Into Oblivion

15

Huff, huff, huff, huff.

She glided across the cobblestone with wings on her feet. Her heart was shredding itself apart in her chest as more tears clouded her eyes and caused her vision to become blurry. Her mind attempted to hinder her from running so far; however, she knew that she needed to get as far away as possible before anyone came after her. As she pushed her family from her mind, she quickly began to think of Xilivicus. Yes, she could run away... run back to the Imperial City and find the Oblivion gate so—no. Her mind wasn't working properly. Going back to Oblivion would be like walking into the mouth of the beast. She needed to find Xilivicus; yet, she needed to stay as far away from Broga as she could.

She rounded the corner near the old Benirus Manor and her shifty eyes lifted to the grand steeples of Dibella. Her heart swirled with detestation as she ran to the temple. With one bound she leapt up the ancient worn stairs and wrapped her petite pale hands around the gargantuan brass handles. She ripped them back and stormed in with reddened cheeks. She sniffled as she walked down the aisle towards the altar. Her hands curled into trembling fists and as she approached the altar with narrowed eyes. Her teeth gnashed together as more tears rolled down her pinked cheeks. Her fists slammed down upon the limestone and she bellowed, "Where are you Dibella when I need you?! He said you'd be there for us! That's what the pendant meant, didn't it? It was a vow for protection and comfort, wasn't it?" Her fists trembled and she closed her eyes tightly as she repeatedly crashed her quivering fists onto the altar causing it to begin to crack. Tears poured and she whimpered, "Help us... p-please help us..."

Her weakening body slid down the altar and she kneeled near its base. Her knuckles had torn and blood now seeped through her broken skin and fell upon the altar; calling for the goddess to come and safe her from this Hell. Her body quivered as she sobbed heavily. Her world was beginning to fall down in ruins. Just like how Kvatch had fallen into ruins. The truth was a wave tossed into an ever darkening ocean. Her life began to fade like a vapor in the wind.

The Chapel door slowly crept open with a long echoing sound. Elizabeth's eyes rose and she clenched her teeth tightly together with a snarl, "Leave me, Jerald."

Bromus slowly stepped near her with saddened eyes, "Miss Asquerana..."

The High Elf spun around with teary eyes. Her tongue flickered over her dried cracking lips and she looked up at her butler. Flashes of her childhood invaded her head as she could see times when she and her father had yelled at each other and she ran off and hid in the garden behind their house. Bromus would quickly find her and take her into his arms making her feel security... and a fatherly protection. The Nord kneeled down and wrapped his arms tightly around her allowing her to sob into his chest. Her shivering fingertips gripped into his vest as she tried to explain to him, but he quickly hushed her and whispered, "Milady... there is no need to explain."

Elizabeth pulled away slightly and looked at him, "B-But... I love a-"

Bromus chuckled and said, "I know what you love, Elizabeth. I... I just wish that Lord Asquerana would have been so much kinder than that. I'm so sorry about him; he hasn't been the same since this crisis began."

The Elf shook her head and growled, "Don't apologize on his account. He isn't worthy for forgiveness."

Bromus furrowed his brow and sighed, "Don't be that way, milady. He's your father."

"He's denied me since my birth. I am an abomination to him." She hissed while tossing her eyes over to the other altars of the Nine.

"He's just... biased." The butler said cagily. "He's been stubborn all his life and... for you to defy him- heh, I suppose he just likes the power over everyone else. Once he cools off and we all come to an understanding then I bet you that everything will go back to normal. Now come along, let's get you back to the tavern and-"