Chereads / Skyrim: The Snow Prince (an Elder Scrolls Fanfic) / Chapter 61 - Chapter 51: The Aetherium Forge Part 1

Chapter 61 - Chapter 51: The Aetherium Forge Part 1

The journey to obtain the Aetherium pieces was fraught with danger and intrigue. Sivreth, Merril, Rael, and Ahbiilok set out from Whiterun, their destination a map that Sivreth had painstakingly crafted during his time in Cyrodiil using a Magus Sensor. This map pinpointed high-density deposits of Aetherium, a rare and powerful substance that could enhance his weaponry and armor.

They traveled to the far reaches of The Reach, where the air grew thick with the scent of decay and the whispers of ancient secrets. The dungeons they delved into were not for the faint of heart, filled with traps that had lain untouched for millennia and the remnants of civilizations lost to time. Yet Sivreth led them with unerring confidence, his eyes gleaming with the light of the enchanted stones that lit their path.

Finally, they reached the chamber where the Aetherium deposits lay hidden. The walls were veined with the luminescent blue crystals, pulsing with a life that seemed almost sentient. Sivreth's map had led them here, and the sight of the treasure was enough to make even Ahbiilok's heart race with excitement. They approached the deposits with caution, wary of any guardians that may have been left behind to protect the precious ore.

As they drew closer, they could feel the power emanating from the Aetherium. It was a heady, intoxicating energy that seemed to hum just beneath their skin. Sivreth's eyes glowed with anticipation as he reached out and touched one of the crystals. It was cool to the touch, but the moment his fingertips brushed against it, a surge of power shot through him, making him gasp.

Merril watched in awe as Sivreth deftly cut the crystals from the rock face with an enchanted dagger. Each one sang with power as it was freed, filling the air with a symphony of arcane notes that resonated with her very soul. She knew that this was a moment she would never forget, a turning point in her life where she had been granted the opportunity to wield power beyond her wildest dreams.

This Aetherium deposit was untouched and located in a remote area. The Dwemer naturally Harvested Aetherium deep underground, but they obviously would have missed smany places to harvest. Sivreth had used his Magus Sensor while he was still in the Imperial City, he had modified the Magus Sensor for a time to detect only high density traces of Tonal Resonance. In other words, aetherium and anything related to tonal manipulation or the thu'um. As such Sivreth had been able to easily locate this deposit of Aetherium,.

This was only a small deposit, but it will do for now as he has 1 ton worth of Aetherium now, and he was pleased with this result.

However, this is unrefined Aetherium, and Aetherium is highly "volatile" to Tonal sounds, Sivreth wasn't too sure what this meant but it was fairly obvious for the gist of it.

The Thu'um being used on the Aetherium could cause an violent reaction in the chemistry of the Aetherium. However, he had a literal Dragon with him, a master of the Thu'um in every aspect. And not just that said dragon Ahbiilok was also a master of Enchanting within Legendary levels of mastery of that school of Magic.

But for now, he needed the refined Aetherium piece so that he can study it before he uses the unrefined raw aetherium on his gear.

With the raw Aetherium stored safely inside his storage ring, the group mounted Ahbiilok as they flew to Arkngthamz to get the Aetherium Key piece and where Katria in the future would journey to.

Sivreth dismounted Ahbiilok and approached the ancient Dwemer ruins with a heavy heart. The air was thick with the scent of decay and the echoes of forgotten battles. The corrupted Falmer were everywhere, their twisted forms a sad reminder of his once-glorious people. He had hoped that by the time he returned to this place, the prophecy of Katria's death would have been averted, but alas, fate had other plans.

As he moved deeper into the ruins, his steps echoed through the corridors, alerting the corrupted Falmer to his presence. He used his knowledge of their kind to avoid confrontation, moving swiftly and silently, his eyes scanning for any signs of Katria. Finally, he reached the chamber where he had hoped to find her alive. Instead, her lifeless body lay on the ground, her armor tarnished and her once-beautiful features marred by the ravages of time.

By his estimation she had been dead for 2 months by now.

Sivreth approached the body of Katria and sighed at the sight of her decomposing corpse. this is technically his fault she is dead since he arrived in this world he has been causing norhing but butterfly effects to occur.

"Turn back stranger, you will only die here like I have." A spectral voice that echoed throughout the cavern resounded, Sivreth turned around and saw that the spirit of Katria was it's source.

"I have no intention of leaving as I have come for the Aetherium treasure that's here."

Sivreth's voice was calm, yet it resonated with power that seemed to make the very stones of the chamber vibrate. He reached up and gently pulled the hood of his robe away from his face, revealing the unmistakable features of a Falmer. Merril gasped, her eyes wide with curiosity and a blush on her cheeks.

Merril knew he was the Falmer Snow Prince as when he made his world's heard by the world using the Elder Scrolls power, she knew what he could look like but seeing it for the first time. She thought ' 'he's cute..and handsome for a 15 year old."

The spectral image of Katria, a fierce Nord warrior, recoiled in shock at the revelation. Her eyes widened, and her ghostly hand flew to the hilt of her sword before she realized that she could not draw it. "You... you're one of them!" she spat, her voice echoing off the cold metal walls.

"And? Was I the one that killed you? No. Was the twisted corrupted Falmer you are referring to the ones that killed you? Well...technically yes since they still fought you, but no. You may not know this Katria, but even the Falmer turned against their own people. The corrupted Fakmer you see here, and as the world now knows them as are twisted abominations that were corrupted by the Dwemer. The Corrupted Falmer had found and even killed the Pure Falmer that had survived the war of the 500 Companions of Ysgramor. I am amongst tge last pure Famer that remain alive to this day. The Nords enslaved the Snow Elves and forced them into the construction of Windhelm and other manual labour. They were promised freedom, but they were lied to by Ysgramor as he executed even the slave prisoners after their use came to an end. A complete genocide was roo much. When you look at me, you only see hatred for a past grudge that shouldn't have remained, while I look at you with indifference and maybe some pitty for your circumstances. But you came here seeking the Aetherium of your own choice as did I. Now are you going to help me find the Aetherium, and in return I can help to prove to the world that you were the one that found the aetherium Forge and not your traitorous companion that stole your life work and published it under his name."

Katria's spirit flickered, the anger in her eyes giving way to a flicker of doubt. She had been dead for so long, trapped in this place by her own curiosity and betrayal. The thought of clearing her name was tempting. "How can I trust you?" she demanded.

"You're already dead. What am I going to do? Kill you?"

Sivreth's voice echoed through the chamber, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words. He watched as Katria's spectral form wavered, her anger slowly morphing into contemplation. It was clear that she had not expected to find a Falmer in her quest for vengeance.

After a long moment of silence, Katria spoke again, her voice less hostile. "Fine," she said, her eyes narrowing. "I will help you find the Aetherium piece. But know this, I do so for my own name, not for any love of your kind."

Sivreth nodded, his expression unchanged. He knew that trust between them was a bridge that would take time to build, if it could be built at all. "Your reasons are your own," he replied. "But together, we'll find what we both want."

Merril watched the exchange with a mix of fascination and apprehension. She had never seen a Falmer before, let alone one as composed and powerful as Sivreth. The way he spoke to Katria, with a blend of respect and authority, was unlike anything she had ever witnessed.

Rhe group consisting of Rael, Merril, Sivreth and Katria proceeded deeper into the ruins of Arkngthamz. Unlike how Katria had died in the game, this time she had died much closer to the location of the Tonal Lock puzzle.

Katria insisted that I read her notes to know how to solve the puzzle but I already know the sequence I needed to shoot the Tonal Lock gears in, in order to open the gate to the Aetherium Piece.

Using my bow I shot each Tonal Lock gear, opening the gate within seconds.

Katria was shocked beyond words, the puzzle that had claimed her life was so effortlessly solved in less than a minute while she took hours being careful and pondering on how to solve the Tonal Lock.

The gate to the chamber with the Aetherium Piece opened with a grinding noise, the dust of centuries rising to obscure their vision. As it cleared, the group saw the gleaming metal contraption that held the piece, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of Dwemer constructs that had once guarded it fiercely. The Aetherium Key piece lay at the center, pulsing with an eerie blue light.

....