He could barely see out of his eyes, and when he did try to open them they would sting because of the blood dripping down into them. his head felt like it was being torn apart, and he knew he had probably lost several head feather when he'd been grabbed. His jaw felt like it was broken, and he could feel several small bits of broken teeth in his mouth. even as his knees hit the hard cold ground he could feel himself fading. As the ground rushed up to meet his face Asum couldn't help but be very aware at just how alone he was right now. There was no Okan here to protect him, and no perceivable hope of ever seeing Okan again.

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CHAPTER 16

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Okan let out a roar of rage as he cut through another attacker. There seemed to be no end to them. no matter how many he killed more just seemed to take their place. Ducking a slew of arrows Okan rolled and came up behind a pillar planting his back against the cold stone as several fireballs struck the pillar; heating the stone but not damaging it. Across from his with her own back to another pillar Okan could make out Mirabel. Her lip had been split and one of her hands appeared to be covered in frost. But even as he watched her he recognized the healing magic sweeping her body repairing any damage that may have been done to her. but he was forced to shield his eyes as more fireballs struck the pillar he was behind. Glancing over at Mirabel Okan let out a loud whistle to get her attention. Jerking his head towards the enemy mage, Okan grinned as Mirabel nodded; understanding his plan with him saying a word.

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Taking a deep breath Okan charged out from behind the pillar, while at the same time Mirabel jumped out and hurled fistfuls of lightning at the opposing mage who simple deflected and absorbed them with wards. Running faster Okan let out another roar as he brought his sword up just as the mage's wards dropped. Okan grinned as he felt the mage's body connect with the end of his sword; impaling the mage and putting an end to his magic. Flicking his sword sideways Okan rid his blade of the mages body before ducking as more arrows rained down on him. rolling to his feet Okan growled as his eyes landed on 2 wood elfs who had climbed the main statue in the courtyard and were now standing on either one of the mage's outstretched arms; firing arrows at him and the other mages.

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Let out a loud hiss Okan was forced to duck behind more cover or avoid being shot. Leaning out from behind his cover Okan grinned as he watched a mage snuck around behind the statue before focusing her magic and releasing several freeing whirlwinds which hit the statue and covered it in ice, freezing and killing the twin archers. But the victory was short lived as Okan heard a yelp of rage directed at him. Turning Okan ducked and narrowly avoided a set of twin ebony daggers that slashed at the air where his head had been. Bringing his sword up Okan deflected another attack from the daggers, while taking a step backwards. Ducking another attack Okan lashed out swinging his sword at the dagger wielder; who ducked the attack and lashed back at Okan. Okan let out a yelp of pain as he felt one of the daggers cut through some of his scales drawing red blood to the surface to trickle down his arm. Shifting his stance Okan watched as the attacker moved back slightly before speaking.

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"your nothing. Your weak, sloppy, undisaplined. How were you ever to be her champion?!" Okan felt his eyes widen. But he had no time to speak as he was forced to deflect another attack. Planting his heel into the snow; Okan pushed back as the dagger wielder pushed his own attack forward. Giving his sword another shove Okan managed to knock his attacker off balance. Pressing his attack Okan swung his sword again forcing his attacker to be over more off balance. Throwing his sword away Okan charged the dagger wielder; grabbing the front of his shirt and lifting him off the ground while still moving forward, towards one of the open sections of wall overlooking the sea. He screamed in pain as he felt the twin daggers cut into his flesh and muscles trying to make him drop his attacker. But he pushed past the pain, the mages would be able to heal him. speedin up Okan jumped and sailed through the opening of the wall. He grinned as he saw his attackers eyes widen as he realized what was happening.

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Gravity gripped at them and pulled them down, sending them hurtling into the freezing cold water of the ocean far below the college. He hit the icy water like a bomb, sending massive waves of water through the water; as they headed underwater into its icy depths. Okan grinned as he held the male nord under the water; watching as his movements slowed and his strength began to diminish. It was a well known argonian battle tactic. Using their ability to breath underwater argonians had stormed entire fortresses by grabbing the guards and dragging them back into the water to drown. Letting go of the now motionless nord Okan watched as his body slowly floated up to the surface before breaking the calm surface of the water. Following the now dead body Okan broke the surface of the water and turned to watch the body slowly float further and further away. turning back to the shore okan groaned as he saw just how far he would have to hike to get back to the college.

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However no sooner had he thought that then he felt something akin to a warm blanket wrap around his body and lift him out of the water. Soon he found himself floating up along the arch mages tower and floating through the hole in the wall Asum had made before his feet touched the ground. "thank." Savos nodded and set down the staff he'd been using to lift ok. "Maribel fetch a healing potion for Okan. Have all the injured brought here to my tower. Tend to their wounds." Maribel nodded and left the room. As the door swung shut behind her Okan spoke. "I know who's behind this. That last attacker as good as told me." Savos nodded. "I too know who is behind this." Savos gestured behind him to the body of a woodelf. A familiar set of tattoo's adorning his body. "it would see your past has caught up with you. your old mistress Boethiah has found you yet again. And I believe it was her magic that tore Asum from this tower."

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ASUM'S POV

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Asum screamed in pain as he felt an armored knee slam into his chest knocking the wind out of him. he'd barely even managed to gasp for air before an armored fist slammed into the side of his face knocking a mixture of spit and blood through the air. Falling to the ground Asum tried to get up but let out another scream as he felt the boot of his attacker crash down on his back, sending waves of agony through his body. he felt tears rolling down his eyes as he tried to move. Every bone and muscle in his body was in tremendous pain. he screamed again as he felt his attacker grip one of his horns and pull him up. "what does he see in you?" Asum didn't respond as his attacker; a large nord clad in full ebony armor hurled him backwards sending him crashing against a wall. "he was her champion!" Asum ducked another punch that cratered the wall where his head had been; but felt himself cough up blood as he took a knee to the chest. He was bare, unable to defend himself, the nord had torn off his robes and hood and had tossed them into a nearby river before this beating had started.

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"HE WAS HER CHAMPION! AND YET HE THINKS YOUR WORTHY TO KEEP ALIVE?!" Asum whimpered as he felt the nord garb his tail and smash it with his boot. "YOUR PATHETIC, BARELY WORTH THE EFFORT IT WOULD TAKE TO KILL YOU! WHY DOES HE LET YOU LIVE!?" Asum let out another scream as the nord pulled out a massive jet black greatsword and raised it above his head. "IT DOESN'T MATTER NOW!" Asum felt his body freeze; his leg wouldn't move, his arms were limp and useless. All he could do was lay there crippled and bloodies on the ground and watch as the jet black blade got closer and closer to his neck.

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UMBRA-CHAN'S POV

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Cautiously umbra moved towards the noise. She'd been walking along when she'd heard the cries of pain. now she was getting closer to the source. As he came even closer she could hear someone yelling; no screaming at the top of their lungs. "IT DOESN'T MATTER NOW!" breaking through the tree line umbra took in the entire scene before her. a nord, clad in head to toe ebony armor held an ebony greatsword high over his head. Beneath the nord cowered a frail and mostly naked argonian. Instantly she could hear the second voice in her head. 'save him' she did just that, charging forward umbra felt time slow down as her hand went downwards towards that cursed blade that hung from her hip. As he pulled the sword from its scabbard she could almost hear it laughing with joy at the idea of adding another soul to its collection. ;unging forward umbra brought her sword up just in time to deflect the attack that would have severed the frail argonian's head from his body.

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She grinned as the nord stumbled back his own body rigid and hard like stone. Pressing forward umbra used her momentum to bring her sword up and spin it over her head before slashing at the nord who blocked the attack and replied with his own. It became a kind of dance; the nord using hard, rigid, yet devastating moves, while umbra used graceful, liquid techniques to push the nord back until they found themselves at the edge of a large hill. Umbra watched as the nord opened his mouth. Closing her eyes umbra braced herself for the massive bellow that was a Nordic battle cry. Her ears ringing umbra pushed through the shout and slashed with her sword managing to break through the armor on the nord's shoulder and cutting into the flesh. Instantly she grinned as the bellow died in the nord's throat as her swords effect took place; by now he could feel it, his sword being gripped by the sword. And in her head she could hear the sword singing at the delight of this new soul to add to its reliquary.

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But the sword would go unfed today. Planting her foot in the center of the nord's chest umbra attacked with her body not the cursed blade; pushing the nord off balance and sending him crashing and rolling down the hill. As he sheathed her sword which was now angrily cursing at her umbra noted that they would not have much time before the nord reached the bottom of the hill, got to his feet and came back at them. running back to the argonian umbra gripped his shoulder and winced as he felt the bones in his arm move in a way that they were not meant to. "come on we have to get out of here, before he comes back." the argonian nodded but also whimpered as they took a few steps. "it hurts." His voice alone nearly broke her heart, it was so frail and weak. "I know but come on. we have to go now." Even as she half dragged half carried the argonian away she could hear the clatter of the nord's armor moving up the hill. Biting her lip umbra gripped one of the argonian's legs and lifted him off the ground before putting him over her shoulders like a bale of hay.

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"hold on kiss. This is gunna hurt, but we need to run." And she did just that; breaking into a run that slowly began to gain speed. She could hear the argonian gasping and whimpering in pain but she could nothing about it at the moment. Now at full speed umbra dodged and wove through the trees, trying to put as much distance between them and the surely furious nord. Time seemed to drift away as she ran through the snow and wind; only slowly down to catch her breath for a moment before speeding back up. but after so long her sides began to ache and her breathes began to become ragged and shallow. Finally stopping umbra did a fast check behind her to see if the nord was still following them; only the swirling of snow and wind met her gaze. Groaning slightly umbra reached up and pulled the argonian off of her before setting him down in the snow. His scales were white, and he couldn't stop shaking. She could tell if they didn't find shelter soon he would die from the cold. Fate seemed to smile on them as a few yards from them they found a cave. Moving inside umbra paused long enough to pull a fox pelt from her pack and wrap it around the argonian's shoulder before busying herself with starting a small fire.

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Once she was sure the smoke would not attract any unwanted attention she set out pulling out some dried meat, a potion of healing, and a simple wooden bowl. Pouring the potion into the bowl umbra set the meat down next and allowed it to marinate in the potion before turning and speaking to the argonian. "you ok?" it was a stupid question. Of course the argonian was not ok; and although some color had returned to his scales she could easily see sever deformations in his figure which meant broken if not shattered bones. She was completely amazed he was able to speak as he managed out a faint "thank you." umbra only nodded and dug into her pouch again before pulling out another potion and pouring it into a simple stone mug. "Drink this. It'll help you heal." The argonian reached forward and umbra flinched slightly. 2 of his fingers were bent at angles that were unnatural.

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Umbra watched as the argonian drank the potion before shuddering slightly. As his body shook umbra smiled as some of the cuts began to mend; a sign the potion was beginning to work. As the argonian took another drink umbra spoke. "so what was that nord's problem? Why was he attacking you?" the argonian finished swallowing the potion in his mouth before speaking. "I don't know. he…...kidnapped me." Umbra nodded as the argonian fell silent. "well we're away from him now." Picking up the marinated meat umbra speared it on the end of her dagger before sticking it in the ground over the fire. "try to get some sleep. I'll let you know when dinner is ready."

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OKAN'S POV

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Okan pulled himself up onto the horse in front of him. pulling the reins Okan urged the horse forward away from the mage college and towards that location he'd swore he'd never return to. Towards the shrine of his former mistress Boethiah."

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AN: WELL FOLKS. HERE IS CHAPTER 16. SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE.

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SO NOW WE KNOW OKAN IS NOT ONLY A FORMER COVORTER OF BOETHIAH BUT HE WAS ONCE HER CHAMPION. BUT WHY WOULD BOETHIAH KIDNAP ASUM AND SEND PEOPLE TO ATTACK THE COLLEGE?

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READ MORE TO FIND OUT!