A.N. Yes, I know the Ancestor Moth groove is in Falkreath, but honestly, who cares? Quite operative update, I've spent many hours on the road with nothing else to do. Well, onwards to the story.

"And then I said: 'Minutes, seconds, I'm not very good at math', before letting loose all that hellish beast who wanted his blood."

Dave surprisingly laughed at this, while Serana chuckled, somewhat expecting such outcome. For the lack of anything to do, the group members shared some stories in turn, right after sharing what they had been doing while being separated. It turned out that the Jarl of Falkreath sent after the 'Dragonborn on hire', as Danny called such profession, only to clean up some cave inhabited by bandits who stopped paying a portion of their loot. Shady fellow, the Jarl was, but he payed more than enough for an honest work.

Knowing that his younger and not accomplices weren't at his place, Dave decided to go inform Penitus Oculatus about the discovery of the Dark Brotherhood hideout. Their headquarters were in the Dragon Bridge - a small village near the bridge with, surprise, surprise, dragon head carved from stone. For that piece of information he got a considerable sum of money, and was promised even more if he cleaned up the hideout along with them. Dave refused, taking what he could get and knowing that he did a good thing, before he went to resupply in Solitude.

Then it was told to him by the half ghost that one of the assassins had been sent at them. It ended pathetically bad for her, but the Brotherhood would hate them with passion if they hadn't been eliminated by then. Two organizations were after them now, but Danny was calm as stone about it, confident that they were inferior to his level of power. Thalmor were overconfident elves who thought too much of themselves, while the assassins were yet to catch him asleep. There was a chance that they might learn from their mistakes, though.

Returning to the matter at hand, the group had been on the road for several hours. The main problem was that there was only one horse for the three of them. The others were still in Winterhold if they remembered correctly. So the speed of movement was limited to the speed of their legs. Exhausting and, hopefully, rewarding journey. Ironically, it was Dragon Bridge they had to cross in order to find their objective.

The village was located near the long river, to which there was a long way to fall. There were some houses, an inn, without which there weren't many settlements, and a long building which housed the previously mentioned organization of Imperial agents for special operations, such as guarding the Emperor and tracking the infamous cult of murderers. There was a dark banner with the red dragon, which was the symbol of the main human state in whole of Tamriel. The soldiers were patrolling the area close to it, but the group was let through all posts easily, as Dave had already been renowned, and obviously possessed no danger to the Imperials.

They didn't stay there for long, just took a few mugs of mead, not enough to get drunk from that sweet alcoholic drink, and enjoyed some mudcrab legs fried in oil. They tasted much better than they sounded. Danny cracked a few jokes about being not eligible to drink by his country's standards. But in the world with magic, which typically got stuck in medieval era for millennia, people had different customs and understanding of morals. Not in all that barbaric way, just different.

The sun was setting, and the cave was still nowhere to be seen, beautiful, but barren. There were some snowberry bushes, along with low trees. Those were among the plants which could withstand low temperatures and dry air of rocky terrain. The group was close to the Reach realm, the one which had Markarth for a capital. A long line of mountains was going from Haafingar - the region where Solitude stood, to the southern point of the Reach, separating Skyrim from High Rock - one of the few provinces still loyal to the Empire. The mountains didn't make transportation easier for the team.

They even encountered the local wildlife. Sabercats for instance, with very big teeth. Danny didn't let the thing to be killed by his companions. He took pity in the wounded beast, making the others face fault. The thing had tried to kill THEM. Him in particular. But the half ghost forgave it too damn quickly. Danny just let it go heal its wounds. He thought he had seen a thankful glimmer. Maybe it was his imagination. But there was nothing he did about a mountain goat. They themselves needed to eat. Yes, the thing tasted like socks, compared to what they had for lunch. No matter how many spices were applied. How the Nords could eat the stuff was the question of the day.

They had to leave the horse, because it couldn't access some places. The road was too narrow and slippery for it. They had to climb in order to follow the path Dixion mentioned. Twin mountain peaks came into view, so the group started searching for the mentioned cave. Without much success. There wasn't a single cave around. Exasperated, they decided to call it a day and set up the camp. It was exactly the time when the previously mentioned mountain goat met his fate. Danny was in charge of cooking it for some reason. Well, it wasn't hard, he just needed to spin the pieces of meat Dave had chopped from the dead animal on a metal rod. Phantom took one of the pieces when it was barely fried and gave it to Serana, who was warming near the fire.

"Thank you," she smiled, taking the bone. He was always considerate of her tastes, it was nice of him. Her fangs then went into the soft meat, even if it wasn't the best, the blood made it more than tolerable for her.

At that moment Dovahkiin approached them. With a grunt the mid aged man sat on the grass near them.

"Not a soul around," he said. "Are you sure this is the place? Maybe there are other twin peaks."

"Dixion really could have given us better directions," Serana grumbled, agreeing with the blond. She then proceeded with her food.

"I can check from above once we are done. I don't think there are twin...ner peaks than these," Danny pointed above himself.

"In any case, we are not going anywhere until the morning," Dragonborn said, casually putting hands behind his head and lying on the ground. "Good sleep is essential."

"Not for us," the undead said simultaneously with smirks.

"Oh, shut it, kids," Dave rolled his eyes, but his tone made them chuckle. "Just let the old man sleep peacefully."

"Are you not going to eat?"

"After I eat let the old man sleep peacefully."

After the goat was fried well enough for the non vampires to eat, Danny and Dave joined in too. Leaving some for the future, and the fried meat remained edible for the longer amount of time than raw, everyone went on doing their own things. Dovahkiin fell asleep in a blink, snoring quite loudly. While Serana calmly opened the book, Phantom proceeded with his plan and flew upwards, taking the ghost form. Just as he had expected, it was the only mountain with such peculiar summit, at least in the field of visibility. Sighing, the half ghost landed on the ground.

"No luck?" Serana asked without looking up.

"Nope. Hundreds of this mountains and none else fit."

"What are we going to do then?" The vampire looked at him in question.

"I don't know yet..." Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "This is a dead end...maybe I should teleport and ask Dixion for clarification."

"Or you are trying to abuse your new power," Serana said dryly.

"Maybe. Doesn't make it any less awesome. Are you against the plan?"

"No. Just wait for a while and have rest yourself. Do it in the morning," responded the vampire, putting away her hair.

"Fine, fine. The old man is probably sleeping right now, anyway."

Phantom sat near her on the soft and lush grass. He then peaked into her book, as it was the only one they had on them. It was called 'Amongst the draugr'. The irony. Serana wasn't far from the moment he had stopped, so he could bare to read it again. She noticed him looking, and it was enough for the message to pass. As he nodded, the vampire turned over the page. They spent some time like this. Hardly had Serana turned over the page for about tenth time, her eyes suddenly started becoming heavy.

"Ah, damn it," she rubbed them and sighed.

"You tired?" Danny asked.

"Don't you start this again, Phantom. I know what you are up to."

Phantom chuckled. "Jesus, she learns fast," he mumbled to nobody. "So, you aren't going to sleep at all anymore?"

"Not when I know what you are going to do."

Danny smiled, looking on a distance and grabbing his knees. "I'm glad that you care so much. Not many would do that to the mistake of nature I am."

He didn't sound that saddened by the fact. It was more of a harsh sarcasm.

"You are not a mistake," Serana responded firmly.

"If you say so. Still, thank you. So far you are among the few people who feel this way. You, Dave," he pointed at the snoring Nord. "In a way. My two friends and my sister. That makes five of you."

"And...your parents?" The vampire asked a careful question.

She wondered how it hadn't occurred to her before. He must have had them.

"They don't even know about my half death," Phantom sighed. "And they hate ghosts. That's basically why I never had the courage to tell them. I can deal with beasts, daedra, but if the people I care about point their weapons at me...I'm not sure how I would be able to take it."

"I see. Guess we both have parenting issues," Serana attempted to brighten the mood.

Danny chuckled. "Well, your mother should be alright now, but yes, we do have certain problems."

Silence settled after this. Then Phantom thought about something.

"Listen, Serana, what are you going to do after all of this ends? Be in charge of the entire vampire clan? I mean, you are Harkon's daughter."

"No. I can't picture myself there. That castle has too many memories I'm not fond with...I guess I'll be traveling around Tamriel. This world has changed so much since I had been asleep."

"Well, you know a place where you always will be welcomed," Danny grinned. "My domain is always opened for you."

"You mean it?" Serana's glowing orange eyes glimmered.

"Of course," Phantom responded softly. "It may have been about a short while since we met, but know that I'll always be there for you if you ever need me."

Her look shone brighter at the warm feeling inside. But then she looked on the ground.

"You are doing all of this and I have nothing to repay you with."

"No need for that. Because I won't be needing anything. Remember, I am supposed to be a god. But the divine power cannot give a good friend, only lackeys and boot lickers. But it should be nice to have a god always ready to help you, eh?"

Serana gave a similar soft smile. He was so kind and gentle to her, she had never felt anything like that for such a long while. Dragonborn was more like a man who was helping out so she won't cause trouble, even if he did show a certain level of care. She would miss her ghostly friend, more than anyone. It also made her feel sad that one day he would have to leave. Because it was unclear how they were going to communicate afterwards.

Suddenly Danny saw something flutter on a distance. He dispersed it at seeing that that was a moth. Just an annoying insect. Then it glowed. And now the half ghost and the vampire were interested.

"You seeing this?" Danny asked.

"Yes. Shall we go after it?"

"It's not going to end well."

"No, it's not."

"We still are going."

"Indeed."

Laughing quietly after the exchange, they went after it. Chasing the glowing insect, what an evening. They went through the already known paths, but then the moth disappeared within a bush. The glow vanished as well. Danny became intangible to phase in and look inside. Suddenly he fell into the hole which obviously had been there all the time. Gasping with shock, Serana looked there, before Danny came up, floating in the air.

"There is a hole," he stated the obvious, hanging upside down in the air. "It could be the way we needed."

He flipped to the normal position. Danny offered his hand to help his friend to descend. They got there in no time.

The place was dark, filled with fallen trees which had long since been covered in moss. The place also had some dimly glowing mushrooms. Never Phantom was going to eat the stuff. There must have been a lot of carcinogens. Judging from falmers, the ones who had them as ratios...they certainly did have them. Danny broke a branch and ignited it. The fire helped a bit with lighting. The moth flew around the corner. And the undead followed. They had to avoid falling off the edges or tripping over stones. The place seemed so abandoned.

"I can't believe someone would go through with rituals in such place," Danny mumbled.

"I think it is like that exactly because they HADN'T been doing rituals," noted Serana and the half ghost couldn't help but agree. "If it turns out to be a waste of time, I'm getting Dixion for this."

However, soon they saw the light. Not the metaphorical one, though. The cave's ceiling was much higher now, several sun rays kept coming from there. The problem was that it was night. Magic, what was there to say? Steady spluttering of water in the small  creek was quite loud as it met the rocky obstacles. There was an entire groove intertwined with stone constructions of unknown age. It looked a lot like culturally enriched Japanese garden, actually. Moths kept flying around in small groups on a distance. The place was beautiful. Why it wasn't a tourist attraction was beyond them.

"Alright then, what about the ritual itself?" Danny asked as they stepped over the tiny pond, standing in the middle of the ruins.

"I guess we should use this," Serana pointed at the pedestal.

There was something what looked like a tool for removing peel from fruits and vegetables, just much bigger than your average apple. Phantom picked it up and examined. The wooden handles with curvy engravings, sharp razor. Very sharp, it could cut coconut in half.

"Guess we have no peel to cut. I could use this, though," Danny joked. "Wait...Dixion said something else."

"We need a piece of wood."

Phantom nodded in agreement, before approaching the tree with pink leaves. He carefully cut off a piece of bark from it.

"Huh."

Danny looked at Serana in question.

"You are glowing."

Phantom blinked and looked at himself. The light was dim, but it still could be seen.

"Hm...I guess we should use deduction now," he commented. "Let's see...this is Moth priests ritual...we are glowing..."

"Moths like light," Serana added.

"Yes, they...oh, don't tell me."

Danny saw a group of moths on a distance. He approached them and yelped in fright as they started to circle around him. Serana burst in laughter. So mighty and scared of little insects. It was rather amusing.

"Look, they like you!" She shouted, still laughing.

"That's not funny!" Phantom responded. "They are scary devils!"

It only made the vampire laugh more. She then noticed that the light became brighter around him.

"Try attracting more."

"WHAT?!"

"You might need them for the ritual. Do it."

Phantom gulped, but went on walking around the cave. More and more groups of moths were flying around the seriously pale half ghost. It was the nightmare which would forever remain in his mind. Danny looked at the vampire through the flock of insects.

"Please make it end," he begged.

"Judging from how bright the pond over there looks, it's the place you should stand in."

Danny went there. The glow was blinding now.

"I guess it's the time to read the scroll," he said.

"Are...are you sure you want to do that? What if it doesn't work?" Serana suddenly got worried.

"I have more chances that I won't," Phantom explained and smiled. "Don't worry, it will be fine."

The vampire sighed and gave him the golden scroll. Danny took a deep breath, before grabbing the handle to unroll the artifact.

"Here it goes!"

Meanwhile Dave kept twitching on his place, on the verge of sleep, before hearing some footsteps on the grass. He opened his eye slightly, seeing a group of people pass on a distance. At first he thought those were the forsworn, but they were too well armored. Dave sighed quietly. He just wanted to sleep, but it obviously was something he was not destined to do. He didn't know where the kids had gone, but the people who for some reason hadn't noticed him could be a danger.

Phantom unrolled the thing. The peculiar arcane patterns on the list of paper made no sense to him at first, but the image flashed brightly, leaving traces in his eyes, like when you shut them and see flashes still. Danny closed it out of reflex. He tried doing it again. The same thing repeated, but Phantom tried to look at the picture, trying to make sense out of it. His eyes were becoming agitated, like when you look at the sun without blinking. Danny closed them, still seeing the picture, but without paining his eyes. Soon it all started making sense. Pointless drawings took shape of the map. Primitive picture of North-Eastern Skyrim. One place on the map glowed with golden light. It was done.

Danny closed the scroll. A sudden wave of shudder came over him as the darkness from his eyes disappeared. Phantom found himself kneeling on the ground. How did he get there?

"Oh gods, Danny, you alright?" Serana asked. "You looked like you...weren't here at the moment."

"Yeah, I think I'm fine," he slowly got up with his friend's help.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I've seen everything and I still see. I know where to go."

Danny smiled softly at seeing her bright expression. She looked so cute at the moments like this. Serana was indeed happy, both because they were one step closer to their goal and because her friend was alright. She wouldn't forgive herself if he became blind as a result. Although she knew that her companion wouldn't be angry at her, he was too sweet and forgiving for that. Serana looked around the place briefly. They were alone, in the place full of peace. Maybe there was something she could repay him with. She hoped it wouldn't backfire.

"Hey," Danny's head turned to her. "I just wanted to thank you...for all you've been doing..."

"I think you already did a couple of times," Phantom smiled. "Honestly, it's nothing."

"Still...I hope you won't mind this."

"Wha..."

Danny was interrupted when he felt cold lips press against his. His eyes widened in surprise, he hadn't expected this at all. Not that it was unpleasant. For that reason he didn't pull back from her, instead gently wrapping his hands around her waist. They didn't pay attention to the fact that they were still standing in the pond, the creek was trickling by them. The kiss kept going for a good minute, before Serana had to retract, her face bright red. She looked away in embarrassment. His actions clearly said that he liked it. And that's exactly why she was crimson at the moment.

"Let's go now," The vampire said.

"Yeah...before Dave sees that we are absent."

"Hold right there, you beast!"

They looked at where the voice came from. How hadn't they noticed a group of armored men? There were seven of them. Three were sitting above, pointing crossbows at them. Four were armed with different weapons, ranging from war hammer to sword. Their armor was a dead giveaway - those were the Dawnguard. There were also husky dogs in armor. And trolls, also armored in pieces of metal. They came all prepared. One of them - a dark skinned man with a beard and bald head approached them, hammer at the ready.

"You thought we won't find you?"

"Friends of yours?" Danny asked sarcastically.

"And who are you? You wear our armor yet I've never seen you before."

"It just was the closest piece of armor I could find. Hope you don't mind."

"Just another vampire servant," the orc behind said. "I think what has happened was a vampiric seduction power."

"It has been the best act of seduction ever then," Danny smiled stupidly.

Serana shouldn't have blushed. It just wasn't the moment.

"Yes, judging from reaction it definitely was it. The guy is too lost."

"You don't know what you are dealing with..." said Phantom slowly in a singing voice. "It's not what it looks like..."

"Look, you may not realize it," Serana started. "But we are on the same side in this."

"Oh, really?" The man asked sarcastically.

"You don't see other vampires around, right?" She continued. "We are here to find Auriel's bow, that's right. But not for Lord Harkon. We need this weapon to defeat him."

"Ah, another court intrigue. Why am I not surprised? It changes nothing, girl. We'll get rid of the vermin your kind is."

"Wow, you remind me of that idiots wearing white," Danny smirked. "Such incompetent morons. Can't recognize a ghost when they see one. Wonder if you are any better. Look. I myself don't have much love for the vampires, except for my dearest companion. We shouldn't be enemies. I know one person who can prove my words AND our uninvolvement with that clan of crazy bloodsuckers. No offense," he glanced at Serana.

"And who that might be?"

They heard a cough and turned to the entrance. Dovahkiin stood there with crossed arms.

"I have slept for a few hours and you have already started a mess," he shook his head, looking down at his companions.

"Hey, blame them!" Danny pointed at the leader of the hunting group.

"Dragonborn? What are you doing here?"

"Accompanying the two, I thought it was obvious."

"But they are..."

"Two lovebirds who keep getting in all sorts of trouble?"

"Says Dovahkiin," Serana grumbled.

Danny was the only one who heard it and chuckled at this.

"No, a vampire and his pawn...or you..."

"Are you actually implying that I have been reduced to mindless puppet as well?" Dave raised his eyebrow.

"For all we know..."

"You do realize that you are still alive because the lad is the biggest pacifist you've ever seen?"

"Who? This wimp?"

"Hey!" Danny dug in his clothes and pulled out a strand of hair. "See? Totally chest hair. Your argument is irrelevant."

"Well, well, what have we here?"

Phantom groaned. Who else came there, Santa Claus?

Well, if Santa was an elf himself, and a vampiric one at that, then the half ghost would have been much closer to the truth. Another group of vampires, accompanied by huge stone gargoyles, came from the entrance.

"How come everyone came here only after us?" Danny asked.

"We have been followed," Serana stated bluntly.

"AND WE HAVEN'T NOTICED?!"

"Your eyes could be more of use, lad," the elf smirked. "Lord Harkon will be pleased when we bring you to him."

"Uhm, sorry, got other plans," Danny smirked as well, before seeing the Dawnguard's crossbows still aimed at him. He looked at them. "Guys, I think it is proof enough that we are not with them."

"We don't need proofs. You and your mistress are going down too."

"That's...kinky."

Danny's eyes darted to the crossbow wielders again. They were of utmost priority, obviously, but the trolls could be a problem as well. Not to mention gargoyles and vampiric-arcane mumbo-jumbo. The latter would need some time to get closer, though. He then realized something - why fight in the first place?

"Very well, would you take my hand, milady?" He offered his hand to Serana.

She knew he had something in mind. Smirking, she took it.

"Do what you must, servant," she said theatrically.

They suddenly disappeared, to everyone's surprise. In confusion, no one attacked at first, but then one of the vampires shot a spell at the armored vampire hunter and the entire Oblivion broke loose. Dave was not quite sure if he should help the Dawnguard after they basically threatened to kill him, but he was sure that the vampires wanted to kill him. Thank gods, literally, he was immune to vampirism. Hardly had he made a slash at the nearest bloodsucker, when the invisible hand grabbed his collar. Flinching from surprise, Dave didn't have time to react, before seeing black for a short while. Then, suddenly the night sky came before him. He blinked.

"What just happened?" He asked.

"Simple," Danny appeared, holding Serana with another hand. She got on the ground. "I got us here by flying through the several meters of rocks and mud. Let them do their own things, we got what we wanted."

"And it is..."

"The place where the Bow is kept," The vampire answered. "We'd better start moving before they kill each other and try searching for us."

"Yeah, I think you are right," Dave muttered. "Hope they haven't taken my horse."

He went forward, and Phantom walked after him. Danny looked back at the vampire and smiled.

"That was actually my first real time," he whispered. "It was just as good as I thought it would be."

Serana looked at him with wide eyes, but smiled in return.