Ch. 36 The Revelation
Yep, It's a new chapter and not a moment too soon eh? I know that my times are getting longer but when you have authors who let their stories go for months and months or even years without updates while mine is a month or two at most, one has to wonder where to draw the line.
Still, all of you are getting more patient for me and I respect that a lot. So far all of you readers, I thank you for your continued support and here's to another chapter of a dysfunctional family!
Edit: Someone asked me if Marius was the Hero of Kvatch. The answer is an obvious no if you paid attention in the previous chapters. Sheogorath of Skyrim is the Hero of Kvatch from Oblivion courtesy of the Shivering Isles DLC, hence why he is upset about Martin's statue being removed from the Imperial City.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters belong to Bethesda. All OC's belong to their respective creators!
New Sheoth.
One would think that it was just a normal city from the outside, but that depended on what side you entered from. Mania was vibrant and colorful with stunning architecture that would make even the best designer green with envy, while Dementia was dark and dreary with buildings that were a stones throw away from crumbling and crushing.
All in all, the perfect capital for this crazy-ass world.
Although, it seemed there were a few changes since Marius visited last. Instead of two separate entrances, there was a single entrance of double doors flanked by one Golden Saint and one Dark Seducer. Both doors were decorated in their respective sides with intricate carvings and designs for Mania and dark rotten wood for Dementia.
'I understand this place changes every so often but did he have to put it in the middle of the freaking ocean?!' Marius shouted in his mind as he approached the island. 'The Mad God has truly gone mad at this point.'
"Hold, state your business in New Sheoth." The Seducer said as she cracked her knuckles, hoping for a fight. The Saint remained silent though her glare and her hand slowly reaching for her weapon told the whole story.
"I, Legate Marius Windren of the Imperial Legion, Current Dragonborn of the Fourth Era, am here responding to Sheogorath's invite." Marius replied evenly, not the slightest bit intimidated.
"Wait here." The Saint said gruffly before walking inside quickly. If only to escape the presence of a mortal and a male at that.
If only Alduin were around, then he would have someone to annoy.
-With Alduin-
The vast emptiness of Aetherius surrounded her mind as she fell into a trance. The words were old ones that her mother gave her so very long ago if she needed them. The fact she remembered them at all was a miracle in of itself but here she was and for a very specific reason.
Her mating to the Dragonborn.
Her father was not a happy dragon right now.
"Father, Mother." Alduin spoke calmly as she heard and felt their presence.
"My daughter, you have finally returned after a millenia away." Mara said gently before Akatosh wormed his way to the front.
"You mated the Dragonborn." Akatosh said simply but Alduin barely retained a growl at his blunt attitude.
"I did and though some words were...out of context, I do not regret in the slightest." Alduin replied calmly as she heard his snort. "We are not as close as I want but our current predicament is more pressing."
"The new war," Akatosh said with a slight growl. "A war, even on that was going to happen sooner or later, that you had no real reason to cause, daughter."
"Peace dear, I'm sure our daughter has some reason for her actions." Mara said soothingly as Akatosh did calm down slightly.
"When I was trapped father, I was forced to look at every outcome when I was forced into that time wound. Every option, every choice had the same outcome. The death of the dov and the world plunged into an endless war. There was no hope for this land like there once was and then I made a decision." Alduin replied calmly though she had a hint of pride in herself. "I planned to bring us back from the brink but I needed a catalyst to do it. I needed someone who had or would soon have enough pull to get things in motion but time after time I saw nothing but would-be people who just didn't have the drive or will to change things. So I made a new plan, one that would ensure not only the return of the dov but the revival of the entire Dragonborn bloodline."
"And so you've corrupted the Dragonborn but this wasn't a spur of the idea was it." Akatosh said simply while Mara gave a sharp intake of breath.
"Daughter, you didn't-"
"The last in a long forgotten and outcast line of Alessia. So little of our blood left in their veins but they were the last still surviving. I used what little control I had to ensure that he received the blood of his family...and possibly a little sense of purpose." Alduin explained as Mara couldn't contain her shock.
"Daughter...you...you..."
"From the moment of his birth, he was mine." Alduin said calmly with the biggest smirk adorning her maw. "Hence why every little thing he did that didn't involve my plan always failed. He believed that after growing up that he was walking his own path, but it was the path that I laid out for him all along. From his time in Cyrodil till he was captured at Helgen and even now he still follows it, not knowing that I am pushing him in the direction I want him to go." Alduin couldn't contain the glee in her voice as she laid bare her entire plan to her parents. "Once he was taken to Helgen then I knew that I had won the ultimate victory. The dov would rise again, the true Bloodline of the Empire would be restored and I would be the architect of the greatest rebirth this world will ever see."
"Then why have you come here?" Akatosh asked as Alduin smirked.
"This union needs your blessing father, and yours mother for it to truly remain. I want to eternally bind the souls of Men and Dov and we need more than just blood to do it. Your Aspect was a good touch but it requires more than words and spilled blood on a battlefield." Alduin said as Akatosh sighed while Mara was silent in thought.
"What you are asking, requires more magicka than anything known to man daughter. It would wipe out an entire race!" Akatosh said as Alduin dipped her head.
"You want the Altmer...don't you." Mara said as she figured out the last part of Alduin's plan. "You want to sacrifice the Altmer to power the ritual."
"While that would please me, not all deserve death. I want the action shared between the enemies laid before me. I want the power shared between the Fahliil, Bosmer and the Khajiit. With all three races fueling the ritual, it would take centuries before they build themselves up to anything and by that time it would be far too late for them to do anything close to a rebellion again." Alduin finished as she gave a snort of fatigue. She still had eggs forming in her and this nonstop action was delaying their inevitable birth.
"Though I can't condone your actions...I suppose we don't have a choice." Akatosh said as Alduin gave another nod. "As much as it pains me, you are my only daughter and your objective is one I have wanted since your defeat. You have our cooperation daughter." Alduin said nothing as she looked at Mara.
"You have taken everything I taught you and corrupted it to suit your own plans. I had hoped to steer you at least in some way but it was all for naught-"
"Nid, I will talk to you in private mother." Alduin interrupted with a hint of fatigue showing. "I need your guidance and your wisdom for something important to me."
Mara gave a soft sigh as she knew what her daughter needed to talk about. Maybe she learned something after all. "Very well, visit my temple in Bravil when you can and we will speak. I will support you daughter, but I hope you know of the consequences should your actions reach his ears."
"I do but why worry about what won't come to pass. None save us know of this and that is how I wish it to stay." Alduin said with a tone of finality but internally she was worried. Her parents were many things and she had absolute trust in them but she could feel their disapproval of her plan. She had control over Nirn but not her parents, if they wish to tell the Dragonborn then she could nothing but watch as they tear down everything she had worked so long for.
She knew they wouldn't but a small part of her still feared that possibility.
Wow, how in the world could I write anything else to top that last bit? How will Marius take it if he knew his entire life was nothing but one big lie? How would he take it if he found out that his actions all along were completely controlled by Alduin?
I know that I never fleshed out Marius's character completely so Alduin's plan probably won't make much sense and might leave others more confused than anything but I tried my best to throw a curveball into the story. I hope you all enjoy it.
So tell me guys, do you hate Alduin now; yes or no?