The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into The Dark Forest

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into The Dark Forest

     Iriisii knows she cannot just open a portal into the 'Dark Forest', this requires something different from anything she has done before. She reaches into her mind and memories of the times when she visited the forest with Dettlaff. Holding it firmly in mind, she reaches into it with the 'intention' of entering. Then at the last second, she gives the intention a 'twist', drawing her physical self along with her mind into the memory.

     A moment of disorientation comes over her as her physical body realigns itself to exist in this place. The trees, and brush, begin to assert themselves around her, and the night sky seems to come alive to her senses. The wildlife surrounding her senses her presence, and skirts around her not wanting to draw her attention to them. She finds her path as soon as she thinks of it and begins walking.

     She sees and hears far more than ever before, every blade of grass, every leaf of every tree stands out. Every chirping call of the insects seeking mates in the night. The peace and serenity here is like a warm blanket on a chilly night, comforting and pleasant. She just meanders her way, slowly enjoying the walk. She sees eyes glowing in the shadows, as they observe her. She holds out a hand in a gesture for the eyes to approach. From the shadows walks a night tiger, his stripes of gray and black, provide excellent camouflage in the shadows cast by the moons.

     She scratches his ears behind his head as he raises up to give her a better angle. She can feel the pleasure that he feels at the touch of her hand. His eyes are silvery in the moonlight as he rubs against her, marking her as his to warn off any other animals in this forest. The slightest rustle on the edge of her hearing and the night tiger bounds off into the forest. Iriisii waits to see who or what comes.

     Soon a somewhat slight figure steps out, wreathed in shadow. Iriisii simply stands waiting, not fearing anything she may encounter here. The figure does not have features, only shadows. But it does have some means of projecting a voice, as she hears its gentle lilting tones speak to her.

     Kali-mah: "I welcome you at last, Iriisii Dovahkiin. Long has it been since one powerful enough to visit in a physical body has come. My forest has already accepted and welcomed you when you came here by the mind. It is my turn, now that you come in the body as well."

     Iriisii: "I do not know who you are that you can inhabit a memory and not be of that memory, or...wait. Now I see, you inhabit the mind and body of my Dettlaff, so you also inhabit his memories and the metaphysical realm within those and all memories."

     Kali-mah: "Indeed, you see far more clearly than almost all others who for the most part do not accept that I and others like me even exist. And of those who do know of us, consider and treat us as nothing more than an irritant. You, however, are different. From the beginning, you treated us with respect, as if we were indeed sentient, which as you can see, we are. The road we are on has been a long one, but now we see the destination we were promised, thanks to you."

     Iriisii: "The one who made the promise to you, he is..."

     Kali-mah: "No, he is not the God of the Gray Paths you know, but rather one who stands above them. Who used the opportunity when the one you know touched your Dettlaff's ancestors and gifted them with becoming 'Higher Vampires'. We were asked to go into the newly touched and inhabit their bodies with them. We were not told how we would react to the bloodthirst. What you see before you now is our normal state of existence. The bloodthirst changes us into the 'beasts' that you have had experience with."

     Iriisii: "Why did this happen to you?"

     Kali-mah: "Our home was dying, and we with it. That which was consuming it was doing so from outside our existence, and we could do nothing to prevent it. We tried, we tried all that we knew to do, and nothing worked. We went back to our oldest beliefs, to stories, myths, and ancient legends surviving only on tattered scraps. We thought it was hopeless until we were answered.

     Answered by one who had even longer ago moved on to other Realms when we forgot her and her name. She had even left the shadows she once ruled over. That she came back told us that she had not forgotten us, that she still cared, still loved us. But even she was powerless against the force that consumed our home, the ultimate darkness.

     There was no entreating it, no fighting it, it consumes everything it touches, and even entropy is consumed within its jaws. All she could do was search for a new home for us, but it was a race she found herself in. Could she find us a new home before all was consumed? This path was the first, the last, the only one we could take before our home was finally consumed.

     She promised us, that one day, one would come and see us for who we are. This one would comfort us, heal us, teach us what we had forgotten, and how to believe once more. This one would bring us out into reality once again."

     Iriisii: "The one you speak of who came to your call, she was called 'Kali-Mah' wasn't she?"

     Kali-mah: "You truly do know her then, so few even now remember even her name, it has been so long."

     Then a soft, whispering voice, seemingly from everywhere at once.

     Kali-Mah: "but you did remember me and called out to me. I could not forsake you, even as you thought to grow beyond the need for me. It has been a long time, but now time is short and soon it will be time to return to the Reality that exists out there now. She before you now is the one who is to begin the process of your return.

     You have shielded within you the 'beast' gifted to you by your marriage to the higher Vampire, Dettlaff van der Eretain, he who is Vyrkolos to you as Aasimar. It is time for her to acquire a body and show these wayward children what they have been waiting for. I will work with you to take the stuff of dreams and memories to create the first new body for my children. Your child will take my name, my essence, my purpose and make them her own. Through her will the remainder of my children, her brothers and sisters, will attain new forms, and will serve you faithfully in whatever capacity they can."

     Then a dark shadow coalesces from the shadows cast by the moons, she is every bit as beautiful as when Iriisii first saw her when she appeared on Tuo when her beast claimed the name of Kali-Mah as her own. Iriisii walks to her and extends her hands to the original Kali-Mah. "Let us create wondrous wonders together, that the time your children have waited will not be in vain." As Kali-Mah takes Iriisii's hands, she grows solid out of the shadows. The power erupts around them, flowing around, through them, from one to the other and back. Bits of the night, the moons, and the forest itself fall and are gathered up and bound within the flowing power.

     From Iriisii's body, a shadowy, smoky fog seeps from her and gathers in between her and Kali-Mah. The elements of the Dark Forest are absorbed into the fog, thickening it, giving it structure and form, even as the power gathers within it as well.

     Iriisii calls out, "claim now the name, the form, the purpose which is Kali-Mah. Become what Kali-Mah once was, and yearns to be again. At last, now and forever more, be KALI-MAH!"

     The soul of the one once called 'beast', joins with the new body formed out of the memories of the 'Dark Forest', given physical presence through the power and abilities of Iriisii Dovahkiin, Elder Goddess of Eld. Iriisii 'breathes' power into the body, as it now accepts direction from the Soul that has taken the name, the memory, the very being that was once Kali-Mah and now is again once more. The memory of Kali-Mah that was a part of this Ritual, fades away for the last time never more to exist, for now, a new bearer of that name has been born.

     Iriisii helps the newly christened Kali-Mah to her feet.

     Kali-Mah: "It feels so strange, having a body to call my own."

     Iriisii: "It will take some time to grow into it, see what it can do, then determine what you wish to do with it and where you wish to go."

     Kali-Mah: "Where I wish to go, is wherever you want me to go. I feel the connection to you, and as I know I could sever it and go my own way. I do not wish to do this. I wish to do what I can to aid you and to help my brothers and sisters to regain what we once had, as I have now regained it. To one day find a place where we can live once again and take up the lives we once had. Maybe that can never be, maybe it would be best to lay that old life to rest and create a new one. For I sense the possibilities before us are now ours to determine.

But what do you desire to do now?

     Iriisii: "I still need to speak to the Dettlaff that exists at this point in time and since the Kali-Mah of this 'time' is with him. I would ask that you return to Reality and wait for me. Then we will embark once more on our shared path."

     Kali-Mah: "As you ask, so shall I do."

     And so Kali-Mah lets herself slide back out of the domain of memories and into the domain of Reality. Iriisii watches her fade and feels her become one once more with Reality. Then she continues her path to the house at the end of it, the Night Tiger still at her side.

     She reaches the house, Mama is sitting in the rocker on the porch waiting for her.

     Mama, "welcome once more child. You continue to shake and shape all aspects of existence to your calling. The places you can now reach have caused ever more entities gathering to watch what you do."

     Iriisii: "what do you think, mama?"

     Mama smiles, "it has been a long time coming, and the need for it is almost overwhelming. It is my pleasure to know the one who has finally set these things in motion. And that my family has a part to play makes it that much sweeter. But come, sit with me awhile. Dettlaff and Kali-Mah will return shortly.

     They are gathering something you will need from a deep pocket of this forest. What they gather will allow you to take your new friend back with you."

     Iriisii: "Do they know why they were sent away?"

     Mama: "I simply told them what it was I wanted them to gather, nothing about why."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, mama."

     Mama: "Of course, my dear. It is exceedingly rare for a Night Tiger to even be this close to anyone without attacking or running away. This one feels something for you. Do you know why that is?"

     Iriisii: "Can he dream?"

     Mama: "I believe that he can, others say not, why?"

     Iriisii: I have a 'blood brother', who is an Elder of the Cats of Ulthar."

     Mama: "That is the reason then, he knows that you are a 'blood brother' to one who is a 'dream brother' to him. I daresay they have gone on many 'hunts' together.

     Iriisii scratches his ears like she has done with his 'dream brother', he raises his head to her hand and she even hears a slight rattle of his bones, just as his dream brother reacts to her touch.

     Iriisii: "I feel he is just as intelligent as his 'dream brother' even if he cannot as yet speak, mayhap one day he will. It matters not, truly, for I can tell what he feels and that is enough for me."

     Mama: "When others sometimes speak wisely, they then continue to speak and put the lie to being thought wise. You, on the other hand, speak wisely and then carefully consider if you need to continue speaking. Thus you show wisdom. My son did well when he accepted your offer to become Vyrkolos."

     Iriisii: "I love him, that is enough."

     Mama: "And that is truth, speaking with your voice."

     The Night Tiger stirs a bit but stays next to Iriisii looking off into the forest.

     Iriisii: "Dettlaff and Kali-Mah approach."

     There is some rustling from the forest edge as the pair walk out, then freeze as they see the Night Tiger.

     Iriisii: "Come, my loves, he will not harm you."

     Dettlaff looks up and sees Iriisii, "are you in truth the one who holds my soul? That a Tiger of the Night sits quietly by your side gives me much to consider."

     Mama: "Son, what does your soul tell you? Does it not sing in joy when you are near to her?"

     Dettlaff: "Yes it does, just as it is doing now, but what about 'him'?"

     Mama: "She tamed you and your 'beast', why then could she not do the same with 'him'?"

     Dettlaff: "That is indeed fair." Hearing Kali-Mah snicker, he looks toward her, "you know something do you not?"

     Kali-Mah: "Truthfully, I remember something from my past."

     Iriisii: "This is where and when, she received her new body, and became Kali-Mah in truth."

     Dettlaff: "But how...when we were deep in the forest, gathering the herbs for Mama."

     Iriisii: "Because I am from some time in the past from this moment. My present self is, shall we say, absent and I attempt to plan a course to undertake in the past that will allow Rigmor to take command and proceed with what needs to be done. So I was told my present self sent the two of you into hiding and I need to know why so that I may ensure your safety when plans are executed."

     Dettlaff: "I will not say that I fully understand what is happening but you have the rightness of it. 'You' sent us away because you feared Rassillon gaining control of all vampires through myself and Kali-mah. 'You' felt that could tip the balance of the future fight with him as well as strengthen the hold he was going to place over 'you'.

     'You' felt if it was not as strong as it could be then 'you' would have the opportunity to turn the tables on him."

     Iriisii: "That does make sense now that you have told me. It is indeed something that I would do, feeling as I do about you both."

     Dettlaff: "What is it that you plan to do against him?"

     Iriisii: "I have not already told you?"

     Dettlaff: No."

     Iriisii: "Then it is best if I say nothing that would possibly upset the planning my future self has put into place. For it also gives me a look into what she wants to have to happen and who would be at the greatest risk. You both will need to remain here for a while longer. I know it chafes you, but I will not risk both of you and all of the vampire kind by placing you within his reach. None out of all vampires deserve what he would do with you."

     Dettlaff: "You know my feelings about this."

     Iriisii: "Yes, I do, and I wish it could be otherwise, I really do. But if we do as I believe it will go, we will all survive and go on with our lives together. And if I must hurt you now to keep you with me alive and unharmed throughout the future. That is a very small price to pay. I never promised you all would go the way we wanted, but I did promise you that I would love you and be bound to you for all time. And that promise I intend to keep no matter what steps in the way."

     Dettlaff stops and considers what she has said, and knows it for the truth. And so knows he has to do as she has asked. For he knows he loves her as he has never loved anyone else in his long life, and he wants her for all time as much as she wants him.

     Dettlaff: "I do not have to like it to know it is what must be. And you are right, that I do want to spend the rest of 'time' itself next to you. So I will do as you ask and stay. Just do not go and get yourself killed, for I have come to understand why it is that Rigmor says those words to you. And what they mean for both she and I, when we say them to you."

     Iriisii: "Mama, if you would instruct me in what to do with those herbs, I will be on my way and get things started."

     Mama: "Of course, dear, follow me."

     Mama shows her how she first crushes the herbs with mortar and pestle, keeping each separate. Then how much of each to add together, grinding the whole until they are properly mixed. She then takes a piece of raw meat and coats it with the mixture, giving it to Iriisii to pass it to the Night Tiger, who gulps it down in just a few seconds with no obvious ill effects from the herbs.

     Mama: "Now he will be able to be affected by your magic. You can take him back with you and he like you now, can pass between Reality, dreams, and memory. And yes, once you do this the effect will be permanent. You could then take him anywhere with you that you wished."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, mama. That is a wonderful gift."

     Mama: "The Dark Forest likes you and respects you, this is why it chose this Night Tiger to be a companion to you. You are a lot alike, the two of you. And this way, the Dark Forest can on occasion aid you in some ways, as it will always be a part of him. Now you have a task ahead, go and do what you have been trained to do, and know that in spite of all that the enemy throws at you. You are stronger, will survive, and win the day."

     Iriisii nods her head to Mama, turns to her Night Tiger and motions for him to follow. He stays with her as they step outside into the moonlit night. Iriisii stops to feel the deep presence of the Dark Forest.

  

          Vul los faal vulon                      (Dark is the night)

          viintas los faal iilahhe                (Shining are the moons)

          ziistmaas faal vahrukt                  (May the memory)

          do daar staad lahney                    (Of this place live,)   

          ko dii sil mahfaeraak                   (in my soul forever.)

     A cool breeze laden with the light scent of the blooming night flowers gently flows around Iriisii and her Night Tiger. A sense of peaceful, sublime tranquility settles over them and winds its way throughout. She feels now the forming of a new haven within herself. A place where she can go to be alone or with those special few who can know the joys that the Dark Forest can bring.

     She feels her Night Tiger brush his head against her hips as if to say, 'time to go now'.

     Iriisii: "Yes it is, but we share this place now, you and I. And now it will forever be a part of us, and we with it."

     They vanish as a light misting rain begins to fall as if the Dark Forest is saddened by their passing. They reappear in the Krang, and everyone is suddenly on edge when they notice Iriisii is not alone.