argonian master

is it ever going to be finished or is my waiting futile?

Thats what you call a lethal weapon

THAT STORY IS HILARIOUS!!!

Guess Who?

Heres a repost of the Arslos story:

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The Beginning
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I walked silently through the prison, the emperor was my target, his death my reward. I crept silently through the ruin undetected spells shielding me from their eyes, they wouldn't last long but I only hoped to find the shadows. When the spell wore off I followed them from above, still hidden I continued waiting for the perfect moment. But as I went on I found out others were trying to fulfill what I had come here to do, so I watched intently ass the emperor's blades fought them off, the captain fell but the other two fought off the threat easily, I had to watch out for them, they could prove worthy opponents. The trek continued until they found themselves in a dead end, the one I had prepared for them. I watched as they put him in an empty room and left to fight off my competition, I new this was my chance so I revealed myself to him, he went on about destiny and oblivion but I paid no attention, I simply plunged my blade into his throat, I watched him struggle but it was futile he was already dead. Out from an opening a competing assassin appeared and broke my blade with his. So I dodged his attacks for awhile but eventually gave him a quick kick in the neck knocking him unconscious. Then one blade returned, the other must've died, he knew I had killed Uriel Septim so he watched me, helpless without a weapon I looked around for a solution, luckily enough I found one in the emperor's sheathe and i gave an astounding strike that killed the thoughtless bodyguard, I had thrown the empire into imminent chaos that had only just begun, the feeling filled me with happiness. As i left the sewers I thought to myself, what next?
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The Power Within
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As I drifted in the boat from the sewer exit I had time to plan my next attack on the Empire, the blades needed to fall. They were worthy of protecting the emperor so they must be powerful. My thoughts were interrupted as darkness fell over Cyrodil, I then climbed out of the boat when the Niben Bay shortened into a river. I set up a campsite and lit a fire when I had decided the fire would go out on its own I went to sleep, anticipating the events to come. I awoke to the smell of burning flesh, it took over my body and my lust for the scent drew me out of sleep. As I wandered around the area in which my campsite rested I saw a burning and ghostly version of my father, i wiped my eyes furiously thinking I was imagining the event but that was not the case. He looked down at me a glare in his eyes and he told me, "The gift of Demons rests within you, I will awaken the power hiding inside, making the quest in which you strive for within grasp." He then reached out and put his hand on my forehead, then I slept. I awoke in the morning, forcing myself to believe the events of the past night a dream, But when i went to the water to get a drink I noticed something that hadn't been there before a pair of horns and a strange marking inscribed in black on my face. It was not a dream it couldn't be, but I thought to myself, What am I now? Is a halfling too weak to call myself, am I a demon as father had said or something less or even more, all will tell in time, for now I had work to do, the blades had to fall.
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The Fall of the Blades
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I walked briskly to Bravil, the closest town to my position at the time, there I purchased a horse, walking to Bruma would be a horribly slow and tedious. With my horse I stayed near, but never on, the roads, thinking cautiously to avoid bandits and traveling guards, I didn't need attention at this time, nothing was to slow down fate, my revenge had to be fulfilled.

When I arrived at Cloud Ruler it was the next morning, the strife of the past day had paid off. But a problem still faced me, the gate, there was no other way in and simply pushing it open would cause too much noise, I had to be discreet. As I pondered a white light emerged from my fingers, everything was blurred by its light and when it was over the gate was open. So I wasted no time I quickly dropped from my horse with the gate closing behind me. I quickly found cover, from the blades watchful eyes.

I stayed in the empty stables monitoring the patrolling of the blades, and after an hour I found the perfect way around them, or so I thought. I waited until the Blade on duty was changing shifts and I sprinted to the lookout there I found a lazy blade half asleep trying to watch the road, so I Put him to an eternal rest. But as I left the scene, to the safety of the stables, I was trapped. If I ran to the stables I would reveal myself but if I waited I would surely be spotted. So I took a chance, I stood my ground, and waited hoping not to be noticed, but sadly as I had thought,
Fighting
Was
The Only Answer.
As I entered the temple I was Forced to the same decision. And after the last blade fell I searched the place finding an interesting discovery the Grandmasters diary, it stated that the last, and most important blade held a residence in Weynon Priory. So I slept off my victory for another was about to come.
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A Change Of Heart
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I quickly rode to Weynon Priory, the Grandmaster was a challenge I thirsted for, I needed his blood, as I thought this the quicker I rode.

I arrived at mid-morning, to see quite a few building scattered about. As I wondered to which I should first enter I spotted a dark elven smith so I inquired as to which building the Grandmaster resided, he told me "All the blades are in the biggest building, Jaufree, the grandmaster, is always in his office reading." I then thanked him and dropped my blade against his side, killing him.

I then entered the building the elf had told me about, and approached the first man I met and asked him where Jaufree's office was. He told me it was up the stairs to the right I thanked him and slashed him so hard in the side he fell into the wall that laid across the room. I was then pleased so I made my way up the stairs but there was another blade residing in the priory and he approached me. "Who are you?"

"Nobody you need to know." I said as I withdrew my blade, He did the same. We dueled for almost an hour he was the best fighter I had ever encountered but after A fatal blow to the heart I emerged the victor.

I then went to Jaufree, I told him what I had done to the blades at cloud ruler as well as the priory and I patiently waited for a response. After a couple of minutes he spoke up, "Your mother was and your sister is an asset to the blades and the empire, your kind of 'revenge' is a disgrace to you and your family, I now extend to you a hand to redeem yourself, to repent your sins by reviving the empire. Find Martin Septim, the last heir to the Septim line, behind the gates of Kvatch and bring him here we have much to discuss. By the way Baurus lives, he and your sister brought me the amulet of kings just yesterday."

I thought it over and as I began to leave the room I said quietly to myself, for he already knew the answer "I agree."
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The Heir
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As I arrived at Kvatch I noticed something, I needed to blend in. So after hours of trying I concocted a spell to hide my horns and my markings, it worked flawlessly. As I continued toward my destination I saw an encampment, full of residents from Kvatch they all told the same story oblivion gates had been summoned and daedra swarmed the city, destroying it. I feared for the people, this was what my father was trying to stop many years ago now I fought for his cause, it empowered me.

I continued to the rumored oblivion gate and as I continued up the hill to the city the heat overcame me so I removed my shirt and stared into the horror that had become reality. I spoke to the guards and they told me it was too dangerous so I thought to myself and I remembered a priest along the way, I went back to reason with him. He let me borrow his robes so I could get rid of the gate. When I returned to the guards I claimed to be a priest of Akatosh here to cleanse the land of this sore shaped as a gate to oblivion, lets just say they bought it.

When I entered the cursed gate I noticed the horrid glimpses of Death scattered everywhere, I loathed whoever had created such evil. As I continued I met a vast force of resistance who couldn't stand up to my blade, I eventually found a citadel which I entered looking for a way to end this evil. I ended up in a room with a strange stone, I decided to take it into my possession after I did the world of oblivion disintegrated and I returned to Kvatch.

I then confronted the guards and told them I had destroyed the gate and how I did it, afterwards I told them I had never been a priest. They accepted my apologies and offered me to help them clear out the city, I can't resist a challenge. After clearing out the daedra I decided to take a souvenir. I then entered the chapel to meet martin, I explained the situation to him, what I had done and what I was doing to redeem myself and he forgave me, we then continued to the priory where I met some old friends. We fought for an hour or so and then continued to find Jaufree.

But just as I reached the chapel something went wrong I returned to my original self and to my surprise Martin didn't care he simply urged me to continue, so we entered the chapel. It was full of my ex-competition so I finished them off with pleasure. We found Jaufree near his office, he was frantic. He told us the amulet of kings had been stolen and we needed to go to cloud ruler, for safety. So we saddled up and set off. Upon our arrival we were greeted by one of the last living blades, one I thought to be dead. We then found the rest only three had survived my assault. They greeted Martin as emperor and me as a member of their order.

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Finding the Way
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After the blades had welcomed me to their order, I received my first mission. I was to find Baurus in the Imperial City and ask him if he has found anything about the robed enemies to the empire.

When I met him he seemed bitter (probably because I tried to kill him) but either way he told me that he would go into the basement and a man would follow him and then I would go last to see what would happen. When I entered the basement the man used a spell to make him like my rivals so I killed him without waiting for Baurus to draw his blade. I found a strange book in his possession, Baurus told me it was the third of the four books needed to find the lair of the 'Mythic Dawn' finally a name to put to my enemies. Then Baurus told me that my sister, Sira, had set up a meeting to receive the last of the four books we needed, I longed to see her again but what would be the result?

We then entered the sewers and I followed Baurus through the maze-like structure. We found goblins at every turn, this was a horrible place, but I could handle it. After going through hours of slicing and walking Baurus stopped. He told me he probably wouldn't survive, and if he didn't I would have to take the books from his body and get to the shrine on my own, He also told me to survey the conversation while he bargained to get the last book, I agreed, stealth was my element.

When I got into place I looked down upon Baurus he was confident even though he expected death, I envied him. A high elven man in Mythic Dawn robes entered and turned to face Baurus I then watched as he recognized the Blade and killed him quickly, in a way I was unable. I then jumped down from then ledge I stood on with my blade extended and landed upon Baurus' murderer, he  died. I then took all the books I needed and a note on Baurus' body, it said: 'the first word of each paragraph seems significant, but we need all four books to know for sure.'

After hours of reading and scribbling I found the message, something about green emperor way at midday. So I  found a way out of the sewers, and into civilisation once again. At green emperor way I found exactly what I was looking for, and I followed the directions to a cave, I would soon avenge Baurus in the honor of the Blades.
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The Shrine of Dagon
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When I entered the cave I posed as somebody wanting to join the Mthic Dawn, they took me to be 'judged.' I was quickly placed in a the shrine to listen to their leader preach to them what is right and wrong, and they ate it up. I then decided to strike but noticed they had taken my weapons! I then watched helplessly as Mankor Camoran escaped.

I was then called up to preform a 'right of passage' I had to sacrifice an argonian, the only race that looked at me as human, to feed Dagon the red drink. After a lot of hesitating I did it. I then went over to look through the holy book, I knew this would help Martin and Jaufree so I stole it.

I then ran through the closing gates where I met resistance. Which I quickly destroyed. I was a powerful force, these weaklings couldn't stand up to me and neither could their god. The dawn was sleeping when I gave martin their precious book, and even when I fought and killed their spies one by one, I was so close to finishing this, to destroying their order, I could feel it.
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Personal Business
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As I laid on a bedroll in Cloud Ruler, I found it near impossible to sleep. So I decided to get up and patrol the grounds a little, but as I arrived outside the smell of nightshade and honeysuckle filled the air, and when I turned I saw somebody I hadn't seen in years, my mother, she told me that I had to go home, that something awaited me (I myself was hoping it to be a good nights sleep) she said my destiny laid within the walls of Cloud Ruler but for now my path diverted and then In a flash of light she was gone, leaving only the smell and a memory behind.

I knew what I had to do, so I saddled up my horse and headed for Bravil, the houses bills hadn't been paid so I had to buy it before I could enter. So I went to the count, he exchanged me the untouched house for 5000 septims. I got there as fast as possible I wanted to see what my mother was going on about. Upon entry surprise struck me like an arrow I had found something out about my parents that I never wanted to, one of them was a dark brotherhood assassin. I still stood at the doorway pondering to myself until I heard breathing in the next room.

I rushed to the source an assassin. He then began a conversation that is still crisp in my brain.
"I am your mother's pupil, I studied under her for years without her ever asking anything of me, only to protect you and your sister," He began.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as anger pulsed in my veins.

"I waited for years waiting for one of you to return, you see this armor I wear, cuirass to boots was your father's and my hood was your mother's. You see your father was a dremora serving under the dread queen Sia, he was content with murder at that time but after Sia murdered a child before him he was sickened and he fought alone against her army."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, this story turned my stomach.

"He fought alone until your mother and her patrol of Blades turned to his aid, he won the battle but Sia and her lover Amozbael escaped. Your father and mother fell in love while she nursed his wounds and they had the both of you as an outcome. Now Sia is back, she destroyed Kvatch despite the contradictory belief of the Mythic Dawn, they are simply after the emperor not the innocent." He then stopped allowing me to soak it in.

"So what your saying is I'm fighting the wrong enemy?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes and your father wanted something of you he wanted you to become my successor, so we must now fight."

He drew his blade and the fight began, it went on for a very long time, with me blocking his attacks and him dodging mine but after an hour or so he glowed a reddish color and he let out an amazing attack which I luckily dodged and finished the battle. Afterwards I took my fathers armor and hid the body, I decided not to wear the armor until the time was right, for now I needed to return to Cloud Ruler.

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The Hidden Temple
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While leaving Bravil I was greeted by two argonians. They gave me their names Reenum and City-Swimmer. They had heard of my deeds in Kvatch and offered to serve me 'in redemption, to free themselves from sin' as I was, I agreed to take them in as blades in-training. I brought them to Cloud Ruler and sent them to get armor, I had to speak with Jaufree alone.

I found him near the front door he was waiting for me.

"Good to see your back I was beginning to worry," he said, but it was easy to tell he had a hidden agenda as to why he was waiting for me.

"What do you know of my parents, tell me everything," I was determined to find out everything, for within the truth laid what I needed to know about my enemy.

"Your mother was a dark brotherhood agent, she worked with Sia the dread queen before she was interfering with oblivion. After so long she sought redemption with the blades and I granted her that right, she became captain and she was amazing with any weapon. One day she walked in on a battle, a lone dremora, brother of Amozbael, Sia's lover, fought against the dread queen and her army. Your mother rushed to his aid, they warded off the forces of oblivion together and Sia disappeared, until recently of course. Your mother nursed his wounds and during that period became pregnant with your sister and afterwards you. They moved to Bravil but they were hunted by the brotherhood, Sia had put a hit on them. Also the legion were hired to kill them because of 'interfering with the enemy.'" He paused, he had said everything I needed to know, Sia had caused my parents death.

"I went back home and found my father's armor," I said expecting advice, I received it.

"The time will be right when you and Sira are together once more, but for now you must go to the hidden temple of the blades. There you will find an ancient blade that will aid you in your quest. But let it be known Sia cannot die at your hands that is the responsibility of another," He told me while writing the location of the temple on my map.

"I will find your artifact, but I fail to believe that Sia will die for anybody else. If it is destiny I will die trying," I was stubborn, I actually believed myself capable of such a deed.

As the conversation ended I went to meet my servants. They thanked me for the armor but I brushed off their praise as I led them toward the passage to the hidden temple. The passage was empty of creatures and easy to navigate so we found the way out in less than an hour. The temple was almost identical to Cloud Ruler, so we didn't waste any time admiring the scenery. We then went to the bedroom of the master of this temple, but all we found was a servant girl. She tried to ward us off but I offered her a better job, I offered to find her a job if she let us snoop around. She agreed with a look of gratitude stretching drearily across her face. I looked all around the sleeping quarters but found nobody, were these people nocturnal?

As we made our way across the temple the servant pointed out a statue to me, it was my mother. I didn't care to ask her how she knew who my mother was I just continued with my task and I met Susanna in the next room. I told her about what I was looking for and she disappeared into a dark doorway for a couple of seconds and then she reappeared with the blade at her side.

"Here you go, an Akaviri artifact that is. Take good care of her." Susana said, she seemed attached with the blade.

"I'll take good care of it," I said while turning to leave.

As we left through the doors of the hidden temple we stared upon the horizon wondering what was to happen next. I knew exactly what to do but no idea how to do it. I had to get the servant girl a job, find my sister and then exact my revenge upon Sia.
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Seeking Sia
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I was in a complete hurry so I told Reenum and City-Swimmer to go ahead to Cloud Ruler while Ka'disan and I went to get her a job, where else did we go but the Imperial City. We went strait to the prison district, there were posters looking for somebody to help out. When we entered Ka'disan applied to work as a prisoner feeder and guard. It was late then so I decided to stop by the
Tiber Septim Hotel for a room. But as I entered I found somebody I hadn't seen in years, Sira. When she saw me a smile stretched across her face.

"Long time," she said her smile had faded, from now on it was strictly business.

"No see," I replied, still joyful.

"I hear you've been looking for Sia," She was getting to something important, I knew it.

"Yeah, go on," I was anxious to know what she was getting at.

"She has men patrolling the outskirts of Skingrad, they are opening oblivion gates, they're planning an attack," Now her intentions were clear.

"So I go check it out for you?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"Yes, but remember little bro your on thin ice for what you did to Uriel, don't try anything sketchy, I'll be watching," She was threatening me but I didn't mind.

"Don't worry I'll be good," I said as I watched her leave the Inn.

**************************************

The next morning I set off for Skingrad, my father's armor weighed down on me, heavy and uncomfortable but necessary. When I was almost upon the city I saw  flames emerging from the woods, I knew what that meant so I went to check it out.

It was just as I thought an oblivion gate. It had destroyed a wayshrine but that wasn't my biggest problem, dremora emerged from the gate and began to attack, and I slew them after a couple of tedious and painful hours. I then continued to the city.

But another gate stood even closer, Reenum was guarding it. He told me he had been assigned by 'Captain' Sira. But we had almost no time to talk because we were interrupted by Dremora pouring from the gate, Reenum was cut down quickly and easily by Sia's skilled warriors but I fought strong holding my ground despite injuries from the battle that had occurred just minutes ago. After fighting the seemingly endless army I decided to back-up, but they kept advancing I was sure death would soon follow, I was in way over my head. Then with a quick flash I fell to the ground, not dead but unconscious and badly wounded. I dreamt of happier times, of mother and father, of my younger brother and of Ariel, how I missed her and I thought I would never see her again.
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Weakness and Injury
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My dreaming continued and morphed into a nightmare, my infant brother slain my mother and father helping us out of the house as the guards sent a blade through my mother my father turned on them and began fighting, a futile attempt of revenge, we ran to the woods where Sira cared for me until a cloaked man approached us.

I then awoke a cold sweat smeared my body, this place was familiar I was in Cloud Ruler. Sira stood over me she looked sad and weak unlike I had ever seen her. I then attempted to get up but my stomach stung horribly.

"Your too weak. You have to stay in bed and recover," she was overly concerned but I was stubborn.

"Weak is the one thing I'm not. I need to go and stop Sia's invasion," I remember that I wouldn't look her in the eyes, I knew the truth but failed to admit it.

"She has already begun, when you fell they went strait for the gates, knowing that their plan may fail if they waited too much longer," She seemed in a hurry but I wasn't ready to let her go just yet.

"You mean Skingrad could be ashes by now?" I was worried, I believed it to be my fault.

"Its possible, but not likely. Sia has only just started, she needs much more time. I need to go and help them, I'm sorry but I'll have to leave you," This was unacceptable I wasn't going to be left in bed whilst a legendary battle was fought.

"I'm going," I said while dragging myself from bed the pain in my stomach was almost unbearable.

"Your too weak!" she yelled she thought she could control me, this was impossible. But she was right about one thing I was much too weak.

As she left the room she dropped a letter by my side.

It read:
I plan to leave as quick as possible, then I will ride down to the Imperial City. There I will run to the palace and request backup for the battle at Skingrad. When it is all over I will return with news of victory or defeat.

With Love,
Sira

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Secrets of Skingrad
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Sira returned a week after she had left she told me that when she first saw Skingrad she thought it was doomed. Sia herself remained within the chapel surrounded by her guards and the bodies of the faithful. But when the reinforcements she had requested for arrived hope was restored and victory was a possibility. And when victory was finally claimed the sky of Oblivion left as did Sia giving the sun a chance to shine through.

I was healthy by then so I decided to check out Skingrad and find any important information I can about Sia. Sira agreed with my idea and said she would meet me there when she had finished the report.

When I entered Skingrad it looked as if nothing had happened, the rain had put out the fires and the bodies had been cleared from the streets. I then approached a guard. He told me he wasn't in the mood to talk about what had happened, all he told me was Sia had taken an ancient scroll from the chapel undercroft and I should check it out. the chapel was still burning from the inside but the worst of it all was the blood staining the floor, it was horrible I could almost hear the screams of Sia's victims and smell the rotting and burning flesh, the bodies had been cleared out but that was the only progress it was as if nobody could handle walking inside, I couldn't blame them. As I continued through the church I found a priestess.

"Why do you pray in a destroyed temple?" She asked.

"I do not pray to any god, I look for information about Sia," when I uttered Sia's name she shuddered.

"I was once a disciple of Sia, but after I saw her murder those people in Kvatch. I ran, I came here to live a normal life but I fell into another one of her attacks, I hid in a coffin until she left. Now I stay here to remember what she did and didn't get to do," The priestess spoke in a whisper she was shy and expected me to shun her. "One of her captains resides in an ayleid cave hidden in the Valus Mountains, he commands a small but important portion of her troops, other than knowing his name is Kear thats all I know about Sia. But you may want to check out the undercroft, she took something and there could be something to help you down there."

"Thank-you so very much, may luck rain upon your day," I said while heading toward the Undercroft.

Upon entering the undercroft I saw a ghost, something in which I had seen quite a lot of lately. When I approached it the apparition told me the details of Sia's deeds, he had been one of the victims, he had begged for its life and because of its begging to a demon the Nine would not take him so instead they left him in the chapel to which he had died. He told me that Sia used his blood to begin a ritual, to make herself more powerful, but to her dismay the ritual was soon interrupted by a woman in black she fought Sia's guards as Sia casually escaped with her lover and her surviving men. The ghost then reached out his arms to me and disappeared into thin air leaving only his bones behind. I then went to the doors of the chapel and left Sia's deeds behind me, the burning chapel and deaths of too many.

The first thing I saw when I left the chapel was Sira, it was obvious she had been waiting for me so I simply told her to return to Cloud Ruler, I had buisness to attend to.

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Killing Kear
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I traveled to the shrine the woman had told me about. Just as she had said it was like a demonic ayleid ruin. As I continued inside I saw the statue and standing close by was a Dremora. When he saw me he panicked and I drew my blade he simply called out to me. "I am Amozbael, we shall meet again." as he disappeared into thin air. I knew that name, he was Sia's lover, and my enemy.

After letting out a little anger at myself for letting that bastard get away, I proceeded to the Oblivion gate to Sia's realm, I intended on killing Kear as fast as possible so I could get back to the main objective, Sia. Upon entering I was continuously attacked by countless dremora. It seemed as if as each one fell another appeared.

Soon enough I arrived at a cave it too was filled to the brim with Sia's troops but I killed them off without trouble and soon I found a bridge to Kear's citadel. The dremora inside simply allowed me to approach Kear, either they wanted him dead or they actually believed he could defeat me. Kear sat in a throne and looked down upon me with a face that made him seem 'better' than I.

"Welcome to my castle, mortal scum," he smiled a bitter smile, he hated my existence just as the people of Bravil once did.

"I am here to clean away the true stain on the earth, you and your pathetic soldiers," I held as much hate toward him as he did to me.

"So you think," he told me, and with a wave of his hand two dremora carried me away and took my belongings, leaving me in rags.

They let me wander the castle, to wait for a cell to be cleared for me, a pathetic mistake on their part. I found the barracks and took up one of their daedric claymores. I then went back to his throne and paid him back for what he had taken, then I took back my belongings from a chest behind his throne and looked down upon the once confident beast. I had one the battle but the war had just begun.

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Childhood memories
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After I had helped clear out all of the daedra bodies from the temple I went to consult Martin on my next advance on Sia and her legions of warriors. His advice was simple and to the point but very useful, he wanted me to use my past to help me with my future, he told me to sift through my childhood memories for anything that could prove worthy of his attention so I dumped all I remembered on him:

My father and I were extremely close. He instructed me in archery, expecting me to hunt for the family as Sira did. Many arrows were emptied into our house by my bow I still remember the twang of the string as I freed a shuttle from the string, a melody that rings in my dreams when I sleep.

My father owned a small shop behind our house. He sold wares that he had gotten as trophies from Sia and her generals. The store was secluded because the guards felt uneasy enough with a dremora in town never mind one that is demonstrating the use of a magical amulet or a powerful blade.

Other than that my childhood was pretty much a blur until the day when my parents died. It was the eve of my ninth birthday, night had fallen and I was soon going to be sleeping. A knock hit the door, my mother drew her blade, called out to my father and hid me in the closet. With my father at her side they opened the door. I heard a conversation ensue.

"What do you want, It's the middle of the night?" My mother asked in a feeble voice, being pregnant took the strength from her.

"We are here to stop the birth of another of your abominations, by order of Count Regulus Terentius. Your husband is a threat to the city by association and heritage and you are a corrupt bodyguard and ex-assassin, we should arrest you for treason but the count wants your heads," One of the guards answered, he was bitter and racist, definitely a favorite of the count.

My father raised his blade and asked, "You really think your whole battalion can hold us off?"

"Of course. A pregnant [censored] and a filthy demon from oblivion are no match for our pure-bred, noble and properly trained army," the guard answered, sending my father charging his way. The guard fell to the ground and the others charged in. Terror filled my body, so I  strung my bow in preparation for the worst. I heard bodies fall to the floor and my mother groan from pain, she was dead and so was my unborn sibling. A surge of anger filled me and I left my place of hiding to see my father clutching his chest in pain and laying on the ground.

"RUN!!" he yelled weakly as a guard walked slowly toward me, brandishing his blade. My father cut at his leg in desperation, slowing the guard down. He the told me to duck and hid me behind his shield. As the guard slowly approached my father told me to leave and I did. When I did I heard a horrible groan of pain, my father was dead. But I kept running knowing what he wanted me to do. I left a quickly scrawled note so that if my sister returned she would know what happened and where to find me, in a way that no guard would understand:

The death of parents is a horrible thought
find me where the ayleids wrought

I then dived into the stream just outside of my house and swam out of Bravil. I set up camp just beside an ayleid ruin, near Bravil and waited. After a couple of hours my sister came to the camp, she demanded details and I gave them. She was destroyed and cried herself to sleep, I did the same. That night we were awoken by an orc wearing my father's cloak and using my father's blade he stood over my sister and demanded my whereabouts, she refused him the information. He then proceeded to beat her with the hilt of his blade until her forehead became wet with blood and she gave me up. After dragging me into the open the man motioned for me to follow him, I listened reluctantly, looking angrily back at Sira. I believed she had betrayed me, she had given me away but now I know better. The man lead me to an abandoned shack in Cheydinhal and entered the basement and toward an ominous door, inside a was a small fort.

The orc then turned to me and said, "I was an associate of your mother's she told me that upon the event of her passing that I take you here and your sister somewhere else. I am very sorry, but this is your home and these people are your family now." With that the orc left me with many strangers, I soon became friends with a vampire and an assassin for the dark brotherhood, the rest is a blur until the emperor's death.

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A Grudge
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After recounting my past I had to go to Bravil. I had heard rumors of a fallen city, since my last visit and I had to see if they were true. When I arrived the situation shocked me. Bravil was worse than Kvatch. They executed those who didn't pay their taxes because the jails were full. The water was polluted by the scum of the city. In fact the only reason I recognized the city was the arrows in my house that I had shot as a child.

Once again Regulus had done wrong. First my parents and now this. I had a grudge to settle with that bastard.

I walked up to the castle which, as I suspected, had been unscathed by his gluttony. I walked into the main hall and addressed the count.

"What have you done to the city?!" I asked him, expressing all of my grief for the villagers.

"Don't you mean what has the city done to me? I am regarded as scum by the rest of the empire because my city is full of criminals, lowlifes and beasts. My jail wasn't big enough so I executed those who undermined my authority. What else was I to do?" He expected sympathy, a gift that I wasn't ready to give a pig like him.

"Do you truly expect my sympathy? While you sit all high and mighty, you people are being killed and your city destroyed. Is that what a count does? Is that what he is supposed to do? No. You are scum a rotten piece of garbage and excuse for a man," I then approached him drawing my blade. "You don't deserve life."

"And what do you plan on doing? My guards can tear you to shreds before your blade falls upon me," He seemed so sure of himself, even smiling in my face.

"We'll just have to see about that," I said offering him a truly demented smile, full of hatred.

"GUARDS!!! I'm being threatened!!!," he screamed. In seconds a small army stood behind me.

"You are under arrest, for treason to the empire and attempted murder," exclaimed one of the guards. I looked upon him with anger and sliced his throat, sending the rest of the army swarming toward me. I held them at bay with my shield but their strikes kept coming. I felt a horrible burning sensation on the palms of my hand and I barely recognized the feeling. It was magic, building itself inside of me and I had but one choice to let it free. To my amazement the icy blast killed all of the soldiers. I then walked up to the throne where the count and his bodyguard still stood. I was weak from the magic but two men seemed to be no problem. They trembled at my gaze, terrified at the sight they had just witnessed. I then threw myself at the bodyguard, my blade found a sheath in his heart. Then I turned toward the count who's face had become pale and was shivering as if he was naked in Bruma. I saw the pain and fear in his eyes and ended it in a single stroke to his throat. Despite my hatred for that pig I decided to honor him and his warriors, despite the fact that their lives may have caused more bad than good.

I then proclaimed myself the new count of Bravil and swore to be a fair ruler to her people. I asked my guards to find somebody that knew Sia's whereabouts and to bring them to me. I then sat upon my throne knowing that the end was near for either Sia or myself.

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The Final Act Of Vengence
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After a couple of long, tedious days a beautiful elven maiden entered the main hall of my castle, her hair and eyes were golden as the morning sun and she wore the raiment of an arena grand champion, I was enchanted by her beauty.

She quickly advanced toward my throne and saluted me with a magnificent blade.

"I am Yonda, champion of the arena. I have come with word of Sia," her voice was like the melody of the forest, soft and sweet.

"I am Arslos, the new count of Bravil. I would love to hear what you have to say," I spoke as if in a trance, her beauty did such things to me.

"While traveling to Skingrad I saw Sia flying toward Kvatch. The city she destroyed almost a month ago, I had heard of your search and decided it would be best to tell you," She then motioned toward my tattoos. "You too are an immortal. I am a mystic elf, as Sia used to be and you are of cross breeding, human and dremora. We will both see this earth until it's last breath," Yonda had told me something I had never realized, or even considered.

"Immortal? Me?" I was flustered at her insinuation. How could such a rare gift befall me?

"Yes you are immortal. All dremora are, all Mystic elves are. Remember this for it is both a gift and a curse," She spoke seriously but I couldn't grasp what she was saying. I decided to continue with business.

"So she has returned to Kvatch. I must be off. Please enjoy the benefits of the castle while I am gone, we should speak when I return," and with that I left. I quickly saddled my horse and rode to Kvatch. When I entered the gates I saw a very strange sight. The dread queen, Sia, was praying for an end to her suffering. But weirdest of all was the fact that she was praying to Mara, one of the Nine. I could only imagine what horrors she had endured, or even what kind of person she was before. I felt pity for a tyrant, something that many wouldn't be able to muster.

I knew that I was destined to end her suffering, it was a task not meant for the Nine.

"I am here to end your sadness and pain. A vessel of the nine," I told her, brandishing my blade. She said nothing, she simply drew her blade and began her assault. I was extremely surprised at how quick and devastating her attacks were. After a huge amount of slashes were pummeled into my stomach I began to Dodge despite the difficulty. After she had gotten tired I bashed her with my shield and she fell to the ground where I plunged my blade into her throat ending her rule. I then put some flowers by her side and asked the Nine to accept her into their palace.

Then the voice of a dremora sounded beside me. "You've killed her. I loved her and now she's gone. I will fill you with the pain of a thousand blades!" We both drew our weapons although I was barely fit for another battle. Amozbael then charged me, I put up my shield but he pushed through it. I felt his icy breath on the back of my neck so I spun around and slashed at him my blade hit him square in the stomach and he  cursed me under his breath. When I readied my blade to strike him once more he rolled behind me where he quickly landed his scythe on my shoulder. The wound burned furiously but I disregarded it and turned to face my opponent. He tried to slash me once more but I jumped back, just out of his reach. Then I felt my palm burning once again, much worse than before, I could almost feel my skin peeling off. So I released it on Amozbael the fire hit him hard and sent him flying. I found his body and put my blade in his heart to ensure death. I then left Kvatch behind, clenching my chest all the way back to Bravil.

By the time I arrived at the palace I was incredibly dizzy and the pain in my stomach had only gotten worse. I had only enough time to tell Yonda that the deed was done before I collapsed.

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Love and Loss
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I awoke in my private quarters. Yonda was standing near the bed watching the door like a hawk. I studied her for awhile, it seemed as if she was protecting me from something.

"How long was I out?" I asked, instilling a jolt of fright into the nervous elf.

"Two weeks," She told me, her voice was incredibly monotone unlike the first time we had spoken. "Your guards may be frightened into serving you when your conscious, but while you were here they've been constantly trying to finish you. I killed seven already, had to lock the doors too. Never mind how annoying it was to try and get food," She was agitated but Arslos was warmed at the thought of her watching over him while he was unconscious.

"Thanks for taking care of me. If you weren't here I probably would've died," he offered her a warm smile.

"You would have definitely died if I didn't patch up your stomach. It was bleeding pretty bad. Sia must've been some fighter to get through that armor," She then put a hand on his chest where his wounds had been. He welcomed her touch, it made him feel happiness, something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

"Sia and Amozbael, her lover. Both of them fought like gods, their deaths were mostly the product of luck. It's been my greatest weapon all this time," I then laid my hand in hers so she could help me up.

I then leaned in to kiss her marble features, she mirrored my actions. I expressed my every feeling for her that night and I will remember and treasure it always. Much to my dismay while I slept she left me, She left me and Bravil behind that night.

I awoke alone and confused. I wondered to myself where Yonda could be but shrugged off the question, expecting her to be in the main hall. As I went to get dressed I saw a note near the door and proceeded to read it.

Dear Arslos,

Although I cannot bear the thought of leaving you, or of what my leaving could do to you. I have to. If I were to remain, we may end up being bound to each other, by marriage or other means. And although being with you forever doesn't sound very bad you must remember, you are the count of Bravil and I am free. If I were to stay with you we would be bound to Bravil which would do more bad than good.

Please Understand,
Yonda

A tear rolled down my face and pain shot through my whole body, whenever something good happened to me it always soured. So I simply got dressed and went to my throne, answering questions from my people and helping to fix their problems. For five months I did this, ignoring my sadness, until one morning I found a letter laid on my throne so I read it.

Dear Arslos,

I am bearing your child, his/her name will be of your choice, but I stand by my decision of not returning. Leave a scrap of paper here with the name and leave it at that, forget about me.

My sympathy,
Yonda

I then allowed my tears to fall, my sadness to show to my people, to prove that indeed I am human and I do have flaws. I Quickly grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled the names. Leaving the note on my throne along with some gifts.

Girl: Sira
Boy: Asael

P.S. Tell the child that if it's a girl she will be named after her dead aunt and if it's a boy he will be named after his dead grandfather. Also tell the child that power means nothing without meaning. Also the jewels on the chair are for you, although I have no doubt you will support our child I would like to help.

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For the love of Madness
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After I had left the note I decided to retire to my quarters, to sleep and drink away my problems, no such luck. When I got there I was greeted by Gellius Terentius, the dead count's son.

"What are you doing here? I stripped your family of power and you still wander the castle? What is your business here?" I was still slightly sobbing and just wanted to be alone.

"I came upon reports of your sadness. I thought that I knew the best ways to find fun around this gloomy castle so I came to cheer you up. Do you not need some... Sire?" The last question came with bitter distaste but I did agree I did need his services.

"As long as You don't give me anything illegal I'm all for it. And please don't offer me skooma, I'm nothing like your friends, I'm serious of my work," I do agree I was quite nasty to the poor man, especially because he had recently lost everything he had once known but it was the pain and sadness that drove me to such things. I had no control of my actions.

Gellius then walked over to the wine rack and carefully selected a bottle. "Finest of any wine. Drink to your health and happiness in this life and the next," He said while passing me a bottle, obviously not wanting any for himself.

I then drank happily all the while his deranged smile kept its focus on me. When the last drop hit my stomach a terrible pain rushed through my body, searing my insides. Gellius simply pointed and laughed as I squirmed under the pain. "What have you done?" I asked, straining for breath.

"As you did to me. Ruined your life with a slow acting poison. What kind of a fool takes a bottle from the son of a man he killed? A pitiful one, a pained one," He uttered a horrible giggle it made me tremble with grief.

I then drew my blade and Gellius cowered before me. "Is there an antidote?" He shook his head. "Is there any way for me to live?" I screamed, urgency showed in my voice. I wanted to see my child before I died. This time Gellius nodded his head and grew a twisted grin.

"The mad god could help you, if he wished. But then you would have to find his shrine and that could take a very long time," He spoke with utter glee, knowing that he was my only chance.

I then lowered my blade to his neck, so that the cold steel made him flinch and told him, "You could tell me right now and live or later and die." He then seemed to understand that although I had lost everything I still valued my life, as did he.

"Toward Leyawiin, turn off the road by the wayshrine of Stendarr and up the hills to the statue. That is where the shrine lays," he tembled with fear and stuttered every word but I was happy to know that he spoke with honesty.

"It is good that some still keep their word, without assurance," I then slew him letting his body lay in my quarters as I went to find my horse. I followed the road to Leyawiin despite the terrible pain rushing through me. I found the wayshrine and began up the hills until I found the impressive sight of Sheogorath's shrine. After talking to his followers I quickly learned why he was the god of madness, one follower ate children, one thought bugs were everywhere and another thought she used to be a dog, a mad bunch indeed. I then approached the shrine and prayed for healing.

A loud cackle rose from the sky. "Hello mortal. Why would I help you? I could make you fall in love with a cloud or grant you a fetish for yarn. But maybe you could become something useful. The people of Border Watch are so... Boring, a superstitious bunch. Everything is a warning or a prophecy. We are going to make their lives a little more interesting. Ask about the K'sharra prophecy, but before doing so..... sleep. Rest your eyes, it will dull your pain."

After the god had spoken to me my eyelids grew heavy and I slumped onto a bench. A nightmare filled my mind of Yonda, a baby and myself, dying by poison at the sight of their fair faces.

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True Madness
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When I arrived at Border watch I noticed an ominous sky looming overhead and I knew Sheogorath was watching me. So I went straight to the shaman. He told me that the K'sharra prophecy consisted of three signs. The sign of vermin, when disease infested creatures would run around the city, probably rats, he told me that he always kept a good rat poison with him, The sign of famine, when their sheep would all die without explanation and the sign of fear which he dared not mention.

I then entered the Inn and the innkeeper told me of a cheese she had that if not properly secured would bring rats from all of Cyrodiil, the answer to the first sign. So I snuck over to her prized block of cheese and eyed it curiously, wondering how potent it would have to be to attract rats from so far away. Then I took it, it's aroma filled the room, causing me to gag, but the innkeeper didn't seem to notice, so I simply left without arousing suspicion.

Then I was forced to wonder about the problem of the sheep. If I killed them myself I may draw too much attention to myself. So I thought over what I had been told in my head until a conclusion hit me, the rat poison. I then followed the shaman to the main part of the city and picked his pocket and to my relief nobody noticed. I then poisoned the hay and watched as each and every sheep fell to their death. I was forced to think of my condition, would that happen to me? How Soon? How much pain did they suffer? But I quickly shrugged them off as I reported to the villagers that their livestock had died and rats were eating their entrails.

Sheogorath's voice then rang in my head. "Get to the middle of the town while the third and final sign comes true." I did as he asked and a strange thing happened that moment, stranger than anything before, from the red sky rained burning dogs. I heard the screams of villagers as the ran around in circles yelling' "It has come true."

Then one of the villagers ran up to me and begged that I bring her with me, I would have simply refused but Sheogorath had other plans. "Take her with you, somebody has to hold the poison after it leaves your body," He suggested with a cackle. I then returned to his shrine, the khajiit beside me. Then Sheogorath's voice rang in my ears, "You must....... please this cat, if you understand my means, before you can use this staff to move the poison onto her. Then you will be cured." With that a long, spear-like staff appeared in my hands. I knew my orders but despised the outcome, but since the choice was life or death I chose life.

After some meaningless lies the khajiit was puddy in my hands. When I had finished with her I drew my staff, pointed it at her sleeping body  and fired it's magic at her. I watched as my poison found it's way inside of her while she slept and felt as my strength returned.

The daedra's followers sang my praises as I left them and the khajiit behind, knowing that I had done wrong, but not caring, for my life had been saved by the god of madness and now I owed him everything.