Chapter 7: A Crimson Sun 2/2
Lucius was the first to chance upon the brook, closely followed by Ciri who was reading an old tome. It was a sparkling sapphire blue in colour, like the shining roll of a summer wave. The flow of water snaked smoothly past all hurdles the river's boulders set. Twigs twirled on its murmuring surface, akin to little messengers from the mountain trees where they had come from. The brook flowed over the pebbled riverbed. It sounded like the airy, velvety whirl of a swallow's wings.
The mountains stood silently in the background, a brooding presence of their sky punching majesty. Bunches of snow layered their towering edges, encircling them in crowns of angel-white clouds that clung to each peak, marking their authority over the land below. A weeping waterfall poured from a gash in the rock face. It looked like a storm of foaming bubble flowing down the mountain. Carrying its load of drenched leaves, it appeared hemmed with lingering silver of the high frozen trees. A distant thrumming sound emanated from it, like the steady rumble of thunder. Glinting brightly, it fed the river, the lifeblood of the forest. It was an awe-inspiring sight for any; man, or women, beast, or bug.
"Making any progress?" Lucius asked the girl beside him skipping a pebble on the river. Still wearing his robe.
"Shush. I'm reading, and this bit makes no sense." Ciri dismissed him as she took a seat by the water with a soft thump.
"Need any help. You have a walking, talking, tome right here." Lucius said, eyes lingering on the girls lithe form a while before tossing another pebble.
"I understand the spells theory. I mean. It's fire. I just can't feel any of this 'Magicka' it mentions." Ciri said still engrossed in the book.
"You did say you were from a different world...Maybe it works different for you, since you're different. Outside this world's laws and powers. I think only the Divines or Daedra could truly help you if you have no magicka, but i'd avoid them... Except a rare few, i think Sanguine would be quite hearty." Lucius turned to sit with her and shrugged.
"But, the book says everything has magicka. I must count as everything in some way, right?" Asked Ciri finally looking up from the book.
"I won't lie to you and build up expectations, but some people just don't have talent for certain magics, Ciri." Lucius said bluntly. "I have a very strong connection to illusion, destruction, and another i don't like to speak off...Those schools came to me naturally. But, then you have to account for one of my races and its natural attraction to magic." Lucius informed her.
"Then how do you find your talent?" Probed Ciri looking him in the eye briefly.
"Annoyingly, practise is the only way. " Sighed Lucius, as Ciri sent him a dirty look. "Don't look at me like that, i didn't make the rules." Lucius put up both hands in mock surrender.
"Let's just go. Helgen should be around this mountain if the map is correct." Ciri said flipping the book closed.
"Sure, i admit to being curious of this so called 'dragon attack' myself." Said Lucius while dusting himself off, before offering Ciri a hand up.
"So am i. Dragons in my world are intelligent, love hoarding treasure, and some can even shape-shift. So, it would nice to see the differences." Said Ciri getting up without taking Lucius's hand.
'Right then.' Thought Lucius, putting his hand down before setting off in the direction of Helgen with Ciri.
(Line break)
As the pair arrived at the gate of Helgen they were met with a scene straight from the depths of Oblivion.
Thick black plumes of smoke rose on the horizon blocking the evening rays. Plunging the land in an inescapable darkness like a sinister hand gripping against the light. Deep and violent oranges flickered over ashen black cobble. Towers raised from their once deep roots, crushing the surrounding houses that before held the vibrant joys of flourishing life.
"By the divines. The smell." Lucius said holding his nose. "And i thought torture chambers were bad."
"I think dragon attack is a fair assessment, don't you?" Said Ciri in a small voice.
'There's that incessant tingling again.' Internally groaned Lucius.
"Do you want to go in there and check for survivors?" Lucius asked, one hand rubbing his temple, not minding if she refused.
"Of course, that's the least we can do! How is that even a question?" Ciri looked at Lucius with piercing eyes ablaze in emerald flames.
"By the looks of it theres nothing left to save, Ciri." Lucius said with a low tone, staring lifelessly at the charred body of what seemed to have been a child.
Ciri followed his gaze and gasped before storming past the broken gates.
"Ciri!" Lucius chased after her, preparing for the worst.
A simple courtyard of stone.
An array of charred flesh of men, women and child alike scattered in the yard from all directions one could look. Tears threatened to spill from Lucius's eyes at sight before him, his teeth ground together as his breathing increased rapidly.
"I swear on my mothers grave i'll find what's responsible for this." Lucius hissed with unknown venom, surprising even himself at the pure, unfiltered, rage that steadily built inside him like a raging storm.
"You won't be alone..." A devoid voice echoed out behind him.
Lucius viscously spun with rage still coursing through him, fire and lightning rippling through both arms. Only to be halted immediately at the sight before him.
Cascading tears rolled down Ciri's porcelain cheeks, her black makeup staining her fairy like skin. Her usually vibrant and mischievous eyes dully stared into the eyes of a girl with short, straw coloured hair, who clung tightly to a now blackened flower.
She turned to Lucius with a voice as sharp as steel, her body glimmering in faint viridian light.
"We. We will find what's responsible for this." Ciri seethed and bent down slowly to retrieve the flower. Still slowly weeping.
Lucius not knowing what to do, carefully brought her into a hug she easily settled into. Riddling his, thankfully black robe, with the dampness of her silent tears.
The only sound heard was the roaring of undying flame and the soft weeping of the vulnerable girl in Lucius's arms as she slightly shook.
'Be strong Lucius. She needs someone...She's alone in this world.' Was the sorrowful thought Lucius replayed like a broken record. Not knowing whether it was more for the girl or himself.
This was a day he would not forget. He had seen cruelty before, numerous times in fact, but never before had he seen such an indiscriminate slaughter like this. Though these thoughts ran through his mind, he knew they couldn't linger here long. Bandits would soon swarm this place like the vermin they are.
Lucius began to look for anything that could help in his new hunt. Whether it was a claw mark, or a gods given gift to sooth his unearthly rage.
Behind a small mound of rocks, what seemed to be a journal and quill struck out from a limp scorched hand.
"Ciri, we need to move. Bandits will surely come." Lucius tried to reason with girl.
No longer crying or shaking, she seemed to just enjoy the soothing way Lucius rhythmically circled his large hand on the small of her back. "Mmm, you're right. I'm sorry, it's just...that girl looked a lot like someone i used to know." She whispered out lowly, not yet trusting her voice.
"It's fine, i won't ask you not to weep. It's what lets us know we're still good." Lucius comforted her, slowly standing them both up.
Ciri stood idly watching Lucius, wrapping herself in her arms.
He slowly walked over to rocks and gently picked up the journal, and begun reading the entry.
16th of Last Seed, 4E 201
Entry 1
'The ambush at Darkwater Crossing went well. Taking Stormcloak prisoners, including Ulfric Stormcloak to Helgen for immediate execution.'
17th of Last Seed, 4E 201
Entry 2
'Some eerie sounds keep echoing over the hills toward High Hrothgar. The general says to ignore it'
Entry 3
'The herald of the end. The world eater. It's here. Just like the stories my ma told me to get me to sleep. Aldu-
The shakily written text stops there as Lucius ripped out the last page folding it into his robe. Creased brow and eyes looking at his feet.
"Herald of the end? World Eater?" Lucius pondered out loud:
"What's that. The name of the dragon?"
"I've heard it before, but i can't remember..."
"Aldu. Alduin? The scholars in Cyrodiil wrote that it was the Nordic name for Akatosh, but that doesn't make any sense."
Lucius's ramblings were cut short by loud sounds of movement at the gate. As the crimson light of the setting sun peered through a gap in the dark cloud of smoke.
'Fuck. Why do i always have to be right' Lucius cursed.
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Some PLOT kicking in. Revealed goals. And! I made a main character with humility and empathy, a carnal sin on this website... i'm just brimming with excitement for the hate this will get when i hit 15k words ;)
I feel it's kinda rushed, but someone said i quote it's "wayyy too slow."
On a real note, is this cringe? Or, too dramatic maybe?
I confidently feel this is true to Ciri's character though, she was very righteous and empathetic at times.
Also, should i make an information page? It would include things like, context, lore and characters pasts in terms of major events and relationships.
I wanna write about Ciri's past with Mistle a little to show she has had past relationships and her opening up a bit, but i think a lot of people would go:
"What the fucks a Mistle?"
So, i feel the need to give context to the non book readers/Game players. Although, if you haven't played Skyrim by now in 2022...Why?
Also *cough* anyone seen the female Sauron art?...She kinda bad, can't lie.
Have a good one.
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Pythia
Pythia It's 4 am. I can't sleep, woohoo!
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