It didn't take long before a thick cloud of bloody mist began to coalesce around them, creeping closer with a sinister, almost sentient intent. Erik felt a chill run down his spine as he caught sight of four shadowy figures lurking within the fog. He turned his gaze upward, noting the sun hanging low in the sky, its rays growing fainter as the day slipped away.
With a weary sigh, he muttered, "Blood cloud. An old hemomancy spell used by vampires to shield themselves from sunlight. It takes a lot of magicka to maintain, but with four of them…"
He trailed off, contemplating the best way to deal with the encroaching threat while conserving his own strength. Each second was a gamble; the last thing he wanted was to get drawn into a prolonged battle with these creatures.
Isran, however, didn't seem inclined to strategize. "There's no need to overthink it," he said, his voice steady as he retrieved his war hammer from his back. The weapon gleamed ominously in the fading light, and Erik could see the determination etched on Isran's face.
He raised the hammer high above his head, channeling magicka into it. A brilliant golden glow enveloped the hammer's head, radiating warmth that contrasted sharply with the chilling mist.
With a forceful grunt, Isran brought the hammer crashing down against the ground. The impact sent shockwaves of golden energy rippling through the air, shattering the blood cloud like fragile glass.
The vampires were suddenly exposed to the sun, and their high-pitched shrieks pierced the air as they covered their eyes, their pale skin sizzling in the light.
Erik raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. This was a spell even he didn't know. The old necromancer had studied all manner of magics—hemomancy, necromancy, and even the most obscure traditions—but he had little interest in specialized spells meant solely for combating vampires. "That's quite handy," he said, unsheathing Wyrmspire.
The staff transformed into a sword with his action, revealing the meteoric iron blade hidden within, gleaming wickedly in the sunlight.
Isran shot him a skeptical look. "Isn't that an unfinished product?"
Erik chuckled, a dark thrill coursing through him at the thought of what lay ahead. "It still lacks enchantments, true. But the blade is sharp and solid—more than adequate to lob off the heads of some weakened vampires."
As the shrieks subsided, Erik tightened his grip on Wyrmspire's hilt, adrenaline coursing through him. He dashed toward the nearest vampire, his heart pounding with the thrill of battle. The vampire, a gaunt figure with sunken cheeks, squinted against the sunlight, his red eyes narrowing as he raised a hand. A blood spike formed ominously on his palm, glistening with dark intent.
Before Erik could close the distance, the vampire unleashed the projectile with startling speed. Instinctively, Erik summoned a shimmering barrier of lesser ward magic around his free hand, slapping the blood spike aside just in time. The spike flew past him, embedding itself harmlessly into the ground with a dull thud.
Seizing the moment, Erik countered with a spell of his own. Two small embers flickered into existence around his palm, glowing like miniature stars. With a determined push, he sent them flying straight at the vampire's face. The embers exploded on impact, a burst of fiery light blinding the creature momentarily.
The vampire shrieked, clawing at his scorched face, and Erik wasted no time. He surged forward, Wyrmspire cleaving through the air with deadly precision. With a single swing of the blade, he severed the vampire's head, the body turning to ash before it could even touch the ground.
A surge of triumph washed over Erik, but it was fleeting.
A chill crept down his spine, a primal instinct warning him of danger. He spun around just as another vampire lunged at him, claws outstretched and teeth bared. The steel of his blade met the claws with a sharp clang, sending vibrations up his arm.
The new vampire's eyes glowed like embers in the darkness, a chilling gaze that could freeze the blood in one's veins. "You may have killed one of us," he hissed, his voice a low growl, "but don't think it will go so easily now that I'm accustomed to the sunlight. I will suck your blood dry and raise you as an undead puppet."
Erik couldn't help but chuckle, the sound echoing in the chaos around them. "To think that a mere vampire would threaten to turn me, me of all people, into an undead," he replied, shaking his head in mock disbelief.
With a flick of his wrist, Erik conjured a small fireball in his palm, ready to unleash it. But the vampire was quick, his body transforming into a blur as he dodged Erik's attack. The fireball exploded harmlessly against the ground, sending up a spray of dirt and ash.
"Is that all you've got?" the vampire taunted, his voice laced with derision. He lunged again, this time with a flurry of strikes aimed at Erik's torso. Erik parried with Wyrmspire, the blade singing as it met the vampire's claws, sparks flying as the two engaged in a deadly dance.
Despite Erik's remarkable skill and unnatural speed in casting spells, the vampire proved to be faster and stronger, circling him like a predator sizing up its prey. With each lunge and retreat, the creature exploited its physical superiority, striking at Erik's blind spots and darting away just as he attempted to retaliate.
Erik's reflexes were sharp, honed through memories of countless battles, but the relentless dance was beginning to wear on him.
Glancing over at Isran, Erik felt a pang of concern. Isran was locked in combat with the two remaining vampires, his war hammer a blur as he swung it with fierce precision. Though he was holding his own, the tides of battle could shift at any moment, and Erik knew he needed to act quickly.
Just then, the vampire seized on Erik's momentary distraction, lunging at him with lethal intent. Erik had anticipated this, however, and he quickly cast a stoneflesh alteration spell. As the vampire's claws struck, they ricocheted off Erik's ebony mail with a metallic clang, leaving him unscathed.
With a fierce determination, Erik countered, swinging Wyrmspire in a graceful arc. The blade bit into the vampire's chest, leaving a deep gash that spilled dark crimson blood onto the ground. But it wasn't enough; the vampire's speed saved him once again, allowing him to leap back and evade a more fatal blow.
Wincing, the vampire pressed a hand to his wound, smearing blood across his pale skin. He raised the blood-covered hand to his mouth, licking it clean with a twisted grin. "I'll admit, you're quite skilled," he said, his voice a mocking drawl. "But you are no match for a noble vampire of the Volkihar clan."
The words dripped with arrogance, and Erik felt a flicker of irritation spark within him. The vampire continued, shaking the blood from his hand as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"Soon enough, the sun will set, and you'll be nothing more than prey. All I have to do is waste time until then..." His grin widened, revealing elongated fangs that gleamed in the harsh sunlight.
Erik frowned at the vampire's taunting words. The vampire was even stronger than Movarth, and he couldn't see a way to beat him quickly without summoning Surtr and Helrath.
Not far away, Geri seemed thoroughly entertained, the daedric mutt watching with keen interest, his tail wagging as if this violent spectacle was just a game. He clearly wasn't in a helping mood.
With a resigned sigh, Erik reached into his cloak and pulled forth a familiar green mask he had stored away in Snowhawk Fortress. Rahgot's mask materialized in his hands, its surface gleaming ominously in the fading light.
He leisurely placed it over his face, muttering, "I really didn't want to use this thing because of its stench..." The words trailed off as vitality surged through his veins, the mask's power infusing him with newfound energy.
As the mask settled into place, Erik felt an exhilarating rush. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his heartbeat echoed in his ears like a war drum. In the game, Rahgot's mask had merely boosted stamina, but here, in the unpredictable chaos of reality, its effects were magnified. The mask not only provided inexhaustible stamina; it strengthened his body, enhancing his speed, strength, and durability beyond his normal limits.
The vampire snarled, his glowing red eyes narrowing in contempt. "You think that mask will save you?" it hissed, its voice a low growl that promised malice.
"I don't need saving," Erik retorted, his voice steady. "I just need you to die quickly before the awdful smell gets stuck in my nose..."
With a sudden burst of speed, Erik charged forward, feeling the mask's power coursing through him. The vampire lunged, claws poised to strike, but Erik was quicker. He sidestepped the attack, his body moving like a coiled spring. As the vampire staggered, he swung Wyrmspire with precision, the blade cleaving through the air with a lethal grace.
The vampire's reflexes were impressive, but the mask amplified Erik's own speed, allowing him to overwhelm his foe. Erik's blade met flesh with a wet, satisfying sound, slicing deep into the vampire's side.
The creature roared in pain, but Erik didn't relent; he followed through, his momentum carrying him forward. With one fluid motion, he twisted and brought the sword down again, this time splitting the vampire in two. Ash rained down as the body disintegrated before it could hit the ground, leaving nothing but a faint wisp of darkness behind.
Erik barely had time to revel in his victory before he caught sight of Isran, still battling against the remaining vampires. Erik's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation; one of the vampires was lunging at Isran from behind, claws poised to strike. Without hesitation, Erik dashed toward the skirmish, his heart pounding with purpose.
The vampire had its back turned, too focused on Isran to notice Erik approaching. With a powerful thrust, Erik aimed Wyrmspire straight into the vampire's back, the blade plunging deep. The creature let out a choked gasp, its eyes widening in disbelief before it crumpled to the ground, reduced to ash in mere moments.
Isran turned, his war hammer raised, and nodded in approval, a grim smile crossing his face. "Nice work," he said, then glanced over the battlefield to assess their situation. "Only one left."
"Let's see if we can get some information out of him," Erik said, moving toward the last vampire, who was cornered and struggling against Isran's hammer.
The final vampire, seeing his situation was dire, growled defiantly. "You think I'll tell you anything?" he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You're just delaying the inevitable!"
Erik knelt beside the vampire, lowering his weapon slightly. "You might be surprised," he said calmly. "Tell us what you know about the vampire activity in Hjalmarch, and maybe I can let you die in—"
Before he could finish, Isran lunged forward, his hammer crashing down in a swift arc. The vampire's protest turned into a strangled scream as Isran's war hammer crushed its head like a ripe melon.
Erik flinched, a mix of disbelief and frustration surging through him. "We could have received some valuable intel from him!" He exclaimed, his voice rising in exasperation.
Isran grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Whatever the vampires are planning, we'll figure it out sooner or later. These bastards never speak when you best them... they're only talkative when they think they have the advantage... arrogant vermin."
Erik shook his head, trying to suppress his irritation. "Maybe, but we could have gained a real advantage by knowing their intentions."
"Advantage?" Isran replied, raising an eyebrow. "We're not here to gather intel; we're here to eliminate a threat. Don't lose sight of that."
With a frustrated sigh, Erik stepped back, taking a moment to compose himself. The sun was nearly gone, and the shadows lengthened ominously around them. "Fine, let's just get to Morthal," he said, turning to mount his horse.
As they prepared to leave, Geri trotted up, his tongue lolling out in a goofy grin, as if he'd just watched the greatest show of his life. Erik couldn't help but chuckle, despite the tension lingering in the air. "You enjoyed that, didn't you, you lazy little mutt?" he asked the daedric mutt, who wagged his tail in response.
The trio mounted their horses, the echoes of the battle fading into the cool evening air. Erik cast one last glance over the battlefield, where ash and remnants of the vampires mingled with the dirt. The encounter had been fierce, but they had emerged victorious. For now.
Isran led the way, his demeanor serious as he focused on the road ahead. "Stay alert," he warned, glancing back at Erik. "We don't know how many more of them are lurking in these woods."
Erik nodded, the earlier adrenaline still coursing through him, making him feel alive. "I'll keep my eyes peeled," he replied, his voice steady. "But I have to admit, that was fun."
"You have a strange definition of fun," Isran said, a hint of amusement breaking through his stern facade. "But I suppose that's why we're in this mess together."
As they rode, the last vestiges of sunlight slipped beyond the horizon, casting the world into shadow. Erik felt a growing tension in the air, an unspoken sense of foreboding. The vampire threat loomed larger than ever, and he knew that their journey to Morthal would be fraught with danger.
But for now, they had a goal.
...
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