NABC Chapter 129: Chapter LXX: Putting Them To The Sword (Part 4/Hag's End)
Chapter 129: Chapter LXX: Putting Them To The Sword (Part 4/Hag's End)
Chapter 129: Chapter LXX: Putting Them To The Sword (Part 4/Hag's End)
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I enter the temple and immediately tense at its aura. The feeling and most disturbingly, the smell reminding me all too well of Dyrren's tower, even the bone chilling gaze of the disgusting Daedra was present.
Behind the ruined gate stood a massive chamber housing a Dovahzul word wall, using it as some kind of support for the entire building. The dozens of Forsworn inside were all scrambling into position as a small circle of witches were busy chanting and seemingly forming yet another flesh golem while half a dozen sacrificed Reachmen were rapidly decomposing below them.
Barely a second after I walked in, arrows started flying toward me followed by bolts of fire and lightning. Unfortunately for the Forsworn, it seemed that all the competent witches died at Haraldstead, so I contented myself with merely standing at the entrance and making them waste their strength and ammunition in their enraged focus on me, while my party killed them all.
After all, why should I bother if I have other people to clean up the mobs?
Besides, it should be a nice and controlled lesson for my apprentices.
(General POV)
As Reyvin calmly stood before the Reachmen, further enraging them, his group was not standing still.
The Dunmer started systematically taking out the enemy mages while Davos targeted the golems with his enchanted crossbow.
Minthara, like many of her people, didn't have much patience for skirmishing so she threw herself into battle becoming a whirlwind of air magic and rapid hammer strokes, leaving her enemies in pieces or at the least crushing every bone she got in melee range of.
Marco was forced to finally unsheathe his rapier and guard the overeager Nord's back as the Forsworn started swarming them.
"You don't think you should help them out, boss?" Davos asked calmly while hitting a golem in the eye and exploding its head.
Reyvin waved both him and another arrow off "Let them get battered up a bit, otherwise they might think they will always get away with rushing in like idiots."
Davos flinched suddenly "Boss I think one of them just stabbed the brat in the leg."
"Pain is weakness leaving the body." Reyvin nodded sagely, his tone uncaring but his eyes glowing at attention.
"Ummm boss, one just smacked Minthara with a mace" Davos sounded even more unsure. "Its fineee" Reyvin drawled "She is wearing armor."
Davos flinched again "Boss I don't think that leather and steel mail are all that good against a dozen Briarhearts."
Reyvin groans "Fine you pansy, I will help them out" With a casual wave of his hand he launches an overcharged chain lightning at the group, perfectly avoiding his students and killing the last of the Forsworn.
Seeing the bloodied and battered forms of his students Reyvin nods to himself "See, they are fine!"
Davos groans and shakes his head.
(Reyvin's POV)
I approach my students and quickly scan them with my eyes. Minthara's entire left arm is broken, and her right eye is barely holding itself together, yet she is still stubbornly standing and glaring at me.
Marco is in a similar state, merely with a lot more broken bones and cuts everywhere.
"So kids, what did we learn?" I ask cheekily.
"Just kill me please." A wheezing voice comes from below.
Minthara's glare deepens "Why did you leave us surrounded?" her tone is hard but I sense she expects a lecture.
Before I can respond Marco wheezes again "Paaaaaain"
"Fine, fine" I huff and start healing both of them at the same time "The two of you rushed forward on your own, not at all caring that there were far more of them than us, without even consulting me or at least someone who actually knows what they are doing. That is why I let you get your shit kicked in."
Marco groans as he gets up "Why do all of your life lessons have to include pain?"
"Because it is a good teacher" I snark.
Minthara sighs "You are right of course" Her fixed eye twitches "Why am I hearing chanting?"
"Oh?" I think for a moment and my eyes land on the word wall "You might want to approach that"
She gives me a confused look, but seeing that I was not about to elaborate she started walking. "It is getting louder" She says and finally stops a meter away from the wall.
While the two creatures argue who the better bird was I slowly turn to the guildsmen and nod,
they all raise their crossbows and loose as one.
The hag doesn't even react as a dozen poisoned bolts penetrate her and keeps ranting at Scorch, all the way until the poison knocks her unconscious and she falls over.
The Guildmaster looks at me expectantly and after instructing apprentices not to interrupt I drag the unconscious Hag to the shrine, much to Scorch's glee, and start carving a ritual circle
with my staff.
As I carve the circle I feel the familiar presence of Namira attempting to worm its way into my mind, but much like last time Mephala's pendant explodes in power and pushes it back.
The sounds of battle are getting less and less pronounced as each minute passes, I await the perfect moment, and the instant I sense the battle stop completely, signaling our total victory, I plunge my dagger into the heart of the priestess.
======
As the knife pierces her heart and the life fades from her I feel her soul get dragged into a very
familiar place, and I suddenly find myself standing in a great hall covered in spiderwebs. An
army of Daedra stares at me with a mixture of respect and disdain, I even notice Xelzaz in the crowd who gives me a wave.
I turn around and see Mephala in all her glory holding what is definitely the hag's soul in her
hand like a precious gem, her eyes focus on me the desire behind them obvious to all "You have done well, my chosen."
I raise an eyebrow "Odd that I would have to be informed of such a change in status by a bunch
of assassins" I smirk and mock-bow "My Prince."
"Cheeky" She smirks back "If you wish to be pedantic about it they are technically a monastic order of mine."
I look around the hall and raise an eyebrow "And since when were you into pedantry?"
She bursts into melodious laughter as some of her Daedra glare at me, while others share in
our amusement.
"Was there a reason for this" I wave my hand around "Prestigious gathering?" Mephala straightens up in her seat and tosses the soul to another unnaturally beautiful Daedra "We are here to celebrate my victory and award you for your services." She declares
regally.
"Well if the reward is worthwhile I am glad to have been of service." I smirk. "Indeed" The Prince nods "You are hereby granted command of any of my believers in
Skyrim, and the Morag Tong will forever be barred from targeting you. The power of the
locket I granted you all those months ago shall also grow, and any spider you meet shall follow your command."
I school my features, even if hiding my glee is completely useless in front of a literal demon god "My thanks for your generosity my Prince" I bow.
She smiles radiantly "I am indeed generous, unlike many others" She raises a dainty hand "Now you are unfortunately needed back on Nirn so I won't keep you."
And as soon as the words leave her mouth I am once against standing in front of the shrine, now covered in barely-visible spiderwebs and with the hag's body nowhere to be seen.
I turn around and see all of the Dunmer, including Davos and the Guildmaster bowing to me.
"What is your command, my lord?" The leader asks with devotion.
I try and keep the toothy grin in check... and fail completely.
Spider mommy requests a tribute of stone!
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