-The Cave-
Swims-in-Silence's back is to Mannimarco as if he has grown bored of tormenting him, at least for now. Swims-in-Silence keeps his silence for long moments before his eyes slide backward. "Still, you will tell me nothing?" Swims-in-Silence hisses and finally turns to face him once more. "...Perhaps I might free you if you tell me everything. If you help me finish driving my son into the depths."
Mannimarco raises his head. "Dangling the one thing I want out of all of this in my face?" Mannimarco sneers. "I am not foolish enough to believe you." With that he lowers his head once more, his hair falling in his face. He had helped Swims-in-Silence every step of the way but not in some idiotic hope of release or the promise of letting up of the endless torment. No, it had all been to find a way to escape. To lie low until another point in time, when Molag Bal's attention had turned in another direction. But crossing the God of Schemes the first time had made a second attempt all but impossible. Yet... a small smile crosses Mannimarco's face, hidden from sight. He still had one trick left. If...it went that far.
Swims-in-Silence turns from Mannimarco again, his thoughts far from this cave. The look on Viperish Night's eyes... a cruel smile crosses his face, revealing all his razor-sharp fangs. His son had at least started to see there was no choice but to surrender to the depths. And once he did? Viperish Night would be his as would his pack. Even if they fell him battle, their souls were his. Well...most of them. The smile fades from Swims-in-Silence's face as he hisses. Despite what he promised Viperish Night, Jeziasi's soul was Hircine's. Unless The Prince of the Hunt turned from her, it would be nearly impossible to claim it. Swims-in-Silence's claws curl in anger. Viperish Night would have to fall to his Daedric side, and quickly. It would destroy the last of his weakness. Or rather...his mortal side. Swims-in-Silence tilts his head slightly. Another mistruth... for that part of him came from her. Viperish Night's words that he threw in Swims-in-Silence's face come back. His son found his Egg-mother strong. And in truth... Jeziasi, for a mortal, was stronger than he had expected any to be. To stop the plane-meld, to stop HIM. Truth, she had the Amulet of Kings but without her sheer force of will, he would give defeated her and ground her bones to dust beneath his feet in Coldharbour. He had...respected that strength. But it also had angered him that... she had bested him, had made him submit in his realm. So the thought of using her in his next plan crossed his mind. To make her submit as she had made him. To best her, as she had bested him. But once he was in Stalks-In-Darkness's skin it had gone far beyond that. He found his self shifting. A river into a stream as he told Mannimarco once and so, in this form, he became Swims-in-Silence. He wanted to make her submit, true, but he also wanted to make her suffer. The plan had been to have her watch as her son engulfed the world she loved in icy dark, as the souls reaped by the band were claimed by Coldharbour, and watch the inevitable final battle between the two. But once clad so tightly in this mortal shell he found he wanted more. Wanted Viperish Night by his side. Wanted Jeziasi to forever submit to him. Mortal desires mixing with the unfathomable desires of a Daedric Prince. It was...unplanned. Unexpected. Just as what Jeziasi had done was unexpected. She had done the unthinkable and joined her son in his war against Nirn. And yet...even with both so close to the icy depths they still fought it, fought him. The inevitable aside...he did not want to wait for it. For mortals was known for doing the impossible. He would not be cheated of his victory for a second time. If Viperish Night and his pack fell...they would belong to him. But Jeziasi would only be his if Hircine revoked his claim on him. And she would only do that if he could make Viperish Night fall, and lead all his pack to him. They would follow... they would be his...even she would. All for Viperish Night.

-Skyrim Tomb-
Viperish Night sits on the throne claws clasped together and eyes closed. Sleep had at last come but it tormented him as it often did. Memories, ghosts and so very many dead. The moons above seemed to weep before they shattered casting all into icy darkness that drug him toward the depths and he woke gasping for breath. Viperish Night shudders slightly fighting against the screams that had crept back in, against the madness that eroded the shards of clarity he struggled to hold onto. Viperish Night stills as his pack, his family, his damnation and salvation come into the throne room. The ones who followed him into the icy dark, the ones who would continue to follow him no matter the river he swam in. But... as he realized after Murkmire any other river was denied to him. Even if he could somehow release the hate and the urge to drown Nirn, the madness would still consume him, the Daedric poison within would continue to destroy the parts of him that it deemed weak, and his Egg-father would never allow any other outcome. The only river before him was thus...and so Viperish Night decides. They would kill his Egg-father and then... Viperish Night slowly opens his eyes to regard his pack. "We...continue the war. Until my Egg-father is in our grasp and then we strike. We rend him into so very many pieces." Viperish Night falls silent as his eyes move to each of his pack in turn. The glint of eager blood-lust in Tyranius's eyes. The same is mirrored in Zirasha's, though he can see a trace of longing as well. Steely resolve in his Egg-mothers. Viperish Night slowly and haltingly speaks again. "...After he is dead...perhaps we will cease for a time. Perhaps...I can see if the agony grows or weakens with such an action." The room is eerie silent. His pack is truly shocked at his words, and yet there is a hint of hope in their eyes as well. Viperish Night blinks rapidly as he understands the reason behind it. "None of you want this... want us to end," he says softly.
Tyranius shakes his head no. "Pup... I'd stay with you forever if I could. We all would."
"I might have forever!" Zirasha hisses and then she looks around, a childish longing in her eyes. "I don't want any of us to die!"
Jeziasi is still, so very still. Her heart beats faster. She fought for him, but never thought it is enough to stop the inevitable course. Slowly she moves to her son's side and intertwines her hand to his. "After we will search Nirn for a way to quiet them, perhaps a way to destroy the Daedric taint. Stay far away from everyone else if we must. If it helps."
Viperish Night lowers his head slightly. "It may never stop. I cannot endure this forever." Viperish Night knows that if they fail to kill his Egg-father soon he may very well lose his hold once and for all. And even after...he knows he'll fail and fall eventually. But perhaps his pack will keep him from the depths, from the madness, keep the Daedric side from winning awhile longer.

-Elden Root-
Theodyn wakes just as the sun is starting to set, sitting up in the bed he shares with Rufico as the dying rays of the sun filter in through the window. With quiet movements he turns to sit on the side of the bed, staring out at the window with an unreadable expression on his face. Rufico wakes soon after to see Theodyn in this deep frame of thought. Rufico lightly touches Theodyn's shoulder and Theodyn relaxes slightly and turns his head to look at Rufico. The truth in their eyes was clear. Sleep had been uneasy for both of them. Dreams of fire and death, twin tides that drowned all they fought for. "I want us to watch the sunrise, Rufico," Theodyn quietly says. "And not just us, Softly-Speckled-Crab and Iveryni too."
"Not in the same bed I hope," Rufico lightly says. "Not sure the girls would be down for that. And I am not sure I could bear to share you."
"Rufico!" Theodyn yelps a blush spreading across his face even as he smiles.
"I know what you mean," Rufico says more seriously. "End this war with all of us still breathing. Still...us."
Theodyn nods. It would have been ended but the cost proved too high. Something they all agreed on. And something...they had not shared with their allies. Hope was a fading star in these dark times and to know how damaged their heroes were... "I do not like withholding what happened but it keeps Iveryni safe. It keeps what hope remains alive." Theodyn says.
Rufico takes Theodyn's hand in his own. "There is hope, Theo. Even in the dark, I see it. I know you do too." Rufico quietly says.
"Hope for how many of us?" Theodyn replies. "I know what must happen but now...it was easier when I hated them. I can't even hate Zirasha for what she did to me anymore. Anger yes, but not hate." Theodyn trembles slightly. "Hate almost destroyed me. And it was not even mine. It felt like my whole world. Hate and vengeance, Rufico. If not for you..."
The pained expression on Theodyn's face is enough to nearly break Rufico and he holds Theodyn's hand tightly as if that is all that is needed to keep them safe, keep them together, to give them an after. Rufico stares out the window. "A dagger to them, Theo. They may have been driven to this, but Viperish Night and his pack must be stopped. It is the only way any of us have an after." Rufico turns his eyes back to Theodyn. "I do not hate them either. Could have with that damn vampire nearly killing you in Craglorn, but hate is pointless in the face of The Void." Rufico rises and pulls Theodyn up with him. "Let us go to war, Theo. For our after."
Theodyn lets Rufico pull him up and stares into those intense dark eyes of Rufico's. Eyes that pulled him from the blinding light, that cast the hate aside for love and hope. Theodyn's eyes grow determined. "Let's, Rufico. I will not hesitate. But I will not forget them either when they fall."

Iveryni bolts up in bed heart beating as she nearly sets the sheets to flame. As she breaths rapidly she struggles to calm herself before she casts the room into an inferno. Just like last night. Iveryni shudders and puts her head into her hands shaking uncontrollably as memories flash through her mind. Of last night, and have her unforgiving training in The Deadlands.

The training with Deimyite was brutal. Day in and day out pushing Iveryni to the brink and beyond. Deimyite was the cruelest taskmaster but Iveryni could see he was pushing her to be the strongest she could be even if the methods bored on the barbaric at times. One day months into her training, the routine changed. Deimyite led her past their training grounds and deep into a cave where a wall of intense unnatural fire greeted Iveryni. She slowly walked toward it and stopped halfway to the shimmering curtain and despite the intense heat, Iveryni feels a chill pass through her as she stares at the unforgiving flames. Deimyite watches her carefully and then without a word leads her back up and to the same tower, Iveryni had been brought to the first time she arrived at the Dead Lands. This time she knows not to hesitate and kneels before Mehrunes Dagon without being prompted.
"Rise, Iveryni Rathnil." Mehrunes Dagon orders her and then his eyes move to Deimyite as Iveryni rises. "Leave us." Deimyite turns and walks out leaving Iveryni alone with the Prince of Destruction. Iveryni stands her ground as Mehrunes Dagon studies her and at last, he speaks. "I wonder if you know yet. If your mortal mind grasped it at the end. Tell me, Iveryni Rathnil, do you know your state of existence?"
...Her state of existence? Iveryni's brow crinkles as a frown crosses her face. She has done her best not to think of her body lying so still back at Elden Root beyond her grasp. Done her best not to think of Craglorn and those icy claws sending her crashing into darkness.
Mehrunes Dagon sees her hesitation. "Do not shy away from it, you must face it or you will remain as you are when you need to change." Mehrunes Dagon orders her.
Coldness grips Iveryni as she forces her mind back to Craglorn. Back to Viperish Night's claws across her throat, falling into darkness as the cold gripped her very being. Iveryni staggers back suddenly as she, at last, sees truth. "I...died," Iveryni whispers.
"Yes, Iveryni Rathnil, you are dead. I went to lengths to keep your body from turning to rot and dust, to anchor your soul to my realm. Returning you to your mortal vessel will be no small feat. The flames Deimyite showed you will envelop your soul in the elemental energy of my realm and allow your soul to anchor back to your body. It will allow your body to contain you once more. Do you understand?" Mehrunes Dagon tells her.
Iveryni needs only a moment before she answers through her inner thoughts are in turmoil from all of this. "Yes, Lord Dagon."
"When it is time, when you are ready you will brave the flames and be reborn. If you are not ready your mortal soul will burn and be dashed from existence," Mehrunes Dagon warns her.
Iveryni suppresses a shudder. What would happen then? To Nirn, to her friends, if such a word could be called for four people who had been thrown together by prophecy. "I need to train. To get stronger, to accept all of this. I will do so." Iveryni firmly says.
"Yes, you will Iveryni Rathnil. You are my champion, for this purpose and for my purposes after." Mehrunes Dagon says as he stares down at her.
Iveryni's eyes widen as she stares up at Mehrunes Dagon all the while resting the urge to back away in shock. Her thoughts flashed back to the Plane-meld threat, Molag Bal's assault on Nirn. Iveryni's eyes narrow as she snaps, "I am meant to save Nirn not help destroy it."
Mehrunes Dagon's eyes flare with anger at Iveryni's tone and the tower shakes nearly causing her to fall and then Mehrunes Dagon laughs. "Iveryni Rathnil you think I would go to all this trouble just to release you when this war is over? The amount of power you will have as my champion, the fact it is not a power I can take from you without ending you. No, my champion, you are mine. You will be my champion in all regards, for all time. You have no choice in this."
Iveryni snarls softly as rage courses through her. Ever since she woke in the dark rage had been by her side though she tries to surprises it. The words are on her lips, that she will refuse, but how can she refuse before she has what she needs to save Nirn? To help those who also are changing?
Mehrunes Dagon interrupts her before she can decide to speak or not. "I can see it in your eyes. I know where you stand. But as I said, you have no choice." Mehrunes Dagon motions with his hand and fiery chains shimmer into existence all around Iveryni. Before she can move to defend herself, they wrap around her arms and body. Another motion has the chains dragging Iveryni up into the air until she's at eye level with Mehrunes Dagon. "You will forgive the brutal nature of this." Mehrunes Dagon tells her. "You, my champion, will learn much in your time here. Too much. I must make sure you can reveal nothing and to ensure your continued loyalty after Molag Bal's spawn is dealt with."
Iveryni struggles against the chains as they grow hotter scalding her flesh. "Damn you," Iveryni snarls.
Seeing her pain Mehrunes Dagon tells her, "Soon my champion no fire will be able to burn you. You will be able to withstand the hottest flames, the depths of it. But remember your place."
A final chain wraps around Iveryni's neck and she freezes. The chains glow with the heat of the Deadlands and with a burst of intense white-hot light they sink into Iveryni. She throws her head back and screams as she falls to the ground. The world briefly goes black before it returns and Iveryni slowly sits up shaking with pain and staring at her arms that are now covered with strange fiery runes. She can feel them, feel that they cover her face as well. Iveryni drops her head as her hands hit the ground as the shards of agony slowly vanish.
"I trust you know your place, my champion." Mehrunes Dagon tells her as he summons Deimyite. "Return my champion to her training, Deimyite."
Deimyite's footsteps stop by Iveryni and she stares at Deimyite, then her gaze turns to Mehrunes Dagon and slowly fills with hate before Iveryni banishes it to the furthest depths of her soul and stands, following Deimyite as he leads her from the tower.

Iveryni slowly gets from the bed and dresses, strapping her axes to her belt, her staff to her back. That hate had only grown as she tried to suppress it and the rage. Until it broke free from her and the cost had been the soldiers that fought with them. Iveryni blinks rapidly then hardens her eyes. She could not let herself think of what had happened too deeply. Not...until after this war was over. If there was even a moment before the next. Iveryni traces the runes on one arm then stalks toward the door.
Despair and rage are what Iveryni feels as she opens the door and walks out but both vanish as she pauses. Near her door, Softly-Speckled-Crab sleeps on a small pile of pillows. Just outside her door, just...keeping close. Iveryni blinks rapidly and sinks to the ground and leans against the wall. "I do not deserve this," Iveryni whispers.
Softly-Speckled-Crab sits up and turns toward her blinking the sleep from her eyes as she regards Iveryni. "We all deserve love, Iveryni," Softly-Speckled-Crab says and holds out her hand to Iveryni. "We are but mortal beings, doing the best we can. Getting lost along the way will always happen. But we can swim back into the light if those who love us reach for us."
Iveryni stares at Softly-Speckled-Crab's crabs a moment before taking it in hers. "I was Telvanni," Iveryni says softly. "I meant to tell you, all of you. But everything happened so fast. I did not count on dying and returning as something other than I was. I did not count on losing myself to the rage and hate."
Softly-Speckled-Crab smiles. "I think I knew that, Iveryni. The way Dunmer act when they belong to a house is like reading currents. Each is different, in its own way. You never felt as they did. I could always tell."
Iveryni gives a small shaky smile of her own in turn. "It is why I left them. I never could understand my cultures desire to keep slaves. To think we are better than any other race."
"And that is part of why you are with us," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "Chosen for a greater purpose. Even when the cost is more than is fair to pay." Softly-Speckled-Crab lets go of Iveryni's hand to dip into a bag and brings out a roll. She stares at it and then at Iveryni who gives a small shake of her head.
"I wish I could," Iveryni says. "And..." she trails off. The price was her future. Her freedom, and perhaps her soul. "What is the four of us compared to all of Nirn? How can we not give up everything to save our homes, our world? I just fear I'll be turned against it after this war is over."
"There is always another path," Softly-Speckled-Crab says firmly as she grasps the roll in her hand. "You will find one, Iveryni. We will help." With a huge chomp, Softly-Speckled-Crab eats the roll in one bite and then rises. "Do you hate him still?" Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
Iveryni rises as well. The memory of hate, of it fueling the fire and eroding all sense of reason. Craglorn, Viperish Night's cold eyes as he struck her down. And then she thinks back to before the hate consumed her. How she had gone for Zirasha and Viperish Night had sprung on her. How his eyes had stared into hers with hatred for nearly killing Jeziasi, for trying to do the same for Zirasha. And behind that, what drove the hatred. Love. Love he had for his Egg-mother, for his pack-mate. "Oh..." Iveryni says softly and she looks down briefly before meeting Softly-Speckled-Crab's eyes. "I will try not to," Iveryni promises. "But we must stop them. Perhaps not at any cost, but nearly any."
"I know," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "But there is always hope. Viperish Night did not love his Egg-mother or his pack in Craglorn. He loves them now. He is not lost to the Daedric poison within. We will fight him, end him and his pack if we must, but if he stops, Iveryni... then it is over."
"It has gone too far to stop," Iveryni says and moves past Softly-Speckled-Crab to head toward the boys. Toward the war that marches on. "Even if he did, he and his pack would be hunted to the ends of Nirn and beyond. There is no forgiveness in the depths of madness and darkness he has drug Nirn into. Even if Molag Bal is behind it all."
Iveryni walks away and Softly-Speckled-Crab follows, sadness in her heart. Her friend's words are correct. The world was not fair, after all. It had not been fair to her friends. The change had been hard on all of them, but it had shattered Iveryni and Theodyn, leaving them damaged nearly past the point of recovery. Only love brought them back. Gave them reason to put themselves back together and keep fighting.

-Deep in Coldharbour-
Deep in the dungeons of Coldharbour, the cells are all but empty, but one remains occupied. The dark lit by eerie blue lanterns, the cell bars made of cold stone. Naryu's hands are bound to the wall and her head is down. After the Daedra got tired of torturing her they threw her in here and nearly forgot about her. Food came perhaps once every few days and the only source of water was icy drops that dripped from the ceiling. Naryu's eyes flicker open as she raises her head at the shadow that pauses near her cell. "Come to torture me again? Do your worst," Naryu hisses.
The shadow is so very still before it speaks, a male Altmer voice careful and cultured. "You are very much alive. I have heard many rumors. I have come for the truth." The voice pauses before continuing. "Is it truly Viperish Night that is waging war on Nirn?"
Naryu hisses again. "I thought to take him down on my own. I wanted to make her suffer. Did not think that through." Naryu says and her head falls again. "Yes. He seeks to murder every living soul on Nirn."
"I feared that was correct," he says with regret in his voice and he turns to go, though pauses. "I would release you if I could, but I am pressing things by coming here. I will do what I can to bring aid to you. Even in Coldharbour, there are those who would help."
"Promises, promises," Naryu says. "Forgive me if I do not believe you." Naryu's eyes move to the shadows, seeking the one who has come to ask her such. "Why?" Naryu asks.
"I needed to know," he responds. "I needed to know just what happened to that young necromancer I met in Rivenspire."
"He is a monster," Naryu says. "Perhaps you should have killed him. That is what civilized people do to necromancers. They put them down. I would think everyone would have learned that after what Mannimarco did."
The shadow's head moves as he looks back at Naryu's cage. "He was not once, despite the necromancy. Naive a little lost. But far from a monster. I hoped better for him. I am aware of what it means to be a monster. Even monsters can be better. We need only harness the darker parts of ourselves."
"Your necromancer friend failed that," Naryu says. "Now if you are not planning on releasing me, leave."
The shadow turns and is gone in a moment leaving Naryu alone once more.

-Northern Elsweyr-
Viperish Night stands under the moons, his dead all around him upon the lands of Elsweyr, words floating back to him. Pick someplace that means nothing to you. Tyranius's words of advice upon leaving the tomb. Truth, for Elsweyr, held no memories for him. His memories of Rishima were all of Oblivion's Isle, even for her Elsweyr held little memories, having been taken from it at such a young age. Viperish Night bows his head as necromantic energy flows through him to the ground below, raising even more undead and calling forth to those in these lands. The tide of the dead stream around him as more join it, and as the living approaches. Viperish Night hisses softly as his turbulent thoughts at last quiet in the rush of the dead as they move to set upon the living army that approaches. How could this, which gave him such peace, also be his damnation? Viperish Night raises his head eyes glimmering with necromantic energy as he beholds his army and his pack. Viperish Night's claws clench. He will hold on for a little longer. Enough to see his Egg-father dead, enough perhaps to find a quiet spot where he could spend whatever time he had left with his pack. Perhaps once his grip slipped utterly he could destroy the band and himself before the last shard of his mortal self died. Perhaps...it would not be so bad to fade into the dark...if not for the desire to remain with his pack, his Egg-mother...his family.

The Khajiit's army finally reaches the first wave of the undead and the battle is joined and is soon as chaotic as all the others, filled with the clatter of the dead, the cries of the living, the blood and bodies falling by the multitude. Tyranius and Zirasha fight together and Jeziasi stays close to Viperish Night. No heroes are in sight this night as the battle grows more intense. During a pause in battle, Tyranius tilts his head toward Viperish Night. "Pup's different," Tyranius remarks as he flings Khajiit blood from his scythe.
"We all are Tyranius," Zirasha replies as she licks blood from her claws. "Behind you."
Tyranius turns and cuts down alone Khajiit who thought to sneak up behind him. "Just do not tell me it's because of love, girl," Tyranius says as he looks around for his next target.
Zirasha smiles slightly. "We are monsters covered in the blood of Nirn! How could it be that?" Zirasha replies as she laughs and bursts into mist to find more Khajiit's to sink her fangs into. Tyranius shakes her head and follows. The why of it... did not matter so much.

Jeziasi moves through the ocean of the undead, her daggers finding Khajiit after Khajiit and felling every one. She has yet to take the wolf but can feel it calling to her. Calling her to hunt, to feast upon her prey. It can be so very easy to get lost in all of this. It has made it easier. Jeziasi glances at Viperish Night who's amidst the undead and seems content to command them and not join in on the carnage for once. He...had changed. Or rather he had grasped part of who he once was. The Viperish Night Jeziasi had seen a glimmer of in his eyes but never knew. A pang in her heart. Time she never had, so very much neither of them ever had. Was it too much to ask for time, now? Despite what they all had done, despite it all? Pain flashes through Jeziasi's eyes and she, at last, lets the wolf take over, flesh melting into fur as she tilts her head back and howls. A swarm of Khajiit answers and she sets upon them.

From the night the next wave of Khajiit's come. Pahmar warriors and Senche Raht enter the fray with mighty battle cries and roars. Tyranius glances at Zirasha. "They do not get past us," Tyranius says and Zirasha nods as she streams to mist and bursts on top of a Senche Raht, fangs sinking into its deep fur and flesh. "...Damn it, girl," Tyranius swears. "You took the four-legged kitties. I wanted those." Tyranius shrugs and stalks toward the Pahmar unit. "Have to make do," he says as he charges them, scythe glimmering in the moonlight and ice blades shimmering into existence.

On the other side of the battlefield more, Khajiit appears and clashes against the wall of the undead. Jeziasi springs in their mist, claws, and fangs tearing apart. She is moving away from Viperish Night but the dead surrounding him outnumber the Khajiit's and as soon as the living Khajiit's fall to her claws and fangs their skeletons rise from their skin and flesh to join the army. So Jeziasi lets herself go, the more of them she kills, the less of them can get near her son.

The flood of fur has divided Zirasha from Tyranius and carried her a distance away but there is so very many Senche Raht, that Zirasha's full attention is on them and not how far she has been driven away. The sharp pain of claws on her flesh, the blood in her mouth as she shreds them with her fangs and claws as well, blood and fur fly, and at last the final one falls before her. Zirasha breaths hard, crimson eyes sparkling as she laughs at the moons. A shadow passes behind her and Zirasha spins as an ebony furred Khajiit female springs upon her. With the flash of claws and fangs, the Khajiit is so very fast and Zirasha tumbles to the ground with the Khajiit on top of her. The Khajiit goes for the kill in an instant, claws slamming down toward Zirasha's throat. Zirasha hisses and grabs the Khajiit's wrists in both hands and snarls, striking upward to bury her fangs in the Khajiits neck, ripping it open and feasting on the blood as her prey convulses above her. When at last the Khajiit is drained Zirasha pushes her to the ground and leaps up. Black spots flash before Zirasha's eyes as she sways and almost falls as the world spins around her. Zirasha hisses furiously until the spinning at last stops and she stares down at the Khajiit in puzzlement until Tyranius's cry reaches her and she springs into the night toward him.
A Pahmar has Tyranius in a headlock as he struggles to swing his scythe at the few that remain, his ice blades slicing deadly tracks through the ones that yet surround him. "Best let go," Tyranius warns. The Pahmar's only answer is an angry snarl and Tyranius laughs as he sees the crimson mist come in behind him and reform into Zirasha who sinks her fangs into the back of the Pahmar's throat felling him in a second. Tyranius's scyth flies and the last of the warriors fall before him and he turns to her. "Good timing, girl."
Zirasha opens her mouth to speak, but another wave of Khajiit's come surging from the south and she just nods at Tyranius as they move toward them, the skeletons rising all around him from the Pahmar and Senche Raht to join them in the slaughter.

One last Khajiit. Jeziasi has slaughtered all the Khajiit's that dare approach Viperish Night. There is one more left, just one more. He seeks to flee. To call forth reinforcements, or just in fear. To the wolf, it matters not. To the wolf, he is prey, and Jeziasi chases after him and as he dashes behind a rock Jeziasi leaps over it in a mighty roar to land with a thud. Jeziasi's fur raises and she growls angrily, for the Khajiit is dead, his blood soaking the dirt. Someone has stolen her kill. Jeziasi's wolf eyes snap up and from behind a rock Swims-in-Silence steps out, his claws bloody with the Khajiit's blood. Jeziasi growls her body bunching as if ready to pounce before the mer bleeds back into the wolf bringing reason. Her eyes slide backward before refocusing on Swims-in-Silence. If her pack was closer this could be the moment. But the Khajiit's had unleashed more forces than she would have thought and they are too far apart to take advantage of it.
Swims-in-Silence stares up at her, not a trace of fear in his face at being this close to her. A crafty smile crosses his face. "Far from your pack, Jeziasi." Swims-in-Silence scolds then his voice shifts. "Return from your bestial state, my mate."
Again he commands her. Again she wants nothing but to set upon him and tear him to pieces. He cannot control her...but he must think he can still. Just for a while longer. Jeziasi lets the wolf go and stands in the moonlight, her eyes filled with fury as Swims-in-Silence circles her. "You want Viperish Night to survive. I must return to him now." Jeziasi snarls.
Swims-in-Silence stops in front of her. "Our son is in no danger from this rabble. The heroes are not here, and I have taken pains to ensure no calls for help will ever reach them again. You should thank me for this." Swims-in-Silence hisses.
Jeziasi growls again. "What do you want?" Jeziasi demands as her hands curl into fists.
"You know the answer to that," Swims-in-Silence tells her.
Jeziasi's eyes narrow. So very many reasons. What Swims-in-Silence has said. What Mannimarco has said. So very many things said. There were easier ways he could have done all of this. "Why?" Jeziasi snarls, eyes shimmering from mer to wolf, though she keeps the wolf at bay, keeps the fury at bay.
Swims-in-Silence smiles, a smile that never ceases to send chills down her back. "Why our son, or why you?" Swims-in-Silence laughs. "The latter this night, Jeziasi. I want you on your knees. I want you to submit. To make you suffer for defeating me. For continuing to defy me. You submitted in Shadowfen, you should still."
Jeziasi flinches slightly, though the rage growls in her eyes as she smiles through it. "You had to leash me to keep me so. I may have made a mistake, but I would have snapped my jaws around you if not for that."
"True," Swims-in-Silence responds and his eyes narrow. "I would have you submit without that."
And that was the truth of it. He wanted her to kneel of her own will. To give herself to him, knowing the truth of it, knowing all he had done. Jeziasi laughs. "That is what I thought," Jeziasi says. "You will never have me on my knees by any other means than trickery and force. I will never submit." Jeziasi's eyes glimmer. "I will return to Viperish Night now." Jeziasi turns her back on Swims-in-Silence and starts to walk away. He did not command her to stay, after all. Just to release the wolf. She could finish the battle as she was. And perhaps he would follow her. Perhaps she could get him near enough to the rest of her pack to spring upon him and end this once and for all.
"I am not done yet, Jeziasi," Swims-in-Silence hisses as he starts to follow her. "The why of it is as I said...but I also desire to keep you at my side as well. Just as I did in Shadowfen."
Jeziasi stumbles to a halt and her growl reaches a feverish pitch as horror fills her. She knew he wanted both of them, but his tone of voice as he tells her this. "Never again," Jeziasi snarls.
"And if Viperish Night is mine?" Swims-in-Silence says. "You will follow him into Coldharbour. Walking with him will mean walking with me as well."
"He will fight that fate with all he is," Jeziasi says. "And I will fight as well. I will never stop fighting for him, no matter what happens. No matter where our pack runs."
"And when he fails?" Swims-in-Silence hisses. "Or if, since you delude yourself with that thought." Jeziasi starts forward again, refusing to answer, for the fear he would hear in her voice if she did. Swims-in-Silence's voice changes once more. "Stop, my mate. Turn and answer me."
Jeziasi freezes. "Damn you..." Jeziasi whispers and turns to him. "I will follow him, but I will not be yours, not willingly." Jeziasi growls.
"In time you will change your mind, my mate. In time..." Swims-in-Silence trails off and the stare he gives Jeziasi chills her to the bone. "Mannimarco refuses to break," Swims-in-Silence says, changing the subject. "Either there is no grand plan or he withstands my torture. Jeziasi can you break my leash, I wonder." Swims-in-Silence tilts his head slightly as he observes Jeziasi, though her eyes show nothing but hate and rage, and give nothing at all away. They are more of the wolf than the mer in this moment.
The urge to leap and try to tear him limb from limb. The urge to step back and run. Both scream in Jeziasi's mind. Swims-in-Silence had tested her before but found cause to test her again. Holding back the rage and the wolf had her trembling and edging closer to the point she may not be able to, but she had to. "I would return to my son in this moment if I could break it," Jeziasi snarls softly.
"Perhaps...but you must know there is no way Viperish Night will fall in this battle," Swims-in-Silence says before he pauses. "I would have you on your knees willingly but for this test..." once more his voice changes to that tone. "Kneel, Jeziasi."
Her pack, still too far away. She can hear the sounds of battle on the wind. If there was any dead Viperish Night would know. But Swims-in-Silence stoped the dead Khajiit from rising, perhaps somehow lured him out this far to lure her out. To test them all. Viperish Night had warned them. Warned them he may know they had specific plans to end him. So she must obey in this moment. "Damn you to Oblivion," Jeziasi snarls as she drops to her knees before him.
Swims-in-Silence moves to her and crouches in front of her. "You will not move, Jeziasi. You will not resist. You will not so much as growl at me." An evil smile crosses his face. "Do you understand?"
Jeziasi's eyes glare up at him as her hands dig into the ground. "Yes," Jeziasi says. It takes all she has to keep the growl from her voice, to keep her hands in the dirt from turning to claws.
Swims-in-Silence studies her before he raises his claws and brings them to her antlers and she flinches as he runs his claws over them. Jeziasi shuts her eyes at the hateful touch...that is all too familiar and brings back memories she has done her best to bury. The first night in Shadowfen...how he had touched her antlers that night. So gently, as if he meant her no harm as if he was not deception wrapped in an Argonian skin. The things she had let him do those three weeks...the memories would forever haunt her. "My mate," Swims-in-Silence whispers. "Do you regret all of this? You must. You submitted to me. You let me leash you, touch you, do so very many things to you." When Jeziasi fails to answer his claws curl over her antlers. "Answer me, my mate."
Regret. So very many regrets. And how to answer this. She must, and she must not lie. He will hear it in her words, she is far to close to loss of control. "I do not regret my son," Jeziasi whispers. "But you will not have me the way you want me ever again."
Swims-in-Silence's laughter meets her words and he stands. "In time, my mate. And if not...there are other ways I can have you. Even if I would prefer you come to me willingly." Swims-in-Silence turns and slowly starts to walk away. "Return to our son, Jeziasi. I will have both of you in time. I can wait...a little while longer." The night seems to swallow him and Jeziasi rises shaking slightly as she turns toward the direction Viperish Night is in and runs toward the sound of battle.

Once the final Khajiit falls Zirasha glances at Tyranius and then walks back to the spot she felled the black Khajiit. There is nothing there, of course. Viperish Night raises the dead for his army leaving none behind. Zirasha stares down at the ground and frowns. Not a trace of it left, not even a drop of blood. She glances backward as Tyranius walks up behind her. "Something wrong, girl?" Tyranius asks
Zirasha looks back at the dirt and hisses. The Khajiit must have been drunk. It passed fast enough and she felt no weakness. "Just too much Khajiit blood," Zirasha says and turns to head back to Viperish Night.
Tyranius follows her laughing. "Too much? Girl, did you just say you had too much blood?"
"I will bite you if you keep laughing!" Zirasha snaps but she laughs after as the two return to the others.

The Khajiit's swarm the dead as if they know the battle for them is lost. Viperish Night stands amidst his undead his head still down as the necromantic energy flows in a constant stream rising the dead as soon as they fall to his pack. The dead far outnumber the living, and yet they still fight. Viperish Night's eyes stare out past his skeletons to the remaining Khajiit that fight without pause, without hesitation, without retreat, until the very end, grasping at an impossible concept, victory when there can be none. Viperish Night starts to lower his head again but a flash of movement catches his eyes and he turns as his Egg-mother returns from the outer edges of battle. A frown crosses his face. She's no longer in wolf form and yet she fights as if she is. Viperish Night starts to stalk toward his undead and they part for their master.
Jeziasi leaps onto a Khajiit who's in battle with several of her son's skeletons and her daggers sink into both sides of his neck, blood spraying as he chokes and falls dead onto the ground. Without pause Jeziasi spins around, the blade slicing across the neck of a Khajiit in mid-attack. A group of them catches her eyes next and she plunges into the midst of them in a vicious attack. The briefest flash of pain as claws and weapons strike her, Jeziasi pushes it aside as her daggers flash in a deadly whirlwind. As a Khajiit falls and another leaps toward her she throws one dagger and it sinks into his throat dropping her. Another one behind her has her spinning and throwing her last dagger with the same deadly aim. No longer armed she snarls as another Khajiit leaps on her and the two tumble to the ground. A few moments later blood sprays the ground as Jeziasi rips his throat out with teeth that border on fangs as the wolf nears the surface. Still, she does not transform, just tears into the remaining Khajiits, her fingers transformed into the claws of her wolf. Even when the last one falls she keeps tearing into them until strong hands seize her arms and wrench her back from the carnage.
His Egg-mother, Vicious, utterly out of control, has Viperish Night plowing through the undead and the dead Khajiit's to grab his Egg-mother by the arms. "They are dead. They are silenced, calm." Viperish Night hisses and at last, Jeziasi quiets in his grip. Viperish Night releases her and she turns around. Covered from toe to antlers in Khajiit blood, eyes golden and wild, fangs and claws of the wolf bleeding into the mer. As she stares up at him the wolf retreats. "Egg-mother," Viperish Night says, reaching to her and when she flinches he pulls back.
It takes long moments for Jeziasi to pull back the berserker fury. To recognize her son, his worried eyes upon her. Breathing hard she shakes as she stares at him. "I..." Jeziasi says and trails off to look behind her. To look at the utter ruination she caused. "I think I lost control," Jeziasi whispers.
"Egg-mother," Viperish Night says again and once more reaches for her and this time Jeziasi lets him and leans into him, forehead to forehead as the shakes slow and stop. Viperish Night's eyes darken. Only one thing could have set her off like this. "What did he do?" Viperish Night snarls softly.
Jeziasi freezes. Memories once more intruding, memories she cannot escape from. "...Too far from my pack," Jeziasi whispers. "I could not lure him closer."
"What did he do?" Viperish Night asks, murderous anger in his voice.
Jeziasi feels the anger shake him, knows how close to the edge he is and that he is trying with all he is to pull back against the call of the depths. She cannot upset him to the point this would upset him. So she says simply, "He thinks he can have us. Thinks he does have us. The urge to tear him apart, when I must pretend sets my wolf on edge. Too far on edge."
"He is closer," Viperish Night whispers back. "So very much closer. One more battle, perhaps, and then we may have him. I promise Egg-mother, we will hunt him next battle. No matter what. I want him ended."
Jeziasi nods and whispers into him, "We must. We have to kill him and soon. He will ruin us." With one last shudder Jeziasi steps back as Tyranius and Zirasha walk through the dead to stand by him.
Zirasha stares at Jeziasi and then at the pile of Khajiit torn to bloody bits. Tyranius rests his scythe on one shoulder. "Always glad your on our side, wolfy." Tyranius remarks. "Home now, pup?"
Viperish Night gives his Egg-mother one more look. His Egg-father always sets both of them on edge. Always brings the hate and pain to a boiling point. But she seems more upset this time than ever. His claws clench. Next battle. It had to be the next battle. "Perhaps Grahtwood next," Viperish Night says. "Perhaps..." he trails off and his eyes move to each of his pack mates in turn. It may be the best place to spring their trap. Viperish Night opens a portal and the pack returns home.

-Stormhaven-
Softly-Speckled-Crab kneels on the ground, one hand pressed against it. Slowly the earth moves and covers the still bones, vines, and roots wrapping around them to bring them to their final rest. She then rises and turns to look at Iveryni, who's staring out at the land now that the battle has ended. Not once in the battle did Iveryni call upon her fire, not once. Softly-Speckled-Crab moves to her. "You fear it now," Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
Iveryni moves her head slightly. "It consumed everything, Softly-Speckled-Crab. Everything. Even what I am to protect."
Softly-Speckled-Crab places a hand on Iveryni's back. So very warm, unnaturally so, but Softly-Speckled-Crab does not move her hand. "You must overcome fear, Iveryni. Now that you know what it is like to rage out of control, you can master it. You know we must use all we have, all we are to win the war."
Iveryni sighs softly. "I know...and it wants me to use it. It wants to burn, to destroy. Nearly all I am in the fire, now. If not for Rufico, it is all I would be." Iveryni turns to face Softly-Speckled-Crab. "You know all of us far too well, but I know you as well. You want this to end another way and..." Iveryni frowns. "At times it almost seems as you think we cannot win."
Softly-Speckled-Crab lowers her hand and regards Iveryni and her words. "Azura showed me many paths. The Hist, many possibilities." Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "Both ways it should end, are death. The Hist is life, I am life. How can I not want another end?" Softly-Speckled-Crab answers.
"The first answered," Iveryni says. "The second, Softly-Speckled-Crab?"
Softly-Speckled-Crab is silent and she slowly turns her back to look out on Stormhaven. Full of people, full of life. To think of defeat, would mean to think of all those who live, dead forevermore. Unacceptable... "We must win," Softly-Speckled-Crab says firmly. "Anything else is my fears, my despair."
"All our fears," Iveryni says and opens a portal. "Viperish Night was not unwise enough to come here. Perhaps the boys had better luck." Iveryni passes through the portal.
Softly-Speckled-Crab steps toward the portal and pauses. Viperish Night is not unwise. No... Viperish Night was driven to return to places known to him by his memories. And perhaps some part of him yearned for it to be ended. Softly-Speckled-Crab's head dips and she enters the portal.

-Glenumbra-
Theodyn and Rufico stand on the hills of Glenumbra as the battle dies down and the last of the dead fall. Viperish Night and his pack are elsewhere, not here. Theodyn looks down at Dawnbreaker in his hand. Darien had not appeared since the last time. As if perhaps he could not. Theodyn could still feel him, faintly. Hanging on to see the end of this, to see what became of his friend and perhaps of Theodyn as well. Theodyn glances at Rufico who's cleaning off his dagger. Theodyn sheaths Dawnbreaker and walks to him. "When this war is over... I do not know if she will release me," Theodyn says quietly.
Rufico sheaths his daggers and comes to Theodyn, cups Theodyn's face in his hands "She will, Theodyn. Or I will bring The Void to her." At Theodyn's shocked look Rufico smiles. "Incentive to win, Theo. I would fight a Daedric Prince for you. Just watch me."
Theodyn brings his hands up to cup Rufico's. "If anyone else said that I would think they were joking. You...you mean it."
"Your mine, Theo," Rufico breaths. "And I am yours. Necromancers, Daedric Princes, The end of the world? None of that is going to get in our way."
The two lean in to kiss as the night fades and they stay in each other's arms until the sun rises and bids them to return home.

-Coldharbour-
"Will you aid me Virgar?" The same Altmer who spoke with Naryu now speaks with another, deep in Coldharbour. A Nedic Vampire, whose arms are crossed with eyes regarding his request.
"You ask much of us," Virgar responds. "He will know if you speak to his son. Even if much of his attention is in and around his mortal vessel." Virgar pauses and shakes her head. "No, he would have made sure any attempt of that will be met with failure. We will not aid you in thus, Count Verandis. Nor will we aid you in rescuing the Dunmer. We may no longer be under his thrall, but you know as well as I that this is where we exist upon death. And he is known for making life unpleasant."
Count Verandis frowns as he gives Virgar's words thought. "Could you... bring her here then? Viperish Night's Egg-mother. Just briefly."
"You think he does not watch her as well?" Virgar responds and then sighs. "She aided us instead of destroying us. We owe our freedom to the Vestige. Perhaps for a time, we can block his eyes from this. Perhaps." Her eyes go distant and she turns abruptly. "I best not regret this. Meet me in the cave near here. One of my people will lead you there when I am ready."

-Skyrim Tomb-
The portal closes and Viperish Night turns to his Egg-mother. His eyes seek hers and she returns the gaze until at last Viperish Night speaks. "Time, Egg-mother," Viperish Night says. "We will plan tomorrow night."
Relive in her gaze. In a moment Viperish Night understood her desire to be alone. To try to calm the wolf screaming inside her. Jeziasi turns and walks out of the room. Zirasha stares after. She should not follow Jeziasi but the look on her face... Zirasha hisses and bursts into mist following.
Tyranius waits until the girls are gone and then turns to Viperish Night. "Pup, what happened?" Tyranius asks as he crosses his arms across his chest. "Seen Wolfy be vicious, but that was something else."
The fury in Viperish Night's gaze. "My Egg-father," he hisses angrily. "Said something, did something. We end him next fight." His Egg-Mother's words return to him. He will ruin us. As if he had not ruined them enough as is. Viperish Night's gaze turns to despair and he stalks to the throne and sits.
Tyranius moves to him. "Right, pup. I'm ready. Zirasha is too. Tell us when we'll kill him. Even if it kills us."
Viperish Night's head snaps to Tyranius and he hisses furiously. "No!" Viperish Night snaps. "You will not die. None of you."
Tyranius steps back at that and then slowly removes his helm. "Pup..." Tyranius says trailing off. "Damn it pup. Give me any order, and I'll follow."
"You will follow this one then," Viperish Night hisses.
"Try pup," Tyranius says and turns to walk out of the throne room but pauses. "Pup... Viperish Night. I'll do my best to follow that order, but if it comes down to you or me, I'm picking you. You can curse my dead body for failing to follow your order then. Till then...do my best." Tyranius walks out of the throne room.
Viperish Night blinks rapidly and then leans back on his throne. His eyes dart all around him to his dead in their alcoves. To the nearly silent tomb. His thoughts on a future they could never have, a river forever beyond their grasp...and the depths of loyalty and love that kept staggering him. "How can any of you love an abomination as I am?" Viperish Night whispers as his eyes close.

Jeziasi slowly washes the blood from her face and arms. The water turns crimson in moments and Jeziasi's hands fall to the basin as she stares into the crimson water. The slightest sound has Jeziasi stepping back from the basin as Zirasha appears. Zirasha walks to her and one look into Jeziasi's eyes is all that it takes. Zirasha hisses and grabs the bowl of bloody water and throws it against the wall. Jeziasi starts back slightly. Zirasha turns back to her. "You should not of let him do whatever it is he did to you!" Zirasha hisses angrily. "Damn the plan, damn everything, Jez. You should not have to pretend like this."
Jeziasi looks away for a moment. "He did not do much, Zirasha. Just testing me. Perhaps now he will be certain I cannot break his control."
"Just?" Zirasha snaps. "Just would not have you losing control like that." Zirasha's eyes flare with vampiric power. "I will help both of you kill him. He will not have my pack! He will not have you, I will not let him. I will fight him even if he tears my blood from me!" Zirasha hisses again and then calms slightly and looks at Jeziasi. "I know you need to be left alone. I just had to..." Zirasha trails off and when Jeziasi moves to her Zirasha falls into Jeziasi and wraps her arms around Jeziasi's neck. "I have wanted to protect you since you came to us. I will protect you. You may not need it, but I still will." Zirasha says.
Zirasha is so upset she's shaking, just as upset as Jeziasi. Jeziasi slowly wraps her arms around her shudders passing through her. "Memories," Jeziasi whispers. "Memories I wish I could forget. That is what he did." The same is true for Zirasha, Jeziasi knows. All of their memories, some were best forgotten, best drowned in the dark as much as possible least they haunt them into despair and insanity.
A few moments pass and Zirasha moves from Jeziasi. "This ends tomorrow," Zirasha says and turns. "You protect us, but we protect you as well, Jeziasi. We are pack." With that Zirasha bursts into mist and is gone.

Later in her room, Jeziasi finishes cleaning her armor and stares at her and Zirasha's nest of blankets. She should sleep, but with hateful memories and thoughts of her pack in her mind...and what is to come next, she knows sleep will never come and so she moves from the room deeper into the tomb. The watchful dead line the path and then in front of her a portal opens. Jeziasi halts and snarls, her eyes moving from crystal to gold in a moment as a voice echos from it. "Jeziasi, please come." Jeziasi's brow furrows. A voice she knows, but from many years ago. During the war, during the assault on Coldharbour. Jeziasi takes one step forward. It could be a trap, it could be anything...but she is already in a trap. There is no need for him to go to any greater lengths than he already has. And she knows the speaker of the voice helped her then, as she helped her. So Jeziasi walks through the portal and it closes behind her.