Act IX: In Your Eyes

4E, Thirteenth of Second Seed, Tirdas

It was around midnight already. Thankfully, I can still tell the time. But I knew for sure I wasn't conscious, for Miraak had taken over me in my sleep. He brought me once more to Apocrypha. The books fluttered around aimlessly, and the souls of those who had desired all the knowledge still rummage through Hermaeus Mora's voluminous collection of both forbidden and unforbidden knowledge. A true hoarder he was, that Hermaeus Mora, but as long as he does not intent to hurt me, I hold no malice yet. But Miraak… He was different.

As he noticed I fell back and walked on a slower pace, he grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me to his side, a non-verbal command for, "Do not slow down and follow me", which I caught on quickly. His hands were strong even under the brown leather gloves he wore. But what really tickled my curiosity was that if he ever took his mask off. "M-Miraak…?" I asked, sheepishly, and the Dragon Priest turned his head to me. Beneath his mask, I can feel his eyes piercing like Frea's sword, boring into my soul. "Yes?" he said.

And that was it. Even his very voice scared me. Cool, deep, yet commanding and sinister all the same. This man had definitely held me, even with just one word and his masked eyes. I hated him, yes, but right now was not the moment to show. And I noticed right now that I was still in my dirty clothes, making me blush a bit. "Do you…ever take that mask off?" I finally asked, still embarassed by the question. And Miraak let out a low chuckle. "When I eat." he answered, loosening his iron grip on my hand a bit. "Why are you so curious?"


We Dunmer have a way of telling people by looking into their eyes. If I could somehow read Miraak through his eyes, I can discern what he truly aims for, and find a way to stop him. "I…I want to see your face." I answered with my haughty pride. "So I can take a good look and remember the face of the monster whose life I will end." He laughed at me again, a mix of contempt and malice in his voice. Swiftly, his hand grabbed hold of my chin, his fingers squeezing my jaw tightly. His strength made me fall halfway to my knees.

"Silly child." he whispered. "You wish to kill me? How unfortunate… I'm dead already." "Heh, it pays to kill you the second time to make you stay dead." I shot back. I knew I was going to be in a world of hurt after saying those words, but instead of finding myself being hurled halfway across to Azura-knows-where here, Miraak still held my face as his free hand removed the mask and threw it aside. His face was that of a Nord man, around his early thirties, with a strong square jaw that made him very handsome indeed, piercing blue eyes, a chiseled nose, and short, wavy brown hair. A faint scar ran across his cheek. "This is how I look like." he said as he released his grip on my face and helped me up. He picked up his mask and we resumed our walk.

"My dream seems awfully long, and I should've woken up by now." I said. "How come this is so?" "I have mastered Vaermina's method of prolonging a person's dream." Miraak answered. "In fact, if I wanted, I would have you sleep for eternity, being stuck with me." Somehow, his last few words hinted sadness, but being Miraak, I was not sure whether he was putting up a play or if it was real. But I had more than enough time to look in his eyes. But it was strange, for the emotions were unclear. He had a myriad of feelings condensed into those piercing blue orbs… Loneliness, desire, hunger, rage… The emotions in Miraak's eyes were indeed powerful, and it was starting to unfold before me. Those emotions were his drive to do the unthinkable.

Our walk then ended at a sort of twisted-looking dining hall, where books served as the pillars, the chairs, tables, even the dinnerware, looked as if Hermaeus Mora had spit a bunch of his own tentacles and molded them into dinnerware. Fortunately, there were none of those Seekers around, as Miraak led me onto sit beside him. "Are we…going to eat?" I asked. "No." Miraak answered. "There is no food to be had here. But I assure you, you will not stay here for long." My crimson gaze met his evenly, but something about this man-made me cringe a bit. And so when I turned my head away, he reached out a glove hand and pulled it back, making me look at him.


By Azura, Miraak was handsome, but he was evil incarnate. He held me like a man would to a woman by the neck. Or perhaps, marriage. Pah, Miraak marrying? Ha, I would never end the pity I will give for the most unfortunate woman who suffered for it. "You…" the Dragon Priest said. "You are quite the character, aren't you? Always eluding my every grasp… But not this time…" His other hand stroked my cheek, which sent an electric feeling into my whole body. I pulled away, but Miraak's reach was long, and pulled me back closer, this time our faces were merely inches away. Despite being dead for over a thousand years, Miraak's breath was minty. "My dear fahliil…" he whispered. "You have a purpose to me, and only me. You will be my eyes in the world. I will see through you now… Does it not flatter you that I have given you this honor?" With the strength I can muster, I slapped Miraak's face, stunning him. "You shall not do this to me!" I said, standing up. "I will not do what you want." Then Miraak stood to his full height. I only reached his shoulder. He looked more of a warrior than a priest because of his tall and muscular physique. But nonetheless, the smile playing on his lips was all too familiar as he stepped close to me, hands on my shoulders.

"And when the world shall see…" he whispered. "And when the world remembers… That world… Will cease to be…" Then he kissed me, full on the lips, before the dream ended, and I woke up, drops of sweat dripping from my face like I had splashed water on it.


It had already been early in the morning, and both Neloth and Frea were looking incredulously at me. "By the gods, are you alright?" Neloth asked. I have not seen Master Neloth this worried, not after most of the councilmen from House Telvanni had been murdered. "You were screaming in the dead of night! What happened to you?" Frea added, concern softening her usually composed features. I didn't know where to start. Miraak kissing me, making me 'his eyes'? I hadn't the slightest idea what his actions meant, but for all that has happened, I am too terrified at the outcome already.

"I… I was ensnared…" I answered. There was no point lying to them. My fear took the best of me. Neloth prepared some cannis root tea, which was a miracle, to help me calm down while Frea held my hand. "Ensnared?" she said. "By who?"

"Miraak…" I answered, and both Neloth and Frea's mouth hung open like a horker waiting for fish. "So the dream.." Neloth said, composing himself. "This is not good. What did he tell you?" "He…He said…" I cannot even begin to say it. It disgusted and terrified me. The kiss, the dream, everything about it was malicious and evil. But there was no escaping it.

This is the beginning of the end. "He made me his eyes to the world."


A/N: Almeria is ensnared by Miraak! OMG! What is gonna happen to her and her quest to save Solstheim? Watch for the next chapters. Again, I'm so sorry if the update takes so long :( PLease R&R, and do not stop supporting :) Thanks :))