Chapter Text
Magnus gazes down at the sleeping woman on the bed. The man beside her wraps an arm around her pregnant belly, drawing her closer. Magnus shifts his focus to Akatosh, standing on the other side.
“Are you certain you want this tiny human to be your Champion? I have no issue with her being female, but she’ll grow up, shorter than most Nord women.”
Akatosh nods. “She has the blood of heroes in her veins. I am sure of it.” He taps his finger against his palm, and time comes to a halt.
A thin beam of light extends from Magnus’ hand, drifting toward the woman’s swollen belly, slowly penetrating her skin.
Akatosh then slices into his chest, and blood streams from his heart, merging with the beam of light. The two Aedra watch as the last drop of blood enters the womb.
Magnus closes his hand. “It is done.”
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The man wakes to find the boy’s bedroll empty. He opens the tent flap to search for him. The boy’s small frame stands like a dark statue against the light of early dawn, the only sign of life being the wisps of vapour escaping his lips. The man drapes his cloak over the boy’s narrow shoulders and stands beside him, both staring toward Windhelm.
“Did you hear something?” the man asks.
The boy tilts his head, glancing up at the tall figure beside him, his crimson eyes gleaming in the first rays of sunlight spilling over the Velothi Mountains. Only seven days have passed since his Fifth Name Day, but the boy is bright and strong for his age.
“No, but I dreamt of a baby crying. A girl with hair as white as snow and strange orange eyes. She had dragon scales on her back, the mark of Akatosh.” The boy squeezes the man’s large hand. “We need to start my training. She will need my protection one day.”
The man turns back toward the camp and blows softly on the glowing embers of the fire. They will need strength for the long road to High Rock.