Viper in the Night

by Knight-Jackalope

He is an Argonian with no tribe Banished for reasons he could not understand, he journeys into a world that is far larger and more dangerous then he expected. He starts out so naive, but the type of magic that nibbles on his tail throws him into a dark and blood-filled world and he follows his strange mentor into the dark. Will he swim the icy river, or find another path?

75. Act 4 - The Furthest Depths

Viperish Night wakes shortly before nightfall and he stands and walks to the wall. His claws move against the stones catching on the claw marks. Sleep was as restless as it always was, but the screams...seemed quieter today. Viperish Night leans his head against the stones. It was so very hard to fight...but perhaps the fight would be easier once his Egg-father was killed. Perhaps he could find some measure of peace and keep the shards of clarity that remained, that he fought against the madness to keep. Viperish Night hisses angrily. How upset his Egg-mother had been, so much so he had to pull her from the Khajiit's she rent to pieces, and she was not even transformed when she did it. Viperish Night's claws curl on the stones. How strange to be the one pulling another back from the brink. And how strange he did not find it amusing...he might have in the past. Viperish Night steps back to the wall and brings his claws to his head. "So confusing," Viperish Night whispers. At times it seemed as if he was two different lizards. One who delighted and laughed in the carnage and death, and one who... found peace in it, but was yearning for a different river still. To find a different path to peace. "Also, so stupid," Viperish Night hisses. There was no other river, even if they killed his Egg-Father his claws would still slip. But perhaps...slower. Viperish Night walks out of his room.

---

Zirasha moves to the throne room and pauses outside of it. She had been up all day, chasing bears and deer through the snow. Leaping upon them and tearing them to pieces. She was as strong as she ever was. Not a single thing wrong. Zirasha hisses softly. The damn Khajiit must have had Skooma in her system.

"Hissing this early?" Tyranius says as he stops by Zirasha.

Her eyes move to him and she opens her mouth then closes it before she tells him about the strange Khajiit. "I could not sleep," Zirasha says instead and moves to the throne room with Tyranius following behind her. Jeziasi enters soon after and Zirasha's eyes find Jeziasi's and she frowns in puzzlement. Jeziasi was so very upset last night, but now she's relaxed and the strangest look in her eyes. Before Zirasha can ask, Viperish Night walks in and brushes by them to sit on the throne with claws clasped.

Viperish Night knows he said nothing as he came in. That he has puzzled everyone. He needs to put his thoughts into words. The screams are oddly distant today, which makes it easier. Viperish Night closes his eyes and thinks about what he had decided. Slowly he opens them to regard his family. "Grahtwood...tomorrow night." Viperish Night says. His eyes move to Zirasha's. "I need you to tell one of the heroes we are attacking tomorrow."

Shocked silence. Zirasha blinks rapidly, Jeziasi moves closer to Viperish Night and Tyranius crosses his arms. "Wait, pup," Tyranius says. "Let me get this straight. Grahtwood's our target. And we are going to WARN them we are coming?"

Jeziasi crouches by the throne. "You want them to help us end Swims-In-Silence," Jeziasi says.

Viperish Night's eyes slide to hers and a small smile appears on his face, all fangs and murderous intent. "We need to end my Egg-father. They know he is involved. They must know that it would be easier for them if he was removed from this war."

Tyranius shrugs. "Risky pup, but got balls. If we fail to catch Swims-In-Silence enough off-guard, he could summon Daedra. Let the damn heroes deal with that why we finish off the bastard."

Zirasha hisses angrily. "We cannot trust them not to take us out after we deal with him!" Zirasha says. "Did you forget how far they went to kill Jeziasi? To kill all of us!"

Viperish Night lowers his hand and Jeziasi reaches up to cover her son's hand in hers. Viperish Night looks at her again and then at his pack. "Truth, they may take advantage at the end. But..." Viperish Night's eyes narrow. "If we do not kill my Egg-father, he will ruin us." A flash of pain through Viperish Night's eyes. As long as Swims-In-Silence lived, his pack would be in danger. The things Swims-In-Silence and Mannimarco had done to those who tried to help him would forever haunt a part of him.

Tyranius steps forward. "Pup, they will never agree to this. We'd have to give them something in turn."

Viperish Night stares at Tyranius. "The voices are quiet today," Viperish Night remarks. "How long they will stay quiet...I do not know. I know that death brings peace, but it also brings me one step closer to surrender, to him. We will give them what they want, what they hope for. We will...end the war for this. For as long as I can hold against the screams and the madness they bring." Viperish Night hisses softly. "Even if I still want to drown Nirn...I want to drown my Egg-father even more."

"Pup, best not tell them that last part," Tyranius remarks dryly.

A growl builds in Jeziasi and all eyes turn to her. "They would demand our surrender. Put us in chains, lock us away. Our freedom gone, our pack broken apart," Jeziasi says. "I betrayed them, and that is what they did to me. And we have done so very much more than I had done at the time."

"I will never surrender, I would drown the world first." Viperish Night hisses. "They will accept our word or the war continues and I will drive my armies to their cities gates. The dead have been taking their time, I can drive them further, faster." Viperish Night laughs softly. "I can make it oh so much worse for them."

"But you have not," Zirasha says with a puzzled look on her face.

Viperish Night blinks a few times. "I...did not want the end to come that fast." Viperish Night admits and then tilts his head. "The furthest depths, I glimpse the power it holds when I transform. If I willed that power forth...it would get so very much worse." Jeziasi's hand tightens on Viperish Night. her eyes stare into his. "I see the question in your eyes, Egg-mother," Viperish Night says. "You want to ask me to never go that far, but you will not command me." Viperish Night shudders softly. "I will try, Egg-mother. It would drown me to do so."

"Best not tell them that either," Tyranius says and then adds, "What one?"

"It should be Softly-Speckled-Crab," Jeziasi says. "She understands us the best. She will listen."

"What if I want to eat her instead?" Zirasha says and when everyone looks at her she laughs. "I know, I know. Do not eat anyone. Mist in and find Softly-Speckled-Crab alone and mist out." Zirasha blinks and looks at Viperish Night. "This is the first time you have told me to do something that does not involve eating them or making it rain blood."

"Do you mind?" Viperish Night says. "I know what eases us, but..."

Zirasha moves closer to Viperish Night. "I'll have more time with my pack. I will never mind that. It is just strange I care about something more than making Nirn pay, then the utter freedom of blood and carnage." Zirasha turns and bursts into mist quickly flowing toward the entrance and out into the night.

---

-Grahtwood-

The sun is nearly rising by the time Zirasha finds Softly-Speckled-Crab. She is near Elden Root, too near. Zirasha crouches in a tree her crimson eyes staring at Softly-Speckled-Crab. A few moments pass and then Softly-Speckled-Crab turns her head towards Zirasha, her eyes widening slightly. Zirasha brings a finger to her lips and then mists and heads deeper into Valenwood. Would Softly-Speckled-Crab be foolish enough to follow? Zirasha never would follow an enemy deep into a forest. Unless she thought she had the advantage, unless she thought it certain she could kill them.

Away from Elden Root and the Bosmer and others who dwelt there Zirasha reforms into another tree overlooking a small clearing and waits. A few moments later Softly-Speckled-Crab cautiously moves from the forest to walk into the clearing, and she pauses and looks up at Zirasha. "Come down," Softly-Speckled-Crab asks. "I feel you mean me no harm."

Zirasha hisses and leaps down to crouch on a fallen log. "I mean most everyone harm," Zirasha says. "You could think that, but I could still be luring you into a trap." Zirasha's eyes glimmer as her nails digs into the tree.

"My friends are near," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "And you are alone. The trees tell me as much." Softly-Speckled-Crab tilts her head. "I can also feel you have not so much as fed this night." Curiosity shines in Softly-Speckled-Crab's eyes as she moves to a rock and sits upon it.

"...Viperish Night sent me," Zirasha says. "We want to kill Swims-In-Silence. We want you to help us." Softly-Speckled-Crab blinks a few times and seeing Softly-Speckled-Crab's response Zirasha hisses. "Not for free."

"What do you offer?" Softly-Speckled-Crab says, crossing her arms and leaning forward.

Zirasha is quiet for long moments and breaks eye contact to look to the side. She, at last, brings her eyes back to Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Viperish Night will end the war if you help us. If that bastard dies."

Softly-Speckled-Crab stills utterly as her eyes fill with shock. Always hoping for another end to this then the two that presented itself. But it had come so very far. Softly-Speckled-Crab lowers her head. Even if this was offered, would the Dominion or the other allegiances even consider it? Softly-Speckled-Crab knew the answer. These damaged people pushed into darkness and given no way out... "None of you will ever be forgiven," Softly-Speckled-Crab whispers. "They will never accept this unless you surrender. You know that. Viperish Night must know that."

Zirasha smiles at that, her fangs glimmering. "We refuse surrender," Zirasha hisses. "You will help us, you will take us at our word."

Softly-Speckled-Crab closes her eyes at this and part of her sinks into the Valenwood to control the urge to tremble. She has no fear of Zirasha in this moment, even if Zirasha's intentions were to change, Softly-Speckled-Crab would feel it. Nature would react at her will. "You want the impossible," Softly-Speckled-Crab says as she opens her eyes and dares to stare right into the vampire's eyes. "Will he stop? Not just for now." Softly-Speckled-Crab asks.

Tyranius had said not to mention certain things. But if she lies in this moment, Softly-Speckled-Crab will know. Will return to the heroes and this chance will be lost. Her pack...could be lost. They need to kill Swims-In-Silence. She pauses in indecision.

"Zirasha," Softly-Speckled-Crab quietly says. "You have done much to escape fear. To find something to make you strong. But it is not what you now desire, is it?"

Zirasha looks away. "You should not see me that clearly!" Zirasha snaps and then turns her eyes back to Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Viperish Night will try. We will help him try." Zirasha hisses, showing her deadly fangs. "But if any of you try to take us, break our pack..." Zirasha's gaze snaps back to Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Viperish Night could do worse. He could unleash all the dragon bones in Tamriel. He could crush his armies upon the biggest cities, he could so much worse than this, this war would be won so much faster! But he does not want US to end."

Softly-Speckled-Crab's head dips. "I hear the truth in your words. I can feel great monsters still unrisen in the ground around Tamriel. I wondered..." Softly-Speckled-Crab sighs and shakes her head. "It is not enough what you offer. It never will be enough for all Viperish Night has done, all that all of you have done in his war. Even if the cause is Molag Bal, even if he drives Viperish Night to the brink of insanity and beyond to cause all this!" Softly-Speckled-Crab rises and her eyes stare at Zirasha. "I understand, your rivers were taken from you. Despair and loss...this should have never happened. But you will never be forgiven, you will never be understood by most of Tamriel. But...I will talk to my pack. The allegiances will never accept this, but the four of us...perhaps. I will talk to them."

Zirasha rises. "We attack Grahtwood tomorrow night," Zirasha says.

Too soon, but before Softly-Speckled-Crab can say that she sees the desperation in Zirasha's eyes, so instead she thinks a moment. "Viperish Night must show us good faith," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "When he brings his war to Valenwood he...all of you must try not to kill the Dominion troops. We...if my friends agree... will hold back our strength as well."

"Swims-In-Silence will think us weak if we do that," Zirasha says and then a small smile creeps upon her face. "He will not resist coming into our midst and tormenting us for it. Then, we will strike." Zirasha's eyes search Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Will...you truly let us be? If we stop this war, if we try to vanish? Try to help him?"

"We became what we are to stop the war," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "If the war is over, we are done. But we cannot protect you from the rest of Tamriel. All of you will have to vanish from history itself to remain hidden, safe."

Zirasha blinks rapidly and abruptly turns. "It would be more than we deserve. We are the monsters in the night. But...we never meant to be this way. Even Tyranius shows shades of something else at times." Zirasha turns to mist and flows back to the portal that waits for her at the border of Grahtwood, to return to her pack.

---

-Elden Root-

Softly-Speckled-Crab moves slowly through the great tree until she enters the meeting room and sits down at the table, claws clasped and her eyes slowly close. Such despair in Zirasha's eyes, and a small bit of hope in all the darkness. They had killed countless, to let them go should be unthinkable. But Viperish Night deserved some measure of peace, even if it was fleeting. Softly-Speckled-Crab shakes slightly, for the truth she knows and she could not bring herself to tell Zirasha. The Daedric essence and the Band of T'zlich were tightly interwoven. And the ripples it caused was ice and darkness that became waves to drown all that was good in him. The battle caused madness and a mortal soul could not withstand the storm that caused forever. The Hist could not purify the Daedric essence, not even when Viperish Night died. He could never return to the Marsh. Softly-Speckled-Crab meant what she said, if they stopped the war, she would let them go. But it would not end happily still. All it would buy him is a small measure of peace with his pack, his family.

"Softly-Speckled-Crab," Iveryni says with worry in her tone as she walks in and sits by Softly-Speckled-Crab, her hand resting on top of Softly-Speckled-Crab's.

Softly-Speckled-Crab slowly opens her eyes as Rufico and Theodyn walk in and sit down. "There is such despair, the ways it could end are all so much death and pain," Softly-Speckled-Crab quietly says and she looks to each of them in turn. "If the war could be over tomorrow, would you let them go?"

Shocked silence. "What," Theodyn finally manages to say.

"Not an answer," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "I need one."

Iveryni stands up and starts to pace and then spins and stares at Softly-Speckled-Crab. "You do know how many people Viperish Night has murdered with his pack and his undead? how many lives have been lost? It is beyond counting!"

"And it will be more," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "Even if we win, it will be countless more before this is over." Softly-Speckled-Crab's eyes move to Rufico who stares back before crossing his arms. "You see."

Rufico glances at Iveryni and then at Theodyn. "Viperish Night can raise dragons. Yet he has not," Rufico says. "He prolongs the war."

Iveryni stares at Rufico and then sits down. "Why would he do that? Why?"

"Love," Theodyn quietly says. "This war is destroying his mortal self. The part of him that loves his family. When it is over, if he wins...it will be the end of that part of him."

"Viperish Night found something he cares for more than revenge against Nirn, more than quieting the madness of the living, as he often puts it," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "He is willing to try another way. Even...if it may very well fail."

"Yes," Theodyn says as he moves his hand toward Rufico's, who grasps it in his own. "If the war can be over...yes."

"The Dominion will not let this stand," Iveryni says. "None of the Allegiances will. They will be hunted to the ends of Nirn and beyond."

Rufico chuckles. "We are not going to tell them, are we Softly-Speckled-Crab? Just going to decide this on our own." Rufico says and then shrugs. "I assume Swims-In-Silence is not going to get off this easy, right?"

"If we are in agreement, we will help Viperish Night kill him," Softly-Speckled-Crab says.

Rufico smirks. "That case, yes. That is what drives the Dark Brotherhood. Not fighting the war, but showing Molag Bal not even a Daedric Prince is above The Void." Rufico answers.

Iveryni closes her eyes. "The next war approaches. Tamriel is already weakened to such an extent by this war. If it could be over...yes." Iveryni's eyes bolt open. "But can Viperish Night stop?"

"I'll follow them when they vanish," Rufico says. "The moment Viperish Night loses his grip and lets the Daedric side win, I'll put a blade to his heart before he can unleash darkness on Nirn anew," Rufico smirks. "I know how to follow them. Figured it out, but Swims-In-Silence seems to have found out what I was doing and blocked me. A knife to him and following Viperish Night will be child's play."

"I will come with you," Theodyn says and as Rufico looks at him Theodyn grips Rufico's hand tighter. "Not going to lose you, Rufico."

"Have to drop the shiny armor," Rufico says. "You're cute in it Theo, but it is not right for sneaking."

"In a heartbeat," Theodyn promises.

"We are in agreement," Iveryni says. "This is madness, but we are still in agreement."

---

-Grahtwood-

The following night a portal opens in a large clearing some distance away from Elden Root. Viperish Night and his pack step out from it into the dark of the forested night. Tyranius moves to Viperish Night's side and quietly speaks to him. "No way of knowing if they listened to her pup. If they will turn on us after. You sure about this?"

Viperish Night does not answer right away instead his eyes move through the night. The living are close, a plague he sought to eradicate before his pack started to remind him of who he used to be. Enough...to fight his way from the madness and icy dark, from the very brink. "Yes," Viperish Night hisses and his gaze moves to his Egg-mother who moves to stand beside him. Viperish Night tilts his head slightly. She swam into the depths after him, with no true hope he would ever return from them. Somehow...she reached not only him, but Tyranius and Zirasha. She was the reason they would stop this war, that they would try another river, against all odds. "Egg-mother," Viperish Night softly says, taking her hand in his. "I did not think it would end this way. I thought it would end all of them or all of us. Not..." Viperish Night trails off.

Jeziasi grips his hand tightly as she looks up into his gaze. To see hope in those eyes, even if it is just a glimmer against the dark, against everything that stands against another way. "Perhaps ending Swims-In-Silence will be enough to quiet the Daedric within you, until we find a way to get rid of it," Jeziasi says and then her eyes turn to the forest as Mannimarco's words echo in her head. That could not be the only option they had. She would fight to find another.

"None of us thought it could end another way," Zirasha says. "She...Softly-Speckled-Crab... she means to let us go." Zirasha blinks rapidly. "After all of this...she'll just let us go."

"Did threaten her," Tyranius says as he withdraws his scythe.

Zirasha turns and hisses at him. "That too, but it was more than that."

"Crazy lizard wants to give us a chance," Tyranius says and laughs. "Think I like my lizards crazy, pup." Viperish Night glances at him, a small smile crossing his face.

Zirasha stiffens as she moves closer to the trees. "Now," Zirasha says.

The night is suddenly light aflame as torches burst into existence all around them. Jeziasi glances up at them then at Viperish Night. "You knew this, once," Jeziasi tells him, "Trees here are sacred to the Bosmer. Try not to harm them as well if possible."

Viperish Night nods as his eyes fill with necromantic energy and he raises and calls his undead army, perhaps for the last time and as the dead surround his pack his eyes move to the trees. Once he could almost hear them speak, now death drowned out their song. "I will try..." Viperish Night trails off and looks at his Egg-mother. "I still want to end them all, Egg-mother, drown them as everything drowned me. But perhaps that is just the Daedric part of me singing that song. Perhaps you can sing me...all of us another."

Jeziasi's eyes widen slightly and then she steps away from Viperish Night to ready for battle. "We are pack, now and forever," Jeziasi says. "No matter what, that must always stay true."

Any other words are cut off as the Dominion troops pour out from the forest and the Bosmer leap from the trees down upon them. And mixed in with them are the four heroes. Viperish Night searches until he finds Softly-Speckled-Crab and their eyes meet and she gives the smallest nods before withdrawing her staff.

Tyranius heaves his scythe. "Last battle pup, disappointed I can't kill any of them."

"Accidents could happen," Zirasha says with a laugh as she bursts into mist and reforms amid a group of Bosmer. In a blur of speed, all four are down in seconds from Zirasha's rapid blows to the back of the necks. Even though Zirasha ate before coming here, she still gazes down them hungrily before moving on.

Tyranius charges a group of Thalmor, knocking them over. His right-hand holds the scythe as it flies and as they dodge the strikes he aims powerful blows with his left knocking them out left and right. Jeziasi transforms into the wolf and throws herself into the battle, Bosmer and Altmer flying left and right as she aims powerful blows that fell them without killing them. Jeziasi huffs and moves toward the next. Viperish Night glances at his dead and the skeletons surge into battle, a mix of mer, man, bears, and wolves. All do the same as his pack. Attack fiercely, but aiming to knock out the army rather than tear them to bloody bits.

Tyranius turns as Theodyn comes for him and their blades clash as those around them scatter from the fierce combat. "Always fun fighting you brats," Tyranius says as Theodyn leaps from his next strike. "Even with kid gloves."

Dawnbreaker shimmers in Theodyn's grip as he stares at Tyranius. "Some part of me will never forgive what all of you have done," Theodyn utters. "But I can understand it." Theodyn's eyes briefly glance around the battlefield. "How once shattered, one can do the unspeakable...and it only ends if you have someone to bring you back from it."

"Never was broken," Tyranius growls. "I just found people worth fighting for. Willing to give this up for them." Tyranius too looks around the battlefield. "Get your point though. Now come on as you mean it. Almost. Let us have some fun."

Theodyn surprises himself by smiling and dashes it from his face soon after. The two's blades are soon crashing against each other as they fight in spectacular fashion as only two skilled swordsman can.

As Softly-Speckled-Crab's roots erupt from the ground Zirasha springs over them and lands behind Softly-Speckled-Crab who swiftly turns to meet Zirasha's dagger with her staff. The two spring back. "You still mean it?" Zirasha breaths.

"Yes," Softly-Speckled-Crab says quietly. "We will be watching you, but we will give all of you a chance that you were never given."

"We just have to be good," Zirasha says. "Being good is hard when we make such glorious monsters. But for my pack, it is worth it." Zirasha laughs and springs toward Softly-Speckled-Crab and the two tumble to the ground before leaping apart once more.

Once the Dominion troops are scattered unconscious at Jeziasi's feet she turns to see Iveryni move toward her. Jeziasi's golden eyes narrow a growl reverberates and then she shakes off the wolf and returns to mer form, withdrawing daggers. Iveryni withdraws her twin axes as the two circles each other. "A wolf's protectiveness of her cub," Iveryni remarks.

Jeziasi shrugs. "Wolf wants to tear you apart for the last fight. I protect my pack. But..." Jeziasi trails off and regards Iveryni.

"Yes, we are doing the unspeakable," Iveryni says. "Do not make us regret this, Jeziasi." Iveryni surges toward Jeziasi and the two dance around each other with the clash of blades until they break apart breathing a little harder.

"I lost control once, too," Jeziasi says. "I still do not know if all I killed as my wolf deserved it."

"Enough! Just fight," Iveryni says crossly. "We are not friends. We cannot be." With a growl, she launches herself at Jeziasi again and the second clash is even fiercer than the first, and when they break apart both are breathing much harder.

"Iveryni," Jeziasi says and when Iveryni glares at her Jeziasi raises daggers. "I know fight. But let me say this first. Do not be afraid of your power. You may yet need it. Control it, not the other way around. I had to learn that. I...perhaps learned it the wrong way."

"So much you do not know," Iveryni says. "But let us just get this over with." Iveryni moves toward Jeziasi and the two start their third clash a dance only true warriors can master, endure.

Viperish Night feels the living fall, into the depths of unconsciousness rather than death. The necromancy seems to surge against him, wanting their deaths, wanting to claim the living for its own and Viperish Night fights it. "I am the master of death," Viperish Night hisses. The dead continue to obey his will and Viperish Night's eyes stare into the depths of the forest. He can feel his Egg-father now, watching and casting judgment on him. If this failed...he would take Viperish Night's pack. "I will not let you have them," Viperish Night whispers. All this time his Egg-father pushed him to the furthest depths, but he made a fatal mistake. A feral grin crosses Viperish Night's face. Those that dove in after Viperish Night reached him. And then his Egg-father went and hurt them, threatened them. Why would Viperish Night ever give in to someone who would hurt his pack. "Come for us, we will show you ruin." Viperish Night hisses to the night.

"Hope you don't mean me," a voice says as Rufico appears from the shadows to stand in front of Viperish Night. Rufico tosses his dagger from hand to hand. "Should we get farce started?" Rufico asks.

Viperish Night withdraws his swords and stalks toward Rufico. "Will you let us go?" Viperish Night asks. "Or will we find your blade into our backs?" Viperish Night's eyes narrow as rage sparks within, the rage he does his best to keep under control. "As you did my Egg-mother."

"That was nothing personal," Rufico says. "Knifing the vampire might have been personal had I been able to...but Theo is willing to not hate her for Craglorn, so gonna let that go too." Rufico grabs the knife with his right hand. "It is Swims-in-Silence The Void demands. You fail to kill him, I'll steal that kill from you. He dies, period. Only way I'll let you go." Rufico's eyes narrow. "You ever return to the war, I'll end you too. The Void take both your souls if it comes down to that."

Viperish Night hisses wildly. "I and my pack will rend my Egg-father into pieces. It is the only way to..." Viperish Night trails off and then attacks Rufico. Rufico dances between the twin blades, dagger blocking when one comes to close.

Rufico springs backward. "Protect. Love. I get it." Rufico says. "If you want to end the war for that, better for me too. I will have my forever sooner. Now, let us dance." Rufico springs toward Viperish Night and the two's blades fly, Rufico a blur of shadows and Viperish Night a blur of speed.

Tyranius's scythe clashes against Dawnbreaker with a mighty crash pushing Theodyn back. Theodyn leaps from the next and rolls on the ground surprising Tyranius, leaping up in a swift uppercut. Tyranius lunges to the side and his scythe roars down as Theodyn twists and swings Dawnbreaker again. A mighty crash of the two Daedric weapons sends both stumbling backward. "Our weapons like to fight each other," Tyranius says.

"Our Princes don't like each other much," Theodyn says as he moves to the side, Dawnbreaker in his hands.

"Understatement," Tyranius grips his Scythe with two hands as he matches Theodyn's movements. "Something we have in common. Don't like your Prince much, do you?"

Theodyn's grip tightens. "She nearly destroyed me. Now come on!" Theodyn says.

"Sore spot," Tyranius remarks and leaps at Theodyn. Scythe crashes down on Dawnbreaker and with a sidewise sweep Tyranius knocks Theodyn upon the ground. "I win," Tyranius says as he laughs. Theodyn glares up at him and Tyranius shrugs as Theodyn rises again. Tyranius raises his scythe and starts to step forward, but instead stumbles. The scythe slides from his grip and hits the ground with a crash. Tyranius's hand moves to his side as he stumbles backward.

"Tyranius?" Theodyn says puzzled and starts to step forward.

"Damn it...damn him," Tyranius swears as he falls backward and crashes to the ground.

"Tyranius!" Theodyn leaps to Tyranius's side and tears the helmet off tossing it to the side, moving his hand to Tyranius's neck. No pulse, no breath, no sign of life at all. Theodyn leaps up and looks around the battlefield wildly. Love. Love was to save them all, even in the darkest hour. But now? Now love may destroy them all. The blood drains from Theodyn's face. Take away what Viperish Night loves...and there will be no hope for Nirn, no forever for any of them. Theodyn dashes away from Tyranius's body, knowing there may be nothing he can do.

A smile is on Zirasha's face as she fights with Softly-Speckled-Crab. Misting when the vines and roots erupt from the ground to ensnare her and reappearing by Softly-Speckled-Crab, her dagger crashing against Softly-Speckled-Crab's staff. Zirasha springs back into a tree and looks down. "Come up and get me!" Zirasha says.

Softly-Speckled-Crab tilts her head up at the vampire and the tree shakes sending Zirasha stumbling. Zirasha laughs again and leaps off the branch to land behind Softly-Speckled-Crab, who spins and again dagger meets staff. "You remind me of a hatchling," Softly-Speckled-Crab remarks.

Zirasha smiles and laughs once more. "I never once have been really happy. Never once known love. With my pack, I have that! And you will let us have that after this! When we tear that bastard to pieces and vanish." Zirasha's face grows serious. "I...do not know how to thank you for this. You should not do this but you are."

"None of this should have happened," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "It is best if it ends quietly. If there is some measure of peace for everyone. It is better than the other ways it can end." Softly-Speckled-Crab smiles and motions to Zirasha. "Let us continue to play, until the time to end the one who started all of this despair comes." Zirasha nods and raises her dagger and mists again streaming toward Softly-Speckled-Crab. Softly-Speckled-Crab moves one foot backward getting ready for her to reform. Suddenly the cloud of mist shimmers crimson and reforms into Zirasha who stumbles backward. "Zirasha?" Softly-Speckled-Crab says as a chill runs down her spine. Something is wrong.

Zirasha's gaze snaps up to meet Softly-Speckled-Crab, and there is so very much fear in those eyes as Zirasha starts to shake. "No..." Zirasha whispers and then she throws her head back and screams in utter agony before crashing to the ground in a boneless heap.

Softly-Speckled-Crab runs to her side and kneels by Zirasha's side. The vampire is still, too still. Softly-Speckled-Crab places one hand on Zirasha's shoulder and starts to shake as she lowers her head to the inescapable truth. The spark of vampiric life was gone. "No, no," Softly-Speckled-Crab says as her claws rake the ground before throwing her head back and screeching. With an ungraceful stumble, she rises and dashes forward. It is too late, of course. In moments, he will know. In moments, they all will almost certainly die, and Nirn will follow.

Twin tornados of steel and speed, at last Iveryni and Jeziasi, break apart breathing hard. "Again," Jeziasi says and she catches a small smile before Iveryni banishes it and leaps at Jeziasi again. The two clash in fierce battle, holding back but just. A powerful strike by Jeziasi sends one of Iveryni's axes into the brush. Iveryni's ruins glow and she strikes at Jeziasi with her remaining weapon, fire bursting to life on the ax blade. It's Jeziasi's turn to lose a blade and the two leap apart from each other. "Not that hard," Jeziasi breaths.

Iveryni frowns. "You may have a point." Iveryni's eyes search Jeziasi. "You know my fears, you know my pain. I will overcome it."

"But you may not be able to overcome Dagon," Jeziasi says, and as Iveryni's eyes widen Jezasi shrugs. "I fought against enough Princes to know when one is ensnared by one." Jeziasi's eyes shimmer in the torchlight as sorrow crosses them. "Do not let him hurt Nirn," Jeziasi says. "I let the Prince who ensnared me do that very thing. I do it now...for my son because my heart cannot take any other option. Do not get to the point I was driven to."

"Jeziasi..." Iveryni breaths. "I can promise nothing. But..." Iveryni thinks of Theodyn, Rufico, and Softly-Speckled-Crab and a sad smile crosses her face. "I will try. For my pack, for our future." Iveryni raises her remaining ax and very quietly she says, "He should come soon."

Jeziasi raises her dagger and nods. "We want this over. Lets..." Jeziasi trails off and stumbles backward as the dagger falls from her hand. Time seems to slow and stop as Jeziasi tilts her head up. Suddenly she was so very cold. Ice radiates down from her antlers as her eyes stare up into the trees. Grahtwood, once her home, so very long ago. Life, so simple, so very long ago. The icy cold envelops her and Jeziasi struggles to call her wolf, heat, and life to her, but even her wolf is no match for this cold. "Viper..." Jeziasi whispers as a single tear falls down Jeziasi's cheek as she crashes to the ground, eyes closing.

Iveryni stares in shock before moving to Jeziasi. "No, damn it," Iveryni says as she touches Jeziasi's face. "You cannot be dead. Damn it GET UP!" Iveryni says as her runes glow and fire threatens to consume her. Iveryni stumbles up and backs away from Jeziasi's body before falling to the ground again, hands pressed against the ground as she shakes. She thought Jeziasi a traitor once, but she was the one to change Viperish Night and his pack. She was the one that would have saved the world from ruin, again. Perhaps not in the way all thought she should, but in the only way she could. And now... Iveryni bolts up and throws herself forward. The hate she saw in Viperish Night's eyes when they fought in Bangkorai, that would be a drop in the ocean once he knew his Egg-mother was dead.

The glint of silver in the night as Rufico's throwing knifes spin in the air toward Viperish Night. Viperish Night leaps to the side and throws one of his swords and rather than leap out of the way Rufico catches it in midair and smirks at Viperish Night before tossing it back to him. Once Viperish Night has both swords in hands again the two circle each other. Rufico stares into Viperish Night's eyes. "Let me ask you something. You don't think you can win." Rufico remarks and tabs a finger to his head.

Viperish Night's eyes narrow and he is silent for long moments before speaking, "I will not lose my pack. If I slip..."

Rufico's eyes widen slightly in surprise at the truth he reads in Viperish Night's eyes. "Never figured you for that," Rufico says, making a slicing motion across his throat.

"I do not want the monsters to win. Nirn to win. But..." Viperish Night trails off.

"Love, lose that and you could hurt them too," Rufico says as he pauses briefly. "Damn it...you never wanted this."

Viperish Night pauses as well. "The darker part of me did. Still does," Viperish Night admits as rage flashes through his eyes. "The song of death sings to me. It tries to drag me in the depths."

"Think I like black and white better," Rufico remarks. "If the day comes that you fall and you cannot kill yourself, my blade will be in the shadows before anyone else is harmed. Including your pack."

Viperish Night stares at Rufico and starts to answer but a chill suddenly runs down his spine and Viperish Night's head snaps to the left. Tremors pass through his body and Viperish Night's swords fall from his hands to land with a clatter upon the ground. The dead sing to him, the living scream, and his pack shine in the icy dark. But now, Viperish Night can no longer feel Tyranius. Tyranius had been there, then a single snap and he was gone. Viperish Night starts to back away as his breath rasps out. Rufico is saying something, confusion in his voice but the words are as much a blur as the world has become. "Tyranius?" Viperish Night hisses. The next blow falls moments later. Zirasha feels more of the dead the living, but her song is unmistakable, a shining star in the dark of the dead. And just like Tyranius, it falls silent as well. Viperish Night's eyes turn panicked as he turns in the direction Zirasha had been, still SHOULD be. "Zirasha," Viperish Night whispers in a broken hiss. And then the final string breaks. The one who always felt so very much alive. Fiery and fiercely wild. The Egg-mother who loves him despite it all, who pulled him from the very depths, falls silent as well. "Egg-Mother!?" Viperish Night hisses at the night. Their songs silenced by the cold of death, Viperish Night stares into the night. With a heart-wrenching cry, he throws his head back and utters a scream of utter desolation and despair before turning around and advancing on Rufico. "What have you done?" Viperish Night hisses. Again he throws back his head and howls and the necromantic energy flares and flows down his arms and tail his eyes wild and lost in the depths of pain.

Rufico's grip tightens on the blade as he stares at Viperish Night in confusion. Something had gone very wrong and he slowly backs away from the advancing necromancer, his eyes darting in the dark as if he could somehow see what happened. But the clearing was so very large and he and Viperish Night were on the very edges.

Viperish Night stops as his eyes narrow. Shakes course down through his body and he stares at Rufico with a gaze that chills the assassin to the bone. "So very stupid," Viperish Night whispers. "To trust anything. To trust you would want an end. You took your own end instead." Again Viperish Night howls and with blinding speed he throws himself at Rufico.

Rufico leaps backward to avoid Viperish Night's claws. No idea what has happened, no idea what has set Viperish Night off the edge. "Stop this!" Rufico snaps. "Stop this or I will stop it for you."

"You already did," Viperish Night hisses. "All of you. I will drown you all!" Again Viperish Night springs at Rufico. Rufico dives to the side and withdraws a dagger coated in Daedric Poison. Dodging Viperish Night's next berserk strike Rufico slices the blade down Viperish Night's arm. Viperish Night stumbles and falls to his knees, claws clenched on the ground as the poison courses through him.

"That will keep you down until I can figure this out," Rufico says as he looks out in the dark. With Viperish Night's anger, the dead have surged anew and it is even more impossible to see where his friends are, to see what has happened.

The world spins as the Daedric poison wracks Viperish Night's body. He stares down at the ground as the truth batters him, drowns him. A tear falls to the ground and Viperish Night clenches his eyes shut. His pack cannot be gone but as desperately as he tries to reach them all he can feel is their lifeless bodies. Viperish Night hisses in anger. They did this, they must have. His Egg-father was far from the battle. Just watching, as he always did. Viperish Night's eyes snap open as the hiss continues as he feels Rufico watching him, seeming to be content to let the poison slowly kill him. Viperish Night's claws contort on the ground. Betrayed again. Always betrayed, always tortured, always those he dares to love taken. Viperish Night's claws move to the band around his arm as despair fills him. It could be over in a moment. The darkness could take him, take his unrelenting torturous existence away. But...they would win. The monsters and the heroes pretending to be anything but. Viperish Night raises his head to stare at Rufico. A singular choice. Viperish Night's head drops down again as pain courses through him and vicious shakes rake Viperish Night. A lifetime of fighting the war within, being tortured without and within, being so close to another path only to have it taken away even before he could kill the one who caused all this. Rufico would see him dead and the monsters would win. Viperish Night closes his eyes. Two paths before him, and the monsters would win either way. No matter what he did, no matter what way he turned, the result was always, always the same. "Why?" Viperish Night breaths. Why was nothing he did ever enough? Even when he went to the depths the agony and madness still chased his tail, and he still lost everything. Utter hopelessness crashes through him. The agony and despair, loving only to have it ripped to bloody shreds. Viperish Night opens his eyes. "Egg-mother..." Viperish Night whispers. "I am so very tired of fighting. And I cannot let them live when they took you, all of you from me." Another tear falls from his eyes as he feels his claws slipping. "Forgive me, Egg-mother," Viperish Night whispers. "I surrender."

A flash of blue necromantic energy courses through Viperish Night and covers him. The screams began anew, screaming at him not to let go, to keep fighting as he always has done. But with his pack gone, Viperish Night no longer has anyone swimming towards him, no one to hold onto. Once, his desire never to surrender, never to give in was enough to keep from the furthest depths, enough to keep the war within going, even when he swam so very close to the depths before his Egg-mother swam with him. But Viperish Night is so very tired of fighting. Without his pack the last part of him that wants to hold on dies and his claws let go, sending him into the furthest depths. The screams grow to a hellish pitch before a tide of icy dark water slams into them sending them to the depths. Viperish Night throws his head back and howls and then his head falls and the energy fades, crackling against the ground. A few moments later and Viperish Night rises and snaps his eyes open to stare at Rufico who takes a step back at the necromancer's icy cold gaze. "Run, it will do you no good..." Viperish Night hisses. "I will drown the world just as I have drowned the part of me that screamed at me to stop." Viperish Night takes a step forward and the grass under his claws withers and starts to die. "You, all of you, will suffer until you die, and then you will suffer after in Coldharbour."

Rufico drops the poisoned blade and the Black Blade of Woe shimmers into his hands. "Should not have given you a chance to pull out of this," Rufico says. "Damn it," Rufico springs at Viperish Night the blade aimed for the necromancer's heart.

Viperish Night moves in a blinding blur of speed and snatches Rufico's arm before the blade can pierce him. He tightens his grip and the bones snap. Rufico grits his teeth as Viperish Night drops him on the ground. Before he can summon the blade again Viperish Night's hand bolts out wrapping around Rufico's neck and lifting him struggling off the ground. Daedric energy starts to gather around Viperish Night, even without being in a transformed state. It quickly becomes a storm of icy rage that pulses out. The trees around the two start to wither and die and the dead scream in the night before setting upon the unconscious soldiers, sicking sounds of slaughter echo throughout the forest. Viperish Night stares up at Rufico. "The screams quiet, the pain vanishes," Viperish Night hisses. "But you have taken what is MINE. All of you, all of Nirn. I will make this world scream in agony before I quiet it, and every living soul on it. Let my Egg-father have them, it means I'll hear your screams for eternity." Viperish Night's grip tightens and in a burst of immense strength, he throws Rufico into one of the quickly dying trees, and a sicking snap echos as Rufico falls bonelessly to the ground.

Theodyn, Iveryni, and Softly-Speckled-Crab charge through the meadow, but at every step and turn undead have surged on them from every direction, forcing them to fight bitterly for every step. At last, a path is clear and the three heroes run for the edge of the clearing where a storm of Daedric energy is gathering intense strength. The three halt on the edges, unable to cross any farther without it tearing them to pieces.

Theodyn stares into the storm that blocks Viperish Night from view. That blocks Rufico from view. Theodyn's hand reaches toward the storm and then he spins around. "How did this happened?" Theodyn utters. From the looks on his friend's faces, the same thing happened to them.

Softly-Speckled-Crab looks helplessly at Theodyn. "We lost," Softly-Speckled-Crab whispers as she turns toward the storm despair filling her eyes. "Viperish Night let go. He is lost to the depths now." Softly-Speckled-Crab utters a cry of utter agony. "Everything is dying. He is killing everything around here. Our allies, the trees. Everything."

"We have to go," Iveryni says. "We can not save them, nor can we stop Viperish Night. Not now."

"Rufico is in there!" Theodyn snaps at Iveryni.

Iveryni stares at Theodyn. "You will die if you run into the storm, Rufico...he can't survive this. No one can." Iveryni says. Theodyn turns back to the storm, one hand on Dawnbreaker as he stares at the storm with utter desolation.

Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses angrily. "No! This cannot be. We found a better path, he found a better river!" With a surge Softly-Speckled-Crab bolts toward the storm and Iveryni dashes after her. With one strike from Iveryni's staff, Softly-Speckled-Crab falls to the ground and Iveryni quickly lifts Softly-Speckled-Crab and opens a portal, and turns her head toward Theodyn.

Theodyn looks at Iveryni with a sad smile. "You can't carry us both, Iveryni. You know why I have to try. I'll rescue him, or I'll die with him. Rufico is my shadows, Rufico is my heart. Without him, I'm just Meridia's creature."

"Damn you Theodyn," Iveryni whispers. "Go. Both of you better come back." Iveryni dives into the portal with Softly-Speckled-Crab and it shuts behind her.

Theodyn dives into the storm a golden glow surrounding him as he fights his way through the deadly energy. The pulses cut through the glow and rends jagged cuts into his armor. The energy seeks to eradicate Theodyn, for he lives. But Theodyn ignores it, ignores the pain as it starts to slice through his flesh as well. With a burst, he leaps into the eye of the storm and the world goes still for a moment in time as Theodyn's eyes take in every horrific detail. Viperish Night, head thrown back as he lets the storm destroy all life around him, his face a mask of rage and hatred. And then Theodyn's heart stops as his gaze finds Rufico. Rufico who lies so still, so broken near a fallen tree. The storm is cutting through Rufico's armor, blood is pooling under him. Theodyn bursts into renewed motion and runs past Viperish Night to land by Rufico's side. as the necromancer's head turns towards him Theodyn covers Rufico's body with his own and in a blinding flash of light the two vanish.

---

The living are all dead or have run away. Run back to their tree. Viperish Night, at last, lowers his head, the storm of death dying down leaving only silence. Viperish Night turns toward the direction of Elden Root and snarls softly.

"You may not win if you do that," Swims-in-Silence says as he steps from the decayed trees and moves towards Viperish Night.

Viperish Night's eyes narrow and he stalks towards Swims-in-Silence, fangs beared and claws clenched. The newly fallen rise in skeleton form and join the rest of the dead in surrounding the two. "Egg-father, you will not escape too." Viperish Night hisses.

Swims-in-Silence stops, his eyes darting to the dead around him before focusing on Viperish Night and a smile growls on his savage face. "The agony is gone, is it not? Just as I promised." At Viperish Night's hiss, the dead move closer, and Swims-in-Silence holds up one clawed hand. "Taking Elden Root alone will prove difficult. And there is more you want to destroy soon, is there not? Black Marsh, and then the rest of Nirn," Swims-in-Silence laughs. "A choice, my son. You can kill me, or at least try and you will be alone when you continue your war. Or drop your murderous desires towards me and I will return what is yours. If you still want them."

Viperish Night stills as does his dead. "Impossible," Viperish Night hisses. "More lies. Always, always lies." Viperish Night's eyes fill with rage. "Did you do this to my pack?"

"You can ask them yourself. I told you their souls are mine. I can easily heal their bodies and call their souls back from Coldharbour. If you want." Swims-in-Silence tells him.

"They are mine, Egg-father," Viperish Night says as the dead start to step back and fade into the forest. "Return them."

Swims-in-Silence turns and walks through the clearing with Viperish Night trailing behind him until they get to Tyranius's body. Swims-in-Silence kneels besides Tyranius, his armor is cracked and broken but there is no trace of blood. Ignoring Viperish Night's curious look Swims-in-Silence moves his claws to Tyranius's face and in a few moments the flicker of life flares back as Tyranius stirs and slowly sits up. Tyranius looks around at the devastated forest, Viperish Night, and Swims-in-Silence. "Pup," Tyranius says. "And Prince."

"What happened," Viperish Night demands.

Tyranius puts a hand to his head. He had been fighting Theodyn...he knows that. It had not been a real fight...but then, though the memory is hazy it is there. "Was fighting Meridia's brat...suddenly a bright flash of light. He must have... damn dirty tricks." Tyranius says as he looks around again. "Pup what happened?"

Swims-in-Silence stands and moves in another direction. Viperish Night turns and follows without answering Tyranius. Tyranius stares at him puzzled before grabbing his helm and scythe and staggering up following them. When the three get to the still body of Zirasha who's surrounded by dead vines Tyranius stares down at her. "Girl..."Tyranius breaths.

Once again Swims-in-Silence kneels down and puts a hand on Zirasha's neck. In moments she startles awake and leaps aside away from Swims-in-Silence, her eyes darting around wildly before she falls against a dead tree.

"Which one did this?" Viperish Night demands.

Zirasha's eyes turn to Viperish Night and she blinks rapidly before answering. "I...thought..." Zirasha trails off a lost look passing on her face before she banishes it, her eyes darting briefly to Swims-in-Silence. "I thought Softly-Spoken-Crab would play fair." Zirasha whispers. The vines all around her as the two play danced in their moke fight. And then... Zirasha frowns at the hazy memories. "Her vines pricked me. I think...she must have poisoned me." Zirasha folds her arms across her chest looking so very lost.

Swims-in-Silence turns the group trails after him as he leads them to Jeziasi's body. Ashes surround the ground around her and Swims-in-Silence kneels, his claws moving to his neck. "Return, my mate," Swims-in-Silence says. As with the others, the spark of life returns, and Jeziasi's eyes bolt open, and just like Zirasha, she leaps up when she sees Swims-in-Silence so very near. A growl echos from her throat.

"Egg-mother," Viperish Night says. "The fire witch again?"

Jeziasi's head snaps to Viperish Night and she stares into his eyes and very nearly starts back. Viperish Night's crystal eyes seem almost luminescent blue and filled with icy dark. Did he transform again, and for how long to leave him in this state? Jeziasi looks around the clearing, seeing the dead and the forest in this part of Grahtwood in such a state of ruin. Confusion crosses her face. "I was fighting Iveryni. I...am not sure what happened. I remember fighting her, I remember fire, then nothing else." Jeziasi says at last.

"She killed you, Egg-mother," Viperish Night hisses.

Jeziasi starts to reply and then stops and her gaze falls back to Swims-in-Silence as her eyes narrow and she slowly snarls. All of them are here, if not in the best of shape. And he is here. Confusion is all around her, but this is the hunt. This is simple. Jeziasi's eyes follow Swims-in-Silence as he moves in front of her. "I brought you back, my mate. All of you. All for our son. Surely you can see what he wants now?" As Jeziasi's eyes turn from crystal to gold Swims-in-Silence shakes his head. "Stop, Jeziasi."

Again, he commands her, for he still thinks he can. The world seems to blur in front of Jeziasi's eyes. Too much has happened why she was...dead. Why did the heroes suddenly turn on them? How could all of this gone so very wrong in such a short time? Swims-in-Silence, he must have something to do with this, he had to. Jeziasi stares at Swims-in-Silence and prepares to call the wolf. He thinks her still leashed, she will transform and set upon him and her pack will follow her attack and they will end this, end Swims-in-Silence.

Viperish Night tilts his head as he watches the encounter. He has fought with his Egg-mother to know she can be so very still, and yet be ready to call the wolf in an instant and pounce on her prey. And Swims-in-Silence is utterly confident she'll obey him. There is no trace of doubt in his eyes. He stands in her reach, thinking her bound. This...is what he wanted. What they all wanted. But... Viperish Night's eyes narrow. "She will not obey you, Egg-father. She snapped your leash long ago. You cannot control her or any of my pack." Viperish Night hisses and Jeziasi freezes in utter shock and turns her gaze on Viperish Night. Viperish Night raises one clawed hand. "Cease, Egg-mother. We will return home for now."

"Yes, Jeziasi," Swims-in-Silence says. "Our son wishes you not to rend me to bloody pieces. And you do obey him, do you not?"

Jeziasi steps back and lowers her head. "I will follow Viperish Night always. Into the depths and beyond," Jeziasi whispers. "I also will protect my son, always." With these words, the wolf explodes out and Jeziasi leaps upon Swims-in-Silence with a vicious howl.

Swims-in-Silence leaps to the side and Jeziasi leaps at him again. In one swift movement Swims-in-Silence's arm shoots out and his claws wrap around her neck as he slams her down upon the ground, much as he did in Shadowfen when they spared. She struggles but strength seems to drain from her as the wolf vanishes.

Zirasha hisses and moves to pounce but Viperish Night's angry hiss stops her. "Cease," Viperish Night snaps. Zirasha looks at him, then at Tyranius who shakes his head no. Zirasha blinks rapidly and stops. Viperish Night's eyes move back to Swims-in-Silence who holds Jeziasi down in the dirt. "She will obey me now. Let her go, Egg-father."

Before letting Jeziasi go Swims-in-Silence smiles and leans in closer to Jeziasi. "I win, my mate," he hisses before releasing his hold on her neck and stepping back. Swims-in-Silence's eyes move to Viperish Night. "You will have my aid if you need it when you attack again."

A strange smile crosses Viperish Night's face. "My dead will drown the world, not your Daedra. Leave us." Viperish Night hisses. Swims-in-Silence just laughs before opening a portal and vanishing.

Viperish Night turns and opens his portal. "We will return home now," Viperish Night commands and walks through.

Tyranius moves to Jeziasi and helps her up. "Not sure what happened, Wolfy," Tyranius says. "We'll figure this out." Jeziasi just looks at him with despair and confusion in her eyes as she moves toward the portal and crosses through. Tyranius looks back at Zirasha. "Girl," Zirasha moves toward him without a word and they follow Jeziasi through the portal.

---

-Elden Root-

The portal opens and Iveryni staggers across it to the meeting room in Elden Root. Carefully she lies Softly-Speckled-Crab on the table as the portals close. Iveryni looks at Softly-Speckled-Crab for a long moment before she starts walking to the door. They must be told what happened. Iveryni staggers and falls against the door as realization crashes through her. They thought it could end a better way, and this was the result. If they had only pretended to go along with it they could have ended Viperish Night and this would be over. "Damn it Softly-Speckled-Crab." Iveryni curses. "Love? What good is it when this happens? When..." Iveryni lets out a strangled cry. She left Theodyn and Rufico back there with little chance of survival.

Softly-Speckled-Crab stirs and slowly sits up and looks around, her gaze falling on Iveryni before dropping her head. "They are lost," Softly-Speckled-Crab says in a broken tone. "Our friends, his pack, Viperish Night...Nirn." Softly-Speckled-Crab's claws scratch on the table as she shudders. "I could see the course of the river change. This should not have happened. None of this should have ever happened."

A blinding flash of light startles Softly-Speckled-Crab and Iveryni out of their agony as Theodyn and Rufico appear in the middle of the room. Theodyn's armor is cracked and blood flows from every inch of his body and Rufico is in much worse condition. Theodyn kneels by Rufico. "Softly-Speckled-Crab, HELP HIM," Theodyn says. "You have to save him."

Softly-Speckled-Crab moves from the table and kneels by Rufico, her claws gently touching his face and she makes a small cry. "His soul is so close to The Void," Softly-Speckled-Crab whispers.

"Fix him! Damn it fix him!" Theodyn says. "You're a healer, just make him better. Please." Theodyn's eyes clench close as tears flow down his cheeks mixing with the blood.

Softly-Speckled-Crab shakes as she shakes her head. "I could fix the lacerations. But I cannot heal this!"

Iveryni turns from the door and looks down at Rufico. "His neck..." Iveryni says.

Softly-Speckled-Crab glances at her with eyes filled with despair. "I cannot heal this. His soul moves closer to The Void with each moment."

Theodyn throws back his head and howls. "No! I will not allow him to go!" Theodyn's eyes open and they are filled with a kind of madness and he starts to open his mouth. Before he can Dawnbreaker glows and Darien flows out.

"Don't," Darien says.

"Why not?" Theodyn snarls at Darien. "What do I care what she asks of me if she saves Rufico?"

Darien kneels by Theodyn and Rufico. "She will destroy you, Theodyn," Darien says. "You have dared defy her, time and time again. And failed her in so many ways. What she'll ask of you for this favor will kill the part of you that loves him. Would Rufico want that?"

"Maybe I do not care!" Theodyn snaps as his hand moves to Rufico's still form. "If he's alive, what does it matter what happens to me?"

Darien is quiet for a moment. "This... is why I am here." At everyone's confused stare Darien smiles sadly. "I did what I needed to do. I talked to my friend one last time. I saw Theodyn saved from the light. Yet here I am. Why? This is why." Darien places his hands on Rufico as he starts to glow. The light that pulses forces Softly-Speckled-Crab back as the light infuses Rufico. Darien glances at Theodyn. "Show him your love. Guide him back to you. I'll do the rest." A sad smile passes across Darien's face. "I hope you two can find your forever," Darien says as the glow intensifies.

"Darien..." Theodyn breaths and then the blinding light forces his eyes closed from the blinding light and Theodyn presses his forehead to Rufico's and whispers a desperate plea, "Rufico come back to me. I love you, come back,"

The glow flares as bright as the sun and when it fades Darien is gone and all of Rufico is healed. Slowly Rufico's eyes open and Theodyn stares down at him. Rufico reaches up to cup Theodyn's face. "Theo," Rufico breathed. "The Void called, but you called stronger. I just did not have the strength to return...until I did."

Theodyn helps Rufico sits up and leans against him shaking. "Darien saved you. Darien brought you back to me," Theodyn says.

"Theo," Rufico says and wraps his arms around Theodyn. "Thought I'd be fine when The Void called for me, but all I wanted was to return to you."

"Never leave," Theodyn says and the two remain that way blind to the rest of the world.

Softly-Speckled-Crab watches the two with a measure of relief in her eyes before she moves to the door. Iveryni opens it and the two walk out. Softly-Speckled-Crab pauses and glances at Iveryni. "All I see now is darkness," Softly-Speckled-Crab says softly. "Once, Viperish Night would drown us all in pain and despair. Now? It is rage and ice that he will drown us in. There will be no more mercy in his heart. Even if we were to tell him we had nothing to do with his pack's death, he will never believe us, never trust us. All that is mortal in him died when his pack did. There is no other river save for this." Softly-Speckled-Crab turns from Iveryni and walks away, head down.

Iveryni stares after her and then moves in the opposite direction and suddenly stills when she sees a familiar figure walking quickly down the corridor toward her. "Razum-dar," Iveryni whispers.

Razum-dar's eyes pick up and he is soon standing in front of her and one look at Iveryni's state has the worry deepen in Razum-dar's eyes. "What has happened?"

"I was on my way to report..." Iveryni says and then she stumbles, only Razum-dar's paw on her arm keeps her up. Iveryni lowers her head. "It is in part our fault," she whispers. Unsure how to start this, unsure how to tell him.

"You must tell Razum-dar everything," Razum-dar says.

Iveryni looks up at him in despair. "We...did something we kept secret. We made a truce with Viperish Night and his pack. Agreed to help him kill Swims-In-Silence, agreed to let them go after, for an end to the war.

Razum-dar starts back in shock before his eyes narrow. "This one has no words Iveryni! You did not speak to Queen Ayrenn, she will be furious." Razum-dar's whiskers flex. "It blew up in your faces then?"

Iveryni sinks to the floor. "Everything was going right. Viperish Night was disabling the Dominion's troops without killing them. And then..." Iveryni lowers her head. "I do not know what happened! I was fighting Jeziasi, and she suddenly..." Iveryni trails off.

"She suddenly what?" Razum-dar says. "You must tell this one what happened with Jeziasi."

"One moment we were fighting, the next she froze. Said her son's name and collapsed. I...there was no life in her. The same thing happened with the rest of Viperish Night's pack." Iveryni whispers.

Razum-dar freezes. "Jeziasi..." he breaths and then turns his back and snarls before slumping against the wall. Long moments pass before he moves from the wall. "This one will inform the Queen," Razum-dar says in a strangled rasp.

"There is more," Iveryni says and as Razum-dar looks back at her she adds, "Swims-in-Silence must have done this. Viperish Night went berserk. Almost killed Rufico. Softly-Speckled-Crab said...he's utterly lost now."

"They are all lost!" Razum-dar snaps. "How could he be more lost?"

Iveryni glances up at Razum-dar. "Whatever part of Viperish Night that was mortal, that could feel love and despair is gone. All we are dealing with is a merciless monster whose singular goal is to end all life on Nirn. Not out of pain, not out of madness, but sheer malevolence for all that was taken from him. Before now Viperish Night was holding back. Before now his pack had reached him. Now...we are all damned."

"By the moons," Razum-dar says and then turns his head away. "This one will inform the Queen." and with that, he stalks down the hallway.

Softly-Speckled-Crab walks out of the great tree and into the forest. When she can go no farther she sinks to the ground and buries her claws into the soft dirt. The trees all around her weep, for they felt the great blow Viperish Night inflected upon the forest when he destroyed all life in and around the clearing where they fought. It was an open festering wound upon Valenwood. The protection of Valenwood fought against it, but Softly-Speckled-Crab feared it would in time spread. "I tried," Softly-Speckled-Crab whispers. "I tried to turn the river." Softly-Speckled-Crab cries out, a sound of anguish as she collapses onto the ground. Vines wrap around her gently and leaves seek to shelter her as Softly-Speckled-Crab closes her eyes and remembers what she wishes she could not.

iAzura had shown her many paths, but it was dreams and the details faded when the sun rose. Only small important crumbs remained in Softly-Speckled-Crab's waking mind. But under The Hist? The visions she saw there were another story.

After a hard day of training, Softly-Speckled-Crab moves through the mist and stars to rest in the roots. She tries hard to wrap her mind around this strange place, but it is hard. It is a place of dreaming, and at the time beyond dreaming. Softly-Speckled-Crab is here, and yet she is also not here. The Hist speaks to her, and at times she understands, and other times she feels so lost. The Wyrass of the past train her in the ways of their magic, and it grows within her. Argonian's from the past, Tree-minders and chiefs, and so very many more give her knowledge and at times it is almost too much for her to bear. And when she, at last, rests her dreams are filled with rivers. So very many rivers.

Softly-Speckled-Crab stands before the start of many rivers. They stream farther than her eyes can take her. As always the rivers call to her. But this day one calls to her stronger. A dark and twisted river filled with ice and the dead. Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses and backs away from it. "You must," The Hist's voice echos out to her.

Softly-Speckled-Crab looks down. "I fear it," Softly-Speckled-Crab admits. "Why must I swim in this river? There are so many."

"For it is the one that calls to him. It is the darkest possibility. It is what should be feared. You must understand what calls to Keerasi-Zish." Softly-Speckled-Crab trembles and then walks to the river. The water is icy against her claws and her spine contracts. The river surges and takes her, sending her to its depths.

Ice blue lightning flashes in the sky above as thunder calls out to the ground below. Viperish Night is standing on a hill devoid of life and the bones of the living are all around him. The lands in all directions are silent, not a single sound of life echos out. Viperish Night raises his head and his eyes are icy blue and utterly devoid of any trace of mortality. Even though the eyes are Argonian in shape and form, they are the eyes of something immortal, Daedric. Nothing on Nirn is alive any longer...for this being wished it so. Wished to drown the world, and this is the result./i

A tear courses down Softly-Speckled-Crab's face. The dream warned her of what would be if Viperish Night lost his mortality and was not stopped. She was told to put kindness aside, and yet that was one thing Softly-Speckled-Crab could not seem to do. Even as she fought Viperish Night and his pack, she strove to reach him. To see what Jeziasi saw in his eyes. And as his pack pushed aside the icy depths, Softly-Speckled-Crab started to hope. Hope that he could be reached and despair could be cast aside. Hoped that Nirn could be saved and that Keerasi-Zish could be saved as well. The desire to see him saved, was it hers or The Hist's? But it was The Hist that told her to abandon kindness, that it would be a mercy to end him...and yet The Hist also wanted him saved. Wanted somehow for Kerrash-Zish to one day come home, purged from the corruption, and allowed to rejoin The Hist, as all Argonian's do. Even though such a fate seemed impossible. But Jeziasi believed in the impossible, and somehow she made Viperish Night believe in it, made her pack believe in it. It spread to Softly-Speckled-Crab and her friends and they decided to try. To help Viperish Night instead of trying to kill him, in hopes he could end the war once Swims-In-Silence was ended. But Swims-In-Silence was an aspect of Molag Bal, Prince of schemes. How could anyone hope to pull off such a thing without him knowing? Softly-Speckled-Crab's claws make furrows in the ground. She wishes she was back in the Marsh. That she could ask The Hist what she did wrong? Was it wrong to give Viperish Night a chance? Did by doing so cost Nirn everything? Softly-Speckled-Crab shudders once more and the events of the night drag her into the dark and she lies still, nature protecting her as she passes out.

---

-Skyrim Tomb-

The portal snaps closed and Viperish Night stalks to the throne and then turns around. "You did not cease," Viperish Night hisses.

Again those eyes stare into hers. Jeziasi steps toward him and toward those eyes. The spark she dove in after, drowned herself in, she can no longer see it. Frozen by the ice. He needs to thaw, Jeziasi thinks as she moves in front of Viperish Night. "I was protecting you," Jeziasi says.

Tyranius moves to Zirasha and places his hand on her shoulder. "Let's go girl. Let them talk this out." Tyranius walks outside the throne room and Zirasha follows.

Viperish Night tilts his head as he regards his Egg-mother. "I did not need protecting, Egg-mother."

Jeziasi reaches up to touch Viperish Night's scales and leans against his forehead. "Viperish Night," Jeziasi whispers. "Come back to me, please."

Viperish Night is silent and then he steps backward and stares at her. "You always tell me that, Egg-mother. Always. Come back to you, come back to the pain, the screams, and madness. As if you alone could give me peace."

Jeziasi starts back at his tone, his words. "I would save you from them if I could," Jeziasi says. "I...you seemed less in pain. Not at peace but..." Jeziasi trails off as she looks at him helplessly.

"Because of you, I trusted," Viperish Night hisses. "Trusted that you would stay by my side, Egg-mother, that my pack would be by my side. Even dared to hope the heroes would let us go for an end to the war. But they are monsters hiding in plain sight. They took their own end, and they took my pack from me." Viperish Night's eyes narrow. "My Egg-father brought you all back to me. And you would tear his throat out before I have had a chance to think if that is something I still want."

Jeziasi takes a step back as the world spins. As memories flash through her mind. Were they even true? When she died there was nothing. She failed in the hunt, perhaps The Hunting Grounds was beyond her grasp, but there should have been something. At least her Prince telling her how badly she failed. Trusted the heroes not to destroy them, they were prey, were they not? You do not trust the prey, you do not trust the hunters, you only trust your pack. Jeziasi closes her eyes and then opens them again. "I can hardly remember what happened in the end, how are we to know Swims-In-Silence did not have something to do with everything going wrong?"

Viperish Night stares at her with those icy eyes that send chills down her. "Everything is always taken from me, Egg-mother. It is not just my Egg-father that has done this. It is so very many monsters and this world. You made me think I could make peace with this world! That it deserved peace! Nirn deserves nothing but to drown."

At last, the truth sets in and the realization nearly causes Jeziasi to collapse. The world seems to vanish until all she can see is Viperish Night's eyes and the truth within them. Icy blue eyes with rage and darkness, and yet in those eyes is not a trace of madness. The screams from the life magic helped cause the madness as they waged war against the death and Daedric waters. Viperish Night is not frozen in need of thawing. The war within him is over, and it is not the life that won. A tear falls from Jeziasi's eye. "You can not come back to me," Jeziasi whispers in horror.

"You should be happy, Egg-mother," Viperish Night says. "You hated to see me in such pain. There is no more pain any longer." A smile crosses his face. "To think I fought so hard...when the result would always be this. And now I am free...but I will never forgive what the monsters took from me, what Nirn did. I will finish what I started. They will all suffer, Egg-mother. In this life, and in Coldharbour."

Jeziasi stares at Viperish Night helplessly, utter despair in her eyes. "You do not want to end Swims-In-Silence then," Jeziasi says.

Viperish Night moves to her and traces his claws gently across her face. "He will not touch you, Egg-mother. You are mine, and he will not have or control what is mine." Viperish Night tilts his head. "As for his fate, I have...not decided yet. He took from me...and yet gave my pack back." Viperish Night turns from her and moves to his throne sitting in it, and then he looks up at her. "Are you pack still, Egg-mother? Will you keep your word and follow me still? Or will you betray me as so very many have?"

The world once more spins and Jeziasi falls to the ground her palms pressed against the cold stone. Memories of the day she woke up here were faced with an unfathomable choice. To fight against him or with him. All in hopes she would be with him, even if she could not save him. More tears fall as Jeziasi realizes she had started to hope against hope. Seeing her son swim from the depths for her, for a chance at the river long denied to him. In all the pain, madness, and darkness she had managed to do the impossible. And in one brief moment, all that was dashed to pieces. And still, her answer is somehow the same. Jeziasi raises her head to look up at her son. "I will follow you into Oblivion," Jeziasi whispers, and then her eyes narrow and she stands. "I will swim with you, drown this world with you, but I will not stop fighting for you. I will not stop trying to bring you from the depths, even if there is no hope of that at all."

Viperish Night's gaze turns to utter ice. "You will follow me, but disobey me if you think it's best for me." Jeziasi is so focused on her son that she fails to notice the two Draugr that silently come up behind her. They grab her arms and she starts and struggles. "Cease," Viperish Night snaps, his claws curling against the armrests of the throne.

Jeziasi stops and stares at Viperish Night. "I will not betray you," Jeziasi says. "You know that! You must know that. I love you. I would rather die than betray you."

"I know that," Viperish Night says. "I know all of that. And yet, you disobeyed me still. And you just said you would continue." Viperish Nights eyes fill with anger. "I want you by my side but I will not have you call me from the depths! Back to agony and madness."

Jeziasi's eyes narrow. "I do not want that, but I will fight with you, and for you. Nothing you can do will stop me from doing that."

"Very well, Egg-mother. If that is what you wish." Viperish Night hisses and raises one claw.

A third Draugr stalks behind Jeziasi and she feels its cold hand against her neck holding her in place. "Viperish Night," Jeziasi whispers as the Draugr's other hand comes up and snaps a collar around her neck. The three Draugr let Jeziasa go and step back into the shadows. Jeziasi stumbles backward and her hands move to her neck clawing at it. "What... have you...done..." Jeziasi says and then throws her head back and howls in agony as her body contorts, change forced upon it from the magic radiating from the collar. Fur, claws and fangs in a violent agonizing change. When it is done Jeziasi lies sprawled on the ground panting. She's not the werewolf, but a large wolf covered in brown and grey fur.

"Come, Egg-mother," Viperish Night says and the wolf opens her golden eyes and staggers to her feet shaking out her fur before moving to Viperish Night and sitting next to the throne. She looks up at Viperish Night and her eyes are pure wolf. A wolf's predatory gaze, a wolf's devotion to son and pack, and not a trace left of the mer is reflected in those eyes. Viperish Night leans back. "You will stay with me, Egg-mother. I know this. But I will not have you trying to drag me from the depths. I like it here. There is no pain or despair. No madness. Only clarity of purpose."

---

Zirasha paces in Tyranius's room before leaning against the wall and looking at Tyranius. "What happened?" Zirasha asks, confusion in her eyes. "One moment everything was going right. The next, I'm dead? We are all dead?"

Tyranius crosses his arms across his chest. His armor has vanished for repairs being in such a damaged state. "Damn thing was a mistake, trusting them. We've killed scores of people, Zirasha. Thinking they would let us go was our mistake. They must have been laughing at us."

Zirasha looks down. "Are you sure, Tyranius? Can you remember what happened clearly enough to be sure? Because I cannot."

Tyranius is silent as a frown crosses his face. "Girl, we gotta be careful. Viperish Night's...different. Until we get a better grasp on things, that is how it happened."

Zirasha looks up at Tyranius. "He stopped us from attacking Swims-In-Silence. Why would he do that?" Zirasha says.

"Questions girl, questions," Tyranius says. "We'll figure this out."

Before Zirasha can answer Jeziasi's howl breaks through the tomb and Zirasha starts and in a moment she is mist and traveling toward the throne room. "Damn it!" Tyranius says as he races after her.

---

Zirasha bursts into mist in the throne room and stares in horror at Jeziasi who sleeps by the throne. "What have you done!?" Zirasha hisses at Viperish Night.

Viperish Night raises his head to gaze upon her. "She would seek to drag me back to madness and pain. And in truth, she cannot any longer. This way she no longer feels the need to do such a foolish thing, it must have caused her pain. Now, we both are free of such. Her mer sleeps, and her wolf remains."

Zirasha's eyes flare crimson as she hisses and makes to move toward the two. Tyranius enters the throne room and quickly moves behind her, putting one hand on her shoulder. "Pup's the boss," Tyranius says. "We serve him. You know that."

Zirasha halts and turns toward Tyranius tears glittering in her eyes as she shakes. "I..." Zirasha clenches her eyes shut and wrenches out of Tyranius's grip flowing into mist and in moments she's gone.

Tyranius slowly turns back to Viperish Night, his eyes moving to Jeziasi. "Wolfy," Tyranius says and Jeziasi opens her golden eyes. Tyranius stares into them. When he first stared into Jeziasi's eyes when Mannimarco threw her at Viperish Night's feet, there had been nothing in those eyes. But she had woken up at last, and those eyes were filled with the wild, fire, love and so much pain. Tyranius had at first distrusted her, then slowly acceptance. And then...well she had managed to get past everything and make them all back. Now? Only the wild was reflected in those eyes. She would defend and protect her pack, but everything else was lost under the wolf now. "This is what you want pup?" Tyranius says moving his eyes back to Viperish Night. Those eyes of Viperish Night's...they reminded Tyranius of the Daedra he fought within Imperial City more than he would like to admit.

Viperish Night's claws curl against the armrests. "My Egg-mother feels no pain and despair. No need to swim against the current to save a son who no longer needs saving. We are both free now. And we will drown the world." Viperish Night narrows his eyes at Tyranius. "Zirasha ran. Will you run as well?"

"Never pup you know I'll follow you to the end," Tyranius says and glances at the door. "Zirasha will too, I'll go get her. She just cares for Jeziasi a little too much. Warned her about that. She'll get used to it." Tyranius turns and then glances back at Viperish Night who's eyes still shine with fury, and so he changes the subject. "...Need a leash for wolfy again?" Tyranius asks.

Viperish Night tilts his head as a small smile crosses his face. "Her loyalty is absolute. There is no need." Viperish Night hisses.

"Right pup, I'll go get Zirasha now," Tyranius says as he turns his head from Viperish Night and walks out into the snow.

---

Tyranius finds Zirasha curled up in the snow near the edge as dawn slowly breaks over the horizon. "Girl," Tyranius says.

Zirasha sits up and stares up at Tyranius, her face wet with tears. "You cannot be alright with this!" Zirasha snaps. "How could he do that to Jez? How?"

"He lost us, girl," Tyranius said. "Viperish Night was always broken. This just...finished the job."

"But we came back," Zirasha says. "He should come back to. He has to come back. Come back and take that thing off Jeziasi so we can..." Zirasha trails off as Tyranius interrupts her.

"Can what? Ride off into the sunset? Was a nice dream girl, but just that. A dream." Tyranius says as he shakes his head. "Girl, Viperish Night is not like you. Not like Jeziasi. When he lost his grip it did not just break part of him, it destroyed part of him." Tyranius sighs. "Come back inside, Zirasha."

Zirasha looks at the ground and tries to calm. Tries to banish the panic welling inside her, the utter despair that threatens to drown her. But at last, it wins and she snaps her gaze back on Tyranius and suddenly surges at him and slams her fists into his chest. "I want my pack as it was!" Zirasha howls and keeps attacking Tyranius until he wraps his hands around her biceps. Zirasha falls against Tyranius shaking uncontrollably. "I do not want this," Zirasha says as she buries her face into Tyranius's chest.

"Girl," Tyranius starts then starts over, "Zirasha. What other choice do we have?"

His words still Zirasha and slowly the shaking ceases though the despair remains. "None," Zirasha whispers. "I will not betray Viperish Night. I will not leave Jez or my pack. Not ever. But Tyranius, what do we do?" Zirasha pulls back slightly and looks up at Tyranius, at the traces of despair in his eyes as well. Despite how he was, he still wanted more of this.

"We'll be monsters, Zirasha," Tyranius says. "It's what we are good at. What Viperish Night wants us to be." Tyranius drops his hands as Zirasha steps back.

"Monsters...in all actuality," Zirasha whispers. "No more time for silly impossible dreams then. Just this." A bitter smile crosses Zirasha's lips. "I'll kill them all for Viperish Night, Tyranius. Just as I promised when I met him. If that is what it takes to keep my pack." Zirasha moves and starts across the snow until Tyranius's words briefly halts her.

"...Did not seem silly to me girl. For a moment I wanted something else. First time in my life." Tyranius says and as Zirasha glances back at him he shakes his head. "Not in the cards for creatures like us."

Zirasha gives him a sad smile before turning and walking back to the tomb and Tyranius follows.

---

Viperish Night glances up as the two reenter. Zirasha pauses briefly before moving toward the throne. "I needed to eat," Zirasha says. "I lost my mind for a moment." Her crimson eyes move to Viperish Night's before she drops to her knees besides Jeziasi. "I will drown the world in blood for you, Viperish Night. As I promised. And Jez... she'll be warmer to sleep next to with all this fur." Zirasha says as her hand moves to Jeziasi's soft warm fur. Jeziasi opens one eye sleepily and seeing it is a member of her pack closes it and resumes her nap.

Tyranius moves to the throne and kneels as well. "Just like the first time pup," Tyranius says. "I'll end them all for you."

Viperish Night slowly smiles. "It is hard to decide what comes next. Bringing ruin to Elden Root is tempting. And the Marsh... the ones who cast me aside..." Viperish Night's fangs glimmer. "But perhaps we will visit Southern Elsweyr first. Perhaps my dragon needs some friends." Viperish Night throws his head back and laughs. "They thought betrayal would work? No more mercy. Just the tide of death that I command."