The last of the Christmas Present Post, Merry Christmas everyone, Sorry the wait was so long, writer's block really can be quite a pain.
I took a deep breath as we walked into Dragonsreach. Time and I were determined to get this over with as quickly as possible. We went through the large doors at the back to see the contraption was sitting up high ready to snap down at a moment's notice. "It's made of wood…Are we sure this is going to work?" Time had asked me and I shrugged and walked over to Balgruuf who was waiting on the terrace at the end. "One way to find out I guess…Is everything ready?" I had asked the man and Balgruuf nodded "We're ready when you are Dragonborn…Call this Dragon and prepare for combat!" Balgruuf had said drawing his sword. I called out Odahviing to the heavens and drew the Master Sword ready to injure the dragon if I needed to. Suddenly one of the guards was ripped from the balcony and Balgruuf retreated inside. "YOU CALLED ME, I AM HERE DOVAHKIIN!" The dragon roared and I too backed into the building a little and the dragon landed on the balcony staring me down with a fury in its amber colored eyes. "I did…By the end of this, you will tell me where your cowardly master fled to." I had said to it slowly backing away I remembered where the trap was and slowly made my way to it. "Come, why don't we speak a little before we rip each other to pieces? Or are you just as much of a coward as He is?" I had chided hoping he would rise to my insults. The dragon dragged his loathsome body into the keep laughing.
I found myself a little spellbound by the purple coloring against his wings compared to the red scales of his body. "You call me cowardly when it is you who is backing away? That's quite the bold accusation Dovahkiin!" He had said, he was ignorant of the trap nearly above him, I smiled "Well it's far easier to hear you in here than out there where the wind is whipping in my ear, don't you agree?" I had asked I glanced at Time above, the second plan was he would leap onto Odahviing's back and drive his blade down hard into his heart if it came to it. The dragon snapped forward just underneath the trap. "So, what possessed you to call me out? What reason could you have to challenge me?" He had asked and I whistled, the trap snapped down in an instant and the panic quickly showed on the dragon. I dove out of the way as it blasted fire out of its crimson maw and I rolled to the side of his head putting the Master Sword close to his neck. "Because I want to know where that worm slithered off to, and you're his right hand." I had said with the Master Sword humming power near his head "Hmmm…This explains your actions, clever mortal. I figured you would treat me as you had the others, killing without discretion in that fury I see behind your eyes." Odahviing had said looking at me, and at the blade. "The kin of yours I have slain died for a purpose…Alduin should be the last and Hyrule will once again shine anew." I had said and the dragon's eye widened for a second. "Hyrule…I recall Alduin speaking of such a place when he returned…We have begun to question his lordship when he did return but none of us had the courage to challenge him outright." Odahviing explained as his eyes flicked back and forth between me and the sword.
Time had dropped down and rolled in next to us. "Aye, Alduin put Hyrule to ruin, and in doing so marked himself for death…You know what her blade does don't you? It is the blade of Dragon's Bane…" Time had said putting his arm on the horn of the dragon. The nervousness was palpable. "We heard tell of what that blade is capable of…Never in our ages have we seen a blade so formidable, but knowing Alduin was the cause of its creation, perhaps his lordship deserves to be at an end for the health of all of us. He did not kill you when he fought you, that is a foreboding omen don't you agree?" Odahviing had asked, I nodded pulling the sword away "You're much more agreeable than the rest, well there is one other I favor of your kind, but you are another who seems to see things in the best light." I had said to him. "You seek him…He has gone to Sovngarde to recover his strength, the door to that realm lies in Skuldafn but you do not have the means to reach it high in the eastern mountains." Odahviing had mentioned and I looked to him. "Ahh…So you're going to take me there in exchange for freedom correct? Both from this trap and from the wrath of this sword…" I had said The dragon's eyebrow lifted "You're a perceptive one…Yes, unless you release me, we are at an impasse. I can take you alone to Skuldafn…But you must release me first." He had told me, I narrowed my eyes and Time and I walked away.
Time tried to speak quietly "My Lady…you can't trust this worm…If you release him what's to stop him from just swallowing you whole and being done with it?" He had asked me and I held up the sword "The persuasion of this is all I need…Remember how Hylian steel reacted to Domic's vampire friend? Well this sword will react the same way to dragon blood…" I had said, Time nodded but put his hand on my back. "Think this through…There must be another way there." He had told me I shook my head "The dragon is telling the truth, we can't climb the eastern mountains in time to kill Alduin in Sovngarde, I have to trust him to take me there…I'll lay a marker and come back to get you, we'll slay him together one way or another." I had said to him and he seemed more worried. "OPEN THE TRAP!" I had called out to the guards and they looked at me skeptically "Do as she says! We need the dragon to take her there!" Time called out and the guards dutifully opened the trap, Odahviing said something about being able to taste the skies again in freedom and I walked beside him. "Betray me while I'm on you…And I will make sure I cut your throat." I had told him, the dragon's head twitched, he knew I was serious, he was afraid of me because he knew how easily the Master Sword cut through dragon scale.
We got to the end of the balcony and the dragon looked to me. "I can only carry you..Your partner will have to wait there for you." He had said and I nodded looking to Time. "Be safe out there My Lady, I'll wait for you." He had said holding his hand out I gripped it in mine and we pulled into a hug. "I'll arrive at my marker outside of Breezehome then WE will take Alduin together." I had told him and he nodded "Safe travels." He had said and I walked over to Odahviing's side. "Uh…Time could you.." I had started and Time came over kneeling down next to me holding his hands in a net. I stepped onto his hand and he helped me onto Odahviing's neck. I grabbed onto his horns and we lifted to the skies, I squealed a little and held onto him tight getting a laugh out of the dragon. "Not much of a rider are you? It's amazing so many dovah are afraid of a girl afraid of heights." The dragon chuckled as we flew "Hey there's nothing to hold onto but these big horns here and it's not exactly comfortable back here…I'm fine with heights just not the sudden stop at the bottom. "While we fly…Tell me something Dovahkiin…" Odahviing started and I craned my head down. "What is it?" I had asked him as I finally got my bearings "You love your companion don't you?" He had asked me, it caused me to snort "As a brother yes, he's a bit too old for me to look at in that light, it's a draugr underneath that metal and his real body is probably centuries older than you. But I do care about him…He understands what this journey is like." I had told the dragon thinking on how I felt about Time, the man was my ancestor but to me it was like he was my older brother with how protective he was over me and I felt he feels the same way.
The dragon grunted for a moment "This journey you talk about, pray tell me." He had said and while we flew I told him everything I knew about the Old Hyrule and having to put it to rest, the Dragon was a good listener and seemed to hang on my words as if the conversation was meaningful. "It sounds like a peaceful land…Perhaps when this is all over if we both still live I may find my own peace there, if you'll have me without problems?" He had asked me, I just smiled and shook my head "It's up to how the spirits feel about it not me, but I gather we shall see…We don't know how this night will turn out." I had said before Odahviing finally landed in a tall valley, a ruinous building at its center and a swirling portal. "This is as far as I can take you Dovahkiin…I will wait for your return, or Alduin's." Odahviing said before taking off I placed my marker where I stood and returned to Hyrule before returning to Whiterun to see Time leaning against the house door. "About time…Must be pretty far from here to Skuldafn." He had said and I nodded "Odahviing thinks you're my boyfriend. Maybe you shouldn't cling onto me like you do." I had joked causing him to snort before I transported us back. Time whistled "This is quite the fortress…When this is over, would you mind terribly if I take it?" Time joked as we drew our blades and ran forward slicing through Draugr as we fought our way through the small temple.
It was too easy, they were all falling like they were made of paper. When we emerged at the top Two dragons awaited us, snarling and drooling. "Leave or Die I don't care which, It is Alduin I seek, if you wish to escape with your lives you may, If you wish to die for that coward then HAVE AT YOU!" I shouted pointing the glowing Master Sword to them, the dragons pondered it for a second, I could see the gears turning in their heads weighing their options. The both roared loudly and took to the skies quickly vanishing. Draugr poured from the temple and we sprinted forward knocking down what we could. There were so many of them I couldn't believe it, it was running me ragged trying to keep up until I drove my sword through the Dragon Priest who had earlier removed his staff shutting the portal. I ripped the staff from the stiff hands and Time shoved me forward. "Get to Sovngarde! Kill that coward!, I'll handle these boys just GO!" He had said, I didn't want to leave him to die "But…" I started and he shoved me again. "GO DAMN YOU, I'VE GOT THIS!" Time screamed at me and I jammed the staff down in its hold and the portal quickly sucked me in.
I gasped for a breath as I came to in a purple haze, the sky looked strange and everything seemed to have a vibrant purple hue about it. I heard a dragon's roar and turned to see Alduin leaping from spots of a heavy fog. "LOK VAH KOOR!" The fog dissipated from my shout and I made my way forward. I was going to beat that coward within an inch of his life. For a while I wandered clearing the mist over and over again but it would reform and Alduin remained out of the way. On the way there I bumped into so many who were lost in it, even Torygg. He talked about his distaste of losing to Ulfric and I just mostly ignored the people around me as I got to a high place and spotted a castle at the far end. I cleared our path to it and a large man waited at the foot of the bridge "Halt…No living mortal has entered Sovngarde before, tell me what is your purpose here?" He had asked me "I am Kotera Kilyerd, I am a Hylian and the Dragonborn, I am here to slay the coward Alduin!" I called to him and the man looked at me unfazed and nodded. "I recognize the title of Dragonborn but by what right do you demand entry to our hall?" He had asked narrowing his eyes. "By my right as the sword of the Goddess Hylia, I come to fulfill my destiny." My voice suddenly boomed with golden light and the man laughed "I see…We have another like you beyond our door. But I must test if you truly have the strength of a warrior to be judged to gain right to our hall." The man said drawing his massive sword from his back.
The Master Sword flared as I drew it and the two of us leapt at each other, however it was one single hit from the Master Sword and the man gasped "I YIELD!" he shouted, I looked at him puzzled for a moment. "Your..power is immense, I did not think a mortal could hold such a power behind a blade…Your Goddess' very Will is louder than the sacred Thu'um itself…Go onwards to our hall Great Hero…Find the help you need to face the World Eater." He had said motioning me to the bridge holding a long slice in his chest. I didn't even realize I put that much power into my swing, something was off here and I didn't know what was going on. I gingerly crossed the bone bridge trying not to show I was a little scared I was going to fall and I walked to the temple at the other end and pushed into the door. It was an enormous food hall and I could actually see the three Dragonborn from before that helped cast Alduin out.
A kind of anger filled my heart for a moment as I started towards them. "Kotera? Goddess Above don't tell me you're…" I heard a familiar voice; I turned around to see the emerald green armor and a young face I didn't recognize. "Who are…Wait…Grandfather?" I had asked and the man smiled and Nodded "Child don't tell me you've died before you could finish your quest? You shouldn't be here…" Ilgrad had said walking forward and pulling me in a hug. "N..No Grandfather, I'm very much still alive. I didn't think I'd be able to see you again…" I had said and he pulled from the hug holding both my shoulders laughing. "Aye…I didn't think so either but here you are…Tell me, why are you here my child?" He had asked me and I thumbed outside "You've got a dragon problem…I'm the exterminator." I had said causing him to snort into a belly laugh. "You have your uncle's humor….But you're here for your mission, come and speak with my friends, they will help you." He had said and we walked over to the ancient Dragonborn who waited with swords and weapons drawn. They boasted that it was time and they wasted none running our before I could even get a word in. "Ah…Yes they are a bit…Big headed, I'm sorry my dear…Before you go out there let's talk." He had said and we walked over to the large table sitting down. "Grandfather I really probably should get out there you know." I had told him and he held his hand up. "Patience…You have the Fierce Deity mask and the sword with you I sense…But there is something you will need for the future that was waiting here." He had told me before reaching into a small box on the table and pulling out a cube, it was ridged, black and green and I could feel energy behind it as I held it.
It was a strange thing to hold onto. "Store it…That is the key of Twilight…It will allow you entry to the final trails of the fractured Hyrule…I can't explain why it's here or if it had always been here in anticipation for your arrival…I agonized over how any of it was possible but I have…Foreseen you walking through the Twilight Mirror after our first talk. I screamed in frustration for the longest time that I couldn't get this message to you but you can guess I am elated to find you here for that reason." Ilgrad explained it all to me, I told him about beyond the temples in the between realm, how it was too violent to my body to pass through. "Ah…Once you find the third temple the area there should become accessible to you, you're refused because of the Malice of the temples. That between realm is a way gate between the three, to Hyrule, and to the trial of the towers…I had done much research from older Hylians that I found the books of eons ago…They made mention of fleeing from a certain point, that point talks about the between realm before they woke up in Nirn." He had told me and suddenly things made more sense. "But where is this third temple?" I had asked, my grandfather shrugged "I could never figure that out where the temples were, you seem to have found two of them yes? Perhaps your sages know the answer…But we've talked long enough and I've kept you here longer than I should have…Go now, and put a stop to the World Eater." He had told me I stood up and took his hand for a moment.
He squeezed my hand in return. "Don't worry my dear…I'll always be waiting here for you, at the end of the long road you'll find me and perhaps the others. But you have a duty to attend to." He had told me putting his other hand on top of mine, it felt warm, you would think a ghost would feel cold. But in his hand there was nothing but a warm love I didn't want to leave. I took a deep breath and turned for the door. His words rang in my head about the mask and I took it from my storage to find the mask was glowing brightly. I gripped it tight and walked out sprinting across the bridge again to the three ancient Dragonborn. They shouted about clear skies. "WAIT!" I had called and their heads actually stopped to look at me as if my voice finally carried weight. They looked to me, then the mask in my hand, I didn't realize I was holding it out.
I pulled the Helix Blade from my storage as well holding the tip to the ground and keeping it upright by the handle. I took a few hesitant breaths as I looked at the inside of the mask before its pull persuaded me to put it on. Once it latched the power blazed through my body like fiery tempest, I felt a heartbeat as power started to rise in my body. I screamed and my voice became many, I felt the intense rage of so many others funneling into my body, it was a tsunami of pure malice, I felt a stretching for a moment and I felt, taller, heavier, and broader. The rage finding its target out in the mist as the power continued to grow. When it subsided I gripped the Helix Blade in my hand and let out a furious scream, the echoes of hundreds. "LOK, VAH KOOR!" I screamed and a blazing golden blast echoed from my Thu'um slamming into the mist and shattered the veil in an instant. "VEN, MUL, RIIK!" I heard Alduin's voice call and the mist began again but the golden light quickly blazed from the ground burning the shroud before it could accumulate. "COME ALDUIN! YOUR DESTINY AWAITS!" I shouted in the thunderous boom of many voices. He was much larger than before, his body in Sovngarde must be much greater. "YOU!" he hissed as he landed nearby and the other Dragonborn were quick to act, locking him down in Dragonrend, their lesser Thu'ums didn't have the same golden brilliance that mine did, and I scoffed at it taking up the blade and an instinct told me. Slice through air and wind. I slashed the air and a beam of pure electricity shot from the blade slamming into Alduin's mighty form causing him to scream in an agony as I approached.
I ran forward and he swiped his tail towards me, it was almost in slow motion as I raised the large blade and caught it. Sparks flew from the ancient metal and I was pushed back only slightly on the balls of my feet, kicking up ethereal dust of the spirit grounds. I shoved stumbling the great dragon and he used his wing to try and claw at me. I slashed at his hand drawing his black blood as I slammed the blade home and staggering him again. I ran forward slashing and slicing, the blade only made base wounds but I didn't care, the rage I felt was consumed by the power of the mask and I was intoxicated by the bloodlust for the death of the dragon. The blade slammed against Alduin's scales knocking them away from his body as I shouted and screamed in fury. This wasn't just the anger of a demi-god…This was the anger of all of Hyrule combined into the form of an angry god, a pure personification of wrath and it was in control. My arms moved on their own the blade whirling and slicing against Alduin's enormous black hide spewing his black blood across the field.
When the Dragonrend ended Alduin snapped into the air and I felt my body growl with frustration. My hands began to move on their own twirling in outstretched circles. "Zora Jet Typhoon!" My voice boomed and a literal beam of water slammed from my finger tips as they pointed outward towards Alduin, the beam sliced into the dragon causing him to scream in pain."Gerudo Lightning Lance!" My voice boomed once more twirling a rod of pure lightning into my hand and hurling the spear into Alduin. He couldn't escape the mix and a cage of lightning wrapped around his entire jet body. The dragon slammed down. "Goron Fire Hammer!" I screamed as my body shot forward, I felt like I flew into a million pieces for a moment before rematerializing next to the scourge. My fists slammed down in flaming fury repeatedly bombarding the dragon with a hail of flames. Alduin's tail went to swipe again but my body dissipated again and suddenly I was high above Alduin bringing my hands together. "Rito Ice Breaker Shot!" My body screamed and a stream of icy arrows burst from my outstretched hands. There had to be thousands of them streaming into Alduin's burnt, electrified flesh. The dragon twitched in agony as each icy bolt hit him like an arrow supercharged out of a bow.
Once again that feeling of flying apart and my body appeared before Alduin once again holding the helix blade. I slammed the tip to the earth. "Hero's Seal!" I boomed in a thousand voices and suddenly blades of pure light of different shapes slammed into the wings of Alduin. "With Phantom Blade, Blade Of Evil's Bane, and Sword Of Power, I bind thee Alduin The Black, for your blasphemous crime against Hyrule and the Goddess Hylia. You are hereby sentenced to death!" My many voices boomed as the helix blade stuck fast into the ground. I felt the familiar weight of the Master Sword come to my hand. My control returned and I walked forward with the knowledge of what I was to do. I walked to Alduin his teeth gnashing and snapping towards me in vain of trying to escape my grasp, but the sacred light swords held him stuck fast. "You know Alduin…If you weren't such an arrogant bastard…You may have not had to deal with me, do you remember the first place you attacked when you arrived in this time?" I had asked, stopping just short of Alduin's head. He looked at me with blazing fury but nodded "Had you waited but another minute…I would have been executed and you would have had no opposition, They were by mistake going to execute me, but you…You saved the one person that was going to be actively hunting you. The one person who had the means to destroy you and you saved her life." I told him the most stinging part of having returned, that being as foolish as he was, his return set free his demise.
Alduin thrashed and screamed in Dragon Tongue, but its knowledge for the time had left me. I stepped forward and as Alduin reared up his head. I dashed forward and drove the Master Sword deep into his heart, there were three deep heavy beats before the thumping against the sword, ceased. The dragons body exploded in a black mass as golden light burst from the body. The energy flooded into the Master Sword and I ripped it from his still black heart holding the blade skyward and drawing the energy in until the body didn't even leave the bones behind. Alduin, was vanquished and I felt my body returning to normal I saw the white outfit it had changed me into, the blazing white tunic, the platinum plated armor. A piece of the Triforce adorned the large left breast and a crescent moon adorned the right. The outfit just as quickly returned to my blades armor just before I saw the mask fall, shatter, and fizzle into dust.
I looked to the ancient Dragonborn who stood in complete shock as they looked on. A moment later the three dropped to one knee shouting "Hail the Dragonborn! Hail the Slayer of Alduin!" their voices rumbled the area around us. I bowed to them thanking them for their help and I went to assess the helix blade of the fierce deity. The blade still jammed into the ground I reached for it and lifted. It felt like a sigh as it suddenly gave in to my demand. The blade was ten times lighter than it had been, almost like it lost all the power that made it heavy. I still felt the static in the blade but the indescribable weight was gone. I was puzzled at this as I swung it a little before raising my eyebrow and returning it to the void storage. The large man from before came up to me. "Shor's hall will be singing of this day for eons…The World Eater slain, your duty here is done…When you are ready I will return you to the mortal plain…you cannot remain here. It is not yet your time to join us." Tsun had told me, I nodded and bowed "May I have one moment? I would like to speak with my ancestor." I had asked, Tsun nodded and motioned me to the great hall again.
I walked across the bone bridge and back into the hall to see Ilgrad was standing near the door waiting anxiously. As soon as I was seen he threw himself into me in a hug so tight I could have broken down right there. "Thank Hylia…You did well Kotera." He had said and I told him he would probably get the story from the other Dragonborn before he broke away. "I am proud of you…You did what none of us could do…But you know your job is far from done right?" He had asked me, I nodded and we walked to the table. He poured me a horn of ale from the barrel and sat it in front of me. "A toast to you Kotera, the Hylian Dragon! Slayer of Alduin and Savior of Nirn! May your next journey bring you victory in this life into the next!" He shouted and everyone in the hall cheered before we downed the drink. Tsun waited for me at the door and I walked over. "Grandfather…I will tell my parents you send your love…I'm sure my father will be glad to know you are indeed at peace." I had said and he nodded and waved. "Safe journey my dear…Your parents will be just as proud of you." He had said and I turned to Tsun. He then shared a shout with me that would call upon an ancient hero before he shouted at my body.
I felt displacement and then I felt freezing cold as I shot up scaring Time as he scattered in the snow. "Thank the Goddess you're alive!" he had said running over to me to help me sit up. He stumbled a few times as the dragons were chanting about Alduin's death. "So that's over then?" Time had said, I looked to him and nodded "Y..You should have been there with me, you'd probably keel over seeing what I did to him…But yes, His soul resides in the Master Sword." I had said between the shouting of the dragons as they all took off. Paarthurnax had reveled and said he hasn't felt this young in ages, that there was time to teach these other dragons the peaceful way of the voice. "Odahviing flew me back here….He said you'd appear here by the tear, and it seems he was right." Time had said and he helped me up and brushed off before we walked over to the crimson colored dragon. "I wish the old one fortune on his journey, not many will listen to his tyrannous way of the voice…However, it seems your Thu'um is still the strongest, so I and many others may listen to you…" Odahviing had said. "Good…Then I'd like you to carry a message to your kin for me." I had told him, the dragon's head tilted "Live along side humanity in harmony, we may be of separate worlds but that does not mean the path to peace can't be paved, Dragons should not harass human settlements, and in turn I will do my best to carry the message that Dragons are to be left alone. Alduin had turned dragon kind against man but I believe it was in the dreams of Akatosh that dragons and men live in harmony, we all have knowledge to teach one another, it is a waste to spill our blood." I had explained to him, Odahviing nodded his large head "It is an ambitious dream, Dovahkiin…I shall carry your message to my kin, how many will listen I do not know…I for one would welcome such a thing, it sounds…Lovely." He had said before he spread his wings and in a few mighty flaps he was into the sky and away from the mountain, roaring loudly into the distance.
Time patted me on the back. "Alright kid…Take us to Hyrule." He had told me holding onto my shoulder and I transported us to Hyrule and the Master Sword began to swirl with black energy as if it was possessed. I left Time by the door of the temple and walked in, the pain finally was setting in and I had to limp into the main chamber. The Master Sword fought me as if Alduin was trying to break free, dragging back violently trying to escape my grasp. I fought with the blade and the immense sense of displacement returned, the feeling of vertigo thrumming through my head as I climbed each step slowly as I fought with the sword to get it to the top. When I finally did I screamed and raised the sword up before I slammed it home into the pedestal. The energy of Alduin's soul exploded and the vertigo got worse as I was thrown across the room and the world violently shook. The quakes bouncing me from the floor over and over again and I grunted and groaned in pain as I was bounced around. Time came bolting in to my side stumbling and rolling around before he finally got to me to hold me steady against him. "What is happening?!" I had asked still unable to get my bearings. "Everything is changing…We're no longer surrounded by mountains now at this temple…everything is opening up, His soul is breathing life into this world!" Time had said and we just held onto one another tight as the world rumbled.
We both screamed before everything settled and I rolled and heaved for a moment nearly throwing up. "By Hylia…Please tell me that's the last time that's going to happen…" Time had said rolling onto his back. I could only breathe out my laugh before I crawled up the stairs grabbing the hilt of the Master Sword again. I drew the blade and it immediately returned to the mark on my arm and I just flopped onto my back at that point. "World…Still spinning…" I had said as I closed my eyes for a bit just to stop seeing everything spin, I even felt the darkness in my eyes spinning. It wasn't long until the feeling finally subsided and I was able to stand and walk outside. The land was wide and lush with abundant green life. I could see town houses and an enormous castle not far. Time and I walked the grounds for a while before we decided to venture from the large walls at the end of the castle town. "I will get…Absolutely lost around here." I had said, Time just snorted "This is more of my speed really, It's laid out like the Hyrule of my age…Far to the south should be the forest, to the east should be the path to the lake and death mountain, to the west should be the desert and the snow peaks. But we're not here to sightsee…Take us home, let's go get some sleep." Time had told me holding onto my shoulder, I nodded and transported us in front of the house. I praised Hylia when I flopped onto the bed and passed out still wearing my armor.
When I woke up the next day I walked downstairs to see Time and Lydia sitting at the table. "Ah, the conquering heroine stirs from her mighty slumber!" Time joked and I just kind of huffed a laugh still wiping the sleep from my eyes. "Well onto business…I should find out where that third temple is and get it situated…No rest for the wicked." I had said and Time was quick to walk over. "How about you take it a bit easy on our quest for some time huh? Take some time to recover, we don't know what kind of effect Sovngarde had on you, Hylia knows you slept through all the noise last night." Time had told me, I raised an eyebrow as I picked up some bread and a bowl of soup dipping the bread and eating it down. "What noise?" I had asked and the two looked between each other. "Domic was right…Harkon's lackey's were sent here last night and they came looking for you. Luckily the Red Dagger Flash isn't rusty, he scared them off but he said we have to go meet them tonight." Time had explained and I sighed into my soup. "No rest for the wicked indeed…But what about?" I started to ask before Time held his hand up. "My Lady…Hyrule has waited thousands of years for you…It can wait a little longer. The biggest threat Majora is handled and sealed away…I prefer we handle this so Harkon does not send more after us in the future." Time noted and I sat back in my chair looking up to the ceiling.
A rumble had shaken me awake. "Dovahkiin, I can sense you are here! I would speak with you!" A familiar draconic voice had said. I quickly got up and walked outside. "Ah, there you are…It is a pleasure to see you well, Dovahkiin." Odahviing had said and I shook my head "What is the matter? You needed to speak with me." I asked the crimson red form outside of my door. "Yes…Sorry, I came here to confirm the message has been received…My kin doubt humanity but they are willing to make their peace with you alone, they will leave settlements alone as you asked…What they ask in return is a future place in your new home when it is established, a place for dragons to call a sanctuary." Odahviing had said, I took in the information for a moment nodding as I rubbed my chin. "That's a very bold order…But when that time comes I will speak with the ancient spirits of Hyrule as it stands today, I am sure we can come to an agreement and a place Dragons can call a home, perhaps in the mountainous regions…Though you dragons may not be use to the climate there…I would explain it but I don't think dragons feel things the same way we humans do." I had said to him, the dragon laughed. "No, that is a good assumption…For now we gather at Skuldafn only going out to hunt, there is but fifty of us currently…The mountains will not hold us or our young for that long." Odahviing had explained and I nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Odahviing…This information will be given to the Spirits soon, I have a long day ahead of me. Though Alduin is defeated and the essence of his soul absorbed by my sword now feeds the new Hyrule, the old still needs to be put to rest, a proper burial." I had said and the dragon closed his eyes. "Alduin wasn't your main concern I gather, this Hyrule is…I can see the sentiment, our own deaths were a sleepless agony of unfulfilled consciousness, we could not see or hear but we were still awake and could only hear our own voices. I pray your journey brings peace to the unrest." Odahviing had commented before turning away and taking into the sky again.
Time scoffed for a second as he walked up. "Quite the wise one that one, though his thoughts are of polar opposite to Paarthurnax, where Paarthurnax sees enlightenment in peaceful isolation, Odahviing sees the future of his kind in a harmony. Both will be valuable to each other." Time had said and I turned my head to him. "I didn't strike you as an expert of philosophy." I had poked at him getting a grumble out of him before we transported to Hyrule for a time. I actually spoke with the spirits about Odahviing's proposal, Eldin was the only one that felt against the idea, the others favored my opinion however that we cannot pave the path to peace without walking forward. After the argument with Eldin we transported to Solitude and waited at the Inn for Domic as he instructed. We were all sitting and drinking as Time talked about our raid on Skuldafn, the ale boosting my confidence I got up onto the table. "Let's not forget my heroics as I dove into Sovngarde myself to chase down the beast himself! The beautiful land shrouded in a dark mist I clawed my way to Shor's Hall to find the ancient Dragonborn and together the four of us were to fight Alduin…BUT, my Hylian blood burning hot with rage I took hold of the power of a deity, my Thu'um turned into a golden fury as I shouted the mist away in a single bellow! Alduin and I fought tooth and nail with each other, but the coward couldn't break the iron will of the power of the Fierce Deity as I summoned blades from the very heavens to smite down upon the devil himself, I drove my blade into his black heart…And I felt his life end there as I felt the beating of his black heart, cease upon my blade!" I had said, the Inn erupted in cheers and banging of hands on the tables and the bar.
It all calmed down as the sun began to sat and Domic walked in maybe an hour after the sun dropped from the sky and left the world in a hazed darkness. "Are you two ready?" Domic had asked and I had strapped my Hylian Rose to my side. I wanted to switch up my weapon to something more personal for our break from the quest; the blade of dragon's bane could have its well deserved break. "Let's go meet the one that turned you." I had told Domic, he nodded with a sour expression. It was a long walk to the other coastline just over the mountain but eventually the long walk and a boat ride led us to a large castle out on the water. "Flashy…" I had said before I subtly placed my mark just before the large gated entrance. An old man stood outside glaring at Time and I, at least until Domic caught up with us. "So the traitor finally returns…It'll be good to see you put on a spike Domic." The old man growled, Time and I returned the glare. Domic said nothing and just walked over and held the door open. "Lady Kotera." He had motioned me in and I turned my nose up at the man and walked into the door. "Thank you Domic." I had said, It felt weird calling him by his name instead of saying uncle but I suspected that would cause an issue if I had.
A high elf man stood in the entry way "How dare you trespass here!" The man growled baring his teeth. "Back off Vingalmo…Or I'll throw you over that railing head first on a brazier." Domic replied to him and the man straightened as if he immediately sensed danger. "Domic? How in oblivion…" Vingalmo had started and Domic just nudged him out of the way. "This way…Let's not waste time here, I'm already not welcome." Domic grumbled and I walked forward keeping my palm on my Hylian Rose. Across the way I saw a man sitting upon a throne, gaunt features with nearly purpled pale skin. He stood from his throne and Stalf was next to him, the burns from Domic's blade still visible across his face. "So…The Dragonborn appears to my court, and here I thought we'd never see her." The man had said and Time groaned in that "Oh boy one of these guys." Tone, "Sorry, but I was more preoccupied with my own affairs, why have you called me here?" I had asked and Domic stood between the both of us as I descended the stairs and walked toward the man who was hungrily pacing. "I called you here to see if you could handle a task for me that my…Court couldn't exactly handle themselves…You see I've lost something and I've learned it's in Dimhollow crypt, for some reason my people aren't able to get passed a certain point and we were hoping to hire you to do so." The man had said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Domic. "So, instead of risking your own idiots on this dungeon you were going to enlist Kotera here to do it for you? Out of the question…Come on Kotera…we're wasting our time here." Domic had said staying between us. "How I missed that tone of yours Domic…you were such an eager man when we first met so long ago…And yet here you are at the beck and call of a girl not even half your strength. What a waste…" The man had said and I stepped in front of Domic. "I will not take up your offer if this is how you treat those in my company…I will not suffer the ego of a foolish man who can't even do his own dirty work." I said sharply, drawing a rage filled expression out of the man as he stepped towards me, I let my Hylian Rose from the sheath just a little, its metal was enough to stagger the man when it was revealed.
I scoffed for a moment as I looked to him. "Afraid of something are you? You saw what the steel my blade is made of can do to your kind..it's over your friends face…" I had said and everyone in the room began to hiss and growl. "You will be silent!" I boomed and the golden light suddenly filled the room and they all flinched. This was my play to keep me alive, the Will of the Goddess was a powerful tool that could easily rob the will from someone if I so chose to abuse it, but right now it would be a fine tool to keep the predators at bay. "If this is all you had to offer we have nothing to discuss Harkon…I'm not an errand girl, your treatment of Domic tells me all I need to know…Let's leave…" I had said and we turned and walked out, all but Time who stood staring Harkon down. "Come on Time…Leave them be to their own designs." I had said, he still didn't move. "You heard your Master, Dog…" Harkon had said and I took note of it before I transported Time and Myself out and returned us home. I knew Domic was fine getting out because a night later he arrived at the house again.
We sat and talked about the entire meeting, Domic was confused why Harkon would waste all that time to make me an offer to help him, when he has done nothing to ask any kind of favors. "I need to get a letter to my other contacts…I'll send word to you after I get their opinion on this Dimhollow Crypt and what could be so important there that Harkon wants it." Domic had told me, I nodded to him and he got up to leave. "Thank you…for being there with me, uncle." I had said to him, he turned and nodded to me before he left. "He knows something about that crypt." Time pointed at the door after he left, I turned to him drinking from my ale. "What makes you say that?" I asked, Genuinely curious myself "He was really quick to tell Harkon to pound sand when he asked you to go…Domic knows what he's after and knows why it's there. But he didn't want to let on." Time explained, I looked at the door for a minute with a suspicion in my mind…That Time just might be on to something.
We dedicated the next week to training; Time was helping me reach the pinnacle of my reflexes. All of the chosen heroes had a reaction time that seemed unreal but it wasn't until that training that I realized my reaction time was much faster than I thought it was. What we also learned was that I had elevated significantly since I used the Fierce Deity mask. It was like my body was acclimating to what that power was as I used it. I was using the Helix Blade as if it was a normal great sword now, it no longer held the immense weight to me and I was able to swing it with ease. Time on the other hand proved I was the only one able to do so when I left it on the floor after the day's training and he couldn't even get it to budge from the floor. The rest of the time when we weren't training I would either meditate or I was drawing armor designs. I had the mental image of the Fierce Deity armor and I replicated how it looked, I would bring it to Alvor soon once I had finished the design schematics. Domic took time to teach me how to rely more on stealth and how beneficial it was to sneak up on our enemies. He was waiting for word from a friend of his that he only communicates in letters with. He was certainly antsy about teaching me how to properly use light armor and the kind of weapons he would use. I mostly stuck with the sword type of his blades, but he always carried two needle point daggers on his back hip. He told me he got the nickname The Red Dagger Flash because the only thing people would see would be the quick flash of his steel before seeing nothing but red.
I couldn't stand that the two of them were still leagues better than I was, I would end the training frustrated and Time would only say fighting out of anger doesn't get especially far. He always preached anger is a cloud that covers the clear blue skies. It was easy for him to say because it must have been an ego boost slapping me around all the time. It wasn't too long that Domic came back to us asking to pack a bag and he refused to tell us where we were going. We had to stop at an inn not far from Riften as the sun came up just for Domic to rest. I decided to sleep the day away as well as much as I could anyway if I wasn't having a nightmare, Majora was defeated and yet I was still feeling the aftershock of what he did to me. I crossed my arms over myself and curled up on the bed until the panic dissipated and I stood up to see Domic was waiting for us. We walked to a mountain path not far from Riften to a large castle secluded inside. It was a beautiful and peaceful area. Flags adorned the walls that had a brown background and the image of a sun as a shield. Domic told me to take the lead and he put his hood up as we walked up to the castle. At the door a man was talking to another out front about joining the Dawnguard, one of them was significantly younger. We followed the two in and a vigilant was talking to a dark redguard man who had a sour attitude, a bald head, and a stunningly long beard.
The man looked to us suddenly and narrowed his eyes. "New recruits I see…Though it seems one of you thought you could sneak by me without being revealed.." The man had said. "Hold now Isran…It's me." Domic had said holding his hands up. "Do you know how little 'Me' narrows it down?" He said angrily reaching for the massive hammer on his back. Domic sighed "The Dead Castle Walls Have Eyes. Happy?" Domic had said and motioned to the insignia of the Sheikah on his armor. "Red Dagger? By Stendar I've been speaking to a vampire all along about Harkon's movement?" The man said in a shocked tone. "Aye…Sorry I never told you, it's a bit of a long story. This is who I wrote about, Kotera Kilyerd of Hyrule, or what's currently left of the old Hyrule." Domic had explained "Ah, so Harkon wanted her to plumb the depths of Dimhollow crypt? It seems our interests align then…" Isran had said and I looked between the two. "Wait a minute, that crypt again? I thought the idea was to not go in." I had said looking to Domic. "Well the problem became that Harkon knows what he needs is down there and he's not going to stop until he gets it…I was to be the guardian that prevented this…I hate to throw this on you but we're going to have to go now to secure the package. I'm sorry Kotera, I should have come to you about this after, but I had to be sure these people would be able to back you." Domic told me and Isran stepped forward. "Hold on now, back her? Sorry but I am the leader of the Dawnguard not her." Isran had said and Time stepped closer to him. "She is the next monarch of Hyrule…When we put the old to rest she takes her place as its Queen…You would do well to know where you both stand." Time had said before I cut him off with my hand. "Be that as it may, that kind of talk can be saved for when this situation is dealt with…Isran of the Dawnguard, it seems my uncle has given you a very unique task to your order…I assume it was always his plan after we met for him to search out those who would back Hyrule eventually…and I must admit I've been slacking when it comes to what those kinds of royal duties entail…But it can all wait until after Harkon is stopped." I had said aloud to keep the other two from speaking up.
The darker man narrowed his eyes, he wasn't use to having to be the one to take orders. We turned and left and I immediately questioned Domic about everything he hasn't told me. "Well…It's a long story kid…All will be clear when we've reached the bottom of Dimhollow. For now I assume you'd like to return home and rest? Collect everything you need and you'll meet me at my home before we head to Morthal…The crypt isn't far from there." Domic had said, I laid down my marker and transported Time and I to new Hyrule and then home. "You know I really don't think I'll ever get use to actually being considered a royal…I'm a farm girl for crying out loud." I had told Time, he just laughed "Yeah I look at you and Girly doesn't come to mind let alone Royalty…For a girl you hit like you've been fighting all your life, and you've got a mouth on you that could make a sailor nervous." He joked at me and I flashed him a look. "Oh callin' me ugly are you?" I had sarcastically asked him, he held his hands up. "Of course not, you for sure got your beauty from your mother's side, she doesn't look like any of the wood elves I've ever seen around, and I'm saying you don't exactly radiate womanly energy or a Royal demeanor. But to me and most likely to Domic you're by right of blood the next Queen." He had told me to defend himself, and a thought crossed my mind. "What was she like, your princess? I heard you talk about her before, and you mutter to yourself when you're working out in the garden or the forge room." I asked him something that was probably a sore spot for him knowing Time.
He turned away for a moment and sighed. "She was…I don't know if there was a word I could use that would describe her, Beautiful just doesn't cut it. Then again I feel all us Heroes of Legend were conditioned to find the Princess to be the most radiant and beautiful thing about Hyrule, all because of our first ancestor and his relationship with the royal line. He was enamored with her but from what I gathered he didn't really like to show it, however she was bold as brass and could spit fire with the rest of them. Though I found love elsewhere it didn't blunt that I cared deeply about my princess." He had said, it was a sore spot, he seemed to trial off and stare off into space. "That's why you're so determined to protect me huh? I remind you of her too much?" I had tried to lighten the mood and he just got up after that and went upstairs. "Yeah…Amongst other things." He had said as he climbed the stairs to the other room.
We spent the next morning packing potions and equipment we would need, I kept the Master Sword in the mark on my arm and put my Hylian Rose on my hip, I felt along the handle and the familiar feeling crept up my body of longing. I wonder how my parents were doing, there was a few times I sensed them go into New Hyrule, the spell the spirits and I crafted was working as intended I could tell who would enter and when, and the spirits would convey their feelings to my senses, I wondered if they were just wandering to get out of the house and see new things. Hyrule is definitely warmer than Bruma's mountains and the combining of the land and Alduin's soul had changed it into a massive land that even I haven't seen the boarders to yet. I wondered if it completely moved out of the center of Skyrim and it just sitting in a pocket or out on the ocean somewhere under a powerful golden veil. These were questions for later, for now we had a job to do and I would see to it that Harkon was stopped from whatever he was doing. This would also mean that we had a chance to be turned ourselves if we weren't careful, or at least I was.
Time and I took the carriage to Morthal, not wanting to risk the main roads and we kept our identities hidden with long cloaks, the less we were recognized the less Harkon would be alarmed that we were going where he wanted us but not for his gain. I was wondering what Domic was hiding that he was now so antsy about it, I couldn't trust what he said and part of me wanted to completely mistrust him but there's just some feeling in my chest that what he did was right. "I don't like any of this…" I had told Time and he nodded "Agreed…I say the sooner we get this crypt issue sorted we take some time in New Hyrule to walk the land and forget Skyrim for a while, we'll need to move some of our things there anyway…I would like to move the artifacts to New Hyrule as well but I'm not sure where we can stuff them, they'll be safest behind a barrier normal people of Nirn can't pass through…That mask alone makes me antsy every night that it's in such close proximity." Time had mentioned and I realized it, The mask was trying everything it could to escape its containment, I suddenly began to wonder if the nightmares I've been having were the result of trauma from fighting Majora, or a link created between my mind and the mask when I fell for its trap on the Fierce Deity's sword. "It will have to wait…Though I share your worry we can't risk it right now, besides that spell is more useful in Skyrim right now than it is in New Hyrule…As much as I would love to permanently move there…" I had told Time, he put his hand on my shoulder and we hopped off at Morthal.
It seemed the town was having its own problems and the Inn was all too nice to tell us about them once they realized I was the Dragonborn. I asked them about vampire sightings near an old crypt and most of them shrugged, then a man came over to us and asked what we knew about vampires. I explained that I was told about a gathering at the crypt and thought it was a good idea to check it out and take care of any issues if they arisen from it. "Well…If you find yourself turned, please come to me, I will be able to cure your vampirism, No one should have to deal with that curse." The man said before he walked off, my eyes widened immediately. A man knew how to cure vampirism, and Domic wasn't aware of it. I would need to tell him when he met up with us, this was going to change everything.
How will our girl handle all of this? Who knows, but she looks like she's bitten off more than she can chew lately.