Skyrim's Sovereign

Chapter 7

          Aela gasps.

I see it.

Borri is cutting his arms with a sharp rock.

By Talos, what is happening?

"It had to be done. It had to be done," Borri is chanting, barely audible.

Arngeir leans towards him, trying to stay upright with every shake of the structure.

I'm so close to losing my own balance—it doesn't help my mind is already reeling from what has happened in such a spiraling moment.

"Why did you do it, Borri?" Arngeir is begging. His eyes are wet. "Why did you do it, Brother?"

"It had to be done," Borri continues his mantra. "It was the only way to honour Talos. This strife and dishonour had to be stopped. The kingdom's rule must be placed on the Dovahkiin's shoulders."

I fall to one knee thanks to the growing cacophony of stones breaking from the walls.

Borri's whispers rise on the decibel levels.

If he doesn't stop soon, this whole structure will collapse and take the mountain down with it.

Falk and Galmar have gathered along with the rest of the staff and the other Greybeards.

No one dares breathe in the shock.

"Why?" Arngeir asks again. He's gnashing his bottom lip.

Borri starts screaming.

Aela drops to her knees.

I cover my ears with both hands, dropping my sword. Somehow I've managed to stand up again. Barely able to see under my eyelids, I find everyone has fallen on the floor.

The ceiling is falling, too.

Chunks of debris splash down on the stone floor.

The only other people standing are Borri's fellow Greybeards. They've encircled their brother and student in the way of the Voice.

I know what's coming.

It has to be done.

The Greybeards look to me.

I grind my teeth, nodding. Stepping up to complete the circle around Borri, I look down at him. During my months of training, Borri had been a silent helper in various issues I had. He'd been one of my teachers, my guide.

My vision blurs, the quiet tears rolling down my cheeks. I also feel warm liquid trickling out of my ears.

The power wells inside of me when I focus inward.

I can feel the dragon's heat burning in my core.

The ancient words boom from my mouth as if someone else is speaking them. They harmonise with the Greybeards as we utter the Thu'um.

Every hair on my body rises.

I shudder.

Borri's eyes turn at the last second to meet my gaze.

I will go to my grave centuries from now with that look haunting my dreams forever.

The corporeal body of the condemned Greybeard dissolves in a beam of light and ash as the Thu'um shreds the flesh from the bones.