I slid the mask over my head, adjusting it like a headband to keep my hair out of my eyes. Looking around one more time before stepping out of the ruins, the cold air embraced me, but my snow elf heritage ensured that it wasn't much of a bother.
"I'll still refrain from going into those icy waters again," I murmured, recalling how cold I had been when I had arrived.
As I explored the winter island at a steady pace, I came across a strange, lumbering beast, A horkers. It wouldn't bother me unless I attacked it first. Still, I decided to give it a wide berth.
As Memories began to overlap While I wandered, visions of homes appeared where they once stood before vanishing just as quickly. Children ran past me, laughter echoing around in the wind, As elders greeted me warmly. I turned to see the ship we had used to arrive on the island fleeing from the Nords. "Those damned filthy beasts," I hissed under my breath. The ship vanished once I looked away, Just as everything else had so far.
"Damn, I don't even know much about the world of Tamriel," I realized aloud as I continued wandering across the snowy beach. Fragments of dreams danced in my mind, but nothing concrete. I decided to check my memory for any spells i might have available, given that charging at someone with a sword wasn't exactly an appealing alternative. my mind felt foggy, like walking through thick mist, and despite my efforts, i couldn't make any progress. Sighing in defeat, I continued my search along the shoreline.
"Maybe there's something here that could help jog my memory," I thought, looking around the desolate landscape. The mixture of fear and excitement coursed through my veins. My strong desire to survive battles with my curiosity about the unknown. "But first, I need to find out more about this place, and what kind of person I was, Though I don't expect my old self to be just as lewd as me." I couldn't help but laugh.
My breath clouded in front of my face as I continued my search for answers. my thoughts were interrupted by the sudden crackling of branches underfoot, causing me to snap my gaze upward.
"Who goes there?!" I demanded, my icy blue eyes scanning the surrounding area.
No answer came, leaving me feeling more unnerved than before. The silence was deafening, leaving me with nothing but my own thoughts and the chilling wind.
"Was someone there or was it just the wind?" I pondered, feeling a shiver run down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.
The world around me continued to be an enigma, a puzzle that I was determined to solve. For now, I could only survive, facing whatever would lay ahead.
As the sun's last rays dipped beyond the sea, I found myself perched on a nearby rock, watching the horizon with a mixture of awe and resignation. I chuckled to myself, wondering if this was truly a new life or merely an old one rediscovered.
"Guess my home that was once here is no more," I muttered bitterly, my heart aching at the memories of a lost time. my thoughts drifted to the perils that lay ahead. "Well, I suppose I'll have to punch people with swords and magic," I grimaced, the dangers of such actions not lost on me.
The sky transformed from warm hues of reds and oranges to deep purples and blues as night settled in. The moon cast its silvery light upon the landscape, bathing me in a comforting glow that felt like a lover's embrace. my eye glowed in the darkness, taking in the silent beauty of my surroundings.
"Perhaps there's something to be said for solitude," I mused. Just then, a loud grumble erupted from my stomach, bringing me back to the pressing reality that I needed sustenance. With a sigh, I rose from my perch and began scouring the area for food, eventually managing to find a few edible plants and berries.
As i stuffed my face with my meager meal, a distant howl pierced the quiet night air, filling me with a sense of longing and fear. The sound resonated within me compelling me to follow it into the dense forest, where the chorus of insects and owls filled the night.
"Who could be out here? and why can I understand" I wondered, my curiosity piqued by the strange call. Tall trees surrounded me, their branches occasionally shuddering as bats flitted amongst them. And then, a shout rang out, jarring me from my thoughts.
"Shut the bloody hell up!" The gruff male voice echoed through the dark forest, followed by the harsh clang of metal against metal. my heart raced as I crouched behind a tree, my ears pricking at the sounds. cause of my heightened senses, maybe they were a blessing and a curse, but tonight they might just be enough to save my life if needed.
Creeping closer to the noise, I spotted the flickering orange light of a campfire in the distance. As I dropped low to the ground, trying to emulate the stealthy characters from those webnovels I've read. But my attempt ended up in Failer, as the unmistakable sound of a sword being unsheathed sliced through the air.
"I know you're out there! There's no point in hiding, you're about as sneaky as a troll!" The man shouted, his voice rough with anger. I cursed under my breath, hating that I had been so easily detected. Why couldn't it be as simple as those damn protagonists made it seem?
Reluctantly, I lowered the mask and covered my eyes, remembering I could still see perfectly. It was as if the material didn't exist, though I could feel its presence on my face. With a deep breath, I stepped into the firelight, revealing myself to the stranger.
"Who the hell are you?" The man demanded, brandishing his sword with a menacing glare.
"Does it matter?" I retorted, my tone defiant. "I'm not here for you."
"Then what do you want?"
"None of your business," I spat back, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. As I scanned the area, searching for an advantage, something to use to my benefit. But the man before me seemed ready for a fight, and I knew I couldn't risk making any sudden moves.
"Fine," he growled, lowering his sword slightly. "But if you're not gone by morning, I'll make damn sure you regret it."
"Trust me," I replied icily, "I don't plan on sticking around."
As we stared each other down, I couldn't help but feel a twisted thrill at this encounter. This was my world now, where power was all that mattered in the end, And I would do whatever it takes to stay alive.
"Didn't think I'd find anyone out here," the elderly man spoke, his dark grey skin and red eyes glistening in the firelight. He was clothed in furs, giving him a primal appearance. "What are you doing here, lass?"
I hesitated, my body tense as I studied this strange man before her. my thoughts raced, trying to determine if he posed a threat. As I opened my mouth to respond, the howl of a wolf echoed through the woods, distracting us both.
"Damn beast!" The man muttered under his breath, casting an annoyed glance at a covered cage near the campfire.
The howl sounded desperate, like a cry for help. my ears picked up the subtle sounds of branches breaking in the distance, and the distinct smell of a wet dog filled my nostrils. Panic surged within me, my instincts screaming that something was wrong. Without thinking, I sprinted toward the covered cage, desperate to uncover its contents.
"Stop! What are you doing?!?" The man shouted, as he went to slice at me but stopped as multiple sounds of howling came from the woods. wildly his eyes darted around. Bright pairs of yellow eyes glowed from the treeline, sending shivers down my spine. More of those haunting eyes shifted among the treetops, their eerie presence looming over the campsite.
"Who... or what... are they?" I whispered, fear gripping my heart as I stared into those glowing eyes. Somewhat familiar to me.
"None of your concern!" The man snapped, his voice trembling slightly. "Now get away from that cage!" He shouted as he kept switching from pointing his sword at me and then back at the woods.
Ignoring his command, With trembling hands, I yanked the covers off the cage, revealing a small, whimpering creature. The face of a wolf, matted fur, and the unmistakable vulnerability of a child werewolf stared back at me.
"You sick fuck..." I whispered, rage boiling within my veins. "This is twisted."
Ignoring the man's protests, I reached for the cage door, determined to release the poor creature. But as soon as my fingers grazed the metal bars, searing pain shot up my arm. The stench of burnt flesh filled my nostrils.
"Shit!" I hissed, stumbling backward and clutching my injured hand. "What is this?"
"You're a damn werewolf!" the man shouted, his red eyes wide with fear, charging toward me with his sword raised.
"Wait, no--"closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of the blade. Instead, I heard a thud followed by a sickening crunch. Opening my eyes, I saw the man's lifeless body held in the jaws of a massive werewolf. Its golden eyes bore into mine, while others emerged from the forest shadows.
"That's what you get," I muttered under my breath, watching the towering beast approach the cage. It reached out, its enormous paw hand grasping the door. Flesh sizzled and blood dripped from the creature's claws as it ripped the door clean off its hinges, sending it flying into a nearby tree.
The small pup shot out of the open cage like a bolt of lightning, racing into the waiting arms of a more petite werewolf that had appeared from the treeline. This one, with sleek fur and a lithe body, held the pup close in a tender embrace. It whispered something to the others before they vanished into the shadows.
"Quite the family reunion," I muttered under my breath, not realizing I was under observation by the remaining werewolves. They closed in around me, their snarls and growls growing louder as they sensed my discomfort.
"Back off!" I shouted, clenching my injured hand. But they continued to advance, led by the massive alpha whose golden eyes pierced through the darkness.
"Ellehish, you were born for this," I thought, attempting to steady myself. "Now's the time to prove it."
"Enough!" roared the alpha, extending a clawed finger to lift my mask. It sniffed at my face, blood dripping from its maw onto my trembling form. The werewolf let out a deafening howl, and Ellehish couldn't help but flinch.
"Is this your pack?" I demanded, my anger bubbling over. "You think I'm afraid of you?"
"Careful, girl," the alpha replied, its voice a low growl. "Your blood betrays you."
"Then let it!" I snapped, feeling the change begin within me. Fur sprouted on my ears, fangs lengthened in my mouth, and my eyes glowed a bright red As hair grow on the side of my face. As i roared at her.
"Bold words for prey," the alpha said, striking me with enough force to send me crashing into a tree. As darkness claimed my vision, I heard the sound of laughter echoing through the night.
"You're going... regret this...," I thought as I drifted in and out of consciousness. The sensation of being dragged through the underbrush was a constant, jarring reminder of my precarious situation.