Stalf: Show yourselves!

Stalf shivers. Not from the cold, but from the chill each of each rustle, each crunch of soft snow. The trees surrounding him shift as shadows flash across their blood stained bark. Glimpses last only an instant before the dark canopy swallows the presence of his hunters.

The corpses surrounding him keep drawing his eyes from the tree line. Then another snap yanks them back. He tries to track the beasts by their scent but is instantly overwhelmed by the rank of their filth intermingling with that of the dead.

Stalf: You… You fucking bitch…

His voice cracks as his resolve begins to shatter. A twig cracks to his left. A bush rustles to his right. The thundering of hundreds of clawed hands smacking the snow rumbles in his ears. Suddenly the smell of death is can no longer be picked out.

Stalf’s fists curl. They were betrayed, by their own lord. No. He would never turn on his children. This was all her doing.

His eyes start to well as he screams into the sky.

Stalf: We’re not your pawns! You fucking harpy!

Stalf: Fuck you! We’re not-

He gasps, whirling around at the sound of advancing claws scraping the ice beneath the snow.

Stalf: Fuck.

Stormcloak: Argh!

Dawnguard: Back, daedra!

Isran: Don’t let them through!

The remnants of Windhelm’s forces barricade the entrance to the courtyard as the daedra swarm into the city. With weapons held and shields braced, they staunchly hold their ground in what feels like a hopeless effort.

Ulfric: The city is taken. We’re only clinging to time at this point.

As Isran leads the men in defense, Ulfric gathers with the remaining leadership, despair plaguing his sunken eyes. The night has stretched on, draining them. Weapons feels heavy in their hands and their armor threatens to bring them to their knees. None of them offer a response to Ulfric’s dejection, their own shoulder’s sinking.

Until lumbering thuds alongside hurried footsteps echo from the passage behind them.

Dennis: Huh?

Taeyva and Talen hurry into the courtyard, the dunmer and Baum in tow. Talen skids to a halt beside them as Baum and the dunmer charge towards the defense.

Celann: Talen! You’re alive!

Celann smiles with relief, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. Talen gives a faint one in return, though it quickly fades.

Talen: I am. Listen, the situation has changed. We’re not in the danger we thought we were in.

He gestures beside him, turning all attention to Taeyva.

Talen: Taeyva will explain.

She nods, affirmatively.

Taeyva: I’ve been checking with my wolves throughout the battle. I needed to know when the vampires were dealt with.

Her jaw tightens in frustration.

Taeyva: They were killed hours ago. It was never an army, just a small force. They were merely a distraction. Kept my wolves occupied.

Everyone recoils at the news, brows folding in distress.

 

Ulfric: What? It was just a trick?

Tullius: Damn it.

Dennis: Wait, does this mean your werewolves are on the way?

As Taeyva nods, Talen steps forward.

Taeyva: They’re on the way now, but we need to act fast.

Talen: We need to draw the daedra further into the city. Once inside, they’ll be trapped between us and the wolves.

Talen: Charge out and meet them! Stand with me, stand together, and we can win this!

Ulfric: Yes. Yes! A final stand!

Celann: It’s risky, but it’s all we’ve got. I’m right behind you, Talen!

Dennis: We can do this!

Tullius: I’m ready!

Invigoration surges through Talen, stretching into a beaming grin. He raises his axe over his head. With a motivated roar, he spins around and charges into the battle.

Talen: To battle! Chaaaaaaarge!

Davey: That’s a lot of daedra… shit.

Davey and Mike lurk in the alleyway, jaws clenched as they behold the onslaught of daedra begin their final assault.

The soul gem feels heavy in Davey’s grip. That ghost, Elyvaea, vanished into it, pleading with them to take her to the roofs. He doesn’t need to ask Mike what to do; they’re always on the same page. But that doesn’t make turning their backs on their friends any harder. Then the thought of Taeyva being there too slithers into his thoughts. He curses under his breath. Is this really the right choice?

Mike smacks Davey on the shoulder and points to the sky.

Mike: Hey, don’t dwell on it. Look! The dragons.

Davey traces Mike’s finger but doesn’t have to search for long. Soaring above the smoldering city, the remaining dragons ignore the daedra and human forces, scrambling to where they saw the previous dragon fall.

The sight doesn’t give them any hope, but it does assure them that Elyvaea is telling the truth. Davey clutches the gem tightly, relaxing his nerves with a long exhale.

Davey: Alright! Let’s go!

Malkor: Damn it.

Malkor curses as Castalia plunges off the roof, barreling towards the dragonborn as he ignites the grey quarter in flames. He was about to leap after her when a series of roars yanked his attention away. Descending from the sky, a small horde of dragons rush to their master’s aid.

Malkor: Fire!

The ballista launches another bolt at one of the dragons, but he knows it won’t be enough. By the time another one is loaded, the rest will have already reached Castalia. Malkor leans over the edge of the roof, drawing his blade as one of the dragons soars below him.

Malkor: Don’t have much choice.

He huffs. This won’t end well.

Malkor launches himself off the roof’s edge and into the air. He bellows in fury as a shriek of pain wails from one of the dragons above him.

The bolt strikes cleanly through its bottom jaw, burrowing deep between the scales. Malkor’s target arcs its head towards it’s dying brethren, unaware of his descent. It isn’t until Malkor’s own shout pierces its ears that it tries to react. But it’s already too late.

It’s roar is instantly cut off as Malkor sinks his blade through its skull. He crashes atop of the head following the pierce of his blade. The impact sends the beast plummeting downwards as it instantly falls limp.

As they tumble into the grey quarter, Malkor yanks his sword free. Just before colliding with the roof below, he rolls to the side. The dragon slams into it, splintering the wooden boards as it slides over the surface. Malkor tumbles alongside, rolling his body with the crash to absorb most of the blow.

He quickly picks himself up, kneeling beside his kill as the sound of another crash emanates behind him. He urgently scours for Castalia but is forced to look back at the sound of another furious roar.

Malkor: Ah, shit.

Castalia can feel the fire roiling around her sear her bare skin. But that’s not what causes the sweat that stings her eyes.

Gerruck beholds her from afar, silhouetted against the flames. Even obscured under the hood, his glare gouges through her like a knife. There is nothing left in those eyes. Only rage.

Alduin: I won’t spare you again.

She tightens her grip, placing both hands around her sword…

Castalia: You won’t get the chance to.

 

…and rushes towards him.

Gerruck curls his lips with a scoff, drawing his great sword. But the weapon is just a distraction. As Castalia surges forward, she locks her eyes to his lips, waiting for the inevitable shout.

Alduin: Fus! Ro-dah!

Castalia ducks low, kicking herself to the side. The blast ripples over her, nicking her shoulder just enough to push her off balance. But she holds firm, pushing herself forward through the edge of the blow.

She tips forward as she begins to dash up the ramp. Using the momentum of her sway, she dips herself as low to the ground as possible to avoid any retaliation from him, simultaneously poising her sword arm to slash upwards.

Alduin: Why you!

Behind them, Malkor stumbles to his feet. As he looks up, his heart sinks.

Malkor: Fuck me.

The remainder of the dragons descend from the sky, fangs and claws bared. The one in the lead extends its wings wide as its glides towards him, rapidly. Malkor whips around to face it, standing on his toes to await the landing.

It’s feet slam into the boards, rumbling the building. As soon as they do, the dragon snaps forward, jaw open wide, exposing an array of blood stained teeth. Malkor ducks backwards, watching the underside of the jaw sail over him as he immediately moves to strike back.

The dragon’s teeth snap around closed air. A vexed snarl escapes its nostrils with a blast of steam as it retracts its head, eyes shifting wildly. Out of its view, Malkor dashes under its head, lurching around with his blade. Before the dragon can take flight again, he pops into its peripheral, slashing his blade through its neck.

It squeals in dying agony as a desperate inhale whistles from its severed wind pipe. Malkor yanks back his sword, immediately turning his attention to the other dragon. He gulps as their eyes meet, its wings still flapping. This one isn’t stupid enough to land.

Alduin: Feim!

 

Castalia’s blade glides through Gerruck as his body fades into a sheer glow. She scoffs in frustration but clings to her composure. This was expected. All she has to do is-

Alduin: Wuld!

His form suddenly reverts. Castalia gasps as she tries to yank back her sword, now stuck between them, but doesn’t get the chance. His body surges forward, pummeling into her and lifting her from her feet.

Castalia:Gah!

He slams his feet down, halting his momentum to send her flying through the air. She screams out as she is hurled backwards, slamming into one of the wooden panels.

Castalia:Ah!

Malkor: Cass! No!

Malkor scrambles from the dragon, stumbling over the uneven surface, as he cries out to her. Powerful gusts of wind threaten to knock him over as the dragon descends upon him.

Malkor: No no no. No!

The roof shakes as the dragon lands behind him. Malkor spins around, blindly swinging with his sword.

It’s only after it passes through nothing but air that he looks up to see the dragon’s clawed foot rising above him.

Malkor: Wait! No!

The buildings shudder as Malkor collapses under the dragon’s weight. It pins him beneath its claws as it bellows a terrifying roar. Spittle and blood flies from its open jaws, slapping against Malkor’s cheeks.

Malkor:Fuck you! Fuck you! Get off me! Get off!

He furiously flails his free arm against of the claws, futilely screaming as he catches the dragonborn marching to Castalia.

Castalia lies limply, holding a quivering hand over her head. Her sword scattered off somewhere and her back throbs painfully. Attempts to move her legs fail. She doesn’t know if it’s from the injury or fear.

?: No. Not like this.

Castalia dares to open her eyes, surprised the killing blow hasn’t come. She finds herself staring at an open hand, fingers flared in anger.

Alduin: I’m going to make an example out of you.

Davey and Mike rush from the alley, rounding the corner and ducking under the corpse of a dragon. The roars above them have ceased, though it hasn’t gotten any quieter. Alongside a low, intimidating growl, frantic screaming now pierces the night air.

As they go to climb up to the roofs, the patter of approaching footsteps stops them. Davey and Mike turn to see Torund huffing it to them, warhammer in hand.

Davey: Torund? What’s going on?

Torund faces them briefly, though his eyes keep peering up at the sky. He grunts.

Torund: We’re at the end of the line here. They’re making a final push against the daedra, but it won’t matter if we don’t succeed here.

Davey and Mike glance at each other, confused at what he’s talking about. Before they get the chance to question him, the sounds of unanimous cries echo from the center of the city.

Mike: They’re rallying?

Davey: But the daedra… There’s too many!

Torund shakes his head.

Torund: Not anymore.

Talen: Hraaaaaah!

Torund: Our wolves are attacking from the rear.

Torund: Between them and the others, the daedra are trapped.

Torund: But that doesn’t mean it will be easy.

Torund: They’ll win, though most of them are going to die. Taeyva can’t protect them all.

Torund: There won’t be enough of them left to fight against the dragons.

Mike: What are you saying?

Torund: The outcome of this battle depends on us to stop whatever is going on up there. Let’s go.

Malkor: Grah! Cass! Cass! Come on!

Malkor strains against the weight of the dragon’s claws as they press further and further into his arms and chest. His sword has already clattered from his grip as all feeling feels his right arm. With his left, he desperately tries to lift the talon pinning him. It takes every ounce of his dwindling strength to keep it from sinking through his shoulder. And whenever he manages to push it away, the dragon effortlessly forces it down again, growling with amused intent that could almost pass as laughter.

Malkor: Please, Cass! Fight back! Castalia!

He begins to smash his fist against the claw as he sees her. With a brawny hand wrapped around her throat, Castalia dangles over the edge of the roof. She claws at Gerruck’s arm, limply, as her energy flees through choked breaths.

Alduin: How dare you think you can oppose me.

Gerruck’s fingers tighten. The last of her air flees her lungs as her windpipe completely seals. Her eyes briefly widen in horror before beginning to flutter.

Alduin: I am absolute! I am the world eater! I cannot be sto-

Torund: Get off of him!

The shrill crack of bone and teeth shattering synchronizes with the shriek of a dragon’s pain as Torund slams his warhammer into its jaw. The creature reels backwards, it’s feet lifting as it tumbles towards the edge. Malkor rolls to his knees as the pressure lifts, glancing at in astonishment at his rescuer.

Malkor: Torund?

His stupefaction doesn’t last long. His attention quickly returns to Castalia, still hanging limply in Gerruck’s hold. But now without his attention.

Davey: Hey, asshole!

Davey lifts the soul gem in his hand, flicking his wrist as it ignites in a violet glow. The dragonborn’s fixation on Castalia ends as a transparent, shimmering figure reflects in his widened eye.

?: What…

Elyvaea inches towards him, her steps hesitant. Her hand clutches her spectral robes as she begins to speak.

Elyvaea: Gerruck, my love, I know you’re in there.

Elyvaea: Please… Don’t let this be your fate.

* * *

Erinye: Ugh…

Erinye heaves herself onto a distant roof, grimacing with exasperation.

She kneels atop her perch, peering where she saw the dragons fall in the distance. As she sees the figures gathered around their corpses, that grimace curls into a smirk.

Erinye: Well, you’ve gotten yourself into quite the situation, haven’t you?

Erinye stands up, summoning her spear into her hand.

Erinye: Lets see how this plays out.

* * *

Torund: Hrah!

As the dragon continues to slip, Torund launches himself into the air. He careens into the dragon, slamming his hammer against its chest. The impact snaps through the thin scales, sending the beast tumbling over the edge and into the flames below.

It whines a dying wail as it crumbles into the fire, debris burying it as the buildings collapse from its struggle.

Torund exposes a toothy grin.

Torund: Heh. You weren’t much at all.

Malkor: No no no no no. Cass!

Malkor stumbles to his feet, frantic. He won’t put his faith in that elf to save Castalia. He can see her eyes struggling to stay open. Her hands are hardly clutching the arm that chokes her, merely clinging to the loose threads of the robe. She doesn’t have long. He has to get to her.

Elyvaea: Gerruck. Come back to me.

Elyvaea approaches closer. She knows her presence is working. If Gerruck wasn’t in there still, they’d have been shouted off the roof by now.

?: Grrr… No! You… You! Agh!

His eyes squeeze closed, his teeth clench. But his fingers don’t coil any tighter.

Elyvaea moves closer, this time with a more confident step. She extends an open hand, steadily. She’s surprised at the level of composure she’s been able to maintain.

Elyvaea: Come on, Gerruck. Come on!

His eyes snap open with a horrified gasp. Heavy, panicked breaths rock his tense shoulders as he takes an unsteady step backwards.

Gerruck: Get out, you monster! Get- What…

His eyes fall onto Castalia.

Gerruck: You? You… You did this.

Castalia squirms in his grip, weakly, as she struggles to take a breath.

Gerruck: All of this… It’s your fault. Yet you try to free me?

He breaths out the words incredulously, yet the accusation in them in clear.

Gerruck: I wish I could thank you. I wish I could forgive you.

Gerruck: But there are no sins… more evil… than the ones you’ve committed against me…

Gerruck: I’m sorry.

Malkor: Noooooo!

Castalia gasps as a sharp pain pierces her stomach. Her eyes roll back, wide, as what little breath she had remaining flees in a final exhale. As her blood sprays into the frigid air, her limbs fall lax and her head slumps against her chest.

Her weave cut.

Gerruck relinquishes his grip. Her body falls, flopping onto the ledge below…

…where Malkor collapses onto his knees.

Gerruck doesn’t move. He stands precariously at the edge, stunned. Elyvaea gulps, cautiously approaching him.

Elyvaea: Gerruck?

He slightly turns his head, apprehensively, as he strangely smiles.

Gerruck: Elyvaea… I’m-

He trails off to turn around as the sound of a faint whooshing begins to rapidly escalate in volume. But he doesn’t get the chance.

Gerruck: Guh!

Elyvaea: Gerruck!

Elyvaea shrieks as Erinye’s spear punctures Gerruck’s heart. He staggers from the blow as the spear comes to halt, buried halfway into his chest. Elyvaea reaches him as he falls to his knees.

Their eyes meet. Gerruck chokes back a sob, grimacing from the pain, as a tear slides down his cheek.

Gerruck: Elyvaea… I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.

Elyvaea takes his head in her hands. Though they right through him, she can feel the warmth slowly leaving him. She shakes her head, shushing consolingly.

Elyvaea: Shhhh, my love. Everything is okay now. We can be together again now.

Elyvaea: It’s done. It’s over now.

* * *

Erinye smiles.

Erinye: This couldn’t have gone any better. Goodbye, Castalia. You were the perfect puppet.

She snaps her fingers, enveloping her body in a purple orb to teleport her away.

Erinye: Now no one can stop me.

Erinye: I win.

To be continued…