The next few days were quite a drag, but it was perhaps the last respite Rialyn could have before setting on another journey. Nerius and Velidis were overseeing the network of Thieves Guild, bringing the right people for this journey, while his only job was to remain hidden and avoid causing any suspicion; what a waste. It seemed that Velidis was doing a good job. However, the people he brought were sellswords who had nothing to hold them in Skyrim and were looking for another adventure; a team of those would do.

While he was waiting, the Dragonborn studied Morrowind's landscape and political situation from his books and maps. It was illuminating as it was depressing. The mainland of Morrowind is torn, with the southern part overtaken by argonians and the northern edges being split between Great Houses. The heart of Morrowind, Vvardenfell, was almost entirely buried underneath the ash of red mountains. Some cities got rebuilt, however. Gnisis, Balmora, and Tel Vos have been reclaimed by houses Redoran and Telvanni.

However, what impressed him the most was the presence of Neo-Vivec on the map of Vvardenfell. Everyone knew its destruction's tragic story, which caused all future dunmer misfortunes. However, now it has been rebuilt again. The new Vivec became a city where all the houses could have a presence and diplomatic missions from beyond Morrowind. It seemed to be safe for invasion as of now; it seemed like the heart of Morrowind now that Mournhold was lost. That would be the destination.

His desire for blood would soon become notable again. Rialyn couldn't allow his face to become too withered; his few allies would notice and have a question. No one on the ship should know. For all his depravity, Rialyn never drank the blood of his allies.

One day Velidis came to bring the tidings to Rialyn.

"It's all ready; the ship waits for you on the docks along with the crew."

"Finally…Time to leave this shambled city."

"I still think you are making a mistake…We'll; it is your funeral, not mine. Just don't cause too much trouble before you set off."

Rialyn nodded and walked towards the door; there was no point in further waiting. He threw a glance at Velidis before leaving.

"I would've preferred not to have these arguments…But thanks for the help anyway."

"Thieves stand up for each other; that's the only reason we are a guild."

The Dragonborn nodded, and after putting his helmet on, it was time to go. On the outside, he was greeted by Nerius.

"Glad to see you, Dragonborn! How was your night?"

"Good enough; we shouldn't linger here."

"Ah, yes, of course…After you, then."

Rialyn and Nerius walked towards the city's gate. Somehow, the dark elf couldn't let go of the feeling that they were followed, as if thousands of invisible eyes peered into his soul. The sun was burning. He could feel the boiling blood; perhaps this just made him uneasy.

"Is it warm in Morrowind? I imagine it must be."-Nerius asked.

"After Red Mountain's eruption? Probably too warm for comfort."

"Anything's better than this wasteland."

As they approached the gate, Rialyn noticed a nord among a few citizens who walked outside. He wore leather armor and carried an ax, like any other bandit from the road, but there was something very different about this one. His face was familiar. It was the one he saw here before; Rialyn was sure of it. After a closer examination, he realized who it was. Tordver, the bandit vampires were caught, and Rialyn was later released out of a warped sense of pity.

"What's wrong?"-Nerius noticed Rialyn's distance.

"Just saw a familiar face; it doesn't matter."

But before they could reach the gate, several Thalmor soldiers blocked the way, coming out from behind the houses, almost as if they were waiting in ambush. The citizens were very concerned, but some were too scared to move away. Strangely, they stood beside the familiar bandit, who gazed at Rialyn. Could he have recognized him?

"Dovahkiin himself, huh…I barely believed I could've gotten this lucky."-Tordver said with a smile on his face. The nearby altmer soldier looked at him.

"Is he the one?"

"Yes, the Dragonborn."

"He seems to be with them…"-Nerius said, but Rialyn seemed to have realized by this time. Tordver was aiding the Thalmor and giving them leads.

"Don't you have anything to say, bastard? Anything to ask?"-Tordver gloated at Rialyn.

"Remember what I told about crossing me again?"-Rialyn responded calmly.

"Now, I'm not alone. You know, I recognized you that day, that the Dragonborn himself would show me mercy…."

"You should've found a job and stayed out of trouble, but you never learn, do you?"

"It came to my attention that Thalmor was searching for you and rewarded those who would give them the information greatly. When your head is theirs, I will be one of the richest men in Skyrim."

That explains why he has followed; a small act of mercy, allowing a desperate father another chance brought Thalmor on him. Him and all his allies could be in danger, everything due to him showing sympathy…The elven soldier stepped forward and spoke.

"By the decree of emissary Elenwen, you are sentenced to immediate execution."

"On what grounds? Perhaps you need a reminder that I helped claim this city so you could go around here and interfere in people's lives."

"You have been conspiring with an organization of outlaws, the Thieves Guild. This is enough."

"And did the Jarl approve of this? Or general Tullius?"

"They…Don't need to know."

Another bunch of assassins were sent by Elenwen; she couldn't leave the Dragonborn since he infiltrated the embassy. It would be wise to leave none alive. The Thalmor warriors bared their blades, ready to attack.

"What are we going to do?"-Nerius asked; he wasn't as skilled in direct combat as he was in sneaking.

"Watch, then run to the docks."-Rialyn gazed at the enemy soldiers; he was ready. "Yol…"-But before he could finish it, the Dragonborn realized that were civilians in his path; they were not protected and would be the first ones to die to the fire; the remnants of honor Rialyn possessed did not allow that. "Fus Ro Dah!"

The unrelenting force caught the soldiers off guard and pushed them aside to the walls. Civilians lost their balance too, but now that attention was diverted from them, they could run away. It would take some time before the power of the voice would restore, and he should lure the enemies outside this time.

"Let's go!"-Rialyn shouted and ran to the gate with Nerius following him closely. They killed a few soldiers that couldn't get up quickly enough, but most were still on their tails. When they were outside, it was time to help the crew. Rialyn imagined they would surround the ship at the same time. They found it, but not himself, which was likely why they waited until the sailing day.

Before they could go to the docks, Rialyn noticed a familiar nord running away from the city. As soon as the fighting broke out and he realized the danger, Tordver rushed as quickly as possible to avoid Dovahkiin's wrath. He was still in sight, he would catch him, but it would waste a few precious minutes…There was no time to think.

"Go to the ship, warn them about our company; I'll join you soon."

Nerius nodded and followed the order while Rialyn ran after Tordver. As he got closer to the nord, the dark elf unleashed a fire spell which quickly reached the traitor. He could hear Tordver's angry screams as his pace slowed down due to pain.

"Let me go, you freak!"

It was too late. Rialyn took his mace and pushed the nord to the ground, blood streamed from his back after the mighty hit, and he couldn't resist anymore. Tordver looked at Rialyn the same way he did in the castle, utterly weak and pathetic.

"Listen, I know it's bad, but…Surely we could work something out?"-As Tordver said these words, he stared at Rialyn as the vampire took his helmet off, revealing his grey withered face, burning eyes, and sharp fangs.

"Thank you for teaching me a lesson and quenching my hunger."

"Wait…No, no!"-Tordver's last words before his neck were split in half by the vampire's teeth, and rivers of blood streamed to the ground.

…

At the docks, Rialyn immediately saw the continuing battle near a medium-sized ship that he had never seen before. It was occupied by nordic and redguard mercenaries who thought off elven soldiers as they tried to board the ship and kill them all. Nerius was among them, helping to defend the ship. When he saw the Dragonborn, a spring of hope could be seen in his eyes as the tides immediately turned.

Rialyn joined the battle and evaded attacks from three altmer, pushing them aside with the accursed mace. He looked over the docks; many mercenaries were fighting on land, and it was time to get them away.

"Everyone, to the ship!"-Rialyn commanded loudly; everyone obeyed the Dragonborn and retreated to the deck. Elven soldiers tried to follow, but Rialyn kept them occupied while his allies boarded. When they were all safe, he got surrounded by Thalmor; they didn't seem to realize what was to come. Rialyn looked forward with a vicious smile on his face.

"YOL TOOR SHUL!"-The raging fire emerged from the sheer power of Rialyn's voice, piercing all elves on its way. Their skin burned, and no armor could protect them. They screamed in agony and tried to extinguish the fire in any way, jumping into the water or snow. Rialyn didn't look back; he boarded the ship and noticed a few sailors looking at him, awaiting instructions.

"We set sail!"-Rialyn said and immediately heard a loud cheer as the men prepped the ship; in a few moments, they left the docks and sailed into the open waters, leaving Skyrim behind. Rialyn, Nerius, and a few others gathered in the ship's center.

"It's an honor to help you, Dragonborn…And quite profitable."-One of the sailors said.

"I trust Velidis informed you on the matter and explained what you were signing up for."-Rialyn explained, looking over his crew. "I will make sure to reward each of you, as will the guild. But this journey won't be the easiest."

"We have sailed for all our lives, nothing we can't handle."-The redguard mercenary said. "Just tell where our course lies."

Rialyn took his map and showed it to the sailors.

"We sail for Vivec City."

The mercenary nodded, and others returned to their positions within the ship, leaving Nerius alone with Rialyn.

"You really showed these elves, didn't you?"-Argonian seemed quite impressed.

"It's nothing too wild."

"For you, maybe. For the likes of me, this power is like a Hist's gift, the supernatural might."

Soon Nerius retired to oversee others, and Rialyn was left in relative solitude. He looked back for one last time. Skyrim was far enough, soon disappearing behind the snowstorm. His time here ended like it began, with fire and chaos. Despite his desire to leave, Dovahkiin would miss this place. He would keep many memories for the rest of his life, friends and allies he made along the way, even if he never got used to nords and their culture.

Now there was only one way, the way forward. Rialyn took the necklace out of his pocket. He kept it throughout his journey from Bruma and undoubtedly would bring it to Morrowind.

"I'm close, Inaaru…Our dream is within reach."-He said as he looked to the other side, at the boundless sea ahead of them and all that lay beyond. Soon, he will see Morrowind for the first time. What will he find there? What trials awaited him on the other side?

The Dragonborn was eager to find out.