The Forgotten City

Fandom: Skyrim with DLCs

Author: Ahsoka'sBestFriend

Rating: T

Genres: Romance, Adventure

A/N: The cover image is from the mod The Forgotten City, which Zero Period Productions' videos of inspired this story.

Redguard Dragonborn and adventurer Erilona crouched, holding a Dwarven bow. She had a scimitar buckled at one hip, and wore a set of Stormcloak Officer Armor. Beside her, her Housecarl and wife Rayya crouched, holding her twin enchanted scimitars. She squinted, distantly making out the figure of a bandit man in fur armor. He was looking down. She set an elven arrow to her string, and took aim at his leg. She fired, knocking him to the ground. She slung away her bow and drew the scimitar that was buckled at her hip, Windshear. She walked over to where the bandit was laying on the ground trying to get up. She put her blade to his neck, kicking away his steel sword. She glanced at where he was looking down, and saw a ring of stone that appeared to be carved in the Dwemer style, and in the center of the ring was a deep, black hole. A rope ran down into the hole.

"Don't go down there," the bandit warned her.

"Why not?"
"Arlo went down two days ago and hasn't returned. I fear he's dead or injured. No offense, Redguard, but you look like you would fare badly in a Dwemer ruin."

"I'll take my chances. Rayya, should I kill him?"
"No. He may be a bandit, but he hasn't harmed us."

"This is your lucky day, bandit. We won't kill you."

Erilona moved to the hole, and cast a ball of light down. It came to a stop on the floor, illuminating the pit.

"Hmm. Doesn't look as deep as I thought. Want to check it out?"

"Sure."
"I'll go first Rayya."

"No, Erilona. I'm your Housecarl. I'm supposed to protect you. I'll go first."

"Rayya, I'm your wife. I'll go down first."

"And leave me at the mercy of this bandit?"

"For the love of Talos, fine."

Rayya moved to the pit, sheathing her blades. She took the rope in both hands, and started to climb down. As soon as she was halfway down, Erilona put Windshear between her teeth and followed. Once they were both down, there was a loud roar that shook them.
"FEIM ZII GRON!"

Erilona faded away, and Rayya sidestepped just as a werewolf came out of nowhere and attacked, slashing out at them with its claws. Rayya's scimitars slashed out, tearing into the wolf's flesh. Erilona lunged, slashing out with Windshear. The werewolf fell to the ground, and Erilona followed up with a flurry of strikes that ripped open its face. She drew her ancient dagger Mehrune's Razor and stabbed the werewolf in the back, killing it instantly. It collapsed and had a seizure before its thick black pelt melted away, revealing a naked Bosmer woman. There was a set of leather armor laying on the ground nearby, and a small camp. There was a note pinned in the ground by an iron dagger. Erilona sheathed her dagger and the scimitar, and moved to the note. She pulled it free, and read it.

Akarla-

If you ever read this, please know I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I came here out of curiosity, having seen the hole as I walked by, and something about this place caused me to lose control of my abilities. I feel that it's better if I stay here, because I don't know if this lack of control is permanent. I'm sorry my love.

Love, Nimelin.

PS: To anyone else who reads this note, please take it to Akarla Shadybrook in Solitude. She is a High Elf, and last I knew she was wearing a set of shining steel armor. I would be much obliged if you could make sure she receives this message.

Erilona felt a twinge of sadness at the Bosmer's fate. She handed Rayya the note, and stuffed the dagger in her bag.

"After we're done here, we'll go to Solitude. I feel obligated to take this note to this Altmer, and tell her of Nimelin's fate."

Rayya slipped it into a pocket of her leather armor.

"Right."

For the first time, Erilona and Rayya took stock of their surroundings. They were standing in a pond, and there was a massive waterfall. A stone path led up behind it. They followed cautiously, finding a door that appeared to be of Dwemer origin.

"Let's go."

Erilona drew her sword, but not Mehrune's Razor, and pushed open the door. They walked inside.