Chapter 3: A Future Predicter Kinda Sorta?

Hello everyone, sorry for not uploading a story in…weeks? A month? Eh, whatever. But that isn't important! The point is that I am back with a story, and haven't given up on anything yet!

'Rising of a Jester looks in a disappointing gaze.'

…Well, almost everything that isn't hard to deal with a 'follows close to the rules' bullshit. But without further bullshit from letting you read, or if you already skipped this part, read the next part to get started on chapter 3!

(One explanation later…)

"So… let me get this straight. You are saying that in order to prove yourself, you are going to wager on Riverwood's crazy old hag spouting stuff about dragons with nobody believing her, Lucan's Golden Dragon Claw being the only thing robbed from his store, and above all else, Delphine is going to say that the recent ale batch has gone bad at the local tavern?" Hadvar summarized what I had just told them.

"Yes, that is exactly what I just said, and why did you feel the need to repeat the information that I had just told you?" I stated with a hint of sarcasm and annoyance.

"Well for one, all of that happening in one day is going to be a series of collective chance. The local hag is always spouting off nonsense, it is not uncommon for the stores to be robbed from time to time, especially with our town security, and finally, just saying that the ale is going to go bad isn't much to go off of, since ale going bad is a common occurrence." Hadvar had explained to me, shooting down each of my options of proof one after another.

"Fine, then how about this? I predict an entire conversation of Delphine and Orgnar as soon as we enter the sleeping giant's inn? As soon as we enter the tavern, Delphine will talk to Orgnar about the ale going bad, Orgnar seemingly ignores Delphine which gets her annoyed and addresses Orgnar about having potatoes growing in his ears, to which Orgnar finally responds to Delphine acknowledging what was said to him… or something along the lines of that." I unsurely said.

"Oh, so you are not even sure of yourself? Yup, that definitely speaks confidence of what is going to apparently happen in the 'near future'." Nora mocked, to which I gave her a look of disapproval as I then continued.

"Ignoring the talking bitch spouting nonsense, I am 90 to 95% sure that things will play out like before." I said without thinking.

"…Play out like before… what exactly?" Ralof asked in confusion as Nora clutched her fists with a notable cracking sound when I insulted her.

"Like in the-" I stopped myself from saying anything about the game. "…Dismiss what I said before. All you need to know about is the 3 parts of my wager, now do we have a deal or not? We are burning daytime, and I have a fear of the dark! And if not, I am leaving for Riverwood weather I am being hunted by the 'She-Beast' or being followed by you guys." I rushed the trio or Nords before they can think about the skeptical stuff I said.

"…Ok, fine, we will take your bet. But if you are wrong, how will you compensate?" Nora spoke up crossing her arms.

"I won't need to. But by some slim chance that things are going to be different, then I will answer every single question that your little mind can possibly think of. I will answer to the best of my ability to explain should you not understand something. I will even offer my services to do whatever you wish, and even be your loot carrier so long as I am not made to fight against my will. I am a puzzle solver, an outside the box thinker, a strategist to help guide you through almost anything we come across in this land. All of this I offer unto you, should I be incorrect about the events that are going to happen." I spoke with zealousness in my voice.

Deep down inside, there is something telling me that I am going to be right, but even deeper is a fear that screams to me that I might be wrong, and I will have to be a packing mule to these guys until the end of who knows when, I especially don't like the idea of being a 'butler' to do whatever Nora says.

"You…"

"A strategist…?"

"Becoming a follower…"

They all looked at each other to exchange looks, and Nora had spoken up with a grin on her face like someone told her a funny joke.

"Well, I don't know about you being a 'strategist' with you trying to attack us in the first place when we questioned you, among other things, but I'll take the 'not being kept in the dark' and you being a pack mule parts." Nora snickered to herself as she then summoned a wad of spit from her mouth, spat on her hand, then offered it to me.

"…" I just stared in disgust at the now dripping saliva covered palm, that is Nora's hand as I heard a chuckle from Ralof and a sigh from Hadvar.

"Well? You going to seal the deal, or you just going to stand there looking stupid all day?" Nora said, breaking my stare at her hand, making me look at her.

"Ok, let me make a few things clear. One, that's gross. Two, I'm not going to touch your spit ridden hand. Three, I am fine with just a verbal consent to your-Ow-Ow-Ow-gross-Ow-Ow!" I was then interrupted when Nora had suddenly grabbed my forearm and yanked my hand to grab hers, and not only did I feel an uncomfortable warm and slimy clasp, but she was also crushing my hand with her gorilla-like strength.

"Ugh. Quit being like a High-end Knife-Eared Milk-drinker and just shake the damn hand." Nora said with annoyance in her voice as she continued to shake and crush my hand for a solid 5 seconds as I struggled to pull my hand out from the impressive grip. As my hand slid out from the grip due to the spit ironically helping me slide out, I had silently cursed through my teeth at the Nord for putting me through the pain as I was on my knees clutching my hand.

"Good, now let us go and see and find out the truth. The sooner we get to Riverwood, the better." Nora said with Ralof following her as Hadvar decided to help me on my feet as I then began to calculate what I would do next should my almost guaranteed bluff failed.

We then began to walk as I tried to think of ways to weasel my way out the bet I got myself into should I be unsuccessful.

5 minutes later…

We had been walking on the path that would have been leading to the expected 3 standing stones. For those who don't know, there are 13 standing stones in total in all of Skyrim, 3 of which should be seen first are called the warrior stone, the thief stone, and I think either the mage or sorcerer stone. I don't recall much about the lore, something about constellations in the sky granting specific powers, but these stones in game had made leveling progression a bit easier for what build or character the player is going for, be it warrior, mage, or thief and-OH MY GOD, WHERE ARE THE GODDAMN STONES AT!? ITS BEEN FUCKING AGES AND I DON'T SEE THE 3 STANDING STONES!

WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY?!

"Hey uh… How long until we get to the standing stones?" I calmly asked hiding my anger and annoyance.

"Hm? I want to say about another 2 or 3 minutes if I am right."

…WHAT?!

Of all the times that the game had to make sense of, it had to be with the land scaling… In the first 3 minutes of the game, we would have already reached Riverwood by then.

"…Oh, then how about Riverwood?" I asked.

"8 minutes." Hadvar plainly responded.

"Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff… (Inhale… Exhale) …I'm ok with this… I'm ok with this… I'm ok with this… It's not that I'm starting to get hungry from this traumatic experience, getting thirsty from not having anything to drink since the gods know when, or that my legs are starting to get a bit sore from the five-minute walking-holy shit I complain too much." I spoke aloud, realization of my own faults just hitting me.

"Oh, so I didn't have to tell you that. One less problem that I have to deal with thankfully." Nora cynically replied.

As I was about to reply to the snarky comment, I saw that the standing stones were just coming into view. They stood on a platform that held the stones adjacent to one another and a hooded person standing there with the river flowing behind… wait… was there always someone there waiting at the standing stones?

I stopped to take a second look at the sudden change and that person was still there. And from my memories, none of which include having a small event play out which include a person waiting at the standing stones.

"Hey, uh… do you guys see the-"

"Standing stones, it is a miracle, yes we do, now shut up and continue walking." Nora interrupted me.

"You know what? Fine, I'll stop talking until we get to Riverwood." I angrily said, having enough of rude talk from Nora.

The group had arrived at the platform, almost seemingly they did not see the cloaked figure standing at the center of the platform as Ralof had begun to tell Nora if she had picked a standing stone to which she responded no. I was about to say something, but I was almost at a lost for words as I could not speak, I felt like I could not move as I lost control of my body, and it would not respond no matter how much I 'willed' it to. Almost like I am.. 'Afraid' to move. The cloaked figure then began to move as he channeled some sort of concentration spell that emit a flare of dark aura that engulf his arms.

Time seemed to have stopped for me as I saw that the entity had then to walk towards me off of the stairs of the platform.

"So… I see that you have already changed some things. But that is to be expected when you were brought here."

Try as I might, I could not figure out who the entity before me is, or what it wanted. The only thing I could make out was its bright white pupils from the hood of the cloak. But one thing was certain. It was definitely a Daedra. It was hard not to take notice of the similarities of how it sounded like the Daedra in the game with its guttural and demonic like voice. And by the fact that it knows that I am

The other Nords didn't see the hooded Daedra as they and it walked right pass each other.

One of three scenarios immediately went through my head.

-One, he has the invisible spell casted on him to make himself unknown to anyone who is in their line of sight, but that is not possible, since I am able to see him, and he is talking to me as if he knows that I see him.

-Two, he is a hallucination, and I am suffering from some sort of 'acid trip'. But I have not had any sort of drug, nor have ingested anything since my coming to this world. So that is marked off.

-Or Three. It is HIM. That look-a-like bastard Quin that had trapped me in this world to begin with. That would make the most sense, but why can the others not see him, and only me?

"Oh? and here I thought, you were just going to just go into a straight panic, but here I am, once again surprised to see you in a calculating motion to already narrow it down to me. One event after another, from saving Hadvar and Nora, to planning out how to Un-fuck yourself from spilling the beans about your origins by wagering on the events that will eventually come to light. Consider me mildly impressed, Boy. But you are still but a boy who doesn't truly grasp what this world is capable of." Quin spoke seemingly reading my mind while still approaching me.

My eyes widen as I heard a chuckle from him as he stopped inches before me, Quin's eyes piercing through me.

"Oh, and one more thing that I want to give you something before I go and overstay my welcome. Sheogorath is awaiting my continuation of my stories, and he is antsy to hear more of what I have to say, and my plans that are about to unfold." Quin said before his hand was raised to emit a sinister purple and white glow.

Glowing balls of energy that almost seemed like glowing purple fire then appeared one after the other on each of his fingertips starting with his pinky finger, following the ring, middle, pointer, and the thumb. He then chuckled again as he then drove his fingers into my gut. I could feel that the fingers had torn through the skin, and possibly gotten into my stomach or other organs.

-!-

My eyes widen and tears began to form as I felt that a semi-truck just slammed into my gut at 70 miles an hour from the impact alone as the air left my lungs faster than I thought possible, and an indescribable burning pain of hellfire erupted from my abdomen as I felt that my control of by body was once again, under my control.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I screamed out in pain with intensity that rivaled my first as I was then hoisted into the air with the one arm that had its fingers embedded into my gut. I could feel some sort of ominous energy flow into me as I feel the fingers being clutched inside of me to aggravate more pain as I tried to grab onto the arm to loosen the grip and to get myself loose to no avail. Blood was spilling down Quin's arm as the other Nords had then caught to what was going on.

"Jester!?"

"What the!?"

"Huh!?"

"Oh, I kinda forgot to tell you in advance. This is going to hurt a lot! HA-HA-HA-HA!" Quin manically laughed as the other three Nords had then immediately reacted by jumping into action with their weapons drawn out, aiming to slash at the hooded Daedric Prince.

"Let him go!" Nora yelled out.

"As you wish, but why don't you three take a seat!" Quin threw me at all the attacking Nords, to which they all collided with me as I fell on top of them as we landed on the ground.

As the Nords got up and set me aside, Quin then jumped acrobatically over us, to the other side, and to the 3 standing stones doing a perfect landing.

"I would love to stick around and play some more, but I got future plans that need to be attended. Ta-ta for now. Oh. and be sure to take good care of my little 'entertainer' for me. Enjoy your little adventures." Quin said with a smile as he spread his arms out as a purple portal formed behind him as he then fell backwards with his arms spread out.

As soon as Quin fully entered the portal, it disappeared leaving the Nords baffled and confused with me twitching and clutching my stomach in pain.

"Jester! Stay with us! Stay with-"

Their voices had started to go muffled and tuned out as I felt a bitter sensation rising up in me. Nora was using Healing Hands on me to try and stop the bleeding. I turned myself over and started coughing up blood like crazy. Fear and pain were dominating my emotions as I felt like I was once again on the verge of death. After a minute of coughing up blood, I collapsed from exhaustion and pain and fell into unconsciousness.

Darkness was eminent, as the light is bound to fate. During times of great needs, everyone prays for heroes to arrive at their most desperate hour, as they watch helplessly as the clock ticks down to the final second hoping for someone to rise up. But only those who wield power can turn the tides of battle and fate in their favor by manipulating those around them to suit their desire of the outcome, or to push away those who hinder them with great force.

This rule has been passed around for generations through stories of heroic battles, feats, legends, and myths, and has been thought to have been an unbreakable law that has been followed by protagonists time after time again...

But what about stories where the protagonist lacks the qualities of a strong mind or body? What of their fate?

.

.

.

.

.

They are usually the first ones to be killed off early in the story as their deaths inspire the REAL protagonists.

-Moments later-

I woke up in a cold sweat as I greedily took in deep breaths. Hastily looked around to see that I was no longer at the standing stones, but a comfy small house in a bed with a fire in the fireplace area. Food being cooked in a cooking pot, a family table on the opposite side, and little decorative items like pictures and even some weapons are surrounding the place.

Wait, what just happened, and where am I?!

"Woah there, you are injured. I would take it easy if I were you." A man's voice was heard from besides me.

It was a blacksmith, from the attire that he was wearing, black apron with a red undershirt. He was also a buff looking blond Nord upon closer inspection, I think it is Alvin. Wait. Aliver? Algor? Avery-WHAT THE FUCK WAS HIS NAME AGAIN?!

"Seems that Hadvar and you guys ran into trouble, names Alvor, you are among friends here. Ralof and Hadvar are out looking for extra supplies, and your friend Nora is down stairs helping out my wife. Rest easy for now." Alvor answered my question.

"First off, Nora is not my friend, second, 'Rest easy'? I don't have time to rest, I have places to be, equipment and artifacts to procure and-(ugh?!)" I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. It was harder to breathe. My mind was getting numb as I struggled to get out of the bed tossing the blanket off my body.

-!-

My eyes widen immediately as they were drawn to my lower body. I saw that my shirt was reused as a makeshift bandage patch against my stomach. It was a dark red, but it seemed that the bleeding was stopped a while ago.

The memory of what just happened to me then slapped me in the face as I felt my breath leave my lungs as I fell back into a small state of shock.

"Easy there lad. I can understand that you want to go, but from the looks of your condition, you need a few days of rest. It is the least of what I can do for you for saving my nephew." Alvor stated as he eased me back into the bed.

As I regained my control of shock, I looked at him in confusion.

"Wait… I… Saved?" I asked unsurely, still being unable to think straight.

"Yeah, I was also surprised to see them reunited, not killing each other after the falling out they had after they left for the civil war. They said that they had a 'temporary' truce because of you. And for that, I am thankful for their survival. They used to be childhood friends you know. Let me tell you a bit about them…" Alvor had then went on as he had gone into telling me about Ralof and Hadvar's background story.

Apparently, they were one of the closest friends who never did anything without each other. They explored the wilds as they went on frequent hunts, got in trouble with some light, but well planned out pranks, and took each other's blame when they were caught. But after the civil unrest, they had different political views on the matter, and had a huge falling out with them almost killing each other on their last day at Riverwood.

"…and that is why I am surprised to see them traveling together again." Alvor finished his story.

At this point, I was feeling out how bad my injury was, and shockingly enough, I felt that it wasn't in pain. Not as bad as it should be at the very least. Which is shocking considering that I should have a giant hole in my stomach, or 5 smaller holes considering that asshole basically fingered… me…

…why do I feel so violated now?

Ignoring the uncomfortable thought and feeling no pain what-so-ever in my abdomen, I decided to try again to get up getting more of a grasp of my current condition.

"Woah-woah. I just said that you are injured, you can't move just yet, and it is almost time to change your bandages." Alvor tried to stop me from getting up, failing in the process. Be it through fear of hurting me from reopening the wounds, or not wanting to make any additional injuries from stopping me.

"I appreciate your concern, but I am feeling just fine." I honestly stated as I got up again.

Nora came up with bandages from the downstairs area on the opposite side of the room with Alvor's wife, Sigrid, coming shortly behind her.

"Should be almost time to change the bandages on your friend-Oh seems like he is awake." Sigrid stated as she spotted me.

"Oh ok-wait-what?!" Nora panicked as she then saw me on my feet.

My instincts told me to run for it, but I was being held back by the local blacksmith, I wasn't really able to move from where I was as Nora was now coming to the beds.

"Jester, you better get back into the bed now, or I will knock you out into next morning." Nora threatened as she approached me.

"Nora, I need you to calm down, and hear me out. I feel just fine-"

Before I can even explain, I was immediately punched in the face that sent me back to the bed, unconscious once again…

3rdPOV

As Nora punched Isaiah in the face while maneuvering around Alvor, rendering Isaiah unconscious as he hit the bed. Nora huffed out as she then began to use the spell healing hands to heal the damage done to the head.

"Stubborn bastard… Why can't you just make things easier on yourself…" Nora mumbled to herself as she continued to unwrap the bandages.

"…Was it really necessary to knock him out?" Alvor had a sweat drop forming as Sigrid had prepared a bowl of clean water and a clean towel for Nora to wash and clean the old blood on Isaiah.

"I would rather see for myself to see if he was in stable condition. If he manages to reopen the wound on his stomach, then it would take longer to heal up. As much as I would like to get this over with, I need to have patience and a calm mind to make rational decisions even at the worst of times." Nora responded as she then took the towel and soaked it, wrung it, and then begun to clean the blood off of Isaiah.

"I assume that your father taught you that? He must have been a respectful fellow to have raised a fine warrior such as yourself." Alvor commented as Nora then responded.

"My father and mother are both dead."

The room fell silent as Nora continued to carefully wipe away the blood from Isaiah. Both Sigrid and Alvor were both at a loss for words. As Alvor was about to apologize, Nora spoke first.

"Don't apologize. You didn't know, and I already accepted it a long time ago. It is nothing but old, faded scars now." Nora replied seemingly uncaring.

After cleaning a bit of blood off of the wound, Nora had noticed that there was a strange pattern on the abdomen beginning to form. Almost like a strange character that she did not recognize. And she knew of what most languages are, Nordic, Elvish, Orcish, even a bit of Daedric and Aedric. But the more blood she cleaned up, the more characters that appeared. Almost like a rune on Isaiah in a way she did not recognize, no matter how hard she tried to read it. The injury itself was gone, but subtle hints of the 5-finger scar were still there on the stomach. But there was one thing that stood out, and that was the one character that was bigger then the rest of the others, and it was encircled by the other characters.

"What in oblivion is this…" Was all Nora had to say before turning her head to Isaiah.

Memories had flashed back to the odd, but deadly encounter with the strange Daedra that attacked Isaiah. Even calling him his 'Little Entertainer'.

Many questions were going through Nora's mind as she tried to make sense of this but drawing many blanks. Isaiah is the only source of information, and he is not willing so share information so easily for whatever reason.

All Nora can do, is wait until tomorrow morning to decide what to do next… And she always hated waiting…

{Chapter End}

[Author's Notes]

Hello and thanks for your continued support by reading my shitty stories! Or story if you haven't read my others…

Just going to point this out for those who will get confused by this. Jester and Isaiah are going to be referring to the same character, so there is no confusion on the matter should anyone ask about this in the future. (Unless we are going to talk about Cicero, but that isn't really planned out as of yet.) I know I would be a bit confused if names were going to be switched up for some characters so don't feel bad just because you cannot keep up with the information.

But for now, I am willing to answer any questions that will pop up. submit them in the review, DM me through here, or through Discord to which I have already stated on a multitude of times. Hopefully you will stick around to see what is up next!

For now, I will end it off on a high note and I will see you all, next time! This is RedTokyo95, signing off!

End of Transmission