I woke up inside my friend's video game

Vivienne Onis stood before me, her refined features framed by the soft light filtering through the window. She exuded elegance, every movement deliberate, as if each gesture was meticulously crafted to maintain an air of untouchable beauty. Yet beneath that poised exterior, I could sense the unwavering arrogance that radiated from her. A woman so deeply entangled with the Thalmor could never be fully trusted. Yet here I was, forced to rely on her, with Belrand's life hanging in the balance.

"The ingredients I'll need for the cure poison potion are Mudcrab Chitin and Charred Skeever Hide," she said, her voice smooth as silk. Then, with a slight hesitation, she added, "I have a personal favor to ask, though."

I stiffened, wary of what might come next. "Yes, anything. Shoot," I responded briskly. I didn't have time for pleasantries.

"Please fetch me some Blue Mountain Flowers and Hawk Feathers," she requested, her gaze steady, as if expecting no refusal. She quickly explained where these ingredients could be found, her words as carefully chosen as her attire.

Blue Mountain Flowers and Hawk Feathers—ingredients not just for curing poison. I had no time to ask what they were for.

I despised the idea of working with someone tied to the Thalmor. It made my skin crawl. But as much as I loathed it, I had no choice. If I didn't cooperate, Belrand might die. And I wasn't about to let that happen. Not on my watch. I was their leader, and it was my duty to protect them.

"Okay, everyone, listen up," I called to my party, turning away from Vivienne. I couldn't stand to look at her any longer. "I'm staying with Belrand and will continuously cast Paralysis spells on him to slow the poison's effect." I began channeling my magic, feeling the familiar surge of power as I directed it toward Belrand. He lay still, his breath shallow, but life still clung to him—for now.

I looked up at my party, their faces tense with concern. "I'm entrusting you all to collect what Ms. Vivienne requested. You heard her, right? No splitting up. Aldis, you'll be the vanguard. Titus, you'll act as the spellsword for now—use the spells Belrand taught us. And Jordis…" I hesitated, seeing the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. I knew she wanted more, to prove herself in a different role, but now wasn't the time. "Jordis, stick to being an archer."

She nodded, though frustration lingered behind her compliance. She was the best with a bow, and we needed everyone at their best.

As they hurried off, I remained with Vivienne, the weight of our uneasy alliance pressing down on me. She was beautiful, yes, but beauty was fleeting. Power and trust meant more than any potion she could brew.

For now, I needed her, and that was a bitter pill to swallow.

The chill of the Skyrim air bit at our faces as we left the camp, my Thane's words still echoing in my mind. The urgency of our mission was clear—fetching the ingredients that might save Belrand's life. As much as I longed to prove myself in another role, my skill with a bow was what we needed now.

Aldis led the way, his steps confident. "I used to work for Vivienne Onis' aunt," he explained over his shoulder. "So I know where to find these ingredients."

First on our list was the Mudcrab Chitin. Aldis guided us to a stream winding through the rocky landscape, the water glistening under the moonlight. "Mudcrabs scuttle along the riverbanks," he said, scanning the shoreline.

We didn't have to search long. A large mudcrab emerged from the muck, its pincers snapping menacingly. I nocked an arrow, but Aldis held up a hand. "Wait. I'll handle this."

With a swift strike, Aldis dispatched the creature, and I helped him collect the chitin. The jagged shell pieces felt oddly heavy in my hands—a reminder of the task at hand. I could almost hear Belrand's labored breathing.

Next, we needed a Charred Skeever Hide. A cave nearby was rumored to house skeevers. Its entrance loomed dark and uninviting, but Aldis pressed on. "Be ready," he warned.

Inside, the stench of decay was overpowering. A rustling noise made us tense. A skeever leaped from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with malevolence. I fired, but it dodged. Titus stepped in, unleashing a volley of spells. The creature fell, and we gathered the hide, its charred remains a testament to our efforts.

With the hardest parts done, we moved on to Blue Mountain Flowers and Hawk Feathers. Aldis led us through a meadow where delicate blue flowers swayed. "Plenty here," he said, picking them with ease. Their vibrant hue contrasted with the dire situation. For a moment, the tension lifted.

"Hawk Feathers next," Aldis said. We reached a cliff where hawks nested. Their cries echoed in the air. We spotted a nest high up.

"Careful," Aldis warned. The climb was treacherous. Each step felt heavier with responsibility. But we reached the nest. The hawks were gone, but feathers remained, golden and soft in the moonlight. We gathered them, our mission nearly complete.

Returning to camp, the urgency never left me. As the paralysis spell on Belrand dissipated, we approached our Thane. "My Thane—" I began, but his sharp look made me correct myself. "J-Jayson!"

"Have you collected what Vivienne asked?" he inquired.

Aldis nodded and handed him the basket. Jayson examined its contents—Mudcrab Chitin, Skeever Hide, Blue Mountain Flowers, and Hawk Feathers. Relief flickered across his face.

He quickly moved to Vivienne, who was already preparing her workspace with alchemical tools. "Please, get on with it," he urged, masking his impatience.

Vivienne worked swiftly. Even without a proper alchemy table, she brewed two potions. She handed one to Jayson, keeping the other.

Jayson hesitated, eyes narrowing. "What's the other potion for?"

Vivienne's eyes sparkled with pride. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a potion I drink daily."

"You drink a potion daily? What for?"

"It makes me look younger and prettier," she said, almost reverently. "The Thalmor library has an extensive collection of alchemy books. I've learned brews that enhance appearance and longevity."

Jayson stiffened. After everything, she had delayed Belrand's treatment for a beauty regimen? The realization stung. But she had fulfilled her part. Belrand's recovery was what mattered.

Turning to Jordis, Jayson's voice was firm. "Jordis, since Belrand needs to rest and Vivienne has been of some help, I have a task for you."

She stood at attention. "What is it, Jayson?"

"Escort Vivienne back to Solitude. While there, report to Castle Dour about the Dark Brotherhood's assassination attempt on our party. They need to know."

Jordis nodded. "Understood."

Vivienne fidgeted, clearly uneasy. "Rough travel? I—"

"We'll do our best to accommodate you," Jayson said. "But it won't be comfortable."

Vivienne sighed but nodded. "I appreciate that."

As they left, Jayson turned to Belrand. The potion was working. They had done what they could.

A quiet thought settled in his mind. "Please, Erica. Keep safe."