During the final battle in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the Dragonborn defeats Alduin in Sovngarde but doesn't absorb his soul like other dragons. There are several theories concerning Alduin's final fate and the rules of battling in Daedric realms, but all signs indicate the inability to truly defeat a god. Many hidden texts, legends, and prophecies in Skyrim provide varying accounts of Alduin's immortality, with the World-Eater's ultimate fate remaining a mystery to many.
The Dragonborn (also known as the Dovahkiin) is a prophesied warrior destined to defeat Alduin and save the world from the dragon's world-ending wrath. While many players may avoid the main quest in favor of joining guilds, collecting weapons, or completing side quests, Skyrim isn't truly complete without defeating Alduin. The black dragon first attacks during Skyrim's infamous opening cutscene in Helgen, where he inadvertently saves the Dragonborn from execution. From then on, the player must uncover the secret to killing Alduin and preventing the end of the world.
Alduin is depicted in Nord Mythology as the World-Eater, firstborn of Akatosh, and appears as a doom bringer throughout Argonian, Khajiit, and Skaal cultures. It's believed Alduin destroyed the last world to create the current one and is a fundamental part of the planet's lifecycle. While Skyrim's prophecies foretell Alduin's doom at the hands of the Last Dragonborn, Nordic embellishments may have instilled false hope in the populace. When the Dovahkiin fails to absorb Alduin's soul and power, his essence instead spirals towards the sky, and his body disintegrates. This is extremely different from the usual deaths of dragons, which see their scales and flesh burn off their bodies and their souls travel into the Dragonborn.
Akatosh has long since held an essential role within The Elder Scrolls, with Oblivion and Skyrim's stories placing a heavy emphasis on the Dragon God. Martin Septim became Akatosh's newest Avatar using the Amulet of Kings, but the deity has existed for millennia in many forms. Dragons, like Skyrim's Paarthurnax and Odahviing, refer to Akatosh as their father, with Alduin being considered the firstborn. Though Alduin regularly committed atrocities against Tamriel's inhabitants, it's clear that many aspects of his being were unavoidable. The unwavering hold of destiny fails to give many heroes (and villains) a say in their actions, leading to creatures like Alduin and his siblings falling prey to their base instincts. However, since Alduin did his best to fulfill his destiny, Akatosh's compassion for his firstborn likely hasn't left.
The exact relationship between Skyrim's Daedric Princes and the many realms of Tamriel are unknown, but many of these worlds are likely connected. The Oblivion portals that appear in Oblivion and Elder Scrolls Online prove travel between the realms is possible, and the Dragonborn's journey to Sovngarde proves a mortal can make this exact same journey as well. A glorified deity like Akatosh would likely have no trouble reclaiming the essence of his firstborn if he wished to do so. All dragons who reside within Tamriel, like the Dragonborn themselves, are an extension of Akatosh's will. Though their souls may have chosen another vessel to inhabit, it's likely their afterlife consists of a similar realm to other Daedric kingdoms.
Given the title of the franchise, Elder Scrolls hold immense, nearly limitless power repeatedly used throughout TES and Tamriel's timeline. Scholars known as Moth Priests train for their entire lives to read these Scrolls, but many still go blind if improperly prepared. In addition, Elder Scrolls can send whole beings through time, leaving cracks of reality in their wake. The ancient heroes of Skyrim used one such Scroll on Alduin, sending him forwards in time and ultimately causing the Dragon Crisis. The specifics concerning Alduin's journey through time are unknown, but it's possible his essence remained in flux throughout the timeline, preventing the Last Dragonborn from defeating him. Alduin's twisted form of survival would make sense when considering the cycle of the planet. If Alduin is needed to bring about another world, the black dragon will likely never be defeated, as all worlds exist in cycles.
The timeline of The Elder Scrolls games is usually quite linear, with games occurring one after the other with gradually increasing years passing between them. Bethesda could likely take players to Tamriel's end, where Alduin may have a role. By not allowing Skyrim's Dragonborn to absorb Alduin's essence, the possibility for a soft series reboot continues to exist for Bethesda's developers. While The Elder Scrolls is a wildly popular series, the decade-long wait between Skyrim and Elder Scrolls 6 leaves some fans skeptical, especially considering Bethesda's recent struggles with Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. If Bethesda seeks to correct mistakes in The Elder Scrolls timeline, Alduin's loophole survival is the perfect way to accomplish this.
The Dragonborn, known as the Dovahkiin in Skyrim's Dragon Tongue, are warriors of renown that inhabit the body of mortals but the blood and spirit of a Dragon. According to Legends, the Dovahkiin only appears in times of great need and is recognized as a savior sent by the gods. Sometimes several Dovahkiin can appear, but Skyrim's Dragonborn is believed to be the Last Dragonborn, hinting at darker times ahead. Unlike other powers and prophecies, the Dragonborn's birthright isn't passed through bloodlines and instead inhabits a vessel deemed worthy by an unknown source. Despite the Last Dragonborn being deemed worthy, it's unlikely that any Dovahkiin would be able to absorb Alduin's soul successfully. While dragons are naturally immortal, the Dragon burial sites littered throughout Skyrim prove mortals can kill them. However, Alduin is not a typical dragon and possesses the powers, longevity, and immunities of a deity.
The Elder Scrolls franchise is home to many tragic heroes who sacrifice themselves to become gods or the vessels of gods. The Hero of Kvatch becomes the next Sheogorath, acquiring their own Daedric realm and appearing in Skyrim, while Martin Septim becomes the next vessel of Akatosh. Neither hero maintains their true identity in the wake of their new power and sacrifices themselves to become something bigger. To preserve the Dragonborn's identity and body (and to save the world from Skyrim's tragic villain Miraak and the vampires), it's likely Akatosh (or another one of Skyrim's eight Divines) interfered before Alduin's essence could destroy the Dragonborn. Since the battle between the Dragonborn and Alduin occurred in Sovngarde and not the mortal plane, intervention from divine forces could happen effortlessly.
While Bethesda may never confirm Alduin's ultimate fate, the absence of Alduin's power in the Dragonborn suggests Tamriel's end remains on the horizon. Whether the world's end comes in the form of a menacing black dragon or from Bethesda's failure to publish the next game is unknown, but hopefully, The Elder Scrolls continues to grow for many years to come.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available now on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
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