Blue Archive - An Otherworldly Sensei

As the next morning finally arrived, Ja'vassa was the last to arrive rather than being the one to wait for them. He had stepped through the door with a light smile on his face. "Good morning. All of you seem to be in a good mood today.. Did something happen before I got here?" He asked, taking note of the cheerful smiles they wore. "Good morning, Sensei. We were thinking about taking a day to just... rest. We've had a lot happening recently." Nonomi explained, eagerly inviting him to sit down beside her. "The frequent attacks from the Helmet Gang, the issues with Problem Solver 68, the Black Market visit... I know we still have the debt with Kaiser to worry about, but we're running on fumes here." Ja'vassa nodded as he'd reclined in the seat beside Nonomi. "You've all been working incredibly hard, you deserve some time to rest and enjoy yourselves. Did you have anything in mind? I'd offer to bring you back to Skyrim for a little while, but I'm not sure if any of you are particularly fond of the cold." He replied somewhat jokingly. Despite his suggestion being a joke, Nonomi's eyes lit up at the possibility. "Wait, you'd really let us visit your home? I'll admit.. I've been curious to see what Sjel Blad Castle looked like." Even Shiroko seemed excited by the idea. "To see where Sensei spent so much time would be nice..." Shaking his head slightly, Ja'vassa laughed softly. "If you're all in agreement, then I'd be glad to bring you home. We should have some robes you can use to keep warm if we decide to move away from the castle. Just... just try not to wander off. Strong as you are, Skyrim isn't a place you should carelessly wander around in. It can be dangerous and of course, it gets bitterly cold at times." Nonomi nodded eagerly, placing her hand on his forearm. "We'll be careful, Sensei. After all, we'll have you with us." She assured him. "You're fine with it, Sensei, but what about the Council? Will they be okay with us staying there for a while?" Serika asked, slightly uncertain about the whole idea despite her own excitement. "Of course, Serika. But, at first, stick close to me. It'll take time for word to spread throughout the castle and I don't want anyone to mistake you for intruders." Ja'vassa stated, standing up from his seat. "Bring only what you can't live without. Your phones will be useless in Skyrim, as will any connected devices." Ayane's previously excited smile turned to a somewhat dejected frown. "Useless? Is Skyrim really that... primitive?" Ja'vassa laughed softly, giving her a teasing smile. "Sweet Ayane... you're in for a surprise. Skyrim still relies on horse-drawn carriages to get from city to city, and if you live up north, those are often useless with all the snow and ice. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Perhaps you'll find it to be somewhat relaxing to be away from all the technology for a bit." She was a little hesitant, but she didn't really want to be left alone while the others were gone. "Alright.. I suppose a few days wouldn't hurt." Ayane sighed softly, her cheerful smile soon returning to her face. "I'll show you as much as I can.. not just Sjel Blad Castle, but maybe some of the old ruins I'd explore long before arriving here." Ja'vassa motioned for them to follow him into the other room. "Brace yourself when you step through the portal, you might feel a bit disoriented at first, but it'll wear off shortly." They nodded in response, watching in awe as Ja'vassa activated the Milestone, creating a still image of one of Sjel Blad's many chambers. "Go on. Step through it and I'll be right behind you." Despite their excitement for the coming journey, they hesitated slightly. The prospect of leaving Kivotos was a daunting task, but so long as they were with Ja'vassa, they knew they'd be safe. One by one, they stepped through the portal and once Ja'vassa entered behind them, the portal abruptly shut. Now, standing just outside of the Council Room, the students looked on with admiration in their eyes. Despite how old the castle was, it was clearly well maintained. The Council's table surrounded a roaring fire pit; ten chairs surrounding the stone table. The floors and walls were meticulously cleaned, not a speck of dust to be seen anywhere. "Sensei... this is beautiful." Hoshino stated breathlessly as she approached the table, marveling at the architecture of the room. "Is this where you and your Council meet?" Ja'vassa nodded in response. "Aye. This is where we first met after the castle was constructed.. It was where we discussed our plans for the Second Great War, where we discussed improvements to the castle, new projects, and eventually where we discussed the ideas that unintentionally led me to Kivotos." Serika took a seat at the table, leaning back slightly. "You've mentioned this Second Great War several times, Sensei? What was that all about?" She asked "Perhaps I could be the one to tell you the story?" Relumara suggested, approaching them with a smile. "I didn't realize my Lord was going to visit us, nor did I realize his precious students would be joining him." Serika jumped slightly as he made his sudden appearance. "It's you again. Relumara, wasn't it? I suppose I wouldn't mind hearing the story from you." The other students had joined him and Ja'vassa, eagerly awaiting for them to begin their story. "This was the second major war between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, starting a few years after the Skyrim Civil War came to an end. As I'm sure my Lord's mentioned, Sjel Blad Castle is technically an Imperial fortress and we were founded as a result of the coming conflict with the Dominion." Relumara started, looking towards Ja'vassa to continue the story. "It was a bloody conflict that ravaged most of southern Tamriel. My army was primarily responsible for driving the Thalmor out of Elsweyr... my homeland. We had arrived much too late, as by the time we crossed from the Cyrodiil border and into Elsweyr, I had discovered they laid waste to my hometown. Copperstead destroyed, and the villagers killed." Ja'vassa's tone was a bit softer at this point. "I never even had a chance to say goodbye to my parents, or my surviving siblings. Though, that only strengthened my resolve to dismantle the Thalmor once and for all." Nonomi briefly covered her mouth for a moment, in shock by the sudden revelation. "They... they killed your family, Sensei? Why would they do that?" Ja'vassa hesitated to answer, shame glistening in his eyes. "I've asked myself the same question, but I'd... believe it was my fault. I clashed with the Thalmor frequently prior to the war and I had led attacks on their Embassy and on Northwatch Keep while occasionally doing battle with them on the roads. Perhaps the attack on Copperstead was revenge for the damage I've caused them." He explained, crossing his arms a bit. "I have no regrets with the damage I've caused the Thalmor, but I only wish I could've had a chance to say goodbye one last time to them." Ayane leaned against Ja'vassa slightly, trying to comfort him the best she could. "You shouldn't blame yourself, Sensei.. I doubt they'd blame you for it." She assured him, staying close to him. "Even if they don't, it's not something I'll be able to forgive myself for." Ja'vassa shook his head, quickly moving forward in the story. "Despite the... the tragedy that befell my hometown, we moved forward. Marching through southern Elsweyr while the Empire's armies focused on driving Thalmor forces out of northern Valenwood. We'd eventually reunite just a short distance from Elden Root, but that's where my story in the war ends. I'm... I'm not proud to admit it, but I failed in that battle. They were ready for us, bombarding us with fire magic and many of their soldiers carried silver weapons. If not for Relumara urging me to flee, I probably would've died then and there." Relumara laughed softly, shaking his head. "You've always had a knack for being stubborn, and I doubt that'll ever change. I'm not sure how we did, but even after my Lord put himself into exile, our armies were able to drive the Thalmor off the mainland and effectively forced them back to the Summerset Isle. They still exist today, but maintain an aggressive policy of isolation." He leaned back, a light sigh escaping him. "It was a little over two hundred years before Ja'vassa returned to us and reclaimed his rightful position as Lord of Sjel Blad." Hoshino looked towards Ja'vassa with mild surprise; to think that the powerful, courageous Sensei she had known would've been in hiding for that long. "What took you so long to return to them, Sensei? Were you... afraid?" Ja'vassa nodded slowly. "I didn't feel worthy of leading them. I failed in that battle, and was forced to flee in shame. The great and powerful Dragonborn, the slayer of Alduin. Even the hardiest of warriors quaked in their boots at my approach, and yet, I was forced to flee after my back was pushed against the wall. Besides, even when I came out of exile, Sjel Blad Castle was thriving under Relumara's leadership. They won the war without me. The castle had become renowned all across Tamriel without me. What right did I have to take the throne back? I still don't know why Relumara and the others were so insistent on me fleeing..." He asked in response, his gaze falling upon the fire at the center of the table. "You've always been too hard on yourself, my Lord. I'm not sure if you realize how important you are to us... and now, to the girls you've brought with you." Relumara looked him firmly in the eyes. "You're an inspiration to us. Even in the face of mortal danger, you never stopped fighting. Look at the Council, the people you've brought together. Serica and I were mere apprentices at the Mage's College. Julara was an escaped slave. Rianra was a Thalmor spy. Where others overlooked us, you saw potential. You took us in and gave us a sense of purpose, this is why we begged you to flee. Even if you would've left with no regrets, we would've missed you." He paused, looking towards the students; noting how comfortable Ayane looked as she leaned against him, the adoration each of them held in their eyes. "The way your students look at you is proof of that." Ayane smiled, nodding in agreement. "He's right, Sensei. You had no reason to help us and yet, you didn't even hesitate to step in and take up the responsibility everyone else ignored. You were there for us when no one else was." She added, glancing up towards him. "...thank you for that. Both of you." Ja'vassa replied softly, leaning against Ayane in return. "I didn't realize how much I needed to hear those words." Relumara returned the smile, nodding at him. "Of course. Now... I'm sure you had something planned for your students. I'll get out of your hair for now." He said to Ja'vassa before turning his attention to the others. "You'll always be welcomed guests here, don't hesitate to come by in the future. I'll spread the word around the castle so people won't mistake you for intruders." As he finished speaking, the old Dunmer had promptly left the room. Ja'vassa had slowly stood up next. "Why don't I give you a proper tour of the castle? Then we could see about finding you something warmer to wear before we step outside." Nonomi excitedly stood up as well, "That sounds lovely, Sensei! We'd love a tour... we want to see everything you're willing to show us!" She quickly grabbed his hand, tugging him towards another doorway. "Where do you get all this energy, Nonomi?" Ja'vassa asked teasingly, though he'd gladly bring them into the main foyer. The large, open room was bustling with activity as various guards, servants, and visitors walked about from room to room. Several corridors led to the castle's barracks, forge, sanctuary, and living quarters. Sitting in the center of the corridors to the right and left of them were massive statues dedicated to their patron deity. Shiroko took note of the strange, tentacled monster that the statues depicted. "Sensei... what's with the statues?" She asked, approaching one of them. "That is Hermaeus Mora, Daedric Prince of Fate and Knowledge." Ja'vassa explained, looking towards the statue with a certain fondness. "He is Sjel Blad's patron deity; all seekers of knowledge turn to him eventually. Through his guidance, we have attained a level of magical understanding that perhaps none have matched, and I have personally served him as his Champion for centuries." Ayane looked a bit confused as she glanced towards him. "You mentioned that some considered the daedra to be evil before. Does your reverence of Hermaeus Mora cause any problems with the locals?" Ja'vassa nodded, a light chuckle escaping him. "Sometimes. They accused us of performing daedric rituals and summonings, and I suppose they weren't entirely wrong. My arrival in Kivotos was a daedric ritual that didn't entirely go as planned, after all. Hermaeus Mora isn't evil nor good, simply acting in his own nature. He hungers for knowledge, and will do nearly anything to hoard the resources that have evaded his grasp. I've... gotten my hands dirty working for him, but the rewards he's offered often makes up for it." As he explained their position with the daedra, Serika approached a closed door, admiring the weapons resting on the racks and display cases near it. "Is this where you create all of your weapons, Sensei?" She reached out, softly caressing the glass sword. "This sword looks like it was made out of glass... do you actually fight with it?" Ja'vassa smiled, stepping beside her to take the blade off the rack. "Just beyond those doors is our forge. All of the weapons, armor, and tools are produced here. I spend a great deal of time here improving my own weaponry." As she asked her next question, he nodded again. "It might seem fragile, but malachite makes for an incredible material for both weapons and armor. Light, durable, and beautiful. Go ahead, see for yourself, Serika." With an eager smile, she gladly took the offered sword; holding it up to admire the way the weapon shined under the soft light of the crackling fires. "It's beautiful, Sensei... do you have an armory we can look at? I'd love to see more of the things you create here." Serika asked, looking up to him with a hopeful grin. "Of course we do." Ja'vassa motioned for them to follow him; leading them into another room. The two-story room held hundreds of display cases, racks, mannequins, and plaques hanging against the wall. A wide variety of swords, axes, bows, polearms, hammers, and spears rested on the displays; though most of the weapons and armor were made from ebony, there were just as many of them crafted with different materials. The armors resting on the mannequins came in all sorts of styles, but many were clearly inspired by the traditional Blades armor crafted primarily from ebony and steel. "Whoa..." Serika muttered, her eyes glittering at the incredible array of weapons. Her eyes fell upon a number of strange armors on the second floor. Armored robes with unusual looking masks that seemed to watch them made her feel slightly uneasy, but she was curious about them. "What's with those weird robes up there, Sensei?" She asked. "Ah, those are specialized robes I've crafted for my Inner Council. I sought to invoke the legacy of the ancient Dragon Priests and forged these after rediscovering the Dragon Forge. As a symbol of my love and trust in them, and to honor their loyalty and skill, I've given each of them their own enchanted robes and mask." Ja'vassa explained, looking towards the robes with a certain fondness in his eyes. Meanwhile, Hoshino found herself admiring the array of Akaviri weapons in the center of the room, her hand brushing against a Blades katana. "You seem to be especially fond of weapons like this, Sensei. I've only ever seen you carry that golden katana and you've got a bunch of them here. Are these typical in Skyrim?" Ja'vassa shook his head. "No, these were crafted to mirror the traditional Akaviri style. I've always been fond of it.. they're beautiful and sharp, useful in combat. Materials on their traditional forging methods have been scarce, and so, I've simply tried to replicate the style based on the weapons I've found." He explained, enjoying the opportunity to delve into this. "Skyrim's traditional weaponry is often heavier, most warriors here prefer bulkier weapons like hammers and axes, but I've always been more fond of swords and bows myself. Most Khajiit share similar sentiments." As the day went on; Ja'vassa showed them all over the castle, happily explaining the building's deep history and what they did in each room. As the tour finally came to a close, the sun had begun to dip below the horizon and he'd bring them to the guest rooms. "We'll begin a proper tour of the province tomorrow. Get some rest and I'll have those robes ready for you by the morning." He stated, ushering them into the empty rooms. "Sofina will come and get you for breakfast in the morning. Sleep well." Throughout the night, the group had slept peacefully with smiles plastered to their faces. For the first time in a long while, they were able to sleep without too many concerns; feeling safe in the walls of the castle. In spite of the recent drama, they've found themselves optimistic for the future; even if it'd take time to pay off their debt, they at least knew they had someone to turn to for support and comfort. Even in a world not their own, they were comfortable. By the time the morning had arrived and as the sun peeked through the windows, the girls had slowly woken up to the sounds of approaching footsteps. Gently tapping at the door, a voice called out. "Are you awake yet? My Lord sent me to deliver a few robes to you; I'll leave them outside the door and once you're ready, I can bring you to the mess hall.." Sofina called out, waiting for a response. Groggily, Ayane had opened the door, greeting the young Nord with a smile. "Oh, thank you. We'll be up and ready shortly." She replied, yawning softly. While they were used to being awake early for school, none of them were often expected to be dressed and fed so soon; it seemed that Sjel Blad Castle was on a much stricter schedule than what they were used to. After retrieving the robes, the students quickly changed into them; admiring themselves in the mirror. All five robes were fairly identical, coming in a blue and white color much like the traditional apprentice's robes used by novice mages in Winterhold. While most of them fit perfectly, Hoshino's robes seemed to be a bit big on her; the sleeves hanging well below her hands and the sash around her waist having been tied numerous times over. She chuckled softly, pulling on the oversized sleeves. "I guess Sensei must've overestimated how tall I am..." She shook her head, emerging out of the room with the rest of her companions. "They look great on you, though I'll see about adjusting yours shortly." Sofina said, glancing towards Hoshino. "He said you were a bit small, but... I didn't realize how small you were." She admitted, lightly scratching at her cheek. "It's fine, I'll grow into them. Eventually." Hoshino assured her, her groggy smile never fading away. As they followed her to the mess hall, they took a seat at a table alongside Relumara and Serica, greeting them cheerfully. "Good morning. It seems you both slept well.. is Sensei going to join us for breakfast, too?" Nonomi asked, giving them warm smiles. "Ja'vassa is actually helping to cook breakfast this morning, so he'll be with us once it's been served." Serica replied, offering them a few cups of coffee. "How did you girls sleep last night? I'm sure this might be a bit different from what you're used to." Serika laughed softly, but she seemed to be in a good mood. "Yeah, it's a little different from home, but... it feels safe here. I think we all slept pretty well." She nodded, sipping on the coffee. "We haven't met everyone yet, but you and Relumara seem to be particularly close to Sensei. How did you guys meet, if you don't mind me asking?" The two Council members shared a quick glance, a fond smile on their face. "Serica and I were once apprentices of his back at the College of Winterhold. We were newly recruited and most of the professors thought we were wasting our time. We struggled heavily with the basic spells, where most of them gave up on us, Ja'vassa personally took us in despite his duties as Archmage keeping him busy. We ended up following him from Winterhold when he left and eventually joined him here when he started Sjel Blad Castle." Relumara explained. "...and today, both of them are among Tamriel's most gifted wizards. Relumara, an absolutely brilliant conjuration mage. His summonings are no joke and his expertise with the glaive he wields is second to none. Serica, an incredibly creative enchanter. She's been responsible for the creation and conceptualization of many of our biggest innovations. Where others saw trouble, I saw potential and I couldn't be prouder of them" Ja'vassa chimed in as he'd set the table with a few plates of freshly made pancakes, sausage links, sliced apples, and some bread. The group collectively jumped at the sudden sound of his voice, not expecting him to arrive so soon. "...my Lord. You give us far too much credit. We only made it here thanks to your guidance." Serica reminded him, looking towards him with an affectionate glimmer in her eyes. "Not entirely. Neither of you ever gave up hope, even when everyone else wrote you off. If not for your tenacity and courage, you wouldn't have gotten this far." Ja'vassa took a seat in between Serika and Serica. "There was always innate potential within you, you just needed an extra push to unlock it." The Abydos students smiled as they listened to him; glad it seemed that he's always had that softer side to him. Hoshino had a playful grin on her face. "Sensei's always been a big softie, it seems. Some things never change, do they?" She asked the Council members. "Oh, you have no idea, Hoshino. He tries to come off as a coldhearted vampire, but I don't think he plays the role very well. On the occasional visits to some of the big cities, as soon as our official business is over, I'd often find him spending time with the children; sharing snacks and stories, almost like a loving uncle would." Relumara replied, wearing a similarly playful expression. "And the number of times we've found him nursing injured animals back to health simply boggles the mind. It didn't surprise me in the slightest when I found out how much he adores you and your classmates. I'd suspect all it took was one smile from you and you won him over." Serica added, glancing towards Ja'vassa who was quietly rolling his eyes, though he did argue. Hoshino giggled softly, her smirk widening slightly. "I never thought a vampire could be so affectionate.. I've read plenty of stories, so I'm glad to see the reality is a bit different than what the storybooks claim." Ja'vassa rolled his eyes again. "Don't forget, Hoshino, vampires bite sometimes as well." He reminded her teasingly. "As if you'd ever bite us, Sensei. The only way you'd lay a hand on us is to give us a hug." Serika retorted, leaning against him slightly. "I think you're right about that, Serika. No matter what he says, there's nothing but love and affection in those eyes of his." Relumara interjected, watching as Ja'vassa stood up with his empty plate in hand. "Hmph. I'll leave you to continue having fun at my expense and go get ready for our trip. I'll meet you in the Council Room shortly." Ja'vassa replied, giving them a light wave before heading off to change into his usual traveling gear. Once Ja'vassa was out of ear shot, Serica's expression softened a bit further. "I need to give you girls my own words of gratitude. It's... been a long time since I've seen Ja'vassa look this happy. I'm not sure what it is, but your presence seems to give him a sense of peace and comfort that I don't think he's had in all the time we've known him." She whispered softly, giving them a grateful smile. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you. He does so much for us... doing everything he could to ensure we're safe and happy, I'm glad to see he's able to get a bit of that happiness back." Nonomi was a little confused by the sudden confession of gratitude. "I'm not sure we did anything to warrant any kind of thanks..." She replied somewhat quietly. "Sometimes, all it takes is a renewed sense of purpose to reignite that spark within someone. Alduin was destroyed, Miraak has been killed, there are no villains for him to slay; quests to undertake, or... family waiting for him to return home. I know he's been longing for a new purpose, and as much as he enjoys the arcane research and experimentation we do here, I think he's happier with you. Guiding you, making sure you're safe and happy. Just... do me a favor." Relumara replied, giving them a slightly expectant look. "Be sure you take care of him, alright?" Serica added to it, wearing a similar expression. "We had a vision that someday Ja'vassa would leave Sjel Blad Castle permanently. It was always a bit vague, but we believed that Kivotos was where he'd go after leaving us. We'll miss him dearly, but after all that he's been through; all that he's done for us, he deserves a chance at happiness." The students were surprised, but touched by the sentimental words. "I hadn't realized Sensei felt that way about us. I'm... I'm glad we can give him that joy he's been looking for." Ayane smiled brightly, nodding at them. "Of course, we'll do all we can to make sure he's happy with us, even after he decides to stay in Kivotos. But... are you alright with the potential of him being away from Skyrim?" She asked, now slightly concerned for them. "I know it seems strange, but we always knew this day was coming. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. We've known him for almost 1,500 years, so goodbye won't be easy, but I'll rest easy knowing that he's safe and happy, even if it's in another world. I know this won't be an easy decision for him, either, but he'll be happier with you." Serica assured them, gently brushing her hand against Ayane's. "His future is in your hands just as much as your future is in his. Don't let the time you share together go to waste." She'd then stand up, collecting their empty dishes. "Now, don't keep him waiting too long. There's much you have yet to see." The group quickly nodded in, rushing off towards the Council Room as they were instructed, greeting their teacher with a cheerful smile. "We're here, Sensei and ready for our next adventure!" Nonomi said happily, watching as he had opened up the Milestone once more, this time an image of another stone room. "Good. I'm going to show you something I haven't shown anyone else yet. Step through the portal when you're ready." Ja'vassa suggested. "You'll find yourselves in Sleeping Tree Sanctuary on the other side." As they stepped through it, they'd find themselves in a large, open living room with numerous hallways leading to other parts of the Sanctuary. The room they arrived in was decorated with display cases housing various weapons, gemstones, and artifacts; though there was the unmistakable air of loneliness flowing on the wind. "It's beautiful here, Sensei... but, it feels... lonely here." A frown crossed Nonomi's face as she glanced towards the items on display. "I'm not surprised, you and your classmates are the first visitors here in centuries. This is where I spent much of my self-imposed exile, but it's not all that I intended to show you." Ja'vassa explained, heading towards another door. "Watch your step outside, it'll be a long way to the ground." Hoshino seemed confused by his statement, following him outside. "What do you mean---" As she stepped out, her eyes widened in surprise to notice the sea of clouds flowing beneath them. "Are... are we still in Skyrim?" Ja'vassa nodded, leading them down towards the docks that housed an old airship. "We're far above the clouds of Skyrim. This is how I was able to remain hidden, I was watching and waiting for the right time to return. This was a marvel of Dwemer engineering and even centuries after discovering it, I haven't found anything like it." He explained, pulling the lever to drop the bridge that'd grant them access to the airship. "I'll show you my homeland in a way you wouldn't be able to see it otherwise. I hope none of you have a problem with heights." None of them were particularly afraid of heights, but the prospect of flying with him was both exciting and terrifying. Carefully, they shuffled onto the airship and clung to their seats, eagerly watching as Ja'vassa activated it. Within seconds, the ship had dipped below the clouds to reveal the province in its full glory. Lush forests, glittering waterways, and towering mountains as far as the eye could see. They stared out towards the ground below them with sparkles in their eyes. Hoshino took note of Sjel Blad Castle in the distance and towards another building just a little further up the mountain. "So... there's Sjel Blad Castle, but what's the other castle-looking thing above it?" She asked, glancing towards him for a moment. "High Hrothgar, home to the Greybeards; masters of the Way of the Voice and it's where I learned to hone my abilities as Dragonborn. I chose the location for Sjel Blad Castle so I could remain close to my masters, meditate with them and occasionally receive advice. A little further up at the peak is the highest point in all of Tamriel. Paarthurnax resides there. If not for his help, I likely wouldn't have discovered the Thu'um I needed to defeat Alduin. I'll occasionally visit him to meditate on the Words of Power with him." Ja'vassa explained, smiling as he noticed the reddish dragon circling the peak. "I'm not sure if you can see it, but that red dragon is my... lieutenant of sorts, if you will. Once the right hand of Alduin, but after his defeat, Odahviing had pledged his loyalty to me and has served as a powerful ally in battle." Everything he spoke of, every sight they saw, all of it was fascinating; unlike anything they'd seen before. Ja'vassa piloted the ship over all nine holds and the major cities, pointing out both his personal history with them and the general history of the area. Starting with Whiterun, he'd slowly make his way from central Skyrim to eastern Skyrim, then to the south, west, and finally wrapping up the tour with northern Skyrim. The ship had flown over several ancient temples, including the statues of Meridia and Azura, and once again, it caught their attention. "Skyrim seems to have a thing for giant statues of women. Who were they, Sensei? They're important figures, I'm assuming." Ayane asked, particularly admiring the Shrine of Azura. "Those were Meridia, the Daedric Prince of Light; and Azura, the Daedric Prince of Dusk and Dawn. They're among the few daedra that aren't considered wholly evil. I've served them both myself... Well, today, I only serve Azura. Meridia detests the undead in all of its forms and when I became the vampire you see today, she turned her back on me." Ja'vassa explained, carefully steering the ship back towards the Sanctuary. "We should probably return to Abydos soon. I doubt anything has happened, but I don't want anyone to catch wind of the school being unguarded. I doubt the General Student Council will be too happy that I took you on an unauthorized trip." He laughed softly. Though it was disappointing they'd have to cut their trip short, they were happy to have joined him here nonetheless. To see the land that so thoroughly shaped and molded their teacher into the person he is today was an experience they'd never be able to forget. Once returning to the Sanctuary, Ja'vassa had again activated the Milestone and ushered back to Kivotos. Once settled into the meeting room, they'd utter their words of farewell for the day to prepare for the next day. None of them had a clue as to what they'd expect in the coming days, but for now, they'd look forward to it with some optimism. The debt no longer seemed as daunting, the problems they faced with their enemies seemed minimal in comparison. The future of Abydos felt as if it shined brighter than it had months ago.