Chloe awoke sluggishly, her limbs and even her eyelids feeling heavy. Though her body resisted the urge to wake, she struggled against the drowsiness and weakness, forcing herself upright.
"Lady… Olga…" she called out, now aware of how dry her mouth felt. "Lady Olga!"
"I am right here, Chloe," her Mistress replied, seated just out of sight beside where the half-elf had been resting her head. "Are you well?"
"What… What happened?" the blonde asked as she turned to her master. Where were they?
Olga tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Chloe blinked a few times, her surroundings coming into focus.
… Wait a moment.
She recognized this room.
"… Where are we?" She inquired, her heartbeat beginning to quicken as she looked around.
"The Master requested us both," Olga responded.
It was only now that Chloe realized how her Lady was dressed. It was a maid uniform, although lacking anything to cover her in any meaningful way: her perfect breasts bare for the world to see, her legs on full display, and her sacred place in plain view for any and all to witness.
"It is time we fulfilled our duty as his slaves."
Lady Discordia's utterance sent a chill down Chloe's spine, her eyes widening as the sound of malevolent chuckling reverberated from the other side of the door. Panic began to creep into her mind, her heart freezing with terror.
She recognized that laugh, knew all too well to whom it belonged, and slowly, insidiously, panic took hold.
No, this couldn't be right. It couldn't be true. They were… They were safe!
Her old Master couldn't possibly have taken them! He simply couldn't!
The door swung open, revealing an elderly man leaning on a cane as he entered the room. His smile held a certain edge, a faint twist that hinted at what lay beneath the facade. "Chloe…" he spoke after a moment, his tone carrying a mixture of controlled composure and anticipation. "Long have I waited for this day." With a few measured strides, he moved further into the room, his presence causing a knot of apprehension to tighten within her.
"Sir… John… Mandeville…" Chloe's voice trembled, the words dripping with disbelief and dread. Despite his age, he had left an indelible mark. "Wha- What are you doing here?!"
The old man's expression held a certain triumphant smugness that twisted her stomach into knots.
"I came to show you your place."
He turned his attention to her Lady, and with a simple, almost regal gesture, Olga stood and approached the Half-Elf's former owner. "Now, Discordia, show Chloe where your rightful place is."
The Dark Elf Queen inclined her head in subservient agreement and gracefully knelt down in front of him, her demeanor one of deference.
"Come, Chloe," she beckoned. "We must fulfill our duty."
The air itself seemed to tighten with a stifling weight as Chloe's heart pounded painfully in her chest. Squeezing her eyes shut, the blonde began to plead with the world.
"No, no, no no no NO!" she screamed, the desperation in her voice echoing through the room. "This isn't real, it's just a nightmare. Lady Olga would never do that!" she repeated the mantra, trying to will the reality in front of her to dissipate. "She wouldn't, she wouldn't, she wouldn't!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as the scene before her stubbornly refused to shift. "Please, Gods above, wake me up from this!"
"Don't you understand?" Her old owner's voice cut through her denial. "You will always be my slave."
"No, I- I am Lady Olga's knight! I… I swore to serve her for the rest of my life!"
"And what good is a knight without a sword?" Mandeville challenged, his tone laced with a twisted logic. "It's time you cease this foolishness, Chloe."
With her eyes shut tightly, and tears threatening to spill, she begged, "Please… Please, wake me up!"
"Wake up, Chloe."
… Huh?
" Wake up."
Gasping and drenched in sweat, Chloe awoke, shooting herself upwards into a sitting position. The Half Elf moved faster than she ever thought possible, and for a few moments, her wide-eyed gaze scanned the room, taking in every detail. Thankfully, the room had transformed back to its usual appearance—a proper dungeon. It wasn't exactly an improvement, but compared to the nightmarish vision she had just experienced, anywhere was preferable as long as her former owner remained a distant memory.
Her eyes instinctively sought out her Mistress, assessing her from head to toe. Olga was dressed in her usual attire, which brought a sigh of relief to Chloe. However, her Lady's expression held an undeniable air of concern.
"Lady Olga?" Chloe's voice trembled as she posed the question.
"You were having a nightmare," Queen Discordia's soothing voice filled the space. "I woke you up as soon as I could. Are you alright?" Concern resonated in her tone.
Slowly, the half-breed nodded, masking her true emotional turmoil. "I'm well, I just need a moment," she confessed, her hand pressed against her rapidly pounding heart. "What happened? Why are we here?"
Olga's composure remained unshaken. "We have been arrested," she stated matter-of-factly. "The Prime Minister arrived and declared us under arrest with the assistance of some knights. There were attempts to remove us from the fortress, but he encountered significant opposition from both the city guards and a number of peasants."
"Opposition?" Chloe's eyebrows furrowed, struggling to comprehend the situation.
"Yes. Due to a conflict of orders, we must remain here until the human Princess returns to rectify the situation with the Prime Minister."
"A conflict of orders?" Chloe questioned, even more perplexed. What did that mean?
"From what I understand, the situation has reached an impasse," Olga elaborated. "The fortress guards appear to believe no one should be taken or allowed entry until they ascertain the cause of the attack. Meanwhile, the Church Knights have been informed that we are responsible, and some others have given testimony against us," Olga explained, observing Chloe's growing frustration. "However, their claims are being challenged by the knights we encountered earlier and a number of peasants who were rescued."
Chloe found herself momentarily taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. "What?" Confusion danced across her features, momentarily overshadowing her indignation.
A small smile graced Olga's face as she looked upon her knight's cute expression, softening her expression. "It appears we have made quite an impression on some of them." The Dark Queen's smile faded into a sigh. "Consequently, the Prime Minister is arranging a trial to 'prove' our guilt, presumably fabricating evidence against us."
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Half-Elf couldn't ignore Olga's apparent lack of concern about the prospect of facing trial or even execution. She contemplated voicing her thoughts, but noticed her Mistress closing her eyes and slipping into a state of meditation—a practice familiar to the blonde from their time in the Black Citadel. Olga exuded an air of tranquility that Chloe found difficult to comprehend, given the circumstances.
Rather than disrupt her Mistress's introspection, she settled beside Olga, closing her own eyes and trying to emulate the calm demeanor her Lady projected. If the Queen wasn't overly troubled by the uncertainty ahead, then Chloe resolved to mirror that serenity as best she could.
Slowly extracting my sword from a fallen monster, I let out a weary sigh. Tonight we were in for the long haul, it seemed.
"Please let that be the last one," I begged, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work I had to do with such limited support. Glancing towards Alicia, I saw her settling onto one of the stone benches within the tomb. Her breaths were labored, and her body was smeared with blood—fortunately, most of it wasn't hers.
"How are you holding up over there?" I asked, sinking into a nearby chair, my exhaustion mirroring hers.
The Feoh Princess exhaled deeply, weariness evident in her voice. "I severely underestimated the size of this base," she admitted, her words laced with fatigue. She reached for an unopened bottle, perhaps containing mead, took a long drink, and sighed once again. "How much larger is this place?"
"Honestly? I have no idea," I replied, my tone tinged with resignation. "These structures vary in size and layout. Each one is distinct." A groan escaped her lips. "I'm hoping we're close to finding the girls and escaping, but who knows how much farther we need to go, or where the exit is."
Alicia's hand met her face, and with a deliberate motion, she dragged it downward. "Alright," she breathed, as if gathering her strength. Shaking off her exhaustion, she roused herself. "I'm ready to continue," she declared, rising from her seat and taking a stamina potion from the table, downing it in one drink.
With a nod, I rose to my feet and took a step back, motioning for the rescued slaves to follow. "Alright, it's safe to come with us," I assured them.
Since we couldn't leave through the entrance, we had decided to bring the captives and slaves we found with us, keeping them behind when we encountered a few Black Dogs. Some of them were knights from Feoh, others were citizens, and some were from the surrounding areas.
However, our progress wasn't swift. We were all tired, our bodies weighed down by exhaustion, and only Alicia and I were in any condition to fight. After battling Black Dogs, Monsters, and various other bastards Throughout the day, our pace had slowed considerably. It had become a test of endurance, and I found myself unprepared for the toll it took on us. I'll never regret doing stuff like this… but fuck , I need to find a way to fight the feeling of tiredness and fatigue that comes from long battles.
As we left the small chamber behind, we stepped into a vast hall with several side doors. Approaching the first one, we discovered a room filled with women and a few Black Dogs who appeared to be resting, with a few women licking and sucking their dicks. The mixture of alarm and fear in their eyes when they spotted me and Alicia emerging into the room was something I found to be very amusing.
"Oh, shit!" I heard one of the Black Dogs cry out, hastily pushing away a woman who had been attending to him and attempting to pull up his pants from around his ankles.
Not that he got the chance to. I charged forward, thrusting my sword toward him. Alicia was right behind me, targeting another of the Black Dogs. Rather than stabbing, she skillfully sliced open his neck while he struggled to draw a weapon from his belt. The next two opponents we faced were in a funnily vulnerable position, both completely naked and utterly defenseless when we launched our attack.
With these initial few neutralized, I turned my attention to the group of women. "Are you all okay?" I asked.
They remained silent, their gazes distant and almost devoid of life. "Dame Ashley…" Alicia murmured softly, recognizing one of the women. She repeated the name, crouching down and gently turning the woman's face toward her.
"You know her?" I questioned.
Alicia nodded slowly. "We thought she was lost to us. We had sent her and some others to deal with a group of bandits, but they never returned," the Princess explained with a somber expression. "We believed she and the others were dead… one of the soldiers we dispatched with her confirmed it…" Her eyes widened and fists clenched as realization dawned on her. "It was a man who served under Hargar's command!"
I frowned, realizing the extent of the betrayal was even greater than I had initially thought. "We'll uncover the truth," I assured her. "Once we have Beardsley, he'll reveal everything… one way or another."
Back home, torture in general was a disgusting concept, but the idea of inflicting it upon the one behind all this… didn't evoke the same repulsion as it would have under different circumstances.
"I'll see them hang myself… How many of my knights, my friends, have they abducted?!" Alicia's frustration burst forth. "I swear it, they will be held accountable for this!"
While we were talking, the rescued woman remained unresponsive, her gaze void of emotion and unreactive to the Princess's words. I had intended to offer some reassurance, but my words caught in my throat as the woman finally spoke.
"… Lady… Alicia?" Her voice quivered, carrying a tone of fear and hesitation.
Alicia nodded gently. "I'm here, Ashley. We're going to get you back home," she reassured in a soft, comforting tone. "You don't need to fear anymore."
Ashley lifted her gaze to meet ours. "You won't make it," she murmured quietly, her voice a mixture of resignation and despair. "There are too many of them. You can't escape from here."
"Ashley…" Alicia's voice was tender as she reached out and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "We will find a way out, I promise".
"Stop," Ashley's voice turned sharp and abrupt. "I'm where I belong… I was never truly a knight, just a whore who hadn't learned her place yet."
Alicia's expression twisted with disbelief. "Ashley, you can't believe that about yourself."
"It's alright. I've… found my peace now," the woman's tone carried a sense of resignation, as if she had surrendered to her fate.
… You know, I was well acquainted with hate, more so nowadays than anytime before in my life. But, looking at the physical proof of what lay ahead if we failed and the Black Dogs triumphed… was like throwing gasoline on a fire.
"Dame Ashley, don't give in to this darkness!" Alicia pleaded desperately, attempting to pull her friend out of the depths of hopelessness. But it was as if Ashley had already resigned herself. While Alicia tried to mend her shattered spirit, I had contemplated carving a path of violence, only to halt when Alicia grabbed my arm. "Where are you going?"
"Before we guide them out, I need to ensure there are no remaining enemies," I explained, my tone resolute. "We've encountered a few already, but if there are more ahead, I won't risk these women's lives. Check the other rooms, and I'll scout further ahead."
With a determined nod, Alicia left her friend and moved to check the other rooms, while I proceeded further down the hallway. But before I could enter the next chamber, the urgent cry of the Feoh Princess Knight pierced the air.
"JAMES! COME HERE!"
I rushed back without hesitation. Thankfully, she wasn't far away, but it wasn't for her or the women that she'd called me back.
"Oh God…"
The scene that met my eyes was an awful mirror of the horrors we had encountered earlier. Several dozen men were huddled in the room, each displaying signs of brutal torture. Their bodies bore the marks of beatings, whippings, starvation, and injuries reminiscent of disaster victims. Bruises, cuts, and dried blood marred their forms.
"Lady Alicia…?"
"No… this can't be."
"You came for us?"
Their voices were frail, marked by disbelief and quiet despair. It was as if they couldn't fully fathom our presence, as though acknowledging us might shatter the illusion. To my surprise, none of them leapt up in celebration. There was no relief or joy at the sight of us. Any hope they once harbored had been mercilessly eradicated…
What sort of inhumane treatment was this? I had expected many of the men to have joined Vault's cause, or met their demise while resisting, but the sight before me was just… barbaric. Bruised faces, dried blood, and open wounds stretched as far as my eyes could see. Was there even a rationale behind this, or did they simply turn their captives into living punching bags?
"Princess Alicia…" The feeble voice of one of the men drew her attention. She swiftly turned towards him, a mixture of shock and concern etched on her face. He was struggling to sit up despite the evident bruising on his chest.
Faster than I thought she could move, she was by the man's side. "Sir Aurach," she said softly, "When did…" She began to ask, but her question died on her tongue. Her hands hovered over him, unsure of what to do.
"My Princess. Are… are you really here?" he asked, his voice fragile, each word carrying the weight of agony.
Alicia nodded gently. "Yes, I'm here. We've come to take you home," she reassured, gripping his hand in an attempt to offer solace.
However, he pulled his hand free, his gaze shifting to a corner of the room.
"The children… they need you more than I…" The man's words were strained, his pain evident. He pointed weakly, guiding our attention to the indicated spot. Alicia followed his gesture, rushing over to where several children lay in dire condition. My focus, though, remained on the grim sight before me.
The tortures inflicted by the Black Dogs extended not only to the men, but also children as well; young boys ranging from five to perhaps sixteen. Their injuries were marginally less severe than the adults', yet that offered no comfort. Bruises marred their small frames, scrapes, and cuts adorned their skin…
Alicia's urgent voice pulled me from my contemplation, and I swiftly joined her by the side of a young boy, perhaps five or six years old, who was sobbing softly while cradling a clearly broken limb. "Do you have anything that can help them? Spells, or maybe potions?" Her words were tinged with desperation.
I nodded, immediately kneeling beside her and the child, whose face was a mixture of pain and tear-streaked cheeks. I was determined to relieve his pain, allowing my hands to emit the soothing, golden glow that had mended many wounds before.
Unfortunately, my efforts brought only minor relief, the healing magic seeming to barely scratch the surface of the boy's affliction before my energy pool ran dry. It took only a moment for the realization to dawn on me: my healing wasn't potent enough. Alicia and I exchanged a knowing look, silently acknowledging the lack in my magical abilities.
Nevertheless, I wasn't about to concede defeat. Retrieving a healing potion from my satchel, I offered it to the boy.
"Here." Alicia accepted the potion from me gently, her tone soft as she removed the cork and handed it to the child. He drank it slowly, yet no significant improvement was visible. We exchanged another glance, both of us trying to grapple with the frustrating situation.
"We'll be right back, it just needs a moment to take effect," Alicia reassured the boy calmly, before getting up and leading me out of the room.
In the corridor, we stood in a shared silence, unsure of how to broach the new situation. After a few moments, Alicia mustered the courage to voice the difficult question that lingered in the air. Her eyes carried a somber weight as she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, "Is there anything else we can do to help them?"
I hesitated for a brief moment. "I… I don't know," I answered honestly, frustration coiling within me. I'd always been able to mend wounds with ease, yet here I stood.
A frown darkened Alicia's expression. "What can we do?" she murmured.
As I glanced toward the door, the muffled sobs and pained groans emanating from within sent a sharp pang of guilt straight to the heart. My focus had been so entirely directed towards the women that I had never once considered the horrors inflicted upon the men they had captured.
Glancing down at my hands, "I can't heal them, not without possibly endangering our chances to get out of here. But we can't just leave them behind," I declared firmly, my determination outweighing any reservations.
"Agreed, I wouldn't have it any other way," Alicia affirmed resolutely. "However, their condition is dire. They're not in any shape to move quickly, if at all," she sighed, her gaze drifting back to the room where the wounded men and boys were. "There must be something we can do to help them."
I hummed in thought, mind racing. "Let's address one problem at a time. I'll go ahead and scout the distance to the exit. Meanwhile, you can work on preparing them to move," I proposed, hoping we could at least ensure a safe and organized escape.
"Very well, but don't keep us waiting for long," she retorted, determination in her tone as she reentered the room. I overheard her addressing the group, her voice firm yet gentle, rallying them. I left the room while she tended to their needs.
What kind of monsters could subject children to such brutality? What kind of…
My thoughts stopped in their tracks, as it dawned on me that I shouldn't be shocked at the inhumanity displayed by those who sought to subjugate and exploit others. This world was a brutal one, where women were enslaved and violated daily. It was only logical to assume that their captive men would face similarly sadistic treatment.
It… I couldn't help but feel a new level of shame at their state. Of course, they would enslave anyone who disagreed with them, but somehow I never expected the level of pain they would inflict on them just for rejecting Vault. I had expected them to just be prisoners, or maybe slowly indoctrinated… I never expected this. Torturing grown men was one thing… but children?
It was a mistake to assume these guys might treat children with a modicum of restraint. These… creatures didn't deserve my remorse. They didn't deserve my pity… but they were more than deserving of my anger, hate, and everything beyond it.
If any hope to relieve their pain or help them heal was present, then it was further in. Most of the rooms behind us were little more than burial chambers, resting spaces, and dining rooms… or orgy rooms.
Eventually, my search led me to a room that seemed to have been converted into an office of sorts. The occupant, if there was one, was either deceased or absent. On the table was a note and a Claw Key. Grabbing the object and examining it for a moment, my frustration growing as I realized there was more to this damn ruin, and odds are we weren't even halfway through it. While I pocketed the key, I gave the note a look over.
This place has given us a few major boons in terms of research material. We have discovered strange gemstones, and although I lost a few men recovering them, these things seem capable of channeling magic. We have sent them all to the Black Citadel for study. In addition, we have found these odd potions. We've been unable to identify them exactly, but from our limited research, they seem to enhance certain magics or skills. One of our recruits managed to beat a vet thanks to drinking one of these.
Unfortunately, this increase doesn't last long. While it provides a potent boost, it only lasts for just under a minute. We've shipped them to the Citadel as well, in hopes they may be able to replicate these strange elixirs.
However, that is where the good news ends, I'm afraid, as we have hit an unexpected obstacle.
Our excavation progress has all but halted due to the door at the end of the hall. We know the claw is the key, and that the symbols somehow relate to the combination to open it, but we cannot figure it out. We have lost a decent few slaves trying different combinations, but at this point it seems like until we figure out the combination, we aren't getting any further in.
We considered digging for a while, but we suspect there may be some form of magic here, the door was resistant to the Pick and brute force. We attempted an explosive but nearly brought down the ruin onto our heads.
I'm at my wits' end. What treasures could be behind that door? I wish to prove myself to Vault, to earn his favor, and maybe I can be granted a personal sex slave of my choosing.
I know he would never surrender a Shield for private use… but one of the knights? I'm sure that's doable.
I sighed; of course, it would be one of those ruins. After examining the copper claw with symbols of a dragon, a wolf, and a moth, I couldn't help but wonder how these guys hadn't figured it out sooner. With the key securely in my satchel, I continued down the halls until I reached the imposing door that had stymied them.
Unlocking it was a breeze. The symbols matched perfectly, and the door opened with ease.
Truly, you'd need a PhD to have figured this out.
As the door creaked open, I was met with the sight of an old, cobweb-laden tunnel. My eyes quickly scanned the room, spotting a wooden shield on a table in the corner. It looked empty which I was thankful for, the less problems the better
… Actually, hold on. "Knock on wood," I muttered, tapping my knuckles against the Shield for luck. I'm NOT tempting fate, not with the lives of so many hanging in the balance.
With my nerves somewhat settled, I retraced my steps to find Alicia and the liberated slaves, my return journey as swift as the initial one. "Listen, I've got some good news and some frustrating news," I announced upon rejoining her. She was crouched beside Sir Aurach, assisting the injured man in getting back on his feet.
The Feoh Princess wore a tired expression. "And what would they be?"
"We've got about another half of the ruin to go through before we're out," I informed her, being answered by an annoyed groan. "But the good news is, the Black Dogs haven't gotten that far," I added. "I don't want to get your hopes up, but I think we're past the worst of it."
Alicia let out a sigh of relief. "Good," she said decisively. "Alright, everyone, it's time to-"
Suddenly, a distant but unmistakable cry of war echoed through the tunnels. There could be only one reason for such a sound. Alicia and I exchanged apprehensive glances.
"Alright, Princess, you take them and go on ahead. I'll delay them," I declared, walking past the prisoners and forming a swift plan.
"I don't need to tell you that facing them is a bad idea," she cautioned.
I glanced back. "You're right, you don't," I agreed, not slowing my pace. I had an idea in mind, but I needed to act quickly. I began running back through the tunnels, with a simple plan: reset the traps disarmed by the mercenaries. While a part of me wanted to confront them head-on, I was already fatigued and not in the mood for the hassle.
As I retraced my steps, I pulled the pull-chains to reactivate the pendulum traps, threw rugs back over pressure plates, and re-armed the door traps. Surprisingly, it was easier to do than I had anticipated, but I didn't complain about it.
I had retreated about halfway back out of the tomb before I ran into the Black Dogs. Instead of exchanging words, we exchanged stares for a moment, they stopped and so did I at opposite ends of the room, before the leader shouted "GET HIM!" I swiftly turned and spirited away—not out of fear, but with the intention of leading them into my prepared traps.
The first one they triggered was a Swinging Wall. And let me tell you, the abrupt silence that followed their battle cries being cut short was immensely satisfying. It ensnared a considerable number of them, including a couple of goblins, several men, and even two ogres, who were impaled and pinned against the wall.
While the rest of the mercenaries halted to wait for the trap to reset, I ran through a pendulum trap. As an added precaution, I hurled a Flame Rune toward the exit, ensuring that the first one to break through would be in for a rude surprise.
Although I was tempted to remain in the narrow corridor and set up camp here, I had to reconsider when, after a few men were killed, a Ghoul managed to bypass the traps and halt the spinning blades by pulling a chain. It may have disarmed the trap, but it didn't escape unscathed, as I swiftly dispatched it by impaling it with an Ice Spike, pinning it to the wall.
The next obstacle in their path was an oil trap, albeit one that was more challenging to activate, since they had removed the lamp responsible for igniting the oil. I dashed to the opposite end of the trap and waited patiently for the mercenaries to charge into the room. With a fire spell at the ready, I bode my time until they were almost upon me, before I unleashed the flames.
And let me tell you, they lit up fast.
The acrid stench of burning flesh was becoming an unsettlingly familiar smell. Despite the horrid odor, I couldn't deny the strange satisfaction I felt as I witnessed my enemies succumbing to the flames before me. Their screams were a marvelous symphony to my ears as they screamed and tried to put out the fire, but it-
No. Focus.
As a significant portion of them writhed in torment, I pivoted once more, guiding them deeper into the tomb. The next trap was a compact corridor housing a battering ram. Leaping over the concealed pressure plate, I raced to the opposite end, setting a few flame traps in my wake. Just before I departed, I witnessed another bloody spectacle—an ogre's chest mercilessly crushed as a massive steel-tipped log slammed directly into it.
Without hesitation, I continued my sprint until I reached a strategically left-open door for my return journey. This door was rigged with a nasty surprise: five spears poised to thrust into anyone standing nearby the moment the door swung open. On the other side, I had added a flame trap for good measure—after all, why not? It's an incredibly useful spell.
The subsequent traps followed a similar pattern, but with increasingly concealed triggers and trapped turn-off mechanisms.
Upon my return to the location where I had left Alicia in charge of leading the slaves, I found it empty, which was good…. And bad. I was perilously close to being caught by the pursuing Black Dogs, with no more traps at my disposal to exploit. While I could engage them in combat, I couldn't muster much confidence in my ability to keep them all occupied. These hallways were spacious, and it was entirely possible for many of them to bypass me and head straight for the fleeing group.
I contemplated using a Shout, but hesitated, knowing it could bring down the entire ceiling on our heads. It seemed I was trapped between a rock and a hard place – either confront the Black Dogs head-on and risk them reaching Alicia and the slaves, or unleash a Shout and potentially bring the ruin crashing down upon us all.
Unfortunately, I was thrust into a situation where I had to choose without a moment's hesitation. They came pouring around the corner, a horde composed of men, ogres, ghouls, goblins, and orcs, flooding into the chamber, their charging momentum leaving no doubt they'd overwhelm me. It took me a mere instant to reach a decision, and I drew in a breath, preparing for what lay ahead.
"FUS… RO DAH!"
I unleashed the Thu'um, the sheer force of it smashing into the Black Dog bastards, not only halting, but throwing them back with a lethal ferocity. However, the aftermath served as a reminder of why using such a power in places like this was a dangerous idea.
My voice echoed loudly in the confined space, so deafening that for a brief moment, I thought I had deafened myself. My ears rang louder than they ever had before, and I was temporarily unable to hear anything beyond the self-inflicted tinnitus. But my other faculties remained intact, and the consequences of Shouting indoors unfolded as the ruin quaked and ruptured.
Rocks cascaded from the ceiling, crashing all around me, and in that horrifying instant, I felt the grip of a fear long buried: the terror of being buried alive. As the cave disintegrated around me, I sprinted in the only direction that made sense – toward Alicia's group.
I sprinted with all my might, the ceiling crumbling and hurling larger rocks down upon me as I raced towards the open claw door. I narrowly managed to reach it, just as the entire thing came crashing down. Pausing for a moment, I glanced back, catching a glimpse of a few Black Dogs desperately trying to catch up. Their faces bore expressions of sheer terror—fear of being ensnared beneath the cave-in, of being crushed to death, or slowly succumbing to suffocation and thirst. However, the moment was brief, and the roof descended, sealing me and everyone else inside the tomb.
As unfortunate as our circumstances were, I couldn't help but be relieved that the cave-in seemed to halt at the entrance foyer. No witnesses were present, which was a small comfort, because at that moment, I had no desire for anyone to see me.
"Fuck…" I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself. Shouting within a cave had been profoundly stupid. It had worked, yes, but I vowed never to let a situation become so dire again. My brush with death left me feeling shaken to my core. My mind had been consumed by genuine panic for the first time in a while, and it had shattered my composure.
I leaned back against a wall, sliding down to the floor. I brought my hands to my head, allowing healing magic to flow from my fingertips in the hope of repairing my eardrums and getting rid of the incessant ringing. Glancing at the part of the ruin that had collapsed, I sighed deeply.
… I'd come very close to death here. It wasn't my first near-death experience, but it was the first time I had come to the brink of one of my deepest fears becoming a reality.
…
… Do you ever just get the urge to… talk? Something happens to you, and suddenly you just can't stand trying to cope in silence?
…
…
"… Hey… God… I don't know if you can hear me, but please lend an ear, if you can," I whispered, my voice low and muffled, but at least audible to myself. "When I was a kid, I remember that I was always terrified of being buried alive. Something about being trapped in a confined space and slowly crushed—it's not a way I'd ever want to go. It's not a fate I'd wish upon anyone. And now, here I am, condemning who knows how many to that same torment."
A humorless laugh escaped my lips as I continued, "I've taken countless lives now, and I can't even summon a shred of remorse. Shouldn't I be scared of this? The blood on my hands is the blood of dozens upon dozens… but they were still people, weren't they? What kind of person kills without a second thought?"
The question lingered in the air for a few moments. The ringing in my ears was gradually subsiding, allowing me a moment of clarity. For the first time in a while, I had time to reflect, and I was tired of bottling it all up.
"A psychopath, probably," I answered my own question. "I… I never wanted any of this. I never wished to be swept away into an adventure in a distant fantasy land. I never wanted to become a killer." I lowered my head, staring into my lap.
"Why?" I questioned softly. "Why did this happen to me? Why did You let this happen?" Silence was the only response, as expected. "Am I going to become a monster? A merciless killer?! Will I even recognize it if I do?!"
The still air refused to provide any solace or answers, and I could only shake my head. Deep down, I knew I shouldn't have expected a response.
"If you can still ask these questions, then there's still hope for you."
My eyes shot open as I turned to find Alicia standing at the hallway entrance to the next chamber. She hadn't been there when I began talking to myself… When did she get here, and how much did she hear?
She approached me slowly and took a seat beside me, a move that caught me off guard.
"I remember when I was much like you, back when my command first began," she confided. "I was gripped by the fear of failing the people under my leadership, the fear of letting down my city, my home, my parents, and even Prim… Everyone I deeply cared about regarded me as some kind of hero," she spoke with a gentle, empathetic tone. "I couldn't bring myself to talk to anyone about it; I was determined not to appear weak."
I remained silent, uncertain of what to say in response to such a heartfelt confession.
"But that… was a flawed approach," she continued. "The weight on my shoulders became unbearable, and I distinctly recall the day when I collapsed beneath its immense burden." She looked at me with a kind, understanding expression. "It was then that I realized that no one person can carry the weight of the world alone. I had people I could rely on—Lady Celestine, Lady Levantine… Prim. I could trust all of them to help me bear the responsibility of my role as Commander and Princess."
She placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You're not a monster, James," she asserted. "And you don't have to bear this burden alone, at least not with me."
For a moment, I found myself at a loss for words, but after a brief pause, a small, genuine smile spread across my face.
"Okay," I responded, my voice markedly more at ease. While I wasn't entirely convinced, her words were what I needed to hear at that moment. "Okay," I repeated, "As much as I'd like to have this conversation right now, I think it's best to wait until we're out of here."
Alicia nodded in agreement. "As you wish." She stood up first and extended a hand to help me to my feet. I reached for it, and she effortlessly pulled me up. "Come on, I left our people a bit further down," she informed me. "We paused when we heard your Shout. I assume you had a good reason for it?"
Nodding, I explained, "Yes, there were just too many of them, and I couldn't risk any slipping past me. As for the door… I wasn't certain how to close it, or if it could even be closed. So, I did the only thing I could think of to ensure none of them made their way towards you and the others."
The first Shield nodded thoughtfully. "I see," she said understandingly. "The tremors that followed were concerning, but fortunately, these ruins seem to be quite resilient. It's remarkable to think that all of this was hidden here, right beneath our feet, and we might never have discovered it." A sense of awe crept into her voice as she continued, "These carvings, these tombs… one can't help but wonder how much history lies buried within these chambers. Could this stretch all the way back to the dawn of time?"
Ah… right.
"I don't know," I replied. "Maybe it all just appeared overnight because of a whimsical deity."
I couldn't help but utter these words with a touch of resentment toward the Mad God who had brought me here and, presumably, orchestrated all of this. Why had he done it? It made no sense to me, but then again, maybe there was no sense to it at all. This was the same deity who seemed to act on nothing more than the whims of 'wouldn't it be funny if…?'
Alicia shot me a look. "Did you just insult the Goddess?" Her tone was noticeably sharper than before.
Quickly, I corrected myself, "No, no, no. I was speaking in general terms," I fibbed. "Doesn't-" I paused, trying to figure out the right term for Kaguya, "- Lady Kaguya worships a different deity than yours?" I pointed out, earning a thoughtful look from the Princess Knight.
"Fair enough, I suppose," she conceded. "There've been so many revelations lately… Perhaps I should consider a broader perspective. After all, I never thought dragons were anything more than creatures of legend, and yet now the bones of one rest in my city."
I couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Something tells me this is just the beginning. Who knows, maybe tomorrow we'll discover there's a magical portal to the afterlife, and we'll get to meet the Goddess herself," I joked, although strangely I found myself secretly hoping it might be true. After all, if Celestine was a drop-dead beauty, what would the actual Goddess look like?
"Or perhaps I'll learn that the Dark Queen, responsible for the entire hundred-year war, is residing in my fortress, and wasn't as evil as I was led to believe my whole life," she mused rhetorically. "I'm still struggling to wrap my head around that."
"Yeah, it was quite a shock for me too," I agreed. "I had imagined she'd be the archetypal, unrepentant evil, you know? Like, 'Bah, humans disgust me, and I'd rather let monsters rule the world than allow you to live'," I said, attempting an exaggerated evil voice. "But no, she's at best neutral and, at worst, indifferent toward mankind. Her servant, on the other hand… she's got a bone to pick with men, to say the least."
The blonde raised an eyebrow. "Is that why she walked naked into the bathroom, then?" Her tone carried a hint of teasing, but her eyes revealed genuine curiosity.
I chuckled. "Ah, I think that had more to do with her eagerness to join her Mistress in the bath."
It took her a few moments to connect the dots. "So she… oh!" She exclaimed softly, then thought for a moment. "They are… together?"
Shaking my head, I clarified, "No, I think she wishes they were, but for now, they have a very close master-servant bond."
As I said this, we reunited with the freed slaves, who were gathered in a large room filled with sarcophagi. No Draugr, thankfully… though I couldn't help but wonder why, as I had entered a few of these burial chambers by now, and there was no sign of the undead guardians that usually protected the deceased Nords. Not that I was complaining, as I had no desire to face them right now.
"Lady Alicia has returned!" one of the prisoners exclaimed, and almost everyone turned their attention to her. "Did you discover what caused that terrible quake?"
The Princess nodded at the assembled group. "There was a cave-in above," she explained calmly. Despite the visible panic among the people, she raised her voice to ensure everyone could hear her. "For now, we are safe; they cannot follow us," she reassured them. "Do not be afraid. I have been informed there's another way out of the tomb; we simply need to follow the path to the end." Her voice resonated clearly through the chamber, easing the growing tension, if only slightly.
While she did that, I began to examine the room itself. The chamber was spacious, fitting most everyone inside, and I was thankful to see everyone present and accounted for. I glanced down the next corridor and gave it a thorough examination before everyone followed. The path ahead seemed clear, although the downside was that it appeared to be a pendulum trap. However, disarming the trap posed no challenge for me.
"Alright, everyone, I'll lead the way to make sure there are no surprises ahead," I informed them. "Stay together, and if you come across a chest or anything else, either inform me or ignore it. I don't want anyone to get killed because of greed."
With my warning issued, I took the lead through the tomb, with Alicia at the rear, to ensure no one was left behind. The group followed my instructions diligently, and our progress was relatively straightforward. We encountered a few traps, solved a few puzzles, and dealt with some unusually large spiders, which I dispatched with fire.
However, the absence of significant danger somehow made me even more uneasy. I hated the thought of a surprise lurking ahead, so as we ventured deeper, my guard remained up all the time. We pressed on until we reached what I believed to be the final chamber. Two large steel doors guarded the entrance, and I pushed them open cautiously, ready for any threat.
Except there wasn't anything.
The chamber wasn't empty, but it also didn't contain what I had anticipated. No Draugr, no spiders, no Priests, no dragons… nothing of the sort.
In the center of the room stood a Standing Stone, which excited me, but apart from some relics and artifacts scattered around us, covered in dust and seemingly undisturbed for thousands of years, there was nothing else. However, it's likely these items appeared untouched because Sheogorath willed it so. Even the fact that there was no imminent danger seemed more like a calculated move on his part. He hadn't placed anything here, undoubtedly planning something else for us. We just hadn't yet encountered whatever he had in store.
"What is that?" Alicia inquired, her voice filled with curiosity and awe.
She and the rescued captives began to explore the chamber, while I found myself drawn to the Standing Stone. Upon closer examination… Hm, it seemed to depict two individuals engaged in conversation. Was this a representation of Speech? Part of me wondered about the potential implications. If I touched this stone, would it alter my ability to communicate?
Perhaps it would turn me into a master debater… I couldn't help but chuckle at my own phrasing.
But, wait… I swore to Celestine I wouldn't do it again, right?
I frowned as my thoughts ventured back to that moment. Much as I wanted to keep my promise to her… could I afford to? Vault had an army, and I needed all the advantages I could get to fight him; even simple things, like being more persuasive.
"James?" Alicia called out as I reached out to place my hand on the monolith.
I turned to her and smiled cheekily, trying to convey that everything was under control.
"Wanna see something cool?"
I then thrust my hand forward, touching the magical stone. As soon as I did that, a vibrant green magic began to flow into me. The stone emitted a beam of light that shot up to the ceiling, presumably reaching out into the sky, while I absorbed the power contained within.
"JAMES!" Alicia exclaimed, her concern evident as I absorbed all the energy, everyone else now staring at me with a mixture of awe and fear.
"Hm," I murmured as the Standing Stone crumbled before me. Well, I supposed I wouldn't notice any immediate changes in my speech until I started… well, speaking more.
"Sorry about that," I said somewhat sheepishly. "I hope that didn't freak you guys out too much."
For a moment, Alicia blinked in surprise at my casual tone. "What happened? What did you just do?!" she asked with unrestrained alarm.
"Those stones contain a special power for me," I explained. "From what I can tell, they enhance my understanding of a specific skill." Pausing for a moment, I searched for a suitable analogy. "Imagine you find one, and suddenly you gain an innate talent for that particular knowledge." To illustrate, I drew my sword. "A few weeks ago, I'd never even held a sword before, but now I can fight like a seasoned warrior."
Alicia's gaze shifted between me, my sword, and the now-crumbling Standing Stone. She seemed to be piecing together the puzzle.
"Wait a moment… a few weeks ago, that night when we saw a star shoot into the sky… was that this?" she asked, curiosity unmistakable in her voice.
I nodded, confirming her suspicions. "Yeah, that was the first one I found," I admitted.
…
"… What… are you?" Sir Aurach's question broke the ensuing silence, the man gazing at me with a mix of awe and curiosity, while Alicia quietly absorbed this new piece of information.
… Right, they wouldn't truly understand.
"I'm a Dragonborn, but let's save the questions for when we have the sky above our heads," I suggested, not in the mood to delve into another lengthy explanation at the moment. "Our priority should be getting all of you out of here. Everyone, keep an eye out for anything like a pull chain or a button," I instructed. "If you find one, let me know. I want to get all of you home as soon as possible."
Some wore frowns in response to my instructions, but they all began to search diligently. Meanwhile, I moved to inspect a set of shelves, hoping to find a secret button or some hidden mechanism. I carefully moved aside the ruined books, taking care not to further damage them. The first shelf yielded no results, but I held out hope for the others.
As I began to investigate the next one, I heard Alicia call out, "James, come here for a moment."
Setting aside the shelf, I joined her at a desk where she was looking at something. "What's up?" I asked.
Alicia handed me a small scroll. "Do you have any idea what this is?" she inquired. "I recognize it as some sort of Restoration scroll, but I've never seen anything like it."
I took a moment to examine the parchment. A part of me was disappointed that I didn't gain the spell within, but then I recalled that in Skyrim, spells could only be learned from books, not scrolls. I carefully unrolled it and studied the contents. "Well, it's almost certainly a Restoration scroll," I began as I read it over. "If I'm reading this right, it's like some kind of area healing spell."
Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Area healing?"
"Basically, it can heal everyone within a certain radius of the caster. However, I'm not familiar with how this stuff works yet. It might provide a full recovery or just mend minor injuries. I can't say for sure."
Alicia cast a concerned glance at the rescued captives. Some were unable to move, and others appeared to be struggling to find the exit. It didn't take long for us to reach a mutual decision on how to use the scroll. "Everyone, please gather around," Alicia called out, getting everyone's attention. "We're going to try something that may help all of you."
The captives obediently formed a circle around me. "Is everyone ready?" I asked, receiving a chorus of affirmations from the group. With a deep breath, I focused on the scroll's contents, allowing the knowledge to flow into my mind. However, it was only temporary; I'd be able to use it only once, before I had to find the real spell somewhere out there.
My hands began to emit an intense golden energy, and it extended beyond my hands, enveloping my forearms. Raising both arms toward the ceiling, I felt the energy gather intensely between my palms. With one swift motion, I hurled it onto the floor, causing an explosion of golden light that also sent out wisps of energy to seek out the most wounded among us.
The effects were nearly instantaneous, too fast to see clearly.
Bruises disappeared, scabs and cuts fell off, and even the most severe of wounds were mended by the golden wisps of energy that swirled around them. I could scarcely believe my eyes.
Sir Aurauch, whose injuries were particularly terrible, couldn't contain his amazement. His broken ribs and bruised torso were completely healed, and he patted himself down in disbelief to confirm the pain was gone. The children, who had suffered some of the worst wounds, also looked miraculously restored.
"It's a miracle!" he exclaimed in disbelief.
"He must be like the Goddess…" someone else speculated.
"That's heretical, but…" a woman started to say, but stopped as she looked at her wrists, where the ropes had left bruises, and the painful marks from Orcs and Goblins had vanished without a trace.
The chamber soon filled with people praising and thanking me for the incredible healing. The sense of awe and gratitude they expressed warmed my heart. It served as a reminder that, for all my doubts, I still had the capacity to do good and help others.
"James," I heard Alicia's voice above the people's, "I think I found it."
She had indeed found the pull chain, cleverly hidden in the shadows of a shelf. After ushering her back, I pulled it, and to our surprise, the shelf on the opposite side began descending into the ground. It was unexpected, but nothing in this place had gone as expected from the start.
With the path forward revealed, I took the lead, casting a Candlelight spell to light the way for the group. We walked through the twisting tunnels for a while, and I half-expected to emerge outside in the middle of a forest or on the side of a mountain. However, when we finally emerged, we found ourselves back in the first chamber, with the cave entrance just a short distance away.
"We're… back to where we started?" Alicia asked, her confusion evident as she looked to me for an explanation.
I shrugged, feeling equally puzzled.
"Well… at least we aren't stuck," I said with a faint chuckle. "You stay here and keep them safe. I'll go take a look outside to see how many enemies we're dealing with." With that, I left Alicia to watch over the captives and made my way to the surface to scout the encampment at the ruin's entrance.
The door leading into the tomb had been forcefully knocked off its hinges. I wasn't surprised by that, but more how long it took them to do so. I crouched down and cautiously peered outside, expecting to see a contingent of Black Dogs waiting. However, I was met with an unexpected sight – there were none in sight. The camp was completely empty.
Curiosity compelled me to step out and investigate the deserted encampment. The darkness had settled in, and I couldn't determine the exact time, but it looked like we might be approaching morning by the time we reached Feoh. As I explored, I stumbled upon a note left behind.
The ruin is gone. James, the bastard, decided he would rather die than be captured and caused a complete cave-in. Most of the men stationed here are gone. I'm just leaving this here in case by some miracle someone manages to dig themselves out. The camp is to be abandoned. Don't bother staying around, I'm not.
While I do have to deliver the bad news to Vault that we lost the Feoh Princess, I do get to deliver the good news that James is dead too. Maybe I can spin it as a tactical maneuver to kill a traitor and get my own personal session with Maia…
I re-read the note and then brought it with me as I traveled back down to get Alicia. "It's safe to come up. Everyone is gone," I called down, and one by one, the former slaves made their way up. She was the last to ascend, following them slowly.
"Looks like my Shout had an unintended side effect," I told her as I handed her the note I'd found.
She read it once before nodding. "I see. Well, it's a fortunate turn of events. I'd rather not have had to deal with a full camp while defending this many people," she remarked.
"Agreed, but for now, let's focus on getting them back," I said. Then, a concern crossed my mind. "But how are we going to transport them all? We only have one wagon, and the Black Dogs didn't leave any for us."
The Princess sighed. "We'll figure something out. Right now, the priority is to get them to safety."
I nodded in agreement. We began guiding them toward our wagon, determined to ensure their safety first and foremost. Once back in Feoh, I promised myself some much-needed rest and recovery.
Special Thanks to LittleWhiteMouse for his help with this chapter.
AN: I am so sorry this took so long to put out. Work and life have been… they haven't been kind to me, to be totally honest.
I won't bore you with all my problems, so I'll just get on with the news.
Firstly, I am considering making a Discord Server. A few people asked me about it, and I would like to know if it would be something you guys would be interested in me making.
Secondly, the next chapter is finally the end of the Feoh arc…. Yay. Beardsley is going to die, and we can finally get the plot moving a bit further.
Thirdly: I want to apologize if this chapter seems rushed. Real Life has been... it hasn't been good, you know? A rough patch that just doesn't seem to have an end. I couldn't find good time to sit down and write consistently, would like to spend more time writing it out, but at this point I am just trying to make sure you guys get something. This chapter... I'm going to be totally honest I am not really proud of it. Nothing I tried worked in a way I liked, and in the end I had to settle with something that I was just okay with.
Anyways, sorry for taking so long to update. I wish there was a way I could get more time to write, but at the moment I am trying to make sure I don't starve or anything like that. Ideally, the next chapter can come out faster than this one, but at this point I'm questioning if I can write the next chapter without needing to rush it.
Thank you all for your continued support and reading.
And I apologize again for disappointing you.