Back to the basement

I had worn Eezra down, it was eventually Sorex who saved her. Corpulus had set his son up to be a major business partner for me. Unfortunately this meant Sorex had a deep understanding of the state Eezra found herself in. Not that I minded, more business meant more money, more money meant more business. More business provided more avenues of information and that meant more clients. It was like an ever expanding web!

Sorex shook his head as he spoke, "That poor girl. I have no idea what authority she has to make you offer such ideas to her, but did you really have to be so enthusiastic about it?"

My smile grew, "Pshh! My enthusiasm helps boost the persuasion of my speechcraft."

Sorex pointed, "That is what I mean." He turned to the new manager. "Huxly! I will be gone for a bit. You know what to do."

Huxly nodded and went back to slowly wiping down the tables. He was quiet when around authority, but he acted perfectly. If it wasn't for the fact he flirted with girls when no one else was around I would have suspected him to be a spy.

Sorex looked at me, "You still think he is a spy don't you."

I shook my head as we made it to Proudspire Manor. "The opposite actually, mind you I thought about stabbing him to test it. The revelation he was in fact flirting with any women inside the winking skeever prevented me from doing so. As it meant he was both not a spy and also just scared of flirting while someone who can fire him is watching him."

Sorex gave a nod and a chuckle, "Yeah, the guy is a bit of a cowardly sleezeball. Good worker though and as I said when he was hired. He owes something to the caravan so he can't really run or go anywhere else."

I thought about it, "Still might stab him in the leg at some point." He was like one of the self-proclaimed master pick up line artists. It made me cringe to the point I felt my very being hurt from the words he speaks.

Sorex shook his head, as he followed me down the staircase. "Sometimes after hearing the customers repeating his words. I feel like stabbing him too."

I laughed, "You know he flirted with Khem'Ja's wife and that is why he is in trouble with them?"

Sorex looked at me, "Seriously? I couldn't get it out of Ri'saad."

I patted his shoulder, "That's the power of speechcraft."

Sorex paused as he looked around the basement, "Um, Where are we going by the way."

I looked at the newly installed door and turned to Sorex as I pushed it open. "To the secret underground dungeon. Don't worry to much about it."

Sorex pointed to Simon in the corner. "What is that?"

I shrugged, "My pet Realm Scuttler."

I started walking down the newly torched tunnel and Sorex paused again. "Did you make this?"

I nodded, "Ah, don't be surprised yet. You are the first to be able to test my new magic circle, besides Viree."

Sorex turned to look at me with a little fear in his eyes. "This... I know you won't kill me, but this won't hurt right?"

I stared at him and shrugged, "Viree said it didn't hurt her."

Sorex let out a gasp as he looked around the room. I smiled, "I call it the ritual room."

Viree looked up at us, her words were directed at Sorex though. "Hey, did you get dragged into this?"

Sorex sighed, "Should I be scared you seemed resigned?"

She shrugged, "I don't understand any of the magic, but truth be told, he made the inner most circles to harness the power of a daedric artifact."

Sorex shook his head as he watched me turn the stones into place. He shook his head, "When did you set this up?"

I shrugged, "Stayed up all night actually, just after you saved Eezra. After I made the changes to the room again it was on my mind."

Sorex looked around, "So what I stand in the center or?"

I pointed to one of the much smaller circles. "Stand in that circle along the outer ring while I explain."

Sorex held up a hand, "Before that, what was Viree doing?"

She frowned, "I was filling the outer layer with dragon's blood, I still am too."

The most outer circle was etched with draconic. The Dovahzul was expensive and requires some serious effort in translating. I smiled, "You want to know what the outer circle does?"

Sorex stared at me, "How long will it spare me from my fate as a test subject."

I shrugged, "About 40ish minutes if you want me to explain the entire ritual room circles."

He pointed, "Let's go with that!"

I waved his concern off. "Pssh, the ritual I want you to test isn't that bad. It should benefit you greatly!"

He shook his head, "I think I might feel more willing knowing what all this does. Looking down at what I think is daedric and several other foreign or perhaps ancient languages concerns me."

I sighed, "Fine, the circle Viree is covering in Dragon's blood is entirely written in Dovahzul or the language of the dragons. When complete it will infuse a person with the elements as the dragons, aka me, understands them. Sadly the infusion might not work on me, but it should work on you and Viree."

Viree tossed a the ever-lasting bottle of dragon's blood to me. "Done."

I caught it and continued explaining to Sorex. "The infusion is technically designed for the dragonborn as they will get the most out of it. However the average person, aka you Sorex. Should still gain extreme power! from the Dovahzul circle. To put it in much more simple terms, there is a dragon shout called Dragon Aspect. This outer most circle is like that shout, but well ten times better."

Viree walked over and sat down in one of the other circles across from Sorex. Sorex looked down where he was standing, and at me, and finally at Viree. "What about this circle we are standing on."

I nodded, "Your curosity is appreicated!"

He intrrupted, "Concern actually, but continue."

I ignored him, "The circle we are standing on is called the Focal Point Circle. I was going to make it the last circle, but I realized the Dovahzul had to be the last circle. The Focal point Circle is where people can stand safely inside the Ritual room. More or less..."

He glared at me, and I rephrased my words. "This is based on when the ritual circle is active, if you aren't in the Focal Points almost nothing will happen to you."

He rolled he eyes and asked, "What will happen if you aren't in the Focal points?"

I shrugged, "You will feel like thousands of needles are entering your skin at once, but that is because magic is flowing past you into the focal points. Nothing bad will actually happen to you, unless you stand in the center. Which depending on the circles that activate you will be torn asunder or sent into who knows where in oblivion."

Sorex looked at the the very center circle, "Okay, no standing in the center. I'll take your word that outside the Focal points you will feel only pain."

I decided not to correct him on the only pain. As going through the experience myself when I unlocked my potential, it was far more than just some pain. I stepped around the focal points, "I could fit a total of 5 focal points in which people could stand on. They are the most advance safety measures of the whole thing. Originally one of the inner most rings was the safety measure, but I decided on something much more advance when I reconsulted the Psjic Order's notes."

Sorex shifted and pointed to the outer most circle, "Why did that one need to be last then?"

Ah, I rolled the explanation around in my head, "It is rather hard to explain actually, the easy way to put is that languages like Dovahzul and Dwemeri flow inward, while daedric, sload and even the common language most share flow outward. The deeper explanation to this is that Dovah use embodiments of the words. While the words I am using now are more like descriptions, conversational pieces. You get it?"

Sorex stared at me with a completely blank expression. "No, and I actually have more questions now. I regret asking you anything."

I shrugged, "You want me to continue with the magic explaintions or why things are ordered they way they are?"

Viree raised her hand, "I would prefer the magic. I watched your first test and would likel to know more about the safety measures?"

I gave a nod and pointed to the focal point I stood on. "All the circles flow into this circle, it also required the most innovation. As you can likely see most of the inscriptions are daedric. However you would be surprised to know the words inside the circles we stand on are in argonian, while some of these words along the edge are Maomer, the language of the sea elves!

"The reason behind this is due to various reasons. The argonian words are in truth words converted from the Hist. The words themselves are for protection from mental intrusions. While the words in Maomer are protection against bodily afflictions. The rest are daedric and for pretty much everything else. Did you know daedric didn't have words for psionic attacks or protection against plagues?"

Sorex raised his hand, "Teacher, why do we need protection against plagues while standing here?"

"A good question, I thought about it and was like, why don't I add it? I mean a there is a daedric prince of plagues! What if I capture on of his afflicted and wish to subject them to a test to cure them!"

Sorex paused thought about it and frowned, " Since the words are for our protection that means. You would place them in the center to do that wouldn't you, which means it wouldn't be a cure per say. Instead you would be tearing them to pieces to acquire some blessing only they have."

I frowned, "I don't like how accurate you were with that. You are correct though, for the afflicted the only cure is death sadly. The good news for them they would likely be torn into the Aetherius freed from the early sickness and saved from being dragged into the oblivion realm controlled by Peryite. So you know theoretically they would be completely cured, just you know dead."

I pointed to the next circle, "Let's move on since we are the subject of harnessing the power of people. The next circle before you is written in Daedric and Sload. Same deal as the other languages, certain ideas just don't translate the same. This is a good thing though as many of the words in Sload are rather horrible. From Necromatic Feats to gruesome rituals to harness the power of the living, Interesting enough it was some research notes on the Thrassian Plague that helped me here."

Sorex frowned again, "Wasn't that like one of the worse plagues ever?"

I nodded, "Yeah, the worst actually, only the Corpus disease ever got as bad. Fun Fact the Sload created two of the deadliest disease to ever exist! They also created something called Ostraekeratic Fever which turns people into oysters."

Viree looked over, "Wait What?"

I nodded, "Yeah, crazy shit. Only cure for Ostraekeratic Fever is vampirism and not just any vampirism either. It has to be the Porphyric Hemophilia, which is fascinating, since it is a strain of vampirism common only in Morrowind."

Sorex frowned, "Is this why you made Trivia night? To show case your knowledge? How did you even learn this while in Atmora? Did you learn this in your brief visit to the college of Winterhold? If so, the fuck!"

I shrugged, "Actually that bit about the cure for Ostraekeratic Fever was beamed into my mind due to a Dwemer Lexicon."

Sorex held up a hand, "Explain the circles, just explain the circles. I know I am contributing to the wandering off topic, but I think we need to focus on the magic before I get a headache from what you just said."

I smirked, "Why you don't want to hear about my misadventures?"

He nodded, "Yeah! I'm jealous! Now start explain this necromantic circle and why I shouldn't be concerned by it."

"Fair enough." I crouched low, "Several of the words here are for harnessing the dead. While others are for harnessing the living. I created this circle for two reasons. Number one was as mentioned if I find someone who is bad, but is blessed by something. I can throw them into this bad boy and harvest their existence! Which is in a way fucked up, but extremely fair if you knew who I thought of when creating it. Second! I can strengthen any undead minions by the inclusion of this circle or recycle undead minions I place into the center. Though I don't have any undead minions yet."

Sorex nodded, "So it is solely based on what is placed into the center there?"

I nodded, "Specifically this circle doesn't even activate if the target in the center isn't soul trapped, undead or afflicted by a disease. So not much to worry about, the next circle is more dangerous if you want to compare it. This circle is made of several languages and serves a single purpose. Killing or cutting off anything that involves the inner circles."

Sorex sighed, "I assume we are going to get the explanation to that as you explain the following circles?"

I nodded and pointed to the largest circle. "This circle is the middle most circle and has variations to it. As you can see it shares similarities to the Focal point circle. This circle is the most dangerous in all honesty. Each of the smaller circles contained between the two rings here are activation points for a dimension breach. To put simply, doors to oblivion, yes I made a door to oblivion in my basement, yes it is safe and finally yes the previous circle is to control this on."

Sorex shook his head, "I'm not surprised, but I assume they aren't random."

I nodded, "This one I am standing on now is an activation point for a place called the Soul Cairn. While most of the others are empty! They are activatable, but without some trial and error they don't lead any where. To sustain a portal you need relative material. Meaning you need advanced knowledge and all that, the soul cairn is the only current door I can open. As the sustainment for the portal is rather easy, but requires new materials each time."

Sorex nodded, "So you aren't going to accidentally summon a daedric prince?"

I shook my head, "I wouldn't have told you if that was possible. All the activation points for now should search for empty or unconnected realms of oblivion. Meaning they only connect to places without a gods influence. All the doors that can be opened should be cheap to open and sustain though. Like with the Soul Cairn I need to replenish it with Soul gem dust. If I wanted to open something else it could be Void Salts or something, but the gate will only stay open for a certain amount of time and with no way home you can see how it is the most dangerous."

Sorex nodded, "You get stuck on the other side of a opened door way. Which means they aren't sustainable unless you understand some key factor in opening the door. How would you even come back if the door closed?"

I shrugged, "That is complicated, but easy. You would need to remember the exact spot, and I mean the exact spot the door opened. Let's say it opens on a mountian, but the mountian moves. You will need to remember the exact spot it opened. So if the spot is now inside the mountian you need to start digging. Once you are in the exact spot the door opened. You blow it the fuck up, I mean you obliterate it! Doesn't matter how, but if enough force is applied into that spot you could create a very small rift and jump back through, though that could cost you a leg or something."

Viree spoke up again, "Yeah if you explore a realm of Oblivion I am not coming with. No chance in hell will I do that."

I shrugged, "Yeah, still in the process of fixing the problems there. For now though let's move on."

Sorex nodded, "Yeah, I'm getting more worried, the thing you wanted me to take part in is one of these next circles right?"

I nodded and pointed to the next circle, "This is the one you are taking part in. The Last three circles are more or less to harness the power of artifacts and other stuff. This circle though! This one is based on something I already tried on myself using the first three circles. Fair warning the moment you this is done, you might want to go to sleep."

Sorex frowned, "Why?"

I smiled, "This circles does two things! The first is that it unlocks a person's potential. Not all of their potential unfortunately, but it does unlock a portion of it. If I had to give a number to it, I'd say 70% of a persons potential is unlocked. If you want 100% you need to place the skeleton key inside the center circle and harness it."

Sorex blinked, "Wait, so you are going to unlock my potential?"

I nodded, "As well as something else possibly. I said this circle does two things. The first is unlock the potential, the second well. It gives you the ability to access and invest that potential. That is why I said you should sleep afterward. You can only do the second thing if you sleep. It is also why this is an experiment to see if the second part does what it should."

Sorex paused, "Wait! Again, you said if one wanted 100% of their potential unlocked they needed to harness an artifact. I'm guessing you used that method on yourself and afterward created this. So how did you do this?"

I nodded, "Good question though you might not find the answer that satisfying. I used some research notes on some interesting objects, such as the unraveling staff, hourglass of perceived time and an item called the Obscuros Device. Combining those notes with some other ideas I was able to create the potential unlocking ritual circle or potential unlocker for short. The circle itself when activated generates an accelerated time bias, which once created looks into a persons being and pulls and unravels knots that stop them from using their non-unlocked potential."

Sorex nodded, "Yeah, I have more questions again. Though I did sort of understand what you were saying. Basically you combined research on something that effects time, some sort of scrying object and something that could effect a person in the way you want to unlock their potential. The reason, you said 70% is unlocked is likely due to some cost of unlocking the potential."

I smirked, "Very clever, pretty much yeah. Which is why I brought you here to test it as well as give you the Dovahzul Aspect infusion to make up for the lost potential."

Sorex eyes widened and snapped backward to the last circle with dovahzul. "Ah! That is clever. Alright! I am ready to get this done and be a part of your experiment."

I walked over to one of the Focal points, "Just so you know, you will feel really tired after this and will need to sleep."

Sorex pointed at Viree, "Is she also doing this?"

Viree nodded, "Pretty much, I saw what happened when he unlocked 100% of his potential. Even if he reassures me that is is safe to do that 100%. I don't think I will do it."

I shrugged, "Missing out! Activating the ritual!"

The runes began to glow and each and every ritual circle filled with light. Meaning everything was going smoothly. A second later Sorex yelped, "Whoa! it feels like I'm being forced to the ground."

I also felt the pressure and it was normal. So I nodded, "In a second you will feel like you are being stretched out."

Viree nodded, "You already tested this didn't you!"

I nodded, "Yeah, you got me. I tricked Simon into one of the circles and activated it. He didn't get the dragon aspect infusion though!"

Sorex blinked, "How long does this last?"

I smiled, "Four hours, why do you ask?"

The two test subjects stared at me. "I made it so you can sit down in the Focal Points. Why do you think they are so big?"

Viree whispered across the room, "I hate you right now."

Sorex nodded, "Yeah, I'm in agreement."

I shrugged, "I'm going to work on my needlework." I took out a some leather and thread and got to work as the two silently cursed me.