Addicts and a Poisoner

The two boys came back not to long after I was getting started. Already had the basic layout of how I would do this. In most forms of enchantment for Tamriel it was by imbuing the spell circle into the weapon with a Soul Gem used to fuel the process. An enchantment table helped this process by creating the space for the enchantment to flow into the weapon. 

For the case of Dawn/Duskfang this was not the case. From studying the weapon I found it was more like two parts. The blade was one part acting as a conduit for the second part. The gem acted as the second part to the enchantments. By doing this the Akaviri had successfully channeled the energy of the source of the enchantments. 

My goal was to remove the source, the gem, and have it act as the new source to the gun. But that would just make another Dawn/Duskfang. So by using the metal of the Akaviri sword and a sword of order, I could potentially create something that can channel the weapon. Corrupted order, being madness and the Akaviri sword would allow for the weapon to channel the energies of the gem.

So I was going to make a barrel with the order metal. The shell around the barrel would be the Akaviri Sword. This can be done in the style of reliefs so as to make it look better. The actual barrel would be hand engraved with various spells. But I do not need to put that many.

This is where Sheogorath comes in. Due to his sphere of influence he has a vast majority of Mages who have gone mad. This weapon just needs to show it. So by imbuing the concept of this, Those spell circles may become "Malleable". Thus allowing for random spells. 

Though there will need to be a limit, This is so it may have some ease of use in combat. 

Hence where order metal really comes in handy. By choosing to instead use raw runes for the spells i can potentially limit them towards damage "Bullet" spells. Though a healing spell will be added, fully engraved, for the giggles. FOR THE MEMES!

So the others discussed around me the two tasks they would have to undergo for the Duke and Duchess. While I continued to draw out the different parts of the design. It was reminiscent of Lumina form the destiny game. Only where the bullets would go was the Dawn/Dusk gem. The reliefs were made of the silvery Akaviri steel. The Order metal would probably be colored black in the end by the corrupted version.

Shirou asking over my shoulder said, "So what is this supposed to be?"

In my focused state I replied cheerfully saying, "Sheogorath's new Dedric Artifact he will be creating after I make the base for it. It will be great! Random spells as bullets! And a healing spell in here too! just need to figure out how to adjust the spells so they could maybe be stronger than the originals. Maybe, Cocking the hammer? might be a nice touch..."

My murmurings at the end stopped most of the conversations as they all looked at me.

Pausing in those musings I looked up to see them looking at me with odd looks on their faces. holding up a palm I said, "I know what you are thinking... To a degree I was always this way. Now one of my favorite ideas, ever! Is this close to being made a thing... yes I am a bit crazy about it. Sanity is for the traditional sort." waving my hand slightly at the end.

That got a chuckle out of Granny. She pulled the blueprints from the table and began to check them out. I was fine with it since Dawn/Duskfang was hers after all.

"Looks good, While I don't know if it would truly work like you wish how do you plan to fight with the thing if so." Looking over the blueprint at me.

"Seer's intuition, As I'm growing in strength from both of my pathways and my soul becomes stronger I could use this to predict part of the weapon. It wouldn't be possible to use it all the time, because Sheogorath, But a few well placed shots are better off anyways." 

"Fine, I'll help you with the weapon while these boys do their tasks. Is there anything stopping Shirou from completing one task while Throgor does the other?" questioning me. 

"For now no, After this though it will need to be him." A straightforward answer from me was all she needed.

"Sigh, That is what I expected. Fine... Shirou probably has the best chance at completing Duke Thadon's quest. That substance being highly addictive is not for the weak of heart. Throgor will do the same for the Duchess. Finding a traitor within the city shouldn't be hard, just tedious. Set off tomorrow for that. Remember you must also share your experiences with each other. Both myself and Azarius it seems do not need a reminder of what this realm really is."

Giving me a pointed look as she said so. Though she was right. A bit of madness or even just the tiny bit of crazy can lead to a spark of genius. Or your downfall.

To deny something that makes the world change, and to destroy the personification of it just the same. It goes against the very nature of Mundus.

In all the same vein it is just like how Sheogorath gets his victims. He doesn't lure you with false promises, much. He doesn't torture you into insanity, at least not before you are. No, He waits for you, walks right beside you the entire way. He is just there, always present. 

Just have to ask yourself how much have you let him in.

When night rolled around I was greeted to my lovable idiot of a hat. Even if I was on the receiving end of shocks he was still, admittedly, cool. Still an Asshole though.

Got the news that due to my little show for all of Mundus I was able to advance. But with a caveat. My body wasn't used to the sequence yet. So until I was comfortable and the changes settled I wasn't able to advance. At least for now.

So katas were in store for me as well as sparing. Could probably have some of the Saints and Seducers help me out. When I am fully adapted to the Clown sequence I would be able to advance to Magician.

A good nights rest in the darkness allowed me to get a feeling for my new affinity. Being the son of Nocturnal did come with advantages after all. While I myself couldn't use shadow magic alone, I was never alone anymore. 

Azazel now acted as an in between for me. A conduit for shadow manipulation. He could in theory act as a staff for the shadow magic. My title allowed me to better understand what I was doing, while Azazel allowed me to do it.

With my bond I was able to "understand" him. But he barely understood the world so we would be needing to learn ourselves. Him to speak, and me from my mother. 

The following morning had everyone off to do their tasks. Myself enjoying Mother's presence for a bit before going off to the Skooma cat to dismantle the sword. Granny was off to the blacksmiths of New Sheoth to make the Order ingots. The boys off to their quests. 

Though, I will say, Sheogorath ripping the gem out of the blade was a sight to see. With no Akaviri seal on the gem that was engraved on the blade he wrestled with the souls of the weakened dragons and made the gem again. Now it was a purple color, as he said it, "Fits my Aesthetics". 

This also made it to where the prison, now held the twin dragons at once. So they also calmed down, slightly. Turns out they just needed to be beaten into submission. 

The next few days went by as the boys did their tasks. Throgor originally tried to do things peacefully, Tried. Dementia was a place full of demented psychos who had no trouble with the normal intimidations. Using his wit and a bit of torture he found his culprit.

His culprit of the poisoning attempt was an Altimer named Muurine. She was put to death in front of him.

Shirou found out just what kind of crazy Mania can offer. The drug bend he went on led him to a slaughter fest in the depths of the roots of the Shivering Isles. He may have been more resistant but greenmote was relentless. 

The ever-present high distracted him, but he found a different side of himself as well in the process. 

The need for greenmote makes one greedy for the next dose, fighting this urge and continuing forward allowed him to see, for his own sake, his sense of will. As a heroic sprit it was always the duty first and the atrocities he committed as a counter guardian hardened his heart. 

His time in this world allowed him to think and set upon a new path. His quest showed him he still had the will to continue said path.

As he walked the depths he did kill the ones top far gone, But with the chalice in hand he saved those who didn't strike him. Saving them from themselves and ridding their addictions. 

"Save what's in front of you, if you can. If you can't, build yourself to be better so the next time you can."

Words he would try to live by now, with exceptions. Because he did not want to lose the new loved ones he just got. 

By the end of the week; with a fair bit of magic to shape the metals in their respective shapes, not to mention the smiths and their own curiosity for the craft helping shape them. We got everything ready. It was time to put together a new masterpiece. 

A weapon that I would hope to carry to eternity.

We relocated to a newly built room in the castle. Situated on the borderline of the realm and located behind the font of madness. A forge was placed inside briefly to allow us to work. Sheogorath was all for this, at least temporarily. 

Heating the various pieces of the Akaviri reliefs to harden them for the coming magics. The Runes flickering in the waves of the flames. Sheogorath held the gem of the twins, watching from the side. Haskell stood next to him.

Letting the different pieces cool down naturally I began to assemble the more intricate parts. The base of Order metal looked similar to Rose only smaller. Not quite the hand cannon size at least. The coup de grace was what I devised as a way to enhance the shots when the hammer was pulled. 

Pop quiz, What metal allows Magicka to flow into it and enhances the charge? Ebony!

Next question, What could possibly be used to allow a built up charge stored into the ebony to flow into the crystal with dragons inside? Don't know? Neither did I!

So a funny coincidence of me experimenting led to Mother walking in. Seeing what i was doing she offered her advice. Turns out shadows was the answer. Since they carried "possibility" they could act as a conductor. So now as the receptacle that was to hold the Dawn/Dusk stone in place was metal from the Ebonmere. The same material of Shadowrend, which was somewhere in this realm.

When the relief pieces cooled down they were layered into place with magic to bind them. Granny taking quite a bit of joy in using master level magics in front of me. My jealousy at the act was almost hidden by my control. Almost.

And with everything assembled the weapon was ready for the final touch. To first see if the weapon would work, without Sheogorath. Sitting at the workbench in a stool raised for myself I reached a hand over to the Mad God. After placing it he shifted into the Skooma Cat and rested on my shoulder to watch.

Slotting the purple stone in place lit all of the enchantments along the weapon. The Dragons desire to shout echoing around and through me. I could feel them now. They know not their names anymore, but their strength never waned in their prison.

I stood up from the table and walked to the side. Taking a firing position, I fired the weapon ahead of me into the wall. A burst of fire and ice in the shape of a bullet escaped and cracked the wall ahead. 

The first test showed that while the weapon may fire, The dragons held priority. Consecutive tests showed similar results. In other words, without the last piece it was only fire and ice.

So with a flip from my shoulder Sheogorath changed back into his human form. 

"Ahh, such a truly lovely weapon. A perfect! Receptacle for my power... You have done well, Know this. You have done a service few in all of Mundus have accomplished."

As he held out his hand, I passed the gun to him. He began walking out so we all followed him. His destination? The Font of Madness.

"A true weapon to embody that of Sheogorath. But it needs a name. Azarius, Lord of Mysteries. I ask you... What shall be it's name."

A smile graced my face. This... This was the first time he ever said my name.

Summoning Arrodes and placing him on my head I looked into the Mad God's cat like eyes. "Amentia" The word flowing from my lips. Magicka swirling in recognition of the authority I was using. I may not control them, But they are mine.

A mad grin on his face. He dipped the weapon into the Font. The madness ripped into the weapon tearing into all except the gem. The bluish silver of the order metal was now blackened. The Silvery reliefs were made into a light purplish color. The shadowy metal of the housing now carried red streaks throughout it.

Drawing the weapon he spun it around in his hand like a trained gun slinger. 

"Ahh... Amentia, a beautiful name for such an, elegant weapon. I look forward to what they shall do." Aiming the weapon to the celling of the throne room he fired the first shot. And in all his luck, A luck of a Mad God... He fired a healing spell.

"pff, hehe HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA hah PERFECT! Such a lovely beginning." Continuing to randomly fire into the celling. Random spells fired. Shocks, Firebolts, Ice Spears, Combinations of them. Even a few healings thrown into the mix as well. 

"Sigh, Thank you for this." Finally turning to us. "Mortals, you have done a service to this Prince. Rewards shall be given! No takes backs either."

Flipping the gun he held the weapon by it's barrel. Slowly leveling the weapon he held it out to me. 

"Amentia, is yours. May they serve you well. Oh, and be mindful. They do seem a tad... bloodthirsty."

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Pull! Wait! Were out of Stones?

Well then, what are we going to shoot at!?

Donate to the Mad God's fun!

AN:// The weapon has been a brainchild since the beginning. I always loved the gun from LOM that acted like a minigun with random shots. (fight Kline takes part in against an Arbiter pathway demigod.) 

Buuutttttt! I needed one lore friendly. So the Dedric Artifact Amentia was born. A Latin word for Madness, among some others. (did you know dementia was Latin?) A true partner for our boy!

To note, His time on Mundus is really to prepare him for his travels to other places. Threats to normal people probably wouldn't match up. So we aiming for demigod lv before travels. Also his body is 8, He won't travel to other worlds till he is at least 16.

Gives a bit of a timeline. 

Love you guys!

Peace :)