An invisible Alice took the time to examine the city that made for their destination. Most buildings were made with solid stones and surrounded by thick walls guarded by men wearing yellow armors made from large shells, giving them an insect-like appearance. One of them prepared to intercept the strange party. Mephisto was almost surprised when a feminine voice came from under its helmet.
"Halt travelers. You look like quite the strange group… what business do you have here?"
"We're simple travelers, coming from afar." Mephisto answered with her usual smirk.
"From afar…" The woman's voice became several octaves lower. "From where exactly? This is the sole harbor on this island."
Alice jumped up in surprise, nearly dropping her camouflage in the process.
Damn it Mephisto! How, with all the info you got, you somehow missed that we were on an island?!
"It's okay, Arna, let them in." An elf wearing a slightly more elaborate armor appeared. "They're the ones who stopped that damn brainwashing stone, although I didn't anticipate that you would show up again with a group that large."
"I promise we won't cause trouble. We only need some supplies and a way off this island."
"Very well. Check the harbor all you want; I'll slip a few words if it's necessary." The guards bowed. "Please, welcome to Raven Rock."
Alice grimaced when the party entered the city. If Raven Rock had any wealth in the past, then it was long spent. Several large stone buildings were visibly abandoned, and houses made of large shells were doting the streets. Alice heard Mephisto mentally talk to her.
"My apologies. I was so focused on finding Luka I didn't notice that we were on an island."
"It's okay, you saved it right afterward anyway. At least, you reacted before Morrigan decided to get violent and screw it up."
"I heard that!"
"Then please act reasonably and don't start a mess that we can't afford."
"Huuuh… are you okay?"
Mephisto raised an eyebrow toward Sonya, glad that the priestess didn't just hear that mental scuffle. "Yes, why?"
"Because you're frowning for no reason… and people around us are all suspicious."
Mephisto finally noticed what the priestess of Ilias was talking about. Everyone was indeed eyeing them suspiciously, the people they saved included. She realized that the effort deployed to make the more unusual-looking members of the team more presentable hadn't been enough in the slightest: they were still seven (plus one hidden) extremely different women with nothing in common travelling in a backwater city. There was bound to be some wariness directed toward them.
"…We're looking too suspicious, and there's no way people will want to talk with us if we stay together like that."
"Let's split up in pair."
"I agree, but before everyone goes on their way…"
"Of course!" Eden exclaimed herself proudly as if she was the one who came with this idea and started striding away. "I shall check on the blacksmith with Lucifina-chan and gauge the wares of this world!"
Promestein was already walking in another direction. "I need to see the alchemical components in this world, I'll be right back!"
Sonya decided to give chase to the small scientist with Alice's and Mephisto's approval.
"I'll drop by the tavern to hear what any loose tongue can drop. Maybe we'll hear more about Luka."
"What a great idea, I shall accompany you as well!" Alicetroemeria smiled and waved at Mephisto and the still concealed Alice. "Be careful and see you soon!"
Mephisto sighed. Alice sympathized.
"How many of them have gold to pay for any spending, thought about where and when we'll gather once done, or are even looking for something that could help us track Luka?"
"Only Alicetroemeria still has some gold, none of them did, and maybe Morrigan will actually look for Luka, and let's not kid ourselves here, she is only helpful today because her family is probably breathing down her neck."
Mephisto took in her surroundings again. While she was still looked on with suspicion, most people had moved on. She never imagined she would regret cultivating her appearance as a dark, evil witch.
"Let's just see if we can find a boat to get to that Skyrim place…"
Mephisto and Alice quickly found the harbor, although the term was too generous for a few rickety wooden docks located near a duo of ruined warehouses. The boats attached looked like they could barely weather the high sea. Mephisto noticed a sailor working on one of them.
"Greetings, young man. May I know where this boat is headed?"
"Skyrim. Windhelm to be more exact." The worker narrowed his eyes at Mephisto. "Why?"
Alice went wide-eyed upon hearing that destination. She felt Mephisto use her demon eyes to make the man more compliant.
"And in which direction that is, brave worker?"
"Roughly by here, wise teacher." The man pointed in a direction.
Alice audibly snorted.
"Very well. You won't mind if we leave with you, will you?"
"Of course, absolutely not! We'll leave in three hours, you'll be fully welcome!"
"Thank you, kind sir." Mephisto removed her hat and saluted. As they turned their back, Alice couldn't help herself but tease the yoma.
"Did you really have to use demon eyes for that? And on that level? He was ready to lick your feet if you asked."
"It was the easiest solution. I challenge you to say that either you would not have done the same or that our other companions wouldn't have done worse to this poor man."
Alice grimaced. Any idea involving either Morrigan or Eden didn't end well for their unfortunate interlocutor.
"Let's get some supplies and make sure the others are doing fine. I don't imagine them not getting in trouble. Even if they're on their best behavior, this places reeks of crime."
"Fooooooood…"
As if to confirm Mephisto's words, a pair of masked men came out from between the warehouses, knives and spells at the ready.
"You are done for, witch! You shouldn't have messed with our mission!"
Mephisto's eyes glowed, but the assault from her aggressors didn't slow down. They released streams of fire toward the yoma who barely had the time to raise a barrier before the flames reached her. Her two interlocutors ended quickly frozen in a wave of dark energy.
Mephisto felt her hears ringing for a moment as the sudden rush of adrenaline wore off. She had expected muggers, not magi resistant to demon eyes.
"…Thank you, Alice."
"You're welcome." After making sure their scuffle hadn't attracted attention, Alice brought both men in a dark street and thawed them off.
"They're not dead, just unconscious." Alice frowned as she searched one of the men while Mephisto searched the other one. "I remember Tamamo's old pictures about cultists worshipping supposed deities through human sacrifices. They kinda look like them."
Mephisto muttered for herself. "I now understand Morrigan's earlier spiel about looting people you fought, it feels surprisingly dirty... I hope you're wrong about your guess." Mephisto pulled out a small paper and read it.
Board the vessel Northern Maiden docked at Raven Rock. Take it to Windhelm, then begin your search. Kill the False Dragonborn known as Novissa once he's done with Alduin.
Return with word of your success, and Miraak shall be most pleased.
"Good grief…" Mephisto repositioned her hat on her head. "It looks like our heroes found trouble. Or would it be more accurate to say that troubles found them?"
"Let's just get food as quickly as possible and warn them."
Alice and Mephisto made sure the cultists would keep no memories of their encounters and, after the lamia turned invisible again, they quickly purchased as much food as the trader would let them buy, as well as a few books about local myths and the history of the world. They grew even more nervous when they noticed a large number of guards mobilizing toward the entrances. By a spell of fortune, the remainder of the party showed up right when they were done negotiating.
"Perfect timing… did you find anything interesting that you consider worth sharing?"
The silence that answered her coupled with the awkward gazes they received was eloquent.
"I guess not. We found a boat to get out of there if you wish to follow us."
The fact that they all silently followed them was even more concerning to Mephisto and Alice. They climbed aboard the boat without a word and calmly took a look around while the sailors started undocking.
"What happened? It's the first time Eden didn't try to snark at us even when she's visibly fuming, Alicetroemeria and Lucifina-chan are all prim and proper, Morrigan didn't say one innuendo and looks like a lost schoolgirl, and I thought Promestein would ask for more time to get samples!"
"I don't know, and honestly, it's a bit worrying… wait, where's Sonya?!"
"Promestein, where's Sonya? I thought she left with you a few hours ago?"
The small angel scientist stammered a bit before a shrill, angry voice echoed from one of her pocket.
"Heuya! He hou a you oe! Aeeuy!"
Promestein searched in her robe to pull out a priestess reduced to a tenth of her size. Alice quickly noticed her limply hanging jaw as well. Once she was put on the board, she returned to her normal size thanks to a dispel from Alice, but her body kept being periodically shaken by spasms.
"Good grief, that must be one powerful poison if a dispel isn't enough…" Mephisto searched through her own pockets. "Let's use a panacea then. Luckily, I always have one on me. Please, keep her mouth open."
Morrigan instantly obliged by using her aura to keep the priestess standing straight.
"Eh. Ea aou."
"Trust me, I am careful."
After pouring the concoction down Sonya's throat, the spasms shaking the priestess stopped and she released a long breath.
"Oh sweet goddess! I can move again!" She shook every one of her limbs and threw a mean glare at the remainder of the group. "Oww… did you really nearly leave without me?!"
"Of course not." Alice crossed her arms under her chest. "We were still at the dock and would never abandon you."
The priestess was slowly breathing in and out, red-faced. Save for Alice and Mephisto, everyone was doing an effort to avoid her gaze. Alice tried to work out the phrasing that would be the most likely to bring her the answer she wanted.
"Did anything happen while shopping?"
Sonya's glare intensified. "Yes! But I'm not the one to thank for that!"
She looked in the direction of Promestein who was currently failing at pretending to ignore her.
"Wait for me! This place looks dangerous! What if someone attacked you from behind?! You could be out cold before you realize it!" Even when running, Sonya had difficulties keeping up with Promestein who was simply striding forward at her own pace. The angel scientist answered with a monotonous voice.
"It's impossible. Any immediate threat will be met with barriers that will automatically block the first attack aimed at me. By then I will have set up either a spell to minimize physical or magical damage through summoning or alchemy. Should they somehow manage to still pierce through, my innate angel resistances will allow me to soak an amount of damage superior to anything this world has thrown at us so far. I also developed my innate resistances through training to be able to stand the strongest attack and still be able to fight back afterward. Last, even if I get knocked down, I developed the ability to stand back and go back in the fight or escape."
Sonya's mouth remained agape as she barely managed to keep track of her explanation.
"…You thought that out well, didn't you?"
"I had to. We have had a growing number of companions who were unreliable, and I needed to cover any weaknesses. I even trained with AlmaaAAaa…"
Promestein completely froze and ended up clumsily juggling her tome in the air. Behind her, Sonya raised an eyebrow.
"You trained with that flying obscenity? Hurgh, I feel sorry for you. She probably just tried coaxing you in her depraved games."
"Yes… yes, she did show me unspeakable things! But let's forget about it and move on, I want to see what alchemy is like in this world. Maybe I'll even bring Lucia some components back."
Sonya shook her head in sympathy. Visibly, Promestein just wanted to move on, and she respected that. Sonya kept following her even as she wasn't sure if Promestein herself knew where she was going. The scientist opened a door seemingly at random only to get greeted by rows of shelves covered in alchemical ingredients.
How did she find that? There was no indication, we're in a completely different world, and she still found a place to buy alchemical components! Also, shit, how are we supposed to pay for them? We didn't take the money Black Alice offered!
Not that I want it… Ilias only knows what it saw.
Promestein started examining every item laying around indifferent to the mental turmoil the priestess was suffering. After a while, she was called out by an ash-skinned elf standing behind the counter.
"May I interest you in something?"
Promestein answered without turning around. "Do you have a catalog of reagents around?"
The elf took out a thick volume from under the counter. "Indeed, what do you want to know?"
Promestein quickly flipped through the pages of the book. She then returned to the shelves and started expertly grabbing a selection of components even as the alchemist was still wondering who that girl was.
She already absorbed everything down to the last letter… For all of Mephisto's speeches, how am I supposed to equal that?
Bah, it's not like she'll be able to pay for all of her components. She's just wasting her time.
"Here's your payment." Promestein handed a small bottle of black ink and a few pages to the man who carefully examined them. Sonya noticed a small smirk appearing on his face even as Promestein ignored him to start working on a bench.
"That's interesting young girl, but it's not quite enough to pay for everything you bought. I'd need at least twice as much to make it worth it."
"Oh. Sorry. Here's more." Promestein pulled out another bottle and a few pages from her satchel which visibly threatened to burst with more identical items. The elf grimaced when he realized he didn't get a tenth from what he could with his scam attempt. A glare from Sonya stopped him trying his luck again. Then the priestess carefully approached the scientist even as she was energetically mashing and mixing substances together.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm creating optimal mana potions. Magic is different in this world, and the existing mana potions are unlikely to be adapted for our organisms. As such, I know I can create a version that will be more effective for us, but will also be able to give us an emergency boost in casting ability in time of crisis."
Wow, that will be really useful for once… maybe everyone's messages finally went through her head.
"Good idea, keep going!"
As Promestein worked, Sonya took the opportunity to take a look around the shelves by herself. They were no longer the only customers in the shop. A few men wearing strange masks with glasses and brown garbs were also investigating the row of shelves. Sonya shrugged their strange outfit. The shameful memories of her laughing at the people of Yamatai's strange customs the first time she entered the oriental village was resurfacing with enough strength to make her beet red.
She checked on Promestein who was crafting potions at an impressive speed, her dexterous hands crushing and mixing ingredients before liquefying them and pouring them in small bottles. Slightly on her side, one of the masked customer was visibly always keep an eye on Promestein while the other one was immobile, always staring at the priestess. At first, she just shrugged them off before eventually growing uncomfortable enough to talk to him directly.
"Excuse me, is something the matter?"
An ungendered voice answered in a growling whisper. "Get out of here. It's only about Promestein."
Sonya remained immobile, returning a confused look. Then her survival instinct took over and she cried out.
"Dodge!"
"What?!" Promestein reflexively raised a barrier to defend herself when the masked man on her side tried to cut her down. Sonya's own interlocutor jumped at her with a dripping knife to stab her. The attack merely left a small cut on her thigh as she dodged sideway. She took her war staff and reduced its size to the level of a club, allowing her to quickly swat her opponent in the head. The man collapsed by her side like a potato sack. The one that had aggressed Promestein quickly followed suite as the small scientist had become extremely proficient at defending herself with her book. She was clutching her weapon to her body.
"…Thanks, I was so engrossed in my work I didn't notice them."
"You're welcome." Sonya tried to heal the small trail on her blood, but, too her surprise, she felt her spell being blocked. She tried again, only earning herself a dull pulse strong enough to make her grimace in pain.
"Arrrghh… I can't heal myself! They must have used some sort of spell-blocking poison!"
"It's fortunate! I have just prepared a potion to deal with that kind of poison!" Sonya stared at Promestein in shock. The scientist stammered as she tried to backpedal. "I-I mean it's fortunate that I created a counter-poison at the right time, not that you were wounded in the first place. Those people attacking us with anti-magic people is bad luck."
"Or the sign of something worse coming our way…" Sonya took a cloth to clean the blood. "They don't look like random bandits."
"Anyway, here it is. Drink!"
Sonya looked at the potion Promestein was holding with suspicion. Whether it was the enthusiastic smile the scientist was showing or the knowledge that the potion was experimental, Sonya was reluctant to give the potion a chance.
Then again… people may need my skills. I can't afford to be more of a load than I already am.
Sonya took the potion and quickly gulped everything done, trying to ignore the horrible taste of the liquid. She tried healing herself again, and this time, the wound disappeared under a white light without leaving a trace behind.
"Huh. It worked. Thanks."
"Of course it worked! I had made the utmost precise calculation to make a nearly-perfect potion."
"Yeah, I admit, save for that dull sensation, I'm perfectly fine." Sonya approached one of the unconscious masked men, intrigued. After making sure he was only unconscious, she removed his mask. Her work took her several tried and she grew increasingly frustrated as her hand seemed to be less responsive than usual. When she finally removed said mask, she was surprised to only see one of those ash-skinned elves like there were so many around.
"Huh… zad's sdranjj. I donno wha I espetted."
"What? Can you articulate?"
Sonya started massaging her throat, worried. The dull sensation was spreading through every one of her limbs, and she had lost control over her fingers which were now limply hanging.
"Ouass appeniinn oo eeh?!"
The priestess glared at Promestein.
"I have no idea! Unless…" She returned to the catalog and quickly flipped its pages again, gradually turning pale. "Ah… I might have made a mistake. I didn't take into account possible side effects that my angel biology could have mitigated while your human one would… is suffering the full brunt right now."
"Whaa?!" Sonya stepped closer to the scientist, but her leg became unable to even support her own leg and she collapsed on the floor.
"Sorry, but don't worry, I'm sure I will have whipped out an antidote in a minute!"
"I on ouan ouan. I on want one."
Two more masked men entered with their weapons at the ready. They briskly walked toward Promestein who backed out in surprise before taking out another strange item from her bag.
"So much for minimizing cross-world interactions… Fortunately, I brought some fairy dust to incapacitate them without harm."
"Wai, wai!"
Promestein blasted a large cloud in the shop, obscuring the place. When the dust fell, she smiled down on the two reduced hitmen. They slowly stepped back, terrified. Then Promestein stomped near them, turning their careful retreat in a full-on dash. The angel scientist allowed herself a wave of satisfaction. Then she gasped when she remembered that Sonya was also caught in the cloud. Promestein carefully looked down on the ground, checking on where the priestess could be. When she found her lying on the ground, Promestein was more surprised by the sheer rage emanating from the eyes of the priestess than by the fact she was now only slightly larger than her own hand.
"I ae you."
"S-sorry! I panicked a bit, I'll help you in a second, don't worry about anything! I don't have a magical mallet with me, but I'm sure there's something around that can help you!"
"An uou uh ihe eh?"
Promestein frantically searched through the shelves in search of a solution. She kept periodically muttering to herself and hesitated before grabbing any ingredient. Her search was brutally interrupted by a powerful shout from outside.
"We have reports of the Morag Tong terrorizing a merchant from Raven Rock! This behavior will not be tolerated! Come out clear, and we will negotiate your departure!"
"Crap, oh crap, oh crap!" Promestein's hands started trembling. "I can't imagine how our partners will react if they have to go fetch us in jail! And we can't take the risk of killing everyone! And this is the sole entrance leading to the building, so we can't leave through here… what to do, what to do?" She then snapped her fingers. "I know. It's fortunate that… since you've been reduced in size, I can simply fit you in one of my pockets and use the mix of products present here to create a cloud to hide our presence! My senses will be able to guide us even as they'll be forced to blunder around."
Wait… They're not talking about us! They're talking about those assassins! You don't need to do that! We can just come out and say we were their hostages!
Unfortunately for Sonya, the only words that could come out from her mouth took the form of an unintelligible garble. Promestein quickly started working at the workbench when the voice outside echoed again.
"You have one minute to come out! If you're still not there, we will enter the building and kill you!"
"Come on, come on come on! Yes! Here it comes!"
A thick cloud erupted from Promestein's work. She quickly stepped away and grabbed the priestess in her pocket the moment the guards entered.
"What's happening here?!"
"I can't see anything!"
Promestein successfully slipped away as the cloud poured on the street. In her pocket, Sonya felt herself tossed around as if she was caught in an avalanche. However, as the screams were getting further and further, she found herself gradually calming down.
Phew… It wasn't the soundest move, but still, she pulled through without anyone dying. I'm not sure the same would have happened if it was one of the others. I won't complain too much… I've suffered worse. Granted, that pocket of hers is a little bit sticky and uncomfortable, but it's okay. If only it didn't smell of…
Oh… OH SWEET GODDESS WHY?!
"So please at least keep your pockets clean." Sonya shivered in disgust. "If the water wasn't ice cold, I would throw myself in the sea right now."
"Sorry, I guess it was the remains from one of my vials of Hakunen extract."
"Good grief, I didn't imagine our shopping session would go that poorly. I guess we've been a little reckless after stirring up troubles with those stones."
Alice swallowed a part of pie that she had been munching on. "Hang on, I feel like we don't have the full picture here. I can understand that we would have assassins sent after us in retaliation for stopping whatever plan involved the stones, but why did they focus on Promestein? How did they identify her in the first place? And how did they find her in that city? Did they really just stumble around and found her or someone sold us out?"
Mephisto stepped in to prune Alice's theories. "I don't know how those people could have sold us out since we didn't give anyone's name since we entered the city even once. Did we?"
Everyone stared at Eden. The seraph brought a hand to her chest and growled. "Why are you all accusing me with this baseless conjuncture?!"
"We're not accusing you, but without wanting to insult you, you have never been one for subtlety and already let a few cats out of the bag that your goddess wanted to keep closed."
"I would never sell a fellow angel to anyone!"
"I concur!" Lucifina-chan stepped forward to protect her big sister. "Eden is a good person!" She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted. "She was too busy dealing with that bad smith to do anything else, and didn't name Promestein once!"
Alice nodded, slightly afraid that the small seraph would decide to get physical. "Very well. If you confirm it yourself… please accept our apologies Eden."
"Mph! I'm vindicated by history!"
"But why are you saying he was a bad smith though? Was it because of his prices, the quality of his work, or something else?"
"It is because the man was a thief." Behind Eden, Lucifina-chan was strongly nodding to confirm her words. "I picked up on him, and he started getting belligerent, but I quickly stopped him with the help from a few thankful guards."
"I can confirm that it happened. It was right when I helped those men who were looking for a small scholarly girl! I told them that they would find their perfect match in Promestein!"
Everyone turned toward Lucifina-chan like a pack of wolves.
"…Did I do something bad?"
"Start by telling us what you did."
Lucifina-chan happily sauntered around Eden even as the more mature seraph was walking forward with a visible determination. From afar, the duo of angels looked like a child discovering the city and pulling around her beleaguered mother. After Lucifina-chan once again ran a bit away on her own, Eden called out to her and held her by her arms.
"Stay close Lucifina-chan. We don't know the dangers this place can hide."
Lucifina-chan pouted and raised an eyebrow. "But we can actually see them coming, can't we? Those guards at the entrance are only as tough as humans in the Noah region. Their stance is too low because they're neglecting their training and are bored out of their mind. We also had seen a few mages but the spells they can use can barely be compared to the intermediate ones an angel of the ninth circle would learn! …you noticed, didn't you?"
Eden was absolutely floored. She all too often forgot that behind this cute appearance, that angel was still Lucifina-chan, the second seraph who could hold against an Ancestor and also had a judgment strong enough to survive an encounter with more than one.
"…yes, I did. I was just making sure you were still at the top yourself to serve Ilias, even in a different world."
"Of course I am! …are you?"
"Yes, yes of course." Eden turned away to avoid the piercing gaze of her sister. It was as uncomfortable as always. "Let's take a look at the wares sold by the local smith. We have the best equipment available short of what the Goddess could gift us, but taking a good look will not hurt us."
Messing with Eden is so fun! I wonder if they have good tools to play here?
Guided by the sound of metal being regularly struck, they eventually found the blacksmith's workshop. Lucifina already pouted in displeasure at the poor display. A few racks of mediocre-quality weapons and armors were lying around. At least, they were extremely inferior to her own equipment. The smith himself looked as unremarkable as a human could, with his solid build hidden by brown clothes, and short black facial hair surrounding a jaded expression. His voice was a surprisingly low whisper.
"Welcome… what can I do for you? I can repair anything, and offers the best equipment on all of Solstheim."
Eden looked down on the man. "Do you have better equipment at your disposition? These… weapons you display won't do for our mission."
The man frowned, visibly insulted. "This as good as it can get around those parts… maybe the Skaal can get you something in Stalhrim, but it's impossibly rare and good luck to mine it."
"Why? Can't you mine some by yourself?"
"No. You need a special pickaxe. I had gotten one from the Skaal, but it was borrowed from me by an old fool."
While Eden seemed determined to get to the bottom of her investigation for a reason, Lucifina-chan had already lost interest and started looking around in boredom.
Meh. I thought I could have some fun, but people are no fun here… their stuff sucks, they're too weak, I could break that one it two with my bare hands… I wonder why Eden's bothering so much with that stuff? Sure, that man's strange and smells like a thief, but it's not like he'd make for a good fight!
"And tell us how did you get that pickaxe yourself?!"
The commotion had attracted several passer-bys who were now staring at the scene. The man started heavily sweating under the growing pressure.
"Look ladies, I'm just trying to do business here." He pointed at Lucifina-chan. "I have no idea what you're looking for. She's way too young to use any type of weapon short of a knife. I can give you one for free if you want but please leave."
Lucifina-chan puffed her cheeks at the insult. Eden pushed her inquisition forward.
"I won't leave before you tell us the truth, thief! With Ilias as my witness, I will expose your corruption to the light!"
"Hang on there, that's quite a grave accusation." One of the guards stepped forward. "What proof do you have that our blacksmith stole anything? He's an esteemed member of our community."
"I wouldn't do anything that could bring harm to Raven Rock. I've been here for too long to think of it."
Another dark elf guard without a helmet called out to him. "You helped us repair our equipment often for sure. You won't mind then if we take a quick look around your house?"
The blacksmith sighed. "Do whatever you want, Veleth. I don't want any conflict."
"I shall personally see that you search his quarters thoroughly."
While the guard looked reluctant at the idea of a civilian accompanying them, Eden's imperious aura made him relent. Lucifina-chan wanted to follow them, but Eden made her stay at the entrance.
"Keep an eye out. I don't want to take the chance of one of his friends attacking us from behind."
"Muuuh…" Lucifina-chan crossed her arms under her chest and obliged. She completely ignored what was happening inside the house and kept an eye on people passing by. She noticed that a few people were looking at her with a mix of wariness, but a quick glare from her send them back on their path.
I'm not a child that needs coddling! I really need a goof fight! Eden better not starts one with that man without me!
People passed and went as Eden and the guards investigated the place. Lucifina-chan didn't take note of most of them. Only a small group of people surrounded by an aura of death and whispering to each other attracted her attention. The group in question had gathered behind the building, far from everyone's sight. They were doing so much effort to look inconspicuous she instinctively focused on them and eavesdropped from afar.
"Thanks Sithis the influence of those stones got broken… we can finally get back to our jobs."
"We already received one request from a high member of the house Telvanni. It will pay well enough to get us back up after the latest times of drought."
"Who do they want dealt with?"
As there were no signs of the search growing more interesting, Lucifina tip-toed closer to the group.
"Two people that do not come from the region. One is a snake-witch straight from a fairy tale. The other is a small red-haired scholar named Promestein."
"Do we have any hint as to where and how to find them?"
Lucifina-chan couldn't help herself but eventually jumped in. "I know! You'll find them at the alchemy store if there's any around!"
The masked men turned around and stared at the disguised angel. Even beyond their mask and glasses, Lucifina-chan could sense their surprise.
"Thank you, little girl, but… you should leave and get back to your parents."
"I'm not a little girl!" Lucifina-chan puffed her cheeks again and stomped her foot. She still turned back and left in a huff while the men went their own way. When she returned, the guards were carrying several large items out of the house of the blacksmith while their captain was awkwardly discussing with Eden.
"As I said, we appreciate your support in helping us expose the treacherous dealings of that man, but we can not condone breaking the door that led to his basement and invading his privacy."
"But it was necessary to access the evidence of his misdeeds. This was the only place where the evidence was gathered. How else could we have put his crimes to light and put him in jail where he belongs?"
The dark elf captain was now actively avoiding her gaze. "We… will make sure he will repay us with his work. Once again, we thank you for your help, but I beg you to not act so violently again. Have a good day."
The dark elf captain left before Eden could answer. The seraph grimaced in rage, but stopped herself when Lucifina-chan pulled on her arm. She slowly took her breath and turned back herself.
"This place is indeed as lost as I expected of a city that never knew of her glory… maybe we should stay here and guide them toward her love instead of being forced to accompany those deranged demons."
"Buuuut…" Lucifina started tearing up. "It means we won't see Lukaaaa…"
Eden kneeled in front of Lucifina-chan and cleared its tears. "Please don't cry… I'm sorry, it was just immature from me. We need to find Luka back. Those people don't deserve us anyway."
"Yay!"
That was so easy...
"…Are you telling me that I missed a good fight?" Lucifina's shoulders slumped. "Muuuh… I'm sorryyyyyy."
"It's okay Lucifina-chan." Eden reassuringly placed her hand on her junior's shoulder. "We forgive you."
"Fufufu, don't worry! I'm sure you will have plenty of opportunities to have more fun!"
"I'm a bit worried though." Alice pulled out a large slab of grilled meat from her bag and started eating it. "You heard them say that they were glad to be able to resume their operations after the spell on the stone stopped. This can only mean that they're not affiliated with whoever corrupted them. They also already knew Promestein by her name."
"Good catch Alice. Since it's not because of what we did with those stones, I wonder why someone would send assassins after us specifically."
Everyone turned toward Morrigan and Alicetroemeria. The succubus just shrugged.
"It's our turn I guess? I should have seen that one coming… I have no idea why they were looking for you though."
"This was probably the only thing you didn't see coming all over yourself. Fufufu…"
"Let's just get this out of the way… have you been your usual unrestrained succubus self when you were away?"
"..." Morrigan awkwardly scratched the back of her neck.
"Oh, sweet Dark Goddess… Sonya, you might want to cover your ears."
"The Retching Netch. Well, that's a promising name."
"My, don't be harsh. I am sure there is an interesting story behind it!"
Morrigan and Alicetroemeria were hidden near the sole building that looked like a tavern. The succubus wanted to kill two birds with one stone, namely gaining information and filling her craving for entertainment. She mentally contacted her partner-in-crime, and felt herself instinctively shivering at the contact of the mind of the Monster Lord.
"Alright, we better enter at different moments. People will definitively be suspicious of two hooded girls entering at the same time."
"Awww… is it because you don't wish to be seen with me?
"That's not it, it's just-"
"I was joking! Fufufu… I agree on your plan"
"Nice one. Sooo, no magic that could expose us, no raping anyone, and no killing them either."
"Naturally, I didn't even consider doing that! Or are you repeating your rules for yourself? You have to follow these or Mephisto, miss Sonya and little Alice sure won't be happy about you!"
"…just give me some coins, I'll scout the place first. Wait a few minutes before going in."
Alicetroemeria obliged. Morrigan pushed the door opened and grimaced under her hood as she took the inside of the tavern with her five senses. The place wasn't horribly disgusting, but it was cramped enough to make her feel uncomfortable. Otherwise, the tavern itself was exactly as she expected. People were sharing the latest rumors, drinking to forget their harsh work, or gambling the few coins they earned. While a few people took a look in her direction, she remained mostly unremarked. None of them were a real threat to her. Satisfied, the succubus made a beeline at the counter and sat herself at a stool, carefully positioning her cloak to hide most of her body. The dark elf serving everyone turned to her.
"Hello there… I've never seen you before."
"Oh, I'm a legendary… traveler passing by."
"A legendary traveler, huh? Can I interest you in our sujamma then? It's unique."
"Sure! I really need a freaking drink!"
After coin and drink were exchanged, Morrigan started sipping her drink. She appreciated the unknown, unsual taste but didn't find it more exceptional. She focused back on her mission and listened to several conversations happening around her.
"Yeah, they saved us, but they looked... strange. That girl said she was a priestess, but she looked like a street worker, and the other looked like an old hag."
"There are rumors of dragons coming back in Skyrim as well. What in oblivion is going on?"
"Nah, it can't come from the mines. They've been closed for a long time. The old dwemer ruins however…"
Come on, someone give me some good info already someone! The faster we find Luka, the less likely we'll screw up this place! …and the faster I'll get a decent fill. Those guys all smell bland.
Morrigan steadied herself when she felt a wave of dread fill the tavern. Alicetroemeria had entered the tavern, and her appearance had stopped every conversation cold.
"Oh, come on! Did you do that on purpose?"
"…what are you talking about, dear Morrigan? Are those people unhappy to see me? Maybe your skills can warm them up."
"Aaarghhhhh…"
Morrigan spent a decent amount of energy using a mix of her aura and pheromones to soften up people. After a while, most conversations were back on track while Alicetroemeria had lodged herself in a corner with a cup of tea. People came and went by until a new duo attracted the attention of the succubus. The first was a dark elf surrounded by the stench of death, while the second looked like a green mix between a human, a fish and a lizard. While the creature was bipedal, it was covered in scales and had a tail sprouting from its lower back. Its head was close to the one of a horned lizard, although Morrigan could see gills behind his head. All that information was quickly pushed at the very bottom of the mind of the succubus as her senses picked up that he was sexed.
"Holy shit, I need to try that one!"
"Oh, my, did you already forget your rules?"
"I'll be careful, it will just be some harmless consensual fun between two adults! Please don't ruin this!"
"Fufufu… be careful to protect yourself. You don't want to bring yet another strange sickness, do you?"
"…And just like that you ruined it. I hate how you're right. I guess I won't touch him then. Oh, well, it's not like I need to in the first place."
Morrigan eavesdropped in the conversation between the beastman and his partner. Visibly, it was just a talk about business. The dark elf was busy reassuring his partner.
"Do not worry about it. No matter how strange they are, it is just another task for my colleagues."
"We appreciate it. Please get started as soon as possible. I'll stay here for a while anyway, I am in no hurry to get back to Neloth. Maybe I will even check a room here for tonight if it means one less day spent dealing with him."
"I understand why. Still, that crazy fool pays well. Don't tell him I said it though."
"Ah! Maybe he needs one of you to say it…"
The rest of the conversation was as dull as it could be, and Morrigan lost track. She occasionally took a look into the direction of Black Alice. Unsurprisingly, the Monster Lord was alone, her natural aura repelling most people. Shockingly, the closest tables were still occupied. She grimaced when she felt Alicetroemeria reach out to her.
"Mmmh… why don't you influence that elf ever so slightly to have a lovely talk with me? Your goal will be free and I will make sure he tells me everything that could interest us."
Poor guy…
Morrigan obliged. The dark elf left his companion after one last exchange, leaving the lizardman alone. Morrigan repositioned her cloak to reveal her legs. The lizardman took a glance before looking away. She could feel his arousal.
"Hey there, liking what you just saw?"
"…maybe." The lizardman took a sip from his drink. "My name is Jel-Allai. What is a woman like you doing in this dump?"
Morrigan swayed her legs, attracting his attention again. She wouldn't even need to brainwash him.
"I'm just a traveler, looking for some fun… I heard someone tell that there were some wondrous sights around the island, but in hindsight, I guess it was a bit of an exaggeration."
"Indeed it was. Everything interesting in this isle happen here. Maybe I could show you."
"Ooooh… I admit I'm interested!"
"Then let us continue this discussion in a more private place." The lizardman offered a few coins in exchange for a key. Morrigan used the distraction to check on Alicetroemeria. The Monster Lord and the elf were also taking a room for themselves.
"Don't leave a mess behind!"
"Don't worry, I won't leave anything behind…"
Morrigan followed the lizardman to their own room. Once he locked the door, she place a deafening rune on it to prevent sound from escaping. Jel-Allai approached her with his two hands forward, but before he could touch her, he got instantly pinned on the bed and was bound by a blue aura.
"What? What is it?! Are you a mage!? Is it a trap?!"
"Kinda." The succubus removed her cloak, fully displaying herself. "I juuuust want to have some fun with you and I'm a bit hungry." She started using her aura to stimulate her prey while draining some energy.
"Ghh… you're the daedra..." Jel-Allai trashed around in pleasure. "You are with those strangers, aren't you? What other horrible powers do you have?! From what depraved place do you come?!" Morrigan ignored him and continued her work, focusing on his head. "Alright, I'll talk! Please stop! Neloth sent me out to ask the Morag Tong for their service after one of you!" She continued her work, gradually focusing her energy toward his crotch. "Ssss… please stop, please don't stop, please don't stop!"
Jel-Allai passed out in throes of pleasure. Morrigan eventually released her grasp, satisfied with her handiwork.
"Aaah… I admit, your energy is pretty tasty. Not as good as one of the hero's, but I'll take it."
Morrigan put back her cloak on and left the room to see Alicetroemeria pouting outside. The remainder of the customers didn't give them any attention, which suited them well. Once outside, Alicetroemeria questioned her partner in a surprisingly harsh voice.
"Let's regroup with the others. Did you happen to hear anything about Luka?"
"Nope. I didn't hear anything about Novissa or Lars either. He rambled about some Neloth and Morag Tong, I have no idea what it was about."
"I do." Alicetroemeria pouted. "They're a guild of assassins used by those dark elves to remove people that inconvenienced them. He told me when I was starting to eat him up, it completely broke my mood!
in surprise. "Bwuh? Why did you stop? He wouldn't have been able to say anything if he was dead, would he?"
Alicetroemeria turned around and lowered her hat. "Dear Morrigan, given your activity I'd have expected you to understand that when I said I wouldn't leave anything behind, I meant no trace of my passage. While physically missing, his disappearance would have left us with an angered guild of assassins and qualifies as something that we could not afford. The best choice was simply to make it look like nothing happened and that he never met me. Of course, I suppose your own partner forgot that little encounter with you as well, didn't he?"
Morrigan stopped and went wide-eyed.
"Ooooooh… shit. I forgot that."
She took a look back in the direction of the tavern. Several guards were now standing at the entrance while a few others were moving toward the entrance of the city.
"Lock this place down! Whoever is responsible is not allowed to leave the city."
"Aaaand it's already too late, isn't it?" Morrigan turned back to see Alicetroemeria disapprovingly shake her head at her. "Let's forget this happened..."
Mephisto pinched the bridge of her nose. "…Alright, we now have a guild of assassins on our back because Morrigan nearly murderfucked a lizardman and Alicetroemeria tried to eat his business partner. Anything else we need to know?"
"Of course, the filthy succubus is once again responsible for our woes because she wanted to fill her hole…"
"Hey! I'm not the one who wrapped my legs around that giant angry snake earlier while naked! I mean I gotta share that one with my sisters… and to Alicetroemeria's credit, she didn't do anything wrong."
Alice glanced at the succubus. "For the sake of everyone, I think it would be better if you didn't share a single word about our current adventures with your family. In fact, let us keep what is happening today to ourselves."
"Awww…"
The succubus defensively raised her hands. "Besides, I want to point out that I wasn't the one who asked Sonya to taste an experimental potion, nor was I the one who dropped the ball about Promestein, and finally, I have no idea who that Neloth guy is in the first place! I'm not the one they sent assassins after! I'm just a link in the chain here, gotta look at the anchor point that started everything. Seriously, does that name ring any bell?"
Alice wasn't the only one who noticed Mephisto trying to hide her unusually red face with her large hat. The yoma didn't try to evade any accusation however.
"Neloth was the owner of the house we ended in when we arrived. After I told him off for being a little too inquisitive about our existence, Promestein knocked him unconscious."
"And you didn't use demon eyes to make him forget our encounters?"
"I did a Morrigan and left a bit of a mess behind without thinking."
"Hey, don't start using my name as an insult!"
Mephisto massaged her forehead and shook her head. "In hindsight, I feel like we all made quite a few mistakes today."
"Yes. Yes, we all did." Alice sighed. "While we're sailing away, maybe we should check the books to get some info about the world while passing time. If we avoid another headache, then it will be money well spent."
Morrigan made a dismissive gesture. "Do whatever you want, I'll see if I can have some fun with the sailors. I promise I'll be reasonable this time and not cripple them!"
"I'll keep you away from them foul fiend!"
A charming voyage in perspective… Mephisto's right, I need to be able to stand between them.
"Morrigan, you got a meal and nearly killed someone less than an hour ago, can you please wait a little? I swear you will be able to do what you want with the next group that attacks us."
The succubus childishly pouted and crossed her arms, but relented. "Fine, I guess I can make sure they stay focused. I'm not doing it for the hypocritical horndog over here."
"You…" Eden raised her fist but Sonya stepped in between them and glared at both, stopping the burgeoning conflict between them. Alice could only appreciate so far that Alicetroemeria and Lucifina-chan had each decided to get at the other end of the boat. She decided to check on the former while asking Sonya with a nod to check on the latter. The disguised Monster Lord was looking at the sea with an enigmatic smirk that concerned Alice.
"Are you concerned about Heinrich?"
"No! Why would I be? He's a big boy that can take care of himself! I'm relaxing with the sight of the sea before our next adventure jump on us! Maybe you should try it too, it will make you feel better…""
Mephisto's raspy voice reached Alice from behind. "…I actually think it's better if we take the time to study the content of these books. I invite everyone to come here for a lesson about some of the forces we may have to deal with in this world."
Alice raised an eyebrow and took a look at the ancient teacher. Mephisto was visibly nervous as she flipped through the pages of a book. Alice tilted her head to read the title.
"On the nature of Daedras… do you really think they could be an issue for us?"
"Yes, if only because we crossed through the realm of one of them and are bound to have attracted at least his attention, if not the one from his peers as well, which is not something we wanted but will have to suffer."
"Oh, shit, it's that bad?"
"Yes. Now stay a while, and listen…"
Back in the Apocrypha, a robed man wearing a golden mask representing two tentacles was bidding his time. Miraak's cultists had brought him news of the apparition of another Dragonborn in the cold provinces of Skyrim where Alduin had also been sighted. Was it a mere coincidence? He didn't care for the intents of the god and focused on the details of the reports he had been brought. That new Dragonborn was apparently a hero of few words, and had joined a large group of people that supposedly came from another world. Their rampage had left deep scars in the region, weakening the empire. Coupled with the chaos wrecked by Alduin and his dragons, the region was now vulnerable. Once Alduin was out of the way, that Novissa would soon follow, and he would be able to lay his claim to the world unopposed.
"Soon…"
He looked at the creatures assembled near him. He released a sinister chuckle. The monsters gifted to him by Hermaeus Mora would make for the perfect soldiers. The dragons that had treated him as just another pawn were now his to command. He appreciated the irony. Whether dragons or daedras, all those that thought they could dominate him were instead helping him further his own plans. He had taken over a few members of the former, and, with time, he would be ready to fully free himself from the latter, in part thanks to the power he had been gifted.
This world will be mine to dominate… starting with this island. This heap of rock has been my prison for far too long. It won't be long before every last inhabitant fall under the influence of my spells.
A panicking cultist appeared and interrupted his introspection.
"My lord…" the cultist was panting, out of breath. "Some… people have cleared the All-Maker stones!"
"What?! How?!" Miraak was completely aghast. The only one that stood a chance to oppose his will on the isle was that haughty fool of Neloth, and the archmage was busier examining his craft than trying to stop him.
"We… we don't understand! Our reports say that angels came to free the people of Solstheim, others from a black witch, and there's even talk of a daedra that…" the man audibly gulped and started trembling. "That used strange magic to violate people and turn them into dried corpses! And then… then…"
Miraak's voice became a cavernous echo. Only his desire to know more was stopping his hand from beheading the unfortunate messenger." "And then what?!"
"They shrugged everything they did and took a boat to Skyrim before our group did. They left. As if nothing had happened."
Miraak looked down on the cultist. That tale sounded straight like a story from someone who pretended to know about the stranger days of Mundus. And yet the cultist looked indubitably sincere. He quickly took his decision.
"Then they're no longer our problem. May Alduin choke on them."
Ultimately, they're just another strange phenomenon born from this unusual era… is the world approaching a time crash? Did Alduin's return stir something else? They better not mess with my plans…
A whistling noise attracted his attention. Every inhabitant of the apocrypha turned toward a rising pillar of ink that grew countless eyes and tentacles. Miraak grimaced under his mask and kneeled in deference.
"Lord Hermaeus Mora… once again, I thank you for your hospitality."
An otherworldly echo blasted from the pillar of tentacles.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Miraak! I only offered you my knowledge in exchange for your loyalty, and yet, some people escaped my Apocrypha while you did nothing! Do you really think I will let you do as you wish the same way you let them go?"
Miraak swallowed back his pride. He wanted to tell Hermaeus Mora back that if it was his Apocrypha, then it was his problem, but angering the daedra lord when he was in his domain would be an unwise move.
"Do not worry, my lord. Simply tell me who they are, and I will clean this offense."
"I want them alive!" Miraak felt his ears starting to bleed. "Bring them back to me for study, or you will suffer more than what you can possibly imagine! The torment those dragons inflicted on humanity is nothing compared to my wrath!"
Visions danced in front of Miraak. He saw two nude angels, striding force under the mockery of a winged scantily-clad demon. He saw a black witch discussing with a small scientist and a green magus. Then he saw a pale blue girl with the body of a snake discussing with someone who looked like the only human of the group.
They're an unusual group. Those reports were correct. They could be a hindrance to my plan.
The pillar of tentacles disappeared, relieving Miraak's mind of the pressure it suffered. One of his loyal lieutenant walked up to him.
"What are your order my lord?"
Miraak grimaced under his mask. His whole plan had suffered a major setback, and he was now suffering from an attention he would have gladly avoided.
I cannot afford to disappoint Hermaeus Mora. Rebelling against dragons ended me jailed for too long years. Rebelling against him would spell my doom. I have no choice.
Miraak spat the order out of his mouth.
"We march on Skyrim."
Another group had appeared. Another conflict had started between them. One wanted those new pawns because they had trespassed on their domain. Another one because they would make for their perfect representative. Yet another because they clearly had influenced this group even as the conflict between them seemed to date from long before their arrival in this place.
That bickering mattered little. All of them belonged to his sphere of influence. All of them had trespassed in his court by simply existing.
All of them belonged to him.
Of course, he needed to be able to access them to make those his new champions, but it looked like they were all going to a place as good as it could get to help him further his own goals…