Beautiful Insanity (A Skyrim/Oblivion Fanfiction) ((ORIGINAL))

The Cold Flame of Agnon

The book fell from my hands. A cloud of dust came up from below where it landed, but I didn't look down. I could do nothing but stare into the face of the Madgod. His pupils had shifted once more to resemble those of a human's, intelligence swirling within. My heart pounded so loudly I'd swear that he'd hear it. He was keeping his eyes on me, and though it was intense, it wasn't predatory. It was curious, vaguely intense.

And it frightened me.

Before I could sink any further into the trap, I stood up stiffly and bowed my head, terror coursing through my body. "G-good day to you, m-my Lord. I t-take my leave to C-Cylarne to c-c-clean up the mess." My stammering did something to the Madgod, or perhaps only to me. I was still stricken, still frozen to the spot despite my intent to leave. All the same, his pupils regained their feline appearance while his voice took on an urgent tone.

"No, you must..." Sheogorath appeared to be searching for the words, and when he at last spoke, it sounded choked and forced. "Stay. Stay, Regina."

"I have w-work to do, Lord." Despite my attempts to move, to leave the room, my legs would not listen. Every bit in my body felt like stone, weighed down.

"You wench! Do you understand it?! You're doing it again!" he screamed, pulling at his hair as he collapsed off the plush chair. It was this movement that seemingly unfroze me, and I was able to step back as his screaming drove great fear into my heart. "You're leaving me again, you horrid, wicked..." he growed, fixing his golden eyes on me. Now, they were predatory and cruel. "Galea... Galea! Galea!" Without another thought, I escaped the force and fled the room, leaving the Daedric Lord screeching behind me.

I paid no attention to where I was going, my one desire to get away from the shrieks behind me. I had to look behind me at one point, though in that managed to slam into someone. They caught me before I could hit the ground, and I dusted myself off before looking up nervously.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I tried to lower my head and duck out of the way, my intended course to take the path away from the castle. However, a firm hand gripped my bicep tightly, hard enough to prevent me from fleeing but not so that I'd end up with a bruise. My lip quivered as my blue eyes wandered up to the brown of my captor. "Let me go," I whined, trying to pull away. I couldn't be sure that Sheogorath wouldn't try to chase after me, and the thought of the god's fury was terrifying beyond belief. "Please, just release me!"

"What's going on?" he demanded, furrowing his brows. I pressed my lips together, but it wasn't until I heard the rough stomping down the hall that I did something about it. Gathering up my courage and strength, I threw myself at Haskill. He stumbled backwards, and it was clear that he was as surprised as I was.

"Leave me al--!"

"My Lady..." Haskill cut me off. "How can I help you?" My eyes widened.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"The Madgod is unstable. Even more so than usual, Lady. Would you like me to hide you?"

"Do you really--" I stared at the Breton in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?! Do you really expect me to believe that, you son of a--" Tears sprang to my eyes, and I wondered why I was yelling at him. "I'm no ice-brain, you work for him! You've made it clear anyways, you wouldn't so much as look at me if you didn't have to!" Haskill stared at me before releasing me, brown eyes wide, and I stormed out of the palace. "I won't let you bring me to him!" Screaming curses of every kind, I fled the cities.

...

Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit! My mind was jumbled. Feeling oddly betrayed by him when I had no right to, and at the same time despising how he called me by the name I presumed to be the woman he loved, and all the same being utterly terrified in his presence. Galea? Son of a bitch, this wasn't-- I shouldn't-- I can't do this! I bit my lip roughly, hard enough that it would definitely bruise. Just calm down, Regina... calm down...

I emptied the thoughts from my brain and walked to Cylarne, desperately trying to keep my mind on the path ahead. It wouldn't take a scholar to notice the two races glaring at each other in the ancient city I'd reached. I tentatively approached the Golden Saints, as they'd seemed to be the least intimidating of the two thus far despite the visual appeal of the Dark Seducers.

At the sight of me, the commander scowled and pounded a golden spear on the ground before readying it and pointing it my way. "Halt," the commander barked. "Mortals are not permitted within the holy walls of Cylarne!" Friendly? These bitches are anything but, I realized. They're too haughty, believing themselves above everyone... just like those bastards at home.

Home. Another surge of courage ran through me. I lifted my lip and crossed my arms.

"Out of my way, Daedra scum," I growled. The Saint glared at me and shoved me back. I returned the cold look and backed away to the Dark Seducer. The meeting with the Mazken went much better, with them accepting my help with grace. From what I gathered, I was to help them claim the Altar of Rapture from the Golden Saints so I could light the 'Flame of Agnon'.

I met with Ulfri, and was immediately reminded of the leader of the Stormcloak rebellion. Though it had ended years ago with the Empire joining them and slaughtering the Thalmor... I was thrown into another memory.

"Don't go, Mama!" I pleaded, pulling on her hand.

"Russ, stay here with our daughters," my papa begged.

"This is something I must do," Mama told him. "The Thalmor are an abomination." She kissed his cheek. "If we can take on a Daedric Prince and win, you'd damn better believe I'll rip apart the Thalmor with my bare hands."

"Just... come back."

She had successfully helped turn the tides of war. The Thalmor were defeated, and Tamriel was freed from the Elves' control.

I shook my head and followed the Dark Seducer, listening to their plan. I nodded and set runes down on the floor.

"What are you doing?" Ulfri queried.

"Setting down different spells to trick the Golden Saints," I replied, drawing a symbol in the stone with magic and slicing across my hand to activate it. "We won't lose any soldiers if I can kill them immediately with a few well-placed runes."

"If that is how Sheogorath's chosen Champion chooses to fight, then that is how we will. Thank you for fighting alongside us." The Mazken commander smiled slightly, and I was touched by her humbleness.

...

As I'd predicted, the Dark Seducers won. No Golden Saints even made it past my rune trap, and the Altar of Rapture was successfully taken by the Mazken. Ulfri put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a genuine smile. Pointed teeth protruded from her lips, and I grinned in return.

"It has been an honor, Lady Regina, but it is time for me to take the path I was set on by the Lord Sheogorath."

"What do you mean?"

"The altar must be lit with the willing sacrifice of an immortal. I am more than willing to give my life in service of Our Lord." I felt a pang of regret for the Mazken commander. Despite only having known her for a few hours, it seemed like we had a stronger kinship than the children I'd grown up with.

Ulfri took her place on the Altar and raised her sword. I turned my head away as I heard the sinking of the blade into flesh. When I looked back, the Dark Seducer was lying dead in the Altar, a bluish-white blaze burning over.

"You must step into the flame," one of the Mazken murmured, and I hesitantly stepped closer. The fire burned hotter than I'd ever felt, but it was my duty. I needed to be someone important for once in my life. Was this a sacrifice? A death of mortal and immortal beings? Either way... I would either live as a hero in the Isles or spend eternity in Sovngarde. I let myself fall into the burning, ever-consuming fire.

Just before I closed my eyes, I realized not once had I felt unease or anxiety within the walls of Cylarne.

....

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