smartass_captain | Shedding Light Part 3 - Demons in the Dark [Ongoing Post with conjuredskies]

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Shedding Light Part 3 - Demons in the Dark [Ongoing Post with conjuredskies]

((OOC Note: Content warnings for trauma, body horror, and upsetting imagery still apply. Necromancy and its consequences are a hell of a thing. Link to Part 2 in the opener if you missed it!))

It feels like months ago they made their plan, and all the while time slips by.

Jim doesn't intend to let this problem linger and yet it's so easy for the weeks to pile up. First they wait for Felix to heal. He's adamant that he must go with to help set things to rights. Stratos insists they at least write to Mathieu to let him know this will be handled. To perhaps appease the college that the mage is doing what he can to get that stolen property returned....

But Stratos and Jim are both men with large responsibilities. They delay when the Tribune must travel for a summit dealing with political tension and new orders in Skyrim. They delay again when quarterly reviews and a minor ion storm throw the Enterprise-A into strained disarray. All the while a man's future hangs in the balance back on Nirn.

The New Year is a quiet one. They celebrate their anniversary, Jim reluctantly agrees to speak over subspace transmissions for a Remembrance Day ceremony held over his birthday. He ignores any more transmissions from his own mother for the time being. It would be easy to go on forever like this. Better for Felix, Jim, and probably Stratos to let Rielle fade until it was nothing more than a nightmare once more. But they can't run forever. Jim Kirk, at least, wouldn't be able to forgive himself. When Stratos sends word that he's back to business at his camp in Skyrim, Jim leaves Alpha shift with his teeth grit.

When he comes back to their quarters it won't be to enjoy a well deserved quiet evening. He'll need to hunt down his husband in the botany labs so they can both get dressed for a trip back home to Bruma.

There's preparations to be done first.

Jim makes sure Tiber's well fed and freshly watered before he sits down at his desk to force down a turkey sandwich he's procured from the replicator. By now Jim's aware of this cycle to know he needs to eat before they start talking about that godforsaken place hidden away in the mountains of Cyrodiil. If he waits there's a good chance he won't have an appetite for a day or more. Being sick and shaky from hunger but unable to eat because of ravaging nausea isn't going to help anyone. Taking a basic and mostly tasteless meal with a strong cup of coffee is easy enough even if Jim's already forcing himself to eat. He might be sick, later. But he'll definitely be less useful if he doesn't at least try to shore himself up ahead of this.

A shift spent mostly on paperwork means the captain doesn't strictly need to clean up but a quick sonic and a change of clothes Feels better. Feels like Jim's in control. In his routine. He shoves their uniforms to one side of the closet once he's changed, revealing the large trunk nestled in the very back hidden mostly from sight. He fishes the key for it from the usual hiding place before squatting down to turn the heavy lock. Lift the solid oaken lid up to reveal the carefully hidden clothing of Felix's world. Jim's careful not to rumple all of their clothes as he fishes out travel wear for both himself and Felix to lay out on their bed ready to change into once Jim brings his husband back to their quarters. All the while anxiety prickles at the edges of his thoughts. Jim slows his breathing purposefully every time he catches himself. He's taking too long to prepare, they shouldn't leave Stratos waiting. What if Felix isn't up for going? What if...

Tiber bunts his head against Jim's leg with a deliberately loud purr until the captain reaches over to give the kneazle a few strokes. "You be good and maybe I'll bring you along to see Stratos later." Jim hasn't missed how fond the Tribune is of the animal, magical or not. He needs to get a move on for now though. Tiber hops up on the desk to watch his bonded turn to the terminal inset next to the door. The kneazle's eyes blow wide, his tail twitching eagerly as the human kicks aside a hollow torchbug thorax when making his way over. Jim doesn't pay the chittery noises behind him any mind as he runs a scan to locate Felix. The Deck-2 labs are usually reserved for Spock's current projects and other Federation-requested testing of samples they collect, so Jim's not terribly surprised to find Felix on Deck-3's smaller botany lab.

"Seems he hasn't charmed Spock into granting him access to the larger labs after all that talk the other day..." Not even the current task can drain all the fondness from Jim's voice. It's easier to focus on his husband of the night before, idly complaining about the issue the head of the Science Division took with his lab findings write up. Helps his hands stay steady. "Don't let Felix leave if I somehow miss him and he beats me back here." Jim comments over his shoulder to the kneazle before excusing himself from their quarters and making his way down to the turbolifts.

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It's going to give the captain severe whiplash when he walks into the botany lab to the sound of Felix laughing himself sick. The conjurer is leaning on one of the lab benches, a fistful of glowing leaves in one hand, Sulu giving him a stern look from the other side of the room. Whatever threat the lieutenant just made, Felix is absolutely delighted; Hikaru looks like he's trying not to roll his eyes. It's the most carefree and relaxed and himself the Imperial has looked in weeks.

His delighted smile only widens when they both turn to see Jim in the doorway, Felix perking up as if to share the fun and games with his husband- and then the look on the captain's face sinks in.

Jim can see the realization hit, the way the grin falters and drains away as Felix's breath catches in his throat. His grip slackens on the Nirnroot leaves, leaving them forgotten on the countertop as he straightens slowly.

"Captain," Hikaru is saying somewhere else, but Felix is only aware of the tightness in his chest when he swallows.

Felix's overjoyed laughter is something Jim hasn't heard in....months, now.

Guilt sinks its hooks into Jim's heart. He tries to school his gaze, but it was already well hidden behind a mask that Felix (and quite possibly Sulu by now) knows very well is a carefully crafted lie. The end result is the captain looking a bit awkward in the doorway while civilian contractor and off-duty helmsman alike try to gather themselves appropriately.

"It's time, Felix." Jim hears himself speak and he can't quite believe how steady the words are when he feels this tense. Easier to let himself step back into his job. It's more reassuring than he could be otherwise. "Lt. Sulu," Jim turns. "Commander Spock has the Bridge until further notice. As we discussed before..."

"Understood sir." Hikaru shoots a look between Felix and his captain. "I remember the briefing. Alpha's under my watch unless the Commander needs us to swap shifts." The Enterprise-A's helmsman is Lieutenant Commander in all but name, these days. Jim's been doing everything he can to provide Sulu with the opportunities he needs to submit for promotion consideration once they get back to Earth. He doesn't need to know what the captain and his husband are off getting up to this time. "Come back safe, sir." A glance to Felix before Hikaru adds dryly, "Both of you."

It's time. Dread weights his stomach as Felix nods, turns to put his samples away and wipe the bench while the others talk. Jim makes it sound as if it's nothing, as if they're going to run an errand back on Yorktown- and Felix should do the same. Should be able to. How many cults and captains of the guard has he bluffed before? How many daedra? He can do this part, at least. He can steady his hands and gather up his notes and raise his eyebrows and even smirk at Sulu when that last bit sinks in.

Somehow, annoying someone else actually does make him feel a little better.

"I think he's starting to crack," he says lightly once he's following Jim down the corridor, his journal and parchments hugged to his chest. It feels like someone else is doing the talking; someone who doesn't feel like casting an invisibility spell and bolting for engineering (there are so many places to hide, down there).

Edited 2021-06-08 00:02 (UTC)

"Dare I even ask what you were cackling so hard about?" Jim gestures for Felix to step into the turbolift ahead of him, though by now Felix doesn't Need Jim to press the right buttons to get them back to their quarters. Indeed, Felix looks perfectly ordinary on the Enterprise-A. He likes blue well enough that most of his shirts are some hue of it, and considering he spends much of his 'working' hours in the labs he fits right in despite not having a uniform of his own. It's been a year already since Felix began living on the ship full time.

A year since they've been properly married. Jim still can't quite believe it.

It's a better thought to focus on than what they're about to do. Jim locks the door to his quarters behind them before wasting no time in pulling off his command Golds and chucking the outer shirt to crumple where it lands over the back of his desk chair.

"Do you want something quick from the replicators? I already had a sandwich before coming down to get you. Else I've dug out everything Here we'll need. Did we leave the rest of our adventuring gear in Bruma or in your stash in the Nexus?"

"Ah... he was promising to turn me over to Leonard bound and gagged if I so much as licked one of those... he put it better, though." Felix is visibly more comfortable traversing the ship than he ever was as a visitor, too. For as pensive as he clearly is, the ship itself isn't adding to his trepidation; he leans against the wall of the lift as familiarly as any of the crew. Doesn't look around in uncertain curiosity the way he once did. He doesn't even use the little map he carries, any more.

He sets the notes down by his workstation, once in their quarters. Stoops to pet Tiber as the kneazle dashes out from under the couch to tag him and then rub against his legs. Jim's already laid out clothes for them. Felix swallows and steps over. He wants to take his time, delay the inevitable a little more, but Jim's not wasting a moment.

"I... yeah, I probably should too. Eat a sandwich, I mean." His stomach is churning: a fast is often a way to prepare for a ritual, he’d have an excuse not to. But… this isn’t a ritual. This is to be a battle, and Felix has never found an advantage in fighting on an empty stomach. He starts pulling off his own clothes, following his husband’s lead.

“It’s all in Bruma,” he says of the gear. “I didn’t want to risk it turning us into cats or something when we put it back on.” Tiber voices a strong opinion about that as he jumps up onto the bed. “How long is it since you got the message? Uncle will have had to go to fetch the horses…”

"Turkey or roast beef?" Whichever Felix's preference Jim will stop what he's doing to go and fetch the food for his husband, along with a cup of tea he knows the conjurer prefers. No sense in having Felix vibrate out of his saddle from his caffeine sensitivity.

Despite his nerves, Jim still manages a snort when Tiber offers a stern 'mrow!' up at Felix for his choice of words. "Careful, he's of a mind to show you the privelages of such a station you're not privy to." He leans over the bed and ruffles the kneazle between the ears. That's enough trouble out of you, Tiber.

"It's been about an hour and a half. It came in while we were wrapping up Alpha, so I had to finish there before I came back to our quarters to eat and dig everything out." His voice comes off a little muffled at the end as Jim's pulling on his tunic over his head. Practiced by now in getting these garments on swiftly.

"He'll probably be waiting, then..." Felix bites back his own sigh. His stomach is churning: he can't do this, he's not ready... He glances back at Jim, then laces up his breeches and pulls on his tunic.

"...Beef is better," he says- he's never fully trusted whatever a turkey is, but beef is familiar. Comforting. While Jim goes over to the replicator, Felix strides over to the wardrobe, and one of the satchels tucked away at the bottom. Not to draw attention, he doesn't look over his shoulder as he draws out a wine bottle, pulls the stopper out and takes a long pull of the heady liquid within. It's sharp and floral, but he'll need the heat in his veins... and everything else this particular vintage can offer.

He'll tuck the bottle back safe before he looks to see if his boots are there too - or pretends to, if they were laid out by the bed. Either way he gives Jim a small smile when he looks back to see the sandwich and tea his husband has fetched. "Thanks."

It was Felix's spike of anxiety that drew the kneazle to thump softly off the bed and over to the Imperial's feet. Both humans reek of it. Fear and unease sharp discordant notes in the air, but it's swept away by the smell of woodsmoke, roses, and blood pluming out of the bottle Felix pulls from. Tiber freezes between the bed and Felix. His spine arches in his shock but only for a moment. He's pushing forward a second later and bunting Felix's hand sharply to try and push it out of the way so he can get a better sniff of whatever potion the conjurer has snuck aboard the Enterprise-A.

He's scooped up with a tiny petulant 'mrow!' by Felix and drug away from where answers lie up into the Imperial's arms. Squirming only gets him set back on the end of the bed and before Tiber can bolt down again a piece of the meat is held out in front of him just in front of his golden eyes. Treats? But the pale human's eyes are dark and knowing when Tiber looks up and finds himself being stared down. Not treat. Bribery.

Felix isn't making Jim partake of the potion. He seems steady on his feet. The potion is all Tiber can smell off of Felix anymore over the human's own natural scent but it means he no longer smells sick with fear. Besides, the Meat is almost impossible to ignore dangled just in front of him. He steals forward to wrap both paws around Felix's wrist to make Sure the human doesn't pull it away from him while he accepts this bargain.

For now.

"You spoil him you know." Jim's chiding is soft, as if the captain doesn't. He's no more the wiser of what's actually going on here. "Your gods willing, we won't be gone for long." The captain's voice is steady, even though his hands aren't. They will be once he laces up his bracers though. Cousin Marcella's enchantments have been a source of comfort Jim's relied on more than once before.

Felix's head is light as he tickles the kneazle's ears with a chuckle. Less strained than it might be otherwise. There's a warmth suffusing his chest, spreading through his limbs. It doesn't take away the fear completely but... there isn't the same weight in his stomach, or tension in his shoulders. They're going to do this. They're going to succeed. He wants it to work. He wants... this.

"He deserves to be spoiled a little." Tiber does his part to keep both of them on an even balance, even without keeping their secrets. Felix has to give the little terror credit for how many times he's curled up with himself or Jim when... things like this... begin getting to them.

They'll have to stop in Bruma to pull on the rest of the gear, so he works on scarfing down his sandwich. It's a surprise that he can actually savor the taste, the tang of horseradish sauce and the softness of the bread. Sanguine's blessing, he guesses. Reminding him to take pleasure in the simple things...

His eyes fall on Jim as he's washing his food down with the tea. His husband looks the part of a Tamrielic citizen now, with his belted tunic and warm trousers tucked into sturdy boots. Well-oiled bracers ready for when they collect his bow at the house. He looks steady, brave, determined. He looks perfect.

"It's going to be different, this time." Felix realizes he's spoken out loud.

Jim is distracted by whatever message sits on his PINpoint for a half-second. He's glancing back at Felix over his shoulder when the mage speaks up. Confident, determined. The uneasy clench in the captain's stomach eases to see his husband so firm.

"Of course it is. We'll have you this time." Twitching a faint facsimile of a smile Felix's way as he tucks the PINpoint back into his pack where it's more safely out of sight. No matter Jim's own misgivings, he'll stay strong and determined for their sakes. All he can do to help is push forward. Stand tall until they've done what they need to do. After, he can...

But that is After.

Now, Jim waits for Felix to finish with his meal. Only then does he extend a hand his husband's way.

"Ready when you are."

This time we'll be fighting together.

When Felix takes his husband's hand, it's only a moment before they materialize in their room in Bruma. A lamp has already been lit on the desk, illuminating a room whose small windows are covered by snow drifts. Their packs have already been set out by the bed, half laden with food, water and other useful supplies. The door is propped open to the lower floor of the Caelus family home; the floorboards creak gently as Felix goes over and calls a greeting to anyone waiting on their arrival.

It's his brother who comes down the stairs, arrayed in his steel armor beneath a plain travelling cloak and hood. Stratos nods to them both, though both men might think his scrutiny lingers on them in particular.

"Uncle will be waiting at the north gate with the horses," he says as they pull their own leather gear out of its chest and strap it on. "With any luck we can be done with this all by night's end, but we've supplies enough to cover any emergency."

"The sooner we get to it the better, then," Felix says, with a determination that makes Stratos blink in surprise.

But he nods, then. His little brother has had time enough to steel himself for this. It's honestly a relief that Felix isn't faltering or cringing now. "I'll wait for you upstairs."

It's different this time. Jim repeats it to himself in his head over and over. Felix's hand in his. Firm and steady. The mage honestly seems more determined even than Jim. Their bedroom in Bruma should be a comfort but his stomach knots unpleasantly at the jarring scent of wood, leather, and traces of smoke that fill his lungs. Jim's thinking too far ahead again.

He's remembering--

Jim pulls himself up straighter when Stratos nods his way. He swallows his weakness even if he's still pale beneath the lamplight. Clothing Jim can manage easily by now but Felix will still have to help him correct the lacings and sit of his armor once they've geared up. Gather their supplies. Pick up their weapons. Meet Uncle Terentius for their horses. Jim murmurs small half-words to himself as he adjusts his gear.

The distraction keeps him from noticing how heavy Stratos' own steps are as they head back to central room of the Caelus house. Not even the hearth's warmth will stave off the remembered chill they are to be returning to. And Felix is resolved to this. Any worry of whether they'd have to coax or drag Felix along is swiftly forgotten now. Perhaps he's that determined to protect his beloved.

Does the Why matter, so long as he stands strong?

If anything, it is Jim who seems to be struggling the most. The man is no soldier even if he is brave. Well trained in self defense. Stratos takes a moment to bow his head and whisper fervent prayer to the Divines that they will be lucky enough not to run afoul of bandits with this weather. Stendarr, let the way be clear and unburdened that we may see our mission through. Oh Talos, watch over us, give us the strength to fight our battles.

No time for anything drawn out. Two sets of boots are climbing up the stairs.

It's time to go.

They're as ready as they can be. Faces set and determined beneath their hoods. Stratos holds up a finger to them before they leave, though: with a brief shift of his hands, the older Imperial is replaced with a Nord man of similar build in rough fur armor.

"I thought it better to avoid any questions among prying neighbors," he explains. "There's little for amusement in Bruma at this time of year. So, Felix may take his husband sightseeing a little in the countryside, and I am merely your guide and guard. Hopefully we won't be stopping to talk with anyone, though."

He pushes the door open, letting them out into the cobbled street and passing Felix the key to lock the door behind them. The main part of the streets have been swept and shoveled clear of snow, but drifts are left piled up around the houses: it's not deep winter, any more, but up this high the cold has yet to fully loose its grip. The men tug their fur-lined hoods closer as they stride through the streets, along a route even Jim has come to know pretty well. It's not long after dawn, most people busy on their own errands or hurrying to get to work. They pass unremarked among the townspeople, though the foot traffic falls off as they approach the north gate. All trade and messages come through the south gate these days. The only other people heading out are a couple of trappers with smelly but empty packs slung at their backs.

Beyond the gateway, though, waits Uncle Terentius, well bundled-up himself with a quartet of stocky horses in hand. The older man looks very relieved to see them.

"Not a moment too soon, lads. I'm not used to handling this many beasts at once. Think the chestnut was dreaming up some mischief for when my back was turned." He's only too glad to hand off the reins to most of them.

"I'm sure he's just curious to find himself round this side of Bruma for a change," Felix remarks with the flash of a small smile.

"Good thinking." Jim offers a twitch of a smile and a slow nod while they make for the main door of the Caelus family home. Would that this were nothing more than a simple sightseeing trip in the countryside. It would certainly make all of their lives easier. Then again, if it was such whimsy there would be no Stratos here, no Uncle waiting for them at the Northern Gate.

Jim's never been so happy to be ignored and left alone. The captain has a certain craving for attention he'd deny outright if asked but if anything right now Jim wishes he could do that neat 'become someone else with a wave of magic' trick Stratos is so skilled at. Anything to save them questions. They can't pass through swiftly enough for his liking.

"Are they all Your horses?" Jim's never been quite sure if the family owns any or if the stables are willing enough to rent use of the animals out when people have a pressing need arise. He's also well aware that questions about mercantilism or ownership uuuususally end up with him looking a fool on Nirn but that is at least something of a distraction today from the sobering matter they're here to see to.

Even Jim's well enough aware of the civil war in Skyrim owing to the great lack of use the Northern gate's been getting. Bruma sits so close to the border that you could spit and hit the southern most bit of Skyrim. But attempting to cross borders is not the trouble this group intends to even if it would be nearly preferable to the task at hand. Jim rearranges his things so he's not like to lose his bow in settling on the horse before mounting up and waiting for their instructions.

"We'll all be getting questions for being this side of Bruma if we don't move." Stratos' advice is as sound as ever even if he doesn't look himself. They've no time to linger.

"These are hirelings, from the Wildeye stables," Terentius answers, equally glad of the distraction. Felix lingers to offer him a boost into the saddle, but the elder man waves him off and hauls himself up with a grunt of effort. He's determined to reassure the others that he can keep up unaided. "It's never been worth the cost for any of us to keep our own. Though I won't lie, these bones have regretted jouncing all the way down to Lake Rumare on a cart more than once."

They fall in with Stratos as he nudges his horse on and leads them out onto the road, nearly flat at first as it leads up into the evergreen woods. The road has been partly cleared of snow for the first bit of the way, but very quickly they'll only be able to follow it by the wider spacing between the firs, or the odd guard fence or embankment poking out where drifts have started to thaw. And after that, they'll be depending on Felix's memory and Stratos's clairvoyance to guide the way...

"Stratos has a horse up in Skyrim," Felix points out conversationally once they're away from the gate. "He's the rider. He's even learned to fight on horseback."

"On a properly trained mount, perhaps. I don't intend to try that today." Stratos grimaces a little, feeling that his brother is overselling his skills more than a little.

"You should have joined in the makeshift jousting then when we had our wedding." Jim offers, but even this small attempt at a joke is obviously weak. It's several moments before he even thinks to force a little half chuckle. He swallows roughly. "I don't remember much of it but some of them did it on horseback." The wedding is a good memory. A strong one. Something Jim can focus on as the horses wind through the northerly road.

He remembers the climb up this road in the frigid mountain air. Think back further, to when Felix took him hiking in the wilds of Skyrim years ago now. To sledding through the snow drifts laughing together and not the weight of the soul gem Sanguine gave them unbalancing his pack to one side so Jim could keep it close to hand. Sanguine... Should Jim be offering him a quiet prayer, if he's here? Would Felix's patron take offense to them showing face in Nirn and not at least paying respects?

Something to ask about later, maybe. Once the job is done.

The going is good until the call comes out to the front for Stratos to turn off the road proper. Off the northerly road leading up to Skyrim and onto what might be a hunting path underneath all the snow that kinks west un the shadows of the Jerral mountains. Jim hesitates at the road, his gaze searching for any point of reference he can find to remember the way from here. His knuckles are white beneath his gloves gripping the reins.

"Have you ever been up this way?" He ventures to Terentius as Felix and Stratos take a moment to decide on how best to progress.

It might be hard at first to reconcile their surroundings with his last visit. That final leg of their cross-country trek was done in the height of summer, when only a few patches of snow lingered on the higher parts of the path; when all of them were weary and distracted by fears of what lay at the end of their journey. The cloud-smudged peaks looming over them cut a familiar profile, though, and perhaps here and there is a hummock or a twisted tree that rings a bell for the captain.

"I used to bring the boys out here to teach them how to find their way around," Terentius answers. The old legionnaire is peering around much like Jim is. "Trapping, that sort of thing. Sometimes I still teach a few of the youngsters, but I haven't been in this particular area for a long time."

"It's not too easy to stumble on," Felix says over his shoulder. "The snow makes it easier to go astray, but... we have the path, I'm sure. We'll have to leave you and the horses once we're in sight, uncle- the path isn't good for riding all the way in."

"Well, then you'd better make sure you deal with that dremora first. If you run into trouble I can't run past one of those monsters to help."

"I can imagine what Stratos looked like when he was younger, but for some reason it's difficult to picture Felix as a child." Jim's not sure if Stratos ever told his family about his de-aging troubles at the hands of the Nexus that one time. It doesn't matter now. That's also a fond memory to look back on. The start of when Jim became close to more than Just Felix out of the Caelus family. Jim wishes there were pictures even though this is a world lacking in convenient technologies such as photographs.

Imagining that younger Stratos and Felix barely more than a toddler racing through the undergrowth brings some warmth back to Jim's chest. Knowing Terentius still takes children out to teach them about the outdoors is helping even more. He needs this warm feeling. Something to clutch close to and focus on in place of the bad memories and his fear.

They've braved this journey before. They'll do it again. Felix is with them this time. They'll make this right and then it can finally be over.

"I'm still not sure what a Dremora even is but I've brought one of my weapons along with my bow. If it takes extreme measures to put down, maybe that will help." Jim sounds downright confident when he glances back their uncle's way. Surely they would have told him if a Dremora were larger than a troll or something. It couldn't be--Felix wanted it for scavenging in the ruins. No, if it's of a reasonable size he's pretty sure his phaser is up to the task if Nirnish magic and weaponry aren't enough.

Because he still is a child, Stratos fends off the urge to remark. His brother's earned better than that, especially now, when he's out here with them facing his fears- and the consequences of his own actions.

"Felix hasn't changed as much," he says instead. "As a child he was always too cute for his own good."

"Stratos," Felix complains, "we're not out here for you to tell baby stories."

"Why, I hadn't thought of telling Jim the stories... I'm sure he'd be interested to hear them."

Terentius catches Jim's eye and winks. Tense as they all are, the bickering goes some way to distracting them. It's a far cry even from the way Stratos behaved, last time they came this way. This time, his little brother's life and soul aren't in desperate peril. This time their family is close around them, at their side. No matter how painful the task ahead, that's a far more manageable prospect.

Mention of the Dremora does sober the mood a bit, though. Felix speaks up to venture, "It's a humanoid warrior, armored in daedric plate and wielding a mace. It wasn't one of the more powerful ranks, at least. I don't think it had a bow, and it probably can't do much magic. It'll be tough, but if Jim can stay at range with his weapons and we hit it all together..."

"I would be interested to know how it fares against Earth weaponry," Stratos adds. "That might be of more help than trying to punch through its armor with an arrow."

Hearing the brothers bicker and whine at each other over the knifing breeze does do quite a bit to soothe Jim's nerves somewhat. It's almost normal to hear them fussing over each other like this, without the poison of accusation there'd been before. This is safer. This is fine.

"Perhaps we can trade youthful stories after we've finished our business out here. Over a stiff drink." Or three. They'll have earned it by then, surely.

"Plate mail and a mace. I saw what it did to your old armor...." Anger simmers but Jim keeps his voice even. He draws his phaser out of its holster to confirm to Stratos what he's brought. "This was enough to...Before. And that was a more dangerous foe than we have now. If nothing else I should be able to slow it down enough to give one of you an opening."

Felix grimaces where he's facing the road - the exact details of the battle itself, but certain fragments are hazy and confused most of the time, but certain fragments have a way of coming back with brief and unpleasant clarity. Like the feeling of that phaser blast hitting him (them). Brief as it was, he can't make fun of any weapon that could hit a powered-up proto-lich like a charging minotaur.

"You might appreciate knowing, Jim," he says over his shoulder, "if you have to destroy it, you won't be killing it. Only destroying its physical form. When that happens it'll be banished from this plane, but eventually it'll re-emerge in the Oblivion planes again. I try to avoid doing that, but- it's not as bad as it might look."

The others might think nothing of it- very few Nirnish people would, but Jim is not a man to take it well if he's forced to kill. Felix wants to give his husband what reassurance he can.

Jim answers his husband's call of his name with a noise in affirmation to show he's listening but doesn't reply right away. It's a shock to hear Felix giving voice to concerns Jim so often has when they're dealing with any kind of hostile entity.

"You know, this once, I think I'll be able to live with violence being our only solution." Felix is supposed to be the expert where conjuration's involved. He called out to the Dremora because he desperately needed an ally, and that trust was betrayed. Underneath Jim's fingers the memory of shredded leather and tacky blood is still fresh as the day he found his husband. "Seems as though you need to remind them who's the conjurer around here anyway, right?"

Jim won't waste a tear on a creature that tried to take everything away from him. He won't enjoy pulling the trigger but if Rielle weighs heavily on Jim it won't be because of a willful conjuration being aggressively escorted out of Nirn.

"Maybe best not to try attempting any Dremora again anytime soon though. I can't imagine they'll like what we're about to do."

For a time after there is little to do but mind the horses steady trudging through the drifting snow along the path mostly Stratos' clairvoyance is helping them keep to. Here and there the sets of small animal tracks atop the snow tell of the life in the woods but Jim still isn't quite ready for the slow realization that he's not seen any of that for some time. He remembers all too well the eerie silence and Presence Rielle has. It's not as all-encompassing as it once was, but it's the surest sign yet that they're getting close to the wards Stratos placed.

They won't be able to go much further by horse but truly the beasts don't seem to want to continue forward the closer they pick their way through.

Edited (Realized i should help move things along) 2021-09-13 20:20 (UTC)

"Well, on the upside, I doubt most of them will ever hear about us specifically..." Felix is shooting another look at Jim, startled himself by how committed the normally peace-loving captain is to what they're here to do.

"Nonetheless." Stratos's voice is firm. "I think we'd all rest easier absent such risky summonings." He's quelling any urge to throw in a comment about summoning such creatures at all. It's not the time, even if they weren't far past the point of such concerns having any impact.

The grey morning light has warmed somewhat as the sun creeps over the mountainside, yet its warmth doesn't seem to touch them as they catch sight of bone-white stones rising over the curve of the slope ahead. The otherwise stolid horses grow skittish, ears flicking around them. Felix lifts a finger to test the wind thoughtfully; Stratos reins a halt and turns to nod grimly at the others.

"Any closer and we'll lose any chance of surprise," he says in a low voice. The last part of the path up isn't suited to horses anyway, even if the nervous beasts would be anything other than a liability.

Terentius will take the reins as each of them dismounts and collects his things from the saddle. Stratos beckons the others closer.

"The ward extends around the outer limit of the buildings remaining. I propose that I will ascend and approach first, in concealment, then the two of you will follow after a few minutes have passed. Felix should take the vanguard with his familiar; Jim, be ready to fall back and get some distance for your phaser. I will try to lay eyes on our opponent and ensure it doesn't take you unawares." Stratos actually gives them a small smile, then. "Remember, it may be formidable, but it isn't prepared to face two Imperial battlemages, much less a Starfleet captain."

Once, Jim might have seemed like a pot about to boil over with his anger clouding his judgement were he making such a declaration. He doesn't boil over anymore so much as simmer quietly, his expression pulled tight in grim determination. Jim doesn't need to be the one to give the final blow, to see the job done, to scream his rage into the Dremora's face and make it know what it tried to take from him. Beat it until he's too tired to stand the way he once did to....

No.

The anger is still there but it is tempered by experience. No matter how badly Jim wants to lash out such rash actions won't be an aid to their mission here. He's slow to release the reins of his horse to dismount. His fingers pluck over his bow to test he's strung it well before they drift to check he has his phaser set well. If the Dremora can't be outright banished they'll kill it. Or well, destroy it's ties to this plane. It sounds an awful lot like killing but Felix made the distinction.

This is necessity. To see the mission done. Retrieving those books for Felix's former friend has to remain their top priority. Jim's not like Khan. He's not. It's a dangerous spiral to find himself in but the captain is jolted out of it by a reassuring clap on the shoulder from their Uncle.

"First sign of Trouble you lot yell and I'll come fast as I can." Which given his leg won't be as quick as one of the others but it's a damn sight better than no back up at all. "Don't worry. For now I've got the horses. You three look out for each other." Terentius nods Jim's way when he seems a bit taken aback. His nephew's husband may not be from Nirn but he's never let that slow him down when he was needed. Today will be no different.

It's enough to get Jim to twitch his lips in a grateful flicker of a smile before he turns to pay attention to the plan Stratos is laying out. Stratos has the ability to disappear when he wishes--getting close shouldn't be much of an issue for him. Felix and his familiar work in tandem and can react quicker than verbal orders given. And Jim? His best tools are a bow and his phaser. Neither is a weapon one wants to try and wield in close quarters combat. Pride and fear nearly make him insist he follow to the front as well, to not be in any less danger than the others, but everything Stratos says makes sound Tactical sense. It's a good plan.

Best as they'll get with just the three of them. He swallows.

"We wait two minutes and then follow the path after you." A beat and a deep breath. "I'll try to keep to the higher ground if possible so I can give you both some covering fire."

Stratos nods, glancing between the two of them to be sure they're both prepared. Tightens his armor so it sits a little more snug around him. "Talos be with us, then."

There's a whisper of light, a sound quickly muffled by the spells Stratos casts in tandem, concealing himself from eye and ear alike. No trace remains of the tribune as he heads away from them, up the rocky path to their goal. Felix reaches out to squeeze Jim's hand in reassurance while they wait, both of them silently marking the minutes that seem to stretch out far too long.

When they move to climb up after, they have to be careful not to make noise, by the scrabble and scraping of their boots on the uneven ground, or harsh breaths in the chill air as they have to grab for handholds to steady themselves. The winter and the first early thaw have done this part of the path no favors at all. But they rise quickly, both men keeping wary watch as they stand at the top. Felix lets Jim ready his aim before he moves closer to the crumbled stones that loom over them. His hands flick out to the sides, and the air warps, snaps as he summons his familiar and his sword in one burst. His nerves are dancing in the stillness. It's just as foreboding as before, the same dread and guilt welling up with each step closer... but not as important, now. Not when he knows what he wants-

When Jim is just behind him, and all that matters is getting rid of this creature before it hurts them again.

It never fails to catch Jim's breath to see the battlemages in the midst of their craft. Difficult not to feel a bit more confident to watch Stratos and then his husband warp reality to their own wills with such practiced ease. Felix's casting here on Nirn is quicker and even less strained now after so much time spent in the relatively magic-scarce plane of Jim's own world.

The spectral wolf shakes out its translucent coat but keeps quiet on its master's order. No howling, no happy trotting. It's hunching lower to the ground and stealing forward all too soon as it hones in on the scent of the dremora they're hunting. Acknowledging and reassuring Felix that his brother passed through here with the faintest traces of Stratos' scent picked up.

Jim watches them press on while he readies his phaser. Then it's his turn to creep forward even slower while he sweeps the area for any signs of movement. No telling where Stratos has ended up by now, no sign of a fight having broken out yet.

In fact, the dremora spends much of its time circling the circumference of Stratos' wards probing for any sign of weakness it could exploit. Having won this bit of rubble from the wretched mortal who dared call for power beyond his scrabbling filthy hands might be a victory were it not for the boundaries that keep it from expanding its territory. What good is this wretched place if there is nothing against which it can test its mettle? Even the animals fear coming near and the creatures below are utterly mindless. No point at all when they don't even bleed.

Felix can hear his familiar's breath huffing as it scents the cold air, trying to track their quarry. They're 4approaching from downwind of the ruins; the trouble is, the dremora's been pacing round and round this ground for weeks already. The pungent scent of blood and brimstone is everwhere.

Even quiet as they're being, the ground is hard, the stonework around them quick to echo the tiny sounds of pebbles scattering from their feet. Their presence is soon noticed. Something living has dared to trespass in these dead half-buried streets, something that comes with the frantic beat of feeble mortal hearts. Prey at last...

There's a faint shing of scraping metal: the familiar's ears prick, and Felix's head turns with it as they try to trace the echoed sound to its source. It sounds so close, where is it, it could leap out at any moment-

The dremora has yet to announce its approach as it stalks closer, teeth bared eagerly. The first warning they'll get will be a sudden sharp whistle to their right, just a few seconds before their foe rounds the corner with vicious mace in hand. It's taller than any of them, encased in armor but for its head, the black plates spiking like thorny leaves at the joints. Its red and black face is twisted into a sneer. Felix orders his familiar forward about the same moment as it recognizes him.

"Wretched cur! This time will be your end!"

It charges in turn, barely slowed by the spectral wolf wheeling to snap at it before giving chase. Felix raises his blade to ward off the incoming blow. The force of it wrenches his shoulder as it shocks through bone and muscle.

Stratos has the benefit of his carefully trained muffling spell. Jim has taken up position watching over the grounds and is more or less still in the chill air. And so the terrible creature Felix has summoned finds him at last...

But it would be a fool's folly to think he's come alone. The dremora roars with fury to have this pathetic mortal dare to try and fight back. This pitiful creature who had the audacity to think he could play at being master. Pathetic. Offensive to even think he had the strength to finish the summons let alone--

Lightning cracks across the ruins into the dremora's back. Stratos Caelus strides, his weapon drawn, with as much single minded fury as the dremora itself even if he does not come up to its shoulder. He is a force to be reckoned with; an Imperial Tribune and that title was not granted out of nepotism or lightly. The dremora is quickly becoming flanked, a snarl carrying alongside its own shouts as the familiar rounds again to lunge.

Jim hasn't dared even swear as he creeps along the high ground trying to get a better line of sight on everything going on. He just needs a good angle, needs a chance for a clean shot. His heart lodges itself painfully in his throat and the captain prays fervently to Felix's Divines (and Sanguine alike) to guide his husband now. This was his idea Felix can't he won't fall here--!

Edited 2021-10-27 17:28 (UTC)

The dremora rounds on Stratos, and Felix has the chance to back out of its way - and he has to spring back in a hurry, for it throws a bolt of ugly red light at his brother and then whips around to try and smash him again.

Stratos wards off the hostile spell with a serpent-quick twist of his hand, follows up with a lunge that takes his sword-point into the unprotected pit of the creature's off hand. It wheels around with a curse on its lips, mace raised to smite this new gadfly... and Stratos throws a glimmer of light to meet it. The dremora's arm is wrenched down suddenly, the daedric warrior bent to the ground by the multiplied weight of its weapon. At a thought from Felix, the familiar darts in, jaws closing on the creature's weapon hand and biting until its teeth find bone. The dremora's howl mingles outrage and genuine pain.

Lightning Jim Kirk can at least can understand, but whatever magic the dremora retaliates with is unlike anything he's ever seen before. It's been since the last time they were here in Rielle that the spaceship captain has seen magic used offensively. But even before it was mages just destroying property and creatures that didn't Cast back. To see the dremora turn and hurl such power back at someone he calls family nearly has him breaking on the spot.

A strangled shout of a warning is bursting from Jim's mouth even before he can think to stay hidden, though Stratos is more than prepared for the retaliation. The familiar is clamping its jaws down on the creature's hand. It's weapon as immovable as Thor's hammer. Which means all it has access to is that horrible spell again only now both Caelus brothers are in point blank range--

Jim's first shot goes wide with his panic, a strange high pitched noise that whizzes over the dremora's shoulder. And when that horrible creature looks at him for the first time his blood runs cold. It's raising its hand his way...

He fires the phaser.

A shout and the high trill of the phaser announce Jim has joined the battle, and despite everything Felix's heart soars. In all their eons of existence, no daedra has ever had to face this challenge. Has ever contended with the exotic and potent weapons of Starfleet.

His elation lasts for the split second it takes to realize the dremora is moving. Not to defend itself from Stratos, lunging from the side. Not to blast the familiar relentlessly closing its jaws until bone cracks beneath them.

It's turning that cursed magic on Jim.

Felix's turn to cry out, an ice spike forming in his hands- too slow, Stratos is too slow, red energy lashes out from the daedra's hand- and faster still, the phaser beam lances into its throat, burning through the unarmored tissue and warping the collar of its cuirass. The creature jerks as it's thrown back. Then, under the mages' eyes, it falls back, its snarls silenced. But Felix only stares at it a second before wheeling around. He saw Jim flinch and fall back.

"Jim!" He shoots a frantic look at Stratos, who waves him to go attend his husband. The elder brother will see to it the daedra is dead. Felix is more concerned with the living, though Jim will find the dremora's shot has only clipped his left arm, leaving it burned and weak-feeling.

If the dremora is to die in this madness at the hands of some mortals then at least bringing one of them with it into the gates of Oblivion will be one last conquest. And this one reeks of weakness. Fear. The dremora falls without ever knowing the fate of its prey. It's corrupting magics leaving singed patches in the grass that smolder with a sickly smoke.

"Here, I'm...I'm here!" Jim calls out from where he's hurrying down the rocks to try and catch back up with the brothers. Slower than he'd otherwise be, but in tact. His arm burns, but it's his off-hand. He can still fight like this. Probably. It's magic, so no telling if it's going to spread or get worse. But better him than Felix or Stratos. Even if this Hurts, he can still stand. Still move. Still continue. He won't hold them back.

"Are you both okay?"

Edited 2022-07-11 02:01 (UTC)

There's no mistaking the profound relief in Felix's face to see Jim climb down on his own, despite the smoke rising from his sleeve. The fear for his beloved husband cuts so much deeper here, today, when they risk acting out the very nightmares that have plagued the mage for so long.

"We're fine- both of us. No small thanks to your aim." Felix finds himself laughing as the tension rushes out of him. "Here- let me see that arm, you can take an elixir to ease the wound."

Stratos is passing a hand over his eyes to check for any lingering life in the dremora, the familiar standing guard helpfully; Felix dispels his sword and reaches for Jim to roll up his sleeve and fuss over the wound. Beneath the damaged cloth his skin is raised and inflamed, colored like a bruise but with ugly tendril-shaped welts starting to rise around it. Felix doesn't look too concerned, despite the way he winces in sympathy.

"I never thought to see you slay a dremora," he says softly, giving Jim a small smile before he reaches to his pocket for a small bottle.

Jim's thoughts are still disjointed as he slows to a halt down in front of the still dremora. So many competing emotions as he looks down at it. Fear still surges through his pulse even as anger lingers for needing it to come to this to begin with. How could Felix trust something like this...? But then, his husband was desperate. Jim supposes he should be grateful there's so much less of that here. Now. Even as a lance of pain shoots up Jim's arm and makes him flinch away a moment, he's grateful that they're all here together. Keeping composed. More or less.

"I uh..." His aim. None of them would have been at risk for that second spell if he'd only been able to aim properly the first time. "I could have done better."

Felix has to hold onto Jim tight to keep him from pulling away. His arm does hurt and a part of him doesn't want to expose it to light of day out of fear for how bad it will actually be. But there's no blood. His mage husband isn't fainting to see it or drawing up pale. Jim figures that's a good sign he'll be fine.

"I'm not sure you really needed me to the way you two and your familiar were fighting. I...saw the spell it threw at Stratos and--" Panicked. "Got a bit anxious, I guess. Turns out watching battlemages fight against something Else magical is pretty scary." He'd thought Felix said the Dremora couldn't use magic. Maybe there's different kinds. Hopefully he'll never find out.

"I'm just glad it worked."

"Nonsense, you struck well. Every man in Tamriel wishes he could have done as you just did." Felix isn't going to let Jim put himself down, not now when the mage is so very grateful they came through this first part almost unscathed.

"Yeah, I... didn't think one so lowly could use spells like that." He checks the bottle in his hands, trying to stifle the guilt that crosses his face.

"Perhaps you were mistaken about the rank of the creature you summoned," Stratos comments. "It would explain why your wards were unprepared for it."

"Mm. Perhaps." His brother might be trying to comfort him, but Felix isn't in the mood to discuss it right now. He offers Jim the bottle. "Two swallows, and that should bring down the pain and swelling before it gets worse."

"Sure." It's sweet to see Felix insisting on giving him a compliment when he's absolutely the one who panicked and nearly cost them this encounter. "Either way, whatever rank he was, he's gone now and that's what matters most. The upper area should be safe now."

It's a truth Jim can latch onto in the moment. Ease his fears hopefully even half as well as Felix's elixir is about to ease the pain in his arm. "Joy..." It smells horrible. But they always do. Jim wrinkles his nose, sucks in a breath to stop himself from smelling it too much, and then drinks as he's told to.

Both Caelus brothers will get to hear him make a rather uncharming half-gag at the second sip but he manages to get it down. Incentive to not get hurt in the first place? Eeeeeeh, not so much, but An Effort was made. Let it not be said that captain Kirk hasn't learned to come prepared though. Once he's handed the bottle back off to Felix he's rummaging in one of his many pockets before fishing out a little container of mints so he can pop one into his mouth to ease the awful flavor out of it.

"Brought enough for everyone," Jim explains around the one he's working in his mouth. "Was told it'd help fight off the worst of the nausea from what we're going to run into down below."

Even Felix can't help a tiny smile at the face Jim pulls. After he's stoppered the bottle Felix squeezes his husband's shoulder affectionately. "Look, I can't make it taste good or you'd have no reason to be avoid needing it."

But they've done it. The first danger is past, the remnant of his mistake laid out lifeless on the ground. Felix breathes in deep and exhales some of his tension. Feels the warmth of satisfaction he doesn't feel he should admit to. It's dead. Dead and over just like I wanted I want to see this through we're getting closer every step-

"Wise," Stratos is commenting on the mints. "We each could make use of a few, I suspect. Time will have stripped some of the smell, yet..." It won't be pleasant by any stretch. And a few scented sweets are a gentler intervention than the tribune's own emergency plan.

"-Right. The upper levels should be safe enough, but... I'll have my familiar scout ahead when we go in." Felix takes a deep breath, makes himself look up at Jim, at Stratos. "I... should take the lead. I know where to look. What to expect."

Stratos studies him carefully before he nods. Perhaps too this is another manifestation of Felix's latent desire to atone, but at least this is a more healthy form of it. Wanting to take the lead in confronting the evidence of his actions without putting himself in excessive danger, or denying them the chance to help. "I'll agree to that, if Jim consents."

"Har, har." Jim grumbles though he offers little else in his own self defense. The pain is ebbing though, and with it some of the tension in Jim's shoulders goes with it. Not much. This bit was only the beginning. "Whatever we decide on, we should tell your uncle it's safe to get closer."

In case they need help bidding a hasty retreat. Though he'll soon grow still to hear Felix insisting on taking the lead. He wants to ask if Felix is sure, but manages only just to hold his tongue. After a moment's hesitation, Jim nods slowly.

"We'll be right with you, anyway. The whole way."

Felix's hand squeezes Jim's shoulder again, trying to reassure both of them. Stratos sheathes his sword as he looks between them.

"I will fetch Uncle: you can take a moment here." Let them ready themselves, if another minute or two will help with that. It'll ensure the potion has time to take full effect at least. The tribune's boots crunch over dead grass and stones as he heads back for the rocky slope.

"...Is this how you feel, all the time?" Felix asks softly when they're alone. "Afraid but... wanting more than anything not to make someone else go instead?" He can't pretend he's not afraid, he doesn't have Jim's practiced air of leadership; what talent he has for bluffing won't work on the man who know his soul best. But he can be afraid and still be resolved to do the right thing.

He leans into that gentle squeeze. Stratos is going to get Terentius. Felix will be taking the lead further in. Felix is so determined, so much more fierce in his commitment than Jim expected of him. He's proud even as fear settles heavy in his stomach.

"Not usually this kind of fear. I rarely get to know what's out there. But the ideal is the same." This place tried to claim Felix once. Not again. "It comes with the chair."

Edited 2022-08-27 22:17 (UTC)

"Then I'm all the more sure I'm not cut out for that. But I can do this. For... for us."

It won't be long before Stratos brings their uncle back with him, bringing up some of the emergency supplies in case the adventuring party should return injured. Terentius is glad to see all his nephews uninjured, but he steps back with a startled grimace and a curse when he claps eyes on the dead dremora. Felix's familiar is sitting between it and the other men as if still protecting them, tail thumping on the ground when their friends return.

"By Stendarr, that's an ugly brute," Terentius comments. "You did well to take it down so handily, boys."

"Hopefully that is the most dangerous opponent we'll face today," Stratos remarks, setting his pack down and transferring another couple of bottles to the pouch tied on his belt.

"Well, don't take too long down there. When this day's work is over you've a good hearty meal and a warm fire to get back to." All the more reason to urge them away from this place and the shadows haunting it. Terentius has never seen this place before, and already he feels a grim dread in his gut when he looks around.

"And you won't be doing it alone." Jim can promise that much to his husband with every last ounce of his determination. He rolls the mint in his mouth then, trailing off as Stratos and their uncle appear over the hill and to their position.

"Bigger than I pictured, too." The captain nudges the dremora's body with the toe of his boot one last time before turning attention toward the main structure of the ruins. His thoughts focused to what lies in wait for them inside. And below.

Jim exchanges a glance with the elder Caelus brother at the last. Felix had told them that he'd already tried searching the upper floors and found nothing. They can do a quick sweep again to be sure, but more than likely what they're looking for is stored below. If any of the Runeblades' twisted experiments yet wanders those corridors, they're likely to have to do at least a little sneaking or fighting yet.

"Ready when you two are." And he means it. Even with lead weight in his stomach.

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Shedding Light Part 3 - Demons in the Dark [Ongoing Post with conjuredskies]

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