Clouds of white escaped from the bundle of cloth and fur as a pair of young people easily trudged through the roads. The taller of the two turned around, a hand on a beautiful elk with strong muscles. 

"Asia! Over here!" The man shouted. The young man wore an ordinary gambeson with a leather jacket compared to his companion. Patting the elk, the young man watched his robe-clad companion running after him. 

It had been a few hours since they first woke up and headed to the trader's store to buy some supplies. As the Duke of Mania, money was not an issue. All he needed to do was connect a portal from his treasure hoards and he was set. Now, his money would have been impacted by inflation that's why he used gemstones instead. 

Securing a good set of equipment, restoration mage robes, quality boots, and a necklace with frost resistance to fight against the bitter colds of Skyrim. Not only that, he added some backpacks, cloaks, potions, and a smoking pipe with some herbs. After that, they bought some weapons from Alvor. A standard steel dagger and bow for Asia while a Breton-style Hand-and-a-half sword along with another steel dagger. 

"Coming, Issei!" Asia replied, smiling as the deer walking by her side licked her cheek. It was a sight the young man found adorable, rarely did he see anyone well-loved by animals. He didn't count, the animals' love for him was a blessing after all. 

"It's fine," 

"So, have you been to Skyrim before?"

"Well, yes. I've been to the city of Winterhold before, a friend of mine works in the college of Winterhold. It's a magical learning institute that allows everyone that can use magic to join." 

"By the lord's grace," Asia whispered. The thought of magic being accessed by anyone fascinated the innocent priestess. 

"There are a lot of them but the college of Winterhold is very old. At least several thousands of years old," The young man did not know when Shalidor exactly built the college but he respected the man. 

"Are you a knight, Issei?" 

"Yes, I'm a member of the Knights of the White Stallion stationed in Leyawiin, the Knights of the Thorn in Cheydinhal as an honorary knight, the Knights of the Lamp of the Arcane University, and some orders." 

"Should I call you Sir Issei?" 

"Please don't call me that, Asia," 

Answering the questions of the former holy maiden, the young Knight walked with her, keeping an eye on his surroundings while answering her questions. No wild beasts would attack them with him nearby. Did Mazoga live a good life as a Knight? Did that lazy Dunmer inherit Cheydinhal? Thousands of questions cycled in his mind as he answered the questions given to him by the priestess. 

"Eek!" Feeling the ground shake, the young man held his sword strapped on his waist along with his dagger, ready to move at a moment's notice. 

"A giant, huh?" The young man said, looking at the humanoid creature wielding a club standing taller than the building they just passed by. "Those are..." 

A young man with long black hair clad in steel ducked under a blow from the giant, sliding his greatsword on the giant's leg, opening a wound. Several arrows soared through the sky, piercing the giant's fur-clad back while a young woman used her sword to cut the giant's leg. 

"Asia, stand back," Standing in front of the Holy maiden, a black bow appeared in front of the young man with red 'veins' embedded in the design. Light purple arrows appeared on his hand, between his fingers, and with frightening ease, three arrows soared through the sky, piercing the Giant's skin. 

Asia watched with wide eyes as the arrows shot by her companion pierced through the skin of the giant, leaving three holes in its body. Without missing a beat, her eye saw how the greatsword of the man managed to sink and pierce through the giant's leg before it moved. 

The giant's head dropped to the ground, releasing blood and gore everyone making her stomach turn. Turning around, the young priestess vomited her breakfast on the side of the road at the gruesome deaths she had seen. She had seen many different kinds of injuries and even had men die in front of her but seeing someone get killed like this... 

"It's okay," feeling the soft yet firm hand on her back, the former holy maiden looked at her companion, a look of worry on his face as he held a water skin for her.

"I... I'm sorry, Issei," the former holy maiden apologized while drinking from the horn. 

"Don't be, I'd be more worried if you didn't react," The young man replied, keeping his attention on her. 

"That was some excellent shooting," Turning towards the speaker, Issei, and Asia saw a beautiful young woman in her early 20s with face paint on her face. It was very subtle but Issei noticed how she crinkled her nose along with the guy. "You handle yourself well. You could make for a decent Shield-Brother/Sister." 

"You're companions," Issei noted. "it's a pleasure to meet the both of you," Issei greeted. "I'm from Anvil's Fighters guild," It was not really a lie since he first joined the fighter's guild and mages guild in Anvil, before the Oblivion Crisis. 

'Are the Umbranox still the ruling family of Anvil?' 

"I'm Issei, this is Asia, a healer-in-training," 

"H-hello, nice to meet you, I'm Asia Argento," Asia said before she focused on the other girl, an imperial from the looks of it. "You're injured,"

The girl looked at herself before frowning at her arm, she accidentally twisted it during the battle against the Giant. Before Issei could stop her, the former Holy maiden raised her hand and a pair of silver rings appeared on her hands and a green light covered the Imperial. 

"What are you- hey, that feels good," The Imperial whispered while feeling her body lighten up. Within less than ten seconds the young woman was fully healed, and her scratches were sealed shut. "My body feels lighter than ever."

Inwardly, Issei's trained assassin mindset screamed in frustration. He wanted to keep attention away from them but what Asia did. He did not blame her, but she should have done it in private, like in a temple... 

"Thanks for that! I'm Ria, the newest member of the Companion of Ysgramor, you should come with us to Jorrvaskr!" 

"It's nice to meet you, Ria! I'm Asia, Asia Argento," 

'Well, at least Asia made a friend,' the perverted Knight thought to himself as he looked at the male of the group. 

The two shared a nod, greeting each other respectfully in a silent manner. 

"We would love to join you but we have urgent news for the Jarl," Issei cut in, reminding Asia of their purpose in Whiterun. He did not want to spoil Asia's fun but they needed to get the information to the Jarl as soon as possible. 

"You can walk with us," Aela offered, looking at the Holy Maiden and perverted Knight. "We're heading back to Whiterun, just let me see that bow," 

"It's a bound bow," Handing the bow to her, Issei watched as Aela pulled the bowstring, effortlessly pulling halfway across before it disappeared. 

"You're stronger than you look," Issei blinked, wondering if it was a compliment or an insult. 

"That's a Breton-style sword," The man said. "Not bad, Alvor made this?" 

"Yeah, bought my weapons from him, we stayed the night in Riverwood," 

"Not bad, it's not as good as the ones in Warmaiden's but Alvor's steel is reliable," 

"Coming from a companion, that's a relief," Issei replied with a smile. While he did not have a talent for smithing, he could repair any weapon or armor just fine as long as he had enough hammers to repair them with. 

The walk to the city of Whiterun was filled with conversations, mostly between Ria and Asia, the two becoming good friends in the short time they'd known each other. While the two stayed back in the plaza near the Gildergreen tree to rest, Issei followed Aela into the Skyforge to get some better gear, deliberately looking at her glorious breasts and figure from behind. 

"Keep looking and I'll stick my arrow in your eye," Aela warned.

"I like the sight in front of me," Issei shot back before using his hand to snap the arrow that would have taken his eye.

"Not bad, You're quite skilled," Aela teased with a smirk, holding on to the other half of the arrow. "You owe me an arrow,"

-=-=-

"Take some deep breaths, Asia," Issei whispered, looking at the former Holy Maiden. The two walked through the halls of Dragonsreach, with the Holy Maiden being more nervous than him. Noticing a pair of people clad in some sort of Leather armor nearby with their faces covered by hoods, the young man's eyes narrowed at the Dark elf standing near the Jarl. 

A former assassin? 

The moment they stepped too close, an elven sword flew from its sheath, and Issei saw her skin take the texture of stone. 

"What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors." Her movements were subtle but she reminded him of that man he fought once... a member of the Morag Tong, Morrowind's official Assassin's guild. He looked at the Dunmer and one wrong move will turn this place into a battlefield. 

"We have news from Helgen. About the dragon attack." Asia announced, much to Issei's surprise.

"Well, that explains why the guards let you in. Come on then, the Jarl will want to speak to you personally."

"It's all right, Irileth. I want to hear what they have to say." Jarl Balgruuf is a man who produced an aura of confidence, power, and wisdom while sitting on his throne. This man reminded Issei of one of the people that fought with him during the Battle of Bruma... "What's this about Riverwood being in danger?" 

"A dragon destroyed Helgen and Gerdur is afraid that Riverwood is next," Keeping his mouth shut, Issei looked at his companion, silently cheering her on. She was becoming more and more assertive which was a good thing.

"Gerdur? Owns the lumber mill, if I'm not mistaken. Pillar of the community. Not prone to flights of fancy... This wasn't some Stormcloak raid gone wrong?" 

"We were in Helgen when the Dragon appeared," Issei replied after how Asia started shaking. PTSD? He did not know for sure. "I saw it fly towards Whiterun when we managed to get out, Helgen is destroyed... it looks similar to Kvatch but with less Daedra," Issei whispered the last part to himself. The ruins of Kvatch were carved into his mind, the smell, the sights, the sounds, everything.  

"Against a dragon?" Turning to the man by his side, an advisor perhaps, "What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"

"My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains..." The dark elf offered.

"The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him. We should not..." Provencuck, replied

"Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people! Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once." Getting tired of the argument between his housecarl and advisor, Jarl Ballin' said his order in a clear and commanding voice.

I"Yes, my Jarl."

"If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties."

"That would be best."

"Well done. You two sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem." A pair of servants came, one carrying an armor set belonging to the spell knights and a set of robes for an adept-level mage. "May I know your names?"

"I'm Asia Argento," Asia shyly introduced herself.

"Issei Hyoudou," 

Irileth raised a brow as she looked at Issei, as if she was looking for something. Nearby, one of the cloaked figures turned to them, a bracelet reflecting the light of the nearby torches.

A few minutes later, Asia and Issei walked towards Jorrvaskr, to stay the night. 

"We're heading to Bleakfalls Barrow tomorrow, huh? Asia, I'll teach you some useful spells to fight the undead," Issei said while Asia noddded. 

"Issei-kun," Hearing his name, the young man turned around to look at a duo clad in matching leather armor sets. Discreetly staying in front of Asia, the young knight looked at the two. Sensing no hostility from the two, Issei formed his strongest shield spell around his body as the shorter of the two moved. 

A bound dagger appeared in his hand but instead of attacking, his eyes widened at the familiar shade of orange that belonged to his childhood friend fell as the hood his attacker wore fell off. The same shade he always saw in his memories with the help of the Memory charm, Eidetic memory, that allowed him to perfectly recall any information he read. The image of his best friend since childhood was one of the memories he pulled from to not lose himself. His mind instantly formed the detect life spell he knew and it was similar to the life force he and Asia has. 

Accepting the brown and orange missile, Issei wrapped his arms around his friend. He... no, she was here. 

"Hey, Rin!" He greeted as he wrapped his arms around her. it has been years since he last met him... I mean her. 

"I missed you, Issei-Kun," 

"I missed you too," 

"Issei Hyoudou, we need to talk," Seeing a gray golf ball-like sphere in her hand, a lance of killing light tore the orb away from her hands and into the wall with enough force to pierce through it. 

"Issei-kun!" 

Issei Hyoudou glared at the direction of the orb with nothing but pure fury and hatred pouring out of his entire form at the remainder of his greatest betrayer, even worse than Yuuma who speared through his gut with a spear of light. In that instant, the Entirety of the Skyrim shook as his rage erupted, sending a blanket of pressure, making everything around him fall to the ground except for Asia and Irina.

Numerous guards who were nearby had foam escape their mouths and their eyes narrowed into the size of peas under their helms as they laid on the ground, unconscious and unable to move.

The holder of the orb was shivered on her knees, ignoring her bleeding hand. Cold sweat poured from her body like a waterfall at the sheer pressure, the sheer hate and rage possessed by the young man in front of her. 

'Becare of the man you are supposed to deliver my Beacon to,' The voice of the angel echoed in her mind. 'He is a kind-hearted man that possesses a dark nature that he will unleash at the sight of me, my artifacts, or my minions,' the angel whose name she found out. 

"MERIDIA!!!" The duke of Mania roared in sheer hatred and rage that shook the entirety of Whiterun. 

Throughout the infinite realms of Oblivion, numerous realms shook at the roar. Countless princes stirred as their once-champion and mortal enemies presence let itself known to them. 

The Destroyer roared in rage in his realm at the return of an old foe, the one that thwarted his plan 200 years ago, reducing his armies and power.

Shadow grinned at the return of one of her favored thieves and former champion, the Grey Fox that helped break her curse. The one she handed her skeleton key for helping her get her eye back.

The lady of light and life winced at the action of her champion... former champion. He still hated her this much? It stung a bit, but she did not care, she knew he will help her. Not willingly of course, all she needed was to expose the nature of the Necromancer that corrupted her temple. 

Sheogorath grinned at the presence that made itself known. The mad prince knew 'his' old friend will be in for a treat. All 'he' needed to do is wait. Wait for their reunion.