《Re:Skyrim》


 Chapter One

    When I came to, I realize that, there isn''t much to realize.


    I had no memories to relive, no senses to use, no limbs to move, nothing, just a sapient will that wasn''t sentient.


    Time didn''t exist there, as an uncountable amount of moments passed without any more different so than others.


    That was, until something reverberates my whole being.


    A sound, a voice, so melodious it twisted the void around me, giving birth to a multitude of colours, a voice, so graceful it gave me a newborn soul, a voice, so powerful it brought me to reality.


    "Approach, my child, and choose how your new life shall begin"


    With her words, a myriad of meanings and knowledge flooded me, giving me a portion of common sense known to Man and Mer.


    I was but a soul then, and by her, Mara, the Goddess of Love and Compassion, I was given life and a chance to live, as a mortal.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Mara presented me with choices of different lives, all unique and unlike the others, all have their own stories and destiny. They all had interesting history and abilities, given headstarts, and allies.


    But what I wanted wasn''t listed, and so, I lowered myself to the lowest of low and asked for another gift, even though I know I was being ungrateful, ever since from long ago, all I wanted was this.


    "Mara, please, I beg and I grovel, please, give me what I desire the most, give me what I covet, please give me, true freedom."


    I didn''t want to be constrained by other''s lives and relations, neither did I want to live according to others.


    I wanted to be free, away from this prison, away from the darkness, I just want to live.


    "So be it."


    I sensed an unknown emotion within her voice, not sweetened and divine as just a few moments ago, but with it, was an unbroken conviction.


    A calm and soothing presence enveloped me, carrying me away from this dark place, and hopefully to my new life, where I would be a mortal.


    And thus, I woke up, with run down stone walls, moist air, black rusted iron bars holding me inside a cell.


    A bouncy and jumpy feeling floated inside me, it made all the way into my new mouth, where it turned my lips into a crescent shape.


    For the first time in my new life, I grinned.

 Chapter Two

    With my new sight, I, who was akin to a gourmet for new experiences, laid my focus on every single detail in the room.


    The rusted iron bars, a few lock picks on a table near the cell door, two bookshelves, both made out of wood, and both were aged. One was beneath the stone stairs which led to a platform holding my bed, while the other was just beside the table.


    I closed my eyes, savouring the darkness within my eyelids. They were organic curtains that could move just based on my will, and to me, that was close to magic itself.


    The darkness when I closed my eyes made me remember my semi-endless existence before my life, and always reminded me to be grateful for living.


    I moved to my nose, inhaling a few bags of air. The air was moist, with an old scent of decay and death lingering within. I exhaled through my mouth, feeling warm air pass through my tongue, tasting a tiny sensory input of bitterness.


    I focused on my ears, tuning in to drops of water from the misaligned stones, making puddles where they land. I could barely hear footsteps that were made with the lightest of material and worn by the lightest of man.


    With a slight motion, I brought my newfound arms to my sight, laying them for my eyes to feast.


    The first thing I noticed was my skin''s tone was lighter than Nord''s, but softer than a Snow Elf''s. I had little muscles, as if I hadn''t eaten in forever. I had just enough of them to make the barest of functions.


    Yet, despite all this, despite my seemingly depressing start, I was truly ecstatic with how I am. After all, I am alive.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I repeat,


    I. Am. Alive. Just repeating those words in my mind made me jumpy. Before I break any part of my newly given body and begging for a second chance from Mara, I better calm myself first.


    Taking a few more deep breaths, I am back to a calm state, though I admit, a slight residue of happiness lingered, mostly on my lips and eyes.


    I turned my attention towards what''s below me.


    The bed I was on was covered with dust and pebbles, some, if not all, had fallen from the ancient ceiling, I hypothesized. Though age-ridden, I could faintly feel the remnants of the bed''s comfort, just barely.


    I stood up, wobbling, and falling shortly after. Using a pair of frail legs was a first for me, as well as using legs. I looked more like an octopus trying to walk more than a Man learning to walk.


    After a few minutes of self study, I managed to balance myself properly, thank Mara.


    While descending the stairs and walking towards the table, I tried learning about myself and my insides. Of course I''m not talking about the organs and whatnot, Mara knows what she put inside me, I would do that later on with the right tools and abilities. Closing my eyes, I felt time slowing as I took a light plunge into my mind.


    I saw a tiny, tiny pool of Magicka, or Mana, stagnant, unmoving at the centre of me. I would need to fix that, soon, if what Mara taught about the world was true.


    Then, I delved deeper, beneath what could be seen by mortal''s senses. With time growing to a crawl, I saw it, my soul, tied with a pure white thread.


    Through Mara''s compassion and grace, she had given me a thread leading to...somewhere, only Mara knows. Although it was just a faint thin line from my soul leading to somewhere, it was unbreakable and indestructible. Which could benefit me in some unknown ways, perhaps.


    Emerging from my self exploration, I picked a lockpick on the table and twirled it around, but I dropped it a few times as my hands weren''t as dexterous as I had thought.


    A lockpick, though Mara was reluctant to give information regarding this branch of skills, she still did, seeing as I chose a rather unorthodox start.


    At the iron door, I tried jamming it open, but as I had presumed, it was locked.


    Crouching just eye level on the key hole, I inserted a lockpick and another lockpick just beside it. Going with Mara''s hesitant guidance, I heard a clink, and the door was unlocked.


    Thank Mara for that.

 Chapter Three

    Just like the cell back then, only a few torches were lit, just enough to know where you''re going.


    As I walked carefully across the cobweb infested hallways of cobbled stone, I took some time to examine my clothes.


    It was a sleeveless brown rough spun tunic that covers my torso, while not the most comfortable of threads, it was better than nothing. I was also wearing pants made of the same material, tied around my waist with a rope.


    My feet were wrapped around by the same kind of thread, providing with the basic of foot protection.


    That''s it. Nothing else, I ran my palm to the top of my head, finding rough hair nestled and untamed there. Pulling a bit, they were black. Hmm, wonder what race Mara had gave me.


    Footsteps and quiet mumblings stopped my tracks dead. My first encounter, although it won''t necessarily be a violent confrontation, but given how old and run down this place is, I can''t think of anybody decent living here.


    Crouching a bit, I slowly moved forward while trying my best to reduce the sounds my footsteps made. Given my unhealthy weight and wearing almost nothing at my feet, not much noise was made.


    The hallway led into a long cell block, with almost all of them were closed, but the two opened ones had ethereal inhabitants. I could more or less see that they had fur garments and a weapon tucked by their waist.


    Ghosts, were the souls of mortals who refused to pass on, living on as spiritual beings, sometimes they were friendly, and sometimes they weren''t. According to Mara''s teachings, at least. At any rate, better avoid them.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Moving my right foot forward and slowly landing it in front of me, then doing the same to the other foot. At first, everything was fine, I couldn''t hear my footsteps, it was all quiet.


    With a bit more confidence, I continued a bit faster, going to a flight of stairs at the end of the cell block, when halfway through, they sensed me.


    "Hm? Does someone live among the dead?"


    And by the tone of it, they don''t sound like they want to be friends.


    I sucked in my breath and held it, while my body went completely motionless.


    Steps made their way towards me. I''m not sure how the dead see in the dark, it wasn''t in Mara''s guidance, but I hope they can''t see me.


    Given that I stood in the middle of the room like a giant obstacle that screamed ''Investigate me!'', the chances of it happening is low.


    Skimming through my mind trying to recall any way to survive, two arcane spells surfaced.


    During my planning in my mind, time had slowed down considerably that a few seconds became a few minutes. A gift from Mara, perhaps?


    The first spell was Flames, a Destruction Branch Magick. A simple spell where it would spew hot streams of flames from the palm of your hands. An ideal solution to my problem at hand.


    The second spell was Healing, from the Restoration Branch Magick. Like the previous Flames, Healing is also a non complex magick, it restores your body while consuming mana.


    These two spells were perfect for a newborn like me, especially right now.


    I thanked Mara again and again for her kindness.


    With an almost instinctual action, searing flames bursted and enveloped my hands, it was a blessing that it didn''t hurt it''s caster.


    I turned and ran at the ghost that was walking towards me earlier, his distance were closed in a single breath.


    Taking the advantage of surprise, I slammed my burning palms at both sides of his face, finding it was indeed tangible, a pleasant surprise at that time.


    I burned my mana until it was empty, by that time, his face had melted, leaving behind a mess of light blue substance, Ectoplasm, as Mara had called it.


    A solid strike on the back of my head sent me tumbling forward and dizzy from the disrupt in balance.


    Right, there were two of them.

 Chapter Four

    Stumbling and disoriented, I landed on the dissolving corpse of the ghost, a strange state for the corpse, but I had no time to dwell on it.


    I turned my body upside down and gazed at the oncoming ghost. He wasn''t much different from the other one, only he''s wielding a mace. Which gave me an idea, but the idea was unfortunately put off when I found the dead ghost''s weapon was also dissolving.


    "All of living shall fear the deaaaad".


    I reassessed the situation, for I had time, and I''m going to use the advantage as much as I can.


    Now, the ghost had a weapon, full of energy, unwounded, in an upright position, and in a violent state of mind.


    And what do I have? Depleted mana pool, no weapons, no armors, in a disadvantageous position, lack of muscle power, but, in a state of a calm mind. Reaching at the back of my head, I felt my fingers touched something moist. And my head was bleeding.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Those conditions sounded hopeless to me, but I wasn''t going to give up like that.


    I scooped a bit of ectoplasm and threw it at the ghost, which he evaded deftly.


    Right, that didn''t worked.


    I crawled backwards as fast as I could, in my rush, I crashed at the iron bars holding a cell.


    The ghost didn''t increased his pace, he just walked over to where I was, in a menacing way, with his mace and his sneering gaze.


    Then, he disappeared.


    I realized at the moment I blinked, he sprinted at full speed, and was already in front of me, with his mace high in the air.


    Combined with his force of running and the mace''s speed of going down, my head would be crushed.


    I moved my head sideways, but the mace changed direction in the nick of time.


    When the mace was literally in front of my eyes, all of my life flashed in mere moments.


    The countless time I''ve spent in the darkness, Mara''s grace and compassion, my birth, my exploration, my first kill, and then, this mace.


    Did I have a satisfying life? I''m not sure what counts as satisfying, perhaps was it to make friends, drink ale, breed, have grandsons, have adventures?


    Then, no, my life wasn''t satisfying.


    But what can I do about it?


    I''m going to die, and there''s nothing I could do about it.


    I couldn''t feel the pain, in fact, I lost everything the moment the mace connected to my face.


    I was back in the darkness.


    For the first time ever, I died.

 Sad Update

    So...I''ll be continuing my studies, and I don''t think I have time to update this fanfiction, I''m sorry about that.


    In another note, I have this chapter ready, but it''s a few years/months set after the last chapter. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I made it like a guideline for the fanfiction, but since the fanfiction won''t be continued, I''m thinking of posting it.


    Some parts of it would need a bit more time to digest, but I think you could figure it out.


    What are your opinions? Should I post it? Answer it in the poll, if no one voted, I''ll post it.

 Chapter 20?

    The Dragonborn, a hulking mass of flesh, towering above the infamous and undying leader of the rebelling Stormcloaks, Ulfric.


    He was at least two heads taller, with width twice what a normal man should have. On his back was an enormous great sword made of a black but sleek substance, giving off faint auras of wrongness.


    His whole body was protected by gigantic heavy bones, ones that still emanated lifeforce even when forged and remade into an armor like that.


    A helmet with two horns spiraling upwards made of the same bones covered his head, but I could still see the contemptuous gaze he had over me.


    A deep cynical voice vibrated the hall.


    "So, this is the messenger of the Imperial? They must have run out of men to send this milk drinker"


    The Dragonborn bellowed with a laugh while an arm was wrapped around Ulfric, who was smiling.


    With a hand raised, Ulfric quieted down his ally''s laugh and asked in a polite manner, one I didn''t expect from the rebelling king.


    "What did Queen Elsif told you boy?"


    I took another bow, only slightly higher than last time.


    "My King, Queen Elsif proposed a duel, a duel that will determine the future of Skyrim. She sai-"


    The Dragonborn laughed out loud again, rudely interrupting my words. He wiped off a nonexistent teardrop on his helmet before speaking,


    "I guess that makes the end of the Imperial''s reign in Skyrim. Determining the fate of thousands of lives over a simple duel, what nonsen-"


    I couldn''t control myself when a hot bubbling feeling rose to my throat, my rich magick infused my tongue, silencing his words with two of mine.


    "Shut up."


    Rage built in my heart, and made it''s way to my hand, the ambient mana in the air cackled with ferocity, making sparks fly around me.


    I guess it was at a threatening level enough as the Dragonborn withdrew the great sword and held it just above the marble floor with one hand.


    At times like this where confrontation was a ninety-nine percent chance of happening, I wondered who would win between us.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Elemental energies peaked with untamed wrath swirled around me, levitating a few things inside the room, the candles flickering bright and low.


    On the other side, the Dragonborn wasn''t without his own tricks.


    The floor cracked as he moved himself into a stance, a killing intent spread, so thick it drowned the atmosphere in it. His aura turned more and more ominous, almost as if you blinked once, he would already disappear.


    His aura clashed with my magick, and the two made a clear boundary between physical and magical might, visible enough to be seen by the naked eye.


    And then, Ulfric intervened, with a Shout.


    "NID GRAH!"


    (Stop Fight!)


    The force of his Shout sent us staggering, making us unwillingly remember why he was the leader of the Stormcloaks.


    His voice blew out our fighting spirits like a candle''s flame put out.


    With a grumble, the Dragonborn put his greatsword beside him and leaned against the wall. His eyes were closed and his breathing even.


    My magick returned to normal, albeit, in an ever ready state to discharge, you never know, after all.


    With a snort, Ulfric started the conversation back up.


    "A duel? Never knew she had it in her to be involved in one of those, since her husband died by the same thing. But nonetheless, it is an interesting proposal, but, just a duel seems a bit unfair"


    Ulfric rested his head on his hand as it was supported by the throne. I could see some interest in his eyes, but also reserved caution. Perhaps my display earlier had left some wariness in these two infamous figures. Great for me, then.


    "Does your majesty have any dissatisfaction?"


    I asked with an eyebrow lightly raised.


    "No, I''m fine with the idea, after all, these needless deaths are taking a toll on Skyrim herself, wives and children are being left everyday, and it''s high time this war should end".


    With the Imperial''s victory, you mean. I kept the retort, since I wouldn''t want to slight the ever so rightful king, it would spiral out of my hands if that happened.


    Another snort came from the Dragonborn, perhaps thinking he should end me here while he still can.


    Speaking of which, I''m still wondering on who would win if the battle did broke out between the two of us.


    The Last Dragonborn, or the Envoy of Mara? Though in that wording, it sounded like I would lose...


    Snapping back at the matter at hand, Ulfric continued his thoughts.


    "I can accept her proposal, if, the duel involves more than a single champions from both sides."


    "Does your Majesty mean that a team battle is more suitable?"


    Ulfric swatted an invisible fly at his side while answering,


    "No, I meant that there would be two duels, taken in the same day, but with different champions, and if both sides have won a single match respectively, then a final round is issued. That, is my proposal, convey it to Queen Elsif"


    I bowed, with gears turning in my mind.


    "This humble servant pardons himself".


    A low whisper, one that came from everywhere at once, but I was the only receiver as Ulfric and the guards seemed oblivious to it.


    "Watch yourself, whelp".


    Hmph, the basic level threat did nothing to deter me, instead, I countered.


    "You too, Argonian Halfbreed".


    In a flash, I teleported to the outsides of Windhelm before the Dragonborn had any time to do anything dangerous inside the palace.


    Now, to Solitude.