41 Thuri

As the blue light dimmed and their eyes focused, revealing the white wind and grey horizon of the throat of the world.

Dragons of all shapes and sizes littered the sky, their wings beating in furious harmony on the clouds, each bellowing out roars of liberation.

Paarthurnax swooped down to meet the shocked duo of Lucius and Ciri.

"So, it is done. Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been." The dragon said with a hint of sadness.

"You don't sound very happy about it." Ciri commented, picking up on the old dragon's tone.

"Happy? No, I am not happy. Zeymahi lost ont du'ul Bormahu. Alduin was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creation. You did what was necessary. Alduin had flown far from the path of right action in his pahlok- the arrogance of his power. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same." Paarthurnax grieved.

"I have no regrets.... Alduin had to be destroyed, it's as you said, his arrogance was clouding his judgment." Lucius idly responded.

"Of course. Alduin wahlaan daanii. I would have not helped you if I thought otherwise." Paarthurnax replied

"Alduin brought this on himself. There's no need to dwell on what could have been." Ciri voiced, briefly squeezing Lucius's hand.

"Indeed. Alduin wahlaan daanii. His doom was written when he claimed for himself the lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu - our father Akatosh. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. Rok funta koraav. Perhaps now you have some insight into the forces that shape the vennesetiid... the currents of Time. Perhaps now you are what he was. Perhaps you are what he should have been, hmm?" Paarthurnax eyed Lucius's changed body.

"I was just fulfilling my destiny as Dragonborn. I would never be free of my fate otherwise." Lucius said.

"Indeed, you saw more clearly than I - certainly more clearly than Alduin. Rok funta koraav. You begin to see the world as a dovah with his essence. You know the voice, but only in Alduin's way... I advice you to be cautious, Dovahkiin. Alduin's power is not an easy one to bear. But I forget myself! Krosis. So los mid fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. 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. Savour your triumph, Dovahkiin." Paarthurnax sung and flapped his wings. "This is not the last of what you will paint upon Time, that's for sure."

Ciri smiled up at the dragon with a mischievous look in her eyes.

'Guess it's a good thing I kept my nickname to myself." She thought, amused.

"Goraan! I feel younger than I have in many an age. Many of the dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen... rightness of my Thu'um." Paarthurnax hovered above the two. "But willing or no, they will hear it! Fare thee well, Dovahkiin!" He finished and flew off.

"I knew he'd be a good dragon." Ciri said, bumping Lucius's arm.

"Indeed. Now, where's the red one?" Lucius smiled at Ciri before searching the skies.

"You are looking for me? Thuri, Dovahkiin." A croaky voice rung behind them. "If Alduin himself could not stand against your Thu'um, I feel no shame in my own defeat. As for myself, you've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri, Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um. Zu'u Odahviing. Call me when you have need, and I will come if I can." Odahviing bowed.

"What if i gave you job instead?" Lucius smiled.

.

.

.

"Thank you, Odahviing." Ciri thanked the dragon as she took Lucius's hand to get down.

"This is the last time, Dovahkiin. I am not a carriage for you to use." Odahviing huffed.

"It was only down the mountain, c'mon." Lucius reasoned.

"I'm not a carriage!" He roared at took flight, leaving the duo at Whiterun's outskirts.

"Somethings telling me that he's not a carriage." Lucius hummed and put a hand to his chin.

"Come off it jackas- When did you get that necklace?" Ciri paused.

"Oh, Azura said I'd need it later. Spouted some words about more evil and such." Lucius dismissed. " Now, what's our next step... Deal with this hunt that's after you?"

"How about we relax a while... We just saved the world, we deserve some time to ourselves, no?" She said over her shoulder, walking up to whiterun with a sway in her step.

"Your not catching me out with that trick again...Although, I'm not complaining." Lucius teased, eying her from behind.

"There's lot's to do. Your sword training and my necklace is one." Ciri said to a now caught up Lucius.

"Hmm, I want to try find what all this prophecy nonsense is too." Lucius replied. "And... more about 'us'?" He carefully probed.

"What'd you mean?" She looked away slightly.

"The kiss in sovngarde... Not a chance I could forget something like that." Lucius muttered, looking at the necklace in his hand and Ciri with darting eyes.

"Well, oh fuck it." Ciri fumbled. "I like you, I don't know if that's because of how nice you are, how you make me feel, or simply because my past is so convoluted and fucked up that I cling to whatever makes me feel happy, but I do know that it's you... Seeing you flop the floor like you died, made me realise that. There, that's why I kissed you." She hurriedly confessed, staring him straight in the eye. " I know we've only known each other for a short time, but that's how I feel." She sighed a breath of relief.

"Oh uh-

"I know." Ciri shushed Lucius with a soft finger to his lips. "I'm not pressuring you, or asking for anything. Just think on it." She said. "Now then! Shall we go?" She sweetly smiled and offered a hand.

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VERY short chapter before a break of time/interlude and then set up the next journey and their progression in that time span.

Also, Lucius ain't gonna rush into a relationship after he became a scummy young master no. 894 for some information.

The urge to start a new book is building, the quality of this one is dwindling, and my mind is burning from all my whinging.

Poem go brrrr.

Have a good one,

Your "patently evil" Author ;)