Ominous clouds stirred in the sky above a small town called Kynesgrove. The towns people were in a panic after witnessing a T-shaped shadow circling above them. It was the very same dragon that attacked Helgen months ago. Some of the people had begun fleeing down the hill to get away from the creature even though it did not seem interested in attacking anyone. The dragon appeared to be fixated on the dragon burial at the top of town. As some of the villagers made their way down the hill, they passed a blonde haired Breton woman full clad in light leather armor making her way up. She did not seem bothered by the chaos. In fact, it appeared that she was there for it. One villager stopped as they saw the woman.
Villager: I wouldn't go any further if I were you! The town is being beset by,…by a dragon!
Breton woman: Where is the creature now?
Villager: Just up the hill. It's been circling that old dragon burial at the top of town.
The villager continued on after speaking, and the Breton woman continued up into town to look for the dragon. She took a look around at the nearby buildings. Nothing was damaged just yet. The dragon wasn't on the attack it seemed.
Breton woman: This is it,…If my theory is correct, you're here for something other than feeding.
The dragon came to low hovering over the mound. It began shouting words in dragon's tongue as it flapped it's wings to maintain it's altitude. It sounded like some sort of draconic chant echoing all over the town. The few guards that were present could barely stand against the wind from it's wings. They could do nothing at all to harm it. It continued shouting over the burial as the mound began to glow. The woman got behind cover to shield herself from the gusts of wind, and gather her thoughts.
Breton Woman: Come on Delphine think,…How are you going to handle this if they don't show up? I don't even know if my letter got to them on time.
Suddenly the ground began to rumble as the glowing from the mound became more intense. The black dragon was done shouting and began to move away from it. Some of the guards had stumbled to their feet and were now loosing arrows at the beast, but the distance between them grew rapidly with every flap of it's wing. It was soon out of reach with rumbling from the burial growing massively. The rumbling continued for a second longer and then suddenly stopped.
Delphine: I knew it,…It is you,…
The black dragon shouted once more at the mound, sending a burst of energy right into it. The very next moment the ground around the burial shot up into the air with explosive force. The impact pushed the guards back and sent rubble hurling at them. As the large rocks and debris fell, a figure appeared hovering just above the newly-made crater in the ground. It was the remains of a dragon, now reanimated and gradually regaining it's corporal form.
Delphine: You're the son of a bitch that's been bringing them all back!
The black dragon was satisfied with the chaos and made it's exit. The now reanimated dragon let out a terrifying roar as it's body crashed into the ground. It's scales had all finished reforming. It's transformation was now complete. It then reared its head back and let out an icy blast in the direction of the guards. Some were trapped under fallen debris. The closest to the dragon was immediately frozen solid. The dragon then quickly snapped its jaws at the frozen guard causing his body to shatter into pieces. The others panicked after seeing this. As one man fell to his knees trying to get away, he was quickly gripped in the dragon's teeth. He screamed in agony as the teeth pierced his body. The dragon then shook the man relentlessly before tossing his lifeless corpse into the trees. Delphine was frozen in disbelief. She just witnessed a creature long dead brought back to life, and it was now attacking the townspeople. A woman nearby coward in fear at the sight of the creature. It was killing the guards with ease and she could not get away having injured her leg. It was almost as if the beast could smell her fear. It stopped its rampaging and slowly turned its head in her direction. The woman began to panic even more as she scrambled to move. The dragon took flight after her. It took a swipe at her with it's mouth, barely missing but catching her clothing. The woman was hooked by her dress, being carried into the air kicking and screaming.
Delphine: This is bad,…it's going to kill everyone.
Suddenly Delphine heard rapid footsteps moving along a nearby rooftop. They seemed to be moving toward the dragon very fast. She could barely make out what it was, but then she saw it was a young male with locs and a tattered red cloak around his neck. The boy stopped running and slid until he was at the very edge of the building. He quickly crouched down and took in a large breath before letting out a booming shout.
Young male: Fus Roh Dah!
The shout caused an immense burst of wind that sent the boy soaring into the air toward the dragon as it was now slinging the woman by her dress. It then swung her up into the air and opened it's mouth to catch and eat her. Another shout rang out.
Young male: Wuld Nah Kest!
This shout sent the boy shooting over the dragon's head lightning fast. Before it could close its jaws on the woman, she was plucked out of the way by the boy as he passed over them. The dragon snapped its jaw closed only to catch air. The boy and woman both went hurtling into one of the large haystacks beside a nearby building. Delphine could not believe her eyes. For a moment she thought she had just seen a person fly. The boy soon popped out of the haystack, turning to help the woman up as well.
Young male: Are you alright miss?
Woman: One minute I was about to be eaten by that thing and now,…How did you,…
Young male: Can you stand? We have to get you out of here.
Woman: My leg is injured. I won't be able to walk. You should leave me and get away while you can.
Delphine quickly rushed over to help the woman as well. By this time the dragon was angry, and spewing ice shards in every direction. The blast quickly turned in her direction as she sprinted toward them. She was nearly hit by the blast but something big had grabbed her out of the way. It was a large and muscular dark elf in steal armor. He yanked her to the side of the house next to the boy.
Dark elf: Nice work lad, but please tell me the haystack was all part of the plan.
The boy stood up and dusted himself off, as Delphine took over carrying the woman.
Young male: Yeah,…let's go with that.
Delphine: Are you,…the one that got my letters?
Young male: So you're Delphine? Well in that case, I'm your guy. You can call me Kin. This is my mentor Gavhelus.
Gavhelus: Gudday luv.
Delphine: Its nice that you both came all this way really, but the dragon is going to kill us if we don't do something!
Kin: No worries ma'am. Thats why we came after all. You wanted proof that I'm the dragonborn right? Sit back and watch.
Kin immediately took off in the dragon's direction. The creature was still in a frenzy, searching for any living thing it could freeze to death. He made his way up the hill, dodging the random swipes from the dragon's ice breath. The dragon noticed the boy running toward him. It went in for a low swiping attack with the claws of its feet. Kin let out another whirlwind sprint shout, causing him to seemingly disappear before the beast could touch him. The dragon came up from its attack with only soil in its claws, and Kin had positioned himself behind the dragon to prepare a spell.
Gavhelus: Hey kid,…you do have a plan right?
Kin held his hands together as a purple aura appeared between them.
Kin: Workin' on it!
He then threw his arms forward as the aura dispersed. Immediately after a humanoid like creature completely made up of fire appeared before him. It had the appearance of a flaming woman, and was floating just above the ground with only a trail of flames as a footprint. It was a creature known as a Flame Atronach. The dragon turned to see the boy and the atronach behind him and began charging its ice breath.
Gavhelus: You gotta knock it out of the sky lad!
Kin: I said I'm workin on it!
The atronach turned to look for the boy's command.
Kin: Go for it!
With the command given, the atronach began charging up both of its hands with flames. Then it thrust them down at the ground, propelling it into the air toward the dragon. The beast released its ice breath at the atronach as it flew, causing it to alter its path. It spiraled around the ice in attempts to dodge, but it took damage on the way still. The dragon finally corrected its aim and delivered a blast directly at the atronach. It was now taking massive damage and was slowly breaking down in mid flight. It pushed its way through the ice until it was nearly in the dragons mouth, then it collapse right in front of the monster. Its body began to break down and disappear, but not before letting out a massive flame explosion right in the dragon's face.
Kin: Gotcha!
The damage was critical. The dragon fell to the ground with smoke now coming from its mouth. It crashed into the ground kicking up massive amounts of dirt and rock. For a moment everyone was blinded. Little could be seen with this thick cloud of dust now spreading through town. Kin used his cloak to cover his eyes and waited for the dust to settle. He could hear the dragon reeling, but it was still not safe to approach just yet. Once it cleared he could see the beast still attempting to unleash its ice breath, but to no avail. Its mouth was severely burned from the blast and its wing was now broken from the fall. In a panic, the dragon noticed Kin and tried once more to blast him with ice, but nothing came from its mouth but blood from the wound. Kin slowly walked up to it as the beast struggled to stand up right. It had become even more feral due to its injuries. The boy summoned a bound sword to his hand as his walk gradually became a sprint. The dragon managed to swipe its tail at the ground in front of it, causing a few large rocks to go flying at Kin as he approached. The boy threw himself into a spinning slash as he made contact with the debris. With a few flashes of his sword, he swiftly cut his way through the rocks and pressed on. The dragon lifted its still intact wing to slam it down on the boy before he could reach him. Kin took in another deep inhale while running full speed.
Kin: Wuld Nah Kest!
Suddenly the boy flashed out of sight right as the dragon's claw slammed into the dirt. Immediately after, lightning fast flashes of light began ripping through the dragon from head to tail. Kin was now kneeling behind the creature having finished his assault. His blade dispersed as he stood to look at the damage. The dragon raised its head to let out an agonizing roar as blood began to spout from the cuts on its body. It reeled in pain for a moment before its head fell heavily into the dirt. It was now dead, leaving Kin covered in blood but overall fine. As the life left from the dragon's eyes, a swirling aura began to rise from the body. The aura then began to transfer into Kin's. It was the soul of the dragon being absorbed, and with it the body returned back to bones. Delphine stood up unsure of what she was seeing. She watched in amazement. Any skepticism she had about him being the real deal had just gone out of the window.
Delphine: I'll be damned,…He's the genuine article isn't he?
Gavhelus: Oy! You alright over there lad?
The soul transfer was now complete. The winds around him settled. He looked over in Gavhelus's direction.
Kin: All good! Just need a second!
He stood still for a moment while staring at his shaking hand. His body had yet to calm itself from the fight. He closed his eyes and took slow deep breaths until the shaking stopped. Gavhelus and Delphine made their way to him and the pile of bones.
Gavhelus: I don't think I'll ever get used to that whole transformation part. Ick!
Kin chuckled a bit at his remark.
Kin: You? The Lycanthrope?
Gavhelus: Not the same thing by a mile and you know it.
Kin: If you say so big guy.
Delphine was at a loss of words. She had all the proof she needed now. This meant that the hope she had been searching for all this time was standing right in front of her. A chance to put an end to the dragon crisis.
Delphine: That was quite some skill you displayed out there. I have to admit,…I didn't actually expect you to be the real dragonborn.
Kin: We kinda got that impression already with that trick you pulled with the Horn.
Delphine: I have it for you,…as promised. I just needed to know I could trust you is all.
Delphine held out the horn for Kin to take, but it was swiftly swiped by Gavhelus.
Gavhelus: Well now we're the ones that need to know we can trust you. Start explainin' yourself lady. What's your deal? And what is it you want with Kin here? We're on very important business and I don't rightly appreciate the wild goose chase.
Delphine: I suppose that's fair. Well, what do you want to know?
Gavhelus: For starters, who are you?
Delphine: Well as you know now my name is Delphine. I am a member of an ancient organization known as the Blades. We were,…we are,…tasked with protecting Skyrim from the threat of the dragons. In the legends,…we even worked alongside the dragonborn in defeating the World Eater. I believe that was the black dragon that was here that started all of this.
Kin: We saw it flying away as we got here. I'm very familiar with the creature.
Gavhelus: I get it now. This is how the bastard is causing all of this without setting foot in Skyrim. The black one,…it carries the souls with it. Souls that it got from the previous dragonborn.
Delphine: I don't understand. Are you saying that someone did this, that they're controlling that thing?
Kin: When I first got to Skyrim, my father and I were attacked by men claiming to be followers of his. They said that there can only be one true dragonborn, and that I was an abomination.
Delphine: By the Divines,…this is much worse than I anticipated. I thought it all might've been a scheme cooked up by the Thalmor.
Gavhelus: Geez lady,…does this even look like some sort of devious political move? The stuff we're dealin' with here is ancient, same as your Blades I reckon.
Delphine: Well when you're working alone, this sort of thing is hard to get control of. It's why I reached out. Maybe with the help of the dragonborn, I could actually do what I,…what the Blades were meant to do. How much do you know about this,…previous dragonborn?
Kin: Not much, other than the fact that he needs me dead in order for his plan to work. He can release all the dragon souls he wants, but as long as I'm around they're at risk of being taken.
Gavhelus: Not dead lad. If you die then another dragonborn would appear at some point. It might take some time, but eventually one would come about. What he wants is to keep you alive and out of the way. He wants to capture you.
Delphine: It seems my task was much greater than I realized all this time.
Gavhelus: You can say that again. We're practically dealin, wit' a god gone rogue.
Delphine: How do we even begin to fight something like that?
Kin: We're still working that part out, but we do know that the more souls we have, the less he has to wreak havoc with.
Delphine: How many souls do you have currently?
Kin: So far I only have 3, and the first two did not go as easily as the one today. The entire Whiterun guard had to help with the first.
Gavhelus: Kid's still learnin' basically. We're takin' it one scaly bird at a time.
Delphine: I see,…is there any way I can help?
Gavhelus: We need an expert,…Some'n who knows the ana'omy of these things. Kinda like a dragon hunter.
Kin: I think you literally described what the Blades do.
Gavhelus: Oh right. I guess I did didn't I? Tell me Delphine luv,…are there anymore of you Blades runnin' around by chance?
Delphine: I can think of only one, but I haven't seen or heard from him in quite some time. There is a good chance he'd be able to help us if I could just track him down. I'll need some time to gather information.
Kin: That works for us. We've got business in Windhelm in the meantime.
Delphine: What will you be doing there?
Gavhelus: Friend of ours is gonna attempt to put a pause on this little civil war that's been draggin' on. For the sake of dealin' with the dragons and what not.
Kin: We thought it might help to get the point across if the dragonborn was there with her.
Delphine: You think Ulfric,…is going to stop the war?
Kin: We,…hope?
Delphine: All I can say on that is good luck to you. Ulfric is as stubborn a leader as they come. In the meantime, I'll be in search of my friend. I'll keep in touch via mail carrier if any thing pops up.
Gavhelus: You do that,…and no more funny business either.
Delphine chuckled for a moment.
Delphine: You have my word. I'm heading back to Riverwood. Safe travels Dragonborn.
Kin waved his hand as Delphine made her way down the hill. He and Gavhelus stayed a while longer to help the townspeople with the aftermath. He had made it a point that helping the people comes before slaying dragons. Not everyone was comfortable with a person absorbing souls and shouting fire. This was a way of getting the people to trust him. He had even begun to make a name for himself. They labored into the evening with the villagers. They had planned to meet Minevi in Windhelm the next morning, and so on the next sunrise they took their leave. They hit the road early. Windhelm was not far from Kynesgrove, so the two decided to go it on foot. They talked and joked along the way until Gavhelus stopped suddenly.
Gavhelus: (Sniff sniff) Kin stop.
Kin paused immediately.
Kin: Whats the matter? Why'd you stop?
Gavhelus: Some'ns comin'.
Kin: Are the dead in this area telling you this?
Gavhelus: No,…I can quite literally smell them!
Suddenly an exploding fireball landed right in-between them. The explosion was massive and powerful. It knocked the both of them back with force from the blast. Kin sat up immediately, but his vision was blurry and his ears rang terribly. All he could see before him was a thick smoke cloud, and figures that danced by in the haze.
Kin: Gavhelus! Are you alright? (Cough) Gavhelus!
Out of nowhere a figure appeared in front of him with a weapon raised.
Figure: I'd worry about myself if I were you.
They swung their weapon at Kin. He just barely managed to summon a bound blade and block, but the force sent him sliding back further into the dust cloud.
Kin: What's (Cough) going on? Who are you?
They did not answer him. They simply continued the assault. The figure moved very fast. He could not make out any details in the haze. They quickly jumped in and out with attacks from all sides. Kin's swordsmanship had improved much, but his senses were jumbled from the explosion. He was barely able to block each attack. He eventually grew aggravated. He swung at the attacker with his blade, but they quickly disappeared before contact. The attacks ceased for a moment. Kin's breathing started to accelerate gradually as he waited in the smoke. He sensed the next attack as they approached and took a large inhale.
Kin: Fus Roh Dah!
The unrelenting force shout stopped the attacker in their tracks, lifting them off of the ground as the smoke in that immediate direction was cleared out. He could now see who was attacking them. It was a masked woman who appeared to also be Redguard. He attire was foreign to Skyrim. The armor she wore was black and very light, almost skin tight with only a chest plate for protection. She had a hijab-like hood over her head accompanied with a face covering that left only the eyes visible. Kin had seen this armor before, in his homeland of Hammerfell. The woman landed on her feet and put her guard up. Then two other masked women appeared behind her to back her up. They were all exposed with their smokescreen now blown away.
Kin: What is this all about? Who are you and why are you attacking me?
Masked woman 1: Kinetrius V'orrn. Son of Falwon V'orrn,…I hereby place you under arrest for crimes of theft against Hammerfell.
Kin: What crimes? My father is dead! Has been for some time now.
Masked woman 1: Your father left Hammerfell with some very valuable items. Things he should never have touched. Now there are people that want them back. Thats all I'm at liberty to tell you.
Kin dispersed his weapon and stood up normally.
Kin: If you're here,…then that means you know more about my father than I do. I don't know anything about the trinkets he sold or how he got them. The trip we took to Skyrim five years ago was my first peak into his work,…but then he was murdered.
Masked woman 1: Falwon,…murdered? He was no ordinary man. Unrivaled in most schools of combat, and you would have me believe him murdered. By Whom?
Kin: It's honestly a long story. Can we put the weapons away for a moment and talk?
Masked woman 1: Not going to happen. Not until you tell us where he held the items in question.
Kin: I don't know. I was arrested immediately after we were attacked. I didn't even get the chance to bury him. Like I said,…if he took something he shouldn't have, I was the last person he would've told.
Masked woman 1: You're lying,…
Masked woman 2: Wait!,…I believe him.
Masked woman 1: Are you sure Taviiah? If you sense any falseness in his words at all, I will cut him down right here.
Kin: Oh you'll definitely try,…can't say much for the success rate. Wait Taviiah? It can't be,…
One of the masked women stepped forward and removed her face covering. Kin instantly recognized the person. It was a childhood friend from his hometown of Elinhir. He and Taviiah were very close as children besides being a few years apart in age. Kin was a lonely child back then, especially when his father was away on business. Taviiah was the only one out of the older kids that ever paid him any attention. Truthfully, most of it was her teasing him for one reason or another, mainly because of how spoiled he was. Everyday he'd show up at the BlackCaster Mages Guild with a different book from his father's library, barely big enough to hold most of them. He was not yet old enough to participate in any of the academics at the guild, but was allowed on campus because of Falwon's dealings with the Black Caster Mages. Taviiah was a guild mage, skilled in stealth, interrogation, scouting, and a natural with a pair of daggers. She had golden locs that were braided from back to front, with the tips spouting out just above her face. Her eyes were a bright flavescent yellow, although they always looked bored and unimpressed. She stared at kin with those same eyes for what seemed like a drawn out moment.
Taviiah: Hey Kinny. Long time no see.
Kin: What,…are you doing here?
She looked back at her superior who then gave her a nod.
Taviiah: Looking for you.
Kin: Why,…me?
Masked woman 1: Signal to Kivalah that it is safe to approach.
Masked woman 2: I,…don't see her.
Gavhelus: Lookin' for this lit'l thing?
They all turned to see Gavhelus approaching them with one of their comrades in a tight choke hold. Once he stopped walking, he threw the person onto the ground in front of them. The person was not moving. This shocked everyone, even Kin.
Gavhelus: Dont worry she's not dead. Had to have insurance case this conversation didn't go our way, nothin' personal. Lucky for her you lot learned how to use your words.
They all stood in shock as one of the women ran to the girl's aid. Kin had forgotten about where Gavhelus might've gone off to after seeing Taviiah, but he definitely did not foresee this happening. The woman checked their vitals and looked to her superior.
Masked woman 3: She is fine, just unconscious.
Gavhelus: Like I said, barely a scratch.
Masked woman 1: You've got some nerve.
Gavhelus: Well I ain't a big fan of sneak attacks lady. Let's call it a nervous reaction and let bygones be bygones.
Masked woman 1: Taviiah do you know these people personally? When were you going to tell us?
Taviiah turned back to Kin.
Taviiah: Forgive me. I had to confirm with my own eyes before bringing it to your attention. But yes,…we've known each other since childhood. I cannot speak for the brutish one I'm afraid.
Kin: You still haven't answered my question.
Taviiah: And I don't have to,…just know that we were looking for you, and now we've found you.
The other masked woman nursed the girl back to consciousness while their commander monitored. They appeared to be getting ready to take their leave.
Kin: So that's it? No spare shits to give about how I've been?
Taviiah: Only you would leave everyone behind and expect someone to care.
Kin: What was I thinking? Of course that's beyond you.
Taviiah: And what is that supposed to mean?
Kin: I've been here for almost six years. No one's come looking for me until now, and of course it's because of my infamous father.
Taviiah: That's who you wanted to be around all the time right? Looks like you got what you wanted. That is until,…
Kin immediately summoned a bound blade into his hand.
Kin: Say it,…
Masked woman 1: Taviiah! That is enough. A word.
Taviiah glanced at Kin for a moment more before returning to her commander.
Kin then heard clapping coming from beside him. It was Gavhelus having been very entertained by the tension.
Gavhelus: My oh my,… Twelve help us all. Kiddo, do you see yourself right now? Your edgy side's really blossomed mate!
Kin realized how tense he had become without thinking. He dispersed the blade and took a deep breath. He now felt embarrassed at getting so riled up. Taviiah was very good at that type of thing. Gavhelus was absolutely unbearable about the entire thing, pestering him with questions about the girl. To him, this was all one big theatre performance. Kin leaned against a very old and broken fence post to collect himself, while the women conversed amongst themselves.
Masked woman 1: You know, I could count your assessment as bias.
Taviiah: You think my judgement unclear?
Masked woman 1: Is it? You seemed quick to cut at him with your words. Almost as if you spoke without thinking.
Taviiah: My reasoning in that was for the eventuality in which he may have killed his father and taken the relic for himself. If by chance he did, he would not have been angered by my words. I assure you my judgment is not in any way clouded madam.
Masked woman 1: I want to believe that, but you didn't tell us that you knew the target personally. Thats unlike you. I understand wanting to be sure, especially someone close to you, but I cannot ignore the facts here.
Taviiah: My assessment isn't viable,…I understand.
Masked woman 1: Go with them.
Taviiah: Excuse me?
Masked woman 1: We have other leads in Skyrim that need looking into. We will retrieve you when we are finished. If his story does not stay consistent, you will have ample time to draw it out. If it does, then we leave him be or bring him home,…which ever he prefers. If you can do that I might feel better about your assessment.
Taviiah: Are you sure this is wise after I've provoked him so?
The masked woman turned and began walking behind the other two.
Masked woman 1: Consider it punishment for not telling me everything.
Taviiah stood there for a moment not knowing what to do. She watched her squad leave as the winds began to pick up.
Kin: Am I free to go now? I've got somewhere to be.
Taviiah walked up to Kin slow and calmly. His back was facing her while he was leaning on the fence. His cloak made it hard for her to scan his posture, and he seemed unwilling to even look in her direction.
Taviiah: You are,…upset with me yes?
Kin: Can we skip this part? I know what you're doing.
Taviiah: Then you should also know that I am an Interrogator for the guild,…
Kin: Leave it,…Like I said,…I know what you're doing. Same thing you always do. Create a reaction, monitor the results.
Taviiah was always very good at seeing into people. She notices everything about a person in only a few moments of laying eyes on them. It was almost unbearable at times; being unable to hide from them. Those same eyes that he could feel burning into his back. What was infuriating was how their expression never changed. No matter the results, they would always look distant, as if peering threw the person at something far off. Kin did not wish to be her psychological test subject, but at this moment she was a piece of home standing right in front of him. He at least wanted to hear what she would say, but as he waited there was only the sound of wind. Then he heard footsteps moving rapidly toward his back. She gave him no time to turn around. Before he knew it, her arms were thrown around him. She had pulled him in for a big hug from behind. Kin was stunned. He was expecting her to say something unfeeling like, "The world doesn't revolve around you." She didn't speak, she just nuzzled her face into his and hugged him tight. He was defenseless. He didn't know he needed this so much. It felt just like the hugs she'd always given. Her skin always felt so much warmer to the touch than his; a familiarity he unwillingly savored.
Taviiah: I can only imagine what losing him must be like for you. He was your whole world. I was working before. I had to be cruel in my method, but I'm sorry I wasn't here for you,…That someone wasn't here for you. Are you ok?
Chapter End-