-Skyrim Tomb-
Viperish Night's eyes flicker open and he lies there staring at the wall for a few moments. Sleep is something that has not come easy in a very very long time. Plagued by dreams and memories, plagued by the screams in his head and the agony in his spine, plagued by so very many ghosts. And as Viperish Night sits up, he admits silently to himself that he is also plagued by what he is and who he used to be. What...he almost wishes he could be for his Egg-mother, if only it would drive the despair he saw so clearly in her eyes. Love, pain, despair. And he was the cause of all of it. Viperish Night hisses and stalks to the wall and lies his claws upon the cold stone. A scream threatens to erupt, but if he lets it he'll give in to the urge to tear his claws upon the stones, and that did not quiet the screams or the pain, very little did. At times his Egg-mother could a small amount but not enough to give him any lasting peace. Only death seemed to calm the agony for a short while. When he was lost in the icy river, lost in the song of death, then, at last, did the pain and screams cease and he could just be, as the living died around him and the dead woke to his call. Viperish Night bows his head and closes his eyes, a shudder passing through him. It would be so very easy to surrender to the furthest depths and never surface again. Never endure the agony, the screams, the madness that both caused. But to do so would mean submission, would mean walking with his Egg-father, and...having his Egg-mother follow him. She would walk with the one who hurt them both so if Viperish Night did. The thought chills him to the spine. That anyone would do something so unthinkable for him. His Egg-mother, and her unconditional love for him, was one of the only thing that kept him from surrendering. Viperish Night's claws scour the stone. His Egg-father must know this. If he hurt her... no, he must know if he took her from him it would forever deprive him of what he wanted. And that monster did want both of them. Viperish Night's eyes snap open and he stalks to the hallway and wanders the silent halls.
Viperish Night is halfway to the throne room when he stiffens and a angrily hiss echos down the stone corridors. "You should not be here," Viperish Night says as clawed footsteps echo on the stones behind him. "This is my home. I barely tolerate you in the throne room." Viperish Night turns to glare murderous at his Egg-father, who dares invade his inner sanctum. "Leave."
Swims-in-Silence just smiles at Viperish Night and holds out one of his clawed hands. "Come with me, Viperish Night. Come see my realm."
Viperish Night freezes and then hisses louder. "You already brought me there against my will. LEAVE." Viperish Night says and in response the dead further in start to move, sensing their master's distress and anger.
Swims-in-Silence's eyes narrow slightly, promising he will bring his Daedra if Viperish Night springs his undead army at him. "That was just a dream. This will be so much more." At Viperish Night's continued defiance hisses, he adds, "I will leave your inner sanctum alone in the future if you do." Swims-in-Silence's smile deepens. "You would not want me to visit your Egg-mother back here, would you? In her room. Is she alone, or do you have your vampire watch her at night?"
Viperish Night stalks closer to Swims-in-Silence. "You will leave what is mine alone, Egg-father." Viperish Night hisses.
"Then come with me, I will bring you back soon after. You are dominating Nirn so very well. I would not keep you in Coldharbour." Swims-in-Silence says as he turns and opens a portal.
Viperish Night's eyes stare into the portal, his eyes filled with fury. As Swims-in-Silence turns back to look at him Viperish Night allows a small sliver of curiosity to show. He must make this monster think he can have them...but so very carefully. "...I will come," Viperish Night finally says and Swims-in-Silence turns and walks through the portal ,and after a small uncertain pause, Viperish Night follows.
Zirasha rises with a yawn and glances back down at Jeziasi. "Must be earlier than I thought," Zirasha softly says before moving quietly out of the room and after a time finds herself outside in the shadows looking out at the sun shining on newly fallen snow. Most Altmer preferred the day, but it was so bright and the light cast stark relive on all that was not perfect and judged it. Night was so much better. Night covered the imperfections in inky gloom, night was when you could be what you truly were. And yet, here Zirasha was, up and out in the daylight. Too many thoughts kept her from sleep. Zirasha's attention turns from the bright day to the entrance where Tyranius stands, for once without his armor. "Can't sleep," Zirasha says, and points to her head.
Tyranius snorts and walks out into the snow. "Let's go girl," he tells her as he walks toward the trees further down the mountain.
Zirasha hisses at the sunlight and then follows. "Where?" she asks curiously.
"Hunting," is Tyranius's reply. "Since it seems neither of us can sleep."
Zirasha follows Tyranius down the mountain but it is neither deer or bear the two find to hunt, but Mannimarco, who appears under the trees, arms crossed.
Tyranius studies him. "Been awhile," Tyranius says with narrowed eyes. "Been keeping an eye on your long unexplained absences."
"...Of course you have," Mannimarco says and he turns and heads into a small cave, and Tyranius and Zirasha have little choice but to follow him. Inside the cave, Tyranius leans against the cave wall arms crossed and Zirasha crouches on a rock her crimson eyes locked onto Mannimarco's glowing form. Mannimarco turns to them. "Can you or can you not?" Mannimarco demands.
"Think so, Mannimarco," Tyranius says. "Took a moment, but I may have figured it out."
Zirasha looks at Tyranius and he gives her a small nod, so she turns back to Mannimarco. "Maybe," Zirasha says. "I am used to pain. If I am transformed I think I can overcome it."
"And Jeziasi and Viperish Night?" Mannimarco asks.
"Yes," Zirasha says. "Jeziasi can break Swims-in-Silence's commands." Jeziasi had told her the following night after Summerset. Zirasha suppresses a shudder. To be able to break it, but to have to play along. It made Zirasha want to rip his throat out.
"Not asked pup yet," Tyranius says and Zirasha gives him a curious look. "Got my reasons, girl," he adds.
Mannimarco searches Tyranius's eyes. "Then you must think its best not to speak to Viperish Night of any of this right now."
Tyranius uncrosses his arms and steps closer to Mannimarco. "My loyalty is to pup, Mannimarco. I said I have my reasons." Tyranius says.
Mannimarco starts pacing. "You can trust me when I say Viperish Night is unstable and mad. He's vulnerable to Molag Bal's influence." Mannimarco snaps. "You see this, I see it in your eyes." At Zirasha's angry hiss and Tyranius's narrowed eyes, he adds, "Swims-in-Silence will fight Jeziasi for him."
Zirasha flashes and suddenly her fangs are inches from Mannimarco's glowing form. "Who's fault is that? That Viperish Night is so broken?" Zirasha's crimson eyes glow slightly as fury controls her face in a nightmarish mask. "I'll help him murder you if he needs me to, for that very simple fact," Zirasha hisses.
"Another who wishes to murder me. This grows tiresome," Mannimarco says with a sigh.
"I do not trust you," Zirasha says. "None of us do."
"You can to a point," Mannimarco states, "I want my freedom. If Molag Bal corrupts Viperish Night, I will never have it."
Tyranius chuckles. "The things Viperish Night would do to you if that happened."
Mannimarco turns his glare upon Tyranius. "Are you loyal to Viperish Night or Molag Bal? If Molag Bal corrupts him, it will be him you serve. Does Viperish Night want that? Do you serve Viperish Night, or do you walk with him?" he asks.
Zirasha angrily hisses again, "You don't care about him, you don't care about anyone," Zirasha moves from him to stand by Tyranius. "I was wrong, you are just like the other Altmer. Cold and unfeeling."
"Again, I ask, do you follow Viperish Night or do you do what is best for him?" Mannimarco snaps. "Yes, I only care for my own purposes, but that is beside the point." Mannimarco's eyes move over both of them. "Unless you think him serving his Egg-father in Coldharbour is best," he snaps before he turns and vanishes.
Zirasha sits on the ground suddenly and pulls her knees up. "...It is not best for Viperish Night. It is not best for Jeziasi." Zirasha whispers.
"You...girl, love just complicates things," Tyranius tells her.
"I don't care!" Zirasha says with a hiss. "I do not want to be like my parents. Like so many Altmer." Zirasha's eyes blink rapidly. "I love my pack," she whispers. The simple fact, that drove her from sleep, that consumes her and makes thoughts of what will happen rip her to shreds. Tyranius was right, love did complicate things. It made knowing how it may end so much harder.
Tyranius sighs and holds out his hand. "Only going to cause you pain girl," he tells her.
Zirasha hisses and stares up at his hand. "Why do you call us such silly nicknames? You call pond scum by his full name," she asks him.
Tyranius looks surprised at the question. "You're my comrades. He's not."
A small smile crosses Zirasha's face as she reaches up to his hand and allows him to pull her up. "Terms of endearment then," Zirasha teases.
"Hey!" Tyranius says.
Zirasha laughs. "Gotcha, Tyranius. Not all brute and blood lust," she says and turns to head toward the door.
"Damn it, girl," Tyranius complains as he follows her.
"Let's go hunt," Zirasha says and with a look back at him, she says, "Simple names. Lack of imagination?"
"Call it like I see it," Tyranius says.
Zirasha stares at him and then turns to the sunlight day, the smile genuine. He thought of her as a girl, not a scarred imperfect thing. "...Your right," Zirasha whispers and then darts into the sunlight. "I'll catch something before you can even think about it!" she yells as she dashes into the forest
"Oh no you won't," Tyranius says as he dashes after her.
Jeziasi slowly wakes up and rolls on her back and notes that Zirasha is not in the room, she must have woken up and left already, leaving Jeziasi to wake up alone, but perhaps that is best this morning, as she thinks back to the glen. A dream, an in-between space, but it still felt so very real. Jeziasi can still feel her teeth on Raz's ear, his blood in her mouth. The sting of his punch, the tears she fought against, his warm fur as he held her. Somehow Jeziasi knows that last night was the last night they would see each other, for deep down she knows it will not be Raz who will be the final one to face them. One of the heroes, or all of them. It is how things seemed to work. Jeziasi slowly sits up and runs her hand through her hair, thinking about the past. Her past does seem to haunt her, but Jeziasi finds herself at peace, at least with Raz and that part of it. She made her choices, she can only move forward until the inevitable end. Time can be fleeting, and she would not reverse her choices, for time spent with her son, however brief and painful it might be, had become worth everything to her. Jeziasi is half tempted to lie back down, but a glimpse of movement flashes past the doorway, and Jeziasi bolts up, heart suddenly beating so very fast. "Zirasha?" Jeziasi breaths as she moves toward the doorway. There is no response and when Jeziasi looks out into the hallway there is no movement or sound, but there is the faintest trace of scent that is not of her pack as if someone was trying to hide their scent...from a werewolf. Chills run down Jeziasi's back and her eyes shift from crystal to golden. Someone hunts them. Someone hunts her son. Jeziasi bears teeth that are more like fangs and she stalks quietly down the corridor following the scent. She will hunt the hunter, as she always has.
-Coldharbour-
The chill of the air, the ever-present gloom. It was just as his dreams had been and yet so much more. Viperish Night hisses softly. The cold is beyond physical, it should bother him. It should. But...it does not. Viperish Night hides his disturbance of this small yet indisputable fact and his eyes move to his Egg-father, who walks a short distance ahead, his claws clicking on the cold stone. After a brief pause, Viperish Night follows, fangs bared slightly. Swims-in-Silence's back is to him, if only it was this easy to end him. As Viperish Night follows him, he tries to keep his eyes on his Egg-father but his eyes keep darting left and right. Harsh obsidian jagged black rocks, pools of iridescence liquid. Clannfear, Daedroth, Banekin, and more besides, even some he's unfamiliar with. Viperish Night's innate curiosity rises and he can't seem to help looking at it all. Soon the rock changes to dirt ground with patches of stiff pale shards of glass, withered trees, strange stalk-like plants with glowing orbs. An icy breeze blows and snow falls from the murky grey and blue clouds and azure flashes of lightning flicker through them.
Swims-in-Silence comes to a shallow pool of the iridescent liquid and steps into it, leading Viperish Night across the shallows. The liquid is icy, yet somehow it seems alive and Viperish Night tilts his head and pauses to kneel and dip his claws through it. Swims-in-Silence turns to him. "Azure plasm. It reforms my Daedra when they fall, as well as the Soul Shriven."
Viperish Night rises and his eyes narrow. "Why demand I come here?" Viperish Night hisses and as Swims-in-Silence starts to tilt his head Viperish Night's hiss turns angry. He knows it was a demand. Swims-in-Silence threatened his Egg-mother, knew that Zirasha slept in the same room as she did. His former mentor had said Swims-in-Silence could not listen in on what they said but could that even be trusted? Did Swims-in-Silence know things he should not? Viperish Night's heart beats faster even as he tries to calm himself.
Swims-in-Silence slowly smiles. "Why?" Swims-in-Silence asks. "Tell me what you feel here, in my realm."
Viperish Night starts to snap a hiss at him and then pauses and starts to blink rapidly. It...was so very quiet. The soft growl of Daedra, the wind, the lapping of the azure plasm at the shore. Viperish Night stares at Swims-in-Silence in utter shock.
The smile on Swims-in-Silence is one of triumph. "Peace," Swims-in-Silence hisses. "Do you hear the screams? Are you in constant agony as you are in Nirn?"
"What have you done?" Viperish Night hisses angrily. "This is a trick," Viperish Night's hands move to his back, but he left his staff in his room, and his swords as well. Viperish Night's eyes dart wildly around, not fully understanding what was happening, though it was starting to dawn on him. Back home the screams in his head, never-ending. The agony in his spine, never ceasing. Now? Only the faintest echo of both.
"No trick, no deception," Swims-in-Silence promises him. "The part of you that is like me, like the Daedra is at war with your mortal side. Here?" Swims-in-Silence laughs. "Being in my realm causes your other half to quiet the war. In time the Daedric part of you would win, and you would be at peace."
"Peace in surrender. In submission," Viperish Night answers.
"True. Submit to it, submit to me. I promise you, all others would kneel at your feet. You only have to give in and bend knee to me. It is not that hard is it?" Swims-in-Silence says and he holds out a clawed hand to Viperish Night. Viperish Night's gaze turns downright murderous but even through the malice Swims-in-Silence can read him far too easily and knows what is deep within his gaze. "Your Egg-mother would accept it here, to be with you."
Viperish Night's blood chills. "She would come with me, but never accept it. Never accept you." Viperish Night whispers, his claws curling as he trembles in anger.
"In time, yes." Swims-in-Silence hisses. "When your Daedric side wins the war, you will be immortal. If you fall, you will rise again. I would do the same for Jeziasi. She already has been Soul Shrivin, part of her will always belong here." Swims-in-Silence laughs. "You could have your Egg-mother forever. In time she'd forget she ever wanted anything else but to be with us. To rule over all the mortal souls of Nirn, here."
"No!" Viperish Night snaps as his head starts to spin. For the first time in a long time, the fog of madness has cleared every so slightly and Viperish Night suddenly feels so very lost, so very confused. He backs away from Swims-in-Silence and then does the only thing he can think of. Viperish Night turns and runs away from Swims-in-Silence, and from this truth.
-Skyrim Tomb-
Jeziasi tracks the scent to the entrance of the throne room a sense of foreboding filling her. Something about it was almost...familiar. Without a sound, she enters the throne room keeping to the shadows and seeming to melt into them. Too easily does her past training with the Dark Brotherhood come back to her, and it is then that Jeziasi realizes whoever hunts them is like them. An assassin.
A flash of movement has Jeziasi diving from the shadows as throwing knives strike with deadly grace just where she had been. Jeziasi rolls up and starts to turn then stills as she breaths in the scent. It is stronger now, and so very impossible. Jeziasi barely seems to breathe, barely seems to move. Slowly she turns to face the assassin.
Crimson red eyes set in a hard yet graceful dark face framed with raven black hair. Morag Tong armor and weapons. Jeziasi slowly swallows. "Naryu," Jeziasi breaths.
"Hello, hero," Naryu says, her eyes staring into Jeziasi's with an icy cold glare. Jeziasi takes one small step back before she stops and draws her daggers, her eyes never leaving Naryu's and the coldness within them. Naryu regards her before speaking again. "I must admit when I saw your face on the wanted poster, you surprised me. Always so willing to sacrifice everything for Nirn and everyone." The last word is filled with venom as Naryu's eyes narrow, her daggers clenched in her hands.
"I..." Jeziasi starts before trailing off. A face flashes through her mind, the young Dunmer woman Veya. Jeziasi and Naryu had tried to save the young woman, Veya had been filled with so much hatred and rage. They had failed, and in the end, a choice. Jeziasi had told Naryu to kill her, least the Morag Tong come down on them both for Veya's actions. Jeziasi had not known that Naryu had decided not to kill her, in fact, lied to Jeziasi about the act, and instead gave Veya to Nocturnal.
"Nothing to say, hero?" Naryu says. "How low you've sunk. But at least you understand now, don't you?"
Jeziasi slowly lowers her arms, daggers pointed at the floor as memories threaten to overwhelm her. Memories of Vvardenfell and of Summerset. Of the young woman Jeziasi had to kill, for she would have helped Nocturnal rewrite all of reality. "I tried to contact you," Jeziasi says and then growls softly. "You never came, Naryu. Just left me to kill Veya." As Naryu's eyes fill with pain and loss, Jeziasi continues, "You must know what Norcutnral tried to do. Veya would not stand down. I had no choice."
"Did you even try to reach her?" Naryu snarls as she takes a step closer to Jeziasi. "Or did you just kill her as you would have had me do?" Before Jeziasi can answer Naryu laughs, a bitter sound. "Viperish Night is doing the same thing Nocturnal would have done. Yet, you won't kill him, will you? You will just let him slaughter everyone." Jeziasi looks down. "Oh hero, you don't need to explain it. I understand, you love him. As I loved Veya," Naryu says, and then her eyes narrow. "I thought you cared for her too, Jeziasi."
Jeziasi looks back up. "I did," Jeziasi says.
"But not more than your precious Nirn," Naryu says and then shakes her head. "Although you seem to have decided to kill that too. Is that what you do now, kill the things you profess to care for? Does that mean me as well?"
Jeziasi's grip tightens on her daggers, eyes slowly filling with deadly intent. "I will not kill my son, nor allow anyone else to, Naryu."
"And that is my answer," Naryu says bitterly, then softer, "I have not forgotten those fleeting nights under Vvardenfell's skies, looking up at the stars with you."
So very long ago. All Jeziasi had went to Vvardenfell for was on the hunt for what had threatened Nirn. Hunting a Daedric Prince once again. Words spoken by Naryu back then echo through Jeziasi's head. That the life she lead, hunting those who hunted Nirn, would eventually take everything from her. In many many ways, it had. All Jeziasi has left is her son and her pack. "I remember them too," Jeziasi whispers. "And I remember what you told me, Naryu. You were right. So how can you blame me for protecting the one thing I have left?"
Naryu's eyes grow cold once more. "Because you took Veya from me, hero. What I did to keep her safe...and still you took her from me in the end." Naryu answers.
Once Jeziasi knew how to argue this. Nocturnal had threatened Nirn, threatened to erase everything, and Veya stood in the way of defeating her. But now, Jeziasi was helping to destroy Nirn. Refusing to kill the one who threatened to end all life, refusing to let anyone else. Helping him, swimming in his river to the depths of darkness and madness. Jeziasi just looks at Naryu unable to say anything for a few moments, then her grip tightens. "I will not back down," Jeziasi snarls. "And you will not either, will you?" A flash of loss crosses Jeziasi's eyes before they harden.
"No, hero. I am the assassin at heart. You know that part as well now." Naryu says as she gazes at Jeziasi, letting her see the full depths of sorrow rage, and hate within. "You took one I loved from me Jeziasi, it is only fitting I give you the same."
Jeziasi starts at the fury suddenly in Naryu's voice, the hate in her eyes. Jeziasi softly starts to growl and her eyes seem to glow with all the fierceness of a wolf. The past was just that and Jeziasi springs at Naryu and the seasoned assassin is surprised by her speed as Jeziasi's daggers slice out in a deadly arc. Naryu's are up a moment later and the two are locked in savage combat, a dance of assassins and blades, both with rage welling within them. Steel against steel, slices that cut into armor and flesh. In a swift move, Naryu's blade cuts through the air in twin strikes disarming Jeziasi and sending her daggers flying. The wolf starts to come out then, fur and fury, savage claws as Jeziasi growls and starts to transform. Naryu drops a dagger and reaches inside her armor for a vial and she throws it onto the ground at Jeziasi's feet. It shatters and sends a strong smelling vapor up into the air. Jeziasi throws her head back mid transformation and howls falling on the ground convulsing as the wolf violently flees from her.
"Wolfsbane, hero," Naryu hisses. "I know your secrets. I know your weaknesses."
Jeziasi growls low in her throat and snatches one of her daggers from the ground and leaps up, stumbling slightly before regaining footing. The wolf is beyond her grasp for now, but Jeziasi will not let Naryu go any farther in this, so she throws herself at Naryu and the two's deadly dance is on once more, both armed with but a single dagger.
-Coldharbour-
Viperish Night races across the cold hard ground and a portal catches his attention. He runs through it and leaps, stumbling on the other side and nearly falling off the edge. With nowhere left to run Viperish Night halts and glances wildly around, finding himself on one of the many floating islands far up in the sky. Viperish Night pants wildly before sinking to his knees, claws scratching at the ebony rock as he lowers his head and shudders violently.
At last, he calms and sits up glancing around and finding himself alone. His Egg-father has not followed him, nor has any of his Daedra. Viperish Night's claws move to his head trying to understand just what it is he feels, and at last, he knows. Clarity. As crystal as the Azure plasm and it shakes him to the core. His mind, more clear than it has been in so very very long. This place has done that...but it also has chilled his emotions, covering them in a thin layer of ice. The cost of clarity... is far too great but to have the screams near-silent, to have the pain near gone, even if he must go back is...freeing if not worth the cost. Viperish Night bows his head. Suddenly, all he wants is his Egg-mother. Only she can shine into the very depths and keep him from being lost, even if the pain is never-ending.
-Outside Skyrim Tomb-
Zirasha lies next to the fallen deer, a grin on her face. "I win," Zirasha declares.
Tyranius crosses his arms a large rabbit dangling from his belt. "I found mine first," Tyranius claims.
"But mine is bigger!" Zirasha says, patting the deer's hide.
"Compensating for something?" Tyranius says with a smirk.
"Hey!" Zirasha hisses and suddenly she springs at him and sends him crashing to the ground. "I caught three now," Zirasha whispers into his ear before leaping away."
"Three?" Tyranius asks.
Zirasha holds up the rabbit and laughs. "Three!"
"Cheating, girl," Tyranius says as he sits up.
"I still win." Zirasha declares as she laughs a bit and then the smile falls from her face.
"Damn it, girl, your moods change too fast," Tyranius says, standing and regarding her.
"...Tyranius," Zirasha breaths. "Should we be this far from Viperish Night?"
Tyranius frowns moves to the deer. "Wolfy's with pup in the tomb. Still..." he studies their surroundings, peaceful and remote. No one has come this far up leaving them alone and in hiding. "Let's get back," he finally says as he hoists the deer over his shoulders and turns to head back up, Zirasha following behind with the rabbit.
-Skyrim Tomb-
A vicious strike from Naryu has Jeziasi leaping back blood pouring from a deep gash in her arm. Jeziasi snarls. Naryu raises her daggers once more. "That is not so threatening without the teeth and claws to back it up, hero."
Jeziasi snarls again as the two circles each other, looking for any opening. "The way you say that word," Jeziasi says. It is what Naryu had always called her, save for the briefest of times in Vvardenfell, but when she calls her it now, full of hatred and anger, mocking.
"Don't like it, hero?" Naryu replies. "Does it remind you of all your failures, and how far you've fallen?" Naryu's eyes flare and she all but growls the next words, "How deep in darkness love can take you?" Naryu laughs bitterly. "You understand my pain at last, just before you die. Your son will be next."
Her words, shards of pain followed by a tide of crimson anger. The wolf too far to answer, the poison still lingers but Jeziasi does not need it. "You will never touch my son," Jeziasi growls and then howls and the world seems to vanish in a flood of anger and crimson blood. Flashes of daggers, shards of pain, and finally a scream. When the fog fades from Jeziasi's mind Naryu is slumped in a pool of blood, her hand pressed to her side to stop the flood of crimson.
-Coldharbour-
Viperish Night suddenly rises and walks back to the portal and stares into it. If only it would take him home to his Egg-mother. This icy desolate place was seductive, but not home. Not a place he wanted for himself or his Egg-mother. Viperish Night walks through and Swims-in-Silence is waiting for him on the other side. "Take me home," Viperish Night demands.
Swims-in-Silence stares into his eyes. "Tell me first, are you not tempted? It is easier to surrender, it is not even really that, not for you. Let your Daedric nature take over. Let it free you." Swims-in-Silence hisses.
Viperish Night can hardly put thoughts to words, so much had this place and the clarity it has brought shaken him. So he follows only one stream, the need to return to his Egg-mother. "I will never surrender to you," Viperish Night says. "Now, take me home."
"I did promise that, did I not?" Swims-in-Silence says and at Viperish Night's furious glare he laughs. "You see what Coldharber an offer you, what I can offer you. But you still look with a mortals gaze." Swims-in-Silence stares right into Viperish Night's eyes. "I want you to gaze upon all I offer with your other side."
"I utterly refuse you, Egg-father," Viperish Night snarls.
Swims-in-Silence's eyes start to glow a deadly eerie blue and when he speaks again, his voice is very different. Unfathomable and infinitely cruel. "Then I will make you, my son." Swims-in-Silence hisses. Daedra moves toward Viperish Night then. Most are Daedra warriors armed with blades and axes, and behind them, Dremora armed with staffs, Clannfear and Daedroth and they all surround Viperish Night. "Show him what it means to defy the Lord of Domination. Make him submit to his other side," Swims-in-Silence commands.
Viperish Night's eyes dart all around him. Unarmed, no dead to call, and utterly trapped. He knows what Swims-in-Silence wants, he wants Viperish Night to transform, wants him to dive to the furthest depths and lose himself in it, if but for a moment. Flashbacks of the arena suddenly flash through Viperish Night's mind and he calms somewhat. He has fought unarmed before, without his dead. "Come at me then," Viperish Night hisses and the Daedra do.
It is a chaotic mess of blades, Daedric magic, claws and fangs, and streams of fire. Daedra fall to Viperish Night's strikes, soon he's armed with a broadsword and he uses it against the Daedra who come at him. But more Daedra come and endless flood and Viperish Night's strength slowly ebbs at the prolonged fight, the shallow injuries he's suffered. Still, Viperish Night refuses to give his Egg-father what he wants and at last he falls to his knees in exhaustion, Daedra surrounding him. After a few moments, the Daedra part and Swims-in-Silence approaches Viperish Night. "So you will not give in?" Swims-in-Silence asks him. Viperish Night just looks at him defiantly. Swims-in-Silence starts to smile cruelty, "I will not return you until you do."
"You need me in Nirn," Viperish Night hisses. "You will not keep me here."
Swims-in-Silence tilts his head. "True, but I can keep you here for a few days, perhaps as long as a week."
Even such a short time trapped here away from his pack, away from his Egg-mother has Viperish Night curling his claws in frustration. "I still refuse," Viperish Night says.
"Very well," Swims-in-Silence says as he turns his back on Viperish Night and starts to walk away, pausing to add, "I'll watch over your pack while you stay here. I am sure your Egg-mother won't mind...once I commend her not to, that is."
Something in Viperish Night snaps at his words. He knows his Egg-mother can break his commands, but she will not. The world goes crimson red and Viperish Night throws his head back and hows in utter rage and surges toward Swims-in-Silence. The Daedra leap at him and the fury overtakes Viperish Night and he transforms with a bloodcurdling cry. In his monstrous bone colossus form, he rips into the Daedra tearing them apart. More and more come blocking Viperish Night's way, keeping him in his monstrous form longer. Finally, Viperish Night's energy gives out and the monstrous form leaves him and once more he crashes to his knees head down.
Swims-in-Silence stalks toward him and crouches in front of him. "Now, do you see?" Viperish Night raises his head. Traces of confusion amidst the ice and darkness as he regards his Egg-father. "I see that you do. Come, I will return you to Nirn." Swims-in-Silence says and turns, opening a portal. Viperish Night staggers up and follows, hesitating briefly. The screams and pain await it, they will cloud his mind. But this place would drive him into the furthest depths, and so he enters the portal to return to Nirn.
-Skyrim Tomb-
Blood drips from the dagger splatters the stone. Jeziasi moves toward Naryu, and the assassin looks up at Jeziasi. "No...hesitation in those eyes of yours, hero," Naryu says.
Jeziasi surges forward without a word, the dagger ready to end it, to end Naryu but a clawed hand wraps around her bicep, halting her in mid lunge. Jeziasi freezes and her skin seems to crawl as she glances back to look at Swims-in-Silence who has appeared out of a portal so very suddenly. A growl erupts and she tenses.
"Calm, my mate," Swims-in-Silence hisses.
Jeziasi resists the growl that builds within her. He's using that tone again, using the leash he still thinks works. She forces herself to relax slightly. "I was just about to kill her. She came to murder m...our son," Jeziasi hisses.
Naryu stares up at them and starts to stagger up, but Draugr moves from the walls to grab her arms, holding her tightly in their undead grasp. Viperish Night moves from behind Swims-in-Silence toward the Draugr and Jeziasi starts at his condition, bloody and injured. Jeziasi growls softly and Swims-in-Silence grasps her other arm as well. "Yes, I can see your murderous glare. You hesitated with the cat, but not her." Swims-in-Silence says. "But tell me, how did she find this place? Did she tell anyone else?"
Jeziasi freezes. Questions she should have thought of, but her rage and memories blinded her. "Damn it I..." Jeziasi's head falls. "She made me so angry, I did not think. I just had to kill her." Jeziasi whispers.
Naryu's eyes dart between Jeziasi and Swims-in-Silence. "Are you just some kind of puppet?" Naryu says. "That is not the hero I remember."
Viperish Night hisses softly, the first sound he's made. "She is my Egg-mother, do not speak of her like that." Viperish Night hisses at Naryu and then his eyes move to Swims-in-Silence and fill with icy anger. "Let her go, Egg-father. I told you many times, she is of my pack, mine. Not yours."
Swims-in-Silence's claws fall slowly down Jeziasi's arms before he releases her and steps back. "You need to torture her. Make hr submit and tell you everything," Swims-in-Silence says.
"If you think you can get me to talk, your welcome to try," Naryu spits at them.
Jeziasi raises her head and stares at Naryu. "She's Morag Tong, they are trained to resist torture," Jeziasi says and then turns her eyes to Viperish Night. Had he been with Swims-in-Silence? Why? As she stares into her son's eyes she's chilled to see the ice within them, but strangely the madness seems to have retreated. Confusion shows in her eyes but she shoves it to the side for later. There is no chance to talk to Viperish Night, to bring him up from the ice with Swims-in-Silence here. Questions will have to wait. A tremor passes through Jeziasi and she keeps her eyes on her son, unable to look at Naryu as she utters her next words, "But we must still try. We must do everything to protect our location and my son."
Viperish Night reads the pain in her eyes and his gaze turns to Naryu. This assassin that has come for him, Jeziasi must know her. He turns back to Jeziasi a question in his eyes, knowing better to ask it, with his Egg-father hovering.
"Remember what I told you about Vvardenfell," Jeziasi says softly.
Viperish Night slowly dips his head. He remembers what she said. Love, loss. So this is one she loved...the pain in Jeziasi's eyes mixed with the fury. And Naryu, such hatred in those eyes. Curiosity surfaces, what had happened between these two that hate was the result. Viperish Night starts to tilt his head then starts and blinks rapidly. The world threatens to spin again and Viperish Night attempts to ground himself. The ice keeps the screams away, but they will return all too soon.
Before the next move can come, a voice from the entrance, "What..." Tyranius says as he enters the throne room, followed by Zirasha. Zirasha hisses softly as her eyes catch sight of Swims-in-Silence. Tyranius takes it all in before moving to the table and dropping the deer upon it. "Damn it, girl, you were right," Tyranius says and he moves nearer to Viperish Night. "We should not have left pup."
Viperish Night's eye slides to Tyranius. "I left too. My Egg-mother took care of the problem." Viperish Night hisses.
Tyranius takes in Viperish Night's condition. "You've been having fun without us," Tyranius says and then he glances at Jeziasi. "Both of you. Damn, we missed some fun."
Viperish Night turns all of his attention onto Tyranius. "Take the assassin below. Torture her, find out how she found us and if she told anyone else. I have sent more undead to watch for trouble." Viperish Night instructs him.
On the way back, Tyranius and Zirasha had noticed more undead than normal, and they had been agitated, so they had hurried up faster. Tyranius turns to Naryu, regarding her next. "Sure pup. I'll take care of it." Tyranius glances at Zirasha who's by the table, eyes nearly feral as she stares at Swims-in-Silence, still far too close to Jeziasi. Tyranius swears under his breath. "Zirasha," Tyranius says. Zirasha's eyes snap to his, it is the first time he's used her name. "Mist and patrol. You'll spot things better than most of us save for Jeziasi." Tyranius orders. Again he uses a name, instead of nicknames. Zirasha hisses softly. Tyranius is trying to tell her to leave, least she reacts and sets upon Swims-in-Silence. Zirasha looks at Tyranius imploringly, the fear for her pack all too clear in her eyes, along with the rage. Tyranius shakes his head. "Go, Zirasha," Tyranius says.
Zirasha hisses again but slowly backs toward the door. "Take care of things in here," Zirasha hisses. "I'll take care of things outside." Zirasha turns and mists flowing out into the door into the daylight once more.
Tyranius starts to move out of the throne room to the deeper depths, the Draugr dragging Naryu in their grasp. "I'll get this done and report back, Viperish Night," Tyranius says.
Viperish Night tilts his head as Tyranius uses his name as well and watches as he starts to walk out of the throne room.
"Wait," Swims-in-Silence orders.
"Prince, pup's my boss now," Tyranius says, pausing briefly.
Swims-in-Silence's eyes move to Viperish Night. "Viperish Night should assist you," Swims-in-Silence says. "She set to kill him, to kill his Egg-mother."
Viperish Night's head snaps at his words, his attention turning toward his Egg-father. A look of utter rage crosses them and then confusion as he turns toward his Egg-mother, looking over her carefully. A deep gash o her arm, pain in her eyes. Viperish Night's gaze turns icy and Swims-in-Silence smiles in victory.
Jeziasi's eyes narrow slightly. "Viperish Night, I am alright. She never had a chance..." Jeziasi suddenly trails off as the world starts to spin around her and Viperish Night bolts to her side and catches her. Her hand grips his arm as she steadies herself.
"Egg-mother," Viperish Night softly says. "You are unwell."
Swims-in-Silence moves from behind Jeziasi in front of her. "My mate, what did she do to you?" Swims-in-Silence asks her, and once more she hears the leash in his voice.
She wants to do anything but answer. Her son is...different and the ice covers him once more. Swims-in-Silence seeks to deepen it. He wants Viperish Night to want to hurt Naryu. And it is all too easy to push him to it, the only way Viperish Night knows how to deal with pain, with those who hurt him and those he cares for, is with cruelty, violence, pain, and death. But if she refuses to answer, their game, their hunt could be over. Jeziasi looks down. "Wolfsbane poison," Jeziasi whispers. "I'll recover soon."Viperish Night hisses angrily and Jeziasi reaches out to him, placing her hand on his arm. "Viperish Night, she's not worth it."
"Silence," Swims-in-Silence says, in that very same tone and Jeziasi has no choice but to fall silent.
Viperish Night gives his Egg-father a murderous glance before moving away from Jeziasi. He stalks in front of the Draugr that holds Naryu. Viperish Night stares into Naryu's eyes. "You hate my Egg-mother," he hisses softly and his claws move to her face as he studies her, this assassin his Egg-mother had loved once.
"She took someone from me. Seems fitting I do the same," Naryu growls.
How can love turn to such hate? Viperish Night blinks rapidly. It was the other way around for him. He had hated his Egg-mother for never being there, but when he learned the truth and learned that she would love him, stay with him no matter what it had turned to love. Despite all the darkness he swam in, he could still love. Viperish Night's hand falls from Naryu.
"I can take care of this, pup," Tyranius says, glancing back at him. Viperish Night turns his gaze onto him and Tyranius shrugs. "Up to you."
Viperish Night looks back to his Egg-mother, hesitating. Did she hate Naryu too? The look in her eyes was one of unending fury at Naryu, for she tried to come for him. But was that the same as hate?
Swims-in-Silence watches this all and then stalks to Tyranius. "Follow his orders, Champion." Swims-in-Silence hisses at Tyranius. "I'll watch." Swims-in-Silence turns his gaze to Viperish Night. "Viperish Night can stay up here in his throne room." A cruel smile crosses his face as his gaze turns toward Jeziasi. "Come, Jeziasi. You will watch. She did try to kill your son." Swims-in-Silence stalks out of the throne room.
Tyranius frowns but moves out of the throne room with the Draugr following behind with Naryu and Jeziasi slowly follows. Viperish Night hisses in frustrated anger and stalks to this Egg-mother, following them down into the depths.
Naryu's hands from the ceiling glowing blue chains around both wrists. Her top armor lies abandoned on the floor, leaving her clad in a simple shirt. The deep wound in her side trickles blood and her defiant eyes glare in murderous rage. Jeziasi leans against the wall, palms pressed against the stone doing her best to be still, to not so much as tremble. She swallows slightly. The hate and rage in Naryu's eyes. Back in Vvardenfell after what happened with Veya, Jeziasi had feared this would be the result and so she had left Naryu. And then Summerset... "You should not of come here," Jeziasi says. "You should not have come after us."
Naryu narrows her eyes. "Admit it, hero, you hate me too for coming after who you love." As Jeziasi slowly growls Naryu adds, "I see it now. Makes this easier does it not?"
Jeziasi falls silent and glances at the doorway. Viperish Night is hovering in the doorway, silent but watching everything. Again, Jeziasi wishes this all away, so she could talk to him, be with him. Something happened, something to lift the madness from his eyes, if briefly. She can see he is struggling to contain himself, to remain calm in all this mess, and as long as Swims-in-Silence is here, they had little choice. It was not yet time to close in on the hunt. Jeziasi's eyes briefly move to Swims-in-Silence, who's on the other side of the room watching everything and everyone.
Tyranius moves to the wall and his hands run over the whips and various deadly items that hang there. He had used one of these on Wolfy, at her request. Tyranius's eyes dart to Swims-in-Silence for a moment before choosing a different one than he used then, one with barbed hooks. "Not too late to stop this," Tyranius says to Naryu as he moves behind her.
"Do what you want to me. I won't tell any of you anything," Naryu hisses.
Tyranius shrugs. "Suit yourself," Tyranius raises the whip and brings it down on Naryu's back, it cuts through cloth and into her skin with a sicking sound. Naryu grits her teeth but makes no sound even as it comes down a second time.
Viperish Night's claws curl into his palms. This...was all too familiar, save the last time it was him who was trapped, being punished by Valsvis. Viperish Night hisses softly as it continues for what seems like forever.
The room spins around Jeziasi and all she wants to do is look away but to look away, to even close her eyes and Swims-in-Silence would know. Know what he must not. Yes, she had been ready to kill Naryu for coming after her son, but she did not hate her, could not hate her. They had shared a brief time before it all had gone so wrong. This is not what she wanted. Not this...never this.
At last, the whip falls silent and Tyranius steps back. "They make the Morag Tong tough, have to try something else," Tyranius says as he tosses the bloody whip on the floor.
Swims-in-Silence moves from his spot to stalk to Naryu and grabs her face roughly with his claws. "You refuse to submit to your questions. Perhaps you'll answer a different one?" Swims-in-Silence asks her. "What were you going to do with Jeziasi?" Naryu stares at Swims-in-Silence with a gaze filled with fury and pain but says not a single word. Swims-in-Silence's hand moves from her face to her belt and he removes a vial, so much larger than the one she had used on Jeziasi. "Enough to kill perhaps even Hircine's champion," he remarks.
Viperish Night reacts instantly, the hesitation and memories fleeing from him in a moment. He snatches the vial from Swims-in-Silence's claws and thrusts it at Tyranius. "Get rid of it," Viperish Night snarls.
"Sure pup," Tyranius says, taking it. "Now?"
"Now." Viperish Night hisses. Tyranius moves to the door swearing under his breath again and pauses briefly before swearing again and leaving.
Jeziasi's eyes move to Viperish Night. She should remain silent, but she cannot. "Viperish Night," Jeziasi says.
Viperish Night glances at her. "She will not hurt either of us again. She will suffer for trying," Viperish Night says. The coldness of his voice, the murderous undertones. "You said to do this, Egg-mother."
"I meant..." Jeziasi trails off. She meant someone other than Viperish Night. But Swims-in-Silence manipulated everything about this. Jeziasi's gaze locks with Viperish Night's. "Do what you must." Jeziasi says softly.
Viperish Night turns from her to face Naryu and his claws move to Naryu's face as he studies her and her silence. Viperish Night stares into Naryu's crimson eyes. For a time he almost saw her as someone like them, filled with pain, overwhelmed with hate. But now? "You are just another monster," Viperish Night says quietly. "Wanting to cause me so much pain and worse." Viperish Night's eyes narrow and he leans in closer to whisper in her ear. "You may be quiet but I can hear your screams. I can hear all the livings screams. They were silent briefly, but you brought them back. You came for me, you hurt my Egg-mother!" The last word a snarl and Viperish Night rakes his claws down Naryu's face leaving bloody jagged wounds. She flinches just slightly, not from the pain but the madness welling up in Viperish Night's eyes. Viperish Night steps back and regards his claws and the blood dripping down them. "The pain returns as well. The war begins anew," Viperish Night hisses, and a sicking smile crosses his face. "Scream for me, let your agony drown my pain." With those words, at last, fear crosses Naryu's face. This whole time she's not shown a hint of it. Not at Jeziasi's berserker rage, not at coming face to face with a Daedric Prince in mortal form, not being tortured by an Imperial brute. But now, now fear shows itself as she realizes how very mad Jeziasi's son is, and how very very lost. Viperish Night starts to circle Naryu and pauses behind her. His claws touch the bloody lashes and then he digs his claws into them slowly. Naryu grits her teeth and clenches her eyes shut as Viperish Night makes the pain from Tyranius's torture so very much worse. At last, she can't fight it anymore and she starts screaming.
All the blood drains from Jeziasi's face as she nearly falls to the floor, barely managing to keep standing. She has seen her son do many many terrible things, but this is utter rage and icy madness. As if he lost something and rages against it at one who hurt him so.
At last Viperish Night stops and slowly steps back from Naryu, his claws bloody and his arms and chest splattered with blood. Naryu's head falls as her screams stop, and she breaths raggedly.
Swims-in-Silence laughs. "My son can be so very brutal when pushed. You will submit now," Swims-in-Silence hisses at her.
Naryu weakly raises her head but it is to Jeziasi that she looks to, staring hard into her eyes. No hate, just utter horror, and pain unfathomable in Jeziasi's eyes. "You...don't hate me," Naryu whispers. "You would end me and worse, but not that." Naryu's eyes flicker shut and then she forces them open again. "I can track you, hero. I made sure of that after Veya."
It takes Jeziasi a few moments to speak. "In case I found out you spared her. In case..." Jeziasi trails off.
"In case you found out she was alive. In case you decided she still needed to die. Damn you, hero," Naryu says. "You told me to kill her to save me. I just could not. I had hoped..." Naryu trails off.
Jeziasi's gaze turns to Viperish Night and then back to Naryu. "I did not understand. Diving in after someone into utter darkness..." Jeziasi trails off struggling to continue and finally finding the strength to. "The love that takes was beyond me once," Jeziasi finishes.
"No hero," Naryu says. "You just loved Nirn more than a single person. Now...you know. Now you know how it can damn you."
Jeziasi lowers her head and Swims-in-Silence hisses from the side. Viperish Night moves closer to Naryu who is unable to suppress a flinch. "I told no one, hero. I wanted to deal with this myself. Foolish where hate and loss can take you." Naryu's eyes close as she slips closer to unconsciousness.
"Truth," Viperish Night hisses.
Swims-in-Silence looks at Jeziasi and then focuses his full attention on Naryu. "I will take her to Coldharbour," Swims-in-Silence says.
Jeziasi starts and Viperish Night hisses. "She is my prisoner, not yours. We will keep her locked up here." Viperish Night says.
Jeziasi shuts her eyes. "No," Jeziasi whispers. Swims-in-Silence and Viperish Night's attention snaps to her and even with her eyes closed, she can feel both their shock. "She is Morag Tong. She may have ways of getting out of even this. Ways of contacting the others. Ways of killing us. She..." Jeziasi swallows, hands pressed against the wall. "She needs to die or..." Jeziasi trails off and her eyes snap open. Fury and hate directed at Swims-in-Silence. "You only want her because you either think you can use her against me or hurt me," Jeziasi growls softly. "She is my past. What happens to her does not matter. Do what you will with her."
Naryu's eyes flicker open once more. "So cold, hero," she whispers before her eyes close once more.
"You came for my son," Jeziasi says softly. "Perhaps I deserve your hate, but I will not let you take it out on him. I will not let anyone take him from me. No matter what I have to do, no matter the depths I must swim."
Viperish Night's eyes are on his Egg-Mother and finally, he turns to Swims-in-Silence. "Take her, Egg-father," Viperish Night hisses.
Swims-in-Silence snaps open a portal and two Daedra walk out. They catch Naryu as the chains vanish and drag her through the portal. Swims-in-Silence gives both Viperish Night and Jeziasi one last look, his gaze full of triumph before turning to the portal. "I will keep my promise, Viperish Night," he hisses before he enters and it snaps shut behind him.
Quiet. The only sound is th sound of blood dripping on the floor from Viperish Night's claws. He stands there, head down. Jeziasi starts shaking and pushes herself from the wall and moves toward him.
"Egg-mother, do you hate me for this?" Viperish Night whispers.
Jeziasi reaches up and takes his face in her hand and looks deep into his eyes. "I can never hate you," Jeziasi whispers.
"Truth," Viperish Night breaths, "But such pain in your eyes. I am always the cause of your pain."
Always the madness in his eyes, the darkness, and ice, along with that small speck of light she still saw. "I saw the madness retreat, briefly," Jeziasi says softly. "What did he do to you?"
Viperish Night shudders. "He took me to Coldharbour. Showed me what it would be like if that part of me won. Such ice and cold, Egg-Mother, but the screams paused, the pain ceased."
Jeziasi presses her forehead against his. "Damn him," Jeziasi whispers. He had done what she could not taken Viperish Night's pain from him, briefly.
"I do not want it," Viperish Night whispers. "It is surrender, submission, it is the icy depths that seek my soul. But...for a moment I could see clearly, feel clearly." Viperish Night shakes harder. "I am lost in the depths, the song of death promises peace, screams of the living, unending agony!" Viperish Night says with a broken hiss and he collapses and Jeziasi catches him in her arms and sinks to the floor, holding him as he trembles."
"If I could stop this, I would." Jeziasi whispers, unable to keep the tears at bay as she presses her forehead to his again. "No one should have to suffer this much."
"Death is the only way," Viperish Night says. "The only thing that eases it, save for you."
"And I am not enough," Jeziasi says.
"Nothing is enough. Forgive me, Egg-mother. I cannot swim free. You...perhaps should of ended me." Viperish Night whispers.
Jeziasi closes her eyes and shudders. "I could not, Viperish Night. I never will be able to. Even...even if you wanted me to."
"I do not want to die," Viperish Night, his voice full of such fear. "If I die... he'll have me won't he? I do not want him to, and I do not want the world that caused me such pain to have my death."
There is no answer she can give him, no words of comfort that are not false. How can she save him beyond this life, if it indeed goes that far? Jeziasi clings to her son. "We'll swim this river, Viperish Night, until the end. Together. After...if there is an after. Let us not think of that. Perhaps killing him will be enough." Jeziasi whispers.
"The river drowns me, but I can almost swim with you. I love you, Egg-mother," Viperish Night whispers before passing out in his Egg-mother's arms.
Jeziasi holds him until Tyranius returns. "Damn it wolfy," Tyranius breaths.
Jeziasi looks up at Tyranius. "If I could save him from all this," Jeziasi says.
"Is what it is," Tyranius says. "I'll take pup and clean him up a bit before taking him to his room." At her look of protest, he adds, "You need to look after yourself for a bit. I'll send Zirasha to you."
The exhaustion and the remains of the poison drag Jeziasi closer to passing out herself and she finally nods letting Tyranius take Viperish Night from her. "I'll take care of him," Tyranius says and turns toward the doorway. "Damn it. I never wanted to take care of anyone before. But this pack..." Tyranius shakes his head, swearing once more before walking away.
After washing as much of the blood as he could without waking Viperish Night, Tyranius heads toward Viperish Night's room, but he pauses then continues to his room. Once inside Tyranius lies Viperish Night on his bed and sits in a chair nearby, arms crossed. "Might need someone to look after you, pup," Tyranius says. "And wolfy needs the same." Tyranius unfolds his arms and his scythe appears in his hand. "If I thought you wanted this..." Tyranius muses then swears as his scythe vanishes. "Damn it, pup. I don't think I could, even if you asked me. What have you and wolfy done to me?" Tyranius folds his arms back up and leans back.
Jeziasi manages to stumble halfway to her room before her strength fails her and she slumps to the floor, leaning against the wall. It is how Zirasha finds her minutes later. "Jez..." Zirasha says and Jeziasi looks up at her with such overwhelming pain.
"I want to save him," Jeziasi says. "Why can I never save those I love?" Jeziasi lowers her head. "Who am I kidding? I never knew how to love someone to this extent before my son. I just...pretended for a time, then ran when it became too much." A tear runs down Jeziasi's cheek. "I know now. Viperish Night taught me how to love, how not to run from it. And yet, I can do so very little for him."
Zirasha kneels beside Jeziasi and helps her up. "You do more than most anyone has," Zirasha says. "He's broken, Jeziasi. You both are. Sometimes...you can't put what's broken back together. All we can do is try. Even if our version of trying damns the world." Zirasha says as she helps Jeziasi to their room.
As Zirasha cleans the blood from Jeziasi's arms and cleans and bandages the deep gash on her arm, Jeziasi raises her head to look at Zirasha. "I want a different ending," Jeziasi says bleakly. "Even if I know it's beyond all our grasp. Even if it is too late for anything save for this." Jeziasi lies back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling as the world starts to go dark around her. "I will not run. I will stay with my son until the end." Jeziasi whispers before the dark drags her under.
Zirasha sits beside her. "Jez..." Zirasha whispers. "I want a different ending, now too. I love you, I love all of you." Zirasha pulls her knees up and wraps her arms around them. She will refuse sleep, so she can watch after Jeziasi. She somehow knows Tyranius is doing the same for Viperish Night.
Jeziasi sits in a tree, the sounds of the Hunting Grounds all around her. "Wyress Asteria," Jeziasi whispers, and after a few moments, the Wyrd Sister melts in from the woods and climbs the tree next to Jeziasi's. Jeziasi raises her head to look at her. "You promised aid," Jeziasi says.
"What would you have of us, Champion?" Wyress Asteria asks.
"Naryu," Jeziasi whispers. "I...we gave her to Molag Bal. That or death was the only path out of the nightmare in front of us. If you can, can you try to help her? She must not return to Nirn...she threatened my son. But...she does not deserve this...or what we did to her."
"Merciless," Wyress Asteria says. "To surrender someone to that monster. But that is what Lord Hircine has commanded you to be, is it not?" Wyress Asteria nods and leaps down from the tree. "We will do what we can for her." Wyress Asteria melts into the forest once more and Jeziasi closes her eyes.
A while later, Jeziasi opens them to see Hircine watching her from the forest depths. "You know how to be a merciless hunter now, My champion," he says. "Hunt your prey, and all around you. Devour all who fall by your claws and fangs. I expect your jaws to find your prey." Hircine starts to fade into the forest. "Do not fail, champion."
Jeziasi stares into the forest and her eyes harden. She knows what she must do, what she must be. Her eyes flash golden as she growls. She will hunt Swims-in-Silence with her son, she will kill him. For all that happened today, for all that he has done in days past. He will regret everything, but he will regret what he has done to her son most of all.