Prologue
High Chancellor Ocato opened the door to the Imperial City's Elder Council Chambers, knowing it could very well be the last day of the Empire. The High Chancellor had aged much in the past century. Once considered the pinnacle of Altmer success, Ocato was now shunned, even by his own people. Ocato had failed in his duty.
The Elder Council Chambers were filled to capacity today. Representatives from every province of the "Empire" were present-Altmer, Argonian, Bosmer, Bretons, Dunmer, Khajiit, Nord, Orc, Redguard, and, of course, Imperial. Each of the delegations was displaying varying levels of contempt for each other.
Aside from representatives from the various provinces, Ocato could see the local counts. Count Janus Hassildor of Skingrad, who had not aged a day since Ocato last met him was there. Countess Miranda Umbranox of Anvil, the granddaughter of Countess Milona Umbranox was also there. Count Marcus Valga of Chorrol, the now elderly son of the deceased Arianna Valga, was speaking with Count Valin Matinus, the grandson of Salvian Matinus, who had been appointed Count of Kvatch after Count Ormellius Goldwine died. As he saw that Count Marius Caro and Countess Alessia Caro of Leyawiin were there, Ocato wondered how, and why, they were still alive. Count Andel Indarys of Cheydinhal, who had aged greatly, due to the loss of his son during the Oblivion Crisis, was there. Gellius Terentius, the Skooma addict of Bravil, was alone in the corner, appearing as if he had a hangover. Narina Carvain was also there-Ocato wasn't surprised such a shrewd and ruthless woman had stayed alive so long.
As Ocato entered the room and sat in his throne at the Council table, he could already tell that this would be the day the Empire ended. The bickering in the room only grew louder as Ocato sat, only now it was directed towards him. Cries of "What do you intend to do about this?" and "Do you have any idea how serious this is?" rang through the chambers. Chancellor Ocato could not take this stress anymore.
Ocato had tried every conceivable solution to escape this. He tried retiring, but almost no one in the council would even consider it. He tried being reassigned, but the idea was unthinkable. He tried committing murder to be sent to jail, but the council pardoned him because he ended up murdering a vampire. He even considered suicide, but found it a tad extreme. He wouldn't have had to put up with this, however, if they could all agree on an Emperor.
When the Septim line ended, Ocato's primary goal was to find a new Emperor. One that all of the provinces could agree upon. However, it proved to be a task too difficult, even for one as gifted as Ocato. If he proposed anyone, one of the delegations would display a ridiculous amount of outrage. If the Nords had an idea, the Dunmer rejected it. If the Dunmer had an idea, the Imperials rejected it (mostly because it involved them seceding). If the Argonians had an idea, someone else rejected it. And if the Altmer had an idea…
The Altmer had been Ocato's biggest problem. They had been bent on seeing an Altmer on the Throne, and refused to continue to be ruled by the "lesser races." Although Ocato was an Altmer, living amongst the Imperials had taught him to lose his prejudices against the other races. However, these Altmer were highborn, and had lived in Summerset Isle for centuries, if not longer. The Altmer refused every suggestion that they had not submitted. They had even refused the Breton idea that Ocato should become Emperor, because he had not lived on Summerset Isle for over two hundred years.
Ocato knew it was time to start the meeting, yet he did not feel as if he had the strength to. However, he dutifully called out, "Ladies and Gentleman, let today's meeting begin." He knew that this meeting would end the Empire, and if it didn't, it certainly would be counter productive. It had been exactly one hundred years since Martin became the Avatar of Akatosh.
High King Eldaris of Summerset Isle stood up, preparing to speak. High King Eldaris had possibly been the worst of all of the Altmer. He was a powerful and feared mage, and had access to magic beyond the wildest dreams of even the senior most members of the Mages Guild. He was also the leader of the Altmer, and intended to become Emperor.
He was an elderly looking Altmer with auburn hair. His eyes resembled pits of eternal darkness, and his gold skin had now become white. He wore an expensive set of robes, most likely enchanted with various Daedra souls. He carried a Mage's Staff. Ocato could only imagine what it would do.
High King Eldaris was certainly the oldest of the Altmer, and had even been in power during the First Era. At the time, he was the most powerful of the Elven Emperors on Cyrodiil, even being involved in the construction of White Gold Tower. After Alessia's rebellion, rather than fleeing to the Camoran Dynasty like most of the Elves, he instead sailed to Summerset Isle, and entered Alinor, where the current Emperor yielded the Throne, and Crystal Tower, to him and his vast army. He ruled Summerset Isle for the remainder of the First Era and the entire Second Era. When Tiber Septim and the Numidium came to Summerset Isle, Eldaris, seeing not even his great sorcery could defeat the colossal titan, yielded the title of Emperor. Seeing that Summerset Isle was efficiently run, Tiber Septim appointed him High King of Summerset Isle.
Many rumors had been spread about Eldaris. The most…terrifying…was that he, and his closest followers had abandoned the Altmer Pantheon of Gods, and worshipped a being known as the Shadow God.
"Ocato, it has been long enough since we have had an Emperor." Eldaris said, and Ocato knew what was coming. "I for one will wait no longer for an Emperor chosen by this council. The fact that this council has authority is revolting-saying that Altmer are equal with the rest of you. Despicable!"
It was Duke Vedam Dren of the District of Vvardenfell, province of Morrowind who questioned what Eldaris said. "And what do you intend to do about it Eldaris. Even in your perfection, what can you do?"
Eldaris glared at Duke Dren and smiled. "I have a simple enough answer, Duke Dren. Summerset Isle now secedes from the Empire, and in the name of the Shadow God, by the power vested in me, I, Eldaris of Aldmeris, High Priest and servant of the Shadow God, now crown myself Emperor Eldaris I, the Shadow Emperor."
The entire council chamber willed with screams and gasps. Ocato knew it would happen. He knew that someone would secede from the Empire, he had known it would be Eldaris, and he knew it was going to happen today.
High Queen Mathilda Aureon of High Rock suddenly spoke. "Ocato, your indecisiveness has proven fatal for the Empire, and Eldaris is correct in saying that it has been too long. However, he shall not be Emperor. As High Queen of High Rock, I declare myself Empress Mathilda I. I would sooner die then see one who worships the Shadows on the Throne."
Ocato grew uneasy. While he knew that ancient law prevented battle from beginning in the Elder Council Chambers, he was afraid that Eldaris or Mathilda would defy these laws. He knew he must escape the Chambers.
High Queen Regent Aleria Willows of Valenwood stood and said, "Altmer or Breton rule? Why should I allow this? The Camoran Dynasty was once great, and the Willows dynasty can follow in it's footsteps. I declare my son, High King Farwyn Willows, the Emperor."
Mathilda appeared appalled. "Your son, Emperor? Really, do expect us to swear our allegiance to a mere child. How old is your brat? Seven, eight? Why not appoint my horse Emperor?"
Ocato was hoping that he could convince these people to rescind their claims. "Please, if do this in an orderly manner, I'm sure we can reach an agreement." Eldaris, Mathilda, and Aleria ignored him.
Aleria had been insulted at what Mathilda had said. "My son is thirteen, ready to be wed! I will serve as his regent until his seventeenth birthday, and than he shall become a talented and competent ruler, and I shall watch you both burn under his glorious rule."
Ocato was glad that the situation could not get any worse, when High King Herold IV of Skyrim rose, shouting in his Nordish accent, "If you think my people will allow ourselves to be enslaved again, you'd be wrong! I'd sooner be dead than be an Elf slave any day! I am now Emperor Herold of the North!"
"That can be arranged, by Nordic friend." Eldaris hissed. Herold lifted his enchanted frost Daedric axe and charged at Eldaris, but before doing anything, King Gro-Mak-Han of the Dragontail Mountains grabbed him, lifting him into the air.
"ENOUGH!" he yelled. "My people have been put through worse than you, Nord. We were outcasted by the Elves, and became the hideous monsters we are, not even earning citizenship until after the Numidium incident. You think you have an excuse for crowning yourself. I declare myself Emperor Gro-Mak-Han of the Dragontail Mountains, Emperor of Tamriel."
To escape his grasp, Herold elbowed Gro-Mak-Han, forcing him to let go. As the two were about to fight, Eldaris shouted, "Enough. The Council Chambers are a traditional safe location, a law set into the tower during it's construction-believe me, I know. Those who enter battle shall be smitten by the Nine, the Daedra, the Aedra, Sithis, the Tribunal, and the Shadow God alike. Return to your provinces and gather your armies, for Western Tamriel has entered war."
The Altmer, Breton, Bosmer, Nord, and Orc delegations did as Eldaris said, leaving the chambers. Ocato was worried as what they would do. The remaining monarchs, King Helseth of Morrowind, King River-Wise of Black Marsh, Queen Darbira of Elswyr, and King Kayle of Hammerfell sat in silence.
Chancellor Ocato broke the silence. "Your Majesties" he said desperately. "Where do you stand?"
It was River-Wise who answered first. "Ocato, at one time Argonia would have supported the Empire. However, you let Dunmer enslave us, and did not free us, and we are under constant harassment here. I shall return to Argonia and discuss amongst my people." King River-Wise and the Argonian delegation left the Council Chambers.
"Darbira and the Khajiit hold similar views with the Argonians. Darbira wishes that more was done to outlaw slavery sooner, rather than have us suffer for years to come. Darbira shall return to Elswyr and debate." Darbira and the Khajiit delegation left the Council Chambers as well, leaving Ocato with King Kayle and King Helseth.
Ocato felt confident that Kayle and Helseth would support the Empire, should they find a claimant to the Throne. Ocato had not the slightest idea who the Empire could support-the entire Septim line had been extinguished.
"Chancellor, I, and Hammerfell, would be honored to retain it's service into the Empire." said King Kayle. "However, before we can fight a war to rule an Empire, we need an Emperor." Kayle chuckled. "How are we supposed to do that? The Septim line is dead."
King Helseth smiled and interjected. "Not as extinct as you would think, Kayle." Ocato and Kayle were bewildered by this statement. Martin was the last Septim.
"What are you talking about, Helseth? The Septim line died with Martin." Kayle said as Ocato intently listened.
Helseth smiled once more. The grin on his face gave Ocato a sign of release, making it possible that this crisis could end quicker than expected. "My mother, Queen Barenziah, did some research on the Septim Bloodline. Cassynder Septim, one of my mother's distant cousins, had an illegitimate son. This illegitimate son also had children, and so did his children. In fact, there is one descendant still alive-Iszel Septim."
Both Ocato and Kayle were shocked by this information. With a Septim still alive, the people could rally to their support, and the war could end quickly, with the Empire surviving. Ocato had to verify the legitimacy of this claim, but that would not prove to be an issue. "Helseth" Ocato asked. "Where is Iszel from? What species is she? Where is she? And how do you know this is true?"
"All in good time, Ocato, all in good time. I have an answer to all of these questions, but the only one you need to know is that Iszel is here in the Imperial City with my mother. Do not worry about her safety, she is being escorted here tomorrow morning." Helseth said. "Now, I believe it is far too late for any more talk of politics and war, and I shall be going to bed. I recommend you do the same." Helseth left the chambers, and was followed by Kayle.
Shortly after, Ocato left the council chambers, and began climbing the stairs in the White Gold Tower, to go to his chambers. He was relieved that this war could be over quickly-Eldaris, Mathilda, Aleria, Herold, and Gro-Mak-Han would all turn over there claims, and order would be restored.
At least he hoped it would.
As Ocato reached his chambers, he heard a noise behind him. He could not tell what it was, but something was there. And as Chancellor Ocato turned around, peace died, as the being began to suck the life out of him. Within moments, Chancellor Ocato was dead, and the Empire had entered a state of war.
