Prologue – Skyrim
He looks down the shaft of the dragonbone arrow. The target…a troll standing over a freshly killed high elf. Looks like one of the Thalmor. The predator has the high ground…up wind. It’s only a matter of time before the prey smells the predator. The troll tears a limb off the fresh carcass and starts chewing on an end. Fingers must taste good to trolls. The prey lowers the severed limb, sniffing the air. The troll looks around for the origin of the scent. It looks directly it’s hunter. He releases the bow taking the arrow away.
An eye for an eye, justice is served.
----------------------------------------------------------
“Are you sure you want to do this? It is not the path we wanted for you.” Arngeir asks the dragonborn sitting near him.
The two sat in the meeting room on one end of the table. One wearing robes the other wearing armor made of dragon scales. They currently reside in the temple called High Hrothgar. The smells of freshly fallen snow fill the air as a chilling breeze blows through the temple. The grey stone work does little against the incoming chill. Small fires are scattered around the temple but are helpless to fix the problem. The dragonborn decided to make one last stop before heading off on his noble quest to save Tamriel.
“Yes Master Arngeir.” The Dragonborn says as he sat across from his long time mentor.
“If that is what you wish then we will not stop you. But know that we didn’t want this outcome to take place.” The elder explains to his student.
“Master you always told me that I will need to choose my own path at some point. Alduin grows stronger and takes more innocent lives everyday. He must be stopped. You may think the world is destined to be destroyed but as the dragonborn I feel it is my duty to stop him at all costs…even at my own risk.” He passionately explains.
“Very well young dragonborn I wish you luck in your endeavors.”
They both stood up and bowed slightly to each other.
“Sky above…voice within,” the two proclaim with a soft voice giving each other the signature greet and farewell of the Greybeards.
The dragonborn starts to walk towards the temple doors. “Barix…,” He stops and turns to look at his master, “I…shall be expecting you back again. You still have not yet completed your training.” Arngeir says with a sadness in his voice.
“Of course master.”
With that Barix the dragonborn left the temple. Once at the bottom of the steps he walks to the edge of the cliff.
“OD! AH! VIING!” Barix shouts into the open air.
He stood there for a few seconds. A soft wind starts to blow. A winged beast shoots up from the mountain side, a dragon. It hovers in place and makes its way over to land on the mountain path. As it lands on the path it starts talking to Barix.
“It is about time you made your way out of that temple dragonborn. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come back out.” The dragon proclaimed, almost like it was shouting.
Barix responds as he climbs on its neck. “I was just saying my farewells, that’s all.”
“Pardon me young one. Do you have any others you wish to say goodbye forever to, chred lak ta ah, or will that be all?” Even with the volume and oddly spoken English words there was a strong sarcastic tone in what was said. Barix decided to ignore it. There was only one thing he needed to do.
“Lets move on Odahviing. Alduin has spent enough time getting ready as it is.”
“Very well dragonborn,” Odahviing’s large wings were raised and began to flap. The two of them were up the air in no time flat. “You might want to hold on tight, to get to our destination quickly, shee luk, we must travel fast.”
Odahviing made one burst motion with his wings and his speed tripled. That did nothing to rock the hero of Tamriel from his position. He held on tight to his ‘would be’ flying friend as he looked forward to his destiny. Not wanting to think of what might happen in the not so distant future.
--------------------------------------------------------
It wasn’t long before they reached Skuldafn, gateway to Sovngarde. Barix got off Odahviing as his dragon friend landed on the platform below. He starts walking towards the temple entrance.
“Barix,” he turns to the dragon, “I shall return…in one moon cycle I shall bring you back to the earth realms, koo gi brutoo.”
“I think we both know that isn’t going to happen.”
“…In any case…I shall be here.” Barix bows slightly then walks off to the temple ahead. Odahviing says one last thing. “It has been an honor…young Dovahkiin!”
The sound of flapping and wind picking up indicates the dragons distance increasing with each passing second. Barix stops for one second to take in what is about to happen. He thinks back to all that happened up to this point. Every life saved, every soul taken, every coin earned and every adventuring step taken. He shed a tear as he readies his dragon style shield and sword.
As the dragonborn turns the first corner a draugr swings its axe but his reflexes are too quick. Barix responds with a block of his shield and a stab through the heart. To finish he rips his sword out, hits the draugr in the face with his shield, makes a quick three sixty spin, and decapitates the undead creature. More show up as they heard the commotion near the entrance, still makes for little more the a sweat breaker for the experienced fighter.
Not many newly dead draugr later he is standing at the bottom of the set of steps that lay near the temple. He hears a roar in the skies as a dragon closes in overhead. It breathes fire as it flies by and with no immediate place to take cover he turns his back to the dragon putting his shield behind his head. The dragon passes by, finished by the fly by scorch, while Barix hadn’t taken any physical damage. The dragonborn looks up to see it’s an blood dragon. It’s not very old so it would be easy to take down.
“JOOR!”
The dragon didn’t get too far after it’s attack before it crashed to the temple wall. An indent was made on the final crash landing to the ground. With Dragonrend still in effect Barix rushes it. He got on top of the dragon while it was still writhing in pain. He didn’t spare a second before crashing the sword into it’s heart. The dragon arched its back in pain while letting out a terrified roar. Twisting the sword around to make sure he got the heart he then pulled it out as fast as he stabbed it into the beast. Taking a deep breath, he shouted at the top of his lungs hoping to end it in one Thu'um.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
The force sends the dragons body back down to the stone ground. further impacting the stone work below. A loud snap was heard as the dragon now lay motionless. Barix got up and heads to the front of the now deceased dragon. He stabbed his dragonbone sword into the stone floor with easy then raised his hands to a praying position. The dragon was already starting to fade away. A few seconds later the soul of the dragon was visible as it entered the dragonborn. A warm rush of power filled his body as he felt the all too familiar experience of pure power. No matter how young or misguided they were it never made things any easier.
“Rest in peace dear brother.” A sad tone was present in his voice. Barix reclaims his sword as he ascends the stairs to the temple, leaving the bones and scales of a dead dragon behind.
Barix quietly entered the temple. Multiple draugr and skeletons could be seen ahead. He sheathed his sword and readied a spell. Pointing to the dark purple orb towards the center of the undead group he unleashes the spell calling forth a frost atronach. The enemies started attacking it as he backed up and withdrew out his bow. Arrows were sent flying to the undead as the atronach was slowly but surely being hacked to pieces. Within minutes Barix walked by a pile of ice and fully dead corpses, most with arrows in their skulls.
As the dragonborn moved through the temple he left spell tomes and jewels that he would normally claim as a small prize. Knowing he wasn’t going to use or sell them later there was no point in collecting any of the priceless treasures. He continued his journey slicing any undead creature that stood in his way leaving a trail of bodies behind. It took a little longer than expected but he finally found the main chamber. A Draugr Death Overlord was on its knees bowing towards a dragon priest that was hovering in front of the undead minion. By the sound they were making the priest was giving the draugr orders. Barix wasn’t going to let them finish.
He began to ready his bow when the priest looked directly at him. He froze in place as the draugr also looked right at him. The priest shot an ice spike at the spy but wasn’t as fast leaving the aforementioned spy enough time to dodge the attack. As he rolled to avoid the icy shot he put away his bow, raised his shield, and drew his sword all expertly at the same time as he dodged the spell. By the time he stood he saw the priest making it’s way out of the temple and the draugr had stood as well and was ready for a fight. The draugr looked like it took a deep breath.
“ZUN! HAAL! VIIK!” its voice was grated and hard to listen too but held the same meaning.
Barix had to even the playing field. When the shout was already halfway to him he shouted back.
“ZUN! HAAL! VIIK!” at the end of the shout a force pulled the sword from his hands and shot it somewhere unknown.
His shout met the draugr and the ebony sword it held flew out of its hand. Barix pulled out his dragonbone war axe that hung from his right side. The draugr looked angry now. It was preparing a spell when Barix rushed it head on. It fired two fire balls. Again, having outstanding reflexes, Barix ducked down and slammed into the draugrs’ legs. It struggled to get to up but the dragonborn made a clean swing at its skull nearly splitting it in half, silencing the draugr forever. Before leaving he found his sword stuck high up in the ceiling. There was no time to get it down.
Barix made his way outside to the sight of the dragon priest pulling out a staff from the top of some stone steps. Below a portal like gateway closed leaving a flat stone walkway. The priest turns to see his dragon slaying enemy standing near the door. the priest performs an ice cloak spell then points the staff at Barix. A spark traveled across the air when it shot a bolt toward it’s enemy. It impacted the dragonborn and sent him flying into the stone wall. He gasped as air escaped his lungs. He landed on all four’s as he tried to both hack up a lung and get some air in his system. The priest was about to shoot another bolt.
“GOL!” He was barely able to shout.
Through the pain he managed to raise a small stone wall to block any incoming attacks. The priest made failed attempts to break down the wall with some ice spears. The priest began moving to the side. Barix chugs a Vigorous Healing Potion that used to reside in his satchel. He peeked over the side to see the dragon priest moving to his right, taking a few more shots at him. He hid back behind the wall nearly missing the icy shots. He closed his eyes concentrating on his next move.
“A few more seconds, better make it count.” Slight desperation in his voice.
He put his axe back in it’s spot on his belt and dropped his shield. Taking one last look at the priest the head strong warrior ran out before another shot could be fired. He pulled stone up to surround the priest on three sides exposing only his front. The priest looked around, Barix couldn’t tell for sure but the priest must be confused. This was his moment. He ran straight at the priest who saw the suicidal charge and began to strike with the staff again.
“WULD!”
Barix tackled the priest up against the wall giving it a sudden shock. The frost bitten chill made it instantly clear that this was a bad idea. He turned and threw the dragon priest to the ground on its back. Only able to curl his fingers he settled for punching away its arms as it tried to use its spells and staff. Busting off the arm that held the staff he saw the opening he was hoping for to knock back its other arm and used his foot to crush its neck. Landing his foot just below its mask a loud crunch was heard, the ice cloak receded to nothing. His body numb as he dropped to the ground. The last sounds adiable were those of the rock walls returning to normal.
A few minutes later a frost dragon flew nearby. It took notice of the scene landing to investigate. It saw a dragon priest and the dragonborn laying on the ground, the sun beaming down on them.
“HA HA HA! Look at you now dovahkiin. Alduin would love to see your dead body. It is too bad he will never be able to.” The dragon was opening it’s mouth ready to swallow the dragonborn in one gulp.
“GOH! HA! DOV!”
Barix shouted at the dragon before it closed its mouth on him. The dragon stopped and backed off. Barix got up as he grabbed the staff and his shield.
“I was beginning to wonder if Alduin was watching this place or not.”
“I can assure you he is dovahkiin, you should move before others arrive.”
Barix starts walking to the small staircase, staff in hand.
“I need you to come with me. I will need all the help I can get.”
“By your command young dovahkiin.”
Barix planted the staff in the pedestal settled on the ground. The ground opened up to reveal a portal. He stepped off the ledge and fell through it. The dragon checked the skies for spies before following through. The dragonborn awoke to a thick fogged valley with his new dragon companion nearby.
“We must move dovahkiin, Alduin draws near.” The dragon companion seemed nervous and obviously wanted to keep moving.
Barix himself wasn’t quite ready to fight the immortal dragon just yet. He got up and starts walking rather quickly through a path but he couldn’t see much of anything. Maybe ten feet in front of him if he was lucky. A roar was heard that he knew all too well. It was Alduin. Barix picked up the pace almost desperate to find his destination.
“Move dovahkiin, I will see if I can draw him away.” The dragon rose higher.
Roar’s could be heard throughout the path as if they were coming from everywhere at the same time. Flashes of fire could even be seen throught the thick haze. Soon Barix came to a small clearing. There was a temple not far off with what looked like a dragon spine bridge connecting the land to the temple. Standing in front of that was a rather large, strong, but calm looking spirit. He approached the figure cautiously as he can while still moving quickly.
“Hello my name is Ba-”
“Barix the dragonborn, I know. My name is Tsun and I also know you have traveled far to defeat Alduin. You must already know of the three brave warriors who fought Alduin last time. They reside here in the Hall of Valor. But I cannot just let anyone pass, even if they are the fabled dragonborn. You must be tested first. Take up arms young warrior.”
Barix did just that. Drawing out his axe and shield Tsun took from his back a large battleaxe. He calculated a strategy of swift shallow attacks with quick movements. There was no way he would win a battle of strength. Tsun took the first swing as his opponent dodged to the side and swung at him.
“FUS!”
Barix was not prepared for the thu’um he received, as a result he was thrown backwards and landed on his back. With amazing speed, for Tsun size anyway, he rushed Barix and swung down on the axe. A half roll prevented the dragonborn from getting a permanent headache. He kicked Tsun in the face. Stumbling back a few steps the grounded fighter get’s up ready to give a shout of his own.
“SU!”
Barix swung his battle axe faster than a blur and hitting Tsun’s armor and weapon like a mad man. Tsun didn’t even need to make a big attempt to block the strike he was taking.
“It is a wonder you made it this far dragonborn, you don’t have any focus in battle.” Barix ignored the statement and kept swinging. A few second later he retreated back a few feet ready to dish out the second phase of his plan.
“FUS!” Unleashing his thu’um on Tsun wasn’t effective at all.
That is until all the steel armor he was wearing was forced off leaving nothing but a cloth covering his more delicate parts. He was stunned to say the least. Barix swung downward in front of Tsun with his axe. The muscular spirit responded by holding the handle out to stop the attack. His palms were facing up, part three was a success. The dragonborn threw his shield arm up striking the handle with the shield while pulling back his axe. Tsun was forced to lose his weapon as it flew in the air. Barix spun while getting closer to unarmed warrior. His axe stopped inches from the neck. The large battleaxe stuck in the ground just feet from them. Tsun grinned with delight.
“Ha ha ha, well done dragonborn,” Barix lowers his weapon, “I see now why you came this far. You are free to enter.”
Tsun steps aside as the victor walks to the hall, sheathing his axe. ‘The doors looked a lot smaller further away.’ He thought as he opened the giant doors to the hall. The entry room looked like a dining hall with warriors great and small taking some seats at the table as others were standing around talking. Barix got to the bottom of the steps-
“Dragonborn!” He turned to see three beings approach him. Two warriors and a mage. “We were starting to wonder when you would show up. My name is Felldir and these are my companions Gormlaith and Hakon. We understand you are here to face Alduin and we have come to give support in your endeavor.”
“I could use the help, thank you friends. Let’s move now. Alduin only becomes stronger with each second.”
With that the heroes left and headed fight their ultimate battle and perhaps their last. They stop in front of the deep mist.
“Unless we clear the mist Alduin will have the advantage in sight.” Hakon said what the others were thinking.
“Clear Skies everyone, let us bring down this mist,” Barix was slightly envious that Felldir thought of that before he did. Then again mages were normally smarter than others.
“LOK! VAH! KOOR!” The combined shouts blew the mist clear out.
“VEN! MUL! RIIK!” Fog clouded the area just as before.
“Keep it up, his strength can’t last forever. AGAIN!” Felldir gave confidence in his voice.
“LOK! VAH! KOOR!” The fog cleared again.
“VEN! MUL! RIIK!” The fog came back but seemed to be less thick.
“Will Alduin not falter?” Gormlaith was as annoyed with this as the other’s.
“No, look closely. His strength is waning. Once more should do it.”
“LOK! VAH! KOOR!”
The fog cleared for good. No other shouts could be heard. A roar sounded in the distance and soon a large dragon flew over a nearby hill landing in front on the group. All four of the mighty warriors took up arms. Barix saw a smaller dragons head in it’s mouth. It took him only a second for the thought to cross his mind.
“Alduin…so the tales are true. You really are a heartless monster, and an ignorant one at that.” Barix could only look at him with hate.
Alduin tossed the head to the side. “Dovahkiin, don’t act so surprised, you should realize by now I kill all who oppose me. Now as you, you have become too much of a nuisance to me. I will kill you slowly and painfully, jah yi ryip, but first I will permanently dispose of the three who first stood against me.” Alduin turns to the nord heroes.
“You can try beast, but you won’t succeed.” Hakon jumped at the chance to retaliate. “You will die this day!”
“We shall see mortal scum.”
Alduin got ready to shout but all four were a step ahead.
“JOOR!”
The heroes blasted Alduin with Dragonrend. The temporarily mortal dragon screamed in pain as the three warriors rushed him with weapons ready to strike. They landed blows around his neck and body all the while Felldir was unleashing a lightning storm on him. Alduin swatted the three away as he roared, which caused Felldir to stop his attack and stumble back. The three landed on their back as the Dragonrend wore off. Alduin took to the skies and grabbed Hakon with his claw flying high up in the sky.
“HAKON!! NOOO!,” Gormlaith said, clearly distraught.
“Keep your head, we can’t win if we don’t work together.” Barix had to assure her.
It did little good as Hakon slammed into the ground as a now lifeless body. Alduin swooped down again heading straight for Gormlaith. The dragonborn had to push her away as Alduin breathed fire at their former location. Before Alduin flew passed the immediate area Felldir shot a lightning bolt at him hitting his side. that strike did little more than give the almighty dragon a bad rash. Barix took off his bow and arrow’s, handing them to Gormlaith as he was about to charge a spell.
“Gormlaith, take these and aim for his wings.” She didn’t hesitate as he conjured a daedric bow.
Arrows flew at Alduin mostly hitting his neck or wings. Others did nothing but scratch him or flat out miss. His next target was the mage who continued to shoot fire bolts at him. Alduin was able to dodge using some last second aerial moves but couldn't with others. At this rate Felldir knew he couldn’t outrun or evade the inevitable. He charged one last lightning bolt as Alduin attacked with a thu’um.
“KRII!,” As the dragon shouted the mage let loose his magic.
The bolt skidded across Alduin face leaving a bleeding scar. The shout hit Felldir and he fell back, not able to hold himself up. Alduin landed awkwardly on top of the mage crushing him with ease. The arrows stopped as Gormlaith started running at the beast. Barix grabs her.
“Let me go he must die!”
“Do you want to die before he does?” The question made her stop. “You will stay here and use the bow, understood?”
“What about you?”
“I will face him head on.”
With that the dragon warrior rushes Alduin, axe and shield in hand. Alduin sees this and launches his head forward to try and bite his mortal foe who dodges to the side. Barix swung his axe but only managed to make a shallow cut in the dragon’s snout. Alduin shifted much too quickly as he grabbed Barix with his mouth and slammed his jaws down on the warrior. Barix could do nothing but scream as Alduin broke his legs making it seem like they were twigs. An arrow hit Alduin in the side. He tosses his meal to the side to focus on the current threat.
“Like I said dovahkiin, I will deal with you last,” Alduin starts walking toward Gormlaith. She stands there getting her sword ready, shaking in fear. “Foolish mortal, even in death you are no match for me.”
“YOL! TOO-”
A dagger struck the side of his snout interrupting the rest. Alduin breathed fire next to Gormlaith who only got minor burns from the heat. They both turned to see Barix standing, one dragonbone dagger in hand, his armor was half gone. There was no blood present only a bright glow was left that quickly faded. Both were speechless.
“Surprised, Alduin? Like I said you are a heartless and ignorant beast. That was called Mora’s Boon, it heals me and restores me to normal. And this one is called Secret of Protection.” Barix was enveloped by a green light that faded to a green outlining around him. “Looks like you should have spent more time getting to know your enemy than killing other’s.”
“YOL! TOOR! SHUL!”
A giant fire ball came bursting forth hitting Alduin in the side crippling his wing and burning his whole side. Barix took the opportunity to jump on the screaming dragon and stab it wherever he could jam his dagger. Gormlaith aided the hero by precision arrow shots trying not to hit Barix. Alduin, mostly annoyed by these now futile attempts at hurting him, decides on immediate action.
“VEN! GAR! NOS!”
The cyclone headed straight for Gormlaith, who had little time to react before getting hit, was thrown a hundred feet away. A snap from that distance was still clearly heard signaling the dragonborn was the only one left. Alduin was able to shake him off enough where he could swing his tail to hit the victim back even further. Barix hastily got to his feet in great pain. There was a gash in his side, not too deep thanks to the protection spell.
Alduin was close and getting closer. Barix held out his hand casting a red spell aimed at the dragon. As the gash on his side disappeared a similar scratch appeared on Alduin. The dragon noticed but paid no mind to the new annoyance on his side.
“That was called Nightingale Strife, if you wanted to know.”
“Your mortal powers, joor wymn, were amusing but now they are starting to annoy me. I think I will just kill you know.”
“Oh, I see. So I’m more of a threat than you thought. How interesting.” Alduin put on angry frown while Barix displayed a smirk. “If it’s all the same to you I’d rather finish you off myself.”
“I was thinking the same thing, drec lig uke.”
“MUL! QAH! DIIV!”
Barix took off his remaining armor just as spectral dragonbone armor replaced it. He then summoned two daedric swords. “Now Alduin, let’s finish what we started in Helgen!” He dashes forward much faster now that he wasn’t wearing any real life heavy armor. Alduin returned with a fire breath at Barix.
“FUS!”
It was enough to push the fire back into the dragon’s mouth producing minor burns while he jumped on top of his head. Before a killing blow was made Alduin tilted his head making Barix fall to the ground. He rolled to the side before becoming another meal. He slashed the dragons head before standing and delivered more strikes to the head. Again he got on top of his enemies body and dug the two swords into the base of the neck. Cries of pain was is all that could be heard as Barix twisted the swords in place. Dispersing one sword he shot sparks in the wound to double the effect. He jumped off as he cut one of alduins wings clean off.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
Alduin was pushed back by the force which doubled as a ripple effect tearing open some of the wounds exposed to the shout. His cries became rapidly softer but soon enough he stopped moving entirely as did any sound effects. Barix cautiously approached him from the front, a terrible idea. Alduin opens his eye’s.
“I may not win this day…but…neither will you.” He was not even audible compared to his former self.
“Wrong again, Skyrim and all of Tamriel are safe from you and your followers. I’ll see another day when you won’t.”
Alduin looked passed Barix for a split second. He was only able to think this was suspicious for a second before-
“FUS!”
Being lighter with all the dragonbone armor off, Barix flew back stopping to hung in the air. This was very curious as no one can randomly fly at will or at all for that matter. Upon further inspection he looked down to see a tree limb sticking out of his abdomen. He looked back up in the first stage of shock to hear Alduin laugh and Tsun approach him.
“Dragonborn, you have done well but your destiny is not fully complete. You must go back to Skyrim, we will handle Alduin from here.” Barix tried to find the words of resistance but found none.
“NAHL! DAAL! VUS!”
A light clouded his vision and he fell unconscious instantly. He awoke to a forest near a boulder that looked like it could be the start of a cave. The memories and pain came flooding back to him. He put his hand to the now open wound and felt a warm liquid pour out of him. Trying to sit up only resulted in more intense pain even though that seemed impossible. Every second passed he felt weaker. Then reality hit him like a giant’s club…he was going to die. He was ready for this before he left for Sovngarde. As Barix closed his eyes he looked back at his life. The happiness and sadness, the training, friends met along the way, the many adventures he had, and the laughs he shared…no regrets. He was ready for Sovngarde.
...
Voices are heard nearby. Barix tries to call for help but still had no strength to speak. There was a possiblility he could make it out of this alive. Sure he was ready to die but if living was an option he would take it in a heart beat. If he wanted to live he needed to use all his strength.
“Aauugh!” That one cry of pain felt like another tree in his rib cage. The voices didn’t seem to notice. They could help and he could live, and he was holding back. Not anymore, “AAUUGH!” Barix was about to pass out as we writhed in miserable pain. The voices drew closer. Within seconds six small figures came into view but they were too blurry to make out. He lifts his hand towards the group.
“…help…me……please…”