AE14 The Story of Iriisii Dovahkiin

     The last of the Angelics falls, Lucifer stands looking at the bodies of what were once his brothers and sisters, wondering why it had to come to this? Is this price too high to pay?

     Iriisii: "I know what you are going through, but they gave you no choice in the matter."

     Lucifer: "They couldn't give me a choice, because they had no choice. IT IS NOT FAIR! IT IS NOT RIGHT!"

     Iriisii: You are right, it is not fair, nor is it just. But it is what it is. The fault lies with 'Him' who made them and you in the way 'He' did."

     Lucifer: "But I rose above it, why could they not?"

     Iriisii: "Because after you developed a soul, 'He' made sure they would never get the chance to do so. 'He' wanted them kept as servitors, unable to think for themselves, only to do what 'He' told them to do. And 'He' wanted you and those who followed you to be put away where you would not threaten 'Him' by giving 'His' servitors a soul and teach them to question 'Him'."

     Lucifer: "You are right, I was so blind to think 'He' really cared."

     Iriisii: "You have shown that you truly care. Now we must find out the truth of this. Why did 'He' allow this to go on until I had to be brought to deal with it. Is 'He even truly aware of what is going on here? The questions surrounding 'Him' require answers, then we can determine what actions are appropriate and needed. But I do grieve as you do, this did not need to happen. Yet it did, and so we must accept this and go on, if for nothing else to stop it from happening again."

     Lucifer: "Agreed. To have the strength to do what you must, but even so this display has been seen and our efforts may yet bear fruit. We will have to see what fruit is borne out of this."

     Iriisii looks out over the devastation, bodies, blood, everywhere as far as she can see. Then she notices everything is decomposing at an accelerated rate. Soon enough it all is gone, a part of the landscape, feeding it with nutrients. Jean Claude steps up beside her.

     Jean Claude: "It is a ill wind that blows no good to anyone. This will renew the ground here for a very long time. It was almost totally exhausted, to the point where even added fertilizers was almost not enough to allow food crops to grow properly."

     Iriisii: "Then some good will come from this, but now we must move on. We must speak to the Vampire High Council. We cannot wait for the government to prepare for us. If you can visualize where we must go, I can portal us there."

     Jean Claude: "You are right, this must be done quickly."

     He builds a mental image of the location in his mind. Far into the most remote of mountainous areas, high, treacherous peaks everywhere. Overhanging snow packs scattered about covering the few entrances into this almost inaccessible area. Crevasses bridged by fragile snow and ice providing a fair measure of natural barriers. There amidst all of this is a singularly tall peak, with temple columns carved from the mountain face. No path leads up to it, only a platform raised by rope threaded through a primitive windlass.

     Jean Claude's image moves inside the shadowed passageway to the entry hall, the walls carved into bas reliefs depicting the ancient stories of events surrounding two legendary figures, the 'Father of the Day' and the 'Mother of the Night'.

     Iriisii latches onto this area and opens a portal. Directing hers and Jean Claude's people to step through. As they all move on, Queen Meredith makes a decision and grabs her personal entourage and steps through as well. Lucifer steps through alone after telling his to await his return. And Iriisii steps through last, closing the portal behind her. Once through Jean Claude steps up to her.

     Jean Claude: "Before we go further there is something that needs to be done."

     Iriisii looks hesitantly at him. Jean Claude looks to the ten Harlequin that went with Iriisii on the battlefield against the government troops.

     Jean Claude: "These have all asked to be released from their vow of fealty to me and ask that you accept them into your service. This is not something to be lightly considered, and so this place is a fitting witness to their request."

     Iriisii looks to the Harlequin, "If this is what you wish to do, then I am prepared to accept you into my service upon your release."

     Harlequin: "It is a decision we do not make lightly. But rather we all feel that you are a leader willing to make full use of us and our abilities without taking us for granted. You have proven that you care about those in your service and you do not waste their blood or lives. As you have won the respect and loyalty of those who follow you, so you have won our respect and loyalty. And so we wish to ask for our current service to be rescinded so that we may take service with you."

     Jean Claude: "As you have asked this of me, I have looked into your decision and agree with it. I feel it is best for you, for me, and for she you wish to take service with. And so I formally rescind your service to me, and free you to accept new service with the Dragonborn Goddess of Balance."

     As one the Harlequin turn to Iriisii and kneel. She extends her hands to them, a violet glow beginning to form on the palms of her hands.

     Iriisii: "I accept you, called the Harlequin. By your own request to become my children, to serve me as I need you to. I pledge to care for you as my own, to support you in all things. To shield you under my wings, fight for you with my claws, my shouts, and my magic. To be equal in my eyes with all those who follow me in their faith and belief. This I vow to you as a Dovah!"

     And the violet glow streams forth from her hands, flows into each of the Harlequin, sealing them to her service, and empowering them with what they need to serve her. The others see the changes becoming apparent within each of them. They immediately are able to freely accept the power she grants to them and use it as they need. She reaches into her personal storage and draws out new weapons and armor for them. 

     As they change into the new armor, it morphs and fits itself to each one of the Harlequin. They know right away how much of an improvement the new armor is, and their new weapons are just as much an improvement over their old ones. They form up around her and her companions, taking up positions as guards without having to be told. Then Jean Claude leads the way down the halls into the main conference chamber, where he senses the High Council beginning to arrive.

     Iriisii tells Nodens and her 'Hand of Blood', "Let the Harlequin handle interior security, keep your senses on what may try and come in from outside."

     Nodens: "You suspect someone to try and crash the party?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I do. This is a very isolated place, extremely difficult to get to through normal means but not impossible if they send augmented agents. I expect they will try and send an overwhelming force and if that does not work, to bury us all in the snow and ice. However, we have the edge here, many of those who are with us, Psy-Ops has no idea of what they can do. So we will use that as our back up plan if we need it.

     For now we must concentrate on the High Council, these are a very insular group. They have been around for a long time and have formed opinions that they will have a difficult time letting go of. I am afraid they will have to have their noses rubbed in the trouble that comes before they will realize their danger."

     Nodens: "What do you intend, then?"

     Iriisii: "In case of an attack, to hold our own. Let the others fend for themselves, but if they will fight with us then we will join our forces and give them our help. I believe they will send hybrid Dahleks to bury us. I can make use of that to let the older Vampires see just what they have to fight and how inadequate they are to fight such a foe. It pains me that many may have to needlessly die to drive the point home but it will be what it will be. We can protect Jean Claude and Tricia's forces because they have formally allied themselves to us, as well as their Harlequin, and the 'Were' tribes. We will see what else we can salvage from what comes."

     Jean Claude walks to the main table and takes his place about midway on the left side. As they wait for the remaining seats to fill, Meredith asks a question of Iriisii.

     Meredith: "What do you intend to prove at this meeting?"

     Iriisii: "In the end, that they are inadequate to fight the foe that has until now hidden its face from everyone. That they must ally themselves with the other powers that exist if all are to survive. The difficult part is that will they have to be humbled and that will not come easily."

     Meredith: "Why must they be humbled, so that I can understand your reasoning?"

     Iriisii: "They see themselves as the top of the food chain. That it is their right to stand above everyone else. Nothing could be further from the truth. They need to see themselves as equals to all others, and all others as equals to them. Only then will they be able to stand together and make a decisive force against what comes."

     Meredith: "Then what does come?"

     Iriisii: "The names I know them as would mean nothing to you, what does mean something is that even those Gods who stand above me, fear what they may do. And have placed me here to do what I can to halt their incursion. It is not for me to stand alone against the horde, yet if that is what must be done, I will not hesitate. But rather for me to rally all who love life and wish to see existence continue, bring them together and show them what they can be.

     Make no mistake, what comes is an abomination beyond anything imaginable. I have dealt with each part separately, but together...that is a completely different matter. And the ones responsible for its creation must be dealt with in the harshest, most permanent manner. Not only to dissuade anyone else from attempting it again, but to make the punishment fit the crime as well."

     Meredith: "I think I understand now. Not only what you are doing and why, but why we, the Fae, are awakening once again. Why our older, more primal selves are returning, as well as our oldest most powerful artifacts being found once more after vanishing for many millennia. We are to be your staunchest allies in this coming battle, and when the time comes for you to return home, we will be here to see this does not happen again."

     Iriisii then notices the scent of rose blossoms gently drifting around them, and a few rose petals float down from the ceiling.

     Iriisii: "I think you are correct in your thoughts, and I will accept your assistance as an equal to me if not in power then in responsibility. I know others of the Fae that live in other realms, consider them friends, and some few as close family. I would be honored to call you the same. As you and yours ally and fight with me, so shall you all gain as I gain, and may I come to call your goddess, my sister, in honor and shared purpose."

     In a closed dimension, watching what occurs within the Vampire High Counsel Fortress by way of their high servant's presence. a richly robed female, eyes golden like the color of the wheat in summer nigh to harvest, raises her eyes from the gently swirling pool fed by a spring nestled in a pile of stones, white with bands of other color running through its grains. She looks up at the towering male beside, his head crowned in antlers grander than any stag of mythology. His eyes reflect the power of the 'hunt'. He looks down at the goddess to whom he is consort, she is known by many names, Danu, Aine, Eris. Thinking in part of his own names,Oberon, Finvarra, Kurnous. The last is closest to him, for she wooed him from the 'Elves' and he carried that name with him tp her side.

     Danu: "What do you think of the matters that this one who stands with our Daughter and who has been called to do battle to correct?"

     Kurnous: "The Ageless Ones who sit outside, did right in their eyes. Only in the way this was done could one who is truly of their 'blood' be brought into Existence to fight the plague that threatens all. They do indeed care for this Existence and all who live within. the 'One Who Lives in the Void' thought to turn it all back to the way it was, even as he fractured the whole into an infinity of pieces. Still they did not give up,and crafted a path to bring them all back together as they intended in the beginning. And this time he will not be able to do again as he did before. Even the one who stood behind him will see his effort will be fruitless. For this time the Creation of Existence will arise from within, the 'song' sung by a 'Child' of theirs who is also a child of that Existence."

     Danu: "And so nothing and no one will be able to command the level of power needed to upset it. Yes, I see. And because our children stand with her now, they will have a place in the new Existence. They will have a true home, no more will they then have to exist outside, moving back, in and out over time and as the powers of belief ebb and flow. They will truly be able to flourish and become what we have envisioned for them."

     Kurnous: "It is time, show them that we approve of and will support them as they go forth from this moment."

     Danu stretches her hands out over the pool and rose petals fall into it to be carried to the vision they see.

     As the last few of the Vampire High Council take their seats, a path covered in red rose petals floats down from the ceiling between Iriisii and Meredith and the center point of the High Council. Who are even now looking at the petaled path, wondering just what it means and who placed it there. Iriisii, Meredith, and those closest to them walk the petaled path and stand before the assembled Vampire High Council.

     The head of the High Council stands and gazes on the party standing before them, feeling the assembled power signatures, and hiding his trepidation as to the reason why such powerful personages are presenting themselves before the High Council.

     Tearex: "I would ask that at this moment in time, Jean Claude, Council Seat for North Merica, if he would introduce these, his guests and their purpose in addressing this High Council."

     Jean Claude stands and addresses the Council.

     Jean Claude: "High Councilor Tearex, it is my distinct honor to present to you at this time, her most August Personage, she called Iriisii Dovahkiin, Mother of Dragons, Champion of the Celestial Balance of the Forces of Light and Dark, Harbinger and Battle Mistress of the Gods of Eld."

     There is a sharp intake of breath from some of the Council members.

     Jean Claude: "Also with her stands Meredith NicEssus, Queen of the Fae Courts of the Seelie and UnSeelie."

     Tearex: "Queen Meredith's position is known to us and we acknowledge and respect her presence. Yet our knowledge of the Gods of Eld is scant such as we have but a few passages written in our oldest writings."

     Jean Claude: "If I may, she also holds a Celestial Title that the High council may be a bit more familiar with."

     Tearex: "Then please enlighten us."

     Jean Claude: "She also is called, Dragon of War, for she is 'War', First of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

     Tearex whispers under his breath, "The First of the Four, what dire portent does this foretell."

     The mumblings racing about the Councilors at this, takes a few minutes before Tearex can regain control of the High Council proceedings. Iriisii maintains silence while this continues, listening to the whispers passing back and forth.

     Tearex: "SILENCE! I WILL HAVE SILENCE!"

     Slowly the whispers fade and silence once more is the order of the day.

     Tearex: "Now we may continue and find out what it is that comes for us out of the unknown. My Lady Iriisii, what can you tell us of the threat that you have come to warn us of?"

     Iriisii: "High Councilor, members of the High Council, the threat that comes is already here. Currently it is in a pocket dimension with a gate somewhere on this world. It is a two fold threat with tentacles that even now extend into at least some of the governments of this world. The main threat is as I said, two fold in nature, first is a parasitic leech called Wamphyri. It was collected and brought here from somewhere else. I am closing in on the origin of that leech and intend to destroy it completely and the one responsible for letting it loose.

     Why is a simple leech so frightening in its implications? Because it can infect any living organism, literally any living thing can become host to it. The infected host will succumb to the parasite, some sooner than others, but all will succumb. What it will do is remove all restraint, all inhibition, and empower its host with greatly expanded abilities, while at the same time exercising total and complete control of the host. It matters not if the host is mortal or immortal, demonic or divine, all who are infected will fall.

     And if this were not enough the second part of this threat are the Dahleks of Skaros. The most effective and deadly killers ever to be created. They cut a swath across their home Realm leaving nothing alive behind them. Finally they were faced in battle by the Time Lords of Gallifrey. Two of the five Founding Time Lords survived and it was thought that all of the Dahleks were destroyed.

     One of the surviving Time Lords somehow knew where a few Dahleks could be acquired. He then set about rebuilding an army using them as his foot soldiers. I and mine faced him and his army. The tale of what happened would take too long to recount here, but I went head to head with him on his flagship. By doing this I gave my forces the opening needed to wield our greatest weapon. I used a gift to me, given by the last Prophet of the Tar-Ayim. He gave me their Krang, a construct, weapon, library, musical instrument, laboratory, so many different things all in one installation, powered by and hidden within a brown dwarf star. I upgraded its abilities with knowledge I had already acquired, and used it with the help of the other remaining Time Lord to capture and harness a collapsed galaxar.

     I saw to it that the rogue Time Lord, Rassillon, and his Dahlek fleet were drawn into the event horizon of that galaxar. Forever suspended between moments of annihilation, and I was there with him when it happened. The power and energies we released in our battle momentarily breached the event horizon and I was drawn through it into the heart of that monster while the breach sealed itself behind me. I instinctively created a Mantella Crystal, formed out of pure neutronium, around myself and sealed myself within it. Further I created a Winterstorm Construct and bound it to the Mantella Crystal. It absorbed the gravitic potential of the Galaxar and reflected it back against the tidal forces, protecting the Mantella and myself from becoming a part of that monster. 

     I drifted until reaching the core and being drawn into the mouth of a Quantum Gravitic Wormhole that was feeding energy from the Galaxar through the wormhole to a Quasar on the far side of this universe. I was shot out of that Quasar, through fires that even Hell cannot come close to matching. And travelled until I landed here, on this world. Jean Claude's fiancé Tricia Forsone sent her people to acquire me before Psy-Ops could reach my resting place, once they received word that Psy-Ops was tracking my Crystal's entry.

     What it is that I fear is the hybridization of the Wamphyri and the Dahleks. A force like that, if it managed to get out would be almost unstoppable, and I will do whatever I must to prevent that from happening. Even if I have to scorch the surface of this world to stop them."

     The uproar that ensues threatens to completely disrupt the proceedings. The High Councillor strikes his gavel on the podium, The most ancient skull topping it ringing out with its own voice, cutting through the voices and chatter to bring a semblance of quiet back.

     Tearex: "Lady Iriisii, you may now continue with your story. please." 

     Iriisii: "I understand what I have just said, it would be an absolute last resort. And I would bend every Celestial Law to protect those innocents, who had nothing to do with why I am here. I have done this once already. Saved all the population I could send to safety, scorched the surface, then rebuilt that surface until all was as it had once been. The population I sent to safety were returned, and those innocents I was unable to save were given new bodies and their souls united within those bodies. The guilty that I was sent to punish are now living their punishment and nothing more needs be said of that.

     Let me reiterate, I am here only for those involved with the Wamphyri and the Dahleks, no one else. As to why I am before you now, is to warn you of the dangers ahead and give you the opportunity to fight for your world, your families, your very existence. For while I go after the ones I seek, someone must deal with those corrupted within the government. I can give you all the help and information I have acquired, but those of you who live here must have some 'skin' in this game. Think on what I have said, if you have further questions, I will answer. For now I will give you time to speak among yourselves and decide what you will do."

      

     It looks to take a few days for the discussions to wind down into a decision, so Tricia goes on with a concert in the capital city of this quaint and picturesque little country.

     Rigmor: "Iriisii has given me the opportunity to be the first to greet and sing for you tonight. This song is one I chose for it describes what we went through in the early years of our relationship before we settled down and knew we had fallen in love."

     Rigmor starts as the Dream Magic is in full swing weaving itself into every note, every syllable. Iriisii is standing some distance away and behind her in faint shadow.

 

          Iriisii faintly: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit lonely

                  And you're never coming 'round

          Iriisii faintly: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit tired

                  Of listening to the sound of my tears

          Iriisii a little stronger: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit nervous

                  That the best of all the years have gone by

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit terrified

                  And then I see the look in your eyes

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I fall apart

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I fall apart

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit restless

                  And I dream of something wild

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit helpless

                  And I'm lying like a child in your arms

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit angry

                  And I know I've got to get out and cry

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I get a little bit terrified

                  But then I see the look in your eyes

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I fall apart

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I fall apart

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I fall apart

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: Every now and then I fall apart

          

          Rigmor with Iriisii growing stronger

          "And I need you now tonight

          And I need you more than ever

          And if you only hold me tight

          We'll be holding on forever

          And we'll only be making it right

          'Cause we'll never be wrong

          Together we can take it to the end of the line

          Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time"

          Iriisii: (All of the time)

          Rigmor: "I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark

          We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

          I really need you tonight

          Forever's gonna start tonight

          Forever's gonna start tonight"

   

          Rigmor: "Once upon a time I was falling in love

                   Now I'm only falling apart

                   There's nothing I can do

                   A total eclipse of the heart

                   Once upon a time there was light in my life

                   But now there's only love in the dark

                   Nothing I can say

                   A total eclipse of the heart"

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

                   (Turn around, bright eyes)

          

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor:  "Every now and then

                    I know you'll never be the one

                    You always wanted to be"

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: "But every now and then

                   I know you'll always be the only one

                   Who wanted me the way that I am"

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: "Every now and then

                   I know there's no one in the universe

                   As magical and wondrous as you"

          Iriisii: (Turn around)

          Rigmor: "Every now and then

                   I know there's nothing any better

                   There's nothing that I just wouldn't do"

          

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: "Every now and then I fall apart"

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

          Rigmor: "Every now and then I fall apart"

          Rigmor: "And I need you now tonight

                   And I need you more than ever

                   And if you only hold me tight

                   We'll be holding on forever

                   And we'll only be making it right

                   Cause we'll never be wrong

                   Together we can take it to the end of the line

                   Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time"

          Iriisii: (all of the time)

          Rigmor: "I don't know what to do

                   I'm always in the dark

                   Living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

                   I really need you tonight

                   Forever's gonna start tonight"

          Iriisii: (Forever's gonna start tonight)

          Rigmor: "Once upon a time I was falling in love

                   Now I'm only falling apart

                   There's nothing I can do

                   A total eclipse of the heart

                   Once upon a time there was light in my life

                   But now there's only love in the dark

                   Nothing I can say

                   A total eclipse of the heart

                   A total eclipse of the heart

                   A total eclipse of the heart"

          Iriisii: (Turn around, bright eyes)

                   (Turn around, bright eyes)

                   (Turn around)

     Iriisii: "You have been a truly wonderous audience for us tonight. I have never seen one such as you, the way you involve yourselves in our performance has brought all of us to new heights, but the night must give way to the dawn. And so I have but one more song for you tonight. As we all ponder this question that I ask of you to think about tonight, a question that as far as I know has no correct answer. If I ask it of each of you here, each would give me a different answer, and each would be right. The question is this, what is love? Tonight, you will know what my answer is, and I hope you would reflect on what your answer is. A simple melody starts playing, slow but strong.

          

     Illyria begins,                            "Some say, Love. It is a river

                                                       That drowns the tender reed"

     Rigmor walks up and adds her voice,  "Some say, Love. It is a razor

                                                       That leaves your soul to bleed"

     Desidarius adds her voice,        "Some say, Love. It is a hunger

                                                        An endless aching need"

     Iriisii adds her voice,                 "I say, Love. It is a flower

                                                        And you its only seed" 

     Byrsael joins in,                        "It's the heart afraid of breaking

                                                        That never learns to dance"

     Then Rose joins,                        "It's the dream afraid of waking

                                                        That never takes the chance"

     Serana steps forward,                "It's the one who won't be taken

                                                        Who cannot seem to give"

     Meredith adds her voice,           "And the soul afraid of dyin'

                                                        That never learns to live"

     All together,                               "When the night has been too lonely

                                                        And the road has been too long

                                                        And you think that love is only

                                                       For the lucky and the strong"

     Iriisii alone once more,             Just remember in the winter

                                                       Far beneath the bitter snows

                                                       Lies the seed that with the sun's love

                                                      In the spring becomes the rose

     As the music continues, Iriisii, "Will you sing it with us?! Just follow the lyrics on the vid screens. As the crowd starts to join in, a few at a time, the Dream Magic unfolds and draws everyone in together. Soon, even the ones watching from their homes, their favorite watering hole, even through storefront windows, join in. And the song makes its way into the heavens, as Michael listens to the words, and the strength of all the souls pooling their voices as one. And tears begin to form and drop from his eyes, as the beginning of a soul is birthed within him. He stops to think of what answer he might have for that question, and the answer changes him straight to his core.

     The final pause in the melody comes as the notes slowly fade away. Rigmor hands her mic to a stage hand who slips something in return to her. Holding that hand behind her back, she walks up to Iriisii and hands her a red rose in full bloom. Iriisii cannot stop the tears flowing from her eyes, even as her lips begin trembling with the strength of the emotion she feels. Then as Rigmor places a hand behind Iriisii's head and draws her into a kiss. The audience witnessing the moment being shown on the vid screens along with the rest of the world starts here and there with hands clapping together, then more and more until the sound is thunderous.

     And somehow Shai-Hulu'ud knew this moment would come about and made certain Demetrius had it caught live and shared across the entirety of their Existence. Making a supreme effort to let everyone who knows Iriisii and Rigmor to watch, Alessia decides it is time. Time for the child, Iriisii gave her the chance to create with Mithlas Direnni to be born. Now the question is how to get the child to Iriisii to raise.

     Alessia is looking at a special virtual vid screen, set up in her palatial home in Aetherius by Shai-Hulu'ud to allow her to see what is happening to Iriisii after she left Mundus. She has followed Iriisii's path fervently. She feels she is not alone and turns to see Talos.

     Talos: "She is doing far greater than any of us could have expected. In a lot of ways she is just like you."

     Alessia: "You have a problem with that?"

     Talos: "We are not mortal now. I understand far more of what drives you now. Besides you always come home to me and as long as that is true I have no problems with you."

     Alessia smiles, "Keep that up and you will never get rid of me."

     Talos: "Consider it done then, I will hold you to that. But you really need to do something with the little one. He cannot survive here on his own, and it is not fair to him to have to depend on us to keep him alive."

     Alessia: "I know, I have been trying to decide who to place him with."

     Talos: "You know who you want to raise him, what is stopping you?"

     Alessia: "But she is so far away now."

     Talos: "You really need to pay closer attention to the little things in her life. The answer is right there on Nirn.

     Alessia: "What?"

     Talos: "Her 'Fortress' in the great forest outside the Imperial City."

     Alessia: "Yes?"

     Talos: "It can reach her Krang, you know, that great big mass of towers floating on that star. And the Krang can reach her, or when needed act as a bridge between her and her Fortress."

     Alessia: "How can that work, the power needed would be enormous."

     Talos: "She has the Krang tethered to that monster of a black hole. She can draw power from it from now until everything goes dark without draining it, so that is not an issue. And she has access to enough power of her own through her followers that she can support you even without thinking about it. So there is really no reason not to take him to her, granted their relationship would be a little difficult to explain. But no one else needs to know, do they?"

     Alessia: "You are being awfully supportive of this."

     Talos: "She is my daughter as well, and he is the child of her body, so in my humble opinion he needs to be with her, simple as that."

     Alessia: "It would not have anything to do with..."

     Talos: "His Celestial heritage? That too points to she should be the one to raise him. We can no longer keep him safe. There are those to whom Aetherius is not an impediment, and unfortunately we are not powerful enough to stop them should they decide to come for him. She has access to enough power to make even them back up and think before trying anything. Besides, there is no reason you could not stay awhile and see what is outside Mundus."

     Alessia: "You would not be trying to sidetrack me for awhile now would you? Go chasing after one of those void matrons?"

     Talos: "I promise you, I am not even considering anything like that. I am only thinking of what you might like. Besides if you do not hurry up, you might miss the wedding."

     Alessia: "WEDDING?! What wedding?"

     Talos: "You watch everything she is doing but you miss something like that? Serana has asked Iriisii to marry her."

     Alessia: "Wait, Serana! How did she? Ah, it does not matter. I expect Iriisii said yes?"

     Talos: "She did. And if you want to get there before the wedding you need to get moving." 

     

     Back in the concert arena, Dettlaff has taken his turn to walk up to Iriisii giving her a deep purple rose with edges almost black. She looks at the rose then back to him, her eyes beginning to smolder. Then she kisses him, taking his lower lip in her mouth she lightly runs her teeth across it then smiles as she lets him go. Illyria is next with a pure white rose with edges tinged in red, Iriisii brings it close and breathes its scent deeply in. The scent seems to flow through her veins to every part of her, and Illyria gently leans in to kiss her, the scent within her suddenly becoming a fire flowing through her.

     Rose begins walking up to her, stops several feet away to Iriisii's questioning look. Rose adopts a devilish grin as she takes her rose, a blossom that matches her hair in color, then slips the stem down within her cleavage. She slowly sways as she approaches Iriisii. 

     Rose: "This rose rests where I have for so long missed and desired your head to rest against me."

     She reaches her hands around Iriisii's neck and gently pulls her head down to the rose. Its scent fills Iriisii's nose and takes her back to that night at Rose's campsite. and their first night together. Iriisii gently kisses the skin next to the rose drawing a moan from Rose, then taking the stem in her lips she carefully draws it up and out. She takes it in her hand then reaches around Rose's neck and pulls her into a kiss that echoes their passion that first night.

     Byrsael is next with a light green rose with streaks of orange, as Byrsael raises it to their lips she takes one petal into her mouth and Iriisii takes one from the other side. Then they both feel the magic of Middle Earth flow through them weaving them into one. Their kiss is one to remember as she thinks back to when she lay dying in a hobbit home, having just been stabbed with a Morghul Blade by Durcot. Iriisii and Tinruth are desperately trying to save her life. When it looks like Byrsael has no time left, Iriisii tells her that she loves her and gives her a kiss that makes her give one last effort to hold onto life. Serana watches as Desidarius approaches Iriisii with a rose of deep orange with red highlights and edges. She looks down at the yellow rose in her hands and feels somehow lacking. Desidarius kiss is like they are echoing the song Iriisii sang to her at the battleground outside Leyawiin. Serana has been looking at the roses given to Iriisii by the others and looks at the one she has. The last one in the flower shop she had Tricia take her to. She feels it is not as pretty as the others, not worthy to give to Iriisii to tell her how she feels. Tricia reads what is going through her mind and feels she has to intervene before it is too late.

     As she turns away, Tricia and Meredith stop her and turn her back toward Iriisii.

     Tricia: "Serana, do not worry about whether or not the rose is good enough, it is your heart and soul that matter right now. The depth of the love you hold for her, have held for her ever since she first freed you from the crypt your mother put you in to hide you from your father. Your Gods made a bargain with you to not interfere and let her go back to Rigmor all those years ago. You have been patient, so very patient, but they no longer need her, and so the bargain is fulfilled and payment is due. This is your time now, she is not the same as she was then, neither are you. What could not be done then, there is no reason why it cannot be done here and now."

     Meredith: "You stayed with her through thick and thin, then you let her go back to Rigmor when your Gods called her. I know what they promised you for that, and now is when payment is due. Go to her, ask her the question that is burning in your heart and soul. My Goddess is also on your side, look at your rose."

     As Serana looks at it, she can hardly believe it is the same rose she bought earlier. She cradles it in both hands and the petals peek over the edges of her hands. The yellow rose is now in full bloom, a deep but bright yellow turning to white in the center, with a blush of dark orange becoming red on the petal edges.

     Tricia: "Go to her, let her see that you still love her, now is the time, here is the place. Magic rules this night, make it yours."

     Meredith: "My Goddess also believes in you, in the depth and power of your love for Iriisii. This is her way of telling you it is your time to ask for the debt to you to be paid. She knows the blood within you, she hears it sing, feels its heat, knows who your beating heart wants to listen to its rhythm. Go to her and ask your question, this is the place, now is the time, she is the one, go to her and let her awaken the blood within you that you both share."

     Tricia gives her a gentle nudge and Serana walks out into the stage lights and goes up to Iriisii. A few rose petals drop down over the arena from the night sky. Serana lifts her head, throws back her shoulders and approaches Iriisii, she sees Rigmor grinning and nodding her head to Serana, then she mouths, 'Yes, now is your time, go and ask her.'

     Serana mouths in reply, 'You are sure?'

     Rigmor: 'Yes.'

     Serana continues the next steps until she is standing in front of Iriisii. As she grasps the stem to give it to her, a thorn pierces a fingertip. Her blood wells up into a droplet, sitting still, glistening in the powerful stage lights. Iriisii gently takes the rose from her, then takes Serana's finger and places it in her mouth. As her blood touches her tongue, a connection is made to their past. A night spent in Solstheim, in a Dunmer Cornerclub called the Retching Netch. Where Dibella helped give Serana the memories of a night between her and Iriisii, that would help her move on with her life after the Gods called Iriisii to Cyrodiil, with the promise that later she would find her heart's deepest desire.

     She thought she had that with Casius, but now she knows this moment is what Dibella was speaking about. She looks up into Iriisii's violet eyes and asks, her voice trembling with the effort to speak. A few rose petals drop down over the arena from the night sky.

     Serana: "Let this rose show you what my heart wishes to say to you."

     Serana kisses Iriisii, and Serana feels the tears running from Iriisii's eyes are crossing over to her face. As they part and gaze each into the other's eyes, Serana makes her deepest desire known. More rose petals drop over the arena and the stage. Rigmor sees one drop and as she catches it, it sings a song of joy and happiness that the leaf still wrapped around her heart picks up and joins.

     Serana: "Iriisii Starborn, Dovahkiin of Akatosh, will you marry me?"

     At last Iriisii looks at Serana the way she has dreamed of having Iriisii look at her, from the very first moment she began to develop feelings for her. Her heart begins to flutter in expectation of Iriisii's answer to her question.

     Iriisii: "Do you know how long I have waited to hear those words from your lips? How long I have wished I was able to speak them to you? Yes, I will marry you! A million and one times yes."

     The response from the audience threatens to raise the roof off of the arena. As a flood of petals drop everywhere, but around Iriisii and Serana they are like a flood of every color imaginable.

     As Serana breathes a deep sigh of relief, a voice speaks to Iriisii.

     Custodian: "Goddess, you have an important visitor requesting a door to your location. What is your desire?"

     Thinking it must be Blackwell, she tells the Custodian to create the door and send the visitor through. Then a bright line of light runs across the stage floor until it reaches near Iriisii then rises to form a door. The door opens and A woman who Iriisii, Rigmor, and Serana immediately recognize walks through with a baby cooing in a sling draped from around her neck. As his hands try to catch the rose petals still dropping from the sky, "Have I missed the wedding?"

     Iriisii's mouth is open in shock, and Serana chuckles as she takes full advantage and places another kiss on Iriisii's open lips. Alessia grins like the cat in that book she read that Talos somehow got and gave to her. The crowd raises their voice yet once again as the partial dome above shivers. And even more rose petals drop from the sky.

     Rigmor: "You go girl, kiss her like you mean it."

     Illyria asks, "Who is she?"

     Rigmor: "Which one?"

     Byrsael: "Both."

     Rigmor: "The one kissing Iriisii is Serana. She has a history almost as old as mine with Iriisii. If not for her, none of this would be happening now, so all of us owe her a debt we can never repay. And it looks like the 'Nine' have finally paid their debt to her. The other one is Iriisii's Celestial mother, Alessia. As Iriisii is the 'Mother of All Dragons', Alessia is the 'Mother of All Minotaur'. I guess I will have to tell you the story of how Iriisii freed the last one from the catacombs beneath the Imperial City when Sethius wife, Morag Bal trapped her down there, with the expectation the Minotaur would kill her. But that will have to be later. We have a wedding to plan, and if I do not miss my guess, the entire world here will be on the guest list, 'Were', 'Vampire', 'Fae', everyone who can possibly make it here in time will show."

     Dettlaff: "Who else could there be?"

     Rigmor: "All of those who owe her in one way or another, if they can get here, they will."

     Dettlaff: "That would be more than could even fit here!"

     Rigmor: "Oh, I think it could be managed. It has already been done once, I think this time it will be even bigger."

     Dettlaff: "You mean the 'virtual arena'?"

     Rigmor: "Yes, I am sure Shai-Hulu'ud knows about this already and is putting the plans together as we speak. I wonder...wait! Did you feel that?"

     Jean Claude and Tricia walk up, as Iriisii and Serana following approaches as well. Jean Claude looks hard at a shadowy patch just offstage. A figure slowly and gracefully walks toward them, his face half covered by his long flowing hair. The part they can see would even make gods weep at the beauty it shows, if not for the emotions and pain that has scarred what can be seen. Iriisii looks at him as well, but she sees something entirely different from Jean Claude. She does see the pain, the anguish, the suffering etched in every part of the visible side of his face. She knows what the other side looks like, a burned, scarred, flowing ruin. The result of torture with fire and holy water performed by devout monks hundreds of years ago during an Inquisition by the dominant church of the times. Iriisii walks up to stand in front of him, and says only his name as a greeting.

     Iriisii: "Asher."

     Asher: "Who are you? What are you? Your name has been on the lips and minds of every human and 'Were' from one side of this country to the other. The things they say and think about you, are they even half true?"

     Jean Claude: "As always, you go too far. Be respectful, for she is the hand of Gods far more powerful than any we have ever known."

     Asher: "What Gods have we even known? We have only known what those who spoke the words said of them. And you know well what they say and feel of us."

     Jean Claude: "That does not make their words true. What they did to you went beyond anything we thought them capable of."

     Asher waves his hand derisively, cutting Jean Claude off, then looking at Iriisii expectantly.

     Iriisii: "I see who you are Asher, I feel the torment you underwent all that time ago, and which you have never forgotten for a single second of time. Know that if you should desire greatly enough, believe in me enough, you can be healed of your pain."

     Asher: "Phah, those are the words 'he' is supposed to have said thousands of years ago. The one, they who did this to me did in 'his' name! Can you not speak for yourself rather than parrot another?"

     Tricia: "You go too far Asher! I have seen who she is, what she can do, and even the 'one' you speak about would have to bend the knee to her such is her power."

     Asher: "Then why is she even here, singing for these cretins out there. Why does she not bring fire and judgment on them for what they have done all their lives!"

     Iriisii: "That is not my responsibility, also from the time I have ascended, I have strived never to forget my roots, where I came from, what my life was like, thus I see those 'cretins' you speak of in a different light. I can and have brought judgment to those who have broken the 'Mother's' Laws, but judgment is not why we are here. To 'right' the Great Balance between 'Good' and 'Evil', 'Light' and 'Dark', is why. To seek those who by their actions have tipped the scale toward chaos and destruction. And along the way, if I can help those I come into contact with, show them who 'she' that placed my feet on this path is, what 'she' wants for them. Then I have done as I am to do."

     Iriisii raises a hand to cup the hidden side of his face, Asher turns that side away from her.

     Asher: "You do not want to know what hides under the shadows of that part of me."

     Iriisii: "I have great pain and scars in my own life as well, let me be the judge of what I wish to see and feel when I touch you."

     Rigmor steps up, "Listen to her words for she speaks the truth. She wears her scars inside, under her skin. I once wore mine outside as you do yours. I suffered under the whip of my captors, felt the flesh of my back, my sides, my legs, part as the whip kissed my tender flesh. I could feel the bloody leather slide across bone as my blood ran like little rivers to seep into the dirt between the stones of the dungeon floor. A friend saved my life when he took me from that cell, took me into his home, spent much gold to find the best physicians to treat me.

     But it was not until I met Iriisii that I began to feel there was someone who understood what I went through. And when she healed me of my scars, only then did I know the weight I had borne when it was gone. If you will allow me to touch you, I will show you the memories of what happened to me so you will know the truth of what we say."

     Asher looks to Iriisii, "What does this 'She' you speak of want for me?"

     Iriisii: "If you will but allow me to show you, 'She' will tell you herself."

     Her hand gently turns his full face to hers, as they lock eyes upon each other, he begins to see Iriisii's history. He sees the losses that she has endured her entire life as a mortal, how she almost killed her own young son while addicted to 'Black Lotus'. He sees how those called Gods, who he holds to be so uncaring, when she herself held the very same thoughts, guided her to the answers she sought. And he now knows those answers as well. He begins to unfold his own history, different in many ways from hers, yet also the same.

     She sees where he and all those like him were abandoned by the God that was to mentor and guide all within this Realm, not just those who blindly followed 'him'. She draws upon this to let Asher see that the mistakes were not his own but rather due to the abandonment of the duties of the God placed here. And that she is here now to deal with that very issue along with others.

     But on a more personal level, he sees she does not judge him no matter what he has done in his past. She does not judge him by what his current appearance is and his reactions to those who cannot see behind it to who he was and wants to return to. Then Rigmor gathers his attention and shows him her history, and he is riveted by what he sees. He sees and experiences what she has already told him about, the whippings in the dungeons. He marvels at her strength and tenacity in not giving in to her captors demands and desires. He sees in her mind the memories of how Iriisii rescued her time and time again and how she reached out and threw her own failings onto Iriisii's shoulders. Yet Iriisii still stayed with her, taking the brunt whether it came from their enemies or from Rigmor herself.

     He wanted to know how she could do this, how could she stay despite the abuse she suffered. And then she showed him the answer, that Iriisii knew this was not Rigmor heaping all of that pain and torment on her. It was the pain and torment Rigmor suffered seeking a way out, a way to spread to others. And Iriisii taking it all kept it from spreading to others. And so he sees himself in both of them, each mirroring different parts, but the story so familiar to him. Then he sees how they stopped the cycle, learned to heal themselves of the pain, the scars inside and outside, that had made them vulnerable. Then he hears 'her' whispering to him.

     Mother of the Cosmos: "You see now how my children found healing within one another. And it had to begin with the healing of their scars. So too will you find what you have sought for so long. They are willing to show you the way, if you are willing to walk the path."

     Asher: "Why would you do this for me, I am not human as they were. I am vampire, and so considered something to be tortured and killed."

     Mother of the Cosmos: "You saw the one who has asked my child Iriisii to wed?"

     Asher: "Yes, what of it?"

     Mother of the Cosmos: "When she first met Iriisii, she too was vampire. Iriisii did not judge her then and kill her as others would have. Instead she reached out her hand and helped her, even to taking her back to her father, into an entire clan of vampires. She was offered to be turned by her father, yet she declined. For her strength and daring to hold to her decision, he merely banished her from the Castle instead of setting the clan upon her. Within Nirn, there exists a way for vampires to regain human mortality, regain a soul to replace the one taken from them when they were turned. Iriisii never asked Serana if she wished to become human once more, even though she would have done so had Iriisii asked. Rather she accepted Serana as she was, and left the decision for Serana to make in her own time.

     Later while pursuing her kidnapped daughter, Kathea, after she was shown a dream vision of what she had to do to find and rescue her. She realized she needed the vampire Dettlaff van der Eretain to accompany her through the Dreamlands, across 'Where The Dead Gods Lie Dreaming', to find her and all who went to return. The problem was that vampires do not dream, they are denied entrance into the Dreamlands. So how was she to find a way to bring him with her into and across the Dreamlands?

     The only way was to share her blood with him, thus it would infuse him with her abilities as a Great Dreamer and allow him to enter the Dreamlands. But to do this with him as she was but a newly ascended goddess, it would begin him on the path to Godhood, and tie him to her. Not as slave to master, but as one love to another. She could have said no, and abandoned her daughter to whatever fate would be hers. But she did not, and so he became her first male mate and first vampire mate. As she was born Aasimar, he would become her Vyrkolos, and he then would become a God over all vampire kind. The first to ever be known. She would not hide any of this from you if you would but ask her.

     I tell you of this for you to know that she will not judge you by what you are, by who you are, but by what lives within you, what drives you, what you desire and why. She can and will heal you if you wish it. And because she already has a vampire mate, you are free from the possibility of binding yourself to her. Rigmor however is another matter. She has experienced what is possible for her with a vampire mate. And as she is not Aasimar, you would not be bound to her by her healing you, unless you wished it to be. But that is to be the decision of you both to make. It would require you both to want it for it to happen. If it is what you both want then I have no problem with it. If you want healing, the price begins with penance with the goal being redemption. Once redemption is complete, true healing can then take place. The difference being true healing heals not just the body, but the mind, and the building of a new soul to fill the absence of the one taken when you were turned. You will still be vampire, unless you would renounce it, it would be your decision to make it, but it would change the kind of vampire you would become."

     Asher: "What changes would happen?"

     Mother of the Cosmos: "You would gain the ability to father children, you would not need to subsist on blood, and you would gain Celestial power as Dettlaff does from Iriisii. In your case it would depend on who you choose to become a mate with. Mate with one who can 'balance' you and you can progress as far as they progress. Each of you expanding what the other can learn and do, with that other rising to balance. If you choose this road, you will be only the second to succeed in the billions of years I have held this 'Mantle'."

     Asher: "The 'second'? Why did those before not succeed?"

     Mother of the Cosmos: "They were ill prepared for what they attempted and so failed. In Iriisii and Dettlaff, you can see what is needed to succeed. I have spoken to Iriisii and Rigmor, they will say nothing of what we have talked about. The decision of whether or not to speak and to who is your decision to make. If you wish to walk their path and gain true healing for your self you have but to ask them. And yes, there have been others before to accept penance from Iriisii. They now have their parts to play in what comes and all are important. Should you and Rigmor decide to be together, your part will be one of high adventure and legendary feats."

     Asher: "And if I decline, what then?"

     Mother of the Cosmos: "That would be up to you to decide, do you wish to continue down the path you now walk? To separate yourself even further from those who love and care about you? No one will force you to make either one decision or the other, you must make your own choice. As Iriisii learned this from yet a different vampire when she was mortal, choose wisely and you can have it all. Choose not so wisely and lose everything."

     Asher: "I understand."

     Mother of the Cosmos: "Morag Bal chose not so wisely, and in the depths of Table Mountain lost everything. I see you making a different choice than the one she made. If you like, ask Iriisii of her and the decision she made, and in the end what happened to her."

     Asher: "Thank you, Mother, for having the mercy to speak with me, and show me that all is not lost for me."

     Mother of the Cosmos: "I look forward to welcoming you into the family, my son. When you are ready, so I will be as well."