My name is Tanais. I was born in Cheydinhal, in Cyrodiil in the year four hundred thirteen of the Third Age. My father was a banker, and though our family was not too rich, we had quite enough money to live comfortably. Because of father’s connections I could get a decent education: to study natural sciences, history, and despite the lack of talent for magic - extensive schooling in the arcane arts.
I was prepared to lead a peaceful life, following in the footsteps of my father, until my life changed on one fateful day.
My father had business with a trading company in the port city of Anvil. Sometimes we went there on business, and once, when we were returning from one such trip, right near Cheydinhal we were set upon by a gang of robbers. Fortunately they were few, and we were able to fight back, but father was seriously wounded. He died of his wounds a few weeks later. After that, I just could not just live life like before. I decided to join the Imperial Legion. But when I gathered my things and went to the Imperial city, Fate presented me with yet another surprise.
On the road where father was felled, I decided to wade through the forest. When I was at the point of our fight, I saw blood on the bushes. It was the blood of one of the wounded bandits. I walked along the trail, and a few hours later stumbled upon a hidden camp. They were there. All five of the bandits were in the camp, suspecting nothing. My heart was smitten with a thirst for revenge. I waited for the darkness and when it came I crept behind the guard, thrusting his sword into his throat. Two more I finished as they slept. Unfortunately, the latter raised an alarm before succumbing. I was face to face with two armed bandits. I do not know how it would have ended in a different time, but then I was not going to stop either way.
Smeared with blood, with face radiating hatred, I was like a demon. It made a decisive impression on the bandits. I lunged forward, knocking the first out of his stance, and using the momentum, pierced through his chest. Parrying the second, I spun around, severing his spine. Adrenaline boiled in my veins, but the fight was over. My father was avenged.
In the things of killed bandits I found an unusual medallion in addition to money. He seemed quite wealthy. The next day, washing my clothes of blood in a river, I continued on my way.
Two days later, I finally got to the capital. The high, white walls of the Imperial City were really impressive. I admired the views of the capital, when I went to the Market District.
The medallion was beautiful, but absolutely useless, and I decided to sell it for a few coins. It's funny, but at the time I probably should be thinking, "Where did the bandits get this medallion?" As it turned out, the medallion was stolen property! I was thrown in jail, left to wait while they found the medallion’s owner and arraigned a trial. Well, at that moment my fate was determined. After a few hours of boredom and taunt from other prisoners, who came? The guards, you would think? No. It was the Emperor of Tamriel! After that, I suffered a whirlwind of events.
The death of the emperor, the meeting with Grandmaster of the secret order, search of the lost heir to the throne, the salvation of the dead city, meeting face to face with innumerable hordes of Oblivion, travelling through the worlds, meeting with adventurers who dared to go into the kingdom of the Mad God, dozens of caves, ruins, dungeons through which I had to go ... I became a professional adventurer, a hero of Kvatch, the Savior of Bruma, and in the end - of the whole empire. Now that Martin Septim sacrificed his life to expel Mehrunes Dagon of Nirn, passage between worlds is locked. But it would it remain so forever?
I climbed out of the abyss of memories. Dagon banished, gates of Oblivion closed, but I still can not find peace. The Gates would never again open, but is Nirn finally saved? God of destruction do not stop. He will look for a loophole through which you can get to Tamriel. And the Mythic Dawn cult who unlocked the door for Dagon, still exists. I need more information...
With such heavy thoughts, I departed for bed.
At the same time
Something has changed. Impossible. What would drive you to place something, if it is necessary that it was not to be here. And yet here there is something new. Everything appears natural in some way. But ‘It’ appeared unnatural. Impossible.
But still it appeared. So the impossible became possible in something’s need to change the structure of the universe. The probability was extremely small, but it is what it is. This requires exploration. Nothing is hidden from my sight. Soon, all the information will take place on the endless shelves of Apocrypha. If it does not belong of Nirn, Oblivion or Aetherius, soon this new world will take its place among them - tentacles rustled on the floor - because nothing is hidden from Hermaeus Mora.
I went to the only place where I could find out something - the Arcane University of the Imperial City. Walking through the streets, I observed that in the past five years the city, almost in ruins, had partially rebuilt after the Daedra invasion. The Imperial Legion was severely battered and weakened, keeping the hordes that came out from Oblivion, so the city suffered badly due to the looters, who had gathered from all over the empire it seems.
And without them there were enough problems. In hard times everyone survived as he could. Humans and nonhumans are grouped by race and social features. Remembering the old enmity. Chancellor Ocato could not cope with the burden of managing an empire that was falling apart. In general, Tamriel experienced perhaps its worst years in history.
As a simple adventurer I tried to stay away from politics, but all this has created a feeling of depression. Many went to other cities, which were more fortunate. Of course, this reflected in the new balance of power in Cyrodiil, so that people unwittingly repaid rulers for the warm welcome.
Reflecting on this, I came to the only area that does not hurt still - the Arcane University. This place was exactly that was searched for by all living beings, hungry for knowledge. From Summerset Isle to the College of Winterhold in Skyrim there was no other equal place of learning. If there was someone who I could ask my questions, it was here.
Walking up the stairs, I went to the tower of the Board of Magicians - a building which is only slightly inferior to White Gold Tower, the residence of the emperor. Going in, I started looking for Tar-Meena, the only magician I knew. This argonian had greatly helped me in the hunt for the Mythic Dawn. Soon I had found her in the halls of the council.
“Hello, Meena! It seems to me that I again need your help - I had contacted others, but they could not match your knowing” I said to her.
“Ah, greetingssssss in this abode of knowledge, Tanaisssss. What does my friend again require from a modest resssssearcher of daedric cults?” she asked me. She was a good enough person, but Argonian manner of speaking slowly and stretching hissing often sounds frankly annoying.
“I trust you still remember our hunt for the Mythic Dawn” I began, becoming serious. “Because I have more questions about the cult in particular, and Daedra, in general.”
“What are you specifically interesssssted in?” the Argonian woman inquired.
“The Amulet of Kings restrained Daedra outside Nirn. How did it do it?” I responded.
“Hmm ... Well the offfisial version told in the legend about the firsssst Empresssss Alessia. I think you know her. Sssssaint Alessssia raised a revel of humans against Ayleids during which Akatosh took pity over people, and forbade the Daedra who fought on the side of Ayleids. He secured his agreement with mortal-kind with his own blood, which petrified, turned into a ruby in the center of the Amulet. Unfortunately, even the gods are not omnipotent and--”
“Stop, stop. What does this mean?”
“Nirn isn`t totally safe. I, as one who is deeply involved in this, can assure you. Akatosh only made it impossible for a full-scale invasion by Mehrunes Dagon and the other princes. They can still influence it, to put pressure on mortals, to destroy our unity within, bringing disharmony and chaos! Daedra can also come here under a contract with a mage; magicians actively take advantage of this by forcing younger Daedra to serve as aides and guards” Tar-Meena explained at length.
“This Is I know” I said. “So, something like the Oblivion Сrisis cannot happen again? We are protected?”
“To seriously talk on this subject you need to know prehisssstory. Do you know the legend about the creation of the world?”
“Of course; every child knows Anuad. Two firstborn brothers Anu and Padomay personifying light and darkness, fell in love with a woman, created by the elements of darkness and light. Then there is some pretty boring lines of relations between the brothers. In the end, as a result of the universal battle there were twelve destroyed worlds from which Anu quickly revived one. Except that the blood Anu bears was barren. So from Padomay’s blood - Daedra, and of mixed blood - Aedra gods. But the brothers themselves were thrown abroad space and time” I recounted the tale.
“It is a very sssssimplified version, but it will come down. However, thisss iss only a legend. The reality is more complicated. Do you know astral structure of our world? Plane of the mortals, Mundusss, surrounded by plane of the Daedra, Oblivion, which in turn is surrounded by a plane of the gods, Aetheriusss. But Nirn is not holistic, for the reason that it is made up of twelve fragments. And Oblivion is not one. It, asss you know, consisstsss of sixteen planess of sixteen Daedra princes. But they are separated by a mysterious Unknown - Waters of Oblivion. No one knows what they are, we know only that it was there live Daedra are not embodied in the plane. From there they are in the physical world, and so goes their living body” Tar-Meena said.
“This is all of course interesting, but how does this relate to our topic?” I asked, growing impatient.
“It’s the most relevant! Water to the astral world is the same as space for physical!” Tar-Meena was so absorbed that she even forgot to sizzle. “Nobody knows where they might arise, no one knows what might be on the other end of the universe. But I carried away... sorry if I overloaded you with all this nonsense, but this topic is really important for me. Here, if you really care about this problem, I advise you to go to the abandoned base of the Dawn. If this information exists, it is there. Find anything that might come in handy, and return to me.”
“Thank you for the knowledge, and for the meeting. Wait for me in a few days.” With these words I bowed. Well, it seems it is time to remember the old skills I thought. The Adventurer goes on the trail of adventure.
On the borders of the Apocrypha.
What is this place? It looks like a plane, or even an Atronach’s home, but is not it. With Aetherius it has nothing to do. Was father right? Is this it? I must know for sure. And I even have a couple of candidates for exploration ...
Red sky was lit with ominous flashes of lightning. To the horizon stretched the Deadlands, alternated by lava lakes. Everywhere sticking out of the ground strange protrusions, like claws, covered with blood. All this place was very scary, but the most terrible was a huge black tower rising up to the sky.
“I underestimated these miserable mortals. Who knew that they have the courage and strength to withstand not only pathetic cultists, but the army of Daedra? I lost by betting on their indecision. They had the nerve to call the damned Akatosh! Unfortunately, now the direct way for me to Nirn closed.” - Lightning flashed, snatching from the darkness huge ominous figure of four hands.
“Now I'm sure that I did not see to it all. The water balance is broken, and every minute I start to get clearer signals from the long passage that is overlapped. Is this it? Ancient prophecy of father was true? This must be carefully checked...”
“ZARDASH”!
In the throne room a bright flash lit up the materialization of a Dremora.
“Yes, my Lord?”
“You are to take your squad, go to the depths of the water, find the center of the imbalance. We should not miss this opportunity. Go!!”
When the Dremora disappeared, Mehrunes Dagon said quietly “first, my prey will be the unknown one, and then Nirn. Unless the front door lies closed, then the back shall be my option.”
In the sacred hall of renaissance of Dagon’s castle, five Dremora lined up before the sixth. Tall grey-skinned Daedra, with a pair of twisted horns were one of the best warriors among mortals and immortals.
“Listen to me, kynazes! On our shoulders lies the sacred mission! Only we can restore the name of Daedra in the minds of mortals! We lost one time, we have no chance to even one mistake! Forward! Our challenge is to conduct reconnaissance on the miserable mortals, learn everything you can about this unknown world, and most importantly: to find a way to get into Nirn’s reverse side of the world. We have an important task, and we will fulfill it!
With these words, Zardash jumped into the sacred waters. Dremora followed him a few moments later.
A few days earlier…
“AAAA!!” the now-former Unicorn Twilight Sparkle, shouting, jumped out of bed.
“What is it, Twilight?” her assistant, Spike, ran with excitement.
“N-nothing,” said the slightly stammering now-Alicorn. “Just a nightmare...”
“Hmm, you seem a bit tense, Twilight. You should relax; the last few days were rather heavy” the drake stated. “And this sudden transformation into Alicorn...no wonder that you have such dreams. Have a rest!”
Twilight sighed and went to the window. A few days going she had dreamt strange dreams, suspiciously identical. Mysterious starry sky, with unusual constellations. Fortress, or enclosed city with high walls. And his eyes. Eyes, whose gaze reminds both of Sombra and Discord.
Her opinion expressed it a strange curiosity. An opinion that is not promising anything good.
Twilight sighed again. Maybe her assistant right? Maybe she really should relax, go to a couple of Pinkys parties...
“But anyway, it is necessary to ensure.”
“Spike, I think should write to a princess. Princess Luna, in fact” Twiligh expressed.
“What? But why Luna?”
“She is our patron of the night. If someone can tell me what's going on in my head, she’s the one” the Alicorn explained.
“Okay, Twilight, I think I'll be able to deal with that. Go, take ease, and I'll do all you need” Spike said.
The purple Alicorn nodded and left. In Ponyville flared fine day; through the efforts of the Pegasi the sky was absolutely clean. Twilight looked around, wondering where to go, but at the same time was knocked on the ground by a rainbow-colored comet.
“Hi, Twilight, where are you heading?” asked the "comet.”
“Rainbow Dash, can you even some times watch where you're flying?” Twilight asked worriedly, trying to get out from under the Pegasus.
“Sorry, but I'm not up to examining the area. I was racing to check out my awesome new idea!” Rainbow explained.
“Will you let me know what is it?”
“Well, the last few days in Ponyville were pretty boring; all the books about Daring Doo I re-read, so I was struck by a brilliant idea! I myself would become such an adventurer! So I was hurrying to get the necessary equipment, while I created inspiration! By the way, do you know where the closest secret tomb is?” the brash Pegasus asked.
“What?! Rainbow, you're serious? You have any idea how dangerous that is? Anything can happen! I didn’t expect this, even from you!” Twilight protested.
“Yeah, come on, Twilight. What bad could possibly happen with such a cool pony like me? Anyway, I have to go, I need to find some more things. By the way, there is one thing... About inventory. Could you persuade Applejack lend me a rope? When I told her what I needed it for she just flatly refused me for some reason.”
With these words the Pegasus took off, leaving a small vortex in her wake.
“And why am I not surprised?” muttered Twilight under her breath. “This pony will not become bored, no matter what. Well, at least someone has kept a sound mind.” Having said this Twilight, deciding that she in fact still needed somewhere to go, went to the Apple farm.
Applejack was pretty easy to find. Outside it was early Autumn; some varieties of apples had ripened, and from the southern part of the garden came the sound of strikes against wood.
Descending from a small hill, Twilight noticed the orange mare, who was just finishing her work.
“Hi, AJ” greeted Twilight.
“Hi-” Applejack bucked the tree. “-sugarcube. Phew, looks like that’s it for t’day. Yet quite a few more trees matured, so quite a bit left to do. So, how can I be of help?” the orange mare asked.
“Yes, well, I have, in fact, nothing important. I just came to talk. Did you hear about Rainbow’s new venture?” Twilight said.
“This ‘s about ‘looking for adventure?" Well, y’all know this pegasus. A few days later it all blows over. Plus I don’t know about any ancient ruins in the vicinity of Ponyville.”
“Yes, I have to admit, I just was waiting to hear this one from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, rather than from an adult pony” Twilight admitted.
Talking softly, the two mares went towards the farm, not noticing the shadow eyeing them from the trees.
"Looking for adventure? Sounds great. Need to consult with the others” whispered the little yellow pony and ran toward the town proper.
At the same time…
I, Tanais, go in this cave at the fourth hour of dawn. All I could find is a warehouse of weapons and cult equipment. A few more gold pieces. But nothing useful for my job. It was really uncomfortable to look for something with no cross on the map. This was the fifth den of the Mythic Dawn investigated over the last two days, and I'm starting to think that I should not have worried. Maybe I was wrong? Maybe, Nirn really WAS safe from the hordes of Dagon? But the words Tar-Meena spoke haunt me. It seems that the only way to calm down is to rummage through all places somehow related to the Dawn.
I leaned against the wall, when part of it shifted. So apparently this room was some storehouse of religious literature. After spending some time in Tar-Meena’s study, and several hours in this secret room, I had decided that there was nothing interesting here, and was about to leave when I drew an excerpt from one of the documents.
All our actions are carefully planned. Errors should not be. But we should not be overconfident. Therefore, in the event of unforeseen obstacles, all the leaders of the Order should meet in the shelter under the first gate. Dagon be with us.
Dawn is coming. Greet the new day.
One more shelter? So, I should immediately go there. So if these sects did not come up, it does not mean anything good... The first gate, huh? If I'm not mistaken, it was that one that rose before Kvatch’s gate. It's time to go.
The next day.
Dagon and their conquest started here. Kvatch was beautiful city, where we stayed when my father and I went to Anvil. For one night Daedra turned it into burning ruins. Thousands of dead, and my first closed gate. It was a good battle. Fortunately, almost all Daedra entered the city, leaving only a small garrison tower. Fatal error. Then I was young and inexperienced. But then I went through hell. And was successful. Since then, they call me the Hero of Kvatch.
Now, six years after the crisis, some blocks partly restored, but most of the city still lies in ruins. Sad spectacle, but I'm here for a purpose. The document states that shelter was under the gate. This almost certainly meant that I will have to climb back into the sewer. How I hated them during my travels. But nothing can be done about, unless I wanted to dig a hole. Guards at the gate joyfully welcomed their savior, but did not asking too much. I began to search for the descent. Finding the hatch, I took a deep breath and jumped down. I hoped there were no more Daedra, like Scamps. Taking a torch from the wall and consulting the compass I began my quest. Wandering about for twenty minutes, I began to think that I should first check all the doors on the top, but I was lucky. Examining one of the aisles, I noticed a switch, which pressed easily. Taking caution I was surprised that the ceiling had not fallen down, but instead the switch quietly opened a hidden door. When I entered the hallway that led farther in front of me were only two guards, both of which I struck down with a single blow. Something's too easy I thought. Trying not to make a noise I went down the hall. On the second turn I heard voices.
“...almost done.”
“Right, Brother. My people are already finishing the preparations. Passage is almost ready. Fortunately the first gate, on the left, we have a weak spot in the structure of the astral world. Victims brought by us should be enough to be able to break through the wall of the channel, that once connected Nirn and Oblivion. Your task - to get between worlds, and to let the Lord pass. We can not again be disgraced before the Lord. We have summed him once...”
“Do not worry, this time we shall not be interfered with...”
“Khm-Hum.”
“What's that?” one of the Dawn men said, turning at my sound.
“I said, "Ahem”. Did I mention how much I love the theatrics? No? Well, anyway, this was great. Their shocked faces were better than any praise. “I think you allow yourself too much” I said softly. “I will have to stop you again.”
“But... How... No matter. Guardians!!”
At that point out came many cultists. I really did not think that they had so many still... I parried the first, cut the breasts of the second, third cut throat... I didn’t think they had a chance, but then their leader also understood that. I noticed a strange altar in the middle of the room. Now he blazed a pale light.
“Faster, Brother!” one of the head cultists exclaimed.
“You will not leave ANYWHERE!!!” I yelled as I brought down two more guards. I ran for the the portal.
The Priests’lightning smashed my shield to pieces, but I managed to make a breakthrough to the altar. Three surrounded me, but I did not pay attention to them. My goal was that of a saboteur, who was going to go to Oblivion. In my last effort I hit one in the back, but then I pushed and I couldn’t keep my balance and slipped on a puddle of blood, felt down in a closed portal.
