Chapter 10: The Battle of Dayspring Canyon
Three in the morning struck the darkest of night, but from within the depths of the southeastern mountains of Skyrim; a looming orange haze drifted up and reflected off the misty clouds. Waging fire swarmed the innards of Dayspring Canyon, and within the clouds of smoke were sharp spears of ice thrown passed the barricades left in shambles. The swarms of vampires advanced through the barricade, where the Dawnguard warriors fled deeper towards the yard. Vampires were toppled by the shot of crossbows. However, as one vampire fell, three more took its place.
Isran voice carried over the war, "GUNMAR, NOW!!"
As the vampires came through dwindling flames left by the crumbled gates, two armoured trolls lunged to meet them. They released blood curdling roars that rattled the snow off the pine trees, and plowed their steel-plated fists into the invading vampires. Death hounds leapt and dug their fangs into a troll's arm, who haplessly plucked it off before throwing it upon the ground repeatedly like a plaything. Vampires that survived the calamity of the trolls crawled over the remnants of the barricade, and to the Dawnguard warriors on the other side. Isran released a boisterous roar and charged with his warhammer. He plowed it against the skull of one vampire, and easily pried the hammer up and walloped another. An ice spike whooshed passed his head narrowly. Four more vampires sprawled to him.
Isran called out to the heavens, "Stendarr! Grant me your aura in my time of need!"
A glowing white orb started in his Stendarr amulet and travelled to his core, which shot out in a wave of cosmic energy, sending the vampires flying into the ground before scattering into ash. The light followed him as he charged more vampires, burning their skin.
Farkas and Kodlak ran to Isran's aid, with Durak and Celann joining in the fight with them. Farkas slashed his sword clean through the torso of one vampire; causing its body to erupt in blood before falling into two pieces.
Durak laughed maniacally, "No one bests an Orc!" He thudded a battle axe into a vampire's skull then sneered, "See? No one!"
A vampire leapt to Durak with its fangs into his shoulder. He released a yell of pain and tried to fight the fiend off him. Farkas dropped his sword and grabbed the monster on Durak by their jaws. It ripped off Durak, where Farkas kept his hands to the monster's mouth and tore their bottom jaw off. The monster released a guttural shriek before Farkas threw it to the ground, and pummelled its head to pulp with repeated stomps of his steel boot.
"Damn…" Durak breathed— clutching his bite, "No one bests a Nord, either. Good show!"
"There's more coming through!"
They both retrieved their weapons and stood their ground at the dozens of vampires emerging through the barricade. Kodlak slashed his sword through the gut of one vampire and elbowed one in the chin from behind him. He turned and stabbed his sword into the vampire's chest.
Kodlak ripped the sword out and breathed heavily, "I'm not too old yet…"
Isran hollered towards him as his hammer fell over another vampire, "Kodlak! Retreat back to the numbers, now! Everyone retreat back!!"
The remaining Dawnguard fled back from the destruction of the gate where the vampires clamoured through. The fire from the barricade slowly travelled along the dry grass and trees against the canyon edge. The vampires were no longer able to travel through the shrub and had to meet their match against the trolls first before reaching the keep. Mimzi and Vilkas stayed back shooting arrows at the menace that came through the gates. Their red eyes carried a true aim. Vilkas struck one vampire through the nose with such force it flew back headfirst. Mimzi shot an arrow that narrowly missed.
Vilkas shouted to her, "Your posture, Mimzi!" He released another arrow that met the target in the chest.
Mimzi breathed heavily and gasped, "Right!" She forced herself to take deep breaths and straightened her back, then used the muscles in her back. The arrow plummeted into a vampire's chest.
Vilkas praised her, "You can do this! Keep at it!"
Isran bellowed to his comrades, "Another wave coming! Greet them like Dawnguard!"
More than a dozen vampires emerged through the barricade. Two front line Dawnguard were immediately swarmed by couples of vampires.
"NO!" Isran screamed to his fallen comrades. Vilkas shot one of the attacking vampires through the head but his sight was taken by more emerging to their small militia.
"Mimzi!" Vilkas hollered, "If you were thinking about shouting, now is a great time to use it!"
Mimzi clenched her eyes as she lowered her bow, "I've got one in mind, alright," she uttered. As she opened her glowing blue eyes which whispered the Thu'um, she shot her head up to the skies and Shouted.
"OD...AH… VIING!!"
The shout echoed through the clouds that parted at the eruption of force. It startled the comrades to her sides.
Vilkas balked at Mimzi, and angrily looked up at the skies before shouting back at her, "THAT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!"
"It's backup! I just pray to Talos he heard it!"
Vilkas's voice broke, "Who?"
"A friend! Don't shoot at him when he shows up!
Vilkas everted his eyes from her and returned to a scowl as a vampire beckoned Kodlak. It ran and thudded the old man to the ground, barring its fangs. Vilkas leapt over and swooped his blade through the vampire's neck. Its blood sprayed over Kodlak's face and painted his beard where the head of the monster fell to the side. Vilkas kicked the body off Kodlak and held his hand out to pull him up.
"That's my boy…" Kodlak croaked and spat residual blood. He picked off the ground with Vilkas's help.
"You need to get inside, master— Damnit! Kodlak! There's too many!"
Kodlak curled a bloodthirsty grin, "Nonsense! I haven't felt this alive for years! This old man may be old, but I still revel the call of glory! RAAAAGGGH!!"
Kodlak roared before whipping behind him and slashing his Skyforge steel shortsword through the chest of a vampire leaping to him.
Mimzi, Vilkas and Kodlak stood back-to-back with their weapons thrashing at waves of vampires, where Celann, Farkas, and Durak plummeted the vampires into mush with their heavy weapons and unwavering strength. Isran came to their defence with his spell acting as a barrier to the vampires that would burn from his glowing aura— gifted by Stendarr. Gunmar and Sorine helped the remaining Dawnguard soldiers fend off the vampires that approached the main keep.
As they were engulfed in an array of vampire menace, their spirits cheapened at the sight of dozens more vampires coming towards them. Mimzi clenched her teeth as she marched towards the gaggle of red-eyed monsters.
Her eyes began to glow blue as she channeled her rage once more. She looked down at the bodies of Dawnguard who were preyed on by the vampires, and could hear the desperate clamouring of war from her friends behind her. They were invading, they were killing, and she was sick of their existence, yet they kept coming. She feared for her side's strength to wane at the masses of evil. Fear turned to rage.
"FUS… RO… DAH!!"
A catalyst of erupting power shot from Mimzi's lips and collided into the gaggle. It sent them throwing back into the canyon rocks— breaking their spines and cracking their skulls at impact. The vampires who witnessed this shrilled in fear and fled from the power. Mimzi huffed and a slam of exhaustion fell her back. Using her Thu'um twice so narrowly together had taken a toll. Vilkas ran through the clamour of magic and clanging steel to Mimzi.
"Hey! You with me?! What happened?"
She kept her head bowed as her eyelids stayed heavy. She could hear a muffle of his voice, but her vision and hearing were afflicted from a state of delirium. She fought to stay conscious. Vilkas swept her up from her feet and started to carry her towards the keep.
Kodlak berated in a holler, "VILKAS! What are you doing?! We need her to fight!"
Vilkas yelled back passed his shoulder, "I will not let her fight like this!"
Vilkas sprinted passed the invading vampire attackers as they sparred with Dawnguard, and kept to the keep doors. As he passed the carnage, he was quickly followed by vampires. He bolted up the steps and opened the gate doors fitting himself and Mimzi through. An ice spike came whirling towards them where Vilkas quickly shut the gates and it collided into the outside frame. Inside the keep was as quiet as a cave, but the clamouring of war could be heard in muffles from outside. The only sound was the echo of Vilkas's heavy panting and Mimzi's shallow breaths. He paced through the short hall inside the main chamber and laid Mimzi down against the wall behind a supply of crates. He knelt down to her and rattled her shoulders.
"Mimzi… Mimzi wake up. Hey…" Vilkas persisted, rattling her till she forced herself to stay alert. She pried her eyes open to him, but still held heavy lids and a sluggish look.
"Mimzi…" Vilkas said, "When I leave, you need to barricade the doors. I don't know how you'll do it, but you need to figure something out. The vampires… they can't get their hands on Serana. What is happening now will be happening all over Skyrim if they take her. Please… do you understand me? Just nod or wink— anything!"
"Okay…"
Vilkas smiled in relief before nodding, "Good... after you're done, go find Aela, she is on the tower I brought you to. You understand?"
"Okay… please come back…"
"I'll come back for you."
Vilkas sighed heavily as he stood from the floor and from Mimzi. His eyes to the floor, he walked from her pressingly and marched to the front gates, drawing his greatsword.
As he opened the doors, he was met with the gaggle of vampires being slaughtered by Kodlak and Farkas. Their faces shadowed in doubt.
Kodlak shouted to Vilkas, "My boy! Where is Mimzi?"
Farkas exclaimed, "We need her Shout thing, damn it! We are getting overrun! They are like fanged, red eyed skeevers!" He ripped his greatsword from the last vampire.
"She needs to rest," said Vilkas, feeling partial guilt for her condition now. He shot his eyes up to a sprinting death hound coming to Kodlak's flank.
"KODLAK!"
Kodlak turned around and was slammed to the ground by the monster. It dug its teeth into his shoulder. He released a cry from the shredding wound. Farkas and Vilkas came at the monster like fury from a god. They both sliced their blades in opposite directions, cutting the death hound into pieces. Kodlak punched it off him and clawed at his bleeding shoulder.
Kodlak huffed, "Look at that… first dog fight… ah… I didn't win."
"You won that one, Kodlak. So, you're still good," assured Vilkas as he and his brother helped him up.
Farkas asked to Kodlak, "Can you still fight?"
Kodlak nodded and rolled his shoulder before stating, "Yes. You don't get to live to this age as a warrior without learning how to breathe through the pain. Let's go, boys, glory awaits us on the battlefield."
Serana and Aela stayed to the southern tower shooting down what vampires they could kill at the flank of the army. The two trolls continued to plow through their resolve, but one was quickly overwhelmed and was slain by spell. The last troll, Kresnik, began to take the full toll of the crowding menace. But the vampires soon began to overwhelm the beast, he struggled to endure the vampire spells, and frigid bites from death hounds. Without the troll defence at the front, Aela knew the vampires would submerge into Fort Dawnguard's main defence. They would slaughter Dawnguard's warriors in moments— even the bravest few, her family. Vilkas, Farkas, Mimzi and Kodlak. As the thought festered, her anger followed suit. Serana kept her glare down at the vampires while pulsing ice spikes from her palms. Soon the vampires had discovered where the spikes were coming from and started to bolt spikes back up the tower. One ice spike narrowly missed Serana's head, who screamed and shot back as the ice crashed into pieces against the stone lining of the arrow slit. Aela looked down and clenched her fists as she prepared to do what she needed. Serana startled at the sight of Aela not fighting back— but looking lost in thought.
"Hey! Pull it together, they see us, but we can't stop now!"
Aela looked her pale green eyes up at her and uttered, "I told you 'In due time'… well looks like it's going to be sooner than I thought."
Serana scrunched her nose in confusion before blurting, "What?!"
Aela took off her armour and clothes underneath. Serana pointed down to her and asked uncomfortably, "Errr… what are you doing?"
"Protecting the people I care about," Aela stated in her undergarments only. She curved a devious smile, "You sure you want to know what I am?"
"Uhh… you're naked?!"
"You're about to see…" Aela ran towards the arrow slit and leapt through, hurdling down to the masses of vampires below.
"Hircine guide me!"
Serana gasped then shrilled out the arrow slit, "AELA!!"
As Aela soared down her body began to shift once more. Hair sprouted from her skin and her eyes glowed white. Fangs curved in her maw as her skull shifted into a muzzle. Her undergarments were ripped off as she grew into a wolf-like beast. She released a ground-shaking roar down to the vampires who looked up in horror. The last thing they saw was the frame of a werewolf. Aela clamped her jaw down on the first vampire and slashed her claws against those near it. The vampires screamed in horror.
"A werewolf! By the blood, it's a werewolf!!"
Vampires began to flee but she leapt to and fro, slashing vampires asunder in quick precision. She'd spring from attacks and gut another vampire, before lunging to the next one. Vampire blood dripped from her fangs and stained her auburn fur coat. Her jumps were so fast not even the vampires could keep up with the mindless chaos of the werewolf. Some fled back to where they came at the sight of the beast— knowing full well the prowess and destruction a werewolf could conjure.
Serana looked down and marvelled at the unwavering strength of the beast and how easily she cut through waves of vampires.
Serana uttered to herself, "A werewolf. Right. Explains a lot, actually." She fled from the tower; certain her abilities would be of much greater use down in the pit of battle with the others.
The troll didn't seem bothered in the slightest by the raging werewolf among the crowd, instead it fought alongside her— understanding she was not to be trifled with. Aela looked passed the barricade where more vampires rushed through to the keep. She sprang to the other side of the barricade, slashing any vampire that tried to breach.
Vilkas, Farkas and Kodlak joined the defence with Isran giving instruction. Suddenly the long echoing howl of Aela was heard over the heat of battle that alarmed all who could hear it. It distracted the vampires long enough for them to be slain by the Dawnguard. Vilkas and Farkas looked to each other a kindred glare of shock— knowing the howl and its origin. Kodlak finished slaying a vampire and curled a scowl at the noise. More vampires approached their numbers but as they came closer, a beast leapt to the monsters to ravage them. She gnashed off their heads and tossed them away into the shrub. Vampires shrieked at the sight of the werewolf.
Isran froze in the heat of war. His eyes to the monster he said, "Stendarr's horn… is that a damn werewolf?"
"There's no reasoning with that bitch!" Vilkas's enraged voice could be heard over the crash and clamour.
Kodlak exclaimed to Isran, "It's slaying the vampires! See, it's ignoring us! Let it keep doing what it's doing, we need every advantage we can get."
Isran yelled back, "First vampires, now werewolves? What is this maddened trickery?!"
Isran was barraged by two vampires. One pranced on his side and sunk their fangs into his shoulder before it was thrown off. He lifted its hammer and cracked its skull like a gourd, then quickly twirled his hammer back to another in the midst of a drain spell.
"Absolutely disgusting," he grumbled as he patted his shoulder.
A gust of wind blew into the canyon abruptly, followed by a harrowing snarl from the skies. It was a roar only held in the nightmares of Nords, and to the highest peaks of mountains. Even Aela in her wolf form faltered at the roar and whimpered to what it could belong to.
Gunmar asked as he strayed his gaze to the skies, "What in Oblivion is that?!"
The clouds began to flex and the night skies opaque with a colossal shape. Great furled wings soared over the Fort Dawnguard. Vampires looked up in despair as throws of fire came sprawling down to them in waves of inferno. Another roar followed the blast of fire, and the shape soared over again. The earth shook and trees pulled.
"Shor's Bones…" Farkas gasped, "It's a dragon!"
The dragon loomed in the night sky, but what they could see were two reaching horns from its head, crimson and sky-blue scales, and a reptilian tail. It soared over the masses of vampires again and threw another blast of flame.
"YOL… FRAH… SHUL!"
The Dawnguard shrunk in fear and confusion at the appearance of a dragon among the stench of raging battle. Kodlak looked up in astonishment, unable to comprehend what his eyes were seeing. But he pondered on why the dragon was targeting the vampires and seemingly ignoring them.
"Krilot joore. The vampire menace, the sos lun, come in great numbers. Do not fear me, I am here to help. Now tell me… where is Dovahkiin? Dii Thuri. Her mortal title is Mimzi."
The Dawnguard looked on at the beast. It flapped atop them, throwing fierce winds. Their slack jaws and wide eyes at the presence of a dragon froze them in horror. The amazement held their tongues.
"Joore. You do speak, no? Where is Mimzi? Is she oblaan? Has she fallen?"
Vilkas tried to break through his frozen state. He beheld the dragon in awe, not comprehending it was speaking to them. He finally jolted from his state and blurted, "No, she's alive. She heals now."
The dragon exclaimed, "Pruzah! I will offer my strength to you, krilot joore. The sos lun, the vampires, they are right to fear me. As they are right to fear you. My Thu'um is restless! I gain much honour from this!"
A gust of wind nearly threw them to the ground as the dragon flourished up and released another roar into the skies. It soared over the masses of vampires again with throwing flames. It would swoop down with its talons open and snatch a vampire before flinging it against the towers of Fort Dawnguard.
"What… is… happening?" Isran said, breaking from shock, "We got werewolves and dragons fighting on our side? What is happening?!"
"That's Mimzi's backup," smiled Vilkas in awe, "Looks like he heard it after all."
The vampires fled from the dragon, retreating towards the fort and greeted the residual warriors. Aela snarled as the hair stood on her back. She released a roar then lunged into the crowds of vampires.
"Even with a blasted dragon and werewolf on our side, we're not done yet," growled Isran and held his hammer up to smash more vampires, "They want death so badly, let's give it to them! KILL!!"
"KILL!"
Inside the keep, Mimzi struggled to push crates to the front gates. Serana came down the stairwell and startled at the sight of Mimzi at the front doors.
"What are you doing here?! Why are you…"
Mimzi looked back to Serana alone and raised, "Where is Aela?!"
"I don't think you'd believe it if I told you…" stated Serana as she still wrangled in disbelief at Aela's beast form.
"What?!" gasped Mimzi, "Where is she?! Is she dead?"
"No! She's fine, trust me. She can take care of herself. What are you doing? Why are you closing off the doors with us behind them?"
"Vilkas… he told me to. The vampires are here for you. Don't you get that? Every day will be like this if they have you. Not just every night, every day. You can't go out there," alarmed Mimzi.
Serana berated, "You think I don't know that? Which is why we need to go and fight. They'll never stop till we do. If we don't fight, they will kill your friends, then take me and kill you."
Suddenly the walls of the keep shook creating dust particles to fly off the old stone. A roar rumbled the entirety of Fort Dawnguard. Serana and Mimzi looked up to the monstrous noise from outside the walls.
Serana shivered, "I don't mean to alarm you or anything… but last time I heard that noise… it was a…"
"Dragon," sighed Mimzi in an elated smile, "… he's here," she looked at Serana with a rejuvenated sense of excitement, "Now we at least stand a chance."
Mimzi then began to pry away the crates and Serana asked, "Were we expecting a dragon?!"
"Yeah, I called him. He's on our side."
"What are you talking about?! How did you call him?"
Mimzi breathed out as she struggled pulling the heavy crates, "Perks of being a Dragonborn. You wanna fight, then let's fight. Help me move this damn thing."
Serana's strength as a vampire shown as she easily gripped and pulled them away from the gates.
"Wow," awed Mimzi at Serana's prowess. The two women went to open the doors, but they were aggressively forced open. Mimzi and Serana gasped and pulled each other back. In through the opening of the door emerged several beady, red eyes. They slammed the great doors open as Serana and Mimzi scurried over the crates to escape. One vampire said aloud to the two.
"Oh wonderful. I was dreading the search up and down this primitive keep for you. Yet, here you are right within our grasp."
Serana immediately summoned an ice spike spell to her palm. The crowd of vampires kicked through the crates with ease as they sauntered to the two women.
"You need me alive. I'd rather jab a dagger in my throat then come back with you," she began to plea, "This is a war you can't win. My father… can't you see?! He puts all of you at risk! This isn't what's best for vampires, no matter what words he feeds you!"
The vampire laughed, "A world without the sun? That's precisely what's best for us! Your envy cripples your better judgement as you know you won't be there to enjoy the spoils! Selfish little bitch!"
Mimzi raised her hand and engaged the flame spell. The vampires roared in pain, giving Serana and Mimzi the time to run away.
"Back to the tower! Now!" Mimzi yelled to Serana. They bolted down the right entryway and took a left towards the animal pens. The vampires screamed as the fire burnt away their vulnerable skin, they pursued the two women with their robes still alight.
Outside the keep, the mounds of vampires preyed relentlessly on the small Dawnguard militia. Celann tried to keep his strength as a vampire clutched his weapon and pushed towards him. The vampire then dug Celann's war axe into his chest.
"RAAAAAAAAAGGGH!!!"
He was swarmed by vampires who tore him limb from limb.
Durak's black eyes wilted at the sight of his friend, "NOOOO!!! CELANN!"
His death granted Durak a bout of berserk rage and his battle axe flew ferociously at the vampires. His raging, animalistic grunts struck fear into the vampires who didn't have a chance to run before Durak sliced them in two.
Farkas and Vilkas fought by Durak, sweat dripped from their faces and drenched their black hair as they relentlessly threw swipe after swipe of their weapons. Their arms strained from consistent blocks of their shields, their shoulders stiff from throws of their sword. As a barrage of lightening spells went hurdling towards them, Farkas remembered Aela and Durak's teachings and raised his hand with the ward spell; which turned the lightning to sparks at impact.
Vilkas grunted through swipes of his greatsword, "If someone told me my brother would be using magic against an army of vampires, I would have spat in their face!"
"I'm surprising myself!"
Suddenly Aela squalled in pain with an ear-splitting howl. Kodlak and the twins looked back to Aela being attacked with lightning spells.
Kodlak screamed out, "AELA!",
This caught the attention of Isran, who stared in shock at the revealing of the werewolf's true identity. He shot a scowl at Kodlak, who was running to Aela's aid.
"Farkas, go!" Vilkas shouted, "Save Aela! I'll deal with the rest of these blood-witches! Go!"
"Don't give an inch, brother," Farkas smacked Vilkas's arm before running to Aela and Kodlak. Vilkas pressed his lips and returned a battle-ready scowl to the vampires, ready for any turmoil in battle he was soon to face.
Odahviing soared over the skies, being constantly pelted with ice spikes from the vampires below. They shattered against his thick scales. The vampire numbers had begun to lessen at the destruction from his calamity. Many started to flee out of Dayspring Canyon in terror. However, those passed the barricade continued their pursuit to quell the defence of Dawnguard.
Farkas grabbed the vampires off Aela and chucked one to the side before stabbing his blade down into its gut. Isran suddenly appeared to aid Aela and began slamming the vampires into mush with his hammer. Kodlak swiped his sword over one, but another leapt off Aela and tackled him to the ground. It pierced a dagger into Kodlak's belly. He roared in pain as tears dropped from his eyes. Aela raged at the sight of Kodlak and she had a second wave of anger. She lunged at the vampire on Kodlak. She clashed her claws into the vampire and began to ravage its insides in revenge. She went to Kodlak and gently sniffed his injury and brought her wet nose to his cheek.
"Dear Aela…" Kodlak curdled, "Get somewhere safe, now. You will soon turn back to human form… go now."
Farkas looked back to see Kodlak wounded on the ground with Aela over him; telling him with her eyes to tend to him. Farkas thrashed his sword again at a vampire and aided Kodlak. He picked him off the ground as Kodlak began to spit up blood.
He ordered to her, "Aela, take him somewhere safe!" He helped Kodlak grab a hold of the fur on her back. He gripped her fur and Aela ran with him to the groves by the fort. Farkas looked back to where Vilkas was last and he was gone, yet the vampires all lay in ash or dead. He stayed hopeful Vilkas had slain them and ran back inside to safeguard Serana from retrieval.
Suddenly the vampires quickly retreated in terrified shrieks and cries from the Dawnguard and Companion warriors. Odahviing swept down and clawed more into his talons before chucking them into the air.
Gunmar blustered, "THAT'S RIGHT! RUN! RUN YOU VERMIN! BACK TO THE SHADOWS WITH YOU!!"
Farkas breathed heavily and asked Isran, "Why are they running?!"
Isran looked up at the skies with a glad and victorious smile, "The clouds are clearing… the stars are fading. Dawn is coming!"
Farkas smiled in relief as he wiped the blood and sweat from his face, "… Finally."
Isran hollered to his men, "WE ARE VICTORIOUS! HAIL!"
The clouds began to part which revealed blue skies and the yellow glow of the sun from behind the mountain peaks. The vampires feared the sun, and were running to dark corners outside the canyon for shelter.
Sorine breathed out and tears swelled in her eyes in disbelief, "We… we did it. I can't believe we did it!"
Gunmar hollered a celebratory cheer and embraced Sorine off the ground- catching her by surprise, "Haha! We sure did, girl! I'm so happy I could kiss you!"
Sorine gasped and struggled back on the ground and away from Gunmar, "Please don't."
The warriors all erupted in a chant as they watched the swarm of vampires run for their lives (whilst still getting picked off by the troll and Odahviing).
Durak looked to the soldier at his side and saw Agmaer chanting along with him. Durak balked and raised loudly, "You're still alive?!"
"Uh… yes?"
Durak bellowed in laughter and grabbed the young boy into a tight hug and swung him around in merriment. Agmaer wheezed as he was squeezed by the excited Orc. Durak cackled, "You jammy little bastard! Bahaha!"
Farkas's joy at the prevail was cut short as he shot a worried look to Isran, "Where is Serana?"
Isran's smile ceased, "Damn it…" The pair bolted up to the keep where the doors were pried open, and fire littered the main chamber.
Farkas snapped, "Damn it!"
Isran barked at Farkas, "Spread out! Try to find her!" The two ran through different halls to find Serana.
Mimzi and Serana reached the south tower where the tent Vilkas had made for Mimzi still stood. The skies dimmed blue and sun just began to peak over the mountains. Mimzi panted heavily as Serana thudded into her back at a sudden stop. Odahviing was still soaring over the towers and throwing fire down to the fleeing vampires. Mimzi dimmed a hopeful smile to see her friend once again, but Serana beheld the dragon in awe.
"What are we doing out here?!" Serana exclaimed, "This is a dead end!"
Mimzi panted, "I know, it's perfect."
"Perfect for what?!"
The group of vampires came through the tower doors and marched towards the women with their spells at the ready. Their faces were partially melted and disfigured from Mimzi's flames. One snarled at Serana, "Come on then, girl. Give yourself up and we may allow your 'pet' to live another day." Mimzi released a Shout.
"WULD!"
Mimzi flew passed the vampires and planted behind them. She pressed her hand down to the ground and bent her knees before screaming at Serana, "Get on the ground, Serana! Now!"
The vampires looked back at her in a daze as Serana planted her belly to the floor of the tower. Mimzi raised her face to the vampires and Shout again.
"FUS… RO… DAH!"
The power of the Shout blast the vampires up in the sky- flying over the tower walls. Their legs smacked against the top of the walls before toppling over the tower; or flying clear over and down to a hurdling death. Mimzi stood back up straight. Her head pulsed from using her Thu'um so narrowly together again, yet one of the Shouts wasn't full. She gripped her head and winced as she staggered, but breathed through the discomfort before approaching Serana.
Serana gasped, "Whoa!" She shot up from the ground, "I guess 'lover-boy' was right… this is the perfect place to Shout someone off."
Mimzi admitted, "I was thinking about it… in case you did try to sink your teeth in me." Serana crossed her arms and glared.
Isran suddenly erupted through the doors with hard breath, he stopped as he breathed in relief at the sight of Mimzi and Serana still alive.
"Stendarr's mercy… you're still here. For a moment I thought all we'd lost had been for nothing," stated Isran to Serana.
"All thanks to Mimzi here. Then again… I'm pretty sure I could have handled them on my own. No offence," replied Serana to Isran, making a short glance at Mimzi— who rolled her eyes.
Isran ordered, "You two should get down to the yard, start on cleaning up the disgusting mess of vampire remnants. Once Harkon discovers our victory here, he will send another cavalry. We must begin preparing at once."
Mimzi gasped, "Victory?!"
"Look for yourself."
Mimzi and Serana paced to the arrow slit opening and at the bewildering sight of vampires fleeing from Dayspring Canyon. The fire from the barricade was depleting, and the troll retreated back to its master, Gunmar. The sun shone in warm rays over the canyon— causing the vampires to shrill from the light burning their skin. Serana hastily stepped behind the wall from the sun and put her hood up. Mimzi turned back to Isran in an astonished grin; her auburn hair shined a glowing orange against the sun light.
"We won…?" asked Mimzi through a shaking voice.
"We won," affirmed Isran "I never thought we could against such numbers… but for now, we are safe."
"Is everyone okay?!" Mimzi asked in fear for her fellow Companions.
Isran divulged to Mimzi, "I don't know… a lot of good men and women with the Dawnguard were slain tonight. As for your friends… you'll have to find out for yourself. Farkas is at this moment trying to find Serana in the fort— he's fine. Kodlak, Aela and Vilkas's whereabouts are unknown."
Her eyes dilated from hearing it. As she began to make a fast pace to the doors, Odahviing's wings flapped over the tower in a tremendous gust of wind. Mimzi looked up over her head to the dragon looking down to her.
"Thuri, Dovahkiin. The sos lun… they have fled. The krilot joore forces prevail. I do hope my Thu'um proved equal in such a feat."
Odahviing's mighty voice echoed in mythic tales, and terror of legends. Yet he only spoke as a humble servant, hoping what he had done for Mimzi pleased her.
"We couldn't have done it without you, Odahviing. You saved us. I'm grateful for you," Mimzi spoke boldly to the ancient dragon, who made a pleased growl. She continued, "I will call on you again when I need you. But for now… you may return to Paarthurnax. Thank you, my friend."
"Jud do fin Thu'um, your words greet me well. My favour was bahlaan. Or as you mortals will say… 'fun'. Fare thee well, Dovahkiin."
Odahviing thrusted his wings up to the skies and released another divine roar before sweeping into the clouds back northwest to the Throat of the World. Without further distraction, Mimzi sprinted to the doorway. She eagerly awaited to see the faces of her fellow Companions, where one face she longed to see the most.
Farkas bolted through the main chamber once more with heavy breath and sweat leeching off his face. He grunted in frustration that he could not find Serana. The doors of the keep swung open which caught his attention. Inside walked Kodlak whom struggled to hold on to Aela's fur. She was still in wolf form but aided him back inside the keep with her head bowed for him to hold on and keep balance.
"Kodlak!"
Aela began to whine as she backed from Kodlak and collapsed onto the floor. Farkas tended to Kodlak immediately, whose cut was gushing blood and turning his face pallor.
"I've got you, old man." He helped Kodlak into the barracks.
"He needs a healing potion," the voice of Aela stated firmly as her human form ambled into the room. Farkas kept his eyes on Kodlak in worry. Aela handed Farkas a potion to his side where he quickly snatched it and helped Kodlak drink. He slowly peeled off his armour and allowed Farkas to address his wounds in linen.
Farkas asked in worry, "Are you going to be alright?"
Kodlak smiled, "I will be… just give the tonic time to do its work. Thank you, son…"
Durak and Agmaer entered the fort and approached the barracks for their own healing. As they entered the barracks both men halted abruptly and gasped. Agmaer went red and covered his eyes, as Durak lasciviously grinned and chuckled in his throat at the sight of Aela. She stood completely nude before Kodlak and Farkas after her transformation and hadn't the time to find clothes with the urgency of Kodlak's wounds.
Durak cackled, "Well now that's what I'm talking about! After that hellhole I deserve to be thanked with cold mead and naked women! You treatin your fellow comrades tonight, Aela?"
Aela turned back at them with a scowl, as Farkas looked back quickly, then stuck his eyes on Aela. "Oh wow… Aela, it's been a while since I've seen you… like this."
Aela shot down a scowl at him and growled, "Look somewhere else, ice-brain," she scolded Durak, "It isn't a big deal. It's all just meat. Look if you must, you won't be seeing it ever again," she paced to her cot for more clothes with her head held high.
Durak looked away from her out of respect, "Why you naked in front of these two anyway? You Companions got some weird secrets, don't you?"
"You have no idea," Aela darkly chuckled in her throat as she donned a villager dress.
Slowly the faces of surviving Dawnguard crept into the barracks. Most were beaten in bites and scratches. They ran to their reserves of cure disease potions to rid themselves of possible Sanguinare Vampiris. Isran followed closely behind making way to the same reserves from his own bite marks.
Mimzi and Serana ran inside the barracks. As soon as Mimzi spotted Aela she sprinted to her.
"Mimzi?" Aela was quickly embraced in a tight hug by the young Nord. Aela spooked at this but said, "Oh! It's… it's good to see you, too. I'm glad you're alright."
Farkas stood from Kodlak and walked to Mimzi, "Where's Vilkas? I figured he'd be with you."
Mimzi's eyes widened, "No…" she uttered, "I thought he was with you."
Kodlak looked up from the floor and released his wound before standing. His brows furrowed as he paced his eyes along the Dawnguard in the barracks- far fewer than they were yesterday. Kodlak made a fast walk to Isran who pressed against the wall while watching his men.
"Isran…" Kodlak stated, "My boy… Vilkas… he's missing. Have you seen him?"
"No, I'm sorry. From what I'm seeing now, at least twenty of my men are not in this fort. Vilkas isn't the only one I am concerned for. I'm giving my men a chance to tend to their wounds and cure possible disease. Then we will tread back to the battlegrounds and find the others. Feel free to go searching if need be, but don't spare hope. Hope is an illusion in times like this."
Kodlak's voice quaked as he spaced his eyes into the ground and said, "I… feel like I just saw him. He was there with us in the throes of battle. He fights like a sabre cat. I don't… I don't understand why he's not here. I just saw him…"
"There's a chance he could be alive. Possibly wounded… you won't know till you find him."
Kodlak jittered, "Very well," he marched out the doors with Farkas anxiously following in hopes to discover Vilkas alive.
Isran called back to him, "On the matter of Aela…" Kodlak halted and slowly turned to him with weary eyes. Isran continued, "As you can imagine I have plenty of concerns on whatever… creature she is. What all of you are… and why you chose to keep it a secret from me. But for now… I'll give you peace of mind till you can find your shield-brother, and we have a better foundation on what's been lost."
"I appreciate it," Kodlak turned back to resume his search with Farkas in tow.
Aela and Mimzi watched the two leave the barracks. Aela said to Mimzi, "Let's go help. I know Vilkas… he's a stubborn fool who doesn't ask for help even when he needs it. I wager he's out there licking his wounds— too proud to ask for tending. He has a bad habit of running headfirst into danger…" She kept a weariness to her voice, almost like she was trying to convince herself.
Mimzi shuddered, "Okay… okay," she followed Aela out the barracks. Serana followed Mimzi, who snapped back, "You know you don't need to follow me anymore. Pretty sure you've proven your loyalty to Dawnguard by now."
Serana hummed and muttered in response, "I know… but you're the only one I trust around here so I'd rather come with you. I can help find him. His scent sticks out like a sore thumb."
Mimzi raised a brow and grumbled, "Fine, just… let me know if you smell him."
"That's the plan," stated Serana. She followed Mimzi who held pensive shoulders.
The Companions and Serana wandered out the fort to Dayspring Canyon where the air reeked of blood and smoke. Piles of dust from vampire remains littered the pathways and fallen Dawnguard sprawled in corners with the tall grass. Ash lifted from the fire of Odahviing shouts, and blood stained the rocks and grassy knolls. The haze of smoke hovered over the carnage.
Kodlak looked around aimlessly for a possible sign of Vilkas. He hollered out into the canyon, "VILKAS!!"
Farkas joined in, "VILKAS, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
The two called his name out to the canyon repeatedly, with every utter of his name; their panic drove their voices higher. Mimzi, Aela, and Serana separated and began looking through small groves and shrubs. Farkas spoke aloud to those around him in a shrill voice, even for his usual gritty tone, "I don't understand. He never left this area. He was right there last I saw him. I… he… I left him with the bastards. He said he had it handled… I left him. Gods, I left him."
Aela spoke softly to Farkas, "You need to calm down. We can't lose our heads yet."
"I can't stay calm! My brother is missing!" Farkas barked angrily to Aela, who flinched and rested her head sombrely. He wailed, "I left him! He's my brother, I shouldn't have left him!"
Kodlak assured, "Vilkas is strong. Your brother is a fearful sight in battle. Don't forget that. We will find him." Farkas began to breathe heavily. He combed his fingers through his hair and exhaled out; trying to remain calm.
Farkas uttered, "You're right," he breathed, "He's out there… he's tough."
Aela approached the area Farkas referred to. It was just outside the front gates to the left side by a few shrubs and pine trees. She looked behind the tree trunks in hopes he was unconscious behind them, or possibly sifted under ash from vampire remains. She moved her arms through the ash but couldn't feel a body, only left over weapons and remains from vampire armour.
Mimzi and Serana went down the declining hill to find any trace of Vilkas. Mimzi prayed to every Divine she could think of that he was safe and could be found alive.
Mimzi asked to Serana, "Smell anything, yet?"
"No… just smoke and stale blood… I'm sorry."
"Don't you have like vampire senses or something? Can you see him?"
Serana grumbled, "It doesn't really work like that."
"What do you mean?" Mimzi ranted, "Are you really that useless? You're a vampire lord— what's the point of you being here if you can't help?!"
"Okay… enough," scolded Serana, "If I could find people like that, trust me my life would've been a lot easier. I understand you're scared but you can't take it out on me. We just have to keep looking."
"He…" Mimzi moved her hands through her hair, "He didn't come back..."
Serana said behind her, "That doesn't mean he's dead."
Hours of searching went on, and Isran and his comrades began to step from the front doors, all equipped in bags of potions. They scattered out to the field looking for survivors. Isran respectfully approached a worrisome Kodlak and asked, "Nothing yet?"
Kodlak muttered— deeply troubled, "No."
Isran expressed, "This may seem unusual, but it's normal for warriors to go missing in action after a battle like this, especially a skirmisher like Vilkas. They always turn up. My men know he's missing and are keeping an eye out as they tend to the wounded."
Kodlak looked to him with blotchy eyes and quaked, "I've known that boy since he was a feeble newborn. I've watched him grow into a man, half the words he speaks he learned from me. Well over a quarter of my life he's been there. I know him as family. I can assure you that this… is not normal for Vilkas. Something is wrong." Isran rested his hand to Kodlak's shoulder and sombrely walked away to help his guard find the others.
Aela stood up from the ash to go investigate another area of battle. As she went to move her legs from the ash, she thudded something hard. She looked down to see a familiar stained dark steel emerging from the ash. Her heart tightened in her chest and what felt like pressure against her lungs slowed her breathing. She knelt down hesitantly and pulled out the object that revealed a cuirass engraved with the carving of a wolf against the collar, and the familiar Nordic designs of Vilkas's custom made cuirass. It had the same furred shoulder pads and tuff against the lower torso. Even the same scratches and dents. Eorland made it himself and was only crafted for Kodlak and Skjor— until Eorland crafted Vilkas the same set. It was an honorary kind of armour. For the fiercest Companions; and most formidable beasts in the Circle. It echoed hierarchy of the Companions and respect to those who wore it.
As Aela's eyes began to bubble in tears she muttered, "Ever… Everyone come here," her voice was shallowed from the shock. She quickly called again much louder which broke her voice, "EVERYONE COME HERE!!"
Farkas and Kodlak stopped what they were doing and sprinted to Aela. The others started to follow.
As the four clouded around Aela; their hopeful smiles diminished at the sight of the armour. A ravaging dread overcame Farkas as Aela sombrely lifted her self from the ground still holding the armour. This dread festered into hysteria, feeding his denial.
Farkas's voice trembled at the sight of the armour, "What is that?"
Kodlak released a dejected sigh. His brows furrowed in twitches and his lips quivered. Kodlak clasped the armour from Aela, with a tear already falling from her cheek. Mimzi's heart dropped as she beckoned the three. She almost heard Vilkas behind her as she laid her eyes to the steel cuirass.
"I'll come back for you."
Her mouth parted and tongue dried. Serana slowly stepped forward but gave a respectful distance. Isran stepped through the crunching leaves among the disheartened souls. At first it took him a while to recognize the cuirass and who it belonged to. Isran bowed his head mournfully and closed his lids in a prayer to Arkay and Stendarr. Kodlak gripped the cuirass tightly to him and his lips pressed shut. His red eyes swelled in tears and shoulders began to quiver.
Aela muttered, "I… I found it in the pile of ash… amongst the bodies…. I can't fathom it…"
They surrounded the cuirass in mournful cries; with Isran and Serana staying back to offer their condolences. Mimzi breathed fast and she quickly fought an attack of panic. Aela rested her arm to Kodlak's as Farkas stayed completely still in shock, fighting with his denial. The winds blew the ashes away and flecked off the steel of Vilkas's armour. The air turned cold almost suddenly, and the ash floated among their tears. The remains of the man they loved, slowly drifted into air with the ash itself.