Aealynn POV:
My foot finally busts open the door where all the noise is coming from, and Ondolemar and I are able to enter the room. The sight we see causes both of us to freeze, and the Altmer beside me to gag a little. A half-naked woman with a Mohawk is straddling a bruised and bloody Khajiit. Their lips are locked together, and the poor mage has her eyes wide open as her legs weakly kick about. I shake my head and scream, "Stop-". I'm not exactly sure what they're doing, so I settle with, "Stop that!". Not the most compelling argument, but it gets the woman to stop. She looks up at me and I freeze. She's a Breton. The woman who's killing, raping, stealing, and eating people is a Breton.
She's one of my people. I always thought the killer would be an Orc or Nord. I never even have imagined the murderer would be my own race. However, the other Breton doesn't seem to be shocked in the slightest. She pushes herself up slightly, but she's still straddling the mage. The killer even brings an arm down in a protective position, hiding the woman's face from our sight. The murderer licks her lips and smirks. "I don't think I will.". She heaves herself up, yanking the mage with her. The poor Khajiit is unable to stand, and she falls against the murderer's front as she looks at us. I can practically feel the fear radiating off the Arch-Mage.
However, the criminal yanks the woman towards her and once again captures her lips. The Khajiit weakly fights back, but there's clearly something wrong with her. When they break apart my friend manages to slur, "Kaie. Forsworn.". 'Kaie' captures the Khajiit's lips in yet another kiss, but this time it's easy to see it's significantly harder than before. The woman wants to hurt the mage, no matter the way. I elbow Ondolemar and whisper, "Go.". He shakes his head. I nod and whisper again, "Go.". He starts to shake his head, but I shove him forward and quietly hiss, "GO!". It works, and he starts charging towards the woman. I follow right behind him.
Neither of us make a single sound, even our footsteps are quiet as we run at the murderer. However, the woman still manages to hear us. She drops the mage to the ground, turns to us, and roars like a deranged psychopath. Ondolemar screams and stops. I crash into his back and we both tumble to the ground. I curse and begin trying to free myself. I'm barely getting to my feet when I hear a roar, and look over to see a werewolf bounding towards me. I scream and grab Ondolemar, dragging him away. The beast jumps at us with outstretched claws, and both of us hit the ground faster than I thought physically possible. The murderer sails over us and hits the wall with a 'yelp'!
I take that moment to rush over to the Khajiit. I slide to my knees beside her and reach out with the intention of helping her. Before my hand is even on her she whimpers, and does her best to recoil away from me. I shush her and whisper, "It's me, Aealynn. We have to leave. Now.". I reach out, and this time she doesn't try to get away. I gently flip her onto her back and tell Ondolemar, "Keep it busy!". He confirms, "I will.". I hear some spells going off, but I'm too focused on the woman in front of me to care that much. I feel her stomach, and her flesh is like a thin cloth sack full of cow innards. It gives beneath my hand, I can feel the stuff inside moving around, and I'm almost completely certain it's worthless at this point.
I can also tell from how she's lying and the way her limbs are positioned that multiple bones are broken, and from the way she's breathing I'm going to assume she has a pierced lung. I realize how delicately I'm going to have to carry her, and that I'd better get a move on if I want to make it back to the surface before we're all killed. I start to slide my arms under her back, but a scream interrupts me. I turn and see Ondolemar battling the werewolf, and it's clear who's winning. The beast has multiple spikes of ice sticking out of its body, but right now it's charging at the Altmer like its wounds are nothing.
I flip around as quickly as I can and grab the Khajiit, roughly heave her into my arms (mumbling an apology as I do), and turn around to tell Ondolemar that we need to start running. I never get the chance. The poor man is running backwards as he casts destruction spell after destruction spell at the beast, but the monster is almost completely unfazed. The elf runs into a wall, and all he can do is scream in fear as the wolf descends upon him. I consider helping him or running, but the entire thing is over before I can even come up with a coherent thought. Kaie grabs Ondolemar and spins around, throwing the man across the room. His head cracks against the opposite wall and for a moment he falls silent, then a weak groan of pain makes me aware he's alive.
That's when Kaie begins her second charge. She bounds across the room in a few strides before leaping, her claws extending and her jaw hanging open. Ondolemar starts to push himself up in an attempt to save himself, but the werewolf solidly lands on his back and forces him back to the stone floor. Her claws slide into him like he's butter, and the werewolf yanks her hands up in the air. Ondolemar's intestines hang from her hands, and she starts throwing them around like confetti. The beast just keeps throwing his organs around, occasionally stopping to snap at one of his intestines.
I take one careful step to my side, then begin running like a woman possessed. I get farther than Ondolemar, but not by much. The tremendous monster catches up to be, her giant head knocking me to the ground. I begin to rise, but a foot to my back prevents me. The Khajiit went sliding when I went down, and now two hairy hands reach over and grab her. I look up to see the werewolf biting onto the back of mage's shirt and releasing her hands. Kaie sees me and smirks, then rumbles deep in her throat. "Mine.". I feel her foot come off of me as she charges away, her claws clicking on the ground as she goes. I slowly push myself up and gather my bearings, then stumble over to Ondolemar.
I practically fall down beside him. It's completely useless, but I still check for a pulse. Dead. Shocking, I know. I flip the body over and cringe at the look of shock and pain on the man's face. I pat his chest and promise the deceased elf, "I'll save her.". I finally stand up and begin running, following the clicking claws. The corridor she leads me down is dark and small, but it's surprisingly easy to follow the woman. However, I only have to follow her for a short while before we stop. We've in another well lit area, and I'm able to see clearly the surroundings. A gigantic stone room, and the werewolf is stopped at a jagged cliff.
The woman must have taken a wrong turn, or the cliff must not have been there before. The werewolf drops the mage and begins looking for a way to get across the gigantic gap. I try to sneak up on them, but my foot slips and makes a large squeak sound. Kaie turns to me, and snarls when she realizes I've been following her this entire time. The woman lets out a roar and advises, "Run.". I shake my head and drop into a fighting stance. I draw my sword when she begins to charge, but the blade is worthless when the woman finally gets to me. She knocks my weapon out of my hand, picks me up by my throat, and flings me away from her. I suppose I should be thankful it wasn't over the cliff, but right now my blessings are the last things on my mind.
I slam against the ground and roll, completely unable to stop myself. I hear thundering footsteps, and I barely have time to look up before the werewolf is on me once again. I feel claws dig into my back, and I'm throw across the room once again. This is it. This is how I'm going to die. I've survived so much just to die here. I'll be killed by this insane werewolf, most likely eaten, and my surviving remains will be left in this dusty dwemer tomb. I hit a wall and groan in pain, completely unable to gather the will to fight back. The footsteps stop coming towards me, instead going back towards the Khajiit.
I manage to push myself up and mumble, "No.". The werewolf laughs, and I hear a groan from the Khajiit. I look over and see Kaie (still in her beast form) begin to scratch and shred at the Khajiit's nightgown, nosing the woman's chest whenever the chance presents itself. The mage's head rolls to the side as the injured woman weakly attempts to fight, but a sharp headbutt from the werewolf makes her stop. I feel hatred begin to pump through my veins, and I forcefully push myself back to my feet. Kaie isn't paying me the slightest attention, still focusing on stripping her unwilling partner down to nothing. I take one step towards them, and that's when I feel something unfamiliar pound over me.
A boundless energy boils deep in my gut, attempting to push itself free. I find myself on my hands and my knees, the energy overwhelming. I groan and everything suddenly becomes sharper. Clearer. New strength floods my muscles, wrapping around and overcoming my weakness to help in my body's fight in supporting me. I feel a slight resistance against the power, and I realize it appears like I have a choice. For a moment I consider snuffing out the flame of power, then I heard another groan from the Khajiit and a satisfied 'bark' from Kaie. She must have finished shredding my friend's robes. It's clear what I have to do.
I allow the power to take hold of me. I scream and stand up as agony courses through my veins, pouring fiery pain through every pore of my body. I manage to crack open my eyes and look at my arms. My skin is becoming grey, and my fingers are turning into long claw like appendages. I slam my eyes shut again, an animal roar ripping from my throat. My entire spine and back seem to rearrange, and I begin yanking off my armor in a wild panic. It's a good thing I did because soon enough my body is twisting and changing, becoming something entirely new. When it's all over I'm lying on the floor, but I somehow find the strength to push myself up. For the first time I manage to get a good look at myself.
My skin is stone, I feel the extra weight of horns on my head, and I swear wings are sprouting form my back. I look over my shoulder, and sure enough it's true. I've returned to my gargoyle form. I feel a sense of power come over me. No more need for swords when I have ten daggers sprouting from my hands. And, no need for armor when your skin is granite. Also, no need to hide from some big puppy because it has teeth and claws. I have fangs and talons too, only mine are bigger. I look at Kaie, and the werewolf is completely frozen with her tail drooping in shock. I smirk and roar, the woman going 'yelp' in terror. Then, I charge.
Note: My other story 'A Life Divided' (A New Order) to an end in two to five chapters, and my plans have slightly changed. My 'project' is getting pushed back to the point it won't happen in months. It's not because of anything of major importance, it's just because my desires have changed. I've also moved my plan of 'story outside of Skyrim' up slightly, but it's still slightly back there. I see it this way. 'Life Divided' ends, and I continue with 'A Life Across the Ages'. However, now I'm going to do another story set in Skyrim (I'll be listing those options shortly). After 'A Life Across the Ages' ends I honestly have no idea what I want to do, and I'm not making hollow promises at this moment. Now, onto the choices!
The Thief and the Knight. Female Khajiit/Vex. A festival at Riften brings travelers from far and wide, and the Thieves Guild takes action by stealing everything they can. During a mugging by Sapphire, Vex, and Delvin things go terribly wrong, and a citizen of Riften is left dead. Maven Black-Briar is in charge, and Elisif the Fair is highly suspicious that the woman is assisting the Thieves Guild. Maven's hand is forced, and she needs a scapegoat to pin the murderer on. Sapphire flees into the woods so it can't be pinned on her, Delvin is too important, and Vex is left holding the bag.
Maven offers a bounty for the woman's head, and Vex is forced to think fast. She jumps into a covered cart of who she thinks is a traveling bard, and successfully makes her way out of the city. It's only as the wagon goes down the road she sees armor stamped with nine stars (one chipped and scratched), a sword of the finest metal, and a shield in the shape of a red diamond. She's hidden in the wagon of one of the most religious, chivalrous, and lawful knights (originating from Kvatch) in all of Tamriel. Vex lets out a small gasp, and she's discovered.
The Law's Heart. Female Khajiit/Laila Law-Giver. The Khajiit is one of the biggest criminals plaguing Skyrim. Murders, robberies, theft, assault, arson, escaping from prison, impersonating a guard, bootlegging, conning, and extortion. She finally slips up in Riften. After getting drunk and getting arrested for indecent exposure, she's hauled away to sit in jail. It's only while she's in there that they realize who she is, and report her to Laila. The Jarl gives the woman two options. Execution, or assisting Riften in getting rid of the Thieves Guild. The woman easily takes the second option, and starts helping the Jarl.
However, one night she attempts a grand escape to return to her life of crime. She ends up getting stuck on the fence, and the guards have to help her down the next morning. Laila does what she believes to be the only solution. She forces the Khajiit to follow her wherever she goes, no matter what. At first the Jarl sees the woman as nothing but a criminal, but slowly her opinion changes. The Khajiit even begins to see the Jarl in a different light, and gives up trying to escape from Riften and return to crime. And, eventually love takes bloom.
Herding Love. Female Khajiit/Mjoll the Lioness. An economic crash has hit Riften, and new immigrants from Cyrodill are flooding in. Maven Black-Briar has the largest herd of cattle in all of Tamriel, and decides to sell it to add to her fortune (in the end her profit we be a little over a million gold). The tremendous herd(s) needs to be moved all the way to Markarth, and only a hundred of the three thousand cows can be lost. She already has a man to lead the herding party, but needs four strong warriors to help him (her cheapness means she won't hire anymore men). So, that means each warrior is responsible for hundreds of cows, and can only lose a few of them.
Mjoll the Lioness despises the Black-Briars, but needs money to assist Aerin (he's had a tremendous amount of problems with the crash). Asbjorn Fire-Tamer and Valindor join her, but there's still an opening. A tiny Khajiit that barely comes up to Mjoll's shoulder is willing to help, but laughed off by most of the group. However, Mjoll can sense something different in her, and vouches for her. Maven doesn't particularly care, and allows the Khajiit on. Mjoll and the Khajiit find that they make a decent team, and are soon drawn to one another on their watches and hunts. They even start talking to one another like they're friends, and go on small adventures when they're certain the cows aren't going to be eaten. But only time will tell if the two will stay together after the herding.