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Porphyric Hemophilia - The Cure for Nightmares 3

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Aravyn had gathered all five empty Grand Soul gems for the witch, a task that required him to explore various caves, ruins, and mines in order to find them. He traveled back to her house near the Corbolo river, and entered it. When she saw him, she came up to him and greeted him, hopeful.

    "Good to see you again. Did you get the gems?" she inquired.

    "I got them all," he replied, pulling all five of the gems out of his pocket and handing them to her.

    "Ah, wonderful!" She exclaimed as she looked over the glistening jewels. "These will be most useful to me." She set the gems aside on the table before continuing. "Now, as for the matter at hand, you need a cure for vampirism. I believe I can create a potion that will do the trick. However, it requires a few ingredients."

   Oh great, more item finding, Aravyn thought to himself. He was already fairly worn out from battling the various scamps and other monsters that awaited him in the caves which contained the grand soul gems, and he didn't feel like engaging more, even though he knew he had to if he ever wanted to return to normal.

    "To start off, I'll need six clovers of garlic, two shoots of Bloodgrass, and five leaves of Nightshade. These should be easy for you to find. But I'll also need the blood of an Argonian, and the ashes of a powerful vampire. These will be...a bit difficult for you to receive. Any old Argonian will do, but the vampire must be very powerful, no simple novice will suffice. After you get these ingredients, I can make the potion for you." Melisande handed him a dagger.

    "This dagger has been specially treated. Just stab the Argonian you wish, and the blood will collect on it for me to use. Keep in mind that you needn't kill the Argonian, only stab him once to obtain the blood. Remember that stabbing people in public does not sit well in the eyes of the townspeople or guards."

   Well, leaving a bloody Argonian to run about telling the town how a mad Dunmer stabbed him and left him to die would look bad on my assassin reputation. It'd be much easier to find one in an unfortunate situation..or...area, and kill him off there, Aravyn thought as he looked at the dagger and wrapped it on his belt.

    "As for the vampire, he is nothing like the vampires you've encountered so far. He is so powerful that those who wished to destroy him were unsuccessful. The most they could do was imprison him underground, where he lives to this day. I hear he's kept somewhere near the North Panther river. His name is Hindaril, and if you can vanquish him, his ashes will be more than adequate for my needs." Aravyn kept this information in his mind, as he knew he would need this for later. The challenge of fighting a strong vampire made his skin tingle with excitement, and he looked forward to the battle that they would later ensue. 

    Keeping his hopes high, he traveled to the nearest city, which was Cheydinhal, and headed for the area where the Dark Brotherhood well stood. Luckily it was night now, which helped his skin to not burn, as well as providing an extra cover for him to hide in. He crouched and took up the dagger in his left hand, awaiting his lizard prey. Few people passed by, as most were, by this time, sleeping. Despite the darkness, he could see their faces clearly. In fact, he felt as though he could see better in the dark now than he could in the light. Perhaps it was an effect of the vampirism. If it was, it was a positive effect, one that he did enjoy, but would not mind if it was gone.

    A few moments later an Argonian man passed by, and Aravyn jumped out and grabbed him from behind, leading him backwards into the dark alley, where he slit his throat. The Argonian made no sound, only twitched around as the last moments of his life sped fleetingly before him. Minutes later, the twitching stopped, as the man was dead. Aravyn wrapped up the bloodied blade in a cloth and stored it in a pocket before moving on to collect the other elements for the potion. He decided to leave the vampire's ashes for last, as they would be the hardest to collect. Aravyn knew that Bloodgrass could be found in the Oblivion planes; but luckily he had collected enough previously and had just enough with him. He decided to buy some garlic at Cheydinhal's local market, which was still open, but only for a half-hour longer. For the Nightshade, Aravyn left the city and explored the more wild area's of Cyrodiil. He found blades of the grass here and there, and eventually collected enough for the potion. 

    Aravyn now thought back to the information that Melisande gave him about the vampire. He knew that the Panther river was east of Bravil, so he quickly traveled there. Once there, he rode on horseback in the eastern direction along the river. He came upon an area in the river where the land formed a small, connected island. It was here that he saw a rock that hid a wooden make-shift door, and a small tree covered the door, but didn't conceal it completely. Despite this, he knew that this was where the underground prison where the powerful vampire was kept under watch. Aravyn dismounted his horse and tied it up on the branch next to a rock and entered the hideout hastily.

    Inside the hideout, he walked forward and was led downwards into a small rounded off area of the cave. It contained a coffin, which he dared not open, for he didn't want something to either pop out at him, or see the remains of the human or vampire that laid there previous, but instead he took out a torch, lit it, and moved forward. The cavern echoed as water dripped off the stalactites, and with each step he took. The path he walked led downward still, into an area filled half-way with water. He splashed through it, and saw a zombie up ahead, which he decimated with fire magic. Furthur ahead he spotted a coffin, and a dead end. Aravyn turned around and saw the cave ceiling form a path below, so he casted Water Breathing on himself, put out his torch, and dived underwater, swimming in the way the path underwater led him. He swam to an open area, and proceeded upward before his spell ran out, taking a breath. 

    Before he could get onto dry land, a female mage struck lightning magic at him, revealing herself as his enemy. He dived under again and swam closer to her, where he surfaced and attacked with his Daedric shortsword and fire magic. She went down quickly, as she was no match for him. Aravyn imagined that she was one of the few that dared challenge the master vampire, and most likely lost, but couldn't give up her pride, so she was here to defend him; to make sure that no one else stole her kill. Aravyn was sure there was more like her in the cave, guarding the vampire, that he had not encountered yet. As he thought this, he detected a man in armor up ahead, sitting around a fire in a dead end circular cavern. He decided not to engage in a useless battle, and instead turned around and swam across the small lake to the other side, where he found a skeleton next to a chest that contained a key. Whatever the key was for, it was going to be needed for unlocking something up ahead, so he put the key in his pocket. Turning around to face the lake again, he cast Water Breathing and dived underwater to the path, coming ashore to the place he had just explored. 

    He swam around the water, going left and right as he discovered the door that the key belonged to, and unlocked it. After he opened the door and swam past, he turned right and headed upwards where the land dominated, and a small cavern revealed yet another coffin. Aravyn left it be, when he walked forward and met a young necromancer who, upon seeing Aravyn, called forth skeletons from the dead to attack him. He defeated them with fireballs, and chased after the necromancer, who tried running away, knowing he was in danger, for he sensed that the Dunmer was far stronger than himself. However, he did not run fast enough, as Aravyn's magic caught up with him, and he was left laying dead. He followed the path that the necromancer had put him on, and was found in a cavern that contained a coffin. A man had his back turned, looking at the coffin. Aravyn assumed this was the master vampire, Hindaril, and he decided to strike first, throwing a fireball at him.

    Hindaril turned around in just enough time to dodge the magic, and he took out a small axe and charged at Aravyn. The two engaged in battle, as Aravyn threw hot magic while striking with his sword; and the vampire defended himself while attacking back. The vampire cast some sort of spell on Aravyn, as he felt his energy was being drained. This did not stop the Dunmer, for he kept on the offensive, evading every attack the vampire threw at him while landing his own attacks. As Aravyn got the upper hand, he struck Hindaril's axe away with his sword, which pierced the vampire's chest. Hindaril glared at Aravyn, grasping his chest as he realized his last moments were up, and he vanished into dust. 

    Aravyn sheathed his sword and dusted himself off as he knelt down by the pile of ashes. He took out a pouch from his pocket and collected the ashes, then proceeded back to the witch, triumphant with his victory.

•   •   •

    "I've acquired all the ingredients," Aravyn said as he handed her the dagger, garlic, Nightshade, Bloodgrass, and pouch with Hindaril's ashes.

    "I have everything I need then, now all that's left is to brew the potion. Give me twenty-four hours and it'll be ready," Melisande said as she took the ingredients and put them on the table. Aravyn left her house to do her business in peace, and traveled to Cheydinhal's sanctuary in order to get some rest. There, he went into the bedroom and slept until the next morning.

•   •   •

    Aravyn opened his eyes and approached an ancient vampire. He had just completed a perilous task for the vampire, and was awaiting his next orders, both with fear and pride. The rest of the vampire clan watched Aravyn as he walked towards the dais where the old vampire stood. He smiled, his fangs showing, and took a few steps forward when fear suddenly descends upon Aravyn. He cries out as the rest of the clan descends upon him, holding him down, as the ancient's fangs rip into his throat.

•   •   •

    Aravyn jumps up suddenly, glancing around the room, as he grabs his neck and realizes it was just another nightmare. His heart beating fast, he stands up and his eyes adjust to the light that enters the bedroom, and touches his skin. The sunlight burned his hand and he recoiled, forgetting that he was a vampire. He remembered the cure, and knew that the potion wouldn't be done yet, as twenty-four hours hadn't yet passed. Aravyn decided to make today a normal day, and ate a small meal on the table that stood in the room. He decided to let Vicente know of his findings, and walked around the sanctuary to find him. He was standing in the main hall, speaking to M'raaj-Dar about a contract when Aravyn interrupted. Vicente looked at him as he approached, and M'raaj-Dar, seeing his conversation finished, left to go train his magic.

   "So, how has it been?" Vicente said.

   "I've found a cure. It's currently being made," Aravyn informed the vampire.

   "Ah, all seems well then," he commented. "I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do." Vicente walked off after nodding goodbye. Aravyn felt insulted.

   Wish me luck in whatever I choose? What does he mean by that? Does he think that I'll end up embracing the 'gift' like Count Hassildor did? I doubt I'll be able to stay a vampire. After all, his wife didn't feed and she ended up in a coma. If I stay a vampire and can't feed, the same thing's going to happen to me. Aravyn shook his head. But I have the cure, or... I will. Why would I bother trying to stay a vampire? Why should I become the thing that disgusts me just for...

   Aravyn flashed back to the time with Dhastav. He remembered the eyes that were gazed upon him, and the bloody kiss that he felt before passing out after being bitten. He gently put his fingers to his lips, and remembered what Dhastav said. I would prefer if you stayed a vampire...for me...TCH! Aravyn bit his lip and felt the sharp teeth that he had acquired upon becoming a vampire. The teeth that were made for biting into human flesh and sucking out blood. His lips bled and he licked it away instinctively. As he tasted his own blood, it gave him a sense that he had never had before. His heart rate increased as he licked his lips for more, but there was none. He suddenly craved blood, another human beings blood, to satisfy him. 

   Wait, what am I doing? This isn't like me...Aravyn put his hand on his face as he sighed and closed his eyes, slowing his pulse again. I should do something to keep my mind off this..something...ANYTHING...but to keep myself from thinking about...he shuddered before opening his eyes. Aravyn decided to find Ocheeva, and take on a contract. Perhaps killing someone as he had before would keep his mind clear. He found Ocheeva in her quarters, reading a book. As he walked closer, she noticed his presence and looked at him.

   "Greetings greetings!" She said with a smile. "I am Ocheeva, mistress of this sanctuary. As you have probably heard from Vicente, you will now receive all contracts from me. In fact, your next contract is available now."

   "I'm ready for it," Aravyn nodded at her, eager to get the contract underway. 

   "In the Imperial city there lives an Altmer who must be removed from existence. Finding this person may prove challenging...are you interested?"

    "Of course; I accept" He did enjoy a good challenge after all, especially one which his colleagues assumed he couldn't handle.

    "I knew you would be. Your target is a High Elf named Faelian. He lives somewhere in the Imperial City and fancies long walks. Unfortunately, that's all we know. We don't know which district is his home, which establishments he frequents, or anything about his schedule. This contract will require a bit of detective work. I suggest you speak to your fellow brothers and sisters and see if they can offer any advice. Ah yes, there is one more thing. The Imperial City is also home to an Imperial Legion Captain named Amadus Phillida. Do you know who that is?"

    "No...I've never heard of him," Aravyn replied. What was so special about this captain from the others? They had never caught him before, why should he start worrying about one now?

    "He is a soldier who has dedicated his life to eradicating the Dark Brotherhood, and doesn't appreciate when we operate within the city. When that happens, he tends to make our lives...uncomfortable. Let's not give the good captain any reason to go poking in our affairs, shall we? If possible, do away with Faelian someplace out of the way. Definitely indoors, with no people around. A secure location, with no witnesses. This will make it look like a simple murder. Phillida will be none the wiser, and you'll receive a nice bonus. Now go, and may Sithis be with you."

    Aravyn left the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary, with target and goal in mind, and headed for the Imperial City, where both the Legion Captain and Faelian were waiting for him.
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Fourth chapter in my Oblivion fan-fic.
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