Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"Y-yeah, I'm fine..."

"I AM NOT"

"Mister...?" Achakrua says as she blinks. "Oh! I know you! From that game box Miss Nagato used to use!"

"Uh... right. I'm Mega Man - or you can call me Rock for short. We should probably get you out of here."

"Uh, yeah!" she says, hopping up.

Mr. Green nudges Mega's feet. "Would you... happen to know where Ms. Nagato is?"

"No, sorry. You can look for her once we're out."

Mega Man attempts to lead the way out of the Dark Realm.

They solemnly nod and follow.

Viserys stands upon the summit of the Throat of the World, the cloak he's wearing billowing in the wind as he surveys the Arena's latest setting. Never once did the Nord Dragonborn imagine that the scenery would ever change to that of his homeland, yet here he was.

"By the Nine... this is so surreal..."

Throat of the World

Awkeff is right there with him. "You're telling me? I find the most surreal aspect to be the utter lack of life. Nobody we'd recognize from our homes is here, not even the Daedra. It's a cursed idea if I've ever known one; all things gone like the Dwemer."

She unsheathes the Infinity Sword and inspects her reflection in its blade like volcanic glass.

"Should we ask our own dragons if they know anything, perhaps? That 'Reyna' woman does a lot of scouting work, too; she could comb every nook and cranny of these lands for days."

Edited by KiriK on May 26th 2019 at 2:16:26 PM

"Well... look on the bright side, Fahliil Fahdon, at least we'll not have to contend with Frostbite Spiders, the Forsworn, or that pompous windbag Nazeem's insufferable prattling."

Viserys chuckles lightly, remembering the time he'd bested Nazeem in a tavern fistfight as part of a quest from the Companions. It was more than preferable to imagining something like the Dwemer's disappearance on a far grander scale.

"Anyway, to answer your question, I think Odahviing and Durnehviir would probably be just as confused as us about, well... all of this."

Awkeff smirks. "True..."

When Viserys explains his perspective on the dragons, she shrugs. "Might be worth a try, at least."

She clears her throat. "Anyway, while we're on the peak of Skyrim itself... I wanted to give you the Infinity Sword. I felt it was better suited to you than I."

When Awkeff proposes that she give the Infinity Sword to him, Viserys' expression quickly changes to one of complete and utter surprise.

"You... actually want to give the Infinity Sword... to me? Listen, Awkeff, I truly am honored that you actually consider me worthy of such a weapon, but... I'm not certain that I deserve it. You are this blade's rightful owner, after all, and you've proven your mastery with it time and time again."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on May 26th 2019 at 1:44:59 AM

Awkeff rubs the back of her head. "Well, you see... I just sort of found this blade. It did not 'choose' me, at least by any discernible margin, and also... big, loud, and explode-y isn't the style I've spent so long training to use. It just isn't the right fit for me, but stashing it somewhere or giving it to someone I don't know as well as I know you seems like a bad idea."

Outside of the shepards' base

Agnes, Tiz, Ringabel, Edea (who has been rescued from galeems clutches offscreen), Yew and magnolia would arrive outside the base of the shepards, setting up a camp a safe distance away from the minefield, with a flag flying above their camp. The flag would feature what looks like four colored crystals forming a X. Agnes would wait outside the camp, wondering how to get in touch with the people inside the base.

It seems that the sheperds are busy at the moment, cutting down the trees nearby. It seems that they found residence in one of Skyrim's warmer areas.

They never told me that this place could shift. says Samsara, leaning against a tree and sighing.

Indeed, it is a great sur-please, step back.

Samsara steps back, and Gregor chops the tree in half, smiling.

Gregor still pack mean swing ! In arm manner !

You were going to warn me, right ?

Of course ! Gregor always yell before sneak attack.

Samsara shudders, look up, and notices the other camp up ahead.

Hm...

Edited by Bolded1 on May 26th 2019 at 11:06:12 AM

Throat of the World

"You give yourself too little credit, Fahiil Fahdon. Even if you didn't earn the Infinity Sword by completing a series of rigorous trials, only an absolute fool would deny how lethal of a weapon it is in your hands. But... if you truly believe that I would make a more suitable wielder..."

Viserys offers Awkeff a smile before extending an open hand towards her, waiting to receive the Infinity Sword.

"Then it would be my honor to accept this blade. May it soon free Farandare's wretched head from her miserable shoulders."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on May 26th 2019 at 2:10:17 AM

Outside Shepard Base

Agnes would look to yew after considering a few things, and then would ask a question. "Yew, Out of all of us, you're one of the most knowledgeable people around, other than ringabel, and ringabel's a bit busy with emotional issues right this second. Do you have any clue how we can get in contact with the base nearby?" Yew would stand up, dust himself off, and quickly respond "Lady Agnes, I could try to use some smoke signals to get their attention... if that works for you, I mean." Agnes would nod, and yew would walk over to the campfire and begin waving the smoke around with a cloth, attempting to send a message of some sort to the Shepards.

They note the smokes and seems confused, though eventually, Samsara snaps her fingers.

Oh, smoke messages !

What do they mean ?

I think they're staging a meeting. says Samsara. Let's go greet them.

Awkeff hands the sword over hilt-first. "Then may you be the one to make the swing."

Upon receiving the Infinity Sword from Awkeff, Viserys nods before flourishing his new weapon, taking a few practice swings to really get a feel for it, and attaching it to his belt.

"Thank you for this gift, Awkeff. You have my word that it will not fall into the hands of Farandare or any other would-be Miraak."

He then removes his cloak and places it over the Altmer Dragonborn's shoulders, offering her a loving smile as he does so.

"Now I know this isn't a legendary, one-of-a-kind weapon capable of unleashing earth-scorching flames, but it's the least I can do to repay you. Besides... that cloak actually looks really nice on you."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on May 26th 2019 at 3:59:01 AM

"R-really?"

Awkeff blushes mildly under the cloak.

"Um... thank you."

Viserys raises an eyebrow at Awkeff's flustered reaction, though he nonetheless grins at her.

"No cheeky remark or wry teasing, Fahliil Fahdon? I'm almost disappointed."

He then puts an arm around the High Elf Dovahkiin.

"Anyway, what do you think our next destination should be? Markarth, Winterhold, Riften, Solitude, Whiterun... perhaps even the hot springs around Eldergleam Sanctuary and Bonestrewn Crest?"

Awkeff averts her gaze for a moment.

She then gets to pondering. "Hmmm... I suppose we should plot a course for a 'world tour', of sorts? I say Whiterun, Riften, Falkreach, Markarth, Solitude, Morthal, Dawnstar, Winterhold, Windhelm, Dawnguard Keep, and finally Solstheim."

An idea seems to form in the High Elf Dragonborn's head. "I also think we should send Reyna to investigate Castle Volkihar. She volunteered to take the risk, she might as well do something useful like telling us if Farandare has set up a new base of operations with more direct access, and Farandare doesn't know she's with us so she might have more time to get out should the bitch be there."

Edited by KiriK on May 27th 2019 at 12:54:27 PM

Viserys silently contemplates both of Awkeff's proposals for a moment.

"Hmm... I can get behind both of those plans. It will be... nice to reminisce about our past exploits together, even if there won't be any Thalmor snowbacks for us to slay."

He begins the long trek down the mountain, presumably with Awkeff alongside him.

"As for Farandare, if she and her monster are indeed using Castle Volkihar as their personal fortress, we should consider forming a plan to infiltrate it and take them by surprise."

Awkeff nods as she follows. "Indeed, but that is why I suggest having Reyna investigate so we don't risk the defenses being increased before we have a chance. Once we have information from her, Lucina and her crew can help us figure out how to plan our attack."

"Or did you forget that I did not maintain leadership of groups that deal heavily in tactics of infiltration and reconnaissance by simple brute force?" she asks smugly.

Edited by KiriK on May 27th 2019 at 1:53:21 PM

Viserys flashes a smirk at Awkeff.

"How could I when you strut about dressed in the colors of both the Thieves' Guild and the Dark Brotherhood? Still... let us hope that Reyna will be able to evade Farandare's gaze on this reconnaissance mission of hers. I'd hate for her to join the ranks of that twisted egomaniac's victims."

Once the two Dovahkiin have reached Ivarstead, he approaches the edge of Lake Geir, then removes his armor before taking off his shirt, exposing his muscular, battle-hardened physique.

"I was thinking of going for a quick swim before we begin our little world tour in earnest. Care to join me, Fahliil Fahdon?"

Edited by IchigoMontoya on May 27th 2019 at 12:53:13 PM

Awkeff shudders. "U-um... s-sure... I suppose. As long as it's shallow and still."