A/N: Definitely my most graphic chapter so far. Please enjoy, and thanks for reading :)

Time itself seemed to come to a grinding halt as I could only watch in horror what was happening before me. Still unable to move from the paralyzing magic still ensnaring me, I could do nothing to stop what was already happening. My body continued to fight against me as I tried time and time again to regain my ground. I wanted nothing more that moment than to run my sword straight through the Thalmor officer's neck, severing his head from his shoulders. I could only imagine the insurmountable pleasure I would gain by making a corpse of this pile of filth.

"Shadow!" I screamed, still struggling against the spell holding me down. I could feel my gut sink as I watched the ebony blade plunge deeper through the Argonian's flesh. The horrific scene almost looked slow-motion as it played out before me. I could hear the sinister, sickening laugh of the Altmer as he drove his blade further into Shadow's flesh. I could suddenly feel the amalgamation of my emotions coursing through me like an ocean torrent. Hatred, fury, wrath, anguish, all of these were flowing through me like streams of molten lava from a volcanic eruption. Under normal circumstances, these fits of rage would serve to strengthen and empower me, but in my present condition, it instead only felt like a debilitating poison in my veins. It only served to remind me of how helpless I truly was. It reminded me of the severity of the situation before me, and how I could do nothing to stop it.

I had fully braced myself for the pain of the Thalmor officer's sword piercing me. As agonizing as it would have been, I was prepared to bear the sharp, biting sting of the Altmer's ebony blade as it sank deep inside of me. The moment I was hit with that paralysis spell, I had accepted that I was going to meet my end. As I could only glare in defiant anger at the High Elf as he sneered at me, I had come to terms that my death was now at hand. Despite how valiantly and bravely I had fought against the Elves, it was clearly not enough. My efforts had turned out to be naught but a pointless, wasted exercise. In those short moments after being rendered powerless by that spell, I had allowed myself to make peace with my approaching doom. As the Thalmor leader prepared to thrust his blade through my heart, the most significant and vivid of my life's memories began to rush through my mind like a rapid stream. I had begun to make peace with my looming demise, I was prepared to embrace my fate with dignity and pride. I may have never gotten my revenge on Galthar, but at least I could take comfort in the fact my pain would now be over. I could at least rejoice that my tragedies would be no more, and I would be reunited with my loved ones that I had lost.

But what was happening in front of me now. Fuck…I could never have braced myself for that. Not in a thousand years.

I watched that dreaded sword bury itself deeper into Shadow, as the Thalmor Commander sneered with glee. He slowly began to twist the blade, and Shadow let out a single grunt of pain as he started to cough and spit out his blood. The Argonian collapsed to one knee. I still couldn't believe this was happening. I knew it should've been me that received that blow. It was me the sword was meant for, it was my flesh it was meant to pierce. It was almost as if I could feel Shadow's own pain within myself. He might have spared me from the physical pain of the Altmer's blade, but that was next to nothing compared to the tormenting anguish of seeing my close friend suffering like this. And all just to save me.

"Brave of you, lizard," the Thalmor officer mocked as he thrust his sword even further into Shadow. "Foolish, but brave."

Shadow didn't cower in fear. He didn't quiver before the Altmer, and he showed no signs of weakness. The Argonian merely raised his head slowly, and began to laugh.

"Xhuth!" Shadow spat with contempt. "You Thalmor are so blinded by your arrogance, that you fail to see what's right underneath you. It will be the downfall of your kind, I swear to you."

And true to his word, like the speed of the wind, Shadow whipped out a dagger from his belt and drove it straight through the snickering Altmer's chest.

The Elf let out a sharp yelp as Shadow's hidden blade entered him. The look of shock and disbelief was transparent in his expression. He stumbled backward against the wall, slumping down as he struggled to remove the dagger.

Shadow carefully yanked the Altmer's sword out of him and threw it to the ground. He tried to stand, but quickly collapsed to the floor as he tightly clutched his wound. A river of blood started to slowly seep from beneath him, and I knew his condition was grave.

The paralysis spell finally wore off me, and I was finally free to move again. I sprung to my feet despite the persistent ache in my muscles, and I rushed in a panic over to where Shadow lay.

"S-Sargoth…" whispered the Argonian as I carefully lifted his head from the floor.

"Easy Shadow, easy," I whispered gently to the wounded Argonian. I cautiously began to examine the wound, and I saw just how deep it was. The Thalmor officer's blade had completely fractured his armor and he was already enduring severe blood loss. We were both trying to stop, or at least lessen the bleeding, but the wound was too serious and was not letting up.

"Hang in there Shadow, you'll be alright," I said, trying to sound encouraging and optimistic, but I was honestly having a hard time believing my own words. I briefly glanced back over at Moon and Jari, who were still holding off the last of the remaining Elves.

"Sargoth…don't concern yourself over me," muttered Shadow with a pained hiss. He winced as he continued to clutch his wound. "These Elves must be dealt with. Help Jari and Moon…" I nodded and gently sat Shadow back against the wall.

I found my sword lying close by on the floor and hastily returned it to its rightful place on my hip. Moon and Jari were holding up immensely well, the morale of the Thalmor soldiers had plummeted during the course of this battle and very few remained of their numbers.

I drew my bow as I hurriedly sprinted over to my comrades to help with the last of these Altmer. I unleashed my first arrow just as a Thalmor turned around toward me, striking him square in the face. Before his corpse even hit the ground, my next arrow was already gliding through the air, cutting and slicing through the dense smoke before piercing its mark in the throat.

Jari hurled a dagger at an Altmer hurriedly advancing on him. As he fell, the Khajiit savagely dug his claws into another Elf, ripping his throat out as blood spewed onto his fur. I was able to make my way over to him where I was able to kill a Thalmor trying to flank him.

"Khajiit is glad to have you back, my friend," Jari smiled as I took position next to him.

"Shadow's wounded," I said, trying to contain my panic. "We need to hurry up and see to it he's taken care of, or we will lose him." Two more High Elves charged at us, but they were no match for us.

"Do you think Moon might be able to heal him?" Jari asked.

"I really don't know, he's not looking good at all. He's bleeding heavily, and if the wound is allowed to fester, I fear that not even magic will be able to treat it."

I scanned our surrounding area to try and size up the numbers of the remaining Thalmor, and just then, much to my delight, I caught sight of the mage who paralyzed me.

Already feeling the sweet bliss of revenge flowing through me, I removed a single arrow from my quiver and dipped it into what was none other than a paralysis poison. I sneered as I removed the tip from the vial, watching the tiny droplets of liquid falling to the ground.

Remaining ever watchful of my target, I set the poisoned arrow in place on my bow. I could almost hear the thunderous pounding of my heart in my head as I took aim. My arms began to shake and quiver as I endlessly eyed the Thalmor mage, the bowstring digging into the skin of my blistered and calloused fingers. I couldn't afford to be reckless with this shot. This could very well have been my only chance to do this, and I certainly wasn't about to fuck that up.

I took another deep, silent breath as I steadied my shot a moment longer. My target was now clear in my sight, and I knew that now was my opportunity for my perfect shot. Just before I loosed my arrow, the Thalmor mage turned to face me. I sneered with pleasure as I saw his face recoil in horror as he saw what was coming. And before the Altmer could even so much as react, it was already too late. My arrow buried itself into his side, and he collapsed and went as limp as a dead fish.

I walked over to the motionless mage, kneeling over him and pulling his face up only inches away from mine. I purposely made sure the shot wasn't fatal. I wanted the pleasure of watching this Elf writhe in humiliation before I slowly ended his life. I felt there was no better way to make him pay for what he did to me, than to make him endure the exact same ordeal.

"A taste of your own medicine, mage?" I mocked, spitting on him as he scowled at me furiously.

"To Oblivion with you, grey-skin!" the helpless Elf spat back. "Know that you are now officially an enemy of the Thalmor. You will be hunted down the rest of your days! There is nowhere you can hide, the Dominion will find you! I only wish I could be alive to watch Galthar end your wretched life!" The Elf laughed as I struck the side of his head. I drew my dagger, pressing it into his throat with enough force that blood began to trickle from the skin.

"You spell your own doom, Dunmer," the Thalmor snarled. "We will come for you, and our fury will be relentless and unwavering!"

I only chuckled as I pressed my knife harder.

"Good. I'm going to need all the practice I can get for when I find Galthar." And with that, I promptly slit the mage's throat. I stood and watched as he choked on the foamy streams of blood pouring from his mouth. I wanted his death to be slow and painful, I wanted him to feel the pain I was feeling.

As the mage finally bled out and died, I felt my sense of satisfaction leaving me once more, only to be replaced by an even stronger bloodlust. My unyielding thirst for death and carnage remained unquenched. It only seemed to grow more ravenous the more blood I shed. It seemed all other thoughts and emotions were forced out of my mind.

The rest of the Thalmor stood no chance against us now. Me, Moon and Jari finished off the last of their numbers almost effortlessly, and for a split second I was utterly astonished that I was still alive and breathing. This small army, that at first looked so fierce and daunting, was now reduced to nothing but mutilated corpses to serve as fuel for the fire that was still growing by the second.

The three of us ran over to Shadow. The Argonian was still holding on, but for how much longer, none of us could be sure. He let out a subtle smile as he looked up at us, and we all knelt beside him.

"You n-need to get…out of here," said Shadow softly, wincing as he spoke.

"We aren't leaving you here Shadow," I replied. Moon gently lay her hand on him to try and heal his wounds. The Argonian simply stopped her and shook his head.

"No, don't worry about me," said Shadow, his voice weakening. "It's…too late for that now. I can hear the Hist calling my name. My ancestors are awaiting my return."

We looked on in sadness as Shadow lay dying in front of us. I wanted nothing more than to try and save him, to get him out of here to safety with the rest of us. But I could see from the look in his eyes, that Shadow had already accepted his death. There was no fear in his eyes. Nor sadness, nor regret, nor pain. Only peace, and tranquility. Shadow knew that his end was nigh, and he was embracing it with open arms. In some way, I couldn't help but admire him for that.

"I've lived a good life…" Shadow spoke again. "I know that I have lived my life to the fullest. I've made so many everlasting friendships that have all shaped who I am. I have forged wonderful and extraordinary memories to last several lifetimes. If the Hist has decreed that it is time for me to leave this world, then I will not try to run from it. Nor will I be afraid…"

I gently grabbed Shadow's hand, and I saw him let out a pained smile as he looked over at me. I was trying my hardest to hold back the coming tears, but I knew it was going to be of little use. I was being forced to witness yet another of my close friends die right before my eyes. I was being forced to watch someone who I spent so many years admiring, who had always been so strong and wise and loyal to everyone he cared about, slowly wither away, like a flower starved of water.

"You must get out of here…" Shadow said, urgently. "There isn't much time." Shadow began coughing violently again, spitting up several drops of blood as he tried to speak.

"Just promise…promise me one thing," said the Argonian softly.

"Anything, Shadow," I replied, leaning in closer to him. Shadow brought his head right next to my ear, and spoke his last words to me in what was almost a whisper.

"Give Galthar what's coming to him."

When I laid eyes on Shadow again that moment, he had already taken his last breath. I watched with utmost turmoil and grief as his eyes slowly closed for what would be the last time. That peaceful, serene look never did leave Shadow's face as death ensnared him. I knew that Shadow was proud of himself, having fought and died for his friends, for those he loved. There was no other way he would rather have went.

I lay his now lifeless body back on the stone ground, silently praying that he not be truly dead. In my heart however, I knew that he was gone. The Argonian had fought bravely, despite his age beginning to take its toll. Several Thalmor soldiers met their end at the tip of his blade, and he fought with us to the very end.

Stalks-The-Shadows was no more. Although he ultimately became yet another victim of Galthar's heartless betrayal, I would never forget his stout and fierce loyalty to his friends. I would never forget how valiantly he fought to protect us, his family. I knew that we very well may never have come through that battle alive were it not for his undying courage, and I certainly knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would not be here today had he not saved me.

Honestly, that's what hurt me the most. Shadow could have let the Thalmor officer kill me, he could have let that sword pierce my heart. I could have been the one bleeding, dying on the ground. But Shadow took the blow in my stead. He gave his own life, without a second's hesitation, so that I could keep mine. That was the hardest thing for me to swallow during this whole tragedy. The only reason I still draw breath today, is because of Shadow's heroic, selfless act. I owed that Argonian everything. And to see my close friend of so many years now lying still and lifeless before me, it was truly almost too much for me to bear.

I'll never forget this, dear friend. I promise you…I promise with all that I hold dear, with all that I hold close to my heart. I promise with my life, I will find Galthar. He will receive the utmost retribution for this treachery. He will pay for what he did to us. I promise you, old friend…that I will not rest until I personally watch his head roll from his shoulders.

"Sargoth, we need to leave!" Moon pulled me out of my thoughts and back to reality. "The walls are coming down. We don't have time to properly mourn Shadow right now, I'm sorry."

"She's right, my friend," Jari spoke up. "We will grieve for this tragic loss after we have reached safety. But for now, we must worry about saving ourselves."

"You're right. I'm sorry," I said reluctantly.

The three of us said a final farewell to Shadow as we prepared to leave Fort Blackmoon. I couldn't help but feel we were disrespecting the Argonian by simply leaving his body here to the flames, but Moon was right. We had no choice, and if we were to avoid joining him in death, we needed to leave.

I finally shifted my focus back to our current task, and our group began to make our break towards the exit. But I stopped abruptly, however, when the sound of faint laughter suddenly caught my attention.

Turning back around, I immediately saw the wounded Thalmor leader who, remarkably, was still living. He had successfully removed Shadow's dagger from where he had stabbed him, and as I drew closer to him, I could see that hateful, smug scowl beginning to cross his battered face. Jari and Moon followed suit, and they stopped behind me.

"This one thinks we should kill him," said Jari. The Khajiit's words almost didn't register into my mind. I was too enveloped in my rage, too shrouded by a blanket of seething hatred and wrath to even pay any mind to whatever else was going on. I felt like I was going to erupt into a brutal, savage frenzy.

"Jari's right," said Moon. "It would be foolish to leave him alive. And besides, we can't afford to waste any more time in here. Let's kill him and be done with it."

I only stood there, in brooding silence, scowling with unending contempt as the Altmer lying at my feet continued to squirm in pain. All the endless ways in which I could savagely end this waste of air were racing through my head. But my first and foremost priority was finding Galthar. No matter how badly I wanted to brutally execute this Thalmor officer right here and now, I knew that was going to have to wait.

"No," I finally answered, trying to remain calm and collected. "We can't kill him yet. He knows where Galthar is, he's of no use to me dead."

"Are you crazy?!" Moon exclaimed. "He's with the fucking Thalmor, Sargoth! What makes you think he'll ever talk to you?! You'd have better luck getting information from a rock."

I glanced down back at the Altmer. His eyes radiated a sinister glow as he started snickering at me again. Every second I had to spend listening to his incessant laughter, every time I had to look into his eyes, the urge to run him through just grew all the more overwhelming inside me. My desire for vengeance was threatening to overshadow the rational, logical parts of my mind. But I knew if I killed this Altmer now, then finding Galthar was going to be infinitely more difficult.

I grabbed the Altmer by his collar, hoisting him up and pinning him against the wall. A few small drops of blood trickled from his mouth as he winced in pain. He never lost that menacing grin on his face though. I could tell that even in his wounded, vulnerable state, that he was still taunting me. He was feeding from my negative energy, almost like it was empowering him. He could see, clear as day, that I was emotionally distraught, and he was going to squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of that as he could until I ended his life.

We glared in maddening silence at one another, our eyes burning hotter than fire, and brighter than a million stars. I could not shake the image of Galthar's dismembered, bloodied corpse, and me standing over it, smiling. Every breath that snake was allowed to draw was like a personal insult against me. Knowing that my revenge against him was going to have to wait was a difficult thing to accept.

"Listen to me, scum!" I finally said to the Altmer, still keeping him pinned against the wall. "How about we cut the bullshit and make this easier on yourself? Tell me where Galthar is, and I make sure your death is quick and painless."

I glanced at Moon and Jari who were standing behind me. I knew they were both concerned. I glared back at the Thalmor officer and struck him with a right hook.

"Don't waste my time!" I bellowed. The Altmer's head violently cocked to the side as he spat several spurts of blood from his mouth. "My patience is wearing thin. You don't want to know what happens when it runs out completely."

The Elf raised his head back up, staring me dead in the eyes. He chuckled softly, and spat on my boot.

"Burn in Oblivion…" he whispered. "I'll never talk to you."

"Oh, I very much beg to differ," I answered, a smile creeping across my face. "When I'm through with you, I'll have you singing to me."

I had only been to Fort Blackmoon's torture chamber about two or three times. Torgron was the one who first showed it to me, sometime during my first few months with the Crimson Serpents. I remembered how he explained to me all the different devices and instruments he would sometimes use to 'persuade' uncooperative people to do what he wanted. Torgron went into very vivid, and almost disturbing detail about everything in the expansive chamber and how it all worked. At the time, I never thought that information would actually do me any good. But now, everything Torgron told me about this place was beginning to resurface within my mind, and I now found myself greatly appreciating Torgron's grand tour all those years ago.

I lead the way, moving at an almost running pace as I kept the Altmer in a tight grip. Moon and Jari kept up behind me, and the Thalmor leader was spewing curses at me as I dragged him along.

The torture chamber was far underground, quite a distance away from the rest of the fort. We would be safe from the fire for now, but if it continued to grow and expand like I expected it to, then even this place would be devoured by the blaze.

"Any of these look familiar to you?" I asked as we came to the torture chamber. I immediately started to scour the room, staring delightfully at the wide assortment of torture equipment. "I know you Thalmor have a hard-on for torture. This will be quite different for you, won't it? Being on the receiving end of it."

As much as he might have been trying to hide it, I could see the Altmer shudder ever so slightly as he eyed the rusted, blood-stained apparatus around the chamber. I could already feel the pleasure bubbling inside me as I saw the extent of the tools at my disposal. I was confident I could get this pile of shit to tell me what I wanted to know. Every man has his breaking point, even someone with the Thalmor.

The walls and floor were drenched in dark-red bloodstains which had long since dried into the stonework. Rusted iron shackles were lined all across the walls, one could still see the bony remains of people's hands still locked in some of them. Countless links of chains drooped from the ceiling, some of them long enough to restrain a dragon. You could literally peel the rust off with your fingers. Lines of narrow cages hung along one end of the room, specially built so the victims could neither sit nor stand comfortably. Small pits were dug into the floor beneath the cages where fires would be lit, roasting the victim alive. Looking closely you could still see small scraps of blistered, decayed flesh lying amongst the endless piles of charred bones.

Wooden tables and shelves, painted with blood were scattered across the room, all littered with sharp, metal instruments. The amount of pain one could inflict with those was only limited by the imagination of the torturer. And when it comes to inflicting pain on other people, my imagination is of cosmic proportions.

"Last chance, filth," I muttered silently in the Altmer's ear. "Tell me where Galthar is, or you'll see firsthand that there are people besides the Thalmor capable of ruthless cruelty."

The High Elf chuckled under his breath, glaring at me. "Do what you will. You'll never break me!"

I gave no response. Words were useless against those as stubborn and resolute like this Elf. Words were not going to get me the answers I needed. Only pain would be able to produce the results I desired. Cruel, excruciating, debilitating pain. And I would take as long as I needed to. Minutes, hours, days, weeks, months. This Thalmor dog was going to give me the answers I wanted.

I shackled the Altmer to a blooded table in the middle of the room. He struggled at first as I tried to secure him in place, but a sharp blow to his jaw from me put an abrupt halt to that.

"These chains may be old and rusted, but they'll hold against any amount of struggling you give," I said as I finished shackling the Elf in place. "I wouldn't waste your strength, you're going to need it for what I'm going to put you through."

I lit an old lantern that was lying nearby, and fastened it to one of the chains hanging above the table. The light produced a pale, eerie glow in the dark room as it dangled above the Altmer. I wanted him to have a clear view of everything I was going to do to him. I gave a light swing of the chain and sneered down at the Elf as the lantern slowly rocked back and forth above him.

"We don't need to do this, friend," I said, spitting the last word. "Give me what I want, and this ends now."

The Thalmor officer's only response was more silence. I proceeded to make my way over to one of the shelves, and I began sifting through the torture tools.

Where to start? I thought as I looked through several of the sharp instruments in my hands, examining them closely as I tried to decide which ones struck my fancy. If this was the game the Altmer wanted to play, then I would gladly play along.

A small, rusted scalpel suddenly caught my gaze. I gave my finger a light prick with the blade upon picking it up, and seeing that it was more than sharp enough, that's what I decided to start us off with.

I walked back over to the shackled Altmer, glaring at me once more as I held the scalpel beneath the lantern. I said nothing that moment, but the look in my eyes and my tense silence indicated I was giving him one last chance to croak.

"Moon, I'm going to need you to stay close to heal his wounds as necessary," I said, and the woman came and stood next to me. "I can't have him dying on me before he tells me what I need to know."

"Of course," Moon complied. She started to walk away, and I quickly grabbed her hand.

"One more thing."

"Anything, Sargoth."

"I can't…" I began, stuttering slightly as I tried to put my thoughts into words. "I can't promise that I'll be able to control myself during this. If my emotions start getting the best of me…if I do lose control, I need you to promise you'll do whatever it takes to stop me from killing him."

I couldn't see Moon's eyes through the blackness of her hood, but I could tell there was pain and concern in her expression.

"If I snap, and if I start getting overly aggressive, then you stop me. If you and Jari need to restrain me, then so be it. Promise me."

"I will," Moon replied.

I walked back over to the Altmer and dangled the lantern above him again. The tiny ember wavered in swaying rhythm as the light rocked from side-to-side.

"Well, let's get to work, shall we?"

Gripping the scalpel firmly in my right hand, I stood directly over the table. Twiddling the blade between my fingers, I looked into the Altmer's eyes as I prepared myself to begin.

"I just need one answer, friend. One answer," I said. "Where's Galthar?"

The Elf gave no reply to my question. He simply turned his head to face me, and letting out a single chuckle, he spit in my face.

"Have it your way." I wiped the spit off my face, and then grabbed the Altmer's right wrist.

Holding the Elf in place on the table, I gripped the scalpel, and slowly made a deep incision beneath his fingernail.

Small drops of blood trickled as I pressed the sharp scalpel deeper into the Elf's finger. He winced once or twice, in his attempts to mask any pain he might have been feeling. I knew the Thalmor were beyond notorious for their cruelty when it came to torture, so it came as no surprise to me when he seemed to be relatively unaffected. It never was really my style to go all out at the beginning when torturing people. I prefer to start off small and gradually work my way up to more painful methods. I thoroughly enjoy watching as my victim slowly loses their resolve, their strength and determination fading away like a dying candle. It pleases me greatly to see the physical and mental anguish slowly envelop my victims, gradually eating away at them as every shred of resistance and sanity is rotted away like old wood.

With a flick of the scalpel, I tore off the Altmer's entire fingernail right at the cuticle. The Thalmor let out a single low grunt of pain as the blood began to spurt much more quickly. After wiping off the scalpel against the table, I moved to the other side and promptly grabbed his left hand. Staring back into the shackled Elf's eyes, I did the same thing to his left forefinger.

I made sure to cut slow and deep, I wanted to feel the nail ripping off as I worked the blade. I twisted the small scalpel slowly as I ripped out the fingernail with my hand. The bare flesh underneath was bleeding heavily. I carefully drove the sharp instrument into the wounded spot, twisting the blade again as I felt it digging through bone.

The Altmer couldn't hold back a sharp cry, and I could instantly feel my sadistic pleasure beginning to rise. The warmth of the Elf's dripping blood pouring onto my hand almost felt like it was going to send me into a euphoric frenzy. I smeared the blood onto my face like paint, and I then severed the entire end of the Altmer's finger.

Wiping the scalpel off against the splintered table, I steadied the hanging lantern and shone it straight in the High Elf's eyes. The twisted scowl on his face, together with the still glowing fire in his eyes indicated that his will was still resolute, and nowhere close to being broken. And that's exactly what I wanted. I was beginning to enjoy this, and I wanted to stretch this out for as long as possible. I wanted to inflict the greatest amount of pain upon him as I could. I wanted this scumbag to feel even a fraction of the unbearable anguish I was feeling inside me. The only way this could've been more enjoyable, is if it were Galthar himself strapped to that table. But this would have to make do for now.

"So, ready to talk yet, worm?" I asked, waving the dim light of the lantern in the Altmer's face. The blood from his wounded fingers was still dripping onto the table. The Thalmor officer took several strained, deep breaths and turned his gaze to me, our glaring eyes burning into one another.

"You call this torture?!" the Elf gloated, his condescending sneer returning to his face. "I've been pinched by mudcrabs that were more painful than this!" He defiantly spat in my face again; that was starting to get annoying.

"I'm just getting warmed up, friend," I answered. I wiped the blood from my hands onto my clothes before drawing my dagger. I slowly waved the blade through the air in front of me as I glared back down at the helpless Elf.

"If you truly wish to see how far I can go, I'll be more than happy to oblige you."

Before the Altmer even had a chance to make another wisecrack, I took a firm hold of hold of his right hand, and drove my dagger through the point above his thumb. Another pained gasp escaped the Altmer's mouth, and without hesitation I started carving around his thumb in a circular motion. I stopped cutting just as his thumb was barely dangling from his hand, and then to add to the pain, I tore it off with one swift pull of my hand.

The agonized shriek that followed was music to my ears, his suffering causing me to shiver in pure ecstasy on the inside. The table was becoming more and more smeared with blood, some of it even dripping through the small cracks in the wood onto the floor.

I eagerly did the same to his forefinger, smiling in delight at the gushes of blood as my knife cut through flesh and bone. I held the severed digits above his face in silent mockery as he struggled to stifle his cries, before tossing them to the floor like common trash.

"This is going to be a long day for you my friend," I sneered, wiping the dagger on my sleeve. "Just tell me where Galthar is, and this can all end. I'll give you a swift death, and you'll feel no more pain."

Sweat poured down the Altmer's face as he tried to compose himself. I could still see the stubborn refusal burning in his eyes. His breaths gradually became steady again, and I turned his head toward me and brought myself only inches from his face.

"This can all end now," I whispered. "Give me what I want, and I'll put you out of your misery."

"I'll never b…betray the…Dominion," said the Elf. "Do what you will to me…Dunmer. I'll never break!"

I stood back up, my eyes never leaving his. I sheathed my dagger in my belt, and stood over the table in a tense, brooding silence. I leaned over the High Elf and brought myself to his ear.

"Wrong. Answer."

I quickly stripped off the Altmer's cuirass and tunic, leaving him bare above waist. I hurled his glass armor across the room, crashing loudly against the wall as it plumped to the ground. I then stormed over to one of the shelves nearby, grabbing a tall metal bucket before then making my way over to the water pump that was built into the chamber.

The rusted pump creaked noisily as I cranked it with my arm, sending a grating echo throughout the stone walls. Short bursts of water shot into the bucket with every motion of the metal crank. I didn't notice right away just the amount of force I was exerting on the old thing, and I'm surprised I didn't break it outright. Once the bucket was filled with water, I grabbed an old ragged cloth and walked back over to the table with the shackled Altmer.

"You know what I love about waterboarding?" I said with a sneer as I set the bucket on the table. The Elf looked at me, letting out a quiet growl.

"The whole beauty of it all, is that half the torture is psychological. As a rushing torrent of water is being poured on your face, you literally have to fight your own brain to convince yourself that you aren't going to drown."

The Altmer was trying to keep himself together, but I sure as hell didn't miss those subtle winces of fear in his expression. I might've had a ways to go yet with this guy, but perhaps he was beginning to actually unravel, even if only slightly.

"And since I'm the kind of person who likes to take everything up a notch, I was thinking we should increase the pain factor."

I charged a small burst of my flame spell in my hand before using it to heat up the water in the bucket. It didn't take long for the water to start bubbling as it reached boiling temperature from my flames. I took a moment to breathe in the rush of steam emitting from the water, letting it fill my body and caress me all over. I released the flame spell from the water, momentarily glancing back at the Thalmor and silently reveling in his growing fear.

"I hope you're thirsty, friend." I spread the cloth over the Altmer's face and picked up the steaming bucket. The Elf remained steadfast in his silence, and I was hoping this would be just the thing to put an end to that. I slowly began to pour the water, and smiled as the first drops escaped.

Muffled, terrified screams met my ears as the Altmer's face was assaulted by the searing hot water. His body began to convulse as his head shook violently, the steam billowing from the cloth as I poured the water faster.

I could hear the Altmer frantically trying to cough and spit out the water. His cries from beneath the cloth grew more desperate and panicked. With the bucket now a bit less than half full, I stopped pouring and removed the drenched cloth from the Elf's face.

I grabbed his chin with my hand, turning him towards me again. His whole face was a dark, sickly red color. Much of the skin was peeling off, and I had made the water hot enough that small blotches of blisters and boils were already beginning to form. The Thalmor coughed and spit out several more spurts of water as he writhed from his severe burns, and I was deriving enormous pleasure as I watched only inches away from him.

"So, ready to talk?" I whispered maliciously. White steam was still emitting from his scalded face as he winced in his pain. "Where. Is. Galthar?!"

I couldn't help but be somewhat proud of myself that moment. I found it rather unreal that I had taken someone who was once so arrogant, so proud, so overzealous and fanatical, and utterly reduced him to a squirming, defenceless worm. Although I had not broken the Elf yet, I had to be close. Every living being, no matter how strong or resistant, can only take so much. Everyone has a breaking point, everyone's will can be shattered like glass under the right amount of pressure. I wasn't going to stop this until I got the answer I wanted. Nothing was more important to me that moment than finding out Galthar's location.

"That bucket is still halfway full," I said to the Altmer. "More than enough for another round. Just answer my question, and the pain stops!"

The High Elf caught his breath as his steaming skin still sizzled. The fire in his eyes was dimming, I knew his will was beginning to crack.

"Answer me one thing…" whispered the Altmer, slowly opening his mouth as he struggled to speak.

"I'm asking the fucking questions here!" I shot back fiercely.

"Is this…is this really going to make you feel better?"

"You're damn right it is," I retorted. I set the cloth back on the Elf's face and grabbed the bucket once again. "Open wide."

The screams this time were even louder than the last. The Altmer's body shook uncontrollably as I poured the last of the water, even the table was moving beneath his immense struggle. I was worried I would actually drown him, or that he could even succumb to his burns. But it's not like I really could've stopped myself anyway. My bloodlust had long taken control of me, my thirst for vengeance and sadistic desires corrupting my entire being. I was little more than a vicious, feral beast. I know a significant portion of my humanity died permanently in those moments. But I didn't care. I was fully enjoying this, and every scream that passed the Altmer's lips only increased that pleasure.

Tossing the now empty bucket to the ground, I removed the cloth yet again. I held the dangling lantern over the Elf's face, giving me a clear view of the scorched, blistering flesh. I gave him a moment to spit out the rest of the water before making him face me again.

"How about now?" I asked, my impatience and frustration becoming more evident in my voice. "You gonna talk to me yet?"

The Elf shuddered and flinched as I stared ceaselessly into his eyes, anxiously awaiting his reply. He returned my stare, and after another tense moment of silence, he actually began to chuckle.

"Suppose you do k-kill… Galthar…" he began, "what next? It won't…bring your friends back." He continued his smug laughter, and the most sickening sneer crossed his face. "It won't bring your…lover back!"

My gut sank that moment. The burning fury and wrath sweltering through my bones that I had been trying to control, I could feel it beginning to rush faster inside of me like a swift current, threatening to erupt like a volcano.

"What did you fucking say?" I asked, grabbing his face and pressing my fingers into his burnt skin.

"Hit a nerve, did I?" he smirked.

"Don't. Even. Go there." I stood fuming as my body began to sting from my swelling rage like an open wound.

"Nothing…is going to bring her back, you sodding wretch!"

"I said shut it!" I nearly screamed. The Altmer resumed his taunting and chuckling. I drove my fist into his face, breaking his nose.

"Where's Galthar?!" I bellowed, striking the Altmer again and again. Blood was pouring from his shattered nose, and with another firm blow from my fist, I knocked out two of his front teeth.

"You're all enemies of the Th-Thalmor!" screamed the Altmer. "You're all…going to die like the pathetic vermin you are. The Thalmor…shall end your life. Just like they did to your…bitch lover!"

My anger shot through me, like a rush of steam. I felt like my whole body could explode. Any control I may have still had over myself had faded utterly. This Thalmor pig's taunting had cut me to my core, like a dagger being driven through me over and over again.

I walked over to the assortment of tools lying on a table, seething and livid. I dug through the pile of corroded instruments, smiling to myself as I grabbed the hacksaw that was lying at the bottom of the mess.

"You know, the thing about old, rusted tools like this," I said, storming back over to the Altmer, "besides the significant pain they can inflict, you won't believe the number of infections that can harbor and fester in the metal. Any of them get into your bloodstream, and you could be in for a real bad time."

Standing over the Elf again, I peered into his eyes, as I brandished the saw in front of him.

"We'll see who's the pathetic vermin," I muttered.

I took a firm hold of the saw and walked over to the lower end of his body. I took a brief moment to smile, and admire the bloodbath staining the rotted table. I took a breath as I raised the saw, and I then promptly hacked off his right foot.

The most shrill, piercing cry of agony escaped the High Elf's lips as I sliced through his foot like wood. Torrents of blood spewed right off the end of the table, dripping into small puddles on the ground. I glanced over at my companions, Jari actually had his hand over his mouth, trying not to vomit. The Khajiit bolted out of the room after that, and I really can't say I blamed him.

"Gonna talk now?!" I bellowed, staring at the pool of blood still seeping from his leg. The cut from the saw had went so deep, you could actually see the bone sticking out. "Or am I gonna have to take the other foot too?!"

I waited a moment for the Altmer to try and get himself together. My patience had all but run out, and the Thalmor officer was still deciding not to cooperate. Seeing that silence was still going to be my only response, I took hold of the saw once again. And true to my word, his left foot was soon removed, taking its place on the floor with the right.

"Where the fuck is Galthar?!" I screamed again, the Elf's cries growing louder by the second. He wriggled uncontrollably on the crimson-painted table, like a fish washed up on dry land unable to breathe. The stumps of his legs bled profusely as the exposed bones dangled there, looking as if they were ready to break at the slightest touch.

"Answer me, n-wah!" I demanded, striking him again, this time dislocating his jaw. Unable to contain myself, I climbed atop the table and knelt over the screaming Elf. Like a deranged animal, I delivered blow after blow upon him with all my strength and fury. Smiting the helpless wretch with everything I had, I first knocked out several more of his teeth before completely dislodging his nose out of place. Blood was spewing from his mouth, the skin around his eyes turning completely black as they swelled.

"Where's Galthar?! Where is he?!" I punched the Altmer again, almost knocking him unconscious. The next thing I heard was Moon's voice across the room.

"Sargoth, stop!" she yelled, running over and gently grabbing my arm. "Stop, you're going to kill him…"

Moon's touch was somehow able to calm me down, because almost instantly, I could feel a small part of my rage subsiding. Still gripping my arm, she helped me off the table. Placing both hands on me, I felt the refreshing chill of Moon's healing magic completely envelop and caress my body and spirit. I had exerted myself a great deal during this whole ordeal. I could feel my heart crumbling beneath the mountain of stress I was under, and Moon's magic quickly helped to soothe my woes and anguish.

"Easy," whispered Moon. "Easy does it." She slowly moved her hands around my body, I could feel every inch of me being invigorated by the touch of her spell. My heart rate returned to a relatively normal pace, and my breath fully returned to me. My thoughts were collected and focused once more, and I could feel myself gaining control of my emotions.

"Thank you," I said in appreciation. Moon wiped some of the blood off my face.

"You better heal him too," I said as I glared at the Altmer. "Just enough so he doesn't bleed to death. I still want him to feel every bit of the pain I've inflicted so far." Moon nodded and walked over to him. After she finished, I made my way back over and shone the lantern in his battered face again.

"Well, where were we?" I teased. "You do no favors for yourself in being uncooperative. I can keep this up for days, if need be. Tell me what I want to know, and I promise this will all end. Trust me friend, what happens next will by far be the worst for you."

I tapped his face, beckoning him to look at me. The look of defeat was transparent in his expression. His will was extremely close to shattering utterly, if it wasn't already. He opened his mouth, and I waited with anticipation. Perhaps now he was finally going to tell me what I wanted to know.

"To Oblivion with you…and your friends…"

I said nothing. My frustration was still rising, but I wasn't going to let this worm get the best of me again. I kept my rage hidden within myself.

I stripped the Elf of the rest of his clothing, leaving him in naught but his bare skin. Tossing the rest of his armor to the ground, I looked into his bruised eyes again. The look of dread and trepidation was clear as day. This would hopefully be just the thing to break him once and for all. I moved to the lower end of the table, and slowly drew my dagger.

"I'm not going to lie, friend. This is going to hurt. A lot."

I plunged my knife into his groin, and slicing in a circular motion, I slowly and carefully carved and ripped out his genitals.

I'll never forget the scream that followed. I could swear it would have deafened most people. The sheer agony, the utter torment, it only served to further provoke the twisted pleasure swirling through my bones. The Elf could scream all he wanted. No one would hear it. His pitiful pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. His piercing cries would not save him, nor would they end his immense pain. They were nothing but echoes, through the black stones of the torture chamber. Faint, dying echoes.

I held his "precious asset" over his face, dangling only inches from his eyes as blood poured on him endlessly. His eyes betrayed his sheer horror as he was forced to look upon his severed, mutilated genitals. A sadistic sneer crossed my face as I watched the Altmer's flowing tears mix with his blood. This man who was once so mighty and proud, was now barely better off than a corpse. Humiliated, degraded, and emasculated by my cruelty, there was no question in my mind that he was now broken.

The Thalmor officer's manhood slid out of my hand onto the floor. I put my dagger away, grabbing hold of the lantern and steadying it over his face again. The dim light of the dancing ember clearly illuminated all the torture I had wrecked upon his body. For the first time, I had begun to fully realize just how far I went, how cruel and ruthless I was truly capable of being.

The blood-soaked, dismembered Altmer's cries finally died down as his blood continued to pour from his severe wounds. His empty, terrified eyes looked straight up to the creaking lantern above his face. He looked at me then, remaining silent. I knew he was begging for mercy, I had reached his breaking point. He stifled several sobs, and slowly opened his mouth again.

"S-stop…please, stop!" he whimpered. "I'll tell…I'll tell you anything, you…fucking animal! Just, no more!"

I leaned in next to the pleading Altmer, eagerly awaiting the words I was longing to hear this whole time.

"I'm listening. Speak quickly."

The Altmer took several strained breaths before answering.

"Galthar is on a sh…ship, bound for the S-Summerset…Isle," the Thalmor whispered as blood shot from his mouth.

"He's left Cyrodiil?!" I grabbed his face and turned his gaze toward me.

"As we speak now," continued the Altmer. "Galthar…sails for Alinor."

"Why?" I asked, staring at him inquisitively.

"Galthar is the Grand Inquisitor, and the Head Justiciar of the Dominion in all Tamriel. Only the King of Alinor himself outranks him. He…seeks to amass a grand army in Alinor, and return to Cyrodiil in an attempt to strengthen the Thalmor's presence in the country. With the death of Emeritus Gallacius, the Emperor and his puppets are in shambles. Galthar will easily be able to sweep his forces through the lands, claiming the towns and cities for the Dominion." The High Elf laughed lightly as he spoke of Galthar's plan.

"Hell, with enough force and a bit of luck, perhaps Galthar will even sit on the throne of the White-Gold Tower…"

"That's all?"

"Y…yes," replied the Elf.

"Thank you. That's all I wanted."

"Now…end my pain!" the Elf begged. "Grant me a quick death. P-please…"

"That Argonian you killed," I began. "He was a very dear friend to me. You didn't give him a quick death, did you? Tell me, why should I give you one?"

"You…promised!" cried the Elf. I scoffed in contempt.

"And what would the Thalmor know about keeping promises, hmm?" I retorted. "No, there's only one death fitting for someone of your level."

I grabbed a single bottle of oil on the nearby shelf. I hastily dumped the liquid on the Altmer's body, his panic taking hold of him again.

"What are you going to do?!" he yelled.

I said not another word to that Elf. I unfastened the lantern from the chain above and held it directly above him. Smiling as I peered into his horrified eyes one last time, I shattered the lantern over his body. Within a matter of seconds, every inch of his flesh had burst into flame.

The screams that followed barely lasted even twenty seconds. The flames ravished the Elf's body as the smoke suffocated him. What was left of him soon became a smoldering, charred mess as the life he was already barely clinging onto left him. I took a much needed breath of relief as I watched that Thalmor officer take his last breaths.

"Hey, you alright?" Moon asked me.

"Yeah, I will be. I think," I answered. "At least that's all over now."

"We should leave. The fire upstairs will surely find its way down here. The three of us need to get someplace safe," said Moon, and I nodded in agreement. I took a brief moment to catch my breath and clean some of the blood off my clothes. I started to get my gear together, when Jari came rushing back into the room.

"Sargoth, Moon!" the Khajiit was visibly panicked.

"Jari, what's wrong?" Moon asked.

"More of them are coming!" he continued. "The Thalmor have brought another entire army to the fort. This one heard noises upstairs, so I went check. They've already overwhelmed what's left of our home!"

No sooner had Jari said that, I could hear stomping footsteps coming from above us. They grew louder and more ferocious by the second, I could tell they were making their way down here.

"Shit, we can't hold a force that large off by ourselves," I said, my heart beginning to race violently in panic. "If we start running now and stay ahead of them, we can escape. But we need to hurry."

Jari and I turned tail and started to head out, but stopped when we noticed Moon was remaining still.

I rushed back over to her and grabbed her arm.

"Moon, come on! There's no time," I said with concern and confusion. She still made no movement and only took a single deep breath.

"No," she said with almost a whisper. "You two go. I'll stay and hold them off here."

"What?! No, are you insane? There's too many of them!" I was practically screaming. She couldn't have been serious. Jari came back over as he heard our exchange.

"Sargoth, those Elves will never stop hunting you," Moon said sternly. "They're under the most strict of orders from Galthar to kill all the Crimson Serpents. They'll chase you all through Cyrodiil and beyond, unless they're dealt with now. I can use my power to collapse the rest of this fort. I will crush this entire army beneath the smoldering stones of our home. You and Jari can flee to safety, and the Thalmor will not hinder you."

"You'll be sacrificing your own life, Moon. You can't do this!" My heart was becoming wrought with sadness, tears were slowly dripping from my eyes. "There has to be another way!"

"This is what I was meant to do, Sargoth," said Moon, with fear in her voice, but also strength and courage. "I know this probably won't make up for all the lives I've taken, the countless people I've hurt. But if this is the closest I'll get to some kind of redemption, then I'll gladly give my life for it. If sacrificing my life means that both of you can keep yours, then it will be completely worth it."

My heart collapsed as I realized Moon was not going to be talked out of this. Her mind was set, her decision as clear as the midday sun.

"You're sure you want to do this?" I asked.

"Yes. I need to. I will end these Elves right here and now, I'll make sure none survive."

"I'll miss you, Moon," I wept, unable to hold back my sobs. "I learned a lot from you, and I'll never forget the memories we shared. Goodbye Moon, and thank you."

We shared a heartfelt final embrace as my tears flowed freely from my eyes. My heart grew unbearably heavy, knowing yet another of my friends would soon be gone. But I was also immensely thankful for Moon's heroic decision.

"Look after yourself, Sargoth. You've been the greatest friend to me all these years. You showed me compassion and friendship, even though I never deserved it. Even after you discovered what I am. I can't possibly thank you enough for what you've done for me." Even beneath Moon's hood, I could tell there was a smile on her face.

"I know you'll kill Galthar. I know you'll avenge Shadow, I know you'll avenge everyone in the Serpents. But most of all, I know you'll avenge Anora." I smiled at Moon's encouragement.

The footsteps of the approaching Thalmor grew louder, I knew they were almost on our position.

"Get out of here, both of you," Moon ordered. "Get far away from here. You run, you keep running, and don't look back. Now go, quickly!"

After muttering a final farewell to Moon, Jari and I made a dash for the secret passage beneath the mountains that would lead us out of here. I turned around and looked at Moon one last time, knowing full well she had now sealed her own fate. I wiped a single tear from my eye, and then followed Jari through the mountain passage as quick as my legs could carry me.

It was early evening by the time Jari and I made it through the mountains and back outside. We emerged just west of Bruma, and the sun was beginning to set behind the hazy winter sky.

My head was still shaking from the thunderous clamour of Fort Blackmoon's collapse. We trekked our way through the dark underground tunnels of the mountains as fast as our strength would allow, but every second I felt like everything was going to crumble around us, crushing us forever. I could swear those mountains were going to become our tomb, my heart was jumping inside me with panic and doubt. But we did it. We both made it out alive and in one piece. The fresh air of the great outdoors was almost euphoric to me.

I could still see the dark billowing smoke from the ruins of our home, even though we were now miles away. I looked to the darkening sky, shedding a single tear for all that I had lost. All that had been so violently, and ruthlessly taken away from me. That smoke was now the only sign of the life I had lived, the life I had loved for the past twenty years. Watching it fade into the sky, was like watching an entire chapter of my life vanishing right before my eyes.

"We should go, friend," Jari said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder.

The two of us traveled for several hours, finally deciding to stop as nightfall swept across the lands. We headed south of Bruma, making sure to stay off the main roads and keeping to the tundra and the forests. I knew the Thalmor would trouble us no longer, but I still wasn't taking any chances.

Me and Jari came to a remote, quiet spot just north of Kvatch. We would be well hidden from anybody, and we could get a peaceful, well-earned night's rest. We gathered some wood to make a small campfire, and simply sat in silence for the longest time as all the harrowing events of the last couple days truly began to sink into our minds.

"She's gone, isn't she?" Jari asked solemnly.

"I don't know Jari," I answered. "Moon was very powerful, but I can't see even her living through that. She collapsed that entire fort. If the Thalmor themselves didn't kill her first, then she was almost certainly crushed beneath the stones right along with them."

The forest was totally silent that night. Not a single creature could be heard stirring within the trees, nor even the gentle song of a whispering breeze. The sky was pitch black, save for a handful of stars. Both moons were shrouded in black. The land around us was gloomy, empty, desolate even, without their silver gaze.

"So now what?" asked Jari.

I was silent for a moment, still taking in everything that had transpired today. This was all so surreal, so hellish. It was almost too tragic to be real. My being was wrought with despair and sorrow. I didn't know how much more of this I could possibly take.

"I'm going to the Summerset Isle," I finally replied to Jari's question. "I'm going after Galthar."

"Khajiit knew you would say that."

"I know it's insane Jari. But I have no choice," I said. "Look, I know it'll be difficult, but I'm positive we can do this. We can catch a ship and sail for Alinor. Wherever Galthar is hiding, we can find him. Sure he's powerful, but the two of us can give him a run for his money. I'm sure of it."

"Sargoth…" Jari began, taking a deep breath as he hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

"Jari knows there is nothing he can say to change your mind about this," the Khajiit continued. "And I wish you the best of luck. But I'm afraid I cannot follow you."

"What do you mean?" I felt a sharp sting at Jari's words.

"Sargoth, after everything that's happened, after the tragedies we have faced…I cannot possibly face Galthar. I do not have the strength for it, I can't…I just can't do it Sargoth. I'm so sorry."

"Jari, please! I need your help!" I began pleading with him, desperate for him to change his mind. "I can't do this alone, please. We can take Galthar, you and I. I know we can do this together Jari, I'm sure of it!"

Despite my efforts to convince Jari otherwise, I knew his mind was already set.

"Khajiit is sorry, Sargoth," Jari began to weep. "I know it is cowardly to leave you to do this alone, but I'm just not strong enough. Watching all our friends die has left me feeling broken, and powerless. I no longer feel the desire to fight, I no longer feel any passion in my life. Khajiit simply wishes to put this behind him now. I just wish to be at peace, I don't want to kill anymore."

There was a long silence between Jari and me. The Khajiit's words sank deeper into my mind, becoming more painful as they did so. The grief in my heart was only strengthened by his refusal to accompany me. But I also knew this was his choice to make. Both of us had been through hell and back, and his reasons were entirely sound.

"I understand, my friend," I spoke up again. "I would never ask you to do anything you don't want to. Your choices are your own, and I respect them."

Jari smiled, and we both dug out our pipes and shared our last smoke together that we ever would.

"What will you do?" I asked.

"Jari will go back to Elsweyr, the land of my kin," Jari replied. "I will live out the rest of my days in peace, within the tranquility of the beautiful rainforests. My homeland has been calling to me for years, and now I will finally return to her. You are welcome to follow me, but I already know you will refuse."

"Nothing else matters to me anymore Jari. Nothing except finding Galthar. But whatever you do with your life Jari, I sincerely wish you the very best. You've been a dear friend to me, and I'll never forget the times we shared together."

"And to you as well, dear friend," said Jari, and both of us chuckled in nostalgia. "This one hopes you find Galthar, and make him pay for what he's done. I hope you can find peace afterwards, I hope you can heal, and allow yourself to be happy. I'll never forget you, dear Sargoth."

"Thank you Jari," I said with a smile. "I only plan to sleep for a few hours, then I'll be off. When you wake, I'll most likely already be gone."

"Best of luck to you, friend," Jari said, patting my shoulder. "May your road lead you to warm sands."

I arrived in Anvil on the sixth of Morning Star. It was early morning by the time I made it inside the gates of the city. The streets were mostly barren, with most of the townsfolk still asleep in their homes before the working day began. I made my way to the docks with due haste. Hopefully there was still time to catch a ship before all of them left to make their routes.

I saw a few decent sized ships still resting at Anvil's harbor. I could only hope that now I could find somebody kind enough to actually take me all the way to Summerset Isle. I started walking over to the ship closest to me, where I eventually saw a bulky, bearded Nord standing by it.

"You there!" I called to the Nord. He immediately turned around and gave me a friendly smile.

"Aye there Dunmer! What can this humble ol' sailor do for you?" he asked.

"If you would be so kind, I seek passage to the Summerset Isle. It is of the utmost urgency that I get there."

The Nord gave a soft chuckle. "Today's your lucky day, me friend! Me and me crew are just getting ready to set sail for the Isles right this moment! We'd be happy to take ya!"

For the first time in what seemed like forever, a spark of hope and joy ignited in my heart.

"These trips don't come cheap though, friend. If you're gonna be taggin' along with us, ya gotta pay the fee. Two thousand septims."

I dug through my pouch, quickly counting through all the money I had left.

"Shit…I'm six hundred short," I said in dismay. "Please, I'll do anything you ask. Just please take me with you!"

The Nord stroked his beard, staring me down inquisitively.

"I can help around the ship. Anything you need me to do, I'd be more than happy. I can provide manual labour, I can cook, I can clean. I'll do anything, just please take me!" I hoped with all my heart my words would be enough to sway the Nord in my favor.

After gauging his facial expression and waiting for what seemed like an entire age, the Nord smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Alright laddie, ya got a deal!" he said with a jolly smile. I was teeming with relief, and eagerly handed him the gold I had. "Climb aboard son, we leave within the hour! You can relax and make yourself at home for today. I'll find somethin for ya to do by tomorrow. The name's Argyle."

"Thank you my friend," I said. "You don't know how grateful I am."

I carefully walked up to the main deck of the Nord's ship, admiring the grand size of the vessel. I was rejoiced that Argyle had been gracious enough to allow me on his beautiful ship, despite being short of money. I made my way to the bow of the ship, breathing in the soft, calming breeze blowing from the sea.

I watched in blissful silence at the reddened colors on the horizon as the sun made its gracious ascent in the morning sky. I smiled as I saw my reflection in the calm ripples of the water, and I took a moment to fully take in the beauty of the vast ocean.

"You're mine, Galthar," I whispered to myself, looking back to the sky. "You're fucking mine…"