The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Confessions Made and Vows Kept

The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Confessions Made and Vows Kept

      Iriisii is taking a few precious minutes to be alone, standing at the top of one of her Fortress' observation towers, looking out over the Great Forest as the sunset quickly approaches. She watches as the sun sinks behind the Imperial City and notes the fading light reflected from the White Gold Tower.

     Custodian: "Goddess, you have a visitor who wishes to speak with you."

     Iriisii: "Who is it?"

     Custodian: "Countess Serana Varon of Leyawiin"

     Iriisii: "Please have her escorted to me here."

     Custodian: "At once, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Custodian."

     A few minutes later, the door opens to the tower deck and Serana walks out, her eyes wide at all of the things she has seen since entering.

     Serana: "I never knew this was even here."

     Iriisii: It is somewhat of a late addition, but to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? I hope all is well?"

     Serana: I have two things to talk with you about, and both have been weighing heavily on my mind. To the point, I feel I must get them out into the light of day."

     Iriisii: "Go ahead, you know you can tell me anything."

     Serana: I hope that remains true after today. But I first have a confession to make to you."

     Iriisii: "Please, take your time, I can see how strongly this is affecting you. I promise whatever it is, I will not hold it against you in any way."

     Serana: "Thank you, it has to do with something that happened when we were together on Solstheim."

     She goes on to reveal what truly happened that night at the Wretching Netch Cornerclub in Raven Rock. She leaves out nothing, including what she did as a result of her 'pact' with Dibella.

     Iriisii listens even as she sees the tears running down Serana's face as she recounts the story. Once Serana has finished she steps up to her and takes her in her arms, Serana's head bowed, tears still flowing.

     Iriisii: "It is all right, after all, that we have shared. I am not going to toss you away over something like this. You did it for the best of reasons, and with Dibella involved, it could have gone a lot further."

     Serana: "But..."

     Iriisii: "Shh, I understand why. After all of the things, I have learned over the years. I still remember the turmoil I was experiencing then, with the memories of Rigmor. The Gods had their reasons for what they did, even as they deigned to tell us why they did what they did. The price you paid was not as high as others had to pay, and I still carry the grief for that. But I also sense more, something you are feeling but have no knowledge of."

     Serana: "I am not with child again, am I?"

     Iriisii: "No, you are not. This is completely different, and what you told me explains how it could have happened. But I do wonder if Dibella saw the possibility and entered into the pact with you, not only for the reasons she gave you but in the hope that what has come about would in fact actually happen?"

     Serana: "But what are you talking about that could have happened?"

     Iriisii: "One thing to remember about our Gods, is that they do nothing for a single simple reason. There are always hidden reasons that they see and no others do. As to what is happening to you. You know I am Aasimar, which means 'God touched'.

     Serana: "Yes, you told me of it soon after meeting me."

     Iriisii: "Yes, and now I know so much more of what it means. Not the least of which what I am capable of, what you will soon be capable of."

     Serana: "Me? But I am no longer 'vampire' I am just as mortal as you are!"

     Iriisii: "And I am no longer mortal. It is a very well-kept secret from almost all of Nirn. My family knows, Lord Blackwell knows, almost no one else with the exception of a handful of others here. Outside of Nirn, in the Realms and Worlds beyond, it is no secret."

     Serana: "What are you saying?"

     Dibella: "She is saying she is now a Goddess, in her own right. A Goddess, who has now been through two Ascensions, who has gone beyond any Celestial level that exists in this Creation, or even the previous two. She is now a 'Progenitor', and you share in her power."

     Serana has a look of abject shock on her face.

     Serana: "I guess that would explain this being here and everything I saw inside. And when the Imperial Palace would say you were out on the business of the Empire?"

     Iriisii: "I was roaming Creation dealing with problems and enemies beyond any you would find here."

     Serana: "And what does it mean that I share in your power?"

     Iriisii: "When you took some of my blood, you said it felt like fire flowing through your veins?"

     Serana: "Yes, it did."

     Iriisii nods her head.

     Iriisii: "I inherited the 'blood' and 'flesh' of the Gods who first shared with my ancestors. It is what has allowed me to reach where I now am. I have shared with others as well who have also joined me on the path to Godhood. As I now see that my blood in you has become active and is working to enable you to follow me as well."

     Serana: "Then I will become a Goddess too?"

     Iriisii: "The Path of Ascension by way of a Test of Apotheosis will become available to you, should you wish to take it. It will always be your decision whether to attempt it or not. It will not happen against your will. But should you wish to indeed follow, I and mine will help you to every extent possible for us. Dibella, you saw this possibility happening when you made the pact with Serana. I know the reason you gave her was true, but it was not the only reason, was it?"

     Dibella: "No, Progenitor, it was not. I did see this possible outcome and honestly hoped it would come about."

     Iriisii waits for Dibella to elaborate on her reasons.

     Dibella: "You know we are not true immortals, that was what we gave up to create Mundus and Nirn. The 'Pact' I entered into with Serana, gave me a link to the both of you then as mortals. As she took in the 'Gift' of the essence of the Gods of Eld through your blood and your subsequent rise through the ranks..."

     Iriisii: "...has begun the process to restore that lost immortality to you. I see where it is going now."

     Dibella: "You have it within you to deny that 'gift', the choice is yours to make."

     Iriisii: "I will withhold on doing just that, on one condition."

     Dibella: "Name it, please. What can I do?"

     Iriisii: "Share it with the others, including my mother. As my price for all to be restored, I want you all to work toward avoiding the fate of Nirn that I saw when I went to the end of the Fifth Era before the 'Landfall' event. I do not wish to create another 'Dragonbreak', but I know that path is not set in stone."

     Dibella: "But it was the reason you went and began the..."

     Iriisii: "I can go there for any number of reasons, the fact that it was to defeat Orphis and Ouroboros was not the deciding factor, it was Sithis's attempt to capture me on my return. As long as that is not changed, no paradox will be created. Who is to say that I would still not be needed to deal with them, just that Nirn not be destroyed is all that I desire. It does not have to be liveable on the surface, then 'Landfall' could still be needed. And that could allow me to return later and restore Nirn's surface."

     Dibella: "Yes, I can see where that could work, at least it gives me a path I can give to Akatosh. Thank you, Progenitor, I must go, my time is fleeting."

     Dibella vanishes as quickly as she appeared.

     Serana: "What was that about Nirn being destroyed?"

     Iriisii: "Something that I had hoped I could see a way to avoid. And no, I had no hand in it, but if I can nudge events to avoid it without too many difficulties. It is still my home, and I would see it remain so. Now, what else was it you needed to talk to me about?"

     Serana: "Casius."

     Iriisii: "Take what time you need, I see the depth of pain within you. When you are ready tell me what is happening."

     Serana: "Casius is dying."

     Iriisii half turns and creates a portal.

     Iriisii: Custodian?"

     Custodian: "Yes, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "I will be in Leyawiin if needed."

     Custodian: "Acknowledged, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "Serana, let us go now, quickly."

     Serana and Iriisii walk through the portal into the Palace of Leyawiin, then make their way to the bedchamber where Casius is lying.

     Casius weakly: "Who is it?"

     Upon seeing it to be Serana and Iriisii, he tries to rise out of the bed. Both Iriisii and Serana move to stop him.

     Iriisii: "Please stay Casius, you are in no shape to stand. Just try and relax, then tell me what you have been told."

     Casius lays back down, his breathing slowly recovering from the laboring it became as he tried to rise.

     Casius: "The healers say it is old age taking its due, nothing they can do but make me as comfortable as they can. But I do not wish to take their potions and dream my way into death. I will face 'him' on my own terms as I have always done on the battlefield."

     Iriisii: "Is this truly your wish?"

     Casius: "I know how Serana feels about this, but truly yes. I feel my family waiting for me on the other side and I have grown tired these last few years. I do not wish to hurt her but I have felt my end coming."

     Serana: "Casius! No! Do not say such things, please!"

     Iriisii: "Serana, give me a few minutes alone with him, please."

     Serana: "But there must be something you can do!"

     Iriisii: "Serana, you know I will do whatever I can, but I must speak with him first, then see what I can see."

     Serana: "All right, I will be in the study."

     She rises, kisses Casius on his forehead, and slowly walks out of the bedchamber, stopping to turn and look at him before going on.

     Casius: "I am sorry for that."

     Iriisii: What, sorry she loves you so much, sorry she does not want to lose you to 'death'?"

     Casius sighs, "you know what I mean."

     Iriisii: "Yes, I do know, but that does not make it any easier."

     Casius: "I did not intend that she bother you."

     Iriisii: "It is no bother, and I respect her for doing as she did. But again I must ask, is this your true wish?"

     Casius: "Yes, it is. I am done with this life and ready for what comes next."

     Iriisii: "Even if it is within my power to heal you?"

     Casius: "I have agonized over this long enough. I have no desire to hurt Serana, but sometimes an old warrior knows when his time has come, and mine is close. She is still young, I do not know how she has done it, probably something left over from her time as a vampire, I do not know. But she still has many more years ahead, and she should find someone else to enjoy them with."

     Iriisii: "I will miss you, old friend. I too do not wish to hurt Serana, but I also do not want to gainsay your wishes in this. Damn but this is difficult for me. But there is one thing I can do for you."

     Casius: "What is that?"

     Iriisii: "You know and I know, Sovngarde is not your home after death. Likely it would be Aetherius, nothing wrong with that, but if I could offer you and your family an alternative. A place where you could all go together, find a new life, a new destiny, whatever kind of life you wish to have, would you be interested?"

     Casius: "How can you know this, do this?"

     Iriisii: "That does not matter, what matters is that I can. 'Death' and I are old friends and if I ask, he would do this for me."

     Casius: "Do what?"

     Iriisii: "Take all of you through the 'Final Gate'. The gate to which only 'he' has the keys. There is just one rule, there is no return from the other side. Those in Sovngarde, Arkay's 'Land of the Dead', Aetherius, those can return when the Kalpa is reborn. But those who pass through the Final Gate stay there and go on."

     Casius: "And when is this Kalpa supposed to be reborn?"

     Iriisii: "That is the decision of Akatosh, and he has not indicated to me when that is to be."

     Casius: "You are to do that? How did that come about?"

     Iriisii: "When I killed Alduin and returned his soul to AKA, then the task fell to me."

     Casius: "I will not ask anymore, I likely would not understand anyway. But can you get Serana to understand why I want to do this?"

     Iriisii: "I cannot be certain of that, but I will try."

     Casius: "Thank you, if she will listen to anyone, she will listen to you."

     Iriisii gets up and walks to the door, hesitates for a moment then leaves a mental message for 'Death'. 

     Iriisii: 'My friend, before you come for Casius, I would speak with you. I will not ask that you pass him by, but where you take him, I would discuss with you.'

     Then she opens the door and steps through. She walks into the study, enters, and as Serana looks up at her, she sits down in a chair next to her.

     Serana: "He still wants to go doesn't he?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, he does. I can understand his wishes, much as I would disagree with his decision. Still, it is not up to me to turn away from this."

     Serana: "Then whose decision is it, why have so much power if you cannot use it to save a friend?"

     Iriisii: "Once not that long ago, I asked those very questions. I did not want to hear the answers, but I had to understand them anyway even if I disagreed."

     Serana with tears welling up in her eyes, "can you tell me why then?"

     Iriisii: "It is not up to the Gods to make decisions for mortal kind. It is our task to guide, mentor, to help when we can do so without skewing the balance. But we cannot impose our decisions on them, they have the ultimate right to decide for themselves. And before you go into those who toss these rules out the window, think about what happens when they do. Who are the ones who end up suffering? And also know this, the price those who do as I have just said will be required to pay is sufficiently terrible that I will not cross that line.

     And I know this because I have had to give over some for punishment for doing this exact thing. I know what was exacted on them, and I will be forever respectful of that line. I know what happened to Molag Bal, the price he paid for the things he did, for I was chosen to exact punishment on him. And in the end, I have come not to hate, or despise him, but rather to pity him.

     I see the question in your eyes, why pity? Because he is completely the 'Mantle of Molag Bal', he is not who he once was before taking that 'Mantle'. He has no memory of who he was before, what kind of life did he have, or what he would be required to do. And he will never remember, he will be used up, cast aside, with no chance of mercy or redemption. He will just cease to exist, and the 'Mantle' will settle on a new victim. Yes, it is horrible, but the Gods did not create the 'Mantles', they formed of their own, just as the first Gods did."

     Serana: "So what does this have to do with Casius?"

     Iriisii: "It has to do with the 'Laws' set down when Creation came into being. All mortals have the right to make their own decisions and accept the consequences of those decisions. He has decided it is his time, and so I am bound to respect his decision."

     Serana: "WELL, I AM NOT!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, you are. There is nothing you can do to change it. If you were to ask any of the 'Dark Lords' to intercede, do you really think he deserves what they would do with him? What would that do to you? Because they would have a complete claim to your soul, and when you passed, they would collect. There would be nothing I or any others could do to stop it. And it would nearly destroy me to see that happen to you.

     Deep down, I have never stopped loving you, even if I could not show you or act on it. You know this to be true, it was why I brought you and Casius together. I prayed the two of you would find happiness together. And know this as well, you are not alone in your grief, you are not the only one who has had to suffer through this kind of situation."

     Serana: "Quintus and Yennefer."

     Iriisii: "Yes, but Quintus did not die in an accident, he was murdered."

     Serana: "WHAT!?"

     Iriisii: "He was murdered and their son taken, to force Yennefer to find me and give me a message. Why does not matter now, what does matter is that I showed her why she had to learn to love and then lose that love. Bring her to where she could see and understand why it had to happen the way it did. I believe it will work out for her now. And the similarities between her situation and yours are too close to be a coincidence."

     Serana: "What are you saying?"

     Iriisii: "You needed to know what it was like to fall in love. To have someone love you and put your welfare above their own, to show you just what that kind of love means. And this is to prepare you for another, one that you can love and be loved by for eternity, not for just a short span of years."

     Serana: "Who?"

     Iriisii: "In your case, I do not know. But I do know he is out there, and it is your destiny now to find him or her. You will teach how to love, and you will be taught how to be a Goddess. But I now have another task unfulfilled that has come to mind, a promise I made several years ago. It is time I saw to it."

     Serana: "How much time does Casius have left."

     Iriisii: I asked 'Death' to speak with me before he claimed Casius soul. Thus we will know before he comes, why do you ask?"

     Serana: "I would come with you on this task, something draws me, tells me I need to witness this, that I need to...I don't know, I just know I need to go with you."

     Iriisii: "Very well, we will return before Death takes him, that you can have a few more moments with him."

     Serana: "Thank you. What is the nature of this task?"

     Iriisii: "I promised someone I failed, that I would see their soul freed from bondage. The time to make good on that promise has come. This will be done at her grave, outside of what was once called, 'Euphoria Palace'."

     Iriisii creates a portal to Kasia's grave, then she takes Serana's hand and they walk through together. On the other side, Iriisii draws Serana to the graves of Kasia, Alarei, and others buried there. Stopping at Kasia's grave, she releases Serana's hand, kneels before the grave, and offers up a heartfelt prayer before declaring her intention to free Kasia of her soul's bondage to Salaquine.

     Serana: "Why was Salaquine able to lay claim to Kasia's soul, if she never gave herself over to her?"

     Iriisii: "This is where things get hazy. Kasia's mother was Matari, who was the leader of the Sirens here. Matari was also a possessed Avatar of Salaquine."

     Serana: "So Matari gave birth to Kasia while she was an Avatar to Salaquine?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, and I suspect she seduced Marcus Pinder, who was the last of his family line, at Salaquine's command in order to have Kasia as a backup to possess in the event she was needed."

     Serana: "Just what is Salaquine that she would do this?"

     Iriisii: "That is also hazy at best, I call her a 'Void Child'. When the Aedra created Mundus and Nirn, not all of the beings living in the void joined in. Quite a few either left for other dimensions or simply moved out of the way, not taking a role for or against. Salaquine was one of these.

     How she ended up appearing to the Dwemer one day with her wings shorn is still a mystery. One thing is for certain, she did not do it to herself. She was also split between her 'Celestial' half and her 'Mundane' half, with the mundane half being dropped onto Nirn and the Celestial half still somewhere in the Void."

     Serana: "So her physical half came to Nirn?"

     Iriisii: "Close, as a Void Child her mundane half is more like part mind and body, with the greater part of her power with the part in the Void. It is powerful in itself but still subject to our physical laws. Once she escaped the Dwemer, she hid her body and allowed her mind to possess different bodies and use them as an Avatar. Ever since then she has been trying to rejoin her split parts."

     Serana: "And now you are powerful enough to do it?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, and once she is rejoined, still powerful enough that she cannot challenge me."

     Serana: "I see, I think I do anyway."

     Iriisii: "It is time to do this and put it behind me. Do not say anything to Salaquine, even if she asks you questions. If you should feel any attempt to intrude into your mind, tell me. She should leave you be since I am here with you. but I will make certain she understands what will happen should she try to use you in any way."

     Iriisii stands before the grave and stills her mind, then lets it open into Nirn, Mundus, and the Void, calling out to Salaquine. It does not take long before Iriisii hears Salaquine's voice in her head.

     Salaquine: "You have called me, Dragonborn, and I have answered."

     Iriisii: "You know why I have called, what say you?"

     Salaquine: "Are you willing to pay my price?"

     Iriisii: "First we must agree on the price you wish. There are many possible things you could ask for, but only a very few I am willing to accept."

     Salaquine: "What would you do with her soul if we come to an agreement?"

     Iriisii: "Why would that matter to you?"

     Salaquine: "She is still a part of me in some small measure. As you have surmised, Matari was an extension of me when she gave birth to Kasia."

     Iriisii: "I am not here to argue or discuss your actions then or now for that matter. I am here to bargain for the soul of Kasia. Tell me specifically what you want for her?"

     Salaquine: "What you intend for her is a matter of my concern. Do you intend to absorb her into yourself, place her into another body, let her soul find its way into an afterlife somewhere?"

     Iriisii: "I intend to send her through the 'Final Gate'. To allow her to find a new life of her own, with no ties to this one."

     Salaquine: "So it is true!"

     Iriisii: "What have you heard that you were not certain as to its truthfulness?"

     Salaquine: "That you have been beyond the Final Gate and returned. Before this only 'Death' was allowed to do this and he does not speak of it. Therefore no one knew whether it was true or not."

     Iriisii: "I will only say this once, it is true. But of the circumstances surrounding it, I will forever remain silent."

     Salaquine: "It is enough that I know you have done this. For you would not send Kasia there if you did not know for certain what would befall her."

     Iriisii: "Indeed, I owe her that much at the least."

     Salaquine: "I wish to be whole again, to be what I once was before I was torn asunder."

     Iriisii: "You know what is coming?"

     Salaquine: "Yes, I know. As I know 'why' it comes, and what I must do to ensure my survival. When the Jihad of Truth marches out into the Void, I will declare for the 'Balance', for that is where my survival lies, once whole again, anything less I could deal with. But no one, not 'Good', not 'Evil', not the 'Others' or even the 'Outsiders' have to power to stand against what you will bring to bear.

     Even the Great Powers of the Hells are gathering to join your side, their counterparts are still sitting on the fence, waiting to see where you go, and who speaks your name, even as the Heavens are torn apart from within. I ask nothing from you when you accept the Mother's 'Mantle', just that I survive."

     Iriisii: "I can accept that, so long as what you do after being made whole does not endanger the Balance, you will have nothing to fear from me. Many will not understand this, but my sight sees further than I have ever seen before. I know my path and where it lies, even as no one else does. I know what lies at its end even as no one else cares. And I will take it to its end even as no one else will."

     Salaquine: "Then I give you the soul of Kasia Pinder, clear of all bindings."

     Iriisii extends her awareness to locate all of the parts of Salaquine. Finding them all she brings them to her and proceeds to merge them into what Salaquine was once and wishes to be again. 

     Iriisii: "It is done. Once more you are whole again."

     Salaquine bows to Iriisii.

     Salaquine: "One final gift do I give, for it has bearing on your task."

     Iriisii: "What is it that you have?"

     Salaquine: "That which the Honored Matres encountered, that drove them to flee and go in search of the most dreadful of weapons. It comes this way, still a long way off, it is relentless in its goal. It was not aware that any life other than its own kind existed, and now that it knows, it seeks to extinguish it from existence. Know that it is coming and that some time ahead you must deal with it. 

     Your enemies cannot stop it, for it cares not for anything that is not like itself. You have what is needed to stop it and so it will fall to you. When you go in search of it is up to you, but better you deal with it before it reaches you here."

     Iriisii: "What do you know of it?"

     Salaquine: "Nothing more than what I have told you. But it is a threat to all here, mortal, immortal, Outsider, Other, Outcast. It recognizes no one different as worthy to exist. And now it knows you are its greatest threat, it comes, inexorable in its deliberation. You are the only one who can stand in its path and deny it a victory, for you are 'WAR' and it knows not what stirs within the breast of 'WAR'."

     Iriisii: "I thank you, go in peace. I have not always agreed with how you act for what you seek, but stay true to me and I give you the right to call me."

     Salaquine: "You show me a different path to the one I have been on for these last several hundred years. I admit yours is the better path, for my path could not win over yours. I hope it is not too late to change paths."

     

     They stand alone now, Iriisii's guards at the doors to the Euphoria Palace know not to disturb her. Serana asks, "what is this place if it is not a high-class brothel?"

     Iriisii: "Once it used that as a disguise for its true purpose. Matari trained female warriors here as well as spies that she sent out to seduce and gather information, sometimes planting rumors, sometimes assassinating difficult rulers in hope of more corruptible ones taking over."

     Serana: "But now it is different?"

     Iriisii: Yes, when I killed Matari, I took over. Nearly all of the old guard left, following new leaders. I began recruiting again, but this time to form a purely fighting force, hence 'Iriisii's Sirens'. I do have agents in the major towns but only listen for rumors and tales in the taverns. They sometimes act as blacksmiths assistants, work in shops, that sort of thing. They keep a finger on the pulse of what is going on, sending information back so I can stay abreast of what is needed to keep things balanced."

     Serana: "I see, somewhat like Lord Blackwell's spies."

     Iriisii: "Somewhat, yes, but mine is more to stay in the background. Not to take action, should action be needed, I would send my Sirens for that, yet I have yet to need to do that. Usually, a gentle nudge here, a word there, and things work out."

     Serana: "What do you mean?"

     Iriisii: "I am known to most of the important people on Nirn, and the rulers as well. The really important people are those who run the cities and provinces, the day-to-day things that come up. A short message informing of the trouble to them and they take care of it. The rulers take credit for the peaceful times and everything stays calm and prosperous."

     Serana: "But that is a recent development isn't it?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, it is. For millennia Nirn has suffered under a curse placed by Alessia when her minotaur children were hunted to near true extinction. Only when the last of her children were given back to her would she relent and lift the curse."

     Serana: "But there were special circumstances or it would have been lifted long before now."

     Iriisii: "It had to be another of her 'children' to free the last minotaur. The sages all thought it meant another 'half-beast', but that was not completely so."

     Serana: "Of course, she is your first mother, so you would be a half-sister to her other children, and thus you...had to be the one."

     Iriisii: "Yes, I had to free him, at his own request. Lord Mor Belharza, the last Minotaur King, he was so tired of living in the labyrinth under the Palace Prison. He dreamed of flying among the stars with his kin. If there had been another way to free him, believe me, I would have done so, but I could not turn and leave him to continue to suffer. And only by taking his heart and placing it in a firey brazier would the door to the outside open. He was the first of my brothers, I had to give to 'Death' in order to free them."

     Serana: "There have been others?"

     Iriisii: "One since then. Perhaps another time I will tell you of him. We need to return to Leyawiin, now."

     Serana: "I think I am ready now."

     Iriisii reopens the portal and they walk back into the Castle. Entering their bedroom, it is apparent that Casius is fading. Serana goes to him and takes his cold hands in hers. As Iriisii turns to 'Death'.

     Iriisii: "Thank you for waiting."

     Death: "It is the least I can do for you, Progenitor. What do you wish to speak to me about?"

     Iriisii looks to Casius, "I need your answer, my friend. Will you accept my offer?"

     Casius: "My family can come with me?"

     Death: "Lord Arkay has given his blessing to your request."

     Iriisii: "Yes, Lord Arkay has given his permission for them to accompany you, should it be your wish."

     Casius: "Then yes, I accept your offer, my friend."

     Iriisii looks back at Death, "I have one last thing to ask."

     Death: "Ask and if it is possible it will be done."

     Iriisii separates Kasia's soul from her body. 

     Iriisii: "Can you take her with you into the beyond?"

     Death: "This is Kasia Pinder! You got her away from Salaquine?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I promised Kasia years ago, that I would find a way to release her from bondage to Salaquine. Now I have kept my promise. For her to be truly free of Salaquine,"

     Death: "she needs to go 'beyond' where Salaquine cannot reach her. Yes, I see. I will do this, do not fear for her."

     Iriisii: "thank you, my friend."

     Death: "no thanks are needed, if only more of those who call themselves Gods, would care as you do for those they serve."

     Death reaches and gently takes Casius hand, "come Casius Varon, Count of Leyawiin, your family waits for you at the Final Gate."

     Casius: "who is this who is going with us?"

     Death: "She like you, is a friend of the Progenitor Iriisii Dovahkiin, Goddess Supreme of Eld."

     Death and his charges fade on their way to the Final Gate, and Serana finds herself with Iriisii's arms around her, comforting her as she too needs comfort having sent a soul she cared for to the Beyond as well.

     Serana: "Will I ever see him again?"

     Iriisii: "That question I have no answer for. I know my time will be a very long time away, yours  I have no idea about. But it is possible for you to follow if and when you should desire to do so."

     Serana: "What would I have to do?"

     Iriisii: "Release and recant your power and immortality as a Goddess of Eld. Then ask Death to take you 'Beyond'. As Ascended Goddesses, once mortal, we can return to that state and then pass over if we want it. But once done there is no returning."

     Serana: "But you crossed and returned."

     Iriisii: "I was given a gift for a sacrifice I had to make. I do not believe there will be a second time for me."

     Serana: "What about Leyawiin now?"

     Iriisii: "It is still yours if you wish it, if not, I am certain Lord Blackwell has a candidate or two in mind. I will make sure he consults with you as to who he picks for the peoples' sake."

     Serana: "Thank you. Can I return with you, I cannot stay here without Casius."

     Iriisii: "I understand. Come with me to the Fortress, and meet the rest of my family."