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Chapter 7: Defense of Bruma

Dragon headed for all the cities around Cyrodiil pleading for aid in Bruma's defense to the Counts and Countesses. The entire trip took two days. All of them accepted the plea but did not send the city's entire military force, fearing Daedra attack on their city's soil. The cities all knew too well the Oblivion gates for they had been at their front door before until those brave enough to venture in closed the gate. All the soldiers gathered from the trip were in total atleast three hundred, not enough for an invasion by a great Oblivion gate. Then there was the Imperial Legion though they were too busy dealing with Oblivion gates in the other provinces to send their entire armies to aid Bruma. If they had came indeed then the battle would surely be in the hands of Bruma though they had only sent a hundred legion soldiers, still causing doubt between each soldier and person if the battle would truly be a victory for them. Dragon returned to the castle hall at an early morning, coming upon Jauffre, Baurus, Martin, and Countess Narina Carvain overlooking battle plans. Jauffre in full Blades armor pointed out some areas on a map of the area around Bruma.

''The invasion will begin at this place at a clearing not far east of here. Theres a circular area of lower ground there so we maybe able to use that to our advantage.'' Martin, dressed in a golden armor depicting a dragon was in deep thought at the plans but then said.

''We'll have to worry about arrow fire if we choose to stay there.'' As Dragon was spotted Jauffre greeted him.

''So how was your journey for help?''

''It was good. The counts and countesses all agreed to help Bruma but from the numbers of soldiers you see camping outside the city and castle walls, they didn't send many.''

''Hmm let me see... Well along with Bruma's soldiers, militia, and Blades the total would be atleast five hundred seventy men. That isn't good. The Daedra would have thousands to attack Bruma.''

''But they won't all come out at once right?''

''That's an advantage we have. They won't have their entire army run towards the gates, one by one they'll come out so it will be best that you enter the great Oblivion gate once it appears.''

''Right.''

''Lets tell you the plans for the battle that we went over before you came back.'' As Jauffre and the others went over the plans with Dragon he expressed a bit of doubt. He suggested some ideas and with some editing and revising the plan was then agreeable. For the rest of the day, Dragon trained the troops for the battle that would happen the next day. While training Dragon got a surprise. Rana, the one who had tried to kill him before appeared right in front of him. She didn't have her original attire but rather wore glass armor with the exception of the helm. She had an Argonian styled serrated blade and a kukri along with a ebony bow and arrows.

''I must say you do look attractive without anything to cover up your upper body.''

''What're you doing here Rana? Orders from the Dark Brotherhood?''

''Nah... I left them. Me and my superior did not agree on certain things.''

''So then what's your purpose here?''

''Heard there was going to be a battle at the clearing east of here.''

''Ya. I suppose you heard about the Daedra and everything?''

''Yup. Every single bit of detail. I suppose that if you just charge into the great Oblivion gate, you'll die right away. But if you get... well help from me, then you'll make it all the way to the sigil tower.''

''Why help me?''

''Well first of all your cute-looking. Second, an old Argonian soothsayer told me a long time ago in Argonia about the Daedric invasion and I have a feeling that you would need a female aid in this fight. Third, its about the vision I recieved when I tried to kill you''

What about it?.''

''Nevermind that. But even if you say 'You can't go, sorry' I'm still coming. Trust me, no man is complete without a woman's help anyway.'' Dragon tried to speak out against her decision but she walked away already. Dragon, under his breath murmured.

''Your kinda cute too.'' He then went back to training the troops.

---

The following day had everyone both anxious and nervous about the battle that would very soon come. Dragon awoke early in his tent in the morning and woke up the troops. They did last minute training before the coming of the dawn. All soldiers had well rests and excellent meals to prepare themselves for the battle. Baurus came down from the castle and approached Dragon. He, along with some other Blades members were carrying pieces of a gold and black armor. ''A gift from us to you. Ebony armor! The finest armor the Empire can provide. It's a thanks for helping us through this war, plus I'm sure you need a replacement armor after your orcish one got roughed up at Miscarcand.'' They handed to Dragon the armor which was polished and gleamed brightly against the coming dawn. One by one he put on the armor and it fit him perfectly. It even included a tail hole for him and the helm was shaped for him as well. He smiled and hugged Baurus.

''Thanks Baurus. This means a lot to me.''

''No problem my friend. Be sure to thank Martin and the others too.''

''Don't worry I will.'' Dragon headed for castle Bruma to speak with the others about the battle.

He entered Bruma's pillared hall which was crowded with soldiers. Martin, Jauffre, and the countess were talking to the men. The countess spoke first. ''When you go into this battle, there will be no running or fleeing. It'll be a fight to the death. When you die in this battle you die with honor. When you fight, you fight for your families, friends, and people.'' It was then Jauffre's turn.

''As you all know we are outnumbered in manpower. But we have something those Daedra don't. Spirit and a just reason to fight. We must keep fighting until Dragon is able to destroy the great gate and recieve a great sigil stone.'' Martin then stepped in.

''Now I know you are all afraid. I know, I felt this too when I knew that this battle would come and when I was told that I was to lead an Empire in my father's footsteps. It is okay to be afraid or nervous. It is our nature to be. If you are prideful or boastful thinking that we will win the battle then you are a fool. We don't know if this battle will be won or not but we fight anyway for if we don't then the whole of Nirn will burn like Kvatch. Now... prepare yourselves for the battle. When dawn comes we will march to the clearing.'' The countess then dismissed the men. Martin spotted Dragon and smiled a bit.

''So I see you are wearing our gift to you.''

''Ya. Thank you everyone. I appreciate the gift. Nice speech for the soldiers though.''

''We know its not the most warming speech but in times like these, anything goes.''

''So Martin... are you still ready to become an Emperor soon?''

''I don't know. A part of me still doesn't believe what you said about me being heir to the Empire and another part believes. But if we are going to fight in this war then I believe that we will persevere if we stand together.''

''Good words from an unexpected heir to the throne.'' Dragon left after discussing a few more things. He looked up into the sky. It was only a few hours left until dawn came.

---

Dawn. It was time. The small army marched out of Bruma toward the clearing not far east of the city. Dragon, Jauffre, Martin, Baurus, and the captains of each cities' soldiers were in front and led the soldiers. Then suddenly Rana jumped out of nowhere and walked alongside Dragon. Jauffre looked at her.

''Friend of yours?'' Dragon then replied.

''Somewhat of a friend you can say.'' Jauffre shrugged and kept on marching. Dragon talked with Rana while they continued to march.

''So where were you?''

''Hiding. Remember I still got a bounty on my head. So it was best to join you when the army was marching towards the clearing.''

''Don't worry so long as your beside me, people will know your with me. Also if you are going to help me then protect Martin while your at it until the great gate appears then you come with me.'' Dragon pointed to Martin next to Jauffre.

''Why him? He's just some greasy Imperial.''

''Not just any 'greasy' Imperial. He's Uriel Septims' heir to the throne and the only one left.''

''Oh.'' When the army reached the clearing they saw a single inactive Oblivion gate above the circular area of lower ground at the foot of the mountain. The sky began to turn red as if it bled with blood. Cracks of yellow went through the sky like veins and thunder sounded but no rain, only wind. Jauffre ordered the soldiers to get into formation. A number of men went into the lower terrain while spearmen blocked the two ways into it to protect the men below. Then archers stayed above and at firing range of the gate while soldiers surrounded them to prevent any Daedra from harming them. Dragon, Rana, and Martin stayed with the men below while Jauffre and Baurus led the spearmen at the entrances. Martin stood on a large rock and started a speech with the entire army looking on.

''Soldiers of Cyrodiil! The Empire will stand or fall by what we do here today! Would we let the Daedra do to Bruma, what they did to Kvatch? When we let them burn our homes, when we let them kill our families. No! We make our stand here, today for the whole of Cyrodiil. We must hold fast until the hero of Kvatch can destroy their great gate. We must kill whatever comes through that gate. Soldiers of Cyrodiil do you stand with me?!'' The army raised up their weapons and unsheathed their swords in cheer. As soon as the speech ended and Martin stepped down, the Oblivion gate became active and Daedra poured out. The captain leading the archers in the back commanded them to fire at the gate. A huge arrow volley followed killing the first of the Daedra that came out. They continued firing but more and more Daedra spewed out. Soon Dremora archers fired back at the men. The demons headed for the spearmen flanks on each side but were kept at bay. Some went behind and tried to attack the archers above but were held off by the men surrounding them.

''Hold the line no matter how many men fall!'' Jauffre struggled to say as he pushed against the oncoming hordes of Daedra attack the flank. Not even Daedroths could break the spear lines as they were easily skewered by the line of spears. The troops below equipped their bows and began shooting at the advancing Daedra above and at the flanks. Some Dremora were even brave enough to jump down below. Dragon unsheathed his shadesteel blade and attacked the Dremora. Martin motioned for some men to help Dragon and they equipped their swords. These Dremoras were churls and were easy to kill for Dragon but then a Valkynaz jumped down but instead of having a warhammer, it had a giant daedric flail. It swung its weapon and Dragon dodged it easily, though the men helping Dragon were not so fortunate. All of them were either killed in an instant or were knocked unconscious. It swung the flail but this time kept it swinging and it slowly approached Dragon. Rana aimed her bow at the Dremora's head and fired. The shot was lethal knocking it to the ground, the flail narrowly missed Dragon when it fell. Dragon nodded in thanks at Rana.

A second Oblivion gate erupted from the ground next to the first and more demons appeared. Larger Daedra such as Daedroths, and spider daedra jumped down to attack the men below. Knowing that there were now too many Daedra below, Martin ordered the soldiers to get out their melee weapons and kill the Daedra. Both sides charged at each other below and smashed into each other like two raging tides. A Daedroth attacked Dragon with brute force causing him to lose his sword. He then grabbed a nearby spear of a fallen soldier and thrust it through the demon's mouth, stunning it and then forcefully stuffed it down it's throat, killing it. As he pulled out the spear he threw it like a javelin at a spider daedra about to attack Martin from behind. The throw effectively skewered it's heart and saved Martin. A Dremora kynmarcher charged with a daedric claymore at Dragon preparing to swing it downward but he dodged and grabbed the demon's hand. He then pulled the hand down towards the demon's stomach, killing him with his own sword. Dragon grabbed the daedric claymore and continued fighting.

Then a third gate appeared between the first two. The defense at the flanks were beginning fail as the men grew more tired and others were killed. Baurus' flank was starting to break as more and more men were killed. The Daedra eventually broke through and Baurus ordered his men to regroup back at Martin. Unfortunately an arrow from a Dremora archer hit Baurus in the back, striking his heart. He stopped for a minute, his eyes open wide. He fell to his knees beholding the blood that was his. Dragon, seeing what was happening quickly rammed his way through the fighting and made it to where Baurus was. But by the time he got there Baurus was dead, his eyes lifeless. Dragon felt instant sadness in him for the very one who had been his friend throughout this entire crisis was now dead. In respect he closed Baurus' eyes and as a Dremora approached about to slash Dragon's head, Dragon in his anger rised and up beheaded the demon with lightning fast speed. With more Daedra approaching he carried Baurus' body to away from the fight and placed it there so that it may not be destroyed by the rampaging Daedra. As he returned to fight he saw that Jauffre's line was beginning to fail and the Daedra pushed through. But unlike Baurus' men, Jauffre's were immediately surrounded and began to be slaughtered. Fearing that Jauffre would die as well, Dragon quickly ran toward the broken line. He instantly did a extremely fast spinning motion with his blade, killing any that came near him but though amazingly he did not kill any of his own men. With Jauffre and his men saved, he escorted them down to Martin's position.

The archers and men above eventually had no choice but to jump down to lower ground as the Daedra began targeting them. Most survived the fall but some did not. They then regrouped with Martin. The army's ranks were thinning and they were beginning to be surrounded but the army still fought. Finally an enormous wide gate, atleast the size of the first three gates put together, erupted from the ground. It pained Dragon to leave Martin since he had to protect him but he had no choice. Quickly he searched for Rana and grabbed her. Rana, not knowing that it was him, elbowed him in the face. ''Rana! It's me!''

''What the hell Dragon?! Don't grab me like that!''

''The great gate is here and its time to go!'' Instantly Dragon grew wings out of his back forcing its way out of his armor. ''Eh... I'll fix that later.'' Hey then flew out of the battle and headed for the great gate. Rana held onto Dragon tightly.

''You can fly?!''

''Ya I can but now's not the time for questions!'' The two then went through the great gate. Once they passed through Dragon's wings disappeared. ''Oh crap!!'' Both of them fell but Dragon still held Rana to his stomach. To prevent her from getting hurt he flipped over so that his back was facing the ground. The impact was hard and it left a small imprint on the rock ground. Dragon groaned as Rana helped him up.

''That must've hurt like hell.''

''Ya it did. Don't remind me. It'll be okay though, nothing serious for me.'' Rana tried to check Dragon's back but he brushed her away a bit, assuring her that he was fine.

''So what was up with that? Your wings are gone.''

''Some sort of magic is preventing me from growing back my wings and I think I know who it is...'' Dragon mouthed the words 'Lord Mha'.

''Well anyway since we can't take a shortcut we'll have to take the long way. Where to?'' Dragon and Rana looked around but only saw a giant iron gate in front of them with two large towers on the side. Rana, letting her curiosity take the best of her, went up to the gate and knocked on it. ''Anyone there?'' As in response the gate slowly opened.

''I think we should hide. Now.'' Dragon grabbed Rana and they hid between a few rocks near one of the towers. They saw a monstrous machine. Dragon guessed it was a siege machine. It's appearance seemed like a sigil tower that had fallen and was on its side except it had iron spider-like legs. The head had large iron spikes the formed a pointed circle. On the outside was large curved spikes that faced the machine front. Dragon wondered. Was this the horrific machine that the Argonian he saved at Kvatch described back? It seemed likely for when he was entering Kvatch he saw large black curved spikes with a red tip at the entrance. They were far apart as the width of the great gate here. Below the machine were an army of Dremora slowly marching with it. If it got through the great gate, Bruma would be doomed along with the Empire. ''Dammit! There are stairs just past the gate but we can't go through there without the whole Dremora army seeing us.'' Dragon observed his surroundings and looked at the tower looming above them. Some horns jutted out of the structure, they seemed close enough and along with that, rocks embedded into the building were sturdy enough. ''Try to climb up there. I'll go first.'' Rana seemed a bit irritated. ''What?''

''You first? I don't think so. Have you ever heard of 'Ladies first'?''

''Ugh. Whatever lets just go already.'' One by one they grabbed onto each horn and pulled themselves up. Rana slipped on one of them but Dragon was able to catch her footing using his head. ''Ow! Please hurry and get your foot off my head.'' They continued to climb and were able to make it up to the platform above the gate. ''Come on before they spot us. Looks like they were foolish enough to leave this place unguarded.'' There were other gates along the way to the sigil tower though these were open already. When they entered the sigil tower they found it too empty of Daedra.''That's weird the entire place seems deserted. Even the sigil tower. Looks like all the Daedra went to join the battle. But something seems wrong.'' They journeyed through the dark halls of the tower ever cautious if there were still Daedra in the tower. Rana spoke to Dragon as they continued their way up.

''So who's Lord Mha? I read your lips when you mouthed those words.''

''He's a Daedra lord that I fought some time ago. When I was captured by Mehrunes Dagon cultists in Vvardenfell. They sacrificed me to Dagon by opening a small gate to his plane of Oblivion. I was thrown in and found by Lord Mha. He tortured me for his amusement.'' As Dragon continued his story, Rana showed pity for him and remorse as he described his grueling months as a prisoner to Lord Mha. It was not until he destroyed Mha's physical form that he was free.

''So you can turn into an actual dragon? Amazing.''

''Yup. Dragon's breath is the only thing that can destroy a Daedra's physical form and harm their spirit.''

''How'd you escape?''

''I don't know. I fell unconscious once I returned to normal. All I remember seeing was a bright light and then when I woke up I was in Balmora, sleeping on a bedroll.''

''Hmm interesting. Well what's the sign of the Dragon?''

''I don't know. I researched about it during my time in Vvardenfell. The Dwemer it seemed had a substantial amount of information about it. I always found a piece of info in each Dwemer ruin I raided. Seemed that the sign was very rare and only one out of a hundred people could get it. It's origins are clouded though it granted people great strength, agility, cunning, magic, and even the power to transform into a real dragon at will. It takes years of practice to control your dragon form for without the proper practice or training you would be mindless while in dragon form. Your primitive instincts take a hold of you and your mind would be of the dragons of old. Unintelligent, carnivorous, unreasonable.''

''Have you controlled your dragon form yet?''

''No. Not yet. I can turn dragon-like but I'll still be the same size and it wouldn't be as powerful as an actual sized mature dragon.'' By the time their conversation was over they had already reached the sigil room. It was pretty much the same except a large window looked out onto the marching army below and a large black stone hovered inside a pillar of flame. And there staring outside of the window was Lord Mha. He turned and chuckled a bit.

''I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I've already cleared the tower so that I may fight you at your full strength. And now what better way to make you suffer more than to kill your companion too...''

''Your not harming her. Your here for me so lets go.'' Rana stepped next to Dragon.

''Dragon I can take care of myself. I'm a professional assassin. I know how to fight.''

''But...''

''No buts... Let's take this guy down, together!'' Dragon smiled and nodded in agreement. He drew his sword and charged, preparing to drive it through him though Mha blocked it as he unsheathed his sword. Rana shot her arrow at Mha, hitting him in the head. Though he felt at first but then pain and agony overcame him. He backed away in pain.

''Argh! What magic is this!''

''Its called shock enchanted arrows.''

''Damn you!'' Mha quickly ran towards Rana, grabbing her and holding his sword to her neck. Dragon yelled at him.

''Let her go you bastard!'' Mha showed no response and prepared to slit her throat but she grabbed her kurki and stabbed it into Mha's side causing him to release her.

''Ah! You witch!''

''Like it? My kukri's enchanted with drain health and poison damage.''

''You'll pay for that!'' He swung his sword downward at Rana but she dodged it with a backflip. She began shooting arrows at him at afar. Mha groaned in pain as more arrows hit him. Dragon leaped up into the air and swung downward with his sword but Mha deflected it. He charged at Mha again but as he came in front of him, he instantly went behind Mha, surprising him. Dragon quickly stabbed Mha in the back of the head. He survived the blow but was critically injured. He then spun around and punched Dragon in the stomach, sending him flying. He turned his attention to Rana who was on the sigil stone platform, continuing to shoot him. He threw a powerful ball of flame at her; she dodged it though the spell was not meant to harm her it was instead to trap her within a ring of flames that were high enough to obscure her vision. Dragon yelled at her.

''You okay in there?!''

''Ya. Just a little hot but I'm fine just keep fighting!'' Mha threw his sword at Dragon but he was able to grab it.

''Pfft. Use it. I don't need the sword to kill you. My magic will do that.'' He then began to hover in the air and released a stream of fire that headed for Dragon. He dodged it but it continued to pour from Mha's hand and followed him as he ran all around the room. Then the stream solidified and turned a whip of fire. The whip caught Dragon's leg and burned it immensely.

''AH!!'' Mha laughed at the Argonian's pain.

''Hurts doesn't it?'' Using his other hand Mha created another fire whip and wrapped it around his victim's neck. He then pulled Dragon up close, face-to-face. As the Argonian screamed in agony, the demon lord laughed. Using what strength was left in him he kicked the demon back with his feet with enough force that pushed him into the sigil room wall. With the whips dispersed, he was now free though seriously injured. The demon lord regained his thoughts and then disappeared. The flames around Rana dispersed and she quickly hurried to Dragon who was now kneeling in pain.

''Don't worry he's gone now. Let's just take the stone and go.'' She got him up to his feet but he was crippled. He looked out the window and saw that the machine's head was already through the gate. He had to hurry. They both headed for the stone and prepared to grab it but then someone grabbed both of them by the throats behind. It was Mha. He began to choke them harder and harder. Rana tried to kick him off but the demon blocked it with his own leg. Then a flash of bright light blinded the two and behind Mha was Hekem. The demon lord turned around surprised.

''Who are you?!''

''That's not important for you since your going to die here anyway.'' In his hand, a staff materialized. It was a wooden staff with four branches at its head. The branches at its head held a beautiful large sapphire gem shaped as a decagon about the size of two fists put together. Within the gem, thousands of stars could be seen along with galaxies. Hekem then faced the staff head at Mha and a blast of arcane magic hit him. The demon lord screamed in pain and let go of the two Argonians. Mha then began to be burned by a white flame that engulfed his entire body. The Argonian Magus helped the two injured Argonians back up to their feet and healed them with a powerful restoration spell. Rana looked at Hekem as if he was a long forgotten memory.

''You seem familiar...''

''I know, I'm Hekem. We've met before but now is not the time. Dragon!'' The Argonian sweating, replied back.

''Ya?''

''It's time to finish this. Use this sword, Angelic Alliance to destroy Mha once and for all. I would kill him myself though it is not my destiny.'' A sword appeared in Hekem's other hand and he handed it to Dragon. The sword was decorated with golden vines. It's handle white as snow and the blade was probably the sharpest thing Dragon had ever felt in his life. Even a touch could make any bleed unless in delicate hands. ''Normally this sword would not destroy him due to his spirit returning to the waters of Oblivion to recover but I've placed a spell on him to prevent him from doing that. A fatal strike of this holy sword will destroy him completely. Quickly now! Before the spell wears off!'' Without question Dragon marched over to the crippled demon. He whispered to Mha.

''This I'm going to finish you off.'' Then for a sec, Dragon somehow felt fear within Mha. But he cared not and slashed the helpless demon with lightning fast speed over a hundred times. When he was done he saw glowing sword wounds on Mha from the slashes made by Angelic Alliance. He uttered one word.

''Impossible...'' He then fell dead at Dragon's feet. Then a glowing red light emanated from the fallen armor and it emerged and revealed itself as the spirit of Mha. He was in pain, screaming. It let out one last scream before it exploded in a flash of red. A wave of heat went throughout the entire room. Dragon looked at the hollow armor of Mha.

''So he's... gone?'' Hekem kicked the armor a bit and announced.

''Yup. He's gone forever. His spirit was destroyed since it was prohibited passage to the waters of Oblivion. First time in all of history that a Daedra was permanently destroyed. Now get the stone.'' The great sigil stone was a giant black stone covered in molten rock. Dragon hesitated to touch it. ''Go ahead. It won't harm you.'' He grabbed it quickly and it weighed a ton. Rana went beside Dragon to help him carry it. ''My work here is done... I'll be taking the sword back of course.'' Angelic Alliance disappeared in Dragon's hand and reappeared in Hekem's. ''I need to return these before Magnus gets angry. See you two later!'' He vanished in a flash of light and then the tower began to shake. The room began to be consumed in flame. Dragon comforted Rana as he saw fear in her eyes.

''Don't worry its okay. We'll be fine.'' A small ball of energy that formed at the sigil stone's place began to enlarge and eventually engulfed the entire room including the two Argonians.

Martin looked in fear as the horrific Daedric war machine continued to travel through the gate but then suddenly the great gate exploded as well as the other minor Oblivion gates. The machine then fell down inactive, shaking the ground. The other side of the machine cut off as it passed through the gate while it was destroyed. Next to the remains of the machine and in front of the ruins of the great gate was Dragon and Rana, carrying the great sigil stone. The remaining Daedra seeing the destruction of the gate either fled or kept fighting. Dragon and Rana set down the stone and helped the army fight off the last of the Daedra. With the great gate gone, the Daedra defeated, and the great sigil stone achieved, victory was the Empire's but the war was not over yet. The soldiers cheered at Dragon and Rana as they carried the great sigil stone in front of all to see. There were many losses that day but the end of the war would make up for all that. Martin approached the two smiling with open arms. ''My friends you have played a key role in ending this invasion from Oblivion. The battle is won but the war is not over. Now we must carry the stone back up to Cloud Ruler Temple and then the path to Mankar Camoran's Paradise will then open to you.'' Jauffre then came to the three.

''I have terrible news, I found Baurus and he was... well dead...'' Dragon replied solemnly.

''I know. I found him dead. He was killed during the fight.''

''Hard to believe he died. He stood out a bit from the rest of the Blades.'' Jauffre sighed and continued on saying that Baurus would be buried at Cloud Ruler Temple and that he would be honored in the Blades. Martin too expressed pity.

''I never got to fully know him but I can tell that he was a great man dedicated to the Empire.'' The army was dismissed by Martin and they returned to Bruma to rest up before returning to their cities. With help from the Blades the sigil stone was carried to the Temple with no difficulties. Some Blades also carried Baurus' body to be buried in a cemetery behind the Temple. As they entered the main hall with the stone, there standing on top of an arcane ritual sign was Hekem.

''Hey there. Just set the sigil next to the welkynd stone. Rest up. I've already set up the ritual.'' Dragon ate a bit of food and regained his fatigue from the battle. Rana insisted on going with Dragon but then Hekem told her that it was not her destiny to go with Dragon for only one can go through the portal once opened. When ready Hekem ordered for everyone to stand back. He chanted some unknown words and waved his hands, causing the two stones to hover in mid-air. Both an arm length away from each other. Then the Argonian grabbed out a dagger and slit his wrist. His blood fell upon the ritual sign and dissipated into the floor. He cast a restoration spell on him and continued to chant. In his hand a large item appeared. It was the Masque of Clavicus Vile. It was an iron mask depicting a somewhat grumpy looking man with a mustache, beard, dreadlocks, and wearing a helm with horns. He threw it unto the floor and it broke but it disappeared. Then the two great stones glowed brightly and turned into two small balls of energy. They flew into Hekem's hands and as he chanted he made fists with the energies inside. As he was about to finalize the ritual he pounded both his fists at the same time into the floor and it felt like an earthquake was happening. The energies trapped within his fists were transferred into the ritual sign and it glowed a bright red. Suddenly black solidified molten rock arose from the floor where the ritual sign was and two curved spikes formed a circle. It was the portal. It was inactive at first but then it came to life as inside the circle showed an image of a grassy area with some Ayleid styled buildings. There were beautiful trees and wildlife along with strange unusual colored plants. Hekem stood behind the portal in a cross-like position. Arcane energies resided in his hands as he struggled to keep the portal open. ''Quick! Through the portal!''

Dragon hurried to the portal but before entering heard the words of Martin. ''Careful in there. Who knows what you'll find in Mankar Camoran's Paradise.'' Rana then spoke.

''Don't get your ass kicked in there or else we're all doomed.'' Dragon smiled and entered the portal. Hekem then rested and the portal became inactive once more. In a tiring voice he spoke.

''Ugh. That took alot of magic to maintain.''

Mankar Camoran's Paradise was probably the most beautiful thing Dragon had ever seen in his life. He found himself on a circular platform on a cliff overlooking a sea. The sun was locked in place in the middle of the sky. Dawn. Then Dragon heard a voice speak in his mind. ''So... the cat's paw of the Septims finally arrives.''

To Be Continued...