I will not be forgotten, of that I am quite sure. But deeds become legends and legends shroud the truth, and so it would be wise to record the true passing of things, lest my work be forgotten and my path lost in tales.

Part I: The Sky

I still remember the smoke and smell of burning flesh. My people, forced to live deep underground, both cherished and feared the light and heat of fire; our fire is a god, loved, adored, hated. Sometimes she gives, sometimes she takes. This fire was of the second kind - it burned and charred and smoke was rising from the old homes of my clan.

I ran, for I knew outcasts would not be spared. I ran, hoping to hide in a cavern and wait for the fire in their hearts to tire. Everyone in my clan was doing the same, and the survivors would one day emerge to build up our former glory. That was the way of things with my people. But none of that was in my mind. At that moment all I could do was run.

I ran and ran and ran, until the voices were muffled and the fire was far away. Into a deep dark cave I ran, beyond the borders of my people's realm, in hope that they would not dare pursue me into the unknown. I ran until the echoes of the screams all ceased. I ran and ran… but then I could run no more, for the cave was blocked by a strange unfamiliar structure. It was made of metal the color of fire - a little like red gold, but darker and harder to the touch. Flickers of light danced around the structure, spreading from huge blue-green crystals inset in the metal. It looked like the thing was alive. It was beautiful. But it was in my way.

Nothing can stop a youngling of my race driven by fear. I jumped and started to climb the structure, kicking around in order to create a crack or a hole in which I could hide. I knew no one would touch something as unusual and strangely graceful unless their life was in danger, so I'd be safe from the pursuers if I could go just a little further. Embraced by fear, I did not notice that my scrambling set something in motion and the structure began to stir…

I do not know what happened - I have no memories but the horrible feeling, as if someone tried to pull me out of myself. But after a time it stopped. And yet I did not feel the same as before - something was amiss, the fire in my heart was weak, the very blood in my veins seemed cold. Then fear grasped me again with its cold claws - and I ran on, despite the chill in my chest and the vast unknown that stretched beneath my feet. I ran again, oblivious to all the sounds and shaking ground, until I gasped for air and my legs could hardly bear me anymore. I ran until I could no longer see. Then my feet felt something soft and I fell.

There is no way to describe what I felt when I woke up. I was lying on the ground, smelling a wonderfully fresh scent. My hands and feet were touching something soft. My skin was warm, but not as if warmed by fire - it was a less invasive, calmer, shy heat, caressing and healing. I slowly opened my eyes… Ah, the brightness! The light! The vastness of the space above! I had read about these things, but to see them on my own… For the first time in centuries, the eyes of my kind beheld the sky…

Notes about playthrough/mods:

I play as a Drow Elf (race mod: id 17458 on Nexus).

I used Live Another Life (id 9557 on Nexus) to avoid starting at Helgen. One of the options lets you start unconscious in front of a Dwemer ruin, wearing rugs and with empty inventory - just perfect ^^