Chapter 9 Ready To Go. This one was a bit of a rough one, I wanted to jump right into things close to End Game, Kotera has Bigger Fish To Fry.
Training felt like torture after a while. It had been a week since Time left for the scroll. I could still feel his presence but I wasn't sure what he was doing that it was taking him this long. I closed my eyes for a moment while I sat outside and tried to psychically send him a message "Are you alright?" I had asked through my thoughts, we hadn't used our mental connection like that for a while since he's been by my side most of the time, we've never been separated for so long. His voice felt so far away when he replied with a "Yes, do not worry I may be a bit turned around down here trying to find the right place, but I am taking my time to be careful…I should be back in a few more days. Blackreach is a labyrinth full of many dangers. I have many artifacts to store." He had reported to me and I sighed with a bit of relief and went in for breakfast.
Esbern and Delphine had been an enormous help, Esbern was teaching me different ways to use my dragon shouts while in combat to be more effective as the Dragonborn. I tried not to use my shouts often because they could be extremely dangerous, Master Arngeir himself even helped me note that used wrong the voice was powerfully destructive and I could end up hurting someone if I wasn't careful. However I had focused most of my training on pairing whirlwind sprint with my attacks to cover ground and overwhelm my opponent, and to keep up with Domic who was leagues faster than any of us. His training was rough and terrifying where Lydia's was calm and insightful focusing on my reflexes and overall stances. During breaks I would go to Paarthurnax and converse with him, he would teach me different shouts and what they mean. And he was a great source of company during a meditation. His slow warm breaths were almost too relaxing a noise and meditations almost turned into a deep nap. The old dragon would laugh when he caught that I was falling asleep and said that becoming so calm enough to drift to slumber was a good sign that my body was finding balance.
Our new house was nearing completion as well. I visited every day at noon to give them their pay telling them that I couldn't get it right away in the morning due to training, they bowed and said they understood that training was most important. Domic himself had been a help with my armor. We couldn't fix my original set but he went to his blacksmith friend to create a more fit to form of the Hylian armor we found in Morwitijaal. It was reminiscent of the blades armor but it looked far more regal He had gone home and retrieved some of our dragon scales and had them worked into the armor. When night fell again he was there to train me for a few hours."This armor will actually protect you from cross bolts...That other set was inefficient for your long term wearing. As nice as the set was Kotera you really should have thought about practicality." Domic had told me during our training sessions while he was practically overpowering me each match. "Well it's not like I have any real experience with armor uncle…I only just started wearing armor when that set was made for me." I had told him before suddenly he was behind me, grappling my body and putting the tip of one of his knives to my neck. The way I was pinned was painful but I was terrified to move to be more comfortable. "It made you slow and a big shining target for that crossbow. Granted even this armor is a little too bright, but a cross bolt isn't going to punch through it like any standard armor. You're welcome." He said tossing me forward and I curled into a roll.
I hated that he was right, this armor was much easier to move in because it was form fitting but loose enough I could move my body freely. I just wish it wasn't THAT form fitting. "Uncle did they have to make this armor that the chest sticks out like a sore thumb?" I had said embarrassed, I always despised if my chest was what stood out the most on me, I hated the stares I would get. Even at the party at Elenwen's I shuddered thinking who was staring at me at that party until I slipped away. "You don't have time to care about who is looking at your chest in a fight Kotera." Domic had said in the wind, I couldn't see him at all. I looked around frantically for him and found nothing but an idea. "TIID KLO UL!" I shouted and everything around me seemed to slow down considerably, or I was speeding up. Paarthurnax taught me the shout and told me it would be invaluable to gain seconds. I could now see Domic whirling around me at his great speed holding two of his daggers. I quickly moved in and got behind him before I grappled him the same way he had me. Time shifted and everything went back to normal, all aside from Domic's daggers that now loudly clattered against the ground of Sky Haven Temple's outer courtyard.
I felt Domic twitch and turn his head. "Clever girl…However there's one problem with grappling someone stronger than you…" He had said before he chuckled and literally hurled me off him across the courtyard. I groaned and tried to steady myself back up. My world was spinning before I finally focused on Domic who was just leisurely picking up his knives. "You didn't have anything to my neck, just holding onto someone isn't enough to subdue them if you don't have an incentive like a sword at their throat. If they're stronger than you, hold a weapon in one hand and disarm their hand so they can't strike you in return. There are many here in Skyrim who would sacrifice their lives to kill someone holding them, they're not above taking an open wound in their neck to break your grapple to kill you." Domic explained before walking over to me. "Let's have a break for the night. At least Harkon and his cronies can't find you here, though we may eventually need to deal with him we don't have time right now to play his games." Domic had noted when we walked in to sit and eat by the fire. "And we don't have Time." I had joked and Domic looked at me about to say that he just said that, before he laughed "Yes, your boyfriend isn't here to act as a shield." He chided "HE'S NOT MY-" I started and Domic held up his hand "I know, If I have to put up with your jokes you have to deal with mine." He had said and in that moment I narrowed my eyes at him "Yeah…you're definitely a part of my family." I had told him getting a snort out of the old vampire. "I thought vampires couldn't eat normal food?" I had asked him and he groaned.
He looked around for a moment as if lost in a memory "Well, the stories were just that, we can eat normally to feed our bellies, even though what sustains us is blood. Vampires aren't as weak as the stories portray. You should know since we just spent part of the night with me kicking your ass across the grounds." Domic explained much to my distaste of losing. "Well I have to return to Twili…I have questions I have to ask Ilgrad…" I had said standing up and Domic shot up. "Wait…What?" He had asked me I shrugged "Twili is giving me one hour with any Hylian that has crossed from the land of the living, Your brother is probably the only one that matters since he knows where the last piece of the Fierce Deity mask is." I had explained to Domic who nodded and sat back down. "Safe travels, I'll patrol the temple here shortly." He had told me before I was off, I transported to Hyrule for a quiet moment and a breath of warm air shivering before I transported to outside of Morwitijaal.
I stepped beyond the threshold and walked into the inner chamber to find the portal taking me back to the inner sanctum. "Ah, there you are. I was beginning to wonder if you would appear here again at all. Have you made your decision?" He had asked me, I nodded and took a deep breath. "Please convey Ilgrad Kilyerd here to speak with me." I had told him, Twili nodded for a second "You understand you have but one hour with them? After this, you may not use this ability anymore and may only rely on your wits from here on?" Twili had asked me, I nodded "I understand the conditions, I have questions and he is the only one with answers." I had told him and Twili bowed. The next moment we were in a blank space, it was white and empty. I walked it for a moment before a golden light shimmered behind me, I looked to find an aging man wearing a shimmering green version of my Hylian Blades armor. It looked like it was legitimately made of emeralds. The breast held the Triforce and in each triangle held a stone, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire in a strange shape. "Where am I?" The figure had asked looking around. "Hello grandfather…" I had said and his head turned to me, his eyes narrowed as if he had trouble seeing what was ahead of him. "Grandfather? But you are not my grandchild…" Ilgrad had said, I shook my head "I'm a granddaughter from a much further time down your line..My father is Duris Kilyerd. I am his daughter Kotera Kilyerd and the current wielder of the Master Sword." I had told him, his eyes widened "It worked then? My between realm worked! Thank the Goddess! Tell me child I must know if Alduin is defeated?" He had asked me and I shook my head "Not yet grandfather…That is part of why I am here, my companion is off to find the elder scroll that helped cast Alduin out, I need it in order to learn the Dragonrend shout, but what I need from you is information." I had told him, he sighed and paced.
He didn't like that Alduin still lived and it terrified him. "What do you seek, child?" He had asked me turning to me and looking me in the eyes. "I seek your piece of the Fierce Deity mask, I found Domic's half but I need to find the one you hid." I had explained to him, he sighed "Domic...That man…Tell me is he still walking Skyrim? Or had he found the cure he promised me he would find?" Ilgrad had asked me reaching out for me finding it impossible to take my hand. "He still walks Skyrim…He is helping me currently I am under his wing in learning how to fight properly…This armor is part of that help." I had said gesturing to the Hylian armor I wear. Ilgrad paced around me "Hmm, it's fine work, fits to the body and easy to move…That's his style alright. Damned fool promised me He'd find that cure, but no matter…Tell me, what significance is the Fierce Deity to you? I broke the mask and hurled the broken thing into the lake. Has the mask resurfaced?" He had asked me and I sighed "Majora manifested it back, I have it and the great sword in my possession. Time currently holds Majora's mask until we can seal it away." I had said and that caused my ancestors head to snap up. "Time? The Hero of Time? How is it that he walks Skyrim?" Ilgrad had asked me and it was starting to bug me he was asking more questions than me. "Yes, Time walks by my side after the new Master Sword transferred his spirit to a Draugr…But back to my question…Where is your half of the mask?" I had asked him more plainly "Yes Yes..I was buried with it if Domic didn't know that then one of my compatriots had slipped it in the coffin after some time, a Hylian relic to keep me company...you may take it if it really is needed to deal with Alduin." Ilgrad waved as if none of it mattered, it seemed my ancestor wasn't too worried about disturbing his grave.
I twitched for a moment; the last piece had been under my nose for a whole week. "I don't think I should feel comfortable disturbing your body grandfather…" I had said to him and he scoffed. "What do I need with physical world things? Take my armor as well, it has special enchantments against physical attacks, you're my descendant it seems only right the armor is passed down to you." He had told me and I bowed my thanks. After that we talked for a while, I told him most of how things went and the old man laughed. "It is heartening to see my family has gone where they have now, Child. I thank you for the story, perhaps one day I will be able to tell you mine." Ilgrad said with a warm smile on his face. "Time is almost up Kotera…" I heard Twili say next to us, I nodded to him. "Oh Oblivion to time. Kotera, I want you to make sure my brother keeps his promise to me…I know he swore off involvement when I met my end, but I do not wish for him to just ignore you or your family. He is our blood, vampire or not he is still one of us." Ilgrad had asked me, I just laughed "I think he worries more about me than I worry for him, as you heard he has gone to great lengths for me already, I think out of an apology to you." I had told him, Ilgrad chuckled "Yes, I suppose so…It was wonderful to meet my future granddaughter, My Hyrule is in good hands." Ilgrad had said before he faded off and I was back in the inner sanctum.
I sighed, a feeling of unease washing over me as I was now actually considering the task before me. "Now that is completed, your books await you." Twili had said to me and I turned to him. "Do you have to be so…impersonal?" I had asked him, he only nodded "What you saw was your business; I am but the sage and caretaker of this temple. I am but a construct." He had told me motioning his hand for the exit. I walked up to see a large chest full of books. One was placed gently on the top of all of them with the Triforce adorning the front. I picked it up and Twili cleared his throat. "That spell will allow you to create a room in any place of your choosing…Take heed however that it only works once. Using the spell again will erase the previous. It works by your thoughts once you begin the spell you must remain put until you are satisfied with the space, it will appear like a mental image as you build it to assist your creation. It can be as large as you wish with as many rooms inside as you would desire. Since you now hold Majora in your grasp there is also a book to contain any artifacts in a special sealed room. Simply draw the symbol on its door and only you may enter." Twili had explained as I made short work of the spell books just like I had done in the tower of the gods.
I then put it all away to the void storage and started for the door. "Leaving so soon?" Twili had asked me "My questions have been answered, Ancestor…I am also sorry I snapped at you I didn't mean to sound rude." I had told him and he bowed "Think nothing of it, talking to one's forefather can be jarring, I understand. However Kotera I suggest cleansing all the artifacts you found...Majora's dark power can linger." He had told me before I left and transported back to New Hyrule. "Your ancestor is wise to suggest cleansing." Ordona had mentioned tilting its head to me. "You can hear him?" I had asked and it nodded "We hear in all the temples you have visited. We are the divine light that shields them from Nirn and dark forces. The moment you complete them our light has an opening to protect your work." Ordona said and I walked to the pool I puzzled at Ordona's words and found it true, I had noticed that the temples were now alight with a golden hue but it was ever so faint. I haven't held the Fierce Deity sword since I first picked it up. The energy behind it was like a constant static buzz as if it was a bolt of lightning that was trapped in the entwined helix blades constantly running through it in loops searching for their way out.
The blade was immensely heavy I breathed hard just holding onto it and hefting it into the water of the small pool in front of the temple. Almost immediately sacred golden light swarmed it like hungry slaughterfish, it coiled around the blade and a red and black mist almost like blood staining the water had evaporated from the blade. When the mist stopped I reached in and took the blade back out wiping it down from resident dampness. "How can I fight Alduin with the mask if the sword meant for it weighs tons?" I asked myself storing the blade again and making quick work of many of the other artifacts. When that was completed I could feel dawn approaching, I groaned and put everything away before transporting back to Sky Haven Temple. Domic caught up with me as I made for the Hylian tomb that was still open. "What did you learn? Did you actually get to talk to my brother?" He asked me curiously I nodded walking down the long spiral stairs. "And you're not going to believe where the mask piece was hidden, frustratingly easy to find." I had said as we finally rounded the last corner that opened up into the Blades Hylian Mausoleum. The different inner circle members beatified with their own murals above their sarcophagi. I came up to Ilgrad's sarcophagus and started to push on the old stone. "What do you think you're doing?!" Domic fumed reaching out and stopping me. "He told me to take it, and the armor inside." I had said and Domic looked at me puzzled for a moment before it suddenly clicked and he released me. "No way…" He had said before I rolled my eyes and pushed the sarcophagus open.
The corpse there in had since decayed away leaving a quiet skeleton behind in the emerald armor I saw him wearing when we spoke. There between his hands was the last fragment of the mask as if he were its last defender. I took out the mask and gently let the missing piece fuse. Energy slammed into the mask and by chain reaction into me. I was shoved across the mausoleum floor sending sparks from the back of my armor as I struggled to hold onto the mask. It all must have happened in an instant, Domic didn't react until I was already flat on my back and groaning in pain. Domic rushed over to lift me up and I still held the mask. "Well, give it a go then." He had told me and I stared hard at him. "You didn't hunt the pieces for nothing; get use to the power it holds." He had scolded; I shrugged knowing he made a good point and hesitantly slipped the mask on. Nothing.
I took it off again confused and we blinked at each other. "It's supposed to turn you into a nearly invincible demi-god…Where is the earth shattering near invincible demi-god?" Domic wondered, I shrugged and for now just put the mask back, I would have to ask Time about it later. I walked back to the sarcophagus doing as Ilgrad asked and I lifted up the armor. "Domic…I'd like you to wear it." I had said turning to him, he crooked his eyebrow. "Why, he meant it for you did he not?" Domic asked me I shook my head. "He said I could have it, that meant I can do as I please with it, and I say it goes to you…Call it a favor, but I would like you to return to your search for a cure to your vampire curse. I want you to wear it when you've become mortal again." I had told him and Domic stared daggers at me, he wanted to convey just how furious he was in a glare and I wasn't hearing any of it. "I'm going to bed…" I told him after giving him the armor and shutting the sarcophagus again making for the stairs. I left Domic alone holding the armor to his thoughts before sending my own out to Time to tell him to hurry it up.
Time must know when I'm dead asleep because I awoke with a start of a very loud "Well EXCUSE ME Princess!" I would punch him for that later and I sat up and dressed again before heading out to breakfast and subsequently more training with Lydia. By the end of the third day Time had walked up into the great hall with a large golden scroll over his back. "About damn time!" Domic had said as the two of us were crossing swords for fun. "Sorry, you have no idea how many places I had to clear out to get this. It feels like Black Reach goes forever…" Time motioned to his back and sauntered over sitting down at the table and putting the elder scroll upon it like some holy icon. "So, how was all the training?" Time said looking passed me to Lydia. "She's improved quite a bit…It ought to be hard tackling her now." Lydia reported and Time nodded "Good, let's see what you've got." Time said standing and drawing Redemption. "What now? We should be resting for tomorrow if we have this now we can get the Dragonrend shout and go hunt Alduin!" I had told him jumping to my feet. "Doesn't matter, a little spar won't hurt." Time had said and we made our way out to the courtyard. I was actually shaking a bit; I didn't need a spar to understand that Time still outclassed me. His footwork was unmatched even by Domic.
Our spar was brutal, his strikes were always an overpowering weight but I was actually having an easier time with them. I used the whirlwind sprint to gain an upper hand and for a second knocked redemption out of his hand, before he whipped back, caught it, and I was on the ropes again. It wasn't until I used the Time shout that the playing field changed and I grabbed his wrist holding redemption while my other put the tip of my Hylian Rose against his neck. Everything sped back up and Time flinched in a sudden realization. "Well done…" He had said and I let him go. Only to catch a spun punch in the gut, My armor absorbed most of it and I returned the favor, my fist meeting his face and knocking him flat on his ass. A needle dagger slammed between us. "ENOUGH!" Domic called and we bowed to one another and headed back in to rest. Just before that I had tripped him over Alduin's wall down onto the giant stone table. "What was that for?!" Time growled rolling off the table onto his feet. "That was for waking me up in the middle of the night, Jerk!" I laughed before running into my room being chased by him. "Divines, the two of you are like children…" Delphine commented as Time held me in a headlock mercilessly poking at me.
The next day was the last day of the building project; we spent that day moving everything out of Breezehome in Whiterun to the new Lakeview manor. It was a large house inside with an underground armory and storage room. It was a hassle moving everything but it was worth it. After we were done I sat down in the basement in a circle I drew on the floor for the spell. Time had given me an Itemized list for the room spell and I got to work, I locked the basement hatch so I wouldn't be disturbed. The spell must have been three hours before I finally let it go and walked to the door, opening it into an enormous open area with rows of doors. This outer area would work wonders as a training room. Each door led to a storage room with mannequins for armor and displays for weapons and shields. One door at the end of the large room I paid exclusive attention to, a giant steel door with locks and chains and one big empty space for the sealing symbol. The symbol was the Triforce in between six symbols that represented previous sages, then a six pointed star where each point was another Triforce, then another circle around it to finish the lock. I placed my hand to it and focused my will for the spell to activate and it did with a violent shake of power.
I went back and unlocked the hatch, Domic made extremely quick work of transferring all the artifacts into the new storage rooms. And I had asked for Majora's Mask from Time who was reluctant to hand it over but when he did I walked him down to the sealed room and opened it before walking in and placed the mask on a display inside a safe. I then closed it, locked it and pocketed the key in my void storage before we walked out of the room and I closed the seal. "There, no more Majora for this century." I had said proudly. Time just chuckled before we walked the open room. "This is quite the spell, Mind if I borrow that book?" He had asked me and the realization hit. "DAMN, I forgot bookshelves!" I had said face palming and Time snorted "Well I guess the area I'm going to make will be good for a Library then." He had said as I handed him the book. "Read in there if it's specifically one use totally or one use per person." I had asked him and he nodded reading the book. "It's one per person as long as they're Hylian." Time had said and I left him to it climbing back up and walking up the stairs to flop onto my double bed I reveled over it thinking this was probably the best bed I've ever laid in. It was Goddess sent to be far more comfortable than the cot at Sky Haven Temple.
Time let me sleep a bit longer before he had come up to shake me awake and Lydia helped me into my armor before Time had handed me the Elder Scroll and I slung it over my back before the two of us jumped to Hyrule. "Oh right, I have to ask, Does the Fierce Deity mask actually do anything? We finished it but it didn't do anything." I had asked him, Time looked at me confused "I thought you read the inscription on the mask, it said it won't awaken in the mortal realm, meaning no godlike powers in the mortal plain. It's the price to pay for that power." He had told me, I wanted to hit myself for forgetting what the mask had said before. The next moment we were on the freezing peak of Paarthurnax's mountain "Ah, Dovahkiin…Come to meditate again?" Paarthurnax had asked, I shook my head and Time stepped forward. "Good to see you again old one, she's been coming to meditate has she?" He had asked him and the dragon nodded "She is a great source of company to an old Dovah like myself. The energy that gathers however is quite special." Paarthurnax had said as he leapt down. "Ahh, the Elder Scroll…You are prepared then?" He asked me, I nodded and walked over to the rift.
When I opened the scroll I was taken what felt like elsewhere but it was the same location. Ancient Dragonborn were fighting different dragons, and winning as if it was an army, there were several dragon skeletons littered amongst the mountain. They fought hard against the dragons that arrived until Alduin slammed down, he went to take off again but their thundering voices echoed out "JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Ripping Alduin from the sky in a rage and he ripped one of them apart in a vicious shake of his head, it didn't look like the shout alone was enough and their mage friend came forward with the Elder Scroll and started chanting. Just as Alduin was cast out, I heard a familiar voice screaming out in terror "NO!" Ilgrad's voice had said as he ran forward to try and catch up. "Ilgrad…Took your sweet time, what's the matter my friend?" One of the Dragonborn had said "You just doomed my homeland! This is how it began! Alduin wasn't cast adrift just in time, he was cast into Hyrule! We've doomed them!" Ilgrad said as the world quaked and the memory then faded.
Time was frozen looking at the sky, I turned to see what he was looking at to see Alduin hovering above. "My belly is full of the souls of your mortal friends...Dovahkiin." Alduin hissed and I drew the Master Sword "Then I will gut that belly and those souls will cry out in victory as I mount your head over my front door!" I shouted and the Master Sword began to furiously glow, Alduin's eyes narrowed. "That weapon…It has slain many of my kin…But its reign ends now!" Alduin said as he went to dive for me I side stepped him quickly and sliced the Master Sword against his flank, black blood spilled out of Alduin for a moment before it seemed like the wound quickly sealed up. Alduin however roared in a fury of pain before a gout of flame from his maw nearly caught my body. Again I dove from the danger and when I was ready I summoned my energy "JOOR ZAH FRUL!" I shouted and golden light slammed into Alduin, chains shot from the ground like large anchors slamming into Alduin and snapping tight, it completely pulled him down onto his scaly back. He rolled and furiously roared at the offense. "HOW DARE YOU!" He screamed and reared his head back to blast me with fire. I closed the distance catching just under his chest with the Master Sword, the flame exploded from the cut before it sealed again before my eyes, His body was affected but it's like something else was keeping the wounds closed and I bit my lip in frustration trying to at least jam the blade to his heart, to no avail. The two of us were just screaming at each other, He was unable to reach down to snap me into his jaws and I was just slashing away making no headway against his body no matter how much of his blood spilled against the ground but I knew it was agony to him as the Master Sword hissed and burned in his flesh, scars were left behind in his scales the hits he did manage were blunted by the armor Domic made, His teeth couldn't penetrate it, but I felt their bite into my arms and legs, I only worked through the small pain and kept going, no matter what I had to lop off his head. I fought even as he tossed me around on the mountain screaming my fury as I would rush in again dodging his blazing orange fire.
Eventually he lifted again and subsequently slammed back down unable to take flight still from the shout dragging him down like he was chained to the earth but the shout was beginning to fizzle away. The two of us locked eyes and it was obvious we were labored. The great Alduin, and the Hylian Dragonborn eye to eye. "You are quite the fighter Dovahkiin…But this matters not, I AM ALDUIN, First born of Akatosh, I cannot perish here!" He had said and quickly he snapped up into the air and in seconds he was gone. "COME BACK COWARD! FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED!" I screamed in fury at him. "PAH FEN MINDOK HIN NIVAHRIIN ALDUIN FIN VED RU AHRK QAH!" I shouted into the heavens and the world shook, No dragon would ignore me calling their master a coward for running away from me.
I looked over at Time who had done nothing in the fight but watch the two of us. I stomped up to him ready to shout and scream at him for not helping me but he just threw his arms around me. "Calm down…He's run again…" I stood there in the hug until the fire in my soul lessened. "Why didn't you come help?" I had asked him dropping the Master Sword for a moment and hugging onto him. "I couldn't…My blade would just shatter amongst his scales…and I know it…I don't know how but the knowledge flooded me and told me to stay my hand. This fight is between Dragonborn and Alduin…It always had been." He had told me and we sunk down to the snow and I collapsed my fury hid the damage done and I couldn't keep my eyes open. The last thing I could remember was time putting a bottle to my lips and tasting a healing potion before the blackness overtook me.
I came to with a splitting headache I sat up and groaned "Hey, hey easy now." Time had whispered quietly, he used his hand to support my back. We were back in High Hrothgar and I gripped the blanket tight. "He got away…" I had said, my throat was raw and my chest felt like it was on fire. The rest of my body ached and burned. "Yeah, well now his generals know he's a huge coward. How're you feeling?" Time had asked rubbing my back; I just leaned against him for a second and stayed quiet. "Yeah…I know kid…Failing sucks." He had said and the floodgates opened, I wept against him and he just kept still and kept his arms around me. I couldn't face anyone, not that he got away.
Arngeir approached us shortly after I finished and calmed myself down. He must have been waiting in the hall, "All is not lost…He has just gone to recover his physical body, you mortally wounded him and he cannot remain in this mortal realm…If there is any dragon who knows where, it would be his right hand Odahviing, Call his name to the heavens and prove you are stronger." Arngeir had explained I rolled my eyes still furious. "Yeah but How am I going to convince Alduin's right hand to fight for me?" I had asked him, Arngeir smiled "Do you know why the keep in Whiterun is named Dragonsreach?" He asked me, Time and I looked at each other and shrugged before looking back to him. "Sorry old one…I am more familiar with Hylian history than I am the history here." Time had said and I nodded saying my history wasn't very good either. "It once held a dragon captive, it can again should you tell your plea to Balgruuf." I looked to Time and he nodded to me "If we capture that worm I bet we could really scare it into doing what we tell it in exchange for its life." Time had said and I nodded in whole hearted agreement. "Alright…Let's go talk to Balgruuf, I'm sure he'll listen to me but we need to hurry…" I had said and Time helped me up to see if I could walk. I wobbled a little and almost bent over to throw up.
Time winced "Maybe you should take it easy…That fight took a lot out of you, he really gnawed on you, and you probably have a concussion." Time had said handing me a healing potion and I drank it down quickly. "We don't have time to take it easy…You know that." I had told him and soon we were off, teleporting to New Hyrule, I walked to the pool and didn't bother undressing as I rolled into the water. "What are you doing?!" Time had said running to my side to lift me up, I swatted his hand away. "No! Let the water work…." I had told him and the golden light filled the pool and I gasped deeply. I coughed up a lot of blood that must have been trapped in my body and I climbed out of the water standing tall. My equipment wasn't even wet; I would have to scold Eldin later. We teleported to Whiterun and ran into Dragonsreach. Balgruuf was taken aback by our idea and outright refused while war was at his doorstep. "What if we could get the two to agree to a truce until we slay Alduin?" Time had suggested to him sitting next to him at his dinner table and looking him in the eye. "Would those two really agree to such a thing?" Balgruuf asked before looking to me. "Well they will or I'll strong arm them into telling their men stay put for a while or face the wrath of the Dragonborn who now has the power of an ancient deity…It could flatten the two castles with a thumb if it wanted." Time had embellished, I knew he was lying, but I wasn't going to argue with his persuasion.
With that Balgruuf agreed and we returned to Arngeir. "You want us to bring men of violence here?!" He asked me angrily. "Only for a short time Master…I promise I will get them to swear on peaceful conduct or they will be thrown out immediately this hall is for peace, let us bring it to Skyrim." I had bowed respectfully, Arngeir sighed "I suppose there's no use arguing with you, you have the world's best interest at heart, you are much like your forefather." Arngeir had said to me and that got me to smile. I should have held back but it was too late, I had hugged him in my excitement. "Thank you…That means a lot to me. The four of you are dear friends, I promise they will behave." I had told him, the old man was actually chuckling quietly.
We were to give the message to Ulfric and Tullius that they Greybeards wished to speak with them. But first I went to Domic and told him to meet us at High Hrothgar before we went to Solitude. The talk with Tullius went pretty well, at first he denied the invitation but then I had told him this is for the greater good of the land, that means the empire too and he agreed begrudgingly. Windhelm's meeting could have gone better if it didn't start with Galmar accusing me of working with them. Time lashed out his fist quickly slammed into Galmar's nose and it knocked the burly man on his ass before he could blink. "You ungrateful prick! Lady Kotera is doing all of this for Tamriel and for all of Nirn and all you can do is stand here and insult her in MY presence?!" Time shouted at the man and he looked up at him stunned, Ulfric didn't dare move when Time's head snapped to look at him. "The both of you will go to this summit, and you will discuss a truce with Tullius who is already going…Or so help me not even Hylia will forgive what I do to the two of you!" Time shouted and with that I teleported us out and back to High Hrothgar.
We had time before they all arrived, Domic was already in High Hrothgar, he had gotten Delphine and Esbern and they were given a guest room not far from the meeting room. "Kotera…go get some rest, I'll keep an eye out for everyone and come wake you." Time had told me, I looked at him and he waved me off "Go…Or I'm not giving you any sweets later." He chortled and it caught me off guard into a fit of giggles before he was pushing my back. "Go…To…Bed." He had said and I whined a bit. "I'm not a kid you know…Fine, I'll go…" I had told him walking towards the bed I was in earlier "To me you're still a child…And I'm sure your mother would agree that you need sleep." Time had told me before I climbed onto the stone bed and laid my head back on the pillow. "Hey…" I had started and Time looked back at me. "You owe me sweets when the meeting is over now…You said it, you better keep your promise or I'll never forgive you." I had said from the side of my mouth. Time laughed loudly. "Get some sleep Your Highness." He had said Emphasizing the words and I closed my eyes and tried to fall back asleep, which was harder than it looked after my apparent concussion was healed but soon I was out.
I groaned as Time shook me awake soon after and sat up barely able to keep my eyes open. "They're all here…" Time had said and I yawned and tried to stand up with Time's help and we walked out to where the meeting would be. Everyone was standing in the room, Ulfric, Galmar, Rikke, Tullius, Elisif, Balgruuf, and even Elenwen. Domic was standing in the back corner staring Elenwen down. "Good morning everyone, I apologize if you waited long." I had said walking towards the main seat. "And so we meet again, except I know who and what you are now." Elenwen said and at that point Domic snorted. "You know she's with the blades and she's the Dragonborn, that's about it…your info isn't any good because it doesn't get you anywhere girl…Shut up and sit down." Domic chuckled while he pulled out my chair for me. "Thank you uncle…" I told him as I sat down. Soon Delphine and Esbern walked in before the Greybeards themselves and everything was about to start until Ulfric raised a stink about Elenwen being here.
Arngeir looked to me in an annoyed expression and I silently begged forgiveness. "Well…let us hear what the Dragonborn has to say. Does Elenwen stay, or does she leave?" Arngeir had asked me, I pondered for a moment and looked to Domic for advice. "It is in my opinion having been alive the longest, The Thalmor are in it for their own gain rather than the benefit of everyone else. You can't lie to me that you're here just because you want to make sure nothing breaks your treaty Elenwen…Your Thalmor are nothing but scheming arrogant children…It's perfectly fine they don't trust you here, your people have a bad reputation and you seem to not mind that." Domic had said aloud to her I held my hand up and he went quiet, "Elenwen, though I don't harbor any ill feelings towards you…You are obviously not completely welcome here, three parties show their distrust, Ulfric, Obviously Delphine, and I and my two guards share our own distrust, you have blatantly shown that your interest is to seek out information on us. For this summit, I ask you to leave and I am sorry you came all this way just to be kicked out. You have no one but yourself to blame. Self interest is not trustworthy." I had declared, and without a word she nodded and left, glaring at Ulfric and Delphine.
Before we started Domic made sure she had departed the building and took his place at my side. We all sat down and got to business. It was a mess, Ulfric demanded Markarth but in return Tullius wanted Riften it devolved into arguments and Tullius' second stood up in a fury as Galmar had said something she didn't like. Poor Elisif probably didn't want to even be here while Delphine and Esbern sat quietly. I stood up and the torches in the room exploded into golden flames as the temple shook. "ENOUGH! The two of you squabble like birds over berries while the fate of the world hangs in the balance, I will not sit here and suffer the tantrums of children! Neither of you get either land, we are here to negotiate a truce not hand over territories so quit your dick fighting and turn your eyes to the skies where the bigger threat looms!" I shouted my voice full of golden might and ancient power. Everyone stared at me in horror for a moment before Time had put his hand on my shoulder; I took a deep breath and sat back down. "If you two have anything else than nonsensical territory changes I will hear it." I had said, Tullius brought up Karthwasten to which Galmar was quick to pipe up that his men would never. My ears perked up a moment, a slaughter at Karthwasten but Galmar seems like he has no idea about it. "Suddenly I'm glad we told Elenwen to leave! Something sounds fishy there…" Domic had said aloud and walked forward. "Galmar was it? Tell me, did you ever send men out that way or have your generals ever reported missing soldiers out near any of the reach?" Domic had asked "N..No, but we did hear some of our camps were destroyed that way, I assumed they were ambushed, I did not gather it was more than that." Galmar explained, Tullius looked shocked for a moment.
I put my fingers on my chin trying to think what Domic was getting at. "Gentlemen…It seems someone has been instigating using your soldiers to push things further. Perhaps the two of you should very quietly look into the real causes." Domic had said, I could see Delphine smirking from across that room. I see now, Domic thinks the Thalmor may be trying to push the war effort to keep them fighting each other. A distraction while they do what they please. "This is…a concerning revelation." Tullius had mentioned his eyes narrowing. "Indeed…Domic do you have any information about it? You are somewhat between them." I had asked, Domic shook his head "Not that I know of, I don't spend time watching soldier patrols, and lately we've been busy. I'm not sure when this occurred but the way Galmar there reacted tells me everything I need to know." Domic had explained "Alright, now that we're so off track, back to business…Listen, we need to deal with Alduin and to do that I need both of your forces to stay their hands for such at time that Time and I can take the bastard down. Do we have an agreement? I know this…whatever it is, is important to the both of you somehow but right now the end of the world seems a bit more important." I had said, the two men quietly nodded and with that the meeting was over and I sighed. "Never thought I'd see an elf backing us up…" Galmar had said "She's only Half…Hylians aren't exactly the elves you're use to, we just have very pointy ears but we're no different from you aside from our attunement to magic is twice as strong." Domic had pointed out and walked out with the two Stormcloaks.
Time patted my shoulder and I started getting up. "It's good to see you again Elisif…I'm sorry you had to put up with all this, I know it's the last thing you want to do is be in the same room with him." I had told her, Elisif closed her eyes for a moment. "I was hoping for more than just a peace talk…But I'll manage, it's good to see you too. I see your traveling has taken some of the color out of you though. Where's that girl that talked me down from depression?" Elisif had asked, I shrugged not sure exactly how to answer. "I have plenty of things to worry about that's for sure, some things have been weighing heavily lately but I'm slowly working through them." I had told her and she smiled "It's good to hear, be well Lady Kotera, I look forward to seeing you after this business with the dragons is over." She had said finally standing up. "I look forward to that, and with treating with you when I take my own seat of power in Hyrule as Queen. But you understand in this civil war I must stay a neutral. It isn't my fight to take sides." I told her simply, she smiled nodded and headed out.
Tullius moved closer to me, his right hand stood nearby. "You are going above and beyond for both sides, you've done nothing for either efforts and yet you ask to make allies with both…Why?" Tullius had asked, Time moved his hand from my shoulder. "Because I see beyond this petty nonsense, there is a whole world waiting for me to put it to rest, and a new kingdom still in its shell waiting to be freed. General my family looked up to you because you're a smart and strong man, I doubt this war is anything you really wanted but you're a man of your honor and you'll do anything for your home. So will Ulfric, and So will I…If Hyrule comes into the fold of Nirn after this is all over. I intend to remain a neutral party as I rule from a seat separate from the Empire." I had told him the old war horse nodded "Well that's one way to announce it..I'll have to bring that up to the Emperor and you'll need to have an audience with him about it." He had told me, I nodded and Time patted my back before he walked over to Delphine and Esbern after they waved him over. "When it's all said and done..I will, but I have no idea what will happen in the future, The Triforce allows for two wishes once it's complete so I don't…exactly know what to ask for just yet." I explained, Tullius nodded and got up to depart quietly.
When all was said and done I went outside and sat by the cliff. I took in the cold air in deep breaths as I sat to meditate. For a while everything was peaceful until Delphine came up behind me. "We need to talk…" She had said, I stood up and brushed myself off and looked at her. "What is it?" I had asked her, she looked at me with a dead serious expression. "We know about Paarthurnax, we as the blades are dragon hunters and we can't risk him staying alive." Delphine said flatly as if it wasn't such a big deal, killing an elder dragon who prided himself on peace. "No….That's out of the question. He's been helping us, me especially…I know what the Master Sword is capable of and it's duty but Paarthurnax is a heavy exception." I had said quickly, Delphine argued with me about it saying he could turn on us, that we can't further the blades while he still lives. I snapped "I am the Dragonborn, not YOU. You forget your place Delphine…You are not the leader of the blades, my people were and you wanting this goes directly against MY wishes. This is not a discussion, Paarthurnax lives whether you like it or not!" I shouted, the mountain shuddered as my Thu'um rolled in my throat. Delphine fell back with a look of horror on her face. "You may as well throw away the thousands of years your ancestor created for the blades leaving him alive!" She shouted in response "MY ANCESTOR!" I started before I calmed myself down the rumbling ceasing before it made an avalanche. "He wanted peace above all, Killing Alduin was his mission. He formed the blades in hopes that He would slay Alduin and be able to put Hyrule to rest himself. His cause does not align with yours and you have all forgotten your way. I am disappointed in you Delphine…You guys were the only hope that my ancestors work continued and to see the Greybeards were right…That the blades devolved since Ilgrad's time…He'd be ashamed of the blades." I had shot to her while she sat in the snow shaking. I left it at that and left her there to contemplate before walking over to Time.
He sighed and turned to me "You alright…I felt the rumbles and knew it had to be you, Delphine wouldn't listen to me." He had said and I shook my head "She'll either listen to me or she has no right to call herself a blade. Esbern tell me you do not share her sentiment about Paarthurnax?" I had asked the old man and his face turned sour. "In a way, yes I support her theory, but if you are dead set against it then there is nothing to be done about it…Your word as Matriarch of the blades is our Law, that symbol on your shield and armor and your blood are all the proof I need of that. We will overlook Paarthurnax…Perhaps this will give me a chance to speak to him myself some day." Esbern had said and I sighed with relief. "It's good you see it that way, and perhaps, he does like talking and I can imagine two old fogies like yourselves would have plenty to talk history with. But I would need to speak with him about it first if that would truly be something he would enjoy." I had joked causing the old man to laugh.
Finally everyone had left and it was just the Greybeards, Time, Myself, and Domic left in the old castle. "Well…your call My Lady, what's our next step?" Time asked me and I nudged into him. "First…we go get food, then we return home and prepare." And we did just that, Time stuck with his promise and got me a sweet roll on our way home and I actually felt happy again for a while. I needed to prepare to go fight Alduin. When we got home I went down to the Hylian storage room and picked up essential things like potions, arrows. I picked up the Fierce Deity mask again and sent a quiet prayer that it would work when I needed it to as well as its sword that I still could barely lift and we made our way to Whiterun.
Hope You Enjoyed, We've got ONE MORE to go out of this Lot.