The shock of Alduin's roar sent the executioner tumbling. Choi Ha-neul saw the opening and scrambled to her feet.
"Hey, Pointy-ears! This is a gift from the gods! Run!"
Ralof grabbed Ha-neul's wrist and practically dragged her away.
Everything after that was a story we all knew.
She managed to escape Helgen with Ralof and reached Riverwood. After staying at Gerdur's house, weeping over her miserable situation for quite a while, she pulled herself together and followed the main quest in hopes of finding a way home.
That was how she eventually ran into me at that ancient barrow.
The most important detail, however, was that unlike me, she only saw the Main Quest window, and it didn't provide any specific completion rewards. She was simply growing stronger at a terrifying rate thanks to the innate traits she'd possessed as the Dragonborn from the start.
**
"So, that's how it happened."
"Ugh... I think I'm going to cry just thinking about it again."
Recalling her past struggles made Ha-neul look physically pained.
"Chin up. You've got a reliable supporter here now, don't you?"
"You're a bit weak, though. That's the only flaw."
"Excuse me?"
"Hehe, just kidding, Mister."
Seeing her brighten up so quickly was a relief. At least her mental state was resilient.
Eventually, our party arrived in Ivarstead, the village that sat at the base of the steps leading to High Hrothgar. Since there were an absurd number of steps ahead, we decided to leave the horses behind and proceed on foot.
"I wonder if we can even make it up there today..."
Eloise murmured, staring up at the snow-capped peak where High Hrothgar loomed. While her magical talent was exceptional, her physical stamina was worse than an average civilian's. Her face turned pale at the sight of the endless stairway.
Of course, there was no fast travel in this world. Having to manually hike up these steps every single time was going to be a nightmare.
But there was no other way. We started the climb without another word. Around the halfway point of the mountain, a Frost Troll appeared.
"Oh, finally, a monster!"
Eloise, who had been getting bored of the monotonous climb, actually looked excited. To her, this probably felt like the heroic adventure she'd always dreamed of.
Sure, Frost Trolls were notoriously dangerous, but with four of us, I didn't think it would be a problem.
I hung back and notched an arrow while Lydia and Ha-neul drew their weapons to hold the front line. Eloise cast 'Courage,' a basic Alteration spell, to buff the three of us.
I immediately aimed for the troll's head and let fly. However, the arrow simply bounced off its thick, matted hide without penetrating.
Ha-neul followed up with a Firebolt. Since it was a Frost Troll, the fire magic was highly effective.
"Gwaaargh!"
Seizing the moment Ha-neul's magic broke the troll's stance, Lydia lunged forward and buried her sword in the beast's neck.
It wasn't a killing blow due to the creature's massive health pool, but if we kept this up, the troll's HP would be gone in no time. The difficulty of the adventure had plummeted now that we had a properly balanced four-man party.
The troll tried to swing at Lydia, who was closest, but its mindless, heavy-handed punch was easily deflected by her shield. Then came another onslaught of fire, stabs, and arrows.
"GRRAAAARRGH!!"
Deciding the fire was the most annoying threat, the troll lunged at Ha-neul. But Ha-neul wasn't just a squishy mage; she was a woman built for close-quarters combat.
She instantly pulled out her axe, blocked the troll's fist, and countered. She hacked into the troll's arm, and sparks erupted from the site of the impact.
"SCREEEEE!"
The weapon she held wasn't a simple iron tool; it was the Axe of Whiterun, enchanted with Shock damage.
Lydia slashed at the crippled troll one more time, and Ha-neul finished it off as its health hit rock bottom. Any fatigue or minor scratches from the fight were immediately mended by Eloise's healing spells.
It even seemed to restore stamina. Perhaps it was related to the game perk where healing also restores energy.
'Wow. A proper team makes even a Frost Troll look like a joke.'
Memories of my desperate, bloody struggles alongside Ha-neul in the beginning flashed through my mind. We wouldn't have to suffer like that anymore.
"Mister, there's something written on this stone!"
Ha-neul shouted, pointing at a marker on the path. It contained a truly 'despairing' piece of information.
"3,000? What does that mean?" Lydia asked.
Eloise, having realized the truth, spoke up with a deathly pale face. "Doesn't that mean... we have 3,000 steps left?"
"..."
Everyone fell silent. Even the normally optimistic Ha-neul looked grim.
'God-fucking-dammit...'
I cursed inwardly.
In any case, we hiked diligently until sunset, finally reaching the summit where High Hrothgar stood.
"We're finally here!!"
Ha-neul cheered with genuine joy. Honestly, the rest of us felt the same. Since her healing also replenished stamina, Eloise—our resident healer—had suffered the most. I never imagined she'd have to use her spells just to help us survive a walk up some stairs rather than a battle.
Eloise had actually collapsed from Magicka exhaustion when we had 1,000 steps left. She only made it the rest of the way by being carried on the back of a skeleton I'd summoned. Even the high-stamina Lydia looked completely drained.
I never thought about this while playing the game, but why on earth did they build High Hrothgar in a place like this?
I knocked on the heavy doors and yelled, "Is anyone there!?"
The mountain wind was howling, so I had to shout as loud as possible to be heard.
'I hope these old men aren't hard of hearing.'
Just as I was about to knock again after getting no response, the doors swung open on their own.
—Wooooooooh.
A hollow wind echoed from within the monastery. We slowly stepped inside through the open doors.
Not just the exterior, but the entire interior was constructed of ancient stone. Braziers and altars were positioned to light the dark hallways, creating a mystical atmosphere. Eventually, we found four Greybeards gathered in a circle in the center of the hall. Speaking for the group, Arngeir welcomed us.
"Welcome, Dovahkiin, and her comrades. You have worked hard to reach this high peak."
Ha-neul replied to Arngeir's greeting. "Why did you summon me?"
"Before that, may we hear your Thu'um?"
At his request, Ha-neul took a deep breath—
"Fus!"
She unleashed her Shout toward the ceiling. I remember aiming mine right at the old men back in the game.
"So, a Dragonborn appears in this age of upheaval..."
Arngeir murmured softly. Once she had proven her identity, he moved on to the main point.
"Dragonborn...?"
"Yes. You are a hero who has received the blessing of Akatosh, carrying the blood and soul of a dragon."
He went on to explain the nature of a Dragonborn's power and the Greybeards' role. "We have served the Dovahkiin line for generations. Therefore, we shall teach you the second word of 'Unrelenting Force'."
A Shout consists of three words, and the power amplifies as more words are gathered.
"Ro..."
Arngeir whispered a gentle Shout toward the floor. The sound, drastically dampened in power, etched a glowing red rune into the stone. The character shone briefly before transforming into a mystical aura that flowed into Ha-neul.
"Whoa..."
Ha-neul marvelled as the orange aura was absorbed into her body.
"I have gifted you the second word, Ro (Balance). Now, demonstrate it against a target."
—Fiik Ro Sah!
The Greybeards summoned a ghostly apparition in the center of the temple, and Ha-neul struck it perfectly with her Shout.
"Remarkable talent. Follow me. Master Borri will teach you another Thu'um."
We all followed Arngeir to the courtyard of High Hrothgar.
"Ugh... It's so cold."
Eloise decided to wait inside the temple because the outside was too freezing. Since the courtyard received no direct sunlight and the mountain winds were fierce, her reaction was understandable.
As Master Borri was etching another Shout into the ground, Arngeir spoke to us.
"To be honest, I am somewhat surprised. I did not realize you were the Dovahkiin until I felt your presence."
It made sense for him to think that. Just by looking at her, Ha-neul seemed far removed from the image of a rugged warrior. Of course, she was actually incredibly strong. Personally, I thought Lydia was currently the strongest in the party, followed closely by Ha-neul. Regardless, the Dragonborn was going to grow at a staggering pace from now on.
"Wuld Nah Kest!"
The iron gate in the courtyard opened, and Borri demonstrated Whirlwind Sprint.
"That's so cool!"
Watching him zip through the gate before it could slam shut left Ha-neul in awe. Whirlwind Sprint was mostly useless in the game, but I wasn't so sure about its utility in this reality. It certainly looked impressive, though.
Ha-neul, having received the knowledge, attempted the same.
"Wuld!"
Though her version was weaker than Borri's three-word Shout, she successfully cut through the blizzard at high speed.
"Splendid... It has been a long time since I have seen a Dovahkiin with such talent."
"A long time? Are there other Dragonborn besides me?" Ha-neul asked, spurred by his compliment on her learning speed.
"Indeed. Since Akatosh first bestowed the dragon's blessing upon mortals, many have carried that bloodline. However, whether you are the only Dragonborn alive today... that, we do not know."
"Oh..."
With the training finished, Arngeir gave us—well, specifically Ha-neul—her next task.
"Now, only the final trial remains for you."
As everyone likely guessed, it was to retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller.
"The horn rests in the depths of Ustengrav. I believe you will succeed."
Of course, knowing the original story, I already knew a way to clear this quest with zero effort.
"May the grace of the Divines be with you."
"We'll be back!"
Ha-neul and the rest of us bowed to the Greybeards and left High Hrothgar. Now, the only thing left was to climb back down all 7,000 of those hellish steps.