Vampires and Ice
Yang had been training with the Greybeards for almost a month now. The time was mostly spent meditating and getting wacked on the head by Marias cane. Not the most enjoyable experience, but on the other hand she had come closer to understanding what it meant to be the Dragonborn.
Long story short an ancient powerful dragon by the name of Salem used to rule over Remnant thousands of years ago. She was known as the world eater and recognized as the first and most powerful dragon. She created and destroyed entire worlds. It is said that humans lived in servitude to the dragons until Salem's mate Ozma was slain mysteriously. She went on a murderous rampage almost wiping humans from the face of Remnant during the Dragon War.
That is until a few wiser dragons saw the cruelty of Salem and turned on her joining sides with the humans. One particular dragon who was not named to her yet, taught the humans the way of the voice so that they may stand a chance against Salem and her forces. A group of warriors who mastered the voice used a shout to subdue the world eater. What happened after is unknown to everyone but what they do know is that Salem is back. And she plans on finishing what she started all those years ago.
Maria gifted her with a word of power, ‘Yol’. In the tongue of dragons the word meant fire. When spoken by someone with the knowledge of the word a spew of flames burst from the user's mouth engulfing anything in front of them in flames. The Greybeards felt that it matched Yang's personality the best and should therefore be her first.
Using it left a sulfuric after taste in Yang's mouth but she had to admit it was quite fitting. Yang had never been much of a magic user but she had dabbled in weak healing spells and fireball spells. Those drained her magika quickly but the feeling of using Yol was different. It tired her out in a different way than magic did. She could only use it sparingly.
It was nearing dusk on the last day of her training and Yang couldn't wait to get out of there. Maria and the other followers had taken her sword and armor away the second she agreed to stay. They said something about her needing a clear mind so they shoved her into some dreary robes. She'd be using her fire breath on them the second she left this mountain.
“Yang come here for a moment.” Maria’s scratchy voice broke Yang's thoughts.
Said girl stood up brushing the dust and rocks off her. She approached the older woman, “What?”
Maria rolled her eyes “Walk with me.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes until Maria spoke again.
“We have taught you all that we can, it is time for you to continue on this path. As of now we have no idea where Salem will appear next. What we do know is that wherever she goes other dragons appear.” They came to a stop outside Yang's room. She turned towards Yang looking up to maintain strong eye contact. “I know how you are child. You think you can do this alone. But you’re wrong. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
“Psh I’m not afraid of anything.” Maria swung for her head with her cane but Yang had been struck too many times by now to not see it coming. She ducked under the blow smirking.
“Still as idiotic as the day you arrived here. Be safe in your travels Yang. If you ever need guidance you know where to find us. Your armor and sword are on your bed. When you leave tomorrow morning it would be wise to head to Argus. Lots of information to be found there. Good luck.” And with that Maria retired to her room.
Yang left the next morning saying her goodbyes to the Greybeards without much fuss. They were tolerable but she just wanted to be free again. Ember definitely had enough of the cold mountain air and was trotting at a faster pace down the many stairs. The way down was quiet for the most part.
They were stalked by a Sabre Cat for a good half hour before it decided this meal wasn’t worth the hassle. A shame really, Yang could use the furs for her tent.
They arrived in Kuroyori early in the afternoon. She considered stopping by the tavern but opted against it. She didn’t need friends like Maria said. Besides, Argus was far enough without any unnecessary stops.
With one last glance at the Valkyrie’s Inn she tapped her heels on Ember's flanks urging her to continue on. The roads to major cities like Argus and Beacon were paved in stone and lit by lanterns. Generally safe if not for the wild animals and bandits. But even those were rare, much less in the middle of the day. So Yang relaxed in the saddle and prepared for the long road ahead.
—
It was now nearing dusk and they were still quite a ways off from Argus. Yang had periodically dismounted to give Ember breaks and walk together. But now she was tired and hungry. She had blown through her rations almost immediately after leaving High Hrothgar so she had nothing left.
Yang laid back in her saddle letting Ember take the lead. She let go of the reins letting them fall onto Ember's dark brown mane. She snorted once, shaking her head out to adjust the loose tack.
The rhythmic thrum of hooves on pavement and murmurs of the forest filled the otherwise silent atmosphere. The sound mixed with the fact that Yang hadn't properly rested for almost a day put her to sleep slumped on Embers back.
Hours later the peace was broken when Yang was yanked from her saddle and thrown on the ground. She woke with a start. Wild eyes taking in her surroundings and finding nothing but darkness. Before the dragonborns eyes could even adjust to the night sky she felt the familiar bite of steel pressed to her neck. She internally berated herself for allowing herself to be snuck up on. Whoever this person was, they were good.
A cold unfamiliar voice hissed from behind her “Make a move for your weapon and you'll find yourself without a head.” Ember was whinnying and pawing wildly at the ground but someone else had her restrained.
The blonde put her arms out to her side as a sign of peace “Listen” she started slowly “I'm just passing through I-”
“Quiet” the steel was pressed closer before being suddenly pulled away and the last thing Yang felt was the pommel of a sword bashing into her head.
—
When Yang came to she was bound in rope and had been thrown haphazardly into an iron cage. The room she was in was dark and cold. It was lit by a few candles but they were all positioned away from her so her vision was limited. What she could see was that she had been shed of all her armor and weapons.
She growled in frustration. She had just gotten her damn stuff back and someone took it again!
Yang shifted her body around so she could lean against the bars and that’s when she felt it. The familiar weight of her dagger in her trousers. They didn’t search her. She could almost laugh.
It was hard with her hands bound behind her back but she managed to get ahold of the weapon with her fingertips. She was about to cut through the ropes when the door creaked open. Light poured in and for a split second Yang could see the room she was in better. Chains and racks lined the walls covered in mixtures of dried and fresh blood. One set of chains had a man restrained. He was nude save for a small loincloth and littered with bruises and cuts.
The door closed, limiting her field of view again. Heels clacked as someone walked into the dungeon, their steps were purposeful and quick. Whoever this was walked with a certain air of authority.
Yang could just make out their outline as they approached the chained man. They had a dress on and their hair was up in a long ponytail. They stopped at a table in the center of the room and lit a lantern giving the room more visibility.
Now Yang could properly see the woman who had viciously white hair. Whiter than snow. Her skin was pale and she had a scar running down one of her blue eyes. Her dress was white and blue making her look like an ice spirit. Perhaps she was.
The woman didn’t look towards Yang's cell yet instead focusing on the chained man. He raised his head up from where it had been laying on his chest to level the woman with a glare. She was unimpressed.
She squatted down to be level with his face. “This is your last chance. Where is she?” She pulled her rapier from its sheath and held it to the man’s chest.
His skin sizzled as the blade made contact. He wasn’t human… Was he a-?
The man pulled at the chains lunging for her face, fangs bared hissing. Ah so he was a vampire.
The white haired woman didn’t even flinch, instead she pressed the blade further into his body breaking skin. “Last warning before I lose my patience, scum.” She spit that last word out.
“You won’t get shit outta me Schnee.” He too spoke with venom laced in his words. But did he just say Schnee?! White hair, fancy rapier, posh attitude, yep it all checked out. But what did a Schnee want with Yang?
The Schnees were well known Royalty. Their father was in charge of many quarries and ports throughout all of Remnant. They abused their Faunus workers making them labor all day for little coin. It was thanks to this injustice that the Schnee Dust Company did so well.
The woman stood up with a sign of discontent. It looked like she was about to take her leave when she suddenly turned and stabbed the man through the chest. His red eyes bulged from his face as he stared in shock at the weapon protruding from his chest. As quickly as it was in, the woman pulled it out cleanly. She swiped once at the air to get rid of the blood before sheathing it again.
The man was reduced to a pile of ash. Yang watched as the woman finally turned to look at her. She walked over to stand right in front of the bars. Yang pushed herself to her feet still holding the dagger in between her palms. She too approached the bars of the cage.
“What were you doing so close to the Dawnguard? Are you a vampire? Did she send you?”
Yang scoffed “Some vampire hunter you are.”
The woman frowned but stayed silent. “I’m not a vampire princess.” Yang finished.
“You take me a fool? Your eyes are blood red and I can see your fangs every time you speak.”
Curse her eyes. Yang closed them, willing herself to calm down. She opened them again, this time lilac shined back at the Schnee.
“How did you-?” Yang took her moment of shock as the opportunity she was waiting for. She sliced through the ropes around her wrists and grabbed the woman by the collar on her dress. Yang slammed her against the bars and held the dagger at her throat.
“Let me out if you don’t want your blood spilt.” Yang growled out into her ear.
“How about you let me go and I won’t gut you.” That’s when Yang felt a poke in her stomach. She glanced down to see that the white haired devil had somehow pulled her rapier out quick enough for Yang not to notice.
It seemed they were at an impasse. Neither moved and it was dead silent. The door slammed open to the dungeon to reveal an almost twin. Except this one was taller and had a more serious expression. She strode in regarding the two woman who were holding each other at blade point.
“Weiss I’m disappointed. Letting a vampire catch you off guard?” Weiss was her name then.
“I’m not a vampire!” Yang yelled.
The taller woman hummed in response. “We will see about that. Weiss bring her to the great hall. And for Talos sake drop your weapon before I kill you.” She raised a crossbow to be level with Yang's head. Her aim was unwavering. This woman was not afraid to kill her. Yang let go of Weiss’ dress, pushing her away.
She huffed before opening the cell door. “Let’s go.” She pointed the rapier at her and gestured towards the door.
They went out of the room and down winding stairs to reach the main hall. It was a huge circular room from which the second floor balcony was visible. The roof had a large metal top that seemed like it could be opened and closed. Yang was pushed into the center of the hall still clutching her dagger ready to fight her way out of this place.
The taller Schnee appeared on the balcony above her. “We will see if you are a vampire.”
The metal roof suddenly began to open. Revealing harsh sunlight made stronger by a large dwarven magnifier. She must have been knocked out all night. The focused run rays fell over her body and although she had to squint her eyes the light had no other effects on her.
The roof closed again after a minute. “Is that good enough for you?” Yang said gesturing to her still intact body.
The woman nodded. “I hope you will forgive our harsh treatment. We have been facing attack after attack so we spare no chances. I am Winter Schnee and this is the Dawnguard. We are vampire hunters sworn to rid this world of those blood sucking fiends. Do you hold any love for those creatures?”
That question pushed Yang into a memory she was not ready to revisit.
-
Yang was just a little girl, she still wore her hair in pigtails that her mom Summer did for her everyday. The Xiao Long-Rose family had lived on their farm for generations. They grew crops and raised livestock for a small village known as Patch. It was peaceful and quiet. No bandits ever came through and if they did Summer and Tai would handle it.
They were strong and experienced fighters but the kindest souls. Summer wasn't Yang's birth mother but she was her real mom. The woman who birthed her left. Didn’t want anything to do with Yang, but Summer stayed. She loved Yang as her own and never treated her differently than Ruby.
Tai was a gentle man never raising his voice or his hand in anger. He loved his girls and often took them in the carriage to go sell their goods in town. They were a complete family. Until that day.
It was Frost Fall, one of the coldest months of the year. The ground was covered in snow but that didn’t stop Yang and Ruby from romping around. Tai and Summer were inside cooking supper when those creatures arrived.
A group of unknown riders came into Patch. The farm was the first stop. They trotted into the property without hesitation. Yang could sense the danger so she took Ruby by the hand and ran inside to get their parents. Tai and Summer told them to hide.
Summer knelt down, taking Yang's face in her hands. “My little girl, no matter what you hear, do not come out. We are going to handle this but if something happens-“ Yang's eyes filled with tears at the insinuation, Summer wiped them away immediately “Hey hey none of that I need you to be strong. Can you do that for me?” Yang nodded “Good. Ruby is still little so she needs you ok? When everything has settled, take what you need and run. Run and don’t look back.”
Ruby was crying, clinging to Summers' leg. The intruders were at the door now. It rattled on its hinges as they pounded on the door. Tai and Summer glanced at each other before yanking the girls into one last hug. “We love you.” They pushed the girls away, urging them to hide.
Yang took Ruby out the back door as the door to their home gave way. Swords and axes clashed behind them as they ran into the barn where they hid in the piles of wheat. It could’ve been hours or minutes. Everything felt so surreal. Then it was silent. The attackers mounted their horses and trotted off. When the thundering of hooves could no longer be heard Yang left to go check on their parents. The sight was gruesome.
Blood painted the inside of their home. The grooves in the stone floors became paths for rivers of blood. A few piles of dust were littered around the ground as well as a few intact bodies. The stench was awful.
The worst part though was the bodies of Summer and Tai. They had been gutted open. Their eyes were rolled back and cheeks sunken as if they had been dried in the sun. A shell of what used to be her parents. The vampires had sucked them dry. Her home had been ransacked as well.
Yang ran out of the house stumbling over body parts and gore. She fell to her knees outside the home and vomited everything that was in her stomach. After everything was expelled she still heaved.
Smoke invaded her senses and she looked up at the thatch roof of their home to see it had been set ablaze. Ruby had smelled the fire too and came out of the barn to see. She wailed as she saw the home crumbling and cracking in the fast growing fire.
Yang pushed herself to her feet and grabbed Ruby by the hand running into the forest. Summer's words rang in her ears. Run. Run and don’t look back.
—
Yang was thrust back into the present and she had to physically unclench her hands and jaw.
“If I could slaughter every vampire I would.”
The woman on the balcony raised an eyebrow. “Very well then. I am Winter Schnee, leader of the Dawnguard.” Winter opened her hands and gestured around the hall. “Welcome!”