Chapter 2
It took Nirano around one minute to catch up to group. They stared at him when he trotted up and drew their swords. Nirano stared at them, shocked, thinking that this was why they brought him down. So they could kill him alone with no other Prisoners watching…
"I knew he was a traitor. He was probably the one who betrayed us to the Assassins!" shouted one of the Blades.
That was when it dawned on Nirano…He was wearing the Assassin's clothing.
"NO! Wait, I was cold…I just switched clothing, this is much warmer! Please don't kill me…"
"Put your swords down. He is not one of them." Said the Emperor silently.
The Blades reluctantly returned their swords to their sheaths but kept a closer eye on Nirano from then on. After another twenty-minutes or so of walking, always on guard, they stopped next to a locked gate. One of the Blades opened it and ushered the Emperor and his comrade through. When Nirano approached it, the Blade moved in front of the gate, blocking his passage.
"No Prisoner, you stay here. We cannot trust you." He then shut the gate with a loud, significant slam, which jingled the other metallic parts around making a loud noise. Nirano realized this and suddenly crouched in a corner, afraid it might have drawn the attention of more Assassins. It was probably what the Blade wanted. A distraction from their path. After one minute of waiting, Nirano's fear almost came true. Assassins did not show up, but the decayed wall across from him began to crumble and Nirano realized with a growing fear and torment that something had certainly found him. Rats, as he had never seen them before. They were massive, two times the size of a common rat. Nirano, inexperienced at the art of The Blade, fumbled as he hastily tried to draw the Akaviri Sword from the sheath. As the two rats continued to approach cautiously, Nirano was able to draw his blade successfully and pointed it at the oncoming threat. Suddenly, taking Nirano by surprise, one of the rats launched himself at Nirano, with incredible speed and covering at least twenty feet of distance. Without so much as touching the ground, it landed only centimeters away from Nirano. Nirano, terrifying out of his wits, brought the Akaviri Blade down quickly down on the rat, but it moved out of the way and Nirano dropped his Blade to the ground as the vibrations caused from hitting the cement was too much for his hand to handle. Seconds later, the other rat launched himself at Nirano, but this time landed precisely on his stomach and began to claw and rip through the majestic clothing of the Assassin. Nirano desperately reached over and felt the top of sword. He snatched it in his hands and nervously brought it down upon the rats head, causing giant spurts of magenta colored blood to splatter on the ground, wall, and on the clothes of Nirano. Disgusted, yet significantly inspired, Nirano ripped the blade from the rat and slashed at the other, showering sparks in all directions as he once again hit the ground. This time however, he was ready for it and held on tight as the vibrations subsided. He then carefully waited for the rat to get in the right distance before he once again brought the blade down whirring onto the rat's back. Slicing it in two pieces and causing the ground to be permanently stained with its infected blood. Nirano wiped his blade on his robes and returned it to its sheath. Since he could not continue through the gate as the Blades had done, he went the only way else that was available. Through the large, gaping hole that had appeared in the wall.
As he carefully ducked into the hole, he stumbled onto a chest. He opened it to find a torch and a Rusty Axe. Since the Akaviri Blade had proven more useful he left the Axe there, yet placed the torch in his eager hands. Before he knew it the dungeon was filled with blissful light. He continued to march his way through the dungeon and came across the decayed skeleton of a human. He searched the remnants of everyone near it and came across a bow, and twenty-five arrows. He took these with him as he was more skilled in Archery than in Blade, since his parents had once taken him hunting, and had taught him how to shoot properly. He was a natural at it. So he sheathed his blade back, and strapped his new bow to his back along with the quiver of arrows, put the torch back in hand and continued through the tunnel. Nirano came across many more rats before he encountered something more devastating and disgusting. As Nirano was pacing through the dungeon, evidently pleased with himself for conquering so many large rats he heard a different noise. It sounded like someone drowning, yet being able to scream and gasp for oxygen at the same time. As Nirano froze in one spot, it started to round the corner. It was a moving, rotting corpse.
Something that had been decaying for years and years. There were literally straps of skin remaining and the internal organs were clearly visible, although un-identifiable considering they were so slashed and destroyed. Nirano held his breath as it continued up the short slope Nirano was crouching on, hoping beyond hope that this horrifying creature would not spot him. His stealth skills were not adaptive however, and before long it had heard and felt Nirano's presence. It began to stumble quickly towards Nirano who took action immediately; freeing an arrow from his quiver he quickly notched it into his bowstring and aimed at the head of the zombie. He released and the arrow whipped through the air magnificently, spinning rapidly as it sunk into the head of the zombie, who was decapitated instantly as the sheer force of the arrow struck his head off, causing it to roll down the slope. The zombie crumbled at Nirano's feet, causing Nirano to jump with triumph, though his heart stopped as the remaining corpse grabbed his leg. Nirano literally jumped 10 feet in the air as it grabbed him. So, he quickly unsheathed his sword and split the rest of it in two. He climbed over the undead creature and plucked his arrow from the head of the zombie, replacing it back into his quiver and continuing through the dark dungeon.
After more rats and other similar threats, Nirano discovered another creature intelligent enough to create fire. As he glanced at the shadow on the wall, and the flickering light, he cautiously snuck closer to the source. He contained his gasp of surprise only by the amount of fear that had settled in his body when he glimpsed a goblin at the source of light. Luckily for Nirano, the goblin had his back to him, giving him an opportune moment to notch another arrow. As Nirano aimed carefully, knowing if he failed this shot, he would not have time to notch another arrow before the Goblin ripped him apart mercilessly. He took his aim, careful to make sure he would lose the arrow in the correct spot on the Goblin's head, and…
The arrow was released creating a sharp noise as the bowstring bounced back and forth; the Goblin heard it and turned around only to go cross-eyed as he followed the arrow's progress towards his head. As the Goblin completed his turn, he just had time to open his mouth to let out a screech when he was slammed backwards into the wall of his cavern, driven by the strength of the arrow, which was sitting comfortably in his forehead. Nirano approached the dead creature and attempted to pull out his arrow, only to find it was too deeply inside for it to come out without damage. He let the Goblin crumple to the ground and began to examine the contents of his home. He picked up many magical objects which he had no name for; being the worst magician his family had ever known. He only knew how to conjure a small, weak fireball, and to perform another weak healing spell. It was nothing to boast about and Nirano meekly packed the items into his pockets feeling ashamed at his lack of knowledge.
As time went by, Nirano encountered many more Goblins, yet conquered them all; each falling to the swift, deadly shots Nirano was able to make with his natural archery ability. Only once did Nirano have to pull out the sword, and that was when another Goblin had snuck behind him and did not give Nirano enough time to notch an arrow, yet Nirano had discovered that he was able to kill swiftly and easily with the Akaviri Blade, regardless that he had never handled a sword before. It must have been enchanted thought Nirano. Soon after the last Goblin encounter, Nirano saw a different kind of light. It was not firelight…It was more like sunlight! He began to dash towards the direction it was coming from but was stopped by a powerful goblin that wielded a magic staff! He jumped out of the way of the first fireball only to get singed by the second one. As Nirano got up he reached for an arrow, but was completely out! The goblin approached Nirano and, acting fast, slammed him in the face with his fist. He got down on top of the unconscious goblin and started pummeling it to pieces. Realizing what he was doing was savage beyond belief; he got up and wiped his knuckles on his robe. He picked up the magical items off of the goblin thinking they could fetch a pretty penny at a magic shop. He opened a chest to find arrows and ran to the light, only to burst out of another small hole in a wall and to find himself in a similar looking cracked hallway in which he was deserted by the Blades and the Emperor. As he was about to swear, he heard some people talking. It was the Blades and the Emperor! Relieved that he would have some professional protection he rushed towards them, just to find the Blades looking more livid than ever before.
"So, our little sewage rat found his way through the gate? We know your working for the Assassins." Shouted one of the Blades to Nirano.
"Let's kill him!" replied the other.
Just as about Nirano was going to make a run for it, the Emperor spoke. "No. I told you, he is not one of them. He can help us. He must help us."
The two Blades sheathed their swords and stared at Nirano, knowing they must not disobey their Emperor. Finally, they broke the stare and acknowledged that if the Emperor trusted him, so must they. Relieved beyond anything he had ever felt before, Nirano continued to follow The Blades and The Emperor to their destination. All the while, the Emperor spoke to him, telling him about his visions of destruction and how he did not have much time left. They started to get into a conversation about The Nine. After speaking in great detail about them, the Emperor asked Nirano what his sign was. Fully trusting and respecting the Emperor after all this time, Nirano did not hesitate to tell him.
"I was born under the Shadow."
The Emperor seemed slightly relieved when he learnt that information. Almost comforted.
"Then let the Shadow hide you from you foes and keep you safe in your times of need." Said the Emperor.
When it seemed as though the danger was gone, they heard another rush of screams and battle cries. This time Nirano did not hide and cower, but unsheathed his new trusty Akaviri Blade and rushed into battle alongside the legendary Blades. Nirano whirled around the three Assassins, trying to find a weak spot in their menacing armor. He ducked quickly as he heard a sword whizzing in his direction. As the sword slashed thin air, Nirano swiftly stabbed in the direction of the attack, to feel his sword sinking into raw flesh. He pulled the sword up forcefully, to hear the agonizing screams of his Victim as his torso was ripped apart, slowly and painfully. After a few more terrible seconds, the Assassin fell to his knees, covered in red smoke as his armor destroyed itself. Nirano pulled out his sword from the limp body and continued to assist the Blades in fighting off the last two Assassins. He screamed as he felt cold, merciless steel slicing through his thigh. Luckily it had only grazed him and he recovered almost instantly and turned around slashing his sword through the air at the assailant. The Assassin blocked the blow, only to stab once more at Nirano, but just as the blade was about to take Nirano's life, the sword was slammed against a nearby wall and the Assassins hand with it. Confused, Nirano looked at the other Blades, who had taken care of the other Assassin and had saved Nirano's life by cutting through the hand that held the sword. Quickly one of the Blades decapitated the last remaining Assassin and wiped his sword on a cloth.
"He almost got you there, didn't he?" laughed one of the Blades.
"Yeah, thanks for saving me." Replied Nirano.
The Blades nodded their heads and motioned to the Emperor to follow them. Nirano falling last in line as usual, but extremely satisfied with the ways he was learning to survive. So they continued down what seemed like an ever-lasting journey through the sewers, until they approached a second gate.
"Ah, here we go. We're almost out Emperor, not to wo--….Oh no! This gate is barred from the other side! It's a trap!" Said one of the Blades.
"I saw another way over there…Let's go!" Replied the other.
The two Blades, closely followed by The Emperor, and then Nirano entered the second entrance, only to find it as a dead end.
"We had better go back and take care of any Assassins that show up. You, Prisoner, take care of the Emperor; guard him with your life." And with those last words, the two Blades went out of the small room and immediately the clashes of steel and metal were heard. The Emperor seemed fairly calm however, when he turned to talk to Nirano.
"Listen, it is my time. I have seen it. Here, take this, it is the Amulet of Kings, give it to Jauffre. Find my son. Find him, and close shut the jaws of Oblivion!"
Nirano stared at the Emperor blankly, clutching one of the most priceless items in his hands, he stared in shock as behind the Emperor a concealed door opened and an Assassin lurched through ramming a Silver Dagger through the Emperor's chest. Before three seconds passed the Emperor was laying in a heap on the cold, brick floors. Nirano, filled with hatred and a passion for murder, drew his Akaviri Katana and met steel to steel with the Emperor's killer.
For what seemed like hours to Nirano was only seconds to the last remaining Blade Member. He had just finished off three Assassins and his comrade lay dead on the floor like his Captain. That was when he heard the clash of steel in the small room he had left the Prisoner and the Emperor. Assuming the Prisoner had betrayed the Emperor he hurtled himself in the room to find his nation's leader dead surrounded in his own blood and to find the faithful Prisoner in sword-to-sword combat with who must have been the Assassin who did it. Screaming with anguish and hatred he jammed his merciless sword into the Assailants back, twisting the blade up and down and left and right until all that was left were bits and pieces, and chunks of a human body. He looked up at Nirano breathing heavily and stared down at Emperor Uriel Septim. He was the last of the Septims and his death meant only more deaths to come in Cyrodil. It would soon be chaos. Blinking away his tears he turned once more to look at the Prisoner Nirano.
"The Emperor…I've failed…We've failed…Wait!" he said with shock.
"The Amulet! The Amulet of Kings! It's gone!"
"No, he gave it to me. He told me to bring it Jauffre…" Responded Nirano.
"Jauffre? Why would he do that…? Well if anyone would know why he has sent you to carry out this deed it would be Jauffre. He is the Grandmaster of The Blades. Let me guess, by your Arch-Man ship and your Swords-Man Ship, you must be a skilled Warrior. But, your stealth, although a little diminished over time in a cell no doubt, tells me you are more than just a Warrior. You practice in the same arts as these Assailants don't you? You are an Assassin as well?"
"I have practiced in those methods, but as you see, I would never commit such a heinous crime such as killing the Emperor…"
"Yes, I can see. Alright, well I trust you. Although you may use methods I do not approve of, you have shown courage and loyalty to Cyrodil in this room. I noticed that you have taken the Akaviri Blade of my Captain. If you would not mind too much I would ask for it, as they should be presented to my dead comrades at their funerals…"
Nirano stared at the blade which had saved his life already countless times in his little adventure. Although when he thought about it, it would be more useful to give them to their rightful owners. It was the only honorable thing to do."
"Thank you Nirano. Listen, I will stay here now, I have no more need to get someone out of this place, now that my Emperor is dead. Take this key; it will open the gate which leads outside of this god damn place. Use it, and do as the Emperor told you. Good luck."
Nirano nodded and looked once more at the body of the Emperor. He silently said a prayer and ran through the open hole in the wall which the Assassin entered through and unlocked the door, accidentally breaking the key handle in the process... After some more killing of Goblins and Rats, he proceeded to the Gate which was obviously meant to lead outside. He looked once more behind him and opened the Gate, to step out into brilliant sunshine which felt like it had blinded him temporarily. It was time to get on with his life.