World Eater

World Eater ch.) 1: Sovngarde

The Dragonborn and her valiant ancestral companions climbed urgently across the magnificent whale bone bridge, from Shor's Hall of Valor to the courtyard beyond the great soul chasm; Alduin's misty soul snare shrouded the surrounding landscape in a veil of grey fog, and as they moved through it, the precipitation collected, beading up on the cold steel of their armor, forming droplets that dripped from the tips of their blades. All was still and quiet- hushed within the suffocating atmosphere.

" The eyes of Shor are upon you this day. " Tsun, the bridge guardian, told them proudly as they entered into the courtyard where he stood guard before the bridge. Irridessa took a deep breath, feeling her insides squirm with anticipation- it was palpable- all of their lives had lead them here, to this moment- together, to face the World Eater.

"We can not right the foe in this mist!" Felldir called out to them from the front of their formation.

"Clear skies- combine our shouts!" Gormlaith instructed confidently as they moved to stand side by side, facing the great wall of mist together- Obediantly, they gathered a collective breath and dug deep within themselves for the power bestowed upon them by the Godess Kyreneth- the voice.

The very thought of the vital words of power filled them with energy, until they burst forth in a mighty thu'um- the ancient language of the Dov.

" Lok...vah koor! " they shouted in unison- The force of their shouts dispersed the snare, and the mists began to recede- but, the swirling rainbow vortex in the sky was visible only briefly, before the brilliant lights were snuffed out once more.

"Ven mul riik!" Alduins rumbling voice boomed back, rolling like thunder over the misty purple moors of sovngarde- A fresh wave of fog rolled in, pooling over the dips in the valley floor and rising up until the land was obscured again.

" Again! " Gormlaith shouted,- at the same time, Feldir urged them not to take time for even a breath.

"Lok vah koor!" They shouted again; like before the mists rolled back- only to be replaced immediately after by the all encompassing mist. Irridessa swallowed hard, feeling doubt begin to claw at the back of her mind. She wasn't the only one who was disheartened though- hakon grimaced as the wall of vapor coalesced again, gripping the hilt of his war axe so tight his knuckles turned white.

"Is there no end to his power?" He asked frustratedly. " is our struggle in vain? "

"Stand fast!" Gormlaith encouraged, seeing her companions unease. " his strength is failing! Once more, and his might will be broken! " At her behest, they gathered their strength once again and willed the mist backward, and waited with bated breath as the soul snare cleared- until the sound of beating wings was heard fast approaching.

"The endless wait gives way to battle! Alduin's doom, his death is ours!" Gormlaith cried with fierce joy and conviction, her grey eyes alight with excitement as they readied for battle.

" there he is! " Hakon called out, pointing skyward as the huge black scaled dragon swooped overhead- His polished scales caught the light from the auroras above, sending fractals of colorful lights scattering off his jeweled body- he was magnificent, Irridessa thought; like living obsidian.

"No escape this time, foul worm!" Gormlaith provoked fearlessly- Alduins eyes blazed with indignant fury as he circled overhead, swooping low and rearing up in the center of the clearing, beating his wings furiously as he hung in the air overhead. The grass whipped chaoticly and debris was sent flying through the air.

Hakon flourished his axe brazenly. " Die world eater! " he bellowed. "Despair and fear!"

Alduin looked upon them with scorn, his lips twitching and slowly pulling over his rows of sharp ivory teeth as he proudly displayed his massive form in the air before them.