99 The Final Countdown

[AN]: As a warning and a hint of a spoiler, there is a bit of a forced plot twist in this chapter. It was something I had planned on doing, but it probably could have been done in a better way. Try not to get too upset over it, though I will understand it will probably not sit right with a fair number of readers. So please, be gentle.

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Bone turned to dust as Rictus crushed another draugr skull with his foot. He was getting real tired of fighting these things. Draugr had been coming in waves from the moment they landed at Skuldafn. They had fought and killed every variety of the undead imaginable. From simple archers, to overlords, heck there were even some hulking draugr. At least the occasional dragon and dragon priest had kept them on their toes so far.

Everyone was taking a little break inside the temple after the constant fighting. With all of them working together it hadn't been extremely difficult, more tedious than anything. Rictus was very glad he had set up that portal as soon as they landed. The group which had fought with Mirajane down in blackreach had been called and were working to clear the two towers around the temple while Rictus and the dragonborn party kept pushing forward. His warriors' experience would ensure no enemies would flank them.

Rictus was flipping a diamond dragon claw while watching Mirajane and Falla stare at a word wall. He couldn't tell what that one was for, but they seemed very interested in it. Mirajane would definitely have the dragon souls in reserve for that one, if that was how things even worked here. He wasn't sure. Soon enough, Mirajane and Falla finished their staring and grabbed some food and water.

"Which Shout was that one?"

It must be a good one based off Falla's excitement.

"This was the final part of the Storm Call Shout. One of the coolest and most destructive Shouts one can learn. With it, we can create a thunderstorm which rains down lightning on all those in our path! Well…Mira's will be that impressive. I still haven't quite learned all the words just yet."

Mirajane nodded at her words.

"It is powerful and destructive, but storms are not so simply controlled."

Falla shrugged her shoulders not entirely convinced by her words.

"Sure. Too bad getting this one wasn't as easy as the one at High Gate Ruins. That was the easiest dungeon ever. Someone had already cleared everything out, so we just walked right in. Sure, wish someone would have done that here already so we wouldn't have to bother with those damn dragur. I am just glad we are almost there."

Rictus smirked as he thought way back to his first battle against a dragonpriest so long ago with the Companions at High Gate Ruins. He had come so far since then. Funny the dragonborn had visited that place. Small world.

"We would have been there a lot faster if Mirajane hadn't insisted on traveling through this temple. I would have gladly just levitated us up to the top where the portal is at."

Shaking her head in disagreement, Mirajane let out a sigh.

"I already told you, we needed to travel through the temple. There was no way we could know there wasn't something down here we would need. Even if it seemed like a bad decision, learning such a powerful Shout may make a difference in the coming battle."

While he didn't really agree, Rictus let the matter drop. Part of him was curious how powerful a storm could get if Mirajane and Falla used the Storm Call Shout in conjunction with his Control weather spell. That would be something to see for sure.

Looking at Mirajane, Rictus couldn't help but feel the power radiating from her. She had grown significantly stronger from their little power leveling session before and fighting here had refined that power. Even the few dragons they had already defeated only made her stronger. It was kind of funny really. If Alduin had not put any defenders here at all, Mirajane would not have had this time for refining her powers and growing even stronger. By placing them here though, Alduin basically gave Mirajane a good warmup and training session before the final fight.

"Time to go."

Rictus watched the dragonborn rise and start making her way forward again. Part of him wondered how much this whole experience changed her and what she would do after Alduin's defeat. There were still a lot of threats out there and someone of her power could make a big difference in the world.

Thankfully, there were no more enemies before they reached the door leading back outside. Rictus could sense powerful presences outside waiting for them. Exact numbers eluded him though since another source of power overshadowed them. It had to be the portal causing the disturbance. Rictus didn't like it though. For just a moment, it felt like the portal would devour him. The feeling quickly passed though so he didn't worry too much about it.

"Many powerful enemies are arranged against us outside. I do not know their exact numbers because the portal is interfering with any kind of magical observation. I think this may be the perfect time for testing out the Storm Call Shout."

It looked like they were about to protest, but Rictus held up a hand to stop them.

"There are surely a lot of powerful enemies out there, and the storm will do a lot of damage quickly. Do not worry about any of us getting hit. I will handle it."

Mirajane gave him a measuring look before giving a simple nod. She trusted him and would go along with his plan. Part of her was also looking forward to trying out the newly empowered Shout. Rictus could only hope his control weather spell would be up for the challenge.

Nothing else was said as they rushed outside. A large group of draugr were standing near the ledge in front of them. Falla blasted them all off the side with a quick Unrelenting Force. More draugr were closing in on either side of them, but Mirajane had plenty of time for her Shout.

"STRUN BAH QO!!"

Just a few seconds after the Shout left her mouth, the sky started rapidly darkening accompanied by booming thunder. Rictus stood with his hands raised and magic swirling around him. This storm was many times more powerful than any he had manipulated before, but he was up to the challenge. Feeling the power at his fingertips, he couldn't stop the large smile pulling his lips up.

Everyone was already engaging and slaughtering the horde of draugr when the roar of a dragon sounded overhead. They braced themselves for the impending breath attack from the dragon's open maw.

BOOM!

Blinking the bright light out of their eyes, they stared at the giant scorched mark left on the dragon from a massive lightning bolt. More bolts of lightning started falling upon the hurt creature making it let out a pained roar which was drowned out by the crackling. Mirajane didn't let the injured beast have any respire as she used her bow to send an arrow straight through its eye and into its brain. Knowing the beast was handled, everyone else turned their attention forward as they kept advancing through the draugr horde.

Rictus's eyes shone as he continued waving his hands around like he was a conductor at a symphony. Lightning struck with every movement of his hands as thunder sounded in accompaniment. Every creature in sight was in range of his deadly orchestra, although making sure his companions were out of harms way was a little distracting.

Seeing the devastation wrought at his command, Mjoll, Inigo, Falla, and Marcurio fell back in support of him as Rictus steadily moved forward. Two more dragons approached, but they met the same fate as the first. Lightning bolts hammered them into the ground where Mirajane then finished them personally.

Finally making their way to the very top, they caught sight of the actual portal. It was a bright swirling light of strange energy; Rictus couldn't tell if it was arcane in nature or something else. Regardless, a few steps and they would be in Sovngarde. They were not alone up there though. In their way were two more massive dragons and a dragon priest. Against their might, the enemies were simply not enough.

Mirajane sprinted forward towards the dragon priest who was moving towards the staff set before the portal. Based on her speed, it wouldn't reach the staff in time. The dragons were left for the rest of them. Rictus was okay with this though. Big targets were so much more fun to watch fall after all. With the storm still raging above them, Rictus leveraged its full might against the two legendary dragons.

The two took to the air as they tried dodging around the lightning strikes. It was a testament of their skill and perception that they dodged as many as they did. Still, lightning was stupid fast, and once Rictus figured out their pattern and speed, they had no chance. Bolt after bolt hit them as Rictus split his attention between the two. Arrows and spells were added to the assault as his companions joined in on the attacks. Despite their prodigious defense, the dragons just couldn't hold out against the assault. Scales turned black from the sustained attacks, and their wings were shredded. Once on the ground, things only got worse for them as their mobility was gone. A constant barrage of lightning bolts buried them into the partially glassed ground.

Seeing them lay still, Rictus exhaled softly. He had tried keeping the lightning storm going, but it was quickly fading into simple rain. If the storm had ended sooner, then the battle might have been a bit more difficult. Looking up, he was just in time to watch Mirajane drive her sword into the dragon priest's chest as her ax decapitated it. Seeing the downed dragons, she the went and put them down permanently as she absorbed their souls in a swirling vortex of light. Rictus was pretty sure it lasted longer than the other light shows he had seen before, but he wasn't entirely sure.

With all their enemies defeated, everyone regrouped near the stairs leading to the portal. Seeing the mask on the dragon priest, Rictus pulled it towards himself. Feeling its power, Rictus smiled and nodded to himself.

"Another for the collection."

Seeing what he was talking about, Falla spoke up.

"You're collecting the dragon priest masks? Once this is done, you should remind me about that. Mira let me keep all the ones we have found so far. We can trade for them."

Rictus smiled at the offer he would try and remember. Gotta catch them all after all.

Mirajane looked over each one of them. She didn't say any words of praise, no final speech of encouragement to rally them all behind her. They all knew what was at stake and what needed doing. She simply gave them a small appreciative smile which spoke of her appreciation for staying by her side throughout everything.

Taking a steadying breath, Mirajane moved forward up the stairs with deliberate steps as she entered the portal. Falla quickly followed her with Inigo hot on their heels. Marcurio and Mjoll shared a longing look at one another before they both rushed after their companions, leaving Rictus alone.

Something wasn't right though.

Looking around didn't reveal anything, but something was wrong. He could feel it in the air. Somehow it felt familiar which only confused him further.

"Now where do you think you are going?"

Rapidly turning around, Rictus was not prepared for who he saw.

"Sanguine. What are you doing here?"

The Daedric Lord of Debauchery lounged in a chair while taking deep drags from a massive flagon. Letting out a mighty burp, he turned his gaze towards Rictus.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Isn't it obvious? Mirajane needs my help defeating Alduin. Or maybe you forgot that the World Eater was rampaging on Mundus?"

Sanguine absentmindedly picked at his nails while looking uninterested.

"Little arrogant of you, don't you think?"

Rictus didn't know how to feel about that and was at a loss for words. There wasn't time for this though, and he was starting to get annoyed.

"I don't know what you are talking about. There isn't time for this silly debate. I have to stop Alduin."

Dark blood red eyes stared him down.

"We have as much time as I say we have."

Pressure stronger than he had ever felt before slammed down on Rictus. In a moment of foolishness, he had forgotten exactly who he was talking with. This wasn't just some person or a friend he could talk to however he wanted. Sanguine had always been a happy-go-lucky sort ever since he first met him, but that did not change the fact he was a Daedric Lord. Rictus could truly feel the disparity in their powers at this moment. It was a bit strange though. Before now, he could not feel how much more powerful Sanguine was than him. The only explanation Rictus could think of was that he had finally grown strong enough to realize how weak he really was in comparison, kind of like what happened in one of those wuxia novels.

Seeing the begrudging acceptance in Rictus, Sanguine smiled mirthlessly.

"That's better mortal. To answer one of your previous statements. No. You don't."

The confusion on Rictus's face made him elaborate.

"Why do you think you 'have' to stop Alduin? Why does the Dragonborn 'need' you?"

This caught Rictus off guard, but he still responded.

"Because Alduin will destroy the world if he isn't stopped, and I happen to like living here. Mirajane needs all the help she can get facing such a powerful opponent. Last time they fought, she would have died without me there."

Sanguine nodded his head along with him patronizingly.

"You were very impressive at holding off Alduin for a minute. A real powerhouse you are turning into."

Anger flared up inside Rictus at the sarcasm. He hadn't risked his life just for some stupid made-up character to question and berate him. A dangerous look from Sanguine gave him pause though.

"Your arrogance betrays you, mortal. You are not important in the grand scheme of things. Sure, you are powerful, for a mortal, but that is like saying an ant is strong for an ant. Real impressive by ant standards, but ultimately unremarkable. For some reason, you are acting like you are the prophesied one, but you aren't. You may be the main character in your story, but you aren't for THE Story. You know, it is people like you who are responsible for the dragonborn being as weak as she is currently. Funny, isn't it? In trying to help her, all you have done is stunt her own growth."

The words stung. Being told you were worthless never feels good, especially when those thoughts are already bouncing around your subconscious. The part of 'THE story' was a little confusing, but he could guess that was in relation to the prophecy of the last dragonborn. Rictus couldn't help wondering if Sanguine's words about Mirajane were true. Despite not wanting to think so, the words held a kernel of truth. If the Skilled didn't interfere, Mirajane would not have relied on anyone else for her strength. Maybe she would gain some followers, but that would be all they were. Followers, not companions. She would not have relied so heavily on them and instead focused solely on her own strength for the coming battle. Rictus knew in his heart that doing it alone wasn't the best plan, but he couldn't help but think it may have been a valid option in this scenario. This wasn't a game though, and reality often didn't play be the same rules so there was no telling what was the right decision.

"I don't care. Mirajane may not need my help, but if I can increase her odds of winning even a tiny bit, I will do it. An ant bite can hurt and distract, which may be all she needs."

The two stared each other down after Rictus's declaration. It was true. He was going to do whatever he could to help. Consequences be damned. Without bothering to say anything else, Rictus turned and stared walking towards the portal. He had a calamity to help stop.

When he tried taking the first step up the stairs, he froze. No matter what he tried, he just couldn't make his leg take the first step. Hearing laughter made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

"Haha Oh Rictus. You didn't think I would actually let you go through that portal after going to the trouble of appearing here, did you? Loved the conviction though. Not many would disregard the helpful advice of something on my level. Some of my counterparts would not have taken that very well at all. Good thing for you that it is in my nature to indulge others."

Rictus was turned around as he was forced to look at the Lord of Revelry.

"Now the whole 'absolute control' is a bit anathema to who I am, but I do so love indulgences of a darker nature. So sometimes even I go against my own nature. It doesn't get much more forbidden than doing something that is completely opposite of everything you stand for. Fascinating dichotomy really. Besides, I am doing my current favorite breathing mortal a solid. So don't say Uncle Sam didn't ever do anything nice for you."

Easily seeing and sensing the burning frustration inside him, Sanguine patted Rictus on the back as they moved to a table ladened with food and alcohol, which hadn't been there a second ago.

"Ah I can see you don't understand. I am in a good mood after seeing how willful you have become, so I'll put it in terms even you can understand. Going through the portal would kill you."

The matter of fact way he said that gave Rictus pause. Somehow, the words rang true even if he didn't fully believe them. Unable to talk though, he just listened as Sanguine kept talking.

"See, that portal leads to Sovrngarde. Based on some of your questionable life choices, your soul is just not compatible with it. Who would have thought that giving your soul to a daedric price would have kept it from moving on to the overrated paradise of the Nords? If you didn't know, an incompatible soul going somewhere it should never go is bad. Like ripping apart every aspect of yourself thread by thread while keeping you completely aware the entire time. It is actually one of Molag's secret special techniques for some of his favorite toys. That should tell you just how bad it is. It is a little surprising you didn't pick up on how dangerous the portal was for you."

He didn't know how or why, but Rictus knew Sanguine was speaking the truth. Taking a better look at the portal, he could easily feel the danger of it. He had dismissed his earlier thoughts about it since the feeling hadn't lasted long. Maybe the reason none of his companions had commented on it because none of them felt that way.

"I can see you are starting to understand. Just so you know, the dragonborn can travel easily into it since her soul is different. The other female should also be fine since she has caught the eye of ole Akatosh himself. Don't know how, maybe traveling with the dragonborn or her unique soul did it. The Khajiit could go either way but should probably be okay. I highly doubt the two others will have strong enough souls for returning though."

Rictus slumped down into a chair as he started absentmindedly eating sweet rolls and drinking. He wasn't really in the mood, but it wasn't like he could easily control the impulse when with the Daedric prince of revelry and debauchery.

Taking a deep breath, he sat down the mug in his hand.

"This is fucking stupid."

Rictus stared back at Sanguine with a frustrated look as a slight rumbling could be heard in the distance. The anger, fear, dissatisfaction, and every other detrimental feeling Rictus had been harboring since coming to this world started bubbling over. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

"This whole freaking game is just dumb. Why I care about this whole fake reality is beyond me. It isn't like any of this is real. Stupid Bethesda making stupid little games. It is all just a load of crap. I should be able to do whatever I damn well please."

Rocks started breaking apart as the sky itself started falling. Reality looked like it was coming apart at the seams. Colors shifted wildly while other things started blurring. Lights which weren't there started flashing in strange patterns. Space curled in upon itself in spots as a terrible ripping noise could be heard. Through it all, a strange almost snoring noise could be faintly heard.

Sanguine's face was what pulled Rictus's attention away from the strangeness happening all around them. He looked absolutely terrified. His eyes were unfocused and rapidly looked around without seeing anything while his head jerked side to side looking for an escape. As Rictus focused on how realistically the daedric prince reacted to the sudden disruption around them, he started calming down.

Reality snapped back into place causing Sanguine to take a deep breath of relief. He turned toward Rictus with a bit of fear still in his eyes.

"Some words and thoughts should not be spoken so flippantly. There are greater mysteries which should not be approached without careful consideration and forethought, else one can lose themselves in something beyond comprehension."

The solemn moment passed as Sanguine quickly got a smile back on his face like nothing weird had happened at all.

"Well, now that all the unpleasantness is behind us and you understand why you can't go through that portal, I can get going. There are other things which require your attention after all. Don't forget our little deal either. Kill Harkon, and you will have free reign of your soul once again."

Finding himself suddenly alone, Rictus flopped into a stone chair he summoned. Too much had happened too fast. Whatever had happened to the world there in the end was extremely puzzling. It just didn't make much sense at all to him how a few curses could cause such a problem. A slight tugging on his mind though made him forget about it though. There were other thoughts taking dominance in his mind.

He had believed it really was up to him to help defeat Alduin and save the world. Turned out though that he was just a side character in the story of the dragonborn. It was uncomfortable knowing there was something he couldn't do, but it was the truth. No matter how he looked at it, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the portal would kill him if he went through it. He was uselessly stuck here on the other side.

It hurt, and he didn't like it. Feeling helpless sucked. Having his fate, and the fate of the world, being decided by someone else's battle made Rictus feel powerless. Everyone wanted to feel in control. Everyone wanted to feel wanted and needed. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything he could do but wait here, stewing in his own negative thoughts, and see how it turned out. Like some kind of NPC who is locked out of a primary quest.

Rictus didn't know how long he sat there staring blankly at the portal before someone approached him.

"We need you."

Looking up from his seat, Rictus was surprised to find Ken standing there breathing heavy, like he had sprinted all the way there.

"Harkon has finally revealed himself."

This got Rictus's attention. He may not be able to help with Alduin, but Harkon was a problem he could handle. A fire lit within him at having an objective. Sitting here did nothing but make him more depressed. He had felt helpless at not being able to do anything before, but now there was something he could do that would have an impact. He may not be the main character of THE story, but this was HIS story. There may not be stories of him helping the dragonborn defeat Alduin and save the world, but not all legends are about slaying dragons. That sort of thing is beyond the comprehension of most normal people. Defeating a vampire though and personally saving lives, well that was something anyone could understand. That was something people would tell their children and grandchildren about.

"Where is he?"

Ken took a step back at the intensity of Rictus's question, but quickly recovered.

"Solitude."

It was a little strange Harkon had appeared there, but Rictus didn't really care. The setting of Harkon's defeat didn't much matter in the grand scheme of things. If anything, a public setting will make the battle all the more memorable.

"Let's go then. We have a vampire to kill."

It was time to be useful. Rictus stood and started mentally preparing himself for the battle. Ken cleared his throat to get Rictus's attention.

"Things are a little more complicated than that I'm afraid."

Rictus looked at Ken waiting for him to explain as they quickly made their way to the teleport rune.

"Well, a lot has happened very quickly and suddenly. Harkon isn't alone at Solitude. He has an army and unexpected allies."

"Allies?"

Ken nodded his head solemnly.

"Solitude is currently under siege by an army composed of undead, necromancers, monsters, giants, and stormcloaks."

The first three weren't really a surprise, but the last two came out of nowhere, especially the stormcloaks. Just what had been going on recently?

"Did you just say stormcloaks? As in Ulfric is there?"

"Yes. I don't know how they did it, but they somehow loaded up their army in boats without anyone noticing and are now on the shores of Solitude. Our informants in Windhelm were reporting suspicious activity, but nothing concrete. Everyone we had in the army weren't reporting at all, which was strange. Initial guesses are that some powerful illusion magics were at work."

This made everything more complicated. The Restored were not really at war with the Stormcloaks since Rictus was playing both sides, but now it didn't seem like staying on the sidelines in the civil war was an option anymore.

"Our base in Windhelm was also attacked and destroyed right before we got word on the assault of Solitude. Only the teleport guard made it out. The rest were killed and hung up as a declaration against the Restored. Our people are under assault in all of Stormcloak controlled territory."

Ken's words uncomplicated things. Both Harkon and Ulfric would die. Simple as that.

"No time to waste then. Call forth and mobilize all our forces. We have hidden long enough. The full might of the Restored will be displayed on this day, and nothing will stand in our way."

Action was needed now, not words. Saving the world from Alduin was out of his grasp, but being the Hero of Solitude and ender of the civil was in Skyrim didn't sound too bad at all. Having an outlet for all the frustration and anger he harbored after everything that happened today was just a bonus. He almost felt bad for them.

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[AN]: Long note warning.

So yeah…Rictus will not be part of the battle against Alduin. I thought about it for a while but decided against having him participate. For some reason, I just couldn't think of a way for him not to become a sideline character during the final confrontation between the dragonborn and Alduin which was something I just didn't like. He could have made a difference in the battle for sure, but I just wasn't feeling it for some reason.

This story has been more about the Rictus and the Restored, not the dragonborn. I felt like if I wanted to focus so much on Alduin and the dragonborn, then I would have had a dragonborn MC. Harkon on the other hand was a major villain who a nondragonborn could hypothetically fight and defeat, which was part of the reason I went with the dawnguard stuff.

Ulfric joining Harkon is a bit forced as well, but I wanted the battle to be even larger and more impactful so it happened. In all honestly, I don't find it too unreasonable in this story's setting that Harkon would have recruited anyone he could find for his cause. Ulfric also wants to win the war, and I could see him thinking he could use or control Harkon. There may be another force intertwined with the two of them who I believe could help forge the alliance, but I will reveal that in the next chapter.

I am sorry to disappoint some of you all by not focusing on the final battle against Alduin, but I just felt that was not Rictus's destiny. Hope it didn't ruin the story too bad.

Thinking about ruining the story, I want to address some comments I have been getting recently. Sadly, this story is coming to a very fast and sudden ending. There is a good chance the next chapter will be the final entry in the story of Rictus and the Restored. I have thought about it a lot, but I think it is time. There is so much more I could do and write about, but I have started growing less motivated with the story. Trying to force more writing and running the risk of going on a permanent hiatus in the middle of a plotline like so many other stories is just something I don't want to do. I always hated it when I read a story that did that, and I would prefer mine have at least some kind of ending, even if it is a bit more sudden and rushed than I would like.

With that in mind, the next chapter may be a little late as I try and figure out a way to wrap some things up and put together a massive city wide battle. Thank you all so much for reading the journey so far though, and hopefully the final battle will be a good one. I also do plan on doing at least a short epilogue of what all the different Skilled are up to after the battle, but that may come out the week after.

Sorry for the overly long author's note, and hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.