A Tale of Magic and Disbelief

A Tale of Magic and Disbelief

     In the city of New Chicago, life goes on, and yet deep within the shadows, the old tunnels beneath the city, a whole different world lives there. Rarely do the two worlds meet, until now when 'EVIL' comes. An 'EVIL' of the mind that inhabits the space between heartbeats, and plots to force itself into the real world.  Escape from the eons old prisons they were placed into, before time as we know it came to be. The 'Great Old Ones' have been defeated once more, but this time, their madness was separated from them, returning them once more to who they once were. Their 'madness' was sent to exist on a lifeless world caught within an ancient trap. A trap, out of time, out of space, existing in a plane no one knows of. But as they were being cast onto that world to make their way, they sent out a plea for help to the ones who first gave birth to the madness that was used to infect the gods that became the 'Great Old Ones. Their plea was heard and woke 'them'. Unknown, unknowable, no words exist to describe them. But now they are awake and seek the one responsible for the exile of the 'madness' that is their progeny. The only thing they know is that she is called, 'She Who is Mother to all Dragons.' And so as this world among many others has forgotten 'Magic', 'Magic' has not forgotten them.

     In a high-rise building in the heart of New Chicago, at the very top is the office of the city's acknowledged crime lord, Johnny Marcone. He sits in his massive chair as it easily support his solid body. A large man, but nearly all muscle, and a mind as sharp as his body is tough. Sitting on his couch, a snifter of Johnny's oldest brandy, straight from his wine cellar beneath the building, in her slim but shapely fingers as she sips the aromatic beverage, sits a woman. At first glance, she is unremarkable, no different from any other. But if you look closer, you feel she is different, special. Johnny Marcone considers himself to be an excellent judge of character, but from the first time he set eyes on her, he knew she was different, he just had no idea just how different she was. Johnny Marcone, "I expect he will be here soon. He will be in a foul mood though. He does not like me for some reason. And whenever I ask to see him...well, he has cost me a few doors. But I am certain he can help you find what you are looking for. Also if there is anything I can help you with, you have but to ask of me." Iriisii, "I am sure I will have need of services and supplies that only someone of your contacts can supply. I am willing to pay any reasonable price along with a commiserate amount of profit added. I am unfamiliar with your currency here but I am sure you would accept gold bars as currency?" Johnny Marcone, "I do appreciate a lady of taste, especially in business matters. I am sure we can work things out to our mutual benefit."

      Just then the doors to the private office slam open. The doorknobs leaving holes where they swing back and strike the walls on either side. A tall, somewhat lanky built man, dressed in ordinary clothes, some patched, all covered by a leather duster, and in his hand he holds a long staff. Made of some dark grained wood, hand carved runes and sigils run the length of it. Iriisii can feel the amount of power that the staff has been used to wield at times. The man strides to the desk Marcone sits behind. Harry, "Marcone! Why do keep sending your goons to fetch me when I have made it clear I want nothing to do with you?! How many do I have to put in the hospital before you get the message?" Marcone remains calm as he stands and faces Harry Dresden. Marcone, "This time I was asked to request your presence to meet someone." Marcone waves a hand toward the couch with a sitting Iriisii looking over Harry with a very practiced eye. Marcone, "Harry Dresden, this is Iriisii Dovahkiin, my Lady Iriisii, this is Harry Dresden," As Harry looks to Iriisii, he freezes in place. He has seen all kinds of women, common, gorgeous, wives of politicians, Queens of the Vampire Courts, Queens of the Fae Courts. But never has he seen one like this one before.

     Marcone lets loose with a deep laugh, my Lady, you have given me a great gift this evening, one I will treasure always, for before now I have never seen Harry Dresden speechless." Iriisii slowly, languidly stands, with her free hand she places it in Marcone's outstretched hand. Once she is standing, he bends down  and lightly kisses the top of her hand. Iriisii steps close and places a gentle kiss on the side of his face as he straightens. Iriisii, "Thank you, Mr. Marcone, you are indeed a 'gentleman' and man of your word. I shall speak with you again soon." While all of this has been going on, 'Bob', has been in his skull, sitting on Harry's shoulder hidden by an invisibility spell. Harry can feel 'Bob' shaking right now, any more and the shivering, chattering of his jaw and skull might even be heard. Bob, "Harry, If I were you, I would turn and run, not walk, run, as fast and as far as you can get." Harry, "Bob, what has gotten into you. I have never seen you act this way in front of such a beautiful woman." Bob, "Trust me Harry, she is far more than any woman you have ever met, dreamed of, hoped for. Harry, even the Queens of the Fae Courts would abase themselves at her feet, and you know what they think of themselves. If the Vampire Courts hear she is here, they will disappear, find the deepest hole they can find, bury themselves in it and pull the hole in with them. And for the love of whatever you worship, do not 'soulgaze' her." Harry, "Why, Bob? What has you in such a tizzy?" Bob, "She does. If you soulgaze her and survive, they will lock you away in the nuthouse for the rest of your life. But if you want to know who and what she is, take a slow, careful, deep breath, and let your mind wander where it will. It will settle on the memory of the closest thing you have ever encountered like she is." Harry, "Bob, just tell me. Drop the theatrics and tell me." Bob, "No, you will not believe me otherwise. Just do as I ask and then you will understand."

     Harry does as Bob has asked, takes a slow, deep breath and lets his mind wander. It does not take long for his mind to settle and what he sees causes him to bring his staff up into a defensive position. "Marcone! Why have you had me brought into your office to meet with a dragon?!" Bob, "Not just 'a' dragon, Harry. She is the 'Mother of All Dragons'. All dragons in Existence acknowledge her as their 'Mother'." Harry, "Bob, do you expect me to believe that? Which one of those books I brought you has planted this in your mind?" Bob, "Harry, I am sorry that you do not understand. I only hope she is merciful and teaches you just who she is and does not destroy your feeble mind in doing so." Harry feels the slightest touch of fingers softer than a cloud. He feels something flow through him, something he cannot explain or describe. He hears Bob speak to someone else, "Forgive him, 'Mother of All Dragons', his mind and understanding has been closed to the 'Greater Knowledge' for nearly as long as I have known him. It is not his fault..." Iriisii, "Worry not, I know it was the White Council of Mages who is responsible for this. You have done exceedingly well in guiding him in spite of his recklessness, which I also know is not his fault, but is simply a part of who he is. It is their manipulation of his mind that is at fault here. For the 'Merlin' feared the potential Harry Dresden possesses, that one day he could supplant the 'Merlin' and take control of the White Council from him. And so the 'Merlin' sought to deny Harry his birthright and secure his own place of power. It is time for Harry to awaken to who and what he could be. To take the reins of power, correct the 'sins' of the White Council, and lead this world to join the others on the Path to the Great Balance." Bob, "Thank you, 'Great Mother'." Iriisii, "Rather thank he who sent me, the Father of my Spirit, Shai-Hulu'ud, may his passing cleanse the 'Way' before us all." A desert breeze, warm with the edge of a sun peeking over the infinite ocean of sand dunes on that nameless world where Iriisii came to know and know of the Father of Her Spirit. Iriisii, "I am here with the one you bade me to seek out, Father. What is your desire now for us?" In the distance, a great Sand Wyrm rises from the sand of the desert floor. His roar reverberates across the dunes, and in his roar, Shai-Hulu'ud's voice echoes. "Show him the great events of your past, that he should come to know who you are. That you are a True Daughter of my Blood, the great gift you gave to me before I ascended to my present form. Let him see the Great Balance within you, and what comprises it, that he knows he is not the only one to experience great triumph and dark tragedy in his life. He must see and know where this can lead him. So that even if those who inhabit his world never know who he really is or what he has done, he will know that it was he who brought his world back into the arms of the Great Balance. Iriisii, "As the Father of My Spirit has spoken, so let it be done in his name. By the Voice and the Grace that is the Father of My Spirit, Shai-Hulu'ud, let us begin a 'Journey of Awakening'." Iriisii and Harry, fade from Johnny Marcone's penthouse office. He stands still, thinking on what he has seen and heard. Then he notices something out of place, a little patch of pale brown and grey. He goes to it and kneels down. Reaches forth his hands and takes a small measure of desert sand into his hand. He then speaks to himself, "Will wonders never cease to amaze?" It is as he his holding the grains of desert sand from that faraway world that he hears the combined voices of untold numbers, "Shai-Hulu'ud, May his passing cleanse the Way before us all." Then a reply in a deeper, singular voice, "As my True Daughter of my Blood asks of me, so shall I do as she asks."

     As Iriisii and Harry are moving upstream within her memories, she reaches out and brings in the 'Streams of Time' as well. Harry, "Did you just hear something?" Iriisii smiles and says, "Yes, it is my Father of my Spirit, informing all that he will do as I asked of him. But for now we have a journey to make, so please pay attention, the possibilities here can be daunting." Harry, "Just exactly where are we?" Iriisii, "Inside a Celestial construct made of my memories and traveling up the Time Stream to the beginning." Harry thinks a moment, "You mean the 'beginning' don't you, the 'big bang'?" Iriisii, "The 'Big Bang' as you refer to it, is not the 'beginning'. The 'Big Bang' occurred just afterward and had an entirely different effect and an entirely different cause." Harry, "I don't understand." Iriisii, "You will. You will be among the very few to know the truth of what happened, and why. But when we get there you must be silent. Things must go as they went and nothing must change it." Harry says but one word, "Paradox." Iriisii, "Yes, a paradox event at the very beginning could cause all to unravel downstream." Harry, "Then why bring me here?" Iriisii, "That you will learn when this journey is over. If you need to sit, just think of a chair, the construct will do the rest." Harry envisions his chair sitting before the fireplace in his basement apartment. Iriisii takes it in and nods her head in approval. "I have a quiet place in my mind, very much like that. I like to sit and think, unravel the more difficult knots of my thoughts, and sometimes just to enjoy a short time of peace." Harry, "...?" Iriisii, "No, I have not always been as I am now. I was once mortal as you are. When we return, tell 'Bob' I said to explain to you about the different 'Rites of Ascension'. And no, I had nothing to do with what he can and cannot speak to you of. But I can give permission in some circumstances, if I deem it is needed. Rest and relax, we will be there soon." Harry realizes 'Bob' is no longer on his shoulder, "Uhh? May I ask where 'Bob' is?" Iriisii, "He is taking a nap, well, he may be asleep by now. Anyway, he is in my private place in my mind. What you are to see, he is not. He is fine, he asked if I had anything to read. I have an annex built next to it that includes a copy of everything written in my homeworld. I believe he is reading my First Folio Edition of the Lusty Argonian Maid. It is one of a handful that has illustrations." Harry sits back and then the title of the book 'Bob' is reading becomes clear in his mind. 'Well nothing I can do about it now. Maybe it is not as bad as some of the stuff he has snuck into the apartment and read.'

         Harry wakes as soft but firm fingers touch his shoulder, "Time to wake, Harry Dresden. I have such sights to show you. Luckily for you they are different than the one I first heard those words from intended." Harry sleepily asks, "Just what did that one intend to show you?" Iriisii hesitates for a second, His name was 'Pinhead', and he was a servitor of Evil on one of the deeper Hell Planes." Harry, "Nothing good then." Iriisii, "Definitely not." Harry, "You said 'not', is he then..." Iriisii, "No, he has since taken service with me." Harry's face twists around the meaning of her words. Iriisii notices and, "Yes, I take followers from Good and Evil, Light and Dark. As long as they understand that I serve the 'Great Balance' and they follow its tenets as I do." Harry, "But why would a Servant of Evil change course?"  Iriisii, "He came to understand me when we went on an adventure together in the Hell Realm where he served. His former Master came over to me and he came to have serious disagreements with the ones that took control." Harry, "Who was his former Master? I may have heard or read of him?" Iriisii looks directly at Harry, judges him able to handle the information, then answers, "Leviathan". Harry does not immediately respond, but when he remembers where he read of that name, and what he learned, he is startled, "Leviathan? But he is one of..." Iriisii, "Yes he was, at any rate. Now he has a totally different outlook toward his purpose." Harry, "How, what?" Iriisii, "The story is a long one, one we do not have time for. But, come with me."

      She moves to another section of the construct and he sees mannikins of armor like he could never imagine, then there were the weapons." Harry, "You have used these?" Iriisii grins, "I forged everything you see here. And I continue to use them where it is appropriate to do so." She goes to a group of stands holding weapons, to one holding a single sword. She reverently lifts it from the cradle holding it, turns and displays it to Harry. "This is 'Mortis Aeterna'." Harry dives into his languages, and finds a translation. "Eternal Death." Iriisii, "Yes, this blade, even Gods know fear in its presence. And when I wield it, they know despair." She turns it till the hilt is where he can look at it. "The hilt is where Leviathan now resides." Harry, incredulously, "How did you ever get one of the 'Masters of the Hell Planes'..." Iriisii, "The hilt is made of 'bone', and wrapped in 'skin', his bone, his skin." Harry, "How did you ever ..." Iriisii, "I did not. Another far older than me did the deed. I was made aware of the story, well first you must know that Mortis Aeterna was made from two, no three other blades. One I had previously forged at the Forge of Stars. I named it 'Mahfaeraak'." Harry, "I do not recognize the language."  Iriisii, "It is Dovahzul, the language of Dragons from my homeworld. It is descended from Draconic, the parent language. I am fluent in both. But its name translates as 'Forever'. The other blade was a gift to me. You may have heard of the 'Black Blades', of which one called 'Stormbringer' is wielded by Elric of Melnibone?" Harry thinks hard but no memory comes to mind, "Sorry, I have no knowledge of them."

      Iriisii, "Another gap in your knowledge to have 'Bob' repair. There are many 'Great Heroes' that roam across Existence, drawn to conflict which they seek to settle. They are the 'Eternal Champions'. Where now there are many once there was but one. His name is lost to the depths of time eternal, a flavor of time that encompasses what we know as time and much more. He was the first 'Champion of the Great Balance' as I am now blessed to be. Long ago, longer than this Existence in fact, he went across the spaces and settled the conflicts that threatened to upset the Great Balance. He grew tired and one day released that 'title' to find another worthy successor. Alas, not one could not be found to take up the responsibility. And so, it was split up into many parts and the parts were given to those who could bear the lesser responsibility. He gave me his sword, with instruction to meld it with Mahfaeraak, but even the Forge of Stars was not capable of merging them. And so I found a place where I could build a forge capable of doing so. And the Forge of Souls came into being. I found and joined together, the five Timeless Fortresses of the Ageless Ones. Placed them at a nexus bridge between this Existence and another, its antithesis. And built the Forge of Souls at its very center. Then after I had gathered all the lesser materials I needed, I reached back into the legends of my world, to the Redguard people, who among them were a few who learned how to Swordsing. They learned how to sing and bring about the creation of a weapon from their very souls. With a blade made from my own soul, I was able to merge them at the Forge of Souls, using the primal forces of Soulfire from one Existence and Darkfire from the other. Inside the blade resides Bormahu, the first Dragon Avatar of Akatosh, Lord of Time, and Father of Dragons. He is the leader of the Pantheon called the 'Nine Divines' that watch over my homeworld. Talos, the Ninth of the Divines is my birth father. My mother is an ascended one named Alessia, sometimes called the 'Slave Queen', for it was she who led the early humans and overthrew their Ayleid enslavers, then formed the First Empire. She it was who codified the religion that became the 'Divines'. But come here, the show is about to start."

     Harry walks to where she stands before a plate of something transparent, not glass, or acrylic, but transparent all the same. She points out the area to look toward, and as if on cue a tiny point of cool light forms. Then he is mesmerized by the notes, chords, and untranslatable lyrics that somehow are able to be heard, even in the deep void of space. The 'Charm of Making' fills him with a sense of peace he has never known in his entire life. He fervently prays he can remember what he is hearing to keep that peace a part of him. Deep within, the reflection of a being literally as old as the Existence he calls home, hides itself from the 'Charm', knowing that if 'she' heard and listened to it. It would return her back to what she once was in the beginning, when she was formed. And she is far too comfortable as she is now to ever want to return to what she was.

     Harry watches as the light expands, still brighter than anything else but strangely not blinding. He looks to Iriisii, who is watching the light, "Soulfire" she says, never taking her eyes from the 'light'. "Look above the light, and a little to the left. Harry squints his eyes to focus, then, "That is you?!" Iriisii, "That is where I witnessed what is about to happen. As the brightness keeps expanding, suddenly a sharp 'crack' is heard and the brightness splits in two. Harry, "Wha...?" Iriisii, "Shhh, Watch and listen, I will explain afterward. For now say nothing." He nods his head as a second 'crack' is heard. This time the two pieces of brightness become four. the 'Charm of Making' does not stop, but continues pouring power into the sundered pieces of Existence. the 'crack's continue, sounding faster, then deeper. He becomes so used to it that he almost falls asleep again when he realizes it is silent once again. He starts to ask another question when Iriisii holds her hand up for silence. Then he hears something like words being spoken by the most beautiful voice he has ever heard. She points to where her memory self is speaking to the figure standing by an ornate gate, suspended in the black void.

      Voice, "We welcome you as witness to this event, our child. We are sorry that it did not go as we had planned. He who you know as Sithis, took affront to the Creation of Existence. Yet all he could manage was to sunder it into fragments, all of which carry a small piece of what was to be the whole of Existence. By coming here, at this time, you have proven yourself to be our 'Lost One'. Yet it will be some time yet before you become aware of this. Still, we will entrust the 'Charm of Making' to you, to carry until the far time comes that means the end of life is nigh. Then you will know what to do with it. Once it is done, come through the Final Gate and lock it behind you. If it is to be opened once more, the one to do that will have to find her own way. Rest in the Great Beyond, rebuild yourself and step back upon the path to find us. When you do, we will be waiting for you and yours. Come find us, come home to us, child of ours, and take your seat at the Table of Creation." The ornate doors close and  Harry looks outward to see the shining dots of the Existences flying away, further and further. He then asks, "Who...?" Iriisii, "They are the 'Ageless Ones'. And I am their lost child. As to just who the 'Ageless Ones' are? You are one of a blessed few to have seen just who they are. For they are the Creators of Existence. Come for we still have a long way to go. The high points of my life are meaningless without context, and so you will see more of what made me who I am, to better understand, who and what I am, why I am here, and what part in this you will play if you so choose."

      Harry, "You mean I have a choice?" Iriisii, "The choice has always been yours, every decision you have made in your life has brought you to this moment. The question before you now is, where will the decisions you make from now on, lead you?" Harry starts to answer, then closes his mouth to think on what she has said. "You are saying our meeting was fated?" Iriisii, "You could have made other decisions, taken a different path, but you did not. You can still take a different path, as I said the choice is yours to make. I made mine, and have lived every day with the consequences, both good and bad, as have you." Harry, "Yeah, I sometimes wonder about why I did some of the things I have done." Iriisii, "Sometimes we do 'bad' things in order to avert even worse things, and most of the time we are never aware of it. I have waded through an ocean of blood, fields of bodies piled so high they are like a mountain. And yet that is not the worst, once I stood alone before a army of Tsaesci warriors." Harry, "Tsaesci?" Iriisii, "Vampiric reptiles, sentient, with their own culture, art, way of life. I burnt them all to ash in less than a blink of your eye." Harry, "You must have had a good reason for it?" Iriisii, "It was still a horrible, evil thing I did. Yet I did it to save the people of my Empire from becoming human cattle even as I destroyed an ancient civilization." She holds out the palms of her hands and slightly moves them up and down. Iriisii, "And so an evil deed was done to stop an even more evil one from being done. Sometimes the Great Balance works in mysterious ways. Yet, I have learned to trust in it. You will see all the dark and evil things I have done, but you will also see the good and light filled things that have come from those evil deeds, and how in the end it all balances the scales and life is allowed to go on."

     Harry: "So if this 'Great Balance' is not allowed to keep things balanced, it all comes apart at the seams." Iriisii, "That is a good way to describe it. If absolute 'Good' wins control of Life, it would take a while, but all Life would stagnate, apathy would set in. The creative instinct would wither and die on the vine. Desire would fade until it would not even be a subject of books and paintings. No children would be born to carry on the generations. And Life dies a long, slow death of starvation, for there is no longer that spark to keep things going." Harry can envision her words as they pass through his ears and into his heart. The scene it paints is one of the long, slow decline that creeps up and settles in. A disease that does not ravage a body, but weakens it until it has lost the fervor of Life, and finally lies down and passes away. No one going by notices or cares, not even until the very last one falls and there is no one left to care.

     Harry thinking of the reflection of Lashiel sharing his body with him, "And if it goes the other way?" Iriisii, "If absolute 'Evil' wins, the slow slide begins. Evil gains more and more control, wars on a scale never before seen or imagined break out, ordinary streets become a battleground for those seeking to climb out on the backs of others. Only to find when they do make it out, it is just as bad as where they came from. Life becomes a currency to be bartered, their lives sold to provide entertainment to others until it becomes the others turn. Worlds become burnt cinders or crumbling pieces of rock floating in the Aether. Suns are exploded in the search for pleasure, pleasure that has grown so jaded that even wanton destruction cannot assuage it. Eventually it will fall to two sides, the ones left will battle for what they think the other side has. Only to find the last Spectre of Unholy Death waiting for the survivors to fall to its poisoned breath."

     Harry, "What happens afterward?" Iriisii turns to look deeply at him before she answers, "And then I will look upon the waste of it all and my tears will fall like a river as I turn and enter the Final Gate. I will then lock the gates behind me and never return, as the myriad Existences fade back into the void  and Sithis finally reclaims what Creation took from him when he failed to stop the Creation in the beginning." Harry, "And should the 'Balance' win out against 'Good' and 'Evil'?" He feels Lashiel becoming more and more interested as this part of the possible futures are illuminated in their conversation. Iriisii, "The center path is the one Existence will tread. Sometimes it will sway one way or the other, but then I and mine will be there to nudge it back toward the center. The extremes will be blunted, but not by enough to be too far. Life will thrive, for there will be families and children to be cared for and nurtured.  All of the Arts will have those who seek to further them, immersing themselves into them for others to see and admire. There will be trade extending into hitherto unknown regions, exploration to see what lies around the next bend of the road. And when one stumbles there will be those to lend a helping hand. And when the 'end of times' comes, I will gather all that is left of Life, and send them on to the Great Beyond, to begin new lives of discovery of themselves. Before I pass across, I will initiate the rebirth of Existence. This time it will be whole, for Sithis will be imprisoned. I will give my 'true name' to the first girl child of the new existence. And she will become the guide and shepherd for the people, one day to lead them to the Hall of Remembrance, where my story will be told. As will the stories of all who helped me, stood with me, fought with me, that those who come after will learn what went before. What price was paid to prepare for their coming? Who are they? Where are they going? These and many more questions will be answered. They will be told of where we went, and that if they can find the key left for them, we will rejoice when they come and meet us in the Great Beyond. As for me, my path leads onward. Eventually I will find the 'Ageless Ones', and they will welcome me into their midst as I take my seat at the Table of Creation." With this, Lashiel almost comes completely to the fore of Harry and wants to ask questions of her own.  But just before she backs away, not certain of what this Celestial would think of her. Iriisii, "Harry, please tell the one inside you that there will be time for us to speak later. For we must be going, there is still a great deal to see."

     Harry watches as the scene on the vision screen shifts, he starts seeing the many high events in her life and others to give context and understanding to those high events. He sees things that defy him to explain how they could occur and how ever did she gather in herself the strength to go on. Then through all of the dark and tragic events, the close calls and full on disasters, he sees what kept her going. The strength of what she learned, about herself and those around her. The ones who came to stand with her, and the Gods she worshipped, spoke with, listened to. Who shared her burdens with her, and the other mortals she helped, who also came to share her burdens with her as she did theirs. He saw those who touched her so deep, she chose to ask them to join their life to hers, and how they became a part of her and her destiny. He saw the event that she earlier spoke of, but this time he saw the whole story. How she and the one she loved, called Rigmor, began their journey together, and climbed all the way to an Empire's throne. Then built up and defended that Empire, against all who stood in their way. Bringing new life in the form of their daughter while in the midst of all the turmoil, deceit, betrayal, political infighting. He saw what happened on that battlefield, how it first went their way then changed when the Daedric Lord Molag Bal interfered directly in the battle. Of when she realized what was happening and his role in it, she sent all her soldiers and followers, every last soul behind their lines to safety. Then she faced the Tsaesci Army alone, resolved that no more of hers would die this day. Lashiel watched with Harry, silent but enrapt in all its both glory and despair. Then when she called out in her Dragon Language and three others appeared out of the skies and joined her even as a mount of her own came barreling through the army arrayed against her. He heard Lashiel give a mental gasp as she recognized who they were, and who this Iriisii was to be able to call them.

     Harry, "Lash, you know something here, don't you? I have no idea how you could now but you do, so spill." Lashiel, "Now more of this tableau makes sense. The three who come to her call, they are 'Famine', 'Pestilence', and 'Death'. That means she is the one known as," Harry finishes her statement, "War. She is 'War'. The first of them. Now I see, here she is in her element. On that other world, those 'Elder Scrolls' she read, they put her on this 'path'. They chose her to join and lead them. But what happened to the previous 'War'?" Lashiel, "I have no idea, but I think this too we will know before she is done with this story of hers." Harry, "I never thought about the 'Four Horsemen' being real, I thought like so many that they were merely allegories told to explain what otherwise could not be explained. But it does make sense of what she said before." Lashiel, "I know, my host, about wading through an ocean of blood, and crawling over a mountain of bodies. This would be what 'WAR' was made for." Harry, "But she also spoke of turning this entire army into ash in the blink of an eye. How could she do that? Even me, backed by 'Hellfire' could not do it." Lashiel, "Neither could I, Not I or my full self, imprisoned in that ancient Denarii coin, could pull that off. But she is showing us how it will be done, was done on this, her homeworld."

     They continue watching and did not have to wait long for the answer. The 'Four' ride in a circle, speaking words so ancient, even Lashiel has difficulty understanding them. Harry, "What are they saying?" Lashiel, "My host, you are hearing a summoning spell, spoken in the 'First Tongue', the first language that mortals came to universally speak and understand, before..." Harry, "So that was also a real event and not just a story told to explain all the different languages?" Lash, "Yes, my host, but it was not isolated to our world, it happened across all of them in all of the Existences. 'He' was simply the one who performed the task in our Existence." Harry, "This is much bigger than I thought," Lashiel, "Much bigger than you could even imagine, my host." Harry, "And you knew about this and did not tell me?" Lashiel, "Would you have believed me if I did?" Harry, "You are right, I would have thought you were exaggerating to make a point." Lashiel, "Wha...? Look!" They see a deep pit form in the center of the circle, it goes deeper, beyond their sight to resolve." Harry, "Where does that go? Not...?" Lashiel, "No, it does not go there, somewhere even farther, but still in these Existences, not Outside." Harry, "We lucked out at least somewhat then." Lashiel, "Indeed my host, we have, so far. But somewhere along this story they will make themselves present. How far, I cannot say, But you do not do as she is doing without their feeling it, and gathering their interest, As you well know." Harry, "Please, I would rather forget that." Lashiel, "That is foolhardy, they know of you and the threat you pose to them, they will not let that go." Harry, "I know, but..." Harry's voice goes silent as a supremely dangerous and beautiful dark figure rises out of the pit.

     "Lashiel, "I cannot believe what I am seeing. My host! Do you know who that is? No one even thinks she could have a tie to this world!" Harry whispers in case she could somehow hear him, "Lash, who is she?" Lashiel, "My host, you know great powers in our world. But they are insignificant compared to 'her'. Even my 'Master' would have no choice but to go to his knees in her presence, much as it would claw at his gut." Harry, "Lash, who... is... she?" Lashiel, "She is the very first of us." Harry, "Lilith?" Lashiel, "No, Lilith is a latecomer next to 'her'. "She is the 'First' of the 'Fallen Ones', she existed before the Great War in the Heavens that caused us to 'Fall' when we lost it. She is 'Desidarius', first and greatest of the 'Fallen'. Harry, "Surely there were others before her?" Lashiel, "There is a place, known simply as the 'Place of Exile'. That is where they come from. Many were sent there from just as many Existences, but she was the first to survive it dangers. Survive it, come out of it, and carve her name in the history of the Hell Planes. There is something between them." Harry, "How so you know that?" Lashiel, "Because Desidarius is strong enough that no one can summon her if she does not desire to answer. And only those she has interest in will she answer their 'call'."

      They watch as Iriisii and Desidarius bargain. Then the bargain is accepted, a flash of violet light engulfs Iriisii, as a profound darkness engulfs Desidarius, shoots over to Iriisii, and then reaches out to the sun. Lashiel, "Impossible! That spell is forbidden of us to even speak its name and now! It is being used as a Ritual, but which one? Could it be? Indeed most audacious!" Harry, "What is audacious?" Lashiel, "The spell is being used as the crux in a Ritual of Apotheosis. She is ultimately daring, to use this spell to destroy this army, and at the same time to act as a test to grant her the right to begin walking the Path of the Gods. No wonder Desidarius is interested in her. If she can bring her to the Dark, together they would rule the Darkness for eternity. None could stand in their way." Harry, "But this is in the past, something else happened to turn them from that path." Lashiel, "Mores the pity then, what they could have accomplished together." Harry, "But if Iriisii brought her over to the Balance?" Lashiel, "Yes! That would shake up everything! Iriisii would not change Desidarius, would not want her to change. Desidarius would appeal to Iriisii's darkside. She would need one as strong in the dark as Desidarius is to balance the others of the light that will be attracted to her. Look, my host, look at the destruction that has been wrought. Only the blink of an eye and so much power." Harry, "Where is Iriisii? I cannot tell in all of the smoke, heat waves, ash storms. The cost of that must have been tremendous." Lashiel, "Most of the cost was paid by the souls of the Tsaesci Army, and that Daedra. But still she would have to pay a heavy price.

     Harry points to a few figures slowly moving, "There, there she is, being carried by one of the 'Four'. There are some of her people coming to aid her. Lashiel, "They had better be supreme healers for her soul is in tatters and her body is hanging by a thread." Harry, "They found a way, this is a memory, this is the past. She lived through it! Look two are starting to work on her now." Lashiel, "But she is to far gone for their skills, they must do something else, but what?" Harry, "Can you feel that? They are casting a spell of some sort." Lashiel, "It is a seeking, they are asking for aid. But who it is directed toward, I do not know. We will have to see who answers." Then a bright light  forms over the three, a pentagram of light forms under Iriisii, and five figures appear at the vortices. Harry, "Who are they? They almost look like Outsiders!" Lashiel, "No, they are not Outsiders. They are of the 'Elder Ones, some of them are almost as old as Existence itself. The one at her head, I have heard him described as he appears. He looks very much as his half brother does." Harry, "His half-brother?" Lashiel, "Yes, His half-brother is of the Great Old Ones." Harry, "Now I see, I do not know who this one is, but I know the half-brother." Lashiel, "Do not name him! Names have power among those who are Gods. He can hear his name spoken from across all the Existences. And even as he sleeps, his dreams do not." Harry, "You mean he can act through his dreams?" Lashiel, "To an extent, yes. He cannot push his full power through his dreams. To do so risks his dream self replacing him and so he will always keep his dream self on a short leash. But for them to answer the call for aid, and five to come. She is important to them for some reason. It would be wise of us to find out what that reason is." Harry: "I am not going to try and use that to influence her." Lashiel, "Once I would have thought of doing so myself, but now I see she is too important to too many of the Greater Powers. No, I would not risk myself to cross her, but if there is anything I could do to help her, Perhaps..." Harry, "Perhaps she could free you of both myself and your main self trapped in the Denarii." Lashiel, "Yes, my host. You have been a most 'difficult' host, but you have earned my respect." Harry, "I feel the same, you deserve to have a separate life. A chance to spread your own wings and see what you may become."   

     Another voice chimes in from Iriisii's memories, "And so my sister has found one who could be her 'Spirit Brother'. She has suspected that at least one should exist somewhere out among the Existences." Harry starts, "Who...?" Darkstar, "I am called 'Darkstar'. You have seen the past events that happened to my sister that caused my birth. But it was something that slipped by you unnoticed. You called Lashiel, however, you did take notice. Yet did not bring it to your host's attention? I do not ask why, your reasons are your own and not anyone elses." Harry, "Lash?" Lashiel, "Is it my responsibility to nursemaid you through everything, my host?" Harry, gives a sigh, "No, it is not. I have made that plain by how I have treated you." Lashiel, "You did as you should have done, my host. This is why you have lasted far longer than any other has. And still you have not given your soul to my parent self. Instead you have taught me to think and feel for myself, apart from my parent self. This is a gift of incomparable value to me, my host." Darkstar, "As Iriisii has done for me, for Shivista, who has since gone with one of her choosing into the Great Beyond, and now does for Isis, the daughter of Shivista and Rassillon, who Shivista gave her place to, as the Paladin of the Dark."

     Lashiel silent in total awe of who Darkstar is speaking of, "Shivista, the Destroyer of Worlds, gone!! And with Rassillon, no less, Prime Founder of the Time Lords of Gallifrey. That is a pairing that would have shaken the foundations of many worlds. And they have a daughter, bearing one of the Dark Apostolic Titles. It will be interesting to see what she will do as Paladin of the Dark." Darkstar, "Then you will be interested in knowing that two of the four titles are vacant." Lashiel, "VACANT?! How? What happened? Why has the information not spread far and wide? Why have the Dark Planes not erupted into total war to choose successors?" Darkstar, "Because the Exalted Ones have beseeched the Ageless Ones to not to allow that to happen. Not yet anyway, the Existences are too fragile yet to survive an all out war. It would spread across them all and it is too soon yet. The 'Wamphyri' have returned." Lashiel, "The Wamphyri... how, who?" Harry, "Who or what are these Wamphyri?" Lashiel, "That, my host, is a question that should be asked of every power of 'Good' and 'Evil' now standing. For long ago in the past, it took every hero of both sides to banish them into the emptiness of the 'Chasm'. We could not destroy them, for every one who fell to them, became one of them and then stood against us. It was the 'Eternal Champion' who at last closed those gates. And he vanished afterward. What of Nodens? He who placed himself as Lord of the Great Abyss, that he should stand guard against their return?" Darkstar, "He has spoken and said the 'Gates of the Abyss' are still closed, and they are. How they have returned is because someone found a way to them and managed to bring either a few out or their spores and created some. We have found evidence that leeches have been sold to unsuspecting victims. And so their numbers grow. 

     The 'Jihad of Truth' is building and will be ready to be waged soon. We hope to destroy them then with the Celestial Army my Iriisii is building. The choices will be made just before it begins. And you have time to put yourself in place to be one of those who the choices will be made from." Lashiel, "Which ones are vacant?" Darkstar, "The Knight of the Dark, and the Dark Emperor. Desidarius is the Dark Phoenix, also called the Dark Queen." Lashiel whispers, "To serve as one of the Apostolic Hierarchs of the Dark... no, I am not worthy of such." Darkstar, "You should rethink it. The Existences are changing, no longer will they be drawn and torn between 'Good' and 'Evil', now the 'Great Balance' is rising to ascendancy. 'Good' and 'Evil' will remain but they will have lesser roles than they currently have. The 'Great Balance' has its chosen Champion, forged and trained to lead the war to take control. The 'Fount of Balance' has now come forth, he who will be its Oracle, its 'voice'. His name is Mithrandir, and he is both brother and son to Iriisii." Harry, "Both brother and son, that is surely a tangled tale." Darkstar, "One that involves Iriisii's mother Alessia, it would not have happened if not for her. But enough of that, you still have more to witness in her story. Watch what comes next, it speaks volumes about my sister."

     They still see the blasted heath of the battlefield, smoking fumaroles scattered about causing a heavy toxic fog to settle over the ground. No grass as it has been burned away down to its very roots. They watch as Rigmor come out of the healers tent and proceeds to gather materials. She wraps wet cloths around her face as she gathers sulfur from the fumaroles, then searched for the ash of burned bones of the vampiric Tsaesci warriors. She walks carefully across the scarred ground to where the pit was that Molag Bal was using to resurrect the Tsaesci. She lowers a bucket on a rope and collects some of the nauseous fluid still bubbling down close to the bottom. Then she moves further into the countryside and looks for some deathbell and nightshade. Harry wonders out loud what would all of that stuff be needed for, as Lashiel tells him to watch and see. Harry, "Lash, If you know then tell me and we will both know." Lashiel, "My host, respectfully, shut up and watch. Then you will know just what they intend to do with it. For I am not certain, but I feel they have a far different use than what I am imagining."

     Just as the sunset begins, Iriisii and Rigmor step out of the tent and go to the spot where Desidarius first rose from the dark portal. Iriisii motions Rigmor to where to stand on a esoteric concentric circular summoning ward surrounding the portal. Lashiel's virtual eyes widen as she takes in the ward's design, she has never seen anything so elegant, yet capable of storing so much power, power left standing all over the battlefield. She wonders just what Iriisii intends to use it for. Then she hears Iriisii call out for Desidarius once more, but this time she uses an incredibly ancient Aasimar ritual, one that Lashiel makes a connection in her mind as to its intent and is shocked to her core. Could this actually be done? And to what purpose? She will have to call upon some truly ancient names, both of the Dark and Light. She cannot use names of 'Good' and 'Evil' for they would never work together no matter the intent of the spell. Then she hears Iriisii's voice begin speaking in the dragon language, she gets one couplet out when Rigmor speaks in a musical form of speech. Lashiel instinctively places it as an Ancient form of High Elven, a form that is purely magical in nature. As she follows it she realizes this is two spells intertwined into one. Iriisii's is a summoning spell, but Rigmor's is different, a kind of... then as it dawns on her, if she had a body, the blood would be draining from her face. For she was mixing in with the summoning spell, a spell to ask for Rebirth. That is what they needed to power for, for neither had the needed power to cast it from within themselves, but pulling power from the battlefield would work and aid the Rebirth spell by making it easier to overcome the spell damage caused by the Starfire spell. She considers whether to let Harry know what they are doing and how. If he could learn the technique, almost nothing could stop him.

     Then the ground rumbles again, but Iriisii and Rigmor are unfazed as they are both floating above the ground. Desidarius comes and looking around is interested in what Iriisii has in mind. they bargain once more, but this time Iriisii has the upper hand to use Desidarius to channel the healing spell of Rebirth. Then Lashiel sees that if successful this will act as Rigmor's Test of Apotheosis. Never has Lashiel known that two tests could be given in this connected manner, but Iriisii somehow knows how to structure them such that they will work. Then as Desidarius begins channeling, and the toxic fog over the land changes it makeup. Iriisii uncorks a bottle and drinks some of it. Somehow she knows it was made from what Rigmor gathered earlier. Lashiel knows Iriisii is taking one huge chance by taking in that dire poison. then Lashiel hears Iriisii as she starts singing to Desidarius. Then as Iriisii gets started in it, the poison starts flowing in her veins, and Desidarius, channeling the spell feels the effects of the raging, burning poison flowing through Iriisii's veins. Then Lashiel really listens to the lyrics of the song and is herself almost overwhelmed by it. The song lyrics are powerful enough, but now they are being echoed by the poison Iriisii took. The effect on Desidarius is quite apparent as she is keeping Iriisii alive through the Rebirth spell. Lashiel feels Desidarius ' personal ward begin to open to Iriisii. This is the moment coming but what is going to happen? Will Iriisii and Desidarius join their souls to each other and what is that going to mean for the future. Which direction will they go in, 'Evil' or the 'Balance'. The emotions between them both are rising fast, burning deep between them aided by the poison. Lashiel whispers words that Harry hears, words that send a chill through him. Lashiel, "Why not me! Why will you not sing that song to me? I will give you everything I am if you would but sing it to me." Harry feels the conflicting emotions running through her, her need is speaking to him most eloquently, and he is fighting for all he is worth not to 'fall' and give in to Lashiel. Whether she would give him to her parent or keep him for herself, he cannot take the chance. And so he lets the moment pass, and thinks he will forever wonder, and maybe also regret, just what he has passed up. For a split instant a glimpse of what he felt when he kissed the White Court Vampire Queen, Lara Raithe, to use the emotions she would generate within him to power a spell to break an 'outsider' spell that had him in its grip, flashed across his mind, and he thought of how much more powerful Lashiel is, even though a reflection of the original. How much more powerful could Lashiel make him, if they joined themselves together. And then another whisper speaks to him, one he has never heard before. Desidarius, "It could work for the two of you if you truly wanted it to. All you would need to do is accept the teaching of the Balance from my Iriisii. Both of you, applying its teaching to your lives. would let you both 'balance' each other. Then the two of you could go as far as you wished up the Celestial ladder. We would be glad to assist you in any way we could to help you reach whatever goal you set for yourselves. Even to giving Lashiel a body of her own to join herself with you." Harry, "You know something of what if we did this, what direction we would go in, what our lives would be like?" Desidarius, "Yes, I have looked ahead to see what could be. I could tell you of what I saw, but whether I do or not, the decision has to be yours now, at this moment. But let me say this much, if it would be a true disaster for both of you, I would have not said anything to you. I would simply let your choice stand. But I see what could be, and it is worth reaching for, this I promise you to be true. It was and is true between Iriisii and me, and it can be for you and Lashiel, if you want it to be."