Legends of Skyrim: The Sapphire Smuggler (BOOK THREE)

XI - Darkness Returns

Ji'ssa woke to the sound of dripping from above. As she slowly leaned up, she felt a throbbing pain in her leg, but nowhere near as severe as she remembered it being. Her ears pricked up at a light snoring, and she turned to see Sapphire, her head resting on top of her arms, sitting in a chair beside Ji'ssa's bed in Shadowfoot Sanctum. Leaning up, she gently ran a finger through a loose strand of hair. Before she could pull away, Sapphire gripped her wrist and looked up with a scowl. "I told you to come back in one piece." she whispered, her voice cracking.
"The leg's still there, isn't it?" Ji'ssa shrugged.
That earned the Khajiit a slap around the face. "Don't joke with me!" Sapphire glared before breaking down in tears and hugging Ji'ssa close, "I-I thought I lost you, Ji'ssa."
Holding her close, Ji'ssa whispered, "You're not going to lose me."
They stayed there for hours, in each other's arms, a mutual adoration commanding them both. "How long have I been out?" Ji'ssa asked.
"They brought you back three days ago." Sapphire explained.
"Does the Guild know?" Ji'ssa asked.
"We know Mercer is dead." Sapphire nodded.
Leaning up against the headboard, Ji'ssa stretched a little. "When you're able to stand on your own two feet," Sapphire stood, pecking the Khajiit on the cheek, "We'd love to see you in the Flagon."
With a nod, Ji'ssa watched as Sapphire left her room. Turning, she saw that her bedside cabinet drawer was open. Inside, she saw the Skeleton Key, and one of the Eyes of the Falmer. Looking over the loot, she gently ran the Key over the tips of her fingers. It felt sharp, but at the same time fluid against her. Cracking her knuckles, Ji'ssa replaced the items and leaned back in her bed. Somehow, she knew that her journey was not finished.

A week had passed before she was able to stand again, another two before the pain in her leg had all but vanished. The day she returned to the Flagon was one of celebration. In the weeks she had been out, the Guild had managed to regain its hold in several major cities, its influence spreading all across the country. Better for them, Maven Black-Briar had managed to depose the current Jarl, Laila Law-Giver, and was now officially recognised as the ruler of Riften. The Guild celebrated their newfound power, and prepared to introduce Skyrim to the biggest crime-spree it would ever know. As Ji'ssa drank, she noticed Karliah, sitting on the wooden platform, her legs in the water. She sat beside the Dunmer who just whispered, "I can't believe it's over. Twenty-five years in exile and just like that, it's done. All that remains is to ensure the safe return of the Skeleton Key."
Ji'ssa sighed quietly, confirming her suspicions. "I take it this won't be as simple as it sounds?" she asked.
"When the Skeleton Key was stole from the Twilight Sepulcher," Karliah explained, lifting a bottle of Black-Briar mead to her lips, "Our access to the inner sanctum was removed. The only way to bring it back will be through the Pilgrim's Path."
"You've never used it?" Ji'ssa inquired.
"It wasn't created for the Nightingales," Karliah shivered a little at the cold taste, "It was created to test those who wished to serve Nocturnal in other ways. As a consequence, I have no knowledge of what you'll be facing."
Ji'ssa stood quickly. "Then we'd best get started." she began to walk, but stopped when Karliah didn't move to follow.
"Brynjolf is needed here," she didn't turn to look at Ji'ssa, "And I... I can't bear to face Nocturnal after my failure to protect the Key. I'm afraid, Ji'ssa Janmin, that you'll have to face the end of your journey alone."

The Twilight Sepulcher was in Falkreath Hold, on its western border, south of Knifepoint Ridge. The remains of a number of stone pillars implied the approach was once far grander than it was now. A waterfall to the left formed a brook across the path before joining a pond to the right. Walking through the open cave mouth, Ji'ssa found herself in a well-lit narrow tunnel that opened into a large cavern after a few turns. There was a double row of broken pillars leading to some stairs, and large rock pillars supporting the ceiling around the cavern. The cavern was dry and lit by braziers, and candles on stands lined the stairs. As she stepped foot on the stairs, Ji'ssa took a step back as something began to materialist before her. It was another Nightingale, it matched her armour, and its voice echoed. "I don't recognise you," it tilted its head slightly, "But I sense that you're one of us. Who are you?"
"I'd ask the same question of you." Ji'ssa responded.
"The last of the Nightingale Sentinels, I'm afraid," it sounded exhausted, "I've defended the Sepulcher alone for what seems like an eternity."
"The last?" Ji'ssa looked around, the room feeling too big for just the two, "What happened to the rest?"
"We were betrayed by one of our own," it seemed to look through her rather than at her, "In fat, I'm to blame for what's happened here. I was blinded. Blinded by dark treachery masquerading as friendship. Perhaps if I had been more vigilant, then Mercer Frey wouldn't have lured me to my fate and stolen the Skeleton Key."
Ji'ssa looked up with excitement. "Mercer..." she suddenly realised, "You're Gallus!"
"I haven't heard that name in a long time," Gallus sounded relieved to remember his name, "How do you know of me?"
"I have the Key." Ji'ssa announced, showing it to him.