Mortred sat on the corner of the hall as he tries to ease himself from the almost destructive and unwanted event that could've happened.
A disastrous consequence for reading through the flow of time and space.
He sighed and looked at his palm. Even though he already gained enough power to be called as a demigod, he still lacked the aged wisdom to control it. It seems Paarthunax was right about him. He needed more time.
Mortred sat in the dimly lit corner of the hall, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. The events that had just unfolded weighed heavily on his mind, threatening to consume him with their gravity. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration evident in every movement.
"I should have known better," Mortred muttered to himself. The words barely audible in the quiet hall. He glanced around, ensuring that no one was within earshot before heaving a heavy sigh. The power he wielded was immense, beyond any mortal or demigod could have imagined. Yet, with that power came great responsibility, a burden that Mortred was still struggling to bear. He had delved too deep into the boundary of time and space, tempting fate.
"But I need to." Mortred mused bitterly, his gaze falling to his palm. The faint traces of energy lingered there, a reminder of the perilous action he had undertaken. Despite his godlike abilities, he was still a novice in the realm of gods and demigods, still learning the delicate balance between power and control. “I need to.”
Paarthunax's words echoed in Mortred's mind, a constant reminder of his own limitations. The ancient dragon had warned him of the dangers that lay ahead, urging caution and restraint. But Mortred never brushed off the advice, he was never arrogant in his own abilities. He just didn’t know the extent of the risk and danger. Now, he realized some of the reasons why the ancient Akavir wanted only the Dragonborn to read the runes they had left.
But there were still lingering questions on his mind.
"Why didn’t they just left me a way or a thuum that would enable me to read their runes? What do they really want? I need more time… but it would still probably not enough," Mortred murmured with resignation. He knew that he was not yet ready to wield the full extent of his powers, that he still lacked the wisdom and experience necessary to navigate the treacherous power and unknown that lay ahead. But he don’t know if he still have such luxury to get use to them before an unsuspecting encounter with another being.
As Mortred contemplated his next move, footsteps echoed in the hall, drawing his attention. It was not an adversary who approached, but a familiar texture of the skin, brushing on his neck as two hands embraced him from behind.
Then he could feel the drawing on his skin which asked him silently.
Are you alright? A concern from someone who cared. Mortred turned his head slightly and saw Fang, brushing herself with him on his back. Her eyes were filled with worry, her brow creased with anxiety.
"I'm fine," Mortred replied, forcing a smile to his lips. He knew that Fang could see through his facade, could sense the turmoil that raged within him. But he appreciated her concern nonetheless.
You don't look fine. Fang insisted, kneeling beside Mortred. She reached out a hand to touch his arm, her touch gentle and reassuring.
Mortred hesitated, unsure. But he could see the sincerity in Fang's eyes. He could feel the genuine concern radiating from her. Fang always listened intently to his problems which he could never show his subordinates and other mortals. He told her that happened just earlier confirmed one thing that he was suspecting ever since finding out that the Akaviri was related to his rise as the dragonborn.
A part of himself was in Akavir.
The nightmares that he was experiencing were not visions, but a scream for help. The nightmares that had plagued him for so long suddenly took on a new significance, their haunting whispers now echoing with a sense of urgency. Mortred realized that they were not merely visions of a troubled mind, but a desperate plea for help from a part of himself that had been torn away.
Something or someone from Akavir was leeching off from his missing parts.
And he must retrieve it back.
Mortred's mind churned with a maelstrom of conflicting emotions as he grappled with the revelation that had just unfolded before him. The realization that a part of himself was entwined with Akavir, that his very essence was scattered across the vast expanse of the world. The truth of his connection to Akavir was now undeniable.
"I have to go to Akavir," Mortred said aloud. He knew that he could no longer ignore the call of his lost parts, that he had to embark on a quest to retrieve what was rightfully his. Mortred let out another heavy sigh, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him like a mountain. No matter how hard he tried to escape, it seemed that his fate was inextricably tied to the world he sought to leave behind.
He longed for the simplicity of a life untethered to the burdens of divinity, where he could roam freely and pursue his own desires without the constant weight of expectation bearing down on him. But no matter where he went, Mortred knew that he could never truly escape his destiny. As a god, he was bound by an oath to protect and nurture the world he had once called home, a duty that demanded his unwavering commitment and sacrifice.
"A god doesn't tire," Mortred mused bitterly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He envied mortals their ability to rest and recharge, to find solace in the embrace of sleep when the burdens of the world grew too heavy to bear. But for him, there could be no respite, no escape from the ceaseless demands of his divine nature.
And yet, despite the weight of his responsibilities, Mortred knew that he could never turn his back on those who relied on him. For better or worse, he was bound to this world, his fate intertwined with its very existence. And he was glad a little bit for feeling such a way, as it still proves that the sinful nature of his humanity was still there.
For a moment, they stood there together in silence, lost in the quiet intimacy of their embrace. In Fang's arms, Mortred felt the weight of his burdens lift ever so slightly, replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility that he had longed for so dearly. Though she could not speak, her actions spoke volumes, conveying a depth of emotion that transcended the barriers of language.
He couldn't help but laugh at her strange but endearing habits, finding solace in the playful intimacy they shared. In that moment, Mortred realized just how fortunate he was to have Fang by his side, a constant source of care and support in a world filled with uncertainty and danger.
Mortred leaned back into Fang's embrace, savoring the warmth of her presence against his skin. In that moment, surrounded by the love of his loyal companion, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, driving away the shadows of doubt and uncertainty that had clouded his mind.
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A young woman who was neither a deaf nor a mute to begin with, and still chose to hear none and say none as part of her self creed… yet still tries to make him feel human again. To feel comforted by another.
A mortal feeling that he would never let go in his ascension to divinity.
Then she suddenly grabbed his head and gently turned it towards her on his side. And she touch his own forehead with hers, while looking at his eyes.
She made several gestures of signs which he had taught her to communicate with him. He was glad that she had absorbed what he had tirelessly gave her. But even without seeing her sign language, he already knew what she was trying to tell him.
"You can still turn your back away from this, like I did."
He pat her head with his right hand and stroked it to comfort her.
"No, this time it's different. I need to finish this. This is not just my responsibility… but it is also a closure, so to speak." He reassured her. "Now let's take a rest, both you and Lydia almost died earlier."
As Mortred and Fang left the great hall, Mortred's mind was consumed by the warmth of their shared embrace, his thoughts focused solely on the comfort and solace that awaited them in their private chambers. He led Fang through the corridors of the ancient castle, his hand firmly clasped in hers as they made their way back to their room.
He turned to Fang, a tender smile gracing his lips as he reached out to cup her cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring.
"I'm glad we're finally alone," Mortred said softly, his voice filled with affection. "I've missed this."
Fang returned Mortred's smile, her eyes shining with love and understanding. She reached up to intertwine her fingers with his, relishing the warmth of their connection. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of their shared connection, he felt at peace, as if the troubles of the world had faded into insignificance.
Unbeknownst to Mortred, as they passed by the imposing monument that stood at the entrance of the great hall, a soft glow emanated from the intricate Akaviri runes inscribed upon its surface. The ancient symbols shimmered with an otherworldly light. Casting a faint glow that danced across the stone surface, unnoticed by Mortred in his preoccupation with Fang.
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(R-18 CUT CONTENT)
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Shin, on the other hand, was fully awake. He couldn’t sleep again after waking up, in remembering what happened and the runes that he had read.
As Shin’s thoughts poured over the scripts once more, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. The words on the page seemed to blur together, the weight of their implications pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. He couldn't shake the sense of unease that gripped him. The gnawing fear that his homeland was destined to be consumed by the some apocalyptic event that loomed on the horizon.
He didn’t just read some ancient script of prophecy, but he also saw glimpses of destruction and great doom that will befall to his home.
With a heavy heart, Shin made a solemn vow to himself. An ironic promise born out of desperation and despair. He swore to ask for something he never wanted, something he had vowed never to do again. But faced with the impending doom of his homeland, he knew that he had no other choice.
Steeling himself for what lay ahead, he made up his mind. He would do whatever it took to save his people, even if it meant sacrificing his own principles in the process.
With a sense of determination burning in his heart, Shin would set out to seek the help he so desperately needed. Knowing that the fate of his homeland hung in the balance. And though the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger, he would face it head on, armed with nothing but his unwavering resolve and the hope of a brighter future.
The next morning dawned with a sense of awkwardness in the air as Mortred and Fang sat down to breakfast, the events of the previous night still fresh in their minds. But as they were in the middle of eating their dish, Shin suddenly broke the silence of their morning. Then Shin and Lydia joined them, entering the hall. But Shin didn’t take a seat immediately, instead he stood at the chair he was provided and uttered some words.
“Mortred. I want to join your expedition back to my homeland.” Shin's unexpected request hung in the air like a heavy fog, casting a shadow over their plans. His words caught Mortred off guard, his brow furrowing in confusion as he processed the request. He glanced at Fang, a silent question in his eyes, but her expression remained unreadable, betraying nothing of her thoughts.
"I'm sorry, Shin," Mortred said finally. His voice tinged with caution. "But I can't allow you to join the expedition. It's too dangerous, and I don't want to risk your safety."
Shin's expression darkened at Mortred's refusal, a flicker of frustration crossing his features before he masked it behind a mask of false understanding.
"I understand," Shin said evenly. Though his determined eyes betrayed the disappointment he felt. "But I assure you, I am more than capable of handling myself."
Mortred hesitated, sensing that there was more to Shin's words than met the eye. He had always been intuitive, able to sense when someone was hiding something, and he couldn't shake the feeling that Shin was not being entirely truthful about who he really was.
Fang, ever perceptive, fixed Shin with a penetrating gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed him. She had a knack for detecting lies, a gift that had served them well in the past, and she sensed that Shin was hiding something important.
Probably because of Mortred and Fang’s suspicious gaze, Shin's mask slipped for a moment. A flicker of uncertainty crossing his features before he quickly composed himself.
"I will prove myself in any test you will throw it me to prove my skills and establish that I will not be a burden but as valuable asset." Shin replied with conviction.
As Mortred and Fang regarded Shin with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, he could feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on him like a leaden cloak. He knew that he could no longer hide behind the facade of the name he had chosen for himself, that it was time to reveal the truth, no matter the consequences.
Then Mortred decided to start his test.
“I shall consider your request if you prove your mettle against one of my strongest agents.”
“A mock battle? Of course. I shall not disappoint.” Shin was confident if he could start his daily exercise and routine to take back his muscle strength and abandoned agility.
“But we need something from you first.” Mortred added.
“Which is?” Shin asked, curious on what Mortred will be asking. He thought it would be about his past life in Morrowind or his people, things he already prepared himself with answers.
But Mortred asked something else.
“Who are you really?”
Mortred now asked the question that could very well help him know what kind of person Shin was. He knew that he had to be honest with Mortred and Fang if he hoped to earn their trust and prove his worth.
"My name..." Shin began, his voice steady despite the nerves that gnawed at his insides. "...is not Shin. It's a name I made up, a disguise to hide my true identity just in case..."
Mortred and Fang exchanged glances, already expecting Shin's confession. They had sensed that he was hiding something, but they had not expected him to come clean so willingly.
"And what is your real name?" Mortred asked, his tone gentle yet probing.
Shin took a deep breath, steeling himself for the revelation to come. With a sense of determination burning in his heart, he looked Mortred straight in the eye and spoke.
Shin said, his voice carrying a note of solemnity
"My real name is Uchiha Shisui."