Chapter 93 To The Sovngarde Heaven For Nord
Odahviing was successfully caught in the dragon trap. Steel chains groaned under his immense weight as the mechanism locked into place, pinning his neck and wings with brutal precision. The great beast thrashed once, twice—then finally stilled, his fiery breath hissing between clenched fangs.
With the dragon restrained at last, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
The interrogation.
Alex stepped forward without hesitation. His boots echoed lightly against the stone floor as if he were merely strolling through Dragonsreach on a quiet afternoon. A relaxed smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he reached out and casually leaned against Odahviing's massive head—one hand resting on a scale the size of a shield.
"Hello, Odahviing…" he said softly, almost cheerfully, as if greeting an old acquaintance.
Odahviing's eye twitched.
Before the dragon could react, Astrid grabbed Alex's arm and yanked him back with surprising strength. His balance faltered for half a second.
"Hey—" Alex started.
"Let me handle this," Astrid said sharply, placing herself between Alex and the dragon. Her posture straightened, shoulders squared, eyes burning with authority. "I don't know why, but if you interrogate him, I'm afraid he won't open his mouth at all."
She glanced sideways at Alex, lowering her voice just enough to sound deadly serious.
"Besides, I'm the Dragonborn. He'll listen to me."
Alex blinked, then smiled at her with easy confidence, completely unfazed.
"Relax, love. I've got this. I successfully interrogated a Dremora before. Interrogating a dragon might work too."
Inside his mind, Alex's grin turned unmistakably sinister.
(Well… with the Dremora, it was more like cheating than interrogating. And a little psychological torture. Hehehe.)
Astrid studied his face for a brief moment.
The smile.
The calm eyes.
That look.
Her instincts screamed at her.
"No," she said flatly. "I'll do it."
"Huh?" Alex tilted his head in genuine confusion. "What's wrong?"
He honestly had no idea.
But everyone else noticed.
A few soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. One of them swallowed hard. Jarl Balgruuf's brow furrowed as he slowly leaned back, clearly recognizing that expression all too well. Astrid sighed inwardly—yes, she had been right.
Alex might not realize it, but his smile right now looked less like that of a negotiator…
…and more like that of a predator deciding how much fun this was going to be.
Astrid took a firm step forward, putting a clear end to the discussion as she faced the trapped dragon herself.
Astrid stepped forward, her boots striking the stone floor with deliberate purpose. The air around her seemed to tighten as she straightened her back, shoulders squared, every trace of hesitation gone. She stood tall before the trapped dragon, her gaze unwavering—calm, resolute, and heavy with destiny.
"Odahviing," she said, her voice steady yet commanding, echoing through Dragonsreach. "I am Dragonborn. You know my purpose. I am destined to kill Alduin, as foretold in the prophecy."
Odahviing's massive chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath. The chains creaked loudly as his enormous body pressed downward against the trap, muscles straining beneath crimson scales. He snorted, a blast of hot air rolling across the hall like a warning.
"Alduin will not die," he growled, each word vibrating through stone and bone alike. "Even if you strike him down, it will not be before he completes the task given to him by our father… Akatosh."
His head lowered slightly, shadows cutting across his eyes as his voice dropped into something colder—darker.
"The end of this world…"
A low, rumbling laugh escaped his throat.
"…hahaha!"
A wave of dread swept through the hall. Soldiers stiffened. Some gripped their spears tighter; others felt a chill crawl up their spines. A few visibly shuddered, breaths turning shallow as the weight of his words sank in.
Alex, however, broke the tension with a sharp scoff.
"Oh please," he said, tilting his head and crossing his arms, unimpressed. "The end of the world? He just got beaten by us huh end of the world what a joke"
Odahviing's eyes snapped toward him, pupils narrowing with raw fury. His lips peeled back, revealing rows of massive fangs as a low growl rumbled deep in his chest. The chains rattled violently as he strained against them—yet the trap held firm.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, slowly, his rage subsided. His breathing steadied, and when he spoke again, his voice was more controlled—measured, almost respectful.
"Your strength has been proven, Dragonborn," he said, turning his gaze back to Astrid.
Then his eye shifted—settling on Alex.
"And you…" he continued, studying him with newfound interest, "…you impress us dragons as well. To see mortals unite—soldiers, rulers, warriors—working together solely to build a trap for me…"
A faint rumble escaped him, not quite a laugh.
"It is admirable."
There was unmistakable pride in his tone.
Alex remained silent, his expression unreadable. Inside his mind, however, his thoughts were sharp and clear.
(I could have killed you back on that balcony. But I held back—to reach Alduin.)
The words lingered on his tongue, tempting him.
But he swallowed them down.
Astrid stepped forward again, reclaiming the moment before it slipped away. Her voice cut cleanly through the tension.
"Odahviing," she said firmly, "tell me—can you show us where Alduin is?"
Odahviing did not hesitate.
"Dovahkiin," he replied, his voice steady and absolute, "Alduin is currently in Sovngarde."
A collective gasp echoed through the hall.
The Nordic soldiers froze in shock. Eyes widened. Faces drained of color. To them, Sovngarde was not merely a place—it was paradise itself. The eternal hall of heroes. The final reward.
And now…
Even heaven was no longer safe.
Jarl Balgruuf stepped closer to Astrid, his heavy boots scraping softly against the stone as he leaned in. The usual confidence in his posture was gone, replaced by tension that tightened his shoulders and creased his brow. His voice dropped, careful—almost afraid to be heard.
"Astrid…" he said slowly, eyes searching her face. "Do you mean that Sovngarde? The true Sovngarde?"
Astrid met his gaze without flinching. She gave a single, firm nod.
"Yes, Jarl."
Balgruuf froze.
For a heartbeat, the great hall seemed to hold its breath with him. His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted as if the words refused to leave his mouth.
"By the Divines…" he whispered, disbelief thick in his voice. "What is Alduin doing there?"
A low, rumbling chuckle answered him.
Odahviing's massive head tilted, his fangs glinting as a thin curl of smoke escaped his nostrils.
"My master has gone there to restore himself," he said, almost casually.
Alex's expression hardened instantly. His eyes narrowed to slits, jaw tightening as he took a step forward. When he spoke, his voice was cold—sharp enough to cut through steel.
"Devouring souls," he said flatly. "You mean."
The words hit the room like a hammer.
Fear rippled through the soldiers. Some stiffened, others looked away, hands trembling as they tightened around spear shafts and sword hilts. A few of the more devout—quiet followers of Talos—stood pale and shaken. If even Sovngarde, the resting place of Nord heroes, could be violated…
Then where could a Nord truly find peace?
Odahviing slowly lifted his gaze, surveying the hall. His eyes passed over the frightened soldiers, lingered briefly on Alex, then settled on Astrid. A faint, knowing smile spread across his draconic features.
"Very well," he said at last. "I will take you there."
Astrid stared at him, stunned. Her brows drew together as she took an instinctive step back, disbelief written plainly across her face.
"What?" she demanded. "How can I trust you? Moments ago, you were furious—ready to tear us apart. And now you offer your help?"
Her eyes sharpened.
"What's gotten into you?"
Odahviing's voice remained calm, almost thoughtful, as if he had already weighed the answer long ago.
"I wish to see who will emerge victorious," he said evenly. "My master… or you."
Silence fell over the hall.
Everyone understood then.
The fate of Skyrim rested in Astrid's hands. If she failed—if Alduin was not defeated—the Nords would find no peace. Not in the living world.
Not even in Sovngarde.
It would become an endless nightmare, with no waking from it.
Astrid stepped closer, each measured step echoing through the great hall. She stopped just short of Odahviing's massive snout and lifted her chin, staring directly into his blazing eyes. She did not blink. Her gaze was sharp, searching—peeling back layer after layer, hunting for deceit, for arrogance, for the slightest flicker of betrayal.
"If we release you…" she said slowly, her voice steady but edged with steel, "…are you certain you won't flee? Or turn on us in a rampage?"
The hall was silent.
Odahviing lowered his head—not in submission, but in solemn acknowledgment. The fires in his eyes steadied, no longer raging but focused. When he spoke, his voice carried weight, ancient and binding.
"By the name of Alduin, my master, I swear," he said. "I will not flee. I will not attack. I will take you to him."
Astrid did not look away. She studied him for a long moment, watching the stillness of his gaze, the controlled rhythm of his breath, the absence of mockery or fury.
And she saw it.
Sincerity.
Slowly, she straightened and turned toward Jarl Balgruuf.
"Release Odahviing."
Balgruuf stiffened. His jaw tightened as his eyes flicked from Astrid to the dragon and back again. Doubt clouded his expression.
"…Are you certain?" he asked quietly.
Astrid nodded once—firm, unshakable.
Before Balgruuf could respond, Alex stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute.
"Don't worry, Balgruuf," he said. "Astrid has convinced him. This dragon is speaking the truth. And if he isn't…"
Alex's eyes briefly met Odahviing's.
"…we'll stop him with everything we have."
Balgruuf exhaled slowly, then straightened.
"Very well," he said at last. "Release the trap."
The soldiers moved at once. Chains rattled. Gears groaned as the massive mechanism loosened its grip. With a heavy clang, the restraints fell away.
Odahviing rose to his full height, towering over the hall. He unfurled his enormous wings, their span blotting out torchlight as a powerful gust of wind rushed through Dragonsreach. Dust and loose banners fluttered violently as he turned and strode toward the balcony.
"Climb onto my back," he rumbled. "I will take you there."
Before they departed, Alex paused and turned back. He approached Balgruuf, his expression softening, urgency mixing with sincerity.
"Balgruuf… sorry to ask this so suddenly," he said. "But I'd like to call in a favor. Please watch over Lucia—our child—at our home. You know where it is. Make sure she lacks nothing. Food, warmth, everything. Keep her safe until we return."
Balgruuf's stern expression broke into a warm, genuine laugh.
"Ha! If that's all?" he said, clapping Alex firmly on the shoulder. "Compared to the great help you've already given us, it's nothing. Leave it to me."
His eyes turned serious again—but proud.
"Now go," he added. "And save our world."
Astrid and Alex climbed onto Odahviing's back, gripping the ridges between his scales as the dragon crouched, preparing to launch. The soldiers erupted into cheers, voices echoing against stone and sky alike.
"Dragonborn, please save our world!"
"You are our only hope!"
Astrid and Alex turned back, raising their hands in farewell. Astrid gave a final nod—solemn, determined. Alex offered a small, confident wave.
With a thunderous beat of wings, Odahviing leapt into the sky, soaring high above Whiterun, carrying them toward the place where Alduin awaited.
Toward fate itself.
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