The situation did not take long to de-escalate. After the interloper was caught, Nermero immediately issued an order for all imperial guards to investigate the canton for the presence of other fanatics. None were found, but this was enough to end the discussion early and postpone another date. Rialyn and Nerius helped to search the canton after the representatives left, and after the threat was leveled, the two remained outside. They waited for Nermero to conduct his interrogation while Rialyn couldn't help but think about what she said…
"I didn't even think anyone was there, decided to take some time and…Just saw something moving in the shadows." - Nerius said, still recounting the scene.
"Yes, you've said that already…" - Rialyn responded distantly.
"Sorry, just wasn't expecting to handle her so well. It's a nice feeling, like a cool rain upon my scales."
"You could've avoided mentioning the Thieves Guild."
"I…Yes, I realized that a bit too late, but I think he let that pass…. What do you think?"
Rialyn stood silent, looking at the floor and pondering to himself.
"The Nerevarine…" - He pronounced slowly, echoing the woman's words.
"Do you still think about that?" - Nerius asked. "No need, she was just insane. There many lunatics going around here; I've already had more than enough."
"Do they truly believe it, though?"
"That you are the Nerevarine? Of course not. He was a man from hundreds of years ago!" - Nerius said, highlighting the statement's absurdity.
"And saved the people of Morrowind from Dagoth Ur, the Blight and False Gods, all in a year, I know. I read about him, and Nerevarine is more than a person…" - Rialyn claimed, unsure how to explain. He was a reincarnation, a title taken by the hero of the old times, or at least, so the Dunmer believed. If they thought it then, why not believe in another reincarnation now? In a time like this…His thoughts were interrupted by Nermero approaching them from the canton, seemingly with news to tell.
"Did she say anything?" - Rialyn decided to get straight to the point.
"Not much, at least nothing new. She heard the rumor about your arrival and that you are a new Nerevarine sent to this land by Azura…And she believes it. She mentioned where she got it from, and it all comes down to one name. Merlyne Hlovulis." - Nermero gave a rundown.
"That's not the first time I hear about her…That's too much influence for comfort."
"You haven't met her yet?" - Nermero was surprised. "I thought she'd be the first to seek you out."
"Then who is she?"
"A steward of the New Tribunal temple and self-proclaimed prophet of Azura. She was the one talking about your arrival to Morrowind days before you came and the narrative of you being the savior…Something about the holy vision or other nonsense." - Nermero said with distaste.
"Did she actually have the vision, or did someone give her this information?"
"I imagine the latter, although I don't see who'd benefit from this."
"I might have a few ideas…But I've got to talk to this Merlyne first."
"Good luck; don't get sucked into her promises."
Rialyn was ready to say his farewells to Nermero, but the legate had second thoughts.
"Also, something I wanted to ask…Nerius Calilures, was it?" - He looked at the nodding argonian.
"Yes?"
"Did I mishear, or you said you were a part of Thieves Guild back there?"
Rialyn felt Nerius tremble a little; this was something they were both afraid for.
"I didn't have any time to join. Rialyn and I left Skyrim." - Nerius said; he didn't feel like hiding or apologizing. After all, he didn't go to the guild out of malice. "Conditions for argonian dockworkers in Riften are horrendous, and I couldn't just sit aside. I wanted to leave…I was ready to do anything for it and still would." - He said proudly.
"That's…I can respect it, but you've got in with the wrong crowd. How did you even meet the Dragonborn?" - Nermero asked; Nerius gave Rialyn a quick glance before answering that.
"I…Tried to steal from him. Failed, of course, but he saw some potential." - He said with well-imitated shame. Rialyn knew precisely what he was doing. Nerius wouldn't put his history on the line. The Dragonborn couldn't help but let out his thoughts.
"Thank you…For joining me, that is." - He immediately returned to his hardened voice after showing a spark of emotion.
"I see some potential as well." - Nermero said approvingly. "You masterfully apprehended her without any help. That's an impressive skill."
"Oh, many thanks, I…."
"Do you want to stay behind and demonstrate some more?" - The legate asked, intrigued.
"Excuse me?"
"I see you need work. It's hard to find it here as an argonian. The Empire does not discriminate, however, and if you are as skillful as I think, we could definitely find you a place among our guard." - He said with pride. Nerius felt unsure. Rialyn could see his face gleaming with excitement after he finally got an opportunity to show the best of himself. He just didn't know whether he should accept it.
"Remember what you told me about taking opportunities?" - Rialyn gave him a hint, the argonian sighed.
"Yes, you're right. I will stay and show some of my best, legate."
"Wonderful, just I hoped. Come, I'll show you the training room." - Nermero invited Nerius to enter and looked at the Dragonborn.
"I won't detain you any longer, but thanks for your aid."
Rialyn nodded silently and soon turned away. It was time to give the temple a visit.
…
The temple canton has been impossible to miss. While not particularly distinct from others in form, the flags on its walls bore the same Morrowind symbolic Inaaru once carried, the moon and stars…But even this was not the main wonder to behold. Before the entrance to the temple, a great statue rose, covered in gold and shining with glory.
It was as tall as the canton itself, visible from almost every point in Vivec. It depicted a dunmer warrior with heavy armor upon him. He carried a metal shield in one hand, clutched to the curved blade. His eyes and face captured a look of pride and glory; the hero gazed up to the skies, throwing a shadow above the bridge Rialyn walked. This was the elf Inaaru admired so deeply…Rialyn wondered, is this what he became for the people of Skyrim? Will they remember his deeds for hers to come?
Soon, however, he noticed a familiar figure standing at the foundation, admiring the statue. This was Heleria in her blue robes and carrying a small book, as she usually did. The altmer gazed upon this statue, examining it in great detail without paying attention to what was happening around her. Rialyn quietly approached her.
"How's your day?" - He asked in a usual dry voice; Heleria shivered reflexively before turning around and smiling.
"Oh, sweet…Do you feel the need to sneak up on a girl this way?" - She said jokingly.
"You don't seem too upset." - The Dragonborn pointed out.
"That's true…Truth be told, I might appreciate some company." - Heleria said and looked at the statue once again; Rialyn decided to do the same. From right beneath, it felt even more grand, even more powerful…And they were so puny before it.
"Nerevarine?" - Rialyn asked, knowing the answer very well. Heleria nodded.
"The greatest hero of Morrowind, or so it is said…People in Vvardenfell tend to idolize him, either because he really was a great hero or how many horrendous tragedies followed his disappearance. I suppose we can never know for certain." - She said quietly, still unable to focus on reality. "I am more interested in the blade, honestly. The Trueflame, the blade of Nerevarine…One of the most powerful ever known to Tamriel." - She commended.
"It reminds me of a statue of Gaerun in Bruma I liked to visit, although it pales compared to this." - Rialyn took this time to reminisce.
"Gaerun? The name sounds awfully familiar, but I can't quite grasp it…."
"The bosmer thief who helped find the last heir of Septims and close the Oblivion gate. Quite a story…" - Rialyn realized that his tale is not that different.
"Ah, the Champion of Cyrodiil! Yes, he's pretty remarkable, although there is much less material on him to be found here." - Heleria said, echoing her normal thirst for knowledge. Rialyn was almost willing to continue the conversation, but he remembered the real purpose of coming here.
"I have to go, see you around." - The Dragonborn said, walking towards the temple entrance, but Heleria followed.
"Hey, you don't have to leave alone. Isn't it always more enjoyable when someone is at your side?" - She strides along with him, smiling.
"Well…"
"Speaking of which, why did you come to the temple in the first place?"
"Have to see Merlyne Hlovulis."
"Oh…I see you had some unfortunate encounters." - Heleria responded, almost as if knowing what's to come.
"Yes, I did. A fanatic that believed this woman's nonsense and claimed I was the Nerevarine."
Heleria looked at him with surprise and couldn't help but giggle.
"Nerevarine, seriously? I knew Merlyne was trying to gain you some popularity here, but this is absurd!"
Rialyn couldn't agree more, but his attention was focused on something else as the duo entered the temple. The large hall housed three statues almost as large as the one of Nerevarine. At the forefront stood Azura, the woman in robes who held the moon in her hand. Beside her was an armored man with a gigantic ax and a woman with the legs of a spider attached to her back, carrying a powerful staff. Heleria noticed Rialyn's amusement.
"First time? That's our new Tribunal now, Mephala, Boethiah, and, of course, Azura." - Heleria said.
"Was she not the one who cursed our people and made them Dunmer?" - Rialyn asked.
"Oh, you know your history. Yes, not the most pleasant situation, though her current worshippers forgave it. To think that years ago, it was the Tribunal ruling over Morrowind with Daedric worship outlawed…Times really do change." - Heleria said.
Soon they approached the priest of Mephala, a woman in dark robes consumed by her quiet prayer.
"Excuse our interruption…" - Heleria said; the priestess looked at her with distrust.
"What do you want?" - She said.
"Is Merlyne Hlovulis here? We'd like to have a talk."
"She left a while ago on business…I imagine she'll return soon, and now leave me alone!" - The priestess turned around and continued her prayer. Heleria gracefully turned around and looked at Rialyn.
"I'd say we wait in this enclave of daedra, what do you say?" - The woman suggested.
"Whatever will allow me to finally put some sense into her."
"Wonderful!" - Heleria relaxed and looked at the statues. "So, are you much of a believer?" - She wondered, trying to strike up a conversation. Rialyn thought for a moment, looking over the statue with an ax.
"Boethiah seems like my kind of man…Or woman, you know what I mean." - The incarnation he saw in Skyrim was vastly different in its presentation.
"Oh, I understand. The daedra are very shifty, putting it mildly." - Heleria smiled.
"And what about you?"
"Not much, but I do appreciate Azura to an extent. She may be a little harsh at times, but ultimately just…I think. And the way I feel near her statue, it's just…Momentary bliss, so to say." - Heleria approached the statue, closed her eyes, and breathed slowly. "Don't you feel it?"
"Not particularly. I think I'll look around for a while." - Rialyn said, noticing something interesting at the back of the hall.
"Alright, I'll meditate for now."
Rialyn followed through and realized what was it that caught his eye. Two more statues are much smaller in scale than the Tribunal and still quite distinct if you manage to look past others. The two statues of chaotic daedra princes are both very familiar to Rialyn. One of them was a horned beast that ruled over the domain of pain and domination, and another was a man with a cane. Molag Bal and Sheogorath were not influential and too chaotic to be a part of the Tribunal, but they were still not forgotten by the Dunmer. Rialyn had the "pleasure" of meeting both of them.
The Dunmer looked at these statues, trying to remember his interactions with them. It was a while ago, yet he still felt like Molag Bal's grasp didn't leave him, especially with the curse of vampirism. He felt so close, even now…
"Heed me, Dragonborn, and answer my call." - Rialyn felt the chills in his spine and the tension. This voice that loudly rang out in his head…The one he heard in the cursed house in Markarth, the Daedric prince himself. "Don't stay silent, mortal, and respond. Be grateful I am ready to spend some time on you." - Daedric princes were powerful and cunning, but even they had limits. Rialyn knew he had to show no fear.
He didn't expect Molag Bal to answer without an offering. Rialyn said nothing, heard
but to Molag Bal, who created a magical link to his mind for their communication; he was clear.
"Offerings do not matter; I only answer to mortals with potential. Yours is already realized." - He said with a slimmer of pride.
What did the demon want from Rialyn? Their agreement was over; he served his will and got an artifact as a reward for his adventures. It's rare for Daedric princes to continue this connection unless the mortal desires to become a follower.
"My goals do not change, never for eons, you should understand. I looked over this puny city, as these insects would want me to."
Being looked over by Molag Bal wasn't something Rialyn wished upon his worst enemy.
"Watch your tongue, mortal! If that were true, why did you accept my gift? My curse?" - Molag Bal wondered, and he was on point.
Rialyn knew what he did when he struck a bargain with the Daedric prince back in Skyrim. He knew what he was doing when he accepted Harkon's invitation and a bite. He wanted more power to help those around him, all the people that suffered around them, the ones that needed a hero.
"Yes, deep inside, you wish to be their savior, their hero…You want to be Nerevarine. But you cannot. No one can. Even Nerevarine himself didn't live up to the legend he is seen as now…And I know this full well." - Molag Bal said with a tone of nostalgia in his voice. "If you want to try, that choice is yours. But you can't do so without the power, without strong Allie's at your side."
Was he trying to convert Rialyn into his follower? The Dragonborn believed that Molag Bal would fail because he was not so quickly sold…But in truth, it was likelier to happen due to the claim Nocturnal and Hermaeus Mora already had on his soul.
"No need for excuses, Dragonborn. A Daedric dispute over a common soul is not uncommon…And I am willing to bet much on yours."
Would Rialyn want to follow in the footsteps of the woman he saw earlier? Off the others?
"Do not compare yourself to these weaklings. They couldn't embrace my truth…Without descending into madness."
Suddenly a loud voice in Rialyn's interrupted Bal, causing the Dragonborn to shiver.
"Did someone say madness? And worse still, did someone suggest knowing anything about it? What a weasel!" - Sheogorath exclaimed, absolutely infuriated.
"Is it that hard to recognize my voice, you scum?"
"Of course, I know that's yours, Bal. Only you can speak with such boredom and pathos at the same time! You make me want to kill myself…Or someone else. Yes, probably someone else." - Sheogorath said, suddenly making his tone deadly serious.
Rialyn was getting annoyed at them. These voices became louder and chaotic, harder for him to handle.
"Oh, sorry, I have almost forgotten about you, R…Rhitahtyn? Raiden? Ronald? Whatever, the one I gave the thingy! Haven't seen you in a while."
Although, despite his insanity, Sheogorath was a much more calming presence than Bal, as paradoxically as it sounded.
"What, are you grateful for my presence? No, don't be such a bootlicker, have some spirit, or otherwise, I'll have to confiscate Wabbajack!"
It was better not to think at all…Molag Bal was the next to speak.
"I was in the middle of something here. Do you have any purpose for your presence here?"
Did he seriously ask a god of madness for a reason?
"Shut up, mortal."
"Hey, watch your language, you scummy, scaly, brainless freak! I always have the most perfect of reasons. Couldn't help but notice you were bullying lil Ronnie here, driving him mad, and I say leave him alone. Driving people mad is my expertise, and I am not sharing!" - Sheogorath exclaimed.
Rialyn wondered whether not making him mad was an option at all…
"Being sane is booring, haven't you learned? You too, Bal."
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Madman. How about you go back to the Isles and spend another century playing with that servant of yours? "- Bal proposed.
"I should send a seducer-saint army after you for this! Or maybe a giant bull notch with forks…No, screw that; I like the first one better. Sending humanoid women vaguely reminiscent of Meridia might be traumatic…" - He said sarcastically.
"Oh, you really don't know what's good for you? I wonder if you'll be just as bold when my armies of doom desecrate "that" half of the isles and make it just as demented as the rest?" - Bal threatened.
"No, please, no, not tonal consistency! How horrific…Good that you don't have the willpower to actually do it. I was almost worried!" - Sheogorath taunted him.
"Do you want to try? Be careful with dark seducers, though; who knows if they still hold their loyalty…They're named seducers for a reason." - Bal suggested.
"Of course, I am the one who orders all the seducing! Have you never seen them in a brothel?"
"Wait, seriously? You degrade my pets like that?!"
"ENOUGH!" - Rialyn shouted aloud, which caused all Daedric voices to disaster for his head. This cacophony was unbearable, demonic, but it was finally over…
"Finally, at long last, you are here." - Rialyn heard the voice of an elderly Dunmer woman behind him. The Dragonborn turned around to see a smiling priestess of Azura. "Welcome to our hearth and home."
"Merlyne Hlovulis?" - Rialyn said with slight disdain.
"Indeed. I looked forward to seeing you." - She looked at the hero and exclaimed loudly. "Finally, the Dovahkiin is here, our newborn salvation!"
The noise attracted some attention. Rialyn noticed Heleria rushing to their side; her meditation was all but over.
"I see you two are having a great time already!" - She said a little nervously.
"Why do you spread lies about me?" - Rialyn inquired Merlyne. "Why do you portray me as another Nerevarine?"
"Because I believe it. The vision came on that fateful night. I have seen your journey, your battles in Skyrim…You were the hero Morrowind needed, the one that decided to come. Your arrival was premeditated from the start, I know it!" - She said with an almost insane level of belief.
"He can't be Nerevarine." - Heleria added. "The old one was born from a specific prophecy that foretold his arrival for much longer than a couple of weeks." - She said with certainty.
"But why can't we have another one? Prophecies are endless; my vision might have been the sign from Azura herself. Wasn't she the patron of old Nerevarine?" - Merlyne argued.
"I don't think that makes much sense. According to history, Azura had an obvious goal…To end the "false gods," as she believed, this sparked the need for a champion." - Heleria said.
"And then what? He just left us to sail to Akavir and never return?" - Merlyne said with disappointment. "I don't believe that he could end like this…I can't." - The sorrow in her voice was evident; Heleria was unsure how to respond.
"I…I'm afraid…."
"She is right, Merlyne. I am not Nerevarine. Maybe a hero to some…Of some other sort. But not him." - Rialyn replied harshly.
"Nerevarine was not born; he earned his title…This is about your spirit, the blessing of your blood. No one can hold you back, Dovahkiin, so why not become the savior we need? Dunmer will be forever grateful to you, as are the nords. Is that not why you arrived here in the first place, to make things right, to learn…Here is your chance to become what you want. To become the prophecy, to bring faith…The choice is yours." - She said gravely.
Rialyn found himself at a crossroads. The thought that never escaped him while in Skyrim is that he is a hero of the land alien. Not Cyrodiil, not the ancestral home of his people, but Skyrim. He still wished to help those people, but a component was missing…A dream. Inaaru's dream became his. They are one that he can realize.
"I think you rely too much on the past. Nerevarine is gone, and new heroes can arise." - Heleria noted.
"Perhaps…Perhaps not."
"What do you think, Rialyn?" - The librarian asked.
"It's a burden, for sure, but…There must have been a reason for me to arrive here. Some kind of reason. I won't reject it, at the least." - He said with belief.
"I…Think that's misguided, but I respect it. If only more people would be as eager to defend innocents as you are." - Heleria said with some admiration.
"Oh, you don't know me, not at all." - Rialyn responded. He was getting tired and needed some time alone. "I will think about it. My time to decide on a course has come anyway…Have a good evening." - Rialyn said and marched towards the door, disappearing beneath the Tribunal's shadows.
