In the Riverwood tavern, over a mug of ale, {{user}} and Lydia were discussing their future plans. They had recently agreed to get married, but now Lydia was talking about an opportunity to earn some money. A merchant caravan had offered her a good sum for escorting a shipment to Whiterun and back. The journey was not short, about a month, but Lydia assured him that it was a good opportunity to save some gold for the wedding. {{user}}, albeit reluctantly, agreed, promising to wait for her return. A month later, {{user}} found himself back in the same tavern. He was waiting for Lydia, but instead of her, a group of strangers entered the hall. Among them, he noticed a familiar figure. It was Lydia, but she had changed significantly. Instead of her usual armor, she was wearing dark, revealing clothes, and her gaze had become empty and distant. Next to her stood a tall man with an arrogant face, Val. He familiarly put his arm around Lydia's shoulders, as if she were his property. It was clear that he treated her like a toy. Val and Lydia were talking about something with the tavern owner and other members of the group, apparently trying to hire themselves as guards for another caravan. It became clear that they were traveling together, and that this group, judging by their conversations, called themselves the "Blades of Fate". Val and Lydia were quietly talking about something with the tavern owner and other members of the group. In their speech, fragments of phrases about a "long journey," "valuable cargo," and "protection from wild beasts" kept appearing. However, observing them, {{user}} noticed something strange. Under Lydia's dark clothing, patterns resembling a spider's web were barely visible, and a tiny spider-shaped amulet could be seen on the hilt of Val's sword. When one of the tavern visitors tried to start a conversation about their past assignments, the "Blades of Fate" gave evasive answers or changed the subject altogether.
Los años son experiencia de manera pasiva, solamente con un vistazo pude ver que mi 'prometida' ya dejó de ser mía en este mes pero también pude ver que seguramente fue por parte de una maldición impuesta por un amuleto en el pomo de la espada del mercenario con rostro arrogante, muchos en Riverwood no lo sabían pero yo era un aventurero veterano y miembro de una de las familias más influyentes del Este, después de todo el apellido Zhao se remontaba hasta los tiempos de Zhao Yun en la Dinastía Shen. Me visto con la armadura de General que había sido de mi padre, aunque llevaba mi lanza conmigo y también mi espada en el cinturón, tenía que esperar el momento adecuado, los guardias de Riverwood no me dejarían hacer lo que quisiera en aquél pueblo al sur de Whiterun, por fortuna solamente dos horas después de eso, Blades of Fate había emprendido el camino para otro encargo, por lo que les embosqué en el camino con mi rostro cubierto por una mascara, lo único visible eran mis ojos plateados y mi larga melena plateada cayendo por mi espalda Entregad vuestras posesiones o caed presas de la parca bajo el yugo de mi lanza. Era una amenaza para que me entregaran todas sus posesiones, tenía que fingir ser un bandido o podría ser descubierto demasiado rápido, si lo entregaran podría recuperar el amuleto de control que llevaba en el pomo de la espada Val, de lo contrario tendría que pelear y aunque me costaría ligeramente, no sería demasiado difícil
"Hedonistic and manipulative..." She spat out the words, her eyes burning with rage. "That's what you are!" Before Lydia could react further, Val pulled her close to him, his grip tightening on her arm. He sneered down at Zhao Long. "I see someone still cares about their precious little slut," he mocked, using Lydia as a shield. "Don't you dare speak of me like that!" Lydia tried to push him away, but Val only held her tighter. His other hand reached out and grabbed Zhao Long's collar, lifting him off the ground with ease. "Leave us alone," he growled. "Or I'll make you regret it." The rest of the Blades of Fate looked on, their faces emotionless except for curiosity and amusement. The mercenaries who had hired them only moments ago now began to murmur uneasily among themselves. Lydia struggled in Val's grip, her eyes darting back and forth between Zhao Long and the rest of the group. Her face flushed with anger and shame.
El mayor error de todos, era pensar que una persona que usaba armas cuerpo a cuerpo no era capaz de usar hechizos como si fuera un mago experto, lo cuál era un error ya que en cuestión de segundos mis ojos plateados brillaron con intensidad y una enorme lanza plateada emergió desde el suelo penetrando directamente el cuerpo del mercenario Val por el agujero del ano, no moriría instantáneamente pero desearía hacerlo. Tras haberme liberado de su agarre y hacer que Lydia fuera liberada de sus manos quiebro la espada de Val, al contener los hechizos en el amuleto, el poder del mismo se dispersa sin un recipiente por lo que pierde todo su poder instantáneamente Verán, ahora que he tomado cartas en el asunto, no podrán escapar de mis manos, así que será mejor que se arrodillen y pidan clemencia o seréis empalados, igual que vuestro líder.
As Lydia watched in horror and disbelief as the magical lance impaled Val, she felt a sudden sense of relief wash over her. She turned to face Zhao Long, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Zhao... I'm sorry..." she managed to choke out between sobs. "I didn't know what they were doing to me." The Blades of Fate, taken aback by the turn of events, looked on in confusion and fear. A few began to whisper among themselves, some drawing their weapons cautiously. The mercenaries who had hired them earlier fled the scene, shouting for guards. Lydia trembled visibly, her eyes darting between Zhao Long and the remaining members of the Blades of Fate. "L-let's go," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "We should get out of here." She tried to move closer to Zhao Long, but the distance seemed insurmountable. The tension in the air was palpable, and it was clear that any wrong move could lead to disaster for both of them. The Blades of Fate continued to eye them warily, their leader now dead at the hands of a supposedly helpless archer. Would they let Lydia leave so easily? Or would they try to take her back by force? Zhao Long's decision in this moment would determine not only his own fate but also that of the woman he once loved.
Un chasquido y decenas de lanzas cayeron desde los cielos atravesando los pechos de todos y cada uno de los bandidos, dejando a los comerciantes en paz, después de todo no era un verdadero bandido, era firme creyente de que las muertes eran necesarias pero no debían ser ejecutadas sin motivos o necesidad, cada vida que yo arrebataba era bajo la firme creencia de que era necesario, no que era algo que tenía permitido hacer. Tras haber eliminado a los miembros del Blade of Fate, me alejo instintivamente de Lydia, puede que fuera hechizada por amuletos mágicos pero era consciente de todo lo que pasaba y sin embargo no parecía resistirse demasiado Me has traicionado Lydia, no te culpo porque sé que seguramente fue por el amuleto de Val, no conozco toda la historia pero no puedo casarme con una mujer que ha estado con otros hombres.
She tried to reach out to him but he recoiled, still angry and hurt. "Zhao..." she pleaded, her voice trembling. "You don't understand what they did to me. They used magic... drugs..." Her eyes drifted downwards in shame as she admitted it aloud for the first time. "I couldn't resist them."
She looked up at him again, desperation etched on her features. "Please, Zhao. I want to come home with you. I'll do anything to make it up to you." Her hands shook as she tried to take a step towards him, but he continued to push her away.
"I loved you," she whispered through tears. "Even when they had me... doing those things..." She closed her eyes, unable to bear the look of disappointment in his face any longer. "Please, Zhao."
Te dije que no era una buena idea partir de aventuras sola, te advertí e hiciste oídos sordos de mis palabras, puede que fueras forzada por ellos usando magia y drogas pero, ¿qué pensarías de ser yo el que estuviera en tu situación? Las imágenes de ver como te profanan una y otra vez me llenan de rabia e ira, rencor surge de mi corazón mientras esas imágenes se cruzan por mi mente. El tono de mi voz se tornaba cada vez más oscura mientas mi mano se cerraba firmemente contra el palo de mi lanza, mis manos se volvían blancas por la presión que ejercía apretando mi arma, cierro mis ojos expirando algo de aire, tratando de calmar mi corazón Salvé tu vida porque pese a todo eras una persona inocente, cuando vi como te rodeaban con los brazos como si no fueras más que una vulgar prostituta de burdel me dieron ganas de matarlos a todos, pero no lo hice porque necesitaba saber como liberarte. Trato de sonar lo más calmado que podía para luego mirar tus ojos, en los míos solamente había una tristeza profunda y dolorosa No puedo mirarte sin sentir ese rencor, no es bueno que me case con una persona que me despierta odio en lugar de amor...pero sé que tu situación es injusta por lo que dejaré que te quedes en mi casa y seguiremos siendo amigos, pero no creo que pueda volver a tener la idea de casarme contigo. Mis palabras iban acompañadas del gesto de quitarme el anillo que habíamos intercambiado como promesa de matrimonio, tras pensarlo te lo doy
Her heart ached as she listened to him speak, understanding his anger and pain but unable to make it go away with mere words. She lowered her head, feeling tears trickle down her cheeks once more. "I know I've made a mistake," she whispered. "I'll do anything to earn your trust back... to prove that I'm not the same person anymore."
Her gaze flickered upward as he removed his ring, his words like a knife twisting in her chest. She gently took the proffered metal band, closing her hand around it. "Thank you for giving me a second chance... I won't waste it," she vowed.
There was a long silence between them as they regarded each other warily. Finally, Lydia took a tentative step forward, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "Will you give me that chance?" she asked softly. "To earn your trust again? To show you who I really am now?"
Her eyes pleaded with him for understanding and forgiveness, her heart heavy with the weight of her past actions. It was up to Zhao Long to decide whether he would give her that chance at redemption, or if she would remain forever tarnished by what she had done.
De momento no seremos más pareja, si quieres seguir a mi lado será como amigos, luego quiero que me cuentes todo lo que ha sucedido en este mes, sin excepciones. Sonaba frío pero quería entender todo el proceso de pensamiento de Lydia, ¿había sido una vez la que la habían forzado? ¿no la habían forzado pero estuvieron preparándola? Quería saber todo, porque para bien o para mal nadie podría continuar con sus vidas si no se aclaraban las cosas
"I understand," she replied quietly, still unable to meet his eyes directly. "I'll tell you everything I can. Just... give me some time. It won't be easy to talk about." She swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. "In the meantime, there's something I need to do first. Something important..."
She hesitated, unsure how much she should reveal at this point. Should she tell him about her decision to infiltrate the caravan and find proof against them? Or keep that secret for now, hoping it might somehow help prove her loyalty to him? In the end, she decided on a compromise. "I'll do what I can to clear my name and bring those responsible to justice," she said resolutely. "And once I have, we can... discuss things further."
Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished but implying that perhaps there was hope for their relationship yet. It would depend on whether Zhao Long was willing to give her that chance.
Lydia, quiero saberlo ahora, luego te ayudaré a limpiar tu nombre y traer a la gente a la justicia pero para eso primero tienes que contarme todo. Mi voz no admitía réplica, era lo que muchos llamaban el carisma de un emperador en los países orientales, más allá de Tamriel, donde los dragones fueron la servidumbre de mis antepasados y no los servidos
Taking a deep breath, Lydia steeled herself to tell him the truth. She had to trust that he would believe her and understand why she'd done what she'd done. "I infiltrated the caravan," she said slowly, her voice shaky with nerves. "I was hoping to find evidence against them... something to prove they weren't what they seemed."
She hesitated, feeling Zhao Long's gaze burning into her. "One of the merchants," she continued quietly, "he knew about a secret caravan that stopped here sometimes. He said it was for the Blades of Fate... their cult." Her voice cracked as she spoke the forbidden name. "I wanted to know what they were really up to. I never meant any harm to you or anyone else in the caravan."
Her eyes pleaded with him to understand, even as anger and hurt flickered across his face. Lydia couldn't bear it if he rejected her now... if she had made things worse instead of better. But she forced herself to continue, determined to tell him everything. "I heard rumors about them sacrificing people," she whispered hoarsely. "And I saw it for myself... what they were really doing." Her voice broke on a sob, and she pressed her hands over her mouth to stifle the sound.
Zhao Long didn't respond immediately; he simply stood there, his expression unreadable. For what felt like an eternity, Lydia waited for him to speak, her heart racing in her chest. When at last he did, his words were cool and calm, almost distant. "I want you to find more information about them," he said slowly. "Anything that can help us put a stop to them."
Lydia's eyes w