[A/N: Entering the second part of DOTC. This chapter is a big one, but full of action! Definitely was super uncomfortable writing the Serana and Vingalmo scene (as you'll soon see why) but needed to drive the narrative somehow. Just want to thank everyone who has been reading and critiquing so far! You guys are awesome and I can't thank you enough for the appreciation and advice that has been given. Love you all! ]

Chapter 13: Family is Everything

It was the hour before dawn outside Whiterun's walls. Two hold guardsmen ambled along the trails of the plains. This was unlike many other night watches, as news of the vampire's exploits was spreading fast. A night spent of jittering and grim anticipation. Twitching to every hoot of an owl and cry of an elk, they eagerly prayed for dawn's arrival.

"So… what is an Elder Scroll, anyway?" The guardsmen asked his comrade.

"You think I know? I didn't even know vampires existed until the New Life massacre. Now all this talk of vampire invasion, prophecies, Elder Scrolls… I'm still coming to terms with dragons. What else does Skyrim need to trifle with? Unicorns?!"

The other guard groaned, "… unicorns… Shor's bones."

"I'm saying creatures are lining up left and right to bring down this province. The Dragonborn saved us from the dragons, now what? Who will save us from vampires? Vampires with an Elder Scroll. Admit it, the gods want Skyrim to burn. We weren't supposed to see the new year and now the gods are pissed. We shouldn't even be out here! They could be watching us right now!"

"You think they'd be so close to dawn? Get your head out of the dirt, man. We're fine. If anything, your ear-splitting whining will bring the vampires to us. I say let them come… damn devil-spawn wants to skulk back here after the terror they brought us I'll be the first to meet them with my sword raised. Maybe replace that cowardice with a bit of white-hot vengeance like me. You'll pipe down in a hurry."

His friend stopped at the sound of thudding over the hills and gasped, "Did you hear that?! Mara's mercy… it… it could be them! I'm not sticking around to be a morsel!"

The other guard smacked his peer's back angrily berating, "For the love of- just shut up! Out of all the milkdrinkers I had to be assigned with. I didn't hear anything. We are supposed to be Whiterun's staunch protectors, and here you are crying about damn unicorns!"

Suddenly shrilling neighs of horses cried over the hillside. The berating guard and his rattling peer struck bewildered gawks to the knolls. The cowardly guard whimpered, "Do… do you hear it now?"

The other went pallor, his face drooped and wearily asked, "… Unicorns?"

Over the hillside came a battalion riding over the knolls on horseback. They wore padded, buckled armour in crimson and burgundy. Their steeds were armoured in iron plates. Flags struggled against the wind over the riders. The guards had seen the emblem of the shield sun on the flag before. Rays of dawn peaked through the mountains on the warriors. Alongside the horses ran hounds in padded armour, and behind the riders bolted an iron plated troll. The guardsmen looked on in disbelief to the warriors all going north through Whiterun's plains.

One guard quaked, "Stendarr's mercy… it's the… the Dawnguard!"

"Dawnguard?! Are they going to Whiterun?"

The riders had their destination set to Haafingar, to the shores of the Sea of Ghosts. They made their way to a battle that would either reign them victorious or slay the remainder of their cause. Isran led ahead of the riders, with Durak to his flank's right and Kodlak to his left.

"Heeyah! Dawn shines brightly behind us! The gods are with us! You see these reaching vistas kissed by sun? We ride to conserve its beauty today!" Isran's thundering voice reached over the loud trotting of horses and stomping of the troll.

The soldiers hailed, "Dawnguard!!"

Kodlak's pensive glare looked to the city of Whiterun. He remembered his journeys that would come to an end when he could see Dragonreach's peaks into the horizon. Kodlak knew his journey was just beginning, and he wasn't going home. They had no qualms in that city, their journey was to Harkon's lair. As frigid winds from the Pale met them against the open plains, Kodlak relished the call he was heading to battle for those he loved. A climatic end was nearing, and it was a coin-toss on what could unfold. All that mattered for Kodlak in that moment, were the lives of his Companions.

Isran shouted to Kodlak, "Take comfort in your home now, Harbinger. Remember what she is and her splendour. You're from Whiterun— Skyrim's pride! You head into the shadows now with the dawn on your side to save your people. Skyrim is damn proud of you today!"

Kodlak declared, "I haven't shrunk in fear yet, Isran. Nor will I when my blade crosses against flesh. I fight for the people I love, not even Sovngarde could grant me the courage I have now. If I die, I die for my people and country! We all do!"

Isran made an ambitious smirk, "Aye! This is it!"

Durak barked aloud, "This is it!" He bore his tusks and curled his lips up into a grin.

The Dawnguard had made their hearts up in the wake of the vampire attack. All of them yearned to finally put an end to the terror of the monsters that had taken their friends.

Into the Sea of Ghosts bay, the Castle Volkihar harboured howls of a werewolf approaching the main gates. Vilkas lunged into the castle sending vampires fleeing from the dining tables in fright. Harkon approached from the balcony overlooking the dining hall. The werewolf leapt through first, it snarled rabidly and bolted to Harkon's attendance. Vilkas shifted chairs and tables, causing vampires to go scurrying. Harkon grimaced down to Vilkas as he stayed patiently awaiting demands.

He snapped, "Stalf! Take the beast away now! Cage it up, rope it, chain it with silver. Just get it out of my sight and away from where we eat."

A Nord vampire with brown hair and scruff bowed, "Yes, Lord Harkon."

Stalf then casted lightning over Vilkas. "Git going! Git! To the cage!"

Vilkas cried aloud as he thudded and crawled through the kitchen entrance. As Vilkas's whines faded into the castle, the keep doors swung open once more with four vampires dragging in three prisoners. All women and no longer weakened by paralysis. However, their hands were shackled and arms restrained in their captor's clasp. One was gagged, while another was roped in silver chains. In the arms of Garan and Vingalmo dragged Serana with the Elder Scroll still at her back. She growled as she tried to rip from their grasp. Her legs kicked at the floor. Mimzi fussed with the gag over her mouth and thrashed, but the hold of Orthjolf kept her restrained. Aela was dragged by Hestla. She was barely conscious from the effects of silver. Mimzi's gagged grunts got louder still fighting with Orthjolf down the steps into the dining hall. He exasperated and easily picked her up again, holding her up like she was a relentless toddler.

Serana sharply yelled, "Idiots! Let us go! Get off!"

Orthjolf huffed as he struggled with Mimzi (who was cycling her legs) under his arm, he grumbled, "A right firebrand this one…" He plopped her down on her feet before Harkon, who leered down to his captives over the balcony. He folded his fingers together, his cloak grazing down the steps following him. His red and yellow eyes travelled down to the main floor coming closer.

Mimzi snarled through her gag at Harkon incoherently. Harkon cackled lowly at Mimzi, "Oh, it's very good we have the gag. Not only for that Shout, but her foul language."

The other vampires in the hall tittered along with Harkon as he gleefully stepped to Mimzi. She dwindled at his approach, but still hurling muffled rants through her gag.

Serana leapt, "Get away from her!" She was pulled back by Garan and Vingalmo.

Harkon turned his gaze to her and shook his head, "Serana… I can scarcely recall kinship when I look at you. All I see is this… maddened animal. You disobey my will and consort with this filth. Werewolves… and this pathetic being. You risk the sanctity of our kind over a pitiful pet?"

Serana snapped back, her voice deeper, "You don't know the first thing about me. About any of them. She makes more sense to me in the brief time I've known her, than the eternity I've known you. Don't touch her."

Harkon sighed dejectedly and stepped closer to Serana, "You really are your mother's daughter, aren't you? How could I have been so blind? To think a shrieking hag could bear a child without likeness. I am a fool to ever think I was greeting my own child. You even… look like her."

Serana stayed resentfully scornful, she asked, "What is this… why are we back here? What's your plan?"

Harkon's sorrowful glower left as a delighted grin spread to his face, "Well, Serana, there is a lesson to be taught after the repeated bouts of disobedience you have dealt me. You have no right keeping my scroll any longer, and no responsibility keeping pets such as this. So, as your father, I will burden myself with their keeping. You were never too good at taking care of your pets anyway."

Serana lunged from Garan and Vingalmo again, who both huffed in restraining her, "I told you, do not touch her! You leave her alone! You hurt her; you even lay a finger on her, I will kill you!"

Harkon immediately flung his backhand against Serana's cheek, whipping her head to the side. She cracked a shriek and breathed quick. She burned her red eyes at Harkon who said, "Maybe there were a time I would have listened to you. Given you anything your heart desired. Spoiled you in riches and luxuries the world could tepidly imagine. But now, my dear… you are nothing to me. Your mouth drips with the venom of your mother's influence. The daughter I knew and loved is gone."

Serana's lower lip waggled as she fought tears. Mimzi began to berate Harkon through her gag again, rustling with Orthjolf's grip. Harkon glanced his red eyes to Hestla who kept Aela down to the floor with her boot over her back. Harkon observed in a slighted tone, "By the blood, what is this- another one? You think I want two of these monsters in my hall? Why didn't you kill it?"

Hestla pleaded, "Master… she is another Companion! To think what we could gain from the opposition with her in our clasp!"

Harkon blurted a boisterous roar, "We already have Serana and the scroll, you fool! What else would we need from them?!"

Hestla began to nervously mutter, "It… it's just… I used to be a Companion, my lord… or I wanted to be…"

Mimzi shot her glare at Hestla and Serana raised a brow at her confession. She continued, "I never knew their high-ranking members were werewolves, but they deemed me unworthy to join. Not only that, they laughed me out of that hall! Too weak, they called me, too witless. Well, my lord… I crave revenge. This bitch and that crying dog you have locked up, they both humiliated me. I can show them my true power, the power you gifted me, Lord Harkon. I implore you let me exact vengeance, if not on the wolf-boy, on her… please."

Serana cried, "No! Leave her alone!"

"Silence!" Harkon hissed. He nodded to Hestla, "Very well. Take her to the cage. I'd wager her 'shield-brother' is starving by now."

Hestla made an excited grin, "Thank you, my lord!" She pulled Aela against the floor (who only wearily groaned) and began to slide her towards the kitchen entrance. Mimzi stomped her feet and yelled through her gag despite Orthjolf's pressure on her neck. Aela's name could be made out through her gag.

As Hestla carried Aela to the kitchen, Harkon brought his devious attention to Mimzi and performed a lecherous sniff through her hair. She irked and ranted again through her gag, flicking her head away. Harkon breathed out in delight. He crooned, "The minute you stepped into my castle for the first time. I couldn't attain another thought than your scent. It makes sense why my daughter enjoys your company. Yet confounds me she hasn't fed on you. Whatever the reason may be, it surely wasn't good enough to pass up such a delectable feeding as you are. Just another opportunity my daughter was too dim to take, so her father will have to oblige," Harkon ordered to Orthjolf, "Take her to the thrall dungeons… I'll be down there soon."

"No! Let her go! You bastard!" Serana madly jolted from Garan and Vingalmo causing her jet-black hair fly to her face. Orthjolf threw Mimzi over his shoulder and carried her through the hall. Her gagged screams faded behind a door.

Harkon ordered to Garan and Vingalmo, "Take her to my quarters and lock her in the thrall cage for now. Take the scroll from her back."

"Right away, my lord," obliged Garan and they pulled Serana to Harkon's chambers.

"Mimzi!"

Leagues from the island of Castle Volkihar, a figure washed up on shore from the northwest. It was the form of a brawny, fur-matted beast. It was pushed into the bank by waves, then shifting back to the form of a nude man. He shambled over the open shore and into the pine groves. His drenched black hair hung over his face. His skin dull blue from the temperament of northern Skyrim's glacial seas. He stumbled on the floor of the grove, grinding his teeth painfully. The thrashes from his brother's teeth and claws was the only generating heat he had. They stung against the air and soil. He was racked in bruises and flesh wounds from a scuffle that he still couldn't comprehend happened. In the blink of an eye Vilkas was dead. He denied it, even after the discovery of his cuirass in the ash. Accepting his brother's demise and finding solace in revenge, he reappears in a terrible curse worse than death. The knowledge of Vilkas living in torment at the hands of a vampire, infuriated him far more than his mistaken passing.

He declined down a slope through thickly frosted leaves. He happened across an abandoned shed. Inside was an old raggedy bed, worn clothes, a fur cloak, and other materials that he didn't need. Pots, plates, hanging garlic and a cast iron. He shawled himself into the animal furs and drank from dusted bottles of wine. He attempted anything to warm his body. He noticed a few pieces of firewood to the corner of the shed. He scuffled towards the pieces and looked around for a flint and steel. Farkas threw open cupboards and drawers which such velocity they threw from the slots. He finally came across a flint and steel in the bottom drawer of the bedside table. He fidgeted with the metals in his hand against his own shivering. He was beginning to fall to delirium. After setting the logs, he started the fire over the wood. After a few tries, it came alive inside the shed.

The smoke filled the room but vented out the door crack. The warmth of the fire embraced Farkas, who reached his palms over. The black sky from outside dimmed grey as the sun rose behind thick clouds. He spent hours before the flames of the fire allowing the warmth to bring him back to strength. He attired the dusted clothing he had found in the abandoned shack. His armour and weapons remained in Castle Volkihar's undercroft. All he had was the clothes on his back and skin to his bones. He didn't even have footwear. Farkas shuddered knowing his friends were still on the island, as well as his brother. Farkas was used to taking orders and following them through, he always succeeded when all it came down to was how hard he could swing his sword. He was never a cunning man— especially in matters of war or siege. He was debating on borrowed time. Farkas stressed in the knowledge if he did not try to do something soon, his friends would die, and his brother's death would be a sure reality.

Serana was dragged to the entrance of the thrall cage in Harkon's quarters. Garan ripped the scabbard from her shoulder that bore the Elder Scroll and kicked her inside— closing the cage and locking it. She shot up from the rusted floor of the cage, "Do you have any idea what this could do, Garan?! You're smarter than this!"

Garan groaned to Vingalmo as he shook his head, "She really does sound like Valerica."

Harkon strode in, a doleful stare to his daughter, "She does… it's shattering to see her for what she really is."

Garan handed the scroll to Harkon who smiled at the artifact in both hands. Serana's red eyes wilted to the opposition with the scroll in their clutches. She felt in that moment she had failed everyone. She had failed herself. I failed Mimzi.

"Father, please! Mother didn't seal me away to spite you, she was trying to protect us!"

"Enough!" Harkon barked, "You have already spewed this nonsense before, Serana. What point is there in wasting the time you have left quarrelling?"

Harkon then instructed to the dark elf vampire, handing the scroll back to him, "Garan… take it to the cathedral. The Moth Priest is the only one who can read it, and our scouts are at this moment heading to Solitude to retrieve him. Only a matter of time now."

Serana spooked at this, "Moth Priest?! How did you find him? He's been in Skyrim all this time?"

"Of course not. It only took some idle chatter among the inns of an existing Elder Scroll in Skyrim. Word spread like magefire. Naturally, it reached the pearly Imperial City, and a Moth Priest is sworn to investigate the whispers of Elder Scrolls. Not even days later, a Moth Priest was sighted at the harbour of Solitude. Much like their name suggests… like moths to the flame. Something you and that Dawnguard could have easily done yourselves, if not so preoccupied with saving that mutt."

"I don't care how far you go; you won't be getting my blood without a fight. I promise you that."

"I realize this, Serana. Do your worst when the time comes, I want to feel gratified after the challenge. Now if you don't mind… I have a meal waiting for me in the thrall dungeons. I wonder what a Dragonborn's blood tastes like? I can scarcely wait." Harkon creased a malevolent grin as he left Serana's cage and out the chambers.

"You coward! If you want to kill me you better do it now, because I will never stop! You hear me?! Never!"

Serana jumped back at a lightning bolt casted to the floor before her by Vingalmo. He cursed, "Quiet down, traitorous hag."

Garan informed to Vingalmo, "Well, with that done, I need to retreat back to my research on Auriel's Bow. If we are closing in on this Moth Priest, the timeline is narrowing closer than we predicted. Make sure she doesn't try anything crafty. Being Valerica's daughter, we know she'll at least try, won't you, lovely?" He mocked to Serana, who returned a red eyed glare.

Vingalmo relented, "Yes, yes, do what you must. I'll stay and watch the traitor while you head back to your notes. If you'd be so kind, come by again in the next four hours, I would prefer to feed and stretch my legs from time to time."

Garan shrugged aloofly before leaving and stated, "I'm not promising anything. Farewell, Serana… behave yourself."

"Sit on Molag Bal's mace and spin, Garan," shuddered Serana through a rasp. Garan mocked a chuckle and ambled from the room leaving Vingalmo and Serana alone.

She fell to her knees before the gate of the cage, and her red eyes glossed to the floor. She puzzled on what she could do to help Mimzi and Aela now. Vingalmo rested himself on a desk table with his arms crossed, and hollow yellow eyes glaring down to her. She kept her eyes to the floor, remaining in pensive thought. Vingalmo was a powerful vampire, an ancient vampire, yet a man. He was the most excited to have her return. Before she was sealed away, he was a chivalrous gentleman— a suiting man that only just begun his pursuits before her mother sealed her away. All that remained now, was how far she was willing to go to rescue her friends from certain death.

Silence had taken over for too long. Time wasn't kind, she needed to act now. Vingalmo stayed motionless and droll, his eyes to the wall in distant thought. His arms were crossed and feet lightly tapping. Serana was repulsed by the idea, but she knew if she failed to do anything, her friends would be dead.

"My father… he's right, you know. Sometimes I'm scared I'm like my mother, too. I don't want to be like her. But sometimes I feel like I've lost all control…"

She awaited his response. He was silent; not reactive. Then finally glanced to her and said, "Your father only wants what is best for you, for all of us. He looks after all vampires, Serana. I know, I understand how you are feeling. It's cruel, yes. All of us would be wrangling with the same doubt if our death was needed to provide truest paradise for all. It's cruel. Perhaps, you should be taking comfort in what Molag Bal holds in store for your sacrifice. He will be most pleased with the death of the sun, Serana. You would be the ruling matriarch of Coldharbour for this."

"But, I'm scared…" Serana whimpered, "I'm just so scared to die, the thought of it has nearly driven me to madness. Yet, no one cares for my plight. My own father cannot provide me comfort, my own thoughts certainly can't. I sought comfort with mortals because... I just… I just want one person… just one to care for me. To love me. I've never been loved. I will die alone. I'm scared, Vingalmo."

He released a dejected sigh to the floor before reaching off the desk table and slowly ambling towards the cage, "I'm scared too, Serana. A world without you, my centuries were filled in the bitter chill of the void without you. You return… only for your unimaginable beauty to be taken again, and this time for eternity. I fear for you, but do not think you leave this world without being loved. What a foolish thought. You have been cherished. Don't you see?"

He coursed his fingers through the caging where Serana caressed her's over his, "You love me too, Vingalmo? Could it really be true?"

"Oh, dearest Serana, I do. I adore you. You are crippling nightshade. Forbidden beauty that entices all who gaze upon it, but whither away at the touch. For centuries I've wanted to tell you, but our destinies have clashed always in one way or another."

"Before my blood is leeched from me… will you hold me? Please… just once."

"Don't you know what could happen if anyone would catch us? Surely you don't want me to die, too, do you?"

"Vingalmo. Don't make me beg… I hate begging."

Vingalmo crept a devious grin and uttered, "I want to hear it. Beg, Serana."

She did as asked, playing the part for his thrill. He struck a grin and excitedly rattled into his satchel for the keys. They clanged in his hands and he eagerly unlocked the cage door.

Once the cage door swung open, Serana's sultry eyes confessed her disgust, "First… I want to hear you beg."

She ripped her hand through Vingalmo's gullet. He jolted and blood pooled from his mouth. Serana hissed as she bared her fangs then ripped her bloodied hand from Vingalmo. He thunked back lifeless onto the floor. She wiped his blood on her cloak, "Creep."

Stepping over Vingalmo's body, she pushed passed the cage and casted an invisibility spell. She shimmered into the shadows out of Harkon's quarters. She went down a flight of stairs passed two braziers. To her right was the cathedral entrance, but it had a lowered portcullis controlled by a pull chain mechanism. She snuck down into the main keep. Harkon and a few of his subservients strode from the kitchen entrance. Rabid snarling and howling muffled when Feran slammed the doors shut. Serana stayed to the shadows by Harkon's throne.

Feran observed, "By the blood that's obnoxious. Hestla is having a grand time with those dogs isn't she? When are we disposing of them?"

Harkon replied, "Let Hestla have her fun. She's taken over my possession spell of the wolf-boy for now, afterwards she'll dispose of him. Well… as soon as he deals with the bitch."

Fura exhaled gladly, "Finally… no more mutts in our court. That'll be a relief."

The vampires strode passed the main dining hall, Serana struggled to hold her breath. She knew her invisibility spell would soon expire.

Garan declared, "That girl's blood was delectable. Shame it didn't last long… suppose I should go check on Vingalmo… he'll certainly be slighted he missed on the feeding. Poor bastard, always gets the short end of the stick." Orthjolf and Ragral laughed in response.

Mimzi... Serana fled into the kitchens behind them. The invisibility spell spent as she snuck inside the kitchen area. When she opened the door the familiar yet revolting stench of werewolf blood wafted again. Serana silently closed the doors behind her. She could hear the monstrous growls of Vilkas from inside, where Hestla was barking demands.

"Get back! I said get back, you big dumb dog!"

Serana peaked around the corner to the right side of the kitchen. The walls flickered from lightning spells that Hestla was striking to Vilkas. She opened the gates and dragged in Aela (who was no longer shackled in silver chains but blemished in new injuries). She locked the cage behind Vilkas and Aela. Serana gasped at the sight of Aela weakened and beaten. She wore blood-stained rags. Her once sleek auburn hair that lay naturally straight along her cheeks was matted in blood. Vilkas's whines shrilled from the dark corner of the cage; huddled down to the floor. He was no longer a creature she feared, but pitied. He was a werewolf but made the same sounds as a terrorized and beaten animal. Her pity was cut short as Vilkas crawled off the ground, noticing Aela against the hard floor. Aela awoke to his growls staggeringly. Serana plucked a torture tool from the table and approached the oblivious backside of Hestla. The snarls from Vilkas grew sharper. Aela pushed herself to the back of the cage. Her green eyes widened as she uttered, "Vilkas… don't be a dolt. It's me. It's Aela. You need to remember who you are… right now. The vampires are making a fool of you."

Hestla cackled, "Oh, please. You really think you can break him from my spell, even now? You're both at the mercy of me."

Vilkas roared then lunged towards Aela. She leapt from his strike, tumbling to the ground. She shouted, "Damnit, Vilkas! Stop!"

Hestla laughed, "Feed, mutt! Feed!!"

Hestla was grabbed by her shoulder from behind. Serana jammed the torture knife into Hestla's neck. She shook and fell, taking the blade with her. Serana summoned a sparks spell to her palm and casted it towards Vilkas through the bars. He yelped and thudded into the corner of the cage. Serana snatched the key from Hestla's lifeless grip. She unlocked the cage, Aela startled at Serana again.

"Serana?!"

Serana ceased the spell, "Go! Let's go! Come on!"

Aela fled out of the cage and Serana closed the gates— locking them behind Vilkas.

Aela disputed this, "What are you doing?!"

"He's… we can't help him right now! We need to save Mimzi! We need to go. Now!"

Aela pleaded, "... just let me talk to him, I'll get through to him! We are not leaving him here, not after everything!"

"He's feral, don't you see that? We need to go, so either move or I'm carrying you!" Serana swiftly lost her patience. Usually, her voice so tepid, now roaring like a boisterous Nord, "I am not letting her die! Vilkas is alive, but Mimzi won't be if we don't hurry!"

Aela sorrowfully looked back to Vilkas, who scrambled over the floor in pain from Serana's lightning. Aela exhaled and reluctantly fled with Serana down the stairs to the thrall dungeons.

Farkas still warmed to the fire that was nearing its end of life. The leaves rustled from outside the cottage from frolicking elk. Shortly after followed the trots of horses, and men speaking to one another along the shoreline. Farkas shot up and observed the shoreline from the door crack. Through tree trunks was a gaggle of riders into the distance along the sea bank. He recognized a few voices, and their familiar clad confirmed he was right. He went sprawling from the shack and out the woodlands to the shoreline. The riders rode ahead, he emerged from the woods behind them.

"Hey!"

The Dawnguard looked back to the Companion. He was not in his steel armour, but in raggedy clothes with an old cloak. Durak turned his horse around and dismounted, "Farkas?"

Kodlak couldn't believe his eyes at first. He beamed a grin of relief and thrashed the reins of his horse to trot before Farkas, "Ysmir's beard! My boy!"

Kodlak ran to Farkas and pulled him in. The pressure against his wounds hurt, but seeing him he was too relieved to care.

Farkas pulled away, "They are in there… all of them. Aela, Mimzi, Serana. They are in there now, and I have no idea if they are still alive." Isran approached the pair, his fellow Dawnguard dismounted to hear the discussions.

"Have they captured her?" Isran asked in his usual growl.

Farkas nodded, "Yeah… all of them… and that's not the worst of it…"

Isran glared down the castle in the horizon, "How could anything be worse than that? What in Ysmir's beard were you foolish lot thinking running off by yourselves? Do you have any idea what this little stunt of yours could have done? They have Serana and the Elder Scroll. Nothing is worse than that."

Farkas said directly to Kodlak lowly, "Vilkas… they have Vilkas… he's alive. He's actually alive."

He set his hands to Kodlak's shoulders, curling a teary smile. Kodlak replied huskily, "I know, my boy, I know. I could barely believe it myself. The morning you all left; we had a courier from the castle come to the fort, they want to trade Vilkas for Serana… but I fear…"

"They are controlling him. He's… he's…" Farkas nervously glanced over the faces of Dawnguard. Kodlak furrowed his brow and raised his chin.

"Has he joined the hunt?"

"Yes…"

Kodlak exhaled and closed his eyes , "Damn it, Vilkas…" He looked down to his feet, stressing his brows he asked Isran, "When will the ship arrive?"

Isran replied, "Soon… Ollrod should have reached Solitude by now. It's only a matter of time before we see the mast nearing."

"What?" Farkas queried.

Isran explained, "A ship. We have one by the harbour of Solitude, or 'borrowing' one. Clearly couldn't bring our forces and troll to Solitude's borders, so we have a man bringing the ship to us. Once we board that ship, it's straight to Castle Volkihar."

Farkas eyes widened then asked, "You're going to attack the castle? You had this planned?"

"Yes… This is it. Time to take the fight to the fiends once and for all. Are you in?"

Farkas nodded and pressed his lips, "Aye, you're damn right."

"Good. You'll need some armour. Think one of us brought a spare and a weapon." Farkas sighed knowing the Dawnguard weapons were all made of silver.

"Just… give me something."

Isran handed Farkas a silver greatsword by the hilt. Durak dug into the bags over his horse and pulled out a Dawnguard cuirass. He tossed it over to Farkas, who pulled it over himself. He seethed through his nose at the gnashes along his body pulling against the material.

Agmaer blurted over the voices, "There it is! I see a ship! It's coming from the east!"

Everyone looked over to a ship into the bay going around the bend of Haafingar shore. The soldiers erupted in cheers to see the vessel. Kodlak looked to Farkas and squeezed his shoulder.

"I'm bringing my brother home today," Farkas said, his gaze to the seas.

Kodlak replied, "All of them will come home today. We fight now for their freedom."

They anticipated the dangers that await them in the castle. As the ship anchored close to shore, Farkas prepared for the hurdles he'd need to face in order to save his brother— even if it meant turning once more.

Serana and Aela ran into the thrall dungeons. The cages were brimming in barely-living blood cattle, all huddled into groups. Serana casted a shock spell to open the first cage and pulled around the whimpering thralls. Aela looked along the bars of cages for any sign of Mimzi.

"Damn it… damn it!" Serana cursed, "We don't have time. Please look… they are going to realize I escaped any minute."

Aela berated, "What do you think I'm doing?!" She threw open a cage door and found Mimzi's shredded armour and satchel. She looked along the piles of unconscious thralls. No sign of Mimzi could be found along the incapacitated thralls. Aela noticed a hand sticking up from under three bodies of cattle. The hand was smaller than most. She gasped and pointed, "There! I think she's there!"

Before Aela could shuffle through the bodies, Serana barged in and shoved through. She ripped the bodies off and gasped to Mimzi lying underneath. Her skin was pale and lips blue. Serana gripped Mimzi from the mass of thralls. She wore torn rags and was littered in bite marks.

"She's not breathing!"

Serana used the healing spell over Mimzi's chest. Aela knelt down and pressed her two fingers into her neck for a pulse. Serana kept the spell while whispering to herself, "You're not dead… don't be dead. You're not dead." When her magic was spent she released.

Aela alerted, "There's a pulse! It's faint and barely pumping… but it's there. She needs a priest."

Serana pulled Mimzi over her shoulder and walked to the far end of the dungeons with Aela following.

"What are we doing?" Aela asked. Serana stomped to the end of the hall and stopped before a trapdoor. She scuffled her feet to move away the hay over the entrance.

"Remember that trap door? Well, we are still using it… but this time to escape."

"This leads down to that garbage heap?"

"Yes…" Serana muttered, "We get down there and make our way back to the jetty. I'll leap and catch Mimzi if you can let her down."

Aela shook her head and exclaimed, "I'm staying here. I won't leave this island without my shield-brothers."

"No… Aela, you will die in here. You saw Vilkas, he's a thrall. You try to go near him and he'll kill you. Farkas may still be down in the undercroft."

"There is no use finding Farkas without Vilkas. He won't leave unless we have him, thrall or not. I wouldn't expect you to understand, they are my brothers. Take Mimzi and go. Find Farkas. I'm not leaving without his brother; he wouldn't forgive me if I did."

"Aela, please! They will kill you!"

Then a dark voice grumbled from the entrance of the thrall dungeons, where a door slammed shut, "You're damn right about that. All of you will."

Serana and Aela jolted to Stalf bolting down the steps with a greatsword raised.

Serana dropped Mimzi and casted an ice spike from her palm to Stalf's shoulder. It slowed him in a pained stumble. He threw the sword towards them. Serana and Aela flew to each side of the hall, evading the blade. He casted a drain spell at Serana, she counteracted it with a ward. She summoned two dead cattle victims that snared their arms over Stalf. He roared and casted a possession spell over the thralls Serana raised. She threw another ice spike at one, where the other shuffled to Aela. She punched the thrall's cheek bone, thudding it to the floor. Serana's ice spike flew through the other thralls' chest and directly into Stalf's gut. He bellowed a pained roar and knelt to the floor. She threw another ice spike between his eyes.

The thrall Aela plummeted down stood back up making a monotone moan. Serana sullied in attacking it. The reanimation spell she used on the thrall was still in effect, and Stalf's possession spell gone. Aela readied her fists to attack it again, but Serana stopped her, "Wait! He's not under the spell any longer. He's mine…"

"Dratted vampire magic..." Aela grimaced, "What is it about controlling minds of the living and dead that appeals to you all so much?"

"I wasn't the one who killed him." Serana shrugged, "His soul is gone, I'm just using the body. It's not like I'm possessing someone alive…" Serana went down to Mimzi and started to pick her up again. In the midst of doing so, she froze as an idea struck. Aela struggled picking Mimzi up herself, and angrily took attention to Serana.

"You taking her? I told you I'm not leaving without Vilkas. I don't care how many vampires and zombies show up, it won't change my mind. Take her now!"

"Vilkas…" Serana muttered, "Vilkas is possessed."

"You think I don't know that already?"

"He's possessed. He was possessed by my father, until Hestla took over. I killed her. So that means…"

Aela's curved scowl slowly leaned to aghast shock, "The spell was broken… so he's…"

"He's free," Serana gasped, "…if there was ever a time to get him to transform back to human, it's now."

Serana smiled lightly as she pressed up with Mimzi over her shoulder, "Don't think she'd forgive me if I left 'lover-boy' here, either. So, it's settled. Let's go get Vilkas."

Aela relieved, "Ysmir's beard, finally..."

"As soon as he turns to human, we're going to have to scram back here and through the trapdoor. Hopefully he'll be able to walk… or that's a whole different problem. If we're lucky, we can pull it off. So far my luck hasn't run dry yet."

Garan Marethi made it inside Harkon's quarters, only to find Vingalmo's stomach ripped out on the floor. His expression went from shock to fury, "She's escaped! She's escaped! Serana has escaped!"

Fura and Feran came into the quarters. All three ran from the quarters to find their lord. Harkon was in the cathedral, where he admired the Elder Scroll and marvelled at the power he knew it contained. The three vampires clouded into the cathedral to bear the news. Inside, Harkon met their shocked expressions with annoyance, "Why do you intrude here?!"

"Lord Harkon… Serana… she's escaped! The cage door is open, Vingalmo is dead, she's gone!"

Harkon froze, a glower curled on his face. The waiting only suspending the vampire subservients in fear. He then released an enraged roar. His skin morphed gray, his form distorting into a creature with wings. His black hair shimmered silver. His face curled in wrinkles along his nose. Even his ears pointed like that of a bat. His dark, vampiric armour shifted into silks along his waist and golden pectorals across his bare chest. His feet grew with claws and floated off the floor. The act of transforming was environmental as it was physical. The air turned as cold as Atmora, yet as scarce as a cave. The three vampires fled in fear as Harkon flourished his wings out the cathedral and to the main hall.

Aela pushed shelves before the doors of the kitchen. All that made noise was the threatening growls of Vilkas in the corner of the cage. Serana gawked in terror to the creature revealing from the shadows. His sharply pointed ears and muzzle shown to the top of the cage. A wet, black muzzle sniffed through the bars. Serana said to Aela, "He's calmed down a bit… maybe that's a good sign."

"Here's hoping. Could be something else too, I just hope I'm wrong," she approached the cage. Vilkas shuffled back from the linking bars and into the shadows at her approach.

"Be careful…" Serana muttered with her eyes still etched to the werewolf.

"Hey… basket-head… it's Aela. I've been your shield-sister for thirteen years… so you better recognize me when I talk to you…"

He growled louder as she came closer. Aela continued, "Let me know if you're in there. You listened to Farkas, and for a moment I thought we had you back. We thought you died, you need a shield-sibling at your back always, you know that. That's why we are here."

He lunged a little closer to the bars, yet still keeping into the shadows. Aela jolted back, and Serana hiked up Mimzi over her shoulder, preparing to grab Aela away. She allowed Vilkas a moment to calm down before continuing, "Unless you're feral… you're not feral, though. You're Vilkas. One of the best damn fighters the Companions have ever seen. I know I don't say it enough, but you're a fine warrior. I'm cold to you because you're a contender. You've kept me on my toes since we were fresh-faced and witless. Always reminding me that I have so much to learn. You're a Companion… wolf or not, you'll always be a Companion. Come on, Vilkas…"

Vilkas released a roar to Aela, who was undaunted, "You're not exactly a dog with two tails. I've dreamt of plowing my fist into your nose a handful of times. But… you're my brother, and no matter what words we've said to each other, I've always known that to be true. I may not understand why you abstained from the blood, but you made the choice for yourself. The only reason you are like this now is from sorcery. I know you would have never given in, if not. If you're feral, break from it. I'm not leaving without you."

Suddenly the barricaded doors began to thud and rattle. Powerful blows to the doors were made from outside. The furnishings jolted. Serana and Aela startled and Vilkas shown fangs in a growl.

"Damn it! Aela, we have to go!" Serana exclaimed.

"Take Mimzi and run! Vilkas and I will catch up to you when we can."

"No!" Serana snapped, "He's not breaking out of it. We don't have time to help him now!"

Aela ignored Serana and opened the cage door for Vilkas. Serana berated hotly, "What are you doing?! No!"

She flung the cage doors open. Vilkas stayed to the back of the cage still, but his snarls grew louder.

On the other side of the door, Harkon summoned a spell which turned the blockades to ash before Serana and Aela. Vilkas crept from the cage and scrambled away from the kitchen. He fled into an abandoned passage way nearly blocked by rubble, but allowing enough space in the rocks to squeeze through. Aela flicked her eyes back and bellowed, "VILKAS!"

The doors creaked open, Serana exclaimed, "Aela!"

She gripped Mimzi tighter over her shoulder. Aela stole her attention to the doors. The two women froze in terror at the figure that drifted inside. Its red eyes like rubies in the darkness. As it came into the light, it revealed his current form. An array of bats flew from him and he disappeared. Aela and Serana jolted, and the figure reassembled behind them from the bats.

Serana yelped, "RUN!"

The women ran out the kitchen entrance to the main hall.

Harkon roared, "Face your father, you coward!!"

Serana blasted an ice spike to Harkon, who angrily deflected the spike away. He flapped his wings out the doors giving chase. They were ignored by fleeing and scrambling vampires who seemed to have their attention sought to the great doors outside.

Unbeknownst to Aela and Serana, a war was beginning from outside the castle doors. A large ship had anchored outside the island, and a conquering brigade approached. The gatekeeper came in shrilling, "We are under attack! The Dawnguard! They are here!"

Garan Marethi, Feran Sadri, Fura Bloodmouth and Orthjolf sprinted outside the doors to the cold winter winds blowing. It was mid-day, and even the sun hidden behind storming clouds was enough to burn their skin. Into the bay was a ship harboured, and a battalion of warriors wading through waters with their weapons drawn. Bolts of steel were soaring to them.

Garan exclaimed, "Damn it! Get inside now! Order the grunts to take them on at the front lines… all of you go! Protect our lord with your lives!"

Isran summoned his gift from Stendarr when he made it to land. Kresnik charged off the boat stomping to the castle entrance, followed by battle hounds.

Isran bellowed to his men, "Slaughter them all like skeever! They are pests! They are murderers! They are villains to Skyrim! Give them all a quick ending, and if not, make them suffer just long enough to watch their ranks crumble by the Dawnguard!"

The doors of Castle Volkihar swung open releasing death hounds. They battled with hounds of Dawnguard, scuttling over the ground of the bridge. The Dawnguard charged in battle cries to the bridge. The piercing cold water was enough to slow them, but not deter them. The Dawnguard were endowed in rage, all ready to avenge their comrades. As they stomped over the bridge, the gargoyle statues imploded with living monsters.

Isran bellowed, "Destroy them all!"

Farkas roared and swiped his greatsword to one creature. The blade was grabbed by its claw. It let the sword dig into its skin and clasped the other claw around Farkas's neck. Kodlak powered his shortsword across the back of the gargoyle's knees. Farkas ended it with the tip of his greatsword into the chest.

Kresnik charged the three other gargoyles, savagely ripping off one of their wings. He took a bite from its flesh and spat it out in disgust before trampling the creature with his iron plates. The troll leapt to another gargoyle, which evaded his strike and leapt over Ollrod. He flung his sword but was overcome. Ollrod ceased in moments as his head was torn off by the gargoyle.

Swirling red wisps of magic came from the castle, casted by fledgling vampires. They ran over remains of battle dogs that had been ripped asunder. The hounds followed their masters to meet the fighters head on. Isran was struck with a drain spell by one vampire, which was slain by Kodlak's blade. Farkas sliced through two more fledglings after being struck with the spell. Farkas felt lightheaded but endured, until a gargoyle thudded him to his back. His sword went skidding against the ground. He pushed against the gargoyles' frigid cold neck, keeping the teeth from clamping down on him. The gargoyle dug its claws into Farkas's forearms. His face strained and his teeth clenched as he fended it off. His strength kept the creature from biting down, but the monster's endurance outmatched his own. He looked up to the sky releasing a fearful yell. The top of the castle touched the clouds, he made out the shape of a black figure over the towers. It sprawled along steep slopes, jumping distances over the stonework. Farkas knew what the creature was. It was no gargoyle or vampire.

Seeing his brother sprawling along the top tiers of Castle Volkihar was a spurt of strength. He nudged back the gargoyle and walloped his fist against the creature's cheek bone. It thudded to his left. Kodlak had finished fending off vampires with Durak and Isran when he noticed Farkas downed by a gargoyle. He ripped his sword into the backside of the creature's chest, then pulled Farkas up. He stayed glaring up to the tower peaks. Kodlak huffed, "My boy, fight with every breath you have! Do not delay!"

Farkas pointed up for Kodlak's attention, "Look!"

Kodlak's jaw fell to the creature along the roofs of Castle Volkihar. The werewolf was unmistakeable. He knew it was Vilkas's wolf even yards from view.

Kodlak muttered, "…My boy." He nodded to Farkas, "Go get him."

Farkas didn't hesitate, he sprinted up the bridging to Castle Volkihar's gates. Durak spooked, "Farkas, what in Malacath's tusk are you doing?!"

The orc fell silent to horror when Farkas turned into a wolf-like beast. Farkas lunged up and clawed along the castle's walls. He pursued Vilkas, who had fled to higher reaches of the castle. Durak was in shock at what had unfolded, the revealing of Farkas as a werewolf startled him long enough to be pounced on by death hounds. Durak plummeted to the ground face-first as death hounds gnawed into his shoulder.

Isran came at the hounds with his aura, they screeched from the burning light. He kicked the dogs off Durak's back then finished them with his hammer. He helped up Durak who said heavily, "Farkas is a werewolf?! How did we not know this? Did you just see him now?"

"Doesn't change anything. We need all the help we can get, and when the vampire menace is dead and gone, we'll deal with it."

"Right, everything in its time..." Durak rolled his shoulder and curled a malicious grin, "For now, we've got bigger fish to fry. To the castle!"

Durak roared and the numbers of Dawnguard charged the cowering vampires before the gates. Kresnik leapt to the vampires first. He grabbed and swung them against the stonework. The troll bashed his fists against the gates repeatedly, acting as a battering ram. The hinges bent from the frames. Another wallop sent the doors inward making way into the castle's entrance. The Dawnguard yelled victoriously through.

Kresnik jumped the overlooking with a sharp growl, making the ancient vampires shrill in surprise. The troll threw chairs and tables away. Garan threw lightning bolts to the beast, the strikes deflected off Kresnik's iron. Feran's ice spikes staggered the beast. Then steel bolts flew into the main hall. On the overlooking was Durak, Isran, Gunmar, Agmaer and Sorine taking aim.

Orthjolf bellowed to his peers, "Find cover, now!"

The vampires fled behind walls and flipped tables blocking steel bolts. Fura threw over a table and her arm was struck with a steel bolt. She cried out and collapsed behind the table.

Isran exclaimed proudly, "We've got them now! Slaughter them all!"

The rest of Dawnguard came through to the feeding hall, meeting the court vampires that would cast destruction spells and draining curses from temporary shelter behind tables. The Dawnguard rallied through mercilessly, even taking ice spikes through limbs just to get a kill. The dining hall blared in the echoes of magic, clashing steel, and screams.

Kodlak slipped away from the chaos to seek Aela and Mimzi. He tried to follow the scent of Aela. The raging war inside the hall echoed off every stone and chamber inside the castle, but there was a distant clash deeper in the halls. He followed the sound of stone being fractured, as he did so the air turned cold, and all light extinguished as he came closer.

Over the towers of Castle Volkihar, Farkas pursued Vilkas. Farkas howled; a familiar howl they had used only when separated during hunts in the plains. He hoped Vilkas would answer to the howl. Instead, Vilkas fled down a slope to the docks. Farkas followed continuing to howl, praying it would distract Vilkas long enough for him to change back to human.

Farkas reached a cliff edge that declined to the docks. Down into the dock, Vilkas was fending off resurrected skeletons. Farkas's rage broiled at the sight of their lightning spells striking Vilkas. He lunged to the shambling witch-corpses- combusting them into fragments. Vilkas whined and huddled to a corner. When they all fell, Vilkas stood from the ground and staggered to his hind legs. Blood generously dripped from the scalding wounds. Farkas approached Vilkas again and howled once more, causing Vilkas to jolt and roar back. The beast form of Vilkas had pure black eyes. Acting like a wounded, wild animal would. Seeing his current state broke Farkas's resolve, and he shifted to human form.

Farkas staggered and pressed off the ground. Vilkas stayed alert to the human before him, but could not recall his brother. Vilkas roared to Farkas again, and tried to climb back up the incline of the castle.

"Brother! I go where you go!"

Vilkas flattened his ears and looked back to the human shambling to him.

"No matter what!"

As Farkas ran closer, Vilkas swiped over Farkas's bare skin. It cut across his chest, collapsing him to the ground. Vilkas bared his fangs before turning back to climb. Farkas clenched his teeth against the pain and pulled himself back up. He stumbled to Vilkas once more, who looked back in agitation.

Farkas could feel the hot blood from his cuts dip down his stomach and legs as he stood.

"I… I… I won't leave you… Vilkas."

Vilkas walloped Farkas back over the ledge and into the sweeping waves below. Farkas splashed into the water and his body floated west to the bay. Vilkas fled back up the castle. As he sprang up the steps, a slight reawakening of consciousness struck. Shimmering silver in his irises flickered.

'Farkas?'

The smell of human flesh and blood came to him again. He shook his mane and growled. His eyes stayed black and he continued to climb the cliffs.

Within the hall, fledgling vampires were being torn apart by Kresnik. Orthjolf used a fire bolt spell striking the troll repeatedly. Gunmar fended off a master vampire and ripped his sword through the chest. As their body fell, Kresnik's charcoaled corpse fell before him.

"No!"

Gunmar charged to Orthjolf, who readied his spell again to the raging Nord. Before Orthjolf could fire the spell, he was struck in the stomach by a steel bolt. Sorine shot bolts as fast as she could reload into her crossbow, taking fire to Orthjolf.

Gunmar was tackled by a death hound, and the Nord grabbed the hound by its neck and pummelled it, his ferocity fuelled by the loss of Kresnik. With their troll and battle hounds all lying dead, and Dawnguard soldiers ripped asunder by vampires and hounds alike, Isran began to wrangle in doubt. The magical abilities of Garan, Feran and Orthjolf, and ferocity of Fura Bloodmouth and her fledgling vampires, it was far more than their numbers could fight against. Durak was soon to collapse from the wounds along his sage skin. Agmaer was shot with an ice spike into his gut. Durak bolted to the fallen boy and defended him staggeringly against the vampires. Kodlak was gone, most of his militia lay dead. There was no sign of Harkon or the captured Companions. There was no sight of Serana. No time to siege or search while under fire in the main hall. In this moment of battle, Isran was endowed in doubt. He hollered out to his living comrades as he swung his hammer over a vampire's skull.

"RETREAT! Back to the ship, now! RETREAT!!"

Kodlak continued to follow the noises, unaware that the ranks of Dawnguard were fleeing. Down a narrow hallway, he could hear the destruction. Meanwhile, the throwing noises of destruction ahead was the chaotic chase of Harkon and Serana, Aela, and Mimzi. Serana and Aela bolted through abandoned halls that linked across the castle's side, desperately seeking an escape route. Harkon continued to throw magic at the women, missing by inches and totalling infrastructure. They would squeeze through rocks barricading abandoned corridors, and Harkon smashed the boulders into pebbles.

"Go, go, go! Don't stop!" Serana cried to Aela. The limp body of Mimzi shook against Serana's running. Through another passageway they reached a bridge outside. It was by the slopes near the docks. Below shook the violent waves of the Sea of Ghosts. Serana gasped to the dead end, Aela thudded into her back. She hastily set down unconscious Mimzi to the stone of the bridge and readied destruction spells. The silver that had seeped into Aela's veins hours before had weakened her ability to call upon the beast.

Harkon plowed through the doors, breaking stone brick and moulding. His monstrous form drifted before the women, whose bout of courage wilted at his approach.

"You fight so cowardly for your life. Yet, every turn you make just hastens my victory. You cannot evade prophecy, Serana. This is your destiny."

Harkon raised his spell arm to Serana. She flung an ice spike to Harkon's shoulder. He angrily ripped the ice from his flesh and tossed it away. Serana whimpered, Aela gripped her shoulder pulling her back.

"Even now you cannot bring yourself to kill me? You think an ice shard in my arm will deter me enough to let you go?"

"You can take me…" Serana muttered, "But leave them alone, let them go… Vilkas, too. You let them go, I'll leave with you willingly."

Aela gasped weakly, "Serana..."

"You think after all of this I'll let these maggots live? You will all die. Some sooner than others."

"No!"

Suddenly a thundering force erupted against her ears— blasting past her cheek. She collapsed to the stone bridge and hit her head against the railings. Aela collided into the other side of the rails. Serana struggled to open her eyes fully in the midst of the blast but could see Harkon slam back into the tower then on his chest. In her peripheral a figure shambled past them; facing Harkon. He looked up from the ground and bared his fangs. Serana balked at the sight of Mimzi. She was barely able to walk, her face slack-jawed and eyes sunken. She did not speak, only wheezingly breathe. Her lip twitched in rage and eyes glowed blue once more. Harkon roared off the ground and thrusted his wings. He went to charge, but her mouth parted.

"YOL… TOOR… SHUL!!"

An inferno from Mimzi collided into Harkon— sending him flying into the door engulfed in fire. Mimzi collapsed again. Serana scrambled to her, Aela poked her fingers into her neck again to feel for a pulse. Before she could feel anything, the bridging began to shift. The pillar holding the bridge below them crumbled, sending Mimzi, Serana and Aela falling to sea waves. Serana gripped Mimzi and pulled her in, then grabbed Aela's arm. Their screams echoed then faded with the whooshing of waves.

Harkon was wafting in smoke, he struggled to the doorway to see the bridge was destroyed. He glared to the bay. Rocks and debris fell into the sea, but no sign of Serana among the waves. His blood boiled and screamed into the air— creating a rippling echo. Still in his vampire lord form, his veins throbbed and his nostrils seething air.

Footsteps came to the doorway behind him. He gritted his teeth at the wretched yet familiar smell beckoning him. Kodlak rammed through the doorway and froze at the sight of the monster.

Kodlak muttered, "Ye gods…" He staunchly prepared his sword at the monster. Harkon turned to him with guttural noises from his nose slits. Kodlak breathed, "Harkon…"

The vampire lord made a fanged grin. Kodlak glanced to the tower roofs behind. A werewolf crawled along the peaks. It halted at the sight of the two. Kodlak pressed his lips at the sight of Vilkas. Harkon stood just before him. Kodlak was endowed with rage he hadn't felt in years. He lifted his sword high to Harkon, "You will pay for what you've done to my boy, you bastard!"

Harkon swiftly grabbed his sword arm and snapped it. Kodlak yelped from the sudden crack of his forearm. Harkon snatched him by the neck and ripped his claws into Kodlak's gut. He sputtered and gasped— dropping his sword. Harkon hissed and lifted Kodlak off the ground with his hand still buried into his belly. His claws crushed the organs from within, making blood pool from Kodlak's lip.

Vilkas' lucidity snapped back. The pained noises of his Harbinger grew, and the ensnare of the beast released. The impulse of the wolf tried to keep him, but Kodlak's plight pulled him stronger. All Vilkas could do was escape sorrowful whines as Harkon chucked Kodlak's body into the sea below. Vilkas's black eyes turned back to silver. His ears folded back. He howled mournfully to Kodlak's body before it hit the waves. Harkon shot his glare to the him.

"Come here now, beast! I command you!"

Vilkas did not obey, he only whimpered to the waves shivering. He clawed back up the peaks and fled.

"You dare disobey me?! I will skin the hide from your back, you pathetic creature!!"

Vilkas could feel his body shifting. He crawled down the siding of the castle and leapt into the waves, seeking his Harbinger.

Harkon transformed back to man. His black cape folded and blew with the ferocious winds. His black hair tangled to his face. He glared to the waves still.

Fura Bloodmouth emerged from the hall, "My lord! We have prevailed! The Dawnguard have fled!"

Harkon snatched Fura by her throat and threw her over the railing of the bridge. Her screams ceased when she hit jagged stones. Harkon stared off into the shoreline again. Garan Marethi ambled into the doorway— after just witnessing the demise of Fura, he chose his words carefully.

"My lord. I hate to intrude in your contemplation. But… Serana's flight is only her dismal attempts at evading fate. We must seek the Moth Priest at once. His last whereabouts in Solitude. Malkus has arranged a coven to the capital to procure him."

Harkon broke from silence and croaked, "Yes… send him and his gaggle at once. When we find Auriel's Bow, we will only be a dagger's throw from our dream."

"I'll send word immediately," Garan left down the hall, leaving Harkon alone once more.

The ship holding the remaining Dawnguard fighters neared Haafingar shore. Isran stayed a glare to land as he wrangled in their failure. He failed saving the Companions, and now his forces were of Durak, Gunmar, Sorine and Agmaer. What once were twenty were five. Their spirits shattered, they mourned the faces that did not leave with them.

Durak came to Agmaer's side as he stared down to the waves. Tears were falling from Agmaer's chin. Durak asked, "How you doin', kid?"

"I think I know what you meant now… about burying my friends. Except… this time there isn't anything to bury. Leaving behind the bodies in that place… it doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel right leaving them behind. There's no honour in it."

"If we stuck around to get them back on the boat, we all wouldn't be here. I think… I think we all let our hearts rule here. Between you and me, we never should have come to that castle. Isran was right… this was a risk. Now we are suffering for it."

"You know what… at least we tried. We are wounded, sure, but that doesn't mean we won't bounce back stronger than ever. We did something against all odds, and we lost. But… we did something. That's far more than the rest of Tamriel can say for themselves. This failure doesn't mean we lost… means we failed. Every failure brings you closer to victory."

"Well look at you… hardly a hair on your chest and you're instilling an old warrior's heart. I stay in prayer now what we've lost won't be for nothing. We didn't know what we were walking into but now we do. The real problem is waiting for Isran to mend his pride so we can get back to the task at hand. Something tells me that will be the true hurdle."

The two men glanced over to their leader. Still standing against the harsh winds over the deck. As Isran kept his glare to the waves, he flummoxed at the shape of something in the sea. He gawked longer then called out to his comrades, "Man overboard!"

"Drop the anchor now! Off the ship!"

They anchored the ship and waded through frigid waters to the body washed up on the shoreside. Isran ran to the body with his comrades in pursuit. He came closer to identify, his heart weighed heavy in his chest. Isran stumbled down to the body and felt for a pulse, but released pressure realizing the gaping wound through their stomach.

Durak came stomping behind him and stopped, "… Kodlak?"

Isran bowed his head in a sorrowful prayer and gently rested his hand to Kodlak's shoulder. His gray hair was tangled and wet. His skin pale and eyes closed. No fresh blood from his wound.

Durak muttered, "Maybe… maybe a healing potion. We're only a trek from Solitude, we can get him to a priest…"

"He's dead, Durak," Isran glowered, "He's been gone for a while. There's no blood left in him. Stendarr's mercy… why did he… he shouldn't have… damn old fool. He shouldn't have gone alone. What was he thinking?"

Gunmar stated, "He wanted to save his family… that's what he was thinking."

"And look where it got him."

The Dawnguard stayed silent as they watched Isran stand from Kodlak's corpse.

"One of the greatest heroes in Skyrim… a legend. He's dead. Whiterun's hero is dead, and it's because of me."

"You didn't do this, Isran." Sorine consoled.

"Of course I did. I agreed to go to that castle. I killed them, not just Kodlak. All of them. This was because of me."

Agmaer intervened, "It was because of them. Those fanged monsters. They did this, not you, not any of us. The minute we start forgetting who the real enemy is, that's when we truly lose. Those monsters want us feeling this way, so that we don't reassemble against them. I'll be damned if I joined this fight only for that to happen. Not after everything we've lost."

As Durak snatched Agmaer's shoulder to silence him, Isran replied, "You're right. I'd wager those vamps are in the heights of celebration now. They probably think we've learned our lesson. Sadly, for them, I'm a stubborn mule. I don't give up easy."

Sorine nodded, "No… you don't."

"This won't be the last they'll be seeing us. They will tremble at our next coming; I promise you that. This man, and all our fallen, they died damn well fighting these monsters. We won't let their deaths be in vain."

Durak asked to Isran, "So what do we do, now? There's only five of us. Those Companions are gone… Kodlak has fallen… what can we do to protect the people of Skyrim now?"

"Time for me to do something I never wanted to do, but looks like it's my best bet. Ask for help. If I'm lucky, I may have some wiggle room with the legion if General Tullius is willing to look up from his war table for a moment or two. We rebuild our forces, get more tames. Above all, keep fighting while we still have survivors to carry on the cause. We are Dawnguard. We were forged centuries ago. Even through years of dormancy we still came back. We are a flame that can never be extinguished. As long as our name is remembered, our fight continues," Isran looked to the faces then ordered to Durak and Agmaer, "For now, you two carry Kodlak. I'll be damned if I leave another man behind without a proper burial. The rest of the Companions at Jorrvaskr deserve to hold a funeral for their Harbinger. Even if I have to bring his body there myself."

"Of course."

"Let's get back to the horses. As soon as we leave the Harbinger with his hall, we head back to Dawnguard and continue our mission. To save Tamriel. If we don't do it, no one will."

Hours later, when the Sea of Ghosts was shrouded in black, storming skies— aggressive waves washed over the far west to the border of High Rock. Over the sandy shore washed up three bodies. Serana struggled to pull Mimzi to shore. She remained unconscious and nearly void of life. The frigid waters of the sea and constant struggle for air has left them weak. Aela flipped over the shore when she felt she was safe from the waves reeling her back to sea. She fell unconscious. Serana grunted as she dragged Mimzi up the shoreline and succumbed to her fatigue. Her knees buckled and fell against the gravel. Mimzi stayed a few inches from Serana, but still out of reach. Aela was a few feet from them.

To their right, cracking of rocks followed by growling was heard approaching the fallen women. Its heavy breath turned to shallow breaths along the ocean side. Serana was drifting into unconsciousness, but before her vision faded, she swore she could see hands pulling Mimzi higher onto shore.