Hero in Disguise, Chapter 6 Options

[Taillus]

Alright folks. This is going to be a pretty crazy Chapter. I hope I can surprise you at least a time or two before it gets done. Enjoy all.

CHAPTER 6

Voices? Am I dead? I can hear commotion around me, seeming frantic and scared. I can also sense some familiarity in the voices, perhaps some people who have also died that I once knew? People began calling my name as the unmistakable sound and feeling of healing spells began washing over me. Someone is trying to bring me back, someone saving me but who? How actually would be a better question. The only thing I can remember is watching Taillus fall after putting the amulet around his neck. Perhaps just a dream? I can’t be certain but one thing I do know for sure is that I must truly be alive because the pain of the grave wounds I must have suffered makes its presence known.

“Xander please wake up. You did it you know, you defeated Taillus and are living to talk about it. Please wake up, give us some sign that you are still with us. Your heart is beating and you are breathing so we know you survived, please wake up.” A familiar voice trembles as the feeling of someone touching my face tingles down my spine. I begin to open my eyes, or eye rather; finding myself resting on a bed in Frostcraig Spire. Around me was Aeriandala who was trying to make me drink a potent healing serum and to my complete and utter surprise, the Blue Lions! They were all here! The young Khajiit courier must have performed exceptionally well because they managed to make their way here in less than a day! That is impossible.

“H..how did you guys get here so fast?” I manage to wheeze, trying to sit up to see them all. It was suggested that I keep laying down considering my plethora of wounds and countless battered bones. I could see out of the corner of my good eye, my trusted friend and fellow member of the Lions smile softly before clearing his throat to speak. Lance, the best fighter that I have ever seen touches my good shoulder, patting it carefully.

“Xander you have been dead to the world for well over a month. We got here as soon as we could, following your message. We met up with one of Aeriandala’s allies who camped out by your side to make sure you were fed and had water until we arrived to help him bring you here. We all took our turns nurturing you back to health but you are still in pretty bad shape fearless leader.” Lance explains with a tone of sadness.

Lance was the definition of a good man. A caring friend who would throw his life on the line to save those he cared about and I have witnessed him doing such a thing countless times. The older Altmer was actually born under a different name but was nicknamed Lance seeing as how he was prodigal in his proficiency with pole weapons. He stood tall, fighting tears in the standard elite Lions armor. Thick silver chainmail under overlapping silver plates complete with a cloth drape colored royal blue and white showing off our faction’s logo.

All of the Lions wore the same armor, updated since I had seen them last making me proud that since we parted ways, we have yet to lose a single member. Our faction was tightly woven with each member caring for the others like siblings. It was the only way to ensure a completely flawless team.

“We will fill you in on everything soon enough but our first concern is to get you feeling better. We have the best healers in Cyrodiil here to help as much as they can and we will do what we can to fix the damages Taillus caused.” States Merin, my second in command. Merin is a fellow Battle mage and has stood beside me since day one. She is a beautiful Breton with fiery red hair that reached her shoulders unless pulled back into a neat and practical ponytail. She has a heart of gold and a fierce battle sense to boot. It was ironic for her to say that the best healers in Cyrodiil were here to help considering that her skills were exponentially better and we all knew it. Nevertheless, I was thankful and surprised at the turnout. I had no idea so many people were concerned about my health.

I could even see Dimir and Cerwin amongst the crowd. They had heard word through the grapevine and made their way to check on my status. I made sure I acknowledged their presence, making them both smile, slightly embarrassed. I was glad they had made the trip to see me because I had been thinking of them since I left Bruma. I was sure they also wanted to see if the rumors were true, to see if I had actually captured Taillus. Heck, I was wondering the same.

The rest of the Blue Lions took turns congratulating me on capturing Taillus who they inform me is in holding in the lowest part of the Spire. The amulet is keeping him at bay as expected in addition to the pillars that Aeriandala had set up around him, keeping his powers further stunted. I was so happy to see my crew, exactly as I remember them. It was refreshing to hear that they had been fighting to have me released from prison since the second I was incarcerated and had been trying to track me down without success for what seemed to them like ages.

Sadly, my pain was becoming far too intense and was forced to take an elixir to dull my pain and put me to sleep for a few more days; but now that I knew the Blue Lions were once again at my side, a certain level of peace washed over me, making me feel warm and comfortable.

I wanted to jump to my feet every morning for days but sadly, I was unable to even move. I wanted to hear the stories of each of my crew members but sadly, I was only awake for a few hours at a time. I felt so helpless but everyone was so very understanding that it would take me quite some time to be in working order again and without even hesitating for a second, they did what they could, sitting by my side and preying that I recover soon.

Finally after rehabilitation, healing programs, powerful magicka sessions and more I was finally able to get up and walk around on my own; well if you consider with the aid of a large staff being “on my own”. It was not until I did however, that I realized the extent of the damage Taillus caused me. I was most certainly blind in one eye, and in looking in the mirror revealed my damaged eye to be completely without color, and scarred from my hair line to the middle of my cheek; a deep, thin scar that will never go away, constantly reminding me of my loss to Taillus.

My right leg was so badly damaged that I would probably always walk with a pain filled limp, making me have to rely on this sturdy staff to help me walk. My left arm was as I feared, completely removed at the shoulder, leaving nothing behind. I was a fraction of the man I used to be. My hair was beginning to silver due to the shock of so many battles and my face was starting to age prematurely. I still looked fairly young, just a bit more…refined so to speak.

As I dressed in a robe provided for me, I decided to make my way to where my crew was gathered, they wanted to take me to see Taillus who had been held prisoner since we all came here. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him but they claimed that it would do me well, to complete my healing process.

Upon arriving to his holding area I realized that I had done more damage than I had previously anticipated. A deep, thick scar crossed diagonally down his chest where I stabbed him earlier and his body was burned from my magicka. He was completely helpless, sitting in only the black pants he wore when we battled. He was chained to a thick, icy, stone column with the amulet around his neck. His head was down, as if he had been looking at the floor but he had no choice due to the effects of the Prisoner of Greed. Five smaller pillars spanned a tight perimeter around him, each with a colored stone that was emitting a beam of light, holding him in place and draining his attributes. Until we could figure out how to kill him we would have to keep him here.

[Taillus]

Here is the next update in line. I hope I have given some a bit of time to catch up and I hope that you all enjoy the nice surprise lined up for you all. It has been a while in the making but overall I am really, really satisfied with the result. Tell me what you think

I wanted to get down to business as soon as possible, hoping to eradicate Taillus without delay. We all agreed that he was a giant threat to everyone and we were going to have to figure out something quite soon. I expressed my need to gather a few people together, the smartest minds in all of Cyrodiil who could come together and determine what it was that we all needed to do to get rid of this demon. Aeriandala claimed that she had a dear friend back in Vvardenfel that she could contact to aid us and I volunteered to gather some people I have come to trust over the time I have been in Cyrodiil.

Within only a few days, my Blue Lions with the exception of Merin were standing at attention, surrounding the large lobby of Frostcraig Spire while myself, Merin and Aeriandala introduced ourselves to the panel of other great minds before they introduced themselves to the table. I was confident that with the people that I had asked to join us for this little roundtable discussion, we would be able to determine our best course of action and after introducing myself, I motioned for the others to introduce themselves as well.

“My name is Hannial Traven and I am a dear friend to Xander Moorcroft. When I heard word that he needed my help with an urgent matter I rode here as quick as I possibly could. I am honored to meet you great minds and hope my skills as an accomplished mage, and Arcane University head of staff can be of use.” Hannial bows before taking a seat.

The others clap lightly in respect before slowly coming to silence before the next figure stepped into the light. He stood with two armored guards, making a small smile creep across my face. I knew who he was obviously but the others were going to be a tad surprised to say the least.

“My name is Martin. Martin Septim. I am the last living heir of the Septim bloodline and am here to aid my friend Xander as well. He was the man who tracked me down, telling me that my estranged father had been assassinated. I have been waiting for the chance to return his unfaltering kindness with an act of my own, I hope my knowledge of the Daedra as well as my experiences as of late dealing with the Oblivion gates as well as the Mythic Dawn can help you all today.” Martin states while metaphorically knocking everyone out of their chairs.

I knew that Martin’s presence here would blow everyone away but he has been a good friend to me and I do value his opinion. He had arrived before most others and came with a number of blades members who stood at Frostcraig’s entrance on patrol. These men both possessed incredible minds and I hope the friend that Aeriandala had arranged to visit us will prove of value as well.

I watched as a single figure stood from her seat beside Aeriandala. She wore an exquisite robe with a hood that covered her face. From what I could tell, she was a younger looking Dunmer woman with very attractive features. She had a tall wooden staff strapped to her back, partially hidden by the hood of her robe that seemed to overflow with magicka. Her silvery hair was tied back neatly with an emerald green ribbon to match her robe and she looked around the room before clearing her throat to speak.

“My name is Telina Delvanni and I am here to share my expertise with the mind arts. I am experienced in using the minds of others to my own advantage and would like nothing more than to help you out in trying to deal with the one you refer to as Taillus. I may be able to peer into his mind to tell us what is going on in there. Maybe killing him isn’t the right choice but I would be happy to help in any way.” The Dunmer states before taking her seat.

Aeriandala had made a very good choice in who she invited. This Telina woman may just have the answer we need without us even discussing our options. Perhaps there is a way that we can help Taillus instead of killing him. To have a man of his caliber aiding us would be a gift of the gods. I watched as the young Dunmer looked about the room, possibly sizing everyone up. I was beginning to think that she was peering into our minds as she waited for the discussions to begin, I guess when blessed with such a power, it would be unwise not to use it.

“That is correct Xander. One can never be too sure of another’s intentions. I am merely checking to see if I am working on the right side in this battle. Do not be afraid though, I can tell that all of these people are pure of heart, especially you.” A voice whispers inside my head catching me completely off guard. I break the trance-like state I was in to see Telina wink at me, knowing that she had messed with my train of thought.

The discussion begins with Hannial stating that any man capable of manhandling me, and slicing off my arm is far too dangerous to keep around. The table agreed but we also decided that he was working under an altered frame of mind. He was not himself and was the product of Molag Bal’s ill intentions. Hannial explains that with some work, he and the students of the Arcane University could find a way to create a blade that would easily take the man down. With enchantments strong enough to cut through his body with ease. It would be a bloody and violent alternative but he wanted no less for a man that has caused so much destruction, regardless of him being able to control his actions or not.

I decided to let the table battle it out for a while before getting myself involved. Maybe it was because I was already siding with Telina before she even had a chance to explain her plan. I was a tad biased and would rather see Taillus returned to a state previous to him being possessed. Even though he has caused me so much pain and has hindered me for the rest of my life. He could prove a valuable asset in helping us close the gates to Oblivion. I was beginning to think that maybe Martin Septim was thinking the same, he seemed totally uninterested in what Hannial was saying.

Finally Telina stood from her seat and faced Hannial. She shook her head lightly in disagreement before starting to speak.

“I would have expected a different approach from a man so highly appointed in the Arcane University. You speak as though you are running the Fighter’s guild. You of all people should know that violence gets us nowhere unless it is necessary. Right now, the man you speak of is being held forcefully against his will and he is helpless to fight back. If we all agree to kill him, does that make us any better than him? Killing a man who is completely and utterly helpless makes us as evil as him. I can peer into his mind. Anyone who has been taken by a Daedric Prince should still have a glimmer of his former self somewhere deep within his mind. Using a very powerful tactic, I can bring Xander with me in a journey into Taillus’ mind. We can find the real Taillus and set him free. It is dangerous, but we do have the time to try it. Taillus isn’t going anywhere right now.”

With that speech, Telina had the attention of the entire group. She was so perfectly correct, no one could argue at all. Taillus had been held there for ages now. He is not going anywhere so we might as well try this tactic before we just kill him off. I watch as Hannial sits back in his seat, realizing the err of his thoughts and listens to Telina’s plan.

“I will concentrate my magicka and take myself and Xander into Taillus’ mind. When we arrive, we will see sights created by Taillus’ subconscious as if we were in a dream. There we will try to find the true Taillus but the dangers are great. If we were to be killed in his mind, we would fail to return to our bodies. He technically will kill us if we lose to him in his own mind.” Telina explains.

I agree to the procedure and the rest of the table nods almost in unison, agreeing with the plan. We accept the risks and gather our resources, getting ready for a final battle with Taillus. At least this time, I was going to have some help but deep inside me, my old wounds began paining once again. To fight with Taillus, even in a dream-like state was something I never really planned on doing again. Telina assured me that he would be much weaker due to all of the enchantments but I wasn’t too sure.

In Taillus’ egotistical mind, he was more powerful than any other living thing. In his mind, he was stronger than gods. If we are about to square off in his head, he might just be stronger than he has ever been! I explain this to Telina but again she assures me that this will be much simpler than I imagined. Her confidence was a refreshing change but she still didn’t have me convinced. I looked at her before we entered Taillus’ mind and she told me telepathically not to be so uptight before smiling and looking to the fallen Taillus, ready for action.