Chapter 28 – Way to Defeat Alduin
The room was quiet only the faint hiss of the lantern and the distant whisper of wind brushing against the inn's wooden walls. The warm glow painted Astrid's skin in soft gold.
After everything that happened, Alex handed her the Daedric armor, his hand trembling just slightly.
"Hey, Astrid… wear this. It's for you. I don't want to see you get hurt."
His voice was warm too warm and his smile carried a softness he rarely showed anyone else.
Astrid's lips curved gently.
There was affection in her eyes pure, unguarded.
She nodded, then slowly slipped her fingers under the hem of her thin top.
The fabric lifted, brushing over her skin in a whisper before she pulled it off completely.
Alex's breath caught.
Her bare shoulders glowed under the lantern light, smooth and toned. She reached for the ties of her lower clothing, loosening them with unhurried, almost graceful movements. The cloth slid down her hips, pooling at her feet leaving her in nothing but her undergarments.
Alex's heartbeat hammered.
He swallowed hard, heat rising up his neck.
She wasn't doing anything suggestive just changing clothes yet the simple act felt intimate in a way that made his lungs tighten. Her body was athletic and strong, yet soft in places that made his gaze stumble. The gentle slope of her waist, the firm line of her legs, the natural curves of her hips and chest
He felt like he should look away.
But he couldn't.
Inside, Alex felt like the luckiest man in the world.
Without meaning to, he whispered, breath escaping him:
"…wow."
Astrid froze just a little then turned her head toward him.
Her smile bloomed slowly, beautifully.
His reaction wasn't lustful it was awe.
And that made warmth spread across her chest in a sweet, overwhelming rush.
She exhaled softly, shy but delighted, cheeks warming at the thought:
He likes what he sees.
When she put on the Daedric armor, the heavy plates clicked into place one by one. The black, jagged metal swallowed her silhouette covering the curves Alex had struggled not to stare at.
But when she lifted her head, even hidden beneath armor, she was radiant.
Astrid took a small step toward him.
Her fingers reached out hesitant at first then confidently wrapped around his hand.
"Come on," she said with a soft smile, warmth lingering in her voice.
"Let's go to Delphine's secret room."
She tugged gently, her grip warm and firm.
Alex followed, still a little dazed still feeling the ghost of heat in his cheeks.
"Let's go," she repeated, her thumb brushing the back of his hand before she pulled him along.
And the air between them…
remained charged with a silent, undeniable attraction.
Inside the Hidden Room
The stone walls of Delphine's hidden chamber glowed faintly under the warm torchlight, shadows flickering like restless spirits across ancient carvings. Dust hung suspended in the air, disturbed only when the heavy door creaked open and Alex and Astrid stepped inside.
Delphine, who had been leaning over a pile of scrolls, stiffened the moment she saw them.
Her eyes flicked from Alex's flushed face… to Astrid's slightly breathless appearance… to their still-intertwined hands.
A tiny twitch appeared at the corner of her mouth.
She knew exactly what she had interrupted.
"Sorry, Astrid," Delphine said, forcing a tight smile. "But this is important."
Astrid's expression remained polite, but her slight blush and the faint tightening around her eyes betrayed her irritation.
Delphine pretended not to notice.
Esbern, however, didn't even bother with greetings.
His excitement practically vibrated through the room.
"Important? Of course it's important!" he exclaimed, lifting a roll of parchment with shaky enthusiasm. "I just remembered there is an ancient carving describing how to defeat Alduin!"
He snorted loudly, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"And really what could possibly be more important than that?"
Astrid's head turned slowly.
Her eyes narrowed sharp as drawn steel.
Esbern froze.
His enthusiasm died in an instant.
"…Did… did I say something wrong?" he whispered, nudging Delphine with a look of genuine confusion.
Delphine rubbed her forehead with a long, exhausted exhale.
"No. You're fine. Nothing's wrong. Just "
She cut herself off with another sigh and waved her hand.
"Never mind. Just continue."
Esbern straightened himself, coughed twice, and adopted a serious expression as if giving a lecture to an invisible classroom.
"Ahem. Right. As I was saying…"
He reached into his satchel and carefully pulled out an old, leather-bound book. Its surface was cracked, its bindings barely holding together. Annals of the Dragonguard was etched on the cover in faded gold.
Torchlight gleamed over the ancient text as he opened it.
"I'm certain the method to defeat Alduin is carved onto a wall known as the Alduin Wall," he said, voice filled with reverence. "A mural crafted by the ancient Blades themselves. And the wall is located inside the Sky Haven Temple."
Delphine's breath caught.
Her expression shifted from disbelief… to awe.
"Sky Haven Temple… the home of our ancestors, Esbern?"
Esbern nodded proudly.
"Of course."
"But if that place existed," Delphine said, brows furrowing, "why is it not known? Or found by the Thalmor? Not even by accident?"
Esbern chuckled a deep, slightly mocking sound.
"Ha! The Thalmor could never enter that place. Only the Dragonborn can."
Astrid stepped forward, her armor clinking softly with each movement.
"Only the Dragonborn?"
Esbern raised a finger, correcting her with dramatic emphasis.
"To be precise your blood is required."
He paused.
"But not your life."
Alex felt a chill run down his spine.
He knew exactly where this conversation was leading.
He had watched this scene play out countless times on a screen but this was real. The air felt heavier. More dangerous. More alive.
"So we'll need to head for Sky Haven Temple," Alex said. "But it won't be that simple, right?"
Esbern's expression fell, the weight of reality pulling his enthusiasm to the ground.
"Of course not," he murmured. "The temple lies in an area controlled by the Forsworn. A ruthless tribe feral, violent, and dangerously devoted to their gods."
Alex's mind flashed with game memories blood-soaked cliffs, hostile war cries… and the sudden roar of wings.
Not just Forsworn.
A dragon.
A frost dragon.
He stepped forward, voice steady but serious.
"You all better prepare for the worst."
Esbern and Delphine exchanged confused glances.
Alex continued, eyes sharp.
"Alduin has risen. That means we don't know if it'll only be the Forsworn waiting for us… or if dragons will appear too."
The two Blades went silent, the weight of his words settling heavily over the room.
Slowly, Delphine nodded.
Esbern followed her, his expression grim.
"…You're right, Alex."
Esbern's eyes drifted over Astrid's newly acquired Daedric armor, the black plates catching the torchlight like jagged shards of obsidian.
"Well," he said with a satisfied nod, "with armor like that, you shouldn't get hurt easily."
Astrid immediately straightened with pride.
Her smile blossomed bright and confident.
She lifted the Daedric helmet in her hands, the wicked horns gleaming as she held it close to her chest like a precious trophy.
"Of course!" she said, voice warm and affectionate. "My man was the one who got it for me. He worries so much about me he even went through trouble just to obtain this."
She gave Alex a playful, proud look…
while Alex, on the other hand, practically combusted.
A deep red flushed up his neck to his ears.
"Ahem come on, it's not a big deal," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Delphine let out a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes with exaggerated sarcasm.
"Not a big deal? You made a Dremora kneel to you for it. Please. You worry too much about Astrid."
The effect was immediate.
Astrid froze every muscle in her body stiffening.
The Daedric helmet slipped slightly in her grip as her eyes snapped wide in alarm.
"What…!? Dremora?!"
Her voice cracked on the last word.
She stepped closer too fast her boots scraping sharply against the stone floor.
She grabbed both of Alex's shoulders with trembling hands, the cold Daedric helmet pressed against his arm.
Her eyes searched his face panicked, disbelieving, terrified.
"Alex why would you do something that dangerous just for a piece of armor?!"
Her voice shook not with anger, but with fear.
Deep, genuine fear of losing him.
Alex gently raised his hands, trying to calm her.
"Hey, hey calm down."
He offered a soft, reassuring smile and lightly tapped his chest.
"Look at me. I'm fine. Not even a scratch."
Astrid's fingers tightened unconsciously on his shoulders.
Her breath hitched.
Alex continued, voice low and steady.
"I'm stronger now. I can even fight dragons alone if needed."
Astrid's brows pulled together, lips trembling.
She still wasn't convinced.
Her eyes were filled with worry so raw it made Alex's chest ache.
"But…" she whispered.
Alex reached up and touched the hand she'd placed on him warm, comforting.
His thumb brushed gently against her knuckles.
"Hey…" he said softly.
"As long as you are safe and happy, that's enough for me."
Astrid's breath caught.
Her heart slammed against her ribs once, hard like it was trying to break free.
She stared at him, speechless, her grip slowly loosening… but her fingers lingered on his shoulders, unwilling to let go.
The Daedric helmet in her other hand shook slightly, reflecting the torchlight as if glowing with the warmth she felt.
Esbern and Delphine stared at Alex and Astrid hands touching, faces close, their emotions practically glowing in the dim torchlight.
Both elders blinked slowly.
Then simultaneously sighed.
Esbern finally threw his hands up.
"By the Divines are you two really flirting right in front of these expired old people?" he complained, waving at himself dramatically as if presenting a relic in a museum.
Delphine didn't hesitate.
She jabbed an elbow right into Esbern's ribs.
"Expired? Speak for yourself! You're the one older than dust."
Esbern winced, clutching his side.
"Ow by Talos, woman! Watch the ribs! I'm fragile!"
Delphine crossed her arms with a smug grin.
"Oh, please. You survived the fall of the Blades. You can survive an elbow."
Esbern scoffed indignantly, straightening his robe with exaggerated dignity.
"That's beside the point! They're over here making googly eyes at each other while I'm trying to preserve ancient knowledge!"
"You're just jealous," Delphine teased, leaning close with a wicked grin.
"Maybe watching them will freshen up your ancient, cobweb-filled spirit."
"Hah! Freshen up?" Esbern nearly choked.
"I'm not a plant you can water, Delphine!"
"That explains the dryness," she shot back.
Esbern glared at her with wounded pride.
"Dryness?! I'll have you know sages age like fine "
" dust," Delphine finished.
He looked personally attacked.
"I swear, the Thalmor were less annoying than you."
"Oh, you're welcome," Delphine said sweetly.
Their bickering echoed off the stone walls like irritated grandparents arguing about whose joints hurt more.
Meanwhile, Alex and Astrid exchanged glances and nearly burst into laughter.
Finally, Esbern cleared his throat a long, theatrical ahem that echoed through the stone chamber like a scolding grandfather preparing to lecture two misbehaving teenagers.
"Now listen carefully," he said, wagging a finger at them. "Both of you must rest. Properly. Don't do any AHEM activities tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day, and your bodies need to be in perfect condition."
Alex nearly choked on his own saliva.
Astrid's entire face went crimson, her ears, neck, everything turning bright red.
"ESBERN!" she squeaked, hands flying up to cover her face.
Alex rubbed the back of his head, eyes darting anywhere except at Astrid.
"Alright, Esbern… no… activities. Just for tonight."
Astrid froze.
Just for tonight?
Her mind short-circuited.
What about other nights? Does he mean… would he even… does he WANT-
Her face somehow grew hotter, and she let out a tiny squeak of panic before bolting for the hallway.
Alex hurried after her, still red as a boiled mudcrab.
Once they were gone, silence settled in the chamber.
Slowly… very slowly… Delphine and Esbern turned toward each other.
Esbern heaved a long, tired sigh.
"I… miss my family," he said quietly, shoulders drooping as years of hidden grief slipped through his voice. "If I had the chance to say goodbye to them… honestly, Delphine, I'd do anything."
Delphine's stern expression softened. She reached out and placed a steady, comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You're not alone, Esbern," she said softly. "You still have the Blades. You still have me. And with the Dragonborn's return… our future isn't lost."
A warm moment.
A sincere one.
A rare glimpse of the old bond between them.
And then
Esbern sniffed.
"Still… those kids better not sneak back for activities. I swear if they "
Delphine thwacked him in the back of the head.
"OH FOR THE LOVE OF ESBERN, LET THEM LIVE A LITTLE! If they want to breed the next generation of Dragonborn, THAT IS GREAT FOR US!"
"BREED?!" Esbern sputtered, horrified. "DEL-PHIIIIIINE!"
They instantly devolved into bickering again two ancient warriors squabbling like elderly chickens in an abandoned nest while above them, Alex and Astrid stood outside their rooms, still blushing, still confused, and definitely NOT ready to discuss "activities."
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