[ EU ] You live in Skyrim . It is your job to keep lit all the candles in the abandoned caves and dungeons and castles .

`` Back in my day, this was n't a problem,'' I grumbled, using a fire spell to light the final torch in Valthume. When *I* was an adventurer, caves and dungeons were either lit naturally or not lit at all. In those days, if there were torches or candles, they were lit by someone, or something, living there. 
 
 Nowadays adventurers were whiny and entitled. They wanted light in ALL the dungeons. It did n't help that this particular adventurer was a Dragonborn, so his already large ego was getting further inflated by the non-stop praise he received just for being born a certain way. 
 
 Okay, fair enough. In my time I got pretty much non-stop praise as well. But that was only after I performed heroic feats of courage and honor. My fame was n't handed to me on a silver platter. I had to earn it. 
 
 The distant sound of the dungeon's doors opening broke me out of my reverie. I could n't stay here long. I exited the dungeon and put on the ring. Then the other ring. Then the amulet. And finally, the cowl. The combined enchantments of the rings and amulet gave me 100 points of chameleon. In other words, full invisibility, but without the hassle of it getting dispersed by doing, well, anything. 
 
 I suppose I did n't need the cowl, but it had sentimental value. Besides, with its detect life enchantment, I could watch the Dragonborn's progress through the dungeon, and it would be easier to follow him towards the next one. Once he got close enough that I knew which dungeon he was headed for, I could run ahead, maybe conjure a couple atronachs to slow him down. Then I'd get to work doing the same thing all over again: lighting the damn torches and candles. 
 
 Sometimes I found myself wondering why I bother. Why could n't I just stop doing this? Why could n't I leave the Dragonborn to his own devices? It's not like I had the same kind of help when I was an adventurer. But no matter how hard I try to convince myself, I know in my heart I ca n't stop. I made a solemn vow. I will continue to watch over the Dragonborn until he tires of his journeys, however long that takes. 
 
 I was so caught up in my thoughts I did n't realize the Dragonborn had left the dungeon until he walked right into me. He stumbled backwards, then drew his sword and looked around frantically. 
 
 `` Who's there?'' he demanded. Shit. Shitshitshit. I was n't supposed to be noticed. How could I be so careless? I stayed as silent as possible, slowly backing away from him. 
 
 `` Laas Yah Nir,'' he whispered. Dammit. I did n't know much in the dragon tongue, but I knew what that meant. It was the Aura Whisper shout. It gave the same effect as a detect life enchantment or potion. He knew where I was. 
 
 He pointed his sword at me and said `` Reveal yourself, rogue!'' 
 
 I tensed, wondering if I could get away and hope for him to forget this encounter. No, that would n't work. Even if I got away, he'd be on high alert for awhile afterwards. I would n't be able to keep watching over him without him knowing. 
 
 I sighed, straightened up, and took off my cowl. I then removed my rings and amulet. Fully visible, I spoke to him for the first time. 
 
 `` Hello, Dragonborn.'' 
 
 His eyes were still suspicious. He lowered his sword a few inches, but I could tell he was still ready for a fight. I almost laughed, but I figured that would infuriate him, which would n't help the situation at all. 
 
 `` I am not your enemy. In fact, I may be one of your greatest allies. I apologize for my deception, but I needed you to be able to find your own path.'' 
 
 `` What are you talking about? How long have you been following me?'' 
 
 I grinned. `` Why, since the beginning of course. Ever since I first saw you in Helgen.'' 
 
 His eyes widened. `` *You* were at Helgen?'' he said. 
 
 `` Yes. I doubt you'd remember me though. I was disguised as an Imperial guard at the time. Since then, I've been watching your adventures, and giving what little aid I could. Have you never wondered why the dungeons you go through always have freshly lit torches and candles? Or why most of the doors are unlocked? Or why there are a few dead enemies on the floor every so often? You're not the first one to see through my camouflage.'' 
 
 He stood there, stunned. After a long silence, he managed to sputter out a few words. 
 
 `` B-but, why? Who are you?'' 
 
 I paused, wondering how much I should tell him. If he knew too much, it would put both of us in danger. I decided on a half-truth. 
 
 `` I am the last grandmaster of the Blades. As you can guess, the Thalmor would very much like me dead, so I've been living in the shadows for many decades now.'' 
 
 Unfortunately, the Dragonborn was smarter than I thought. 
 
 `` That's not all of it. You're hiding something. Who are you, really?'' 
 
 I sighed, resigning myself to tell him the whole truth. 
 
 `` Very well. I made a promise to your predecessor that when the time came, I would watch over and guide you to the best of my ability. But as time went on, I was forced into hiding. Revealing myself to anyone would put them in grave danger, and you're the last person I wanted to do that to. But I have no choice now. I will tell you my real identity. But first....'' 
 
 I spun around and sent a bolt of lightning into the trees behind me. The daedra was immediately turned to ash. 
 
 `` Thalmor spies are so annoying. Anyway.'' I turned to face him. I looked the Dragonborn dead in the eye, and thought I saw a flicker of my old friend's spirit. 
 
 `` I am the Hero of Kvatch.''
