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Chapter 9

"Did you see that?! How the fuck is that even possible?!" Cirilonde wasn't one to swear, but this went beyond anything she'd ever seen or believed possible. The only confirmation she hadn't gone insane was Ganir, who looked just as spooked. They had braced themselves against the barricaded door. From behind it came a monstrous racket.

An arrow pierced the door's woodwork and the two elves jumped away when the doors were rammed again. They were relieved the door managed to hold, but for how long was another matter. They covered their ears as another bone-chilling, unnatural roar thundered through the whole ruins.

"Well, it's certainly unusual…" was all Ganir managed to say. He'd seen his share of undead things, but this… "That one really has a bone to pick with us…Literally."

"That was a skeletal, undead dragon!" Cirilonde shrieked. She still couldn't believe what she had just seen and that they even got away. "What in Oblivion was Savos thinking, sending us here?!"

The dragon rammed its skull against the door again, nearly unhinging it and the two elves decided it was wise to make a run for it, deeper into the bowels of Labyrinthian's ruins.

Bleak Falls Barrow. Saarthal. No Nordic, Dwemer or any other kind of ruin or temple could compare to this ancient place.

What once was a grant, ancient settlement and temple, now lay in abandoned ruins. The two elves had also just found out the hard way as to why no one had delved into it before in search of treasure. If anyone had somehow made their way in, they had most likely been devoured by the skeletal dragon.

Over the course of many centuries, the goddess Kynareth had reclaimed parts of Labyrinthian. The damaged, ancient and engraved walls and ceilings had been embraced by nature that merged with the temple's interior. An underground creek nurtured the plants as it flowed over the stones, deeper into the ruins.
But this did not mean the elves were safe and set to go. Labyrinthian's undead guards were still very much present, but they were but a nuisance compared to the skeletal dragon.

I will have to deal with that skeletal bastard eventually, won't I? Ganir thought of the dragon as they made their way down the ancient stairs. Labyrinthian was big, but it seemed even more vast and expansive underground.

They emerged into a cave with a waterfall. They'd have to make their way even further down to the large, ornate doorway. They made to do so when a sudden, teal burst of energy shot forth from said depths. It caught the High Elf off guard and wrapped itself around her. The energy forced her to her knees and ravaged her magical energies. For a brief moment, she was even severed from her connection to the Arcane.

"Wo meyz wah dii vul junaar?!" The ancient, menacing voice boomed forth and echoed through the ruins. Ganir stayed close to Cirilonde with his daggers at the ready. His eyes shot from left to right, as if expecting anything to leap from the shadows and attack them any moment but it remained eerily silent.

"Ciri..." He looked at her over his shoulder.

She raised her hand. "I'm all right…not hurt at least, but whatever that was, it just knocked the magicka right out of me. I just need a minute…" She rubbed her temples. Though the pain had lessened, this thing's hold on her mind lingered and messed with her senses.

"Whatever's down there, it's like it's out to get you." Ganir peered over the ledge into the depths they would soon traverse. "And it spoke the same way as that Draugr in Bleak Falls and that dragon in Whiterun."

"I know…There's got to be some sort of connection." Cirilonde grit her teeth. "We need to push on. We've come too far."

Ganir nodded. "Will you be all right, though?" He wasn't asking because he thought her to be weak. On the contrary, he admired her but worried for her wellbeing.

She nodded but cautious as they were, they ran into another problem when they had made it down to the ornate doorway. The hallway that lay stretched out before them was sided by pillars and alcoves. But the Draugr here were spectral and emerged from their caskets as though they still possessed a physical body. They had no time to hide and the spectral Draugr glided towards them through the air like wraiths.

"Nivahriin muz fent siiv aaz het!"

Cirilonde shrieked, falling to her knees and clutched her head with her hands. She felt as though the voice had dug its talons into her scalp and tore away at her mind. The tips of her fingers crackled with magickal energy as she strained her mind and body to resist its unseen wrath. It was as if this voice had dug its talons into her scalp and tore away at it.

"Ciri…I. Need. Help!" Ganir grit his teeth, struggling to parry and dodge the spectral Draugrs' blows. They were faster and more vicious than their physical 'cousins'. One of them caught Ganir off guard by making an unexpected side-step and parry before burying its jagged, spectral blade into the Dark Elf's leg.

The Dark Elf howled and slashed his dagger at the undead monstrosity. His arm and dagger went through. The spectral Draugr grinned knowingly.

"ENOUGH!" The Spectral Draugr tried to get away from the intense wave of blazing energy but they could escape the banishing, cleansing energy the High Elf had unleashed. Ganir fell to one knee, clinging to his injured one and he swore. That had hurt a lot more than usual.

"Ciri…Don't. Save your energy." She ignored him and healed the wound as best as she could. It was a strange sensation to feel his cold, dead body grow warm when Cirilonde's magic worked its wonders.

"Whatever that is…whatever awaits us, we will face it together." There was a fiery determination in her green eyes. "I won't let my guard down this time."

They pressed on after Cirilonde raised all of her defensive wards. Ganir stuck close to her while she incanted. He grinned at the (spectral) Draugrs that were forced to stay away from the pair. Cirilonde was truly an amazing mage. She led the way down the crumbling and stone walkway. Icy, cold droplets rained down on them from the nearby waterfall. The water then wound its way down, carving its own path through the weathered and intricate, stone carvings that once told the tale and purpose of this dark and grim place.

When they reached a large pair of doors at the bottom, they stumbled back as the doors were flung open by the same, powerful and unseen force.
"You do not answer. Must I use this…guttural language of yours?" The same voice snarled in the same, menacing and now condescending tone. "Have you returned, Aren, my old friend?"

The two elves exchanged glances, sharing the same, many questions. It would have to wait for now. The Arch Mage will have some explaining to do when we get back…If we survive.

They had reached the antechamber of Labyrinthian. In the middle, in the back stood a flooded altar that had been used for rituals a long time ago. Stone steps to their left, led up to a seating area that overlooked the altar and walkways led across to the source of all their troubles. This ancient, wraith-like being was trapped in a pulsing, blue and magical ball by two, ghostly magi that had to be from the College.

"Did he send you?" The one ghost asked the two elves, sounding hopeful and so very, very tired.

What had happened here and how was Savos Aren involved? Divines knew how long these poor souls had been forced to stay here and trap… It dawned on Cirilonde as to what this being was. "It's a Dragon Priest." The High Elf sounded both scared and in awe. An actual Dragon Priest, just like they'd read about. A now undead servant to the Dragons of old. It was clad in tattered, once elaborate and colourful robes. Its face obscured from their sight by a wicked-looking, carved mask made of moonstone.

"You…You are not Aren, are you?"

"Who are you?" Cirilonde had not lowered her wards.

"I….am Morokei." The being chuckled, "Did Aren send you to finish what he could not?"

Ganir's eyes had narrowed. With each syllable to his name, Morokei's voice had produced powerful energy waves that shook his prison. The ghastly mages stumbled and struggled to maintain his prison. "I can't hold it… much. Longer!" One of them cried. Their voice an echo.

"And you…I will make sure you regret setting foot in this place." Morokei pointed a bony claw at Ganir. The Dragon Priest then snarled something in the Dragon tongue and the shockwave broke him free. The ghostly mages were torn to shreds. "You. Will. Die!"

The two Elves' faces bore an expression of fear when they saw Morokei's bony, gloved claws held the Staff of Magnus. He raised and aimed it at them. Cirilonde and Ganir ran as fast as they could and dove for cover from the Staff's magic bolts.

"He has the staff!" Cirilonde yelled at Ganir, who stood behind another pillar.

"I. Know!" Ganir ducked for cover just in time. A magical bolt from the Staff had sent parts of the stone pillar flying all over the place. When he didn't budge, Morokei fired another and the Dark Elf was forced to flee.

"Just as foolish as Aren. You cannot hope to defeat me!" Morokei was relentless in his pursuit of Ganir, bombarding the Elf with one projectile after the other. It forced Ganir to use all kinds of acrobatics to avoid getting hit.

"Ciri!" Ganir yelled. "Would be nice if you could help!"

Cirilonde tapped into the necklace the Arch Mage had given her and used it to break free from Morokei's suppressing aura. Her face bore a determined expression when she began to incant and used her magic to reach into Oblivion's plains.

What's taking her so long!? Ganir shot a glance over his shoulders and was impressed when she finally managed to conjure a Flame Atronach. The feminine, fiery Daedra gracefully emerged from the black and purple, crackling portal, floating just above the ground. A trail of flames was left in her wake.

Morokei hadn't just heard, but also sensed it and spun around with a snarl. How could he have been so foolish to forget about the mage?! He flew forward and launched a barrage of spells at the Atronach, who almost playfully avoided her attacker's projectiles, returning the favour with flame.

"His staff!" Cirilonde cried to Ganir, who threw everything she could at Morokei; frost, flame and shock, but Morokei laughed. The Staff of Magnus absorbed every spell flung at him and hers were so pathetic and weak!

Ganir knew there wasn't much time and ran at the Dragon Priest. Morokei turned around upon hearing Ganir but it was too late. The Dark Elf threw all his weight against the Dragon Priest and rammed him. For good measure, he snarled, "Fus!" so he could more easily tear the staff of Magnus from the Dragon Priest's grasp and throw it to Cirilonde. Furious, Morokei dug his claws into Ganir's leg and tore it open. "You fetcher!" The Dark Elf kicked the Dragon Priest's face and sent the mask flying off.

"No! Noooo!" Morokei screamed and clawed at the nothingness where his face once was. A brute, unseen force twisted and contorted his body, breaking his bones. Without his mask or the staff, his power was broken!

Cirilonde braced herself when the Dragon Priest unleashed a final spell upon her, but she needn't even raise a ward. Magical energy burst forth from the staff and tore away at the Dragon Priest until nothing remained.

Silence.

Cirilonde sat down without letting go of the Staff, out of breath and she stared at the pile of ash that had been Morokei. Ganir emerged from where he had hidden and joined the High Elf. "Is it over?" he asked.

Cirilonde held the Staff of Magnus out before her so the both of them could look at it. "We did it…" she uttered and in complete awe. They had not only just defeated an ancient evil, but they had obtained this powerful artefact. Carvings lined the dragon bone staff and a large crystal was held by a dragon's claw. This crystal seemed to be made of the same material as the Eye of Magnus. "Are you all right?" she asked the Dark Elf.

"Yeah, I am. I was just looking at this…" Ganir stowed the moonstone, carved Dragon Priest's mask into his bag. "You?"

Cirilonde dispelled the Atronach she'd summoned and got to her feet. "We need to get back to the College…If it's still there."

Ganir gestured for her to follow her. "This way, I saw a door ahead, maybe it's the quick way out."

The two elves walked up the steps to the left. There was a gate behind the stone thrones with a stairway that led them down to the other side. They walked over to the stone door and had hoped all their troubles were over, but someone had been waiting for them behind said doors. How did he even get in here?!

They first thought it was Ancano, but the Altmer before them was an entirely different Thalmor. This High Elf was taller and broader than Ancano. He had a strong, wide jaw and his eyes were bright green. He immediately stood ready to strike when the other two Elves took on a defensive stance. "So you made it out of here alive…Ancano was right, you are dangerous." His voice was like silk, speaking to Cirilonde in the Altmer tongue. He calmly regarded his opposition; a Dark Elf vampire and this High Elven mage. The beauty tightened her grip on the staff and there was a fiery determination in her eyes. "There's no need for hostilities. Ancano told me all about your betrothed…" He loved the startled reaction that had come from the Dark Elf. Apparently she hadn't told him everything. "Let me take the staff from you and no one has to get hurt."

"I'm sorry, but we can't. I'm sure my betrothed will understand." Cirilonde shot a look at the Dark Elf. They would have a lot to discuss if they survived this. "Let us pass, whoever you are."

He gave an amused chuckle. "It doesn't matter. Ancano-,"

"FUS!" Thundered from the Dark Elf's mouth and it sent the Thalmor flying against the wall. The pottery shattered underneath his weight and did not exactly break his fall. "Run, Ciri! I'll deal with this Thalmor fetcher!"

The High Elf ran as fast as her legs could carry and Ganir grabbed the Thalmor by the shoulder when he made to pursue her. The High Elf spun around and elbowed Ganir on the nose. Blood sprayed out of the Dark Elf's nostrils. "All right, that does it."

But the Thalmor was stronger than he'd expected, and a fierce warrior at that as well. The more blows he parried, the more agitated the Dark Elf got. Sick of the games, the Dark Elf dropped down, grabbed a fistful of shards and threw it in the Thalmor's face.

He didn't even get to scream or swear as he was thrown against the wall. Sharp claws sank into his wrist and the Dark Elf kept ramming his hand against the wall until he let go of his sword. "I. Don't. Have. Time for your sort!" Ganir snarled. For a moment, the Thalmor feared his days were numbered and he roared with pain when Ganir instead pinned him to the wall by piercing his shoulder and buried the blade not only him, but also into the wall.

"Filthy mongrel!" The High Elf roared and made to lash out with another spell with his good hand, but the Dark Elf ducked, grabbed a pot himself and slammed it over the Thalmor's head. By the time anyone would find this bastard, he would be long dead.

"Why the fuck did you wait?!" He yelled at Cirilonde once he got outside. "We can't afford to waste any time!"

"You never left me behind." She held Tormagg's reins out to him. How could he be angry at her when she smiled? She looked so proud with the Staff of Magnus strapped on her back.
Thankful for her loyalty, he took the reins from her hands and climbed on Tormagg's back.

They rode all night, only slowing down to spare the horses lest they collapse. There was no doubt they'd broken some record but their hearts fell when they made it just past Windhelm. A pillar of teal light could clearly be seen in the distance in the direction of Winterhold.

It had to be the Eye of Magnus and the two Elves immediately urged their horses into a gallop once more. Upon arrival in Winterhold, they found that the streets had been completely abandoned. Had its inhabitants fled or had they sought shelter somewhere? But to their horror, they found not only that this beam of light was visible from a great distance, it had been an energy field that completely engulfed the College of Winterhold!

They rushed over to the Masters that stood on the bridge. "Master Tolfdir!" Cirilonde had to yell as the noise from the energetic storm was deafening. "Just what in Oblivion happened? Where is everyone? Are they-?"

"If they didn't make it out of the College, they must've fled to the Midden!" Tolfdir explained, raising his voice as well. "Everyone is safe…for now." Divines knew how the College was ever going to recover from this if they even survived! Jarl Korir would make sure there would be hell to pay. First the Great Collapse and now this!

"Where are the others? Where's Mirabelle?" Cirilonde asked.

Tolfdir's eyes teared up and he squeezed Cirilonde's arms. "She told us to run…" he choked out. "Had it not been for her, we all would've perished. The Eye grew unstable and she stayed back to contain the damage. I want to hope she's survived…But there's no way…Please tell me you got the Staff!"

"Yes, we did!" Cirilonde unclasped the Staff of Magnus from her back. "We need to get in there and put a stop to this for once and for all! Whatever you do, do not get anywhere near Ancano. Do not kill him. He is possessed by the Eye, I saw it myself."

"Have you gone mad?!" Ganir yelled. "He killed the Arch Mage and Mirabelle and he'll kill us too!"

"Didn't you see what happened to all of us here? Didn't you see what that thing did to me in Labyrinthian?!" Cirilonde yelled back. "We have to break him free of the Eye and then contain the damn thing!"

"There's no time to argue!" Tolfdir yelled at the two Elves. "Lead the way, Cirilonde!"

Cirilonde was briefly taken aback as Tolfdir, Faralda, Phinis, Colette, Drevis and Sergius all stepped back to let her through. They were expecting her to take the lead. She gave them all a nod and stepped forward to face the howling, teal horror before them. "Stand back and shield yourselves!"

She raised the staff and aimed it at the storm. She unleashed the staff's power on the shield, which rippled as if recoiling from the Staff's presence and power. In the distance, they all heard the Eye's furious snarl. It tried to fight back but it was no match for the Staff and the joint forces of the Masters who pressured the storm into retreat until it dissipated.

"Hurry, before it regains its strength!" The bridge shook as they all made their way across it. They had no time to be afraid or hesitant. "Check for anyone that was left behind! Try to find the Arch Mage and Mirabelle! Ganir, Master Tolfdir, I need you with me to face Ancano!"

They ran across the courtyard and into the Hall of Element where the Eye of Magnus and Ancano awaited them. The Thalmor had fallen to his knees but was still bound to the Eye. There was no doubt he'd been dealt quite the blow when they broke the ward and Cirilonde grew quite aware it could cost the Thalmor's life if they broke the Eye's hold on him.

"Ancano, can you hear me?!" Cirilonde carefully approached Ancano with the Staff of Magnus at the ready. She was horrified to see what had become of him. His whole face was lined with glowing, web-like scars that had burned into his skin and there was no mistaking that he was in great pain.

There was a wicked-looking, teal haze over his eyes and he bared his teeth in a snarl at her. "Do you truly think you can even hope to stop me?! The power to unmake the world is at my fingertips and you think your pitiful attempts at magic can do anything?!"

"We'll show you pitiful, Ancano!" Tolfdir lunged at Ancano from behind with a bolt of ice, but it bounced off Ancano. The Thalmor spun around and the magickal, wicked energy from the Eye whipped from Ancano's arm. The old Nord raised a defensive, magickal ward in time but the impact nearly knocked him off his feet. Ancano then turned to lash out at Cirilonde who raised her staff in time and the lightning-like energy was devoured by the staff.

"So, you dare to think you can oppose us?!" Though she heard his own voice, this definitely wasn't Ancano.

"All right, enough of this." Ganir muttered to himself and he pulled his daggers out.

"Cirilonde. The Eye! Use your staff on the Eye!" Tolfdir pointed at the Eye and kept his ward up, backing away.

The Eye was taunting her and she glared at it. She defiantly raised the Staff of Magnus and unleashed its powers on the Eye once more. Enraged, it let out a shriek as its orb-like shape grew twisted and contorted. This time, Cirilonde was prepared and she shielded her eyes from the bright, white flash as the Eye opened itself once more.

"I will destroy you, worm!" The haze over Ancano's eyes lit up with the same colour as the Eye and he charged at her, accompanied by the magical anomalies that had spawned from the light. She was so thankful that Tolfdir and Ganir were there to aid her as they dealt with them for her. All she had to do, was deal with a possessed Ancano. His face bore an expression of pure rage and he flung one spell after the other at her without any effect. The Staff of Magnus devoured all of it.

"We have to break his connection to the Eye!" Cirilonde cried to Ganir, who stood back to back with Tolfdir. The old Nord was far more proficient and useful against the anomalies as he blasted them to shreds with his wide array of spells.

Remembering how he'd dealt with Morokei, Ganir glared at the Eye and then at the Thalmor. He waited for the right moment and then charged at the Thalmor when he was far too focused on Cirilonde. The Dark Elf rammed into the shoulder of the possessed High Elf, but Ancano regained his footing and shot a shard of ice into Ganir's chest. "I'm. Already. DEAD!"

Ganir plunged his dagger into Ancano's shoulder. Not only the High Elf, but also the Eye cried out in pain as blood sprayed from the deep, wicked wound the dagger had inflicted. Ganir made to raise his other dagger, but he was flung back by a burst of energy that came from Ancano. In that brief, swift moment, Ganir's eyes locked on to the Thalmor's. The Eye had released its hold on Ancano and he saw only fear in his eyes.

The Dark Elf charged at him again and rammed the High Elf against the wall. Ancano was far too overwhelmed by the indescribable agony that surged through his whole body as the Eye's wicked energy not only lingered but had been burnt into his flesh, leaving the scars all over his body aglow. "I will make you pay for what you've done!" Ganir snarled, raising his dagger to strike again.

"Ganir, no!" Cirilonde cried.

"Cirilonde, the Eye!" Tolfdir screamed, pointing at the Eye. All of them froze and stared up as the Eye of Magnus had opened further than before and looked about to explode.
But suddenly, that familiar, strong sensation overwhelmed her as out of nowhere, four Psijic monks emerged from separate portals, freezing time in the process for everyone but the monks and Cirilonde.

"You have done it!" Quaranir said proudly. He had appeared next to her from a portal. "You have succeeded!"

"The Eye…It's going to explode any second!" Cirilonde's whole body shook with the adrenaline that still surged through her veins. She looked at Ganir and Ancano. Ganir was mid-air with his dagger mere inches away from Ancano's chest. The Thalmor hadn't even raised his hands in defence as he was in such excruciating pain. Her heart sank and filled with pity. This wasn't his fault or doing…

"He got what he deserved." Quaranir spat when he followed her gaze. "He's shown that-,"

It was entirely uncharacteristic for her, but she punched Quaranir. "Kill him?! And bring down the Thalmor's wrath down on all of us after everything you bastards put me through?! You will let me save him!"

His associates stood dumbfounded and exchanged glances while Quaranir rubbed his jaw. Not that he was impressed with her. Or pleased. But the woman had clearly made up her mind and positioned herself between Ganir and Ancano, grabbing a hold of the Dark Elf's hand. "Suit yourself," Quaranir growled. "But you'll regret it."

"You don't get to decide for me," she spat at him. "Now get the fuck out of here." She braced herself for the flow of Time to return and the lot of them barely caught a glimpse of the four Psijic monks that teleported out and away from the College with the Eye. Ganir let out a startled yelp when Cirilonde had appeared in front of him out of nowhere and he threw the dagger out of his hand to crash into her. She heard Ancano slump to the floor behind her.

"How-?! Just what do you think you're doing?!" Ganir roared. "You've seen what he's done. He deserves to die!"

"You know what Morokei did to me in Labyrinthian. You know that he was possessed by the Eye! I'm not saying he's innocent but this wasn't his fault!" She bellowed back, enraged that Ganir would let his emotions get the better of him. "How can you just kill anything so easily and not think of the consequences for one second?!"

Those words hit him harder than she had intended judging by the expression on her face, but they were interrupted by the Masters that had come running into the Hall of the Elements.

"Is it over? Is he dead?" Faralda asked as they all looked at Ancano. Blood pooled from the wound Ganir had inflicted on him, but they were all shocked to see all the scars that had marked him.

"No. He's not dead." Cirilonde snapped at Faralda, who'd sounded far too hopeful. Not that she could blame any of them all the same, but they didn't understand or know what she did. "And none of you will lay another hand on him."

Cirilonde knelt down next to the Thalmor. Yes, of course she was furious with him because he was anything but innocent, but she had suffered Morokei's wrath. It was nothing compared to what the Eye had done to Ancano, who must have realized too late he was in way over his head.

"Cirilonde, you can't be serious!" Faralda argued. "He would've killed all of us!"

"Enough!" She snarled. "The Eye? We could see it all the way from Windhelm. People will talk. It will reach the Thalmor. What do you think is going to happen if they know what happened here and we killed one of their own? They will raze Winterhold to the ground and if we're lucky, they'll kill us right away."

Cirilonde had made to heal the deep wound in Ancano's chest but the scars lit up and lashed out at her hands. Ancano's face contorted with agony but he remained unconscious. "Mistress Colette, please…"

"No…I can't…I just can't. Not after what he's done." Colette shook her head and stepped back. "No matter what you say…"

Cirilonde's heart fell. Why wouldn't they understand?! Her eyes sought Ganir's, "This is not what Savos Aren would've wanted…"

The Dark Elf gave a growl. "She's right. I don't like saying it. But she's right. Nothing would please me more than rip Ancano to shreds, but it's not what Savos would've wanted. There's been enough death and there will be more if we kill that Thalmor scum. They'll come for us all." He sheathed his daggers. "I don't know if this is the wisest choice you've made, Ciri, but I'll help you."

"And you're just going to let him get away with everything he's done?!" Faralda exclaimed.

"I think he's been punished enough, don't you think?" Cirilonde held up Ancano's hand to confirm what she'd suspected. Not one bit of his body was spared from the Eye's wrath. It was a miracle he was even alive.

Tolfdir didn't like any of it either, but he shook his head and sighed. "She's right. We need to get the students back on the grounds, inform them and Jarl Korir and then take a look at the damage. And find Savos and Mirabelle…"

"And where do we take him?" Ganir asked. Cirilonde was still knelt down at Ancano's side. She had made another attempt to tend to his wounds with more caution.

"Take him to the Arch-Mage's quarters. We'll-,"

Faralda's temper had flared. "Oh, and I suppose we'll just store Savos and Mirabelle's bodies in the Midden in the meantime?!"

"I understand how all of you feel, but it is not the way. We shall make preparation for their funerals." Tolfdir maintained his calm. "We shall keep their bodies in the Arch-Mage's quarters as well while we prepare them for their final journey. Please…we've all been through a lot. Cirilonde has made her choice…"

The Masters Eyes' bore holes into Cirilonde's being and for a moment she feared they would attack, but they didn't. Phinis spat at the floor and glared at her before following the others outside. She felt horrible. But she was doing the right thing, right?
"Please, Ganir. Help me get him upstairs."

Ganir gave a nod and threw the unconscious Thalmor over his shoulder to carry him up to the Arch-Mage's quarters. They had just laid Ancano down on the Arch Mage's bed when the Masters joined them with the bodies of Savos and Mirabelle.

There was more light here and they could now all see the full extent of his injuries beyond the one he'd inflicted. Ancano had to be in indescribable pain. And I still find it a shame you're not awake to get the full brunt of it like you deserve, s'wit.

Cirilonde checked for the Thalmor's pulse. Her sigh was one of mixed emotions and she shook her head. He was still alive, but could she even save him?

"Ciri…I hope you know what you're doing." Ganir squeezed her shoulder. "But what you did there…That was brave. Know that I will support you."

She sniffled and squeezed the Dark Elf's hand. "I don't even know if I can save him. I don't even know if I'm doing the right thing or not, but I have too."

"Make no mistake, he might still be out for our blood when he wakes." Ganir warned her. "Don't forget what he is and what his lot does and has done."

"I know better than anyone." She said with a sharp tone and Ganir immediately thought of what the Thalmor in Labyrinthian had said to them. But now was not the time to press that matter. They were all broken, exhausted and needed to rest and heal. "I just hope we don't live to regret it…"

Ganir left her alone and joined the Masters to see if he could help.

Cirilonde stared at Ancano. He would face the consequences of his actions, but this was just the beginning of another, potential hell. She didn't even dare look at the Masters who had brought the bodies of Savos Aren and Mirabelle upstairs and laid them out on the tables after clearing and cleaning them.

Savos Aren looked so peaceful with his hands folded together, but Mirabelle's body had been wrapped bloodstained linen. Her death had not been peaceful or painless.
Finally, Cirilonde broke down and cried on the bed.

Ganir had seen plenty of dead bodies, undead and he'd lost plenty of people over the past centuries, but it'd been a while since any of them had been close to him. The Masters had just left the Arch Mage's tower and he looked at Tolfdir. The poor old man had laid his right hand on Mirabelle's remains and held Savos' hands with his left. His shoulders shook as he could finally mourn their loss. He also heard Cirilonde's sobs on the other side of the room, but right now, his heart ached most for the old man. He could relate.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Master Tolfdir." Ganir said softly. "I didn't know them well, but they were kind folks."

"Mirabelle died to protect the College. She was always so fearless and dedicated," Tolfdir whimpered. "I could only dream of being so brave. And Savos…By Talos, Savos was such a wonderful man. He truly cared about the College even if he didn't always show."

"Are you…angry…with Cirilonde?" Ganir dared ask.

"Initially, I wanted to be…" Tolfdir wiped the tears from his face and blew his nose in an old kerchief. "But she's right. I don't like saying it, but she's right. I just don't know how we'll manage to pull it off."

"I'll help where I can. For now, you should rest. We'll figure it out."

A few days later…

All the lights on the grounds had been dimmed. Only a few, select torches and candles lit the College courtyard and there was a sad, serene silence, save for the wind that swept the snow in a flurry around all of them.

In the centre of the courtyard, they had built a funeral pyre on the central font. The bodies of Savos Aren and Mirabelle lay on top of them, wrapped in the embroidered burial linen. Ganir squeezed Cirilonde's hand. The knuckles of the High Elf's other hands had whitened as she tightly gripped the Staff of Magnus. Everyone from the College was clad in black robes and walked by the pyre, weeping quietly and leaving their loving offerings, thanks and whispered goodbyes.

Tolfdir beckoned Cirilonde over. The Dark Elf gave her a nod and she made her way over to join Tolfdir and the Masters in front of the statue. Tolfdir stepped forward from their midst with his hands raised to the sky. On que the funeral pyre was engulfed by white-blue flames and consumed the bodies of Savos and Mirabelle. Glowing embers floated upwards to the sky and were carried away by the wind.

Cirilonde finally caved and wept, as did everyone else. They had survived, but at a terrible price.

It was over quick, but Cirilonde lingered even after an hour. Ganir had not left her side and watched how the wind carried the ashes away. Everyone had gone inside for a memorial dinner at the Forum but he doubted anyone had the appetite for it.

"Even if he wakes, what makes you think he will not run to the Thalmor?" Ganir asked. He had been most calm and patient with her, but it had run low as she refused to answer him. Granted, she had been under a lot of pressure not only to help with preparations for the funeral, but also to stabilize and save Ancano's life.

Cirilonde's voice was hoarse and shaky from the crying. "Ancano won't return to the Thalmor. Trust me. If you think that his current state is a terrible fate for anyone, you do not know what they would do to him if they found out the Eye of Magnus slipped from his grasp and into the Psijic Order's hands."

"And you know this…why?" Ganir cocked a brow.

"Remember the 'betrothed' that Thalmor in Labyrinthian mentioned?" She wouldn't look at him and stared dead ahead of her into nothingness. "I'll explain everything. Just. Be. Patient."

The Dark Elf let out a low growl. They'd shared everything together so far. Why did she refuse to discuss this with him one on one? It was so very unlike her.
He was about to press the matter when Tolfdir joined them. "Cirilonde, the Masters are ready and wish to speak to you."

"You should come as well," was all Cirilonde said to Ganir and she walked past him into the Hall of Elements with heavy feet and heart. She had to tell them. Perhaps then they would understand.

Though expectant, none of them seemed too happy with Cirilonde.

"I'm sorry to keep all of you waiting for so long," Cirilonde started. "But it felt appropriate that we first had the time to process everything that had happened and were able to mourn the loss of Savos Aren and Mirabelle Ervine." She sought the eyes of the Masters and some averted their gaze.

"It's been nearly a week since the incident. You have no idea how much effort we've gone through not to just re-establish the daily affairs within the College, but also smooth things over with Jarl Korir of Winterhold." Faralda seemed the only one who was bold enough to speak up. "Under different circumstances, I would've accepted what explanation I would be given by Savos Aren, but no, not from you. Especially when you've yet to supply us with one, valid reason as to why we should trust Ancano not to run or report to the Thalmor. Our Arch Mage and Master Wizard are dead and its not only left a hole in our hearts, but it also leaves our College vulnerable. Ancano is the exact reason why we've been so strict about letting just anyone into the College. And look what he's done? So, again, if I don't get a valid reason right now, I will go up there and put that Thalmor scum out of our misery!"

There was a coldness in Cirilonde's eyes that Ganir had never seen before. "I shan't lie and pretend I knew Savos or Mirabelle well, but I could admire the Arch Mage for his restraint and ability to welcome a Thalmor at his College. It meant he truly valued his view for the College to be a place of learning, void of politics, which included tolerating the presence of a Thalmor, no matter how he, or anyone, felt about them.

"You weren't at Labyrinthian. The Dragon Priest that wielded the Staff of Magnus held a terrible power that could've torn me apart if I hadn't had Ganir's help. All of you suffered under the Eye's wicked influence. You've all seen what it's done to us and him.

"Ancano won't talk to the Thalmor. Do you have any idea what would happen to him if his superiors found out that he didn't just fail his mission, but that he also let the Eye of Magnus slip from his grasp and into the hands of the Psijic Order because he got possessed? Because I do."

She already had their full attention, but their interest piqued even higher when Cirilonde held out Taurmillan's golden necklace for them to see between her fingers.
"Do you see this necklace? It was a gift of my betrothed. Normally, one would rejoice at the prospect of marriage, but this man? This man made me watch. He made my parents watch…" Tears streamed down Cirilonde's face. "…They made us watch while they butchered my poor brother. He was to protect one of the Wise with his life and he failed. They made him pay with his life no matter how much I begged or pleaded for mercy. They gauged his eyes out. They ripped his ears off…They broke his bones and tore him limb to limb….I still smell the blood. I still hear his screams…" Her eyes suddenly began to burn with an intense hatred. "And this man who made me watch, a Lord Exarch, one of the most powerful men amongst the Thalmor, would only protect me and my family if I married him!"

No one made a sound, save that Ganir swore he could hear his heart break.

"Do you even understand that if we kill Ancano, that is exactly what they'll do to us? The White-Gold Concordat means nothing to the Thalmor. And if they don't know what really happened, then perhaps we just might survive, even if it means saving Ancano's life.

"And don't you dare say it was all his doing. After all, was it not Tolfdir and I who discovered the Eye of Magnus? Did none of you object to Savos when he gave the order to bring that damnable thing here? None of you did anything, but Ganir and I were forced to go through hell and back. You have no right…" Some of the Masters hung their head in shame. None of them had known that the fair and gentle Cirilonde had suffered so. None of them had known what they had put Ganir through. "Yes, Ancano will severely begrudge and hate us. But he will cooperate because he will have no. Other. Choice. So, we either see if we can work with Ancano, or we kill him and face the Thalmor's wrath."

But Cirilonde didn't even have to await any kind of response because the Masters' expressions said it all. This pleased her, because in the brief moments she wasn't taking care of Ancano, she had heard the hushed whispers and criticism. She had endured their relentless pressure and questions. At long last, she felt she could calm down some. "Now, who wants to hear my plan?"

Wo meyz wah dii vul junaar? Who dares enter my dark kingdom?
Nivahriin muz fent siiv aaz het! Cowards shan't find mercy here!