Chapter 25 – The Ritual
Arada stood calmly as her hand finished caressing the ground a stride away from the alter. There was a strange expression on her face as she gazed down at the ground, as if she were waiting for something. The skies above were cloudy, filled with the dark storm clouds that seemed to match Arada's mood and the mood of the entire group. The calm before the storm. Suddenly a symbol began to glow on the ground, shining as if it were containing the lightning that should crack in the skies. Arada nodded, holding her arms up to the skies before the lightning suddenly exploded. Lightning travelled through Arada's body, forcing a scream from her before the current vanished. Tai looked to the skies and blinked, watching as lightning flashed. Then the thunder roared. Arada then lowered her hand, allowing fire to burst from her fingertips to the ground. The fire followed lines on the ground, burning into the five star that made everybody wince. Satisfied with herself Arada walked to the stone alter, which was standing upright so she could see the entire scene while still looking like a sacrifice.
"It is done. Cover my symbol with leaves and have me in position. Know that if you do anything unwelcomed I have an excellent companion waiting to maim you all" Arada stated simply, looking into the shadows of the forest without so much as the slightest bit of subtlety. The vampires all looked at one another before they stepped forwards; pulling the hoods of their robes up before they came to Arada's side and drew their cruel knives. The Elf didn't seem concerned in the least as they cut through her clothing, revealing golden skin to the light of the setting sun. Tai did a double take the moment he saw a shine appear across her body. He dismissed it as a trick of the light and turned away, only to see another shine. This time he abandoned his insecurities and stared at her. Her body seemed to shine golden, with golden tattoos ranging her body in such a complex pattern Tai didn't dare try to guess what they meant. She was not muscular like a warrior, yet her body had very little fat on it. Her ribcage seemed to stick out slightly, with the flat planes of her somewhat toned stomach sitting comfortably bellow.
"Ah!" Joesi hissed, yanking his hand back from Arada's neck. The Elf looked utterly furious at the Khajiit, and her fury seemed to make the cat cower ever so slightly. They glared at each other for a moment before Arada raised her hand and placed it over the amulet on her neck. Tai's eyes went wide when she removed her hand, revealing an amulet of Mara.
"The amulet stays on. Now Tai, if you are quite done staring I will need to be lifted into position. Out of everyone's here your muscles are the most adequate appearing, as I mentioned before" Arada stated, standing naked in the sunlight. Tai gaped at her for a moment before he turned to look at Serana, silently pleading for help. She grinned wickedly at him, seeming to notice his distress. She knew Arada had no interest in Tai, and Tai had none in her. While many women may have been uncomfortable with their husbands near a beautiful naked Elf Serana couldn't care less if she tried. She knew Tai would be loyal, even if his body betrayed attraction. His mind would never stray from her, he had proven that. Tai walked to the woman, setting his hands around her hips before he lifted. Arada aided him, pushing off his shoulders as he supported her. She put one hand out as Valerica used her magic to chain the Elf. When she put her other hand out Tai held tighter, keeping her lifted from the ground as the chains were set. Chaining her feet was simple, but Tai felt dirty as he did so.
"It would be best if Molag Bal does not see you for this ritual, until the binding is complete. Do not come out until this line is spoken. Joesi, Valerica and Garan stand at the arms and head. The other two will stand at the feet of the star. Once you are all placed, Serana and Tai will pour my blood over your hands. I have already prepared a decent amount that will enable the ritual to be completed without damaging me permanently" Arada instructed. The vampires obeyed and lifted the bones Arada had placed at each point of the star. Both Tai and Serana cringed as they grabbed the pitchers and walked, pouring blood over the hands of every other vampire. Once it was done Tai and Serana rushed into the trees, hiding in the shadows as the chanting began.
"Drog Mu bel faal
Sum Laas kotin faal Dilon
Ofan hin vostahdim maas wah daar zahrahmiik
Eim un bonaar ofanaht
Nau faal Vulon Bel
Aal rek alok mon do Coldharbor
Mu bel hi vostahdim Kulaan
Nau faal Vulon Bel
Sum Laas Kotin Dinok
Nonvul jul ahrk vonum
Faal Nahl ahrk faal Dilon
Qiilaan tum wah hin suleyk
Mu kriist het hin bonaar aar
bolaav hi buld ko un Sovaar
Tol hi aal bolaav mii mon"
Suddenly a fiery form began to appear in the middle of the star, growing and growing. Embraced by eerie blue flames. Serana gripped Tai's hand, squeezing with all her might as she closed her eyes and tried to block out the chanting. Tai wrapped his arms around her, pulling her head to his neck and resting his chin atop her head. She sobbed silently into his neck, no tears falling and no sounds escaping as her shoulders shook. The figure suddenly roared, sending flames flying along the lines leading to the feet. The two vampires there screamed as they died. The blood rose in small bubbles into the air, hovering for a moment before they rushed to the form in the centre and gave him corporeal form.
He stood over seven feet tall, the sheer size of his body easily shadowing over the size of the average Werewolf and most certainly over the average Vampire Lord. The form he had chosen had large paws with three toes, very similar to that of the vampire lord save their size in comparison to his body. His legs bent to a backwards joint, then forwards to his knee. The lower half of his body was covered in scales, with his modesty protected by a loincloth. His upper half was leathery, with patches of fur defining his appearance. What drew attention was his hideous face, which seemed to be the mix of a goat and a dragon. A short, ugly snout with a mouth filled with cruel teeth. Beady eyes and horns growing in a curve from his jawline. His tail also drew attention, long, thin and embraced by an eerie blue flame until the arrowhead point.
"I am summoned!" Molag Bal growled, his voice louder than the rumbling thunder before he turned his gaze to Arada. The Elf glared at him, remaining silent as Molag Bal appreciated her form, violating her with his eyes. Serana remembered how afraid she had been when she had seen him, how she had struggled. Seeing Arada remaining perfectly calm was a shock to her, and she could tell it was a shock to her mother and the other vampires. They continued the chant, keeping Molag Bal appeased.
"Your lurid stare is keeping me warm. Really" Arada spoke in an almost bored tone as Molag Bal stared at her with demonic glee. Everything was planned yet Tai was still apprehensive about the plan. If they didn't have Molag Bal standing on their trap at the exact moment everything would go to Oblivion. Literally.
"Worm. You dare talk to me like I am your equal. I am Molag Bal, the king…"
"King of Rape. Lord of Domination. You come to claim my body and do unspeakable horrors to me. Yes, yes, I am aware of all that. Now will you close your mouth? It is unattractive hanging open like a common Scamps" Arada cut him off, scowling at him with such a gaze it could have scared Z into submission. Serana cringed at Tai's side, trying her best to contain a whimper. Tai kept his arm around her, trying to help her face her demons in the silence of the night.
"The insect fights back. How amusing" Molag Bal sneered, his jaw hanging open as he drew closer to her. His paws seemed to burn the ground they touched, leaving scorch marks in their wake. Tai held his breath as Molag stepped onto the magical runes that Arada had drawn up and hidden under the leaves and dirt. Arada didn't give anything away as she flexed, pulling against her chains as she tried to find a more comfortable position.
"Close your mouth, you look like a damned fool. If you simply must have me then at least appear worthy of my time" Arada continued to scold Molag Bal as if he were an irksome young child. He flicked his tail in annoyance, taking a stride closer as he regarded his prize. Tai and Serana remained perfectly still, their blood feeling cold in their veins in Molag Bal's presence. His eyes seemed drawn to Arada's amulet of Mara, something that had shocked Tai to see. Out of everything he had expected to see on the Elf a necklace of love was not on the list. Molag Bal sneered at the amulet, reaching out with a large paw to touch it. Arada narrowed her eyes at him, flicking her head. Molag Bal retreated for a moment as lightning cracked in the air, striking his hand a mere moment before his talons had touched the necklace.
"Try again" Arada taunted, a hauntingly antagonising smile appearing on her face. Molag Bal was enraged as he stepped forwards, closing the distance between them until he stood not an arms length away. It was then Arada's smile grew. She bared her teeth for a few moments, her smile so sickeningly proud Molag Bal himself paused. In that pause the lightning struck the ground, and suddenly a circle began to glow around him. Lightning danced through the trees, gathering around Molag Bal like a cage. The Demonic figure roared, stepping backwards as the lightning struck in front of him. Another crack filled the air, and another and another as the Lightning strikes became more and more frequent. The chanting suddenly became a roar, and even Molag Bal's howls of fury could not prevent the chants power from binding him.
"Deyren Kulaan mu gron hi
Hin pahlok los hin sken
Bonaarom hin zrah
Deyren Kulaan kiibok un uth
Hon un uth ahrk koraav niin drehlaan
Sum Laas kotin faal Dilon
Drog do Domination mu imaar faal
Hi los caught ko un horvutah
Thaar! Ofan laas wah womb do dilon"
"Ah. So the leech wants children. The embrace of small arms. The love of a family" Molag Bal laughed, flicking his tail as the lightning cracked around him. The ground was glowing, and the symbols of power. Tai and Serana walked out from the shadows of the trees, holding hands. Tai stood straight, puffing his chest out as he faced Molag Bal. Serana too put on a brave face, but her trembling lips gave her away. If Molag Bal noticed this he didn't care to comment, instead he glared at Tai, who glared right back at him in turn. Tai's silence was his answer. The thunder rumbled and lightning cracked, splitting Molag Bal from Tai for a few seconds. When their gazes met again Molag Bal made a soft hmm sound, which thundered and echoed throughout the land before he spoke.
"It would require the blood of a Daughter, and the seed of a son. Ravage her body before me and I shall grant you a child. The joys you want will be yours... for a price. I want the Champion of Mara. The woman you have chained to be my sacrifice. Pay with her soul and happiness will be yours"
"Never shall we forget her sacrifice." The memory haunted Tai.
"No! It was just a dream!" He thought back, desperately trying to deny what was becoming apparent.
"The vessel born of Tai's seed and Serana's blood on the Night of Summoning. The sacrifice of her soul will never be forgotten"
"I can sacrifice Arada!" Tai thought furiously, gathering his fist as he prepared himself to do what had to be done. After a few moments he remembered another line. The line that almost brought him to his knees.
"Tonight we shall take our vengeance under the lead of a King left without his queen. We do this to resurrect our lady Serana"
"I Can't sacrifice Serana. Not even for a day. Not even for a breath. If I sacrifice her I will never be who she wants me to be, and I will truly break her heart" he realised. After a few moments he shook his head, glaring up at Molag Bal with all the fury he could muster. Serana sensed his change and stared, shocked beyond belief that Tai would look in such a way at Molag Bal. Never had she seen such hatred in Tai's eyes, and she instantly realised Tai knew something about this he hadn't told her. The only reason he wouldn't have told her, she thought, was because it involved pain for her.
"No! I am no longer a fool. I do not expect you would reward us so easily unless it was better for your motives. I know you intend to destroy Serana! I know you intend to use this child as your vessel to overthrow our plane. It will never happen, Molag Bal. I deny your offer!" Tai shouted defiantly, stamping his foot down on the symbol of the five star. It was a threat to banish Molag Bal, and the Daedric Prince roared in fury before looking towards Serana.
"Serana, my daughter. This worm loses his wit. Claim him as your own. Embrace your happiness. It is the only way"
"No!" Serana cried out.
"You will pay for your defiance!" Molag Bal roared in return, lashing out at the lightning holding him. Sparks erupted in the air, crackling as Tai and Serana ducked. Tai grabbed Serana, picking her up in his arms and rushing away as the lightning struck where she had been standing. Suddenly Serana struggled in his arms, and he fell. He wanted to scream as she got up, marching towards Molag Bal like a woman on a mission. Suddenly he saw a spectral figure walking beside her, and it made sense. Together the Blood Matron and Daughter strode forwards to Molag Bal. They extended their hands out, speaking in unison.
"We will be yours no longer!" Their words were accompanied by magic so powerful the earth trembled. White light seemed to erupt from their hands, glowing and burning the air. Molag Bal growled, trying to avoid the light. Tai's eyes went wide as he looked to Arada and saw a familiar light coming from her amulet, from her chest. Their eyes glowed white, and their hair turned into the purest silver Tai had ever seen. He trembled at the warmth of the magic as it poured from them, warming the air pleasantly as if it were a spring day. He knew this magic, he had felt it once before when he has risen.
"Mara"
"We banish you!" Their voices thundered. Molag Bal's tail flicked, as if deflecting a blow.
"We banish you" Serana spoke, her voice perfectly calm and collected. Molag Bal flinched back, causing sparks to dance where his back hit the ward holding him.
"We Banish you!" Lamae spoke, her voice filled with acceptance of her fate. Molag Bal growled in pain, lashing out at her with a paw. Sparks again flew, striking the area at Arada's feet. Molag Bal's face was suddenly afraid as he gazed at the High Elf, who looked so completely at peace that Tai himself felt uneasy. Her voice was not a cry, but a whisper. Love and sorrow combined as Arada spoke with the voice of Mara.
"We banish you"
"No!" Molag Bal's cry filled the air as the blood magic began to flow from him to the ground, abandoning him as quickly as he had been summoned. His body began to burn up, turning to ash before his desperate eyes. Never had Tai seen Molag Bal desperate, or any Daedra for that matter. He strangely felt nothing but sorrow for the Prince as he walked to Serana's side, leaping to catch her as her body fell. Lamae shrieked, diving through the ward to grab Molag Bal. Their forms wrestled but ultimately Lamae won, and together they turned to ash. Their hatred bound them as Tai and Serana's love did, endlessly. Although Lamae had been freed she had ultimately allowed her hatred to consume her, and it was hatred that had also destroyed Molag Bal.
"It is done" Arada's voice flowed through the air, easing the pain of everyone save the woman in Tai's arms. Serana gazed at him for a few moments, her expression beyond hopeless before she bowed her head. Tai could do nothing but hold her, hoping his love for her would be enough to carry her through the pain.
"Let it out" Tai whispered.
And Serana wept.
AN: So a shorter chapter. I wasn't really able to truly picture this the way I wanted to, not to mention I have been really tired lately. I hope you guys like it and it makes up for my screw up of the last chapter. Tell me what you think, I am really insecure about this chapter. If there was ever a time to review its now. Admire the work I put into those original chants for you as well. Hoping my translation is on the dot.