Dawn of the Companions

by gingerlyspeaking

Four months after the death of Alduin, a growing evil builds in Skyrim once again. Struggling with coin—the Dragonborn, Mimzi, joins the Companions in Whiterun. Only to discover the ranks of Jorrvaskr harbour a dark secret. When tragedy hits Whiterun, the Companions leave their hall under a vengeful calling with unlikely allies to save Tamriel from catastrophe.

21. Beyond Death

Chapter 19: Beyond Death

"Alessandra!"

A young woman called as she entered Whiffet Hall's doors, "Alessandra, they are on their way now! They just docked. Are the children cleaned and fed? We must make the best impression possible. Perfect if we can!"

The woman carried buckets of water and satchels packed in breads and cheeses. She laid the supplies down by crates. The hall was well-lit in warm candlelight, and kept and cared for. There were freshly cleaned beds neatly tucked, and cradles filled with wool blankets and sack toys.

The woman yelled again, "Alessandra! Are you deaf?!"

"By the eight, what did you want?!"

Another young woman barked down the hall as she trotted up with a toddler girl over her hip, "I was just giving Luna a bath. Mimzi needs to get her hair brushed, she got sweet roll batter in her curls again. Honestly, Mithelda, some days it feels I do all the work here."

"I just gave Mimzi a bath this morning, and you already let her get batter in her hair?!" Mithelda berated, "You need to set boundaries with her while baking. She'll lather herself in batter if she could. The couple are here to adopt a child, they all need to be representable!"

Luna began to tug at Alessandra's hair, who suddenly gasped, "So soon? Oh, dear, I haven't even finished cleaning up after dinner. Mimzi and Luna were just about to go to bed, and the boys are playing in their room— they are not expecting visitors! How are they? Are they good people?"

"They are a mixed couple, Dunmer man and Breton woman. They seem fair enough. Wealthy and well-meant. Our babies would be blessed to have them as their parent… only question is who they will choose. It's so bittersweet… to see one of the kids get a home, while all the others stay here."

"We do the best we can for them," Alessandra said, "That's all we can do. Some of these children may never have a family for their own. That's why we must be their family. No matter what happens today… we must love them fiercely."

"The money is drying up fast, Alessandra," Mithelda warned, "We may have a few years before we are forced to close our doors. That imperial woman still wants to take over the orphanage, and I shudder if she did. She's not right in the head, that one. They all must have loving homes, before it's too late…"

The doors of Whiffet Hall opened and in blew streaks of snow and frigid winds from Dawnstar. A couple walked in from the cold, revealing as the Dunmer and Breton couple. They held hands and delighted at the sight of the quaint orphanage.

Alessandra greeted, "Oh, welcome! Please do come in! Make yourselves at home and we'll gather the children."

The Dunmer man claimed, "Take your time… there's no rush. We are happy to finally arrive, the Skyrim seas are a brutal force."

The Breton woman cackled, "Oh, ain't that the truth!"

Mithelda yelled up down the hall, "Boys! Jesper! Alastar! Come on out, we have guests for you to meet!"

She walked further down the hall, as Alessandra brought over Luna to the two.

"This is Luna," introduced Alessandra, "She just hit her second winter. Imperial children are so gentle and Luna has to be the most benign toddler I've ever met, and that's saying something!"

The three erupted in laughter, where Luna chirped a giggle. Her childish laughter tickled the hearts of those who heard it.

"Oh my, she's beautiful…" The Breton woman awed, "By the gods, who would ever want to abandon such a perfect child?"

"Her parents were unfortunately lost to the cold a few months back…" Alessandra gloomed, "Her grandparents are very elderly. Living their last seasons in the countryside, so they brought her here to hopefully be raised by a bright and youthful family."

The Dunmer man affirmed, "Well, that's why we are here, we wanted to have children, but figured why make a whole new person when there are healthy children alive and needing of a home?"

Alessandra praised, "That's what our world needs more than anything! Orphaned children are so easily overlooked, but they are our future."

The two boys slowly came from the hall, shy and timid while holding hands. The Dunmer man bleated, "Ah! Look at these young men! 'Ello boys! What's your names?"

They didn't speak, but shyly kept to the hallway. Alessandra waved them over and said, "These are Jesper and Alastar- four and five years old. Very good boys, so helpful. They would make excellent farmhands and labourers. You may have some great help around the farm or home in the next ten years with these two!"

The Breton woman knelt down to the boys and smiled, "Hello, my dears. How do you do?"

Jesper smiled, "Hi…"

The Breton woman swooned and beamed a loving smile at the boys, who returned smiles back.

"Jesper and Alastar are from the same mining settlement. It was raided by bandits, and the only two left alive were the boys… Luck is drawn to them," Alessandra explained.

"Just miserable," the Dunmer man declared, "Bandits never cease in being terrors to the good in this land."

"Lastly, that leaves…" Alessandra was cut off by Mithelda, who came cluttering through the hallway in heavy breath.

"Gods be merciful…" Mithelda heaved, "This lady does not like getting her hair brushed…" She carried another toddler girl in her arms. She had fluffy and curled red hair, and large blue eyes framed in dark lashes. The child had a toy in her mouth.

"Mimzi! This is Mimzi. She's our most recent child."

"Mimzi?" The Dunmer man asked, "Isn't that a strain of…"

"Anther flower in Morrowind? Yes, it is," Mithelda added, "She was brought to us by another Dunmer man. He had already named her, so we figured we'd let the name stick. The name fits, though, she is a rarity, much like the flower."

Alessandra added, "It was quite the tale in our little town for a while. Supposedly he found the baby out in the cold. Poor thing was left for dead out there. Luckily, he found her. Now she's a perfectly healthy little girl, very lively, and gods— a laugh a minute. Despite what happened to her, she's full of light."

Mithelda set down Mimzi, who squeaked a laugh and came wobbling to the couple. The Breton woman laughed, "Oh my, she's definitely not shy, is she?"

The Dunmer man exclaimed, "Left for dead, and perfectly fine. It's miraculous that man found her… the god's work."

Mithelda went to pick up Mimzi, "We call her a little miracle. The Divines must have chosen her for something. She has a habit of finding herself in danger much of the time… yet it seems Mara's hand guides this one."

"So many options… such amazing options… makes it almost impossible to choose," the Breton woman fussed to her husband.

Mithelda advised, "You can't ever make the wrong choice here. No matter what, you'll leave with a beautiful addition to your family. These children are smart, funny and so gifted in many different ways. Every last one of them deserves a life where they are loved and cared for. If you must please take your time. This shouldn't be something decided lightly."

Alessandra continued, "When you choose, you'll be responsible for moulding them into the adults they will be for the rest of their lives. That's a tremendous responsibility. Anyone in their right mind would need time to think it over. These children are the fate of our world, however they proceed to live will be up to us."

---

Sheets of lightning spread against the vast, bleak skies. Everything above hued in purple and shadowed in black, centring a revolving void. The lightning lit up the leagues of a flat and barren desert. Hallowed towers lay cluttered into the horizon, with gaping fissures through stone. The wind constantly blew in one direction, in a constant speed. The air was lifeless, not cold or warm, but dry and stale. Sounds of harrowing cries and wisps blew through the sand. Moans and distorted yells coming through wind like an invisible whisper. Serana stepped down the floating stones to the floor of the Soul Cairn. Her breath steady but faint. Her eyes glowed red into the darkness of the realm, where red eyes slowly came up behind her. The footsteps brought Mimzi, who stared up in horror at the colourless world. Her red eyes wilted, not even able to sputter a breath. She rattled in terror, but the landscape of the desolate land was only a fraction of the cause.

Serana said in a low tone, "This is it… this is the Soul Cairn. You were right, Mimzi, there is no sane reason on why anyone would want to be here. This place is… dreadful."

She stared up at the gaping void into the sky, gawking down at them like an open maw. Serana tried her best to remain calm, but the knowing of where they were now was far too horrible to imagine. They were under the mercy of dark lords, now, and the possibility of going home wasn't certain. It was now time to survive, and fight with all their power to do so.

Sharp inhales came from behind Serana, who turned to see Mimzi struggling for breath. She startled to see her in such distress. Mimzi clutched her chest and fought for breath, but every inhale made air scarcer. Her face was wet, but it wasn't raining. Serana walked to Mimzi and grabbed her by the shoulders. She took a brief glance to the recent bite into Mimzi's neck, knowing it was from her own teeth. She had turned Mimzi into a vampire and wasn't sure if she was the same as she would have left human.

Serana eased, "Mimzi… Mimzi, you have to take a breath. You're okay."

"I can't be here," Mimzi mewled, "I can't… I have to go. This place isn't right. I'm not… oh… gods… Serana, what did I do? What have I done?!"

"You have to keep it together right now, you cannot fall apart. Do you understand?"

"This isn't me!" She dug her hands into Serana's arms, "I'm a monster! I… I can't do this. I thought I could, but I can't, Serana! I can't… breathe. Oh gods… I can't…"

"I can't have you freaking out or else I'm going to freak out, and we will die in here! This is a plane of Oblivion. This is beyond you and me. You need to stay calm!"

"I don't want to die like this. Please, Serana… I don't want to die like this."

"You won't!" Serana shook Mimzi, "We're going to find a cure! As soon as we find my mother and get that scroll, you are priority number one, alright? I will not let you be a vampire. I've got your back. Mimzi, I promise. Just please… keep it together."

Mimzi clenched her teeth and fought to breathe, while mimicking Serana's breath. She kept her red eyes to Serana's, and the two stood together and took breath until Mimzi's panic eased.

Serana slowly released Mimzi, who still tried to calm. She asked quietly, "You got this?"

Mimzi closed her eyes and nodded, "I got this… I'm ready…"

Serana asked again, "Are you sure?"

Mimzi stayed apprehensive to answer but reluctantly nodded, "I'm okay."

Serana looked from Mimzi and glared up their path where the deserts of the Soul Cairn went for leagues. She swallowed and composed herself, before Mimzi said aloud, "Well, we made it… we're so far from home we're not even in Mundus, anymore. So, I guess the only way out is forward, right?"

Serana gloomed to the scattered wisps and wandering spirits ahead their path, "That's right…"

"So…" Mimzi asked, "What do we do now?"

Serana forced herself to trudge her feet forward, "Now we find my mother."

Together they ambled further into the unknown while pulling sand up their boots. The screams off the winds grew louder, as if every step they took into the Soul Cairn was an affront to the realm. Mimzi could not control her breath, and in spurts of shock she'd have to force herself to breathe in. Serana stayed stoic and determined, pensively walking passed ruined towers. They passed puddles of bubbling tar, where black hands reached out to the skies. Mimzi couldn't tear her eyes from the disfigured limbs trying to escape, but Serana pulled her to keep going. Lightning struck in seconds, making a tumultuous crack every flash that would rumble the terrain. They passed under dead entangling trees. To the branches were strung with hanging skeletal remains and cages. Serana and Mimzi looked up to the remains in silence, both in denial of what they were seeing. Every step they took, there was a feeling of eyes following them obsessively. No matter how empty and desolate this world was, they did not feel alone, and it was a certain thought.

The static in the air was strong enough to make the Soul Cairn smell repulsively metallic. The winds constantly blew travelling screams from victims unknown, and seldom creaking skeletons would be heard then disappear in moments. The whole being of the Soul Cairn felt wrong. They had entered a biome crafted by evil, and used for the soul purpose of wasting souls. Mimzi's horror at such a world existing, and her feet pressing into its soil, she felt she had betrayed everything she knew. She was now counted among the creatures who revered this realm. Among the Soul Cairn's depravity, she was something part of the same craft. Doomed to join it one way of another.

Ahead of them was a large castle structure, with a vast and walled courtyard. Before the entryway was a shimmering red field of magic. It glimmered off the sand before the steps. Serana looked at this display, knowing the kind of spell it would take to conjure it. She stopped dead in her tracks, where Mimzi thudded into her back.

Suddenly she shrieked, "Mother!" Then went bolting towards the construct.

"Serana! What is it?!"

She ran all the way to the castle, and Serana's eyes swelled in tears as she could see a body walking from behind the barrier.

"MOTHER!!"

Mimzi struggled to keep up with Serana's speed. She ran up the steps to the entrance at Serana's back.

"Mother! Mother! It's me! It's Serana, I'm back! Mother, is that you?!"

The body from within the barrier slowly peered from the pillar. A tall, slender woman with black hair neatly tied in buns. She was nearly the exact likeness of Serana, but matronly. Her eyes reflected the orange hue of her small pupils. She came into the light passed lit candles. In the corner of the room was a desk and chair, rows of bookshelves in various ingredients, and an alchemy table the woman brushed up against as she shambled to the barrier. The woman's mouth fell at the sight of Serana, no words escaping her mouth yet, but her walk was slow. She wore the same linens and corset as Serana, even the same black broached cloak.

The woman shuddered, "Serana… is that you? By the blood…"

Serana cried in relief, "Mother!" She went to push through the barrier, but it acted as a window. Serana bounced back from the barrier, "What is this? Why can't I get to you?"

"What are you doing here?!" Valerica snapped in a growl, "Have you lost your damn mind?!"

Serana implored, "I'm here for you! I've come to save you. Please, let me in!"

Mimzi slowly walked up the steps while overhearing the mother and daughter converse, she felt uneasy approaching as a fly on the wall. Another ancient vampire woven in dark truths. Only to whither in fear when she burned her red eyes into her own. Mimzi froze at the scorn in Valerica's glare.

"You brought a stranger here? Serana, what have you done!?"

"This is Mimzi, she's not a stranger," Serana divulged, "She's my friend, she's helping me. Just let me in!"

"You had no business coming here. What were you thinking coming here? Do you have any idea where you are? You have no grasp of the kind of power that lurks here!"

"I know where I am, mother, I'm not a child. I know the kind of danger we are in. You need to listen to me, because the danger in Skyrim is just as real as this…"

"You're not a child?" Valerica scoffed, "I beg to differ. You come here now with a stranger when you should be in that monolith, protecting yourself and protecting Skyrim. Yet you are here, alerting the Ideal Masters of your presence now. Stinking the Cairn in your ignorance for all the foul creatures here to know. You have left yourself vulnerable to your deranged father, who will now undoubtedly find me, as well."

Words wanted to spill out like vomit. Mimzi battled with it, dreading to speak. She could feel Serana's spirit being beaten by her mother's words. Then she broiled in the thought. Mimzi was done being scared. "Do you ever shut up and listen to anyone but yourself for once?"

Valerica balked at Mimzi's sudden interjection, with Serana startling back to her.

"And of course, the stranger you bring is an arrogant child, herself." Valerica sneered, "Stand down before your elders, newborn. I dare not exchange words with a vampire that hasn't even tasted their first share of blood. You know nothing, and your red eyes cannot hide what you truly are."

Mimzi placed her hands to her hips, "And what's that?"

"How does it come to pass that a vampire hunter comes to my sanctuary, with my only child, after centuries of hiding?" Valerica presumed, "You're not a true vampire. You became a vampire to enter the Soul Cairn. You have a stink of primitive mortality on you. You're no vampire. You revile vampires. So, tell me, what really brings you here, paladin?"

"I want your scroll, and you're going to give it to us now."

Serana breathed hard and looked down to the floor as her mother menacingly cackled at Mimzi.

"You think I'd ever entrust you to my daughter, much less entrust you the scroll? By the blood… so arrogant it's almost adorable. If it wasn't so bluntly irritating."

Serana whispered to the both of them, "Stop…"

"You don't have to entrust squat, lady. Serana gets to make choices for herself now." Mimzi snapped back.

"You have no right intruding between myself and my child. Your only goal is the next vampire you spear out of some righteous need of revenge. You string Serana along only for a means to an end, and in that end, you will kill her, too. I know your kind too well."

Mimzi stepped to the barrier, "You don't know a damn thing about me. Must be nice to have all the answers until someone tells you you're wrong. If only someone was there to say that when you put your own child in that monolith for centuries! You didn't bother to explain why, or even consider another plan, you just did it because Serana was never even a person to you, was she? You fled to this holiday destination as Serana sat in darkness for years. Was it comforting for you to ignore the problem you left behind? You know… your husband? Was it easier to betray your daughter than face him? It's not you and your child, anymore, lady. It's me and Serana, and you've got something we need."

Valerica shook her head in disbelief, "How dare you consider I could have ever left behind my daughter out of cowardice! You think any of this was easy for me?! You know nothing, you ant!"

Mimzi's resentment for her red eyes and fangs was coming out in scorn. Directed to the picture of pride before the barrier. She raised her finger at Valerica, "I know enough! You're a damn coward!"

Serana finally shouted, "Shut up!"

Mimzi and Valerica startled at Serana's boisterous tone and fell silent. Serana began to lament, "You ran, mother. You had the choice to face father and you ran, leaving me behind. Now I have to do what you should have done centuries ago. I need to stop this prophecy because it's happening right now. Everything you told me about father was true. I'm not hiding anymore, and I refuse to hide for the rest of my life in planes of Oblivion or monoliths in caves. All we are asking for is the scroll. You know why we need it, and we won't leave till we have it."

Valerica sighed and came closer to the barrier before Serana, "Serana. It fills me with unfathomable happiness to look upon you again. Time has little meaning to me, but you being here, I know time hasn't done either of us any favours. I can't help you, if you'd only open your eyes…"

Serana's lip quivered and she wept, "No. I trusted you wholly. I trusted you to protect me and you left me. Do you have any idea… how awful it is to see you two again? After everything, all the fights, threats and disdain you two hold for each other, and now every memory of your selfishness together is coming back and haunting me! I never said anything, I never complained. I was the good girl, the loyal daughter, the devout follower. Even while I was constantly suffocated by the rivalry of you and father. You always had to try and make me pick sides, or mediate and be the parent, because you two weren't! I needed you to be my mother! I never asked you to be. I have never asked you for anything in my life. Now I'm asking… I'm asking you to give me the Elder Scroll."

Mimzi sombrely looked down, torn to hear the pain in Serana's voice. Valerica remained a stoic statue, "I can see this mortal has been influencing you far worse than I thought…"

Mimzi rolled her eyes in disgust, and Serana cried, "This 'mortal' has made me feel more like me, more like a person than I've felt in centuries with you. She's taught me that I deserve better— deserved better! I'm not asking you to be my mother. You had your chance to do that right, and you failed. I'm asking you to give me the damn scroll!"

"I can't!" Valerica snapped loudly. Serana and Mimzi jolted at the sudden outburst. Valerica composed herself and her face harrowed, "I can't… because I am trapped. There is no possibility of you ever accessing this scroll."

Serana whimpered, "What?"

"The Ideal Masters…" Valerica explained, "I made a deal with them when I first entered here. I'd be a conveyer of souls for their greedy collection. However, if I had foreseen the value they placed on my own soul, I would never have come here."

Serana queried, "They want your soul?"

"Yes," Valerica admitted, "And I refuse to give it. So they have trapped me here… the ultimate waiting game. Unfortunately, time has little meaning to the Ideal Masters, as well."

Mimzi mocked, "Wow, thought this one through, huh? These elder vampires are pure geniuses. Why would I question anything?" The comfort of the barrier made the words too tempting.

Valerica snarled, "You must really have a death wish."

"I'm already dead, lady."

Serana stated, "That's just the way she is. You want Mimzi to stop mocking you, you have to prove yourself. Trust me, she did the same to me."

"Tell me," Valerica said, "If you were to have this scroll, what exactly is your plan, afterwards? How do you two plan to stop Harkon from enacting the Tyranny of the Sun?"

Mimzi stated, "Safe guard the scrolls and the bow till Harkon is dealt with…"

Valerica scoffed, "Which means?"

"I'll kill Harkon," Mimzi claimed.

Valerica fell silent as she shook her head slowly in disbelief, "You believe that, you're just as much a fool as I first assumed. You think I haven't thought of that?"

Mimzi berated, "Well clearly you didn't, since he's alive. You got a better idea? Besides living your lives in the Soul Cairn?"

"I agree," Serana claimed, "It's only right I am the one to end this. We can't spend an eternity hiding. The only way to end this prophecy is to kill Harkon."

Valerica divulged, "I cannot be of help to you now. Either of you. The Ideal Masters are beings feared by Aedra and Daedra alike. They are in full control of this realm. The only way I could think of breaking this barrier would be disrupting the link of their Keepers. How you would do that… is beyond me."

"Keepers?"

"The Ideal Masters do not have a physical form in this realm. They are incorporeal beings," Valerica explained as she looked out to the gloomed desert wastes behind them, "But… they do communicate with three entities that rule over the Soul Cairn. They command the undead, and oppress the wandering souls. They are referred as 'The Keepers'. Very powerful and conduits of the Ideal Master's power in physical form."

"So… basically they are gods?" Mimzi asked.

Valerica informed further, "In the Soul Cairn, yes, they are. But they can bleed and be killed like any creature. So really, no, they are not. However, the likes of all three being destroyed by the efforts of two vampires is quite frankly, impossible."

Mimzi smirked, "I have a knack for completing impossible tasks. Looks like it's your lucky day."

Serana couldn't help but crease a smile to herself at Mimzi's bravado, that she knew would clash with her mother's paranoid ideals undoubtedly.

Valerica raised a brow, "By the blood… you must be a slobbering fool or a deranged psychopath with that kind of boasting."

Mimzi shrugged, "Maybe a bit of both. What do I have to lose? Just means I'm more likely to pull this off, don't you think?"

Serana added, "The only thing worse than dying is not trying. Mimzi and I have been through the ringer for a few weeks now. Honestly, we're ready to do just about anything to stop Harkon. Question is, are you?"

Valerica silently marvelled in pride at the newfound courage of her daughter, "You will find the Keepers at each of the three stone spires along Soul Cairn's terrain. Each of these hold dangers I've never faced. So besides the location, there's not much I can say to prepare the two of you. If you want to do this foolish task, I ask of you. Mimzi. I ask you protect my daughter with your life, and I will entrust the Elder Scroll to you. You promise me that, we will have a deal."

Mimzi looked to Serana, who only returned a soft smile. She looked back to Valerica, "I promise I will protect Serana with my life."

Valerica nearly curved a smile at the words, "Very well. Good luck, the both of you."

As Mimzi and Serana went to turn back down the steps, Valerica called behind the barrier, "Mimzi!"

"What?"

Valerica warned, "Keep watch for Durnehviir. He's a dragon that haunts the skies, in service to the Ideal Masters. Might as well be a pet to the Keepers. That dragon is a terrible force… so if he does reveal himself, do not fight. Run."

Serana gasped, "There's a dragon here?"

Mimzi made a daring smile, "Ain't nothing I'm not used to."

Valerica raised a brow as Mimzi continued undauntedly down the steps. Serana remained worried but tried to stifle her it in the presence of Mimzi. She followed her down into the Soul Cairn, where they caught their first glimpse of a spire a few yards away. Mimzi trudged through the sand towards this spire, already drawing her blade. Serana struggled to keep up and said aloud, "I can't believe it. After so much time she's here, and she's alive. Somehow, I thought seeing my mother again would make me feel like dirt. I feel amazing, I finally stood up to her, and it's because of you! She hasn't changed a bit. Mimzi, are you okay?" Serana grew worried through her panic rambling.

Serana raised again, "Mimzi?"

"I don't want to talk about it, I know what you want to talk about and it's not happening… not now." Every gentle harp of Serana's comforting voice was a pull on a string in Mimzi's chest. Only a tug from cracking her to her knees to wail.

"Mimzi… this isn't your forever. I told you I'm going to find a cure. I have the gem. This is temporary."

She bit at the hope. Not daring to indulge. These were grounds that the Divines couldn't see. She was something they couldn't help. Without their influence. There was no use for hope.

"Yeah… somehow, I'm having a hard time putting much trust in a goose chase for a vampire cure. I made the stupid choice to do this and I'm happy I did. There's no way you'd be able to take on these three Keeper things by yourself. I don't even know if the two of us is enough. But I'm what I am, now. My only meaning in this life is finishing this, once and for all."

"Your only meaning in life? What does that mean?" Serana asked, "What are you trying to say?"

Mimzi snapped, "The only thing that's going to bring me some comfort is killing something. So either get on board with that or be quiet. I'm done talking."