"Oi! You damn bastards, let me out!" I hollered through the jail bars, gripping them so hard my fingers turned white. My black hair hung wet, clinging to my cheeks with the cold settling deep into my bones. I couldn't help but shiver, barely managing to speak through the chittering of my teeth. "Let me out!"

Anger shook me as thunder did the same to the tower, my hands slipping off the rusty iron bars and sending me tumbling to the ground. I could hear both my fellow inmates and the guards muttering in the hallways of the stone prison. I resumed my shouting, holding my scraped-up hands close to my chest. "Let me out! We're all gonna drown, idiots!"

"Shut up in there!" a voice snapped from up the stairs. The clanking of boots headed towards me. My cell was further away from the others. When the guard's face became visible, I couldn't help but scowl. After all this time, though I didn't know the Bosmer female's name, I knew she despised me far more than the others. The feeling was mutual.

The guard jammed her hand between the bars and gripped my neck tightly, leaving little room for me to breathe. The sharp platinum metal of the guard's gauntlets dug into my soft skin, and the Wood Elf stood firm no matter how hard I struggled. Our hateful eyes met.

"You know as well as I that you're never leaving this prison alive, 24601." The Bosmer lifted her lips in contempt just as she did every time she recited my prisoner's number. I was nothing more than a number. "So, you'd best quit your complaining, wretch." Her scornful expression turned into wicked glee as she shoved me back in. I rubbed my chin and glared with undisguised animosity. Thunder cracked outside once more while the trickling water turned into a steady stream.

The guard turned around and bellowed out orders to her colleagues before running up the stairs. I kept looking around my cell as the water level rose, panic increasing tenfold. Swallowing my fear of injury, I prepared to slam myself into the bars. Sure, it was something I had tried countless times over the past few years, but it actually mattered now. My survival depended on escape. I backed away and set to ramming my body into the iron bars. The pain hit me instantly, and I cradled my shoulder before taking a deep breath and running into the bars again. I justified the pain in my shoulder as bearable as long as I managed to get out. Regardless, I didn't bother praying to the gods. I knew they had turned their backs on me long ago.

Several hours passed with the other prisoners screeching at each other and shaking at their bars. I still hadn't rested in the frantic search for a way to escape. The hinges were set too firmly to move, the stones around too tough to break without a hammer or similar weapon. I had no magical ability whatsoever, and the guards were somehow immune to my Voice of the Emperor power. Outside of these stone walls, I could use the powers of persuasion gifted by my Imperial race. Within them, I was useless. I'd built a bit of muscle over the past few years, utilizing the long days and nights to avoid going insane. However, the strength wouldn't help. My lockpicking skills were nonexistent, not that I had any picks even to attempt. In short, it looked like I was screwed.

The water was filling up my cell a third of the way through. Abruptly, the other prisoners quit their angry howls, which turned into relieved sighs. Hope rose in me as I waded through the hip-deep water in an attempt to get an idea of what was going on. I pressed my dirty face against the rusty red-gray bars. Different from the heavy storm, the broken sloshing of water came my way. It was taking a little longer, given that my cell was at the far end of the prison. Did I dare hope for salvation?

"Lookie here." A face appeared, the gaunt figure of an Orc male. "You know, if they hadn't been chasing you, they never would have found us." I frowned without giving a response. "What, nothing to say? I recall this prison being full of nothing but your screeching." He inspected my face. "I take it you wanna leave, get out of here with us." I noticed he held a bronze key in his hands, which he lifted and twirled around his finger. "Your pretty face isn't going to do any good- you're gonna rot.

"We've been stuck in here for years, and whose fault is that? Who ran right into our hive and brought the whole Imperial guard with her?" He set the key down on an oaken table, just barely and oh-so-tantalizingly out of my reach. He looked down at the water still filling up the prison. "Hope you drown, die real slow." I shouted after him with desperation for hours, certainly long after he was gone. I screamed until my voice was hoarse and nothing more than a rasp.

I paced back and forth in my cell as I stared at the water. Despair filled my chest as it climbed ever higher, showing no signs of stopping. I doubted it would.

...

I had no idea how long it had been since being abandoned in the cell after the largest storm I'd ever experienced. The flooding water had stopped at my neck, but that didn't help much when I lacked a way to escape. A crack in the stones continuously trickled fresh water to drink, but that alone would not sustain me for much longer. Besides, its flow was slowing with every day. Sharp pains struck my empty stomach, and I couldn't stop a whimper. Not for the first time, I considered tying up my bedsheets into a noose to end it quickly, a preferable death to a month of starvation.

"Gods..." I rasped the words like burning needles in my throat. "Fuck... gods above, help me. I'll do anything." It was my last resort, a cry to the heavens that had never helped me. I curled up in the corner, hugging my knees and begging for the Divines to take pity. "Anything..." I closed my eyes and hoped never to wake up.

I never found sleep. A loud thump from the other side of the cell startled me and drew my attention.

A gleaming golden statue of a robed woman, one I was certain hadn't been there before, sat against the opposite corner near the cold gray walls. Immediately wary, I skirted around it without looking away. My hunger was briefly forgotten while the statue stared ahead blankly. With the utmost care, I scooted closer to inspect it. It appeared nothing more than a regular statue, but it took me a moment to identify the form. Mara? Curiosity took over, and I extended my hand forward to touch it.

"Approach, my child." I jumped back a foot when a voice- a voice- came from the statue. It was soft yet demanding, and definitely female. I considered the possibility that I might be hallucinating from hunger. "Approach, my child." I continued to gape at the statue. "You are safe. I am no product of an overactive or unstable mind. Approach." I crept forward fearfully, the way the statue's eyes seemed to follow me sending terror deep into the depths of my being.

"Three years imprisoned, two of which were you trapped in this cell, and one fortnight since the others fled." It seems much longer to me. "Yes, I suppose it would under the torture and stress you have endured." My heart pounded at the statue's ability to tell what I was thinking. "But I have an offer for you, child." The voice paused. "Your sentence could end; your life could begin again. I may have a use for you."

I opened my mouth, but before I could say a word, I let out a rasping cough and fell to my hands and knees. Whatever the voice wanted, it seemed to be waiting patiently for me to finish hacking away. "What use could the gods possibly want from me?" The voice did not directly reply.

"So many years wasted, so much time lost to time. But your past is not today. Today, I give you a chance for an alternate start." The statue quieted as though waiting for a response.

I bit my lip. "But what do you want?" If there was one thing I knew, it was that no one, not even the Divine of Love, would do anything without taking something in return.

"Skyrim holds what you seek within her borders. Go, child. I give you a new beginning, unbound, a chance to live another life. Obey me, and the webs of fate will bring you to your destiny." I wanted to ask after the enigmatic response, but one blink and the statue had vanished along with the golden light it had emanated. I again considered the possibility of hallucinating the whole thing but had little time to think about it as a new sound came from the wet iron bars.

The click of a lock.

I wasted no time in taking the chance and darting out before whatever freed me changed its mind. At this point, I no longer cared what Mara- if it was Mara- would want from me. Become a priestess? Sure. Spread her loving message? Gladly. By the gods, I was so thrilled to be free that I'd give her my fucking firstborn if she asked.

Relief washed over my body, soothing both the aching hunger and weak limbs. Somehow, my exhaustion and dehydration vanished as well. I was glad not for the first time that I'd spent the majority of my prison time jogging around my cell and doing pushups. I'd need that strength for my task ahead. Whereas the prisoners that had escaped a few weeks beforehand had mocked me for my exercise, they'd left with limbs thin as straw and gaunt faces. I'd kept, and even improved, my physique over the years. With power and freedom, my resolve to escape grew all the more. I silently thanked whatever had placed that Mara statue in my cell and started my adventure.

I'd been unconscious when I'd first been brought into the prison, so I had no idea where I was walking. Looking around yielded no results, so I decided to search every room from the bottom up. I managed to find half-broken rusted iron armor, and I took it with grace despite its poor condition. It was male armor, so it was hardly a perfect fit, but beggars couldn't be choosers. I'd additionally found a pouch of gold; I'd buy a new set once I was out.

The only weapons I could find were a pair of Imperial longswords that were just as rusted as the armor. "They're better than nothing," I muttered to myself, tying the swords onto my waist. With the weapons at my side and armor covering my body, I almost felt like I had years prior as an adventurer, traversing different lands with-

No. It was time to shake off the ghosts of the past. I forced myself back to the present and set my attention to the tables next to the chests. The nearest showed a map of Cyrodil with a location circled on the map. In all likelihood, it showed my current location. "East of Bruma." I wasn't about to stay in Cyrodil when I'd just escaped prison. Plus... a plot was forming in the back of my mind.

The more I thought about it, the more I knew what I was going to do with my newfound freedom.

I rolled the map up and shoved it into my newly retrieved leather pack before continuing up the flights of stairs to get out. No sooner had I reached the next floor away when a loud set of clanging came from outside the door. My heart pounded as I did a split-second dive into a nearby cupboard, hoping to stay hidden from whatever was trying to come in. The door slammed open, and the first thing I heard was the furious hollering of a man. "I'll kill you! I swear to the gods, I'll kill you!"

"Keep your mouth shut, worm!"

The sounds of struggling continued. "Get these chains off me, you elf bas-" A rough thud stopped the man's words in its tracks. I was barely able to see out of the mess of wood and noted two Altmer guards dragging a now-unconscious man towards the stairs. A Thalmor Justiciar followed them, and my blood boiled just from seeing him. I gritted my teeth together.

Clashing and shouting reverberated through the hallways, slowly lowering in volume as they descended the steps. Snide laughter came from below as well, followed by a forceful shout.

"Quiet, the lot of you!" I had no doubt it was the Justiciar speaking. "Do you think that obnoxious behavior is suitable of the Aldmeri Dominion?" I shuddered a bit and eyed the door, considering fleeing that instant.

You need to help him.

I don't need to help anyone, I thought to myself, telling my head to keep quiet. "I need to get to Skyrim." I winced when I realized my voice had risen beyond what I had intended. Luckily, the group downstairs either hadn't heard or hadn't cared. With a shrug, I carefully extricated myself from the rotting cupboard and headed towards the door.

My hand hovered above the doorknob, though for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to turn it. I turned my head around to stare at the stairway while otherwise remaining motionless. I considered my options, all with their own pros and cons. I was free; I had no obligation to anyone. If I stayed and tried to help the man below, then it was all too possible I would be caught by the Thalmor. I could be imprisoned again, or worse, killed.

But I would also be subjecting a man, all too possibly an innocent one, to years of torture. I placed a hand on my wrist, feeling the scars where the chains had bound me. I knew his pain. Could I really leave him behind? Pretend I did not know the agony?

Without thinking any further, I put my hands on the sheathed blades and headed down the stairs ever so carefully, focusing on the exterior instead of my innermost thoughts. Quickly and quietly, I drew the swords while preparing to cut through any of the Thalmor triad that had entered. I wasn't used to longswords, but my own twin shortswords were gone, so I would have to make the best of this bad situation.

I reached the same level I'd been imprisoned in, the only one in the tower that held cells. If the Thalmor put the man anywhere, it would be here. My eyes swept the room. Just as I'd expected, the man was shackled to the far wall next to the broken stones. He looked odd, but in the dim light of the prison, it was hard to see anything. The only light came from the torches the Thalmor had lit in the hall. Still, it was just enough.

My mind raced as I looked over the man: rough face, a very sharp jaw, and thin bloodred eyes. A red tattoo coiled around his cheekbones. Despite the similarities, he was not a Nord yet didn't resemble any other race but Breton, regardless of the obvious fact he was not one either. Tangled ebony shoulder-length hair, likely unkempt for more than a while. His bulky form made it obvious his imprisonment was new, so he didn't care much about appearances as an adventurer. Sweat ran down a thick and heavy body covered in fresh gashes. He was undoubtedly a strong man telling from the muscles. The way his cuts were jagged showed he had fought back while beaten. His arms, both equally sized, were bound to the wall. He was a two-handed weapon user. The man's legs were just as thick, so he regularly carried around a good bit of weight. His armor must have been very heavy.

I knew all I needed to know. He wore heavy armor and used a two-handed weapon, undoubtedly a warrior or adventurer. If he hadn't been bound, then he would be a threat. As of now? Not a threat.

"I swear, when I get out of here, I'll kill you all myself!" I jumped backward, heart racing. Without hesitation, I put a hand over his mouth.

"Hey, hey! Calm down!" I hissed, looking back and forth between the man and the direction the Altmer troop had gone.

"Like Oblivion, I will!" he snapped, continuing to kick at me. With him being shackled to the wall, it was fairly easy to avoid his wild attacks.

Taking a deep breath, I tried gently putting my hand on his shoulder. "Easy, now. I'm here to help you," I soothed. The barest hint of hope slowed his writhing movements.

He looked ahead directly at me but didn't quite seem to see me. His eyes were clouded. "What? Where are you? Who are you?" he queried. "Some sort of witch? Your eyes... and hair." I opened my mouth to reply before I stopped short. Who... who was I? My heart thudded as I realized the only name I remembered at the moment were the negative epithets countless people had forced upon me. Prisoner. Worm. 24601.

My mind was empty of an alias, so I ignored the question. I cautiously moved closer, keeping an eye on his legs in case he decided to start kicking again. "Who are you?" I countered, creeping up next to him and twisting the rusty bolts. Muttering a curse, I started to look around for a release when the bolts would not let up.

"You're not with the Thalmor, are you?" he realized, relief visibly easing the tension in his body. No shit. "Thank the gods! Get me out of here before they come back!" I vaguely recalled my former prison mate teasing me with the key and darted out to find it. Once I'd found and used it, the shackles opened. He fell to the ground with a grunt of pain. I helped him up, his skin warm against mine after years of frigid days and nights. "And... my name is Kaidan." He stood and twisted around before wincing and hugging his scarred and bloody chest. "Ugh. Any spells or potions on you that might help this out?" I ruffled in my pack for a moment before presenting a small red potion and handing it over.

A relieved smile fitted itself over Kaidan's face. "A bottled miracle, that stuff. Thank you."

"You're rather lucky," I commented, watching him drink while his broken skin knit itself back together. Kaidan almost shot a bitter laugh but didn't speak in favor of allowing me to finish. "I could've been dead or have already left. See, I've been in this prison for over two years. The guards only recently ran when a storm started to flood the place." The man nodded, his dark hair feathering around his chin.

"Then I suppose I agree. I'm lucky... kind of." My mind settled on a pseudonym for the time being.

"I'm... Alessia. I'd say nice to meet you, but under the circumstances..."

"Alessia... like the saint?" I gave a nod. Kaidan shrugged and stretched out.

I tried getting more information beyond his skills and appearance. "How'd you get in here?"

Kaidan snorted reproachfully. "The Thalmor invited me to high tea, what do you think?" I quieted, abashed. He paused before a sorrowed sigh passed through his lips. "I was headed to Skyrim. Just barely in Pale Pass when some Justiciars ambushed me."

"When were you captured?"

"A few days ago." He paused when I turned around, ready to go up the stairs the Thalmor had cleared. "Wait. Can I ask you a favor?"

"Um, I suppose?" I had no idea what kind of favor he could want when I'd already freed him. "What do you want?" My words came out harsher than intended, and I muttered a quick 'sorry' before letting him speak.

"I can't go. At least, not yet." I could only tip my head, confused. "The Thalmor have my sword."

"Kaidan, we can probably replace a sword. But we should get out of here before they come to check on you."

"No, you don't understand!" His words were urgent this time. Kaidan cracked his neck. "That sword means more to me than you might think. I know I've got no right to ask, but I could use your help getting it back." After weighing my options, I decided there was little harm in going after them. There were only three; how much of a challenge could they present? Besides, I'd love to see the Thalmor taken down a notch. Who wouldn't?

"Alright, fine." I looked down at my rusted iron swords. Though I would have liked to fight with better weapons, it would be more helpful to have Kaidan armed at my side for the time being. I slipped one out and handed it to the man. "Just make sure you give it back."

Kaidan stared. "We're going to get mine," he said dryly. "I don't want your blade."

"Okay, okay. By the gods..." I rolled my shoulders before facing the broken wall. "Well, the Thalmor are usually pretty crafty. They'll surround us if we charge right in, and I have no doubt those damn Elves have some crazy magic on their sides." Hatred threaded through my voice.

Kaidan crossed his arms, brow raised. "Well, charging in was my plan exactly. I'm not exactly the sneak-thief type, thanks."

"Neither am I. I'm just trying to come up with a plan."

"Best laid plans, Alessia. Come on!" Without waiting for my reply, Kaidan rushed through the hole and up the stairs. I was left to run after him, barely managing to make it when the clamor of battle began to ring.

Kaidan was keeping a Thalmor soldier on his toes, though the High Elf wasn't backing down. It was a pretty even match, but their positions made it difficult for me to do anything to help. A bit of movement out of the corner of my eye changed that, the second Thalmor sneaking up behind Kaidan and ready to stab.

I gave the High Elf no time to react as I leaped forward and struck. I'd used a shortsword all those years back, so the longsword felt unbalanced in my hand. Even so, I managed to cut the Thalmor's throat.

The first Thalmor fighting with Kaidan was distracted for a split second, and that was all it took for Kaidan to gain the upper hand. A violent swing decapitated the yellow-eyed bastard. He faced me, a smile stretching his lips. "Ah, that was a long time coming!" I found my own mouth turning upwards and mirroring Kaidan's glee. "There!" He shoved past me, though I did not fault him when I saw him going through a chest and retrieving his gear. Kaidan's joy visibly faded though he had his armor and other weapons. "Dammit!" he cursed, looking up the steps.

"The Justiciar is up there with your sword, I take it?"

"Probably, and I've no doubt he's heard all this ruckus. He's going to be prepared." He tossed the iron longsword back and slipped his armor on. The man followed by readying himself with a black bow. "I'll try to take him down from the back, but if it comes to it, I'll need you to get in close. Distract him, maybe." I nodded but couldn't help a taunt.

"I thought you didn't like plans." Kaidan ignored me and ushered me up the steps, remaining surprisingly quiet in his heavy steel armor. I noted that it was unlike any armor I'd ever seen before, but the thought faded quickly as we ascended the steps.

We both jumped when a booming voice hit them from the top. "I know you're there," the Justiciar barked. "Come up these stairs and you won't leave here alive!"

"I don't care," Kaidan snapped back. "If I die, I'm taking you with me!" Without abandon, the man charged up, barely wincing at the frost blast sent his way. Releasing arrow after arrow did nothing, the Justiciar managing to keep up a ward without breaking a sweat.

Kaidan dropped his bow and lifted his heavy shield, deflecting the ice spikes coming towards him. I itched to join the fight from the back, waiting for a sign or chance.

"Ready to give up?" the Thalmor crowed, lips raised in a snarl as he glared at Kaidan.

"Hardly!" Kaidan shouted, rushing the Thalmor with his shield. Seeing the opening when the Thalmor stumbled, I darted in and raised a blade. To my dismay, the Thalmor seemed to have anticipated my movements and knocked the iron longsword from my hand. The Thalmor's golden eyes flashed as he threw me to the ground and sent both Kaidan's shield and my last sword flying far out of reach.

"You think I did not expect this?" the Justiciar hissed, facing us both. "Do you really think the Aldmeri Dominion is that foolish?"

I couldn't help but give a derisive scoff, propping myself up. "You don't want to know the answer to that."

The Altmer's eyes blazed with fury as he faced me, his own thoughts on whether I was worth the effort. He remained tense as he turned back to Kaidan, pale yellow lips pressed together. "Such quips are below the Thalmor to acknowledge, witless worm." The Thalmor took a step towards Kaidan with a piercing stare, drawing a knife from his belt. "I'm sure my superiors will understand why I had to kill you."

He had barely taken a step when I reached forward, grabbing onto the Justiciar's ankle and forcing him to the ground. Understanding my move, Kaidan lunged forward, taking advantage of the brief seconds the Altmer would remain stunned. He held the Thalmor's neck in the crook of his elbow and twisted sharply, sending a satisfying snap through the air.

Kaidan stood and brushed off his hands before helping me to my feet as well. "Nice thinking," he complimented.

"Thanks." I looked around. "Where..."

"It's right here." Kaidan strode over to a table where a long katana sat. The man lifted the blade with care and let out a long relieved sigh. "I was worried I'd never get this back."

"What's so special about it?" At first, Kaidan seemed uncomfortable with the question but gave in.

"It's the one link I have to my past. I... there's a lot I don't know, and I'm hoping this can help me find out. It was my mother's," he said fondly, "and I'm hoping the runes will provide some answers."

I pondered his words for a time. "Want help?"

"What?"

"I said, do you want help? You said you were headed to Skyrim, and I've wanted to leave Cyrodil since before I was imprisoned. Besides, I'm... a mercenary." It'll be easier to have someone with me if I have to look all over the damn province. Kaidan did not seem to catch my hasty response and offered a sad smile before shaking his head.

"I'll be fine. Thanks for freeing me and for helping with everything else. But I'm meeting up with someone in Helgen who's been helping me for a while."

"I hope they haven't been waiting for too long."

"He wouldn't know I was captured. I'd gone to the Imperial City to seek answers from the wizards in the something-something-whispers there while my friend went to the College in Skyrim." Kaidan started down the path to the exit, continuing the conversation. "He has a copy of the runes on the blade."

I retrieved my iron swords before hurrying to follow. "Hold on, what college in Skyrim? Why would a college matter?"

"The College of Winterhold? The center of learning magic in Skyrim?"

"Oh, right." I bit my lip and averted my eyes. "Been a while. Haven't gone to the College, though."

"I'm surprised you haven't been. I thought you were a kind of witch or alchemist at least."

I tilted my head. "Why would you think that?" I queried. Kaidan's face turned red, and he scratched at the back of his neck nervously.

"Oh, just- it was your eyes. They're... strange, I've got to admit. I'm sorry if I sound rude," he added hurriedly, "but I've never seen, uh, purple eyes on a human before. Just Elves."

I shrugged. "I have distant Dunmer ancestry. I heard my father had violet eyes as well." The man didn't seem very satisfied by my explanation.

"Really? That's a tad anticlimactic."

I rolled my eyes. "What did you expect?" I pitched my voice lower to imitate an evil entity. "An ancient curse following me since birth, plaguing me and all of my descendants to the end of time?"

Kaidan laughed, abashed. "Fair enough, friend. And... the hair?"

"What about it?"

"Why's it silver?"

I lifted a brow. "It's not. It's black." Kaidan reached out towards me, and I instinctively smacked his hand away. Unabashed, he reached out again and touched my hair.

"It's silver right here." I grasped the few strands and realized he was right. Why was my hair turning silver? Oblivion if I knew. I was only twenty-six, nowhere near old enough that my hair would begin to gray. Even so, that was a mystery I could solve later, after I'd gotten the hell out of here. He turned the conversation back, breaking my train of thought. "About that College, though. You sounded like you didn't even know what it was."

I shrugged. "Just took me a second. It's been a while since I've been to Skyrim."

"Really? I've been all over Tamriel looking for answers, but I started in Skyrim."

"Well... then do you mind if I follow you for a while? I know you said you don't want help, but I can't exactly stay here after..."

Kaidan nodded, understanding immediately. "Of course. I'll take you with me to the border city, Helgen. That is, if you're up for it. It's not too far from Whiterun, and if you're a mercenary, you'll make much better coin doing small jobs for the Companions. Can you make your way from there?" I nodded at his query.

We remained companionably silent through the prison up to the top. A cold rush of air hit me as I opened the door and was reminded that this was Bruma's territory. I'd been all over Cyrodil, but even so, I couldn't pinpoint precisely where I was.

"The Blue River Prison." I glanced over my shoulder where Kaidan stood looking over the land. "It was pretty easy to guess what you were thinking. Come on to the other side." He led me down the mountainside before pointing into the distance. "We were on the northern side. See that?"

"The White-Gold Tower." Faint relief filled my chest at the familiar landmark.

"And Skyrim is this way." Kaidan beckoned for me to follow. "It's a long walk to the Jerall Mountains, and we're not getting any further just standing here." I gave a mock salute and trailed behind him, more than ready to leave Cyrodil and begin again.

I will live another life... and I will end another's with it.

...

...

...

New mods (or mod content) used/referenced:

Alternate Start: Live Another Life - Arthmoor

Beyond Skyrim: Bruma - Beyond Skyrim Team

Kaidan 2: A custom voiced follower - LivTempleton