Welcome, my child.
Sable's eyes snapped open but there was nothing. She could see nothing, feel nothing; there was not even any light.
"Hello?"
I am here, my child. I am always with you.
"Who are you?"
You do not recognize the voice of your Father?
"Sithis!?"
The golden light went out again and Sionis nearly collapsed with fatigue. He hadn't slept since the night before. Or maybe it was two nights ago; he wasn't sure anymore. He had stayed crouched by Sable, pouring healing magic into her whenever he could feel even the slightest connection with Aetherius. And still her eyes remained closed and her breathing remained slow, ragged, and shallow.
His every moment was spent in either attempting to heal the woman he loved or contemplating whether or not she had actually killed a Daedric Lord and what the implications of that might be. Boethiah's body still had not de-materialized. It still lay nearby, cold and unmoving.
What, exactly, would be the consequences if Boethiah was actually dead and there was no more Daedric Prince of Deception? What would happen when people started hearing of it? Would they even believe it? Would there be more contracts taken out on Daedric Lords by people spited or spurned by them? And would someone try for a hit on one of the Divines?
He found he really didn't care if it meant she would die. He didn't care about anything in this world if it meant he had to live in it without Sable. First Clairiss and now Sable. The despair was threatening to crush him when, suddenly, he felt that spark within him.
Sionis pushed all the thoughts from his mind and evoked healing magic back into her. It only lasted a few seconds and then it was gone again and his head swam.
"Is she alive?"
A woman's voice startled him and he looked up to see two Dunmer and two children at the far end of the platform at the top of stairs. A moment later is vision cleared and he realized that there were only one of each and that they were both wearing red and black robes, black hand emblazoned on the chests.
"What did you do to her!" The child screamed at him.
You have done well, my child. This kill will bring me untold glory. As well as the Dark Brotherhood.
She remembered then her fight with Boethiah and how it had ended. Both of them lying on the cold stone, Boethiah dead and herself dying.
"Am I dead?"
Not yet.
"Yet?" Sable asked, "So I am dying?"
Perhaps. The mage is working tirelessly to save you, though he has not the strength and your life is still ebbing away.
"So I am going to die?"
Of course. All eventually come to me.
Sable couldn't help rolling her eyes. "I meant right now."
And if I so desire your soul now, would it trouble you?
"Yes." She said immediately, "Yes, it would. I don't want to die."
You may have chosen a poor line of work then, if you wanted to live a long life.
She nearly had to bite her tongue off to keep from cursing the Dread Father then and there. She figured it probably wouldn't be a good idea to do so while standing in his presence. She took a breath and composed herself before finally answering.
"I didn't say I wanted to live a long life. I said I don't want to die," she said. "Living a long life implies that I would eventually die. I don't want to die. Not now. Not ever."
Ah, but you are mortal. It is impossible for you to live forever. You must know that.
"Then I will find a way to become immortal!" She snapped. "I'll kill as many gods as I need to. I'll kill Arkay himself!"
Would you really?
"Yes!" Sable answered without a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "I've done it once. I can do it again."
And that, my child, is what makes you special.
"She still lives, Babette," the Dunmer said. "Don't kill him just yet."
The child stared daggers at Sionis. "If she dies," she said coldly and with a deadly fire dancing in her eyes, "so do you."
He believed her. While he had no idea how the little girl would actually manage to do that against him, there was, somehow, no doubt in his mind that she would do it.
"What is this?" the Dunmer asked, indicating the other body.
"Boethiah." He answered simply, too numb from the pain and fear of losing his beloved assassin to answer any differently.
"It can't actually be Boethiah," the dark elf chastised. "Any Daedric being would be banished back to their plane of Oblivion if they were somehow 'killed' while in the mortal realm."
"I know that," Sionis answered a bit sharply. "I'm no expert in Conjuration, but every mage knows the simple rules behind daedric habitation of Mundus."
"Then who is this?"
"It's Boethiah!" he nearly shouted.
"It can't be. This is not possible." The fact that the Dunmer remained calm in her condescendence nearly pushed him to try his connection to Aetherius.
"I know that!" He snapped furiously trying to stand up to let her have it to her face. Dizziness washed over him over and he fell back to sitting.
"I know it shouldn't be possible," he started over with calm reigning again. "But that is, or was rather, Boethiah, The Daedric Prince of Lies. I was here. I watched Sable summon him, they fought, and Sable killed him and he never vanished. I don't know how it's possible, but I believe she actually managed to really kill Boethiah."
"By Sithis," the dark elf breathed, her eyes opening wide.
"Gabriella, can we focus on Sable please," the child called out with worry in her voice. "She's barely breathing. She needs help."
Gabriella, snapped from her ruminations and knelt down by Sable. Her hands lit up with the golden glow of healing magic. She closed her eyes and placed her hand upon the white-haired assassin. A few moments later, her eyes snapped open.
"By Sithis, how has she lived this long?" There was a horrified look on her face.
"I've been healing her as much as I could," Sionis offered, "though I don't know much about Restoration."
"Nearly every rib is broken. Her lungs have been punctured multiple times and some of her organs are severely damaged," Gabriella explained. "How long has she been like this?"
"How could you tell all that?" He asked, amazed.
"I am an expert in Restoration. I've probably been practicing at it for longer than you've been alive." She explained with no small amount of exasperation. "Now, how long has she been like this?"
"I'm not sure," Sionis shrugged apologetically. "I haven't slept since I found her like this. I've just been healing her whenever I've been able to. I think it was yesterday afternoon when last she had her eyes open."
"You must know a lot more about healing magic then you think," the Dunmer finally said after the confusion left her face.
"I really don't," Sionis confirmed. "I'll explain later. Let's just try to save her."
Gabriella nodded and brought the golden glowing magic to her hands again. This time it flared to an intensity that hurt his eyes. The dark elf pushed it into Sable and he hoped that this Restoration master would be able to bring his love back from the brink of death.
"I'm special?"
Indeed you are. Not only is your skill sufficient, but you have the drive and ambition to carry out my will. You will leave your mark on not only those around you, but on the history of Nirn as well.
Sable felt the sting behind her eyes that threatened tears. She would be remembered. She would be a legend throughout all of Tamriel and, in that way, live forever. She held back from crying and in that moment felt closer to Sithis than she ever had. Astrid and the rest of the Family spoke of him, but it was clear that they didn't truly believe in him or follow him. She knew now that they were mistaken. He was true and she would serve him in the afterlife for the rest of eternity.
"Thank you, my Dread Father."
No, my child. I thank you. You have done something that will impact this world forever and it was done in my name. And it must continue.
"How?" Sable asked almost out of breath. "Can I help bring it about?"
Oh yes, my child. You will be instrumental. I will give life back to you and you will continue on as one of my most devout. You will build within the Dark Brotherhood a group of assassins that even the Aedra will fear. You shall be as a high priestess to them and will give all of creation over to the Void.
"Yes Sithis, it shall be done." Sable said reverently and sincerely. "I will start immediately."
Not immediately my child. The Family is, unfortunately, not ready for this yet. There are events that must take place and those that must be culled.
"As you wish, Dread Father. When shall I start?"
I will tell you. In the meantime, seek out your Mother. When found, she will speak to you and you will Listen.
"Yes, Father."
Go, my White Deathbell, and with one last gift I give you.
"This isn't working!" Babette cried. "Both you and the mage have been at this for nearly a day and she hasn't gotten any better."
"I'm trying, Babette," Gabriella said wearily. "Both of us are exhausted."
"Couldn't we please try the healing potions?" the child begged. It was not the first time she had asked about them since having discovered a number of them on Sable's person.
"No!" Sionis cut in sharply before regaining his composure. "If her lungs are still torn as Gabriella suggests, then the potions will just drown her."
"Shut your mouth or I'll rip it off!" Babette threatened.
"He's right, Babette," Gabriella soothed. "You know how thick and viscous most healing potions are. They would likely cut off her ability to breathe and kill her before they could do any good. We are doing the best we can."
"It's not good enough!"
"No, it's not," Gabriella agreed. "I'm afraid that the healing magic is tearing her lungs further as it attempts to pull her ribs to their proper place. That in turn causes her to bleed into lungs even more."
"Then he's dead!" Babette's voice dripped hatred as she stood and turned to the mage.
Before she could even take her first step, a violent cough ripped out of Sable, followed by a tremendous amount of blood. Immediately after, she started convulsing.
"She's dying!" Gabriella shrieked. "Sionis, quickly. Help me with whatever you've got left."
Both mages fell upon the thrashing assassin, their hands bathed in golden light. Sionis' light went out first and he slumped to the side, barely able to keep upright. A few minutes later Gabriella tired out as well.
The convulsions had slowed, but still not stopped.
"It wasn't enough!" Babette cried, "She's going to die anyway! There must be something else we can do."
Babette's eyes went wide as an idea hit. Without warning, she threw herself upon her friend and sank her teeth into Sable's neck.
"What is she. . ." Sionis' question trailed off as he remembered what the child was and realized what she was doing. He looked upon the scene horrified, but too tired to do anything about it.
A moment later, Babette came off of a now unmoving Sable with blood dribbling down her chin.
"Babette," Gabriella started stunned at what she had just witnessed, "What did you do?"
"Saved her, I hope," Babette answered a bit forlornly.
"But, doesn't the disease take a few days to run its course?"
"Yes," the un-child's voice was full of melancholy.
They all watched the white-haired assassin as if expecting some miracle to happen. Instead they saw her breathe her last breath and her chest finally go still.
It was dead silent for a long moment before it was finally broken by a pitiful wail erupting from Sionis.
"Noooooo!" And he broke down into sobbing.
Babette rounded on him. "You're dead," she promised. "I'm going to kill you."
"Go ahead," Sionis answered, "I deserve it."
"Oh, you bet you do."
"Babette, wait!" Gabriella broke in.
"What!?" the vampire snapped tired of being delayed in her vengeance.
"I swear I just saw her move." Gabriella implored. "Look!"
"You're just seeing . . ."
"I swear by Sithis I just saw her move."
Silence reigned again as they all stopped to watch. Nothing happened. No movement. Babette sighed and regained her menacing glare towards Sionis. But just as she was about to move, Sable laughed and once again all attention was turned her way.
She laughed again. It was a joyous giggle that somehow chilled them all to the bone. Then, the White Deathbell smiled and opened her fiery golden eyes.
End
A/N: And it's finished! This has been quite the ride for me and I loved writing this story. I hope you all have enjoyed reading it. Sable is not done yet though. Obviously there are a number of loose ends that still need to be addressed. I'm currently working on outlining the next book and will start writing on that soon. In the meantime, I have a short (perhaps one-shot) piece about Mala Aran Naga and his falling into Boethiah's clutches coming. Thanks again to everyone that has read, favorited, followed, and/or reviewed.
- E. K.