I woke up inside my friend's video game

The forest floor was a chaotic swirl of motion and sound. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows over the clearing. Belrand, the seasoned spellsword, was on the ground, struggling under the weight of his assailant—a petite Breton woman. Her appearance was almost angelic, with delicate features and an ethereal glow that belied the danger she posed. Her wide, doe-like green eyes were filled with an innocent panic, a stark contrast to the cruel reality unfolding before us.

"Hold it right there!" Jayson, my Thane, commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority. His sword was pointed directly at the Breton woman, his expression a mask of stern resolve.

She froze, her eyes wide as she slowly raised her hands in surrender. Her trembling fingers clutched her cloak tightly as she spoke in a quivering voice. "P-please, he was assaulting me! He—he was forcing me to remove my clothes, and..."

With a slight swirl of his hand, my Thane cast **Detect Life**—no doubt confirming whether Belrand was alive or not. The accusation hung in the air like a poisonous mist, and my blood boiled with indignation.

"Is that so?" Jayson's voice was icy as he took a step closer, his piercing gaze locked onto the woman.

The next moment happened so fast, my breath caught in my throat. Shing! The sharp sound of steel slicing through flesh echoed through the night. The Breton woman's head flew, her body collapsing in a lifeless heap. The brutal efficiency of it left me stunned.

"My Thane, why?!" I gasped, barely able to comprehend the violence that had just unfolded before me.

Jayson's gaze was unyielding, his sword still dripping with the Breton woman's blood. "I know Belrand better than you think," he said, his voice hard as steel. "He may be a drunkard and an ass at times, but he would never commit such an atrocity. Search her body!"

Still reeling from what had just transpired, I hesitated. But Aldis, his face a mix of shock and determination, knelt beside the corpse without question. His hands moved with practiced precision, searching for anything hidden. "Y-yes, my Thane!"

I clenched my fists. "I-I'm sorry, my Thane, but I don't quite understand. Are we really searching her body?"

My unease was abruptly silenced as Aldis called out, "My Thane, there are notes here!"

Jayson's sharp eyes flicked to mine before settling on Aldis. "Read it aloud."

Aldis took a deep breath, unfolding the first note with trembling hands. His voice rang out into the night, each word dripping with sinister intent:

"Targets: 1 Belrand - Solitude, 2 Aldis - Solitude, 3 Titus - Solitude, 4 Jordis - Solitude, 5 Oscar - Solitude, 6 Francis - Solitude, 7 Nica - Solitude, 8 Pyeath Shadowthorn - Solitude, 9 Nikolai - Solitude, 10 Jayson - Solitude."

My breath hitched. My name was on the list.

Aldis continued, reading a letter that made my stomach turn:

"To the Dark Brotherhood,

By the shadows of Sithis, I write to you under the veil of secrecy, my request borne not from personal vendetta but from a necessity for the greater good. This matter must remain in the deepest confidence, for the consequences of exposure would be dire.

There are people who have become a thorn to us. They pose a significant threat to our operations in Skyrim. These people working together with the Thane of Solitude will sooner or later become a dangerous opponent to our cause. More than once, he has thwarted our plans, either by direct interference or by lending his strength to those who oppose us.

The time has come to remove all obstacles.

I leave the method of execution to the discretion of the Dark Brotherhood, as I trust in your expertise. However, it is imperative that his death appears as a result of a common altercation or accident. We cannot afford to be linked to this assassination. Let his death be a message to those who would dare stand against us, yet let that message be whispered only in the shadows.

Enclosed with this letter, you will find a satchel of gold as payment for your services. Upon confirmation of each target's demise, another payment will be delivered to a location of your choosing.

Do this, and you will have our favor.

May the Night Mother hear my plea, and may the shadows guide your blade.

- E"

The weight of the letter pressed on my chest. My Thane's expression darkened, his fury barely contained. "Do not forget what I've taught you all," he snapped. "Trust your instincts, gather proof swiftly, and strike before the enemy does!"

"The best defense is a good offense," he muttered, frustration thick in his tone. He drove his sword into the ground with a violent thrust, the impact sending a shiver through the earth. He stalked toward the bushes, his anger manifesting in each determined step. With a flick of his wrist, he cast a paralysis spell, striking true. A muffled thud followed as a hidden figure collapsed into the foliage.

"Oh, shit!" Jayson exclaimed, both relieved and wary. He dragged the now-paralyzed figure into the open, his expression dark. "Don't you dare say a word to anyone about this!" he growled.

The paralyzed figure was none other than **Vivienne Onis**, the niece of Angeline Morrard, Solitude's renowned alchemist.

"J-Jayson," Belrand groaned, his voice thick with pain. "I never touched that girl. It was the Dark Brotherhood bitch. She poisoned me."

Panic flared in my Thane's eyes. He glanced toward Solitude, calculating the distance, the time we had left.

Vivienne, now released from the paralysis, rubbed her limbs and shot Jayson an irritated glare. "Ughh… what did you do that for?"

"Vivienne, I have a lot of explaining to do," Jayson said urgently. "I'll make amends, but please, I beg you, can you create a potion to cure Belrand's poison?"

Vivienne hesitated, her voice shaky. "B-but I just learned—"

"Please," my Thane pleaded, his eyes burning with desperation. "I'll give anything. I'll do anything."

Vivienne wavered. "I-I'll try, but I'll need some ingredients."

Jayson's shoulders relaxed slightly, nodding with relief. "We'll get you what you need. Thank you, Vivienne."

As the night settled and the forest resumed its quiet rhythm, the tension among us remained thick. Jayson's decisive action had saved Belrand, but it also revealed the extent of the forces working against us. In this world of shadows and betrayals, only loyalty and trust would keep us alive.

And I, Jordis, would never falter in my duty to my Thane.