The Last Holy-Scale: Book One: Part 11
Aftermath
Where to begin on the last story...*sigh*...I don't want to go in detail. All I can say is that I lost absolutely everything I cared for. And now...I was alone...wandering...looking for another purpose...
I found myself awake and floating on the surface of the sap. I felt a huge sense of relief when the pain stopped. I thought, "Had it been three months already?" I swam to to an edge of the Sun-Hist's sap chamber and placed my hand on her.
She felt dead...like there wasn't any form of energy or life in her at all. So I punched the wall, and sure enough, the tree breaks like weak glass. What I saw after were the remnants of the Underroots...the last place I saw my family.
I saw six relatively decayed bodies. This brought one thing to mind...Semkil cast his newly-learned Preservation Magic on their bodies...he would want me to bury them properly. I checked all of their bodies...Rekuuk's Holy Sacrifice destroyed all of their armor, but Semkil's Preservation kept even their corpses safe from incineration.
I looked at the sky...it was raining...and there was no Oblivion Gate in the air. Rekuuk had succeeded in saving the world...I couldn't be more proud of him. His body still had two holes in it; one at the heart, and one at the left lung.
Jumps' corpse still had an axe in hand, which was lodged in a daedric skeleton. The axe was strong in Jumps' cold, dead hands...I couldn't pry it out. I guess it would've been fine for him to be buried both his weapons.
Stands was still in a position of prayer, I could do nothing but admire his tenacity. He was very devout to the Sun-Hist and all Hist alike. I would decide to bury him in the position he was in now.
Delaki's body was the least tense of them all. His arms crossed, and eyes closed, and head down...I knew that he had figured something out. I'd bury him in the softest mud I could find.
Last I went to Shavra's body...the worst one of them all. I peered down and saw that her hand was covering something. I moved it only to see that they were undeveloped eggs.
She was bearing my children!!!!
I was so overcome with sorrow, rage, or any other feeling I couldn't name, that I feel to my knees, weeping. That damnable summoner, Tetras has taken all that I hold dear: My family, my best friends, my love, and now...MY OWN FLESH AND BLOOD!!!
He might as well have just killed me sooner! I was without purpose, now I'm without legacy! I'd find his body if I could...and would curse it for eternity! The only thoughts I could put forth were ones of rash consequence. I wouldn't be in control of myself for this day.
I encased their bodies in stone, in order to make hollow statues of the family I once knew. Then took their real bodies and buried them under their respective statues. I placed monikers on their statues, each marked with their name...and what they had done for this world...and for the Holy-Scales.
I left it as a monument for their sacrifice...and their duty. After creating this landmark...I left...to search for a purpose...or for my death.
I wandered the swamps of Black Marsh for several hours before I was given an idea by a nearby Hist. It said, "Where you were born." I heard this and thought of the village I grew up in.
So I went in the direction I thought it was in. It had been 30 years since last I saw that place. "Just due south of Blackrose" was my only lead. It took me 4 hours to find the main gate. I stumbled in through it only to see that the village was now a rotting ruin.
This didn't anger me at all...I knew that the village wouldn't survive after the onslaught of undead 43 years ago. One building looked more in-shape than the others. It was a massive collaboration of both rotted roots and fresh ones.
It all made a path and several bridges that led to a hut...torches were lit outside of it. My curiosity got the best of me because I found myself walking the path to the hut in the autumn rain.
Once I got to the doorstep of that little hut, I opened the door. I had to duck under the entrance just to get in. "I must've grown quite a bit since the Azeez-Xeech," I thought. Probably about a foot or so.
The inside of the hut was well-decorated with all sorts of dark magical items. Jars full of glowing mud or bug parts, or hell, even body parts of other Argonians. Alchemy ingredients lining copious shelves that line the entire hut.
One piece of wooden furniture...yeah...even I expected for there to be at least two chairs, a couch and a bed. But no, it was just this one little hunch of wood covered in moss. I took it for a multipurpose bed...used also as a table or chair.
I'm on my knees, crawling around this place it's so small. I began to turn around and then a stick whacked me on the back of my head. It didn't hurt, but I turned around to see none other than...
Mixes-Many-Poisons: You are always so damn nosy Dragonblood!
Rezmor: Holy..........shit.
Mixes: Yeah, I know what you're thinkin'..."How am I still alive?"
Rezmor: (nods slowly)
Mixes: Of course. Have you forgotten how great at alchemy I am?
Rezmor: I know how skilled you are at it...but to live past 200 years on Nirn...you're almost as old as Semkil was. But not just that...how did you recognize me shaman?
Mixes: Again...my skill at Alchemy...it requires me to have a good nose...and I don't forget smells my child.
Rezmor: *out of breath* Ha...I...it's good to see you again (hugs Mixes)
Mixes: (hugs Rezmor back) Mutual my child...mutual.
Rezmor: Are you not at all surprised at my size?
Mixes: ...Not really...you are the Sun-Seed after all.
Rezmor: *shocked* How do you know of that?!
Mixes: You think you're the only one that can commune with the Hist. The village's Hist told me of your coming. Me hearing that you were still alive after I saw a huge explosion where the Sanctuary was three months ago made me happier than on my naming day. I awaited your arrival for three days until now.
Rezmor: Sorry for the wait...wait...I said "Semkil was"...are you not at all curious as to why I-
Mixes: Yes I know!....Semkil has left this world.
Rezmor: Yes...same with every other Holy-Scale.
Mixes: My deepest of sorrow for you my child...but there is hope for you yet.
Rezmor: What hope could I receive at this point?
Mixes: Hope...imbued inside purpose.
Rezmor: And what purpose could I have!? The Holy-Scales are no more and I won't be alive to see them grow again!
Mixes: A purpose beyond the Xal-Eix...if you would follow me. (leaves the hut)
Rezmor: (thinking) Why....what a day. I should follow her. (crawls out of the hut)
Mixes and I stumbled out of the hut and into the rain, now heavier than before, and to the center of the ex-village. There stood the Hist that never spoke to me...I'll tell ya' I wasn't all to happy to see it again.
Mixes: Now, (points at the Hist) commune.
Rezmor: You know as well as I do that thing will not speak to me. (Mixes' stick slams across his face and breaks, but is not moved) *subtly* Ow.
Mixes: You do not call a Hist, a "thing"...you always acknowledge them as "Hist". Understand?
Rezmor: Why so with this one? It never spoke to me out of spite.
Mixes: Oh really...then ask it yourself.
Rezmor: This is a waste of time, (puts hand on Hist)-
Hist: *hushed* Greetings are in order.
Rezmor: (jerks hand away) What?!
Mixes: You heard it didn't you?
Rezmor: Well yeah, but....
Mixes: But nothing! Continue.
Rezmor: (places hand on Hist)
Hist: *hushed* Not only greetings, but apologies as well.
Rezmor: (using his thoughts to communicate with the Hist) Why now? Of all times.
Hist: Because it was never the right time until now.
Rezmor: You made me look like a demon amongst the others.
Hist: And I'm sorry for what I've done...but if you'll hear my words...I'll make up for my mishaps.
Rezmor: How could you make up for my terrible childhood.
Hist: You are needed.
Rezmor: Needed where?
Hist: In a land of eternal winter snow, lies a scourge of old...ancient, and firstborn to all his kind.
Rezmor: Where and what are you telling me to do?
Hist: Where your blood matches his and one shall lie on the hills of the afterlife dead.
Rezmor: (thinking to himself) Of course this Hist has to be cryptic.
Hist: With the Sun-Hist at your beckon and call, you shall purge all demons. Though this is no demon, but a dragon. Black as the Void, and eyes red as blood. Al...Du...In.
Rezmor: Wait...how do I know what you just said?
Hist: It's in your blood Rezmorziriik...you have dragon's blood.
Rezmor: So it really is a gift.
Hist: Yes...the others were wrong to doubt you...though I refrained from speaking to them about it to make sure you followed the Sun-Hist.
Rezmor: It's a good thing that you did. But I still don't know where to go.
Hist: That will come to you in time...but for now...I wither.
Rezmor: What? Why now?
Hist: It's time to unlock your powers as Sun-Seed Rezmorziriik.
Rezmor: How will- (body begins to be outlined in green light)...what the?!
Mixes: The power is finally coursing through your veins my child.
Rezmor: (turns away from Hist and looks at Mixes) I-I don't...know what's happening.
Hist: Your power is awakened...use it on me.
Rezmor: (turns back to Hist and thinks) Use what? I don't know my power.
Hist: Then I shall show you. (shines)
The Hist shot an image in my head...it was me, using some sort of green-lighted spell. I could feel the magic of that spell, and immediately learned how to use it. It required me to channel all of my spiritual energy, now tree-like, and force it onto another....so I did.
Rezmor: (steps away from Hist, and charges a green-lighted spell) I feel it...the power of the Sun-Hist.
Mixes: What is that? A spell of some sort?
Rezmor: Aye...I don't know what it's called...but it seems powerful. (casts it at the Hist)
Mixes: *appalled* WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!??
Rezmor: Calm down shaman...this is what the Hist asked for.
Mixes: ASKED FOR!? LOOK AT IT!?
The Hist tree, after it was hit by the wave-shaped spell, was withering faster and faster. Its bark was crumbling off and it seemed that this Hist would become a mulch pile in seconds.
But upon closer observation, which Mixes lacks at this point, a sapling is sprouting from the mulch. I had to hold her head still so she could look at the sapling.
Mixes: Wha-what is that?
Rezmor: A new Hist tree.
Mixes: But how?
Rezmor: Come...place your hand on this Hist with me.
Mixes: (places hand on Hist with Rezmor)
Young Hist: *hushed, but expressed* Aaaahhh! That felt nice.
Mixes: (in her thoughts) Did he...revive you?
Young Hist: No...it is one of the many many powers Rezmorziriik can do, now that he is Sun-Seed.
Rezmor: What is the name of that power anyway?
Young Hist: There are two different versions of that power: A blessing...and a curse.
Rezmor: It made you reborn as a new Hist tree...what else would it do?
Young Hist: The Blessing of the Hist can regrow a lost limb...similar to how you and others can already do. Say a Bosmer has lost his leg...you could use Blessing of the Hist to make it regrow. It will be made of wood at first, but it will eventually shape into flesh and bone.
Rezmor: Impressive, but-
Young Hist: Another thing about that...when using the Blessing of the Hist, it will be ineffective when used on those that do not call to the Hist for help...or those that do not believe in us.
Rezmor: Understandable.....and the curse?
Young Hist: The Curse of the Hist might turn any of your enemies into any of the flora that scatter all over Black Marsh. Say an Orc were attacking you...you use curse of the Hist, but he will not turn into a flora just yet. You must weaken him until said flora can take over his body. This normally will not take very long. The result will remake any enemy, rendering them completely non-hostile.
Rezmor: Strong.
Mixes: Indeed.
Young Hist: There will be more opportunities for you to learn your powers...but this was all I can teach you.
Rezmor: Still...it's something. And I thank you for it.
Young Hist: Excellent, now go to the shores of this land...that is where you'll find your new purpose.
Rezmor: I shall make all haste to the shore. (he and Mixes take hands of the Hist)
Mixes: Well...I guess this is goodbye once again.
Rezmor: It doesn't have to be a sad goodbye shaman.
Mixes: No...no it does. You were a good child...a good apprentice for the time being...and mostly...you were, and always will be...a good man.
Rezmor: Oh, come here (picks us Mixes and hugs her)
Mixes: (tries to hug back harder and harder)
Rezmor: *chuckles* Hmhm...I can feel you're trying.
Mixes: Well good...I want you to know that Imma miss you.
Rezmor: Imma miss you as well shaman, er, Mixes.
Mixes: It's alright child...I've been used to that name coming from you.
Rezmor: (smiles) It's time for me to go...but...one more thing.
Mixes: What might that be?
Rezmor: Is my old home still standing?
Mixes: Kind of (points to it) why?
Rezmor: I need a weapon. (walks inside the ruined house)
My father was mostly Waseek-Haleel remember? So I would use his old forge in the lower levels to make me a new weapon...more magical than normal...given my new powers.
As I walked down to the forge, I noticed that it was incredibly intact, despite being unused for so long. I knew a few secrets to forging some of the greatest magical weapons possible, thanks to my years as a Holy-Scale. I took some Fire Salts with me to use as fuel for the fire.
Mixes: (looking at her ingredients)...huh? Where are my Fire Salts?
I took some from Mixes...she had plenty to spare. The forge before me was old, dusty, almost crumbled too...but me, being so damn arrogant when it comes to forging, saw a beautiful forge yet.
I used some earth magic to set the forge back to stability, and used fire magic to get a flame going. Turns out the forge was still as potent as my father had left it, because when my Flames hit the forge, a much larger explosion of fire came forth than I'd've thought.
There were few materials for me to use, but just enough for me to make a good weapon. I took some ebony from his metal storage...I used ebony because I work best with it...plus I can imbue some of the Sun-Hist's sap into the weapon.
Ebony is also a very magical metal...it reacts well with enchantments and amplifies them. Strong, versatile, malleable, and magical. Though I wouldn't stop there...Ebony is a great metal yes, but there are metals that can be smelted together to form strong alloys.
This metallic combination was ebony and starmetal. I am very lucky that father had some Starmetal in storage. Smelting these two metals together would take some time. All the while, I would set up the workspace like it was beforehand. Assort every leather, metal, ore, jewel, and rivet in appropriate places that are easy to reach.
When the steam screeches out of the smelter, I knew the metal was molten. I walked to the smelter and poured my white-hot liquid into a mold. There's something about starmetal that when it's molten, it tends to glow like a star...which is why I like it so much.
Starmetal also has properties that some would consider it a "holy metal"...and they would be right. Restorative magic is naturally stronger when imbued inside starmetal. Perfect for my style of fighting.
Every ring of my hammer striking the metal brought back memories of father, back when I was a hatchling, teaching me the forge. Every spark that flew reminded me of Delaki, and his flames. Every cloud of steam brought Shavra to mind, how she would use that steam to hide and assassinate her victim. I even stopped forging for a while out of fear.
The sound of the forge roaring brought Stands to mind, with his wild power...they sounded alike. My sense of peace at the forge brought Semkil to mind, how he was always so damn calm. Looking at the weapon coming to fruition brought Jumps to mind, how he'd ask to use my weapon first.
The hammer was mostly black, but had brilliant, damask, white streaks along the metal. The handle was made of Hist wood (even in death, the Sun-Hist continues to serve me), and it too looked like damascus with its gray grains.
I cooled the hot metal in some of the Sun-Hist's sap that I took after memorializing the others. Which may sound very, very, VERY stupid...but I mixed the sap with water, so it wouldn't explode in my face.
After the hammer was finished, I inspected it for stress fractures, delaminations, or burrs. None...just like I expected. The hammer wasn't finished however...I needed to enchant it.
My father is also an expert enchanter, so he had a table set up in his forge. It was very old, it didn't even have a troll skull...so I used a random Wamasu skull that was on the floor. It worked of course, but it was a little painful that Rekuuk's favorite food was my enchanting table reservoir.
There were a few Grand Soul Gems around, so I used those things to enchant my weapon. But it was no ordinary enchantment...given my newfound knowledge from the Sun-Hist, I learned how to transmute the metal on my hammer and make it into a new weapon.
What that meant is that by using a little magicka, I can change my hammer into a mace, or an axe, or a sword. Each of these forms has their own unique enchantment.
The hammer version of my weapon I named, Sacred Sun, which uses the power of the sun to burn those I deem unholy. It also saps any spiritual power from my enemies and gives it to me.
The axe version of my weapon I named, Blackroot, where the entire axehead is black, and is fastened to the handle by what looks like roots made of metal. It uses a permanently lingering poison to dissolve armor and flesh alike, sadly that's only every few swings. It also dissolves magic and stamina in the process.
The sword version looks somewhat like a machete mixed with a khanda. It's half black on one side of the blade, half white on the other...I named her Pure Soul. She stifles my enemies by injecting a little of my own magicka into their blood stream. I can use this magicka however I want.
Sure the weapon has alot of diversity, but the transitions between the weapon types takes a while to preform, it could leave me open. I would make a shield as well, and made it with the same materials.
The shield was almost my height, but was lightweight. It was black but had large white streaks going across the front and sides...almost like a cross. The streaks formed the Holy-Scale insignia.
When enchanted I decided to name her Reka... in honor of Rekuuk. She was a mighty Greatshield that nullifies magic on impact, I still might take damage, but it's slight. She also quickens my reflexes to where I can block incoming attacks at point blank. She'll be on my back a majority of the time, so I have to draw her out to use her.
The forge was so old and unused, all armor molds have been destroyed, and I can't stick around for too long. So I took my new weapon and piece of armor, and left the village. I headed towards the shore like the Hist told me, to seek out my new purpose.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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