The final chamber opened before us like the throat of some ancient beast. The floor was submerged in waist-deep, pitch-black water that pulsed with sickly green veins. In the center rose a grotesque fusion of Nordic stone and writhing flesh — a half-formed altar fused with a massive, beating heart of void energy. Floating above it was the true source: a pulsating Eye, not quite Hermaeus Mora's, but a crude imitation stitched together with stolen souls and corrupted knowledge.
The air itself felt heavy, whispering forgotten secrets and promises of power.
"This is it," Meridia said, her voice cold with fury. "A mockery trying to birth a new servant of Mora in my domain."
Before we could advance, the water erupted. Dozens of drowned dead rose around us, and the Eye opened fully, unleashing a wave of psychic pressure that made my head throb.
System Notice: Final Chamber – Boss Encounter Detected Corrupted Watcher Spawn – Level 38 Threat Assessment: Extreme
I gripped my sword tighter. "No more holding back."
We moved at the same time.
I charged forward through the water, using Radiant Step to dodge a cluster of grasping hands. Golden light exploded from my blade as I carved through the drowned dead. Meridia rose into the air, unleashing wide arcs of purifying radiance that turned entire groups of undead into steam and ash.
The false Eye retaliated. A beam of concentrated void shot toward me. I raised my sword and activated Beacon's Barrier. The impact still drove me back several steps, pain shooting through my arms.
"Champion!" Meridia shouted. She countered with her own beam of golden light, clashing directly with the Eye's attack. The collision lit up the entire chamber in a blinding explosion of opposing energies.
While she kept the Eye occupied, I pushed through the minions. Every swing of my sword felt stronger, fueled by both anger and the warmth of Meridia's presence behind me. I reached the base of the altar and drove my blade into the grotesque heart.
The organ convulsed violently. Black blood sprayed across the water, hissing where it touched my armor.
The Eye screamed — a sound that drilled straight into my mind. Tentacles of pure darkness erupted from the water, wrapping around my legs and torso. They squeezed hard, draining my strength.
Health: 47%Debuff: Soul Shackles – Severe
I roared and pumped every drop of Meridia's blessing into my body. Golden chains burst outward, fighting against the darkness.
Meridia appeared above me like a falling star. She grabbed the largest tentacle with both hands and tore it apart with raw divine power, her face twisted in regal fury.
"You will not take him!" she snarled.
With the tentacles weakened, I broke free and leaped onto the altar. I slammed my sword straight into the center of the false Eye. At the same time, Meridia poured everything she had into me, channeling her light directly through our connection.
The chamber shook.
Golden cracks spiderwebbed across the Eye's surface. It let out one final, ear-splitting shriek before exploding in a shower of dark essence and stolen memories. The heart on the altar withered and turned to ash. The drowned dead collapsed back into the water.
Silence returned, broken only by the sound of dripping water.
I dropped to one knee on the altar, exhausted. Meridia descended beside me, her usual perfect glow slightly dimmed. She placed a hand on my shoulder, and a soothing wave of warmth washed over me, restoring my strength.
Health: 92%
"You did well, champion," she said softly, almost gently.
I looked up at her and grinned tiredly. "We did well. You were pretty badass back there, Princess. Almost like you were worried about me."
Meridia huffed and turned her face away, but she didn't remove her hand from my shoulder. "Nonsense. I simply refuse to train another champion after investing so much effort into your stubborn self."
"Right. Of course." I stood up slowly, our faces close. "Admit it. You like being down here with me. Fighting together. Sharing one bed. Getting possessive over your fisherman."
She narrowed her golden eyes, but the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "You are insufferable. Were you not my chosen, I would smite you where you stand."
I chuckled. "But you won't. Because you like me."
Meridia stared at me for a long moment. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she admitted, "...Perhaps I find your company… tolerable. More than most mortals. That is the highest praise you will ever receive from me."
I smiled. "I'll take it."
With the corruption destroyed, the barrow itself seemed to breathe easier. The oppressive weight lifted, and faint natural light began filtering in from cracks above — the first real light this place had seen in centuries.
We made our way back to the surface together. The swamp around Morthal still looked gloomy, but the unnatural mist had thinned considerably. In the distance, I could see the lights of the town.
"Word will spread," Meridia said as we walked. "The champion of Meridia cleansed the depths beneath Morthal. It will serve as a fine reminder of who truly holds power here."
"And what about you?" I asked. "Are you going back to your realm now that the threat is dealt with?"
She was quiet for a while, walking beside me instead of floating ahead.
"…Not immediately," she finally answered, sounding almost reluctant. "This mortal form still has its uses. And someone needs to make sure you do not get distracted by foolish women again while celebrating your victory."
I laughed. "There it is."
Meridia gave me a sidelong glance, her lips curving into a small, arrogant smile. "Do not misunderstand. This changes nothing. You are still my champion. My tool. My…" She trailed off.
"Your what?" I teased.
She flicked my forehead with divine precision. "Mine. That is enough."
As we approached the Moorside Inn under the slowly clearing sky, I felt a strange sense of peace despite the exhaustion. The Morthal threat was over. And the most powerful, arrogant, and secretly caring Daedric Princess in Oblivion was walking beside me.
Whatever came next — dragons, civil war, or greater Daedric schemes — we would face it together.
Quest Complete: Purge the Sunken CorruptionRewards: Significant Experience.
New Skill Unlocked – Eye of Radiance
For the first time since arriving in this world, I truly felt like I belonged.