(Music Soundtrack: Grand Central Station (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
After a few days at sea, he finally arrived in Windhelm. Corvus looked around as he got off the boat and proceeded to walk through the dock. He passes by several argonion and dunmer dock workers, working tirelessly as before. Some things haven’t changed. As he continued to walk through the dock, two people came out from the corner of the stairwell leading to the city. An imperial man and a woman, swords sheathed by their hips and wearing chainmail armors. Corvus notices them walking towards him and he slowly reaches for the dagger on his hip. Before the two imperial mercenaries could reach for their swords, five khajiits dressed in black appeared amongst the crowd and silently dispatches the mercenaries with their small blades. Two of the khajiits discreetly drag the corpses and the passerby are completely oblivious. Corvus stops in his track as three khajiits stands in front of him, as if he is being cornered by predators. Two of them are wearing cat like masks while the third one is unmasked, showing his white fur. But rather than killing him on the spot, the white one gestures him to keep walking and walk to the city. Corvus does so without hesitation and walks up the stairway leading to the city. He turns his head and sees the three khajiits closely following behind. They continued to follow him as he entered the city and walked into the crowded streets of Windhelm. As Corvus walks towards the marketplace, the feline assassins stop following him and hang back. Corvus enters the bustling market of Windhelm and was met with many people in the streets. But amongst the crowd, he spots a brown furred khajiit in the corner, dressed in black, who immediately starts walking towards him. It is Zah’jir, coming to finally get a piece of Sithis Incarnate. As he walks towards Corvus, he unsheathes his tanto from his hip. Seeing the blade in hand, Corvus unsheathes his dagger as well. The two assassins are getting closer to each other and ready to lunge their blades at one another. But the confrontation is quickly interrupted by a group of drunk nords, reveling and stumbling through the market, as they get in between Corvus and Zah’jir.
“For Skyrim! We shall drink and feast until Sovengarde comes!” a bearded nord yelled, raising a bottle of mead in his hand as his drinking mates laughed out loud. The two assassins awkwardly looked at the drunkards.
“You see? That’s what makes you special. This one would not have stopped,” Zah’jir remarked. “Zah’jir is happy you’ve returned,” he said as one passerby passes by the khajiit and a masked black moon assassin appeared beside him. “How was your journey?” he asked as another person passes by Zah’jir and this time, his underling vanishes. “Are you perhaps by any chance going to Riften?” he asked as the masked khajiit appeared beside Corvus. He turns his head and sees the khajiit standing next to him. Suddenly, Corvus slashes the assassin in the throat with his blade before grabbing his head and then swiftly stabbing him in the head. None of the people in the streets noticed a khajiit being sliced and stabbed.
“He with you?” Corvus asked while casually still holding the khajiit’s head before dropping him on the floor.
“He was,” Zah’jir coldly remarked without batting an eye. Corvus still trained his eyes on Zah’jir before a few people passed in front of him. As they walk by, Corvus disappears. Zah’jir looks around the marketplace and realizes that he is no longer here. “This one is impressed,” he said.
(Music Soundtrack: Cycle Samurais (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
Corvus escapes to the bridge, leading outside of the city. He continues to run until he reaches the stable area. His moment of respite is quickly cut short when two black moon assassins suddenly arrive, riding on black senche panthers. In a split-second decision, he rushes at the riders and tackles them off from their mounts. He pulls out his dagger and jams the blade into the throat of the first rider. The second rider pulls out his tanto and attacks Corvus but was quickly countered by Corvus’ dodge and swiftly slashes him three times in the chest and finally slitting the throat. The fight causes the panthers to become startled. Corvus approaches one of them and casts a calm spell on it. He quickly mounts the panther and rides off just as Zah’jir catches up. Zah’jir quickly mounts the other panther as five more black moon assassins arrive, riding panthers as well. Zah’jir rides off to give chase and his assassins quickly follow behind him.
The khajiits soon catches up to Corvus deep into the region of Eastmarch as they enter the circa with the hot springs. They furiously ride on the main road as Corvus desperately tries to out ride them. The khajiit riders pull out their wakizashis in unison as they pull up behind him. A rider quickly gets to Corvus’ right side and swings his blade at him. Corvus barely dodges it as another rider ride attacks him on his left. Corvus pulls out his blade and blocks a swing from the rider on the left and pushes him away. He then turns his attention back to the rider on the right and quickly kills him with three slashes on the body. The panther quickly gives up the chase as its rider is killed. Another rider catches up to Corvus’ right side and attacks him with the wakizashi. Corvus grabs the rider’s arm and takes his blade before using it to attack another rider on his left side. He then kills the rider on his right side by stabbing him in the chest and slashing the panther’s left leg, causing it to collapse on the road. The khajiits continue to give chase with only three riders left, with Zah’jir still leading the chase. Two riders surround both of his sides and swing their blades at him. Corvus counters both of their attacks and swiftly decapitate the left rider in a swift motion and then stabbing the rider on the right with the wakizashi. He leaves the blade in on the rider’s chest as the two panthers stop giving chase, with Zah’jir the only one left chasing Corvus.
The chase continues into the region of the Rift, as Corvus steers his panther through the main road with Zah’jir closing on him. After the lengthy chase, Corvus sees Riften’s main gate in the distance and steers his mount to the left as he gets close to the main gate. He continues until they are near the entrance of the Violet Rift. Corvus stands on the panther’s back and jumps off, just as Zah’jir jumps off as well. Corvus rolls to the steps to the entrance and hits on it. Corvus groans from the pain as Zah’jir gets up and approaches him, pulling out his tanto. As the khajiit prepares to deliver the killing blow, Corvus rolls over and narrowly places his right hand on the step to the building.
“Stop! Put your weapon down!” a voice called out, causing Zah’jir to stop dead in the track. He looks behind him and sees a dunmer with a bow and arrow trained on him. Karliah appeared out of nowhere as always.
“I would do what she says,” another voice called out. Corvus looks up and sees Nazir standing outside of the entrance.”
“He’s banished. He’s no longer part of your guild,” Zah’jir retorted, but they ignore him.
“Unless you want to welcome an arrow into your head, I suggest you lower your blade,” Nazir cheekily threatened the khajiit. Zah’jir relents and sheathes his blade.
“I’d like to see the owner.” Corvus said, still lying by the staircase.
“Of course. If you would please follow me.”
Corvus follows Nazir into the Violet Rift, with Zah’jir accompanying as well. Nazir leads them into a small lounge with sofas near the reception desk.
“Wait here. I’ll inform the owner that you’ve arrived,” he said before walking off. Corvus takes a seat on one of the sofas. Zah’jir looks around and sits next to Corvus, with a straightened composure. Corvus looks at the khajiit and stands up to sit at a nearby smaller sofa. As he is settling in, Zah’jir looks around and leans to the end of his sofa near where Corvus sits.
“Khajiit wants to say that he has been waiting for this moment for a long time. This one is a huge fan of yours. Corvus Rem. So far you haven’t been disappointed!” Zah’jir ecstatically exclaimed. Corvus ignores his praises. Suddenly, Corvus’ dog arrives and jumps onto his lap and immediately starts licking at him. “Is that your dog? No doubt he likes you. As for khajiit, he likes cats more. Alfiqs to be precise.”
“Hey boy,” Corvus said to his dog, completely ignoring Zah’jir once again.
“We’re the same. You and khajiit, are both given the same gift.”
“We’re not the same.”
“Oh no, we are the same.”
“No, we’re not.”
“The owner is ready to see you,” as they are quickly interrupted by Nazir. “He is waiting for you in the Room of Judgement.” Corvus stands up from the sofa to follow Nazir. The khajiit quickly stands up from the sofa as well.
“We are both messengers of death,” the khajiit declared. Corvus ignores him once more.
“Sit. Stay,” he commanded his dog. “Good dog.”
(Music soundtrack: The Glass House (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
Nazir leads Corvus deep within the Ratway and came upon two metal doors. He opens it and is greeted by a beautifully decorated room full of expensive decorations, ornaments, extravagant jewels in display cases, and mannequins with special armor. Corvus walks through the hall slowly as he passes by the special displays, taking a quick glance at each one. He goes to the staircase at the end of the hall and walks up to the second floor and is met with another floor with more expensive displays. As he walks to the display area, he sees Brynjolf standing behind a table, looking at a chessboard.
“Watch your step, lad,” Brynjolf said in an ominous tone. “We only use this room for…special occasions. When something significant is about to place for someone in their life, this room is where we let it take place.” Corvus approaches Brynjolf, five feet away from him. “I trust you had an eventful journey?”
“Yeah.”
“No doubt they sent countless killers to kill you, and now…you’re here to kill me. Isn’t that why you’re here, lad?
“I pledged my allegiance. I will be of service.”
“And yet, you’re having doubts. Just don’t make the mistake of pretending that this is personal. If you’re going to do it, put a blade in my heart,” Brynjolf said as he picked up a jeweled dagger on the table. He walks around the table and slowly approaches Corvus, with the dagger in hand. “The Thalmor asked me to leave and cease my operation in Skyrim.”
“And they didn’t kill you? You should have killed me in the Shadow Continental.”
“Perhaps I should have.”
“Actions and consequences.”
“Aye, and now it seems everyone is suffering for the consequences of their actions.”
“And you’re not leaving?”
“No. And I don’t intend to.”
“So, its war? You’re going to war with the Thalmor?”
“More like skirmish, that is unless that you decide to take my life. And I would rather die at the hand of a friend than that of an enemy. I’ve made my choice lad and now it’s your turn to make yours.”
“What choice?”
“You kill me, you sell your soul to the Aldmeri Dominion.”
“But I get to live. And I can remember her.”
“Until you die as a slave to the Thalmor. Now, you did the impossible, you stopped, you got out of the game. But you came back because Haki was taken from you. Now the real question is, who do you wish to die as? Sithis Incarnate? The last thing many mortals in Tamriel will ever see? Or as a man, who loved and was loved by his wife? Who do you wish to die as, Corvus?” Brynjolf asked as he extended his hand with the dagger to Corvus. He gently took the dagger and held it in his right hand for a moment. He then raises his left hand to look at his missing ring finger. The finger that he put his Bond of Matrimony while contemplating what Brynjolf told him. Suddenly, sounds of footsteps are heard from the upper staircase leading to the third floor. The Thalmor Adjudicator arrives with her servant, and they approach the men.
“Greetings, Corvus Rem. Your reputation precedes you. I am an Adjudicator for the Thalmor,” she said and turned to Brynjolf. “Now, have you decided to leave Skyrim and cease your operation?
“I don’t think so.”
“And you?” as she turned back to Corvus, “…have you decided to put a blade in him?” she asked.
“No, I don’t think I will,” Corvus said before handing the dagger back to Brynjolf.
(Music Soundtrack: Deconsecrated (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
“Very well,” the adjudicator said. She turns to her servant and pulls out a scroll. “Show this to the generals at the headquarters in Alinor,” she said handing the scroll to the servant. The servant takes it and quickly creates a portal and vanishes.” The adjudicator turns back to Corvus and Brynjolf. “Gentlemen, you have made the choice to further defy the Thalmor and for that, you have chosen to face our wrath. Since you are refusing to cooperate and you are refusing a direct order, your lives are effectively forfeited. Elite Dominion reinforcements will be coming soon to promptly destroy you and your little hotel. Have a good evening gentleman,” the Thalmor Adjudicator said coldly and leaves.
“They’re no longer playing by our rules. And this haven is safe no more,” Brynjolf said with a hint of anger in his voice.
“Are services still off limits to me?” Corvus asked.
“Judging by the special circumstances, your membership to the Shadow Continental is restored immediately. What do you need?”
“I need weapons. Lots of weapons.”
Brynjolf leads Corvus into a hall deep within the Ratway with Nazir, Karliah and Corvus’ dog following. They are greeted by Delvin and Vex who are standing beside a large vault. Brynjolf pulls out a black key and inserts it into the vault and opens it. He walks into the vault, followed by the rest.
“Shall we make a make a withdrawal?” Brynjolf casually asked as he walked to the sofa in the center of the vault and sits on it, followed by Corvus’ dog. Corvus finds himself surrounded by many weapons and gears from the Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, Nightingale, and many other varieties of weapons. Corvus looks around as Nazir, Karliah, Delvin, and Vex begin to choose their gears.
“I have been wanting to try this for a long time,” Vex gleefully remarked as she takes an enchanted ebony dagger off from a wall while Delvin grabs an enchanted glass shorts word.
“In case if you’re not aware, these are elite soldiers of the Thalmor. So, we must choose our weapons carefully,” Nazir said as he grabs an enchanted scimitar.
“Why?” Corvus asked.
“We have gathered a considerable amount of intel on all the powerful organizations in Tamriel, including the Aldmeri Dominion. Ever since the Great War, they have made…improvements in armor. Perhaps an enchanted pristine daedric dagger?” as Nazir grabbed a daedric dagger off the wall. “Very strong enchantment with health absorption and significant skill drain in all areas of skill.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s get the party started,” Nazir grinned.
“We have also made significant improvements to the nightingale gears as well,” Karliah interjected. “Especially with the swords,” as she grabbed one off from the wall and gives it to Corvus. He sheathes the sword as Delvin laid a batch of grand and black soul gems on the table. Corvus grabs a handful of soul gems.
“So, what’s the plan?” Corvus asked.
“Karliah and I will lead a small group of our staff while Delvin and Vex will lead the other half for the defense. Divide and conquer and all.”
“You don’t need us to watch your back,” Delvin said. “We know what you are capable of.”
“What about you, Brynjolf?” Corvus asked.
“I will stay here; in case you need to come back. And all of you, be careful. You’re in the fight for your life now.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve been through worse,” Vex confidently said. “A small army of high elves shouldn’t be too hard. Nazir then presses a button by the vault door, causing it to open. Delvin and Vex exit the vault first.
“I know you two will do the Violet Rift proud,” Brynjolf said to Nazir and Karliah.
“We’ll see you soon,” Karliah responded calmly before they stepped outside the vault. Brynjolf turns to see Corvus equipping his nightingale sword.
“And you, Corvus, do what you do best.”
“What’s that?”
“Hunt. And remember, eyes open and walk with the shadow,” Brynjolf said before Corvus steps out of the vault with the sword in hand, followed by Nazir and Karliah after they close the vault door. “If you want peace…prepare for war.”
(Music Soundtrack: Presto Museum Battle (John Wick: Chapter 2 OST) - YouTube)
Several portals suddenly appear outside of Riften, near the Violet Rift. Small armies of Thalmor soldiers in black and masked elven armor appear and quickly surround the building. A few Thalmor mages appear as well, and they lead the soldiers into the Violet Rift. They open the door and slowly make their way around into the building. Soldiers with their swords and bows drawn as they take over the lobby. A group of soldiers and mages finds the hidden passage leading to the Ratway and proceeds to surround the sewer and the cistern. As the soldiers are slowly walking through the main hub of the Ratway, Corvus hides behind a desk waiting to strike. As two soldiers pass by, he ambushes them and swiftly incapacitates them with his daedric dagger, causing them to collapse. As Corvus is about to leave, he hears one soldier groaning from the pain and quickly gets back up. Corvus forces the soldier to the wall and starts slashing at his exposed area not covered by the armor and quickly finishing him off by slitting the throat and does the same to the second soldier. Suddenly, two ice spikes flew by, barely missing Corvus. He quickly stands up and retreats.
Nazir and Karliah lead a group of their archers in the Ragged Flagon and ambush a squad of Thalmor soldiers. The archers’ fires arrows at the soldiers, only for them to bounce off from their armors. The soldiers quickly slaughter the archers with ease while two of them engage Nazir in sword combat and Karliah uses her invisibility to strike the soldiers from the shadows. The two were able to finish off the squad of soldiers, but another squad quickly arrives, led by a mage who started to cast a barrage of lightning bolts. Nazir and Karliah are forced to retreat.
Meanwhile, Vex and Delvin lead their small group of defenders to fend off the elite soldiers and mages in the cistern area. The defenders tried to attack with their weapons, found themselves completely ineffective against their armor. A mage incinerates three defenders with fire magic while another mage conjures a storm atronach to attack Delvin. Delvin swiftly dodges the atronach’s lightning bolt and slays it without effort while Vex kills the two mages. But the two master thieves are quickly overwhelmed by another group of soldiers firing a barrage of arrows. The arrows kill four more defenders while Vex barely dodges the arrows. Delvin and Vex are forced to retreat as well.
Corvus arrives at the Ragged Flagon and swiftly fends off two soldiers as a group of soldiers’ fires at him with arrows. He quickly pulls out his nightingale sword and attacks them in their knees. He manages to stun three soldiers and gets up close to them to stab them in their exposed area in the throat. He then pulls out a black soul gem and recharges the enchantment on his nightingale sword. A group of Thalmor mages appear and starts firing fire bolts at him, forcing him to dodge and cast a silence spell on them. Corvus runs up to them and quickly slashes them with his dagger and finishes them off. Three more soldiers arrive and Corvus uses his nightingale sword to block their attacks in unison. Corvus uses his sword to barely penetrate it into one of the soldier’s armors and he uses his dagger to stun the last two soldiers and kill them by stabbing them in their exposed throats. Corvus then runs back to the weapons vault.
“Brynjolf! Brynjolf!” he yelled and knocked on the vault door. The door suddenly opens, with Brynjolf standing by the button inside. “I need more weapons,” he said while panting. Brynjolf simply gestures to the weapons and gears on the wall without saying a word. Nazir, Karliah, Vex, and Delvin enter the vault as well, with Nazir and Vex visibly angry and frustrated.
“Damn those Thalmors! Coming to our home and killed so many of us!” Vex said as she slammed her fist on the table. “Not that I’m blaming you, Corvus. You know we always have your back,” she said looking at Corvus. Corvus only gives her a nod of acknowledgement. He goes to Nazir, who grabs a new scimitar off the wall.
“Armor improvements.”
“Here,” Nazir said as he grabbed a daedric war axe off the wall. “Enchanted with strong armor and weapon disintegration,” as he hands it to Corvus. Karliah grabs a quiver with armor piercing arrows while Vex grabs a new enchanted dwarven shorts word and Delvin grabs a new adamantium dagger. “One more thing Corvus,” Nazir interrupted as he grabbed three bottles from a shelf. “Jarrin root poison. Guaranteed instant death,” Nazir said with a straight face. Corvus opens one bottle and coats the poison on his axe. The four set out of the vault and Brynjolf presses the button behind them, sealing the vault door once more.
(Music Soundtrack: Shotgun Hot Tub (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
Three soldiers enter a large storage area not far from the Ragged Flagon, filled with unused tables, cabinets, and other furniture. As they slowly walked through the area, they were suddenly cut down by Corvus with the daedric axe, leaving ghastly wounds and damage on their armor. Meanwhile, Nazir and Karliah ambush a small group of soldiers and mages in the crematorium. Nazir swiftly kills three soldiers in succession and Karliah fires arrows from the distance, penetrating three soldier’s armor and quickly finishing them off. The two looks at each other and nod before they continue to scour the rest of the Ratway and the Violet Rift for remaining soldiers.
Corvus enters the crematorium and sees a large group of Thalmor soldiers, led by a mage. Corvus jumps out of the corner to decapitate the mage and cuts down five soldiers with more ease this time, in combination with the axe’s disintegration enchantment and coated with jarrin root poison. Corvus pulls out a black soul gem to recharge the enchantment and moves into a room filled with body cabinets and morgue tables. Corvus cuts down two soldiers with ease, but another soldier uses his elven shield to bash Corvus with it. Corvus pushes back and uses the war axe to slice the shield in half and cut his chest wide open. Corvus pulls out another bottle of jarrin root poison and applies it on his axe and turns his attention to a few mages firing lightning bolts at him. He dodges their spells and rushes at them to cut them down with one swing and throws his axe at one soldier rushing at him in the head. He escapes the crematorium and enters the bathhouse area. He hides behind a pillar and sees three soldiers enter the bathhouse. He pulls out his daedric dagger and slides at them to slash one of the soldier’s knees and incapacitate the other two. He kills one soldier by slashing his throat, but the second soldier engages him in a hand-to-hand fight, forcing him to black his swings. Corvus tosses him to the ground and quickly stabs him in the neck. The third soldier attacks with a mace, but Corvus grabs and drags them both into a nearby pool. They submerge under the water and the soldier attempts to recover, but Corvus quickly swims near him and quickly stabs him in the throat multiple times. Corvus emerges from the water, but quickly sees another soldier, who was aiming a bow at him. Before the soldier could fire, a loud slashing sound was heard behind him. The soldier collapses, with Zah’jir standing behind him.
“No one gets to kill you but Zah’jir. By this one’s claws,” he said raising his armored gauntlet. The khajiit quickly runs away as Corvus gets out of the pool to chase him.
Corvus chases him back to the Room of Judgement, coming face to face with the ornate decorative hall again. He slowly walks through the hall, prepared for a possible ambush set up by Zah’jir. Suddenly, a black moon assassin wearing a feline mask ambushes Corvus from behind an armor display case and lands several punches on him and kicks him against a wall. Corvus barely gets back up, only to be met with another kick and knocking him back to the ground. As he gets back up, the black moon assassin is nowhere to be seen. As he attempts to recover himself, he suddenly hears faint footsteps rapidly getting louder from his left side. He barely reacts in time as another black moon assassin with the same mask rushes at him and lands several kicks at him, causing him to crash and shatter a glass display with a suit of armor. As Corvus gets back up, the khajiit kicks repeatedly kicks him to three more display cases. The second black moon assassin uncamouflaged himself next to a display case before he and his comrade kicks Corvus together onto yet another display case. Corvus struggles to get up and finds the two khajiit vanished. He picks up his daedric dagger and walks cautiously around the display hall again. He slowly walks to the other side of the hall with display cases still intact. Suddenly, the same two khajiit ambush him again, this time in unison. The two brutally attack him with their armored gauntlets and one of them kicks him into another display case. Corvus attempts to grab his dagger, but one of the khajiit quickly kicks it away as he unsheathes his wakizashi. Corvus dodges his attack and forcibly tosses him aside. As he tries to recover his dagger, the second black moon assassin rushes at him and grabs his hand and disarms him. Corvus manages to break free from the grapple, causing the khajiit to hiss at him as he pulls out his wakizashi as well. He swings the blade at Corvus, but he manages to dodge his attacks and grabs the khajiit from behind. The other khajiit comes at Corvus, swinging his wakizashi at him he is still holding his comrade. Corvus dodges his attack while still holding onto the other black moon assassin. When the khajiit’s attack gets stuck one of the edges of a display case, Corvus forcibly slits the throat of the assassin in his hands by pushing him against the blade and sliding him to the left. Corvus then quickly dodges the second assassin’s attack and disarms his blade. Corvus then slashes him in the throat and kicks him towards a display case. Corvus pants from the struggles and proceeds to walk to the staircase to the second floor.
(Music soundtrack: Glass House Fight (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
As he enters the second floor, the two-white furred khajiits walks to the center of the second floor and Corvus walks up to them before they immediately attack him with their small. The two white khajiits quickly overwhelm Corvus with their agile kicks, causing him to fall to the ground. Corvus gets back up and attempts to attack with his wakizashi, but one of them disarms him using his legs and the other one kicks him back onto the floor. The two quickly subdued him by raising their blades near his near his head.
“It’s nice to meet you, Corvus Rem,” said the first khajiit with the wakizashi and pulling it away from Corvus.
“It’s an honor that khajiit finally gets to fight you, Corvus Rem,” the second khajiit said as he draws his tanto away from Corvus. The two both extend their hands at Corvus, which the tired assassin accepts by grabbing both their hands to get back up. The first white khajiit puts the wakizashi on a nearby drawer by the wall and pulls out his tanto. The two get into their claw-dance stances with their tantos as Corvus readies himself. The two black moon assassins charge at him and relentlessly unleashes their attacks at Corvus as he barely blocks and absorbs them. The two then kick him to another glass display, causing it to shatter.
“He’s getting rather slow,” the first one disapprovingly commented.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s been retired for five years.”
“But he is still…Corvus Rem.”
“We will see,” as they watch Corvus get back up. They extend their hands again, but Corvus raises his hands, declining their offer. Corvus walks past them as he cracks his knuckles and stretches himself. Corvus turns back to them and gets into his battle stances as the two white khajiits readies as well with their tantos. The khajiits once again strikes first, this time met with more effective blocks and dodges from Corvus. Corvus manages to grapple with the first one and slams him onto the ground before turning his attention to the second one. He blocks and grapples the second assassin’s leg and trips him onto the floor and starts repeatedly hitting him in the ribcage with his palm. The khajiit kicks Corvus in the head, causing him to let go proceed they grab Corvus together. The three struggles and wrestles on the ground as the khajiits struggles to stab him. They get back up on their feet before getting back in their fighting stances. Corvus lets out a small yell as the first khajiit attacks him once again, but Corvus counters all his attacks and tosses him aside before the second one charges at him and Corvus counters his attacks as well. He grabs the first khajiit’s tail and slams him onto the ground repeatedly slaps him in the head viciously and stomping on his tail, causing the white khajiit to scream in pain. The second one comes up and starts flourishing his tanto aggressively at Corvus, but his attempt to intimidate him fails when Corvus grabs both his arms. He then slams the khajiit onto a large display cause, causing it to form a large crack, disorienting him. The first khajiit recovers and attempts to attack him, but Corvus grabs and swings him to his comrade by the display case as well before tackling both and crashing into the display case. The three assassins all lie on the floor, fatigued from the fight, but Corvus gets back up and picks up his wakizashi. He turns around and looks at the two white khajiit, as they struggle to get back up.
(Music soundtrack: Zero vs Wick (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
“Be seeing you,” Corvus said respectfully. The two black moon assassins look at each other for a moment and decide to stay down lying on the floor. Corvus walks back to the staircase and walks to the third floor. Upon entering, he sees Zah’jir leaning on a table.
“Corvus, you’re impressive. You’re tired. You’re outnumbered. And obviously in pain. Yet you still bested all Zah’jir’s students. If this one didn’t have to kill you, perhaps you and Zah’jir could be friends.”
“Let’s do this,” Corvus said as he flicks his black backhanded and swings at Zah’jir. The khajiit dodges his attack before pulling out his wakizashi as well. The two trades blow against each other, but Zah’jir manages to slash him in the back. Corvus quickly recovers from his wound and quickly turns around, but Zah’jir vanished. As he turns back, he sees Zah’jir reappear behind a display case.
“You see, you’re just like Zah’jir,” as he sidesteps from the display case, face to face with Corvus. The two attack each other with their wakizashis again, but Zah’jir kicks Corvus’ blade out of his hand and performs several kicks at him. The khajiit swings his blade, but Corvus dodges all his attack and manages to grab and slam him against the wall. Corvus grabs Zah’jir and throws him across to the other side of the room. The khajiit recovers from the throw but quickly finds that Corvus has disappeared. He stands still for a moment, trying to sense his location. Suddenly, the sound of an invisibility spell is dispelled behind Zah’jir, causing him to immediately turn around and swing his blade. His attack fails as Corvus grabs his arm and punches him two times and slams him against the wall again. Corvus pushes him back to the ground, but Zah’jir quickly recovers and gets back up again, only to find Corvus has vanished again. This time, Zah’jir quickly picks up his scent and detects Corvus, standing behind him again. He thrusts his blade at him, but finds it lodged on a glass panel. He swings again and hits the display cases’ edge, giving Corvus an open window to grab and disarm him. Corvus tries to stab him in the chest, but Zah’jir manages to use his gauntlets to grab the blade and redirects it. Corvus forcibly pushes him against another display case and causing them to crash through. As Corvus gets back up, Zah’jir attempts to crawl away and feebly kicks at Corvus, hoping to stave off his impending death. The khajiit gets back up and throws few kicks at him, but Corvus quickly disables him by slashing him in the left shoulder and in the right leg. Zah’jir grunts in pain and looks at his left hand, dripping with blood. He looks back up at Corvus and they walk in a circle facing each other, with the former limping. Corvus flicks the wakizashi at him, offering him to stand down. The khajiit snorts at his offer of mercy and raises his right armored gauntlet. Corvus attacks him and Zah’jir barely blocks his attack with his gauntlet. Corvus thrusts the blade at the khajiit, but the latter manages to grab the blade with his claws. Zah’jir tries to push the blade away from himself with his gauntlet, but Corvus forcibly pushes the blade to the khajiit’s chest, penetrating him by a few inches. Zah’jir barely pushes the blade out from his chest, but Corvus tosses him to the ground and tries to push the wakizashi again from upward. Zah’jir tries to push back the blade again, but delivers a final slam to the blade’s pommel, fully penetrating the into the khajiit’s chest. Corvus falls to the ground from exhaustion.
Brynjolf presses the button again on the wall and opens the vault door while the dog lies on the couch. Upon opening the vault door, Nazir, Karliah, Delvin, and Vex come back in, all visibly exhausted.
“I think we got them all,” Nazir said as he is trying to catch his breath.
“But that’s not all, that Thalmor woman is back,” Delvin interjected. “We saw her outside, and apparently claims that she wants to parley.”
“Yeah, I don’t trust that bitch,” said Vex. “Not after everything that she just threw at us.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusion, Vex,” Brynjolf said calmly. “Hmmm…I have a plan. Karliah, do you still have one of your special paralytic poisons?”
Corvus slowly picks himself up and sits on the floor, still exhausted. Zah’jir barely sits up, with the wakizashi still lodged in his chest and grunting from the wound.
“Khajiit had fun,” he said as he gasped from the wound. “That was good fight, no?”
“Yeah,” Corvus responded. He slowly stands back up and walks to the staircase.
“Don’t worry about this one, Corvus,” the khajiit struggled to speak. “Just got to catch his breath. Zah’jir will catch up to you.”
“No you won’t,” Corvus said coldly as he turned back to him. He walks down the staircase as Zah’jir collapses on the floor.
Brynjolf, Nazir, Delvin, and Vex convene on the Violet Rift’s balcony, with the Thalmor Adjudicator.
“You people, of course, know that was merely the first wave. A small fraction of our army. We can keep this up if you like, but this ends only in one way.
“I didn’t realize the Thalmor would resort to protracted war,” Brynjolf responded.
“There’s nothing “protracted” about it.”
“I’m sure you people can take the Violet Rift and I don’t doubt it. But keeping it is another story. My allegiance way beyond this building and the shadowy guild that its part of.”
“We are the Aldmeri Dominion.”
“And we… are Skyrim.”
“Are you proposing a negotiation?” the Thalmor Adjudicator asked. The door of the balcony suddenly opens with Corvus entering and stumbling.
“I think I am,” Brynjolf responded as he and the Thalmor turned their heads at Corvus.
“Parley?” Corvus asked with visible confusion.
“Parley.”
“The Thalmor rarely accepts negotiations for an alternative solution, not since the White Gold-Concordant. But I’m willing to listen. What are your propositions?
“Allow me to keep running the hotel.”
“Swearing fealty to the Thalmor.”
“I have been in this game for over 40 years, even before the formation of Shadow Continental. But I accept that I was foolish and overstepped to challenge the might of the Aldmeri Dominion and pledge to rectify that mistake.”
“Brynjolf,” Corvus said with visible confusion and baffled by Brynjolf’s apparent cowardice, but the old master thief gives him a slight nod.
“You are merely demonstrating the power of your affiliation with the Shadow Continental so you can forge an alliance. The Thalmor accepts your offer and fealty. But what about him?” she said, turning towards Corvus. “What are we going to do about Corvus Rem?”
“He has to die,” Brynjolf said coldly and raising his head.
“What!?” Corvus responded weakly. As he took a step towards Brynjolf, he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder. He turns his head and sees an arrow on his shoulder. His vision begins to blur, and his body begins to stiffen quickly. He stumbles backwards to railing and falls backward, causing him to fall off from the balcony and hit the ground violently. Everyone on the balcony goes to the railing and looks below where Corvus landed.
“Very good. You have pledged your fealty. The Thalmor will leave your operation in Skyrim alone. Good day to you,” the Thalmor adjudicator said as she walked to the door.
“Well played, old friend,” Nazir said with a deadpan expression. Delvin and Vex remained silent. Brynjolf turns to the city of Riften, looking at one of the building’s rooftops and gives a nod, seeing Karliah on the rooftop with a bow in hand before getting off. They eventually leave and returns to the Ratway, where the messes are being cleaned by the staffs of the Violet Rift. They walk through the piles of bodies left around the cistern, while the staff picks up the bodies of both their own and the Thalmor soldiers. “So, how before we clean the mess and get back in business?” Nazir asked.
“Don’t think it will take long,” Brynjolf responded. As they were looking around, Brynjolf notices the Thalmor Adjudicator is walking towards them, although less composed and slightly more nervous like.
“Corvus Rem is gone,” she said.
“Yes, a tragic loss.”
“That’s not what I meant. His body is nowhere to be found.”
“That seems impossible.”
“And yet true. I trust you understand the severe repercussions if he survives. What he is capable of. The last thing we need is him paying us a visit in the night. For both our sake, you better take care of this problem.”
“Understood. How far can he get?” Brynjolf responded with visible concern. The Thalmor Adjudicator promptly turns around and leaves, walking faster than usual. “Sithis Incarnate,” he muttered to himself, thinking of the consequences of his action. Meanwhile, Vex and Delvin help the staff bodies and the mess in the lobby. As they were overlooking the cleanup, Corvus’ dog who is lying on the floor next to them suddenly stands up and runs to the exit.
“Hey look, its Corvus’ mutt. What’s got into him?” Vex asked.
“Don’t rightly know. Think he might have sensed something. Do you think he knows?” Delvin asked, as he looks at the dog leaving the hotel.
(Music soundtrack: Really Pissed Off - End Credits (John Wick: Chapter 3 Soundtrack) - YouTube)
Corvus’ paralyzed body is stuffed in a wooden cart, pushed by a dirty beggar, deeper into cave while his dog closely follows behind him. The beggar pushes the wooden cart into the center of the cave, with a throne in the center with the King of Beggars sitting on it while other beggars are idling around. The king weakly reaches and drinks from a bottle of mead by his side. The beggar pushing the cart stops before the king and leans it over, causing Corvus to fall before the king on a carpet. Another beggar comes in and administers a cure on Corvus, causing his body to become unparalyzed, but still lying on the ground due to his wounds.
“How are you, Corvus? You look as bad as I feel. Corvus, Corvus Corvus. Raise your hand if you can hear me,” the orc said weakly, but still smiling. Corvus raises his left hand with the missing ring finger. “Oh ho! They took your finger. Ain’t that grand!” the King gloated and laughing. Corvus’ changes his hand to flip him off, causing the orc to laugh harder and groans from his wounds. “Oh, Corvus bloody Rem. So, the old thief gets to keep his establishment and you take the fall. And to add insult to injury, he had you shot with that dunmer’s special poison. Well lucky you, I just so happen to have an antidote for her little concoction in hand. Can’t say I blame him though, because I would have done the same thing if I was in his position. But this Aldmeri Dominion crap…” he said as he stands up from his throne and walks towards Corvus using a wooden cane. “Seven cuts. By the power of these pompous elves, they get what they want. And they’re about to find out, if you cut a king, you better finish the job properly,” he said fuming with anger. He kneels beside Corvus, using his cane for support. “So…let me ask you, Corvus. How do you feel?” he asked as Corvus is struggling to move. “Because I am really pissed off. You pissed, Corvus? Hmm, are you?” Corvus manages to press his left hand on the carpet and pushes himself to face the orc, revealing half of his forehead and his left side of his face bloodied with his left eye also bloodshot.
“Yeah.”
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