The Hammer Falls

"W-what?" I gasp, my voice sounding strange.

“You’ve been asleep. But don’t worry, you’ve made it. I’m sorry about your friends though…” The stranger indicated several other crystal tubes, all broken. Limp, naked bodies lay tangled amidst the wreckage.

“What’s going on?” I reply, my strange voice sounding strained.

“We can discuss it later. But for now, you must follow me. They’re coming!” He said and lifted me to my feet. “Damn, you’re quite something.”

“I am…?” I say, staggering a little. My legs feel like rubber. “Someone’s coming? What’re you talking about?”

“Can you walk?” He asks impatiently.

“I think so.” I reply, wondering if it’s a lie. But I manage to put one foot in front of another and follow him as he leads the way confidently from the chamber. I pass by strange panels with dull lights and brass-handled levers in sockets but I can barely make any sense of it. “H-hey! Wait up. Who’s coming?”

“The Altmer, of course.” He replied, “There are Dominion troops in the ruins. Thalmor, I suspect.”

“The … Altmer?” I stop dead in my tracks, “But that can’t be.”

There is no reply. Hesitating, I catch sight of myself in a ceiling-high panel of polished bronze and take a step back.

“Is this… me??” I gasp.

“Were you expecting someone else?” He replies with a chuckle, returning to my side.

“This can’t be…” I whisper, tracing my hand over my face.

“I told you, you’re quite striking.” Says the man with the alabaster skin, “Has nobody ever told you this before?”

* What do you see before you?