Akatosh says: Serve and obey your Emperor. Study the Covenants. Worship the Nine, do your duty, and heed the commands of the saints and priests. "Still reading your book brother?" Kyiro asked as he peered over Snoe'Gles shoulder to read as well. Snoe'Gles closed his book as he looked at Kyiro and asked "Where is your crutch Kyiro? You know Brother Taltus has said your leg won't be good to walk on for a while now". Snoe'Gles walked up to grab Kyiro's crutch to give it to him as he took a look at his left leg. Kyiro's left leg looked very battered and bruised and very frail looking. As Snoe'Gles attempted to give Kyiro his crutch Kyiro slapped it away "I don't need a crutch! I can still hunt! I can still fight! I can still provide for the family!"
"By the Nine brother! Is that what this is about? You worry about being a burden?"
"Among other things I suppose…"
"What's troubling you Kyiro?"
"It's just I… Well I feel helpless in this state, what if something bad happens? What if bandits raid out homestead? What if those Frostbite Spiders come back? What if-"
"Brother please! We'll cross that road when we get there, for now don't worry. Besides me and Griadas can always fight them off."
"I know I know, I just fear I'll be helpless when you need me the most."
"And I'm telling you now that you won't, now please brother will you take the crutch?"
The two brothers embrace as Kyiro takes the crutch from Snoe'gles. The door to their wooden cottage flings open as a tall grey Kahjiit walks in covered in blood. "By the Nine what happened to you Griadas!?" Snoe'Gles shouts as he holds on to Kyiro protectively. Griadas drops his bloody iron sword "I got into an… altercation with some highwaymen." He says as he slowly walks towards the stair. "If anyone needs me I'll be in the study." Silence fills the air for a few brief seconds as Snoe'Gles then lets go of Kyiro. "Did you know he was out all day Kyrio?"
"No, I thought he was still in the study. What do you think he was doing?"
"I'm not sure. Griadas has been keeping to himself recently, I'm getting a little worried about him honestly."
"Do you think we should ask him what he's been doing brother?"
"Lets just give him some time, clearly he's had enough trouble today. I will check on him later today however. Now, you go get some rest Kyiro."
Snoe'Gles then proceeded to help Kyiro up the stairs and bring him to his room to allow the injured Kahjiit to rest.
By the Nine what is going on in there!?Snoe'Gles thought to himself. A green unearthly light emanated from under the door to the study room. Snoe'Gles reached for the handle but when he turned the knob he found the door was barred from the other side. Snoe'Gles pounded on the door as he screamed "Griadas are you okay!?" There was no response. "Griadas can you hear me!?"
"What's going on?" Kyiro said as he yawned and rubbed his eyes
"I don't know Kyrio! But I think Griadas is in danger!" Snoe'Gles says as he attempts to shoulder bash the door down.
"By Julianos! Allow me to help!"
Kyiro drops his crutch and bolts downstairs to come back up seconds later with an axe. He hands the axe to Snoe'Gles before dropping on to the ground clutching his wounded leg in pain. Snoe'Gles gives a worrying glance towards Kyiro before proceeding to chop down the door in front of him. As he rips the door of it's hinges he finds that an entire bookshelf was moved in front of the door. Snoe'Gles then proceeds to push down the bookshelf, as he gazes upon Griadas. Griadas stands in front of a cauldron with a green fire emitting from it. The Khajiit throws symbols, books, and iconography of the Nine Divines into the cauldron while screaming "I reject the Nine! Boethiah! The ruler of shadows and deceiver of nations! Lend me your power so I can carry out your will! The Emperor and all who follow him must die!" Snoe'gles shaking and sweating profusely trips and falls onto his back alerting Griadas to his presence. "You weren't supposed to see this brother."
"Gr-Griadas… Why are you doing this!? What has gotten into you!?" Snoe'Gles cried out.
"Oh Snoe'gles. I am blinded by the beautiful truth! Can't you see what is upon us?"
"This… This is blasphemous! It's-it's evil! You dare forsake the Nine!?" Snoe'Gles responds as he picks himself back up.
"Why is it evil? Because that's what the Nine tell you? Because that's what the Empire tells you?"
Snoe'Gles remained silent.
"The Nine have betrayed us, they'd rather us bow down to their dog who is the Emperor then have us reach enlightenment. Boethiah has promised me peace, safety, and joy. When has Talos ever sworn to protect you? When has Mara ever promised you joy? When has Akatosh promised you the peace of mind? I didn't see Julianos show any concern of my encounter with the bandits! Or Stendarr keep those Frostbite Spiders at bay!"
"And how do you know that Boethiah won't do the same?"
"Snoe'Gles, I implore you to join me, otherwise I'll be forced to show you the power that Boethiah grants me that the Nine would never think of granting on anyone."
"I'm not following you down this dark road brother! Please come to your senses and end this madness!"
"So be it Snoe'Gles…"
The room is slowly shrouded in darkness as Griadas cackles and clasps his hands together. When he slowly brings apart his hands a green flame appears around it. Snoe'Gles rushes out the door and clings to the wall onto his right as a green flame flies out the door and through the wall out into the snowy tundras of Skyrim.
"Hehehehehe! Your fate is sealed brother!" Griadas cackles while slowly walking out of the room.
"Snoe'Gles what's going on!? Is Griadas okay!?" Kyiro asks while attempting but not succeeding from getting up from the ground.
"There's no time to explain!" Snoe'Gles quickly shouts as he picks up Kyiro and rushes downstairs. As he makes it downstairs he feels the heat of Griadas's fireball as it wiz's past his head and crashes into the wall, this fireball however combusting as flames soon spread onto the wall and floor. Snoe'Gles rushes out the front door and runs on to their Snowberry field and looks back at the house while trying to catch his breath. Their quaint wooden cottage was set ablaze in this ugly green flame, illuminating the surrounding countryside in its aura. Sno'Gles then rushes towards the stables as he mounts Kyiro on a horse and hands him a pouch of gold he had in his pocket. "Listen to me Kyiro, I don't know what's going on but Griadas… Something happened to him. He… You must avoid him. You need to flee to Highrock! It's not safe for you here. When this is all over I will find you. I love you Kyiro!"
"Snoe'Gles what's going on!? Is Griadas okay!? Why do I need to-"
"I said GO!"
Kyiro shakes his head in confusion as he kisses his brother on the forehead and rides away on his horse.
"So you let the young one get away? Why did you not flee and leave him?" Griadas says standing five feet away from Snoe'Gles.
"I'LL SEND YOU TO THE NINE!" Snoe'Gles hollars as he lunges as Griadas with only nothing but his claws. Snoe'Gles extends his claws as he strikes Griadas across his left cheek leaving a scratch mark across the deranged mystic's cheek. Griadas let out a shriek of pain as he uses his left hand to cover the wound on his cheek as he extends his right hand. Out of his right hand shoots an ice spike which impales Snoe'Gles in the left shoulder. Snoe'Gles cries out in agony as he collapses on to the ground clutching his left shoulder with the ice spike still enlodged in it. "This is the end for you brother… Say hello to Akatosh for me." Griadas says as he cackles in delight of his victory. Griadas then lets out a yelp as he stumbles to his side and clutches his right arm. As Snoe'Gles looks up he sees Kyiro riding his horse with a bow in his hand and a quiver of arrows slung behind his back. Kyiro steers his horse towards Snoe'Gles as he helps Snoe'Gles onto the horse. The two Kahjiit's then ride off into the night.
"Snoe'Gles, can you hear me?" Snoe'Gles jolted awake as Brother Taltus put his hand on Snoe'Gles's chest and gently pushed the Kahjiit back down into his bed. "Your injuries aren't fully healed yet, but we shall get you back to normal soon."
"Where's Kyiro!? Is he alright!?"
"He's fine, although he said he was going to Highrock and sped off before we got a chance to ask him why." Brother Taltus says as he beckons in a Dawnstar City guard into the room.
"That's good… I told him to go there…"
"Why must he go to Highrock?"
"So he can be safe from...from…"
"From who Snoe'Gles?"
"From the Grey One…" Snoe'Gles murmurs with tears in his eyes.
"May we get a description of the Grey One?" Brother Taltus says as he looks at the Dawnstar Guard who grabs a parchment and a quill to write down what Snoe'Gles says.
"He...He looks like my brother Griadas… But he his a demonic presence surrounding him…" Snoe'Gles says, trying to fight back the tears.
"What happened to your brother Griadas?"
Snoe'Gles remained silent.
"Snoe'Gles?"
"The Grey One killed my brother who was in the act of worshipping the Nine. The Grey One is an evil follower of Boethiah and seeks to kill all who are faithful towards the Nine and the Emperor, that's why he chose to kill Griadas…"
Snoe'Gles then wept bitterly as Brother Taltus embraced the Kahjiit to try and comfort him. "The Grey one is still alive! The Grey One lives!"