Nemesis Options

[Jacki Dice]

This is a little something I've been toying with for awhile. I've decided to bring it out to the forums here. This story will include the original version of Kalila Blackstone, from Madness Helps me Save Myself. This version of her has absolutely no ties to the one borrowed in the story.

Speaking of, Madness Helps me Save Myself will continue as planned. Sometimes working on something separate for a while soothes my writer's block.

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1

“That which is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.�
--Friedrich Nietzsche

In a perfect world, it would have been an assassin. Or maybe a bandit. It would be someone who was out to hurt her, who justifiably deserved to die. However, as Tara Karminova clutched her dagger to her chest, she knew it would be no such person. The world was too imperfect.

She looked around the dark alleys of the Imperial City Market District for someone no one would miss. Guilt weighed in her heart for even thinking that. Did someone’s life have less value just because they had no one to miss them? Of course not. But, she needed someone whose death wouldn’t prompt a thorough investigation. Maybe a skooma addict.

Oh, dear gods, what am I doing? She leaned against the wall of one of the shops. Her heart was no longer fluttering and her stomach no longer churned. Instead, she seemed to simply accept it. That was what scared her. “It’s for Clarissa,� she reminded herself. “It’s for her.� She clenched the grip of her dagger tightly and continued lurking through the alleys.

At first she thought she had blended in quite well with the street urchins in the Imperial City. She simply threw on an old, dirty robe that had torn a little on the bottom. Her brown hair was unbrushed and thrown back in a messy bun. Once she saw the beggars in person, however, she realized how far off she was. Their clothes weren’t just dirty, they were barely intact enough to keep them out of prison for indecent exposure. None of them wore the soft cotton that she was in. They appeared to be stitched together from odd pieces of fabric and sackcloth. Tara was also far too healthy looking. Her cheeks were somewhat plump and the robe hugged her frame tightly, revealing that she didn’t often go hungry. The beggars were nothing but skin and bones. The biggest difference was their eyes. Tara could easily tell who had lived on the street by the hardness or loss of hope in their eyes. There was no way for her to imitate them in that way.

She turned behind the Copious Coinpurse into a small garden. It was empty save for a young woman sleeping on the ground. Tara crept toward her, running her finger over the black soul gem stashed in her pocket. It would have been much easier to cast some sort of spell on her, but Tara thought a stabbing would look far more ordinary than magic.

The girl stirred slightly as Tara approached. Tara straddled her and turned her on her back. She was pretty. She had quite a young face. She was probably no more than nineteen. Tara hesitated for a moment before raising her hand. A violet flash erupted from her fist and washed over the girl. Once that was done she took out the dagger and plunged it into the girl.

The girl opened her eyes wide as blood oozed onto Tara. A scream rose from her throat and Tara quickly covered the girl’s mouth with her free hand, stabbing again and again until the girl stopped moving. She wished she had known where to plunge for a more painless and instant death. That part of her research had been overlooked. Tara took out the soul gem and was satisfied with the glow of the girl’s soul.

She got up and panted, staring at the girl’s body. Did she have parents? A sister? Probably not, since she had been sleeping there alone. Still, Tara was overcome with mixed emotions.

“It’s for Clarissa,� she said to herself.



Tara had to hold in her disgust as she stared upon Clarissa’s corpse.

Three years had passed since Clarissa Blackstone’s murder and time had not been kind. Clarissa’s skin was gone for the most part, only remaining in small patches. On the pieces of skin around her temples, sat dry tufts of her once luxurious black hair, though the slightest brush would turn it to dust. Her bones were not white, like the models shown at the Arcane University. Instead they were a filthy brown. The sockets that once held beautiful grey eyes were now empty and covered by a paper thin layer of skin. The gown she had been buried in had long since been eaten away. Though she went out and bought a new robe, Tara did not look forward to redressing her. Logically that shouldn’t have bothered her any more than digging Clarissa up or even setting her body on the kitchen table.

Tara wanted to pass the time doing something other than staring at Clarissa, but she was unable to take her eyes off of her. She was repulsed but fascinated at the same time. When she finally tore her eyes away, she decided to head into the basement to distract herself.

Just yesterday, the basement was full of alchemical equipment. The shelves had been lined with empty bottles and crates full of filled ones ready to be sent off to the different Mages Guild halls. Jars of ingredients sat along the windows. Now it was empty. The windows were boarded. A metal collar attached to a long chain sat in the center of the room. Tara picked it up and tugged it with all her strength. It held fast to the wall. She sighed deeply and dusted off her hands. Hopefully it would withstand the added strength of the undead.

She took a broom from a corner and started sweeping. Clarissa still deserves cleanliness, she thought. But the basement was usually kept neat and there was nothing much to sweep. She finished in seconds. She looked at the Mages Guild banners still hanging on the walls. Her eyes welled up with tears. How could she still keep those up knowing what she was going to do? How could she ever look at Arch-Mage Traven in the eye again?

With a trembling hand, she took the banners down. She tried telling herself that it was to keep them from getting ruined, but deep down she knew it was because she felt unworthy.

When she returned upstairs she was pleased to see that the hourglass was nearly empty. It was time.

For something so complex, it was strange that it was so simple to accomplish. She had imagined an elaborate ritual involving candles and conjuring. Strangely, the hardest part had been obtaining the soul gem. That and getting the soul. She closed her eyes, forcing away the image of the girl she had killed. She couldn’t afford to think about it. All spells, complex or not, required confidence and concentration.

Her home along the Lake Rumare was close enough to hear the temple bell from the Imperial City. As it rang twelve times, Tara placed the soul gem directly over where Clarissa’s heart had been. She focused on the soul inside, transferring it the way she would to an item.

The soul was stubborn. Even in death, it resisted Tara’s demand, almost as if it knew that it would cease to exist as itself. Tara trembled violently. Her heart pounded hard and she broke into a sweat. The soul would cooperate. It had no choice.

Tara grunted hard when the soul finally entered Clarissa. She panted heavily as the gem crumbled into dust, falling into Clarissa’s bare rib cage.

Clarissa’s eyelids fluttered. She sat up, turning her face toward Tara. Though the sockets were empty, she could feel the intense stare going straight through her. Tara backed up instantly. Would Clarissa remember? Or would she react with hostility? Clarissa opened her mouth, though the only sound that escaped was a dry crackle. Her body wouldn’t return to a normal living being until she received more souls.

“Clarissa,� Tara whispered. “Do you remember me?� She took a step forward. “I’m your sister.�

Clarissa tilted her head back and forth. A chunk of skin plopped on the floor causing a surge of bile to rise in Tara’s throat. She swallowed it back down and forced herself to ignore it.

“Everything is okay now,� she said. “You’re back home now.�

She held out her hand. Clarissa ignored it, seeming to be more confused than anything.

“She’s just in shock,� Tara said to herself. She glanced at the robe. She decided to put it on her when she had more skin as there was nothing really to cover.

She led Clarissa into the basement and locked the collar around her neck. “This is just to keep you safe. When you’re back to normal you can have your old room back. I’ll even get you into the Arcane University like you always wanted.� She sighed, not knowing why she said that. That wouldn’t be possible. Everyone knew that Clarissa had been dead a long time.

Clarissa crackled again, though Tara doubted that she understood anything she had been saying anyway. No need to feel like a liar, right? she wondered. “I’m going to go clean upstairs and then I’ll have to fix up your grave outside. I can’t have it looking like it’s been recently disturbed. I’ll be back soon.�

Once she was back in the living room, she locked the basement door and then placed a plank of wood in front of it. She couldn’t chance Clarissa getting out into the open. She would be killed on sight. Tara couldn’t have that. She refused to lose her twice.

She immediately set out sweeping up the living room and kitchen. There was so much dirt. Too much. Should any guild mates come for a visit, she felt it would cause immediate suspicion. Maybe it was just paranoia, but at the same time, her sudden insistence to work from her home instead of the guild halls already seemed strange. Sure, months had passed since then, the nagging feeling remained stuck in her mind.

Though it had to be done, she couldn’t keep her mind on her task. She felt drained. She sank to her knees staring at the basement door. She could hear Clarissa shuffling faintly, the chain jingling with her every movement. She glanced at the turquoise banner on the wall bearing the Mages Guild symbol. Her life as she knew it was over. She wept.



This post has been edited by Jacki Dice: Dec 23 2019, 07:08 AM

[Jacki Dice]

McBadgere~ Why thank you! I don't think I've ever caused a misting of the eyes before!

mALX~ Thanks mALX ♥ Though its not as romancy as my other fic, it does get rather emotional, especially as details about Clarissa come out.

SubRosa~ Lilitu must have stopped by and planted it while you slept And nothing gets past you! Rhianna is a pirate, though she prefers the term "Sea faring adventurer."

Colonel Mustard~ Aww... -rubs back of head- With Tara, I think I have the most fun. She's not evil, but she's not doing good either. Her flaws are easy to present that way and I think that makes her just a bit more believable than some characters I've done.

Grits~ Oh yes. Even I, at the ripe age of 22 ( ) have been "ma'am-ed." I was caught way off guard by that!

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Chapter Three: Graduation Day, Part Two

Traven felt a sense of pride as he watched Kalila clutch her diploma to her chest. She kept looking around the campus, as if she didn’t believe it was real. Tara stood with her arm wrapped proudly around Kalila’s shoulders. Even as others approached the pair, students to bid farewell to Kalila and mages to greet Tara, the sisters stayed planted together. Though during the speech Tara seemed a little uneasy, now she was back to her usual self, poised and smiling brightly. Her brown eyes glittered every time she laughed, slightly throwing her head back, her hand gracefully rising under her chin. Meanwhile, Kalila looked like she would rather be anywhere else. At least until her father arrived.

The few traits that Kalila didn’t share with Tara were plainly inherited from Aidan Blackstone. His strong jaw, his deep olive complexion, the high cheekbones. His black hair was long enough to reach his shoulders and streaks of silver had started to invade, along with faint crow’s feet. The most noticeable thing about him was his clear gray eyes. Eyes exactly like Clarissa’s. Other than those eyes, he blended in perfectly with the rest of the crowd. His outfit looked like it had been carefully crafted to be just ordinary enough.

Kalila tore away from Tara momentarily to embrace Aidan tightly. Traven took the moment to approach Tara, as she was no longer hovering over her sister.

“Touching speech,� he said.

“Was it?� She asked, biting her lip slightly. “Kalila thought it was too flowery,� she said with a laugh.

“Well, it’s a flowery occasion!� Traven smiled. “Besides, Kalila’s not really one for sentiment.�

Tara glanced over to Kalila. She was holding a pendant in her hands, as Aidan draped the chain over her neck. Tara’s eyes lowered momentarily, almost disappointedly. Traven patted her shoulder. He knew it had to be a little hard for Tara to witness the father and daughter bond, as she had never known her own father. He was either dead, a one night stand, or both. Rhianna had always been tight lipped about it.

Tara looked back at Traven. “It’s fine, really.� She must have seen the pitiful look in his eyes. His cheeks burned a little. “Aidan may not be my real father, but he never treated me any different. He was always good to me.�

“There she is,� Aidan said, almost on cue. “One of the Guild’s finest!� He gave Tara a warm hug. Though it was completely paternal, nothing funny about it, Traven couldn’t help a flash of jealousy. When Aidan looked at him, he feigned a smile.

“And the man behind it all,� Aidan said, holding his hand out.

Traven shook it, overwhelmed with the scent of fresh linens. By the Nine, he always smelled like that. The man was just a little too clean. “Oh, I can’t take credit for the sheer talent these fine women have been blessed with. I can only help guide them in its use.�

Traven noticed Tara’s eyes flinch slightly.

“Well, it’s been a pleasure, Arch-mage,� Aidan said. “You’ve proven yourself an excellent teacher to my daughters.�

Traven glanced at Kalila’s new necklace. “What’s that you got there?�

Kalila lifted it so he and Tara could see it better. It was a silver pentagram with rubies at each tip, with a smaller pentagram in the center.

Kalila’s necklace

“It was my mother’s,� Aidan explained, his arm firmly planted on Kalila’s shoulder. “She always said it was special, so now I’m passing it down.�

Kalila pursed her lips together, glancing at Tara for a moment. Tara smiled. “It looks beautiful on you.�

The church bells tolled in the distance. “Well,� Tara said. “We’d best get home if we’re going to make it by nightfall.�

“Leaving so soon?� Traven said quickly. “Oh, but we’ve barely caught up. I’ll tell you what, let’s have lunch Morndas!�

Tara took a step back, starting to shake her head. “No, no, I insist!� He said. “My treat! After all, you’ve yet to tell me about this big project you’ve got going on at home!�

“Alright, sounds nice,� she said. Traven sensed some hesitation, though he was willing to chalk it up to it being a busy day. “Aidan, a pleasure as always. Kalila, I’ll be in touch of course. I do love to visit each guildhall every so often.�

Kalila nodded.

With that, Traven turned and headed to his chambers, grinning all the way.


Kalila was obviously disappointed that her father had taken his leave just after Traven did. Tara loved Aidan dearly, but he had always been so busy. Too busy for Kalila and Clarissa. His business in the Imperial City, whatever it was, kept him away for days, sometimes weeks at a time. He stayed out longer after Clarissa died. Though he claimed it was simply because Kalila had been old enough to not need him as much, Tara couldn’t help wondering if being at their home hurt too much.

“Hey, chin up,� Tara said, gently stroking Kalila’s hair as their carriage crossed the bridge to Weye. She stared at Kalila, remembering her first day at the University.

Tara was nearly done with her term. Just three more years and she would be out of there, ready to prove herself in the world of the Mages Guild. Kalila was brimming with a quiet excitement. She didn’t speak, but she chewed her nails and thumbs in anticipation. Her hair had been short, barely a bob. Kalila liked it that way. It kept it from getting in the way of fireballs.

Clarissa sat on Rhianna’s lap. Clarissa had only been there a couple of times, but she had been too young to clearly remember it. This time, she stared in awe of Lake Rumare and the beautiful white structures. The entire weekend she sat listening to Tara’s stories about the University and all the things she had learned with wide eyed excitement. “Mummy, when’s my turn?� She asked, bouncing up and down, clapping her hands. “I wanna be like Kalila and shoot fire, and breathe under water like Tara and enchant my earrings to give me super hearing.�

“You’ve got a few more years, honey.� Rhianna ran her fingers through Clarissa’s hair and adjusted the pink flower clip she always wore. “I can teach you a few of those things at home though.�

Clarissa looked at the floor sullenly. “But I wanna go with Kalila and Tara.�

Rhianna feigned hurt feelings. “And leave your mummy all alone?� She sniffled loudly and started to pout before pretending to sob in her hands.

Clarissa giggled, pulling Rhianna’s hands from her face. “You’re not alone, you have daddy!�

Rhianna let out a dry chuckle. “No thanks, I’d rather be alone.�

Kalila’s excitement dulled and Tara shot Rhianna a look. “Not now,� it plainly said.

Rhianna rolled her eyes and looked out the window. “Amazing,� she said after a while. “My three girls, going to the University. You’re all so smart. Maybe if you put your heads together, you can find out whatever happened to Corvus Umbranox!�

Tara and Kalila laughed, though the joke went over Clarissa’s head.

Clarissa wobbled over to Kalila and curled up in her lap. “Please can I go with you? Please?�

Kalila hugged her close. “One day, I promise.�

Kalila was just a girl then, barely in her teens. Now she sat before Tara a young woman. By the Nine, where did the time go? Even while at the university together, Kalila blossomed into her own person and rarely crossed Tara’s path. It only got worse after Clarissa died. Some people grieve by isolating themselves. As hard as it was for Tara to accept, it was Kalila’s way.

She turned her attention to Kalila’s hair, tied back as usual in a Breton braid. She stopped cutting it long ago and now it reached her hips. “Have you thought about cutting your hair?�

Kalila stared out the window, precariously seated on her trunk. It was overly stuffed and was threatening to burst at a moment’s notice. She only shrugged.

“Hmm..� Tara said, looking at the floor. She started wringing her hands. How horrible was it that she couldn’t even make a good conversation with her own sister? Gods, they were almost like strangers now! She bit her lip, thinking about Kalila leaving on Morndas. That only gave her two days with her until she left for Anvil, possibly forever.

Worse there was the matter of the haunting in the basement… Tara couldn’t imagine what would happen if Kalila found out. Tara balled her hands into fists. They were going to bond, dammit. And do it away from the house!


This post has been edited by Jacki Dice: Dec 23 2019, 07:18 AM