Chapter 79

---Victor POV, Several Weeks Later---

Arriving on Solstheim, after a long, grueling voyage, our group stepped off the boat and immediately made our way to the Skaal Village. Wanting to secure an Ancient Nordic Pickaxe, in the event other means were not viable, as we entered the village, the villagers came out to greet us with weapons in hand. Assuming they believed we were Miraak's thugs, I informed them that we were just travelers and meant them no harm.

"We came here to purchase an Ancient Nordic Pickaxe, if you have any on offer.", I stated, as the warily observed our movements.

"You expect us to believe that you trekked all the way here for a bloody pickaxe?!", Frea, the village shaman's daughter, berated me, "I do not buy your story for a second! With everything happening on the island right now, no one would be crazy enough to make the journey out here. You must be unwitting thugs of those cultist's bastards!"

"If you are referring to the hypnotic effect at play around this island, all of us are shielded against it. As soon as the island came into view from our vessel, I put protective spells on us to prevent us from falling victim to the dark arts being used here.", I stated, crossing my arms, "As for our reason for making the trip, even though the island is under siege, is because we came to Solstheim to mine Stalhrim. As a member of the Skaal Village, you already know you need to have an Ancient Nordic Pickaxe to mine it, and we do not have one."

"Hold on a minute!", Storn, the village shaman, shouted, as he approached us, "Before anyone starts a fight, let me confirm what he says is true. They are not acting like the mindless assailants that have been harassing us lately."

Making way for him, Storn came to a stop a few feet from us and began checking us out. Looking into our eyes for any signs of mind manipulation, he proceeded to cast a few spells on us to satisfy everyone's fears. Receiving no reactions from everything he did, everyone was convinced now that we were safe. Immediately lowering their heads, the villagers apologized for their aggressive actions toward us.

"It is understandable that you would be cautious of strangers, given the circumstances. We cannot fault you for wanting to protect your village and your family.", I stated.

"I am sorry for jumping to conclusions too.", Frea added, "I just could not believe someone would brave the dangers on the island for a pickaxe."

"When I am on a mission, I do not let anything sway me from my goals. A minor nuisance like mind manipulation is not going to slow me down.", I remarked, "So, do you have a pickaxe on offer at the moment?"

"A minor nuisance, is it? I do not believe I have heard someone call it that before.", Storn chuckled, "If it is a pickaxe you want, we are more than happy to give you one in exchange for a favor. Before we were able to erect a barrier to protect the village, many of our kin fell victim to brainwashing. Whoever is causing all of this is forcing our fellow Skaal to work nearly every waking hour on their various projects around the island. Liberate our kin from the mental chains, and we will give you the pickaxe and the knowledge to mold the Stalhrim into whatever you desire. Unlike normal metal, there is a special forging method for working with Stalhrim."

Seeing no reason not to agree, as it would make moving around the island easier, I accepted his offer without hesitation.

"Whoever is manipulating everyone is using the All-Maker Stones scattered around the island as their power source. If you cleanse them, the magic should dissipate by itself.", Frea informed us, "If you would like, I am more than willing to show you the way to each stone."

"No, that is alright. I can vaguely sense where each stone is by the magic power each of them are emitting.", I answered, "We appreciate the kind offer though."

"Very well, I wish you all safe travels and the best of luck!", Frea acknowledged.

Having Yamato pinpoint the stone's exact locations for me, we headed toward the Wind Stone first as it was the closest to the village. Heading westward out of the village, our trek took us along the Skaal's worn trail through the mountains. Following the trail across an ancient stone bridge, our group came upon several Skaal villagers hauling gigantic stones in the direction of Miraak's Temple. Struggling to pull the twenty tons stones through the snow, even though they should have given up, the influence of the mind control forced them to continue trying.

Restraining the villagers by force, Olivia and I quickly dispelled the dark magic affecting their minds. Placing a protective spell on each of them, to shield their minds from further influences, the villagers thanked us profusely for saving them. Heading back home after that, I stowed what they were hauling in my storage and pressed on to our destination. Coming upon the Wind Stone a few minutes later, I explained the plan to everyone.

"Alright Olivia, you are up this time.", I said, looking at her with a smile, "I want you to use the Purification spell on the Wind Stone, that will dispel the dark magic placed on it."

"Okay, I can do that!", Olivia replied, full of excitement.

"After the spell is broken, everyone needs to be ready to fight. Our foe has left a guardian behind to protect his power source, it is currently resting in the water around the stone.", I warned them, "I will sit this fight out, and leave everything to you ladies."

"Heck yeah!", the eight women cheered, high fiving one another.

As the women were getting into position, several enemies came charging toward us from Miraak's temple. Telling the others to leave them to me, I turned to deal with them while Olivia began chanting her spell.

"Purification!", Olivia shouted, as she completed her chant.

Engulfing the Wind Stone in a blinding, golden light, the ground began to violently shake as Miraak's grip on its power was undone. Rising out of the water, ready to defend the Wind Stone, the Lurker Guardian let out an ear-splitting roar as it rose to its feet. Taking a few steps back, as they were a bit intimidated by its hulking mass, Aela quickly rallied the women before they began to falter.

"Do not let its size intimidate you!! We can bring it down!!", Aela shouted, letting out her war cry, "Glory or Sovngarde!!"

Snapping out of their momentary shock, my fiancées quickly gathered their nerves and psyched themselves up to fight the Daedra. Rushing ahead of the others, Aela and Roxanne began assailing the beast from both sides. Using their speed advantage over the Daedra, they effortlessly ducked and weaved their way around its attacks.

"I have felt next to useless being unable to help Victor in combat, but today we have a chance to change that. Are you ladies ready to take that monster down?", Deirdre shouted, with her rapier in hand.

"I am with you!", Clarice acknowledged, gripping her cutlass tightly.

"Count me in!", Mylene confirmed, readying her spells.

"Time to kick some monster ass!", Lucoa cheered, cracking her knuckles.

"I do not know what has come over you, Deirdre, but I am all for it!", Angelica said, with her longsword at the ready.

"I might be too weak to fight it head on, but I will do my best to support everyone!", Olivia stated, determined to do her best.

Jumping into the fight, the eight of them coordinated hit and run attacks on the beast. As two of them went in to deliver a flurry of blows, everyone else would cover them by peppering the Daedra with arrows and spells. Swinging its arms and legs wildly at them, the two women would quickly retreat and two more would jump the monster from behind. Repeating this cycle several times, the Daedra became increasingly agitated that it could not touch them. Knowing that it would not last long at this rate, it turned its eyes toward me believing I was solely focused on the cultists. Breaking out of encirclement, the Lurker Guardian thundered toward me hoping to use me to break their coordination. 

"Victor, it is coming for you!", Aela shouted, as everyone gave chase, "Move!!"

Throw two unconscious cultists to the ground, I spun around and looked the Daedra dead in the eyes. Hitting it with an intense wave of bloodlust, the hulking beast swung one of its massive arms down on me as hard as it could. Catching its arm before it could strike me, I ripped its arm off and threw it into the forest nearby.

"You are a fool if you honestly thought that was going to work.", I growled, pulling one of the large stones from earlier out of my storage, "You should have chosen to flee instead of engaging me!"

Firmly grabbing hold of the stone with one hand, I swung it at him like a rolled-up newspaper. Vaporizing it on impact, its body painted the area to my left jet black. Proceeding to burn all of it away with magic, Aela began to laugh uncontrollable at what just happened. Finding my methods for killing enemies amusing, she was quite happy she decided to come with us.

"Does he always do such ridiculous things in combat?", Aela asked the others.

"Victor has been that way since we were children.", Roxanne told her, with a proud smile, "I expect nothing less from him."

"Lucoa and you have been by his side for a long time, the rest of us are still getting used to his unusual way of fighting.", Angelica giggled, "Do not worry though, Victor. We do not think any less of you for it."

"Haha, very funny.", I chuckled, "Just for that, you ladies can handle purify the other five stones while I sit back and watch."

"Okay!!", Roxanne immediately agreed, as her tail began wagging a mile a second.

Assuring me they could do it, now that they knew what they were up against, our group headed off to the next stone to repeat the process again.