The Market District was a bustling place. Merchants sold things in the street, beggars asked for coins, and civilians went about their daily errands.
Today was exactly like any other day in the Imperial City: people went about their lives while the Watch stood idly by. Safe and comforting monotony.
No one noticed the Nord stride into the deserted courtyard behind the Merchants' Inn or the three others: two Dunmer and an Imperial climbing to the roofs of buildings.
After several minutes, screams erupted in the crowd as a tree flew out of the courtyard and into a group of barrels in front of the Feed Bag. Fruits and vegetables tumbled across the street as a creature no inhabitant of the city had ever seen emerged from the alleyway. The crowd scattered, going into shops and adjacent districts to flee the beast.
The monster picked up an apple and ate it all in one bite, chewed, and spit it out disgustedly. The apple struck the chest plate of an Imperial Guard. The beast recoiled at the proximity of the man and punched him in the floating ribs. Even through the heavy steel armor the Imperial's ribs shattered and he fell to one knee.
The guard's comrades unsheathed their blades. Half a dozen steel claymores faced the monster. Another guard ran up, ready to join the fight, but was told instead to go to the northeast and request reinforcements from the Imperial Prison.
One of the guards leveled his blade and swung at the beast. Before the sword connected, the monster caught it, a palm on either side of the blade. It twisted its hands and broke the sword in half.
The creature kicked another guard's claymore out of his hands, it landed on the roof of a nearby building. Another length of steel approached the monster. It grabbed the guard's hands and twisted. The Imperial's wrists broke with a resounding snap and the blade fell to the ground, a furry heel stomped and shattered it.
The remaining three guards were helpless as the creature took all three of their claymores and broke them over its knee at once.
A dozen more armed guards burst through the northeast gate of the district.
An arrow flew through the air, aimed at the creature. It broke in half midair, seemingly without cause. Another two bolts left the rooftops and promptly exploded. A figure cloaked in black stood in the shadows of an alley, smiling that unseen twisted smile.
Two guards each grabbed the creature's arms and legs, it took eight Imperials to hold it down, and even then, barely. Four chained clamps were put on the beast, two each on arms and legs, it would certainly break through one.
The guards containing the beast were approached by an Imperial leading two Dunmer.
"The situation is under control citizen," one of the guards announced holding up a halting hand. "There is nothing you can do here."
"We are mercenaries, hired to capture this creature," Isaiah said to the guard, "we have come to take custody of him."
The guard's composure did not falter. "This monster is your mark and you didn't engage?"" he questioned rhetorically. "No, we captured it without your help, it is our prisoner. Now leave or you will be made to do so."
As the three were escorted away, the creature -Fons- shot Isaiah a wounded look.
Isaiah turned towards the alley in time to see the shade melt into the shadows.