*busts into the General’s room*
Marcus! I’m sorry for such an intrusion, but there is something I-
*sees the state the General is in, freezes in place*
By the gods, what happened to you?!
*gets closer*
Wait… it was him, wasn’t it?
Huh? You mean the green bastard? Yeah.. yeah, it was him. I'm fine, I promise. It's just a.. wound.
What do you have to tell me?
Um, so… there’s this thing that happened to me recently… I myself don’t know what I’m supposed to think of it, but… it’s about Sera.
Is Ulfric in Solitude? Because I want him to know what I’m about to tell you as well; I’ve been asked to inform both of you, you see…
I was told Ulfric left. Something about reinforcements, and planning a greater move. I don't know what he's doing, but.. we'll need all the firepower we can get, won't we?
..did you say 'Sera'?
Oh dear… alright, then I suppose I’ll tell you first and then we can inform him both when he gets back…
So… before I’ll start explaining I wholeheartedly swear that I haven’t gone mad, nor am I under the effects of any kind of intoxicating substance.
You see, after the incident that happened the last time I was here; y’know, when I spoke to that green bastard for the first time, I found myself thinking about what sort of horrifying situation we just found ourselves in. I found myself thinking about… who that green bastard was and just how much power he’s possessing in this world, and I admit I found myself rather helpless, as I’ve tried to think of anything that would stop him, but… uhm, nevermind that, I’ll elaborate on this when Ulfric will be here as well. I’ll get to the point.
Yesterday, I’ve heard a voice inside my head; y’know, like that green bastard talks to us in our heads? But it wasn’t that hellspawn’s voice, no… it was Sera’s. She told me herself it was her… she somehow managed to contact me like that. Of course, I asked her if it was really her, where she is… and what I can do for her. What she told me was… well, comforting, but some things also left me confused.
She told me that she is alive - apparently, Sheogorath wasn’t keen on letting her die. She asked me to tell you and Ulfric that she is alive…she said that she would come to you herself, but that if she set foot into Solitude, the green bastard would level the place…
(*takes a deep breath, sighs*)
She… also told me she saw what that sadistic prick did to you and Ulfric. She saw the torment you had to endure and… well, she sounded like the sight pained her, to say the least.
As for my question about her whereabouts, she told me she is somewhere Grinch McSadist couldn’t reach her… she didn’t tell me where that is, of course, but… I have faith in her and I was glad to hear that she’s alive…
But, there was something else she has told me - something that made me lose sleep last night; not because it was anything disturbing, but because it left me… deeply confused.
Sera told me that… if her guess is right, then as long as I’m in Solitude, the green bastard shouldn’t do anything; and by that, she probably meant wiping Solitude off the map and… similar stuff. If her conclussion is correct, then I’m not sure what to think… how can my presence deter him from destroying Solitude again? I’m not anyone special… well, I’m not from this world, that’s true, but… in terms of my identity and my general abilities, I’m a nobody… I trust Sera, but… just what is the sense behind all this?
(*sighs again*)
Anyway, as much as this all confuses me… if my presence is what protects this city from being destroyed, then so be it. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here as long as it’ll be necessary. As long as that demon remains a threat… there is nothing that would make me leave.
..what?
I.. I don't.. I saw her die, I..
I know you wouldn't lie to me, but.. it.. I..
If Sera really is alive, really is here, then.. would she speak now? Inside your head? Would that be.. possible?
Or could she speak inside my head..
Oh, uhm.. hello! Hello? Dad? Dad, can you hear me??
..I don't know what to make of all this. I'm more confused about him avoiding Solitude. You're certainly not a nobody, but I can't think of anything specific that would make him avoid you..
Dad? Marcus!! Damn it.. there must be a block in somewhere. Damn it, he's smarter than he looks..
..whatever that trait is, I'm glad for it. I haven't heard him since the incident, so.. we should be fine for now. I think he's waiting for me to recover before his next swing.
…I’ve just heard her voice, Marcus. She’s trying to speak to you, but… clearly you cannot hear her; must be that bastard’s doing…
Um… Sera, I can hear you! Whatever you want to say to your dad, I can say it for you!
..what..
You can!! Great! Uh.. you might wanna get some parchment, this might be a lot.
(Marcus glanced nervously around the room, searching for his daughter as if he were convinced of her living.)
Okay.. uhm..
Dad. I don't know how this happened. I don't know what to do, but.. I'll save us. I'll save all of us. I know what he wants from me, but.. I won't give it to him. I promise. He won't have me. I'll come home. I promise. Don't give up on me, I'll find a way out of here. I just.. I'm safe. I'm out of his reach for now.
I'll be the fire that rids us of this bastard. I'll burn him to cinders.
Uhh.. ok hold on a second!
(*pulls out a piece of parchment, ink and a quil, walks over to the General’s bedside table and writes down everything Sera just said*)
Here… this is what Sera just said… (*hands the parchment to the General*)
(He took the letter and read over it for a few moments. And read it again. And again.)
I.. I want to believe it. I..
(Marcus's voice choked itself, the tears in his eyes desperately held back from falling.)
..this.. it has to be..
..is it really her?
(*smiles, eyes filled with hope*)
Yes, Marcus. It is her. It’s Sera…
(*gently hugs him, making sure not to cause him pain in the process*)
