The Reckoning-Part I
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Chapter One: The Reckoning
I recall the night. There's times I want to forget it. But I can't. It's nothing than a living nightmare that I can't escape.

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~Before the Storm~
Varen: There it is! The Dragonfire Brazier! Mannimarco, are you sure this will work?

Mannimarco: It will work, my liege. You have my word. Mina my dear, come stand beside me during this.

I stared at him but I still made sure to stand by my brother Varen. He has been there for me since my birth and even took it up to raise me himself. Since we found the amulet. I was tasked carrying the relic but the warmth I felt from it and the glow in my hands. 

Abnur: Bring forth the amulet, my niece. 

"Yes of course! Sorry."

I went over and handed the amulet to Abnur who has been an uncle to me for years. I hear the banter between Lyris and him which made Sai tell them to stop. Titanborn and Tharn have always been at each other but I can tolerate it for so long. I went over to stand next Varen and Mannimarco looked at me as if he had something planned. 

Varen and Abnur performed the ritual as I was tasked to make sure nothing sabotages it. Then I saw Mannimarco move forward opposite of my brother and I saw that look in his eyes. Next thing I know, Varen somehow almost had his essence sucked into the sky. Everyone then fell and were pinned to the ground. 

"Mannimarco!! What's the meaning of this?!"

He could tell I was furious. He had deceived us all. 

Mannimarco: Foolish girl. Did you think I had feelings for you? You were only a pawn in my little game. However, I do offer you to join me at my side.

I was in disbelief. He used me?? I was filled with rage and without even thinking, I took my shield and sword to charge at him. Next thing I know is I end up on the floor. A blinding light flashes before us and we woke up in my room with bandages. Abnur told me to come to an emergency meeting with the Council.

Councilman: So we lost Varen and only his sister returned?

Abnur: The ritual went wrong to help Varen and all I can say is Mannimarco went missing as well. 

Councilman: Great. We already have reports about cultists coming after those on the streets. 

Clivia: Does this mean the throne is mine?

Then, I stood up from my chair and slammed my fist onto the table.

"I'll take claim. Varen would have wanted me to do it. For my brother."

Councilman: Possibly. But if you were to be sworn in and crowned, what would you proclaim?

"I know who did it and is behind Varen's disappearance. It'll be in my speech when I am crowned."

They reluctantly agreed and I got my speech ready and Abnur came in my room while I rehearsed.

Abnur: You're playing with fire you know. But tell me, who is it you're going to exploit in your speech?

I looked at him as I handed him what I'll be saying. He took them and he had a grim look on his face.

Abnur: Are you out of your mind?! Exposing the Worm Cult? Exposing Mannimarco?! 

"He needs to be outed out Abnur! He tricked us! He used me!!"

Abnur: He will find out. But do be careful. He might have some working among the guards here. Just don't do anything reckless along the ruling.

"I won't. Don't you worry."

~Marked as a Martyr~

Coronation was this morning and I been rehearsing my speech in front of the mirror. My brother Varen was missing or presumed dead. Taking up this role was probably something he wanted me to do. Abnur gave me council as I know he could help me. 

One of the servants came and got me to have my hair and makeup done. I could do it myself but I digress. As I walked down the halls of the White-Gold Tower toward the room I get ready in, I began to notice the guards were walking behind me. Too closely. 

Just before I could say anything, everything went black. It wasn't long until I awakened somewhere I wasn't familiar with. My dark brown hair looked messy from what I was able to see. Everything around me sounded like I was underwater but different. My vision was blurry at first and my hearing sounded fuzzy. 

Abnur: I cannot believe you dragged me into this mess, Mannimarco!! 

Mannimarco: I shouldn't be the one to be angry with. After all, Mina tried to steal the throne from your daughter did she not?

That last part I finally was able to catch as I felt my arms being held behind my back. It wasn't long until I realized I was ambushed by the Worm Cult disguised as my guards. 

"I did not steal the throne!! Keep in mind me and Clivia had an accord about this as I also wanted her part of the court!!"

The King of Worms approached me and lifted my chin with his hand. I feel nothing but rage and betrayal that he did this. All of this. We all been deceived this whole time.

Mannimarco: You are still angry? Hmm. It was so easy to pluck your little heart strings. I did admire your beauty. But you do have a choice. Care to join me? Or die. Because if you refuse, you will be marked as a martyr. Molag Bal can have use for you.

I couldn't believe this. His touch felt cold and his gaze can put anyone's souls in fear. For the first time in my 23 years of living, I was scared. If I say yes, he may have to use me again and I'd build resentment over time. If I say no, I'm a dead woman. I saw Abnur's face behind the King of Worms as he looked afraid. 

I pulled my head from his grip and spit at his boots.

"Go fuck yourself, Mannimarco. Akatosh have mercy on your soul and your pathetic cult."

I felt tears of rage flow down my face. I saw him draw a dagger from his sheathe on his belt. 

Mannimarco: Pity, Lady Aquilarios. 

He told his cultists to let go of me as he picked me up by my neck and held me up to his level. He was pretty strong. He pulled me toward me just to kiss me right before shoving the blade into my gut then pulled away just to look at me one last time.

Mannimarco: I hereby mark you a martyr and you have been silenced. 

He threw me down as I felt chills throughout my body. He then used the same dagger and carved some tube as a way to mark me as a martyr. The pain was unbearable and before I knew it, things went black. 

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~[Vaermina's Claim I]~

Vaermina: Such a pity. But I'm afraid Molag Bal won't be having her. I saw her first. My dear Ogrim, bring her body here as I have her soul. I did lay a mark on it when she slept. But if they ask you if you're from Coldharbour, say you're there on the God of Schemes' behalf. 

I watched my Ogrim and Dremora walk through a portal to retrieve the girl's corpse. I began to set up what use for her I can have. I had always wanted a right hand at my side. 

I saw my Dremora return with the Ogrim and the girl. This martyr that Mannimarco calls her makes me so intrigued yet I know the feeling she felt when he killed her. 

Mina will have her revenge. One day. For now, she will be reborn. She looks so sweet, innocent and naive. I'll make sure she would be the most fearful woman of Oblivion and the face of Nirn. 

I gave her some of my daedric blood, a Daedric heart and also have her soul bound to mine and a Dremora's. The way she was used, I'll let her get back at the King of Worms. But I let her keep some of her mortal emotions so she has little humanity. 

I'll make sure the Worm Cult does pay. Mina won't be what she was. She died a martyr, but she'll rise as a Daedric Demiprince.

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