A New Sun Rises - Maxical's Adventures, The Truth Behind The Oblivion Crisis Options

[mALX]

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@ King Of Beasts - Thank you so much KOB! Don’t feel too sorry for Janus, his interest in Maxical is tied up in Amiela’s soul being inside her too. I’m putting you on my payroll, you drew in more comments than my chapter did, lol! You had me rolling with your comments, thanks again KOB!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! I'm glad you and KC picked up on that ego thing. Everyone that knows Maxical should feel a little pause there, because it doesn't sound like her. It isn't. She is becoming malleable to Malan's nature without realizing it. Thank you so much again Acadian!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thanks for answering that for KOB, I didn’t know the answer, lol.

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@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC, and most especially for that awesome gift - the drawing from Juliana! I love it! I love what you said about "could they trust her either way" - what a great point! Thank you so much again, KC!

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@ Elisabeth - Thank you so much Elisabeth! ROFL! Gee, and he was so well behaved in this chapter! (Just kidding!) Lol.

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! …“humping and braying”…SPEW! ROFL! That ruined my monitor, lol. Thank you so much again, Grits!

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@ Lycanthropic-Legend - Thank you so much LL! You had me choking laughing with your comment, but you also honed in on some key things Malan is up to. Thank you so much again, LL!

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@ EVERYONE -

PLOT UPDATE:

Maxical:

** Maxical doesn’t realize it, but she’s becoming malleable to Malan's nature.



The Nature:

** The nature's first duty is supposed to be to itself (which means the ancient); then to bind and protect the union between the ancient and the chosen (bonding the chosen to itself).

But that poaching trick Malan pulled + being split-aparts (One nature divided between two bodies) has left Malan's nature in a turmoil, confused and off balance. When in doubt the nature protects the sacred chosen first, and at all costs.


** Malan’s own nature has started turning on him.

* It is defending Maxical against Malan because Malan is plotting against her.

* The nature is also siding with Janus (who hates Malan) because Janus
accepted Maxical as his chosen (and the nature belongs to him too).


Janus:

** Because of that poaching trick + being Malan’s split-apart (One nature divided between two bodies), Janus is being drawn into the battle between Malan, Maxical, Amiela, and the nature.

Janus's interest in Maxical is mixed between Amiela’s soul inside her and Maxical being his accepted chosen. Since Malan used that trick poaching, that remains unchanged for Janus.

** With the nature divided: when Malan is strong, Janus is weak (and vice versa).

* Janus's rage at Malan + letting his nature out more often is making him stronger.

* In Malan's weak moments - Janus can take control of the nature (and he hates Malan).



Malan:

** Being split-aparts: When Malan is weak, Janus is strong (and vice-versa)

* Malan is weakening himself with those 'kisses of fire'.

* Hannibal's tome was right, the ancient is seeking that spell to his own detriment, Malan just
doesn't realize it yet.


** The nature has begun turning on Malan.

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This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 18 2013, 04:34 AM

[mALX]

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Chapter 190: Malan’s Nature


Malan’s nature taught me how to read Malan behind the masked expressions in his eyes and blanked mind. Despite all the affectionate touches and playfulness was detachment. Detachment from me.

There was only one answer why; Amiela. All those tender caresses were meant for Amiela inside me, not me…but I was the one feeling them. Worse, I craved his affection and didn‘t even know why. It was a weakness in me I couldn’t fathom, especially knowing what he planned for me.

Then the answer struck me with a chill. Malan’s nature. How had it slipped by my defenses? It must have changed tactics, sought and found my weaknesses to exploit. But how much of a foothold did it have in me…and would it still be my ally now that it did, or turn me over to Malan?

I glanced up and realized Malan was watching me closely. Dear gods I hope he hadn’t read my thoughts. I babbled out the first thing that popped into my head.

“Malan, please let Uriel’s last months be in peace.“

“Don’t worry your little cat head about what I’m doing.“

“I have to Malan. Once you step outside my bedroom, you stop being the Arbiter I’m under the jurisdiction of. I’m sworn to kill you or any of your army I see in this Palace.”

“You’re laying with your back to Dagoth-Malan and throwing challenges at him without even turning around first?”

“It’s the nature of the beast. You have yours, and I have mine“ I rolled over and looked at Malan surprised. “What was exciting about that?”

“You. You’re fearless Lass, tossing that gauntlet over your shoulder at me. Battle is in my blood, I chose that line because battle excites them. We’re gladiators, live for it. You could be one of us.”

“I can see it now, a giant cat. Imagine the size of sandbox I would need?”

“SNORT!”

“SHH!”

“You‘ve a cunning mind, Lass. It‘s exciting to see it in action.”

“I can tell.” I rolled away from him and sat up before he got ideas. “No, Malan.”

Malan raised his brows in such surprise that I had to avert my eyes before the ludicrous shock on his face could soften my resolve. They fell on the vial of my virgin blood, and I picked it up, staring dumbly at it. Why had I taken it? I wouldn’t have. Malan’s nature had done it. Dear gods, can it control my actions without me knowing?







***


“What’s going on in that cat head of yours, Lass?”

“I can’t, not here. You can’t teach the mysteries here, they’d be overheard. I can’t just cavort with you for fun, Malan. You‘re an enemy to the throne.“

As ashamed of myself as it made me, I heard regret in my voice. A glance at Malan’s eyes showed he’d heard it too. I turned red as a tomato, averting my eyes back onto the vial in my hands.

“Ah, I see. Unless I’m teaching the mysteries you’re consorting with the enemy, is that it?”

I nodded without looking up.

“Come then, Lass. Dagoth-Malan has his duties as Arbiter before him, I’ll have you back by morning. It’ll be like a date, romantic. Theryon has a nice pool that‘s never had a cat in it, we‘ll go for a moonlight swim.”

“A moonlight swim! That pool is indoors, you showed it to me already. You‘re trying to trick me by being charming.”

Malan cupped my chin in his hand and raised my face to his. His eyes were lit with amusement. “You find me charming, do you? Nae Lass, no trick. Dagoth-Malan feels the loss of freedom we had at Theryon with the same regret you do. Things we can’t do here, we can there; and the rest of your mysteries must be taught.” He raised his eyebrows twice like Eyja does.

My face flushed. Malan reminded me of Gils at times like this, somehow managing to come across as charming despite how obvious the direction his flirting was headed. Malan’s ridiculously mobile facial expressions made him even worse.

The worst part of this was, I wanted to go to Theryon with him…wanted what we’d been doing to continue. Even knowing what I did of him, his plans to use me as a body to house Amiela…why?

As I sat gazing at Malan’s grotesquely misshapen face the answer came. The circle inside me moved, and in the next instant his nature flooded through my heart. Malan’s nature had taken over.

Now that I realized it, I knew it was true. I could feel it coursing through me, engulfing and suffocating my will to keep fighting against it. Dear gods, would it stay on my side or play me into Malan’s hands?






***


Malan was closely watching my eyes with a slow smile spreading across his face. Had he read my thoughts? The fear that Malan’s nature might turn me over to him was overwhelming. I pushed against his hand on my chin.

“Uriel won’t let me leave again, Malan. I’ve my own duties for him to fulfill. I‘ll have to wait for the rest of my mysteries now, and then…we can’t ever meet again, it’ll have to be over between us.”

If I thought he’d protest it, I was wrong. Malan leaned his back against the wall, “As you say, Lass. If you change your mind, I’m but a thought away.”

“Janus said that before too. I don’t know what that means.”

“Think something, I’ll tell you what you thought.”

“Geez, that’s kind of putting me on the spot, like a pop quiz or something. Give me a second…”

“How can coming up with a thought be a test?”

“I don’t do a lot of thinking, you know. OH! Here’s one! I had a bottle of Janus’s juices to keep Azura’s seal from burning. It’s gone, it disappeared while you had me at Theryon the first time. I was going to ask you for some, and a bottle to put them in.”

“How is that thinking something? You just said the whole, Lass!“

“Oh. Sorry. But I do need those juices.”

“Sorry, Lass. Can’t have my chosen drinking another vampire’s juices. I’ll keep you supplied with my own.”

“Thank…er, hey wait. Won’t you need me with you to put them in a bottle?”

Malan raised his brows. “Ah, but you said we couldn’t meet. I was going to have young Eyja transfer it to the bottle for you.”

I gaped. “NO! They are illegal, no one can know I use them!”

“Can’t be providing illegal services here, Lass. You’ll have to come to Theryon for them.” He raised his eyebrows twice at me again.

“I’ll have to ask Uriel if I can leave for one night.”

“Only one night! Won’t you need to return for more juices?”

“Not if Hannibal has any scrolls, I’ll duplicate.”

“Dagoth-Malan is an excellent pickpocket. If Traven has scrolls, he won’t have them for long.”






***


Malan’s nature was burning through me like a fire now, and Malan knew it. His eyes reflected certainty, anticipation. I fidgeted nervously with the vial in my hands. The look in his eyes…dear gods, was he calling Amiela out to take over my body?

Panic surged into my throat suffocating the breath, my stomach lurched in rhythm with a heart straining to squeeze the instantly cortisol-thickened blood from it. Fear held me paralyzed, when every instinct in me screamed to run. Would I be lost forever if I didn‘t act?

The nature’s power suddenly intensified into a savage force inside me, wrenching my willpower in a fierce battle for control. I felt my last grip on it slipping under the brutal assault, and then Malan’s nature flooding through me. It was no longer my actions or words. Malan’s nature had completely taken over.

Without hesitation Malan’s nature popped the cork on the vial, tipping it with a jerk so my blood splashed into the air. Instantly the concentration was broken in Malan’s eyes. They bulged toad-like following the droplets as the spray landed on my chest in tiny trails that snaked down my sternum.

“That’s your sacred blood! What are you doing, Lass?”

I breathed relief. That look of concentration...I'd seen it that night at the Temple of the One. Malan was trying to reach Amiela, bring her out permanently. His own nature had just saved me. It was still my ally. His nature must have known what Malan was planning when it made me take the vial of my blood. I set the vial down, glancing up into his eyes.

“Read my mind.” I held an image in my head of my middle finger raised at him.

Before he could the sound of screaming and shrieking came from outside the room.

“AAAAH! I’M BLIND…HELP!”









***


I leaped up, sliding the bolt and barely cracking the door to peek out. It was Janus, completely nude and running around in circles shrieking. Malan eased in behind me, peering over the top of my head.

“What in blazes is wrong with the lad?”

“I…I’m not sure. Can you heal his eyes?”

“Dagoth-Malan will be less welcome than the pain he’s feeling, Lassie. Let Traven heal him, look here he comes out now.”

“Not again! For the gods sake, Hassildor! What’s gotten into you!” Hannibal grabbed Janus and pushed him none too gently down onto the hall bench. “Sit down! You could have at the least put a robe on!”

“Again? Why would he…” I felt horribly guilty.

Malan silently shut the door and slid the bolt back. “You going to tell Dagoth-Malan what you did to the lad?”

“Er…nothing, I’ve been in here with you. Eyja did it.”

“Did what?”

“How should I know? Er…can’t you read his mind?”

“What he’s thinking is that he can’t tell Traven anything without admitting he’s been letting his nature out right here in the Royal Chambers, Lassie. Uriel’s Law.”

“Your nature is out here, what’s the difference?”

“I’m considered a rogue, Lass. I’ve no public seat to lose, nor on the Diplomatic Immunity program. Hassildor has a lot to lose.”

“Oh.”

“The guilt is writ’ all over you, now spill.”

“I do feel horribly guilty, Malan. But it’s his own fault.”

Malan waved his hand in a circular motion, signaling me to continue.






***


“He wanted to try the ‘kiss of fire’, asked if the juices were spit into the eyes. I said ‘something like that‘. I guess he tried it, more than once from what Hannibal said.”

“BWAAHAA! Why didn’t you tell him?”

“SHH! Janus would teach it to every prostitute in Cyrodiil. That kiss is a special bond between us in our private moments. It’s my secret, and for my mate only…huh? What was exciting about that?”

“You, protecting our union. You’re a warrior, Lass.”

“Oh…er, quit Malan.“ I pulled away before he could get too motivated by my blinding Janus.

He pulled me back to him, raising his voice. “JUICES IN ME EYES, LASS! NOTHING COMPARES!“

“SHH! Stop that! I feel guilty enough!”

“Kiss me with a mystery or I’ll say again.” He grinned wickedly.

“You’re rotten, Malan!”

“JUICES IN ME EYES! NOW, LASS!”

“Malan!”

“Kiss then.”

“Catch me if you want one then.” I ran, darting around the ell in the room and knocking things down behind me to trip him up.

Malan’s speed took my breath, he moved like a feral leopard in graceful leaps over any obstructions I tossed as I ran. He would be a devastating enemy to try and flee from, caught me in no time and took more than the kiss he originally sought.






***


It was realms different than any of our previous mating, and without the use of mysteries on either of our part. His passion was greater…and louder than it had ever been before. No doubt I would take some ribbing from Eyja and Uriel over it.

“That battle line you chose…” I put my hand up with the thumb raised and flagged it forward in the Arena sign for ’good move’.

“Now you’ve gone and done it, Lass. Dagoth-Malan will be looking for your challenge every time I come to you for my mating from now on.”

“I’m a step ahead of you, Malan. I’ve already made a list of challenges to use.”

“BWAAHAAA! HURRY, PUT THE JUICES IN MY EYES!”

“Malan! You are terrible! I should do it so you’ll stop that! And quit making that downtrodden face, too. You’re the biggest ham!”

Malan propped himself up on one arm, stroking my cheek in a gentle caress with the fingers of his other hand. “Your sacred blood, Lass; centuries old I am, you brought Dagoth-Malan something he’s never known.”

“Your nature is jammed full of ideas to please you in ways you’ve never known. It said your palate was jaded.”

“Aye Lass, that‘s truth. Blood and women come easy for Dagoth-Malan. It palls when centuries pass with nothing new to feel, or taste. Ancients need the chosen, a love greater than the time that is passing; and who our own nature gives the ideas to spark the palate to life again.”

“That’s me, Malan. Your nature is inside me, I’m the one it will give the ideas to. But we’ll end once my mysteries are taught. When you stuff Amiela into another, you’ll have her but no nature sparking your palate. She’ll never give you what I can.”



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This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 21 2013, 02:41 AM

[Acadian]

“I can’t, not here. You can’t teach the mysteries here, they’d be overheard. I can’t just cavort with you for fun, Malan. You‘re an enemy to the throne.“
As ashamed of myself as it made me, I heard regret in my voice. A glance at Malan’s eyes showed he’d heard it too. I turned red as a tomato, averting my eyes back onto the vial in my hands.’
So much here! And captured so well by your masterful quill.

“I don’t do a lot of thinking, you know.”
Oh, poor Maxical! Even if she does underestimate herself.

Janus spitting his own juices in his own eyes! Priceless!

What a complex web you have woven! Some of the implications really began to come to light at the end of this episode. It seems as if a relevant admonishment to Malan could be, ‘Be careful what you ask for.’

[Elisabeth Hollow]

I lost it everytime Malan went "SPIT THE JUICES IN MY EYES!"

XD

Sigh. I was hoping Maxical would keep the nature from taking her over, but at least it's on "her" side.

[King Of Beasts]

“AAAAH! I’M BLIND…HELP!”


I leaped up, sliding the bolt and barely cracking the door to peek out. It was Janus, completely nude and running around in circles shrieking. Malan eased in behind me, peering over the top of my head.

I laughed so hard at this that my side started hurting and I almost dropped the laptop

If I had seen that, I would have died of laughter and my body would still be laughing. Thank god I wasn't drinking or eating anything. I would have had to repair my computer.

Maxical needs to watch out, she's very vulnerable right now.

I can't help but wonder...

What the hell is going through Malan's mind thorought all of this,

And what the hell is he planning to do with Uriel?

Don’t feel too sorry for Janus, his interest in Maxical is tied up in Amiela’s soul being inside her too.

He's so bad at trying to win Maxical that it's sad, and I can only feel pity for the poor guy.....

A bit.....

Gee, and he was so well behaved in this chapter! Lol.

Well behaved? Since when is Malan...."well behaved"?

When he's acting nice its a pretty good idea to be suspicious.....

Or suffer the consequences of your reckless actions

And about punching Malan in the mouth.....no. Just no. That's not a cruel enough punishment.

Now if you take a taser and shock him with that.....that seems a bit more painful...

Unless he's immune to electrocution

Now off I go.....to plot horrible ways to torment Malan

EDIT: This question is slightly off-topic but....

If you we to take a pair of pliers, and pull a vampire's fangs out with them....

Would the fangs grow back?

“Read my mind.” I held an image in my head of my middle finger raised at him.

This post has been edited by King Of Beasts: Jan 20 2013, 02:02 AM

[King Coin]

This nature isn’t something you can fight forever. It’ll get in as Maxical has learned. I am glad to see that, despite the nature bending her feelings, she realizes that Malan is not her friend. It’s still not pleasant seeing her crave his attention.

I glanced up and realized Malan was watching me closely. Dear gods I hope he hadn’t read my thoughts.
“What’s going on in that cat head of yours, Lass?”
“Think something, I’ll tell you what you thought.”

There are times where I wonder if he’s having difficulty reading her mind, and other times where I know he heard everything perfectly.
“AAAAH! I’M BLIND…HELP!”
What an idiot! At least his idiocy provided a distraction. I didn’t like where that was going before, and this sidelined the whole thing.

[mALX]

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@ EVERYONE - It just was brought up to me that I didn't make a few things clear in this chapter, want to clear them up here.

The nature knew Malan was planning to try to reach Amiela and bring her out permanently - that's why it made Maxical take that blood, and why it opened it.

The nature knows Malan can't think/plot while smelling virgin blood. That's why it dumped it into the air, so he would be overwhelmed by the scent and distracted by the surprise of Maxical's action in doing that.

The nature had her pour the blood on her so Malan would not be able to concentrate whenever he got near Maxical. (remember, Malan always gets that "concentrating" look on his face whenever trying to bring Amiela out - just like he did that night in the Temple of the One).

The nature was protecting Maxical, because technically Malan would be killing her by bringing Amiela out permanently.


** EDIT: I edited that passage so the meaning is clearer. My fault, I was watching my word count, lol.

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 19 2013, 11:39 PM

[Grits]

There was only one answer why; Amiela. All those tender caresses were meant for Amiela inside me, not me…but I was the one feeling them. Worse, I craved his affection and didn‘t even know why. It was a weakness in me I couldn’t fathom, especially knowing what he planned for me.

I thought this was chilling. Like recognizing an addiction.

“Don’t worry your little cat head about what I’m doing.“

Condescending prick. I’m really steamed!

As ashamed of myself as it made me, I heard regret in my voice. A glance at Malan’s eyes showed he’d heard it too. I turned red as a tomato, averting my eyes back onto the vial in my hands.

This was such an uncomfortable moment to experience with Maxical. She has really been coming into her own and has such tremendous spirit. Her shame was painful!

“Read my mind.” I held an image in my head of my middle finger raised at him.

Woo hoo! That was awesome after the very tense blood-spilling part. You gave just the right amount of explanation, even I knew what was going on with your additions.

Then oh my goodness, the eyes!! That was hysterical. That horndog Janus trying to out-lust Malan! And Eyja!! I can’t believe she tried it the second time!

I love how things came together in this chapter with very serious danger to Maxical and yet it also had one of my favorite hilarious parts.

“Not again! For the gods sake, Hassildor! What’s gotten into you!”

[McBadgere]

Does sound like Maxical's having more fun than she'll admit to herself...Nature or not... ...

I wish Malan'd stop refering to himself in third-person though...Robert is finding it irratating... ...

Fair dues, I really never know what to expect next (except brilliance of course )...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[Darkness Eternal]

Malan. I love you. And Maxical too and all of the shananigans going through her cat head.

This Chapter: Of naked Janus Horny Hassildor, Juices in me eyes Malan, and nature-fighting Maxical, this chapter was wonderful. She's matured a great deal, I've noticed.

“I can’t, not here. You can’t teach the mysteries here, they’d be overheard.

Considering everyone always eavesdropes, I can't help but agree with him. I do thing it's amusing how he refers to himself as "Dagoth-Malan.", hehe. I love it how his craving(virgin blood) proves to be his ultimate weakness, as plotting and scheming is what makes Malan a strong. Through his intelligent and sharp mind, he can change things to his benefit and the disadvantage of others.

Malan

Nits:
"Hs nature must have known what Malan was planning when it made me take the vial of my blood."

I believe you missed a single letter in the first word

[mALX]

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Your comment absolutely made my day, and I loved the “beware what you ask for” - very fitting! Thank you so much again, Acadian!

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@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so much, Elisabeth! Lol, on the spitting juices - I got a kick out of everyone’s reactions to that, lol. Yeah, Maxical just got through assuring Uriel she was safe and then lost it. Thank you so much again, Elisabeth!

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@ King Of Beasts - Thank you so much KOB! SPEW! Your comment had me dying! You are right about her being vulnerable. She is def in way over her head with Malan. Vampire fangs - don’t know about that, Darkness Eternal is who I turn to with any vampire questions. Thank you so very much KOB!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! I have to agree with you, he reads her mind a lot more than she remembers to blank it. Thank you so much again, KC!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! Your kind words are so appreciated! I lost my keyboard on the “Horndog Janus” - ROFL!

Eyja - Eyja doesn’t care what the job is, as long as the pay is good. She’ll do it as many times as Janus pays her to.

To quote what Eyja said the first day she met Maxical, she will “steal all Nirn, lay it, then murder it if there’s enough gold in it.”

Thank you so very much again, Grits!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! You are right. As much as it shames her to admit it, she is enjoying mating (even if it is with Malan). Thanks again, McB!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much DE! I have to agree with you, Malan is a blast to write for. Talking about himself in 3rd person - I kind of thought that suited his personality really well, lol.

Thank you so much for that nit! I totally missed that, and so appreciate you caught it!


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[mALX]

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Chapter 191: The Nightmare


Janus said the nature would turn my heart toward Malan as powerfully as a bloodlust, but instead it was growing inside me a deep love for itself. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

Malan’s nature was protecting me against even Malan himself, at least for right now. That wasn’t supposed to happen either. The nature’s first defense is always to itself, then the union. Since Malan placed his nature in me without making me his chosen, there was no union.

Obviously that poaching trick had the nature off balance, it was wavering between acting as if it belonged to me and embarrassingly overt attempts at manipulating Malan into creating the union that would stabilize it.

Malan’s nature belonged to Janus too, and hadn‘t he said he accepted Amiela as his chosen…or was that me, since she’s been inside me all this time?

I felt an ominous awareness that Amiela was the central force between the three of us. All of us sharing Malan’s nature, only a wall dividing us. It was like juggernauts on a collision course that would end with me…or end me.







***


“What’s got into you, Lass? You’ve been out of sorts since coming back to the Palace, talking of us ending since we got here. Next minute you’re flinging your sacred blood around like catfish bait, now you’re fighting to keep me. What brought all this on, Maxical?”

Malan had a downtrodden look on his face that matched the tone in his voice, but with Malan I couldn‘t tell if he was putting it on deliberately to con me. My tail stilled its stroking on Malan while I tried to think how best to answer.

“I don’t know, Malan. I think it’s your nature doing it all, but…maybe some of it is me too. Malan, there’s only three mysteries left before your duties as Arbiter end, then we‘ll have nothing. What happens then? I don’t know where I stand, what you want with me.”

“Where does Dagoth-Malan stand?”

“I’m torn, Malan. I’m not cut out for a double life. I mean, at Theryon everything felt timeless. It felt like nothing existed but us, it was fun being with you there. Here I can’t forget you seek the throne, I have to know what is going on.”

“You said the decision would be mine; when my Arbiter duties ended either stay together or part ways. You making the decision for me now?”

“Yes…no. I don’t know.”

“Tell me this then, Lass. What do you want?”

“You, us…our union. Your nature is inside me, I belong to you now. I’m growing attached to you, and the mysteries too; craving what we have together. Through two husbands, you’re the only man I’ve ever mated. It’ll always be you I'll think of, I don’t want to be with anyone else. I don‘t know how we can stay together, but I don’t want it to end.”

“The mysteries create followings for a reason, Lass. You saw that with your man Fathis. It doesn’t have to end, you want to keep what we have then?”

“But what do you want with me?” I glanced up at Malan and was startled to find him watching me closely, that same intense look of concentration on his face he‘d had earlier.

Inside me a roiling of dread began. Surely he wasn’t trying to reach Amiela, bring her out while we lay together still bathed in the sweat of mating?

The minute I thought that, Malan’s nature rose up in me like a feral demon about to do battle. I didn’t know if it was fueling my temper or I was rousing its. For that moment it felt like we’d combined forces. My hair felt like it may spontaneously combust any second as I sat up, searching Malan’s eyes.

Malan gaped, his eyes bulging ludicrously in astonishment when he saw the look in mine. “What’s on that mind of yours now, Lass?”

“That trick you used poaching me, Malan. You didn’t make me your chosen, but the nature you placed inside me thinks I am. It’s protecting what we have, our union; because the one you had with Amiela is dead. You can’t have us both, Malan.”

“What are you saying, Lass?”

“I’m saying Amiela is a threat to our union. The deeper I feel for you, the more powerful in me the drive is to eliminate…“ I choked that back, trying to get control of my tongue.

A genuine shock reflected in his eyes that he struggled to cover quickly with a bland look.

Dear gods, he really hadn’t realized that would happen.

***


For a split second I felt sick inside, wished I hadn’t told him. I’d already suspected he’d lied about wanting to make me his chosen properly, but to have it proven meant…if he lied about that, what other lies did he tell that day? Fathis’s soul? I couldn’t stand even the thought that he had lied about that.

Malan’s nature had become savage within me, igniting my own temper into fairly spitting my words at Malan.

“I knew it! You never wanted to make me your chosen properly, did you? What else was lies, your vows? If all you want is a bodysack with mysteries for housing Amiela, best shop the graveyards for Dunmer widows. You’ll never have mine except with me; and don‘t forget your nature lives in me now too. It won’t let you take it from me or give it to another, or didn’t you think of that either? Now you owe me the rest of my mysteries, Arbiter. Then we part ways.”

Malan looked stunned. “Now what burr got under that cat tail of yours, Lass? One minute you’re sweet-talking me about love, the next I could chill wine with your voice! Ah, ladies time is it? Dagoth-Malan understands. Come, let me sooth your ill mood.”

“Huh? What are you talking about, ladies time? What’s that?”

“Didn’t you learn these things in school? Dagoth-Malan knows how you lassies get when this time comes…” I cut him off mid sentence.

“NO! Dagoth-Malan is changing the subject, that‘s what‘s going on! And don‘t make any of your cute faces either!”

“You back to sweet-talking now? Calling Dagoth-Malan cute? Never heard that before.”

“You’re not cute! I said your face! ARGH!”

“You leave me speechless Lass!”

“I doubt that. I want the truth, Malan. I laid my cards on the table for you right from the start; you always knew I wouldn’t do that for you. So why are you still here? Why did you stick your nature in me?”






***


I could have spit with rage at myself for the tears that started making their way down my cheeks and my damn voice breaking as I continued.

“I feel like I’m hanging in a balance and you hold the weight that will tip it. You owe me the rest of my mysteries, but…I don’t want to learn them from you if you’re just using me for your plots. This is all one-sided and I don‘t like it.”

“Is that what this is about? Lass, we spent the last week at Theryon and could have done it up proper any time. I told you I was ready, ‘twas you said to wait till the mysteries were taught. Ancient protocol forbids us to take unwilling chosen, the okay has to come from you. I had to wait because you said to.”

Malan raised his hand to swear the truth of his next words, stunning me speechless. “I give you my word, it’ll be done proper the next time we go to Theryon.” His voice rang true, he wasn‘t lying.

I stared dumbly at his raised hand. Did he mean it? Was I wrong about him? My hand slowly reached up to clasp his.

Oh crap, what have I done.

***


As my lips were brushing Malan’s in the vow, the sound of a slamming door and Janus cursing jarred my already jangled nerves. I jumped nearly through my skin. Malan snorted.

“Don’t eat yourself up in guilt over the lad, think of it as revenge for what he did to your man Fathis.”

“What do you mean?”

“That spell he put on Fathis that made him impotent. Didn’t you wonder why Fathis couldn’t raise his sword with you?”

Stunned, I sat gaping at Malan. “What? That’s the spell Fathis was talking about? Dear gods, I thought Fathis had no desire for me, I broke with him over it! Why would Janus do that to Fathis?”

“He wanted your blood pure, Lass.”

It was hard to sleep after that revelation. Inside me was a rage like I’ve never felt. Ancients think nothing of destroying other’s lives, for whatever benefits their lusts. Janus was no better than Malan.

I glared over at Malan and was stunned to see him smiling at me. Genuinely and warmly smiling. No masked expression hiding reading his eyes, he really looked happy.

“What is it?”

“Thinking about our vow, going to Theryon next with you, Lass.” Malan pulled me down next to him, holding me tightly against him and talking quietly into my ear. “Soon we‘ll be together the way it should have been all along.”

My heart gave an odd flip. Had Malan started caring for me?

Malan cupped my chin, lifting my face to his. “Kiss me, but no mystery this time. Dagoth-Malan needs a rest.”




***


That vow, Malan’s happiness…it made me feel safer with Malan. Knowing his nature guarded me was a soothing balm relaxing me. I fell into an exhausted sleep right there on the thick carpet of what was once Prince Ebel’s playroom, Malan’s arms holding me tightly to him and both of mine wrapped around his neck.

My dreams were disjointed impressions of Theryon; of that alcove in Malan’s lab and the sound of a guttural monotone echoing around me in an unknown language. The stench was inescapable, filling my nostrils till I felt myself gagging. Then there was a horrible incessant shrieking, like a wild beast being slaughtered slowly.

It was one of those dreams that leave you feeling disoriented on waking, my head felt thick and foggy and I could still hear the screaming even as I sat up in the bed. The bed? How did I get into the bed? Dear gods, had I slept through Malan moving me? I checked quickly for Fathis’s ring, it was on my finger where it belonged.

“What’s wrong, Lass?”

“I was having a nightmare; a dying beast, but I still hear it! What is that horrible racket?”

Malan’s eyes were lit with laughter. “Eyja.”

“Dear gods! Is she being murdered?”

“Nae Lass, she’s mating. I can’t tell you with who, you may scream like a banshee from shock.”

“Who could hear it over that if I did?”

“Point taken, guess then.”

“Janus?”

“Nae, she’d be snoring then.”

“Or healing his eyes. It can’t be Hannibal…”

“No screaming now. ‘Tis.”

“GAAAAH!”

“SHHH!”

“Urgh, gross! That’s disgusting, like hearing your parents or something.”

“Don’t worry about that, Lass. I’ve not heard a peep out of him. That is all Eyja.”

“Dear gods, no sound at all? Do you think she killed him?”

“Nae Lass, why would she still be screaming if he was dead?”

“Maybe she doesn’t know yet…you know, Rigid Morkus.”

“SNORT!”

“SHH!”

“That racket would cover the slaughter of a village, Lass.”

“Geez, how long does it take? Maybe we should pound on the wall and tell her to polish his sword already.”

“SNORT!”

“SHH!”







***



It was late the next morning before Azura’s seal on my tongue burned me awake. To my shock, Malan was gone. I sat up, looking around at the empty room.

“Malan?” I hurried up, running around the ell and calling Malan. Nothing.

A glance around the room showed he’d left no juices for me. Inside me was a strange empty feeling. Probably just missing Malan, I was used to him being there every time I woke these past two weeks.

Then the thought struck me…dear gods, had he removed Amiela while I slept? Maybe he did, doing it so we could be together…wait. If it was for us, then where was he?



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 22 2013, 10:00 PM

[King Of Beasts]

Janus said the nature would turn my heart toward Malan as powerfully as a bloodlust, but instead it was growing inside me a deep love for itself. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

Wait.....does that mean Maxical is falling in love with herself

Ah, ladies time is it? Dagoth-Malan understands. Come, let me sooth your ill mood.”

<snip>

“Didn’t you learn these things in school? Dagoth-Malan knows how you lassies get when this time comes…” I cut him off mid sentence.

ROFL This is definitely my favorite part in the chapter.

Calling Dagoth-Malan cute? Never heard that before.”

Hell no you've never heard that before! dude, you look like a ogre broke your face and then tried to put in back together.

A glance around the room showed he’d left no juices for me. Inside me was a strange empty feeling. I guess just missing Malan, I was used to him being there when I woke the past two weeks.

Then the thought struck me…dear gods, had he removed Amiela while I slept? Maybe he did, doing it so we could be together…wait. If it was for us, then where was he?

Did the guards trap him, or did he just leave?

I could have spit with rage at myself for the tears that started making their way down my cheeks and my damn voice breaking as I continued.

You know mALX, I'm usually a villain fan, but Malan is really hurting Maxical emotionally, and that really gets me mad. He seriously deserves a painful death, or a swift kick in the nuts.

BUT WAIT.....

I'm not saying I hate him. Malan is a pretty badass villain. I've got to admit I'm rooting for him a tiny bit.....

But right now, he really deserves a a smack-down

This post has been edited by King Of Beasts: Jan 22 2013, 05:17 AM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

That whole "Eyja and Traven having sex" scene was friggin' HILAROUS, but I completely lost it at ths part:

“Dear gods, no sound at all? Do you think she killed him?”

“Nae Lass, why would she still be screaming if he was dead?”

“Maybe she doesn’t know yet…you know. Rigid morkus.”

D-E-D lol

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Jan 22 2013, 07:18 AM

[McBadgere]

Brilliant write, as ever...

An amazing job of capturing her confusion over her emerging feelings...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds heartily*....

[Acadian]

Maxical’s considered perspective in the opening paragraph was ominous indeed, and a wonderful way to open this episode.

“I knew it! You never wanted to make me your chosen properly, did you? What else was lies, your vows? If all you want is a bodysack with mysteries for housing Amiela, best shop the graveyards for Dunmer widows. You’ll never have mine except with me; and don‘t forget your nature lives in me now too. It won’t let you take it from me or give it to another, or didn’t you think of that either? Now you owe me the rest of my mysteries, Arbiter. Then we part ways.”
Here, I wanted to cheer!

‘I stared dumbly at his raised hand. Did he mean it? Was I wrong about him? My hand slowly reached up to clasp his.
Oh crap, what have I done.’
Oh crap, I was thinkin’ the same thing! What an emotional roller coaster you have crafted.

‘My heart gave an odd flip. Had Malan started caring for me?’
You paint Malan so well, and describe Maxical’s confusion so vividly that I can understand why she asks this – even though we know the answer. Malan has to be one of the most complex and magnificently portrayed villains evaahh! I remain in awe of how you keep us on a knife’s edge, even though in our heads, we know what an oily and scheming merchant of misery he is.

I’m glad Maxical learned about the spell of perpetual softsword that Janus inflicted on Fathis. She can now readjust her thinking about both Janus and Fathis.

‘It was late the next morning before Azura’s seal on my tongue burned me awake.’
Wow, this sentence is not only horrifically appropriate and efficient, but it simply oozes with cool! As Maxical ponders waking alone and the feeling of emptiness inside, I find my curiosity drawn right back to the dream she just had. . . .

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 22 2013, 02:16 PM

[King Coin]

Uh-oh, Malan’s nature is getting out a lot more in this. It’s sickening how much control it has now. She’s begging Malan to be with her, despite everything she knows about him. It’s also imperative that it keeps Malan’s wife under control as well.

YOU IDIOT!!! Don’t tell him his weakness! …Wait, something good has come from this. She’s finally opening her eyes to Malan’s true nature…
…and it seems like she’s backtracking…
His voice rang true, he wasn‘t lying.
You know he’s lying. Arrrgh!! She’s so close!!! She said it right here: Ancients think nothing of destroying other’s lives, for whatever benefits their lusts. That nature is protecting her from Malan’s wife but making her easily manipulated by Malan himself.

Her dream sounded horrible… I hope it wasn’t of her mother’s death.

[King Of Beasts]

I won't clog the thread but.....

I have a question!

Is Amiela a bigger threat than Malan, because it seems like Janus, Maxical, and Malan are all pawns in her game. Malan seems to be in somewhat the same position with Amiela as Maxical is in with him(he's desperately trying to keep Amiela around, (or bring her back to life in this case) like Maxical is trying to keep him around, but his case is at a much more severe degree...).

Another question! Is Malan truly evil, or is he just a bit insane because Amiela died, and his own hunger for power has fueled the urge to fulfill his promise to her, which seems to have been bent on domination as well....
I'm just wondering, because sometimes it doesn't seem like he's wholly evil, but that might just be him being deceptive.

End of questions. Also, I gotta agree with KC. Why the in oblivion would Maxical reveal to Malan his biggest weakness?!

[mALX]

I won't clog the thread but.....

I have a question!

Is Amiela a bigger threat than Malan, because it seems like Janus, Maxical, and Malan are all pawns in her game. Malan seems to be in somewhat the same position with Amiela as Maxical is in with him(he's desperately trying to keep Amiela around, (or bring her back to life in this case) like Maxical is trying to keep him around, but his case is at a much more severe degree...).

Another question! Is Malan truly evil, or is he just a bit insane because Amiela died, and his own hunger for power has fueled the urge to fulfill his promise to her, which seems to have been bent on domination as well....
I'm just wondering, because sometimes it doesn't seem like he's wholly evil, but that might just be him being deceptive.

End of questions. Also, I gotta agree with KC. Why the in oblivion would Maxical reveal to Malan his biggest weakness?!

You hit the nail on the head with question 2, Malan is deceptive. I wanted him to be almost likable, that the only time anyone saw his evil side was when they were on the receiving end of it. I wanted his evil to be a concept we only got glimpses of when he allowed it.

You have a very good point about Amiela. Malan was always evil, but (as Janus told Maxical, Amiela's evil matched Malan's or was worse). Amiela is the driving force behind everything Malan has done since she died, including the attack on Janus Hassildor - using Dagoth-Ur's blood to make Janus immortal ; and Malan's original cocktail of blood to make Janus a split-apart - so Malan would have access to Janus's blood at any given time to ensure Amiela never died again (once Malan used necromancy to bring Amiela back).


EDIT: The nature considers Amiela a threat to the union - it has been trying to get rid of her since Malan brought Maxical back to the lair. The nature was threatening Amiela so Malan would remove her from Maxical. Maxical tried to choke back the words but it was too late, Malan realized what was going on. Malan realized immediately that he'd made a stupid mistake in planting his nature inside Maxical. Now he is going to adjust his plots to ensure Amiela's safety and get away from his nature inside Maxical...if he can.






This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 24 2013, 02:17 AM

[Grits]

This whole chapter had me breathless. Maxical’s emotions and confusion feel like a spiral moving more tightly toward the center. The whole part up to the nightmare made my jaw drop. Awesome!

ROFL, Eyja and Traven. Rigid Morkus!! Hilarious.

Maxical’s empty feeling when she woke up alone came through so well. Even though I know the answers, her doubts are so convincing that I’m still questioning myself. I am in pure awe over this!