Something felt wrong,
I expected to wake up to the same smells of coal and iron I became so familiar with. My brain dead lackeys running towards me, offering me news of their latest plunder, as well as a woman on each arm at my bedside.
However what I was met instead was different, instead of coal and iron I smelled blood, and instead of women beside me in bed, I was met with the sight of corpses and skeletons, all hanged beside me, chained to the wall.
Where was I? Who dared captured me? What had happened to me while I was asleep?
I begin to hear footsteps from a staircase across from where I was bound. Slowly the figure obscured by the darkness came closer, but even when he stood in front of me I could not see him from beyond the shadows he hid.
Shadow: I see you're awake, good.
???: You have balls to try and kidnap me whelp. Surely you know who I am.
Shadow: Of course, that's why I took the liberty to save you when I did.
???: Save me? What in oblivion are you talking about?
Shadow: When I found you, you were nearly close to being sent to that barren slum you know as the Ashpit.
???: You dare call Malacath's domain a slum?!?
The shadow appears before my face, still obscured, yet I could see them, those Scarlett glowing eyes, filled with the desire to kill, the desire to feed. I've seen those eyes before, this was no man. I was trapped by a vampire.
The shadow bares his fangs to me, smiling sadistically.
Shadow: If you're smart, you would stay quiet orc. I'm willing to grant you a special gift, but don't mistake my generosity, there are many out there worthy of this gift that I can grant. So you either stay quiet and listen to me, or you become my cattle.
I have fought many of these cursed bloodsuckers, but something about this one felt off. The power he resonates felt more terrifying, I decide to hold my tongue and stare intently at my captor.
He winds back away from me and begins walking towards a table with sheets of paper layered atop one another.
Shadow: I've heard of your escapades you know. Made quite a name for yourself despite the short time you arrived in Skyrim. You're cruel in the battlefield, and powerful with a warhammer on hand. I could use that in my ideal world. Someone of your talents I mean.
???: Ideal world?
Shadow: Yes, one where my kind no longer fears the sun. Where the cattle will bow before us and cower.
???: And why would I want such a world? Why would I work for you?
Shadow: Because it's what you desire. What benefit does dying in battle do for you? When instead you can conquer those who are weaker? Live freely, finally liberated from the shackles of time, able to rule over your own domain with an iron fist! You aren't some random bandit, whose forced to hide within a mine, you're a warlord. One that I took my precious time to invest and scout, to save from being left for dead by a loathsome half breed.
???: Dead…Halfbreed…? Wait a minute.
I remember now, Cidna Mine, I was in a fight. Some whelp came in and killed my lackeys and despite everything I did he couldn't stop getting up to fight me, eventually he strangled me from behind with a set of chains. I can still remember the tightening feeling of the chains wrapped around my neck, how cold I felt and the feeling of his foot embedded into my back.
Rage began to bubble inside of me, the thought of that random nobody with tainted blood, besting me in combat.
???: A warrior like myself, could never lose to halfbreed trash! I was born in the deepest pits of Nova Orsinium, forced to fight and kill the rest of my siblings, and soon after my own father! I was the one that clawed my way to the top! The cream of the crop! Dubbed the Avatar of Malacath himself!!! URAM GRO-OSH!!!
Shadow: Seems you finally remembered. So Uram…will you be willing to abandon Malacath, and embrace the blessing of Coldharbor, given to us by Molag Bal?
Uram: MALACATH MAY THINK OTHERWISE BUT I DON'T DESERVE THE ASHPIT!!! NOT AFTER THE HUMILATION I'VE RECEIVED!! IF I WERE TO DIE IT SHOULD'VE BEEN BY MY SPAWN ONLY!!! YOU MAY HAVE MY LOYALTY VAMPIRE!!! SO LONG AS I CAN DRAIN THE BLOOD FROM THE NECK OF THE RUNT WHO KILLED ME!!!!!
Shadow: In due time, you will have your revenge.
The shadow grabs hold of Urams head, bearing his fangs once more.
Shadow: From now on you will serve under the faithful servant of Molag Bal, Harkon Volkihar!
Harkon's fangs dig deep into my neck, for a brief second I felt as the teeth jammed themselves, piercing my flesh. Soon after he unhinges his jaw and removes his fangs from me, a new pain was felt. A burning sensation, as if fire was swimming in through my veins.
Harkon: Bear in mind this is a gift like no other. Do not mistake it for the vampires you've seen before. This is the power of a true vampire. Rejoice! For you are blessed!
Uram: I don't give a shit if I am blessed, or cursed. So long as that halfbreed trash lives, I will remain till he is dead!