Hah… you know what I should do to make people happy? Put Broga and the Hero in a fight and they both kill each other. So far, no one really likes them at all. (I think Broga's controlling dominance is rather hot. But that's me.) Updation; hope you enjoy.

Preferred Song: 'All About Us' – t.A.T.u

-+-

"… Who is your commander?" she questioned with a fluttering heart that had feared a certain name.

Xilivicus turned his eyes away from her and snarled in his Daedric accent, "I told you there were things I could not tell you."

The Hero snarled and shoved himself off the wall, "You are asking worthless questions!" He shoved past the girl and removed the lockpick from his pocket soon jamming it into the lock with a snarl, "We shall get nowhere unless the proper force is exerted!"

Elizabeth leapt forward and amazingly she twirled the lockpick out of his hand and she tossed it aside with a fiery glare. Her small lips pursed together and her nostrils flared as a sudden vexation flowed through her veins. "Stop being rash! Look… torture shall only cloud his mind from the truth. If you want to at least show a little force then go up to the guard and get some rope. We'll tie him down and I'll standby and watch you ask the questions. Now go."

The Hero searched her eyes with drawn lips. His voice hid within his throat and with a scoff he stormed out of the prison soon slamming the door. Elizabeth bowed her head to examine the floor. Her rage was beginning to be released. Remembering the Dremora, her head swirled around and her energetic eyes scorched the cell and caused Xilivicus to nearly leap from his skin. The maiden stepped closer with a hateful snarl, "Listen here, Daedra. You better answer my questions before he gets back and takes this matter into his own hands. Don't you understand he's going to kill you if you don't talk?!"

"There are worse things than death, mortal." He hissed back while pacing in the blackness. He felt the spirits of his ancestors swirl around him. The lineage of Daedra pushed down upon his shoulders and raised him to a rank that he knew he could never amount to. "So little you understand…"

"Then help me understand!" She snapped. "You won't tell me anything!"

"For good reason, your friend wishes to use it against me and my Kyn! It is not you that I don't trust, girl, it's your barbaric thug that I don't trust." Xilivicus hissed. It was beginning to become harder as he attempted to hold his Daedric accent around her.

The girl's pasty petite hands had wrapped firmly around the rusting iron bars. Her head leaned close to the door as she hissed, "Then tell me now, Dremora! Before your life becomes forfeit! Why has Dagon sent you?!"

"I am to capture you," he answered in the abyss, "and take you back to Dagon as the Ultimate Scholar of this land."

Elizabeth's eyes widened a little as he began to spill the truth from his lips like water. She leaned her head away and stepped back as well, "… do your… Kyn… know that you're here?"

Xilivicus leaned his head up. The tone of his skin and eyes blending together in the dark. He saw her by the gate and wished that he were a human like her. No longer had he wanted Tamerial's hate to scorch him like hellfire. "They are not oblivious beings. Knowledge of these walls holding me back from returning to them shall carry to them quickly."

The High Elf rubbed the curve in her lips with the side of her index finger as she pondered aloud, "Then surely they will come here for you. Then they will find me as well and your mission shall be a success."

"However, that is not what I truly want," said he. "For you do not know that the Dremora Xilivicus and I were indeed… as you say, acquaintances. He has spoken many a word of his dreams and aspirations and also… his desire for you to live peacefully in Tamerial."

Elizabeth felt her muscles tense. Xilivicus? Surely he was lying. But… how would he have known of him being Daedra? The maiden eyed the cell carefully and softly she had demanded, "Come forth… into the light. I want to see your face."

Xilivicus' grave face hardened as he drew up the mask of his robe and covered the lower half of his head. His hood was drawn forward and through the slash in the fabric, his demonic eye could be seen. He slowly moved forward. With each step his heart beat quickened. Elizabeth watched as a haze appeared from the abyss. Slowly, it formed into a figure. Details were distinguished and the man's brawny body stepped out of the darkness. He glanced out from the cell, inches away from the girl. "Are you happy now?" He snarled.

The maiden leaned closer and looked him over. She could see the curved part of his hood where his horns resided. Indeed, he was a Daedra. It was hard to see his face; nonetheless, this hadn't bothered her. "… you spoke of Xilivicus… how did you know him?"

"He and I were both Churls upon the same plane for more than fifteen years. As humans would claim—we were the finest of friends. We shared… the same views and opinions upon nearly everything. Especially, we had shared the same hatred for Dagon and his laws. Neither I, nor him approved of this war. The opening of the Oblivion Gates angered us both and only with you and your knowledge of our world can you close these gates and forever separate Daedra and humans."

Elizabeth tilted her head forward, "You don't… like this war? Surely I thought-"

"-that a Daedra wanted nothing more than to bathe in human's blood?" Xilivicus' accented voice struck her. "Not everything is what it seems, maiden. My Kyn shall be here at any time. If they capture you then all hope is lost. You must free me from this cage—that is the only way I might be able to help you."

"Why should I trust you?" she questioned with anticipating eyes.

"… I never asked for your trust, maiden. I asked to be set free and given a chance to prove myself to you." His Daedric voice began to falter and he feared that she would recognize him rather quickly.

The maiden scoffed and shook her head, "You sound just like Xilivicus… always wanting to prove himself." She turned and a disheartened frown was sheltered upon her lips as her frame, overall, became weak and tired. Her hand slid up and caressed the golden necklace that would heal her heartache.

"… Trust me," whispered he; desperately.

She glanced over her shoulder and began thinking. Her mind ticked like clockwork as she pondered over the options. Yes. She would free him. But how? She had no key or—a glitter caught her eye and she glanced down to see the fallen lockpick. Of course! She smiled and scooped it up into her palm. She turned back to the cage and put the lockpick in carefully. She knew only a small amount of lock and their picks. This was a regularly easy lock. No trouble for her. "… I'm not sure how you will get out of here without Mr. Short-fuse up there seeing you."

"I'll find a way," he watched the lock with gentle eyes. He then tossed his gaze up and said, "I will report to my commander that you have been slain. Only then will we return to Oblivion. From then on you must join together with your leaders and find a way to close the gates."

The lock clicked open and Elizabeth grinned, "Alright, now for-"

The prison door was burst open and a mutilated guard's body rolled down the steps and finally stopped against the wall at the bottom, breaking limbs and joints along the way. Elizabeth seized her mouth and stepped back in horror. What had happened up there?! Xilivicus shoved the gate open and rushed out giving the body a glare. His eyes widened as he saw a broken barbed arrow jutting from its chest.

Daedric Arrow.

He cursed and looked to Elizabeth, "Looks like our plans have altered; you're coming with me."

"What?!" She piped while watching him observe the cells one by one. "W-What do you mean I'm coming with you?!"

"Daedric Arrow," he hissed. "Our only chance now is to sneak out undetected… good luck with that."

Elizabeth raised a hand to her jaw as she thought about the prison. Something about the royal passageway out of the city leading through the prison. She had seen in the Black Horse Courier that there was some sort of passageway for the Emperor to get out of when needed. Her eyes lifted to the cell across from the one she had freed the Dremora out of. She quickly walked over and pushed open the unlocked cell. Yes. This was the one. She could remember now.

Her father's teachings involved this cell, too. She had seen a few sketchings of this in her father's research papers about the Imperial City.

"What are you doing?" Xilivicus snarled with a glare. "Stop fooling with the cells!"

Elizabeth snatched his arm and flung him into the cell hastily, soon leaping in herself. The Dremora nearly tumbled down the steps. He looked up and just as he was to say something he watched as she jerked a torch down and the wall slid out of place. A secret passageway! The Churl looked up at the Elf and watched her smile brightly at him. Oh, how he wanted to leap up and kiss her in thanks! A smile crept across his face and he rushed forward to grab another torch upon the wall. The golden light flooded the passageway and the Dremora purred, "Follow me."

-+-

The Assassins snuck in like shadows.

Guards barely had time to react when the Daedra fell upon them soon slicing their throat and lifting them back into the abyss where the bodies disappeared. Broga walked in freely, his eyes narrowed as he checked the first few cells on the right of the main door. A monk stood behind bars with a glare and as the Dremora approached the glare faded into a petrified gaze. Broga stopped before the monk and demanded, "Are you the only prisoner in this wing?"

The monk nearly wet himself as he saw this black colossal creature stand before him. Broga's anger raised and the Daedra struck the cage causing the bars to bend easily, "Answer me, swine!"

"Y-Y-Yes!" cried the monk who cowered before him. "I-I-I… I heard… of fresh meat in the West Wing! P-Please! Mercy!"

Broga scoffed and shook his head, "How pathetic…" He turned and walked back into the main room seeing a knight walk from the West Wing.

The crimson eyes of the Dremora widened as he saw the Hero of Kvatch. The same man who singly closed the gate and murdered all his Kyn. A guard slid down the ladder from the second floor and an assassin hiding near the ceiling fired off a barbed arrow at the man. The guard gasped as the arrow struck him and the force caused him to flew back and hit the prison door; bursting it open. The Hero's eyes widened as he saw this and quickly he looked forward to see Broga's immense body step out of the darkness, "At long last we meet, Savior of Kvatch."

The Hero jerked his silver sword from its sheath, his eyes narrowed, "Who are you?"

The Commander chuckled with a crooked smirk sheltered on his grey smooth lips. "Don't worry about me… start worrying about yourself," the man lifted a hand and snapped his fingers. The assassins fell from the ceiling with their hefty weapons drawn. Broga narrowed his eyes and hissed, "Kill him."

The Assassins lunged at the Hero and all of them began clashing together with such agility and grace. Broga watched for a while then quickly made his way to the West Wing, knowing there was no other place that the maiden and the blasted Churl could go.

-+-

Xilivicus rushed down the steps with one hand guiding them with the torch and the other holding onto Elizabeth's hand, making sure that no harm would befall her. They entered a petite room that led down to a flat level. The Churl led the maiden down the steps and as he attempted to push the gates open, he had realized they had been locked and bolted. A glare iced over his eyes and he turned around with a curse. Suddenly, he walked out and saw a few putrid boards covering a vast fissure in the wall. He backed up and aligned himself with the boards as though he were an arrow attempting to pierce a target.

Elizabeth watched as he tossed the torch to the ground killing most of the light around them. The maiden strained her eyes as she tried to capture as much light as she could to see what was happening. The Dremora sprinted at the boards with a lowered torso. Just as he neared he leapt off his feet and shoved his shoulder forward. The boards snapped easily and the Churl rolled inside soon lifting back to his feet. His hood fell and Elizabeth quickly ran in with a laugh. His eyes widened and he lifted his hood rapidly hiding his façade from her once more.

"I hadn't been expecting that!" She laughed as she looked around in the grimy and darkened space.

There was a squeaking and just as Elizabeth turned her head she saw the jagged and golden teeth of a rat. She yelped and leapt backward. Before the rat could harm her, Xilivicus' hand flew up and seized the creature by the neck in midair. The Churl bit his lip as he seized the creature and twisted its body one way and its head the other. There was a sickening snap and the rat fell motionless. Xilivicus tossed the body aside and began scouting the area. Rusted old weapons lie in the moistened dirt; however, this hadn't interested the soldier. He moved forward and found a door that had been left slightly open. His head perked and he looked back and called out to the girl.

She ran through the area and found the Dremora waiting for her. She stopped near him and just as she was about to ask where they were headed there was a holler and a torchlight from behind them. Xilivicus and Elizabeth both swirled around to hear the call of Daedric men. Surely not—no… they hadn't followed them here, did they?! Xilivicus snatched the maiden's hand and snarled, "Let's go." Elizabeth watched as the man dragged her through the abyss.

Broga stumbled down the stairs with a glare. What was this place? He questioned himself. His black nostrils flared and he turned and quickly ran back up the stairs knowing he would need the help of his assassins to clear this area faster than the Churl and Elizabeth.

-+-

The Elf and Dremora sprinted through the substructure of the Prison sewers. Xilivicus hadn't needed to hold her hand; in view of the fact that Elizabeth had been able to keep up the pace and fight back creatures if needed to. Xilivicus leapt up a broken staircase and then he had glanced back to see Elizabeth stabilizing herself before she attempted the bound. The Dremora kneeled down and offered her his hand. She glanced up with wide curious eyes and her pale white hand wrapped around his royal purple palm.

He held tightly onto her as he leaned back and pulled her up. She tripped upon the last stair and nearly fell onto the Churl. He caught her with easy and held onto her shoulders, his concealed eyes looking her over. "Are you alright?" He questioned silently.

The maiden nodded and attempted to see beneath his mask. The Churl looked down the path and hissed, "It would be best if we beat Broga out-"

"Broga?!" gasped the maiden, "So, that's who your commander is?!"

Xilivicus closed his eyes with a unfathomable moan. Big Mistake. "Yes… Broga is my commander. So you of all people can imagine how hard he shall try until he has gotten you within his grasp and may return you to Lord Dagon."

Elizabeth's body began to shudder in shock and in future fright. Xilivicus wrapped his arm around hers with a grave gaze. He inched her forward and quickly she abandoned her doubts and fears. Now was the time to escape from this mental and physical prison. If not, then she would surely die. It was now or never… now or never.

Their footsteps became hardly recognizable as they glided across the ground. The Churl came to a halt at a minuscule area and his eyes slid sideways and in the dimness he could see a cracked door leading to natural caverns. Xilivicus heard the heaving pant of the girl. She had kept her mind on the reward at the end of these tunnels of darkness. Her heart had pounded harder than ever before and surely she could not handle much more of this. "Will you be alright without resting, Altmer?"

Elizabeth placed her palm against her chest and she shook her head, "I… I won't run as fast as you can. But I shall be fine."

Xilivicus furrowed his dark brow and stepped forward soon hunching over. The maiden eyed him and yelped as he lifted her up into the air and cradled her. His eye slightly revealed and the maiden could see the whiteness of the eyeball as he shifted it between her eyes and spoke richly in his Daedric accent, "I cannot have you fall behind. Our future lies in your hands now."

The maiden swallowed down a lump of astonishment in her throat and soon the man bolted through the door and became a shadow upon the cavern walls.

-+-

Sweat dripped down the sun kissed brow of the Hero as he held off three Daedric blades at once. Those jagged grins sending chills down his spine. Was this going to be the demise of him? His heart pounded with the power of thunder as he could see death looming over his body as he was forced down upon his knees. There was a call and the assassins froze. They listened intently as Broga walked out with a glare, "The maiden has traveled through the secret passageway. Leave him here."

"But, sir," Xion snarled, "He is the great destroyer of our Gate! Let us revenge Lord Dagon!"

"No," Broga hissed. "Our target is the girl. His death shall be pleasurable and swift when Dagon commands it. Now go… find the girl!"

The assassins glared hatefully at their commander and reluctantly they sheathed their swords and disappeared in black blurs. The Hero breathed heavily and soon glared up at the commander, "Why did… you not have me killed?"

Broga sheltered a smirk as he hissed, "Because it's better for you to sit idly by and know that your bonny maiden shall reside with me in Oblivion and that you—the Wonderful Hero—had failed at protecting her." The Commander launched an open hand onto the Hero's forehead. As his black skin came in contact there was a green spiral and the Hero's vision blurred as he felt himself losing consciousness rapidly. The Dremora chuckled and backed up, "Goodnight, Great Savior of Kvatch."

The Hero fell out of all reality, but could hear the echoing laughter of Broga. Those crimson eyes haunting him and sending him into a burning abyss as he worried of the maiden's safety.

-+-

Xilivicus leapt off onto the lower part of the Imperial subterrane. His tangerine eyes lifted to see three gigantic columns surrounding him. He placed the elf down as he glanced around, "… No sign of Broga. Possibly he has not gotten this far. Let us not give him the chance to catch up, either."

Elizabeth nodded and followed him down the few sets of stairs that led to a round wooden door. The Churl forced it open and quickly led her through to the next part. Xilivicus glanced over and saw a set of stairs soon running to them. Just as Elizabeth was about to follow she glanced over the balcony edge to see the lower floor. Surely it would not be that hard of a jump upon her legs. She readied herself and quickly leapt over the side. A grin spread across her lips as she hadn't fallen or completely killed herself. The Churl appeared through the doorway with a befuddled gaze. How did she…?

The elf grinned at him and said, "… and here you are calling me slow?"

Xilivicus' lips pursed and he stalked forward, "Oh shut up, Altmer."

The couple walked into the next area seeing a long parallel row of columns. The two marveled at their beauty forgetting for a moment of the dangers that they were running from. Elizabeth's hand reached up and caressed the necklace. She sighed deeply and bowed her head, "… I wish Xilivicus was here to see this. He always wanted to see Tamerial."

The Churl bowed his head and looked away. How hard it was to keep lying to her. But he knew that this was the easiest way for her to forget about him and to move on to a normal Cyrodiilic lifestyle. "…indeed…" murmured he.

Just as they neared the middle section of pillars, Xilivicus froze while turning his ear behind him. His eyes narrowed and Elizabeth turned to him with a curious stare. The man hurriedly turned to her and picked her up as if she was nothing more than a basket. The Churl leapt off into the darkness shoving a hand over the mouth of the girl. They came to a dead end and the man crouched down and hid the girl behind him. His eyes widened on the alert. Elizabeth opened her mouth but just as she did she saw an assassin appear from the middle of nowhere. Had he turned invisible to excel his stealth?

The Assassin gave a glance to the area and quickly waved on the other assassins. They moved into the area with their weapons brandished. Broga walked in last giving a subsequent scan. He walked into the lit area and questioned, "Any sign of them?"

The Assassin shook his head and glanced to the slightly propped open door. "Do you think that they had moved ahead?"

Broga gave a glance to the door; yet, something caught his senses. "... Move ahead. I'll follow up on the back."

The Assassins disappeared into blurs and the Sanctum door was shoved open then quickly closed. Broga turned fully around with a glare. He stalked around sniffing the area cautiously. Xilivicus narrowed his eyes and placed his hands around the girl, whispering gently to her, "Step like a Shadow."

The maiden frowned and as Xilivicus' fingertips came in contact with her skin, she disappeared just like he had. Her eyes widened and the Dremora stood up and silently inched out into the area; unaware of Broga's position. As he neared the exit of the dead end he saw Broga step out before him; barely inches away. The Churl froze and looked up with wide eyes.

If his heart pulsed too loudly then Broga would discover him.

If Elizabeth made any sudden movements then they would be doomed.

Their survival balanced on the cliff of death. Broga tossed his crimson eyes into the darkness of the dead end. At sight of these eyes, Elizabeth hid behind the Dremora in utter fear. She closed her eyes and turned away praying to the Nine that they would not be discovered. Broga scoffed and turned soon heading off into the Sanctum. Xilivicus bowed his head as the door closed loudly. Elizabeth leaned her head upon the man's back as she whispered, "… where do we go now?"

"… It would be unsafe to go back; nonetheless, it wouldn't be so safe to move ahead either." He scoffed and shook his head. "I'll let it be up to you."

"Me?" she hissed while walking around him and facing him as the invisibility began to wear off, "Do not leave it up to me!"

"I have called the shots from the beginning. Make this decision and then I shall lead again, if that is alright with you." He told her calmly.

Her thin silver eyebrows lowered over her vast ocean eyes. Storms brewed in the mists of those oceans as she looked upon this man. He was a complete stranger to her; nevertheless, she could feel so much familiarity in his voice and actions, as if she had been with him before. His eyes still cowered behind that mask which the Elven girl wished more than anything that she could pull down and expose the man's face. She had respect, and knew that this would anger him. Her eyes fell to the Sanctum door and she had said, "How skilled are your fellow assassins?"

"Not as skilled as I am." He replied as she turned completely around to examine the door as if it were an unsolved puzzle.

"Do you think they would be able to detect us if we were… unseen?" She questioned.

His head shook side to side and he stepped forward, "No. I do not think so—but Broga might be able to see through the disguise if we aren't careful."

"Then let us pray that we shall be careful." Her eyes turned up to him and a confident smile lit up on her face.

The man chuckled and placed his opened hand upon the small of her back. The spell wore into her and she began to disappear like a vapor in the wind. The two glanced at each other and soon they had disappeared all together.

-+-

The bedroom door to the 'King and Queen Tavern' was kicked open and nearly made Jerald leap out of his skin. The intoxicated Hero stumbled in clutched his head tightly, "T-They… are after her!"

Jerald's eyes hardened and he stood up soon stepping forward, "… after who?"

Woodland eyes lifted and the face of the Hero turned red as he boomed, "Elizabeth, you fool! They are after Elizabeth! Four Assassins, one commander… I… I think… they're going through the Imperial sewers. If we act now and gather the captains of the guard then we can cut them off before they take her back to Oblivion!"

Jerald stormed past the hero with hatred pulsing through his veins. His eyes turned to ice and froze everything around him. "Get to the end of the sewers, I'll get the captains. Go now!"

The Hero nodded once and then sprinted off knowing that his showdown with Broga was sooner than he had thought.

-+-

Xilivicus led the maiden through the sanctum with ease. There was absolutely no sign of his Kyn anywhere. His heart became discouraged as he knew this was not a very good sign at all for his brethren to leave all of a sudden. The Churl slid back the sewer entrance and glanced down seeing no sign of the Daedra. His stomach coiled into knotted balls as this began to worry him. "Go first," he told Elizabeth, "I shall fasten this entrance making sure no one may come through."

The Elf leapt down the opening before long she vanished into the sewers. Xilivicus gave the chamber one more glance before he slipped into the abyss himself and sealed the fissure. As he lowered himself down the ladder he leapt off halfway down. He landed gracefully soon holding up a hand to help the maiden down. She leapt off by herself with a weak smile, "I am capable of doing things myself, you know?"

"I was showing kindness," he hissed while rolling his eyes. "The least you could have done was-" his voice cracked and he coughed soon turning away. He was losing grip of his accent. His hand lifted to his throat where he rubbed vigorously.

The girl stepped closer, placing a hand upon his shoulder, "Are you alright?"

The Churl rolled his shoulder forward while nodding and waving her on. He swallowed down a lump in his throat while conjuring two Daedric accented words to himself, "…Let's…go."

The Elf followed with a wary eye. Surely he hadn't choked on his own spit or his own breathe. There was something bothering him, he was sure of it. The Dremora skipped down the stairs leading on rather hastily. As they approached a small flow of water, the Churl saw a mud crab crawling up the stairs onto the sewer floor. The man stepped over and slammed down his boot over the shell; killing it instantly. He glanced back and nodded the girl on. She quickly made her way over the bridge, walking through a damp rancid corridor. Her eyes lifted to a tall wide room and upon the northern wall there were a set of stairs.

Xilivicus bounded up them, the girl at his heels. They walked across a small bridge lit with the rays of the falling moon. Elizabeth grabbed the man's shoulder and turned him around in the light. He glanced at her still hidden with the shadows of his hood. The girl narrowed her eyes and demanded, "… lower your hood."

Xilivicus pursed his lips behind his mask and shook his head, attempting his accent once more, "… no… we need to move on-"

"-I want to see your face completely." She said persistently.

He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer, his shadow casting over her causing her piercing silver skin causing her features to be fully shown. "I said, 'no'. We have more important things to worry about, so drop it."

Elizabeth watched as he turned and began walking across the bridge. She lowered her head in a spoiled manner getting frustrated for not getting her way with this subject. She followed her leader and as they rounded the curve they could see the sewer exit. Elizabeth smiled brightly and sighed, "I can't believe we made it!"

Xilivicus furrowed his brow while walking to the exit, "Me either."

He reached the gate and as he began to push it open he heard a small snip and he turned around rapidly to see a spiked ball fall down and swing right into his face. The Dremora was caught off guard and the ball struck his head harshly causing him to stumble back and fall on the ground his hood nearly ripping off his robe. The Churl leapt to his feet and turned around sheltering his face as Elizabeth ran at him. He covered his face with the beaten and torn hood still accomplishing the task of hiding his identity.

"Are you alright?" Elizabeth gasped as she tried stopping him.

The Churl felt a blood droplet roll down his cheek. The spike had surely punctured his skin, "I'm fine," he snarled in the Daedric accent.

"No you're not!" She stopped him right before the end of the sewers. She pushed him on the wall and saw his mask soiled with his own blood. "You're bleeding."

He bowed his head and looked to the exit of the sewers, "I'll be fine. It's merely a scratch and nothing more."

The maiden slowly reached her fingertips up and pressed it onto his mask. She closed her eyes and slowly blue energy seeped through her fingers and soaked through the fabric of his mask soon encasing his skin. The small tears sewed themselves back together with ease causing the small bit of pain to vanish like a phantom. The man turned his eyes up and frowned, "… why'd you do that?"

She smiled and said, "I'm trying to show kindness, the least you can do is appreciate it."

He forced back a smile and watched as she walked to the exit of the sewers. He followed her and as they exited the man looked about seeing no sign of Broga or the assassins anywhere. He could not smell their blood or sweat and he surely couldn't see them. He stepped out a little and upon the emerald horizon he could see the fiery sunrise lifting through the trees. He would need to return to the sewers before sunrise.

Elizabeth stood beside him; admiring the countryside. The cobalt water looked enticing and refreshing to her hot and sore body. Xilivicus turned to the girl and placed his fist under her chin turning and tilting her head to him. She looked up with interested eyes as he whispered to her, "Return to your father quickly and tell him of what I have told you, do you understand?"

His thumb pressed right below her lips and she closed her eyes for a second. His touch felt so familiar. As she opened her eyes she questioned, "Will I ever see you again?"

Xilivicus felt his heart ache and he shook his head lightly, "No, I don't think we will." As he shook his head a waved lock of orange fell beside his eyes.

Elizabeth caught glimpse of this lock of hair and her heart began racing. As his hand retreated to his side she saw his dark purple skin and a frown overcame her lips. No, it couldn't be. The Churl closed his eyes and said, "Goodbye, Ms. Asquerana."

The Elf lifted her sorrowful eyes feeling her heart cry out for just one thing…

-+-

"Shall we attack now?" Xion snarled as the assassins and commander hid within a cluster of trees on the right side of the sewers.

"No," Broga sneered while stroking his Daedric bow. "Not yet…"

The Assassins readied their bows and pointed their barbed arrows at Xilivicus with narrowed and precise eyes.

-+-

"Shall we attack now?" Hieronymus Lex snarled while crouched and hidden near a bush on the left side of the sewers; his icy eyes piercing through the dimness.

The Hero glared upon Xilivicus and the maiden with eyes of malice. "No, not yet…"

Three other guards, including Jerald, hid within the shadows of the trees and shrubs waiting to assail the Dremora who had taken Elizabeth. The Hero readied his bow and pointed it at Xilivicus.

Waiting…

-+-

"Goodbye, Ms. Asquerana." He had whispered to her.

The maiden smiled weakly and said, "You are truly a savior, Dremora. I don't know how I could ever thank you for saving my life."

Xilivicus scoffed and hissed, "My debt is repaid for putting you into harm's way."

"Actually," the maiden whispered to him as she stepped near. "I haven't thanked you… in a proper way; as a noblewoman should to her champion."

The Churl backed up an inch or two, watching as the girl stood on her tiptoes. Her soft cold fingertips had brushed across his cheeks as she curled her fingers under his mask and began pulling it down. She halted when he tenderly whispered out of his Daedric accent, "Wait…" He hadn't put up much of a resistance, so she continued pulling his mask down. His pouted lavender lips were exposed and Elizabeth could feel her heart race in her chest as his warm breathe rushed down upon her. The upper portion of his face was still hidden beneath the hood. All that the High Elf could see was his royal purple square jaw.

Her hand cupped his cheek and she moved forward softly pressing her pale lips upon his own. Xilivicus' eyes fluttered closed and he leaned forward, returning the kiss. His heart raced beneath his breast and he lifted a hand and ran his dark fingertips through her long silver hair.

Upon either side of the sewers, the warriors of Oblivion and Tamerial stood in utter shock. The Assassins had dropped their bows with agape mouths and wide eyes as they saw such mutiny and betrayal. The Captains of the Guard dropped their swords with white faces as they saw a noblewoman in the arms of their highest enemy; one of Lord Dagon's followers. The Hero clutched his bow tightly causing it to tremble. Broga clutched his bow tightly breaking it in half as if it were merely a twig.

Woodland and Crimson eyes scorched these lovers in utter fury and jealousy. The Assassins picked up their bows and readied themselves. Broga lifted his fist and said, "Retreat."

Xion blinked furiously, "What?!"

Broga turned around with a calm face, "… retreat. We have bigger plans." The Black Dremora stood in the dimness and turned around. "Let's go."

The Assassins turned and quickly left with their commander.

Lex turned his eyes to the Hero who was about to launch the arrow through both Elizabeth and Xilivicus. "Put your bow down, now."

The Hero trembled and his fingers began to slip off the arrow. Just as he was about to let it launch; Lex took out his dagger and sliced the arrow in half. His eyes pierced down upon the Hero. Parts of his long dark hair falling into his face, "You might be a Hero… but that won't give you the right to murder a human even if they are in love with a Daedra."

"She's not in love with him," Jerald snarled detestably with a fierce look lingering on his face.

Itius cocked an eyebrow while lowering his bow, "Then… just what do you call that then?"

Jerald bowed his head in humiliation and looked away. Lex nodded and sheathed his dagger upon the belt of his armor. He turned back to the Imperial City and said, "There's nothing we can do here. The Waterfront needs tending to. Gods know what might have happened if I was gone! The Gray Fox could be walking the streets freely as we speak!"

Itius nodded and sighed, "I better get back to that man who claims Audens is corrupted. We might have a real problem if he is."

The Guard Captains began leaving one by one. Soon, it was only Jerald and the Hero left. Jerald looked up in pity and sorrow. What was he to say to him? "I…I'm so-"

"She's still going to be my wife," snarled the Hero as he stood from his hiding place. "Do you understand me?"

Jerald furrowed his brow and whispered, "You… you still want to marry her? After this?! Did you not see what I just saw?! She kissed a foul, cold-blooded, murdering son of a-"

The Hero tossed his gaze over to Jerald while snarling, "She'll be my wife… no matter what."

The High Elf watched as the Hero stormed away towards the Imperial City. Slowly, Jerald glanced back to his daughter then followed the Hero not knowing what to do from here.

-+-

Xilivicus unhurriedly pulled himself away from the girl's lips. His fingertips caressed her cheek and he bowed his head and spoke in his Daedric accent, "… goodbye, Ms. Asquerana."

Elizabeth scowled and leaned her head upon his chest with a trembling lip. She held onto him tightly listening to his fluttering heart. The Dremora hugged her tightly and whispered, "One day soon… we'll see each other again."

The High Elf lifted her head and looked up into the darkness of his hood, "Promise?"

A weak smile spread across his lips and he nodded, "I promise… now I must go."

Elizabeth smiled faintly and caressed his violet cheek as she whispered, "Goodbye, my knight."

The Dremora cupped his hand over hers as he whispered, "…goodbye, my angel."

They slowly backed away from one another. As her hand fell from his face, their fingers laced for a moment. As they pulled far away enough their fingertips slid over each other and they had separated. Xilivicus bowed and as he did he disappeared in a green swirl. Elizabeth blinked and frowned and gently she felt lips against her cheek. She smiled and could feel fabric brush across her neck and chest. She bowed her head and turned to the Imperial City with a broad grin.

Surely, this was the beginning of a perfect day…

… or so… she thought.

--TBC--

R&R! You know you want to tell me everything that is good (and bad) about this story. Give me ideas and I might just use them... think about it... Thank you for Reading.