29 The Lost

A raging storm of ice and chill covered the city of Winterhold. The lights of the homes barely visible past the nights natural cloak layered over the wailing storm. The snow piled behind the duo of flickering orange figures that closed the distance to the great stone monument, towering over the desolate land, like a relic of a bygone age.

Lucius's armoured boots clinked into the snowy path to the ruined city. His right hand, adorned by his black bladed gauntlet, glowed a dark orange as he continued his advance in the blizzard.

"D'you think you could ask about the scrolls? I've wanted to visit the college since Falkreath." Lucius shouted over the wind.

"Sure. What do you want to look for?" Ciri shouted back.

"History on a man named Mannimarco. The imperials burned his records." Lucius replied as they entered the ruined city.

"Who's that?" She responded.

"A man with magic similar to mine...Who knows, he could be a distant relative." He joked.

"Halt! The way is dangerous and the gate won't open." A high elf woman declared guarding the bridge to the stone college.

"We need to enter the college for some research." Lucius replied.

"The college has what you need, but what can you provide the college?" The woman questioned sternly.

"This guy is probably a better mage than 90% of the people in there." Ciri boldly claimed, pointing at Lucius.

"Fine. A small test. Cast the magelight spell and i'll let you pa-" Before she finished speaking a small light hovered next to a blank faced Lucius.

"The test was magelight? Are you taking in children too?" He snorted, before brushing past her with a small disappointed sigh.

He made his way up the snow covered bridge with Ciri alongside him and walked through a magical gate of iron. The courtyard was dead and eroding, showing the great lack of care the mages had for the college.

"Let's hope the library has a decent warden." Lucius muttered to a nodding Ciri.

"Excuse me, could you be a dear and point us to the library." Lucius sweetly asked a passing Dunmer girl.

"Uh-uhhh, yes. It's through the door and then you turn right into another doorway that leads up the library." The girl nervously squeaked out and took off.

"Weird, do i look scary?" Lucius asked Ciri.

"You mean with a dark set of metal gauntlets..One of which has it's fingers sharpened to stab through people.. A sword of master quality on your belt, and eyes that look as though they can read through anything and anyone... Nooo~ You're the height of friendliness, Lucius." Ciri sarcastically snipped.

"A simple answer would have sufficed, woman." He grumbled and head through the door to the library.

It was a well kept library with countless shelves of books, each well organised by the letter of the author.

"So i'll ask about the scrolls and find you when i'm done." Ciri said and went off to talk to the librarian behind the desk.

Lucius watcher her go before searching for the books related to the man named Mannimarco.

"Here 'The Necromancer's Moon.' Author: Unknown. Suspected to be a member of the worm cult." Lucius said to himself before taking a seat, lighting a candle, and turning the first page.

*Brothers and Sisters of the Worm!

Despair not at the trials we now face, for our time comes swiftly.

The God of Worms watches over our Order, and will deliver us from these troubled times on the Day of Reckoning. Until then, perform His works in secret, serve His needs, and look to the skies for His signs.

The Revenant, the Necromancer's Moon, watches over us all. His Form, ascended to Godhood, has taken its rightful place in the sky, and hides the enemy Arkay from us so that we may serve Him. Watch for the signs: when the heavenly light descends from above, hasten to His altars and make your offering, so that He may bless you with but a taste of His true power. Grand Soul Gems offered to Him will be darkened, and can be used to trap the souls of the unwitting; a feat even the great N'Gasta would marvel at.

Stay faithful to the Order of the Black Worm, and in time your loyalty will be rewarded. Soon, He will return to set the world right in due time, and those who would stand in his way will suffer eternally at his hands, just as those who stood opposed before.

Until that day, you must believe and be patient. Hide in your caves, in your ruined forts, in your secret lairs. Raise your minions, summon your servants, cast your spells. Answer the call of the Order when you are needed. Watch and listen.*

"Mannimarco is a moon, hmm, if only it stated when it appears." Lucius noted.

Lucius picked up the second book, the candlelight dancing behind his focused silver orbs.

"Hmm, 'Where were you when the dragon broke.' An interesting title... I assume it talks of the 'Warp in the West'." Lucius muttered under his breath.

*Mannimarco, God of Worms, the Necromancers:

The Three Thieves of Morrowind could tell you where they were. So could the High King of Alinor, who was the one who broke it in the first place. There are others on this earth that could, too: Ysmir, Pelinal, Arnand the Fox or should I say Arctus? The Last Dwarf would talk, if they would let him. As for myself, I was here and there and here again, like the rest of the mortals during the Dragon Break. How do you think I learned my mystery? Marukh showed us all the glories of the Dawn so that we might learn, simply: as above, so below.*

'What does that even mean?' Lucius thought. 'He was shown something beyond mortal knowledge... and it let him ascend to be a god?' He theorised as he grabbed the third and final text.

Lucius slowly unraveled the fragile scroll before him with the utmost care, and started his read.

'The Lost Prince' He read. 'Written by the God of Worms..." He shuddered.

*When dragons rule the sky once more, and the black hunger returns to its feast. When the last son vanquishes the first. The moon will rise again on the 1st of Sun's wrathful dawn, and the prince will rise up to face the lord of veiled dread.*

Lucius read the page again and again before a light tap hit his shoulder.

"You alright, Lucius? You look like you saw a ghost." Ciri asked, concern swimming in her emerald gaze.

"Yes i'm fine. I was just caught up in reading, haha." he rubbed the back of his head.

"Well... I found out an expert on Elder scrolls lives out in the glaciers behind the college. Coming?" She informed him.

"Yes, let me put these back and i'll join you out front." He replied, quickly closing the book, not before ripping out the page he was reading.

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Next chapter is gonna be a long one split into 2 since it covers a lot of content.

Any guess to the prophecy i made?

Also, some people wanted a picture for the sword so use the image below as a template then add the description to it.

(Image):

Have a good one,

Your "patently evil" Author ;)