As Sam clicked on Skyrim, the black screen remained for many many minutes, it felt like forever, before finally opening up, revealing... a computer like interface on his Xbox One S. What was strange is he was now open to many, many new types of mods, and he started downloading them to the best of his abilities, not knowing there wasn't that much of a restriction on Space anymore.
A few hours later, be was done, and that's when he realized, most of these mods seemed to be related to his favorite Skyrim Fanfic, but he brushed it off, not thinking much about it.
"Alright, here we go!", he said, as he pressed New Game, and the black screen returned. And it didn't go away even after thirty minutes, so he got up, and tried touching the TV, thinking maybe it'd help... only for him to disappear, and the game and TV to shit off entirely.
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Sam woke up, holding his head in pain, not even noticing the rocking of the cart he was in. The three people surrounding him winced in sympathy, as he finally came to.
"You're finally awake. You were trying to cross the border right? Ran right into that imperial ambush same as us, and this horse thief next to me. Go on, man, introduce yourself to the poor fellow.", Spoke a kind, and strong voice. Sam would recognize it anywhere, but he was confused, not taking everything around him in.
"Ugh.. While I would otherwise be giving a kind welcome to him, this situation clearly calls for something else. Kid, my name's Lokir. And if it weren't for these Stormcloak rebels, I could've gotten away with that horse!", yelled the bitter man. He then looked in front of him.
"And who's this??! What's so important about him that requires a gag?", he asked, kicking with his foot a bit to ignite a reaction from said man.
"Watch your damn tongue! That is Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King! And if you do much as touch him again, I'll strangle you, even with these bound hands!", spoke the kind looking man from earlier, angry at the impudence of the thief.
"Ulfric?? The leader of the rebellion??! Well, If they've captured him, then we aren't going anywhere good! And you! Ulfric! You traitor!!! You've gotten us ALL into this mess!", Lokir yelled, rage and fear in his voice.
"SHUT UP BACK THERE!", yelled an unnamed Imperial soldier, annoyed at having to listen to the banter from the prisoners.
"Hey, I'm sorry you got entangled in this mess, you don't deserve to be here. It's unjust. But I don't know where we are going. All I do know is that Sovngarde awaits..", spoke the now tired looking man. He looked ready to give up.
"Uhm... thanks, and I'm sorry you're here too. You seem like a good man.", Sam finally said, ignoring the scoffing sound of the Imperial guiding the horse to somewhere up ahead. From that direction, he heard the voice of a slightly older man, and he recognized it too. This, was General Tulius.
"No problem, Kinsman. What's your name? I'm Ralof. I would shake your hand, but I don't have the capability to do so right now.", said the man, and Sam chuckled a little. So he's a Nord, huh. How fitting for him.
"Sam. My name is Sam, and it's nice to meet you Ralof.", Sam said. He always did like Ralof from the game, and damn, did he look so realistic. Everything did, really. Maybe he was dreaming, but if he was, he hopes he never wakes up.
Then, the clouds started clearing up, the fog with it, allowing him to see Helgen in all it's glory. It was quite a bit bigger than the game version, but he recognized it all the same. Made him wonder that if it still fell apart, maybe he could make this a future base of operations for himself, if it went like how the game did. He really hoped so, he didn't want a shave from the Imperial Headsman any more than Ralof did.
Everything became a blur as he watched the scenery go by, not hearing most of the things Ralof, or Lokir said, until his ears heard the voice of a self imposed High Elf, and Ralof's crude response.
"Ch! Thalmor bitch!", and as soon as Sam heard this, he snorted. He ignored the looks he got, until Ralof spoke up once more, now with a far away look in his eyes.
"This... is Helgen. I used to be sweet on a girl from here... I wonder if old man Vilod is still making that Mead with Juniper Berries mixed in... Heh, funny, when I was a young lad, these Imperial Walls and Towers used to make me feel so safe. It's ironic what time does...", Ralof said, his eyes landing on, and staying on a beautiful woman who was holding a child. Her eyes caught his, and she instantly got up, covering her mouth, as she ran inside her home.
Ralof sighed, then jolted as the cart bounced off a sharp corner, Sam, Lokir, and Ulfric doing the same as well.
"Move it! I want these prisoners out of the carts!", barked a stuck up sounding Imperial Guard. Once again, Ralof displayed his vast vocabulary of slurs.
"Stupid Cunt...", he barked lowly before looking back up at Sam, his expression gaining a friendly side again, as he sighed in exasperation.
"Let's go. We shouldn't keep the God's waiting for us.", those iconic lines were spoken, and Sam got up with everyone else. He would keep a little quiet for now, though maybe he could get Lokir to stay.
As soon as the prisoners got off the carts, the Imperial Captain spoke in a harsh, and almost euphoric tone. She was clearly very happy with this outcome.
"Line up in front of the carts! We'll need to profile you, so there aren't any mishaps. Oh, and if any of you think running will save you, I'd think again. We have Archers training their sights on you all as we speak.", she finished, grinning like a mad woman, and even some of her colleague's frowned, or turned away from her.
"One at a time, you will come forward as your name is spoken. Except for you Ulfric. We all know who you are by now, you will stand in front of me.", this time General Tulius took the reigns this time, having a far kinder tone to his voice than the female Legate behind him.
"Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm. Apologies, General Tulius, I still had to note it down.", spoke a timid looking soldier. Sam was surprised, as it was a very young looking lad, maybe eighteen at the most. This, was Hadvar. What was strange is that he's supposed to be around the same age as Ralof. Maybe Ralof is just a bit different in that manner...
This is when Sam saw a puddle of water that clearly reflected everything above it... including his face. His looks resembled Chris Hemsworth nearly exactly, with short hair that is, and frankly, he was pretty happy with that.
"Lokir of Rorikstead", Hadvar said this time, and while Lokir paled, and looked ready to plea for his life, one look at those Archers, and he kept his mouth shut.
"I'm not a rebel... I'm not a rebel... I'm not a rebel...!", quietly the horse thief sobbed to himself while walking to the group of collected prisoners. Ralof and Sam both shook their heads in sympathy.
"Ralof of... of Riverwood", Hadvar said, his voice hitching in his breath. Ralof noticeably flinched at this. Seemed they used to be friends in the past. Maybe best friends, based on their reactions.
Ralof slowly walked to his place, trying not to look at Hadvar as he did so, and Hadvar noticed. He looked back at the paper, clearing his throat, when his look changed.
"What...? Uhm, you there, step forward. Who.. are you?", He looked confused, and for good reason. Sam wasn't on the list, but none of these people knew, or in some people's cases, cared if he was or not.
Sam thought about it, then shook his head internally, as he had already told the others his name was Sam. Which it was, but he didn't know if that's the name he was supposed to use. Maybe this person he was now had a backstory. He didn't know. But, to the present he stepped forward, as told.
"My name is Sam. Sam D. Shepherd.", Sam said, and this caused Hadvar some more confusion. That wasn't a Nordic kind of name, that's to be sure, but if that was his name, who was he to judge.
"Captain, he's not on the list. What should we do?", he asked, turning to the woman. She squinted through the helmet, before taking it off, revealing a fairly pretty woman, which definitely didn't match her personality.
"Mm... he's handsome but... forget the list. He goes to the block.", she smirked, putting her helmet back on, and sauntering off to stand by General Tulius. Hadvar sighed.
"I'm sorry, kinsman. At least you'll die here, in your homeland. Follow her until you're a couple feet away. We'll be beginning the 'ceremony' now. I'm sorry you got caught up in this mess...", Hadvar said. Sam really sympathized with the young man, but did as told again, not wanting to make any trouble.
Right then, he heard the roar of a Dragon in the far distance. Sam regained his spirits on the inside, actually happy to hear Alduin again. He actually felt sorry for Alduin as well, seeing how much shit he had to go through, and just be outed as a villain the entire time, when he was only doing his job.