http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4424&st=0 is the link to the original story. Since none of the stories are canon, I am going to alter the story-line here-and-there a bit. About Zalphon's rise to power, because in no in-game books does it say anything about a lich trying to conquer Tamriel (Mannimarco just wanted to kill Arkay).
Prologue
Zalphon's army of the dead have become a serious problem in the Black Marsh. In the Obsidian Tower, he discovered a suit of Ancient Daedric Armor that belonged to his great grandfather, Korvinus Broodikus. After imbueing it with the souls of many argonians, it has been repaired. His power in the dark arts has grown since the Battle of Lunarscar. As has his swordsmanship. He is a lich. His flesh is rotted, his eyes are sunken and pallid, but he is extremely powerful physically. Every day he waits. For his old friend, Quick-Strike...
Quick-Strike has been a wanderer since the Battle of Lunarscar. J'skooma dilligently following him. They've travelled across Tamriel, searching. For Zalphon. Over the long years, the Argonian Assassin has become a pious believer of the Nine. But, he has become bitter and harsh, due to the betrayal Zalphon caused.
J'skooma has travelled with Quick-Strike since Lunarscar. They both wandered the lands, seeking their old friend. He had finally found his place in Nirn. To save Tamriel from the darkest thing they'd ever face. The Shadow Knight...
A new hero arises. Tanys Shadowblade. A Crusader using his powers to defend Tamriel. He is a young Dunmer seeking to protect Nirn from the Shadow Knight. He is young and niave. But he seeks to join a couple of heroes who supposedly fought Zalphon in a Nord Village in Skyrim. The question is, will Shadowblade live up to his family's expectations? His entire family had been Dark Brotherhood Assassins or Devout Followers of Mannimarco or Clerics of Mehrunes Dagon. Will he live up to his family name? Or will he create a new one? Only time will tell...
Tamriel is in grave danger... Will the heroes pick up their weapons one more time? Will they be brave enough to face the wicked soon-to-be god? The fate of Tamriel is in their hands, hopefully they save it...
Full Version: The Shadow Knight
I'm not big on prologues, but you drum up some interest with this - I have to say Zalphon, it will be very hard to beat The Knight, but I think you can do it! Your writing has improved tremendously!!
Chapter One: The Crusader
Quick-Strike stared into the horizon of Cyrodiil. The sun was setting making the sky appear vibrant colors. He looked down at the green grass of the province and whispered to himself, "This isn't over, Zalphon." His voice was quiet and soft. There stood J'skooma with two tents on the ground, each with a bedroll inside and a campfire.
The Argonian quickly scurried into his bedroll, as did the khajiit. He had dreams of the Battle of Lunarscar. The betrayal Zalphon commited. When he awoke, a Dunmer in polished, steel plate-mail stood in front of him with his steel longsword and steel kiteshield drawn. He hissed, "Friend or foe?"
The Assassin responded, "Friend, unless you keep that sword out of its scabbard." His voice was thick with irritation. The Dunmer obediently sheathed his blade and nodded. Behind him appeared J'skooma in his tattered gray robes and hood to match.
"My name is Tanys Shadowblade, Crusader," The Dark Elf stated. "I heard you fought against Zalphon. I've been looking for you two for a couple years." His voice was stern. He looked young with his dark hair and gray skin. His eyes were scarlet-red.
"Indeed we did," Quick-Strike responded. "We still hunt for the N'wah! After the events of Lunarscar, he is unforgivable." The Argonian kept his hands at the ebony weapons at his belt. The Crusader glanced and then stopped.
"I know where Sir Zalphon Broodikus hides, Master Quick-Strike," The Crusader continued. "In the Black Marsh, there is a tower made completely of obsidian and ebony. It's called the Obsidian Tower. That is his lair. Be warned, it's guarded by undead and they've made Argonia more dangerous than before."
The Argonian let a quick grin show his joy. "We'll travel there, immediately. You can come with us if you'd like, Tanys," he said calmly. "J'skooma and myself will be there as soon as possible. Do you know where in the Black Marsh?"
Tanys gulped, "South of Helstrom."
The Assassin nodded and they all started marching to the Black Marsh. A land of contagion and plague. The land of the Obsidian Tower. "The Obsidian Tower is his home, soon it shall be his tomb," Quick-Strike thought.
Quick-Strike stared into the horizon of Cyrodiil. The sun was setting making the sky appear vibrant colors. He looked down at the green grass of the province and whispered to himself, "This isn't over, Zalphon." His voice was quiet and soft. There stood J'skooma with two tents on the ground, each with a bedroll inside and a campfire.
The Argonian quickly scurried into his bedroll, as did the khajiit. He had dreams of the Battle of Lunarscar. The betrayal Zalphon commited. When he awoke, a Dunmer in polished, steel plate-mail stood in front of him with his steel longsword and steel kiteshield drawn. He hissed, "Friend or foe?"
The Assassin responded, "Friend, unless you keep that sword out of its scabbard." His voice was thick with irritation. The Dunmer obediently sheathed his blade and nodded. Behind him appeared J'skooma in his tattered gray robes and hood to match.
"My name is Tanys Shadowblade, Crusader," The Dark Elf stated. "I heard you fought against Zalphon. I've been looking for you two for a couple years." His voice was stern. He looked young with his dark hair and gray skin. His eyes were scarlet-red.
"Indeed we did," Quick-Strike responded. "We still hunt for the N'wah! After the events of Lunarscar, he is unforgivable." The Argonian kept his hands at the ebony weapons at his belt. The Crusader glanced and then stopped.
"I know where Sir Zalphon Broodikus hides, Master Quick-Strike," The Crusader continued. "In the Black Marsh, there is a tower made completely of obsidian and ebony. It's called the Obsidian Tower. That is his lair. Be warned, it's guarded by undead and they've made Argonia more dangerous than before."
The Argonian let a quick grin show his joy. "We'll travel there, immediately. You can come with us if you'd like, Tanys," he said calmly. "J'skooma and myself will be there as soon as possible. Do you know where in the Black Marsh?"
Tanys gulped, "South of Helstrom."
The Assassin nodded and they all started marching to the Black Marsh. A land of contagion and plague. The land of the Obsidian Tower. "The Obsidian Tower is his home, soon it shall be his tomb," Quick-Strike thought.
Where will you take us this time Z? 
One nit: scarlet is always red, no need to put scarlet-red
One nit: scarlet is always red, no need to put scarlet-red
ARGH, Quick-Strike can't kill Zalphon!!!!! NOOOO!!!
Chapter Two: The Journey to the Marsh
They walked to the Black Marsh, ready to fight off the Shadow Knight. "Lord Quick-Strike, how do you know The Shadow Knight?" Tanys asked. "I heard you fought him in Lunarscar, but that's it."
They made a sudden halt and the sun was beginning to set. "I used to work for him, and I was his mentor," the Argonian slowly stated. A burning hot tear ran down his scaley face. He motioned J'skooma to set up camp, so obediently the khajiit did.
"Will you...train me?" Tanys questioned. "I want to fight him." His voice was calm, but laced with confidence. The Assassin pulled out his ebony shortsword and his ebony dagger. He turned around and stared at the Dunmer.
"Defend yourself," He hissed. With a flip in the air, Quick-Strike was right in front of him. He thrusted with haste and jabbed into the arm of the Crusader. Tanys moaned in anguish, but with his sword arm slashed. The Argonian somersaulted out of the way and threw an ebony throwing knife into his foe's leg.
"The agony," Tanys said. "Will not stop me!" He pulled the knife out of his leg and charged at Quick-Strike. He jumped out of the way, but stuck his leg out to trip the Dunmer. He ran over and put his shortsword to the Crusader's throat.
"We train more in the morning," Quick-Strike commanded. They all headed into their bedrolls and let sleep consume them. Tomorrow would be an even longer day...
They walked to the Black Marsh, ready to fight off the Shadow Knight. "Lord Quick-Strike, how do you know The Shadow Knight?" Tanys asked. "I heard you fought him in Lunarscar, but that's it."
They made a sudden halt and the sun was beginning to set. "I used to work for him, and I was his mentor," the Argonian slowly stated. A burning hot tear ran down his scaley face. He motioned J'skooma to set up camp, so obediently the khajiit did.
"Will you...train me?" Tanys questioned. "I want to fight him." His voice was calm, but laced with confidence. The Assassin pulled out his ebony shortsword and his ebony dagger. He turned around and stared at the Dunmer.
"Defend yourself," He hissed. With a flip in the air, Quick-Strike was right in front of him. He thrusted with haste and jabbed into the arm of the Crusader. Tanys moaned in anguish, but with his sword arm slashed. The Argonian somersaulted out of the way and threw an ebony throwing knife into his foe's leg.
"The agony," Tanys said. "Will not stop me!" He pulled the knife out of his leg and charged at Quick-Strike. He jumped out of the way, but stuck his leg out to trip the Dunmer. He ran over and put his shortsword to the Crusader's throat.
"We train more in the morning," Quick-Strike commanded. They all headed into their bedrolls and let sleep consume them. Tomorrow would be an even longer day...
Your writing is Awesome Zalphon - I thought it went a little too quickly from the knife at the throat to sleeping, it would be hard to sleep so soon after a knife fight between them IMHO, but still your descriptions were spot on!
Yes, your best yet! The prologue was helpful in tying some of the detailed past histories of your work in, allowing this to do fine as a standalone thread. Well done. I love the short updates!
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