Oh, my... do you know how awesome it is to hear that people like my writing? It's like a blessing or something awesome like that—like getting' all the new downloads for Oblivion! Anyway, here's the new chap!

Preferred Song: 'Good Enough' by Evanescence

-+-

Xilivicus sat within a grand ebony cage. His body fully exposed before the Court of Dagon who surrounded him. He sat with a bowed throbbing head and a heavy black heart. His wrists were shackled together before him as were his feet. His eyes fell upon the tattoos on his arms and he flexed his muscles, watching them bulge and expand like pulling fabric and watching the weaves pull tight together. He sat in this cage for he was the prosecuted.

The Crime?

Love.

The Court who surrounded him were all hooded in long robes whose material was as fiery as lava and macabre as freshly drawn blood. His tangerine eyes narrowed as he looked up to see Dagon seated upon a grand throne on a pedestal. His Lord's eyes fell before him and he merely listened as the court was put in session. A Dremora rose and tilted his head up. His long spiked horns piercing through the hood. "Brother Xilivicus… Dremora Councilman… once prized Prince of Blood Well… you were summoned here on being accused of…" the Dremora tossed his eyes down to a golden parchment that lie before him. His lips pursed as his eyes lifted and he repeated from the lines written before him, "… falling in love… with a human girl… what say you to this?"

A few twisted whispers came from the lips of the court and Dagon merely leaned back and propped his jaw up with his knuckles. Xilivicus lifted his head high and snarled back at his brother Dremora, "I say… you are a liar."

The scene had melted away like hot wax dripping down a candlestick. Xilivicus closed his eyes tightly as a burning flame seemed to engulf him. The shackles dissipated into the air and he soon stood free in a rather cold environment. He heard the call of a lone wolf and he slowly opened his eyes to a great moon overwhelming the sky. His pupils shrank as the light surprised and almost blinded him. He lowered his gaze and tilted his head to a side allowing thick waved locks of orange fall into his face. He grunted and as his vision cleared he saw a robed woman approach him through a thicket of soaring redwood trees.

She glided upon the air with a beautiful snow white flower in her soft grasp. Her hood lifted and her beautiful eyes fell upon the Dremora. She held neither fear nor surprise for his shuddering appearance. Instead, she looked upon him with adoration and remorse. Her lips which were as red as rubies pursed and she called out in a melodic voice, "… I truly thought you would change your ways… my son."

Xilivicus furrowed his brow with a look of incredulity lingering upon his façade, "…Dibella?" He called out to her. Certainly not… or… was it?

Through the thicket approached another woman. She too equaled the beauty of the first. Her long golden hair was weaving together like the weaves of a basket. She held within her grasp two ropes that entangled in the middle; symbolizing two immortal souls locking together in a perpetual love. "We did what was for the best of you," her kind and gentle voice called out to him in the moonlit night. Her head bowed in sorrow as she continued, "… we truly thought you would change."

"Mara… Dibella?" Xilivicus muttered. "B-But how… why are you here?" Suddenly, his eyes iced over with hatred and he snarled with a clenched jaw, "and what the hell am I doing here with you?"

Dibella bowed her head. So much that he did not understand and there was such little time to explain. "Xilivicus… darling… you are dreaming. We have made ties with Vaermina to enable us to react with you in your own dreams… or nightmares; whichever you happen to be having at this precise moment in time."

Mara nodded and quickly continued, "Xilivicus… there is a great threat coming to your gate of Oblivion. Surely, we should not be here speaking with you if it was not for our own cause."

"We are not able to tell you specifically what is coming," Dibella added while caressing the petals of the flower, "but we need to warn you before it's too late-"

"-And before you are killed along with the rest of the Daedra in your gate," said Mara, "You have been our greatest interest in all of our followers-"

Xilivicus narrowed his eyes, "If I was such a great interest to the both of you then why did you leave me in here to rot for the rest of eternity?! Why did you not free me from this Hell that you had so willingly returned me to?!"

"There are rules, Xilivicus," Dibella urged. "We are not to step past particular guidelines and taking a Dremora and freeing him from Oblivion is certainly one of them!"

Mara nodded and added, "We are all bounded by the cosmic rules, Dremora Xilivicus. We must abide to them even if it is in our greater will to set you free."

The Dremora turned and began to walk away. No longer had he wanted any part of this conversation. Crystal blue fireflies fluttered through the cold atmosphere lighting a path for the Dremora. He walked through the forest and out of the abyss the two Goddesses returned in front of him. He froze in his footsteps with troubled eyes, "I told you both to leave me the bloody hell alone! Can you not see that I do not return the love that you claim you give to me?!"

Dibella's eyes frost over with annoyance, "No matter how much you may curse us, Mara and I love you like our own son. You might not see our plans working in your life, but when you look back upon it you will see how great of a sacrifice we made for you."

Xilivicus scoffed, "Sacrifice… what a lot of rubbish," he waved them off and snarled, "You have made no sacrifice for me and never shall I look back upon this moment. Our bounds are broken through who we are—you are the Cyrodiil Goddesses and I… Lord Dagon's Servant… a Dremora of Oblivion who only may worship Daedric Lords and Ladies."

Mara pursed her lips and snapped back, "You choose who you worship, you aren't born with that obligation!"

Xilivicus swirled at them and spat, "Then I pick Lord Dagon… your laws are all a bit of rubbish. Never in my life have his laws contradicted my way of life!"

"Oh, but haven't they?" Mara asked while narrowing her eyes. "Is it not the nightmare of being blamed of falling in love with the High Elf Maiden, Elizabeth?"

"Shut your mouth," Xilivicus snarled.

"…and is it not the dream of you and Elizabeth finally becoming one that seems to haunt you every day and night?" Dibella pressed on.

"I said, shut your mouth!"

"… and is it not the same girl who lies within your arms in Oblivion who you so willingly refused orders to protect and in refusing your orders you refused Lord Dagon's laws and customs of average Daedra?"

"I said shut up!" Xilivicus boomed.

Dibella stepped even closer, her voice echoing through the treetops and piercing holes within the Heavens, "…and is it not the same girl who you view as a blessing and are absolutely terrified of ever losing her?! Well… is she?!"

"SHUT UP!" The Dremora bellowed at the top of his lungs.

The Goddesses disappeared into black smokes soon vanishing from his dream. He fell upon his knees and clutched his head with clenched eyes. His fingertips brushed over his horns and his eyes ripped open. He leaned his head up and saw within his own shadow the Daedric appearance… the horrid appearance. In this moment Xilivicus felt something warm overcome him. His chest began to heave and softly he felt teardrops roll down his cheeks. What was this? His trembling hands lifted and touched the water drops. He recoiled his hand and looked at the moist fingertips with a rather curious gaze.

"… Tears…" whispered someone from behind him. "… Mortals give them off when they are stressed or are in a deep wave of sorrow. In your situation, I shall presume that it is not the stress that makes you cry."

Xilivicus swirled around with narrowed eyes expecting the Goddesses. Suddenly, his eyes lightened and out of the darkness came an old woman who carried a great staff. She walked rather flawlessly for such a woman and immediately the Dremora whispered, "Vaermina…"

The old woman smiled and walked over, "Your nightmares have been the worst that I have ever seen before, Dremora. Especially from such a creature as yourself. Falling in love with humans? Human gods desiring an audience with you? My, my, my… what have you gotten yourself into, little one?" she chuckled darkly while holding the staff closer to her. "… However, there is a great deal of information that they have given you that is indeed true. The threat upon Oblivion… it shall not just be in one gate… oh no… it shall be upon all the gates of Oblivion, sealing them away so no more Daedra may ever return to Tamerial."

Xilivicus furrowed his brow and with a broken voice he questioned, "Then what shall I do to protect us all? I am merely one Dremora… what power do I have over all Oblivion?"

Vaermina shrugged and scoffed, "You don't!"

The Dremora bowed his head and sighed deeply, "… and Elizabeth…"

"What about her?" questioned the Daedric Lady, "She is mortal. You cannot protect her from the inevitable."

"No," said he, "but I can delay it… I shall do all in my power to protect her from this greater evil."

Vaermina pursed her lips and looked up to the moon, "Dear boy, what if this 'evil' is not the sort of evil you may be thinking of?" The Dremora gave her a confused look and she continued with a smile. "Daedra and Human have two different levels of evil… what may be evil for you… may not be such a terrible thing for her… I shall not breathe a word of our little chat to Dagon… I'm sure that would be in the best interest of all of us. You have a decision to make, Churl. Do things for the interest of yourself… or the interest of others… think about that—my child." The woman lifted her staff into the air and the world dematerialized around them soon leaving the Churl in a dark abyss.

He closed his eyes tightly as the darkness swirled around him and tossed him as if he were in an ocean. Suddenly, his eyes ripped open and he lie upon his back in the dim tower of Oblivion. His breathe was rushed and sweat dripped down his brow making his skin glisten in the candlelight. A soft moan was given off beside him and his eyes turned and fell upon the Elven maiden who still lay asleep. Her head rested upon his arm and her hands softly clutching each other upon his chest. His head lay back and he looked up through the tower keep seeing the rolling crimson clouds and the camouflaged stars that masked themselves in darkness.

Xilivicus closed his eyes and listened to his throbbing heart leisurely die down in his chest. He knew that he should leave the angel by his side so she would not question his feelings towards her. His fingertips softly pushed away her from his chest and her head fell onto the pillow, her snow white hair soon cascading down with her. The Dremora sat up and watched her with attentive eyes. Her body was now pulsing with his heat. His own aroma seemed to encase her like a second layer of skin. He pushed himself up and stumbled forward as lightheadedness cursed him and he nearly toppled over.

Right as he stood, the maiden groaned and rubbed her eyes tiredly. The Dremora ran a hand through his long ginger hair attempting to straighten his waved locks. He leaned upon the wall and watched as she sat up with the blankets wrapped tightly around her. Her long silver hair just as waved as his was. She looked extraordinarily beautiful when she had awoken. Xilivicus pushed the image from his head and he grunted in an unpleased voice, "Have a nice nap?"

The Elf blinked a few times to get the blur away from her eyes. She raised her fists and rubbed her eyes, soon answering, "Mmm… it was particularly warm. I thought surely I would freeze throughout it!"

Xilivicus glanced off and merely mumbled. He had no input to say for he did not want to reveal that it was him who sacrificed his heat for her. Elizabeth rose with a grin and as she came to her feet she stood upon tiptoed as her arms reached out into the air and she sighed deeply. "When will the new commander arrive?"

"Not for a while," Xilivicus answered while walking over to her with a pair of laced up huntsman's pants. "Usually, if someone is going to be transferred here from another realm of Oblivion it might take a day or two… sometimes even longer if they are farther away. In that time, I will take you out and you shall begin to tell me everything interesting about your world and in return I will answer any question of Oblivion that you have."

Elizabeth took the pants from him and as she leaned down and began putting them on she smiled and laughed softly, "So, this shall be a sort of date then?"

Xilivicus furrowed his brow. Date; he asked himself, what was a date? He did not want to even ask her for he feared the answer. "... Put on those boots over there and we shall begin our journey." He said while tossing his gaze over to fur boots.

"Where did you get these new clothes?" She questioned.

The Dremora shrugged lightly while glancing off. "Torture chamber," he answered simply.

Elizabeth froze and simply looked at him with spacious eyes, "E-Excuse me?"

"Torture chamber," he repeated, "I think those belonged to a merchant we found wandering near the gate. He had no further use of it after his death, but you do have use for it."

The maiden cringed at the thought of used clothing from a dead man. She had never worn a deceased man's clothes before. She knew that what he said was true; surely that man had no further use for it. The girl walked over and slipped on the shoes, lacing them up to the fur rim. She then glanced over to Xilivicus and he nodded at her and quietly purred, "Follow me, then."

-+-

The Planes of Oblivion seemed fairly warm this day. The clouds in the sky lingered in place and watched as Xilivicus led Elizabeth down the dirt path around Oblivion. The girl was very curious and every item she found suspicious she neared and touched. Xilivicus pulled bloodgrass out by the root and held it up for her to examine, "It fortifies health to oneself. It's great to have around in case anything troubling happens while out here… over here is spiddal sticks, it does the absolute reverse of bloodgrass."

Elizabeth nodded and glanced up to her guard, "We have something like that in Tamerial. Mutton is used to fortify while Nightshade damages." She held the bloodgrass in her hand and examined it closer. Her eyes searched over the stalk and then she looked up. "There are all sorts of alchemistic ingredients to be found in Tamerial. Anywhere you look you may find some new flower or sap that might be used in poison or even an ointment."

The couple walked on and the Dremora looked out over the horizon seeing nothing but a haze of orange where the lava carried on. He sighed and glanced to her, "How far are your planes?"

"Planes?" questioned the girl.

The man nodded and then exchanged the words, "How large is your world…?"

"Oh!" her head perked up and she nodded, "Much larger than this plane, I suppose. It stretches on into mountains and oceans and travels to further and farther away lands that I haven't ever been told of."

"Oblivion is rather large itself if not sectioned off into little planes like this one. There are many Daedric Lords who own their identifiable realm. I've been to many of them as a messenger and a knight for Lord Dagon… however… it appears that I have never been into your Tamerial."

Elizabeth's brow puckered and she turned fully to him, "But you went into Kvatch to get me supplies."

"I only saw wreckage and mayhem. I never got to see beyond what I already knew." He replied while leading the girl over a large bridge that crossed over the lava.

Elizabeth glanced around and then asked distantly, "Where are your women?"

"Women?" Xilivicus questioned.

The girl nodded and looked up to him, "Surely you have women who you… mate with… to keep your species going. Where are they?"

Xilivicus glanced away and sighed deeply. "I haven't seen any women either in this plane. There are of course the Spider Daedra… but they aren't exactly the same class as we are. When I was…" he stopped and held his tongue. No, she couldn't know of his past. "… when I… first came here… I wandered that myself."

Elizabeth cocked her head to a side and then questioned, "So you never knew your mother?"

Xilivicus remained quiet as he thought back before being trained and shaped into a warrior. He saw two pairs of eyes look over him. Beautiful, loving eyes. That was all he could see. "… No… I don't remember her." Silence had surrounded them and leisurely the Dremora broke that silence, "what about you? Who were your parents?"

Elizabeth sighed a bothered and long sigh. Where was she to begin with them? "Let's see," she began, "My father was Jerald Asquerana… he was a strong powerful man in our city. Like… Broga is—or was—to this realm. He was very rich and a lot of people envied him." A frown lined her face as she bowed her head in shame, "… but… he never acted as a father. The only father that I knew was Bromus, my butler. My mother was Nithira… she was beautiful and extraordinary in everything that she did. We never truly got along either and I preferred it that way. She was like a rose, you see? So beautiful from a foot away but when you bend down to hold it, the thorns pierce you… my mother hated the fact that I was not as beautiful as she was. She'd scorn me and blame me for being the way I was."

Xilivicus looked up to the horizon, "She sounds horrible."

Elizabeth nodded and then sighed, "My brothers, Daelon, Caldwyn, and Orrick were the perfect sons my father could ever ask for. They were athletic and strong and they were favored over any boy in all of Kvatch." Her eyes became misty as she carried on, "They didn't care for me as well. I was just a weak simpleminded girl to them who would be married off and they would never see me again. My whole family… despised me—and for what reason? Because I never wanted to be born into royalty… I never wanted the life that they forced down my throat. I would beg to go out and play with the other children and I would soil my dresses with dirt and I would blow bubbles with my tongue... to them I was merely a mistake and nothing more."

The Dremora watched her considerately with a sympathetic scowl covering his face. He always thought that Elves were born into loving families without any problems whatsoever; however, her life seemed almost as challenging as his life. "… I'm sorry," he whispered to her as they stopped upon the bridge.

Elizabeth laughed weakly and waved the apology off. "No need to be sorry for me. I'm certain other people have had worse lives then me. You're lucky you don't remember far back at all."

Xilivicus felt a lump crawl up his throat and he spat out, "… I used to be a Prince."

The High Elf looked up with wide blue eyes that held all the interest of the world. Her head tilted scarcely and the Dremora carried on, "… I used to be one of Lord Dagon's council members. I was the highest official that you could possibly be. I walked upon these planes and the Daedra worshipped the ground I walked upon. Broga used to be my servant… the Clannfear were merely rats to me." He lifted his head high as he could remember so far back. Images swirled in his mind as he carried on, "… then one day… I was taken away from Oblivion."

"... How?" inquired the girl.

He looked down to his pants pocket as he pulled out the golden chain and pendant. "… I was summoned by Dibella the Goddess of Beauty… and Mara… the Goddess of Love. They had dealings with Lord Dagon and in order to repay what was put upon them, they took his grand Champion," his tangerine eyes rolled over to her and he smiled, "…me."

He chuckled and glanced away, "I can remember that day perfectly. I was brought before them like I was on trial. I stood fully exposed and bare and they looked upon me without fear or hatred. They became potters and they molded my body and shaped me. My face…" his hands reached up and touched his skin, "… became a work of art… and my body—became a shrine to the Goddesses. When they were finished they brandished a necklace and together they put it around my neck and sent me back to the Court. When I arrived… all stood in awe of me. Before they worshiped me like an idol but now—I was a god. Dagon was absolutely furious and he tortured me until I was nothing but blood and bone. He then sent me here to be the lowest of ranks… a Churl…"

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide as this story was told. He had met her goddesses?! How astounding! How extraordinary! How marvelous! Her chest seemed on fire and she nodded, "and what happened after that?"

Xilivicus looked upon her seeing such excitement and astonishment. He chuckled and continued, "Broga became my Master… the Clannfear became monsters and I feared them. My world was completely reversed and then one day I was pulled from the halls and thrown out into the planes of Oblivion and when I looked up I saw you standing before me… and you became a blessing to me."

The Elf smiled sweetly a soft pinked blush appearing at her cheeks, "A blessing?" She urged.

He nodded and said, "I had never met a genuine human before, and you did not seem to fear me at all when you saw me. You acted as though I were a human just like you… and all my life that was my greatest dream."

Elizabeth slowly lost her smile and she began to walk away. Her hands slid up and she entwined her fingers and held her fists below her chin in a praying pose. "… It's not that great to be human…"

Xilivicus furrowed his brow, "… what are you talking about?"

The Elf sighed and shook her head, "There's so much more then what you see, Xilivicus. It's not all some beautiful fairytale… tragedies happen and it seems like nothing ever goes according to your own plans. You're lucky to be a Daedra."

There was silence and for a few moments both members felt like they were entirely two different people. Xilivicus shook his head and snapped, "How dare you say I am lucky to be a Daedra! You think your pathetic little spoiled life is a tragedy?! I've felt worse pain they you shall ever feel! My body has been broken and beaten until there is nothing left within me! What has your greatest pain been? A stubbed toe? A knock on the forehead?!"

The Elf swirled around with pursed lips. She stalked forward and snarled, "Heartbreak, Xilivicus, heartbreak! I had a mother and father who hated me! They are out there right now in Tamerial and they are proud that I am not with them! I am a prisoner in this flaming pit of Hell! All I know and love is out through that portal and is burning to ashes! Your people destroyed my life!"

"My people?" He scoffed, "You are blaming my people for all this, are you? If it weren't for your greedy gods then we all wouldn't be in this mess! Lord Dagon was supposed to be the ruler of Tamerial yet your "gods" took that away from him! You brought this down upon yourself! As for heartbreak… you don't know heartbreak until you live in my world." He snarled while moving even closer a glare icing over his eyes. His fist pounded his chest and he continued, "I have lived all my life dreaming of living outside this realm and in your world! I never wanted to look like a monster, Altmer! I never wanted a hateful cold heart! I never wanted to serve Lord Dagon! I never wanted to fall in…" he stopped and turned fully away.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and scoffed, "Fall in, what?"

Xilivicus shook his head and puffed, "Forget it."

The Elf grabbed his shoulder and demanded, "Tell me!"

The Dremora swirled around and slapped her harshly sending her to the ground. His jagged nails sliced through her cheek and he watched as she fell to the dusty bridge floor in pain. She trembled and he boomed so hatefully at her, "I said forget it, wench!"

Elizabeth pushed herself up and she touched her cheek. As she pulled away her pale white fingertips she saw droplets of crimson blood. Her eyes shifted back and forth then she looked up to Xilivicus and snarled, "You are a monster… just like Broga." With that, she stood and sprinted down the bridge soon leaving the man all to himself.

Xilivicus's eyes widened and he watched her in shock. He was… like Broga?

He was… like Broga.

His head slowly fell and he could hear his voice echo in his head. The image played back at him and he watched as he hit her down. I said forget it, wench! I said forget it, wench! I said forget it, wench! ... He was a monster. The Dremora looked up at the direction Elizabeth ran and with all the might and willpower in his body he dashed after her.

Dibella… Mara! He called out to the Goddesses. Give me the power! Let me right my wrong; don't let me become like the other Daedra! Don't let me become a monster! He leapt up and ran across a boulder soon running down the side of it. His eyes searched back and forth as he looked for the maiden… his goal… his friend.

Elizabeth huffed and puffed as she ran around a corner with tears swelling in her eyes. She confessed to him about things she never told anyone. She spilled out her life before him and all he could do was laugh and mock her. She closed her eyes and as she swung her arm back and the other forward something caught onto her. A gasp protruded through her lips and she quickly stopped moving. Her head moved onward to some extent and her hair tossed in the air. She shook her head and screamed, "Let me go, savage! I hate you! I hate you! Do you hear me?! I HATE YOU!"

Xilivicus grasped her arm even tighter as she struggled and attempted to pull away from his grasp. His face was grave and unyielding as he pulled her back and as she came to him he wrapped his arms around her and held her so tightly that he could feel her heart beat into his chest. He closed his eyes and bowed his head upon her shoulder. Her fingertips dug into his sides and her long nails pierced his skin and drew blood.

The Dremora held her even tighter in his grasp as he whispered into her ear, "I'm so sorry…. Please forgive me…. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth's raging façade slowly faded as she felt a cold sensation on her shoulder. She heard a soft sobbing and her eyes widened. Her trembling hands wrapped fully around the Dremora and she held him tightly while leaning her head upon his. They stood in silence and softly she whispered back, "… I forgive you, Xilivicus. I do."

The Dremora closed his eyes and a few more tears were shed. His fingertips caressed the fabric of the tunic she wore. He could feel her back rise and fall with each breathe and it soothed him. He held her as tightly as possible without causing her any pain at all.

I never wanted to fall in love… he softly told himself. He opened his misty eyes and pulled away far enough to look inside her eyes. They stared up at him with kindness and a tenderness he was never shown before. He resisted the urge to lean down and kiss her. …you think I don't know heartbreak, Elizabeth? … You think I don't know?

Elizabeth raised a hand and cupped his cheek with it. A smile spread across her face and no words were spoken. There was no need of words for the moment. When she looked into those eyes a sensation ran over her and caressed past her heart causing it to flutter like a butterfly out an open window. Her chest rose and her fingertips caressed his soft purple skin involuntarily. What is this? She began to ask herself. Why does it feel… like I'm… "Xilivicus…" she called sweetly and softly out to him.

His eyes widened with attention and he looked down to her; waiting. The Elf looked up to him. His eyes so alluring and out of the ordinary. His skin was a soft warm purple that she adored ever so much. Her fingertips continued to caress his cheek and she then asked him, "… Hold me."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her torso, holding her securely. Her fingers entwined around his neck and they merely stood there together. Their eyes closed and they could hear the beating of one another's hearts… who together… sounded like one steady drum.

-TBC-

I think this might be my favorite chapter so far. Don't get used to the lovey-dovey scene, people. It's not going to last very long at all. R&R!! More reviews, faster I update! God Bless, hope you all have a wonderful weekend.