As much as Nathan wanted to get moving, he found himself asking Durnehviir curiously. "Can I ask how you ended up in the Soul Cairn?" Durnehviir looked away to the dark horizon, before openly admitting. "In Tamriel, in a time long since passed. The Dovah roamed the skies, vying for their small slices of territory that resulted in immense and ultimately fatal battles." Turning his large head to eye him again, Durnehviir continued in a strong deep voice. "I was no different. But unlike some of my brethren, I sought solutions outside the norm in order to maintain my superiority. I began to explore what the dovah call 'Alok-Dilon,' the ancient forbidden art that you call necromancy." Nathan perked up, watching Durnehviir's pride fade as he regaled to him. "The Ideal Masters assured me that my powers would be unmatched. That I could raise legions of the undead... In return, I was to serve then as a Keeper until the death of the one who calls herself Valerica." Serana gasped as her mother's name was uttered, but she didn't say more. Looking from Serana and back to Durnehviir, he couldn't help stating out a bit snarkily. "They didn't tell you she was immortal, did they?"

Durnehviir hefted a deep exhale, grumbling out under his breath. "I discovered too late that the Ideal Masters favor deception over honor and had no intention of releasing me from my binding. They had control of my mind, but fortunately they couldn't possess my soul. Unfortunately, I have been here too long, and the Soul Cairn has become apart of what I am. I can never be free of it and fully call Tamriel my home ever again... or I shall surely parish." Spreading his wings with large holes a bit, Nathan saw just how the Soul Cairn had laced itself into his being. His dark scales were crusted with soul husk plants that clung to him. As he flexed, flakes of dried soul husk sprinkled off him like sand, revealing his dark scales were slowly turning an ivy color as bits of the soul husks flaked off them. Adjusting on the roof, Durnehviir told him in a pained voice. "That is why I hope that you will allow me the precious moments of time in Tamriel through your call. But again, do not answer if you will or not. I'll know sooner or later what your answer was." Serana risked stepping forward then, asking aloud. "What will you do to my mother?" Durnehviir's eyes rose to meet hers, before answering coolly. "I will continue to serve my purpose and keep her here. Where our waiting game can continue. Despite knowing that I will never be able to leave this place... I still hold hope that she shall parish and I'll be set free."

Serana inched closer to him, asking a bit hopeful herself. "You won't hurt her? Will you...?" Durnehviir's eyes turned to Nathan. Nathan saw the reluctance to answer in his guarded eyes. Raising a hand, Nathan gestured off as he asked him. "She wants to stay here anyway. At least until things settle down in Tamriel. She won't try to escape. So... maybe you can do me a favor in return and just... keep an eye on her. Protect her from the Ideal Masters and the other Keepers they may send her way... if you can." Durnehviir tipped his head to him, stating out in an honorable tone. "Very well. A favor for a favor." Serana relaxed, turning to face Nathan as she mouthed out a silent thank you. Durnehviir then took to the skies, bellowing down to him. "Wind beneath your wings, Qahnaarin. I hope we meet again." Nathan waved as he watched him vanish up into the dark clouds. While behind him, Serana said grimly. "I'm glad we found the scroll, but I... I wish she could come with us." Patting her arm in comfort, he reached out for Escher's hand and told them. "Let's get out of here. We still have a lot to do." Serana nodded, regaling confidently. "Yes. The sooner we get the scroll home, the sooner we deal with my father."

Heading back out to the stone steps that led back up and into Valerica's tower lab, Nathan started to leave the way they had come, but quickly pulled Escher to a door that he hadn't opened. Opening it slowly, Nathan felt the fresh Skyrim air blow over him. Despite not needing the air, he still took it in. The smell of the ocean and mist that hung in the air was heavenly after being in the dark and stuffy Soul Cairn. As the sun rose over the distant mountains, Nathan felt himself weaken but loved the beauty of the warm light seeping through the distant treetops. Beside him, Escher squeezed his hand and asked him curiously. "Are you going to do it?" Giving him a small smile, Nathan walked up to the stone railing and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he looked up at the orange hues stretching over the blue and black sky, before calling out as loudly as he could. "DURNEHVIIR!" The name resonated through the air and from above, purple flames rippled into the solid form of Durnehviir. Letting out a deep growl, Durnehviir blinked a little confused before hovering. In that moment, Durnehviir's golden eyes saw the sunrise and his face spoke louder than words. He could see the tear fall down Durnehviir's cheek before he grinned and soared off toward the sun with a thunderous laugh of unbridled joy.

Escher chuckled to himself, teasing out. "He didn't say thank you." Nathan shrugged, nudging Escher's shoulder as he told him. "Oh, let him have a little fun. He can thank me later." Beckoning Serana over, Nathan chuckled out. "Take my hand." Without questioning him, she did it. Holding both Escher's and Serana's hands, he jumped up onto the railing and pulled them up onto it with him. Serana's eyes widened as she looked down at the rocks below them, asking nervously. "Nate? What are you doing?" Escher tried to pull his hand from him, rushing out. "Nathan. Don't. The jump is too far!" Serana gasped as she realized what he was planning. Smirking though, Nathan told them giddily. "On the count of three. Jump. One." Escher shook his head, yelling our over Serana's panic. "NO! Nathan?!" Serana tugged against him, stammering out. "Nathan?! Are you crazy?!" Bracing himself, Nathan told them coolly and confidently. "Two... THREE!" Despite their protesting, they both leapt off with him. As far out as they jumped, they started rapidly falling toward the sharp rocks. Serana screamed as loud as her lungs allowed, followed by Escher, until Nathan's leathery wings sprang out to catch the wind. Gliding over to the deeper water, Nathan dropped them in before tucking his wings and splashing in himself.

Swimming up to the surface, Nathan blissfully chuckled as he saw the others spitting water and glaring at him. Serana then smirked and started splashing him. Laughing Escher joined her and for a few minutes, they just splashed and shoved each other around. Wrapping his arms around Escher, Nathan kissed his wet cheek. Escher leaned back against him with a smile, while Serana told Nate with a gleaming grin. "You are insane. But it was fun..." They laughed together, then started to swim for the shore around Volkihar Castle. Climbing out, they wrung out their cloths a bit. Allowing Nathan to whisper to them seriously. "Alright. Here's the plan. I'll get the Scroll from Harkon. You two fetch supplies and the Moth Priest. Sneak him out. Get on some horses and just start riding to Helgen. I'll meet you there." Escher grabbed his arm, straining out uneasily. "Nathan, if Harkon learns of this-" Putting a hand to his lips, Nathan cooed out. "Just trust me. I'm good at distracting people and talking my way out of things. You just get going so that I don't have to worry about you. Ok?" Escher nodded reluctantly. When the plan was set up, he gave the scroll to Escher and kissed his cheek.

Leading the others over the bridge to the castle doors, Nathan waved to the guard and slipped inside. Once inside, Escher and Serana quickly separated from him to find the Moth Priest. Making his way down the steps, all eyes were on Nathan. Ignoring them, he scanned around for Harkon. When he didn't see him, Nathan ventured down into the dungeon. The memories of being held here flashing through his mind. There were a whole new set of human cattle down here now. Huddled up in the dark corners of the cells and watching him enter with wide eyes. Tapping his fingers along the bars, he made his way over to the open cell at the far end. Inside, Harkon held a woman close to his body. His fangs lodged deep in her throat. Noticing the cell was littered in drained bodies, Nathan tried not to let Harkon see how it bothered him. Leaning against the open cell door, Nathan cleared his throat and purred out. "Got room for dessert?" Harkon lifted his fangs from the woman's neck, causing blood to leak from his stained fangs down her pale throat. The sight of it made him hungry. When was the last time that he'd eaten? As Harkon turned to look at him, Nathan stopped breathing.

The way the candlelight reflected off Harkon's features made him stunning. Especially with his long fangs out. His long dark hair wasn't held back like it normally was, allowing his fiery red eyes to shimmer behind straight jet black bangs. His thick dark beard even added to how his fangs stood out. In that moment, he could see what was so attractive about him. Letting the woman's limp body fall from his arms, he turned to face him, asking in a low growling voice. "You're still here?" Stepping inside the cell, Nathan casually closed the door behind him. Leaning back against it, he told Harkon calmly. "It occurred to me that we haven't spent a lot of time together. You always boss me around and I stay out of your way." Harkon's eyes looked him over, before growling out. "Where is Escher?" Tilting his head back against the bars, Nathan exposed his neck to him as he said openly. "He was tired. Went to bed for the day. I'm not tired. Too much on my mind." Harkon walked up to him slowly, his voice becoming shrouded in a thick accent when he asked him softly. "Ya? Like what?" Staying very still, Nathan met his eyes and answered fearlessly. "I think you know." Harkon's finger touched the underside of his chin, his lips moving closer to his as he whispered out. "Enlighten me, my ward."

Lifting his hands out, Nathan grabbed the bars higher up behind him, letting his lips inch toward Harkon's as he whispered back. "You don't play with me like you do with Escher. Maybe I feel... rejected? Jealous. Angry... Hungry." Harkon raised a dark eyebrow, breathlessly purring out. "Hungry?" Nathan let his fangs grow out, before lightly hissing out to him. "Ya... I want what he has." Harkon's finger trailed down Nathan's throat, before he gripped his throat and slammed him up against the bars. Nathan tightened his grip on the bars, his muscles flexing as he stared down Harkon like a predator. Harkon stared down into his eyes, a tiny smile pulling at his lips when he purred over his lips. "You think you could handle me? I've seen how he plays with you..." Flashing him his best devilish grin with fangs fully extended, Nathan growled out to him. "You aren't the first roughed up soldier that I've entertained. I can handle you... far better than Escher could." Harkon huffed, his grip tightening on Nathan's neck. Nathan closed his eyes, tilting his head back to enjoy the sensation of Harkon's strong hand on him. Harkon's lips brushed over his lips, his fangs tracing Nathan's bottom lip when he growled out through his teeth. "You've got a mean streak... I like it."

Yanking him away from the bars by his throat, Harkon pulled Nathan's back against him to hiss into his ear. "Alright. But remember... you asked for this." Harkon then shoved Nathan up against the bars. Keeping his hand on the back of Nathan's neck to pin him against the bars, Harkon buckled his cloak and tugged off his leather belt. Grabbing the bars, Nathan closed his eyes and braced himself. Harkon ran the fingers of his free hand down Nathan's spine to his ass. The snap of the belt sounded worse than the blow to his ass felt. Pressing himself up against the bars, Nate gasped, his biceps flexing. Harkon leaned in growl into his ear like an animal, before striking him again. This time Nathan found himself straining out a moan. His body knew exactly what Harkon wanted. It was same thing that all soldiers like him wanted it. It was less about the sex and more about the dominating of their partner. Harkon was a warlord. He wanted to feel powerful and in complete control over everything around him. Harkon stuck him over and over, before tossing the belt aside and pressing up against him to sink his teeth into his throat. Nathan tightened his hands on the bars, forcing himself not to fight back.

Harkon started to drain the blood from him until he felt weak and dizzy. Slight panic filled him, until he noticed Harkon was holding onto a bar over his shoulder. Instinct took over Nathan then and he sank his teeth into Harkon's arm to take his blood back. Harkon hissed against his throat but didn't stop him. Nathan sank his teeth in deep, drinking heavily. Every drop set his veins on fire with power. It was like drinking pure adrenaline. Releasing the bars, Nathan reached back with one hand to claw at Hakon's thigh, while the other wrapped around Harkon's arm to keep feeding. Harkon removed his fangs, his tongue licking up the bite. Nathan moaned against Harkon's arm, then yelped as Harkon grabbed the back of his neck to pry him off his arm. A primal urge caused Nathan to whirl around, striking Harkon across the face with a loud hiss for stopping his feeding. Harkon took the blow to his face, then locked eyes with him with a deep menacing growl. Harkon tried to grab his neck, but Nathan swatted his hand away and shoved him. Harkon came right back, grabbing Nathan's wrists quickly to slam him back against the bars.

Nathan hisses at him and Harkon growled back at him, before claiming his lips in an aggressive kiss. Nathan bit Harkon's lip and tongue, but Harkon only chuckled. Tasting his blood in their kiss, Nathan calmed down to kiss him to drink his blood from his bites. Harkon's hands wrapped around his legs, hefting him up to pin him higher up against the bars. Nathan wrapped his legs and arms around Harkon, moaning into their kiss. Even when Harkon's nails cut into the back of his shirt to tear the fabric apart. Breaking the kiss, Nathan looked up at the dark ceiling to collect himself, before lowering back to sink his fangs into Harkon's throat. Harkon's nails cut into his flesh, but his flesh healed just fast as Harkon hurt him. So, he did the same back to him. He expected Harkon to get angry. Instead, he liked it. It was almost a violent game between them. He was confused. He felt like he was fighting him... and yet, the way Harkon enjoyed it made him think they were just doing the vampire version of angry sex. He wanted to be ashamed that he kind of liked it, but his excitement for it overpowered all train of thought.

Grabbing Harkon's shirt, Nathan pushed off the bars to flip Harkon onto the stone ground. The stone floor cracked from the force he put into it, but Harkon just laughed. Sitting up on his waist, Nathan tore open Harkon's silk shirt open, then leaned in to whisper over his split and bloodstained lips. "Careful, my lord... You just might fall for me." Harkon cupped his face, licking his lips before whispering breathlessly up to him. "I could tell you the same thing." To Be Continued...