The Mind Screams
Tired didn't quite summarise how Kari felt after several days of study in the library. Exhausted was close, but it didn't get the sense of utter boredom that came from doing nothing but reading books of magic for hours of end. She was sat at the reading desk, an item crafted from a dark metal inlaid with shards of obsidian. There was a small crystal placed in the skull of what could be called a troll that emanated light down onto the desk, making it easier to read in the library's gloom. Purple-Claws came in every hour or so to make sure Kari hadn't slacked or to bring in food for the girl. Kari was initially excited when her training started, which went south faster than a sparrow hawk when Purple-Claws had put the piles of spell books and magical theory down in front of her. She hadn't cast a single charm since she started. Although to be fair, the only other times she had conjured magic was in times of great emotional stress like the previous book she had read mentioned. She let out a sigh and let her head drop to the table. She could get a few winks in before Purple came in to check on her again. Just a few. She was asleep before her eyes had shut.
She awoke on the deck of a familiar looking ship that rocked heavily on a stormy sea. She quickly looked around to see there was no land on the horizon and only mile after mile of roaring sea. She backed away from the edge of the ship and bumped into something. No. Someone. She slowly turned and saw a tall robed woman with eight sleeves for the matching amount of arms. Kari's eyes widened and she fell to her knees, looking up at the dark figure who wore a mockery of her mother's cloak. It spoke in a tone that dripped with ancient wisdom, but managed to ignore Kari's long ears to go straight to her brain.
"Greeting Karinia Ashmane. This has been a long time in the making I believe. I am glad to speak with you this eve. I have been watching for some time". The figure remained standing, the eight arms folded over its chest to make a web shape. Kari attempted to speak, but the words crumbled like wet sand in her mouth.
"I cannot say I am surprised by your response. Not many are so". The figure was quiet for a moment. "Nonchalant. I am Mephala. Goddess of your tribe from the Ashlands." Kari's kneeling turned from shock to one of respect very very quickly. The Goddess pulled down the hood to reveal the eight-eyed face so familiar to any normal Daedric cultist. Kari found words the managed to be louder than the howling wind of the dream's storm, albeit with a stutter.
"M-My Lady. I am h-h-honoured. What is th-the m-m-meaning of this b-blessing?". Kari could only recall scraps of what her mother taught her about legendary warriors and priests meeting gods. She imagined they were completely different to this. The Daedra chuckled softly, it had been a while since she last spoke face to face with a mortal. Let alone a pathetic little girl. She decided this would be much simpler if she left out the rhyming part.
"It is very simple Karinia. Your soul belongs to me. I will grant you protection and guidance. You will be blessed with my mark and should I see it fit, I may send help. All you need do is drink of my blood". A goblet full of a black liquid appeared on the decking in front of Kari. She looked down at it, her crimson eyes wide as she tried to understand what was going on. They betrayed the fact she didn't. The only noise for a long while was the howl of the wind and the roar of the sea. The Daedra was in no hurry, she had all of eternity after all.
"I accept your blessing m-my Lady. I have n-nothing to l-l-lose from it". The Dark Elf looked up at the face of her new god. The expression had only changed because of a smirk that appeared on the face of the Daedra. It gestured with one of its arms to the goblet. Kari looked back down at the menacing black liquid and swallowed a lump that had appeared in her throat. She reached out with shaking hands before taking the simple goblet. And then, with more confidence than she ever mustered in her life, she drank the foul tasting liquid in one go. The Elf immediately began to cough and splutter, her body attempting to reject the foul poison that had entered her body. Eventually she began to scream in pain as the blood began to flow through her own veins. The last thing she saw before she blacked out was the tall figure began to fade, laughing.
"And so it begins Karinia. We will meet again soon".
Kari gasped and sat upright in the chair. She breathed heavily and looked around. She was no longer on the storm lost ship but back in the library of Huntrek's home. She leaped from the chair and went straight to the washroom, aware of the searing pain on her back and in her eyes. Surely that was the strangest dream she had ever seen. Even the one where Silver had approached her an-
"Miss Tanthia?" The rasping voice of Purple snuck up on her and the young girl yelped. She turned to look at the servant, who gave her a stern look. "Your training is not done for today and-. You look like you've seen a ghost." The young girl looked at the Argonian and gave her a tired smile.
"I just feel a bit ill Purple. I'll feel better after a lie down. If that's alright". Kari spoke weakly to give the impression of being sick, which the older servant seemed to fall for. The servant sighed and waved Kari off.
"You can have a few days off then Miss Tanthia. Maybe I was too harsh with my initial teachings". The Argonian smiled and turned to leave. When she spoke with Silver later that night, she swore she had seen small white spots in the black of Kari's eyes. Kari carried on to the washroom, removing her clothes and looking at her back in the polished mirror. She almost screamed at what she saw, biting down on her tongue as not to do so. Her back was covered in sprawling masses of runes, mostly Daedric, written in a black so brilliant that it stood out against her ashen skin as though it were white. She let out a whimper and quickly threw her clothes back on, running to her room and throwing herself under the covers. She knew she wouldn't be sleeping for a long long time.
Mephala looked up from the statue of Kari, which was now inlaid with shards of obsidian. The trial was complete and Dagon had returned to his realm, the others were talking among themselves. The Daedric prince stood up, putting the little statue into her recess before walking away from the table, towards one of the octagonal windows that looked out across the spheres of existence. She watched several of the stars glitter by and say in the very far distance, a very small planet. Somewhere on that planet, her newest champion walked. Or rather, the prince guessed, her newest champion was coming to terms with being a champion chosen by Daedra rather than the other way around. Now the next phase could begin. There was almost certainly the crack of flagstones from someone behind her. Sheogorath must have talked to Malacath about the 'fish-stick' again.