Darkest Dawn
Chapter 11
Lament
Vella struggled in the grasp of the two Dremora that held her. They were strong and she couldn't feel their grip loosening. They walked by a room with a man inside. He was emaciated and crying. He ran to the door and stuck his hand through the door.
"Please help me I'll give you anything I- I am quite w-wealthy please don't leave me here. Please!"
Vella reached for him. Her Dremora escort pulled his sword and cut of the man's extended arm. The man recoiled and screamed in agony. He fell backwards in his cell and began to bleed out. Vella screamed in protest and struggled harder. She tried to elbow the Dremora but no effect. They deposited her in a similar cell to the man.
Arakna had been taken a different route. He passed rooms with closed doors that were transparent. With very thin seams showing the doors parted in the middle. He saw one room where a man had been stripped naked and placed in the room with numerous clanfears. Another a man was pitted against three Daedroths. Another man was tied to a steadily separating wall. His limbs being pulled to breaking point. Arakna had seen the worst men had to offer and lamented that he was right to assume it was the worst. Now he lamented he was right but had neglected to consider what real hell was. He heard all around him scrams of agony that were, on their own. Enough to make men weep. He passed another and saw something he wished to never see again. A man held a bloodied dagger and stood above the corpse of a child. He stared Arakna as he passed with tears streaming his face. He mouthed the words. She's in a better place now. Arakna turned to see all around him similar cells. Each one filled with laments and woe. Then he came to his own. He was given a dagger and there stood a young Argonian child no older than he was when his family was murdered. All at once Arakna knew what he had to do. He would resist with all his strength but deep down he knew the dark god would break him. Arakna walked over to the girl. He knelt down and the girl bolted to the other side of the cell. Arakna ran to her and grabbed her hand. The child screamed to be let go. Arakna let her hand go. And in it was left the dagger Arakna was given to kill the girl with. He stood back and closed his eyes, he sat crossed legged on the floor. The child dropped the dagger. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and began to weep. Arakna held the infant in his arms and tried to ease her comfort. "You will not win against me demon, I shall not kill an innocent."
Vella stood in her cell. It had a window looking out towards the north east of Cyrodill. She saw the smoking ruins of Cheydinhal. The burning forest. The sky turned a dark red. Lightning struck the ground. Then she looked down to the hundreds of dead bodies lying at the bottom of the tower. Vella felt her arms go weak and her legs began to buckle. She fell to the cell floor and wept loudly. The world as she knew it a wonderful beautiful paradise, had been transformed into a broken hell. On the wind drifted laments and screams. The air stank of rotting flesh. The sky reflected blood and the water dried up and was only replaced by a deathly concoction of blood and tears. Of the fallen and those left behind to grieve just as she had been.
Khat'ak had walked through the imperial city. He had been called forth before Dagon. He had seen all but a few hundred Dremora leave to go to the sea bed that used to be lake Rumare. The stood in organised lines well a Dremora Valkynaz gave them their orders. He walked to the huge fifteen foot tall gates to the dread spire. He talked to the Dremora in front who opened them, grudgingly. He walked through the corridors seeing all sorts of depravities and tortures. He fought back tears. Then after ascending the tower for the better part of two hours. He came to the top where Dagon's throne was located. The demon sat six foot tall in his black throne. Huge torches sat at either side of him, The room was circular with the beam of red energy supporting the Sigil stone burning brightly behind Dagon's throne behind a pane of glass. Above him were three rings each one lined with Dremora Valkynazes armed with enchanted bows. And four Rakynazes stood guard around Dagon's throne and at the entrance to the throne room. Khat'ak kneeled hesitantly before Dagon.
"What is thy bidding?"
Dagon smiled and outstretched his hand. Khat'ak stood an looked Dagon in the eye.
"My child, so long lost has finally come home, rest your bones my son you must be ready for the final test."
Dagon stood. He began to walk out of the throne room. Khat'ak followed. They walked through the lament coated hallways. They ascended the tower till they reached a large round observation room with the great sigil stone in the centre. A huge glass sphere encased it with numerous bony red claw like protusions connecting to it. Dagon pointed out the window.
"That my son is your destination. The Deepscorn Hollow. Unless you want your wife to fall into my hands."
Khat'ak was visibly shaken
"No you can't mean-"
Every single mortal being on this disgusting world is my foe and therefore your foe. Slaughter them like cattle Khat'ak. They are worthless and mean nothing to you is that understood?"
Khat'ak thought about it. Then responded.
"No it isn't."
Dagon became angry.
"What?"
Khat'ak held fast
"If I kill all those people my wife will endure a hell I can't imagine. This would be a far fairer fate I am not a killer, I am not a tool I am not your weapon demon I am Khat'ak the hope of all mortal races!"
Dagon's anger turned to acceptance.
"So be it… Hope!"
He snapped his fingers and two silence and paralysis arrows struck him in the arms. Khat'ak fell to his knees unable to scream. He looked out towards the dying Nirn.
"Why do you do this?" he thought "Why all this…this destruction?"
If you will not obey you will be made to do my will. Take him to the transformation chamber. The two Dremora dragged him away.
Vella looked out towards the towers that now were the imperial city, the burning forests. She let loose a wail of agony. Unbeknownst to her this was joined by both Arakna and Khat'ak each in their own hell.
Arakna screamed as the laments filled his ears so much pain and not a thing he could do.
Khat'ak groaned as the two Dremora put him in a large wheel and fired a black energy beam at him. He felt his soul leave his body. He could see it's destination, a black suit of inescapable armour. He tried to resist. He couldn't.
"This Khat'ak, is what happens when you defy a god!"