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When he finally stumbled out of his quarters, bleary-eyed and shaky, all the other apprentices had already started going about their daily routine. Atmah was sitting barricaded behind a huge pile of books, Hafnar was practicing Destruction spells, Elvali was brewing some suspiciously smelling liquid, and Takes-In-Light and Girduin were arguing over something in front of an arcane enchanter.
'Hey... Morning, guys,' he said with a meek wave of his hand, his voice failing him.
Hafnar, who had turned away from his target to replenish his magicka, caught sight of him and grinned, his eyebrows raised in a sly, understanding expression, 'Hiya, Savos! Rough night, eh? Told you it was a bad idea to test that potion on yourself'.
He shook his head, gulping loudly, 'It... It wasn't that. I had this horrible nightmare...'
Hafnar laughed, 'About failing your exams? Don't tell me you are becoming like Atmah!'.
'I heard that, you wise guy!' came the indignant response out of the book fortress.
'Touchy-touchy!' Hafnar called out mockingly, 'That's life, you know - if a fellow has a crush on an egghead, he turns into an egghead himself... Okay, okay, mate, don't blush,' he added, giving Savos a friendly pat on the back, 'Let's hear all about this nightmare of yours, then'.
'Well, it's kind of like this,' Savos began falteringly, 'I dreamt that all of us had finished the College and become sorcerers...'
'Doesn't sound like a nightmare to me,' Elvali remarked, looking up from her bubbling, gurgling and smoking alchemy reaction.
Savos forced a small, crooked smile, 'There was much more to it than that. In my dream, we went on an expedition to the Labyrinthian... And there were things in there... Horrible things... All kinds of undead, and...' he shuddered, 'A skeletal dragon!'.
'Skeletal dragon? Pretty nifty! Wish I had dreams like that!' said Girduin, setting aside his soul gems and preparing, arms crossed leisurely on his chest, to listen to the continuation of Savos's story.
'And as we went on and on, deeper and deeper into the ruin, some of you guys got killed...'
Takes-In-Light snorted, 'Goes to show your real attitude towards us'.
'No, no, you don't understand!' Savos protested, 'It was... It was torture for me to see you go, but... but I felt I just had to press on, because there was no going back! And then... when there were only three of us left - Atmah, Hafnar and me - we reached the final chamber, and there we awoke the most terrifying undead creature of all! It was immensely powerful, and we couldn't overcome it, and...' he covered his face with his hands, choking on tears, 'I dreamt that I... that I turned on you, Hafnar, and on Atmah... and I used your souls to bind the monster in place, because I saw no other way of stopping it... And...' his voice was now no more than a whisper, and the others, including Atmah, much as she pretended to be absorbed in her revision, had to strain their hearing to make out his next words, 'I... I abandoned you there... and I fled... back to the College...'
There followed a tense, brooding silence, broken at length by Atmah saying, in an extremely exasperated tone, 'Oh please, Savos! Don't you realize how immature it is to have a breakdown over some silly nightmare when there are so many other things you need to worry about? Like exams!'.
'The teacher's pet does have a point, old man,' Hafnar winked encouragingly, 'Don't be such a wimp. It was all a dream, after all. We are all here, together, alive and well, and my soul is just as firmly attached to my insides as ever... Not sure about Atmah's soul, though - she might have lost it in the ocean of homework'.
This time Savos's attempt at smiling was more successful.
'That's the spirit!' Hafnar exclaimed, throwing his arm around his best friend's shoulders, 'Remember: it was all a dream. Just a dream! Now, everybody, come over here - let's give Savos a great big group hug!'
Exchanging looks that were warm with hidden laughter, Takes-In-Light and Girduin were the first to join Hafnar in the living circle that closed in round the sheepishly grinning Savos; then Elvali came up, dragging the seemingly reluctant Atmah behind her by the hand. For a few moments there was nothing but arms intertwining, and faces pressing against one another, and hearts beating at each other's side. All of a sudden, Savos felt strangely warm and elated, ecstatic almost, hanging on greedily to this precious moment when all six of them were one.
'I love you guys,' he whispered into an ear which he could not identify. Somewhere behind his back, someone's voice murmured, soft and reassuring, 'It was all a dream... All a dream...'
Of course it had been a dream! There had never been any expedition to the Labyrinthian, there had never been any monster, any sacrifice... And there never would be! This was the reality - him and his friends together, and it would never change, never! And to think that for a moment, he feared... Savos laughed at his own stupidity - but somehow, it hurt him to laugh, as if his ribs were dislocated and pierced through his flesh with each breath taken. He wondered if Hafnar, with his Nordic strength and warm-heartedness, had squeezed him in his embrace a bit too tight - but Hafnar was gone, and so was everyone else. He was all alone, lying awkwardly in the College courtyard, his body warped by burning pain, and snow was falling noiselessly round him in large soft flakes, which melted in the white wisps of his hoarse, gasping breath and in the billowing steam that rose from the scorchingly hot pool of his blood. The truth flooding his dying mind like a tidal wave, he moved his eyes, blinded by tears, towards the indifferently grey sky, and gazed unblinkingly at the falling snow, till finally his face stiffened into a twisted mask - the mask of horror at wakening to reality.

RIP Grelod the Kind.
Aventus was pleased with your death. So much so that he even returned to the Orphanage. For the first time. Ever. Which surprised me.

RIP Vasha.
No hard feelings... Creep.

RIP Narfi.
RIP Beitild.
RIP Ennodius Papius.

RIP Alain Dufont.
Thanks for the hammer.

RIP Nilsine Shatter-Shield.
It's your family's fault.

RIP Hern.
RIP Lurbuk.

RIP Vittoria Vici.
Everything went according to plan...

RIP Asgeir Snow-Shod.
Vulom figured she might as well finish the job.

RIP Nura Snow-Shod.
Alright, maybe Vulom was going a little too far...

RIP Vulwulf Snow-Shod.
What was that about going too far? Foolish Stormcloaks.

RIP Gaius Maro.
It was just business. It always is.

RIP Anton Virane.
We couldn't have any loose ends, now could we?

RIP Balagog gro-Nolob.
An Orc who can cook? How unusual.

RIP Festus Krex.
RIP Veezara.
RIP Arnbjorn.
RIP Gabriella.

RIP Astrid.
In the end, you got what you deserved. Traitor.

RIP Commander Maro.
Yes, I'm still alive. That shouldn't surprise you.

RIP Emperor Titus Mede II.
Vulom heard your request...

RIP Amaund Motierre.
Shot in the eye by accident. My mouse messed up.

RIP Rexus.
Just had to finish things up.

RIP Deekus.
RIP Ma'randru-jo.
RIP Anoriath.
RIP Agnis.
RIP Maluril.
RIP Helvard.
RIP Safia.

~ RIP Plautis Carvain and your wife- I wished I could save you, but I know not where you fell..
~RIP Septimus Signus- you where far to entertaining but too blind to see a trap..
~RIP Brother Verulus- I still can't get that taste out of my mouth.. Sorry for killing you.. >_>
~RIP Erandur- Not even you can undo deeds of the past, but know your sacrifice saved many
~RIP Sinding- How could one pass up 2 artifacts? But now you may rest and enjoy the life in your new pack
~RIP every vampire I slaughtered in the Castle Volkihar. I wished you may of changed your ways and be at peace. Now you lay as reminders to others
~RIP Riekling Chief- though you were funny and small, your actions were wrongful and selfish. May your kin beware of my comrades.
~RIP Ildari- you betrayed many and in turn you were the one left with a broken heart
~RIP General Falx Carius- I saved you once but you may not remember, may I let you rest and be at peace

~RIP Storn Crag-Strider- you alone remain my greatest regret and I am sorry for what I brought onto you. I am greatly in dept to you..
~RIP Katria- May your spirit be at peace and revenge calm you. I have left you some dignity and now you lay as ash where a proper grave is fitting. Thank you for your help
~RIP everyone at the Hall of the Vigilant- I wished I could save you all but I have taken revenge on those who took action. Rest with your friend Tolan and know you are not forgotten
~RIP the Dark Brotherhood- Not even murderers deserved such a fate.. especially Festus Krex.. May Sithis bring you mercy and my victims follow
~RIP Kodlak Whitemane- I gave you paradise like you sought and even visited you, that I did. May you enjoy your freedom friend
~RIP Savos Aren- May you go without guilt and spend the afterlife with your friends. Know that the college is in good hands now..
~RIP the Emperor- just as the High King.. tales will tell of a shout that killed you. May your soul guide my dagger to your last wish..

~RIP Miraak- You had much to teach and you proved an excellent warrior. I wished that maybe in another time we can be brothers at hand..