Simon couldn't hear the whispers of the relief, and he didn't dwell on it, because it was very likely that everything just now was merely his hallucination, and such experiences were simply too numerous.
Hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, and so on—Simon was certain that his mental state was normal, and he almost never had outrageous thoughts, so all those bizarre things he had experienced were false, perhaps fabricated.
He had once been persistent about this, but after encountering them too many times, he no longer...
"My child, come quickly."
Simon was startled; it was Gaelina's voice!
From deep within the corridor, there was a familiar summons, "Come, child, come."
Simon frowned deeply; the hallucination had reached such a degree that it implied enticement and seduction.
The darkness ahead was so thick, it made one think of the warm curtain of death gently swaying in the depths, and malevolent beasts devouring lost souls.
He knew full well that he was actually entirely within the environment, but saying so wasn't entirely accurate.
The place he was in was a realm between reality and illusion; here, he could sense the Pure Land, yet couldn't connect to it.
All his efforts might yield no reward, and there would be immense danger.
Simon felt the increasingly weak power within him; he was now in an unprecedented state of weakness, his mental strength dormant, his body frail, and his magicka had no resonant frequency in this place.
What can a mortal do?
Simon smiled, once he made up his mind, he would persevere to the end.
What was there to fear in hardships and obstacles, what was there to fear in the dilemma of life and death? He always met challenges head-on.
He quickly ran deeper into the corridor.
...
Serana arrived before a floating stone spire.
Hundreds of Black Skulls attacked her, but these guys were not a concern.
The terrifying one was the guardian, a warrior over seven feet tall, clad in Dragonbone Heavy Armor and wielding a Dragonbone Great Axe.
Serana repeatedly cast Ice Spikes, which shattered and dissipated upon hitting the Dragonbone Armor, so she had to move around, clearing out the scattered Black Skulls.
Then she drew an Elven Dagger and charged at the guardian.
The Vampire moved nimbly, with graceful posture, but the guardian was experienced, often stepping back and swinging before Serana could get close, forcing Serana to dodge, not daring to take a direct hit.
Vampires truly struggled and were exhausted when fighting undead.
Vampires excelled at blood magic and frost magic, but the undead had considerable resistance to both.
The best spell for dealing with undead—Restoration's Turn Undead—was almost impossible for a Vampire to use, as life magicka and fire magicka were as difficult for her to control.
Serana could only engage the guardian using her proficient combat skills.
Though the Dragonbone Armor was sturdy and thick, it wasn't seamless.
The Vampire suddenly charged towards the axe blade; the sweeping great axe roared through the air like a train.
Serana lightly tapped the axe face with her toes, slightly losing her balance and tilting, but her dagger had already lodged into the gap between the helmet and the shoulder plate.
Serana pulled herself closer, wrapping her legs around the guardian's neck, one hand still gripping the dagger tightly.
She spun gracefully, like a seductive dancer, and when she landed, a large head also fell to the ground.
"That should be enough to teach you a lesson."
The young lady put away her dagger, and the guardian collapsed into a gelatinous mess on the ground.
Continue.
There were two more towers.
...
The confused Nord Man slowly came back to his senses, "Oh, don't worry, Gaelina, my Gaelina, I'll find you.
I've already found so many old friends: Quick-Axe Pete, Swift-Foot Connor, good woman Sharon..."
As he spoke, he counted the string of skulls on his waist; some were complete, some broken, some very small, like beads, some like a waist drum, and some were just bone fragments.
"Not a single one can be left behind, not a single one.
Our old pals from Baptismal Fort, not a single one less!"
Where thunder gathered on the horizon, a colossal bronze Dragon shadow circled among the clouds, frost wind swirling around its body, lightning merely steps for it to tread upon.
It flapped its wings, letting out a terrifying roar, its voice ancient and desolate, flying all the way towards the depths of the Graveyard.
Turiano rubbed his face, "Who angered this big guy?
Should I run?"
Just as he was about to summon his Spectral Steed, the young Simon appeared, "We're going to help."
the boy said.
"Tsk, kid, get out of the way, that's a Dragon, are you going to your death?"
Turiano pushed Simon aside, and casually rubbed the young boy's face, "Go, go, go, go back obediently."
The Spectral Steed burst forth from the void, and as soon as Turiano mounted it, Simon nimbly climbed into his arms, "Let's go, to the Graveyard."
The young boy patted the horse's head; the Spectral Steed let out a contented whinny and galloped wildly, the wind roaring in their faces.
Turiano was greatly surprised.
"Stop, stop, stop, what's going on?
What's going on?
Kid, make this horse stop!"
The young Simon laughed unrestrainedly, wriggling in his father's arms.
Turiano's expression gradually calmed, then he showed a goofy look, "You mischievous boy, I'll go crazy with you this once!"
...
Valerica packed her luggage and waited anxiously.
At some point, the barrier in front of her suddenly disappeared.
She was overjoyed, "Good boy!
I should go find her... Wait, the elder scrolls!"
She turned and ran towards the Graveyard gate, pushed open the heavy black iron city gate, and entered the interior of the Graveyard.
The interior was unusually spacious, like an arena.
She walked down the wide steps, rounded a clear space, which was her storage area and alchemy laboratory.
She opened the narrow scroll case, took out the golden scroll, and before she could turn around, a furious Dragon Shout made the earth tremble.
She bent slightly, just managing not to fall, and turning, saw that a cruel Dragon had landed on the high wall of the Graveyard.
Thunder boomed, and in the ghastly white light, its figure was like a monument of time, elegant and ferocious long horns extending above its skull, raising its mottled wings, stretching its neck sideways, gazing askance at the earth.
"Bold prisoner, your life is for service, not defiance.
Perish utterly in this place, offer blood and bone to the earth, and let your soul ascend to the heavens!"
Valerica's pale face grew even more drawn.
This was going to be difficult.
"Fus—Kading!"
[Dragon Shout: Frost Breath]
A terrifying coldness swept over hundreds of feet, almost like a natural disaster, completely engulfing the area where Valerica stood.
The Volkihar Vampire Matron gently emerged from the side of the frost stream, having just drunk a potion of frost resistance, which had proven remarkably effective.
She charged at the Dragon, knowing full well that it would be impossible to leave without defeating it.
And what was most despairing was that Dragons were immortal; killing it would merely put it to sleep, and once it regenerated its body, it would be whole again.
Durnehviir powerfully pushed off the wall with its hind legs, soaring high, its wings beating lightly, sending out hurricanes.
It flew high into the sky, then swooped down.
"Strun—Bah Qo!"
[Dragon Shout: Storm Call]
Black clouds pressed down from the sky, as terrifying as if heaven and earth were colliding, and endless Black Skulls crawled out of the sorrowful earth of the Graveyard, surging towards Valerica.
Valerica took out a bottle of lightning resistance potion and drank it, then repeatedly summoned eight Dremora Warriors, one Dremora Lord, and three powerful Frost Atronachs.
These were all contracted subordinates, with Daedra Prince marks as proof, allowing for multiple summons.
As a loyal servant of Molag Bal, the Daughter of Coldharbour had a strong affinity for the Daedra creatures living in Coldharbour, and the Dremora she summoned were elites, with blue-green skin, dark war paint, and thick, reliable black-purple Daedric armor.
"Obey your master's command, tear apart the enemy before you!"
With the summoned creatures holding back the sea of Black Skulls, Valerica could focus on dealing with the Dragon.
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