This is YAOI Dagoth/Nerevar Alright! Before you look at that pairing and run away, there is a twist! Dagoth Ur is NOT like the one you saw and had to battle. This is a story about the early years before the Third Era of Tamriel. It is a story about the young Tribunal and the King. It is a story about betrayal and love, agony and happiness. It is the story about Nerevar's Kingdom.
Author's Note: Hello everyone, and thank you for deciding to read this story! Have fun and enjoy!
Oh, and at the beginning, it starts at the end of the main quest, with my own character (don't worry, it wont be long until the REAL Nerevar comes )
Chapter 1: Unique Transformation
As I, the Nerevarine walked towards the towering Ghost Gate - to face my biggest challenge yet, and determined to free the island of Vvardenfell from the evil hold that Dagoth-Ur has on it. I had to wonder, what is it that made me so unique, extraordinary...? I am sent on an epic quest that no one even thought of attempting, and not even Vivec succeeded. Why has Dagoth-Ur, countless times haunted my dreams? Yet…not offensively, he was telling me of the previous friendship we had, compelling me to leave Vivec's cause and unite forces with him.
I am all too confused, if all the information that Vivec gave me was correct, there would be no reason for Dagoth-Ur to think that I would accept his invitations. And yet, Vivec was very concerned, told me not to agree to anything that Dagoth-Ur might offer, and not to believe what he says. But that brings me to wonder, why would he be so worried? I presume that he does know that I have always fought for a good cause, and would never side with evil.
This quest is as meaningful to me, as to Vivec, because not only that I want to protect this land, in which presumably my ancestors were. But also, I can't let down all of those that believe in me, I can't let down the Ashlanders, because their freedom and well-being depends on me. They would be the first to fall under Dagoth-Ur's reign of death if I shall fail.
That brings me back to musing about the information I got from Vivec, he said that I was their…leader, or king? Many different versions were presented to me, and I don't know how I should choose which one to believe. What most people believe though, was that I died as a warrior, king, or…maybe was murdered. – This version was of the Ashlanders, and I seem to have put my trust in them, after all, they were the ones from whom I heard of the prophesies, they tested me, gave me words of wisdom and taught me valuable lessons. They were telling the truth, wrapped in riddles and puzzles, making me understand the purpose of my existence. They were not corrupted by the civilized ways of others; they were living in the wild, hunting, gathering, and helping one another. Even though they accepted gifts of money, it was only a formality, something that people could give as a sign of respect.
I cannot say the same about Vivec though, and the rest of the 'Living Gods'. I don't believe that they are the true gods, I never did, and meeting Vivec face-to-face proved my opinion. He had a lot of reasons to lie… - I'm not saying that he did – maybe just not revealed the whole truth to me. But he thinks himself the true God of his people, and they worship him in return.
I would have liked to unravel all the mysteries that bother me at the back of my consciousness, nagging and constantly pleading to be unmasked, pleading me to seek out the truth. But I am not able to comply, few people know the truth, and even fewer would ever decide to tell anyone.
I am abruptly brought out of my musings as the enormous Ghost Gate appears into view in front of me. It has two guarding towers and incredibly high, gigantic posts with sculptured faces and a mesmerizing silvery blue fence. It is seemingly liquid as thousands trapped souls shined and swirled, creating a natural barrier to ward off the oncoming flow of diseased and mutated monsters coming from inside Red Mountain.
I stopped in front of the lever that opens the first part of the Gate. I had some health potions, which I'm sure are going to be needed, there was not much else that I should have taken…only my favorite Daedric Dai-Katana, and my heavy armor, which is decorated with brightly shining green glass rock and provides quite a strong protection against the blighted monsters' weapons and claws. I have decided that I will not be staying at one of the guard's towers, even though I could have used a warm shelter from the blight storm over the night. Since it took me quite some time to journey to the Ghost Gate. I left Balmora, my hometown -as I have come to call it- at dawn, and arrived here at the first signs of a blackening sky.
I could have used the rest that the guards have to offer, but I am too eager to enter the forbidden Red Mountain, eager to slay the upcoming demons and taste the ash filled air. I want to find who I was…. who I really was…. and I'm eager to gain this information from a most ironic source, from my strongest adversary, my biggest enemy – yes – from Dagoth-Ur himself…. ironic, is it not?
I allowed my gaze to fall back onto the stone lever embedded in the triangular rock. I sighed, slowly exhaling the air and reached towards the rock to push the cold stone lever. The pedal slid backward surprisingly easy, and the loud sound of metal screeching echoed in the near empty wasteland. It indicated the opening of the first gate. So I stepped forward and through the opening. Then moving closer to the second lever, I placed my hand on it and without so much as a second thought, pushed it. This time, the bar seemed to slide back slower, opening the last gate and revealing the blighted wastes of Red Mountain.
As I walk through the last gate, the foul repulsiveness of the entire location strikes me, overflowing my senses. I inhale and hope for some air to rush into my lungs, but instead I can taste the sandy ashes molted with searing heat and foul stench. The flaming red sky obscures all light, and the never-ending blight storm brings deathly wind. The decaying odor fills all my airways and seeps into my lungs, making it hard to breathe.
I am rudely brought back to my senses as the nearest Ash Slave decides to fry me alive by using his magic. Fortunately I was fast enough to catch him off guard as he was in the middle of casting the spell. I quickly took out my sword and brought several deadly blows to my opponent before the corpse fell and the eerie stillness grew once more. Nothing but the deafening crackle of the wind was heard in the surroundings. So I drew back my blade from the still corpse, and started walking towards my first destination…
Odrosal – it is my first destination located in Red Mountain. I was told that there I'm going to find Keening, along with a horde of blighted monsters and an ash vampire. It is time I see if I was guided to the correct location. As I move on the scorched surface of the mountain, it seems that several Daedra noticed my presence. My acute hearing sharpens as I carefully move and wait for the upcoming attack. Soon enough the Daedra showed up, seeping out of their hideouts in hope of catching me unaware. No such luck, I quickly noticed them and began defending myself as the horde of monsters jumped out and started attacking me. I successfully countered their attacks and defeated them all too soon. They left me with several wounds, but not deep enough to threaten my well being, I decided not to worry myself with the petty injuries, guessing that my health potions will be needed later on.
My injuries did not slow me down as I approached the chilling entrance to Odrosal. The frightening Deadic structure was looming above me, its very appearance sent chills down my spine. I reached towards the door and slowly opened it, entering the foreign hall. The place felt no different then the burning ashen wasteland on the outside of Red Mountain. As I watchfully stepped on the plated ground of the room, the entrance door slid shut behind me. I paid no attention to it as I continued to move forward, my long sword in a tight grip of my defensively outstretched hand. The whole room was dark and dull, but the rowdy sound of the blighted wind had ceased here, blocked off by the thick walls of the structure. As I neared a door that leads to a currently unknown location, I heard sudden voices, or more correctly, growls echoing from the surrounding walls. Before I knew it, a cluster of Daedra and monsters emerged out of the shadows and aggressively tried to claw me. Thankfully I was quick enough not to get mortally wounded, but only several cuts and scratches, as I prepared my own onslaught of deadly moves. After the smoke and debris cleared, many corpses lay on the ground, and my wounds needed urgent tending.
After I healed, I continued my invasion of Odrosal, moving deeper into the twisted domain of the main ash vampire. After several long and tormenting hours, I have finally gotten to a small room, enclosed with walls and inhabited by only one enemy…Dagoth Odros…the one from whom I have to receive the blade Keening. Receive – I kind of doubt that this kind of exchange would occur, I am quite sure that I will have to take the blade by power and not diplomacy. The next battle was agonizingly long, I had to use all my skills and combine them perfectly only to place one accurate hit onto the undead flesh of my adversary. Once I placed the hit, it wasn't enough, many more followed, and four-fold as much was rained upon me. By the end of the battle, when I saw that my challenger was weakening, I had used every ounce of my power to deal the last deadly blow to him, efficiently destroying my opponent. I quickly healed some of my deeper and more deadly wounds and sheathed my sword as I reached with great anticipation towards the gleaming weapon in the corpse's pocket. As I drew out the blade of Keening, it shined ever so brightly in my hand. One artifact collected, one to go.
With a determined smile, I left Odrosal, fighting my way towards my next destination…Vemynal…where I was told that I would find Sunder, the last artifact that I have to collect before facing Dagoth-Ur himself. An excited smile crept onto my face once again as I approached the second strange looking stronghold. This was Vemynal. Without hesitation I opened the crooked door, entering the unfamiliar location. As I proceed deeper into the structure, I had to fight several groups of undead that tried to stop me. It seems that their countless unsuccessful attempts at slaughtering me resulted in their discouragement of trying any further…or so I thought…until I stumbled upon a compact room with various Daedric artifacts and a particularly interesting center of attention – Dagoth Vemyn- yes, the dreaded ash vampire was there, along with a large group of various monsters.
I nearly stumbled backwards from the frightening reality that was presented to me. The cold eyes of the undead stared back at me, unflinchingly not revealing any thoughts or motives. I gripped my sword tighter. How can I defeat all of them? I had to use all the power that I could summon to defeat Dagoth Odros alone…and now there is a room full of Daedra and one tough ash vampire? …My train of thought was cut short; as my senses comprehended that my enemies moved to attack me. I cringed in pain as they tore into my flesh, but I quickly regained my senses, and began deflecting their attacks. I moved fluidly and gracefully, and to my surprise the horde of Daedra was quickly cut down as I fought through the haze of battle. Soon there was only one creature opposing me and still standing his ground…Dagoth Vemyn… the fiend used several damaging spells to unleash poison and weakening onto me. That had slowed me down somewhat, but through the fog of pain I continued to slash at the opposing enemy, skillfully dealing deadly blows to him. As the battle raged on, time seemed to cease, because I don't recall how long it lasted before I drove my blade deep into the flesh of my enemy one last time…as I inhaled a wisp of ashen air to fill my aching lungs, I glanced towards the floor, seeing the ash vampire sprawled on the ground –Dead- my last obstacle in front of Dagoth-Ur was gone. I crouched down near the corpse and reached into his robes, pulling out a rather heavy weapon…..Sunder……I found the last artifact! I felt immediate relief and let out an exasperated sigh. At long last, I am ready to face Dagoth-Ur! But my joyful train of thought was broken as I felt the pain of my quite serious wounds hit me full force.
After I quickly healed, I noticed that I had not much health potions left…. that can't be good. With all the battles that I have gone through, they were not the hardest; the most challenging one was still up ahead of me. I will need to be in my full health and restore my fatigue before I head onward, but I can't even –rest- in this damnable place! I sighed again, but this time in irritation. I stood up and exited Vemynal, I continued to fight my way towards the main stronghold at the center of Red Mountain. Finally I reached my last destination, the entrance to Dagoth-Ur's stronghold.
The odd looking massive door was decorated with different Daedric writing and ancient scripts seemed to be burned to the core of the stone itself. The appearance of the colossal structure sent doubts into my mind…my recent eagerness had all faded…seemed to seep out of me, as if pulled out of my consciousness along with all cheerful thoughts, leaving me gasping for air as a chill ran down my spine. I was starting to doubt if I was ready for this…if I was ready for the final confrontation…but something akin to a foreshadow raced through my troubled mind, rooting me to the spot while at the same time urging me to move forward. I felt as if I was both dreading and anticipating the confrontation that was about to happen, something told me that this is the place where I will find my past, my purpose of existence, and most importantly, the truth – of everything.
As if on cue I moved forward, my mind nearly blank, save for the emotions running through me. The door seemed to slide open before I had the chance to even touch it. I entered, as if pulled by some magical force into the elongated halls of the chilling stronghold. My perception seemed to shrink into a tiny perspective, altered by the incomprehensible feelings that battled inside of me… I was suddenly pulled out of my dazed state as a soft voice spoke my name…not exactly my name, but the name of the one that I was a lifetime ago… "Nerevar…welcome to my palace!" There was a slight pause in which I noticed that it was unusually cold in this place, a bright contrast to the searing heat outside. Then the voice came back, but slightly louder this time. "I have been waiting for you…for a very long time…" I blinked in surprise as the voice materialized in front of me in a shape of a golden mask, the one that haunted my dreams. Though the mask didn't last long and vanished quickly after speaking to me again. "Follow your senses Nerevar…and you shall learn all you desire…" And with that I was encouraged to take on a faster, more eager pace as I moved through the dull and unwelcoming rooms towards the brightly shining enormous door at the North side of the hall. As I neared the door, I immediately felt the cold subside, warmth filling my senses and drawing me closer to the brightly decorated door. Up close I could see the strange markings on the door, which looked like some kind of inscriptions, spells, or riddles written in a foreign language. The door had a strange feeling of timelessness, as if what lay inside had never succumbed to the irresistible pull of time itself.
The voice came back again, louder yet. "Don't hesitate…open the door to your past…" And I complied, outstretching my hand to reach the knob on the warm door. As soon as my fingers touched the flaming hot substance, the door flew ajar; pulling me inside the brightly illuminated room beyond…at the same moment, scorching heat enveloped my whole body, seemingly burning me to the very core of my being and pulling me to the unknown depths of abyss. My mind could not comprehend what happened next, as my whole body seemed to transform, changing my very existence. – Then I knew only darkness.
I do not know for how long it has been, but when I opened my eyes, the heat ceased to scorch me and I was standing in an ancient looking but strangely comforting room. I noticed that I felt rather odd, my body seemed to undergo some change, I surprisingly glanced at my hands and noticed that I was wearing different gloves…hmm…strange…I looked around the room and quickly spotted a nearby mirror. I hesitantly stepped in front of it and immediately gasped in horror. – WHAT!- I am who! With…with golden skin like the Chimer? With… short unruly and upheld purplish black hair? My hair's purple highlights matched so perfectly with my purple wide eyes! I ran a hand through my hair, checking if it was me that I was seeing in the mirror. There was no doubt about it; the identical image in the mirror did the exact same motion. After I was somewhat less horrified by the appearance change that I have undergone, I noticed the royal armor that I was wearing, with a very interesting long sword in my hand. Then it dawned on me…is this place…my image…is it me? The one that I was in my past lifetime? The image that I'm seeing in the mirror is Nere- …Before I could finish my thought; the amazingly soft voice came back, as if reading my mind. "Yes Nerevar…it is your true image. Azura was right when she said that she would bring you back to me…" I quickly turned away from the mirror, facing the source of the heavenly voice.
Suddenly I see an incredibly handsome man in front of me…that is surely not what I expected…the owner of that voice is surely Dagoth-Ur. He had spoken to me through my dreams and in this stronghold…that handsome man cannot be him. He has shoulder length silky black hair, tucked behind his long Elven ears, and several strands loosely hanging over the sides of his face. He is surely a dark elf with ashen dark gray skin and bright red eyes. Suddenly he took a few steppes closer to me, and though every logical thought told me to hold out my weapon in a defensive move, and be weary of this …man…that is presumably Dagoth-Ur…I was unexpectedly content at his presence, as if a long time of friendship preceded the hard times of hostility. Then I was again brought out of my musings as he spoke. "Oh don't look so surprised, with that awestruck expression on your face. Of course I couldn't show you my true self anywhere but in this magical room…but you still don't remember anything do you…? A pity." I took a step back and slowly replied. "What are you talking about? What is this room and who are you? You are not Dagoth-Ur." He looked at me in mild amusement before his warm laughter filled the space between us and engulfed the whole room with its richness. "You do not believe me that I am Dagoth? Well, I might as well refresh your memory…my sweet Nerevar…" He quickly moved through the distance between us and in less then a heartbeat he was already incredibly close to me…so close that I could feel his sweet breath on my face… "Let me show you…your past" He gently voiced, as he unexpectedly leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.
I didn't have enough time to even react to the sudden action, or even ponder or draw one coherent thought as blackness engulfed me.
Note: Thank you so much for reading my first Chapter. Any comments would be highly appreciated. Thank you again!
