Chapter Three: Trying to Find a Balance
Varzo Gurkan, 4E 802, Date Unknown
Location: Unknown
Darkness was all Varzo could see, even though his abductors removed the bag from his head a short time ago. He couldn't move because he was all tied up in ropes.
"Anybody here!" Varzo screamed, knowing he was taking his chances. Either no one heard him or no one cared because there was no sign of anyone. Varzo squirmed and tried all he could to escape the bindings, but it was no use. All it caused for him was his chair to flip over. Still, he tried to wiggle his way out, knowing it was most likely his only chance of surviving. Suddenly, a torch lit up the area.
Varzo appeared to be in a small cave with only one exit. It looked as if it was man made. As he peeked up to see who was holding the torch, a tall person wearing a full set of black and red armor moved close to him.
"He's awake," The person said with a robotic sounding voice. He was much taller than Varzo and his face was pale grey with red markings.
Another one of the "humanoids" popped out from the darkness. "You know why you're here, I'm sure?" He said to Varzo.
"No...I don't," Varzo responded without making eye contact. He shifted his bloodshot eyes onto the humanoid's dark red ones. "What are you? Why am I here?"
"Why were you the only one to escape your shack without dying?" The humanoid asked with extreme seriousness.
"I want my questions answered first," Varzo demanded. "What the hell are you and why am I in this cave?"
The humanoid gave Varzo an uppercut with his fist and his nose began to bleed. "I'm a Dremora, that's what. That's all I will say until you answer my question. Why aren't you dead?"
"Why would I be?" Varzo asked him. "I ran away from my home before you could do anything to me."
"But the disease..." The Dremora gulped, stunned that he had failed a mission.
"Disease?" Varzo questioned. "What disease? Is it airborne?"
"He's immune," One of the Dremora said. "He has to be."
Varzo looked around nervously. If they hadn't killed him before, he felt like they would definitely kill him now.
"No one is immune," another Dremora replied. "Mehrunes Dagon made sure of it! Surely someone made a mistake at one point!"
Varzo had to take a minute to process everything. Mehrunes Dagon creating a lethal disease, and having his people spread it everywhere. He began to feel hopelessness as he remained in his chair.
"Dammit, all of you!" The largest Dremora shouted at his smaller friends. He was obviously their leader, the one who asked Varzo all the questions. "We're going to give him a direct dose. If he doesn't die, then he is immune somehow. We'll just kill him anyway."
Varzo breathed heavily and looked at the leader. He knew there was no way out no matter what was about to happen. "Wait!" He shouted at the Dremora. "Before you do this, I must ask...How did you find my old dagger? And why do you have it?"
The leader smiled devilishly as he revealed his razor sharp gauntlets. "These are my tainted gauntlets. I'm going to punch you with them, and you'll be infected. Let's start the experim-"The light from the torches faded as someone knocked them from the Dremora's hands.
The only thing Varzo could see was the small area of light that appeared to be an opening. Varzo heard screams and swords clashing, though. He had no idea how someone could fight in the dark like that.
"Varzo?" A male voice asked him as he continued to crawl towards the exit.
"Shh..." He told the voice, worrying if the Dremora were still alive.
"It's okay, they're gone. They teleported somewhere."
"Who are you?" Varzo asked, not recognizing the voice.
"Hold on, let me grab a torch. There was one hanging on the wall outside this cave." When he returned, the light revealed an old Nord wearing brown monk robes.
"A monk?" Varzo was shocked. "A monk scared them all away? And I don't know how you know my name, either. But if you say you're here to help, then I don't care. Please cut these ropes so I can get up."
"They knew who I was. That's what scared them off."
"What's with the swords clashing then?" The monk undid Varzo's bindings.
"I summoned certain spirits to fight for me."
"I didn't see any spirits," Varzo said, confused. "What's your name? Why did you come here for me?"
"Just follow me," The monk said as he walked out of the cave.
Varzo nodded and scurried out the opening. When he got out, he realized he was no longer in Skyrim. He wasn't complaining though, the weather was beautiful, nice and warm. Lush tropical rainforest surrounded the area. The trees grew very tall, looking as if they were touching the sky.
"Where are we?" Varzo asked, wondering how long the Dremora had him captured. "How long have I been gone?"
"My friend," The monk began. "Welcome to Akavir."
Varzo began to breathe heavily and question if the monk was truly his ally. "How long have you been here?"
"Not long. Maybe a month," The monk said. "Now come, I must reveal to you my 'home,' if you will."
"Why do I need to go to your hom-"
"No more questions," The monk told him. "Not until we get there. Tamriel is in extreme danger. That's why I've made a home here."
"Fine," Varzo said as he followed the monk.
They had arrived about a half hour later. A tall castle-like structure stood high on a beach. "This is it," The monk said. "Let's get inside."
When they got into the castle, they entered a large open room. Sitting there were eight other people. Two of which Varzo knew. Farie and K'an turned to see him. "You're alive!" Farie exclaimed. "It's good to see you here."
Varzo smiled and asked, "Do you know why we're her-"
"No. But we're about to find out," K'an told him and pointed to the monk. He was about to make a speech.
"Welcome to Akavir, comrades," The monk said. "I have brought all of you here for a very important reason. But first, let me introduce myself. My name is Gartas and I am a servant of Akatosh. He has spoken, and he has spoken clearly. Mehrunes Dagon has already brought a disease to Tamriel and without all of your help, it will likely wipe out the population. He's spreading it with his minions, which he calls his "vectors." The Dremora are here too, and I fear the disease has entered Akavir as well. Without all of you, the Daedra will destroy us all."
"Why have you forced us here?" A Khajiit asked. "How did you find us? Surely there is a bigger reason of why we're here?"
"Akatosh himself told me where each of you were, and he granted all of you with a very special resistance. You, my friends, are the Souls of Immunity."
This chapter was mostly dialogue, but honestly dialogue is my favorite part of writing. Things might be confusing to you guys so if you have any questions just PM me and I should be able to answer.