Chapter 26:
Siris cried, his tears dropping onto the corpse in his arms. He closed her eyes. She seemed peacefull, different from what the gaping hole in her chest told. Razara, however, wasn`t intending on letting him mourn his loved one.
- Brings back memories, Siris? – he said, kicking him in the face, forcing him to let go of her body and slam with his back to the floor. – Was it the same as when you killed Krona?
He kicked the corpse. Dila`s body rolled a few meters. Siris got up and try to run to her. Razara, however, kicked him in the back of the knee, forcing it to buckle and Siris fell flat on his face.
- Look at you, so pathethically trying to get up and go get her. – he continued, giving off a dark chuckle. – What are you going to do with her body, Siris? And don't forget. She`s only the first one.
That was the last straw.
With an almighty roar, Siris launched himself at Razara, with his hands extended to try and strangle Razara. The other assassin, however, predicted as much, and merely sidestepped. Fueled by blind rage, Siris followed him. Razara kept dodging him and toying with him, like a predator enjoying the last defiant moments of it`s prey.
Siris tripped and fell on his stomach again. Suddenly, a loud shriek resounded on his mind. He screamed and put both hands on his ears, trying to dampen the horrid screech. Then, a voice took hold again.
"Ah, yes. It feels so good… Her blood is so sweet…" Siris recognized Mephala on his head. "Finnaly, you made the sensible thing, Argonian. Pick up my blade… claim your vengeance… destroy him…"
Siris opened his eyes and saw that the Ebony blade was by his side. He grabbed it`s hilt, and the blade shone with red markings. Siris stood up, using the sword akin to a cane to get up.
- I promise now… - he said, getting up. – That I will kill you today, Razara. I swear, over my loved one`s dead body, that I will separate your body from your soul.
Razara laughed and assumed a defensive stance.
- I`d like to see you try, Siris.
Impelled by a force beyond his knowing, Siris charged at Razara. This time, however, his blade was much faster than before. Razara was taken by surprise, but nimbly dodged the black edge. Siris followed through with another series of swipes. Razara was playing on the defensive now.
Suddenly, his back hit the stone pillar. As Siris was beginning another horizontal sweep, he ducked under the blade. The blade struck the pillar and, much Razara`s shock and dismay, cut halfway through the thick stone pillar. Siris stuck his foot on the pillar and pulled using all of his weight. The blade had left a clean cut on the rock. Razara had rolled away, and prepared am offensive stance.
The two combatents swung against each other. Siris, however, was seemingly tireless. Razara, on the other hand, was beginning to feel the strain of prolonged combat. They locked blades. Razara begun to press with the Razor against Siris`s sword, forcing it to move back and toward Siri`s neck. Siris ducked, and the blade missed his neck.
They locked again.
- Give up, Siris. – Razara said, as they spun in place. – I… am… stronger…
- Humph. – Siris grunted. His feet dug into the muddy ground. – Perhaps… but you didn`t… travel with… the Dragonborn…
Razara seemed confused by the comment. Siris closed his mind and remembered all of what Vigfus had told him about the Voice. Concentrating on the three words, he pushed Razara away.
- Krii… - he begun, to Razara`s shock. – Lun… - Razara rushed toward him, both blades in hand. – AUS!
As he finished the Shout, a purple shockwave left his mouth, passing through Razara. Razara fell to his knees, his body tattoed with purple runes. Siris immediately felt his throat hurt. Using Dragon Language had a very bad impact on the body even when only one word was used. He had used three of the Words of Power Viigfus had teached him. He coughed up a little blood.
The strain had been worth it. Razara was on his knees, and Siris knew he was suffering greatly. That was what the shout was designed to do. When he and Vigfus had raided the Dark Brotherhood`s Sanctuary, he had been disappointed not to see Veezara there, but that had soon been overshadowed by the Word Wall on the far end of the Sanctuary. Siris had been bugging Vigfus to teach him how to shout; if Ulfric Stormcloak could learn, then so could he. Vigfus agreed, and he trained and meditaed on the first word of the shout for months before they found the next two. Even though his shout wasn`t as strong as Vigfus, he considered himself proficient in it`s use.
Razara looked at his hands. His whole body felt like it was burning.
- What have you done to me? – he asked. When Siris managed to surpass the side effects of the Shout, he answered:
- Marked for Death. A shout that`s dark in nature. It steals the life energy of a foe for a set period of time. Time enough for me to finish you.
Razara stood up, though Siris could see that his movements were severly more sluggish, and his face was contorted in a mixture of both rage and searing pain. He rushed forward, but Siris sidestepped and, with one swift move, cut off one of Razara`s horns. Razara screamed in pain and fell to his knees. He touched the now flat piece of bone lightly. The markings on his body started to fade. Siris became wary as well. He had gone too long without using the Shout, and now it had become much less effective. Razara stood up, and both opponents knew that this was going to be the last blow of the fight.
Razara looked into Siris`s eyes. Siris readied his sword, and Razara readied his own weapons. Time seemed to slow down. Any sound coming to Siris`s ears was blocked out that moment. All that mattered was the Argonian in front of him. The pain in arms, the tearing at histhroat, the burning sensation on his legs…
Nothing mattered.
They ran toward each other, bellowing a war cry as they went. Siris blocked Razara`s strike with the dagger and sword and started pushing back.
An idea beckoned in Siris`s mind. He applied extra pressure with his right hand and grabbed Razara`s hand. He began to force the Mehrunes Razor back at it`s owner`s shoulder. Razara`s eyes bulged, and he fought to recover.
They released their swords and grabbed onto the dagger with both hands. None was winning. Razara lifted one knee to try to hit Siris`s stomach.
Siris sidestepped with the blade still in his hand, going behind Razara`s back, Razara struggled to continue, but his arms were struggling to pull the dagger over his head, while Siris was pulling them down. The dagger beagn to loosen itself from the Shadowscale leader`s hands.
Siris put a released one arm frm the fight and brought it along Razara`s neck. Razara also released one arm from the struggle to put a hand on Siris`s, preventing himself from being strangled. Siris`s hands were shaking with the effort and strain, but he could slowly feel the dagger sliping into his hand. He pulled one last time…
… and the dagger escaped Razara`s grip, coming to rest on his hand. Smiling with triumph, he lifted the dagger high above his head, Razara`s eyes following it.
- Dagon claims your soul! – Siris screamed, and plunged the dagger deep into Razara`s shoulder, severing seveeal arteries. Not that it mattered.
Razara`s body became limp. His eyes were fixed in what seemed like despair and pain. The black gem on top of the hilt shone briefly. Siris twisted the dagger, breaking it and leaving half of the blade into Razara`s shoulder.
He released the body, and Razara`s body fell on the floor without a sound.
Siris released the handle of the dagger and sat on the ground.
It was over.
Finnaly over.
The sensation would have made him jump from joy any other day. But his gaze slowly shifted to the only thing in the room that was on his mind.
Dila`s body was still on the position where it had stopped when Razara had kicked it. He slowly stood up and walked to it. Her eyes were still closed. He began sobbing again.
Throwing his head back, he screamed. The sound reverberated on the walls, and seemingly amplified itself. He fell on top of her corpse, crying loudly. He stayed what seemed like hours that way. His thought were all focused on her face when she saw he had killed her. Her last words. She used the last of her breath to say that she loved him.
"Why? Why did she forgive me?"
Siris`s cry slowed down, until it was nothing more than tears running down his face. Seeing that her clothes were rags, he took his coat from his back and wrapped her in it. He cradled her and lifted her up, stopping to pick up the wretched blade from the ground. The blade still had her blood smeared up to the hand guard.
He silently put it on it`s scabbard, and placed his hands behind her knees and on her back. With her safely secured on his arms, he finnaly walked out of the room, letting Razara`s corpse there to rot.
00000
Krona was crying, holding her brother`s hand. Vigfus was by her side,trying to comfort her. The gaping hole in Tar-Ma`s chest was making it difficult for him to breathe.
- Krona? – he asked. She looked at him. He seemed serene. – What`s it like being dead?
The almost juvenile question made a chuckle escape her mouth.
- It`s not that bad, actually. – she said. – Gives you time to think.
- Good. I need that. – he said, feebly.
A noise came from the small opening that led to the cave where Siris and Razara had been fighting. She looked up. Siris was there, cradling something on his arms. His coat was gone.
She was going to say something to him, but her words failed her when she saw his eyes were red with crying. Then, she noticed that the thing he was carrying was wrapped in his coat. Her eyes then fell on the head of what he was carrying.
Dila was there. Her mouth was dirty with blood, and she could see that the part of the coat that was over her chest was damper than the rest of it.
Vigfus stood up, but too silenced himself when he saw Dila`s head. Siris walked silently past them.
- Siris? – Tar-Ma asked, promting Siris to stop his silent walk. – Is that Dila?
Siri`s`s silence was all that Tar-Ma needed. He rested his head on the stone floor. Death was reaching him. He wasn`t afraid of it. He just wished he had had one last chance to hit Razara.
- I`m sorry… - he said, slowly closing his eyes.
Siris`s head hung forward and he continued to walk to the door. Krona put both of her brother`s hands on top of his wound to conceal it. Then, both she and Vigfus followed Siris.
00000
They were outside. The sunset painted the sky in bloody red and orange. Siris took on breath and gently laid Dila on the floor. He touched her forehead with one hand.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around. Vigfus was there.
- I don`t know what to say, Siris. – Siris stood up and looked at his friend. Vigfus had removed his helmet.
Siris then saw Krona, who was grasping her necklace. She approached Siris.
- This is my fault, Siris. – she said.
He threw his arms around her. His bare arms trembled, and his face sunk to her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him. He stayed there for a few moments, silent. No sound except the wind was heard. Siris turned back to Dila. Her soul was no longer in this plane of existence. She was with that wretched Mephala.
Suddnely, clarity came into his mind. He whipped the blade from his back. Krona took a step back. Siris approached Vigfus.
- Vigfus. – he said, extending his sword to him. – Kill me.
Vigfus`s eyes were eide with shock. He swatted the blade aside.
- WHAT? – he asked. – Have you gone insane?!
- Am I your friend?
- Yes.
- Do you trust me completely?
- Yes. Why are you… - Vigfus stopped mid sentence. – No. You are not planning on…
- Yes, Vigfus. I`m going to go get her.
Vigufus grabbed both of his shoulders.
- ARE YOU INSANE? – he screamed, shaking Siris. – You want to go get her?! Mephala is a Daderdic Lord! You go, you never come back! Do you understand me?!
- I do, Vigfus. But I`ll go anywhere to save her. I thought I already told you that.
Siris saw Vigfus strength falter. Vigfus`s mouth became a tight line. He released Siris`s shoulder. He looked at the black blade.
- Are you sure you want to do this?
- With all my heart. – he looked at Krona. She was just as shocked as Vigfus.
Vigfus sighed. Then, he took the blade.
- Thank you, my friend. Goodbye. - Siris said with finality
Siris kneeled near Dila`s body. Vigus stood in front of him.
- Straight through the heart. – Siris asked, looking at Vigfus in the eye. He saw a few tears slide down his face.
Vigfus lowered the blade and pointed it at Siris`s chest. Siris could hear his heart pounding on his chest like a drum. He took one last breath and closed his eyes
- Do it.
He felt the blade pierce his heart.
He felt it stop beating.
He felt his brain become blank.
"I`m going to save you, Dila."
00000
Vigfus released the sword. Siris had moved slightly during his blow. When he released the blade, leaving it in Siris`s chest, he took two steps back. Siris continued kneeled, his body not falling forward or backwards. His head slumped forward.
- I can`t feel him anymore. – Krona said, her voice hitching. – He is gone.
Vigfus sat down. Now, all they could do was wait. If Siris was ever coming back, only time would tell.
00000
Siris woke up. He was lying on the ground. He could feel the taste of earth on his mouth. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw that he was in a very dark place. Propping himself up in his arms, he looked around. He saw a few swords impaled on the ground, but worst of all, he saw…
…bodies. But not just bodies.
Corpses, which were firmly tied by spider webs. Some were missing a head. Other`s were missing arms or legs.
He looked around himself. In any direction he turned, all he could see was that picture of webs and corpses.
He was in Mephala`s realm. The Mephala`s Web.
"Now to find her." He thought, walking to one direction. The webs seemingly opened. He saw a large area, with bridges leading up, down, left, right, and all drirections. He also saw various staircases, some upside down, others on their sides.
- Confusing as the webs of a spider. – he said. Walking another step, the web closed behind him.
He turned around, to see his passage back blocked. Suddenly, laughter filled the air around him.
- Who has walked into my web… - cam a distinctive feminine voice. Siris looked up. He could distinguish two devilishly red eyes on the ceiling. – Siris… My Champion.
- I`m not your Champion, Mephala. – Siris said to her. His mind almost froze. Was he really talking back to a Daedric Lord? – I came here to get what you stole from me!
- I stole from you? – she said, laughing again – Oh, Siris. When you impaled your beloved Dila, I wasn`t talking to you.
- What does it matter? I`m here to get her back.
She laughed, and Siris heard what seemed to be a web being spun. Mephala left the darkness.
She was a woman. Or better yet, she had the figure of a woman. Her face was far from harmonious, and she had four arms instead of two. The web was being spun from an octagonal piece of ebony on her back. She wore a black dress adorned with skulls.
- And what makes you think that I will give her to you? – she asked.
- I`ll duel you for her. If I win, me and Dila return to Nirn, and you won`t interfere in our lives ever again.
- And what if you loose?
- Then… - he said, taking a moment`s consideration. – I will stay here, as your servant, for the rest of eternity.
Mephala seemed to consider the offer for a brief second. Siris heard another web being spun, and saw another cocoon being lowered from the ceiling. He bared his teeth when he saw that Dila was encased in the webs, seemingly uncounscious.
- Very well.- Mephala said, lowering herself further and dropping down on the floor. She whipped out four copies of the Ebony Blade, holding each with one of her hands. – I accept your offer, Siris of Black Marsh. Let`s duel for your soul and for the sould of your beloved.
Siris nodded and picked up two iron swords from the ground. He was very proficient with dual-wielding swords. Spining them around himself, he readied a stance with both swords parallel to each other.
Mephala assumed a position as well, and the two begun to circle each other. Siris made a figned move, and Mephala rushed to block it with one of her arms. However, he attacked from the left, and she was forced to divert another arm to block the strike.
Siris had forgotten he wasn`t dealing with a normal opponent. He heard a swoosh just in time to dodge three simultaneous sword attacks, backflipping and landing crouched.
Mephala smiled, her smile showing two very pronounced canines. Then, she rushed him again. Siris barely had time to dodge Mehpala before she spun with her four swords extended. Siris felt one of them graze his forearm before he rolled away. He looked at the damage she had delt him. The cut wasn`t deep, thank the Hist. Mephala`s blades were a lot sharpr than his own. He stood up again, and this time, he ran toward her, both arms stretched to the sides. The style he was using was very dangerous to the user, but if used right, could inflict massive damage on any opponent.
Mephala slashed at him. He ducked and closed his swrods like a claw. She sidestepped, and Siris barely managed to turn when she struck another blow, which he parried. She followed with a furious barrage of sword strikes. Siris blocked them all, not risking a clash. Four arms would quickly overpower him if he locked blades with her. She followed him as he walked back through the arena, using his swords to redirect attacks aimed at his vital points. Mephala just kept him dodging in her unrelenting barrage of attacks.
Siris managed to find an opening. He spun to the side and extended one arm, grazing her flank before she pulled away. From him. The smirk disappeared from her face.
- You fight well, Siris.
- I learned a few things.
She dove against him again. He expertly rolled to the side, letting her fly past him, while he slashed her feet. He managed to hit her calf, and she became more enraged.
Trying to take advantage of her moment of distraction, he jumped to her. When she turned around, though, her face had changed. He stopped dead on his tracks as Krona`s face looked directly at him.
- What? – he said, confused.
He felt a searing pain on his stomach, and saw blood trickle from under his clothes through a gash in his armor. He stepped back, hodling his midsection. Mephala gave off a laugh.
- Don`t love her, but still got a soft spot to her… - she said, still using Krona`s face instead of her own.
- Shut up. – Siris said, taking up his position again. He didn`t want to waste his Histskin before he was sure he could die.
Mephala spun her swords on her hands. Siris was having trouble keeping up with her speed with the four blades. If she kept up like that, he was going to loose. He looked up. Dila was still on that cocoon, seemingly asleep. Concentrating again, he prepared his swords once more.
Mephala ran toward him again. He tried to dodge, but she managed to stab him in the side. He screamed in pain. She laughed and lifted him on her sword, before throwing him away.
He rolled a few meters back and ended on his back, breathing heavily. He could feel the blood pouring out. He concentrated on the Hist prayer. The muscle began to close, along with nerves and skin. Scales grew back, and he stood up.
He had used his one trump card, and now it came to purely surviving.
Suddenly, a memory found it`s way into his battle hardened mind. He remembered his ad Dila`s fight with the Dremora on the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon.
"Next time, try to do it with your tail…"
He smirked. That might work.
When, Mephala came toward him this time, he crouced instead of dodging normally. Mephala kicked him away. He smiled. He had wanted her to do that.
She looked down. Something was wrapped around her feet. Something scaly.
Siris spun, bringing her crashing down onto the ground as his tail pulled her leg toward him. She fell with her face on the floor. Siris took the opportunity and picked his swords in a reverse grip. Lifting them up, he brought them down, with a triumphant roar, onto Mephala`s shoulderblades. She screamed in agony. Siris took a few steps back as she screaemed and thrashed around. He had managed to pin her to the floor, embending both blades until their guards were touching her bones.
She stopped thrashing around, and her body slowly became black, before crumbling into dust and being blown by an invisible wind. Siris fell on the ground, tired. He looked up. He saw Dila`s coccon had disappeared. He fully layed on the ground, huffing and looking up.
"I won…" he thought. "I defeated a Daedric Lord…"
A small speck of light fell on his face. Another one followed it. Light was snowing from the ceiling. A gash opened in the ceiling. Light poured through.
Soon, his visage was dominated by an almighty whiteness…
00000
Vigfus was getting worried. A few hours had passed. The sun had already settled, and Krona and him were left in the night, guarding two corpses. Siris was still kneeled, with the sword through his chest. The night had turned chilly.
He heard something. A snap.
He looked to the corpses. The sword on Siris`s chest had now a crack of light running along it`s edge. Balgruuf approached Siris. Soon, another crack signaled another scar of light on the midnight blade.
The sword continued to crack until it suddenly bursted in various particles of light. The gash on Siris`s chest was healed, and he woke up with a gasp.
- SIRIS! – Vigfus screamed. – What happened?
Siris took a few moments to stabilize his breathing. Then he said, astonished:
- I just killed a Daedrci Lord.
Vigfus`s mouth dropped. Siris turned around. He hovered over Dila`s corpse.
"Come on. Don`t leave me here alone!" he thought, putting a hand behind her head.
She was quiet.
Then, Siris saw one of her ears move.
Her eyelids fluttered.
Siris let a tear drop from his face as she opened her eyes slowly, both gems as majestic as always. She looked around, until her gaze met his. She smiled.
- Siris…
- It`s allright, Dila. You are alive.
- You came for me. – she said.
- I did.
They kissed. The kiss was punctuated by tears on both sides. Siris felt his heart almost exploded with happiness. She lifted her hand from under his coat and pulled his head to her.
He broke the kiss and looked at her. She seemed as euphoric as he was.
He lifted his gaze. Krona was looking at them both. She had a faint smile on her face.
- I hope you two find happiness together. – she said. Siris smiled.
- Thank you, Krona.
- Goodbye.
She reached for her neck and grabbed her amulet. Breathing in one more time, she tugged it away from her neck.
Her body began turning to ash and scattering in the wind in front of Siris`s eyes. Siris watched as her face gave off one last smile before it too faded, and she was finnaly at peace.
Dila turned his face so he was looking at her again. Vigfus came by his back and touched his shoulder.
- When you are ready to go, let me know, Siris.
- Thanks.
Vigfus left to give the two of them some privacy. Dila looked up, and her smile got bigger.
- Look. – she said, and Siris looked up to the stars. A Red Aurora shone in the sky. – Just like when we first met.
- Yeah. – he said, holding her hand with both of his. He looked her deep in her eyes. She looked at him with the same intense gaze. – It`s finnaly over. After all those years on the run. I`m free…
She kissed him again. He felt happier than ever before. He separated the kiss once more.
- Dila, why did you forgive me? – he asked. Her smile dropped, but was soon replaced.
- Because I know you love me as much as I do, Siris. I just want to stay with you, no matter what.
He smiled back at her.
- Dila?
- What, Siris?
He picked up a ring from his pocket. Her eyes bulged when she saw the three amethysts enbended on the silver band.
- Marry me?
00000
Siris stood in front of the Altar of Mara. He had put on is finest clothes, a blue robe-like overcoat and green pants. He was nervous, but the ceremony was about to start. Divines, did he feel happy. Maramal had agreed to host a wedding ceremony on the Temple of Mara in Riften, and almost all of his friends had shown up.
He had seen Balgruuf. He had patted him on the shoulder and congratulated him. Veezara had also come to his wedding. He thanked Siris for resolving the sitution with his brother, and had agreed to stay for the ceremony. Talen-Jei and Keerava had happily agreed to appear as well, with Keerava pointing out that "she knew they were going to be together from the start." Farkas, Aela and Vilkas had come, mostly due to Dila than to him. Even Maven Black-Briar and Maul had appeared, stating that they had nothing better to do that time of day.
He also learned from the mouths of General Tulius and Legate Ritke that the war had been won while he was in a coma, after Bleak Falls Barrow. He had apologized for not being present, of course, but the General said that he had helped further the Empire more than he knew, and promoted both him and Dila to the ranks of Legate.
Most surprising for Siris was the presence of Vigfus. His friend had agreed to stay the land for a few days after Razara`s defeat, just for his wedding. Siris thanked him very much, even coming close to tears.
He began thinking about his adventure in Skyrim. He had seen a lot, got many battle scars he could surely tell the hatchling he and Dila would adopt about how he got, especially the one in his chest. But perhaps that was a story for when he was older. He had even hold an artifact of godly power in his hands. He wasn`t sure he was ready to lay down his sword, but it would be nice to come back to something after a perilous quest.
He heard the door open.
- Ah, and here comes the blushing bride… - Maramal said, and Siris turned to the door.
She was beautifull. She wore a long white dress, decorated with various swirling designs in red. In her forehead was the circlet Siris had given her. The rubies shone just like her eyes. She held a small floral arrengement in her hands, mostly Nightshade and Dragon`s Tongue. She smiled when she saw Siris, and Siris smiled back. She walked the way to the altar. Irielth, who had helped her get dressed, silently sat down by Balgruuf`s side. When Dila got closer, Siris saw that she was indeed blushing.
She released her right hand from the floral arrangement and held Siris`s left hand. They looked at Maramal. He began to speak:
- In this land, it is not easy to survive, let alone find love. Love in itself is difficult to find. However, joined by adversity, these two have not only survived, but also helped the whole land escape dark times. Who, I ask you, is more worthy of love then them? – he turned to Siris. Siris and Dila turned to wach other. – Siris of Black Marsh, will stand by your wife`s side until the stars themselves are blotted out from the sky?
- I will, now and forever. – he answered, smiling
- Dila of Elsweyr, will you stand by your spouse`s side until the trees themselves dae away, and even after that?
- I will. Now, and forever.
- In the grace of Mara, thses two have met. In her light, they shall be married. I now proclaim you husband and wife.
Siris and Dila kissed, and a round of applause came from their friends. The kiss lasted a few seconds, and they were smiling brightly when they broke the kiss. Holding hands, they went out of the Temple, followed by the cheering crowd. They ran through the streets of Riftem, until they were out of the city. Hoping in a carriage, they waved at their friends, who stood at the entrance to the city, still cheering and clapping.
Once the town disappeared from their sights, the looked at each other. Dila released the floral arrangement and held his other hand. They were sitting side by side,. She leaned into him. They would be staying in Whiterun, on Breezehome.
- We`ve come a long way, haven`t we, Siris? – she asked him. He smiled and rested his head on hers.
- Yes, Dila. I`m glad I`ve walked that way with you.
- And I`m glad I will be staying with you for the rest of my life.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence. He chuckled.
- Dila? – he asked. She looked up to him.
- What?
- I just love you.
She chuckled and rested her head on his chest. She felt his heartbeat a very soothing and calming sound.
- I just love you too, Siris...
Don`t go away! We still have an epilogue to go...
P.S: Wasn`t that sweet?
Eddy