Chapter 36: Immortal Servitude
The Undead Dragon landed on the wall of the Castle, glaring down at those who did not belong here.
"RAAAWWWRR!"
Patches looked over to the others. "Do we scatter?"
Before they could respond, Durnehviir unleashed his Thu'um, voicing an unknown Shout.
"DIIL QOTH ZAAM!"
At the might of Durnehviir's Thu'um, dozens of Soul Cairn skeletons were manifested into existence, and each one had their eyes set on the Party.
Serana's hands began to spark with lightning. "That's… gonna be a problem."
"I'll take Durnehviir! Can you fight the Skeletons?!" Emilia shouted as she looked back at the others
Patches readied his spear. "Hah! Easy as pie!"
Serana readied her magic with lightning and ice. "Do what you gotta do!"
The bald Undead charged towards the Skeletons, while Serana stayed where she was and fired off Ice Spikes.
Emilia summoned two ice swords and charged at the Undead Dragon, intending to slice through his neck. Durnehviir noticed the Half-Elf attempt to attack him and he moved out of the way in time.
Durnehviir took a whiff of Emilia's scent and recognized something familiar about her. "Ah... Dovahkiin…"
"Guess I'm pretty popular." Emilia grimaced.
"Ni ful. I have only encountered one other Dovahkiin before. Faal Diist." Durnehviir said, gaining Emilia's attention.
"Oh? Who?"
Durnehviir shook his head. "It matters not, Dovahkiin. I will honor you with battle, Dovah wah Dovah."
"Can I try to talk you out of it?" Emilia tried to settle this peacefully.
Unfortunately, that was not an option for Durnehviir. "Nid. I am bound to my duty by the Ideal Masters, and I must carry it out. Pogaas krosis."
Emilia sighed as she readied herself for battle. "Fine. Guess I have no choice, then."
"FO KRAH DIIN!" Durnehviir unleashed a powerful Frost Breath, but fortunately for the Half-Elf, Emilia was mostly unaffected thanks to her resistance to cold.
Emilia brushed off some frost on her shoulder. "Heh. My turn. AL HUMA!"
Emilia unleashed an Al Huma spell, which Durnehviir was mostly able to dodge, but it punctured a huge hole in his left wing.
"Looks like I'm a bad matchup for you." Emilia grinned, saying something she felt like Subaru would.
Meanwhile, Patches and Serana were handling Durnehviir's undead army.
"And a stab for you! And a stab for you! You all get stabs!" Patches kept using his spear to try and keep the skeletons away.
Serana looked over to the Undead after destroying some of the skeletons. "Need any help?"
"It would be appreciated!"
The orange-eyed girl nodded in understanding, as she lunged towards the enemy, lightening her comrade's burden.
Patches gave a thumbs-up "Thanks!"
Serana gave a shrug as she fired off more Lightning Bolts. "What can I say? We're a party!"
"So, I take it that means you're staying with us?"
Serana actually smiles at that. "Yeah, I guess I am!'
Patches grinned as he stabbed a skeleton through the skull. "I can get behind that!"
After a few minutes of trading ice attacks, Emilia realized that this wasn't going anywhere and decided to switch up her Magic. Now, she was focusing on Fire spells to try and burn Durnehviir, but his Frost Breath was helping him put out the flames.
She needed to move out of the way of Durnehviir's mouth. Jumping to the side, Emilia prepared an El Goa spell, aimed for his side, and fired.
The blast sent Durnehviir back a few meters, but to Emilia's surprise, Durnehviir was... healing? Purple, flaming energy was emanating around Durnehviir's wounds, repairing the damage as well as filling up the hole in his wing.
Emilia groaned as she saw the regeneration taking place. "As Subaru would put it, hacks."
Now, Emilia knew that any damage she inflicted on Durnehviir wouldn't last. So, she needed to hit him hard and destroy most of his body. Emilia quickly closed the distance and unleashed a powerful Unrelenting Force.
"FUS RO DAH!"
Durnehviir was blasted back once again, however for a brief few seconds, his underbelly was exposed. Emilia took the opportunity and unleashed the best Fire Spell she had to destroy most of his body.
"UL GOA!" Emilia unleashed a barrage of fireballs, which impacted and exploded with great force.
With the creature's stomach on fire, the reptile began flailing all over the ground. After a few moments, Durnehviir ceased all movement. However, once he was "dead", the purple energy appeared all over Durnehviir's body, causing it to dissipate with not even its skeleton to remain.
Emilia had expected to absorb Durnehviir's soul... but nothing happened. There was no transfer of power, no... nothing.
Emilia scoffed at that. "What a ripoff."
However, Emilia didn't focus on it for long. Her allies were still in danger, and she would help them.
"Stab, stab, stabby-stab!" Patches was still stabbing and whacking skeletons with his spear.
Serana was using her Shock magic to electrocute the skeletons as hard and fast as she could.
"How many left?!" The Bald Undead asked, starting to get tired.
BOOM! BOOM!
The two turned to see Emilia using her Fire magic to blow the Skeletons up, gaining their attention.
"I'd say less than five." Serana remarked.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" With a powerful Fire Breath, Emilia was able to disintegrate the last of the Skeletons.
"Glad you could join this party."
"Definitely." The Vampire Princess nodded.
Emilia sighed in relief that it was finally over. "Great… So, ready to get that Scroll?"
"It's about time." Even for an immortal, waiting for this moment was agonizing. She did not inherit her Father's incredible patience.
The three of them walked further into the courtyard, straight to the Scroll. Valerica took the scroll out of its casing and gave it to her daughter.
"Here it is, I've kept it as clean as I could, but the Soul Cairn is not what you would call a sanitary place."
Patches grimaced at that. "Not even a bathroom? Sad."
Valerica looked in deep thought. "It's still baffling... I never thought I'd witness the death of that Dragon…"
Serana looked at her Mother with surprise. "Was he really that powerful?"
Valerica did not give an answer they were expecting. "He is powerful, yes. However, there are rumors that say Durnehviir cannot be killed by normal means... unless…"
"Unless what?" Emilia inquired.
Valerica turned to the Dragonborn. "I was able to see it during your battle with him. Durnehviir was able to regenerate the damage you dealt to him. It's possible that Durnehviir's body is able to... reconstitute over time, meaning that he could very well come back to life. Or rather, as alive as he can be."
Patches groaned as he realized they were on a time crunch to get out of the Soul Cairn. "Wonderful. How long do we got?"
"It's impossible to know how long such a process could take. Minutes? Hours? Days? Regardless, you need to get out of here as fast as you can."
"We'll make note of that." Serana nodded.
"Serana... " Valerica spoke to her daughter. "I know I can never make up for what I've done, but I am truly sorry. For everything."
Serana was silent for a minute before speaking. "Look, I may have a hard time forgiving you, but that doesn't mean I want you to rot out here. Come back with us?"
Valerica shook her head though. "I can't. As long as Harkon is alive, then he will find me and end me to complete the Prophecy. I'm not as strong as Harkon... not as strong as you."
"Then I'll come back for you."
Valerica smiled that her daughter still cared for her. "Don't worry about me. I've survived here for centuries, and I can survive a little longer. Now go. End this madness once and for all."
Emilia nodded. "Mm. We will."
With Serana grabbing the Elder Scroll, the trio quickly made way to the entrance of the castle, only to find none other than Durnehviir waiting outside, who had just finished regenerating.
Patches groaned. "Well, so much for "days"."
The group instantly prepared for a fight, but Durnehviir spoke up. "Stay your weapons. I would speak with you, Qahnaarin."
Patches looked a bit confused. "Qa-what?".
"I think he means me..." Emilia guessed as the party slowly put their weapons away.
"You are wondering why I am not attacking you, yes?"
"The thought did cross my mind."
"I believe in civility among warriors, and I find your ear worthy of my words." The trio looked at each other with confusion.
Emilia looked suspicious. "And those words would be?"
Durnehviir could tell she was not convinced. "The tone of your voice is understandable. Perhaps I can alleviate your suspicions."
Serana crossed her arms. "How?"
Durnehviir began to explain. "My claws have rended the flesh of innumerable foes, but I have never once been felled on the field of battle. My desire to speak with you was born from the result of our battle, Qahnaarin. I merely wish to respectfully as a favor of you."
Emilia raised an eyebrow at this. "What kind of favor?"
Durnehviir began to explain. "For countless years I've roamed the Soul Cairn, in unintended service to the Ideal Masters. Before this, I soared through the skies above Tamiel and Ali'rasi. I desire to return there."
Patches could guess what the Dragon was wanting. "You want our help to break out?"
Durnehviir gave a growl of… sadness? "Unfortunately, to permanently leave Dur Soul Cairn is no longer possible. I fear my time here has taken its toll upon me. I share a bond with this dreaded place. If I ventured far from the Soul Cairn, my strength would begin to wane until my essence would be no more."
"What can we do to help?" Emilia asked.
"I will place my name with you and grant you the right to call my name from Ali'rasi. Do for me this simple favor and I will fight by your side as your Grah-Zeymahzin, your Ally, and teach you my Thu'um, the Shout you would call "Soul Tear"."
Emilia looked surprised by this. "Really?"
Durnehviir nodded. "Trivial in your mind perhaps, but to me, it would mean a great deal."
Emilia thought about it for a minute. On one hand, Durnehviir did attack and try to kill them, but it was clear he was just following orders. Besides, gaining an immortal, Undead Dragon as an ally, and learning one of the three Forgotten Shouts, would be a massive help.
"Then… I accept your proposal."
Durnehviir looked actually excited. At least, as much as he can be. "You honor me with your agreement to my humble request. Now, ready yourself, Qahnaarin. SIL GRIN KALYUL!"
Emilia felt the same Shout with Odahviing used with her, but this time felt... different. She didn't know how to explain it. "Whoa… that's new."
"So, how does this work?" Serana asked.
"Merely call my name in Ali'rasi, and I shall answer." That's… it? Just call his name like with Odahviing?
Emilia bowed to the Dragon. "Thank you, Durnehviir."
"Alright, time to get out of here," Patches said.
Serana nodded at that. "Indeed. Mother… this is good-bye."
Valerica offered her daughter a quick hug. "Farewell, Serana."
"I'll be sure to come back soon," Serana said, letting go.
Valerica nodded, to which the group made their way back to the portal back to Nirn.
Back at the laboratory, Erik began to doze off, when the portal suddenly brightened, and he saw a few familiar figures coming out. "Huh? Hey! You're back!"
"Welcome back, you three," Aela greeted her returning comrades.
Serana got straight to business. "Alright, let's get Emilia the other half of her Soul back."
Patches nodded along to that. "Couldn't agree more."
With Serana's instructions, Emilia was able to remove the piece of her Soul that was trapped inside the gem and back into her body.
Emilia sighs in relief as she felt her soul become complete again. "Oh... much better…"
"Did you get the Scroll?" Erik asked.
Serana nodded. "We did, and maybe a new ally."
"Great. Then let's get out of here," Aela said.
As the group made their way out of Castle Volkihar, Emilia's mind was elsewhere. While in the Soul Cairn, she felt... heavier, slower... weaker... she was lucky that her mana reserves were massive, and if not for that... her and Serana might not be here. The Dragonborn decided something. She would never allow herself to be put in that situation again. Her power would never be weakened again.
Never again.
Those who had gone to Castle Volkihar had just arrived back after an exhausting adventure. Frankly, they needed rest after what they had just gone through.
"You're back!" Subaru smiled, hugging Emilia who returned the gesture. "How'd it go?"
"Nightmare fuel," Patches simply said.
"You'll have to be more specific," Siegmeyer said.
"We found my Mother and the Scroll... but it was physically and mentally exhausting."
J'zargo nodded at what Serana said. "Too much family drama?"
"Something like that…"
The room was quiet for a few seconds after that.
"Well… we fought golems!" Sieglinde said.
Patches was unimpressed. "And we fought an army of skeletons, so yeah…"
"Anything else to add?" Oscar asked.
"Well... I think I gained a new pet… and a new ally," Emilia awkwardly said.
"Cool!" Subaru said, looking around. "Where are they?"
Emilia clears her throat and yells, "DUR NEH VIIR!"
At Emilia's shout, a large pocket of purple vapor began to manifest itself, quickly giving form to Durnehviir, entering Nirn for the first time in Centuries.
"Oh," was all the Japanese man said.
Durnehviir takes a breath of fresh air after so many years." Ah! The free air of Vus at long last. My most generous thanks, Qahnaarin."
"Everyone, this is Durnehviir. Durnehviir, these are my friends."
Seiglinde had to take a second to process what she was seeing. "Is... is that an Undead... Dragon?"
Siegmeyer nodded. "I… think so?"
Subaru clearly wanted an answer. "So... how did this happen?"
Emilia scratched her head as she thought about the best way to explain it. "I… might have destroyed him?"
Solaire looked between the Dragonborn and Undead Dragon back and forth. "Then... how is he still... "alive"?"
Serana sighed. "Sit down, this is gonna take a while."
After about thirty minutes, the trio got done explaining what transpired on their mission. Emilia had asked them to not mention her Soul trapping, as she didn't want them or, more specifically, Subaru to worry.
J'zargo was the first one to speak up. "Well, that was… something."
"Well, what matters in the end is that you got the Elder Scroll!" Subaru said, getting up. "We have the other one right here, so… shall we?
Emilia nodded. "Right, we need to learn the location of Auriel's Bow as soon as possible."
"To the Moth Priest!"
The Party then made their way to the Moth Priest, who was currently eating and... wearing a blindfold?
"What's up with him?" Patches asked.
Dexion turned to them as soon as Patched spoke. "Oh, you're back, aren't you? Did you manage to acquire the other Scrolls?"
Aela nodded. "Yeah, we did."
"Excellent news... although, I am afraid I will be unable to read them…"
"Because of the blindfold?" Erik asked.
Aela elbows Erik before asking, "Did something happen while we were gone?"
"Something to do with your eyes, to be specific?" Seigmeyer clarified.
Dexion nodded somberly. "Yes... I am afraid that, in my haste to read the Scroll, I neglected to take necessary precautions. As such, my sight is now no more."
Everyone was shocked at this, while Emilia yelled out, "What?! When did this happen?!"
"It was gradual, I'm afraid. A scar of my foolishness, you could say. I am sorry, but I am no longer capable of helping you." Dexion explained, which sent the party into great frustration.
Subaru groaned upon hearing that. This was just his luck, wasn't it? "Son of a… ugh…"
"Oh come on! We went through so much trying to get these, and now it was for nothing?!"
Solaire agreed with Erik's outburst. "There has to be another way!"
Dexion thought over possible alternatives for a minute before reaching one. "Actually... there may be an alternative solution."
Serana raised an eyebrow at that. "There is?"
"Although I can no longer read the Scroll, one of you can. However, you need to go to a specific place that would allow you to read the Scroll without... lasting consequences."
"Give us the location," Oscar commanded.
"There are numerous locations we Moth Priests consider sacred places to read the Elder Scrolls, and there is one in Gusteko," Dexion said. "It is a cave called Ancestor Glade, southeast of the village of Falkreath."
"Subaru, that village, Falkreath…" Solaire said. "Is that where you sent that woman…?"
Subaru could already feel a headache. "Right... that was near the Dark Brotherhood crap…"
Patches wore a smile at that. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
"Shouldn't we rest up?" Serana suggested. "It's been a long day."
"Good call. Everyone's free to do what they want, just get a full eight hours of sleep," Subaru said, walking out of the room. "We're leaving tomorrow morning."
Everyone nodded at that, and headed off to rest.
Author's Note: A quick sidenote, this week is the one-year anniversary of my MHA fics, so if anyone wants to check those out, they're on my account. Now, with that said…
(The Party has finally managed to recover the two Elder Scrolls, and now prepares to head to Ancestor Glade. This Dawnguard Arc really feels like it's dragging on, eh? don't worry, we're almost there.) Now, it's time for our regular dose of comments!
5queso: Just started college, wish me luck! Hope Durnehviir was cool for you. Serana's gonna have a pretty big moment in the future, hope to see you there!
Kifhjoofff: Sinceramente no tengo idea de lo que estás diciendo.
DelusionaryDom: Hoo, boy, are you in for a treat. (We've got plans for that particular thing.) We haven't really written anything else involving Valerica, but I'm sure she's gonna show up in some future chapters.
Anyways, back to the regular old shilling…
I'm pretty sure as you all know now, I have also made a Twitter account to post my art, so if anyone is interested in checking it out, /ErnaloreProf is the link.
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Thanks for reading, and once again, see you next time!
- Ernalore & Infinite the Celestian
