Twarted ambitions

Neloth was true to his word and the second badge of scrolls were more precise and safe. I transported before a worn, weathered stone door. Curiosity got better of me and tried opening, I pushed, but it wouldn't budge.

I took a few steps back, thinking. It must be either sealed from inside or... from outside. Maybe the old dunmer wizard sealed up the place when he was here. Logical explanation.

The rest re – appeared one by one, all had confused looks – except Neloth who gloated, moving to the seemingly unmovable stone door. He touched the door's surface and a reaction occurred, the door gave a small clicking sound and I figured it unlocked.

Divayth Fyr looked at us and I saw fear in the red eyes of the old dunmer. "We've come so far, stopping now on the doorstep would be foolish. Dragonborn, are you and your friends ready?"

Vilkas, Hadvar, Gelebor, J'Zargo had their jaws clenched – the anticipation was going to kill us, standing around – I read in their eye reflections the thought. Ondolemar's face was marred with determination to see it through and I saw no glimpse of the lingering fear and doubt before our transportation to the pits of hell's kitchen. Mayhap 'tis was my imagination. I'm reading too much into things lately.

As I see, we've not changed our minds. "We're ready. Use that spell on us."

Divayth and Neloth came before us and instructed us to stand close in a circle. They entered our formation on both ends and each casted the spell. I felt like a bubble formed around my head. Palpating it confirmed my suspicion. It was... strange feeling. "Let's go! We've only three hours at most!" Neloth exclaimed, leading us along with Divayth Fyr, opening the stone door with inscription with ease.

The inside was hot and I got a feeling the temperature was rising with each step forward, but we bravely proceeded through the abandoned halls. It is said that dwarves lived here in the first era. Why would anyone want to live here? In this desolate mountain, surrounded by lava? It was beyond my comprehension.

The narrow paths had us going in a row and the lava pits were below us, reminding us that each stray step meant a certain death. Gotta stay focused where I step. I can't count on fast reflexes here. And we still didn't know what we'd find in the last chamber where the Heart was. The eruption couldn't have started on its own.

Then, suddenly the mountain shook and we all were wobbly, waiting for the earthquake to subside so we can safely make progress to the furthest chamber housing the Lorkhan's Heart.

We made a few steps and the ground shook more violently and three of us lost their footing. I was among them. Gelebor who was walking behind me luckily grabbed my hand and supported me before I fell to certain death. "T- thank you, Gelebor."

"Don't mention it. Be careful, Glorfindel."

I nodded dryly. The heat was already getting to me, good thing I had the Telvanni robes on. Wonder how my armor wearing friends are handling the extreme heat. Better not remind them, we have to focus on traversing this lava scaffolding safely.

Divayth, who was on the end of our little group gasped in horror and we immediately turned to see what upset him. It was a large monster seemingly made of fire. Flame atronach? They look different, much smaller and feminine – like.

Out of the frying pan into the fire, literally.

The old dunmer made a hasty gesture. "Go! I'll keep this thing busy, we've no time to lose!"

"No! We won't leave you alone in this!"

"Dragonborn, we're losing time! GO!" He yelled, twirling his spear at the fire monster. I didn't want to leave him fight alone. Gelebor and Hadvar which were in front of me and behind me, forcefully dragged me. "NO! We can't! Let go of me!" I was frustrated.

We were proceeding on the steep path and Divayth was further with each step. "You'd better make it out alive!" I screamed, but I doubt he heard me, the mountain was rumbling and we picked up the pace, running to a sudden dead end. "Neloth, it's dead end!"

He hurled a ice spell I've never seen before and the passage dissolved before our eyes and a fork with three new passages opened before us. "I've made a countermeasure last time I was here. The barrier is gone and if I recall correctly, we have to take the right path."

I heard Neloth's voice as if from great distance, because of the rumbling of Red Mountain. It's getting worse. Rapidly. "We have to hurry!" Ondolemar cried out and I found out how fast can a over nine hundred years old dunmer run when the fate of province is at stake.

Neloth stopped abruptly, casting detection spells and I was perplexed. Was someone ahead? "Laas Yah Nir!" In the distance I saw two auras and they were moving, close and then keeping distance. The two were fighting? "Hmm... sounds like a battle. I wonder..." Neloth muttered.

"No time to contemplate, Master Neloth!" I said, taking the lead, sprinting to the fading auras. The amount of magma and soot blinded me. It was the strongest in this room – we must have reached Lorkhan's Heart chamber.

The bubble head created air for us, but it didn't shield our sight. I raised hand in an attempt to block out the blackness. It wasn't working. "Master Neloth, can you do something about the smoke?!"

"Yes, but I'll need some backing up. Dragonborn and his friends who can cast magic, cast magelight and I'll make it last for a long period!"

So, I casted magelight and Neloth enhanced it's duration – dunno how, he's a Master Sorcerer. Finally, my sight was clear and we stood in awe of the enormous beating Heart of Lorkhan.

It was more majestic than in my wildest dreams. "You defiler!" And unknown, twisted voice boomed from somewhere deeper in the cave and a wave of some strong unknown magic impacted Neloth and he made a contact with the stony walls of mountain, grunting.

"Master Neloth!" I cried out, worried about the old dunmer.

"Alright, whoever you are, show yourself!" I issued a challenge, brandishing my weapon and my friends did the same. From the lurking corners appeared a tall silhouette with a mysterious mask.

Who in the hell was that?! Only one name came to mind.

"Dagoth Ur!"

"Yes, it is I, Dagoth Ur. Have you also come to stop me? You want to stop me, a god. How can you kill me? I am immortal. I have grasped the Heart's true essence."

So this was the douche that betrayed Nerevar Indoril. "Why do this? Morrowind was once your homeland!"

"It is my homeland. I'll simply wipe out the filth, starting with you, whoever you are. I've already dealt with another invader." The betrayer said, throwing head to the northern corner where I made out someone with half golden and half grey skin.

Wait. It cannot be. He's dead... or kidnapped by daedra. "What have you done with Lord Vivec!"

"The same I'm about to do to you, defiler. But before I dispatch you, I want to know your name, for you know mine."

I snorted. That bastard. "My name is Glorfindel and I've come to stop the eruption. And you're in my way, Voryn Dagoth."

I couldn't see his face, but I must have riled him up. The once self proclaimed god stepped closer and my friends stepped back. " 'Tis wise of you to back off, mortals. I'll give you a chance to walk away before I obliterate you."

Approaching steps from the depths alerted us to another presence and a huffing Divayth Fyr stood there, covered in... something glowing I presumed to be the monster's blood. The old dunmer focused his sight at the usurper in mask and his eyes flickered to Lord Vivec still out cold and to Neloth who was likewise out of battle. We had strength in numbers, but it'll be for naught – he's immortal. I have to shatter the Heart's influence first.

Divayth threw a spear at the usurper and he avoided it, smirking as he ran full speed at Divayth who must be fucking exhausted from fighting that hellish creature. "Back him up!" I said to my friends and they encircled the god, taking fighting stances.

I drew Auriel's Bow, putting a arrow in the bowstring, aiming for the Heart, firing. When it made contact with the artifact, the Sunhallowed arrow exploded, damaging the Heart from inside. Needless to say, I had to take cover – blast radius was great, I got caught in it and it catapulted me straight into J'Zargo who grunted when we collided. Soon, I heard how the once proud god was wailing in agony – and then I heard another voice I couldn't pin down, also screaming. That must be Lord Vivec. I didn't think he'd be still bound to the Heart, after his mysterious disappearance. Dagoth Ur fell to his knees, his "godhood" stripped of him. He's as mortal as any other men, mer or beast humanoid now.

Shallow footsteps along the cave's walls got our full attention. "Ugh, what a day... Lord Vivec?!" Neloth finally regained his consciousness, gaping at the half chimer/dunmer Poet God who was sadly also stripped of his powers.

"I remember you... you're Neloth of House Telvanni... and this is Divayth Fyr..." He mumbled, barely alive – I observed his mortal wounds that will soon claim him if he let him die. "Lord Vivec, we're here to stop the eruption, but we're also here to stop the Heart of ever being misused by the kind of Voryn Dagoth."

The usurper was still on knees, panting heavily. He looked up at the Poet God. "You'll be soon going to hell, Vivec. Should have killed you ages ago. Sadly Almalexia was killed by Nerevarine before I could make her kill you."

Revelation after revelation.

"You've made her kill Sotha Sil?! YOU VILE S'WIT! YOU POISONED THEIR MINDS? SET THEM UP!"

Voryn laughed sadistically. "That I did. I thought Almalexia would bring me all of the Tools, but alas she was killed before she get to you, Vivec."

The Poet God gritted teeth. "You bastard, how could you?!"

"The same you murdered Nerevar. Or did you forget it was you who convinced Sotha and Almalexia to help you kill your great general leader, my friend Indoril Nerevar? History may say otherwise, that it was me who corrupted you three into killing Nerevar, but none can tell. Only you and me are left, Vivec. We know how it went down. But I digress, you seized your opportunity and I've done the same, surviving in this pit of lava and magma, waiting for anyone to show up. I knew it'll be someone from a prophecy, the hero types can't stop sticking their necks out for the sake of world. Such rubbish. We've bantered enough - I can still reclaim the Lorkhan Heart's power and you even brought me the Tools I've been looking for centuries. How kind of you." Voryn Dagoth uttered, mocking us with each word.

We'll have to act quick if this is to work. It's as if we all formed a telepathy link. Lord Vivec healed himself (how could I forget he's a skilled restoration mage) in a split second and faced off against the fallen god of Vvardenfell. Divayth and Neloth joined Lord Vivec's valiant stand – off and the four began circling.

They're keeping him busy so we can shatter it. Even a mortal, he's still a formidable enemy to us. Maybe the most formidable we've faced. The fight behind was getting too hot and cold for me.

I made a mad dash to the Heart's seat. My companions ran to me. The Wraithguard was vibrating, like it got a heart beat of its own. "I'll start connecting the weaving, don't move for a moment." I said beforehand, so they wouldn't move an inch. I haven't used a magical fleece or gauntlet, like ever, but I'll give it a shot. I closed eyes, concentrating on my friends and their auras. I can see them. I raised the hand with gauntlet into the air, preparing for the conduit that'll connect us to each other and the Heart.

I could swear the Heart was alive, fearing for my intentions, its pace of heart beat picked up. The pulsating didn't stop, it was only getting worse. Dull pain clouded my senses. Controling this gauntlet in the presence of that monstrosity was a task I'd have to endure.

"I can feel it... Gelebor, step forward and create the chinks needed for cutting."

The snow elf knitted his eyebrows, deep in concentration, drawing out the hammer's destructive power. The Knight – Paladin rushed and jumped up, smashing Sundering upon the Heart's surface. "Grrrrrrrahhah!"

It's power was out a legend, small cracks showed up, getting bigger and bigger until it was thoroughly trounced. Why the hell did nobody think of this ever?! Then I saw why – the cracks were rapidly vanishing, the Heart was repairing its damage. "Ondolemar!"

My sorcerer stepped forward and Gelebor stood back. "On it."

He picked up speed and ran full throttle, now I knew why the blade was dubbed Keening. A technique I'd never seen ever executed, Ondolemar cut the Heart in half, then to four more pieces, more or less equally large. The magical conduit was still holding up; but I feared Neloth, Divayth and Lord Vivec wouldn't have the same luck. We ran to the sliced up pieces, still strangely floating in air.

Under other circumstances, I'd make a joke about a broken heart, but this wasn't a time for jests. My hands were sweating as I grabbed a piece, fascinated. Hadvar, Gelebor, J'Zargo, Vilkas and Ondolemar took their piece.

We'll need to sit down for this. I reached into my quiver and picked out six Sunhallowed arrows, placing them on the ground as we sat down, gloom hung over us. I clutched my piece of Lorkhan's Heart, mind riddled with doubt. "I... should we really do this?"

"It was your idea. We all agreed. This isn't the time to back out." J'Zargo reminded me. Yeah, it was my foolishly stupid idea. They are so loyal to me, they'll do such a stupid thing for me, for my homeland.

I glanced at them. "Alright, let's proceed." I said quietly. The tremors quietened down, the showdown behind us also subsided and soon we only heard the Heart's distant beat – and our own.

Breathing heavily, I placed the piece of Lorkhan's Heart over mine, the arrow in other, shaking hand. My friends did the same, faces laden with firm determination and resolve. "On three."

"Three."

The piece was throbbing, the conduit preventing it from patching itself up.

"Two."

Fear struck me, but it wasn't mine; nor my friends' or Heart's. It was Voryn Dagoth's, knowing we'll disrupt his plan.

"One."

I braced for the strike, the slick arrowhead penetrated into the Heart, shattering it and it dissolved – a strange aura was visible for less than a second, seeking refuge and it found its new home. The crimson red aura went into my chest and something came over me; I saw glimpses, images of a great cataclysm, then the birth of a fiery object in sky above the deluge; and finally the water level got considerably lower; forth came the birth of greenery and life - I saw the birth of Tamriel...

And I collapsed onto the ground. The magical conduit was gone. I wonder if others saw the images, too. "Hey, anybody else see that?" I asked around, but they weren't listening, as if they weren't present there.

"YOU! YOU TRIGGERED MY PATIENCE, DEFILERS! WITNESS THE WRATH OF DAGOTH UR!" I couldn't move, absorbing something so massive had me rendered immobile for much longer I'd thought and I doubted others could move.

The usurper was headed for me, I could see the murderous intention even behind the mask. We've absorbed the Heart, but we're still mortals and the restriction from the absorption is yet to be lifted. Damn it, I can't move! I reached for my Mace of Molag Bal, but I couldn't lift my hand with the weapon. "NO! Leave him be!" My friends yelled in unison, trying to break loose from the shock of absorption and it was in vain.

I was to watch as the man shredded me to pieces, in front of my friends and beloved? Shutting eyes, I prayed to Divines, the daedric lords for a miracle in the last moment; anything.

The sound of something being pierced through brought my senses back and also my control of my body. Lord Vivec stood before me, chest pierced and bleeding. The sword belonged to none other than Dagoth Ur, who also ended at the end of Vivec's sword.

Dagoth Ur grunted and already heavily injured, succumbed to his wounds, collapsing. The mask fell off, revealing the hardly recognizable face of the usurper. The sword slipped out from Vivec's chest. "I am... glad... you... are safe..." He said, falling backwards. I caught him, still in mild shock of what the hell just happened. I laid him down, taking a look at his injuries. "Lord Vivec, we could heal you, save you..."

The Poet God shook head, gazing from the one solemn face to next. A trickle of blood run down his cheek. "No need. I need to tell you something really important. You have a task. I know who you are, Dragonborn... I haven't been... kidnapped by daedra, but Divines. As unbelievable as it sounds, they wanted for the Oblivion Crisis to take its course in Morrowind... They wouldn't release me until now... the cities of glass and insect wings... go there next. You'll find all the answers there..."

He made a pause, looking to the ceiling of cave, one hand extended. "Sotha, Almalexia... Ner... e...var..."

The former god died, head bobbing to side, smiling.

My eyes watered up, I don't know why. I hadn't even known him. "He wanted to die for a while now, I think. He finished his score with Dagoth Ur in the end."

"And he did. The Tribunal is now really dead." Divayth Fyr's voice reached us as he limped to us, a broken hand, but alive. "Such a shame. I have wanted to ask of him... nevermind now." Neloth limped to the site, seemingly unharmed, save for the cuts and split lip.

"So, you've done it? Otherwise that bugger wouldn't kick the bucket. As for Lord Vivec, it's unfortunate." The Master Wizard of House Telvanni muttered, looking past my tears I couldn't explain. The deaths of Tribunal were orchestrated by that scum lying dead. Was that the Divines will? For Morrowind to suffer?

Then something even more terrifying happened, the ceiling of cave was breaking up. "The cave is collapsing! Use your scroll!"

But I only had one for myself, how am I gonna transport Lord Vivec's body? He deserves a proper burial, with the respects of all Great Houses, no matter what Voryn Dagoth said, I can sense he was a good man. A great man.

"I can't leave Lord Vivec's body here. I'll take him back to surface and he'll get a burial rite." I was adamant in this.

Divayth and Neloth glanced at each, then the old Telvanni wizard sighed. "Fine. But I've had enough of running. We're taking the scrolls. See you back in Sadrith Mora."

Neloth and Divayth used the scrolls.

"You can use your scrolls, I'll make it out alone just fine." I said to my friends who vehemently shook heads. "No. We're with you and we've talked enough. RUN!" Vilkas yelled, taking the lead, running to the passage we came through, Hadvar and J'Zargo catching up with the Nord warrior. "We've no time to waste. Glorfindel, Ondolemar, let's go."

"Alright!" I picked up the body of Poet God and faced the collapsing passage and the ceiling in front of us was falling down. We've only a couple of seconds before we're sealed here forever. "Grab onto me!" I said to them and they heeded my word, grabbing onto my robes and we started making a run to the only exit. "Wuld Nah Kest!"

It only so -so missed us, we flew past the cave -in, saving ourselves. But it was no use now, the entire mountain was gonna collapse on our heads. I wonder if the rest are outside already. "I suggest we keep running!" Gelebor said as we dashed through the passage, into the narrow abyss of rising magma and lava. Don't look down, don't look down. Aaah, I looked down!

We've ran like never before and I could feel my legs hurt, but I'd rather have strained muscles than be dead. Somehow, we made it past the lava pits in one piece. "Hopefully there won't be anymore hindrances!" Ondolemar cried out during our great escape.

It seems luck wasn't our strong suite. The passage was blocked by rubble – the exit out from this fiery pit was blocked. We're cut off! No, I am not giving up. We've two magical artifacts that can cut even through a god's heart. "Use Sundering and Keening!" I suggested in the rising heat, the weight of Lord Vivec's body was keeping me running, reminding me of his noble sacrifice to save my life. I owed this to him.

"I'll go first." Gelebor said miraculously calmly, engaging the rubble with Sundering. He broke through the first wave of blockage and another wave was preventing us from leaving. "I'll take this on." Ondolemar said, picking up the pace even more as he slashed up the rocks as if they were made our of air, the rubble was removed from our path, we're clear!

"GO! GO!" I screamed my lungs out, running like crazy to the exit.

Ondolemar and Gelebor rushed before me. Just as left the cave for good, another big chunk of rock now totally collapsed behind me and I jumped with Lord Vivec's body in my arms, blinded by the sharp daylight. Right into someone's arms. It took a while before I could see again. The Legion armor... Hadvar caught me?

"You're all alive! I am relieved you all made it in time."

I wasn't happy with how it ended. Lord Vivec... he sacrificed himself for me. And he didn't even know me.

Vilkas gently removed the body of Poet God from me and I didn't struggle, a wave of sadness washed over me; I couldn't comprehend why someone like Lord Vivec would save me and die in my stead. Because the Divines willed it? If they're so scornful, they are no better than most of daedric princes. "To hell with Divines! I've had it! I am done doing the bidding of gods, good or evil! They kill off anyone, just because they fucking can."

"J'Zargo heard him say he was kidnapped by Divines, do you believe his story?" Khajiit mage asked me and I nodded, jaw clenched so much it hurt, but I didn't give a damn. "Yes, I believe him. But whatever the Divines want from me, they won't get it. I am not going to that place, whatever it hinted at."

Ondolemar seemed to be contemplating about telling me something or not, they he decided for the latter. "We've best go back to the fortress."

I nodded sternly, taking a last look at the Red Mountain, it's eruption stopped at last. There was no immediate danger for Morrowind. I saved my homeland, with help of course, but saved.

Too bad I don't have a spare scroll... we could be on our way in a blink of an eye...

A poof! And Divayth stood before me, patched up from the beating he took earlier from that weird fire elemental and Dagoth Ur, bearing a large scroll. "You are all well. I told Neloth to stop fretting, but he didn't shut up, so I came to get you. Everyone, touch the scroll and it'll transport us all back to Sadrith Mora."

My friends reluctantly looked at me and I nodded, indicating to them to approach and touch the scroll Divayth was holding. Vilkas came closer so his fingertips could touch the scroll as he was unable to touch normally while holding Lord Vivec's body.

Divayth casted a location spell enhanced with Neloth's mumbo jumbo and we found ourselves atop the round table in Telvanni Hall.

"Aha! You're okay!"

We climbed off the table, Vilkas with some minor trouble – but we did. Despite saving world and Tamriel, AGAIN, I felt... terribly sad. "What... are we going to do?" Hadvar asked and the other four expectedly looked at me to provide an answer. I sat down on chair. "I... am going to Grand Council. They need to be notified of what happened... and Lord Vivec should get a burial soon, with respect he deserves."

"So, off to Blacklight, then? I'll go with you. I have some official business with other Houses. I'll represent my House at the burial, that should suffice. Rootspire, haven't been there... in a long time."

Divayth glanced at the body of Poet God, saddened. "I'll go back to Corprusarium. My daughters must be worried about me."

"Wait... Divayth, can you take back the Tools?"

"There is no need for them, and I think they will prove useful sometime in your lifes. I'm leaving them in your care. Nerevarine is no more, neither is the Heart. And I have no use for them, I never had."

"Alright, Divayth, I hope to see you sooner than in another era, but who knows. I'll go now with the younglings. Can you spread word on your way that the eruption has been stopped?"

"I'll see to it, don't worry. Farewell." He said, snapping his fingers and a small black hole I presumed to be his transport appeared. He went through it and it vanished, together with the old mer.

I wasn't feeling so well. Might be the due to "consumption" of that Heart, but I felt horribly heavy headed... fuzzy... "Guys... I am... kinda..."

Ondolemar sat beside me, taking a hold of my hand. "Divines! Your hand is ice cold! Also, you're kinda looking pale... are you alright?" My sorcerer asked, worrying about my well – being.

My vision was but a blur, I couldn't see him nor anyone. Where is my n'chow freaking sight?!

...

"I'm.. f...ine."

Bullocks, I was lying through my teeth. My body slid off the chair to the ground and I blackened out. The last I heard was the concerned voices of my friends, Neloth and the strangled cry from my mage.