Psijic Means

"GOL HAH DOV!" Surtr shouts, immediately taking control of the snow fox he'd shot it at. It immediately bows, lowering its head to its front paws in a pose of submission.

"Hah... Hah..." he wipes some sweat from his forehead, "That'd been the sixth attempt, the only successful one thus far. It was probably of the most exhausting shouts he'd come across, easily trumping Dragonrend in the sheer concentration and will required to actually use it.

Unlike most shouts, Bend Will wasn't natural, Flame Breath, Call Storm, and most other recreated natural phenomenons in which the Thu'um used as a template. Dragonrend was the same, utilising the mortality of mortals against the immortal dragons.

This, however? Subverting the will of any sapient creature you choose is as far as you can get without blatantly trying to incur nature's wrath upon you. Even other shouts that had similar effects were less forceful, Animal Allegiance for instance wasn't permanent, neither did it make your target completely servile and even disregard their own safety at your orders.

He'd asked the Greybeards why it seemed to be so difficult for him and so effortless for MIraak, and in response, they'd given an answer he really wished to forget... If the Thu'um could not utilise a natural phenomenon then it must draw from the caster itself.

Surtr wasn't the smartest person around, but it was easy for him to rationalize why this was the case... Miraak simply had a far greater will and ambition to dominate than Surtr. While he could barely brainwash single simple woodland creatures, Miraak was able to suborn three dragons in one go with ease.

This finding would dismay most, but for Surtr it was just showing him how far he still had to go... He needed to train himself to be more dominant, if such a thing was even possible.

"I would advise you not to do that, Dragonborn." a familiar voice asks behind him, and Surtr just lets out a sigh as he turns.

"Monk. Should I be surprised that you're able to read my thoughts?"

"We of the Psijic Order possess many abilities you would consider... Unnaturally powerful..." the ghost shakes his head, "I advise you not to follow the road you are planning. It will only lead to death and ruin, not just of everyone around you, but yourself too."

Surtr sniffs dismissively, "And I'm supposed to believe your word on that? Hmph..." he shakes his head, "Since you're here, why don't you tell me if my current plans will work?"

...

"They will not."

...

"How?"

"You underestimate your foe, having them fight each other is likely the worst decision you could have made..."

Surtr grits his teeth, "You knife-ears and your riddles. Tell me, why do you think I am underestimating Miraak? Do you think the outcome will go in his favour?"

"I am not referring to Miraak... Have you forgotten Michael's ability to steal souls? What do you think will happen if he claims the soul of one as powerful as Miraak? Someone who has devoured the souls of countless dragons?"

...

Surtr's thoughts race, quickly realising that he'd forgotten that peculiar ability of Michael's. He'd thought it was just a party trick, or some kind of magic. Soul Trapping spells exist, so he'd just assumed he was making a power play to reduce his importance to their dragon allies... It seems he was wrong though... And now he'd plotted to hand a Dragonborn's soul to him.

"There is more you are wrongly dismissing... Michael Tahlin is no longer just a mortal. The rumours are true, he has killed Clavicus Vile and taken his place as a Daedric Prince and replaced him entirely. A historic and unprecedented event that will live on potentially in perpetuity."

"What does this mean? We have a fully powered Daedric Prince walking among us? How is it even possible to kill one?" Surtr asks in a slight panic, his pale face matching the surrounding snow.

The ghost sighs as he contemplates whether or not to reveal such information, would the Dragonborn be stupid enough to attempt it? He'd have to dissuade him or such a notion. "He used an ancient ritual known as Mantling, which transfers the essence of the Daedric Prince into oneself. This results in the caster becoming a copy of the Daedric Prince before long, while it is not technically a death sentence, it is perhaps worse than it."

"So, Michael will soon turn into Clavicus Vile?"

"Not quite... Somehow, with a method that evades even our eyes, he destroyed the essence of Clavicus Vile and recycled it, melding it to himself instead of it melding him. Countless people have attempted to unlock the secrets of ascension, but Michael Tahlin is the only one who found and performed it."

So Michael stole the power of a Daedric Prince for himself then? Perhaps he should look into doing it himself? His soul was part of Akatosh after all, so he probably had a better chance than anyone to do it successfully. Which Daedra would suit him best though?

The Psijic Monk sighs at Surtr's contemplative look, "Do not just take my word on it however, look to the last known failure of this ritual, the Hero of Kvatch."

Surtr's eyes widen, "Him? What do you mean?"

"The historians in Cyrodil wished to keep it secret, but the Psijic Order knows much. The current Sheogorath was once the Hero of Kvatch, some believed him to be a Dragonborn, so do not think yourself advantaged in this pursuit. I promise you, you will wish you died if you do not heed my words."

"What do I do about Michael then? You never said I was dealing, or going to deal with Daedric Prince. I can't even seek aid from the other Daedra's as he owns a tower separating Nirn from Oblivion entirely!"