Prologue
Sounds of voices deep in conversation echo off the white marble walls of what would seem to be a palace spire. The room at the base was illuminated by candles and glowing stones. At the center was a huge stone table in the shape of a circle with lavish seats all around it. Though many of them were empty, there were a few still occupied. Wise and knowledgeable beings conversed in a serious tone around the stone table.
"The invasion is over; the gates are shut once more. Martin saw to the end of that." said a grey haired man in blue and gold trimmed robes.
"Why do you believe the empire is still under attack?" he continued.
"I have to agree with Hannibal. True the empire has been a bit unstable since Marin sacrificed his life to stop the daedric onslaught but under your guidance things have been going smoothly. Why invite more possible threats in this time of peace?" inquired an average sized woman in a fine maroon dress.
"Though Mancar Cameron is dead and his followers all but dispersed we have reason to believe that they may be planning another attack on the peace of the empire. I simply feel it would be best to be on our guard is all. Do remember all it took to bring us to the brink of total annihilation last time was a few over zealous daedra worshippers, an overly charismatic magician with a book, and being unprepared for assassination attempt." rebutted a tall thin figure in long regal red robes.
"I believe it would be best to just beckon to the Nine to send us some additional protection. After all, I think we have all learned full well what a bad feeling can lead to." he added.
"The Chancellor makes a valid point, my fellow counselors. Last time it was Marunes Dagon, next time it could be Sheogorath or Sanguine who decide to test our metal. Do we really want to leave that up to chance?" stated an elderly man in a brown monk like robe and a katana at his chair side.
"Thank you Jauffre. I'm glad to see that the Blades see the significance of my proposal." thanked the man in red.
"Still, with all due respect Chancellor Ocato while I support your reason, I take issue with the means. I speak namely of the ritual of the Beacon. If you recall from the Elder Scrolls history the last time it was attempted the empire was nearly torn asunder and the emperor at the time was burnt to ash." Jauffre claimed.
"Be that as it may we must also keep in mind the reason behind his demise was that he wanted to become a living god and so the Nine punished him quite fittingly. As we speak I have numerous mages, sorcerers, and many members of the clergy looking into ways to make this go off without a hitch. All that need be taken care of is preparation and the counsel's approval." stated Ocato.
As he finished that statement the rest of the counsel deliberated.
Hannibal stood and said, "Chancellor Ocato, after much deliberation the Mage's Guild stands with your decision."
The leader of the Fighter's Guild, Vilena Donton, concurred with the Arch-Mage.
"What say you Jauffre?" asked Ocato.
"If the other guild masters trust your judgment then so shall I. The Brotherhood of the Blades will stand by the Chancellor's decision." said Jauffre.
"Well then now that all necessary votes are in the motion passes and the ritual of the Beacon will be performed. I call upon the counts and countesses of the many cities of Cyrodill to meet here at White Gold Tower in thee weeks time to commence the ceremony. Until then this meeting of the Elder Counsel is adjourned." finished the Chancellor.
Three weeks had come and gone since the meeting. Everyone who was to take part in the ritual was assembled in the counsel chamber. All the necessary preparations were made and the stage was set in accordance with the ancient rite.
"We are about to commence the ritual. Before we do, is there anyone among us who objects? Speak now or forever hold your peace." Ocato inquired.
Nobody spoke up, though it looked as if they were all objecting on the inside.
"Very well then, let the ritual begin!" proclaimed Ocato.
The many clergy members of the different temples and chapels gathered in the center and began to sing in unison in a monotone voice. The Arch-Mage Hannibal stepped forward and kicked things off by saying,
"On this the seventh day of New Seed of the fourth era we the people of Cyrodill do come together in consecrated unity do call out to our godly masters, the Nine Divine. So mote it be!"
As he finished he stretched forth his hands toward the center of the giant stone table as a light blue beam of mana flowed from his hands. Then having finished his part he kept feeding the mana into the center and fell silent as the leader of the Fighter's Guild stepped forward.
"By the strength of our will and endurance of our might we call out to our godly protectors, the Nine Divine. So mote it be!" she called out whilst feeding her red mana into the center. Next came Jauffre, Grand-Master of the Blades, as it was now his turn to partake in the rite.
He proclaimed, "From the might of our resolve to the courage in our hearts, we call out to our godly founders, the Nine Divine. So mote it be!", as he fed yellow mana into the table's core. Now all the remained was Chancellor Ocato.
"As the duly elected leader of the Empire of Cyrodill I call out and beckon to our godly creators, the Nine Divine. We beseech you oh great ones to please send your children guardians of righteousness and champions of justice to protect us from all who wish to destroy our union, peace, and civility. By your names so mote it be!" he shouted as he fed green mana into the core.
Their combined mystic forces cored into a sphere of white light. The chants and singing continued as it kept growing in tone. They all raised their hands to the sky and in unison shot one continuous beam of their respective colors toward a pillar of light emanating from the light core. Upon feeding the pillar that final time they relaxed their hands having finished the ritual looking quite satisfied at the tower of light they had just created. All was going as planned, that was until the light went from white to grey.
"Is this part of the process Chancellor?" inquired Vilena.
"No, something is wrong. Close the portal! Do it now!" he yelled to his personal mages.
"Sir we can't! The magic's magnitude is too great!" replied a struggling wizard.
Ocato could only look on in complete dismay. The once clear sky had changed to a thunderous grey storm. Lightning struck all about outside the palace walls and high winds howled harshly. A great black vortex had begun to open up in the sky. Ocato gazed upon the ominous hole and silently uttered to himself, "What have we done?"