At first I thought I was going to do Morwitiijaal this chapter and get another temple in, but Nah We got some Story and Side stuff to take care of too to Kick it all off. I hope you can all enjoy this as I'm getting them out a little faster, I'm getting a bit more inspiration lately, and you can probably tell I'm skipping a lot of dialogue from the game (To a point anyhow) That's because I don't want it to JUST be a copy paste, that'd be lazy...People who played Skyrim know how most of it went, I'll add some from the Original conversation to keep a character the way they are, but the whole conversation shouldn't be THERE if you get my meaning. Anyway enough Rambling, ON with Kotera's journey!
The morning after the party was spent making our way to Delphine's Inn again with the book about Esbern, I had gotten the information from Etienne that he was an old member of the blades as well that had gone far into hiding that he was hidden somewhere in the Ratway of Riften. We saw Delphine sweeping the floor before we headed into the room, she had nodded and a few minutes later followed us down. "Good to see that you're back, I heard it was quite the commotion fortunately for you someone was breaking in while you were there to take the heat for you, now they're after this psychopath." Delphine had said walking over to her map. "Yeah well that psychopath happens to by my more than a hundred year old uncle." I pointed out to her while we put the book down in front of her, she looked confused for a moment. "Yeah we're still trying to figure that one out too, I'm not sure how in Hylia's name Domic 'The Red Dagger Flash' Kilyerd is still alive after a few centuries." Time had explained leaning against the wall. "Anyway, what's this?" She had asked for a moment before her body stiffened. "Esbern is alive?!" She exclaimed in an excited tone but also seemed relieved. "Yeah he's somewhere down in the Ratway, and let me guess, we need to go down that stinking hole and go get him?" I had asked her, she shot me a look of frustration. "If anyone knows how to deal with the dragons, it's him. If the Thalmor had this then they'll be on their way to find him as well, you should get moving." Delphine had ordered looking back through the book.
We left her house and the next thing we did was run for Morwitijaal we weren't going in but Domic said he lived nearby it, it may have taken us an hour to run there but once we were there we looked all over for it. "Domic!" Time had called out before one of the large trees opened up. "Both of you get in here!" Domic ordered, we walked in and down the dirt stairway into an open large home with several doors. "I see your skills haven't waned in the past hundred years Domic." Time had joked getting a scoff from the ancient Hylian. "No, but this was a pain to craft having to wait for night to make more progress but now that I've got my home things have been good for the last fifty years." Domic had explained before he led us to an armory room. "Kotera, take some sheikah weapons and a thing of armor. Then you can tell me what you two are doing here." Domic had pointed to the racks full of the same kind of needle weapons I saw Domic use at the embassy. When I had stored everything I wanted putting one of the daggers to my hip I turned to him. "We need your help finding a blades member that went into hiding, the Thalmor could be on his trail already." I had told him the details about Esbern in the Ratway. "I will get there at nightfall, the two of you should start making your way there now, I can't travel during the day." Domic had explained and for a moment his willingness to help was confusing, we nodded and I held Time's shoulder as I brought us to new Hyrule.
I looked around the area for a moment. "Any of the spirits present, I have a question." I had said aloud before a bright light had appeared and a large visage of a hawk had appeared. "Speak your question young hero." It had said perched atop a sphere of light. "Why is it that my great uncle still lives? And why is it that he can't cross the threshold into New Hyrule?" I had asked the spirit "It is because in order to survive, the one named Domic had given his soul away to a vile creature of unlife, he can no longer feel the warmth of the sun nor is he able to withstand the light of the Goddess. We forbade him from entering this sacred grove out of fear that his essence would taint the majesty of this land." Eldin had explained, I was beginning to think the light spirits had a very judgmental standard concerning who could enter Hyrule with ease. "He's a vampire…Is there a way to cure him?" I had asked, the spirit shook its head. "That, we are unsure of, what you call a vampire is a new entity to us, however it feeds on blood of the innocent; therefore we can't allow Domic entry into the golden land of Hyrule." Eldin explained, I had clenched my fists in anger. "Do I have a choice in the matter? Or do all of you spirits dictate the rules here?" I said, frustrated beyond belief with their close minded nature. "Mind your tongue Hero, Hyrule has maintained being a paradise because of our strict nature, to protect this land is paramount." Eldin angrily stated and for a moment I felt like he was going to strike at me.
"We don't have time right now, we need to get to Esbern before the Thalmor do, Kotera come on get us to Riften." Time had said grabbing my arm while Eldin and I were staring each other down. Eldin disappeared a moment later and I scoffed before taking Time and I to the gate of Riften, we wasted no time and made for the market center where we saw Brynjolf, the thief that tried to make off with my gold before. "Ah, what can I do for you Lass?" He had asked in a calm nature before we pulled him aside. "No time, we need information about someone before the Thalmor get there and kill him and you owe me one." I had said to him quietly, the man sighed and looked around. "Alright what do you need to know?" He had asked me as we moved down to the below alley to a gate that lead underneath the city. "There's a man named Esbern down there, I need to rescue him before the Thalmor capture or kill him." I had said while Time kept his eye on everyone else. "I know there's a man in the warrens by that name, you need to make your way down to the ragged flagon then go through the doorway at the back. We'll steer the Thalmor away if they come towards it for as long as we can." Brynjolf had said pointing to the Ratway. "Thanks Brynjolf, you're saving the life of someone who can help end this dragon problem." I had said as we quickly made our way into the passage.
I pulled the Sheikah sword from my storage and kept the Master Sword in its sheath. I handed one to Time as well and we pushed on, as soon as we walked in we were met by two men who were plotting about stealing wealth from under everyone's nose. The two attacked us but Time made quick work of both of them, the Sheikah blades pierced through their chests with such ease. Time waved me on and I followed behind as he cleared us a path. The Ratway was a maze of corridors but eventually we found the Ragged Flagon where the two of us sprinted for the far side door, it looked like Brynjolf beat us here somehow, I would find out later how he did it and I made quick work of placing a glyph down at the underground tavern.
We were waved on to the far door and from there we were on our own; we crouched down and moved forward listening for any voices at all. "I'm sure he's here somewhere we have to keep looking!" I heard a familiar pompous voice say, it was that Thalmor that was poking around the ocean temple. I had a sudden idea, I took a breath and held my hand out and began to whisper. "Through your ancient oath I call to you, call thy shield to protect my body, call thy sword to strike down my enemies." I had said and a portal had opened for a moment before a phantom clad in its armor stepped through the gate. "Take care of those in the golden armor and black cloaks, strike them down." I had said, the hulking armor nodded and quickly ran off with a heavy thud of its boots and all we heard were the screams and panic as the phantom distracted the Thalmor. It was like I could feel its life energy slowly waning as it fought.
Time and I made our way around the warrens quickly until we happened upon a thick door that looks like it was securely shut. "Esbern, Are you in there?" I had whispered before the window of the door opened quickly. "Esbern, Who is Esbern, I don't know anyone by that name!?" The man said in a panic he looked very aged and distressed that we knew that name. "It's alright, we're not the Thalmor, I mean we're technically Elves but not those elves, I'm a Hylian named Kotera Kilyerd. We need your help so can you let us in?" I had whispered back, the man thought for a moment. "N..No you must be confused, I'm not the one you're looking for go away! The man had said, I rolled my eyes and held up the Hylian Shield to the door making sure the Triforce was visible. "By my blood as Hylian and Matriarch heiress to the blades I call upon your ancient duty and command you to open this door!" I had said, there was silence for a moment. "Stand back." The man had said as I heard him unlocking the doors before they swung open. "Both of you get in here!" Esbern had said, Time and I quickly made our way in, Time shut the door behind us and braced himself against the door just as I felt the phantom distracting the Thalmor disappear. "Talk quickly it won't be long before those pompous idiots muster themselves again." Time had mentioned peeking outside the door before closing the window again.
"So what made you let us in that time?" I had asked him plainly, looking at the balding old man. "The fact that you know Kilyerd was the family name of our founder; Hylians themselves were a well guarded secret of the order until being disbanded. Though initially I had believed you were just another trap since you carried that shield so proudly, it made me believe the Thalmor found the connection." Esbern started explaining to me as he walked over to his desk. "I believe they have more questions than they have answers at the current moment, otherwise my name alone would have been enough to capture me and my family when the blades were first disbanded, I didn't even know Ilgrad founded the blades until I stumbled upon the Triforce marked books and the secret room at cloud ruler temple." I had said to him taking a seat.
He mulled over a few books packing some into a bag. "Well now that you're here it must be time to move correct?" he had asked as he rushed around. "Yes and no, I was wondering what you knew of Alduin and the dragons returning?" I asked him keeping planted in my seat. "They mean the end times, there is nothing to be done without there being a Dragonborn." Esbern prattled on and mumbled to himself as he was searching for a book. "Well consider yourself in luck, she's sitting right there." Time had said pointing to me. Esbern looked shocked for a moment before he narrowed his greying eyes. "Prove it." He had said to me, I rolled my eyes and stood up before I used the flames spell to light a candle motioning my hand to it before turning to the candle. I took a deep breath and l my energy to my throat, "FUS!" I shouted, and the candle not only went out it was blown against the wall and the papers in the room went flying before I looked to the old man again and raised my eyebrows. "Fair enough, but why aren't we leaving now if you came to get me? The man here said it wouldn't be long before the Thalmor mustered their strength again." Esbern had asked looking between the two of us. "We're waiting for nightfall, we'll have backup by then and they won't be a worry." I had said drawing the Sheikah dagger and spinning it in my fingers. "The man who gave us these is an adept Thalmor slayer." I had continued and from then we waited.
Hours must have passed as we sat and waited. "Does Domic know where to find us?" Time had asked me leaning against the wall and peeking from the door window every now and then. "Don't worry, I left a trail only he could recognize on the way down to the warrens." I had told him much to Esbern's dismay. "And you left a trail for the Thalmor!" He had shouted angrily pushing his chair away. "When did you even have the time?" Time had asked me, I only shrugged, "I left my energy at specific locations and it reacts to his energy. I didn't visit my ancient uncle just for fun and family time you know. I had said before we heard something knock at the door quietly and whistle a small tune. "Speak of the undead, there he is." Time had mentioned going for the door before Esbern jumped up. "Calm down, I that tune he whistled was a code between the royal family. No soul on Nirn knows it aside from a certain Hylian already in this room and yours truly." Time had said before opening the window.
"What's the password?" Time had joked pushing his head against the window. "The password is go kick rocks, the scary bad men are all dead." I heard Domic's voice on the other side, Time had looked to me closing the window for a moment. I giggled and nodded to him before Time swung the door open. "Welcome to the Dragon hate club party of three." Time had said to him waving him in the door. "Yeah now party of four leaving, come on old man get your junk and let's get you to a safer place than here before the Thalmor figure out their friends aren't getting down." Domic had commanded looking to Esbern and out of the door. "We're taking him to Riverwood, Delphine will need to talk to him." I had said and Esbern snapped around to look at me "Delphine is alive? Thank the Divines…" Esbern breathed as we left the hole he was hiding in. "You three go on, I'll cover our tracks." Domic had said looking around, Time just turned me around and we made for the exit as I heard metal being bent and torn and wood splintering before hearing a few meaty noises.
"He's been doing that for a long time…" I had said knowing why he was making such fast time out of covering our tracks before he caught up with us again. Well if you want them to assume he's dead you have to make it look like it, I happen to be good at faking deaths, I did it to escape the court just north of Solitude." Domic had explained giving me clues about his past. Time just shrugged. "Right we should probably introduce you, Esbern this is Domic Kilyerd, he was Ilgrad's brother." I had explained Esbern just nodded as we snuck our way out of the warrens to the Ragged Flagon. We had gotten many looks as we caught our breath for a moment, Domic shrugged as he seemed unbothered. "You'll have to teach me how to better fight with some of the weapons you gave me uncle." I had said as we walked and he put his hand up "Stop, calling me uncle. Just call me by my name." Domic had said as if I had struck a nerve. Time had patted him on the back and we started moving again, it wasn't long before we were out of the Ratway we watched around for any of the Thalmor but it seems like there wasn't any left to tell. "Right, well my part is done, I'll return to my home for now, I need to beat the sun there. Kotera, whenever you're done with the blades come and find me and I'll teach you how to effectively use these kinds of weapons." Domic had told me, he almost put his hand on my shoulder but decided against it before he had vanished. "That was cute, there was almost a touching family moment there." Time had said with what I imagine was a straight face under his mask, it's hard to tell when he's being sarcastic when his actual face can't physically express.
We made our way quickly to the carriage outside the city and hitched a ride to Whiterun. From there we told Esbern to stay low and keep his head down, if the Thalmor happened to pass us they wouldn't blink twice at our direction since they don't know we're involved. "Tell me Kotera, how much do you know about your heritage as the heiress to the blades order?" Esbern had asked lying on the floor of the cart as it moved. "There isn't much I know, I think the only one that would have the answers right now would be Domic. I understand Ilgrad founded the blades and through his ages training the members his ways the order changed greatly much to the dismay of the greybeards." I had remarked, It wasn't far off, the only information I had was the basic knowledge they use to be protectors of the emperor, even supposedly the sword of the Dragonborn back in their time. "Well, the place we'll have to journey will have many secrets that may prove useful to you, once we get to Delphine of course. You'll learn the secrets to defeating Alduin and stopping the end of the world which is Alduin's task to devour the world, he is the world eater. Akatosh was the one that bestowed it upon him so many ages ago." Esbern continued, he talked a lot about the blades order for what he knew, he said he was an expert on the history of the order.
"And tell me what do you know of my Hylian brethren? You have the advanced understanding of the blades after all." I had asked him, he put his hand on his chin for a moment. "Their history to me is a mystery to be sure, I only know of the insignia you showed me and the one Domic carries on his garment, but beyond that, I do not know I do however know Ilgrad made a tomb of sorts near where we'll be going, no one has been able to open it or dig into it as far as my knowledge goes." Esbern had begun explaining. "So Ilgrad was capable of Hylian Magic, I guess that's why you are compatible with it My Lady. Hylian spell castors are some of the most powerful beings in Hyrule if it's used correctly and in Nirn I assume that magic is capable of creation, he put a seal on that tomb but I gather Kotera's relation to Ilgrad can break the seal, just like it did when she stumbled upon New Hyrule." Time had said scooting to the floor with the old man. "Yes I read once that the founder was an immensely powerful elf of noble blood. But supposedly he was fairly secretive about his kind." Esbern had explained as he rubbed his chin. "Yeah, coming from a completely different world I would assume it's not safe to just be flippant about what you are. My father kept it secret from me until I started having the dreams and stumbled upon the blades library at cloud ruler temple." I had told him bringing my knees up to my chest remembering home I was tempted to ride out to it now.
It wasn't long before we were nearing Whiterun I told the carriage driver to drop us off at the cross road and forget he saw us, he nodded. "Of course Dragonborn, may your journey find you fortune." The man said before he rode off towards Whiterun. We snuck to Riverwood through the tree line avoiding the road as the sun was just peeking over the horizon. "I hope Domic got inside, would hate to know the poor soul burnt up in the sun." Time had grumbled as we quickly got to the Inn. When we were inside Delphine and Esbern had a long conversation. I went and laid down in one of the rooms for a while and drifted off to sleep quickly, it was a long day. A heartbeat filled my dream, images flashed from the fragments before I saw a large temple on a hill, It looked run down and ancient. I began to fly from the temple and saw where it was out west towards the Dwemer city of Markarth before I shot awake as Time was nudging me. "Hey, it's time to get up I let you sleep most the day but we got to get them to safety at Sky Haven Temple." Time had said to me, I almost didn't understand him as I was still rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
Time had helped me up and left the room so I could change, for a change of pace I got into the armor set Domic had given me, it fit well for the most part but I think I would need to take it to Sigrid later to help adjust it, the woman was a miracle worker with clothes I would have to learn how she does it. I couldn't remember the things my Mother taught me when it came to adjusting clothes. I walked out throwing my cloak onto my shoulders so I had a hood while the facemask covered my mouth and nose. "I barely recognize you in the Sheikah garb, it looks good on you." Time had mentioned leaning against the bar while Delphine was in her leather armor, Esbern hadn't changed but he looked impatient. "We should get moving, once we're at Sky Haven Temple we'll find out how to defeat Alduin, and we'll be in a fortified position the Thalmor can't reach." Delphine had said peeking from the Inn door. We were on our way out when Sigrid had pulled Time to the side for a moment, she had passed something to him and he passed a bag to her before he put the package away in his sack. I don't think he knew I noticed him.
The walk to Karthspire was long but once it was nightfall again we reached a Forsworn camp, they had made a large encampment out of the entrance to the temple. "How do we get by all of that? We're certainly not enough to break their line alone." I had asked looking to Time, he sat puzzled for a moment before I felt the wind pass by my head, when I went to look towards the encampment again I saw all of the Forsworn scattering and running towards something that ran north. They were shouting a battle cry as they ran north to whatever caught their attention. "Now or never!" Delphine had said as we quickly made our way through their now empty camp and into the cave. "Hylia's blood you mortals are slow, I was able to run from here to Solitude and back before you got into the cave." Domic had said aloud as we entered the cave stepping from the shadow. "VAMPIRE!" Delphine had said striking out at him; Domic only caught her arm and tossed her aside for a moment making her drop her sword. "It's alright, he's with us, and he's actually this one's family." Time had said motioning his thumb to me as he walked by. "Thanks for the distraction we were just mulling over how we were going to sneak by these weirdo forest people." Time had remarked as we walked the cave finding a couple of corpses drained of blood as we passed. "That's funny coming from the fated child from Kokiri." Domic had remarked getting a grunt from Time as we went deeper into the cave until we came to a clearing with several levels jutting from the sides. Stone bridges were pulled up and kept us from advancing as we walked up to a set of braziers and spire stones.
"Clever bastards those Akaviri. They were so determined to keep people out of their sacred temples." Domic had said before he walked up to one of the stones and twisted it so one of the emblems was facing us. "Good thing my brother left you clues how to get in." He said pointing to the carving of the Triforce in the very corner of the insignia shown as two dragons facing one another. "How in Oblivion did you notice that was there?" Delphine had asked him, I could see his red eyes roll. "Because I've been here before when he was still alive. As much as my brother hated me for my decisions I couldn't just let the man be helpless could I?" Domic had scolded while I was busy turning the other stones to the same face causing the first bridge to drop. "What happened between you two? You both came here together right?" I had asked him as we walked on. "Yeah…we were thrown across different areas but met up again after I was already….Yeah…I saved his skin and in return he called me a psychopath and told me he never wanted to see me again, probably said it a hundred times when I'd bring him food and supplies for him and his little band of dragon killing misfits." Domic said sourly, but I heard the pain in his voice that he tried to hide as we reached the next point, a room of pressure plates with many symbols but the Dragonborn symbol made a pathway towards a chain at the opposite end.
Domic was across a moment later and pulled the chain before waving us on. "Traps are off come on." He had said and we walked onwards to the next area. When we came to the entrance of the actual temple we saw a large face against a wall and a large spell circle in stone just in front of it. "Damn…the door is sealed…It was always open when I came with supplies but I guess when they abandoned this temple they sealed it shut." Domic had swore hitting the large face. "Not entirely, see this circle here? Reman Cyrodiil was a revered man to the blades as were a lot of his secrets, this door is activated by blood…Your blood Dragonborn to be precise." Esbern had said pointing to the circle as he led me to it, I was hesitant before Domic came up to me and took my hand. "May I? It will only hurt for a split second, and I'll heal you after it." He had looked into my eyes as he asked me. I trusted his words and nodded we knelt down and he took his dagger making a soft cut on my palm causing me to flinch for a moment before pushing my hand down against the stone. Suddenly the circle lit up and my world shook before the face opened inward to the temple. I suddenly felt warmth on my hand as Domic healed the wound with his magic. I could tell Time was glaring at him at this point as we walked into the temple, the darkness inside was blinding until we came to the main hall where the moonlight was peeking through a crack in the ceiling. I had placed down my marker as normal in the center of the room before we came across Alduin's Wall.
Esbern went on about it for a while talking about the history of the Dragonborn, I listened dutifully as he talked about a shout that could pull a dragon from the sky. "If I asked the greybeards I'm sure they'd know something about it, but I'm afraid none of you could come with me, they don't like the blades and the way I travel isn't meant to bring anything other than Hylians." I had said to them, Esbern just waved. "It's fine, I'd like to stay here anyway and study the ruins more, so much history in these halls." He had said as he walked around. My own curiosity got to me as I walked around the halls for a while; it was a dark and damp place now, empty and devoid of life but it was obvious it use to be bustling. I ran my hands across the bricks as I followed the path up the stairs. The temple was a sight to behold for sure, even cloud ruler temple didn't look this impressive. I just kept walking past the doors at the upper part of the hall before making my way down the other stairs when my hand brushed against the brick, for a split second my energy leapt to the bricks and the wall began to open. "Why is it you seem to attract all kinds of secrets?" Time had asked pulling a torch from the wall and lighting it. I just shrugged at him as we slowly made our way down.
The stairway felt like it went on forever, I didn't know how deep into the mountain we were going, or if we were even still on Nirn. I was tempted to turn back until we rounded the last corner that opened up into a large mausoleum, it was incredibly more intact than Sky Haven Temple was as a whole the bricks felt different to the touch as we walked, murals depicting a single member of the blades looking down at their swords as if they were guarding their own eternal slumber. The sarcophagi stretched across the entire room, each mural depicting the Triforce high above the members enshrined in a holy circle like it was in the new Temple Of Time. These blades were the inner circle that was trusted with the knowledge of Hylians as their sarcophagi were etched with their names in both the common tongue and in ancient Hylian. Prayers in the same handwriting were etched on the sarcophagi as wishes that they reach the afterlife they had hoped for, some hoping for Sovngarde or some other ethereal plain. At the center of the room sat the Triforce with symbols etched in the triangles of the insignia with Wisdom, Power, and Courage written beneath each one. The center of the Triforce looks like it at one point held water that had long since dried up leaving a layer of moss. Time hit me in the side for a moment. "Hand me the water bladder quickly!" He had exclaimed kneeling down at the center. I handed him our water bladder knowing we could just refill it later. Time poured the water into the center basin and as suddenly as it filled, the water drained and coursed through the floor beneath us before all the torches in the room lit up at once.
"How did you know that was going to work?" I had asked him looking around at the now well lit white mausoleum "Because that trick was created during his time." Domic had said causing us both to spin on our heels to see him standing at the foot of the stairway into the room, Esbern peeked in and his eyes went wide. "This is…remarkable, I've never seen anything quite like this in any of the other blades halls." Esbern had said walking down the hall itself. "Because normally you wouldn't have even known it was here, all the temples have a hidden Hylian door only a Hylian can open this just happens to be…the first and last." Domic had said as he walked down the hall the whole way to the end. At the end was a large mural and unlike the other knights, this knight held his sword high with segmented wings like the Hylian Crest spread out behind him in full glory, though his face looked as though it wasn't full of pride, but full of sadness.
Domic only leaned his hand against part of the wall that held the Triforce and the gold became a visage of the knight in the mural. "This…Is my message to the next hero, or Princess, whatever comes in the next generation of Hylians…I don't have long, this spell takes half of my remaining life force and the rest will go to planting the seed of rebirth. I only realized my actions months later that banishing the World Eater Alduin was the catalyst to our destruction in Hyrule I ask Hylia forgive me as I go now to plant the seed of hope. When you've seen this…Please, find a way to lay our home to rest and save this one from ruin, these humans are…Foolish and misguided, but they do not deserve the same fate as Hyrule. Hero of Time I know your actions were pure in your intention, you couldn't have possibly known this would happen and I was the one to carry the sin of making it possible in the first place. In my eyes, my blood is just as guilty as yours. I lived my life obsessed over finding my way home but the temples would not open to me, I am not the chosen hero nor am I of the royal blood but as I plant this seed I pray to the light spirits and to Hylia, renew a Hyrule where the cycle begins anew, by my blood I name Kilyerd the sole heir to Hyrule in hopes the reincarnated cycle will grant us a Hero that will save this world and bring life to a new Hyrule. Domic, my brother to you I am sorry…My last years I spent in blind hatred of what you've become because I really believed I could have made the difference and I would see to it the new Hero was born. I can't express my sorrow that I was wrong, and when I meet you out by the place I've chosen, I hope I can make amends for wronging you before my time is up." The visage said before it lowered its head and disappeared.
We stood there in the mausoleum in silence Domic didn't even turn around. "When I reached him that night, he only had time to tell me about this place and said to put him to rest here, and when I activated the message the first time, I must have screamed so loud I could have woken the dead soldiers here. I can do nothing but help guide you now Kotera, as my brother wished he could, I only apologize that I can't be much help when the sun peeks over the horizon." Domic had said to me as he turned around and put his hand on my shoulder before he vanished again in the wind and the silence in the room returned.
I stood in front of the sarcophagus that held my forefather, a daughter of his race and the heroine of legend. I drew the Master Sword and planted the tip to the ground for a moment and kneeled. "Oh my honor, and on my blood, I swear it here and now that I will fulfill your wish Ilgrad. It may have taken many generations but the Goddess has seen fit that my birth be the one to bring the incarnation to life once more as Alduin has returned to Nirn. I swear he will answer for his crimes and I will cut out that black heart and mount his skull in this great hall. May Hylia bless your rest Ilgrad, you've more than earned it in my eyes I'll see you to tell you this myself someday." I had said feeling the sadness well to my eyes as I had reflected on what Domic said, he was too late to hear what his brother had to say about apologizing to him until it was already too late, He probably couldn't bring himself to look at his descendant because of it. Time patted me on the back and I stood up putting the Master Sword away and the three of us left the chamber.
When it closed behind us Delphine had come up to us. "Where in oblivion have you three been?" She had asked as she had apparently rummaged through the rooms as a lot was laid out on the table. "In a…tough situation in the mausoleum behind this wall, I'll tell you about it later." Esbern had said as I had walked out of the back door and walked to the edge looking over the land itself. "I'll leave you be for a minute kiddo." Time had said as he walked back inside, I almost laughed at his quick intuition that I wanted to be alone but my heart was weighed down and only managed to quietly gasp behind my smile. I took a few deep breaths of air and got myself back under control before I turned around and walked back inside to see Time just waiting on the other side of the door. "Are you alright now?" He had asked me, I nodded and took another deep breath. "Yeah, I just needed a minute. I don't take joy in breaking down in front of everyone you know." I had told him, he patted me on the back and we walked back down to Esbern and Delphine who were eating at the main table. "Kotera, would it be possible to keep that chamber open? I would like to study everything there, I promise to not disturb the graves." Esbern had asked me, I nodded to him getting my things together for a moment. "it's fine, I'm going to speak to Arngeir about that shout, anything to pull Alduin down so he can't escape justice." I had told him waving Time over as I was just about ready.
"I understand, we'll remain here for a time if you need us." Esbern had said putting his hand on my shoulder for a moment before realizing he shouldn't have, he was almost dragged into my spell as I transported Time and myself to New Hyrule, for some reason it felt colder as I looked across the field, not the air but my feelings towards it for a moment. "Faron…" I had called out for a moment before the light spirit appeared. "Hello young one! How may I help the weight on your heart?" The jovial spirit asked hanging from the ball of light it normally sat atop of. "My kin is blocked from entering because he is a vampire, however he has shown he is still devoted to Hylia, is there a way to allow him here?" I had asked the spirit, it scratched its head for a moment and spun. "That I am not sure, it is a strange circumstance but I was not the one to write the entry laws, your predecessor Ilgrad was when he created this dimension, we just follow it to the letter regardless of our own natures." Faron had said, confirming that Eldin earlier was just refusing on a bias. "So in theory I could unmake those laws?" I had questioned curiously to the spirit hoping he would slip and tell me something useful to help Domic out of his depression. "In theory, I wouldn't see why not, but I don't think it works like that Kotera, perhaps we shall see in the future if your blood relation to the creator of this realm is enough to reshape the laws as you do the land when you bring the souls of those heathen dragons." Faron had said before vanishing. "You won't get a straight answer from the spirits My Lady; they're unable to give complete answers." Time had told me still holding onto my shoulder before I transported us outside of High Hrothgar.
Immediately I felt the cold bite against my skin from my suit not being made for cold weather. I heard Time laughing as I ran into the temple shivering before I got up to a fire to warm up. "Dragonborn, you seem to be in a hurry! What brings you back to High Hrothgar?" Arngeir had asked me as I breathed into my hands to warm up. "I…I've come to learn a shout that could pull a dragon from the sky, well not A dragon THE dragon to be exact…I was wondering what you knew of it?" I had asked him finally warm enough to turn and face him, his face held a frown of disappointment and frustration. "Where did you learn of that?" He had asked in a demanding angered tone crossing his old arms in his cloak. "Alduin's wall in Sky Haven Temple…I came straight here after we…stumbled upon Ilgrad's resting place." I had explained to him, his eyes for a moment went wide. "He's buried there? Anyway, I can't teach you that horrible shout." Arngeir had said turning around, it seems he knew something about Ilgrad, probably from when Domic spent his time here. "Old one, now is not the time to get distracted by your hatred for the blades, Alduin needs to face his destiny, as does our Princess here." Time had said stepping up to the man and getting him to turn and look up at the warrior before him. "You're right, but I still won't teach you, it's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't know the words to it….It's a shout named Dragonrend. You would have to ask the master of our order, Paarthurnax. We did not believe you were ready to do this journey but thanks to your…friends, you have questions only he can answer." Arngeir had said sighing with a regret I could feel.
"Master, I apologize for having to force all of this, but this is something we can't delay on while Alduin flies the skies of Skyrim. He needs to be stopped at all costs. If Paarthurnax can help me then it's paramount that I speak with him." I had said with my head held high hoping my determination would be enough in his eyes. "It is not for you to apologize Dragonborn, as much as we would like you to train more, destiny has other plans for you at the current time, you are right, Alduin does pose a threat beyond normal comprehension, Come with us, we will teach you the shout to travel up the path to Paarthurnax." He had waved I quickly ran and changed in another room to my colder gear and ran back out to him as we walked out towards the old watch tower; a furious gust blew just beyond the archway after the tower. "I must warn you Dragonborn…When you go to meet our master you must prepare yourself mentally for what you will see, do not jump to conclusions and do not be so ready to jump into action." Arngeir said as Einarth was placing the new word on the ground before the arch. "Don't worry; I'll keep her head in check." Time had joked to him getting a smile from the old man. I barely heard them talking as I made my way to the words Einarth had placed, it seemed heartfelt but I couldn't make out his words.
I felt the energy build into my mind before I walked up to the howling blizzard at the arch. I braced my stance and took a deep breath. "LOK, VAH KOOR!" I shouted and the very heavens cleared as the sky suddenly turned bright blue, the clouds had disappeared and the furious blizzard in front of me was nothing more than a brisk wind. "Make haste Dragonborn!" Arngeir yelled up the stairs, I nodded and the two of us sprinted forward trudging up the path of the mountain, I had to use the shout two more times on the way up to clear the way, there were three points the blizzard sat waiting for us to arrive. We finally reached the peak and I saw a word wall on the far end, and for some reason I saw a mix of energy not far away from it, it swirled and shuddered like it was distorted. I went to reach for it before I heard the roar of a dragon behind us, I spun on my heels to face it but something about its flight seemed different. It landed calmly before the two of us and looked between us with its single eye, the other eye was scarred and white. "Drem Yol Lok. Greetings, Wunduniik. I am Paarthurnax. Who are you, what brings you to my Strunmah…My Mountain?" It had asked in a deep graveling voice going between the dragon tongue and common tongue. "You're the master of the greybeards?" I had asked him straightening my back feeling no ill intentions in his eye, but a calm curiosity struck the old dragon. "They see me as master, Wuth Onik old and wise. It is true I am old….Tell me, why do you come here Volaan? Why do you intrude on my meditation?" he had asked turning his head to get a better look at me, I saw his eye peek down at the Master Sword on my hip.
I swallowed my sudden fear for a moment, this was a Dragon that knew of my capabilities and was still in complete calm when being so close. "I came to seek knowledge of the Dragonrend shout…I was told to meet you." I had told him truthfully. The dragon murmured for a moment "Drem, patience…There are formalities which must be observed, at the first meeting of two of the Dov." Paarthurnax had said before he turned to the wall "By long tradition, the eldest speaks first…Hear my Thu'um, feel it in your bones. Match it if, if you are Dovahkiin!" Paarthurnax had said before he reared his head back. "Yol…TOR SHUUL!" He shouted and a wall of flame erupted against the wall. When the fire subsided I felt the word vibrating against the wall, "The word calls you…go to it." He had said to me, watching in anticipation as I approached the wall and immediately my body absorbed its energy before I turned to face the Dragon that had already moved closer behind me. "A gift Dovahkiin, Yol, Understand Fire as the Dov do." He had said as I quickly felt his energy slam into my body nearly knocking me off my feet, and in that moment I felt it building in my throat. "Now show me what you can do, Greet me not as Elf, but as Dovah!" Paarthurnax had said and as if my body followed his will "Yol…TOR SHUUL!" I had matched and a golden flame shot from my shout against the dragon, nearly knocking it backwards, I saw the snow shift beneath his feet.
"How strange…Your Thu'um is immense, and oddly alien to me. The dragon blood runs strong in you! It has been long since I've had the pleasure of speech with my own kind. Now to answer your question, I apologize, I understand you did not come here for Tinvaak with an old Dovah, no you seek the weapon against Alduin…I am sorry I cannot teach it to you, your kind Joorre, Mortals, created it to use against the Dov…The Dragons. Our minds cannot even comprehend its concepts." Paarthurnax had said to me leaning himself back a bit. "Then how can I learn it?" I had asked him, the dragon shook his head. "Drem, All in good time, First a question for you, Why do you want to learn this Thu'um?" He had asked me inquisitively as if testing my thoughts. "Alduin is the reason My world and This world end…I do not wish them to end because of his hunger." I had told him, and for a moment I saw his head move as though the words confused him. "Your world? Do you not share this world with us currently? You say this as though you do not belong here and yet here you stand before me." Paarthurnax had asked trying to wrap his mind around a paradoxical concept. "In truth old one she technically belongs in a realm named Hyrule, it runs parallel to this realm you call Nirn. Through a few fateful sins your kin had been pushed to our world and the two became one. If that makes a little more sense?" Time had asked looking up at the old dragon. "I believe I have part of an understanding, it is quite strange indeed. However it explains why your Thu'um feels so unfamiliar, you are no common Dovahkiin. Be that as it may, Who are you to decide this must be his fate? If you slay my brother now you could be interrupting the creation of the new world." Paarthurnax had questioned putting the thought to my head about letting him devour his world as is his duty to make way for the next. "That world will have to take care of itself, this one hasn't yet run its course. If the old Hyrule is to be laid to rest his life must come to an end or it will remain broken infecting this world as well. When that is done… I don't know what will happen next if Hyrule becomes another seat of power in Nirn or the connection between worlds is severed completely. But we can't let the thought cloud us from purpose, Alduin and I were bound by fate to meet, but only one of us can remain, at least that's the way I see it, it ends with us and if it is not to be, then there will be another world eater brought into existence and the cycle will continue if that must be." I had replied, I could almost make out a smile from the old dragons face. "Yes, a fine answer… You are very wise for being but a child. However in order to learn the shout you seek you must come to know why I have chosen this place to stay, they call this peak The Throat Of The World, because this is where the battle between the Dovahkiin and Alduin took place. A rift was created here that cast Alduin from this plain to be forever adrift in time." Paarthurnax had explained as he looked to the distortion near the word wall.
"And with him being cast adrift the very moment I tried to merge Termina with Hyrule, it pulled the dragon through and thus this cycle began." Time had said catching the old dragoon's attention. "That is a detailed description, how do you know that it was your action that caused this?" Paarthurnax had asked Time as the two looked at one another. "Because Ilgrad came to Nirn to create the event itself. When Ilgrad and others stumbled out of Hyrule and into Nirn they too were tossed through time to before Alduin's banishment. A paradox was created, a temporal distortion powerful enough to derail history." Time had surmised as he paced, I'm sure his eye would have been wide if he had a normal face.
"So wait, you're saying that none of this would happen if Ilgrad wasn't thrown backwards through time?" I had asked Time while Paarthurnax listened quietly. "I suppose the event would happen much differently had one of us been a single second longer. Alduin would have just been thrown forward in a weakened state but I gather he wouldn't be weak for very long given his nature." Time had surmised. "Hmm, it is a very perplexing situation, but I gather we don't have the kind of time to be wasting on the how. If you wish to see these events again, you must find the same Elder Scroll that helped cast Alduin out in the first place." Paarthurnax had explained leaping to the air for a moment before landing on the word wall.
I nodded and placed the marker at my feet in order to be able to travel from New Hyrule to this point on the mountain and I waved Time over. "We'll see each other again when I have the scroll, thank you for your insight ancient one." I had bowed, Paarthurnax bowed his head in return and I transported Time and I back to New Hyrule where I felt the warmer air fill my lungs. "How are we going to find the very same Elder Scroll used to cast Alduin out? There must be millions of scrolls!" Time had thrown his hands up in frustration. I shrugged and sat down on the ground for a minute. "It may not even be in Skyrim at this point, I'm sure the Empire would have it under strict watch in the catacombs." I had mentioned putting my index and thumb under my chin. "That's even if that ancient thing still exists and hasn't rotted away by now…" Time had said putting his hands on his hip. For a moment the thought came to me. "Well then I guess we'll have to ask the ancient one that was around for the events if he knows where it is." I had said standing up and holding out my hand. "Worth a shot…" Time had said grabbing my hand and suddenly we were in a dark undercroft. "Uncle? Are you here?!" I had called out to the dark silence, there was no response. I walked around looking through door after door but the place was empty. Well it was until I turned around to find red eyes staring at me causing me to scream and the torches lit suddenly in a wild blaze. "Blast it Girl be silent!" Domic shouted as he had covered his ears I had punched him in the chest. "Then don't scare me like that and answer me when I call for you!" I hissed angrily at him still holding my chest. "Well excuse me Princess! Now what do you want and how in oblivion did you get in here?" Domic had grumbled as he stared me down. "A magic castor never reveals their secrets, but we're here to ask you about something, is there somewhere to sit down?" I had asked him he sighed and led us to a sitting room where he sat on a chair across from me. "Now then, what is so important that you decided to drop by during my resting hour?" Domic had asked looking straight into my soul with those piercing monstrous red eyes. "We are wondering if you know where the Elder Scroll that banished Alduin is since you and Ilgrad were there at that time?" Time had asked him leaning on the chair I was sitting in. "Domic didn't even look at him. "No, I wasn't involved in my brother's little quest, I have no idea where the ancient blades put the blasted scroll. Seems you wasted your time." He had said still staring at me. "Domic this is important, I can't stop Alduin without it, do you really have no idea or is it something else?" I had asked him and that got him to flinch for a moment before he shook his head letting out another exasperated sigh. "I don't know where it is but I gather some old friends might know how to find it, give me three days to track down my old contacts and I'll send word when I have the information you seek." Domic had said standing back up and waving me to leave. "You want me to tag along?" Time had asked him crossing his arms. "No, I must go alone, the others of that court won't take kindly to an outsider, I don't even know if they'll like seeing me again but they'll have to get over it." Domic had grumbled and with that we transported back to New Hyrule and back to home much to Lydia's horror. "Skies above Kotera, did you really need to put it in the middle of the house?" Lydia had said collecting herself again still not use to the whole idea of my teleportation.
"Sorry but this is probably safer to be able to just return to inside of the house unseen by anyone if I was being sought out by unsavory sorts." I had told her making my way upstairs putting everything away, I hadn't been home for a while. Perhaps everything would wind down. I sat on my bed for a while and read a book I had salvaged from the ocean temple. It wasn't long before Time had stumbled into the room. "I think it's time we dealt with Morwitijaal." Time had said crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. "Why now all of a sudden? Domic could come back with information tomorrow and if we are stuck in the temple what will he do?" I had asked Time who had shrugged. "Your best shot at fighting Alduin isn't going to come just from the Master Sword and your Moxie. You're going to need something that will boost your strength exponentially and I have a feeling we'll find it in the ruins of Morwitijaal if it truly is the entity of Termina locked away inside." Time had continued as he had walked over.
I put a bookmark into my book and set it aside. "Then we need to make a journey home first…I want to go and see my parents, well partially that and set a marker at home and Bruma I gained this power to transport myself and Hylians, It makes sense that I make transportation home easier when this quest is over." I had told him, he didn't even move and I felt his eye staring through me. "You're just homesick again aren't you?" He had asked me causing me to flinch a little. "I thought so, well pack a travel bag, it's half a day from here to Cyrodiil and we should get moving while we have the daylight." Time had said before leaving me alone in the room. The old spirit was clever, part of me wanted to return home now that I knew I could just place a marker there and come back here as I pleased, it would even probably put Mother at ease knowing I can visit more often. A trip for a day couldn't hurt and it would give me something to pull this weight off my chest before I continued my journey. I quickly packed my bag and headed downstairs in my armor to see Time preparing his cloak over his head and strapping a set of gauntlets on. "All set?" He had said to me without even looking at me. "Y…Yes." I had told him, he nodded and we walked out towards the stable getting a couple of horses and riding towards Riverwood, we would need to go south there before we could reach the boarder in order to ask for a set of passes for the blockade that had been established.
"Listen Kotera, I don't want you being so distracted from this quest very long, we're going so you can settle your home sickness, you need a sound mind to fulfill your role in all of this." Time had said to me as we rode up to Riverwood, I didn't even feel like answering him but I managed to stammer out. "I…I know, I just feel like it's only fair to them that I visit." I had said to him, Time had grumbled for a moment before we reached Riverwood where a patrol of soldiers were starting to pass by. Better late than never.
Admittedly I didn't at first have a plan for Kotera going back home, but as I thought about it and her abilities I thought to myself "Why wouldn't she just make a quick ride home to abuse her powers a little?"
She may be the heroine of the story, but it doesn't mean she isn't going to act on her childish whims every once in a while. And though she doesn't mention it a Lot, as Time Said, she's distracted with being Homesick.