You had the most wonderful dream last night.
You dreamed that you stood upon the corpse of the great black dragon, Alduin, or the Transcendent one, or whatever they call him. You had finally done it! You had fulfilled your destiny, and everyone could finally look past your hideous visage!
And your team! Your team was normal! Morte had a body, skin, and control over his sexual urges! Ignus was no longer on flames or dragon shit insane! And Nordom didn't talk to his crossbows.
And there you all stood side by side. Happy with each other's company and beloved by all the planes! They sang of your bravery, your power, and your incredible muscle mass! All was well, all was perfect!
And then you woke up to Morte shouting in your ear, and reality punching you in the gut.
"Chief! Ignus is trying to set the horse on fire!"
…
"Chief, we need to talk."
You continue to piss, pretending you can't hear him.
"Helloooooooo? Chieffffffffff? I know you can hear me. We need to talk."
You sigh. You've recalled the reason you don't like travelling with Morte. He always needs to talk. Whether it's hitting on some random female travelers, complaining about his lack of legs, or just being a dick, the skull cannot stay silent. You figure if you've only got a mouth, you learn to use it nonstop.
"Chief, if you don't say something now, I'm chomping your dick off!"
"What!?" You finally turn around. "What is so damn important?"
"Gah! Chief! Put your pecker away!"
Your face goes red with embarrassment as you pull your…. Actually, what are you wearing? It sure ain't pants.
"Thanks, now in addition to dreams of incineration, I get to dream of your scarred wang."
"I'm starting to miss the time I didn't remember you…"
He looks hurt. "Come on chief, you don't mean that. You really prefer these cockatoos to me?"
You bite your lip. Not sure how to respond.
"That's what I thought. I mean come on chief. How long you think you've got with these loose cannons following?"
"Look, Nordom helped us find the eye, and his former masters kicked the butt. It was this or leave him alone in a squid infested cave."
"But he's so damn annoying! Him and his… crossbows."
"Really? You wanna talk annoying? You?"
"I also provide exposition. I know where my place is, what my purpose is. To chase tail!"
"…Still not convincing me to let go of the cube, Morte."
"Ok, fine. Well how about Ignus? Have you figured out a way to douse him?"
"… Still working on it."
"Well, at least we're on the same page there. Seriously. What were those crazy mages thinking? Having you tag along with this nut? No wonder nobody trusts their college anymore!"
"The journal says he would only travel with me. I don't get it."
"Me neither. It's strange the way he listens to you. And only you."
"And calls me master. I don't understand why. He's a far more skilled mage than me."
"He sure speaks of you like one. Looks at you with awe."
"I am something to be awed I admit. Maybe you should call me master too."
He snorts. "Other way around chief. Without me, you'd wander around lost."
"I think I did just fine without you actually."
He rolls his eyes. "Hello? Look who you've wound up with!"
…
You keep to the north of Whiterun, per Morte's requests. You wanted to stop and replenish on supplies, maybe even get a nap. But Morte refuses to let you.
"I am not letting you near those mercykillers again. Or companions. Or whatever they call themselves. I told you what happened last time. They're dangerous. Especially that half-naked chit. Quite a looker, but damn what a nut!"
"Definition: Mercykillers: Past incarnation of mercenary group known as companions. 1 strike law. Preference exeguttor to jury."
"Yes, yes. Thank you trash compactor. Leave the exposition to me! Also, it's executioner. Not exeguttor!"
"Yeah. Refresh my memory what occurred?"
"Chick feeds you werewolf blood and makes you go insane, killing a rival gang, some thugs in a cave, and a dragon."
You pale.
"Ok, so….. No Whiterun."
"Not you anyway. Just sit tight out here. I'll sneak in and grab some supplies. They'll never notice me."
"A floating skull? Seems like the kind of thing that may attract interest."
"Relax chief. It's dark and I'm a master of disguise. They'll never see me coming."
Of course, they do see him coming and he comes running (floating) out with a bag between his teeth and seemingly every guard in the city giving chase. You and your strange acquaintances ready the horse and gallop over. You scoop the skull up and gallop away, your face hidden in the dark (not easy to do with one of you literally a torch). You ride off until they give up the hunt and go back within the city walls.
"Had fun master of disguise," you snark.
"I woulda gotten it too if I hadn't gotten your stench on me."
"Analysis: Director null stench. 90 % Chance Morte seen due to perverse behavior with opposite sex humanoid."
"Stow it, rubex cube! You wish you could be as popular with the ladies as me!"
"Well, however you did it, you're effectively barred from the city. Way to go skull."
"Let me deal with them massssssssster…. I sssssssssshall make another Winterhold…"
"Yeah….. Let's not do that. Not yet anyway Ignus! Not yet!" You hold up your hands in nervousness as he bristles with frustration.
"Never let me have fun…." He grumbles.
You ride on until you find an abandoned cave. Well not entirely abandoned. But the dwellers take one look at your merry crew and haul ass out.
"Well, time for some good news I guess," you try defusing the tension. "You actually did get quite a bit Morte. This should keep us going for a few more days. Even if you're officially banned from Whiterun."
He gave no indication of having heard you, focused on the man on fire.
"Also, according to the map, we should be less than a day's ride from the labyrinth."
"Hooray!" Morte suddenly responds. "We get to wander through more dark tunnels and fight off. Even more draugr! Never a dull moment!"
"+ Illithids + Dremur mechanics + Dragon priests + Crossbows = Danger! Danger!"
"Oh my god! Shut this thing up!"
Nordom stares at the skull for a bit. You can't tell if he's hurt or not.
"Query: Morte. Why do you respond with aggression to my queries?"
"Because you ask them over and over again! And then your crossbows apparently ask them as well!"
"Answer: Nordom merely requires time to adapt to information overload. Influx of information leads to impairment in motor responses."
"Well in that case, nut brain, why don't you take some time to think over my answers, rather than hurting your little brain further?"
"Query-"
"Didn't you hear me? No more questions!"
"How about you answer a question yourself Nordom?" You hope to shut them up.
Nordom gives another semi smile, and Morte gives a relieved glance.
"Nordom will receive your query with extreme prejudice."
"Uh…. Ok. So Nordom. When.. if, we get the eye of Vecna, what will you do?"
"….Repeat query."
You think of how to word this.
"Stage fifth was to locate the eye of Vecna. Stage sixth is therefore to obtain the eye of Vecna, is it not?"
Nordom bobs for a moment and looks at his crossbows before seemingly nodding.
"Well. After you complete stage sixth (acquiring the eye), what is stage seventh? What is your objective then?"
Nordom pauses for a while then, unsure how to respond.
"Undetermined. Awaiting director's orders."
"Director. You mean me?"
"Affirmative. Awaiting orders."
You pause for a bit, but simply shrug.
"I'll get back to you on that."
Nordom bobs again, which you take as a yes.
You remember at that moment about Ignus, who has remained silent this whole time. You figure you could probably just leave him hanging. On the other hand, you remember the horse's burns.
"So. uh….. Iggy?"
Ignus doesn't respond.
"Iggy? Really chief? You're giving the serial killer a nickname?"
"Er, right. Ignus?"
He turns, seeming bored.
"Yesssssssssss?"
Morte shudders.
"I'll never get used to that hissing."
"Hisssssssssssssssingggggggggg?"
"Uh, anyway, Ignus," you intervene. "According to my journal, we haven't really discussed how you became the way you are."
"Yessssssssssssss we did….. Ignusssssssss hasssssss alwayssssss been thisssssssss way."
"Come now Ignus," you push back. "That can't be true. You look human. Or at least like you were human.
He looks at you. Or appears to stare through you.
"You know….. Do you not?"
"Uh… not really. All I know is you attended the college of Winterhold, got obsessed with flames, and nearly burned the town to the ground. I don't know why though."
He thinks long and hard before responding.
"Once, Ignusssssssss knew nothing of flamesssssssssss. He knew nothing! Nothing! Only that prison hisssss family called home! Sssssssssso he ran to find another prissssssssson they called a college!" His flames rise in anger.
"But Ignusssssssss learned. He learned of flamesssssssssss. Of burninggggg. He learned purpose! He desired to share this knowledge. To help othersssssss follow the path of flamessssssssss." He pauses.
"But they refused, the insectsssssssssss! They rejected Ignussssssssss' gift! They "punished" him." He makes a strange sound at this, which you think is a chuckle.
"By lighting you on fire?"
"The fliessssssssss, the small flies wished to ssssseeeeeeeeee Ignusssssss burnnnnnn after Ignusssssssssss ssssset fire to their sssssstreets… tiny magelingsss, hedge wizzardsss, runecasterssss... tiny ssss'parks of magic came to punissssssh Ignusss for hurting their loved onessss... they sssentenced Ignusssss to BURNNNN, made Ignussss a TORCH, a sssspitting FLAME, burning, burning... It wassss JUSSSTICE, they sssaid..."
You look around the room. Nordom is listening attentively, while Morte looks like he's hearing a lunatic. Which he kind of is.
"Jusss'tice...but it was not a sssentence... there is ssoooo much flamessss and painnn that there issss NO pain... there issss LIGHT, and HEAT, and the flesssh runsss as TALLOW acrossss my bonessss... and for the firssst time... Ignussss issss PLEASSSSED..."
Ignus is rotating around the center of the room as he speaks, watching all of you, grinning a malicious grin.
"When the planessssssssssssss burn and all life is torchessssss, then Ignusssssss sssssssshall at lasssst…. Be at peace…."
The room goes deathly quiet. Nordom still doesn't know how to respond. Morte however stares at you with serious worry.
"Ignus…. How did you learn. Who taught you these things… who?"
Ignus stares at you with a look of what appears to be disbelief. Then he laughs. Gouts of flames erupting from his mouth in a horrible sound.
"Ignorant….. Sssssssso ignorant…"
He continues to laugh. A laugh you hear in your sleep, long after he has stopped.
…
Labyrinthian didn't sound like a good place when you first heard the name. It doesn't look any more inviting seeing the entrance in person. It looms before you, clearly showing signs of decay.
"I'm in love already," Morte grumbles.
"Ssssssstone…. Will burnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn anyway…"
"Yeah, you do that burny. Do us a favor and burn yourself along with it, wontcha?"
"Sssssssssssssilence ssssssssssskull….. Only the masssssssssster ssssssssseperatesssssssssssss you from asssssssssh….."
"Nordom observes dysfunction present in Sacramento Kings. Recommend immediate separation of church and state."
"How… does that make any sense? Chief, help me out here!"
"Talk amongst yourselves." You have no interest in resolving infighting. You just want to get in, get out, and get drunk. Of course, being you. You aren't so lucky. Right at the entrance doors, someone is waiting for you. A man with grey skin and red eyes bores into you.
"Oh, you finally made it. Good to see you again."
"Nice to see you to. Whoever you are."
"That's the headmaster of Winterhold college, you dolt! Don't you remember?"
"No, Morte I did not. But thanks for the reminder."
"Good to see you again Nameless one. And….. Ignus."
"Ssssssssssavosssssssssss. Missssssssssss me?"
"Not entirely, I'll admit. Releasing you from your sleep was not our first choice. But still. It seems to have worked out thus far."
"Indeed…" Ignus eyes you grinning.
"I see you've made a new acquaintance as well. I believe this would be a modron, correct?"
"Correction: Nordom = Backwards modron. Backwards modron = Nordom. Nordom = Null Assassin. Null Assassin = Nordom. Nordom = Sacramento King. Sacramento King ="
"Aghhhhhhh! Make him stop! Pull the plug, please!"
"Oh, hello. Morte, was it? Glad you found your friend after all. Wouldn't want the Dragonborn to run into trouble would we?"
You look away flushing.
"What brings you here anyway? I assume you got our message?"
"Yes. Brelyna relayed the message. However, as soon as I learned where the eye was stored, I realized it was too dangerous to let you go alone."
"Thissssssssss isssssss nothing….. I sssshall blessssssssss thessssssssse ruinsssssssss with my touch…."
"You shouldn't rush into things like that Ignus. You should know that from experience, should you not?"
The flaming man bristles with subtle anger.
"Believe it or not, I know a thing or two about these ruins. And besides, you can't get in without this." He holds up a strange item and places it on the doors. A click is then heard.
"We sealed this place a long time ago. For safety purposes. No one has been in since, but I have little reason to think it's changed much." He looks back as he approaches the door.
"A word of caution. This place is called Labyrinthian for a reason. It is an entrance to another plane. A maze. Located on another plane. A plane of darkness, where shadows haunt you wherever you go. The last time we stepped through, we were separated. We must be prepared for something similar to occur."
"We?" That word stood out.
He stares at you long and hard, then simply nods.
"Yes. Me and my… friends. We came here once long ago. Young. Foolish. Seeking power. Thought we would change the planes." He shakes his head in dismay. "But much has changed since then. I have changed, as have you. We will not fail this time."
As have you? You raise your eyebrows at that strange statement but write it off as a mistake. How wrong you would find yourself to be…
"Are you all ready? It has been a long journey for us all. If you need some time to rest, we may do so to let you regain your strength."
"No ressssssst…. Let usssssssss finissssssssssh thisssssssssss. Let flames light the darknesssssss….."
"Uh… Yeah what he said. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Affirmation: Nordom is ready for combat."
"Well I'm not! Hold on! I don't even have a weapon beyond my teeth. And I've been riding in that sack all day!"
"Well, at least you got to sleep Morte. I'm the one who steered the horse, and I'm all for it. Besides, if we wait out here too long, we might get cold feet."
"Oh gimme a… Ah, forget it! You wanna get torn apart by ravenous shades? Might as well get it over with."
"That's the spirit! Now prepare yourselves, and let's go. This time I promise, we will succeed!"
"This time?"
He looks back and gives a sad smile.
"You'll see."
Then he opens the door to reveal a portal. You get a feeling of immense dread, but move through it regardless.
You immediately wish you hadn't
…
"Chief? Chief? Where are you? Come on chief! Answer me!"
"Analysis: Director null present in immediate surroundings. Recommend Expansion of sensory input."
"Thank you for stating.. whatever you said moron! Just shut it and let me think!"
"Danger. Multiple translucent entities approaching from multiple directions."
"I said…. Wait. What kind of entities?"
…
"Darknessssssssssss sssssssssmotherssssssss the flamessssssssss… Nothing to burnnnnnnnnn….. Masssssssssster where are youuuuuuuuuu? What isssssss thisssssssssssss… Sssssssshadowsssssssssss….. Coming for my flamesssssssssss…. Nnnnnnnnnoooooooo….. Ssssssssshall not be… The masssssssster gave me thessssssssse flamesssssssssssss….. I will see thissssssssssss plane burnnnnnnnnnnn before you take them from me!"
…
For once, you're having the best time out of anyone in your group. Of course, you don't know that at the time. You haven't encountered any of the creatures harassing the rest of your companions, who were unfortunately (or fortunately for your sanity) separated the instant you entered the portal. And you also got the one teammate you feel you can rely on. Ironically, the one you know least.
That's not to say you were having a swell day thus far. The place you've entered is cold, dark, and apparently has ghosts. You squint hard. You can't be certain but you think one of them is… Savos!?
"We're here. According to the map. I must say, you know how to pick vacations."
"We're not here for vacations, elf." A grim-faced hardened man says angrily. "We're here to change our fortunes."
"I am aware of that, my friend. But I do not see how we can take the time to not learn something from this visit."
"Look around! We might as well be in hell! For all we know, a herd of Baatezu are waiting to ambush us!"
"Calm yourself Mr. Frey. Nerves will do you no good here. Isn't that what a good thief does?"
You pale. That voice. That deep voice It can't be. You can't see the man's face. But looking from behind, you can see the same kind of build. The same kind of hair. It can't be? Can it?
"I am the greatest of thieves. Not just a good thief. I don't care how important you think you are. I demand respect."
"Respect is earned dear Mercer." A woman with dark hair and dark skin and an arm over the shoulder of the man with the deep voice. She looks so familiar.
"Let's just make this quick." A Redguard woman answers. "Before the headmaster realizes I'm gone."
"I thought you were his favorite Atmah." The Redguard man with the deep voice says. "Have you been slacking in your mission?"
It's hard to tell with a ghost. But you think her eyes widen.
"No. No. My lord. I have done as you asked. All for you. All for you."
The other woman with her arms around the "lord's" shoulders gives a hiss at this other woman. The man however doesn't appear to notice her displeasure.
"Enough of this!" The man named either Mercer or Frey growls. "Lead the way Aren! We have a job to do!"
"Yes. Yes. Patience Mr. Frey. A cool head will serve you well here."
"Then let us proceed." The Redguard man leads the way. With all the ghosts who've spoken and a few others who haven't.
You stare as the ghosts walk on and seem to disappear into the surrounding darkness. You stare where they disappeared for a while before turning to stare at Savos Aren.
"That.. that's you…. Was you.."
"Was. Yes. Ghosts of the past. Of those who came here with me. Old wounds."
"You knew the eye was here? The whole time? And you sent me off on a goose chase?"
"I did not know. I only knew we came seeking something of great power. I did not know what exactly. Now we have returned. And this time, we will succeed. I swear it."
You sweat as you now believe "we" is not an accidental word.
…
"Move it cube! They're right behind us!"
"Affirmative. Detecting multiple shadows approaching in a circular position. Recommend back-to-back formation to maximize effectiveness."
"Effectiveness!? You're a clockwork toy, and I haven't got arms! How can we possibly be effective?"
"Analysis: New information = null back-to-back formation. Re-analyzing available options. Crossbows recommending new strategem. Stand by while I communicate with them."
"What? No! Run you idiot!"
…
"Ssssssssssso many ssssssssshadowsssssssssssss…. Burnnnnnnnnn all of you! Yessssssssss! Runnnnnnn! This plane will burnnnnnnnnnn… asssssssss will he…. That ssssssscarred basssssssstard!"
…
You and Savos stumble through the darkness. You can't make out anything in the darkness, relying solely on the elf to lead the way. Not that you're paying much attention. You're still trying to make sense of those ghosts. All you know is that apparently Savos, the frigging headmaster of the Winterhold college, came here at some point in the past and declined to tell anyone. He just kept it to himself for all these years
Damn. Morte could learn from this guy.
"We.. we have to go back!"
You jump into the air, ready to fight. Oh look. The ghosts are back.
"Go back?" One of the men says. Frey you recall. "Sure, you got a death wish? Go ahead."
"Come now Atmah." Ghost Savos holds her close. "There's no point. He's already dead."
"Bu- but. I promised he would….. I promised…."
"I say let her go." The other Redguard woman smirks. "She hasn't proven useful thus far."
"Now now Deionorra, we're all in this together. And Atmah here has fulfilled her duties very well thus far." The Redguard man with the deep voice walks over to the sobbing woman and raises her face up to meet his.
"Atmah, Atmah. You're a strong woman. You knew the risks when you came with us. Are you really going to put the fate of Hammerfell our people, and… me at risk with cowardice?"
The woman looks up at him with adorable puppy eyes.
"No! No! Of course not. I'm… I'm sorry, my lord. I just…. Yes of course. For you… I mean for our people. Anything…."
Deionorra looks on angrily as the man twists the other woman around his finger. Willingly submitting to his wish. It sickens you.
"Let us honor the dead and continue for the living. Make no mistake. The sacrifices made here today will never be forgotten!"
The ghosts vanish again, but the feeling of what that man did.. manipulating that woman. It's repulsive.
"Savos… who was he. That Redguard man?"
He doesn't answer, merely looks at you with what appears to be pity.
…
"Ok. Looks like we're fine as long as we hide here. As long as you shut your trap!"
"Analysis: Plane: Negative Material. Location: Unknown."
"Negative Material? This? Well, that's the first useful thing you've said all day cube. Keep that up and I might tolerate."
"Analyzing: Morte responds positively to phrase Negative Material. Repetitive use of phrase Negative Material = friendship. Negative Material. Negative Material. Negative Material."
"Shut up!"
…
"What issssssssss thisssssssssssssss….. a dead dragon…. Here? Even without flesssssssssssh to burnnnnnnnnnnnnn, you all will be assssssssssssshesssssssssssssssss!"
…
While your teammates are having fun, you're walking along with Savos Aren, who still refuses to explain who he came here with or why. Or even how long ago. You figure you're about to learn more however. Because, with a sigh, you encounter the specters yet again.
"Damn! Two more down!" Frey growls. "What gives Aren? You said these were top notch mages!"
"Don't blame them! No one could be prepared for this! How could they?"
"The cowards show their true selves my love," Deionorra whispers to the Redguard man. He merely nods silently.
"Some help you've been Ice-Fist," Frey shouts at a nord mage. "Crying like a little bitch at the sight of those shadows!"
"Don't question my bravery, thief! Or I'll show you why they call me Ice-Fist!"
"Enough! Save it for the shadows!" Atmah stands between the two of them. "They were weak! We are strong! And our lord has chosen us to liberate an entire plane! We cannot fight amongst ourselves now. We must continue on for our lov- lord! And no shadows or anything else are going to stand in our way! So rise."
The Redguard man smirks while Deionorra does the opposite.
"Well said Atmah. I knew I could count on you. You are a true Redguard woman. I daresay you would indeed make a fine queen."
If Deionorra was annoyed before, she is now livid. The rest of the poor group seems to shudder from the repulsive display, except for Atmah who is overtaken with herself, and Savos who looks saddened.
"Now that our morals are restored, shall we press on? You few who have lasted this long, rejoice! For you are stronger ilk than those who have fallen here today."
They follow him, walking like zombies. Seemingly against their will. You don't think they're under control, but it's not natural. Except the two women. Deionorra confronts Atmah, anger on her face.
"HE. IS. MINE. You are nothing. A joke of a mage. Better suited for the brothels, than our cause. Never forget that. Or this tomb shall be yours too."
And with that, she proceeds on, leaving her compatriot stunned, before she recollects herself and too vanishes.
You're stunned as well, left speechless at what just transpired. Eventually you turn to Savos who looks on with remorse.
"I had forgotten how damaged she was poor Deionorra. Don't think too badly of her. She was blinded by devotion. We all were."
"Who… were those people? That man… who was he?"
He stares at you hard again.
"I think you know the answer, deep down. You merely fear to hear it."
…
"Analysis: Word on wall translates to ICE."
"How would you know that, nutbolt?"
"Affirmation: Nordom's vocabulary structure includes knowledge of draconic language. Word on wall is IIZ = Ice."
"Then that means another shout for the chief. At least it's not another fire blast. The last thing we need is more flames in this team."
"Affirmative: Ignus puts out over 3,000 joules/ minute."
"Right… Now quit your yapping and write this down, before those things come back! Move It! I mean it, put down those crossbows!"
…
"Light….. why light….. what isssssssss thissssssss? Magic… Who are you…. What power is thisssssssss? You… you crave dessssssstruction….. But not the purity of flamesssssssss…. Not the passssssssion of burninnnnnnngggggggg… I will sssssssssshow you….. you and the inssssssssssectssssssssssss who imprissssssssssoned me…. And him!"
…
After several hours of stumbling through the dark, you come to a door. You feel a great power emanating from behind the door, which is not helped by the sense of Déjà vu.
"This is it."
You turn to see the ghosts once again.
"You sure?" Frey sounds impatient. "I didn't slash all those shadows for nothing. I want results."
"You doubt his magnificence? Down on your knees and pray for forgiveness thief!"
"Now, now Deionorra. I would be worried if he weren't eager as are we all. After what we've just gone through."
"I should hope so my…. Lord." Savos says somewhat bitterly. "We lost three fine mages here tonight."
"Their sacrifice will be remembered," the Redguard man says somewhat dismissively. "And it has not been in vain. Behind this door… can you feel it? The salvation of our people."
"And my pay?"
"Yes yes, Mr. Frey. Your pay. If that is all that drives you."
"I am driven by a desire to take my place at Nocturnal's side. Something far greater than mere conquest."
As the rest step forward, you see the Winterhold trio Savos, Amath, and Ice-something hanging back and talking amongst themselves.
"This was a mistake. We should never have come here. We're surrounded by monsters. And I don't mean the shadows."
"Calm now Hafnar. We've come this far. Just a little more, and we'll be done."
"And what then? Do you expect to share in the glory. The power? I've little reason left to trust these people. What do you think Savos?"
"….. We have no choice but to proceed. We cannot go back. We finish here, and from there…. Well, one thing at a time."
"Well, that's reassuring." Hafnar snorts.
"Then let this reassure you. Whatever happens, we will stay together. No matter what. Agreed?"
Hafnar looks on for a bit then nods. "Aye together. Atmah?"
"Yes. Together."
And then the ghosts fade again. You stare for a long time then look at Savos. He is crying.
"What happened to them?"
He looks at you.
"You're about to find out."
…
The room on the other side of the door is large but is illuminated by flashing lights bouncing all around. You quickly realize (not to your surprise), that the source of the lights is your "buddy" Ignus engaging in a firefight with a scary skeletal man.
"You dare to ssssssssilence the flamessssssssss… you sssssshall burnnnnnnnnnnn in hell for thisssssssssss!"
You figure you ought to help, but you don't want to get anywhere near those two wackos lest you get burned again. Besides, you find your attention on Savos as he walks almost dreamlike towards two other mages in the room, you had not previously noticed.
"Hafnar? Atmah? Is that you?"
Your eyes widen in shock. You take a closer look and recognize the faces of the two mages who you saw moments ago express doubt at your crusade. That was clearly years ago. But they don't look like they've aged a day. Except, they have a tired haunted look on their expressions that speaks of untold trauma.
"Savos?" Atmah looks at him clearly shaken. "What are you… how long…."
"Too long my friend. Too long. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."
"Wait." Hafnar looks at you with confusion then anger. "Who the hell is that!?"
You realize they don't recognize you with the scars that have now lined your body. However a closer look quickly confirms his suspicions.
"You… what the hell are you doing here!?"
"He's…. come to make amends." Savos quickly intervenes
Amends? What the hell is he talking about?
Hafnar looks at you with rage. But manages not to lash out.
"Well I hope you're better prepared than last time, cause this guy's temper has not improved."
"Uh… right. Well as you can see, I brought someone else with a temper."
"The guy on fire? ….. I suppose it's better than goddamn Mercer Frey and your psycho girlfriend."
"My lord."
You turn to see Atmah, staring at you with almost puppy dog-like eyes.
"My lord it is good to see you again. But I am curious. Where is Lady Deionorra? Where did you obtain these scars? How goes the cause? And how have you not aged all these years?"
"Uh…. Maybe later hon. We came to retrieve the eye."
"Yes. Yes of course. That takes priority. We have maintained the priest of Vecna as long as possible, my lord. But your fiery friend accidentally separated our connection to him and woke him up."
"I'll give you credit for bringing an actual fighter," Hafnar muses. "But it won't be enough. The eye of Vecna remains in his socket."
You turn to Ignus' opponent and indeed see that one of his eyes looks… well off.
"I fear they're right," Savos muses. "Even mighty Ignus' flames are not hot enough. But I have conceived a means."
"What do you mean by means?"
"I have received a spell that I believe may contain the priest. It will however require time to prepare. I need a distraction. Can you do this last favor for me my friends?"
The two mages simply nod and rush towards the fighting whack Adoos. Savos meanwhile sits down on his knees.
"Sooooo, should I be doing something?" He looks at you with a smirk.
"When last we came, you told me what to do. How ironic that our positions have changed. I suggest you assist them. After all, they are here because of you."
That stings, but you don't have time to argue. As strong as the mages and Ignus are, it doesn't appear they can scratch the shield the bone head has formed around himself.
"Gaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Burnnnnnnnnnnnn! Why won't you burnnnnnnnnnnnnnn? Flamessssssssssss consssssssssssssume alllllllllll!"
"Not this guy pal!" Hafnar grunts. "Not with the eye of Vecna under his control! Speaking of which…. Savos! How's your ace in the hole?"
"Need…. More… time… Keep… attention.."
"We're doing our best Savos." Atmah pants from the exertion. "But we don't have the stamina after all these years."
Indeed, the priest seems to be losing interest in the four of you who have no chance and turning towards Savos himself. It appears you fail as distractions.
"Damn. I can't believe I'm saying this but I wish Morte were here."
"Speak of the hero of Helgen, and he shall appear!"
Everyone in the room turns towards the noise. The two mages with shock at the sight of the skull and the cube. The rest with different emotions.
"Hey, bony! Where's your mommy? Mistook you for a Glabrezu and left you here to rot, I bet!"
The priest turns on the smaller skeleton with surprising rage, giving you all a breather.
"Analysis: Dead entity surrounded by residual mass emanating from ocular region."
"My lord," Atmah looks with raised eyebrows. "You find the strangest friends. Although," she smiles. "I suppose they're preferable to that harpy Deionorra."
That name again.
"What's the plan chief? Tell me you've got one!"
"Distract. Do not engage."
"Now there's a plan I can go along with!"
"Nordom concurs. Crossbows yearn for violence!"
And so, you go along with it. As long as you can. Which is unfortunately, not too long. Even with your team and the two awoken mages, you can't hurt this bastard as long as he's got that eye.
"The flamesssssssssssss will leave you a roassssssssssted corpssssssssse! And Ignussssssss shall sssssing! Sssssssssing his bolero of fire!"
"Uh, not likely nitwit. In case you ain't noticed, we're losing."
"Nitwit? Do not addressss me ssssssssso, sssssskull…. Lesssssssst the flamesssss conssssssume you too….."
"Hey, hey, hey! Fight him, you flaming idiot!"
"That's a good one skull," Savos on the other side of the room bursts out laughing. "If nothing else you've proven yourself an effective distraction. I think I'm prepared. Everyone get clear! You too Ignus!"
"Nnnnnnnnoooooooo….. Mussssssst feed the flamessssssssssss…."
"I say leave him. One less nut to worry about."
"Now Morte. We do not abandon students. Even if they are unstable and predisposed towards incineration."
You sigh.
"Ignus! Savos is about to burn him! Get some distance and watch their beautiful glow!"
Of course, that gets him to move giddily. Savos then says some enchanting words that you don't hear. You however do see the results.
A gap of light appears in the floor of the room, from which flames and demon hands arise and grip the heels of the skeleton priest. He shrieks in rage as the hands grab him and pull him down.
Savos then unleashes a beam of light which grabs the eye of Vecna from the priest's socket and rips it out. The skeleton screams as the eye is ripped from him and he is dragged into the pit.
Savos places the eye in a strange device and hands it to you.
"This will… should keep the eye stable. But you must return it to Winterhold as soon as possible."
"Why us? Why can't you-"
As if to answer your question, the demon hands began slithering around Savos' feet and working their way up to his knees. He gives a sad smile to your shocked expression.
"It was the price the baatezu offered in return for the spell."
"What!? Savos, you fool!" Hafnar shouts in despair. I told you to never trust a fiend!"
"There was no time to find an alternative I fear. At least they won't get the eye. Besides, I put you here. This is my punishment I've earned!"
"No! It's not!" You grab at him, trying to keep him from being dragged in. "I saw those images. I brought them here! If anyone deserves this, it's me!"
"You ssssssssspeak the truth….."
Atmah and Hafnar run to assist and grab onto his hands. The rest of your team seems unsure what to do, except for Ignus who watches with some glee.
"Not entirely. That was a different man. I see that now. That is not who you are now." Savos looks at you sadly.
"I only wish we had managed to turn your talents to a more noble goal than conquest. But the burden is mine to my friend. You will have to find another way to atone."
"Shut up, you old coot!" Hafnar yells. "You've never given up as long as I've known you! You can't give up now!"
"He's right!" Atmah sobs. "You promised we'd stay together no matter what, didn't you? Don't back down now! Please Savos! Please!"
"Let go you fools!" Savos takes on a harsher tone. "I did this for you, don't you see? Don't waste this chance!"
"Too late….. The flamesssssss below hunger for flesssssssssssh…. The flesssssssh of worthlessssssss magessssssssssss."
The hands begin to creep around the knees of the other mages and you as well. You all scream and fight to pull free from the demon's grip, but to little avail.
"Chief!" Morte rushes over and tries to bite off the hands dragging you down. Unfortunately, more rise up in their place.
"No! Let them go!" Savos looks around in anger. "This was not part of the deal!"
Laughter rises up from the pit as the hands pull him down into the abyss him still screaming.
"Savos!" Both remaining mages scream.
"Hey, Ignus! Do something useful, who don't you!?"
"I do not obey ssssssssssskullsssssssssssss…"
"Ignus!" You try. "Burn these hands!"
Of course, he responds to you and complies, singing the hands off your legs and allowing you to wriggle loose.
"Attention: Director. I detect a portal in this immediate vicinity. Null to key."
"Blood, my lord!" Atmah shouts out. "That was how you left last time! A drip of blood should do it!"
"Damn it, no!" Hafnar shouts out as the hands pull him further in.
"Chief! It's time to go! We've got more problems!" And to your dismay you see living shadows manifesting from the darkness, their claws reaching for you.
"Not without them! Come on you two! Let's vamoose!" But no matter how hard you pull, you can't release them from the demon's grip. And with the shadows now on the scene, your friends can't aid you.
"You crave the flamessssssssssssss do you…. Then have more… morrrrrrreeeeeeeeeee!"
"Hafnar!" Atmah shrieks as her friend inevitably gets dragged down to his fate. She then turns up to you, tears in her eyes. "My lord…."
"Don't speak, just hold on!"
"My lord, I want you to know, that I don't blame you for any of this. I still believe in the cause. But clearly my time has passed. You must carry on the fight."
"What-"
"Leave. Leave now. Save Tamriel." She begins to let go.
"Don't-"
"But if you see Deionorra…"
"Stop-"
"I know she's important to you.
"Wait-"
"But tell her I said…"
"Please-"
"Go fuck yourself." And with that she lets go, dragged into the flames by the hands.
Morte bites your shoulder and pulls you back from the edge as the hands reach for you again. The room has been overtaken by chaos with the hands grasping for you in the center and the shadows moving in from every direction.
"Chief, I know you're sad but we need to go now!"
You slowly pull yourself up from the ground, trembling all over and slowly moving over to the portal.
"Morte, bite me."
He complies and blood drips onto the outline of the portal, springing it to life.
"It's….. time to go." You stammer out. "Everyone… let's go."
You all jump through the portal. Part of you hopes that Ignus gets left behind. But no. He makes it through to as the portal closes. A shadow that is halfway through as it does and is torn in half by the collapse. Its shriek a fitting closing to this whole dismal day.
You all lie there for a time, outside the entrance to Labyrinth where you first got separated from each other.
"Let's… let's go everyone."
"Chief…. Do you want to…"
"Not now Morte….. Not now…. We got the eye. Let's just…. Go get that other thing and head back to Winterhold."
He simply nods and floats on. Nordom is about to say something but Morte shakes his head.
"Director…"
"Nordom, what did I say about questions?"
"But what is stage seventh?"
"The horn of windfarter or whatever. We'll pass through Morthal then onto the tomb."
Nordom still seems confused but follows after. Ignus looks at you for a while, seemingly trying to gauge your emotional state. But then he to moves on.
You sit there for what seems forever even though it's only a few minutes. Your thoughts are then interrupted by the return of the ghosts.
"We shouldn't have done it…." Savos' voice trails off.
"I'll say. What a waste!" Frey sounds annoyed. "All that effort for what? I thought you were a miracle worker!"
"I admit I underestimated the power of the eye," the Redguard man responds.
"Did you ever! How do you intend to liberate Hammerfell if you can't even take on one little eyeball!?"
"Watch your tongue, scum!" Deionorra holds her knife at Frey's throat.
"Now, now Deionorra. Mr. Frey proved himself useful. We do not kill useful people. Let him go."
"I expect my pay still, my lord!"
"And you shall have it. When have I ever gone back on my word, Mercer?"
"You haven't. But when you do…." With that he wanders off.
"My lord. Atmah, and Hafnar. Was that the right thing what I did?"
"It was the smart thing," the Redguard dismisses without any emotion. "They will keep the eye contained until we find a way to control it."
"But the morality… they were friends…"
"And as a good friend, I'm sure you'll do all you can to research this problem and get them out., After all, you don't want them to pay for your mistake… do you?"
That was a manipulative statement if you've ever seen one. Pinning the blame on him for his (your) errors. You might be impressed if you hadn't gained a moral compass. Savos walks ahead with a newfound determination, though you can still see him struggle in his walk.
"A disappointment, my love. But one we can recover from. You can do anything. I truly believe that."
The Redguard (you, for there is no question that is you before all the scars) turns around, offering his cold smirk. His (your) eyes at Deionorra not with love, but as an object, a tool.
"You really are the best, you know that?"
"I know my love. I'm here for you always. Just…. Promise me you won't leave me."
"Never. I only leave useless people, like those mages. Never you. I love you Deionorra."
"And I you, my love."
You gag.