The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Whither Where Do We Go

The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Whither Where Do We Go

      The Councilors walk out of the doorway, and Iriisii gathers herself to speak to them.

     "This was but an opening skirmish, the bloody work will begin later. Where they will strike, when they will strike, no one can know."

     "But you are a Goddess, surely you have some way to see when and where they will strike next?"

     Iriisii turns to the Councilor who posed the question, "yes, I am a Goddess, but I am not an Oracle to read the paths of the future. For me to see into the 'Streams of Time' for anything, bears a cost. And I have no way to know what that cost will be until it comes time for me to pay. But I intend to limit the choices of a target. I intend to make this world their choicest morsel, better one world to defend than all the others out there."

     "How do you intend to do that?"

     "I have my ways, and I feel the one behind this so wants to be a God, so I will treat him like one. But first, I need to speak with those who may counsel me on matters of Celestial import, for if I am to do anything to save this Creation, I need more help than I can reach for here."

     "You intend to save us then? But what does that mean for your Creation?"

     "It is a narrow path that I must tread, much like the path between 'Good' and 'Evil'. It may be that it is beyond me, or that I may fail in the doing, but it is certain what will happen if I stand aside. If I try, using all the help that I can call upon, maybe, just maybe, it will be possible to thread this needle, save this Creation, and show me how to save my own."

     "Whatever we can do to help, you have but to ask."

     Then there is the voice of a young girl shouting, "papa, papa, are you all right! They said your meeting had been attacked." The words came out in a rush as the young girl ran headlong into the arms of Lorem.

     "Sanshae, my daughter, you should not have come, it is still too dangerous! Anything could have happened to you, and then where would I be!"

     "You would continue to do your duty to our Creation, papa, both of us know this. But how did you survive? The word on the streets has all of you dead or worse."

     "Here let me introduce you to our saviors."

     Lorem places a gentle hand on her shoulder, guiding her first to Iriisii.

     "This is the one who leads this intrepid group, she is called, Iriisii Dovahkiin, Mother of Dragons, this is Sanshae, my only child."

     Sanshae looks at Iriisii with undisguised awe, not just her physical beauty, or the air around her, but the sense that there is one to aspire to be like, not like so many of the other women and girls she has had to meet in the course of helping her father at banquets, balls, parties, all of the events where the real diplomatic work is done.

     "I do not know how I can ever repay the debt of saving my papa's life. But even if it takes the rest of my life, I will count it well spent to try."

     "You must love him very much."

     "He is my world since mama passed some time ago."

     "I am sorry for the loss of your mother, I know how you must still feel."

     Sanshae looks at her quizically.

     "I lost my own mother bringing me into the world, and my father passed of a broken heart before I reached one year. My grandfather and my village raised me until I lost them all as well."

     "Your loss was far greater than mine, yet you rose above it and became great, with an example like you, I know what now what to strive for."

     "I am sorry, I guess I have indulged her too much in our late-night talks."

     "Nonsense, she but speaks the truth as she sees it, never let her be afraid or ashamed to speak her mind. Many are times have been when I have heard great truths come from the lips of the young. But if she is to be allowed to speak the words of truth, she needs to be trained to defend what she says."

     "You are right, I have delayed doing so fearing I would lose her."

     "She loves you far too much for you to lose her like that, but you could lose her more certainly if you do not. It is not for every young girl of course, but those with a strength of mind, of will, of belief in herself, it is imperative to their protection, especially in the coming times ahead."

     "Again, you are right, I will see what I can arrange as soon as I can."

     "If I may, I would ask that you let Rigmor look over any candidates to teach her, she is a superb swordswoman in her own right and has a nose for sensing people who may be trouble. In fact", Iriisii motions Rigmor over to meet Sanshae. "This is one of my wedded mates, Rigmor Ragnarsdottier, High Queen of Cyrodiil. My love, this is Sanshae, Lorem's daughter."

     "I am very pleased to meet you Sanshae."

     "It is I who am grateful to be in the presence of a High Warrior Queen."

     "She has quite a future ahead of her. I like her already."

     "Good, I have told Lorem he needs to seek training for her to help her to protect herself. I thought you might look over whoever he can find and sort out the ones who would be good for her from the wrong sort."

     "I would be honored to do that, finally someone recognizes the talent that lies in my nose."

     "Remember this Sanshae, her nose can tell who is going to be trouble before it starts, so listen to her and she will not steer you wrong. Now come with me, there are still a few more to introduce you to."

     Iriisii walks with Sanshae over to Illyria and Phillipa. "Sanshae, this is Phillipa, a very powerful Sorceress, and like me, hosts a powerful Dragon soul."

     "A real Dragonsoul?"

     "Yes, but I have not hosted the 'Second' nearly as long as Iriisii has hosted the 'First'. Even so, I cannot imagine how my life would have been like had I not done so."

     "You said the 'First' and 'Second', how many are there?"

     "Four. Three have found hosts, the fourth approaches and soon will join with her host. Then the 'Four Dragons of Destiny' will be together once again. And this is Illyria, who is also a wedded mate of mine."

     "You have more than one mate?"

     "I have four, you have met Rigmor and Illyria, the tall, dark one over there, is also one of mine, his name is Dettlaff, the fourth, is back in the Third Creation, her name is Byrsael."

     "I would never have thought to have more than one mate."

     "To be honest, I did not start out thinking I would have more than one myself. Rigmor is my first, I fully expected to be hers alone for my lifetime, yet 'life' had other ideas about that."

     "Now let us finish this before your father gets too anxious." Iriisii takes her over to Dettlaff. "This is Dettlaff van der Eretein, my fourth wedded mate. My love, this is Sanshae, Lorem's daughter."

     Dettlaff bows to Sanshae takes a hand in his and gently kisses the top of her hand just past the knuckles. "It is indeed my pleasure to meet such a strong young woman, your father must be a very blessed man to have you for his daughter."

     "He is true, as he tells me so, quite often."

     "A good man then, to recognize the important things in life. Never fail to tell him how you feel about him, one day he will be called 'beyond' and you will remember with love and fondness, the times when you both spoke your hearts to each other."

     "I will do as you say, and thank you for those memories I will have when the time comes."

     "A wise young woman she is, please do whatever you can to see she survives, existence will be the great loser if she goes before her time."

     "I intend to do just that, and I will push both 'Heavens' and 'Hells' to the brink to accomplish this."

     "Then I will be with you, no matter what."

     "Come then, your father is waiting."

     "So my daughter, what do you think of them?"

     "I am completely overwhelmed, yet I see what can be possible if one believes in themself strongly enough. I have a great deal of work to do if I am to be even a small fraction of what she is."

     "Then I will do all I can as a father to see that you have that opportunity." He turns to Iriisii, "thank you, more than I can ever express."

     "There is no need, it is a part of who I am, the responsibilities that come with my power and position, to help all that I can, to guide, shepherd, and protect. Whether it is one, or everyone, I make no distinction. I will do all in my power to see they have a chance, it is then up to them to take hold of that chance, and make the most of it."

     "If only..."

     "Do not lose hope, for hope and belief, are the two most powerful forces in existence. With them working for you, nothing is beyond the realm of possibility. I am proof enough of that."

     "Indeed, I stand corrected and will do all that I can to help you. Whether we fail or succeed, we will have tried, but I will not let go of 'hope' and 'belief'."

     "Take those words to heart, and tell them to all that you meet and speak to. Show them the power of your belief, that they may believe also. And when the time comes, if enough will believe, we can do whatever is needed to ensure our success."

     "I will. Come Sanshae, it seems we both have work to do."

     "Goodbye, and thank you."

     "You are most welcome, Sanshae. May 'Hope' and 'Belief' walk with you wherever you go."

     Rigmor and the others come up to her, "where are you going to make your call for help from?"

     Iriisii looks at the still glowing design on the floor, "right here", pointing to the design.

     "This should enable those I need to speak to me, a quicker path to reach me. And at the same time draw the attention of the one behind all of this."

     "Who is?"

     "Not certain right now, but I intend to draw him out into the open. Then we will know better what we need to do to meet him on the field of battle."

     Iriisii walks into the glowing design on the floor, ignoring the pull she feels back to where this started from. Then she sits down and opens the inner door to her 'comfortable place'. As she rests in one of the chairs within, watching the flicker of the candle flame reflecting from the window edged in frost rime from the cold winter winds outside. She feels herself drowse, and allows this state to continue but not to fall into true sleep.

     As a figure enters the warm room and sits in the other chair, she greets the familiar presence of this aetherial form of a 'Kel'. "Welcome to my humble abode, take ease, sit, and let us converse for a while."

     "You have lost none of your politeness and grace, this speaks well of you. What would you speak with me and my brothers of?"

     "I need your deep council, my friends. Ever have you watched over me, and sought to guide my actions and directions to where they were needed. Now I find myself wondering, not knowing the correct path out of the possibilities before me."

     "Indeed, you have been drawn far afield from where you were expected to be. Yet, there is a good reason for being here. We surmise it was the Aurbis that guided you here, for out of us all, they have the greatest interest in what can be done to salvage the disaster that comes."

     "I agree, and hope to speak with them as to just what they wish me to do. I also see an opportunity to take the measure of my enemy and learn more of what I can bring to bear against him after I return home. But I also need aid from all of those who have provided me such at one time or another. I feel, what I am led to do, has never before been attempted on this scale, with the stakes as high as they are, I cannot stand by and not try."

     "You know that the fate of this Creation is set, that it must come about as the Great Fates have woven it into the Grand Tapestry."

     "A Tapestry that will be set aside once this is complete, for another to begin. I also know that it is the destruction and disappearance of this Creation from the Grand Tapestry that is what must happen. The destruction will happen as fated, yet nothing is set as to the disappearance, as long as this Creation disappears from the Grand Tapestry, fate is satisfied. And this Grand Tapestry can be set aside, completed."

     "What is it you desire to do then, tell us and let us see if we can indeed help you. For you interest us greatly in this matter."

     "I wish to enact the Rite of Rebirth, at the same time this Creation is destroyed. And then ask that it be reborn within another Dimension, one currently inhabited only by the 'Child of Infinity'. Thus its destruction and disappearance are fulfilled as fated within the Grand Tapestry."

     "A very elegant solution to an exceedingly difficult situation. My brothers applaud you and feel that if you can gain the needed cooperation, it will succeed. The 'Mother' chose beyond herself when she chose you. We will be joyful to add our voice to yours when the time comes. Deal with the physical aspects in whatever way you deem necessary, we will have your back when you need us."

     "I thank you, for all that you have done, even when I did not understand why you wished to involve yourselves. And truth be told, I still do not. But you have been stalwartly at my side with your wisdom and I am sure your reasons are good ones."

     "One day, you will see all as the veil is pulled back from your sight. And we await that time in its fullness with great anticipation."

     The Aspect of the Kel fades from the chair making way for whichever of the Celestial Allies wishes to take its place to speak with the Daughter and Heir of the 'Mother of the Cosmos'."

     As she patiently waits to see if another visitor will come, suddenly a strange chill washes over her. She opens her senses to determine what the cause is and sees a very translucent figure at the door. She feels it is trying to speak with her but for some reason is unable to make itself heard. Iriisii opens a power conduit to the figure and sends some of her power over it. The figure relaxes and some semblance of solidity comes over 'her'.

     "Whoever you are, I welcome you to come and speak what words you would have me hear. That you have endured great travails to come to speak is apparent."

     As Iriisii waits, the figure becomes even more solid, enough that 'she' can finally speak.

     "I am called, 'Hillendahl', at least I remember that name being associated with me. I was sent at great cost, aided by my brothers and sisters, to know what you intend to do with the final fate of this Creation?"

     "I expect you and your brothers and sisters are somehow tied to this Creation, and the fate that it is moving toward."

     "We are, even though we no longer abide here. We still call it home and try as best we can to stay informed about what occurs. Your arrival has stirred things greatly, there is hope and belief in some form of rescue building within the Creation. The 'One' desiring its destruction is also moving faster in response to this stirring. Would you tell us what it is that you intend, will it be a sign of hope and belief for us as well, or are we to languish forevermore in the farthest corner of the 'Land of Dreams'?"

     "That would depend on exactly who you are, but am I right to assume you were sent to where the 'Dead Gods Lie Dreaming' in the Dreamlands, and that you are all that remains of those Gods and Goddesses that were to be this Creation's shepherds and protectors?"

     "Yes, we are, to both questions. We were caught unaware, as the 'One' suddenly came as if from nowhere, drained us one by one to the point where we were sent to where we now lie. We cannot die, all we can do is wait, watch, lament our fate, and pray that some kind of surcease finds us."

     "He drained you, one by one, and yet none noticed the loss of their own? Just how quickly did it actually take for this to happen?"

     "As we experience time, almost overnight, and we were gone."

     "I see, do you remember what he appeared to you as, what form did he show?"

     "That of a massive, roiling, cloud of darkness."

     "It is as I suspected. I know somewhat of him and owe him for depredations he has committed in my own Creation. But in answer to your question, I believe there is something I can do, provided I can gather the needed help. What I propose to do has never been attempted before on this scale. But with access to enough power and help to control it, it can be done, I am sure."

     "What is it that you wish to do?"

     "Enact the 'Rite of Rebirth' at the moment of destruction, then have the Rebirth of the Creation occur in another Dimension to preclude any temporal paradoxes being formed. Also, there is one already within the Dimension, capable of helping to look after it until its situation settles."

     "Who or what already lives there?"

     "The Child of Infinity."

     "How? There has never been one either in the 'First Creation' or the 'Second'?"

     "But there has been one birthed in the 'Third Creation', and in her birth, she was placed in another Dimension because this one could not withstand the power level of both myself and her. She was the youngest and so the Aurbis moved her where she would be safe, and allowed to sleep and grow."

     "How do you know these things?"

     "Through the agency of other events, too many to recount here. I gave birth to her, out of my own self, she is me, only she is a gestalt whole, where I am still and likely to remain fractured. I can under special circumstances and for a short time, make myself whole as she is. But I cannot sustain it and remain within this Dimension and in my Creation. And I will not leave without those I have come to love and have wedded."

     "Then if you enact 'Rebirth' it is possible for it to include us as well?"

     "Now that you have told me of your plight, and that you do have close ties to this Creation, yes, it can include you."

     "By the 'Mercies', at last, what we had hoped for could come to pass!"

     "In return, I would ask for any information you could provide about where the 'Dead Gods Lie Dreaming', I have future need to traverse through it in search of a Sage with the information I require. Why I need it, is to create a prison capable of holding 'He' who sent you there and is going to destroy your Creation, for eternity."

     "You intend to imprison him for eternity?"

     "Yes, and that Sage has the last piece of information that I need."

     "Then we will honor an agreement, that if you can get us released from this 'prison' we will give you the information you request. I must go and inform the rest of us of what you hope to accomplish." Iriisii watches as Hillendahl fades away back into the Dreamlands and to her own 'prison'. Another good reason why she was led here, is possibly another lock around the prison to contain the 'Ravenous Darkness', and another step closer to Kathea.

     She settles down to wait, expecting the Aurbis to visit next, instead, she feels a fell wind blowing outside. The window rattles in its frame, the flame of the candle wavers and goes out. A single line of smoke runs straight up and disperses as it cools. The fire in the fireplace damps down but does not go out. It will not as long as her will keeps it going. She thinks, 'well maybe the Aurbis will not be the next visitors, after all.' She notices a thin stream of smoke flowing from a small gap at the bottom of the door. 'Going to have to pay more attention to that in the future.' 

     The smoke gathers itself and finally as it has enough mass to congeal into something semisolid, it proceeds to speak in a raspy, reedy voice.

     "So you are the one that comes to undo what my master has begun. You will find it is too late to thwart his will, he is too strong for you."

     "I see, he is so strong that he could not come and speak to me directly, but rather sends something expendable to be his 'mouth'."

     The roiling smoke turns and twists rapidly looking for any danger coming it's way.

     "Relax, this place is ruled by the Aurbis, and they have declared that any who meet here are safe from attack or violence of any kind. Something your master should have already known, and why if he is safe from attack by me, would he not come himself?"

     "You will find out soon enough when you lie broken and defeated at his feet."

     "Oh, he has feet! I thought he was just a bigger mass of smoke like you are."

     "He takes whatever form he cares to take."

     "Hmmm, interesting, would you ask him that when he meets me if he would take the form of a big d...?"

     "YOU WILL NOT GOAD ME! I will not break the peace and so you must not harm or attack me!"

     "Tell me then, who did he get the Wamphyrie from?"

     "Wamphyrie? He has no dealings with that ilk or those who sell any part of them."

     "Really, because I just recently slaughtered about a dozen of them in the Chamber of the High Councilor. And I came here after destroying a great many zombies, in a ship, in my Creation. Where I saw a roiling smoke just like you talking to something else. Now if 'he' has no dealings with those who sell such, why was one of you on that ship? Because I know the zombies and the Wamphyrie are from the same source."

     "If what you say is true, neither I nor my master has knowledge of this."

     "Well, I would have thought 'he' would be more informed of what his lessers were doing in his name. And it now seems like 'he' has some competition trying to either find something or get something out of there before your master destroys it."

     "My master is all-powerful, no one, not even you can beat him. And if anyone else is in there trying to steal what is his, they will regret their actions for eternity, when 'he' swallows them."

     "Personally, I think your master fears me, he sent you in his place to meet me. If he was so all-powerful, why would he even bother to send someone to see me? Unless he wanted to see how much more powerful and dangerous I have become since I last almost destroyed him inside that wormhole. And I have come a long way since then, a very long way. And if you do not remove those tendrils that you intend to use for a surprise attack, I am going to cut them off and feed them to you."

     Caught, it moves to ensnare Iriisii in those tendrils, she does not rise to the bait, but steps away even as the Aurbis appear and restrain the 'Roiling Smoke'.

     "You were warned of the rules that govern this Realm, and you have sought to break them by your actions. Since you attacked her, known as Iriisii Dovahkiin, your fate is hers to decide."

     She looks at the 'Roiling Smoke' and tells it. "I am going to have you sent back to your master, but first I will give you a message for him. I know he is interested in acquiring Desidarius. But she lives within my wedded mate, Illyria, so he will leave her alone. He and all of his, like you are, will stay away from her, or I will devour all of you whole, take your power, knowledge, skills, for my own and let whatever remains to disperse on the winds. I have a special fate in store for your master, and he will not see it come for him until it is too late."

     She turns to the Aurbis holding the 'Roiling Smoke' and asks him to send it back to its master. As they disappear, Iriiisii turns to the remaining one and asks if he would like to sit and talk awhile.

     "Indeed I would, that was a most impressive display. You turned it every which way but loose, digging out every bit of information it knew and it never suspected until it was too late. And even then you stayed in control, using it as a messenger, and I daresay, you know what his master will do to him for failing."

     "I do, 'he' will do to it, exactly what I threatened to do to it. But I must ask, is what he said about the 'Ravenous Darkness' not having to do with the source of the Wamphyrie or the Zombies, the truth?"

     "Unfortunately yes, it seems there is a second player involved."

     "And it is this second player that wants Desidarius, but I know I heard and saw a 'smoke' servant just like the one that was here on that ship in the 'Third Creation' talk about wanting her. Can 'he' not keep his servants on a leash any better than that?"

     "It seems not, which complicates things."

     "Yes, it does, now I must watch on two fronts, not just one. And why does this second player want to come here, now, of all times."

     "We will address that matter later, right now though, have you made your decision about what you will do regarding the destruction of the Second Creation?"

     She goes on and explains what she wants to do, how to do it, and also expresses her concerns about it all.

     "We understand as well, it has never sat well with us losing the 'First Creation' and now the 'Second'. If there is a way to save the 'Second' without jeopardizing the 'Third Creation', we will wholeheartedly stand behind you. But the amount of power that will be needed, can you gain access to that and control it?"

     "I must, but there is still another ally that I have not heard from, perhaps they may have that answer."

     "For all of our sakes, I hope they do. Something has to be done to put paid to all of this happening. For instance, where exactly did 'he' come from, how did 'he' come to be what 'he' now is."

     "Some knowledge of his past I have, you are most welcome to it if it will help."

     "Please, and thank you, anything you have is more than we do."

     Iriisii opens a conduit to the Aurbis and lets all she knows of 'him' flow across.

     "I...never imagined that anything like this could have happened. But of one thing I am certain."

     "What is that?"

     "Those who made him, do not come from this Dimension. They made him in their own, and somehow he ended up here. I will need to share this with my brothers, together we can look at every detail. And perhaps find out how he came to be here. Your method of dealing with him is surprising, but from what we can determine, the best way to do it and maintain the balance. I hope we have not put you into too much trouble, in guiding you to where you can find what you need."

    "No more than anyone else has. I have become able to begin seeing where all of these different paths come together, aiding me in my efforts. I can now understand why they needed to happen. Yet there is still so much underlying it all that I sense, but cannot yet see."

    Then there is a squawk and Iriisii smiles as perhaps the last of who she expected to speak with has made an appearance.

    "Welcome, I remember you from the last time. Please make yourself at home."

    "Still courteous, it speaks well that you have not forgotten your roots like so many other Gods have. I am sure the 'Mother' is pleased with you, as are those I serve."

    "There is no more to discuss at the moment, I thank you for the information you have provided, if we find more with what you have given us, we will let you know. 'Messenger', a pleasure to see you again."

    "Likewise, Aurbis."

    "You seem to run with the highest crowd now."

    "What can I say."

    "Indeed, my masters have bid me say, they approve of what you wish to do with the Second Creation. They are aware of your needs and are prepared to assist you. They have delivered some additional materials to the 'Forge of Stars' for you along with instructions on what to do with them. When the time comes, my masters will open a conduit for you into the Quantum Realm and connect it to the raw power that you will need. You will have to convert it into a form you can use, your choice, and what you forge with the new materials will allow you the control you will need to utilize the power feed.

    They realize this has never been done before, ever, anywhere. But they have every confidence in you, that you can make it happen, thereby placing your name on the winds and in the ears of every higher being in existence, many residing in places you have no knowledge of. Beings that will then begin to observe who you are and what you represent.

    By the way, you should probably visit the Forge soon. You will need the weapons and armor that you will learn to forge there. Just bring back enough for your people and leave the rest to acquire later. Oh, and if you wish to take your people with you, it is allowed in your case, this time the Forgemaster himself spoke in your favor. And that may be another 'first' in your helm. Be careful of any others you meet there, most will become your friend, a few your enemy. Just be careful not to spill too much blood if you can help it. If you have no choice, let the Forgemaster help, he always enjoys a good fight."