Traveling to Skyrim

Chapter 11: Dragon Overlord

*Warning: Gets a little graphic so be prepared, and you may or may not hate me after this chapter ends*

Concerned that a werewolf may be hiding out around here, I quickly descended the slope, and checked to make sure everyone was where they should be. Travis and Lindsey were not on their bedrolls, and I began to panic. Lindsey came stumbling from behind me, who was no doubt bathing in the icy river behind us, but where was Travis? Searching around the slope, I found him in his sleep clothes, half asleep, leaning against a large boulder in the river. Taking some water from below, I splashed him awake, asking him what he thought he was doing.
“Well, I was sleeping, but I was suddenly awoken by you. Where am I?”

“Down by the river. Come on, let's go wake the others. We're gonna go after some more words, and I heard a really good one was nearby.” He gave me a weird look, before shrugging it off and following me. Breakfast was simple, with some freshly caught fish and some berries I picked not far from the camp. We geared up, and began our journey towards the cave. Along the way, Lydia rejoined us, and took up the rear, so Timius joined me up front.

“You have any idea what the word is?”

“No clue. Arngeir told me he felt it was really good though.”

Looking at the mountain that loomed ahead of us, I saw the ruins that we would probably see at the end of the cave, and then spotted the entrance some distance down. We stopped for a quick lunch, and I distributed the health and stamina positions easily, giving Travis and Brooke the Magicka potions, and a few to Lindsey.

*Timeskip*

We were making our way steadily through the cave, but something seemed off to me. I lingered a bit to the back as the others moved forward, and then a slow rumble filled the cave, before sending a portion of the roof caving in between us, efficiently separating us. Once the dust had cleared, I began to furiously move rocks, and even tried to move the giant boulder out of the way, but to no avail. I hoped Timius had the right mind the lead them out of the cave as fast as possible, whereas I would have to climb the mountain itself to reach the top.

“Let's go Lydia. We're climbing the mountain.”

*Travis POV*

A slow rumble filled the cave, and I caught one last glimpse of Suzannah before a huge pile of rocks blocked my vision. We were cut off, and had to continue without her. Timius suddenly spoke up, saying,” We need to keep moving, we do not want to get trapped down here. Even though I don't know her very well, I feel like Suzannah would dig out the entire mountain before giving up on us, so let's please continue.”

“What about Suzannah?” I asked.

“She'll probably make her way up the mountain, and meet us at the end. Now let's go!”

We moved forward, and barged our way through the dark, twisted corridors. Brooke proved to be more badass with a bow than we thought, taking out many Draugr before they even knew of our presence. Lindsey, albeit a little hesitant, killed some as well, and Timius and I also had the pleasure of taking care of the Restless Draugr. We also had encountered a Draugr Scourge, and it took all of us to take him down. Finally, we had reached the end of the cave, and emerged back into fresh air, and continued through the snowy landscape. We saw a wall that was slightly curved, with many symbols carved into it, and almost began running to it, but Timius’s sharp tone of voice, telling us to stop, made us look at him curiously. Looking around, we heard a deep crack, before seeing the lid fly off of a coffin, and a figure emerged. He looked exactly like a Draugr, but had actual armor, was carrying a staff, and he was wearing a strange mask. He hovered off the ground, and shot a fireball at Timius, knocking him to the ground. The Draugr then let out a ferocious roar. Timius, sounding strained, told us to run.

“He's a Dragon Overlord!! He’ll kill you, now RUN!” Ignoring Timius's plea, I drew my weapon, as did Brooke. Lindsey kneeled by Timius's side, using a healing spell so he could stand again. Still clutching his side, he drew his weapon, and took up a defensive stance. Lindsey drew her sword, along with her daggers, and we attacked. Brooke flew in first, moving so fast it almost did seem like flight. She began to attack from all sides, but the Overlord didn't even flinch. Then he took his staff and slammed it to the ground, sending her flying into a wall. Furious, I charged him, Lindsey and Timius at my heels.

The Overlord drew a sword with his other hand, and swung it so fast I couldn't register it until I saw blood splatter. Lindsey had a large gash across her face, and Timius was close to losing his arm. I then felt a searing pain across my abdomen and my face, a large cut along my forehead, and gash in my side, all starting to bleed profusely. I swung my sword at him, feeling him weaken just a bit, but he raised his staff once again, and the gravity seemed to grow heavier, until I was forced to my knees. Lindsey and Timius shrunk to the ground, holding their heads, dizzy from the pain, and I saw the Overlord raise his staff towards my head, before time seemed to slow.

*Suzannah POV*

I could feel the wind blowing hard against my face as I clung to the rocks of the mountain, Lydia having been far below me. I could tell I was reaching the top, when I saw a lid of a coffin fly past me, then heard a monstrous roar. Quickening my pace, not caring about Lydia anymore, I reached the top of the mountain in a matter of moments, before charging towards the word wall. There, I saw a Dragon Overlord standing over Travis, who was battered and bloody, and Brooke slumped against a wall not far away, having registered my presence. Lindsey and Timius were near Travis, holding their heads, and then I saw the Overlord begin to lower his staff for a final blow towards Travis. Thinking quickly, I used the first word of the shout slow time, and ran as fast as I could towards Travis. However, just as I was near enough to push him out of the way, the word's powers ran out, so instead I leaped in front him. The Overlords powerful blow shattered bones and armor alike, before I landed on the ground, and darkness consumed me.

*Travis POV*

Time seemed to slow, until suddenly Suzannah appeared out of nowhere. Her body absorbed the blow meant for me, and I heard and felt the armor shatter. Her body landed off to the side, not moving, and I once again was filled with a rage I couldn't control. Somehow or another, the overlord had been staggered, and me and Lindsey, along with Brooke, took advantage of that. I swung my sword towards his abdomen repeatedly, whereas Brooke unloaded arrow after arrow into every part of his body. Brooke shouted for me to duck, and as I did, she and Lindsey threw their swords and Lindsey's daggers into his heart and head, finally killing him. Taking but a moment to catch my breath, Lindsey and Brooke rushed to Suzannah, while Timius healed his arm until he could move it. I too rushed to her side, and Lindsey shook her.

“S-Suzannah?” She asked, her voice trembling. I shakily extended a hand towards her neck, and felt for some kind of pulse, but I was met with cold skin. Her eyes were still open, her expression one of horror, and Brooke reached over to close her eyes, allowing her expression to be that of a peaceful sleep. Brooke, heartbroken and betrayed, then slowly moved Lindsey away from her, and Timius walked over. He picked her up, disarming her of her weapons, before starting down a pathway in the mountain.

“I'm taking her to Arngeir, he'll know what to do. I suggest you continue to train, as well as continue on your quest. You can grieve later.” With that, he seemed to have vanished into thin air, having used the fast travel spell to get her there as quickly as possible. We traveled down the mountain, a gloomy silence hanging in the air. Lydia set up camp, we healed our wounds, before succumbing to a restless sleep.

Later in the night, the peaceful silence was broken by a mournful howl, sorrow and grief laced within. That howl was joined by another, till once again the world fell back to a peaceful darkness.