The Intermission

It was a heavy morning for him. What he supposed to do then.

His head has been throbbing since waking up, coupled with extra weight to his chest and he heard a soft breath passing through his furs. The goddess gripped him tightly on the stomach as a baby monkey would to their mothers, with bliss in her face.

How could he not appreciate such scenery, he caressed the reddened cheek and glaring accusingly to the said goddess who hums happily and stirring the pot. Though, it won't stop him to not add another bed.

Leaning in the table, waiting for his o' so beloved goddess blessed him with her cooking. Though the sight of the someone who cooks for him is enough to conquer his stomach and heart, and he certainly didn't regret to add that apron mod.

Don't you expect the Dragonborn combined with a man that has the status of single equal to his age, to have a good repertoire and vast array of skills in cooking?

Better to throw that idea away down the gutter, he thought. All food he ate -he exactly not sure if it can be called food- is just an instant nutrient bar and energy drinks, it tastes shit and buying a microwave meal is just a waste of 10 minutes to eat anyway. Moreover, he didn't really invest in cooking while playing Skyrim either.

Not sure, if sweet rolls and bland variety of stew up to his craving appetite. It's amazing the Dragonborn can stomach those craps in the heat of battle, but the sweet roll is certainly good but too sweet for his tongue. Being a Khajiit didn't rob him away of the sense of his taste, only dulled a bit as now he became very fond into something salty and with a taste of meat.

Not to mention, it also sharpens his bud taste for the alcoholic beverage. He was not sure though since originally cat was supposed to have insensitive bud, barbed and rough tongue, unlike a human. Maybe it's because he was a Cathay-Raht, one of the 17 types of Khajiit morphology. They are the closest to resemble humanoid while still maintaining a beast appearance.

Deciding nothing better to do, he clicked his fingers.

A white portal appeared on the top of the table before it disappeared and leave a bottle on it.

One thing he loved, and thankful enough was the supply amounts of Alcoholic beverages he pilfered throughout his journey in Skyrim. The amount was enough to make a lake of it, and he annually raided every brewery after the beverage respawns in the game.

Though to his amusement, a little furball of white managed to sneak away from the portal and jumped to his lap.

"Fou! Fou!"

"All right Fou what do you want?"

Then Fou nibbled to his fingers, he doubted the Cath-Palug wanted to hurt him, as much it may be a sign of affection.

He then recalled a brush from his gate, and groomed the white soft furball and earned a purr from the Cath-Palug.

"Kyu! Kyu!"

The Khajiit chuckled at Fou requests and trying to reach the sides that haven't been groomed yet.

He can understand somewhat, of what Fou said inferring where the little creature eye looked, subtle body gesture, and his connection between the furball. It was no strange, the Cath-Palug is his familiar after all, even though he still can't reel the fact that it is only some flavor texts a time ago.

The Dragonborn still wonders what the Cath-Palug abilities entail, did Fou had the same capability to transform into Primate murder and committing mass genocide wherever he walks?

He wasn't an exact diehard fan of Type-moon, the only game he ever played was melty blood and it was years ago.

Though he's sure, the divines would have a reason why they chose Fou to guard the gate and act as it's keeper and custodian.

A pool of energy gathered in his other hand, Fou raised his head in curiosity to it.

And then it dissipated away, to the little critter body.

Curious, it absorbs his mana. Then another portal appeared in his hand revealing a blue crystal, or soul gem.

He felt something tugging away, trying to break free and into Fou before the Soul gem crumbled to dust.

"Fou fou!"

"Sure, you're not something of ordinary."

The Cath-palug only let a few mewls, as complaining that it been severely underestimated by its master. 'give me a better one!' or it challenged.

"Later Fou, later, Dro'zah promised."

"Fou."

If the Dragonborn heard right, the Cath-palug feed on humanity's negative emotion, especially envy, regret, and anguish. It makes him wonder if Fou is eager to explore the city and basked in its rampant negative emotion.

A city as big as this, surely there's a ton bundle of problem.

The implication is unnerving as he's not sure if he can control and reel Fou if it decided to go rampage.

Oh well, better to stay on its good side then.

He stopped the grooming session, it's soft enough anyway as the Cath-palug in question started to nod-off on his lap.

He went to grab a glass on the table, pouring it with a bit of Argonian Bloodwine. The taste was rather exotic to him, like drinking diluted blood mixed with wine, and a slight of mud. Maybe that's where the names come from, despite being made with flower seeds and nectars.

Oh, not complaining though, it was softer to his throat than he thought as he took the bottles again, but a slap hit his hand.

"What's that for?"

"No drinking in the morning."

The goddess finished her cooking, as she brought over a pot full of pipping broth. The smell was enough to awake Fou from his slumber, as it jumped to the table.

He grumbled lowly, "Fine, but only after Dro'zah gets another sip."

Ereshkigal who still setting the dishes glared to her partner as a finality.

"No, means no."

"Tch… fine."

He shrugged before sniffing and taking a look at the simmering pot. It consisted of a fragrant scent that entices his already empty stomach, various kinds of vegetables - and the part that he liked, tons of diced beef.

She understands enough that he had an appetite for the size of his figures, and being a cat he is, it's only proper for her to serve him with meat. Although, he can eat anything human deemed edible just fine, hey, she's still worried over his proper diet.

"Oh, Fou didn't notice you there. Here, your portion." She beamed at the sight of the dog-squirrel hybrid and took a handful certain content of the pot, which he cringed internally. Ugh, that's where the best portion of the meat located.

Not intending to lose, he too grabbed a bowl and readily filled it with the soup.

The goddess only sighed softly at her partner and sat, "Sigh, why you're sometimes acting like children. Oh well, at least you also smart enough to take the vegetables."

Yeah, it's because I'm a proper adult, and not certainly looking forward to your preaching. The Khajiit internally said.

Their breakfast was ceremoniously peaceful but sometimes filled with the bickering of the two and mewling of Fou who keep praising the Goddess dishes. Until a knock was to hear from the door.

They tilted their heads at the same time. Wondering who come to visit or dare say intrude in this morning. As their location is actually not something for someone to live, and they certainly didn't have a neighbor.

Only a single person came to mind, and hopefully, It's him and not some unwanted individuals. Oh, the knock should have been the sign, and if it was not, they would break the door instead. They can try, if that's the case, the door was replaced with 4cm thick steel metal imbued with armor enchantment, barrier, and spell ward.

Deciding to not kept their guest waiting, Dro'zah pulled over the door and the same robe of his friends stood on the front.

"Fels, we've been expecting you. Please come in, we've just had breakfast."

The Khajiit welcomed him with open arms and invited the undead to come inside.

The skeleton in robe only stared in distance, like something mesmerized in his orbs of green.

"Fels, what's wrong?"

The Orbs in his socket flickered once more, registering the words and gave a chuckle.

"I'm sorry. It just reminded me, of a time long ago."

There's a tinge of melancholy in his voice. Outliving his friends, and the one he cheered the most while now living as undead for hundreds of years, spending his time in loneliness and in the shadow must take a toll on his psyche. It was a miracle, that the Skeleton stayed sane to this very moment without anything that strong enough to be his pillars.

The Khajiit doubted that the skeleton had anything to live other than finishing his sole purpose all this time.

"Well, remind all you want. And if needed to be, let this occasion be the new one."

"I see. I supposed you're right."

The skeleton stepped in, looking over the room and the decoration that put into.

"It's amazing that you've done all of this only in a few days."

It was totally different than the time he shook hands with the Feline of a man, now, the empty dark room filled with something more than just room. It's home. Like the time when he visited his dear friend a long time ago, stumbling on their annual husband-wife bickering in the morning.

"What can he say, Khajiit has nimble and dexterous fingers you see."

"I can attest to that."

He stared curiously at the ball of light floating in the ceiling, and corner - Before addressing to the one who quietly ate at the table.

"Miss Ereshkigal, Pleasure to see you once again. I hope you don't mind about my intrusion."

He bowed cordially to the goddess.

"It's fine, I don't suppose to know that you can eat right?"

"Haha, while it is true that I can swallow food just fine, it will only tatter the floor in ruin."

"I see, I just don't know what to do with the courtesy with you."

"At least, I can accept the sentiment."

She nodded at the skeleton.

"Oh, well, you can accept this humble Khajiit sentiment." The Khajiit said while motioning his hands toward the bottle and empty glasses on the table.

However, his goddess beat him into it, as she shelved it into under her chair.

"Don't even try. You, sly cat." She hissed toward the Khajiit who clicked his tongue in annoyance. Fels only snorted at the sight of two bickerings.

"I think, it's a proper time to fulfill my role here."

"Oh sure, Fels. Now, what do we need again, oh, materials."

Dro'zah motion Fels to follow him, as they made way to the study room where the Dragonborn already arranged some chest to be filled with the item in his gate.

"Now, what would they need Fels?"

"Food, we've only can purchase preserved food in a large quantity every week. The Xenos also rather fond of articles from the surface, clothing, jewelry, trinkets but that's irrelevant at the moment. And importantly weapon, sadly we can't equip them with proper mean to defend their selves much most of our budget already siphoned to provisions of food."

"Seriously Fels, can Ouranos or Ganesha do something about the former?"

It only deepened the Khajiit frown as the skeleton shake his skull inside the robe.

"Sadly, no. Ouranos didn't have the exact power to siphon some guild funds. And most of our funds also come from the donation of Ganesha stipend."

It's very obvious, the oldest god had sat there for almost a thousand years. And he can't exactly just stand and order his subordinate to buy something lest it attracts the attention of the other god.

It's pitiful, too pitiful as Fels recited that he also sometimes hunted monster for their core to be sold under disguise or selling the magic item he made albeit in low quantity. He can't create those items willingly and expand a great deal of his energy as he exactly not blessed with Falna anymore, with him being as only a living husk of a skeleton.

I've been told that he was once a famous mage even regarded as a wise sage in his time, creating magic items that go down through history. Only to mysteriously vanish, after his god humiliated him in front of everyone.

I supposed I don't have the right to know why he becomes a living husk this day. A time he ought to know later.

"He sees. Dro'zah not exactly had the Valis right now. But he supposed that weapon might be a great idea."

A portal appeared to his hand, and a sheathed sword was then gripped in his hand.

"I should not surprise about your ability from now on. Lest it will cut my life span"

Fels remarked in fascination over the white, heavenly portal earing a grin from the Feline.

"Oh, trust Dro'zah. He had many things hidden away in his toybox, and you'll about to see and you don't have a span anymore ."

And then the Khajiit unsheathed the sword, a red sheen that looked like a wave of flame coated the entire metal. The Khajiit gave it a taste, swinging it around creating a shimmering heat in the air before grunting in satisfaction.

"There's only the finest enchanted armament in Dro'zah armory." He then offered the sword to the Robed skeleton, in a weird-flex of his vast armory in the planar gate.

"This is unseen, how can you enchant a weapon to this degree."

Fels only felt sheer magical energy contained inside the steel, but more controlled like something guiding it, unlike this world enchanted weapon that had fiery and wild energy inside and therefore crumble after few uses due to the burden the metal being pressured into.

"And the best thing is, it won't crumble only need to be recharged."

If he still could breathe, certainly the skeleton would be short of breath in astonishment. The sheer implication. The new enchanting method means a new magical school that -by the indication of the Dragonborn former world- is not tied with Falna system or exclusive to the likes of Spirit.

It was like something started to kindle again deep in recesses of his old bone, something to study for his withering scholar passions.

The Dragonborn in question only chuckled at the gaze his friend gave to the swords.

"Dro'zah suppose he can teach you later, Fels, and keep it if you can."

"It would be much appreciated."

The Khajiit was almost be taken aback, with eagerness in the robed skeleton tone showed that is different from his usual solemn voice. He supposed he will teach him later, giving each other pointer will be the best thing to develop something new.

Though whether the magic system can be applied in this world or not will be for another time and the Dragonborn needs to test whether the Monster core can be used to replace soul gem or not. As they need to finish the business first.

"Sure, sure. Dro'zah suppose you can carry all of this, yeah?"

The Dragonborn motioned towards the heap of weapon that been recalled from the Planar gate. Warhammer, battle axes, longsword, broadsword, rapier, dagger, mace, axes, spear, battle staff. All in pristine condition, nordic tier weapon, sharpened but not enchanted.

He was not sure to give them some enchanted weapon, as the method of recharging is still unknown to them, and may dangerous if not handled carefully. And it gave a good excuse, to visit them at a time anyway.

"Only if it's a chest I can carry. But it will be enough nevertheless, mind if I handpicked it?"

"Oh sure, Dro'zah don't know their specification anyway."

After picking several weapons and arranging it to the chest, Fels's hand moved toward his robes, revealing a scepter and pointed the tips toward the chest. A phenomenon has then happened as the air shimmered in magical energy, before sucking the chest and distorted the air until the chest vanished.

"Intriguing."

"I suppose it is, made with rare crystals that can only be found deep in the 50th floor in the dungeon. It technically shrunk the volume of the object before storing it at the crystal crown."

Fels showed the Dragonborn the crystal that sat at the top of the tip, revealing that the chest indeed was now sitting there.

"However, it needs a certain time of cooldown, lest it will crumble in pressure."

"Dro'zah sees, but that's must worth a fortune to be able to carry a large object with ease."

"Not as versatile as your gate though, it had limited space but indeed people will make a kill once they know what this scepter can do."

The Khajiit only chuckled dryly at the Skeleton remark.

"Maybe Dro'zah will carry the provisions next time, Fels."

"That's a good idea, with you in our circles, hopefully, we'll be able to move a larger quantity of provisions in a short time. And I introduce you to them very soon anyway. You're not sure to not come with me now?"

He shook his head, "Sorry, can't do. Khajiit needs to taste the water. Checking if it's too cold to Khajiit liking."

The skeleton gave a dry remark about him just wanted to kill something in the dungeon, before moving on and out to the main room. Ereshkigal was cleaning the dish, with Fou fallen asleep atop of the bed with his bulging stomach open widely to the air, puffing air and out. The sight was an amusing one, as he can make where the butthole is with the pink X.

"Oh, before that." The Skeleton turned toward his friend. "Almost forgot, this is the deed, map, and keys for your new dwelling above. I have made it sure that it close to the entrance of this sewer."

"Thank you, Fels, I thought it would take much longer." The blond-haired goddess responded, reminding her that Ouranos didn't have much budget to spare. As she didn't hope much being granted with an abode on the surface.

It was ironic really, the goddess of underworld descended down to the realm of mortal, only to live under the ground. She wonders what karma she had done to earn this. Made no mistake, she really appreciated the amount of craftsmanship and effort Dro'zah gave to his hideout, and the one on the surface will be only the facets as she started to grow fond of this hideout anyway.

"Just take it, as our sign of appreciation and investment."

"Nevertheless, thank you, Fels."

"Your welcome. Then, my role here is done, farewells."

With that, the skeleton makes his entry to the exit.

"He supposes it's time for the mighty Dro'zah to do his supposed job."

"And that is?"

The Goddess knows his answers but chose to play along with the feline. Although, her tone is not of amusement.

"Dungeon-diving of course, Finally!"

The Khajiit gave a strong boom as he made a heroic pose. The goddess only scoffed unimpressed and rolled her eyes as she made her way to the wooden pole beside the bookshelves where the Khajiit stored his armor.

"Yes, yes. Come here, let me put your armor."

The Dragonborn complied, stretching his arms as the goddess putting gambeson underneath the chainmail and plate armor.

The goddess made sure not to touch the Khajiit chiseled body, though she found it futile as everything she touches ended up being a bulging mass of firm muscles. The Khajiit could easily give a tree a hug and crush it, with his long arms. She definitely not fond how his snow fluffy fur brushed off against her skin. It was warm, no wonder she wondered off to his chest at night.

"So, Dro'zah is sure you have a lot of things for him."

He knew that the goddess wanted to ask him so many questions. About his origin, the weird magic he displayed, or literally everything about this house. Though, she seems rather not to question those and not forcing him until the time is proper and won't be disturbed.

"You're busy, I can hold that until we've dinner tonight."

It was sweet that the goddess willingly to back down her curiosity, he ought to pay that later he thought.

He lowered his posture, so the goddess can put the helmet and tucked it away to not make it fall off easily. And a furball took its chance to jump to his shoulder.

"Fou, fou!"

"I can't imagine how you can put up with the heat and weigh of that thing."

He shrugged, "Habit, I guess."

"Now, just be home at night. I'll wait."

She softly said.

"You like a mother that just sent her son to war."

"Just shut up, and off with you."

She kicked the Khajiit in the feet, earning a pathetic surprised yelp from the Khajiit. Cursing internally, how she managed to put a shock to his feet despite encased in steel boots.

"Damnit woman, it's steel."

"Hmph."

Then he addressed to the resident that claimed his shoulder as its throne.

"Now, Fou be a good boy and guard our mistress, okay?"

"Fou Fou Fou!"

"Sure, sure, your humble servant will give you a treat after this."

"Fou Foou kyu!"

He sometimes wonders if those cries are actually due to limited vocabularies or intentional. The squirrel-like creature then jumped to the Goddess's shoulder and nestled on it.

"I will go check the new house, and to the market after that."

"Oh sure, guess we can go there together if you like."

"Ehm."

The goddess nodded at the suggestions, as she prepared her cloak and hid away the furball inside it. After exiting the door, the Khajiit waved his hand and spelled an incantation as the door shifted to a stone of wall the same as the rest of the sewer.

"Well, let's go."

The goddess nodded at her partner, as he took the lead to the surface while she followed behind clutching the hem of the now armored Khajiit. While she can see in the dark just fine, being accustomed to the dark environment it would be wise to not part since the area isn't actually safe from anything.

The Knight, the Goddess, and their fluffy companion in tow, with that they took off the surface and began anew their story in another new day.