Adventures of a Sword (part 2)

{Hammerfel, 4th Era, Year 10 - Year 42}

[Pov Shirou]

Many years have gone by. Each day that went by I had thoughts of those of the past. My existence was another point of contention in my mind. With a new body I had learned to grow past my limits of the past. To grow my own power like never before. 

This world, similar to an age of gods from my original, was both thriving and adverse in the same moment. 

A blink and I was missing years as they passed by. My legend in my saint graph was growing as time moved forward. 

Most notable of the events was around 10 years ago. Or was it 15? Arcmage Viola sent a message through Nocturnal to me. She was nearing the end of her life. It wasn't necessary to morn her though. 

But she needed my assistance. For the Nord people, to enter their version of Valhalla... They must fall in battle. Sovngarde they called it here. She asked me to be the one to send her there. 

It was a tough decision to make at first. When we met I knew I couldn't change her mind. So I agreed. We held our duel in the Alik'r Desert. To limit the destruction of course. 

To facilitate the battle she called upon the divines to allow her this last battle. Akatosh granted her request, turning back time for her to the day of Sheogorath's Coronation. 

The duel started tame. As users of wind we competed in such magics. My time in the desert allowed me to truly comprehend just what I could do with this world's Magicka. With no need for mysteries to be associated with their magics only the comprehension of runes and the world were needed to thrive. 

And so I did. But Viola was just another class of monster this world created. Her winds would tear through mine. So began the next phase of our battle. The ageing Mage was strong. So I began using my magecraft. 

Swords littered the desert surrounding us, She deflected, bombarded, even redirected my swords back at me. So I moved to close quarters, our sparing so far tame at least for us. 

Then came the real heavy stuff as I began to layer my magecraft with my spells. My sword at my side as we continued our fight. She held her own in close combat, her staff wielded with finesse of a master.

Spells intertwined with attacks. Alterations of the world to attack me at odd angles. And the winds as she moved through the air as if it were just another part of the ground. 

It was freeing to fight like this. With no restraints I mean. Many years of easy targets made me rusty. To fight a worthy opponent after so long allowed me to see my flaws. She was still a teacher to her last day on Nirn.

To end the fight, she decided to use a final move. She knew... she would die when she used it. It was to spare me i see in hindsight. But I witnessed that day a spell of a mage that would put Medea in her place.

It was a joke spell Azarius mentioned to her long ago now. But she took it seriously. The world of Nirn felt the impact. Ascension Step remade that part of the Alik'r that day.

The first step still allowed me to move, my strength allowed me that privilege. Her second step I had to bring out Rho Aias to defend the crushing pressures of the wind. The third made me even reinforce my shield. 

The third step brought me to my knees as My shield cracked. The sand around me flattened as only my little hill was standing in the desert. 

The forth was her last step. I was defeated in that moment, I knew it and she did too. Rho Aias collapsed and I was flattened to the ground. The only reason I was alive was due to my body's natural defenses. 

Her spell faltered finally after that last step. She stepped onto the flattened sand that resembled flats now. Reaching me as I turned over. I had blood coming from just about every surface of my body now as well.

She knelt down next to me. Dropped a book on me that caused me to spasm in pain. Still sadistic even now!

"Good luck Shirou, I know your journey wasn't the easiest. But take pride in what you have accomplished so far. And always keep moving forward."

She passed as she sat there, in peace. It took some time before I could move and use the restoration magics to be able to operate. When I was finally able to I asked for assistance to be able to bring her to her home. 

Nocturnal even graciously told me of her ascension to Sovngarde. Her rights to challenge the hallowed mead halls of Shor being a long list of her accomplishments. 

As the years went by more and more succumbed to time, but a few chose new routes. The young Dragonborn Nemi had asked to be turned in her 20s. It was a large argument even I was recalled from my stumbling in the desert from.

Nocturnal herself intervened as she saw how her son cared for the young woman when she was a child. She didn't want the fate of her being sired to Mollag Bal. So Nocturnal turned to another Prince of whom she was making allies with.

The Dedric Prince Sanguine was overjoyed at the prospect. Not only for bragging rights as he said at first but, and I quote, "Anytime I can stick it to Mollag Bal, I am all for it!"

So she became the first Blood Vampire in Centuries. A new line of which Mollag Bal chose to attempt to intrude upon. Sadly for him a lot of his influence among the Vampires waned immensely when I began hunting them.

My break from the desert was a tithe of bloodshed against the beings. They were no Dead Apostles after all.

When It became known among the Vampire communities that the Ghost of the Ansei was hunting those who came after Sanguine's Chosen, they were quick to back off. The whole ordeal was kept even from the regular mortals, less they defame their patron even more. 

Nemi was happy with her choice and came to see Sanguine as a patron, Though she kept herself from his more indulgent side of his sphere of influence. I would even get visits from her from time to time in the desert. 

With time I began to hear a lot of news coming from the travelers of the desert. In an Island called Stros M'kai A large number of refugees from the Summerset Isles were camping out. They had fled the Thalmor as political asylum seekers.

Deciding that I could take a break from my digging the tombs of the old saints, I journey across the seas. My look was well known by the people as the stories spread far and wide. 

I found no issues with the local Redguard when seeking passage to the Island.

Upon my arrival which I had asked the captain to keep silent about, I investigated the extremely large refugee camp outside the city. It was as if another city was being built just outside of the old one. 

Tens of thousands of Altimer were arranged in tent cities outside. Blending in and walking among them, the citizens were the decent sort. Crime was low for what this amount of people would normally bring. 

And any of them who did resort to that quickly realized that was a problem. Most of the older Altimer were decent mages. They were no Masters but they could hold their own. 

Sadly I was also able to detect a large number of dissidents or saboteurs. They were against refugees attempt of fleeing the Thalmor. With only a few days of my arrival I was able to sniff out a plot against them.

When I arrived at the Imperial Embassy in Port Hunding, I was called a conspiracist. The legionnaires believe me touched by Sheogorath, for even believing in that nonsense. 

Frustrated with the Legion I turned to the Redguard presence in the Port. As soon as I revealed myself to them they sought to help me immediately. It wasn't long until their agents discovered missives and bribes in the right places. 

I myself was looking all around the Island until I found them. A hidden cove off the coast on an Island a little from Stros M'kai. A very large group of armed and dangerous Altimer were amassed. 

Then I discovered their plot, Alchemical Fire. Through the use of Alchemy they created fire bombs that would stay alight for nights on end. Secret meetings held in their tents were eavesdropped by my astral form. They never could know I was there as none were strong enough to feel my presence.

What I learned was they were using the dissidents to smuggle the bottles of Alchemical fire in the tent cities and planting them. And I was abhorred by their disregard for even those that helped them. To them It was all for Aldimeri Dominion, No sacrifice was too great for these zealots. 

When I made my way back to the tent cities I had the Redguards arrange a secret meeting with the leaders of the Altimer people.

At the time of the meeting I was already inside the tent for hours as I deastralized right inside the tent. The old Altimer in charge looked to me and said, "The Ghost of the Ansei... It is an honor to meet you. I wish this were in more favorable conditions."

I nodded in respect for him, while the other Mer were in a fuss over my appearance, he sensed me, He was strong. 

"Elmorow Gannar, did I correctly pronounce that?" I asked. He was cordial with me so I would respect that.

"Your pronunciation is correct, I would hope friend would be an applicable term. Few know just what it means to be hunted by the Ghost after all."

"I come in peace, you can rest assured. I had heard news of your refugee camps and decided to investigate on my own accord. What I found though is an appalling disaster that has yet to come."

He sat down at the table in the center of the tent at my words. Placing his elbows on the table he joined his hands and stared at me just above his hands. 

"Then please Sir, sit and we may speak plainly."

Nodding to him I sat and said, "The Thalmor plan to burn your refugees to ash within the next coming days. I was unable to determine when they would attack but stray elements of your camps are currently attempting to smuggle the substance into your camps as we speak. It has been an ongoing thing for weeks at least."

The news startled the others in the tent. The old man kept his wits about him though. "Have you identified any of these rouge elements?"

Nodding to him I pulled a list from my Marble. The phantasm had changed much in all these years. I even had residents inside as a I had taken in the Redguards who went against the traditions to keep their people safe. Those who slayed the undead. 

To help myself to keep my humanity, they were instrumental. Their drive to protect their loved ones even if they were shunned by those same people. Their religion prohibits the desecration of the dead even if they are paraded around by necromancers. 

The list, a packet of several pages, held many names and even tent numbers at first. Further down was the list of all known locations of the Alchemical bombs. 

The Mer almost turned white as he continued to read further. With shaky hands he lowered the list. 

Credit where it was due, the old Mer took a deep breath and with steel in his eyes he looked at me. I knew what he wanted, no words were needed. I simply reached my hand across the table in an open gesture. 

He grasped my hand with no hesitation, lives were on the line and we would see them protected. 

The Redguards loyal to what I represented became included in our following plans. The corrupted legion was left out due to obvious reasons. Three nights later we struck. Hard and fast the loyalists and the disciplinary mages loyal to Elmorow and their cause. I myself chose a high ridge and true to my legend, sent copies of swords of the old Ansei to eliminate any major threats to the squads. 

The Thalmor got wind of our attacks quickly though. They mounted a quick offense using teleportation glyphs situated around the areas. Which was illegal as it turns out. Before they could enact their plans though I was ready. As I watched their spells fly in the night sky I readied myself. 

Taking a deep breath as Magicka flowed into my Circuits. The ease by which they flowed was always a welcomed change with my body. All felt it when I released my tight hold on the power I held. 

My Words Echoed in the night air, A Plane Lords Words. My Sword, Kamaitachi held in my grasp as I began. 

"I am the bone of my sword, Rho Aias!"

Under my protection, under my defense, and under my Choice... I will protect them.

My weapon became my shield. Then, the shield stretched far and wide. The pinkish purple surrounded the Tent City of the Refugee district almost instantly. My defense held as the Thalmor continued to attack with no avail. Within a few minutes the fighting inside died down. The old Altimer stood next to me as the agents of the Thalmor continued to attack.

The legion arrived soon but the Thalmor were at ease even in that situation. It wasn't until another group of mages arrived and stole the hundreds of agents before our eyes did the fighting outside die down.

Another old Altimer approached from outside my shield and spoke to me. He wore a Beige robe with red details on it.

"The pact is complete." and he disappeared into a portal summoned by magic as he finished.

I finally relaxed my shield and spoke to Elmorow. "Thank you for believing in me, my friend."

He chuckled and said, "I believed in the stories, my friend. A long time has passes as news of you reached even us in the Isles. The legends of a myth more than man. That he holds honor to all who pass through his desert. A ghost, yes. As he comes and goes. A mage and warrior. He who fought with the Tyrant of the Wind in her final battle." 

I chuckled at the last name. Viola really had too many titles. 

Elmorow also smiled, "Thank you." he said to me. 

It doesn't feel too bad to hear that.

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(Status Time!!! Will include growth statistics from original saint graph // IE: strength: F -> C )

[Shirou Emiya]

//Parameters//

Strength: D -> B+

Endurance: C -> B

Agility: C -> A-

Mana: B -> A

Luck: E -> C

(Note: This is before he becomes a sword saint and goes through with the potion method)

//Magic//

Alteration: Master

Restoration: Advanced 

 Conjuration: Adept

(Note: he only focuses on these schools of magic, hence why the others are unlisted)

//Personal Skills//

Minds Eye (True): An ability honed through one's lifetime that grants a heightened sense for danger and precognition based on an opponents information and surroundings. Is not a result of talent but of OVERWHELMING amounts of hard work and discipline.

Projection Magecraft: Through the use of a particularly unpopular form of magecraft called "Gradation air" recreate the likeness of any object that the user is structurally aware of through the process of reconstructing the elements of the air into the given object.

Trace On: Projection magecraft that has been taken a step further. This particular subset uses the connection to the Reality Marble/ Marble Of Oblivion to project objects the user is structurally aware of. These projections are backed by the senses of the user and contains the information of the object in question (History, creation methods, and combat use) and its use as by previous owners. In the case of Emiya Shirou these objects must have a relation to the concept: [Sword].

Hawkeye: User has increased eyesight and is able to see incredible distances and make out small details in their observations.

Marble of Oblivion: Unlimited Blade Works: The upgraded form of the reality marble formed of the union of the Element and Origin of Emiya Shirou. The new form is a separated plane of reality or a so called a Demi-Plane. This new form was the result of integrating a shard of Oblivion inside the reality marble thus changing the nature to follow in line with other planes of Oblivion in that they reflect their owners and are an extension of their being. The Marble of Oblivion still retains the original use of the reality marble to scan objects related to the concept [Sword] but is enhanced due to the inclusion of the other senses of the user. 

Muramasa's Forge: A sub ability of the Marble of Oblivion, born of the bloodline inherent in the user. The Forge will enhance the reforged weapons and complete a transfer of ownership to the user of the Marble. Weapons can be used to overlay a Trace of a weapon to allow the Traced weapon to reach close to full potential. This method circumvents restrictions of worlds on the user.

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Because Fuck The Thalmor!

something we can all get behind.

AN:// got you my content hungry peeps. A late night chapter of our boy Shirou for you all to wake up to. Hope the status update for Shirou is good enough for the few who were asking. tomorrow the honored one make his entrance to the fray!

Khajiit Has given his wares!