The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Blood And Bread

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Blood And Bread

      The expression on her face was one easily read. The 'first' asks, "you know of what that means?"

     "I do, very well. Just over two hundred years ago, my home suffered an invasion from where this sign comes from. But the question is whether the same Daedric Lord that was responsible then is responsible now."

     "How many are there then, and how do we know who is the one?"

     "They number some seventeen in total, I will not name them though I know all their names. My main concern about them now is which one or ones are behind what is happening on your homeworlds, and that will tell me why it is going on."

     "You suspect a particular one or ones?"

     "Yes, there is one who has crossed the line with me and I am about to go on a hunt for him. It is possible he has convinced a few of the others to attack your worlds as a feint to draw me from mine while he goes after a prize."

     "What prize could be worth such an effort?"

     "My daughter, the next Empress of Nirn!"

     "Then we are grieved that he has already used us to draw you thus far away."

     "I am only as far as that 'door' over there", as she points to a 'door' about fifty yards away, behind and to her left.

     "That, you call a 'door', leads straight back to your homeworld?"

     "It does."

     "But how can you control who uses it, there are no guards, no security fence, no weapons guarding it!"

     "I do not need such, that is all that is needed to be known for now. But how far behind you is the one who attacked you?"

     "That is difficult to tell, we have no means of knowing how fast he was going when he attacked or even how fast he is capable of going."

     "Not to worry, I will have adequate advance knowledge of his arrival. Now as to exactly why you are here? Some of my questions have been answered yet they bring other questions in their wake. It is not likely that I know the names of your homeworlds since I am sure I have never visited them before, but do you have a name for the universe your worlds reside in? I have visited several and may know of that much at least."

     "Our name may not be the same as what you know. The writer of the scroll said you may know of it by another name, that of Mundus."

     The name hits her like a slab of dark matter. Dettlaff manages to catch her as she collapses, the shock is readily apparent in her expression.

     "We meant no harm by what we said!"

     "It is alright, I understand why she reacted the way she did. She will recover very soon, but when she does she will have plenty of questions for you."

     "Can you tell us what this means? We have no idea."

     "She is from the world of Nirn, it also resides in the Realm of Mundus."

     The trio looks at each other and the speech of different languages flies at an astoundingly rapid pace. "We had no way to know this or what it means that we were led here."

     "It is going to depend on the identity of who sent you to her. We think we know who it was, but now it needs to be verified for certain. Also, the one who attacked you is one we have expected, and so we must know for sure what is going on, who is involved, and why so that we can make the proper decisions going forward. She knew there were other inhabited worlds in Mundus, but there had been no contact. So she has always assumed that is how it was supposed to be. In all of our communications with the Pantheon, nothing has been said of your presence. Now I believe that for whatever reason, the Pantheon either cannot extend themselves out to you, or they choose not to."

     "Who is this 'Pantheon' you speak of?"

     "The 'Nine Divines', Gods if you wish to use the word."

     "In the memory of our peoples, we have never had Gods, especially any being who desired to be worshipped. We have never believed in anyone or anything standing over us. Always we have worked things out on our own. You are saying then that 'Gods' do exist?"

     "There was a time when I thought as you do, but the things I have seen and experienced for myself since meeting Iriisii. There can be no doubt in my mind, look around and tell me how did she bring your entire fleet down safely to the surface, without further damage to your ships. Consider the amount of power needed to accomplish this feat, and do you see any signs of the technology that would otherwise be required if that was the way it was done?"

     As they discuss this between them, Iriisii recovers her inner balance. "Perhaps I can explain things so that we can come to a simple understanding for now. The 'Celestial' exists side by side with 'Science' and technology. The power used by each is very different at this world level, yet both come from the same source when viewed at the 'Quantum' level. It is the effect of the observation of how power manifests at this level that determines if it is 'Celestial' or 'Science'. Of course, this is very simplified but it is a start. Provided we have time, there are things I can show you as well as demonstrate for you to illustrate what I have said.

     But I have worked with those who are the pure product of 'Science' and technology. And we get along quite well together."

     "Might I inquire what kind of being that you believe to be of pure science?"

     "Do you know the term, 'AI' or 'Artificial Intelligence'?"

     "You know of some?! We have been working toward that in theory for some time, but so far all our attempts have failed."

     "To answer your question, yes, I have some that I call allies. They have their own ships, some of which are in the system and in hiding for the moment. I literally have my own fleet here, but they have scattered so as not to spook he that I believe attacked you. I wish to lure him here and deal with him once and for all, then return this world's proper inhabitants back here to begin rebuilding their lives."

     "Where are they now?"

     "In an adjacent pocket dimension that I created to hold them safe until I could deal with the Demogorgon."

     "What is a 'Demogorgon?"

     "You will shortly see, he has entered the system and once I make myself known to him, I expect he will not tarry in getting here. I will place a shield around your ships to protect you from any stray attacks. Please do not worry about what you may see, I will have things well in hand."

      As the trio reenters their ship, Iriisii and Dettlaff move to an area where they can deal with the Demogorgon with less chance of unintended consequences. She mentally raises a protective camo shield around all of the ships.

     Once they are in the position they want to be, Iriisii mind-speaks with the Feydakeen Legion Commander, 'I have placed a shield around our visitors to protect and hide them from the Demogorgon. I want you to detail one hundred of your men to conceal themselves a safe distance away should they be bombarded. If the shield fails, their job is to protect the people within the ships. The rest of your men I want to be ready to take on any of the Demogorgon's allies, primarily the Wraiths. I will challenge the Demogorgon to a High Duel, one on one, Dettlaff will see to no interference from his allies. Do you have any questions before we get started?'

     'No, My Goddess, we will do as you ask of us. May Shai-Hulu'ud bring you victory.'

     'May his passing cleanse the way.'

     "My love, I am going to challenge the Demogorgon to a High Duel. This way we finish this, once and for all."

     "Is this wise? We have no idea of what capabilities he may have gained since you last fought."

     "And he knows nothing of how far I have come either. But this must end now. He is but a small player on a large playing field. The only way to force out the one behind all of this is to remove his pieces from the field, one by one if necessary."

     "You know who it is?"

     "Not for certain yet, but the pieces of this puzzle are falling into place. My ancestral memories have been delving into my deep memories, some buried and almost forgotten, that seem to have a part in this and help to point out who is behind all of this. There are some questions that will have to be answered before I can be sure, but it is going in a troubling direction, close to home, so to speak."

     "Someone you did not expect then?"

     "Yes, someone I had locked away some time ago when I was still mortal. If it is the one I suspect, I must know how it is being managed. But I am even now more sure that the path I am on is the right path."

     "Good, that certainty will be of even greater value to us now and in the future."

     "Hmmm...the future...could it? Possible...now that I think about it. But first the Demogorgon, then I will look into this further. Thank you, love, for the clue."

     "What did I say?"

     "We will talk about it further after the duel. Make sure there is no interference from his allies. You can deal with any in whatever way you wish."

     "Thank you, my beast has been getting restless of late."

     "Then you may let him off of his leash as long as he stays away from the Demogorgon, he belongs to my 'beast' this day."

     As Iriisii speaks these words, both of their 'beasts' awaken into full awareness, anticipating the battle to come. As they wait, looking up into the sky, they see the light reflected from the ships as they move closer to Tuo. They seem to hesitate for a few minutes, just hovering out of orbital insertion. Iriisii extends her senses to see if she can determine what is going on in the flagship. What she sees in her mind's eye is very troubling.

     "Report on surface scans, now!"

     "Previously damaged ships are on the surface under a force shield. Two life signs are approximately one surface league from the shielded ships. The readings on the life signs are outside of instrument calibration."

     "Explain life sign readings!"

     "They are beyond our instrumentation's capability of analysis. They register as life signs, but that is all we can determine."

     "Run diagnostics on instrumentation!"

     "Running diagnostics. Diagnostics report no issues or faults detected. Co-op analysis indicates energy readings signature from one of the life signs matches what is known as belonging to one Iriisii Dovahkiin as recorded in past event records. The second signature is unknown but shares some similarities with that belonging to subject Iriisii Dovahkiin. Energy readings of subject Iriisii Dovahkiin is of type and intensity not previously encountered."

     "WHAT?! That cannot be right! She cannot have mutated this quickly! Prepare the sacrifices! I will need them since it now seems this has grown to be more than was expected."

     

     "Prepare yourself, love, this is not what we anticipated."

     "When is it ever."

     "True words, but this has roots that even I could not see. This is going to require, I do not know, but maybe a grand spectacle? We must draw attention to what has been transpiring in the shadows and the dark places, not just within reality but within the very forgotten corners of the mind. The minds of every being living within Creation itself are being affected and no one but a very few is aware of it."

     "What did you have in mind?"

     "I know that much of what we do is being recorded, how it is being done is what I must know. And if it can be turned to my purpose. I can now create an infinite virtual arena, where to us it looks exactly like an infinite arena, but to the spectators, they seem as if they are on the edge itself. I want them all to witness this 'High Duel', let them see what it is we fight against, what we fight for. With all of the fanfare that has gone with such since time itself began."

     "You know what is going to be said of this?"

     "Yes, but it needs to be dragged into the light, kicking and screaming, but nonetheless brought out for all to witness."

     "Who can you contact about this?"

     "An old friend, who is even now working on his own much toned-down version of what I suggest. Shai-Hulu'ud will know, give me a moment and I will contact him to see what he can do to help."

     Iriisii pulls together a 'desire to speak' and sends it out to where Shai-Hulu'ud works tirelessly on his 'Hall of Remembrance' dedicated to the life and times of Iriisii Dovahkiin.

     On board the Demogorgon's ship, "Captain, an energy burst just erupted from Tuo, destination coordinates unknown, somewhere in the Kaylian Arm."

     "What do we know of that area?"

     "Nothing, none of our kind or our contacts have ever been even close to that region. We cannot even calculate how far it is from our current position. The energy burst passed through a naked singularity, through a rare hyperconduit created by its rotation. That is where we lost track. Should we inform the Demogorgon?"

     "You know what he is doing right now, do you want to take that chance and interrupt him?"

     The Wraith science officer shudders in response.

     "I did not think so, we will wait until he is done and then inform him. We will use a messenger droid that way we might not lose anyone important."

     Once the 'energy burst' reaches its destination, it forms a virtual image of Iriisii for Shai-Hulu'ud's eyes only.

     "Shai-Hulu'ud, father, I am pleased once more to be in your presence."

     "And I am pleased to see you doing very well indeed, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit."

     Iriisii lays out the recent events that have weighed upon her, what she has remembered from her deep memories, and how the lines are connecting together to uncover plots, deceptions, and machinations all revolving around one singular entity. One whose existence is in itself deliberately hidden and misunderstood, likely far older than at first glance, more cunning and devious than those who know of him give him credit for.

     "I see where you are going with this, and I cannot in the least refute your concerns. I am not knowledgeable in his doings, so closely hidden and at the same time so distantly delegated to minions are his activities that they are not easily traced back to him. They have been beneath my notice for this reason, but now that you have opened my eyes, I will of course look much more closely now. But what is it that you plan to do, to begin to bring his plots out into the light of day?"

     Iriisii lays out her plan to him and she sees the grin on his face before he erupts into booming laughter.

     "This is a grand plan indeed! Nothing of such a scale has ever been attempted before or on such quick notice, but I know just who to bring this to. If there is anyone who could make it happen it is Dometrius, only he has the assets and the connections to bring it together. And the sheer audacity is something that he would relish. Give me just a moment and I will see if he can join us."

     After just a few moments another virtual image takes its place close by the two waiting.

     "Holasi, Grandfather of the Desert, it is good to see you once more. And this? Could it be that my eyes have finally met one they could not find words to describe?"

     "I appreciate your flattery, and under less demanding circumstances would enjoy exchanging such banter, but my time is short and my needs are great."

     "Of course, I digress, a sometimes painful habit of mine, but how may I be of service this day."

     Iriisii lays out what she is setting up and needs help with on Tuo. Giving him the barebones of why this is happening, she sees his ample brow furrow in concentration.

     "Old Man, there is much you have kept hidden from me, but I see your reasons and find no fault with them. Before was not the time for such things to be brought out, now, however, the time has indeed come. My Lady, what you undertake is beyond audacious, in fact, there are no words to describe what it could mean to all who live. 

     I will, of course, bend my every effort to bring your desire to every eye that will see, every ear that will hear, and every tongue that can speak will have your name upon it when I am done. I apologize for my flowery language, it has become second nature to me, such that I do not even notice anymore. I do not make light of the situation you are in, or what you face on behalf of all of us who exist.

     May I suggest that you bring all of your mates to watch and be seen, there will be no greater audience than what you will have when I am done. And it will help for it to be seen just what you fight for and what your personal stake is in all of this. From what you have said, security is not an issue here, and so as lofty as your position now is, to be seen as closely aligned with the masses will ultimately be to your benefit, and there is no closer tie than family."

     "I can do this, a few are spread apart but I can bring them together for this. There is also a couple of other things that I can bring into this as well that will heighten the experience. This will let me show all, just who indeed I have gathered to my side, and a chance to take care of a few things that have already waited too long."

     "Then I will get started right away, luckily with technology what it is now, this will not take long for me to arrange. Whatever you see and hear, bear with me, for this is my forte, or he," looking over to Shai-Hulu'ud, "would never have brought it to me. I owe you, Old Man, far more than I will ever be able to repay."

     Shai-Hulu'ud waves it away, "you owe me nothing, it is my pleasure to be able to bring you into this. There is no one else I know who can do justice to this and bring it to the attention of all."

     "My flattery is rubbing off on you, I need to be more careful or you just might become a competition to me."

     "You have no worries about that, this 'Hall of Remembrance' will occupy me for some time to come."

     "Hmmm, some choice shots here would make for a good beginning." As Dometrius walks off to look for some material to gather, "thank you, father, for your help. I would have never known to go this route without your wisdom."

     "Ah, but you knew who to come to for help, that is always the first and most important step to take. What other things did you wish to include?"

     Iriisii tells him what she has in mind and he nods his head in agreement.

     "Indeed, yes, it will offer a counterpoint to the 'Duel' itself, showing you are not just an epic warlord, but also someone who loves deeply and will do whatever they can to please their loved ones. And I do believe I can help with a part of it, follow me if you will."

They walk to a particular part of the 'Hall', where Iriisii and Rigmor were standing, looking over the burnt desecrated landscape where the Tsaesci Army had met its demise at Iriisii's hands. There in front of them was the dark portal in the ground and Desidarius hovering above it. Iriisii was singing to Desidarius, holding her enrapt by the words of the song. Dometrius walks up at this moment, looks at the tableau, and backs up.

     "Whoa, just what is happening here, who is that in the air over that hole?"

     Never taking her eyes off of the scene, Iriisii recounts what had happened, and what was going on at the time the display portrays.

     "You have got to be kidding me! This by itself is the story of the century, and it slipped by without being noticed?"

     "It was noticed by the people of Tamriel. I can assure you of that!"

     "I am sorry, I did not mean any disrespect."

     "No, I should be the one who is sorry. I forget and get wrapped up in certain things that happened."

     "She is extremely beautiful, even if in a dark way."

     "Aye, she is at that."

     "Wait, what happened to her, you speak of her in the present tense, but the wistfulness in your voice?"

     Iriisii further recounts what was going on with her and Desidarius at the personal level as she was singing.

     "You still care for her, even now, as a disembodied mind?"

     "When I sang to her, I sang to her soul. It created a bond between us, a bond that is still as strong now as it was then."

     "But her reputation, the things it is said she did!"

     "She was and still is 'dark', yes, but I do not care. She is not evil! And I love her now as much as I came to love her when I sang to her. It is my desire to make a body for her to become hers and then to ask her to marry into my group."

     "You would do something like that for her?"

     "She did not ask to be created and then cast aside by her creator as you cast aside a broken tool. And do not those of the 'Dark' not know love as well as those of the 'Light'? I know they do and can love as deeply and strongly, for I have a Vyrkolos who is a higher vampire and my only male mate. And the love he has for me is winning over the others. My Rigmor was the hardest against him in the beginning, now she would give her life defending him, just as I would, defending any of them."

     "That's it! This is what we need to show as the other side of Iriisii Dovahkiin! The side that is willing to love, sacrifice, to defend. The Goddess who still has not forgotten her mortal life. How would you do it, how would you give Desidarius a new body?"

     "What do you mean?"

     "Could you 'sing' her out of Illyria's body and into a new one made just for her?"

     "Yes, yes! That would be the best way, the way I could show her how much I do love her! But I have to get a body made! It will take time!"

     "I have something I want to show you."

     "What is it, father?"

     "Come." As Shai-Hulu'ud shows them back behind the display into a very high-tech workroom. And there on a molded table lay a body, tubes of different colored fluids entering and leaving, being scrubbed clean and recirculated. "I searched high and low, everywhere I could think of to find even a speck of her to use to grow a clone and thus know what she really looked like. Here is my gift to you, take it and use it to give her a new life. A life with you, Rigmor, Illyria, Byrsael, and Dettlaff. The life she should have had but was denied, until now."

     Iriisii looks at Shai-Hulu'ud, tears falling from her eyes, then she looks back at the clone of Desidarius. "I do not know how to ever thank you for this!"

     "To see you happy like this is reward enough. I know what you face and what it could cost you to do. This will help balance the scales. You will have to take a life, dark as that one is, but now you can balance it by giving life to another of the 'dark'. And is that not what you have come to embrace as 'Champion of the Balance'?"