For Rialyn, this might have been a fiery bloodbath. For others, it was a spectacle.

The way his newfound resolve strengthened thanks to both his own willpower and burning vampire powers within was a pure miracle. As the Dragonborn sliced the raiders, the fear in them grew one after the other. Some even began to retreat, but Rialyn would not stop while he was at it. It was not long before the bridge was full of dried blood, and argonians that dared to attack him had fallen, forming an entire pile of corpses.

As he looked at the battle, the dunmer noticed that it was nearing its end. There were only a few argonians fighting, and their morale grew low. The few that escaped would jump into the water. They were masters at surviving beneath and could go to the sewers or deeper into the mainland. Soon Rialyn noticed his friend rushing towards him, carefully avoiding looking at corpses.

"Rialyn, are you alright? That was some cold rain…Ah, forget it, it was amazing." - He said with pride; Rialyn shook his head lightly as his sword finally lost its fiery glow.

"Nothing special; they underestimated me, again." - Rialyn said with a tired voice. These enemies continued to fall one after another; the Dragonborn did not remember facing any real challenges since Miraak.

He noticed almost no living argonians remaining on the other side of the bridge. Camina, ordinators, and imperials were victorious, which meant that the city was saved. It did not take long before reinforcements from the temple arrived. The legionaries were swift to take control of the situation.

"Look for any surviving scum! We need prisoners!" - Nermero chanted to his soldiers as they surrounded the pile of corpses. They began working quickly, examining everybody for signs of life. There ought to have been some argonians that pretended to be dead in hopes of getting overlooked. A standard tactic for the most desperate situations. All in all, this was a victory.

The soldiers circled around Rialyn, looking for living invaders. One of the younger guards looked at Nerius and clutched his sword nervously. The imperial would stay static, unsure whether he should act at all. Nerius was tired, and Rialyn knew what was happening here.

"Calm down, soldier. He is with me." - The Dragonborn said with a calm yet commanding tone. The soldier would sigh with relief as his eyes brimmed with realization. He would soon continue his work.

"We should probably stay out of this…At least I should." - Nerius said, looking over the former battlefield. Rialyn felt for his friend; he hoped to return to Black Marsh and find out more about his people, just like Rialyn did. Now, he ended up participating in killing them with his own weapons.

"A drink, then?" - The dunmer suggested.

"Yes, gladly."

As they walked towards the residential canton, Heleria already waved to them. Rialyn was grateful for her help. The librarian deserved some word of thanks. Nermero and Camina seemed busy, which would spare the Dragonborn some unwanted questions…The same couldn't be said about the people.

"They're looking at you…Right?" - Nerius noted. He was right; people's gazes would follow Rialyn as they whispered to each other. Even from here, the Dragonborn could hear pure awe in their voices.

He wasn't surprised. A performance like this would definitely garner some attention. Yet, on the other hand, was it not to be expected from someone like him? Rialyn forgot how it felt to look at things through the eyes of a simple mortal. What seemed like a simple job for him might have seemed like a god's fear for others. Soon the two reached the canton and Heleria.

"Thank the divines you did not linger there any longer…I almost contemplated going out into that dirty corpse-fest myself." - Heleria said with sarcasm before smiling. "Seriously, though, well done, you've certainly impressed some…" - She said, looking over the watching citizens.

"Thanks for the magic back there; it came in handier than I expected." - Rialyn said with echoing warmth in his voice.

"I could have done a little better, but too late for that." - Heleria said with humility before looking at Rialyn's blade with utmost curiosity. "And what happened with the blade?" - She seemed perplexed. "That fire is just like…How did you do it?"

"I didn't?" - Rialyn shrugged.

"Wait, you didn't?" - Nerius said with surprise. "But you're the Dragonborn. I thought fire is basically your main element."

"Even the Dragonborn can't do everything…I thought it was you." - He looked at Heleria, only to have her shake her head.

"I wish I could do such a spell this simply." - Heleria thought to herself, trying to come up with some answers. "Did you have some internal change? Maybe that was one of your new limits?"

Rialyn tried to recount that moment, but not before hearing another voice behind him.

"It is not from within; it is a sign!"- The excited voice rang from behind them. As the trio turned around, they saw smiling Merlyne Hlovulis. Rialyn knew where the priestess was taking it.

"Can you just stop and think for a moment?" - Heleria immediately began the argument. "I've explained stranger things than this, and I assure you, we don't have to dig that deep.

"Yes, and that explanation is the divine gift from Azura! It seems people would agree…" - Merlyne said before looking at Rialyn. She noticed uncertainty and confusion in his eyes. The Dragonborn could have argued, but he just did not know…His vampiric powers could not have had such an effect, nor could the shouts.

"People would see anything if they want, I tell you, this cannot be…" - Heleria continued but got interrupted by Merlyne.

"Truly? I am certain you have heard the story of Trueflame, the blade of Nerevar?" - She said, causing Heleria to clench her fist and gaze with annoyance.

"Yes…Many times." - Librarian admitted.

"I am sure you have studied the blade that has always burned bright, for the magic within it was simply so powerful." - Merlyne looked at Rialyn. "And now this…Soon you will finally realize it."

"It's a mistake…It must be." - Rialyn said unconvincingly.

"How many signs does Azura have to send for you to accept it? The time is now, just like my visions shown." - Her smile shone brighter, almost as if Merlyne herself had achieved a victory that she longed for.

And worst of all, Rialyn could not deny it. He did not expect all this to come so quickly for him to become the named hero of this land shortly after setting foot ashore. This shouldn't have made any sense, yet each puzzle piece only added to his uncertainty. Could this be true? Could he be the ancient hero? Was his path for this single purpose?

"May Azura bless you." - Merlyne bowed before leaving Rialyn and others with the thought that was not going away any time soon.

And so the search began.

This battle has given Rialyn much to think about, and eventually, he found himself in Heleria's library more often than anywhere else. He did not even leave often, only at times when he needed to do another job. The citizens would talk abo the prophecy and how he was the hero they needed…It became tiresome.

The Dragonborn was reading the books on the matter of Nerevar, his reincarnation, and the fiery blades. Heleria admitted to now knowing the spell, then who else could create such an aura? This was the question Rialyn asked, yet the answers would be one and the same.

A blessing from above.

Some Daedric princes were capable had they shown any interest. They would pick their favorites from mortals and slowly make them into their champions. For centuries that have continued their games over Tamriel's people, and considering Rialyn's status, was it that unexpected of Azura to take note of the Dragonborn?

To find those answers, he peered into the tales of the Tribunal's fall, the last notable feat of Nerevarine. This was where Trueflame resurfaced, the blade Merlyne mentioned, the one that was depicted on the statue of Nerevarine. There were many fascinating tales of its origin. It was reforged with guidance from Almalexia shortly before the goddess was killed by this same sword. The blessing that allowed it to burn seemed innate, but this could not be the case here. It wasn't about the sword; could it be about Rialyn?

His musings were interrupted by the opening door; Heleria returned home after finishing her business, likely that of temporarily giving out other books. She walked towards the central table after letting out a tired sigh and began to make some tea. Rialyn noticed her disposition and looked away from his book.

"Did the constant questions catch up to you?" - The Dragonborn said with both sarcasm and sympathy. Heleria turned towards him and nodded.

"Oh, you haven't even seen the worst of it…Everyone is interested, but some are just too shy to approach you after they saw you killing those raiders…Nothing personal, of course, but after seeing you in action, many would feel a little overwhelmed." - Heleria said.

"I take it as a compliment. If killing scoundrels and the like would make my days more peaceful…Well, I shouldn't let it up." - Rialyn said as he looked at his book again. "Very happy for you…But that leaves me as the scholar of Nerevarine to answer all of their questions." - Heleria slowly walked up to him, trying to see what he was reading, perhaps thinking that it would ease her mind. Soon after seeing an image of Trueflame, she almost recoiled. "Oh, sweet…"

"Didn't you like the blade?" - Rialyn said, thinking back to their conversation near the statue of Nerevarine.

"Not after hearing its name fifteen times in the last hour." - She said before sitting next to Rialyn. The woman watched him turn over the pages with interest, following every word she read. Could she have known the answer? After years of studying and traveling, one has to become an expert on the subject.

"We all seek the same thing…" - Rialyn said, looking at the image of Truflame. Such a glorious sword…For a moment, when his own blade was on fire, Rialyn felt a fraction of this glory. To be standing there and have people gaze upon you…Such sweet sense, such simple pleasure, yet Rialyn craved these moments. When he felt most needed, feeling that the constant battle he fought was not for nothing, that this journey had a purpose.

"I wish I knew…" - Heleria said with some disappointment. "I've been thinking about this since the raid, and still nothing. What do you think?"

"The prophecy, the visions, the path…All leads to one answer." - He said almost as if he wished to believe it.

"You didn't believe Merlyne, did you?" - Heleria wondered.

"I want to be sure, and you can't deny that there are signs…I thought it to be nothing more than Celion's own game, but there is more to it than that." - Rialyn said. There was more to it, indeed. Why did Nerevarine disappear? Why would he, a single blacksmith receive a blessing from divines and become a subject of numerous prophecies? If Rialyn indeed was another incarnation, this would finally make some sense…Give a purpose to the life he led ever since the executioner's ax rose above his head at Helgen. "It's not hard to believe that daedra are playing their games again, is it? It wouldn't be the first time for me."

Heleria thought to herself. It was clear that the idea of another coming of Nerevarine seemed perplexing to her, as it did for him initially. Yet as someone who was a hero in his own right, it could just as well be the next step in his long journey.

Before they could continue, they heard a knock on their door. Someone was outside the library.

"Guests?" - Rialyn asked.

"Some more of your "fans," I gather." - Heleria responded. "Should I tell them you're busy?"

"Yes, that would be for the best, thank you." - Rialyn said as he went back to thinking about future possibilities. He was growing weary of it. However, deep inside, the Dragonborn craved some action, some purpose.

"Here we go again…" - Heleria said before going to the door.

Rialyn would read on about the intrigues of Tribunal and the origins of Trueflame. The blade did not stay with Nerevarine for too long, disappearing soon after Almalexia's end, along with the hero himself.

"Is Rialyn here? We were going to ask some questions about the battle, you know?"

"He is busy at the moment, and I'd advise not to disturb him."

Rialyn thought back to the ashlander legend Heleria mentioned. That Nerevarine left to the realm of Oblivion, leaving this world once and for all. Why did he choose to do it if it was true? Did he grow tired of the people that surrounded him? Was it because he could no longer be stuck between the worlds of gods and men, as Sheogorath said?

"He barely even talks to anyone; we just want to see the hero. Is that so hard?"

"Have you ever heard of privacy?"

"And what exactly is he doing, then, that he can't even spare a few moments?"

"Eh…Planning the next stages of counterattacking argonians."

Did he believe that the world beyond would be a better place to spend an eternity in? Rialyn sometimes felt the same, but he did not want to abandon the people just yet. Seeing their hope grow after such tremendous changes in their own province made the struggle worthwhile. Perhaps Nerevarine knew something that he did not…

"Listen, if you want to borrow a book, I'm more than happy, but can you please come an hour later?"

"Why would someone care for books when we can see the man himself?"

"Oh, divines…There's no point, so we should stop going in circles."

"But why…Oh, what the hell is this lizard doing here? Get out!"

"Hey! He's a friend of the Dragonborn! Want to upset your greatest hero like that?"

Rialyn looked away from the book and walked towards the door. It seemed Nerius decided to pay his own visit, and hearing others call him a simple lizard, looking at him as just another raider, made Rialyn's blood boil.

However, the uninvited guests have left by that point, as Heleria welcomed Nerius in. Yes, such arrogant behavior made Rialyn understand the Nerevarine a bit better.

"Hello, Nerius." - Rialyn gave out a smile. "I hope they did not give you too much trouble."

"Ah, I'm getting used to it. At least it did not get physical this time." - Argonian shrugged.

"Must be hard to live when a sight of one argonian force you into hysteria." - Heleria said with annoyance.

"Don't be afraid to fight back." - Rialyn said. "The laws might seem an argonian less favorably than a dunmer…But you have a higher authority behind you." - The Dragonborn said confidently.

"Eh, eh, carefully with that, I don't want ordinators on my tail for giving refuge to criminals just yet." - Heleria noted, causing Nerius to let out a laugh. "I'll make you all some tea now that we're here, don't run away." - The librarian said, going back to her place. Rialyn invited Nerius to sit on a chair.

"How is the cleanup going?" - Rialyn asked.

"We caught the last few raiders in the sewers this morning; Nermero allowed us some rest after such hard work." - The argonian smiled. "He seemed quite impressed when I caught the strongest of them."

"It's only right for you to get a chance at showing the talent." - Rialyn encouraged him. And it happened as soon as he left the Dragonborn's shadow…What if this was what many mortals felt about their heroes? That they overshadowed them?

"Yes, I'm quite happy…I like imperials. I can work alongside them against the raiders, and they never showed any resentment toward me…I wonder if it's just because of my talents." - Nerius said thoughtfully.

"When your Empire has a history of reign over an entire continent, you would have to learn some tolerance either way." - At least that's what Rialyn hoped to be true. "Any words of what happened with my sword?"

"Quite a lot, actually…Even they begin to believe that you're some kind of godsend. Not Nermero, but the younger ones for sure…" - This was the answer Rialyn expected to hear. His sense only grew stronger from this. "You know, maybe they are right? That wouldn't be the first time you fit some kind of prophecy, right?" - Nerius said with awe, once again looking at Rialyn with the eyes of an enthralled mortal rather than a friend.

"Everything is possible…" - Rialyn no more denied the possibility. So many questions remained open in the air and no answers whatsoever. Rialyn craved certainty, craved a path that could be set before him. To think about him, for most of his life, it was clear before him, set by Erstenn, Greybeards, Imperial Legion…Now he had to forge this path himself.

And Rialyn had just the idea.

"Here for the three of us." - Heleria put three cups of tea as she sat near Rialyn and Nerius. Rialyn smiles as he smelt the hot scent of the drink. It brought comfort and the feeling of home to him, even though it was not that long he spent here…Perhaps now was the time to relax for a moment and take joy in his newfound friends.

And tomorrow…He will demand answers before Azura herself.

Rialyn was hardly anticipating this moment, but he knew it had to be done.

The Dragonborn would hardly sleep this night, but not due to hunger. He waited for the streets of Vivec city to quiet and finally allow him a moment of relative peace without being disturbed. That was the atmosphere the hero needed to demand what he wanted.

He did not tell anyone about this, nor Heleria, not Nerius; he didn't want them to follow. Rialyn left the library and walked towards the Daedric temple when the darkness fell over the land. Having talked to Sheogorath and Molag Bal, he knew that the princes were always watching their servants from beyond. They waited for them to pray again, act out some foolish feat in seeming service to their new divines. It was entertainment for them, another source of power. But not to the people who relied on them. In a way, daedra were just like the Tribunal Rialyn read about, except being far outside their reach.

There were few people outside, most probably worried about falling victim to another argonian raid, considering how unexpected the previous one was. The ordinators would still patrol the streets with torches in their hands, occasionally giving Rialyn glances. There was no way to know their expression behind their golden helmets. Was it one of awe and hope, or did they harbor disgust for a dark elf who is an outsider to their culture? Either way, the emotionless grimace portrayed on the helmet created a sense of omniscient watchers who followed your every step, ready to take out their blades if Rialyn was to make as much as a suspicious noise. Perhaps that was the intent.

The Dragonborn reached the temple, hoping to find no more than a few priests inside. It was his lucky day as there was no sign of Merlyne or anyone just as fanatical inside, only a few quiet dunmer caretakers and statues…Oh, the statues. Molag Bal and Sheogorath were entirely consumed by the temple's shadow. The same could not be said about the new Tribunal. Azura's sculpture rose above others, her gaze pointed at the night's sky above her as she held both sun and moon. Rialyn met Azura's priestess during his travels in Skyrim and helped her find the lost Daedric artifact, Azura's star. Considering his decision, Rialyn could not imagine the prince of dusk and dawn being happy to see him.

Still, they needed to talk. And if the perception of Rialyn as Nerevarine's reincarnation had any credibility, she would respond. Whatever happened two hundred years ago, she would know. The dunmer kneeled before her statue, looking.

"Heed, Dragonborn." - The powerful female voice rang out in Rialyn's mind. Azura's echo was within his mind, prompting the Dragonborn to respond. "Evoking my essence after desecrating my most treasured artifact is courageous even if foolish."

Rialyn did not wish to apologize. He did what he considered suitable; the black star turned out to be a more vital artifact than it ever could be in the cleansed state. Serana would make good use of it, Rialyn was certain.

"Braver still to defy a Daedric prince in the open…You are not unlike the hero they portray you as." - Azura said with an impression, confirming Rialyn's thoughts. Yes, she knew his purpose, perhaps even anticipated him. In that case, there was no need for formalities or explanations. Azura witnessed everything for herself.

"You may not want to talk about the past, but this city does not share this enthusiasm for the future; you must have seen it." - Azura stated. "But let us get to the point. You wished to see me for days now, to ask questions about your purpose…Ask away, then." - Azura said with some interest. "I would hear your questions, though I shan't promise an answer."

Rialyn was caught off-guard, although this was to be expected. For a moment, silence befell the temple, yet the Dragonborn would not stop feeling the omnipotence of Azura around him. It was just like when communicating with Molag Bal in the haunted house or sensing the gaze of Hermaeus Mora in Apocrypha. One would think they would get used to it, but this was impossible. Overtaken by solitude…Yet never alone. Azura was waiting to hear what he had to say, so Rialyn would not keep her waiting. There was only one main wonder he had on his mind.

Was he the Nerevarine?

"And who is the Nerevarine?" - Azura asked in return. Rialyn didn't understand the question straight away but quickly saw Azura's point. "Is it the reincarnation of Saint Nerevar? Is it someone who fits the era-spanning prophecy? The one who faced Voryn Dagoth and cleansed the realm of false gods? Or perhaps the one who is a hero for their own people?"

It was hard to answer this, but it made Rialyn realize something. He was following the perception of Nerevarine Merlyne, and other priests would give him without peering into the reality of this. It was hard to do when all records of Nerevarine as a man have long been lost, with only an idealized portrait of a hero remaining. Perhaps Rialyn wanted to see himself as Nerevarine deep inside…

"And here is your main failing, mortal. You seek to follow the tales of old, expecting me to give you the answers without realizing their meaning. The hero that you see idealized never had this luxury, neither shall you. They had to find the answers for themselves, even if it meant looking within." - She made her point very clearly.

Azura would not give simple answers; expecting this from a Daedra prince was foolish. Perhaps Rialyn expected a bit more clarity from the patron of this entire province, from the goddess to whom dunmer bowed once again…But she had little concern for people in general, only heroes like Rialyn for the purpose of entertainment. The Dragonborn felt anger within him.

"Do not mistake pragmatism for indifference. In the eons of my existence, I have witnessed civilizations rise and fall, nations becoming allies shortly before tearing each other in the bloodiest of wars known to mankind. And I saw the threads that bind all of them…Prosperous kingdoms and empires do not emerge in the hands of those who follow and seek answers from others." - Azura said with an echo of sympathy. Perhaps she saw some similarities between Rialyn and the legendary hero two hundred years ago.

Yet why were all the hints? Why has Rialyn's sword burned with crimson flames? Was this still the plan she expected him to follow, to figure out for himself?

"Perhaps the burning blade has been a sign of fate, perhaps from me, perhaps not, but why does it matter? A burning sword does not define the hero; it was not until the end of their adventures that Nerevarine restored Trueflame to its original state."

And yet people seemed to think otherwise. Seeing this burning sword made them hopeful for the future and gave them the inspiration they craved so much. Rialyn remembered all these smiles and excitement when he became widely known in Vivec. He remembered songs and praises from the priests and remembered Arina's childish wonder when he first saw the girl in the bar. Perhaps there was no answer to who or what "Nerevarine" was, but there was an answer for what the people of Vvardenfell needed. A hero to step up and give them something to live for, bear the mark of the past, and bring them unto a bright future. After all, even in Skyrim, there was a difference. The one between might Dovahkiin, the hero, created by songs of the bards and rumors among the common folk, and Rialyn, a man lost and consumed by his own desire for power and a twisted sense of justice, vengeful and vulnerable to his core. Sometimes, people need a hero, not a man.

"Is that what you believe?" - Azura said with wonder. "Such selflessness is rare in a mortal." - It didn't feel right for Rialyn to be called selfless, not after Skyrim, not after Harkon's gift and becoming a nightingale. "If so, perhaps there is one thing I may share with you…One that should have reached this city many years ago." - Azura said with fleeting doubt in her voice before restoring her confidence.

Rialyn was ready; perhaps this would shed at least some light.

"You must have heard of the legend recounting Nerevarine's last moments. The ashlander story never reached the people of Vivec, not most of them." - Rialyn knew what she meant, the tale about Nerevarine leaving this world for Moonshadow.

"Nerevarine's journey has never been clear to mortals, perhaps it never will be, but before they left, there was something they left at my shrine to the north, the same one where I recounted the prophecy for Nerevarine. That relic was left there for another time…For the time when another hero will arrive to take Nerevarine's place. The Trueflame. That day I quenched its flames, forcing them to finally quiet. The blade was left there, and there was only one thing that could make its flames burst again…The blood of Nerevarine." - Azura said.

Rialyn was shocked to hear this. Azura would not lie; she knew the most about Nerevarine, but why…Why would he leave his blade before setting off on another journey, be it within the realm of Nirn or the depths of Oblivion?

"That you will have to discover for yourself…When I created this enhancement, the definition of Nerevarine was not clear, even before myself. Perhaps this is the answer you seek or at least the one that will give people most hope." - Azura stated.

A picture began to Emerge in Rialyn's mind, finally. Whatever happened to Nerevarine, the blade was still in Vvardenfell. But was this shrine not close to the Red mountain? What was the likelihood of it being completely annihilated?

"There are no living souls there, no one for me to call for, to establish a connection…And so that place remains out of my sight." - Azura said. "But it was never supposed to be easy. That is the simplest answer I could give you. If you wish to give the people what they need, you will brave the Ashland and see the answer for yourself if you truly are a man of action. Then, perhaps it will all be clear…Or perhaps not."

More riddles, Rialyn clenched his fist. He couldn't help but grow tired of this game, he desperately wanted answers, and all he got was just one possible lead.

"If that's how you feel…Remember that the hero before you felt the same way. Heed my words, mortal, and do not stray off your path…And so, one day, you may find what you seek most." - With these words, Azura's presence dissipated.

"No, wait!" - Rialyn said aloud, not wanting the goddess to go. There was still much to ask, to clarify…But she was already gone.

Rialyn stood up while still gazing at the majestic statue in front of him and with the thought of Nerevarine plaguing his mind. It was getting tiring. Rialyn wanted to know…Wanted to see the clear purpose before him. The greybeards quickly set him up on the Dragonborn's path, but Azura did not award the same courtesy…

Yet something was different.

As Rialyn stood in the silent temple, a smile appeared on his face as the Dragonborn looked at the night's sky. Soon it became clear. He had a purpose once again, even if it was short-term. The journey was ahead of him, the voyage into the ashen heart of Morrowind. No matter what danger lies there, the Dragonborn was ready to break from city politics and search for the answer he so craved.

Rialyn thought back to his days before Skyrim. That was what Inaaru wished for, what they hoped for in the old days. The sheer sense of discovery and the truth that lay before them. It was his journey to make.

And the Dragonborn would not turn down the challenge.