Author Notes
Soundtrack recommendation: From Hell With Love by Beast in Black
21st of Sun's Dusk
"We found something over here! Come quickly!" Ciphen yelled out to his leader.
"What is it this time Ciphen? Another special rock?" He replied.
"No sir. This is a door of some kind. I saw nothing like this before."
His leader refused to give a name. No one knew who he was. They only called him leader as he refused to take another name. He somehow knew of this place but didn't tell them what it was, not even he knew. His eyes looked at it intently. He knew they found what they sought. This was indeed the perfect place.
"Good work Evergails. We are making progress finally."
The Evergail Order. No one in Dawnstar liked having them around. Their robes alone scared half the town. No one liked the dark purple with skulls and birds on them at all. If it wasn't for the gold they brought to Dawnstar, everyone was sure the Jarl would have kicked them out or called the Imperial guard to rid them of this problem. The only problem was how much gold. The Jarl couldn't even fathom the amounts coming in anymore. It bought silence like they hoped.
Everything they did managed to hang in a cloud of secrecy. No one except their leader knew who they reported to. When asked, they said they were remnants of the mages guild before their abolishment. Those words made most questions vanish quickly. Ever since the Oblivion crisis have mages been frowned upon now. Nords had their dislike for magic as it was, this group brought it to a new level.
Their leader looked to the doorway knowing another piece sat close. The power emanating from the seal alone terrified him. The magic here was ancient, not even of this world. He knew of no way to get inside, but others did. Those who hired him to find this place surely knew what they were doing. He simply smiling knowing the payday he would soon have would fund their research for many years to come.
"There is a puzzle over here sir." Another recruit called out.
He ran over quickly to see how it all looked. His eyes met the six mages assisting in the search. He nodded his head in approval with the puzzle beyond his understanding. The writing itself looked nothing like modern times. This was the key he needed. Now it was time for them to leave and report their work to their contractor. "Great job. Let's get back to the research."
Each of them happily retreated to their side further back. Ciphen just wanted to get his opportunity to prove to someone he had the skills everyone doubted. He quickly picked his stuff and that of the others up. Being the newest member made him the runt of the group. Everyone forced him to do all the work. He wanted to assist with the research more than anything, but his recruitment was to find this mysterious gateway.
He trudged through the swampy area with the rest. The blood spilled all over the rocks left him a little unnerved. Ciphen was no simple man and knew how to handle himself when needed. Their approach to a few tents and makeshift covers put his heart at ease. He happily dropped the heavy stuff and asked where he would be able to stay. The screams from the tent beside him sent chills up his spine.
"What was that?" Ciphen asked a little nervous.
"That is just some of the research. They are vampires, not exactly good people." He replied.
A woman emerged from the tent, hands covered in blood, but her smile was very recognizable. She seemed thrilled by the work she did, savoring in the agony of the one inside. Ciphen peaked in as she moved out of the way. His stomach turned on itself. Nausea swept over him quickly.
"Research or torture?" Ciphen asked, trying not to throw up.
"Call it what you like. We work with the Dawnguard to find new and creative ways to kill vampires. This one we had to dissect to try and understand what makes them tick. Do not worry, they can't turn you, we remove their teeth before we test."
"That is torture…"
"All of us lost someone to a vampire at some point, same as you. We want to kill as many as we can get our hands on."
Ciphen felt himself sicker knowing what they do. Vampire or not, they didn't need to be tortured. He never told anyone about vampires, that assumption had to come from their leader. Ciphen was simply recruited as a mage at the local keep in Dawnstar. It sounded fun to do research. He wanted to do something more with himself. This was supposed to be bigger than the College of Winterhold. What a lie all of that was.
"You are right. Screw them." Ciphen said with a fake smile.
"Now we're talking."
A hand slapped his back. The man went in the tent with the woman to join in the festivities. When he heard the scream again, Ciphen took off running from this camp. He wanted no parts of these people. Torturing anyone or anything was not anything he wanted part of. The only thing he wanted was to test his magical prowess against others. It looks like the College of Winterhold would be the best place after all and not with these bunch of lunatics.
Serana couldn't bring herself to move from the floor no matter what she did. The entire world seemed upside-down. Serana never felt more alone than in the past few days. She couldn't believe the way everything happened. Why did Tenaya have to run away from her? Why did she have to sit the miserable one? How much more could her heart endure? She didn't seem to know the answers to anything. All she knew was her heart sat with the woman who left her. Now she felt the pain.
"Come on daughter, you need to get up and do something. This is for the best…"
"Only because you hated her." Serana mumbled.
"She fights our maker, of course I do. Molag Bal has welcomed us. His shrine flows stronger than ever!"
"At what cost mother? You would trade your daughter for his blessing? Just like father…"
"I am nothing like your father!" Valerica snapped back. "I want nothing but happiness for us. I do not seek power or others. We are Molag Bal's children and I will remain loyal for his gifts."
"Then we are not the same mother. I want her, not him."
Valerica turned to walk away. She had no time to waste on the self-pity Serana chose to share. Her mind was sound and set. Her daughter would see the way, she knew this. It required time and patience. Those years in the Soul Cairn cleared up what really existed and how to maintain it. Her heart no longer carried the burdens it did before. The moment of weakness she showed, she chose to never show again.
Matria and Ivy returned the following morning from their days out to find Tenaya. For their efforts, they had little. No one saw Tenaya or heard about her. It was the same as last time, she vanished off the face of Skyrim once again with no traces left behind. She knew they would look, and she made it difficult for anyone to find where she went. It wouldn't stop them from trying and their guards made things so much easier.
"I have a feeling I know where she went to and it is not in Skyrim. She went back to Cyrodiil or Morrowind." Matria said.
"You think she would go that far?" Ivy asked.
"Yes, I do. She has a home in Cyrodiil and another in Morrowind. Tenaya didn't just keep to herself here. She prepared for a lot. I admire that woman."
"Do you think we could ask Azura or another for assistance in finding her?"
"I am not sure. We can see if she is in Cyrodiil. It is a long walk and if these Gargoyles I finally managed to figure out work, we would have the protection."
Valerica managed to give a lot of knowledge to Matria in a short time. She seemed to fill the void Serana left in not caring for the arcane arts the same way. Within a week, Matria managed to figure out how to make her own gargoyles and control them as well as how to make proper potions. The time alone seemed filled with constant yelling and displeasure but turned out to be anything but. Valerica had so much knowledge and all someone had to do was ask.
Both watched Serana for a moment trying to pull herself together enough to want to have a conversation. It appeared to both she lost her will to continue on. They wanted to go as a team, all three of them so they stood a chance travelling to the other lands. Only Matria knew pieces of Cyrodiil while none of them knew anything of Morrowind. It seemed only best to do things together.
"Will you help us or not Serana? We are going even regardless of." Ivy asked, crossing her arms.
"She doesn't want us, she doesn't want me. Why are we doing this?" Serana cried.
"At a certain point you need to fight for the person you love. If you still love her like you claim, face your own demons inside like she said and help us find her."
"We have no idea where she went anyway. Tamriel is a massive place…"
"I have a good idea where she is. She has two homes in Cyrodiil and one in Morrowind. One in Bruma and another in Cheydinhal. If what they said of Morrowind is accurate, she also has a house just outside of Suran."
Serana perked up hearing that name. Her past appeared to be woven so tightly to Tenaya, their fates seemed destined together. A place with that name could not be coincidence. Her heart and mind went straight back to the memories. This was indeed destiny. "I know that settlement, or rather what it was back then. It sits beside the temple to Molag Bal, a place called Bal Ur. It is where I was chosen…"
"How long ago was that?" Matria asked, mostly curious to hear something about her.
"Before there was an empire. We didn't have an era back then, just history."
Ivy's mouth hit the floor realizing people could be that old. She knew vampires lived forever, but this seemed to take it to a new extreme. She literally sat in the presence of someone who was older than the empire they lived in. Before the great wars, before the Imperial City. She was someone who knew of time before any history she ever learned.
In what took only a couple minutes, Serana made up her mind. If there was some sort of possibility, they could find Tenaya then she would take the chance. The woman came into her life after having disappeared just to save her life. It was time to redeem herself in the eyes of Tenaya. She meant something deep, something powerful. Knowing Tenaya had a house so close to where it all started meant their destinies belonged together.
Serana ran quickly to gather a few things. She didn't exactly have the best of armor anymore with the rips just to keep Tenaya alive. The other armor Tenaya made sat in pieces thanks to Isran and the Dawnguard. She had no choice but to go to something much deeper and darker, something buried far away from the days of her father and mother. She dug through one of the chests in the corner knowing where it sat. Her fingers lifted the first piece seeing the ancient writing.
"Queen's armor…"
The armor was unlike most of this time. It was intended for the day she married her other and took the place of Royalty from her parents. Her mind raced realizing how the times changed. Gone were the days her mother and father wanting happiness and a dynasty of vampires. Her father became so warped and her mother so much a shell. Neither of them realized all she wanted was to find that perfect person and stay with them forever. Deep down, Serana remained the teenager she was in life.
Serana stripped down to her undergarments. She slid the blackened fabric with the metallic spider webs of red and white all over it on. The metal breastplate slid overhead and strapped on cleanly. All these years later it fit just like the day they commissioned the pieces. Careful etchings of a vampire and the Royalty form sat on each side of her chest. Her arms remained freely open with only the intricate spider web going to the bottom of her wrists.
Her gauntlets slid on perfectly with metal points for fingers. The enchantments coursed her body bringing a higher level of magic she lost when her old outfit took the damage. Even the boots fit perfectly with a combination of leather and pieces of metal on the front. For the first time, she felt right about what she wore. The knee length dress of metal and fabric felt right with only the smallest of areas unprotected.
Serana spun around realizing how free her movement was. She grabbed the helmet and went to the hall to meet Ivy and Matria. Her mother stood in the middle going about her business until she saw Serana. The outfit she remembered just as well as her Serana.
"A little premature to be wearing that isn't it? I will never allow you to marry her. She is not worthy of our name." Valerica chided.
"It is me who is not worthy of her name. This is your castle now. I want nothing to do with it. I chose my side and it isn't Molag Bal."
"You are really willing to give up on our creator for her, a woman who didn't earn what she is? Her name is poverty in Skyrim daughter, you will destroy everything House Volkihar stands for!"
Serana walked down the steps to meet her mother in the middle of the hall. Ivy and Matria backed away towards the entry door. Neither wanted to be around if this broke out into some sort of fight. Serana had a look in her eyes that clearly said something to Valerica.
"I guess locking your daughter in a tomb for ages is the best way to protect the family name. I do not ask your permission or seek your approval. I love her and will fight to the death to find her, just like I should have before. You blinded me to the truth."
"For your own good! I will not offer my support again. You rise against our creator and I will not. Molag Bal speaks with me again and warned me of your ways and those of Tenaya Darix."
"The next time you talk, tell him Tenaya and Serana will be coming."
"You disappoint me daughter…"
Serana pushed past her mother and went to the front door with her friends. She slid the helmet over her head, coming out to be nothing more than a glorified crown but didn't matter, she wanted the outfit more than she wanted anything else. Finding Tenaya was the important piece. Having the full armor on gave her a heightened magical power and stopped the sun from hurting her as much as it did.
Matria held the door, commenting on the armor. Serana smiled when she walked through. None of them saw anything like it ever. Serana wore it one time prior with a fitting of the outfit so many years ago. Ivy stared on in amazement, seeing the intricate details all over and how it seemed to be as much clothing as it was armor. It appeared very much like the armor Serana wore previously, but more exquisite and finer, truly fit for royalty.
"Lead the way Matria. We just might want to make a quick stop for supplies. Ivy needs a different meal than we do." Serana said.
"I am set. We grabbed some while out previously." Ivy replied.
Serana nodded and pushed off with the jetty. This would not be the easiest journey or one that she savored, but their friend and her love needed to be found. Serana rowed stronger and harder than she ever did in her life. She wanted redemption. She wanted to be loved.
Velatin walked through the streets of Solitude. He cared little for the people here, but his stomach was still that of a mortal again. He had to eat whether he liked it or not. The real hope would hopefully come from the meeting with the Evergail Order. He cringed at the name of such a place; The Winking Skeever. Mortals became so typical and predictable.
The inside went quiet seeing the man enter. His armor drew a lot of stares, but most fixated on the sword. He sat at a table ordering up a glass of ale and some food. The barmaid ran through giving him priority. No one wanted him around any longer than necessary by their treatment. He didn't look healthy or like someone who should be in these parts. Even the guards didn't want him around from the looks of it. He ate with their eyes watching him constantly.
"We found what you seek." A man said to Velatin.
"Great. It means a step closer." Velatin said with food stuffed in his mouth before tossing a coin purse. "Our agreed upon fee. Find the rest and it will double with each additional. There are still three out there."
"Then my resources are yours for anything you need. How may we be of service?" He said.
"Find me Tenaya Darix. If you return her dead, I will give you 10,000 gold pieces. If you return her alive, 20."
"We know this name. She was a goodie in Skyrim. For that much money, would you like her wearing a dress too?"
"Just find her. I have no time to waste."
Others listened in to their conversation and Velatin picked up on it. He stood up from his table and looked around the room. Thieves littered the one corner and a few mercenaries in others. He wanted an army hunting for this woman. He wanted her found and killed so he could go back to his piece of Oblivion and control everything with his masters.
"10,000 gold to anyone who brings me Tenaya Darix. I will double it for her returned alive."
Velatin sat down to finish his meal. The leader of the Evergail Order pledged himself to the cause, refusing to turn down so much money for no reason. He would serve whoever this man was and offered nothing in return except the woman and the places he wanted found.
The whispers inside the inn brought a sadistic smile to Velatin's face. He would turn this entire providence upside down to find the woman. She slipped through his fingers on a lucky chance. There would be no more luck or chances. She couldn't fight the entire world and he knew it.
Tenaya walked out of the house in Bruma with everything she cared to bring. She knew others would come looking for her at some point and staying here felt like the dumbest decision. The only place no one knew about was in Morrowind. She planned to go there and leave everything behind. She had all the gold she needed to survive for a long time but didn't plan on remaining around Tamriel. She accepted death would bring her peace.
The wounds were still fresh in her memory. She couldn't ever face Velatin again and prayed no one popped up on her journey there. Remembering how terrified she was on the ground at the sight of that bandit was enough to push her to the brink. Tenaya didn't need any of this. They chose the wrong champion. She couldn't beat him on her best day. That man wasn't human.
She dropped Azura's Star at the foot of her temple no longer wanting to have a part of the Daedra around. If another would find her, she accepted it. Tenaya just wanted to live the remaining time away and in isolation with no one to worry about. She wanted nothing of the world anymore that spit her out like she didn't belong.
Tenaya took one last look around to the city of Bruma knowing she would miss it. She left a few moments later for Morrowind to end her time.