough of this, we should return to High Hrothgar and give the Horn to Arngeir."
Lydia nodded and the two set off for their horses, ready to begin the journey back to High Hrothgar.
-25th of Heartfire, 4th Era 201-
Rahgol arrived at High Hrothgar, alone, as he had told Lydia to just go back to Whiterun while he does this himself. She was a little reluctant, but complied and they parted ways not long after leaving Kynesgrove. Entering the monastery, he found Arngeir in the center of the room, meditating, but the Greybeard opened his eyes as Rahgol approached, showing the Horn in his hand which brought a pleased smile to the old man.
"Ah! You've retrieved the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Well done. You have now passed all the trials. Now, stand in the center of the room. It is time for us to recognize you fully as Dragonborn." Arngeir said as the other Greybeards arrived.
Rahgol moved and stood where Arngeir had been praying, looking at each of them before his eyes landed on Arngeir as the old man continued.
"You are ready to learn the final word of Unrelenting Force, "Dah," which means "Push."" He said, then looked at Wulfgar, who quietly Shouted the Word at the floor, leaving it's inscription on it. Like the last couple of times, Rahgol walked over and stood over it, feeling him unlocking it's power before Wulfgar allowed him to tap into his knowledge, meaning and understanding of the Word.
"With all three words together, this Shout is much more powerful. Use it wisely." Arngeir said with a small smile, getting a nod from Rahgol. "You have completed your training, Rahgol. We would Speak to you. Stand between us, and prepare yourself. Few can withstand the unbridled Voice of the Greybeards. But you are ready."
"Let's do it." Rahgol said as he prepared himself.
Suddenly High Hrothgar began to shake, but Rahgol just stood firm. "Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau!" Again, High Hrothgar began to shake, but Rahgol was standing like a tree with his roots deep in the earth.
"Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth!" Again the ground began to shake, and again Rahgol stood firm.
"Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebron. Dahmaan daar rok." They stopped Shouting and all looked at him with a smile.
"Dovahkiin. You have tasted the Voice of the Greybeards, and passed through unscathed. High Hrothgar is open to you, as it always has been." Arngeir said.
"Thank you, Arngeir. For everything." Rahgol said, receiving a nod and a smile from the old man. "But I need to work on my power, to increase it's strength and for that I will need to unlock more Words of Power."
Arngeir nodded. "We can help you with that. There are many Words of Power in Skyrim, carved in the Dragon tongue. Even from here, we can feel the Thu'um resonate from them. Finding these lost Words would be a sufficient test, to temper your abilities with experience. And as such, we have felt the whisper of a Word. Give me your map, and I will show you where its echo can be found."
After Arngeir pointed it out to him, Rahgol bade them goodbye and left the monastery, his destination being Whiterun.
-30th of Heartfire, 4th Era 201-
Having decided to return to Whiterun to do some work for the Companions, earn a decent amount of gold, then begin searching for the many Words across Skyrim, Rahgol arrived in the city and made for Jorrvaskr. He didn't get far before Skjor came out, spotted him and smiled.
"Ah good, there you are." He said. "I see you've returned from whatever it is you've been doing these past few weeks."
"What do you want?" Rahgol asked, crossing his arms.
"I have something planned for you. But it's not for everyone to hear. Meet me in the Underforge tonight. We will speak more." Skjor said, causing Rahgol to frown in confusion.
"Where is the Underforge?" He asked.
"I forget that you've never seen it. Beneath the Skyforge, where Eorlund works. The door is hidden, but I will show you the way." Skjor said, pointing the Underforge out. He just gave a nod and watched Skjor walk away, wondering what the hell the man wanted from him.
To busy himself, he took a job for Aela, about a predator invading someone's home in Whiterun Hold. He had that taken care of and returned to Whiterun by nightfall, but he could find no sign of Aela. So, he opted to go to where Skjor was waiting for him before a strange looking door, which most likely led to the Underofgre as he said.
"Ah, there you are." Skjor smiled. "Are you prepared?"
"What is this?" Rahgol asked seriously.
"Here's all you need to know. Jorrvaskr is the oldest building in Skyrim. The Skyforge was here long before it was. And the Underforge taps an ancient magic that is older than men or elves. We bring you here to make you stronger, new blood. Now let's move." Skjor said and went inside. After a moment of contemplation, Rahgol sighed and followed after him, only to stop in his tracks when he saw what was waiting for them.
A Werewolf.
'No. This is not what I think it is...' Rahgol thought, realizing what was going on; they were offering him the power to become a Werewolf.
"I'm glad you came here. 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 due more honor than some calls. I would hope you recognize Aela, even in this form."Skjor said.
"Well, I've never seen Aela as a Werewolf, so how am I meant to know it's her?" Rahgol asked sarcastically, getting what sounded like some kind of laugh from the transformed Aela while Skjor scowled a little before his face went blank once more.
"Regardless, she's agreed to be your forebear. We do this in secret because Kodlak is too busy 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 to be a curse?" He said.
"I can think of a few things." Rahgol muttered to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose.
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. Are you prepared to join your spirit with the beast world, friend?" Skjor asked.
"No." Rahgol said bluntly.
"What?" Skjor's face hardened at his answer while Aela looked between them.
"My answer is no." Rahgol said with a cold look on his face. "Dragon blood is enough for me."
"Don't you want to get stronger?" Skjor pressed.
"I'd rather die than bind myself to a Daedric Prince, to be honest." Rahgol shrugged. "And I can get stronger my way, I don't need to become a Werewolf just for that. If you don't like my decision, then that's your opinion, and I really don't care. The answer's no."
Skjor looked angry at his words, and an inhuman growl left him as he said."To join the Circle, your blood must be as ours."
"Then I won't join the Circle." Rahgol snapped, getting fed up with this.
"You are just like Kodlak… you see it as a curse don't you?"
Rahgol rolled his eyes. "Curse, gift, does it really matter? I view it as neither. But I view Dragon blood as superior." He said with a bit of a smirk.
"Fine then, have it your way. But this remains a secret. If I hear you talking about this, I will kill you." Skjor threatened, which just made Rahgol scoff as he turned to leave.
"Good luck with that." he threw over his shoulder, then heard the sound of a sword unsheathing and groaned. "Really, Skjor?"
"Don't mock me!" Skjor yelled as he charged with a roar at Rahgol, who dodged and kicked him back., Skjor got to his feet and charged again, but Aela held him back. However, Skjor got free and charged again, which caused Rahgol to roll his eyes and Shout.
"FUS RO DAH!" Skjor went flying off his feet and collided with the wall.
"You... you're no Companion..." Skjor growled angrily as he pushed himself to his feet.
"Whatever. I quit anyway." Rahgol growled and left, running into Farkas and Vilkas.
"What's wrong? We heard shouting." Vilkas said, but Rahgol brushed past them.
"Skjor tried to make me a Werewolf, I said no but he didn't like it and tried to kill me. I quit the Companions." Rahgol said, walking down the steps. Farkas and Vilkas went to stop him when a voice called to them.
"Let him go." It was Kodlak who watched Rahgol go with a heavy sigh. "It is his decision. We must respect it."
"FUS RO DAH!" The Unrelenting Force SHout exploded from Rahgol's mouth, uprooting a few trees and sending them flying as the enraged Dragonborn shot two streams of flames from his hands, burning the greenery around him. He then turned and Shouted again. "YOL!" The fire burst from his mouth and incinerated a few twigs, leaves, grass and a couple of animals that were unfortinate to be in it's path.
"I can see why you have 'Rahgol' in your name." A familiar, amused voice said behind him, causing him to turn around and see none other than Alduin laying nearby with an amused look on her face as she examined the state of the forest Rahgol had used to vent his rage. "Not bad... but it would've been more impressive had it been stronger."
Rahgol sighed and ran a hand down his face. "I have no time for you and your antics. Go away and leave me alone." He said, turnring away from her which made Alduin growl.
"Do not presume to command me, joore." She warned. "The only reason I do not end your life in this instant is because I am curious as to what has made you so angry... you're taking it out on trees."
"If you must know, not that it's any of your business, I was offered a chance to become a Werewolf but I said no... and the guy who offered didn't like that, trying to attack me afterwards." Rahgol said. Alduin gave a growl at the mention of him being offered the chance to become a Werewolf.
"Med suleyk do dok vis vothnaar wah suleyk do dov." She said with a scoff, then looked at Rahgol curiously as he sat down nearby and rubbed his forehead with his hands. "Why you are commited to being the hero of these people, I will never understand."
"I am NOT their hero." Rahgol shot her a look. "I am not some tool for them to speak about their problems and have me sort it out. Whatever their problems are, they can handle it themselves. I do what I want for my benefit. If people want my help, then it had better be worth my time."
"Intriguing." Alduin smiled. "Seems you are not the hero of a fairy tale as depicted in most of them. It must be such a irritating thing, having all of Skyrim force their problems onto you to handle."
"You have no idea." Rahgol muttered.
"Had this been during my time, such a thing would never have happened." Alduin said, her gaze turning distant as she thought back to the days her kind ruled the land. "You know, we aided the Joor during that period and all we asked was for some form of control. You all accepted it at first but when the Akaviri came, they sowed discord among you all and led a rebellion. Why did that occur?"
Rahgol frowned at her, wondering where she was going with this. But he was curious, so he decided to indulge her. "I;m not sure. I wasn't around during that time. But everyone should have free will to do what they should make their own decisions instead of having them forced on them."
Alduin paused in thought. "Hmm….Vahzah, but do you deny that things were better back then as opposed to now?"
"I wasn't alive then so I don't know." Rahgol answered, failing to see where she was going with this.
"In exchange for lordship, we aided the Joor in fighting and in menial tasks despite our discomfort. We allowed the empire to have its army and in exchange for some land for ourselves, we allowed them to watch the cities and we would keep an eye on the skies and forests. It was a mutual agreement between us and there was no war or evil deed that was unpunished." She said as she remembered those times. "Look at the present, you have evil deeds done at almost every turn and many die simply because one Joor wanted what they didn't have. Tell me Dovahkiin, is this a better life? A family dies because one person used his "free will" to set their house alight. Is he not exerting his will over there's then?" Alduin asked him tensely.
"It would be his choice to make." Rahgol said.
"True again, but was it that family's choice to die from his will? In the early days of the Empire, we would have stopped that from happening. The so-called Dark Brotherhood would have been wiped out by the Dov back then but instead they continue their business; those who make war simply for personal gain would have been crushed underfoot but now continue their foolish ways. Can you honestly tell me that this land is safer because of what happened?" She asked him again.
Rahgol frowned at her. "Where are you going with this? What, are you offering some kind of alliance with all of Skyrim?"
"Or perhaps just you." Alduin said, chuckling at his surprised look. "It's merely a thought... you are still my enemy, but why should we follow events depicted in a prophecy? We should make our own destines and choices in life, yes? Do not take this as me offering you a place at the side of the Dov, at my side. You'd have to earn such a place if you desire it. Together, we could end this pathetic civil war and fix this land for good. Or we could just remain true to what our roles are and destroy. Cause the deaths of countless innocents in selfish battles again, and again, and again until we're both dead. Is that what you want?"
With that said, she spread her wings and took to the air with a mighty flap, but hovered in the sky to call to the Dragonborn.
"Think about it, hero."
With that, she flew off, leaving Rahgol with a lot on his mind.
And that's it for this chapter everyone. I hope you all enjoyed it, and also what Alduin said. I already know where I'm going with this story, how the fight in Sovngarde will go and, rather than get all your hopes up as you wonder how it'll go... it's still going to result in Alduin's death. But with that will come character development as Rahgol obviously grieves and mourns killing the one he loves.
That's all I'll say in the matter in regards to that. So, big spoiler there. This story won't end with that, as I plan to go through the Dawnguard and Dragonborn questlines, and maybe something beyond that.
Now I'm trying to think on what to do next with Rahgol's journey, since he'll be going around, finding the Words of Power to aquire stronger, powerful Shouts, and also do stuff along the way as long as it is worth his time and there is a reward involved. Plus, he may have a few more... meetings with Alduin similar to the one he had with her in this chapter.
I'm wanting them to develop some respect for each other, and then the feelings turn into romantic ones before the big fight in Sovngarde. I may do a timeskip of several months, and describe what Rahgol has been up to in those months, or I may just show what he did... still planning it out.