Chapter 62: Discerning the Transmundane
The first thing Subaru noticed when he woke up was... a green sky?
Subaru immediately got on his feet and realized he wasn't on Nirn anymore. Everything was made out of books, even the ground he stood on. And… a green sea spread as far as sight could reach, and massive tendrils stretch out from said sea?
The nasty-eyed man sighed. "Great. I'm high on acid. Again."
"Not quite, Chosen Undead." Subaru looked behind him and noticed the Lovecraftian abomination of writhing tentacles and massive eyes himself.
Subaru narrowed his eyes. "Oh, look. An uneaten sushi dish."
"Your quips to mask your fear is quite an... uninspiring tactic. I do not intend to harm you. Such an act would be... pointless." The Daedric Prince commented, not easing Subaru in the slightest.
"How magnanimous of you," the Japanese man sarcastically said.
"Tell me, have you any concept of where you are?"
"I'm assuming your bachelor pad?"
Hermeaous Mora gestured out to the green world. "This is my realm of Apocrypha. My plane of Oblivion. The greatest wellspring of knowledge in the Multiverse."
"Oh, look, I was right," Subaru said, shrugging. "Yay me."
"Your sarcasm holds an underlying hint. You want to know why you are here."
"You know everything, don't you?"
"It is a... subjective term. I know more than any living being past, present, or future."
"I'm guessing to an extent?" Subaru knew no being was truly omniscient, at least no being he knew was real.
"Yet, you desire many answers yourself. A man who cursed himself with immortality to desperately save the woman he loves, but making such little progress."
"Did you bring me here just for laughs?" Subaru asked. "Or is there another reason?"
"I wish to extend an offer to become my champion." Subaru had to resist the urge to scoff or sigh at this.
"Your champion?"
"Indeed. You possess great ingenuity and creativity compared to many others on Nirn. You have gained lifetimes amount of knowledge, and yet you let it squander while chasing your goal."
Subaru clenched his fist as he actually looked offended. "Excuse you?'
Regardless, Hermeaous Mora was unfazed. "You were once one of the brightest minds on Nirn until Pandora's actions sent you on a quest you cannot see has been manipulated the whole time in her favor. While you chased rumors and whispers, she has been pulling your strings for centuries."
All Subaru could do was stare at the eldritch abomination and say, "What…?"
Hermeaous Mora sighed, before saying, "She has been purposefully leading you on like this. Even before you learned of her existence, she has been planning this out. Every choice, every action she makes, carefully calculated and thought out. Even outside of her control, she knows exactly what you plan to do."
"Wait… you're telling me…" the former Great Sage reeled over this revelation, before breaking out in anger. "FUCK! The resetting timeline! Of course! DAMMIT!"
Now it all made sense. Pandora said she was originally from another timeline, and now she was in this one. She knew almost everything that was going to happen. Which made him ask…
"What's the goddamn point…?"
"She will be the one to tell you when the time comes. However, with my assistance, I will guarantee that her fate is sealed. I will make sure she never gets her way."
Subaru contemplated that knowledge for a second and asked, "…How so?"
"Should you agree to become my champion, I shall provide you with all the knowledge you need. To save your lover, to link the First Flame without sacrifice, to destroy Pandora for good. That is what I offer you, as well as the freedom to do as you please."
"And what's your price?" Subaru asked.
"Become my champion and serve me."
"Serve you?" That sounded sus to Subaru, and very sketchy.
"Not in the traditional sense you may be thinking. You shall have the freedom to live your life as you see fit. However, when I call you for a task, you will answer and comply with it."
"So, I'll be your errand boy?"
Hermeaous Mora gave a short chuckle. "In your own terms, yes."
Subaru thought it over. Mora was offering him a way to solve everything, to save Satella, destroy Pandora, heal his broken world. But… he didn't trust Mora. Not by a long shot. Not only that, but what Mora was offering sounded too good to be true. He would say almost fake, but Mora didn't strike him as the kind of being that cared about material possessions or enslaving mortals forever. He just wanted to know everything.
What to do?
What to do…?
"You are debating whether to believe my offer or not," the Daedric Prince of Knowledge said. "Then, how about a... how do you say it…? Ah, yes, a measure of good faith?"
"What do you mean?" the tracksuit-wearing man asked.
"In two days' time, you will find unexpected visitors at your doorstep. When that happens, journey to the Island of Solstheim between Tamriel and Ali'rasi. There, you will find someone from your past."
"Someone from my past…?" That could mean a lot of people… but why someone on Solstheim? That place was a frozen and ashy wasteland.
"In the meantime, I believe I have a task that will benefit you."
"Oh, yeah?" the nasty-eyed man asked. "What?"
"I am well aware you are in possession of the Witch Factor of Pride, but you are unable to access it."
"Yeah…?" Okay, that sounded appealing. "And?"
"What if I were to tell you there exists something that will allow you to unlock the mental blocks in your mind that prevent you from accessing that power, as well as the other Witch Factors when you eventually gain them."
"What, like, a therapist?"
"It will be better if you see it for yourself."
Subaru sighed. Not like he had much of a choice. "Alright…"
And just like that, Subaru suddenly found himself teleported…
…to the north most part of Gusteko, on an iceberg with a wooden door on it.
"Huh," the black-haired man deadpanned. "That's some weird feng shui."
Deciding to head inside (trespassing laws be damned), Subaru found an elderly mage sitting over a desk, and observing a Dwemer Artifact. "Hey, there. Whatcha looking at?"
"Huh?" The mage snapped out of his concentration. "Who are you?"
"In essence?" Subaru asked. "Just an outsider."
"Then begone! Septimus must continue his work uninterrupted."
Septimus? Why did that name sound familiar? He was sure he had never met this guy before. "And that work would be…?"
"Must open the lockbox," Septimus said. "Gain the heart."
"Heart…? Is that a metaphor?"
"No, the Heart of Lorkhan. The Divine replaced by Talos after his fall. His heart is stored here."
"Really?" Subaru raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"
"Hermeaous Mora told me so," the old man said.
Subaru sighed. "Because of course he did."
"Unless you intend to help, leave Septimus be."
"No, no, I'll help you."
"Good. Septimus needs the Transmundane, but the Half-Elf and Khajiit never came back."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "The Transmundane…?"
Septimus nodded his head. "Yes, the cube Septimus needs to figure out how the lockbox works."
"And you said that a Half-Elf and a Khajiit were supposed to bring it here…?"
"Yes. Septimus gave it to them, but they never came back!"
Subaru nodded slowly in acknowledgment. "Hmm… I'll be right back."
Subaru opened a portal…
…back to the mansion, into his room.
Looking through his stuff, Subaru found a Dwemer cube he used in Blackreach –
"Uhhh… hey?"
"Hm?" Subaru turned around to see the Camp's merchant behind him. "Oh, hey Otto."
"Uhhh…" Otto dropped a bead of sweat at what he was seeing. "Whatcha got there?"
"I'm kind of on an errand right now. I'll be back in a few hours."
Otto nervously asked, "Should I tell the others…?"
"No, they'll worry nonstop and bug me to come back," Subaru said.
"Uhhh… alright?"
Subaru went back through the portal with the cube…
…and threw it to Septimus.
"Here ya go, chum."
Septimus gasped. "The Transmundane!"
"Got a talent for naming things, huh?"
"Ah, I see it now," Septimus said, examining the item. "The sealing structure interlocks in the tiniest fractals. Dwemer blood can loosen the hooks, but none alive remain to bear it."
"Well, that's just disturbing."
"A panoply of their brethren could gather to form a facsimile. A trick. Something they didn't anticipate, no, not even them. The blood of Altmer, Bosmer, Dunmer, Falmer and Orsimer. The elves still living provide the key. Bear you hence this extractor. It will drink the fresh blood of elves. Come when its set is complete."
Subaru could only stare at Septimus in mild horror, before deciding to bite the bullet and projecting his thoughts out into the universe. Uhh… Mora? You there?
And just like that, time stopped for everyone but Subaru.
Hermeaous Mora then appeared before Subaru. "I am, Chosen Undead."
"Cool, cool. Hey, quick question, what the fuck did any of that mean?"
"And here I was thinking you were intelligent enough to understand Septimus," the creature said, as he stared over towards the frozen mage. "Perhaps it was an error."
"Oh, no, I understood the context," Subaru said, glaring at the giant green monster. "I just don't understand who in their right mind would use someone's blood as a key?!"
"The Dwemer wanted to ensure that no one other than themselves could open the box, and constructed the box to specifically react to their blood."
Subaru groaned. "Wonderful."
Hermeaous Mora disappeared and resumed time. Subaru looked over towards Septimus, who had craned his head over, as if expecting for Suabru to say something.
Subaru sighed, realizing it was another fetch quest. "Alright, I'll go get the blood."
Septimus then hands Subaru the extractor. "Excellent, come back once you have all the blood."
"Right…"
Now, where to get the blood?
Colleges were always teeming with students. Lots of young… blood there.
Subaru shivered a bit. That sounded way creepier in my head.
One travel montage later, and using the most basic of stealth-based magics, Subaru was able to extract the blood he needed from the Winterhold College while the inhabitants were sleeping.
Worse case scenario, he says a Vampire did it.
Now, all he needed was Falmer blood.
Subaru hummed to himself. "Where to get that…?"
Thankfully, he does know a Falmer personally.
One more travel montage later, and Subaru was now in the Snow Elf Sanctuary in the Forgotten Vale. "Hellooo? Anyone home?"
Gelebor came out from the shrine to investigate, only to find Subaru. "Oh, Subaru. Greetings, my friend. What brings you all the way here?"
"Your blood."
Gelebor recoiled back for a second. "My blood? Whatever for?"
Subaru quickly raised his hands. "I know how it sounds, but it's to unlock a box."
"A... box?" Gelebor slowly asked.
"In a manner of speaking… yeah."
"Very well."
"Really?" Subaru's eyebrows raised up. "Just like that?"
Gelebor raised an eyebrow. "Would you rather me say "No"?"
"No! I mean… thanks. Really appreciate this." Subaru quickly got the blood from Gelebor and prepared to leave.
"Are you certain about this? Whatever you are planning to do?" Gelebor's question made Subaru pause for a bit.
"Nope," the otherworldly man said. "But I've got no choice."
Gelebor sighed slightly. "I've seen many men say that same phrase when they are about to do something terrible."
"And you'll see many more," Subaru grimly said, before walking away. "Later."
Gelebor nodded in understanding. "May Auri-El watch over you."
Subaru nodded, as he warped out.
And with the fetch quest done, Subaru was back at Septimus' hideout.
"Hey, I brought your liquid keys," he said, throwing the vials at the old man.
Septimus grabbed the extractor and injected himself with the blood.
Subaru reeled back in horror, shouting, "What the hell?!"
Septimus put his hand on the box, which began to move as the circles aligned and opened.
"It's opening…" Septimus said, laughing maniacally. "YES!"
Subaru and Septimus walked into the box, but they didn't see the heart of a God, but rather... a book. Granted, it looked really weird, like the cover was stitched together, but still.
"What is this... it's... it's just a book?!" Septimus said, grabbing the tome, before his tone shifted. "I can see. The world beyond burns in my mind. It's marvelous…"
Suddenly, Septimus begins to levitate and is disintegrated into a pile of ash.
Subaru jumped back and panicked, having seen anything like it. "WHAT THE HELL?!"
After the mage turned to dust, Hermeaous Mora appeared.
"Congratulations, Chosen Undead. Now you have my Oghma Infinium. It contains the knowledge of the ages as revealed to Xarses."
"What?! You mean the book that just turned that guy into fucking ash?!"
"Septimus merely saw a glimpse of the true nature of the world and could not bear the knowledge."
"And you think I'll be fine?!" Subaru yelled.
Hermeaous Mora responded with a rhetorical question. "Why would I allow you to gain access to my Oghma Infinium if you could not withstand it?"
"So… it's a tolerance thing?"
"That is for you to decide."
Subaru thought it over for a second, before he thought "screw it" and opened the book.
Suddenly, Subaru's mind was overwhelmed by the knowledge. He has looked into Echidna's Book of Knowledge, and it felt just like that, but much greater. It was... indescribable…
Subaru gasped as he looked away from the book. It clearly took a toll on his mind, but he was sure he would be fine.
"BRRR!" Subaru shivered. "Okay… that's something."
Suddenly, the Oghma Infinium disappeared from Nirn altogether, returning back to Oblivion.
"Huh. Let me guess… it'll pop up in my hands whenever I need it?"
"No. The Oghma Infinium has served itself purpose for you. Your full potential has been unlocked."
Subaru's shoulder slumped a bit. "Oh. Well, that was anticlimactic."
"The Authority of Pride will begin to manifest itself, as well as the other Witch Factors of Sin once you obtain them."
"…Cool." He may appreciate it, Subaru still didn't trust the Daedric Prince.
"I am eager to see what you will do next… and give my regards to Echidna."
And just like that, Subaru was gone.
In an instant, Subaru appeared back at the Mansion.
"Didn't even get to say goodbye." Subaru grumbled slightly.
"Subaru!"
The Great Sage felt his body fall to the floor, as Emilia squeezed his body. Looking around, he also saw the others who were grabbed along him earlier today were in the room.
"Oh. Hey, guys."
Sieglinde sighed in relief. "That's everyone."
"Sooo… what exactly happened?"
"How clearer can I make it?" Patches said, trying (and failing) to smack the side of J'zargo's head. "Daedric Princes kidnapped us and forced us to do trials and shit for them."
Seiglinde then asked, "To… what? Win some prizes?"
Subaru stood up, saying, "I think they know what we're going up against, and whether it's Alduin or Pandora, whatever they're planning wouldn't be good for the Princes."
"So, they gave us their weapons to give us a better shot at winning," Oscar said.
Emilia slowly nodded. "That's our best guess."
"Well, let's hope it was worth it," Aela said.
As they then separated to rest for the day, there was one last thought on Subaru's mind.
Who was waiting for him?
Author's Note: Rest in peace, Septimus, you poor, forgettable, old man.
(Well, the Daedric Trials are done. Just to recap, Patches has the Wabbajack, Seiglinde has Volendrung, Aela has the Ring of Hircine, J'zargo has Azura's Star, Oscar has Dawnbreaker, Emilia has Umbra, and Subaru used the Oghma Infinium to access his Authority of Pride and future Authorities.) 'Till the next arc, then! Now, it's comment time!
5queso: Glad you liked the Emilia chapter. Hope you feel the same for this one.
Kifhjoofff: Me alegra que te haya gustado el capítulo de Emilia. Espero que sientas lo mismo por esto.
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- Ernalore & Infinite the Celestian