Mother's Night
Loading Screen… Hrothgar is a city on the Throat of the World, making it the highest city in Tamriel…
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"What do you say, huh? Marry me, my love. I promise it won't be like it was with those other men." Tsun stroked his hand across the small of Dibella's back.
She sighed, remembering the golden glitter of yellow treetops in Jattewood. A beautiful young boy with a flower in his hair.
"I need more time." She removed herself from Tsun's hold. "I love you but I'm not ready."
"Yeah, I guess that's understandable. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked so soon." Tsun walked over to the door when a knocking resounded from it.
Dibella noticed a piece of paper lying on the patterned floor and picked it up, shoving it into her pocket as her beau unhitched the door.
"Mama!" Erp and Sibylla, her kids yelled in unison, running in. They crashed into Dibella, enveloping her in a hug.
Who brought Sibylla?
"Mama, that Braith girl is super mean! She keeps bullying Lars and us," Sibylla pouted underneath her gold locks.
Dibella kneeled. "Is that so? We'll just have to teach her to play fair then, won't we?" She kissed her daughter on the forehead.
She remembered a memory, back in the Third Era, when she visited Nirn to discuss things with an Altmer who'd called on the Divine concerning Konahrik. Akatosh being busy, sent her in his place.
Dibella lowered through the sifting movements of rain and flowers that fell from the bluish-purple sky full of massive clouds. The glint of Stirk's cityscape blinking in light. Contrasted against the dark sprawling skyscrapers. Stirk, an island city off the western coast of Cyrodiil. She stepped out into the now blinding stippling of warm rainwater. Her portal closed behind her as she walked to the dark outlet.
"Y'ffre, Dibella," she spoke dully to the intercom.
It clicked and she moved in. Wood panelled rooms with dancing lights. Sandboxing through multiple floors. Dibella trudged up past the empty corridors and punched the computer to wait for her witness.
"This is Aicantar Alcantara speaking," he said.
"It's Dibella. Auriel sent me." Her eyes roamed towards the flickering neon patterns decorating the desolate cells.
"You wanna know about Konahrik Iblis," Aicantar asked gruffly. From his picture a High Elf with long golden hair, skin, and eyes.
"Why else would I be here," Dibella sighed. "What are the leads?"
"He's Alduin's cousin, at least mythologically speaking. Devil to the Nords, Saint to the Elves. But he was defeated in the Mythic Age by the 'Hero', Shor. Nonetheless he's inspired elves for generations. They say he's the one who told the Ayleids to enslave the Nedes. The one who told the Snow Elves to attack the Atmorans in Saarthal. And the one that leads the Aldmeri Dominion behind the shadows."
Dibella held her head in one hand. "I've seen him."
"I personally think that's all hogwash, but the fact remains. Auriel and Lorkhan are the gods of elves and men respectively. But Konahrik is to us elves, what Ysmir is to you Nords."
"Akatosh is god of men and elves. He doesn't pick favorites." Dibella crossed her arms, slumping back in her chair. "Why the surname, Iblis?"
"It means the one who has lost hope. Originally the Redguards started saying it as a way to mock us, calling Konahrik the leader of the elven devils. But we made it a symbol of our strength and unity," Aicantar clarified. "The Bretons call him The Good Elf, as they denote Shor The Bad Man, and Akatosh The Golden King."
"That doesn't help me!" Dibella clenched a fist. "I don't need folktales."
Dibella encircled her fingertip across the rim of the wineglass, glumly staring at the mahogany oak of the coffee table while dying seams of sunlight poured inside the room, bleeding through the windows. Sibylla was reading a book while Erp played with some toys. Tsun had left to help set up the High Hrothgar peace council.
Who is Konahrik? The Elven Devil? In her mind she pictured a sickly, gaunt elf with pointy ears and the eyes of a demon, the tongue of a snake and black hair that extended to the floor. The Evil One. To the elves he must be some golden boy or sweet summer child. What if it was that Aicantar guy…
Dibella saw Sibylla flipping some pages of her book. Finishing her wine, she got up. It burned her throat a little but warmed her insides.
A knock on the door.
It was Arngeir, Idrasa, and Gabriella.
Arngeir seemed very elated, it was clear the man was sky high on nirnroot. "You ever think… maybe the universe is just one big loaf of bread, and we're all just crumbs trying to find our way back to the slice?" He took another puff of nirnroot.
"That's enough nirnroot for today, Arngeir." Gabriella patted the old Nord on the back.
"Arngeir and Gabriella, you're watching my kids, right?" Dibella tiredly overviewed the Nord and Dunmer. They nodded, coming inside. "Alright, Idrasa, let's go."
The two of them bounded off down the strip.
They came out into the cool cold, shutting the hatch behind them, fog hovering back over the darkening skyline towards the black whirlpool over the various gold mountains. Tall skyscrapers with people inside. They strolled onto the training tarp. A blacktop with weights, practice dummies, and that cold mountain mist infiltrating one's senses.
"So, you wanted to spar with me?" Dibella flexed and stretched her biceps. "Some new spells you've been working on?"
"Indeed, but why don't we make this more interesting." Idrasa began waving to two fellows over at the opposite end of the tarpaulin. "Yoo hoo, over here."
Seriously, Idrasa.
A burly, bald, bearded Nord stepped over. Alongside the Nord was a small Dwarven centurion.
"Do the lovely ladies need something?" Said Stenvar.
Dibella and Idrasa shared an amused look.
"We would train with you," beckoned Idrasa.
"Trains are over there," computed the Dwarven robot.
"Forgive Arthus; he has just been freed from his prison." Stenvar looked towards Idrasa. "Who are you?"
"That's Idrasa, Sibyl of Dibella." Dibella winked at Idrasa who's mouth gaped open slightly.
Stenvar readied his arms, his eyes roaming across Dibella's body. "Yes, no matter. I will train gladly."
Dibella fitted on her armor and took hold of her sword and shield, as well as holstering a Dwemer bolt-shot, a small crossbow without the bow part onto her wrist. "I'll go easy on you. Let's see these new spells, Idrasa."
Arthus unsheathed its blades from its arms. Idrasa enveloped its mechanisms with vines in a heartbeat, causing it to malfunction. Then she materialized purple structures forming a weightless battle axe and swung it over Stenvar's head. The Nord dodged, dragging his knife, nearly scraping Idrasa's cloth. Stenvar swung left and somersaulted, knocking Dibella in the shoulder.
Dibella elbowed him across the jaw and ducked his subsequent punches. She effortlessly knocked him to the floor with one kick. Idrasa jumped over the Nord's descending body, swinging her magical axe like it was a butterknife. Dibella leaped onto it and feet-first crashed Idrasa's skull into the mat. Using her feet, she kicked her head repeatedly.
Stenvar grabbed her and rammed her body into the pavement, clasping her and Idrasa to the ground simultaneously. The Nord pressed himself over Dibella's body as Idrasa spat and struggled under his large hand. Dibella circled her legs behind Stenvar's body and grabbed his throat with her feet and tossed him off her.
Stenvar spat blood from his mouth, winking at Dibella.
He got up from a few feet away, and began smashing fists claws vertically into the Arthus, hammering the machine while it was vulnerable. An explosion of fire and Idrasa was smacking her feet across Dibella's cheek. Dibella grabbed the girl roughly by the hair and snatched the scrawny elf's ankles and brought her down onto the tarmac with the force of a ram.
Stenvar ran at her, his massive fist closing in. Dibella spun around and back-kicked the Nord in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him. She shot him multiple times with her bolt-shot, rendering him immobile.
"Uch," Stenvar moaned, "you hit harder than my papa when I was a child." Dibella saw the gleam of lust in his eyes as he wiped sweat off his brow. She helped him up, pulling the large man to his feet.
"I have an unfair advantage." Dibella spit out of her mouth. "You got me better than most would, I'll give you that."
"Well, I did train many of Tamriel's gladiators including Ralof."
"I'm sure I'd be impressed if I knew or cared who that was." Dibella helped Idrasa up, healing the Dark Elf's injuries. "You're a good opponent though. I'll have to spar with you again sometime."
Stenvar bowed. Dibella could sense lust rolling off the man in waves.
"What brought you here?" She asked.
"I guard High King Paarthurnax, but soon I will resume my mission to defeat Belial, the Ash-Demon of Morrowind," Stenvar explained.
"Belial isn't real." Dibella scrutinized the man. "He's just the Dunmeri interpretation of Konahrik, the so called Evil One. Ask me though, no one's special enough to deserve such a denotation. Konahrik was likely just some elven idiot who got lucky."
"You don't believe people can be special?" Stenvar uncurled his beard with his short nails. "I'm talking to a special woman right now."
"Aside from the Divines, no one really is. Maybe to a man in his head he may be special. But apathy is borderline deterministic in mortals. Whatever fleeting empathy is there shouldn't be directed towards narcissistic pricks like Konahrik or Talos." Dibella stretched her arms behind her back, feeling the aching muscles there. These mortal limitations were a pain. "Maybe people are special to other people, but no one is special on their own."
"Perhaps we weren't made to matter to other people… perhaps we were made for more?" Idrasa commented. "Even so, its not good to be too cynical. If someone matters to you, tell them before it's too late."
Dibella shuddered with realization.
She slightly shrugged. "I still think life is profoundly meaningful and that everyone has a purpose. I have not lost hope unlike Konahrik."
Stenvar hugged Dibella suddenly, pressed against her as she tensed up. He kissed her on the cheek. The man was vibrating with passion.
"Lady Dibella," called a voice. It belonged to Yeshur Darwesh.
Dibella nudged Idrasa to come with her as Stenvar slowly let go of his grip.
"Lord Akatosh wishes to see you and Miss Relas here," explained Yeshur. "Come with me. As for you." The Redguard-Imperial looked sternly at Stenvar. "I tell you that anyone who even looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Stenvar grunted and stomped off as Dibella smiled at the Redguard saint. "Thank you, Yeshur."
"He was totally groping you while we were grappling too!" Idrasa fake-vomited. "Some men, I swear."
They followed the seer through the towering structures of Hrothgar's monuments. Warm rain and pink petals falling from the sky. While the city, flooding with life, glowed in bright and dark lights. Statues on top of monoliths gawking at her while swirls of snow and rain paraded over the metropolis. Paintings highlighted against the drab of black across from her.
Dibella's eyelids drooped tiredly as the rain and snow sung her into a small daydream. Two Thalmor Justiciars were harassing the Nord woman from the stalls, Jala. Dibella held a fist up, to get her party to wait while she listened in.
"What do you want?" Jala gulped.
"I am Estormo Charmaine, a Thalmor Justiciar on important business that you are interfering with," said the High Elf to her. "We are special envoys of the Aldmeri Dominion, the rightful rulers of Tamriel. If you'd like I can show you why."
Is that… Ancano's little brother?
Jala frowned. "Do all Thalmor have such high opinions of themselves, Estormo."
"That we are superior to men is an established fact. For example, take this belief in Talos. The ninth divine. Heh. Certainly, you don't believe such things. Or perhaps there's something you'd like to confess?"
"You got me, I believe in Talos," Jala admitted, showing her Amulet of Talos.
"Elven supremacy is the only truth. Soon, all Nords will be thrall to the Thalmor. Either that or our saint, Konahrik will eradicate your kind and that heretic, Talos." Estormo clenched his fists.
"Konahrik is the Devil. Talos is the Hero!" Jala reddened with rage. "And unlike your hopeless Devil, our Hero is here and he's going to destroy the Thalmor and save mankind!"
"Human beings are just useless animals." Estormo and his guard in Elven Armor marched off, the anger steaming off him.
"And elves are snobby pushovers!" Jala shouted back.
"Funny, isn't it?" Yeshur asked Dibella. "When you see both sides from the outside, you realize how stupid they both are."
"Talos is awful but so is Konahrik," Dibella confirmed. "Akatosh loves both man and mer. He's the only decent one."
A beeper buzzed off Ekex planted on the frosted ground cover next to Dragonskeep. Yeshur scratched the side of his nose as he tightened his coat around his waist. Wrapping a scarf around his neck as well. They pushed out into the lightly winded glade between historic buildings. Dibella held her palm upturned as a few flakes fell into the heart. Her mood sunk. They walked through the lively city as snow flared above and below. Airships loaded with cargo parked on each corner. She paced slowly and quietly over the marble sidewalk, making out lines in the pavement, hands stuffed in her coat pockets as the cold tried to burrow into her epidermis. A little girl was conversing fairytales with a sky whale by the sky-port. Idrasa yawned as the city's hollow echoes howled in the winds. They finally came upon the double doors of the side building. Yeshur pressed the button.
"Please state your reason for visit," intoned a robotic accent.
Dibella sighed, "friendly visit. Requesting records library access."
A scanner drew a red light over her, and the door unlocked. They all stepped in, Idrasa rubbing her forehead. The room was flooded in darkness. Papers stacked on each other and desks empty or with bags placed over them.
"Clever ploy at the gate, Mother," Idrasa chuckled. "Didn't know you could be so dastardly."
Dibella secured her gloves on and began sifting through the stacks of paperwork and logbooks. Endless white pages about medicine and some reports leftover from the Oblivion Crisis. "Why am I here?"
"Hold on, they're coming." Yeshur's brown eyes glowed in the darkness.
"Ugh, I'm gonna need some coffee," Idrasa groaned.
"Who do you think you are?" Yeshur retorted. "The new Sibyl!? Oh wait, that's exactly what you are now, huh?"
Dibella stalked down the halls of the lab, peering through the glass here and there to see black counterparts with test tubes and beakers. Nothing suspicious though. She went into the break room and mixed herself some coffee. Returning, Dibella sunk into a beanbag, lazily sipping her drink whilst reveling in the tranquility of the quietness.
"I guess they call it Mundus because it's so mundane," joked Idrasa dryly. "They don't call me the Caller for no reason, you know?"
"Respectfully." Yeshur placed a hand on Idrasa's shoulder, looking the young woman in the eye. "I will actually murder you," he joked.
"Make that two." Dibella slurped the rest of her coffee.
"Make that five," announced a demonic voice in the shadows.
Out stepped a tall sea elven man, pale-mauve skin with coiled, combed midnight-black hair and a full curly beard, horns protruding from his forehead. He looked nearly identical to Akatosh facially and in stature. Next to him was Akatosh and Ancano.
"I am Alduin Satakal, firstborn of Akatosh and writer of the Book of Fate. Destined to eat the world in near two hundred years," declared the Maormer.
Idrasa's eyes darted between Yeshur and Dibella, then back to Alduin. Starlight spattered through the panels of Hrothgar tower. They were interred in the inner sections of the mountainous city. "The tales claim you are a dragon. Yet here you stand in front of me appearing as a Sea Elf?"
"This is my mortal form, Orgnum Qyslom. I am a Maormer, Sea Elf," said Alduin. "Once Miraak defeated me in the Merethic Era, I was reincarnated as such. But this matters not, for I am the bearer of forbidden knowledge even Mora himself knows not."
I forgot how pretentious he was, thought Dibella.
Idrasa scratched her chin with her fingers. "And what would that be?"
Alduin grinned, eerily reminiscent of his father but with a darker twist. The black antlers curving upward evocative of Mara, his mother. "This, the Book of Fate. But its contents are known only to me, for now. I spent millennia in Pyandonea and Ocearan studying the way of the world and my pondering of the universe led me to discussing with Sithis, and the Mnemoli, the writers of the Elder Scrolls, and I discovered a horrifying revelation. A mistake that now must be preserved in order for us to continue. A mistake with the Devil, Konahrik at the heart of it. Even Akatosh himself is unaware of it."
"Alright, that's enough for now. Behave Alduin, otherwise I'll send you back to Pyandonea." The gold gimlets that were Akatosh's eyes shone brightly like the roaring hearth of a fireplace. "We must convene with a few more councilors arriving." The Golden King cast magelight and candlelight spells to lighten the room and the group of them set to tidying it up.
Another… person entered their small room. A very tall Dunmer woman, judging by her head. The rest of her fit and pieced together with Dwarven exoskeleton.
"Everyone, this is Hlireni Indavel. One of Morrowind's ambassadors." Akatosh shook the woman's metallic hand. "She's agreed to corroborate with us on the Talos argument."
A few minutes later Mara entered the room, veiled in a shawl. Akatosh nearly shed a tear at the sight of her and embraced her in a hug, kissing the top of her head. "Thank you for coming my love."
Eventually everyone was seated in the main hall of Dragonskeep. All the contingents of representatives from the other provinces were there and the council was ready to begin. Servants tailored the room and many chefs and gourmets, including Balagog Gro-Nolob brought platters of food in as all the rulers of Tamriel filed in. Stenvar and several other Companions were aiding with security and such. Hist from Black Marsh, Heads of the Great Houses of Morrowind, of which it seemed Irdi Sul, Neloth, and Hlireni were leading spokespeople. The newly Thalmor elected Mane of Elsweyr, Za'runja Naca. Tree-Thanes of Valenwood. Crown and Forebear caliphs from Hammerfell alongside Breton kings and queens. Dea Xanthippe and the Praetorians, Elder Councilors of Cyrodiil such as Susanne Dubois, Elenwen Saururiil, Delis Eraclius, Waughin Jarth, Minglumire Olchanar, Talin Warhaft the Eternal Champion, Corax Maethriel, Amaund Motierre, and High Chancellor Ocato. All of Skyrim's Jarls and their court members were in attendance along with Jsashe Horme, queen of the underground. Yeshur, Idrasa, and Thalmor were there too; Arannelya and Naarifin, Estormo Charmaine and even the Psijic Order. Several guilds too such as the College of Whispers and Scholar's Guild were present. Galmar Stone-Fist and his Sons of Septim glaring angrily at the Aldmeri Dominion from across the room. A melting pot of culture. Ananias and Rikke Tullius, Elisif Istlod, Maven Black-Briar, and Thian with Macalla.
The grand exposé on Talos began, Paarthurnax's throne room filled to the brim with colorful characters, all seated and heeding the word of the Dragon god. Dibella was sitting near Mara and Tsun. Dibella smiled at the goddess of love, and she smiled back.
Maybe I should ask her concerning my predicament.
Yeshur arose first and took the stand, speaking via a dwarven voice projector, "before we get to the meat of this situation. We must go over the consulate decisions from the Imperial City and the vote arrived at by majority electoral verdict and popular moot here in Hrothgar. Tamriel, as decided by the people, is to become a Republic. The time for kings, queens, and empires is over. With this new international law, every city council and leading official will be voted on by the people and so will the leader of every province. The leaders will form the Elder Council and deliberate international issues whilst being replaced every eight years to ensure no power can be abused. Background searches and morality will be monitored every year to prevent corruption and to avoid voter fraud."
"This isn't a discussion," issued Yeshur, glaring fiercely around the room. "This is what has been decided by the people, by the Elder Council, and by the Divines. This is merely the formal address. Now, every race and country on this continent will rule side by side, in global unification. The time for petty racial rivalries and religious disputes will come to an end. The age of heroes is ending and the time for peace is upon us."
High Queen Lyra Barynia of High Rock got up and stamped the seal on the scroll prostrated before them in the column relegated to the side near where Paarthurnax rested on his perch. Lady Arannelya followed suit, then Za'runja, Ocato, Hlireni with her metal hand, the walking Hist of Black Marsh, the Crown and Forebear Caliphates of Hammerfell and Tree Thanes of Valenwood. Paarthurnax blowed a small Thu'um breath to seal the Declaration of the Abolishment of Monarchy.
Akatosh stood tall in front of the crowds of people as the world leaders were seated. "I ask for your attention, my children. For I am your Lord, Akatosh Ruptga Bormahu. With me, is my wife, Mara Nir, my Shield-Thane, Tsun Zenithar, and my sister, Dibella Y'ffre." Some surprised gasps echoed at the appearance of the Divines.
Almost everyone in the room bowed, save for Galmar and his Sons of Septim. Chairs had been set up throughout the entire expanse with decorative drapes and platters of beautiful food on the adjacent walls. Balconies with people higher up, peering down.
So many people.
"Well, this is quite magnificent, I must admit." Akatosh bounced around on the balls of his feet.
"You're magnificent!" Yelled Estormo from the crowd.
Akatosh pointed back at him. "No, you're magnificent! You're all magnificent! But I ask that you remain seated." Aka was grinning now, pacing back and forth, magnifying his voice with a spell. "Alright, let's get started, shall we. Here is the ugly truth. Many of you know Talos was once a man, and contrary to what the Thalmor will have you believe, he is a god. But contrary to what the Nords say, he is not one worthy of veneration. Talos is Lorkhan. You believed he was a hero who united Tamriel under one Empire. A man from the shores of Atmora. But did ye not know of the countless many he murdered and horrific deeds he did on his quest for domination. So, now let the truth be unveiled." Akatosh crushed a Yokudan memory stone in his hand. "I'm going to use this memory stone to show you all the true life of Tiber Septim," Akatosh said unto them.
Air streaked past as if a mountain had erupted over them…
"Now, witness the truth about Shor; the truth about Tiber Septim…"
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A/N: Please review.