"Being bandits, we didn't have a moral code. Anything went, we killed anyone and anything, took anyone and anything. I was the only one that seemed humane at the time."


Another day of looting hopeless citizens, today's catch was a couple on their wagon, they had a lot of good stuff. He was in charge of keeping an eye out for guards or anything that could prove dangerous.

As he was keeping an eye out he heard a whimper from underneath the wagon, he looked around among his comrades to see if they heard it, no one seemed to have so he inspected it. He crouched down and looked underneath the wagon, he saw a little boy cowering in fear. His eyes widened. He knew that if his comrades found it they would kill or take him in.

It reminded him of when he was younger.

He looked around and made sure his fellow bandit's weren't looking. He gestured for the boy to come out.

"Its okay...I'm not gonna hurt you." He whispered, the boy stared at him. Alrek looked up, the bandits were still looking away from him.

"Come on, theres no time..." The boy finally approached him, Alrek nodded.

"Thats it, here grab my hand." He said, reaching his hand out, as the boy was about to grab his hand a pair of hands grabbed the boys legs and pulled him out from the other side of the wagon.

"Now what do we have here?" A bandit said, holding the boy up by his leg.

"Let him go, we don't need to kill him" Alrek said, the other bandits came over.

"And why not? Don't tell me you're goin soft now?" The bandit said, one of the others spoke up.

"He's always been soft"

"Lets just kill the boy and be on our way" Another one piped in.

The bandit holding the boy pulled out dagger and held it to his throat.

"No!" Alrek cried out, one of the bandits came and held a dagger to his own throat.

"Shut up! In this business you ain't got no time to be soft." He whispered into his ear.

Alrek growled, he elbowed the man holding the knife to his throat in the stomach, grabbing the dagger and sticking it in his chest.

He took it out and threw it at the man holding the boy, impaling the bandit in the head. He pulled out his own iron sword and slashed down a bandit that charged him. The last one came up behind him but was fell down when the boy kicked him in the back of the knee. Alrek brought the sword, sticking it in his head.

Alrek yanked the sword out of the bandits head and turned to the boy.

"Thanks kid...I'm...Sorry about your parents..." He tossed a bag of gold to the boy and turned to walk away. He didn't want to be here any longer, he can just tell everyone the bandits died by a bear.

"Thank you...Sir..." He heard the boy say, he didn't look back.


"Wow, so you always were a hero." Serana said, Alrek nodded. "It wasn't one of my proudest moments..." He said.

Gray particles began to rain down on the him and the boat.

"Is this...Ash?" He said, the captain nodded.

"Yep...Red Mountain's been erupting for divines know how long. everything surrounding the mountain is now covered in ash." He said.

Alrek was surprised. "How do they survive like that?" He asked, The Captain shurgged.

"I'm not sure, and I don't care enough to find out." He said. "We're getting close, its getting warmer."

Alrek looked over the railing and sure enough he could see the shore of a large island. Ashes floated on the water and it ashes continued to rain down, replacing the ones that disintegrated in the water.

As they approached the dock Serana saw a glowing stone.

"What is that?" She asked, the Captain shrugged.

"Not sure, but I can tell you those archways around it weren't always there...I often times trade here..."

Once they reached the dock and the ship was tied off Serana and Alrek stepped off, they were approached by a Dunmer, or a Dark Elf as they were usually called in Skyrim.

"Greetings, you two don't look to be from around here. I will assume you two are outsiders, if that is the case know that you will abide my our laws." The Dunmer said.

Alrek nodded. "I actually have a question for you"

The Dunmer nodded "As the second counciler I will be happy to answer any questions you have."

"Do you know of anyone named Miraak?" Alrek asked, the Dunmer grew uneasy and he shifted from foot to foot.

"I...I think so...I want to say I do but...I have no idea...I suggest you go talk to that Neloth fellow, he's over there at the Earth Stone." He said, pointing to the glowing stone surrounded by archways they saw on their way in. Alrek felt uneasy about this whole situation, he still thinks Serana should have stayed behind, but he knew there was no arguing with her.

"Thank you" Alrek said before walking through the town towards the stone.

This place was vastly different from that of Skyrim. He wasn't used to this much ash. He noticed there quite a few nords, but not enough to match the amount of Dunmer there were.

"Alrek...You seem nervous" Serana said, holding his arm. Alrek gave her a reassuring smile, though even he wasn't sure if he convinced himself.

"I'm fine. But this whole thing is strange, everything here feels uneasy." He said. Serana held his arm closer.

"No matter what we will protect each other, Nothing will get in our way." She said smiling that sweet smile of hers Alrek nodded.

They approached the stone where people seemed to be building more archways. A Dunmer in interesting robes approached them.

"Hello there, You aren't like the people here...Do you know whats happening here?" He said, Serana wandered off to stare more at the stone and archways.

"No I don't I was hoping you knew..." Alrek asked. The man in the robes sighed. "Ah well...My name is Neloth by the way. And you?"

Alrek told him his name and introduced Serana, who waved.

"I was looking for you, I was wondering if you knew of Miraak." Alrek asked, once again Neloth grew uneasy like the previous Dunmer.

"I'm afraid I don't...There is a temple devoted to Miraak towards the center of the island maybe that has answers for you?" Alrek nodded

"Thank you..." He sighed, this was getting strange.

"This stone is...Awfully pretty...So bright." Serana reached out her to touch the stone, Neloth widened his eyes.

"Wait don't!"

But it was to late, Serana touched it, and as she did she slumped forward then stood straight up. Her eyes completely black. She walked over and picked up a pick axe and began to mine around the altar.

Alrek approached her. "Serana? Are you okay what happened?" He rested his hand on her shoulder but she didn't acknowledge his existence. He pulled her shoulder and turned her to face him, as he did she swung her pick axe at him, Alrek barely dodged it.

"Serana! Its me!" He said, but Serana didn't respond, instead she went back to mining. Neloth came up behind Alrek.

"Its not use, she's like the others now. There's no way to fix this." He said, Alrek clenched his teeth.

"I won't accept that. There has to be a way to save her." He turned to Neloth "You said the temple was at the center of the island?" Alrek asked, Neloth nodded and Alrek turned to leave and make his way there. He stopped and turned towards Serana.

"I promise I'll free you"