Between Light and Darkness

11

I awoke in my bed, my body feeling heavy and sluggish, as if I had been dragged back from the edge of an unfathomable abyss. The soft fabric of the sheets clung to my skin, and my head throbbed in a dull, persistent rhythm, as if it were a drum echoing the remnants of a distant dream. Gradually, the dim light of the room seeped into my consciousness, along with the faint murmurs of conversation that danced around me, growing clearer with each passing second.

As my vision slowly came into focus, I noticed the familiar faces of the College surrounding me. Urag, with his imposing stature and ever-present frown, stood nearby, flanked by several Priestesses of Kynareth, their flowing robes shimmering with hints of green and gold, like sunlight filtering through leaves. Tolfdir's wispy hair caught the light, making him look almost ethereal as he leaned against the wall, his brow furrowed in concentration, casting furtive glances at a tome resting on the table beside me.

The air was thick with tension, palpable enough to taste. Urag, his patience clearly fraying, spoke with a voice that rumbled like distant thunder. "For the last time," he growled, his tusks grinding together, "she was simply reading! I've no idea what caused her to collapse. I found her like that, and the next thing I know, she's unconscious!" His arms crossed over his broad chest, he seemed a mix of irritation and worry, his usual gruff demeanor softened by the concern lurking beneath the surface.

Tolfdir remained quiet, his gaze transfixed on the book I had been perusing before everything went white. The light from the lantern flickered, casting long shadows that danced across the walls, and I could tell he was piecing together some theory about the tome's contents and their potential link to my disconcerting experience.

The rustling of robes and the soft whispers exchanged among the priestesses filled the space like a gentle breeze, but their words faded into the background of my mind. I focused on Urag, who finally noticed I was awake. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, and without hesitation, he broke away from the group, making his way toward me with surprising speed for someone of his size. The floor creaked beneath his heavy footsteps, and I couldn't help but marvel at how he commanded such presence.

"You're finally awake," he said, his tone a mixture of relief and exasperation. He stopped beside my bed, towering over me like a mountain. The scowl that usually adorned his face was softened just a fraction, revealing the concern that had clearly been gnawing at him. "I was starting to wonder if you were going to make me deal with all these fools on my own forever."

I managed a weak smile, trying to sit up despite the monumental effort it took. My body felt as though it were still tethered to the dream world, and a haze of confusion lingered in my mind. "What... happened?" I croaked, my voice hoarse and unsteady, as though it were a forgotten echo from some distant memory.

Urag shifted his weight, glancing back at the assembled priestesses, who were still engaged in quiet debate. "We were hoping you'd be able to tell us," he replied, his gaze flicking toward the book that lay on the table. "That blasted tome—Tolfdir's been staring at it like it holds the key to your soul or something. I have a feeling it's got more to do with this than we initially thought."

My eyes followed his gaze to the ancient book, its cover adorned with intricate designs that whispered of forgotten lore and lost knowledge. The memory of its strange warmth surged back, along with the haunting echo of a voice that had called out to me in a language I could not comprehend. It sent a shiver coursing down my spine, and I felt an inexplicable connection to that moment, a thread tying me to whatever secrets lay hidden within its timeworn pages.

As I looked around the room, the flickering candlelight illuminated the concerned faces of my colleagues, each one holding a piece of the puzzle that was my current state. The weight of their eyes bore down on me, filling the air with an expectation that was almost tangible. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, knowing that whatever had happened during that surreal moment in the Arcanaeum had transformed not only my understanding of the tome but also my very essence. The more i looked into this the more desperate and weak i felt.

"I need to get to Riften." my speech slurred heavily and i spewed more white foam than i did words.

I felt a wave of frustration wash over me, my resolve faltering as I struggled to articulate my thoughts. The room seemed to sway, the faces of my colleagues blurring into one another like a painting left in the rain. Each blink felt like a Herculean effort, as if the simple act of closing my eyes would drown me in darkness once more.

"Riften?" Tolfdir's voice cut through the haze, tinged with concern. He stepped closer, his features sharp in the candlelight. "What on Nirn could possibly be waiting for you there? You've just returned from—"

"I don't care!" I interrupted, the urgency swelling in my chest. "There's something...something dark in the shadows. I can feel it!" I gripped the edges of the bed, my knuckles turning white as panic threatened to overtake me. "I need to know what it is, what it wants. It's tied to the tome, I'm sure of it!"

Urag raised an eyebrow, the flicker of skepticism evident on his face. "And what do you expect to find in Riften that you haven't already stumbled upon in the depths of that cursed book?"

"Knowledge!" I spat out, my voice a ragged whisper that echoed against the walls, as though I were shouting into a void. "Riften holds secrets, and if I don't uncover them, I fear I won't be the only one in danger."

The priestesses exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of doubt and sympathy. I could feel the weight of their scrutiny, the silent question lingering in the air: Was I fit to face whatever awaited me in that city of shadows? It was as if the walls themselves were closing in, the very fabric of the College pressing down on me, threatening to smother my desperate urgency.

"You need to rest," Urag said, his tone firm yet tinged with a softness that suggested he cared. "Whatever you experienced in the Arcanaeum took a toll on you. Rushing back into the fray won't help anyone, and will only get you killed, or worse." Urag and I shared a look, he and I both know there's worth things than Death on both sides of the veil

I met his gaze, the conflict raging within me. I wanted to shout, to beg them to understand, but the words caught in my throat. I felt like a marionette, strings fraying and unraveling, desperate to escape the pull of a puppeteer who couldn't see my need for freedom.

"Urag..." I began, my voice trembling. "You don't understand. This isn't just about me anymore. It's about what's happening in Riften. The shadows, the despair... they're reaching out. I can sense it!"

The candlelight flickered wildly, casting eerie shadows on the walls, as if the room itself was responding to my agitation. I swallowed hard, the weight of the truth pressing against my chest like a boulder. "I've felt the whispers in the night, the cries of those trapped by darkness. If I don't confront this, it will consume everything. The soul gems... they scream for a reason."

Tolfdir's expression softened, his gaze filled with understanding. "If what you say is true, we can't ignore it. But we must approach this with caution. There's a power at play here that we don't yet fully comprehend."

"Then allow me to go," I urged, my voice barely a whisper. "I need to discover the truth, and I need your support to do it. I can't do this alone."

The room fell silent, each person lost in their thoughts, contemplating the weight of my plea. I held my breath, praying they would see the urgency in my eyes, the desperate flicker of a flame that refused to be snuffed out.

After what felt like an eternity, Urag sighed, his shoulders sagging as if he had taken on the burdens of the world. "Very well," he finally said, his tone resolute but wary. "But you will not go unaccompanied. We'll send a few of the priests with you for protection and guidance."

Relief washed over me, a fragile lifeline in a sea of uncertainty. "Thank you," I breathed, the words almost foreign on my tongue, yet filled with genuine gratitude.

As I prepared to rise, I could still feel the weight of their scrutiny, the underlying current of concern flowing through the air. I could sense the tremors of impending chaos—darkness was on the horizon, and if I was to face it, I needed to be ready. Riften awaited, and whatever shadows lay within it were calling my name, beckoning me to unravel their secrets before they engulfed everything I held dear. The room spun once more as white foam left my mouth and I collapsed in a shuddering heap on the bed.