6th of Frostfall, 4E 965
On the Isle of Artaeum
Paarthurnax landed in an orchard of Artaeum, after 5 nights of travel. It was a rainy night - much warmer than the weather of Skyrim that they were used to.
While they had accomplished part of their goal - reaching the Isle of Artaeum, they still had no knowledge of where the monastery of the Psijic was. They walked through the orchards aimlessly for about an hour when Serana grew to be impatient.
"What exactly are we doing?" She asked. "Do we really plan on finding these people by just walking around an entire island until we happen to walk into their monastery?"
Lodiramor looked out into the distance, and on the edge of some forest, he saw a small, but bright, light. Stepping ahead of Serana and Paarthurnax, he focused his sight on the entrance to the forest.
"There," Lodiramor said, pointing with the head of his staff. "We should follow that light. At the entrance to the forest, do you see it?"
Serana looked at Lodiramor, and asked him, "How will Paarthurnax get through there? There are too many trees for him to walk through."
Paarthurnax craned his long scaled neck to reply to Serana, saying, "I will do my best to get through the woods. For I did not see anything from the skies, I must continue in the search on the ground."
With Paarthurnax dismissing the issue, the trio went on. As they approached the forest, the rain intensified and the skies darkened. When the wind picked up into a strong gust, one bolt of lightning struck in the forest, just as they made it to the entrance.
With a nod between Serana and Lodiramor, and a heavy breath from Paarthurnax, the three entered the forest. They noticed that it had a mystical aura of sorts - which seemed within their grasp but outside of their explanation.
"How much do you know of the magics of the Psijic, Paarthurnax?" Lodiramor asked the dragon, whose life in Tamriel stretches even before the famed Psijic's foundation.
Paarthurnax snorted, thinking far back to his past. "Most of my life has been centered around Skyrim," the great dragon said. "I knew of their existence, but I have never met a Psijic monk - so I cannot say much on their advances in magic, for my study is focused on the Thu'um."
Wise as he was, even Paarthurnax did not have much to say on the matter of the Psijic Order. He hoped to find answers himself sooner, rather than later.
The three made their way slowly through the forest, as Paarthurnax had some trouble maneuvering through the undergrowth. About an hour into their venture through the forest, they came to a clearing that featured a pond surrounded by a dense aura of magic.
"The lah - its essence is strong. Do you feel it in you?" Paarthurnax asked Serana and Lodiramor, as they approached the water.
Lodiramor touched the water with his staff, and the whole pond lit up so that it was almost white for a moment, before returning to its normal appearance. The whole surrounding area grew stranger by each passing second, and it felt as if the world was changing around them.
The rain in the clearing stopped completely, as it grew to a downpour in the forest surrounding it. The ground began to shake slightly, and the trees swayed in the strong winds. With a blinding flash, a bolt of lightning struck the middle of the pond. After the three regained their sight, they saw the pond glowing a deep shade of red.
"We welcome you to Artaeum." They all heard the voice of a man they could not see, but after he spoke, the storm in the surrounding forest abruptly stopped. "Please, step forward into the water."
Lodiramor and Serana looked at each other, and then to Paarthurnax, who made the first move forward. They were taking a leap of faith in this moment, not really knowing what would happen to them once they were standing in the water.
When all three of them were standing in the pond, the water began to change color again - this time to a purple color. There was another flash of light, and they felt as if the ground was ripped from under them, and then as if they were falling through the earth. Suddenly, they were standing in a totally different place. Before them, a temple towered, with trees hiding it from the sky. In front of them, a robed Altmer stood.
"Welcome to our monastery," he began. "My name is Quaranir. 764 years ago, I met the Dragonborn regarding a matter at the College of Winterhold. Since all of you hold some sort of significance to the Dragonborn, the world's current conflict, or the matter at the College so long ago, the Psijic Order deems you worthy of our direct communication."
Serana stepped forward to look into his eyes, asking, "Now that we're here, what now?" She seemed a little impatient, but Quaranir did not seem to be bothered by her bluntness.
"You must meet our Rite Master, Iachesis," Quaranir replied. "He stands at the top of the tallest tower in preparation for meeting each of you." He turned to face Paarthurnax directly. "Paarthurnax. You can fly directly to Iachesis. I will take Lodiramor and Serana through the temple."
Paarthurnax bowed his head and flew off to meet the Rite Master, Iachesis. Flying to the top of the temple, Paarthurnax saw a man standing where Quaranir told him to fly. Landing on the tower, he faced Iachesis.
"Welcome, Paarthurnax," Iachesis said. "We've been most interested in the prospect of meeting you for many years. There are not many beings on Nirn whose lives date before mine."
Paarthurnax inched closer to him, so he could look into the Altmer's eyes, staring into his soul. "Yet there are two here today."
Iachesis leaned his head forward a bit, and then removed his hood, revealing what appeared to be a rather old Altmer. "Of course, there is also Lady Serana. On that matter, what do you think of her? Her morals? Her background?"
Paarthurnax tilted his head at Iachesis, wondering why the monk was so interested on his opinion. "I know of her life through the Dovahkiin. He told me about her family and what she has done. She has great darkness in her, but I would not call her vokul - evil - for she has already saved this world from unimaginable decay."
Iachesis nodded his head, and then said, "Serana, like you, has overcome evil - would you agree?" Paarthurnax bowed his head as if to agree, and Iachesis continued. "The three of you represent a certain delicate balance in this world. You are the one who defied the great ambitions of dragons for the purpose of devoting yourself to a more holy purpose. Lady Serana was brought into darkness, but ultimately she fought against the machinations of her undoubtedly evil father. Her morality is ambiguous - grey."
Paarthurnax leaned his head towards Iachesis. "And what of the College Arch-Mage?" He asked the monk.
"Lodiramor was born into a lighter world," Iachesis said. After a pause, he added, "But like you and Serana, his life holds complications."
"What sort of complications do you speak of?" Paarthurnax asked Iachesis.
Iachesis turned from Paarthurnax to look over the temple, feeling the edge of the tower's rail with his hand. "All will be revealed with time," he said. Turning back to face Paarthurnax, he added, "You certainly have much time to spare. I cannot see the end of your influence over this world." They stood there in silence for a moment, before he added again, "Your companions are arriving soon. Is there anything you would like to ask of me before they come to us?" He asked Paarthurnax.
"The Dovahkiin - I was his kinbok. Do you know where he has gone?" Paarthurnax asked him.
"The magic of the Psijics - what most call 'mysticism' - can tell us where beings are, and it can even help us communicate with them or go directly to them. We once used the power of mysticism regarding the Dragonborn at the College of Winterhold," Iachesis began, looking tired. "But over time, after he fled the Empire, he became harder and harder to find. Today, I feel something much different."
"What do you feel?" Paarthurnax asked him.
"It is a great convergence of power beyond us. When I feel for the essence of the Dragonborn, I can feel the existence of great light and great darkness - the Aedra and Daedra themselves. Glowing brightest amongst them is the one you call 'Akatosh'." Iachesis took a few steps towards Paarthurnax, and continued. "Do you know why I brought you three here? You have the balance the Dragonborn was destined to try to keep. He was able to reach into the light and the dark in order to ensure the world's well-being. But now that he's gone, the one they call Maengvor will dominate the world, ushering a destructive darkness. As we told the Dragonborn long ago, 'change is inevitable. Indeed, it is sacred.' Maengvor will change this world, but he must not be allowed to grow his influence too greatly, or else there won't be a world left to change. I believe you three are the key to finding what happened to the Dragonborn - if he has died, where he went, or even if he has become something else entirely. His fate is shrouded in mystery."
Shortly after Iachesis said that, Serana and Lodiramor joined them on the tower. Paarthurnax moved to the side so they could speak to Iachesis, and they came face to face.
"Welcome, Lady Serana and Arch-Mage Lodiramor," Iachesis began. "By now, I'm sure my brothers and sisters have filled you in on the nature of our magics, correct?" They nodded, and Iachesis added. "Serana - I'll begin with you."
"What do you want from me?" She asked, bluntly.
Iachesis stepped towards her and looked directly into her red eyes. "You are a Daughter of Coldharbour. Most would expect you to bring evil into this world. Also, as a fan of conjuration, you would not even be allowed into our Order, but we have made an exception for you. As a significant person to the Dragonborn and the most powerful vampire alive - the last of your clan at that - we believe you are a key to defeating the growing evil in Tamriel, as well as unraveling the mystery of the Dragonborn."
Serana looked a little put off at what Iachesis said to her. "Most powerful vampire? He might be dead, but Harkon was much more powerful than I. Surely, there is a vampire out there greater than me."
"You sell yourself short, Lady Serana," Iachesis replied. "Your magics have grown to levels that even rival Harkon's. Your connection to the Dragonborn invigorates you - even now - he gives you strength that gives you potential even other pure-blooded vampires can never even dream of."
Serana seemed a little confused at Iachesis, and the monk turned to Lodiramor to speak to the Arch-Mage.
"Lodiramor," he began. "Your family has a history of contact with the Psijics - your ancestor Tolfdir was a part of the Eye of Magnus issue at the College of Winterhold. You are one of the most powerful mages alive - especially in telekinesis. In fact, no being outside of our Order ever brought such knowledge of the skill into the world. As a child you were particularly prodigious in it. As the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, you also hold great political power. Such will be of great necessity to our movement against the evil in Tamriel. By now, you all know who he is." Iachesis stepped back so he could speak to all of them. "We must stop him before he grows too powerful over the provinces. As we speak, he moves to invade Morrowind and Cyrodiil. A strike to the major cities of those provinces is inevitable. What must be prevented is him gaining too much political power after those strikes."
"What do you want us to do?" Serana asked Iachesis, growing more interested in the monk as time passed.
"Here, we have five ancient powerful orders and groups meeting, between us four beings. I am the Rite Master of the Psijic Order, Serana is the leader of Volkihar Clan and is a Daughter of Coldharbour, Lodiramor is the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, and Paarthurnax is the Grand Master of the the Greybeards as well as the arguable leader of dragons in Tamriel. Our power combined can potentially prevent an era of darkness from taking place, but there is one more piece to our puzzle that we must find." Iachesis stepped towards Serana, looking her in the eye. "You want to find him, do you not?" He asked.
Serana immediately became much more interested in what Iachesis had to offer her. "Is he still alive?" She asked.
Iachesis took a step back, sighing. "I do not know," he replied, to Serana's dismay. "But you have a connection to him as strong as, if not stronger, than any other. If anyone is going to be able to find out what happened to him, it will be you or Paarthurnax, or perhaps both of you together."
Lodiramor stepped towards Iachesis, asking, "What significance do I play in this?"
Iachesis turned his head to him, merely replying, "I'm sure you could figure that out yourself. You're a smart man, Lodiramor." Speaking to all again, he spoke again. "Now that all that is out of the way, I ask you three - will you join this pact?"
For Paarthurnax, it was an easy decision to make. "I support this aav - union of fus." Iachesis nodded, and turned to Serana.
Serana was not a very politically-oriented person, but her distaste for Maengvor made the prospect of the union promising to her. Also, she was desperate for answers on the Dragonborn after all of this time. "I'm in," she said.
They all turned to Lodiramor, who leaned on his staff, appearing the most conflicted out of all of them. But he would not refuse the fight against the darkness that had poisoned his home, and threatened his life. "I'll join this pact," he said.
"That settles it, then," Iachesis said. "Serana and Lodiramor, please see Quaranir again. He will show you to places to rest while you are the guest of the Psijic Order." Serana and Lodiramor left to re-enter the temple, leaving Iachesis and Paarthurnax behind.
Serana walked with Lodiramor, coming to Quaranir, who led them down the stairs and through the halls of the Psijic's temple. Her mind was completely occupied by thoughts on the Dragonborn, and where he may be. Eventually, Quaranir left Lodiramor in a room for him to rest in, and he continued to lead Serana through the halls of the temple. In a secluded corner of the tower, he left Serana, and they parted ways for the night.
Serana entered her temporary room, and set her things down before getting into the bed. The sun would rise soon, and she was tired. Thus, she drifted off to sleep.
Serana stood with the Dragonborn on the top of Castle Volkihar, looking out into the Sea of Ghosts as the wind blew at them. Serana looked to the Dragonborn, and asked, "You really mean what you said to Harkon? That I'm too important to you?"
The Dragonborn looked at Serana, and replied, "Of course. I would never let anyone hurt you." Serana's usually cold look grew a little warmer, and she embraced the Dragonborn as the waves crashed into the rocks below. "Isran be damned. I would spend all of time with you, if it were up to me."
Serana looked up at him. "But how would we ever be able to stay together? Won't it be too difficult for you, with me being a vampire?" She asked.
"I think we can make it work," he replied, staring into her red eyes and holding her in his arms. "The world needs me - they can't survive without me."
Serana reached up to touch his neck. "I need you," she said.
The Dragonborn leaned down, and held Serana closer to him. "I know," he spoke gently.
They stood upon Castle Volkihar, together. They took great pleasure in being alone, without the worries of the world burdening them. The Dragonborn, growing tired of Skyrim's troubles, was content to be with someone who actually cared about him. Serana, after her family was torn apart by greed and lust for power, was happy to be with someone who she finally felt truly loved her. After all of this time, they finally found someone who - in some way - was able to understand the other.
Serana woke up, in the middle of a thunderstorm. The sun was not shining through the clouds, so she got out of her bed to roam the tower. She felt a strong pull to the ground - as if something was there for her there. She gathered her things and left the room, descending the stairs to the ground floor of the tower. She felt an intense pull from something - she just could not figure out what.
On the ground level, there was nothing but a hatch on the floor. But, she felt compelled to open it - and she did, revealing an underground tunnel below the temple. She went into the tunnel, and closed the hatch above her. Getting to a level path below the surface, she followed it until she came to a room with a giant ball - surely with magical properties - housed in it. An inscription read on a piece of stone, 'The Eye of Magnus'.
Magnus, Serana knew, was an et'Ada. However, she did not know much about him other than that he was the god of magic among the Original Spirits. She felt pulled to The Eye.
Serana walked right to it, curious. After a moment of simply looking at it, she reached up to touch it. Placing her hand on The Eye, she felt an immense power rush through her - pushing the limits of her very being.
A cloaked figure stood upon a shrine, looking up to a stormy sky as waves crashed against the shore. "Akatosh, please hear my call," he said, raising his arms to the heavens.
Serana was able to see the man, but she could tell she was not really with him. "Is...is that you?" She asked, not knowing if he could even hear her.
In a blinding flash, she snapped back to where she truly was, on Artaeum. To the side of The Eye of Magnus stood a Psijic Monk she had not yet met.
"I am Voraril," the Altmer said. "I see you have found The Eye of Magnus."
"What's it to you?" Serana asked, getting back to her feet.
"It's not something the Psijics would take kindly to - if one were to meddle with it. I won't tell Iachesis, but I...request a bit of information in return," Voraril said.
"What kind of information?" Serana asked him, wary of the monk's motives.
"What did you see - when you touched The Eye?" He asked her, inching closer to Serana.
Serana looked at The Eye, and then back at Voraril. "I saw a man on an island, standing at a shrine - call to Akatosh for help. That's it," she said.
Voraril stood a tad straighter, and raised an eyebrow. "That's it?" He asked, not really expecting a response. "Interesting...that will do. Thank you, Lady Serana." Voraril turned and left Serana with The Eye, leaving her to wonder what she had gotten herself into.
After a while, Serana sought more answers about The Eye of Magnus, and she went back through the tunnel to the hatch on the ground level of the tower. Rising out of it, she walked up the stairs until she passed a monk.
"Do you know where Iachesis is?" She asked him, bluntly stopping him on the stairwell.
"Brother Iachesis should be in the Rite Master's study at this hour. It's on the top floor - the only room," he responded, before continuing his descent down the stairs.
Serana nodded and made her way all the way back up the tower, coming to the only door on the top floor. Opening it, she came into a vast library, seeing Iachesis standing at a desk, facing a clock whose ticking was the only thing that kept the study from pure silence.
"Hello, Lady Serana," he said - not even looking from the clock. "You have spent much time in Mundus - surely you have some bits of knowledge you could add to this collection we have here?"
"You people sure are interested in knowledge, aren't you?" Serana asked, walking towards his desk. "I could tell you a lot about vampires - and Molag Bal. I could bring you my mother's study on alchemy and necromancy."
Iachesis shifted his neck to look at Serana through the corner of his eye, and then looked back at the clock. "Interesting. Such will have to be for a later time. What brings you to my study today?" He asked her.
"I was curious about an artifact you have here," she began. "What can you tell me about The Eye of Magnus?" Serana asked.
Iachesis turned to face her, a look of seeming curiosity and some annoyance in his eyes. "The Eye of Magnus? You know of The Eye?" He asked, to which Serana nodded. "Very well. I guess you are worthy of knowledge on the matter. The Eye of Magnus is an artifact of Magnus, the et'Ada who was the architect of Mundus. It radiates magic because Magnus - the god of magic - is the reason we have magicka throughout Mundus. The Eye holds much power over the mortal plane. With The Eye, its mysteries can be unraveled - but if its balance is upset enough, Mundus itself can unravel. Thus, the Psijic Order will guard it with our lives."
Serana looked at Iachesis for a moment, and wondered about the possibilities of The Eye. "Could it help me find the Dragonborn?" She asked.
"Believe me, I've already tried. The Eye's magic can be...finicky...even for us," Iachesis replied. Serana nodded, and then turned to leave. Before reached the door, Iachesis added, "Be careful, Serana. It is becoming harder to tell when evil is around the corner."
Serana found Iachesis' ominous warning somewhat disturbing, but she left the Rite Master's study a bit more curious about what she saw when she touched The Eye. She guessed that it would reveal itself not too far into the future.
Meanwhile, Lodiramor was using a book he took from the collection of works the Psijics allowed him access to learn about mysticism. He found it particularly fascinating that the Psijics were able to communicate telepathically, and was trying to test their methods. He read from a book by Celarus, their Loremaster,
The ability to communicate telepathically comes from the ability to use the qualities of Mundus to one's advantage. Magnus, when he inadvertently gave the plane of existence magicka, gave all beings - immortal, mortal, and undead who live in Mundus - connections to each other through magicka.
This allows us to communicate telepathically, even from great distances. While a beginner may need to be able to see their target to communicate with them without the action of speaking, two experts in this skill could theoretically converse with each other from one end of Nirn to the other.
The action of telepathy requires a being to reach out from the confines of their body, using magicka to grasp the essence of another. From there, one can communicate using nothing but magics and the mind.
Lodiramor felt for the essence of Serana - and immediately knew she was in the temple, walking down a stairwell. He was amazed at the type of magic that the Psijics developed, for before this he was only able to detect the mere presence of life.
"It's a useful concept, isn't it?"
Lodiramor turned around and saw another Psijic monk standing before him.
"And who are you?" Lodiramor asked the monk.
"I am the one who wrote that book - my name is Celarus, Loremaster of the Psijic Order." Lodiramor was intrigued by Celarus, and let him continue speaking. "You and your friends have been a...debated subject here on Artaeum. While Brother Iachesis and myself have no problems with you, there are some who are wary of bringing you here."
"Why is that?" Lodiramor asked.
Celarus stepped towards Lodiramor and the reached out, causing the book to fly to his hand. "Knowledge on Magnus," he began, "is very sought after by some people. The Thalmor, some cults around Tamriel - especially the one that is growing now from Skyrim. It would be very problematic if someone from our Order spread knowledge of Magnus to these groups. History shows that people who leave the Psijic Order to pursue black magic tend to be banes for the people of Tamriel. Just take Mannimarco, of the Order of the Black Worm."
"What does he have to do with the current threat?" Lodiramor asked.
"The one they call Maengvor - yes, I know his name - is much more interested in using...our type of magic...than Mannimarco was. Our magic, if delved into its darker side, could undo this world. The Order of the Black Worm was more interested in necromancy. But I have suspicions on some monks around here seeking to leave the Psijic Order, planning on helping Maengvor seek our knowledge," Celarus said.
Lodiramor tapped his staff on the ground, a little lost. "And what does that have to do with bringing us here?" He asked.
"The unwitting make good targets for manipulation. Thought you might like to look out for yourself," Celarus replied.
Lodiramor's look hardened, becoming wary of the Psijics' foreboding words. "I'll take care of myself, thank you," he replied sternly, before turning and walking away from Celarus. Lodiramor was already tiring of the conflict that plagued Tamriel.