Note: I continue a bit more with the Sean story, which explains about Fathis a bit. Otherwise, not much else. Enjoy, all.

Saylo sat down in a seedy looking bar. He was about to order a drink, but quickly remembered that he had just used the last of his money to bribe the Khajiit guard. He let out a sigh and looked around for Nem.

He didn't even know what the guy looked like.

Saylo stood up and walked to a person with a hook for a hand sitting in a corner. "Eh, excuse me, you wouldn't happen to know someone named Nemarius, would you?"

"I'm bored, and I'm out of Guar's milk," Largot said. "Doc, I'm gonna go take a look in the town. I'll keep a low profile, but if you hear a fight either run in or run away."

"Can do, Captain," Marcus said distractedly, most of his attention being focused on trying to watch which one of the three cups the crippled old Khajiit he was playing a street game had put the gold coin in.

"Oi, watch that. There's a kitten under the table," Largot warned, then snuck off into the city.

It felt much like a pirate haven, but these were no pirates. Renrijra Krin bandits filled the sordid hole Largot found himself in. "Pint of Guar's Milk," He said, when a knife drove into the counter beside him. "The hairless shouldn't go wandering here," The Cathay-Raght hissed at him.

"And hairy cats should suckle thier kittens and leave well enough alone." A voice said from behind. A mannish-looking creature had appeared behind the Khajiit, whose associates were shocked by the sudden appearance. "What be the worth of two humans lives, here in the heart of our land? The same as that of sand," He said, motioning to his friends to advance.

"You should learn to heed advice!" The newcomer said, punching the bandit in the chest just as his hand became a black talon. Largot seized the initiative and kicked another bandit in the head. He and the newcomer ran out the door and into an alley, where they lost their pursuers. "You said you wouldn't do that," Largot said. "Well, I have trouble stretching my wings in so public a place, a human form was all I could take to help alleviate my boredom." Nak'Ditargan said, evaporating into smoke and rejoining with Largot. "Just be more careful. We still have a bounty on our heads."


"Fair warning, this may not be pretty." Leon said, assuming the more concrete part of his vision to be correct.

The spell ended and they arrived back in Winterhold, in the same Inn as before. But this time the Inn was empty. "No customers..." Laria said. "No bartender, that's worse," Thesper answered. "I'm not sure I want to know what we'll find outside."

"No, this is horrible," Engar said, when he went outside the tavern. It was a bloody, gorey, and burning mess.

"No! What has happened!? Who has done this?" Aldanaril cried out.

"I'm guessing those Atmoran spirits." Dan looked down at the ground, and spotted an abnormal, blue type of ectoplasmic residue. "It was some type of spirit."

Fauvei took a deep breath, and for a moment he seemed to flicker. "Something strong was definitely here, it is disrupting my raw animus. I fear for All Tamriel now."

"I should have stayed! Why didn't anyone stay?" Aldanaril stood as if frozen in place.

"None of us saw this coming." Leon said, picking through rubble for survivors. "They regrouped faster than we thought possible."

"We couldn't have done anything. Not without Brasil. And we needed everyone to defeat the mage," Laria said. Don't think about the sorrow, Aldanaril. We shall take revenge, a low voice said, speaking through Laria.

Revenge is not what I seek; I just want the one responsible put to justice." Aldanaril's sadness faded into determination.

Then justice is what you will get! Brasil answered with a loud voice. Laria took a deep breath. "Easy!" she said. "I'm not used to your strength yet." Brasil went silent, trying not to harm his new host. Althought I'm afraid you won't find anyone responsible, he then continued.

"Look, nobody looted anything, it's just pure killing. Slaughter and burn." Leon said, something serious none of the others had seen about his manner before. "I think we may have problems when we get to Atmora. They really don't seem to like us."

"There must be a reason. There's always a reason," Dan stated. "Spirits don't destroy their descendants without a reason. The Nords are the descendants of these Atmoran spirits. Why would they attack, then?"

"The Atmorans and Aldmer were sworn enemies," said Leon with bitterness. "They may think that humans have become impure in their consorting with elven kind." His tattoos flashed red, and he kicked a helmet with a war cry that shook the rubble. "I made it my mission to stop this kind of slaughter!" He yelled.

Fauvei sighed, "I think they have gone mad with wisdom; I mean to say I think they have gone mad with knowledge of their dead ancestors true purpose. I think they realized the One-in-the-Same."

"I spit on that whole concept of One-in-the-Same!" Leon said. "Sorry, old habits, but even Alessia's Eight Divines is abhorrent to me. One of the few points I ever disagreed with her on." He walked around. There was little but corpses to be found. Nothing taken, from his quick scans no one violated. Just murder and fire.

Thesper picked up an amulet and looked at it. "Women and children... They didn't stand a chance." "We should continue," Laria said. "We have to go north."

Leon kicked a helmet. "Let's go as fast as we can. I've seen people light a Tower. It nearly destroyed Tamriel. If there's a Tower in Atmora, let's light that."

"Then let's continue. We all know about towers," Dan said, remembering Yokuda.

Leon wondered if they knew the implications of Tower activation, but shrugged it off. He'd do it even if they did know what would probably wind up happening.

Fauvei felt a chill come over him, as he stepped outside seeing a blanket of fog over the ocean. "I'm ready to leave when you are," he said to no one in particular as he walked to the harbor, even though that was a lie.

Thesper followed Fauvei to the harbor. "Hopefully there's a ship left."

Laria watched them as they went. "Another Tower? Sounds like a plan, if possible." Then she went after Fauvei and Thesper.

Aldanaril followed Laria, looking around at the destruction.

Engar followed behind them all, silently gazing at the dead.

---

They reached the shore, and found one small boat there. It was frail, and not the best, but was seaworthy. "Let's get going," Dan said, gesturing towards the vessel.

"This boat smells of my aunt Kyrhian," said Fauvei in a low voice, "Like old kwama eggs." He stepped inside, feeling the boat rock back and forth, upsetting his stomach. In the front was a dog, which was striding back and forth worridly. Fauvei extended his hand, and the dog licked it and rubbbed his nose upon his hand. Fauvei smiled, and looked out at the sea, seeing vaguely where ocean ended and sheet ice began. The wind seemed to whisper lightly, "Klo'arg..."

Thesper gave a strange look at the little boat. "I really don't like boats..." he said, stepping inside.

Laria followed him. We don't have to use the boat, you know. "You can't fly all the way." Brasil growled. So why did you came looking for me? "You're a fire dragon, we're going to the coldest place ever seen." Well, if we get there, I'm getting out of here. It's too small in here. "I won't stop you."

Dan suddenly asked, "Who of us knows how to pilot a boat?"

Fauvei pulled his hood over his head, the dog heeling at his side. "I suppose I can sail, I picked up a bit on a trip to Summerset in the last life, can't say I remember it all."

"Kid, we'll need this." Leon said, picking up a fallen roof. "Grab those sticks, and we'll set up a sunroof so we don't get roasted on the way to Atmora."

Thesper grabbed some sticks and tried to construct a sunroof. He stopped for a moment. "Hold on. Now I'm even listening to you. You ruined me..." he said, smiling, and continued.

Engar looked out over the sea to the ruined city. "Curse them to the foulest deeps of the Abyss! I will kill them all for what they have done," He said, gripping the rail of the makeshift boat as hard as he could. For the first time in his life, he felt absolutely helpless. Tears fell from his eyes and froze instantly.

"Not if I get to them first." Leon said, as he balanced the roof on some sticks. "A bit of rope and that should do fine."

"No, Leon, just me. I will kill them the moment I see them," said Engar, as he handed some rope to Leon.

"We all have a reason to go there. And we're all going to kill them, as usual. No one should be out there alone," Thesper answered while he tried to get the sunroof up.

Dan shivered on the ship from the cold. He wasn't used to the Skyrim cold, which he had normally only been very briefly exposed to before setting out or reaching an inn. He summoned a fireball in his hands in an attempt to keep himself warm. Then he remembered his thoughts on the fire dragon. In an attempt to keep such thoughts away, Dan proceeded to put out the fire, and simply attempted to rub his hands together for warmth. By anything you worshipped, he hated the cold.

Laria didn't feel the cold and understood that it was because of Brasil. He's cold. Laria looked at Dan. She went to him and put her arms around him. "You're shivering..." she said. With the help of Brasil, she sent some energy through his body, to warm him up. That's enough. Laria stopped. "Feeling better?" she asked as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Dan looked at Laria, smiling. "Thanks, Laria," Dan said. He kissed her back. "I'm feeling much better." It was a lie. The warmth had reminded him of the fire dragon. But he couldn't let Laria know about it. He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't say anything about this secret. To anyone. If only Largot were around...

Fauvei pointed to the dog, "So you all know, we've got company, hope no one's allergic." With that he sauntered over to Dan, tapping him on the shoulder. "Two questions about the construct; can I sleep, or shut it off until we get there, and I can drink in this right? I've got a dozen or so old bottles of mead which must be aged to perfection by now."

Dan turned around to Fauvei. "I'm not really sure; we never got that far in our experiments for such commonplace human actions. You could try, I suppose."

"I just remembered I hate boats." Leon said.

"Why don't you like the water, Leon?" said Engar.

"Reminds me of holes. I learned my first spell out of fear for holes. I like Largot's ship better, sturdy thing, that. Dwemer metal scantlings and other reinforcements." Leon said.

"The Red Fang is nice," said Fauvei, "Can't say I miss the smell, or that lizard, but tis nice."

"I like Marduk!" Leon said. "Once he get's bored of trying to eat you, he's actually very personable."

"I'll keep that in mind," said Fauvei in a dreary tone. He walked to the front of the boat, watching his breath form a cloud and then drift off into the air. He pulled his hood over his head, and sat down against the deck, trying to close his eyes and sleep.

Engar was getting very tired. Mateus' sphere was acting up. Engar removed the icy orb from the center of his armor, and put it in his side pocket next to the scroll from his early aventure into Atmora.


Largot was doing a terrible job of blending in. A tall, black-clad Nord in the middle of a Khajiit town stuck out like a sore thumb, but all the guards were at the bar where the brawl had occurred. He suddenly got shaken by a strange magickal force. That was almost definitely what they were looking for.

Marcus walked about town, looking for the source of the strange magickal energies he felt. Seeing Largot, he walked over and didn't even need to ask to see the captain felt them as well.

"That way," Largot said, pointing to a deserted-looking alley.

"There's some kind of trapdoor," he said, then bent down, grabbed a small iron ring in the sand, and pulled. It came off and crumbled, rusted through. "I guess we do this the old way, then." Largot said, pulling his armored arm back, and bringing it down with all his force. Again and again he did it, until he could lodge his hand underneath and pull up. He did, and a fetid stench of rotting animals reached his nostrils.

"I'm not asking you to come with me, Doc," he said, "but if you want to, I won't stop you."

Marcus pondered for a minute the advantages of staying to 'keep watch', but quickly dismissed them and nodded his agreement to go in.

"Then down we go," Largot said. "Hold your nose," he joked, then slid down the rickety ladder to the underground chamber. "Looks like a butcher forgot he had a storage-house." There were chunks of meat hanging from the ceiling, as there are in a butchery.

"I sure hope these weren't human," Marcus said, squinting into the darkness.

"Looks like cattle, mosly." Largot said, uncertainly. Largot felt the magic beat like a drum. It was in the back, but he couldn't see how far back the room went, since outside of the light he was standing in it was pitch dark.

"Maybe this'll help," Marcus whispered to himself, casting a light spell. It took a moment for his eyes to refocus.

Largot walked over to an iron-enforced door. Surprisingly, it wasn't locked. Inside was the sword. Largot reached out, feeling it's unstable energy, then was thrown back by a shockwave.

"Ah..." he grunted, when Nak'Ditargan slithered out in snake form, screeching as white energy coarsed over him. he flailed, smashing his head against the walls in an attempt to rub off the charge. Eventually it succeeded, and he slunk back into Largot. You'll have to carry that. He said to Marcus.

Marcus reached out and picked up the sword. On odd warmth coursed through him. "This feels...funny. It's awful heavy, isn't it?" Marcus said, trying to find a way to both comfortably and inconspicuously hold the blade which was nearly equal to himself in height.

"Looks it. When we find Saylo, we can give it to him," Largot said.

"Yeah, blades are more his expertise." Marcus said, stepping towards the exit.

---

"Ow, headache" Saylo said suddenly and staggered out of the bar he had been searching. "How hard should it be to find one crazy guy with a sword and- " he stopped in mid thought, as a powerful stench hit him. "Who lit the sewers up?" he asked no one.

"Marcus, Lar-" Saylo said, but stopped in mid sentence. "You guys smell like necromancers," the ordinator interjected, noting the stench. "Nice sword, though. I take it that's the one we're looking for?"

"Yeah, we smell pretty rotten. But in any case we found the sword." Largot said. "I can't touch it, it won't cancel me out, but it hurts someone like me." Largot said.

"Now let's get out of here, I've already had a run-in with some bandits who aren't too fond of humans, I can't imagine they'd treat elves much better."

---

It was starting to get a little late. The kittens were brought back in and the less combative or drunk Khajiit left the roads, leaving mostly foriegners or Cathay. The small group began to walk towards the city gates. The atmosphere seemed to get tense and foreboding. Suddenly, a Suthay jumped from an alley, and scampered off. "Scared the hell out of me." Largot grunted.

A shadow crossed their path, and scampered off.

"That wasn't a scared Khajiit." Largot said, tensing up. "Let's get the hell out of here." They reached the gate, and opened it.

Outside, the Senche-Tigers they had ridden in on were wimpering, and one was badly wounded. Black blood stained the ground. "Doc, see what you can do with him. I'm gonna check for whatever did this."

Marcus did what he could for the Senche-Raht. They were all fairly injured, but one was far worse off than the others. He sighed, hoping he did enough. "Captain, one of our rides are out of commission!" He called out hoarsely, straining his eyes in the coming twilight.

"By Almsivi, what is going on?" Saylo said aloud, squatting by the puddle of blood. He looked around for a moment and then drew a torch from his pack, lighting it with a piece of flint and his dagger. Saylo bent low by one of the Senche-Tigers, examining the imprint of a clawed foot in the ground. Almost on cue, a gust of wind picked up and removed the imprint from existence before the ordinator could figure out what it was.

A shadow jumped from the others, and hissed. "Figures we'd be stuck travelling Elsweyr at night," Largot said. "Two of us need to pair up on a ride, then," he said to Marcus, as loud as he dared.

It was a bit too loud, and three large shadows slunk out into the twilight. "Oh, crap." Largot said. "We have a problem."

Three dro-m'Athra hissed at him. As it was, they were only black shapes. But their silhouettes were unmistakable: Winged Twilights, only these were big. Their claws looked big enough to slice off a head, and their wings had a deadly barb on the joints. A special offshoot for the Elsweyr Daedra. "Guys, I could use some help!"

Marcus glanced to Saylo, who was now in possession of the sword. "These are daedra, aren't they?" He asked, his own confidence that his life was not in danger growing.

Nak'Ditargan slithered out of Largot in snake form, then transformed to his humanish form. I hope they have better sense than to waste the sword on these. We'll need it for a Daedra Prince, he hissed as he angled himself.

"Is there some sort of limit to it's uses?" Marcus asked in a worried tone, now preparing to defend himself.

"Yeah, one slice and its gone," Saylo said, as he drew his ebony sword and prepared for the first Winged Twilight to attack. "I had to wonder when we would come across some of these, though."

Largot dove toward the leftmost of the oversized twilights. His doppeleganger Nak'Ditargan went after it also, penning it into the roofed stable where it could niether move freely nor fly off to escape. Nak'Ditargan's arms became talons and wings burst from his back, creating an image of masculine malice to counter the feminine of the Twilight. The two beasts hissed, but both knew the Twilight would be child's play for the Ada, hemmed in as she was.

---

Marcus dove to his left and his chin made hard contact with the dirt as he dodged the other giant Winged Twilight. Over the two years he spent on the Fang, he had not really gained much in the way of combat ability. Grabbing a branch, he threw it at the twilight, which it swatted away, but not before Marcus was right in the beast's face.

Before the Twilight could react, Marcus thrust his hand against it's chest and cast a spell on it, stealing its combat skills away. As its hand-like talon flew towards him, Marcus caught it almost without thinking. Shifting himself behind the beast, he twisted it's arm as hard as he could until he heard a sickening cracking sound followed by a shrieking wail. Leaping backwards, Marcus felt the effects of his spell already fading.

He cursed under his breath as the beast turned around with an even more wild look in it's eye than before.

---

"Leave me be, I was obeying my mistress!" The Twilight begged. Your mistress is our enemy, Nak'Ditargan said. He then swooped down, impaling the Twilight on his arms. He then tore outward, leaving two halves of a Daedra.

Nak'Ditargan sapped the Twilight's essence from the corpse. Fully restored from his contact with the sword, he bellowed a warning to the air. No Khajiit would respond; their legends about creatures that prowled after dark were too deeply engrained.

Saylo turned from the Twilight he had been fighting and struck out at the Daedroth that had been facing off against Marcus, cleaving one of its wings off in a single attack with his scimatar. He spun on his heel, lifting his shield above him just in time to defend himself against the Winged Twilight he had been facing a moment before.

"Thanks, I got it from here," Marcus said gratefully, preparing a drain health spell to finish off the wounded creature that was now flopping around on the ground.


I would like to...

"...Stretch your wings."

You're ready?

"Ready."

Brasil wanted out. It had been three years. Laria felt his power growing inside her. For a moment it felt like she would burst, but then he freed himself from her and took his own form. Brasil growled as he stretched his long wings. He was long and tall, without horns, but his teeth were impressive enough.

He circled some time around the boat. I won't go too far! he said, flying a bit further away. Laria looked at him as he flew around.

Thesper lay under the sunroof. "Don't let him come to close with that fire... I'm not fond of it..." he said and closed his eyes.

Aldanaril watched as Brasil flew around. "What a beautiful creature," he said, smiling.

Leon smiled. "Who'd've thunk it, eh? Being freed must make it easier to manifest in following bonds. I'm so glad we have a Dragon, I could just go and write a shanty!"

"Yeah," Dan said, "he must feel better being free." Dan pondered a thought for a moment. "I hope when they beat him, he took all those Left-Handed Elves with him."

Brasil returned and circled around the boat again. It's freezing up there! he said. You'd better stay close to each other! He dove down and slowly lost his form. For a moment it seemed like he was just a fire ball that came down. Then he reached Laria and they became one again.

Thesper opened an eye. "Does anyone know how long this will take?" he asked. Then he took a bottle out of his pocket and drank it. "I don't got a hundred of these..." he said and put it back.

"It will probably be a few days till we hit Atmora," said Engar. "Hey Dan, what do you think?"

Dan shivered. "I'm not sure. We're far, far north of the closest I've ever been to Atmora. I never liked the cold. But, it shouldn't take that much longer. I would hazard a guess that Atmora is a similar distance from Tamriel as Yokuda, and we still haven't traveled as long as it took to get to Yokuda. All those years ago..."

Thesper looked up. "The same distance as Yokuda? That took me some weeks!" He looked in his pocket. "I don't have supplies for a few weeks..." He said. "I'll use them carefully then, but if someone doesn't have a solution... We may get into trouble."

"Well, the colds of the North can play tricks on you. It could take a few more hours, or it could take weeks; no one knows," Engar said. "I would recommend that everyone prepare for a long journey."

"Master, I could increase the ship's speed and strength, if you will let me do something," said Mateus. "Very well, Mateus, you may do so," Engar replied.

He took put Mateus' sphere, and placed it in the center of the ship. The orb disappeared in a flash of blue, as the ship transformed into a huge ship made of metal, ice, and wood. Engar was awestruck. "Mateus, I had no idea that you could do this." Mateus replied, "You never asked if I could, Master."

"Now this is a much more comfortable ship," Leon said, clapping Engar on the shoulder. "It's much more stable than that rickety boat. Just one problem, it's still freaking freezing."

I'm afraid I can't be of much help... A fire on a ship is never a good idea, Brasil said through Laria

Leon grinned. "I have my lute, if anyone's bored?"

Aldanaril smiled. "Yes, Leon, play us some music."

"Yes," Dan said, smiling, "some music would be great."

"Oh, a wonderful thought!" Laria said, when she heard Leon's suggestion. "You're great with music. Come on, make us happy!" Make an old Dragon sing!

Leon sat down, and tuned his lute a little bit. He then started to play a fast tune, singing in the Nedic tongue. it was a happy tune, and from Leon's grin people could tell the lyrics wetren't the most tame he knew.

Brasil made a deep growl, humming along. "What does the words mean?" Laria asked. "They sound happy." You don't want to know that... Brasil laughed.

"This is nice, compared to the brawling that I have become accustomed to," Engar said. Then he looked around. Seeing each of his friends here...it was calm and peaceful, and everyone was happy and relaxed. He suddenly had an idea.

"Hey everyone, I had an idea: How about I make some of my famous stew? But, I'll need a nice sized fireball," Engar said, excitedly and a little hungry.

"I can't eat food. But all the same I'd enjoy the smell of stew cooking, I like the idea." Leon said as the song ended.

"Fine music and a good dinner," Dan said grinning, "what could I not like about this? Now isn't this a calm before the storm?"

"Yes, I got the feeling too, it feels.. strange." Aldanaril said to Dan.

"Let us not think about that yet. Let us just enjoy the moment," Laria answered. "It has been a while since we could do this."

About the heating, Brasil said, I can do it for some moments. But I won't do it all the time. It will cost some energy and I don't want to use it all just to keep you warm. "But we can provide you the fireball," Laria continued, and she smiled. She opened her hand, and a fire ball appeared. "Just tell me how strong you want it and for how long."

"Let's see, another one... oh yes!" he said, standing up, he began strumming his lute and bobbing his head, then singing some low-toned lyrics that clearly sent a wave of exitememnt through him. he used a spot if Illusion to make an image out of the smoke from the fireball, of two men riding horses through a plain.

Fauvei watched intently, his eyes half-open, from far off. The wind continued to whisper around him, Kynareth herself lulling him into trancethought.

"This is great, thank you Laria," Engar said. Rummaging through his backpack, he pulled out a pot, a knife, meat, potatoes, carrots, two loaves of bread, and a large jar of gravy. He put the pot over the fireball and began to cook.

An hour later, the stew was ready. " Oh boy, this looks good," Engar said, "Everyone, hand me your bowls and we will begin to eat." One by one, Engar lifted their bowls. When Dan had his, Engar served himself. " Everyone, dig in. I hope you enjoy."

Dan ate the food. It was absolutely delicious. "Wow, how did you learn to make this?"

"It was the only thing I learned to cook from my mother," Engar said.

Laria slowly ate her meal. "Very good, Engar. I like it."

"Yeah, why didn't you tell us you could cook?" Dan asked with a small smile on his face.

"If you had said that sooner, I wouldn't have had to do all the cooking back then," Laria said with a little smile.

"Well I thought that you guys would expect that I knew how to cook. After all, I was trapped on Yokuda for a few years," Engar said, with a little disappointment in his voice. " Oh, and no one ever asked me if I could cook."

"That's true," Laria answered. "Well, you did great, thank you."

" Thank you, Laria," he said gratefully.

Suddenly, Dan heard a whistling that kept going on. He suddenly realized, through his numb skin, that it was the wind. It had suddenly started blowing strongly northward, bringing the ship with it. "Wow. It seems like even the wind wants us to get there."

"That's chilly." Leon said, angling closer to the group to at least get in on the heat if he couldn't get in on the taste. "This should pick up our speed. So, do we have a plan or will we just run in? I remember one time I found the husk of an Atmoran ship. I enchanted this sword with the blood of the creature inside," he said, motioning to the sword he wore on his belt.

"I'm not sure. The people here who would know the most are Fauvei, who knows about what's going on at least somewhat, and Engar, who has been there before. I myself am not sure."


Marcus cast a final drain health spell on the Twilight, killing it. He looked over to Largot and Saylo, who seemed to have dispatched their foes as well. "Well, now that we have what we need, I suppose we should set sail, hm?"

"Yeah. How can we get to Azura's realm, though? I know Leon went to a Daedric Realm once, but I think that required a really long and elaborate ritual," Largot said.

"We could go to Moonshadow, or we could bring Azura here, that would have the same effect...though not nearly as satisfying, and I'm not entirely sure if it would be permanent," Saylo muttered, kicking one of the dead Twilights

"Oh, well that's just great!" Marcus said sarcastically, throwing his arms in the air. "Did we get into this with any plans in mind? No! Of course not! What are we gonna do now?"

"We do this right, or not at all," Saylo said, turning to the south. "So we're going to Moonshadow. We'll need some things first though..."

"List them off on the way back to port. Chances are, somebody there has at least some of what we need." Largot said. "You'd be amazed at the kind of stuff they have there sometimes.

"Let's go. Every second we waste is another second for Azura to figure out what we're doing," Largot said, then sped off, his black cloak billowing in the wind giving the image of a demon in the night.

As he rode, his thioughts drifted. He had once been so free. What happened to that? He remembered a time where he would have rode off into the night, and had many adventures with clear objectives and motives. Now he had to go to a certain place to do something very vague. But what he was doing was good, right? Then if freedom would have left Fauvei unavenged, what was the nature of freedom? Wasn't freedom what Azura hated? Then were they simply doing as she wished?

He shook the thoughts from his head. Now was the time for action.


Sean trailed behind Pyry, who had spent what seemed like an infinite amount of time explaining ideas and concepts to Sean. Sean himself didn't care much for what he was teaching him, but listened all the same; according to the Breton, he'd have to know some of what he was teaching him.

Finally, Pyry stopped speaking, and turned back around to Sean. "Anyway, now on to business. The group up north is going to have to expect a bit of trouble soon, and unless we distract Laria away from them, things will go badly. Therefore, we're going to have to work something out." He pulled out a black tome, and began flipping through it. "You may have noticed your change into a transparent blue fellow when you came in here; that's because we'll need your physical body; switch one for another, if you will." He threw it over to Sean. "I've already accomplished that.

"Next, we need to call someone back to take up the body. Someone important." He looked over at Sean. "This will be difficult, but that's why I've got you. It hasn't been that long, so little should have been lost-at most, some memories are missing, and the others can help with that." He completely turned around now, gesturing his hand a bit in the air. "Azura and Mora will know most certainly, but Mora could care less of anything to do with Leon Neleus, and Azura cannot touch us here."

Sean looked over at him, dumbfounded. "I'm still kind of confused by this. Can't you explain it a bit better?" Pyry shook his head. "There isn't time, we have to go now; we don't have much time to do it." Sean nodded, and followed Pyry through another of his makeshift portals.

When they reached the other side, it was nothing. Sean looked about at the darkness. Pyry took his hand, and pulled him elsewhere. When they arrived at their destination, Sean followed Pyry's every word, as they began their plans.


He awoke deep below, in a rather dark place. He could see nothing but blurred walls and water, dripping everywhere. He saw a crack in a wall, where a trace of light which seemed watery to his eyes lay. He strained to see something, anything, where he was, and tried to remember what he was, who he was, if he was. He looked at his hands, which also seemed to blur before his eyes, and remembered only one word, which he burned into his mind as much as he could, until he seemed to know only that word: Fathis.


Brasil growled. "What's the matter?" Laria asked. Feel... Laria closed her eyes and tried to feel what he meant.

After a moment she opened her eyes again. "I'm not sure what it means..." Brasil grew uneasy inside her. He left her body and became nothing more then a fire ball, floating in the air. We are in trouble... he said. And with that, I mean you and me. Our connection.

"Why? Please, tell me!" Not yet... Not before I'm sure. He went back to her. Then he spoke to her, so soft no one could hear. We may have to leave.

Dan looked out upon the ocean, wondering at the great speed of the wind. Suddenly, he saw it-a large piece of ice, seeming to extend all the way west and east, growing larger as they approached. "I think we found it," Dan said.

"It looks more fearsome than I had imagined," said Fauvei, wiping crust from his eyes. The others seemed a tad startled, as if they had not heard him wake. He let out a long breath, but couldn't see his breath form a cloud like usual. He reached for his belt, expecting his dagger Falus to be right htere, but found nothing. This troubled him. "I miss Falus," he whispered under his breath, surveying the land. "It whispers to me, its breath...so spurned..."

We really should go... "Not now! They'll freeze to death without you!" Alright, alright. I guess you're right... But when I say we go next time, you'll listen. I'm older than you. Laria mumbled something and looked at the ice.

"See? I told you guys," Engar boasted. "Oh, and as the Dragon Knight of Ice, I welcome you all to my realm. Leon, you take the map. I'll have to keep my eyes open for our enemies," he said.

"I always was one for cartography..." Leon said as he examined the unfamilliar landmass. He caught two scent-trails. One of a beast, and one of a mannish creature. "I think that those spirits are nearby," Leon said. "They smell like Old Talos did when he hit the Golden Years. Mind the Udyfryktes."

"Udyfryktes? I hate those things..." Thesper said. He stretched out. "Let's finish them then, shall we?"

"Wait, this is probably their natural habitat. There are probably several living here. We all know one Udyfrykte is enough. Several of them would definitely be trouble. I think we should avoid them unless we have to fight."

"Good choice. The one I fought back in the Second Era damn near bit my head off," Leon said. "But their behavior in their familiar surroundings may be a touch more peacable, since they aren't scared and confused. "

Thesper got up. "I've never fought an Udyfrykte before, but if they like to bite heads off, I think I'll agree," he said.

"Always hated Nordic words names, can't hardly pronounce their kings' names, let alone udder-freaked or whatever." said Fauvei with a grin. He liked emotions; they were becoming more common, but he still felt very detached, less of a person still, and more of a mind. He blinked twice, after seeing a faint red glow to the east, but decided to keep shut and ignore it; let things unfold as it were...

Laria felt uneasy. "What is it, Brasil?" she asked. You have to understand, friend, that this is difficult for me. I need to know if there is a chance that he...

"What would be the consequence of it?" This never happened before, so I don't know. But I'm afraid you don't have a choice, we have to go. Now. "I can't leave them... He... I need him." We are one, I will feel the same as you do. But don't you feel what I mean? "Yes, I do. Oh, but how..."

Brasil didn't answer anymore, but left her body and became a fire ball again. He floated to Dan and surounded him with flames. They didn't burn him or even felt warm. But through them, Brasil talked to him. His words were only meant for Dan and the flames held the others from hearing them.

We will leave, Brasil said. Our hearts will stay here, for she loves you and so do I. The reason why we leave was my choice and not her's. But we will return. Tell them it is necessary. Tell my brother to protect them.

The flames dissapeared and Brasil took his own form. Laria had tears in her eyes, but didn't speak. She sat on his back and they flew away. We will return...

---

"What the-" was all Fauvei said, as he raised an eyebrow and saw Laria drifting further off. A immense chill slowly crept all around them. "Great, now ee're all going to freeze, we're all going to f**king freeze out here! What in Oblivion just happened?" His words were then muffled by wind, but they weren't of value anyways, rambling. The faint red on the horizon grew brighter, he hoped no one would notice.

"That's a very bad thing!" Leon said, snapping his fingers to light a torch. "This'll only last so long. What the hell did they leave for, and what the hell is that?" Leon said, spotting the small red light. "This is bad. We have to leave now. I say we should try our luck with whatever it is that smells like Tiber Septim."

"Dan, do you know where she went?" Fauvei snapped. He could care less about losing his life, but to think he went through the trouble of coming back for nothing angered him.

Dan stood silent for a moment, then said to the others in a quiet voice, "Brasil said they had to leave. That it was his choice, and that it was important they went. He didn't say what it was he left for." Dan fell silent, and continued to follow them.

Fauvei sighed. "I believe that glow is what we're looking for. I've seen if before," he said, pointing and averting his eyes.

"I don't like it." Leon said. "It reminds me of many bad things."

"Well if anyone wants to listen to the soul in a box versus the cranky old guy, they can come with me, because I'm not wasting any time," said Fauvei. The wind continued to pound against him, and he could see he was not the only one trying hard to stand in one spot, looking at the group who looked back at him in wonder...

"Hell, I can't let you kiddies get into this on your own, can I? I'm coming. I won't enjoy it though." Leon said, then grumbled his way up to where Fauvei was. "So, soul-in-the-box, lead on."

Fauvei nodded, and pulled his foot out of the snow and continued onward, noting those behind him. Soul-in-the-box, he thought to himself, I quite like that...

Thesper had ignored Leon and Fauvei for a while, staring at the sky and wondering why Laria had left. Then he turned to them and he followed Fauvei. He didn't like it either, but Leon was right. They couldn't split anymore. They needed each other. All of them. His thoughts wandered again to Laria and Brasil, to forget the cold.

---

Tears fell from her face, while she held on. The wind was strong and she had to be careful so she wouldn't fall off. Brasil moved beneath her, searching the best way to fly. I'm sorry, friend... "No, you're right. This has to be done. We'll go back to help them after this." We're almost there. He's getting close. "There is only water. Nothing more..." How long can you hold your breath? Brasil asked, trying to be funny, but he failed. "Long enough..." Laria answered as she remembered the spell.

---

Fathis. Fathis. That word. What could it mean? It was as if he had existed an eternity of a second here, and had known nothing, until now. Fathis. The word awakened his mind. He knew it meant something. But what could it mean? Was it something besides the darkness and the blurs? The only thing not blurred were his thoughts. And his thoughts hadn't existed until that word. Fathis.

Suddenly, a new thing appeared. A blue blur, through which another shape came through. The shape came towards him, and another word appeared in his head: Azura. That was the shape's name. The shape approached him, and as he watched, said words he did not understand: "Together those of them may have lived, but apart they will succumb to the waves of fate and tides of war. As has been foretold."

Even as it spoke, he forgot the words, and they melted into his mind and formed more blurs. The thing closed the dark passage to his left, not noticing the small channel of water colored light. The Azura then stepped through the blue blur again, which disappeared. And once again he was left in the darkness, only now with two words instead of one.

---

Ready? Brasil asked as he circled. "Ready," Laria answered, as she casted a water breathing spell. Brasil dove into the cold ocean, with Laria on his back. Laria felt the pressure rising as they went deeper and deeper. Suddenly Brasil stopped. "What's wrong?" Laria asked in her thoughts. It is here. Right here. But I can't get through. Some energy is blocking me. "Like a wall?" Something like that, yes. "We will get through it," Laria said and focused. Brasil understood and did the same. Their energy grew, until they let it go upon the field that was holding them.

He noticed something suddenly. The place where the light had been coming through-there was water dripping down there, faster and faster, until the cavern began to fill with water. He saw blurs, which were suddenly becoming clear, descending in. He stared at them, and attempted to find words for them.

They grabbed him and pulled him with them. Laria casted another water breathing spell upon him and they went up. Brasil roared when they reached the surface. He started to fly in circles again, to give Laria a chance to look at their friend. "We thought you were dead!" she cried, this time tears of joy. "How did you end up there?"

He continued to stare at them, wondering what they were. He couldn't come up with the words. He knew there were words, and he had known them before, but what were they? "Fathis, Azura, Fathis." He stated what he knew, hoping that they could tell him what Fathis was.

Laria stared at him, shocked. "He doesn't know who we are. He only knows his name! Nothing more!" She held him in his arms, pressing her face against his chest. Not for long. Brasil said. Laria sat suddenly straight, feeling his energy growing again. Brasil seemed to grow, though nothing changed. Only his red color became brighter and brighter, until he lit up like a torch in the sky. He spoke and Laria trembled when she heard his voice. I am Brasil! the Dragon roared, projecting images inside Fathis head. I have chosen you! Together we fought against our Enemy! I am You! We are one! Brasil burst and became normal again. Fathis.

Fathis suddenly regained his memories, through the images Brasil sent through his head. He suddenly yelled, and lay in shock for several minutes. Then, he spoke. "Laria? Brasil? What happened?"

---

Note: I would like to interrupt the flow of things for a moment, to give the short, concise, and rather enlightening explanation of Fathis' death by Moriji, the man behind the character Marcus:

You got bitch-slapped by a giant monkey-king, that's what happened!

And now, back to our story. ;)

---

Brasil turned and flew back the way he had come. "You were dead..." Laria whispered. "We saw you fall... Brasil got disconnected from you and became a soul again..." Ghosts attacked, Brasil continued. The others and Laria came looking for me and now we're here. Atmora. "Oh, and it's normal that you don't feel any cold," Laria smiled. "Brasil restored the bound." It's pretty weird... Sharing two souls... I wonder if it has consequences.

"So, both Laria and I are connected to you?" Fathis said. "So exactly what would happen to you if we got far apart?"

Like I said, I don't know. This never happened before. But there is something you need to know: you two are now also connected. So don't try to get hurt. It's painful.

"Dan will be so happy to see you!" Laria said, hugging Fathis.

Oh, right. About Dan. Don't be surprised if you seem to like him more as usual. Since you're in connection with Laria, you feel some of what she feels. And the other way. Although you're better of than me. I get the whole package. It's really annoying sometimes. I'm a male Dragon, you see... Hold on, I'm going a bit faster. We're almost there.


"It's surprisingly bright." Leon said. "You'd think in a land of constant blizzards, there wouldn't be any light to see by. But the clouds themselves must be real thin. So, anyone know what the bad thing we're running at is?"

Fauvei felt a knot in his throat. "I think I know," he said with a stutter, "Look closer, it looks like a castle, and I feel its warmth. I believe I've seen it before, in hallucinations or dreams or helpless orgasms of the mind. This is the Fury of Mauloch, he wants his babies back in their wombs."

"Okay, you have that in Tamrielic, or should I just assume Tower?" Leon said.

"I don't know how to say it any clearer, really, Mauloch is disgruntled for the boots upon his babies faces are being lifted, and he sees the light of Trinimac searing through his skin. "I hope I'm wrong, though."

Thesper stared at him. "Mauloch? Are you saying we're about to face Mauloch? So, while the others are chasing Azura, we are after Mauloch? That's just great... Another story to tell the next time I'm in an Inn. IF I ever see an Inn again..." Thesper paused a moment. "Any ideas how to handle this?"

"No," Dan said.

"Why so bitter, Dan" Fauvei said quietly to him as they continued to walk, noticing the structure take a much clearer outline in the snow. He lowered his voice. "Are you worried about Laria?"

"Well, you have to consider, what could have made her get drawn away like that? What could Brasil have been pulled away by?"

"I don't think I'm one to answer that, Dan, I think you have to do that yourself," said Fauvei with a half-hearted smile and a pat on the back. Then, he turned his head forward, and saw better what they were traveling to, as the blizzard had begun to cease. It looked more like a block of silver ice than anything, with a red glow emitting from its top. He then realized it bore a striking resemblence to Castle Karstaag on Solstheim, but more jagged, more fearsome. There was a bright red glow from the front, an open doorway.

"Home sweet home," Dan said half-sarcastically. The structure was quite intimidating, and he worried if they would be safe there.

Leon scrached his neck. "I guess it would be pointless to repeat myself with the whole 'not wanting to go into the big thing' idea?" Leon said. "I can tell you that the best idea is to turn ioff the light. But by "All my memories" it really just means my life continuity. what I did in White-Gold while Marukh danced is still blurry."

"At least, we can't just walk in there. Not before we know what to expect. But we can't stand here either, we should see what happens if we go closer..." Thesper said.

"I'll go in and check it out. You all wait here, ok?" Engar rushed in to the tower, without waiting for a response.

"Ok, this looks the way it was before." Engar was going through the entrance hallways. Down farther, he heard voices. He peeked around the corner. He saw spirits.

Hundreds of them.

That is not good, he thought to himself. Suddenly, something knocked him out.

Engar awoke in the coldest place he had ever been in. "By Shor, what hit me? I didn't even hear anything." Then, he saw a beautiful woman. She wore a light blue dress, the color of the frozen caves they were in. He looked at her, knowing she was the one who had captured him, and said sarcastically, "How are you?" She didn't reply. Turning to the spirits she had enthralled, she said, "Don't kill him, but make his days here as horrible as possible." And the spirits began to unleash pain unimaginable on him.

---

Fauvei felt his hairs stand on end. "Engar?" he yelled, with no reply. He slowly turned around, noting the other's reaction. He didn't need them to talk to get their reaction. With a single slow step, he began to nervously trudge toward the castle, the snow seeming to scream at him as it crunched beneath his feet.

He looked in through the open arched door of the castle, seeing a grand hall amiss with an ambient shade of red, and a slew of ghost-like hunced over figures and brown creatures he couldn't tell were ogres or fat people.

They didn't notice them as they entered the hall, weapons drawn and sweat dripping, which almost instantly froze on their faces.

Dan followed behind Fauvei, quietly whispering, "Is this safe? Because I don't think these things are friendly."

Fauvei sprung forward, ignoring Dan. His sword he pulled forth, and even the leather handle, was freezing cold, biting at his fingers. A misty red shape began to materialize in the center of the main hall.

"Serpent, serpent. I've come back to see you!" Leon exclaimed as he entered, smiling evilly. He quickly dropped to a frown. "Huh. What the hell does that mean?" Submit to my will. Only Leon heard the voice. But it was as clear to him as though someone had spoken in his ear. His hand quickly shot up, then went back. The time of our myth has ended, The voice echoed. Leon cringed, pivoting his head. Foes are we, and thus shall we be for all Time. Son of my Enemy and Myself, I require your service, "You'll never get it." He said aloud.

Fauvei quivered, and slowly moved towards Leon. "What the hell are you doing?" he whispered, "to whom do you speak? What does the Lord of the Forbidden seek from you?"

"I'm not sure," Leon said. "The voice is familiar but not. It scares me. And that's never a good thing." He looked around. "But the way he speaks is like a Dragon-bond."

"Wha-" was all Fauvei could say before the red mist materialized. It stood as tall as four men, and from it radiated a heat which warmed the castle like a hot day in Pyandonea, melting the snow outside for a few feet. It bore the shape of a man, hunched over and disfigured, but then became clearer. It was the form of the Prince of the Spurned and Ostracized in his full manifestation. Hordes of ghosts and daemons circled him.

I AM MALACATH COME

That's what we're here for! a voice said. From the sky, Brasil dove down to them. He landed and Laria and Fathis jumped of his back. "Sorry we left..." Laria said as she pulled out her dagger and staff. ...but we had a meeting with someone. Brasil growled at the spirits before him. He spread out a warmth to the others. I know it's already hot in here, but fighting goes better without frozen muscles.

"Hold," Leon said, putting out his hand. He stepped forward. "Prince of the Spurned, I have been spurned for 3000 years. Must we fight you?" Leon was not very pleased with the idea of fighting a Daedra Lord head-on without the weapons he and Nemarious had been granted by Mehrunes Dagon.

---

Aldanaril had been transported back to Artaeum by the Council, standing once more in the center to be judged. He looked around. "Why have I been taken here, at this time?" None answered him.

Then, he was back at the beach of Atmora. "Where are they? Laria, Fauvei? Anyone?!" He yelled with, an enhanced voice.

---

There was a voice in the wind, and Fauvei recognized it, but ignored it, slowly stepping back, beads of sweat gracing his cheek.

I have no plan to fight you, Leon Neleus, if that be your real name. I have no plan to fight any of you, my business is with the dragon, as the scrolls I stole have foretold. Draconic meddling has put my children, bane of the Alik'r, Scourge of the Illiac, Feces of the Septims, The Pariah Folk, and taken then from their forbidden devil-land, it gave them warmth, and they are One. I shan't stand for this any longer, Tryn'maq draws near, rubbing my chest in welcome oils. Bring me the dragon, I sensed it. The one with the elf! RAAAA

His scream echoed out across Nirn, causing even the fishers of Gnaar Mok to turn their heads.

Aldanaril heard the voice and understood that they weren't so far off. Aldanaril found a very old scroll of his. One he had been saving for a long time. "I...now it's time, my old friend." He read what stood inside the scroll, and then jumped away. "Arghhhhh!" He flew through the air, as if cast by a catapult. Then, he crash landed near the entrance. In an attempt to heal himself he cast the mightiest restoration spell he could remember and arose to quickly drink a magicka potion. He saw them all, and made his way across to them.

Dan backed up. "What elf is he talking about?" Dan asked. Then Dan's ears were filled with the yell.

Fathis looked over. "Dan!" He yelled. However, the speech of Malacath drowned out his voice, and even he covered his ears at the voice.

Fauvei inched over to Dan, slowly but surely. "Dan, is it really not that obvious, or are you denying it to yourself? He speaks of-" Fauvei paused, a light feeling in his chest, "speaks of Brasil."

"What?" Dan, immediately thinking of Laria, turned around. He saw Brasil. He saw Laria. And...he saw Fathis. He was dumbstruck, but even so, as soon as he began thinking again, he somehow knew that this was destiny. The two people he cared most about were now connected. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he knew that they were now both in danger. "You can't take the dragon," Dan said steadily. "You cannot. I won't allow it."

Malacath let out a belly laugh, and glared down at Dan, and couldn't help but smirk at the little things bravery. He averted his eyes unto the dragon, making eye contact.

"Dan," said Fauvei, "Don't be foolish. I won't stop you, but I can tell you that risking your life for love is hardly worth it."

"Maybe," Dan said, "but if he would hurt either of them, it might not be worth it, but I still have to do it."

Fauvei nodded, he could tell from the look in his eyes he was serious. "Alright, but don't expect me to throw away my arse for your bed warmer and her scaly friend," he said, with a pat on the back and a laugh.

"Lord of the Spurned, can you be sure this is the Dragon you seek?" Leon said. "I heard the voice of a different Dragon when I entered this place. One familliar yet unknown. One who spoke to me with hatred but with fear. He seeks the power of this place, whoever he is." At this point, he was stalling for time. Though he knew Brasil was not the Dragon who had spoken to him, perhaps Malacath had other reasons.

You want WHAT? Brasil roared, his red color lighting up. "You stay away from him!" Laria yelled and stood closer to Brasil. We will not let... "...you do that!"

Malacath let out a belly laugh, and moved closer to Brasil. That my minions could not kill you is fortunate, mortals have tempted you, and so mortals have brought you into my denying grasp. All the better! Stand aside, all others! Let this be between me and my burden! How helpless you must be...

Brasil grew, his color turning bright orange. If it ends, I will die as intended, he said, his eyes burning. Laria sat again on his back. "We are one..." And we are stronger than before. "For now we have the strength of three souls." Fathis, Brasil turned to Fathis, You may join us if you wish. If not, stay away. If I should die, I will disconnect myself from you, so you will not be hurt. "We will fight you!" Laria yelled at Malacath, surrounded with flames.

Malacath's rage boiled over, and with a glaring look in his eyes, he rushed forward, pulling Brasil out of the castle, into the endless plains of snow outside. Their struggle emitted enough energy and creatia that existence itself was unstable, as they wrestled in the slowly melting surface.

Fauvei did not react, for some reason he felt he couldn't. He simply stood there dumbstruck, eyes and mind elsewhere. "Klo'arg..." whispered the voices.

Brasil used as much energy as he could, throwing himself at Malacath, again and again. Laria still sat on his back, but she didn't seem to notice the fight. She only stared in front of her. She was one with Brasil, and now, she gave him all the energy she had. Her body was nothing more than a shell, while her soul was united with Brasil. Fathis united in a similar manner, standing still on the ground nearby.

As Malacath and Brasil intertwined in a glowing cloud of obfuscating energy, the ground itself began to shake. It shook as if footsteps drew near, and all could tell this. As snow was kicked up into the sky, it clouded up in the air, seeming as if clouds were gathering over the sky. WHY DID YOU BRING WE? DEMON DRAGON HELD OF DEATH I AM YOUR NULL! ASUNDER I COMMAND, TO YOU AND NELEONICS.

"May the Nine watch over us!" Aldanaril said. casting as many protective spells as he knew on the three. "My knowledge is at your service, friends."

"As for knowledge, what malignant force tends to haunt Towers? One spoke to me, a Dragon, but not Brasil," Leon interrupted. "Not through a normal bond either, like a snap-forged one that broke as soon as I responded. Any ideas?"

Thesper looked at the strange fight. It was difficult to see, but sometimes he saw a glimpse. Then he turned to Leon. "Another Dragon?" he asked, trying to sound calm. "We've got Largot, Laria, Engar and his wife, once Saylo... Who am I missing? Which Dragon is there? You said he was talking to you. Why you?"

"No, not one of them. He had a different... feel. Older. Worse." Leon said. "It's acting like it knows me from somewhere." I am all you need, It said in his head. "Shut up," He said to it.

Thesper stood more straight, trying to look impressive. "Well, try to find out who and where he is. If we can use him, we can prevent that they die," he said, pointing at the fight. It felt wrong to talk to Leon like that, especially since he knew he couldn't win any kind of fight against him. "I really want to prevent that," he quickly added.

I can return her to you. Leon growled. THAT was not something he would let this demon talk about. He whipped around, tearing his eyes from the fight. "Sorry, kid. we won't get any help from this one." He walked to the back, to where a small entrance led to a cave system. "Keep cheering them on, kid. I have my own battle to fight."

The caves shook and chunks of stone and ice fell from the ceiling as the battle went on. Leon's keen eyes swept the place. Empty. But not. He followed the twisting system, not bothering to care what directions he was taking. The voice wanted him near, it was telling him where to go. We must work together, It told him. Without me there is nothing, and without you many will die. "Something tells me being around won't stop that from happening if you get your way." Leon shot back. "Now shut up and tell me which way you are."

Dan looked on as the fight continued. "I can't let her and Fathis fight alone," he said, seeing exactly how they were fighting. He stepped forward with his katana, knowing that it was crazy, but he had to help them. Somehow. Then, he realized how he could. Dan then spoke to Aldanaril and Fauvei each through Mysticism. I need your assistance. I plan on transfering some of my energy to them. I plan on using that power to assist them in the fight. Help me use Mysticism to manage this. It's not something that you can do easily.

I have studied Mysticism all my life, of course I will help. Aldanaril stepped to Dan, and laid a hand on his shoulder. Let's make this happen. Aldanaril focused all his magicka towards Dan.

Fauvei snapped out of his pseudo-trance and turned to Dan. "I guess I ought to go out with a bang," he said with a tired grin. "She's got to survive." He pulled his robe over his head and followed Dan, seeing his breath become a cloud in the night air. With a wisp of thought he absorbed a stream, watching as invisible waves danced across his eyelids and beat them like drums.

As his mind bore Oneness with Dan, he saw his plan, and saw his past. Perhaps his otherworldly experience inadvertently caused this, but he saw images he wished he didn't. Nonetheless, he un-distracted himself and channeled his power into Dan, mixing all a slurry of ineffable possibility. In the battle, Malacath struck down Brasil, had the dragon pinned down with his arms, as it struggled to writhe free, slapping him back and forth, but unable to move.

Dan felt the energy from Fauvei and Aldanaril, and immediately after he could feel it, he began to transfer as much power as he could to Brasil, while transferring the message: Laria, Fathis, Brasil, use this to fight. Fauvei is assisting me in sending you power to fight Malacath. I won't let any of you fight him alone. He concentrated on sending as much power as he could, glowing from the flow of so much power.

Malacath could sense this, the perverted reality of love pulsed through him. It seared him, the energy, and his strength waned. He could feel prestige engulf him like a tidal wave, pulsing back and forth, never ebbing but never there. Dan and Fauvei could feel this too, but to them it was lovingly familiar, in a way. I! WILL! NOT! RISE! TRINIS AE EKI MAI

Dan felt the tidal wave, and had to ask Fauvei, What is going on?

It is the order consuming him, said Fauvei, by order I mean the prestige caused by overpower. I feel the only way to make Malacath wane is to let him win, or to let him think so.

Dan heard Fauvei's words. Then do I continue to give all the magic I have, Fauvei?

If you can convince Brasil and his ilk to give up or play dead somehow, yes, Fauvei replied.

Dan continued to channel magic to Brasil, telling them, Give up or pretend to be dead. It's the only way to defeat him. Fauvei will explain it later. But it's the only way.

Brasil roared. It felt like a sorrow filling the air. That's ridiculous! he answered, while Malacath held him down. I'm a Dragon, I can't give up! Laria returned for one second to her body, feeling the presence of the others. Trust them, trust me, trust us! she said before she dissapeared again in the flow.

Brasil suddenly stopped. Too much... he said out loud. He sighed and closed his eyes. Slowly he closed his mind from the fight. Laria felt how she was pulled back into her body, suddenly aware of the pain. She screamed, and almost fell off his back. In a similar manner, Fathis fell over in the snow from the sensation of the pain.

Leon heard the battle seem to slow down a little. For the first time in a long time he was filled with fear. If he had lost his friends, he would go berserk and forget everyhing again.

That was what he was afraid of, mental oblivion.

I can stop it, It said to him. "But you won't. You'll use me, then cast me aside with nothing. For that is your way, serpent. I remember that much. It was because of you my best friend died." Leon shot back, with all the confidence he could muster. He smelled old death, bones in the distance.

Fauvei smiled, seeing Malacath sickeningly elated.

I have won!

I am overlord! I am king! All present, they are under me!

I! AM!

...TRINIMAC!

And with that, the clouds ruptured, sending a shock wave which kicked up snow and knocked Dan, Aldanaril, and Fauvei onto their backs. A hole appeared in the sky, glowing brilliantly. A giant eagle swooped from the sky, picking the body of Malacath from the ground, which dripped with something. It shrieked in the air, as if having just caught its prey. It flapped its monstrous wings, and Malacath churned in its talons, changing shape. What was left was an elven figure in shining, metal armor, glistening with pride. And with a flash of white, all had ceased.

Fauvei picked himself up, seeing Laria in the snow, then turned to the castle behind him.

"Leon..."