Since Arenthia was still recovering from its uprising against the Colovians, Aneril decided to stay in the liberated city for a couple of days, providing her services as a guard to allow the local force some time to regroup. Only when Mane Akkhuz-ri had made his way towards Rawl'kha under guard, did Aneril choose to leave Arenthia behind, sensing that the time had come to move on from the city. Giving her companions a day's notice, Aneril rested and resupplied during their last night in Arenthia, before rising the next morning to start the trek down to the March's capital.
And when they'd crossed the bridge leading from the city gates, Vareysa groaned with one last glance over her shoulder. "You know how much it kills me whenever we leave a city behind?"
"Yeah. Your bellyaching is quite telling."
"Ugh. I'm so glad I'm not a soldier," Vareysa grumbled, adjusting the bag straps on her shoulder, which no doubt felt heavier from the new supplies in the pack.
If Aneril's own bag didn't have its own heft, she would've offered to carry Vareysa's pack as well. But she was quite at capacity, and so tried to take her companion's mind off the weariness of constant travel instead. "Didn't you travel as an assassin?"
"Well, yeah." Vareysa shrugged. "But I only had to pack light, since most of my targets were in Morrowind anyway. And I don't fight all the time, you know. I could smell the roses here, have a glass of wine there… Sometimes I even do it with my targets too."
"Then you slip a knife between their ribs," Aneril said drily.
"There's that. But at least they had a good time with me before the end," Vareysa said with a crooked smile. When Aneril snorted, she continued to lament, "What I wouldn't give for a warm bath with scented salts, have a platter of fresh-baked bread and cheese and wine, listen to a bard play the zither… Have a woman by my side…"
Vareysa shot her a pointed look, and Aneril rolled her eyes – though a smile curved her lips. "If you're trying to hint at something…"
"All I'm saying is, I'm a lover, not a fighter."
"You're a murderer, you mean."
"Well, that too. But I can be both when I want to be. I like to think I blend the two really well. Artistically, even."
Aneril raised her eyes skywards again, as Vareysa's smile grew wider. Her companion patted her back, and Aneril wished briefly that her armour wasn't in the way. When Vareysa lowered her hand, Aneril reached over without thinking, and nearly jerked in surprise when their fingertips grazed together. But she stayed in place when Vareysa's fingers threaded through hers, and she clasped onto her partner, glad that her minor lapse was smoothed over without notice.
They walked in silence for a distance, during which Shur'azan returned from his wanderings and bumped his head casually against Aneril's leg. She glanced down at him, but he didn't notice the attention, focusing instead on the road as he loped casually alongside them. The tiger had grown bigger still, and his head could now reach Aneril's thigh – no small thing given the Altmer's height, and she had no doubt he'd grow even more in the days to come…
"Anni," Vareysa said, bringing her back from her musings. "Think we could go explore some ruins, or something? I'm tired of being on missions all the time. Maybe we could go to a Dwemer ruin – they always have good loot to sell."
Aneril shrugged. "If we can find one, sure, I guess. But only after this whole Dark Mane business is settled."
"See? Business, business, always. Soldiers," Vareysa scoffed dramatically, tugging on Aneril's hand. "Lucky you have me to pull that Dominion pole out of your ass now and again."
"It's there for a reason, Rey. Lives are at stake."
"Oh, Mother's Mercy," Vareysa said. "Of all the people I could've found, I had to find a hero, huh?"
"Regretting Auridon now?"
Vareysa looked at her with a smile. "Never, Anni," she said, tweaking Aneril's nose.
They made good time down the roads leading to Rawl'kha with the help of Vareysa's past experience, when she'd travelled to the capital city after Aneril's death. Vareysa never did tell Aneril about what happened after she'd died, and her partner didn't seem inclined to do so now, merely giving fleeting comments about how it'd felt 'so much worse' the last time Vareysa had taken these paths. Aneril didn't try to pry, knowing her partner's habit of appearing cocksure and languid no matter the circumstance. So she just listened and nodded, until Vareysa chose to change the topic by herself.
After four days of travel, they reached Rawl'kha at nightfall. They bought a room at the inn right away, then had a filling picnic dinner under the starlit sky, before retiring to their room and falling gladly into soft beds and warm covers.
The next morning, Aneril emerged from the inn and noticed many golden Dominion banners outside the city's gates, where they hadn't been the night before. There were many more Dominion guards around as well, and Aneril guessed someone important had just arrived, though she wouldn't be distracted from her own task at the moment.
Together with Vareysa and Shur'azan, she climbed up the long flight of steps leading to the temple, where they were to seek guidance from the priests. When they reached the top, they found one Khajiit priest standing with his face raised to the sun, eyes opening as they approached. Not wanting to disturb his meditation, Aneril offered a polite bow of the head, and would've walked past him if he hadn't spoken.
"Welcome to the temple of Rawl'kha, Moon Hallowed."
Aneril stopped short, doing a double-take at the priest. "How did you–?"
The Khajiit smiled. "This one knows, because the former Mane Akkhuz-ri is here." He waved towards the temple's doors. "The Champions are here as well. They await your arrival with great enthusiasm. Please, join them within."
Aneril nodded in thanks and entered the temple, relishing the coolness afforded by the sturdy stone structure. Shazah and Khali stood with a priest at the shrine, while Mane Akkhuz-ri and Speaker Gharesh-ri were seated by the sides. The Champions received Aneril with a smile and a hearty clap on the shoulder, before they bring her to the priest, who explained Aneril's role in what was to come.
Both Shazah and Khali were candidates for the role of Mane, but they had to complete a trial to prove their worth. There were two parts to this trial, and the first would take place here in Rawl'kha's temple. Aneril's role as Moon Hallowed was to guide each Champion through their trial, and ensure that at least one candidate became the Mane.
It sounded simple enough, and Aneril nodded, eager to get this over with. She turned around when the temple doors opened behind them, and Aneril watched as Queen Ayrenn and The Green Lady strode into the temple, but stayed at a respectful distance from the shrine. The Queen smiled and bowed her head to Aneril, who saluted to her, then to The Green Lady who returned the gesture.
"It's your show now," Vareysa whispered, drawing Aneril's attention. "Good luck."
She pressed two fingers to her lips, tilted them towards Aneril, then walked away. Fighting down the urge to ask for Vareysa's help, Aneril watched as her partner walked to the steps leading down from the entrance, and sat at a discrete spot beside the doors with Shur'azan. Taking one last look at her partner, Aneril turned back to the priest and Champions, and squared her shoulders as the ritual began.
The priest explained the purpose of the ritual to those gathered, then bade the Champions to drink a vial of moon-sugar elixir – their gateway to the trials, which would grant them visions needed for the test. Shazah and Khali moved forward to drink one vial each, then the priest urged Aneril to come forward and drink the final vial.
Dearly wishing she wouldn't become intoxicated and make a fool of herself, Aneril gulped the elixir down, feeling the floor sway beneath her feet, before she became grounded once more. Settled, Aneril followed Shazah to her trial first, entering a portal the priest had conjured.
They emerged in a village – one ravaged by the Knahaten Flu, gasped Shazah, upon seeing the victims shuffling around the huts like mindless creatures. Aneril drew her blade and fought through the milling bodies, clearing a path for Shazah, who aided her with both destructive and healing spells. Soon, they come upon the vision of Shazah's father, who greeted his daughter with a proud but wan smile. He showed them visions of his past, where he'd tried to cure the flu but failed, and eventually succumbed to the sickness himself.
As his body turned lifeless on the ground, a group of crazed Flu victims surged towards them. Aneril was the first to charge forth, incapacitating each person before they could reach Shazah – who shook off the stricken look on her face, then bared her teeth with a snarl. Her staff and hands came alight with magic, and together, they made quick work of the numerous victims, sending them to the ground.
When the last body had fallen, Shazah exhaled shakily, looking to Aneril with a small but confident smile. A portal appeared in their midst, and they stepped through it to appear in the temple again. Khali met her sister with a hug, and Shazah clasped onto her tightly, before letting go. Shazah turned to Aneril, and healed her scrapes before she followed Khali through the second portal.
This time, Aneril emerged in what was a different, larger Khajiiti village – except this time, instead of being plagued by the Knahaten Flu, it was suffering under a Colovian invasion. Distaste curled Aneril's lips, while Khali snapped a furious curse at the Colovians. The Champion flew forth with both blades dancing through the air, taking Aneril aback, and she hurried forward to aid Khali's bloody endeavour. When all the Colovians lay dead, they headed through a door into another chamber, where the aspect of Khali's mother awaited her.
As it was with Shazah, Khali was now shown visions of her parent's past as well. They watched quietly as Khali's mother fought with a fury that matched her daughter's, cutting down Colovian after Colovian, until the blood which had been spilled from her in return finally brought her to her knees. The blades in Khali's hands trembled as her mother gasped one last breath, but a low growl issued from Khali's clenched teeth when a spectre turned its gaze towards them – the Colovian commander who'd delivered the last, fatal blow on Khali's mother.
Khali lunged at the commander, and Aneril could barely find space to insert herself into the battle, as wild as Khali's wrathful blade swings were. In the end, it was mostly Khali who brought down the commander, but she smiled at Aneril after regaining her breath, looking to have received an epiphany herself. A portal blinked to life in the chamber, and they both walked back into Rawl'kha's temple.
Aneril hung back at the foot of the shrine, while Khali walked forward to join her sister, kneeling on the floor with heads bowed. The priest weaved one last spell for the ritual, and the Champions were bathed in golden light – a sign that they were mere Champions no longer, but worthy candidates for the role of Mane.
But the time for cheer had not yet come. The priest spoke of another task that lay ahead of them – the two Champions and the Moon Hallowed. The Dark Mane had fled towards the south, and corrupted the moonlight which had sung within the temple of Moonmont. Shazah and Khali were to cleanse this temple of the Dark Mane's influence, and Aneril was to aid them as necessary. All three accepted the task, and the ceremony was brought to a close.
As the congregation dispersed slowly, Aneril walked to where her partner sat, and bit back a sigh when Vareysa shook her head with a fond smirk.
"Hero…"
"Not now," Aneril muttered, helping Vareysa up.
Vareysa kept her peace through the night, and didn't disturb Aneril as the Altmer laid down to rest – which Aneril was glad for.
They rose early in the morning, and met the Khajiit sisters at Rawl'kha's gates, where they'd already hired a cart and were waiting to move out. Aneril, Vareysa, and Shur'azan climbed into the cart with the sisters, and the cart was set into motion, ferrying its passengers towards the temple far from any sizeable settlements. It was half a day's ride away, at least, but Shazah and Khali didn't seem to mind – they'd found some entertainment in Shur'azan, whom they thought clever beyond what was expected of a regular senche-tiger.
Shur'azan seemed curious, then glad at the attention, and played along with the sisters. Lazy chatter and tiger antics kept them all occupied throughout the cart ride, before the lackadaisical mood fell away when the cart rolled to a stop at Moonmont – or rather, at a distance from the temple. Khali had asked the driver to stop early, having spied Dar-m'Athra spirits patrolling the temple grounds, and they alighted from the cart, leaving just Shur'azan to accompany the driver as he hid out of sight.
Aneril waited with Shazah outside the temple, while Khali and Vareysa snuck off to scout its grounds more carefully. When they returned, Khali gave a detailed report on the temple's corruption, which ran deep from the Dark Mane's influence. The spirit in question had rooted and locked himself within the temple, and corrupted the beacons outside to power the wards he'd placed over the entrance.
While Khali moved off to clear the way to the entrance, Aneril and Vareysa guarded over Shazah as the Khajiit sensed her way around the temple grounds, finding each corrupted beacon and cleansing the stone pillars with prayer. Waves of Dar-m'Athra fell upon them while Shazah was engaged in the cleansing, but they dashed themselves futilely on the stout defense Aneril put up, aided by Vareysa who thinned the spirit's numbers before they reached Aneril. Soon, all the beacons were cleansed and radiated with pure energy, and they headed into the temple's courtyard, where Khali stood victorious over the fading essences of Dar-m'Athra on the ground.
Shazah moved forward to dispel the dark ward over the doors, and the barrier was dissipated with a violent explosion which threw Shazah back. Khali caught her sister in time, and a quick check yielded no sign of injury on Shazah. Together, they ventured into the temple's interior, where there was such a frigid air that Aneril trembled slightly under her heavy armour. If anything, it drove her to walk faster, and soon they'd reached a large chamber with three altars in its centre, arranged before a set of heavy doors.
The golden apparition of Rid-Thar-Ri'Datta appeared at the main altar, but he wore none of his benevolent calm as before. He appeared angry, insulted.
"Javad Tharn and the Dark Mane dare to tread on temple ground! Blasphemies against the Two Moons Dance. And corruption crawls the walls in Moonmont's inner chamber!"
"What did they do?" Shazah asked, while Aneril and Vareysa exchanged glances at the mention of 'Tharn'.
"The Dark Mane's residue has twisted the altars to Jone and Jode. It crawls from between the bricks, stretching and clinging to any ray of light," the first Mane said. "The darkness of the Dro-m'Athra reaches from where they dwell beyond, snuffing out all it touches."
"How can we get past this door?" Khali said, nodding at the door behind the altar, which was shrouded in such concentrated dark magic that it looked a piece of the abyss. "I don't think we can dispel that. Shazah?"
Shazah shook her head.
"Each of the altars is normally aligned to one of the lunar phases," the Mane explained. "Simply refocus their light, and the way will open."
"Hm." Shazah turned her head, examining each of the three altars before the door. "Stay here. I think I have this handled."
Aneril stayed at the main altar with Khali and Vareysa, watching as Shazah went to each altar and wove a bit of magic, causing projections of the moons to appear. It took a bit of thought, but Shazah finally chose the correct moon phases for each altar, and the ward over the door faded away, to Rid-Thar-Ri'Datta's delighted exclamation. At his urging, they entered the next chamber, but soon realised they'd charged in without a plan – a reckless mistake.
The Dark Mane's snarl echoed through the room, "You're mine now, Champions!"
Shazah and Khali cried out in pain, and Aneril spun on her heels, finding both sisters ensnared in magical traps which burnt an icy blue. The Dark Mane manifested within the chamber, but before he could speak further, Aneril leapt at him with her conjured shield, knocking him backwards. He was quick to recover, dissipating into dark mist and coalescing at a safe distance from Aneril – but not Vareysa.
Twin daggers bit into his chest, and he let out a surprised grunt, then laughed as he blew Vareysa back with magic. He taunted them for using mundane weapons against the Dark Mane, but his words were soon cut short when Aneril's gleaming glass sword bit into his side. The enchantment over her blade flared a sharp gold, and she managed to slice deeper into his body before he leapt back. The Dark Mane clutched at his side this time, body bleeding black smoke, while the purple wisps in his eyes flashed dangerously as he glared at Aneril.
A rush of excitement flooded her veins when she realised they'd found a weakness, and Aneril flew at the Dark Mane over and over, managing to corner him with Vareysa's help. The Dark Mane's scimitar bit into her shoulder as she lunged for the killing blow, but Aneril paid it no heed as she slashed deep across the Dark Mane's throat, causing his body to disintegrate.
His essence reformed into a shadowy mist, and before he could escape, Rid-Thar-Ri'Datta appeared once more – this time, to trap the Dark Mane within the chamber. While the Dark Mane snarled threats and curses, Rid-Thar turned to Aneril with a solemn gaze.
"Hallowed, I can see the light of the Dance reflected in your eyes. Jone and Jode smile down upon you now. They are with you, at this difficult hour. You must choose."
Aneril's heart sank, when the first Mane guided her gaze back to the sisters standing behind her, free of the Dark Mane's trap.
"With you are two motes in the darkness. Khali and Shazah are the Lunar Champions, truly. One will go on to shine as brightly as Jone and Jode. The other will twist and rot and wither here in the corruption below Moonmont." Rid-Thar raised a hand towards her. "You are the Moon Hallowed. It's your destiny to make this choice. One will leave with you and walk the Two Moons Path, and become the next Mane. The other will hold the Dark Mane here, and dwell forever in darkness."
Her head was already shaking from side to side, as she took one step back, then another. But she was stopped by a strong hand on her shoulder, and Aneril was turned around to look into the resolute eyes of Khali.
"I have the strength and will to bear this burden. I can take the physical strain of holding the Dark Mane down here. I will stay."
"No!" Shazah said before Aneril could react. "I will stay. I have knowledge of the Dro-m'Athra. I know how to keep the Dark Mane down here for as long as possible. Khali would make a far better Mane–"
"Don't listen to her," Khali cut in, grabbing Aneril's shoulders and turning her forcefully back. "Shazah would make the better Mane. She has studied so long and so hard. She is brilliant, talented. She is so much better suited to lead our people. Please."
"Aneril, listen to me. Khali has the strength our people need to see them through this time of trouble. She is far stronger and braver than I am. She is a better leader, and a proud warrior – she is suited to be the Mane."
Aneril's lips parted wordlessly, before she felt a grasp on the back of her collar, and was tugged backwards. She glanced at Vareysa, thankful for the space her partner had placed between her and the Champions.
"Alright, she's heard your arguments. Now let her think."
I don't want to think about this! Aneril nearly yelled at her partner, but took a deep breath, and felt her head spin.
"Choose, Moon Hallowed," the first Mane said behind her.
Aneril's hand clenched tighter around the hilt of her sword. She stared back at Shazah and Khali's expectant expressions, then felt a void rush in to fill her chest, as she nodded at Khali.
"No–!" Shazah started to argue, but was yanked in for an embrace by Khali.
"I'll be fine, sister. And you'll do well as Mane," Khali whispered in Shazah's ear, then gave her sister one last squeeze in her arms, before letting go.
Aneril wanted to avert her eyes, but forced herself to watch as Khali approached the dark mist, which was guided into her body by Rid-Thar. An expression of pain crossed her features and stayed in place, but Khali forced a smile at Shazah.
"Go, sister."
"But–"
Shazah didn't get to finish. Vareysa had grabbed her arm, then Aneril's, and started dragging them both out of the chamber. Shazah's eyes were fixed on her sister, but Aneril wrenched her gaze away, and focused instead on Vareysa as they were led out of the temple.
The sky had turned dark, and Vareysa guided them down the path leading from the temple, until they found the cart which had brought them here. She ushered her companions onto the cart, and told the driver to move immediately – which he was more than glad to do.
As the cart rolled and bumped farther away from Moonmont, Aneril finally fought through the haze of guilt in her mind, and looked up at Shazah. The Khajiit seemed to be catatonic, eyes staring blankly into the distance, but they were soon filled with anger when Aneril laid a hand on her knee.
"Javad Tharn," Shazah snarled, a hint of viciousness sharpening her usually-gentle tone. "We'll destroy Tharn, and I will return with the most powerful sages in Tamriel. I won't let her live like this. We'll free her from this torment."
Aneril's throat tightened, knowing this could very well be a lost cause. But under Shazah's fierce gaze, all she could do was nod wordlessly.
They reached Rawl'kha well past midnight. After seeing Shazah to her room in the temple, Aneril returned to the inn with Vareysa, where they shed their armours carelessly and fell heavily into bed, not bothering to wash up before they went to sleep.
Aneril woke with an aching body, and was left wondering why, until she remembered the events of the day before. The thought of Khali cast a pall over her, and she would've stayed in bed to brood if Vareysa hadn't woken as well, and dragged her out of bed to have a soak in the tub together.
When they'd freshened up, they parted ways while Aneril checked on Shazah in the temple, finding the Champion still curled up in her bed, fast asleep. Apparently she'd been up most of the night, and only fell asleep in the early morning. Leaving the Khajiit to her peace, Aneril walked back to the market, then paused before she went to look for her companions. A thought struck, and Aneril nipped back to the inn to procure a satchel of food, before heading back into the market.
Vareysa looked up from dagger she was eyeing at a stall, when Aneril's shadow fell over her. "Oh, hey. How's Shazah?"
"Still asleep," Aneril said. "Want to go for a walk?"
Vareysa cocked her head, glancing at the bag in Aneril's hand – and no doubt smelling the aroma wafting from it. "Of course, darling."
Aneril's heart skipped near-imperceptibly at the endearment, and she took Vareysa's hand, leading her out of the city at a languid stroll. Clouds in the sky softened the day's sunlight, making their walk a rather pleasant one, as Aneril wandered close to the river and followed it north. Vareysa walked with her in silence, perhaps noticing the subdued note of Aneril's mood, but Aneril found herself relishing the quiet nevertheless.
When they'd gone far enough, Aneril came to a stop and sat by the riverbank, while Shur'azan jumped into the waters immediately. Vareysa sat down with her, and waited as Aneril opened her pack. A gentle smile spread across her face as Aneril spread the cloth satchel over the ground, revealing a selection of meatloaf, banana fritters, bread, cheese, grapes, and a bottle of wine.
"You actually took my words to heart."
Aneril shrugged. "Bread, cheese, wine… This is the best I can give you for now." She met Vareysa's gaze, then dropped her own, heart squeezing. "I know it hasn't been easy to stick with me," she sighed. "Figured I'd try to make you want to stay, at least."
"I've already decided to stay with you, Anni," Vareysa chuckled. "Besides, I'm not that easy."
Aneril raised a brow. "I thought you had…'fun' with your targets?"
"Yeah, to make my job easier. Not because I want to be with them." Vareysa seemed thoughtful for a moment, then looked back at Aneril with a growing smile on her lips. "Funny thing about people – they can know that someone's out to get them. Someone skilled, dangerous. But when they're comfortable, eyes and mind set on the beautiful woman with them…"
Vareysa leaned in as she spoke, so that they were nearly chest-to-chest. Aneril couldn't move her gaze away, captivated by Vareysa's eyes as she was.
"They're always left so vulnerable."
It was getting harder to breathe, with Vareysa so close that she could feel her partner's breath on her lips. Vareysa wore a knowing smirk, and closed the distance to kiss her. Once, slow and tender. Then she pulled back, gazing up into Aneril's eyes, before dipping in for another kiss. Firmer, undeniable, and Aneril leaned further into the kiss as fingers cupped her nape, pulling her in.
Aneril was breathless when they parted, and Vareysa's crooked smile grew softer under her captive gaze.
"I could never understand why," Vareysa murmured, thumb stroking Aneril's jaw. "But I think…now I do."