Bloodlust - The Continuation, And the likely conclusion as well!!! Options

[The Metal Mallet]

Well, here's the link to the previous thread: Bloodlust - The Beginning

You can continue your praisings of my written words here. Expect an update next Saturday. I don't expect I'll get one out sooner. School starts again

[The Metal Mallet]

Wow, nearly a month since I last updated this. Sorry for the wait. Holidays and catching up certaintly takes away from my writing time unfortunately. Also, since I'm getting quite close to the epic conclusion of this story, I feel like I need to take my time with it in order to give it the justice it deserves. I don't want it to feel lackluster, so that might separation the frequency of my updates somewhat, but hopefully that won't be the case.

Well, enough of my prattling, here's today's update!



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As the days passed, Taris began to get more frustrated and anxious knowing that each day spent trying to break the enchantment on Silverbrand gave Simion more time to cause damage. For all he knew, Sethyas and the others could be dead, leaving him, a relative rookie, the job of finishing off Simion alone. Taris didn’t know if he could manage such a dire responsibility. Not without Sethyas there to encourage him.

Despite his anxiousness, Genille was firm about the fact that she had to take her time studying the weapon. Going too fast would likely end in tragedy, something she certainly wished to avoid and Taris was forced to comply with her wishes. He didn’t have to be happy about it though.

His time spent in Sadrith Mora had now fell into a routine based around Genille. Every morning, he would pop into Genille’s for an update on the situation. Following that, Taris would either browse the shops or taverns around town. He would eat all of his meals with Genille, which he thought was an effective way to make sure she didn’t harm herself. Not once did he stop by the Morag Tong Guildhouse. He wouldn’t be able to handle the questions about the current situation should he visit his Guildhall.

One particular afternoon, Taris decided to head to the beach coast to seek some change in scenery. Genille had said at lunch that she thought she was close to making a breakthrough in her studies but warned Taris to not get too optimistic. Perhaps his visit to the coast would help settle the rising anticipation.

A salty breeze gently blew around Taris as he stared off at the waves lightly lapping against the beach. Taris couldn’t help but wonder why life couldn’t be like the tides: constant, unyielding, and predictable. Things would be much simpler; not a complex mess like things currently appeared to be.

Yet Taris knew that life could never be like that. Sure, some things were fated to be, else why would the Gods exist? But outside divinity, life was unpredictable. Youngsters aspiring to be warriors and soldiers become bakers or politicians after receiving their first injury. The rich merchant suddenly goes bankrupt after a major investment collapses. Nothing in this world is easy and consistence. Else, everyone would survive life late into his or her lives. Life was meant to be hard and difficult to manage. People were meant to persevere through their obstacles and overcome their problems. That was what Taris decided to do.

Taris jumped as a hand lightly placed itself on his shoulder. Turning abruptly around, Taris found himself staring into the wide eyes of Genille.

Taris eased down. “Sorry Genille. One in my profession can get edgy when someone manages to sneak up on them,” he said apologetically.

Genille, no longer wide-eyed, answered back. “I didn’t intend to sneak up on you.”

Was I that lost in my thoughts? Taris thought. Sethyas would kill me for such folly… It seems that this mission has really done a number on me…

“Do not worry about it, Genille. I’ve been out of sorts lately due to all this Silverbrand business and whatnot,” Taris said tiredly as he ran his hands across his face.

“Well I have some good news for you then,” Genille said smiling, “I believe I’ve solved your problem.”

The exhaustion and apprehension immediately drained from Taris’ face. “You have? That’s great!” he said, elated.

Genille’s smile widened and she began to head back to town, beckoning the assassin to follow her. Taris readily complied with the Altmer, so eager was her to find out how to end this madness that had been plaguing Kvatch.

The two elves entered Genille’s shop and Taris saw that the blade had been left on the table. Genille pulled out a seat for herself and indicated that Taris should take one as well. The two took their seats and Genille pulled the blade closer to her; she fixed the blade with a calculating gaze.

“So… How do we get rid of the manifestation?” asked after a few moments. Genille had yet to start since it appeared that she was going over her thoughts.

Genille lifted her eyes from the blade to Taris. A hard, determined look greeted him. “This isn’t going to be easy, I’ll tell you that much,” she said sternly.

“Well I can’t give up now. I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Taris said with conviction, returning the determined look to the enchanter.

Genille nodded. “Good. This is what I’ve figured out. The blade and its enchantment are key factors in getting rid of the manifestation within Simion. In order to destroy the manifestation, the blade must rejoin with the enchantment. In other words, Silverbrand has to be piercing the flesh of Simion, just coated in his blood is not enough given the circumstance that removing a manifestation is tougher then getting one. That’ll be the tough part. Once that is done, the enchantment stone must then be broken.”

“Enchantment stone?” Taris asked, completely ignorant of the term.

“Basically, an enchantment stone is the result of the reverse process of enchanting. The removal of an enchantment back into a soul gem. Thing is, the soul gem turns to stone and becomes useless. Only a few limited enchanters know how to even perform such a feat. Fortunately for you, Eddie knows the only enchanter capable of doing this on Vvardenfell,” she said grinning.

Taris looked around the shop. “So where’s the enchantment stone for Silverbrand?”

Genille’s expression turned serious once more. “I have yet to perform that feat. I need you here to look after me since I have no idea how the enchantment will react to me removing it. This is the other tough part,” she said with a grim smile.

Taris nodded. “I can do that.”

Genille took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She opened them and resolve replaced the worry she displayed earlier. “Time to get this over and done with then. I suggest you give me some room,” she said, nodding towards the chair by the exit, “Lock the door while you’re at it.”

Taris went and locked the door, all the while the tension seemed to build in the room. Finally, he had a goal to reach for. Yet, for it to even be considered, Genille needed to make this happen. There was nothing he could do for her but give her support and protection. Hopefully that would be all she needed.

“Good luck, Genille,” Taris said kindly.

Genille smiled to Taris before setting her intention the Silverbrand. She cupped her hands over the blade and closed her eyes in concentration. To her right rested a Grand Soul Gem, an object that could hold the mightiest and most powerful souls.

It didn’t much time before Taris could hear a faint hum originating from Genille’s hands. A dark red miasma began to seep from the cracks of her fingers. The hum began to rise in pitch and black flashes of anti-light began to complement the red miasma. Taris could then see that Genille was shaking in exertion, sweat was rapidly forming across her brow. Taris began to edge out of his seat, worried for the safety of the enchanter but almost instinctively, Genille shook her head. It was as if she was in tuned with her surroundings, yet she did not need to use her eyes to do so.

Taris felt relieved for a few minutes as he carefully watched the shaking Genille for signs of danger. It was then that he began to hear a searing sound rising above the hum. Genille’s hands were burning.

“Genille!” Taris cried, rising out of his chair.

The Altmer began to shake her head furiously, even though her face was contorted in pain. She still wanted to go on. Now the entire table was shaking and the black essence had completely taken over the red miasma and began to hover over Genille’s head. Taris stood conflicted between letting Genille have her way or ending the pain she was going through.

“Genille! Just hang on!” he urged, “I think you’ve almost got it!”

The black essence was slowly being sucked into the soul gem and as it did the extremity of the situation seemed to lessen. First the rumbling went away, and then Genille’s hands were no longer being burnt. Finally, the last cloud of the black essence seeped into the soul gem and instantly the crystal turned to stone. Genille collapsed against her table, her body shuddered as she tired to regain her breath.

Taris wrapped his arms around the Altmer and held her close. “You did it Genille! You made an enchantment stone!” he whispered into her ear.

“Could you… perhaps… see to my… hands please?” she managed to gasp out before she started struggling to chuckle.

Taris distanced the embrace. “Oh yes! Of course! Your hands,” he said dumbfounded before cursing his thoughtlessness.

Genille sat weakly in her chair as she watched Taris bustle around for an ointment or potion. “It’s all right Taris. I’m going to be ok.”