Fredas, 16th of Second Seed, 4E 202
I woke to the endless library of Apocrypha, and felt a wicked grin spread across my face. I lifted the Black Book from the ground beside me, and flicked through the bleached pages, waiting to return to Tamriel. Grotesque tendrils whipped from the spine of the book, and dragged me through. When I opened my eyes, the book was closed in my hands.
It was early in the morning. Far too early for anybody to be awake. That is, except for those that were with me. Before me stood two Dunmer, both with long orange hair. Their skin was darker than that of most of their kind, and they both shared the same deep, blood-red eyes. Falthyr and Vareli Eldryon awaited my command. They may have once been actual members of House Telvanni, but no more. They had fallen victim to the whispers of forbidden knowledge. Both stared, and smiled. I spoke, “Now that you are both here, we must get to the matter at hand. Before you go off to Tel Mithryn, I want to... test something, and I require a willing volunteer.” I pulled from beneath by tattered robe a spherical object, seemingly charred. Veins of what appeared to be magma pulsed with fiery energy.
Vareli stepped forth, and with a voice like poison, spoke, “And what's in it for me?”
“If I succeed at this, you shall become a conscious product of necromancy, with all the advantages of the living, but none of the weaknesses. You shall speak, think and love. But you shall never die.”
Falthyr grabbed Vareli by the arm, and she brought her deep eyes around to stare into her brother's. After some nods of agreement, Falthyr loosened his hold on his sister, and she stepped heavily forth. After she lay down on the bench that I had set for her, I removed from the satchel on the desk beside me a simple dagger, fashioned from iron. For a moment I held the blade high above her chest, before plunging it into her chest. Blood ruptured from the point of impact. After a small struggle, I managed to carve a large enough hole to put my hand in. Blood spilled all over the bench. I slowly lowered my hand into the hole, and tugged her heart free, before dropping it in a jar on the desk. Vareli was completely unmoving. Falthyr watched in suspense.
I raised the heart stone from beside Vareli's corpse, and settled it in place of where the heart once was. The stone connected itself to her body, and the result was a blinding light, illuminating even the darkest corners of the room. I lifted my arms, splayed my hands, and interlocked my index and middle fingers. Dark power flowed from my palms, wrapping around Vareli's corpse, and sinking into her skin. After a few seconds, her body began to shake uncontrollably, spasms occurring in the arms and legs. Despite this, I managed to remain calm.
Her eyes opened, glowing a dark blue. When the light in her eyes faded, she slowly raised her head. Her voice was slightly shaky, but her speech was clear, “Well. This feels new.”
Falthyr spoke for the first time, his heavy Dunmer accent, filling the room, “That is... simply amazing! I'm in complete awe! Do that to me, will you?”
I replied, “Do what? Rip out your heart, and replace it with a magical stone in order for you to become a fully conscious result of dark magic? Very well. All you have to do, is get me another heart stone.”
Falthyr grumbled in disagreement, then walked off in the direction of Tel Mithryn, guiding Vareli's steps. They should be there by the time Neloth awakens.
I am now back in Apocrypha, and I'm rather proud of myself. It would be extremely beneficial to me if I were to attain another heart stone. This would grant me a pair of undying sorcerers to carry out my orders. Now, all that is left is to relax, and read away the rest of the long day under the watchful eye of my master, as my plan advances itself.
Loredas, 17th of Second Seed, 4E 202
Jumping between Tamriel and Apocrypha is tiring business, but necessary for my plan to come to fruition. Master has revealed yet another secret to me concerning my endeavour to attain Lichdom. I am so close now. There can be no turning back, and no defeat.
By now, Falthyr and Vareli will have reached Tel Mithryn, and will be studying the weaknesses and strengths of that blasted tower. I have nothing to worry about at the moment, but soon, I fear, it shall be time for me to intervene.
I came to Raven Rock, and entered The Retching Netch, hoping for a place to stay tonight, and to wait and see if any new developments arise during my time here. I got a room, and descended the steps to the basement, where they are all kept. The innkeeper seems trustworthy enough, and I doubt he will tell anyone where I am staying. I closed and locked the doors, double-checking before turning my mind to my studies. For hours I sat, scanning the pages of various books and tomes, learning and mastering new spells, all to use to acquire my final reward.
I now find myself tiring from this, and I am not above sleep. At least, not yet.
Sundas, 18th of Second Seed, 4E 202
Today, nothing much occurred, save for a curious Argonian coming to the inn, late in the afternoon. I felt some sort of power resonating from him, though I doubted he had sufficient arcane skill. He was possibly exposed to recent magical activity. This made me curious, and in turn, led me to in turn, led me to investigate him. I don't think he noticed me then, so when he left, I followed him into the darkness.
It was a windy night, and the ash was circling in the air. It was behind this ash that I kept myself hidden, as Tel Mithryn came into view. In the distance, I could make out two figures emerging from the gloom. I felt a powerful dark presence as they neared. I could practically see the residual necromancy leaking off Vareli. I smiled when I realised what was happening. The Argonian saw them too.
Falthyr launched fire at him, and narrowly missed. Vareli bent her knees, and spun, releasing three lightning bolts from her palm, but the Argonian ducked, and drew a sword that gave off an icy chill. He swung it at her. The blade gleamed in the moonlight as Vareli backed off to give herself room for her next attack. A stream of lightning poured from her fingers, and the Argonian knelt, screaming in pain. His scales were sizzling under the sheer intensity of her magic. Vareli stopped, and breezed up towards him. She opened her mouth, but only seconds before the Argonian flipped backwards, sending his foot flying straight into her chin.
Falthyr gasped, and his hands blazed as fire poured forth, striking the ground beside the Argonian, and letting up a cloud of ash. When ash dissipated, Falthyr lay on the ground sweating. The blade of the Argonian was at his neck. This greatly disappointed me.
I stepped towards my foe, and gathered cold magic to my hand, allowing it to swell as large as possible. But before I could finish, he turned, and threw his sword at me with direct precision. This forced me to step aside, and discard my spell. Instead, I then removed the Black Book from my bag, and opened it, pages facing the Argonian directly. The tendrils whipped out at him, knocked him unconscious, and dragged him by the ankles to Apocrypha.
Falthyr raised himself, still recovering from the attack, and dusted himself off before turning to face his fallen sister, and help her up. She began to regain her consciousness, and the shadow of her brother loomed overhead. A helpful hand dropped, and she grasped at it.
I flicked through my Black Book once more, and opened my eyes to Apocrypha, just in time to see the Argonian staring up at Hermaeus Mora materialising above him.
