Cold Flames
The transition into the Dawnguard was an easy one. The matter of befriending Weiss was not. Yang had been at the fort for nine months and she and the white haired she-devil were complicated. One moment they would be fine chatting it up but the next Weiss had her rapier pointed at her nose demanding a duel.
Not to mention the lonely nights they spent in each other's bed…
Weiss and Yang found comfort in the other's arms. Their relationship never went above physical. In fact it was rare for it to escalate to that. But after a long week of fighting vampires and almost dying they needed a way to blow off steam and relax.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
It didn’t make Weiss any nicer though. Though Yang suspected Weiss viewed her as her best friend. Winter spared no time for her younger sister meaning she was lacking in people that cared about her.
Besides Ember, Yang supposed Weiss was her closest friend now. While out on the road they spent many nights under the stars exchanging stories from their past.
Weiss lived with her father in Atlas for most of her youth. He was a cruel father often beating her should she step out of line. The scar across her eye was the result of one of those times.
Winter worked under the High King James Ironwood. She was brutally loyal and under his command did many questionable things. Her head cleared enough for her to realize Ironwood's ways were wrong and she left the city dragging a young Weiss with her.
From there they went on to become vampire hunters for the gold. It made them realize the vampire problem was huge in Remnant and unless they did something about it the entire population would become cattle for the undead.
From that moment on they dedicated their lives to building Fort Dawnguard and raising their ranks up to defeat the evil dead.
Yang shared her life story in return from her parents to being the Dragonborn but instead of the usual pity she usually got, Weiss nodded in understanding and challenged her to another duel. It was refreshing.
—--
Blood spurted from a young vampire as Weiss stabbed it through the heart holding a gloved hand over its mouth to silence its death screech. She lowered its corpse to the ground without a sound.
She and Yang moved further into the vampires camp crouching behind barrels and tents. A group of the blood suckers were gathered around a table stacked high with freshly killed animals and human limbs. The sounds of chewing and cracking bones were filthy. Yang's hand moved to her greatsword but Weiss stopped her by placing her hand on her shoulder.
They were here for information regarding the sudden increase of vampire camps in the area. Yang wasn't much for sneaking but Weiss insisted she come with her for backup. She had shed her steel armor for her cloth tunic and leather pants with an added black cloak. Very out of her element but she learned to trust Weiss a long time ago.
“The master sent us here for a purpose. We need to find a way to get past these pesky hunters who think they can stop us.” One of the vampires hissed out.
“Dimhollow Crypt is not far from out position and as of now we have yet to see any Dawnguard around. This may be our chance.” Another one replied.
“Go in, retrieve the package and leave. The master will be pleased.” The first one opened his mouth again.
The group laughed, taking their last bites of their food before dispersing throughout the camp again. Weiss and Yang looked at each other and nodded once before splitting up as well.
Yang was crouched low in a patch of tall grass, it was dark and this particular vampire was also a faunus which meant it could see just as good in the dark as it could in the light. His lion tail swished behind him as he walked. She readied her sword in one hand and picked up a small stone. She threw it at the ground in front of the grass she was hidden in causing the lion faunus to turn quickly.
“Huh? Who goes there?” He drew his short sword walking to the bush slowly. He leaned over the grass to look into it and that's when Yang moved. She thrust her sword up in between the gaps of his helm piercing straight into his skull. His body went immediately limp, falling forward sliding his head further down the sharp blade. Blood rained down on her.
A cry went up from the other side of the camp meaning Weiss had made her move as well. Yang stood to her feet pushing the vampire's body off her sword with her boot. With a bloody grin she took off towards the noise of fighting.
—
“I totally had you beat back there.” It had become a game of theirs to see who could take down the most vamps.
“Yang you can't even count past twenty.”
“I totally can! You're just mad I beat you again.” She steered Ember to knock Weiss’ horse in the shoulder softly.
Myrtenaster snorted indignantly, tossing his pale white mane up in the air. Yang swore that horse was just Weiss on four legs.
“Whatever you dolt. Let's just report to Winter what we heard.” Weiss urged her stallion into a trot, Ember falling in beside him.
“My room tonight?”
“In your dreams.” Yang smirked. Weiss was totally coming over.
—-
Yang stood silently shoulder to shoulder with Weiss as she recounted their sneak attack on the camp to Winter. Yang never got along with the older Schnee. She was too commanding and took a liking to bossing Yang around whenever she felt like it. Not that Yang ever took it lying down.
As a matter of fact Yang didn't really talk to many other hunters in the fort. She kept to herself when Weiss wasn't around. Not that she hated them but Yang had a low tolerance for crowds. She liked it when people steered clear of her for fear of her lashing out.
“Dimhollow Crypt? What could they possibly want from there…” Winter mused. Her eyes lazed to Yang who was pointedly trying to look elsewhere.
“Yang. You can handle a crypt right?” Devil woman.
Yangs lip curled, “Send someone else to do your dirty wor-”
“I'll go with her, thank you Winter.” Weiss grabbed Yang's arm, dragging her away to her room before she could protest.
“I hate your fucking sister.”
“Shut up. Show some respect she took you in you halfwit.” Weiss snarked.
Yang huffed and mumbled a few obscenities under her breath. Weiss collapsed on the bed of furs throwing an arm over her face. She chucked her shoes off, throwing them somewhere in Yang's direction.
“Tomorrow we go find out what those fiends want so badly.” Weiss said resolutely.
Yang fell in next to her after removing her gear. “Pain in my ass.” The white haired girl elbowed her in the ribs. Weiss was skinny as a twig so it hurt extra bad. “Bitch.”
Yang stared up at the ceiling Weiss’ soft breaths filling the room. She thought of the dragons that had been surfacing all around Remnant. It was becoming an ever increasing problem. She had taken down four since the initial one she saw months back in Beacon. She had tried to keep up with the Greybeards' request and asked around when they visited taverns and villages. So far no one had any information worth pursuing. She couldn't abandon the Dawnguard. But she couldn't abandon her apparent destiny either. Ruby was probably itching to see her too. They communicated with letters but it wasn't the same.
She groaned and rolled onto her side facing the wall. So many responsibilities it made her head spin. Even as she slept her mind worked overtime. That night she dreamt of dragons and golden eyes.
—-
The next day Yang and Weiss were mounted on their respective horses galloping towards the crypt. Yang donning her full steel attire and Weiss wearing her fancy skirt and heels. It wasn't practical in Yang's eyes but she supposed Weiss made it work. She had an insane amount of mana stored in that small body of hers. It allowed her to expend a part of it as a shield around her body. It broke if she got too many direct hits or if she ran out of majika but it allowed her to move quickly through her enemies with grace.
“What do ya think they’re hidin?” Yang tried making conversation.
“I’m not sure.. Whatever it is, it seems that their ‘master’ desperately wants it.”
“Which means he won’t ever get it.”
“Precisely.”
They stopped outside the entrance to the crypt where a few horses were tethered to the trees.
“Dammit they got here first.”
Yang hummed in response eyeing the opening in the mountain. “I hate caves.”
They hopped off their mounts not bothering to tie them to anything. Loyal beasts always came back.
Inside the cave entrance a few low ranking vampires stood over the bodies of two scholars laughing to themselves. A hell hound was tearing into the corpse. The hounds resembled dogs but instead of fur their skin was black and leathery. They had holes in their skull for ears, blood red eyes, and a jaw that could bite through armor. Their sense of smell was impecable.
Weiss sent a blast of ice sailing through the air sinking into the chest of one of the vampires. It fell but now it’s companion and the hound knew they were there. The hound tore away from the body racing towards them snarling.
“I got the vamp you take the dog!” Weiss yelled to her partner.
Yang put herself in the hounds path causing it to focus on her letting Weiss run past and towards the vampire.
The dog used its momentum to jump into Yang's chest pushing her back. She faltered slightly but otherwise kept her footing.
“Damned dog.” She rushed forwards slicing at the air when the hell hound leapt out of the way of her sword. On the other side of the cave Weiss was going blow for blow with the vampire. Impressive considering the fact that vampires were blessed with superhuman strength.
The dog rushed her again snapping at her heels but a well placed kick sent it flying back. She followed it not letting it get back to its feet and sent her sword straight through its torso. It kicked and bit at the blade but it was no use. The hellhound collapsed into a pile of dust.
She ran over to help Weiss but she had it handled. Weaker vampires like these two didn’t pose as much of a threat like the older ones did.
They continued deeper into the crypt passing the bodies of creatures known as Grimm. Grimm were resurrected corpses made recognizable by their pale white skulls and red eyes. For years it was thought that vampires brought them into existence but it turned out Grimm were their evil part of remnant. They were attracted to negative emotions preying on the weak willed. They attacked anything that entered their lairs whether it was vampire, werewolf, mage, or human. If enough negative emotions were grouped together they would even leave their caves seeking out their next victims.
Their corpses meant the vampires were near fighting their way through. Easily killed on their own but in groups Grimm were lethal. Weiss and Yang picked up their pace hoping to catch the rest of the vampires off guard.
They passed tomb after tomb following the wet stone path. Only a few straggling Grimm emerged from their slumber but were easily laid back to rest by the two girls.
They turned the corner and saw two groups of undead fighting each other. Vampires use magic to suck the life force from the Grimm and they in return use ancient weapons.
More Grimm bodies littered the floor but a few vampires fell victim to their ego thinking it would be an easy fight. Weiss and Yang threw themselves into the fray focusing their attacks on the vampires making them defend themselves on two fronts.
Weiss danced through the enemies stabbing into any weak points she came across. Yang slashed and hacked relieving limbs from torsos. The final vampire made a move for Weiss when she was focused on the Grimm and Yang threw her sword as a spear impaling it through the gut and pinning it to the stone wall.
Weiss dispatched the Grimm and turned to look at the hissing vampire and glanced at Yang who winked at her.
“You owe me one ice queen.”
Weiss’ eyes locked on something behind Yang and she flicked her wrist sending an ice spear into something behind Yang. The blonde wheeled around and found a Grimm with its arms raised above its head ax ready to swing. The spear had pierced its skull and it fell backwards.
“You were saying?” Weiss grinned leaning on her rapier.
Yang rolled her eyes and went to retrieve her sword from the still living vampire. Weiss stabbed it through the heart, finally ending its life.
“I think that’s the last of them.” Weiss cracked her neck and motioned to the steel bar gate that separated them from the next room.
Yang tried opening the gate with force but it didn’t budge. “You big brute look for a lever or chain somewhere.” Weiss was already searching the walls.
A chain hung on one of the walls and when Yang pulled it down the gate raised, letting them into the next section of the cave. The gateway led them into a huge cavern, big enough for three dragons to fit comfortably.
A staircase carved into the rock would lead them down into a strange circular stone structure. It looked like multiple arches stacked on top of each other surrounding a pillar or altar in the center.
“Get down.” Weiss hissed, pushing down on Yang's pauldrons.
On the bridge connecting the arch structure and the rocky platform three vampires stood talking to a man who was tied up on the ground.
“Cmon old man you don’t want to die do you?” The main vampire sounded vaguely familiar..
“It’s Lokil.” Weiss whispered as they watched the exchange. Lokil was a high ranking vampire they had been meaning to dispatch for a while. But he was smart and evasive, likely around 300 years old. His magic would be powerful.
His thrall held the old man up as Lokil threw another punch at his face. Yang wanted to move now but Weiss held her back.
“Tell us how to open it!”
“You will never succeed. All vampires will face the light of Talos.” The old man bowed his head and refused to speak again.
“Have it your way.” Lokil stuck a clawed hand into the man’s chest and in a gruesome fashion pulled his still beating heart out. The thrall let go of his body letting it drop on the stone floor. His face now in a permanent state of shock.
“You two get to figuring out that mechanism.” The other two vampires bowed and ran to the pillar in the center of the circle looking it over.
Yang and Weiss crept closer to the bridge where Lokil was standing back to them. They meant to catch him off guard but Yang's armor made the quietest clink when it rubbed against itself. They stopped dead in their tracks when the vampire stiffened at the sound.
Suddenly he turned to where they were letting out a blood curdling hiss. His followers came rushing over magic glowing in the palms of their hands.
The weaker vampires rushed the two girls while Lokil transformed into his vampiric form. He grew about two feet and his claws turned into talons. Tattered wings sprouted from his back and he floated about the floor. His skin was like leather and pale. His face morphed into a bat-like snout.
“Shit!” Yang sprung out of the way when Lokil thrall rushed her dagger, slicing the air in front of her face. She pulled her own sword out parrying his rapid blows as best she could. A few strikes went past her defenses but her armor caught them.
He faltered a step and that was her chance. She put all her force into a quick sweep and the thrall wasn’t fast enough. His head rolled off his shoulders, red eyes going dull.
Weiss was panting having dealt with the other young vampire. Now their attention was on the true transformed vampire. He laughed maniacally flying towards them with claws outstretched. He managed to get his hands on Weiss, picking her up and throwing her into a rock. Her aura broke leaving her vulnerable to attacks.
“Weiss! You fucking BASTARD get over here!” Yang sprinted towards her friend slashing at the vampire on top of her. She managed to nick his leg causing him to let go of her with a roar. He wheeled around to face Yang snarling.
He thrust his hands out but not to grab her this time. He used his life drain spell literally stealing her power for himself. She rushed him but he simply flew backwards never breaking the spell.
Yang could feel the energy sapping from her bones and she swayed precariously on her feet.
“Yang!” She turned to Weiss who tossed her a green potion. She hated drinking these. She popped the cork downing the glowing green liquid in one go. Yang felt invigorated.
She charged Lokil again, cutting his chest on her next attack.
“ENOUGH!” He flew towards her faster than any normal being could even process pinning her to the ground. She held him away from her face with her arm but she couldn’t over power him.
Saliva fell on her face as he snapped his jaws inches away from her nose. She looked around wildly for a way out but even Weiss was too far to help in time. Then she remembered who she was.
“YOL!” Flames spewed from her mouth spraying Lokils face. He fell away from her still engulfed in flames screeching in pain. His skin melted off his bones and he rolled on the ground trying and failing to extinguish it. Dragon fire was not like regular fire.
Yang coughed trying to clear the sulfur from her throat. Weiss slid over to her side holding her up as she heaved. When she looked up again Lokil was nothing but a pile of ash.
“Shit.” Yang laughed, finally processing everything.
Weiss punched her shoulder, “What is so funny?! We almost died!”
“Exactly!”
“… I hate you.”
“You love me.” Weiss held a hand out to Yang and pulled her up to her feet.
“Let’s just get whatever this important object is and leave. I need a long sleep.”
“Agreed. I’m totally crashing in your room today.” Yang stretched her bruised body out before following Weiss into the stone structure.
They observed a few unlit braziers surrounding the pedestal in the center. Weiss went to the braziers to see if they hid anything underneath while Yang walked up to the pedestal and saw that it had a button. She pressed it without thinking too much about it. A few gears whirred around and suddenly a spike sprang up from underneath the button piercing straight through her palm.
“GAH!” Yang fell away from the button pulling her hand off the spike. Purple light shone from underneath the pedestal and it followed the grooves in the floor. A straight line of purple flames went down one of the aisles a brazier was on.
Weiss, after a few seconds of thinking, pushed the brazier to sit on top of the end of the line of purple. The brazier lit suddenly and another line leading to the next brazier appeared.
Now they understood, they both moved each brazier into the correct position. After the last one lit up in purple flames the ground beneath their feet shook. The center of the structure began to cave in around the pedestal. Once the ground stilled Yang and Weiss approached cautiously.
A few jutted out bricks acted as a staircase into the newly formed pit. Yang shrugged to Weiss and hopped down coming face to face with the monolith. She touched the cold stone with her hand and suddenly the stone slid down revealing what was inside. This is it, this is what the vampires have been after!
And out fell a girl right into her arms.