Oblivion's Edge, Book I of the Corruption Trilogy Options

[Zalphon]

Prologue

Five hundred years after the Oblivion Crisis...

Many years ago, the Champion of Cyrodiil stopped the Daedra from invading. The hordes of infernal Dremora and vicious daedroth. When he left Mankar Camaron's Paradise, people viewed him as a hero. However, he had become much darker.

He then went to the Shivering Isles in search of power. When he returned, any traces of humanity had left him. In his demented rage, he slaughtered the Blades, and began a crusade of crimes. However, an Argonian assassin stopped him.

After that, the Argonian and his Khajiiti companion came to the ruins of Morrowind to regain their thoughts. For after they killed the Champion, their long-lost Dunmeri friend arrived in a new-found body of a lich. They killed him and ever since held a deep sense of remorse.

For some time they stayed in the blackened remnants of the Dunmeri homeland, but left. The despair that filled their hearts from seeing the remains of where they met their friend caused them to leave. They were never seen again.

There is rumor in the streets of the Imperial City of a Daedric cult with the power to weaken, or even destroy the seal from our world and theirs. The Champion of Cyrodiil rose up before, I must rise up now. After the Mede Empire fell, a Daedra-worshipper conquered Tamriel.

When I was a squire, they taught me the skills of swordplay, etiquette, archery, and restoration. Now I guess I'll have to put my skills to the test. I must walk in his footsteps, but I must remember the teachings of the Dunmer, the Argonian, and the Khajiit.

The time is near, I must stop time from repeating itself...

[Zalphon]

Chapter Three: The Old Religion

We rested in a nearby mine. It was abandoned, most likely due to the depletion of gold ore. When I awoke, Adam stood over me with his blade drawn. "Is it time?" I barely managed to grumble. "I'm famished."

"Yes, why yes it is," he hissed. "Zalphon grows more powerful with each passing day. The Old Code will begin now, Child of the Old Religion."

I nodded and donned my armor. It was slow, but I was tired. "What now?" I questioned. "Do we spar?"

"Indeed." Instantly, the vampire turned into a blur. The next second I was disarmed, after that I was on the ground with his blade pointed at my throat. His speed and strength wasn't believable.

"How?" I asked. "How did you do that?"

"I am a Knight of the Nine. My power is vast, but it is granted by my patrons. If I were to betray them, then I would still be physically powerful, but my spells that I rely on wouldn't be able to be cast," he explained. "Long after the Champion was felled, Talos took a mortal form of 'Wulf' and taught us how to channel divinity and how to make our prayers be able to heal and even burn our foes in holy flame."

"Wulf? The Nerevarine met that man in Vvardenfell. He asked him to carry a coin to Red Mountain," I smiled. "Was it truly Talos?"

"I know it was," he smiled. "I can tell you that, because he radiated with power. As if he was a wellspring of arcane power. He taught us these, so that we could survive the War of Necromancy."

"When Mannimarco assaulted the Imperial City and destroyed the Arcane University in the fourth era, three-hundred, twenty-first year?"

"He knew we would fall without his help, so he taught us what ‘the Knight’s Code’ was and is now, "The Old Code." After Zalphon burned the archives of the Knights of the Nine, we lost all reference to it," Adam explained. "I am the last man who remembers that far back. Our spells are battle-prayers to the Nine."

"Interesting," I nodded. "When do we begin our training and not the history lesson?"

"When you learn," he scowled. "That you must remember history or you'll be damned to repeat it..."

For weeks we studied in the caverns about the Nine. Evangeline enjoyed the time to read her Spellbook, while Quick-Strike kept a close watch. J'skooma had many conversations with the rocks about whether rat-milk cheese or Minotaur steak tasted worse.

Adam questioned, "Who is the Aedric God of Air?"

"Kynareth," I responded. "Her domain is also over the natural woodlands as well."

"What is Stendarr's domain?" He barked.

"Mercy is his sphere, although he is also very just."

"It is time," the Vampire commanded. "Draw your blade and prepare for the first challenge."

"Yes, what must I do?"

The Ancient Knight said prayers and a burst of light filled the mine. The next second, I was unconscious. After I awoke, I was in a strange place which was a castle. Standing in front of me was Adam who smiled, "These are the Holy Grounds. Every Knight must pass the tests of the clerics and finally kill the Daedroth that hides in the shadows."

"What?" I asked. "What kind of tests?"

"The Cleric of Talos is fond of riddles, as is the Cleric of Mara. The Cleric of Stendarr tests how pure your heart is, while the Cleric of Kynareth challenges how blissful with the woodlands you are," Adam explained. "Once the nine tests are passed, the daedra is dead, and you vanquish the Guardian of the Portal, you may leave."

The stone walls of the throne room were eerily cold. On the ground I saw blood and in the corner, I spotted a man in ebony armor with a sword through his heart. Well, through his skeletal ribs. "The price of failure is death," the Vampiric Knight warned. "Fail any test and your life is forfeit. Just as Squire Vladimir’s was." The Imperial pointed to the man I just looked at.

I was about to say something, but then he disappeared. I traveled up the cold, gray stairs and saw one of the clerics in the hallway. She smiled and wore gleaming, steel armor. "I am the Cleric of Dibella." Her beautiful body matched her words; her long, scarlet hair was like woven fire.

"What is your test, oh great Cleric of Dibella?" I asked politely. "I am a humble Squire of the Nine."

The Cleric gently kissed my lips, "You already passed, handsome. Dibella watch over you, oh wait, she already has." That was the first test? The test was to be beautiful enough for the Cleric of Dibella? A little shallow of a god, but I smiled and walked past. With haste, I headed up the stairs to a bedroom. There a cleric stood.

A large Imperial dressed in shining steel armor and a war hammer strapped to his back frowned. The man was elderly, his hair was graying and his goatee was similar. "I am the Cleric of Stendarr; have you come to challenge me?"

"To take the tests of the Nine, Reverent Cleric," I responded. "I am a Squire of the Nine and must pass these tests to further my training."

"Indeed."

A small Bosmer girl jumped out and stabbed at me. She barely managed to scratch my armor. I shoved the little girl. The Bosmer whimpered as a blood came from her forehead. "Y-Y-You hurt me," she cried.

I felt horrible, like the scum of Nirn. With a tear, I cast a restoration spell and she smiled. "Th-thank you," she said right before she turned to nothingness.

"You have passed, Squire. There is an ancient spell, where you channel holy energy to your hands to heal yourself or others," the Cleric explained. "Only Knights of the Nine can use this spell, it is called 'Lay on Hands'." He showed me the proper prayers to do it.

"Stendarr watch over you," he said as I left.

With a nod, I left and traveled down the stairs. I walked into the kitchen to find, yet another Cleric. The Cleric wore no armor, but instead wore a simple, black dress. Her pale skin and blue eyes made me think she was a Breton. "I am the Cleric of Mara, Consort of Akatosh, are you here for the tests?"

"Indeed, oh powerful cleric," I responded.

Walking in was a crying Imperial maiden. She looked to be in her young adult years. "Samuel, he's dead," she sobbed. "My wonderful husband is gone, out of existence, dead."

I hugged the woman and whispered, "He's in a better place; he'd want you to be happy."

She kissed me and responded, "Thank you." Then she mysteriously disappeared.

"You passed," The Cleric curtsied. "Mara watches over you." With a smile, I had passed the tests of three of the Nine Divines. After I completed this, I had a feeling Adam would be rather...impressed...


As I reached the dungeon, I found Cleric of Arkay. He was a middle-aged man in ebony plate-mail. His gray hair was cut well and his nature was obviously Nord by his size. "Come to take the test of Arkay?" he asked.

"Indeed, Great Cleric of Arkay," I responded.

Instantly a guillotine appeared and the cleric instructed me, "Put your head in the hole."

I asked, “Are you mad?”

He ordered, “Do it.”
It stopped right above my neck; I could feel the blade touch the hairs on my neck.

"You passed, Arkay watch over you," the middle-aged Nord stated with a wise grin.

With a nod, I left and went deeper in. This time it was to the Wine Cellar. The Cleric of Zenithar, a young, seductive Bosmer clothed in a white dress smiled. "Have you come to pass the test of Zenithar?"

"Indeed, Cleric."

An illusion of a peasant and a merchant appeared. The peasant was trying to sell his crops, the merchant wanted to buy them all for a tenth of their worth. "Sir, wouldn't it be wiser to just give him the money he asks, for then he'll know you're not a liar, nor a cheat," I mentioned.

The Merchant nodded and handed over a large bag of gold. They both disappeared. "Zenithar watch over you."

With ease, I traveled towards the Lord's Quarters. There sat Akatosh's cleric. The elderly cleric sat in shining, golden scale mail. "I am the Cleric of Akatosh, is it time for your trials?"

"Indeed, Cleric."

A fountain appeared in front of me. "Drink from the fountain for eternal youth," the Cleric said. "Eternal youth or eventual death, the choice is yours." I shook my head and it dissapeared.

"Akatosh watch over you," he said as I walked out.

I was now in the Courtyard and it was no average courtyard. It went for acres upon acres. Then out came a Cleric of Kynareth. A smiling Bosmer dressed in a fur skirt and fur brassiere. "The test of Kynareth is to prove you're one with nature," she giggled. "Teach this young wolf to not kill you on sight, and you'll have succeeded."

Out came a pup that charged at me. Then we met eyes and I whispered a spell. It came over and licked my face. "Kynareth watch over you. The last challenges are Julianos and Talos, the hardest."

I nodded and headed into the Throne Room. There sat Talos' Cleric and standing beside him in an advisory fashion was the Julianos' Cleric. "The Test of Wisdom is simple," the elderly Altmer grumbled. "What does the wise man know that the smart man does not?"

"That a good heart will always bring you out on top," I responded.

"Julianos watch over you, Soon-To-Be Knight," he bowed.

The Cleric of Talos wasn't a cleric, but Talos Stormcrown himself. "I have watched over you since you were born, Kalian," Talos explained. "My challenge is to swear an oath of loyalty."

"To who?" I asked.

"To Tamriel," he commanded.

Obediently, I swore the oath and headed for the door. There stood a High Priest of Mehrunes Dagon. His skin was fiery red, just like his god's. "Prepare to die," he screamed as he charged.

I swung at him as he charged, but with his wrist-dagger he parried. The frenzied blows were hard to block, because of his amazing strength. I muttered a prayer and with divine accuracy, I slid the blade between his ribs. He looked at me and fell to his knees, “D-death at last.”

I pulled open the gargantuan double-doors and there stood a bright-blue gateway. I walked in and a flash of light blinded me. Adam smiled when he saw me. "Congratulations, you've learned the first step of the Old Code. You're officially a Knight of the Nine,” Adam explained. “However, you now must succeed in earning the favor of Magnus and Syrabane, you must read the Oghma Infinium, and unite the Daedric Princes against Mehrunes Dagon and his new Master.”

“He has become a dictator to them and they'll gladly send soldiers to serve a champion," Quick-Strike explained. "Magnus is the God of Sorcery; Syrabane is the God of Warlocks. The Oghma Infinium was written by Haermaeus Mora after he got the knowledge from Xarxes. To gain Magnus' and Syrabane's favor, you must allow your very blood to be mixed with the very essence of magicka."

"The Oghma Infinium can be attained by earning the favor of Haermaeus Mora. After you have the favor of the fifteen Daedric princes, you must march across Tamriel with your army of the Daedra and followers of the Nine," he continued. "For the first time in history, the Aedra and the Daedra must work together for a common purpose. I most likely will die, Kalian. When I do, remember to make sure my death isn't in vain."

"Yes Quick-Strike," I barked. "I shall defend Tamriel from an empowered Daedric prince and a lich that has attained god-hood. To say the least, we will have tales about us for the rest of time."

The quest I was set upon completing would shape the history of Tamriel, for better or for worse. Zalphon or I would die, and Dagon or I would fall. The Nine were protecting me; soon the Daedra would be too.

"Adam?" I asked. "Is this the Old Code, to be a champion of the Aedra and the Daedra?"

"The Old Code is to be just and righteous prophecy foretold a hero would arise and unite the Aedra and Daedra against a common foe," the Vampire saluted. "I'll be glad to serve under the Champion of Nirn."

The Champion of Nirn, was that what I was? I was defending Nirn from 'My Ancestor' and an Empowered Daedric Prince; perhaps I did earn this title. Nonetheless, I had to rest and then I had work to do.

When I awoke, Evangeline stood over me. "Sir," she said. "Are you positive we should go through with this 'quest'?"

The torch had burned out and the scared Breton had a small, light spell active. "I-I'm so scared," she stuttered. "I'm young, I don't want to die." I got up and hugged her tightly.

"It'll be all right, Evangeline," I whispered in her ear. "I promise I'll take care of you and the others." With a smile, she wiped the tears from her face and kissed my cheek. The Breton walked out and on the way out, cast a spell to light the torch.

What was I going to do? My followers were scared, even I was. However, I could not show my fear, a leader who shows fear will lose respect and they'll lose faith. I put my eyes in my hands and whispered, "Mother, wherever you are, I hope I'm making you proud." A burning, hot tear fell from my eye to the palm of my hand. I wiped the tears away and got in my armor.

"Let's go," I shouted. It echoed throughout the Caverns. Adam and Quick-Strike were soon behind me; following them were Evangeline and J'skooma. I could sense her fear, the demoralizing truth was that I had it, too.

I pushed open the wooden door and the moon was high in the sky. "How long have we been here?" I asked.

"You were unconscious for two weeks," Quick-Strike explained. "Worry not, we're ready to leave." Adam nodded and we walked out. As I exited, an arrow swished past me.

"Kill him, it is the will of the master," a voice in the darkness screamed. "You'll die, you nix-ho---." Something interrupted it. I turned around and Quick-Strike wasn't by me. A few more screams were heard, and then they all stopped.

"One of them carried this note," the Argonian said as he handed me the note.

"The Master has told me that the One of the Prophecy is in Charcoal Cave. Do not rush in, wait in the darkness for him to come out. When he has exited, kill him and the companions with him.

~Valkynaz Proditor"

"Proditor," I hissed. "He seems to be high in their military, we need to eliminate him. This is the second time he has sent assassins after me."

"Indeed," Quick-Strike agreed. "It would do serious harm to Mehrunes Dagon and his 'Master' if we kill Proditor. By kill him, I mean also destroy his spirit."

"Like the Champion did, long ago?" Adam asked.

"You can't kill a Daedroth's spirit, I mean that in the singular term of Daedra, not the species," Evangeline growled. "It's not possible."

"Wrong," I corrected. "Pelinial Whitestrake nearly did it, the Champion completed what Whitestrake failed to do in the White-Gold Tower. I will destroy Valkynaz Proditor, but first I must perform the pilgrimages to the Daedra, read the Oghma Infinium, and gain the favor of Syrabane and Magnus."

"J'skooma thinks you should do less talking and more walking," the Khajiit blurted out. "But then, what does J'skooma know? Listen to the cheese." The furry mage pulled out air from his bag and pointed to his empty palm.

With a sigh, I began to march towards the Imperial City to purchase a map of the Shrines of the Daedra in Cyrodiil.