The Imperial City was saved. At the cost of thousands of defenders, the Aldmeri Dominion army that King Highlock was so hopeful about was destroyed. The Argonians and Dark Elves had chased the Elves south, reforming the old frontline, even meeting a few Imperial stragglers. With the threat of annihilation vanquished for the time being, the taverns opened, and soldiers poured into them, their thirst overwhelming them. General Tullius was stabbed in the shoulder, but it was just a flesh wound. Paarthurnax sat perched on the top of the White-Gold Tower, overlooking the landscape. Children played on the wreckage of Numidium, clashing with wooden swords.
Cassius had come down from the tower to the body of his brother, which was surrounded by confused men.
" Step aside, men, for this is my brother," said Cassius, breaking through the crowd.
He knelt down, and said, " So has passed Seremius, my brother."
Cassius placed Seremius' hands over his heart, and then got up.
" Take him to the Palace District, and set him aside my father," Cassius said to two Legionnaires. They nodded, and picked up the dead False Emperor.
...
The Dragonborn pulled up an stool at the Foaming Flask, and released a long, drawn out breath. The tavern was filled to the brim with drinking, singing, and talking soldiers. The bartender came down the bar and asked, " What'll it be?"
" I'll just have what the men are having," he replied.
The bartender flashed a smile, and poured the Dragonborn a tall glass of ale. She slid it to him, and then went off to help some other patrons. The Dragonborn sat, in deep thought.
What a day. First, the Numidium is destroyed, and then the Argonians and Dunmer join in and smash the Dominion. And then the last Mede arrives and kills the False Emperor, his own brother.
The Dragonborn took a drink, and then someone tapped him on the shoulder. Behind him was Cassius and Delphine, who both took seats next to Ataurus.
" We have victory, Dragonborn," said Delphine.
" For now," came the curt reply from Ataurus.
" I have a feeling the tide has turned. With the Argonians and Dark Elves on our side, all of Tamriel is united against the Thalmor. The Wall has foretold this day," Delphine said.
" All I can say is to remember this day," Cassius said, raising his glass to his lips.
" I have forgotten your name. You are?"
" Cassius. Cassius Mede, next in line for the Ruby Throne," said Cassius, sounding sad at the end.
Delphine went wide eyed, and set down her cup.
" Cassius Mede? But you are no full Mede, as you know," she said.
Ataurus raised his head.
Cassius shook his head slowly, and asked, " What are you talking about?"
Delphine scratched her head, and spoke, " You do not know? Very well. You are not your father's son. Your mother had an affair with a man thirty three years ago. That man was a Septim. To be short, you are truly the last Septim. Which means... which means that you are the true heir to the Empire."
Cassius started shaking. He set down his glass, nearly spilling it. The Dragonborn was shocked. The Septim bloodline was here in front of him.
Delphine was about to say more, when a man said, " The Aldmeri Dominion does not appreciate what has happened here today."
In a flash, an Elf was suddenly plunging a dagger in and out of the Blade, blood spurting out on each stab. She cried out in pain, just as Ataurus ripped the Mer apart with his Thu'um.
But it was too late, for Delphine was dead.
...
The Champion was out of the city, with King Saken of Argonia. They were sitting on the ground, at a camp with both men and beast alike. The Imperials in the camp were stragglers on the front, and thanked every Argonian that passed by. King Saken wore heavier armor than the other Argonians, but it wasn't any more fancy than the regular infantry.
" Why fight now?" the Champion asked, munching on some bread.
" We come not to fight for the Empire. There is something looming that this land must be united for," Saken said.
" And what is that?"
" Both the Dunmer and my people have been experiencing more earthquakes, and a faint mass lies on the horizon as of late."
" What could that be?"
" It is no matter of what it could be. It is Akavir," said Saken.
" Pardon?"
" Akavir is approaching. Our mages have determined that Tamriel and Akavir will merge in the coming decades. And then the Dunmer, Redyn, tells me the Dwemer are coming back. This is no mere coincidence."
" The Dwarves would be interesting. Especially in this age," said the Champion.
" When Akavir and Tamriel collide, it would be a help for the Dwemer to help us, if they are indeed coming back," Saken said.
" You keep insinuating that there shall be a war of sorts. Maybe the people of Akavir are kind," the Champion said, confident with his words. The Argonian next to him looked at him, the fire from the campfire shining in his eyes.
" There is nothing enthralling about what dwells in Akavir. The Tsaesci, half-serpent and half-man, rule over the majority of the continent. They may look a bit like my people, but they are tricksters. They are vampires, who ate all of the men that lived in that place, if the rumors are true. And the Tsaesci are only one of the... things that live on Akavir. Imagine how much we would lose when they attack," Saken explained.
" They even killed the Nerevarine," said Redyn, coming out from the darkness. He sat down next to the Champion, eating an apple.
" This war must end, and I have the perfect way to do it," said Saken, looking south.