The sun shone brightly up in the sky, uninterested in the world below; The wind softly blew between the trees and shrubs carrying the spring's fresh scent. Ignoring the beauty of life all around them, stood 3 men squatting behind some brushes, their eyes making it clear they weren't just travellers taking a break; in their callous hands, chipped swords and axes, clashing against the whetstones in a rain of sparkles.

Soon the faint sound of whistling reached their ears carried by the wind, their ears perked up in expectation and trying not to expose themselves they took a glance from behind the brushes. A lonesome traveller wearing commoner's clothes and with a bag on his back was walking the path leading straight to their ambush. The trio gripped their weapons harder and prepared to give a meaning to the day.

Finally, the unaware wanderer reached that bush and, without wasting the chance, the bandits jumped out of their hiding spot blocking the way forward and the way back. The poor victim looked with startled eyes to the men and noticing the weapons in their hands he realized they weren't just looking for a fright.

The tallest of the three took a step forward, his dagger aimed at the throat of the victim; However, before he could speak out his demands or do anything else, the traveller threw both of his hands to the air and kneeled down. “Please milord, don't hurt me! I'm just a novice alchemist, travelling to the capital to sell some potions!” his head bent down as he pleaded, too afraid to even look at his aggressors in the eyes.

The bandits were taken aback for a moment; they were robbing an alchemist! If anyone were to know of this, knights would be dispatched immediately to hunt them down to hell if necessary. The trio exchanged glances and with a faint trace of regret the bandits sheathed back their rusty old weapons. They were here for some easy money, killing a few farmers wouldn't attract any troubles, however, killing an alchemist was akin to taking a bath in honey and jumping in a bear's cave.

“Milord, please..." Said the biggest of the bandits offering his hand to the alchemist, "No need to kneel down like this, I swear we mean no harm, right guys?” the leader immediately tried to somehow fix the situation by appeasing him. The alchemist raised his head and stared at the bandits now armed with awkward smiles instead of daggers and greed.

“Pardon me, but weren't you trying to rob me just now?” spoke the alchemist with a slightly shaky and dubious voice, and to answer him the bandit behind him almost cursed his damn curiosity out loud. “Of course not! Hahaha...” some cold sweat dripped out of his forehead, “It's just a misunderstanding, we are actually farmers from a nearby village. Days ago, our small village's miller fell out with his wife and murdered her. As he has relatives living in Marle we thought of intercepting him on the way there, unfortunately, we mistook you for him!” with an 'it's all just a big mistake' face, the bandit lied through his teeth.

The naïve alchemist nodded through the story muttering “ I see, I see...”, he looked thoroughly convinced as he stood up dusting off his pants with a few pats. “I'm really sorry I doubted your reasons, as an apology,” He picked his bag and took out a vial of milky liquid “Let me offer you one of my potions, it can grant a man the strength of a bear for up to a month!” he exclaimed excitedly while extending the vial to the bandits' leader.

“I- I cannot accept such a precious gift!” The bandit leader was no idiot, what if that was poison? Who would be stupid enough to drink a mysterious liquid offered by a stranger?

“I insist! You are obviously good and righteous people fighting to uphold justice, how could I remain passive and not help you? There is enough for the three of you, and if you are still feeling bad, in exchange you can give me one of your weapons. After all, I'm but a defenceless traveller, who knows who or worse; what I might meet on these dangerous roads...”

Unable to contain his greed for power any longer, one of the bandits stepped forward and snatched the vial. Under the expectant gaze of the alchemist and the worried eyes of his friends, he took a quick sip; the lukewarm white liquid flowed down his throat like water and was soon absorbed by the body.

A weird feeling spread from his throat, like a wave of fire it engulfed the whole body; his heart started beating faster like a drum as adrenalin was produced throwing his head in a state of euphoria. Veins swelled up on his body like snakes coiling around a skinny tree, even his skin got a little redder under the influence of the accelerated blood circulation.

The other two bandits looked at their friend in worry, ready to take out their weapons to avenge him, however, against their worries a big smile widened on his face, “Dvartos be damned! I feel like a new man. You have to try this!” the buffed bandit threw the leader the vial and then unable to stay put any longer, he threw himself on the ground doing push-ups like a madman, sweat was already dripping down his eyes but he didn't even care or notice, he felt too energetic and had to do something; anything to waste that energy.

“I see it's working already.” The alchemist was watching with interest the effect of his concoction on another human. The other two bandits seeing the state of their friend were convinced to drink the rest of the potion. Soon they were all either running around like kids high on sugar or punching the trees. Under their dreamy status, they didn't notice how their knuckles had actually got bruised and broken by hitting the trees, the pain thankfully suppressed by the adrenaline.

Meanwhile, the alchemist didn't move away, he took out a metallic watch and started writing notes while checking the trio. After a few minutes, they finally seemed to be running out of juice as they collapsed under the shade of a tree breathing heavily. The alchemist approached them and started asking questions every few minutes.

“How much is five plus five?” To which the bandits would answer between a heavy breath and another, “Ten of course!” somehow they didn't seem to care about the previously shy alchemist now asking questions with a monotone.

Five minutes later "How much is three plus three?”, the bandits took a second before replying “Five... no six!” he noted down something and waited a few more minutes.

“How much is two plus two?” The bandits just stared blankly at him trying to find an answer, “Seven!” answered one after pondering deeply and the others seemed to agree nodding sagely. This continued until they could no longer answer coherently.

“After 30 minutes the asphyxia has reached the extreme level, two of them have fainted outright. Meanwhile, the last subject is still able to fight it off, probably due to his stronger looking physique.” The alchemist muttered while checking the time on his watch, he took their pulses and timed the breathing, “Rapid pulse, check. Hypertension, check. Coma, check.” he slapped the still conscious leader with enough force to leave a red mark on his cheek, but he still couldn't muster enough strength to fight back, just staring at the alchemist with his pale face, his purple lips tried to move and ask something but in the end, he remained mute. “Paralysis, check.” He noted down with a wicked smile.

Finally after some convulsions two of the bandits stopped breathing, their leader instead was slowly regaining colour, his consciousness still faint, “The mortality rate has been found to be around 66%, need more testing samples and variables to confirm its effects. End of day 1 experimental journal. Adriano. M” he finally signed his journal. Placing the journal back in his backpack, he took a dagger he had rummaged from one of the corpses, and slit the throat of the bandit leader; a red jet of blood shoot forward missing the alchemist who started to rummage the rest of their belongings without giving the trio another look.

After gathering some money and food he stood up and extended his right arm, “Progress bar.” he spoke drily to the air, and suddenly some numbers appeared in the air like magic.

[579801] [0] [3]

He sighed in a tired manner and resumed his travel to the capital while muttering curses to someone called Var'Kharzot. From inside his bag, the noise from dozens of vials clinking together was the only music following him.

------------------------------------

The day had almost come to an end, the last sunrays peeked out of the horizon waving goodbye to the world. Adriano had somehow reached a small village before sunset, a few wooden huts and a slightly bigger building were all the testimony of human presence in this forlorn forest until now.

Under the curious gazes of the locals, he walked to the bigger building; if his eyes weren't deceiving him, the wormy symbols above the door meant "Inn" in this world's language. He stood in front of the door, pondering whether to knock or to just push the door when, a burly fellow wearing some leather clothes, pushed him aside and went inside with a sneer.

Adriano suppressed his disdain and, wearing an innocent smile entered the inn. Inside he was greeted by a fifty years old looking woman, her tired eyes and bruises showed how happy she was with her life choices, however, she maintained an almost professional attitude welcoming him inside and sitting him at one of the only two tables inside the inn.

Sitting with him were another five men drinking ale while ignoring the newcomer, "I arrive from far away lands hoping for something warm to relinquish the fatigue and the hunger, what do you have?" the waitress pondered a little, her mind occupied figuring out what relinquish meant; finally giving up she listed a few soups and vegetables broths. "I'll trouble you for a potato soup and a room for tonight then. Thank you very much." She took the order, nodded and left.

Not even a moment after the older waitress left a younger one immediately approached Adriano, "Hi! I'm Lucy, I heard you come from faraway lands, would you like telling me about them?" a childish curiosity burned in the emerald eyes of the petite girl, Adriano sighed as if giving up and nodded; the little girl cheered up even more and sat down next to him, even the men that ignored him just a moment ago perked up and eavesdropped on him.

"I came from the far away north, from the lands of Skyrim where peasant just like you and me have to face countless dangers to survive, such as: giants, demons and wyverns!" using more emphasis on the last word he proceeded to tell the tale of great Nordic warriors such as the Dragonborn, the demon worshippers that could turn into werewolves and the war between men and wyverns.

All the people in the tavern slowly quieting down and listening to the epic tales, when the last part about the final battle between Alduin and the Dovahkiin came, everybody was listening in rapture and shock. "And like this, he came down with his sword on Alduin's neck, severing his head and saving the world." The whole inn sighed in relief, someone clapped others questioned the authenticity of the story and why none of the gods had intervened earlier.

"I call bullshit on this!" The burly man that earlier had pushed away Adriano suddenly walked towards him, each of his steps made the low-quality wooden floor creak in displeasure. "I never even heard of a place called 'Skyrim'!" he said in displeasure, actually he wasn't mad about the story, secretly he had praised it in his heart, however when Lucy placed her hand on Adriano's arm during one of the scary moments, his fun had been instantly spoiled. By contesting Adriano he hoped to get Lucy's affection or, at least to prevent Adriano from doing anything to her.

"It's not my fault if you skipped studying geography," Replied Adriano with a sneer. "go back to study, then we can talk." Everyone chuckled at the reply, everyone but the burly guy; he took one more step and grabbed Adriano's arm. "I suggest you to unhand me this instant." Calmly spoke Adriano secretly rejoiced, in a moment he would get to teach an idiot. "What if I don't?" Sneered back the burly guy, Adriano was slightly taller than him, however, he was at least twice as wide, every inch of his sunburn skin covered in muscles.

"Then you give me no choice... FUS, RO," the burly guy faltered for a moment, 'those are the same magic words of the Dovahkiin, could he be...', as he thought that something hit his feet and he suddenly lost his balance; as the world reversed in his eyes, a hand took hold of his head and slammed it with violence on the table. "RAH, idiot."

The only one that knew what happened was Adriano, while everyone was checking on the burly guy he spoke nonsense to distract him, and when he least expected it, he kicked his foot and pulled him in. Holding the guy's head against the table Adriano thought for a moment then took out a dagger, the same he used to kill the bandit earlier that same day. "Since you don't like to listen to others, you are not gonna need this anymore, right?" He placed the dagger behind the ear and before anyone could intervene, he cut it off in a quick motion.

"GAHH!" Screamed the guy in pain, feeling satisfied, Adriano pushed him to the floor where his friends took a hold of him and carried him out, too scared to even take revenge.

"So, as I was saying, After Alduin died..." Adriano calmly continued the story while cleaning the dagger against the ruddy table-cloth, the other people in the tavern kept listening to him with a hint of fear and awe.

----------------------------

A series of light knocks came on Adriano's door as he was preparing to sleep, he got up and carrying the dagger behind his back he went to the door. "Who's there?" he questioned in a slightly annoyed tone. "It's me Sir, Lucy..." Intrigued he opened the door.

Lucy stood in front of the door with her arms behind her back and a faint blush on her rosy cheeks. "Can I do anything for you?" He asked in a sly tone that made her blush deepen. "I-I was wondering if you had more stories to tell..." Adriano smiled while taking a step back, "Of course my dear, come in, please." sitting on the bed he kept telling her stories about the incredible places he had seen.

"And from the top of the world, on the rim of the sky, I witnessed the heaven's frozen tears softly covering the world below in a blanket of white. And from up there I witnessed the clearest moon that has ever been seen by mortals, bright like the sun, reflecting on the snow below and turning the frozen land into light." As he spoke those words, Lucy, unable to contain herself anymore kissed him.

Not surprised, Adriano's skilful hands quickly stripped her under the gaze of the moon, the only witness of the fusion of flesh.