As the key passes through both my robes and flesh as if they weren't even there I feel something within me begin to shift. My clairvoyance starts working overtime as I begin seeing the numerous possible ways in which I could use the key's quite frankly ridiculous powers.
The amount of things I could 'unlock' is staggering.
Still, attempting to do too much would no doubt get me dwemered, so after thinking for what felt like an entire day yet in truth was less than a second I twist the key only by a fraction of a millimeter.
Immediately I feel a mix of pain and euphoria as the Magicka within me starts going rampant doing its best to accommodate the shift induced by the skeleton key. Everything about me improves within a couple of moments, my reserves feel like they nearly double while my flesh turns far closer to what I usually achieve with alteration, I even gain a couple more centimeters of height.
The greatest shift that happens, however, is deep within me as I feel the tiny fraction of a spark of divinity I have inherited expand ever so slightly. My third eye almost blinds me as its range expands to cover the city in its entirety while the simmering wrath of my ancestor attains a far more tangible presence within my very soul.
Five seconds is all it takes before my clairvoyance starts blaring warning signs at me and I immediately pull out the key and toss it on the floor. I grasp my head and groan in pain as the information overload slows down and I take control of my sight.
I take deep breaths and finally calm down after a while, I open my actual eyes and am greeted with a somewhat comical scene of my agents and Nightshade standing on guard while targeting the two thieves in case they try something while said thieves look just about ready to bolt out of here on sheer instinct.
"-'m fine" I groan, attracting the attention of everyone within the room.
Karliah stares at me with an unreadable expression "What did you do?" She asks, her tone a mix of confusion and religious fury.
I chuckle at her behavior and shrug "Oh you know, just used one of the most ridiculous artifacts of this world to unlock my potential instead of a fucking chest." I cannot help but snort at how unimaginative people can be, then again I only knew about the key's power due to outside knowledge but at the same time I am a shameless hypocrite which makes it okay.
She gapes at me while Brynjolf looks at the key with curiosity.
I raise a hand before he can even ask the question "I would not recommend trying it yourself, I had to look into the future to make sure I didn't erase myself and even then it was a close thing."
The thief looks like a kicked puppy but after a while nods, understanding that he was way out of his depth here.
I look at Karliah "Now then" I point at the key "You are going to take this thing and get it to whom it belongs." My eyes narrow threateningly "If you suddenly decide that you would prefer keeping it for yourself I will know and you will die in agony, are we understood?"
She blinks in confusion before glaring at me "I would never betray my patron."
I shrug "The lure of power changes even the most devout." I look to my agents while ignoring the sputtering Indoril "You two will follow her and ensure she reaches the Twilight Sepulchre with the key, do this well and without duplicity and I will reward you handsomely."
Both share a look and quickly nod at me.
Finally, I look at Brynjolf "And you."
He points at himself questioningly.
"No, the other chucklefuck behind you" I grouse and he snorts "Yes, you. For your help in this endeavor, you may request my aid once."
He smiles wryly "Not that I did it for you but I am not going to deny a favor" Then he raises a finger "Quick question, how exactly do I contact you, and who even are you?"
I shrug "Just go through Karliah, and if you are so curious ask her I don't mind you knowing but can't be bothered to explain myself, this hood is on for a reason you know?" I say with a chuckle.
He nods "Yeah, right... so umm... I am going to go now. Enjoy your evening or whatever." He awkwardly excuses himself and leaves through one of the windows.
As he does so I see Karliah pick the key up with reverence and quickly pocket it, she turns to me and gives me a nod "Even if we have not met in the best of circumstances I still thank you for your aid in serving my Lady, Great Lord."
I nod back "I did it mostly for myself, but the courtesy is appreciated. Good luck on your pilgrimage."
She leaves soon after, followed by my agents.
As she does so I finally allow myself to sit down on a nearby chair and let out a tired sigh. I look at a very attentive Nightshade "Find a bed and toss me on it, and make sure no one enters this place. My everything is in pain right now and I need rest."
She quickly gets to it and the moment my back touches the bed we just confiscated from Mercer I pass out, my sleep unhindered by dreams or demonic visitations.
--------------------
My eyes snap open as memories of the previous night assert themselves.
I tilt my head to the side only to see Nightshade gorging herself on some street food she likely bought earlier. The moment our eyes meet she quickly hides the food behind her back causing me to chuckle only to stop moments later as I realize that my voice has grown a bit more melodious than before.
Well I did command the key to improve everything so it isn't all that surprising...
"Did anything happen while I was out?" I ask after a moment.
She shakes her head "No, no one seemed to react to our fight."
I snort "They are probably all too used to people raiding each other's homes at this point, not even the guard would bother unless it was someone important."
"Not to mention this is supposed to be a hidden base" Nightshade adds with a sage nod.
"Indeed." I agree easily "Could you leave me for now? I need to check something in private."
"Very well" She gets up without complaint and goes to the living room to gorge herself on more food, what a woman of culture she is turning out to be!
I remove most of my clothes and pull out my hand mirror out of curiosity, and smirk in satisfaction at what I see. Everything about me now looked just a bit more defined, my face seemed sharper and more noble, my eyes took on a more mysterious sheen while the golden traces of Meridia's 'blessing' retracted and now looked more like beautiful decorations instead of a mark of spite.
I stretch myself and feel new strength course through my body, curiously I grab a piece of iron from nearby and grasp it in my hand, I blink rapidly as I find that I am fully capable of completely crushing it without any magic whatsoever.
Speaking of magic... I snap my fingers mostly out of habit and the magelight I summon blinds me for a moment, forcing me to dispell it. The amount of Magicka coursing through my veins would have no doubt given me a Magicka high just yesterday but right now it felt completely natural, like a soothing stream flowing through my body and soul.
'You doing ok in there Scorch?' I ask mentally.
I feel a wave of happiness and contentment as he chirps a 'Just chilling' in response.
'Right...' I shake my head in amusement.
Finally I open my system and find myself unsurprised and very satisfied.
[Str: 18 => 26]
[Dex: 19 => 28]
[Vit: 25 => 37]
[Mind: 40 => 52]
[Mag: 500 => 800]
[Blood of Dagoth: Your lifespan is greatly increased]
[Wrath of Dagoth => Dagoth's Fury: Your blasphemous inheritance has grown in strength and power, you now have the ability to dampen and even completely cut off Divine and Daedric influence if sufficiently enraged.]
[Unbound: You are now considered a lesser blank slate, as long as you invest great effort you will be able to continue growing in strength. Abilities hitherto considered impossible are now attainable through great sacrifice and greater effort.]
A path to catch up to my demi-god student? I have to say the fact that I won't be so easily left behind by the world's chosen one is very gratifying.
I happily scroll through all my other traits and powers and find that they are all slightly improved but not to the point of there being massive changes, all in all my gains this time were massive with very little effort invested.
Work smart and not hard and all that.
With a happy chuckle I put on some travel clothes and leave the small manor, Nightshade following after me with a content smile on her face. I purposefully choose not to comment on the dozen sticks that likely once held street food she left on the table.
We left the city without incident and spent the following day riding through the forests of the Rift. Unlike the titular city, the hold itself was actually far more prosperous with numerous hamlets spread through the vast forests, the many small rivers and lakes combined with the mostly untouched nature of the place quickly made me forget the disgusting feeling the city gave me.
Even the winds seemed to agree as they danced around and caressed everything with an aura of subdued cheer.
The day passed incredibly quickly as I immersed myself in the idyllic sights and when not gazing at nature's beauty I spent my time teaching Nightshade more of the world's common sense and history.
She was especially interested in the current conflict between the Dominion and Empire, even making some very... based... comments about Nords dying in the thousands to a bunch of elves. I made sure to explain to her that hating the current Nords for the sins of her ancestors was plain old idiotic to which she surprisingly agreed without much complaint, she knew very well that she should be happy to be something more than a cave goblin and was merely poking fun.
We reached Helgen by nightfall and I spent some time catching up with Vilod and his daughter who looked just about ready to enter adolescence. The innkeeper was greatly surprised by what he heard of my achievements and I even let him use the little tale of my first day in Skyrim as a bit of an advertisement for his establishment.
He happily gave us his best rooms and refused any payment from me.
As we left the town I was greeted with the uncanny scene of a group of Falkreath guardsmen guarding a cart filled with convicted prisoners and leading it toward Helgen.
I got some very weird looks as I laughed my ass off as they passed but they knew not to bother the insane mage and went on with their day, another odd story to tell when they got their drinks tonight.
Finally after spending the entire day asking for directions and buying information we reached a spot on the shore of the lake north of Falkreath and there stood the sunken fortress and our destination.
Ilinalta's Deep.
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Unearth the keep in ilinalta's deep and gift me the stones held within!
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