Chapter Text
1st report
By order of the Emperor’s right hand, I have been given the ‘privilege’ of gathering all information regarding case ‘MU 036’.
Despite not everyone close to the incident being willing to talk, I have been able to at least collect most important information regarding the incident.
Unfortunately, most information given was only from one person, so is dubious at best.
Fortunately, I have been given the go ahead to use whatever methods I deem necessary to extract more information from the rest.
I have not been granted permission for a character study on number 036, ‘yet'. For whatever reason, his right hand, has said that it was in everyone’s best interest that the least amount of people knew of ‘MU’. So, I could not ask for 036’s location. (She said, ‘just in case it gets out’ but I don’t believe that.)
She had told me that, she would make sure I was able to see the case in person soon. That was almost a month ago.
In the meantime, I will be working on a complete timeline, (As complete as I can make it.) all the way up to ‘The Incident’.
~DV
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Up in the windy mountains, far away from any bustling cities and any busy towns. In the deep, dark, ashy wastes of Solstheim, was a camp consisting of no more than five people.
It was surprisingly quiet. The only things that could be heard, were the stream nearby, and the snores coming from people’s tents. All except for one.
Lucien was sat by the fire, letting the warmth caress him. He couldn’t sleep, how could he? After years and years of searching for Dumzbthar, he was finally there! Well, he wasn’t there yet, but he was close! So, so close he could already see the tons of untouched dwemer artefacts that would be there.
‘What if I find something that’s never been seen before!’
He knew that him finding something new was unlikely. Scholars and adventurers alike had been finding and researching things relating to the dwemer for centuries. And he knew that new information about them had all but run dry, at least back in Cyrodiil, but when he first heard about Dumzbthar, he couldn’t help but leap at the first chance to track it down.
He didn’t care about the fame from finding something new or the riches that could follow, (as if he needed the coin.) all he wanted was something new to uncover. To help him understand.
He had known of Dumzbthar’s location for a while now, and would have liked to come here sooner if he could. He had originally planned to go by himself once he came to Skyrim, but after he heard about the attack on Helgen, he felt it necessary to at least have one bodyguard to protect him. He was a man of many talents, but defending himself wasn’t one of them.
So, it was a miracle when he saw him in Falkreath. Well-worn armour, good enough looking sword, big, strong Nordic muscles that could rival any soldiers, and approachable. When he walked through that door, Lucien could have sworn the room became brighter and the patrons louder.
He would never have guessed that his new friend would be the Dragonborn himself.
“Can’t sleep?”
Lucien jumped, he had almost forgotten where he was for a moment. “Oh! I was just thinking about you.” he said. “No, not really. Not because I'm scared or anything mind you. It’s just that, I can’t believe we’re almost there!”
His friend smiled warmly, “Try not to space out next to the fire pit, yeah? I won’t be happy if we needed to hall your chard body back to the nearest healer before we even stepped one foot in there.”
Lucien looked back at where he was staring before, and was startled by how close the fire had gotten. He shuffled back to his tent. “Sorry, I didn’t realise.” He patted the space next to him with a smile, “Care to join me?”
His friend’s smile grew as he walked over. He sat down next to him and looked up at the night sky before them, “I understand though. I’m sorry it took so long for us to come here...” Then he frowned, “And I'm sorry about-”
“Hey, hey! It's okay! Dragons and the world come first; I know that. Twoish years was actually quicker than I expected!” Chuckled Lucien. “And I’m okay. I knew about the risks, remember? I was only out for a little while, but if I still was... you know, I wouldn’t have blamed you!”
“I know, but I can’t help thinking that I shouldn’t-”
Lucien put his hand on the man’s shoulder, “I’m fine Di, really.” he said, softly. “I’m stronger than I look, you know. I have you to thank for that.”
Di couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, “I know.”
It was rare for them to just sit in silence, it was nice. Di never said much to begin with, but when he did speak, it was hard to understand if what he was saying was serious or not.
When Lucien met him, Di had been able to say all the right things to sway him over; but Di was also a liar, and was getting better at it almost every time he spoke, and if he wasn’t playing something off as a joke, then what he was saying could be downright mean most of the time. Those close to him, however, knew that he cared, if a bit too, go with the flowy a lot of the time, but Lucien was grateful to be one of those close few.
He had wondered if it was either due to his upbringing or, if it was the dragon soul in him that made him act the way that he did, but Di would not say, and Lucien had learnt not to ask.
They sat there, not saying anything and not doing anything, and it was nice. Lucien had tried to pick out a constellation or two, but for some reason, the stars had made it rather difficult to find anything. He had thought he caught a glimpse of the serpent, but as he blinked, it was gone.
“Right!” The nord quickly stood up, spooking Lucien in the process, “Think it’s about time we put that fire out. If you want us to pack up as soon as light hits, then you better start heading to your tent. You’re going to want as much sleep as you can get. We’ve been to ruins like this before, I know, but you never know what your gonna find, so we’re going to need everyone on high alert.”
“I-”
“I am not going to have another ‘Bleak Falls Barrow’ happen again, Lucien. So help me, if we somehow die from you yawning your head off, alerting whatever we find down there, I’ll kill you!” He smiled.
“That’s not fair! It was my first dungeon and filled with drauger, how-” Lucien stopped when he noticed the look Di gave him.
“Okay... I suppose you're right.” sighed Lucien. “Goodnight.”
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Drip
.
Drip
.
.
.
Drip
‘What was that?’
It was dark, and Lucien couldn’t see.
‘Oh. Okay, deep breaths. Stay calm.’
He focused on his breathing. Keeping it light and quiet. For the past minute, all he could hear were drops of water hitting something. Ground, rock, a puddle? It was too echoey for him to tell. Just as he was about to see if he could take a step forward, he heard something.
‘People?’
It sounded hushed. But because if it was far away or because they didn’t want to be heard, Lucien could not tell. As he took a step towards the sound, he found that his feet where heavy, and he felt as if he was swaying, but he continued on. Faster and faster, he had begun to see a light that was thankfully getting bigger, but no matter how close he thought he was, the voices wouldn’t get louder. Was it Auri? Inigo? Kaidan, Xelzaz, Gore, Hoth? Anyone?
‘If I see them...’
He began to run. His heart was heavy, and he had lost control of his breathing for what felt like hours ago, but he didn’t care. He got closer and closer and just as he thought he saw Di, his friend-
Bright, yet dark muted colours filled his eyes. Sketch lines barged passed him, hoping to be spared from the figure he saw before him. A sky washed in muddied orange, a horned silhouette; the sun had all but gone, made way for those sinful curled teeth and that damned red eye!
“AAAAH!” Lucien woke up. Body sweating, heart pounding, where was he?
“Seriously, we haven’t even set foot and he’s already screaming his head off!”
‘Who-’
“Do not be rude my friend. He has been waiting to go to this ruin since forever. He is not screaming because he is scared, he’s screaming because he is excited!” Lucien peeked his head out of his tent, then quickly went back in.
Inigo was beaming while he packed his belongings. Kaidan on the other hand, was being Kaidan. He had been in the middle of putting his amour on before Lucien decided to scream his lungs out, and he looked far from impressed.
Out of the group, Lucien had figured that Kaidan was one of the most experienced out of all of them when it came to survival. Lucien once overheard Kaidan telling Di that, when he was a child, he was left in the middle of nowhere and made to find his way back to civilization all by himself. On his birthday. It had taken him three days.
“I understand the need to scream lest you pop but, I think it would be better to save that energy for when we’re actually in the ruin.” That was Auri. She was the latest addition to the group but had quickly become the favourite of them. She had an aura about her that would make even the less savoury people smile. And flustered. She always made Lucien flustered.
Her head popped into his tent and mouthed “Are you okay?” it had been ten minutes, and Lucien was still catching his breath. He blinked, once, twice. His mouth refused to move. He should had said yes, but she would see through him, even if he was trying to lie, which he wasn’t. “I-I think I had a nightmare.” He felt silly saying it out loud. Almost twenty-four years old, and he was complaining about a dream.
“Do you need to step out of the tent for some air? I’m sure Di won't mind if we’re a little bit late, we are following your lead today after all.” Auri moved her head and opened his tent a little. Lucien squinted as she did, he wasn’t prepared for how bright it was. He held his hand up to protect his poor eyes.
“What time is it?” At least his breathing had slowed down.
“I don’t know.” She said, “Seven, eight? Somewhere around that. I’m still trying to get a hand at telling the time in this climate to be honest.”
“Do you not have snow in Valenwood?”
“It wouldn’t be as great as it is, if it snowed all the time.” She laughed. A small laugh but comforting.
If it was eight, then he supposed it was time to move. Di liked to sleep, but ever since he met people like Gore and Kaidan, he had been getting up at six. At first Lucien hated it, well he still did, but he was somewhat used to it by now. “I think it's about time I get ready.” he said with a stretch. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”
He kept to his word. With all the hurrying he did to get ready and pack his stuff, he almost tripped on the remains of the fire they had made last night. “Careful Lucien.” As predicted, Kaidan had been up for a while. He was already fully dressed with his bag packed. He was sitting on a thin blanket, sharping his Nodachi. “Morning Kaidan! Ready to get brutally squished by ancient machines!”
Kaidan didn’t look up at him, “I’ve been ready since morning began.”
‘Oh please, not today.’
“Ah yes, sorry about that! Don't know why I'm so slow today. Must be because of the weather, ha ha!” He was so bad at pretending, why did he even try? No, he knew. He didn’t want to start another argument with the taller man. On any other day, he would absolutely tell him a thing or two! But not today.
It seemed Kaidan was on the same page as him though, “Di’s by the stream with Inigo. I would go see them now if you’re ready to go.”
‘Not right now. Just a little longer.’
“Where’s Auri?” said Lucien.
“She’s just sorting out some leftovers from the other day.”
‘Wha? left- oh.’
“See her if you want, but I don’t think the sight would be pretty.” said Kaidan.
“...I think I'll go wait by the stream.”
-
“Do you think he’s ready?” Inigo and Di hadn’t noticed Lucien walking up. Their backs were turned, looking at the crisp blue sky in front of them. Should he say something? Let them know he was there? They have been waiting for him.
“Hi-”
“It’s been three years, almost. He’ll have to be. I haven’t seen him freeze up in a while so, that’s something.” He was only a step away from Di, and both him and Inigo still hadn’t notice. Were they busy? Should he wait until they were done? Surely Inigo could hear or smell him. What if they were ignoring him on purpose? Had he really been that late?
“...Dumzbthar, it sounds funny.” Inigo flicked the end of his tail, “What could it mean, I wonder?” At least Inigo seamed interested.
“Lucien told me once when I asked him about it. That was some time ago though.”
“What did he say?”
“I’ll be honest, sometimes I just, I have to stop listening when he speaks-”
“Hey!” Lucien didn’t except Di to jump as far as he did, and the sound he made. Inigo, however, didn’t move a muscle. He finally turned his head to Lucien, smiled and said, “Good morning, Julian!”
“By the Nine Lucien! Don’t you ever sneak up on me like that!” Di put a hand to his chest.
‘As if he could get scared.’
“Never mind that, what do you mean by you stopped listening to me!” He was shocked. Utterly shocked! All this time, had he been travelling with brutes? Barbarians? Had no one cared about the facts of history, of life, the science behind-
“Di are you alright!” Kaidan had come rushing, his Nodachi in hand, and Auri not far behind him.
“It’s fine, put your sword away.” Di scowled, “For now.” He turned to face Lucien. If looks could kill, Lucien would be dead two times over.
Lucien could feel his face becoming all red, and just as Kaidan put his blade back, Auri busted out laughing.
“Look at how red his face is!” She exclaimed, “Oh, it’s adorable!” If his face was warm with embarrassment then, it was red hot now. To make it worse, Inigo had started to join in, both of them giggling and chuckling.
Kaidan hadn’t said anything, but that was normal. Di on the other hand. Was he mad? He didn’t look happy, in fact, Lucien couldn’t tell what face he was making.
He simply asked, “What time is it?” Eyes locked to the younger lad.
“Ten, by the look of the sun.” Sometimes, Lucien thought Kaidan was put on this world to make him look a fool.
“Ten. Ten in the morning.” Di was just staring at him; Lucien didn’t even think Di had been blinking all this time. Auri and Inigo had both stopped laughing, and the air suddenly felt different. Today just wasn’t going to be his day, it seemed.
He felt ashamed, “I- I'm sorry.” was all he could say. He was expecting Di to turn around. To tell him and the others that they were leaving Solstheim, and that he didn’t need him around anymore. Didn’t want him around anymore.
The nord’s face broke. “No, it’s okay.” He sighed. “We didn’t say what time we would go, just said in the morning.”
“Are you mad?” Lucien couldn’t help asking.
“No.” Di turned to the others. “Come on, let's go.”
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Usually when they were out, Lucien would be at the back with Inigo. Chatting and joking and singing. Auri would join in too on occasion, but this time he was in front with Di, leading the way, taking charge. He had to, he was the only one that knew where the ruin could be. Key word being could.
His father’s associates had confirmed that Dumzbthar would be on Solstheim, and had also given him a key, as well as a sketch of what the location looked like. This was all based on what little information they had, however, but Lucien knew he would find it. If not now, then soon.
“Right, test time!” Di slung his arm over him, Lucien’s thoughts interrupted by the man.
“Now? Right now? Wouldn't it be best for me to keep my eyes on the path? Unless you want me to get confused on where we should be going.” Ever since Lucien joined up with him, Di had not only been his protector, but also his own personal trainer.
As expected, the training was long and painful, but thanks to it, Lucien had been able to protect himself just a little bit better. To make sure he hadn’t forgotten how to defend himself however, Di would test him by asking him questions related to wherever they were to travel to.
“Ah, you’ll be fine! Besides, what would be better, a little lost or a lot dead!” Lucien had come to realised that, when his friend talked about Lucien being dead, he would have a big, toothy smile on his face. He made a mental note to bring that up with him later.
“I can see your point. Okay, hit me!”
“What’s the weak point of a dwarven spider?”
Anything dwarven was made to be difficult, even the most strongest of weapons would have difficulty getting through a dwarven automaton. He didn’t believe they even had a weak point but, every time they had gone to a dwemer ruin, and they ran into one of the spiders, he had aimed at- “The soul gem. Or more specifically, the core that protects the soul gem.”
“And how would you destroy that?” Good question. He wouldn’t. When it came down to it, hitting hard and fast in the right place was key. In fact, it was one of the reasons why Di started to use an enchanted Warhammer, but no matter how hard he trained with Di, Kaidan or Inigo, not even his own mother, an ex-captain for the imperial guard, was able to teach Lucien on how to use even a sword. thankfully, he could hold a shield, but that was pretty much it.
“I don’t? You destroy them. I guess you can say I distract them? I suppose?”
“And why don’t you destroy them?”
“Because they’re strong against magic. Except for a Centurion, which is weak against fire- turn left everyone!” He knew he would have gotten distracted by answering questions everyone already knew. It was a good thing he caught himself before he walked everyone off a cliff.
‘Note to self, look into how something can be resistant to magic but, can also be weak against a fire spell.’
Di didn’t seem fazed by his blunder though, “And what else would we find down there, do you think?”
“The same things we would normally find, except Falmer. At least, I hope there aren't any Falmer. With the words ‘Bound ghosts’- which, is the name I told you when you apparently, weren't listening to me! It's possible we might see something to do with the dead, or...” He knew he shouldn't, it was seen as unprofessional by some, but Lucien loved to speculate when he didn’t have many facts to go by.
In fact, theorising was one of his favourite parts of his job! Finding out what something could mean to one race, when there where so many cultures and languages that have so many different uses and meanings for the same thing. Stars, Gods, even the wildlife they see every day. It was like he was seeing the entire world change before his very eyes!
“Lucien, stop where you are going!” He didn’t seem to see that the others had stopped. Lucien turned his attention to the rest of them. Auri looked like she was trying not to burst out laughing again, Inigo pointed at something to his right, Di and Kaidan staring at whatever was so interesting, “Is this what you are looking for, friend?” He walked over to the others, and as soon as he looked at where his friend was pointing, Lucien could feel the colour leave his face.
Dumzbthar, after countless attempts, it was finally in front of him. “...That’s it.”
“At last, we are here! If my fur is charged with excitement, then you must be on fire!”
‘It’s there... It’s really there.’
“Well, say goodbye to the sunlight for the next couple of hours. Or days.”
Lucien couldn’t tell who was saying what. He just stood in place, staring wide eyed.
“Maybe we should actually go in then, instead of standing around and waiting for the cold to get at us.”
“Yes...” Lucien couldn’t tell if he was overflowing with excitement...or about to have a panic attack. Maybe both.
Everyone was itching to get in, everyone but him! He’d waited for what felt like his entire life for this moment and it was right there! The lever covered in a cage of gold that would take him right in, was just a couple of steps away from him!
Yet, he found himself... was it awe struck?
“Well then, what are we waiting for? You got the key Lucien, after you.” It was now or never he supposed.
The others had turned around to face the lone lift. Before Lucien could follow, He felt Di pat his head. ‘Was this his version of comfort?’
“Remember not to freeze up again, we don’t have time for cowardice.”
‘Suppose not.’ And just like that, Di had left to join the others. It took Lucien a few seconds to follow. Key in hand.