A few days passed, and none of them were wasted.

After the first rather unfortunate encounter with Celion, Nerius knew there was not enough for him to report. Still, the rogue would not abandon his mission, only his approach. Nerius decided to not hurry and learn everything about him slowly and methodically. He would get some invisibility potions for desperate situations, patrol the areas Celion usually passed by, try to blend in with the citizens…It took time, but now Nerius was much better at discerning those who hated argonians from those who might be more sympathetic. Much of it could be clear from the first glance.

This allowed him to find better places to spy and observe his surroundings. Nerius's main goal was to have a picture of Celion's schedule in his mind, but he could also find out more about public opinions on recent developments. Everyone was still shaken by the raid, the aura of safety around Vivec had shattered, and citizens yearned for protection.

Some turned to religion and Daedra. Others hoped that factions like Empire and Thalmor would take a stance in the conflict and provide military aid. Many more had their hopes up for the return of "Nerevarine," but now that Rialyn had left, the doubt was slowly arising among them. Most still held on to their faith that he would soon return, but they were not sure. Nerius understood Rialyn's decision to conceal his journey and destination. He did not want to be followed or spied on…Nerius wondered what was he was going through with Heleria now. Was their journey an adventure full of discovery and fulfillment, or is it a horrific challenge amidst the withered land? Knowing Rialyn, it could very well be both.

But with all the work Nerius had to do, he rarely got an opportunity to think about his friends. Especially now…

He finally found a perfect opportunity. As the sun was setting and the evening approached into the night, he managed to trace Celion to the Tribunal's temple. There were few people there, and the sun shone far less, providing some necessary shade for Nerius to hide in. The argonian would stay near the entrance, carefully watching Celion from behind without exposing himself. He tried to look for anything suspicious or discern his motivations. Why would he go to the temple? Surely the Emissary from Summerset did not worship Daedric princes?

It was hard to understand at first. Celion would walk around the temple, looking at the statues in admiration. From what Nerius believed, Aldmeri had a distaste for Daedra worship, yet he saw something different. There was no shame or disgust in his gaze, just silent appreciation for the works of art before him…

That was until a hooded figure walked up to Celion. The robes were that of a priest, but Nerius had difficulty seeing who was beneath them, even the race. Celion did not worry. He looked at the stranger almost as if he expected them. The hooded figure took out an envelope from their pocket before handing it to Celion. The altmer quickly took it, followed by the messenger's immediate retreat back into the depths of the temple.

An envelope…This was a letter; Nerius was sure of it. But why would he receive it in such a strange way? What was inside? Who was that hooded figure? Celion would spend a few more minutes by the statue before leaving. The high elf walked rather hastily and looked around, seeing if there was anyone following. Nerius was well on his way to getting detected, but he quickly gulped a potion of momentary invisibility that he got from the alchemy vendor. Celion passed by without noticing, to Nerius's relief. Whatever this was, it was a shady business…Nerius had to resist the urge to follow him just yet.

It was time to report.

"A letter, you say?" - Nermero appeared thoughtful as Nerius recounted his task to the legate.

"Yes, it was given to him in a very unusual matter…by some priest near the statue. They made it very quick, probably didn't want to get noticed." - Nerius said.

"Whoever sent it could have used a courier, within the city or outside…The ships from Ebonheart are still sailing, but he wanted to avoid that." - Nermero continued, trying to piece together Celion's motivation, but something was amiss. That much was clear for Nerius.

"He wants to hide something!" - The argonian hissed. "That elf has been plotting ever since Rialyn and I arrived in the city; he wouldn't stop now. I saw him talking to the people. He tarnishes Rialyn's good name after refusing his offer. There is clearly trouble with the letters and all." Nerius said, beckoning Nermero to act. Celion was more than an annoyance. He was a strategist who always knew his next step. If Thalmor wanted to control the city of Vivec, there was nothing he'd stop at.

"I know that." - Nermero said commandingly. "I'll look into it when the time is right. Thanks for your work, you can take a break now." - The legate was about to leave, but Nerius stopped him.

"Wait, that's it?" - The argonian said, confused. "But I didn't even uncover anything concrete. We don't have any proof or knowledge. Surely there is something…"

"Like what? You can spy on him some more, but it might get suspicious. I'll think of something."

"But we know there is a letter he really wants to hide from others, probably holds it in their canton." - Nerius had a daring thought; perhaps his ego has grown since Riften, but he didn't want to stop now. "I can sneak into their canton through sewers and try to find this letter. Maybe even catch something suspicious on my way." - He was brimming with pride and purpose. Finally, a task worthy of a hero's companion and the one where he can put all of his skills to use. While Rialyn braved the Ashland in search of answers about Nerevarine, Nerius could uncover the plot emerging within Vivec's walls. They could still be a team!

"Are you serious?" - Nermero seemed shocked. "Sending a spy there is too risky. If you get caught, they will interrogate the truth out of you. I don't need that kind of problem on my hands with all that's been going on."

"I am sneaky, you know that." - Nerius said. "Living in Riften gave me a lot of "experience," so to speak…"

"The business with the Thieves Guild?"

"Never got to that point, but I was training for my acceptance. It came in the form of tasks, one harder than another…And I did not even have my invisibility potions then."

"Even if it goes flawlessly…" - Nermero said. "If that letter or anything else will be gone, Thalmor will immediately think of the Empire. That will only increase tension between us."

"But aren't they already high?"

"Yes, but…Not when the argonians have resumed their assault."

"But they are the ones keeping secrets, right? I can try to read that letter and maybe take it here. Whatever their plan is, we will have proof."

"And also a proof of our infiltration. Celion will deny all of it anyway."

"Doesn't mean we shouldn't try!" - Nerius grew passionate. "When Rialyn and I tried to leave Skyrim, Thalmor sent squads to kill us, and nobody even said a word! We're lucky they are not doing it here yet, but they might if we don't u cover whatever they are planning. If I find nothing suspicious there at all, that means we can at least be calm about this whole thing…He wanted to hide this letter for a reason, right? If there is something important there, we can't let it go to waste." - Nerius said proudly. This was his time to shine, to truly do something useful and prove to Rialyn and Nermero that he could be as much of a hero with his skillset.

"Hm…" - The legate seemed to be at least partially convinced. "You really want to get through with it…Is it personal?"

"Perhaps, but I'm sure we both have reasons not to trust him."

"Very well…Whatever you do next, I can't allow you to make it an official mission. If you get caught, Imperial progress here will be set a year back at least. Do you understand what this means?"

"That if I get caught, you will deny our connections…But I won't get caught." - Nerius said with newfound confidence. Nermero nodded.

"If you manage to find something incriminating… You'd be looking at a promotion or two." - The legate smiled before shaking Nerius's hand. Finally, an opportunity opened before the argonian.

The one he was not going to miss.

...

The farewells did not take long; Rialyn and Heleria had little wish to stay for longer than they were allowed to. As soon as the storm ceased its roar and the bright sun rose again, the travelers left for another journey. Darathen was brimming with relief, seeing those he perceived as a nuisance leave. The wise woman was the one to conduct the farewells, however. It seemed she and Heleria had something to discuss while Rialyn was still gripped by his nightmares. Folosa watched as the two set off deeper into the burning ashes of Vvardenfell, their footsteps retaining form in the ground.

"Farewell. I hope you find whatever you seek."

She spoke with care and kindness, despite not having any reason to do so. This visit was not long, but Rialyn could already spot some differences in mentality between Ashlanders and city dwellers. The few that lived in this camp stuck to their traditions, no matter how impractical some of them were. For them, all of it was of the highest importance, every ritual, every legend…Each generation had something worth preserving for them. In this way, they were not that different from people who once lived in Vivec, yet now they seemed much more susceptible to change and legends. Ashlanders would undoubtedly be least receptive to Thalmor or Imperial influence…Whether it was for the best, only time would tell.

But now was not the time to think about it, not while they still had a road to walk. Heleria took the map with her, carefully examining every shortcut, every forgotten path that the Ashlanders paved for themselves to survive in these wastes.

As they continued their journey, the lands around them changed, but they did not seem enthralling anymore. Fewer roads remained unscathed, the pools of lava began to emerge around them, and breathing became harder, even for Rialyn. The Dragonborn coughed a few times, and soon his heartbeat acceletated. Heleria did, too, although she proved much more resilient to its effects than Rialyn would expect. One would have to brave places like these more than once to become so used to it.

The red mountain grew closer…And the surroundings felt devastated, yet history was flowing through them like a burning essence. Every rock, every ruined cavern, Rialyn could only imagine how it looked before the eruption. He doubted that many lived here, but some had to. Bandits, explorers, adventurers, soldiers…Only to one day see a blazing inferno above them, consuming their lives forever. Rialyn felt as if those ghosts were still here, haunting the barren realm, desperately searching for salvation among the constant ashen storms.

Or perhaps it was simply Rialyn's projection of another ghost that haunted his dreams …He scould hardly let go. He wanted to let go, but not while he still walked the path they've drawn together with Inaaru.

"Sorry if it's too blunt, but you seem very tired for someone who just slept…Is everything alright?" - He heard Heleria's voice, this time sounding soft and empathetic. Rialyn turned around, exposing the emptiness and ire of his face to the woman. She didn't recoil, but she saw it very well…The encroaching vampiric hunger would only make it worse. Rialyn should have had some blood in the camp but could not force himself to. Now, he might have to pay the price.

"It just takes time to get used to the place. We are at the ruins of a civilization, after all." - He uttered unconvincingly, but Heleria had no desire to push him. Seeing concern and genuine desire to help in her eyes was bittersweet; Rialyn was pained, knowing that she would only make it worse for herself…No one but the Dragonborn could save himself.

"I understand…" - Heleria nodded and looked over the plateau in front of them. Even the skies have been darkened by the mountain's smoke. "Don't think I ever went this far, so have to give it to you…Your journeys are impressive ones." - She tried to lighten up the mood. Rialyn smirked as he thought back to his previous paths. This could be the darkest one yet, depending on what they find.

"And what about our destination? Are we close?" - Rialyn asked, many hours had passed already, and they must have been nearing their goal.

"We should be nearing the ruins of Ghostgate settlement, so it's not far, although that's only half the problem…" - Heleria recounted as she gazed at Folosa's map. "The cavern itself remains unmarked, probably because it might be destroyed, so if there is an entrance left, we will have to find it through trial and error."

"Or make it ourselves." - Rialyn smiled in anticipation.

"That…Is unlikely. Let's just reach the area, and then we'll see what to do from there."

"Very well."

They continued to walk as the darkness surrounding them. In this smoke, Rialyn was still unable to let go of his thoughts. The images of their separation swirled before his mind uncontrollably, each bringing him pain and agony, yet they would not stop. It would carry on until his mind ached so much that he would rather not think of anything at all.

And in this chaos, the Dragonborn saw something in the distance…Someone. A silhouette emerged between rocks and ruins, swiftly submerging beneath the smoke and hiding. This shadow roamed so quickly that the Dragonborn might have taken it for a strong gush of wind, but the presence was still there…What was it?

"By the…Rialyn, you might want to have a look." - Heleria's dreading voice echoed from behind, but the Dragonborn could not look away from the shadow. He would peer into the darkness, trying to discern…And then this shadow was fully formed.

For a split second, Inaaru's silhouette flashed brighter than any smoke. Her eyes were empty, and the voice echoed in Rialyn's head. She disappeared after only an instant, but this was enough for Dragonborn to recoil like a terrified child, accidentally stepping on a stone and losing his balance.

"By the gods, not so rash! You'll give me a heart attack." - Heleria gasped, pulling him back to reality. "What happened?"

"N…Nothing, forget it." - Just a phantom of his dead lover haunting him at the ruined heart of Vvardenfell…Ironic, they were in Morrowind together, just like she'd wanted. "You wanted me to see something?"

"Well, sort of…"

Heleria pointed at the rocks beneath them. There were many in one place, all similar to each other. Rialyn did not give this much thought, but after kneeling and examining them closely, he realized…As he witnessed the empty sockets, terrified grimaces, features of elven ears - these were heads. Heads that were once buried beneath layers of magma and now petrified, they became one with the land once and for all.

"That's that, I suppose…" - Heleria's lips quivered. It was not a pleasant picture. However, this might explain why Rialyn felt the presence here, one of many reasons. The Dragonborn looked over those heads again. It was hard to discern men, women, and children from each other, not when all of them became morphed beings only defined by their dread. He could only hope that wherever they went after their demise, their souls were at peace.

"These are just phantoms of the past; we should…" - As Rialyn turned around, he saw something terrifying.

As Heleria peered at him, a dark shadow emerged behind her. A silhouette Rialyn saw in the mist, only so much closer and ready to attack. However, this time it was not Inaaru. The form of its head seemed more animalistic and monstrous than anything the Dragonborn saw before. And it was so, so close…

"Behind you!" - Rialyn shouted, causing Heleria to immediately turn around. The creature jumped out of the shadows directly at Rialyn. The Dragonborn did not have time to take his weapons and was scratched by its attack.

"Get your hands off holy!" - The monster screeched in a broken yet recognizable language. Finally, Rialyn could get a glance at who this was. A humanoid figure with ashen skin like that of the dark elf, an extremely slim and withered body covered in rags, and the face...Oh, the nightmare. In place of his eyes, there was a large enlongated tumor growing directly from his head. His mouth was open as he continued to screech, this time unintelligibly. The Dragonborn could not imagine hearing something so disgusting. This made him want to silence this one forever. Heleria seemed petrified, too. She held her staff while looking at the creature before them in utter shock.

Soon the monster tried to attack, but this time Rialyn was ready. He took his mace out and hit the opponent just enough for him to fall back, after which he called upon the magic of fire to assist him. The flames emerged in his hand, causing the creature to shudder frantically.

"No no nonono…The ruiners are here, you're them you're here he warned me about you, ahahah…" - His frantic rasp voice was brought to a whisper shortly before he let out another loud and maniacal laugh. "AHAHAHA, TOO EARLY, TOO EARLY, THE MASTER ISN'T READY FOR WELCOME! "

The tone of terror was the only consistent element in his voice. The creature did not attack Rialyn or Heleria or even stand up. He was lying on the ground, desperately shivering and picking the petrified heads close to him, gathering them in one large group. Heleria approached him slowly, barely able to contain intrigue in her gaze.

"What are you doing? It's dangerous." - Rialyn spoke with confusion as he maintained his battle stance.

"I can't believe it…" - Heleria gasped. She examined the creature's deformed face, yet she showed no sign of disgust. "The image is so perfect; that's an ash ghoul!"

Rialyn heard of them, although he believed these transformed servants of Dagoth Ur were long extinct. Apparently, Heleria did too. They were once Dunmer but lost any signs of humanity within them, especially this madman.

"No ghoul, a prophet! Farseer and Savior! You took my brother, you will go away!" - His voice broke with both disdain and fear.

"Calm down…We aren't your enemies, just passing by." - Heleria spoke slowly and kindly, easing up the tension of the ghoul.

"I wouldn't mind being his enemy." - Rialyn shook his head with disgust.

"Just give me a moment, I need to understand…" - The librarian looked at a slightly calmed-down ghoul.

"You…You won't kill my brothers?"

"We didn't come here to kill anyone, I promise. We didn't know there was anyone left at all…Where are your brothers, then?"

"You blind! They're here, always with me, I saved them and protected them, here here, don't worry she won't harm you…" - The ghoul looked down upon those heads, much to Rialyn's discomfort.

"I don't know how he survived for two hundred years, but the toll has been too high." - Rialyn shrugged, almost preparing to leave this creature to his misery. Yet Heleria was still intrigued, even as he jumped up and screeched once again.

"You mock me? Nobody mocks Kor!" - A triumphant scream echoed from his mouth as he jumped up, for a moment ready to attack. Rialyn could only presume that "Kor" was what he called himself. Didn't sound like a dark elf name, although it was unlikely to be given to him at birth.

"Quiet, there is no need for violence!" - Heleria stood between them, focusing on Kor, whose actions grew less predictable with every second. "We didn't know that these are your…Brothers, right?"

"Yes, they are! Doing a good job to hide, then they will rise in a chorus…OH HOW MAGNIIIFUCENT, HOW SWEET!" - He began to hum while continuing to shiver.

"But… They're just heads, Kor. I'm sorry, you seem to…"

"It's because you don't see! Wiseman told the truth, I need to bring them all in once circle and then they shall sing, open the way…Waywayaway to freeeedom! Power and glory, I'll be strong and free, I'll be in a perfect world, LORD DAGOTH WILL TAKE ME THERE! When the gates of hell are open, he will come, yes, yes, I know, I know!" - His speech became a pathetic ramble without any semblance of reality. Rialyn hardly cared for this ashghoul, but Heleria seemed to pity him. She continued to watch Kor at a safe distance as her eyes brimmed with pain. For her seemingly tough exterior, Heleria was a kind woman. Much kinder than Rialyn ever was, she shared this trait with Inaaru…

"We can bring him to Vivec…Maybe someone can help." - She spoke with pain and sadness.

"We can't waste time on this. Leave him be."

"This might be his first encounter with someone rational in decades; there might not be another moment like this!"

"And what do you propose we do? Bring him to the sanctum?"

At this point, Kor jumped up once again and interjected.

"Sanctum, a sanctum you seek? There are many here, all with my brothers, don't touch them!"

"We look for sanctum of Nerevar. It should be to the north."

"Kor doesn't know…But Wiseman does! Wiseman knows everything, yes, yes?"

"Can you bring us to him, then?" - Heleria wondered.

"If you don't touch Kor's brothers, yes!"

"We can do that…"

"That Wiseman is probably another petrified body. Don't trust his words." - Rialyn shook his head

"He talks, he talks, I hear him every day!" - Kor shouted with confidence and primal anger, barely maintaining what little composure he had. Heleria looked at Rialyn with hope, and the Dragonborn sighed.

"Fine… Let's see what he has to say."