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

The Gatekeeper

DYLORAPOV

New Sheoth became further away with every step of mine, though the
battle loomed nearer and nearer. Within the hour, Passwall's ruined
Gates were in sight. The low sorrowed moans of Sheogorath's Gatekeeper
were clearly heard over its thundering stomps, and I once again
offered a prayer to Her Grace that my plan would succeed.

I approached the great monster, and it set its sightless face upon me
once I entered its terrain. I imagined it inspecting me without eyes,
and after a moment, it crashed over to me and touched my head softly--
a strange sensation coming from a beast its size. A low trill came
from its throat, and I knew it was waiting for me to speak.

I cleared my throat. "Your mother has been unseated," I told it,
resulting in an angry grunt. "Another inhabits her body, and I seek to
lay siege upon the one who stole her place." It howled in agreement,
or at least what I assumed to be agreement. "I will take care of the
leader. However, you must help me defeat her armies." It dipped its
head as if in thought before nodding rapidly with an angry groan.

I could almost imagine its reply: Mother is in danger, Mother must be
protected.

"That's right, Gatekeeper," I told it, taking its hand and leading it
away. "We must leave Passwall for a while, only long enough to destroy
Nocturnal-- that is, the woman who has stolen your mother." It
harrumphed in acquiescence. "Are you ready? Let's get moving."

...

By the time I found the patrol, they were waiting at the cemetery.

Haskill seemed to have had no luck in recruiting the other residents
of the Isles, which I'd be the first to say was disappointing.

"Did you get the Gatekeeper?" Russet queried, falling silent when she
saw the massive abomination lumbering behind me. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

"And I take it you failed." It wasn't a question, and I received no
direct response.

"We'll have to attack the city with what we have," Regina's mother
followed. Haskill nodded and glanced at Regina's sister. "What kind of
forces does she have?"

"Luckily for us, she's only using the Dark Seducers and their
Nightfangs. That is to their detriment. We have just as many Golden
Saints, and some have their own beasts." I gestured to the
panther-like mounts. "It'll keep my kin busy, but all slain will be
sent to our own Font to be resurrected. Expect a long battle, Russet."

"Of course. With Daedric Princes, it's never easy."

"You must realize that if you hadn't set the Prince Karliah upon Jyggalag, this
never would have happened."

"What in Oblivion is that supposed to mean, you dark bitch?"

"Hold on, who's--"

"Everybody, shut it!" Aurmazl Zudah cried, quieting down the feud.
"Listen." I tipped my head up to listen in. As much as I didn't want
to admit that the Aureal had done something right, she'd likely saved
our lives. Loud shouting from the north let us all know what was on
its way.

My Mazken brothers and sisters were headed towards us, and the final
battle was beginning.