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Description

Created for the June 2020 contest: Sword Maidens. UPDATE: I’m very pleased and honored to note here that this entry finished third in the contest!

Although the image stands alone, the following vignette was inspired by Skyrim (and the character on the left was inspired by Lydia but isn’t intended to be an exact replica).

--
    “Keep going, Lydia! I can’t run any further on this ankle, but you can still make it out if you hurry. They’re almost here, and that door won’t hold for long. Run!”
    “And let you go to Sovngarde without me? Then who would be there to carry your burdens?”
    The door behind them started to thump and shake from repeated blows.
    “Lydia, now is not the time… I will hold off as many as I can, but the noise will wake more of them and the path ahead won’t be clear for long. You have done your duty and served me well, but you can’t save me now. Now obey me one last time and go!”
    Lydia closed and barred the door ahead. “No, my Thane. As I’ve told you many times before, I am your sword and your shield. For me to leave this crypt without you is as impossible as it would be for the blade in your hand.”
    A cacophony of growls, shouts, and thumps could be heard coming from both directions now.
    “Very well, then. We will make our last stand here, and die together in battle as true Nords!”
    They took up fighting stances in the middle of the room, standing back to back and facing the doors as they awaited their fate. The head of an axe was visible with each swing as it split through the door facing Lydia. The hinges on the opposite door groaned as a relentless force pushed against it from the other side.
    “It has been an honor to serve you, my Thane.”
    Both doors crashed open.
    “The honor was mine, my friend.”

--
Daz Studio -> Iray -> Photoshop (with free Nik Collection)

Description

Created for the June 2020 contest: Sword Maidens. UPDATE: I’m very pleased and honored to note here that this entry finished third in the contest!

Although the image stands alone, the following vignette was inspired by Skyrim (and the character on the left was inspired by Lydia but isn’t intended to be an exact replica).

--
    “Keep going, Lydia! I can’t run any further on this ankle, but you can still make it out if you hurry. They’re almost here, and that door won’t hold for long. Run!”
    “And let you go to Sovngarde without me? Then who would be there to carry your burdens?”
    The door behind them started to thump and shake from repeated blows.
    “Lydia, now is not the time… I will hold off as many as I can, but the noise will wake more of them and the path ahead won’t be clear for long. You have done your duty and served me well, but you can’t save me now. Now obey me one last time and go!”
    Lydia closed and barred the door ahead. “No, my Thane. As I’ve told you many times before, I am your sword and your shield. For me to leave this crypt without you is as impossible as it would be for the blade in your hand.”
    A cacophony of growls, shouts, and thumps could be heard coming from both directions now.
    “Very well, then. We will make our last stand here, and die together in battle as true Nords!”
    They took up fighting stances in the middle of the room, standing back to back and facing the doors as they awaited their fate. The head of an axe was visible with each swing as it split through the door facing Lydia. The hinges on the opposite door groaned as a relentless force pushed against it from the other side.
    “It has been an honor to serve you, my Thane.”
    Both doors crashed open.
    “The honor was mine, my friend.”

--
Daz Studio -> Iray -> Photoshop (with free Nik Collection)