A/N: I'd like to announce that I'll be posting the first chapter of "Through The Twilight" very soon,which is the backstory of Leila Lockharte if you'd like more information, please check out my profile. I posted the timeline for the story so you'll get a good idea. Anyways, please leave a review with constructive criticism so that I may improve as a writer. Thank you!

Chapter 37: Survivor

When a mortal chooses to transcend destiny, he chooses not to commit to the path in which the divines has laid out for him. The first eight divines are deities that shaped and molded this world into what it is today. They will create a man, mer, or beast, and give him a destiny to which he must meet. But there are paths he must follow to reach this destiny. What does this mean exactly? How can a simple mortal overcome that which was set by the divines? How can one defy a god?

The answer is simple.

Our gods are not omnipotent. The Nords say that if a man who was once the Emperor of the empire can transcend humanity and become one the nine divines, than it only meant we worship mere mortal gods. A mortal God is a god whose touch is not absolute. A god that can be destroyed by another God of greater power. And so these divines are much like us mortals. When I say we can defy destiny is that, whatever is "meant" to befall us does not have to be. I am such an example.. My time to perish has long since expired. I know that for sure. That night in the Nightingale Hall, where I was stabbed in the back by a malicious soul, was suppose to be my last hour on Nirn. But the Daedra care not for the Nine's wishes.

My life is caught between a battle between Daedric and Aedric forces. One side calls for my death, and the other calls for a debt that I owe. Who knows which side will win. You could almost say that I have died many times, but because my soul is tied to a contract that I must fulfill and tied for the love of a guild that I must protect, I will not perish anytime soon.

And I do not wish to die.. Not anymore!

I will not fail my family. I will survive until I know that I am ready to leave this world of Nirn. I will transcend this destiny of death.

No matter what.

The sun peaked over the horizon, illuminating the new day. A light layer of snow blanketed the ground. The winter months were at Skyrim's doorsteps. But today was going to be a warm day. The sky is clear, but mind is clouded. Death, blood, and betrayal filled the atmosphere around Riften. Pain and heartbreak lay underneath it's streets, in a world that not everyone knows about. A family laid to waste by one of their own, soaking the murky stone with their blood.

My father's house came into view as I made my way down the pathway. It was a prominent house, looking over Lake Honrich. I hadn't noticed before, but there was a familiar feel in where this house is located. My old house over looked a lake, and was surrounded by pine trees.. Sometimes I wish I could go back there... Maybe do somethings over. Or even stop my mother from taking her own life.. I could teach her how to survive in a world with my father. But of course my father has changed since then. He is no longer the man he was when I was thirteen. The house was large and had a majestic standing, with a built in veranda that encircled the entire second floor all the way around.

I stopped mid-way down the path. Lorena and Adventus lived here with Father.. And two days ago I told them to come back here when I heard Nocturnal's call. I had a pang of intuition that told me they needed to be safe. Hopefully they didn't join the fighting that night. Hopefully they listened to me and stayed here. The place looked unscathed, the Red Skulls haven't been here. Which was a good sign.. This was the moment of truth, I didn't know whether those two kids came out of all of this okay. I was praying that they were. Hoping they didn't return to the Cistern two days ago, and was murdered by Arissa and her bandit gang. Please let them be apart of the survivors.

Gods..please..

I walked up to the front door. My heart began beating furiously against my chest. Every nerve in my body was on the fritz. I tried peeking through some of the shaded windows. There were no lights coming from inside. It didn't seem like anyone was home, but it was still early in the day. Slowly I began rapping on the door. The sound echoed out throughout the house. I felt foolish.. I couldn't remember the last time I knocked on any door. It was always faster and easier to pick lock it open. I banged my fist on the door. And yet there was still no answer..

'No.. Don't do this to me.' I murmured under my breath.

I swiftly ran to the side of the house looking for anyway to get in. Scanning the wall, I saw an open window. Relief flushed over my body, but the desperation in my heart still burned. Hoisting myself up into through the window only reminded me of the lack of food in my system. Though my wound may have healed slightly, I still had no sustenance, being in a two day coma. Where could my father had gone at this time of the day. Almost everyone in Riften stayed inside their homes for fear of the bandits returning..

The house was dark, most of the windows were covered with thick shades. My father lived lavishly, sparing no expense in this house. He lived off of My and Lorena's earnings. I didn't mind, I never truly focused on how rich I had become throughout the years. But it seems Father lived luxuriously in his home. A small grin crept on my mouth. Atleast he's been okay all of these years.

'Fath-' My call never made it out of my mouth. I felt a rush of air on the back of my neck. Spinning around, the glint of a blade in the shadows made me duck. It was too dark to see the wielder of the blade. With quick thinking I charged my shoulder into the assailant, only to be tossed aside easily. I watched the blade make it's way toward my neck. My battle sense still came to me like a reflex. Still having the keen senses of a nightingale warrior. I defended myself well, even if I was unarmed. I watched the blade be brought down, ready to cut me open.

I smiled... Sloppy, just sloppy. The assailant was desperate, and scared. I could tell by the way he swung the blade around. I grabbed his sword arm and pulled as hard I could. He fell forward dropping the blade. A punch was thrown into his gut and he let out a loud feminine gasp. It was then I knew it was not a man, but a female. My confusion only grew, I had to know who it was that was trying to kill me in my father's home. I grabbed the collars of the attacker and pushed her against the window, illuminating her face in the sunlight.

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe who it was.. 'Vex!?'

'What? How do you-' Her eyes narrowed. 'Plagarius? You're alive! I can't believe this. We were told you were dead!'

I couldn't say anything. Just seeing her face gave me hope. Hope that there actually were survivors. That not everyone was murdered. I buried my face into her chest, and hugged her. 'Vex.. You're alive. I'm so glad you made it.'

She sucked her teeth. 'Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones..' She said, sadness across her face. 'Leila said Arissa killed you right infront of her. She was so certain you wouldn't of made it, how did you-'

'She did.. Well she thought.. Uh.. It was close..' I said, closing my eyes. All of the memories of that night flashed through my mind. 'I don't blame Leila for thinking I was dead, even I thought I was.' I peered back into the dark house. 'Vex.. Where is everyone.'

Vex sighed. 'It's only me, Del, Niruin, Tonilia, Adventus, Boss, and-' She said, counting on her fingers.

'Severus..?' A small voice squealed from the shadows. I turned to see the pale face of little Lorena. 'Is that actually you, Sev?'

I smiled. 'I'm here Lorena.' The force of Lorena slamming into my body nearly knocked me over. I heard her sobs, her whimpering cries. How much pain she must have been in the past few days. They were told I was murdered that night, they thought I was put down for the count. But I'm here now.. And I'm alive. 'It's okay.. I'm okay, I'm here and I'm okay..' I held my little sister closer. She was trembling uncontrollably, and I just felt the pain all over her body.

'Leila said you were dead, and I just- I.. I didn't know what to do, I wanted to go look for you, but I couldn't, they said it was too dangerous.'

I patted her small head. 'I'm glad you hadn't come.. I wouldn't live with myself if something happened to you too.'

'And you think I could've lived a in world without you? There is no reason in such a world.' She said, looking up at me with her teary, brown eyes.

I looked at Vex. She wanted answers that Leila probably didn't provide her. Anyone could tell by that face she was wearing. She's angry, of course. Everyone of the survivors should be angry with me. This is my fault. I can't bring back the dead, but I can return the key and give us hope to rebuild.

'Vex, let's go downstairs and wait for Leila's return.' I told her. 'Everything will be clear, I promise.'

'You don't have to explain anything to us anymore, Plagarius. We understand that you are sworn to secrecy. It just kills me that we had a member who we brought in, betray us. I hate it when something like this happens.'

'It's mostly my fault..'

The front door swung open violently. We all turned to see my father and Leila run in. Looking around the place with desperation. They looked as if they had seen a ghost. Tears welled up in the corners of their eyes. I looked at Leila's face, it put my heart at rest to see she was okay. I knew Leila would survive, but against the odds we faced. I couldn't believe it. She walked towards me slowly, as if she couldn't trust what her eyes saw.

'So it's true, you're alive..' Leila said, she was beginning to cry, but I didn't want her to. The time for crying is now over. What's done is done, now was the time to fight and regain our lives back.

'Leila..' I didn't say much, I ran toward the woman I loved. We embraced, and I held her so tightly I don't think she could breath. I brought my lips to hers. She didn't have to say another word, I was here to stay this time. She looked up into my eyes. Emerald green, and brown met again. 'We went back to the hall and your body wasn't there. I knew you weren't dead, I just knew it!'

'How could I ever leave you to deal with my mess alone?' I asked her, softly.

She buried her face in my chest. 'I truly thought you were dead, I-I just left you there to rot.. I had no choice! Brynjolf and I were surrounded, I tried my hardest to heal you, but your heart stopped-' Her eyes widened. 'And Brynjolf.. he's-'

'Gone, I know..'

'I'm so sorry I left you there.. I truly am!'

'Shh..' I put my hand on her lips gently. 'It's the past, Leila. You had to do what you had to do to survive, what we need to worry about is the future. But first I need to know what's going on.' I looked towards. 'Vex, Lorena, Father, let's head down stairs.'

Leila held tightly onto my arms as we descended down to the basement. It was secluded down here. The air was barely breathable, my father, an avid hunter, kept all of his trophies, animal skins and preserved foods down here, which gave the place a musty, animal smell. The walls were made of hard stone, same stone that the Riften walls were constructed of. Delvin, Tonilia and Adventus didn't notice me come down the stairs along with the girls. The scene brought a smile to my face. Tonilia sat on top of a barrel, whilst Delvin and Adventus played cards. She was giving Adventus signals for an obvious cheating scheme between the two. The scene sparked memories of the Ragged Flagon, back when things were good. Back when life was easy and enjoyable.

'Tonilia, you ought not to be up to ya old schemes, I lost five hundred septims the last time you did ya lil' cheatin' signals.' Del said, without looking back.

Tonilia chuckled. 'I have no idea what you're talking about, old man.'

'Why don't you go check up on our friend?'

She sucked her teeth. 'Oh alright, you're on your own now, Adventus.' The redguard girl hopped off the barrow and turned to where we had been standing. Her eyes widened and her arms dropped to her side. I could see the confusion across her face. They all believed I was dead and never coming back. So I understood it.

'Severus! I thought you were dead!' She yelped.

'Severus is alive?'

'What are ya on abou-' Delvin's jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

I smiled. 'Hey you all..'

Adventus was the first to run towards me. The boy was like a brother to me. He was Lorena's love, and my apprentice. And it was so good to see him. I raised my hand, but he didn't take it. He threw his arms around me. But of course he would.. I gave him a small hug. I greeted the other two, but I could not shal=ke the guilt that I feel. Delvin was once a Dark Brotherhood member when he was my age, but he joined up with the guild when he figured he wanted something better. Tonilia was born here with the guild. Her mother was also a guild fence, and so the Thieve's Guild was all she ever knew. Now it's gone..

'Where's Niruin?' I asked. 'Vex said he survived also, but I don't see him here.'

'I did see him escape, but Leila couldn't find him.' Vex explained.

'I couldn't track him like I did the rest of you.. You see, Back in Valenwood, in the Crescent Moons, Niruin had been the best of us. If he chose to erase his existence he could just as much do so.. Once he disappears, you won't find him unless he let's you.' She explained. 'He'll come out of hiding once he realizes it's safe for now.'

'You told Vex that Arissa left the hold?' I asked.

Leila nodded. 'It'd make sense, remember that the Riften guards can not take action in other holds..' She walked over toward the table and unrolled a map. 'I tried to figure where she could have gone and there is only one logical place.'

'Where do you think she's gone boss?' Delvin asked.

'She must there in Falkreath, that's the best place to go.' She pointed down on the map. My heart flew into my throat. The only logical place, eh? More like she wanted to mock us. Show us she's capable of anything. She wanted to play with our hearts.

I looked at Leila. 'Leila thats..'

She nodded. 'Knowing Arissa, she'd want to add insult to injury..'

'She and her goons are probably desecrating it as we speak.' I added. I wanted to curse, I wanted to yell, and throw my arms.

'Wait.. Wait.. What's there? Boss, what's so significant about this place she's at?' Adventus asked. I looked at the boy, He most likely didn't understand what I told them earlier, I knew that. After what happened, I still didn't want to keep the secret from them. It's the Twilight Sepulchre, the temple of Nocturnal. The place where Brynjolf and Karliah should be, where the key should be. If Arissa is there with the Red Skulls, that only meant the sentinels aren't protecting the place. I bit my lip.. Why wouldn't that be?

'It's best we kept out of matters we don't fully understand.' Delvin told Adventus. The boy sucked his teeth.

'Leila are you sure she's there?'

'Yes Vex, but if you want some assurance, there's only one way.' Leila's gaze pointed towards the back room. Back to where they kept the Red Skull captive. They all walked back there, I could feel that the tension had risen. I stayed towards the back and so did my father.

I felt his eyes on me, and I knew I had to say something to him. But what would I say? Does he care that he would have lost his child? Does he realize the dangers that me and my friends are all in. I turned my gaze to him and he looked back into my eyes. He still looks full of youth. Though he has changed over the years, I still felt awkward around him. Suddenly, he raised his hand. 'Father, I..' I said, making an attempt to speak.

'There is no explaining needed son. I could have lost the only son I have, I understand that. Being led down into that chamber, thinking I was going to see the body of my boy, it all brought back memories of your mother's death.' He said, looking into my eyes. 'I couldn't help but feel responsible for yours as I was hers. I drove her away, and I drove you away towards this. I know you may not agree, but I can't shake the feeling that somehow it still would have been my fault.'

'Father..'

'I'm glad you're alive, Severus. Let's keep it that way.'

I nodded and finally we entered the room. The sight was gruesome, constrained to a chair, was a bloodied Argonian. His legs were chained so tightly, it left bruises around his ankles. His wrist were tied to the chair with a sharp looking twine, used on hunting expeditions. Blood was caked around his nose, and some flowed down his yellow scales. Half of his feathers on his head looked as if they'd been seared off with fire. His eyes were a stark yellow, with slit pupils looking angrily at us. He hissed at me through the the bandanna that covered his mouth. It was tied on with a piece of rope. He struggled furiously to try and break free, but they'd done a good job in keeping the captive under control.

The smell was horrendous. Two days confined to a chair, having to relieve yourself right there, would do that. But now that I see him, questions began to sprout in my mind. Questions about Arissa.. Vex walked over to him and loosened his makeshift muzzle. 'You know the deal, Slithers. Talk reckless, and I take a slice of your tail.'

'Damn you, wench!' He exclaimed, struggling as much as he could. 'I swear when I get loose, I'll- I'll..' The argonian hissed his S's and growled his R's. That was normal for all Argonians that was not born here in Skyrim.

'You won't do a damned thing, lizard.' Vex spat. 'Now are you going to answer our questions or do I have to cut the tip of your tail off?' Vex grabbed his tail and withdrew her dagger.

'Waits! Waits! S'i'll answer anything you wants me too.' The Argonian's eyes narrowed, as Vex let his tail go.

Vex turned to me. 'He's all yours..'

I nodded, thanking her. I turned to the captured Argonian. Argonians were alway slippery beastfolk. I'm surprised that Vex and Delvin were able to capture him and bring him here. I looked directly in his eyes, his face flashed the expression of familiarity.

'Do you recognize my face?'

'Yeah, I knows your face.' The Argonian said, with sky grin. 'I don't knows what bad bloods you had with her, but she cut you nasty.'

Fury began to well up inside me, but I tried my best not to let it get the best of me. I was afraid that I would do something rash and regrettable. The Argonian kept grinning. Bandits were sickening, every last one of them. I swallowed. 'Tell me.. How did Arissa come to know your clan, Argonian?'

'Pleasssse, call me Slither-in-Shadows, Slithers for short.'

My brow furrowed. 'Okay, Slithers. Answer the question..'

'She came to boss with a chest full of gold, said she knows where's there an ancient artifacts. Promises that it can fulfill his wildest dreamss. Says she needed any army to take on something called a Nightingale.' The Argonian licked his lips. 'She was a lovely little thing, I can tell ya. Yummy like a jar of honey.'

'And?'

'Boss laughs right in her face! Ha! Should've seens the steams coming from her ears.' The Argonian was laughing triumphantly. 'But she was feisty as the Marsh Devils back at home. Asked boss for a hand to hand battle. Haha!'

'Did she win?' Leila asked.

The Argonian gave her a dumbfounded look. 'If she wons, then I'm a fluffy little Khajiit cub.'

Arissa was tough and very skilled fighter. If she went up against Relic in hand to hand combat, I have no qualms in thinking she would have gave him a run for his coin. I've fought Relic, and wasn't ready for his skill in battle for a bandit. I wasn't use to bandits being so adept. It was a total surprise to me. But Arissa knew, that's why she chose the Red Skulls.

'Then what, Slithers.'

Slithers let out another shrill sounding laugh. 'This is the best part. Haha!' Slithers began licking all corners of his lips, staring down Lorena. Making her squirm with disgust. I turned to Vex and nodded. Vex advanced forward gripping her dagger tightly.

'Waits, waits!' He pleaded. 'I'll tells, I'll tells!'

'You're trying our gods-damned patience, you stinking lizard. You have one more chance before I chop you up and feed you to the slaughterfish.' Vex exclaimed. Slithers looked at her wide eyed. Vex raised and eyebrow. 'Try me..'

He grinned.. A grin that pushed me to the breaking point.

I was tired of it, I needed to know these answers, I needed to know the path Arissa took to descend into darkness. I had to know, if I wanted to continue with all of this. Her methods, what was she thinking, what she did behind our backs. How did a hate for me turn to a hate for the entire guild. I grabbed one of his horns and twisted as hard I possibly could. There was an audible crack and his horn broke off. Sending the Argonian into a painful frenzy. I sent a fist unto his face, making several teeth spew from his gums. With his own horn, I pushed it down into the tip of his tail. His cries filled the entire basement, and probably the entire house. But for some reason I didn't care, the only thing on my mind was Arissa.

I waited patiently until the screams and cries subsided into mere whimpering. Then into heavy breathing. 'Are you ready to talk, let's not forget you have another horn, and a whole lot of tail left.'

'Alrights, Alrights!' Slithers began catching his breath. 'She nearly.. Beat boss, but..'

'But...?'

'Boss was too much for the girl. Caught her slipping, you see.' Slithers said, looking to the ground, trying not to focus on the pain. 'So she got desperate, and tore offs her clothes infront of everyone!'

'Are you kidding me?' Vex asked, disgust on her face.

'Well I'll be damned.' Delvin added.

Adventus sucked his teeth and folded his arms infront of his chest. 'There's no way that's true."

I bit my lips. 'Then what? Speak!'

He nodded. 'Wells, the boss didn't change his minds... At first. The lucky bastard, that girl came back everyday, and bedded him for a fort night. It wasn't untils then, did boss finally agree to be her own personal army. Let's just says he had a change of hearts.'

Everything on my body began to go numb. So Arissa had been planning this all along. She hired The Red Skulls as her army, for the sole purpose to decimating our entire guild, stealing the key, and running away from the Rift. If she was to kill everyone in the guild, there would be no one to hunt her down. She was bloodthirsty and clever. And we can now add seducing to her long list of sins.. How could she.. The memory of her cold lost eyes replayed in my mind. The sword entering my back and out my chest. The harsh words she whispered in my ears. Words that were filled with hatred, jealousy and greed. I can also remember her face cradled in my hands. Her embrace when we laid together, our kiss on that starry winter night. Things has changed so much.. I can say that being a nightingale has accounted for all of it. Gallus told me not to allow the nightingales and the guild be all that I am. I have been living by those words and look where it's got me. It destroyed me, it destroyed the guild! Just how was I suppose to live for anything else besides the Nightingales. It was impossible..

'Sev, are you okay?' Lorena's words dragged out of my thoughts. I looked at Lorena, she seemed worried. The basement was still and silent. Everyone stared at me awaiting for my answer.

'So what do we do now? We ain't got no more use for likes of him anymore.' Delvin said.

I nodded and spun around. 'Do what you will, I need some air..' I said, walking out of the room..

The skies was clear and the sun warmed the lands enough to melt the small layer of snow. The bird sang songs of merriment, oblivious to the world's painful sorrows. Not knowing what exactly happens in this world. For me, my world, my life was stopping. Every corner I take there was a new tragedy to paint across my heart. I wished I lived in such a world where none of this mattered at all. Where all I had to worry about from day to day singing a beautiful song of happiness, to bring smiles to people's faces. How do you build an entire world back to the way it use to be. How can you go back to the days where you can sit around the table and watch the people you love, laugh and smile once again. I was beginning to think it was impossible for any of that to happen. Right now my brothers and sisters brothers lay slain on the cold, hard stone under the city. But we stay holed up here, for fear being hunted by an enemy we once called a friend. A person that I once called my lover..

'Show me what pain you feel in your heart so that I may quell it..'

I heaved a sighed. 'Just you being here with me is enough, Leila.'

Leila stood next to me, she brought her lithe body close to mine, and rested her head upon my shoulders. I looked down at my guildmaster. She has not aged one bit since I've joined the Thieve's Guild. But I've been a boy and grew to be a man. With all the hardships that came with it. And yet in the eyes of other elves, she is no more older than I. It simply amazes me, that I've experienced such heartbreak in a time period that felt like forever, but is only a minuscule blink of an eye for Leila. I put my hand on her face and kissed her gently. If there's anything I was sure of, it's that I must survive for her. I may go through alot in my life. She's been through so much more than I have, and it has only made her all the wiser. That's what completes her beauty.

Her eyes has always sparkled in the light, like two finely cut emeralds. She had the skin color of freshly tanned piece of leather, flawless and smooth, with no imperfections. Her light brown hair, fashioned streaks of highlighted blonde, that stretched down to her back. She licked her lips, two of the most perfect set of lips a man could lay eyes on. There is no one else I would rather at my side, at this moment.

We sat down on the front step to my father's house. The two of us alone. Two mortals whose souls are destined to be together for all eternity. I smiled at the thought. Leila heaved a heavy sigh of exhaustion. I prompted her to lay her head down on my lap, as I looked to the skies. This world and the next.. Destined to complete an eternal contract, and live forever with the shadows. As a thief, just that promise alone makes you want to be nightingale, but it deluded what values you have for the here and now.

'The here and now, eh?' I mumbled to myself, looking down at Leila. I ran my hand threw her blonde streaked, light-brown hair. Leila, Lorena, Adventus, and the rest of them were my here and now. If I worry about them, my eternal bliss with Leila will come. I know it..

'We have to kill her.. Sev..'

Words spoken softly out of Leila's mouth. I lowered my eyes.. I know what must be done. It's what Nocturnal wants, and what she wants, she gets. It's as simple as that. There is no disobeying her, but Leila knew that from the jump. 'I know..' I answered softly. 'I know we must. But it's not as easy as it seems, even after all that has happened. I still want my friend back..' I felt tears in the corners of my eyes. 'I want to see Arissa again, so much so that it's killing me inside.' Leila grabbed my hand, and I gripped hers tightly. 'I want to save her, I truly do. I want my gods-damned friend back!' I yelled, tears fallen from my cheek onto Leila's armor.

This pain will never subside, it will never cease from within my heart.

'We'll need an army.'

Vex shook her head. 'I agree, Del, but where do you suppose we get one? The entire guild is decimated.'

I looked around the table, at what's left of us. Lorena and Adventus has never been in serious skirmishes. They can fight well, but they lack the experience to fight The Skulls. Lorena, has her bow, and Adventus has his sword and dagger. They just need fighting experience.. Delvin and Vex were adept fighters, but they weren't anything special. They both have the affinity for the shadows, so the element of surprise would have to be in their favor. Leila and I are Nightingales who've been in countless battles with all types of enemies of mortals. From the undead to sorcerers to bandits.

Leila looked down at the map of Falkreath. She encircled the position where we believe Arissa and the Skulls maybe holed up with ink and quill. 'We may not need an army..' Leila stated. 'We may not have the full force of the guild, but we still have friends spread across Skyrim, I'm sure we could gather them, and use the element of surprise.'

I snapped my fingers. 'That's right, Ragvir and Ania!'

'Paws! I miss him so much!' Lorena squirmed with glee.

'Ah, there's a bunch more we count on.' Delvin added. 'Made a friend with the Dark Brotherhood's new leader some time ago, he sold me a Elder Council amulet. We could ask them..' I looked at Delvin impressed.

'Are you sure it'll be okay to ask the Brotherhood for help? We have an understanding that the guild's business will always be handled by the guild.' Vex looked genuinely concerned.

Leila shook her head. 'Desperate times calls for desperate measures.. We need all the help we can get..' She looked at Delvin. 'I too, am pretty close with The Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. Maybe he'll hear us out. They have fighters in there that could kill an entire military camp in one night. We need that type of fighting power.'

'Well said..'

I looked at my friends faces. Though they seemed determined, there was something eating away at them from the inside. An issue that needed to be addressed. It has to be brought up, or else it'll destroy us even further. I cleared my throat.. 'I'll go forth and gather the help we need..' I don't know if I was being cowardly, taking the easy road. But it felt right. I shouldn't burden them with this task, and I felt I had no right to step back into the Cistern. They all looked at each other wary of what I was trying to do.

'Go on Severus, we'll handle the bodies and cleaning up the Cistern..' Leila suggested. 'I'm going to be counting on you..' Leila was the only one that knew what I may have been avoiding completely. She knew the deep dark secret I was keeping to myself. The others may suspect something, and for all they know, they just think that it was all Arissa's doing. But the fault lies with me breaking my contract, and the guild losing Nocturnal's favor.

'Thank you, Leila.' I almost couldn't say it without sobbing. 'I should take my leave now then, we shouldn't waste anymore time.'

'I'm coming with you..' Lorena said.

'Me too..' Adventus agreed. 'You get the both of us for back up...'

I nodded. 'That..' I hesistated. 'That sounds good to me. I can not hold you two back any longer.'

'We're countin' on you.'

'If you die out there, Plagarius. I swear I'll kill you.' My brow furrowed as I looked at Vex. She smiled towards me and I smiled back.

Finally I turned to Leila. She was biting her lip, thinking whether or not to let me go, but there was no stopping me. I had general ideas where everyone was at and with my voice of reason. I could be the best person for the job. Leila nodded at me. 'I'll return in three weeks time, I promise.'

'You better survive out there..' She said, softly.

I turned and Lorena, Adventus, and I left the house. Ready to go forth and find all of our old friends. We had one mission and that was to bring them back to Riften. It'll be just like old times- I was kind of excited to see them again- Friends that had moved on with their lives, it was kind of a shame to have to ask them to return. But I had hope that they will come. They were my friends after all, and in the end, this is for the survival of the Thieve's Guild.

We must survive!