Cearbhail: Last one for a while. No, the story is not done yet. Not sure how it's going to finish. It seems like the ending is getting pretty close. Maybe I should halt the end of the war for the Changing Fates story. It will liven up the whole war thing there for the first act. That should be exciting anyway. yeah... that sounds like a good idea. This battle is the final battle. Once they escape, I think that will call the end of the series and that's where the Changing Fates will lead off. Once I catch up with the rest of the tales. Let me know what you think about my thinking process. It might be too rash.

[Nexa]

"What are your orders, Princess?" My Uncle Julanza asked me.

I had to pause and process that. He called me the 'Princess'. He hadn't called me that in ages. It was always Nexa, Shadowscale, or you. If he was calling me 'Princess' it was because he was trying to stress to me that it was now my duty to lead. If Father was dead and my Grandmother as well…I was technically the next in line for the Throne. Uncle Julanza had a right to claim the throne, and I was about to suggest it, but the way he was looking at me, I had a feeling he'd only laugh and pat me on the back. He never wanted that role, that's why he gave it to my father in the first place.

My eyes drifted from him to Nakuma and Oleeme. They both stared at me with determined eyes. They were my squadmates, my friends…and they were willing to serve me even now. I turned around and glanced at the bloody trail that Vatu had left behind for me to follow. "We follow Vatu…protect him from any threats. Shadow Squad…if we run into any Argonians that are trying to kill him…we stop them, any force necessary."

My Uncle nodded and bowed to me. "Yes, Princess Nexauvia." He started charging past me, flashing through the crowd of dead Aedra.

I looked back at Nakuma and Oleeme. They were shadowwraiths, sure, but they were just as important and powerful to me as any shadowscale. Actually, looking down at the two unconscious shadowscales lying at my feet, the ones that tried to kill me, I think I know where my true loyalties lied. Where was Vistha? I hadn't seen him since the battle began. He was the only one in my squad I hadn't seen since the battle started.

"Where is Vistha?" I asked to the air around me.

Oleeme's eyes started glowing brighter. "Searching…he is running orders for Shadowmaster Yuvenni…" He paused. "Shadowmaster Yuvenni is coordinating a strike on the Khajiit Vatu and the Khajiit Nisha. Planned strike in eight seconds on both Khajiits."

"Find Nisha! Protect her!" I screamed to Oleeme. Oleeme nodded before disappearing into a flash. I turned to look at Nakuma. "Ok, Nakuma…come with me. We're going to address the other Shadowmasters, tell them the situation and hope they understand."

Nakuma nodded. "I'm right behind you, Princess."

I hissed at that word. "No! Call me Nexa, or Shadowblade. No wait…yeah, call me Princess. It will stress my role." She nodded and I took off to find the Shadowmasters. They had their own little camp with the rest of the Argonian military royalty. I expected to find some of the most powerful Argonian military leaders at the camp. It wasn't too far from us. I was lucky that the White Robes had their tent so nearby. That meant that the rest of the Argonian military was nearby as well. Climbing to the top of a hill and stopping for a quick scan of the area, I could see that I was right. I could see a giant purple tent with the symbol of the Shadow Crown on it. That was the emblem for our nation.

I looked out at Vatu slashing through what remained of the Aedra around him. I didn't have to worry about him. Uncle Julanza would be more than capable of keeping him safe for me. I had to worry about the Argonian military falling under Dominion rule. If that happened, things would get ugly very fast. I looked back at Nakuma. She was with me; I was certain that I would be just fine with her by my side.

[Nakuma]

Kill her…kill her now! The voice of Mannimarco whispered in my ear. She's powerless. If you kill her…you can harvest her organs and make her into a thrall. You can make her into your puppet. I can show you how… It was so hard to fight his voice. He had wanted me to do it for a while now and I felt my willpower slipping. I was curious as to if I could do it, if I could make a thrall. The thought that she could become my puppet…and now that she was the leader of Argonia…I could make all the changes I wanted originally.

I felt Mannimarco's pressure pushing down on me. That thought kept pushing into my head. I would reach out and my burning palm and crush her larynx. Then she would collapse to the ground and writhe to death. It felt so wonderful in my head and it made my hand twitch.

I looked at Nexa, seeing her smile at me. She had full trust in me. I…I couldn't let her down! She was my friend. Was…being the code word. She's royal again…she'll betray you. Not if you betray her first…

…

[Nexa]

Yes, I felt very safe with Nakuma. I turned around and started jogging down the hill with her behind me. If I reached the tent, I was certain that I could talk the Shadowmasters into believing that the Warlord was dead and that I was now the real power in Argonia…me…the betrayer who was almost sentenced to death.. Yeah…they'd believe that. Maybe.

"Nexa…I have something to say." Nakuma said as she tried to keep up with me.

"Yeah? What?" I asked in return.

"You remember that I had to transcribe the journal for Mannimarco, right?" She said. "Well, he's made himself a home in my mind…now that our souls are linked together. He's trying to control me and use me to kill you…and then animate you into a thrall that I could control. He wants to use you to rule over Argonia."

I stopped in my tracks and stared at her. "Really?"

She nodded. "It's getting really hard to fight against." I could see her hand twitching with magic. I hadn't noticed it before. "I don't know what to do." She finally said, her voice cracking up with the effort of trying to speak. She was falling apart. I had to fix this.

I smiled. "I do." I launched my fist out and smashed her in the beak. She squeaked out in surprise but doubled-over into the dirt. She was out-cold. That would keep her safe for an hour at least. I looked over at the tent and reached down to pick Nakuma up off the ground. Looks like I had to do this alone.

{Princess, the Khajiit female Nisha is safe.} Oleeme said to me over my receiver.

I let a built up laugh out of my body. Thank Sithis… I was hoping she'd be just fine. "Good. Take her to Lilly or Erandur and explain the situation. Tell him or her to keep a close eye on all Argonians. And keep Nisha within your reach at all times, full alert. Understood?"

{That is the only way I know how to be, Princess.} Oleeme responded, this time a little cocky. That caused my eyes to shoot up. I thought he was a husk. When did he develop a personality? I shook my head and turned my attention back to the tent. I hulled Nakuma up onto my shoulder and I started carrying her down to the tent.

As I finally approached the tent, I stopped to think about what it was that I was about to do. What I was going to say could be seen and treated as field treason. Ceasing command from the Warlord, for even a second…especially in the field, was a punishable act with the price of instant decapitation. I could be killed before I could even explain myself. Hopefully, the other Shadowmasters were strong enough in Illusion (they had to be) to see through the Altmer bastard's little voice manipulation.

I pushed my way through the tent entrance, where six Shadowmasters stood around a table with a glowing chart. They were all chatting with random Argonian shadowscale troops. They were regulating orders that were targeted towards the Khajiit blood-rager.

The room grew silent as the eyes of all the Shadowmasters fell onto me. I shifted my weight and pulled Nakuma off my shoulders. "I have to tell you something." I said. "Someone has impersonated the Warlord. Under the suspicion that the Warlord is either incapacitated or killed…I am the Princess and therefore, I have command of Argonia's forces until it can be proven that the Warlord is alive."

Shadowmaster Gashaviena stepped forward, her eyes glaring at me. She had bright orange scales and shining black feathers that rose into a sharp mohawk. I always found it both amusing and a little intimidating. "Under orders of the Warlord, Shadow Squad has disobeyed the orders to kill the Khajiit blood-ragers. Your rank has been ordered null-and-void. You are to be executed…as will the rest of Shadow Squad." She spat at my feet and then looked back at the map. "However…I have noticed the change in the voice of the Warlord. It cannot be for certain…but you may be right, Princes. We are not trained to kill…we are trained to think. And we have been discussing what it is that we will do. We will do as is started in our doctrine. We will protect the Throne at all costs. You…are the Princess of Argonia. If you are right…you may be the last of the royal throne." She turned and bowed to me. "Give us your orders…Princess."

"First…we need to pull our forces away." I said.

She shook her head. "We know what we are doing, Princess." She turned to the map and tapped the open comms. "Commence attack on blood-rager and sister. Code Red-Eye is now in effect. Eliminate under Order 13 of the Argonian Revised Code."

She looked over at me and smiled. I…I cannot believe she just did that. "Order 13? Do you remember what that order is?"

She nodded. "Yes, I have full knowledge of all orders…and anyone that is not Argonian will not. Order 13: Someone of outside influence has dominated our order and has taken command of Lilmoth. The order dictates that we do not do as ordered, but…rather the opposite while appearing to be following orders. The order was created during the times that Argonian turncoats would take over roles of leaders. Once we believe that someone is controlling us…we just sneakily take them out without them knowing that their plans were foiled before they ever started. Simply put…your friends will appear to be killed. They will be stunned. You will be 'killed' as well. You will then be taken to a discrete location and freed. You will then rally us to take back Lilmoth and throw the osik running our government."

The other Shadowmasters started to walk away from the table. Shadowmaster Dragna nodded to me. "There is the problem of others in the army fighting over the conspiracy, however. The other Shadowmasters who do not agree with us are out for blood. We will have to go fight them, however. They will kill you on sight. So…better you die here and not out there."

I didn't have time to move. Shadowmaster Gashaviena was already in my face with a laced dagger striking my arm. She smiled at me and said, "Or…we could be lying to lull you into a sense of security…so that killing you would be easier." My stomach started to burn with the only poison that I was actually affected by. I couldn't believe it! She was actually trying to kill me.

I almost dropped Nakuma and fell to my knees. The dagger that grazed my arm was flying up to meet my face. I pushed back with my legs and I flashed out of the tent before the knife touched me again. I flew awkwardly through the air before the weight of Nakuma forced me to crash to the ground. I rolled over top of her limp body and stopped on my stomach. I started to push myself up onto my feet but I felt a heavy boot push me back down. I glanced up. It was Shadowmaster Trianna. He had a sword aimed at my back. "Orders are orders, Princess. The Warlord warned us that you would try to confuse us. I'm not sorry for this… you have to die now." He said simply, like it didn't matter to him one way or the other. Of course…he was a husk.

I tried to stand up, but my arms were already lifeless. As Shadowmaster Trianna began stabbing me in the back, I felt an intense pain explode inside me. Oh man…he was going to take his time with it. Damn Argonian torture policy with traitors! It wasn't like I was going to be able to move so he could take as much time as he needed with killing me.

Something landed inches away from my beak. It was a small canister of something that I thought was alchemist fire. It hit the ground with a clunk and bounced a few times before stopping. I stared at it, and so did the rest of the Shadowmasters. Then…it exploded. A bright light solidified over my eyes and I couldn't see anything. That…and my scales burned lightly…like I had an irritated chemical sunburn or something.

The sword in my back disappeared. I heard rather than saw the sound of throwing knives land all around me. The Shadowmasters were screaming out orders and combat orders to whatever was going on. An arm wrapped around my waist and I felt myself being lifted up. Next thing I knew, I was being flash-carried away from the tent. I still couldn't see anything, but that didn't stop my mouth from trying to speak. "Wha? What's goin' on?" I managed to get my dying mouth to say.

"I'm sorry I'm late, but better late than never." The silken voice called to me. "I'm Brinsa. I was assigned to the Shadow Squad. I got caught up fighting the Aedra and I wasn't able to find you. But I figured you'd eventually go to the Shadowmaster tent when you had the chance. Good thing I was watching you. If I hadn't seen you get stabbed…I wouldn't have known you were in trouble. What should we do now?" He asked.

I didn't stop to think about it. "Poison…need cleansed." My brain was shutting down. Heck, my entire body was shutting down. That stab in the back was laced with more poison. I was lucky that I was still alive. There was one poison that the shadow corps were not trained to resist. It was reserved for the Black Reapers, the only Argonians allowed to execute shadowscales. They were also known as the Shadow Five…the five strongest Shadowmasters. There were two in that tent: Gashaviena and Trianna were two of the five strongest Shadowmaster. Julanza and Yuvenni were as well. The strongest of them all was Shadowmaster Riviella. She was a nightmare. She was also Shadowscale Meesei's mother, I found out.

I was suddenly put down, gently. My vision started clearing up as the light from the explosion started wearing off. Kneeling over me was something I hadn't seen in a long time…a Lilmothiit. They were a race of fox-like Khajiits that lived in our forests. They kept to themselves but they were warriors stronger than most other. They were crafty, cunning, and very loyal. Brinsa smiled as he examined my arm. He pulled my arm up and started sucking on the wound.

"Not getting it out…that way." I managed to croak out.

He pulled his lips away from my arm and started swishing the venom around in his mouth. Was…was he tasting the poison? He finally leaned away from me and spat it out. "Branz thorns!" He looked down at me and smiled. "I know just how to negate that." He reached into his back pouch and pulled out a root. "Ganza root." He stuck it in my mouth and said, "Chew…don't swallow, but suck on and swallow the juice. The actual root may cause dizziness."

So, I started following his instructions. I chewed on the root and swallowed the juice that came from it. While I did that, he started rubbing herbs onto my wounds and massaged them until they started to heal. When he was done with that, he turned his attention over to Nakuma…who he must have flash-carried her out of there as well. "What's wrong with her?" He asked.

"She's got a spiritual entity trying to convince her to kill me." I replied. I smiled as I noticed that I could talk again. "So, I knocked her out."

He nodded. "Ok, I have a trick for that as well." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small shiny rock. "Amethyst." He wrapped it up into a makeshift headband with some string he carried around with him. He hugged the rock close to him as he started mumbling something to the rock. He placed it around the head of Nakuma and stepped back.

Nakuma instantly took in a sharp breath and sat up. She looked around frantically before smiling. "He's…he's gone! I can't hear him anymore!"

Brinsa nodded and leaned over to see her eye-to-eye. "That purple rock on your head will keep him from talking to you. Never…take…it…off." He said to her. He patted her on the shoulder and turned to look over to me. "What should we do next?"

"Allow me to explain." I heard Lilly call from the crest of the hill. Her head poked over as she started walking up to us. "Oleeme has filled me in on what's happened. I…I cannot believe it, really." She shook her head in what appeared to be confusion. "It wasn't supposed to happen yet. Not for another three weeks." She stopped and tapped her arm. "Coming back in time and dragging the army to Cheydinhal…seems to have altered the timeline. This battle never happened…you never came here to find me…Fiirnar never took over the War Room." She shook her head. "What am I supposed to do now?" She scratched her head. She finally looked down at me and shrugged. "I guess I'll wing it." She reached down for my hand. "Come on, Nexa! We need to move before the Shadowmasters find us."

I took her hand. She helped pull me up. "What do you mean? What timeline?"

She smiled to me. "Well…I'm a time-traveller. I'm from the future, like everyone knows. I already knew the outcome of this war. Fiirnar was never supposed to take over the War Council. Sure…he killed your father and replaced the Queen with an Argonian royal he bribed to work for him. Then it was a civil war within Black Marsh…you leading one side, Yuvenni leading the other. But…it never happened like this." She said. She shook her head and said, "But I can see what he did right now. Everyone inside the War Room is dead. The only one that escaped was Sosia Ernard…who was supposed to die. Everything is so screwed up!" She said. "Now I have to deal with an evolving Fiirnar that has broken the timeline I could follow and track." She shook her head again, rubbing her hair in frustration. "This makes fighting him so harder! I wished I could just go and kill him right now!"

"Why can't you?" I asked.

She turned to look at me. "The shield surrounding both this battle…and the one surrounding Lilmoth. I can't just teleport in…no, we have to infiltrate…and even then, the entire Argonian military will be waiting for us at the Shadowport. We'll be killed on sight...not even all the shadowmasters could survive the onslaught waiting for us."

Brinsa smiled. "Well…the Lilmothiit have infiltrated many times without fail." He looked at me and smiled. "And I am the son of Kinlop…Tribal Shaman of the Lilmothiit. He is the voice of war with our people. He tells our Tribal Mother what he believes is the right course of action and she takes it." He looked to Lilly and nodded. "If you tell me exactly what's going on…seer, I can see if I can talk our Mother into invading Lilmoth."

Lilly smiled. "Well…this was never in the original plan either but…" She stopped and shook her head. "No, we can't go yet. We need to find the Black Soul Gem Capacitor…fix it… and destroy all the Aedra first."

Brinsa scratched at his head. "There is a lot I need to be filled in on…isn't there?"

Lilly nodded and pulled him up on his feet. "Yes but…later. Right now…we need to leave this bubble before the Argonians and the Aldmeri Dominion decide to kill us."

Cearbhail: so... the story might be essentially over. Not much left to cover since the battle is pretty much won. All that's left is for well..you'll see.