The winds of the Sea of Ghosts rode up and down the great mountain of Wyrmstooth island. Snow atop the mount was unsettled, shaking violently beneath the winds.
Beneath, a black and gold dragon landed with a warlord upon his back.
Zarys landed heavily on the cold snow at the foot of the island, where the village was within sight.
He turned back to the dragon, "linger, Vulthuryol. He will have ridden a dov to arrive here,"
The black and gold dragon nodded and stayed put whilst Zarys walked on towards the abandoned village, his great double-sword to hand. How he looked forward to bloodying it.
There, centrally in town, was an elf bound on his knees with a solitary man standing proudly behind him holding his hand out ready to send a shot of magic to the elf's head.
Zarys stopped about ten metres from them, and a moment of deafening silence passed save for the howling of the wind that passed over them and the creaking of the wood in the houses around them.
The Warlord and the Dragonborn set eyes on each other for the first time, unblinking.
"Put the sword down," commanded Nero.
The warlord did not, he simply continued to stare.
"Zarys, I take it," said Nero.
The Konahrik returned the Dovahkiin's gaze before letting his eyes fall down upon Maw who was beaten and bloody. He wasn't surprised that a nord, especially this nord, had tortured him so.
"I'll make this simple for you," began Nero, "you stop this, all of this, your attack on Whiterun, coming after my daughter, all of it. You leave Skyrim... and I'll let your child live."
Zarys smiled somewhat, "I never took you for a man to kill in cold blood."
"Desperate times," said Nero.
"Indeed they are," agreed Zarys, "for you."
Another moment of silence passed.
"You're threatening my daughter," said Nero angrily, "why?"
Zarys scoffed, "the girl is merely a means to an end."
"What end would that be?"
"Decimation."
Nero squinted.
"Of your friends. Of your people. Of you."
"To try and bring back the dragon empire?"
"To restore peace and order to this world."
Zarys looked across the houses, "when mortals, especially nords, are left to their own devices, all they do is kill. How many wars have there been since Alduin was banished from this world?"
"Maybe just as much suffering and slavery as there was while he was here. You should know, you were part of it I hear."
"I quelled human rebellions," Zarys looked around the houses, "I am all too aware of the bloodshed that follows when nords are not controlled."
Nero followed his gaze at the houses, "this… was your home."
Zarys smiled and looked down, "it was… once."
A memory returned to him, of a peaceful village of nords. Of the man who had saved him. Of once being… happy…
They were his family… until…
He shook the memory from his mind and returned to the here and now,
"Godless nords are killing machines. They need to be controlled. But every last Nord in Skyrim today will never submit to the dragons. Not anymore."
"So what's all of this for then?"
"The dragons don't want just Skyrim anymore. They will conquer the lands beyond. The Empire, the Dominion, everywhere. It is their destiny to conquer. But before their conquest begins, an example will be made of this land, of your stubborn, pathetic people. That's why they awoke me. I, Konahrik, will cleanse this land of every last nord man, woman, and child. My greatest service to the dragons. To Alduin. To peace."
"So why my daughter?!"
"You nords are pathetically predictable," smiled Zarys, "it is very fortunate that threatening the child of the legendary Dragonborn seems to bring every 'honorable' nord into one place."
Nero frowned in thought, "I don't get what that's…" then he realised…
"The shout… the one that kills…"
Zarys smiled, "it took seven years and every last drop of hatred I have for your people, and now it's ready. My shout will decimate the souls of every last heroic nord who has come to your aid. I will speak those words and every nord within the hold will cease to exist. And when it is done, there will be no one strong enough left to stand in our way."
"Oh Gods'…" thought Nero.
Then a thought of his daughter came to mind, and he remembered the plan.
Nero felt the elf beneath him begin to wake up and so he took hold of the rope around his neck and tightened it.
He looked back up at Zarys, "unfortunately, your whole plan's at an end. Like I said: surrender now or your child here is dead!"
Zarys looked from Nero down at Maw who was beginning to realise the situation.
Zarys' silence however irritated Nero which prodded him to try and speed things up.
"Let's hear his take on it, shall we," said Nero who gave Maw a kick in the back and yanked his gag out from his mouth.
Maw looked around in confusion and then laid his eyes on the warlord before him.
"F… Father?"
"Hush my child," said Zarys softly.
"I… I'm sorry Father. I tried to-"
"Shhhhh," said Zarys, "you haven't failed me. You've accomplished your mission and have served me well."
Maw smiled sadly as tears began to fall down his cheek. Then he closed his eyes and raised his head, as if waiting.
Nero was about to speak when suddenly, in one move, Zarys raised his hand and shot an ice spike straight into Maw's chest, killing him instantly.
Nero's eyes went wide and his body jerked in reaction, expecting the attack to come at him. But a moment passed and he watched Maw's now lifeless body collapse to the ground, his tears falling onto the snow beneath him.
Zarys sighed, "this day extracts a heavy toll."
Nero looked from the dead elf up to the warlord, "wha-… why… he was your child."
"He was," agreed Zarys, "I saved him from a group of sadistic nords. How alike you all are."
Nero frowned, realising his entire plan had now gone out the window.
"Why did you kill him?" asked Nero.
Zarys looked from the body of the fallen dragon order warrior up to the last Dragonborn.
"Because he had been captured and was no longer of any use. He was a good and faithful soldier. It is such a shame. But his death is a small price to pay for our meeting."
Nero shuddered; he never thought he would hear words like that again…
"And unlike you, Dovahkiin, I have the will to do what is necessary. Which will be your downfall by the end of this day."
Nero realised there was nothing else for it and in one move he unsheathed his skyforge steel swords. The ripples in the steel glimmered in the light.
"We'll see about that," said Nero.
Zarys' eyes squinted at that and he looked up from Maw, "we?"
Suddenly, a white arrow flew through the air which Zarys just barely dodged by tilting his head. The arrow flew past into a house, exploding upon impact and sending wood and timber flying here and there.
Zarys turned back to see four figures emerging all around him to attack all at once.
Behind him, Vulthuryol roared and came to attack when suddenly a large undead dragon crashed into him before the pair began flying in the air and contending in a battle above the island.
Nero came at him first but he quickly shouted, "FUS RO DAH."
The Thu'um crashed into Nero and carried him across the grounds into the wall of a house.
Farkas and Vilkas came at Zarys together, attacking either side of him.
Zarys absently blocked Vilkas' swing of Dawnbreaker with his blade whilst ducking his head under a swift swing of Wuuthrad by Farkas. He immediately followed up with striking Vilkas' shield, sending the Companion flying back several metres into a wooden wall and allowing him to focus on Farkas who threw a downward swing of Wuuthrad at the Warlord. Zarys caught the upper handle of it with his off hand, stopping the axe-blade several inches from his face. He then yanked it out of Farkas' hand, throwing it aside, before he sent a strong kick into Farkas' chest. Farkas fell back several metres onto the ground and Zarys approached to swing his blade down for a killing blow, when suddenly, an ice spike crashed into his back.
He turned around to see his attacker; Serana with her hand outstretched was throwing magic from a small distance at the warlord who turned to face her completely. He summoned a ward to block the majority of her projectiles as he slowly closed the gap. Unbeknownst to him, Aela had moved around the houses behind Zarys and came out with a pair of sunhallowed elven arrows and was running up to him from behind.
Zarys was several metres from Serana as his ward was about to break when suddenly he heard, "hey asshole!"
He turned to see a red haired Companion leap in the air off a rock and jam the arrows in his shoulder plates before landing behind him next to Serana.
"Boom," smiled Serana just before the arrows exploded either side of Zarys' head and he fell on his hands.
The explosions and arrows had not pierced through his armor however and he was mostly unharmed, but he was disoriented. Serana and Aela were about to follow up with more attacks when suddenly the great elf got back to his feet remarkably fast and, leaving his sword on the floor he breathed in,
"YUL TOOR SHUL!"
A wall of flame rode across the ground towards both Serana and Aela who both jumped out of the way just in time to avoid the flames which burned the ground and crashed into a house, setting it ablaze.
Zarys smiled as he then raised his hands and began charging fireballs in both, aiming at both women on the ground. He was ready to shoot when suddenly he was hit by fireballs himself that filled the air around him with fire. He raised his arms to block, scanning the area for his attacker. Soon enough he saw Nero who was running with his hands raised shooting the magic. Zarys raised a ward with both hands, blocking the fireballs, to which Nero switched to his swords as he closed the gap. Zarys waited until he was close enough to throw a pair of runes on the ground in front of him.
Nero, moving too fast to stop in time, skidded just before the runes which exploded and sent him up in the air above Zarys and then crashing down again and rolling across the ground.
Zarys kicked his double-sword up into his hand and approached Nero on the offensive. Nero quickly got back up to his feet and into stance as the Warlord approached. Zarys raised his blade as Nero raised his own and swung the great double sword sideways, going for Nero's head. Nero ducked under it, before he immediately had to parry the next swing. Zarys kept up his attack hard and fast, forcing Nero to dodge, block or parry.
Sparks flew from every connection the blades made in the air along with a thunderous clang.
Finally, with one hand the elf went for a downwards swing upon Nero, opting for strength more than speed, which Nero blocked with both his blades and all his strength, and even then, the large black blade came down frighteningly close to his face, even with Nero struggling against it. He could feel his steel swords buckling under the raw power of Zarys and his weapon.
Aela had gotten back up and was nocking an arrow in Auriel's Bow.
Feeling like a target, Zarys grabbed his sword with both hands and swung upwards, flinging Nero's swords out of his hands. The Warlord followed up by grabbing Nero by the throat, lifting him up and around and holding him like a shield in front of him. Aela stopped in her shot, unable now to fire. Zarys smiled before spinning around for momentum and launching Nero at her. He crashed into the Huntress and the pair tumbled along the ground.
Zarys charged a fireball in his hand and aimed at Nero, when suddenly, a lightning bolt struck his helmet from the side. He turned to see Serana again approaching and throwing magic at him. The twins followed her and went around to get the angle on the Warlord whilst he blocked attacks from Serana.
Zarys noticed them however and immediately shouted, "WULD."
The Warlord flew across the ground towards Serana who had no time to react before he bashed into her with his shoulder, sending her onto her back hard.
He then turned back to see the twins approaching. He dropped his blade, stretched out both his hands and fired ice spikes at the pair of them. Vilkas blocked with the Shield of Ysgramor and Farkas barely blocked with Wuuthrad. Both spikes shattered without impaling either brother but the impact sent both back onto the ground.
Then the Warlord turned back to Serana whom he grabbed by the throat and lifted off the ground up to eye level. Serana grabbed his hand and tried to free herself but his grip was too strong and it tighetend, cutting off her air.
Nero raised his head up and saw Serana being choked.
Zarys smiled as Serana felt her lungs clawing for air.
Suddenly, a great big wolf with dark fur crashed into Zarys with a roar, making him drop Serana who gasped for air.
Zarys rolled backwards and tried to get back to his feet as Nero in werewolf form came at him.
Nero roared before sending swipes of his claws at the Warlord. Zarys blocked with his arms and Nero's talons scraped across his metal bracers and chest armor, sending sparks here and there.
Seeing no way through his guard, Nero smashed downwards on the elf, making him drop his guard and stumble backwards into a rock. Then Nero immediately went for the throat, rapping his hands around it and trying to dig his claws in.
Zarys grabbed Nero's wrists and slowly but surely pulled them away; his strength was enough to contend with Nero's even in werewolf form. Nero struggled, growling as he tried to fight against Zarys' might to no avail. Once they were away, Zarys hit Nero with a jab to his throat, making him stumble back.
Zarys waited as Nero recovered and again came at him with a single arm strike to the throat, but the Warlord hit it away before jabbing Nero in the face and sending a hook punch across his jaw. Nero went for another swipe but Zarys side-stepped and sent a strong punch into his side. Zarys caught Nero's next swing and followed up with another jab to the face, followed by a punch in the stomach and then another punch straight into his face. Nero was in trouble and tried to disengage but Zarys grabbed his throat and sent another thunderous punch straight into his face, making him stumble back into a wooden wall of a house. Then Zarys grabbed his head and swung it down into his kneecap. He didn't let Nero go however as he took hold of Nero's arm, pulled him in and with both arms he lifted Nero up over his head. Zarys held him there a moment before turning and, with all the force he had, he threw Nero down into the stone path beneath them with a mighty crash.
Zarys stood over him and placed a foot on his chest as Nero slowly transformed back into his human form, and his injuries were much easier to see; he was beaten and bloody, barely still conscious.
Above them, Vulthuryol crashed Durnehviir into the mountain near the top before digging his claws into Durnehviir's neck and divebombing into into the town, smashing and destroying many of the desolate houses that remained and sending wood and splintered timber everywhere. Vulthuryol stood over Durnehviir, the victor, just as Durnehviir slowly disintegrated back to the soul cairn.
"It seems your years of victory have defeated you, Dovahkiin."
Nero struggled to answer as he felt blood in his mouth. However, looking up, he did see movement on the mountain above them. Movement of snow.
Zarys saw that Nero's companions were getting back up and nearby his sword rested on the ground. Using telekinesis, he summoned it back to his right hand and raised it over Nero. The others saw and stopped in their tracks just as Vulthuryol slowly stomped over.
"You see? This is why you will all lose in the end. You are all pathetically predictable."
Nero looked to his side and saw each of them standing nearby, and above him, Zarys' boot on his chest and his double sword raised just above his throat.
"I had hoped not to kill you Dovahkiin before I eradicate your species from this plane, but I think, now… I will let your daughter know how valiantly you all fought. I hope she remembers you."
Nero coughed blood out so he could speak, "when you do… *cough* could you give her some words from me?"
Zarys looked down about to listen, until the thought crossed his mind immediately and he raised his blade to strike down and cut Nero's throat.
"FUS RO DAH"
The Thu'um blasted Zarys' blade out of his hand and rode up the mountain.
Zarys looked down angrily and instead aimed his hand at Nero, when suddenly everyone felt a rumble.
Nero smiled as looked up and everyone followed his gaze.
The shout had severely unsettled snow higher up, and now, an avalanche was coming down. It crashed into the ruin built onto the mountain and the weight began bringing pieces of debris down with it.
Serana took the chance and threw an ice-spike at Zarys' head, taking him off balance and his boot off Nero who instantly rolled out of the way and began running, "MOVE!" he yelled.
The others began running for the beach as the avalanche came down towards them. Vulthuryol was about to breathe fire at them but Aela hit him with a sunhallowed arrow straight in his mouth.
They all made for the beach and, still cooling down from his shout a moment ago, Nero again shouted,
"DURNEHVIIR"
The undead dragon materialised in front of them and Nero cried, "CLIMB ON!"
Zarys got back up and grabbed his sword before seeing the snow coming down fast. He ran to Vulthuryol and tried to clamber on in time but just before Vulthuryol took off they were struck with the snow and debris and buried under it along with the remnants of the town.
Everyone clambered on Durnehviir as fast as they could and the dragon took off immediately, grabbing Farkas and Vilkas in his claws as he took flight.
In a raspy voice, Nero in the front spoke down to the dragon, "take us back to Whiterun."
"Yes, Qahnaahrin," said Durnehviir who ascended into the sky and flew southward, back to Skyrim.
Nero then immediately grabbed his mouth from which blood was pouring. Behind him, Serana held him tightly, and behind her Aela looked back to see the island; the ruins had almost completely come down with the avalanche and the town had been completely buried in stone and snow.
"He's gone!" she cried.
Serana turned back to see and let out a sigh of relief, "he's dead," she said to Nero in his ear.
Nero wasn't so sure something like that could kill him…
"We need to get back to Whiterun," said Nero, "if he knows that shout, maybe his children do too. Maybe the draugr do! We need to get back to Julia now!"
Vilkas again tried not to vomit as Durnehviir swooped down and flew at full speed back to Skyrim.
Author's Notes
Feels like I'm apologising for the wait every chapter now, but again I am sorry, quite a bit has been happening in my life but it's definitely been longer than I would have liked before coming back to this.
So, Nero and company have had their first fight with Zarys! It didn't quite go the way Nero had planned. But assumedly, both Zarys and Vulthuryol are buried under snow and debris! It's over now right?... Right?... We'll see ;) Thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter very soon!