Ulrich362: Well, things seem to be going well for Noel, Potema, and their allies right bopdog?
bopdog111: Yeah from several things.
Ulrich362: True, but not everything is going well... especially if the Aldmeri Dominion know about their presence in Skyrim.
bopdog111: The Imperial Legion had to have informed them by now about it since they are against the White-Gold Concordat.
Ulrich362: Hopefully things work out, so what's next for the them?
bopdog111: A farewell for the Dragonborn, and Lydia as they need to get back to their quest. Meanwhile we can see them at another Daedra Artifact. They had obtained several Molag Baal's mace, Mehrunes' Razor, Spellbreaker, Ebony Mail, Ebony Blade, & Namira's Ring. Now we should get onto probably one of my favorites.
Ulrich362: Oh, sounds fun. Let's see what happens, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim but we own the OCs!
The alliance between the Tamirelic Unification Front, and Whiterun had hit all of Skyrim like a large rumor storm where everyone was stunned that Balgruuf had sided with someone who is up, and coming rather than either the Stormcloak Rebellion, or the Imperial Legion. But when they heard that the Dragonborn had a hand with assisting the alliance come together, it did had everyone wonder how this new Empire gotten the support of the Legendary Dragonborn himself.
Now though the Empire itself isn't worried about how all of Skyrim is taking it themselves, they are more concerned about their Empire duties. And now it came the next day where Jin, and Lydia are to leave to continue their journey for Jin to fulfill his destiny as the fated Dragonborn.
"It's a shame, you two had to go so soon. But I hope you both can come again. If your both in the neighborhood just come in for some rest." Noel spoke towards Jin, and Lydia with a smile with Potema beside him.
"We just might, though your highness?" Jin asked getting his attention.
"It's just Noel to close friends." Noel spoke to him with a soft smile.
Jin nodded before smiling slightly. "When my... dragon hunt is over, I'd like to work at becoming Thane in your empire as well... I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time here."
"Oh believe me, you've more than earned the right to do that. Helping us secure an alliance with Whiterun had already made you qualified." Noel spoke to him smiling. "We're gonna work well together in the coming future."
Jin nodded before leaving though Lydia looked a bit flustered.
"You take good care of yourself Lydia, come back if you manage it." Potema smiled over a seductive wink. "Do be a dear, and don't get yourself involved in anything that can kill you okay?"
"I... I'll try lady Septim." Lydia blushed before quickly following Jin.
"Wow... you really got to her didn't you?" Noel asked his wife.
"It's my nature."
Noel sighed with a smile before he walked with Potema. "Well now Potema, we are getting stronger everyday. Now with Jarl Balgruuf on our side, we can get over half of Skyrim without risk of an attack. And with the Companions, and Talos worshippers on our side, we can probably handle whatever the Legion, Rebellion, and Thalmor can do. Which means we can begin carrying out our plan to find the rest of the artifacts."
Potema nodded thoughtfully. "So, which of them are you going after next? If my memory serves we'll have difficulty claiming Dawnbreaker, the artifact of Meridia."
"Of course, I got troops all over to find Meridia's beacon, and we are just waiting for them to report back. Although, they haven't reported back while we are waiting the entire time." Noel spoke as they arrived back only to find a Forswown Scout that is a little injured was talking with Madanach.
"...I'm telling you some Vampire during the day is around, and he is using a powerful sword! A sword that cuts down anything it touches in it's fire blade!" the Forsworn Scout spoke towards Madanach looking afraid for his life.
"Calm yourself, start from the beginning." Madanach sighed, rubbing his head in exhaustion. "A Vampire with a flaming sword?"
"What?" A flaming sword? What exactly is this scout talking about, isn't fire the weakness of all Vampires, so why is this one using something against itself? So Noel walked over to the scout. "Scout, tell us everything. What's this about a vampire using a fire sword?"
"Yes Emperor... me, and my squadron we were looking for the beacon as you ordered. But we encountered a vampire, and fought it, but it was using a powerful weapon." the Forsworn scout explained to them. "A sword that can burn enemies, but it seems to deal more of an effect at the undead. It was also shining bright."
Shining bright? Deal more damage towards undead enemies? Surly he can't have meant-?
Potema frowned as she exchanged a glance with Noel. "Take us to this vampire."
"Yes my queen, yes." the scout took them out of the kingdom into the carriage at the direction of Morthal.
After arriving the scout takes them over to a direction outside of the town eventually arriving at a small camp location where it shows of someone living by himself. Right now a fire is raging while someone is sitting down stirring a pot wearing some red leather armor with his back turned to them.
Noel somewhat recognizes that armor. Armor Vampires wear from the Dawnguard DLC.
"You did well to bring us here, you should return to Markarth and rest." Potema told the scout before turning to Noel. "I have... dealt with the undead before as I'm sure you know."
"I know. Although Potema there is something weird about this one." Noel spoke over to her. "You better not take it alone."
"If your going to ambush me, remember that Vampires can hear better." the Vampire spoke having known who is behind him.
"We're not here to ambush you, rather to ask about that sword." Potema answered approaching him calmly.
The Vampire stood up turning around which Noel blinked seeing the race.
It's an Altmer Elf. Rather strange, an Altmer Elf Vampire out in the sun, and using Dawnbreaker? What exactly is going on though? Oh well, they will get their answers here.
"What reason do you have to ask about my blade?" the vampire questioned as he places a hand on the strapped sword at his waist which they can see the handle which is emitting light, glowing, and it's somewhat orange.
"It's a blade that harms the undead, isn't it a bit odd for a Vampire to have a weapon like that?" Potema inquired.
"Which is exactly the point. I am not afraid of using something that harms me until I complete my mission." the vampire spoke to her.
"Your mission, what mission?" Noel asked hearing that.
"Ending the hostile Vampire Attacks as of lately." the vampire answered over before he closed his eyes. "But what do you two care? I'm something that you should be afraid of."
"What attacks?" Potema asked. "Perhaps we can be of some assistance."
"Assistance? Doesn't it bother you I am fighting my vampirekind, am a vampire, and an Altmer Elf?" the vampire questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Your cool in our book. Besides your not Thalmor are you?"
The vampire frowned from this before he stated. "I'm no longer kinsmen if you catch my meaning. I abandoned that, when I joined the Imperial Empire all those years ago."
"Then we have no reason not to help you." Noel answered. He had suspicions about this guy, and now that he had heard that he is certain. An Altmer Elf that abandoned the Thalmor, joined the Imperial Empire, and is now fighting against the Vampires despite being one? He now for sure is certain who this is. "Besides we both hate the Thalmor. Isn't that right, Korano?"
The vampire narrowed his eyes hearing that. They know his name? How? "How do you know my name?"
"Your old comrade Ffamran came in." Noel spoke Jin's real name with a smile. "He visited our Empire not too long ago, and has helped us out."
"Did he now? That sounds like he was in the past." the vampire, Korano, spoke interested. "How is he these days? Is he still vengeful?"
"He has… other concerns… being Dragonborn." Potema shrugged.
"Dragonborn... then I suppose the rumors were true, that the Dragonborn was an Argonian who used to be a Soldier." Korano spoke over with crossed eyes. "Now, what's this about the sword I wield, that you need?"
"Are you familiar with the Tamriel Unification Front? Also known as the Wolf Empire?" Potema asked Korano.
"Yes, I have heard of it, suppose to be the union of the Forsworn, and the Markath Guard into one under the leadership of Potema Septim who was thought to have been dead for years." Korano confirms he knows clearly.
"And Noel Septim." Noel answered. "A pleasure to meet you Korano."
Korano raised an eyebrow from this. "Don't tell me you two are..."
"Potema and Noel Septim, at your service." Potema chuckled. "Emperor and Empress of the Tamriel Unification Front."
"I see." Korano chuckled over from this before looking over. "Then I suppose that scout that was left alive was yours then? Sorry about the condition he has in, but he, and his soldiers attacked me, and they provoked me by doing so."
"It's fine, but maybe we can help you with your mission and in exchange you'll let us have your blade and you'll not attack our allies again?" Noel suggested.
Korano closed his eyes. Having allies doesn't sound like a bad idea. Although from how his mission is going on, it'll be dangerous especially since they will be deep into Vampire Territory from it. "It's gonna be really dangerous."
"Then that's all the reason that we assist you." Potema pointed out.
"I had been tracking the Vampires into a stronghold lately. Some kind of stronghold that they are gathering in a large cave, I had gotten word from the Dawnguard, a group of Vampire Hunters, that there is something in that cave, they want." Korano spoke to them. "I wouldn't go in myself, but thanks to you, and your vampire, I can see what the fuss will be about."
"A cave... wait, Dimhollow Crypt?" Noel asked curiously.
"You know it?"
Noel flinched a bit. "I've... heard of it." 'Though I never actually went there, I got the mission and then got sidetracked and never actually tried that part of the game.'
"Well it makes the trek easier. If you assist me figure out what it is inside, how we can end the hostile vampire attacks, and everything else, I will hand over Dawnbreaker." Korano spoke to them. "Meet me outside of Dimhollow Crypt once your ready. I'll mark it on your map."
"Alright, thank you." Potema nodded handing him their map.
Korano takes out a dagger poking himself deep enough to draw blood, and gently poked a spot with it to mark the location, and hand the map back to them.
"We'll be there." Potema told him.
"We just need to get a few things." Noel mentioned.
Korano nodded before bowing, and heading off to head to the cave by himself to wait.
"I assume we should bring some artifacts to this cave?" Potema inquired.
"Let's bring Madanach, and Borkul with us. I didn't really go through this part completely, so I have no idea what's ahead." Noel admitted over to Potema.
"Fair enough." she nodded hearing that as they made their way back.
Eventually soon they arrived, and explained the situation towards everyone at the table over that one of the artifacts they need for their Empire is already in the possession of a vampire who is using it against his vampires, and needs assistance to figure out what the vampires are up too within a cave. Borkul, and Madanach in particular are the ones who will come with him, and Potema to see what's up.
"Vampires this could be complicated." Madanach frowned.
"Has it never been?" Silus frowned over from this. "I had enough excitement with the crown, I'll be glad to stay here while you do the work."
"Of course." Borkul frowned. "Still Vampires should be a decent fight."
"We have Korano himself with us, there is no-one more experienced in vampires then he does. Borkul, Madanach, you two will make sure no harm comes to Potema or she doesn't overexert herself. She needs to watch herself for our child." Noel instructed the two.
"Understood." Madanach nodded.
"Atub, Silus, you both will watch over the kingdom while we are away." Noel spoke to the two. "We're gonna need you two to keep a close watch, cause we will be gone for a while it seems."
"Of course, leave it to us." Atub nodded.
So after a few minutes a carriage holding Noel, Potema, Madanach, and Borkul is ready as Noel nodded to the driver directing the location to be near the spot for Dimhollow Crypt. Before they left, they told the kingdom they will be gone for a little while, and said they wish them luck to manage the kingdom while they are away. So now onto the carriage Noel waved before closing the door allowing the driver to start driving them off.
"This crypt... do you think it holds some kind of weapon?" Madanach inquired.
"That's what we're gonna find out. If it's really important for the Vampires, we're gonna see what's up." Noel spoke over to him.
"Whatever it is, we need to get it to get that Dawnbreaker sword right?" Borkul asked. "So that's all that matters."
"Yeah. And hopefully a new comrade. Korano is a close comrade of the Dragonborn's in the past, so hopefully he can come to our side once we deal with his vampire problem." Noel spoke.
They nodded as the carriage continued. Over the next hour they make small talk, and discuss strategies before the carriage stopped that they paid the carriage, and walked together eventually reaching an area. Korano was waiting with crossed arms before he turned his eyes seeing them. "So you all made it."
"We said we would help you, we just had to pick up a few things just in case." Noel pointed out.
"Well now, that your here we can see what the Vampires are after." Korano said before seeing Madanach, and Borkul but eyes Madanach. "Well well Madanach, the King of the Forsworn himself in your eyes. Only heard about you from Ainertick."
"How is he doing?" Madanach asked.
"I haven't seen him in decades but rumor has it, he's still the same old drunken bum he is." Korano answered.
"I should try and find him when time permits, but right now we have vampires to deal with?" Madanach asked. "Any idea how many?"
"Quite a lot. Just be careful, unless you want to contract vampirism." Korano stated over towards them raising up. "Dawnguard had been here already, and they are dead." He then takes somethings tossing them to Noel who catches them confused. "That thing is apparently used to kill Vampires quick." Noel sees that Korano handed him a crossbow, and some bolts. A part of him is excited, he always wanted to use a crossbow which is the ancestor of the modern gun.
"Well, let's head inside and see what we're dealing with." Borkul frowned.
At that they nodded all walking inside together staying close to another. They are now charting into dangerous territory full of bloodsuckers, and if not careful can become one themselves. Noel is intending of turning into a vampire at some point but he feels now isn't the time for it, so he can't get infected quite yet. They walked before they began hearing voices that Korano tells them to be quiet.
"These Vigilants never know when to give up. I though we'd taught them enough of a lesson at their hall."
They crouched down approaching over seeing a large area with a waterfall, and a gate nearby with lots of stone pillars, and such preventing them from finding the conversing vampires.
"To come in here alone... a fool like all the rest of them."
"He fought well though. Jeron and Bresoth were no match for him."
They quietly moved eventually seeing some vampires nearby the gate talking over to each other while the female one scoffed at the names of her comrades. "Ha. Those two deserved what they got. Their arrogance had become insufferable."
"All this talk is making me thirsty. Perhaps another Vigilant will wander in soon." the male vampire sighed over crossing his arms.
"I wish Lokil would hurry it up. I have half a mind to return to the castle and tell Harkon what a fool he's entrusted this mission to." the female vampire sneered.
"And I have half a mind to tell Lokil of your disloyalty."
"You wouldn't dare. Now shut up and keep watch." the female vampire ordered with a glare that the male sighed again.
So that's the name of their leader, Harkon. But a castle? And looks like Korano was correct this cave is important to them as a location for a mission. And looks like that some other people other than the Dawnguard came in, the Vigilants of Stendarr if Noel guessed correctly. But did they destroy the Hall where they lived? If that be the case, it's no wonder why they be there... this is getting more dangerous every second.
Suddenly he heard something growling that got the vampire's attention, some kind of dog had noticed their scent.
"What is that?" Noel never seen this creature before, and widen his eyes. It's pure black with red eyes alongside some sort of steel collar, and is emitting black smoke.
"That is a Death Hound. They are nasty creatures as guard dogs for vampires." Korano explained this to this as a fellow vampire. "They are as cold as death, and can be quite vicious creatures in battle." He then turned to them. "Stay here, I'll get them out of the way, so you can see what I can do." He then rose up heading over towards the three, and hollered. "Hey asswipes, mutt, over here!"
"That scent, a vampire like us? But I don't recognize him." the male vampire frowned.
"Well we ca just show him how things work where we come from." the female vampire mentioned as they both drew blades to attack Korano.
"You can try." Korano drew Dawnbreaker as both vampires sense something dangerous from the blade. "But you will just find you will have a flaming blade on your asses. Would you like to try your luck though?"
"Die!" the male vampire cried starting to drain Korano's life as the Death Hound ran up to bite him.
Korano doesn't look that effected as he takes out a Elven Dagger turning dodging the Death Hound turning over as it scratched the rock surface charging in. Korano waited before then turning, and landed a nick at the Death Hound's left backleg that lit it on fire as it growled painfully before then jumping to pounce that Korano ducked, and stabbed Dawnbreaker through it before letting go as a explosion of fire engulfed it, and landed nearby turning to dust leaving Dawnbreaker. Korano then pulls out another Elven Dagger towards the remaining two. "Now that your Guard Dog is out of the way... want to try that again?"
"You miserable little-" the female vampire started only to cry out as Borkul took the opportunity to hit her with Volendrung causing her to cry out in pain.
"I thought I told you to stay back." Korano spoke towards Borkul disapprovingly as he blocked one strike from the male vampire before moving stabbing him with one at his left armpit that the male vampire felt some of his stamina is being drained.
"You did, but I didn't come here to sit around while you have all the fun." Borkul smirked. "A vampire might actually be a decent fight."
After healing herself the female vampire growled before turning over attacking Borkul while the male vampire kept fighting Korano who moved striking the male vampire with little hits from his daggers as the male vampire feels his strength both life, and stamina kept on draining with each hit as the female vampire attacked with her drain spell, and sword over.
Soon Korano kicked down the leg of the male vampire knocking him to a knee before turning grabbing Dawnbreaker, and then stabbed down at his heart with it that he gasped before turning to dust completely in a firey explosion injuring Korano some who grunted as some parts of him are turning to dust that he casts a healing spell to prevent more damage.
At the same time Borkul was dodging the female vampire's attacks before grabbing her wrist as he started to twist leading to a cracking sound as her arm broke. The female vampire screamed as he pulled her down to the ground. Seeing him raising Volendrung up she is filled with fear. "No, no please don't-!" Borkul only smirked smashing the Daedric hammer on her head. Seeing the threat cleared Noel, Potema, and Madanach all approached the two as Korano brushed off some of the dust, and damage he had taken from the vampires, and Death Hound.
"Are you alright?" Noel asked Korano while offering him a health potion.
Korano waved his hand refusing the potion. "I'm alright. Dawnbreaker often explodes in power when it kills an undead. Nothing I can't handle though."
"What were those daggers you been using? They feel something dangerous..."
Korano after sheathing Dawnbreaker shows the two, and a third Elven Dagger. "These daggers are what I use in daylight. As a Vampire, the sun is my one weakness as it weakens my powers, and stops my regeneration from taking effect. But I have these three daggers made to compensate each named Health Syphon, Magicka Syphon, and Stamina Syphon. So whenever I get into a battle in the sunlight, I use these to rebuild my strength." Well clever on his part, as he's hindered largely by the sun, he carries these daggers to get some regeneration back that the sun would stop him from getting.
"A wise selection of weapons, though I assume they require quire a few Soul Gems to stay effective?" Madanach inquired.
"Yes quite indeed. I often have to find creatures to keep them working. Some are dangerous, and some are innocent animals." Korano answered as places the daggers back. "I often use Soul Trap, or a special weapon of mine to trap souls within my Soul Gems."
"We can discuss that after we find this weapon those vampires want." Potema pointed out.
"Some of us feel like the need to discuss things." Madanach frowned over to her as they walked together finding the gate.
Seeing a small castle Noel headed over, and walked up finding a switch that he pulled down where the gate opened allowing them to head in.
"I understand, but considering the vampires are already here... other vampires Korano, we should try and get to this weapon before they do... in case it's something more dangerous than we expect... we'll have plenty of time to talk after that." Potema pointed out as she frowned.
After that they walked exploring the cave, and went through several vampires, and some summoned monsters such as skeletons unlocking chests, and being careful against more powerful threats. Even going through some spiders which Korano fought against them with everyone else easily killing them as they aren't powerful creatures while being careful of the vampires, and Death Hounds including a Master Vampire.
Soon they reached a door that they entered in seeing a large stone area with something in the distance. A cavern this deep into a cave? This probably must be the last area where they are to find where the vampires are finding the thing that they are desperate to find.
"I'll never tell you anything vampire." Korano shushes them as they lowered down to listen hearing someone talking nearby. "My oath to Stendarr is stronger than any suffering you can inflict on me."
"I believe you, Vigilant. And I don't think you even know what you've found here." they heard a male voice spoke as they looked over the stone railing seeing some vampires below as one killed another Vigilant as he was killed quickly. "So go and meet your beloved Stendarr." He sheathes his sword and walks towards the stone structure, shortly followed by the other vampire.
"Are you sure that was wise, Lokil? He still might have told us something. We haven't gotten anywhere ourselves with-"
"He knew nothing. He served his purpose by leading us to this place." the vampire, Lokil, interrupted with a glare towards them. "Now it is up to us to bring Harkon the prize. And we will not return without it. Vingalmo and Orthjolf will make way for me after this."
"Yes, of course Lokil. Do not forget who brought you news of the Vigilants' discovery."
"I never forget who my friends are. Or my enemies." Lokil spoke over with a shrug as they stared at the structure in the distance walking over.
"Whatever they are after must be in that direction." Madanach told them quietly.
"That Lokil must be strong, and they keep mentioning Harkon... just who is that?" Borkul frowned. "A Vampire, but he has to be different."
"No matter what now." Korano readied a crossbow aiming over, and firing over striking a Vampire at the back of the head collapsing down alarming Lokil who turned over.
"Intruders!" Lokil shouted as his vampire breathran looked over moving to battle.
The vampires ran up to confront Noel and the others.
Noel readied as the vampires just at them before Noel readied a shout. "YOL... TOR SHUL!" He blasted a fire breath striking all of them at once as they screeched, or screamed from the flames onto them as some fell down the railing or were knocked down while Lokil below stared over stunned seeing that a simple attack already took out all of his vampires with him.
"That... what was that?" he questioned staring at Noel. "Who are you child?"
"All you need to know." Noel stated as he headed over to the still stunned Lokil. "Is that, I am the one who will stop whoever Harkon is." He raised the Mace of Molag Baal, and before Lokil can react it caved his head killing him instantly.
"What... kind of power was that? It was like he was a dragon." Korano himself was shocked at seeing the Thu'um up close. "I thought Ffamran was Dragonborn."
"He is, but he's not the only one who can use the power of the Thu'um." Potema smiled. "Let's just say... Noel is special for his own reasons."
"Come on, the thing the vampires want must be ahead." Noel spoke to them all. They all walked together eventually arriving at a large area looking around wondering what could be here seeing cup statues, and a large pillar at the center of the room looking like some sort of button. Noel reached pressing the button but a spike shot out piercing his hand that he screamed. "Son of a bitch!" Purple energy began humming around as he pulled his hand away.
"What in the... purple flames, and these look like braziers... is this a locking mechanism? Can you move them emperor?" Madanach inquired.
"I can try."
Noel moved having the braizers in line with the purple flames around them, and making sure they can connect with each other while they watch. Eventually soon they are all lit, and the floor caved down where they walked down seeing it before it opened which they all widen their eyes at what it is they are seeing. They thought it was an ancient weapon, or maybe an old book...
But it was a person, a grown woman having black hair, and wearing a black outfit with something on her back.. The woman stumbled out of the coffin before getting up on unsteady feet.
"Unh... where is... who sent you here?" she asked them."Who were you expecting?" Noel softly asked her seeing she must be disoriented from being awaken sensing she doesn't seem like trouble despite being a vampire.
"I guess you could say I was expecting someone like me." she answered only to notice Korano. "Oh, I don't recognize you. Are you one of my father's little acolytes?"
"No, I'm not." Korano answered. "I'm guessing your father is Harkon?"
"That's right, but you weren't sent by him?" the woman asked looking at the group. "I can't say I recognize any of you... though that's not surprising given the situation... tell me, who is Skyrim's High King?"
"Well it's a bit of a debate on that, no-one is right now, and Skyrim is locked in a war to decide that. We are the most recent people to fight for that." Noel explained to her.
"Oh, wonderful. A war of succession. Good to know the world didn't get boring while I was gone. Who are the contenders?" she asked with a mild interest.
"That be Jarl Elisif of the Imperial Empire, Jarl Ulfric of the Stormcloak Rebellion, and me with my wife Noel, and Potema Septim of the Tamriel Unification Front." Noel answered.
"Imperial Empire?" the woman questioned hearing that.
"Yeah, you know the one that been founded by the Septim Dynasty, and been housed within Cyrodill." Noel clarified over what he means.
She looked surprised hearing that. "Cyrodiil is the seat of an empire? I must have been gone longer than I thought. Definitely longer than we planned. Please, let's hurry. I need to get home so I can figure out what's happened."
"Where's your home at?" Borkul asked her.
"My family used to live on an island to the west of Solitude. I would guess they still do. By the way... my name is Serana. Good to meet you all." she mentioned before pausing. "And I guess you're fine with someone like me going along with you?"
"I'm a vampire myself." Korano spoke helping her up.
Madanach seeing something widen his eyes. "Wait is that an Elder Scroll?" Hearing that everyone else looked seeing a scroll on Serana's back.
"Yes, it is, and it's mine." Serana told him.
'There exists another Elder Scroll besides the one needed to learn Dragonrend? What can this mean though?' Noel thought before shaking his head. "Whatever, we need to get her back to her family in any case no time for worrying. Let's go." They nodded in agreement as Potema helps Serana move to head to the exit.
bopdog111: Well on their quest for Dawnbreaker, they instead find something else.
Ulrich362: A vampire named Serana... but who is she and why does she have an Elder Scroll?
bopdog111: And who exactly is Harkon? Well we will find out the answers to those questions soon enough.
Ulrich362: True, but it seems that Noel doesn't know everything about Skyrim and it's secrets. See you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!