Journey to Sanctuary

 Journey to Sanctuary

    Iriisii is taking in one of those rare moments of time when nothing is pressing on her to be done. This moment she is enjoying a foot massage of a kind she has never before experienced. The masseur is an old man of some racial type called Oriental, hailing from a far world but whom she picked up on her last stop where she had saved his life. It seemed he was but plying his trade when the sounds of his client elicited a strong effect upon the client's husband when he overheard them. At this moment she can understand why the former client was voicing such moans. He had started with a wide mouth fired clay bowl filled with heated water, placed her feet within to soften while he gathered his working implements. When he had everything placed to his liking, he added a cup of a crystalized mineral that dissolved in the hot water. He then added a aromatic soap that was mixed according to a recipe that had been handed down in his family for generations. Then he chose a pair of smooth stones from a collection he kept great care to be packed, each wrapped in its own soft cloth. He placed the stones in one hand, while he gently took one foot from the water, steam gently rising from the foot as he placed the calf muscle on a quilted pillow sitting atop a small stool keeping the foot suspended over the bowl of water. he takes a small handful of the soap and covers the stones in them. He then proceeds to massage her suspended foot with the soapy stones.

     The sensations running up her leg from the foot are almost miraculous. She feels herself leaning back into the cushions of the chair she is sitting in, not even caring to watch what he is doing, just lost in the heated comfort the stones are creating as he kneads them against the muscles, easing the tension as they relax under his ministrations. Once the muscles are now relaxed, he takes one of his custom made tools and begins to work on her toenails. Cleaning the sides, paring back the cuticles, clipping the length, then shaping the ends. Once done he repeats with the other one. By now she is on the edge of dozing off into sleep. He finishes and wets a thick cloth in the still hot water, wrings it until it is just moist, then wraps it around her feet. Then he quietly gathers his tools and supplies, quietly bows to her and slips out. How long she is in this state is unknown when she is interrupted by a loud 'Squawk'!

     She bolts up and almost falls over while she unwraps her feet. Then, "What in all the blazes is wrong that you have to interrupt the best foot massage I have ever experienced! This had better be worth the interruption or there are going to be some charred feathers floating around here." Messenger, "Sanctuary needs your presence immediately!" Iriisii just gazes at the Messenger with eyes beginning to envision charred feathers flying through the air. He gets the message loud and clear when, "Sanctuary is being invaded by the 'Lesser Evils'! The mortal heroes are fighting on all fronts but they will lose if help is not arriving soon!" Iriisii calms down at his pronouncements, "All right tell me what is going on. What sparked this off?"

     The Messenger goes into as simply as he can, not to get bogged down into the details. "The 'Holy Church' lost its angelic protector, Anarius. Someone was stupid enough to summon 'Lilith', Mephisto's daughter, back from whatever exile she was given when ...shit, I am getting ahead of myself." Iriisii calms him, then, "I will get the details later, So this Lilith got brought back to Sanctuary. What happened?" The Messenger picks up where he left off, "Anarius rallied the Church to go to war against her, about some prophecy written down by his and Lilith's first son, Rathma. He thought it spoke of his being able to return to the High Heavens if he killed Lilith. As it turned out, she killed him, turning the battle front into a rout. Now the 'Lesser Evils' led by Azmodan, have pushed the demon army up through Hell's Gates. They have begun to show up on the surface in waves, changing the geographic area they appear in each time. The Lesser's have shown up at altar sites where they are being summoned to appear." Iriisii grimaces as, "What about the 'Angels' aren't they supposed to stop them when this happens?" The Messenger hangs his head as he answers her question. "They have been ordered to stay out of it, by their leadership. Imperius says since they are invading the mortal world it is the mortal's problem to deal with." Iriisii lets go with a "WHAT?!!!" that can be felt and heard everywhere aboard the Krang.

     Rigmor feels it as it rolls over her as she is talking to Desidarius. "What was that...oh, shite!" Desidarius asks, "What is it?" To which Rigmor replies, "Someone has done something truly awful. At least it is not anyone on board." Desidarius, "How do you know?" Rigmor explains, "If it were on board she would just go and deal with it. No, this means she will have to travel to where it happened. And from the intensity, I would say it was a serious screwup." Rigmor then hears the mental message from Iriisii. "Rigs, gather all of my advisors, Council, and Commanders. Have them meet me in the large meeting room as soon as they can get there. Reaper! Set course for Sanctuary, flank speed. Start heading there when course is set." Reaper responds, "Setting course now, engaging drive, should be in system in about three weeks shipboard time." Iriisii comes back, "Utilize hyperspace transit, we need to be there yesterday!" Reaper. "I will have the Navigational Mod-unit begin calculations for the transit. I will give warning when we are ready for hyperspace translation." Iriisii, "Thank you, Reaper. I will be in a meeting informing everyone what has happened to cause this." Rigmor looks to Desidarius as she heads toward the door. "I will go to the right, take the left, meet at the Conference Room." "Desidarius responds to Rigmor's retreating back, "Got it, be there as soon as possible."

     It takes about fifteen minutes to round everyone up and get them into the conference room. They walk in to see Iriisii pacing around the conference table looking at a holographic display of Sanctuary. Once everyone has planted themselves into a chair, Iriisii begins. "This is where we are heading to. It is in the midst of a demonic invasion, and the worst of them have yet to show if they are getting involved or not. The heroes that have stepped up are the only reason this world has not fell yet. The 'High Heavens' which are charged with mentoring this region have 'washed their hands' of it, saying 'this is a mortal problem so mortals should deal with it'. Not all of the 'Angels' feel this way, but to cross 'Imperius' will get them a short trip to being 'killed', which means their bodies destroyed and their essence returned to their source to eventually be reborn. There is one acting on his own to do what he can without being detected. Essentially he is 'Sanctifying' their weapons and armor, also when they can bring him certain parts of the demon's flesh, he can Sanctify that as well, allowing the hero holding and using it to access a part of that demon's power. It does create a slight link, but if the hero casts aside the flesh, the link is broken.

     As to why the "High Heavens" are taking this stand has something to do with their history. They started out battling the demons, back and forth, winning and losing for millennia. Then an 'Angel' named Anarius was captured. Mephisto held him as captive, yes, that Mephisto. Anyway Anarius would talk to Lilith, Mephisto's daughter, about how he wanted this war to end, and since it did not look like that was ever going to happen, he wanted to escape it. Lilith, had seen how the other Demon Lords thought nothing about anything but this eternal war, and because of it never got anywhere. She helped him escape, and together they located and absconded with something they call the 'Worldstone'. They used it to create Sanctuary as a place they could escape the 'war'. How long this went on, I do not know, but long enough that they had children. Enough children to begin populating Sanctuary.

     The early children were referred to as Nephilim. Some took after one side more than the other, while some were 'balanced' between the two parents natures. They were powerful, very powerful. Enough that Anarius became concerned if enough of them came together, they could upset the 'war', giving complete victory to one side or the other. He then went to the 'Worldstone' and used it to strip much of their power from them. Because he did this behind Lilith's back, she struck back at him. This brought Sanctuary to the attention of the Angels and the Demons. The Angels abandoned Anarius to exist as he could on Sanctuary. Lilith was exiled into another region far from both the Burning Hells and Sanctuary. Which brings us to where we are now.

     Lilith was brought back to Sanctuary, where she looked at what she saw and was not in the least happy about it. She saw this invasion coming, and started out to empower her children to be able to fight against the Demons when they came. This did not go over well with Anarius, who was at this time, ensconced in the Church that came up after the Zacarum faith became twisted and eventually fell. Anarius found out about a prophecy written down by his and Lilith's first child, Rathma. The way he read it, 'he' was to rid Sanctuary of Lilith and the rest of the Demons. I have seen a copy of this prophecy, and where I can see how he could interpret it to refer to him, it could also refer to any number of others as well, the heroes trying to keep the horde of Demons from overrunning Sanctuary.  In confronting Rathma about the Prophecy, he killed Rathma in his attempt to gain possession of one of the 'Keys to Hell'. Lilith later found  the slain Rathma and vowed vengeance against Anarius. What Anarius thinks this will get him is to be reinstated into the High Heavens.  All he did was put the Key to Hell in Lilith's hands.

     Somehow Anarius found another key, gathered the Church's troops and marched on Hell. This was a battle that completely depended on Anarius and Lilith. The armies were just fodder for the gristmill. It started out going good for Anarius, even as his hubris led him right into Lilith's trap. Even as she was seriously wounded by him, she ripped Anarius' wings from his back and watched as his essence melted and faded away. Outside, the battle swung over to Lilith, and the Church forces were decimated. Lilith was soon defeated by a female Spiritborn warrior, one who was much earlier captured and fed a petal of Lilith's blood. What exactly this means, no one rightly knows. This part we will have to watch and see if we need to intervene in some way. This warrior has shown skill, power, determination, just to have done what she has and survived. Now she fights against Azmodan and the other lesser demon lords. Her path has seen her lose friends, some buried, some disappeared, but she keeps fighting, for Sanctuary, and for its people. I for one, will not see her fight alone." The room reads her determination, as well as the rightness of her cause, and declares that they will support her in whatever she needs to do.

     Atticus asks, "What do you need us to do?" Iriisii thinks for just a moment, "We are still three, maybe four days away by Hyperspace." She then studies the virtual globe and makes a decision. "We need to gather intelligence, information on what is going on where, who is stepping up, and who needs reinforcements the worst." She places a finger at a point on the map. "We need to start here. I have been told we should be able to acquire that information here, at the 'Tree of Whispers', in the swamps of Hawezar. We will form an advance party, and go there by portal. Then we will see just how much this 'Tree of Whispers' knows. Atticus, Lilith, Dettlaff, Desidarius, you as well Rigs, no way are you going to be left out of this. One more I think, Darius, I do believe we will need your tactical genius. Ragnar, stay at the ready, we may need you to bring in reinforcements. If so, I want you, Jarra, Olaf to lead them. Oh, you might as well include Eskell and Lambert. There will be plenty of work for them as well. All right, we will leave by portal in one hour. Get your things ready."

     Dettlaff stays for a second, "How strong is this Church now? And will they be a help or a hindrance?" Iriisii considers her answer, "I really do not know right now. Before the battle in their Hell, they would have been a hinderance for certain. Now, I am not so sure. Their leader, Prava, will need to be approached quietly, in secret. Were it to be made known of her to support us, there are still elements that would try and wrest control from her. Her opposition knows nothing of us, but if we made ourselves known by openly seeking her support. So soon after that 'Hell' debacle, they would use that to undermine her authority. Better to 'feel' her out in the shadows, seek a way to help her in return for her help." "If she will help, what role do you see?" "Support only, information mainly. It is too soon for her and the Church to go back out on the battlefield. The 'Church' has divided loyalties under the surface. Push too hard and it will fracture beyond recovery. Their experience with religious movements has not been good. They start out well meaning, but as time goes on, the leadership becomes corrupted and you know where that goes." "Yes, I have seen it enough before. And so I agree with how you see this. On another note, how did you like the 'foot massage'?" Iriisii grins, "Come on, we have an hour, let me show you what kind of mood that 'massage' put me in."

     They gather in one of the cargo holds, figuring its large enough for a portal to be formed without interfering with any of the Krang's ship systems. Iriisii empties her mind of everything but Sanctuary, narrows her focus to Hawezar, then goes further to locate the 'Tree of Whispers'. At first it is hidden from her sight, the image of the area cloudy with fog. She tells herself, 'Okay, you do not want unknown visitors spying on you, even as you use others to spy for you. But as you may be powerful, gaining your power from the swamp itself and all it encompasses. I on the other hand command power that reaches across space, time, planes of existence, across all the Dreamlands, the Heavens, the Hells, the Abyss itself, and even into the 'Outside'. See what you make of me.' She then breathes out a breath of power, and the fog around the Tree of Whispers vanishes as if it had never been. She then opens a portal, "Everyone through. The 'Tree' sought to hide itself, but it failed in that miserably. Now we will see what waits for us on the other side."

     She leads the group in entering the portal even as the event horizon at the opposite end shimmers as she is seen walking out of it. She moves forward and the others follow her. Then four figures, three women and one man walk up and spread themselves in front of Iriisii's party. One of the women steps forth, "We are a few of the 'Witches of Hawezar', and we serve the 'Tree of Whispers'. Why have you come? The 'Tree' has not summoned you, nor does it recognize you as it does all others who abide here." Iriisii answers, "First, I seek to speak with the Tree of Whispers concerning the ongoing invasion of Sanctuary by the demon hordes. It was made known and clear to me that my presence was needed here to help deal with the current situation, to intervene before Sanctuary falls. And since the High Heavens have decided that what that occurs here is a matter for mortals to decide and deal with, they have abrogated their responsibilities and will be judged for this. But that must wait for this invasion to be dealt with."

     Witch of Hawezar, "Who are you in truth? No one here has asked for help." Iriisii answers, "I did not say anyone from Sanctuary called upon me for help. As to who I am, I am one of the four Aasimar Guardians who comprise the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, of them who are War, Death, Famine, and Pestilence, I am known as 'WAR'. I also have been spoken of as the 'Mother of All Dragons', and the 'Dovahne Hahnu', the Dragon of Dreams." Before the Witches can respond, another walks out from the mists flowing through the trees of the swamp. This one Iriisii recognizes as a warrior, female, clothed in armor suited for the very warm climate here, and armed with a deadly polearm weapon. She approaches as the Witches separate to allow her to pass through them. She them kneels to Iriisii, raises her head and speaks, "I am Yokho, Spiritborn Warrior of Nahantu. Ormus foresaw your coming, and sent me here to you. He said you would fight alongside me as I do battle against the hordes of Azmodan and the other Lesser Evils."

     Iriisii, "That is in part why I am here. First to gather information as to what is happening, where is the need greatest for reinforcements, and where can we strike to be the most effective in stopping this invasion?" Yokho stands and waves behind her and to her left, "The 'Tree of Whispers' is over there. I will take you to it." As she turns and begins walking, Iriisii follows, motioning the others of her party to follow. The 'Witches' hurry to make their own way to the 'Tree'. Once it is clearly in sight, Iriisii comments, "Now I understand why it is called the 'Tree of Whispers'. The comment is in observation to all of the heads she sees hanging from its branches. Heads that her senses, both physical and magical tell her are alive. AS she looks to the 'Witches' coming up, she motions to the 'heads' but says nothing. The 'Witches' understand her unspoken question. The lead 'Witch' answers her, "They each asked questions of the 'Tree' knowing the price that would be asked and collected upon their death." Iriisii nods her head in understanding.

     Rigmor looks to her asking, "Are you going to allow this barbaric practice to continue?!" Iriisii answers, "This is outside of my responsibility. The practice has been in place for a very long time, and each person is informed of what the price will be for the answer to their question. It is up to them to decide if the price is too high." Rigmor, "Still..." Iriisii's voice hardens, "This is not any of our business, has nothing to do with why we came here, and whether or not I agree with it is beside the point." Rigmor is on the edge of a tantrum, "Then just what exactly is the point?! I remember when you would act if you saw such an injustice before now." Iriisii attempts to explain, "That was back on Nirn, and yes, you would be right. Because the 'Nine' would never allow such a practice to be honored. But we are not on Nirn any longer, and what is tolerated here is up to the inhabitants, not us. We came about the 'invasion', which is being fought against in every province, every city. So it is just and right that we help deal with that."

     Rigmor: "As you say, it is not your responsibility, but I am not bound to the 'chains' as you are!" Iriisii has finally had enough on this matter. "You will do as I say on this or I will ship you back all the way to Nirn and dare you to find a way to leave! You are not mortal any longer, but a 'Child of my Line', as such it is my responsibility to see that you follow the tenets of Celestial Law. By that Law, the matter of the fate of these 'heads' is one they each chose with full knowledge of the consequences of what they were asking for. Therefore, in the eyes of Celestial Law, nothing deserving intervention has been committed." Rigmor is still not done just yet, "You could change that and you know it!" Iriisii is approaching exasperation with Rigmor, "No, I can not. If I was to change it, it would have to have been done when I accepted the 'Mantle' from the Mother, not afterward, but at the time I accepted it. The few changes that were made were done then. Until the 'Mantle' changes hands again, things stay the way they are now. Now do you have any further arguments to bring up, or can we get on with the issues we came here for?"

     Desidarius whispers in Rigmor's ear, "You are not going to win this, so you should stop digging the hole you are in any deeper. Keep it up and she will send you back to Nirn, and lock you there so you cannot leave. I would rather not see that happen, so for both your sakes, give it up." Rigmor, "Maybe you are right, but what about when she..." "That is a completely different set of circumstances. Anatomancy is a valid school of magic, even if it borders on 'Evil'. As a practitioner of the Great Balance, she must be willing and able to perform both sides of magic. It is in part how she will keep the 'path' from veering too far toward 'Good' after it reaches 'Balance'. Just be glad she draws the line at using it on children." Rigmor looks at Desidarius aghast, "You mean...?" "No, she has not and never will. The one time she was instructed to do that, she instead performed the rite on the one who told her to procure a child for it." Rigmor is somewhat mollified, "Well, at least that is something, poetic justice I think." "Yes, I can agree with you there. Do not lose sight of what we came to do. You sometimes cannot put a stop to everything you do not like. You would get so bogged down, the whole of Existence could slide down the sewer before you even noticed." "I know, but I cannot help it!" "Just remember that when she tells you there is something she cannot do, take it that you also cannot do it and you will not get crossways with her." "I am sorry." "It is all right, I had to learn many things myself the 'hard' way. But I did, and it gets easier when you learn and see the rightness of it in what later happens. Now you need to pay attention to what she does next." Rigmor questioningly, "What do you mean?" "She is going to find a way to acquire the information she wants from the Tree, without paying the price the Tree wants from her." "How?" "Simple, really, it wants the heads for the knowledge and secrets they hold. So she directly gives some of her knowledge and secrets that it can use in exchange for what she wants."

     As Iriisii approaches the 'Tree', she stops, looks at all of the 'Heads' and watches as they turn to observe her. She then takes a step up into mid-air, then sits, making herself comfortable. She then speaks to the 'Tree'. "All right let us discuss payment for information." Tree of Whispers, "Payment has always been the physical head of those wishing answers to their questions. Head to be delivered after their death." Iriisii, "I see, that might be somewhat difficult for you to collect in my case." Tree of Whispers voice coming from a different head, "And why would that be?" Iriisii, "Have your 'Witches' look at me with their 'Third Eye' and tell you what they see." Tree of Whispers, "Very well."

     One of the Witches walks up and opens her 'Third Eye' to view Iriisii through the lens of magic. All can hear the audible gasp that she utters before she closes that eye. The 'Witch' then turns to the Tree and reports. "She is beyond any known power to us. She is beyond the Angels and the Evils. Never before have I viewed her like." Tree of Whispers, "I see. You may go." To Iriisii the Tree asks, "In truth, what are you?" Iriisii, "Now the proper question is asked of me. I am Iriisii Dovahkiin, Harbinger and Battle Mistress of the Gods of Eld. First Child of the Line of Kthanid. True Daughter of Shai Hulu'ud, and True Daughter of the Ageless Ones. Host to the Soul of the First Dragon of Destiny. I wield Mortis Aeterna, the sword that even Gods fear."

     After a few seconds of silence, "Why are you here?" Iriisii, "I was asked to come here, by the Quantum Lords. To help this world repel and survive this Demon invasion. Also to determine punishment for those dwelling in the High Heavens that have abrogated their responsibilities to be mentors and guardians to the mortals that dwell on this world. I understand how it and they came to be. It still does not change Celestial Law, which places upon those of higher power to guide and protect mortals when they cannot protect themselves. This situation is a prime example of why that Law is in place and I was sent to see it enforced."

     Tree of Whispers, "What do you require?"

     Iriisii: "I seek information, on those of both sides on this, the Burning Hells, and the High Heavens. I need information on those heroes standing and fighting, who is in greatest need of reinforcements, also to determine if there is any purpose the Church can serve in this matter. If so, to do what I can to assist it to stand as well." Yokho, has quietly watched, listened, and not spoken, just as Ormus counseled her to do. Now she sees his wisdom in what he instructed her to do. Yokho, "Goddess, my advisor, Ormus bids me extend to you to visit with him in Nahantu. There he will give you all that he can of what knowledge he has gathered that you may use as you see fit."

     Tree of Whispers in a rising tone, "Ormus hides Nahantu from our eyes, and now he seeks to supplant me in the eyes of this Celestial Power! What price will you accept for all the knowledge that you ask for?" Iriisii, "I am willing to trade you knowledge for knowledge. Much of what I hold would be of no use to you. But what there is that you could use, I would freely trade to you. There will also be in that trove, knowledge of an event that looms close. An event that will affect every Existence, every Realm, every world, and every mortal, immortal, entity, deity in Existence. The Jihad of Truth looms close, and the Time of Choosing approaches. When it comes here, all must choose who they will serve, Absolute Evil, Absolute Good, or the Great Balance.

     I serve the Great Balance, the path between Good and Evil, Light and Dark. I stand and accept those of all persuasions to stand with me. All they need do is believe in the Great Balance as I do. When the choosing is done. War will sweep across Existence, until Good and Evil are subjugated and accept that the Great Balance will be the path Existence will walk until the Time of Ending, when all life will pass over into the Great Beyond. And when it is done, I will set the stage for a new Existence, then I too will pass beyond, never more to return here."

     Tree of Whispers, "And what of us, and those like unto us?" Iriisii, "All, mortal, immortal, all will pass over and find new life. There will be none of the old guard to remain. For the new Existence will take a new path and there must be none of the old to sway them away from their path. The only exception to this will be my dragon, Snowdevil. And he will be mentor and guardian to she who will bear my True Name. For she will be the one to find the Keys to the Final Gate and unlock them for her people, after I lock them when I pass over." Tree of Whispers, "Dragons, are there truly dragons? When this world was created there were no dragons here. There have been no stories, no talk of dragons. We know nothing of dragons." Iriisii, "Then let me show you the truth of them, and dispel the lies of those who say they do not exist." Iriisii steps down to the ground, looks around for an open space, then moves into it. She stands still, then speaks, "Meyz wa zu'u, Dovahi do od ahrk iiz!" A white mist develops around her, swirling like small snow storms, inside these snow clouds are tiny flashes of ice crystals. The mist of storms grows and expands around her, becoming more solid, and taking on the form of a dragon. Iriisii steps to the side, and this mist of storms grows even larger till it fills the clearing. the Witches standing close by the Tree, take up positions around it if needed to defend. Then the mist dies down and Snowdevil shakes off the snow and ice from his skin. He looks for his Rider and seeing her, moves to her side, lowers his head and greets her. Snowdevil, "Zu'u meyz wa hin bel, Monah do Dovahhe.  Ziistmaas daar gein aam hi daar sul?" Iriisii steps to his head, places a hand alongside his jaw, and places a kiss against it. Snowdevil lets go with a low, rumbling of affection toward his chosen Rider and settles down to wait for her to tell him what she needs of him.

     The 'Witches' still stand in front of the 'Tree', but all are trembling at the demonstration Iriisii has provided. Iriisii, "This is Snowdevil, as he is my Dovah, so as am I his Rider. And both of us share the 'Gray Vir'." Iriisii whispers a word and a pale gray patchwork of the slenderest threads crisscross her skin like a spiderweb. The Tree and the Witches both feel the power emanating from her rise until it feels like an armor of power surrounding her.  One of the heads speaks, "He did not just appear when she summoned him, he flowed from the skin of her body." This sets up a cacophony of voices from the heads as they all try to speak at once. Slowly the 'Tree' regains control of the 'heads'. Tree of Whispers, "Most impressive indeed. It cannot be said that there has ever been a display of power that great since the 'Worldstone' was used to create Sanctuary." Iriisii takes this moment to voice an opinion, one that has been the basis of questions ever since the 'Tree' was first found. Iriisii, "I do believe for some reason that you and this 'swamp' are not only tied together, but that you existed before Sanctuary was created. That you came here very shortly after it came into being, and escaped the notice of Lilith and Anarius. If I am right, it begs the question of where did you come from? That question I will not ask of you, as I have no burning need of the answer." Tree of Whispers, "You are very kind to withhold that question. But to one of your power, I surmise that you could find another way to find an answer should that ever be your desire." Iriisii simply nods her head in assent. "I do however have a somewhat personal question to ask of you. Your answer could possibly expand the pool of knowledge I could offer to you. Either way, do we have a covenant between us, knowledge for knowledge?"

     Tree of Whispers, "The knowledge you must have locked away inside you, even a small part, if the right small part, could have vast ramifications for Sanctuary as a whole, and for us who make our home in the swamp. Yes, yes we have a covenant, knowledge for knowledge." The heads all start speaking, shouting, screaming at once, some for, some against, till one high up in the branches wakes from a centuries long sleep and calls for silence. Eldest Head, "Quiet all of you! I said, all of you, QUIET!!" As the heads take notice of who spoke and reign in their own voices till the Eldest can speak. He looks down and gazes at Iriisii, reads her power aura, and knows who and what she is. "You imbeciles! You know nothing of who and what stands before you! Great Goddess, I once stood with Horazon, when he faced Bartuc his brother to end the Mage Clan wars more than a millennium ago. It was the foolishness of the clans engaging in the summoning of demons that brought so much death and destruction. In the end, Horazon was found right to fear the demons were using the clans to entrench themselves upon Sanctuary. Since then there has never been one to walk upon Sanctuary with the power to reverse this, to shut and lock the gates they used then and now to enter our world, ...until now. Will you lead the charge to close the gates? To send them all back to the Burning Hells, and put up a way to stop them from ever returning?"

     Iriisii, "If I do this, it will lock out the High Heavens as well. It will have to be both or neither, the 'Balance' will have it no other way. But I can offer this, I can bring some among you, to be teachers who will teach others to go out and teach. What they will teach is what I myself was taught in my youth as a mortal before I ascended. What they taught me, allowed me to survive the worst that could be thrown at me, to find 'balance' within me. To understand that true power comes from each individual, that if they will find 'balance' within themselves and then bring 'balance' between what is inside them with their actions outside. With devotion to Faith and Hope, nothing will be beyond their reach or power. I stand here before all of you as testament of this. What you have seen me do this day, barely scratches the surface of what I can do. Should this be feared as what your mage clans did? I say no, because with great power, comes great responsibility, and even greater chains regarding when and how that power can be used. It does not have to be a burden to bear, but a gift to lead others to the path you follow, the path I follow. And now I ask the Tree of Whispers, can you dream?"

     Tree of Whispers, "Dream...I..., no. The heads can dream because they could before they came here. But I cannot, why do you ask?" Iriisii, "If you could, would you like to be able to dream?" Tree of Whispers, "I...do not know...I must think and consider this. But how could you do this?" Iriisii, "Because I also hold the title of  Dovahne Hahnu, Dragon of Dream. And I can open the Gates to the Dreamlands to you, so that you can wander where you will, and learn of what has long vanished from the Waking Worlds, but can still be found in the Dreamlands. The great city of Ilek Vad, the Gardens of Elysia, the Jungles of Kled, the Plains that borders the ancient land of Mnar, that land where the first humans to walk in the Dreamlands came from, and much, much more. It was in the Gardens of Elysia that I first met 'She Who Watches All', and my life has never been the same since then. She reaches out to me from time to time, to give a gift sometimes much needed. And so I do give her gift to Sanctuary here to you." And Iriisii draws from within her cloak, a small bag of dirt, with a slender stem of glowing crystal and a few leaves on a branch. She looks around and the tiny tree helps lead her to a place to plant 'her'. She digs into the moist dirt with her hands and quickly plants the 'child'. Then she plants a few groups of those white nameless flowers. She then stands and tells the 'Tree' what she has done.

     Iriisii, "This is 'Lisera', she is a child of 'She Who Watches All'. Once long, long ago, they were across the entirety of Existence. Then as the 'Balance' was skewed toward 'Evil', they were hunted until the mother was the last one left, and then she escaped to Elysia. Now that Existence is once more moving toward the 'Balance', I help to plant her children back across Existence. As she grows, I believe you will have no problem talking to her. Many will come, if for no other reason but to hear her 'sing'. And so I have also planted some nameless white flowers from the private garden of she who I know as Kyne, Goddess of the Winds, the Rain, and the Hunt. Her blessing goes with these flowers, all who breathe the scent of them will know peace and serenity. On my homeworld, I fought a great battle where her Garden now rests. I blasted the world, much as the Vizjerei did here millennia in the past, to win that battle. But I did not stop there, I went back and called for 'Rebirth'. As the land was healed of the destruction I caused, so to was my soul healed of the grievous hurt it suffered from the Starfire spell. Kyne declared the healed battle site to be her private garden and a place to know peace where devastating war had been fought. I built a Temple at the center of that Garden to honor the warriors who fell that day.

     Kyne taught me a great lesson that I have carried with me since that day. I have heard soldiers and warriors ever since, on world after world say these words. 'This world has been plunged into an abyss of death and destruction. But it was not, as some had predicted, the end of the world. Instead, the apocalypse was simply the prologue to another bloody chapter in the history of war. For even as we have succeeded in destroying the world - war, war never changes.' Those words are true across many worlds, But I say 'war, war never changes, but that we who wage war, who live in it, revel in it, that we who wage war must be the ones to heal what we cause through the war we wage'. Since then I have waged many wars, trod through field after field of bodies, swam through an ocean of blood. But in the end, even if I must burn a world to bare molten rock, it is also my responsibility to heal what I destroy. I give you my promise that I will do what must be done to return this world to the people who live on it. And I will block the Angels and the Demons from returning and influencing this world. But I will not leave you without direction. I will bring unto you those who will teach what you will need to know to build this world into what it can one day be. A world others will one day look at and aspire to be like this one will be."

     Yokho listens, then steps up to Iriisii. Kneels in front of her, bows her head, then moves her head down to the ground, then repeats, her words reach Iriisii's ears, finds their way to her soul, and resonates throughout her being. 

      "Lo, there do I see my father.

      Lo, there do I see my mother, and my sisters, and my brothers.

      Lo, there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning.

      Lo, they do call to me.

      They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla!

      Where the brave may live forever!"

     Iriisii then lays a hand to her shoulder and bids her to rise, I have been to the Halls of Valhalla, across the Rainbow Bridge, in Asgard. Indeed the brave there do live forever. The Valkyries of Valhalla are mine to summon, as the Lord Odin made me a Daughter of Asgard for my role in a great battle against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. I fought side by side with him, even saving the life of his son, Thor. I had no idea their influence came this far but I can tell you that when your time comes, the Valkyries, the Choosers of the Slain, will come for you, and take you to those fabled Halls, and there your prayer will be fulfilled. You and your people, back to the beginning, will wait for the End of Times to come. And then I will open the Final Gate to the Great Beyond for you and yours to pass over and choose a new life. For now I ask of you that you fight with me to save Sanctuary. Every life you save will remember your name, and you will not be forgotten here. For there will be built a great stone tower, and inside its winding stair as it connects each landing room. In that room will the names of the heroes of this war will be etched and chiseled. At the very top, will be the story of this war, and the names of those who stood with me in defense of this world. There your name will reside in a place of honor, befitting a Spiritborn of Nahantu. Under your name will be these words,

      "In Nahantu,

      As help is needed,

      Help will be offered.

      As Sanctuary suffered

      Help was needed,

      Yokho of Nahantu

      offered her help to War

      And Sanctuary was saved."

     The 'heads' are all silent, the Witches, a hand over their hearts bow to Yokho. Olaf, Jarra, Atticus, beat their closed fist above their hearts, those with sword and shield, strike the swords on their shields. Yokho speaks, it is a long way to Nahantu. We should get started, then I will take you to Kyovashad, to speak with Prava at the Church. Snowdevil extends a front leg, "Climb upon my back, I can get us there much faster." Iriisii looks one last time to the Tree before they leave, "You are satisfied with the knowledge I have shared with you?" Tree of Whispers, "Yes, very much so. I see near all that goes on here on Sanctuary, but you have shown me how little I truly know. I will be looking for how I can assist in helping you stop this invasion and seal Sanctuary from the 'Eternal Conflict'." Iriisii thinks for a few seconds then moves toward the closest of the Witches. she brings out a pale, translucent, violet crystal and hands it over. "When you have need to speak with me of what has been found, seen, or heard, take the crystal in hand and push your thoughts onto it. It will pass them to me." She then goes and climbs up behind Snowdevil's neck, the rest are grasping his spines along his back. He then leaps up into the air and his wings grab the air and lift them up into the sky. The backwash sets the heads swinging from the branches they are tied to. The Eldest Head murmurs, "Good hunting, Dragon Goddess, the gift you have given us will sustain us here until the 'End of Time' comes." Pompous Head, "And what gift would that be that you look forward to 'oldest of us all'?" Eldest Head, "When the 'End of Days' comes and we pass through the Final Gate that she will open for us, we will each be separated from the 'Tree', and we will each be free to seek our own new life and destiny." At his words, the heads on the Tree, fall asleep to dream of that day when they will be free of the 'Tree of Whispers'.

     Snowdevil is high above the ground, moving from cloud to cloud, catching thermals and gliding downward to the next. Iriisii looks to Yokho, "I was told when I first rode dragonback, that when I first saw the world below me, saw it as the Dov do, I would be forever envious." Yokho replies, "I can well understand that, do you ever not feel that way when you are up here?" "Iriisii smiles and says, "No, each time, I feel it all over again, and I would not have it any other way." Yokho thinks, 'This is how the Eagle sees when he looks down, and he is the Spirit that guides me. I feel the wind as it blows under his wings, lifting him up. The water from the clouds racing across my skin as it races across his feathers. I serve him and he empowers me.' She lifts up her head and cries out as the Eagle does. Then from over to her right, she hears her call returned. Looks that way and sees a very large male gliding alongside. Her blood thrills as she sees him, that Kwatli knows her through the Spiritworld. As she thought his name, he cocks his head in her direction and dives down. She follows his path and sees the ribbons of black reaching out from Travincal. That old Zacarum fortress where they imprisoned Mephisto long ago and paid the price for it. Now it is active once again, spewing forth its corruption. She and Eru had gone through and reawakened the spirit pyres of Akara inside the main chamber. Then the other memories of what happened flood through her mind and she is soaked in remorse. She tries not to believe that it was her actions that caused what happened. That Eru made his own choices because of the pain he felt at what he experienced in the depths of Travincal. She wonders if it could have been done any different, would a different outcome have been better or worse. She feels the Spirit of Kwatli as he flies close to her and feels more than hears his concern for her.

     Kwatli, "My child, you did what was asked of you. Even as you suffered nigh unto your death for it, still you kept going. When nothing more could be asked, still you gave of yourself. Because of you, Nahantu has another chance to rise and be great as it once was. Even as what you feel about the choices others made speaks well of you, they are the tools of the adversary. They are the others choices, not yours. Cast them aside, lest they fester and poison you as the corruption you see below you tries to poison the land. When the 'Call' went out for those who would hear to fight against what is happening, you stood and came to our aid. Never doubt yourself child, for that is a weapon that can be used against you. The one you bring to us knows this and has made weapons of her own to fight this. Ask of her and she will share them with you. You are among the most powerful of the Spiritborn, but she can guide you to be still more. This is your choice to make, choose wisely child and go with our blessing to wherever your path leads you."

     They go on in silence, until Snowdevil circles the main community. Looking down Yokho sees Ormus moving people out of the way, to provide a landing spot for Snowdevil. Pointing a finger down, she tells Iriisii, "Ormus is clearing a spot to land." Iriisii looks down and nods her head, "Hold on, we are going down and landing." Snowdevil picks out the details from his bond to Iriisii and lowers his head, then shifts his wings to glide down. Down and circling they go, and when close enough, he uses his wings to brake his forward velocity, coming to rest on his feet. He then stretches out one foreleg to provide an easier way down. Iriisii is last as she walks on top of his head. He knows what she wants and tosses her high into the air. She makes a series of acrobatic twists and rolls, then lands firmly on her feet. The crowd celebrates her dismount, showing appreciation of her skills. Yokho steps to her, Ormus beside her. "Dovahkiin, this is my mentor, Ormus. He who sent me to the Tree of Whispers to find you. Ormus, this is the Goddess called the 'Mother of All Dragons', The white dragon is called 'Snowdevil'. As he is her Dragon, she is his Rider, as in the old ways of such things."

     Iriisii nods her head to him, "I thank you, Ormus of Nahantu, for sending me Yokho as a guide. It would have taken more time and effort to find this place otherwise." Ormus replies, "You are most welcome 'Mother of All Dragons'. May I ask as to...?" Iriisii, "We are bonded together, closer even than those who are wedded. Each knows what is happening to the other, and each will defend the other to the death, and if strong enough, beyond that." Ormus is puzzled, "How can this be? Is death not final for this world?" Iriisii tries to explain, "We are both immortal, having acquired and given to each of our personal power enough that since I am a 'Goddess of Eld', Snowdevil is a 'Child of My Line', sharing in my power by the gift of my blood." Ormus asks, "You are both immortal? Like unto the Gods?" Iriisii seeks clarification, "If you mean the Angels and Demons here, then no. I refer to those Gods who exist beyond this particular plane. The Angels and Evils may think of themselves as Gods, but they are far from it. They will learn their error if they stand against me." Ormus asks, "Then why are you here? What is it that you hope to accomplish?" Iriisii answers, "I was sent to stop the invasion of this world by the Demons, then to take the Angels to task for sitting up in the High Heavens and doing nothing about this. For they were to be guardians and mentors, guides to the people of this world. Had Anarius not stripped them of their power, then the angels would not have been so required, but they became responsible when he did what he did, regardless of why he did it, or even what his status among the High Heavens was."

     Ormus is struck by her words and the implications, "It was Anarius that so weakened the early Nephilim, that we are descended from? Then he was responsible for why we have suffered so for untold years. Had we the power we had then, then the Demons would never have invaded, even once, and the Angels could stay in the Heavens, out of our lives." Iriisii replies, "As you surmise Ormus, it is a strong possibility that is indeed how it would have been. I would consider, looking into how it happened, to see if it could be reversed, but I think with how this world is right now, that would do nothing but send it spiraling into destruction." Ormus thinks and then follows her thoughts, "Yes, I have to agree. As much as I would like to think otherwise, you have the right of it." Iriisii posits a possibility going forward, "So then we must set this world on a path that will allow regaining such power when all are able to use it responsibly." Ormus, "Do you think such a thing possible?" Iriisii, "Not easy, or accomplished in a short time, but yes, it can happen. They will first need to be isolated from the 'Heavens' and from the 'Hells', then have teachers come among you and begin the teaching of the 'Way of Balance'. With time, effort, patience, and a little luck, it can happen."

     Ormus asks, "How can we start to make this happen?" Iriisii, "We start by gathering allies against this invasion. Then we must coordinate or response to each incursion." Ormus thinks, then, :How can we do that. We have no quick way to move from place to place. Once word reaches us of an incident in a far region, it is long over before we can arrive." Iriisii, "I can help with that. I have a 'ship' that can stay high up into the sky. High enough to see from one end of this land to the other. We can see when an incursion begins, then drop soldiers and warriors where they are needed to combat the demons. We even have weapons and armor, designed to combat them effectively. My people are trained to fight any foe, whether they can fly, crawl, swin, it does not matter. My 'ship' is above us now, but too high for mortal eyes to see. It currently sees no active incursion, but the signs of previous ones are scattered all over.

     There is one close by, I will with your permission, go there and see what I may see, with fresh and skilled eyes." Ormus, "I know where it is. It is on the way to Travincal. I can take you." Iriisii: "I can go faster, if you wish follow me and we will see what we see." Iriisii opens a portal, and as Ormus looks within, he can see the hole in the ground that leads to Travincal. Ormus, "Amazing, can this take you anywhere?" Iriisii, "Anywhere I have been before, or know the location of." She steps up to the portal opening, "Come, let us see what awaits." And steps through. Ormus hesitates but moves onward, how could he look at any of his peoples eyes if they thought him a coward for not walking through a portal that another had already stepped through.

     Stepping through, Ormus catches sight of Iriisii, standing close to a patch of black tar-like corruption. But as he started to warn her, he sees she is not moving any closer. But rather gazing at it deeply, letting what senses she has tell her what they see. As he steps closer to her side, she speaks to him, "I know and feel the hand of one I have met before." Ormus, "Ormus finds this exceedingly strange. This is Mephisto's work, and never have any of the Evils been known to wander anywhere but in their own Hells, and the areas around it. If you did meet him, where was it?" Iriisii: "Far, far away from here, and years ago did I meet him. He offered me no harm, and we spent some time speaking with one another. I found him, interesting. How he found his way to me I do not know, but somehow he foresaw my coming to Sanctuary, and wished to see for himself who and what I was, and why would I be drawn to Sanctuary." Ormus. "He lies most cunningly, taking the truth and twisting it to fit how he can use it to turn people to his 'will'." Iriisii, "He spoke to me of his daughter, Lilith, and her plans to take his power for her own, with all that would come to her with it. Lilith has already been dealt with, this came about after." Ormus, "Yes, it did. Lilith is dead, Yokho killed her in the Cathedral of Hatred, within the Burning Hells." Iriisii, "Lilith is not dead, her physical body was destroyed yes, but her spirit was returned to where she was previously exiled. She is slowly regaining her strength, even as it will be some time before she is recovered, she cannot return without someone enacting the summoning ritual once more. There is another way, but no one here can use it." Ormus, "What other way could there be?" Iriisii turns and looks straight at him, "I could summon her, but I will not unless I feel there is not other way. That and I lay protective wards around her, and a most strong geas on her to keep her close where I am aware of her at all times."