A/N: Leave some criticism on anything that i need to improve on. I'm really eager to get better at writing in general, not just Fanfics! Tell me if you liked it or didn't like it at all in a review! Thanks all.

PS: As much as I wanted to make this story longer, it is coming to a close. I give it 6 or 7 more chapters, so thanks to all who has been reading and those who left a review! It's so much appreciated.

Chapter 36: Chances

I have been wandering for two days now.

When I awakened, I was not on Nirn, but on a negative plane of Nirn. A secret plane of Oblivion with no name. Though the lands and structures resembled that of Skyrim, it was not. The sky was dark, but there were no stars. Only a swirling vortex of violet twilight. My skin was not flesh, merely an ethereal form. A spirit.. With no Skeleton Key my soul was lost in this realm and not sent to the Twilight Sepulchre to defend it, as said in my contract with Nocturnal.

I had contemplated that I was automatically transferred to Evergloam, but with out the Key to open the Ebonmere, that would be impossible. So it could not have been Evergloam. All I knew for certain was that I was dead, my body somewhere rotting in a crumbling cave an hour's horse ride from Riften. I would be a liar to say that I was not scared. The truth was that, I was terrified..

I had utterly failed as a nightingale.

And now because of my mistakes I can never see Leila again, our lips can never meet. And I won't ever feel her embrace again. More painfully so, I can not protect Lorena. I kicked my foot across the ground and laughed. But it was not a laugh of amusement, it was filled with sadness.

Arrisa.. If I had blood, it would boil. I had loved her, showed her such a good six years before we ended. Why did she have to go so far as to kill me and go after my family. I don't doubt for a second, she and the Red Skulls went after the rest of the guild members. She was adamant about it the night we faced her. She wanted their blood. And she destroyed the only headquarters the Nightingales ever knew..

I felt tears well up in the corners of my eyes. I had to laugh at myself, can souls cry? Was that even possible? Of course it was.. I have been for the past two days. The longest days I have ever witnessed. And I grow tired of wandering this place. But then I feel a familiarity toward his realm. It's the same realm where I spoke to Gallus Desidenius. Leila once said that a standalone plane exist, that crosses over the planes of Oblivion, Mundus, and Aetherius. A realm called: Purgatory. This was such a place. Where mortal souls of all realms come together to meet. A soul sent to Evergloam would be able to meet with a soul in Aetherius, or Sovngarde.

'Nocturnal, give me guidance.' I said, walking through the blackness.

Of course I never in a millennium would think that Nocturnal would ever speak with me again. There was no way in Oblivion she would.. I wouldn't be able to face her, not Gallus, not Karliah, not anyone.

I'm not anywhere near Riften. I've walked to the Aetherium Forge, back to Ivarstead, and now I'm just wandering the roads, contemplating the moments before I died. The memories replayed over and over again in my mind. Arissa's malevolence, Leila's screaming my name, Brynjolf's silent shock. It all feels like a nightmare, as if Vaermina had taken hold of my dreams and twisted into my worst fears. I never would have imagined that my life would be taken by Arissa, of all people. Just thinking about it leave lumps in my throat, and a sickening feeling in my gut.

'Wallowing in your sorrows will not return the Key to the Ebonmere, Mortal.'

I sprang up. 'What? Who's there?'

'It is I, Nocturnal, Empress of Murk!' A swirling mass of shadow, came down from the blackened sky. And out came a woman form, dressed in a revealing cloak. Two black ravens perched on her shoulders, their eyes peering deathly into mine. I remembered her voice, this was truly Nocturnal.

I did not know how to react, here was the Daedric Lord that I had gave my life to, and in the end, I failed her.

'Have you not anything to say to me?' Nocturnal's eyes narrowed, making her glare all the more fierce and terrifying. 'You have alot to account for!'

'I..I'm sorry!' I quickly got down on my knees. Letting all of my tears out. 'I broke my oath to you, I have failed in my duty to you! And.. And because of me, the Skeleton Key has been stolen by-'

'By someone you thought you could trust!' Nocturnal's menacing tone hit me to the core. 'Never has anyone failed so utterly as a Nightingale!'

Her words hit me like hot nails being hammered into my heart. That's right.. I'm just a failure, maybe all of those years ago, my father had been right. I am nothing.. Nothing! 'I was only tired of lying to my loved ones, the secrets of the nightingales caused so much problems throughout time, I only-'

'If you were so weak you had to resort to breaking your contract, why did you accept the terms in the first place, mortal?'

'I.. I didn't know what I was getting into, my lady. I swear I didn't know it would cause a Rift between Arissa and I, or my.. My little sister.'

'I care not for mortal's trivial relationships..' I looked into Nocturnal's piercing eyes of pure blackness. Did she not understand why I did what I had done? Could she not see what's in my heart. I loved being a Nightingale. But the only reason I signed my soul to her was to protect the guild and the people that I loved.. 'The thing you call love has cost you your entire guild! How will you make this right? How do you plan on bringing my influence back to your world?'

My eyes widened. Cost me my entire guild? What happened when I was stabbed. What has Arissa done? And what did she mean how will I bring back her influence.. I am dead, I cannot do anything in the situation I am in! I shook my head, but kept it lowered. There's no way I can return, I am dead. It'll have to be up to Leila and Brynjolf, I can not help them, not from here. Not whilst I am dead.

I can only hope that they succeed though. The guild members are strong, when hey aren't on jobs, all they do is train their combat capabilities. They should be strong enough to fend off the Red Skulls without me, shouldn't they? And Lorena! I had told her and Adventus to stay with my father. I could only hope Arissa does not go there to look for them. Anger began to well up inside of me. If Arissa was to touch a hair on those two, I don't know how I would take it.

I looked back up at Nocturnal and stood to my feet. 'My lady, you speak as if I have another chance at righting my wrongs. Is it possible to return to my body and stop what has happened? To return your key as one of your nightingales once more?'

My brow furrowed. Nocturnal's expression changed slightly. A cross between sadness and concern. I didn't know how to react to it. Even if it was just for a briefest moments, Nocturnal might have felt emotion. I shouldn't jump to conclusions, she may not be not fully evil, but she is still a Daedric Prince. She is still capable of all kinds of inconceivable evils.

'You are still mine, Severus.' She said, with a deathly glare. That was the first time she has said my name. 'And your contract still stands, for you are in debt to me. Never forget that.'

'But.. But how can I help bring the key back, I am dead!'

'You're heart still pumps blood through your veins.'

I was overwhelmed with shock, for two days I had thought I was dead. Cursed to wander this realm alone, as a lost spirit, for all eternity. But it will not come down to that. I felt something growing with in my chest, something that gave me confidence to want to fight back. I could only describe the feeling as hope. How good it felt to know that I was not dead, not yet. I can still turn all of this around and save my friends.

'What will you do?'

I nodded. 'I will return and right my wrongs, my lady. I know I don't truly have your trust. But I will return the key personally, I can promise that..'

'Very well.' She said, with a pleased tone. 'But fair warning, mortal. You may mask yourself around false courage, but I know that you are just a weakling. You do have the potential to be fearless and I have seen it within you. But you are not that, yet. So I give you with this bit of knowledge before I leave you.' I took a deep breath, ready for anything. 'Just know, because of your little facade, I decided not to protect most of your guild members.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. Couldn't protect my guild members? My heart pounded heavily against my chest. Though I was afraid of the answer, I had to ask.. I just had too.. 'Are they.. Are they all.. Dead?' I tried to search Nocturnal's face for answers. But it was stone cold. Not giving off any type of emotion.. I feared the worst..

'You will fix what you broke, mortal.. Or suffer dire consequences. Oh and.. You will find me another Nightingale!'

'What?' I shook my head, and desperately tried to push back my tears and sobs. 'I mean.. What do you mean, My lady?'

Nocturnal's mystic powers began swirl around her, I can tell she was growing impatient. I swallowed, hoping to get answer. If she needs another Nightingale than that meant Brynjolf or Leila had died. 'The one you call Brynjolf has passed into the Twilight Sepulchre, where he will serve the rest of his contract.'

I collapsed onto my knees. Brynjolf was dead.. Dead! 'No! No.. You're lying! No.. How.. Why!? It's all my fault!' I punched the ground repeatedly, with all my strength. 'It's all my fault.. No.. It can't be!' I let it all out. All of my tears, all of my frustration. Arissa plunging her sword through my back, she attacked my guild, she.. She killed Brynjolf. And it's all my fault, no one else.

It's all because I was selfish. I couldn't make the sacrifices that entailed of being a nightingale. Why couldn't it have just been me? Why couldn't I have taken his place. He didn't need to die, not Brynjolf, not anyone. 'Curse it.. Curse it all!'

'Stand before me!' Nocturnal demanded. 'Listen and listen well. This is your one and only chance at redemption.. Do not fail in your tasks, and I shall forgive you..' I tried my hardest to stand. My legs were too wobbly, and it felt as if my body weighed as much as a mammoth. I looked up at the Lady of Shadows. She didn't even care, and she will never care about mortals. Only about having her influence spread around the world. She was no protector of us, she is merely just a business partner. And that's what I missed all my life, that's what I didn't understand until now. How could I ever think that I, me alone, could change the relationship between daedric prince and the nightingales. I am just a fool. A big gods-damned fool! 'If you are to fail, just know my punishments are especially brutal to you mortals.. Am i understood?' Nocturnal finished.

Are you understood? Is she mad? I can't understand your way of thinking. I never will! But I had to agree.. I gritted my teeth, and nodded. The tears and sobs kept coming. There was no way I can stop them, I hated Nocturnal for this.

I hated myself the most.

'I understand.. I-' My throat felt choked up, causing me to stutter. 'I will not fail you, my lady.'

'Then it is settled! Go Nightingale! Return the Skeleton Key to the Ebonmere, and bring me a new initiate to name as my sentinel.' And with those final words, Nocturnal was gone..

'WHY!' I cried out. 'Why me? Divines above, why me?' I felt my body get lighter, my cries didn't stop. I was a soul, soaring through the air. Crying.. Pleading.. Hoping it'd had all been a lie. A dream.. I didn't want to return back to Nirn.

Nocturnal's harsh words burned through my mind. I can't fail, not this time. I closed my eyes. 'I will never fail again..' I murmured, as everything went dark.

It was cold.

The coldest I ever been. My eyes were slowly opening, and I felt that all of my strength had been drained. But of course it would be, I had been unconscious for the past two days. Not eating or drinking anything, buried under rock, and wood from the collapsed hall.

When my sight fully recovered, I took a look around. It was dark, and dreary. The entire north side of the hall had caved in, the other half exposed to the outside. But it was quite a bit of a climb to reach the outside. A streak of moonlight beamed through the hole into the damaged chamber. The light illuminated the open wound on my chest.. Dried blood, and another substance was caked around it. I tried to move, but the pain was to great. I whimpered as the searing pain shot through my weak, fragile body. Making he entire world around me spin in circles. I had the bitter taste of healing potion on my tongue, and dried regeneration potion all over my chin and lips. It seems that someone tried to heal me in a rush, but couldn't stay.

I thought of Leila... She must have been so scared. She must have tried to heal me in a haste, but was surrounded by the bandits..

I flailed my arms to grab onto anything to help pull myself up. My hand hit a half-filled vial. I pulled it closer to me. Health regeneration potion.. A substantially large vial. I wondered what transpired after I lost consciousness. My mind began to race back to two days ago.. Arissa's venomous voice, Leila's face, and my blood. So much blood.. I poured the contents of the vial into my mouth, I could barely hold it up, and some of it spilled over.. The potion took effect almost immediately. I felt the pain fading, I touched my wound as it began to close slowly, but surely.

I cast my gaze on the outside. From the look of it, it had snowed, turning the tree branches a frosty white. I had to hurry, Leila was out there somewhere, probably fighting for her life. Maybe she thought I was dead or beyond saving, so she decided to leave me here. Maybe, she can't return to see if I had survived. Maybe the Red Skulls were still in the area, and she's stuck somewhere hiding.. Or maybe.. They're keeping her captive.. I shook the ill thoughts from my head. I had to get up..

Standing to my feet was difficult. My cuirass was completely destroyed after Arissa had ripped through it with her blade. I tried to focus my eyes through the darkness. I wasn't able to see much of anything, or keep focus due to the substantial amount of blood I lost. Whatever Leila had done when I went down had saved my life. Leila is always saving me from death, no matter what injury befalls me, I could count on Leila to heal it right up. I owe her my life many times over. Scanning the area, I got a good picture of where exactly I was at. I took a deep breath, I wondered if Brynjolf's body was under the rubble somewhere.

Every time I think about it, my heart sinks. Poor, poor Brynjolf. He's dead and it's all my fault. Though he was older than me by a long shot, he was still young. And he didn't deserve to die..

Using whatever bits of strength I had left in my broken body, I climbed my way up to the cracked opening, where the light shone in from the outside.. Climbing out of the darkness, into the cold winter air. The air was reinvigorating, but cold nonetheless. There was a thin sheet of snow across the forest floor. The trees covered with frosty, powdery snow. The air hit my chest wound, that still wasn't fully healed. I knew that no amount of potions could fully heal it. I would need someone well versed in healing magic. I looked up at the black monolith, it still stands.. But it now fashioned a large crack straight down the middle of the black bird cradling a moon..

The shape the hall was in, was the least of my problems. This was my last straw, and I couldn't screw up. I had to work fast to retrieve the key, return it, and bring forth another nightingale to Nocturnal. Not as if I wanted to.. My opinion of Nocturnal has changed forever, and I wouldn't want anyone I loved to be thrust in this mess. But whatever the case I had to get going. I could be to late to do anything. The hall was about an hour from Riften, if I wanted to get there I needed Ysmere.. I pushed two fingers in my mouth a whistled for the horse, but nothing responded. Fear began to well up inside of me. I whistled over and over again.. That's when I saw it.

Three large lumps in the snow.. I made my way over to them. Three dead horses.. Ysmere, my companion.. The stallion that had been with me for years, on every job outside the city, an innocent bystander of all of this. Was dead. Leila's horse, Frost, was here too. And Brynjolf's was here also.. My boots crunched slowly in the snow, making my way to where they lay. A clean cut to each of their necks put them down easily.

'I'm so sorry, my friend.' I said kneeling next to my fallen horse. 'I didn't mean for any of this to happen..' I stroked his light-brown fur. His body was frozen, frozen to the point his flesh was pure iced. Though it was winter now, it wasn't nearly as cold enough to freeze the horse's entire body. It hit me with a pang. How much more heartbreak must I take? The only thing that I can think of that can freeze flesh like this was my sword that Leila gave me. The sword that the man named Relic wanted, and probably has at this moment. He must have used Chillrend to kill my horse.. My friend.. The tears began pouring from my eyes again. What fear he must have felt when he saw my sword being pulled out on him. People say horses are dumb animals, but I know they can feel love and concern, fear and sadness.. I held Ysmere's head on my lap, tears falling softly onto his face. And he was so, so cold.

So very cold..

I could see Riften's gate lights from here. It took two whole hours of limping and nearly passing out to finally reach this distance. This was my only chance make things right again. So I couldn't fail, I refuse to fail.

Heavy clouds had rolled in, covering the moonlight. It was going to snow again, but I can't just go somewhere to rest. I had to find Leila, I need to know what's going on right now. I needed to apologize to everyone for putting them through all of this..

Something wasn't right. There were no guards standing at the gate, there were no people coming in and out. It maybe late, but this city was always busy. Twenty-four seven, many people from all walks of life came in and out of the city. There was never a dull moment. I shook my head and hastened my pace. I tried to push it open as hard as I could. But I just couldn't muster the amount of strength I needed. Pushing my shoulder against the large gate, I felt my wound reopening and I stopped quickly. The pain bit at my chest and I slid down to the ground. Did the Red Skulls attack the city? I shook my head. No.. Why would they've done something as stupid as that. Arissa maybe in possession of one of the most powerful daedric artifacts that has ever manifested on Nirn, but I don't believe she would make herself the enemy of the only province she could live in without being hunted by the Imperial Legion. But then again, she tried to kill me, so who knows what she'll try to do. In her twisted mind, she may think she is he most powerful person in Skyrim right now. That isn't the case, she maybe a calculating, judging, and a logical thinker. That sets her apart from a lot of people in this world, but she is no god.

I banged my fist against the wooden gate, making a loud thud against the quietness of the city. My eyes widened.. Quietness? Since when is Riften.. Quiet? What in Oblivion happened in there. What's going on? Where are the citizens.. Could she have really led the Red Skulls here for an assault?

Was she successful?

I had to get in! It hit me. There was many ways into the city. The sewers stretched out beyond Riften, and there are many entrances around here. I bit my lip and made straight for one of the entrances. Whatever is going on in Riften, I'm going to find out. And I'm going to save my friends..

I pushed open the manhole cover. I peeked out onto the street, but there was no one. The entirely city looked deserted. Using deft movements, I crawled onto the street, keeping low and not trusting any small sound. Be it a bird, or rodent. There was something terribly wrong going on.

I took to the nearest building for cover, peeking out from the side at the long street the lead down towards the Port side and the marketplace..

'It's not safe to be outside at this hour.'

My stomach flew into my throat as I spun around. 'What is going-' I couldn't complete my sentence, my strength had been depleted completely. I dropped down on one knee and nearly fell over. The man caught me before my body could hit the ground. And I recognized him to be one of the guards in the guild's pay.

'Whoa there, are you alright?' The guard asked, slowly lowering me.

I gasped for air, my chest was tightening and the hole through my back and chest burned in the cold wind. 'What's happened to this place?' The expression on his face was a mixture of sadness and anger.

The guard cleared his throat. 'Bandits.. They came in through the front gates demanding access to the Ratways, of course we didn't let them in. But they stormed their way to through the Ratway anyway.'

'Did you all try to stop them?' I asked, desperately.

'Yes.. We did.' The guard answered. 'But they brought an army and our guards weren't prepared, it was in the dead of night! They made their way to Thieve's Guild Headquarters and..' The guard stopped.

I grabbed his cuirass. 'And what? What happened with the guild members?'

He shook his head. 'It was a blood bath.. Guards and thieves fought together against the bandits.' He sighed. 'I've lost some friends..'

I tried to stand on my own. I have to find out if anyone survived. 'Let me get down there, they're could still be survivors, maybe I could-'

'I'm sorry to tell you, friend. There isn't anyone down there, just the bodies of the fallen. Not much of them were bandits either..' The guard said, propping me up. 'It was strange, as if they were strangely lucky.'

Of course they were lucky! They were in possession of the Skeleton Key! And the guild had lost the favor of Nocturnal.. Tears began to stream down my face. I couldn't believe my ears. My guild, my home, my family. They're dead! Gone! 'Please, tell me two things..' I said to the guard.

'What is it, boy?'

'Where are the survivors from the guild, and where are the bandits that came here to kill my people?'

'The surviving guild members turn tail and ran, they all fled. The bandits went right after them.' The guard explained. 'We suggested that to be the best thing, after all the fighting.'

'I'm... Going to...' The remaining strength I had was beginning to wane. After hearing what happened to the guild, my heart just couldn't take it anymore. Death after death, is all I see. I just wish it was only me. How far does this punishment have to go? How far will Nocturnal will take it?

'You're in no shape to do anything. You're wounded! Oi! Captain, we need a healer quickly!'

The guards voice began to grow distant. I was too weak to move or talk anymore. I wanted to sleep, sleep away all of the pain. Sleep forever, and never have to hurt anyone ever again. But I can't sleep now. No.. If there are survivors out there, I have to find them. I have to find Leila, Lorena, and Adventus. I have to make sure atleast those three were alive. And then I have to find Arissa.. The world around me began to pan out of view. I tried my hardest not to fall back into a sleep, there was just no time for that. Every second counted.

Finally, I felt a warm soothing power pierce my body and spread throughout my limbs. I felt the pain on my chest and back beginning to subside. Bringing me back to the world of the living. A glowing light swirled around my body, closing the gaping hole on my chest and back. My consciousness and strength began to return, enough so I held myself up.. Finally I opened my eyes.. The priest of Mara that worked in the Temple above the guild's secret entrance stood over me, with a smile. 'How are you feeling?' She asked, with a sweet sounding voice. I could hear the pity in it. As if she knew what I was going through.

'Physically, I'm okay now.. But my heart still aches..' I turn to the guards that surrounded me now. 'Please I need answers and all the details you can provide me.'

'You must be apart of the Thieve's Guild then?' The Captain asked. I nodded. The Riften guard already knows and work with the Thieve's guild, thanks to Maven Black-Briar. It has always been that way. Even before I ever came here. They were trustworthy. It isn't like I have a choice in the matter. 'I've seen you around plenty times, it's my job to know everyone in this city. Especially your people down in the ratway.' I gave him a trustful nod. 'They arrived at the front gates two nights ago.. Demanding passage through the city into the Ratway. My guardsmen identified them as the Red Skulls. The same clan that has been giving us problems all over the Rift. I would have never thought they'd actually show up here with an entire army. We told them no, of course. We wasn't going to let them just waltz right on in. With the guild, my men wouldn't get half the pay they do now.. So we tried our best to protect you all.'

I never actually thought of it, but they do protect our guild, by allowing us to thrive underneath the city. I wanted to say thank you, but I held my tongue. 'They rushed us, killing the two guards on post outside, and pushing open the gates.. It caused a mass panic, people kicked, shoved and trampled each other to stay out of their way. Since it was late at night, only few guards were roaming the streets.'

'We just couldn't stop them.' Another guard added.

The Captain nodded. 'They were so many of them they swarmed us, lead by a imperial girl and her Breton man.' I gritted my teeth. 'Once they entered the ratway, everything went to Oblivion. When reinforcements arrived, half of your guild was-' I raised my hand to cut him off.

'Tell me, where did the survivors go?' I asked, desperate to find answers. 'Did you atleast see a direction?'

He shook his head and shrugged. 'Everywhere, once they took to the shadows they were gone. Leaving the bandits for us.. Alot of good men died too.. And it took the last two days to clean up the streets. But i'm afraid no one has been down in the Ratway. Just look at the place! People are scared to come out of their homes.'

I stood to my feet. Planning my next move, my heart wanted to go down into the Ragged Flagon. I needed to see who died and who lived. I had to know for certain. But my mind was telling that it was a bad idea. That when I get down, the man known as Severus Plagarius will cease to exist. Lorena and Adventus was suppose to be at my father's. That's where I told them to stay, that's where the should've been. Gods that's where I hope they'll be. But of course those two kids are the type to fight if they knew their family was in danger. What would I do if they were dead? Lorena, my little sister. We made promises to protect each other.. And I failed my half of the bargain. Adventus, he can be difficult at times, but he is the boy I trained after all, I look at him as a younger brother. And Leila, the woman I love till the ends of Nirn.

I just wish I could have saved Brynjolf. The knowledge of his death is eating away at me. Every time I think about my nord mentor, I want to cry. He must hate me now.. Everyone must hate me.

Even if Nocturnal gave me a second chance, it's only because there is so much at stake. She might not have had a choice. Everyone else might not be so merciful on me..

The guards brought me some clothes. My Thieve's guild cuirass was in tatters, and everything was caked with dirt and dried blood. It felt good to wear fresh clothing. But I felt as if me losing my armor signified something important. 'Thank you.' i said, towards the group of guardsmen that helped me.

The guards nodded. 'What are you going to do now?' The captain asked.

'I'm going to kill the people responsible for killing my family.. And find the survivors.'

The guards glanced at each other and shrugged. Murder may have been a serious crime, but I doubt there will be much qualms in me killing any Red Skulls. They were bandits after all. 'We have no problem with that, kill them all dead.' Captain said, his grip on his sword tightened. 'We would help, but Maven told us not to go after them.'

'What? Why?'

'She wants to keep his whole ordeal under wraps. You should know Maven isn't trusted by Ulfric, any little mishap and she'll be outta here faster than you can drink a mug of Black-Briar mead.' He explained.

I shook my head. 'So be it..'

So this is what's to be expected.. When the Key is removed, the guild falls. All the stories Karliah told me was true. I left the guards with one final thank you and went on my way. My father's house was just outside of the city. I never brought Arissa there, I never even told her about it's whereabouts. It's a good thing I hadn't, she would of surely gone there to murder my father.. I bit my lip.. And looked forward.. Now was the time to right all of my wrongs.. And avenge the Thieve's Guild.