The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Twenty-Five

 The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Twenty-Five

                                                          Chapter Twenty-Five

     Iriisii finds herself transported into Boethiah's arena. It is sparse, with open pits of rock heated by underlying magma to a glowing red, dotting the landscape. There does seem to be an edge, but cannot really tell much about it. She settles herself to wait for whatever Boethiah has in mind by placing herself in a battle trance. She is firmly immersed and time slows to a crawl as she senses activity outside of her position. She brings herself up to where she can interact with her surroundings without completely dropping the trance, something she can feel that the Vir is helping her with. She is coming to realize that it is very adaptable in finding ways to be of use to her. She finds the vapors from the fire pits causing her eyes to sting. So she quickly draws a long strip of cloth from her pack to bind her eyes shut.

     Voice 1: "She is somewhere around here, be careful for she is insanely skilled and powerful."

     Voice 2: "She will fall as all the rest have fallen beneath my blade. I will be Boethiah's Champion of Champions."

     Voice 1: Keep up that blather and you will find your bones burning in the rock pits. Boethiah does not care for words, only deeds, and that our goals align with her desires. She called and we answered, although I believe we are only here as a test for this one."

     Voice 2: "Others have tried to claim the position, but all have failed. Their bones lie in the pits burning. My bones will not join them. I will kill this one."

     Voice 1: "There she is!"

     Iriisii is ready, her blade drawn and held in a neutral position like her stance is, ready to attack or defend in a moments notice. She waits for these two to come to her, to see what tactic they intend to use. Listening for their movements, the scuffling of their feet on the hard rock surface tells her they intend to attempt a pincer attack. And so she readies herself.

     Just before the first attack, she parries hard and twists around the attacker, putting him between her and his fellow. Now with both on the same side of her when they expected to be on either side, they are scrambling to alter their attack to compensate their new positions. While she is free to move and attack, she goes at the one closest to her. He barely gets his blade up to guard and block. She is not impressed with his decision making.

     Clearly he has become used to his victims being out of sorts with his attacks. Such that he almost never has one fight back. This time he knows he is outclassed, but he cannot back away or face Boethiah's ire. Better to die fighting, maybe she will at least not put his bones in the fire pit. Even though he swears he can feel the heat on them. As his fellow tries to move in to help, Iriisii drives her blade past his next block and through his chest. Severing through the center of his heart. She pulls the blade back out and slices toward his fellow, who cannot stop in time. Had he just gone on with the attack, he would have made a better show of it for his Mistress. As he passes by Iriisii, she does not even take advantage of his opening, she just puts a foot into his back and drops him into the nearest fire pit. His screams and writhing are much more entertaining to Boethiah than the pitiful fight itself. Boethiah approves of the way Iriisii took care of him. Echoing her own thoughts of how he should have met his demise.

     The next wave is four strong, two are archers. She targets them first by driving her blade into the red hot rock, and slinging what adheres to her blade at the archers. Even the smallest droplets striking them disrupt their firing, even causing them to drop their bows. She makes a rolling dive toward them past the bladesmen and drives her still very hot blade through both of them. Even though the wound is instantly cauterized, the combination is still instantly fatal. She turns to the bladesmen and proffers her sword into a salute, to honor their dedication to their Mistress even as it will cost them their lives. They scream out whatever passes for a war cry as they charge Iriisii. She reads their movements and knows not only what they intend, but how to take them both down with a single slice. She waits until they are almost on her, and as they wonder why she  waits so long, her blade flicks out like a viper and slices across both their throats. Their blood spraying onto the closest fire pit and the sound of that blood boiling and burning in the intense heat.

     Then yet another group appears, this time six of them, two Nords, two Dunmer, and two Redguard. Iriisii deep senses the Redguards, but sadly neither are 'swordsingers'. She wonders what kind of sword could she summon from her Aasimar, god-touched soul, in concert with her Dragonsoul. Time enough to ponder that later as she prepares to take this latest group on. Then they explode in a blast of dragonfire that immolates them almost in an instant. She looks to the source and sees Snowdevil has ported himself to her to support her. This both angers Boethiah and at the same time surprises her. That a dragon has displayed the ability to teleport itself, and to the side of her Champion, no less. She watches as Iriisii walks up to Snowdevil and gently places a hand alongside his jaw, running it down the length. She feels something there, something she thought lost forevermore as she realizes these two have bonded as Dragon and Rider. Such a bonded pair could display such formidable power and ability that even gods would envy.

     Boethiah appears in her arena and starts moving toward the two. As her armor pounds the rock under her feet, Snowdevil lowers his head just a little to watch her approach. As she gets about as close as he thinks appropriate he growls low and deep in his throat.

     Boethiah: "If you care for him at all you should keep him on a shorter leash."

     Iriisii: "You have seen our relationship, and you chide me for his protectiveness. I do not order him like a pet, he is my equal, my Dragon as I am his Rider. Together we are far more than we are apart, and we are powerful apart."

     As Iriisii keeps her hand on him, he turns his head to look at her, then nods his head. She asks him.

     Iriisii: "You are certain?"

     Again he nods his head.

     Iriisii: "Then accept my gift and let it empower you beyond all others that have come before."

     The 'Gray' sends a part of itself down her arm, to her hand, and crosses to Snowdevil. As it flows and connects to him, deepening his connection to Iriisii and to her Dragonsoul within. He raises his head and releases a roar of power, power enough to rock Boethiah's entire Realm.

     Boethiah: "What have you done?! What will this mean to what will come?!"

     Iriisii: "It will give Nirn the greatest weapon to face what will come that could possibly be. You once told me that 'As I will it, make it be.' That is what I have just done. I willed for him to join me in power, and I have now made it be. Now we are one in power, each can call upon the other, wherever they may be and so will be heard and answered. When we are together, the very skies will tremble as our wings carry us to the highest heights, even the 'void dragons' will fear us as we pass by. For I..."

     Something comes over Iriisii, and she bows over as a 'rip' is heard in both the skin of her back, and the 'time/space' where her skin rips. From out of that 'tear' in 'time/space' her Vir calls and something answers as an iridescent pair of gossamer Dragon wings spreads out. Wings large and brimming with power, as she lifts her face to see the sky of Boethiah's Realm, her wings curl around her and lift to those skies. A shaft of power rockets up into the sky from within the curled wings and keeps going. She has no idea where it is going, why it chose this moment, what its purpose is, but she feels it is right and she adds a part of herself to that power.

     Boethiah wonders how did things suddenly get out from her control and finds she definitely does not like it, but how to reestablish control and still hold to this timeline. Changing the forward path would be disastrous for her and her plans. But on the other hand, having this new combined being as a strong ally would ensure her survival throughout the rest of this Kalpa and possibly into the next.

     The color of the power beam Iriisii sent outward was as violet as her eyes, which are now glowing. And then the beam returns to her as 'Gray' as the Vir she now wields.

     Voice on the Beam: "We have waited for your coming for as long as the first of us became 'Gray'. We will not seek you out, but rather will await your summons to bring us into battle for you and your goals. All of us will stand beside you, and nothing will stand in our way to reaching for what you want. We can see a small part of where you will go, and even this is beyond anything any of us could have imagined. We look forward to what we will do together, and let your enemies tremble and quake at your coming."

     The power beam fades, its mission accomplished. Boethiah tries to regain the upper hand by throwing questions about the truth of Iriisii's love for Rigmor. Iriisii on the other hand is having none of it. She knows how she feels toward Rigmor, and sees it is no one else's business.

     Iriisii: "I will say this and no more will I say about it. I love Rigmor with all of who I am, and ever will be. No one, not you, not anyone has the right to question me about her. I am not going to leave her in the Thalmor's hands, be they a splinter group or the main faction. I will go wherever I must, do whatever I must to free her and see her safe, no matter the cost to me. Anyone who tries to harm her will have to face me, and my wrath will be terrible indeed!"

     Boethiah feels the currents of power that wind themselves around Iriisii's words, binding them into the timestream, setting the stage for the confrontations to come. Confrontations that have her salivating at the thoughts of how they may go, and that what passes for pleasure centers in her mind ramping upward with the possibilities of what she may be able to do with the losers of those confrontations, especially Malacath. She wonders what would be left of him and his followers if she devoured him a second time. More pleasurable to think of what would be left of, say, Molag Bal. Now that has some possibilities for enjoyment that would last for a long time. And if she plays her cards right, she might even be able to drag Jyggalag along as well. She thinks that this could turn out very much better than her initial planning, but she must stay on Iriisii's 'good' side, yes, do not make an enemy of her. Let others do that and clean up after Iriisii is done with them. I just need to be patient.

     Boethiah: "I hear you. You have answered my questions, perhaps not in the fashion I intended but answered them nonetheless."

     She turns and walks back to where she entered the arena, then stops.

     Boethiah: "You will need to hurry as the New World Order intends to sacrifice Rigmor on the Altar of Restoration, in order to restore him back to his prior incarnation of Trinimac. He would then set out to rule Tamriel as an Elven God-King, purifying those he deems unfit from the land. You know what would happen if he was in power and say, the Tsaesci invaded. The other lands would be drawn into the conflict, and should the third Numinidium be awoken and let loose. Well, you may have a chance to see the results of what it would mean for yourself in the near future. The future timelines hold a great deal of information if one is savvy enough to grasp it. In any case, speak to my servant, he will tell you where Rigmor is intended to be sacrificed."

     Boethiah then disappears back to the seat of her power, wondering what Iriisii is going to do with the information she now has, and just as importantly what will she do with what she may find with the future. Perhaps it is time she hedge her bets, but who would be best to speak with?

     Iriisii and Snowdevil materialize back at the shrine. Malesam looks up as he realizes she has arrived, takes one look at Snowdevil and freezes in place. Iriisii cannot help herself but to choke in trying to stifle her laughing. Once she has recovered herself.

     Iriisii: "Ok, Malesam, what do you have for me?"

     Malesam shakily points to Snowdevil, "That is a ...Dragon! How...?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, it is a dragon, his name is Snowdevil, now please tell me where Rigmor is, before he gets hungry."

     Malesam partly recovers himself, still looking for an escape route if Snowdevil even looks like he might take a bite.

     Malesam: "Oh yes, there is a mine on an island north of Dawnstar. There is a small garrison there as well. They have excavated and built the Altar and an Oblivion Gate down at the bottom. You may need some help in there, so I do hope you have some friends you can trust to go with you. I have arranged for a small boat that can take you to the island. But you should not dilly dally, time is of the essence here."

     Iriisii: "I know, I will have Snowdevil take me back to the farmhouse, then I have some experienced companions that I intend to take with me. Snowdevil can take care of the garrison troops outside, while I and the others storm the mine and break up the ritual. I intend to kill everyone there that is not one of mine. And if Rigmor is the least bit harmed...I know someone that will show me how to send their souls to the darkest of the Dark Hells."

     Malesam shudders at her pronouncement, telling himself to make very certain to not ever get crossways of her.

     Iriisii goes and climbs up to Snowdevil's back, Malesam asks how he can get through the canopy of tree limbs above, some quite thick. Iriisii merely says for him to watch and learn what is possible. She leans down and places both hands on the base of his neck and says, "Etherealize". They both semi-fade into a ghostly form and then leap up through the tree limbs like they were not there. As they float through the sky toward where the farmhouse is, Malesam merely whispers, "Amazing".

     They land both completely solid, and Iriisii's companions pile out of the farmhouse surprised to see Snowdevil.

     Karliah: "What happened?"

     Iriisii: "I will tell you all about it later, for we must leave now for Dawnstar, time is fleeting and seconds count. Get your weapons and armor and let us go."

     As they all go after their gear Sigunn comes up to ask.

     Sigunn: "You know where she is being held then?"

     Iriisii: "Down in the depths of a mine on an island out in the Sea of Ghosts, near to Dawnstar."

     Sigunn: "But what do they want with her?"

     Iriisii does not want to say, but Sigunn insists.

     Iriisii: "They mean to sacrifice her on an Altar of Restoration, to allow Malacath to be restored to his prior form as Trinimac. I and the others are leaving as soon as they climb up, and we are going to get her and leave all their bodies laying there as a testament to their folly. There is also an Oblivion Gate down there that likely leads to Malacath's Oblivion Realm of 'Ash Pit'. If I must, I will go through to him and teach him the error of what he is trying to do."

     Sigunn: "But he is a Daedric Lord!"

     Iriisii: "I care not for that! He has crossed the line and threatened the life of one I hold close to my heart! There is now a price to be paid for his action, and I will see it paid from his green skin!"

     Sigunn: "Then for the life of my daughter Rigmor, I wish you good luck, and may the Divines guide your blade."

     Everyone rolls back out of the farmhouse with their gear. Iriisii tells them to climb up and they place themselves behind her on his back. Snowdevil then leaps up into the air, his wings catching the air and pulling himself and his load upward. Sigunn, Angi, and Sorella watch in amazement at the power Snowdevil shows in the ease with which he lifts himself up even with all those seated on his back. Then as he climbs, moving north, in the direction of Dawnstar, he reaches a thermal and then he is gone from sight.

     Sigunn prays, "Father Akatosh, let your daughter find and bring mine home to me. I have been told she is important to your plans for the future. But I speak as a mother who only wants to see her child once more."

     As she looks back up to where Snowdevil vanished into the clouds, she feels a warmth spread around her, and her fears subside as a certainty of success fills her heart. Her soul feels a sense of gratitude for the sincerity of her prayer and the promise that all will be well.

     As they approach Dawnstar, Iriisii concentrates her desire to find and locate Rigmor, and sends it out to search. It takes on the form of a glowing bird of prey, and Iriisii instructs Snowdevil to follow it. The townsfolk of Dawnstar stand outside and watch as Snowdevil and those on his back pass over the town and keep going out into the Sea of Ghosts. Many of the mariners walk back to the Inn, order drinks from the bartender, and discuss what it could mean to see what they just saw. Even as the gloom and lack of sleep from the nightmares plaguing everyone casts a shadow over everything, the people know that something has happened that could have great implications for the future. Now if someone could just figure out how the get rid of these damn nightmares.

     The 'bird of prey' flies out over the open sea, looking down at the ice floes, and dots of rock leaping up from the water into the air. Iriisii thinks the 'seeking' is being blocked by magic, and calls upon Kyne's children, the Zephyrs, and asks if they have seen this island that they seek.

     Zephyrs: "Yes, we have. The air is foul around it with that which is being done deep down. It is near another dark tower that sits above the waters of the sea. Stay away from there, for that which it imprisons is guarded by Aetherial Dragons. Magic and a sense of wrongness is strong there, very strong. It arose soon after Alduin was cast into the Streams of Time. Father Akatosh was the one who built it and placed it there. But the place you seek is close by it, many are those who have come and gone, and many are still there. Something is being done down below that is warping the air around that place. Any of us who approach too close sicken and must be helped away or they would pass from this world."

     Iriisii: "I seek one taken from me, one who I care for deeply. Will you guide me as close as you dare to this place? And in return I will cleanse it of that which sickens you when get too close."

     Zephyrs: "This we will do, Thunderchild of Kyne. For this is Mother Kyne's will of us, that we aid you in all that you ask of us. As she loves you so do we all, who are her children, welcome you among us."

     The zephyrs guide them as close as they dare, but it is good enough for she has a clear view of the island.

     Iriisii: "Go no further Children of Kyne, we will go from here and clear the foulness from that place."

     Zephyrs: "We wish you luck, Thunderchild. May you find the one you seek and clear the dark foulness that taints that place."

     Iriisii directs Snowdevil to a flat point on the island at the opposite end from the garrison. Once he has landed and his passengers climbed down, she sends him back into the air to begin strafing the garrison. She watches as he goes high and dives down on top, spraying dragonfire on all who are unprotected  on the battlements.

     Iriisii: "Snowdevil clears the way for us, now let us enter and kill any who you find inside!"

     They burst through the door, not trying to hide their presence, but they see no one. Iriisii takes the lead and moves surely on through the mine's rough corridors, avoiding open shafts down to lower levels. A crude but effective way to ensure ventilation in the deeper levels. Halfway down she meets the first resistance which is sporadic at best and quickly dispatched. It stays that way until she reaches an ornate door, very much out of place in a mine. As she touches it, it seems to speak to her of a time when there was no mine above. When it and the chamber beyond were not buried deep underground.

     Sacrifices were a regular occurrence and the power of them was used to fuel arcane rituals. Rituals of many different kinds, a few of which she recognizes from her earlier teaching into necromancy as among the darkest, most dangerous of rituals, that often caused the deaths of the participants as well as the sacrificial victim. And some of the absolute worst of the Anatomantic scrying rituals were performed here. As one comes across her field of vision, she thinks of Tilar Aedriath, and his form and face replace the victim's in the vision. She cannot help but memorize this one, just in case she has the opportunity to inflict it upon him. She also pays attention to the specific devices used in this ritual, as horrible as they are, she feels that used against him, they are justified. She then pushes against the door, and where it was once locked, now it simply swings open.

     Gisela: "How did you...? It was locked solidly! I know it was!"

     Karliah: "This is the first of its kind I have ever seen! But I do remember reading about them in a scroll I once was sent to acquire. It was thought that there were no more to exist."

     Temussin: "What did the scroll say of it? Hurry, it could be very important."

     Karliah: "It dates back to the 'Dawn Times', when magic was in everything, used for everything. These doors had different purposes, some opened to different spaces on Nirn or elsewhere. Some seemed to open to different places of the mind and spirit. And some did something completely different."

     Temussin: "What did those ones do, tell me!"

     Karliah: "They sought to open parts of those who touched them, who opened them. The parts opened involved magic, emotions, dark emotions, showing those who sought entry through them visions of the darkest vengeance against the most hated of foes. But the visions were always couched in what those who experienced them could gain from them. Some were strong enough to turn what they saw to their own uses, taking control away from the power that inhabited the 'door'. While those others who were not so strong."

     Temussin: "What of those? Tell me!"

     Karliah: "Those became puppets to that which lived within the 'door', giving it a means by which it could influence what went on beyond its confines."

     Gisela: "Were any of them ever freed from the 'door'?"

     Karliah: "The scroll did not touch upon that, but I think some did, and brought about the overall destruction of the 'doors'. How this one was merely buried and not destroyed, I could not say. If it is even possible to do it now, I still could not say. Is it possible it is somehow involved in this 'restoration' sacrifice?"

     Temussin: "That is my guess, and a very bad feeling it gives me."

     Gisela: "Why?"

     Temussin: "The Thalmor captured Rigmor for the sacrifice because she is a virgin of noble blood. But from what I know of 'restoration' sacrifices that is not a requirement, and a single sacrifice is not enough. Even one of virgin noble blood would not be enough."

     Gisela: "Then what..., of course! All of the priests and acolytes further inside attending the ceremony. If they were to be the true sacrifice, the one needed for the 'restoration'."

     Karliah: "Then Rigmor's sacrifice is intended for a different reason, perhaps something to do with this door?"

     Temussin: "Then the whole scenario from the very beginning was instigated by the 'door'. But what about Malacath's role? Did it somehow influence him in this as well?"

     Karliah: "Somehow I think it is more complicated than that. I hardly know anything of these matters, but something tells me that both sets of sacrifices are needed. And that the catalyst for Malacath's restoration is truly not to be 'restored' but to become possessed by whatever lives within the 'door'. His physical form could be restored by whatever is in the 'door' once it got hold of him. It is getting him out of the 'Ash Pit' and over here on Nirn that is the problem.           

     Rigmor's sacrifice is to be used as a conduit for the soul energy of all the others sacrifice to be channeled to bring Malacath over to Nirn, then the entity within the door will use what energy has accumulated here to possess Trinimac. Then go on to cleanse Tamriel, which would be a sacrifice of monumental proportions. Probably give the entity full and permanent control of Trinimac allowing it to rule Tamriel as the God-King that Trinimac intended to do."

     Gisela: "So if Iriisii kills all of the priests and acolytes, but Rigmor is saved, then everything is upset, because Rigmor has to be sacrificed first in order to be used as a conduit."

     Temussin: "I do believe you are correct. If Rigmor does not die then the soul energy of the priests and acolytes will have to adhere to current metaphysical laws. Malacath stays in the 'Ash Pit', the 'door' remains the 'door', and everything else progresses as it should."

     Iriisii rouses herself from the vision and turns to her companions.

     Iriisii: "Everyone ready? We go in swinging, kill anything in robes that is not us or Rigmor. I will go for the altar first, to kill the High Priest then protect Rigmor. One or two should stay close to the door, do not let one escape. All others move through the crowd quickly, kill efficiently, no need for show moves, just get it done. They have the numbers on us, so we have to have shock and deadliness on ours."

     They hear the dreaded words, "The sacrifice is almost ready, the Oblivion Gate is now open. Prepare by brothers."

     Iriisii: "Let's go!"

     They move through the crude tunnel and come out into the sacrificial chamber. Iriisii sees Rigmor on the altar, laying still and motionless. The High Priest is standing behind the altar facing Rigmor, sacrificial dagger in hand. In front of her is a crowd of priests and acolytes, enough to delay her from getting to Rigmor if she cannot find a way through this crowd. In a moment of both terror and supreme resolve as she sees the dagger begin its downward plunge, Iriisii's gossamer power wings erupt. Time slows down and the beating of the wings pulls her up and over the crowd. In a instant she is standing behind the High Priest as she grabs his hand wrapped around the dagger hilt, and uses the downward momentum to change the target. The dagger strikes, but instead of Rigmor's heart being struck, the dagger plunges into the High Priest's belly and reaches down into his groin.

     His scream shocks those priests and acolytes nearest him. Some of the senior priests start to move toward the altar to try and salvage something from this. Iriisii releases her hand from the dagger, and casts a poison stream spell that catches the priests totally unaware. The poison in the stream is being charged by her rage and fear. So strong is it that it begins to melt the very flesh it contacts, and soon enough there is nothing left of them but a noxious green puddle. She looks up to see her companions finishing off the last of the priests and acolytes.

     She tries to reach Rigmor, but a barrier is in place around her stopping Iriisii from getting to her. As her rage leaves her she slumps to her knees, her hands still touching the barrier. Temussin comes up and examines it.

     Temussin: "It is somehow tied to the Gate."

     As they look toward it, all they see is a solid mass of flames filling the area enclosed by a stone arch. Iriisii can catch but glimpses of a metal grate held suspended within the flames, denying entry.

     Iriisii: "Spread out, there must be a way to lift the grate. A lever somewhere, check the walls and columns."

     Soon enough a click is heard and the grate lowers into the floor. Karliah has a smile on her face. Iriisii looks into the flames and tries to remember what she has read about the 'Ash Pit'.

     Iriisii: "This time I must go alone."

     Her companions are crestfallen, as they were eagerly awaiting the chance to follow her into Oblivion.

     Iriisii: "I know you all wanted to go with me, but Oblivion is not like any other place you can imagine. Each Realm is different according to what its Lord wants it to portray. Malacath's Realm is called the 'Ash Pit', and its name describes it perfectly. It is a land of fire, seas of fiery magma that flare up and spray. A ground baked dry until its dust will burn eyes, scorch throats, and suck the water out of you in minutes. Luckily he does not have the larger daedroth roaming around, mainly scamps and Flame Atronachs. His lesser Daedra are inside the towers, rarely coming outside. The main tower is where I have to go, fight my way to the top against whatever hordes he wishes to send. And then I must find the Sigil Stone, and smash it with 'Azura's Bane'. My main concern in this is not whether any or all of you can survive, I know you can. My problem is whether once I strike that stone, will you be left behind there. For I cannot determine if anyone will be pulled back across to this side with me. For once I return the gate will be closed and I have no way to return and look for you. So you see, I do not want to lose any of you, especially to have you stranded in a place like that with no way to return and no way for me to come and get you. But if anyone has any ideas, I am willing to hear them." 

     Everybody looks at the other, then Temussin speaks up.

     Temussin: "If you were to be the one left behind, Snowdevil could portal to you, even in Oblivion, find you, and bring you back. The link that the 'Gray' gives the two of you allows for any one of you to come to the call of the other. And if the two of you are bound together over there, you can call upon the link to find me here, through the 'Black' that I bear and portal back. I know it means that I must stay, and as much as I wish to go with you, I am willing to stay to provide an anchor for you all to come back safely."

     Gisela: "I do not know what to say to that. I have never until I met Iriisii had anyone that cared enough to do something like that for me. Thank you, Temussin."

     Gisela steps to him and plants a kiss on the side of his face. Drawing back she sees him blushing a deep red.

     Gisela: "You have never had a girl or woman kiss you before have you?"

     Temussin: "I..., No I have not."

     Iriisii: "The two of you can discuss that further later, for now we have preparations to make. If you are to stay here and anchor us, then you will need to go to the surface. Better for Snowdevil to portal to the surface than down here. We, however, will need to go through the gate. We will need water skins, and cloth covers for your armor. Cover as much skin as you can so you do not get burned from the dry heat. Also any healing potions you can bring will be needed. I will need to speak to Snowdevil so that he understands what we are going to do and what we may need him to do for us."

     Iriisii goes to look at Rigmor before continuing to the surface to talk to Snowdevil. As she looks at her through the barrier she looks past her duty as Guardian, to see what is there for her to feel. It is then she knows for certain that she does love Rigmor, that it is more than just words she threw at Boethiah to satisfy her curiosity.

     Karliah: "You have just realized that you love her, am I right?"

     Iriisii: "How did you know?"

     Karliah: "I have seen it for some time now. But it would mean nothing until you saw it within yourself. She is not the only one you love. You are one of those special, rare people that can love more than one person at a time. Most who do it or try to, cannot, for they do not have the capacity. You do. I cannot say how many you can or even if you have a limit. Only you will find that out as you grow into it."

     Iriisii looks back to Rigmor.

     Iriisii: "I am sorry this happened to you. I do not even know if you can hear me, but know that I truly love you. And I will let no one ever hurt you again. For if they should try, they will know the wrathful ire of the Dragonborn. Rest if you can, my love, for soon I will take you home, on the wings of the dragon will you be flown and see the land of Skyrim as only the dragons can see it. I make this promise to you, as I will it, so I will make it be."

     For a split second Iriisii thinks she hears the rumble of thunder far off in the distant expanses. Then it is gone, and she walks her way up to the surface to speak to Snowdevil. Once she finds him, she then explains what she needs for him to do. He asks if there will be enemies for him to kill. She tells him it will be likely for if she is stuck in the 'Ash Pit' Malacath will not just let her go without a fight. He then nods his head and simply said 'call' me when you need me. With that much done she goes to find the others to see how far along they are. Iriisii sees them standing before the gate, waiting for her.

     Iriisii: "All right, let us go through. Those flames are purely magical and will not harm you, so we just walk through."

     She leads the way and appears on a ledge overlooking a small part of the 'Ash Pit'. Seems Malacath did not want the tower controlling this gate anywhere near the main part of this Realm. As the others come through behind her, she points out the main tower they need to reach, then she shows them where there will be groups of Skamps along with a couple of Flame Atronachs in each group. She then warns them at least half of each group will be archers, the rest will be armed with 'summoned weapons'.

     Iriisii: "We will need to take each group out quickly. We cannot afford to let them gather and delay us. The longer we spend time here the more difficult it will be for us to leave, so we go now!"

     They hear the first words Malacath has for them.

     Malacath: "You are fools to come here, prepare to die mortals."

     She leaps off of the ledge to land on a rock slab directly beneath her, then takes off at a run for the closest group, not waiting on the others but expecting them to catch up. Before she can reach the first skamp, her High elemental disperses the Flame Atronachs. Not having to dodge their fireballs is a welcome relief when trying to keep track of all of the skamps running around.

     Malacath: "You do not stand a chance against my minions, only death awaits you here."

     The first group is down, so Iriisii tells them to pick up the Daedric bows and take all the arrows from them. That even if we do not need them, they fetch a very good price anywhere on Nirn. With the knowledge of how to take them down, they go through them like a farmer reaping wheat with a scythe.

     Malacath: "You will never leave here alive, turn back while you still have a chance."

     Soon they are at the door to the tower.

     Irisiii: "This is where it gets real in a hurry. Dremora will be in the attackers and they will not be stopped without killing them. You do not have to worry for they truly cannot die as we know it. They will reform their bodies from the Creatia that this Realm is made of, but we will be long gone before the first of them reconstitutes. The voice you heard speaking from the air itself is Malacath. Do not bother speaking to him, for he does not care. We are enemies to him and his plans so he will send whoever he has in this tower and will send them against us. We start going up and we do not stop until we reach the Sigil Stone Chamber. If you find any potions lying around pick them up, better not to leave them behind to be used by any latecomers."

     Iriisii opens the door and steps through, it is empty right now but she knows that will not last as there are three dremora in the next chamber.

     Malacath: "You dare to interfere in the affairs of the Gods, you puny weakling."

     She leads her band through into that chamber to start the show. Their staid and stale refrains of intruders, 'I smell weakness', 'I honor my Lord, by destroying you', 'Are you ready to die?' begin to be heard. Iriisii engages the first sword that comes, a fireball and a stream of fire comes toward her, but her Elemental absorbs the flames and her other companions engage them. They go down so quick Iriisii wonders what is going on if this is the best that Malacath can send to defend this tower and the Sigil Stone at the top. no matter to her, it just makes things easier.

     Malacath: "You would believe the lies of a slut? Now you will pay with your life."

     The next group is no stronger.

     Malacath: "Kill the mortal, cut out her heart and place it on the board of Malacath so I can devour it."

     Nor the one after.

     Malacath: "I will suck the life from your loved ones and leave only a dry empty husk."

     He adds some scamps, but no daedroths, this is strange. Is it possible that for whatever reason he has to contend with the dregs. He is so much the 'Lord of Outcasts' that that is all that he can bring into his service? It could explain why he is depending so much on the Thalmor to help him. It also does not bode well for him even if he should succeed, for as she well knows the Thalmor, they likely have a means to put aetheric chains on him. And bind him to their commands once he would set foot on Nirn. Does he know this or even suspect? Just as they enter another chamber at the top of this section and it all starts over again.

     Malacath: "I will feast on their bones, and crush their souls, and cast them out into the void."

     Iriisii: "Forget about what he says, if he really had the power to do these things he would not be stuick out here in the arse end of Oblivion."

     He must really be worrying, his taunts are coming quicker.

     Malacath: "I will bathe in the blood of all your ancestors past and future to come."

     Iriisii: "Keep it coming, asshole, if you could really see the future, you would see what I am going to do to you and you would have shut you mouth long ago."

     As Gisela drops a scamp archer.

     Gisela: "What are you going to do?"

     Malacath: "I will suck the flesh from the bones of your children and decorate my shrine with their skulls."

     Iriisii: "That one is one of Molag Bal's! So you are running out of original taunts?"

     Iriisii answers Gisela: "You really do not want to know. Because I am not sure I can do it to him, or more specifically if my blade will cut into his flesh."

     Gisela: "And if it will not? "

     Iriisii: "I guess we will find out if what I have up my sleeve will work. And no I am not saying what it is. I want him to worry, wondering just what it is that I have in mind."

     Malacath: "Fools, who will rid me of this sluts lackey?"

     Iriisii: "It seems a thought I had is right, what we are seeing is in fact the best he can throw at us. All he can recruit of the Dremora are outlaws and cast offs."

     Karliah: "Who is this 'slut' he is referring to?"

     Iriisii: "Boethiah. She is why he is in this condition, although it was his own mouth and hubris that made it possible."

     Malacath keeps trying to whip up his forces but they are woefully outmatched. She knows they are getting close to the top when his words and demeanor towards her changes. He is more conciliatory, even though begrudgingly so.

     Malacath: "My sister chose well. You have proved worthy of my respect, mortal."

     Iriisii: "While you have none at all of mine!"

     When they enter the last chamber and start up the ramp, she knows now that he is becoming scared she might actually succeed, for he then tries to bargain with her to turn away. Then as they step foot on the top level, she can see the Sigil Stone floating in the center reachable by an extension of the dias they are standing on.

     Malacath: "Before you strike the stone with Azura's Bane. Sheathe your sword and listen to the words of Malacath."

     She wonders what he has to say that could possibly change the course she is on, then her surroundings change. The difference is almost jarring, for she is now in a garden where she could dream of walking through with her mates, listening to the sounds of a stream bubbling across rocks, of beams of sunlight peeking through lush foliage seeking to find the lovers in the shadows stealing kisses from each other. The light of lamps hanging from poles adding an air of intimacy, of closeness, of 'not a care in the world' in this moment but the joy each takes from being in the arms of the other. Then it crosses what is happening, this is but one of the things he is trying to bribe her with, a life like this with whoever she should choose. Buy she knows this would be at the cost of Rigmor's life, and she knows she could not live in a place like this knowing the cost, for it would haunt her from the shadows every second of every day of her life here. Then she asks herself, where did he come up with this place to try and convince her to take his side, knowing what the rest of the 'Ash Pit' looks like. And it dawns on her, he took this from her mind, specifically from her dreams. And her anger at the mental violation sets her teeth on edge.

     Malacath: "I have waited in the darkness of the Ashpit for a millennia just for this moment to come."

     And then she finds herself in front of him while he prepares to try and change her mind.

     Malacath: "Why have you come here to interfere in my destiny?"

     Iriisii: "You have the one I love laying on an altar at the gate the Thalmor built into your Realm. It was the intention of those same minions of yours to sacrifice her life to fuel that restoration."

     Malacath: "Is the life of a mortal girl so greater a thing to cherish than the restoration of Tamriel?"

     Iriisii: "But it would not stop there, would it? You would wash the land in the blood of all those not of Altmer blood. So your Destiny comes at too high a price."

     Malacath: "But what gives you the right to decide if my ascension os right or wrong?"

     Iriisii: "I am her Guardian. I am sworn to protect her, and so I have no choice in deciding right or wrong on your ascension."

     Malacath: "Strike the stone and a Millennia will be undone at your hand."

     Iriisii: "So it must be, For I made a promise and it cannot be broken. Understand this, I am not unfeeling, I pity you the cruel fate bestowed on you, but this ends here."

     Malacath: "But know this, there will be another time, another Millennia, another sacrifice, if not now then tomorrow."

     Iriisii: "The future will see to thwarting you when next you try again. Maybe it will be me who is summoned to stop you once more. Maybe someone else will take up the challenge, I cannot say, but it will happen. And maybe you will be the cause of your own demise, an Elven God-King, ruler over a pile of floating rocks in the sky. For I have seen in dreams what may happen if you are successful in trying again. The third Numinidium will arise to do battle with you, and Nirn will pay the price as it crumbles. The survivors flee to a new home, when the one who would stand in their way is defeated by me. And you, you will be left to gaze over your kingdom of rocks."

     Malacath: "Hold your sword and my promise to you will be a long life, and glorious old age."

     Iriisii: "She will never be safe until this is over."

     Malacath: "YOU DARE DEFY A GOD!"

     Iriisii draws her sword and points it directly at Malacath.

     Iriisii: "Yes, I dare! For I am the Last Dragonborn of Akatosh! I am given to fight against ALL who would ENSLAVE, DESECRATE, or DESTROY Nirn. And through your resurrection you would attempt all three, so yes, I dare to defy you. I am not without honor, arm yourself, stand and face your judgment."

     Malacath summons a huge hammer and Iriisii recognizes it as the one she took from a giant that had been terrorizing one of the orc enclaves. She remembered how the chieftain had her accompany him on the trek to the giant's home and stand witness to his success or his failure in fighting the giant. He did not survive. The giant came for Iriisii and she put him down, taking his hammer as proof of the giant's death. She last saw it as it was hanging off of Malacath's altar in the Orc stronghold as she went out the gates and turned south.

     Back and forth they go, each parrying the other's strikes. And what she feared was in fact true, her blade was not strong enough to pierce his flesh, she was going to need something stronger. But was she capable of doing what needed to be done. All she had to prove it could be was some chapters in an old book and a dusty, faded, dogeared, journal belonging to one who claimed to be a sword singer, whose last words were written in it.

     She enters a battle trance to slow time for her. She then peels back the layers of her mind delving deeper and deeper, until she feels the centers of power that have rested there since her birth. She feels for the one the represents the ancient Gods that touched her people, made them Aasimar, and gave of themselves to her people to help them survive the wars devastation. The very parts of themselves that have come down to her and have been waiting for just this kind of opportunity to see exactly what she is made of. If she has the strength of will to wield the power that lies within.

     She touches it with the will of her mind, soul and heart, grabs it, and starts to form it into what she wants. But she needs a way to guide this power to where she can work it. And there in another center she finds what she needs. She has already touched it lightly a few times without knowing what she was doing, instinctively using it. This time it is aware of her, what she wants to do, why she wants to do it, and that her belief in herself is strong enough to do it. All she needs is for this center to give her control of its power. And it does.

     Outside of her body, the second power manifests in a skin that drives Malacath back away from her. Then she raises her hands to face level, spreads them apart just enough to span a sword length, and begins to 'sing'. This song is beyond the upper and lower registers of the human voice, so the first power helps her reach those as it listens to the song she sings first in her mind then in her voice. Streams of power, in several different forms streak from one hand to the other, pulsing to her voice, taking on the form of a sword. Then from the depths of her own soul comes yet a third power. This one is dangerous in the extreme if not rigidly controlled. It feels what she wants and what she wants it for. It surges forward wanting to be a part of this, to be a part of the pain she wants to inflict, feeling the need for justice that needs to be met on this Malacath, god or no god, it has transgressed against his Iriisii and so must pay, pain for pain, hurt for hurt. It reaches her hands and enters what she has already formed. And the blade that now takes physical shape is a blade that even Sword Singers did not know could be born of their efforts and teachings.

     Its color is beyond human eyes to see and so most of its physical features are not seen. Malacath sees it though, and now fears what Iriisii has wrought at his instigation. This blade can slice him, stab him, carve pieces of him, and in her hands devour him whole as she is still 'Champion of Boethiah', his sister. He can feel traces of 'her' influence within Iriisii, very delicately placed to not interfere with her, but there nonetheless. But it is the rest of her that scares him, for he can feel the power in her, and now that it is awake and moving, it can reach through the sword and do awful kinds of damage to him.

     He takes the hammer and pulls it back to put all his godly strength into it. He must strike before she is done and maybe he can get away. Otherwise she could 'skin' him alive. As the hammer streaks toward her, he thinks he has it made, that it will hit and disrupt her efforts, allowing him time to escape. Just inches away there is a thunderous clang, the sound itself is bad enough, but the physical reverberations traveling back down the hammer shaft to his hands threatens to dislodge it from his grip. Then he sees the gash in the head of it and disbelieves that her soul blade could damage his hammer.

     As her blade slices toward him, it leaves a trail of 'something' in its wake. Something he feels he knows what it is but cannot form the thought of what it is in his mind. He barely leaps back and avoids the strike, but then feels a burn across his midsection. Looking down he sees 

a thin line of blood beginning to well up and form a few drops that threaten to begin sliding down from that thin wound. Iriisii steps forward once more to try again. He tries to summon up his own rage and anger, but that niggling snake of fear comes with it and sabotages his effort. This time he gets the hammer up to deflect her blow and when they meet a second time, the hammer goes flying from his hands. She slams the flat along the side of his head, knocking him to the ground. And straddles him with the blade above his torso. As she anticipates what she could learn from reading his entrails, and wondering whether or not he would keep his essense knit together through this. She then touches the blade tip to the beginning of the fine line she had already made.

    Then she hears a resounding 'NO, MY LOVE! DON'T DO IT!' in her mind. A voice she knows, recognizes. She looks around to find the source. She must be here, close by somewhere! she looks up and calls out.

     Iriisii: "DES! WHERE ARE YOU? Show yourself to me, I will protect you. Please come to me!"

     Desidarius: "I wish I could, my love. I really do. But you cannot do this, you are not ready to withstand what you would see. It would drive you insane. Then you would be lost to us all, and I could not live with that."

     Iriisii: "But how are you talking to me now if you are not here?"

     Desidarius: "The powers within that you have tapped are making you like a beacon in the darkest night. All are looking to see who you are, how you could have and use all this power. For now they cannot locate you, because of the remnants of the liminal barrier that conceals Nirn from everywhere else, but unless you can hide it like it was before they will find you and I cannot say what the results of that could be. Your dragonsoul can help you put them all back where they were and shut the doors. You must do this or all could be lost for you, me, Rigmor, Rose, and all of Nirn. Please do this for us, please."

     Iriisii: "As much as I want you with me now, I can and will be patient. No matter how much it hurts, I will wait until I can gain control before using it again."

     Desidarius: "Thank you, Riis, my love. Know that I will be watching you when I can without drawing attention to you. Look for me in your dreams, just think of me and we will find each other. The Dreamworld cares for you, why, I am not sure just yet. I know only that it does, so we can make use of that whenever you wish. I must go before I am noticed speaking to you. When you dream, go to the gardens at the base of the palace at Ilek Vad, or go to Ulthar and ask any of the cats to send for me. Either way I will meet you and then we can for a while forget we were ever apart. Remember that I love you, now and for eternity."

     Iriisii: "And I you, Des, my love, now and for eternity."

     Malacath: "And who is this Des you speak to, how do you love one and another?"

     Iriisii's voice takes on a deeper tone and a growl comes from the back of her throat.

     Iriisii: "You will forget you ever heard that name. By the Will of Morpheus so will it be."

     A thin thread of soulfire lashes out and connects to Malacath's forehead, seeking all that he heard of Iriisii's words with Desidarius, excises them from his memory, and stitches the memories together until no sign of a gap can be seen, felt, or experienced.

     Dragonsoul: "It is done, he will never know she exists. Now it is time to go back to the tower and finish this. I will make certain that when you strike the Sigil Stone all will return to Nirn with us."

     Iriisii whispers, 'Thank you'.

     Dragonsoul: "I should be thanking you, I have not had this much fun in...well in a very long time."

     Iriisii: "Keep your secrets until you are ready to share, then I will be willing to listen."

     Dragonsoul: "I will hold you to that, Dovahkiin, do not doubt it."

     Iriisii stands and steps away from Malacath, finding herself back in the top of the tower with the Sigil Stone. But this time it is not empty, there are Dremora and Flame Atronachs standing around the Stone.

     Malacath: "QUICKLY, KILL HER BEFORE SHE STRIKES THE STONE!"

     Her companions sweep the dias, using every trick of their trades to force all the enemies off of the dias, to fall to the bottom of the tower. In this way the Sigil Stone is not impacted by the fighting, possibly falling off of the edge itself. Iriisii, her soul blade dispelled, draws Azura's Bane, approaches the Stone and with a two handed overhead strike hits the stone. In the flash that happens, she swears Azura's Bane shatters into pieces. She drops the hilt with the broken base and allows it to fall where it may, for she sees the barrier around Rigmor is gone. She races to Rigmor's side but still cannot rouse her.

     Karliah leans down to sniff at her lips, looks up to Iriisii.

     Karliah: "She was drugged with something I am not familiar with, but it is still strong on her lips. She will probably stay asleep for at least a few days. How she will react when she wakes is anybody's guess. She may remember all of it, none of it, or just bits and pieces. We will just have to wait and see. Now we should be going don't you think. Before anybody get curious why we came out here?"

     Iriisii: "You are right. All of you climb up on Snowdevil, so he can take you to the farmhouse. I will follow with Rigmor."

     Gisela: "Are you sure you can carry her all that way?"

     Iriisii: "She will be no burden."

     Temussin: "Come let us go, she knows what she must do. It must be her and Rigmor, no one else."

     Gisela: "What do you know? Come on and spill it!"

     Temussin: "Later you will find out, everything will be revealed, but this part must happen as it needs to. I can say no more without threatening it and that must not be. Just trust that all will go as it must, and we will find out what it means later as word of what she will do spreads across Skyrim and Tamriel."

     As her companions turn and make their way to the entrance of the mine, Iriisii touches Temussin on his arm.

     Iriisii: "Thank you, my friend, for understanding."

     Temussin smiles, "It is not a problem, perhaps one day I can tell you of how I know what you are to do and how it will affect the future of Nirn."

     Iriisii: "I look forward to that day. Now go on, I will be behind you all shortly."

     Iriisii waits until she sees all have moved onward, so she goes and slides her arms under Rigmor's still body. She feels the shallow breathing, and the heat from her body that tells her she is still alive. Picking her up and cradling her next to her, she begins walking toward the doorway.

     Iriisii: "I am sorry this had to happen to you. If I could have taken it from you I would have, but we have our distinct roles to play. And it must go the way it is for all in the future to go as we would wish for it to. Remember this if you remember nothing else, I love you, my Rigmor, with all my heart and soul. Anyone who would harm you from now on will have to face my wrath, this I promise you, as your love, as your Guardian, your Dovahkiin, and all of the other titles I will earn as we go forward into eternity."