The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into The Birth Of A New God?

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into The Birth Of A New God?

     "It is time I return the people to their homes. You may stay until your repairs are complete, but I must ask that you leave afterward. These people have earned the return of their privacy. I will return to my Fortress for a short time, while I am there I will be sending an investigative team to look into the abductions. They will give me what they have when they are done, and then I will pursue this further. 

     I know this is not completely what you wish to hear, but a close friend of mine was recently murdered to send me a message. I have tracked the last of those responsible and now I need to finish this, I also need to spend time with my new mate. My team is among the best there is, and I cannot do much more than they can, so it makes sense to delegate to them for now.

     And before anyone asks, I do not use avatars. They can cause more trouble than they are worth, believe me. Part of what put me on this path was taking care of a few who had gone rogue. And they were not mine but from another. No, I will not get into that habit."

     As she turns to go back outside, the lead Captain expresses his thanks to her for all that she has done, as well as for listening to them even though she had no reason to do so.

     "Captain, I wish to help all that I can, but I am just one, so I must use those I have gathered around me and trust in what they can do. Besides, what you have told me of what happened long ago, I have long believed that my ancestors were not native to Nirn. Even the Nord people who make up the greatest part of the humans there are not native. So a chance to find out where I originally came from, find out how my people were moved to Nirn, and why. And perhaps most important is, do I have family out there somewhere I have not yet been to? These are burning questions, that still remains with me. They help me remember that I was mortal not so long ago. And somehow I feel that will become even more important to me. Stay safe, Captain, and know that I will not forget my promise to you and yours."

     She gathers her people and sends them on back to the Fortress, some will take up residence there, and others will move on to their assignments. Iriisii moves a short distance from the 'door' and contacts her ships in the system.

     "Captains, our job here is nearly done. I know it has been longer than we anticipated, but well worth the effort nonetheless. I am about to open the gate and return the people to their homes. I want at least half of you here to remain for the time being. Your task is to act as guardians, in the likely event of visitors arriving to take advantage of the situation.

     Unless the leadership I have placed in control countermands your orders from me, you are to allow no one to land or even to stay in the system unless there is an emergency. You are authorized to assist in any needed repairs in order to get them on their way out of the system as quickly as possible. If anyone attempts to use force against you, you are allowed your best judgment in dealing with them. I will not second guess your decisions. If you need help, call upon your brothers, if it is of such nature that they cannot get to you in time, call me. The Custodian of my Fortress will maintain communications with you and can assist with some tasks.

     As soon as the repairs to the fleet on the ground here are done, they should be encouraged to leave. I have already informed them of this, so there should be no problems. The way forward will only get more difficult, and the time approaches when 'WAR' will begin. I thank each and every one of you for your service and hope to see all of you safe when this is finally over."

     And with that, she utilizes the Fortress to open 'doors' between Tuo and the pocket dimension holding this world's inhabitants. Then she speaks to them to tell them what to do.

     "People of Tuo, it is time for you to return home at last. The threat is ended. You will be seeing 'doors' opening up all over. As you and your families enter any 'door' you choose, it will take you to your home. Everything has been rebuilt as far as physical structures as concerned. As for your society, that is for you to decide. I do not have the right to impose what I believe onto you.

     I have placed a few in leadership roles to help you get started. Where you go from here is up to you as a people. I am maintaining a quarantine around Tou for a time. I am doing this to stop any attempts to take advantage of you until such time as you can stand on your own. There is a small fleet of ships here on the ground being repaired by my people. Once they are again spaceworthy they will be leaving. If you wish to interact with them, that is your decision. I have much to do in other places, but I will be available if needed. I wish all of you well in the times to come, may your days forward be long and blessed."

     She takes a few minutes to watch as the people leave the pocket dimension where they have been living for a while to return to their homes. The joy on their faces as they are once more surrounded by the familiar is even greater as the fear they once knew is gone. No more do they have to fear their leaders stealing them away in the night, telling them what they must do with their lives, taking all but a pittance of their earnings to enrich themselves and their lifestyles. Essentially controlling them from birth to the grave, every single moment of their lives. The power of their belief in her, the embodiment of their faith, wraps her in a warmth that tells her all that she has done is worth the cost.

     As she starts to turn away to enter the 'door' and go back to her Fortress, she sees a small child with a golden glow about her. The child walks up to her and crooks a finger for her to lean down. As she does so, the child wraps her arms as far around Iriisii as they will go, and whispers in her ear, thank you, before turning and running a short distance away before vanishing into thin air. She speaks, somehow knowing the 'child' will hear her, "take care of them, and grow to be what they need. Do not worry about the future, that is my responsibility."

     She walks through the 'door' into the Fortress, turns, and watches for the few seconds it takes for the 'door' to be closed and disassembled. She feels a warm pair of arms encircle her from behind and a soft voice says, "you did better than anyone else could have done in the same situation, never forget or believe anything else." She places her own hands over the ones clasped over her heart, "I know, as hard as it is to believe this. What I experienced just before I walked back over, confirms it."

     "I know, I felt it through you. She will do just fine once she becomes established. After all, she has you for an example of how to become."

     Iriisii loosens Desidarius's hands just enough to half turn and slide one arm around her waist. "Come on, there are such things I wish to do to and with you before anything else intrudes upon our time together."

     

     It is several hours later, Desidarius still sleeps, and Iriisii is going through some official papers Blackwell sent over for her, now and again looking up to gaze at Desidarius's exotic new body and face. 

     'Of all the different thoughts about her that have gone through my head since I first spoke to her all those years ago. I never would have believed that I would have fallen in love with her. Someone with my past life, my past beliefs, life is surely strange in that regard.'

     A soft chime, barely heard, intrudes upon her awareness.

     'Yes, Custodian?'

     'A scroll has been delivered for you just now. The messenger declined to stay for an answer, simply said that your answer to the scroll would be known by your actions.'

     'Were you able to identify the messenger in any way?'

     'No Goddess, the messenger was shielded beyond my ability to pierce, but was in no way, hostile in its delivery, nor tone of voice.'

     'That is something anyway, ok, send the scroll to me and I will have a look at it if you please.'

     'At once, Goddess.'

     Soon there is a soft knock at the door. Iriisii opens and a servant offers her the scroll. As soon as she touches it she feels an aura of intense cold and at the same time heat. She wonders where did this come from and more specifically who sent it. She quickly steps back to the desk where she was sitting, clears away the other papers, and sets the scroll in front of her.

     Desidarius sleepily steps behind her and crosses her arms around Iriisii's neck, nibbling at her right ear, then whispers, "come back to bed, it's lonely without you."

     "If I was still just looking at the Empire's paperwork, I would like nothing better than to do just that, but this just came for me", as she gestures toward the scroll.

     Desidarius glances at it as the candlelight reflects off of an embossed sigil used to seal the scroll. Iriisii feels Desidarius's arms go stiff, and her aura hardens.

     "You recognize something about it, don't you?"

     "Yes, the sigil used to seal the scroll."

     Iriisii waits a few seconds, looking at it herself more closely, she experiences an involuntary shudder, which makes Desidarius more aware of the effect the scroll is having on Iriisii.

     "Come away for a few minutes, lover, recover your balance and I will tell you what I know of it."

     Desidarius keeps her hands in contact with Iriisii and draws her away from the influence of the sigil, holding her until the effect fades.

     "Whatever that is, it had to be strong to affect me like that."

     "Indeed, it is. I am certain you have never seen or been anywhere close to one like that before, have you?"

     "Considering I have no idea of just what you are talking about, I would say the answer to that is 'yes'."

     "Please wait for just a minute longer, let me look you over. No, not like that, I am serious, those things can manifest physical effects depending on how they react to whoever is close to them. It is not intentionally harmful, it is just the natural effect its place of origin has."

     "And that would be?"

     "Some call it 'Hell', I am not talking about the 'Abyss' which many believe is one and the same. It is not at all the same place."

     "You have my undivided attention, so please enlighten me on this."

     "As these Realms, universes, whatever you wish to call them to exist, they have factions of good/evil, light/dark, and balance. Are you aware of their antithesis?"

     "I have often thought there should be one but I have never seen anything even hinting at the concept. I take it that you know for certain then."

     "Yes, it exists. Everything about this Creation is mirrored in its antithesis. Please be aware it is not a literal mirror image, but rather a reversal of metaphysical laws. As the balance works to even out between good and evil, in 'hell' evil is by far the dominant morality, yet it knows not to go too far."

      "And what is too far?"

      "Far enough that the force that is 'evil' goes into a runaway state forcing a new cycle to begin."

      "Do I really want to know what happens if that occurs?"

      "No, but if that scroll is what I think, you need to know."

      "Let us say for a moment that it is what you think, what could have brought about whatever it is that has caused the scroll to be sent to me? And just what is that damned thing?"

      "First let me say that this is only speculation on my part, based on things I have seen and heard when I existed and traveled within the 'dark planes'. I have not had any direct experience with these scrolls, and truly, thanks are to the 'Mother' that I have not."

      "Give me a second to put all of this together, my ancestral memories are also drawing a blank on this but they do have their own speculations, and I have to say I am not liking this one bit."

      "Neither am I, in fact, I am scared out of my wits. If not for this involving you, and the intensity and depth of my love for you. I would not be in the same room with that thing."

      "There is only one possibility that I can see that would affect you like this. That is the antithesis of a Kel, isn't it?"

      Desidarius cannot even speak to confirm Iriisii's thought, so she just solemnly nods her head.

      "Damn it all! This just keeps getting 'better' and 'better'. I am going to call Dettlaff, we may need his help." As Iriisii calls him, 'Dettlaff, love, can you please come to me? There is something I think I may need your help with and no, it does not involve Desidarius, at least not the way you are thinking, anyway.'

     'Ok, be there in just a minute.'

     About a minute later, they hear the sound of the door latch being operated but the door will not open. She hears Dettlaff's voice asking them to release the door latch.

     "It is not us, we are on the opposite side of the room from the door."

     "Then what could keep the door from opening, have the Custodian try a 'door' and let us see if that works."

     Iriisii commands the Custodian to do as Dettlaff has asked. The 'door' materializes but it will not open as well, even though the Custodian sees it as open, Dettlaff and Iriisii do not. And Dettlaff is unable to move through. Iriisii tells the Custodian to release the 'door' and as it vanishes, she tells Dettlaff to wait and let her try something.

     Desidarius asks her, "what are you going to try?"

     "A little forced coercion."

     "Be careful, I do not know how it will react."

     "If it came to me, it wants something from me. Which gives me some leverage. So we are going to see if I can properly apply that leverage."

     She walks over to where she can properly see the 'Dark Kel' and addresses it.

     "If you want any cooperation from me, and I believe you do want that or you would not be here. We are going to do this my way or not at all. We are going to start with you to stop holding that door closed. If I want to bring someone into this then I will. Right now I am simply looking for advice from those I trust, although I think that concept may be one you do not understand. I am more than willing to resort to concepts I am sure you do understand, but you might come out of such an encounter a bit worse for wear. So let us take the easy path and do what I ask of you, I will then be in a better mood to listen to what you want of me."

     They all hear a 'snick' and the door to the outside corridor opens, Dettlaff comes rushing in, sword drawn. He stops and looks to where Iriisii is looking. Then he sheaths his sword and comes to Iriisii's side, looking to Desidarius, "are you all right?"

     Desidarius nods her head, and Dettlaff looks back to the 'Dark Kel'.

     "Is that what I think it is?"

     "If you mean what I will call a 'Dark Kel' then yes."

     "Shradet's balls, I have heard of these in whispers, but never more than that. What is it doing here though?"

     "That I think we are about to find out. What I think is speculation but bear with me. What with the events that have thrust me up the ladder of power recently and what happened on Tuo, I would say that my enemy has stepped up his game. He feels the board is shifting to my control and he does not like that one bit. He knows that if he tries something in our Creation big enough to shift control back to him, it will be seen and dealt with quickly enough that he would gain nothing from the attempt. But start something that can still affect the board but outside of my sight."

     A pair of solid red glowing eyes, sharply angled inward, appear above the 'Dark Kell'.

     "Bravo, you are indeed much quicker on the uptake than appearances would indicate. This is good, he is definitely underestimating you, and with luck that will be his downfall."

     "I take it you are well aware of just who it is that is behind all of this?"

     "We are aware. The one you suspect is indeed the one responsible. May we inquire about your intentions toward dealing with him?"

     "At this point, I do not think there is a question about it. He must die! Imprisoning him will not work, he will find a way to escape or procure allies to secure his escape and then we start over. I will not go down that road."

     "Pragmatic as well, you gain more and more of our support. But if you kill him,"

     "I am aware, that he will simply reform as the power that he represents rebuilds unless we provide that power with another candidate."

     "Devious, we appreciate your willingness to deal appropriately with this enemy. Do you have such a candidate in mind?"

     "Yes, I do. He is called 'Ven', and he too seeks knowledge, but for now, at least he is willing to bargain and negotiate for the knowledge he gains."

     "As you say, for the nonce, he is one we can work with. Seeing you in person for the first time, feeling that you do indeed see and appreciate both sides, light and dark, that you can at least tolerate both good and evil so long as they perform the duties to which they are responsible. This is a change we find refreshing. Perhaps you are indeed the one we have been looking for. Time will tell, as we progress."

     "Just what are you saying?"

     "One thing at a time, it might go nowhere and so nothing needs to be said until we are on the more solid ground between each other. It is your intention to enter a Dwemer research installation on the land mass you call Atmora?"

     "Yes, why is it that you inquire?"

     "To reach he whom you seek, you will have to enter our dimensional planes. Those you call Dwemer had established a portal into them. The portal led to an abandoned world, where they built a companion installation. From there you can go wherever within our Creation you wish. We would suggest exploring the installations thoroughly, they left everything they were working on when the energy rupture created by Kagrenac caught up with them.

     It has been our pleasure to meet you, and we look forward to assisting in the demise of your enemy, who is also ours. Lady Desidarius, a pleasure also to meet you once more."

     "You have me at a disadvantage, I do not recall meeting you before."

     "You were not aware of us, although we have been watching you, with great interest, such a combination has not been gathered at any time before now that we are aware of, and we watch with bated breath to see how this portends. By your leave, 'Mother of Dragons'."

     "Why use that title for me, when so many others would apply from your perspective?"

     "Dragons are not only the sole purview of your Creation, they also exist in our planes. In fact, the ones that we have are a bit different than yours."

     "How so?"

     "They are among the greatest warriors that exist in our planes. They do not have a single mind path in their understanding of the Dovah language. They followed a different path in their understanding, much as your goddess 'Kyne' sent you down a parallel path to theirs. We would like to see if your paths could complement each other and thus see the results of such."

     Iriisii nods her head and the 'eyes' and 'scroll' vanish.

     "Truth be told, I do not know how that went."

     "We are still here, whole, alive. I would say it went well. You were right, they do want something from you. The same thing you want. So your purposes are aligned for now."

     "But for how long will that last?"

     "I would say as long as things stay stable between you and them. You will need to see what it is that they intend to offer to you and understand exactly what they will want in return. When it comes time to bargain, I would suggest speaking with Harskari and Terhali. They can give you help in how to deal with them."

     "How do you feel about what they said about dragons?"

     "I think we had best deal very carefully here. It could be very helpful to expand further my capabilities, but I must be aware of where these changes could lead me, as well as what these other dragons could learn from me, and where that would take them. I do not want to set up a future confrontation with them if it does not have to be. But I must speak with 'Ven', he must be made aware of what I have discussed with the Dark Kel and how it affects him. I will not make decisions about his future without his consent."

     Iriisii goes over to Desidarius, "you do not have to talk with me about what it meant about a previous encounter with you. It happened long ago, and that is behind you now. I believe you when you said you were not aware of it, so unless you bring it up again, I will consider it closed."

     "Thank you, but there is much that happened to me then that could conceivably come back as this has, I will talk to you about it when we have more time."

     "Why don't you come with me to talk to 'Ven', we can discuss past happenings while we are there."

     "Where will you be going if we need you?"

     "Ven is in the Ayleid ruin of Nenalata, in High Rock. There is pretty much nothing left in there but for a few Direnni ghosts, the door to Ven's space is down at the bottom and is shielded. It keeps 'Ven' from sensing who or what is outside his domain and those outside from sensing into his domain. This is why I must go in person, but he is not dangerous, at least not to me. Anyway, he has never been anything but polite and cordial to me, so I prefer to return the courtesy."

     "Good, as long as you are not alone, but I will still ask the Custodian to keep an ear open if you require assistance. Not from 'Ven' but anyone else who may have other purposes in mind."

     "Thank you, I will be careful." Iriisii smiles devilishly and in a sultry voice, "Now come here and give me and Desidarius a taste of something to come back to."

     Desidarius looks at Iriisii somewhat concerned.

     "No, I am not going to be jealous, we share to whatever extent we are comfortable with. So you will have no problem with me if I invite you to share, I am certain Dettlaff has no issue with you. There is just one stricture, no one but me shares blood with him. That is straight from the 'Mother' herself, anything else is whatever we are comfortable with. Desidarius first, then me, if you please."

     Dettlaff walks over and gently kisses Desidarius, who looks back at him and says, "I am not fragile like glass, you can be more physical with me if you want. Here let me show you!"

And she kisses him again letting her hands roam where they will. She lets her nails scrape across his skin but does not draw blood. As she releases him, he looks to Iriisii, "after that I do not know if it is safe to kiss you."

     "You let me be the judge of that. So come here, we can get more physical later after we come back." Dettlaff takes Iriisii in his arms as she latches hold of him, extending her fangs just a little to catch his active tongue. The color bands erupt into glorious oranges, greens, and golds that sweep through Desidarius, causing her to catch her breath at the intensity of she knows not what kind of power flowing through her.

     They separate and Iriisii noticing Desidarius swaying goes to her and holds her until she settles. "That...what in...was that?"

     "Something we have noticed that happens from time to time when we get 'heated' so to speak. We have seen no ill effects at all, quite the contrary in fact."

     "It happened when you two kissed and sealed your 'vow' before the 'Mother', quite strong too as I recall."

     "Hmmm, we might want to be careful when being intimate."

     "What are you thinking?"

     "You know I want more children, but I cannot help but wonder considering the power level of those bands, if they were strong enough at a point that I conceived and if any of our other mates were in bed with us when this happened."

     "You and they might just well become with child, you directly, them through the agency of the 'bands'."

     "Yes, if they are all right with it, then it is not a problem, but I do not want it to be a surprise for them. They should have the choice as to whether they are with 'child' and from who. Also, it should not happen beyond their control."

     "I understand and agree, I too want more children but only if both of us who will be the parents want them."

     "Let's go, you might as well come with us. Just in case more enemies decide that would be a good time to attack, I still have not forgotten that assassin on Telios. Custodian, I need a 'door' to the bottom of Nenalata in High Rock if you please."

     "At your service, Goddess."