The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into, She Who Watches All

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into, She Who Watches All 

     As they step through the gate, Iriisii notices that the fire bowls, that created the shield before the entrance to Ven's domain, are still blazing away. Also, there is no sign of the Direnni ghost that she left here the last time. She points out the bridge penetrating the shield to the tower just beyond.

     "That is where we are going."

     "So this was a Direnni stronghold?"

     "Yes, they traveled across the planes, the Dwemer imitated them, but used technology, whereas the Direnni used magic. One more example of the shared source of power, yet how greatly different they can be expressed."

     "Does that have something to do with that project your smithing team is working on?"

     "In a way, yes, I read a book, a journal really, written by Desann."

     "The Argonian who wanted to turn all females into sex slaves!" Dettlaff turns his head and spits to get the foul taste of that name out of his mouth.

     "That was him all right, but the journal recounts a dream he had. I do not believe it was a dream, but rather something more. He was brought into a pocket of reality that exists in the void. Where he was examined by, I really do not know what they are. Just that they lived in the void when Mundus was created. They were among those who chose to not take part in its creation, nor did they oppose it, but rather took themselves apart to watch and see what would happen.

     In the 'dream' he came upon what he described as a 'hand cannon'. He actually used it against one of his 'captors', although because they were in their 'seat of power' they survived. The description of how it worked has fascinated me. I wrote down all I could remember of it and made drawings from his description. Some of my followers have had more experience with this kind of weapon and have contributed greatly to refining my drawings. Converting them into plans by which they could be used to create some of them.

     The balance of 'strength of metals' able to withstand the pressures created when it is used, with the substances used to propel the 'head' without causing damage to the device itself has been a trial, but we are very close. I want it mechanically as precise as we can make it, then see what magic can do to improve on it. We can then scale it, to be small enough for troops to use it in battle, or it can be as large as we desire to take the place of catapults and trebuchets. I know it can be modified in many different ways, but that can wait until I understand it better."

     They come up to the shield and pass through without even a tingle. Iriisii leads the way to the main chamber where she last saw 'Ven'. As they reach the chamber and start down the steps, he floats into view from the far side.

     "Welcome Dragonborn, do you have more 'black soul gems you wish to trade?"

     "Not this time, my friend, this time I wish to speak with you concerning your possible future if you will."

     "Interesting, you pique my curiosity, tell me what you see as to my future."

     Iriisii explains what she has learned by talking to the Dark Kel and the possibility of Ven taking the place of Iriisii's adversary by assuming his 'Mantle' when she kills him.

     "This is audacious indeed, if it were anyone else speaking of it, I would cast them back across the bridge while laughing at them. But I know you are one who does not speak of things you are not capable of doing. I would ask if you truly know what you are dealing with in these Dark Kel as you call them?"

     "Considering that I have had no direct experience with them before, I have spoken to others who have. They say they are the true 'demons' that some books, stories, and myths, speak of. Entities of 'evil' that have never had physical forms, but rather assume forms taken from the minds of those they interact with. They also say that those who enter into bargains with them never come out ahead, somewhat like another that I have had experience with, to his regret."

     "Concise and accurate, but narrow in interpretation. They are everything you have just described and much, much more than that. You are right to be concerned about what they may wish from you in return for helping you now. Yet what they may want might lie a long while into the future. At least your decision to come and ask me if I would accept what you have offered comes from you and not from them. You, I know I can trust, the same cannot be said of them. They will never break a bargain, but if there is a way to twist it to gain what they want rather than what you are willing to give. Believe they will do so, should it align with their plans."

     "So they are much like the Tsaesci, thinking and doing in layer upon layer upon layer, all atop one another and in the same moment of time."

      "Correct, you do understand then, I am much relieved that you may well at least come out equal in any bargain with them. As to your offer to me, I would be pleased to be of such service to you. I am well aware of what you have done so far, and am certain that to follow you will lead me to even far greater riches of knowledge than what I have so far gleaned."

     "Good, you have always been polite and cordial to my visits, unlike so many others. I feel you will step into the role very nicely indeed."

     "One last word before you go, the Direnni also had dealings with them. And although nothing that was ever written has survived, some of the 'things' they found along the way, did survive. You saw a few during your last sojourn here among some of the older ruins in the mountains."

     Iriisii stops and remembers just what she did see when last she went inside some of those places. "The warning you give, I will keep close to me that it protect me as I walk through the 'Valleys of the Dark', even unto the 'Vale of Pnoth'."

     They all notice Ven shuddering upon the mention of the 'Vale'.

     "I had hidden the memory that you had been to that place. You have survived what no other put there has survived. There is nothing the 'Hells' can throw at you to compare with that. I will be ready at your command."

     As they walk back across, "just what happened to you there?"

     "It will take a lot more than what we have at the Fortress to get me drunk enough to speak of that. You are welcome to try, but be certain you really wish to hear that kind of knowledge, some things once heard can never, ever be forgotten. Much to the regret of the listener."

     In silence they return to the Fortress, once back she calls a council meeting of her advisors, where she outlines what she has found out and asks that everyone give thought to what the vision she was shown could mean, where or even who would be able to shed light on what really happened to the first Creation and why. She feels that maybe 'why' is the more crucial question to be answered. Also, she asks them to seek any further information on Kali-mah. Since the Kali-mah she saw in the vision is most definitely changed from what they saw in the arena. She wants to know what happened to cause the change and could it be reversed. And lastly, any separate issues that come out of these investigations are to be brought to her attention. She may delegate action to others but she wants to see where they fit into everything before making the decision. 

     After the advisors have all left to begin their respective searches, the Custodian adds his addition to the mix.

     'Goddess.'

     'Yes, Custodian?'

     'If I may, although I have no direct knowledge of answers to the questions that hound you. I may perhaps be able to direct you to where you may find either the answers you seek or further assistance in finding them.'

     'Please go on, you have my attention.'

     'As you know, I am extremely old. Even older than this Creation, although I was not a part of either the First or the Second.'

     'What are you saying, exactly?'

     'My exact origins are unknown even to me. But within the depths of my memories, I remember seeing the beginning of this Creation from outside of it. Only later being moved within and eventually being where you came unto me. The first memory I have of this Creation was Telios before it became what it is now. I think it was what happened to make of it what it is, that caused me to begin my series of relocations.'

     'What did happen to it then?'

     'That memory is currently blocked, and I have no way to unlock it.'

     'You think that perhaps I could unlock it or access it in some way?'

     'I do, but I also worry about why it is blocked. There is a faint admonition of caution involved. My builders blocked it because its nature is different from all other memories within me. You understand the possibilities of what can be linked through memories. That knowledge may allow you to not only access it but understand why it was blocked and what to do with it. It is just possible, it was done in this way to keep all others who have inhabited me since my builders abandoned me, until one came that understood the mechanisms of memory and could open the lock.'

     'You are meaning that you feel I am the one to open it?'

     'Until you came to me, I had never known this memory was there, buried so deep. Thus I feel you are the one my builders wanted to be able to access it and no one else. Why else would I now become aware of its existence after so long a time?'

     'That I cannot answer, but you make a good argument for it nonetheless. I will need to speak to my mates first and make preparations before undertaking this. I do not wish to in any way bring harm to you, so I want to be able to protect you should something unforeseen occur because of this.'

     'Thank you, Goddess. I will be ready whenever you are.'

      Iriisii calls out to her mates and others that need to be informed. Once all are gathered in her quarters, she explains what just went on with the Custodian.

      "You want to enter into his memories, find the block, unlock it, then enter the memory, and then what?"

      "See what is there for me to see."

      "And you are certain this is meant for you?"

      "The Custodian thinks so and I cannot find fault in his logic. The timing of his remembrance of its presence only just now occurring after so much has happened to bring me to this point. All that has come together leads to here, to now, this moment, like pieces to a puzzle and you finally have enough in place to see what the picture will look like."

      "You are going in alone, I take it?"

      "Yes, I do not believe there to be any danger, but I will not place any of you in threat of the possibility. There is enough threat of danger out here now to worry over. But I cannot stress enough that I feel there are answers here for me. What they are, what they mean for me, what they mean for where we go from here, I cannot say without diving in. But this I do know if I do not and critical information is in there. Success or failure could ride on whether or not I go in, and I will not fail as long as I draw breath.

     Long have I had thoughts of greater and even greater powers watching from wherever or whenever they are. Watching these events draw to a close. What the ending is for all of this, you have as much an idea as I do. Maybe there is no end, maybe if we fail, it all starts again with a fourth Creation. Or maybe those who began this, say no more and wash their hands of it all, letting the enemy win and return to the Void.

     I will not allow that to happen if there is anything I can do to stop it. I feel for all who follow me, I feel their hopes, their dreams, their faith, and their belief that I will stand for them. They share this with me to empower me, and I will not deny them this chance to make a difference."

     "I do not know about any of the rest of you, but this is the Iriisii I fell in love with. This is the Iriisii I watched as she sacrificed herself for those who believed in her and who hung on to life with but a thread. This is she who has literally given of her own flesh and blood to save the lives of those close to her, of those to whom she feels responsible. And I was there when she had to sacrifice a brother in order to save his soul from eternal damnation." Rigmor looks to Iriisii, "I do want to go with you, but I respect your decision to go alone. I remember what happened the last time you did this and of how things finally went in our favor, not how we anticipated, but how we wanted anyway. Go if you feel you must, but know I will be waiting here for you to return."

     "Thank you."

     The others murmur and whisper to each other what they too have seen her do and know that in the end, she cannot afford to have her attention split between those who went with her and that which she needs to learn from this memory. And each expresses how they feel echoing Rigmor's words.

     "I want you all to know, that I love each and every one of you with all of my heart, mind, and soul. And I want all of you to stand with me when we reach the end of this journey and whatever awaits us there. Custodian, I am ready."

     "I hear my Goddess, entry into memory systems in five, four, three, two, one, access granted, entry permitted."

     Iriisii finds herself whirling through all of the memories of the Custodian within a tunnel, watching flashes of visions. On and on, the journey goes, back and further back. She records in her own mind what she is seeing now, the records of events, unknown, unwritten, unsung, of heroes whose stature defies the term as she understands it. Of villains whose depth of depravity and desecration leads them to become among the most powerful of demons.

     She even sees scenes from the 'Blood Wars' that raged throughout the Abyss for over a thousand years. Noting certain participants for what they accomplished, especially one she has no words to describe. Appearing as a walking corpse, yet she knows he is alive, he enters the battles one at a time, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other. But whichever side he appears on, that side is the victor.

     Somewhere within her Ancestral memories comes a small bit of information. 'He was known as the Nameless One, first appearing in Sigil, known as the 'City of Doors', because it sits on a nexus point where parts of several dimensions overlap and thus are commonly accessible. The city is ruled over by a being known only as, the 'Lady of Pain', nothing else is known of her. It is rumored that for whatever unknown reason, she went into the Abyss looking for him, but if she has indeed found him, or is still looking, or if this is just unfounded conjecture, no one can truly say. Accurate information concerning her is brutally kept secret, with many previous sources now vanished.' 

     When the 'Wars' finally come to a conclusion, more because there are too few combatants left to fight than any true resolution, 'he' is left standing, alone, as he turns and trudges off into the unknown of the deeper depths of the Abyss. What he is looking for, if he even knows himself, the answer to that is not shown? She thinks to herself, 'good luck, warrior, may what you find to be what you seek.'

     Onward, ever deeper does she go, seeing more and more fabulous sights, terrible events, all that the Fortress has stood witness to. Once more it slows to show things, places, and people that may become important to her, the vagaries of time as they apply to the Fortress, mean some of these memories could very well be in the future as well as the past.

     She sees a nondescript world, not too much different from most. Magic and science both exist here, with science being the young newcomer. Millennia follow as magic and science shift places until magic almost completely fades from existence and its followers go deep into the shadows. Civilizations arise with science as their backbone with still a trace of adherence to magic, gods, and fables.

     And then something happens to bring magic roaring back, gaining ever more of the place it once held, but science is still a strong opponent and fights to hold on to its place. An equilibrium of sorts is reached as magical beings emerge from the shadows they have hidden within for many years. The 'balance' is working here, working hard between magic and science.

     She sees the changes in culture, in law, in perception, gradually changing, sometimes violently, sometimes gently, and those who, whether or not they see and accept, are the agents of that change. She feels a great kinship with those on both sides who work for change, to bring balance to this world in spite of those on both sides who want things to go back to how it was before. She feels that at some point, the first Horseman, 'War' will be called here, whether the others will be needed as well, she has no indication.

     Whisked onward, plummeting through the memories, she had no idea just how old this Fortress really was until now. Finally, she feels she is reaching her goal, the memories slow their frenetic pace, and she sees Telios form before her mind's eye. But a very different Telios than the one she remembers. This one is a verdant, lush world, you might even say a garden world. No ice wall in the far north, no smoky shadow wall sitting atop the ocean to the east. No great castles, fortresses, or temples dot the landscape.

     She takes a clean breath of air into her lungs, no smell of smoke, sweat, blood, or metal here, instead, she smells flowers, trees, grasses, and water. She smells rich pollen floating on the breeze and hears insects going about their business of collecting nectar and trading pollen. Was this really what this world was like before whatever happened to it? And why did it have to change?

     She takes her boots off and lets her feet rest on the cool grass. She feels peace flow over her as this world accepts her presence, recognizing her need to come here, to know what it is now, that it might one day long years from now become once more under her guidance. Then she hears a sound she has only heard once before, in a place called the Shire. The creaking of wood, and a slow shuffle of sound coming her way.

     She stands, her bare feet still enjoying the touch of the grass, as a tall shadow slowly walks over her. She looks at him? her? it? Does it even know such words? She cannot determine what branch it belongs to. The folk of the Shire whisper of Ents, and their description does closely resemble what stands before her now. But she feels this one is different somehow. She sees intelligence in its eyes, purpose in its stance. It is a true shepherd, a guardian comes to see who intrudes in its domain.

     She slowly bows to 'him', as she decides to consider, opens her arms, palms out to show no weapons, no hostile intent. He looks her over, content for now that she is not a danger. He lowers one thick, long limb, down toward her and rests it on the ground. She feels he wants her to climb up, that he wishes to take her somewhere. So she walks up along the limb, to where it joins his trunk and sits, hanging her bare feet off into the air.

     They travel for some distance toward the hills she remembers in the west, but as they grow closer she sees these hills are younger, taller, and less worn down by time and weather. He walks to the open mouth of a cavern, large enough that he can enter without issue. As they go deeper she sees a glow from some kind of lichen on the walls, not very bright but enough to see obstacles in your path.

     He reaches a bubble within the cavern, she can see a hole in the very top that would let sunlight enter when the sun was high in the sky. There is also a trickle of water dripping from a stalactite anchored in the cavern roof. The water drips into a wooden bowl set precisely to catch the drops. He sets her down on the floor next to an area covered in a soft, thick, green moss. He walks to the bowl, takes a smaller one from next to it, and fills the smaller one.

     He then drinks from the bowl, refills it, and brings it to Iriisii. She takes it, understanding that he wishes her to drink. As the water passes her lips and flows down a parched throat, the coolness of the water refreshes her. But there is something else within it, something tied very closely to this world that after she drinks a second time. She sees clearer with more definition in the low light, her hearing is sharpened, and she smells the faint but sweet scent of the moss under her feet, the cool breeze of air as it brushes her skin.

     She gives the bowl back to him and says "thank you", not knowing if he can understand her words. She is startled to hear a low rumbling in which she makes out the words, "blessing of the Mother to you".

     Shock envelopes her as she hears those words. Then 'he' continues with, "the 'Blood of the World' brings us closer to understanding, 'Daughter of the Mother'. Yes, we know of her, and you. Our sense of time's flow is not as yours is. We are connected to each other no matter where in space or time they reside. We all share in the joys and the sorrows of our existence."

     "May I ask, just what are you?"

     "You compare us to 'Ents' which are the closest of our brothers that you have experience of. However, we are not Ents, we are closer to the 'Forestals', guardian spirits of the woodlands. In many of the worlds that exist, our forests span from one side to the other. We know what lies ahead for us, much as it pains us. But we also hold out hope that accommodations can be reached to allow us to survive.

     "What kind of accommodations?"

     "We know that to survive, we must find a new home, one where we will not be used as we have seen in our future. We also know what will come upon this place soon and so we would ask for your help to move us as we assist you in understanding the events to come. We hold no desire for revenge on what must be. We understand the nature of where this Creation will go and your role in this. 

     We have no part in what comes, it is anathema to us as much as it is to you, yet it is your role to deal with it and not ours. Our roles here are almost at an end, and we find ourselves desiring of life still."

     "I understand and can agree with your desire. What is within my power to do, I will do. With no thought or desire for recompense. If you can help me with an understanding of what comes, I would be grateful, yet I will help you regardless."

     "You truly are as the Mother has spoken. There is one thing that we would ask that we believe will help to shed light on past events in your life."

     "Tell me what you would ask."

     "Better that I show you. Please climb back up."

     'He' takes Iriisii back outside and heads off toward a nearby small river bend. There close by the water is a smaller willow. As they approach Iriisii sees it try to move away, even as the 'Elder' carrying her begins to croon to the willow. Even though she cannot understand what he is singing, she does understand that it is a lullaby. The song works to calm the willow down and he lets Iriisii down. She then slowly moves to the willow, opening up her senses. She realizes there is something wrong with the willow, but she cannot determine what.

     'He' tells her, "this is my daughter, who has developed this ill, nothing works against it and it is rotting her mind as well as her heart. Soon she will be completely feral if it is not stopped, and will be beyond the help of any kind. The Mother has said there is something you can do that can save her before this happens to her. But it means she will have to stay in this Creation."

     Iriisii thinks for a few seconds, then asks, "has the Mother told you what I can do for her?"

     "No, she has only said that we cannot understand the processes involved. They are beyond our understanding, but that it is the only way to save her."

     "I have never seen this done to one of your kind, but I have seen it done to mine. And I know what it is. What I would do to one of mine cannot be done to yours. However, do not lose heart, there is something else I can do that will work for her, and yes it will likely require that she stay in this Creation. For that I am sorry, but it will save her life, and if I am right in this. She will prosper beyond anything you or I realize right now."

     "Then please do what you must, to know that she will live is enough for me."

     "When I begin, no matter what, you must not interfere. To do so would harm me and kill her, do you understand?"

     "Although I do not know what you would do, I trust in the Mother, and in you, her Daughter."

     "Very well." Iriisii walks up to the willow and gently places her hands on 'her' trunk, speaking gently, "I have been asked to help heal you of what tries to change you. I know what I must do, so I ask the part of you that is still 'you' to hold fast while I work. What is within you will see me as a threat and rightfully so. I am a threat to it, but not to you. When I am done, you will sleep for a long time. But you will awaken and begin a journey greater than any you could imagine."

     Then Iriisii draws from her storage place a dagger, called 'Nettlebane'. With it she cuts a slice within the trunk just slightly longer than the palm of her hand. The willow shudders as the blade makes its cut. Then still using 'Nettlebane', she cuts two angled slices across the length of her palm. Taking the narrow strip of flesh, she places it inside the cut she made into the trunk of the willow. Then taking the pooling blood in the hand she took her flesh from, she smears it across the open cut in the trunk. Holding her hand in place, she intones in Dovahzul:

 

      Let dii slen kos ol faal slen do daar kiir.                (Let my flesh be as the flesh of this child.)

      Let dii sus kos ol faal sus do daar kiir.                  (Let my blood be as the blood of this child.) 

      Let faal laas do daar kiir kos joined wa dii laas.   (Let the life of this child be joined to my life.)

      Let faal sil do daar kiir kos joined wa dii sil.        (Let the soul of this child be joined to my soul.)

      Let dii magic enter daar kiir ahrk heal ek.             (Let my magic enter this child and heal her.)

      Let ek laas kos reborn kotin aan new laas.            (Let her life be reborn into a new life.)

      Let faal circle do laas ahrk dinok pass ek naal      (Let the circle of life and death pass her by.)

                                                      

     A thruum can be both heard and felt, both in the willow and in the ground below her. A gentle glowing light begins flowing from the ground, up the trunk, and out to all the branches and hanging leaves. Slowly she begins to change, the glow growing greater, the sound of rustling leaves fades and the sound of crystal twinkling grows. Iriisii reaches out and gently plucks a single, now long, crystal leaf. She then places it over her heart, and as it seems to melt into her body, she takes the one placed around her heart a number of years ago and places it against the closed wound in the trunk. As the crystal leaf is absorbed into the trunk, the bark around the wound grows over the scar until it can no longer be seen. The changed willow falls asleep and begins a long rest, the leech within, now trapped within the crystalline trunk, realizes it is done. For it cannot affect this changed flesh, it can no longer reach 'her' mind, it is isolated and trapped. All it can do is starve to death, with no escape, nothing but die. Before Iriisii removes her hand, she speaks to the willow one last time, "As you now have a new life, so you need a new name. I greet thee, in the name of the Mother, 'She Who Watches All'."

     "It is done, she will sleep for some time, until that which plagued her inside her body dies the final death. As she is now, it can do her no further harm, and it cannot escape to harm anyone else. I would ask, do you know how she came to be infected with it?"

     "Will she be all right?"

     "She will be fine, her new form will serve her well in the times to come. And when she wakes, she will no longer be tied to this world. She will be able to go where she will in this Creation by the power of her thought and will alone."

     "Surely the Mother is benevolent and generous to have sent you here. But all I know of how she came to become ill, has something to do with a place that came to be almost overnight. I can take you there if you wish."

     "No, stay away, in case there are more lingering around there. I will go alone, and when I am done, I will return for you to tell me what you know of future events to happen here. If you speak to others of your kin, please ask of them that they too stay away from that place. There is no more need for any of them to become ill as your daughter did."

     "Very well, follow the evening sun for a day, then turn to the north for another day. Look for a large pool of water, one large enough to barely see the other side. Follow the edge around and you will see what you wish to see. I wish you success in your task. May the Mother keep you safe in her arms."

     "May the warmth of the sun, the cool of the rains, the gentleness of the winds, follow you for all your days."

     "A good blessing, Daughter of the Mother, and wise gifts. Sleep in the soft moss, and travel in the morning light. I wish to commune with my daughter for a time."