5.17: The Way of The Voice
Darius's sudden silence only intrigued them further. He smiled and shook his head lightly, chuckling to himself.
Arngeir, growing impatient, looked at him and asked, "What is your answer, Dragonborn?"
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"Strength. Endless strength," Darius replied, his resolve firm. Arngeir remained silent for a moment, then let out a quiet chuckle.
"So be it," he said.
"Let us see if you are willing and able to learn, the power of the Thu'um," Arngeir said and moved back a little, Darius was standing in the center of the hall, surrounded by both, the Greybeards and his companions who stood behind him.
System Prompt: The Way of The Voice
Status: Completed
Reward: 5 Attribute points
Darius closed the window, he will allocate the points later.
"When you Shout, you speak in the language of dragons. Thus, your Dragon Blood gives you an inborn ability to learn Words of Power," Arngeir explained.
Darius nodded, and Anrgeir continued, "All Shouts are made up of three Words of Power. As you master each Word, your Shout will become progressively stronger,"
"Master Einarth will now teach you 'Ro,' the second Word of Unrelenting Force," Arngeir said, gesturing toward one of the Greybeards.
Einarth stepped forward and waved his hand over the floor. His voice was low, yet powerful enough to create a gust of wind.
Ro!
As the glowing words in the language of the ancient dragons appeared on the squares, just when Darius's eyes fell on it, the words disappeared. Lydia and Uthgerd were unable to notice what had even happened.
"Y-You learn a new word like a master… you truly do have the gift." Arngeir underplaying the achievement, when even the other Greybeards could not hide the surprised look on their faces.
Arngeir continued, "But learning a Word of Power is only the first step… you must unlock its meaning through constant practice in order to use it in a Shout."
"Well, that is how the rest of us learn Shouts. As a Dragonborn, you can absorb a slain dragon's life force and knowledge directly." He said, his voice had a sudden dryness, as if afraid of something.
"As part of your initiation, Master Einarth will allow you to tap into his understanding of "Ro"" He said.
Darius moved in front of Master Einarth, Master Einarth moved his arms to the side, and as he mumbled a few words, a golden light emanated and flew out of his body, entering Darius'.
The understanding of the word flooded his head, just like how it had happened with the Word Wall, inside of Bleak Falls Barrow, but this didn't momentarily blind him.
Lydia and Uthgerd were able to witness this, Uthgerd was disinterested in Magic, while Lydia was observing it closely.
The connection lasted a second or so before, Darius smiled, "Let's get this over with quickly,"
Arngeir made a tired face, before nodding, "First, let us see your understanding, and mastery of the new Thu'um," Darius made a tired face but nodded.
"Use your Unrelenting Force shout to strike the targets as they appear," Arngeir said.
Master Borri stepped forward.
Fiik...Lo...Soh!
He shouted as his shade appeared before them, Darius not wasting a moment shouted. Arngeir's plea was unheard, "Dragonbo-"
Fus...Ro!
Darius' voice was so powerful, throwing Master Borri back. The others ran to check on him, Arngeir gave him his hand and pulled him up, Arngeir turned to Darius, "That will be enough."
'If Master Borri hadn't protected himself with his voice, this would've been much worse,' Arngeir thought.
Darius had a calm look as he gulped, and released a sigh.
"We will perform your next trial in the courtyard. Follow Me," Argneir said.
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They were in the Courtyard of High Hrothgar, the cold was much harsher here than it was on the way, Darius' eyes were set on the stairs leading to Parthurnaax, the Dragon that resides at the throat of the world.
Arngeir eyes were set on him, 'C-Can he feel him,' Arngeir shook his head when Darius looked away from the stairs, 'Just looking around,' He thought.
"We will now see how you learn a completely new Shout," Arngeir said.
Darius moved toward the iron gate they had, standing beside the stone pillars.
"Master Borri will teach you "Wuld," which means "Whirlwind.""
Master Borri stepped forward and looking at the ground, whispered, "Wuld," It was again like before, the word appeared and disappeared just as quickly.
"N-Now Master Borri will gift you his knowledge of "Wuld."," Arngeir said.
The process repeated just like it did with Master Einarth.
"Now we will see how quickly you can master a new Shout. Master Wulfgar will demonstrate Whirlwind Sprint. Then it will be your turn," Arngeir told him.
Master Wulfgar, stepped at the line, facing the iron gate ahead.
"Master Borri," Arngeir gestured to Master Borri, who stood next to the Iron Gate.
Bex!
Master Borri shouted, opening the gate with his voice.
Wuld...Nah...Kest!
Master Wulfgar flew through the open gate, in the blink of an eye he was behind the gate.
'This one seems fun,' Darius thought.
"Now it is your turn," Arngeir said.
"Stand next to me. Master Borri will open the gate. Use your Whirlwind Sprint to pass through before it closes." Darius stood next to Arngeir.
Bex!
Master Borri shouted and in the next moment, Darius was past the gate.
Wuld!!
Darius laughed at the sudden rush of adrenaline flowing through his body.
Haha!!
Darius used it again to get next to Arngeir, performing the shout perfectly.
"Your quick mastery of a new Thu'um is… astonishing. I'd heard the stories of the abilities of Dragonborn, but to see it for myself…" Arngeir was shocked to the core.
"What can I say, I'm just special," Darius said while looking at his "Companions" Lydia looked, while Uthgerd smiled surprising Darius.
"Indeed. But beware that your skill does not outstrip your wisdom," Arngeir warned.
"You are now ready for your last trial. Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, our founder, from his tomb in the ancient fane of Ustengrav," Arngeir said, Darius nodded, 'I'll just wait for Delphine to return and get the horn from her,' Darius thought.
System Prompt: Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller:
Reward: 15 Attribute Points
'But there's a Word Wall in there right? I guess I'll have to visit Morthal.'
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Darius, Lydia, and Uthgerd were at the entrance of High Hrothgar temple, Arngeir bid them farewell and added, "Remain true to the Way of the Voice, and you will return," Which felt uncanny to Darius but he dismissed it.
Now it was time for the descent from the 7000 steps.
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Ivarstead:
Tirdas, 19th of Last Seed, 4E201:
Sun will touch the horizon, within 3 hours, So Darius decided to go to Morthal tomorrow, as he wanted to explore Ivarstead.
The three stood at the bridge, where Klimmek awaited their return with Gwilin.
Seeing they had returned, Klimmek moved toward them, but there was no sign of a troll's head, Klimmek felt relieved that he didn't have to pay, and scared because next time, these three wouldn't be here.
"W-Where's the troll's head?" Klimmek asked, standing in front of Darius.
Darius extended his hand in front of him, "Septims?" Darius asked.
"Show me the head first," As Klimmek said that, the head appeared in Darius' hand, which he held by its hair.
"Fuck," Kilmmek squealed, quickly stepping back, Darius not caring, "Septims, Now," said.
Klimmek gulped and brought out a Coin purse big enough to not fit in his hand, and handed it to Darius, which he quickly grabbed and it disappeared from his hands.
"Can I have that?" Klimmek asked pointing at the beast's head, which also disappeared as Darius stored it back in his inventory, "Nah," Darius replied and moved past him.
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"Where are we headed now? To the Ustengrav?" Lydia asked.
"Yes, and no. I'll be going there tomorrow," Darius replied.
A/N[Phew! Finally done with this quest, the next one is The Windcaller's Horn]
A/N[So I decided not to do the flashback now, because this novel is going to be above 300 chapters, so it's not the right time yet]
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