#relonikiv

"Miraak harbored fantasies of rebellion against me. Learn from his example. Serve me faithfully, and you will continue to be richly rewarded."

Mora's voice boomed through the realm, shaking Apocrypha to it's core. The Dragonborn wiped blood from her cheek and stared up at the daedra without an ounce of fear. She stood her ground, sword still clutched in her quivering hand.

"I will serve you." The Dragonborn shouted, pointing the tip of her sword at Miraak. His body was crumpled on the ground, the whipping winds of his soul beginning to batter the Dragonborn's exhausted body. She had only minutes left. "Under one condition."

"Is status not enough for you, Champion? My knowledge, my power, not great enough for the Last Dragonborn?"

"I will bend to your will." She interrupted Mora, knowing there wasn't enough time for a monologue. "But I want him."

"His soul is already yours. You have claimed his power as your own."

"I don't want his soul." Her voice wobbled but she refused to break. "I want him."

"You would trade your power for Miraak?" Mora sounded intrigued. Good.

"I will trade no power. I will be your Champion, do your bidding. But only with Miraak."

"Two Dragonborns...the first and the last...both my Champions?" Mora considered, tentacles snapping around Miraak's form. "A smart idea, mortal."

Sickening green energy pulsed from Miraak's chest. The Dragonborn watched cautiously when Mora's tendrils began to retract, his laugh still echoing in her mind when he disappeared. The dark ocean thrashed below their pedestal and dragons swooped through the pale green sky but they were alone.

Falling to her knees, the Dragonborn's sword finally fell from her hand. She clutched the front of Miraak's robes and dragged him closer. His mask was cracked and burnt from Mora's powers. The energy finally subsided and she dropped her head to Miraak's chest.

She heard a shallow breath. Her heart was in her throat. Another breath rattled through his chest. She didn't care if Mora hadn't fixed the bones he'd broken or muscles he'd torn in his fury at Miraak. When she finally heard his voice again the Last Dragonborn allowed herself to cry.

"My Dragon, what have you done?"

--

The Last Dragonborn had been their savior. For years she lived among the common folk in Skyrim, saving lives and earning their trust. She became Thane of Whiterun and gained access to High Hrothgar. Some claimed she'd befriended the ancient dragon Paarthurnax.

She gave up the world for him. The Last Dragonborn chose Miraak over Tamriel. Her armor was forgotten in some corner of Apocrypha, traded for robes of green and black. Hermaeus Mora's colors.

Miraak's cracked mask remained in his temple as reminder of the day she traded the world for him. No more masks, no more hiding. Tamriel would see their true faces and tremble.

"Solstheim will rebuild." His smooth voice reminded her. His gloved hand tilted her jaw back, pressing a gentle kiss to the Last Dragonborn's lips. "It will be rebuilt in our image, my love."

"He won't be happy, you know." She smiled, feeling his nose brushing against hers. "Solstheim was part of Mora's plan but Skyrim is bigger. More daedra have staked a claim here."

"You wish to back down?" Miraak teased, kissing his wife again. "Or do you feel bad for the men tearing their own country to shreds in the name of ownership?"

"No." She breathed, feeling Miraak's calming presence in her mind. He was never intrusive, merely there.

"Scared of the fight, my Dragon?" He taunted and she felt her blood warming at his voice. He knew exactly what he was doing with those words. She wanted to punch him, to Shout him across the continent.

"Are you sure this will work?" The Last Dragonborn felt Miraak's finger trail down her jaw, his dark eyes watching hers.

"I refused to end Alduin once." He answered, dropping his hand from her face. "We have both rebelled against the dragons in our own way. With his aid and our strengthened hold on Skyrim, Mora will have no chance against us."

"Our hold on Skyrim is tenuous." She reminded him but Miraak shook his head. "Ulfric's rebellion against us is still strong."

"Ulfric is an embarrassment to the Way of the Voice." Miraak's voice hardened and he stalked away from his wife. The sun was breaking over the horizon, showering the beach in weak pink light. She watched Miraak mount Relonikiv with ease and motion for her to join.

The Last Dragonborn took her place on Relonikiv's back, her husband's arms a comfort when she commanded the dragon to fly. He soared high above Eastmarch, wings flapping and roaring as they rose. She felt anticipation and a touch of fear at the thought of facing the Stormcloaks. But under it all the yawning, endless need for more power remained.

Far below, archers took aim at Relonikiv's intimidating shape when he burst through the clouds. Ulfric ordered his men into a defensive position and commanded them to yield nothing to the Dovahkiins. The dragon grew closer and the fighters readied their weapons, muscles already tensing for impact.

The archers held until they saw two figures on the dragon's backs. Dozens of arrows flew toward the pair only to be blasted away by their Thu'um. Ulfric's army waited as the dragon landed on Windhelm's ancient walls, crumbling into the Yorgrim River under it's massive claws.

The Last Dragonborn stared out at them and said nothing. Some remembered her years on Skyrim and wondered where it had gone wrong. Had it all been an act? None of the citizens of Skyrim could fathom why she'd done it, why she'd turned her back on them.

The Stormcloak rebellion watched in horror when the pair fell to the bridge. Spectral armor covered every inch of their robes and they held matching gnarled, green swords. Each guard raised their shield as the Dragonborns stalked across the bridge hand in hand.

The Last Dragonborn pointed her sword at Ulfric. Over the orders and jostling of armor each member of Ulfric's army heard her demanding him to lay down his arms and renounce his use of the Voice. When he refused, the Last Dragonborn smiled.

"I was on that cart, Ulfric." She taunted, voice thick with power. "I remember you bound and gagged. I saved you from Alduin once but I will not do it again."

"You turned your back on Skyrim and her people! You hide behind Hermaeus Mora's power, Dragonborn! "