Chapter 73 Learning Dragonrend
The sun crept slowly above the jagged peaks, its golden rays spilling through the high windows of High Hrothgar. Dust motes drifted lazily in the warm light, and the ancient stone walls glowed faintly, as if breathing with the mountain itself. The air was cold and thin, carrying the quiet hum of the wind outside.
Alex shifted his fingers twitching as sleep loosened its grip. With a soft breath, his chest rose and fell, and his eyes opened little by little, blinking against the morning light. Looming over him was Astrid, leaning close, one hand resting on the edge of the bedroll.
She smiled gently, but it was a fragile smile. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy, the faint traces of last night's tears still clinging to her lashes.
"Hey, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice warm and careful, as if afraid to break the peaceful moment. "It's morning already. Wake up."
Alex let out a long, lazy yawn, stretching his arms above his head as his back popped softly. A relaxed smile tugged at his lips when he saw her face so close to his. He reached up and lightly pinched Astrid's cheek between his fingers, teasing but tender.
"Well, well," he murmured with a soft chuckle. "You're up early for once. Go wash your face your eyes are all swollen from crying last night."
Astrid puffed her cheeks slightly in response, then exhaled, the tension easing from her shoulders. She gave him a small nod, her expression sleepy yet affectionate, and flashed him a lazy, crooked smile.
"Okaaayyy," she replied, dragging out the word as she turned away, the quiet sound of the mountain wind filling the space between them once more.
After finishing their breakfast, they gathered their belongings in silence, the lingering warmth of the meal still clinging to their bodies as the cold mountain air pressed in around them. Leather straps were tightened, cloaks pulled closer, and weapons adjusted until everything felt secure. The halls of High Hrothgar echoed softly with their footsteps as they made their way toward the exit.
Before leaving, they stopped to bow respectfully to the Greybeards. The old monks stood motionless, their robes fluttering faintly as the mountain wind seeped through the stone corridors. Arngeir inclined his head in acknowledgment, his voice calm and solemn as he offered a quiet blessing. With one last look back, Alex and Astrid stepped outside into the open air.
The ascent was harsh. Snow crunched beneath their boots, and the wind howled across the cliffs, sharp and biting against their faces. Clouds drifted lazily below them, making the world feel distant and unreal. Seeing the steep path ahead, Alex exhaled and raised one hand.
"Hold on," he said calmly.
A faint shimmer surrounded them as his telekinesis took hold. Their bodies lifted smoothly from the ground, cloaks fluttering wildly as the force carried them upward. The mountain rushed past beneath their feet, and within moments, the exhausting climb was replaced by a swift, weightless ascent toward the summit.
When they finally touched down, the world fell eerily quiet.
The mountaintop stretched wide and barren, surrounded by endless sky. Jagged stone and ancient snow formed a natural altar at the peak, and there, resting among the rocks, lay a colossal dragon. His massive body was curled in repose, scales glistening faintly beneath the sunlight. Each slow breath caused his chest to rise and fall like a living mountain.
Paarthurnax.
Astrid instinctively lowered her voice, her eyes widening as she leaned closer to Alex.
"So… should we wake him up?" she whispered, barely louder than the wind.
Alex tilted his head, studying the ancient dragon, then shrugged lightly.
"I don't know. It feels rude to wake up an old man."
Astrid covered her mouth and let out a soft, suppressed laugh, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Without warning, one enormous eye cracked open, glowing faintly as it focused on them. Paarthurnax's deep voice rolled across the summit, resonant and calm.
"There is no need to wake me. I am already awake."
Both Alex and Astrid stiffened in shock. Alex took a quick step forward and raised his hands apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Paarthurnax. I was just joking hehe."
Instead of anger, a low, amused rumble escaped the dragon's chest. Paarthurnax shifted slightly, his massive head lifting just enough to regard them properly.
"Ah, it is fine," he said. "Still, I am saddened to see humans belittle one as old as I am. It seems one particular human here was never taught proper manners," he added, his tone dripping with dry sarcasm.
Astrid burst into open laughter, unable to hold it in any longer. Even Paarthurnax's expression softened, the corner of his massive eye narrowing in what could only be described as a faint smile. Alex scratched the back of his head, grinning as the tension dissolved.
"Not bad, Paarthurnax."
Astrid cleared her throat, forcing herself to regain her composure as she stepped forward.
"Alright, jokes aside," she said, her voice firm but respectful. "We've obtained the Elder Scroll, Paarthurnax."
Alex summoned the Elder Scroll from his system inventory and held it out.
"Here. Take a look."
Paarthurnax lowered his massive head in a slow, deliberate nod. The movement alone stirred the air, sending loose snow sliding across the stone and causing the ground beneath their feet to faintly tremble.
"Good," he said, his deep voice steady and ancient. "Then, Astrid, as the Dragonborn, you must open it at the very center of this summit and learn the shout Dragonrend."
Astrid took a quiet breath, her expression turning serious. She reached out and accepted the Elder Scroll from Alex with both hands, the ancient parchment humming faintly as if alive. For a brief moment, their fingers brushed, and Alex gave her a reassuring nod.
She stepped forward, boots crunching against frost-covered stone, until she stood at the very heart of the mountaintop. The wind howled louder there, tugging at her hair as clouds drifted slowly beneath the peak. Raising the Elder Scroll, Astrid unfolded it.
The moment it opened, the world seemed to fracture.
A blinding light burst forth, flooding the summit with radiant brilliance. The wind stilled abruptly, as if the mountain itself were holding its breath. Astrid's eyes turned pure, glowing white, and her body stiffened, frozen in place like a statue carved from light. The air around her shimmered, rippling with unseen power.
Alex instinctively stepped forward, his heart pounding. He clenched his fists and turned toward Paarthurnax, worry etched across his face.
"Is she doing it correctly?" he asked, unable to hide the tension in his voice.
"Yes," Paarthurnax replied calmly, his gaze fixed upon Astrid. "She now witnesses the era of the Dragon War seeing the heroes confront Alduin himself. By observing them use Dragonrend, she will learn the shout."
Time seemed to stretch as they waited. The light continued to pulse softly, and the sky above shifted slowly, clouds drifting like silent spectators. To ease the tension, Alex exhaled and glanced back at the ancient dragon.
"Hey, Paarthurnax…" he said casually, though his eyes never strayed far from Astrid. "Why are you so different from other dragons? You're wise and relaxed don't get me wrong, I like that about you."
Paarthurnax's massive eye narrowed slightly, and a subtle, thoughtful smile formed along his ancient features.
"I am honored that you think so," he replied. "For many, I am also a dragon who is hated."
Alex folded his arms, tilting his head as he considered the words.
"But you're different from who you were in the past, right? Nords, Altmer, Imperials everyone gets a second chance to become better. That shouldn't apply only to mortals. You deserve it too."
A deep, resonant laugh rumbled from Paarthurnax's chest, rolling across the summit and causing the sky itself to quiver. Snow shook loose from the surrounding rocks, cascading softly down the slopes.
"You are a strange human, Alex," he said warmly. "I find myself intrigued by you."
Alex grinned and raised his thumb with confidence.
"Yup. That's me.
Moments later, the blinding radiance pouring from the Elder Scroll began to dim. The shimmering light withdrew like a fading memory, and the mountain wind slowly returned, howling once more across the summit. Astrid's rigid posture relaxed, and the glow in her eyes flickered before finally fading, revealing her natural gaze once again.
Her knees wavered.
Alex was already moving. He rushed to her side and caught her by the shoulders, steadying her before she could stumble. His hands were firm but careful, his expression filled with anxious relief as he searched her face.
"So?" he asked breathlessly. "Did you get it?"
Astrid inhaled deeply, her chest rising as if she were grounding herself in the present. Then she lifted her head, a confident smile forming at the corner of her lips. Power seemed to linger around her, subtle yet undeniable.
"Of course," she said, her voice calm and resolute. "I've learned Dragonrend."
Before Alex could respond, the air itself screamed.
A thunderous WHOOSH tore through the sky as an immense shadow swept over the summit. The wind exploded outward, slamming into them with brutal force, snow and loose stone hurled in every direction. Alex instinctively stepped in front of Astrid, raising an arm to shield his eyes.
The sound of massive wings beat against the heavens heavy, violent, and suffocating.
A colossal dragon descended from the clouds and crashed down onto the peak, stone cracking beneath his weight. This was no peaceful presence like Paarthurnax.
Alduin.
Dark scales absorbed the light around him, and his towering form radiated pure dominance. He did not attack. He did not roar. Instead, he lowered his head slightly and stared a cold, crushing gaze fixed upon Alex and Astrid, as if they were insignificant insects daring to stand before a god.
The pressure of his presence alone made the air feel heavy, hard to breathe. Even the wind seemed to recoil from him.
Paarthurnax remained still, watching his ancient brother with calm restraint.
Alduin's arrogance was absolute his very existence an unspoken declaration of supremacy. Without lifting a claw or unleashing flame, he crossed every boundary, making it painfully clear that the true enemy had finally arrived.
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