Light through Darkness, You asked for it, so here you go. Options

[Thomas Kaira]

It's getting close to Christmas, and I'll be away on Holiday to New York for a few days, so I decided to post this now so that you know I am at work. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Black and White

The suffocating darkness was broken only by the soft blue glows of unnaturally luminescent crystals. The high vaulted ceilings may have leant a feeling of grandeur before, but now felt strangely claustrophobic, as if the walls would close in and crush you at any moment. I was gliding softly through the blackness, guided only by the winking blue lights, following them through what seemed a maze of corridors and passageways.

Suddenly, the walls opened, and in front of me stood a grand chamber, it would have been spectacular had it not been so sinister. The entire chamber was bathed in red light, and strange, black figures were moving about, neither knowing nor caring where their feet carried them. In the center stood a high raised platform, and there another figure stood, emblazoned in armor that seemed sucked the light in from around him, and I was moving towards him. Try as I might, I could not fight the savage need to know whom this man was. I wanted to cry out, scream for help, but my tongue had become iron.

Closer…closer…ever closer I inched, feeling the icy metal flood to my limbs. The figure turned to face me, his eyes glowed a fiery red…


----



Ice cold sweat drenched my face as my head soared from my pillow, my breathing shallow and ragged. Feeling something in my hand, I looked down to see my steel dagger in my hand… how did it get there? Did I pull it out of my pack in my slumber?

I dropped the dagger to the floor, returning my head to the pillow. All a dream, I thought, just a dream, another dream. Calm down Derelas, it’s nothing to worry about. Old news.


----


The Imperial City was only half a day’s journey from Wawnet Inn, as the publican told me over breakfast. Just follow the high street out of town to the Great West Bridge over Lake Rumare, and follow the road from there straight to the gates. It was a lovely clear day outside, and the bridge was not hard to find when I left, the white marble spires framing the road practically burned new holes in my eyes.

The morning bustle was only just beginning as I made my way forth. A balding fisherman was making his way home with his morning catch of some of the biggest Slaughterfish I’ve ever seen. Many of the travelers who slept the night here were gathering their horses and pack mules to continue on to wherever it was they were going. Many others still were filing into the small stores nearby. It was a simple, yet elegant, vista of pastoral harmony.

Forcing my eyes away from the scene, I directed my feet toward the Great Blinding Bridge and made a silent note to thank Y’ffre if I could still see after crossing.

The bridge led to a switchback road up the steep incline of the Imperial Isle, many rocks blocking my view of the city proper. It was just after midday when I finally crested the hill. I was greeted with… more whitewashed walls. It might have been an awe-inspiring sight had I been able to see anything at all, but I ended up having to walk the whole rest of the way with my arm up shielding my eyes because of how brightly polished the marble was. I know this city is supposed to be the shining beacon of the Empire and all, but wow... you think you might be taking this a bit too far? I was quite thankful to finally reach the gates proper, just to be able to see again.

Once I closed distance with the walls, though, the blinding marble gave way to gray granite. Still not to be outdone, the stone was impeccably carved and rose into an imposing Gothic archway housing a raised portcullis and a well-polished bronze gate flanked by two men in flashy steel armor, flaming red feather plumes rising from their helmets… Imperial Legion Centurions.

“Welcome to Cyrodiil City.” One of them voiced to me. They then marched in unison to the great bronze doors and threw them open with an impressive flourish. “Enjoy your stay, citizen.”

I passed through the gates to a scene unlike I’d ever seen before. Instead of the peaceful maritime bustle of Weye, here it was an outright cacophony of voices, footsteps, shrieks, and hoof beats as people large and small jostled this way and that about their daily lives. The huge crowd, from the super-rich in fine linens to the street urchins with no more than stained sack cloth, pattered every which way you could think of past white marble buildings so tall they seemed to wall away the sky. Such a dizzying sight made me begin to wonder if I could ever find the Arcane at all, so I ducked into a shaded back street to pull out my map.

“Looking for something, citizen?” A passing legionary inquired.

“Yes, I’m looking for the Arcane University.” I responded, hoping this guy might be able to make some sense out of this madhouse.

“You’re in Talos Plaza," the legionary told me, indicating a gold sign nearby:

“Talos Plaza. IMPERIVM AD VITAM AETERNAM”

“Just follow Septim Way through Talos Plaza, take a right on Green Emperor Way, follow it around until you reach Stendarr Loop, and it will take you straight to the University.”

Follow who-da, take a right on what-da until I reach where-da? Thankfully, the guard noticed my blank look and handed me a new map, this time of the city itself, and noted everything he told me on it.

“Thanks.”

“We’re here to serve.” The guard brought two fingers to his helmet in salute before clanking away. I started to wonder why guards weren’t this helpful all the time, given my experience at the customs office on my way in from Valenwood, but soon did a double take. This was the Imperial City, after all. The Empire does have an image to maintain.

It took another hour just to find Green Emperor Way. I got lost twice in the crowds and at one point found myself filing my way down Septim Ave. rather than Septim Way, causing me to mumble curses under my breath for the Empire’s shameless lack of originality as I turned back. I eventually fought my way through the chaos of Talos Plaza, and the astounding noise of the crowd died instantly as I crossed the threshold of Green Emperor Way, giving way to a subdued, formal silence, and I felt a strange, liquid-like sensation pass over my skin, probably a spell to help keep the noise out.

“Please show your respect for the Imperial Palace by keeping your voice down.” A guard in blazing white armor decorated with dragons told me as I entered, and I joined the now near-silent crowd making their way along the road. Most of the time my view of White Gold Tower was blocked by the many high-rising buildings, mostly fine hotels and apartments for the city’s wealthiest citizens surrounding the Palace Road, but every so often I would pass a colossal iron gate barring the way to the Palace proper, and was able to steal a glance of the immense structure beyond the veil. It seemed to rise forever towards the heavens, perhaps ascending to touch the face of Aetherius itself, the marble walls were so well polished and maintained it was no wonder I was blinded on my way in, and almost completely blocked by the rest of the city, I could make out the royal graves. Such a sight, already breathtaking from here, must inspire awe when seen from outside the walls; a way of saying: “We are the most powerful society in this land today. To challenge us is to challenge the will of the Nine themselves.”

I felt myself smiling faintly as I turned onto Stendarr Loop.


----


Two shrouded figures crested a flight of stairs bathed in crimson light, where another shadowy figure sat upon a throne of black stone signaled them halt. They obeyed, and then sunk into a low bow.

“What news?” His voice rang with command as he spoke.

“Derelas just arrived yesterday.”

“And now?”

“He left for the Imperial City this morning.”

The cloaked man frowned, this might complicate things a bit; our kind is not welcome there. But no matter, he won’t stay forever.

“What else did you discover?”

“He’s searching for them, and he wants the Mages Guild’s help.”

Mages Guild? The shadowed man smiled, his red eyes lit aflame with amusement at the very idea. The Mages were fools. They had no idea what they were allowing to happen under their very noses. To think they could keep us at bay locked away like dogs. They would be in for a rude awakening, and soon.

“Good. Keep an eye on him. I want to know the instant he leaves.”

“As you wish, Lord.”

The two shrouded figures bowed again, then turned to leave themselves. The red-eyed man smiled to himself. Soon the pieces would be in place. The 433rd Year of the Third Era would soon become forever etched in history.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Dec 31 2010, 06:44 AM

[Thomas Kaira]

Before we continue, this statement:

I pride myself in noticing the little things others tend to miss.

I am retracting it. I appear to have picked up some bad juju with its utterance, so, begone!

@boxy kitty rider: I would comment on that... but that would be telling. All will be made clear in time. This is a mystery, after all, so it would seem I'm doing my job if you are indeed going "hmm."

@SubRosa: I always look for new and creative ways to grab my readers' interest. I originally wanted to work those gems into the plot, but discovered it would actually make more sense to my overarching plot if he took them with him. This also resolves the issue of adding my own unique twist on the quest, as well, so that would be two cliff-racers with one arrow.

@M.C. Hammer: Indeed an exciting mystery. I'm glad you took notice of Orintur's little slip-up, and glad you saw the tiny message between the lines.
Nit be picked.

@mALX: Foreign food can be quite strange until you get to know it a little better. Take Japanese for example. I used to not be able to even fathom why someone would even want to eat raw fish... and now its one of my absolute favorites. As we spend more time in Cheydinhal, Dere will eventually come to experience a few of these Dunmer delicacies himself... whether or not he's barfing down the well after that, we'll just have to wait and see.

@TheOtherRick:Not exactly the person I was baiting with that line... I'm glad you took such notice of it anyway. Thank you for your kind words.

@Acadian: Indeed, that scene refers back to my hook in the very first post. These shadowy figures are key to the plot, so I won't be forgetting them any time soon. How important are they? Well, that's all I can say right now. You'll just have to keep reading to find out.
Nits be picked.

@Grits: ...and as soon as your game fish takes the bait, 'tis important to give the line a sharp tug in order to set the hook, and then quickly reel it in.

@all: Thank you all for your support! Derelas appreciates it as much as I do, and your kind words keep him going. At 67 pages long now in my word processor, I think I can safely say this Fic has definitely become serious business for me.

next: Darkness takes hold....

Chapter 4-1: …Before the Flames

“I told you… I told you this would happen!”

“Please, Trayvond, now is not the time for gloating.”

“I’m not gloating, magister, I’m just bringing to light that I’ve said this was bound to occur all week…”

“…and now it has happened. Thank you very much, Trayvond, but I am in no mood to massage your ego any further. Please quiet your tongue.”

My eyes opened to a completely empty bedroom. A strangely familiar compression filled the air, compressing upon my chest and bringing with it the tension of unrest. The intense debate downstairs had given way to a silence so stiff that it might’ve broken if you dropped it. After quickly dressing, I made my way downstairs to discover the dining table empty… and given the morning light streaming through the windows, that certainly didn’t strike me as good. I then noticed that everyone was tightly knit around a table in the opposite room. There was a stack of newspapers upon that table, and everyone was reading so intently from them they didn’t even notice my approach. I took one of the papers from the pile, and noted a familiar insignia. My stomach plummeted; whatever I was about to read, it was probably bad news.

KVATCH LAID TO WASTE IN THE NIGHT
Entire city destroyed in surprise attack

The city of Kvatch, the crown jewel of the Brena Lowlands, is no more. The city of the Wolf was, just last night, attacked and utterly devastated by a mysterious force. Many thousands of lives are feared to have been lost, and the city itself is now nothing more than a charred shell of the mountaintop paradise it used to represent.

“They came from Oblivion!” One citizen cried out to our interviewers, “There were glowing portals outside the walls! Daedra poured out of them! You wouldn’t believe the noise, the screams… by the Gods, I can still hear the clashing swords!” This citizen then dashed away before we could ask him anything more.

Yes, you read correctly. Kvatch, it would seem, was attacked by Daedra fresh from the jaws of Oblivion. How could this even be possible? Isn’t our world supposed to be protected from Oblivion by the power of the Nine?

“Without any question in my mind,” Temple primate Tandilwe replied to our question of whether or not this was related to the death of the Imperial bloodline a week ago. “It was the Emperor’s binding with the spirit of Akatosh that kept the Dragonfires lit, which, to put it bluntly, was the Emperor’s signature on the Aedric Compact. This Compact kept the forces of Oblivion from launching an all out assault on Mundus since St. Alessia cast the Amulet of Kings. She gave her soul in return for the protection of the Gods for all the people. Without the Dragonfires, the Compact has no sustenance, no conduit for the Gods to obtain the power needed to sustain these defenses. Because of this, the barriers they held against Oblivion have now begun to fade.”

But why would the Gods require a link to the Emperor to provide such barricades? Did they not create the earth we walk upon every day?

“The Eight before Talos gave up much of their power to create our world,” Tandilwe replied to this question. “They have not the strength to intervene on our behalf on their own any longer. It is through our faith that our prayers may be answered… and through the lineage of the Dragonborn that Akatosh may find the strength to keep our world sealed from the Daedra. Without an Emperor to channel his power, one of Septim blood, which is to say Dragon blood, he will not be able to sustain the barriers for much longer, I’m afraid.”

This is bad news; not just for the Empire, but for the entire world. Without an Emperor to sustain the Compact, the whole of Tamriel and beyond might soon become a killing field for the Daedra. The Elder Council refused to comment on the matter, but one must assume that they are now under extreme pressure to discover who is next to take the throne so the Compact may be reinstated, and the barriers restored.

But why Kvatch? Why not cut the head off the snake first and attack Cyrodiil City, removing the source of power and unity and utterly demoralizing Tamriel? Could this mean that there still exists one man who could reasonably end this, and they were trying to remove him? Could there still yet be an heir to the throne that lives? We may never know, and given the complete devastation of the mountaintop city, it is likely he didn’t survive. Let us extend our prayers to the survivors of Kvatch, to the Elder Council that they may soon find the man the Dragon Throne needs to sustain our society, and to the Nine for the strength and unity to overcome these days of darkness.

“Daedra? Oblivion? This can’t be possible,” I said to myself, my mind reeling. “They destroyed an entire city?!”

“Eilonwy was beside herself when she heard,” Orintur interceded, his expression somber. “She has family in Kvatch; she left the moment she set the paper down. I tried to talk her out of it, but… well, you should’ve seen her.” He then turned his gaze to the floor. “I’ve never seen her so upset in my life…” he finishes slowly shaking his head in disbelief.

“Oh, dear, this is horrible,” Deetsan added in a shaky voice while slowly folding her paper. “I can’t even begin to imagine what might be going through that poor girl’s mind right now.” She then leaned forward to match Orintur, her expression a confused mess of shock, horror, and sorrow.

“I really do hope her parents are safe,” Trayvond said after a brief silence, his head resting on folded hands, and his darkened eyes betraying the grief his voice attempted to mask. “She’s far too young to lose them now.”

Indeed she is, I thought, there is never a good time to lose your parents…




----




“Where are you going, dad?”

“We’ve had a breakthrough on one of our digs,” a dark-haired Bosmer in traveling leathers responded, checking a short steel blade for nicks and testing its sharpness. “We’ve uncovered a new entrance to an ancient ruin. Your mother and I have been tasked with leading a small party to clear out any nasties that might have taken up residence inside and to recover any notable artifacts.”

“Dangerous work…” I concluded, looking to the floor with a sinking feeling in my chest, “Please be careful.”

“I always am, son,” My father responded. Noticing my edgy tone, he then placed a calming hand on my shoulder. “I would never leave you alone in this world.” Satisfied with the condition of his blade, he then slid it into its sheath. “Now, your mother and I really must leave, it’s a three day journey to the site. We shoul… will be back before next Sundas.”

“Take care of yourself, dad,” I called out to his retreating back.

“And you, Dere,” He responded, closing the door to our treetop home behind him with a wave good-bye.




----




“I have to go,” I suddenly voiced, dashing for the stairs and startling everyone out of their brooding reverie.

“Really, Derelas, you said you were going to have a day to yourself today!” Deetsan indignantly called out as I briskly made my way upstairs to pack. “Why do you have to leave now? Kvatch is on the other side of the province, for Mara’s sake!”

“I’m sorry Deetsan, I can’t stay any longer,” I replied, slinging my rucksack over my shoulder to cover my bow-staff. Deetsan then opened her mouth to protest further, but she must’ve seen the pain in my eyes, because she slowly closed it again before turning her head back to the floor and nodding. “Besides,” I added, making my way to the door, hoping it would at least make her feel more at ease with my parting, “I’m not going to Kvatch, but to Bravil.”

“But why leave now?” Deetsan repeated, looking back up at me with a mingled expression of relief and confusion, “That can wait until you’ve rested up, can’t it?”

“I’m afraid it can’t,” I replied somberly, “some things are just too important for me to ignore right now.”

“Very well,” Deetsan concluded, coming to grips that my mind was made up. “Do please be careful, though. If Kvatch fell so quickly to Daedra, I fear what could happen if they ambushed you on the road.”




----




The gray overcast grew to a light drizzle as the grand walls and rosewood-paneled spires of Cheydinhal disappeared from view behind a new wall of low trees and stacked rocks matching the dreary sky in color. The leaves did not dance for me on this day, but remained ever still in the stagnant air left over from today’s early morning fog. As the road wound its way through the rolling hills of the ever-expansive countryside, the rain intensified from a light, pleasant shower to something more akin to standing under a waterfall. My shirt was soon soaked through completely, and I found myself longing for the shelter that would be provided by the yew forest I could make out just south of me.

By Y’ffre, this rain is terrible, I thought to myself, twiddling with Aelwin’s ring. If it got any heavier, I would probably need this ring just to walk. It was then, without warning, that all of the water clinging to my skin and clothing decided it was no longer interested in keeping me company, and it fell into a giant puddle beneath my shoes with a huge splash barely audible in the pouring rain.

Well, that was odd… though certainly not unwelcome. I would guess this ring is also capable of instantly drying the user as well as allowing him to breathe underwater. Quite handy, if I might say so. Aelwin certainly was a generous man, I’ll need to pay him a visit sometime and thank him again for his wonderful gift.

Despite the fact that I could now walk without my shoes slogging, I still yearned for the protection of the ancient yews against the percussion being played upon my skull from the pouring heavens. It was now raining so thickly I could barely see my hand in front of my face… and it was starting to thunder. OK, that’s enough of this, I thought, I’m getting under that natural canopy. The trees would keep the rain off my head, and hopefully keep this humble Bosmer from being instantly crisped in a violent white flash… or at the very least avoid sending my hair skyward and turning it strange colors. I veered south off the stone walkway as I reached a small bridge leading across a now overflowing mountain stream.




----




Cacat! Where is he going?

The Dunmer brushed a sodden lock of raven-black hair from her forehead, her ruby eyes focused intently on the traveler who had just veered unexpectedly from the road.

I don’t think he has any idea how dangerous that forest can be, she thought to herself, closely examining his progress. It’s not just monsters in there… you would be fighting with the land itself to venture within; all the more perilous from the dense foliage covering soil and sky. There are cliff faces you would never notice until you’ve already fallen in, obviously much too late.

A bright flash cracked through the sky, lighting the entire hillside in a dazzling and frightening display, soon after the very air exploded, causing the Dunmer to jump and lose her gaze. Gritting her teeth at the distraction, she turned her eyes back to the stream… but the Bosmer was gone.

Dammit! This just keeps getting worse! She then leapt out of the sheltering cave mouth into the pouring rain after the Bosmer who was now unknowingly venturing into the inhospitality and treachery of the Ancient Yews.