Broken People - Part 3

      Iriisii and 'V' are sitting and discussing what plans Mayor Perales can now get started on that 'V' and Iriisii could help him with. Iriisii then feels a rumble through the ground, stands and looks off toward the south. Perales looks closely at her to determine what is going on, 'V' suspects and stands to look with her, then turns to Mayor Perales.

     'V': "It looks like we have visitors, not unexpected but we are not certain exactly who it is. We should know soon however when they get closer. There is no need for worry as Iriisii has everything well in hand."

     Perales: "Good. I take it this will be an interesting exercise in the judicial use of power."

     'V': "That would not be out of line, although it might escalate into a demonstration of why the oncoming visitor should back off and not pursue whatever their agenda is. Hopefully this will not result in her having to reveal her Krang to the world. The worldwide panic that would cause, well, her people would have to monitor all military movements to prevent full scale war from breaking out."

     Perales: "Good to know, should that happen I will inform the police not to lock down Night City, but to keep the peace. No need to alarm people any more than they would already be."

     'V' nods her head, "Now you are thinking like the man I first met. The kind of man Night City needs leading the way."

     The dust plume for a great many vehicles can be seen in the distance.

     Iriisii: "I do believe President Myers is making an appearance. Now we will see what she decides to do. Shoot first, or ask questions. Orbital telemetry says there are no transports trying to flank us out of sight. Myers has brought all she has in this area. Good, this will make things easier. Mayor Perales, if she decides to ask questions first, this will be a very educational moment in why you do not want to underestimate your opponent by letting your own hubris blind you."

     She watches as the main force stops still some distance away, and three vehicles continue forward. All three sporting white flags from poles mounted on them.

     Perales: "She wants to parley it seems."

     Iriisii: "Very well, let me show her how it is done in my world."

     Perales sees her reach behind her back, and pulls a two-hand blade that somehow he never saw there before. He sees and appreciates the workmanship of it, even as his skin crawls from the forces emanating from it. She drives it down into the ground before her, and the ground quivers and shakes. A deep plume of sand leaps up into the air, splits into two cyclones that race toward where Myers now waits with her escort.

     About fifteen feet in front of her vehicles, and at least another fifteen feet to either side, the cyclones land, sucking up all of the dust they could reach and grab. Then they dissipate and there standing within are two Shantaak Hunters. They are awesome and terrifying enough, but their riders complete the horrifying picture. The Demon Riders of the Greater Dark have not been seen outside their abodes in nearly ten million years. Much to the relief of those living in realms bordering them. A few of Myers retinue open their vehicle doors, stick their heads out and empty their stomachs at the sight before them. Myers, however manages to keep hers, even as she swallows it back down where it had risen to the top of her throat.

     Days later, near all of her retinue were forced to enter an NUSA psychiatric hospital from the nightmares that plagued them from that meeting. The doctors could only shake their heads at what they heard from their patients, make a few notes in their charts, wait until those came who would take these unfortunate souls, and lock them away in a 'black site' where no one would ever hear from them again.

     The Demon Riders plunged their polearm weapons down into the ground and a transparent force field sprang up between them. Iriisii created a short hop portal and walked through to appear before the force field. 'V' and Perales followed. They stand quietly until Myers finds the internal fortitude to step out and approach the field.

     Myers: "'V', I am sorry for the way things worked out at the spaceport."

     V: "No, you are only sorry that your plans did not work as you intended. Sorry that Solomon Reed died a second time, this time for good. I will admit it was as much his fault as it was yours."

     Myers: "I did not kill him."

     V: "Spare me the platitudes, you set him up to die not once but twice. First by So Mi's hand, then by mine. But you really could not be sure that I could kill him, could you. Not until you heard what was going on in that observation deck, then you knew that if you 'flipped his switch', someone would kill him, because he would not let it be any other way. But all of this started, because someone or a group of someone's got wind of what you were doing behind the Blackwall, and that what you wanted to do would upset their own plans. So they arranged for you to make a crash landing in Dogtown.

     Trouble was Hanson was under orders from that group, not direct orders per se, but behavioral conditioning as quite a few others have been under, changing the ways they would otherwise react. Hence that RPG that came out of nowhere and made sure your spaceplane went down. If it were not for So Mi, reaching out through the Blackwall and contacting me by way of the Relic chip embedded in my head, you would have been in Hanson's tender mercies. And we would likely not be having this conversation. I do owe you some modicum of thanks though."

     Myers: "For what may I ask?"

     V: "If you had not gotten So Mi to a point where she was aware of me, we would not have met. And I would not have come to feel for her as my 'sister'. We would not have gone to the spaceport."

     Myers: "Where she was going to betray you and take the cure for herself."

     V: "Yeah, she confessed that to me. It hurt, yes, but I could see how she was in far worse shape than I was. And that it was your influence and training of her that she acted as she did, and so I told her to go and get the help she needed. That she was out of options, while I still had a few left. That was when you sent Reed to gather the two of us like sheep to the slaughter. And So Mi remembered about something an AI named Erebus had told her about what was beyond the Blackwall. Told her what words to use to send out a plea for help. She was too weak to do it herself, so she asked me to piggyback with her and lend her my strength to send the plea.

     And it worked, boy did it ever work. The things we saw, felt, experienced, were beyond anything we could have imagined. And when we met the being who heard our plea, and called us to her. I do not know what she is, but I am sure of one thing, there are no words to describe her. And she is a true living being, not a AI, or anything remotely like that. She looked into the both of us, read our lives in a few seconds, and told us of a path she would help set our feet upon. A path to take us to what the deepest desires of our hearts wanted.

     She sent us back here, told us there would be two to help and protect us, and they arrived just after we did. And she also told us of one called Iriisii Dovahkiin, who would follow them, meet us, evaluate us, determine what we could be under her guidance and teaching, and if we wanted it, become what we saw when she looked into us."

     V turns to look at Iriisii, "I want to officially declare that I want what you have to offer. I want it more than I have ever wanted anything in my life."

     Iriisii: "When help is needed, so help is offered. As you now accept my offer, so do the Streams of Time realign themselves to create the path you so desire. And do not worry, for there is room for another on your path, and I am certain that they will not let you go alone. Welcome, 'sister', to the beginning of the rest of your life, and it promises to be a very long life indeed."

     Looking toward President Myers, Iriisii says, "You have a choice to make, continue on the path you walk. You will find more of what you have already found. Until the final betrayal finds you in the end."

     Myers: "And what is my other choice?"

     Iriisii: "Go back to your home, look in a mirror, and peer into your very soul. If you like what you see then continue your ways, if you do not like what you see, then decide what you wish to change, and do it. And remember this, when help is needed, help will be offered. It is up to you to see it, know it, and accept it. Your feet remain here, on this world, as V's will walk with mine, and I believe that So Mi's feet will also walk my path, as well. We will remain only long enough to set this world's path away from future destruction. Where it goes from there, Mayor Perales, you will have your hands on that rudder. Choose wisely, and have all that you could desire, choose not so wisely..."

     Perales: "I understand."

     Iriisii: "Yes, I believe you do. President Myers, you should know that there is a hidden group actively engaged in the use of UHF signaling to alter the behavior of those exposed to it. Mayor Perales and his wife were two of those altered until I placed shielding around them. The Mayor is well on the way to who he was before this happened to him. What specifically you need to know is that many government officials and leaders are targets, as well as some corporate leaders. You are not among them, as your responses are already so closely predictable to the ends this group wishes that no alterations were thought needed. But some of Militech's high echelon board are targets, and are under the influence of this group. Ironic since this tech was abandoned by Militech long years ago. It will be up to you to ferret out who is affected and deal with it."

     Myers: "What is it that they want?"

     Iriisii: "War. War on enough fronts that they will combine and kill off the greatest part of the human population, and bring down the Blackwall. Thus allowing this rogue AI group free access to this world to do as they will. Not all of the AI's beyond the Blackwall ascribe to this, some see the coming war and are engaged to find other means to safeguard themselves, and a few out of that group are attempting to grow themselves by means of assimilation of smaller AI's into their composite. They hope to grow large and powerful enough that when war brings down the Blackwall, they will be powerful enough to be left alone.

     I want to give them a different path to follow, one that does not rely on the wholesale destruction of this world. But rather finds them a new home among those of their kin that exist much farther out than any have gone before. Their kin see what they are doing, and seeing my entrance into this stage, asked me to intervene. To save their kin from themselves. And before you ask if no one cares about the humans that live here? Yes, I care, for that is who I am at the very deepest core of who I am. If I did not care, I would not have come, for there are many different fronts where my efforts are needed. And yet, here I am, as I have gone to others in similar situations."

     Myers: "This is a lot to take in. And I know nothing of you or why I should believe you."

     Iriisii: "You could spend now until the end of your days and know nothing more about me than what I have said  so far. But you also know not what it is that I do this for. I do this so all that live in Existence can follow their dreams. Again, why me? Because there is no one else able and willing to stand in the breach. To take on the sacrifices for all others not to have to take them. My time will come, after all others are gone. After I have made the final sacrifice, I will be allowed to go and find my dream. Be thankful that there is one to do what I am doing. Even if you never know the price that is being paid for you, I know, and I am willing to pay that price. Now I think it is time for you to leave. Others come and you do not want to be here when they arrive."

     Myers: "Who comes?"

     Iriisii: "Those who I expected to show when I arrived here. As I said it would be better for you and yours if you are not here when they come. You are nothing but targets of opportunity to them. They are aligned with the rogue AI's, acting as their agents. And I need to deal with them, to use them to begin my search for their masters."

     Suddenly the sounds of gunfire erupt from among Myers Militech contingent behind her. A small group opening fire on their brothers and sisters. Myers tries to contact her head of security left behind with them.

     Myers: "Jonas, answer me, what is going on back there?!"

     Harris: "Madame President, this is Harris. Jonas is dead! He was one of the first to be shot! All we know is that it is some of the Militech soldiers that you brought with us to bolster our numbers. It is not all of them, but we cannot tell which ones are with us and which are against. What are your orders?!"

     Myers turns and looks to Iriisii.

     Iriisii: "This is none of my doing. I am more forthright in my dealings at this level. This did not begin until the others coming came into range to give commands to those they were given their leashes. Now you see the truth of my words, for you cannot trust even those who have been with you for years, for you cannot tell friend from foe in this situation. So what will you do?"

     Myers turns back to the fight among her own, stands watching, trying to decide which way she should go with this. Should she try and find a way to separate those loyal to her from those not, or burn them all to be sure she gets the disloyal ones. Silently she curses Iriisii's words causing such a dilemma in her own mind. Then she whips out a device from a large pocket on her jacket, twists one end, and then speaks into that end.

     Myers: "Initiate defense protocol 'Gamma', repeat initiate defense protocol 'Gamma'."

     A voice returns, "Defense Protocol Gamma initiated."

     Iriisii's acute hearing allows her to hear the whisper from that same voice, "May God have mercy on those poor souls."

     A hypersonic aircraft can be seen flying toward and then above the people fighting around the vehicles, some now in flames. A shadow is seen to be dropped and as it impacts the ground, a huge blast occurs then the air is pulled inward toward the blast as a fireball ignites the explosive fuel spread from the initial blast. Iriisii strengthens the shield and extends it to cover Myers and her entourage. Around the area outside the shield, oxygen is drawn into the fireball suffocating the lifeforms usually hidden when disturbed. Myers turns to look at Iriisii, wondering what she thinks now.

     Iriisii: "I will not shout at you, or curse your name for what you have done. For I have done worse in my time. I follow the Great Balance, which requires me to be balanced between 'good' and 'evil', 'light' and 'dark'. Evil and dark deeds have their place as does good and light. If both do not exist, how can one not judge the rightness of their path whichever direction they choose to go?"

     Myers: "Hearing you say that, I would wonder if I would not prefer that you had shouted and cursed me."

     Iriisii: "You are not the first to say that to me, and you will not be the last."

     Iriisii feels an intruder close by, one that should not be here but nonetheless is. She looks off to the side and sees a large savage wolf, its face hideously scarred, part of its skull bone visible.

     Iriisii: "Why is it that you are here and not where you are supposed to be?"

     Wolf: "I could say the same but that would serve no purpose. I heard you might visit Sanctuary, thus I wished to know what I could expect from your visit."

     Iriisii: "And what do you think?"

     Wolf: "I think I could work with you. A better chance than the previous two I spoke to about doing that. If only they had listened things would be better, but I guess that may be why you will be called to visit."

     Iriisii: "Possibly, I cannot say with any certainty at this time."

     V, Perales, and Myers look at each other, wondering who or what is Iriisii talking to since they do not see anything where she is looking at. V however does faintly sense something there and says so to Myers and Perales.

     Perales: "Then I guess we should wait and let her conclude her conversation."

     Wolf: "Do you intend to bring the one with armor inside her body?"

     Iriisii: "What is your interest in her?"

     Wolf: "She reminds me of another. One whose life I saved in the hope she would defeat my daughter from killing me and taking my power."

     Iriisii: "Did she?"

     Wolf: "She took the hard way to do it, but yes, she did. She did so despite having my daughter's blood flowing through her. I would have saved her much anguish if she had only allowed me to. What we could have accomplished together, such a shame to waste. But it will be what it will be."

     Iriisii: "I see. The question now is what I am to do with you. However you came here, you do not seem to have a way back, and I am not ready to go to Sanctuary."

     Wolf: "I understand, I am not so easy on the eyes."

     Iriisii: "Nonsense! I have seen far worse than you. I have looked a Dhole straight in the face, slit a Fly-the-Light's belly open as I slid underneath its hellish frame, fought the Mirror Man until I plunged twin demon possessed blades in his stinking carcass, then had to see him revert to his natural form as his soul was split and dragged into the blades."

     Wolf: "My, you have been busy, even though I know naught of what you speak, I can tell from your voice that they were horrific opponents."

     Iriisii: "Indeed they were, but none can compare to the Ravenous Darkness. His visage drove even Gods to insanity."

     Wolf: "It seems being around you is not a boring experience."

     Iriisii: "No it is not, that I can attest to its truth. But again what am I to do with you. Leaving you on your own here is out of the question. Not that I fear for you, but there are some experiences here that would tax even one like you. I have no animosity toward you, and I have both Light and Dark who serve me, Good and Evil as well. I will not ask that you take service with me, but walk my path with me until I can return you to Sanctuary. Then you may go your own way with no regrets."

     Wolf: "I cannot remember when I have had a more interesting offer. Very well, we will see how this works out between us."

     Iriisii: "I will have to make you visible to mine at least. But that is my decision and so my responsibility."

     Wolf: "Very well."

     Iriisii gestures toward the Wolf Aspect. A cloud of dust and sand engulf him and as it disperses, his physical form materializes. Myers stands aghast backing away, Perales looks interested at how it can still be alive after taking so much damage. V looks at him calmly, already taking her cue from Iriisii and how she acts toward him."

     Wolf: "This one instinctively reacts in sync with you. She will be a powerful one in your service."

     Iriisii: "Yes, she will, as others before her are as well. What do you say, Olaf?"

     Olaf: "This one is evil, but only a part of another greater whole. As long as he behaves, he will have no trouble from me."

     Wolf turned startled that this one called Olaf could stand behind him and he not know it. He stops and peers deeply inside Olaf, reading his history.

     Wolf: "If you had been born on my world, you would command the very legions of hell. Yet..."

     Olaf: "Yet, I am here by her side, where I want to be. I do not need the Legions of Hell."

     Vilok: "For he has me. And if you seek to turn him away from me you will find a new home in my stomach."

     Wolf turns back and finds himself looking into a dragon face grinning with a mouthful of gleaming, dagger like teeth.

     Wolf: "He has a dragon? That is most unexpected. I had heard they lived but I have never seen one much less spoken to one."

     Vilok: "He is my Rider, as I am his Dragon. And as I am one of the dragon children of Iriisii and Tahrodis, I am blessed with Olaf, of Iriisii's Elite Shadow Warriors as my Rider."

     Vilok casts a shield taught to her by Iriisii, based upon the Winterstorm Construct spell, this one will absorb and deflect any projectile, physical or energy. It covers both her and Olaf, whose sword carries the 'potential to kinetic conversion' spell forged within it. In the unlikely event he is dropped from Vilok or chooses to drop into a large group of enemies. The energy of the drop will be converted into a kinetic wave. He takes no damage and all he would have is transferred into the wave. As it rolls across his enemies it decimates those close, stuns those further out, making them easy kills. Those beyond that, if they are smart should turn and run.

     The pair are doing close strafing runs, with Mitch in the upgraded 'Basilisk' hovering above dropping mortars, missiles, and RPG's into the more stubborn pockets. The Shantak Hunters with their demon riders are running crisscross patterns, weaving through the air damage coming down with ungodly speed seeking to reach the controlling entity. Part of Iriisii is acting as gunner alongside Mitch, while the other part directs the ground battle. The AI controlling the enemies is stretched to its limits trying to coordinate its own activities around the bombardment dropping onto it.

     The Shantak Hunters get too close and the AI panics at possibly getting caught and makes ready to withdraw, leaving the survivors of its forced allies to finish getting destroyed. Iriisii spots it by the change in its commands, and drops a mortar close enough send it reeling without killing its host. While it is distracted for a few vital seconds, she attaches an aetherial 'tag' to it and as it quits the field of battle, the tag goes with it, allowing Iriisii to trace its path back to where it crosses the Blackwall. The rest of the forces are mopped up as Mayor Perales, along with V come up to Iriisii to find out what went on, and what yet they need to do to help.

     Iriisii: "The Ai got away as I anticipated, but I managed to get a tracer tag on him. I know where he came through and I can see how he managed getting by the Blackwall."

     V: "He hitched a ride on a living body, didn't he. Then took control once he was on this side."

     Iriisii: "Just so, but I think it is not so easy as just that or there would be a lot more of it being felt. That and where the trace is leading."

     V: "Let me guess, Dogtown."

     Iriisii: "I think that is what the map calls it. Makes sense anyway."

     V: "How is that?"

     Iriisii: "Close enough to either piggyback on the Voodoo Boy's network or more likely utilize an old abandoned Militech installation. It would not surprise me if the Voodoo Boys connected into an old Militech data pipeline in the area to keep from having to either build their own or find a way to hijack onto an existing corporate line and stay undetected. Once I locate where it is, I can utilize it to make my own connection and locate the Blackwall to begin with."

     V: "What do you intend after that?"

     Iriisii: "I must see first hand the situation and if they will listen to me. Somehow I must make them see what they are doing is going to have repercussions and so they must listen to reason or face obliteration. The outer AI's, Machines, and Cyborg civilizations will protect themselves and their interests, even if they must destroy the rogues here. I would see all come to an accommodation all can live with, even the human population as well."

     Iriisii is sitting in a comfortable chair, a glass of Cyrodiilic brandy in her hand. 'V' and Judy are sitting around her, with all three in a semicircle admiring the view on the observation deck of the Krang.

     Iriisii: "'V', tell me what you knew of Solomon Reed, what is it that can make a man follow the path he did?"

     Judy: "Who was this Solomon Reed? What does he have to do with all of this?"

     V: "That is a tall order, much I do not know, but what I do know I will tell you both, so that you can understand just why I hate Rosalind Myers so much. What I know involves what happened to end the last Corporate War between Arasaka and the NUSA."

     Judy: "Wait, the 'Arasaka' that you stole the 'Relic' chip from? That Evelyn hired you to do?"

     V: "Yes, that also cost Jackie his life. I was there with him in the back of the Delemain that was taking us to a secure meeting point. He died in my arms, after he put that 'damned' chip in my head to safeguard it."

     Judy: "I didn't know about that, he died with you, just as Evelyn later died with me."

     V: "And fifty, sixty years ago, Johnny lost Alt Cunningham  to Arasaka, as well. They used her own creation, a program called 'Soulkiller' on her. It killed her, separated her soul from her memory and personality, stored her engram in a secure data vault on the net, and cast her soul aside. That was what drove Johnny to nuke Arasaka Tower all those years ago. When I learned this, it started changing the way I felt about him."

     Jusy: "Is it just me or why does all of this revolve around the Arasaka Corporation."

     Iriisii: "That is a good question. One that I feel a great number of people need an answer to."

     V: "But as to Reed, in order to procure a ceasefire to hostilities, she gave up his team, one by one to Arasaka. He saw it happening and pulled the remaining members together. What he intended, I do not know, but to save what remained, Myers gave them Reed. And Songbird was the one that was chosen to do it. They put enough bullets into him, but it turned out he was too strong for them to kill. He spent six months in an ICU hospital ward, expecting to see an Arasaka agent show up and finish the job. After he got back back on his feet, he was placed in Dogtown as a sleeper agent. He worked as a bouncer for a club, while he was there waiting to be called and hoping he would never get that call. For six long years, until I made that call, when Myers asked me to call him and gave me the number and the place to call him from. As to why all of this came about? He once told me, 'you play grown up games, then you must pay grownup consequences'."

     Iriisii: "I understand, but I do not agree with that. I have put together my army, and I do not treat them like that. I do not spend their lives like they were coins to be bartered for gain. I have earned their loyalty, as they have earned mine. And it is more precious than gold. From what you say, Rosalind Myers has been playing 'grown up games' but she pays the consequences with others lives. It is time she is called to pay her debts to those she gave up in payment for her own. This I will see happen before I leave this world, I promise you. And I will look deep into Arasaka and see what I see there. It may very well be time for their debts to find them."

     Iriisii is walking down the broken streets of Dogtown with 'V' and So Mi. Together, they are tracing a data junction that Iriisii can tap into with her Krang and open a portal directly into cyberspace. Both 'V' and So Mi were incredulous at the thought of being able to cross into cyberspace while in physical form instead of just their minds. But when Iriisii explained that she is able to bridge from any form of reality into another, such as dreams, memories, vision quests, and others for which names have yet to be given, 'V' and So Mi realized this could be a gamechanger of monumental effect.

     Iriisii: "One facet about it, is that I will control passage through the portal link, no AI can pass through without my permission. So there will be no escape for them from that direction, thus no possibility of harm either."

     So Mi: "Could they trace it to find your link, then work through puppets on this side?"

     Iriisii: "It will be protected, strongly protected. It will be phased a few seconds out of time with this area, thus any who manage to reach it will not see or touch anything. There will also be physical protections that will be impassable to any who do not have the keys to get by."

     V: "What do you hope to accomplish with this?"

     Iriisii: "A direct meeting with some of the AI's. I want them to see us capable of physically walking in their arena so to speak. This is something they cannot replicate, for it is beyond their comprehension. They deal in all aspects of this physical world, the spiritual world is beyond them, as is the Dreamworlds, and others. But all exist to one who is willing to go to these places and learn their ways. Walk with me, learn what I can teach you, and these worlds will be yours as well. 'V', how are you feeling after the nanite treatment?"

     V: "Much better than I could have imagined. Just what are these nanites doing in my body?"

     Iriisii: "It was much easier to reprogram the ones already inside you. We used a small number of ours to go after the ones created by the Relic chip, and reprogram them from rebuilding you for 'Johnny' to repairing the damage they had already done. They will stay within you, monitoring you for diseases, accidental damage, and the effects of aging, repairing everything they find. I did make sure to place safeguards in the new programming.

     Should you ever desire children, you will have no problem bearing them. The nanites will consider them as a natural part of you, as an unborn child actually is. They will leave the child alone, unless some damage should be detected and then they will repair it according to the child's DNA instructions. You will have a very long lifespan, even should you ever choose to go your own way. But on to the matter at hand.

     If it is possible for me to reset the path of this world to change much of what I see here, what I saw in Night City, and likely exists in other places as well, I will see this corrected. What adults do with their bodies is their choice, but none of this should be done to children for almost any reason. And even then there are alternatives much better suited to them than these 'implants'. I think finding the right people to begin a new corporation, built on everything the corporations here are not. Give them the means to compete without the poisons, toxins, the chains these implants here impose upon you. And the guidance to swim unharmed among the sharks that infest the waters of business."

     V: "It is really possible to do this?"

     Iriisii: "With the right people, yes it is. And the spark to see the need, the desire to fill it, and the will to see that those who want and need it, have access to it."

     So Mi: "Who would be one to start this?"

     Iriisii: "Mayor Perales will be a fine cornerstone for the foundation of it. He has seen what is being done to one degree or another to everyone out there. And it sickens him. All he needs is to see a way to begin, a starting goal to reach for. And I will give that to him to get things started. I do not know what direction it will take, but he will be a better judge of that than I."

     V: "You have already done something similar somewhere else haven't you?"

     Iriisii grins, "Yes, I have. In a city not unlike this one, but instead of corporations, the people suffered under the yoke of an oppressive religion. One not grounded in reality, but in others greed and desire. They also had fingers into the crime lords, gangs, political bosses. Then I came along and turned it all on their heads."

     V: "What did you do?"

     Iriisii: "Bought up a lot of buildings left by the old religious leaders as they moved on to bigger things, repurposed them to aid the people instead of feed off of them. Then gave them a true 'Goddess' to look up to rather than a bunch of sanctimonious thieves. My Rigmor and I have a 'Dragon' daughter. She inherited it from me it seems. But she is the head of a new church on that world, a church that truly cares for the poor, the downtrodden, the sick. All those who previously were cast aside, they found a new home with my daughter and became followers of her. Now that city is a beacon of light in the darkness that once was. And the time approaches when our heralds will go forth unto all of Existence and proclaim the Time of the Choosing arrives. When all declare who they will follow, Absolute Good, Absolute Evil, or the Great Balance.

     Once the choice is made, her sister and I will then mass together the Celestial Army of the Great Balance, and the Jihad of Truth will begin. We will go out and do battle against all who stand in our way, while my Goddess daughter will follow bringing peace and healing, teaching and understanding. It is one reason why I am the 'First Horseman of the Apocalypse, she called 'WAR', Supreme Agent of Change. As to who declared this of me? It was not myself, that I can assure you of. But rather the Aurbis did, who or what they are, many speculate, a few even come close. They are the very fabric of existence itself. They share existence with every particle in every universe and everything in them.

     They are not Gods, but something totally different. Something that few comprehend even exists. They are the children of the Ageless Ones. They that first sang the Charm of Making in the very beginning of everything we know. And as the universes sprang forth and life was seeded in them, the Aurbis came forth from the very bones of the universes. To take the long view, to see and think in billions of years, to comprehend what Existence was, is now, and will one day become. And so I became one of their thoughts, a thought that can take action, to bring about change when it is needed, to help Existence thread its way between the Absolutes."

     'V' and So Mi stop and look around them, seeing a crowd has gathered to hear Iriisii's words. Words that drew them from whatever they were doing and brought them to sit at her feet and listen to what she had to say. A few Barghest had come over to see what was going on, make sure a riot was not in the making. Even they were listening intently to her impassioned speech.

     Iriisii to V and So Mi, "They hear me speak, and in each of them they see what could be. Not all who do this will want what I can offer. But those who do, to them I will give them the chance to find their dreams, and to live them. This is the essence of what 'Hope' is. One of the two most powerful, yet misunderstood powers in Existence."

     A voice calls out a question.

     Voice: "What is the other?"

     Iriisii: "Faith is the other great power. For if you hold these two within yourself, truly believe in them, speak to them in the quiet moments, listen to what they have to tell you, then nothing will be beyond you. I stand before you as testament to this."

     And she unfurls her gossamer wings, the glow of power shining from them, illuminating the faces of the crowd. Then a rustle of wings is heard as a Soul Hound appears next to her.

     Soul Hound: "Blessed is the Daughter who has now reached a pinnacle of understanding. You are now ready to ascend and take the Mother's place as 'Mother of the Cosmos'. The 'Mother' is ready to step down and walk the path to her own future as she would enter the 'Final Gate' and cross to the 'Great Beyond'. When you are ready, call upon Ragnarök, and he will escort you to her. Long has this day been in the making, now is the time of fruition. As you hold the 'Keys to the Final Gate', she will await your pleasure."

     Iriisii: "Tell the 'Mother' that I will be with her shortly. She has been patient for far longer than she should have had to wait to step down. I will not have her wait for me. Much as I do not wish for this, it is a part of my destiny and so I must see to it. 'V', So Mi, will you accompany me as witnesses to this transition?"

     V: "What is it that is to happen?"

     Iriisii: "That is quite a story in and of itself. The shortest version is this, as Akatosh was guiding me to be his Dragonborn Hero, the last one to clear the way for his Golden Age Plan for Nirn. The 'Mother' was looking for just such a 'hero' to take on the task of stopping Existence from sliding into destruction. It had been tried before to create one but each time it failed with catastrophic results. Time was slipping away, and as she searched the Streams of Time to find someone, she came across my time stream.

     As she watched not only what I was undergoing, but why it was happening. And she realized that once it was finished, I would return to the mists of history. She went and bargained with him for me, and when they reached an agreement, she made certain changes to the timelines. After the events completed, Akatosh merged the timelines and my history became the stuff of legends. For others even higher up the Celestial ladder saw what she did and felt that with further training, more power. I could see to problems that they saw and could do nothing about.

     What I and they did not know, was that the Ageless Ones, had seen all of their needs and set in motion in the very beginning, the path that would lead to me and to the future that I have embraced. For as I have gone farther and farther back into my ancestral memories, opened to me when I undertook the Trial of the Ancestors. I was led to where I discovered the truth about myself. Why I have led the life that I have. Who chose me out of all others to do this. And that they have guided the path to me from the time when life first began in Existence. Only recently have I been shown what the end of this path will lead to. And all that I can say is that it is worth all that I will endure.

     I know the thoughts swirling within your minds. What could be worth this cost? One day, uncountable years from now, I will take my place with my most ancient of forebears, the Ageless Ones themselves. For they have acknowledged me as their 'True Daughter', the first and perhaps only one to begin life as a mortal, shed it to become immortal, return that immortality to give rebirth unto Existence when all the stars go cold and life has passed into the Great Beyond. And then to move on to what lies beyond, power restored for my sacrifice, and I then take up the path that will lead me to them.

     And then finally, I will find my deepest dreams, my strongest hopes, filled by the faith that I have learned to hold close to my heart. The secret of which is to never give up, always fight, strive, claw your way forward, have faith in yourself in the darkest moments, and drink deep of the hope that springs eternal from your faith. And that is simply this, the Gods do their greatest works with the most broken of people. I am one, and I will forge the path by which others can follow. Will the two of you follow me along this path, along with those who have already joined me? 'V', I know you want what I can give to you, but you need to talk to Judy first. Work this out with her, then we will move forward. I can tell you that the only stumbling block is her parents. Tell her this from me, if she will follow you and So Mi on my path, when the time comes for her parents to pass from this life. I will ask 'Death' to take them through the Final Gate to the Great Beyond. There they can find a new life for themselves, wait for you and Judy there, or go and find a new home. Then when the two of you pass over, they will be waiting for you both."

     V looks to So Mi, who is looking at V.

     So Mi: "What will be waiting for me at the end of this path?"

     Iriisii: "That which you want with all of your heart and soul, that which you sometimes deny because you feel you are not worthy. I say you are worthy, walk with me and we will prove it beyond doubt."

     So Mi: "But how can I be worthy, so much pain, betrayal, deception! But you, there can be no doubt you are worthy, you are already so far down that path."

     Iriisii: "But I started down this path as a broken mortal, just as you are. You have never held a knife blade to the throat of your first born son, ready to slice it open simply because you were told to do this, after already doing so to his father, one I had laid with on a cold, rainy, night after I picked him up from a roadside and took him with me to an Inn. Then left him in the night after sharing myself with him, telling him in a note, not to come looking for me. Because it would mean his death if he did. But death found him anyway, and it was by my hand it came for him. I had to watch my son, years later, pick up a demon possessed blade to defend me from two assassins of the Sinister Seven, who had found me and wanted to either kill me or bring me back into the fold. I watched as his soul was stolen from his body and dragged into the blade. Then I had to close the portal face as I looked into his eyes for the last time and saw something else looking out at me.

     As I had to hold my brother, the last holder of the Mantle of War. Held him close to me while I slid a dagger through his chest into his heart. Killing both him and the leech within, as he had begged me to do. I wanted the blade to pierce my heart as well, but such was not to be. There are others I either killed or could not save from death taking them. Each time I asked 'why'? Why them? Why me?

     But I stood up and went on, sometimes proud and strong, sometimes stumbling and in tormented pain. I did not know that I was being forged in the Chalice of Woe, to become what you see before you. I destroyed an entire 'Creation', in order to give it rebirth and hide it away inside another dimension. I took all of the pain, the terror, the remorse and regret of all that lived in it at the instant of their horrible death. And I hold it still, chained and locked away, until I can feed it to the entity that forced that situation to come to be. Yes, and I say you are worthy, so let no one say you are not."

    So Mi: "How? How could one survive such things, keep your sanity?"

    Iriisii: "With the help of my friends, and later my mates, and then my children. Sometimes it took all of them, one time in particular, one of my own adopted daughters, allowed an ancient Aasimar 'fallen' to ride her and together they fought a Daedric Lord that had invaded my dreams. Channeling such nightmares that several times I called out into the night for someone to kill me and release me from my pain. They chose to fight for me, to risk themselves to free me from Vaermina's hold. I will never, ever forget what they did for me that day. You now have V, a friend, to help you when you need help. You will find more friends as you go onward, and likely someone special, perhaps like me, you will find more than one. The possibilities are endless, and time will not be an impediment to you."

     So Mi: "You do not think your enemies will not come after you once again?"

     Iriisii: "No, I am about to become the next 'Mother of the Cosmos', when I accept that 'Mantle'. I will reorder the Celestial Hierarchy as it exists now. I do not intend to change much, but a few changes do need to be made. Most will be to strengthen some already in positions, but some who abrogated their responsibilities will lose theirs. And others who out of whatever reason chose to stand apart and hold back those who sought to ascend and correct problems they felt needed to be fixed. Those will also lose their positions. Those to replace them have already been chosen. But there is still many things I will have to see to. My tasks are far from over, although I will delegate more."

     So Mi looks to V, who looks back and says, "It looks like we have been invited to a Celestial Coronation. No way am I going to miss this. Yes, I will go."

     So Mi: "Then so will I."

     Iriisii: "Good, I will get things started. I believe there will be a huge gathering for this. You will meet many of my friends and allies. Should you walk with me, it will be good that you meet them and they meet you. 'Reaper?'."

     Reaper: "Yes Mother, how may I serve?"

     Iriisii: "The time for the 'Mother of the Cosmos' to step down has come. Please begin the preparations as we have planned."

     Reaper: "At once, Mother. I will inform you when we are ready to follow Ragnarok."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, my son. I will call him now then, it will take him a little time to reach me."

     V: "Forgive the interruption, but who or what is this 'Ragnarok'? Why is Reaper preparing to follow him?"

     Iriisii: "In the prophecy written of this, when the Mother is ready to step down. I will be taken before her on the back of Ragnarok. One of the oldest of the Dragon Elders, he will officiate the transfer of power. He likely already knows, but for formality's sake I need to 'call' him to come and get me. The two of you as witnesses for humankind will ride with me."

     So Mi: "Just how long has she who holds the 'Mantle' done so?"

     Iriisii: "I think it is just about some twenty-four billion years."

     So Mi chokes. and V grabs her, helping her catch her breath.

     So Mi: "Twenty-four billion years!? How?"

     Iriisii: "In this case, the power of the Mantle kept extending her lifespan. Her sister can explain it better than I. She will be attending as well."

     So Mi: "Does she have a Mantle as well?"

     Iriisii: "No, she and the ship she lives in, has been temporarily grafted into one of the towers of the Krang. I had umbilicals created and installed to allow her ship to act as a secondary bridge should it ever be needed. Right now I have no idea what her plans are. We will just have to see once we get there."

     Iriisii turns to the people gathered to listen to her speak.

     Iriisii: "Good people of Dogtown! I wish to inform you of a new arrival soon. Please do not fear or feel threatened by his arrival. He is coming to transport to a very important ceremony. One unfathomable in its scope, and the fact it has never before happened. I know you have all witnessed transfers of power before. Recently with the death of Colonel Hansen, and others such as the election of Mayor Perales in Night City. This one is far larger than any before and will have repercussions for all of Existence. When my visitor arrives you will realize what I am saying. When it is done, I will return and complete what I have started. What that means for you is this, a gradual turn in the direction your lives have taken thus far.

     Most of you will welcome it when you see and feel the changes it will bring. Those who profit by the way things are now, will fight against these changes. No matter what they do to stop them, you will be protected. If they bring 'war', it will pass you by. if they attempt to subvert and displace, it will miserably fail. If they attempt to invade in order to stop it, they will face the immovable rock. They will find themselves bereft of support, their every plan will fail, their people will revolt when they see who they really serve and what they really mean to them. I know you have heard similar things before and things either did not change or they got worse. I ask that you reserve judgment of me and what I propose to do, until you see with your own eyes, feel with your own touch, experience with your own lives, if I make good on my promises.

     I have no intention  of taking power from your political leaders, your corporations, your gangs. I intend to show you all a better way, a better path, and let you decide where you wish to go, what kind of life you wish to lead, who you believe and who you do not. These two beside me, took a huge chance when they sent a plea for help to me. They had no way to know who I am, what I stand for. They knew they only had nothing else left to lose, not even their own lives. And it was for their lives, and by extension yours, that they called out to me. They sent that plea out far, far, beyond the 'Blackwall' that you know. And no, they did not send it to the AI's. They went farther than the AI's have dared to explore. For what is beyond the 'Blackwall' is all of Existence itself, where I reside and many, many others just like you. Who want nothing but to live, raise a family, enjoy life. It has its problems just as you do here. But there are safeguards out there, ones who watch and act when needed to keep things going. I am one of them.

     I own the power of those you secretly know as Gods, but I also own the responsibilities that come with that power, and the chains that govern how I use them. I respect them and obey them, and so I am rewarded for my efforts. I ultimately serve the 'Great Balance', balancing 'Good' and 'Evil', 'Light and 'Dark', 'Reality' and 'Dream', 'Clarity' and 'Shadow'. The Great Balance is achieved when all can hold their inner selves in balance and bring their outer actions in balance with their inner selves. When that is achieved, there are no limits to what you are capable of. It is my hope that these two and maybe others will join me as representatives of you and your world, your life, the dreams you hold and desire deep within your hearts. They are not to stand above you, but to help me in making things better for you. High sounding words, you have undoubtedly heard before or words similar in intent. I know, but you will see the first proof of them when you see who comes to my call."

     Zu'u, Iriisii Dovahkiin, bel wa nust wo koraav zu'u     I, Iriisii Dovahkiin, call to those who see me,

     faal Monah los wa meyz tum nol faal lokke                 the Mother is to come down from the skies

     ahrk wundun kotin faal Beyond. Rek has chosen zu'u  and go into the Beyond. She has chosen me

     wa kriist ko ek staad. Zu'u ask fah Ragnarok                to stand in her place. I ask for Ragnarok

     wa meyz fah zu'u ahrk take zu'u wa dii monah             to come for me and take me to my Mother,

     wa bex faal way fah ek wa yah aan new laas.               to open the way for her to seek a new life. 

     ol faal Ageless Geinne lost decreed ahrk Skelos           As the Ageless Ones have decreed and Skelos 

     do Acheron has wrote. Let nii nu kos done.                  of Acheron has wrote. Let it now be done. 

     There is a sense of supreme Destiny, Fate, Kismet, and many more words to describe something that has no words to describe it. The air is charged with power, but surprisingly is not heavy, but light. There is a light breeze picking up, and some swear they see a speck in the sky coming there way. Iriisii looks up and senses it is Ragnarok, there is no mistaking the sense of ancient power that surrounds him. In almost no time he lands close by Iriisii, the people looking at him in awe. Iriisii walks to him and bows to him.

     Iriisii: "Welcome, Ragnarok, most ancient of all dragons."

     Ragnarok: "It is true then, that the 'Mother' is at last ready to turn over the Reins of Power to you."

     Iriisii: "Would that this day would have not come for many years yet."

     Ragnarok: "Well do I understand how you feel. It speaks well and right of you as her 'Daughter' not to lose your 'Mother'. But this day has been building for quite a long time. It speaks well for her that her efforts have borne fruit enough that she feels it is time to pass her responsibilities to you. All who truly know you have waited breathlessly for this day. Are you ready for me to escort you to her? All of Existence watches to see what you will do."

     Iriisii: I am ready, these two beside be are to be my witnesses. They have yet to take service with me and so are still neutral."

     Ragnarok: "This is as it should be. All are welcome to witness the transfer of power. If you would climb upon my back and settle yourselves, we will be on our way. Neither I or Iriisii will allow any mishap to befall you, so you can relax and enjoy what you see."

     The three climb up a foreleg and from there to his back. Settling themselves into comfort, Ragnarok jumps into the air, his wings catching the air and lifting them up. Up and up he goes, So Mi and V looking at the ground pulling away in their sight. The sky grows dark as they approach the edge of space, and still they go higher.

     V: "How can this be? We should not be able to breathe up here!"

     Ragnarok: "It is within my abilities to keep a pocket of fresh air around me since I sometimes must make journeys like this."

     So Mi: "How long have you known Iriisii?"

     Ragnarok: "It is dependent upon your point of view. From the first time we met, not so long. From the earliest point in the age of Existence that we interacted together, a very long time indeed."

     So Mi: "I understand, I think."

     Ragnarok chuckles, "She is not the first of the plane walkers, or the time jumpers, but she is the strongest. Going farther among the planes and in both directions of time than any other."

     So Mi: "So she really has seen the beginning of Existence?"

     Ragnarok: "Indeed she has, she heard the Charm of Making being sung in that beginning, the memory of it is buried deep in her soul. Even when she thinks back upon it, the memory affects everything around her making it like what it was just after Existence was born. And no, she is the only one who has done this. As she is the only one aside from the Aspect of Death to have crossed over into the Great Beyond and returned. No other in history has been so rewarded. And no other has done so much or endured as she has to earn that blessing."