-Stros M'kai-
Viperish Night turns on Tyranius as soon as the portal snaps shut. "Again, another one of their pets?" Viperish Night snarls. "You are not needed. Get out of my sight."
Tyranius flips open the face-plate of his helm revealing a scarred face with hard eyes. "The Reaper is no one's pet, cub," he says. At Viperish Night's furious hiss Tyranius grips his scythe and slams it into the ground. "How many of those little heroes are chasing you?" Tyranius asks. "I saw two in there, and he said there was a Dunmer and a Breton as well."
Viperish Night narrows his eyes. "At least five." Viperish Night says. "I can destroy them with ease."
"You can murder common ones with ease. Groups of trained and obedient soldiers with ease." Tyranius snaps. "Heroes are a different breed. Always overcoming impossible odds. Heroes have the damned Divines on their sides, even if the lazy curs do nothing."
Viperish Night's eyes track Tyranius. "I cannot trust you." Viperish Night snaps.
"Good choice," Tyranius says. "I cut down my men when I needed to. When they refused to bend knee. Traitorous dogs. The Worm Cult, Mannimarco, Molag Bal, they would have made the Empire unstoppable. We would have ruled supreme once the planemeld completed."
"I do not want to rule." Viperish Night hisses at Tyranius. "I want to annihilate. Kill. Murder. Everyone." he says, punctuating every word.
Tyranius shrugs. "Works for me. Always the afterlife to rule."
Viperish Night just stares at Tyranius.
"Need to show you something," Tyranius says, flipping his face-plate down and turning to walk to a nearby cave.
Viperish Night tilts his head before following Tyranius. At the cave entrance, Viperish Night pauses, his eyes widen. This... he has not felt anything like this in a long time. His steps quicken as he descends into the cave.
Tyranius holds up a hand to halt Viperish Night from going any farther. "It's not ready yet," he states. "Soon. Very soon. Unless you want to tell me to get lost again." he turns around and crosses his arms.
Viperish Night growls softly. His Egg-mother is so very strong. Are the others with her the same? Seriana's brother did not seem so, neither did the imperial Zirasha had lept upon. Still... there was more than just the two of them. Armies massing against him, the Wyrd. Viperish Night had already massacred in Pact and Daggerfall territory. And the Dominion seemed to be spearheading the hunt. "Very well." Viperish Night says giving one last glance at the eyes that stare at him from the darkness of the back of the cave.
Later at dinner Tyranius pauses in eating to ask a question. "You keep staring at me, cub," he says.
Viperish Night regards Tyranius. "I knew an Imperial soldier once." he finally says as he tilts his head. "Your very different from Titumus." Viperish Night's voice all but growls the name.
"Traitorous bastard," Tyranius says. "Thought he knew the true will of the Empire, so he went against it. I heard they threw the cur to the Dunmer slavers. I would have done worse to that bastard." Tyranius says with a grin. Viperish Night's claws clench as Tyranius looks at him. "Heard you were thrown to them as well."
Viperish Night hisses, the familiar hatred filling him. "You know too much."
"I was sent to help you, cub," Tyranius says. "Yes, by who you think sent me. You know you can hate him all you want and still accept his help. He wants your claws on the relic. He can't take it from you." At Viperish Night's furious look Tyranius changes the subject. "Hah, sore topic. So what happened to that Titumus cur?"
Viperish Night chomps on the last of dinner, the memories flashing through his mind. "He betrayed me so I tore him apart in the arena." Viperish Night said.
Tyranius throws back his head and laughs. "I have known many necromancers, but take away their magic and throw them in the ring all you'll get out of it is dead necromancers. I like the thought of one who knows how to scrap!"
Viperish Night slowly smiles.
"You liked it then," Tyranius asks.
"Not at first." Viperish Night admits. "Later, I would have never admitted liking it. Now?" Viperish Night laughs softly.
"Different story." Tyranius finishes. "Get a taste for blood and carnage you never want anything else. Trust me, I know this. Being in the Imperial Legion is an honor, but it was boring until the Worm Cult showed up. Then it got interesting. I was rewarded for my heavy hand, not disciplined." Tyranius grins.
Viperish Night stares at Tyranius then into the fire. This man is a monster. But who else would his former mentor send? Who else would want to walk down this road with him? He was very much a monster now. "This world likes to make monsters." Viperish Night finally says. "Its utter madness." His eyes move back to Tyranius. "I will not wait long."
"Our pet will be ready by tomorrow," Tyranius says. "And then those heroes won't know what hit them. Between the three of us, they will be so much bloody meat if they get in the way." At Viperish Night's glare, Tyranius laughs. "Yes I know, keep the Bosmer alive and mostly in one piece." Tyranius rises and moves to a covered wagon and enters it. When he walks back out he has an Imperial in his steel grip and he walks to the cave ignoring the Imperials pleas.
Viperish Night nests on the sand as darkness gathers. Stros M'kai. Here is where his journey started all those years ago. Cast out from the only home he knew because he was different. Wrong. His whole life had been manipulated and...Viperish Night softly growls. His Egg-mother had been manipulated as well. He had stared into her eyes as she spoke and heard only truth. Stalks-In-Darkness... Swims-In-Silence... Viperish Night sits up and narrows his eyes unsurprising to see the familiar blue glow of his former mentor haunting him. He sits near Viperish Night. Again, all Viperish Night wants to do is kill him. But what did Tyranius say? Hate them and yet accept their help. At least until he could find and murder them.
"I can no longer track you, my former pupil," Mentor says. "And it includes anyone who is in your imminent vicinity as well. Quiet a large bubble you have made around yourself." At Viperish Night's glare Mentor adds, "I instructed Tyranius to use a little one use spell to redirect you here, Viperish Night."
Viperish Night is silent his eyes never leaving his Former Mentors. Finally, he speaks. "Stalks-In-Darkness," he utters, the one word filled with so much hate and fury.
"Swims-In-Silence." Mentor corrects. Confusion colors Viperish Night's eyes. "He prefers to go by that name," Mentor adds. "He is far more Swims-In-Silence then he is Stalks-In-Darkness. There were just a few reasons to use the original name for the time being." Mentor's eyes stare deep into Viperish Night's. "He told you he had many truths, Viperish Night. This should not confuse you too much." Mentor's gaze turns thoughtful. "You will have to discover the rest of his truth's on your own. If I could tell you, I would be tempted to at this point."
Viperish Night suddenly stands and hisses deeply. "You tried to get me to murder my Egg-Mother." he hisses. "Just when did she have..." he trails off before continuing. "You won't tell me anything of that, will you?"
"It would be easier if you had," Mentor says. "But she needed to know of you. Swims-In-Silence wished it." Mentor thinks for a few moments. "That... No, I will not tell you that. I will tell you it was somewhat over three years ago that Swims-In-Silence bonded with your Egg-mother." Mentor regards Viperish Night. "Do you intend to spare her then?"
Viperish Night sits down again and closes his eyes. It was clear Jeziasi never wanted this, never wanted him. She only came to him to save Nirn, not him. If he lay down on his belly for her, she would kill him or get her cat too. "I will spare no one." Viperish Night whispers. "No more mercy, just death." His eyes open, filled with the icy dark. "Where is Swims-In-Silence. What does he want?"
"You know I cannot answer that," Mentor says. "Your mad, Viperish Night. And you should know Swims-In-Silence is too, and it did not start that way. He wanted one thing. To get it, not so simple. But he did not have to involve Jeziasi." At Viperish Night's questioning look, Mentor continues. "She deserves it. She deserves worse." Mentor says angrily.
Viperish Night stares at his former mentor. What did his Egg-mother do to him? His hatred for her ran so very deep. "Get back to the point." Viperish Night demands.
Mentor glares at him and then continues. "He could have used another Bosmer, one of the Wyrd, even an Altmer might have worked. But he went after the Vestige of all people.
Viperish Night stares at him in shock. "She's..." he trails off.
"You did not know?" Mentor asks. "Yes, your Egg-mother is a hero. She saved Nirn more than once, though you have glimpsed her wild darker side."
"Then why?" Viperish Night says.
"At first I thought it was some twisted form of revenge," Mentor says. "She has made multitudes angry at her. The Telvanni, Daedric Princes, necromancers, and so many more besides. Some were her enemies, some caught in the crossfire, some she went after because she thought it was right. The reasons go on and on."
Viperish Night's claws clench and unclench. He did not understand how Swims-In-Silence had eggs with his Egg-mother, what kind of magic had to be involved to make that possible? And to not tell her that was his intent? What kind of monster would do that? Viperish Night was used to monsters by now. He was one now. But this...this was deeper waters than he cared to stare into. "Then why?" he asks.
"She thinks herself invincible," Mentor says. "She got away with everything. Defeating the schemes of monsters, making a pact with a Daedric Prince to become a werewolf, wholesale slaughter of Dunmer, murder up and down the Gold Coast, with everything good and bad she did. No consequences. No one who can possibly strike back and harm her." Mentor pauses. "Viperish Night. He wanted to show her she was wrong. That she could be hunted. That she could be made to..."
"Made to what?" Viperish Night says.
"Never mind," Mentor says. "The point is, that is why we placed your egg in the past. The way that woman lives, who knows if she would be alive two or three decades from now. It's why he made a point to bring you to her notice as well."
Viperish Night rises and stalks back and forth. Swims-In-Silence is a monster. He drove Viperish Night to madness, to a life of blood and screams of bloodthirsty crowds. Drove him to the edge of the abyss, the river where the only choice was to jump or surrender and die in chains. But this... he manipulated them both to such a sickening degree. "I will kill him." Viperish Night promises. "I will kill him and raise him from the dead, and kill him again. Over and over again!"
His former mentor looks as if he wants to say something but stops. Viperish Night wheels on him, hissing angrily. "This is monstrous." Viperish Night snaps. "But hardly madness."
"The edges of madness only, yes." Mentor agrees. "But he seems...more obsessed with both of you then he should be. I kept watch on Jeziasi when she was in Oblivion on his orders. Interfered risking Daedric Princes noticing us on his orders. Obsession descends into madness and I do not know where it will end." Mentor says.
"With his death." Viperish Night says. "With everyone's death. Then no one can ever do anything like this again. No more pain and torture and all of this!" he snaps, his voice filled with agony.
Mentor stands and regards Viperish Night. "You grow more like him every day, Viperish Night. Once, you were more like Jeziasi."
Viperish Night focuses eyes filled with rage on his former mentor. "You are to blame too, for that." Viperish Night rasps. "I will..."
"Yes, yes, kill me," Mentor says. "Try." and with that, he vanishes.
Viperish Night slowly sinks to the ground and buries his head in his hands. It was easier before he knew all this. He wanted to know, needed to know. But the truth was utterly overwhelming and it was not even close to the truth behind everything. More than ever...he just wanted this madness to end. All of it. Tomorrow, Craglorn. Tomorrow he would find the Band and start his war on life itself. He raises his head, his eyes glinting with the utter depths of darkness and madness.
-Elden Root-
Iveryni stands in front of the mirror looking at its reflective surface. Only her face stares back at her. Iveryni had been certain of much in her life. Certain the Telvanni were wrong. Certain she could make her way in this world. So certain. But she is not certain about this. About the voice that called for her, that offered help. It could not come without a price. Neither would becoming. She would have to change, and into what? Iveryni touches the mirror. The truth of it...she suspected the truth of it. It was not a path she would have ever thought of traveling down. Iveryni sighs and turns from the mirror. Perhaps it would not come to that. Softly-Speckled-Crab had said there were two paths. They had a chance to stop Viperish Night.
Theodyn cleans his sword and then just looks at it. Its glimmering steel surface made to defend and protect. He had almost forgotten that today. Almost lost himself to the darkness of revenge. But he would not falter again. His purpose? To stop Viperish Night and save Nirn. Theodyn smiles softly. If his sister could see him now. Getting ready for war to save life. He thinks she would be proud of him. Theodyn's thoughts turn to the mysterious girl and his skin prickles. If they failed... Theodyn swallows. What would he have to become? How much of himself would he lose? And in truth, would he even hesitate to take that path if the time came? If it meant saving Nirn, Theodyn did not think so. But he still was very afraid.
Rufico stands before the door his hand frozen. He does not want to know this! But... he cannot stay a little kid forever, running away from the truth. And so he knocks on Razum-dar's door and Razum-dar answers.
"You are not a pretty elf," Razum-dar says. "But this one expected you all the same, Rufico. Come in."
Rufico walks in and sinks into a chair. He looks down as Razum-dar sits on the bed in front of him. "Coming home is not always easy," Razum-dar says. "Memories tend to stir."
"The Zero Legion," Rufico starts. "Did they ever get punished?"
"Razum-dar thinks that is not the question you really want to ask," Razum-dar says and then holds up a paw as Rufico frowns. "It's complicated. Some were given pardons, some discharged and retired. But other members of the Legion warranted more serious consequences. Imprisonments, executions, depending on the war crimes that were documented against them." Rufico is silent, hands folded as he looks to the floor. "You must ask this one, Rufico," Razum-dar says.
"My Father," Rufico asks.
"Cassitus Lexonus was killed before the Planemeld ended in a skirmish with the Dominion," Razum-dar tells him.
"Alright then," Rufico says. "My mother."
"Records indicate she died of natural causes shortly after the Planemeld ended," Razum-dar tells him.
"My family was small. It was just the three of us." Rufico stands and turns to go, looking back at Razum-dar. "Some of the Zero Legion fled. They have not found all of them yet, have they?"
"Rats leaving a sinking ship, there are many still out there in hiding," Razum-dar says as he narrows his eyes. "You are not planning on something foolish are you?"
Rufico shakes his head no. "We will stop Viperish Night and I'll go back to being a simple scoundrel. I'll forget the Imperials for good."
"And if we fail?" Razum-dar asks. "Not that we will mind you."
A dark look passes over Rufico's face. "Let us not fail, Razum-dar. I may not be much, but I don't mind it," he turns and walks back to his room.
Rufico lies on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Life was much more simple before he stole that ring and went into THAT inn room. But...in a way, he is glad he did. He had been alone so long, running from his past. And now? Rufico blinks rapidly. His parents were dead. It was hardly surprising. Rufico feels a twinge and tries to ignore it then sighs. Damn his Father... his Mother was blind but she did not deserve to die alone. But it was what it was and now the past was well and truly behind him.
Softly-Speckled-Crab chews on a piece of pilfered bread from her nest on the floor. It was nice being in a tree, Softly-Speckled-Crab felt very safe. A strange look crosses her face. Trees talk in the marsh, in a fashion. The home she had never known. Softly-Speckled-Crab was not even sure she wanted to know it. If they stopped Viperish Night tomorrow perhaps she would stay in Valenwood or perhaps go somewhere new. But not to the marsh. Softly-Speckled-Crab...is a little afraid of the marsh. Maybe a lot afraid of the marsh. Enough to keep her away unless they fail. Then...Softly-Speckled-Crab curls up. Failure would mean such suffering. They must not fail. Softly-Speckled-Crab trembles slightly.
Once more to save Nirn. To kill someone beyond saving and possibly watch her allies...friends fall and die. Jeziasi glances at the door to her room. She's tempted to do what she did after the wars before she left Valenwood. But...that would not be fair to either of them. She had done it then and not regretted it...but she had not looked back either. Just left her dear friend behind and never once came back. She had not seen him till Summerset. Never once did she consider that she had hurt Razum-dar by leaving. Not even once. She just left her old life and everyone in it behind. As if it no longer mattered. From that point on she lived as free as she could...but the way she had done that. A frown crosses her face. She had left a lot behind in the dust and then when she was the most lost, she turned to a stranger instead of friends. One whose desire was more than just a brief liaison. He hunted her and she let him. Viperish Night was the result...and he had suffered for it, and now was causing all of Nirn to suffer. There was no way she could see to reach him, to save him. And so all she could do was end his pain...before he made all of Nirn feel it.
Razum-dar almost wishes Jeziasi would come to him. Alas, it had just been Rufico as he suspected. Perhaps it was better she had not come. Razum-dar is in a troubled state. He had reported to Queen Ayrenn tonight. He still kept Jeziasi's secrets to himself but he had to report the rest. Jeziasi could have killed Viperish Night today and ended this. He trusted her not to hesitate tomorrow but this had troubled his Queen.
Queen Ayrenn sits as Razum-dar finishes his report. She is silent and pondering for some time. "Much about this troubles me, Raz. We owe Jeziasi much, yet I must ask was she a willing part of Swims-In-Silence's plans?"
"The Jeziasi I know would never be apart of such a thing. This one is certain Swims-in-Silence deceived her. My Queen, you must see this."
"I do, Raz," she answers. "And I also see how it would be possible. You see this too." At Razum-dar's bristling, she holds up a hand. "She could have ended the threat today. I understand why she may not have. I can accept this and your word it will not happen again. That she is not a willing part of this dark scheme."
"Jeziasi will not hesitate again, my Queen," Razum-dar promises. "If this one can, this one will end Viperish Night himself. It should not be her task."
Razum-dar sighs and starts to head to bed, then growls and heads out of his room instead. He pads to Jeziasi's room, stopping right in front of it. "What is this one doing?" he asks himself and leans against it.
Jeziasi rises as she hears a soft voice just outside her door. She moves to it and leans against it. "I will not open this door, my friend," she says. "Anymore then will you knock. You know why."
"This one knows." Raz says. "You are a wild thing, my friend. Perhaps Raz wished for a time for you to be his wild thing. Such a silly thought."
"I left and never looked back. That is not the kind of creature you want to keep." Jeziasi says. "I was cruel, and I never even thought twice about it. I don't know what is wrong with me."
"You are wild," Raz says. "Perhaps it was the only way you could leave the wars behind you. This one cannot fault you for that."
Jeziasi closes her eyes. "Paths taken and not taken. We cannot go backward, Raz. Our paths are not meant to be as one."
"This one knows that," Raz says. "But one can miss what has been lost. You must try to stay in contact after this is over, my friend. Raz does not want to think of you lost again."
"I will try," Jeziasi says. "Now go to bed. It won't help if we are both up all night pondering what-ifs."
Raz moves away from the door. "This one will hold you to that promise," he says as he pads off to his room.
Jeziasi moves from the door to her bed. Tomorrow... she would want to run again after she did what she had to do tomorrow. But perhaps she should try not to.
