Nate ran to the far wall, hoping to put some distance between him and Malkoran. As a Shade though, Malkoran was not so easy to get distance from. He was basically a ghost. Stamina was nothing to him. He hovered over the ground, chasing him like a chilly autumn breeze. Stumbling over a skeletal corpse that he hadn't seen in the dark outskirts of the room; Nate didn't have time to think. He staggered down to a knee and raised a hand out behind him to shoot a line of flames from his palm. Malkoran had expected it, laughing maniacally as he threw a hand up to summon a powerful ward. Malkoran drifted forward, pushing the Ward shield closer to Nate which brought Nate's own flames closer to him. Nate winced, feeling his own hot flames threaten to burn him. Behind the slow approaching shield, Malkoran sneered out. "I'm the most powerful Necromancer to live. What makes you think that a weakling like YOU can defeat ME?!" Nate ended his flames, dropping his hand as he panted out. "Nothing. I didn't come here to fight you. I'm not stupid." Malkoran ended his ward, but his fingers started to spark with blue static as he started to huff out. "Then why..." Malkoran drifted off when he saw Nate's other hand.

Nate's eyes followed his to the sword in his other hand. Giving Malkoran a nervous smirk, he told him honestly. "Ya... I came to rob you blind." Malkoran's eyes of flames turned back on him, uttering out in a dark inhuman growl. "When I'm done with you... There will be nothing left of your soul to call human!" Malkoran raised a hand to summon forth a long shadow sword with a gothic looking hilt. The hilt had a human skull biting the blade and had curled sharp horns from the skull's temples going toward the shiny red blade. The blade gave off an otherworldly energy that prompted Nate to utter out. "Oh, fuck me..." Lifting the blade, Malkoran yelled out before he swung. "I'll take that from you NOW!" Yelping, Nate lifted the blade as a meek attempt to protect himself from a blade that he was positive couldn't be blocked with a normal weapon. Malkoran's blade struck the golden blade, sending a loud ringing sound throughout the room. The blades sparked, then Malkoran was blown back from Dawnbreaker. Malkoran wavered back in the air, yelling out in frustration. "NO! That's not possible! I weakened that sword!" Nate looked at the blade as it rested along his arm. In the center of the rounded hilt, the tiny sun was shining brightly, causing the blade to shimmer in white runes along the center of it.

Slowly getting back up to his feet, Nate glanced up at the sunlight that was beaming in above the door to the pedestal where he had retrieved Dawnbreaker. If Malkoran had weakened it by keeping it from the light... He had restored it by exposing it to the sun with Meridia's light. Malkoran shied from the light coming from the sword, hissing out. "Damn it... but even with that sword. You can't hope to win against my power." From around a pillar, Malkoran's ghostly skeletal hand outstretched to him, purring out rather nicely. "I'll make you a deal. Give me the sword and I'll let you leave this place with your life." Nate raised an eyebrow, putting the blade over his shoulder as he asked a little tempted. "You'd forgive me completely for shooting you in the face...?" Malkoran leaned slightly from behind the pillar, grumbling out. "Yes..." Nate tapped the blade on his shoulder, admitting aloud. "That is VERY tempting... But... it seems to me like I'm holding the ace now." Malkoran's hand grabbed the pillar, clawing into the stone as he said furiously. "Only for as long as you can hold onto that sword. And if I have to take it from your lifeless corpse... so be it."

Nate spun the sword in his hand to loosen up his wrist, bracing himself as he snapped out. "Then come and get it!" Malkoran's hand aimed across the room to shoot a spell at the only fresh corpse in the room. Nate gawked as Malkoran's body rose back up to its feet, pulling the arrow from its forehead. Malkoran's Shade looked to Nate, chuckling out. "I think I will." Malkoran's body raised its hands into the air, its palms glowing purple before he dropped to slam his hands onto the ground. The floor rippled and Nate groaned out. "Son of bitch...." All over the ground, corpses and skeletons began to reanimate. The skeleton at Nate's feet sprang to life, stabbing a dagger into his thigh. Nate swung Dawnbreaker to take the skeleton's head off. Without its head, the skeleton fell back into a pile of bones. For good measure, Nate smashed the skull under his boot. Limping off to a clear spot as more started to approach him. He wanted to remove the dagger but didn't have the time. Plus, he didn't know if he'd have the strength to heal himself before losing too much blood. So, he left it and started swinging at the revived bodies. The revived bodies were either weaker or Dawnbreaker was impressive. He was cutting the bodies down to ash with single swings. Leaving only piles of ash and crumpled bones at his feet. Just as he was starting to think this was too easy, Malkoran's body started to shoot ripples of lightning across the ground toward him.

Leaping back from the line of sparking lightning bolts, Nate cut down the last enemy. Malkoran's body rubbed his hands together, then clapped before pointing. From the spots he pointed at, little portals opened, and two purple glowing skeletal figures emerged in ancient Nord armor holding ancient swords. Their bodies pulsed with the power of something ancient and powerful. Nate had only felt one other thing like it. Soul Gems. Malkoran had summoned Wrathmen from the Soul Cairn! A place where all the souls trapped in Soul Gems go. The Wrathmen wielded their swords, approaching him without fear. Malkoran's Shade laughed from the shadows, calling out. "You can't last forever, little mouse. But I can!" Nate looked down at Dawnbreaker, feeling the handle pulse with an eagerness. Taking a knee, Nate held up the sword toward the approaching Wrathmen. The sword pulsed with a bright light, then started to shine brighter and brighter. Nate lowered his eyes quickly as the room filled with intense sunlight. The Wrathmen screamed in agony, their bodies igniting in flames before being burned to ash. Malkoran's body jerked, its hands outstretching as it too burned to ash without a sound. From somewhere behind Nate, Malkoran's Shade screamed out. "NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

Nate lost concentration, causing the sunlight from the sword to end. Whirling around, Nate yelped as Malkoran's Shade struck him across the face. Falling to the ground a bit stunned, Malkoran hovered over him, raising his sword as he screamed out. "DIE! ALREADY!" Nate gripped Dawnbreaker tightly but couldn't bring it up in time. Malkoran's sword came down over his chest. Nate winced in horror but watched as the sword stopped inches from his skin. Between him and the sword tip, something was resisting the blade. Malkoran roared with anger, putting more strength into his blade. The blade was slowly wedging into the force that rippled over Nate's skin. Without waiting for the shield to break, Nate brought up Dawnbreaker and shoved it into Malkoran's chest with an adrenaline infused yell of his own. Malkoran's sword disappeared and Malkoran grabbed the golden blade impaled into his chest. Locking eyes with him, Malkoran wispily mumbled out. "Impossible... Breton resistance isn't that strong..." Nate shoved the blade in more, sneering into his face as he sat up. "Must be the Snow Elf in me. Surprise?"

Dawnbreaker's blade started to glow and Malkoran's body broke out in white cracks before falling into ash. With Malkoran dead, Nate laid back against the ground weakly, dropping Dawnbreaker at his side. Panting heavily, he put a hand over his chest to rub the spot that had almost been impaled. His whole body shook. He'd never brushed so closely with death. He had known that it took a lot to hurt him with magic... but he'd never tested it like that. Grabbing his mother's bracelet on his wrist, he tried to take a minute to calm himself. The doors to the room slowly opened on their own, causing Nate's heart to sink. He couldn't handle anymore. However, as the doors opened there was only the glowing golden form of a woman shrouded in robes similar to the statue of Meridia. She slowly glided into the room but did not get too close to him. Instead, she told him in a strong tone of voice that bellowed around the room. "It is done. The defiler is vanquished. One less necromancer to disturb Skyrim's dead. This is as it should be. This is because of you. A new day is dawning. Take the mighty Dawnbreaker as promised. With it purge corruption from the dark corners of the world. Wield him in my name. So that my influence shall grow."

Nate slowly sat up, looking at her with guarded features as he snapped back. "I'll keep the sword. But find someone else to spread your damn religion." Meridia shrugged carelessly, replying casually. "It matters not. The plant cares nothing for the rays that bring it the warmth of the sun. As you carry Dawnbreaker, so will my light touch the world once again. Enjoy Dawnbreaker while you can, Mortal. Remember. My true champion will find you one day and take it back. Now go." Meridia's bright glowing form turned into a small ball of light and then vanished. Nate scoffed at her, muttering out. "A 'thank you' would have been nice after all that shit." Looking at his leg, he groaned at the sight of the dagger. The blade was newer, which was a relief. However, it was in pretty deep. Just touching the handle sent pain through his leg. Stopping, he pulled up his wineskin to gulp down some daedra wine. Letting the wine sink in to numb him a bit, he raised both hands for two different spells. Using his telekinesis spell, Nate yanked the blade from his leg, letting out a scream. He didn't think he could pull it out normally without making it worse. Quickly putting his other hand to his gushing wound, Nate quickly healed it in bursts. The pain was just making it so hard to focus. As more of it healed, Nate found it easier though. The pain soon faded, and Nate checked his leg through the hole. Healed.

Carefully getting up to his feet, he wiped his blood stained hand on his pant leg. He needed a hot bath, he felt like a grimy mess. Picking up Dawnbreaker, he made his way back out. Stepping outside into the rain, Nate muttered bitterly to himself. "I said I wanted a hot bath... not cold rain. Ugh." Making his way down to Walter, he saddled up and took his leave. Solitude wasn't too far away. The closer he got, the more he felt like his life was finally getting back on track. Solitude was the richest place in all of Skyrim. No one else could compete with its calm warm waters for coastal trade. The blue stone palace and its white stone town sat upon a mountain arch that had an amazing view of the watery horizon. From there, they could see everyone that ventured into the cove to dock their ships. Riding up to the stables, Nate paid for a stall that Walter would be using for a while. He didn't plan to leave here until he'd gotten what he came here for. Walking through the streets, Nate greeted the many nobles that he saw bustling about into different shops and Taverns. Everyone here was dressed to impress. Even the Imperial Soldiers were wearing armor that practically shined.

Making his way to the large building known as the Bard College, Nate took a deep breath and made his way inside. They accepted him with open arms and gave Nate a room of his own to stay in while he learned the trade. He couldn't wait to finish his training and start getting called on to preform for the Jarls, Taverns, and Nobles. To make a name for himself. As the years pasted in the Bard College, Nathan had completed his training and things in Skyrim were getting bleak. Nate had been asleep in his room when the attack came at the palace. The gossip around the college was that in the dead of night, Jarl Ulfric had paid a visit to the High King... and had killed him. General Tullius himself had told people that Ulfric had 'Shouted' the Jarl to death and fled. While the guard that night had been arrested and was awaiting trial, General Tullius was taking men out on horseback to hunt down the fleeing traitor, known as Jarl Ulfric. Leaning on his windowsill, a naked Imperial woman laying across his bed asked him curiously. "Isn't it scary to think about? All this time, Ulfric was the Dragonborn?" Nate huffed to himself, saying softly. "The Dragonborn is a myth. It's just an old Nord bedtime story. General Tullius is spreading lies." The Imperial woman sat up, asking with intrigue. "How can you say that? The High King was blown apart."

Nate turned to look at her with a smirk, answering confidently. "Ya? And how many people saw this happen? I lie for a living and I'm telling you this doesn't add up. If Ulfric could shout people apart... Why did he wait until now? You think a man like Ulfric wouldn't use that to rally the Nords behind him? Dragonborn. That carries weight here in Skyrim. No. I believe this is how General Tullius plans to win the war." The woman blew her blonde bangs off her face, purring out. "I think you are giving my husband FAR too much credit." Nate moved back toward the bed, leaning down to whisper to her sweetly. "Maybe. But the Thalmor stand behind him. And if the rumors are true. That Ulfric challenged the High King and WON in a fair fight... That's quite a threat to the Thalmor's growing position here. They'd have to turn the Nords against one of their own or risk a war that will chase them from Skyrim for good." The woman touched a finger to Nate's nose, chuckling out. "You can't tell anyone I told you this stuff. My husband would flip." Nate brought his lips to hers, chuckling back lustfully. "Who am I going to tell? No one would believe me. Besides... Why would I ruin this?" The woman kissed him, then giggled as he crawled over the bed to lay her on her back.

Just before he was going to slip back under the fur covers, a firm sounding knock came at his bedroom door. Nate growled against the woman's neck, snapping out over her shoulder. "Go away! I'm busy!" The door opened, causing the woman to yelp and duck beneath the covers to hide her face. Nate groaned, glaring over at his bedroom door as he snapped out. "Do I need to explain what the lady's underwear on the door means again?" The Breton man looming in the doorway flicked the pink underwear into the room, stating out numbly. "No... But the Headmaster wants to see you. Now." Nate leaned over the woman's side to keep her blocked from view as he asked curiously. "Is this about last night? Cause I told the guys to clean up the honey. And no one got hurt... Although, I heard someone lost a ring... but I'm sure it will turn up somewhere. Or come out of someone eventually..." The man's eyed widened and Nate chuckled out. "Oh...? That's not it?" The man pinched the bridge of his nose, grumbling out to Nate. "Just... Get dressed and go see Viarmo. Please? It's too early to argue with you." Nate smiled, chuckling out. "Alright, Giraud. I'm on my way."

Giraud backed out of the room, closing the door behind him. Climbing back off the bed, the woman peeked up from under the covers, whining out playfully. "Aww...? Do you have to go?" Nate pulled on his pants, leaning over to kiss her briefly, then said casually. "Yep. Headmaster's orders. Besides, you've had me to yourself all night. Your husband might be wondering where you are right now." The woman rolled her eyes, whining out bitterly. "As if. He's always in some meeting... The guy barely knows I exist. Pisses me off. He gives Ulfric more attention than me..." Pulling on his shirt, Nate moved back in to bring his lips to hers, purring out. "Oh, poor baby. Lucky me. A classy lady like yourself deserves more." He kissed her passionately and when their lips parted, she pointed to the chair to tell him with a blush. "Your money is over there, baby. I'm afraid I will be gone when you return." Nate moved to the chair to collect his payment, replying nicely. "I feel bad taking it, but a man's gotta eat. Until next time?" She nodded and added blissfully. "If he kicks you out of here. Come find me. I know a place you can stay... and the rent is... negotiable." Blushing, he nodded to her and slipped out the door with the biggest smile on his face.

All around the college, Bards were practicing with their instruments or making out with different people. Seeing the stairway was blocked, he hopped up on the smooth railing and slid down. A few Bards waved to him and he waved back. Heading through the crowded halls, he ducked under raised legs and hopped over instruments. The Bard College was the exact opposite of the Mage University. Bards were encouraged to have fun and bring joy to others. To Nate this was paradise. It didn't get any better. Reaching the Headmaster's door, he knocked and had to strain his ears to hear him answer above the noise in the hall. Walking inside, Nate closed the heavy wooden door to block off the noise, asking the tall High Elf behind a wooden deck. "You summoned for me?" Viarmo looked up from his book, removing his thin black framed glasses to tell him in a cool voice. "I did. We got a summons from a Jarl. She wants a Bard to help raise the spirits of her hold. Apparently, there was a tragedy. You were requested personally." Viarmo handed him the letter and Nate stepped out to take it. Looking it over, he saw his name at the bottom and said uneasily. "How does she know my name? I have never been to Morthal. And no one in Skyrim really knows who I am..."

Viarmo shrugged, telling him swiftly. "I don't know. You'll have to ask the Jarl when you get there. You'll have to leave as soon as possible." Folding up the paper, Nate reluctantly replied. "Sure. I'll go get my stuff." To Be Continued...