The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into The Keep Of The First Ones P3

 "The High Council? Why are they bothering themselves with us? We have had no contact with them at all."

     "They have received reports as all the others in the Realms have. They know I claim you as my Vyrkolos. They know you climb the rungs of the ladder of power beside me. But they have only had stories of the failures of the past. They do not know the true meaning of what you will become, and what it could mean for your people.

     They fear for their positions of power as if they are in any place where they can do anything, which they are not. You are already beyond them in many ways, the lesser vampires know this and have already pledged their support to us."

     "What! How?"

     "I have spoken to an Elder Katakan, living in the caves here. He told me of having received a scroll from Skelos, a great many years ago. And was told to watch for she who would treat them as equals and not animals to be hunted. He gave me the scroll, and declared if we ever needed them, they would fight for us."

     "This is almost beyond strange. We have always been able to bend them to our will but to actively have them support us. Why?"

     "I believe the prophecy within the scroll concerns you and your future as a true Vyrkolos, perhaps the first true one to come about. From what I could read of the Elder's mind, he feels you will become the one to unite all vampire clans and species. Return them home, from where the Conjunction dropped them, and rule over them as their Godking."

     Dettlaff stands stunned as the possible meanings of what Iriisii has said start to seep inside his mind.

     "Do you not think they deserve a chance to live, just like any other race in the Realms?"

     "Yes, I do, but.."

     "You just never thought you would be the one to bring it about."

     "Honestly, yes, the thought never crossed my mind."

     "But it does make sense though, none would follow me no matter how powerful I became, and thus, many would fall to those who oppose us. With one of their own, tied to me, to watch over them, they can be helped by you as the others can by me. They would stand a chance to rise above where they are now, and become something greater."

     "You think this is a part of the prophecy that is leading you down this path?"

     "Prophecy or not, the 'Mother' cares for all of her children. And if she provides a way for some to be saved, to be given a second chance to be more, then all should have that chance. This is why I follow the 'Balance'. For it applies to all, not just to those who think or believe alike."

     "I have to say, I truly did not know who you were in your early years, but I believe you have grown not only in strength, skill, power, wisdom, but in belief, in faith, and in hope, as well. The power of your compassion knows no boundaries, no limits. And you give it to all you meet freely so long as they accept it. This is why you were able to win through to my heart. For as much as I wanted to be as you are now, I could not find the path, until you showed it to me."

     Iriisii looks up into Dettlaff's face, deep into his smoldering eyes.

     "I had to find it for myself first. I did not in truth, know that was the direction I was walking in. I spent so long treading the edge between 'light' and 'dark' that I almost lost my way as so many others have before me. It took the trials I endured with Rigmor to open my eyes at last, then to find out the greater problem, and realize that I had to cross over the boundaries if I was to gain the help needed to stop the destruction of Creation. When it comes down to the survival of those you love, you will do whatever you must to see it through. 

     When I first met you, I felt something stir inside. At first, I had no idea what it was, but I knew it was there. Then when I knew I had to take you with me into the Dreamlands and what would be required of me to do that, I had to decide to turn away or to forge ahead. It was then that when I thought about taking you with me, what that would mean for us, and that somehow I was not afraid of that future. That was when I first admitted to myself that I had fallen in love with you. And ever since, I have not looked back, never thought 'what if', I just knew it was right and that was good enough for me."

     They stand looking into each other for some seconds, then he slowly lowers his face to hers, and gently kisses her, "and I love you too, my Aasimar Goddess."

     After they let each other go, she looks toward the assassin's limp body.

     "The 'Keep' will take care of it, so ignore it for now. Our host has informed me there will be visitors soon and so we will need to prepare as best we can. I have no idea who is coming, or where they are from. It is likely some will even be from 'outside' our Creations. Why do they come? The best I can come up with is curiosity, about who we are, what we are doing. I expect some may wish to see if there is some way to profit from what we are about, but what they expect to gain is unknown.

     I will try and keep their attention on me as much as possible, at least until we know a bit more about them, and if there is any way to know if any can be trusted. I also learned who one of the more major players in this whole drama we have been involved in is. And I should have realized 'his' hand in this long ago, but it was so out of character from what we know that it never crossed my mind."

     "Who?"

     "My people call him 'Sithis', he is also called 'Padomay', and he exists solely in the 'void'. It is thought he existed first, within the 'void' of which the 'Creations', the 'Outside', even the 'Beyond', occupies a portion. And he wants it all back, just the way it was before."

     "Why is it 'out of character'?"

     "Because he has never been known to act directly. If he ever acts, he does so through 'agents', both mortal and immortal. There is a lot written in books stored on Nirn, but a casual reading, and you are left knowing less than when you started. I do not know if it is possible to truly understand what he is, what his motivations are, practically anything about him. He does have a counterpart called 'Anu'. The simplest way I can put it is to think of it this way, Sithis is the purest 'change', more akin to 'chaos'. While Anu is the exact opposite, more akin to 'stagnation'."

     "You mean like 'pure good' equals 'Anu', while 'pure evil' equals 'Sithis'?"

     "As good a way as any to look at it. While the 'Balance', think of the 'Aurbis', the force of 'Creation' itself, locked in between, dependent on both for its existence, yet always at odds with both for eternity. That is where I enter into this tapestry at. I assist the 'Balance' in staying as close to the midpoint between the 'absolutes' as possible. If 'Creation' falls too close to either 'Absolute', it will die and all within with it."

     "Well, at least you make some kind of sense about all of this. What you have just said, I can understand and see why you are so adamant in what you feel you need to do, not to mention why you keep going when nearly every other person I have known, mortal or immortal, would have turned and run long ago."

     "To tell the truth, if I had been shown this vision from the beginning, that is exactly what I would have done. Or if not, I would have charged straight in and failed miserably because I took on too much before I was ready."

     "It must be hard to be away from your family with all of this going on."

     "Pray, you never have to make this kind of decision, to decide what is more important, saving all of the Creations, or being with your mates and children. Ultimately, it is for them that I do this, for what good does it do to be with them and take care of all their needs, to only see it all cut short when all is destroyed."

     "When you put it like that, well, I agree, I hope to never be in that position, but if ever it should happen, I at least have the example you have set. I just need to pray for your strength of will to see it through."

     "You have it within you, even if you do not see it yet. After all, who else had the courage to stand before and fight the 'White Frost'. That force that has choked innumerable worlds with 'killing cold'. I hope one day to look into just what it is, where it came from, and at least how to send it back so that no more worlds fall prey to its white grasp.

     Now we must see to those who come to have a 'look' at us and let them know that we are 'looking' at them as well. One word of caution, there will be a higher vampire among them. This one will be a representative from their High Council on their homeworld, not the pitiful excuse for a High Council that exists here. I will deal with him, yet do not underestimate him, for they would not send a simple messenger on this kind of mission."

     "What do you think they want, to send him here and now?"

     "To 'look' us over, evaluate us. They have a faulty list of suppositions concerning Dettlaff and me, and they need to have it revoked. I intend to set the record straight as to exactly who we are and what our intentions are. If they take offense, that will be their error in judgment, not mine. They have no authority over either of us, whereas the reverse just might be a totally different story."

     "What do you mean? I know what you said about the lesser vampires, but what does it all really mean?"

     "It boils down to this, if the 'High Council' wishes to retain power, they are going to have to change their outlook, and start doing what they should have done from the beginning, rule their people with their best interests in their hearts.

     All who live are the children of the 'Mother' in some way or another. She does not look upon them as lesser or greater, she sees them as equal. Wanting only the best for them no matter who or what they are. One day, when I step up to her 'place', they will become my 'children', and I view them the same as she does.

     When I do this, all of the 'Creations' will be reordered. Exactly how this is to be done, I do not know as yet. All I know now is that it will be as I feel it should be. With all other 'Mantles' the holder is changed to reflect the needs of the 'office'. Only with this one, is the reverse true."

     "What will you change?"

     "That is the question everyone who stands against me is asking. For they fear for their positions, whether I allow them to retain them, give them to others, change the responsibilities of their 'office'. I understand the chaos of their positions, but it is again largely their own doing. Had they chosen to take their positions seriously, there would be no need for this to happen."

     "Now you are losing me."

     "It is not so easy for me to understand, either. But it is the continuing decline of the 'Creations' into destruction that brought this about. The 'Aurbis', the very force that is Creation, reality, everything we experience, set this into motion to preserve itself when none others stepped up. It nudged the 'Mother' who began all that is playing itself out now, sadly I think, even her own passing is a part of this."

     "But why?"

     "Because something different must be done to ensure continuity of existence, and she does not have it inside of herself to do what must be done. What is that you may ask? First to reorder the Creations in such a way that the 'Balance' can be maintained, even in the face of interference from outside of 'Creation'. If it means imprisoning 'good' and 'evil' for all time, keeping them alive, but only allowing their influence to be minimal. Such that a light guiding hand of the 'Balance' is all that is required to guide all along the middle path."

     "What is second?"

     "Teaching all who will listen and learn, to become all that they can be. To be the example that whatever they truly want to be can be attained."

     "Is there anything more?"

     "To be there to stand against any who would subvert 'Creation'. To do whatever must be done to protect all of it. This requires someone who can be both 'good' and 'evil', 'light' and 'dark', moreover someone willing to step on both sides of the line if that is needed."

     "Then I am glad it is you and not me, for I do not know if I could do all that you say."

     "Do not sell yourself short. It would not be easy, but then nothing worthwhile ever is. This may come as a surprise to you, maybe not, but you have a role to play in this great drama. What it is, I do not yet know. You have already done some things, helping Geralt defeat the An'Ael, and then going on to face the 'White Frost'. How you have learned to appreciate other races for themselves and not simply as tools to be used and discarded."

     "What are you getting at?"

     "Think on this, when the time comes for me to take the 'Mantle' of the 'Mother', there will be some I must shed, that will need others to take up."

     "Oh, that never crossed my mind."

     "Well, now it has. Worry not about it, there are still many years before it will happen and much water must flow under the bridge until then. Just keep it at the back of your mind, and should it come to pass, we will discuss it further then."

     "Can I.."

     "Of course, I would encourage it, in fact."

     "Thank you, I will get back to you about it, sometime."

     "What were you and Ciri talking about, if I might ask? She seems very much changed, just now."

     "The same talk, we must have soon, just to different ends."

     "Hmmm?"

     Smiling, "I was speaking to Ciri about her possible involvement in the great drama we find ourselves drawn into, and what roles we may be called upon to play."

     "She certainly seemed more engaged afterward."

     "She felt better about it when I encouraged her to talk to those she trusts about what I said to her and what it might mean. She was afraid she was going to be saddled with parts of this that she had no desire to be involved in. But I would not do that to her, if she desired to hold herself aloof then that is her right.

     But that unfortunately does not mean that other forces would not try to draw her in. I at least will do my best to honor her wishes about it, and at least keep her neutral."

     "What do you foresee about me?"

     "Ah, now we get to the heart of why you came over."

     Iriisii leans down and whispers in her ear.

     "YOU MEAN IT! YOU REALLY MEAN IT?!"

     "It should be possible for you someday. I can do it even now. And have done so a few times, both alone and merged."

     "Merged?"

     "There are four of us tied together in this way. Any of us can call it alone, but when we merge, that is when we really shine forth. Anyway, there are other advantages as well, but by far is when I can speak with 'her'. In fact, before we leave here, there is a gift, I will place close to the statue that Geralt put here. It will be something your family will treasure for all time to come. A gift for watching over the mountain for me."

     "What is it?! Please can you tell me?!"

     "Words are not sufficient to describe it, here hold out your hands."

     Telasine does as Iriisii bids her. Iriisii closes her eyes a moment and whispers a quiet prayer before reaching into the spaces between. She then draws a small cloth-covered package. As she draws the covering cloth from it, a bright crisp glow shines out from the folds. And a muffled chime can be heard from within.

     A question is on Telasine's lips as the cloth is removed, and as Iriisii places in her trembling hands, a young sapling of a crystal tree. Its leaves shine, reflecting the light glowing from its trunk, and the soft chiming as the leaves slowly move one against another.

     "He is a child of 'She Who Watches all', and I have the wonderful task of helping them spread themselves across the Realms as they once were before the slide into darkness began. Before we leave here, take him to the banks of the lake, close to where the statue of me that Geralt had placed there, and plant him into the soil, where he can grow tall. He will bless this place, the lake, your village, your people, and all will live in peace here under his leaves."

     With a strong sense of awe in her voice, Telasine whispers, "thank you". 

     "It is I who should thank you, my child. He likes you", they watch as the slim limbs with long trailing leaves slowly slide across Telasine's hands, sending clear singing chimes into the air around them, even as the leaf-wrapped around Iriisii's heart sends out answering chimes of its own.

     "There is chiming coming from inside you."

     "Yes, there is. I have one of his mother's leaves wrapped around my heart, as does Rigmor, Illyria, and Byrsael. Together we are the 'Four Crystal Dragons' of 'She Who Watches All'. Rigmor is 'Ruby', Illyria is 'Emerald', Byrsael is 'Sapphire', and I am 'Diamond'. I will take you to see 'her' one day and introduce you to her. She will like you very much, for you are close to the growing things in the water and the soil."

     "I would like that. It is still hard to imagine that you came back when I called for you. I did not know what to do, and then I remembered your voice telling me to call for you when I was in a dire time of need."

     "I was far away from here when your call found me, but found me it did. I knew immediately that it was you, and so I grabbed all those close to me at that time and came as quick as I could. Once we are done here, I will take you with me to the Krang. Mine and Rigmors newborn daughters are waiting there for our return."

     "Two baby girls!"

     "Yes, and not just baby girls, they have wings. 'Kalle Kiir Aaz' has wings of power, they look like just wing bones until the power shines between them, she is the 'Dragon of Spirit'. Rigmor's is 'Sot Yol Dovah' and has golden white wings, the Wings of the White Phoenix. She is the Dragon of the White Phoenix."

     "There must be more to this, there has to be!"

     "There is, but their story is yet to be told. When Kalle grows old enough, she and I will merge our power and summon Ragnarok to herald the beginning of the Jihad of Truth. The White Phoenix also has a part to play in this, I just do not know what just yet."

     "What is this Jihad of Truth?"

     "It is when all must choose their side in the final conflict. They must choose for 'Good', for 'Evil', or for the 'Balance'. And once the lines are drawn, the battle will commence. Once 'Good' and 'Evil' are defeated, Ragnarok will take me on his back to where the 'Mother of the Cosmos' will await me. She will step down and pass her 'Mantle' to me, then she will shed her immortality and 'Death' will escort her to the 'Final Gate' into the 'Beyond'."

     "But why does she have to die!?"

     "That is her wish. She is tired, tired of the burden the chains of power have placed on her these last few million years. She wishes to be free to go beyond, to seek a new life, a new destiny. And so she chose me to be the one to free her and take her place. Do not grieve, my child, for I am probably the only one aside from 'Death' that has seen into the 'Beyond', and she deserves the peace and joy she will find there."

     "How did you come to see into the 'Final Gate'?"

     "...I am sorry, that tale will have to wait until another time, the pain of it is still too great for me to speak of it."

     "I am sorry for causing you pain."

     "This has naught to do with you child. It was set into motion a long time ago and waited patiently for me to come and resolve. You will understand when I am able to relate the story to you. But there is something else I can tell you about, and now that you have become an 'Ascendant' to me, you should know of how this reflects upon you."

     "Then please tell me, I want to know all that you can tell me of what I can do for you."

     "Far out in the Realms, one I think of as a father to me, Shai Hu'luud is his name. His people have long outgrown their world, yet they did not wish to travel the star routes. And so they took a different road, they started building a new home around their sun. Not just circling it as their world once did, but encircling it. It is now a band surrounding their sun, and growing until one day it will completely enclose it.

     As a gesture of thanks to me for setting their path free to do this, they began construction on the first band and turned it into the 'Hall of Remembrance'. There they have placed all that they could find out of me, my life, my battles, my friends, everything that made me who I am and put it there on display. It is in all forms, books, statues, vids, any form of media they could locate.

     And it grows daily, as more people found out about me, the visitors came to learn of me, more and more every day, now it is a constant stream. And also the 'Hall' has expanded to include those close to me. Each has their own wing, dedicated to telling their story, and how they came to join with me, and what they have done since then. You will now have a 'wing' in that 'Hall' all to your own. And uncounted numbers of visitors will come to know your name and how you became 'First of My Line'."

    Telasine looks at Iriisii with wonder akin to rapture on her face.

    "You deserve a place there, and one day we will go back and we will walk through your 'wing' and see the full story unfold before our very eyes."