A.N. I can't do anything about the name of the chapter. Space button just doesn't work there on tab.

It was...more pleasant that the two expected. Like a warm shower passed over the two. The warmth even got to Danny's ice core. So pleasant...it made him want go back and forward through the portal. But he had a job to do, just like his companion. Speaking of whom. The half ghost looked to the side and saw Serana still standing near him. She smiled up at her boyfriend and gestured for them to go further.

The place was dark once more. The second they stepped on the muddy ground, the shine of the shrine subsided, leaving lighting to some small cane-like plants. They also had tulip-like top and smelled awful once you get closer. Their glow also disappeared at contact, when they shriveled, as if trying to hide from Danny's touch. To his surprise, even Serana didn't know what this thing was. They just continued their path through the dark caverns. It was getting more and more pressing on the two, and Phantom could understand why the vampire didn't want to come to such places anymore.

In many aspects, the cave was similar to the previous one, except for the purplish glow covering it. Neither of the two could really understand if they were descending or going higher. Each time they jumped off a small cliff, it was followed by a steady path obviously leading higher. What made Danny curious and Serana more unsettled, were those strange holes, which looked like entrances to some sort of nest. Because they were the entrances, used by the Falmer to move more quickly. Maybe to keep their offsprings deep inside where no living soul could get them. Or to traverse through the caves via the paths unknown.

Then they heard the sounds of another waterfall. This time, however, the couple was careful, because there was no telling to whom that source of light belonged. They sneakily peeked around the corner, and Danny got an eyeful at the beings they talked so much about.

Falmers looked horrible. They were always hunched, and it made them twice as small. Their skin was white, almost unnoticeable with dirt and some other stuff on them. It looked harsh and rough, with many wrinkles. The pointy ears were a reminder of their elven heritage. The most striking trait were their eyes. It seemed as if the skin had grown over them, completely encasing the eyes and rendering them blind. Some wore strange black armor, which seemed to be made of some sort of black chitin.

The same material was used in the primitive huts. Strange, considering that there was no need for houses within the caves. Maybe Danny just knew very little of the Stone age. There were also fences, where the Falmers kept some slimy worm-like creatures, to whom the chitin belonged, judging from their natural protection. Hard to say in what age the mutated elves lived, it depended on how complicated working with such material was. He did not know that either.

"So, what's the plan?" Danny whispered.

"I don't know. Be careful, though, they tend to poison their weapons."

"I am immune to the stuff. Hey, I have an idea."

"Wha..."

Serana managed to hold back a yelp when Danny suddenly took her once again. He moved the hand to his mouth and made a 'shh' motion. Now the vampire understood his plan. Phantom wasn't making any sounds while floating. As long as they stayed quiet, the blind creatures wouldn't take notice, which would in turn make their journey quicker and less dangerous. Not that they had been a massive threat to begin with.

So they floated right past the elves, careful not to touch anything. And did it work out just fine. They didn't even notice a couple of the undead moving right between them. It made Danny hold a laugh inside. Better not to blow this up. Finally they landed near the natural bridge over the pit. Quietly they went further, trying to avoid...

Well, here came their luck. On the other end of the very narrow bridge appeared a Falmer. The creature slopped on the wet ground, not being able to see them. It was either the collision or jumping away. Serana gestured for Danny to jump off, as he could fly. He was confused, but floated nearby, the water from the waterfall leaving drops on him. The vampire soundlessly took her dagger, waiting for the right moment. Finally, she clapped its mouth and swiped her blade across the neck. The dead body was dumped in the pit with no visible bottom. Danny just watched, glancing at the small camp. The others hadn't noticed.

"That had to hurt," he said maybe louder than needed.

The Falmers perked up, and the couple's eyes widened.

"You idiot," Serana whispered angrily.

They spread out, obviously on guard for the potential prey. They would now listen for the tiniest sounds. Danny and Serana hurried to further the distance between them and the perverse image of the elves. Once it was long enough, the vampire turned to the half ghost and glared at him. No words had to be said. Danny only chuckled nervously and let her go. Yes, it was a mishap and it was his fault entirely. Well, no time to linger.

Why weren't they fighting? For two reasons. One, the pointless fighting would take the time they needed for more important things, two, it was known that once you get too much attention among the Falmers, soon an endless swarm would surround you and you would end up dead. No need to get either, so the undead kept trying to be as sneaky as possible.

Endless traps, endless small encampments of the Falmers were left behind. Serana was getting tired, and both were sick of these caves. Then they reached a dead end. Strange, considering how all paths seemed to be made with the sole purpose of leading here. The two had oriented using the remnants of the ancient architecture. Now there was nothing.

"Just peachy," Danny grumbled.

"Wait, here is a lever," Serana pointed at the wall. "Two, actually."

"I think we both know that one of them shall lead to the end of our afterlives. Maybe we should just go through?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

They did just that, phasing through a rock on their way. Immediately they were greeted by an animal. In front of them stood a sabertooth cat. But it had dark eyes, pitch black fur with purple spots. The creature only stared at them, growling, yet unwilling to attack. Then, it simply jumped off the rock and went away. Two travelers looked at each other and shrugged, before going forward, but not without being awed at the sight of the new cave.

The cavern was enormous, the ceiling held by the pillars of rocks was so high above that it was impossible to even see. The pillars hardly lived up to their shared name, for they were twisting and turning in all directions possible. Beneath ran yet another underground river, making the air moist, coming from one end of the cave to another. Danny and Serana went down the path, so graciously made for them by the ancient Falmers. The ground beneath their shoes was slurping, sticking to them, much to the annoyance of the wearers. The plants were shining brightly, lighting the entire cave, yet shriveling humbly at the undead's approach. They saw several deers traveling around, munching on the rare grass and jumping away from the intruders. It was a strange, nocturnal form of beauty. Nocturnal, yet alien to the likes of Serana. The primordial surroundings were much, much older, more natural than the creations of the Lord of Subjugation.

After several minutes of walking they reached another pearly white structure. The shrine of Auriel greeted them once more. Surprisingly, there was also a ghost, undisturbed by the animals or the Falmers. The ghost elf easily raised the shrine from beneath the ground at a single request of the visitors. He casted a spell and the shrine rose from the ground with a rumble.

"You are about to continue your Piligrimage," the ghost said, turning to the fellow undead. "Just follow the road, young ones, and your journey to the enlightenment of Auriel shall be clean. May the Lord of the Sun guide you."

"Thank you, sir," Danny smiled, moving inside the shrine.

Serana didn't take the blessings seriously, she honestly doubted that some Aedra was ever going to bless a vampire. This whole endeavor was one big spat in the eyes of the creator of the weapon they were searching for. But nonetheless, she thanked the specter and together with her companion they stepped through another portal.

Immediately the bright sunlight hit the two dead on. Serana hissed and quickly pulled the hood. The sunblock had been burnt off, it was ridiculous how many times it had to be applied. Maybe the foul magic of Molag Bal was still seeping through, or maybe it was its complete opposite, who knew. Deciding to save what's remained of it, Serana refused Danny's suggestion. She would do it later, when it would be essential. For now, the gloves and the hood were her only salvation. Now they stood in the meadow, surrounded by snowy trees.

The valley, seen through the opening between the centuries old trees, was surrounded by vast, unscalable mountains, making it completely isolated from the rest of Skyrim and a part of High Rock, if Serana had to guess. The undead went forward, on the stomped path that had grass on its either side. Several tall oaks and pines, covered in snow, peculiar rabbits, running from one hideout to another, deers and sabercats seen before in the caves, too enthralled in the endless life circle to pay any attention to those who were outside of it. That's why the couple was able to go through the valley safely and without any trouble. Many white, fallen columns were lying on the ground, spared by time, unlike the structure they used to be part of. The air was filled with pleasant chill and the smell of mountain flowers.

"Wow, this place is gorgeous," Serana whispered. "I'm glad you are here with me."

Danny smiled brightly. "Yes, traveling here alone would be a total waste. I'm glad being here, too, with you of all people."

The vampire took his hand, leaning closer to the taller half-ghost. Serana refused to think of how he would depart for the world he belonged to. No, it was neither the time, nor the place to trouble one's mind with such thoughts.

"Uhm...Ser...you are holding too tight..."

The vampire blinked, before noticing the source of his pain. She loosened her grip, but didn't let go, taking the hand more gently. Of that Phantom had little complaints.

"You know, one time I got stuck in the woods," Danny began.

"Haven't you told this one?"

"Any complaints?" Phantom raised his eyebrow.

"I cannot remember, so go ahead, I guess."

"Alright, so my Mom wanted to spend some quality time with me, and one fruitloop graciously lent a hand..."

They had a lot of laughs at the absurdity of the entire predicament Phantom had found himself in at that time. And in their fun the undead made their way through the valley, visiting one of the way shrines as they went. It was quick, but the teleport couldn't get them to the new shrines, only the ones they had visited before. By that time it was lunch already, and the two suddenly found themselves without food. It had been lost in the caves, and what Gelebor gave them couldn't properly sate the hunger in a rodent, much less two beings of a greater performance.

Thus they had to kill one of the gracious deers running about. Neither could bring themselves to end its life, it was just too beautiful in its black, careful fur. It came to them and sniffed them, for goodness sake, how could they kill it? Thankfully, it was the time of the salmon run. The fish literally jumped into their hands in the wild parts of the river running by. Danny was the one doing this, as he could fly and get about the river, much to his girlfriend's amusement. The fish slipped from his grip, slapped his face and leaped back into the water. The vampire kept laughing at his pitiful efforts. Then the two saw a bear upper at the river. It simply reached out and caught the salmon in its mouth. The two exchanged glances.

"I'm not doing that," was Phantom's brief response. "Aha!"

He caught several fish at once by using telekinesis. He carried them to the ground, and by that time Serana had picked the dry branches and casted a fire spell at the pile. And above the campfire they put the slimy salmons, now waiting until they would cook. With her had on Danny's knees, the vampire reached for her bag, before sighing.

"What's wrong?" Phantom asked.

"My book," she showed him the tome. It was soaking wet: the water was dripping from the ruined pages and the words written by the natural ink were ruined beyond recognition. Groaning, Serana tossed it away, putting her hands over her face. They specifically sat in the shadow of the tree, so right now she was safe from that hellish sphere in the sky.

"We will get you a new one," Danny reassured her. "What about this?"

Serana looked up at him. Phantom was holding a tome in a green cover, with a star drawn on it, or maybe it was the sun.

"Where did you get it?" The vampire took the book and opened it.

"Just picked it up on the way near the shrine."

"Oh, no, it is pointless, it's in the Falmer language."

"I can read it aloud, I do understand it."

Serana shoved the book into his hands, before stretching her arms and lying comfortably. She smiled and looked at him with her glowing orange eyes.

"Well? I'm waiting."

Phantom sighed, before opening the book. He started reading, it was an amazing historic account of the event of the Falmer war against the Nords. Halfway through Serana took the fish and held them on the sticks, away from the flames. As they ate, Danny's duplicate kept reading about one Snow Elf known as the Snow Prince. Or the ice prince, the word 'Fal' in elven meant both of the cold attributed things. The tide turned when during the battle of Moesring The Snow Prince rode in on a "brilliant steed of pallid white." It was said that his spear and armor bore the radiant glow of unknown magicka. The Snow Prince inspired great hope and inspiration to the last remaining army of Snow Elves.

The Snow Prince fought fiercely and seemed to control the ice and snow itself. Several of the mightiest Nord warriors fell before him and the tide of battle had begun to turn. Unexpectedly, a twelve-year-old girl named Finna watched as the Snow Prince killed her mother. In her rage, she screamed and threw her mother's sword at the Prince, which struck him in the breast and killed him. His death shattered the spirit of the remaining Snow Elf warriors. Many fled, seeking refuge from the Dwemer, and those that remained on the battlefield were killed. News of his death spread across the land, reaching even the isolated and scattered tribes of Snow Elves across Skyrim. Hence why this book was even found in such place.

It was a very interesting question of the impact that war had on the entire Tamriel. After all, on the skulls of the fallen Falmer humanity was able to carve its way to this continent. Who knows what would be of the world without humanity spanning half of the continent, without the Empire to conquer its entirety, without Emperor Martin to shut the gates of Oblivion and thus no Thalmor to claim the spoils and grow in size. It would have been a completely different world.

The enlightening story was interrupted once the fish was finished and the two continued their journey. After extinguishing the fire they kept going. On their way Danny shifted the ewer in his hand, the sacred water inside splashing loudly. Grumbling about how uncomfortable the thing was, he held it with telekinesis. After Serana's suggestion to drop it, Phantom insisted on carrying the ewer himself, being surprisingly zealous about the ridiculous ritual. His companion sighed, once again noting her lover's stubborn and honest attitude. Even though he didn't like it, Danny was still going to do it.

However, the enchanted forest ended near the very narrow pass. And the cobweb covering every rock was a very off-putting sight. One does not stroll into a house with the hot food made for them. No, usually the owners of the place tend to kick out the visitor. And what do you know, they did show up. First making just a couple of snapping, hissing sounds, the spiders leaped out of their hideouts. But they were of little problem, being spiders and all, the most generic enemies in the entire world. A couple of magical and ghostly blasts and the beasts were gone, even big Mama.

As they exited the pass, the weather instantly got even colder. Serana rubbed her hands, but could still tolerate the cold. The couple went through the snowy landscape without any particular direction in mind. They were just following the snowy trails slithering around. The place became lifeless, not a single animal passed through the glaciers, only eagles were soaring high in the sky. On the way they also saw an enormous giant, eight meters tall, looking like a yeti. A yeti with long horns and a troll's prolonged head. Ugly creature, but it didn't come to smash the two with its giant club the second it saw them. The giant was busy eating a raw deer.

"I know one chef who would have deemed this meal ghastly," Danny said.

"Who?" Serana asked as they went up the serpentine road.

"A true master of his job."

"Like Gourmet?"

"I don't get what you are talking about."

"Oh, I've recently got my hands on one of the books..."

Danny chuckled, putting his head over hers, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Anyways, the recipes there sound delicious. We should try making some of that stew of his. I'd kill for food without blood once in a while."

They were soon on top of the hill, and there was an obvious frozen lake. Danny got a sudden feeling that something was moving under the glacier. He hoped that whatever was hiding there was not going to just break the surface and get out with a malicious intent to eat the trespassers. On the way the couple found a small island in the middle of the frozen lake, with the scrubbings in the dragon language on a piece of rock. From the skeletal remains they took a couple of porches with money and gems. That would be useful. All the time Phantom couldn't get rid of the feeling that they were being watched. Serana started to share his concern. Suddenly Danny noticed sometimes.

"Hey, look up," he said.

Serana did just that and up on the mountain she saw a pearly white building.

"I believe it is the temple we seek."

Danny nodded, putting his free hand on his belt, "Reckon if I can just fly us up there?"

"That will save us a lot of time."

"But we still haven't finished the Piligrimage," Danny whined, hugging the ewer closer.

"We aren't here to observe the beauties," Serana rolled her eyes, "We'll do it later if you want it so much. I tolerated this enough. Just get us up there, please."

Phantom sighed in defeat, before gently taking his girlfriend's hand and flying up. Serana flinched at the sudden pull, yet didn't move, fully entrusting her safety to her companion. Soon they landed on the wide balcony. It truly felt like they were cheating, heavily. Serana didn't give a second thought about it, the sooner the better. Landing on the cold marble, the two looked around. There was nothing interesting about it, really, only ruins could tell a wondrous story from beyond their silent graves. The question was hanging in the air — where was the bow. The only possible solution lied behind the huge doors. Looking at each other, the couple opened them.

Before the two lied another wall, made entirely of ice. And amidst the cold, lifeless place that used to be the paragon of hope and warmth, stood a throne, and its back was facing the new arrivals. The footsteps, however, caught the attention of whoever was sitting there.

"I should have known that the back entrance could have been used," loud voice greeted them.

"It could be interpreted in many ways," Danny commented.

"Don't play idiot with me, boy. Your role in the affair can be discarded at best."

"Arch-Curate Vyrthur, I presume?" Serana asked.

The man finally left his throne, showing himself to the guests. He was tall, with pale skin and long sleazy stark hair. A snow elf, no doubt, which nullified all doubts about the name of the person standing before them. He was dressed in the same white armor of questionable heat provision.

"Why, yes, child. I am," he smiled, "And you two have come right into my waiting hands."

Serana looked dumbfounded, "You...waited for me?"

"But of course...too unfortunate that you have to die in the end."

"Oh, yeah?" Danny puffed out his chest, "You and what army?"

The frozen statues of Falmers, Chaurus suddenly burst to life, as if commanded to awake. Danny carefully put away the ewer and got into battle stance together with Serana.

"Each time someone says that, said army appears."

Serana glanced at her boyfriend.

"Can you finish them off quickly? Vyrthur is mine," the vampire whispered.

"Want to end this slowly? Sure thing," Danny teased and smirked.

The unfrozen creatures lunged at them, while Vyrthur stayed behind. Phantom charged blasts and began tossing them all around, clearing the path for Serana. But Vyrthur wasn't just sitting idly. He was throwing spikes of ice right at them. Funnily enough, if the couple had picked an orthodox route, he probably would have sat behind the ice wall throwing cliche evil monologues. Now, though, he had to keep an eye on the vampire steadily making her way towards him. Serana dodged his spells, before getting a cover behind the pillar. Seeing one of the falmers lying dead nearby, she quickly casted a spell of her own, and the corpse slowly began rising back to life. A perfect extra distraction.

Phantom was bored just shooting the icy beasts and walking corpses. It was no fun at all, they crumbled into pieces at each and every shot of his. But what they lacked in strength, they made up in numbers. Which in no way made it less tedious. He looked at Vyrthur, so smug and boasting, before finally getting sick of it. Before aiming another blast at him, however, Danny noticed that Serana got it covered. The vampire launched a spike of her own, and, busy attacking the undead , the elf was hit in his hand by a shard of ice, it literally pierced the bad guy's hand. A scream of pain followed, as he fell on the ground. Serana approached him and was about to finish the job with her dagger. Suddenly Vyrthur laughed.

"You insolent brat, first you sneak up on me, now that! A daughter worthy of her father."

"You...know him?" Serana froze in shock.

"Damn right I do...but I think there are more essential things."

Then the entire structure began to shake. No one was able to stand on their feet, the pieces of ceiling immediately crumbled down, letting the sunlight pour in and thankfully not right at the vampire. Vyrthur used this to get up and make a run for the door, as the entire roof began falling. Danny and Serana ran after him, and just as they got out, the entire structure collapsed.

"What was that?" Danny whispered.

"I've never seen a spell like this, come on, we have to get him."

"It's not like he can run," Phantom snorted, pointing at the other end of the balcony, "It's a dead end and he literally cut off the only path."

Serana chuckled, before they started approaching Vyrthur, who was up the small staircase, on the upper level of said balcony, leaning against the stone railing.

"Enough, Vyrthur. Give us the bow!" Serana called.

"How dare you. I was the Arch-Curate of Auri-El, girl. I had the ears of a god!"

"Until the "Betrayed" corrupted you. Yes, yes. We've heard this sad story."

Danny snorted.

"Gelebor and his kind are easily manipulated fools. Look into my eyes, Serana. You tell me what I am."

Serana's own eyes widened, and Danny saw that now too. "You're... you're a vampire? But Auriel should have protected you..."

"The moment I was infected by one of my own Initiates, Auri-El turned his back on me. I swore I'd have my revenge, no matter what the cost."

"You want to take revenge..." Danny said slowly, just to clear this matter, "On a god?"

"Well, he won't be the first," Serana mumbled.

"Auri-El himself may have been beyond my reach, but his influence on our world wasn't. All I needed was the blood of a vampire and his own weapon, Auriel's Bow."

"The blood of a vampire... Auriel's Bow... It... it was you? You created that prophecy?"

"A prophecy that lacked a single, final ingredient... the blood of a pure vampire. The blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour."

"You were waiting... all this time for someone with my blood to come along. Well, too bad for you..."

All of a sudden Serana lifted the grown man by his collar as if it was nothing at all.

"I intend on keeping it. Let's see if your blood has any power to it!"

"Of that you can have no doubts."

Danny noticed something glistening in Vyrthur's hand. A blade.

"No!"

With this shout Phantom fired a green blast, powerful enough to launch Vyrthur out of Serana's grip, over the railing. A loud, echoing yell rang across the mountain ranges as the distance of hundred meters was quickly shortening before the falling vampiric snow elf. Both adventurers leaned over the edge to see. They saw a corpse, splattered on the ground, with the blood staining the snow and ice. Serana huffed, before glancing at Danny, who stood as if frozen. What could...oh.

"I...killed him..."