Cearbhail:

It's getting serious now. Things are going to start moving forward. We're getting towards the beginning of the end now.

Oh, and enjoy =^^=


Dear book of shadows,

It is done. It's been a long five days, but it is done. The current day is the 21st of Evening Star. All the stones have been cleansed. After cleansing the stone in Raven Rock, we stayed for a few hours to make certain that the town was protected. Everyone woke up, shaking their heads, convinced that they were in some kind of deep sleep. It was refreshing to see that our plan was working. Now, all we had to do was cleanse the remaining stones. Three were already done, only three remained. And while traveling to them was easy, we still had to get rest. And it wasn't like we had a map of where to find them. None of us had ever travelled to these stones before, so it was a few days of finding and dealing with the stones. We knew there were six total, but without their exact location, it was like looking for a weird rock with no additional information. Good to say that we've located all six of them though. And I have to say, the island feels calmer. Cleaner. With that heart stone forming in my body destroyed, that hardened corprus decimated, I haven't really felt that dark pulsing energy quite as harshly, but even up close, as you get closer to the stones, you can feel it just the same. At least I could, which is why I quickly became the Stone Detector. Just walking around and pointing my finger to a random location going, "It's over there."

At the same time, he had several Shouts High King Asger wanted to learn. Dragon Aspect and Bend Will. The High King is being led to think that Bend Will will be taught to him by Hermaeus Mora. He has one already unlocked. And Father has the book that may contain the second word of power for the High King.

It's felt nice, being part of this epic adventure. Just being able to say that I was here, helping to cleanse this island of all the problems caused by Miraak. And with the stones cleansed, we can now safely traverse this island without having to worry about everyone living on this island trying to kill us. I certainly feel better not having to kill Raven Rock citizens.

So, after we got those stones cleansed, we all met back at the tower to see where we were going next. It's been forever since I just sat and did nothing. I mean it. The amount of years I traveled with the Crimson Blades, dealing with rogue wizards, Dwemer, and other threats. Yeah… I'm happy to just sit still and do something as simple as read old journals and study the Dragon Language. If we can find the next locations for High King Stone-Arm's dragon Shouts… I'll be happy.

Sitting in this library was something. I had forgotten just how immense this library was, just how complete Father's collection was. Not only books on the discovery of most elemental Destruction magick, but also the uses of putting Shock into pressure points when applying healing outside of Restoration magick. The only thing really missing from his library were references to auric abilities, even if he did have separate tomes for things like Shouting and come Telvanni journals depicting the Shadow development in Argonian slaves. There was even a tome or two about the nature of Bretons and their magickal resistance known as Dragonskin.

I wasn't alone in the library, and… the more and more I notice who's in this library with me, the less and less I can focus on my studying. I wouldn't call it annoying to have them in the library with me, but I did find it distracting. It was hard enough flipping through three different books, one that held the direct translation of dragonic runes to Cyrodiilic characters; one book that was a collected dictionary that used Cyrodiilic characters to write out draconic words, transcribing them for Nords learning how to speak the draconic language; and finally an old journal depicting the ancient Word Walls scattered around Solstheim. But to flip through these three books while diverting my attention to the one distracting me… or rather, the one I'd rather be focusing on, is causing me to go through the same sentences two or three times while I quickly jot down my notes on what I've translated or discovered. I did find it interesting though that a Nord that moved to Solstheim when it was founded took the time to go through the various Nordic ruins, cataloging the draconic language in each site, even if he didn't quite know what he was reading. He did intend on translating the ruins and pay proper homage to the ones that have been laid to rest, but unluckily for this person… I assume he was murdered by werewolves. It was a common theme on this island. According to legend, there are still werewolves living here in Solstheim. Father never told me about them though, so I'm guessing these werewolves are either not a threat or not real.

So, guess what or who's distracting me. Mom. I haven't seen her since I killed her in Riften. I can't shake the image from my brain. The dark shadow of my mother slithering up to me, the forest of the Rift covered in spores. The sick look in her eye, the cracks in her skin, and the twisted smile in her broken cracked mouth. The Ash had taken her. I had to kill her or she would have ended life as I knew it. And to have her confront me, to tell me that I had failed her. Failed to save her. That moment had always lived with me. And… the thing was… I knew she was alive well before then. I just… I didn't want to repeat that part of my life. I was always on edge, always thinking I was going to die. It was pure luck I wasn't killed by one of those two insane women. Mom and… the other one. Gwen? Gods… I haven't talked to her yet.

So, this version of mom… I haven't really had time to just… process her existence. I mean… how to even talk to her… after 20 years of not seeing her unless it murdering her? I should be happy I was strong enough to even do so. Mom was a masterful magician, easily beating Father on multiple occasions, and yet… I wiped the forest floor with her. I wonder if I could defeat Father if I needed to. Probably… but then again probably not. When the heart stone took Mom… I think it took her brain too. I wasn't fighting her; I was fighting the heart stone. I'm almost sure of it. This version of mom didn't look… quite as bad as the one I killed. Her face looked nearly healed from her exposure from turning to ash. I could see some cracks in her left cheek, but other than that, her skin looked almost flawless. Her left arm looked like it was stiff, and her hand looked a little withered. I could tell by her posture that her left leg was a little stiff. I knew from Father that she was undergoing multiple healing sessions to help restore the corrupted parts of her body. It was a miracle, or just badass will and determination, that kept her held together this long, but the road to recovery was going to be long and arduous for her.

I felt like… she was a live example of what I had to go through in that other world. Doing whatever I could to keep going. I wanted to sit down with her, talk to her… but that was going to have to wait. We needed to do this research. Those stones may be cleansed now… but we need to get the High King ready for his fight before Miraak finds a way to push his influence back upon the island. Right now, we were fighting against time. Every second, Miraak gets a little stronger. His influence a little broader. We severely pushed pushed, breaking most of his influence on this island, but that's only a short-term solution. And if we're going to stand a chance, we need to beef the High King up. He needs the strongest Shouts. He's looking to find Dragon Aspect. We're trying to find reference to it.

And there's a few other faces in this room that I just don't remember at all. The steward. I don't know him, but he seems unreliable. The woman who tend to the mushroom towers. Also don't know her. I'm not sure if I knew her to begin with. The Vedes family, I remember them enough that they're not complete strangers. But then there's someone I feel like I should know but don't recall at all. It's some kid near my age but… not Seth. I know that much at least. I remember Seth, if even barely. This other boy… he vaguely seems memorable. Such a large forehead. You'd think I'd remember meeting someone like him before. I might as well try to talking to him. I'm stuck here for a small time longer. Before I die… I might as well get to know the people in this tower.

I sighed as I shimmied my chair to the boy, dragging my books with me. I wasn't trying to be subtle or anything, in fact, I found it was easier to engage with strangers if I'm completely open about my curiosity. And this boy noticed me shimmying towards him, dragging my three books with me.

He stopped what he was doing to look at me. "Apprentice Tenvanni." He nodded his head at me courtly, dipping down just enough to show me the proper respect I saw in nobles addressing me at the guild hall. "I noticed your attention focusing on me when our task is to study these ancient tomes. May I know what it is you require?"

I nodded. "Yeah… so… who are you again?" I had no other way of asking this question. "As you know… maybe, you don't know… I was kind of…"

"Locked up in some alternative reality where you spent 20 some odd years of life with other people. Your memory of this family has fully degraded and any insignificant people have been wiped from your memory. And as such, you have forgotten me as well." The boy quickly surmised keeping his eyes locked on me.

I felt embarrassed that he called me out like that, but he wasn't wrong. Might as well throw myself into this situation. "Yup. That's it exactly. I don't remember you at all. So… who are you and do we actually know each other?"

The boy looked away, back down at his book. "Right to the point. You have changed. We were roommates for a few weeks." A few weeks? And I forgot this guy? How? "If you do not recall my name I shall recite it for you. I am Azarien Julareth."

Azarien Julareth? I remember that name.

I quickly pulled out my journal, opening it up. I scanned the older pages, finding one I wrote on the 2nd of Mid Year. There, I mentioned my new roommate, one that annoyed me. I spent as much time as I could away from him, even as much so that I would sleep in Seth's chicken coop instead of returning back to my own bed. Younger me was too timid to deal with this kid directly it seemed. Good thing I'm different now.

"Tell me, Azarien." I looked back at the kid. "What were the terms of our rooming situation?"

Azarien arched a single eyebrow before saying, "I had a certain spot where I existed, a corner in your room. You were not to enter that spot for any reason. In return, I was not to enter your spot, which was labeled as your bed. There was to be no physical contact between the two of us. There was to be no whistling, and in return I would not practice throat singing. The room had to be cleaned at all times. The bedspread folded and presentable. The bathroom wiped down to perfection. The windows, spotless. Any and all ash was to be swept out of the room. We alternated chores on a daily basis. I had to have no distractions from 1600 to 1631, for my favorite crystal ball anime network anime was on: The Khajiit War Mage. Based on a real hero, Vatu Raz'Akha. You were offered to join me, and sometimes you would. I remember two episodes you were glued to. The origin story arc, where Vatu and his sister were venturing into the Ayleid Ruin, coming into contact with the Dark Welkynd Stone. The Stone had grown too powerful, and the two kittens had to work together to escape the room, but all went to Oblivion when the Dark Welkynd Stone learned of their existence and tried to end them, blasting the kittens with that darkened magick. And because they were carrying smaller welkynd stones and varla stones, the magick exploded all around them, transforming them into mages." Azarien had his eyes closed, like he was reliving the memory. "It was an amazing episode. You were hooked."

I almost let myself smile. "I remember watching that." Not with him though. With Ruby. We watched that anime and The Mythical Ballista. The anime was about one of my friends, Ahmbra. We used to give Ahmbra so much shit about it, but she didn't care one way or the other. She was more upset about the accuracy. It was too accurate. If it was the same way with The Khajiit War Mage, I'm wondering who was recording this information and using it to make accurate stories based on historical figures.

Azarien nodded. "Once I moved out of your room, and released our roommate contract, we never really spoke to each other. Shortly after moving out of your room, you were kidnapped by your mother, Ildari, and the tower went on lockdown. After you came back, you started dating Draseth, and so… even more so, the two of us haven't had a chance to talk to each other. And I must admit, I wasn't really concerned with talking to you, but I am hoping you'll answer me a few questions."

Okay… I wasn't really expecting this, but… this kid seems strangely focused. More so than the others. He reminds me a bit of Ashana, only… not a Husk.

"I'm game. What's your first question?"

"In this future you've experienced, was there ever a time where The Khajiit War Mage ever got a third season?"

Oh… oh. Okay, these kinds of questions. "There wasn't a third season, but there was a follow-up series called The Rogue Shadowblade. It followed a bunch of new characters, and all of the old recurring ones. It mostly follows Nexa and her whole ordeal with being accepted in her country, getting back together with Vatu…"

"Nexa's alive?" The eyes in this kid quickly lit up. "She wasn't killed by the Warlord?"

I was almost laughing. "Oh, no. Not at all. She was locked up in a dungeon for like six days, strung up in knee-deep mud water, her hands clasped to some shocking slave bracers. She was released from her prison and given the rank of Shadowblade, given her own squad called the Shadow Squad."

Azarien's eyes were fully focused on me. "Shadow Squad? She mentioned that in The Khajiit War Mage. So, what was it exactly? This mysterious Shadow Squad?"

I shrugged. "I mean, it was Nexa's personal squad. Comprised of three Shadowscales and two Shadowwraiths. Well, would have been made up of three Shadowscales. The one Shadowscale assigned to the group was betrayed by their acting Shadowblade leader, and she ended up leaving the Shadow Corps, becoming one of the Casteless. She becomes a recurring character, even gets her revenge on the Shadowblade that betrayed her. And after she does, she joins the Shadow Squad under Nexa. There's a civil war in Argonia. Um… I don't want to give you spoilers."

"I'm good with spoilers." This kid was quick to lean closer. "Spoil me."

I shrugged. "Okay. The Aldmeri Dominion betrays the War Council, kills everyone, and then… you know… Fiirnar has Nrillia take over everyone's dead corpse, controlling them like a Puppetmaster. Through the puppets, she enacts Code: Red-Eye on Vatu and his twin sister. Nexa and her squad splinter up as they choose sides. Nexa and her uncle basically start a civil war with Argonia. Meesei, who is the Shadowblade that betrayed that Shadowscale, whose name is Deejena, joins up with her mother, Riviella."

"Wait… the same Riviella from The Khajiit War Mage? What happened to that Husk Shadowmaster, Yuvenni? With her earlier behavior, she is probably trying to kill Vatu and his younger sister."

I shook my head. "Complete roll reversal. She doesn't believe the Warlord is pulling the shots anymore, and therefore, any order he requests is to be acted upon in reverse. And so… she protects Vatu, and the successor to the throne: Nexa. She becomes a protagonist."

Azarien sighed, leaning back in his chair. "How long until it becomes an anime?"

"A year and a half. I think the first episode premiers during the Spring Rush. In respect to the original anime series covering the young farmer that took on a controlling empire, the company released the Rogue Shadowblade on the Fourth of Second Seed 4e 209. Still a ways away, but if you're thinking you're going to have to wait, the manga is already in publication. By now, three chapters should be out. Good News Everyone is the third chapter. Up until this point, you should be able to meet Vatu's twin sister, and she gets to learn her family is still alive. And the War Mages have finished their graduation. And the first chapter is basically the final chapter for Khajiit War Mage just repeated. You know, so you know this story takes place immediately after ending the previous series. And you learn that Pra'ja and Vatu's sister used to date…"

"That happened in the Khajiit War Mage." Azarien reminded me.

I shrugged. "Well, they start dating again. You learn that in chapter 3."

Azarien rubbed his chin. "That seems way too quickly."

I shrugged again. "Well, the author stated that it just seemed too inconvenient to hide it. As in, the circumstances of what was happening would have made more sense for the two of them to meet, and not having them meet because of 'hidden reasons' or 'forced reasons' seemed like too much unnecessary drama, and she doesn't really do drama." I looked down at my journal. "If you want, we could get the full series." I remember one special person in my life. "Right now."

Azarien's eyes arched. "… How?"

I sighed as I closed my eyes. I cupped my hands, exhaling as I pictured the bonded Daedra in my head. I made a link to her. Inquianari. I could feel our two minds starting to call out to each other. Can I summon you?

There was a pull in my mind. I could see Inquianari turning to look at me. She had a book in her hand. "You haven't called me since I betrayed you. Are you forgiving me?"

I smirked. Depends. Can you do something for me?

Inquianari closed her book. "What is it you desire?"

I want the full manga series for Khajiit War Mage, Rogue Shadowblade, Mythical Ballista, and… and the Chronicles of Ruby.

Inquianari turned to face me completely. "I shall begin gathering them up. I will call you when I have them ready."

I opened my eyes, looking back at Azarien. "My bonded Daedra, Inquianari, will gather the series for me. I got you some extra ones too. A full set of Khajiit War Mage, Rogue Shadowblade, and Mythical Ballista. I think you'll like it. I got me my own series I want to read." You know… in case I start feeling lonely again.

Azarien nodded. "This is much more than I could have hoped for. I knew the future wasn't going to let me down. I just had to be patient."

"Or made a pact with a Seeker from Herpes Mora's realm. They have tomes from books that don't even exist yet. With one of those, you could be reading all the manga for the rest of your life."

Azarien looked like he was making a mental note. "I will have to read one of those Black Books. I wonder if Master Neloth will let me."

I leaned in, almost placing a hand on his shoulder, but then remembered that he hates physical contact. I hovered over his shoulder. "There's risk… and then there's reward. Something I learned in the Crimson Blades. Sometimes… rules… rules are made to be destroyed, stomped on, and kicked into the mud. Sometimes, the rules keep you from progressing to who you need to be. Or what you need to accomplish. You should ask Master Neloth about the risks, and then decide for yourself what you believe is worth the cost of having unlimited books and manga."

Azarien was beaming at the opportunity. "I could spend my whole life reading new material, and choosing which ones I want to read. Imagine the possibilities."

"I have the tomes you have requested." Inquinari reported to the back of my mind.

I smiled as I warmed a portal. Prepare for transportation. I released the portal off to my right. The portal expanded, and out floated an old face, one I haven't seen since I woke up in this world.

"Hello, Inquianari." I smirked as I watched her float out of the portal, several series of comics and books floating behind her.

Inquianari was a Seeker. A hoarder of books and knowledge. I remember she once told me that I could read things that haven't been written yet. And the reason was simple, the time in the Daedric realm work differently than our own, and Seekers were able to take knowledge from any point in any timeline as long as they knew what they were looking for. And luckily for me, I'm more interested in the reading material she can give me instead of what kind of combative prowess she possesses.

Inquianari turned to look at me. She nodded a welcome before turning to look at Azarien and his frozen wanderlust stare.

"Mistress Tenvanni… I have brought the requested tomes." Inquianari's voice whispered to me in her deep purring voice. I watched as Inquianari slowly lowered the various series onto the library table. "If there is nothing else you need done, I am ready to be released from this realm."

"Hold on." I turned to Inquianari. "I have a question for you."

Inquianari turned to face me. She was grabbing her arm, rubbing it like she was comforting herself; she knew what I wanted to discuss.

"You betrayed your contract holder. Isn't that against some rule or something?" I crossed my arms. "I'm not angry… not anymore anyway. I barely even remember you. But I want to know the following: why you betrayed me, were you planning on doing so from the beginning, and are you planning on doing it again?"

Inquianari's eyes started glowing. A magick circle began surrounding us. I took a good look at it. I remember studying magick circles with Nexi. She specialized in painted runes, and the runes within this circle were Daedric in design. I can't read Daedric, never had a reason to learn. I did learn Dwemeris though.

"This is our contract." Inquianari reported. "It goes as stated: Hermaeus Mora has placed this Seeker, known as Inquianari, in partnership with the Conjurer known as Veselle Tenvanni. This Seeker is given the mission to protect the asset known as Veselle Tenvanni, for she has a mission to complete that the great Hermaeus Mora deems necessary for completion of his chosen destiny for her. This Seeker is to keep tabs on the chosen Conjurer Veselle Tenvanni and help keep her alive until the needed moment has arrived. When the time comes, this Seeker must listen to her Lord Hermaeus Mora and do as asked without hesitation or question. Until such time, this Seeker is to maintain relations with the desired Conjurer even if it means doing demeaning tasks like socializing with her for 'friendship team building'."

I listened to her intently. "And… have you done as you have been asked so far?"

Inquianari nodded, dropping the magick circle surrounding us. "I have done every embarrassing event you have forced upon me. Painting our nails, discussing romance novels."

"Not that. Have you already done what Hermaeus Mora has asked of you?" She was trying to dance around my question. Younger me might have missed that. I'm used to dealing with Daedra. If they get the chance, they will lie to your face until you force them to tell the truth.

Inquianari purred an answer. "The required task for which Hermaeus Mora wanted me to help him accomplish was already accomplished. I had a three part mission I had to accomplish. You had to be alive long enough to witness Miraak begin to take over the world. You needed to be brought to Hermaeus Mora to be told about the coming storm. After which, I had to come with Hermaeus Mora to help destroy Vahlok. You accomplished that for us. The third part of my mission was to assist Hermaeus Mora into finding and destroying the heart stone growing in the base of your spine. All these events were linked in ways you haven't quite figured out yet. I am not permitted in telling you what…"

"They're linked to Miraak." I said with a sigh. "He started corrupting the sacred stones here in Solstheim. And that's when you betrayed me to begin with. It's a hard memory to drag up, but I remember it well enough. And then… Vahlok, from what I'm reading right here, cross referencing… he was the Dragon Priest who stood up to Miraak. The fight with Vahlok is what forced Miraak to give himself over to Hermaeus Mora to begin with. And from what I've learned… the Dragonborn is made of Aedric magick. His blood is divine. Beyond anything we've seen in this world. Beyond anything we can comprehend. Strong enough to quell entire Daedric Lords. And if Miraak is getting stronger, strong enough to break free of this realm, you need someone of equal strength to weaken him. And that's where the only other Dragonborn comes in. All of this… to bring High King Stonearm to fight Hermaeus Mora's promising soldier who has decided to break the rules."

"…" Inquianari continued to stare me down. She finally purred out a laugh. "You certainly have changed since I last saw you."

I nodded. "That's right. I've advanced my ability to know what's actually going on. And let's not forget one… little… detail." I pointed to myself. "Me. It had to be me. And why? Because I'm the Conjurer. You might not have realized, but I lived all the way through 4e 229. You know what prophetic series exists in 4e 229?"

Inquianari sighed. "You read your own series then?"

I nodded. "How couldn't I? A different version of me that couldn't exist in the reality I was placed in? I thought it was part of my dream. Being forced to repeat what I've already lived through in this new reality. I thought it was a sick joke Ruby was playing on me. After all, we just got finished watching the third season of Mythical Ballista. It would totally be just like her to draw something up to just play a joke on me. But when she showed me that it came from the same source as everything else we watched… I realized… the person who writes these manga and anime that was based of them… has the special power of prophetic dreaming. An auric ability. She can't help what she sees because it's being sent to her to be delivered to us. And what she saw was me… summoning a Vermeister. A Master Class, going onto Minor God Class, Aedric Dragon. For me to summon such a thing… I had to be special. Someone of epic magick generation. In this other world, I was heavily suppressed. I never felt like I was my strongest. Even here… even now, I feel suppressed. Or at least… I did. Until about yesterday."

I smirked. Lightning started dancing around my shoulders. It traveled down to my fingertips, bouncing along my fingernails. "But then… I remembered my lessons. How to become stronger. How to connect with my true self. I'm back… and better than ever. Three times stronger than I've ever been. And… this physical body is still that of a child's. The amount of power that resides within me… I can barely contain it now that I know it's there."

I glanced up at Inquianari. "And I'm coming with the High King. I know what my role is… and I know how the story ends. Or at least, I know how I would like it to end. And how I've been groomed to get to this point. And so… if your mission is to see that I help destroy Miraak… well… I've been preparing for this day since the day I was born. Correct?"

Inquianari purred a response. "Who is to say what your true mission, your true destiny, is?"

"Me." I jabbed a finger to myself. "And let's not forget. The Dwemer. Don't think I forgot about them. The Multiversal Planetary Alignment. I'm the perfect fighting machine… but I suspect I'm an even better Conjurer. And with my strength… I bet I can turn the tides in the coming war."

Inquianari nodded her head. "You have grown in ways I am enjoying to witness." Inquianari floated around me, keeping her eyes locked on me. Azarien was now turning over to the Rogue Shadowblade manga series, opening up the first in the series. He was frantically flipping through the pages. He stopped on the page where Nexa was trying on her dress. He seemed lost for words as he just started reading from there. It brought a smile to my face. I never saw this side of him, I imagine. It would be hard for me to hate someone like him.

Inquianari finished her circling of me. "You've changed in ways I would have never imagined. And it all happened within a range of 20 days."

"20 years for me." I replied. "That's a year a day, I believe." I traced Inquianari as she finished her circle. "And for the final two years… I did nothing but destroy everyone I knew and loved. Killed my mother… killed my friends. Killed my girlfriend. And then… right at the end, right before I was woken up… I was right about to kill myself." I wonder if the dream ended because I couldn't go on any further. I knew Hermaeus Mora planted me in that world to see what would happen if the world was overtaken by Corprus, which is what is falling down around this island. The heart stones that Neloth has been studying have ended up being hardened Corprus turned sentient by fusing with fragments of Lorkhan's Heart. This was one hell of a situation I found myself in, but if not me… then who would it fall upon? My mother? My father? Both of them were amazing in their own rights, but… why me and not them? Is it because I'm a natural conjurer? Or because I have god-like magicka? I don't really know. I assume it's because I'm in the right place, at the right time, born to the right parents. I can't fathom it being any other reason.

Inquianari floated in her spot, keeping her bulbous black void eyes on me. She didn't move from her spot as she watched me. I was hoping to hear her say something, but I guess I didn't really offer her something to give as a response.

I smirked as placed a hand on Inquianari. "You're probably wondering why I'm bothering you with all of this. Well, it's quite simple. It's forgiveness. I forgive what you did to me. I understand what you did… why you did it, and how I've been led to this moment. I've seen some shit, and I know… if I hadn't walked this path, the entire fucking world… would have been lost. So… I get it. I get it now."

Inquianari floated back a bit, as if trying to escape my hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, Mistress."

"However…" I tightened my grip on her. "Betrayal can come in many forms. And often, the one who's betrayed will often wonder if they will be betrayed a second time. Your mission was to spy on me, to watch me. To… guard against me doing stuff Hermaeus Mora wouldn't like."

"Mistress… my mission…"

"Isn't completed until Hermaeus Mora decides it is. And right now… what I'm planning… I need to make certain you won't be in the way." I held out a small orb. It was a heart stone. It held a special construct I made a long time ago. Well, for Veselle… maybe a year ago. For me… so much longer.

"Volana… come on out." I cast the rock from my hand.

The heart stone stopped mid-toss floating in the middle of nothing, levitating.

Inquianari glanced from the stone over to me. "Don't you need ash to properly summon an Ash Guardian?"

I laughed as I crossed my arms. "Please. We're both smarter than that."

The library quickly became a wind tunnel. The air in the library quickly started to pick up wind started to gather around the heart stone. "Ash is an element comprised of three other elements. Remember? Fire, Earth, and Wind. If I don't have all three, I can't have Ash. But… all Ash really is particles of earth floating in the wind. We have plenty of Dust."

The dust off the books started to collect around Volana's stone.

"And besides." I started to chuckle. "Did you think I wouldn't fix Volana's one weakness? She's not an Ash Guardian. She's been upgraded. She's an Elemental Guardian now. Thank you, Nexi for teaching elemental paints. Just a little rune and… bam. I can alter her general formation. And today's element is… Wind."

The wind continued to pick up, throwing the library into quite a frenzy. Father and Mother were doing what they could to keep the tomes on their desks. Notes and books were held down by using Telekinesis. And windows were blasting open by the sheer force of the wind blasting away.

Finally, the wind started to take form, the dust helping show the body of Volana. Once she finished forming, she looked at me, the massive pulses of wind still wreaking havoc on the library and the books contained on the shelves.

"Ma'am… you summoned me?" Volana's voice came out like a whisper from the branches of trees. Such a calming voice.

"Yes, Volana. I need your assistance. You're able to contain spirits within your heart stone. Kind of like a soul gem. Correct?"

"Yes, ma'am." Volana confirmed while staring at me. "Do you require that function?"

I nodded. "Yes. I need you to trap Inquianari for me."

"You what?" Inquianari started warming up green lightning on her fingertips. "I won't allow it."

"I will." I replied. "You're my bound spirit, and I'm commanding it. And as long as I have magicka to supply your stay here on Tamriel… it doesn't matter where I send you." I glanced over to Volana. "Hold her until I release her. I just need her to stay still for a few days while I tend to my other tasks. I don't want her to getting in my way, and I don't want her reporting my activities to Hermaeus Mora. Can you handle that, Volana?"

Volana blinked her glowing white eyes. "Of course, ma'am. I can handle her as long as you make me capable of handling her."

"I'll be sealing you both in a containment box. That should help." I glared over to Inquianari. "I hope you don't mind. If you weren't one for betraying your contract holder, it wouldn't have come to this. But… you understand."

"This… this is madness." Inquianari tried to back away. My grip on her shoulder was absolute though. She wasn't able to vanish, teleport, or send herself away. She was mine. And it's time I let her know that.

"Madness? This is your fucking job. To help me. And this… what I'm about to do. Having you sit still for a couple days will be all the help I need from you." I glanced back at the shaken Azarien. "I'm just glad I had a reason to call you out that so soon. I was giving myself a headache trying to figure out how to drag you here long enough to lock you up."

I glanced over to Volana. "Whenever you're ready, Volana."

Volana started spreading wind over Inquianari. And I helped by pulling Inquianari over to Volana's core. The two of us started pulling Inquianari over to Volana. Volana parted the wind away from the heart stone.

"Mistress… you don't need to do this." Inquianari started harder to protest.

"I don't care. You and Hermaeus Mora have done a lot to fuck with my life. And I'm about to start fighting back. And you… you are tethered to me. Keeping what I'm planning away from you would be a bother. I'd rather just keep you busy for five or six days while I get to my real work."

Inquianari screamed as she was sucked into the heart stone. Volana quickly vanished as well. I felt a heavy pull on my magick reserves as Volana worked on containing Inquianari, but once that small pull was over, my energy levels started to balance out. I took a quick second to feel out how much energy I would have to reserve a day for this containment of Inquianari to continue. If she doesn't become smart enough to tax my energy reserves by trying to break our link… I should have enough to contain her until it's too late for her to get in my way. Five or six days easily. As long as I don't have a lot of fighting to do. I have staffs for that. I already prepped them.


Cearbhail:

So, the reason Mirri isn't here dealing with Veselle is because she's currently dealing with someone else. Her mother. Mirri's guarding her mother, making sure she doesn't do stupid stuff. Mirri's mother, being the person she is, is taking this guard duty as mother/daughter bonding time, gaslighting her daughter into believing that they are having the time of their lives. Meanwhile, Mirri wants nothing more than to pull her hair out and ditch her 'doting' mother. I didn't feel like including that into the chapter. Maybe a short section for the following chapter. Not sure yet.

Anyway. See you next chapter.