Northbound Pilgrimage III

Chapter LXXXVI - Detached

"Mortals cannot enter."

Serana's words echoed through the room as they both stared into the swirling mass below them. Some stone slabs began to float around in there. It almost looked like they formed steps, beckoning anyone to venture inside.

"There are... ways in which one can, but... that is complicated. I wouldn't expect you to follow. You have your invisibility potions, correct? It might be a bit risky, taking the boat, but..."

"Wait, wait, wait, hang the fuck on," Bishop interrupted her promptly. What the fuck was she saying just now? What was even happening right now?

"My mother is in there. With the Scroll," Serana announced that as if Bishop didn't get that. He did get that.

"Just... wait. She's been there for centuries, she's not gonna disappear this second. Slow the fuck down, alright?" Bishop sighed.

"If you wish," Serana nodded, though her eyes were clearly still drawn to that portal. So were Bishop's, for that matter.

"When does it close?" He had so many questions. So fucking many. But he started with the easy one.

"The notebook said the ingredients were a conduit. So... I assume only once one empties the basin," she shrugged.

"Alright. Good. We got time then," he let out a relieved sigh. This all seemed so hectic. He needed a moment. "So... this... Soul Cairn. What exactly is in there? Daedra?"

"I only read about the place before. Mother actually gave me some books..." Serana pondered. "Perhaps in preparation, now that I think of it. There are many dangers inside. Daedra, for one, but since they do not serve a Prince, they are not the ones most people would be familiar with. I do not know what that means."

"Right. Sounds fun," Bishop rolled his eyes. "What else?"

"There are also the Ideal Masters. I... do not know for certain who or what they are. They rule over Soul Cairn, in a way, and wield unimaginable power. The book said they can drain the life of any mortal that approaches."

What the fuck? This was just... insane.

"That's why mortals can't enter?" Bishop scowled.

"Possibly. Or perhaps the portal itself would not allow a mortal soul to enter. I could read the details in mother's notebook more," Serana explained. She didn't even finish it before wanting to enter that fucking portal? "There were notes on how one might enter, but I assumed you wouldn't want to..."

"You assumed right," Bishop scoffed. No way in the fucking Oblivion. Literally. "You said there are... souls?"

"Yes. Black souls. They are trapped there when they are... well... soul trapped," Serana nodded.

"Right. Until the gem is depleted," Bishop shuddered a bit. That was a shitty place to be trapped in while in that gem, that was for sure.

"What? No," Serana shook her head. "The Ideal Masters do not release the souls. They are there forever."

Wait... what? People from black soul gems were stuck in that place forever?

Holy fucking shit.

He knew it was bandits and killers, but he suddenly felt really crappy about trapping people for that madman hermit and for the Blackreach key. Fucking Void. He should definitely not tell Aeyrin about that bit.

"So... let me get this straight. You were wary of entering these wings of your Castle because there might be too many gargoyles and undead. But you're all ready to go alone in there with the weird Daedra, the pissed off souls and some... things with 'unimaginable power'?" Bishop shook his head at her.