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

Like Mother, Like Daughter

The shard of glass embedded in my stomach gave me terrible agony, but where I was going, it was worth it. The enchantment quickly took place, and I felt my body slump to the floor. With the magic activated to preserve me, I left the Isles and entered the Cursed Halls.

...

I reappeared in a massive gray marble structure, humanoids stomping about. I recognized the face of Mehrunes Dagon, and I made sure to steer clear of him. I finally did something right...

"Now entering: Lord Sheogorath; Prince of Madness." All eyes turned to me as the voice announced my arrival. After a moment, their interest died down. I looked around. No doors, no way out. I pushed through the crowd of people in my search for Jyggalag. I saw no more familiar faces, but the Princes blocking my path all glared menacingly at me. I shuddered in fright.

Still no sign of my Prince. Gathering my courage, I tapped the shoulder of a nearby Prince. She turned to me, and I was struck by how lovely she was. Her body was finely shaped, and her skin nearly glowed. Long wavy blonde hair covered her otherwise exposed breasts, and I realized that she was fully naked.

"What do you want?" Her voice was a silky purr, certain to be alluring.

"I-- have you seen Jyggalag?" She turned her nose down at me.

"No, I haven't-- nor do I have any desire to see him again." I stared at her in wonder.

"Wait... who are you?" The goddess seemed a bit shocked at my query, but changed her expression to one of sight irritation.

"My name is Dashurie," she replied. "I suppose mortals have forgotten me? After many eras, I cannot say I'm surprised. I am... was... the Daedric Prince of Lust and Desire." I could easily understand that, from her nakedness to the way she spoke, as if everything should lead to a tryst. "I met my end at Jyggalag's hands, and should I see him in this plane... he will cease to exist."

"... I'll take my leave now," I said quietly, eager to get away from this Prince. I of course knew of the powers that Princes had, and the last thing I wanted to do was to lose my Jyggalag.

"I bid you good tidings and good fortune with someone to warm your bed," she called back, and I prayed that it was not a spell to drive me to... I shook my head, clearing it of the offensive thoughts. There's nothing that could possibly bring me to give myself up like that.

After three hours, I began to despair. I was nothing but a random goddess in the middle of my fallen Daedric brothers and sisters. How was I to find Jyggalag in this mess? Not to mention the hostility I received from the mention of him. Though I was shocked to see the one Prince I wanted dead more than anything or anyone else.

Nocturnal.

My fingers clenched into tight fists, and I gritted my teeth. Can she die here? I'll find a way. Without thinking, I stormed up to the Daedric Prince of Shadows and Night, glaring furiously. She looked up at me blankly.

"Who are you?" she said coolly, likely in response to my obvious ire.

"The one whose life you destroyed," I growled. She only gave me a disinterested glance.

"I ruined many people in the eras I lived."

"You are-- wait, eras?" A scowl fixed itself onto her face.

"Indeed. I was slain by one of my own servants, and she took my place as Daedric Prince of Shadows." This was the Nocturnal, the one who'd attempted to steal the soul of my own mother. Dangerous! my inner voice screamed. Stay away from her! An idea occurred to me, and I pushed aside all reason.

Why should I trust my mother... Russet... when she was the one who ripped away the reason I breathed? Not to mention that I've no soul to take.

"Then will you help me?"

"Given your previous attitude, I'm disinclined to assist you." I twisted a strand of my black hair, swallowing nervously. I steeled my courage and looked up into her eyes.

"I'll help you kill Karliah... the new Nocturnal, if I'm not mistaken... if you help me find someone-- and a way out of this place." Nocturnal seemed slightly surprised.

"And who would ally themselves with the Prince of Darkness?" she wondered.

"Someone whose desperation clouds reason," I responded. "Do we have an accord?" Nocturnal appeared to contemplate it. The raven on her shoulder trilled loudly, ruffling its ebony-black feathers.

"Who exactly would you want me to find?" she ventured cautiously.

"The Prince of Order, Jyggalag." I searched for the telltale sign of hatred in her eyes, but saw nothing other than keen interest.

"And why would you be searching for him?" My skin grew hot, and Nocturnal let out a cruel laugh. "You're in love with him. Oh, and I presume you're tracking him down to win him over! Mortals cannot be involved with Princes in romance.

"Molag Bal creates his Daughters of Coldharbour by forcefully taking beautiful young ladies into his bed. Sanguine seduces women by tricking them with drink. But neither of them are considered love in its entirety. What is it about an emotionless Prince that so draws in a Mortal? I'd have thought that the Madgod had learned his lesson after Insucius killed his mortal lover."

"Who's..."

"The Daedric Prince of Disloyalty and Betrayal. Had quite a fondness for the mortal before killing her."

"What happened to him?"

"Jyggalag killed him. In fact, steer clear of any tall, gray-skinned three-armed tripedals you see. Just a forewarning, as there is no doubt in my mind he will try to kill you... again."

"Er... I'll make sure to do that. But you don't understand," I told her. "I am a Daedric Prince. I have taken over Jyggalag's throne as Sheogorath." Then it occurred to me. "But why can't mortals fall in love with Princes?"

"Oh, mortals are more than welcome to love us," she said, stretching out on the bench languorously. "But Princes loving mortals? That's more than forbidden. The first offense is punished with the death of the mortal lover. The second offense is to kill the Prince." I let out a small squeak, and Nocturnal tipped her head to me questioningly. When no explanation was forthcoming, she shrugged it off.

"Then will you help me?" I queried, pitching my voice lower than usual. I felt myself becoming stronger-- which was entirely bad. "What do you want from me?"

"I want what I've always wanted-- to take what rightfully belongs to me." Her eyes held a predatory gleam I didn't quite like. But if I wanted Sheogorath at my side, as either my Madgod or Jyggalag-- then it all had to be worth it.

I would ally myself with the former Prince of Darkness.