Viserys is shoved away from the Ice Storm, and subsequently gets a look at its effects on Awkeff.
"Awkeff!"
Without a moment to spare, he rushes in front of his wife to take the remainder of Farandare's attack, snarling in pain as the icy assault batters Sapphire Starlight's armor.
"Argh... Nobody else is going to die just to satisfy your bloodlust and pettiness, you sadistic bitch! Yol... Toor Shul!"
With that Shout, he unleashes a massive burst of fire at the Scarlet Scourge.
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Feb 29th 2020 at 4:15:38 AM
Farandare remains hidden in the storm, and the burst of fire goes hopelessly astray.
"Are you just about done with your last goodbyes yet? No? Too bad for you, I do not give a skeever's tail! Die!"
"Not so fast! LAAS YAH NIR, YOU SLIMY CHAURUS LOVER!"
Another ice spike is launched at Viserys as he is perched over Awkeff's broken form, but it never reaches. Instead, it connects with the jet-black armor of Lady End as she interposes herself between them and the projectile, which shatters harmlessly upon her magic barrier, before launching herself at Farandare, now illuminated for her in a red outline!
"Always too clever by half... but not clever enough to realize how much that is NOT going to help you!" shouts Farandare as she abandons stealth to instead unleash her signature stream of icicles at her sister, hoping the excessive amounts of projectiles will be enough to overpower her absorption field.
"YOU GOT VAMPIRES INTO THIS MESS! IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT THE CLAN GOT WIPED OUT! THIS IS ALL BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO PLAY GOD!"
"WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE HAD US DO?! HIDE IN THE SHADOWS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT FIT TO LICK THE DIRT OF OUR BOOTS? HAVE SOME DAMN DIGNITY, BIG SISTER! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"Over here..." a faint voice calls out while Enda and Farandare are busy with their sisterly quarrel. It's Alleria, wounded, but still alive.
!Farandare's Spell Slots: 0/30!
Edited by Arachnos on Jul 14th 2020 at 11:57:00 AM
As Sapphire Starlight's armor fades away, the bloodied and beaten Viserys makes his way over to Alleria and Awkeff, leaning against the Infinity Sword as he keeps an eye on the clash between Enda and Farandare.
Once he was certain that their enemy was otherwise preoccupied, he casts a quick healing spell on Awkeff.
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Feb 29th 2020 at 4:44:01 AM
Alleria downs the potion, giving her some energy back. A golden flash surrounds the three of them, fully restoring all their health.
It is at this point that Farandare realizes what has happened. Her gaze flitters from the group, to Lady End, back to the group, to End again.
The eldest sister of the Vampire Trio removes Zahkriisos revealing a gaunt, emaciated face framed by dark hair - one that might once have been beautiful, and gives Farandare a slow, deliberate wink before putting the mask back on.
"No. No. No no no no no! This... I had... I almost... IT WAS RIGHT THERE IN THE PALM OF MY HAND! I HAD VICTORY RIGHT THERE AND BECAUSE OF YOU... ALL BECAUSE OF YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU ALL! IF ICE DID NOT END YOU, THEN BE PURGED IN FLAMES! BURN! BURN ON THE PYRE OF LAMAE BAL!"
An all-consuming, screeching whirlwind of blazing blood and bats
, centered on Farandare, begins utterly razing everything that's left of the castle. Its power is inferior to that of Farandare's ice spells, but nothing to scoff at nonetheless (especially since Alleria had not planned to be dealing with fire and enchanted their armor in consequence), and its massive range ensures that no one is safe.
Viserys in particular will be fairly unthreatened due to the Infinity Sword's fire resistance, which is why Farandare immediately unleashes a swarm of bats on him in particular. They will attempt to drain him dry of blood in seconds, simultaneously feeding Farandare.
!Farandare's Spell Slots: 0/30!
Edited by Arachnos on Feb 29th 2020 at 7:47:09 AM
"I've had enough."
Rising up, Awkeff casts Grand Healing to bolster Viserys' vitality, and stands firm against the whirlwind of destruction. Just as Shara is weak to ice, so too is it resistant to fire.
Until her Everwyrm's Song runs out, but by then she's endured the worst of it. She steps to the side while using Tenebrae's horizontal power attack, carving a slash in space which splinters and shatters into a barrage of prism-like shards flying at Farandare.
Edited by KiriK on Feb 29th 2020 at 6:52:28 AM
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.""Mul... Quh Diiv!"
Activating his Dragon Aspect, the fully rejuvenated Viserys begins hacking and slashing away at the oncoming bats. When they threaten to overwhelm him, however, he strikes the ground hard with the Infinity Sword, resulting in a massive explosion of fire detonating around him and threatening to engulf the bloodsucking swarm.
"Your reign of terror is at an end, Farandare!"
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Feb 29th 2020 at 4:56:08 AM
Farandare is overwhelmed by the onslaught and blasted into a wall. Unfortunately, Enda, being a vampire and as such weak to fire, is seemingly overwhelmed by her own fire-blood tornado, and forced to retreat lest she quickly be reduced to ashes.
"Nice try," Farandare says as she stands up and gazes at them from the heart of the burning storm. "Unfortunately for you, I'll be wrapping this up now. First of all..." Her hands glow golden as she prepares to heal herself.
?Farandare's Spell Slots: 0/30?
The Restoration energy washes over Farandare, mending her wounds as it had earlier done for the group. But something is wrong.
???Farandare's Spell Slots: -1/30???
The vampire queen suddenly starts coughing up some blood, some of it her own tainted filth, some of it that which she has consumed from others. It's less than the health she's restored by the spell... but it's definitely damage! Damage that wasn't inflicted on her by any member of the group! The horrified expression in her eyes makes it clear that in the heat of the battle, she had completely lost track of the number of spells she used!
"It's the Life Tap!" Alleria exclaims triumphantly. "Farandare has exhausted her spells! Every time she casts, she will wreck her organism more and more at an unsustainable rate!"
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!" screams the vampire ruler, once again losing her cool. She creates a new Frozen Orb and once again lobs it at the party, trying to wipe them all out in a single attack again. She then doubles over, coughing up even more blood and in obvious pain!
Farandare's Spell Slots: -2/30 (Life Tap)
Edited by Arachnos on Feb 29th 2020 at 8:11:05 AM
Awkeff chugs a potion of resist frost. "That's enough," she repeats, less annoyed and more with a tone of finality to it.
There's a BWRRK sound effect, like a bass-boosted heartbeat, as ethereal red light in the shape of daedric-like armor enshrouds her, making her look utterly demonic. Given Awkeff has never suggested for even a moment that she possesses such a transformation, this should give even Viserys pause.
She raises Tenebrae over her head, charges through the icy death, and strikes with a blow that, if successful, will drive Farandare down on one knee, regardless of how hard it hits.
Edited by KiriK on Feb 29th 2020 at 7:24:20 AM
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.""By the Nine!"
Briefly taken aback by Awkeff's new transformation, Viserys makes a mental note to ask her about it once all was said and done. Once the initial shock has worn off, he launches a blast of fire at the Frozen Orb via a horizontal power attack before moving in to slash at Farandare with the Infinity Sword.
"Don't be mad at me for hiding this trump card, Viserys, but... I believe I did tell you about it some time ago."
Awkeff smirks and sheathes Tenebrae. As she speaks, the loud heartbeat-like sound continues to echo out behind her voice.
"Your luck has run out, you self-absorbed, self-serving, hypocritical, deceitful, megalomaniacal, generalizing, genocidal, wretched, disgusting, stereotypically-vampiric shitstain."
She reaches down and grabs the prone Farandare by the neck with her right hand, lifting her up into the air.
"I should have done this the moment we crossed paths for the first time."
With that, Awkeff plunges her left hand into Farandare's chest and rips out the Scarlet Scourge's heart, which promptly crumbles to dust in her hand. To add insult to injury, she drops Farandare and proceeds to blow the dust in her face.
As her demonic aura fades, her smirk turns into a wicked, toothy grin. "While you can still draw breath, I suggest you follow your own advice... and yield to the winning side."
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.""...Really? You'll have to refresh my memory after this, Fahliil Lokaliin, because I do not remember you ever mentioning this ability before."
Offering Awkeff a proud smile nonetheless, Viserys proceeds to aim the Infinity Sword's fiery blade at Farandare's throat.
"What my wife said," he remarks.
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Feb 29th 2020 at 5:48:47 AM
Farandare can only watch in horror as Awkeff tears out a shriveled, blackened organ she has lost use of long ago. A fountain of blood spurts from the wound as Farandare seems to shrivel into a near husk-like state. There is no doubt about it - she is drained dry of blood!
It might have been the end of her right then and there, but the evil sovereign still has a trick up her sleeve. Her dark robes come alive with power and unleash a blast of concussive deathly energy that unavoidably launches everyone in the vicinity into the air!
It buys her but a moment, but a moment is all she needs. Within that instant, she once again assumes the form of the Vampire Lord and transforms into black mist that slithers away from the battlefield. A moment later, they can see her winged silhouette on the lake, trying to escape as fast as her shriveled vestigial wings will carry her.
—
"She got away... I'm afraid I lack the means to pursue her. But you two... your winged forms should allow you to catch up with her! She is weak. With a little care, you can finish her without my help. Please do not let her find some hole to crawl into and recover. We will never have an opportunity like this again. Just this one last thing... you can have everything she's wearing and wielding, too. I will not miss seeing any of it."
"As much as I wanted to have her head on my swords, I am afraid I'll have to stay out of this one, too. My Vampire Lord form is nothing compared to hers, and besides, I was nearly disintegrated by her damn Lamae's Pyre. Please tear her apart for me, alright? After everything, I think I can count on you guys not to disappoint me."
—
This is not over yet. If she can simply find some cave to rest in, maybe butcher a small village in the dead of night... she can still recover. Rebuild her power base, maybe have some slaves rebuild Volkihar Castle as good as new. It was well due for some repairs anyways. And then... and then... she will not fall into the same traps again. She will have revenge. Delicious revenge, cold as the grave, sweet as blood.
But will anyone allow her to escape?
~~ANTHEM FOR THE TRUE DRAGONBORN~~
Edited by Arachnos on Feb 29th 2020 at 9:04:59 AM
After that is all done with, Awkeff smiles at Farandare's sisters. "That sword is all I want. It seems linked to ours in some way. Everything else she owns deserves to burn in Oblivion with her."
She lets loose a shout of "Mul... Qah Diiv!" manifesting her modified Dragon Aspect, then passes a Dragon Wings potion to Viserys.
"We finish this. Together. No escape."
With that, she takes flight, pursuing Farandare across Skyrim.
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."Once all is said and done, Viserys nods to Enda and Alleria.
"As Talos is my witness, this day will end with Farandare rotting in Oblivion. No longer will the people of Tamriel have to live in fear of that monster."
He accepts the Dragon Wings potion from Awkeff, then downs it in a single gulp.
"I couldn't agree more, Fahliil Lokaliin."
He then proceeds to fly after his wife in search of Farandare.
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Feb 29th 2020 at 6:10:07 AM
Behind them, the blazing last vestiges of the ancient Castle Volkihar, damaged beyond any hope of repair when they were caught in Lamae's Pyre, start collapsing into burning rubble.
Before them, the mountainous Haafingar shore and the normally dark and moody Sea of Ghosts, now reflecting the beautiful lights of the sword-warped sky.
It does not take them long to find her, a small silhouette floating above the shining waters. Unlike theirs, her vestigial wings do not allow true flight. Nor will they allow her to escape.
It seems she realizes this, as a sweeping stream of blood bolts is launched at them. However, at this distance they are woefully inaccurate and even if they were, they've experienced them first hand already, in the underground Colosseum. They're formidable of their own right, but absolutely nothing compared to the powers of ice and lightning wielded by her true form. After everything, such paltry things will not repel them. Not in a thousand years.
Awkeff slices away at any blood bolts that come near her, then swoops down towards Farandare, coasting behind her rather than attacking.
"So, Farandare. I caught word of what you tried to tempt my husband with. Immortal romance - isn't that cute? But guess what we did instead - the exact opposite!"
She laughs mockingly before launching a sword beam. It's clear at this point that all the rage and stress and fear she's felt across her journey is all being let out in one massive burst directed at Farandare specifically.
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.""The exact opposite... you cannot possibly mean..!" Farandare begins as she is engulfed in the beam of light and the thunder. Screaming in pain she summons a pair of gargoyles at her sides, more to serve as meat shields than anything else. She then begins channeling an ability that slowly causes mounting pain to everyone in the vicinity, at the risk of gruesomely turning them inside-out if left uninterrupted for too long.
When Awkeff feels the pain, she hangs back and waits until she's out of its radius.
"That's right! We made my own lifespan shorter instead! We'll still live just as long as each other, but not under your terms!"
She sucks in her chest and exhales an explosive burst of flame at Farandare's gargoyles.
Edited by KiriK on Feb 29th 2020 at 8:36:34 AM
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."The gargoyles throw themselves in the path of the attacks.
"You... you... YOU DAMN FOOLS! I was giving you the WORLD, and you refused it! I was giving you immortality, and you... you have chosen death! You SQUANDERED the gifts I was kind enough to offer you!"
For a moment, her voice loses its hysterical edge. Instead, it becomes quiet and seeping with venom. "Hear me, Awkeff. You will regret your actions on this day, for a curse now lies upon you, a curse you bestowed upon yourself. Not with magic, not with the Thuum. You are forever cursed with a mortal's helplessness, knowing that one day, death will come for you, and you will not be ready. On that day, you will regret spurning me. You will cry out for salvation, and when it does not come, Awkeff, you will remember my name! YOU WILL SCREAM OUT MY NAME, YOU WILL BEG FOR ME TO SAVE YOU FROM DEATH, BUT I WILL NOT BE THERE! YOU WILL REGRET THIS!"
Edited by Arachnos on Feb 29th 2020 at 9:52:50 AM
Awkeff's expression turns dead serious.
"I have many regrets, but my destiny - the series of actions that brought me here - is not one of them. Time to square up or shut up, Farandare."
She bursts forward with increased speed, plasma crackling between her fingertips as she prepares her ultimate spell.
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."

Awkeff becomes tangible again and promptly attempts to shove Viserys away from the Ice Storm.
Shara Ishvalda is weak to ice, and so is her Shout-formed armor based on it.
She cries out in pain and falls to all fours as it batters her.
"S-so... you're throwing a tantrum now. Because we wolves weren't willing to die like sheep, you're just upset that you don't have your way. How very 'heroic' and 'queenly' of you." Awkeff spits on the ruined floor.
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."