Guild Wars

by Gangyzgirl

Years have passed, and KaNack is still leading the Dark Brotherhood. With the Black Hand reformed, it appears that there is nothing standing in the way of the family's survival. The Brotherhood was not always the only assassins guild. A faction, back from the dead, seems dead set on doing what they can to remove the Dark Brotherhood and claim their rightful place in Tamriel.

25. Do Your Worst

KaNack's entire body was tense as he continued to prowl through the woods towards his dangerous target. He had tasted the fires of Othrelos and had not felt such a force since his encounter with Alduin in Sovngarde. The Morag Tong leader may have had experience and power in his favor, but the Argonian had his determination and even more importantly, companions.

The reptile pulled Brelyna close as he hid himself behind a large tree and peered around the trunk. He could see the Dunmer approaching in the far distance; the man strode with a purpose and seemed to not have the slightest worry; taking his time walking through the dense snow that had remained from the Pale's blizzard.

"There he is," the mage whispered quietly to his wife as he pulled out the Blade of Woe and began to coat it with a poison stored in his satchel. "Fire spells will do us no good here, Brelyna. None of our destruction magic will be of any good when he is at full strength. I had hoped to have had Vytalas' bow for this, but I might yet still manage to pull this off." He replaced the bottle in his satchel and scowled angrily at his foe. "We'll have to subdue him, only then will I be able to strike him with Dro'marash's poison." The Listener sheathed his blade that was now even deadlier than before. "I have an idea that might give me the time I need to kill him without having to get you involved."

"What are you thinking?" Brelyna asked as she peered over KaNack's shoulder to look at the warlock.

"I'm thinking first that I need a distraction." The Argonian's fist illuminated a light blue and he allowed the energy to drop to the ground before him. From the impacted land, the spectral wolf appeared and looked up at his caster expectantly. "Oh, Fang," he sighed as he took a knee and took the creature's head in his hands. "What I am going to ask of you is going to put you in danger and might end up causing you great pain. Are you willing to do this for me, old friend?"

The spirit's tail wagged happily as he stared lovingly up at the Dark Brotherhood leader. He had been KaNack's first conjuration and felt a fierce sense of loyalty and devotion to the reptile; he would go to the ends of Nirn and back if it had been asked of him.

"Faithful as always, Fang," KaNack said with a sad smile. He pointed a claw towards the direction of the advancing sorcerer. "Do what you must keep his attention; howl, bite, and scratch, show him just how dangerous a familiar can be."

Fang growled viciously and then sped off from around the tree, ready to face whatever being was threatening his beloved caster. The wolf was a transparent blur of blue mist as he flew effortlessly over the cold and slippery snow.

"What in Oblivion?" Othrelos muttered as he saw the spirit coming towards him. The Dark Elf's hands lit up in flames as a twisted smile crossed his lips. "So you knew we were coming, KaNack?" he grumbled. "That's fine; it will just make killing you all the more challenging and enjoyable." The Morag Tong leader shot his fireball towards the charging familiar and was startled when the agile creature leaped over it. Fang's lips curled back revealing sharp ghostly canines as he took to the air and latched onto Othrelos' arm.

The sorcerer screamed in pain and charged up another ball of flame in his other hand, striking the attacking spirit off of him. The wolf let out a pitiful yelp of pain, but struggled back onto his feet and faced the Dunmer with a dangerous growl. "That wasn't enough for you, mongrel?" Othrelos charged up another fireball in his hands as he glowered down at the snarling familiar.

"TIID KLO UL!"

Time around the Listener came to an abrupt halt as soon as the Thu'um crossed his lips and echoed through the woods. The Shout affected him as well, he moved much slower than usual, but not as much as those around him. KaNack unsheathed his blade and tried to rush at the Morag Tong leader. It was comical for the reptile, being at a full sprint and yet not moving much faster than a light stroll. He hoped that he could get close enough though; close enough to be able to strike the wizard down before the effects of the Shout wore off.

After what felt like an eternity, the Dark Brotherhood leader was now within striking distance of Othrelos and started to swing his hand back, preparing to plunge the deadly dagger into the Mer that had been the cause of so much death and despair in Skyrim. Before striking downward, the mage was overcome with a strange sense of heat towards his midsections. His eyes glancing downward, the mage was shocked. Too focused on getting to the Dunmer, he had not noticed that Othrelos had gradually realigned the direction of his fireball and now was aimed right at KaNack's abdomen.

"Oh, by Sithis."

Then time returned to its normal pace and the Argonian swung and the warlock cast his fireball. The mage was thrown twenty feet backwards from the power of the ancient wizard's fireball.

"Gah! Nice try, boy!" Othrelos snarled after him. "But you only managed to slash my shrouds! I commend you for the attempt though! Had I been about hundred years less experienced I might not have sensed you coming!" The Mer's gloating was cut short as Fang once again was on the attack and clamped his jaws onto the elf's left leg.

"KaNack!" Brelyna rushed from behind the tree and dropped down next him as she cast a restoration spell over his burns. "Are you all right?"

"Dammit! I thought I had him," the Argonian hissed as he sat up, feeling rejuvenated from his wife's healing. The mage's eyes widened with fury as he heard the explosive roar of a fire cast and the pitiful dying cry of his spiritual wolf. "Lousy bastard. Let's see how he fares against two!" Once again KaNack's hands began to glow a bright blue and he cast the two orbs of energy forward in the direction of the Morag Tong leader.

"How many conjurations do you have?!" the warlock barked furiously as he was now once again facing the storm thrall Brunner and now a large frost thrall as well. The Mer cast up a powerful ward as a large charge of lightning shot towards him and the frozen behemoth seemed adamant on smashing his head in with one of its massive arms.

KaNack sheathed his blade and rose to his feet turning to face the she-elf. "Use whatever lightning spells you have, Brelyna! I know that you have the power to help me bring this wretch to his knees!"

"Right!"

The two mages charged towards the fight, their hands crackling with electricity as they charged up their shock spells. Othrelos' teeth gritted together in frustration as he realized that now it was going to be four against one and those were odds that he did not like. Keeping a ward up with one hand, the sorcerer reached into his satchel, pulled out a white potion bottle and quickly downed its contents.

Brunner and Brock brought their assault to a halt as their target seemed to vanish right into thin air. The Dark Brotherhood leader skidded to a halt as soon as he reached his thralls and bared his small sharp teeth in a snarl.

"He's invisible, be on your guards!" the reptile command as his eyes went to the snow to keep an eye out for telltale footprints. There were deep imprints that seemed to be head off in the opposite direction, the Morag Tong leader was on the move. "He's trying to run! Follow me!"

Brelyna kept a steady pace behind her husband as the Argonian raced ahead keeping his focus on the heavy prints in the snow. She gasped as Brock suddenly sped past her and placed himself in front of the two mages. The two stumbled back as the frost thrall shattered into a thousand pieces in front of them having thrown himself before the Morag Tong leader's deadly fire cast. Brock knew that it would only be a matter of time before their enemy cast a spell in his conjurer's way and he was not going to allow him to fall if he could help it.

"It seems all of your companions are sacrificing themselves for you, lizard!" the Dark Elf's voice laughed at him in the distance. "Just how many are you going to let die because of you?"

The reptile's eyes began to glow a bright white as his inner fire began to grow hot. He knew that Brock had been in pain when he was sent back to the spectral plane; however he always knew that he had been willing to endure it. All of his thralls and spirits were dedicated to him and this had not been the first time that one had sacrificed itself to protect the Argonian.

"Don't worry, Brock. He's going to pay for that," the mage hissed as he pulled himself to his feet and took off after the sorcerer once again. The trail finally came to an end before an old Nordic ruin. KaNack slowed down and approached the large stone structure cautiously with Brelyna and Brunner still trailing behind him.

"What is this place?" the elf asked as she extended the small stairwell, her red eyes glancing upward at the large overhanging arch of rock.

"Silverdrift Lair," the Listener answered darkly as he checked the door in front of him for traps. "Years ago it had been overrun with bandits and draugr. I've been here once already with Cicero and cleared it out, though."

The Listener pushed open the door of the sepulcher and his eyes scanned the area for any sign of the deadly warlock. The area clear he made a motion with his hand for Brelyna to follow him. "Stay behind me," he growled before he began to prowl forward into the Nordic tomb.

Brelyna was aware of how careful KaNack was when moving through enemy territory. She had seen the same focus and determination on his scaled face during the war. It still shocked her that she could have known him for so many years and not have been aware of this secret life of worship and murder. The Dunmer just could not comprehend how her husband could have embraced a life so evil while still holding onto his sense of loyalty and devotion to her and the mages of Winterhold.

"KaNack," she whispered.

"Shhh."

"KaNack, if we do manage to kill him. What happens next?"

This question caused the Dark Brotherhood leader to pause and turn back around to face her. "What?"

"What about me and the College of Winterhold? What of General Tullius?" She shook her head at him. "KaNack, I love you and am willing to follow you no matter where you go, but none of the others will be able to look past this. You're the leader of the Dark Brotherhood."

"They can't know," he answered simply as he once again began to slink forward, his senses vigilant for any sight or sound that might alert them to the sorcerer's presence. "None of them can ever know."

"Lying does not come to me as easily as it does for you, KaNack," the she-elf stated quietly. "Solitude I can live without, but I don't think I am willing to give up the friends I have made in Winterhold over the years."

The Argonian let out a deep sigh as he turned around and took Brelyna's chin in his hand. "I would never keep you from J'Zargo or Brelas. Whatever you decide to do in the end, I will support it." He stared at her in desperation. "Just please don't do anything that would endanger my family's safety."

"I can't lie to them," she repeated turning her head away from him.

"Then don't," he answered. "I've kept the truth from all of them for eleven years. I am still willing to do the same." A sad smile formed on his face. "We can have both lives, Brelyna. I know it will never be as it once was, but that does not mean you have to give up everything just so the two of us can remain together."

The storm thrall suddenly charged forward through a tunnel, past the two mages. KaNack jumped as he heard the sound of crackling lightning and roaring flames.

"Othrelos," he hissed as he hurried to the door and peered into the tunnel. Further in was a passage that would lead to a multi-leveled chamber that would provide a variety of spots to seek shelter and cast ranged spells. Brunner had gone ahead to provide an ample distraction for the mages as well as give away the location of the Morag Tong's leader.

The Argonian scrambled forward with Brelyna following close behind and the two flattened themselves against each side of the entrance way to the central area of Silverdrift Lair. The Listener clutched a hand to his chest as he felt Brunner existence come to a sudden and very agonizing end.

"So, here we are at last!" Othrelos called up to the mages from the lower level of the room. "The leaders of the Morag Tong and the Dark Brotherhood about to take part in a winner take all fight to the death! As you can see, any conjuration you send my way will meet a very bitter end! Such a shame that it's your only specialty!"

"Don't act so confident, Othrelos!" KaNack shouted out at the Dark Elf. "As we speak your executioners are being put to the sword by the entire Dawnstar Sanctuary! They are outnumbered and outclassed! Once I send you to the Void, it will simply be a matter of clearing the Dark Brotherhood's name of these crimes!"

"The Dark Brotherhood? The band of noble criminals and glorified sellswords? Do you honestly think that even if you do manage to kill me that the Imperial Legion is simply going to stop hunting for you? You're still their enemy, KaNack!"

"You'd be surprised!" Brelyna called down to the sorcerer. "His words are quite convincing when he puts his mind to it."

"Ah, the lovely Dunmer mage! The Listener's ignorant spouse! You managed to escape death once my dear, but I am thrilled that you decided to accompany the lizard to the chamber. You see, it will give me the opportunity to personally spill even more of the Winterhold Five's blood."

Both mages tensed up at the warlock's words and the she-elf's eyes narrowed in anger.

"What do you mean personally?" she hissed down at him.

"Could you not guess? I'm the one who killed that gentle mage of yours in Winterhold along with your husband's sweet little apprentice!"

KaNack's upper lip curled up in a snarl as wave of rage flowed over him. He turned to look at his wife and could see that the woman was mere moments away from casting her ancient wrath cloak of fire.

"It was very sad how it happened!" the sorcerer continued, trying to anger the two out of hiding. "I had them both paralyzed. The Nord could not even defend himself; and the girl?!" He chuckled wickedly as a ball of flame began to burn in his hand. "Oh, Listener, how she suffered. It was made only worse knowing that she had failed you and the Dark Brotherhood. That's NOTHING compared to what I am going to do to you!"

The Listener grunted as he felt his hand get grabbed and turned his head to look at the sweet Dunmer next to him.

"He's trying to get you to do something stupid by angering you. Don't give him what he wants," she whispered giving the clawed hand a squeeze. It was very difficult, but the Argonian forced himself to swallow the rage building up within him and once again regain his composure.

"He is going to cast at us the moment we enter," the Dark Brotherhood leader said as his eyes glanced suspiciously at the entrance. "We'll have to seek shelter behind one of those pillars if we hope to have a clear shot at him. Keep up your ward and stay with me."

Brelyna nodded and summoned up a powerful ward as did the Listener. "GO!" The two charged through the door and started to race along the wall as rounds of fireballs smashed into their wards. KaNack dove behind one of the large stone support beams and pulled his wife close as they prepared for whatever was to come next.

"All the guilds hate you! Your thralls crumble before me! Even your beloved Dark Brotherhood spirit has deserted you in your time of need! It seems Sithis had deemed you unworthy to exist in this land!"

"The Dread Father is always with me!" the Listener announced furiously as he began to power up a charge of chain lightning. "No matter how much blood I spill or I shed, He will always be there to give me strength and support!"

"Such pathetic bravado!" the Morag Tong leader snarled up at him. "There are no spirits from the Void here to give you assistance, KaNack!"

"Maybe not," the Argonian grumbled as he pulled Brelyna close and a wicked smile crossed his face. "However, not all of my friends come from the Void!" He turned to Brelyna and took a hold of her shoulder. "Stay up here and provide us with covering fire."

"Us?" she asked.

"HUN KAAL ZOOR!" the Shout rattled the halls of the chamber and there was a swirling wave of blue and white before the two mages. Brelyna's jaw dropped as she saw the spirit of a large and rough looking Nord who was clasping a ferocious war axe before her. His body was adorned in strong heavy armor and his face was plastered with a scowl, his one undamaged eye glaring down at the two.

"Who is that?"

"Friend I made in Sovngarde," the mage answered simply.

"Finally decided that you needed a true warrior by your side, Dovahkiin?" the spirit asked gruffly. "We were beginning to wonder if any of us would see you again."

"Sorry, One-Eye," the caster remarked with a shrug. "I didn't want to keep you from your blessed life of drinking and sparring." The Dark Brotherhood leader's eyes narrowed. "I've called you now though to face one who threatens my family's existence."

"Does he?" the Nord growled as he turned to look at the lower level of the chamber. "Well, we've taken down the great worm, Alduin! This enemy shall fall as well!" Hakon One-Eye tightened his grip on his axe and gave an adamant nod of his head. "Let's smite this foe together then!"

The ghost looked back to the two casters and a smirk crawled up his face. "By the way, that little mage friend of yours asked me if I ever saw you to give his regards." The Nord shook his head with a bark of a laugh. "By Shor! He is small compared to the rest of us, but he gave Tsun the thrashing of a lifetime!"

"Atta boy, Onmund," KaNack snickered as his hands began to crackle with electricity. "To the glory of battle then, Hakon!"

The spirit released a bellowing battle cry as he charged down the wooden platforms to the lower level. Othrelos was more than a little startled to see a barbarian spirit coming right at him with an enormous battleaxe.

"What in Oblivion?!"

The warlock cast up a ward as the battleaxe came crashing down hard, almost causing the protective barrier to crash under its might. KaNack raced to the specter's side and blasted a charge of chain lightning in the Morag Tong leader's direction. The elf snarled as he tried to keep his ward up, not having prepared himself for something as brutish as a spectral barbarian.

"Impossible! Your spirit abandoned you! How could you summon one from the Void?!" Othrelos exclaimed as he kept his ward up with one hand and tried to charge up a fire spell in the other.

"Miserable, weak wizard!" Hakon bellowed as he once again swung his axe at him. "I am no thrall of Sithis! I am a true Nord warrior from Shor's land of the dead! Sovngarde!"

The Dunmer snarled in pain as he felt a volt of electricity shoot into him from behind. Brelyna was still casting from the upper level in the chamber and had an open shot behind his protective ward. The warlock's red eyes narrowed in fury and the flames in his hands began to glow white as his wrath amplified.

"Damn the Brotherhood! Damn the spirits! Damn you ALL!" The Mer cast his ward to the side and his other hand shot forward releasing the powerful incinerate casting directly into the spectral Nord before him. Lowering his barrier left him open and the Dark Elf shrieked in pain as he felt the sharp burn of electricity strike into his shoulder blade.

"HAH! That was but a scratch!" One-Eye barked as he staggered up from the impact of the blast and approached the wizard once more with his weapon. "You think you are ancient, wizard?! I was around during the age of the Dragon War! You are but a mere child to me!"

The Mer red eyes narrowed as his hand began to glow a purplish blue with a Soul Trap spell, his focus was broken when he felt the sharp burning of lightning once again strike into him from behind. "Meddlesome, she-elf!" Othrelos screamed as he turned to charge a ball of lightning of his own in Brelyna's direction.

"FUS RO DAH!"

The warlock was sent flying backwards and smashed violently into the stone walls of the Nordic ruin. He grunted in pain and his eyes widened in shock as he glared over at the spirit and Argonian.

"How did you Shout?! Not enough time has passed!"

"The reptile isn't the only one who knows how to use the mighty Thu'um!" the ghost announced proudly as he stalked towards his stunned prey. "Ages ago, three Nords traveled to the top of High Hrothgar and used their Shouts to bring down the World-Eater Alduin! I was one of them! You are an insect compared to that beast!"

"You've met your match, Othrelos!" KaNack growled as he kept up a ward in case the Mer planned to cast a spell in his direction. "Unlike you, the Dark Brotherhood embraces companions and friendship! As a wise Imperial once told me 'There is no challenge you cannot face, so long as you are with a friend'!"

"What fool fed you that ridiculous nonsense?!" the Dark Elf growled as his hands charged up with another flame spell. "That pathetic Tullius? The old hermit, Arngier?"

"It was a fool, Othrelos," the Argonian answered stiffly. "The Fool of Hearts. As you can clearly see by the position you are in, his wisdom has yet to be proven wrong." The mage's eyes narrowed in hatred. "Did you really think the Morag Tong could just swoop in and obtain all the glory of the Dark Brotherhood by killing us?"

"It seemed to work out rather well for you, Arch Mage," the Mer snickered as he rose to his feet and the fire spell simmered out of his hands. "Once your headmaster died, you just couldn't wait to take his place, could you?" The red eyes of the Dunmer flickered with malice and he pointed at him accusingly. "Were the robes still warm when you slipped them on, Argonian? Or did you allow Savos' body to become cold before you stripped it of all his possessions? How is what I set out to do any different from your accession in the College of Winterhold?"

"You son of a bitch!" the Listener roared as he shot his lightning at Othrelos' head. The Dunmer cast his ward and laughed manically as he released that he was once again getting into the reptile's head.

"We're one and the same, KaNack! At least I am being straightforward with you regarding my objectives!"

"You magic users always talk!" Hakon shouted furiously as he slammed the head of his axe into the stony floor. The loud crack caused both KaNack and the Mer to focus their attention on the spirit of Sovngarde. "This is why true Nordic battles don't take as long as a clash of mages and wizards! We do deeds and don't speak!" The ghost once again grasped the handle of his weapon in a tight grip and stared at the Dunmer menacingly. "Enough words, I don't have much time left on this plane and I will not spend it flapping my gums like some milk-drinker!"

One-Eye released a battle cry that caused the very walks in Silverdrift Lair to tremble from its might before the Nord charged at Othrelos a loud growl still rumbling in his throat. The Morag Tong leader had no choice but to once again cast his ward and was propelled backwards a step in the chamber with every swing of the specter's axe.

"Brelyna! Chain Lightning!" KaNack called out frantically as he rushed forward to catch up with the ghost, charging the attack in his claws. The she-elf raced along the upper level to get a better aim at the Morag Tong leader, preparing a cast of the dangerous spell herself.

In an act of desperation to be rid of the relentless spirit of Shor's realm, Othrelos lowered his ward and cast a fireball into Hakon's chest causing the Nord to stumble back a few steps. That was the exact opportunity that the two mages had been waiting for.

The Dark Elf released a loud screech of pain and the overbearing charge of electricity sent him flying back a good fifty feet before he finally crashed into a limp mess. KaNack panted as he tried to catch his breath; he had poured most of his magicka into the final surge of chain lightning and clearly it had paid off, despite how exhausted it had made him.

"KaNack!"

The Listener turned around and managed a smile as he saw Brelyna racing over to him and warmly accepted her tight embrace. Hakon let out a disappointed snort as he approached the two.

"Bah, I wanted to at least have been able to sever a limb," the Nord grumbled. "You mages take the fun out of a good fight."

"He's down, but he's not dead just yet," the Argonian explained calmly as he pulled away from his wife and unsheathed the Blade of Woe. "It's time to finally bring this horrible nightmare to an end."

"I'd love to stay and savor the moment of victory with you, Dovahkiin," One-Eye muttered as he sheathed his battleaxe and crossed his arms. "My time has run out, however, and I must return to Shor's Hall. It may not be as glorious as the defeat of Alduin, but still this fight will make for a most excellent story to share with the others over a tankard of ale. That mage of yours will be particularly eager to hear all of the details regarding your triumph over his killer."

The Nord grasped KaNack's arm in a tight hold as was the Nordic custom for bidding a friend farewell. "Stand tall, Dovahkiin. The honor will be ours when you rejoin the ranks of Sovngarde; I will look for your return."

The spirit of One-Eye vanished into a white and blue mist as his soul began its journey to its home in the glorious lands of Shor's realm.

"Yeah, at some point I am going to have to summon him back and see if he can have a word with Tsun regarding my entrance to Sovngarde," the reptile grumbled. Turning his attention back to the matter at hand, the Listener and his spouse started to make their way over to the limp and seemingly unconscious form of Othrelos. "Brelyna, watch him closely," he hissed.

The Dark Elf charged up a casting of lightning in her hands as she stayed close to the Dark Brotherhood leader's side. The reptile tensed with every step he took closer to leader of the executioners. He didn't know if the warlock truly was down or not; he had to be on his toes. KaNack paused when he was about three feet away from Othrelos. The Dunmer's eyes were lightly closed and one of his hands was stuck under his body.

"He looks dead to the world," the mage stated as a crooked smile crossed his face. "Let's see if we can't make him look even more so."

It was so sudden; one moment the Mer appeared to be out like a light, the next his hand charged up with a frost casting and a large spear of ice struck into Brelyna striking her a distance away. KaNack had heard her scream in pain and then silence, but he had no time to react to it as the next sensation he felt was something sharp plunging into his abdomen.

The Listener let out a weak grunt of pain as his eyes slowly lowered to find themselves locked with the furious and piercing redness of Othrelos'. The Mer had his glass sword unsheathed and hidden underneath his body; he merely had to bide his time until his prey got close enough to strike.

"Still arrogant," the Mer uttered darkly as he pushed his blade deeper into the reptile, causing KaNack to drop the Blade of Woe and grimace in pain. "You've learned absolutely nothing, despite all you have gone through."

The Morag Tong leader struggled to his feet and forcefully shoved the Listener off his sword and to the stone floor of the ruin. Not wanting to waste time, the Mer rummaged in the Argonian's satchel until he found what he was looking for and pulled out two red potions of restoration. "Ah, there we are. You may not have killed me, but I'm still sore as Oblivion." He smirked down at KaNack who was struggling to get back onto his feet. "I'm sure you don't mind." A sharp kick to the mage's ribs knocked the Dark Brotherhood leader back to the ground. Othrelos rolled his eyes as he began to greedily drink the health potions and was pleased that he found himself feeling once again invigorated and no longer reeling from any linger pain from his encounter.

"Bastard," KaNack hissed up at him as his claws began to glow gold in an attempt to heal himself. "I struck you down once, I can do it again." The mage screamed in pain as Othrelos drove his sword back into him breaking his focus and all hope of a restoration spell.

"I'm sorry, were you saying something?" the wizard asked nastily before turning back to where Brelyna had landed. "I doubt the ice spear was enough to kill your lovely wife, but it should keep her frozen for some time," he chuckled darkly. "She won't be coming to your aid, lizard."

"You think I'm going to simply lie down and die?!" the Argonian snarled furiously as sparks shot from his claws and into the Mer's wrist that was grasping the hilt of the glass sword. This caused Othrelos to release the weapon, but he struck KaNack back with a lightning spell of his own.

"No, I don't!" the executioner snorted as he knelt down and grasped one of KaNack's horns. "That would take all the enjoyment out of it!" He twisted the mage's head sending a surge of pain down the reptile's spine as the elf once again grabbed the hilt of his blade. "You dismal excuse for an assassin," he hissed down at him. "Did you honestly think that you would have been able to end me so easily? I have hundreds of years of experience on you! How you could possibly have seen this attempt of yours result in anything other than death is beyond me!"

"I'm not dead yet," the Argonian muttered weakly as he stared up at the Dark Elf hatefully. "I'm still alive and by the will of Sithis I will see you dead."

"Will of Sithis," Othrelos sneered. "Again you speak of your petty deity, the Dread Father. You pay tribute to a god who does not care if you live or die! Can you not see he has abandoned you just as your faithful spirit Lachance has?"

"Sithis has not abandoned me," the mage announced proudly. "Even now I can feel his presence deep within my heart and keeping me alive." He snickered wickedly as he grinned up at the frustrated Dunmer. "He keeps me alive with his support and strength. He knows that the Dark Brotherhood is going to kill you."

"You are kept alive because of me!" the Morag Tong leader proclaimed furiously. "Damn it all, I am sick of your pathetic devotion to your false divinity! I want to hear you say it! I want to hear you condemn the name of Sithis!" He was screaming in KaNack's face. "Say it! Say that you denounce the Dread Father!"

The Mer was greeted with a sinister cackle from the wounded assassin. "Stupid and pitiable Othrelos," sighed the Listener as he shook his head in sympathy. "You will never hear me utter those words. I was born a loyal son of Sithis and I shall die one." His white eyes sparked with an inner fire as he gave the executioner a bloody grin.

"Perhaps if you had embraced one of the divine spirits into your heart there would be some merit to your words. There is nothing in your heart but emptiness. You have no love and no faith; you are not alive, you merely exist." The reptile reveled in the furious snarl that was forming on the elf's face. "You have no greater purpose. No precious reward to look forward to in the afterlife." He reached forward and grabbed at the gray hand grasping at his horn, shooting the Dunmer a dark look. "I pity you."

"You pity….ME?!" The executioner slammed the Argonian's head hard into the stone and rose to his feet, pulling the glass sword out with him. Othrelos panted furiously as he paced in front of the mage like a cage animal. "No! NO! I pity YOU!" he insisted angrily. "Damn it all, lizard! I will hear you scorn the name of Sithis! I will make you say those words!"

The Morag Tong leader dropped back to the stone floor and drove his sword deep into the Argonian's thigh causing him to scream out in pain. "Say it! Say you denounce Sithis! Say it and I'll kill you! I'll end your suffering! Revile your deity!"

KaNack's teeth clenched together and the agony kept him being able to focus on any of his spells or casting. He let out a gasp as his throat was clasped tightly by the irate executioner. "I don't care how long it takes," he spat at the Listener venomously. "I am a very creative man, KaNack. I will make you endure a torture that you cannot even begin to fathom. I will not stop until you renounce your devotion to the Dread Father!"

The Dark Brotherhood leader's white eyes burned with defiance as he stared up at Othrelos. The Mer could see that the reptile was in pain, but his spirit was strong.

"Never," the mage choked out angrily. "I am the Listener. I am the loyal son of Sithis. I will never turn my back on Him or the Night Mother." KaNack grasped at the hilt of the Dark Elf's glass sword and drove it further into his own body to emphasize his point. "All hail Sithis," he coughed, spewing a bit of blood on Othrelos's hand. That resulted in his throat being clenched tighter cutting him off from precious air.

"Say it," Othrelos demanded quietly as his body trembled in anger. "I will end your pain if you only just say it."

KaNack gulped for air but his eyes never once left the Mer's or lost their look of determination.

"All hail Sithis," he managed to wheeze out. "Do…your…worst."

"Oh, I plan to," Othrelos promised before once again cracking the reptile's head into the hard unforgiving stone floor.

If the reptile was willing to suffer, Othrelos was more than happy oblige. One way or another, he was going to get the Dark Brotherhood leader to condemn the name of the Dread Father.