FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 3: The Burning City

Perhaps he had came too late or was the city like this for sometime? Dragon did not know, all he could do was just wonder what happened to the city as he saw it burning. What was also stranger was the sky. It reminded him of an old memory, something he had wished he forgotten. ''Help!'' A scream traveled through the air and Dragon turned around to see where it came from. It was from around the cliff-side. He rode along it quickly on his horse until he saw a small camp attacked. The assailants were Daedra, demons from the demonic world of Oblivion. These particular Daedra were Dremoras. Red skinned, horned, blood thirsty warriors who lived in Mehrunes Dagon's plane of Oblivion. The Dremora all of them had lesser Daedric armor which had the strength of only Dwemer armor. They also wielded a Daedric blade; sharper than ebony and nearly unbreakable. It could cut nearly anything except enchanted items or silver. Dismounting off his horse he drew his steel sword to aid the camp. His eyes caught the sight of an female Argonian behind a tent, trapped under a tree trunk that had fallen on her. Behind her a Dremora drew out his claymore and was about to lay the final blow. But Dragon quickly intervened deflecting the blow and protecting the Argonian. The Dremora swung his sword at Dragon. He was able to block the attack but in the process, his sword was cut in half. With nothing left Dragon used his hands as a last resort to defend himself from the next attack. The demon swung his sword again but this time Dragon blocked the swing by using his hands, grabbing the sword forcefully as it cut into his armor. Dragon resisted the pain and held a tight grip on the sword allowing him to pull the Dremora towards him. He let go and the Dremora released his sword, causing it to fly a few feet away from the fight.

The Dremora was about to trip into Dragon but he quickly grabbed the broken bottom of his sword and stabbed it into the demon's neck. His opponent slowly walked back with a sign of surprise on his face. He coughed out dark blood as it also came out from his neck. A few seconds later the Dremora dropped dead to the ground. Dragon then using all his strength lifted the tree trunk allowing the injured Argonian to crawl out of the area. ''Are you alright?'' Dragon tapped the Argonian on the shoulder as she laid on the grass tired.

''My leg... I think its broken.'' Replied the female.

''Alright this should help a little.'' Dragon used a basic restoration spell on her leg. It did not heal the leg but it did however ease the pain. ''That should stop the pain for now. Now please tell me how many people are in that camp?''

''About 50... 20 of Kvatch's guards, and... 30 survivors.''

''Survivors? Did the Daedra destroy the whole city?''

''Yes they did, all that's left are burning ruins... but they seemed as if they were looking for something or someone. They pillaged the city, leaving most people alive. Those that survived the Daedra got killed by something else... some horrific machine...'' Before going on the Argonian went unconscious from the injuries she received. Placing her into a comfortable position and hiding her in a nearby bush, Dragon entered the camp. Entering the middle of a battle between the surviving Kvatch guards and the Dremora attacks, Dragon searched for a weapon nearby to account for his broken sword. He grabbed the sword of a fallen Dremora but it disintegrated in his hands, a bound weapon. All he found was a iron pole used for holding up one of the tents. This will have to do for the time being, Dragon thought.

Even with their chain mail surcoats depicting a wolf head and their light iron shield and silver swords the guards were failing. ''We must hold this camp! I won't let anyone else die from these demons!'' The captain of the guards fought better than the others but it wouldn't last for long. Yelling a fierce war cry Dragon held his weapon tightly in both hands and charged into the battle. It caught the attention of the Dremora who before they could react were already attacked by Dragon. His first swing knocked 3 Dremoras out cold in the head. The rest backed away in fear but quickly regained their wits and attacked, forming a shield wall against Dragon.

''Help the Argonian! Attack them while they're distracted!'' The captain ordered. The guards attacked with some bashing the Dremoras at the back of their heads with their shields. The shield wall broke and the fight quickly turned back into chaos. Dragon charged one of the Dremoras with his iron pole. The demon was caught in the charge and was forced into a tree away behind the tents. He tried to push the pole away from his body but Dragon pushed in harder with all his might and skewered the demon through the tree, killing him. Dragon then went back into battle, pulling out the bloodied pole from the tree. With the help of Dragon, the guards eventually defeating the attackers. ''Damn that was a hell of a fight, but were going to have to go through a lot more to kill the rest of these bastards in the city. Rest and help the survivors, I'll speak with the Argonian.'' The captain approached Dragon placing a hand on his shoulder. ''Thank you for your help, I was sure that my men would not survive. I' am Savlian Matius captain of Kvatch's guard, now tell me who are you and what are you doing here?''

''Name's Dragon, I came in search for a priest named Martin. From what I've heard he's quite popular among the city.''

''Interesting name but there's no time to ask about it, the city's gone to the Daedra. I don't even know if anyone is alive in there.''

''Please do you have any idea where he could be?''

''Well, while the siege happened I saw Martin leading a group of people to the chapel of Akatosh. But I don't know if they're alive.''

''I'll go search for him inside but tell me what the hell happened here anyway?''

''Daedra attacked the city last night. It completely took us off guard! They used a battering ram and besieged the city. The main gate was lost to us. Dremora, Daedroth, Atronaches, and other Daedra invaded us. We retreated to the castle with the remaining survivors. Thankfully the way into the castle was a bridge. The choke point allowed us time to push back the demons.''

''Where did they come from?''

''They came from some sort of portal to Oblivion, a gate or something I don't know. It just opened at the front gate. Still we were lucky that those were only Dremora grunts, if they were the kynmarchers or higher we couldn't have survived that fight. Even with the other demons bolstering their forces we had good mages from the local Mage's Guild. Then when we had hope in our hearts that we could survive, 'it' came.''

''What came?''

''Something out of a nightmare. It... by the gods I don't even know how to describe a monstrosity that could set fire to an entire city in one huge blast. The thing came out of a larger portal opening in front of the original one. When it came out, it just charged its fell energies and released it all upon the city. A huge wave of fire came our way. I ducked but I only got a few harsh burns to my back. But for those that didn't take cover, they were incinerated or burned alive. Horrific, I saw some in the streets running in all directions as they were engulfed in flame. I escaped and ran through the gate as fast as I could. I found these survivors outside along with the remaining regiment of Kvatch's guard. All we could do was camp here at the bottom and watch the city burn.''

''Is it still here?''

''No. The last I saw of it was when it was crawling back into the portal. Only the small portal remains.''

''Didn't anyone come for help?''

''You're the only one. We sent a messenger out to the Imperial City when we camped out here. He came back with no help and said that the Legion was too busy dealing with these portals in the other provinces as well.''

''So its up to us I guess.''

''Yes but I highly doubt that we can retake the city with what we have right now.'' Dragon looked at the guards helping the survivors rebuild the camp. Some had despair on their face, others showed no hope at all. Their swords bent or broken, their helms cracked, and the emblem of the wolf on their surcoat was splattered with either demon blood or their own. He turned his eyes to the fallen guards who tried to fend off the attack from the Daedra. Only 12 guards remained including Savlian. Perhaps there was no hope. But no, such thoughts were cowardice to Dragon.

''No your wrong Matius. We can take this city back, but I will go inside alone. You and your men stay here, I'll try to weaken the Daedric forces inside; look up to the sky for a signal of flame once you know the time is right. Send your men in once that happens.'' Savlian tried to argue but Dragon stopped him. ''No don't try to follow, get some rest but make it short for it won't be long when your men go into battle.'' Dragon then walked up the curving path on the hill side up to the top. He finally reached the top and saw the destruction caused. He saw the remnants of the large portal that carried the 'thing' over here. Large black curved spikes dotted the area along with the dead burnt trees. The land around the gate was blighted by the small portal Savlian described. The portal was in the shape of a Daedric letter representing the letter O. In it was the entrance to Oblivion. Fear filled Dragon's mind, he remembered the last time he was in Mehrunes Dagon's Dead Lands. He escaped at the price of having his tail cut off and about fifteen arrows in his body. The tail grew back eventually and the arrows pulled out at a local Argonian misson. But he left with a memento, a large scar on his chest. The one who gave him it was someone he hoped to not encounter again. But unfortunately if what he heard from Savlian was true then the probability of meeting him again was high. Dragon looked for a way around but the gate completely blocked any access to the city. Seeing no other option he entered the portal. He once again saw the familiar landscape that was Dagon's plane of Oblivion. The volcanic ground, lava, charred bodies, heads on stakes, red sky, and bloodgrass.

''AH!'' The scream came from the sunken bridge up ahead. As Dragon came up he saw a Daedroth (large crocodile-like demons) devouring the entrails of a Imperial. Slowly he sneaked up on it and quickly plunged the iron pole into the back of the demon. It roared in pain, swinging its arms at all sides. It came close to the nearby lava and Dragon kicked the demon into it. He hurried to the dying man. ''Thank you... you saved me a lot of pain but I'm gonna die... Ilend Vonius is my name. I was sent here with a group of guards to find a way to close the gate. We were slaughtered. I survived, but not until that Daedroth found me. If the captain sent you then you... must close this gate... I overheard some Daedra talking about something called a sigil stone in the tower up north... damn... I... I... I only regret that I couldn't protect my... family from... demons.'' He fell silent. His eyes were gray, devoid of all life. Dragon closed his eyes. The tower Vonius mentioned was large, made from dark steel, horned with black spikes. As he traveled through a tiny cliff maze, he reached the entrance. He saw two Dremora talking to each other.

''Has our lord given the command?'' Their voices sounded deep and gurgled. Demonic at best.

''Silence churl, do not be so eager to attack our enemies yet. The plan has not yet came to frutation.''

''But Kynreeve Orthal when will it happen?''

''Soon... very soon. Now get back to your post you lowly Churl before I make you go back with only 1 arm. We must prevent anyone from taking the stone.'' Looking around the area he saw more Daedra patrolling the cliff tops or smaller towers beside the main one. He casted an invisibility spell on himself and sneaked through to the door without making a sound. The bottom of the tower was extremely dark and the only light emanated from the pillar of fire coming from a pool of lava in the middle of the room. He looked up seeing the platforms he would traverse to get to the top. He would try climbing up but there were no ledges or anything of the sort he could grab on. He entered the small stone door to the right. The halls within the tower were extremely dark and the only light source came from outside through the red glass windows but dimly. The halls decorated in claw like arches and designs. The way up seemed long. He stopped at the top of the stairs and peeked around the corner. The room was filled with Dremora feasting on some sort of mutton or meat. About 13 of them. He grabbed for his weapon but then he remembered he HAD NO WEAPON. He had forgotten that he used it on the Daedroth which fell into the lava. There was also Vonius' weapon but he forgot about picking it up. The invisibility spell was wearing off he could feel it. Quickly he thought of an idea. He could created a diversion of sorts perhaps creating fighting between each of the demons but how would he do it. In a few seconds he knew the solution. Sneaking over to one of Dremora sleeping against the wall he grabbed a daedric dagger from the demon's waist and threw it toward another Dremora sitting at a small table with some others. The dagger didn't kill him directly but it hit the horn on his helmet, taking it off and sticking it to the nearby wall.

Instantly the Dremora got out of his seat and walled angrily to the sleeping Dremora. Dragon got out of the way and hid in the corner. The Dremora tapped the sleeping one's shoulder. ''What is it Kynreeve?'' He answered as he slowly woke up.

''Explan this Kynmarcher.'' The Kynreeve pointed to the helmet on the wall while the other Dremora watched.

''I have no idea what your talking about go back and feast on your food.'' Instantly the Kynreeve punched the Kynmarcher in the face. ''ARGH! Always blaming others for things they did not do! You were always like that Dra'vath. It's time I sent your soul back to the waters of Oblivion!'' The Kynmarcher drew a daedric claymore.

''I never liked you as our commander anyway, come help me slay this fool.'' Dra'vath called upon lower ranking churl around the room to aid him while the Kynmarcher had some loyal high ranking officers aid him. Both sides clashed with each other each evenly matched. Dragon sneaked around the battle even though his invisibility spell had worn off. Some bodies of killed Dremora were thrown against the wall or were thrown to the ground. As he dodged arrows and thrown weapons he neared the next stairway upstairs but he hid quickly again as he saw another small horde of Dremora running down to where the fighting was.

''WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!'' A Kynmarcher screamed as the battle continued, only to be killed by an arrow to the mouth. The group he commanded then went into the battle trying to avenge their fallen commander. It was now harder to go around the fighting with another group joining the fight. But Dragon was able to get through while the fighting continued. He ran as he came to the steps, escaping the battle. The steps continued on for sometime. He passed other rooms leading to the outside or the inner chamber where the pillar of fire was. He then came upon a door at the top. The door was sealed shut as Dragon tried to force it open. He spotted the lock on it. He had no time to waste looking for the key. Perhaps he could melt the lock? He tried it moving his mouth close to the lock and continued to let out breaths of fire. It began to glow red but then after a few minutes the lock began to melt and melt. Finally after sometime it melted all the way. He then used all his strength to force the door open. It put a strain on him but he was able to open it. He entered the room and saw a black stone suspended in mid air by the pillar of fire coming from the tower bottom. The only way to reach it was by going on top of some sort of flesh like platform gripped by hooks. Even the dome the pillar of fire went through has some sort of fleshy material. As Dragon observed the room the entire place seemed to be made of flesh-like material. He walked the stairs up to the platform but only to be stopped by a single Dremora with a large daedric war hammer.

''What are you doing in here mortal?''

''Isn't it obvious I'm here to put an end to your little hell show.''

''I'll smash your head into the ground before you get the sigil stone!'' He raised up his war hammer and attempted to smash Dragon with it but he was able to dodge the blow. No weapons... great, thought Dragon. The Dremora charged with the war hammer and attacked with fury. Luckily he was slow and Dragon was able to dodge the attacks. Again he raised the war hammer trying to smash the Argonian at his feet but he failed and Dragon rolled under him. Quickly he got up and using his arm held the Dremora in a choking position. He squeezed harder and harder with every passing second until a small cracking sound could be heard. The demon had no more strength in him and dropped his war hammer, falling to the ground dead. Dragon then went up to the black stone. If this was indeed the sigil stone the dying guard was talking about then this would close the gate, but how? He decided to just grab it, but upon grabbing it from its place the tower began to crumble and a earthquake began. Fire spread across to the whole room as the fire pillar exploded. Dragon had no escape. Soon the pillar of fire grew larger, piercing the flesh that held it's size and it soon enveloped the entire room. Dragon closed his eyes knowing he would die. But he did not.

As the fire engulfed Dragon he found himself lying on the blighted ground at Kvatch's main gate as he opened his eyes. Behind him the Oblivion gate exploded sending a signal of flame-like light to the skies.

After a few hours at the survivor's camp Savlian Matius saw the signal of light pierce the night sky. ''That must be the signal! The time is now. Men! We now march to Kvatch to retake what was ours back from those monsters!'' The men cheered at Savlian's words and they ran up towards the city gate. Before going on he stopped 5 guards. ''No you five stay here and protect the survivors here in case something happens. Don't worry we'll be back.''

''Yes sir!'' Savlian continued onward with hope in his heart.

Dragon looked up. The sky was no longer a hellish red as it was purged from the world and the night sky revealed itself to all near Kvatch. With the Oblivion gate destroyed entrance to Kvatch was now allowed and no more Daedra would come to inhabit the Kvatch ruins. He felt something round in his hands and looked down. The sigil stone. The same one he removed from the tower. The stone even thought it was jet black contained some sort of fel energy in it. Perhaps Dragon could use this to his advantage? Maybe. He then heard the sound of multiple footsteps coming from behind him. It was the surviving Kvatch guards from the camp led by Savlian Matius. ''We saw the signal you made, quite a feat it was I must say!'' Savlian smiled as he had high hopes in mind to attack the Daedra weakened in the city but he received bad news from Dragon.

''No that was made from when I destroyed the Oblivion gate, I did not enter the city yet.'' Savlian laughed a hearty one. ''What's so funny? Just go back down to the camp and wait for the real signal.'' But Savlian kept laughing while Dragon and the guards watched in confusion. When he was done he said.

''Well that's good then! At least we can have our fair share of dead demons once we go through the city.'' The guards thought their captain was a bit crazy after all it seemed like they had no choice but to go into the city after all. ''Well lets go in then shall we; we got some work to do.''

''Wait Savlian your joking right? You can't go in right now the place is crawling with Daedra. The only good of this is that the Oblivion gate is destroyed and no more Daedra will come here.'' Savlian's only responded to Dragon by passing him a fine steel longsword.

''Come on you'll need a weapon, there's gonna plenty of fighting to go around. Come on men if you want to avenge your dead then you will follow me into the city. And also Dragon drop that black stone, it looks like a burden to carry.'' Savlian then walked along with his men past Dragon into the main gate. Dragon followed but carried the sigil stone with him.

Kvatch inside its walls were horrible. The main entrance area was littered with black burnt bodies of those who were killed by the ''thing'' Savlian described. Some buildings were still burning, others collapsed. The gate house was blasted open and the inside gears were shown. The nearby chapel was amazingly in almost perfect condition. Only a few windows depicting each member of the Nine Divines were broken and the chapel top was blown off. The chapel top landed at a small gap between a large building and the chapel. It was impossible to go further into the city with the rubble and the large chapel top blocking the way. Surprisingly no Daedra were around. The only sound that could be heard were either the crackling of fire or the small howls of wind. Savlian scanned the area.''No Daedra? They should be populating this area. Come on lets check out the chapel.'' Dragon could see that how reluctant the guards were as shown on their faces.

The group entered the chapel and were greeted with a line of arrows and swords at their throats. The weapons were in the hands of Kvatch guards. Their surcoats ripped and ruined, their faces dirtied or bloodied. The guards contained mostly Imperials but had Elves and a small number of Argonian and Khajiit in them. They lowered their weapons as they saw the face of surprised Savlian Matius and the rest of the party. ''Captain! Your alive!'' The guards ran up quickly to the group, hugging and patting each other on the back. Dragon was left out. ''Hey who's that Argonian over there?'' A curious guard asked as he saw that Dragon was the only one that wasn't in the group reunion.

''That men is the one that helped us get inside. Closed the Oblivion gate he did. His name's Dragon.'' Savlian introduced them to Dragon telling all about what he did at the camp in the short time he was there. The chapel guards shaked hands with Dragon and patted him on the back as well. ''But on with more pressing matters...'' As Savlian spoke with the chapel guards on what happened, Dragon searched the chapel for the man named Martin. Amazingly the chapel was in pristine condition in the inside as well. All the columns did not even have a crack. The circular altar at the chapel end surrounded by a few columns also seemed to be as good as new. Dragon asked around about Martin and he found him behind a pillar at the window with Akatosh on it.

''Hey are you Martin?'' Dragon asked but figured that the man was praying so he did not want to interrupt him anymore. However the priest rose from the dark corner he was praying in and faced Dragon.

''Yes I'am and who might you be?'' Martin wore aged priest robes that had the symbol of the empire on the belt. His hair reached to the ends of his ears and it seemed a bit bed raggled. His face was calm and his eyes a deep blue. His body wasn't really that frail though he was somewhat skinny. Small wrinkles shows at the ends of his eyes revealed aging but he seemed to be middle aged from what Dragon observed. The voice he spoke with was deep but had a wise tone to it. Dragon couldn't hear him that well as he spoke softly. He looked slightly gaunt on the face.

''I'm Dragon. I've been looking for you.''

''If you're here looking for help then your a fool. Look around what good is priest.''

''Come on Martin don't give up on hope. You managed to bring all these people to safety, is that good enough for a priest?''

''I haven't given up on hope I knew that someone would come back to rescue us and I was right. But look at us now. We're low on supplies, Daedra still occupy the castle, and some of us are sick or dying.''

''Martin it's okay now we can escort the people back to camp and take back Kvatch.''

''Forget it, you don't understand. Now leave me there are more people here that need my help than you.''

''Martin you're the son of the emperor.''

''What? Uriel Septim's son? No you must have the wrong man I'am but a simple priest of Akatosh. My father was a farmer.''

''I'm telling the truth Martin the Daedra came for you!''

''Destroy an entire city just to kill me?? I don't know, your voice and your eyes they seem to make sense. Maybe what your saying is the truth. But still I don't get this what does this mean. What do you want from me?''

''You have to come with me to Weynon Priory but wait for me at the camp once the guards start to escort the others to the there.''

''Very well but I'll think about it at camp.'' Martin then went back to praying in front of the small altar at the window. Dragon left him alone as he did not want to cause anymore confusion and doubt in his mind. Already by the time their talk was done the guards were done with discussing their plans and were getting ready to escort the survivors back to camp. Savlian was discussing on what their next move was to take back the castle.

''Alright we need to take back the castle if we ever want those Daedra out and Kvatch rebuilt. So since the main bridge is too heavily guarded we'll attack through the sewers. I know of a passage in there that leads to the castle kitchen.'' The guards looked on with serious, tense, sweating, and determined faces. Savlian used a wooden plank nearby and made it like a battle plan. He carved where they were heading and the path they were to follow. ''The entrance to the sewers can be traveled through the chapel undercroft. Theres a large grate there that leads to underground. There won't be any enemies down there I can assure you but still be cautious just in case.'' He then motioned for four of the guards to escort the survivors.

''Alright everyone group up and follow us, we're heading to a camp outside of Kvatch.'' As soon as the guard yelled the message a sign of relief shown on everyone's face except Martin. The survivors grouped up and exited the chapel.

Savlian then ordered the remaining twenty guards to head for the undercroft. Dragon followed. The sigil stone seemed to glow brighter than before as Dragon carried it against his sword sheath. It made a more annoying humming sound than before. ''Stop it.'' Dragon then then hit it with his sword. Then suddenly the sword absorbed the stone. ''What the hell?'' Dragon looked at is sword and noticed it glowed a dark red color. It seemed that the stone itself was carrying an enchantment. By simply hitting it with an item the sigil stone would morph into the item's body and enchant it. This would greatly help Dragon thought he did not know what enchantment was on his blade. He figured that he would find out very soon and continued to the undercroft.

He entered seeing Savlian ready to open the grate. ''Everyone ready?'' The guards nodded in agreement. The captain grabbed lit torches from the undercoft walls and distributed them among the guards. ''Let's go.'' Savlian lifted the grate up and entered the dank underground below. The guards followed along with Dragon. The sewers were nothing more than a long tunnel of aged bricks with grates on the ceiling. The stagnant waters easily stained the surcoats of the guards. Waters were up to their stomach so there was plenty of air. While most of the guards covered their noses or resisted with disgust on their face. Wading through the sewer waste they encountered no enemies except the smothering darkness around them.

Savlian then ordered everyone to extinguish their torches as footsteps were heard from above. They stopped in dead silence and hoped they were not detected. The footsteps stopped and from the grate above them the face of a Scamp appeared. The Scamp had an ugly face with long pointy ears. It has a furry little tail along with their timid body. The lower-half of its light brown body was covered with brown fur. Unfortunately the Scamp spotted them and it alerted the other Daedra nearby. Quickly before he could do anything else one of the guards thrusted his sword upward and stabbed the Scamp through the groin. ''Quickly hurry!'' Savlian cried. They all ran through the darkness with only the light from the grates to guide them. It was not long before arrows shot through the grates. Some dodged them, others were not as fortunate. Soon after the grates disappeared and total darkness enveloped them. From the attack only fourteen guards were left. ''Damn we lost some men back there but the kitchen is close now.'' Even with the news of their goal coming within their grasp, the guards now were more nervous then ever after seeing their comrades die. They soon saw a light in front of them. Heading toward it, the group realized that this was the kitchen. They lifted the grate up and peeked up. The kitchen was nothing more than rubble with only a few counters with plates on them.

Once all of them climbed out of the sewers they made their way into the throne room. Dragon prepared to fight, unsheathing his sword as did the other guards. ''All right once we open this door be prepared for the fight of your lives. Alright 1... 2... 3!'' Quickly opening the door The group charged into the room with weapons ready. The Daedra were already expecting them and had also prepared for their coming. Even with the element of surprise lost the group still charged toward the Daedra and the battle ensued. Dragon tried to stab his sword into the Dremora in front of him but failed when the Dremora pulled his shield out. But the sword rather than be deflected by the shield actually ran right through the shield and into the Dremora's neck killing it. The shield seemed began to age quickly along with the Dremora's armor. It was then that Dragon knew that the enchantment he had on the sword was a disintegration enchantment and a powerful one. The shield quickly disintegrated into dust while the Dremora cuirass was now as weak as wood. He dislodged the sword from his dead enemy and swiftly used it on his next one. This one was a Scamp and was dispatched easily as Dragon swung his sword against it sending it flying.Then a Daedroth came charging its way through both foe and ally. Dragon dodged it and ran to it jumping on it's back. The demon tried to claw the Argonian as he was riding him but fell down dead as a sword was thrusted through it's head. As Dragon jumped off he leaped toward a Dremora archer shooting at the guards through the ensuing chaos. He cleaved his sword downward at the archer knocking him down. In an instant he was on top of the archer and thrust his sword through it's stomach.

''Keep fighting men! We may be outnumbered five to ten but we must fight for all those who fell at the seige!'' Savlian fought with ferocious might as he yelled his words. Then the Daedra backed away and stopped attacking as the sound of clapping could be heard. The guards and Dragon looked up to see where it was coming from. To Dragon's horror on the platform above the broken throne of Kvatch stood a Dremora. He was fully covered in a unique enchanted Daedric armor. His cuirass had a strange design on it resembling something of a ribcage. Where his armor connected at his neck was a small red stone shaped in the form a Oblivion gate. His shoulders spiked with a symbol of a burning sun on them. His greaves had small rectangular curved spikes on their sides. The belt on his waist showed a skull with short drooping fangs. His gauntlets clawed and bulky. His helm had the face of an eyeless man revealing a mouth of sharp teeth and fangs. An iron hood covered the helm's back and small curved spikes were on both sides of the helm mouth. A long black cape dragged a bit on the ground as he walked down the stairs next to the throne.

''Well well well...'' A deep voice came from the helmet mouth. ''It's been a long time hasn't it since I saw you Dragon...'' The guards and Savlian looked at the Argonian with confusement.

''You know this Daedra?'' Savlian questioned. Dragon responded.

''Unfortunately yes... a long time ago in Morrowind.'' Dragon began to sweat heavily as the Dremora approached. ''He's a Dremora lord. He serves as Mehrunes Dagon's Chief Lieutenant. His name is Mha... Lord Mha.'' The guards looked in fear once Dragon announced what they were seeing. Memories Dragon thought to have been gone reemerged in his mind. In the memory the Dremora lord stood in front of Dragon with a dread sword. Dragon was naked with the exception of worn pants and held by two other Dremoras. The Dremora lord then slashed his sword across Dragon's chest. The Argonian screamed as the sword wound somehow burned his flesh and began to eat away at it. Then Dragon regained back his thoughts and looked back at the person who had caused the scar on his body. The demon chuckled.

''So you do remember me after all. Even after seven years and through the Dagoth Ur crisis you still know who I'am!'' Inside Dragon burned the lust for revenge for the pain caused to him and fear. ''You are probably wondering why I'm here. Well after that incident in which you permanently destroyed my physical form I was... demoted. But after planning and setting up the invasion of Kvatch I held my rank again as the attack was successful.''

''Physical form?'' Savlian asked.

''Yes, all Daedra do not die but return to the waters of Oblivion to reform. I kinda destroyed his body so he's only a spirit under that armor.'' Dragon then asked the demon. ''So what's your demoting and promoting back of your former rank got to do with you being here?''

''Well nothing really. I just wanted to let you know. I won't tell you why I'm here because well that would expose my lord's plan. But it will come to you eventually. Though I must say I'am entertained by your fighting skills. How far you improved on them is quite good but you will never surpass me. I could just unleash my Daedra upon you or... I could do this.'' Mha then pushed his hands forward and a wall of flame quickly came toward the group. Dragon hid behind a nearby pillar along with Savlian. The guards hid but some were not so lucky. Those who stayed in the fire wall's path were reduced to burnt skeletons. ''Ha ha ha ha... You see now how much my power has increased over the years.'' Dragon saw the remains of the guards and he couldn't help but think it was his fault. He also stared angrily at the one who caused it, Mha. He wanted him gone, he wanted him dead, he had to face him. Dragon then charged with his sword raised, attacking with blind fury. Lord Mha swatted him aside. ''Now it is time I took my revenge upon the one who caused me so much humiliation over the years.'' Mha pointed to Dragon with an open hand about to send a bolt of shock magic at him to deliver the final blow. However something scared him at that point. Dragon began to growl almost feral like and looked straight at Mha with the yellowish eyes, dragon-like eyes. His body became a bit larger as his muscles strengthened. Then something began to force its way out of Dragon's back. The steel cuirass ripped and two large wings appeared. They were not of a bat's nor a bird's but actually Dragon wings.

Mha backed away with fear and ran, pushing through Daedra in his way. ''OUT OF MY WAY!'' He tried to make for the castle's inner rooms but was instantly crippled when Dragon let out a blast of fire from his mouth, hitting Mha's leg. The Dremora lord groaned in pain but disappeared as he cast a spell, teleporting him back to Mehrunes Dagon's Deadlands. The Daedra now left without a leader now looked at Dragon in fear. Dragon was silent at first but as soon as the first demon stepped back a single foot, the Argonian was lightning fast speed ran up to it and stabbed it with his own hand, ripping it's heart out. Then Dragon turned his attention to the others and began his blood bath. The Daedra ran but Dragon was too quick for them. He slashed, maimed, and lacerated the enemy with his own bare hands. Savlian watched in both fear and joy as the Daedra were being slaughtered but the way they were killed was just horribly brutal. A few of the demons got beheaded or sliced in half by Dragon's own hands. Dragon even crushed the heads of some scamps and threw their lifeless bodies onto a nearby pike. Once the Argonian was done he was completely covered in Daedra blood along with most of the room. The bodies of the Daedra had piled up under him during the battle forming a small hill in front of the throne. Dragon then started to step down from the hill of bodies. The surviving guards of only six looked in fear as they viewed Dragon more like a demonic hell beast compared to the Daedra after his little fight. Dragon then collapsed as finally came down from the body hill. As he lay on the floor unconscious, his wings receded back into his body. His size returned back to normal.

Savlian hurried to him putting his head on his arm. ''Come on now lizard, don't you die. Not after what you did today.'' Dragon slowly woke up. He looked a bit dazed.

''Damn, I did it again.'' He chuckled a bit and looked at the pile of bodies he made. ''But it was worth it... the Daedra are gone, those were all the remaining ones in the city.''

''What the hell was that? You becoming a monster. And why did it scare away Mha?''

''Oh ya about that well I can't tell you everything but lets just say I'm pretty special. And what I did scared Mha because of what just happened to me, that destroyed Mha's physical form. I like to call it my 'Dragon' form. But that was my first stage the next one is a bit more transforming, and the last stage is out of control.''

''Well that's something special you do got in there boy! Ha ha ha! Those bastards deserved the deaths they got.! Well now men the city is once again ours!'' Savlian patted Dragon on the shoulder as the surviving guards clapped an cheered. ''Thank you Dragon, thank you for everything you have done for my people. But for now we must choose a new count, Goldwine got killed when we tried to escort him safely through the gate.''

''It was no problem Savlian. He he... I was always a softie when it came to helping others. And about your count situation I think you should be the new one.''

''What?! Me? Count? NO no no no. I'm a simple guard captain not a...'' Savlian stopped as he saw his men encouraged him to be the new count.

''Count Count Count Count...'' They all cheered the same word, as Savlian tried to hold back tears but could not.

''They really do like you being here. You helped them through hell and back. And kept their spirits up. Trust me... you are the new count and your fit for the job.'' Savlian then nodded in agreement with a smile and hugged Dragon along with the other guards.

'' Very well I will be the new count... but before we can do that we have some work to do cleaning up this city back into shape. As for you Dragon, you can go now and do whatever quest you were on. From now on we can handle ourselves.'' He gave Dragon a grin and went off to talk to the guards. ''Alright first order of business... Where the hell is this pile of bodies going to go?!'' Dragon chuckled and left. The sky was now a radiant dawn as the sun slowly awoke from its sleep.

Dragon made it back to camp and delivered the good news to the survivors. They all yelled with happiness and began to celebrate. Now he had to find Martin. Martin was sitting at a tree stump reading a book behind camp where the tree that fell on the injured Argonian female was. The bush where he put her was empty so Dragon assumed that she one of the tents healing as he did not see her. Martin looked up and smiled. ''So the Daedra were dealt with properly I presume.'' Dragon chuckled.

''Yes they were. Now lets talk.''

''Very well shoot.''

''Have you decided to come with me yet?''

''I already did when news of your victory came.'' They both smiled and shook hands.

''Thanks now lets go, theres a person you need to meet.''

''What about Kvatch?''

''Don't worry, Savlian is the new count he'll help alot.''

''He is the new count? Interesting.''

''Yes. By the way have you seen a paint horse around here?''

''Yes I have. The people tied it to a tree and took care of it until it's owner was to come back.'' Dragon found the horse tied to a tree like Martin said. Untieing it he mounted the horse and Martin climbed up too.

''Just hold onto my waist, we'll probably be at Weynon Priory in a few hours or so.'' They rode away from the camp and toward the priory's direction.

After a few hours they arrived at the Priory but a few bodies of men clothed in red, laid on the ground. ''Oh no...''The priory had been attacked. The first thing that came to Dragon's mind was: The Amulet.

To Be Continued...