-The Cave-
Swims-in-Silence moves through the cave and stops in front of Mannimarco. A smile slowly crosses his face as the chains holding Mannimarco vanish sending him crashing to the ground. "Secrets, if any you held are meaningless now," Swims-in-Silence says. "You are still bound here until Viperish Night's war is done. But feel free to wander your tiny prison again." Swims-in-Silence laughs.
Mannimarco looks up at Swims-in-Silence. "You did it then. Somehow you did it," Mannimarco says as he staggers up to face Swims-in-Silence. "You do know everything you did pushed him away from this, closer to her." Mannimarco narrows his eyes. "You must have cheated somehow."
Swims-in-Silence moves closer to Mannimarco, his claws shoot forward and wrap around the side of Mannimarco's neck. "This was always going to be the result. I just was unwilling to wait," Swims-in-Silence hisses.
"Unwilling to let her win, you mean," Mannimarco sneers.
Swims-in-Silence grips Mannimarco's neck tighter. "When my son's pack died, I returned them to him. So very simple. He surrendered upon their death, and now he sees what I can offer him."
Mannimarco barks out a laugh as he sees the truth in Swims-in-Silence's eyes. "But of course your the one who killed them." Confusion crosses his face. "Despite what you wish, you have no claim over Jeziasi's soul. How could you return what is not even yours?"
Swims-in-Silence hisses angrily. "She is my mate and is mine. I'll claim her eventually." The hisses fade and Swims-in-Silence drops his claws and steps back. "Always so curious. You always must know how must know everything." Swims-in-Silence says. "Since it amuses me, I will tell you. In the depths of Coldharbour, a very rare mushroom exists. It thrives in the icy depths of my realm and its spores can be made into a potent poison. When the poison activates it seems to kill those infected with the poison, and it hides the souls to make it seem even more like true death." Swims-in-Silence laughs. "The antidote is made with the rest of the mushroom. It causes the memories to be cloudy. The minds tend to latch onto what happened before and makes up a story as to why death resulted. Viperish Night's pack fought the heroes before the poison took hold so that is what their memories tell them how they died. And best of all, the spores can wait indefinitely inside the host until activated."
"You would have to have infected them for that," Mannimarco says, "They would have suspected you if you did that."
"I healed my champion from certain death," Swims-in-Silence says, "Infected a Khajiit vampire who attacked Zirasha, who predictable drunk the Khajiits blood, and I tested my mate to see if she was still leashed."
"I must admit that is brilliant," Mannimarco says and then his eyes search Swims-in-Silence. "Jeziasi... she let you do whatever vile thing you did to her. But she was no longer leashed, was she?" At Swims-in-Silence's furious glare Mannimarco smirks. "Thought not."
"My mate and I will have to have a talk after Viperish Night is done with his war," Swims-in-Silence hisses. "But for now... Viperish Night has leashed her. She will not be talking anytime soon." Mannimarco's eyes widen slightly. "You see, I have won. My son is mine as is his pack. And after the war is done when all the souls of Nirn are mine? You will be Viperish Night's little pet."
Mannimarco's eyes narrow. "What makes you think Viperish Night will not come for you too? Daedra are not big on forgiving and Viperish Night must be more that then anything else."
"He will learn to obey in time," Swims-in-Silence responds. "I will give him free rein for the time being." With one last triumphant grin, Swims-in-Silence turns and opens a portal, leaving Mannimarco alone.
Mannimarco watches him go and then at last slumps to the ground and leans against the wall. He knows what the collar Swims-in-Silence made did, he sensed it when he studied it. It banished the mer, leaving only the wolf. But without the mer, the wolf was a beast, and not a merging of wolf and mer, as the werewolf. A frown crosses Mannimarco's face before he leans back against the wall and closes his eyes.
-Skyrim Tomb-
Stillness. Viperish Night sits cross-legged in his room eyes closed. A change has slowly been wrought upon him. Now, it is not just his eyes that have been changed, but so much more. Viperish Night's scales are darker and streaked with crimson as if all the blood he has spilled has sunk into their core, his horns are longer and his feathered crest seems more like darkened bones with decayed feathers lining them. And of course, the difference is more than physical. Viperish Night is so very different from how he was before. After long moments of utter stillness, Viperish Night rises, his claws moving before him as he opens up a portal and vanishes within.
-The Cave-
Mannimarco's head snaps up as a portal opens, so soon after Swims-In-Silence had left. But it is not Swims-In-Silence that steps out, but Viperish Night. Mannimarco throws his head back and laughs bitterly. "Of course you could find this place now, he should have never brought you here the first time, my former student," Mannimarco says and then gestures with his hands. "Well get it over with. Regal me with the many ways you will kill me and get it over with."
Viperish Night stops in front of Mannimarco, staring down at his former mentor and a ghastly smile crosses his face. "Once, that would have been enough. To rend you into so many pieces, but now..." Viperish Night tilts his head.
Mannimarco regards Viperish Night. "But now, you, who was hatched mortal despite all we did to your egg are no longer such." Mannimarco trails off and thinks for a moment. "Tell me this in a way your not Viperish Night, are you?"
Viperish Night hisses. "I am," he says as he steps closer to Mannimarco. "One aspect of myself. The one that rested at the furthest depths, the one who fueled the death aspect, the one who waited. Waited until the life aspect was broken to the point he was willing to die. Then, and only then did I strike." Viperish Night laughs. "The life aspect...he named us Viperish Night. Subconsciously he knew a viper lay in wait in the furthest depths."
"A Daedric viper given form and substance," Mannimarco replies. "Tell me, is all of your mortality destroyed then?"
Viperish Night narrows his eyes. "The life aspect is no more and I claimed the death aspect to come into full awakening. There will be no further weakness. Just...death." Viperish Night says as his smile grows with deadly promise.
Mannimarco smirks. "Then why do you still want your pack, my former student? Are they not a weakness... one I warned you...or rather your other aspects that Swims-In-Silence would exploit?" Mannimarco says.
"Because they are useful, because they are mine, because I enjoy watching them slaughter in my name," Viperish Night responds.
"So that is it?" Mannimarco counters. "That is your whole plan. Just kill everyone and wander an empty Nirn or Coldharbour?"
Viperish Night laughs. "Do not think me so common. Nirn deserves to suffer, and I know the sweetest torture. I will rain my army of dead down upon the marsh and end every Hist...and then I will raise them. They will end every Argonian in a single moment and then I will raise them as well to end the rest of Nirn." Viperish Night hisses.
"I must admit...brilliant," Mannimarco concedes, and then his eyes narrow as he changes the subject. "What do you intend to do with me if not kill me?"
Viperish Night walks around the room claws tracing the walls. "My Egg-father has warded the stone," Viperish Night muses, "You cannot even astral project anymore. Trapped in a cave, unable to see or do anything..." Viperish Night turns back to Mannimarco. "I have not yet decided. What would be so much worse for you than death or endless torture?"
Mannimarco glares frosty back at Viperish Night. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Viperish Night turns from him and opens a portal back to the tomb and pauses. "You did push the life aspect into the depths which fueled the death aspect. Which started to allow me to awaken." Viperish Night's eyes move back to Mannimarco. "Remember that I may be...grateful to you for that." Viperish Night enters the portal vanishing.
Mannimarco stares after him. "In other words side with you or Molag Bal." Mannimarco leans his head back, his eyes tracing the wards that bind him utterly here, glimmering faintly upon the rocks.
-Skyrim Tomb-
The morning comes as it must and even monsters find the need to sleep. Tyranius had watched as Viperish Night had stalked from the throne room closely followed by Duskhollow. Zirasha had watched with an agonizing look before swiftly moving to her and Jeziasi's room. After a brief amount of time, Tyranius had followed Zirasha. When he got to the girl's room he found it torn apart with Zirasha passed out in the middle of the room surrounded by shreds of blankets and pillows that used to be their bedding. Tyranius crosses his arms. Jeziasi had continued to let Zirasha stay with her, every night. Perhaps the two found sleep easier to bear that way. "Damn girl," Tyranius says. Never plagued with nightmares, never plagued with regrets or fears... he knew the rest of his pack was. Broken people that somehow found each other. And Tyranius? He found himself wanting to stay with them. Even if the war had ended. Tyranius turns and heads towards Viperish Night's room.
Once he arrives Tyranius pauses, noticing Viperish Night is not in his room and yet Duskhollow sleeps right outside. Viperish Night must of taken a portal somewhere and Tyranius takes advantage of his absence to kneel beside Duskhollow taking off his helm as he does so. Duskhollow wakes and she raises her head to look at him with trusting eyes, knowing that he is pack. "Just let me get a good look at this, Wolfy," Tyranius says as he places his hand on the collar and studies it. He had seen many Daedric things during the Plane-meld. Brought many civilians for the Daedra's twisted experiments. He had no qualms about it, no sense of loyalty to the Imperials, only the war mattered. This was something unique, however. Something made with werewolves in mind. Rumors of undead werewolves passed between the Zero Legioin's lips during the Plane-meld. As if Molag Bal wanted to claim everything, even that which belonged to another Prince. Tyranius tightens his fingers around the collar and Duskhollow whimpers slightly. Tyranius quickly lets go. Not something he can just rip off then, even if he would risk Pup's wrath. Tyranius sighs and moves his hand to Duskhollow's furry back. "We'll figure this out Wolfy," he tells her quietly and then stands and enters Viperish Night's room, leaning against the wall as he waits for him to return.
A portal opens and Viperish Night walks through it, the portal closing behind him. Viperish Night's eyes fall upon Tyranius who is leaning against the wall arms crossed, helm once more on. Tyranius studies him and the changes only a brief moment before getting to the point, "Pup, a word before I sleep," Tyranius asks. Viperish Night tilts his head and Tyranius takes that as leave to go on. "Got to ask, you sure Prince had nothing to do with what happened?" Tyranius asks.
Viperish Night's eyes narrow slightly. "What if he did?" Viperish Night responds. "It makes little difference. All who took from me will suffer. You told me once to tolerate my former mentor. That he was useful. It is the same here."
Tyranius crosses his arms. Talking to Viperish Night now...pup was very different. As if pieces of him had been carved out and tossed aside and something else had risen to take their place. "Alright pup," Tyranius says, "When you do go after him, we'll be by your side." Tyranius glances back at Duskhollow. "Did Wolfy take from you too?" Tyranius asks. "Just curious, mind you."
Viperish Night's eyes move from Tyranius to Duskhollow. "...She would take the depths from me," Viperish Night hisses. "As if she could. But she is loyal. This..." Viperish Night trails off and his eyes move back to Tyranius. "All of you are my pack. She is my Egg-mother. It will spare her any further hesitation, for she cannot save me, and I am not one that needs to be saved any longer."
When Viperish Night spoke of his pack in the past, there was a trace of warmth in his voice, a trace of something nearly buried. Tyranius turns from Viperish Night. That trace had vanished. All was icy cold and simmering rage. Tyranius frowns. Something else as well. Something Viperish Night hid and hid well enough that Tyranius could not puzzle out the truth of it. Tyranius starts toward the door and then pauses to glance back at Viperish Night. "Might have to call you something else. Your not pup any longer, are you?" Tyranius says and from Viperish Night's expression, he was right. Viperish Night was something altogether different than he was before. Tyranius turns his head as the world wavers slightly. He too was close to the point of passing out, but Tyranius had felt the need to check on his pack before he did. Without a look back he leaves Viperish Night's room, stepping carefully over Duskhollow.
Viperish Night watches Tyranius walk out and then glances at his Egg-mother...if she could even be called that in this state. Seeing her asleep Viperish Night lowers himself to the floor back against the wall as his eyes close. Soon night would fall and he would see if his pack would truly follow him, accept him as pack. He was not their Viper, after all.
-The Hunting Grounds-
Wyress Asteria stands in a forest meadow lit by moonlight. The howls of familiar and unfamiliar beasts are all around her in the depths of the forest. Wyress Asteria listens to them with eyes closed for long moments before she opens her eyes and lifts them to the moonlight sky. "The balance has been broken, Lord Hircine," Wyress Asteria says. "I cannot feel Viperish Night's life magic any longer, and I can no longer reach Jeziasi in her dreams. I would think she had fallen, but I can reach out and feel part of her still." Wyress Asteria pauses. "When I did so, that part touched me briefly in return. She calls herself Duskhollow."
Hircine's visage appears in the sky, stars shimmering behind him as he stares down at Wyress Asteria. "My wolves are dual-natured. At times the wolf overcomes the man or mer. It is the nature of the hunt." Hircine says and then his voice fills with fury. "My champion is lost to her wolf, but it was done unnaturally, forced upon her." Hircine's gaze turns thoughtful as he briefly calms. "I knew Jeziasi would need a name for her wolf. I did not know this would be the reason."
Wyress Asteria is silent as she absorbs the information and at last her head falls. "Molag Bal's twisted magic," Wyress Asteria says softly. "It is against life. To force this upon her... in time it could destroy the part of her that is mer, leaving only the wolf."
A chorus of wolf howls suddenly breaks out as the forest shakes under Hircine's renewed fury. "He has attacked my champion for the last time," Hircine's voice booms. "I will not allow this to stand, I will not allow him to continue to take what is mine."
"So, you will break the compact for her?" A voice rings out.
Hircine's head moves towards a figure in the depths of shadows at the meadow's edge and Wyress Asteria withdraws her staff and starts toward it before Hircine holds up his hand biding her to stop. "I know who you are. You dare approach my realm?"
The figure in the shadows moves his head to look up at Hircine. "I dare. But not without cause and careful consideration. Let me deal with this little problem your champion has."
Wyress Asteria grips her staff. "What makes you think you can help with this?" Wyress Asteria asks.
"Let's just say I have means to assist with this, but it will take time," the figure says.
Hircine is silent in his fury for long moments and the mysterious figure and Wyress Asteria have little recourse but to give the Daedric Prince time. At last Wyress Asteria dares to speak. "Lord Hircine, with all due respect, but if you break the compact before Molag Bal..."
"Two mortals who seek to conceal one such as I?" Hircine says. "I am losing my patience with Molag Bal's continued defilement of my wolf, but the hunt still intrigues me." Hircine nods towards the shadows. "Very well, should you succeed you will earn my boon. But if you fail you may find my wolves at your door. You have intruded upon my realm without permission."
"It is your champion I require the boon from," the figure says. "That will be enough for me." And with those words, he is gone.
"Is it wise trusting him with this?" Wyress Asteria asks.
Hircine's eyes probe the shadows and then he turns back to Wyress Asteria. "The compact is not something to take lightly, nor is the one who created it. I will let him try." Hircine says.
-Elden Root-
Theodyn's hands on Rufico's neck, so gentle as the two lay tangled in the sheets. "Theo," Rufico breaths. "As nice as that feels, I'm alright now."
Theodyn holds his silence for moments before leaning into Rufico. "You almost left me," Theo breaths. "The Void almost had you. And I find myself slipping back into hatred. I want to hate him for that. I do. But she is the one that showed me that vile tainted hatred first. I do not want to lose myself in it and the light again, and you almost left me!"
Rufico wraps his arms around Theo. "The Void is sweet death. But I was fighting Theo. I promise you that. You are what I want over anything in this accursed world." Rufico rests his head against Theo. "My strength was gone and then suddenly light and your voice reached through the dark. It gave me enough strength and reason to return. You saved me, Theo."
"Darien helped. And now he's another thing that's gone." Theo pulls back and looks intently into Rufico's eyes. "We save each other, Rufico. You are what I fight for. But how do we save everything else? We keep..."
"Shhh," Rufico says. "A worry for tonight."
Iveryni sits cross-legged on her bed eyes closed. The sound of a portal opening has Iveryni tensing. "You are not to contact me. That is what I was led to understand." Iveryni says as she opens her eyes to regard Deimyite.
Deimyite walks the length of the room and back. "It is our Prince that is not meant to interfere further. Such mortal rules imposed on us."
"And ones none of you seem to follow," Iveryni says. "What do you want?"
"It is what our master wants, Iveryni. You are failing your task." Deimyite says as he halts in front of the bed his cold eyes falling on Iveryni.
Iveryni swallows. "We are trying. We are trying everything. We will keep trying."
Deimyite's expression turns darker. "Lies. What you did in Bangkorai was the right path. Since then you have wandered off of it. Trying to make peace with your enemy, trying to deny the power Mehrunes Dagon gave you!" Deimyite snaps. "Mehrunes Dagon will not tolerate any further weakness or much more failure. You know your task now, and you know your next."
Iveryni's fists clench. "I know. Destroy Viperish Night's chosen path, and then..." Iveryni looks down. "Create the one Dagon wants. Go back to the Deadlands."
"You know the cost of failure," Deimyite says before he turns and vanishes into the portal.
Softly-Speckled-Crab rests on a tree root deep within the tree. Thinking about how it all had gone so wrong. Viperish Night's pack died and he lost his hold on what little kept him from the depths. The Dominion...had been less than pleased with them. If it had worked, perhaps they could have forgiven not being told. But it had all gone wrong. Softly-Speckled-Crab's claws trace the root. Swims-In-Silence must have sabotaged it. Must have known it was the only way to drag Viperish Night into the depths. What had Viperish Night become? There had been no time to see the truth of it. And until he hunted again, the truth would remain in the river. Softly-Speckled-Crab sighs and turns her head. Razum-dar had been pacing the great tree for some time now. He did his best to hide the depths of his sorrow, but Softly-Speckled-Crab felt it. Razum-dar cared deeply for Jeziasi, even with all that had happened. Even made peace with it all. And now, she was gone. In a single moment lost into the depths of the river.
-Skyrim-
In the mountains of Skyrim, far from the tomb, Viperish Night stands on the rocks as great beasts awaken from below. The necromantic energy flows down his spine and tail and into the ground as he stands with his head tilted back and eyes closed. Zirasha moves closer to Tyranius arms wrapped around each other. "Why does he look so different?" Zirasha whispers.
Tyranius turns his head briefly to Zirasha before resuming watch for any enemies, though so far there are none on this desolate peak. The pack is alone, though the dead wait below in case they are set upon. "Not sure girl," Tyranius responds. "Still figuring it out."
Duskhollow suddenly raises her head as her ears perk. With a huff, she leaps across the stone onto grass and vanishes down to the valley below. Zirasha stares after her. "Can you..." Zirasha whispers and then trails off and glances back at Viperish Night before looking back to Tyranius who shakes his head no.
Duskhollow had been content to stay by her son's side but a flash of brown caught her eyes and urged her on the hunt. Her pack was safe, there were no predators near. Time enough for a quick hunt. As her paws cross from stone to grass she starts to catch up with the brown-furred creature and with an eager huff Duskhollow pounces upon it and catches it between her paws and looks down upon it. It's a rabbit, small prey but tasty. Duskhollow's jaws start to open but then she suddenly closes them and tilts her head as she stares at the terrified rabbit. The rabbit is prey but something stays her instincts and instead of snapping her jaws around the rabbit's neck she carefully picks it up by the scruff and turns to race up the hill back to her pack.
Viperish Night lowers his head, the dragons will rise soon. A soft whine has his head turning as Duskhollow returns to his side, dropping the rabbit by his feet and looking up at him. Viperish Night tilts his head and studies the rabbit, paralyzed with fear. "It is not dinner time, Egg-mother," Viperish Night hisses. "But perhaps a snack."
Duskhollow's ears drop and she whines softly. Not prey and yet prey. Dinner and yet not. Confused she looks back down at the rabbit then back up at Viperish Night.
Zirasha watches barely able to hide the pain. Why did Duskhollow bring Viperish Night a rabbit if she did not want him to eat it? "Nothing makes sense," Zirasha whispers and then hisses loudly. The rabbit startles and bursts into a blur of speed and is gone in moments. Duskhollow watches it go, but this time stays by Viperish Night's side, unwilling to chase it again.
A few moments later the ground starts to shake as huge claws rend the earth from below as two dragon skeletons rise, and just as Viperish Night's first dragon, the necromantic energy engulfs the wings to allow flight. Viperish Night smiles as his claws grace the skull of the nearest one before turning to his pack. "The Reach next," Viperish Night hisses. "I could feel one near the Razorhorn Clan's village." Viperish Night turns and opens a portal. The dragons will return to the tomb and wait with the first as Viperish Night gathers more. Before Viperish Night enters the portal he pauses. "They will come. They will suspect I seek the dragons." And with that, he crosses into the portal. Duskhollow bounds after him. Zirasha glances at Tyranius and then both of them follow.
-The Reach-
This time forces were awaiting them. Reachmen, who had heard of the fate of the clans that dared ally with Viperish Night. In truth, it had been clans that followed the darker path that decided to trust his path for the rest of the Reach clans had no desire to rain death down upon the rest of Nirn. And so when their scouts caught sight of Viperish Night they rained down upon him and his pack in mass. Zirasha burst into mist and flowed into their midst with a hiss, Tyranius's scythe flew, and Duskhollow leaped upon the Reachmen her jaws every bit as powerful as her former werewolf form. Viperish Night just watches with an icy smile on his face as he starts to raise the dead to join his pack in bloody carnage. At last, the battle is done and the night falls quiet as the moonlight transforms the crimson blood to ebony black. Viperish Night throws his head back and once more starts to call forth a dragon from its bones deep within the earth.
Zirasha glances at Viperish Night and then turns away into the night. She had torn into the Reachmen with furious abandon and was covered in their blood. Normally it made everything better. Sheer carnage was enough to wash away the pain and memories. But now...not so much. Zirasha slowly sits on the ground and Duskhollow sensing her distress moves to her side and leans into her. Zirasha stiffens for a moment before leaning into the wolf and wrapping bloody arms around her. "Jez..." Zirasha says in a broken whisper. "But your not my Jez are you? You are my pack but not Jez." Duskhollow whines softly and laps at Zirasha's tears.
Tyranius moves toward the two, a careful glance at Viperish Night before turning back to the two. "Girl," Tyranius warns.
"I know!" Zirasha hisses. "I know to be a monster and nothing more. But Jez is not Jez. I don't know where she is."
Tyranius kneels by the two and places a hand on Duskhollow's side. "This is part of Wolfy," Tyranius says. "The rest of her must be in there somewhere." Tyranius shakes his head. "Gotta be careful girl. Viperish Night is not the Viperish Night we knew. He's something else now."
Zirasha's eyes stare up at Tyranius. "If Jez is in the wolf somewhere...is our Viper still in Viperish Night too?" Zirasha asks.
Tyranius slowly stands. "Girl...I don't think so," Tyranius answers.
"I don't believe you," Zirasha hisses and then closes her eyes and lets out a soft anguished cry. Only a portal opening has her rising again.
Tyranius turns toward it and calls to Viperish Night. "Viperish Night got trouble."
Viperish Night's eyes open and he stalks forward. The dragon is called and will awaken soon. Until then he will deal with this. Viperish Night stops on a patch of grass and lowers his head as he waits. The dead move behind him and his pack are not far behind as the heroes step forth.
Softly-Speckled-Crab is first through the portal, followed by Iveryni. The boys are not far behind and as soon as they exist Rufico and Theodyn move to either side of the girls. Iveryni starts forward a look of shock on her face but Softly-Speckled-Crab holds out her arm to hold her back. "Wait," she hisses.
Iveryni stares at Viperish Night. "How?" Iveryni says. "Are they..." Iveryni trails off as her gaze falls upon Duskhollow. "Something is very wrong here," Iveryni breaths.
Rufico's knife is in his hands and Theodyn holds Dawnbreaker tightly. Each one of them saw Viperish Night's pack fall and yet here they stand. Fully alive again as if death has no hold on them. "What do we do?" Rufico says quietly.
"Stay back," Softly-Speckled-Crab says and she alone moves forward stopping once she's near Viperish Night, her eyes moving to each of his pack in turn. Zirasha and Tyranius feel as they always have, but now a shadow of despair hangs over both. And Jez... Softly-Speckled-Crab's eyes narrow. The wolf is not Jeziasi. Only part of her, only the wild part. The wolf feels of pack and loyalty, but also a trace of sorrow and confusion. "What have you done?" Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
A smile filled with fangs crosses Viperish Night's face. "What was needed. She suffered, and suffers no longer," Viperish Night hisses, and then he slowly raises his head, his eyes glowing blue as the necromantic energy stirs within.
Softly-Speckled-Crab freezes as she regards Viperish Night in horror. "How could you?" Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses. "She loves you. She would destroy Nirn for you."
Viperish Night's eyes narrow. "You would bring me to task for this?" Viperish Night hisses. "Argonian. I wonder if I should spare you so your fate will be the same, or do you want to die now? I will peel the scales from your body until you die screaming in agony."
Softly-Speckled-Crab's clawed foot moves backward as fear runs down her spine. The truth of it was undeniable, unmistakable. Despair joins the fear. "You are not Keerasi-Zish," Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses and as Viperish Night's smile grows, a smile that is all fangs and promised cruelty Softly-Speckled-Crab spins around and leaps back to her pack, grabbing Iveryni's arm. "Open a portal," Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses. "We must leave now."
Iveryni looks at Softly-Speckled-Crab and then glances at Viperish Night as the earth starts to slowly rumble, the promise of the dragon rising. "We have yet to fight Softly-Speckled-Crab. We have to kill them." Iveryni insists.
Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses before she can say another word and before Rufico and Theodyn can say anything at all. "Here, now we cannot. I see the true nature of what we are facing. We will fall if we fight now."
Iveryni turns to look at Softly-Speckled-Crab then opens a portal. "Again, they will not be happy with us," Iveryni says and vanishes inside the portal.
Theodyn stares at Viperish Night's pack. "We did not kill you," Theodyn shouts.
Rufico grabs Theodyn's arm. "Past that Theo," Rufico says. "It's too late for anything else." At Rufico's urging Theodyn follows him through the portal followed lastly by Softly-Speckled-Crab who pauses to look back in sorrow at Viperish Night and his pack. "No more words," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "I know this... it is too late for anything but death." And then she too follows her pack.
Viperish Night throws his head back and laughs as the heroes run and the dragon skeleton bursts from the ground behind him and his pack. Again, the dragon flies off to join the others on top of the tomb and Viperish Night opens a portal. "Northern Elsweyr," Viperish Night says. "We will save Southern Elsweyr for tomorrow night."
-Elden Root -
"Why? Why have us run?" Iveryni snaps at Softly-Speckled-Crab as she paces in the grass just outside the great tree.
Softly-Speckled-Crab sits in the grass trying to find balance. Trying to find words and then she makes a small keening sound that halts Iveryni in her tracks, though it is Theodyn who is the first to settle in the grass with Softly-Speckled-Crab. Rufico quickly follows suit, his hand entwining with Theodyn's. Theodyn looks at him with a small smile then turns to Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Softly-Speckled-Crab?," Theodyn gently asks.
Softly-Speckled-Crab looks at Theodyn, deep sorrow in her eyes. "Keerasi-Zish...the Viperish Night we faced tonight destroyed him," Softly-Speckled-Crab says with a broken hiss. Iveryni stares down at Softly-Speckled-Crab in confusion before she too sits down.
"You are going to have to explain that one," Rufico says.
"Viperish Night was always duel natured," Softly-Speckled-Crab answers, "Lie and death. But... life and death move together. I never knew why they wared so fiercely within Viperish Night. I thought perhaps all that was done to him, all that he went through...but in truth, another Viperish Night lurked underneath the current."
"Daedric," Iveryni says. "Molag Bal's damned legacy," and Softly-Speckled-Crab nods yes.
Theodyn looks down clutching Rufico's hand more tightly. "Destroyed... are you sure?" Theodyn asks.
"The madness gone, mortality gone, all traces of a Viperish Night who would settle this in peace to live with his pack gone," Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses. "Even when he swam in death and darkness, I could still feel Keerasi-Zish, the life aspect. It grew stronger as his bonds with his pack grew. Jeziasi reached him. It could have, should have ended differently than this!" Again the agonized keening sound and Softly-Speckled-Crab lowers her head. "I can not feel the slightest trace any longer. The third aspect has destroyed it and taken the death aspect for himself."
Theodyn reaches out with his free hand to take Softly-Speckled-Crab's. Rufico sighs. "As much as we hoped, it was always going to come down to this. Death. I..." Rufico trails off.
"We all hoped for better," Theodyn finishes for him.
"Softly-Speckled-Crab," Iveryni says. "That wolf...was that Jeziasi?"
"Yes...and no," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "Werewolves have a wild wolf within, they are also duel natured. But the mer has been...cast down into darkness. She sleeps beyond waking, beyond reaching. The collar around her neck makes it so...and the longer she stays asleep the faster she will fade from existence," Softly-Speckled-Crab explains.
The truth settles upon the four. Theodyn is the first to speak it. "The Viperish Night we knew is truly gone then," Theodyn says. "He would have never done this to his Egg-mother. He loved her."
Iveryni lowers her head. "I see why we ran. We needed to know this truth. That there is no hope for peace. We need to...go to any and all lengths to kill him. No more hope, no more mercy, just strength of will," Iveryni says, knowing the truth. Deimyite had been right. She had been too weak. Foolish enough to trust in hope, trust in love. This was the result.
"A knife to him," Rufico says, "Or none of us will have any future."
The four stay sitting for a while more, before drifting off consumed with thoughts and regrets.
-Skyrim Tomb-
Tyranius had warned Zirasha and she knew he was right. That he was looking out for them in the best way he could. But when Zirasha headed to bed in what had been Jeziasi's room sleep had refused to come and so Zirasha had slunk to Viperish Night's room where Duskhollow was sleeping just outside the door. Zirasha knew Duskhollow was not Jeziasi, just a part of her, but still, it did not matter. Zirasha lies down next to Duskhollow who regards her sleepily before returning to her wolfy sleep. "Just for a little while," Zirasha quietly says. She will rest here just a moment. A moment to soak in Duskhollow's warmth, the only part of the woman she loves that she can reach. But sleep overwhelms Zirasha and she falls deeply asleep by the wolf.
"Zirasha."
Zirasha's eyes bolt open and she springs up. Viperish Night is standing at his door staring at her curiosity. Duskhollow rises and whines softy upset. Her pack should be at ease with each other, but her pack sister is very nearly afraid. She should not be afraid of their Alpha. Viperish Night glances down at Duskhollow. "Calm, Egg-mother. I wish only to talk to our packmate. Stay here." Viperish Night hisses and then steps over Duskhollow and starts walking further into the tomb glancing back at Zirasha as he does. "Come, Zirasha," Viperish Night instructs.
Zirasha swallows and trails after Viperish Night who takes her deeper into the tomb and to a dungeon. Viperish Night trails his claws over the various whips and other things on the wall before turning to Zirasha who hovers near the entrance against a wall. "Curious. What were your intentions toward my Egg-mother?" Viperish Night asks with a tilt of his head.
Zirasha stares at Viperish Night. "Nothing! We are pack and that is all!" Zirasha says.
Viperish Night stalks toward Zirasha. "Not what Tyranius implied," Viperish Night hisses.
Zirasha gazes at Viperish Night with loss in her eyes she is unable to hide. "She...it was not the same for her. It was enough to be pack for me." Zirasha answers and then she looks away from Viperish Night's intense gaze.
Viperish Night moves like a serpent closing the distance between the two and his claws grasp Zirasha's face forcing her to look at him once more. "Love is not for monsters, it is weakness," Viperish Night hisses. That was what had caused the life aspect to fall. Love and the cost of losing it. Viperish Night's eyes narrow. "Will you betray me for her, Zirasha?"
Zirasha stares at Viperish Night. For so long fear had fled from her. But as she started to care for her pack, fear had slunk back in. The fear of losing them, the fear of it ending all too soon. But that fear is a pale shadow to what now courses down her spine. "No!," Zirasha snaps. "Jez... she's gone and the wolf remains. And she wants to be by your side. It is what the wolf wants, so it is what I want."
"And yet you still seek solace curled up by her side," Viperish Night says in a quiet deadly tone. Viperish Night's claws drop to Zirasha's neck as he leans in to whisper into her ear. "You could...sleep by my side, Zirasha. Perhaps I could give you the solace you desire." Zirasha goes utterly still and there is nothing but abject fear in her eyes. Viperish Night laughs and steps back. "Perhaps not then," he says.
Zirasha bolts for the door but pauses trembling. "Your not Viperish Night," Zirasha whispers.
"Not your Viperish Night," Viperish Night agrees. "But you will still be my monster, won't you? Follow me, murder in my name. All for your pack. The one thing you can no longer live without. How far will you go for me, Zirasha? To stay here, where you belong?"
Zirasha closes her eyes as she tries to control the trembling. "Anything for my pack," Zirasha whispers and bursts into mist fleeing from this Viperish Night and his amused cruel laughter.
Tyranius paces the throne room stopping only briefly when he sees Duskhollow slip out the front door. "Must be hungry," Tyranius says with a sigh. It once was easier. Back in the days of the Plane-meld, he had but a single thought, war and the pursuit of it. Fighting, killing seemed like all a man needed. And then the war ended and he was cast adrift, looking for his next war. But instead, he found this group of people that had somehow managed to change his thoughts and what he wanted out of life. Yes, war quickened his blood still, but...he found himself wanting more. Tyranius leans against the wall arms folded and he stays that way until Duskhollow returns with a squirming rabbit held carefully in her jaws. Duskhollow glances at Tyranius and whines softly before moving off to Viperish Night's room. Tyranius stares after her. "What is with wolfy and those damn rabbits?" Tyranius muses. Duskhollow had done the same in Northern Elsweyr as well. Tyranius shakes his head as he heads toward his room.
Duskhollow moves to her son's room and stops near as Viperish Night walks down the corridor, stopping when he sees her with the rabbit in her jaws. Duskhollow whines again and moves toward him, dropping the frightened rabbit by his feet. Viperish Night glances down at it in puzzlement. "Again, not dinner time," Viperish Night hisses and he bends down and his claws move to the rabbit. "Are you broken, Egg-mother?" Viperish Night asks as his eyes move to Duskhollow. "Perhaps you are." Viperish Night laughs softly. "I may have done that with the collar. I was not sure what it did. I was...curious. And you were misbehaving so very badly."
Duskhollow growls softly and then lies on her belly head resting on her paws as she looks at the rabbit and only the rabbit. Not her son, not the Alpha. He almost seemed angry at her. Angry for bringing him rabbits? She was not sure why she felt the need. Just that he needed them. And yet, he misunderstood her intent, even now his claws started to tighten on the rabbit. Duskhollow suddenly barks and Viperish Night startles and the rabbit takes full advantage and streaks down the hallway.
Viperish Night's claws then move to her. Gracing the fur on her head, then moving to the collar. "A memory from before I awoke. But it is not one you know. So you must be broken, Egg-mother." Viperish Night rises. "As long as you fight by my side, it makes no difference." Viperish Night turns from her and heads into his room. Duskhollow's eyes follow him though she does not rise. He is her son...and yet he is not. Duskhollow closes her eyes as the truth becomes far too much for her.
Tyranius enters his room and halts. Zirasha is sitting on his bed arms curled around her knees as she trembles. "Damn it," Tyranius softly growls and he moves to Zirasha.
Zirasha hisses at him, eyes flaring crimson. "Do not touch me!" Zirasha snaps.
Tyranius stops and takes a few steps back. "Girl," Tyranius says.
Zirasha buries her head into her arms as the trembles grow in strength. "He's not our Viper. I know you said that. I just thought maybe our Viper was in there somewhere. But..." Zirasha trails off.
"Damn it Zirasha, what did he do to you?" Tyranius asks. Only one thing would set Zirasha off like this and the thought has Tyranius's hand drifting to his scythe.
Zirasha raises her head. "You cannot do that! We'd lose our pack, Tyranius. We'd lose what is left of Jez," Zirasha hisses.
"Not sure I can restrain myself, Girl. Not sure at all," Tyranius says as his hand tightens on the handle. "Hard enough as is with what he did to Wolfy."
"He did not do anything," Zirasha insists. "Just...the things he said to me." Zirasha looks up at Tyranius. "Please," she whispers.
Tyranius growls but lowers his hand. "Girl, if you change your mind I'll try to take off his damn head," Tyranius tells her.
"What of loyalty? We... we submitted to this, Tyranius. I just..." Zirasha looks away from Tyranius. "I just cannot live without this. Without my pack even as broken as it is now."
Tyranius moves to the wall and sits down leaning against it. "Don't think I can live without it either," Tyranius admits. "Try to get some sleep Girl. I'll make sure you're not disturbed."
Zirasha's eyes turn to him. "I trust you," Zirasha whispers. "I wish I could trust Viperish Night still. But he's not our Viper." Zirasha curls up on her side and soon exhaustion takes her into the depths of sleep.
Tyranius watches her and sighs. "Girl, if I could fix this I would," Tyranius says as he settles in for the long day.
-Deep in the Dark-
It is a place beyond dreaming. A place of darkness where the deepest sleep wraps around the Vestige. Time has no meaning. Being has no meaning. There is simply nothingness. Until a voice calls from beyond the darkness. "Jeziasi, wake up."
Wake...up? But that is so far beyond the possible. Jeziasi knows this even as she also knows nothing at all. Even if she wished to wake, the darkness keeps her here, keeps her in the deepest of sleeps. There is no longer any will to rise beyond it, even if it was possible. Jeziasi saw the truth in Grahtwood but refused to see it until Viperish Night did the unthinkable and cast her from her wolf, down into the depths of darkness. The light she had been chasing, her Viper that she had always seen, always chased after had vanished. Had been destroyed by a different Viperish Night. The Viperish Night of the depths, the Viperish Night that was every bit his Egg-Father's son, the Viperish Night...that had destroyed hers. And even knowing that she still decided to follow him. Still decided to hope that somehow her Viper would return to her. Even though there was not a single trace of him left in those eyes. But when he had snapped the hateful collar around her neck...hope vanished utterly and any desire to fight vanished utterly. So Jeziasi will ignore the voice that calls to her and continue to sleep. There may be no hope here, but there is no pain either. Just endless sleep until existence ceases.