Kral wasn't sure if Rorinil had won, or not. Kral supposed he had, with that fact that he was still looking himself, but he was out cold. The bindings Rorinil wore looked on the verge of breaking. But, he still somehow managed to claw a decent way to the entrance. The Vigilant wasn't sure how he managed to ignore all the howls, whimpering, and other sounds that came from the Werewolf that Rorinil had been.
Now, Kral picked him up, and took him back to be closer to the Eldergleam. Resting him down on the ground, he began to remove the shackles that binded him. His robes were quite torn as well, which he fixed by placing a blanket over him. He was glad that Rorinil was smart enough to tell him to get that at least. He waited for a while, just waiting to see if he would wake up, after all, Rorinil wanted to be here when he woke up.
For a moment everything was sinking into an abyss. There wasn't any light, and there wasn't any sound. Then everything came rushing in around Rorinil. He couldn't surpress the sigh that came out, as he saw the sight that lay before him.
He wasn't a stranger to his mind, he had been here before, it was a place he came to see himself for what he truly was, to meditate, and in dreams. But, he had not seen it since had come to Skyrim, and in that short space of time it had warped to become something more desolate, and cruel. So, much had changed.
The sky was still gone, but instead of the fog that used to replace it there were wisps trailing above him, and Rorinil could faintly hear them; crying and wailing. The ground beneath him was ice, but it was clear like glass, and underneath it was a sea of fire. But, there was a change to this, chasms had opened, spewing out the fire it contained, spires of ice were also growing out the ground. The cobbled roads that adorned and twined around his mind were still there, but nearly all of them were shattered and broken. Trees grew next to these road; most of them were dead, but a few were alive, and some were saplings. But, many had fallen where the road was broken. Except for the ones next to the single surviveing road, that lead down to one of the more noticable changes in his minds space.
In the distance there was a snowfield, littered with towering pines. A sky hung over it, with a mood that shed it's light across the land beneath it. There was a wild beauty to the wolfs mind, Rorinil had to admit to that. But, he couldn't help but frown, almost jealous of the beast. He began his trek towards the forest, taking the single road that lead to it.
When, he got closer, he saw a chasm that seperated his world from the beasts. The elf waited in anticipation, his single eye keenly searching between the trees, and along the snow for his latest companion. It didn't take long for the beast to show itself, it skulked out of the trees. It's fur was as pure as the snow around it, shimmering as it moved closer. It's eyes trained on the Altmer, who couldn't resist at making a quip, “Lovely coat you have. Do you clean it like a cat?”
In reply, the oversized wolf snapped it's maw at him, a gutteral growl emitting from it as it's hackles began to rise. “You broke the deal.” It's voice reverberated, the anger in the beast was plain to see.
“Sorry about that, I'm just not as in control as I used to be.” Rorinil shurgged still being nonchalant about the situation that lay before him. And, he got another snarl in reply, the wolf looking even closer to attacking him. So, Rorinil decided to grow his wits, and be sensible, “I came here to settle this, I want our minds to become united. Or, at least become mutual companions, friends. I know what the problem is, and I can fix it.”
A howl in reply, and the beast leapt across the chasm, its great jaws open. It was all Rorinil could see as it landed on top of him. The weight of the wolf forced him to the ground, winded, and gasping for air, as he faced the gaping maw, and full rage of the beast, “You destroy what you touch!”
“I can change,” The words came out in a chocked, and desperate cry. Fire leapt from the mages hands and, the wolf bounded away as it's fur was singed. Scrambleing to his feet, he cried out again, “I'll forgive father, I don't want to hate him anymore, I don't-” With his admission, a sharp crack resounded in the air. The wolf charged, jaws clamping onto his arm. Teeth sinking into his flesh. The beast knew his host was weak, and his words made him weaker, which worried the wolf. Why would Rorinil shatter his beliefs, at such a decisive time?
He shoved a fist of fire into the wolfs fur, and the pressure on Rorinil's arm disapeared, as the wolf bounded away once more. “I wil not kill you, unless I have too.” Rorinil's words came out strong, still clinging to the hope that this would end without either of them getting killed. Gritting his teeth as he sealed the wound with fire. There wasn't enough time for Restoration. And, he was proven as the wolf snarled even more, It's hosts words just infurated it even more, it just couldn't understand why he was doing it, and he charged again. This time the mage was ready.
His whole body followed through with the motion, as an ice pillar came out of the road greeting the wolf who barely dodged it, it's pace not dropping, as it raced forward. The Altmers arm moved fluidly again, as if he was swiping at the wolf, and with the motion a pillar of ice rose, shooting out of the ground slamming into the beast making it career into the ice. “I won't be bitter anymore.” He gasped out the setance, as he gripped onto his arm. Another crack resounded through the air. The beast rose at his words, chargeing again. The mage met it with more ice, but it dodged, sliding out of the way. “I'm not Rorinil. I don't want to be him, anymore.” His words were no longer coming out of his mouth, they were coming from the very space the two were in. More ice erupted from the ground, missing, again he repeated it, missing. The claws of the beast raked along his chest. The blood flowed, and his knees gave way. “I just want to be free.” The words were soft, as the beast bit into his shoulder, beginning to tear away at the mer. His hands hit the ground, and with it the last of his magic. It seeped into the ice, moving. The ground around him cracked, and shifted. A deep rumbleing came from beneath them. And, the wolf let go, realiseing what was happening, it began to snarl at the Altmer, “Stop this.”
“No.” The reply was soft, and a smile played on the mers face. The ground continued to shift and crack.
“Defeat me as a hunter, a fighter!” The beast snarled out his demand. It didn't want to be defeated in this manner, it wasn't honorable, it was sickening. To be beaten by such a low tactic, and the host would be lost to a madness. And, the beast itself would be broken. But, it knew it was too late. Far too late to change the course of this battle.
The mer tapped the ground once more, and it calved the ground beneath the beast, making it drop. The beast grappled onto the ice, not wanting to fall below, where it knew the fire was waiting. And, a haggard sound came from it almost a laugh. It knew it had lost, it could have escaped before, but the damned mer would have destroyed everything just to get the beast. And, a broken host, and spirit would be worthless just a shell. The Altmer stared down at the beast, a tired look in his eyes, he looked defeated as the blood still seeped out of his wounds.
And, the beast silently watched the mer. Until finally it spoke, “Viskhard, yours?”
“Alaudidae Niradae.”
“A songbird.” And, the fire rose out of the chasm taking Viskhard.
“It's done.” Kral had finally done the work Rorinil tasked for him, a relatively simple task, but he sounded like he had just fought several patrols of the finest soldiers. But, Rori smiled at Kral's reaction, he was always bad with dealings that involved people. Even though it was just escorting the followers of Kyanareth to Kynesgrove.
“Good, well you can now. Help me with this.” The Altmer dangled two sets of manacles in front of his friends face. One for his arms, one for his legs. Despites, the full suit of armor, he could still tell that Kral was livid, at the sight of the chains. But, his sense of duty over rode that sense, and he took the manacles and clasped them onto Rorinil. As the restraints tightened around Rorinil, he let out a sigh, “This should, hopefully, be enough.” His comment was then followed by a silence. “Well, it's time for the Vigilant to stand his vigilance.” he smiled at his own terrible play on words, possibly his last spoke words. The sentinel nodded his head, neither one wanting to give the other hope that this would turn out well. They both knew that to hope for the best, would be futile.
As his last, andf first loyal companion, and friend left. Rorinil flopped onto the ground, sending his final prayers to Kynareth, and wishing that he at least said goodbye to Alba, and Dominic. Or, had at least seen Lorion. But, it was far too late for that.
He pulled out the vial from his pocket, something that he had only recently prepared. And, it had been a long time since he last took the fluid. It was special, and it would take him to a special place, his own mind.
The ill-tempered Courier grunted as he shoved a letter, or rather crumpled piece of paper, in Kral's hands. As Kral unfolded it, there were only two lines of writing on it:
Meet me at the Eldergleam Sancturary.
Rorinil
The unmistakeable scrappy scrawl, and mead stains cearly showed it truly was from Rorinil. The adruptness of the message left him guilty, and apprehensive. And, the timing of the letter was almost perfect, it seemed as both of them had come to make an decision. But, he had also distacned himself from Rorinil. Even though, he did say he would protect him, it was a completely different matter when it came to actually doing it. The beast-blood had made him more difficult to accompany.
It was peaceful in the Sanctuary, it was filled with a purity Kral hardly ever saw. There were only a few people in this place. It didn't take him long to spot his brother; who was haunched, and sombre over the stream that flowed past. A bottle rested close to him, but it wasn't open. The sight of it disquieted him.
His approach was hardly silent, at the sound of steel against steel , but Rorinil didn't turn around. Instead his back straightened, an odd perkiness to the gesture, and breathed out a greeting, “Kraldier. It's good to hear you again.”
Kral's stomach sunk even further, and for a moment he couldn't reply. The usual strength in his voice was gone, “I have made my decision. And, yours?”
Though, Kral could not see it, a smile split across Rori's face at his words. Swinging his legs around, to sit crosslegged in front of his dutiful friend. He still had the smile in place, and he was light-hearted as he spoke, “It's good to see your face again," he finally looked up at his friend, "At least, what you show of it. Now, take off your helm."
The large mer found it to be an unusual request, Rorinil didn't often ask to see Kraldier's broken and scarred face, but he did as he was bid and removed his helm. Placing it delicately onto the grass, before sitting down in front of his wayward brother. Rorinil looked different, at least in the way in which he carried himself; he looked as if he was at peace.
“So, what is it that you have decided?” The confidence was still in his voice, but something was lacking, and more worry worked into Kral's mind. He also completely ignored Kral's question.
Kral started off strong, “I have decided,” and then he faltered, his voice became soft, and cold “that I will kill you in a week.” He bit his lip, not daring to look away, from his brothers unflinching gaze, who still had that smile on his face. Kral unwittingly held in his breath, after a gasp of air, he added, “But, that is only if, you cannot. Stop killing.” The pain was obvious in his voice as he spoke, but this was something he had to do. And, Rorinil laughed, though his voice lacked the mirth as he spoke,
“How interesting, Sadly, you won't be able to enact that in a week, but maybe incredibly soon. I intend on facing the beast now.”
Kral's eyes widened, he wasn't sure how he should feel about that, happy? And, it showed in how he spoke, “Can you even manage?”
“Of course, get these guides of Kyanereth out of here. Tell them you have work to do as a Vigilant. Tonight, it shall be done. Say you're luring a werewolf here, to kill it.” He laughed again. And, Kral frowned at his poor choice of excuse.
He now asked his main question, “Why does it have to be here?”
This just caused Rorinil to be silent for a moment, and he spoke suddenly, “The first place I went to, when I left my home, was a Shrine of Kyanereth. She has been my patron ever since. It is only right, that if I am to die, that I die here. And, if I live, and conquer the beast, I awaken in the place where I left behind who I was. You know the story. This is the closest I can be to Kyanereth.”
Kral's head moved slowly, nodding. He did know the story, it was when Rorinil decided to wander, and leave his life behind him. He had initially left his home in a rage, and bitterness, but it was seeing Kyanereth that it solidified. And, the resolution stayed, and so did the emotions.
“I understand.” The words came out, but he still felt like this shouldn't be happening. But, it was better than nothing.
“Also, about Reave. I want you to give them a chance. Be kind, merciful, and generous. Please.” Rorinil had changed the topic so quickly, Kral almost had a hard time catching on, but he nodded his head.
“Yes, I will.”
“And, look after Jean. He or she, is a good kid.”
He paused for a while, surprised, and he breathed out the answer, “Yes, I will.”
“And, stop fighting in that ridiculous war.”
Kral didn't pause for a beat, “No, I can't.”
The answer was as expected to Rorinil, who laughed once more.
Rorinil had his drink, and was now on his way, to where ever it was the winds of Kyanerth would take him. And, they didn't lead him far as he was stopped by a courier, who looked quite irritated; he shoved a letter into the mers hands, threw him a dirty look, and stormed away.
After carefully unfolding the letter, he couldn't say he was surprised about who it was from, but his heart sank, and soon became a confused puddle either way.
Rorinil
I will be coming to Skyrim, to visit you. I will be in Solitude, no doubt you will find exactly where I am staying somehow. The reason I am coming to see you is because, your friend Kraldier, has told me about your current problem.
I know that you still hate me, but we won't be in Cyrodiil this time, and you won't be in your childhood home. Both, which make you incredibly uncomfortable. So, you will only have me to persevere. I want to help you, please remember that. You're my son.
Lorion Niradae
It was strangely honest for one of Lorion's letters, which he knew meant that he was completely serious about actually becoming family again. He even respected the fact that he threw away his own birth name.
He gave the letter another once over, before making fire erupt from his hands. Which, promptly engulfed the letter, and almost his other hand. He really needed to stop using magic.
Rorinil couldn't help but laugh, at the end of it; it was a demented laugh and it ended in a fit of coughing. But, he was estatic with the fact they were both alive, and the werewolves dead. The corpses of the beasts were ripped and torn by both magic and steel, but what finally killed them was obvious; spikes of ice protruded from the bodies, some sticking partially in, some ran right through.
Rorinil had no idea how Kral could withstand so much pain, the wolves had ripped through a good portion of both their bodies. And, his robes were absorbing a great deal of blood.
Kral was only a short distance away, trying to get up, but failing. His armour was ripped and torn; barely staying on his body as it was. It would be almost impossible to salvage now. But, it had lasted him two werewolf attacks, which was quite impressive.
Rorinil staggered over to him, collapsing next to his brother with a smile, "Just wait a moment, I still have some magicka left," he barely had enough left, but the healing spell came out, juttering, almost unstable. It stopped some bleeding, healing only a few wounds.
"Yourself." Kral managed to rasp out, he looked defeated for a man who just won a battle for his life.
"Oh yeah," Rorinil turned the spell on himself, but the spell soon guttered out, "Too bad, huh."
Kral grasped for the potions in his pocket, finding that most of them were smashed. He pulled out a small potion, handing it to Rori, who finished it quickly. The bleeding slowed, but it wasn't going to be enough, "Too bad." He repeated, a smile covering his face.
