Chapter One
Upon the Isle of Flame, located in the north-western region of the Shivering Isles, lies an ancient fortress rumoured to have once been the Realm’s capital. The Isle’s inhabitants call this fortress Cylarne, and legends say that the Mazken and Aureal have been waging constant war here for hundreds if not thousands of years. It is here that they hone their skills and develop their most devastating combat techniques. And still, after an eternity of holy war and bloodshed, each Daedric army stands at the ready to bring an end to the perpetual stalemate. Brothers and sisters of each side continue to sacrifice their lives to the battlefield with no end in sight.
It is within the east-wing of the fortress of Cylarne that our story begins, which now stands secured with Aureal forces at the ready.
“By the Flame of Agnon, that’s enough out of you two! Need I remind you of your ranks? You’re in no position to be questioning my decisions and I could very well have you stripped of your armour and titles for talking back to a superior commander. Regardless, I’ve made my decision. We will charge down the main passage, as planned. Our Saints stand strong and ready, and the Mazken will not withstand us!” Aurmazl Kaneh wouldn’t listen to Aalynn, or even Mirel who held a superior rank. He was Kaneh’s pathetic male lapdog, and his scouts had already reported the Underkeep as being an ideal point of entry.
“Affirmative. The treacherous ones will fall, Aurmazl Kaneh. Their very actions drag our Lord’s name through the mud. Forgive me for stepping out of line.”
Aalynn scoffed as she spoke, and then thought to herself. As strong and capable as Aurmazl Kaneh was in both combat and leadership, she was also blind to her own arrogance, which could undoubtedly lead to their collective defeat. How could her commander carry such confidence in charging the main passage, when this faulty tactic had always lead to a pitiful stalemate? She thought to herself, “What point is there in pursuing a glorious death on the battlefield when we could easily seize victory by simply raiding the Underkeep instead?”
Since her commander was oblivion-bent on blinding herself to reason, she looked inside and realized that she had no choice but to disobey her orders. She waited until the perfect moment, when Aurmazl Kaneh turned her back and lead the Aureal legion towards the entrance to the main hall. Aalynn chose this moment to sneak to the Underkeep while frequently looking over her shoulder to ensure that she was not followed. This wouldn’t be the first time that Aalynn had chosen to act independently, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
In fact, just last week she had met with Dumag gro-Bonk, the famous amber smith of Bliss. He was one of the few mortals that she, a proud daedric supremacist, could tolerate. When she was sure that no one was around to see, the two of them met in secret and she purchased twenty amber throwing stars. Such weapons were hard to come by for Aureal, as they have been taught to see themselves as Sheogorath’s gift to the Aurbis, and as such they overwhelmingly dislike interacting and doing business with mere mortals. This is true even among the citizens of the district of Bliss, home to the majority of Aureal who diligently uphold the Law of the Madgod throughout the Mania-blessed sector of New Sheoth.
As Aalynn approached the Underkeep entrance she began to think once more. Was she crazy for disobeying Aurmazl Kaneh’s direct orders? Such an act could strip her of her rank if caught and brought before the Aurealan Council. She certainly had memories of loved ones who suffered the fate of their righteous might, and even worse, the poor souls who made the heretical mistake of offending the Madgod himself.
It was a risk she was going to have to take, as she felt like she owed it to her people to secure victory by any means necessary. “Focus, Aalynn… You can do this. You can do this… For the sake of us all. Glory to the Madgod!” She slowly opened the door, gripping her hands on the beautiful ancient engravings. Her eyes peered around the edge of the door as she snuck around it, and secured her entrance unseen.
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