Chapter 6: Pillars of Light

The crisp air blew across the deep blue afternoon sky. Few clouds glided slowly over the sun. Twas a beautiful, and peaceful sight. You would not have known the horror that occured earlier that day. Even a certain group of travelers who had been witness to the events prior that day, managed to forget amidst the calm.

"-And then she took a broom, aimed it at us and said-" Ralof happily laughed. The group listened to him tell of one of his childhood stories. He had told them that his sister lived in Riverwood nearby, and would help them. On the way there he asked if they'd like to hear a funny story, of course the others agreed.

"Your sister sounds like a fearsome woman." Kriger laughed.

"She is when she wants to be." Agreed Ralof. "You don't have to worry though, she became less hot headed after settling down." He laughed again.

Silvana stifled a laugh. Ralof was quite the storyteller, and his laugh was infectious. 'When was the last time I felt this pleasant?' She wondered. A small smile on her face.

Arliss observed the group quietly. As a pawn, laughter never came easily to him, and most pawns could not hope to recreate the happy effect Ralof had so easily cast upon the others. 'Even the Arisen, who has not laughed in so long is affected,' He noted. 'Ralof is so human.' A thought came to him. 'I aught learn from him to act more humanlike.' Arliss observed him some more, specifically his infectious laugh. 'If I laugh like that, would I seem more human?' He wondered. He tried letting out a hearty laugh like Ralof's, only to produce an obviously forced, stiff sound. He stopped when he noticed the odd looks he received.

"Are you okay lad?" Ralof asked. "You sound like you're in pain, or something."

"Eh?" Was the only sound Arliss could make in response. He was dumbfounded. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Realising their eyes were still on him he forced a smile that wouldn't reveal to most eyes how fake it truly was. He was much better at faking smiles than laughs. "Yes, I'm fine."

Ralof looked at him strangely, after a moment he said, "Well, if you say so lad." Turning away he began moving again.

Arliss caught the other's lingering looks, before they turned to follow Ralof. Kriger's eyes held a look that Arliss guessed was something akin to suspicion. The Arisen's gaze lingered the longest. Arliss could see worry on her face, with a hint of something else he didn't know. 'Sadness? Guilt?' He couldn't even begin to guess. As he followed them he sighed inwardly. 'I failed again,' He thought. 'Acting human is more difficult than it seems.' Even the smallest detail imperceptible to a pawn seemed to give away his strangeness easily.

Soon a mountain pass could be seen in the near distance across a river. It held an eery, foreboding presence. "See that?" Ralof pointed. "That's Bleak Falls Barrow."

"Tis' an imposing sight," Said Arliss.

"Damn straight." Ralof shuddered. "I don't know how my sister can stand living in the shadow of that place. It chills my blood just thinking of it."

"Why's that?" Silvana asked. Kriger also perked his ears in curiosity.

"It's an ancient Nord tomb," Said Ralof. "Who knows what could be in there." He gave Kriger, and Silvana a pat on the back. "Let's go. The sooner we get to Riverwood, the sooner we get it out of our sight." He began moving at a quicker pace. Before following the others gave the place one last look; one of wariness, with a hint of curiosity.

Not long after they came upon another interesting sight. Three stone pillars stood together, overlooking a lake, and the wilderness around them. It felt as if a strange power emanated from them, drawing you closer towards them. Surely they must have been built ages ago, by a strange power.

"What purpose do you suppose these stones hold?" Arliss asked walking foward to closer examine them.

"These are the guardian stones," Said Ralof with pride, and awe. "Why don't you go on up." He smiled. "See which one speaks to you." The others looked at him curiously a moment, before walking up to the stones.

Arliss was already eyeing one stone in particular. On it was etched a powerful looking wizard. It was a magic user like him, but Arliss thought it looked much more powerful. Somehow looking at it took his thoughts to the past. Arliss had always been a mage, that was why he was chosen. His magic was what the Arisen needed. His eyes on the powerful wizard, he thought 'I want to have even greater magic power. Power like that. So that I can be of better use to my Arisen.' He stretched out his hand.

Kriger walked up to one of the stones. On it was the carving of a cloaked man. 'Damn thief!' Words from before echoed in his head. Those words weren't meant for him, but yet they were, because he had felt it to be true. It wasn't the life he had wanted, but it was the life he had led up to that point. He hated what life had forced him to become. He resented it. Turning away from the thief stone he eyed another carving. 'But, this is why I came to Skyrim,' He thought. 'From this day on-' He grit his teeth. 'I live my life as a true Nord should.' He stepped forward towards the warrior stone, and stretched out his hand. 'I will atone for what i've done.'

Silvana stood in front of a piller. Looking at the carving made her feel sick for some reason. The carving was of a heroic looking warrior. 'A hero.' The thought made her want to laugh. When she became an Arisen, she strived to be like that. She did her best to help people, and fulfilled her duty by killing the dragon, but the same people she had tried to help, turned against her. 'Kill the Arisen! Death to the Arisen! Let the Arisen's only peace be death!' Accusatory voices echoed in her head. 'Arisen, How could you? I knew you for a villain!' She shut her eyes tight as the voices continued. 'She would tell you the dragon is dead. Lies! She consorts with the dragon!' Her teeth were grinding, her fists shook, her nails were cutting into her skin.

"Arisen!" A familiar voice boomed. She opened her eyes to see that she was no longer standing in front of the stone. In front of her a giant red dragon lay dying. She recognized him immediately. Grigori continued speaking in his low, raspy voice. "Your life now belongs to no other. You've won it by rights. It is yours to cast away, or use as you see fit. Remember that." Speaking his last words Grigori turned to ash and blew away into the wind.

She blinked, and opening her eyes once more, she found she was again standing in front of the warrior stone. She gave it one last look before turning around. 'No longer will I walk that painful path.' She eyed another carving, and with a fire in her eyes she stepped forward. 'From this day on, I live for myself.' Stretching her hands out to the thief stone she had one thought. 'I will be free.'

At once the three pillers lit up. Beams of light flew through the heavens. Energy seemed to fill the whole area. The wind around them picked up. The clouds swirled. They could feel the energy welling up inside of them.

"By the nine divines." Ralof's awestruck voice came out in a whisper. "To see all the pillars alight at once. It's truly something to behold." He turned to Kriger. "I knew you were a warrior. Those stars will guide you to honor, and glory." He smiled, then turned to Arliss. "And, I knew you would pick the mage. I'm not fond of those fancy magic tricks myself, but to each his own." He laughed. Finally he turned to Silvana, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I won't judge you for your choice, but-" He paused unable to find the right words. "You know, it's never too late to take charge of your own fate."

Silvana didn't look at him, her eyes only looked to the ground. "Thank you, Sir. Ralof," She finally said.

Ralof laughed. "There's no need to call me Sir!" He looked at her with a wide smile. "I've never been the formal type. Just call me Ralof." After a short pause he spoke up again. "Besides we're friends aren't we?"

Silvana was taken back by surprise. 'Friends?' It had been so long since she's had a friend other than Arliss. "Thank you, Ralof," She finally said. "Since we're friends, you may call me 'Silva'." She gave a small smile.

"Silva the Arisen?" Kriger asked. "It suits you."

"Why thank you Se- Kriger," She said.

"I'm glad to have met you, my friends." Ralof gave out a hearty laugh, and they began walking again.

Chapter 6: Pillars of Light End

Authors Notes: This chapter was pretty short compared to the other ones. I would have liked to extend it a bit at least till they got to Riverwood, but it felt like a good place to end the chapter. Please let me know what you think. Personally I really loved this chapter! Maybe it's because it's a scene that I've had in my head for a really long time, but this is one of my favorite chapters, I really hope you enjoyed it as well!

Thank you annjames for your generous and kind words. I am truly grateful that you enjoy my story.

Thank you for reading. I hope you all enjoyed.