As I walked through the ghost gate, the imposing image of Red Mountain stood defiantly before me. I paused for a moment taking in the ashen landscape. The land surrounding the mountain was dead in every sense of the word. The unpredictable raging ash storms from the volcano killed any chance of vegetation. The blight killed off any unprotected creatures. If ever there was a wasteland this was it, which was sad. Nerevar’s memories, well my previous memories showed a different story. This place had once been a beautiful land, a center of learning and culture. This place as it is now was merely a shadow of it’s former glory.
Now was a good of time as any I suppose. It’s not like this is gonna resolve on it’s own. The ash blew over me as I step out from under the gate, coating my protective cloak in white. I of course, Being a bit immature at times, couldn't help but giggle. At the moment there was a ghost at Ghostgate, me.
Azura bless my wonderful sense of hearing, I snapped my head slightly left as an arrow buzzed past passing so close it knocked dust from my hood. Slightly annoyed and mentally cursing my own stupidity, I turned to my assailant. A dreamer left with nothing but a nightmare, another victim of the sixth house. He stood some distance away and held a bow. I tossed a fireball at the poor soul, the remains added more ash to the landscape.
I must of got lucky since the rest of the long walk to Citadel Dagoth was without pests. I kinda hated these dwarven ruins, nothing about them makes a lick of sense to me. For example, the main doors are locked by a large spherical cover. You think that would keep me out right? Wrong, they put a handle on the outside to open it because that makes some kind of sense right? The handle for this particular door was merely ten yards south of the door and place on a large, easy to see pipe. After a quick walk down and back, the door cover was no longer an issue.
I ran my hand across the symbols carved in the metal frame of the dwarven door. It was funny how this place that I've never been to felt so familiar. It felt like the home to a friend. It wasn't surprising though, this had after all been Dumac’s home. What was left though was tragic. This place was beautiful once, but now it was tainted by deceit and betrayal the beauty was gone. I’m wasting time again though, and there is no use to procrastinating. This reckoning has been a long time in the making and I have come to far to back down now. This door I walked through in another life and never returned from, I hope this time it will not be my death again.
A male’s disembodied voice rang out as I crossed the threshold into the Outer Facility. “Come, Nerevar, friend or ,traitor come. Come and look upon the Heart and Akulakhan. And bring Wraithguard, I have need of it.” I couldn't help but freeze, that fucking voice haunted all of my dreams. His twisted golden mask of a face was burned into my mind no matter how hard I tried to forget. No matter what I did he returned every night messing with my head. Each of my dreams was a torture personalized for me.
One of his stupid little minions took a swing at me, battle hardened reflexes shattered the trance that held me. Which was unfortunate for them because they could’ve lived otherwise. I ducked under the sleepers swing and tore out his throat with my claws. He dropped his sword and clutched his neck before dropping to the ground gurgling. With a sweeping motion of my arms I pushed my cloak to my back revealing my custom glass armor and my little arsenal. Across my back was Daedric clay-more, two daedric katanas at my hip, a strap across my chest held a multitude of throwing knives, on my left thigh was a quiver of glass bolts, at my right thigh was a neat little dwarven crossbow I found on the body of a fabricant. The crossbow was great because it could reload by itself. It has a compartment under the main body to hold extra bolts and a little tank of water. The tank was heated by an enchantment which created steam. The steam would push a piston which pulled the string back and loaded another bolt. To top it all off was my enchanted backpack which held all my other belongings. Explaining how the enchantments worked would take me a week but suffice to say it was bigger on the inside than the outside.
I drew my clay-more from my back and smiled. On the blade was an inscription which said “From Oblivion, With Love”, like I said I’m a bit immature at times. I rushed his other followers and danced through the crowd slaughtering anything lacking the brain power to run away. Which, of course, was all of them. I found the Inner Facility through a locked doorway and down a set of stairs. The moment my foot reach the bottom he spoke once more.
"Come to the heart chamber. I wait for you there where we last met countless ages ago." It was like he could see me, which was a bit unnerving. Each step I took brought me closer to the monster's den and the monster knew I was coming. My baser instincts screamed at me to claim my dominance, to tear apart all who challenge me. I almost had to calm myself from the adrenaline rush I was feeling, my corrupted heart raced.
More of his followers stepped in trying to block my path. I chugged another few potions and continued my dance of death. They lacked my strength and quickly fell before my merciless onslaught of spells and swordsmanship. Actually I’m probably wrong, death for them was mercy. Just a small touch from his so called blessing was hell for me. I just can’t imagine the agony they suffered. Minion after minion attacked me, I quickly lost track of how long I had been fighting. Was it an hour? Or was it a day? I was tired but I wasn’t one to not finish my battles and I continued cutting my path to the heart chamber like I did so long ago. Once again he spoke as I made it to the Lower Facility.
“Come to me Nerevar through fire and war. I welcome you.” Blood and sweat coated my everything. Luckily the blood wasn't mine. I leaned against a wall breathing heavily, my clay-more resting on the floor. Pulling my final magicka and stamina potions I realized that I should have packed more. Hindsight is perfect I suppose, doesn't matter now. The potions could never replace good old fashion sleep but right now I didn't have time for a luxury like that. There is a job I have to do and a destiny waiting on me. I picked up my weapon and continued.
I sighed as my thoughts sped around like the cliff racers I truly despised. Kind of a bad time to be thinking, I know. Still, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't push them away they returned tenfold. All this gave me a purpose after the loss of my clan. I have no home, no family, and nothing waiting on me. I also have the added problem of the corprus or the divine disease as some call it. According to Divayth Fyr I’m immortal now as long as I don’t die of course. I have all the time in the world and no idea what to do with it.
“Is this how you honor the Sixth House, and the tribe unmourned? Come to me openly, and not by stealth.” His voice echoed again after I slayed Gilvoth, another of his higher ranked followers. I gawked for a moment at the large hole in the wall of the ancient dwarven structure. Rubble was strewn about along with a door dug back around twenty feet into rock. I stepped inside, running my hand along the uneven wall till I reached the door. I honestly didn't want to bother with the knob since I was getting tired of door after door after door, the impatience of my youth I suppose. So I raised my foot and kicked the rusty thing as hard as I could. The sound of the door slamming into the rock echoed down the hall that I had just come from.
Inside was a large cavern dug out of the rock like the hole, more importantly was Voryn Dagoth or Dagoth Ur as many know him today. “Welcome, Moon-and-Star, to this place where destiny is made.” He spoke calmly and with grandeur I have seen only from nobles and rich snobs. I was shocked to say the least, I had honestly expected to be viciously assaulted the moment I dared show my face to him. “Why aren't you attacking me Voryn? I mean seriously, I’m here to kill you.”
“You are the challenger here, after all. So to you goes the courtesy of the first blow. First, however, some parting words.’ He looked sad even with his golden mask of a face. “Now that you have come to me here, there can be but one result. Many times I have considered offering to share this place with you. I considered offering to accept your oath of service. You might try to buy my trust by giving me Wraithguard, Keening, and Sunder. I thought we might once again be friends... comrades... brothers in arms. But I have won this place and power by right of conquest. By right of daring and enterprise. I will not risk it to cunning and deceit. I offer you no deals. If you are my enemy, I cannot trust you. And even if you are not my enemy, I cannot let you live. It will all be decided here. I believe I will prevail. But I cannot be sure, and I am vain enough that, should I fall, I would wish to be remembered in my own words. So, if you have final questions you would ask, ask them now. I have final questions I would ask you, if you would answer."
I sat upon a nearby rock. I leaned back silently thanking the gods for a moment's reprieve to catch my breath and focus my mind. “Ask away, Voryn. I have all the time in the world.” He took a seat in front of me and look at me with eyes bearing, much to my surprise again, sadness. “Are you really….him, are you Nerevar reborn?”
I raised my left hand, unlocked the retaining straps, and slid the gauntlet from my hand. There on my pointer finger was undeniable proof of my identity, my ring Moon-and-Star. “This should be all the proof you need that I am Nerevar reborn.” I answered showing him the ring before returning the gauntlet back to its rightful place; he was silent as digested my answer. Finally he spoke, anger painted his words. “That is bitter. The gods and fates are cruel. I served you faithfully once, Lord Nerevar, and you repaid me with death. I hope this time it will be you who pays for your faithfulness.” He stood up and looked away from me. “Never mind, my second question is: if you win, what do you plan to do with the power from the Heart? Will you make yourself a god, and establish a thearchy? Or will you complete Akulakhan, and dispute control of Tamriel with the Septims? Or will you share the Heart with your followers, as I have, and breed a new race of divine immortals?”
I laughed at the last one. “You don’t create divines, you make monsters. I should know since I left a large amount of them dead on the way here. As for the heart, I just want the damn thing to be unusable by anyone. The power it contains is not for us mortals to fuck with. I’m more than happy to fight with my own strength, not with someone else's. It’s funny though that you threw away everything you had for power. And to top it off that power you paid so much for only corrupts you and all who follow in your footsteps. Kinda ironic ain't it. You are weak, and that weakness is only making you weaker. Another thing, you said the tribunal sacrificed their honor to become gods, yet you were the first one to tamper with the heart. The road to evil is paved with good intentions. So pot, stop calling the kettle black.” I said dismissing him like a child. It was easy to see that I had struck a nerve. His hands were balled into fists and his body shook from rage. He stormed away from me.
“WHO ARE YOU TO CHIDE A GOD!” He roared, shaking the cavern. “Don’t you dare compare me to to the false gods! They used the heart to satisfy their own lust for power!”
I raised an eyebrow, I put a hand over my chest. “Who am I to chide you?” I stared him down. “I am the one you threw away for divine power. Do you remember when you stabbed me in the chest! I asked you to guard the tools, not use them! Instead you destroyed yourself, and you murdered me!” I stood up pointing my blade at his face. “I was your brother-in-arms, your comrade, and you know what! I even considered you family. The tribunal started out with a dream and good intentions, you are no different! They failed! Sotha Sil is dead, murdered by Amilexia. Amilexia tried to kill me as well which forced me to kill her in self defense. Vivec has realized his folly, he sought me out and asked for my help. This will fail as well Dagoth! The heart brings nothing but misery to all who are touched by its power. It’s not gonna make this world the paradise you imagine, it’s gonna destroy all it touches.”
“ENOUGH! You are misguided Nerevar and I see you are well beyond any hope of saving. But I have one final question: If I had offered to let you join me, would you have surrendered Wraithguard, Sunder, and Keening to me to seal your oath?"
“No, I would never join you. You threw me away once, how could you ever believe I would trust you ever again?”
He turned around to face me. "Thank you for the forthright response. And now, if you have any questions, ask them. Otherwise, you are the challenger. I await your first blow."
“Nope. No questions for me, prepare to make peace with the gods Dagoth Ur.” I said with a sigh, our conversation weighing heavily on my heart. Using telekinesis, I pulled three scrolls from my bag. Still holding them I quickly invoked the incantations which cast a warrior’s blessing, the ninth barrier, and celerity. I felt the magic take effect as the scrolls disintegrate. With lightning fast speed, thanks to the scrolls, I closed the gap between us. He never even moved as I brought my clay-more from right to left in a sweeping diagonal strike. My blade passed clean through him, his body turned to ash. His laughter filled the room as he disappeared.
Figures it wouldn't be that easy. If it was that easy the tribunal would have finished this long ago, but laughing at me? Really? That only pisses me off and makes me want to kill you more. A dull grind to my left brought my pissed off attention to another spherical door opening up, another freaking door. I’m REALLY STARTING TO HATE FUCKING DOORS. This door was definitely gonna get it. Kicking it wasn't good enough, I needed a bit more umph. Then it hit me and I couldn't help but giggle. I sheathed my sword and pulled my war-hammer, Volendrung, from my bag. I took a stance with it over my shoulder and swung it with all I had. Lets just say, boy was the end result glorious. The rusted hinges gave way to my wrath turning door to deadly missile. First thing I noticed was the two unlucky sleepers who joined the door in a twisted swan dive off the edge and into the volcano. Second thing was the giant brass golem standing in the center.
It wasn't hard to figure out that this was Akulakhan. It’s not like a giant brass golem is subtle in any way, shape, or form. In the open cavity on Akulakhan I could see my target, at least according to Vivec, which was the heart of Lorkhan. “Gotcha.” I whispered returning Volendrung to my bag and equipping the pair of wraithguard gauntlets. Sunder and Keening were tucked in my belt.
Dagoth Ur appeared between me and the golem. “What a fool you are. I'm a god, how can you kill a god? What a grand and intoxicating innocence. How could you be so naive? There is no escape. No recall or intervention can work in this place. Come, lay down your weapons, it is not too late for my mercy.”
I responded by unloading my final few bolts into his remaining follows. I charged straight at him again, my scrolls still enhancing my already high natural speed to insane levels. But this time I dropped to the ground sliding under him as I threw my cloak in his face. I turned as my slide reached the edge. I gave him a cocky smile. “Mercy is overrated.” I waved as I tumbled over the edge. A quick slow fall spell cushioned my fall onto the suspended bridge below. I kept my momentum grabbing sunder in my right hand and keening in my left.
I reached the end of the bridge and slammed the heart with sunder. I could hear Dagoth scream but I didn't care. I switched up striking with keening next. One, two, three, four, but then my arm stopped. I was a bit confused as to why my arm refused to move, I looked down at the dwarven spear head protruding from my collar bone. It was then I could feel the warm sticky blood running down my arm and chest under my armor. Kinda odd how I missed that for a second, probably adrenaline. The agony from my shattered shoulder blade registered a moment later. I roared out in pain, my ghostly blue eyes shut.
"Hah-hah-hah-hah. Oh, dear me. Forgive me, but I am enjoying this." Dagoth mocked me appearing behind the heart. An idea popped into my head, it was suicidal but it’s not like I really cared. You only live once right? I just grinned as I looked him in the eye and laughed. “Enjoy this!” My right arm slammed Sunder into the heart again. Cracks spider webbed through the crystal structure before it exploded into a pink cloud launching me off of Akulakhan and back up towards the doorway I decimated minutes earlier.
I was shocked I was still alive, that should of killed me. My glass armor was definitely ruined, even a novice blacksmith could see that. The emerald green surface was peppered with shards of the Heart. The shaft of the spear must of broke off because it laid on the ground beside me. I rolled to my feet and picked up Keening off the ground with my good hand. I placed it back in my belt before picking up Sunder as well. I dropped it into my bag and walked to the edge to watch Dagoth Ur’s end.
Dagoth Ur looked up at me, still in Akulakhan’s Abdomen. The damage he took from the Heart’s explosion was gruesome to say the least. His blood was everywhere, so were pieces of his flesh, and to top it off shards of the Heart literally nailed him to Akulakhan. He stared at me for a moment before he finally sighed, "This is the end. The bitter, bitter end." He said with his final breath as Akulakhan collapse like a house of cards dumping his corpse into the lava with it. This time though he truly died though, no heart to save him.
I collapsed, feeling so tired with the scrolls no longer supporting me. I felt sad as well, which was really weird. It might be from the memories of Nerevar’s life but I couldn't be sure. Rolling on to my back, I had grit my teeth as I pulled the spear head out. It hurt like hell but I really had no choice. The Rebuild blessing, another fun little thing I picked up in Mournhold, was already closing the wound and I definitely did not want it healing with the spear still in me. That would suck big time, the lava did however make a satisfy hiss when I flipped the remains of the spear over the edge.
Wasn't sure how long I laid there, I kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Honestly I loved not being awake. My dreams were my own again and I could sleep in peace. But back to my main problem, I guess my biggest question was what now? There was no way in hell I could stay in Morrowind and live the way I wanted to. I carried to much power. Even if I didn't want a damn thing to do with politics I was still a major player. Hortator isn't a light title, not to mention I’m the reincarnation of a saint of the temple so there’s that. Then there’s all the powerful artifacts I own.
Unfortunately I didn't realize my two mistakes until it was way to late. The first mistake was that I had let down my guard in an area that still wasn't safe. The pink cloud from the heart’s explosion suddenly surrounded me like water as I rested near the edge. I felt like I was drowning, I couldn't breath nor see anything. My chest, specifically my heart, burned like fire. The pain was indescribable. As for my second mistake, well lets just say that slashing at the cloud made of divine energy with Keening, you know the dagger made to manipulate said energy, was a bad idea.
First thing I realized when I finally came to was that I was no longer in the heart chamber, the fresh air was nice though, I sat up and looked at my surroundings. The crater I had been laying in was pretty deep. I’d say it was definitely at least three feet deep. A large tree of a species I had never seen before kept the spot shaded which is probably why I didn't immediately wake up.
The alchemist in me was very much intrigued. What ever forest I was in was unlike any I had ever seen before. However, much to my sadness, my curiosity would have to wait because the day was quickly fading and if I wanted to sleep comfortably I needed to make camp.
Before I make camp though, I had the delightful task of removing my armor. I wish I didn't have to but the combination of injury to my shoulder, blood gunking up the joints, and damage to the armor itself made my left arm all but easy to move and I kinda needed it. It wasn't hard to undo the buckles and straps, the hard part was next. That being that I have fur and that my fur was solidly glued to the armor by dried blood. Basically it was the painful equivalent of tearing off adhesive bandages that covered most of my body. Yeah, so much fun.
It was a probably good thing no one else was around. I looked like a kitten dancing around and rubbing each spot I tore a piece of armor from but hell did it hurt. Each piece I managed to get off I hung up on a line I placed between two trees. It kinda sucked to see my armor in the state it was in. Making it had been a long endeavor not to forget the small fortune I spent as well. It might not be a total loss though, Sirollus Saccus did train me in smiting. I would need a forge to fix it with my spare glass though, probably best if I just clean it and store it for now. The cloths Caius gave me, however, were a total loss. Definitely gonna miss them but I gave them a fitting funeral by burning it with Fire Bite.
It was clockwork for me to set up campsite. This definitely wasn't my first time camping out, being a mercenary meant a lot of travel, fresh air, and of course sleeping in the great outdoors. It was either learn to set up camp or freeze, be eaten, get wet, etc. Lucky for me the main body of my backpack wasn't damaged by the heart shattering, one of the straps was, but that was nothing a needle and thread couldn't fix. After I had my tent up I gathered a few large stones to make a fire ring for later since burning down the forest seemed like a bad idea.
Just one more thing needed to be done to finish the campsite. I picked up a stick from off the ground and traced a circle in the dirt just large enough to go around the tent and the fire ring. The smaller the ring the better since it allowed me to concentrate the energy I supplied into a stronger effect. On the inside of the circle I traced several runes in key points before I fueled the ward with my magicka. A faint blue glow emanated from the circle and the runes which signified the completed spell. If I had any luck whatsoever, the ward I used to keep out unwanted guests would work wherever the hell I was.
Now that I had a proper campsite it was time for my next objective which was a bath because I really smelled terrible. I’m gonna put blame on the bone walkers I had been killing in Citadel Dagoth. Rotting, reanimated flesh tended to stink really bad after all. I threw down a quick recall point in the middle of my camp before I ran up the closest tree. My claws and acrobatic skill made it easy to quickly climb to the top.
I could definitely say the view was worth the climb, the sunset was gorgeous. The giant golden orb in the sky was putting off a plethora of red and orange lights in the sky. The color was contrasted by the dark shade of the sea of trees making up this forest. More importantly though, I saw a lake around a few hundred feet west of my camp. Gathering my magic I cast Tinur's Hop-toad and leaped from the tree top. The world blew by as I flew through the air. I felt weightless without my armor and weapons. It seemed like an eternity since I last went any sort of time without them. The wind in my fur felt wonderful. I really felt alive.
Like a child, I cannon balled into the lake without any thought or care in the world. I loved the water, I know some Khajiit hate it, but me? I loved to go for a swim even if, with my fur, it took me a while to dry off. It didn't take long for all dried blood stuck to my fur to loosen up and fall off. You think with the experience I have with slaughter fish I would of learned to be careful putting blood in the water right? Nope. I barely managed to avoid the gaping jaws of death that came flying out of the water at my face. Well most of me anyway I realized as I touch one of my ears which was missing the tip and bleeding
One thing you never do to a Khajiit without permission is touch our ears. They are extremely, and I mean Extremely with a capital e, sensitive to any kind of touch or sound. It was more painful for me to cut my ear than it was to get stabbed in the gut. Piercings to the ears were considered marks of strength, a testament to the amount of pain you could take. I myself have ten. Each earring was a tribute to a member of the mercenary clan who had raised me and I carried their names inscribed on them with pride and honor. I was furious when I realized one was missing. To say the least, I was definitely ready to beat this damn thing within an inch of it’s life. Using a water walking spell, I stood of the surface of the water and waited for the stupid thing to take another go at me.
I smiled as I saw the thing had double backed for another go at me. I side stepped as it launched out of the water again. Grabbing it’s tail, I swung it in a circle a few times using it’s momentum to throw it onto the shore. It rolled several time before coming to a stop on its back. I followed up by jumping up high into the air and elbow dropping right in the area I figured its stomach would be. It hissed in pain as my full body weight crashed down on the soft underbelly. Another blow caused it to lose the contents of it’s stomach.
Killing the undead had pretty much killed my gag reflex, so the vomit smell didn't bother me much even with my sensitive nose. It only took me a few seconds to find the missing earring. This particular one had the name Solena Coloni, who was my foster mother, inscribed on it.
I used my left paw to pin the odd creature down as I cleansed the ring with fire to remove any bacteria and the smell of stomach fluids. Of course my ear had healed over already which meant I had to re pierce it. Lucky for me that I have claws that will easily do the trick. Just a quick painful poke later and the earring was back where it belonged.
The odd creature squirmed trying to free itself from under my heel. Even though I've been in so much combat it wasn't funny, I never took pride in killing. My skills and knowledge maybe, but never killing. I felt merciful, so I jumped back several feet from the creature which looked like a large lizard made of rocks. Of course It opened it’s mouth wide and had the gall to hiss at me. Well, at least it did before making a frantic, mad dash to the safety of the lake when I stepped forward menacing.
Wow that thing was a blowhard; I kicked it’s rear and it still had the nerve to hiss at me. Screw it. Not important, I've spent too much time here already. Night had already fallen but like always I never really noticed it. My eyes, just like all other Khajiit, were well suited for night time. What I did notice was my rumbling stomach.
The pompous lizard might of made a nice meal but last time I ate something unknown I was laid up a week with stomach problems. I refused to go into detail but I will say that I learned my lesson the hard way.
My recall spell blurred the world around me and changed my scenery back to that of my camp. The forest by now was completely bathed in moonlight and what ever plane I now walk only has one moon but the sky was still breath taking.
I hated eating the dried emergency foods I had stored in my bag but until I knew what was safe to eat my hands were tied. I couldn't afford to get sick in an area I knew nothing about, with no one to help me, and very little potion ingredients. From what I had in my bag I made a scribe jerky sandwich. With that I splurged a bit and drank some Cyrodilic brandy I had been saving for a special occasion.
I felt better with my belly sated. My little encounter earlier reminded me of one thing I still needed to do to finish up the camp and that was removing any predator attractants. My armor and weapons being the main offenders, I started with them. My actions were slow and deliberate as I cleaned my dirty weapons and armor. These items had saved my life a number of time and I treated them as such.
It was peaceful for me just to sit here with this great atmosphere and an easy task to kept my mind from thinking about my situation. As I finished each piece, I placed it in my bag for safe keeping.
Screams, pulled me from my work. They sounded like a child’s screams, several to be exact. They were close to. Scooping up a katana, I followed the sound which became clearer as I got closer.
“Scootaloo, help Sweetie Belle get into the tree!”
“What about you Apple Bloom?”
“I’ll be ok, just go!”
I got one hell of a surprise as I slide into the clearing ready for a fight and found myself, of all things, between a small, brightly colored horse and a wolf which appeared to be made of wood.