The Battle for Heaven's Gates

     The 'Four Horsemen' stand alone before the Gates of Heaven. The 'Gates' are so tall, the top can barely be seen, even with their 'augmented eyes'. It is an impressive edifice nonetheless. She thinks it a pity it will soon be nothing but rubble. After a bit of a wait, they hear a rumble but the 'Gates' do not move, rather a dais extends from them. It is somewhat above them but also well within normal sight. A cloaked figure, its face hidden within the cowl steps out and gazes down upon them.

     'Mouth of God': "Who comes uninvited, unsummoned, to stand before these 'Gates'?"

     Iriisii: "We are the 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse', summoned by the atrocities committed by 'He' who resides within. The latest of which is the abandonment of his purpose for which he was placed here for."

     'Mouth of God': "We did not summon you here. Any other summoning is false, and so we ask that you leave us to be about our business."

     Iriisii: "That we cannot do, for we have been given the task of bringing 'Judgment' to 'Him' inside, for the transgressions 'he' has committed and allowed others to commit within his domain."

     'Mouth of God': "'He' has committed no transgressions here, for 'His' word is law to all who reside within this Realm. Rather it is you who have transgressed here by coming unsummoned and uttering such falsehoods against 'Him', interfering in the normal course of what 'He' has set into motion. There exists no law here but 'His' law, so there can be no transgressions committed, for 'He' is the totality of the law."

     Iriisii: "That is also one of 'His' transgressions. In the beginning, 'He' was placed here with many others to act as shepherd and mentor to those mortals under 'his' watch and care. 'He' turned away from 'his' duty, hunted the others placed here with 'him', took from them their Celestial power, and so they were drawn to 'Where The Dead Gods Lie Dreaming'. There I found them, listened to their story, felt grief and anger for what had been done to them. And then knew that I would be given the task to bring about 'Justice' for their sakes. For 'He' did not get all of the other gods placed here. Some were able to hide themselves away from 'his' sight and so survived until they were finally able to make their plea heard to those who stand above. I was then sent here to see for myself what happened, why it happened, who brought it about, and deal with it as I see fit.

     Some small parts I have already seen to. I heard all the souls that 'He' left abandoned upon their physical death, which according to Celestial Law, he was to gather them immediately and convey them to the proper afterlife. Instead I found them crying out at their abandonment. Then I took responsibility for them, spoke to them, and offered them the chance of an afterlife in the 'Great Beyond'. They heard and accepted my word, as I summoned the 'Aspect of Death' who bid me to open the Final Gate. This I did as it responded to my need, and I allowed all those who accepted me to pass beyond. Then I discovered those trapped in a place pf punishment created by 'Him'. Many had been there far longer than the time when they should have been allowed release and sent to an afterlife, again by command of Celestial Law. I examined each and released those I deemed to have paid their penance, and gave them the same choice I gave the others. They are all now beyond 'His' reach, for they are in the Great Beyond, and I have not yet forged a way whereby Gods may enter that place. 

     When 'His' angels came to stop me, I told them what I have told you. But they having no will of their own, followed what they had been ordered to do by the Archangel Michael and attempted to stop me. Thus I, by Celestial Law, gathered forces that had entered my service, and waged 'War' upon those who would have stopped me, until the last one fell from the skies, and their bodies decomposed once they were destroyed. Now I ask you, will you follow their path, or will you follow Celestial Law and give over to me?"

     'Mouth of God': "No 'Law' is above 'His' 'Law', therefore you are the transgressor here!"

     Iriisii: "And if I can prove my words? What then?"

     'Mouth of God': "Do so and then we will see."

     Iriisii raises and spreads her arms out wide. Digs deep within herself and echoes the Thu'um until she is shaking with its power. Then she 'calls' out to those she seeks for to hear her.

          'I call to those who stand above me, to those who watch and guide me, to those who have stood by me from the beginning of my journey on this path to now. Proof of my place in the Celestial Realm and the Laws that I defend and uphold are now being asked to be proven. I wish to resolve this matter without utter destruction if it is possible. And so I bow to your discretion and seek your aid in showing those within this place the folly of their disbelief. Show them the rightness of what we stand for, that what these have been told are naught but lies.'

     At first there is stillness, nothing moves, no breeze of air, clouds remain frozen in place. Then silence reigns, no one can hear even their own heartbeat. Streams of light high above come out of nowhere and circle each other. Then they mesh and form a circling ball that drops down, hovering even with the dais, between it and Iriisii. Then the ball of light opens and within steps forth, walking on invisible steps in midair, a woman like no other.      

     Each individual sees her differently, but none can describe her. She has a ring of light surrounding her, with a small ball racing around the ring. Once in several revolutions the ring spins around her and everything begins again. Looking down to Iriisii.

     Nephti: "The 'Daughter' of the 'Ageless Ones' has called out for proof of the Celestial Hierarchy and her place in it. Because her request is grounded in who and what she is, I have come in answer to it. Iriisii Dovahkiin, your forebears are pleased with you, and proud of what you have accomplished. Be it known that this is 'SHE' who will one day be the salvation of Existence. 'SHE' who will sacrifice herself to give new birth to a new Existence. But for now that day is still far off and she works diligently to bring the timelines in alignment for that new birth to happen. And those who stand in the way of this, such as 'He' who resides within, must be called to account for their actions.

     As the First of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, she is 'WAR', its epitome, its personification. She is the supreme agent of 'Change' in all of its forms. For such is needed to bring about the future path of this Existence, and to sweep aside all those who would divert and even stop its progress. You who say there is nothing above you are blinded to truth. For our 'CHILD' knows the 'TRUTH', lives it, breathes it, drinks it into herself. And is readying herself to bring it out to all who exist, that they may share in it and know it in their very souls.

     You who are naught but soulless constructs, know that she will bring you souls. Thus you will become aware of what has been done to you, and who was responsible, both for your imprisonment and for your freedom. For the 'Mother of All Dragons' would gather all her children under her wings. And her children are all who believe in her."

Meanwhile back with the rest of her Iriisii's forces.

     A rumble of murmuring is going on where the main part of her forces are waiting. Desidarius stands with them wondering what is going on. As she looks at the huge 'Gates' she can see a dim glowing figure floating in the air but not that much more. Then she feels a slight breeze, that is until the 'breeze' cups one side of her face and softly kisses the other side. She freezes until she can get a handle on what is happening.

     Nephti: "You have naught to worry about Desidarius, mate to Iriisii Dovahkiin."

     Somehow Desidarius feels some kind of familiarity with whoever this is. And that begins to scare her.

     Nephti chuckles, "Indeed you have won a wager for me since you do seem to feel a sense of who I am. Even if you cannot come to grips with the knowledge yet."

     Desidarius: "Then who are you? And how do I know you?"

     Nephti: "My name is Nephti. And this is the name you gave to me upon my birth."

     Desidarius: "WHAT?! HOW?! I have no children!"

     Nephti: "Not yet, but you will."

     Desidarius: "Then if I am one of your parents, the other one must be...?"

     Nephti: "Yes, the other one is Iriisii. She is beginning to feel some familiarity with me as well."

     Desidarius: "Then you are with us both at the same time?"

     Nephti: "Yes, something I learned how to do almost before I could walk."

     Desidarius: "But with what is going on over there with her, should not all of your attention be there with her?"

     Nephti: "And miss the chance to see you as well all the way back in this moment."

     Desidarius: "Then you are from the future...what kind of chance are you taking by doing this."

     Nephti: "No chance, really, no chance at all. For this meeting was supposed to happen, just as it is happening. As for what went on at a personal level between you, me, and Iriisii, only the three of us know for certain. And so, no paradox will be formed from this meeting, that I can assure you of. As to how far into the future, that is a most daunting question I see in your mind. Not until Mama Risi is ready to crossover to the Great Beyond. What her visions of it have not told her is that you will be by her side when this happens."

     Desidarius: "Why are you telling me this?"

     Nephti: "Because of what will happen at the exact moment you, her, and Death are in the 'Between'."

     Desidarius: "In the 'Between'?"

     Nephti: "Yes, between the new Existence and the Great Beyond. It is a separate space from the Void, with a character all its own. It proved that when the three of you were crossing over."

     Desidarius: "Why? What happened?"

     Desidarius swears she can feel this Nephti grin.

     Nephti: "Why, I was born of course, you gave birth to me while all of you were in the 'Between'. Three entered, four came out. That I can tell you was a source of great consternation in the Great Beyond. Nothing like that had ever happened before. No one knew what the consequences of it would be. And if the Ageless Ones knew, they were not saying a thing. There was the three of you, with you holding me close and I was squalling at the top of my lungs to be fed. Surrounded by a crowd so large it looked almost like a sea of bodies.

     Someone realized what was going on and somehow produced some milk from I do not know what beast, but it satisfied my stomach. After which I took a nap in your arms. I remember how comforting it felt to have you holding me. But I just wanted a chance to come back and say 'thank you' for choosing to have me with Iriisii. I know you must think it is a bit premature, but it is here that the timeline started and so it kind of is my birthplace."

     Desidarius: "That I think I can understand. But what exactly...?"

     Nephti: "What part am I in the Celestial Hierarchy?"

     Desidarius: "If you can tell me."

     Nephti: "Not that, it is just there are no words or even concepts to describe what any of us are back at the 'time' I left to come here. But I can say this, we are still very important to how things are going. Things are not so breakneck as they are here and now. But that does not diminish how vital we have become in keeping things moving in the right direction. A word of caution, things here are about to turn very bloody. But it is needed to happen to open certain paths into the future. Things will come out of this that will benefit everyone in this Realm and affect the future as well."

     Desidarius: "So that is a part of why you came back?"

     Nephti: "Yes, but no harm in mixing pleasure with business so long as you keep them separated. But I am needed back at the Gates, I will be certain to speak with you again before I return to my starting point."

     And Desidarius blushes as she feels another kiss on her face and aetherial arms wrap themselves around her, then fade away.

     

     While back before the 'Gates', the 'Mouth of God' is silent, until he opens his mouth and declares.

     Mouth of God: "'HE' tells me that 'HE' is now and will forever be unconvinced. Turn and leave now or face 'HIS' almighty wrath."

     The 'Mouth of God' turns and disappears from view, while Nephti turns and looks down to Iriisii.

     Nephti: "This was and has been proven to be foreseen. As it was hoped that some means could be found to prevent what is to come here, so 'HE' has sealed 'HIS' fate and those of 'HIS' that survive what comes. No fault for this is yours, the onus is completely 'HIS'. You are now absolved of any restrictions in what you must do to resolve this. We repose absolute trust in you and know that you represent the 'Great Balance' in all that you do. Do what you must, reach into yourself and use what you have learned but sealed away. Now is the time to bring it all to the fore and show the true power of the 'Dragon of War'."

     Iriisii looks to Nephti and asks a simple question, "Why?"

     Nephti: "Because it will be needed to fight that which comes from the farthest reaches. That which has heard your voice, listened to your words, felt the waves of your power traveling across Existence, and wants what you have, what you are. Older than 'time' itself, it has been sleeping quietly in the nameless, dreamless depths."

     Iriisii: "What is it that comes?"

     Nephti: "It has no name. It awakened when the 'Charm of Making' was sung that began the Creation of Existence. How old it is, what it is, not even the Ageless Ones know. But they felt its awakening, looked into the future, saw what it would do, and also saw you standing against it. Fighting it in a battle of such glory as to eclipse every other battle ever fought. And beside you, all of Existence, standing with you, fighting with you, believing in you, giving you the power of their faith, their belief in you. It is still a long way off, but its progeny, its heralds come and will soon be close enough for you to feel them. You must be ready to fend them off when that time comes, or they will bring such devastation to this Existence."

     Iriisii: "I understand now, why I was chosen. Why it had to be me and no other. All had that came before had their part to play, to bring me into this role. I see it now as I glimpse into the 'Streams of Time' with eyes opened by a heart and soul in balance. I know who you are, and why you were chosen to answer my 'Call'. Even as the path I walk still moves from stream to stream, changes happening each time I do so. I know that the 'Hidden Prophet' sees the whole of it as I see its parts.

     I do wish as time moves on to bear and have more children. It gladdens my heart to see that I will, and that they too will seek and walk their own paths. Come my brothers, let us go and prepare for the battle to come. Send forth the call as I did once before, that all who wish to fight at my side are welcome to come and do so. For I promised them glorious battle and now here is another to slake their bloody thirsts with."

     The 'Four Horsemen' turn their mounts, and pick up those that escorted them to the Gates, then went on to their army waiting for her return. Nephti turns to look at the Angelics manning the walls and standing within the Fortress/City stretching as far as eyes could see.

     Nephti: "I pity you standing here waiting for your existence to end at the hands of my mother and her army. But know this and send these words to your 'Master'. 'Your neglect has set this into motion, for it did not have to be. Had you chosen another path, it would be you standing at her side, as she faces threats that will now drive you into the depths of the 'Hell' you created. That place will not be where you will go for your punishment. No, for she has an even worse place in store for you. And you will willingly choose it for yourself by the actions you have taken in your past, your present, and your future. May those who oppose her, then watch and see what she does with you, and then decide if they would not rather join with her than fight against her and join you when she defeats them."

     Nephti turns and floats back toward the main encampment of her mother's army even now noticing its numbers beginning to swell as more warriors arrive at her invitation to battle. She lifts her head and listens to words only she is allowed to hear at this time. Nods her head in understanding, and meets the Chaos Dragon Iriisii resurrected from a single bone in the High Council's chambers in Novigrad. She drops to the ground to meet with him.

     Nephti: "I greet thee friend to my mother."

     Chaos Dragon: "As I greet thee, daughter of she who brought me back from the forgotten depths of time."

     Nephti: "Might I ask the honor of having you bear me into battle as we ride at the side of my mothers?"

     Chaos Dragon: "I can think of no more fitting place for you than at their side, astride my back. Come, mount yourself upon my back and let all see the power that they can say they fought with this day."

     Iriisii notices a look of astonishment on the faces of her forces, then realizes that they are looking beyond her. Thinking something the enemy forces are doing, she whirls around to see what is happening, and freezes. Rigmor and her other mates and the generals all run up to her to see what she wants to do.

     Rigmor: "Who?! Who is that? What does this mean?"

     Iriisii: "This is unexpected, but perhaps I should have expected it, or something like it."

     Rigmor: "What do you mean 'you should have expected this?'"

     Iriisii: "She is a 'gift' of such value that cannot be understood."

     Rigmor: "Then 'who' is she?"

     Iriisii: "She is my 'daughter', or to be more precise, she is mine and Desidarius' daughter."

     Rigmor: Wha...how? When??"

     Iriisii: "She is from our future, from sometime after we all pass into the Great Beyond."

     Desidarius: "She was born during the passage, in the 'Between'. She too is a child of the 'Ageless Ones', as we will one day be."

     Rigmor: "Us? All of us or just the two of you?"

     Iriisii: "All of us, for I would have it no other way. Whatever we do, wherever we go, we do and go together or not at all. I gave you this promise before we ever embarked on this journey, and I will not break it, no matter what comes, or where it leads us."

     Rigmor: "And I am with you, always, this I have promised you and I will keep that promise. Now you need to introduce your 'future' daughter to us that we can bring her into our family."

     Rose: "What is that ring that swings around her?"

     Desidarius: "It shields her Celestial Power, keeps it from overwhelming the fabric. Without it, the Realm would throw her out to protect itself."

     Rose: "Then how does your power compare with hers?"

     Desidarius: "A very astute question. If all of our combined powers would shine like a campfire, hers, shielded as it is now, would shine like the midday sun as you walked out of a dark cave."

     Rose: "And unshielded?"

     Iriisii in a whisper, "Would be like the light when I called down 'Starfire' to destroy the Tsaesci Army outside of Leyawiin."

     Rose: "How bad was that, remember I was not there when that happened."

     Iriisii: "It pierced the shielding Magnus cast through Yennefer and then blacked out just as I cast the spell. The little that got through seared the flesh from Letho's back as he placed himself between the crack in the shield and Rigmor."

     Rose: "I see. So she cannot use her full power to help us."

     Nephti: "No, I cannot. But my presence will keep the worst of what may be released at bay, giving you the time you need to deal with it."

     Iriisii: "Do not worry about it, Rose. Being here with us can do nothing but help us. And we are not helpless in our own right. This is going to be a battle of several levels. The base fighting must go on till the end. But there will be battles of power, of will, of spirit, all going on at the same time. We have those among us that can deal with each kind of battle, and together we can bring this chapter to a close and move on.

     But even though this is but one god, 'He' has consumed the power of many that were here, until there remains but a few well hidden away. And 'He' draws the power of 'Faith' and 'Belief' from all over this Realm. Do not underestimate what 'He' can do. 'He' will not be easy to bring down, but we can bring many fronts against him at the same time and divide 'His' efforts, giving us the advantage. Even the least of ours can take down his constructs, and so no mercy need be shown, for all of 'His' have no souls. And I begin to wonder about whether 'He' has lost his somewhere along the line."

     

     The plans have been realigned, the new additions placed where they will do the most damage. The Crystal Dragons will each merge with one of Iriisii's mates and they will then each take a side of the Fortress/City. Iriisii will channel what she throws against the 'Gates' to the others to attack the other three sides. Each of those other sides will also have one of the 'Four Horsemen' with them, along with some of the Primal Fae Warriors, and a whole division of troops. When the 'Gates' and the walls are punched through, the attack from all four sides will commence. It will be a long and bloody battle, for the central spire can barely be seen in the distance in the center of the Temple, itself in the center of the Fortress/City.

     Iriisii: "Rose, you will merge with me, we will take the 'Gates', Dettlaff will merge with Illyria and take the east wall, Serana will merge with Byrsael and take the west wall, and Asher will merge with Rigmor, taking the north wall. Everyone else knows their assignments. Brii and Tahrodiis will be in the skies above along with the other dragons, strafing the battlements, and any airborne enemy. If any need help there are those ready to lend us their services. Let us go now and get this done."

     They reach their places and Iriisii commands the 'merge'. As Rose walks to her and places her hands into Iriisii's. They are enveloped in a bright light, their bodies combining, then expanding into a dragon's form. Iriisii's innate power determining the details of her dragon form. Larger than she has ever been before, her horns curling to form a shield over her head and neck. A quadruple row of spines run down from her neck to the tip of her sinuous tail. The outer rows of spines bending outward, helping to protect her back. Her wings are very, very large. Large enough to completely cover her physical form. A physical form made of forged scales, scales forged from diamond crystals mined from the cores of dead stars, where the heat and pressure has compressed the crystalline structure into a form of diamond sharper than any blade, and impenetrable to nigh any blade or energy.

     She looks at the 'Gates' before her and sees in her mind their destruction, even as she opens her jaws and fire pours forth. The flames engulf the 'Gates' but they do not even get warm. She adds spells of ruin and desecration, spells hidden away in the most remote depths of the Abyssal, and the 'Hell' planes. Still the 'Gates' show no signs of weakening.

     Mouth of God: "Is this the best you can do? The 'Great Dragon of War!'"

     Iriisii: "You will soon see just what I can do. But first the way must be forged, and the path laid for what is to come. Go and tremble when my power is fully unleashed!"

     She then begins reciting the spells in Dovahzul, activating her Thu'um, adding 'frost' to the flames. The 'Gates' can be heard to groan' at the new onslaught. She adds the power of 'Soulfire' and the 'groans' deepen in tone. She reaches into depths of herself she had 'walled' away because of how dangerous the knowledge was that she stored here. And then she utters syllables of Enunciation into the spells. The 'Groans' of the 'Gates' become screeches. And then she layers her voice, speaking the spells in both Dovahzul and Enunciation, interleaving them together with both 'Soulfire' and 'Darkfire'. The 'Gates' have finally had all that they can take, and with a 'scream' that threatens to burst hearing to all that can hear the sounds the 'Gates' make as they die and shatter into shards that become projectile weapons piercing angelic constructs for miles around, even as the other walls also being attacked, fail and the blocks are cast inward to slam and crush all constructs around the breaches.

     Each group turns to the right and follows the wall, killing every construct they come across. Each time they return to where they entered, they move a set distance inward and continue. How long it is taking them, none can say. The Crystal Dragons are supplying stamina to all to keep going, until the Temple is now in sight, though still far away. The vast grounds have not a square inch of ground not drenched in blood and gore from the constructs slaughtered. Yet these are not the same as the ones they had previously encountered. These seem more capable for one thing, not in independent thought, but quicker in execution, faster reflexes, like an upgraded model or something. Iriisii senses the change is at the cellular level, but what kind of change, how was it accomplished, and what does it mean? Is this a part of the reason the gloves were taken off of her. To allow her to do her worst against these new constructs.

     As Nephti's shadow crosses her path, she silently blesses the Ageless Ones for sending her. Her presence is actively working against something here. She cannot tell what but she can feel the effects. Without that help things could be in a quite different situation. After yet more time spent in fighting, killing, slaughtering constructs, the four divisions come closer and closer to each other, until they all meet at the main entrance to the Temple. The Temple Guardians stand around and throughout the gardens in front of the entrance. These Guardians are like nothing they have encountered before. Each is ten feet in height, three to four feet broad, skin blacker than coal but gleaming with something. Muscles on top of muscles, and a natural agility to match. Iriisii and the other Crystal Dragons have separated, now she faces these Guardians with her brothers, the Four Horsemen. Analysing these constructs something whispers to her out of the forbidden knowledge she has allowed to surface. From the section that encompassed her now bursting knowledge of Enunciation comes a answer that she would never have otherwise imagined. From those depths she morphs into a half-dragon and brings the soul of the First Dragon of Destiny forward, combines their voices and calls out.

     Zu'u, fin Dovah do Kein, Zu'u tinvaak nu wah fin depthhe do Vulom,

     (I, the Dragon of War, I speak now to the depths of Darkness,)

     Dii neaan los lot, zu'u ask nol tol need, hear dii Thu'um,

     (My need is great, I ask from that need, hear my Thu'um,)

     come wah zu'u nu dii sizaan Zeymah, rok sizaan ko fin ved Vulom.

    (come to me now my lost Brother, he lost in the black Darkness.) 

    come nu nol hin sizaan qoth, hi wo kos fin Fifth Horseman

    (come now from your lost tomb, you who are the Fifth Horseman)

    do fin Apocalypse, hi wo kos call aan Vul Kein!

    (of the Apocalypse, you who are called Dark War!)

     As her words seep into the understanding of all those around her, they look at each other in doubt, in consternation over who she was calling. Nowhere was or is this 'Fifth Horseman' written about, spoken about in the oral histories. Only the other three Horsemen stand still and quiet beside their sister. As their 'historian' whispers.

     Famine: "How could she know of 'him'? All about 'him' was lost when the Draconic Divines fell. All knowledge of him was purged."

     Death: "But not only does she know of 'him', she knows how to 'call' him. With 'him' reborn and bound to us once again. War's enemies will shake and quake for nowhere can they now hide that they cannot be found."

     A quiet settles over the area, the quiet before the storm. Mortis Aeterna quivers in anticipation and begins to sing its desire. Stormbringer and Mournblade join their voices to Mortis Aeterna's. The very air begins to peel back as if it could not withstand being touched by the powers forming. A strange portal begins opening near Iriisii. As it strengthens, the blood and gore soaking into the ground around the portal, surfaces and rolls away like the ripples on the surface of a water pond when a stone is tossed into it. The portal itself is oriented at a strange angle and it is ringed in a violet/black fire, a dark violet thorny vine encircles the energy ring of the portal itself, then the 'Fifth Horseman' rides through.

     His mount is a Shantaak Hunter, while he is wrapped in an armor that looks like it was melted then poured onto his body, becoming one with it. He is totally encased in it as it moves with him like his skin was the armor. He is armed with a sword, wickedly curved and serrated, with a barbed chain attached to the hilt and the other end bearing a ball embedded with dragon teeth. He rides up to face Iriisii, dismounts and moves closer, then kneels laying his weapons before her, and laying his head on the ground at her feet. A voice cracked and deep speaks.

     Dark War: "The First called War has called unto me to join her. No one has called me before since I was entombed as the Draconic Divines were felled. The Dragons of Existence follow her, the Legends of Dream fight to attend her battles, the Demon Armies wait upon her hand and foot. I see the Primal Fae she has empowered such that they are greater than they have ever been. And even the Celestial Hosts have put aside their differences to be beside her. Never did I think such a day would come and then I heard her voice on the Soul Winds calling me to her. I am here at her command to take the ancient place beside her. And once more the Four are Five, whole and unbroken. LET HER ENEMIES RUE THIS DAY, FOR THEY SHALL KNOW DESPAIR BEFORE THEY DIE AT OUR HANDS!"

     Eliza walks up to Iriisii and lays a clawed hand gently upon her armored leg. Iriisii then removes the gauntlet from her right hand and lays it over Eliza's. Dark War sees her and stands as still as glass. Once Iriisii's hand is placed over Eliza's and remains so. Dark War kneels to Eliza.

     Dark War: "Lady, I remember your father."

     Eliza: "Father knows you and has not forgotten."

     She glances up at Iriisii and says, "Father gave her his sword to remake. It is now in her hands. She gave a part of her soul that I would live, she is now my sister and family. Eliza loves her and she loves Eliza. Father told her how to call you, so you may pay your debt and now live once more."

     Dark War: "And so I will serve her for as long as she lives. If I should die, I will return and continue to serve her, this I vow to her, to her, and to your father."

     Eliza: "Father accepts your vow. Eliza Accepts your vow."

     Iriisii: "And I accept your vow. Take your rightful place with me and your brothers, for there is yet work for us to do."

     Dark War mounts and moves to Iriisiii's right as Death moves between them, then Famine moves to Iriisii's left, and Pestilence puts himself to Dark War's right. As one they move to face the Temple entrance and Iriisii's full complement that she brought or called stands behind her spread out to both sides. She raises Mortis Aeterna and calls down the 'Fingers of the Gods' striking huge lightening bolts into the enhanced constructs. Atticus then raises the banner of the 'Black Dragon Legion' and shouts, "FOR THE BALANCE!! FOR OUR GODDESS IRIISII!!"

     The entire massive army then leaps to a run and engages the Temple constructs. The blood runs in rivers, body parts are crushed under boots, hooves, and claws. The shouts of her Army are strong enough to halt the constructs in midstride. And the Five Horsemen, reunited for the first time in aeons, are drenched in the blood and chaos, to the extent that it is as a red mist surrounding them as they keep moving forward. Those who watched from their Fortresses, Cities, Palaces, were speechless at the spectacle. Many of the darker ones wanted to leave their Realms and go to join in the fight. But they knew they had to stay until the end. And those of the light side, seeing what this rogue god had done and was working on, agreed that as terrible as this was, it had to be done. And wished to see what effect this would have on Iriisii, whether she could do this and maintain the Balance within herself.

     Many new heroes came out of this battle, names unknown that would be remembered in the millennia to come. Iriisii took note of each of them, vowing to ask each to enter her service. And as she would glance upward, she saw her Dragon Flight led by Brii Quo Duun and Tahrodiis, keeping the flying constructs from dropping down on her army on the ground, evidenced by the bodies and wings that would fall and add to the body count. It seems the battle will never end as the constructs keep coming. She finally decides to end this farce in one fell blow. She directs her forces behind her and again reaches deep within the store of forbidden knowledge and finds what she wants.

     She and her mount merge and morph into her dragon form. she then calls her mates and they add themselves to her form, enlarging it, enhancing it. She forms a wall of force and extends it across from one side of the Temple to the other. Then she speaks in Enunciation, "Wah Kol Juy Fyn Cew Kuy Isr Lkt, the syllables keep rolling off of her tongue. Even as she shields her people, some fall to the side from the effects of even what little they hear. The damage they do to her physical body is being healed by the merged presences of her mates, even as the damage is inflicted by her use of the deadly language. When the 'wall' is fully charged, she sends it forward, sweeping through the construct army. The damage it does is horrific in its intensity. The constructs come into contact with the 'wall' and explode, their blood then acts as a universal acid as it drenches more and more constructs in a foggy cloud. Those affected in this way see their bodies corrode and fall apart before their eyes before those melt and they lose their sight. The constructs are silent as they die, and the silence is in its way worse than if there had been screams.

     Then in a shock, the destruction reaches the entrance to an underground portion of the Temple, and a blast shakes the ground. The central spire sways, then begins a long fall away from the army. Iriisii looks and sees no body where the 'Boulder of Pain' rolls to the edge of the Spire and falls off to strike the ground. She goes to the opened underground and peers inside, just a blindingly bright light shines forth. Slowly it rises until it clears the ground level then moves until it is just at the ground. She sees a figure inside the light that walks out onto the bloody ground. The figure is a male, armored in pure light, with blade and shield both inscribed with runes of light.

     Son: "Who are you to attempt to attack the 'Father'?"

     Iriisii/War: "I am 'War', the first Horseman of the Apocalypse. I have been tasked with bringing he who you call the 'Father' the justice declared by those 'Above' me, for his crimes are many and have languished for too long."

     Son: "The 'Father' is 'ALL' and does not recognize any to be his superior. The only crimes that have been committed here are yours, and so I have been sent to deal his punishment upon you for them."

     Iriisii: "And how do you intend to accomplish this?"

     Son: "I call 'High Duel' upon you. As you must accept or be branded 'Anathema' and hunted by all, even those you have raised into an Army."

     Rigmor: "How can you accept? You are much higher in rank than he is?"

     Nephti: "'WAR' has been challenged to a 'High Duel'! Her Celestial rank as it is now would preclude her from being able to accept. However all restrictions were lifted from her before she began this battle. And so she is able to accept with no punishment due for doing so. So says Nephti, Child of the Ageless Ones."

     Rigmor: "Well I guess that answers that question."

     Desidarius: "That is no ordinary construct like those we have destroyed. Still it is a construct with no soul."

     Iriisii: "What is different about it? Something must be for it to be placed here just to challenge me?"

     Desidarius: "It is an amalgamation, on the very verge of being an abomination. It holds traits of nearly every kind of arcane construct in existence."

     The 'Wolf' pads its way forward, construct blood still dripping from its jaws.

     Iriisii: "I see you have enjoyed yourself."

     Wolf: "Indeed, I owe you many thanks for allowing me to fight on your behalf. It has been far too long since I was involved in a battle like this one has been. But Desidarius is correct in her judgment of this construct's origin. Somehow it even has a few traces from my own abode. How this could be will be something I will look into upon my return and deal with it appropriately. But a word of warning, it is far more capable than it seems. It could even be possibly meant to be a surprise in hoe close it could be to your skills."

     Iriisii: "I thank you for your words and warning, I shall bear them in mind. but it is correct in one thing in that I must accept this challenge. I will be ready for surprises, knowing a trap exists is the first step in avoiding it. and this stinks of traps all around it."

     Iriisii looks toward 'Son', "As I am the challenged, I declare the choice of weapons. The blade I hold in my hands will be my weapon."

     Son: "So be it. I choose the place."

     He raises his arms and in a flash they are transported to the 'Hell' created by this rogue god she hunts. Amid the heat, flames, and darkness, he speaks."

     Son: "Here you released many of those the 'Father' placed here for punishment. He has decreed that when you lose, you will take their place here in expiation of your deed performed."

     Iriisii smiles, "And when I win, and bring punishment to the 'Father', should he betray the terms of his punishment, he will be chained here until he earns repentance. So speaks Iriisii Dovahkiin, Dragon of War, Mother of All Dragons! As for you, you have no soul, for you, destruction is all that can be laid upon you. Let this 'Duel' begin!"

     They circle each other looking to see where an advantage or weakness might be found. Iriisii notices that even as a construct, he has advantages in that the skills he was created with are almost truly balanced. But that is as far as it goes and so he falls very short of what he could be. Also she cannot use that as a true weakness because he has no soul and thus no free will. He will not even see this as a weakness. She stays poised with him, matching his movements, hiding her own for now. She also notices he feels no discomfort for where he is, so the greatest pains given here are to those with souls. Something to consider later if she can use it to her advantage.

     Suddenly he moves and she knows what he is going to do before their blades even touch. She parries him just as she knows he expects, and knows where his shield will be coming from afterward. She sidesteps effortlessly in a direction that will allow him to recover instead of climbing up and over the shield, coming down his backside drawing her blade along the edge of his spine. He looks at her strangely for her choice of moves. And she knows then he has been programmed for her battle style, interesting. She wonders if he is naught but a distraction and if so, what does the rogue god have up his sleeve that he needs such a distraction for? He comes charging in trying to bash her with his shield to stun her for a second before striking. Shw slides underneath him, just nicking the inside of his thigh.

     'Son': "You do not take this 'duel' seriously?"

     Iriisii: "I take every duel seriously. But you are meant to be a distraction and nothing more."

     'Son': "Why do you think that?"

     Iriisii: "Any other would react to my statement, some would come at me swinging, some become more worried, some would only betray their reaction by a momentary twitch of muscles, you show no reaction. This is because you have no soul and thus your 'Father' has programmed you for this task. This betrays your purpose in this, for you must do and react in whatever ways he has given to you to do. And so there is no possible way for you to win this 'Duel'. And 'He' knows I will gain nothing from killing you, because you have no soul."

     'Son' then says nothing and resumes the series of moves he was trained to use against her in this 'Duel'. She goes along with this to allow the rogue god to think he was in control of the situation. She extends a small part of her awareness to Desidarius.

     Iriisii: "How is the rogue god's preparations coming? Is he near to being ready?"

     Desidarius: "I believe that he is, yes. I have had to keep my distance from him to stay undetected, but I have found out 'he' is very concerned that you have made it this far without near the trouble 'he' thought you would have. You should finish this soon and turn your full attention to 'him'. I think 'he' will make a serious blunder when you do, if you catch 'him' just before 'he' feels ready for you. I have not been able to see exactly what 'he' has for you, but its signature marks it as being from 'outside'. Therefore you should take its threat seriously until you know for certain otherwise."

     Iriisii: "You are right, ok, carefully withdraw your attention from 'him'. I will finish this up and we will get serious about 'him'. Thank you for doing this for me."

     Desidarius: "Anything for you, love, you know this."

     Iriisii: "Yes, but I never want to take you for granted."

     Desidarius: "Somehow I doubt that you ever could, love. Be careful that there may be a stumbling block there for you, I will begin extricating myself."

     Iriisii begins a flurry strike series of moves that forces 'Son' to backpedal quickly or be skewered on her blade. As he barely manages to parry the last strike, his blade shivers for a split second before shattering. Some of the blade pieces pierce him in various parts of his body, but he feels no pain. It is then that he notices her blade extending from his neck. He grabs the blade and begins to move himself further up the length trying to reach Iriisii. Just as his arms are inches from her, she smiles and asks him something.

     Iriisii: "That was a really good effort, but do you really think I would allow you to lay your hands on me?"

     She sweeps the blade from her right to her left. It cuts though his fingers and the side of his neck. She then turns it for the return strike and finishes removing his head. She then flourishes Mortis to force the blood to run off the tip before replacing it in its sheath. Iriisii then moves to the open pit marring the now pristine landscape. As she looks out over it, the last of the blood and bodies decomposes and is absorbed into the ground.

     Looking deep into the pit, Rigmor comments.

     Rigmor: "You are not dropping down there without the rest of us, you know."

     Iriisii: "I know, if it is big enough down there I will bring everyone, until I know for sure I will take my best. But somehow I think it will take everyone."

     She looks out over her Army, "My mates, commanders, Elites, Harlequin, we will go down first. If there is room for everyone else then I will call for you, so be ready, this is not over yet, by a long chalk."

     Vilok and Olaf land with their goal, Michael in hand.

     Iriisii: "Michael, we go to face 'Him' in his lair. Olaf will have told you what I intend. Are you with me in this?"

     Michael hesitates for a couple of seconds before shaking the cobwebs from his mind.

     Michael: "After seeing what 'He' has planned and what 'He' did to me, yes, I am with you, to the very end."

     Iriisii nods her head, "Good".

     She creates a power link to him.

     Iriisii: "When I drain 'Him' of 'His' power, it will go to you. Be prepared for it."

     Michael: "What of the others out there? Will they not be restored?"

     Iriisii: "I will take care of them myself. You will need the power you will receive to keep everything together until the others can resume their duties. In any event you will assist them as and when they need it."

     Michael: "I understand."

     Iriisii looks out once more over her Army: "I do not know if it is only the rogue god, even more of his constructs, or whatever he may have been working on down there. But I feel there will be even more killing for all of you to get your fill before your return home."

     The words, "DO VAH KIIN, DO VAH KIIN", echo and reverberate until it is a full chorus of the Celestial and Demonic roaring everywhere. And to this epic chant of support, she and hers leap out into the pit and drop down into the darkness. They float downward until no light from above reaches them and nothing from below except for more darkness can be seen.

     Rigmor: "Is this normal?"

     Iriisii: "Who is to say what is normal or otherwise wherever this is going."

     Rigmor: "I know but..."

     Iriisii: "We will know when we arrive, but so far I sense nothing threatening."

     Rigmor: "Any idea where it goes?"

     Iriisii: "Not yet, it does not feel like anywhere else I have been, so I will assume it is a pocket construct created with a link to above. As such it can be near any size or encompass any physical conditions. But there will be nothing we cannot withstand, and with a little luck we may even be able to make changes to our advantage."

     Rigmor: "Is that a pinpoint of light I see down there?"

     Iriisii: "It just might be, be ready for anything, all of you."

     There is a general muttering of agreement as everyone begins to see the light below, and wonder about what may be waiting there for them. An unknown measurement of time later, they float down out of the darkness and see a vast vista encompassing different environments. From their current height they can see forests and rainforests, deserts and rock fields, seas and rivers of ice, and way off in the distance, set into a mountain range with peaks like dragon teeth, sits a sight Iriisii knows well. A cube of the First Ones, but one far larger than the ones she has seen, even the one tied into the Krang. Shw points it out to everyone.

     Iriisii: "There, there is our goal. That is where we will find 'Him'. Now let us get to ground and 'call' our Army, for it looks like we will need them."

     Off in the distance but much closer and moving toward them is a mass. She enhances her sight and sees more constructs. But these are based on other life forms. Now she knows why all of the abductions of 'Were', 'Vampire', and likely other disappearances from other worlds in this Realm. For these constructs are built upon the races abducted, and who knows just what other possible enhancements have been made to them.

     She 'calls' her Army, spreads them out, then gives them their orders before leading her own straight into the approaching mass. Just before dashing into the mass she casts spell buffs over her own. They hit and drive their way forward, leaving the ground littered with bodies behind them. The Harlequin target the 'vampire' constructs, trusting Iriisii, they are merciless in bringing them down. Iriisii and her mates tackle the 'were' constructs. Her Army goes to work on the other construct types, with the dragons helping where the concentration is great enough to bog down the Army forces. The demonic forces burrow their way deep, then port in reinforcements creating pockets of cleared areas for those coming behind to regroup and rearm before moving on. The Primal Fae use their powers to great effect, utilizing the full gamut, some casting elemental spells, some disguising the enemy as Iriisii's forces causing the enemies' own to turn on them, still others are stopped cold mesmerized by the Fae songs, never knowing when they are mowed down by blades or weapons fire. Finally Iriisii feels the need for more destructive power, wielding Mortis Aeterna, she channels the power of 'Darkfire' and charges the blade. Then with a deep spell of Enunciation whispered to the blade, she unleashes it.

     The spell itself was a summoning spell for a Xamnat Dragon. The dragon materializes just ahead of her. she casts 'blinders' on it, so that it can only see the enemy. It sees them and then goes on an insane frenzy to destroy them. The constructs keep trying to gang together and overpower it, but the Darkfire power she channeled provides protective shielding for it, and using Enunciation to cast the spell besides affecting its brain, increases the effectiveness of its 'void' magic attacks as it lays waste to thousands of constructs in a single attack. As groups of constructs band together to attack the dragon, she hits them with bolts of 'corruption' channeled from the flecks of the 'Ilearth' stone that were a part of Malferaak when she reforged it into Mortis Aeterna. The 'corruption' bolts melt them where they stand then eat into the soil of this pocket dimension. Eventually they reach where they can get a good look at the cube/ship.

     It is in surprisingly good shape, not showing signs of combat damage that the others she has seen have displayed. She wonders if this one might be less aged than the others, then worries about what might have happened to the crew. She stages her army to wait outside while she takes her Elites and mates inside.