I'm really glad that people like my story. In art I'm painting a picture of Xilivicus with his hood on looking all determined with his orange eyes really vivid. I enjoy the beauty of Daedra. New Update, hope you enjoy.

-+-

The first rays of the sun began to pierce through the clouds and cause an array of fuchsia and golden colors to be painted across the heavens. Birds began to awake and twitter in the trees with excitement for a new day. Upon the rooftops of the Elven Gardens, Broga waited with agitated eyes. His black nails tapped across the limestone roof and he hissed fouled curses within his mind. How long should it take to capture a weak elf? An assassin tossed his eyes to the sky and he hissed in a dark hoarse voice, "Sir… its dawn… perhaps he had been slain."

"No," Broga snarled back while tossing his eyes up, "We would have seen guards walking in and out like mad." The commander shoved himself up onto his strong, yet sore, feet and he sighed deeply, "We must retreat to the sewers. If he comes out he will surely know where we are. Xion…"

The Assassin lifted his silver eyes and hissed, "Yes, sir?"

Broga glanced back to the tavern and he let out a profound sigh as he demanded, "Infiltrate and find out what happened to him."

Xion sheltered a wicked crazed smirk on his cracking bloody lips and he nodded, "It would be my honor, sir." He glanced down to the tavern and quickly ran to the edge of the roof. As he leapt off the building, a green swirl had encased his entire body and slowly he vanished within the air like a phantom. Broga grinned and backed up soon following his associates down the wall and into the sewers.

As one of the assassins propped upon the grate, he glanced up and questioned, "You don't think that he and the girl are…"

Broga's eyes lit up and nearly lit the assassin on fire who cringed and withdrew to some extent with alarm. The commander scoffed and snarled quietly, "For his sake… he better not be," the black Dremora leapt into the sewers and disappeared from the daylight.

-+-

Xilivicus lowered his head knowing that if they would give his face a closer look they would realize he was not what he pretended to be. He took a step back in anxiety as the guards and Jerald stood before him just like statues. The crystal eyes of the lord tore through the hood and attempted to unmask the man before him. "Well, Dunmer… I'm waiting."

The Churl's eyes lifted up slightly and the pupils began to disappear in a fiery pit. He didn't foresee getting caught at this point. He desired to return to Oblivion and tell Lord Dagon that he didn't wish to be a part of this mission. Therefore, he hadn't conjured up an excuse if he was detained. The Dremora's hand quivered beside his belt where a dagger was concealed. No—he couldn't hurt this man. It was Elizabeth's father. His hand relaxed and the cogs in his mind revolved around as he began to think.

Suddenly, Xilivicus had ripped himself through the air and tossed himself at one of the guards. He snarled as he launched his boot into the air and blasted the guard backwards. Jerald's eyes widened and he quickly moved out of the way for he was unarmored and carried no weapon. The guard collided with the wall harshly and the breathe was shoved out of his lungs. He choked and tried to breathe as his fellow guard unsheathed his sword and positioned himself. A sneer spread across his lips as he lifted the blade and swung it forward. Xilivicus quickly ducked and spun around sideswiping the guard with his heel causing a dent in the side of his armor. The Dremora crouched and watched as the first guard snarled soon regaining his balance. His feet shuffled across the floor as he darted forward attempting to tackle the criminal to the ground.

The guard forced himself upon the Churl and grasped his arms holding them behind his back making him fall upon his knees, "Continue to resist arrest and your life shall be forfeit!"

The Churl's eyes widened and he clenched his jagged teeth as he freed his arms from behind his back and thrusted his elbow into the guard's face. Bones broke and blood quickly rolled down the guard's lips as he nearly fell back upon his rear. Xilivicus was lifted back up to his feet and he turned and held his hands up rather to protect or destroy. The second guard sprinted forward and grunted as he lifted his sword and swiped fast and true. The blade pierced the Dremora's robe and flesh and Xilivicus stumbled back. Blood droplets formed and began to stain his robe. His head lifted and he prepared himself for the next swing.

Humans were barbaric and unthinking when it had come to fights such as these. Daedra were skilled and gave thought to each action and reaction. The guard lifted his blade with all his energy and quickly brought it down. The Dremora's eyes narrowed as he could see the blade cut through the air and fall to him. His hands burst through the atmosphere and just as the blade came down he slapped the blade in between his palms and twisted it soon pulling it from the guard's grasp.

The Imperial watched in dismay as Xilivicus twisted it and tossed it up into the air like a baton. The Daedra stood straight and as the sword flipped into the air he stuck his hand up and caught it with simplicity. Quickly, he brought it down and pointed the edge into the Imperial's face. He smirked delicately in victory. The Imperial blinked rapidly and just as he was about to turn and run, Xilivicus leapt forward and turned the sword slightly soon knocking the Imperial across the head with the hilt; causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.

Jerald stood by with a look of horror across his pale face. Charcoal slivers of hair falling into his face as he pressed himself upon the wall. Who was this man?! The last guard stood up wiping blood from his fractured nose and spitting out a glob of it from his mouth. The blood splattered onto the floor and the guard stormed forward with the sword tight in his grasp. He swung his sword and Xilivicus nearly fell over trying to block it. This guard was showing all his rage and malice through his actions and it was an advantage for him.

Xilivicus swung back and the two were engaged in a sword fight. The Imperial swung at Xilivicus and just as the Churl swung back the guard had ducked and the sword pierced through a cupboard soon becoming stuck. The Dremora gave it a few jerks to no prevail. The guard smirked and quickly started swinging at the Churl knowing this was it for him.

With a gasp and a thumping heart, Xilivicus stumbled backwards; dodging every blow. With every dodge the Dremora saw flashes of the Hero swinging violently at him. The Oblivion Plane piercing his mind and his anger soon growing with every move. The guard became reckless and as they waltzed across the room, cupboards were tipped over and tables were shredded into pieces. Chairs were thrown and carpets and rugs were pushed out of position as well. The Churl tripped over a chair and the guard swung soon piercing the hood and tearing a large hole into the fabric. One of his tangerine eyes appeared from the darkness and the guard froze in astonishment, "You're not a Dark Elf!" He exclaimed.

"No," Xilivicus snarled, "I'm not." He launched his fist back and soon thrusted it forward, his jagged knuckles cracking the guard's jaw and sending him tumbling through the air soon hitting the floor unconscious.

Jerald glanced around the room and soon his eyes rose to the stranger. He narrowed his eyes and snarled, "Who are you?!"

Xilivicus walked forward with a grave face and narrowed eyes, "I'm not your enemy… if that's what you are wondering."

"I beg to differ," a dark familiar voice snarled behind the Dremora.

The Churl furrowed his brow and whipped his head around just in time to see the flat broad part of an axe ram into his head. The Churl lunged to a side and hit the ground roughly on his side. His eyes blurred and he saw a figure approach him leaning the battleaxe upon his shoulder. Xilivicus narrowed his eyes and hissed lightly, "…you…" His eyes closed and he drifted into darkness soon leaving reality.

-+-

Darkness had fully consumed Elizabeth's mind as she began to dream a dark dream. She ran through a morbid and insane plane of Oblivion. Her heart pounded heavily as the blackness chased her. She heard its battle cries and as it fell over everything it devoured and destroyed it completely. The girl sprinted faster and faster until she got to an edge of the trail she was upon. She came to an immediate halt and looked over the edge of a mountain trail to see all of Tamerial. Her eyes narrowed and her head swiftly swirled around as she saw crimson eyes overcome her and the blackness encased her.

Come out to play, Elizabeth. The dark's voice echoed out and cackled manically.

The girl ripped her eyes open and she saw the ceiling of a bedroom. Gleaming sweat rolled down her body as she listened to the fastened pace of her heavy heart. She leaned up within the bed and looked to the door which was cracked enough to let a golden ray of light flood into the room. Her eyes searched the door as she remembered the earlier stages of her dream… when she spoke to Xilivicus. It seemed so real and so actual as if she wasn't dreaming at all. Her pale hand lifted and ran through her hair as she tried to compose herself.

Her cobalt eyes traveled around the room to see everything in place. Her eyes fell upon the golden necklace and she quickly scooped it into her hands and fastened it around her neck. The artic golden rope cooled her neck and she sighed softly soon rising from her bed. She walked over to her dresser and opened it up soon pulling out a silk blue robe. She wrapped it around herself with a smile. Surely, her father would be awake and she could discuss her dream with him. Bromus always was delighted in hearing her fascinating dreams.

The Elf walked over to her door and as she pulled it open she stopped and looked upon the chaotic mess before her. The entire living quarter corridor was destroyed. Maids rushed back and forth picking up fallen chairs and redecorating tables and such as butlers lifted cupboards and dressers off their sides and placed them back along the wall. Elizabeth walked a little further out and her eyes fell down to the ground where a glob of blood had fallen. She sidestepped around it and began walking to her father's room.

She glanced back at the maids as she opened the door. "Father," she began with a worried tone, "what happened out in the-" Her eyes turned forward and she stopped seeing her father accompanied with another man.

Jerald glanced over the Hero's shoulder with a smile, "Elizabeth… you're alright. Thank the Nine!"

The Hero turned soon giving the girl a glance. The silk robe was pulled tightly around her figure showing off most of her curves. The Hero turned his undivided attention towards her as a smirk became of the corner of his lips. The maiden gave the Hero a glance then turned back to her father as she held her robes tighter together, "What happened out there? It looks as if there was a fight."

"Indeed there was," Jerald sighed while walking over to the door and closing it so no maids could overhear him and spread those damn rumors like they always did when someone asked about it. "We've come to believe that an assassin had come to kill you while we all were asleep. He was masked and appeared to be a Dunmer; nonetheless, we truly don't know what he was." Jerald glanced back with a weak smile, "Luckily, our brave knight had just returned from Kvatch and knocked that damned criminal out before he had a chance to attack you!"

Elizabeth furrowed her brow and felt chills run down her spine as she could sense the darkness in the room watching her. "A murderer…" Just like in my dream, she thought quietly to herself. "Do you truly think he was here to… harm me?" She questioned with narrowed eyes.

The Hero nodded and walked forward, his gleaming silver armor cleaned from battle and repaired as well, "Yes… your father and I both believe that the Daedra had sent out an agent to get rid of you since you were one of the only survivors that had been in Kvatch and held as a prisoner. No longer is it safe here for us, we must leave immediately."

"No," Elizabeth gasped referring to her dream. "I… I believe it would be best if we traveled during the light of the day. If anyone were to follow us we would recognize them and realize their presence instead of us traveling in the dimness of the morning."

Jerald nodded lightly and agreed, "Yes, that sounds safe. Then we must find a better place to locate ourselves, somewhere that these agents could not come unless ludicrous enough."

The Hero nodded and crossed his arms before him, adding in his two cents, "In the guard's barracks would be the best place. I shall find Hieronymous Lex and ask if we may have premission to rest within the barracks until midday then we shall find another place to locate ourselves."

Jerald turned fully to the Hero and questioned, "Do you think that the agent we found here was the only one they sent?"

The Hero shook his head, "Daedra might be reckless creatures; however, they are smart enough to send out a few agents for every task. Nonetheless, we must take precautions."

Elizabeth bowed her head and wondered to herself as her father and the knight conversed together. Her dreams had all been so consumed by the Oblivion way of life that it seemed like a parasite that drove into her body and sucked her dry of any hope or faith. Each dream opened up to an image of her being chased by some greater darkness. The girl's hand reached up and caressed the pedant on her necklace. She needed someone to take care of her. This wasn't going to be the last of these assassins of that she was sure.

"I am sorry to say that I cannot stay long. It appears that Martin Septim needs me in Cloud Ruler Temple." The Hero had said with a deep sigh.

"Martin Septim?" questioned the girl who finally arrived in the conversation, "Another heir to the throne?"

The Hero gave a short nod with a furrowed dark brow. "That is why the Daedra had attacked Kvatch. Martin was there and knew not of his great heritage. Jaufree, an old blademaster, Martin and I are going to find a way to close the Oblivion gates for good. I wish I could stay here with you all, but I am needed elsewhere."

Jerald nodded in respect, "I understand, sir knight. Please… go with the Asquerana blessing and return in one piece."

The Hero smiled greatly and chuckled, "Victory shall be ours. No Daedra shall walk upon Cyrodiil soil and live!" He turned to the maiden and bowed before her, "Ms. Asquerana, may you be safe as well. I could not imagine what I would do if I heard that you had been hurt or even worse."

Elizabeth smiled weakly and she soon asked, "When shall you be leaving?"

"By midday," answered he while exhaling noisily. "Until then, I shall be your own personal guard. After that, your father shall choose a new guard to substitute for me while I am gone."

Jerald nodded and glanced over to his daughter, "Since we shall be in the city until midday, I wonder if it would be a good idea to further inspect the assassin. He is being held in a cell in the Imperial Prison. If there was a way we could successfully interrogate him then we might be able to find out more about his master's plans."

The Hero pursed his lips and answered, "I shall go on my own. If he is not willing to speak then I shall torture him until we get what we need."

Elizabeth's ears perked and she saw the opportunity to see if this man was of Daedric relations or not, "I'll go with you."

"No," the Hero retorted. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you-"

"-nothing will," the Elf urged with pleading eyes. "You are the greatest of knights standing on the foundations of the Imperial City, let alone all of Cyrodiil. Please, I wish to look into the eyes of my attacker. Let me go."

The Hero searched her eyes; skeptic. He then looked over to Jerald and questioned, "Would that be tolerated, sir?"

Jerald sighed and nodded, "Guide her to the Imperial prison and let her begin to ask the questions. If it is useless then you may proceed with the torture. I am sure that the guard would have no worries of that if it were for the greater of the Empire."

"Yes, sir." The Hero said while glancing to Elizabeth. "Go and get dressed then we shall begin our passage to the prison."

The High Elf maiden frantically nodded and took off to her bedroom like a little child. The Hero watched her with attentive eyes as she left. He examined her figure and slowly he looked back to Jerald, "Have you told her of our agreement?"

Jerald's saddened eyes lifted and he replied, "No… I fear that it shall add more weight upon her shoulders. She is going through too much at the moment. Please, let me tell her when this crisis has calmed and she is no longer burdened with the burning images of Oblivion."

The Hero remained silent. His dark woodland eyes moving back to the door where Elizabeth had exited from.

-+-

"T-They took him away! I… I don't know who it was!" gasped a drunkard.

The Assassin shook his head with shame soon snarling, "Wrong answer." He crouched down and picked up the man's leg soon lifting it into the air. The drunkard sobbed as he attempted to move but was immobilized completely. The Dremora lifted his boot and placed the ball of his foot on the man's knee. With one hard kick, there was a horrifying snap and the man's knee was forced backwards. A few blood droplets fell as bone pierced through the skin and made the man's leg distorted.

The man gritted his teeth and roared out in pain. His chest heaving with every sob, "P-P-Please," spit had gathered in his mouth and his face turned red as he snarled. "I don't… know… know anything else!"

The Assassin sighed and looked around in the basement of the King and Queen's Tavern. He had jumped this man and dragged him down here after he saw a few guards carry Xilivicus out. "Where… did they take him?" he snarled.

"M-More… and likely the prison. It's on the outskirts of the city! D-Due Northeast! That's all I know! Please! Have mercy!" The man wept as all the pain consumed him and a dark eternal fire burned him alive.

The Assassin narrowed his eyes and nodded, "Mercy you say? You wish for mercy? Why… then let me grant you your final wish." The assassin unsheathed his Daedric longsword as he stood over the man. He placed the tip over the man's heart and with one rough shove the blade pierced through him and killed him.

-+-

The Bastion door was pushed open and Elizabeth walked in with her hands before her and her head bowed. The Hero walked in behind her and glanced around seeing the small circular main room of the prison. A guard sat behind a minute mahogany desk soon lifting his eyes to greet the visitors. Elizabeth grinned and walked forward, "We came to interrogate a prisoner. He was just brought in from the King and Queen Tavern. You wouldn't mind allowing us down there, would you?"

The guard shifted his eyes between the High Elf and the Hero. He recognized the man immediately as the Hero of Kvatch and the Arena Grand Champion. Surely, this was not for some little game. The guard pushed himself out of his chair and said, "I shall open the door for you, but I will have to accompany you."

The Hero pulled a small rawhide sack from his belt and tossed it down upon the table. "What say you to… 50 septims, and you forget that we're even here, hmm?" A smirk pulled across his lips.

The guard grinned and picked up the bag with a sigh, "It's the door to my right, here's the key." He reached inside his pocket and withdrew a dark bronze key and soon handed it to the Hero.

The Hero took it and grinned soon glancing back to Elizabeth, "Let's get on with it."

Elizabeth frowned as she looked to the key. Was this how the Hero worked? He bribed and paid off people to get what he wanted. Surely the guard would be no trouble if he were to accompany them. She digressed and watched as the Hero sauntered over to the door, his boots clicking across the limestone floor as he went. The maid examined the room out of curiosity and soon quickly followed, her silk slippers padding across the floor as she went.

Within the prison keep, in the darkness of an empty cell, the Dremora Xilivicus sat with wide eyes. He searched the blackness around him that embraced him like a blanket of silk. It held tight to his body and almost made it hard to breathe. Blood rolled down the abrasion on his head, yet this hadn't seemed to bother the man. He pondered his next move for he had heard the guards speaking of how hard it would be for him to break away from the prison. The Churl was the only prisoner in this wing of the prison.

It felt so awkward to only hear the dripping of water fall from the moist limestone ceiling. The sound of rats slipping through holes in the walls was his company as well. Xilivicus lifted his hand and brushed his fingertips over his lips. His lips felt smooth and moist. Possibly the aftershock of having your first kiss.

Suddenly, there was a loud creak and the prison door had been propped open. Xilivicus tossed his eyes back and forth in the darkness listening as two pairs of footsteps walk down the coiled stairs. He scooted back in the darkness and pressed himself against the wall with a fear looming upon him like a monster. In front of the bars of his cell he saw the Hero appear. Abruptly, the Dremora's eyes iced over with malice and he leapt upon his feet with a glare. The Hero glanced into the darkness and grinned, "Concealing yourself again, are you? It shan't work this time you pathetic criminal."

Xilivicus stormed forward and just as he did another figure appeared in front of his cell. As he caught sight of this new visistor he froze.

Elizabeth, he whispered to himself. He slowly backed up in the darkness hoping that she had not seen him. The maiden glanced into the cell and narrowed her eyes, "… he is in there?" She questioned.

"Yes," the Hero retorted. "I can smell his foul entity from here."

Xilivicus gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes in abhorrence. Oh, how he wanted to cut down this decieving bastard. The Churl's hands curled into royal purple fists. The maiden stepped closer to the bars with a glare. Her bright eyes attempting to illuminate the darkness so she may see her attacker. "Step into the light. I wish to see your face."

The Dremora's eyes scanned the dark floor, even though it was pitch black he could still see figures upon the ground. He leaned over and found a broken piece of brick upon the ground. As he raised he aimed at the cell door and hoped that it wouldn't hit her. He tossed the brick forward and it shattered upon the gate making Elizabeth recoil with wide eyes. The Hero carefully pushed the girl out of the way knowing he hadn't wanted her to get hurt. "Try that again, prisoner, and see what will become of you."

Xilivicus smirked and picked up a pebble lying upon the ground he tossed it forward and watched as it rolled across the floor. The Hero glanced down and then glared up hatefully taking a lockpick from his pocket and shoving it into the lock. Elizabeth grabbed his shoulder and shook his head, "Force won't be needed. Violence won't get us anything but sinful hands and unanswered questions."

The Hero growled as he ripped the lockpick from the lock and snapped, "Well, your way isn't precisely faeries and meadows, either!"

Elizabeth shook her head and glanced back into the cage, "If you do not fall into my demands then you will be tortured. Do you understand?" Xilivicus stood quiet knowing if he were to say anything that she would recognize his voice. Elizabeth grasped the bars and glanced in. "Can you speak?"

"Of course he can speak," the Hero groaned. "He's trying to agravate us and-"

"-and it's working," Elizabeth sighed. "Do not let your anger get the best of you." Her eyes were tossed back into the cell and she said, "Tap on the wall two times for yes and once for no, okay?"

Xilivicus stepped back and with a curled fist he pounded upon the wall twice. His eyes narrowed as he watched Elizabeth search in the darkness for him. He appeared as a phantom in the snow. Seeming to blend in and vanish completely. Elizabeth grinned brightly and nodded, "Ok, good! We're getting somewhere…" the Hero rolled his eyes and leaned back upon the wall watching the maiden work. How could she get anywhere without force? It would take them hours before they got answers out of this agent! "Possibly if you answer our demands then we could set you free sooner then you were expected to. Now, did you come into the King and Queen Tavern to harm me or my father?"

Xilivicus furrowed his brow and he leaned his fist upon the wall. He pounded harshly once allowing the noise to echo out to the maiden. How long was this charade to last? As the Hero heard the knock he scoffed and whispered, "What lies…"

Elizabeth pursed her lips and ignored her companion, "What did you come to the tavern for, then?" The Churl raised an eyebrow and pounded a few times upon the wall. Elizabeth's mouth fell agape and quickly she perked up, "Oh! These are only 'yes and no' questions! I'm sorry—"

The Dremora smiled at her sweet innocence and… slight ignorance. He pulled back his throat with his muscles and his voicebox had altered. As he spoke, his voice sounded almost shaky and very hoarse like a creature who had been taught to speak, "There are things that I am not allowed to tell," he snarled in his Daedric voice, "respect that, girl."

Elizabeth's face turned white as she heard him. His voice… he was a Daedra. She leaned upon the bars and quickly snapped, "Why were you sent here?"

He kept quiet for a moment and snarled, "To kill the Hero of Kvatch, are you that incompetent, mortal?"

The High Elf lowered her brow with a glare. This was not Broga or any other Daedra from the Oblivion Plane that she was at. However, she did not meet all the Daedra. "…do you know of the man named Xilivicus?"

The Churl's eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't as surprised at the fact that she mentioned him, but more of the fact that she had called him a man and not a monster or a Dremora. He bowed his head and replied, "Why would I care to collect the names of mortals?"

The Hero sighed and demanded, "Who do you work for, monster?"

"The mudcrabs… who do you bloody think I work for, imbecile?!" Xilivicus lashed out with a slight anger for the question.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and snapped at the Hero, "Would you please allow me to ask the questions?! If he was sent to kill you then surely his master is Lord Dagon!"

The Hero pursed his lips and remained silent. The Elf glanced back and asked, "How many of you are there in Tamerial?"

Xilivicus frowned and said softly, "… five… four assassins, one commander, and then myself."

Elizabeth tilted her head and pressed further on, "Commander… who is your commander?"

-+-

" Commander Broga," called out Xion who quickly slid down the ladder in the Elven Garden Sewer, "I have good news!"

The black Dremora lifted his head up. He had been sharpening his swords waiting for any news. The crimson eyes were alit as he heard Xion call out to him. The other assassins snapped to attention, too. They had been training and inhancing their skills if they were soon to be needed. "What news do you have, private?" Broga snarled.

The Assassin grinned while wiping blotches of blood from his toffee colored hands, "Xilivicus has been arrested. He resides in the Imperial prison Northeast of the city!"

Broga sat quiet for a moment. His eyelids fell over his eyes and he questioned, "… how in Dagon's name is this good news?"

The insane assassin chuckled and said, "Xilivicus has visitors at this precise moment and by the looks of it they shall be there a while."

The Commander stood and demanded, "Who are these visitors, Xion?"

"The maiden and the Hero," Xion twittered.

Broga's eyes exploded and he grinned, "… I suppose this is good news afterall, private." He glanced up and looked over to the other assassins who lingered upon his commands. Broga tossed his head towards a sewer corridor and he ordered, "Go through the sewers… get out through the exits and go to the Bastion. Sneak into the prison and kill any guards that may see you. Do not alert the Knight or Maiden of your precense… now go."

The assassins lifted their hoods and pulled it over their short jagged horns. They dashed down the corridors and vanished within the depths of the sewers. Broga chuckled and spoke lightly to himself, "It appears that you shall once again be reunited with me, dear maiden." He walked over to a table of alchemistic ingrediants and a few poisoned daggers remembering back in Kvatch when he had attempted to take advantage of the Elf. He narrowed his eyes and lifted a hand soon running a gray fingertip over a long scar down his left eye. "…let this encounter be better then the last." He lifted his hood which caused his black face to disappear. His crimson eyes barely visible as they opened. He turned and promptly stormed down the corridor knowing that it was now or never.

So let the games begin.

-TBC-

R this chapter was a little delayed. I've been really busy lately. New chapter coming next week or so. Hope you Enjoyed.