[center][i]Collab between [@Leos Klien] & MiddleEarthRoze[/i][/center]

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“We’re not going to die, Da.” 

That whispered sentence cut through the silence in the back of the chapel, and Niko’s eyes - closed in silent prayer - flew open to look upon his daughter. There was that look again; an obstinate steeliness set among the fear in the eight-year-old’s eyes. His face gave way to a tired smile, moving from his knelt position back onto the bench beside Mia. Niko was unsure what to say in response to that - Mia wasn’t so young to misunderstand the danger of their current situation, but could he really point out the unlikely matter of their survival to her? 

Pursing her lips slightly at his lack of response, Mia kicked her father lightly in the shin.

“I’m not just saying that to make you feel better you know. There’s lots of people in here with weapons. That elf has a hammer bigger than [i]me[/i]. We’ll be okay.” At that, Niko gave her a more genuine smile; she always had something amusing to say, no matter the situation.

“I’ll believe you if you don’t kick me again. That hurt.” He replied after a moment, a teasing tone in his voice; however, both smiles slid from their faces as the commotion from outside reached their ears. In one swift movement Niko was stood up; between Mia and the doors, sword in hand. Thankfully, it wasn’t death knocking at the door, but two more survivors. A melancholy smile tugged at Niko’s lips as the Nord found his family, not far from where he and Mia sat - even after all of the death and destruction in Kvatch, there was happiness to be found. As for Niko, there was not much  sorrow for him as of yet; he hadn’t considered Kvatch to be his home for a few years now, but it was still hard to see it in ruins - the people slaughtered by monsters straight from hell itself. But he was alive, and Mia was unhurt - that was all that mattered to him as of now.

Well, that and the problem of being stuck inside, surrounded by Daedra. But even then, a solution seemed to have appeared - one of the newcomers was (reluctantly, so it seemed) rallying volunteers to close the gate. All to get Martin out, for some reason. Still standing there holding his sword too tightly, Niko hesitated as the group got ready to leave. Could he really, in good conscience, let them leave without helping? He was a fine fighter, and knew a handful of spells that would no doubt come in helpful. And on the other hand, there was Mia. If he died out there, she’d be an orphan, unprotected in this chapel while more of Dagon’s minions may well attack it.

Walking over to Martin as the others readied themselves by the door, he wondered just what this Imperial woman had said to the Priest to bother him so much. Mia followed closely behind him, already realising what her father was planning on doing.

“Martin… why is it you have to leave?” He asked quietly, brow furrowing slightly in confusion. It was unlikely someone would scale the walls of a burning and overrun city for a priest; not that priests weren’t important, but he’d never seen somebody risk their life so much for the sake of a funeral or impromptu wedding. Whatever the reason was, it made Martin uncomfortable.

“It is… complicated. I doubt you’d believe me.” He paused, shaking his head with a bitter laugh. “I barely believe it.”

“Is it important?” A pause from Martin - then a grim nod. Whether believable or not, it was worth it. If Martin had to leave, Niko would attempt to help him do so. He owed the man, and this chapel - they had saved his life, so he was more than happy to return the favour.

“Watch over Amelia for me - hopefully it won’t take too long.” He finally said with a sigh, ignoring Mia’s immediate pleas to come with him. Cutting off her sentence ([i]”Just give me a sword, I can help!”[/i]), Niko knelt to her height and gave her a quick hug. She looked more upset that he was leaving her behind rather than the fact he could die - which surprisingly made Niko feel better about leaving to help.

“Behave yourself.” Murmured somewhat sternly at his daughter, he left her beside Martin as he joined the others. Falling into step with an elderly fellow and his dog, Niko unsheathed his other sword, ready to save the place he had once called home.

As the man and his daughter conversed, near the doors that left out to the burning city stood Valen with his faithful friend. He was debating in his own mind as what to do with Albert; the planes of Oblivion were no place for a creature so delicate as he, he may burn his paws walking on the ground; something that he wouldn’t allow Albert to suffer through.

Giving a look over his shoulder the man from earlier had stood behind him; his daughter left with Martin, the priest who looked as if the world had just been placed on his shoulders. Valentis bent down with a bit of difficulty and patted Albert lightly on the head. 

“Come on Albert, I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here for a while - I have some business to attend to.”

After giving a mournful whine he fell in place; ears drooped, behind Valentis as he headed towards Martin.

“Martin, I too will be heading out with these young heroes to deal with the scourge that has befallen this city - but I must ask you take care of someone for me in the meantime, the gates of Oblivion are no place for the likes of my friend here…” giving a small gesture to the panting dog at his heels.

“Don’t worry though, he’s quite capable in defending himself and even the people in this chapel to a degree; he once took on an Orc and left without so much as a scratch, he’ll just sit at your heels waiting for my return - give him a pat every now and then and he should be fine.”

Martin looked at Valen with slight confusion but inevitably nodded.

“Don’t worry, I’ll look after him… I mean, I’ll keep an eye on him, as you said it seems he can protect himself.” He gave a wry smile as Albert sat at his heels, a small pat on the head from the priest was his welcome.

Valentis walked back to the group, and prepared himself mentally for what was to come, he had experience, far more than most here even the few Mer that littered this group's ranks. Looking towards the man whom had just left his daughter behind to do what was right, Valentis spoke.

“I’ll stand by you,sir, you have a daughter to back too. I would see that you do indeed go back to her, and not leave her stranded in this place.”

Glancing to the elderly man by his side, Niko managed a somewhat strained smile. Despite the situation, the old fellow’s words were encouraging.

“My thanks - but I know she’s in good hands. Regardless of what happens out there.” Any and all conversation was left in the chapel, for once Niko stepped outside, there was but one thing on his mind - survive, and make sure the others did too. This trip into the Oblivion gates would be hard, and the last thing the group needed was for some to fall before even stepping into the blasted realm. Joining the other’s in the fray, Niko descended upon one of the Dremora mages, ready to kill it before it even managed to hide behind a summoned scamp.

In the meantime, the Imperial woman was doing her bit; the gates were difficult for just the one person to open, but she had managed it - the heat radiating from the flickering portal on the other side was nearly overwhelming, and the courtyard was lit with a radiant crimson glow. Not wanting to be the first person inside, the woman doubled back, beheading a scamp from behind as she motioned towards the gate. The creatures in the clearing were nearly taken care of; anymore would have to come from inside the gate.

Naenya became nearly mesmerised by the sight of the gate; in the first attack, she’d been far too busy fighting and running to admire the constructs. But there it was, in all it’s glory. Not thinking twice, she finished off the scamp whimpering at her feet with a swift frost bolt to the skull, ignoring the awful crunching sound that came from the ice caving in the bone. 

“Gods, I can’t wait to see the mechanism that’s keeping this thing open! It must be something unheard of to scholars…” Still twittering away quite happily to nobody in particular, Naenya made a beeline for the gate. Frowning in disbelief at the Bosmeri mage, the Imperial woman followed her in begrudgingly, looking at the rest of the group pointedly.