World Eater

Ch.) 9 : Sky Haven Temple

As they moved slowly through the maze like labyrinth, Irridessa once again found herself grateful for Lydia's presence - if she hadn't chosen to accompany them, the Dragonborn doubted she would have been able to support Alduin all the way to the final chamber, where the entrance to the temple- a open mouthed face carved into the rock- was.

The doorway was open, as it had been since she had poured her blood onto the enchanted mechanism what seemed like ages ago. They carried him through the door and up the darkened stairway up to the final set of doors into the great hall- Alduin sneezed as he inhaled the dust in the narrow space.

Irridessa and Lydia each used a foot to kick open the double doors into the massive, intricately carved great hall, stumbling through it- Alduin was immediately relieved at how open the space was. Reflexively, He inhaled a deep lungful of fresh air and looked up to the sun rays pouring in from the skylight like holes in the ceiling- He had never been so grateful to see sunlight.

"Esbern!?" Irridessa called out, her voice carrying in the spacious stone room- carved intricately from the mountain itself. Alduin looked around with barely veiled interest, wondering how many years of labor had gone into building such a detailed structure- even in its state of disrepair it looked as though it would withstand the ages. "Delphine!?"

" Must you be so loud? " he hissed uncomfortably, looking anxiously around the dimly lit room. She fixed him with a cold look, her eyes stabbing into him like daggers.

"Yes." She stated, her voice laced with authority. He rolled his eyes- wincing as she brushed by his leg, stepping passed him-leaving him leaning against Lydia awkwardly as she called out for her colleagues once more. His head was pounding- he wished she would cease the annoying racket.

Then he saw it.

Across the room beyond the edge of the centered long table, a large mural dominated the center wall, lit on either side by mounted torches; It was obviously the focal point of the room- all the intricate carving in the infrastructure seemed to reflect its style, originating at that point and stretching outward around the chamber...He wondered then, who was responsible for this impressive work of art- because that's what the whole structure was. Art.

From their spot near the far end of the table, the one detail Alduin saw clearly was the centerpiece- a large depiction of a fearsome black Dragon...Alduin's mind prickled, and he pushed himself carefully off of his crutch's shoulder, staggering to the table, and bracing his palms against the surface.

He staggered slowly to its edge- Before him, the detailed carving depicted several major events in Skyrims history- two of which he recognised; The first event featured, illustrated a large Dragon breathing fire upon a great city, burning down several warriors- Several more winged beasts flew through the sky, reigning down terror upon its residents.

The Dragon wars.

As his eyes followed the depictions, the mural seemed to come to life before him; Sounds from deep within his memories echoed in the confines of his mind- the battle cries of the warriors and the metallic clang of their blades, and the roars of the Dovahhe as they engaged the joor on the field... The shadows of the fire light danced across the detailed carvings, and their armored legs seemed to move on the wall- It almost even appeared as if the dragons were beating their great wings, like a living stone surface...

Lydia watched him appreciate the artwork with a small smile, thinking of how little of the world he must have experienced in his life, sheltered in the mountains with the monks- He looked at everything around him with such sharp interest, seemingly absorbing it all with an endless hunger.