Chapter 3

The next morning was a little more difficult. When Aisha woke up she knew with immediate realization that her entire body hurt. She was in such agony that she could not move, and instead lay there in the darkness, trying not to make a noise so she wouldn't wake up Levaden. He lay beside her, his back turned to her, and he snored softly in his sleep. But the aches and pain were too much, and she let out a little gasp as her arm cramped up from having slept on it all night.

"Hmm?" Levaden's voice rumbled sleepily, and he pulled himself up into a sitting position with a sigh. For a moment he sat there, his head bowed while he rubbed his eyes and the back of his neck. Then he finally turned to Aisha, and he realized something was wrong.

"What is it Aisha?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm just very very sore," Aisha responded, and her breath hitched in her throat.

"Oh no. Travelers aches. I have the perfect solution."

The Altmer threw their covers back and stood up from the bed. He wandered over to the table where his pack lay and rummaged around in it for a moment until he found what he was looking for. When he returned to the bed he held two small vials in his hands; one was green and the other was a bright shade of red. Aisha recognized them immediately as health and stamina potions. The sight filled her with relief.

"Drink up."

"Thank you," Aisha murmured, gratefully accepting the green vial. She managed to pull herself into a half sitting position so she could drink the potion without spilling it all over herself, and the effects were immediate. She felt clearer and invigorated almost instantly. The healing potion was her best friend, for as soon as she swallowed the sweet tasting liquid her body felt vastly different. It lessened her aches to a degree that she could now ignore them.

"Better?" Levaden inquired, smiling softly at her. The smile tugged at his scarred skin. It was not an expression he was used to doing.

"Very much."

"Good. I'll go get us some breakfast."

Levaden stood up once more. After securing his hair in a loose ponytail he slung his cloak on over his shoulders and left their bedroom for a few minutes. When he returned he had two bowls of steaming hot porridge. The smell of cinnamon wafted over to Aisha where she sat at the edge of the bed. Levaden handed one bowl to her, and then they sat in comfortable silence in their small room and ate their breakfast. It was simple but delicious.

Once breakfast was finished, Levaden busied himself with his armor and Aisha told him she would meet the elf outside. She was feeling immensely better after consuming both the potions and a hearty meal, and so she was itching to get outside in the fresh air. The air in Cyrodiil was different from home. She didn't know how to even begin to describe it, but there was something so pure about it.

This must be the air feels like when it's free from a shit load of pollution and toxins, she mused quietly to herself while waiting for Levaden. I can't get enough.

Travelling with Levaden was a breeze. The two of them had only just met but they walked and conversed with each other like old friends. They continued down the main road for several days, and there were plenty of inns along the way to accommodate them. Levaden expressed his desire to get camping gear so they could save money in the long run, but he just didn't have the large enough lump sum to devote to it. He also had to find a merchant as well, which would most likely be in the Imperial City.

"I just wanted to get going after I escaped the prison. I didn't plan much. I was still in shock from meeting the Emperor and seeing him get murdered all in the span of a couple of hours."

"What was it like, meeting him?"

Aisha really wished she had been able to meet him before he had died.

"Uriel was... interesting. He had a presence about him. When he looked at me, it was like he could see right into my inner self."

"Wow."

"Yeah," Levaden sighed, "It was fascinating but kinda unsettling at the same time."

The sky was beginning to change, but it wasn't natural. They were nearing Kvatch. As they drew closer the sky, once blue, was tinged with an unnatural red tinge. Levaden looked concerned, but Aisha did not betray her secret to him. She had a feeling it would be just too much.

"Something seems off," the elf commented, glancing around. As they rounded a small cluster of trees and were nearing the beginning of the winding road to the city they were greeted by a small makeshift camp. People were moving about, some healers, some common folk, but it was total chaos.

"What..." Levaden's sentence trailed off as a frantic looking Altmer jogged over to them. His extremely receded hairline made him look comical, not to mention the fact he was waving his arms around like a lunatic. Aisha bit her lip to stop herself from laughing out loud.

"Turn back! Leave here! Run while there's still time" The man cried at them.

"Hold on..." Levaden started, holding his hands up. "What's going on?"

"Gods' blood, you don't know, do you? Daedra overran Kvatch last night!"

The Altmer shouted at them hysterically even though there were standing a couple feet apart.

"There were glowing portals outside the wall! Gates to Oblivion itself!"

"Oblivion?" Levaden repeated, stunned. "How could that be..."

"Go and see for yourself! Kvatch is a smoking ruin! We're all that's left, do you understand me? Everyone else is dead!"

The two Altmer spoke for a few moments longer, but it was hard to converse with the frantic man, and so they gave up and decided to head up there anyways. Levaden turned to Aisha with a concerned expression.

"I think you should stay here... I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to find up there."

"Okay, I won't argue. Please be safe."

Aisha wished to go with him, but knew what dangers lay beyond the hill, and she didn't want Levaden to worry any more than he already was.

"I will. I'll come back to you as soon as I can."

Aisha nodded, and after Levaden had handed his pack and cloak over to her and turned away. He quickly made his way up the winding road towards Kvatch with his sword drawn. The sky grew more and more red the closer he got. It looked like blood.

Not wanting to sit around, Aisha decided to make herself useful. She moved towards the tents and busied herself with helping the wounded. She handed out potions, soothed and comforted those who were in hysterics, and occasionally changed some dressings whenever asked.

A lot of time passed, too much for Aisha's liking. She couldn't tell if it was night because the sky didn't change from the deep red. If anything, it got a little darker, and a storm started to brew. However, she was pretty sure too much time had passed. She was beginning to get worried. She knew what horrors occupied the realm of oblivion, and the thought of Levaden alone in there made her shiver anxiously.

She sat on an old log for what seemed like forever, chewing her fingernails with her eyes glued to the road. Finally, she couldn't wait any longer. She needed to know what was going on. So, Aisha, despite having no protection for herself, walked determinedly up the winding path for what seemed felt like milesr; praying that Levaden was alright and would greet her once she got to the top.

The sky darkened more and more red the nearer she got, and she was utterly unsettled by the blood-like color. It was far deeper in person, and thunder echoed all around the area while she walked. Just as Aisha had rounded the last bend and was halfway up the last hill did she hear an odd hissing sound.

Out of nowhere a scamp came flying at her, it's arms raised with a fireball ready in the palm of its hands. First it swiped at her, and Aisha successfully dodged away, but she was too slow. The Scamp's long pointed claws caught her shoulder, tearing her blue tunic. Its claws sank into her flesh, and she cried out in pain. Several guards stood nearby, and one of them turned when she cried out. He shouted a battle cry at the Scamp, distracting it from her, and with one great thrust of his greatsword, the creature was killed.

Before Aisha could thank the guard for saving her life, there was a loud crack of lightning, and a wave of thunder echoed all around. Everyone watched as light dust swirled all around the Oblivion gate as the light faded, and a figure was tossed from it before completely going out.

The portal into Oblivion had been closed, and Levaden stood there, a sigil stone clasped tightly in his hands as he gasped for air. He was a little worse for wear, but he was alive.

After gathering his bearings, Levaden spotted Aisha, and so he ran over to her.

"Aisha!" He called out, coming closer.

It was hard to hear him over the loud whooping noises and cheers the guards were making.

"Why are you here?"

"I was beginning to get worried," Aisha responded meekly, looking down at the ground.

"Your shoulder..." Levaden noticed the dead Scamp resting nearby, and he frowned. "I told you it wasn't safe."

"I know. I'm sorry," Aisha whispered, feeling embarrassed.

Truthfully, If the guard hadn't been there to save her she probably would have been dead. It really dawned on her how reckless she had acted.

"Well, nothing to do about it now. You're hurt. Let's get inside the city. There's still more of these monsters lingering about, so stay close to me."

Aisha nodded, unable to say much more. After a brief talk with the captain of the guard, Levaden and the other guard members made their way to Kvatch's main gate, with Aisha close to his side.

They entered into the city to find it an absolute mess. There was nothing left to any of the buildings besides the temple, and everything that was flammable was on fire. There were scamps littered all over the place, and so they were forced to fight their way forward, their goal to reach the temple. Aisha watched breathlessly as Levaden swung his sword with ease. She was seriously impressed and made sure she stayed out of the crossfire the best she could. Once they had reached the chapel doors everyone clambered inside with sighs of relief.

It was oddly quiet inside, and after seeing the dealing with such bright lights outside, Aisha's eyes had to adjust to the dingy light cast from several clusters of candles situated throughout the main hall.

She remembered the first time she met Martin on screen fondly. As the young monk turned from the patron he was tending to, and greeted the newcomers, Aisha's breath was taken away as she spotted him. She always knew he was handsome but seeing him in person was entirely different.

He's beautiful, Aisha thought to herself, finding herself staring without a care. That's not a word I use often for men, but... wow.

His features were soft, but masculine at the same time. His eyes were an even brighter blue up close, and he had an aura around him that just radiated caring and calmness. Wherever he went, people watched, soaking up his presence. Whenever he spoke, people listened with great enthusiasm. It floored Aisha, and for a moment she was too stunned to do anything but stand there like an idiot.

Levaden seemed to notice her gawking, and he gently touched the her back, prompting her forward.

"I have to find Brother Martin," he whispered quietly, looking around the room.

Several people cried quietly with their family members while other residents of Kavatch were being treated for minor wounds. It was a somber atmosphere inside the chapel, and Levaden was eager to get his task done and over with so he could leave.

"I think that's him," Aisha whispered back, her eyes still on the man they were looking for.

Martin noticed the strangers watching, and so he stepped closer.