The Story of Taillus, Chapter 7 Options

[Taillus]

Chapter 7 - The Road to Darkness.

Taillus walks out of Vivec and not for a second does he look over his shoulder. When he was in pain and writing on the ground did anyone come to his aid? No one even acknowledged him, now that there was an Ordinator in bloodied pieces in the same spot there is reason to be upset. It was the very same as when he had no choice but to kill his Noble mentor.

Being used as a punching bag to relieve stress for a middle aged drunk could only be taken so far but when young Taillus finally had enough and had developed enough courage to fight back, he was thrown head first into a labor camp quicker then he could say self-defense. Taillus knew that he would start his soul harvest by killing anyone of power. Those were the people that truly deserved to have their lives ended.

Taillus walks down a wooden platform that leads to a slim dunmer man that seemed to operate the nearby gondola. He was directed to leave for Suran and he knew that it might take a small while but it was definitely reachable by water. Taillus looks at the dark elf before hopping into the boat and sitting down.

This time, Taillus wasn’t going to have to rely on scare tactics to get his way, this man in particular was a big fan of his and was often seen rooting from the sidelines of the arena pit. Taillus was certainly going to abuse this to gain a free ride.

“Where are you headed champion?” The thin Dunmer man says as he steps lightly on his gondola and picks up his staff. Taillus removes his broadsword from behind him and sets it at his side to get comfortable for the long ride. He hopes that the Dark Elf was not terribly long winded because a silent trip would serve his aching head well.

“I am in desperate need of reliable travel to Suran my friend.” Taillus states as he shifts his weight again to get comfortable. The dunmer man smiles as he dips the pole deep into the water and pushes off the dock letting the gondola glide away from its home. Taillus breathes a sigh of relief knowing that the road ahead will be tiring and can only end badly but at this point, he would give anything to never experience the pain from the hands of Molag Bal. His body, mind and overall sanity could not handle it.

As the small boat peacefully soars over the water’s surface with the grace and majesty of a lone swan, Taillus peers over the edge seeing his reflection before him. It has seemed like an eternity since he had arrived in Morrowind. He feels as though he actually fits in relatively well and has come to adapt to his new surroundings. His face has changed in the short year, signs of age begin to show on his face and his eyes have become bloodshot from the dust of the arena and lack of sleep.

The gondolier must have sensed to leave the warrior alone and leave him be. He simply dips the pole and pushes occasionally, hoping to get to Suran within a time acceptable to his idol.

“When you get to Suran Taillus you will immediately head to my shrine. It is located very close by and you should have no trouble finding it. The time of my summoning date will soon arrive and you will not miss it lest you befriend the pain in your mind.” Molag Bal whispers as Taillus lets his one unarmored hand fall into the water.

Taillus’ body and mind was sick and tired of fighting. He was exhausted from working his way to the top of the Arena in Vivec and his body rebelled deep inside of him knowing that there will be more strain to come. Who knows what will happen upon the summoning of Molag Bal. He knew he would have limited influence on the Mortal plane being summoned by one like himself but there must be a purpose. Unfortunately he would find out soon enough.

[Taillus]

The three men charge through the confusing and winding halls as they desperately try to escape the dangers of the Shrine. As the exit gets closer, they all gasp in horror as the ebony armored nightmare materializes out of thin air.

“Recall” Taillus breathes as he looks at the men, all paralyzed with fear. Taillus laughs maniacally as he gently raps the mace against his opened palm, walking towards the men.

"You disgrace Molag Bal by stealing from him and you disgrace me my not staying to view my coronation. You will suffer greatly for your insolence. It is time for you all to return to the depths of this shrine and accept your fate…"

Hours pass and each of the three adventurers are stood before the stone statue of Molag Bal and are tied by their own loot bags. Taillus gets ready as the day of the twentieth of Evening Star begins. He stands before the statue as he looks into the cold stone eyes of Molag Bal’s effigy.

Taillus as well as his prisoners watch in awe as the stone statue of Molag Bal begins to shine as if it was an enchanted sword. The shrine itself seems to come alive with evil activity as the summoning begins.

“It is time my lord and master! Come forth so that we can begin the harvest of souls! This marks the day of the twentieth of Evening Star so show yourself and guide me! Tell me what it is you wish of me!” Taillus shouts as the storm over head seems to increase with the tone of his voice.

A panel of the wall behind the large statue begins to stir, revealing a dark stairwell leading downward. Taillus looks up at the statue before passing around it and heading to the newly opened door. He places his armored hand on the wall waiting for instruction and waiting as well for any sign of a real, tangible Daedric Prince.

“The stairs my child. I will be with you shortly.” The voice of Molag Bal whispers but this time it is real. For once he could hear his master and it was not in his head. His prisoners can also hear the voice as they all look for Molag Bal. It sounds as though it is coming from a valid source and may confirm that Taillus was not a crazed Blight Victim at all.

As Taillus walks down a winding set of stairs things become clear to him. This was the scene from his dreams. This was the day that the Daedric Soul Gem would grace his person. The day has finally arrived where his hand may feel the warmth that the unknown artifact provided and will also be the day that signals the start of the massacre.

In his dreams, Taillus had witnessed many dremora climbing to grasp the gem but in his ignorance he knew not what the true sight would be like. In reality, the statue was that of about five daedroths all hoping that they could reach the gem. The carvings were almost true to life and considering that he once was up close and personal to one of those crocodile headed beasts, he himself would know of all people what one was to look like.

It was far more awe inspiring then what he saw in his dreams. A platform that held a large stone column was littered with stone daedroth carvings that were all reaching and straining in an attempt to grab the soul gem.

Taillus bounds down the spiral stone steps and walks towards the stone sculpture. He can hear the muffled screams of the three men above. He smirks as he gets closer and closer to the artifact that had been practically calling out his name for the longest time. Finally it would come into his possession.

The stone Daedroths crumble to life as the stone skin is replaced by the usual scaly green hides. Taillus dodges through them as they begin to move away giving him access. He scales the tall pillar and ends up on a thin ledge that lines him up, his eyes staring directly into the translucent black gem.

He quickly reaches out and grabs it as the sheer power throws him from the ledge. He assesses his location in the air and rights himself, landing on his feet stirring the dust below him.

The Daedroths bow around him as a scaly figure emerges from the darkness of the spiral stairs. The scaly, muscular body and dragon-like head makes it clear that he is in the presence of the true Molag Bal. He throws the three adventurers to the ground before him and crosses his arms in front of his chest.

“Kill these imbeciles Taillus. These will be the first souls to fuel your power! Their soul energies will charge your body making you more powerful then you ever have before. End their lives and the soul gem will take it from there!” Molag Bal barks still crossing his arms.

Taillus slides his large, ebony broadsword from his back and points it in the face of the man with the broken hands. The tip of the blade touches his nose causing a drop of blood to trickle down his face. The man shakes in fear as he closes his eyes. Taillus could feel the power of the gem throb in his hand.

Any sign of the merciful Taillus was vaporized by the evil that had completely taken over him and the power of the Daedric Soul Gem that was gripped tightly in his unarmored left hand. He wielded the heavy broadsword in his other hand, ready to use it to begin his harvest. At the word from Molag Bal, that fateful demanding order, Taillus swung the blade as easily as if it was a mere dagger. Screams of pain and horror were quickly ended as the heads of each man were severed.

White mists trail from the dead bodies and flow quickly into the gem, making a quick flash of light as each one gets consumed by evil. Taillus can feel their collective energies adding to his own as his muscles flex with strength. His eyes lose color and the whites can only be seen. Taillus had been completely taken over by Molag Bal and the terror would soon start.

“You have done well my young apprentice. This marks the joint deaths of every man woman and child in Morrowind. Be creative, be ruthless, be unforgiving but most of all, be relentless in making us more powerful then ever fathomed. This is your legacy Taillus. You will be written into the history books for this. Make me proud and you will have a seat beside me in Oblivion!” Molag booms as he slowly fades away.

The modest people of Suran say that the rain was tainted a blood red and the clouds were as black as death itself that night. The screams of Taillus’ first victims could be heard in the wind, sending chills down each and every villager’s spines.