Beta-Ed by KVeronicaP
...
Before Rialyn and Heleria were to delve into the heart of Morrowind, they needed some time to rest and sleep if they could. Kor's "sanctuary" proved a fitting place to hide from the ashen storms. At first, Heleria did not approve of the idea, thinking that Kor would return furious after telling them not to enter the cave, but the storm drove them in. The ashghoul might still return and serve as a guide through these lands. Despite his insanity, he knew every corner of the isle, and it would be foolish to pass up on this opportunity. The idol of Sheogorath could be a boon, too. Rialyn kept it near the necklace.
Yet, once again, Rialyn found it difficult to close his eyes and sleep. It was easy to attribute this to his vampirism, but the Dragonborn knew it had little to do with the condition. The cavern elicited an eeriness that would put even the hero on edge. Dead kwama were only the tip of the iceberg. There had been rotten supplies and meat carved from wild animals by nothing but bare hands and some basic tools. Some had to be thrown away to deal with the malodorous smell. The cavern was filled with antique idols and some petrified heads that Kor saw as his "brothers." But none of it was particularly fear-inducing for Rialyn. It was the realization that Kor lived here for over two centuries with barely any contact. What would have become of Rialyn had he been in such a position? He dreaded to imagine this creature.
"You have a pattern of troubled sleep, you know…" Heleria's concerned voice interrupted his musings. Rialyn gazed into the darkness unraveling before him. The sun had fallen a long time ago, and its last rays were dissipating from the skyline.
"And you don't?" Rialyn turned towards the altmer woman. She didn't seem too tired.
"I'm too busy thinking about what will happen when Kor comes back. I might be a little pessimistic, but my current predictions include a quite raging clash." Heleria's uncertain tone echoed in Rialyn's ears.
"If he hasn't learned the lesson, I'm always up for a reminder." The Dragonborn created a faint spell of fire in his hand and showed it to Heleria. He wouldn't hold back if that madman struck.
"Be a bit more charitable with him. You see what he had to live with, after all." Heleria gazed over the cavern with a pained sigh.
"It's not like it's our fault."
"I guess not…"
"Why are you so forgiving and kind to everyone? It makes sense most time, but some are just beyond reason." Rialyn scoffed while maintaining a tone of curiosity.
"Not with everyone, mind you. Have you forgotten about Celion already? I guess I tried to be understanding at first." Heleria shrugged and moved closer to Rialyn, getting an open view of the skyline and its stars. Rialyn could see her pondering; perhaps she hadn't considered this question herself. "To be honest, it might be because I rarely get a real opportunity to show… affection to someone." Her lips formed a regretful smile .
"You've traveled much. You must have had many. Maybe you still have some friends at home? Fond memories?" Rialyn often mused about Bruma and Cheydinhal and wondered whether Heleria shared a similar affinity.
"Not particularly; Alinor isn't a safe place anymore. Then again, nowhere really is."
"You still haven't told me much about it."
"I said there isn't much to tell."
"Maybe I want to hear it nevertheless." Rialyn persisted with confidence. He could see uncertainty in the Altmer's eyes Perhaps sharing their story would help them forget about the uncertain future. Eventually, Heleria smiled warmly.
"Very well, ask away, and I'll try to answer in a way that won't force you into slumber immediately," she encouraged the dark elf.
"Are you sure? I don't want to open any old wounds with my carelessness…" the Dragonborn said with surprising sensitivity in his voice.
"Don't worry, I'm not ashamed of anything."
"About your parents… I know you said you were an orphan; did you know them at all?"
"No, never," she said grimly and shook her head. "I've been told many stories and theories. Some said they died in a conflict. Others claimed they just didn't want to have me and so sent me away to Auridon soon after my birth," she told him casually.
Rialyn sensed the pain in the woman's voice. He never really considered what motive his parents had he believed them dead or forced into hiding. Never had he thought of them abandoning him willingly occurred in Rialyn's mind, but who was to say that it wasn't the case?
"And friends? Did you study somewhere? Magical academia or…"
"Sort of, though that was far from Alinor's highest league. I've put a lot of effort into studying probably too much…" Heleria let out an awkward chuckle.
"Considering your magical prowess, I can say they did their job." Rialyn smiled at her.
"That wasn't worth it. How to explain… Imagine a girl who spends all of her time reading a whole damn pile of books in the corner of the room, gets almost impeccable grades, and can name and explain two dozens of alteration spells off the top of her head… but crumbles in panic when someone said 'hello' to her. That was me, so you see why many wouldn't find my company very fun." She had grown much since those days, but knowing Heleria, this wasn't hard to imagine for Rialyn.
"Don't know about others…but I would've said 'hello.'" he said playfully, noticing a faint blush on Heleria's cheeks.
"Oh, you flatter me… I'm not sure I would've, to be honest. Eventually, I got out of the 'shell,' but it was too little and too late. I yearned for something more… And then I got a chance to travel."
"You left for Cyrodiil, right?"
"Not initially; I haven't told you that one yet. I got together with a band of sailors and traders traveling all across Tamriel. I learned more about them while I was on the isle and got to know their leader…" Heleria sounded awkward and a little ashamed at first, though she seemed to quickly accept that she was going to share this story. "Jargo, the charming Redguard. So strong and eager, always going with the wind and not bound by any dogmas or rules… He made my heart jump. By Azura, I know it sounds silly, but I was a young woman whose only life experience came from novels… And that's when I left Alinor and traveled to Hammerfell. I can still remember my excitement to see boundless deserts, the royal palaces, the glory of Sentinel… It was just overwhelming at the time!" - Even recounting this made Heleria burn with enthusiasm, making Rialyn remember Inaaru once again.
"You loved him?" the Dragonborn asked, realizing that he wasn't the only one carrying a broken heart here.
"I did… Even more so, after traveling with Jargo, I was ready to dedicate myself to him and become the scribe of his adventures. As I said, I was very naïve back in the day…" she continued with a glimpse of shame.
"Was he violent?" Rialyn held Heleria's hand gently, and she accepted the gesture.
"Not to me, no, but he wasn't the man I thought him to be. I learned that their trade was not exactly been legal, and I found myself amidst a crew of smugglers who lied to me just as they did with others. But that wasn't the worst of it, no… When the leaders of High Rock and Hammerfell doubled down on their resistance to smuggling in the Iliac Bay, Jargo and others turned to piracy! Took up swords and pillaged and murdered for coin." Heleria keept her tumultuous emotions in check as she looked away with a shade of pain
"And were you with them?"
"I went along at first; I didn't know what to do without them… But I knew it was wrong. Eventually, I tried to leave in a port near Cyrodiil, cutting my ties with those rascals, but they didn't want me to leave and expose them… I got into a fight with Jargo and others, and the guards rounded us up. They threw us all in jail and transported us all the way to the capital."
"So notorious that you got a free visit to the Imperial City? I wish those guards at the border would've treated me the same…"
"Jargo was that notorious, yes. He was executed in the capital, and most of his allies got a long sentence. I got a rather lenient one because of my involvement… Spending time in prison certainly allows you to rethink some of your ways in life. When I left, I decided never to follow anyone blindly again, and the journeys I undertook after brought me fulfillment, knowledge, changed my life… But I told you about that already," she concluded with a nostalgic smile.
An impressive tale, reminding Rialyn of his past with Inaaru. She was not a criminal, thankfully, but her ideas were as much of a door into the world for Rialyn as Jargo's were for Heleria. Inaaru showed him where the desire to travel and explore could bring him; her philosophy contributed much to Rialyn becoming the man he now was. Knowing that he wasn't alone in such growth brought him comfort.
"You've gone a long way. Don't blame yourself for the pirate business. Many have much worse deeds behind their back and feel no remorse whatsoever." In some ways, Rialyn was one of them.
"You're right, but it's not always easy…" She spoke heavily, looking at the stars. Heleria was about to be overtaken by her musings, but Rialyn still wondered about one detail.
"Was that before the war? I can't imagine the Dominion being receptive to smugglers from the races of men, even at Auridon."
"Oh, yes, things were a little less tight back in the day. I doubt I would've had many opportunities to leave now without being a Thalmor agent of sorts. Makes me miss those days…"
"I wish I'd seen much of them… How old are you?" Rialyn wondered, thinking whether Heleria knew much about Alinor before the recent incidents.
"Hey, it's rude to ask a woman her age!" she retorted jokingly. "Enough to remember the days when we maintained relative peace. And to learn to not be a trusting fool for others to use, more or less."
"Yet you follow me, don't you?"
"True… For the first time since Jargo." Heleria was impressed, though Rialyn expected more doubts from her before admitting to the fact. "I guess there's just something in you I don't quite understand."
"Have I not been transparent enough?"
"You've been honest, but ever since we met in Balmora, I felt something about you… Overlooking the whole Dragonborn thing, I mean. Something that made me really interested even before I was certain of your identity. Something similar…"
"And what was it, then?"
"I am not sure if I can explain. It's about your longing…"
"Longing for what?"
"To be a hero of the people or just another ordinary mortal… See, it's different sometimes, and it's hard to understand, even for me."
"I do not long to be another mortal," Rialyn was quick to deny, despite knowing this wasn't entirely true. "The life I led before Skyrim won't ever be anything but a distant memory." He spoke with grimness.
"And what was your life before Skyrim?" Heleria said quickly and apparently regretted it, given away by her awkward gaze. "If you don't want to, that's fine."
"You told me about yourself; only fair that I should repay the favor." Rialyn spoke calmly despite the ache he felt inside. She deserved to know, and he deserved to tell. "I lived my whole life in Cyrodiil as a blacksmith's apprentice and never knew my birth parents."
"So we are that similar…"
"In some regards. I lived in Bruma with some plans for opening a shop in Cheydinhal, carrying my master's legacy," the Dragonborn recalled, immediately overwhelmed by the feeling of how simpler it was back then. Days when Rialyn did not even know of the existence of the threats that he would put an end to. "But one day, I was unfortunate enough to get into some business regarding helping Talos-Worshippers; they chased all the suspects and thoroughly questioned. Them."
"Is the persecution bad in Cyrodiil?"
"Thalmor knows that Talos is important for Imperials and Nords alike and will be very observant of someone breaking the terms." Rialyn spoke with disdain for those arrogant bastards. Forcing a civilization to surrender was not enough. They had to leave their stain on its culture and religion. "It was never easy, but I… I wasn't alone." Rialyn stuttered before continuing. "I had a friend, a close one… Her name was Inaaru Doren."
"Were you…together?" Heleria asked.
"More or less. We had much to bind us, and being two dunmer in Bruma was only the beginning. She dreamed of journeying to Morrowind to uncover its culture and reclaim our heritage. I never cared for the idea. I didn't care for the idea at the time, but when she'd tell me about its glories and the perilous journey she wanted to embark on, I was always enthralled like a curious boy." A warm smile emerged on Rialyn's face as he talked about Inaaru. Perhaps this was why he ran from his past life? Because he could not accept it without her? "You two would have a lot to talk about. She was obsessed with Dunmer's history and especially the Nerevarine. Knew everything there was to know about him from books and records. She idealized him."
"That's sweet…" Heleria spoke awkwardly but quickly changed her tone. "Don't get it wrong, it's wonderful that someone cares for history, but I would advise against idealizing anyone, especially someone like the Nerevarine."
"What else was there to do? He was a dark elf who was separated from his homeland and reclaimed his heritage, just like she aspired to do. Just like I am trying to do now… A guiding star, if you will" Rialyn said, thinking of the legends and prophecies that were both his torment and motivation. Finding Trueflame would forever settle which of the two it would be
"I understand; it's just… Forget it. Probably getting a little nagging. What happened between you two?"
"We lost our families when they went into hiding from Thalmor, had to live together in a city where our every step was watched… I often looked to her for inspiration, for someone to color my world and bring me out to adventure. Now she looked to me for protection and companionship that she needed the most." Rialyn's voice grew fainter involuntarily, so much he was holding back. "And when we reunited, we found nothing but a pile of mutilated bodies and Thalmor soldiers… We could not fight against them, not at that time, so we ran wherever we could, that being the northern border across the mountains."
"And that brought you to Skyrim?"
"Maybe, maybe those were Imperial guards that found me in the woods. No idea when I crossed the border."
"And Inaaru?" Heleria spoke in a fearful voice, almost as if Inaaru was her friend, too. Her inquiry amused Rialyn.
"She… didn't die. I believed she had. Tried to forget, to focus on something else, and it became my bane… Fighting the dragons and putting an end to the civil war has clouded my mind, power, and search for glory…" And this was far from the end [of it]. Working with the Companions, College, and Thieves Guild, Rialyn felt heart-wrenching shame to this day. He gave up so quickly, enamored by his exciting and dangerous life, by transcending and becoming a Dragonborn, a hero of all of Skyrim. At times Inaaru felt like a distant memory which made Rialyn question if he ever truly loved her. Could this be called love?
"I took the easy way out, but eventually, the news of her being alive and fighting Thalmor in Cyrodiil reached me" the Dragonborn said with horror, thinking about the piercing realization that had overtaken him at that moment "I set out to search for her in Bruma, following every clue, any hint of her whereabouts. In the end, I found her…" A tear fell from Rialyn's eye as he took the necklace out of his pocket and showed it to Heleria, witnessing sympathy and shared pain in her eyes. "It was too late. Now, I have nothing but this and her dreams guiding me. Getting me through the storm, through those dark days… Perhaps this is the reason I am even here," he said with grief and doubt.
It ha[s]d always been agonizing to think of what could have been, had he left Skyrim earlier, had he arrived before Inaaru exposed herself… She could have been together with him. He could have told her about his journey to Solstheim, about how much he learned there, how it inspired him to learn more. He could have looked into her eyes and said sincerely that he shared her dream. But all these fleeting opportunities were gone in a single instant.
"I'm sorry." He heard Heleria's soothing voice as she put her hand around his neck, sharing her warmth with Rialyn. "She must be in a better place now, looking at how you walk this path… And you've done quite well."
"Thanks for walking it with me. I would've drowned in my memories otherwise."
"Hey, it's all my pleasure. It's not often that you get to understand someone with the title of 'Dragonborn' as a person and not the title."
Rialyn did not expect those words to sound as sweet to his ears as they did, but Heleria knew where to strike chords exactly. He felt her warmth and kindness as the woman listened to his inner turmoil, willing to help him get through it even if he was not always as welcoming to her. She wasn't a Dragonborn, but Rialyn knew Heleria had a lot of experience behind her, which forced her to cultivate a level of distrust for others. Yet she'd never lost sight of her own nature, of her kindness and empathy, which helped Rialyn to come to terms with his own loss… Words couldn't do justice to how thankful he was for Heleria listening.
Perhaps this was all Rialyn needed. For another to share his grief, to understand his doubt and shame, to accept him for who he was instead of a hero he was very far from, Heleria couldn't have understood exactly how he felt, but this spark, this compassion in her eyes, was enough to say it all. He would look at them forever, but it wasn't long before sleep had finally fallen upon the Dragonborn.
…
The news has been swift as lightning and painful as a raging flame.
The last thing Rialyn expected was for one of his vampires to return from Cyrodiil and tell about its state. The dark elf did not expect much of an answer when asking about any resistance to Thalmor. It was more surprising when this agent recalled the group that resisted elven influence and hid from their sight. Rialyn met them on their journeys, and one of them was all too reminiscent of a woman from his past that now seemed distant.
Yet he was certain it was Inaaru, and Rialyn immediately set out to Cyrodiil. He would never expect to return to Bruma so soon, if ever, but nothing would stop his eagerness to see home once again. A home stripped of everyone he loved would never be the same, but if there was any chance of finding Inaaru there, he would take it. He did not go there as Rialyn or Dragonborn. He went there as the avatar of vengeance and darkness, the vampire lord lurking in the shadows and searching for his prey.
It was almost impossible for him to recognize Bruma, and that was considering much hadn't changed; it was still the same snow-filled town of mighty Nords and Imperials whose spirit was constantly under siege from the Dominion. He even visited the forge, only to see an abandoned, haunted place. No one cared to take over or reignite the business, leaving a shade that reminded people of Rialyn's distant existence, a past he'd better leave behind.
The Thalmor justiciars were rare, but they'd often discuss the latest news between themselves, a perfect opportunity for the hooded stranger to listen. They spoke of their conquests and celebrations, of how the Stormcloaks had been crushed and Skyrim subjugated beneath the Empire. It was only a matter of time before someone mentioned the rebels that were recently caught and transported to fort Cloudfrost for interrogation and torture.
"Do you think it's worth it? People like those are hardly able to know much."
"Thaenar has his ways with others. He'll get them talking in no time…"
That night, he had already found his prey.
Never had Rialyn taken such pleasure in utilizing his power to alter the course of whole communes and towns like he did in this wretched place. Tearing the lone watcher apart, hiding in the darkness, slaughtering them one by one, as the rest could barely control their terror-filled hearts. Seeing their commander run for his life when he was left with nothing but corpses of his subordinates and Rialyn's crimson gaze. To fight dozens of soldiers in the field, seeing them encourage each other, thinking they could put as much as a scratch on Rialyn. When the snow beneath him was colored scarlet with blood, he followed into the heart of this fort. Rialyn would force the truth out of every single one of them; he had an "even better" way with others.
When he got to the corridors, the others began to understand that they were doomed. They ran and begged, frantically searching for a way to retreat, but Rialyn's claws always ended up tearing out their hearts in his fit of rage. He knew he was a monster, and in the fort, Rialyn finally abandoned his attempts to hold back. It was pure euphoria. When the vampire lord reached the door to the room their general hid in, he could hear two horrified voices behind it.
"We should go to the dungeon…"
"No, it's darker there and no way out…"
"And face it here? Are you mad?"
"You're the mage here… You should know how to handle monsters!"
"Not vampire lords!"
In the next instant, the door in front of them tore away, and Rialyn emerged in his full glory. He stood before the Imperial commander and Altmer justiciar. Their shaking arms and their quivering lips ignited Rialyn's hunger even more.
The general rushed towards the vampire, screaming and trying to pierce Rialyn's skin with his sword, but was quickly grabbed by the neck as the vampire threw him to the stone wall. The justiciar attempted to unleash a flame spell, one of the few weaknesses vampires maintained. Someone did their homework, not that it would stop the Dragonborn.
"Die, scum!" the elf spouted as he tried to burn Rialyn alive. It stalled him for a few seconds, but the dark elf immediately began draining the life force with his blood powers.
"What's happening…" Justiciar said as he lost all strength. The Imperial witnessed him becoming paler and weaker with every second. He could no longer resist the vampire and was soon at his mercy.
"Please… I'll do anything!" he begged Rialyn as tears glistened in his eyes. Rialyn wondered if this pathetic elf or any of his brethren would respond to similar pleas from him, from Inaaru, from the countless people they had slaughtered. Rialyn had not even the smallest doubt. He raised his hand and tore the Altmer's head,throwing the bloodied remains to the floor.
Now only one remained, and he still had to talk. Rialyn charged towards the Imperial man, who did not even attempt to run away. He tried to stand up and fight, but Rialyn quickly grabbed his neck, raising the man above the ground.
"Where is Inaaru?" Rialyn said with as much calm as he could muster.
"W… Who?"
"Do not play with me… I know you hold her here; where is she?"
"I…I don't know… All prisoners are… here… downstairs in the dungeon…"
Rialyn would be there soon.
"Thank you."
After ripping the man's heart, the Dragonborn charged to the prison block, frantically looking through every cell. Those were filled with corpses and tortured prisoners. At times it was hard to distinguish the dead from the living, so horrific were their injuries. If they \ had done anything remotely similar to Inaaru, they should be grateful that Rialyn could not kill them a second time.
Then one caught his eye. A Dunmer woman lying in the furthermost cell. Thin and wounded, lying in a pool of dried blood, not moving at all. Most of her scalp was torn, and one of the eyes was plucked out from the socket, leaving a dark void inside. Her skin was paler than the moon, yet Rialyn knew it to be her.
"Inaaru!"
Realization struck the Dunmer's heart and caused him to fall to his knees, beginning the detransformation. The sight of Inaaru annihilated the monster inside Rialyn and made him remember his true reason for coming here. The dark elf rushed to her side, not caring about her wounds. He wouldn't contemplate even for a moment that Inaaru was no more. It was only when Rialyn looked her in the eye, this empty and lifeless eye, that he understood. Understood but refused to accept.
His tears streamed down on Inaaru's body, mixing with her blood stains and falling to the floor like a crimson river. She was still warm; she must have been alive only recently. If only Rialyn had arrived sooner, he could have saved her. He had a year of her being alive, and he managed to come late. He failed her.
But this was not the end of it, for the dream had reached its monstrous conclusion. Rialyn's thoughts were focused on Inaaru. She couldn't die, not yet. There was only one thing he could do now if it were not too late. Rialyn bit her neck, trying to share the gift with her. He could taste her blood, feeling utter disdain for this, but he persisted. Bite after bite, he ended up scarring her body even further. But he couldn't give up; it could still work. It could bring her back. She couldn't leave him. He would never accept it…
When the burden of acceptance did fall upon Rialyn, he screeched in agony.
…
Blood, he needed blood.
Rialyn opened his eyes the moment his body began to wither. His blood was drying as the vessels shrank, and strength left his body. Rialyn tried to move his hand and was immediately met with agonizing pain. The dark elf could not feel his body. The most he could do was attempt to crawl like a wounded beast. He should have known and gotten some blood while in the ashlander camp… Now there was nothing.
He shivered amidst the cavern, trying not to cough. Why was it happening so swiftly? Why was it getting so painful? Rialyn gazed around with his blurred sight, trying to find out if Kor had returned. That ghoul's blood must have been dried and barely edible, but it was better than nothing. Yet after scouring the area, Rialyn realized that he had not returned yet. Then why was the blood's scent getting so powerful? He turned towards the Altmer woman sleeping beside him.
"Grgh…" He attempted to talk, but the sore throat had plunged into his neck. Then his mind and body separated as the vampire began to crawl.
He was getting closer. Rialyn tried to resist the urge. After allhe had gone through with Heleria, the stories they shared, he couldn't allow himself to harm her. Out of all the people here in Tamriel. Cold fell from Rialyn's eyes as he approached the sleeping woman. She had joined him, listened to him, offered her counsel…her, he was truly a failure. She was his friend. She was…
As the beast rose above the woman's body, its heart shattered, and mind poisoned, driven by the primordial hunger, he pierced the skin on her hand. Rialyn's soul screamed as eternal shame flooded him. Her soft skin felt so soothing, so rejuvenating. And then he felt her blood streaming in his mouth, bringing Rialyn the most twisted form of satisfaction. Vampirism was a curse he accepted for power, the one he chose to bear because he thought the price was a fair one to pay. It was not, not even close. Nothing was worth slumbering in this nightmare, just as no repentance would ever fix what he did.
Then Rialyn sensed his entire body burning. His veins ached as if a wildfire raged within. The vampire immediately recoiled from Heleria and let out an uncontrollable screech. He began a transformation without Rialyn giving a conscious command. This blood, this poison… it made him too alive. Rialyn's wings pierced his body and the bloodlust overtook him. His body returned, and he felt the urge to fight a hundred more opponents, tear dozens of hearts, quench this energetic might.
"Rialyn…" He saw Heleria wake up from the sound and look at the vampire lord before her. The monster that drank her blood moments ago, who was a proud Dragonborn once, only to turn into a creature of the night. At first, Heleria looked at him with fear, but it was just a fleeting moment. She approached him with care, looking at him with sympathy and care. "Hey, it's alright… Just breathe."
She would still lend him her aid? Words could not describe the guilt and shame Rialyn felt. Looking at Heleria and accepting her kindness was unbearable. The monster roared before turning away and leaving the cavern.
He did not listen to Heleria's calls or look back. Rialyn spread his wings and rose above the ashen hills beneath the night's sky. He was no hero, not even a man; he was a monster. He did not deserve to be with Heleria or Nerius or anyone else he cared for in the slightest. Rialyn was a menace that only needed time to show itself in all its true colors.
Even now, all he could think about was more blood. The vampire frantically scoured the mountains, looking for someone to pierce with his fangs. This land was desolate, with barely any mortals, and he would never reach even the closest town without collapsing from hunger. There must be someone lurking in the shadows; he needed to find Kor and take his blood, someone, anyone.
Alas, it did not go as Rialyn expected, but this brought the Dragonborn a fortune. He sensed three souls nearby. The vampire rushed to the hill and witnessed something unbelievable. Three Altmer in Dominion's uniforms, hiding in the shadows near their own bonfire. What were they doing here?
"Have you heard it? It's as if someone just roared over there," one of the elves said with worry.
"Must be a guar or something. Better not show ourselves."
"Are you serious? Guar don't roar like that!"
"And what would you do? Go fight this monster and allow the Dragonborn to see us?"
Never before was the realization that spies were sent after him so rejuvenating. They would do.
The Dragonborn leaped from his hiding spot and emerged before the scouts. The elves gazed at him with horror, shocked and not knowing what to do.
"Au-riel, save us…"
Rialyn roared and dashed at his opponents. One of the elves tried to defend himself, but the vampire pierced his throat, sucking the blood up until his life was utterly extinguished. The other attacked with his sword, leaving a scratch on Rialyn's skin and attracting the vampire's attention. The dark elf screeched before grabbing the enemy's hand and tearing it from his body along with the sword. As the Altmer wept in pain. Rialyn plunged his hand into the last opponent's chest before he could even let out a scream.
After drinking more blood, the Dunmer turned toward the last groveling spy.
"Please, I beg of you! Praise be to the divines, praise be to the divines. Save—Oh I beg…"
"Was it Celion that sent you?"
The spy looked up in terror.
"I… How do you…"
"You spoke of the Dragonborn. Here I am." Rialyn declared, looking at the last slivers of hope leaving the Altmer's eye. "So, did he send you?"
"H-he did…" the elf stuttered. Rialyn couldn't help but feel pity for this pathetic creature. He was almost full after the last two, after all.
"Thank you."
Almost.
…
It wasn't until the sun rose above the ashlands that Rialyn managed to calm the demon inside him. His bloodlust weakened before fading away completely, and he restored his mortal form. Finally, the Dragonborn was able to put his thoughts to something else rather than destructive hunger. He could have worried about Celion sending spies after him, but his only fear was for Heleria. He drank her blood and abandoned the woman there, horrified. Gave in to his weakness and committed a grave sin,
Rialyn didn't expect her forgiveness or understanding, but he needed to return to protect her in case Kor or more spies showed up. And, of course, he had to speak with her honestly, just like she deserved. Tell her about his vampiric "gift" and how it tormented him every few weeks, forcing him to become a monster.
When Rialyn dared to step inside their cavern, Heleria had already woken up. She wandered near its entrance and gazed at the bright yellow skyline emerging and purging the darkness. For a moment, Rialyn thought that she did not notice his arrival, considering how calm the woman was, but she turned around and looked at the Dunmer with a pained smile. No hate, no fear, just a shade of grief. Rialyn was shaken by such a reaction and could barely hold himself from recoiling. For some reason, this gaze made even him feel the chills spreading from his toes to the ends of his ears.
"Are you feeling better?" Heleria approached him cautiously.
"I-it doesn't matter. What about you?" Rialyn asked frantically.
"I'm alright. You've scared the Oblivion out of me, can't lie, but I don't feel worse. Guess you didn't drink that much blood" she responded with relief and came closer. She held Rialyn's hand once again, making him feel the warmth he didn't feel he deserved.
"I'm sorry. I should've told you. I'm so sorry…" His lips quivered. He hasn't felt this vulnerable since his time with Inaaru.
"Don't be that gloomy. There is always an upside to things. I just discovered that… Well, I was right!" The woman spoke with excitement. "You are a vampire."
"What?" Rialyn looked her in the eyes. She showed no doubts or fear; he'd never see anyone outside of castle Volkihar speak of vampires in such a casual manner "You knew?"
"I had my theories. I've noticed that you've been avoiding the sun as well as trying to hide your face," she began, reminding him of their first meeting. "That alone isn't enough for a conclusion, of course, but then you had that little 'sleepwalking' incident… It aligned too perfectly." She was even more observant and deductive than Rialyn believed. And still, she volunteered to go on this journey alone with someone she thought to be a vampire.
"If you knew… why didn't you ask me directly?" Rialyn wondered.
"I didn't want to bother you with it. If you didn't tell it yourself, then it's something personal and I can't imagine this condition being something to speak so freely about." She was right yet again.
"A gift I received from a vampire lord in my travels. That's a story of its own but not one I usually share with others."
"Well… Not every adventure has to be made public." Heleria shrugged and looked at Rialyn with a smile as she approached him closely.
"And you don't mind that at all?" Rialyn was still incredibly surprised.
"Well, I would appreciate it if you didn't drink any more of my blood… But would I go with you if I minded? You have done your best in terms of controlling it, and this… Well, it's a slip that can happen to the best of us."
"Many in your position would run away in terror. Don't you understand what the vampires have done over the years? All the scorn and misery they brought…"
"I do, but we aren't talking about them, do we. Just you," Heleria reassured him. "When you travel a lot you see… much that changes your perspective. It's not like I can't imagine how hard it is for you. Speaking of, you look great compared with a few hours ago. Have you found any blood?"
"Yes, but I can't say it's entirely fortunate. There were three high elves close to us that I killed. One of them confirmed they were sent by Celion."
"That bastard… He really can't take a hint."
An ashen figure emerging from the outside interrupted their talk. The ghoul had been rushing at an irregular pace, occasionally beginning to dance on its path.
"Kor knew, Kor knew, it all makes sense now! Brothers have…" He looked at them with eagerness, paying little attention to the fact that they were in his cave. "Kor brings news. Kor knows of your cave!"