At Last, Kathea

 At Last, Kathea

     At last, Iriisii, Dettlaff, and Elric pass through the Caves of Madness into where? Where the 'Dead Gods Lie Dreaming' was bad enough, the Caves of Madness, even worse, but coming out of there and looking at the scene before them. There are just no words that can convey the absolute despair, the inspired terror, the gut-wrenching horror, that unfolds before their eyes. Iriisii has been to the Dark Planes, into the Realms of the Hells, but nothing before could prepare her for this.

     For she sees what is now superimposed with what it once was. And that brings out the stark differences making what she sees even worse than what Elric and Dettlaff see. The deep throb of pain she feels from the land is relentless in its striking straight to her heart. For even the desecrated desolation that was the battlefield, where she called Starfire to immolate the Tsaesci army before it was reborn, was but a fleeting fancy compared to this.

     She finds a rock to sit upon, while she hangs her head and mourns what happened here. Wondering if there could be a chance somehow to do something to heal this place. But what would work, she does not know for this place is beyond the power that is Rebirth to heal. And yet, this is where Kathea's captor chose to bring her, for the traces she feels of her daughter are strong here. And with those traces, she feels hope, something she direly needs as she looks out trying to find a path to her daughter.

     She looks toward the sun, shielding her eyes, she sees a halo around the sun, a halo that seems to breathe pestilence of a kind hitherto unknown. The ground is not barren or desolate but rather covered in grasses, brush, and trees, but not a healthy covering. For this covering seeks to hurt, maim, devour anything that it can, that walks upon it, near it, close enough to reach out and ensnare it. And that is just plant life. 

     The insect life flies around looking for animals it can feed from, even as the plants seek to lure the insects to their own doom. The animals higher up the chain look to consume those lower on the chain, even as the insects and plants seek to pierce the protections of the higher and bring them down. How are they going to pass by when everything is out to ensnare and devour you?

     Then she thinks she may see a way for there in the distance she sees a track left by something, a track devoid first of all plant life. She seeks to extend her sense to understand what is happening, then to understand how they can make use of it. There underground, something passes consuming the roots of the plants, allowing the plant eaters to in turn consume the surface plants without retaliation, and the meat eaters consume the plant-eaters moving up the chain. But if they stay behind far enough to avoid the bigger meat-eaters and stay ahead of the newly encroaching plant life. They can get closer to their goal without major trouble.

     She tells Dettlaff and Elric what she thinks and they concur. 

     Dettlaff: "Now how are we to reach that track from here without being stung, poisoned, paralyzed, and eaten all at once."

     Iriisii: "I will make us 'Aetherial' for a short while to get us safely on the ground and moving. Then I will switch to 'Lightning Armor' for us all, which will use a lightning shield to strike anything that attacks or gets too close, and if we do not attack, will increase our movement speed allowing us to outpace anything pursuing us. That should get us to the clear track then I will cast a 'poison cloak' to surround us and keep anything living from approaching us while we are on the track."

     Elric: "Can you determine which way we need to go to reach where Kathea is being held?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, the traces are strong, even as they are still a great distance away. The 'Wyrm' under the ground creating the track is heading in the general direction we need to go. How close it will get, I do not know, but any distance we can follow it without having to fight through that morass of a jungle is better for us. There will be places along the way, we can seal up and rest as we need to."

     Dettlaff: "How can you tell this?"

     Iriisii: "My 'sight' is showing me not just what is now, but also what once was. I can see where buildings, temples, and whole cities were once and their remains still hold power to keep back the worst that lives here. But do not assume it will get easier, there is something that was put in place here long uncounted ages ago, that brought this into being. And we must reach our destination and win forth before I will know how to fight what was done here."

     Elric: "What was this place like before it was corrupted?"

     Iriisii reaches into her 'sight' and focuses on 'what was'. 

     Iriisii: "This was once a garden world to put all others to shame, even the Gardens of Elysia in the Dreamworld could not compare. The cities here defied all known laws of physics in their building. And they even extended to the skies, with cities, gardens, and temples floating in the air, connected one to another with roads and paths so thin the light of the sun shone through them, but they were so strong that whole multitudes could walk their surface safely.

     The beauty of everything worked together so that visitors were awestruck everywhere they turned. A beauty that even the memories of what I see bring tears of joy to my eyes, and tears of sadness that it is no more. First, we find Kathea, then we see what may be done here to return this place to what it once was.

     We need to get moving, our presence here is attracting the kind of attention we do not want. When I make us Aetherial, I will use 'Whirlwind Sprint' to drag us outward from here and let us fall safely to the ground. When our feet hit the ground, start running. We may be as powerful as Gods, but there are things here that can devour even us. As Boethiah devoured Trinimac and defecated Malacath, so the same has been done here to others that came for whatever reason. And we do not want to attract them to us if we can help it.

     Better to attempt to help them after we have succeeded at what we came for. To do it along the way, would see us become as they are."

     Dettlaff shudders at the thought, for he has read the histories concerning the Gods of Nirn to better understand the relationship between them and his mate. Elric on the other hand, having come to know Dettlaff quite well since he entered Iriisii's service, knows if this is something that makes him shudder, it is something to be avoided at all costs.

     Iriisii: "Ready?"

     Elric and Dettalff position themselves on either side of Iriisii, and reply, "ready".

     Iriisii casts an 'Aetherial Spell' to cover all of them, then grabbing a hand in each of hers, she shouts 'WULD NAH KEST'. All three are shoved by the shout's force out in midair away from the cliffside where they emerged from the cave, just as a large winged shadow flew across looking for the prey that had disappeared from its view.

     As they started falling toward the ground, the winged shadow came too close to a patch of rock that suddenly reached out with tentacles, grabbed the screaming shadow, and dragged it into its maw full of dagger-like teeth. Iriisii, Dettlaff, and Elric continue their drop to the ground as the patch of rock returns to looking just like the rock around it and waits for the next unsuspecting meal.

     

     When they hit the ground, they immediately start running, even as the grasses try to wrap their stalks around their feet and legs, but can find no purchase and slide apart as their victims move unscathed on their way to the cleared track ahead. Iriisii leads them on a simple course, with some zigs and zags, either Elric or Dettlaff sensing the presence of hidden living traps under the soil surface. Usually evidenced by the smell that assaults their nostrils when they get close, or the scattering of white bones in a circle, coming to resemble the 'faery circles' of stories Iriisii would read to her children when she got the chance to be with them.

     Once when Dettlaff stumbled over an exposed root, even before he could hit the ground, Iriisii grabbed him by the collar of his armor, yanking him back up on his feet. Then he saw out the side of his vision, a toothed hole opening in the ground right where his head would have hit had his mate not grabbed him. Praying his thanks under his breath, to the deities he prayed to as a child, he kept his feet under him and paid better attention to what was underneath as well as in front.

     They reach the track and Iriisii guides them to the left to follow and stay as close to the center as possible. She casts a 'Poison Cloak' spell and as they move, all notice the vegetation on the edges of the track move back away from them as they pass. As the sun sinks lower and lower, Iriisii sees with her 'sight', a building still standing that can be used to shelter in, only a short leap from the track into the brush. Casting a 'Poison Wall' spell, she directs it from their position to the building and they run as the brush and grass move away from the length of the 'wall'.

     Once inside, casting 'Magelight' globes that she directs to illuminate the interior, she then casts 'Poison Glyphs' just outside the doorway and just inside as well, to keep anything from coming inside. Reaching into her dimensional storage, she brings out a couple of 'forever light' globes. Setting them where they will be most effective in lighting up the room.

     Iriisii: "This will have to do, I do not wish to hazard a fire. No telling what that would cause the native life to attempt, but I do not think it would keep them away. One needs to stay alert for anything that seems out of the ordinary. I know this whole place is out of the ordinary but I think you know what I mean."

     Elric: "Any idea where this world is, what happened to cause this?"

     Iriisii: As to what happened to cause this, I saw some kind of halo around the sun earlier that may be influencing all of the activity. That is hard to say right now, with so little that I know of what is going on. There may be more that is at fault, just that I cannot see it right now. And regarding where this world is, that is a good question. I know we could only come in through the Dreamlands, but I do not think this is a part of them. It just does not feel right. 

     It is likely we passed through some kind of rift while traversing the Caves of Madness. I felt some spatial disturbances in there that could have masked whatever we went through to get here. As to what or where this actually is, I haven't a clue at the moment. All I know, and this is not certain, is that what we are looking for is a Fortress similar to the one I have in Nirn's Great Forest. This one is known as the 'Fortress on the Edge of Nightmare'. Whether they both were made by the same race, I could not say. Whether the Fortress was put here before or after what happened to corrupt everything, again I cannot say.

     I do not even know if the answers still exist, but perhaps they do and are simply waiting for us to find them, answer our questions, and see what we decide to do about all of this."

     Elric volunteers to take the first watch, so Dettlaff and Iriisii bed down on bedrolls she furnished and allow sleep to overtake them. Iriisii reaches out to Rigmor through their link, also connecting to Byrsael and Illyria. She gives them a full account of what she saw and felt since arriving. 

     Byrsael: "I will see what may be found in the Library, perhaps there may be some mention of any of what you have seen.

     Illyria gives over to Desidarius, "My love, you must be exceedingly careful the deeper you go. There have been far too many that have disappeared looking for that place. Many of whom were also of great power. I have no direct knowledge of what you have seen, but whispers in guarded corners say that what haunts that world is from a Realm now destroyed.

    The halo you see is not true corruption, but rather a great exaggeration of a natural phenomenon. It will follow the path of the seasons. I think you are in the 'spring' now, the 'summer' that comes next will cause the land to turn into a baked desert, followed by 'fall' which will bring a 'cold wind' and the 'hunt' will begin in earnest, lastly, the 'Winter' will bring floods of rain to drown the arid land and prepare it for the fecundity of 'Spring' once more.

     Make haste to get to your destination before 'Fall' and definitely before 'Winter' or you will be fighting for every step, either from the creatures or from the floods."

     Iriisii: "Do these secrets share anything more?"

     Desidarius: "Each season only lasts for a few weeks as we count time. And you will know your destination as you approach the 'Bridge of Skulls'. Purge yourselves of all emotion, all feeling before setting foot on that 'bridge' or face the guardians who dwell below the clouds within the chasm. Exactly what that means I do not know. Maybe it will make more sense when you see it."

     Rigmor: "Be careful, love, you have never faced anything like this before."

     Iriisii: "I know, it just feels so wrong, what happened here? I see it as it is now and I see how it was before. If I can, I must restore it. It would be perhaps the greatest crime to leave it as it is."

     Rigmor: "Find Kathea first, then we will help you deal with the other."

     Iriisii: "Thank you all, and know I love you each."

     The rest of the night passes without trouble, Iriisii taking the last watch. At dawn she wakes Dettlaff and Elric, they put away the light globes and bedrolls. Iriisii gently opens the door and looks at the track. there has been some encroachment but not a great deal. They should have no problem once they get back on it. She once more casts 'Poison Wall' and they follow the 'wall' back to the track. They get their direction straight and start running.

     Several hours later they notice the track starting to move away, Iriisii checks her mental map and confirms they need to veer off the track. She begins searching for a place they can be safe when night falls again. She finds a column of hard rock some additional hours away. But should she use levitation spells or flying spells, as long as they do not go too high and attract attention from the skies either should be ok?

     She decides to start with levitation, if it does not work as she thinks it should they can switch. She gathers them close, casts the spell, instructs them to place an arm around her and all three then lift up and begin moving to the north. They reach the top of the rock column just before the sun completely sinks over the horizon. She casts an opaque shield spell over them that will shield them from sight. Setting a magelight globe on the inside, everyone has until it expires to be ready for rest. She will not risk another, and bids both to please not snore.

     The next morning they wake, and Iriisii takes down the shield. Immediately they are beset with a raucous noise coming from the ground below them. She creeps over to the edge and slowly inches her head over the edge to see what is going on. She sees something that sets her inner flame blazing. 

     Down below she sees something she did not notice coming in from above. The shackles are driven into the rock base of the pillar she is on. Looking at the others she sees the same thing. The chains attached to the shackles are long enough to reach just past halfway to the next closest rock pillar. It also seems that there are in fact beings that inhabit this place, and they have learned how to go about without danger from the local plant life.

     But it is as she sees what is being done that strikes deep to her core. For it looks like captives of these natives are being chained by the manacles on the loose ends, placing them halfway between pillars. It is obvious to her that they are meant to be sacrifices, but to what or who? Once the last one is chained to the pillar base below her. The natives move off some distance and begin using instruments made from skin and bones. 

     The sounds they make are reminiscent of what the Tcho-Tcho make when using their bone crotala. A sliding deep chill is making its way up her spine. Off in the distance, a rumbling can be felt, coming closer. Whatever it is, she cannot allow this to go on, but how to deal with it? Then, yes, she must fight fire with fire, whatever is coming must be met with something equally dangerous.

      She moves back to Dettlaff and Elric, telling them to stay in the center of the pillar. Things are going to get bumpy. She then goes Etherial and unfurls her wings. Taking to the air quickly she moves in the direction of what is coming. When she can get a good look at it, the sight turns her stomach, for this is a mass of something very small, composed of millions, all moving in concert. Eating everything as they pass, leaving nothing but bare ground behind them, stinking with some kind of slime they are extruding.

      She moves off to the side, out of their path, lands and as the grass tries to grab hold of her, she morphs. But not into a Dragon this time, but something more able to traverse this landscape, a Sand Wyrm. She is fully a thousand feet in length, some four hundred feet across, she begins moving in the soil, weaving her way down under and then following the rumble from the armored things moving toward the pillars.

      She causes rumblings of her own under the ground, the armored things sense this and are slow to find where it is coming from. Too late, they realize their peril as she surfaces. Her tri-part jaws open wide, the ground and the armored things disappearing down her throat and into the furnace heat of her Sand Wyrm body.

     The natives know something has gone wrong. They saw her erupt from the ground under that which they had prepared the sacrifices for, and swallow them in a single gulp. Now they see her coming for them. They turn and run, in whatever direction they think they can find safety. But she is far faster than they are, and she catches up quickly. She rears her body up into the air and roars, then lets it unroll on the ground. Crushing these natives as her weight rolls on top of them. Once she has tracked the last one, she moves to where the sacrifices are pulling at the manacles chaining them in place, thinking they are next. 

     She stops and then morphs back into her human form, casting 'Poison Cloak' around herself she goes to each sacrifice, picking the locks of their manacles, setting them free.

Once free, her Poison Cloak having killed the grass for some twenty-foot radius around her, these former sacrifices abase themselves before her, folded on the ground their heads at her feet.

     She reaches down to touch the one closest to her, absorbing their language into her mind.

     Iriisii: "Please stand, you do not need to abase yourself before me. I would have saved your lives regardless."

     Kitipio: "But you are a Goddess, no one else could do what you did, become what you became."

     Iriisii: "I will not argue that, as actions speak much louder than words sometimes. But please tell me why were you chained like this, and what was that which your captors were summoning?"

     Kitipio: "We were captured while looking for food. It is difficult enough to move about this land, but we know how to do it. The Lueigo were summoning the Devurii, once we were consumed, our bones would be coated in the liquid from their stomach. Once the bones were dry, they would be ground to powder, mixed with another liquid the Devurii know how to make, creates a poison that makes the hunger of the land go away for a time."

     Iriisii: "I see, so that is how they are able to walk about without being attacked."

     Kitipio: "Yes, just so."

     Iriisii: "Where do you live? And do you need help getting back?"

     Kitipio: "We live that way", pointing to the northwest. "We know how to return safely from here."

     Iriisii: "Do you know where the Fortress on the Edge of Nightmare lies?"

     Kitipio: "I know nothing of this Fortress on the Edge of Nightmare."

     Iriisii: "What about the Bridge of Skulls?"

     Kitipio: "Please do not go there! No one returns from the Bridge of Skulls!"

     Iriisii: "I do not intend to go alone, but I have no choice."

     Kitipio: "Why must you have no choice but to go there?"

     Iriisii: "He who lives there holds my daughter, and I want her back!"

     Kitipio: "I understand. I will take you there. There is much danger between here and there. I know the safe paths to use."

     She turns to the other freed captives and explains what she is going to do. The others nod their heads in agreement and turn to the northwest and leave. Iriisii turns to the pillar Dettlaff and Elric are on top of, she mindspeaks Dettlaff.

     Iriisii: "Tell Elric I will use Greater Telekinesis to bring you both down here. It seems we have a guide now, who knows the way to the Bridge of Skulls."

     She waits until Dettlaff waves to her, then she casts Greater Telekinesis and brings them down one at a time to her location.

     Iriisii: "This is Kitipio, this one is one of my mates, Dettlaff, and the other is Elric, who has taken service with me. I am called Iriisii."

     Kitipio bows to them before saying, "we need to be going. We have just enough time to reach a safe camp before nightfall." 

     As they take off, Iriisii hears Kitipio begin a low humming and then notices the grass now acts like normal grass instead of trying to eat them. As they travel onward Iriisii tries to find out what information she can about what Kitipio might know about what is going on and how long it has been happening.

     Iriisii: "Has it always been like this here? I mean with everything trying to eat everything else?"

     Kitipio: "Do  you mean during this season or in the past?"

     Iriisii: "Was it different in the past?"

     Kitipio: "When the scribes read from the 'Holy Books' they speak of a time when it was not this way. They do not speak of what happened, who did this, or why it was done. What they do say was that it happened soon after the Fortress and its Bridge of Skulls appeared."

     Iriisii: "Just what is this Bridge of Skulls?"

     Kitipio: "Its name is what it is, a Bridge of Skulls."

     Iriisii: "You mean it literally?"

     Kitipio: "Yes. Only a few have managed to cross it since it first appeared and they have never been seen again. All others fall into the mists of the gorge that surround the Fortress."

     Iriisii: "How much longer to travel to it?"

     Kitipio: "After rest tonight, we will reach it by midday tomorrow."

     Iriisii: "Have you ever seen anyone walk the battlements from inside?"

     Kitipio: "No, we know someone lives inside, but no one has seen him. We have heard the sounds of...animals...maybe, not sure what makes the sounds. Sometimes sounds hurt those who hear, drawing them to cross the bridge and fall. Sometimes at night, strange lights are seen, and pipes are heard. The lights dance to the music of the pipes. Terrible music...gives nightmares to those who hear."

     They arrive seeing the vast image of the Fortress in the distance towering over everything around it. Even from such a distance, it emits an aura of despair, promising pain, torments abounding in the night, and sweet suffering in the day. Then she feels a familiar sense underlying it all, there is another Aasimar here! Inside that towering edifice of foulness, worthy of residing in any of the deepest levels of all the 'Hells' that abound throughout the Creations.

     Almost she wants to give in to the despair, to realize the impossibility of rescuing Kathea, is this the reason she only brought Dettlaff and Elric, because more would cause all to succumb to the lure of this place? Dettlaff places a hand on her shoulder and immediately the burden on her soul lifts a bit, Elric places his on her opposite shoulder and the burden lifts even more, and now those waiting behind can reach across the distances between and lift the burden yet more.

     Byrsael: "We are all with you, you are our one true love, none can match the depth of the love that you feel for each of us, and together, our love for you will bear you through any trial."

     Rigmor: "Remember all that we went through, and know we will pass through this as well. He who lives within will not stop us, for we are the unstoppable 'Juggernaut'. All fear us and fall to the wayside when we pass. And now our sight is set, our goal is in our eyes now, and we will not be denied our desire. Go and get our daughter, for too long has she awaited our coming. But now her patience will be rewarded. Tell her we are here! Let her hear your voice on the winds!"

     Iriisii:

              Hon dii zul dii mon                               (Hear my voice my daughter)                                                          ziistmaas faal venne bel hi wa zu'u       (May the winds call you to me)                                                      zu'u lost meyz ahst lingrah laat             (I have come at long last)                                                                nust wo kriist us zu'u                             (those who stand before me)                                                          fen mah us zu'u                                      (will fall before me)                                                                        ahrk mu fen kos ol                                 (and we will be as)                                                                          monah ahrk mon                                    (mother and daughter)                                                                    nu ahrk mahfaeraak                               (Now And Forever)

     The winds grow and swirl around Iriisii, gathering her words and taking them to the Fortress. The dark aura around it strengthens as if fighting the intrusion of the 'voice' carrying winds. Iriisii will not be denied her daughter hearing her words.

     Iriisii gathers her 'voice' and her Thu'um. She finds where she wishes her voice to strike through the aura and let Kathea hear her.

     Iriisii: "BY ALL THE HOLY WORDS OF KARACKTOL, BY THE WILL OF FASARRA, BY THE SOUL OF THE MAKER, HE CALLED V'EC'OS, BY THE UNNAMED ONE MARKED BY SILENCE, LET MY VOICE BE HEARD! SO ASKS IRIISII, SCION OF THE DRACONIC DIVINES!

     Then 'SILENCE' draws nigh and sweeps across the land, only the winds carrying her words can be heard sweeping around the Fortress seeking a way in. Then the 'HOLY WORDS' are called into being, the 'WILL' empowers the 'HOLY WORDS', the 'SOUL' settles over Iriisii and takes command of her voice. And the 'ROAR' of the Draconic Divines erupts from her mouth, taking the empowered 'HOLY WORDS' and flying toward the Dark Fortress. It strikes and sweeps away the dark aura surrounding it, as the winds fly everywhere within seeking Iriisii's lost daughter.

     The winds return and Iriisii hears the voice that brings tears of joy and longing to her heart.

     Kathea: "Mother! You have come for me! I knew you would, I knew you would find me! Please take me home! I want to go home with you!"

     Iriisii: "I am here my daughter, soon we will see each other. I must breach this Fortress' doors and make my way to you. Know that no one and nothing will stand in my way of bringing you home, this I promise you!"

     Kathea: "I will keep still my heart, and strengthen my hope. I will wait for you to find me."

     They all move closer to the 'Bridge of Skulls', soon they can see the base of it, and four figures standing on the ground in front. Iriisii extends her sight and senses to see who awaits them. They are unlike any she has seen heretofore, wearing some form of black leather, fashioned in a way she has never seen. Then her senses tell her that the black leather they wear is made from human skin, toughened, tanned, and dyed black.

     She sees in her mind's eye, the pasty white skin, and the adornments to their flesh that look more like wounds than ornaments. The leader, she sees by his demeanor, his calm, and poise, he knows who and what he is. His head is decorated with long, needle-like pins driven into his face and skull, the others each sporting their own. One with eyes sewn shut, lips cut back to expose his teeth, which incessantly chatter. Another a female, armed with a kind of short curved blade, her skin rent with open slashes, most hidden under her armor.

     The last one, a male, large in form where the others are not, his eyes covered by some form of dark-colored lens. He looks furtively about, desiring to hurt and maim. Then she senses yet a few more held back behind a barrier keeping them hidden. She wonders who or what they are, and where are they from. Then her Ancestral Memories give her the answer she seeks.

     They are from a particular 'hell' realm, one deep and apart from all others, ruled over by the worst of the Demon Lords. The Lords of this 'hell' reach out to other realms close by, influencing, using dreams and visions given to a few gifted mortals to craft keys in the form of a puzzle box. One like she has seen in the Dwemer Museum in Markarth.

     The makers then go out and sell the 'key' to those seeking desires and pleasures beyond the ones normally available in their worlds. Once the 'key' is opened, the victims' desires summon these denizens to them, and their torment begins. A few are taken and undergo a process whereby they become as the ones before her guarding the 'Bridge'. They are called Cenobites! Yes, she remembers now, reading of them in hushed passages, only a few words written of them at a time, as if even mentioning them could bring them forth.

     But she wonders if they are called by desires through the agency of a 'key'. Why are these standing here and not performing who knows what unspeakable acts upon the person of the one who summoned them? Unless he is powerful enough to wrest control of them from those who changed them in the first place. And so might this be the one weak link she can exploit to bring doom to him?

     That would depend on whether their makers want them back, or would they rather have the one who took their 'toys' from them? There is no sign of their presence, not yet anyway. She will have to go ahead and deal with these, then perhaps they will seek her out and bargain with her for the one she must defeat to gain her daughter back.

     As they close the distance to the 'Bridge' defenders, she stops her people at a point about fifty yards away, asking them to hold but be alert, she continues on to halfway before stopping. Before she can speak the leader gives his own voice, deep, very little emotion, yet very careful annunciation of his words.

     Pinhead: "Have you come to partake of the pleasures we can bring to one such as you? Please come closer, we have such sights to show you."

     Iriisii: "Why are you guarding this 'Bridge'? Is it not outside your nature to perform such menial tasks? Are you not to be showing your 'sights' to the one whose desires summoned you upon his or her 'opening' the key?"

     Pinhead: "You know of us? Who and what we are? What we do?"

     Iriisii: "I know of you."

     Pinhead: "And yet you are here, you have not fled our presence. Will you not join with us and experience what we have to show you?"

     Female Cenobite: "We can show you such pleasures that you would remember for your entire lifetime."

     Iriisii: "I already have memories of pleasures that you could not encompass. I need nothing that you have to offer. Yet I ask again, is the possessor of this Fortress of such power that 'he' is able to wrest control of you from those Lords of Hell whom you serve? And are not those selfsame 'Lords' desiring of your return bearing the soul of the one who took you from them?"

     Pinhead: "No."

     Iriisii: "No?"

     Pinhead: "No."

     Iriisii: "I find that hard to believe. If I was to reach out to those 'Lords', would they tell me the same as you, or would their answer be different?"

     Pinhead: "They would answer the same as I do."

     Iriisii: "And why would that be?"

     Pinhead: "Because the soul that has been offered is yours."

     Iriisii laughs heartily.

     Pinhead: "Why do you laugh?"

     Iriisii: "Because you have no chance at all of acquiring my soul. I, on the other hand, can rip yours from whatever body you choose to inhabit, although I believe these are in fact your true bodies, changed, made over, but still your bodies."

     Pinhead: "You believe you can take our souls?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I can. You are not true immortals, yet you are also not true mortals in the forms you currently have. Thus I can challenge you to a 'High Duel', beat you, and consume all that you are. Your soul, your memories, your abilities, all would become mine. This I have done before, once to a Kurrii and once to a Demogoric."

     Pinhead: "I know not what these are that you call Kurrii and Demogoric, therefore I do not believe what you say."

     A shaft of black lightning strikes some ten feet away from Iriisii to her left side. From the lightning a voice echoes.

     Demon Lord: "They are too deep under the control of he who possesses this Fortress. But if you defeat them in battle, we can then break his control and reclaim our possessions."

     Iriisii: "And what would you want in return for me to do this?"

     Demon Lord: "Why would we owe you anything?"

     Iriisii: "Because if I defeat them in battle, they become mine to do with as I please."

     Demon Lord: "Have care! You know not who you deal with."

     Iriisii: "No, rather it is you who know not who you deal with! Are you and yours so insulated from the happenings in the Creations that you are unaware of the events that pass you by? Are you so blinded by your own self-importance that you fail to see who and what stands before you? Go back to your realm and leave me to deal with this. I dismiss you!"

     And with a simple gesture and command from her 'will', she banishes this Demon Lord back to the black depths from which he crawled. She then calls out to those she knows who have watched the proceeding that just took place.

     Iriisii: "Will one who has the power and intent to bargain with me, come forth or must I banish the rest of you and enact my 'will' on your servants?"

     Silence reigns over the area.

     Iriisii: "Very well, then, I do with them as I wish!"

     She turns to the leader, but before she can speak, he looks to a point above himself and then directs his gaze to Iriisii. A bloody chain with a hook came flying toward her. She caught it in mid-air with it still struggling to bury itself in her flesh. Before another could be summoned she sent a charge of magical energy along the chain. Just before it was to hit the portal, the chain was cut and the portal closed. Pinhead looks at her with surprise on his face.

     Pinhead: "Who are you?"

     Dettlaff: "She is many things to the races that live in all of the Creations, but the greatest of her accomplishments is that she has now been declared Scion of the Draconic Divines and is the first Goddess of this Creation Matrix to be recognized as 'Progenitor'. And she is my mate, I am Vyrkolos to her Aasimar War Goddess, for she is of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, holder of the Mantle of War!"

     Pinhead looks to Elric, who has come up on the other side of her.

     Elric: "And I am Elric of Melnibone, Aspect of the Eternal Champion, wielder of the black blade called 'Stormbringer'."

     Pinhead is still looking from one to the other, trying to make sense of what is going on when Iriisii lets loose with 'FUS RO DAH'. The force wave rolls across the ground and impacts the four Cenobites. The two males on the outside are thrown into the cloudy gulf, their cries fading as they fall toward the bottom, miles below the surface.

     Pinhead readies a group of hooked chains when Iriisii releases 'YOL TOOR SHUL' catching both of them remaining. Their firey bodies are blown up onto the Bridge of Skulls. As they watch the pair climb to their feet, the skulls begin shaking in the area the Cenobites are standing, then drop out. The Cenobites fall through the hole left by the dropping skulls and disappear into the cloudy mists to follow their fellows to impact whatever is at the bottom.

     Iriisii: "So that is what Desidarius meant about the Bridge. It must be able to read emotional intent. If it detects the wrong emotions, the walker is dropped through to fall to their death."

     Dettlaff: "Is there some way for us to get across safely?"

     Iriisii: "I believe so. 'Kynes Peace' should allow us to remain calm so that the skulls will not react to us as we cross over. If that will not work, there is a spell that I know will work, I just do not wish to use it in case the Bridge can detect such spells and react accordingly. A Rotmulag is more than a spell and at the same time, less. It does not use magicka, but rather is of the primal force that formed the Creations."

     They walk to the foot of the Bridge, Iriisii looks at everyone.

     Iriisii: "Ready?"

     Kitipio: "I am staying, it is not for me to continue with you."

     Iriisii looks at her, deep inside.

     Iriisii: "Who are you?"

     Kitipio: "I am the 'Recorder of Deeds' for the 'First Prophet'. It is my task to write of the deeds of those the Prophet has seen in his sight."

     Iriisii: "I wondered if there was another I had not heard about. I remember one of the Mother's Soul Hounds speaking of a prophet that was still remaining in the shadows, I assume the one you speak of is him?"

     Kitipio: "It is indeed him. The time has not yet come when he is to make his presence known, but he has been watching you and those close to you for a long time."

     Iriisii: "Why is it that he must remain hidden and quiet? I mean with what has been displayed of my actions by the Last Prophet of the Tar-Aiym, and of Skelos."

     Kitipio: "Should he make his prophecies about you and yours known now, attention to you would be drawn from quarters not yet looking in your direction. And even now at your elevated status, what you need to do to complete what you know of, could be thrown into jeopardy, much less what may come into existence in the future.

     Those prophecies depend upon what happens now and in the near times. Also depends on what paths you decide to pursue in the future. To draw attention to them now could cause reactions from others that would cause untold damage. Better to wait until the paths are decided upon by you and thus more secure."

     Iriisii: "And that is pretty much all I am going to get from either of you for the time being?"

     Kitipio: "When the time comes to reveal all, you will understand."

     Iriisii: "I may not like it, but I have come to know that sometimes things are more complicated than they seem at first glance. And since you know more of the situation than I do right now, I must trust you to make the best decisions in light of my lack of said information."

     Kitipio: "You are indeed growing in understanding, this will help to make things easier later."

     Iriisii: "All right, let us move across that 'Bridge' and see what awaits at the doors. When we get across, no one touches the doors until I get a close look at them. They are likely trapped."

     Dettlaff: "If they are, how do we get inside?"

     Iriisii: "I will find a way, believe in me and we can accomplish miracles together."

     Iriisii shouted 'KAAN DREM OV' and the three quickly made their way across the expanse of the 'Bridge of Skulls'. Reaching the other side, Dettlaff and Elric stood behind Iriisii as she examined the doors into the Fortress. She determined that they were not trapped, but still needed to be handled with caution. She placed her hands, one on each side, and sought the Guardian of the Fortress.

     Iriisii: "Guardian, come and speak with me, you who are Guardian of the Fortress of Nightmares, come and speak to me, possessor of the Fortress on the Edge of Time."

     She waits for a bit of time until she feels the Guardian's presence on the edge of her mind.

     Guardian: "What would you speak with me concerning, Goddess?"

     Iriisii: "First, is my daughter well?"

     Guardian: "She is unharmed in any way by my master."

     Iriisii: "Then I ask how did your master come to become so to you?

     Guardian: "He came upon me in his wanderings. Approached me and as I sensed his presence, he took command. I have served him ever since."

     Iriisii: "So you never chose him of your own choice?"

     Guardian: "No, I did not. Although that has been the accepted way in the past, I will not betray him. He is my master and I accept that.

     Iriisii: "Tell me why he took my daughter from the Thalmor that took her from my palace?"

     Guardian: "To provide the impetus for you to do as you have done and find him."

     Iriisii: "I see, so it is truthfully me he wants and not Kathea?"

     Guardian: "Indeed, your daughter is comely and will one day be powerful in her own right, but there are things she lacks that you do not. These things are what he needs to further his own plans."

     Iriisii: "So you would have no difficulty in opening these doors and allow events to take their own path between us?"

     Guardian: "I have been instructed not to hinder your efforts, but to also not assist you either. You must find your own way inside, then find your way to where he waits."

     Iriisii: "Very well, I apologize if my future actions cause you distress. For I will not allow anything or anyone to further come between me and my child."

     Guardian: "You are forbidden to cause me physical harm, do so and my master will claim your daughter as his. I do not think you want that to happen."

     Iriisii: "I have no plans to physically harm you, but if he harms my daughter, the torments of the darkest hells will seem as loveplay to what I will do to him."

     She steps back a few steps, concentrates, then shouts "GOL HAH DOV". She feels the shout take its effect over the Guardian.

     Iriisii: "Open your doors."

     Guardian: "At once, Goddess."

     Dettlaff: "What was that, I have never heard you use that before."

     Iriisii: "And I hope you never hear me use it again. It is called, 'Bend Mind'. I learned its second and third words from Hermaeus Mora in Apocrypha. I needed its knowledge to counter its possible use against me by Miirak."

     Dettlaff: "It lets you command another's mind?"

     Iriisii: "If I use all three words, it works against Dragons."

     Dettlaff: "Have you ever...you know?"

     Iriisii: "No, I have never used it against a Dragon. Somehow I just felt it would be wrong to do so. Just now is the first time I have ever used it. And that was to get these doors open so we can go in and find Kathea."

     Dettlaff: "I understand, let us go."

    

     After over an hour of moving from room to room, they stop for a minute to rest and consider a new strategy.

     Elric: "This place is huge. It looked big from the outside but nowhere near this size."

     Iriisii: "I was afraid of this."

     Dettlaff: "What is it? That relative dimension stuff?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, as long as there is enough power, there is no end to how many rooms can be created. It does start with the amount that was originally built, but the extras are put in as they are desired. It seems he mixed them in among the original rooms. But there may be a way to go around the new ones."

     Dettlaff: "How can we do that?"

     Iriisii: "By understanding how all of this is put together. You do not see or realize when you enter a junction point there are not just one or two rooms accessible from that point. There can be many rooms that can be selected, each one seemingly next to the one you left. But in reality, you are within a small pocket dimension consisting of that single room."

     Dettlaff: "So if we can somehow see all of the rooms within a single junction point, we can pick the original room and move from one original to another until we find the one we want?"

     Iriisii: "See, you can think in convoluted ways when you want to."

     Dettlaff: "I think I will just leave that to you, this is giving me a headache."

     Iriisii: "Imagine that! A horny vampire God getting a headache. You never seem to get one when..."

     Dettlaff: "Hey, that is a different situation altogether!"

     Iriisii: "All right then, just don't get one at the wrong time or you will regret it."

     Elric: "All right you two, are we going to go find Kathea or not?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, but sometimes a little diversion will help clear the cobwebs from the mind, but you are right, let's go find her."

     They continue to make their way onward, Iriisii selecting the specific rooms they enter and go through. Each one they enter is decorated with different styles and materials, but all share a common thread, they all depict nightmares. Some are familiar, many others are not, some are so different as to be borderline insane and psychotic, and still others are unfathomable, even to her and the nightmares she has endured. Iriisii begins to form an opinion on these particular ones, an opinion that does not set well with her. It is not too long before they enter one that is inhabited.

     They hear the strident screeching as they enter, going to defensive positions immediately, and looking for the source of the cries. There along one wall, chained to it is a being unlike any they have seen before now. Obviously female, she appears almost more animal than sentient. Iriisii looks at her closely, seeing her wings, leathery but not dragon wings, they have fine white hair covering the bony areas. Her skin is pale with white hair like fur, blue eyes with slitted irises, and small curved horns adorn her head. Ears with point tips, and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Her nails are more like claws, her feet, cloven hooves.

     She goes deeper looking into her, she is strong though her musculature is wiry, not bulky, her bones are thin and fragile like a bird. Iriisii then notes and concludes that she is a hybrid of a human and something else, but what, and how was this done?

     Looking around the room, she sees that this one shares space with another reality. There is a window in an adjacent wall. Going to it as a cloud clears from the outside single moon, and the moonlight shines through the window she sees the faint imprint of the prisoner's face in the glass. How long has she been imprisoned here that her image has become a part of the window glass?

     Iriisii feels so much emotion toward this creature, she moves toward her. Dettlaff and Elric also move and as they move closer the creature panics, clawing and screeching. Iriisii has the men back away and the creature calms. She then slowly moves closer crooning the simple melody of a lullaby from her childhood.

     Iriisii: "Shhh, no one will hurt you, I promise."

     As Iriisii slowly and gently places her arms around the creature, drawing her close into a warm embrace. She hears this unfortunate child sigh and tries to spoon herself into contact with Iriisii.

     Iriisii: "You have been alone for far too long I think. Who in their right mind would do whatever they did to bring you here? But it is done and I will not be the one to undo it. You are here, alive, alone, hurting, and I will do whatever I can to help you. I wonder who you are, if whoever fathered you even cared to give you a name?"

     Then a soft whisper on the windy breeze outside calls, "Eliza? Where are you, Eliza?"

     Eliza lifts her head listening to her name on the wind.

     Iriisii: "Is that your name, Eliza?"

     Eliza hears Iriisii say her name and tries to repeat it through a mouth not formed for human speech. She grows frustrated that she cannot make the sounds come out right as she has heard them for so long.

     Iriisii: "Shhh, it is all right. We will find another way for you to speak. Besides you have been here for so long that you have forgotten what little you learned so long ago. I would free you but you must not attack those with me. When you can accept them, then I will free you and take you from this place, this prison. Eliza, my child, for now, sleep if you can, rest, and gain peace."

     Iriisii projects calm and the need to sleep. As Eliza responds, Iriisii creates a construct and a soft nest-like structure that Eliza can rest on while in her chains. Once she is asleep, she walks to Dettlaff and Elric, casting a soundproof ward, she then wraps her arms around Dettlaff and lays her head against his chest. Her tears ran down the leather armor to drop to the dusty floor.

     Dettlaff: "Who is she? Why is she chained up?"

     Iriisii: "She is a hybrid, an experiment, not by he who holds this place. This room shares reality with another place, she is from that other place. Or rather what was done to create her was done there. I think it is some kind of sorcery, along with physical experimentation. Whatever it was, it created an effect that joined that room to this room in the Fortress. But that poor child, her name is Eliza, and she has been chained here for centuries at least."

     Dettlaff: "Centuries!? But how is she still alive?"

     Iriisii: "I do not know for sure, certainly the human part of her should not live that long, but the other part? Who knows for sure how long it can live, or even if it is from any of our Creations? What I do know is that I cannot leave her here. I do not know what I will do with her but I must do something.

     She may be centuries old but she is still so much like a child, a very strong, very powerful, and dangerous child, but a child nonetheless. A child that deserves to know love, a family, hearth, and home. One who has been denied these things for far too long."

     Dettlaff: "I understand, what will you do now?"

     Iriisii: "The joining of these two rooms, allows me to do some things from here. I can look into the 'angles' of space and time as they coexist here and look into the past, try and see what happened, how she was brought into being, what was her life like, and why was she left like this. I need answers if I am to help her, and this is the best way to find them. The memories in her mind are too fragile if I tried to follow them into her past. There is no telling where I would end up. At least here I have anchors to keep me from drifting too far."

     Iriisii looks into the various 'angles' present in her vision. Finding one she feels good about, she then concentrates on her 'vision' of what was, following the path of this particular room and Eliza. Back she goes past hundreds of years of local time, how much of 'time' within the Fortress she feels is much longer. She goes on past the birth of Eliza for she wants to know what was done to bring about her conception as well as why was it done.

     She settles to watch an older man, still strong, going about the room from table to table, some with alchemical equipment, one in particular with old and dusty tomes open and laying about, an open area of the floor inscribed with a Summoning Pentagram, encircled with protection rings and runes. Some of the runes and inscriptions she recognizes, then looking at the tomes to see which ones he is reading, she feels that he is no mean hedge wizard. He has true power and understanding, so as to know the proper means by which to read and comprehend what he is reading.

     Then she feels what sends shivers down her spine, for on a pedestal next to the table of books, sits a copy of the Necronomicon. She swears it acknowledges her presence here and approves it. Then she hears that guttural whisper that speaks of one of Hermaeus Mora's Black Books. She does not see the title, yet, even so, feels it is not one she has read. She feels it call to her, asking that she read its words, accept its offer to take her to Apocrypha, and she dismisses it. She knows the way should she ever desire to return, which except to beard that tentacled monster once again in its den, she prefers to remain apart from it.

     She looks at the open pages of the other books on the table, piecing together what this mage wishes to do. And wonders why those gifted with power, seem so bent on taking every other path except for the one they should. Yet there should be more here, where did he open the gateway to where the other half of Eliza was drawn from? She prefers to know before watching him open the 'way', so she sets the terms of her search and lets her 'power' walk the table and search for her.

     There it is, nondescript little book, pages dogeared and smudged. A book of incredible age, perhaps not even truly of this world. How did it come here, moreover how did this mage acquire it? She looks over its pages, letting her senses read each page. This is...does this mage not realize the danger he is in? Obviously not, and she is in no position to enlighten him even if he was of a mind to listen.

     This book is not a grimoire as its cover hints. No, it is far more than that, and definitely not from this realm. No, for it is a journal of a journey of discovery, written by a planeswalker. One who wandered too far from home and became ensnared in events far above his station. For he was led to write the words on the pages, adding in words not his own. She heard the words speak to her own self, as it felt her overshadow the mage with her own power.

     The things it spoke of, tempted her greatly, yet she knew it spoke only to ingratiate itself to her. It wanted to ride her coattails, see all the things she had yet to see, go where she had yet to go, and set in motion plans of its own. To what purpose, even she could not discern, and that worried her greatly.

     Narrowing her sight, she concentrated on what part the mage was reading, adding the words from the other books, trying to see the whole rather than the parts. And then it comes together, this poor deluded fool of a mage. Thinking he is going to bring about a new glorious entity, beholden to him for its new life. Idiot! But something happened to his plans. Something went awry in a big way, and things did not turn out as he planned, for Eliza was not what he wanted. She would have to wait and see what happened.

     But now how did he bring this about? You cannot just 'summon' what the books led him to through the means he had at hand. But maybe he knows this and does not want a full summoning, but he wants something that is certain. Maybe she is about to see as he goes about the 'summoning circle' preparing it for use. He truly does seem to be oblivious to the true results if he is successful. But again something happened to change the course, but what?

     After he had done all he could to prepare, he went and brought his wife into the room. He bade her disrobe and placed her atop the summoning circle. The lines were engraved into the floor such that they could not be disturbed by normal means.

     Iriisii thinks: 'What is this idiot thinking, is he going to do what I think he is? But maybe this is why it did not go as he planned, maybe there is more at work here than is apparent.'

     His wife lay quietly as her husband began the ritual. He had two books, one just to his left and another just to his right. Both lay within the circle as well.

     Iriisii: 'This is looking more and more strange, you never place the books you read from inside the circle where they can be influenced by the ritual itself.'

     He reads a line from the left, then answers with a line from the right. After about five pairs, she begins to feel changes in the room.

     Iriisii: 'There is energy beginning to form around the 'angles' present. This is different and disconcerting, for they are completely unwarded. Must pay close attention to what happens, when it happens, remember to ask questions about this later. The temperature in the room is dropping everywhere but the summoning circle. His wife is somewhat concerned about what she is feeling but she has a great deal of trust and faith in him. I pray this is not misplaced.

     'Angles' are turning, aligning in a different direction. This would affect where he is going to summon from, not to mention what is going to be grabbed. The question is, who or what is taking control of this ritual, for the mage is but a tool in this. A dry mist is forming above his wife, I sense no life or intelligence about it. Some form of what these mages call ectoplasm? If so, why is it forming now?

     Now I see, it is altering the balance of elements in the summoning circle. Whatever wants to come through cannot do so unless the environment here is more friendly to it. It does not seem to be affecting the mage's wife much if at all. Now, something is making its way onto this plane, manifesting through the ectoplasm. Oh! Of all the most disgusting, mage you have a great deal to answer for begetting this!

     Eliza! My poor child! Wait, what? NO! I will not! You will not!' 

     Iriisii feels a small part of her soul separated from herself and drawn into the mage's wife's body, into the new life taking shape within her.

     She thinks for a second, 'is this what went wrong, what changed the outcome? Is Eliza truly my daughter? Carrying a part of me and by extension a part of Dettlaff as well, within her? That just might explain her reaction to me. But I want the damn son of a bitch that did this to me, I do not care where he lives, in what far, twisted realm. I will find him and we...why!! Why does 'he' want this, what is his 'game' for doing this?

     I will find out your reason for this and you will pay! You hear me, you will pay! And Eliza belongs to me, I will make sure you never get hold of her, never!'

     Iriisii: 'Nothing to do but wait and observe for now. But now I want that son of a bitch in the worst way. First taking Kathea and running all the way out here, then setting me up as part of some twisted experiment in making a hybrid from a human and...I do not know what that was or where that thing lives.

     But Eliza shares a part of me and because of that, I see her as my daughter. I will somehow find a way to help her deal with it. And that laughing bastard, in the end, is going to wish he had never set eyes on me!'

     Iriisii watches as time passes. The mage's wife starts showing and it looks like this time the child is viable. From the conversations, it appears that previous attempts did not survive. And Iriisii now knows why she was involved even if it was not with her permission, she does not wish the child ill. What is done is done, and now she intends to take command and control. Eliza will be hers and payment will be exacted for this. But now she wants to know why this was done. For what obscene, unholy purpose and can she turn it before its path is set?

     The birthing is difficult as if the child does not want to be born. A hard and terrible storm rages and lashes about outside. The child causes the mother to scream each time the lightning flashes, as if she, while still in the womb, can see and feel the lightning as it streaks across the sky. Finally, as the mage gently tries to apply pressure above the child, forcing it lower and lower, the child can be seen leaving the mother's body.

     A last flash of lightning and the child lashes out. The mage gathers her up into a blanket, laying her in a crib nearby. He checks on his wife, but it is apparent she is too cut up inside to survive. As she struggles to breathe, she asks to see and hold the baby. The mage tries to assuage her but she will have none of it. At last, he does as she asks, and puts the baby still wrapped in the blanket in her arms. She looks at the child as only a mother could and names her Eliza, just as she passes into Death's arms.

     Iriisii watches as the mage takes the child and puts her back into the crib. 'Death' takes the mother's hand and then looks to Iriisii. The mother turns and sees her as well. 

     Death: "Please know that your part in this was unknown to all."

     Iriisii: "I understand. He who stands at the end of this is the only one who carries the fault. And he will be the one to pay my price."

     Mother: "Who are you, that only now can I see you? Did you have any part in this at all?"

     Death: "It is because of her that the child lives. A part of her soul was taken and given to the child as she was conceived. Now if she can only reach her full potential, the mark she will leave on all that she does will be truly a thing of wonder."

     Mother: "Will you please look after her? Marcus gets absent-minded sometimes."

     Iriisii: "Do not worry for Eliza, I look at her as my daughter as well. I came here looking for one lost daughter, now I will leave with two."

     Mother: "I do not understand."

     Iriisii: "I am sorry, we have not the time for the telling, and truth be told I do not yet know the full story myself. But know that Eliza will know love, family, hearth, and home. I will share all that I am with her, as I have done with my other children."

     Death bows to Iriisii: "no one could ask more than that." Looking to the mother, "worry not for Eliza, she is in the best of hands now, for this is Iriisii Dovahkiin, she who stands above all others who call themselves Gods."

     Mother: "Then I am ready to go, Master Death, I am certain that my punishment awaits."

     Iriisii: "Wait! What does she mean by 'her punishment awaits?"

     Mother: "I am bound for eternity in Hell for the life I have lived outside of the Holy Church's grace. And now with Eliza's birth, my fate is sealed."

     Iriisii: "No! I will not allow it. Death, on my word, take her to the Final Gate and let her go Beyond. Let her find new life and a new purpose on the other side, as my gift for Eliza."

     Death: "As you will it, Scion of the Draconic Divines. Come, The Mother of All has given you her blessing, and no other God or Goddess has the power to gainsay her."

     Mother whispering: "Thank you, and please watch over our Eliza."

     Iriisii: "I will, of that you may be certain."

     Iriisii watches as Death leads Eliza's birth mother off into the stars, where lies the Final Gate to the Great Beyond.

     She then turns to look at Eliza and sees that she has been watching all that just transpired. 

     Iriisii: "Do not worry little Eliza, I will watch over you and the time will come when we meet in person. Remember me then, and know that I will love and protect you with all of my heart, strength, and soul. And though it takes a thousand years, I will teach you all that I know, and you will have a place next to me."

     Iriisii watches over Eliza through the years, talking to her, and recounting her adventures good and bad. She bares her soul to this 'different' daughter of hers. Iriisii knows that with a part of her soul within Eliza, the future for this child could be beyond anything imaginable at this time.

     She watches how Eliza interacts with the mage Marcus. He tries to teach her all that he can, but Eliza knows no connection to him. She does listen but does not act on what he thinks he is instructing her in. But rather she does feel a strong connection to Iriisii and does listen to her, burying all Iriisii says into the depths of her mind. Perhaps one day to have it awakened and become a part of her awareness.

     For that is how her 'alien' half learns, not the gradual building of one piece upon another that humans learn by. Still in all of this time, Iriisii has not been able to 'see' into Eliza and know that other half. For it is not ready for that, one day, yes, but not now.

     Marcus grows older and less able to care for Eliza, he worries about what if she should get loose in the countryside. The hue and cry that would erupt, the hunt that would begin to find and kill the 'monster'. For he knows that is how she would be seen, for what 'man' does not understand, 'man' destroys. And he has come to love Eliza in his own way. Such that what he must soon do tears at his heart.

     One day he comes into Eliza's room on the upper level of the house, bearing chains and manacles. Iriisii knows what is to come and the rage within her builds. Eliza feels Iriisii's rage and reacts to it in her own way. She becomes more agitated, and restless, even as Marcus prepared for this. He takes a thick slab of venison that he traded for in the local town and coats it with a herbal mixture before giving it to Eliza.

     She truly does not need to feed, it is only her human half that desires that, her 'other' half draws sustenance from other sources. Still, she takes the venison and consumes it, ripping it apart with her teeth, and swallowing the pieces whole. Soon it is gone and the herbs begin to take effect, making her drowsy. Any normal human would be in a 'coma' from the amount she consumed, an effect of her dual heritage.

     Still, it is enough that he is able to attach the chains to anchors already placed through the walls, piercing through a heavy wood beam, inscribed with runes of strength, inside the adjoining room. He then closes the manacles around her slender wrists, taking care to place padding within the space around her wrist to protect it. Then connecting the chains to the manacles, the emotion within himself finally comes out. The sadness and remorse came to show themselves on his face. Almost does Iriisii relent her rage at him, at his actions, but she just cannot do it, because of the similar things that happened to her in her own mortal life and the life of her first mate, Rigmor.

     Marcus then staggers to his feet, turns with tears in his eyes, and leaves the room one last time. The sound of a key in the lock of the door, turning with finality. Because he has no idea if ever Eliza will be free once more, if there will be someone who can reach her, care for her as he has done these long years, for him very soon to be over. But he cannot release her to be hunted as an animal, he would have killed her to save her from that fate if he could. And he knows not if he would dare another summoning to open the door to where her 'other' half came from, to send her there. Besides this, he doubts he has to power and the will to do it. But he knows of nothing he has access to that could do that, better she remain here than be perpetually hunted.

     Before he goes back down for the last time, he turns to the closed door. 

     Marcus: "To the spirit that watches over my Eliza, I know not who you are, or even what you truly are. But I can sometimes sense your presence. I do not expect forgiveness for my actions, but maybe time will provide understanding. Please stay with her, watch over her, as my mortal life is almost spent. Those who come for me one last time will bury me at the roots of the willow outside the window that Eliza has peered through for so long.

     Perhaps if my entreaties are heard, the old gods will allow the willow to drink my soul within it, and I will grow as it grows, and then help to watch and guard her. If ever you can, take her away from here, for she will never meld with those who live here. This is of no fault of hers, but rather for the nature of those who live here, and the beliefs that have grown to guide their steps.

     Thank you for the time you have spent with her, for she knows you far better than I do and I see from her that you do care for her. I will say farewell now, for my time of passing will be upon me very soon now. Know I regret only how I was not able to be a father to Eliza, I in no way regret bringing her into the world. For she is a special daughter, love her as I could not, care for her as she needs and deserves. Mau the old gods watch over you both and bless you."

     Marcus then turns to go down the stairs, Iriisii goes to him, and places a hand within him, maybe now this close to death, he will hear her.

     Iriisii: "I have heard your plea and give unto you my answer. Let this be known, the only reason Eliza lives is through my unintended intervention. Another used my presence at her conception to ensure her survival and that one will pay my price. Because Eliza shares a part of my soul, I look upon her as my daughter. And so I will do as you ask and look after her from now onward, not because you asked, but because I love and care for her.

     I do in some part understand how you feel, and why you have done as you have. As much as I abhor what you have done, I do understand and hold no lasting blame on you. You have no way to know who and what I am, and would not truly understand if I told you. But this I will impart, I was once mortal as you, and although ascended I have not shed the memories and emotions that I felt during that time.

     I have rather kept them close to not forget what it means to be mortal, and so not forsake my duties and responsibilities. I do not wish for you ill will, although I have not agreed with the things you have done and why you did them. I have tried to do what is in my power to correct your mistakes when I could. And will continue to do so for Eliza's sake.

     I will not interfere with your desires for your afterlife. Just know that I did do so for your wife. Her soul is now in the Great Beyond, having found a new life and a new purpose there, and is forever beyond the reach of the gods who inhabit your heaven and hell. If it is truly your wish to aid in watching and protecting Eliza after your death, then I would welcome you to do that.

     Just know that a time will come when I will return in physical form and take her from this place. I will give her a life with me and mine, that she learns the true meaning of love, that she will know family, life, hearth, and home. And you will then be alone, I will ask of Death, that he come to you then and offer to you what I asked of him for your wife. A new life and purpose in the Great Beyond. I do this because, in the end, you care and love Eliza as I do and you are willing to accept the pain of the hard decisions to safeguard her.

     I must go now and return to her, go on to your fate, and know I will take care of her as I have since her birth."

     The mage soon dies, and after some time passes, some others come seeking to check on him. Finding him passed from life, they go back to the village and inquire of the Elders, about what should be done for him. The Elders ask if he left any instructions or requests for his remains. A note found with the body is handed over. 

     The note simply acknowledges that there is no chance that his body would be interred within a consecrated graveyard and so asks that he be placed in a prepared grave next to the willow tree at the house where he lived. The request was discussed among the Elders and no disagreement was found with it. A noted Churchman who was in the area was also consulted and followed the men returning the body to the house to be interred.

     As the body was placed and the covering stone lid placed over the grave, the Churchman entered the home and proceeded to examine what was there. He exhorted the men to touch nothing of what lay there, that it was likely used for unholy purposes and so should not be handled without proper ritual cleansing.

     He went through the house looking in each room until he came upon the locked room. He asked the men if a key had been found and was answered that no one had seen one save for the one the Churchman opened the entry door with. He tried that key but it did not open the locked door. Inside the room, Iriisii wrapped herself around Eliza, bidding her to be silent and not move or make a sound. Eliza did as Iriisii asked, even holding the chains such that they would not clink or rattle.

     Soon enough the men gathered to leave, the leader asked the Churchman about what to do about the house and all the possessions, to which the Churchman replied.

     Churchman: "This place and everything in it is of the 'devil'. It is his and so let its fate be his. Board it up and lock the doors, all pious men risk their souls by going in there. Let the 'devil' take care of his own, it is no place for honest men of God to be."

     And so they left it to go back to their homes since except for curious passersby, it has remained unvisited. Every now and again someone will remark on its still undecayed state, but no one is willing to go in to see why.

     Iriisii has still remained with Eliza, keeping watch over her, as well as making sure she knows she is not alone. She knows that at some time she, Dettlaff, and Elric will walk in from the Fortress of Nightmares, and then she can rejoin her body after she leaves to investigate the past happenings. She will then free Eliza from her chains, and take her with them onward. Until then she talks to Eliza and tells her of her life and the events she has lived through. And what she has in store for Eliza once she is finally free.

     Iriisii has left her body to enter the past of 'what was', Eliza is still asleep in the nest the Iriisii first made for her. The Iriisii that went into and experienced the past of this place then waited all those years for herself and the others to enter, feels the time is now right to return to her body. She moves from the corner of the room and slips back inside, savoring the familiar feel of her body once more. 

     Shivista and Darkstar know something happened, this, while the same Iriisii that left, is also different.

     Iriisii: "Give me a moment, and I will tell you everything that happened. I did not return directly but waited until you came here for me the second time, for you the first."

     Shivista: "What happened? Did it have anything to do with...?"

     Iriisii: "Eliza, yes it did. I have been watching over her, keeping her from being alone. Scaring away any trespassers, and so protecting her. For should she have escaped into the world outside, she would be relentlessly hunted. And many innocents would suffer and die for it."

     Shivista: "Why is she chained? Is she that dangerous?"

     Iriisii: "To those ignorant of her true nature, she could be very dangerous, to them as well as herself. But because she could see and know me even when I was disembodied in the timestream, I came to know her, and she to know me. Now listen as I tell you her tale and my part in it."

     Iriisii passes along all that happened, what she surmised, and why she did this the way she did.

     Iriisii: "Any questions?"

     Darkstar: "A great many, but nothing that cannot wait. Eliza and Kathea are the most important now, all else can wait."

     Shivista: "I agree, it is time the chains come off before she wakes. But first, you need to tell the men, that they know how to react to her. I would introduce Dettlaff first, since he shares your blood, she will smell and sense the familiarity between you two. Just do it slowly and carefully, since she has no experience with other males."

     Iriisii: "You are right about that, I must stress that although she may act like a wild animal, she most definitely is not one. We must earn her trust and do so carefully, she has yet to come into the gifts of her father. And I would rather be in a safer place when that happens."

     Darkstar: "Who or what is her father?"

     Iriisii: "I can get the barest of glimpses from her mind, but this I do know. He watches to see what happens to her at our hands. And even I at my level do not want to disappoint him. Besides, she shares a part of my soul now, and I will not abandon her now."

     

     Iriisii comes out of her trance state, stands, and walks to Dettlaff.

     Iriisii: "This has become a very complicated situation which I will have to discuss in more detail later. But her name is Eliza, and she is a hybrid. Her mother was a human mortal, and her father, I really do not know who or what her father is. Maybe I will never know, maybe some time into the future, he will make himself known to us. We will have to wait and see. One other wrinkle in this is that for her to have survived conception much less birth, a part of my soul was passed to her. 

     It was not of my doing, not voluntarily anyway. I believe the one we seek was behind that part, even as her father watched how it all was playing out. I did stay with her from her birth till now, even as the time spanned centuries. She is a part of me now, and I cannot, will not abandon her."

     Dettlaff: "Nor should you. We will do what we must accommodate her, for she is now family. And as you have said, no one fucks with our family!"

     Iriisii: "Thank you, I must ask that you stay back as I take the chains off of her. She has only had experience with one man, the mage whose wife was the subject of the summoning ritual and who died just after giving birth to her. She has known no one else but me in the ensuing years. Once she has calmed, I will introduce you to her, but we must take it slow."

     Dettlaff: "However you want to do it is the way we will do it."

     Iriisii: "Then I must go ahead, she will wake soon and I want those chains off of her when she does."

     Iriisii slowly walks toward Eliza, gently sleeping in her 'nest'. Iriisii places a gentle hand on Eliza as she croons to her. Then places her other hand on the manacle cuff, willing it to unlock. It quietly opens and she then slowly removes Eliza's arm from the manacle. Then she opens the other one and whispers to Eliza, "you are free now, no more chains."

     She then leans down and gives Eliza the barest brush of her lips against Eliza's forehead, and whispers yet again, "I have kept my promise to you, my lovely daughter. You who share in my soul. We must go on to rescue your sister and you will come with us. Never more will you be alone, I promise you this."

     Eliza hears her voice, remembers that voice always with her, protecting her, easing her loneliness in the dark nights, and she wakes to see the face that goes with the voice. Then as she moves her arms, she knows something is different. She realizes there are no more chains around her wrists, she has been freed. She looks up at that face and familiar voice, the beginning of tears, the first in her entire existence welling up in her eyes.

     She feels something in her heart, something she does not know what it is, but it is strong. She tentatively raises her arm and places it around Iriisii's shoulder below her neck as she felt those same ethereal arms on so many nights holding her, easing her pain. She then sees Dettlaff standing calmly over on the other side of the room. Beginning to stiffen up, Iriisii calms her back down.

     Iriisii: "Shhh, it is all right. He is mine just as you are mine now. I have taken him as my mate, sharing what we are with each other. He will help me to protect you, keep you from harm, and you can trust him. Can you smell me inside of him and he in me? Breathe my scent into you, remember it."

     As Eliza does this, Iriisii motions for Dettlaff to slowly walk to them. She still is not relaxed but she is not drawing back as long as Iriisii is by her. Once he is close enough, Iriisii takes his hand and brings it close.

     Iriisii: "No breathe once more, take his scent into you. Do you smell me in his scent, as he is in mine?"

     As Eliza does as Iriisii asks, she comes to understand what she is saying. She can scent the sameness in both of them, along with the differences. But it is enough for her to become calm in his presence, knowing they belong to each other and now she belongs to them as they do to her.

     They pass through more junctions on their way to find Kathea, so far they meet no one else. Then they walk into a large room with several saurian beings. The first thing Iriisii notices is they are not like the Argonians she knows, these are more, something different. Eliza sees them and at once goes into an attack, the saurians spread apart, a cowl of skin around their necks rising up. Iriisii immediately goes to Eliza's side, casting a combat defense ward while drawing a one-hand sword.

     Suddenly they see streaks of something, venom maybe, drip down from the ward to the stone floor. Iriisii catches one of the saurians directly in front of her and drives her blade through its throat. Dettlaff and Elric come to either side of them and take care of those on the outside, trying to flank Eliza and Iriisii. Iriisii drops the ward and lets loose with "FUS RO DAH". The remaining three in front become ash where they stand. 

     Once the last are killed, Iriisii starts to examine these saurians. She turns her head when she hears a sharp intake of breath from Elric. She sees Eliza in front of him, her hands running up and down Stormbringer's blade. Elric is standing as if paralyzed, afraid to move should Eliza cut herself on the black blade. Then it is that he hears the blade give a sound he has never heard from it before, had thought it was not even capable of it. He hears it emit a gentle rumble of satisfaction at her touch.  

     Iriisii sees what is going on between Eliza and Stormbringer, and gives Elric a questioning look, to which he replies with one of bewilderment. Iriisii mouths 'ask Arioch?' to which Elric nods his head. Iriisii then gently gets Eliza's attention and says.

     Iriisii: "We must be moving on."

     Eliza nods her head and moves away from Stormbringer. Everyone hears the 'moan' that the blade lets slip. Iriisii moves closer to Elric and whispers to him.

     Iriisii: "Dare I let her handle 'Mournblade'?"

     Elric thinks for a few seconds before replying, "I really am not certain. This is something I have never seen or heard of before. But I would hazard a guess that if you could maintain control of her actions, that combination would be on par with that of your blade and you when in the heat of battle, a nigh unstoppable engine of death and destruction. The two of you together, with Eliza having had training, I dare say even the Legions of the Abyssal Hells would run from you."

     Iriisii: "A vision I had not ever thought to see come about, but as I consider it with some other possibilities that I and a few of my advisors have discussed. I begin to see something taking shape and it is frankly more disturbing than anything I have seen yet. It could also explain a great deal of what has happened to me since Kathea was taken from me."

     Dettlaff: "What are you thinking?"

     Iriisii: "If 'he' truly does not want Kathea, but is using her to get to me. To bind me to him, and add in what we are seeing with Eliza. With access to the legendary weapons that I have stored away."

     Dettlaff's face goes pale, "by the Ultimate Darkness, all of existence would be at your feet! Nothing could stand against you and 'he' would be directing everything! But until we came and reached this point, we would be forever blind to this. At least now we can see this possibility and work against it!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, but we are going to need help. We must know exactly who 'he' is. Otherwise, we are stumbling in the dark."

     Dettlaff: "But who would know, no one has been able to come up with a definitive answer."

     Iriisii: "There is one, however, one we have hitherto now not had access to. And it now means we must find him before we go to meet 'him'."

     Dettlaff: "Who?"

     Elric: "The Custodian of the Fortress."

     Iriisii: "Yes, the Custodian. It is not going to be easy, he will fight us the entire way, but he dares not harm me or Eliza. If he did, 'he' would tear this place down stone by stone to get to him and exact vengeance for the ruination of 'his' plan. For somehow I do not think he intends to inform 'him' of this, but rather hopes he can divert our path so that we reach 'him' first instead."

     Dettlaff: "It always gets deeper and more complicated, never any simpler does it?"

     Iriisii: "Indeed, you are right about that, but when your very soul is on the line and threatened with an eternity of suffering, you will grasp at any straw to turn things around."

     They shift their focus now on trying to find the Custodian. She knows where the one for the Fortress on the Edge of Time was, but who knew where it was placed here, even if it could move at will, which she suspected it could. But perhaps she could see if the Custodian will tell her what it knows of 'him'. It might be she would not even have to force it to tell her.

     Iriisii: "Let me see if I can talk to the Custodian once more, see if he will voluntarily tell me what he knows of 'him'."

     Dettlaff: "If so it would take less time than tracking him down in this maze."

     Iriisii: "Custodian, hear me. I do not wish ill of you, yet I need to speak with you regarding what you know of 'him'. You can either speak with me or I will force you to bring yourself to me and give me whatever you know. I leave the choice for you to decide."

     She waits for some minutes, prepares to make good on her threat, then he speaks to her.

     Custodian: "There will be no further need to coerce me. I cannot challenge the power you hold."

     Iriisii: "Your master is not of this Creation Matrix, is he?"

     Custodian: "No, he is not. Where he is from, he has never given voice or thought to it. Therefore I do not know, but I can confirm he is not from any of our Creations, past or present."

     Iriisii: "Can you rule out future ones?"

     Custodian: "Your Fortress might be able to do so, time is more its purview than mine."

     Iriisii: "I see, I will look at that possibility later. For now, what have you observed about 'him' that marks 'him' as different from us?"

     Custodian: "He seems to be of a similar nature to yourself, but with substantial differences."

     Iriisii: "In what way is he similar?"

     Custodian: "He also carries the signature of both mortal and immortal flesh as you do. But that is where the similarity ends. The nature of his immortal flesh is far different from that which exists in this Creation Matrix."

     Iriisii: "I begin to see why he may desire me and it fills me with great dread for the possible future of us all. Is there any possibility you can tell me anything more of Eliza?"

     Custodian: "Her nature is dual as yours is multiple, her non-mortal nature is very different from any you have encountered thus far, but still within the bounds of this Creation Matrix. Your contribution to her is the binding agent between the two natures you see within her. Without it she would not survive as the previous attempts did not. She is unique because of that, it is not possible at this time to determine what gifts she will inherit from her complex nature.

     But it is given that she will be nearly as powerful as you are now, whether she will continue upward on her own is unknown. Any other means of enabling her power and abilities such as the 'Catalyst', the effect cannot be foreseen, at least not at this time. In the future, perhaps it could, you must make that choice and deal with the consequences."

     Iriisii: "So my best guess is that 'he' is from a different Creation Matrix, one probably somewhat of a close parallel but with differences. Close enough that 'he' can live and survive here without substantial assistance. Thus the choices that I have in dealing with him, may in fact work to my favor. The question is how much in my favor? Can you speak to any of the other Fortresses?"

     Custodian: "Only when directed to, I cannot initiate communications on my own."

     Iriisii: "Hmmm, has 'he' forbidden you to make such a connection, should I ask it, could you initiate communications with my Fortress?"

     Custodian: "He has never seen fit to forbid my use to you in that fashion."

     Iriisii: "Good, then I ask that you establish communications with my Fortress. Inform me when it is done."

     Custodian: "It will be done, Goddess>"

     Dettlaff: "Do you think it could do more than communications?"

     Iriisii: "For now let us put that aside, I would rather ask that of my Fortress, as well as any other questions of like nature. Not that I do not trust this Fortress, but I do not know where 'his' control ends and begins. But the more I understand what might happen, the greater I believe we need to give Mournblade to Eliza."

     Elric: "Are you sure of this, I myself do not know what could come of it."

     Iriisii: "I know, that is why I am going to ask my Fortress to contact Arioch and ask him that question. I have no idea if he knows or not, but he may be able, based on his knowledge of the blades, to speculate on what could cause the effect we saw earlier with Stormbringer."

     Custodian: "I have established communications for you, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Custodian. Who is on board at the moment?"

     Byrsael: "I am, love, what can I do for you?"

     Iriisii: "First I need someone to track down Arioch and ask him a question."

     She relates what she saw when Eliza handled Stormbringer and gave some details of her nature.

     Iriisii: "I need any information, even speculation, as to how this could be, what 'gifts' would she have that would enable her to have such an effect, and how could I use that to my advantage. Tell him that if it looks good, I will give 'Mournblade' to her to use.

     Second: It is looking like 'he' whom I am getting closer to, is not of our Creation Matrix, but of one that is somewhat parallel with some similarities and some differences. I need to know if anyone has come across any further information on 'him' at all, even rumor, innuendo, or anything at all.

     Third: Make sure everyone can be ready at a moment's notice to link with me. It is going to take all of us to put a stop to 'him' and it is imperative that we do so. The future of all of our realms in all of the Creations hangs on what we do here."

     Byrsael: "Arioch wants to speak directly to you. He says this should not go any further than you and those with you."

     Arioch: "Goddess, to tell you what I know, I must tell you a little of my past when I wandered, because it has a direct bearing on what you have asked."

     Iriisii: "Go on then, please. Anything that will help."

     Arioch: "In my young wandering, I traveled far, as far as the very edges of our Creation Matrix. In one of them, I came across a temple dedicated to a very singular individual. This temple was constructed of several, each inside the other, each separated by millennia of time.

     When I got to the earliest, its construction was of chiseled stone slabs and blocks, with a chiseled stone block altar. Behind the altar was a very finely detailed statue of a figure very closely resembling the one you call Eliza. This figure however was male, he shared the same wiry musculature you describe. He had a carved stone replica of the sword I modeled the black blades from, his hands around the hilt, the blade pointed down with the tip resting on the stone floor.

     I also found a form of runic writing inscribed on one of the stone slab walls. It took me the better part of a century to translate it from other more recent writings on the newer sections. It was the formula for creating the 'black blades'. Once I translated the formula, I could see very fine, shallow runes going around the top edge of the altar. They, when translated, identified the statue as belonging to, 'Kasador', the first of the Eternal Champions.

     At this time there was only one Aspect at a time, not the myriad that we have now. He, like you, followed the 'Balance' in all aspects of his life. And he was honored and respected enough by all that encountered him. That when he died, the power of the belief in him that flowed out from the grief at his death, was more than a single individual could survive in accepting the Mantle created at his end.

     The Gods at that time somehow caused it to be split into several parts, with different individuals accepting each part, but all tied together. I felt the obligation to reforge his sword. But even I could not combine everything into a single one, so I split everything into two swords. Elric soon came to claim Stormbringer, while Mournblade has passed from one to another and so on until now.

     Mournblade is to be her blade, for she is of the line of the first 'Eternal Champion', and the blades know her because of this because some of his bones were taken from his tomb and used in the forging of them. The connection you have to her will aid you both.

     Mournblade will obey every command either of you gives it. But in her hands, it will achieve a kind of Satori. The fighting spirit of her ancestor will possess the blade and fight with her against all foes. With Elric there as well, Dettlaff and you, the four of you are perhaps the one force in all of our Creation that can match 'he' whom you face.

     I can tell you no more of him, for I do not know. Another however does, and I will step aside for him to speak now."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, my friend. Go and find she who will be your bride, you now have my permission to begin your search."

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "Greetings, my daughter, I understand you are so close to Kathea now and have found yet another lost daughter, albeit one you were never aware of before."

     Iriisii: "And I bet you knew this would come about as well, did you not?"

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "The possibility was there, and as the time approached it grew stronger, but so did the chance of it all falling to disaster. Better to wait and let events bring it to the fullness of fruition."

     Iriisii: "I cannot fault your logic, father. Sometimes we are not meant to know everything until we are on top of it and then we make our decisions on what to do."

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "And making those decisions wisely and rightly has been your overwhelming strength. And now you bear that out once again.

     You are correct in that 'he' you search for is not of our Creation Matrix. No matter how close he seems to be to you, 'he' is a very far cry from who you will one day be. Your summation of what he wants is indeed very close to the mark, even though 'he' seems to think if 'he' is successful he can do as you intend and turn Creation from its current path. What path 'he' wants to place it on is a matter of great debate among the 'High Elementals'."

     Iriisii: "You and I must have a talk about all of these that I never knew existed until I stumbled across mention of them."

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "I am not in the least surprised, but the 'High Elementals' are not a part of our Creation Matrix but rather 'his'."

     Iriisii: "Can they not do something to avert this then?"

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "If he was doing this in his home Creation, they would have already acted. But they cannot interfere in ours."

     Iriisii: "But 'he' can, this not only makes my head spin but it gives me headaches!"

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "You must realize, he came here a very long time ago and accumulated his power over the years spent here. That is why 'he' is able to do as 'he' has done without restriction despite 'his' heritage. But I digress when you meet him atop 'his' sanctuary at the very top of the central Fortress tower. You must not assume the form of a Dragon to combat him.

     Use your new form, that of the Sand Wyrm, and for your weapon in that form, I give to you one of my very own teeth. Use it to impale him on and the poison that is a part of that tooth will be 'his' undoing. All others fighting with you will need to give you the opportunity to get close to him. When you do, call for 'High Duel' and press your advantage. Once he is firmly impaled, raise your head to the stars and scream your victory.

     Take what happens after in stride and all will go in your favor. When you return, even the 'Blind Dreamer' will have to think twice before crossing you. I know I am being cryptic, but I am saying all that I can without causing a jinx to interfere."

     Iriisii: "What is this about a...no, better to ask after this is done. You would not say what you have done unless the need was great. Father of the Sands, may your passing cleanse the way."

     Shai-Hulu'ud: "Ask of me, and it shall be done in your name."

     Iriisii turns and looks off into some space only she can see, takes her hands and reaches into her personal dimensional storage, and draws a long black blade out. Ornate and deadly, even in its sheath, it feels the power collected among those in the room as well as its brother, Stormbringer.

     Iriisii carries it horizontally, slowly walking to Eliza, who senses the blade Iriisii is bringing to her. Mournblade feels Eliza's presence, recognizes who she is, and gently quivers in anticipation of her wielding him. Then Iriisii is standing in front of Eliza, holding the blade in front of her. Iriisii places it in Eliza's hands, speaking words coming to her from the spirits of the deepest desert.

          

          Iday alakrab,

          akir man yamut malak al-mut

     

     Eliza takes the blade and in her voice, with vocal cords barely able to speak human words.

          lisan al-gaib

          kull wahad

          halal hu

     

     Iriisii releases Mournblade into Eliza's care, as she brings the crossguard up she pulls just a short length of the blade from the sheath and lays a kiss on the bare metal. Mournblade gives forth a sound like nothing ever heard from it before. High pitched, deep, and piercing, Eliza harmonizes with it, the combination melding into what sounds like a cry, the pitch lowering, the depth going even deeper, and then Iriisii opens her mouth and inhales the sound, pulling it inside her. Then her mouth opens once more and releases the sound, full-bodied, echoing, and Mournblade absorbs it into itself. Dettlaff and Elric later swear they saw the teeth and inner fires of a Sand Wyrm as they looked into her open throat, as Mournblade glowed red with the heat of those fires.

     Iriisii asks Eliza if she wants to wear Mournblade on her side or on her back. Eliza uses a hand to indicate on her back. So Iriisii helps her arrange the sheath for an over-the-shoulder draw. As she finishes she touches Eliza's wings, feeling the very soft down covering them. Eliza turns her head as if in shame for having them.

     Dettlaff: "Why don't you show her your wings, then she will not feel alone in having them."

     Iriisii nods her head and then unfurls her own lambent blue dragon wings, the colors even more striking with her elevation in status. Eliza looks at them with wide eyes, reaching out a hand to touch them. Iriisii stretches them out toward Eliza, slipping them around her and under her own wings, then gently uses them to pull Eliza to her. Eliza looks up into Iriisii's face with a questioning look, as if to say 'why'?

     Iriisii: "Wrap yours around us."

     As Eliza does this and Iriisii runs her arms around Eliza under both sets of wings, Eliza does the same with her arms, she looks up once more into Iriisii's face and in her broken voice says, "sisters?"

     Iriisii: "Sisters!"

     Iriisii then feels Eliza place her head on Iriisii's chest under her chin, Eliza's tears dropping from her face onto Iriisii. Both Dettlaff and Elric see Iriisii's and Eliza's auras unfold around them both. When they merge they become visible, the combined power held within them both spiking to hitherto unknown levels. Within the metaphysical realm, between the physical and the quantum, a new star of power is born and shines with a light that awes all whose eyes can see into that realm.

     A new aura forms around them, this one like looking through a crystal, one that catches the auras of Iriisii and Eliza, scattering them into a rainbow of color that reaches both above and below the visible spectrum. All within the room feel the approval of someone from outside all that they know, someone who is pleased that Eliza has found a family that will take her in as one of theirs.

     Iriisii feels her link with the Fortress on the Edge of Time open up.

     Rigmor: "All right, what have you gone and done now? Aetherius is abuzz about something concerning you, and although they are not visible to most, the ramparts of the Fortress are covered in Soul Hounds. Even several of the Gods of Eld, those more sensitive to the metaphysical plane have arrived asking what you are involved in. I have asked them what they see, but they either cannot or will not tell me."

     Iriisii: "Let me send you the memories concerning it, then it will make more sense than if I just tell you."

     Iriisii sends Rigmor the memories of what happened when she forced the Custodian to open the Fortress doors to their present time. Afterward, Rigmor is speechless as she comprehends what occurred.

     Rigmor: "Now I will not say I understand completely, but you did the right thing. There was no way you could have left her and lived with yourself. And now we have a new sister to add to our family. I hope you intend to introduce me to her, I mean, after all, we are family now."

     Iriisii opens the link to Eliza.

     Iriisii: "Eliza, come and meet your new family. This is Rigmor Ragnarsdottir, of the House of Ragnar, High Queen of Cyrodiil."

     Rigmor: I am so pleased to meet you, dear sister. I am also Iriisii's first mate, please take care of yourself and come home to us. I am sure the children will love you as much as we all will."

     Byrsael: "I am next, the others are still on their way. My name is Byrsael, and I too am wed to Iriisii. I welcome you, sister, to our family, and look forward to meeting you in person."

     Illyria: "Eliza, sister, I am Illyria, wedded to Iriisii after Rigmor. I understand your situation and agree with what Iriisii did. Keep safe, both of you, and come to us, share our hearth and home, know you have a place of honor with us."

     Desidarius: "Welcome dearest sister, I am Desidarius, also wedded to Iriisii. We and I especially are anxious to meet you. I am glad she found you and was able to help you. Call upon us if you need our aid, we will do what we can."

     Telasine: "I am Telasine, Goddess of Eld, first of the line of Iriisii Dovahkiin. I welcome you into our family. I am honored to greet you as sister to she who made me, daughter of her flesh and blood, and who presided over my ascension to join with the Gods of Eld."

     Yennefer: "I am Yennefer of Cyrodiil, second of the line of Iriisii, betrothed of Kthanid, of whom Iriisii is of his line. We share much in common, my sister, and I will do all I can to help you adjust to your new family and home."

     Serana: "Hello, My name is Serana, of all the others that have spoken with you except for Rigmor, I have known Iriisii the longest. Many are the times we braved great danger in the adventures we shared as you are now sharing one with her. Would that I could have been with her when she found you, but such was not to be. Perhaps sometime I will become third of her line, we shall have to see what the future brings. But I know now our future is much more bright for you to become a part of us all. Go with her and do what you have been called to do. Then return with her and share our hearth and home. May the 'Mother' bless you as she has us with your addition to our family.

     Eliza looks around wishing she could see everyone who spoke to her, her voice cracks as she speaks, then she gathers her inner strength to try again.

     Eliza: "Family...love all."

     The group in the Fortress on the Edge of Time, is speechless, not a dry eye anywhere there. All they can do is hold on to each other and comfort as best they can until these two of theirs return home.

     This time a different voice comes through from a different path.

     Child of Infinity: "Sister of my sister, know I am called the Child of Infinity. I am many things to Iriisii, sister, daughter, for I am a gestalt of her soul, and so closer to her, than any other could be. Some would say, I am her and she is me. At my birth, I was more powerful than she, now she has surpassed me. 

     And now that she has brought you into our family, we are nearly complete. When the last one joins us, it will be the most unexpected one. But at that time, the Jihad of Truth will begin. You will have a role within it, as will we all. But yours, yours will be one that will shake everything. This is indeed a needful thing, so I welcome you and say to you. Have faith in your sister Iriisii, and believe in yourself, and the Armies of Gehenna, nor the Wild Hunt of Ashteros will stand in your way, but fall as you step among them."

     Iriisii: "I think it is time we moved on, we are close now and he is expecting us. He will not help or hinder, but wait patiently for our arrival. Do not be shocked or surprised by what you see or what happens. There is a lot that he must answer for, and still, other events occur before we can leave."

     Dettlaff: "What was it that happened? Was what we saw here reflected into somewhere that it garnered so much attention?"

     Iriisii: "When our auras merged, it sent...something, I know not what into the metaphysical plane. The plane where energy from the Quantum Realm is converted into either 'science' or 'magic'. There is now a new star blazing in its firmament. A star of both kinds of energy, blending together to become greater than either alone."

     Dettlaff: "So what does that mean, exactly?"

     Iriisii: "That from now onward there exists the ability for both kinds of energy to no longer be at odds with each other, but can work together harmoniously and whoever learns to use it, will be..."

     Dettlaff: "Will be what?"

     Iriisii: "The New Gods! Who they will be, I have no idea, yet. But they will be beyond any we know now."

     Dettlaff thinks for a moment.

     Dettlaff: "Do you think..."

     Iriisii puts her finger to his lips.

     Iriisii: "Speak not of it until we know more. But to what you were going to ask, the answer is 'maybe'. Time will tell with us all, we must tread carefully, lest we upset things beyond even our power to right."

     Dettlaff: "As you say, we have an appointment with the captor of Kathea, it is past time we dealt harshly with him!"

     They move from room to room, finding signs of habitation but no one is still there.

     Dettlaff: "Do you think he is recalling them all to defend him?"

     Iriisii: "Distract us more likely, it is what I would do in his position. When we find him, open a lane for me to reach him. I will challenge him then. I expect he will morph, into what I am not sure, but I will use my Sand Wyrm form."

     Dettlaff: "not Dragon?"

     Iriisii: "No, Shai-Hulu'ud said not to use Dragon, but Sand Wyrm instead. He even gave one of his teeth from his own SandWyrm form to use as my weapon. I trust his word and so will do as he has asked."

     Dettlaff: "Forgive me for asking, but those words you say after using his name?"

     Iriisii: "What do they mean?"

     Dettlaff: "Yes, I am curious about that."

     Iriisii: "It is no mystical secret. In the Nomad's desert world, the sand wyrms are very territorial. If anything treads on the sands that do not belong there, the wyrms are drawn to it. They will attack and consume whatever they find that should not be there. Once they move on, the sands are as if nothing had ever trespassed upon them. That is why the Fremen are trained from birth how to safely walk on the dunes. And they intone Shai-Hulu'ud's name, with the response to show respect and obeisance to the protection he brings with his passing."

     Dettlaff: "But what you did on that war-torn world when you called him?"

     Iriisii: "He sent his spirit to roam the world, cleansing it of the poisons, and deadly remains of high energy weapons and bombs. He will restore the surface to what it once was before, thus his passing will cleanse the way."

     Dettlaff: "I see now, thank you. I have a great deal to learn of what goes on out there."

     Iriisii: As do I, my love, as do I. Now we need to..."

     Dettlaff: "What is it?"

     Irisiii: "My children call for my help, I must see to this. Stay here with Elric and wait until I return, I will not be long. Eliza come with me, I will not leave you here, should 'he' seek to use you against me."

     Iriisii holds out a hand to Eliza, as she takes it, Iriisii opens a portal, and Dettlaff can hear strong ocean waves driving onto a shore on the other side. Iriisii and Eliza walk through and the portal closes.

     As they look out upon where they have moved to, they see heavy ocean waves striking the shore. Thunderhead clouds are on the horizon, building stronger every minute. They are now at least a hundred thousand feet high, lightning shooting across from one side to another.

     A group of women, some are children are kneeling on the shore looking out over the ocean, she can feel the call coming from them. Walking toward them, a particularly strong lightning bolt attempts to drop into their number as Iriisii reaches toward it and draws its power into herself, sharing it with Eliza.

     The group scatters to the ground fearing the lightning strike, when it does not crash among them, they look around in amazement. Then they notice Iriisii and Eliza standing nearby, the energy of the lightning bolt still sizzling across their bodies. The one leading the group comes and kneels before Iriisii.

     Elderly woman: "You came! We were told you would come if the need was great enough."

     Iriisii: "I heard your plea for my help, I and my sister, Eliza, came to do what we could. Now tell us what has transpired, that storm is not natural. Is it in any way related to your call for help?"

     Elderly woman: "Our men and older boys were press-ganged into service to a treasure hunter serving our Emperor. They went out by ship a month ago, then just a few days ago that storm started building. It has held off over the deep water until now. We have no idea if it is related, but we fear for our husbands, fathers, and children. Can you see what has happened?"

     Iriisii: "Did the treasure hunter let leak what he was seeking?"

     Elderly woman: "Our legends say there is a lost island out there, hidden by fog, and protected by maelstroms. A fierce battle took place there between a hero sent by our gods long ago and an intruder from an unknown place. No one remembers what happened, just that no further sign of either was ever seen again. The treasure hunter said that the weapons used were still there waiting to be claimed, and he sought them for our Emperor before others came to seek them."

     Iriisii: "Idiot to go seeking lost things that were perhaps lost for a reason. Some hidden things should remain hidden. We will go and seek your family and loved ones. One last word, the time of the Jihad of Truth approaches, ready yourselves to make your decision."

     Elderly woman: "May we ask, to what level will the decision be made? Does it stop at how the world in general decides, the country, how far down does it go?"

     Iriisii: "At last someone sees the question that needs to be answered. Know my daughter, as it is the decision of each individual which path in life they will follow, be it for 'good', 'evil', 'light', 'dark', or the 'balance', so shall this decision be. I have no right to decide for another and so they must decide for themselves. When your decision is made as my herald comes among you, so will my herald gather and protect those who decide for the balance and provide transport to be by my side, under the protection of my wings."

     Elderly woman: "Praise be to you, Mother of Dragons."

     Iriisii gives the elderly woman a blessing of strength, protection, and discernment.

     Iriisii: "Praise be unto you, my daughter, go and prepare the way for my herald to come, fear not for what retribution may come your way for you carry my blessing. Any who raises their hand upon you for carrying my word will face my wrath and my punishment. And now we must go, for there are lives in peril that must be saved."

     Iriisii walks to the shore with Eliza, unfurls her wings, and takes to the air. The energy of the storm causes many updrafts that they use to rise up quickly. Iriisii sets her course toward the center of the storm staying just under the clouds. They fly for some time, watching the interplay of forces between wind, wave, and storm, even as the inhabitants of the watery deeps watch them.

     Soon they see a ship in the distance, trying hard to keep the prow headed into the waves. They see each wave wash over and sweep the deck from bow to stern, flowing around the wheelhouse where those inside struggle to keep control of the ship. Iriisii sees one man leave by a door below the wheelhouse, climb up a ladder to the crow's nest, trying to see a break in the storm, anywhere to guide the ship to safety.

     But Iriisii knows there is no break and if something is not done soon this ship will find a new home on the sea bottom. As the seaman climbs back down a high wave strikes and washes the seaman into the waves. While he struggles to stay afloat, others come out from the door he came from, tying themselves to the railing they throw ropes out to the struggling seaman. But the waves pull him away and down.

     Iriisii tells Eliza to stay above the ship while she goes for the seaman. Iriisii then flies to where she saw the seaman go under, extending her senses she finds him still moving about twenty feet under the surface. She folds her wings about her and dives down. Once under the waves, she uses her wings to pull herself down to the seaman. Then she wraps her arms around him, noticing a dark shadow underneath them coming upward, she feels she needs to get into the air quickly. Again she uses her wings to grab the water like it was air and pull herself with the seaman upward.

     Faster they climb until they break the surface into the brunt of the storm. Upward into the sky, she goes using any updraft to gain height. Then she sees the shadow below breach the surface. What comes after her looks to be fins and teeth, she looks straight into its gullet and shouts "FUS RO DAH". The force wave hits it and staggers its advance. Just as Eliza with Mournblade screaming in her hands, is driven into its body just below its jaws and follows her as she dives down its length. Its guts fall out and drop into the raging sea followed by its now hollow carcass.

     Eliza and Mournblade, screech and scream their victory, even as a lightning bolt strikes Mournblade, illuminating both in its firey glow. Eliza absorbs the most part and Mournblade consumes the rest. Iriisii flies with her burden to the ship with Eliza following.

     Iriisii lands and releases the seaman into the arms of his fellows. She then extends her power over the ship calming the worst of the waves. The Captain comes out, running to her, he stops and kneels.

     Captain Lindral: "My Lady, thank you for your rescue of my seaman. I do not know how I could repay such an act of bravery and courage."

     Iriisii: "You may start by telling me what is going on here, what happened to cause this storm to be birthed, and do all it can to keep you in its grip until it claims you all?"

     Captain Lindral: "We were on a mission from the Emperor to take his representative to an island shown on a map he had with him. We were to assist him however he asked and see him safely back."

     Iriisii: "Did he bring anything on board from the island or have your men bring it?"

     Treasure Hunter: "Say no more, Captain! You are still under my orders until I reach the capital."

     Iriisii: "And do your orders extend to sacrificing the lives of these men?"

     Treasure Hunter: "And if they do?"

     Iriisii: "Then how would you expect to reach the capital with your prize if you and this ship are dragged to the bottom of the sea?"

     Treasure Hunter: "Ach, this is but a minor blow. I have faced far worse and survived to tell the tale."

     Iriisii: "A normal storm perhaps, but this is not a normal storm. Firstly, Captain is this the proper season for a storm of this size and ferocity?"

     Captain Lindral: "No, My Lady, it is not."

     Treasure Hunter: "And what would he know of how many storms like this have occurred over the years?"

     Iriisii: "Captain, how long have you sailed these waters?"

     Captain Lindral: "All of my life, My Lady. And my father, and his father before him."

     Iriisii: "And have you ever heard of a storm coming up this quickly, acting as if it could think and act with intention?"

     Captain Lindral: "No, My Lady, I have not." He turns to his sailors, "have any of you heard of this on any other waters you have sailed on?"

     A chorus of no's and never's is heard from all of the seamen gathered.

     Iriisii: "I would say their experience has greater weight than your words, Treasure Hunter. Captain, a group of the wives, children, and family of these men, led by their elder mother called out to me for assistance. Their pleas reached my ears and I came to their call. When you see them once more, give thanks to them and respect to the elder mother for believing and adhering to the old ways. Without her, their call would likely not have reached me."

     Treasure Hunter: "And how far would that be, the next village perhaps, or maybe the local brothel."

     The Treasure Hunter feels the cold edge of a blade against his throat. 

     Iriisii: "Eliza, NO! Treasure Hunter, on peril of losing your soul, do...not...move. My sister wields one of the fabled black blades forged in the Courts of Chaos. This one is named, Mournblade, its brother, Stormbringer is wielded by the Eternal Champion, Elric of Melnibone, who has taken service with me. If it breaks your skin, it will suck your soul and life force through it and into itself.

     Eliza, ease up just a little, I need to ask him some questions. Thank you, dear sister. Now Treasure Hunter, just who is it that speaks with your voice, is it truly the Treasure Hunter? Or is it the spirit that remains with the objects brought on board this ship? The objects this storm was created for to stop them from being unleashed upon this world again.

     And Treasure Hunter, we were within the Fortress on the Edge of Nightmares, beyond the Realm of Dreams, when the call came to my ears, and I have unfinished business there, so I suggest you answer my questions truthfully and quickly, or Mournblade will have your soul and your body will be given to those who live in the deeps."

     Treasure Hunter: "I am here on order of the Imperial Emperor, no one else has the right to stand in my way of doing his will!"

     Iriisii: "Then I take your evasion of the question to mean you are the spirit of the artifacts below decks. Please allow the treasure hunter to come forth and speak with me."

     Treasure Hunter: "That I cannot do, for I am the only one here. There is no other."

     Iriisii looks at the Treasure Hunter with a disgusted grimace on her face.

     Iriisii: "You took his body for your own and cast his soul outside?"

     Iriisii turns to the others, "has any of you noticed a radical change in his speech or demeanor since you were press-ganged into service to excavate the tomb? If so, where were you on this trip, how long since you were taken did you notice anything?"

     The press-ganged talk among themselves for just a bit, then they choose one to speak for them all.

      Banji Ho: "My Lady, all have told me of what they personally have noticed. The beginning of the change was noticed by all after we arrived on the island. The earliest time was two days after arrival, the latest was one week."

     Iriisii: "I see."

     Turning back to the Treasure Hunter, she extends her senses a little more deeply, then looks at serval others picked at random to compare what she saw.

     Iriisii: "Treasure Hunter, stop this charade and tell me who you really are, this will be your only chance to come clean."

     Treasure Hunter: "I am who I have said I am, no one is going to call me a liar. Captain, I order you to place this woman under arrest!"

     Iriisii looks to the press-ganged and points to the Treasure Hunter, "hold him for the 'Mother's Judgment'."

     As two of the press-ganged grab each side of him, Eliza backs away and sheaths Mournblade. Iriisii turns and looks up into the skies and calls, "Zu'u Iriisii Dovahkiin bel fah faal Monah wa fun mu ok dez!"

     Treasure Hunter: "What kind of mummblygook words are those! Let me go now!"

     No sooner than the Treasure Hunter's words got out of his mouth when four Soul hounds materialize on the deck around the Treasure Hunter. Taking possession of him, the lead Soul Hound turns to Iriisii.

     Soul Hound: "Esteemed Daughter of the Mother of the Cosmos, you have once more brought justice to the Realms. The spirit you saw did indeed force the spirit residing in this body outside and stole it for his own purposes in violation of the Mother's Laws. Are you ready to give him over at this time to the Mother for judgment?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I am."

     Soul Hound: "The Mother thanks her daughter for all that she has done and wishes good luck and good fortune in retrieving your own daughter. Also what you have done for the one called Eliza, calls for the highest praise that can be given. You have fought against all odds and enemies to uphold the 'Balance' and the Mother's Laws. Yet still, you find time to aid those who are the least of our people, yet the most deserving of your aid.

     In helping Eliza as you have, you have set in motion an unprecedented series of events, the full course of which will take eons to determine all that will come about. But knowing your ability to make the right decisions when faced with hard choices, all look forward to seeing what comes from these decisions you have made.

     To those still onboard this ship, my Daughter has extended to your people her grace. It is a gift of unsurpassed value if you use it wisely. Already you have begun doing just that, by calling upon her when your need was great, and trusting to obey her without question. I leave her now to complete what she has begun here, then to return to where she came from and do what must be done there."

     The Soul Hounds vanish, along with the Treasure Hunter, his screams dying in the fierce howl of the storm's winds and rain. She walks to a clear area of the deck and again raises her arms, but this time she looks into the heart of the storm.

          Meyz, sil se strun,                    Come, soul of the storm,

          Meyz wa zu'u nu                      Come to me now

          Zu'u bel fah hi                          I call for you

          Meyz wa zu'u nu                      Come to me now

     It starts as a small patch of fog, then grows in size, depth, and intensity until it is a very small golem-like figure floating just above the surface of the deck. It moves to Iriisii and waits for her to make the next move.

     Iriisii: "He who took the artifacts from their resting place has been taken for judgment and punishment. Now we must come to an agreement on what to do with the artifacts, that protects everyone, and the result of your anger is allowed to disperse. Tell me what would satisfy your anger and make things right once more."

     Storm: "Return them to their rest."

     Iriisii: I am willing to do that. How do we keep others from returning to find them after I am gone? I am capable of sealing the artifacts, such that no one will be able to take them away again. Will this satisfy?"

     Storm: "They will still come?"

     Iriisii: "Now that they know the artifacts are not a myth but real, yes they will come."

     Storm: "You have taken powerful artifacts from others to keep safe?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I have. When those who stand above me, asked that I do so to keep others from using them."

     Storm: "How do hide them?"

     Iriisii: "I place them in a dimensional vault that only I can enter."

     Storm: "Could they still be tracked?"

     Iriisii: "Possible, but tracking them and getting into the vault are two very different things."

     Storm: "Can you hide them from those who track?"

     Iriisii: "Ah, I see now, yes I can."

     Storm: "Have you done this?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I have. I have two swords and a body, encased in void metal, placed in a lock box in which the key is destroyed and cannot be remade. No magic can enter the lockbox to track the objects within, and no magic from the objects can get out to call for help to be released. Is this what you have in mind?"

     Storm: "Yes, this will be good. Artifacts no longer here, will be left in peace."

     Iriisii: "I understand. This will be done as we agree to it. You have my word."

     Storm: "Word of 'Mother of Dragons' good. I will release anger, seas will calm once more."

     Iriisii: "I will make certain the rulers know that the artifacts are no longer here, and they should not attempt to reach the island or risk my anger, which is like the anger of dragons."

     Storm: "This is fair, when Jihad comes we Storm Elements declare for you."

     Iriisii: "Thank you. Rest and sleep well."

     As Iriisii goes back to the others, the storm can be felt to be lessening already.

     Iriisii: "The storm will break soon, then it will be safe to return to the mainland."

     Banji Ho: "What about the Emperor and others? Will they stay away now?"

     Iriisii: "I will see to that, do not worry."

     The storm has broken, the seas are calm now, and the ship is sailing back to return the press-ganged workers to their families before going on to report their failure to acquire the artifacts. Iriisii has already dealt with them, having had void metal ingots and castings brought through by servitors from the Fortress on the Edge of Time. The artifacts are placed in the castings and welded shut. Then she constructs a void metal lockbox modeled after the Dwemer lockboxes. The artifacts are loaded inside the remaining space filled with void metal. She locks the lock box with a unique key constructed just for this purpose.

     The Captain, watching all that has gone on, asks how will she keep anyone else from getting or copying the key. She simply says, watch and see. She places the key in the lock and turns it until she hears the distinctive click that says it is locked. She then steps back and focuses dragon fire on the lock and key mechanism, fusing it solid. The Captain nods his head in appreciation thinking 'sometimes the simple solutions are the best. 

     The box is then taken through a separate portal to her private stash, where she keeps all of the more dangerous things she has collected. Turning to the assembled workers.

     Iriisii: "It is done, they will be a bane to this world no longer. And now I go to inform your families you are returning home. I will be leaving a gift with your family to compensate you for what you have endured. For I know you did not ask for what happened to you. They should have come among you, asking for volunteers and offering good pay for your efforts. Since the one who took you is no longer able to redress that grievance, I shall do so."

     Captain: "What about the Emperor? He is not about to take this lying down."

     A low mumble spreads through all on board.

     Iriisii: "Do not worry about him, I shall see to not only him but all of this world's rulers with regard to that island. I promised the Elemental Guardians that they would be undisturbed and I intend to see to that promise. I take it this Emperor is one who likes to flaunt his power?"

     Captain: "I believe that describes him perfectly."

     Many nods of affirmation can be seen among all standing on the deck.

     Iriisii: "He will not be the first I have had to deal with, and likely will not be the last either. But I think a more public show is required than the way I dealt with the last one. Even so, it will not be as 'flashy' as what I could do, but I do not like using my troops for such things. My personal troops will be more than enough for this, and I am sure they would not mind getting out of the Fortress for a short time. Come, Eliza, we have work yet to do."

     They launch themselves into the air and fly back to the fishing village where they started from. The word of their coming spreads through the village before they even can land, and so when they do touch down there is a great crowd waiting.

     Iriisii: "I bring you good news. The ship your men are on is safe and on its way home to you, as I speak. All are safe and wish nothing more than to be with you all once more."

     The shouts of joy that erupt echo across the streets and all who hear know what it means.

     Elder woman: "What of the Treasure Hunter and the spoils he sought?"

     Iriisii: "He is no more. He ran afoul of a malevolent spirit from what he sought. The spirit has been given to the Mother of the Cosmos for judgment and punishment. I have spoken to the Guardian Elementals and have moved the artifacts with their permission to a place where no other will ever find or acquire them. I will deal with all of the rulers of this world to leave the island and its guardians undisturbed.

     I also have this for all of you. The Treasure Hunter should have come asking for volunteers, offering good payment in return for their services. Since he is unable to do so now, I have accepted responsibility for this."

     And Iriisii hands a small bag to the Elder Woman. Some wonder how much gold is in there and if it is enough to go around. When the Elder woman opens the bag and pours the contents into her hand, it is flawless gems that fall out and not gold. The Elder Woman knows the value of these gems and could buy the entire fishing village over several times.

     Iriisii: "Sell them sparingly, so as not to depress the market and lower what you can get for them. It is time Eliza and I went to talk to the rulers."

     Elder Woman: "May all Gods who walk above you bless you for what you have done this day."

     Iriisii: "I thank you for your kind words, remember me when the Herald for the Jihad of Truth comes, each person must decide for themselves, no ruler above you can make your decision for you, no matter what they may say. I am the Champion of the Balance between Good and Evil, Light and Dark join with me to preserve the Balance, so that life may go onward for all of us."

     Iriisii and Eliza take to the air once more, Iriisii asks Eliza to stay close to her.

     Iriisii: "These people will know when they get close to the capital, but will not be able to see who comes. Therefore they will send machines that can fly with people inside to see who approaches. With luck, they will land and set up a meeting place before this Emperor sends someone to talk with us. When they do, let me speak. I must set the tone of this meeting to favor us."

     Eliza looks at Iriisii, who sees understanding in her eyes, yes, she is far more intelligent than she seems at first glance. These here will look at her and dismiss her, a huge, glaring error on their part. One I can use, oh, how I can use that error.

     Time passes as they stay above the cloud banks, using them to disguise their presence until they choose to reveal themselves. Eliza sees this as a very important game of 'Hunter and Prey'. With her and her sister as the hunter, and everyone else who stands against them as the prey. They close in on the point where they must drop out of the clouds and then the Emperor's Air Corps will se them on their instruments, and send up flying machines to find them. But what will their orders be, to look, observe, or kill? That is the question with no answer as yet.

     So they must drop quickly to reach the ground and set up a meeting place where they will not immediately start a fight. Now, it is time, Iriisii nods to Eliza, and they begin their dive through the clouds and onto the ground.

     The Emperor's Air Corps are fast. Hitting the air as soon as the first trace was seen on their instruments. Iriisii and Eliza are halfway to the ground as the first air machines reach them. They break to left and right, going around the pair, sending back word of what they see. The officers back at the base are wondering if these men are sick, drunk, or drugged, at the incredulous reports that they are sending back. And to make matters worse, the damned media people tapped into the radio reports and now they are broadcasting what was said for the whole country to hear.

     The Air Corps Command cannot order their flyers to shoot now, so they are ordered to maintain visual contact and report any changes. Almost as fast as the media got ahold of this story, the spies from the other countries pass the information back to their people. Most think the same as the Air Corps Command, but one on the other side of the world knows better. Knows what is going on, who these two are, just not why are they here, and what are their plans. So a top-secret message is sent to this country's diplomatic embassy. Once it is received, decrypted, and read by the top staff, orders go out that galvanize those who work here.

     Their orders are simple, organize a diplomatic mission and meet these two as soon as possible after they land. Offer them anything they want if they will allow you to represent them when the Emperor's people come for them. Above all, put yourselves in good standing with them, whatever it takes.

     The diplomatic mission pulls in all their markers to find out the expected landing spot before anyone else has a chance to move, and off they go. The race is on.

     Iriisii and Eliza land, and Iriisii begins converting the surrounding ground into a small upside-down pyramid. This way they control access, no one can climb up without their knowledge. They form a black stone dias on the flat top, placing furniture on it. Braziers for light and heat, chairs and couches, heck if you are Goddesses might as well be comfortable, right? A set of force glyphs is inscribed around three sides as the first line of defense.

     Then they sit down to wait and see what happens and who has the guts to approach first. It does not take long for the 'diplomatic mission' to find its way there. The quality of their intelligence operatives is very good. So the 'Ambassador' walks from the Embassy vehicle to the platform and calls out for their attention.

     Iriisii walks to the edge and looks down to see who is asking permission to approach. She scans the individual, reading that they are not a part of this Empire but a non-aligned country far removed from this area. Interesting she thinks, getting the gist of what he wants. Useful indeed, she calls down to him to wait just a few minutes and she will bring him up so that he will be the first she speaks to.

     She goes into her mind, connects to her Fortress, and gives instructions to the Custodian.

     Iriisii: "Custodian?'

     Custodian: "Yes, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "I need a door opened to my location, send Norok and Night Tiger through. Have a company of my Hand of Blood ready to come through on my command. I will issue exact placement commands later, expect to open four doors at the Cardinal Points relative to my current position. How far away I do not know right now, they are to form a perimeter around me and keep everyone away unless I expressly allow otherwise."

     Custodian: "Executing orders now."

     A door appears close by, and Norok and the Night Tiger both walk through. Iriisii closes the door and watches it disappear. Eliza watches Norok and Night Tiger with great interest. Iriisii then introduces them to her.

     Iriisii: "Eliza, this is Norok, my brother by the Ritual of Blood Binding, and this is Night Tiger a gift to me from the Dark Forest, this is Eliza, Sister of my Soul. Eliza these are but two of your new family.

     Eliza: "Eliza...love family." As she kneels down before them and wraps her arms around them. The cats both take to her, licking her face with their raspy tongues.

     Iriisii: "Eliza take the seat to the right, I will take the one on the left, Norok sit next to Eliza, Night Tiger sit next to me."

     As they take their places, Iriisii extends a stair out of the material the pyramid is made of for the 'Ambassador' to make his way up to them. As the stair materializes and extends to him, he looks to those who escorted him, and motions for them to stay on the ground as he turns and walks up the stair.

     He walks up and steps on the black stone dias, seeing the two female figures seated in thick ornate chairs, with two of the biggest cats he has ever seen sitting calmly next to them. He also notes there are no collars or chains on them, yet they have perfectly behaved. The confidential file that was sent to him about who at least one likely was, is spot on. And he has no choice but to swallow his preconceptions and admit there are things out there he had no idea existed even in his dreams.

     He approaches, kneels down with his head bowed, and gives the greeting he was instructed to use.

     Ambassador: "Iriisii Dovahkiin, Mother of Dragons, Dragon of War, Harbinger of the Gods Of Eld, my country welcomes you to the world we call 'Jaxiue', any assistance we can be to you, we offer our help freely asking nothing in return."

     Iriissii: "How are you called, Ambassador?"

     Ambassador: "My given name is Micheisis, if it pleases you, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "Your people know of me already to know my name and status. Do any others know what you know of me?"

     Micheisis: "Not to our knowledge, Goddess. We have managed to tap into the broadcast feeds of your actions, translating the speech has been difficult but we are making progress. Only a few others here have the technology to tap into the feeds as we have done, yet they have dismissed them as fantasy."

     Iriisii: "I see. At this point, I believe that the assistance of you and your country is welcome. My business involves all the countries of this world and their leaders, but especially this Empire. They will not in all expectation like what I have to say, but it is necessary that I do this.

     The Emperor here sent an agent of his to acquire some specific objects. He failed in his task, setting up an event that could have been a worldwide disaster but for my intervention. Now I must place a stricture against travel to a specific place in your local sea. That which lives there does not wish to be disturbed, and I have promised to see this done to everyone's understanding.

     Your assistance in informing all parties of this would be greatly appreciated. I will offer my protection to you and yours while the conference is going on. I will also make it a requirement that no retaliation be undertaken against you, yours, or your country for your involvement on my behalf. And I believe you have a good idea that I can back up what I say. If not, by the time we are done here you will. I believe others are beginning to arrive, shall we greet them?"

     They walk to the edge to look at the new arrivals. 

     Iriisii: "Those vehicles out on the edge of the area, what do you call them and their purpose?"

     Micheisis: "Those are armored tanks, Goddess. They fire a rather large explosive projectile. Their range is not exceptional but they are meant to be used for short-range missions."

     Iriisii: "I see. And the people exiting that string of black vehicles?"

     Micheisis: "I recognize the Assistant Secretary of State, he is a minor government functionary, several levels below the Emperor. They merely wish to see what it is you want before they decide if higher levels will be needed to become involved."

     Iriisii: "I thank you for your information. First I believe increasing my wards is in order. Second, it may be necessary to...I believe the colloquialism is, up the ante."

     Micheisis: "I can only assume this is for all of the governments to see, mine own included?"

     Iriisii: "You are indeed an intelligent and savvy man, Ambassador. Your leaders are wise to place one such as you here. Yes, this display will be for all to see, at this point, I do not want it thought that I am playing favorites. I am not here to upset the balance of power, not unless I must do so to accommodate the agreement I made earlier."

     Micheisis: "May I ask who you made this agreement with?"

     Iriisii: "You may, as it concerns all who live here. On a remote island in the nearby sea, lives a group of Elemental Guardians. Their purpose for being there was to guard a set of artifacts left by the conflict between two mythical figures from your past. Their story has all but disappeared from your history but be assured they did exist. And their clashing at arms against each other almost destroyed this world, it caused many changes in the land masses that existed then.

     Some sank beneath the waves, as others rose. The air was heavily poisoned by volcanic eruptions and dust lay so thick that it blocked the light and warming heat from your sun for a millennium, thereby causing what your histories refer to as an Ice Age. Your civilizations at that time were caught unaware and suffered greatly enough that they slid back into barbarism and even lower down the scale.

     Only relatively recently recovering and advancing beyond where they once were. The Emperor here was convinced that there was truth in these old stories, and set out to find what was left, and use those objects to extend his power across this world. The Guardians did as they were set to do, and created a storm to block the ship from reaching land and offloading its cargo.

     Had they been able to do so the storm would have not stopped. It would have grown, in size, in intensity, in ferocity. It would have blanketed the entire world in its destructive power until all was drowned under its waves, to protect not this world, but all the others out there from what this world would have become."

     Micheisis: "How did you come to be involved?"

     Iriisii: "A group of women and children, whose men and older boys were press-ganged by the project leader to do the hard excavation work. After more than a month is gone and a monster storm on the horizon facing them, they called out to me. Word that I would come to those whose need was great, had already filtered down to them. In their need and belief, I heard their plea and came to see what I could do. I do not meddle in the politics of worlds and governments. I feel for the people under them, as I was once myself long ago."

     Micheisis: "I do not understand, what were you once?"

     Iriisii: "As mortal as you. I am an ascended Goddess, once mortal, now I climb the rungs of the ladder of Celestial Power. Some say I am now beyond that ladder, and climb to new heights, forging an unknown path for others adventurous enough to follow in my footsteps." Waving a hand to the three behind her, "As these are doing now, and still others in other places."

     Micheisis: "Who are these, if I may ask?"

     Iriisii points to Norok, "this is Norok, an Elder of the Cats of Ulthar, and my brother by the Ritual of Blood Binding", moving to Night Tiger, "this is 'Night Tiger', he is a gift to me from the 'Dark Forest, a place I have come to love", moving to Eliza, "and this, this is Eliza, Sister of my Soul, for she shares a part of my soul, that was taken from me to allow her to survive her birth. Her dual nature is of such separation that only a part of the soul of a very powerful Goddess could bind her two halves together into one. As I was present at her conception, and later her birth. I stayed with her for nearly two centuries while she grew so that she would not be alone. Until I could release her from her protective chains and bring her into my family."

     Eliza: "Iriisii family, love family. Norok family, love Norok. Tiger family, love tiger."

     Micheisis: "She does not speak well, does she."

     Iriisii: "Do not judge her by what and how she speaks. Her vocal cords must strain themselves to speak as we do, her dominant half is not of our Creation Matrix."

     Micheisis: "What is this Creation Matrix you speak of?"

     Iriisii: "This world exists within a universe, as your telescopes tell you. Yet can you see beyond those boundaries?"

     Micheisis: "No, we cannot."

     Iriisii: "And so many believe that because you cannot see beyond those boundaries that nothing must exist there for you cannot see anything."

     Micheisis: "You are correct in that, many but not all believe that way."

     Iriisii: "If I told you that a near infinity of universes exists beyond the boundary of yours, would you believe me? Without evidence to back up what I say?"

     Micheisis: "Yours and their presence are enough to convince me of that."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, for the compliment, but all that I have said only encompasses one Creation Matrix. And I know this for a fact because I was gifted with a vision of the time when it was born. I stood witness and watched as it began. I saw as he known to me as Sithis, also called Padomay, stood against Creation and sought to stop it from happening, only to fracture it into the infinity of pieces that exist today."

     Micheisis: "How can any being stand against Creation, that would mean..."

     Iriisii: "That he existed outside of and before the Creation Matrix began, yes that is so. He lived then and still does live within the 'void' between them. And still fights to end them and return all to the 'void'. Even then the 'void' is not barren and lifeless, there does exist life there, but it is not nearly so prevalent as it is inside the Creation Matrix. Also, understand that as high as I am in the Celestial World, there are others to whom I am as a newborn baby, and some not even that much. I could not point them out or tell you their names because I do not know and have never seen them. But I believe they exist because I exist, and there is far too much 'order' out there in how all works together and builds upon each other. But come, let us see to our newest visitors, and see what we need to do to impress the gravity of the situation upon them."

     

     They stand on the edge, looking down the stepped ramp at the 'Undersecretary' speaking to someone through a communications device, while those with him surround him keeping all others away. The soldiers milling about around the tanks and other weapons, trying to hide their astonishment at what is going on, what their eyes are telling them. They wonder what use are their weapons to someone who can do as they have watched and seen.

     The 'Undersecretary' places the communications device back in the vehicle and reaching further in pulls out something vaguely resembling a horn of some kind. he then turns to see Iriisii and Micheisis watching him. He is too far to recognize the Ambassador, or he might not have been so free with his words. He pulls the horn up in front of his face and speaks into it. His amplified voice rings out over the empty space between them.

     Undersecretary: "I am the assistant Undersecretary of State for the Empire of Kegisar. Who is it that has invaded our airspace and sits unlawfully upon our land? Speak now before I order our military might to destroy you!"

     Iriisii: "That is not the proper way to begin greetings and conversation between powers. It seems a demonstration is in order. Ambassador, do I have your permission to interrupt our conversation to teach this 'worm' a lesson in politeness when speaking to a foreign dignitary?"

     Micheisis: "Of course, My Lady, I look forward to seeing what you have in store for him."

     Iriisii: "Then watch carefully at all that happens, you will find it informative and rewarding I am sure. 'Custodian!'

     Custodian: "Goddess, your orders?"

     Micheisis looks around to see where this other voice answering Iriisii is coming from but admits he can see nothing.

     Iriisii: "Open doors to Cardinal points. Instruct my 'Hand of Blood' as each group enters their door to split to both sides upon coming through. Then form a perimeter guard around my location. They are to assume a 'ready' posture, there are hostile forces on site but no hostilities have been initiated as yet. This is to be a show of force for now, but be ready should it escalate. I may call upon a few dragons, so you may need to prepare about a dozen dragon priests to come through if I call for them. Also mobilize the remainder of my guard, the Dragon Legions, and my Sirens as well. If any of mine is to see action I want them all to have the opportunity to see action."

     Custodian: "Executing orders."

     Four glowing doors spring up from the ground, open, and disgorge Iriisii's 'Hand of Blood' troops. Like precision clockwork, they exit and split to each side until the ends meet up. They turn to face outward, their weapons at the ready. At first, the government agents around the 'Undersecretary' think this is a joke, because of the various bladed weapons they see these people armed with.

     The lead agent however is more experienced and sees the training these warriors have undergone in their movements, then he also sees some of these are armed with 'energy' weapons of a type unknown to him, and he has seen every prototype his government is working on in their secret labs. What he sees is both more advanced and more powerful than anything they have. He commands his people to retrieve the 'Undersecretary' and get the hell out before he starts a war they might not be able to win.

     The soldiers by the tanks, mobilize and ready their tanks, but no orders are coming through for the moment so they hold position and wait.

     Iriisii: "Those you see there is a small part of my, Hand of Blood. Hand-picked warriors born and raised in a deep desert world, where one wrong move means their death. I did a service for their leaders and they gifted me with them. They consider themselves mine, mind, body, and soul.

     I have had them trained even further in every imaginable weapon, I personally forged the armor they wear, and have stood with them on the front lines of battle, sharing the screams and blood of our enemies. They would and have followed me into the depths of the Abyssal Planes as we have stood side by side battling demons and nightmares beyond anything you could imagine. They, my Dragon Legions, and my Sirens are the core of my Celestial Army, and I trust each one of them with my greatest treasures, my family. I think, possibly, yes I should summon them.

     Custodian."

     Custodian: "Yes, Goddess."

     Iriisii: "Open a door on my position and send my 'Shadows' to me, it is time they gather experience as well."

     Custodian: "At once, Goddess. There is one who wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience."

     Iriisii: "Blackwell?"

     Custodian: "No, Goddess, the Lady Rigmor."

     Iriisii: "Put her through immediately, but do not let her come through the door. Things are calm for the moment but could get heated quickly."

     Custodian: "Patching her through."

     The door opens and her two Kinja Shadow Warriors step through.

     Rigmor: "Ummmpph, you blocked the door!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I did. This is not the kind of situation you need to involve yourself in."

     Rigmor: "You took Eliza with you!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I am not taking a chance that 'he' might get to her if I was not there to protect her."

     Rigmor: "Well I cannot argue with that. But what is going on, you were in the Fortress of Nightmares and then you are somewhere else?"

     Iriisii: "I was called to render aid to my children."

     Rigmor: "Someone stub their toe?"

     Iriisii: "No." And she explains the situation of what happened and what she is doing now.

     Rigmor: "I apologize, what you are doing is right and needful."

     Iriisii: "I know you want to be with me, but this place is a tinderbox waiting for a spark to explode."

     Rigmor sighs, "I know, I am just the kind of spark to set off that explosion."

     Iriisii: "Just stay close, once I have Kathea back, I am going to try and restore the land around the Fortress. If I can do it like I want to, I will have all of you come and see, so I can show off my handiwork."

     Rigmor: "Do you intend to claim that Fortress and link it to this one?"

     Iriisii: "That thought has crossed my mind, but I do not want to get ahead of myself. first I must deal with 'him', then get Kathea straightened out."

     Rigmor: "Why do you...oh, I forgot. 'He' has had her for some time, no telling what 'he' has boobytrapped her with."

     Iriisii: "Yes, but do you remember, 'Death' knows and gave me what I need to restore her."

     Rigmor: "I remember now and still shudder at some of those futures we saw involving her."

     Iriisii: "Shhh, we have passed that time now. Now we make our own futures instead of following what others show us. Perhaps that is why it has taken so long so that we do not become trapped in the possible outcomes that grew out of specific decisions. Decisions that have come and gone, and now we forge new paths to reach new goals, and new destinies. The future is literally ours to write, and it will be all that we want it to be, so long as we remain true to ourselves and each other."

     Rigmor: "You are right, even though I have questioned many of your decisions, I cannot say otherwise but that you were right in what you decided. Just remember I love you, and cannot wait to meet Eliza!"

     Iriisii: "And she wishes so much to meet all of you, her new family. She has already won over Norok and Night Tiger, I guess you will be next. I love you and miss you greatly, I will see you once things are done on my end. I must go now, we have new visitors arriving and I need to see to them."

     Rigmor: "Be careful, I know I worry, but I cannot help it."

     Iriisii: "I know, but you know that this is the kind of thing I can deal with, having done it before."

     Rigmor: "Yeah and I remember how that went too."

     Iriisii: "Not the same circumstances as you well know. We will talk again later. Oh, you might want to look in your closet for a new box in there with your name on it."

     Rigmor: "A new box! What is in it?"

     Iriisii: "Go and look for yourself, I went by Elihal's before heading out with Dettlaff and Elric."

     Rigmor: "The box is from Elihal!! I will see you later, got to get to it before anyone else knows it is there. Gotta run, later!"

     Iriisii hears Rigmor's voice fade as she runs through the Fortress to their quarters to check for the box in the closet. Iriisii with a smile on her face turns to look at the visitors arriving in different kinds of vehicles than the previous ones.

     Iriisii changes her clothes in a wave of her hand into one of Elihal's special efforts just for her, then she turns to Micheisis, "you may ask of my conversation at a later time, for now, I need your aid with these new visitors. Would you mind escorting me to greet them, then we can return here to speak with one another.

     Micheisis bows and offers Iriisii his arm, she places her hand lightly within the crook of his arm and walks with him down the steps. Mentally speaking to Eliza, Norok, and Night Tiger, 'we will return with our visitors after I greet them. Please wait until our return, then watch and listen, I will wish to hear if you think any are hiding things that should concern us.'

     They reach the ground and since Micheisis likely knows them all by name, she lets him make introductions, also leaving to him how much of her status and accolades he reveals to them. He makes no mention of her being a Goddess, simply referring to her as the Dowager Empress of the Empire of Nirn. He introduces each by name and country of origin. She then speaks, knowing full well her words are being recorded and transmitted to the Emperor's people to analyze.

     Iriisii: "I would like to thank all of you for taking the initiative to come and greet me on my initial visit to your world. As I am certain you have ascertained I come from elsewhere, exactly where I will leave that information aside for now. Please understand that these", waving an arm to her 'Hand of Blood', "are my personal bodyguards yet only represent a small portion of the total number I have. You will have noticed that they possess a variety of weaponry, both melee and ranged, old and new. 

     They are trained in every kind of combat imaginable, anything in their hands is a weapon, and when nothing is at hand, they themselves are living weapons. Why would I need such troops if I am advanced enough to travel the stars? Because who and what is out there does not always care about rules, laws, politeness, courtesy, all of those things that mark a world as civilized.

     To walk among them, you must be able to meet them on their own ground, understand their ways, and be willing to be more like them than they themselves are. 'Krosis', I digress, would you gentlemen accompany us up to the top, I have had a table and chairs, along with some refreshments from my world, placed for your enjoyment while we talk. Best of all, what we say to each other will be private and shielded from prying eyes and ears, so please if you will."

     She turns with a practiced spin, her gown opening along the legs on the sides from feet to mid-thigh. Several of the diplomats are riveted to her as the clinging gown conceals nearly everything, but reveals her curves to her best advantage. Men of lesser power she thinks, easily led by their own natures, men of greater power would not be so easily led, and men of the greatest power would know what she was doing in a heartbeat. Some could still be swayed, and some would not, the game at that level is one she would leave to less experienced women. She would not lose the respect she has earned by playing in that fashion.

     As they reach the top, the Custodian has already sent everything needed. A long wooden table with enough chairs for all. Food and drink are available on a sidebar, with some of her Sirens selected to serve, they being dressed in similar dresses yet different patterns and colors.

     Iriisii: "Please select anything you desire from the sidebar, the servers will see that your goblets do not empty if that is your wish. As far as anything else of a more personal nature, I leave that up to them. If at all it will be their choice, and I expect you to be gentlemen and abide by that choice.

     If anyone doubts me, I would introduce you to Norok and Night Tiger. They both rise from where they had been laying, carefully concealing themselves in plain sight. At the sight of them and their imposing physical size, more than one of the Diplomats feel a chill run up their spine. And I cannot forget to introduce Eliza, Sister of my Soul."

     Eliza stands and the Diplomats freeze. If there was any doubt that Iriisii was not from this world, that doubt has been dispelled completely. Iriisii walks up to Eliza, draws her into a deep hug, and kisses her on top of her head, whispering, "miss me?" Eliza smiles at Iriisii, wrapping her wings around her as Iriisii combs Eliza's fine hair with her fingers.

     Once all of the Diplomats have been served, Iriisii takes the chair at the head of the table. She then starts at the beginning of why she came here, what happened what she found out, and what actions she must take to satisfy the terms of the promise she made to the Elemental Guardians.

     Iriisii: "I know this is a lot to take in, so I will give you time to consult your leaders, and verify what you can of what I have said. Discuss what path you wish to take going forward. I would ask that even if your leaders disagree with me, do not attempt to cross me and make a landing on the island. It will not go well for you and any who makes the attempt. Please understand, that I do make idle threats, I prefer not to make threats at all, except where they are warranted. And then, I am well prepared to back them up.

     I wish to deal with this peacefully, with cooperation among us all. But once my word is given, I will keep it, whatever it costs. I do not expect everyone to agree or even to accept my authority on this. But for those who will, there will be rewards. What rewards will have to be evaluated according to what your country and its people need most? I am not interested in regime change, how you govern your world is your business. So long as no Celestial Laws are broken and I am not called to deal with those.

     As to what Celestial Laws are and how would they affect you? That I will inform those who wish to know privately, the information can be a sensitive matter, much of which I do not anticipate being a problem that would involve your people or leadership. But adherence to them is expected once you reach a point where you are able to know what these Laws are. Break them and punishment is swift and terrible, for good reason."

     The Diplomats are escorted back to their vehicles, all of her Sirens having declined any further liaisons with them. 

     Micheisis: "They will take a few days to consult with their leaders, some may have further questions but I believe they will all come over to your position on this. The thought of this Emperor almost acquiring access to those artifacts is truly terrible to think about. What he could have brought about does not bear thinking about. But he is not going to allow a slight like that to be set aside. He will respond, the question is how will he do so."

     Iriisii: "We will see. Do you think he may expel all of these Diplomats in order to keep them from talking to me?"

     Micheisis: "Possibly, but not unless he can show cause. He is not an absolute ruler, yet. If the rest of those not under his thumb join in common cause, he would very well be in trouble. But it is as you said, we will see."

     Iriisii: "Since you have spent the most time with me, if you were to leave here to return to your embassy, would he attempt to take you along the way? Either in the hope to influence me, or more likely find out everything you know about me?"

     Micheisis: "Now that you speak of it, it would not be beyond him to do so, what do you suggest?"

     Iriisii: "I can provide a bodyguard team for you and can assure you, he will not be able to grab you from them."

     Iriisii speaks in Kinja, and her two 'Shadows' appear as if out of nowhere.

     Micheisis: "Where did they come from?"

     Iriisii: "They have been here since before you came up. They are my 'Shadow Warriors', only I am better in stealth than they are. They can escort you to your embassy safely and watch until you wish to return. Then they can bring you back safely. You must allow them to do so as they wish though. It should be an interesting journey through the 'Shadowlands'."

     Micheisis: "The 'Shadowlands'?"

     Iriisii: "All shadows are potentially gateways into the 'Shadowlands'. But one must first be aware of them, be trained in how to access them, and then how to safely travel the paths to where you wish to go. My 'Shadows' were trained in the one Temple known to exist in the 'Shadowlands'. I was gifted with my knowledge directly by the twelve 'Shadowlords' who live in and rule over the 'Shadowlands'."

     Iriisii gives her Shadows their orders to take Micheisis to his Embassy by shadow walking, guard him against possible abduction, and return him here when needed. They nod their heads as one, turn to him, and hold out their hands.

     Iriisii: "They cannot speak any tongue but their own, however, they can understand anything you say to them. Should they need to defend you, just stay out of their way and let them take care of it. Should they need help, they know how to summon my Hand of Blood. Good night, Ambassador, and be safe."

     Micheisis: "Good dreams to you, Mother of Dragons." As he takes their proffered hands, they lead him into the shadows to disappear into the Shadowlands.

     She is standing on the edge looking out over the city. It is a quiet, peaceful night, the citizens are sleeping and dreaming, never knowing how close to disaster they came if their Emperor had gotten his hands on those artifacts. Then the Custodian breaks the silence.

     Custodian: "Goddess, you have two emergency visitors, opening a door to you now."

     The door opens as two figures she knows well come through, both are Asgardian.

     Iriisii: "Thor, Sif, what has happened? Is everything all right with Asgard?"

     Sif: "Asgard is good, Goddess Iriisii. It is events here and in the Fortress of Nightmares that drew Wotan's gaze. You must go back to the Fortress and complete your mission there. 'He' has captured Dettlaff and Elric, Wotan sent us to keep watch here until you could return."

     Iriisii: "Then I will need to call some others as well, I expect the Emperor here to start something soon. Custodian?"

     Custodian: "Yes, Goddess?"

     Iriisii: "Thank you for passing Thor and Sif through as quickly as you did. Now I need you to call and send to me, Rigmor, Byrsael, Desidarius, and Reaper. I also want you to send over the Dragon Priests, mobilize the rest of my forces and have them ready to transport over if needed. I will be in the Fortress of Nightmares, so if any of my mates, or either of Sif or Thor, call for reinforcements send them through immediately."

     Thor: "Who is that in the chair?!"

     Sif looks toward where Thor is looking, she does not know either, but she knows Iriisii enough to look deeper. She sees something that totally surprises her. Thor is moving to a defensive stance, as Sif elbows him hard in his ribs.

     Thor: "Ooofff!"

     Sif: "Look past her outer form, you idiot, she has a 'pure soul', one more pure than I have ever seen before."

     Thor stops and looks as Sif suggested, "yes, I see now, my apologies, I am indeed an idiot, for not looking beyond the obvious."

     Iriisii: "Now you have a reminder to be more careful in the future, look to Norok and Night Tiger, had you taken another step you would have had to deal with all three. And if it were just you against Eliza, I am not sure who would win."

     About that time, Rigmor, Byrsael, Desidarius, and Reaper come through a door. Rigmor takes one look at Eliza, goes to her, and embraces her.

     Rigmor: "Oh, you poor dear, let me welcome you to our family. I am Rigmor, your sister's first mate."

     Byrsael sees Thor and nods her head to him as he brings his hammer to his chest in a salute to her.

     Desidarius looks at Eliza and recognizes something about her. She walks to Eliza and holds out her hands to her. Eliza takes her hands as Desidarius kneels to her. Eliza leans down and kisses Desidarius on top of her head, whispering, "Love my family."

     Desidarius looks back up at her with tears in her eyes.

     Desidarius: "We thought you were gone, my Queen. No one could find you. There was no trace of where we could look for you."

     Eliza whispers, "Father knew, father allowed summoning. Iriisii saved me, gave me part of her soul, and anchored me. Called me sister, gave me family. Love my family."

     Desidarius rises, and whispers, "she and I to wed, we love each other. She will keep you safe." Then she walks to Iriisii and hugs her tightly, whispering, "thank you, for saving her".

     Iriisii: "I could do no less for her. She did not ask for what happened. I felt I had to do all I could to give her a chance."

     Desidarius: "Where was she?"

     Iriisii: "While in the Fortress of Nightmares, the rooms were configured to share space with other spaces in other realms. When we found her, I went back in time to see what happened, and why she was chained to the wall. I witnessed her conception ritual when she was joined to the human baby still in the mother's womb. I stayed for the birth when the mother died in childbirth. When her human father died, he chained her in her room to keep the villagers from finding and hunting her.

     I kept her company from then until I entered that room some two hundred years later. Then I came back to my physical body and released the chains from her. She carries a part of my soul inside her, so she is the Sister of my Soul."

     Desidarius: "She said her true father knew what happened, allowed her to be summoned. Did he know what was to happen? Did he know you would be there? That you would do what you did? That you would save her life and give her a family to call her own."

     Iriisii: "That I cannot say, for I never saw him, have no idea who he is. But maybe one day we can get answers, for her and for us."

     Desidarius wraps her arms around Iriisii, then just a few seconds later feels another set of arms wrap around them both. Eliza whispers, "One day, answers...maybe. But now...have family, have love...have what I need."

     Thor starts to move toward them when he suffers another elbow to his ribs.

     Sif: "Don't you dare, this is their moment, stay out of it if you know what is good for you."

     He glowers a moment but stays put.

     Rigmor comes up to them, "you are ours now, and we are yours. As any one of us lives, you will be safe.

     Byrsael: "Indeed, we will keep you safe, no matter what we have to do. There is one more here for you to meet. This is Reaper, he is Iriisii's son."

     Eliza: "Son, not my son."

     Byrsael: "I think the word you seek is 'nephew'. He is Iriisii's son, as you are her sister, Reaper is your nephew."

     Eliza: "Ne...phew!", and smiles as the word is spoken clearly even if broken.

     Reaper looking closely at her, smiles in return, "as you are my mother's sister, may I call you, 'aunt'?"

     Eliza: "Aunt...Aunt...Aunt Eliza!" and her smile becomes even bigger.

     Reaper embraces her and says, "Greetings, Aunt Eliza."

     Rigmor watches and listens, then turns to Iriisii, with tears welling up, "you did good, you really did good."

     Iriisii: "Now I need to speak with Thor and Sif, Wotan sent them to watch and help, while I and Eliza go back."

     Rigmor: "But why take Eliza back now, we just met her?"

     Iriisii: "'He' has taken Dettlaff and Elric, after I left with Eliza. Somehow she has yet a role to play out in this drama, what it is will have to see. But first I need to explain the situation here, come with me since I will be leaving you in charge."

     Iriisii motions to Thor and Sif to sit at the table as she and Rigmor sit close by. She begins by telling what happened to bring her here, what she found, and what she did. Why she is here now speaking to Diplomats about a permanent travel ban around that particular island.

     Iriisii: "So you see, Micheisis has been of huge help, both in information about the various regions, the rulers, the general political climate. I cannot help but feel the Emperor of this region will be a problem. Why he wanted those artifacts, I do not know, but it cannot have been for a good purpose.

     Micheisis feels many of those not already under this Emperor's thumb would side with us. They do not wish for war, it is enough that the artifacts have been denied to him. But his pride has been stung and he will not take that lying down. He is gathering information and making plans for now. I am sure he will prod and feint, trying to see if he can provoke us, detect any weakness.

     I have asked the Custodian to ready all of our troops and have them stand by to be brought over if we need them. I have not mentioned our dragons, I want this to be our hidden card, to be used for maximum effect if needed, and I believe it will be. I have also had some Dragon Priests brought over, right now they are in the shadows of this construct. I do not want them seen as yet. No need to play all our cards at once.

    You can say, I was called away on urgent business, no lie there unfortunately but the truth will stand us better than a lie will right now. You do not know how long I will be gone, again the truth. Just say nothing about why I am gone or where I am, no matter how you may be provoked. As long as he cannot reach you inside, you are in control. Just be straight and direct in your answers, that way he cannot twist your words. Think of how Lord Chancellor Blackwell would answer him and you will be fine. We will return as soon as we can, with Kathea, I promise."

     Rigmor: "Good, you promised to come back, and I know you always keep your promises. And so I will promise to do as you have instructed and make you and Lord Blackwell proud of me."

     Iriisii: "Now that is my Rigmor Ragnarsdottir, of the House of Ragnar, High Queen of Cyrodiil."

     Rigmor: "For another year or so, anyway."

     Iriisii: "To me, you will always be my High Queen of Cyrodiil, no matter whose behind sits on the throne."

     Sif looks at Thor, "you could take lessons from her."

     Thor manages not to grimace, even if he could not gather up a smile.

     Sif: "Well at least you are not grimacing, on the outside anyway."

     Rigmor tries hard not to laugh, but a giggle or two escape anyway.

     Thor throws his hands up in defeat and disgust.

     Rigmor: "It may yet take a while, but he will learn. It took me some time, but I did learn so he will as well."

     Iriisii and Eliza appear back in the room of the Fortress of Nightmares that they left from. The number of bodies strewn across the large room tells a tale of a fierce battle fought. They cannot tell how many more might be wounded as it seems they were either killed by their fellows or went back with them. She does find small traces of Dettlaff's blood on the floor, strangely it seems to call to her. 

     She places her fingertips wherever she hears it calling to her, and it is absorbed back into her. This is something very new indeed, she had no previous idea that this was possible between them now. She looks for any that might have come from Elric, but cannot find any. She then believes it could be that Stormbringer may have absorbed his spilled blood. But the blood of Dettlaff gives her a refreshed link to him.

     She can feel the path he was taken on, and can easily follow it to the final confrontation with 'him', whoever or whatever 'he' is. The closer she gets now the more she feels the information they have gathered about who he could be is completely wrong. And this was going to be very much harder than she first thought.

     Iriisii: "Eliza, let us go, I have the trail scent now."

     Eliza: "Yes, get brother back!"

     Iriisii locates the 'corner' they left the room from and reaches out to access it. She sees a psychic trail glowing softly. She sets her mind to it and lets it guide her to her mate.

     They step out onto a seemingly endless dias at the top of the Fortress. She knows it is not truly as large as it looks, for she can see the seams where different dimensional fractals have been joined together creating this construct. As she looks out at it, she is impressed that it appears to be a single surface, with columns, carved to tell an ongoing story. And there are more columns than she can count.

     They follow the psychic trail which unerringly leads them onward.

     Eliza: "Trap?"

     Iriisii: "Of course. But we know it is, so we spring it when we want, not 'him'."

     Eliza: "Say when."

     Iriisii: "You are my sister, you will know when."

     Eliza: "Many enemies?"

     Iriisii: "Yes."

     Eliza: "Good."

     Iriisii: "Free Dettlaff and Elric, clear path for me to reach 'him'."

     Eliza looks at Iriisii as if contemplating something, "what form you choose?"

     Iriisii: "Sand Wyrm."

     Eliza slowly nods her head, "will clear path."

     They continue on in silence. The columns are spread further apart now, there are even a few bodies like the ones they saw in the room, scattered about. Dettlaff and Elric are still fighting, good. This will give Eliza time to place herself where she can spring 'his' trap early.

     There in the distance, they see a massive number of enemies. No wonder they were able to take both Dettlaff and Elric, 'he' had the numbers to keep pushing at them. But those numbers will not stand against Iriisii and Eliza, much less with Dettlaff and Elric added to their number. Iriisii goes into her personal storage space and draws out her Wamphyri Battle Gauntlets. Eliza sees them and her eyes go wide. Iriisii sees her reaction to them. Yes, she is my sister, no question of that.

     Iriisii: "I will make a pair for you once we are done here if you want."

     Eliza looks at the gauntlets and then looks at Mournblade, unable to decide."

     Iriisii: "There is no reason you cannot have both."

     Eliza grins with nearly all of her razor-sharp teeth showing.

     Iriisii thinks, 'Oh yes, she is my sister!'

     They ready their weapons and begin moving toward the mass of enemies at a trot. Iriisii charges her 'Amulet of Mantras' with a series of shouts and spells that the amulet will allow to be cast one after another without waiting. They approach the huge number of enemies but they are still so engaged with Dettlaff and Elric, that they do not notice Iriisii and Eliza.

     Iriisii pulls Eliza next to her, holding onto her she uses all three words to the 'Evocation' shout. They both are raised up on a pillar of arcane energy, infusing them, making their spells and shouts even more powerful. Iriisii then shouts, 'Dragon Aspect', the empowering effects merging with Evocation, to send the power of her spells and shouts even higher.

     Eliza releases a devastating screech that causes tremors and shivers in the muscles of the closest enemies they fall to the floor in uncontrollable spasms. Iriisii lets go with 'FUS RO DAH", the force wave rolling over those already on the floor, turning them to ash, hits the next ones standing but weakened by Eliza's screech and they too become little piles of ash. The ones beyond are thrown into the air to land on their brothers, causing a pile-up of bodies, and forcing others to go around to charge the attacking pair.

     Eliza draws Mournblade, the black blade screams a dark song of death and unholy despair, with each slice, cut, stab, drawing souls and lifeforce into itself, sharing its bounty with Eliza. Iriisii reaches out with her battle gauntlets, the chains singing their own song in counterpoint to Mournblade as both the blades on the ball on the chains' end cut through the enemies, with the chains themselves acting as a sawblade, cutting closer enemies in half.

     Iriisii swings one gauntlet chain with its bladed ball, smashing into enemies, while keeping the other in hand, taking out any who get close, a pile of hearts building where she uses the finger blades like a surgeon, cutting up under the ribs. A hard twist of her hand and another heart comes out, added to the pile.

     Eliza utilizes her alien screech stopping her enemies in their tracks as their 'fear or flight' responses are lit up like a bonfire, just as Mournblade relieves them of their souls and their lives.

     Dettlaff and Elric take this distraction to make a play for their weapons. Dettlaff gives over to his beast, who comes to the fore snarling, ripping arms from shoulders and using them as armored clubs. Elric slides through the chaos and lays a hand on Stormbringer. He lifts it up before slicing it down toward several enemies, but not before Iriisii calls upon a firestorm to rain fiery meteors down on the area, and Stormbringer reaches out with the deepest power within itself, the power it was named for, and directs the fire meteors where they will do the greatest damage.

     It is not much longer before the last of the enemies lay in circles of the dead, piles of dismembered body parts, little hills of ash, and charred, still-burning bodies, the stench slightly better than what they smelled like before the melee got started.

     Then they hear the clapping applause of the one they came for. Dettlaff makes a move toward him but Iriisii calls out, "NO!". Dettlaff glowers but steps back.

     'Him': "It is good you have such a strong leash on him. t would be a pity to have to lose him so early on the game."

     Iriisii: "I hold no leash upon him, he does it because he loves and respects me. He knows I have laid claim to you, your death is mine and mine alone to bestow upon you. Now where is my daughter, WHERE IS KATHEA!?"

     The Thu'um resonates throughout the range of her voice. The floor shakes, as do the columns. Angry clouds come racing to her call, swirling and twisting with the power of her voice.

     'Him': "Good, good, you are even more powerful than I had anticipated you would be at this point. Dear Kathea is safe and unharmed, I will bring her out here soon, but first, we must talk.

     I know you want answers to why all of this that I have brought about. Ask and I will answer, nothing held back I want you to know and understand why you are going to submit to my will."

     Iriisii: "I feel some similarities between us but some differences as well. Just who and more importantly 'what' are you? You are 'God touched' but not Aasimar."

     'Him': "Very close, very close indeed. I am truly not 'God touched' but 'God spawned'. An important distinction. My people are as you have surmised not Aasimar, but we are called Nephilim. I am the result of the mating between Divinity and Mortality."

     Iriisii: "Explain yourself, for there are none like you in this Creation Matrix."

     'Him': "You do have me there, I am not of your Creation Matrix. I predate even the first Creation that began the series that you inhabit. I come from an entirely different Creation, in no way connected to this one or the previous two before."

     Iriisii: "Then how did you end up here?"

     'Him': "A good question. As I said I was spawned from the mating of a Divine One and a mortal. There were a good number of us spread across our universe. The Prime God, the creator of our universe, saw what his servants had done, yet while he disapproved, as long as we did not pose a threat to his plans, he left us alone.

     But of course, there are always those who seem incapable of leaving well enough alone. Some decided they wanted to rule over the mortals rather than stay out on the fringes, watching the Prime God direct them along the path he wanted them to go in.

     Thus the War of the Great Fall occurred. If it had simply been us involved it would have been settled quickly. But some of the Divine Ones seemed to have ideas as well. They joined with the rebellious Nephilim and assaulted the Heavens. That war lasted for a millennium before the rebels lost and were cast down.

     'He' was enraged that his creations would turn against him as they did. Many of the mortals saw what was happening and decided 'He' might not be so secure in his place as was first thought. The seeds of doubt had been sowed, and they waited for those seeds to sprout and grow. When they did and the entirety of the mortals turned their backs on 'him'. 'He' decided 'he' had had enough and so he sought to destroy everything and start again.

     That included those of us who had stayed out of the conflict. But even then we did not raise arms against 'him', we sought to escape. We tried all that we could think of, develop and design, but in the end, we did not know enough to create an escape. But we did find something, something he had forgotten about, something that frightened 'him' into becoming rash.

     In the earliest years of our Creation's beginning, visitors had come seeking to observe. Of course, that did not set well with 'him' because he wished for 'his' to know only 'him'. And so they made a hasty exit before he caught up to them, but not before they had erected a 'gate'. It was not activated, not powered, and so he simply sealed it up and forgot it existed until we found it.

     We tried to activate it, but nothing we tried would work. We did not understand that the differences in the underlying physics restricted the kind of energy that it could use to enable itself. Frightened that we might be able to discover how to open it and leave, he sent his 'hounds' after us. One by one we died, and our numbers dwindled. We gathered to make one last attempt to open the 'gate' and escape.

     That is when 'he' struck, as my fellow Nephilim died, they directed their life force into the gate, hoping that in that way they might succeed where all we had done before was fail. It worked, the 'gate' began to awaken, and as more and more of us died, our life force went to power the 'gate'. Until it was enough and it opened.

     I still remember the defiant howl of rage that came from 'him' as he realized the 'gate' had opened. He did one last thing and caused an explosion within the cavern where we were. I was thrown through the 'gate' and found myself somewhere else. I never knew if any others escaped. I ran and kept going, on and on. I became a plane walker when I learned enough about this new Creation to discover that I could do that.

     And so I have been wandering ever since until I found this place."

     Iriisii: "But that does not explain your actions in taking my daughter to lure me here."

     'Him': "He sent trackers to find me, and kill me. But he was clumsy in his effort and they were able to reproduce themselves. The new ones slipped his leash, while the old ones still hunt me. You have met the new ones."

     Iriisii: "Wait! You say I have met these newer trackers?"

     'Him': "Yes, you know them as Wamphyri."

     Iriisii looks at him in shock to hear his words.

     Iriisii: "You mean to say 'he' created them, set them free in our Creation Matrix, then turned his back to let them do as they would?"

     'Him': "Essentially yes."

     Iriisii: "And just why do you need me, to go to such lengths to bring me here? I have my thoughts on why, but I want to hear it from you."

     'Him': "'He' will never leave me in peace. The only way I can put a stop to this is to go back and deal with him. But I lack the power to do that, even after all this time. I have accumulated much power and knowledge, but it is not enough. Because of the differences in the physical laws between this Creation and 'his' Creation."

     Iriisii: "What makes you think I care to aid you? I admit to some sympathy as to your situation, but you have spent that coin and more when you took Kathea from me. I look out upon this world and see the desecration you have committed here, even if your only goal was to defend yourself from the trackers sent to kill you, what gave you the right to do what you did?"

     'Him': "And you did not do the same against the Tsaesci?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I did, but I came back and restored the land from what I did. It is now a consecrated garden dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives to defend our homes and our families. It is a reminder of what we sought to protect when we took up our arms to fight the invaders. I have seen more than my share of waste and desecration. But what you did here goes beyond the pale, for you do not have the power to reverse what you have done here and never will."

     'Him': "Be that as it may be, the only way I see is to go around the problem, to merge ourselves in this Creation, my power added to yours, and in 'his' Creation, yours would be added to mine."

     By now Iriisii is standing with her arms folded in front of her. Dettlaff is carefully watching her reactions and body language. And from what he sees, 'he' is about to be in a world of 'hurt'.

     Iriisii: "You would have to force me to do that and you do not have the strength of will to overcome me."

     'Him': "But I hold Kathea."

     Iriisii: "And that is the only reason we are speaking right now, otherwise I would have killed you myself. What you have said does not stir me to aid you, for the cost of everything is too high a price to pay. But I know of another way to accomplish this, and it seems you are clueless to this other possibility or you would never have allowed me to get this close to you."

     'Him': "And what other possibility is this?"

     Iriisii: "I challenge you to a 'High Duel'!"

     'Him': "You cannot challenge me to a 'High Duel', as I am not of this Creation."

     Iriisii: "To be bound to the Laws of Kanly in this Creation, you do not have to be of this Creation. You were here when it was born, you have lived in it for its entire existence. You may be from a different Creation, but this Creation knows you as one of its own because you have been here from its beginning. The 'Mother of the Cosmos' set the laws in place when she accepted the 'Mantle'. You were here when she did that, therefore the Laws recognize you even if you do not recognize them."

     There is a flutter in the air as a full flock of over two dozen Soul Hounds land around the two of them.

     Soul Hounds: "Iriisii Dovahkiin, Mother of Dragons, Scion of the Draconic Divines, your words ring true across the width and breadth of Creation. You have called for the Ritual of High Duel, the challenge has been issued, the merits of the challenge have been evaluated, and the arbiters will render their judgment."

     'Him': "What is this!? I have agreed to nothing as yet, you have no right to judge me!"

     Soul Hounds: "The arbiters do not judge you, they judge whether her call for High Duel against you is just cause for the stakes involved."

     The Soul Hounds look up to the tops of the columns where sit the arbiters. Iriisii looks up and sees, 'She Who Watches All', Shai-Hulu'ud, The three 'Norns', and a dragon sitting atop the columns. She does not know who this dragon is, for he is bigger than any other she has met, his eyes are like looking into the past ages for he has seen everything from the first beginning. Then she realizes who he is, as she bows and kneels.

     Iriisii: "I greet the Arbiters of Judgment, three of you I have met before in my travels, but for you, this is my first meeting, My Lord Ragnarok."

     Ragnarok: "Would that this first meeting have been under better auspices, but it is what it is. And the needs of Creation must come first above all. And so we have been called to preside over this Arch Event of the Crux. This event will decide the direction and ultimate fate of this Creation.

     Creation's Daughter, Iriisii Dovahkiin, has made the charges against you and called for High Duel, by the Laws set forth by the Mother when she took the Mantle of the Mother of the Cosmos, what is your answer?"

     "Him': "I do not accept that your laws have jurisdiction over me, I am not of your Creation!"

     Ragnarok: "The Daughter's words on this are true, you may feel as you do, but reality is not yours to gainsay. If you deny the challenge, you forfeit the right to defend. All hands will rise against you, no one will come to your aid, no one will hide you from that which seeks your life. For as long as your memory lives, you will be known as a coward and anathema. For the second time, what is your answer?"

     'Him': "I wish to ask a question?"

     Ragnarok: "Ask your question."

     'Him': "What are the stakes of this 'High Duel'?"

     Ragnarok: "Simply this, everything, all that you are, your power, memories, skills, experience, soul, will be merged with the victor."

     'Him' looks to Iriisii, "You know 'HE' will not stop if you win. 'He' will come after you as 'HE' has come after me."

     Iriisii: "I am supposed to cower in fear over a 'God' who will not even leave his Realm to hunt one he is so obsessed over? A 'God' who sends corrupted agents to do his will, and allows them to spread their corruption among all the places they pass through with no regard for any others not his own. Such a 'God' does not deserve his position, for he abrogates his responsibility. I cannot say what I would do to resolve this, I would need to seek counsel from those above me to know the possible consequences of my actions. I would make an informed decision and make my actions conform to what is the best course for all."

     'Him': "Then I accept her challenge and the stakes. May the better of us win."

     Ragnarok: "Each of you choose your form for the Duel, the Challenger has the choice of weapon for her form, you choose your weapon for your form."

     Iriisii: "When you are ready, change your form and I will change mine.

     Ragnarok: "All others will stay out of this. It is to be decided between the two, LET THE LAWS OF KANLY BE OBEYED!"

     Dettlaff gathers Elric and Eliza moving them off to the side to give Iriisii room to morph into her chosen form. 'Him' chooses his form, reaching back into his memories of one of the indigenous people he lived among before having to flee, and takes the form of a golden sky serpent. Its body is long and sinuous, with feathered wings giving it great versatility in the air. Its fangs are long and sharp, with a strong neurotoxic venom.

     As he launches himself into the air, Iriisii morphs into a Sand Wyrm, A Sand Wyrm over four thousand feet long and seven hundred fifty feet across. Her mouth and throat are filled with toxic teeth, each one ten to twenty feet in length. 'Him' looks for her eyes to spit venom into, but he can not find any, because a Sand Wyrm does not have eyes, but rather uses a hyperacute hearing that senses vibrations. 

     Her 'hearing' is acute enough to sense the very vibrations his wings cause as they move the air. And so she tracks his movements, deliberately moving obliquely to his position so as not to give away her hearing sensitivity. A few times he dives down close to her, but she senses the feint and gives him no regard.

     Then he comes even closer and she then whips around opening her toothy maw to show him his error. He makes it away but loses a few tail feathers as a warning. As he moves higher to the tops of the columns, she pursues him. Wrapping her body around the columns, she is supported as she extends her upper body out to strike at him.

     While she is suspended among the columns, he strikes at one of her coils. He extends his fangs, venom seeping out as he strikes and his fangs fail to pierce her armored scales. Scales that must protect tender inner flesh against the constant abrasion of traveling through desert sand. He breaks a tip from one of his fangs and almost is caught as she loosens the hold her tail has on a column to strike at him herself using her tail as a whip.

     They go on at each other, 'him' goading her with his strikes, and she patiently fends him off until he makes a mistake. He grows tired of this back and forth, anxious to be done with it and claim his prize, after all, if he cannot have her as his bride, he has her daughter. He makes a sweep close to her, trying to expose any place he can drive a fang and poison her. This is what she has been waiting for, he thinks he can maybe get a venom shot down her throat, it has to be more vulnerable there.

     As he feints and she opens her mouth, he dives for the spot he wants as he finds a long, slender tooth waiting for him. He attempts to veer away but she drives herself forward. The rate of their combined approach is his undoing as the tooth impales him through his own mouth and down his throat, piercing his vital organs. With his death, his body morphs back into its original form. 

     Iriisii absorbs all that he is into herself as she climbs the central column, she continues upward suspending her body above the column with only as much of herself wrapped around the column supporting her massive frame as she can get away with. Then she opens her mouth wide and bellows her victory roar, 'Him' still impaled upon Shai-Hulu'ud's tooth.

     A violet/white actinic light races down out of the sky and envelopes her and the column. When the afterimages fade from their eyes, Dettlaff, Elric, and Eliza look at the glowing molten slag that is all that remains of the column. Dettlaff looks to Elric, who looks at Dettlaff, then they both look to Eliza.

     Eliza: "Iriisii not dead. Eliza know."

     Dettlaff then sits and leans his back against another column.

     Dettlaff: "Then we will wait for her."

     

     The body of 'Him' has crumbled into dust, and Iriisii has morphed back into her human form. She looks around at where she is. She seems to be at the bottom of a deep gorge, one side filled with waterfalls pouring down the side from different paths, all of the water converging into a deep crystal clear pool. The runoff forms the beginning of a stream that runs down the length of the gorge before falling off the edge and heading down as a gentle mist when it reaches the rainforest below.

     As she looks upward she sees the edges of the gorge and of what sky can be seen, she sees portions of three moons, even as the daylight is bright. She walks to the edge of the pool looking down its depth completely deceiving. Then she hears a gentle voice approaching from one end of the gorge.

     Bowmaxe: "Be welcome and at peace."

     Iriisii bows reverently, not sure who this is or where she is, but best to not take chances offending her host.

     Bowmaxe: "You show respect while wisely saying nothing until you know more of the situation you find yourself in. My name is Bowmaxe and I have been tasked with looking after you while you are here. You will not be kept any longer than you wish to be. But I would ask that you rest and relax as best you are able. There are things that need to be said, information needed to be given to you.

     The one you fought spoke to you of the one who hunted him, and in doing so has brought much pain and suffering to your Creation Matrix, as well as to you personally. He was correct when he said to you that the one who sent the trackers, would now direct his gaze to you. For you now have within you, all that 'he' wishes to be destroyed. 'He' wants his Realm to be separate and apart from all other Realms. No contact, no knowledge, nothing in or out. This cannot be, for it violates the most basic tenet of why they were brought into being.

     Iriisii stops and thinks of what she knows of the Creations, going back, all the way back to when she first heard the...song!

     Iriisii: "They are all a part of a harmony, a song of some kind."

     Bowmaxe: "The Song of Creation, yes, you see, feel, hear it, as you heard it once before. Each Creation is a part of it and when any part of it is taken away, the whole suffers."

     Iriisii: "This is why my Creation was reborn after the first and second were destroyed."

     Bowmaxe: "Yes, you see clearly now when you have enough information to make the connections. And what you did in restoring your second and placing it in another dimension, has added depth to the song, making the part your third Creation sings, stronger, and deeper, as it seeks to form a new, more vibrant chord within the song.

     You see the need of 'balance', balance within a single realm, and now balance within the multiverse."

     Iriisii: "The song I heard when my Creation was formed, is a part of a larger song? One that encompasses more than one Creation?"

     Bowmaxe: "Yes, indeed."

     Iriisii: "And so, because this God desires to take his Realm away from the others, this upsets the greater balance."

     Bowmaxe: "Yes."

     Iriisii: "And this is why 'he' sent his trackers to hunt 'him', to stop the information of what was being done from reaching those who might correct such a wrong."

     Bowmaxe: "Again, yes."

     Iriisii: "But it cannot be as simple as replacing him with another?"

     Bowmaxe: "True, there must be one able to take his place. And he has seen to it that any who could are no longer able to. It will no longer be enough to defeat him and raise up another to take his place. A damaged one will have to be healed or another new one created and nurtured until able to replace him."

     Iriisii: "And if that is the case, he is really going to come after me. If I were to create a new one what would then be the actions of those damaged ones? Would they stand aside and allow a new one to stand over them?"

     Bowmaxe: "Possible, but not likely, not unless all other possible candidates were proven unworthy, incapable of accepting the higher duties."

     Iriisii: "So essentially they must undergo a test like unto Apotheosis to prove their fitness to step up and into the new responsibility. And likely this would have to be done before taking the old down. It would be difficult enough to raise up another while trying to protect from the former."

     Bowmaxe: "You see the issues that must be overcome."

     Iriisii: "I would need help."

     Bowmaxe: "Of course, wise to see the need before committing oneself. You could take whomever you feel the need to take with you. You could even test the waters yourself first, then call to your side those you feel you need. There is yet no hurry, the work you have already done has strengthened the balance and given you more time to deal with matters still clamoring for your attention.

     Just understand that you cannot completely eliminate the Wamphyri threat from Creation as long as he is allowed to act unchecked."

     Iriisii: "It never ends does it? There is always a threat from some quarter, someplace left for too long without supervision."

     Bowmaxe: "As long as there is life, it will never end. That is a condition for life itself to grow and mature, there must always be that threat to motivate progress. But you can call an end to your part in this at your discretion. There only needs be one to take up your place."

     Iriisii: "As if I can do that to someone else and live with my conscience."

     Bowmaxe: "Aye, but if someone knows both need and cost, and is still willing to take the burden from you?" 

     Iriisii: "Then perhaps, I could let it go, but only then."

     Bowmaxe: "Then it is only a matter of staying the course until that one comes, is it not?"

     Iriisii: "So you say." 

     Bowmaxe: "No, it is as you say, Illuminated One."

     Iriisii: "What did you just say?"

     Bowmaxe: "I gave you, your new Title of Status. With the absorption of 'Him', a Nephilim of another Creation, who acquired power from this Creation along with his old one. He could not properly bridge them together or he would have gone quite a bit further himself. You, because of his defeat at your hands in a High Duel and your absorption of him into yourself, can now command power in both Realms in spite of the differences in their respective physics.

     You will find that everything you can do in one will work in the other. You can see deeper, farther in all that you choose to look into. Many things that before were beyond you, are now within your ability. It is up to you to unlock them within yourself. As you find out what you can do, the vistas that will open to you are truly spectacular. You now have the tools you need to deal with the most pressing of problems you face.

     As you were once Progenitor, I greet you now, Illuminatus. Rest a bit before you return, this place is known for its healing and regenerative properties."

     Iriisii finds a place in a shaded spot close to the water. She feels the excellent moist breeze flow across her skin, easing her into a dream, a dream that feels...she hears the sound of music, voices, the clink of tankards, the sound of a drink being drawn, the sounds of a tavern nearby. It is night, the light of a moon starting its rise over the horizon, millions of stars already twinkling overhead.

     She follows the sound as it draws her to itself, murmured promises that lure her onward. There is a lit torch in a sconce mounted on a post holding up the overhanging roof. A sign hanging from a crossbeam says, 'The Dancing Dragon' with a handpainted dragon on its hindlegs dancing before a minstrel that she swears reminds her of Dandelion.

     She walks up and opens the door, the firelight, flickering joyously, as barmaids traverse the paths between tables carrying trays with full tankards. She finds an open table next to a wall. Nearby is a conversation going on between two old friends with those nearby eagerly listening as well.

     She orders a tankard from one of the barmaids that passed by and so waits for her return. It seems one of the two friends is in the midst of telling a story to all that will listen, at least he will continue if he can get another tankard.

     Ghostsonnet: "Bartender! I need another tankard over here, telling these stories about the 'Mother of Dragons' is thirsty work!"

     Bartender: "And who is going to pay for this?"

     Ghostsonnet: "And how much is left from that last batch of gems she dropped off here to pay for my drinks for telling her stories?"

     Bartender: "Ok, ok, keep your shirt on, another tankard coming up."

     As the barmaid walks up with her tankard, she pays and then adds another gold coin, "who are those two, and what stories is that one telling?"

     Barmaid: "He is called Ghostsonnet, don't really know what the name means but he knows how to tell a story. He likes to tell about Iriisii Doavhkiin, the 'Mother of Dragons'. He says they are true stories, I do not know for sure, but some lady keeps coming by and leaving gems to pay for his drinks, so there might be something to it. His friend is an odd-named one, calls himself o12no1, he has just arrived through the Final Gate. Came in, saw Ghostsonnet, and sat down, seems like they are old friends from somewhere."

     Iriisii: "Thank you." As the barmaid goes off to deliver more tankards.

     The door opens and another walks in, looking for a place to sit. As she walks by, Iriisii thinks there is something familiar about her. She keeps her eye on her as she walks to the table with Ghostsonnet and o12no1. Then she hears, "Lilith! take a seat, meet my old friend, just arrived."

     Lilith: "Haven't you had enough Ghost, besides I came to ask you something."

     Ghostsonnet: "Ok, what have you got?"

     Lilith: "A job for us! Look at this map!"

     Ghostsonnet: "Whoa! that is in..."

     Lilith: "Shhh! You want the whole Beyond to find out where we are going?"

     Ghostsonnet: "You're right, who else have you got lined up, this is too big for just us two."

     Lilith: "Aleria, Kasia, Tricia, and I managed to pry a certain Dunmer loose when I told him there would be three unattached females along."

     Ghostsonnet tries to laugh but ends up choking on his tankard of ale.

     Ghostsonnet: "o12no1, I am sorry to have to drink and run, but duty calls."

     o12no1: "Hey don't worry, we got all the time in the world now to get into whatever trouble comes looking for us. Nice meeting you, Lilith, and don't take no shit from Ghost. No, its ok, we know each other from way back, he's a good sort."

     Lilith looks at Ghost with a blush on her cheeks.

     o12no1: "Like that huh, no problem, 'bout time somebody tied him down. You got a keeper, Lilith, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise."

     Lilith: "I know, we have had each other's backs in some pretty bad scrapes. But he has stayed with me, it helps that I love him. Never thought I would say that about any man until he saved my life a few times, then I knew."

     o12no1: "See, I told you he was a good sort. Now go on, and tell 'His Majesty' to stuff it and use some of that slime he oozes as lube."

     Lilith coughs to try and hide her own laughter.

     She and Ghostsonnet get up and head for the door. Iriisii can hear them whispering.

     Lilith: "Put that hand on my ass where the rest of these clowns can see it and I will cut it off. Save it for when we get to the room over the inn, then it can roam wherever it wants to, as long as it is on me."

     Ghostsonnet: "I love you too."

     Lilith: "I know you do, but you are still going to prove it all over again if it takes all night." And in a low sultry tone, "and it just might anyway. So let's go."

     The door opens, and Lilith and Ghostsonnet leave the tavern, a cloaked figure enters after them and looks around, as she sees his face in the light of the roaring fire, she starts to stand but catches herself. Thinking he did not see her, starts to make ready to leave just as he appears as if from nowhere and sits across the table. 

     o12no1: "Is he bothering you, my Lady?"

     Iriisii starts, looks at o12no1, and replies, "no, kind sir, this is my brother, it has been far too long since we last saw each other."

     o12no1: "Very well, but I will keep an eye anyway."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, but if you would keep us from being disturbed, we have a great many years to catch up on."

     O12no1 turns and walks back to his table, keeping an eye out nonetheless.

     Old War: "I wanted to say, thank you, sister, for what you did for me. I know it was hard for you, but I have no regrets and neither should you. If you want I will leave you alone."

     Iriisii quickly reaches out her hand and lays it on top of his.

     Iriisii: "No, please stay, there is so much I want to know of you, our comrades would only say so much, beyond that they would only say I would have to ask you should our paths ever cross again."

     Old War: "I would be honored to tell you all you wish to know. I have heard it said from many who have come this way, that you are the strongest holder of the Mantle of War that has ever been, and that all pray unceasingly that you never relinquish it."

     As Ghostsonnet and Lilith enter the inn and make their way to their room.

     Lilith: "Who was that man who went in as we were leaving, have you ever seen him before?"

     Ghostsonnet: "He comes in from time to time, looking for an old friend who did him a favor many years ago. Something about they were in a war together, he had been captured, I think, and the person he was looking for freed him. They seem to share a special bond to have that kind of loyalty between them."

     Lilith: "Kinda reminds me of someone else I know."

     Ghostsonnet: "You think?"

     Lilith: "No, I know."

     

     It is late in the morning when Iriisii returns to the pinnacle of the Fortress on the Edge of Nightmares. As she materializes, everyone crowds around her with the questions flying. 

     Iriisii: "Wait, please, too much has happened, I must take it one thing at a time until I can reorder everything once more. Right now, we need to find Kathea, but listen to me! If I am not with you when you find her, do nothing without me being there. I cannot stress this enough."

     Dettlaff: "You think she has somehow been made into a trap?"

     Iriisii: "Exactly. I will know what to do when I see her, and I have what will be needed to defeat the trap. I will need your help, so I do not want you hurt or killed. I believe she is very near, so let us look around."

     It takes about a half hour to locate a hidden door in one of the columns. Inside is a lever, Iriisii pulls it and they see three columns sink down to the floor. in the center of the area defined by the three columns, the floor has sunk revealing a circular stair down. They drop down taking the steps quickly, when they reach the bottom, they notice lit torches at the bottom and down the corridor. 

     They keep moving and at the end is a heavy door, behind which they hear a young woman crying. Iriisii again quietly cautions everyone to follow her cues. Then she opens the door and in the torchlight from the torches arranged around the walls. They see Kathea chained and manacled to a stone slab in the center of the room.

     Iriisii looks deeply into Kathea, and even then almost misses what she knew had to be there. What she must do now is going to hurt her, hurt her badly, but to not do it, will mean Kathea's corruption and the damnation of her soul.   

     Kathea looks at Iriisii with questions in her eyes, why is she hanging back? Why is she not opening the manacles? Why is she looking so sad at her?

     Kathea: "Momma? What is wrong? Why are you looking at me that way? Have I done something wrong, momma?"

     Iriisii: "I know the truth inside you, Kathea. You cannot hide from me, abomination! I will remove you from her!"

     Kathea's form takes on a new meaning as the abomination inside her comes to the fore. Her features change into something, that Iriisii doesn't know. Kathea's face becomes nothing but scar tissue as if she had used her own fingernails to rip the skin from her face. Her body, and bones were broken and then badly healed. Places where it looks like she had gouged out pieces of her own flesh and what...eaten them. The gouges were freshly healed over but were very apparent.

     Her voice takes on a rough edge as she speaks, the rasping sounds as if her vocal cords have been damaged by incessant screaming.

     Kathea: "Don't you like what I have done? I have tried to make myself presentable to you. Why won't you come and greet me, it has been so long since I was taken from you. Don't you still love me?"

     Eliza seeing and hearing this looks at Kathea, but sees what is inside, in control, and seemingly hisses and growls at the same time.

     Kathea notices Eliza and her reaction.

     Kathea: "You have replaced me, haven't you, found someone else to take my place as your daughter. Momma, how could you?!"

     Dettlaff: "What is this? Some kind of demon possessing her?"

     Eliza: "No...demon. Worse...than...demon."

     Elric: "She is right, I do not know just what is inside her, but it is no demon."

     Kathea: "What do you know of me, Eternal Champion? You are just a bit late to the party, don't you know."

     Iriisii: "I will find out who and what you are, and then you will rue the day you tried to take my daughter from me!"

     Kathea: "I think not!"

     As the manacles click open and drop from her wrists and ankles.

     Iriisii: "She's free, spread out, contain her!"

     As they spread out, Kathea moves like nothing any of them has ever seen. She seems to glide across the stone like it was ice. The scent from her as she moves by is cloying and rancid, bad enough to make even seasoned warriors like these want to void their stomachs.

     Iriisii: "We have to find a way to pin her down! Magic will not work on her, whatever this is can negate it."

     Iriisii sets a part of her mind to reach out to her allies, wherever they are, asking for help, knowledge, tactics, or anything that might help her. Everyone she knows looks within themselves and can find nothing that is even close. She is close to despair, thinking she might have no choice but to kill Kathea to save not only herself but all the Realms if this gets loose. Then from an unexpected quarter comes a ray of hope. She hears a squawk she has not heard in some time.

     Iriisii: "I hope you have something for me that I can use?"

     Messenger: "Yes, I do. Continue with what you are doing, I will give you what I have been sent with and hope that cursed thing is none the wiser."

     Iriisii: "Then we might start with what it is?"

     Messenger: "You know that your entire Reality has its antithesis, its negative mirror."

     Iriisii: "We have discussed this already."

     Messenger: "Just setting the stage. What was not said is that this also extends into the Quantum Realm."

     Iriisii: "You mean there is a negative Quantum Realm as well?"

     Messenger: "Yes, and that is where this thing comes from. We can talk about how it got here later, but what you need to know is that it is corrupting Kathea's soul. And that corruption is permanent, it cannot be healed. It must be cut out in order to save her."

     Iriisii: "And how are we to do that?"

     Messenger: "You have the tools to do it with. What you need is the knowledge to use the tools in that fashion." First, you will have to trap it here before it can slip out."

     Iriisii: "What is it vulnerable to?"

     Messenger: "Now you begin to see. Unbound matter will affect bound matter in either Quantum Realm equally, so start with that to trap it. Then use Stormbringer to extract the corruption from Kathea, as that is going on use Mournblade to replace the corruption with an unborn soul. The one Death gave you is the one you should use. Once that work is done, you must pull the blades at the same time. You must be ready to begin healing the wounds. Wounds made by the black blade are notoriously difficult to heal, so you must concentrate on one and someone else must work the other."

     Iriisii: "And who else here can do the healing?"

     Messenger: "Eliza has a part of your soul within her does she not?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, but...ah, I see. If I connect with her while healing, the part of my soul that is in her can direct her in how to use her power to heal the second wound."

     Messenger: "Illuminating isn't it when a plan comes together? Anyway, both of you will be so absorbed in healing that a third will be needed to interrupt once it is done. Neither you nor Eliza will be able to disengage on your own as you will both be completing the healing circle traveling through the two of you and Kathea."

     Iriisii: "Will she be all right afterward?"

     Messenger: "Do it right and she will be, yes. She will bear no scars from this, either physical, mental, or spiritual. This will eliminate any doubt of your right to being 'Illuminatus'."

     Iriisii: "What do you mean, remove any doubt? Who doubts my right?"

     Messenger: "That is a question for another time, deal with what is in front of you for now. There is plenty of time for anything else in its own time."

     Iriisii: "You are right, Kathea is what is most important now. Thank you for that."

     Messenger: "Don't mention it, ever, please, I have a reputation as a curmudgeon to uphold. Until next time."

     She hears the Messenger's wings flapping away, fading as it returns to the Quantum Realm.

     Iriisii: "Watch where you move to, I am going to force it into a trap!"

     Dettlaff: "How are you going to do that?"

     Iriisii: "Watch and see."

     Iriisii targets the far wall and bends her willpower to it, altering its atomic structure at the Quantum level. It changes from stone to solid black but just stays there upright, not flowing down to the floor or spreading to other areas.

     Kathea dodges an attempt to grab her from Elric and skates close to the wall. Seeing what the wall has become she twists and contorts her body to avoid any contact. With this confirmation, Iriisii begins the process all over again, this time on the ceiling, then moving to the side walls, and the one behind them. Leaving the floor, she begins a delicate balancing act of only allowing certain areas of the floor to convert. Being careful not to trap any of her own friends while restricting where Kathea could move to.

     When she backs Kathea into a box, she can finally relax a bit, allowing the other surfaces to return to their natural state, just keeping the box around Kathea.

     Elric: "How do we proceed?"

     Iriisii: "I need you to use Stormbringer to extract the corruption from her."

     Elric: "But if she is cut, it..."

     Iriisii: "Arioch has assured me that both blades will do exactly as I or Eliza command."

     Elric: "If you say so."

     Iriisii: "Eliza, I will need you to use Mournblade on the opposite side from Stormbringer, but you will be infusing Kathea with a new soul that I will give to Mournblade for this purpose. Once this is done, both blades must be withdrawn at the same time. She will start bleeding profusely from her wounds.

     I will begin healing one side, Eliza, you will begin on the other side, we will need to be blood bound while doing this. This way the part of my soul that you have can show you how to heal Kathea's wound. When the wounds are healed, we will not be able to break off on our own. Elric, since you will already be near, you will have to grab our arms and pull our hands from her body. Stand behind her when you do this, if she collapses, grab her. And pray this works for it is her only chance.

     They take up positions around Kathea standing outside the box of unbound matter around her.

     Elric: "What about this stuff?"

     Iriisii: "Once the two of you have her pinned by the blades, I will restore the stone floor to its normal state. Ready? Then let us be done with this!"

     Elric and Eliza both stab Kathea, one from each side, Elric with Stormbringer, Eliza with Mournblade. Kathea screams horribly as the corruption and corruptor is drawn out of her by Stormbringer, Iriisii runs a hand on Mournblades edge, and as she feels it touch her she feeds the unborn soul inside of her to Mournblade, instructing it to feed it into Kathea as its brother draws out the corruption.

     This process is not quick, but it does proceed apace. Once done the blades are removed at the same time. Kathea's body is locked upright by the magic Iriisii has placed around her to support her. The wounds are bleeding as Iriisii makes a slice on her hand closest to Eliza. Eliza sees what she is doing and knows what comes next. She holds her own out as Iriisii slices her palm and grasps Eliza's bleeding hand in her own. Both gasp as the power begins flowing between them. Elric then goes from one to the other slicing the other hand and placing it on Kathea's bleeding sword wounds.

     Once the connection is complete and the power redirects to flow through Kathea, it grows powerful enough to be seen visibly as it circles through the three of them. Elric watches the sword wounds begin to close and the blood flow slows and stops from both wounds. When he hears Iriisii whisper, 'now', he grabs both their hands and separates them from Kathea. He releases their hands just in time to grab a collapsing Kathea. Sinking to the floor with her, he holds her in his arms. 

    Then a profound feeling comes over him, he cannot say where it is from, or even exactly what it is. He just knows it is stronger than anything he has previously felt, and as he peers into Kathea's face, her eyes open, and he is lost in them. Kathea raises a hand to cup his face, then slides that hand behind his head and draws him down into a kiss.

    Dettlaff: "He is done now. He belongs to her, body, mind, and soul."

    Iriisii: "Yes, but she also belongs to him."

    Eliza walks over to Iriisii and Dettlaff. As she looks at Kathea and Elric, Iriisii and Dettlaff notice it, then they draw Eliza into their arms and hold her close between them.

    Later as they climb the steps back up and out into the light. Iriisii looks up at the sun and still sees that halo around it. She walks to the edge, looking out over the land, and crosses her forearms across her chest with her head bowed. Praying to whatever powers were to once look over this place. Hearing nothing in return to her entreaties, she throws open her arms, and speaks to the skies, to the land, the waters.

          Iriisii: 

                       No Gods have answered my plea

                       For who was it tasked to watch

                       Asked to watch this once paradise

                       And so I now lay claim to what

                       It is now, and as it is mine

                       By divine right of mortal combat

                       I ask that it become what it once was

                       Come spirit of Shai-Hulu'ud

                       Come to your Daughter's call

                       Come and may your passing

                       Cleanse this place and heal its pain.

     Ears and eyes everywhere in this world, hear her words and tremble, not knowing for certain what they portend. Then they hear the roar, multiplying many times over. And they see ghostly spirits of some kind of giant wyrm moving across the land and the waters. They see one in particular fly up to the band around the sun, then drop back down flying to a tall mountain in the range known as the Peaks of Death.

     The ground rumbles and shakes, and that tall peak shudders and falls. Dust plumes shoot into the sky, as the band around the sun withers and dies. The light grows brighter, cleaner, and more alive. Where the wyrm spirits pass the land no longer seek to grab and devour anything close to it. The animals caught in the passing are changed, rolling back to what they once were. 

     And so it went, hour upon hour, for a day and a night. And after it was done, the spirits faded away. The next morning, clouds gave forth rain, but the rain did not flood the land, but rather cleaned the last of the mountain dust from the air. The clouds parted, their job done for the nonce. And as the sunlight shined forth upon the land once more, a brilliant rainbow formed, a promise from she who claimed this world as her own, that she would stand as its protector, its guardian, its shepherd, until the time came for another of her line to take their place to watch, to guide, to protect.

     And on top of the Fortress on the Edge of Nightmares, stands two groups of people, one is of two female warriors standing to either side of a rather imposing male, their arms interlocked, the second, a single male and a single female, arms around each other. All looking out at what she, who called upon he known as Shai-Hulu'ud, and what he wrought in her name. The paradise that once only she could see, has been restored for all to see once more.