A/N- Hi everyone! Sorry it took over a week- pushing two weeks- to get a chapter up. I finally get my MS Word to work, only for life to keep throwing me one crisis after another and affecting my ability to write. I finally have this flashback chapter done to my satisfaction and I have the next one complete, just need to proofread it and it will get published in a day or so.
Thank you again to everyone who has favored, followed, and reviewed. The positive comments (long or short) have actually been a very nice "cheer up" in my moments of stress and are greatly appreciated.
Enjoy the chapter!
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Tala had always known she was different, whether she wanted to be or not. As a child, she was tormented for it, where she wanted to be or not. The other children would make fun of her for her looks, calling her "the priestess's blue-haired daughter" and pulling on them before telling her she couldn't play with them and run. Because she had a tenderhearted personality, she always let the teasing affect her, lowering her self-esteem and keeping her isolated to the chapel to spend time with her mother, or by herself to make her own fun. And when they got older, certain young men would admire her for those beautiful blue eyes, but they still complained about how weird it was to see her hair the same color and how it was a "shame" to see such beauty get "ruined" because of it. Because no one could accept her completely over something so trivial as different-colored locks, Tala grew to hate herself for being different. Her mother would be the one to comfort her in those moments of distress, and kept assuring her that someday the Gods would bring her true friends who would look past the differences... and a lover that would embrace them.
Tala didn't believe her mother back then. She didn't think she would ever find friends. And as she got older and wanted a connection with someone, she didn't think any man would ever accept the fact that she was a natural blue. But then again... Tala also didn't think that she'd ever become a member of the Blades, or be strong enough to close an Oblivion Gate, or that the idea of gaining Martin's affection could ever be more than a fleeting dream. But she had done the first two things so simply and easily. And that day in Martin's chambers, her fleeting dream had become reality... and she had realized that her mother had been right about all of it. She now had friends- people who counted on her and would defend her at a moment's notice. And she had found a lover who admired everything about her... including the one thing all the others had found unbearably abnormal.
Tala had reflected on those feelings and memories of her life while she laid on her back in the bed, body still trembling from the euphoric feeling she had just experienced. The nerves she had started with where long behind her; he had been patient and gentle through every step until she had gotten completely comfortable. Then pleasure took the place of fear. They had been so wrapped up in each other that the hours had blurred, and neither one of them could bring themselves to move when the moment was over. Martin had rested atop of her with his brow pressed to her shoulder as he took deep breaths while she absentmindedly traced her fingertips along his shoulder blades, feeling the muscles underneath involuntarily quiver from time to time as she remained lost in her thoughts. Once his breathing had normalized, he made a point to tenderly kiss her before pulling away and lying on his back beside her. She had felt the need to curl up against him and put her head on his chest, and he had responded to her by wrapping his arm around her and resting his hand on her waist. There hadn't been a single word between them for quite a while after that, but there hadn't been need for any. They simply rested there with their eyes closed and enjoyed each other's touch in a more simpler way.
And those thoughts of her past continued to linger in her mind, reminding her of how far she had come in just the last three years since she left home. She had also felt blessed to finally know what it was like to possess the love of the man she adored, and felt like pinching herself just to make sure she hadn't been dreaming.
Eventually her mind ceased its wandering and the silence had felt awkward, so Tala opened her eyes and lifted her head up to look at him. She then broke the silence by saying, "You aren't falling asleep on me, are you?"
There had been a complacent hum in his throat before he replied rather sleepily, "No... but it's tempting. It has been so long, I had almost forgotten what that feels like... as well as the amount of energy it expends."
She had raised a suspicious eyebrow at him. "If you're this tired after one time, how did you manage to seduce a whole temple full of Dibellan priestesses?" She had jested with a smirk.
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her with half a smile and one raised eyebrow. "I think I regret telling you that story." He light-heartedly jested. "I had hoped you consumed enough wine to not remember, but it seems I am mistaken."
"How could I forget that? You basically hinted that you were incredibly skilled in the art of seduction. That sticks in a girl's mind... especially when that girl was so inebriated and attracted to you that a part of her secretly wished for you to put your words to the test, just like Sanguine had tasked you to do."
Martin had let out a warm-hearted laugh and playfully rolled onto his side, causing her to lie on her back instead. He had then placed his lips onto hers for another moment or two before pulling away to look at her and shake his head. "You fascinated me the moment I saw you, Tala... and you fascinate me still."
He had then lifted his hand to her head and proceeded to run his fingers through her hair, which had made Tala giggle a little and return the affection by putting a hand on his cheek. As Martin leaned his face into her palm, she wondered how exactly did they get here, and how could they stay here forever. She had never felt more alive in that moment with him and wanted to run out the doors of Cloud Ruler Temple to yell her joy from the rooftops down. Now she felt like she had everything: she had Martin; she had the Blades; and she had become a hero throughout Cyrodiil. They had been close to restoring the balance of Tamriel and closing the Oblivion Gates and she would be watching the love of her life take his place on the throne before they knew it. She had only wished her parents had been alive to see all of it.
There had been another length of mutual silence between them as they spent several minutes in the newfound happiness they shared. The feeling had been so perfect for Tala. And in that perfectly quiet moment, the thought of the throne very slowly seeped deeper into her head... and her then her mind took a different turn.
Everything is so perfect between us now... what exactly will happen when the Oblivion Crisis is over? She had wondered. Can we be able to stay together once the Amulet of Kings is back in our hands and Martin is emperor? Would the Empire and the Council disapprove of us? If they don't approve, would they pressure Martin into leaving me and marrying a noblewoman? Am I a fool for thinking this is going to last? I know he had the same concerns- he already said those doubts were reason for him not saying anything sooner. Perhaps... Martin was right to be concerned. Oh by the Nine, I'm just being irrational, cut it out. But... then again... we felt the need to hide this from the Blades... how could we confidently announce it to the Empire?
Her face had to be reflecting her internal anguish, for Martin went from radiating adoration to staring at her slightly worried. "You look as if something is wrong. What's the matter?" He had quietly asked.
Tala shook her head. "It's nothing."
"It doesn't look as if it's nothing. Tell me what's wrong, my friend."
Her frown merely deepened. Rather than respond, she had looked over at the window and noticed the sky had seemed more of a pale gray instead of pitch black. "Its almost dawn. Everyone will be waking up soon. We should get dressed and act as if we've been in discussion for the ritual."
Martin turned to look at the window, but hadn't said anything. He eventually slipped away from her and slid out of bed to grab his clothing; he had even made a point of picking up Tala's outfit and kindly offering it to her so she could get dressed alongside him. Once they were back in their attire, Tala had returned to the corner table to re-equip her sword and shield. As she clipped the Ebony Blade to her side, she had felt Martin place his hands on her hips.
"You went from blissful to disheartened. I can tell something is wrong." He had softly said in her ear. "You can tell me what you're thinking."
Tala had sighed and silently cursed at how easily Martin could persuade her to spill her secrets. Then she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm thinking I want to stay here with you and not go anywhere. I'm... also starting to share a lot of your worries. I'm so happy that I finally have you... and I'm concerned about everyone else not approving."
He had opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated. It had been a pretty dead giveaway to Tala that the doubts had still played in his mind as well. Ultimately, he had stood a little straighter and moved his hands from her waist to the sides of her arms as he let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, that is a concern for me as well. Perhaps this is a matter to discuss further after we've recovered the Amulet of Kings."
Tala had raised another suspicious eyebrow at him. "What do you mean by 'we'? I hope that was just a choice of words and that you're not planning to go with me into Paradise."
"I have been considering the notion to join you. Rather than send you in there alone, we could retrieve the Amulet together. I could watch your back just as I had done in the Great Gate."
Tala had given him a disapproving frown. Indeed he had been a great comrade in time of battle, but because of one accidental disaster, his leg now had a permanent scar and left a slight limp in his walk, which would put him at a disadvantage in such a delicate situation. "Do you honestly think you're in any condition to be chasing after me?" She had replied. "Your leg may be healed, but you're still tender on it. I can see it. You need time to recover. Besides, I am your Champion above all else, remember? It's my duty to find the Amulet. I don't know how strong Mankar Camoran is and I don't know if he will be alone in his Paradise. If something happens to you... all hope is lost. You need to stay under the protectful watch of the Blades while I am in there."
Martin had paused for a long moment, staring at her with a sorrowful frown and pain in his eyes. "I don't know what you'll find in Mankar Camoran's Paradise." He had slowly started. "I fear this may be the most dangerous task I am asking of you... and I cannot bear the sight of something happening to you any more than you can stand having something happen to me."
She then slid her hands from the back of his neck to the top of his shoulders. "I will be fine." She had said with a smile. "I am well rested and the armory is well stocked with supplies. Your place is here, just as my place is in there, retrieving the Amulet."
He slowly reached up to grab a hold of one of her hands and squeezed it tightly. She knew he didn't like that answer, but she had been right. There had been another moment of mutual silence between them before he spoke up again. "We need to gather the other items needed for the ritual and head for the Great Hall. As much as I too would like to stay in your company a little while longer, this matter needs to be resolved quickly before Camoran makes another move."
"Yes... of course. Is... there anything you do know about this ritual or Camoran's Paradise that I might need to know?"
Martin had thought about it for a minute before he softly nodded. "I do know that the portal I create through the Mysterium Xarxes ritual will close behind you... you'll have to find another way back. And I believe that Mankar Camoran acts as the 'anchor' for Paradise, just as a sigil stone anchors an Oblivion Gate in place. Kill Mankar Camoran... and you will unmake his Paradise."
Tala had let that information sink in before pensively replying, "I see. Thank you for the advice." She then leaned in to give him a brief kiss before she had added, "I can help you prepare for the ritual if you'd like."
A gentle smile had gradually replaced his frown. "The preparations are not difficult. I will take care of it. You must prepare for your journey into Paradise. Make sure you have everything you need... there's no telling what you'll find in there."
The Blades had been waking up and preparing their duties when the two of them had descended from the stairs. Both of them had remained silent to each other and merely greeted each Blade with a friendly smile as they set the items on the table. Baurus had returned to his dutiful position at Martin's side while Tala broke from his side and headed for the armory to gather her gear. And as Martin began the process for the ritual, they had all gathered around the Great Hall and carefully watched him from the sidelines.
The Daedric symbols that were intricately drawn around a large triangle in the Great Hall all served their purposes, and each piece held its own key for each item. On the left and right sides of the triangle had been S-shaped symbols written on the edges, to which Martin set the Great Welkynd Stone on the left and then the Great Sigil Stone on its mirror image on the right. Residing at the bottom and top of the triangle had been tiny versions of itself drawn at the ends; it had been there that Martin placed a cloth containing scrapings of Tiber Septim's blood on the north end and setting the Ring of Namira on the south. Once that quick little task had been complete, Martin sat at his work desk with his arms crossed and a tense stare drifting off into nowhere. Baurus had asked him if he had been alright, to which Martin had assured him that everything was fine, and the Great Hall remained eerily quiet as they waited.
Tala had returned to the Great Hall shortly after, fully adorned in her repaired Glass defenses- with a Blades helmet to replace her missing Glass one, the Ebony Blade sharpened and recharged, and Valdemar's Shield polished and looking like new. When Martin had seen her enter, he quickly stood from his seat to approach her.
"Are you ready? Shall I open the portal to Paradise?" He had asked.
With a confident nod, she had told him, "I'm ready. Open the portal."
"Alright. Brace yourself." With that, he walked back over to the summoning circle and had cast blood-red magic to his hands before placing them over the symbols and letting the spell cascade off of his hands, completing the ritual.
The symbols had quickly flared to the angry red of the magicka and the items slowly hovered in the air. As everyone stepped back to watch, the four items immediately disintegrated and two miniaturized versions of stone claws similar to pillars holding an Oblivion Gate had appeared. In between them then came a large fiery sphere that literally roared to life. In the midst of the bright light and sharp ringing from the portal, Tala could see faded shimmers of what looked like a peaceful setting of trees, an ocean, and green grass within. Paradise had awaited.
Martin had stood next to her as he took in the scene with her. "We only have one chance at this." He had said. "Use the portal to Mankar Camoran's Paradise before it closes again. Our fate is in your hands, Tala... bring back the Amulet of Kings."
She looked at him briefly before turning to the room full of watchful eyes. "I'll return with the Amulet. No need to worry." She had beamed to everyone.
As she watched her Blades brethren put their fists over their hearts to salute her, she had felt a discreet pressure on her gauntlets- a touch of a hand as it gently grasped her fingers. Her chest had tightened a little at the touch; she knew it had been Martin... and she had an idea for why he did it. She could still remember the day they first came to Cloud Ruler Temple and how she had tried to reach for his hand, trying to hang onto him out of worry for his well-being and terrified of him leaving her sight. She knew he had been worried for her safety, so this time he had been the one trying to hang on to her. Tala turned to Martin and gave him a warm smile; she felt as if she needed to reassure him one last time that everything would be all right. It had taken him a moment, but he had finally returned her silent comforting with a tremulous smile and gave her one acknowledging nod as he put his hand back to his side. She knew that despite his fears, he had trusted her judgment, just as he had since the day they met. Tala had only hoped that she wouldn't do anything to bring his fears to life.
She quickly decided she couldn't stall the process any longer and had taken her steps towards the portal to head inside. As she crossed through the threshold, she said silent prayers to the Divines... and hoped they were listening.
As the portal closed behind her, Tala had looked around at the scenery. She could remember thinking how simple it looked, as if it had been just another day of wandering around the open fields of Cyrodiil. There had been a broken stone pathway leading off somewhere- no doubt her destination- and she had proceeded to walk it and see where the path would take her. She had made a point to keep her hand on the hilt of her sword, just in case. It may have looked peaceful in Paradise, but she knew better than to believe it.
"So... the cat's paw of the Septims arrives at last..." Came a voice from out of nowhere.
Tala had spun around in every direction to try and find the owner, but had come up empty. It didn't take her long to realize that the voice she had been hearing belonged to Mankar Camoran himself.
"You didn't think you could take me unawares... here of all places? In the Paradise that I created?" His voice continued. "Look upon my Paradise... Gaiar Alata, in the old tongue. A vision of the past... and the future. Behold the Savage Garden, where my disciples are tempered for a higher destiny: to rule over Tamriel Reborn! If you are truly the hero of destiny, as I hope... the Garden will not hold you for long. Lift your eyes to Carac Agaialor, my seat at the pinnacle of Paradise... I shall await you there."
She had listened to Camoran and his speech with minimal interest as she wandered down the path. She paid more attention to the residents of the region, mostly consisting of the occasional daedra that stood in her way and plenty of dead Mythic Dawn agents that seemed to believe they were ascended immortals. In listening to a few of them mock her on her journey down the road, she got a clear sense of how blissfully confident they were in their master bringing them back to life to live forever under Dagon's rule, and that this world was only a taste of what that kingdom would look like. Oh yes, Paradise seemed so peaceful and perfect... but Tala knew better.
While she had been used to killing hostile daedra, it had been in Paradise that she got the opportunity to make a deal with one that hadn't been a Prince of any kind. She had learned quickly that in order to leave the Savage Garden, she needed a key known as the Bands of the Chosen. And she had her chance to acquire them from Kathutet the Dremora soldier, whom had been in charge of guarding the gateway to the next realm. Rather than choose to fight her, he had given her a choice: free one of his own in a cave or fight him to the death. Tala had decided to save her strength and take the daedra up on his offer. It had been an easy enough of a task, but she had been mildly surprised that Kathutet held up his end of the bargain and gave her the Bands of the Chosen, as promised. Daedra typically had a reputation for being deceptive, but according to Kathutet, they had more honor than mortals gave them credit for. It had been an interesting piece of information that Tala kept in the back of her mind even to her present day.
And as she made her way through the cave on her way to the doorway of the Forbidden Grotto, she had heard Camoran's voice again. That time she could hear the twinge of crazed passion as he tried to explain why his side had been right and everyone else had been wrong.
"How little you understand! You cannot stop Lord Dagon!" His voice had boomed throughout the cave of the Flooded Grotto. "The Principalities have sparkled as gems in the black reaches of Oblivion since the First Morning. Many are their names and the names of their masters: the Coldharbour of Molag Bal, Vaermina's Quagmire, the ten Moonshadows of Azura, and... Dawn's Beauty, the Princedom of Lorkhan... misnamed 'Tamriel' by deluded mortals! ...Yes, you understand now..."
No, I really don't, you lunatic. Tala had tediously interjected in her mind as she slipped on the enchanted bracers. Sadly, she couldn't silence his unnecessary lecture, so she had no choice but to listen to him anyway.
"Tamriel is just one more Daedric realm of Oblivion, long since lost to its Prince when he was betrayed by those that served him. Lord Dagon cannot invade Tamriel, his birthright! He comes to liberate the Occupied Lands!"
"Oh for Akatosh's sake..." Tala softly groaned with a roll of her eyes.
"Ask yourself: How is it that mighty gods die, yet the Daedra stand incorruptible? How is it that the Daedra forthrightly proclaim themselves to man, while the gods cower behind statues and the faithless words of traitor-priests? It is simple... they are not gods at all. The truth has been in front of you since you first were born: the Daedra are the true gods of this universe. Julianos, Dibella and Stendarr are all Lorkhan's betrayers, posing as divinities in a principality that has lost its guiding light. What are Scholarship, Love, and Mercy when compared to Fate, Night, and Destruction? The gods you worship are trifling shadows of First Causes. They have tricked you for Ages."
Try all you want to change my beliefs, Camoran. It won't work. Tala had simply thought.
"Why do you think your world has always been contested ground, the arena of powers and immortals?" Camoran had continued to blather. "It is Tamriel... the realm of Change, brother to Madness, sister to Deceit. Your false gods could not entirely rewrite history... thus you remember tales of Lorkhan: vilified, a dead trickster, whose heart came to Tamriel. But if a god can die... how does his heart survive?" Suddenly, his voice went from fanatically passionate to angry and roaring throughout the dark halls, "He is DAEDROTH! TAMRIEL AE DAEDROTH! 'This Heart is the heart of the world, for one was made to satisfy the other.' You all remember this... it is in every legend! Daedra cannot die, so your so-called 'Gods' cannot erase him from your minds completely!"
What Tala couldn't erase from her mind while she listened to the excessive rambling had been her burning rage and desire to put her blade- a Daedric blade no less- into his heart and retrieve the sacred Amulet he had stolen. She had stood before the doorway of the next realm by the time his voice had finally ceased its nonsense. In response to his lecture, she scoffed aloud, hoping that he had heard her disgust, and then she pushed the door open with the enchanted gauntlets and marched onward into the next pit of Camoran's idea of paradise.
She had been more than ready to end the chaos Mankar Camoran created in the name of his Daedric God. And the sooner she found him... the better.