Chapter 10: Companions Arc Part 4

In The Middle Of The Woods

"Holy Divines!" A bandit shouted as he was running through the woods in the night.

He was recently raiding a female traveler with his companions. Other than the valuables she had on, that wasn't all that they were interested in. Once they tore her clothes and were about to take her right then, they heard a howl through the air. Terrified, everyone drew their weapons and readied for anything. In a flash, two of his companions were already dead. As another tried to light a torch and did, his face was ripped out of his head. As the torch fell, the bandit saw the figure; it was a giant werewolf with black fur looking at the last bandit with its terrifying emerald green eyes.

Now, when he turned to see if the werewolf was there, it was gone. Sighing in relief, the bandit slowed down and took a deep breath. Just as he was about to make a move, the werewolf jumped out of nowhere and tackled the bandit. As the bandit screamed, the werewolf used its claw to tear the bandit's guts out of his body. After the werewolf is done, it howled under the midnight light. In its left claw was a the Boosted Gear's jewel.

Mephala then said. {You are getting better and better in your Beast Form.}

Out of the bushes, Lydia walked up to Issei in his werewolf form and said. "My Thane, the woman is safe. I gave her spare clothes and told her to run as fast as she can to Riverwood."

Issei then walks up to Lydia and licks her side of her face.

"Eww!" Lydia exclaims as she wiped the saliva that her Thane left her. "A simple 'thank you' would have been fine."

Issei tilts his head. [You do know that he can't talk while he's in this state right?] Ddraig pointed out.

Issei barked letting Lydia know that he was changing back to his human form. As Lydia turns around, Issei already reverted to his naked human form. When he raised his Dragon Gauntlet, his whole body was covered in crimson flames and he was now wearing his red dragon armor.

"Okay." Issei said. "You can turn around now."

As Lydia turned, Issei said. "Good thing we stopped those fuckers from doing anything to that poor woman. I really hate people like that."

Issei then yawned and said. "We should get some sleep and head back to Whiterun."

It has been over a week of Skjor's death and Issei's new found powers. This new power has helped a lot of people he has encountered. But he had to be careful on how to use it. From what Aela told him, if someone sees him transform into a werewolf, they might turn him over to the law. That is why he had Lydia on the lookout for anyone and soon he began to trust her more. But lately, he's been having difficulty on sleeping lately. Now matter how early he slept, he still had trouble sleeping.

Whiterun, Breezehome, Issei's mindscape

Within Issei's mind were voices belonging to the people from his old world, telling him of how useless, pathetic, worthless, of how he didn't deserve love or affection of any kind, but the one that hurt him the most was Raynare's.

"You know that one date we've been on? Of course you remember, how could you not, after all, that's where you became that Gremory bitch's bitch right? Hahaha!!"

"Shut up." Issei growled.

"It was just plain obvious that you were a virgin when I first saw you." Raynare giggled, infuriating Issei more.

"How about this, I'll give you a little slice of heaven before I send you to the one place you do belong."

"I SAID SHUT UP!!!!"

In a rush , Issei bolts out of his sleeping state, sweat running down his head. He looked to his right seeing Lydia with concern on her face.

"My Thane, are you alright? I am starting to worry about your health, my Thane. You are not getting enough sleep."

"I am fine, Lydia." Issei said. "I just need more sleep."

"That's what you said five days ago." Lydia said.

Issei smiled as he placed his right hand on her shoulder and said. "Lydia, I am thankful that you are worried about me. But please, don't worry about me that much. Now come on, I got to see the old man."

Jorrvaskr

When Issei and Lydia arrived at Jorrvaskr to find Kodlak, Issei saw Aela in the far off table drinking her ale. When Farkas walked near him, Issei said to him. "Hey Farkas, how is she holding up?"

Farkas looked at Aela and said. "She's still heart-broken, but she is recovering bit by bit."

"Well at least she is making some progress." Issei said. "Please keep an eye on her."

When Farkas agreed with him, Issei and Lydia then made their way to the living quarters to find Kodlak. When they found him, Kodlak looked at Issei and said. "Aw, my boy. I was just about to ask for you. Please, have a seat."

As Issei took his seat while Lydia stood next to him, Kodlak said. "Tell me my boy, how does it feel to have the Beast Blood in you?"

Issei's eyes widen and said. "How did you know?"

Kodlak said. "I have been with the Companions for 20 years and have the Beast Blood in me for that long. I can tell who has the Beast Blood."

Issei stood quiet and said. "I have."

"Now, I don't want to know how it happened." Kodlak said. "But what matters is if you are having any problems controlling it."

As Issei contemplated on whether or not to tell him, then Lydia nudged him by the arm and said. "Tell him."

Issei sighed. "…Okay, at first nothing major happened, but recently I've been having trouble sleeping at night."

Kodlak hummed. "That is one of the problems of having the Beast Blood, my boy. Those who have the Beast Blood in them have trouble resting."

Issei hung his head down resting in his hands. "Guess it's true that everything has its ups and downs."

Kodlak, seeing Issei's condition, said. "Issei, do you know how the Companions became werewolves?"

Issei replied. "Skjor said that it was a blessing from Hircine."

Kodlak sighed. "Aye, that sounds like him. As in all matters of faith, though, the reality is more complicated than one believer would tell you."

"So what's the truth behind this whole thing?" Issei asked.

Kodlak answered. "The companions are nearly 5,000 years old. This matter of Beast Blood has only troubled us for a few hundred. One of my predecessors was a good, but short-sighted man. He made a bargain with the witches of Glenmoril Coven. If the Companions would hunt in the name of their lord Hircine, we would be granted great power."

"And so they agreed to become werewolves." Issei said.

Kodlak nodded. "Yes, for they did not believe the change would be permanent. The witches offered payment, like anyone else. But we had been deceived."

"But aren't the companions more powerful with it." Lydia asked.

"The witches didn't lie, of course. But it's more than just our bodies. The disease, you see, affects not just our bodies. It seeps into the spirit. Upon death, werewolves are claimed by Hircine for his Hunting Grounds. For some, this is a paradise. They want nothing more than to chase prey with their master for eternity. And that is their choice. But I am still a true Nord. And I wish for Sovngarde as my spirit home."

"Well, since it's technically a disease, than there should be a way to cure yourself right?" Issei asked.

"That's what I've spent my twilight years trying to find out. And now I've found the answer. The witches' magic ensnared us, and only their magic can release us. They won't give it willingly, but we can extract their foul powers by force. I want you to seek them out. Go to their coven in the wilderness. Strike them down as a true warrior of the wild. And bring me their heads. The seat of their abilities. From there, we may begin to undo centuries of impurity."

"I won't let you down old man." Issei declared.

"Good. Now move quickly. And don't leave any of them alive. Talos guide you, lad."

And with that, Issei and Lydia left Jorrvaskr and went to get supplies.

"I can't believe we are going to kill witches." Lydia said.

"I can." Issei said. "Boosted Gear, point me to Glenmoril Coven."

The Boosted Gear showed the map of Skyrim, it showed their location in Whiterun, then showed a trail straight to a cave in the middle of a forest, away from the open roads.

"Alright then." Issei said excitedly. "Back on the wilds we go!"

Glenmoril Cave

"This fucking sucks!" Issei furiously said as he and Lydia approached Glenmoril Coven.

During the past three days, they have encountered bandits, wolves and other crazy wildlife. As they were running out of supplies, there were no village for them to re-supply and were relying on their surroundings. Just the other day, Lydia started to become sick and was stopping now and then. Even though Lydia felt horrible that she was holding her Thane back, Issei didn't mind at all. Since he's part dragon and having the Beast Blood in him, he's been completely immune to all diseases. Luckily, Lydia bought 3 Potion of Cure Disease and used one. If things hadn't got worse, they've encountered a dragon on their way. It was a long and tough battle, but Issei and Lydia managed to kill the dragon and Issei absorbed its soul. And once he absorbed it soul, Issei gained the Fire Breath shout. It has been three long hard days, but they eventually arrived to their destination.

"Remind me why I had to take on this mission?" Issei asked.

Lydia replied. "Because you want to help Kodlak find a cure."

Mephala then said. {And in the process cure yourself as well.}

Issei looks at both of them and said. "I hate you two."

As Lydia rolls her eyes, Issei said. "Let's go find these witches."

When the two entered the cave, they made their way down the tunnel. It wasn't half way when they heard crackling laughter. As Issei signaled Lydia to slow down, they sneaked over until the saw light at the end.

Issei, being able to see better in dark places, to a look around the corner to see the witches. When he saw them, he immediately started to gag at the sight. They were witches alright, but not what he expected. He pictured more of a normal woman who can use magic, but what he saw was the complete opposite. These witches were old ladies who were hunchbacked, were all boney. But worse of all, there were feather coming out of their arms, razor finger claws and bird-like feet. They were witches alright, but these were Hagravens; witches who were part women and part crows. If things were worse, there were three of them. But the one thing that made Issei relived was the fact that they had clothes on.

"Oh fucking shit!" Issei whispered. "God these bitches are ugly!"

"What do you expect?" Lydia asked. "That's what most witches look like."

Issei mumbled a few more curses under his breath then replied. "Back in my world, witches are more young and attractive women, sure they use magic to keep themselves young but that's it, not whatever I'm looking at."

As he observed closer, he saw the Hagravens setting up a table. They were attaching each corner with chains, placing candles and lighting them.

Lydia said. "What are they doing?"

Issei said. "I don't know. Looks like their setting up for something. Like maybe…"

His sentence was cut short when one of the Hagravens screeched. "Everything is ready! Bring in the twins!"

At that moment, another Hagraven appeared while holding chains in her hands. At the end of that chain was a pair black haired twins, one was a boy who wore a ragged red shirt and black pants. While the other was a girl who was wearing a light brown dress, albeit a bit shredded, both having tanned skin, pointed ears, and green eyes.

Tears were flowing down her face and she was crying for mercy, while the boy was struggling to be freed. As the Hagraven ties the boy to a nearby wall, after placing a spell to render the boy asleep she brings the girl near the table, she loosens the girl's binds and forced her on the table. At the same time, the other three Hagravens chained the girl's arms and feet so that she was held down tight. Once she was in place, the four Hagravens were beginning to chant words that Issei could not understand.

"What the fucking hell are they doing to that girl?!" Issei whispered.

Mephala replied. {It appears to be a ritual of some kind and from the looks of it, they are using that little girl as a sacrifice.}

In raged, Issei said. "No fucking way! Not on my watch! Lydia, get ready to attack. On my signal!"

As one of the Hagravens took an Ebony Dagger from the table and brought it up to the air, the little girl closed her eyes and looked away. No matter how much she cries or how much she begs, this was her end. The Hagraven was ready to bring down her dagger when all of a sudden…

"DRAGON SHOT!!"

A blast from Issei's dragon gauntlet landed a solid hit in the Hagraven's chest and soon fell dead. As the other Hagravens looked around to see who killed their fellow sister, Lydia fired on of her arrow and landed a clear hit in one of the Hagravens shoulders. After seeing Issei and Lydia rushing though the cave, the remaining Hagravens all cast a Fireball spell towards them. As Issei and Lydia dodges the incoming Fireballs, they eventually took cover behind a boulder.

"Lydia." Issei said. "I will distract these old hags while you save the kids."

"I am already on it." Lydia said. "But how do you plan on taking them on?"

Issei's eyes glowed green and said. "I'll just have to go wild."

As the Hagravens continued using their Fireball spell, they heard a disturbing roar just behind the boulder. All of a sudden, Issei, in his werewolf form, jumped over the boulder and rushed towards them. Once issei was distracting the Hagravens, Lydia made her way to the sacrificial table and began to loosen the binds.

Lydia noticed that the girl was trying to distance herself away from her. "Hey there, it's okay it's okay, my friend and I are getting you and your brother away from here, would you like that?"

The girl stopped for a moment, took a good look at Lydia, seeing her sincerity, then towards her brother, then back to Lydia and then nodded. "Please." She begged.

When Lydia unloosen the chains, the two went to unchain the unconscious boy, Lydia then picked up the boy and led the girl out towards the exit.

Issei was having a bit trouble killing the Hagravens. In close combat, the Hagravens used their razor claws to scratch Issei. But he bites back. He uses his claws and tears though the three Hagravens. After a few minutes past by, Issei manages to kill the remaining witches.

After he reverted to his human form and put on his Red Dragon Armor, he takes out Mephala and said. "Alright Mephala, ready for some chopping."

Mephala replied. {You bet}

After a few minutes of taking the heads, Issei returned to Lydia and said. "Alright, all the witch bitches are dead."

He then turned to the kids. "How're the twins holding up."

Lydia said. "The boy's unconscious, those hagravens must've used a strong sleeping spell on him, the girl however was shaken so bad she lost consciousness."

"I see." Issei said. "Let's just go back to Whiterun and take them to a healer, after that we'll see what happens next."

Whiterun

When the three of them entered Whiterun, the two went to the temple of Kynareth, two healers went to examine the twins, Issei had to report to Kodlak while Lydia explained the situation why the children were in the conditions they were in.

Issei made way to Jorrvaskr when he suddenly stopped near the stairway. To his surprise, there were dead bodies near Jorrvaskr and a few Companions outside with swords drawn. Issei immediately rushed inside to see if anyone was hurt.

Once he got inside, he was confronted by Vilkas who immediately grabbed him, pins him to the wall and said in a furious way. "Where have you been?!"

"First, calm down." Issei said, slightly pushing Vilkas off of him. "Second, what happened here?"

Vilkas replied. "The Silver Hand. They finally found enough courage to attack Jorrvaskr. We fought them off, but… The old man… Kodlak… he's dead."

Vilkas looked over his shoulder, signaling Issei to look behind him. What he saw, there was Kodlak, lying on the floor…dead.

"Was… was anyone else hurt?" Issei asked.

Vilkas shook his head. "No, but they made off with all our fragments of Wuuthrad. But you and I are going to reclaim them. We will bring the battle to their chief camp. There will be none left living to tell their stories. Only songs of Jorrvaskr will be sung. We will avenge Kodlak. And they will know terror before the end."

Issei nodded his head and the two of them left Jorrvaskr. When Issei walked to the temple, once inside he went to Lydia and said. "Lydia, I want you to stay and take care of the twins while I am gone."

"Of course." Lydia said. "But my Thane, where are you going?"

Issei had a dangerous look on his face and said. I'm going to teach the Silver Hand a lesson on not to pick a fight with a pack of wolves."

END

(Hey ya'll, more chapters coming on the way, leave a review of what you think, also can anyone take a guess on what paths I plan on for the twins)

(Remember, reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, bye gold, BYE!!)