As regard to Chifya's summons to the council of Endregar to be interrogated, Akatosh had finally awake on an empty stomach and as always, he searches for his belongings.
"Oh… you've awoken." The doctor said putting the folded clothes on the cupboard.
"Where are my things," Akatosh asks, flexing his shoulder.
"Ahh… your friend asks me that she had your belongings. She said that you can find her at the tavern." The doctor replies.
"I see," Akatosh said wearing his clothes.
"Are you sure to go? You still haven't recovered yet."
"I'm fine… how much is the cost." Akatosh implore.
"That's alright young lad, our help is free of services." The doctor smiles, "And you should take this medicine." Giving him three small potions.
"I think it's too much for me." Akatosh decline.
"Please take this, it's our token of gratitude from this village." The doctor insists.
"Fine," Akatosh sigh, accepting the potion thinking Chifya must have spoken some of his deeds.
By destroying the lingering evil that infests the land from the clutches of a Deedra's plague. The plants near the canal are no longer dying, in fact, they're quickly recovering in just a day. And the people weren't grumping their voices towards the guild. But not for Akatosh when he opens the tavern's door.
Their eyes are not right, much more aggressive than before. He didn't ask for information about Chifya knowing she's in her room. Unfortunately, when he was about a few feet away from the door a man slams him to the wall. It was the rouge that Chifya rescued, angry and had an unpleasant eye.
Akatosh was ill-filled with anger as to why this young man suddenly assaults him. He could punch him in the jaws but considering his unfortunate early recovery.
"That's enough!" A man called to his companions before Akatosh could again resolve to brawl.
"Tsk…" The lad steps back, relinquishing Akatosh.
"Forgive my companions for his rude action." The knight apologizes, it was the man whom he nearly decapitates back at the dungeon.
"What is this all about." Akatosh imply.
After minutes of extensive explanation, Akatosh finally understood why and also why those adventurers that are bellying their mead had those hatred eyes. His expectation didn't go wrong as to why those soldiers of Endregar are occupying the dungeon. He knows he had what there are looking though he doesn't know the specific item which Akatosh assumed must be the cube.
"I see." A blunt tone Akatosh usher from them. Without showing emotion, he rises from his seat and by his side are the people which Chifya rescued.
"So are you just going to walk away!" The female mage slams the table. "Are you going to abandon your friend!" The mage shout watching Akatosh leaves the table treading to Chifya's room.
"Only a worm would leave their friends—"
"That's far enough." Again, the leader interferes. There are on the second floor, privately conveying. Fine for them to say any emotions they can utter.
"Thanks for your time," Akatosh says, as they watch him accessing Chifya's room. And to his surprised, his things are neatly piled on the table. "Cute" he smiles.
Going for the grimoire. "Hey, I know you're there Amaragnum," Akatosh says swinging the grimoire. Out of patience for not having a single word utter, Akatosh pours holy water on the grimoire's cover pulling Amaragnum.
"I'll get you!" The stillmage shout.
"This is for double-crossing my body." Pouring some holy waters to his grimoire and sprinkling some to Amaragnum.
"Damn you I swear I'll rip your soul—" While Amaragnum constantly roars his rage, Akatosh calmly ignores his words then went ordering some food at the waitress.
Slowly chopping his food, Akatosh was settling his mind on how to pull Chifya from the hands of Endregar's council. That's when he thought about the mask.
Akatosh smiles changing his apparel and also his attire not anymore equipping the claw gauntlet and the elven-steel armor. He was now wearing simple leather armor and even switches his weapons that from katana to a dagger and a short sword.
Putting the mask his appearance slightly changes. Discontent, Akatosh fixes his hair too far erasing his original appearance. Once satisfied he double-check the room to see Chifya's satchel. With an insolence action, Akatosh peers through her things to see countless potions, scrolls, and the necklace that is safely kept in a box.
He smiles putting a bow with a fully stock quiver on the satchel's side, and a letter. Before departing the room, Akatosh wears his worn-out shredded shroud and undoes his original image. Once he descends to the first floor, he drops a few shillings and asks about Chifya.
"Well, they came after dawn arrives, and judging by the parchment they had it was a high-end order from the council. The guild receptionist had it although one must be a member." The innkeeper said.
"I see, take care of her room for me, and when she comes back tell her my regards."
"I will" The innkeeper smiles.
Before long, he switches his appearance masking his true identity just as he was outside the village. Gathered a little information about where Chifya was heading.
"The innkeeper said that they must have headed through the north. True, if they are using a carriage, then I must follow this road." Akatosh says, contemplating the angle of the sun. "Judging by the sun's elevation and the heat, I daresay I'm four hours away." He continues, changing his shredded shroud.
Gulping an endurance potion, he flexes his entire body for a marathon. Hasting adrift from the open road, he really does enjoy running none stop without never getting tired, jumping logs, and even training his swordsmanship while on the run.
As for Chifya, inside the carriage there she was handcuffs through magical energy unable to cast a single spell. Two people are on the look, one was a mage the bald one, and a knight. The messenger however was on the front wheel and by his side was a knight who's running the horses. She thought it is best to silence as to wait for the further outcome.
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"Hey, Amaragnum," Akatosh calls while heating up his boots, yet there was no response. "I still have holy water." He continues.
"What do you want!" Amaragnum finally answers.
"Help me."
"Help you for what!" Amaragnum furiously said.
"Screw you, if you want a body so bad why don't you possess some fresh corps." Akatosh implies however, it also silences the stillmage. "Look we can settle our differences later."
"Gahh, forget this!" Akatosh shout, after not receiving an answer.
"I will help you. But I also have some request." The stillmage said.
"Deal and I need your power," Akatosh says without hesitation.
Over time, they were able to catch up but kept their distance. Shadowing their path and after a few miles of journeys, they stop at a camp. He wasn't mistaken when Chifya emerge from the carriage waiting to be transported through teleportation.
But they weren't in haste, inside their main tent the mage somehow conjures a projection of the king's ambassador for communication. Akatosh was thinking, and after molding a plan, he needed to make them as his enemies even for Chifya. He needed a tactical script for them not to trigger suspicion, a query that would lead to both Chifya and his connection.
Without even preparing teleportation, Akatosh suddenly appears inside their tent, like the assassin he was. And by his entrance, the bald mage together with the two knights fell to slumber. Leaving only the messenger, and the captain of the soldiers that Akatosh saw at the dungeon.
They call for help, but there was no one to enter the tent. "It's useless," Akatosh says, again merged with Amaragnum. Conjuring a powerful wind, it easily burst the tent open revealing dozens of unconscious soldiers. Even so, the three were paralyzed unable to move, but secretly Amaragnum lessens his spell towards Chifya and even breaking her handcuff.
"Who are you…" The captain says, sweating and in fear by the overpowering dark force that Akatosh emits.
Akatosh chuckles. "Let's leave our introduction for a while, I know you have it."
"I don't know what you're talking about." The captain nervously says.
"You're lying; I'm talking about this," Akatosh says, revealing the cube dancing in his palm hiding it from Chifya's view.
Upon showing the cube, the two were shocked to the point as their eyes no longer blink. "You-you're the one--"
"Cut the crap he told me you had it." Akatosh interrupts and by his words, it arouses the suspicion between the messenger and the captain.
Returning the cube to his bag, "Where is it!" Puncturing the captain's shoulder using his dagger.
"So, I was fooled by that man. It seems I need to teach that senile a lesson." Akatosh said creating a lie.
Faking to stab the captain's heart Chifya finally breaks the petrification spell, saving the captain and the messenger.
Evading her attack, Akatosh smile. He was waiting for this moment to dance in his plan. Picking up the sword from the dozing knight she charges at Akatosh, casting her druid spell. And while she was fighting him Chifya felt an odd familiarity to him and his aura.
Since Amaragnum was sprinkled with holy water some of his power was depleted still, he had the power to rip dozens of guards.
"I see, a half-dark elf, maybe a half-bred." Amaragnum says through their mind.
"A dark elf?!" Akatosh says, surprised at what the stillmage said.
Pressing her palm on the surface. Creating a magic circle spiky roots emerge from the ground to where Akatosh was standing. Fortunately, Amaragnum's power easily pounces her magic using a powerful fire spell that erases the roots into ashes.
"Who are you." Chifya exclaim.
Akatosh smiles in relief. "I believe my introduction is needed. Remember these words. I'm a man with two faces of one, and Time is what I am called. If by certain, our paths may cross again-- if." Akatosh says before Amaragnum cast an invisibility spell. "Bitches!"
Without running away, Chifya heads towards the wounded captain. And when she closes in, the paralyzed spell vanishes allowing the two to move freely. "It's alright." She kneels healing his wounds though she wasn't a master healer, not even close enough to heal Akatosh's past injuries.
It took her minutes to finally close the open wounds and after that, the captain, and the messenger nods to each other before the captain could engage a word with Chifya. "We are grateful for your help and your presence that save our lives."
"You're welcome although it wasn't necessary to thank me for it is my own action when dealing with such enemies. But I must ask a question as to why I'm to be interrogated by the council and that man from before." Chifya says with a serious face.
"Forgive us, it was the course of my action that led me to my mistake. However, I cannot say little of such a word, for I'm not in a position to speak such details. I will send a remission letter from your guild and as a token of my mistake for summoning you. Please take this." The captain said, giving her a pouch of coin.
Chifya hesitates, but in the end, she accepts his offer. And unknown to them, Akatosh was hiding, checking if his plan work. And when he saw their transaction, he envies her when the captain offers her a pouch of coin. As Chifya aboard the carriage returning to Dragon's Lake Akatosh breath in consolation.
Teleporting to where Amaragnum's passed mark his ground, this time Amaragnum return to his grimoire dreary to dominate Akatosh's body. Who would never have thought that coming here for sulfur would give him more than he can bargain.
It was until dusk when Chifya arrives and as she opens the door. She was met with a warm welcome and with it was a small banquet for her heroism and hearts of valor for solving the village's crisis that not even them can't.
"We received a remittal message from the council; thus, we all agree to prepare some for you. Now come…" The female receptionist says with a felicitous face, delighted by her return.
"I-I…" Not knowing what to say, Chifya couldn't help but hides her sentimental face.
"C'mon don't be shy, the BEERS ON MEE!" One of the adventurers says to the people.
Same with Chifya only earlier, Akatosh arrives at the place he was looking for. And when he sees the large deposit of sulfur, his prosperity beams. He couldn't help but grin while mining the sulfur. He was prepared to buy ten sacks, and with the help of his magic bag, he had no difficulties in transporting such large quantities.
Satisfied, Akatosh searches for a decent spot. Upon finding the place, he first cooks his dinner, and for a little celebration, he pours everything to create a fine dish made from meat that he preserved using a chest and some little chunks of ice. He never thought that his magic bag could even maintain the ice's condition, nevertheless, he was pleased.
After he appeased his stomach, Akatosh slowly dips himself on the hot spring relaxing his aching muscles. And while unwinding, he enjoys the delightful scenery on what's in front of him. The silence of the night, the luminous aurora that paints the sky, and with it are stars and three moons illuminating the vast lake creating a marvelous setting.
"So nice yet so very nostalgic," Akatosh says puffing a bottle of ale.
At the tavern, the rowdiness of the people could be heard from the neighboring area. Bards jags their instrument matching the celebration. Adventurers utter their spirits of deeds; some are challenging each other at arm-wrestling.
"Are you alright?" The female mage said to Chifya.
"I'm fine… it just, the beer slightly got me." Chifya reply, trying her best to indulge in the ongoing fest.
"Then let us drink to our heart's content!" Shout the man in leather armor, a fighter.
"A toast to our lady who dedicates herself to cleansing the land from the jaws of evil." Shouts the man wearing chainmail,
"CHEERS!" They simultaneously glee.
From their melodic words, Chifya couldn't hide her blushing face. "Don't be you've earned it." The female priest implores solacing Chifya's embarrassment.
Through the passing night of celebration, it finally ended. At dawn, Chifya opens her eyes inside her room. The banquet from last night left her to daze, unknown to her if someone help her or she managed to crawl to her own room. Over time, she eases her hangover, and to her surprise. She saw Akatosh bow resting on top of the cupboard.
Subsequently, her emotions replace her ailing condition. A thought of farewell gift as her hand slowly reaches to the bow. And when she saw the folded papers, she quickly grasps it, and a word written. "Remember these words, I'm a man with two faces of one, and Time is what I am called. If by certain, our paths may cross again-- if. PS please forgive me."
The words quickly fell to her the moment she connects the sentence. "You stupid idiot," Chifya whispers barely suppressing her emotions as she firmly crushes the paper.
Heading down through west, Akatosh peacefully walks the road. Crossing valleys and steppes, hitchhiking a wagon to ride. Immersing his traveling adventure, he pays attention to what he encounters, ruins to loot, skeletons to loot, looting fallen enemies for the spoils.
"You never get tired of this?" Amaragnum asks, after watching him ransacking the ruins.
"I don't know…" He replies.
"Mm-hmm… I've been meaning to ask; I've seen people bound by their elusive instinct. I saw people who take up to what they believe in hopes of changing the future. But you're no different if not… what is yours to you."
Akatosh pause, "Fate and destiny huh…" He sigh. "Maybe nothing, maybe something. Exist that doesn't exist, but time will tell."