A Daedra's Minion

Chapter 5

Barbas dived down the cliff after the Imperial, ignoring the fight behind him. Celestra peered down into the darkness and felt her heart stop when she saw the Imperial, spread eagle on a ledge halfway down the cliff. Sylvi did not move and looked like she was barely even breathing. As Barbas landed, Celestra leapt from his back and crouched beside her fallen friend. She summoned a healing spell and let her hands over Sylvi's body, praying to Sithis that she wasn't too late.

Celestra smiled as Sylvi's brows furrowed and she let out a groan. Barbas' tail waged happily as he trotted over, happy to see that the Imperial was still alive after the fall. He sniffed at her before his eyes widened and he backed away, the fur on his back standing on end as a dark feeling overcame him. 

Sylvi growled as her hands dug into the dirt leaving gashes. As the Imperial's eyes shot open they showed her true nature. They were no longer the calm, sharp pine colour they usually were. Instead her pupils were slits and her eyes looked wild and feral. 

Celestra swallowed dryly as she met her friend's eyes. She couldn't recall the last time she looked into someone's eyes and felt a fear that came from her very core. 

Sylvi nodded and spoke, her voice holding a feral tone, "Thanks." She looked skyward and growled darkly like an angered wolf before leaping up and grabbing a small ridge on the cliff's face. It took her a moment to find her footing before she was scaling the rocky face of the cliff.

Celestra gaped as she looked from her friend to Barbas before pointing at the scaling female, "What the fuck is that?"

Barbas stared with wide eyes, "I think I know why Molag Bal wants Sylvi so badly."

The duo watched as Sylvi launched herself up the cliff face. As she moved her body began to morph. Red markings appeared on her body and her face and a whip-like tail broke free of her pants. Her hands were leaving more vicious slashes in the dirt and stone as she made her way up the cliff. They watched as she neared the cliff's edge where she fell before vaulting over the edge and onto stable ground.

***

Molag Bal grinned as he stalked towards the smaller Prince, mace raised and poised to strike. He opened his mouth to speak when a feral shriek cut him off. He looked over only to find himself tackled to the ground by a small force. He grabbed the creature by the throat before throwing them away. His eyes widened in surprise as the figure hit the ground and flipped back onto their hands and feet before unleashing a bone chilling snarl at him. 

His eyes lit up at the energy coming off the small Imperial, "Now that's more like it. That's my girl."

Clavicus looked from Sylvi to Molag Bal and simply stared, at a complete loss for words. Sanguine murmured a surprised curse under his breath as he watched the scene. Sylvi looked more like a wild demon than a mortal as she faced down Molag Bal. The dark energy coming from her and how strong it was left the Princes in sheer shock. None of them had ever seen a creature like her before. 

Sheogorath let out a hysterical laugh, "Now this is madness! The Imperial looks like... like..."

"A Dremora." Molag Bal cut him off as he grinned at the Imperial, "Indeed she is." He frowned, "But she is so much like her father..."

Sylvi snarled at him as she saw Celestra and Barbas walk over. 

Molag Bal grinned at her before looking at Celestra, "Well, it looks like she never told you about her parents."

"Kodlak is my father. The Companions are my family!" Sylvi seethed, her tail slapping the ground harshly, "That is all anyone needs to know!"

Molag Bal waved a hand and ignored her as he looked at Celestra, "You are familiar with Mages summoning Dremora from Oblivion, yes?"