In the past year that she had been with the Fighters Guild, Tala's contracts have helped pay for food and supplies, leaving the septims that she had earned from her previous battles safe in the basement for emergencies. It took a lot of time and single-handedly hunting down clients to bring in contracts for the Guild- especially when the Blackwood Company was slowly stealing clients and guild-mates out from underneath them- but her efforts paid off. With the extra dedication she put into the Guild, as well as her skills in combat, she quickly excelled within the ranks and now bore the title of Warder.

With a higher rank came higher-paying contracts. But those were few and far between, especially around Chorrol. Tala honestly welcomed the break in-between contracts. After she and Modryn took down Azani Blackheart, she needed time to relax and be closer to her family, especially with the Hackdirt problem. Being summoned all the way down to Anvil for a contract was not what she wanted to do. If she wanted to travel all across Cyrodiil looking for a job, she would have already done so. And as she stood before Azzan in his private office bright and early the morning after she arrived, she did her best to hide her distain for the cloak-and-daggers over what could possibly be a simple contract.

"Good to see you back in Anvil." Azzan greeted.

"Yeah... about that." Were the first words Tala said to her superior before she continued, "I've been wondering... Why exactly did you summon me for this job when you have Guild members here who are capable of taking a local contract?"

Azzan merely stared at her as he leaned back in his chair. "I specifically asked you to come to Anvil because you were requested for the job."

Tala's mildly annoyed stare slowly shifted to curiosity. "Okay... go on."

"The client's name is Elante of Alinor. Elante is a scholar, interested in researching Daedra worship. There's a Daedric shrine in Brittlerock Cave that she is interested in analyzing, and needs a bodyguard to accompany her."

Tala's curious look quickly shifted back to annoyance as she realized where this was going. "Let me guess... she requested me because I'm the Champion of Cyrodiil. And she thinks that because I killed daedra during the Oblivion Crisis, that means I'm better at handling any that might still be lurking in the cave."

"You got it."

Tala chewed on the inside of her lip in an attempt to suppress her displeasure. She may have gotten used to being recognized by her title, but the fact that someone wanted her to do something because she had said-fancy-title, and not because of her actual fighting skills, really bothered her. "How did she even know that I was in the Fighters Guild?" She asked with a tight jaw.

"Knowledge like that eventually spreads throughout the cities." Azzan replied in an almost chiding manner. "I'm sure this will be no trouble for you anyway. The job is pretty straightforward: meet her in Brittlerock Cave, help her find the shrine, and keep her safe. Simple as that."

"So why the lack of details in the letter?"

"Oreyn told all of the Fighters Guild chapters about the issues concerning the Blackwood Company. Elante paid very handsomely for this contract. I didn't want word getting out that she was looking to pay the Guild for your services and they find a way to take this contract from us."

Tala let out a soft sigh and eventually nodded. "Alright. I haven't been to this cave before. Can you mark it on my map?"

After Azzan made the X where it needed to go, he ended the conversation with, "I let her know of your arrival last night. She's probably already waiting for you there. Go protect Elante. She's doing important research."

Tala then rolled her map back up with a nod before turning around and heading out of the office. On her way downstairs to the main hall she overheard her other Guild-mates discussing her contract, expressing their disbelief that a scholar paid for a Guild member to escort her around in a cave she had no business being in. Clearly they had no idea this scholar wanted Tala specifically. Rather than make conversation, she simply walked out the door.

As she stepped off the stone step and away from the Fighters Guild door, she couldn't help but look to her left at the building beside her. The Anvil chapter of the Mage's Guild resided there... or at least it used to. The Guild was now desolate, with the wooden sign that once reminded citizens of its inhabitants removed and boards fastened across the windows as if it were no better than the condemned home sitting adjacent to it. Just taking in the sight only made her melancholy grow deeper. Tala let out a sad sigh before she stepped forward and made her way towards the city gates. The Mage's Guild in Chorrol was in a similar shape; seeing it every time Tala came into town make her heart ache for all the eager mages who had once resided in those halls and how she'd never get to be a part of them again. Though she knew if she really wanted to return to a mage's life, she could go back to the Arcane University. A thought that occasionally crossed her mind, but in actuality, she didn't really want to live in the Imperial City and stay at the University. If she did, she wouldn't have given up the title of Arch-Mage.

Her thoughts eventually came to a pause when she walked off the Gold Road towards her destination. She could sulk about this all she wanted, but she knew that doing so would never bring back the Mage's Guild. Though being a sword for hire wasn't so bad. She started her path to being the legendary Hero of Kvatch by picking up a blade and using it to help others. So even though she wasn't living her dream job, at least she enjoyed being a part of the Fighters Guild and they appreciated her loyalty to it. And as long as she didn't do reckless things while out on her contracts, she would help someone and then come home in one piece with some extra coin to keep food on the table.

Brittlerock was located slightly northwest of the Ayleid ruin known as Trumbe. Tala knew she found it when she approached the cave and was immediately greeted by an Altmer woman waiting at the cave's mouth. She wore a green brocade shirt with a lovely green and leaf-patterned skirt. She carried a leather satchel with the strap over her right shoulder and let the bag itself rest on her left hip. Her eyes were a honey brown and her brunette hair was pulled into a messy bun. The mer's smile grew so wide her eyes partially closed as she courteously bowed to the warrior in Glass Armor before her.

"It is an honor to be hiring your services, great Champion of Cyrodiil!" She beamed.

Tala graciously smiled and bowed in return. "Thank you. You must be Elante?"

The Altmer nodded. "I am Elante of Alinor." She softly replied. "I'm looking forward to our investigation. Fascinating subject, these Daedra. Though I'm sure you do not need an education on them. You fully understand the power of the Daedra and what they're capable of. That is why when I paid for the contract, I wanted you specifically for the job, because I knew you'd take this seriously. My research shows there is likely a shrine in these caves. I'll need you to accompany me to the shrine and handle any... difficulties."

"I understand. I'm delighted to help keep you safe." Tala politely replied. "Are you ready to venture inside and-?"

"Yes, let's investigate! And keep on your toes!" Elante joyfully interrupted as she turned to head in.

"Hang on!" Tala quickly exclaimed as she darted in front of Elante. "If you believe that there are still daedra lurking in this cave, it might be wise for me to go on ahead of you. I understand your eagerness to get down there, but as your bodyguard I must advise you to stay back and remain safe until the coast is clear to advance further."

Elante's smile faltered a little, but she nevertheless nodded in agreement. "I understand. I'll be right behind. Let's go."

Tala made sure she remained several paces ahead of the scholar as they descended into the cave. When she entered the first level, a Storm Atronach guarded the room, confirming their suspicions of daedra within. She had to quickly rush Elante behind a rock as she drew her katana and quickly cast her Fire Storm spell, propelling a whirlwind of flames at the stone sentinel before her. When the rocks that created it's form quickly scattered across the cave, Tala made a point to gather the Void salts it left behind before she signaled Elante to follow her once again. Further into the cave, she came across two more Storm Atronachs. And like the first one, Tala quickly dispatched them with a Fire Storm and collected their Void Salts in some empty coin-purses she saved if in the event she ever stumbled across rare ingredients.

By the third room, her opponents quickly switched from simple atronachs to Daedroth. Luckily Daedroth were simple alligator-like monsters with brains the size of pebbles that only knew how to swipe and bite. It makes killing them easy. When the first one charged at her, Tala rushed at it and dropped to a slide, diving underneath and plunging her sword into its belly, splitting it's guts out on the ground and killing it quickly. Shen then turned on one knee and fired an array of ice spikes into a second one before it had a chance to react. A third and final Daedroth tried to leap at her while she was trying to stand, but she dodged out of the way just in time, causing its toothy maw to collide with the stone floor. She then drove her katana into the side of its skull and waited for the Daedroth to cease any movement before she pulled the sword out of its head. She then yanked a few teeth from each of the Daedroth and tucked them in another empty coin-purse before signaling to Elante that it was safe to proceed.

From there, they descended into the final room where the demolished shrine was located. This time the beast that she had to face was a Xivilai. The minute it saw her, Tala grimaced. Aside from Dremora, the Xivilai were cunning and quick on their feet despite their impressive size. This particular one was already at the ready and swinging at her the second she pulled up her sword in defense. She barely had the time to lock her katana with its daedric claymore and she struggled to push it back. It took her a moment before she quickly let go of her power struggle against it and dodged out of the way of the claymore's path. With a quick swing, she slashed its ribs with her blade. That caused the Xivilai to roar in pain before it turned to swing at her again. Tala swiftly darted to the side once more- barely missing the claymore's edge- and ramming her sword into its belly and hastily retracting it before the daedra could retaliate. Another dodge to the side before she put a deep laceration into the other side of its ribs before dancing away to try and avoid a hit. The beast was able to step closer and swing down at her again; this time, she could see that the blade would hit, so she brought up her katana in defense, once again putting them in a test of strength to see who would grow weak first. She noticed that the weight of the claymore was not as intense as before, and the Xivilai gruffly panted as its free hand tightly clutched its bleeding gut wound.

Any minute now, and it was going to grow weak and she would have the chance to return to the offense. She would just have to remain patient and hold her ground as she wore it down. But clearly the Xivilai figured out what she was doing and pulled out a trick: it retracted its hand away from its wound and drew magicka to its bloody palm. A Clannfear was then summoned to its side as it continued to hold her in place. When the distorted cry of the agile creature echoed through the cave, Tala watched it run straight past her, its sights on the Altmer woman hiding halfway behind a rock formation. Tala quickly realized that she couldn't draw this out now if she wanted to, because if she didn't end the fight soon, that Clannfear was going to kill her client.

She managed to lean forward with all her might in order to slip away from the Xivilai and spin around to plunge her sword straight into its back. As the monster roared in pain, she conjured the most powerful destruction spell she knew: the Wizard's Fury. A combination of fire, ice, and lightning all in one spell, sent as a seismic blast hurling towards its target that annihilates anyone it touches. A risky move in close range, but it was a guaranteed one-shot kill. Fortunately, she was close enough to make sure her spell hit its target, killing the Xivilai instantly and dispelling the Clannfear's ties to Mundus just as it lunged at Elante. Unfortunately, the blast sent Tala flying several feet backwards into the cave wall. As she felt the harsh impact of her back colliding with the stone, it was moments like these where she was glad to have her Glass Armor. It was not only sturdy and kept her from breaking her spine, but it was now enchanted to fortify her health and endurance in order to prevent any more debilitating injuries... especially head injuries. Tala knew she had taken way too many hits to the head during her Hero of Kvatch days, and decided she'd rather not take any more. She already had crippling headaches from time to time because of them, despite all the restoration work she had received... either by her own hand or someone else's.

Now that the danger was over, Tala just remained still as she carefully wiggled fingers and toes, mentally assessing her condition to make sure nothing was actually broken and would it be okay to start trying to stand. While she was doing so, Elante slowly walked away from her hiding place and approached her bodyguard.

"Oh my, are you alright?" She asked.

"Yep!" Tala said in her cheeriest voice possible as she slowly shifted her body in order to sit upright. "Just misjudged the impact of that blast a little. Are you alright?"

Elante nodded. "Sorry for the trouble getting here."

"It's fine. I'm alright and what matters is that you're alive and found the shrine." She then gradually stood up, picked up her katana, and used the red skirting on the Xivilai to wipe the blood off the blade.

Elante then walked away to slowly circle the shrine and marvel at the ruins. From what Tala could gather of the broken-down statue, it appeared to be a place where Molag Bal was worshipped. The stone alter in front of it remained untouched by whatever fate had befallen the statue, and she could see old blood stained on its sides as various old bones were scattered around it. Whether those skeletal remains were the cause of the cult that once lived here or the daedra that were currently living here, she couldn't quite tell. Based on what little evidence remained, Tala hypothesized that this shrine had been abandoned long before the events of the Oblivion Crisis.

"A fine study to add to my research." Elante commented as she marveled at the shrine's remains. Her eyes then turned away from the shrine to look at Tala and added, "I appreciate all of your help. Thank you."

The Breton politely smiled and bowed. "That's what you hired me to do." She then decided to take a seat on a medium-sized boulder and took a minute to heal any areas that were throbbing in pain from being slammed against the wall.

Elante watched Tala for a moment before taking out a notebook and a charcoal writing tool. As she observed the shrine and took notes, she casually asked, "I must say, I am impressed with how well you handled the daedra. You must've gotten really good at fighting them while you closed Oblivion Gates during the Crisis."

Tala gave her a blank stare for a heartbeat or so before deciding to reply. "It was an interesting experience learning how to fight daedra. But otherwise, they are no different than any beast or man."

Elante then turned to face Tala fully with a look of eager wonderment. "Oh how I wish I could've seen what you saw beyond the Gates! Might I ask what the Deadlands looked like?"

The blunette ceased her restoration magic as all her focus immediately went to reflecting on her experiences in the Oblivion Gates. As she did, she felt herself grow tired as she recollected all the fighting and overwhelming trials she went through to close each one. Finally, she found the words to respond. "The skies were as red as blood. The lands were barren of green and void of flowers. The only things that grew there were handfuls of bloodgrass, spiddal stick, and harrada roots. The daedra that lived there spent their time around the lava pits or within the massive stone towers that were scattered across the plains. The towers themselves contained spiral ramps mostly made of stone with mashing plates to drop you down onto the spikes below. The main towers that contained the Sigil Stones had ramps made of muscles and flesh... who's flesh I don't wish to think about. Dremora would take any poor mortal soul who stumbled in and tortured them either in cages or just simply confined them in a pod of their own flesh, forever alive inside and in agony. The latter was more horrifying to witness."

As she spoke, Elante had started writing down everything with great interest. Tala knew she would; being a Daedrologist, naturally she would want to write down what someone witnessed in a plane of Oblivion. After Tala stopped talking, the Altmer asked, "What about Mehrunes Dagon himself? What was it like to witness a Daedric Prince in full scale?"

Tala's face remained void of emotion as her eyes slightly glazed over at the thought of that day in the Imperial City... and all the painful memories attached to it. The past eight years helped heal her scars so that she wouldn't cry and have nightmares about it, but the fear and terror could still bubble up if she thought too hard about it. Elante's face slowly changed from eager to concerned when she watched Tala fail to respond and sit there in what appeared to be a traumatic state. But after a second or two, Tala's sapphire eyes rapidly blinked and her jaw relaxed a little as she came back to the present world.

"He stood taller than the Temple of the One. His skin was as red as the skies of the Deadlands. His eyes were menacing... cries were spine-curling... four-armed and big-tusked. It was rather scary to witness. But I think the idea that his presence meant the end of our world and the beginning of endless torture was what made him so terrifying in the first place." She then looked up- straight into Elante's eyes- and added, "I hope that answered your questions."

The Altmer's expression returned to being more pleasant as she nodded. "It did. I thank you for this valuable information. Perhaps when I'm finished with researching this shrine, I shall come to you and ask more about what you witnessed. It would be a fascinating addition to my knowledge on the Daedra."

Tala nodded once to acknowledge that she heard what Elante said, but didn't really want to speak up and agree to such an interview. Even after all this time, Tala still preferred not to talk about it in detail if she could get away with it. As she stood up and surveyed her surroundings, she decided to change the subject. "I see that there are still pathways leading further into the cave. I'm going to go around and check them to see if there are any more daedra that need to be taken care of and then I'll return so we can leave shortly."

"Actually, I think I'll study this shrine a bit longer. You can make your way out here."

Tala turned her head to stare in befuddlement. "You don't wish for me to accompany you out?"

Elante shook her head. "With the daedra gone, I will be fine. I thank you again for your help. Please, take this token of my thanks." She then proceeded to rummage through her satchel and pulled out a book titled '2920, Morning Star 9 (v1)' and handed it to Tala.

Tala very graciously took it from her and nodded before tucking it away in her own knapsack. "I look forward to hearing about what you discovered here." She politely chose for departing words.

"Thank you. Farewell." Elante said with a delighted grin.

Tala then turned to head for the rotted wooden door and made her way inside.

Inside the Brittlerock lower passages, Tala found herself up against eleven daedra, ranging from atronachs to Daedroth. While the three Flame and two Frost Atronachs she stumbled upon had given her a challenge, she was still lucky to be dealing with them instead of more Xivilai. Tala was also delighted to be finding the atronachs here- their salts were difficult to come by these days now that the Oblivion Gates were permanently sealed off from Mundus. Unless they already crossed prior to the sealing of the Gates, daedra could no longer step foot into the realm of man. And without the physical body dying on this plane, it meant no one could harvest their alchemical ingredients, such as the Daedroth teeth or atronach salts. While mages could still summon daedra to Nirn, their bodies returned to Oblivion the minute they were killed or the magicka ran out. As she thought of how lucky she was to actually be in a cave full of daedra and the fact that these items were now considered extremely valuable, it occurred to her that a daedric heart paid exceptionally well in the alchemy market. Which meant if she wanted to make a little extra coin, she'd have to turn back and carve out the Xivilai's heart before she left. Of course, she realized that after she found the door to the exit.

'Is it worth it? ...Unfortunately, yes.'

With a heavy sigh, Tala turned around and headed back into the cave to return to the upper passages. Upon stepping foot through the door, Elante glanced her way for a moment before she returned to writing notes.

"You couldn't find an exit?" Elante casually asked.

"Actually, I did." Tala replied. "However, I want the heart from the Xivilai." As she rolled the body onto it's back and pulled out her katana, she added, "Don't worry, I'll remove the body from your sight when I'm done. But... you might want to look away if you don't have the stomach."

Elante knew why Tala was going through the trouble to get its heart. She told herself that it wasn't a big deal and that sometimes dealing with daedra was messy. But as Tala started sliding the tip of the blade into its chest, she found herself getting queasy by the sound of cracking bones as her bodyguard broke the ribs in order to get to the prize inside. She did her best to pay attention to the shrine and drown out the sounds by mumbling her notes aloud. Eventually, that gory scene behind her would end soon and she could put all of her attention back onto her research. But telling herself that didn't really do much to dampen the nausea.

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A/N 10-31-21: Hey all! This chapter is coming a day early on account of Nov 1st being on a week day and I won't have any time to get it posted with work and other errands.

Just wanted to say thank you again to all the new readers! And shoutout to Dr. Wandel for catching a typo and providing a question that was actually really helpful feedback! It reminded me that sometimes all the events that go through my head don't always get translated into the chapters properly when I try to condense the details. It takes me a lot of time to flesh out a story... and a lot of the time I need to write it out, then step back, slow down, and return to the chapter to make sure I didn't miss anything and if it all makes sense. And even then, the outside perspective is still needed! So thank you again!

Anyway, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!