The Last Soulmate

16-Visions

Alduin couldn't sleep. As much as he tried to close his eyes, he couldn't do it for more than a few minutes at the time.

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He stared at the pile of ash that had once been Aemma. He knelt on the ground, feeling like he was running out of air. Alduin had never felt so conflicted. His chest hurt and he could feel tears running down his eyes. He tore at his hair, letting out a cry. He could feel the flapping of wings beside him. He could make out red scales and golden green ones.

"Alduin thuri...." Odahviing spoke.

"Leave him." Paarthurnax spoke.

"This will not go unpunished." Alduin managed to pick himself back up. "I want Miraak's head on a silver platter."

"Yes, my King." Odahviing spoke in the dragon tongue.

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He woke up, sweating. Castle Volikar was not his favorite place. It was too dark, too cold, and way too spacious. The others were asleep except for Lia. Where did that woman go? Alduin huffed. He shouldn't care for her. She could harm him like Severine or break his heart like Aemma.

Lia was sitting on the balcony of the castle, smoking.

"Couldn't sleep either, could you?" She asked.

"I couldn't." He sat beside her. "I imagine you were the same way."

"So, what is Miraak?" Lia asked.

"Did he come into your dreams again?" Alduin felt his muscles tense. So he did care for her.

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"No, I just...I saw him trying to kidnap me in a dream. Or kidnapped me, better said." I put out my cigarette. "He called me Aemma again."

"He was messing with Daedra." Alduin spoke, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. "He chose one of the worst ones to consort with as well, Hermaeus Mora."

My stomach churns. I remember when I almost became a Daedra worshiper as a teenager and was reading up on them. Hermaeus could give you all the knowledge that you wanted but it would eventually drive you mad. He was also omniscient and had an Oblivion plane made of Lovecraftian nightmares.

"Is that why he betrayed you and the other Dragon Priests?" I ask. He nodded.

"He wanted power. I should have never let him become an adult." He sighed. "I let my heart do my thinking for me."

"You're not the first person to do that. And you won't be the last." I place a hand on his shoulder.

Alduin looks at me, with an expression that I can't read. I wish he was a bit less cryptic about things.

"I know. But that's why I lost Aemma." He looked at the ground with those intense eyes of his.

"I shouldn't have pushed her away."

"Well, the past is in the past." The sun was rising in the horizon. We did not sleep at all. "It's time to move forward."

Alduin nodded. I noticed I was inching closer to him and I noticed he was leaning towards me as well. I turned back to the room. Lydia was stirring awake and Serana walked to the room with a giant tray of hash browns, eggs, and bacon.

"Wow, you're being peaceful together." She spoke, setting the food on the table.

"I guess stranger things have happened." Alduin responds, getting up from the ground. He offers me his hand. I take it and he walks up to the table. Bryan is pouring coffee for everyone.

"So what do you think Qaanahrin and Miraak are trying to do?" Lydia asked Paarthurnax.

"I do not know. Possibly take over Nirn." He responded.

"Probably. What is up with that?" Byran was putting eggs on his plate.

"Miraak suffers from a terrible case of Dov arrogance and joor stupidity." Alduin was looking at us. "Bad combination."

"Sounds about right." I shrug, taking a bite of bacon.

"Which is why Dragonborns were pretty hit or miss." Odahviing spoke.

"So is he still stuck in Apocrypha?" I asked. Paarthurnax shakes his head.

"Seems like Qaanahrin and him figured out how to leave and put down Hermaeus." Paarthy shook his head. I can't imagine that's a good thing for anyone involved.

"Which means they'll start to track us down harder." Odahviing sighed, clearing his plate of food. "I'm too old for this."

"You're telling me." Paarthy was sipping coffee.

"Neither of you should be speaking." Alduin shook his head. "I have been here since the beginning of time."

"Yeah, listen to the old geezer." I smirk at him. Surprisingly he doesn't yell or do anything but try to hide a smile. I'm confused now. Does he like me like that? Nah, that's ridiculous. I added more eggs and bacon to my plates. Alduin's stare lingers a bit longer as he's trying to get more coffee and I can feel my cheeks burning red. Oh, great.