POV Rio
'Why is it always sand?! Why can't the place I be looking for be in the ocean, or a forest? Anything other than a desert.'
I was exploring the Sahara Desert in search of a way back home, but so far it felt like I was back in Afghanistan looking for the Cave of Wonders. Though in a way, perhaps not as bad as I was constantly finding neat stuff lost in the desert. I had also been through around five dozen different ruins looking for something, but so far I hadn't found what I was looking for. Not that I was fully sure what I was looking for.
I had been using Brimir's mirror a lot to get an understanding of what he did and where he did things. It was from this that I got a good understanding of why this world was constantly in flux. Brimir was an imbecile messing with powers he couldn't begin to comprehend. He had nearly destroyed this world, but the elves had barely managed to stop him, but by then it was too late. This led Brimir to try to fix the horrors of what he had caused.
Flashback...
"I have seen the gates of Oblivion. From which no mortal eye should ever see. I saw a darkness that spread through the lands as beings of terrible power spread doom to this world. These are the closing days of the world, and the final hours of my life. If my error can't be undone, everyone will pay the price," Brimir says to the mirror.
"Brimir, we are running out of time. We need to close the gate!" an elven woman says with fear.
"I know, I am leaving a message for the future. So that, should we fail, they will be able to pick up where we left off and slam shut the jaws of Oblivion," Brimir says with a fatalistic tone.
The Vision Ends...
Flashback Ends...
I couldn't be certain if what I saw meant Brimir was actually facing a Daedric Prince, but I can assure you I was sure in hell not taking that chance. And if this world is doomed, then I will at least make sure I can get out of here alive with as many evacuees as I can.
Thankfully, as if some higher power wanted to help me, I managed to find someone who was able to help me.
"Hmm, you seek the great gate, yes?" asks an elderly looking elf.
"Indeed, I do. I must make sure it remains closed," I reply.
"Hmm, I can show the way, but are you ready to pay the price? To close the gate would be to remove the ability to use Void Magic. The servants of darkness will not let you succeed," the elderly elf warns.
"I have to try. If what I believe is behind that gate is what I think it is, this world stands no chance at surviving such a power," I reply.
"Hmm, very well. Follow me," the elderly elf says while walking into the desert.
"Who are you?" I ask as I follow him.
"I am but an old elf. But I am a part of an ancient clan of elves who have been tasked with protecting the great gate from those who would be tempted to open it. Though few still remain who even remember it exists at all," the elderly elf says.
I follow him deep into the desert until we end up at a cave. Then, as I enter the cave, I feel the temperature increase by a noticeable amount.
"The heat is from the gate. Even now, the heat of where it leads leaks into this world," the elderly elf says.
We arrive at a massive chamber, and I grimace when I see the so-called great gate. And it was exactly as I feared. It was an Oblivion Gate.
'Crap.'
"Do you know how to shut it fully?" I ask.
"There is a way. But it comes at a terrible cost. You must bring the other void mages together, and their familiars, and at least twenty more mages of at least triangle level or higher, then bring them all here. They will have to willingly sacrifice their magic and their powers to seal the gate once and for all. Our legends say that Brimir and his familiars didn't have the power needed to fully seal the gate," the elderly elf says.
"Is that all?" I ask.
"There is more. My clan will use forbidden magic to further empower the seal. When we attempt to seal it, the seal will weaken, and thus the servants of darkness will pour through the weakened seal and try to stop us. The mages will have to rely on the familiars to fight as they will be stuck and unable to move," the elderly elf says.
"I can do that. I shall return," I say before quickly leaving and heading back to the Empire to find the needed mages for this endeavor.
Luckily for me, I got a template perfect for such a complex combat situation: Katara. Her Water Bending would be very useful in the coming battle.
Despite my prestige and power within the Empire, it still took me nearly a month to gather everyone I wanted to bring to this battle. The real issue was actually finding the two new Void Mages and getting them some familiars. Thankfully, the various royal families didn't have that many descendants, so it didn't take that long to narrow it down to who had the power of the Void. Then, having them summon some familars as it was a needed part of the ritual.
But all of that was worth it as I had assembled the best of the best for this mission. I didn't have any non-magic users join us, as I was afraid they might become controlled by the Daedra we were about to face. Though it seemed I didn't have to worry, as the elderly elf had gathered a veritable army of elves for this plan.
"Are we ready?" I ask.
"Yes, let us end this chaos once and for all," the elderly elf says.
We start the ritual, and I hear a booming voice come from the gate.
"Hahahaha, you mortals never cease to entertain. But the game only ends when Dagon says it has. And I say we have much more fun to be had," Mehrunes Dagon says.
"Here they come!" an elven general screams.
"I smell weakness!" says a Dremora Lord as he materialises.
So I started blasting. Literally, I had pulled out my DC-17m and was wearing my Clone Commando Armor. I figured it was the best for the situation. Each bolt was often enough to kill a Daedra, but on occasion, there were the kind that could survive one hit, such as Daedroths, which were hulking dinosaur-like creatures that were a pain in the rear to kill for most people.
The first few waves weren't that bad, though we did still lose quite a few people, but I was a bit confused as to why the bodies of the daedra were remaining. At least I was until they all started to melt and form into a much larger form.
"Oh, BLEEP," I say in shock as I see the fully formed body.
The creature had four arms, red skin, sharp razor-like ears, two horns on his head, and he was wielding four weapons: a sword, an axe, a hammer, and a spear.
"Ah, to feel the air of another world ripe for the picking. I haven't felt like this since I invaded Tamriel," the avatar of Mehrunes Dagon says with a cruel smile.
Before anyone can say anything, Mehrunes Dagon starts slashing and stomping his way over to the ritual circle. He didn't seem to be in a massive rush as he was taking his time killing everyone and everything that got near him. Which was mostly elves. I had to think of something, so I did the first thing that came to mind, a mass illusion spell.
"What?" Mehrunes Dagon says with a slightly nervous tone.
My spell had made everyone look like Argonians. And my little guess seemed to have paid off as Mehrunes Dagon looked a little unerved. Until he didn't. He instead became enraged.
"You damn lizards! You dare show yourselves before ME!" Mehrunes Dagon yelled.
'Uh, I guess that worked.'
I did not doubt that I couldn't defeat Mehrunes Dagon even if it was just his avatar, but I didn't have to. I just had to distract him long enough to seal the gate completely. As such, it was time to show my Water Bending off.
I got into a stance and started creating massive ice spikes and water whips that struck at Mehrunes Dagon, as well as creating tripping hazards for him and even attempting some ice restriants, but those melted. None of them did a thing. Well, other than annoy him.
"You... Mortal... You are worth speaking to. You have killed many of my servants. And have cast this amusing spell, letting me kill these weak little lizards. You are worthy of being my servant. So why not join me? I can give you great power and make you my champion?" Mehrunes Dagon offers.
"I must thank you for the offer, Lord Dagon," I say, but don't answer.
"Hmm, yes, I am in quite a pleased mood after all that has happened. I have watched your progress quite closely. You have brought great change and destruction to this world. But you have not answered my question," Mehrunes Dagon says.
"May I ask one question before that?" I ask.
"You already did, but I shall humor you, mortal, speak," Mehrunes Dagon says.
My mind races, and I think of a question that might stump him.
"Do you remember Prince Ithelia, the Daedric Prince of Paths?" I ask.
"What kind of question is that? There was never a prince... Wait... No... That's not right. Why does that name sound so familiar?" Mehrunes Dagonsays while his weapons vanish and he clutches his head.
'Hopefully that keeps him occupied for just a bit longer.'
The ritual enters the last stretch, and I can see the gate starting to close completely. But that seems to knock Mehrunes Dagon out of his confusion.
"I do not know what you are speaking of, mortal. But I can tell something is wrong. I will torture the details out of you later," Mehrunes Dagon says before kicking me before I could even see what happened.
Crash
"RIOOOOO!" Louise calls out.
The armor takes most of the damage, but I am a bit rattled.
"Is that the best you got?" I mock.
"Stay down, mortal," Mehrunes Dagon threatens.
"Oh, can't wait for the other Princes to hear that Mehrunes Dagon ran from a simple mortal. I'm sure Molag Bal would love to hear about that," I mock.
"GRRRR! You insolent welp. You should have kept quiet and waited your turn," Mehrunes Dagon says before blitzing me again.
I can't even do anything but try to take the hits as best as I can, but the armor has to be swapped out at one point due to structural failures. I swap to the X-02 Power Armor, but that also doesn't last that long. So I try Geralts' armor, but that lasts even less time. But I could at least say I was hurting Dagon. My blood was super caustic and was melting masty wounds into Dagon, but that seemed to enrage him even more.
Crash
I was smashed into a deep pit in the ground and was coughing up blood even as I tried to repair the damage.
"Bloody Hell, I've been hurt worse from Mara," I joke while spitting out the blood in my mouth.
"GRRR. You asked for it," Mehrunes Dagon says while summoning a massive sword.
He swings down, and I grimace at the coming bisection, but he pauses mere centimeters from me. Not because he was bluffing, but because he couldn't move.
"No! You! You tricked me!" Mehrunes Dagon screams in anger, but he is still unable to move.
The gate had been sealed, and with it, Mehrunes Dagon's form was dissolving as it couldn't be maintained without his true self having a connection.
"I will remember you, face mortal! Mark my words! If you ever appear within my realm, I shall take great pleasure in torturing your soul," Mehrunes Dagon threatens.
"Yeah, well, good luck with that. Tell Akatosh I send my regards," I say while pulling out the Sacred Cross I got from Asia Argento and start chanting a banishment spell.
Sizzle
The Cross begins to glow red-hot, and I toss it at Mehrunes Dagon. As soon as it touches him, holy fire engulfs him, and he screams in real agony. Was what I was doing petty and not worth it? Yes. I just lost a true holy cross, and while Mehrunes Dagon would lose some of his power permanently, I would never see that myself, as I would never go to his realm or Nirn, for that matter. I would quite literally rather take a vacation in Doomslayer's Hell or Dark Souls than go to Nirn and deal with the absolute crap shoot that world is. However, as I was thinking that, I noticed I was becoming oddly transparent.
'Uh oh.'
"Don't worry, you are just going home," says Brimir as I turn to see the force ghost looking, fellow.
"Brimir, I take it?" I ask.
"Indeed. I left this last little fragment of my consciousness because I had foreseen your arrival. And I knew you would finish what I could not. But now your task is done, and as the last bit of the Void Magic leaves this world and the barrier is solidified, I shall send you home. This world owes you a great debt. But I'm afraid this is the end of your journey here," Brimir says solemnly.
"Well, then I guess this is goodbye," I say, but this time to Louise and Tiffania.
"Master Rio," Tiffania says nervously.
"Don't look so glum. You are more than ready. I'm sure both you and Louise will do fine without me," I say with a smile.
"You were an excellent teacher. Thank you for your guidance," Louise says with a deep bow.
"Sorry, you can't use magic anymore. But hey, I'm sure you'll do just fine without it," I reply.
"I will, I swear," Louise says, and Tiffania joins in as well.
"Know that I was proud to be your teacher. And I hope you go far," I say, and I feel my time is up as my body starts to dissipate.
"Goodbye, everyone, and I hope you have a great life, but try not to summon people from other worlds to solve your issues," I joke.
Everyone says bye, and I eventually disappear. However, I then enter that strange sky dimension and see that same Pit falling.
"So you come here often?" I ask.
"What? Who the heck are you? Why aren't you panicking?" Pit asks.
"Welp, that's my cue, have fun falling to your doom. And I hope you learn to read," I say before getting pulled to another portal.
This tunnel is shorter and ends in my living room.
CRASH
"My Back! Oh, my back," I say while holding my back.
The landing was not happy at all as I fell back first onto my reinforced wooden floors at speeds just barely not lethal.