Nathan watched Mark fall back into the snow, smelling the blood leak from his nose but resisted the powerful urge to attack him and drink back what he was losing. Nathan staggered back, a step or two. Swaying on his feet, he tried to remain upright. His instincts told him to attack, but Nathan ignored them as his vision blurred. He saw the blurry form of Jack rush toward him like he was going to attack him, but he suddenly stopped. His instincts flared into his voice as he snapped out defensively at Jack in the hopes of keeping him away from him. "What? He bit me and it hurt!" Nathan staggered on his feet and grabbed his hurt arm with his good one. He was losing feeling in his arm and couldn't move it. Jack inched closer to him, asking him with sudden concern. "Nate? Why aren't you healing?" Weakly, Nathan pointed toward the sun, his voice barely audible now when he answered. "It's morning..." With those words, Nathan lost all feeling in his legs and fell backward into the snow. He'd never felt so weak and couldn't help wondering if he was dying... again. He'd lost so much blood that his whole body was shutting down. He barely saw Jack drop beside him, before his vision faded to black.

Yet, even within the dark, he was able to hear everything around him. He felt Jack's hands on his chest, while a deep voice bellowed out with calm amusement. "You sure do make some interesting friends, Mal Dovah." All around them, the other dragons let out throaty chuckles. The moment they stopped, Jack asked in a shaky voice. "Will Nate die?" From a different side, another dragon answered in a deep humorous chuckle. "As a vampire he can not die so easily. He can lose all his blood and still live... but he will be very hungry when he awakens. It's probably the reason that he chose to save your life." Unable to resist, Nathan sarcastically uttered out without moving or opening his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm not suicidal. I just didn't move fast enough to do two things at once. I won't do it again. I've learned my lesson." Jack chuckled a little, patting his shoulder that appeared to be healed now. Had he healed him? He hadn't felt him do it, but he felt no pain or numbness there. Then across from him, Mark mumbled out a little too nicely. "I won't hold it against him." Jack got up, moving not toward Mark but toward one of the dragons.

Forcing his eyes open, Nathan tried to get up but couldn't. Part of him wanted to ask for help, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. To his surprise, Mark crawled over and held his arm out, telling him a bit gruffly. "Here. I owe you." Nathan thought about making a snarky remark about wolf blood but couldn't bring himself to do it. Mark was being nice... When he didn't have to be. Taking his wrist, Nathan dropped his fangs and pierced them into Mark's wrist. Mark winced and whined a little but didn't move away. Nathan forced himself to drink down slow gulps. When he started to see Mark flex his fingers, he stopped. Pulling his arm back, Nathan watched his wrist heal, before he rubbed it. Nathan licked his lips, slowly sitting up. He was still starving, but he'd gotten enough blood back to at least function again. Nathan opened his mouth to say something to Mark, until all the dragons jerked their heads up and glanced around at each other with shocked expressions. Neither of them had been paying attention to what Jack was saying to them. The largest dragon of the group, raised his head high, announcing in unison with the others in a mournful but content tone. "Alduin Malaan."

Nate and Mark shared a blank look, before Jack turned to translate with a cute blush. "Alduin has fallen." The large dragon looked down at Jack with a proud smirk, then announced to the others in a powerful bellowing voice. "Sahrot thur qahnaraan! Dovahkiin los ok dovahkriid." The dragon paused there, giving Jack a look like he wanted to see him translate it as he tilted his head to him. With a chuckle, Jack turned to look at himself and Mark, translating a little embarrassed. "The mighty overlord is vanquished. The Dragonborn slew him." The large dragon nodded his approval to Jack, then continued to the other dragons with pride. "Thu'umii Los Nahlot!" Nathan flinched as all the dragons raised their wings high and shouted with pride at the new dawn in unison. "MU LOS VOMIR!" Jack looked so moved by them as he translated for them with a heartwarming smile. "His voice is silenced. We are free of fealty." Together the dragons let out roars of glee, before taking to the skies to soar around the mountain. Nathan had to admit that it was a strong feeling to see all the dragons so... happy. Dragons paired up to nuzzle their loved ones like they'd been afraid for so long. While others leapt around like giddy children finally allowed to play outside after a long day in school.

Before long there was only one dragon left on the mountain. The large white dragon didn't celebrate like the others. He just sat staring out at the horizon with an unreadable expression. The sight of the dragon seemed to hurt Jack. Nathan tried to get up to go to him, but Mark held him back. So, he just watched Jack approach the dragon with a heavy heart. When he got close, the dragon uttered out in a sad tone of voice. "So, it is done. Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more. He came before all others... and has always been." Jack moved up just a bit closer to stand beside him, upon asking in an almost regretful voice. "You don't sound very happy about it..." The large dragon crawled down from the large stone wall that sat at the edge of the cliff, curling himself up around where Jack stood like he was sick. His voice was deeply saddened now, when he admitted honestly. "No, I am not happy. Zeymahi Lost Ont Du'ul Bormahu. Alduin... My brother was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creations. I cannot celebrate his fall... Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. For me, this world will never be the same without him."

Nathan hung his head a little. He understood that kind of loss all too well. It hurt to see someone else feel it. Even if his brother was the World-Eater... he was family. You don't always have a choice with who you got. You just learned to live with them and even when time pulls you apart. You still can't help but love them for who they once were. Jack sniffled, leaning in to hug the dragon as he choked out to him. "I'm so sorry, Paarthurnax... If I had any other choice..." Nathan's jaw dropped and he pointed to the dragon as he looked to Mark. THIS was Paarthurnax?! Jack's mentor and father figure was a damn dragon! Mark smirked at him like this wasn't news to him, but Nathan was completely floored. He was expecting some old creepy guy. Not an ancient dragon. Paarthurnax turned his head to hug Jack to his side, purring out in a loving voice. "Ah, Mal Dovah... Alduin Wahlaan Daanii. His doom was written when he claimed for himself lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu – Our father Akatosh. You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot Krongrah – One that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see it. Savor your triumph, Dovahkiin. This is not the last of what you will write upon the currents of time. Because of you, this world will continue to exist. Grik Los Lein. And as you told me once... The next world will have to take care of itself. Ful Nii Los. Even I cannot see past times ending."

Nathan smiled to himself. He didn't know Paarthurnax, but he spoke in a way that was very soothing to his ears and made him hopeful. Jack pressed himself closer to the dragon, asking like a child to a parent that was hurting. "Will you be ok?" Paarthurnax lifted his head, giving Jack a little nudge to look him in the eyes with one big bright blue eye, before answering in a soft warm voice. "So Los Mid Fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a Dovah to fall into. Only time will heal my loss." To Nathan's surprise, Jack leaned in and kissed Paarthurnax on the nose, refusing to let him go. For a bit, Paarthurnax purred loudly, then told him in a more confident and collected tone. "Don't worry, Mal Dovah. As the Eldest Dovah... I must live to pass my knowledge on. Many of the Dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen... The rightness of my Thu'um." Finally stepping back, Jack asked him in a worried voice. "Will I ever see you again?" Paarthurnax nodded, his voice so sweet when he chuckled out. "Certainly, Mal Dovah. You have given me hope for a new future. While you celebrate your victory. I must seek the Dovahhe. My ways will take time... but willing or no, they will hear it. Then... just maybe... We can bring the Dovahhe and the Jul together once again in a new world."

Swooping down from the sky, a dragon hovered nearby to say excitedly. "Paarthurnax! Come! We must shout this news to the far reaches of Keizaal! You must join us!" Nathan and Mark got to their feet, watching Jack reluctantly back away from Paarthurnax as Paarthurnax told the other dragon. "I shall. Just one moment." The dragon flew off and Nathan watched how Jack shuffled his feet and teared up. Nathan recognized that look. He always had that same look when his own dad went off to some mission. Jack didn't want him to go. Paarthurnax lowered his nose to Jack's level, purring out to him in such a fatherly tone. "Thank you, Mal Dovah. I am so proud of you and your courage." Jack began to cry silent tears, prompting Paarthurnax to coo out to him. "Don't cry. I will be back before this year has ended. When I return... I will be here. Waiting to tell you all about MY adventures." Jack pet Paarthurnax's nose, sniffling out. "You better be. I still have so much to tell you. Please be safe and call for me if you need me." Paarthurnax purred loudly, nuzzling Jack with a warm smile, before saying lovingly. "I shall. Wing beneath your wings, Mal Dovah. Stay safe and raise the little one well."

Tiidgein popped his head up from Jack's hood, giving Paarthurnax a little curious sniff. Paarthurnax then pulled away, unfurling his massive leathery white wings. Nathan became transfixed by them. His white scales and wings glittered in the dawn's light like sparkling snow. Springing up on to the wall like a graceful cat, Paarthurnax turned his attention to the dawn with a look that was both excited and held a longing. Nathan didn't understand the look. Had he never flown before? Was he trapped here? Paarthurnax glanced back at Jack, grinning as brightly as the dawn, upon informing him giddily. "I feel younger than I have in many an age! Fare thee well, Mal Dovah!" Jack chuckled, smiling as he watched Paarthurnax roar and leap off the wall to soar into the sky. Nathan held his breath, watching the magnificent creature fly through the air with a pure look of freedom pouring from him. He was such a large dragon, but the sky gave him plenty of room to soar. Jack watched him go, his tears falling from his cheeks as he hugged himself and swayed a little. Mark seized the moment to approach him, beckoning Jack into the hug he clearly needed.

While rubbing his back, Mark told Jack in a comforting voice. "He'll be back. He just wants to stretch his wings." The dragons that had been circling the mountain, suddenly changed course to follow Paarthurnax. All except one. The familiar dragon landed, shaking the ground enough that Nathan staggered a bit, before turning to face Odahviing. Nathan blinked in shock. He hadn't realized that HE was here too. Mark tried to protect Jack, but Jack moved around him fearlessly to greet him. Odahviing tipped his head to Jack, casually stating out. "Pruzah wundunne wah with gein. I wish the old one luck in his... quest. But I doubt many will wish to exchange Alduin's lordship for the tyranny of Paarthurnax's 'Way Of The Voice.' As for myself, you've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri, Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um. Call me when you have need, and I will come if I can." Nathan watched Jack bow to him respectfully, before telling him nicely. "People doubted me and my ways too. Sometimes... You've just got to give them your best try. This will be a learning process for all of us." Odahviing nodded with a smirk, replying light before he took off into the skies. "Only time will tell. Fare well, Dovahkiin."

As Odahviing flew away, an awkward silence fell over the mountain. Nathan looked to Jack and Mark for what to do next, but they looked just as lost. Jack slowly turned to Mark, asking in an uncertain voice. "So... What do we do now?" Mark laughed, pulling Jack into a hug. While Nathan stretched out his stiff limbs and chuckled out a little hopefully. "Fancy a drink at the local tavern?" Sharing a hearty laugh, they ventured down the mountain together to High Hrothgar. The castle was gloomier than he imagined the home of the famous Grey Beards would be. Even the Grey Beards themselves were rather boring. They lived like monks. All but one taking a vow of silence and to make the matter worse... they were not very happy to see him or Mark. Instead of just passing through, they swarmed Jack with questions. Which left Mark and himself with nothing to do but kill time. Mark introduced them to a strange friend of theirs that they called 'Klipper.' Nathan had never seen such a creature in all his life. He looked like a shorter and uglier version of a goblin from Cyrodiil. They called his kind a Riekling, and Nathan made a mental note to avoid them. They gave him the creeps.

By the time that Jack was allowed to leave, both him and Jack groaned in frustration. While Mark's horse, Tim, was here under Klipper's watch. Walter and Jack's horse, Agro, had been left in Whiterun. However, as much as they hated the long walk to Whiterun. Nathan found himself bonding a bit more with them. He kept most of his life secret but told them the bits that he felt were more important about himself. Building an unexpected friendship. So much so, that after he retrieved Walter. Jack didn't protest when he offered to ride in their direction. Then when they reached Riverwood, Nathan just... hung around the small tavern. He played music there and slept there. Occasionally, watching Mark settle back into working as a blacksmith. Jack even surprised him by remaining true to his own words by making him the right hand man to the Archmage of the College. Which was something Nathan never imagined that he'd achieve. He wanted nothing more than to tell him mother about it. As the months rolled by, Nathan found himself helping Mark build some dream home that he promised Jack that he'd make. With Nathan's strength and Mark's blacksmithing skill, they had it built before the year was out.

Mark had even been kind enough to make him a coffin nook in the cellar in case he needed a place to stay. However, soon after Mark surprised Jack with the manor of his dreams... Nathan left to get the College of Winterhold up and running. There was so much work that he had to do to get it back up in working order, but since he rarely slept, he got it done in a reasonable time. He even assured the teachers that he'd keep the place running. The fact that he was a vampire didn't even phase them like he thought it would. Most just wanted to study him... which was annoying. He even got to teach a few classes of his own for Necromancy and then started a little club for all the fun ways to use magic that involved music and provided a relaxing environment. When the end of the year finally came, Nathan decided to visit Jack over the winter break... and that's when his past came back to haunt him. For he'd neglected his job for too long... and Lord Harkon had lost his patience with him. To Be Continued...