บท 566: Falmer-more

"Darkfall Cave... Strange how no one's found the Vale with how easy this place is to reach..." Serana remarks as they step inside.

"Did you forget that you need to dive into an underground rapid that's infested by Frostbite Spiders and other critters to reach the Shrine of Auriel?"

"Hm, well when you put it like that..."

One quick swim and dozens of fried spiders later, the group spots the dimly lit Shrine in the damp cavern, along with the Snow Elf Geleborn sitting beside it in a meditative trance.

...

"Should we wait for him to wake up? Waking an old man can give them a heart attack youknow." Michael states as he approaches the elf.

"I believe that is not needed, stranger." Gelebor says as he stands, gracefully resting a hand on the pommel of his sheathed sword, "I'd introduce myself but, you seem to already know who I am... The only then left now is, who you all are?"

Michael glances at his companions, "Isn't it a bit weird that this ancient guy is perfectly fluent in modern Tamrielic?"

Serana shrugs, "The language hasn't really changed much, some words are archaic now but it's bearable." she shakes her head and focuses on Gelebor, "I am Serana, of the Volkihar clan. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Knight-Paladin Gelebor."

Saeko gives a shallow bow of her head, "Saeko Busujima, Ansei."

Gelebor's brows rise at that, "Ansei? How fortuitous to have one of your skills in our midst. Your expertise will likely be needed if everything progresses as I suspect."

"You know of the Ansei?" Saeko asks, curious.

He nods, "People seem to forget that this land isn't all that far from the deserts to the West, while I didn't meet any Ansei personally, tales of their strength found us. Had I not any duties to attend, I would have journeys out to test their skill for myself." he shakes his head, "But that time is now long lost." he solemnly says before turning to Michael.

"Michael Tahlin, let's forget the titles and get a move on? We're not in a rush or anything but I'll like to solve this sooner than later." he remarks.

Gelebor nods, "Forgive me, it's just been so long since I've had someone to converse with. I had started to think I'd forgotten to speak entirely." he smiles, "You're here for the trials, are you not? To complete them and face my brother?"

Michael, much to the Paladin's surprise, shakes his head. "We only need to reach the Vale, we'll gain access to the temple from there without the trials."

Gelebor frowns, "Are you sure? Not completing the trials before entering the Inner-Sanctum is highly against tradition... Auriel may not even see fit to bless you for your troubles, I don't know what's become of my brother, but I suspect such blessings would aid you."

Huh, completing the trials allows Auriel, or Akatosh, to bless you... Was this why Vyrthur was so easy to beat?

"It's fine, I doubt one of my companions here would appreciate the blessing anyway." he says as Serana uncomfortably folds her arms. "

"I see. Well then, if my words won't dissuade you then I'll leave the matter here. Let me warn you however, the journey to the Vale has been completely infested by my corrupted brethren, they stalk after corner of the underground passages so you'll have to fight an army just to reach the Vale itself... Are you prepared?"

"We are, open the way so we can solve your problems for you already." Michael impatiently states.

Gelebor lets out an exasperated sigh but nods nonetheless, he raises his hands and soon a rumbling begins, allowing the symbol of Auriel nearby to raise and reveal the magical passageway that leads to Darkfall Passage. "I wish you all luck, the journey will be perilous but I have faith in those sent by Auriel to do what I cannot. May the light of-" he pauses as he looks up and finds no one standing before him, the group having left as he spoke... "Hm... Rude..."

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As soon as the trio step through the magical door they're besieged by the Falmer. They seemed to be waiting by the entrance to ambush anyone who dared to come through, though, thankfully there were only a few guarding it...

They are annihilated.

Serana was an incredibly powerful mage despite her speciality in Conjuration.

Saeko was probably the best swordsman in Tamriel.

And the less said about Michale the better.

They couldn't actually even damage him... His scales, Dispersion, and other abilities make him all but immune to whatever they threw at him. Frankly speaking, the bone and carapace weapons the Falmer were using were almost comical in their ineffectiveness...

Michael also took the chance to test out some spells too, sound-based spells that'd take advantage of the Falmer's blindness... Needless to say, they got through Darkfall Passage very easily.

Saeko flicks the blood from her blade as the trio steps into the sunlight of the Forgotten Vale, cold winds chilling them more than a breeze in Winterhold. "We should build ourselves another tower here..."

Serana nods, "It's beautiful. Shame that snake is here, makes me want to floor it and never look back."

"Well, you can think about living here once he becomes dust in the wind."

*Thud!*

*THUD!*

The trio look over just as a hairy-looking giant appears from behind a nearby hill. A Frost Giant...

"Hey, isn't this thing like, one of the last Frost Giants around?" Michael points out as it spots them and starts quickly advancing.

"Probably? People used to hunt them for the pelts and horn from what I recall." Serana remarks as she readies her spells.

Michael grins, "So then, I can safely say I caused their extinction if I kill this one?"

...

"Why would you even want that?"

"Because it's cool... Michael Giants Bane... Not as good as Michael Dragonslayer but it'll do." he shrugs and draws his weapon, only to then realise that Saeko was already on the target. "She's stealing my kill!?"