I trudged through the knee-deep snow, muscles aching from the unfamiliar exertion. When I finally reached the stone path again, I paused to catch my breath, hands on my knees. The crisp mountain air filled my lungs, invigorating despite the bone-deep chill.

Looking up, I couldn't help but stare at the breathtaking landscape stretching out before me. Towering pines dusted with snow swayed gently in the breeze, their branches creaking softly. The early morning sun cast long shadows across the pristine white blanket covering the ground, painting the world in soft hues of gold and purple.

"Damn," I muttered, a puff of vapor escaping my lips. "It's beautiful... in a 'try not to freeze to death' kinda way."

My gaze was drawn to an impossibly tall mountain looming in the distance, its jagged peak piercing the sky. The Throat of the World - I knew without a doubt that's what I was looking at. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the ancient dragon waiting at its summit. Paarthurnax, master of the Greybeards...

I shook my head, chuckling ruefully. "Get it together, man. Worry about not dying first, then you can geek out over dragon lore."

Squinting against the glare of sun on snow, I spotted what looked like stone towers on the horizon. A fort? Or maybe - hopefully - a town? Either way, it was my best bet for finding some help... or at least a warm fire.

I continued down the path, the crunch of snow beneath my boots a steady rhythm, and I noticed a crossroads approaching. To the left, the path raised up a little bit and I could only see the blue sky. Straight ahead lay the mysterious towers and the promise of civilization.

"Left into the unknown, or forward to potential shelter?" I said aloud. "Decisions, decisions..."

Curiosity got the better of me. I veered left, trudging up the small incline to peek over. The stone path continued into a dense, snowy forest. Beautiful, sure, but not exactly inviting in my current state.

Speaking of which - I suddenly realized just how frigid I felt. This wasn't just chilly, this was bone-deep, dangerous cold. I checked my status effects and swore colorfully.

Exposure (Very Cold): You are very cold. 15% reduction to health regeneration, stamina regeneration, and magicka regeneration. 10 point reduction to one-handed, two-handed, marksman, block, and all spell schools. 30 point reduction to pickpocketing & lockpicking.

"Well, shit," I muttered, teeth chattering. This was bad. Really bad. I needed warmth, and fast.

Rummaging through my inventory, I found a saving grace - Apple Cabbage Stew. The description promised some much-needed warmth. Without hesitation, I pulled it out, blinking in surprise as steam wafted from the piping hot bowl. Guess time really did stand still in my magical backpack.

Apple Cabbage Stew: Consumed out of combat, it restores 50 Stamina and Magicka. Restores 1 point of Stamina per second for 600 seconds. Your meal improves your warmth by 25 points.

I lifted the bowl to my lips, enjoying each gulp of the hearty stew. As I finished, I frowned. It helped, sure, but not nearly enough. My exposure status remained stubbornly unchanged.

"Dammit," I grumbled, rubbing my arms. "Guess it's onward to mystery building it is."

I pushed forward, following the stone path towards the distant structure. As I drew closer, a familiar pop-up appeared:

Fort Neugrad Discovered

My stomach dropped. A fort. Probably crawling with bandits. But what choice did I have?

Heart pounding, I approached the entrance. That's when I heard it - a gruff voice calling out, "Now ain't this a surprise?"

Before I could even think to run, an orc in armor and a warm cloak (lucky bastard) came charging at me, axe raised high.

"Wait! Wait!" I shouted, taking steps back. "I don't want to fight!"

I barely managed to raise my shield in time to block a massive blow. The impact reverberated through my arm, nearly knocking me off balance. That's when I saw him - another bandit on the wall, crossbow leveled straight at me.

Block increased to 21.

Time seemed to slow. I saw the bolt leave the crossbow, watched its deadly arc as it sailed towards me. In that moment, I knew - this was it. This was how Alex died. Again.

The bolt struck true, piercing my eye. Darkness claimed me, and my last thought was a frustrated curse.

"Well... shit. Back to the drawing board."

oo0ooOoo0oo

The icy wind whipped across my face as I blinked away the disorientation, the familiar blue sky coming into focus above me. My hand instinctively went to my left eye, phantom pain lingering where the crossbow bolt had struck. A sad chuckle escaped my lips as I hauled myself to my feet, snow crunching beneath my boots.

"Third time's the charm, right?" I muttered, looking at the pristine white landscape in front of me. The towering pines swayed gently, their branches heavy with snow. In the distance, the Throat of the World loomed, its jagged peak piercing the sky like a dagger.

I pulled up my skills panel, a flicker of hope quickly extinguished as I saw my block skill stubbornly stuck at 10, despite the brief increase I’d seen before everything went dark.

"Oh, come on," I grumbled, scratching my dark brown beard in frustration. "You're telling me I can't even cheese the system by dying over and over? That's just cruel."

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. If I wanted to improve, to have any hope of surviving in this unforgiving world, I'd have to do it the hard way. No shortcuts, no easy levels. Just blood, sweat, and probably a whole lot more dying.

Shaking off the disappointment, I focused on what I could control. My perk points had reset with my latest death, giving me another chance to prepare. This time, I knew exactly where to invest. Heavy Armor got Conditioning and Relentless Onslaught - no more wheezing like an asthmatic grandpa in this tin can. One-Handed received Weapon Mastery and Penetrating Strikes, while Marksman got its Ranged Combat Training. Finally, I snagged Novice Restoration, selecting Arcane Ward and Healing Aura on Self. Not a bad start, all things considered.

The biting cold nipped at my exposed skin, and I knew I needed to start moving before I got frozen like a popsicle. I set off down the now-familiar path, my pace quicker and more confident than before. The dragon burial mound rose from the snow as I passed, and this time I didn’t step on it.

Soon enough, I found myself back at the crossroads. Straight ahead lay Fort Neugrad and its trigger-happy occupants. Not an experience I was keen to repeat. This time, I went left, the path rising slightly before disappearing into a dense, snowy forest.

The forest seemed to close in around me as I trudged forward, each step a battle against the deepening snow. Fifteen minutes of slogging through the wilderness had left me bone-weary and dangerously cold. A quick check of my status confirmed my fears:

Exposure (Freezing): You're freezing. 25% reduction to health regeneration, stamina regeneration, and magicka regeneration. 5% reduction to movement speed. 30 point reduction to one-handed, two-handed, marksman, block, and all spell schools. 60 point reduction to pickpocketing & lockpicking.

I fumbled for the Apple Cabbage Stew, my numb fingers barely able to grip the bowl. The warmth of the liquid brought momentary relief, but I knew it was a stopgap measure at best. Walking wasn't an option - I had to move faster.

With a grunt of effort, I broke into a run. My heavy armor clanked with each step, but thanks to my newly acquired perks, I didn't immediately collapse from exhaustion. The forest blurred around me as I pushed forward, lungs burning from the frigid air.

After a couple of minutes, the path split once more. To the left, it continued winding through the dense woods. The right fork climbed upward, likely leading back towards Fort Neugrad and its less-than-welcoming inhabitants. The choice was clear - I ran left, praying for some sign of civilization that didn't involve crossbow bolts to the face.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

As if in answer to my unspoken plea, a tendril of smoke curled above the treetops in the distance. My heart leapt, a surge of hope giving new energy to my tired limbs. Rounding a bend in the path, I caught sight of buildings on the horizon. Whether fort or village, it promised shelter from the biting cold. I had to risk it once more.

I pushed myself harder, closing the distance with desperate speed. As I drew nearer, however, my initial elation gave way to a growing unease. The smoke wasn't from cozy hearths or cooking fires, but from the smoldering ruins of what had clearly been a sizable town. Broken towers and collapsed buildings were visible from my current position.

Approaching the battered wooden gates, I hesitated. The eerie silence was broken only by the crackle of lingering flames and the mournful whistle of wind through empty streets. Trembling hands pushed against the gate. It creaked open ominously, revealing the full extent of the destruction within.

Helgen Discovered

Helgen. The ill-fated town where Alduin had made his terrifying return. The charred corpses and still-burning buildings told the tale all too clearly - I had arrived in the aftermath of the World-Eater's attack.

The crunch of snow beneath my boots echoed off the crumbling walls as I made my way deeper into Helgen's ruins. The acrid stench of smoke and charred flesh assaulted my nostrils, making my stomach churn. But the biting cold drove me forward, desperation overriding my revulsion.

My eyes locked onto a partially collapsed house, its roof caved in but walls still standing. A faint orange glow flickered through a broken window - fire. Warmth. Salvation.

I stumbled towards it, my frozen limbs protesting every step. As I neared the doorway, I caught sight of a blackened form sprawled across the threshold. My breath hitched, and I held my mouth closed when vomit threatened to spill out. The promise of heat was too alluring to resist, so I averted my gaze and gingerly stepped over the corpse and into the ruined home. The warmth hit me like a physical force, my skin prickling painfully as sensation returned. I sank to the floor near the fiery remains of what must have been a bed, holding my hands out to the flames.

Gradually, the numbness in my extremities gave way to pins and needles. I flexed my fingers, wincing at the discomfort but feeling grateful for the ability to feel anything at all. The crackling of the fire and the whistle of wind through broken timbers were the only sounds as I sat there.

Six minutes later, I checked my status. I sighed in relief when I saw that the dreaded "Freezing" indicator had vanished, replaced by a much more welcoming message:

Exposure (Comfortable): You feel comfortable, and experience no adverse effects from the weather.

I let out a shaky breath, some of the tension draining from my shoulders. I was alive. For now, at least. But I couldn't just sit here forever, waiting for... what? A convenient quest-giver to pop up and tell me what to do next?

Sighing, I hauled myself to my feet, muscles protesting after the mad dash through the snow. The ruined house creaked ominously around me,

"Alright," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "Time to be proactive."

I pulled up my inventory, focusing on the "Toolkit: Survivalist's" that had been nagging at the back of my mind. A new panel appeared, filled with crafting options that made my heart leap.

Bandage

Flammable Oil

Kindling

Kindling (2)

Kindling (4)

Raw Salmon Steak (2)

Tinder (Crude)

Tinder (Decent)

Tinder (Good)

Tinder (Great)

Tinder (Superlative)

Wooden Torch

Wooden Torch (5)

Wooden Torch (10)

Wooden Torch (Bright)

Wooden Torch (Bright) (5)

Wooden Walking Stick

All were greyed out, lacking the necessary materials, but the potential was clear. If I could gather some wood for kindling and make some crude tinder for a campfire, I'd be set for...

A deafening crack of thunder made me jump, followed by the sudden patter of rain on the collapsed roof. Within seconds, it became flooded, and also utterly ruining all of the wood’s potential for kindling.

"You've got to be kidding me," I groaned, watching as icy raindrops found their way through gaps in the ceiling. The cozy warmth I'd fought so hard for evaporated, replaced by a bone-deep chill that set my teeth chattering.

Cursing under my breath, I ducked out of the crumbling house. The rain was relentless, soaking through my armor in moments. I squinted through the downpour, searching desperately for better shelter.

Helgen's ruins offered little shelter. Every building I passed was a broken shell, utterly exposed to the elements. My boots squelched through muddy puddles as I jogged from one ruined structure to the next, hope dwindling with each disappointment.

Just as despair threatened to set in, I rounded a corner and found myself in a hauntingly familiar town square. The chopping block where Alduin had made his dramatic entrance stood empty.

More importantly, I spotted the intact tower where the game's tutorial had begun. If memory served, it led to underground passages – a perfect escape from this downpour.

Heart pounding, I sprinted for the door... only to find it stubbornly locked. I yanked at the handle, then pounded my fist against the unyielding wood. No luck.

I desperately drew my sword and hacked at the door. The blade bounced off harmlessly, nearly slipping from my rain-slicked grip. I stumbled to the second entrance that Hadvar took in the game, praying it would give way, but found it just as impenetrable.

The rain pounded relentlessly, each icy drop feeling like a tiny needle against my skin. I stood there for a moment, chest heaving, as the reality of my situation sank in. Shelter had slipped through my fingers once again, leaving me exposed and vulnerable in this ruined town.

"Screw this," I muttered, gritting my teeth.

I broke into a run, desperate to find something - anything - that could offer protection from the rain. But my body had other ideas. After only a few steps, my legs turned to jelly, and I stumbled to a halt, gasping for air. The weight of my armor felt like it had tripled, and my lungs burned with each ragged breath.

"Right," I panted, bent over with hands on my knees. "Running's off the table."

Left with no other choice, I trudged forward through the downpour. Each step was a battle against exhaustion and the increasingly treacherous mud. The cold seeped deep into my bones, my fingers and toes going numb. A quick glance at my hands revealed an alarming bluish tinge creeping across my skin.

"C-come on," I muttered through chattering teeth. "There's gotta be s-something..."

My vision blurred, whether from rain or encroaching hypothermia, I couldn't tell. Just as despair threatened to overwhelm me, a hulking shadow loomed through the haze. Squinting, I made out the vague outline of a large building, its roof miraculously intact.

Hope surged through me, lending strength to my heavy limbs. I staggered towards the structure, each step a monumental effort. Twice I nearly lost my footing in the slick mud, my armor feeling heavier by the second.

Finally, blessedly, I stumbled through the doorway. The sudden absence of rain was almost shocking. In the corner, a flickering glow caught my attention - an open hearth, miraculously still alight.

I lurched towards it, collapsing in an ungraceful heap before the flames. A low moan escaped my lips as blessed warmth began to seep back into my frozen body. Violent shivers wracked my frame as sensation slowly returned to my extremities.

"Oh god," I whimpered, curling closer to the fire. "That was too damn close."

Feeling returned to my fingers and toes, bringing with it pins and needles, and I let out a shaky laugh. I was alive. Soaked to the bone, exhausted beyond belief, but alive. For now, at least, that would have to be enough.

oo0ooOoo0oo

I let out a contented sigh as the warmth from the fire slowly seeped into my bones. Half an hour of just sitting there, letting the heat work its magic, had done wonders for my frozen body. Finally feeling human again, I decided to take a proper look around this haven I'd stumbled into.

The place was huge, some kind of great hall or manor house. Mostly empty, though. A few iron pots and wooden bowls were scattered about, probably left behind in the panic. My eyes landed on a bed tucked away in the corner - a bit worse for wear, but intact. Next to it stood a lonely cupboard.

I hauled myself up to investigate. The cupboard creaked as I pulled it open, revealing... not much. Just an inkwell and quill. I scooped them up anyway, figuring they might come in handy down the road. You never know when you'll need to jot down a grocery list in a fantasy world, right?

I chuckled at my own lame joke, the sound echoing in the empty hall. The patter of rain outside was still steady, showing no signs of letting up. The thought of walking out into that mess made me shudder. Nope, not happening. I'd be a Alex-cicle before I made it ten steps.

"So... now what?" I muttered to no one in particular.

As if in answer, a notification popped up:

Heavy Armor increased to 21

I blinked, staring at the message. "Huh? But I didn't... Oh." Realization dawned. Maybe just wearing the damn stuff and moving about was enough to slowly level it up? Made a weird kind of sense, I guess.

With nothing better to do, I wandered over to check out the bed. As I got closer, my nose wrinkled. Calling it a "bed" was being generous. It was more like a pile of straw with a few mangy animal pelts thrown on top. Medieval IKEA at its finest.

"Yeah, no thanks," I muttered, backing away. "I'm not that desperate. Yet."

Instead, I slumped against the wall, watching raindrops race down the warped glass of a nearby window. The patter of rain was oddly soothing, and before I knew it, my eyelids grew heavy. I tried to fight it, but exhaustion won out.

I jolted awake some time later, momentarily confused by the silence. The constant drumming of rain had stopped. Blinking away the last cobwebs of sleep, I peered out the window. The sky was a deep, dusky purple - twilight settling in.

"Well," I said, stretching out the kinks in my back, "guess it's time to see what's out there."

But my stomach suddenly let out a pitiful growl. It seemed that stew wasn’t going to last me much longer. I pulled up my status, wincing at what I saw:

Hunger (Peckish): Stamina regenerates 10% slower.

Thirst (Thirsty): Stamina and Magicka are decreased by 10 points.

Great. Just great. I rummaged through my inventory, hoping against hope that I'd magically sprouted a feast while I slept. No such luck. All I had left was a single, sad-looking loaf of bread and a waterskin that sloshed ominously when I shook it.

"Alright," I muttered, eyeing the bread like it might try to escape. "You're staying put for now, buddy. Gotta save you for when things get really dire."

The waterskin, though... I lifted it to my lips, allowing myself the smallest sip. The cool liquid was heaven on my parched throat, and it took every ounce of willpower not to drain the whole thing right then and there.

I reluctantly lowered the waterskin, and gave it another experimental shake. Maybe two good swigs left, if I was being generous. Fuck. I needed food and water, and I needed them soon. Otherwise, Alex the Nord was going to have a very short and very hungry adventure in Skyrim.

"Right then," I said, squaring my shoulders. "Time to channel my inner Bear Grylls. Minus the whole drinking my own pee thing. Hopefully."