When Dawn Breaks (Part II)

Dear Kiya,

Is that... Azura's Star? By the gods, I did not think it would be possible for anyone to retrieve a legendary artifact such as that, but as I think about it more, a lot of things that would otherwise be impossible have happened in our presence. (Not in my life would I think it possible for me to be beheaded in a chopping block!) I know you'll be careful with it, as it will be one of the things that will help us along the way to defeating the vampire threat. 

After writing my previous letter, I immediately delved inside Meridia's temple, not wanting the Daedra to wait. I felt a strange presence, one so dark, fearsome, and strong that the whole temple was emanating with it. Other adventurers died with just the first step inside, instantaneously defiling their bodies with the dark taint. Thankfully, I am not affected by this taint, and it is my duty to remove it from this holy place.

Who expels this much noxious gas?

I came upon a room with a spherical orb of light in the middle. I crept slowly towards it, fearing it might be something that could kill me in an instant, and I saw it was... connected to other orbs like it. It must be some kind of path for me to follow set by Meridia to lead me towards Malkoran. Once every few rooms, after fighting corrupted shades and draugr, I had to activate those orbs of light myself.

Follow the light.

This Malkoran must be one master of the arcane, as I do not know of any spell that can summon these Corrupted Shades. By the looks of it, his evil might have corrupted his summoned creatures and turned them into these vile shadow-warriors. I just had to get to him at once. This kind of evil, along with the vampires, must be defeated by all means. We cannot let them take over Skyrim, let alone one sacred temple. Thus, I am glad you will not be bringing it to Nelacar, as this will only bring more suffering. 

Mage expels noxious gas, turns them to shades... I am afraid of getting near them.

After several rooms filled with shades and walking dead, Meridia's light led me to this door, outside the temple. This must be where Malkoran is hiding, guarded by his shades and corrupting everything near him. His evil had reached the entrance to the temple from this far place. Such is his power. I felt afraid for a moment, fearing that his magic will be enough to kill me. I opened the door and found Malkoran at the center of the room, with his numerous shades.

Looks like a gathering of the dead. And will-be-dead.

I immediately used my potions to ready myself and my weapon for my attack. I charged towards him while his back was turned for a surprise strike. Just right after he was able to use a stone-skin and a ward to protect himself, I slashed him down, the ward protected him from further harm. He got paralyzed from my poison, and it only took a few more hacks at the stone-skin to get to his defenseless body and kill him. It was done.

Sorry Malkoran, you should have defiled some other temple.

Meridia spoke again, beckoning me to take the Dawnbreaker. As I did, I was lifted up to the air and came face-to-face with Meridia again. She was pleased, and asked me to fight the undead in her name. I readily accepted my fate as her champion, and she brought me down to the ground again.

She could have just shown me the way, being an orb of light herself.

And here is the majestic Dawnbreaker. I vow to use this to aid you in our fight against the vampires. I believe they are undead too, and thus this sword will prove useful. As will your Star.

Perfect when you need to be sneaky.

Safe travels, 

Kousei