'Thank the Gods that I have the greatest amount of plot armour at the right time! If I wasn't protected by Ithelia's blessing I would be dead before I had reached this point. Maybe that's why the alternate timeline versions of myself all died? They didn't have Ithelia's blessing like I do.'
Ithelia, the Forgotten Daedric Ptince of Fate and Destiny which Hermaeous Mora defeated.
Her power was terryfing, and Hermaeous Mora is even more so for being able to defeat her, and then Miraak ontop of even him! Heck! Mora was afraid of Miraak's potential!
(A/n I already talked about her in past chapters and won't do so again)
Ithelia's blessing is given to the protagonist of each Elder Scrolls game or to a significant "Hero" character.
That can also be attributed to plot armour and the ability to defeat enemies and foes that normally and realistically shouldn't be beatable such as a God!
The lore Dovahkiin should NOT have been able to defeat lore Miraak. It is simply impossible to beat the lore version of Miraak at the Summit of Apocrypha!
And yet the Last Dragonborn was able to fight him on equal grounds, all before Mora killed a tired and weakened Miraak in a suprise attack.
Miraak was even supposed to survive and escape in a Cut ending.
If I really do have Ithelia's blessing, then I don't have a choice. Dragonborn or no, I must fight and kill Miraak in Apocrypha at all costs before he can escape Oblivion and enter re-enter Mundus.
Shadow Magic, Dawn Magic, Mysticism the three most feared forms of magic amongst the dozens that exist, and Miraak has mastered all of them.
Honestly, I don't care if Miraak knows Dawn Magic, the "Magic of the Gods", what I am worried about is if he knows Shadow Magic.
Maybe I can make a deal with Hermaeous Mora for knowledge about Shadow Magic. But that is risky, but alas I have no choice.
The thing is, I don't know what I can barter with Mora for that knowledge. I already was forced to give up what I knew about Ithelia to him in exchange for helping me and Elika to escape Apocrypha.
I'm at a complete dead end!
"We're here, hey kid! You listening!"
I was brought out of my musings by the voice of the Stormcloak guard of Riften calling out to me.
"Sorry uncle! I'm listening now!"
"I'm not your uncle! You've called me that a dozen times by now!"
"Sorry uncle! I won't say it again"
The guards eye twitched as he thought 'you just said it again right now!'. He sighed before he continued speaking.
"Anyway, we're here, now get going. The Imperial that chased you won't come to Riften, but you should be wary here. This town is filled with thieves and scoundrels. There's an Orphanage at the end across from the Temple. Good luck kid."
The guard spoke his last words of guidance before departing with the others to the barracks.
I entered the city with Rael by my side, fortunately I had been able to convince the guard that Rael was well behaved and wouldn't cause trouble.
It always did feel odd that the player could take a literal war troll and all sorts of creatures throughout every city and town and no body having a problem with it, but not in certain restricted places.
The latter part is what allowed me to make the former part's assumption.
Naturally, Rael drew the eyes of many individuals, I mean who brings a Senche-Tiger, and a white one at that, straight into a city with a young teenager riding alongside it.
I went straight throigh the city and made my way directly to the docks.
'Hmm Lake Honrich is indeed massive.'
Riften, Lake Honrich and the previous cities and towns I have been to previously were definitely 17 to 20 times bigger than the in-game counterpart.
Lake Honrich, formerly known as Lake Honnith, is the place where the Quill of Gemination is located.
The Quill of Gemination is a unique custom-made enchanted quill. It is no ordinary writing instrument; its remarkable ability to replicate text with meticulous precision made it a priceless tool, particularly when it came to the delicate task of securing signatures.
The true marvel of this quill lay in its ability to flawlessly duplicate any writing it transcribed, ensuring that no detail was lost in the process. To function correctly, the quill relies on a unique and confidential ink formula known exclusively to its commissioner.
Vald, the hireling of Maven Black-Briar was in charge of its transportation from the College of Winterhold, where it was commissioned by Maven to be made for a substantial amount of gold, and was supposed to be delivered to Riften with no problems.
Alas, Vald had crashed the boat when a mist caused him to lose sight of his path, he had been unable to remeber the precise location of the crash site and thus be remains indebted to Maven ever since and up until the Skyrim's game events in year 201st.
Fortunately, I saw Vald guarding Mercer Frey's house here in Riften which meant that this event has already happened, lucky me!
I outstretched my hand, casting a potent & modified divination spell, similar to the Enchantment i placed on the Magus Sensor, which can detect potent magical artifacts and magical signatures all across Tamriel.
Blinking my eyes a few times, I felt the spell take effect as I could see directly into the water, I could even see the traces of Magicka within all the living beings in the area. Be it plants, fishes, Rael, myself or people, heck I can even see the ground and inanimate objects.
All things have magic, ALL THINGS, this is a simple irrefutable truth of this universe, be it living, dead or spiritual they too also have Magicka.
Concentrating on the spell some more, I fine tuned it to the point I was able to selectively block out what I wanted to view with this [Magic Sense] Divination spell.
I could see it, the Quill of Gemination, and the lockbox itself.
I casted another spell on myself and Rael, allowing us to [Breath Underwater], before I jumped into Lake Honrich and swam towards the sunken boat and lockbox.
Upon raching Vald's Strongbox, I could detect no traces of magic to protect the Quill, natural since Vald did serve Maven Black-Briar, and if anyone stole or messed with Maven, they would live to regret it.
I waved my hand using a third Magic spell to open the box and easily pick the lock. As long as there are no magical defenses around the lock in question, the spell I learned can easily open any lock, this was how I stole so much and survived in the Imperial City for these past years.
Grabbing the Quill of Gemination which was securely sealed with its wooden box, I swam across the lake and back into the forest.
Using a custom wind element spell to dry the both of us, I placed the Quill of Gemination inside of my storage ring before I mounted Rael and rode deep into the woods.
A few frostbite Spiders were in my way which Rael and myself easily dispatched with no effort before reaching our destination.
Leaping off Rael, I searched the spot with my [Magic Sense] abd found what I wanted.
Treasure Chest 9 (IX) located behind the waterfall near Forelhost ruin where Dragon Priest Rahgot resides.
I looted the chest dry of all its valuables and contents, placing it inside my Storage Ring. I will examine and go over my find when I'm in a safe place.
After this I headed back to Riften as I was almost done here.
Entering Riften I entered the Ratway.
The two scoundrels stationed near the entrance attacked me on sight, but a human sized Senche-Tiger made short work off them, as Rael pounced on one man tearing his throat out and killing him instantly.
"Oh Gods! No! Nooo!" The second man screamed as he tried to run deeper inside, but Rael didn't let him escape.
Rael bit the man's foot, causing him to fall before he was dragged backwards where I took the chance to kill him myself as a Shard of ice pierced his head.
Continuing onwards, i used Telekinesis to move the lever and skip this whole place.
Rael dealt with the last scoundrel by the table with a good old sneak attack.
I opened the door to enter the Ragged Flagon, walking towards Dirge who blocked our path.
Before he could speak Rael leapt infront of me and growled, causing the big man to reach for his weapon and take a few steps back, enough for me to walk past him.
The residents of the Ragged Flagon widened their eyes seeing a Senche mount and a boy walk into the Ratways and den of the Thieves Guild. There was some chatter amongst them but I didn't care.
I didn't pay them any mind as I walked past them as Rael followed behind while he kept the others at bay.
"Hey kid! Stop!" A female voice called out as I heard the clattering of a chair and table happen at tge same time.
I gave a glance and saw a slightly younger Vex?
"What is it? I'm in a hurry."
"Are you nuts kid?! It's dangerous in there! You'll die!"
"I appreciate the concern, but you do not know me well enough, else you would know I am equally as strong as the Senche by my side, definitely far stronger if I am smart about my approach. I will be safe Vex, until the next time we meet. Tell Mercer Frey I said hello."
With that, I left through the door entered deeper into the Ratway Vaults.
This was the place I wanted to go to.
Using my trusty [Magic Sense] I was able to see through the walls and located a hidden exit that is a drop down to the level I was currently on.
This was what I was after.
Taking out a rope from my Storage Ring, I placed it inside Rael's mouth.
Rael understanding what I wanted him to do, leapt upwards from where we stood and climbed the hidden drop down ledge, i grabbed hold of the robe and climbed it reaching Rael before I patted him.
All that was left was one more door.
...
Passing through the door, I made my way until I came to the room I was after!
Mercer Frey's secret den!
And there it fucking is!
The Skeleton Key!
In 4E 176, (25 years before skyrim), Mercer Frey killed the previous Thieves Guild Master, Gallus Desidenius and framed Karliah for the murder and stole the Skeleton Key from the Twilight Sepulcher, the entrance to Nocturnal's Realm of Oblivion.
The Skeleton Key is my greatest treasure! On equal grounds as the Elder Scroll and the Grimoire from my future self which I possess.
With this I have the potential power of a God!
The only limit is my ability to use the Skeleton Key!
Turning my gaze to the side I found my second harvest...
Chillrend!
It deals Frost Damage to the target and has a chance to inflict Paralysis, ontop of that Chillrend has a damage value equal to that of a Dragonbone sword.
Looking back to the Skeleton Key in my hand a thought crossed my mind.
The Skeleton Key can open an "lock", be it physically or Metaphysical or even spiritual.
In fact, I think there is a slight chance I could go back to my home, my old world, to Earth...the thought crossed my mind more than once...but what would I return to if I did.
Should I delude myself to this possible fantasy of returning home...no! I made my choice long ago. This is my life now. And besides, it would be almost impossible.
The Skeleton Key is limited to what the user wants to "unlock" or "lock", be that by unlocking the potential of a person or even locking something in place, causing it to become from gas to solid or be immovable. Or even change its molecular structure by unchaining it's molecular bonds.
Fortunately, I know science, it is essentially like using a computer, all I need to do is know how to enter a code and "hack" the Skeleton Key to do what I want it to do.
I posted the Skeleton Key towards the glass case, the key part of it passed through the case like ripping water and the tip vannished. I turned the key with the understanding and intention of "unlocking" the case that contained Chillrend.
*click*
The sound of the mechanical lock clicking was heard, I retracted the Skeleton Key and held it tightly as I opened the case with my other hand.
I grasped the blade of Chillrend and was satisfied with my objective having been complete.
'Mercer Frey isn't gonna like this. Tough shit! Next time put traps for your exit door as well jackass!'
I was going to leave as I came in but stopped when a light bulb went off inside my head.
"Why the fuck am I going to walk back?! I have this now!"
Without hesitation I lifted the Skeleton Key and plunged it into the empty air in front off me before turning the key.
A moment later a space portal opened up in front off me, on the otherside was Solstheim, specifically the town of Raven Rock.
I gestured to Rael to follow me through the portal before I closed it once passing through to the other side.
"You there, stop where you are!"
'For some reason I feel like this is giving me some intense deja vu'
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Sorry if the writing quality seems bland or shit, I had been absent from writing for so lomg that I got rusty and it feels lacking. Hope you enjoyed
ps I fixed the last Chapter cause it was all grouped together rather than being seperate sentences.