章 527: Second Collapse

"Talk. Tell me everything you know about Clavicus, his plans, his cults. Leave nothing out, because if you do and I find out, I'm going to remove a tooth for everyone you miss... If you run out of teeth, I'll start with your fingers, then your limbs, then, if there's more after that? Well, I'll have to get creative." Michael warns, the orc opposite him trembling with fear at the prospect.

"I-I'm... I was part of the largest cult in Cyrodil, it was them who gave me the Golden Stand, the statue that influenced my guest's minds. I don't know who's their leader, but it has people from farmers and fishers to nobles and the affluent... T-they only got bigger when the Moon Sickness appeared, saying it was the will of our-, their Lord..."

...

"Where's their headquarters?" Michael probes, wondering if he should just kill everyone involved and be done with it.

"I-I don't know... They would send me a letter and set up a meeting in some random place. L-Last time was a crypt on the outskirts of Chorrol... But the time before that was held privately in an inn in Kvatch..."

"How many people turned up at these 'events'?" Michael inquires.

"A-almost everyone... We wear masks inside to prevent our identities from being discovered..." the Orc hurriedly says.

"And, how does no one in the Empire not notice the mass gathering of supposedly important individuals for seemingly no reason?"

"I-... I don't know..."

...

So, no names, no location... "Does the cult have a name?"

Keo shakes his head, "N-no..."

No name...

How the fuck was he going to find the rest of Clavicus Vile's artifacts in good time?... He might need immortality to complete his search... If he hadn't already got it? Which was another matter entirely.

He'd destroyed Keo's gambling house so there was no chance to get an 'invitation' to one of the cult meets...

"Do you know anyone at all in the cult? I don't care if they're a bigger or the emperor, just anyone." Michael asks.

...

Keo slowly nods, "Itori, a Breton minstrel who owns a drinking hall not far from my property... Former property..."

"And, do you think he'll receive a letter anytime soon...?"

...

"Yes. Within a few months, I think." Keo admits.

Michael nods and begins standing up but pauses, "Good... Ah, last thing. Do you know anything about the other artifacts of Clavicus Vile? Anything at all?"

...

"T-there was a rumour. The leader of the cult possesses an artifact... Just a rumour though..." the orc grips the bars of his cell tighter, "C-can I go now?... I've answered your questions!"

Michael shakes his head, "Not until I can confirm everything you've said. Until then, sit tight." he says before leaving and going to the other cell on this floor.

"Hello Barbas, ready for another session?" he asks the caged dog, causing it to whimper in terror.

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"A-Arch-Mage! Savos! We need to do something! We can't let this happen!"

*CRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!*

Savos gives a solemn sigh, "Forgive me old friend, but there is little that can be done now..."

*KCCCRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrr!*

The College rumbles once more and the two men just look at the cracks forming along the floor and walls... They'd already evacuated everyone, including Urag who'd gotten a bunch of Apprentices to help him carry out the entirety of the Arcanum.

"But the history... The undiscovered mysteries... Everything will be lost... What of the Augur? Should we allow him to be buried under a mile of rubble!?"

Savos shakes his head, "As I have told you time and again, the Augur is not the student you remember. It, is simply a sentient font of magic that is linked with the world, it will not die or disappear with the College's collapse... We will be able to unearth it in time..."

*CRRRrrrrrrrrr!*

"Focus your efforts on the reconstruction of the College... Let us make it bigger and better, possibly with the help of our Eredar friends' Gemcrafting."

...

"If that's what you think, Arch-Mage, then I suppose I can only listen and obey." Tolfdir reluctantly says before following the Arch-Mage out of the College. They step off of the bridge just as a large *CRAACK!* rings out, a large stone falling into the ocean and causing the College to slump and begin to slide.

*SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!*

*CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSHHHHH!!!*

The entire city of Winterhold had gathered to observe the 'Second Great Collapse', most being thankful that the destruction only extended to the College, with zero loss of life.

"Are you okay, Arch-Mage?" Saya asks at his side, the Dunmer looking incredibly weary.

Savos doesn't blink as he watches the collapse of the once-great College he both studied in and looked after... "No, Apprentice... I am the Arch-Mage to stand present as the great and ancient institution he was supposed to safeguard fell into the sea, my name will be remembered for this tragic loss of culture and history, never to be forgotten."

"So, what, you think you should be in there as it breaks? Like a Captain going down with his ship? Don't be stupid! If anything will be remembered, it'll be the Thalmor firing god damn siege weapons at it!" Saya exclaims, breaking Savos from his stupor.

...

"I suppose... But that doesn't remove any loss of responsibility from my being. I was supposed to protect this place. Now look at it." he quietly gestures to the pile of rubble at the bottom of the cliff.

Saya shrugs, "I never liked the College anyway, too cramped, too cold... At least now we can make somewhere comfortable to actually study... How's that sound? First Arch-Mage of the Reformed College of Winterhold? Founder? I don't know."

"Hmm... Let us not choose a name so quickly..." Savos says, not wanting Saya's bad naming sense to ruin whatever new reputation he might recover from this travesty.