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

[Burnt Sierra]

I was beginning to think I would never utter this phrase:

I'M UP TO DATE!!

My emotions are all over the place - not entirely surprising after such a roller coaster - I have had moments where I have literally laughed out loud, moments where I wanted to shout at the page to warn them, and through it all - through all the twists and turns, ups and downs - I have been enthralled, delighting in the company of our heroine.

I'm not exaggerating, I actually feel drained right now. Amazing story mALX, and when my emotions (and nerves) have recovered, I look forward with gleeful anticipation of what comes next.

[mALX]

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@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so much Liz! I was worried my hint about Fathis was too subtle, lol. Thanks Liz!

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@ King Of Beasts - Thank you so much Kobby! No, Malan wants Maxical dead and hoped Amiela would do it since the nature stopped him from killing her. Fathis's soul inside Malan was momentarily strong enough to overcome Malan and take over to save Maxical (which is why Malan/Jak looked fearful afterward). Thanks again Kobby!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Maxical didn't realize, just saw the similarity in the handsome stranger's ability and the look he gave her. She hasn't connected him to Malan yet, or may have realized it was Fathis. Oh, thank you so much for your kind words about Uriel's Champion! That meant a lot to hear!

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! ROFL !!! Now THAT would be something else, lol. I don't think they can communicate with each other inside him, unfortunately. Thank you so much again, Ghastley!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! Your kind words about Maxical meant so much to hear, thank you so much Grits!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! ROFL !!! Maxical and Amiela on Jerry Springer, SPEW !!! Thanks McB!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much DE! ROFL !! No, she just hit the wrong spell in the panic of the moment, lol. Thank you so much for your kind words DE!

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@ Burnt Sierra - Thank you so very much Burnt! WOO HOO! I so appreciate hearing that, it means tons to me that you liked it! Thank you so much again!


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[mALX]

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Chapter 201: A Threat By Any Other Name


There is no little shiver down your spine when facing someone of Malan’s caliber, I’ve never been so terrified. Adrenalin was pounding through me, and my blood felt like jelly in my veins waiting for Malan to show himself and attack me.

The only explanation I could imagine for him staying behind when Amiela was hauled away would be to eliminate my interference in his plots. I darted behind Janus, keeping my back pressed to the wall and clutching his coat so he couldn't move from in front of me.

A terrifying vision of Malan dragging me to his dungeon had been haunting me ever since he learned he couldn't kill me. I was his enemy now, he'd take my soul. There was nothing more horrible I could imagine than that, being killed would be easier. I'd faced death every match in the Arena.

Uriel was right, the only way to keep Malan out of the Royal Quarters would be to set up another ancient's lair there. Otherwise he could just slip in as a vapor and plant another Recall marker. He could have Amiela in there in seconds at any given moment no matter whose body she was in if we couldn't keep him out of there.

"Among our kind, bringing her into your lair is as low as one can get. Even a dog knows not to soil its own bed." Janus was mad at Malan instead of me for a change, I encouraged him in it.

"At least he removed his guard from her this time. Last time I slept unguarded while she had a full platoon at her door."

Janus turned around, facing me with an incredulous expression. “Are you saying he guarded her as if she was his chosen and didn’t place one around you? He has a whole army at his disposal, why wouldn't he guard you? That is an insult, Maxical!”

“It's a blatant insult." I nodded, then started speaking loudly since the rank odor of cow manure was suddenly lingering strongly in the corridor. "Any idiot would have had the sense to keep up a show of pretence if I was integral to their plans. This is why Malan's plots always fail, he's dumber than me. Even Puny Ancus could out romance him."






***


"He's trying to relive his past with her."

“He IS his past, it’s called being stuck in a rut. All Malan's plots were made centuries ago, they're just old stale plans now. It's like his brain atrophied, like those old senile geriatrics that gripe about change."

Janus started chuckling, then broke out laughing.

"It's the truth, he used the same ploys to flirt with me that he picked Amiela up with over three centuries ago. Like he couldn't think up anything new in all that time?"

"You're jok..." Janus broke off what he was saying and looked around sniffing. The odor of cow manure gusted strongly in my nostrils, it was permeating the air around us. I raised my voice louder.

"He's fishing without bait, if all he has to offer is being a puppet for his decrepit dead marriage. Only old beggars like Ragbag Buntara who have nothing to lose would be interested." I broke off to whack Janus's back before he choked himself laughing, then continued in an even louder voice.

"Malan stole my mysteries for nothing, Amiela's never going to let him have more pleasure with her bodybag than she gave him when she was alive. You think I'm kidding?"

Now would be a good time to subtly steer the conversation around to saving Fathis, while Janus was in charity with me and relaxed. I opened my mouth, but Janus stopped me with a finger to his lips. He leaned into my ear and whispered a warning.

"Shh, why are you talking so loud? You'd better hush in case Malan is here."

"In case he's here? Don't you smell that cow manure?"

"I thought that was you."

"ME! Why would I smell like manure? Didn't you hear me warning you that I smelled Malan?"

"I thought you meant his aura, like you smelled mine that day at the Arena. Maxical, by your own admission you buried that ring in cow manure."

"Not with my hands! What, you assumed I fell in it or something? I'm not clumsy!"

"If you say so." He may as well have rolled his eyes.

"I can dunk a ring without falling in, Janus! And don't you think I'd have bathed if I did?" I sniffed my arm, then shoved it in his face.

"SMELL ME! Do I smell like manure? Aren't you vampires supposed to have superior scenting ability?"

"Don't get into a snit now, we were finally getting along."

"I'm NOT in a snit!" I fumed, unclenching my fists and hoping he hadn't noticed them.

"If it was me, I'd give you a sound thrashing."






***


He'd never rescue Fathis for me at this rate. I choked back the rage his last words roused, trying to think. I needed to reach the gentleman he was that night at the Temple of the One. I put my hand on Janus's arm and looked up into his cowl, pleading with my eyes and voice.

“You don’t begin to know the half of what harm he’s done to me, Janus. Before he took me Malan used my virgin blood to coerce some male prisoner, then mated with him right in front of me."

Janus smothered a flash of thought before I could read it in his eyes. He averted his face, his lips pinned tightly together. It was almost a full minute before he spoke. "If he wasn’t so powerful his own kind would kill him for that."

It was the opening I needed. I tugged his arm, turning him back toward me. "Fathis would kill him in a heartbeat for what he’s done to me. I want my husband back, Janus."

An instant guardedness flickered in Janus's eyes and he all but changed the subject, averting his eyes from mine again.

"It's too late for regrets now, Maxical. You should have thought of that before becoming his chosen this morning. When were you going to tell me about that, did you forget we share a nature?"

"Is that why you've been so mad at me? Janus, your nature did that, I couldn't stop it. Whatever Malan was plotting for me, it knew and did that to protect me."

"Protecting you against him? It won't do that, Maxical."

"It did, Janus. Don't forget, it is your nature too, and whether you admit it or not I'm your accepted chosen. It took our side against Malan, and now he knows that the nature will take him down for us if you and I ever join forces against him. We could crush him, Janus."

"Maybe we could have before, but you and Malan have a union now. The nature will turn your heart to Malan if it hasn't already."

"It can't, Janus. It never could. Malan was plotting for Amiela the whole time we were together. The nature had to protect me, it considers me the sacred chosen. It turned my heart toward itself instead of Malan."






***


"That was before you had a full union with him, now..." I stopped him, tugging him back around so he could see the truth in my eyes.

"No, Janus. Malan ended it with me immediately afterward, and without ever mating me again. The nature won't let my heart be turned toward him without him being committed to me and staying by my side. Isn't that why you vampires are always holing up in your lairs with your chosen for weeks in the beginning?"

Janus nodded slowly and started to answer, but as he was speaking his voice changed to raw with anger.

"It is what we look most forward to in taking a chosen, our honeymoon period. At the end the love is a bond that not even death can break. He could have used anyone for this! To poach from me, then treat you this way!"

A month ago I'd have been naive enough to believe Janus was defending me. This was about himself, I was a possession he'd lost by Malan's poaching. It was a strong reminder to me that if it wasn't for Janus's spells on Fathis none of this would be happening.

Not for the first time I realized Janus was no better than Malan. They both took for their own gain, with no consideration for the lives they destroyed. My happiness wouldn't factor with Janus anymore than it did with Malan.

Fear that Janus wouldn't honor his vow to save Fathis was building in me like a rage till I thought I would explode from it, I tried forcibly to choke it back, but couldn't. My breathing was ragged and whatever I meant to say blanked from my mind. Instead I heard my voice blurting Uriel's plans so loudly it echoed up the corridor all the way to Ocato's room.

"Uriel sent for Greywyn Blenwyth, he's to poach me and establish his lair in the Royal Quarters so Malan is blocked from them. You've got to help me, Janus. You swore a vow to bring Fathis back to me, Remember?"

Deep down inside myself I prayed that something I said would act as the catalyst in Janus, pushing him beyond the vampire to the gentleman he once was. I took his hand and looked up into his cowl so he could read what was in my eyes, how important this was to me.

"Please bring Fathis to me like you promised. Swear me as chosen over to him, please Janus. This is the only way to stop Malan, and I can't stand the thought of bedding Greywyn; or anyone but Fathis. Please keep your vow to me.”

"A lot has changed since that day, Maxical. You are fully Malan's chosen now." The stubborn set of his jaw didn't bode well.

"I won't be if you swear me over to Fathis. He's my husband, it's the only right thing to do, Janus."

"You don't understand, your lairs are considered sacred ground now that the chosen is complete."

"The dungeons can't be sacred! And you've sure been wandering around the Royal Quarters with no problems!"

"I'm there at Uriel's command. Why do you think I wouldn't enter your bedroom earlier?"

"Malan doesn't consider it sacred, he brought his dead wife into it! Instead of making a shrine to my blood, he let his prisoners taste it. Uriel is going to command you to swear me over to someone tonight, please let it be Fathis. Please keep your vow to me, Janus."

"I can't keep vows to anther ancient's chosen."






***


My temper boiled over. "You caused this, Janus. Now you aren't gentleman enough to rescue me from it? I thought you said you weren't like the other ancients? Tell me the difference between you and Malan, because right now I can't see any. You took Fathis from me because I would avail you, and didn't give a good [CENSORED] whether I was hurt in the process!"

My hair felt like it was on fire, I was shaking and could barely speak as my rage reached full blown. Janus was so angry that I could feel it emitting from his aura. We faced off, both of us breathing like we'd run miles. I jammed my finger into his chest fully expecting him to grow giant and not caring, actually was surprised that he didn't.

"Your spells on Fathis robbed me of the most romantic moment every girl dreams of, that memory I should have been able to treasure the rest of my life. He could have removed my virginity a hundred times over, you robbed me of that! You didn't protect me from Vicente, nor even go after him for attacking me. Amiela just tried to kill me, and your friend had to save me. Now you'll make me bed Greywyn rather than help me?"

Janus’s fumed silently.

"If you don’t help me now, I’ll know that you never will. Unlike Malan, I don't need fifty years to realize I can't count on you. In less than a month I've seen all I need to. I'm going after Fathis myself if you won't help me. You really need to pull Hal-Liurz‘s teat out of your mouth and grow up, Janus."

"Hal..." I broke in before he could begin.

"I want released as your chosen, Janus. You may have accepted me, but I don't accept you. I'd be better off relying on Vicente than you. You just be ready to swear me over. Your Diplomatic Immunity was already hanging by a thread for those spells you put on Fathis; be prepared to be removed from the program, and possibly lose your seat as Count Skingrad."

"WHY!"

“Maybe you didn’t read that Diplomatic Immunity paper you signed, Janus. It says you must act against your nature in defense of the Empire. As Count Skingrad you're sworn to protect the throne at all costs. Your vampiric actions caused this war and Fathis's imprisonment, and could send you to that eternal dungeon you fear so much. You have the access and means to rescue Fathis and refuse, against your own vow. If Malan seizes the throne you'll be considered abetting his takeover and counted a traitor to the throne with him."

If those threats didn't spur Janus to action, nothing would. I stormed back to the Royal Quarters. After Foxy's agent let me pass I slammed the bolt across and waited. Azura's seal was burning a hole in my tongue, and the smell of cow manure was gone. I breathed in relief, turning to the agent.

"No one else comes through."


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Apr 30 2013, 12:44 AM

[King Of Beasts]

Janus really isn't much better than Malan is he? I didn't think so. But there's always two sides to the coin, eh? Janus was only following his instinct, and it includes keeping fathis away from Max, but then again, like Max said, he's the reason for this whole war, right?

I suppose it's hard *to choose a side, because both Janus and Max have reasons for their actions and beliefs.

An they were getting along so well for a split second, lol.

I'm sorry, I'm ranting. Not sure what I'm trying to say other than great chapter

This post has been edited by King Of Beasts: Apr 19 2013, 03:15 AM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Janus sure did get a tongue-lashing from Maxical. Gawd. Maybe he'll pull his head out of his butt and go do what he PROMISED her he'd do. So what if things have changed? What happened to "ancients take promises seriously?!"

Not to mention had he NOT been so hung up on keeping Fathis from, like Maxical said, taking her virginity, none of this would have happened.

Sex solves EVERYTHING.

[McBadgere]

Pffft...Vampires...*Rollseyes*...

So, she learns that she can't even count (Heh) on the tame vampire...

Ne'ermind, better off without him anyways... ...

As ever, the depths of this story amaze me hugely...

Brilliant stuff...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds heartily*...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Apr 19 2013, 04:35 AM

[Acadian]

Sparks always fly when Maxical and Janus get together!

Methinks Maxical should take up vampire slaying – all of them. I guess she has to go rescue Fathis herself - alone.

And lurking in the background is still the existential threat to the Empire that Uriel is grooming Maxical for. I hope she doesn't have to become Mehrunes Dagon's Chosen to foil the Daedra Lord's plans. Take a number, Daedric Dude!

[Darkness Eternal]

Maxical using Janus as a shield again I see. Never gets old, does it?

Their little banther never gets old, either. I can picture Maxical as an old woman and Janus still himself arguing about who smells like poo.

The story did get much easier to read when you added the definition and meaning of the terms, though I understood a good deal of it.

“He IS his past, it’s called being stuck in a rut. All Malan's plots were made centuries ago, they're just old stale plans now. It's like his brain atrophied, like those old senile geriatrics that gripe about change."

Vampires eh? Same old, same old. Malan's plots seemed to be going so well that he must have developed a nescessity of using them throughout his immortality. The fact that he's forever alone and grieving makes matters worse. Poor fellow.

Geez, now Maxical has to go and sleep with Greywyn Blenwyth of the Scars? She doesn't get a break, does she? I do echo Liz' comment. For men, sex does solve everything . . .from a certain point of view. Great chapter, mALX!

[mALX]

* Bump in case anyone missed the last chapter posted since it went up just before the writing constest results were posted.

[ghastley]

It's like his brain atrophied, like those old senile geriatrics that gripe about change.

Careful you don't alienate your senior readership here!

On second thoughts, don't worry, we won't remember reading those things anyway.

[mALX]

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@ King Of Beasts - Thank you so much Kobby! You are right, Janus is afraid of his vampire instincts taking him further than he (as a gentleman) could stand going, but like you said too - it is his fault all this is happening, he kind of owes a solution. Thanks again Kobby!

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@ Elisabeth Hollow - ("Sex solves EVERYTHING") ROFL !!! So right, lol. Eyja was right, ancient vampires consider promises as binding contracts when they are made TO them, but the ones they make are just words (like "I'm but a thought away" is, lol). Thank you so much Liz!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! Lol, you are right, they sure aren't doing her any good, lol. Thanks again McB!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian! Maxical's temper flies readily, but this is the first time in the story that she has been really deeply angry at someone. That "Slayer" idea isn't a bad one, ROFL !!! I think she'd tell Akatosh where to shove it if he expected her to become Dagon's chosen, ROFL !!!! Thank you so much again, Acadian!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much DE! You had me rolling with this comment, lol. Don't feel sorry for Malan, he has never been alone. He farmed girls, took virgins, had a longrunning affair with Countess Llathasa Indarys, paid for Eyja's services on occasion, and that is just the numbers we know of, ROFL !!! Thanks again, DE!

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@ Ghastley - SPEW! I took that line from one of my own children who thought anyone over 25 was decrepit, ROFL !!! Thank you so much Ghastley!


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[mALX]

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Chapter 202: Malan's Side These Last 24 Hours



******* Malan, just after removing Amiela from Maxical





Using Maxical as a diversion had worked better than even he could have imagined. Everyone's focus was honed on her as Malan's objective; watching her for his next move.

Evangeline's movements had gone unnoticed since long before he even came to the Palace; despite she was Uriel's second in command. For weeks she had been parading through a war grounds with a clothed mouse in a pram; yet none took notice.

Uriel's rule had grown lax; he trusted his staff to be as efficient as they had always been; but well before Malan's arrival they had long since stopped earning that trust. It made taking over the Palace almost too easy. All these years of waiting, he could have just walked in and taken over from the look of things...as he was about to do now.

Evangeline's hurried marriage to the Earl of Imbel would go virtually unnocticed. In fact; after the groundwork he had laid as Sir Damien Reynard, not even Maxical would question it. On the contrary, from what he had overheard eavesdropping, she had encouraged Evangeline to seek Imbel out for love and happiness.

He would glide under their defenses unnoticed; have the Palace in his possession before anyone even realized he was there. They would all be watching for Malan's next move on the Khajiit.

To his own surprise; Malan suffered a twinge of regret at the thought of taking down Uriel Septim. His plans had never forseen any scenario that would have given him the opportunity to experience the camaraderie of being in close quarters with him this past month. Uriel had earned his respect in a way few in his lifetime had ever achieved.

The gods had numbered Uriel's days, though. In taking his soul before Dagon came Malan was actually doing a service for him. He’d feel no pain or fear, go down in glory. Malan would see to that. He pounded his chest in silent vow.

It would be with great pride he would carry Uriel's soul within him; and also the souls of all the eight reigning Emperors contained in the 'Chim-el Adabal'. They would give him more power than even Mannimarco! Just the thought sent a shudder of pleasure down his spine.





***


Evangeline could not have been a better choice or more fertile grounds for Amiela's soul. Where the Khajiit's (with the help of his own Nature) fought her emergence at every turn and suffocated her; Amiela was able to almost instantly take over running Evangeline!

It felt like eons had passed waiting to hold his Amiela in his arms again. This was the culmination of everything. Every plot, every plan; of numerous fortunes come and gone...all for this moment.

Three centuries ago his only focus was the throne and power for himself; but now, the giddiness he felt inside was only the thought of Amiela in his arms again. After that; just as he had promised her so many centuries ago; together they would take the throne and she could rule Tamriel.

An impatience he could barely contain burned within him waiting for the moment when she would be fully back; no barriers of another's personality to hinder their love ever again... and here she was, three years earlier than his plans had foreseen! The hunger in Malan as he pulled her into his arms had never been as great as it was at that moment!

“AAARRGHAH!" Amiela cut short his passionate kiss with an angry scream. She hurried to the looking glass and stared aghast at Evangeline’s wrinkled countenance.

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? WHO’S BODY IS THIS, SOMEONE'S GRANDMOTHER? YOU’D BETTER GET YOUR [CENSORED] OUT THERE AND FIND SOMETHING BETTER THAN THIS! AND NOT THAT FLEA-RIDDEN MANGY CAT, EITHER!“

“Shh, hush Lass. You’ll be heard and ruin all. Evangeline is essential to reach the throne; then you’ll see my choice for you. Rumpleteaza Goldwine, one of the great beauties of our time; and the daughter of Count Kvatch..."

Malan hesitated; then felt it best to withhold the information that Rumpleteaza was actually the half-sister by blood of the Khajiit he had just removed her from.

"Er, she is barely over twenty years and her beauty is spoken of in all the provinces! Hair the color of leaves in Autumn; skin of creamy milk...”

"IS THIS SOME TRAMP YOU'VE BEEN CHEATING ON ME WITH?" Evangeline shouted, glaring ominously.

He tugged her toward the bed. “Nae Lass! Never met her. Shhh. Come, Dagoth-Malan has waited a century to feel you again. That face is but temporary. Avoid the looking glass, and in a few days the throne will be ours. And despite the face, the body isn't bad at all...er...”

"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW? HAVE YOU BEEN WITH HER?"

"Shh, lower your voice, Lass. Of course not...er, Sir Damien has, he told everyone the details whether they wanted to hear or not."

Malan sank himself into the mating with gusto; but oddly found himself blocked from using Fathis's Mysteries suddenly. There hadn't been even a hint of the Gift Mysteries since the mating began either.

"Use the Mysteries, Lass. Dagoth-Malan's favorite is..." Malan tried to prompt her; but found his memory and knowledge of them completely blocked from all the teachings that had flowed so naturally with the Khajiit.

Evangeline had grown stiff and unyielding beneath him. She forcibly pushed him back till her icily piercing eyes met his. Malan immediately realized his error. Amiela was livid.

"WHAT FAVORITE MYSTERIES? WHO HAVE YOU BEEN WITH?"

"No one, Lass! Er...well, the virgins of course. Had to or they'd die. Remember, my bloodlust returned after you passed, Lass. But that was all. Swear to it." Malan pounded his chest half-heartedly, then tried to pull her back into his arms. She shoved him off, eyeing him suspiciously.

"OH! And gods forbid you should pass up any virgin blood! Now, WHAT did you mean by 'My FAVORITE' Mystery? Explain yourself, NOW Malan!"

"'Twas nothing, a gift I thought would bring you more pleasure. New Mysteries attached to your soul since you died, do you not feel them?"

"I have the same I've always had, those you gave me after our marriage! WHY would I want others? And if YOU wanted them, they probably only avail your pleasure! Now WHO have you been with, Malan? Does this have to do with that nasty cat?"

Malan eyed her bleakly. "A Khajiit? Never! Er, ladies time is it?"

"YOU WISH!" She snapped, starting to get up.

"Er, will you er...just spit me juices into my mouth and blow on them then? It's er...something Hassildor mentioned."

"PATOOEY!" "WHOOOSH!"

"I meant with a kiss...er, never mind."

Oddly, the 'Kiss of Fire' she gave was lacking something, too; but other than the use of the Mysteries while giving the kiss, Malan didn't know of anything Maxical did differently. There must be something; but what?

Malan eased off Evangeline, his face a mask of sour disappointment and rage. Something had gone wrong.





***


Malan paced repeatedly across the small confines of Evangeline's suite. Too much planning had gone into Amiela having those Mysteries. They worked fine with that damn Khajiit; so why were they not working now, with his beloved Amiela?

Mannimarco had assured him that the Mysteries would be sealed to and transfer with the dominant soul; which would obviously be Amiela's. Where were his Mysteries?

Fathis was an Arbiter of Dunmer Law; Azura probably protected these with much more stringent standards; and since Maxical still lived, they could be locked for use with any soul but hers.

But that didn't explain why Amiela had not inherited Gils' Mysteries on his death as planned. They should have been hers to use freely now. Was it possible the Khajiit still had them? There was only one way to find out, and one solution if she did. Amiela would need to carry the Khajiit's soul within her; while he carried Fathis's and Gils'.

Malan blanched. Amiela would never in a million Eras agree to it; she was still raging at having found herself in the Khajiit's body when he awakened her. If Movarth Piquine wasn't already dead, he had no doubt Amiela would have killed him for the insult of that hiding place he chose for her; the child of Khajiit slaves.

No, it would have to be done without her knowledge. But his Nature inside Maxical would never let him be the one to take her soul; Mannimarco would have to do that for him.

Getting Maxical into his dungeon was going to be a problem, too. After his public display of interest in Maxical, the focus on her was too great to put her under any controlling spells; he certainly couldn't make a thrall of her right now, with all eyes on her. Locking her in his dungeons right now would be just as useless, they would know immediately he had her and where to find her.

Malan lowered his massive frame into Evangeline's overstuffed chair to begin making a decisive plan of action. There could be no mistakes, not with the throne this close now.


What happened next almost cost him years of planning.






KABOOOOM!











********


After the trick she played against him, the only thought filling Malan's mind was to feel her throat crushing beneath his fingers. His eyes burned a revenge he hadn't felt since Movarth's trick on him; a rage so great that it nearly caused him to forget the taking of her soul. The Gift Mysteries would have been lost.

Instead his own Nature saved her; disabling him from the ability to harm her...as if she were the Sacred Chosen. For the first time he realized one of his own plots had backfired against him.

While the Nature held him to the floor, Malan began evolving the plan to get her into Mannimarco's hands...Uriel would send her to him.

Her suspicion was tangible when Malan casually dropped the location of Mannimarco's base to her; but he had no doubt she would still bring the information to Uriel; or that Uriel would then send her to Mannimarco's base to destroy it. By the time she arrived, Malan's message warning Mannimarco of her imminent arrival would have been received; Mannimarco would be waiting for her.

Malan kicked back and relaxed to wait out the Nature's wrath; but what happened next changed everything irrevocably. Akatosh showed up.

Malan was stunned. Somehow he'd never quite believed Maxical was an agent of Akatosh or could access him; she was naught but a Khajiit, and the get of slaves!

That Uriel actively worked with the Dragon god for the protection of himself and the Palace had been a shock as well, but...one expects power in the hands of an Emperor. Truthfully, it had given Malan pause at first; but with all other signals waving him in, he had to try. But Maxical having Akatosh's ear...that changed everything.

The horror of that night Malan took Fathis's soul had been thoroughly erased from Maxical's mind; but the glimpse Akatosh gave her of it would surely pull the whole scene back into her memory; Malan had no doubt about that. Right now she couldn't face realizing the significance of what she saw temporarily; but that wouldn't last.

She would very soon realize that he had taken Fathis's soul and lied about being Arbiter... and she had made threats against Amiela if Fathis was harmed; threats he never concerned himself with before knowing she had the power of Akatosh behind her.

Not just Fathis; either. Somehow, Maxical had already made a connection between the vision Akatosh gave her and Gils...there was no doubt she would know Malan had taken Gils' soul too.

Akatosh's warning to Maxical was a warning to himself as well. His luck and time were running out fast. He needed to act. He would not risk any chance Amiela could be harmed; but giving back the souls of Fathis and Gils was not an option either, they were too valuable to him.

Malan revised his earlier plans. Maxical was too dangerous to trust now. She had to be immediately sealed in his central dungeon so she could send no messages to Akatosh. And that would mean moving immediately on the Palace before anyone realized she was missing. He'd have to move so quickly that the throne would be seized before nightfall.






*******

What happened next was possibly even more shocking than Akatosh appearing to give messages to the child of Khajiit slaves. Malan's own Nature; centuries of knowing his every innermost thought; had turned on him in a feral rage; and with such force that at first he thought it was Akatosh returned!

How do you fight something that is an integral part of your being? It came immediately on the heels of his decision to seal her in his dungeon; he had no doubt it was protecting the Khajiit. But from himself?

A tingle of self preservation went down his spine. What was going on? This couldn't have been because of his trick poaching her...could it? A worse though hit him. Was it caused by Hassildor sharing his nature? There was no doubt the lad was angry over the poaching; and she had just said she was sending him thoughts to save her. Had Hassildor caused this?

For the first time it struck Malan how devastating an enemy she could be. Just the night before he had felt a flicker of something, some instinct that warned him that there were now two with his nature in them right there in the Royal Quarters; and if his split-apart Hassildor ever stopped fighting the Khajiit long enough to partner up; they could become a devastating enemy against him. Telling Maxical of Hassildor's spells on Fathis was the best way to ensure they keep fighting each other.

There was no doubt in Malan's mind that Amiela's soul inside Maxical had protected him till now, filling her with love for him. When he removed Amiela all that remained was the enemy that would seek to destroy him...NO!

Malan slowly raised from the chair as the realization hit him. She would seek to destroy his beloved Amiela!

Her every vowed threat came back to him in a rush; even some she had spoken abstractly in his impersonation of Sir Damien. She was going to go after Amiela, he could feel it so strongly that every instinct in him screamed it. Amiela was in danger!

Before today, he had thought her threats against him as silly as they sounded coming from a tiny cat; and what could a beast child of slaves do against Dagoth-Malan? But now there was Akatosh and his own Nature as weapons against him. And his Nature wanted rid of Amiela too; considered her a 'threat to the union', or so the Khajiit wanted him to believe.

Only one coherent thought reverberated through Malan from that point forward; Maxical needed to die...but not before he got her soul.

There was a line drawn inside him that day; he felt it as clearly as if he could see it on the ground before him. The Khajiit was his enemy. He could smell the war ahead in the air; it was a tangible feel as if the void was holding its breath waiting for the battle to begin.







***

When released by his Nature, Malan immediately shot down to Evengeline's. The outlines of his Royal Guard protecting her door could be seen in thermal view well before he reached the corridor.

Malan realized now how grave an error that had been; he should never have installed them there! It was a blatant giveaway that he was moving on Evangeline! Even Maxical had noticed and mentioned them being there with suspicion! He immediately removed them.

Evangeline immediately popped out of her door. "WHERE IS MY ROYAL GUARD? I will NOT be left unprotected like some piece of ...."

Malan gripped her arm, pushing her back into the room. "You will have your guard tonight when we sleep in the Royal Quarters, Lass. Until then, the best protection you can have is no one knowing you are here till the throne is ours. I have business to attend, but you must be ready! When I return as Imbel, we will be getting married immediately. And tonight we take the throne."

Malan had quickly packed everything he would need for his impersonation of Imbel before the thought occurred to him that he should have moved that recall marker from Maxical's bedroom first. He had best do that first before she found it. He cast quickly, hoping to reach it while she was still in Uriel's suite debriefing.

For one stunned moment Malan looked around, shocked at the sunny sky above him. His skin bubbled painfully under the sun’s burning rays. He tried to dart to shelter and found himself struggling to move as if swimming in quicksand, and a rank odor assailed his nostrils. The feeling of warm moisture seeped into his consciousness before he realized he was at the bottom of a deep-sided manure pit. Damn that Khajiit!

“You plan on buying some of that prime fertilizer or you just gonna play in it?”

Malan looked up to find a hayseed in overalls showing a toothy grin at him around the straw he was chewing on.

“GRAAAAAAGHRRAAA!”

“That Khajiit was in the right of it; said to look for an angry gentleman aplayin’ in my manure. You must be he.”

In his rage, Malan didn’t care what the man witnessed. He disappeared into a vapor right in front of the man just in time to catch the yokel’s “Well I’ll be!”

Malan barely took the time to strip off the filthy clothing at Imbel Manor. There was no time to bathe, nor go back to Theryon for other shoes and socks. He cast the illusion spell, and when the magic dissipated Jakben Imbel emerged from the mist. He donned one of Jak’s fancy coats and hurried to the Palace.

Malan had no sooner mounted the steps when Janus Hassildor and Traven hailed him.

"Imbel! We need you to come with us, Uriel has commanded your presence on the Diplomatic Immunity program you signed." Traven looked pale and nervous about confronting him.

Malan gave Jak's engaging smile. "That's why I'm here, to offer my services." He would somehow have to work it so they stopped at Evangeline's room where he could pretend an instant infatuation with her.






***


Malan had a sinking feeling when he saw Maxical exiting Evangeline's room. His instincts were right. Amiela was in a rage, and in no way being discreet. His only hope hinged on her position over the Palace guards and staff; but Maxical was prepared with orders from Uriel Septim that stripped her of that power.

Evangeline would be no more use to him now. In his own rage at the Khajiit's destruction of his plans, he let Amiela attack to kill the Khajiit; readying himself to capture her soul as soon as Evangeline's nail bit through her jugular. His right hand raised to cast a soul trap; his left was fingering and squeezing the black soul gem in his pocket. He hoped Hassildor was still under his control so he'd not try to save Maxical.

Suddenly without warning he saw his own arm dart out in a stretching cast, and instead of the soul trap a pair of enchanted shackles conjured midair and flew at Amiela with an unbelievable speed.

Malan stared stunned at his arm, not realizing what had happened at first. He felt his head nodding at Maxical when she sent a mental 'thanks' to him. With a shock Malan realized that he was not in control of his own body. Fathis Aren had overpowered his own soul and fully emerged. Another shock struck him when he tried to force Fathis's nature back and found himself in a struggle to regain control from him.

Only one soul had ever taken control of him before; that damned Imbel used to just long enough to cause him to fart or pick his own nose publically; but Imbel could never hold out against Malan seeking control back like Fathis just did.

With a sudden fear Malan realized the implications if Fathis overpowered him at a crucial moment when he was trying to seize the throne. Fathis would have to be put back into his body immediately. If Malan didn't need Fathis in the future he would have killed him for that interference.






*******


The hardest thing Malan could remember doing this past century was standing by watching as Amiela was dragged out. It took everything in him not to follow; but he strongly sensed a trap lay waiting for him at that Imperial Prison. The way Maxical had those papers in her hand ready was all the proof he needed of it.

For his own safety, and to not lose his access to the Palace, he stayed as they hauled her away. It was a lucky thing he did. Not only was the trap set at the prison; but Uriel had a coup planned in the Palace. Malan would have found himself blocked from the Royal Quarters, and his worst enemy Greywyn Blenwyth ensconced in Malan's own lair with Maxical and Malan's Mysteries.

With a deep breath, Malan realized his instincts had saved him. The best thing he could do right now would be to drop back and let Amiela cool down in that cell while he adjusted his plots again.

What Maxical said about his Nature protecting her...it struck Malan suddenly; that explained why she had remained uncompliant. The Nature knew he had no love for her. It would not turn her heart till his was ready. And it never would be.

The only way to overcome that would be to trick the nature into thinking his heart had changed. His hatred of her would keep him from being able to pretend what he would need to in order to fool the nature. He needed the real Imbel for this. If Fathis hadn't just pulled that stunt, he would have used him to keep from leaving the Palace. But Fathis obviously couldn't be trusted.




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Rumpleteasza Goldwine:














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This post has been edited by mALX: Jul 2 2016, 05:27 PM

[ghastley]

Oh noes! We're about to get back to "who's who now?"

Evangeline is really Amiela, Malan was briefly Fathis, and maybe Fathis will be Fathis again, except who knows? Malan is being Jak, at least for a while.

Is Maxical still Maxical? And is that Eyja in the bathtub, or am I just daydreaming?

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Lemme get on my.computer so I can properly comment!

EDIT:

Augh!! I like this from Malan's point of view, and Amelia smelling the stink(so to speak) when he all of a sudden has new mysteries he wants her to use XD

Okay, okay. Sex solves everything, except Malan's problems. It causes ALL of his lol.

And Malan's reaction to the poo was great LMFAO!!!



This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Apr 24 2013, 03:48 PM

[Acadian]

Malan’s perspective confirmed much that Maxical had pieced together and the devastating impact she was having on his soul-gobbling, throne-usurping plans. Not to mention his very uncooperative, vain and rightfully jealous Amiela. Malan and Amiela deserve each other – just as long as they’re condemned to the bottom of a cow manure pit!

Speaking of. . . Jethro Bodine and the bovine poop pit was a wonderfully welcome injection of humor into this tense and reflective episode.

So there might be hope for Fathis after all! Yay!

Tiny nit: ‘a rage so great that it nearly caused him to forgot {forget} the taking of her soul.’

[King Of Beasts]

This was interesting from Malan's PoV.

Just one question:

If Jak has been able to take control of Malan before, and Fathis can too, does that mean they could team up and completely take control of Malan? That's a bit of a scary thought, lol

[McBadgere]

BWAHAHAAA!!...Take that yer be-third-personed personage*... ...

Absolutely loved this chapter...All the ways Malan has gotten stiffed...Oh yeah, gotta love it!!...

The heart swelled when Fathis did the bit with the manacles...*Applauds*...

Definitely a chapter to treasure... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Darkness Eternal]

Sorry I couldn't get here sooner. I actually promised myself that on Thursday I would read the chapter, but then my laptop broke down and I devoted all my efforts in bringing it back . . .to no avail. I was able to salvage all my info from it, though. Thankfully.

So let us begin.

You promised me a chapter on Malan's perspective and you kept it! And I am happy to say that you have delivered!

With a shudder of excitement he envisioned the power he would wield once he held within himself all the souls contained in the 'Chim-el Adabal' stone of the Amulet of Kings. Not even Mannimarco's power would match Malan's while carrying the souls of all the reigning Emperors.

There is a popular saying that says pride goeth before the fall. I have a feeling Malan may get his big slip up soon. To get to dream of doing such a thing to that extent with the souls of the Septims is . . .madness! Admirable dream in terms of acquiring power but a hell of a fantasy nonetheless.

“AAARRGHAH! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? WHO’S BODY IS THIS, SOMEONE'S GRANDMOTHER? YOU’D BETTER GET YOUR [CENSORED] OUT THERE AND FIND SOMETHING BETTER THAN THIS! AND NOT THAT FLEA-RIDDEN MANGY CAT, EITHER!“

Even with someone with the likes of Malan has to deal with ungrateful women. Never knew Amiela was such a you know what. Then again, maybe I did but never fully realized it until I read more about her and her complaints. Then again, if I was stuck in the body of some old wrinkled woman I wouldn't be too happy about it either.

Damn that Khajiit! He'd have to take her soul to get those mysteries back...but with Azura protecting them, could they even be transferred to Amiela's soul? Mannimarco would know. He may have a solution.

Azura's seal is is Maxical's shield. Should've known that, dear Mally! And consulting with Mannimarco is never a good idea . . .funny thing though . . .Raven once tried consulting with the Avatar of Mannimarco . . .didn't go so well. Vampires and necromancers never really mix all that much, do they?

That Khajiit was in the right of it; said to look for an angry gentleman aplayin’ in my manure. You must be he.”

My head . . .my head . . .body mimicking all over again!

I did enjoy the word you chose to describe Malan's use of Jakben's smile. Clever! Great chapter, and things are boiling up as Malan plans to kill off our protagonist. Geez, he's getting pissed!

Hurry up and post the next chapter cause this just got better than it already was!

[Grits]

Caught up! And what tremendous fun!!

Chapter 201:

"I'm NOT in a snit!" I fumed, unclenching my fists and hoping he hadn't noticed them.

I always love the passages with Janus and Maxical. They are hilarious together.

But then Maxical gets seriously angry, and she was AWESOME at being really angry! She told Janus what he needs to do, and now I am on the edge of my seat wondering if he’ll come through for his own safety when he wouldn’t for Maxical. Woo, next chapter!!

Chapter 202:

Oh wow, Malan! I like his silent vow that Uriel would go down in glory, and his thought that he was performing a noble service for Uriel. That’s perfectly Malan! He is so very pleased with himself at the beginning of the chapter. It makes what happens next even more delightful.

I was rolling at Amiela’s reaction to the “perfect culmination of all his plans” hump session. NOT what he was hoping for! When he started telling HER what his favorites were, I nearly spit out my tea. Yes beloved, he has been humping nasty cats six ways from Sundas for a hundred years. PROBLEM with that??

“That Khajiit was in the right of it; said to look for an angry gentleman aplayin’ in my manure. You must be he.”

ROFL! The thought of Malan smelling of manure in Jak’s fancy outfit and gorgeous appearance had me laughing. I was so thrilled when Fathis put up a fight! Maxical may have an ally after all!

[mALX]

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! Yeah on the who's who - but it won't be for long, lol. You are def daydreaming Eyja in the tub again though, ROFL !!! Thank you so much Ghastley !!!

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@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so much Liz! OMG, you had me dying laughing with your first comment! Thank you so much again Liz !!!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! You had me roaring with your comment, even if I do take exception to the term "rightfully jealous," ROFL !!! I'm with Grits on this one, gotta figure her being dead a century kind of "killed" her rights to complain - and him going through all this to bring her back and the first thing she is going to do is jump all over him if he had another woman in those 100 years? - ROFL !!!

LOVED your "Jethro Bodine" comparison, but I happen to have the cow farmer's picture here - a Nord, as you can plainly see:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RaOrchOImw8/SPyZ...hillbilly19.jpg

Or his son:

http://superjeebus.com/images/Assistant_Pa...ber_Hayseed.jpg

Or maybe it was this guy?:

http://drblues.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/hayseed-crapo.jpg


I had actually picked this guy below as my favorite, till I got my glasses on and saw what was in his hands - kind of immersion killing to have him holding up a big weedwhacker, ROFL !!!:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/62674338_ffde04d3f1.jpg

Who would you choose? I loved them all, lol. ROFL !!!! Thank you so very much again, Acadian !!!

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@ King Of Beasts - Thank you so much Kobby! Actually, Ghastley asked that a couple chapters back. They can't communicate with each other or Fathis probably would rally them to a huge rebellion, lol. Also, only one can control his body at the same time - but wouldn't that be an awesome fight? *mALX imagines Malan punching himself in face* You are right about the souls being angry, and wanting to do something against him - once they get out of him, he'd better watch out! Thanks so much again, Kobby !!!!!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I am excited by this comment, that made my day! Tables are going to start turning on Malan, and Janus's mind will be cleared of Malan's control so he can make more decisions based on the gentleman he's been for fifty years. And Uriel - you'll get to see in the below chapter why he was so upset about Maxical losing Amiela, and why he was so anxious to get Amiela back into his possession. Thank you so much again, McB!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much DE! Don't worry, there are more Malan chapters coming, lol. (below, for instance, lol). You've pegged Amiela's personality accurately - Malan created a monster with Amiela, but that doesn't seem to bother him at least, ROFL !!! Thank you so much again, DE!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! Yes, there was a huge difference between the sniping between them and this fight. That was the first time Janus ever saw her really mad at him, he knows it too. He's caught between a rock and a hard place between the gentleman and the vampire, the accepted chosen and Malan's control over him.

On Malan's vow to Uriel, that is the second time he has vowed a noble sounding vow to Uriel, so far he hasn't kept the first one (to put his own army at Uriel's defense) - all he did was pull them from the war to save losing any more of them, and fill them up in the Palace to take it over, lol.

Uriel's assessment of Malan is the accurate one: No matter how good Malan's intentions may be, and regardless how noble the vow sounds - if something won't avail Malan it will not get done.

When he started telling HER what his favorites were, I nearly spit out my tea. Yes beloved, he has been humping nasty cats six ways from Sundas for a hundred years. PROBLEM with that??

SPEW!!! I did lose my Pepsi on that line !!! ROFL !!! Thank you so very much again Grits!


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