The corridor opened into a massive chamber, its walls carved from the same rough stone as the rest of the tomb but grander in scale. A small river cut through the middle, fed by several waterfalls cascading down the uneven rock walls. The sound of rushing water filled the air, mixing with the faint echoes of their footsteps. Overhead, a gaping hole in the ceiling let pale moonlight spill into the space, illuminating the area with an eerie glow. Tsun tilted his head back, his eyes narrowing as the moonlight bathed his skin. "Finally, something decent about this place," he muttered, more to himself than to Freyja. He was glad it was night, he wanted fresh air, but if he had gone outside and it was day? That would've been a death sentence. This moonlight was perfect.
Freyja glanced around, her torch still clutched tightly in her hand. The cool air of the chamber sent a chill through her bones. The rushing water and open space should have felt refreshing, but it didn't. The chamber was too quiet apart from the water—too still. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong. As they walked toward the center, Freyja's eyes locked on a massive stone wall at the far end of the chamber. It towered above them, covered in strange symbols that seemed to shimmer faintly in the moonlight. The carvings were intricate and otherworldly, the centerpiece was a line of text etched into the stone in a flowing script.
Tsun whistled softly, his hands resting on his hips as he surveyed the wall. "That's... something," he said. "Guess that's what we're here for?"
Freyja didn't respond. The closer she got to the wall, the heavier the air seemed to feel. Her chest tightened, and a faint ringing began in her ears. She stumbled slightly, her vision swimming as dizziness overtook her.
"Hey," Tsun said, glancing back at her. "You good?"
She ignored him, her hand reaching out to steady herself on the torch. The sound in her ears grew louder, transforming into something deeper, almost like a hum. The symbols on the wall blurred together except for one—a single word that seemed to glow brighter than the rest.
The hum became a voice in her mind.
Fus.
Her knees gave out, and she fell to the ground, one hand pressed against the cold stone floor. The word echoed in her mind, louder and clearer than anything else. It felt like it was being burned into her memory, becoming a part of her.
"Hey! I asked if you were okay," Tsun said, crouching down beside her. "You're acting weird again. Stop doing that."
Freyja didn't hear him. Her hand trembled as she reached out, brushing her fingers against the word on the wall. The moment her skin touched the cold stone, the sound in her mind surged, overwhelming her senses.
"Fus," she whispered, the word spilling from her lips without thought.
Tsun leaned closer, frowning. "What the hell are you mumbling about?"
She yanked her hand back, shaking her head as if to clear it. The word remained, engraved in her mind as if it had always been there. She turned to glare at Tsun, her voice sharp. "I said I'm fine! Stop—"
Her words froze as her eyes widened in horror. Behind Tsun, a massive Draugr stepped out of the shadows, its hulking frame illuminated by the moonlight. It was taller than any she'd seen before, its decayed body clad in ancient armor. A massive greatsword rested in its hands, the blade jagged and worn but no less deadly.
Tsun raised an eyebrow, following her gaze. He turned slowly, his expression more annoyed than alarmed. "How'd you sneak up on me?" he muttered, almost to himself. "That's embarrassing." Especially when considering his newly enhanced senses.
The Draugr growled low in its throat, its glowing blue eyes fixed on him as it raised the greatsword high.
"Killing these guys is getting a bit boring now," Tsun said, stepping forward without hesitation.
His fist shot out, slamming into the Draugr's chest with a force that echoed through the chamber. The creature flew backward, its body crashing into a nearby sarcophagus. The stone cracked and crumbled around it, sending shards flying in every direction. Tsun smirked, flexing his hand. "Easy," he said, glancing back at Freyja. "Try to keep it together, huh? I'm not carrying you out of here again."
Freyja's glare was sharp, but she kept quiet, her mind still reeling from what had just happened with the wall. Tsun, oblivious to her frustration, began rummaging through the chamber.
He moved toward a large chest tucked against the far wall, prying it open with little effort. "Let's see what we've got," he muttered. Inside was a pile of gold coins, some sparkling jewels, and an ancient-looking sword with a chipped blade. There was also a large stone tablet with intricate drawings on it, he threw that to the side.
He picked up a strange white sphere resting at the bottom of the chest, frowning. "Weird," he said, looking it over. "Not touching that. Feels cursed or something."
He scooped up the gold and jewels, stuffing them into a ragged cloth before pressing the bundle into his chest. It vanished into his body with ease.
"This'll never get old," he said, grinning to himself.
Freyja, meanwhile, had turned back to the wall. She ran her fingers over the other symbols, trying to make sense of them, but none of them resonated with her like the first. The word Fus still echoed in her mind, lingering like a shadow. A sudden movement caught her eye. She turned quickly, her blood running cold. The massive Draugr, its body battered but unbroken, was rising to its feet. Its glowing eyes locked onto Tsun, its greatsword dragging against the stone floor as it stepped forward.
"Tsun!" she shouted, her voice ringing out in the chamber.
He turned just as the Draugr opened its mouth.
"Fus."
The word erupted from the Draugr's throat in a deafening shockwave. The force tore through the chamber, sending loose stones flying and ripping cracks into the ground. Tsun was thrown off his feet, the blast hurling him across the room like a broken doll. He crashed into the far wall with a sickening crunch, his body folding unnaturally on impact. His spine bent at an impossible angle, and his limbs jutted out in directions they weren't meant to go.
The chest he'd been looting was flung to the side, its contents scattering across the floor.
Freyja's torch flickered wildly in her hand as she stumbled back, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at Tsun's crumpled form, her breath catching in her throat.
The Draugr let out another guttural growl, its greatsword scraping against the stone as it began to advance once more. Freyja squared her shoulders, tightening her grip on her sword. The Draugr loomed before her, its greatsword scraping against the stone floor with a harsh, grating sound. It moved with slow, deliberate steps, its glowing eyes fixed on her.
Her legs felt like lead, and her ribs burned with every breath. The shallow cut on her leg bled freely, staining her boots. She ignored the pain, keeping her stance low and ready. She couldn't afford to hesitate.
The Draugr swung its massive blade in a horizontal arc, aiming to cleave her in half. Freyja ducked, feeling the rush of air as the blade passed just above her head. She darted forward, slashing at its exposed side. Her sword cut through decayed flesh, hitting bone, but the creature didn't flinch.
It turned, swinging the greatsword downward with a force that cracked the stone floor. Freyja sidestepped, her boots slipping slightly on the loose debris. She spun to its side, bringing her sword down on its arm. The blade bit into rotted muscle, severing tendons, but the Draugr yanked its arm away, dragging her sword with it.
She stumbled, barely keeping her grip on the weapon. The Draugr's free hand shot out, grabbing her by the shoulder. Its grip was like iron, crushing her bruised flesh. Freyja gritted her teeth, slamming the hilt of her sword into its wrist. The creature didn't let go, dragging her closer as its glowing eyes burned brighter. She shifted her weight, twisting her body to wrench herself free. Her sword came loose, and she staggered back, breathing heavily. The Draugr raised its blade high, the movement slow but powerful. Freyja dived forward, rolling under the swing and coming up behind it.
She slashed at its back, her blade sinking deep into its spine. The Draugr staggered, its movement jerky, but it didn't fall. It turned sharply, backhanding her with its free arm.
The blow sent her flying. She hit the ground hard, her sword clattering out of her hand. Pain shot through her side as she rolled to a stop, gasping for air.
The Draugr advanced, dragging its greatsword along the ground. Freyja scrambled to her feet, grabbing the dagger from her belt. The blade felt pitifully small in her hand, but it was all she had.
The Draugr lunged, thrusting its sword forward. Freyja sidestepped, the blade grazing her arm. The pain was sharp and immediate, warm blood soaking her sleeve. She gritted her teeth and drove the dagger into the Draugr's wrist.
The creature growled, jerking its arm back and taking the dagger with it. Freyja stumbled, her vision blurring as exhaustion set in. The Draugr's movements didn't slow—it raised its sword again, aiming for her head. She threw herself to the side, the blade slamming into the ground where she had been. Chunks of stone flew into the air, cutting shallow lines into her face. She crawled toward her fallen sword, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The Draugr stepped forward, its greatsword dragging behind it. Freyja grabbed her weapon, rolling onto her back just as the creature swung again. She blocked the strike with her sword, but the impact was brutal, the force driving her into the ground. Her arms trembled, the blade shaking under the pressure. The Draugr leaned in, its rotten face inches from hers. Its strength was overwhelming, and her arms gave out. The blade inched closer, the jagged edge glinting in the faint light.
Her vision blurred as panic set in. She couldn't move, couldn't fight back. The Draugr's sword was seconds away from ending her.
Then, a sharp clap echoed through the chamber.
Freyja blinked, and suddenly the crushing weight was gone. She found herself on the opposite side of the room, her knees hitting the cold stone. Her sword slipped from her hands as she looked up, disoriented.
Tsun stood in her place, his broad back blocking her view of the Draugr. He rolled his shoulders, glancing over at her with a faint smirk.
"Alright," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Round two."
The Draugr raised its greatsword, aiming a slow but powerful swing at Tsun. He didn't move at first, watching the decayed creature with a mixture of curiosity and caution. When the blade came down, Tsun's hand shot up, grabbing the Draugr's wrist mid-swing. The sound of bone grinding against his grip filled the air.
Tsun tilted his head, muttering under his breath, "Man, you're pretty scary. If I were my old self, I'd probably piss myself and start apologizing."
The Draugr roared, its glowing eyes narrowing in fury as it struggled against his grip. Tsun held firm, his other hand slowly rising. He focused, his brow furrowing, and his nails began to grow. They extended unnaturally, curling into sharp, glinting claws three times their original length.
"Let's try this," Tsun said, slashing his arm upward in a precise, brutal motion. His claws tore through the Draugr's sword arm, severing it just below the shoulder. The greatsword flew into the air, spinning wildly before clattering to the ground.
The Draugr howled in rage, its remaining arm reaching for Tsun's throat.
*Clap*
Tsun disappeared in an instant, reappearing directly above the creature's severed arm. With a fluid motion, he twisted in midair and delivered a powerful kick to the back of the Draugr's head. The force snapped its neck with a sickening crunch, launching its skull across the room like a projectile. The head smashed into the wall, shattering into pieces that fell to the ground in a heap.
Tsun landed lightly on his feet, brushing dust off his hands. He glanced at the headless body slumping to the ground and quipped, "Looks like he's really lost his head over this fight."
He chuckled to himself before turning to Freyja, who was still kneeling on the ground, clutching her sword. She scrambled to her feet, her face pale and her grip trembling. The look in her eyes was one of fear and suspicion.
"What manner of creature are you?" she demanded, pointing her blade at him. "You must be an elder vampire. I saw your body flatten and shatter, yet here you stand."
Tsun raised his hands in mock surrender, trying to keep his voice calm. "Hey, I'm not undead or anything like that. Relax."
Freyja didn't move, her lips silently forming a prayer to Stendarr as she took a cautious step back.
Tsun sighed inwardly, trying to think of something plausible to say. He couldn't exactly tell her the truth—that he was from a different world and was now a Pillar Man. That would go over about as well as claiming to be a Daedric Prince. After a moment, he settled on something that sounded close enough to believable.
"I'm not a vampire," he said, his tone steady. "I'm... well, I'm part of an ancient species. We've been extinct for a long time. I'm the last of my kind."
Freyja's eyes narrowed. "You expect me to believe that?"
Tsun shrugged. "It's the truth. Or at least close enough."
She didn't lower her sword. Her hand shook slightly, but her stance remained firm.
With a sigh, Tsun stepped closer. Before she could react, he knocked the sword from her hand with a quick motion, sending it clattering to the floor. She reached for her dagger, but he grabbed her wrist and pressed her hand against his chest.
"Feel that?" he asked.
The first thing Freyja noticed was the warmth of his skin. It was subtle but undeniable. Then she felt the steady thrum of his heartbeat—slow and strong, pulsing every few seconds.
"Vampires don't have warmth," Tsun said. "And they don't have heartbeats. You know that."
Freyja's breathing slowed as she processed the sensation under her palm. Her eyes flicked up to his face, and for the first time, she really looked at him. His wavy black hair fell just past his shoulders, framing a chiseled jaw and sharp, symmetrical features. His blue eyes had an intensity to them that made her stomach twist, and his sheer size made him impossible to ignore. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly pulled her hand back, forcing herself to focus. "Fine," she muttered, looking away. "I believe you. I... I'm sorry for drawing my sword again."
Tsun grinned, stepping back and clapping her lightly on the shoulder. "No harm done, maybe try not to go stab happy?"
She glared at him, but there was no heat behind it.
"Let's get out of here," Tsun said, glancing toward the exit.
As they turned to leave, Freyja's eyes caught on a stone tablet resting against the wall near the Draugr's remains. Her heart leapt as she recognized it—the dragonstone. Relief flooded her as she grabbed it, this meant she would get her reward, that she could live a better life now. Carrying the stone, she followed Tsun out of the chamber and into the winding corridors of the tomb. The air felt less suffocating the closer they got to the exit.
"Thanks for saving me," Freyja said quietly as they walked. "I owe you for that. The Jarl's offering a reward for this stone. I'll split it with you."
Tsun waved her off. "It's your quest, not mine. I'm just glad to finally leave this place." He paused, glancing at her. "Though... if you wouldn't mind guiding me for a bit, I'm still a little lost."
Freyja found herself smiling slightly. "If that is what you wish I won't deny you."
A little while later came across another chest near the exit. Tsun opened it, pulling out several sets of robes, a long hooded cloak, and a pair of boots. He immediately donned the cloak and boots, his expression thoughtful as he inspected the rest of the robes.
"What are you doing?" Freyja asked, frowning.
"Making a mask and gloves," Tsun said, tearing the fabric into strips. "My skin's sensitive to sunlight. Don't want to fry myself the moment we step outside."
Freyja narrowed her eyes, her tone half-joking. "You're sure you're not a vampire?"
Tsun laughed. "Positive."
Once he finished his makeshift coverings, they left the tomb together. The fresh air hit them immediately, crisp and cool compared to the stale dampness of the tomb.
Freyja closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation. When she opened them, she glanced at Tsun, who was already scanning the horizon.
"Let's keep moving," he said, his voice light but steady. "No sense sticking around here." The sun would rise soon and he wasn't in a hurry to test the effectiveness of his clothing this soon.
And with that, they began their journey toward Whiterun.
___________________________
AN: So they've escaped the tomb finally and will now be going back to Whiterun, expect a different Skyrim than your used to, one that is actually feeling the effects of a Civil war, whiterun more than most places. Whiterun was on neither side, while in the game it meant it wasn't attacked by either now it's being attacked by both. In the centre of Skyrim its strategic positioning allows for quick deployment anywhere in the realm. Anyway I hope ya enjoyed me)
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