The Last Holy-Scale: Book One: Part Seven
What Metal Had Wrought
In the last story, I and the rest of the Inner Roots were given a mission by Semkil to explore a temple just due south of Helstrom. When we got there, it was another Holy-Scale Sanctuary, though we believed it was destroyed. Stands threw a fit like you would not believe and now we are scouring the bowels of this ruin, looking for a way to keep the order alive...
Me and Shavra are wandering a dark hallway, not doing much work though...you can guess what we were doing instead. Jumps and Delaki were sweeping the upper level faster than anyone else, yet can't find anything of use. Rekuuk and Stands however, are seeing a much different Sanctuary than any other they know.
Jumps: (he and Delaki are walking through the upper levels) This looks like an empty corridor.
Delaki: ...I know we shouldn't split up...but I think we should split up.
Jumps: It seems like we should...but.....
Delaki: But what?
Jumps: I don't like the looks of this place, my scales are scratching at my very bones.
When Jumps says that his scales are shaking, it usually predicts that danger is close. With him saying that his scales are scratching at him, it predicts that someone is going to get injured very badly soon. If Jumps says that his horns are aching, it predicts that an assumed enemy is close.
We normally listen to those warnings, but since we're in this old Sanctuary, it seems unlikely that the predictions are needed. Jumps always listens to his signs, and he hasn't died yet, so they have some value in him.
Delaki: Down here? Don't be ridiculous Jumps, this place is still very well built, I don't think it'll crumble at this point in time.
Jumps: Strange how you won't heed my signs, but leave that to yourself. (looks around the area) Look at that room over there. (points to a large metal door, but it's ripped in two) How about we see what that can tell us.
Delaki: Fair enough, let's see, (they walk over to the door)...it's a very thick door, 7 inches of metal by the look of it. How could this kind of structure be ripped open like this?
Jumps: Found something! (holds a small cube lined with red markings)
Delaki: What is it?
Jumps: How should I know? But this thing looks pretty, so I want it, (puts it in his back-sack) What else can we find here?
Delaki: Focus Jumps, this isn't a treasure run, it's a search mission.
Jumps: Right right. But what in particular are we looking for? We don't know exactly what's wrong with our Sanctuary.
Delaki: Hmm, (puts hand on chin) now that you say that...what should we look for.
Jumps: Semkil never gave us a direct objective...normally he would have an "at least" motive if he didn't know the details of a mission.
Delaki: Stands may have been right to get angry.
Jumps: Why say that?
Delaki: (points up one finger) Since we have no idea what we're doing here in the first place, (points up two fingers) and Semkil keeping so many truths from us, (points up three fingers) as well as your senses getting the better of you. This isn't looking good for us right now. Now I'm worried about what'll happen.
Jumps: Hissss (readies both axes)
Delaki: What do you see? (prepares two spells)
Jumps: The walls are opening up and my scales shake.
Delaki: We don't know what to expect, be ready.
There's a small circle on the wall to their right and it opened up. Out of it came a spider, not like any we've seen before. It wasn't small, this thing was half the size of Delaki...and it was made of metal. The creature attacks Jumps first by leaping with all legs outstretched, as if it were going to hug his face. Jumps reacts by thrusting his axe at the spider's belly.
The spider is knocked back, giving enough time for Delaki to shoot an Incinerate spell at it. The flames burst on impact and the upper half of the metal spider is blown clean off. Then a giant explosion of lightning comes out of its body, hitting Jumps and sending him flying at the nearest wall...
Jumps: *in pain* GAAHH!!
Delaki: (runs over to Jumps) JUMPS! (slides down to Jumps then puts his hands on him) Are you alright?!
Jumps: (right hand on chest) *weak* That lightning...nngh...got me good...martyrdom can actually help sometimes...haha
Delaki: Take your hand off your chest.
Jumps: (hand flops to the floor) Is it bad?
Delaki: (jaw drops and cannot utter a single word)
Jumps: Is it that bad? (Delaki sticks his hand through Jumps' chest and knocks on the floor) Well...its that bad.
Delaki: We have to find Rezmor, he's the only one that can heal this!
Jumps: Obviously...now (starting to fade)...get...me.....to him. (faints)
Delaki: (picks up Jumps and hurls him over his shoulder) Let's go buddy, (runs out the room)
Meanwhile, me and Shavra are...well...not doing the mission if you catch my drift. And in a dark corridor with no idea if an enemy might be around or not. Geez...we were stupid back then, anyways, during this "excursion", I was carrying Shavra, by the legs and making out. You can picture that well enough I trust.
In the middle of this I accidentally bumped her her tail into a wall, she squeaked a bit, I said, "How cute." Then she preceded to bite my finger, I said Ow in a high-pitched voice and she said, "How cute," then began to suck on my finger. When she started I heard the creaking of metal as well as blowing winds.
We stopped immediately and stood ready to see what the noise came from. Shavra took out her Shadow Dagger, which is used to weaken the enemy's attacking power, and disappeared into the shadows. I took out Dread Fate and Tekratan, and tried to look further into the steam.
Out of that steam came a colossal man, made of metal and was walking kinda funny, strutted to my position. I charged at the thing only to see its mouth open suddenly, then steam erupted from its maw and came soaring at me. I raised Tekratan and tried to block, but this was steam...hot steam, and the heat was enough to make me drop my shield.
Then Shavra leaped from the shadows and struck the giant with her dagger, it didn't even pierce the hull of that monster. The blade bounced off and Shavra staggered, the colossus then swung its right arm, which was a hammer and slammed her back into the steam, out of my sight.
I let out a rage cry and picked Tekratan back up and charged at my enemy. I was close enough for the steam breath to be obsolete. I struck the man with Dread Fate to a small pole where his waist would be. It looked feeble to hold up that much weight. The pole bent and the metal giant was now top-heavy, and he fell forward, I got out of the way.
But as soon as I did, the thing spun around without using its legs on a pivot and took its left hand, an axe, and sliced me down from my right shoulder to my left nipple. If I had I not had on armor, I'd've been cleaved in two. I was knocked back and the metal guy fell face-first, I had the upper advantage to kill the thing, but I went into the steam to find Shavra.
She was inside, but she was badly injured, broken to say the least. She wheezed out to me, "That brazen asshole," she coughed up blood, "I shouldn't have been hit like that...I was sloppy." Then I sat her up and said, "We didn't know what to expect Shavra, just be glad it didn't take you out with its left arm, or this would be alot worse."
I then focused my Restoration energy and put a ball of creamy-orange light in my hands and phased the mass inside her body. The sound of bones snapping back into place echoed throughout the hall. Afterwards, I then went back to the metal giant to finish it off. When I got there, it was standing up again and hanging onto the ceiling with its left arm by piercing it.
I immediately raised Tekratan, then the monster fired its steam again, this time, I didn't drop my shield. The steam was less hot, and not as powerful, so I charged at it through the steam, and struck its waist-pole again, this time, it broke in two and the top half fell from the ceiling and hit the ground with a huge CRASH.
It was still moving after falling so I looked at the large glowing red orb in its chest, so I smashed that with Dread Fate and it shattered, causing the metal giant's eyes to shut. I let out a sigh of relief and walked back to Shavra to see if she healed. When I was close to the steam, she emerged from it happy as ever.
"Nice work," she said, "I'd've needed more time to analyze that thing than you." After all the thanks and catching our breath, we walk up to the scrap and look at it in more detail...
Rezmor: (analyzing the metal)...hold on...is this?
Shavra: Do you know this kind of monster?
Rezmor: Not a monster, but a machine. This is made of Dwarven Metal, a kind of metal completely synthesized by the Dwemer. My father was a weaponsmith, so he showed me all sorts of weapons while I was young. One in particular was a Dwarven Battleaxe, which is what this things left arm is.
Shavra: Impressive, but that means that this Sanctuary was built over a Dwemer ruin!
Rezmor: I'm surprised too Shavra, but of all kinds of ruins...it had to be Dwemer. How did the Holy-Scales of old ever survive with these machinations running about?
Shavra: I couldn't say, but we need to get back to the Inner Sanctum and tell everyone what we just found.
Rezmor: Agreed. (they dash out of the hall)
Stands and Rekuuk are exploring the lower levels of the Sanctum, and Stands, being old, is making the progress too slow for Rekuuk's liking. They're walking a narrow corridor, strong with the smell of smoke and metal. Rekuuk feels at peace, but Stands is less than so...
Stands: (while walking) What say you Rekuuk?
Rekuuk: About what?
Stands: About this mission.
Rekuuk: My true thoughts?
Stands: Why would I ask different?
Rekuuk: So be it. I think this won't help at all...it's a waste of time to me.
Stands: Why do you think so crudely on this?
Rekuuk: What good is a run-down Sanctuary gonna do for us, huh? What has come is now gone...especially if it happened in the last Era.
Stands: That is but insolent talk Rekuuk! You've benefitted from things that "came" take Gavarik for example.
Rekuuk: That's very different!?
Stands: How?
Rekuuk: *stuttering* I...uh...well...it' because Gavarik-
Stands: Has come and gone...you need to learn that not everything in present is the most important. Ironic for you saying how your ancestry is what made you so.
Rekuuk: ...I've no words to say...(sees a big bronze door at the end) what is that?
Stands: A door no doubt, but it doesn't look like it is of Argonian craft.
The door was about 7 feet wide, 7 feet tall, not a double door, and it had strange, sharp-lined inscriptions. The door was made entirely of metal and seemed it weighed a ton or more. Beyond it, one would hear what would be thought a rushing river
Rekuuk: It seems hard to open, look around for something that could open it. (turns around and his bucklers begin to shine) Huh? (takes his bucklers out) they glow...with similar inscriptions on the door. Stands, what do you make of this?
Stands: That those are they key?
Rekuuk: If so, how do I use them? I don't see a keyhole.
Stands: Let's see if this door has one first.
Rekuuk: No I looked, no keyhole.
Stands: I don't know why I'm saying this...but...do what you do best Rekuuk.
Rekuuk: (smiles) Hmhm, now that, I know how to do. (he bashes the door with both of his bucklers)
Metallic Voice: Sign Recognition...confirmed. (a wide beam of light comes out of the door and slowly moves down)
Rekuuk: What is that? (readies a battle stance)
Stands: Wait Rekuuk! Stay still! (Rekuuk freezes in place)
Rekuuk: Why!? (light goes over Rekuuk, as if scanning him) I-I don't get it. What is this sorcery?
Metallic Voice: Scan result...Smashes-all-Bones. Welcome back Head Bulwark.
Rekuuk: *incredibly confused* Huuuh?
Metallic Voice: It's been...256 years since last you entered the armory my lord, where have you been?
Rekuuk: Away I guess...
Metallic Voice: Fair enough...who is this stranger you've brought to the Sanctuary?
Stands: *silently to Rekuuk* Was Gavarik one of the first Holy-Scales?
Rekuuk: Maybe, I don't know that.
Metallic Voice: Master Gavarik is Smashes' grandson...are you him?
Rekuuk: Yes I am.
Metallic Voice: Forgive me sir. You've grown quite a bit since last I saw you. You were but a mere hatchling.
Rekuuk: Cute, can we enter the armory?
Metallic Voice: First, you must tell me who this stranger is.
Rekuuk: This is the newest member, Keejan.
Metallic Voice: His blood hasn't been added to my database.
Rekuuk: He's brand new.
Metallic Voice: Alright then, shall we take the blood now?
Rekuuk: Yes please.
Stands: Are you mad man!? I'm not giving my blood to this thing!
Metallic Voice: Would you want to be impaled by 36 spears?
Stands: *confidently* What do we do next?
Metallic Voice: Hold out your arm. (Stands holds out his arm) Preparing blood extraction. (a small, hollow rod comes out of the door and latches onto Stands' arm)
Stands: Is this safe?
Metallic Voice: Perfectly (a sharp rod inside the current rod pierces Stands' arm and begins to draw blood via. vacuum)
Stands: Gah! It doesn't feel that way!
Metallic Voice: Suck it up old one.
Stands: How can you tell I'm old.
Metallic Voice: Your blood.
Stands: Of course.
Rekuuk: How you holdin' up there Keejan?
Stands: I'm gonna strike you.
Metallic Voice: Blood extraction complete, (rod goes back in the door) now you may enter the armory. (the door slides up, very, very loudly, but slow)
Stands: (covering his ears) Kaoc'! This noise!
Rekuuk: (not covering his ears) Loud, yes. Hurtful, no.
Stands: I'm old you mud-brain, remember that?
Rekuuk: So what, you're a Holy-Scale, you can handle worse.
Stands: Forget the pain, the door is open. (they walk in)
When Rekuuk and Stands walk in the armory, it is truly a sight to behold. Whatever the armory was built with, it preserved it very well. The entire room is clad in bronze-like walls and weapons line the floors, and it seem this room has never been unattended. Pipes run along the ceiling and it's clear what this place is...
Rekuuk: Stands...is this a-
Stands: A Dwarven Ruin...simply amazing! I've never seen one with my eyes before. I'd love to observe this place in detail.
Rekuuk: You do that, but in a few minutes we'll head back to the Inner Sanctum.
Stands: Understood (begins to frolic through the room looking at all aspects of Dwemer culture)
Rekuuk: Old stories and advanced weaponry, but no gods to look up to...is this what metal had wrought for these people.
Within a few minutes of searching the room, Rekuuk decides it's time to leave, and they do. The metallic voice didn't speak as they left the armory, but they walked as they would back to the Inner Sanctum. We are all almost in the Inner Sanctum by now, Shavra is the first to enter.
Delaki came into sight next, Shavra saw that he was carrying Jumps and immediately called out for me. I was trailing behind Shavra about a few...yards. When I heard my name I sped up my pace and entered the room third, exhausted from running so fast.
Shavra said as I put my hands on my knees, "Suck it up Rezmor! Jumps is in bad shape!" I put my head up quickly to look for Jumps, and sure enough Delaki decided to throw him off the upper ledge, thinking I would catch him. I did, but...what if I didn't you know?
When I caught him I saw the gaping hole in his chest and asked Delaki what had happened, all he said was, "A lightning explosion! Something attacked us and when we killed it, it freakin' exploded!" I heard what I needed to and set Jumps on the floor.
I began to incant, in Jel and some normal tongue, a spell to heal massive wounds like this. "Xalta, grant me the power to restore what has been lost, to let me seif the kijeke that plagues my brother...in the name of Seth, in the name of the Sax, and in the name of the Xal-Eix (Holy-Scales), I need healing!"
Then my hands began to light up with Restoration magic, I put my hands over the hole in Jumps' chest and immediately his flesh, sinew, and bone alike began to regenerate right before everyone's eyes. It sounded nasty, all the snapping and squishing of flesh being pulled back together.
In about ten minutes, the wound had completely healed up, and Jumps' breathing was steady, he would live! Shavra hugged me and Delaki patted my back. But to heal as much as I did, it put a great deal of stress on my body and I collapsed. Shavra caught me and then Rekuuk and Stands walked in finally.
Rekuuk rushed to my aid and Stands walked as fast as he could to the others. Rekuuk asked what had happened, then they exchanged stories on everything that had transpired over the past hour. Stands was well angry, but not enough to go into a rage, he knew I used too much Magicka to heal Jumps, so he restored all of my lost energy.
We discussed all of our happenings further and decided to head down to the armory first. We sat down, ate, and did all things restful before heading down to the armory, when we all started to walk down we heard...
Semkil: You shouldn't go down there as ignorant of this place as you are.
Everyone turned around and Stands began to rage again, Delaki and I were ready this time, but when the magic began to swirl, Semkil dispelled it with a wave of his hand. "We've no time for anger Stands," he started, "I only ask that you hear me out." Stands said angrily, "Fine...but you'd best give me a good reason not to turn you inside out."
Semkil walked toward us, and it was clearer to see him, he was clad in his old armor. It was funny looking, he was so scrawny and the armor was far too big for Semkil to wear. Me and Rekuuk laughed at the sight, and Semkil paid no mind to the laughter. The rest of us shut up and walked closer to our Hist Master.
He stood before us all and said, "My Inner Roots," he placed a hand over his eyes, stuck his arm out to us as a beggar would, "I'm so sorry for all I've done, can you ever forgive my transgressions against the Xal-Eix." Stands was the first to confront Semkil, he raised his hands, as if to punch the elder one. Semkil braced himself, only to feel soft hand on his shoulder.
Semkil opened his eyes and saw that Stands had a smile on his face. Semkil couldn't help but smile as well, the two dusty-scaled geezers hugged it out, and Rekuuk may have cried...he never admitted to it. Stands asked Semkil why we shouldn't go down to the armory.
All Semkil did was walk away, so we followed him and he led us to the Sun-Hist at the center and he touched it. That Sun-Hist crumbled to ash and the falling dust left us all coughing like crazy. We asked what that was all about, but Semkil was ignoring us and sifting through the ashes.
Underneath all of the ash was a Hiding Door, but it was several times bigger than any other Hiding Door we've seen. Semkil said, "I need four skilled mages to unlock this door," he prepared an Illusion spell of great magnitude, "the rest of the magic we need is Destruction, Alteration, and Restoration."
Me, Stands, and Delaki all covered ourselves in our respective magic classes and stood over the dents Semkil told us to. I was in the middle of four dents, so that meant we needed a fifth mage. "Conjuration is the fifth key," Semkil said, "Shavra dear, will you reach into my satchel and get the black crystal please."
Shavra got the crystal, indeed, it was black, but it had a very sinister mien to it. Semkil said, "Place it on the fifth dent." and so she did. The split second that thing hit the dent, all of our magic, and the crystal's, erupted from our bodies and the door was slowly opening as a result.
The door opened up a huge stairwell of which it's pretty obvious we have to go down it. Semkil said these last words before we headed down, "Metal has reinforced the Holy-Scales of old...so when we depart, have your weapons ready, we won't be coming back up for a while." Then we walked down the stairs and the door shut over our head with a loud SLAM!
To Be Continued...
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