Chapter 146 Awakening
Alex and Astrid had already set out toward Dimhollow Crypt.
"This should be the place," Alex said quietly.
Dark, scattered patches of blood were visible at the cave's entrance, staining the ground in uneven trails. Astrid immediately crouched down, her brows furrowing as she examined it closely.
"From the look of this blood… it's still fresh," she murmured, her fingers hovering just above the surface without touching it. "There was a fight here. Let's go inside and investigate further."
She rose to her feet with a serious expression, and without another word, the two of them stepped into the depths of Dimhollow Crypt.
As the darkness swallowed them, Alex raised his hand and conjured a flame using his fire spell. A flicker of warm orange light burst to life, forming a torch that illuminated the damp stone walls.
"Alright… this cave feels dangerous. Stay alert, Astrid."
They moved cautiously deeper into the crypt, their footsteps echoing faintly in the hollow silence until suddenly, they came across a body lying motionless on the cold ground.
The man wore the robes of the Vigilants of Stendarr.
"Look… this is a Vigilant," Alex said, his voice lowering.
Astrid stepped forward and knelt beside the corpse, carefully inspecting it. Her expression slowly shifted as she noticed the wounds.
"…Wait."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"These bite marks… they're larger than a typical vampire's bite." She leaned closer, studying the depth and shape. "It looks more like the bite of a dog… but deeper. And… there's some kind of dark residue left behind."
She paused, her voice turning more serious.
"…What does this mean?"
Alex suddenly recalled something vampires were often accompanied by black hounds with glowing red eyes.
"Oh boy… we need to be careful," he said in a low voice. "Vampires sometimes have guard dogs called Death Hounds. They're black, with red eyes, and extremely aggressive. They're also much more agile than normal dogs… so stay sharp, Astrid."
Astrid gave a firm nod after hearing his explanation, her expression turning more alert.
They continued their investigation deeper into the cave, moving carefully through the dimly lit passage. After a while, faint voices echoed from ahead someone was talking.
Astrid's eyes widened slightly. Without hesitation, she reached out and covered Alex's mouth, signaling him to stay silent. Then, with slow and careful movements, the two of them crept forward, their steps as light as possible.
They stopped just short of the source of the voices and carefully peeked ahead.
"I can't believe the Elder Scroll is still here," said a Dark Elf vampire, his tone filled with disbelief.
"But Lord Harkon sensed it," replied a High Elf vampire. "He said this place is sacred… a perfect location to hide such an artifact."
Two vampires stood ahead clearly of different races. One, a Dark Elf, leaned casually against the stone wall, while the other, a High Elf, stood upright with a sharp, watchful gaze. The dim torchlight cast flickering shadows across their pale faces, making their crimson eyes glow even more ominously.
Astrid slowly turned her head toward Alex, her movements careful and controlled. Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely louder than a breath.
"So… how do we handle them?"
Alex's eyes remained fixed on the enemies ahead, his expression calm yet focused. After a brief pause, he leaned slightly closer to her and whispered back,
"Hmm… I'll try my new spell. I'm going to summon a Frost Atronach."
Astrid's brows lifted slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes despite the tension.
"…Alright. And how does that spell work?"
Alex glanced at her for a moment, his voice still low but steady.
"It summons an ice golem… I bought the spell when I found out you were pregnant." His gaze softened just a little. "That way, you won't have to carry everything on your own in the front line. You can fight alongside the Frost Atronach I summon… while I support from the back, like usual."
For a brief second, the danger around them seemed to fade.
Astrid's expression melted into something warm and touched. She gently reached up, placing her hand against Alex's cheek, her thumb brushing softly across his skin.
"Thank you… my love."
Then, just as quickly, her focus returned.
With a smooth motion, Astrid reached behind her back and pulled out the crossbow she had received from the Dawnguard. The metal gleamed faintly under the dim light as she adjusted her grip, her eyes narrowing with determination.
"I want to test this weapon against vampires," she said quietly.
She turned her head slightly toward Alex, her voice firm now.
"Give me the signal after you summon the Frost Atronach. Once it appears… I'll take the shot straight to the vampire's head."
Alex gave a small, confident nod.
Slowly, he raised his hand. A swirling purple orb began to form in his palm, crackling faintly with arcane energy as he started the summoning incantation. His fingers moved with precision, guiding the flow of magic as the air around them seemed to grow colder.
(…I didn't make a Fortify Conjuration ring yet, so this is going to drain a lot of my mana… but it's fine. I can still freely use Destruction and Alteration spells.)
His expression hardened with resolve.
With a sharp motion, Alex extended his hand forward, directing the spell toward the two vampires.
"Now."
In an instant
A massive Frost Atronach materialized with a thunderous burst of icy energy, shards of frost scattering across the ground as the towering golem let out a deep, rumbling growl.
At that exact same moment
Thwip!
Astrid pulled the trigger.
The bolt shot forward with deadly precision, slicing through the air and striking the Dark Elf vampire straight in the head.
The impact was brutal.
The vampire's body jerked violently before collapsing lifelessly onto the cold stone floor leaving only one vampire remaining.
"Ghk intruders!!"
The High Elf vampire hissed sharply, his eyes flaring with fury. In one swift motion, he drew a dagger with his left hand, the blade glinting coldly in the dim light. At the same time, dark crimson energy gathered in his right palm Vampiric Drain its eerie glow pulsing as it siphoned vitality from its target to heal himself.
Without hesitation, he lunged toward the towering Frost Atronach.
The massive ice golem moved slowly, its heavy steps echoing through the cavern but its sheer size and strength made it an unyielding shield, absorbing the vampire's attack head-on.
"Alex, now !"
Astrid was just about to dash forward when
A blur shot out from the shadows at her side.
A feral snarl ripped through the air as a black creature lunged straight at her.
But before it could reach her
It froze mid-air.
Invisible force gripped its body, suspending it helplessly.
Alex's eyes sharpened as his hand clenched slightly.
"Careful, Astrid. That must be the vampire's pet… a Death Hound."
The beast snarled, its glowing red eyes burning with rage as it struggled against the telekinetic hold.
Astrid exhaled in relief, her shoulders loosening slightly.
"…That was close. Thank you, Alex."
With a flick of his wrist
BOOM!
Alex slammed the Death Hound violently into the ground.
Then again.
CRASH!
And again
THUD!
Its body struck the stone floor repeatedly, each impact heavier than the last, until the creature finally went limp.
Meanwhile, Astrid had already moved.
She joined the fight alongside the Frost Atronach, her movements swift and precise. Raising her crossbow, she took aim
Thwip!
The bolt shot forward and pierced the vampire's leg.
The High Elf let out a sharp cry as his movement faltered his body momentarily stunned as one knee buckled and hit the ground.
Before he could recover
The Frost Atronach raised its massive arm and brought it down with crushing force.
BOOM!
The impact echoed through the cave as the vampire was slammed into the ground his body going still.
Silence followed.
Alex walked over to Astrid and the Frost Atronach, letting out a long breath as the tension left his body.
"Phew… not bad," he said, a faint grin forming. "That wasn't too difficult for a vampire hunt, at least."
Astrid glanced over at the lifeless body of the Death Hound, then looked at Alex with a slightly raised brow.
"Hm… looks like I wasn't really needed for that, huh?"
Alex turned toward her immediately, shaking his head with a soft chuckle.
"Of course you were. I need you, Astrid," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "Without you, I'd be in danger… and more importantly, my heart wouldn't be at ease. I can't stay far away from you."
Astrid blinked for a moment, then a small smile tugged at her lips. She lightly pushed his shoulder.
"Ugh… you and your sweet talk. Come on, let's keep going."
Alex simply smiled in return.
They continued deeper into the crypt until they came across an iron-barred gate. Beside it stood a rusted lever embedded into the stone wall.
"This must be the way," Alex said.
But the moment he pulled the lever
A loud metallic clang echoed as something shifted inside.
Beyond the gate, a massive Frostbite Spider easily twice the size of an adult human was locked in a fierce battle with a vampire. This one was clearly different his movements sharper, his stance more refined, and his presence far more dangerous than the ones they had faced earlier.
Alex paused, his hand still resting on the lever.
"…Wait, Astrid. Let's hold on for a moment. They haven't noticed us yet."
A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Why don't we just… watch their fight for a bit?"
Astrid stared at him, then shook her head with a sigh.
"Seriously… your wicked side is written all over your face."
Unbothered, Alex casually pulled out some jerky and handed a piece to her.
"Come on… they're both monsters anyway. No harm in it, right?"
He sat down comfortably, as if settling in for a show, his eyes fixed on the battle ahead.
Astrid looked at him so relaxed in the middle of danger then let out a quiet sigh before finally giving in. She sat beside him, and together, they watched the brutal fight unfold.
The vampire and the massive Frostbite Spider clashed in a brutal, drawn-out battle.
"Haah!! Take that, you filthy beast!" the vampire shouted, his voice filled with rage as he unleashed a barrage of lightning spells. Thunderbolts crackled through the air, striking the spider's thick body with explosive force.
The creature screeched in response
"Krieeeek!!!"
It retaliated fiercely, spewing venom and shooting thick webs toward the vampire, trying to restrain his movements. The cavern echoed with the sounds of impact, hissing poison, and crackling electricity as the two monsters fought relentlessly.
The battle dragged on for nearly thirty minutes.
By the end, both of them were barely standing.
The vampire staggered, his breathing heavy, his body trembling from exhaustion. His clothes were torn, his skin scorched in places. Meanwhile, the Frostbite Spider was in even worse condition its body covered in burn marks and blackened scars from repeated lightning strikes.
At last
The spider collapsed.
The vampire let out a triumphant, almost hysterical laugh.
"Finally!!!"
But in the very next instant
Thwip!
An arrow pierced straight through his head.
His body froze for a split second… before dropping lifelessly to the ground.
Astrid lowered her crossbow slightly, a faint smirk forming on her lips.
"Well… that was quite entertaining to watch."
Alex stepped forward and pulled the lever beside the iron gate, opening the barred door with a loud metallic groan.
"Yeah… not bad at all," he replied with a small grin.
With the path now clear, the two of them continued their investigation, venturing deeper into the dark depths of Dimhollow Crypt.
After walking for a while, they arrived at a vast chamber.
At the center stood a structure resembling an ancient altar, raised upon a circular platform and surrounded by shallow, dark water. A narrow stone bridge stretched toward it, worn and damp, as if untouched for ages.
Around the altar…
There were vampires.
Quite a lot of them.
Alex and Astrid immediately lowered their presence, moving carefully into the shadows. They crouched behind a jagged rock formation, observing the situation while quietly listening in.
"So, what did you learn from the Vigilant's corpse?" a Nord vampire asked. His posture and commanding tone made it clear he was the leader.
"It seems to be true," one of the subordinate vampires replied. "The Elder Scroll is hidden somewhere in this place."
The leader's expression darkened instantly, anger flashing across his face.
"Then find it! Now!!"
At his command, the vampires began spreading out, searching the area frantically.
Alex and Astrid exchanged a glance, both slightly startled by what they had just heard.
Astrid leaned closer to Alex, her voice urgent but still hushed.
"Alex… they said Elder Scroll! This is critical we have to get it before they do. If they obtain it, they could gain immense power… or forbidden knowledge beyond our understanding."
Alex, however, simply smiled.
"Relax," he whispered calmly. "They won't find it."
He paused for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"…And they'll be dead soon enough."
Astrid blinked, confused.
"…Huh?"
One of the vampires stepped forward and tried to push a nearby fire pillar.
But the moment he touched it
A sudden flash erupted.
A translucent purple barrier appeared out of nowhere, like a wall of light, and in the next instant
SHHHHK!
The vampire was split apart and burned at the same time, his body torn and scorched in a horrifying display.
The others froze.
"…What was that?!"
Panic spread among them, their eyes darting around in confusion and fear.
Then the leader narrowed his eyes, as if realizing something.
"…A puzzle."
He pointed sharply at one of his subordinates.
"You. Push that fire pillar."
The vampire he pointed at stiffened, fear clearly written across his face.
"M-Me? But… why me? I I don't dare "
The leader's expression turned cold and threatening.
"Do it. Or would you rather die by my hand?"
The subordinate swallowed hard, his body trembling.
He had no choice.
One by one, the vampires were forced to test the pillars five of them… until only the leader remained.
Soon, the fire pillars were arranged in a certain order.
Then
A small stone pedestal rose from the ground.
On top of it was a carved hand symbol.
"…Hmm. This must be the final part of the puzzle," the leader muttered.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and placed his hand on the pedestal.
The moment his palm touched it
SHHK!
A blade shot up from beneath his hand in a blink, piercing through it before retracting just as quickly.
"Kgh !! Damn it!"
He pulled his hand back, gritting his teeth in pain.
…But nothing happened.
The structure remained silent. No movement. No reaction.
"…Why? I've already placed my hand on it."
Then
His vision began to blur.
"…Ugh… something's… wrong…"
His steps grew unsteady as he staggered backward, unaware that he had been poisoned. His breathing turned heavy, as if something invisible was tightening around his throat.
His legs trembled… no longer able to support his weight.
His vision darkened.
And then
He lost balance.
His body fell off the edge of the structure, disappearing into the darkness below.
Alex and Astrid watched the entire scene unfold in silence.
"…Wow. You were right, Alex," Astrid said, her voice tinged with surprise.
Alex scratched the back of his head, letting out an awkward laugh.
"Yeah… I guess I was, hahaha…"
(…I didn't expect it to turn out like that. So the trap really works that way… But that pillar if I remember correctly, it's supposed to be for the Dragonborn. I've never seen anyone else use it… maybe. But I'm pretty sure.)
He cleared his throat slightly before speaking again, this time more serious.
"The real reason I needed to come along… is because that hand pedestal only a Dragonborn should be able to use it. Anyone else…" he glanced toward where the vampire had fallen, "…will end up poisoned like that."
Astrid frowned slightly, uncertainty flickering across her face.
"…Are you sure?"
Alex nodded firmly.
"I'm sure."
They then made their way down the stairs, stepping carefully toward the structure. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly as they crossed the bridge and finally arrived at the pedestal.
Alex paused, then added,
"…Or there's another possibility. Maybe it only affects vampires."
Astrid looked at him.
"I tried touching that purple barrier earlier, and nothing happened to me. I didn't get split apart or burned… so my conclusion is this trap might have been designed specifically for vampires."
Astrid's expression grew uneasy as she glanced at the pedestal.
"…I hope you're right."
She hesitated, her hand hovering slightly above the carved symbol still unsure whether to place it down.
Alex looked at Astrid hesitating and suddenly felt a sharp sense of guilt.
(What am I doing…? I'm letting my wife and our child face danger like this?)
Without another word, he stepped forward and quickly placed his hand onto the pedestal himself.
Astrid's eyes widened in shock.
"Alex!!!"
SHHK!
A blade shot up instantly, piercing straight through Alex's hand.
"Kgh !!"
His body tensed from the sudden pain, his teeth clenching tightly as the blade remained for a brief moment before retracting back down just as quickly.
Then
The entire structure began to move.
A deep rumble echoed throughout the chamber as ancient mechanisms awakened, stone grinding against stone.
Astrid rushed to his side, her expression filled with anger and worry.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Alex forced a small, apologetic smile despite the pain.
"Hehe… sorry. I just… don't want to lose you."
Astrid stared at him, torn between scolding him and being relieved he was still standing.
Then suddenly
Beneath the pedestal, a section of the floor shifted.
A large stone coffin massive enough to hold a person slowly rose from below, ancient and imposing.
Alex swallowed hard.
(…This is it. The moment… Serana everyone's waifu player in Skyrim. Let's see what she actually looks like.)
The stone lid began to slide open with a heavy grinding sound.
GRRRRRR…
Slowly… inch by inch…
Until finally
It revealed what was inside.
Alex's eyes widened in shock.
"…What?!"