A/N: The original version of this chapter was published on 20 February 2017, and the current version was published 31 March 2017.

8th of Sun's Dusk, 4E 965
The Dark Lord's Statement

A shroud basked in the light of the morning sun. Overlooking the vast Whiterun Hold was the conqueror of Dragonsreach, basking in the glory of his victory. The now former Jarl's body lay torn apart on the courtyard, while his court bowed to their apparent new master.

"I guess I rule over this city now. Tell me, which one of you would be the Court Wizard?" The towering figure, cloaked in darkness asked. A short Dunmer male raised his head.

"That...that would be me, sir," he stuttered, pathetically, at the figure standing before him. The conqueror turned to the court, snarling, and sent a wave of lightning from his left hand at the woman kneeling next to the Dunmer. She was sent flying back, hitting the door to the courtyard, and screaming in agony on the ground.

"You do not address me as 'sir'," the dark figure growled. "'Sir' is a term for something like a mere pitiful Jarl. You address me as 'my Lord', or else you will learn what it is like to feel being electrocuted to double the extent your friend just was."

The figure walked past the court to the woman he sent flying backwards. "And who might you be, young one?" He said, grasping the Nord woman's face and pulling it up.

"I... I am the housecarl, Helga," she sputtered, coughing blood into the pool that was coming from her nose.

"A housecarl!" The figure exclaimed. "Why, you must be amazing at protecting yourself, would you not?" He asked, mocking his victim. "Stand up! Fight me, and protect your city!"

Helga tried to stand, but could not - falling as soon as she got to one knee.

"No matter, my lady, I'll help you up!" The figure said with a mocking glee, raising his hand - and with his hand - Helga's body rose off the ground, and he stood her up.

"Please, kill me." she whispered, pathetically. The figure's glare darkened, and he stopped using his mocking tone.

"As you wish," he growled. He pinned her to the door, holding her there, as he sent the Jarl's sword zooming towards her with his other hand. The groans from her pain suddenly went quiet, as her lifeless body was held on the door, pierced through the chest by the sword.

Satisfied with how he terrorized the old court of Whiterun, the new ruler of the hold simply stated, "I believe that will do for one morning," before retiring inside, his followers keeping behind him.

9th of Sun's Dusk, 4E 965
Imperial City

Emperor Viator Mede sat in the throne room, accompanied by the Elder Council. He was a weary old man, his beard reaching past his shoulders and his grey hair wild and untamed.

"The news from Whiterun is troubling, but I am not ready to give up yet. Talos will guide me, and I will not let the Empire preserved by my ancestors for so many generations fall to this one man," he said, his chin in his hand.

A Council member stood and shouted, "Your Majesty, I think you greatly underestimate the potential of the threat posed to us. Do you not remember what was said in the Prophecy of the 16th of Last Seed? Did you not hear about what this monster did to the Whiterun guard? It was slaughter! I'm afraid we are witnessing a harbinger of our end times."

While the Council was in chaos, Emperor Mede stayed calm. "The Prophecy of the end of Septim's Empire - foretold of an unstoppable threat after three come to pass. The last great threat to Nirn was the crisis of Miraak on Solstheim - over 700 years ago. Since then, the Thalmor have been beaten into remission, and the Empire's lost provinces have been reunited. The Last Dragonborn disappeared shortly after this Empire began a hunt for him. The Empire is strong, and I do not believe this to be what the Prophecy spoke of. With the blessings of Arkay, I have ruled over this Empire for nearly a century. I have seen worse than the fall of one administrative district to a power-hungry maniac. But, I understand the threat. I will be ready - and if I am wrong, and I am the last of Septim's Empire, I will not let it fall to this man. You are all dismissed."

With that, the Elder Council left Viator to himself, in his throne room.