Hey, it's Destana.  So, I just killed the Emperor of Cyrodiil and part of the rest of Tamriel.  Not really Hammerfell, or Skyrim, or any of the Elven nations.  Or Elswyer.  That's mostly controlled by the Thalmor, I've heard.  High Rock?  Black... Marsh?  Oh, nope.  They seceded after the Oblivion Crisis.  Only Cyrodiil and High Rock.  WHAT AN EMPIRE!

I decided I would leave Runa and the others to do the rebuilding, both of the Dawnstar Sanctuary and of the Dark Brotherhood itself.  Also, Runa was intent on tackling some easy jobs of no-name people from the Night Mother.

 

Anyway, I'm also a vampire.  And I've accepted I'm going to be this way atleast for a little while.  It has pretty cool powers and so far I've been able to stop myself from doing anything too heinous.  People I was going to kill anyway, I just drink their blood.  No problem!

 

So I figured the 'mission' the Dawnguard gave me a couple days ago would be a neat thing to pursue.  A vampire artifact seems like something that could benefit me.  And even before I was a vamp I could kill other vampires without much trouble, so I figure I go as the Dawnguard guy and kill the vampires and just take the artifact for myself.  Whether or not I work for the dawnguard after that is up to them, I guess.

 

And I'm mostly done with going into dungeons by myself.  I got ambushed by Falmer a few too many times for comfort in the Sightless Pit while I was working with the Helgen Boys.  So, I called upon Inigo and Sofia.  A slightly smaller, stealthy group.  We trounced the vamps by the door with Shadowmere's help (too bad he doesn't come with us into dungeons) then headed inside.  The first area was a pretty standard ranged pick-off session.  As we went deeper, I found vampires fighting draugr.  I let them fight it out and killed the survivor.  We pushed our way in more, where a vampire was interrogating a vigilant of Stendarr.  I shot him in the head and my guys finished off his two friends.  And then, some kind of sliding brazier puzzle, unlike any of those in the Nord ruins.  I slid them around a bit and figured it out, the bottom of the dais descended to turn into a pillar.  Curious, I opened it.  A woman came out.  A vampire, I could tell.  But her eyes were different and she didn't immediately want to kill me.  (Maybe vampires just need better PR, and manners?)

 

"Who sent you?" She asked.

"Isren, of the Dawnguard.  Though, I don't really work for them."

"Does he work for my father?" She asked.

"Who's your father?" I asked.

"Hmm... well, he's very powerful.  Or maybe he was," she replied, "I'm surprised a vampire wouldn't know who he is."

"Yeah, well, I've been a vampire for about a week.  Of course you'd be able to tell.  Pretty obvious."

"I could smell you before my eyes were open," she smiled.

"The Dawnguard will want to kill you," I said.

"I don't know why you'd associate with them.  Only a matter of time until they turn on you," she said.

"A means to an end.  They didn't serve a purpose, other than giving me your location," I replied, "Why were you locked up here?"

"I'm not sure I trust you," she replied, "But if you want to know the whole story, get me back to my family's home."

"Where's that?" I asked.

"West of Solitude on an island," she turned to leave, "By the way, my name is Serana.  Nice to meet you."

I smiled at her, "Nice to meet you too.  Destana."

"Holy shit is that an Elder Scroll?" I pointed to the thing on her back.

"Yeah.  But its mine."

"Alright," I shrugged.  

 

We killed a room full of skeletons, but it was quick work for the four of us.  And in a gilded throne, an Ancient Draugr Lich, though he wasn't very impressive.  I snagged a word wall, then we emerged from the cave.  While I was looking at my map for where to head next, I asked, "So how long were you down there?"

"I dunno.  Who is Skyrim's High King?"
"Up for debate.  I'm going to try and get it for Ulfric Stormcloak," I said.

"Never heard of him," she replied.

"The Empire, of course, backs Elisif.  But we flushed them out," I continued.

"What empire?"
"The... one in Cyrodiil," I replied, "If you predate the empire, that puts you in there for ... like 450 years."

"We should get back to the castle."

We skirted the coast until we came to a boat overlooking the castle.  I never knew this area existed.  We hopped on the small boat and I rowed across.

"Hey, before we go in there..." she said as we pulled ashore.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Just wanted to thank you for freeing me," she said, "After we get inside, I think I need to be on my own for a little while.  Let me take the lead in there."

I nodded, "Sure."

"Wait... tell me something," she continued, "Why did you do this for me?"

I smiled, "Frankly, I'm interested in this whole 'vampire family' thing.  And you look interesting too."

"Perhaps I am," she replied.

"You guys should probably not come with us," I said to Inigo and Sofia.

"I'll be in Riften," Inigo replied.

"I think you'll miss me," Sofia said, "And I'm curious."

"All right.  Come in at your own risk," I said, walking in the front door.

"How dare you trespass here!" A man accosted me, "Wait, Serana!  I can't believe my eyes!" 

Then he ran to the balcony overlooking the great hall, "My lord! Serana has returned!"

"My long lost daughter!" The master said as we walked down the stairs, "I trust you have my Elder Scroll."

"That's the first thing you ask me when I come home?" Serana asked.

"Of course I love you, daughter.  Must I say it?  If only your traitor mother were here.  I'd put her head on a spike after the reunion.  And who is this soul who brought you back to me?"

"Destana."

"Greetings, I am Lord Harkon.  Of course, you know the nature of our family.  One of the oldest vampire families.  You have done me a great service.  Now, I would like you to be rewarded.  I offer you my blood.  Take it and walk as a Lion among sheep," he said finally.

"I'm already a vampire," I replied.

"You contracted a disease, perhaps.  But you are no true vampire.  Take my offer and you'll know the difference," he explained.  He groaned, then he transformed into what looked to me like a giant werebat.

I smiled, "What the hell.  Why not."

"Hold still," he said.

 

I awoke some time later next to a fountain of blood.

"Ah, you're finally awake," he said, and I started to get crippling anxiety that I was going to wake up in a cart somewhere and this all was just a dream.

"Let me show you how to use your newfound power," he continued, and I was snapped back to reality.  

I could feel a sudden power... like the power of being a vampire, but moreso.  My skin crawled until, like blood bursting from my pores as I assumed the form he'd shown me.

He went through the suite of powers my alternate form granted me.  He taught me how to transform, and when we were done he told me he had a job for me.  I didn't really feel great about doing jobs for a powerful vampire.  This could only end badly.  I may now have made a full transition into immortal monster, but I wasn't planning on doing anything I didn't want to do.  But I would go along for now.  I talked to Garan (one of the court vampires) who sent me to use the Bloodstone Chalice at Redwater Den.  Great.  More fetch.  I grabbed a bit of a drink (not lethal) from one of the blood wenches there.

 

When I got there it was 1 am.  I'm not really keeping track of time very well now, since I don't really need to sleep anymore.  A man was standing by the dilapidated, collapsed building.

"You here for the Skooma?  Go through the trapdoor," the man said.  I went inside, and the doorman said to me, "If you're heading down below, keep your weapons to yourself and you'll be fine."

I walked down further.  A line of private rooms, people coughing pink smoke to my right, a counter to my left.  

"You're new down here.  Welcome to the Redwater Den.  Finest Skooma in the world!" The dunmer woman said.

"How about a sample?" I said.  Clearly not interested, I wanted to get access deeper inside.

"Sure.  Just pick a room," she replied, handing me a red bottle of Skooma.  After looking at the patrons in the rooms, I was doubly not going to do this drug.  Emaciated and dying was all I could say about them.  Something inside me, call it my 'remaining humanity' wanted to stop this operation.  Ironically, the easiest way to do that might be transform into my Lord form and start blasting.  I resigned myself to my normal ways for now, sneaking and stealth.  But I had a powerful trump card.

 

I walked into the empty room by the barred door at the end of the hall, waited until the safety patrol was looking on in another guest, popped my head out and picked the lock, closing the door behind me silently.  Beyond was a large room with large vats with a man working them.  I ventured past stealthily.  I wanted to disrupt this entire operation - I could see in front of my eyes what it did to people.  But I would do the job first.  I made my way up a ramp to a small sleeping area and found a vampire sleeping, his thrall patrolling and heading for me in her normal path.  I waited behind boxes and cut her down.  Either I made a lot of noise or the vampire was attuned to his thrall's wellbeing, because he started to rouse, so I stabbed him in the chest with Dawnfang.  I walked to a path through what looked like it used to be a mine before the red water business.  Seeing a thrall and there was nowhere to hide, I used Invisibility and got the drop on him, finishing him.  I did the same with the next thrall and a skeleton, who reanimated once and I had to cut him down a second time.

 

A secret pullchain opened up a stone wall which revealed the vampire's sanctum.  I killed her two death dogs, then opened her coffin and killed her.  Going deeper, I found the actual spring and overheard two more vampires talking.

"Why not just drink the blood from the spring instead of run a skooma den?" The man asked.

"The boss said it's not actual blood - it's just profaned," the woman replied, "Drinking it gives you strength, but it gets you pretty messed up.  That's why we started selling it in Skooma."

 

I took out my bow as I walked down to the lower area.  I aimed for the man's center mass, when the woman started to walk around. I smiled, lining up a shot on the woman as she passed directly in front of the man.  The arrow traveled right through her chest and clipped the man in the shoulder.  By the time he looked up I was already shooting him in the head.  But then I could feel half a dozen others running in my direction.  I drew my sword, still with invisibility in my offhand and shrouded myself - no fair fights here!  As the first one came for me but couldn't find me in the shadows, I stabbed her in the back.  I strafed around a structure and went for the others, but I slipped!  I toppled and fell into a hole.  Falling forward, I hit my chest on a crossbeam in the pit and the second crossbeam I landed on my feet, barely keeping a grip on whatever I could purchase with my hands.  I looked down about ten feet and the pit was filled with man-sized spikes.  Shor's Bones!  I nearly ate it right there!  I jumped to the side to the path leading out of the pit, avoiding the pendulum axe blades with a Whirlwind Sprint.  I wondered if it was time to test out these new skills.  

 

Yes.  Yes it was.  I walked up the path and as soon as I found the way out I transformed.  I paved a path in blood through the rest of the people there, until I reached the Redwater Spring.  Two vampires emerged from the structure on the opposite side of the pool.

 

"Good.  Now I can make quick work of both of you and return the chalice to Vialmo," the woman said.

"But the plan was we take the chalice back together," the man said.

"My orders were actually to kill you both," she replied.  Still in Lord form, I just threw some drains and was done with the both of them.  I exited and realized I was in a back room with barrels of the skooma, behind the counter at the beginning.  I decided it was time.  Popped out from the back room and instantly slew the receptionist, then the safety guard.  Then the skooma producer.  I continued my onslaught until all the dealers were dead, including the doorman and the outside doorman.  Unfortunately, all the addicts had already died of their extensive use.   I headed back toward the castle.  But decided I would take the scenic route.  I passed through Fort Greenwall - a bandit fort.  When I got there, two Eldergleam Druids, or Storm Mages seemed to be attacking, but they were killed by the bandits before I even reached them.  I just killed all the bandits.  Something I may have done anyway, but with every kill I enhanced my Lord powers, some of which enhanced my regular vampire powers now.  I transformed back into my regular form to travel.

 

I passed by Windhelm near sunset and I figured it was a good time to take a break and get a snack (hehe).  I walked into the Palace of Kings and Ulfric was still sitting on his throne.

"Hey!" He shouted from across the hall.

"Hey, Ulfric!  Is Fenrir annoying you that much?" I said as I slowly walked towards him, making sure not to approach the throne yet.

"Actually, quite the opposite.  Training the boy this past month or so has been a great distraction from court affairs."

"Where is he now?"

"Galmar took him out for a hunt this morning.  Should be back tonight."

"Ahh... now I see why you're bored," I said.

"Why... why are you staying so far away?  Would you come closer so I don't have to shout?" He asked.

"Sure, but, I'm going to ask you to prepare yourself," I warned him.  I'd been wearing my full helm on my way into town, though a lot of random townspeople don't seem to notice the blatantly obvious golden eyes.

"All right," he said.

I got closer and pulled off the helm, my white hair falling into place.

"I see.  You're a vampire now," he said, not sure what to make of this.

"So you're one of the perceptive ones," I said.

"I see you're in control of yourself," he looked me over, "Either vampires aren't the feral beasts easily swayed to evil we've been told about, or you have a lot of willpower."

"Meh, it's not so bad.  I do have cravings, yeah.  But, really, killing a dozen bandits is a normal Tirdas for me.  Now I just drink their blood."

"As far as I know, there's no cure," he said, "Except, becoming a werewolf."

"That doesn't seem like a solution.  Like burning your house down to kill a rat infestation," I replied, "Anyway, I think I might stay this way for a while."

He raised an eyebrow, "Going to raise a few questions about your legitimacy as a prophesied... savior of... whatever."  

He chuckled.  He was just trying to push my buttons, but he could see it wasn't working.

"My thoughts exactly!" I smirked, "So, are you curious?"

"Curious...?"

"You know..." I started, then I walked up the steps to the throne and sat on his lap, "You might be asking yourself, 'is it cold now?'  The answer might surprise you."

I kissed him, biting his lip a little.

He blinked, "Hey, Jorlief, leave us be.  Tell the guards at the door to step outside for a bit."

"Are you sure, my Thane?" The steward whispered, "She's a vampire, you know."

"Jorlief!" He said back, "I trust the Dragonborn implicitly.  We're practically..."  

He looked at me.  I wasn't sure what he was going to say, but I think I wanted to know.

Jorlief walked out.

"What were you going to say there?" I asked.

"... Family," he replied.

"What are you proposing?" I said, but it came out as, 'What?  Are you proposing?'

"Perhaps," he said, "A High King needs a proper queen."

"I'm anything but proper," I chuckled, and so did he.

"Sure you want a commoner, slave, prisoner...vampire as your queen?" I asked.

"You're you.  No matter what you become," he replied.

"That is the most wise thing I've ever heard you say, old man.  I think you really have changed in the past decade," I said, "You know what?  I think I have a plan to finally make you High King.  Wait awhile and we'll see if it works out."

"Psh!  We'll see.  Old man!" He said, but I pulled him close and kissed him again.  

 

Of course, we had sex on the throne.  And on the platform.  And then we went to his bedchamber.  After about 4 times, he told me he was feeling very tired so I brought him food and water from his table, and let him know I didn't need to sleep as long as I fed.  My powers of charisma must've grown, because then I asked him if I could taste his blood, and he said yes without hesitation.  I could feel the power.  I already guessed he might be a blue blood.  He went to sleep and I laid there for a while.  But I was wide awake after the invigorating drink.  When I heard him snoring, I got up silently and crept out, throwing on some old dark robes.  I walked down the hall and looked in a couple rooms.  One of them was one of Ulfric's trusted warriors.  Another - Galmar, who was fast asleep.  I smiled.  I went to the next room and sure enough, Fenrir was there.  He looked over at me as I opened the door.

 

"Oh, sorry, kid.  I figured you'd be asleep," I said.

"Mom!  Come over," he replied, "We got back about an hour ago."

I laid next to my boy and we snuggled.  He was still a boy, but he was definitely a big boy now.  

"Aren't you tired?" I asked.

"Yeah.  We hunted bears.  But I can't sleep," he said.

"Look at you.  You've become brave," I said.

"You've become a vampire," he said, giggling.

"Yep," I shrugged, and we got up and went over to the table next to his bed with two chairs, "I don't need to eat or sleep."

He grabbed an apple and ate while I explained it to him.  He seemed okay with the idea.  For the first time since I'd let him stay here, I took a good look at him.  He definitely looked stronger.  His hair was braided.  His skin had darkened even more than mine because he was outside all the time.  He'd laid down in his armor - the new Stormcloak armor, and he looked good in it.

"Honey, you shouldn't sleep in your armor.  Causes aches and pains," I said.

"Yeah.  I figured I'd go straight to sleep, was too tired to take it off," he replied, "But here we are.  Mom, are you going to stay?  Or are we going back home?"

It'd been a while since I'd been to the house.  

"Nah, I just wanted to check on you," I said, "You keep working on your sword arm and I'll be back for you in a bit."

"I use an axe now," he smiled, showing it off next to his Stormcloak round shield.  

"Looks good on you," I said back.

I laid with him until he went to sleep, and by the time it was almost sunrise (ugh, sun).  I left and finally went back to Volkihar castle.

 

I approached Garan and immediately said, "Two of your vampire buds tried to kill me.  They're dead now."

"Good.  Welcome to court politics," he said back, "Return the chalice to Lord Harkon."

I walked into his private room where he was sitting across from the fireplace, brooding.  He looked up from his pursuit to say, "Good.  You're here."

I sat down beside him, "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes.  When I told you I was grateful for returning my daughter, I didn't tell you everything.  I wasn't sure I could trust you yet."

"I suspected as much.  Only a fool reveals everything upfront," I replied.

"Your cunning serves you well," he said, back, "As you know, vampires are powerful but we have limits.  The sun."

"Yeah, I do kinda hate the sun these days," I said back.

"A great enemy.  For centuries I searched for a way to deal with it.  I found an old prophecy written by a moth priest about Elder Scrolls.  It tells of a time when vampires will have dominion over the sun.  I believe the answer lies in Serana's Elder Scroll.  I'm assembling the court.  I have a task for you.  Come.  Hear my proclamation."

He stepped out onto the platform in the main room while I joined the court.

"Scions of the night!  Hear my words!  The time has finally come!  A new age of darkness begins!"

I narrowed my eyes.  Age of darkness, eh?   I do dislike the sun.  But, a lot of things depend on it.  I would not only say this plan is selfish, but also stupid.  If there's no sun, there will be no plants, so no animals.  If there are no plants and animals, there will be no humans.  And thus, no vampires.  I decided I was going to go along with this plan until Harkon tipped his hand and sabotage it.

"I have spread false rumors of an Elder Scroll here to draw a moth priest to Skyrim," Harkon continued.

Not exactly false, we actually have a scroll, but ok...

"Go forth, and find him," Harkon finished.

I walked up next to the platform and noticed Serana'd come out of her hiding places. 

She turned toward me, "You going to look for him?"

"Yeah," I said.

"Want company?" She asked.

"From you... yes," I replied.

She smiled, "Any ideas?"

"Nope.  What about you?"

"How about the College of WInterhold?" She asked.

"Yeah, they do have a pretty big library there," I said back.  And I could visit my other boy.

 

We traveled across Skyrim on Shadowmere. 

On the bridge to Winterhold I asked, "You alright?  Happy to be back with your family?"

"The reception was pretty cold, even for vampires," she said back, "I can't believe the first thing he asked was if I had the Elder Scroll."

"Yeah.  Sorry," I said.  Why was I apologizing?  I walked through the doors and realized it was nighttime.  I went towards the librarian's bunkroom.  I asked Serana to stay outside, then I stealthily walked into his room and stole the big sack of coins on his nightstand. 

Then I woke him up with, "Hey, do you know where to find a moth priest?"

"Moth... priest?" He rubbed his eyes, "Usually in Cyrodiil.  But there was one here recently.  Think he left for Dragon Bridge."

"You taking any of your master tests soon?" He asked.

"I dunno.  I kinda got distracted from my studies," I nodded, "Thanks."

I walked back out, and cruised over to Damien's room.

But he was just sitting in the common room by a stack of books a mile high. 

"Hey kid, what you doing up at 4 am?" I asked.

"Mom!" He shouted, then ran up and hugged me, "I'm studying.  I've learned a lot of destruction spells.  Wanna see?"

"Can't stay long.  On the hunt for a moth priest."

"Aww," he groaned, "But there's no classes today."

I pursed my lips, "Wanna come with us for a while?"

"Sure!  Who's this?" He asked.

"I'm Serana.  Nice to meet you," she said.

Of all the things he could've said, I assumed it would be along the lines of 'spooky girl,' but he said, "You're pretty."

She blushed.  I laughed, "He's right.  This is my son, Damien."

"Son, huh?  He's aware we're vampires, right?" She asked.

"Of course I am!" Damien smiled, "I think I have you beat!  I'm half daedra!"

"Well, I guess you do, kid," Serana smiled.  We all three cruised on over to Dragon Bridge.  I was in the middle, with Serana behind and Damien in front.  While we were riding, I noticed he'd changed a little bit too.  He was definitely starting to show his father's angular chin.  But he looked handsome, especially with the hair out of his face.

"Nice haircut," I said to him over the wind.

"Thanks.  Figured the old one was a kids' haircut.  Nice eyes, by the way," he smirked.  He looked back at me, "So is this your new girlfriend?"

Serana didn't hear him or didn't react.

I replied, "Your dad and I aren't technically broken up."

"Mom, I know how you operate.  Nonexclusive," Damien said, "I'm not blind.  Not that there's anything wrong with that."

I smiled, "I'm just helping her and her dad out.  What about you?  Met any girls?"

"I may be aging a little faster than a normal boy, but I still think girls are icky," Damien replied.  I laughed.

 

I accosted the first guard I saw, "Seen a moth priest?"

"They rode south a while ago, over the bridge," he replied.  So we took off on foot after the group.  Not too far there was a toppled-over carriage, three dead and blood smeared all over the road.  The vampire's bags held a note written by Malkus, another court vampire, "Prepare an ambush at Dragon Bridge.  Take the Priest to the Forebears' Hideout until I can come break him."

Another court squabble?  By this point I was starting to get a little pissed at these bickering children that call themselves vampires.  We ran off in search of the hideout.

 

This time I transformed right off the bat (that's a pun), to which Serana commented, "Beautiful," when she saw my naked form.  I would beg to differ, but, it does get the job done.

I cut down the Dawnguard there that were struggling with the vampires, then I killed the vampires as well.

Damien seemed to freeze during the battle, unable to cast even a single spell to help me.  I picked him up when it was over and told him I'd take him back to the college where he'd be safe.  I released the Moth priest and used my vampiric powers of seduction to make him a thrall.  I decided to take Damien back first - I stopped off to visit the Archmage during the night and sneak feed him.  I had assumed he was a blue blood too, and I was right.  Then I returned the moth priest to Volkihar Castle.  I was sorry Damien didn't get to show off his new destruction spells, but really, this was some heavy stuff we were dealing with.

 

"Somehow I knew it would be you who found him," Harkon said.

"More of your court's boys just getting in the way," I said.

"Whatever.  Just command your thrall to read the scroll," Harkon replied.

 

"Well, go on," I said to the priest.

He opened it.  

"A bow.  This is Auriel's Bow.  Among the night's children, a dread lord will arise.  In an age of strife, when dragons return to the realm of men, darkness will mingle with light and day and night will become one," he continued, "I think there is more to this.  Written on other Elder Scrolls.  One that speaks of ancient blood.  One of dragons."

"Bah," I scoffed, "After all that you mean to say I need to find another TWO Elder Scrolls?"

Harkon folded his arms, "It seems so.  Not as useful as I might have liked.  Even so, good job."

"Any clue where I can find them?" I asked.

"One was stolen away by my traitor wife.  The other is locked away in some dwemer ruin somewhere," he replied.

I walked outside.  A moment later Serana appeared next to me, "I might have an idea where to get the Blood scroll."

"Why didn't you say something?" I asked.

"Less chance of getting ambushed again," she smiled at me, then she eyed me for a moment, "And I think we both know the path this line of jobs is going down."

She studied me for a moment, "Would you consider yourself... a good person?"

"Not really.  But if you're wondering if I'm on board with the 'night conquering the day,' then no.  It's idiotic."

"So you're just working with him until you can steal away what you need here and keep him from fulfilling his goal?" Serana smiled her devilish smile at me.

"What started out as curiosity and want to explore these new powers, turned into that, yes.  What is between you and your father anyway that you'd turn against him too?"

"The prophecy is his life.  I don't even think he sees me as his daughter anymore.  Just a means to an end," she replied.

"So where's the scroll?" I asked.

"Like he said, my mother has it.  We just need to find my mother."

"That's not really a lead."

"She said she would be hiding somewhere he would never search," Serana said.

"Sounds unhelpful."

"Yeah, I can't think of a single place he hasn't looked already."

"How about..." I started, "How about in the castle?"

Her red eyes flashed a bit of hope, "You're a genius.  I bet it has something to do with her Alchemy garden.  My father hates going there."

"How do we get there?"

"Well, in order not to rouse suspicion... we should go in the secret entrance.  C'mon!" She said, leading me around the side of the castle.

We swam around the outside of the island and let me just say I'm glad I'm a vampire right now, because the freezing waters didn't kill me.  We fought our way into and through the undercroft (I transformed again to make short work of the things there).  Then we reached a courtyard with a sundial puzzle.  I reverted to my natural form to work on the puzzle.

"This looks much more desolate than last time I was here," Serana said, "She used to have so many plants growing here.  Now it's just weeds.  I bet my father wrecked the place and walled it off when she left."

"Look," I pointed up, to what looked like a vampire lord or gargoyle perching on the rafters silently.  

"It doesn't seem to be reacting to our presence," Serana said, "I think... the Night Matron is her name?"

I pulled out my bow.  Because why not?  Realizing the Vampire Lord form would not stand up to another monster that was pure muscle, I decided I would use my traditional approach.  I pulled out a fire arrow and shot her in the head.  She roared and flew right for me.  One claw swipe and I was hurting.  I chugged a potion and dodged around the moon dial.  I decided I would use some tactics here.  I charged up and cast Pride of Hirstaang, summoning a bear to take the hits for me.  Then I chugged a magicka potion and cast Summon Inigo and Summon Sofia.  He appeared ready to go, but she appeared completely naked (but with a sword in her hand - thank the gods!)  The bear went down and the Night Matron went for Serana, who was holding her own for a bit with her drain power.  I peppered the thing with Elemental Bolts and then more Fire Arrows when I ran out of Magicka again.  The creature went for Inigo now, who'd drawn its attention with a great deal of shots with the bow.  Sofia supported with Ice Shards, then sword strikes when it came close to them.  I laid one final shot into the thing and it died as I ran out of Fire Arrows.  

 

"Thanks, guys," I said, and I handed them each a sack of coins.

"Yeah, well, you keep calling me when I'm naked," Sofia said, "I'm outta here."

"Sure I can't interest you guys in a dungeon crawl?" I asked, "It's a vampire castle."

"I'm leaving too.  This place gives me the creeps," Inigo said. 

"Just go that way out, back the way we came in," I said. 

Then I started on the puzzle. 

"My fellow... traveling companion," Serana said awkwardly.

"Yes?" I fiddled with the dial.

"This garden used to be very serene.  But it hasn't aged well," she said, "I mean... I wasn't..."  Wow, hundreds of years old and she still gets tongue-tied.  It was that moment I could tell she was starting to get interested in me.

"You trying to flirt with me or something?"

"That's... entirely possible," she said.

I proceeded to solve the moon dial puzzle and a spiral stairway opened up.

"Wow," Serana said.

"You wouldn't believe how many puzzles I've solved since I got to Skyrim," I said.

We continued on.

"I've never even been to this part of the castle," she said.  And we walked in on a group of skeletons sitting down at a table.  They arose.  After that last fight, they were pretty easy.  I used my transformed state again.  In the next room was a gargoyle, but I let him hit me while I drained and he couldn't even keep up with the damage!  In a moment, he collapsed into a pile of rocks.

We piledrove our way through the rest of them - me gaining power as a Vampire Lord all the while.  Until we finally reached the alchemical lab.  A large open room with a spiral on the floor and lots of still-preserved alchemical components strewn about.

 

Serana walked around a few minutes, talking about the contents of the laboratory.  I found an alcove with books in it.  Some good picks, and her journal, which I gave to Serana.  She cracked it open.  After a minute she said, "Ah, yes.  She told me about her theories about the Soul Cairn."

"What's that?"

"Well, when you soul capture, you don't actually use the soul as fuel.  You trade the soul for an eternity of servitude to... whatever is in there, and they grant you the power to enchant your stuff," she explained, "If she's made it there, we should figure out how.  The circle in the center of the room is definitely a portal."

"Let's see..." she listed off the ingredients in the book, "Damn it."

"Hmm?"

"We're also going to need a sample of her blood," Serana said.

"Well, you're half her.  Maybe your blood would work?" I shrugged.

"Hopefully," she shrugged. 

I ran around and just gathered up all the ingredients and sorted them out in front of the activation brazier.  Then I dumped the correct ones in.  

"The rest is up to me," she said, "Might want to stand back.  I'm not sure what's going to happen (if anything) when I do this."

"Before we go in, what do you plan do say to your mother if we find her?" I asked.

"I've been asking that question since we started going through the undercroft," she folded her arms, "She was so sure about what she was doing."

"Sounds like she did it to protect you," I replied.

"Maybe.  A vampire mother is still a mother, I guess," she replied.

"So how did you become a vampire?" I asked.

"Is this the time?" She asked.

"We've been going nonstop since we met.  If not now to take a break, when?" I asked.

"Alright.  Well, do you know where vampirism came from?"

"I would guess a daedric lord," I replied.

"Molag Bal.  He is powerful, and his will is made manifest.  The first vampire wasn't a willing subject, I'm told.  My whole family took part in the same ritual.  It was... degrading."

"Ah... Old Molag Balls," I said, "Anything to do with the Daedric Lord of Rape sounds ungood."

"Please, let's not talk about this anymore," she looked away.  I grabbed her and held her close.

"What... are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm giving you a hug," I replied, "Has it really been that long since somebody touched you lovingly?"

"Maybe..." She said.  I pulled her close and kissed her.

"What... was that?" She asked.

"You know, I've faced death a hundred times at this point.  And still I'm here," I said, "I just met you, but now we're traveling to another dimension of beings that trap souls."

"What are you saying?" She asked.

"I feel like this might be my last chance to do this.  We might die in there.  Or something much worse," I said.

"Do what?" 

I kissed her again, "You know what I want."

She could feel it too.  The inevitable pull of death.  The weight of regret.  We undressed each other.  And then we made love.