Kiinalyn blinked her eyes rapidly to try and focus them. Her first instinct was to assure that Varric was okay so when the blinding light began to fade from her vision she was more than surprised to see fresh overturned soil before her.
"What?" Kiinalyn whispered to herself staring down at her hands that were pressed in the earth. Looking up she saw the dark blue petals of one of the many kind of mountain flowers that were native in Skyrim. Instantly on the alert she took in her surroundings. All around her were full grown sprouts of Deathbells, Dragon's tongue, Lavender, Juniper Berries and almost every other herbal plant she recognized. Not to mention the small cottage-like house that sat behind her. She knew it all too well, that and the garden she found herself in. It was hers—or had been. The garden, the house, all had been hers in the city of Whiterun, which was the one place in Skyrim she had truly called home out of all the holds in the province.
Something soft yet solid nudged at her side. "Meeko?!" Kiinalyn said in disbelief as a pair of big honey brown eyes stared up at her expectantly. The shaggy looking wolf hound barked happily at her. Lifting a hesitant hand Kiinalyn cautiously patted the dog on the head feeling the coarse matted hair of the loyal hound that had followed her all around Skyrim. The beast that had always been by her side through thick and thin. Though she was filled with joy at seeing her beloved Meeko again Kiinalyn knew that this, whatever this was, wasn't-
"I thought I might find you out here."
Kiinalyn froze in her movements. That was a voice that she hadn't heard in a long time. She slowly turned around to see the woman that had been like a mother to her during her childhood years. "Rasa?!"
The argonian woman was exactly how Kiinalyn last remembered her to be, standing there just at the edge of the garden. Dark green scales glistened in the light of the afternoon sun paired with light grey undertones and a duel set of horns that curved to the back of her otherwise bare head. A pair of pale yellow eyes looked at her while a smile pulled at the leathery skin to reveal two rows of glistening sharp teeth. "Who else would it be, silly girl?" Rasa chuckled as her mage robes moved in the light breeze in the air.
"What are you doing here?" Kiinalyn managed to breath out. The last time she had seen Rasa was when the argonian had been waving goodbye as she stood in the gateway of the Imperial City when she had first set out for Skyrim. "How come you're not back in Cyrodiil?"
Rasa blinked blankly at her for a moment. "We live here together, remember? When you told me of your plans to travel to Skyrim I decided to come along with you. We even run a alchemy shop here in town."
It took Kiinalyn a moment to reply as her somewhat foggy mind tried to wrap itself around what Rasa was saying. "We do?"
"Of course we do. Though, of course, you do have your responsibilities to the Companions. Speaking of which, I saw that Farkas lad looking at you the other day in the market. I think he would make a fine husband for you if you gave him a chance."
Kiinalyn couldn't believe her ears. "Farkas?" Farkas was a dear friend and a shield brother and nothing more. Of course, she was neither blind nor dense to the fact that the nord harbored feelings towards her, but she never led him on to believe that they would ever be anything more.
"Yes," Rasa nodded. "That tall, rugged nord, brother of Vilkas. The one who follows you around with those puppy dog eyes." Her happy face turned to concern. "Are you alright, Kiily? You don't seem like yourself today."
Kiinalyn shook her head and smiled at hearing Rasa call her by the nickname she had for her. Everyone else, be it friend or neighbor, had called her Kiin or Kiina in their endearments towards her, but only Rasa had come up with and ever called her Killy. "Ya, I'm fine."
"Alright, if you say so," the argonian shrugged. "I'm just going to go up to the market to fetch a few things for supper. I'll be back soon, hopefully you can stay out of trouble till then."
"Okay," Kiinalyn said simply, still somewhat stupefied about the whole situation. Her eyes followed Rasa till the woman was out of sight. Taking deep breaths she dragged her fingers through her hair caring little about the dirt that still clung to them. Walking herself through what she remembered of Titus' laboratory, of Varric-silly stupid rash Varric, shattering that strange relic. Of Isabela, Mae and Alistair. They were real, the reason that she was here, wherever here was. And she was certain that without a doubt that Titus' relic had something to do with what was going on here. Because if she thought that her imprisonment in the star was damning enough then this place was sheer hell for her.
After Kiinalyn had calmed herself from the shock of seeing Rasa again she decided to walk the streets of Whiterun that she knew like the back of her hand. She walked pass the local blacksmith and all the way up to the Jarl's palace, Dragonsreach, at the top of the hill. Seeing the faces of neighbors, merchants, priests, and all the citizens that she had become familiar with over time since her first visit to the city. One of the hardest places to see was Jorrvaskr and even worse seeing the familiar figure of Kodlak Whitemane, the original Harbinger of the Companions when she had first arrived, outside as she walked past. She had admired him greatly and when he died in his quest to free his soul so it may rest in Sovngardeshe took it pretty hard wishing that he had lived after all he had been through. Seeing the old nord got her mind turning as to why she was here. In a place where her heart yearned to be, home, here in Whiterun. But with Rasa here and Kodlak alive it certainly raised more than that one question.
Kiinalyn knew very well that Rasa never came with her to Skyrim though she also knew that when she had first told the argonian of her plans that a small part of her wished that Rasa would come with her at the time. Rasa had been the only person left that she loved and Kiinalyn had left her behind to pursue her dream of visiting her father's homeland for a fresh start. So why was Rasa here? As well as Kodlak? Was this magic at work? Was this another reality like the realms of Oblivion? A dream? Just what exactly had Varric unleashed when he shattered the relic?
All of these questions and more she pondered as she made her way back to the place she had called home winding her way through the windy cobblestone streets as the sun began to set. The moment she stepped through the door Kiinalyn was greeted with the scents of a freshly hot cooked meal.
"There you are, Kiily," Rasa greeted from her place by the fire stirring the contents of the large black pot that hung over the flames. "I was starting to worry. Come, sit down. Supper is just about ready."
Kiinalyn just let the words fall out. "I can't stay, Rasa."
"Are you going on another adventure?" she asked before sighing. "You know there are times I wish you would give up your place with the Companions and settle down. I know that would save me a whole lot of worrying. Has there been another giant sighting nearby?"
Kiinalyn leaned against the door heavily. The more thought she put into this the more heartbreaking it was going to be. "Yes. You know how pesky those giants can be." She tried to keep her tone as light as possible.
"Well, be sure to hurry back home soon. Be safe now," Rasa replied giving away no hint that she was suspicious of her behavior.
Kiinalyn could already feel her heart in her throat. "I will." Stepping back out into the street she let the door close softly behind her. Outside the street lamps were lit with not a soul in sight. Swallowing whatever pain she was feeling inside Kiinalyn made her way down the street towards the main gate soaking in every detail with each step she took. Whatever was at work here had Whiterun nailed down to a tee, but Kiinalyn knew well enough that it wasn't real. It just couldn't be. She was very familiar with the workings of illusion magic, something that she had her old teachers at Winterhold to thank for. The key to the art of illusion was influence and right now the closer she approached the gate Kiinalyn could feel the mystics of this place desperately trying to get a hold of her. It was only when she had her hand on the gate that whatever powers where at play here conjured up their final piece.
"I hope you're not leaving us already, Kiin."
If Kiinalyn had thought that hearing Rasa's voice had been freeze worth then this particular voice was gut wrenching. "Leave me be," she managed to get out in a steady voice.
She heard the sounds of chainmail and heavy armor approach from behind. "So you're going to leave us again? You're even going to leave Rasa all by herself? Doesn't seem like something you would do, Kiin."
Kiinalyn took a deep breath before turning to face the company that she found herself in. Vilkas stood before her in all his nordly pride war paint and all. "And what is it, exactly, that you know of me?"
"That you belong here and that you don't want to leave us… to leave me."
She let out a mocking laugh. How many times had she envisioned of her and Vilkas being something more? More than companions? More than friends? Sure they had had a rough start when they first met when she signed up with the Companions, but over time he started to warm up to her. Her feelings towards him had developed strongly, but there was never time. Never the time to voice them, explore them, to find out if there was the odd chance that he might have felt the same way towards her. But there was always something that got in the way be it a giant, the Silverhand, a rebellion and a damn dragon who sought to end the world. It had always seemed like one crisis after another and with her being Dragonborn, of all people, she had a lot of responsibility. Not to mention the responsibilities and duties to many of the Jarl's and the High Queen herself. There had never been enough time and now that time had long since passed. "Maybe I did for a moment, but I know exactly where you belong Vilkas."
"And where would that be?"
Kiinalyn stepped away from him. "In my memories. And it would be best if you stayed there." She had enough of this place. Of its illusions and lies and all the pain they brought with them. "FUS RO DAH!"
And just like that the world around her began to fade and change with Vilkas along with it as the Shout disrupted the magic in the air giving way to the reality of the strange world she found herself in. Stranded on an island Kiinalyn looked around her at the hazy sky and the many floating islands that peppered it. She walked to the edge of the hunk of rock she found herself on to look over and see a never-ending abyss. Kiinalyn sighed at her predicament before noticing the clothing she wore. The set of blue robes that reflected her status as Arch-Mage. On her back she felt the stiff form of a staff hung from her left shoulder blade to her right hip. It didn't take much to see that everything that she had on her person was everything she had on when she died that day all those years ago.
With a heavy heart Kiinalyn kicked a small pebble with the toe of her boot into the air only to see it fall out of sight forever for all she knew. This place she found herself in reminded her of the few realms that she had entered back in the day. There had been Sovngarde the land of the dead for the Nordic heroes of Skyrim and the vile realm of Oblivion known as the Soul Cairn. Whatever this particular realm was had the power to produce illusions of a victim's dreams and desires. At least that was what she had been able to see from the recreation of Whiterun. Of seeing old friends and familiar faces, of Koldiak alive and well, of Rasa living a simple life with her in Skyrim and of a love that she pined for, but never had the chance to have. All nothing more than echoes and wishes in her heart of a time and life she knew that she could never have or never return to. Skyrim and everything and everyone else that she knew and loved had faded into time-a time that had been stolen from her. When she was alive she knew her place in the world, of her fate, her role as Dragonborn and now she was lost. More than she wanted to admit.
She was an old soul who, unless discovered a way to free herself from the star, was looking at an eternity of being stuck in a rock. What would happen to her after Alistair completed his quest for his father? What could possibly be her purpose for being here? Was her entrapment a cruel twist of fate or an unfair plan conjured by the Divines? All these questions and more are ones that she had pondered many many times over the years ever since she woke up to find herself in the gem.
Kiinalyn stared endlessly down into the abyss. "Do I even belong anymore?" Wondering her fear out loud, while wishing at the same time that she had wings so she could get off this blasted rock and away from this place should the illusions decide to come back. She wished Varric was with her right now so together they could both figure out what in oblivion was going on. And just as the thought crossed her mind a doorway suddenly appeared out of thin air before Kiinalyn. Made up of nothing more than a simple door frame that contained a shining light within it blinding her from seeing what laid on the other side of it.
The appearance of the doorway was simply far too convenient for Kiinalyn's taste, but there was nowhere else to go. So bracing herself for the worst she backed up a few paces before taking a running leap of faith letting the light consume her whole.
On the other side of the doorway Kiinalyn's feet met solid ground as she took in her new surroundings. She was in a village, a burning village at that. Hot red flames consumed the small houses and huts, while the dirt streets laid littered with bloody butchered corpses. Dark clouds of smoke hovered above covering nearly the entire sky. As horrible as the scene was Kiinalyn reminded herself that it was all nothing more than an illusion.
"Fools!" she heard a booming voice ring out around her. A voice that belonged to no other than Titus himself. The wind in the air began to blow fiercely as Kiinalyn saw a twister form up ahead at the edge of the village. Now that couldn't be anything good. So like any other situation that involved danger she ran right to the source. If Titus was here and shouting insults then there was a good chance that Varric was here too.
And sure enough when Kiinalyn was in close enough range she made out the flares and sparks of arcane at work. A blonde mage in a dress of blue feathery robes was the woman that she recognized as Mae, Varric's friend. And standing right along side her was the dwarf himself and a third party whom Kiinalyn recognized as Isabela after a double take. She had almost mistaken her as someone else from all the blood and war paint she was covered in.
The magister, Titus, floated above them in all his self-proclaimed glory. "My realm. My magic."
"Varric, he's calling on demons!" She barely heard Mae call out in the chaos. A swarm of small angry green creatures began to surround them. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like Mae could deal with Titus on her own so it seemed like the perfect time for her to step in. And she knew just the perfect way to do it.
The minute Varric saw Titus show up he knew that they were way in over their heads in this fight. The magister had the power of the Magrallen on his side, that and the power of the Fade at his clawed fingertips. He gave Mae credit for holding her own the way she was, but she could only keep it up for so long against Titus' power. So when the very air around Titus began to shape and form demons out of thin air he knew it was time to high tail it out of here.
"Varric, he's calling on the demons!" Mae exclaimed next to him before a cloud of creepy looking bug-like things swarmed all around them. He had to get himself, Mae and Isabela out of here before the demons made a meal out of them, but all these damn critters where blinding his vision.
Suddenly, the very air and earth beneath him trembled in a terror of its own. "YOL TOOR SHUL!" Varric looked up in time to see a great fireball of an inferno swallow Titus whole for about three whole seconds before the self proclaimed god fell to the earth like a rag doll. He could only blink in surprise as to what just happened at literally seeing the enemy falling at their feet. But Varric had heard that voice before and only once. It was very difficult to forget the sheer power of a voice like that. So when he looked at the space opposite him he saw a single woman staring back his way at Titus' crumbled form. The heavily golden embroidered blue robes gave away the obvious fact that she was a mage, not to mention the crystal-oriented staff that hung on her back. A disheveled mane of chestnut hair blew wildly around her face that was rounded with a slightly pointed chin. And on that face bore an expression of pure determination that matched the steeled look of her ocean blue eyes. He had never seen her before in his entire life, but Varric felt like he knew her somehow and he just had that feeling in his gut. But given the situation he didn't want to jump to conclusions and assume this woman that had just come to their rescue was an ally to only turn on them once she was done with Titus.
Out of the corner of his eye his saw Titus begin to pick himself up from the ground. The mage braced himself on his hands and knees as he shot the stranger a hateful glare. "You'll pay for that, wench. You dare attempt to best me in my realm?!" he spat.
The woman grinned mockingly as her hands crackled with energy. From where he stood Varric could make out tiny flickers of flame jumping between her fingers. "I do. Now why don't you come over here and play with some real fire, Titus."
The moment the first word fell out of her lips Varric instantly knew the woman was, Kiinalyn Stormblazer of Azura's star. Question was- was it really her or some figment of his imagination conjured up by the Fade? And if she was real how in Thedas did she end up in here with them?
The magister hesitated. "Ah, so you're with them I see. Funny, I don't remember seeing you at the party. You know my name, but I fail to know yours," he shrugged absentmindedly. "Doesn't matter any way for you are about to be the receiver of my true power."
Varric watched helplessly as the demons of the Fade began to gather Kiin. Though despite the immediate danger she was in she didn't seem too worried about the enemy circling her. That or she was completely oblivious to their movements. "Kiin!"
"I'll be the judge of that." For a second her eyes met his and it was a look that told him that she had the situation under control. And then the moment was gone in the blink of an eye when the flames that he had seen earlier licking her fingers erupted into wild fire as it flared up to her shoulders where she then released all hell around her. Kiin threw her arms downward as the power she had been building up had been cast mercilessly on the demons that surrounded her. Waves of fire rippled from and around her in a way that reminded Varric of the ripple effect that was caused when you threw a pebble into a still pool of water. Difference was that tossing a pebble wasn't nearly as deadly to the display that he was witnessing. As the flames died down Kiin stood alone with charred corpses of every one of Titus' demons laid littered around her. If Varric didn't know any better he would say that it seemed that Titus had just met his match.
Titus took in the sight of his minions' failure. "That was a nice little trick, but this is the Fade. My supply of demons—Ahh!" he was cut off as Kiinalyn threw a stream of lightning his way. The assault was so sudden that the force of Kiin's magic threw him back a good short distance away from them.
"Go, Varric!" She called out to him. "I'll hold him off."
"But, Kiin—" he tried to reason with her to come with them before he got cut off as she threw up a ward to deflect one of Titus' fireballs.
"Go!" she barked at him. Her face softened when she saw what was, no doubt, a very concerned look on his face. "Don't worry, I'll find you," she assured him before throwing an ice spike at the newest demon to appear around her.
Varric started towards her with every intention to help her in her onslaught when a hand pulled at his shoulder. "Varric, we need to go," Mae urged him motioning him towards the open doorway to Maker knows where. Isabela, as her nightmare self, looked on at them confused and helpless to the situation. Varric looked back at the battle between Kiin and Titus. She was a strong and powerful mage, he wasn't blind to that, and no doubt from what he had seen so far her powers showed that she was more than an equal to Titus. It wasn't that he thought that Kiin couldn't hold her own, despite the odds, it was just that he hated leaving a friend behind, especially, with a hungry power blood mage. But it was important to get the rest of them to safety. So Varric swallowed his guilt and followed Mae through the portal with Isabela right behind him. Keeping the immediate thought in mind that if Kiin had found them once that she would find them again. Varric just had to put his faith in that and hope that they would meet up again sooner rather than later.
Kiinalyn felt herself let out an inner breath of relief when she saw the others disappear into the portal. Now that they were gone she could focus all her attention on Titus and his demons. Problem was that she was starting to feel the after effects of her spell casting starting to take a toll on her body. Which shouldn't be happening, at least, not this early in the fight. This had been a constant problem for her in the material world and now it appeared to be in this realm as well, though not as quickly, and it frustrated her to no end. She had never drained her magicka reserves so quickly when she had been alive. The thought had been nagging her, if this problem was due to her being a spirit now or perhaps could it be something more?
Titus sneered at her from his place on the battlefield. "You should surrender now while you can, wench. If you do I might just give you a painless death."
"Oh, please," she scoffed before unleashing an ice storm around her, the last grand spell she would be able to cast for now. Demons began to freeze all around her as the wind and ice whipped around her before a fireball threw her clear form the eye of the storm. Her body skidded across the ground before she bounced back up on her feet. Titus stood before her a few yards away with a satisfied grin on his lips.
"As much as I despise your persistence I must admire your talent. Such a waste that you are not on our side in this matter."
"You wish," she smirked before spitting a mouthful of blood onto the earth.
Titus looked wearily at her. "Charming lady you are."
Kiinalyn shrugged. "I make up for it in other ways." She was out of magicka she could feel it and it would take some time for her powers to recharge. Time that she didn't have. Her plans of escape out of this situation were limited at best. If she were at her full strength she would show this cocky bastard some real magic.
"You really believe that you stand a chance against me? The Fade is mine to command. My power is endless here I am invincible. There is no other that matches my strength. With the blood of dragons I am unstoppable."
Kiinalyn did her best not to roll her eyes at his words. One too many times had she heard many a necromancer give the same speech. It was tiring, really. The key thing that Titus failed to know was that she possessed the traits of a dragon in more ways than one. She may not have the blood running through her veins anymore, but she wasn't short on dragon when it concerned her soul.
Titus' demons were once again beginning to creep around her. "Oh, I beg to differ." she said dryly.
Titus gave an unimpressed expression before she let her voice prove her point. "VEN GAR NOS!" The second that the cyclone was summoned Kiinalyn made a mad dash for the edge. Willing every step of the way for a portal to open up. Behind her she heard Titus scream out in frustration, as the cyclone was no doubt making a fantastic mess of his demons. She could only grin in satisfaction before she took a leap of faith off the edge of the island and into the endless abyss below. After free falling for five of the longest seconds of her existence a portal finally did open in her wake and she willed it to take her to a far and safe place away from Titus and his demons. With any luck it would bring her one step closer to being united with her friends.