Asum smiled at Okan as they left the inn and made their way towards the main gate of windhelm. They had talked it out over breakfast at the inn, and they had agreed to return back to whiterun. Leaving the city Asum tugged a fox pelt over his head to protect from the cold air. Next to him Okan smiled and wound his fingers through Asum's. Smiling back at the older argonian, Asum followed Okan; just happy to have this moment with him

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CHAPTER 20

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Savos groaned as his knees hit the ground. How long had they been fighting for? Straining his back Savos gazed up at the sky. When they had started; when this 'women'….had appeared the sun had been setting; and now….now the sun….the sun was rising for the second time in this battle. 2 days; the time frame was almost too much for his mind to understand. Blinking slowly Savos inhaled mouthfuls of cold mountain air; mixed with the smoldering ash of the small village that had been in front of the college. He'd seen the people flee when the battle had left the college and had moved into the village. He'd felt sadness as Birna's Oddments had been blown apart, sending massive splinters of oak and wood flying through the air like thousands of tiny spears. The frozen hearth had been next, it's weathered woods igniting and turning into a raging inferno before he'd even had time to try and save the old inn. The jarl's longhouse had been last, it's aged wooden pillar strong enough to survive the fire and ice spells that had pelted them, but the rest of the structure had cracked and sagged under the stress, now only those strong pillars remained.

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Gasping for air Savos tried to stand but found that his legs; which had long since gone numb refused to move. Across from his standing in the still smoldering ruins of the frozen hearth the women spoke. "you have proven a worthy foe, Savos Ren. Few mortals could stand up to me; especially for this long. But I know your body grows tired, your mind is foggy with exhaustion, and even now you know you cannot win against me." Savos narrowed his eyes and tried to work his magic, a fireball, an ice spike, a lightning bolt; anything. But each spell refused to cast. Slowly he lifted his hands up and looked at them; the dark blue skin had once been smooth and youthful; due to the potions he soaked them in while he slept. But that had changed, now they were horrible cracked and in several places blood oozed in tempo with his heartbeat. He knew what was happening. He'd taxed his magicka system to the brink. It had shut down in an attempt to save itself and him from going into magical shock.

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Savos groaned slightly as his hands fell limply into the snow before him. The cold snow felt good on his hands which felt as though they were on fire. He watched as the women stepped out of the ruins of the inn and began to walk towards him. "I find myself impressed Savos. Not something that happens to a god a regular basis. 2 days, for 2 days we have been fighting. And for 2 days you've held out hope that you might defeat me and save skyrim from what I plan to do to it. for that….i will give you a gift…a vision of what I will do to this world; and then only death awaits you." Savos opened his mouth to speak but feel silent as the world began to warp and twist around him. The sky changed from its natural snowy grey to the horrifying shade of freshly spilled blood. He found himself lifted off the ground and being pulled up into this horrible red sky. In the distance he could see great pillars of smoke rising from the forests that housed the holds of Riften and Falkreath. The bay that dawnstar resided in appeared to have completely flooded, and Savos could just make out the hold of markarth a great fog blanketing it. but it was whiterun which drew his attention. The castle appeared to have been blasted apart and in it's place a large tower had been constructed.

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Craning his neck upwards Savos was forced to shield his eyes as he gazed at the tower; which appeared to be constructed out of an unnatural black stone; with sharp razor like stones jutting out from the tower like some strange defense. But the world was warping again; and soon Savos found himself back in his own world, looking up into the eyes of the women he had spend 2 days fighting. "any last words Savos ren?" Savos swallowed and spoke. "skyrim will never allow your vision to become reality. Men; and armies will rise up and fight you. In the end you and I will see each other again; in death." The women only chuckled. "we shall see." A second later Savos let out a stranged kind of gasp as he felt an elfish knife plunge into his back.

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ALMALEXIA'S POV

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Almalexia watched as the dark elf fell to the ground dead. Behind him the high elf Ancano bowed; sheathing his dagger. "grand inquisitor; it is an honor to stand before you and be of service." Almalexia grunted. "you could have killed him sooner." Ancano opened his mouth to speak but Almalexia cut him off. "because of your slowness to act; I was forced to use a small fraction of my considerable power to battle this….." Almalexia gestured to the fallen arch mage. "insect. And now because of that I'm forced to wait; until my magic replenishes before I can use the eye to completely my goal. But you said you'd like to be of service…..perhaps there is a way for that to happen." Ancano backed up as Almalexia took several steps towards him and reach out. Arcane drew out his dagger; perhaps in some attempt to defend himself. But that hope died as he felt Almalexia's hand touch his forehead. A second later the feeling of his magic draining racked his body. Almalexia watched unfeeling as ancano began to age in front of her eyes, soon becoming nothing but a dried up corpse that hit the ground and became a pile of dust and robes. Flexing her hand Almalexia took a moment to look around her. The town had been completely obliterated.

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Every building had been blasted apart, the villagers had run off. And judging by the massive storm moving in from over the ocean she could say with a fair amount of certainty that they would be dead from the elements before they could tell anyone about her. Turning her back on the village Almalexia began to make her way back to the college, and towards the eye.

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ASUM AND OKAN'S POV

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Asum smiled and took Okan's offered hand so as to clamber over several large rocks that had fallen into their path. Behind them the sun was setting and Asum was beginning to think they should find a place to camp; when Okan stopped and began sniffing the air. Mimicking okan Asum felt his nostrils flare as the smell of spices met his nose. Okan grinned. "come on. I know who's making that smell." Following Okan off the pathway Asum stuck close to the older argonian as they moved through the sparse forest until they stopped as a voice spoke to them. "who are you?" Okan chuckled. "You're eyes must be going bad, Khayla. It's me okan." A moment later Asum tensed slightly as a heavily armored female khajiit, stepped out from the bushes in front of them. "Khajiit greets you Okan." Okan nodded. "and I you Khayla. This is Asum; my follower and companion." Asum felt himself blush slightly as Okan referred to him as a companion. After a moment of silence Okan spoke. "I can smell the stew you're making from a mile away. Any chance we could join you and your camp for the night?"

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Khayla nodded and gestured for them to follow her through the trees and bushes and a bit deeper into the forest before emerging into a clearing. In the clearing 9 khajiits were at work. 2 women hovering over a pot on a small fire; obviously preparing dinner. Beyond them 3 males set out erecting tents to sleep in; while another women walked out of the woods with firewood clutched in her claws. As Okan and Asum neared the group of of the male's pitching a tent looked up at them before speaking. "Okan, it is good to see you again. Who is this you have brought with you?" Okan smiled. "hello M'aiq. What's with the landsmeet?" the khajiit shrugged. "my mane refused to lay down this morning." Okan nodded. "ah well that would explain it." when Asum didn't respond Okan leaned in and whispered into his ear. "an old khajiit superstition. If their mane wont lay down then they should be extra cautious and not relax." Asum nodded and watched as some of the females looked at him. Next to him Okan spoke. "hello Ahkari, Khayla. How are you?" the female kahjiits smiled. "well enough. Do you wish to join our camp for the night?" Okan nodded. "yes. If you'll have us. Safety in number."

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After a moment of tense silence one of the males spoke. "so long as you heed our rules." Okan nodded. "I think we can do that." Asum watched as the khajiit stepped forward and pulled Okan into a small hug. "then you are welcome in this camp." After they broke apart Okan motioned for Asum to follow; which he did and began to help Okan set up their small tent. As they worked Okan spoke. "you might mention to Ri'saad that you know some healing magic. I'm sure there are some who could use it." Asum nervously looked to some of the females who were watching them. As if he knew what Asum was thinking Okan chuckled. "it's ok. They may look dangerous but they really are very nice. Just guarded; they don't have an easy life here in skyrim." Asum nodded. "we don't have an easy life here either." Okan nodded. "fair enough." Soon their tent was pitched; as Asum was watching as Okan began pulling several small bits of food from his pack. A jar of water, an apple, a bit of raw beef. Soon Okan had set up a small fire; with Asum's help to light the flames; and soon a small pot of stew was bubbling and ready to be eaten. . . . The stew was thin but good. The warm broth did wonders to heat up Asum's cold scales. Okan seeing this poured some of his own broth into Asum's bowl. Asum smiled at Okan who smiled back. Soon the stew was gone and Asum laid back so his head was resting on Okan's legs while Okan's claws ran through Asum's head feathers. "I love you youngling." Asum smiled. "I love you too." A moment later Okan leaned down and kissed Asum's forehead. Asum yawned and stretched his arms out slightly. "close your eyes. I'll wake you when I turn in for the night." Asum nodded and did so; he was asleep within moments.

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ALMALEXIA'S POV . . . Almalexia opened her eyes, and stood up from her spot on the floor. She'd been meditating for the past 8 hours; willing her magic to return to what it had been before her battle with the dark elf Savos. Now hours of willpower had paid off. Stepping forward she watched as several small bolts of lightning arced from the eye of magnus and struck her skin; sending small tingles through her body. She knew what it was; an ancient defense mechanism. An attempt to eliminate the person who was attempting to control the immense power the eye contained. But she ignored the feeling; reaching forward she felt her fingers brush against the surface of the eye. The effect was instant; the stone under her feet shuddered and trembled. She could feel magic pulsing through the air; and she began her work. Pouring her own magic into the eye, altering it, corrupting it. slowly the eye began to change; going from its soft pale blue color to an ancient shade of purple. She watched as the symbols on the surface began to shift and rearrange themselves; her work was done. Removing her hand from the eye's surface she watched as the symbols continued to pulse and grow in strength until it was almost painful for her to look at. . . . All at once the eye let out a massive pulse, strong enough to rattle the entire room, it was contained it. staggering slightly Almalexia watched as a dozen small orbs of light emerged from the eye and began lazily drifting around the room, for several moments; making it look like a group of wisps. Another tremble shook the room and made the orbs move, making them slowly drift up towards the windows that lined the top of the room. She watched fascinated as the orbs continued to hang In the air for a moment before smashing through the delicate glass and moving out into the world. Silent she smiled. It was done; soon the other daedric lords would rise again…she began to laugh. Soon she would have what was rightfully her's. soon the world would know her name once more!

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ASUM'S POV

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Slowly Asum opened his eyes. He could feel it; something was in the air. Sitting up Asum turned and found that Okan had fallen asleep while lying back against his pack. As Asum rolled over and off of Okan; Okan shifted. "Asum?" Asum nodded. "yeah. Something's up." Slowly Asum got his his feet as Okan did the same. "what's going on?" Asum shook his head. "I don't know. I just feel….." Asum's voice went silent as his body began to move on its own, walking out of the camp and through the forest. Behind him he could hear Okan speaking. "Asum, we shouldn't leave the camp. Anything could be in these woods. Asum can you hear me?" Asum nodded but did not stop; his body was moving on its own. Breaking through the tree and bushes Asum felt his eyes widen as he broke through the tree line and he found himself looking down at the scene below. A moment later Okan was at his side; Asum could hear him speaking under his breath, he sounded as though he were about to start crying. "no, no, no, no." but it was true; what they were seeing in front of them was really happening; and not a figment of their imaginations

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The city of whiterun was on fire. Flames 50 feet high roared with life sending out waves of heat so strong that even from their spot, almost a quarter of a mile away they could feel it. but that was not what had drawn their attention; no what had were the 5 oblivion gates that had opened up around the city. Even from their spot so far away they could see red forms emerging from the gates and attacking the city. Most of the lower city was on fire. Only Jorrvaskr and the dragon's keep were not engulfed in flames. Next to him Asum felt Okan shift. Glancing sideways Asum found that Okan had pulled out his sword; and was stepping forward. "Asum, go back to the camp. Tell Ri'saad what's happening and then get as far away from here as you can. Follow the caravans if you must; just get away from here." Okan began to run; Asum shouted at his charging form. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" the wind was the only reason he heard Okan's response. "GOING TO HELP MY FELLOW COMPANIONS!"

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AN: WELL FOLKS CHAPTER 20 IS UP AND DONE.I HOPE EVERYONE LIKES IT.

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REST IN PEACE SAVOS.

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SO WRITE RUN IS UNDER ATTACK BY THE DAEDRA. BUT WHICH DAEDRIC LORDS IS LEADING THE ASSAULT?

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WILL ASUM DO AS OKAN TOLD HIM TO?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

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I'LL ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.