Phoenix Rising Reprise 7

    Iriisii comes to the penthouse apartment and finds the four nervous. When she asks about it they tell her that Mayor Perales has a meeting with President Myers, at her request, in four days time. Iriisii ,"I see, you are worried that she will then be certain So Mi and 'V' are alive and present in Night City. So Mi and 'V' nod their heads in assent. "Iriisii, then with Johnny now in his own body, and doing well I am told, it is time I see to your training. I know that when last I spoke Rita was not a part of your group, so do you wish to include her?" Rita asks, "What kind of training is she talking about?" 'V' starts to answer but Iriisii interrupts, "Please let me do this." 'V' nods her head and Iriisii continues, "What I intend is to primarily instruct 'V' in the 'Way of Balance' as I learned some time ago. This is paramount for her to learn to give her the tools she needs to reach an accommodation with that now which resides within her. Once she does this, her feet will be on the same path mine walk. Know that I will be her mentor, guide, and guardian along the way, teaching her at each level, till she reaches the end of her path." Rita asks, "How long will that be?" Iriisii, replies honestly, "For as long as she wishes to go forward with me. And my path will not end for..., I am sorry, I have no words to describe the passage of that amount of time. But I can say this much about it. I will be here, walking my path, until the 'End of All Times', when the stars themselves go cold, and all life leaves these Existences for the Great Beyond. Even then, my path will not end. For I will go forward into the Great Beyond, and to wherever that will lead me. But that will take care of itself. For now I am concerned with the future of this world. And the part all of you can play in it." Rita, "Just what is this 'Way of Balance'?" Iriisii, "It is not a religion as some see it. It is a way of living, which first teaches how to bring 'balance' to your inner self'. We are not singular people, we have both 'good' and 'evil', 'light' and 'dark' within us. Opposite poles of Existence, that in nearly all, one side is stronger than the other and so commands the actions they take throughout their lives. The 'Way of Balance' seeks to bring them into balance, so that we determine our actions. So that we will not be bound to a specific direction, but can move from one to the other when we see the need. But that is not the end of it, for once the first part is learned,  then we seek to bring our 'balanced' inner self to 'balance' with our outward actions, thus achieving 'Satori'. Then the true 'work' begins." This time' Judy asks, "What is the true work then?" Iriisii, "To bring 'Balance' to all within the Existences, so that 'Life' can abound and prosper in all its instances, flavors, directions, and alignments. So that it can reach its own 'fullness', and follow its path into the Great Beyond, leaving this 'Kalpa' behind for who or what may begin anew." 'V' has a moment where what has already been 'birthed' within her gives her a fleeting glimpse into what Iriisii has spoken of, and what her part in it can be, if she so wishes. So Mi looks to her, sees that she is very far away from here at this moment. Wondering what she is seeing. She reaches up and captures a single tear that escapes 'V' eyes. She takes it and places it on her tongue, and the vision it links her to, staggers her mind, body, and soul in its reality and intensity.

     Rita and Judy grab her as she starts to drop to the floor. Holding her, Judy nearly yells, "Are you all right?! What is going on?" So Mi whispers, "I see it. I see what she is speaking of." Judy, "What is it? What do you see?" So Mi, "It is 'wonderful', beyond words to describe. It is beyond what our religions have tried to tell us. They are but a paltry reflection of something that cannot be reflected, only experienced. We see mind, body, and soul as separate parts of us, to be used or forgotten as we go on. Parts separated and thought meaningless because they can be parted one from the other. But when they are brought together, fused, merged, each equal with the other. Then we become all that we can be." Rita, "And what is that? What can we be?" So Mi, 'We have no words, no concepts, of what that is, of what we can reach for and attain. The words we know, heroes, villains, gods, angels, devils, legends, none of them even come close. They only try to describe a single facet of the whole, a whole with unnumbered facets." Iriisii, "She has been gifted with but a fleeting glimpse of what could be, more and she could not withstand it. I see only a little more than she does, and it is all that I can comprehend at this moment in time. What I have gone through to understand the small part that I do understand. I risked everything that I am, and ever will be, for that knowledge. I risked total and complete Oblivion, total erasure from Existence, so that you, those who come behind me will not have to face what I faced. I took the burden onto myself to spare you that burden. For that was the only way forward for all. I could not stand aside and allow all behind me to fade, be forgotten, lost in the depths of 'time', to end when 'time' itself ends. I did this to bring you with me. Forged the path for your feet to tread where mine have. My footsteps to show you the way." Judy awed, "Are you...'God'?" Iriisii, "No. I was born of mortals who themselves ascended to be gods. I was born as mortal as you are. I lived, loved, and died as all mortals will." Rita, "You died, but you are standing here with us." Iriisii, "When I accepted the 'Calling', I as a mortal, died. For the mortal and the immortal cannot abide together in the same body. My body changed, to become what could hold my then immortal essence. So as I died as a mortal, I was reborn as an immortal. If anything happened to me in between those states of being, I remember nothing. I shed one and donned another. Could this be what will happen to you in the future should you follow my path? That is entirely up to you. It is likely the choice will one day be yours to make. But you will not be alone when it comes, and should you choose to take it, you will have help to understand it."

     So Mi, "I will ...follow...and learn...from you! Learn...the Way of Balance...and become...Oh My...'V'! I see you..., I see the truth of you! It is so beautiful! I never imagined..., Who? Who do you speak to? Who is it that speaks to you?" In the depths of her vision, 'V' is back in the Mag-Lev chamber under the Church in Pacifica. The bodies of the Voodoo Boys all around her, blood still leaking from the dismembered body parts scattered across the chamber floor. In the shadows she can see the outline of a tall figure. As it slowly moves toward her, she sees it is a man, dressed in long black pants, wearing a black leather duster hanging open, exposing his chest, then she sees the white paint?, bone dust?, in the pattern of rib bones connecting to the breastbone. then as he raises his head, his face is white as well, outlining a skull. He raises his a hand in salutation, and she sees more 'white' indicating finger bones and the others running to his wrist and disappearing into the dusters arms. 'V', "Who are you?" Baron Samedi, "I am one who has watched you for some time. Looking to see where your footsteps would lead you. I observe the 'Balance' as you are learning its tenets. I see that the Ancient Dragon Mother has taken you under her wing. This is a 'gift' of inestimable value. The reason I have chosen to show myself to you is here among the remains of those whose forefathers venerated myself and the others of our family. They turned their faces away from us, spoke not our names in remembrance, forgot the ancient oaths freely given in times immemorial. And now the price of their betrayal has been paid in blood.

     We did not bring you into this, they did that themselves, by their own decisions. They should not have set themselves against you, against the Ancient Dragon Mother. Had they sought our counsel, we would have advised them to seek another path. Perhaps even to ally themselves with you. My father, my brothers, and my sisters, we all know what you wish to do, and we applaud your desire. For what you wish would bring respect to those who came before you. You honor those of yours who have fallen, even as you may disagree with them, you still honor them. And so I, called Baron Samedi, he who stands between the living and the dead, do honor she who walks with one who in turn walks with my brother, he who looks over all the Realms of the Dead. I would seek a pact with you, to aid you from time to time as you might need of what I can do. In return, I will give you an Icon for another shrine. You do not have to meditate at it, worship it in any way. Simply from time to time, blow a bit of the smoke of a lit cigar over the Icon, and then take a drink of rum and spray it over the Icon, thus I can smell the cigar and taste the rum. Such would please me, and in return I would give you my aid in time of need. As I stand between the living and the dead, I can keep the gates to the underworld closed to keep a specific soul from passing. If one of yours passes before that one can be healed, closing the gate would allow you more time to heal that one and pull their soul back to their body. If an enemy would seek to escape you through death, I will intercept their soul and bring it back to you to deal with as you will."

     'V', "Why would you wish to do this for me?" Baron Samedi, "Soon the Ancient Mother of Dragons will summon the Final Gate, that which leads to the Great Beyond. Currently no immortal may pass through into the Great Beyond. She will forge a path to have the Final Gate allow immortals to pass through. Thus when the time of Existence is done, all will be allowed to pass, none, not even immortals will be left behind. And so we will be allowed to seek a new life and destiny for ourselves as those mortals who pass there now do. This gift deserves payment, she has all she needs and wants. So by aiding one close to her, we aid her. We stand by the Great Balance and hope that one day our errant children will return to the fold and speak to us once again, ask us to share our knowledge with them. Also there is this, there are among those you call AI's who speak to those whose minds are injured and broken. They usurp and say they speak in our name with our tongues. They lie, seeking to guide those who hear them, to use them for their own purposes then cast them aside. We would ask your help in finding them and punishing them, for even as strong as these AI's are, they are not immortal. And for them to say they speak with our voices, they break the Laws of the Great Mother, she who has declared the Ancient Dragon Mother to be her Daughter and heir to her power."

     'V' considers what she has just heard, somewhere deep inside, she feels the great truth of what Baron Samedi has said. For one like he is to ask for her help speaks to her as until now nothing else has. Then as she considers his request, she feels something stir within her. It is quiet, simply helping her weigh the request on the various scales that she imagines could be used for this. In each one she sees the scales come closer to balance and so she knows in her heart and soul this is the 'just' thing to do. 'V', "Even though I am just a mortal, a mortal guided to be something more. As I trust in those guiding me. They have shown me the 'truth' of what you say in the 'scales' each of them use to weight requests such as yours. Your request brings each and every 'scale' closer to balance, and so I am moved to accept a pact with you, as you have asked. My heart goes out to you and yours, and as I have been instructed to listen to my heart in all things. So that in all things, my decisions will be true to myself. I accept your offer in the truth in which it has been offered. As my mentor would say, 'When help is needed, help will be offered.' And so I offer to give you my help, may it be all that you need in this, your time of need." Baron Samedi stands still and silent as her words sink in, then his essence shows him a glimpse of what and where the time path that has now come into existence will take them both because of this decision. He then with great deliberation, feeling so many aetherial eyes watching him in this moment, walks to 'V' and kneels before her. Baron Samedi, "I see where your footsteps will take you in the future. And so I wish to align my steps with yours. You have much to teach those who will listen, and I wish to see that you have that opportunity to teach them." And with that action, and those words, the new timeline grown from this moment, strengthens and entwines itself with 'V's, even as her own is entwining itself with Iriisii's. Baron Samedi's family, Papa Legba, Damballa, Ayida-Weddo, Erzulie Freda, Agwé, Ayizan, and Papa Loko, along with the hundreds of others within the overall family all gather behind him and add their 'word' to his. Giving 'V' just a trace of their own spirits to help her in her efforts to help them. She feels that spiritual trace course through her, reading who she is at her core, her deepest goals and desires. And each finds within her a place where they can be welcome, where they can be of help and assistance to her.

     The time for her training in the 'Way of Balance' is even more important to her now. Iriisii ports in and immediately senses the change in 'V'. "You have made some new friends I see." 'V', I hope this will not be a problem?" Iriisii, "Not at all, but I do see where we will need to take just a bit more time. As I have my ancestral memories within me, so now you have an equivalent to them. Getting accustomed to them now will help you when your own awaken, but that will not be until you are ready for the Catalyst. And that is  some time off. You have much to learn and accomplish before then if it comes at all. I gave it some thought, and decided to use my 'timeless fortress', the one I built in the Great Void to be the site we use for your training. It offers a great deal of amenities for your 'outputs' to engage themselves with, when they are not training with you. And it is much easier for me to adjust the time flow there as well." Judy, "What do we need to pack? I mean for such a long trip." Iriisii smiles, "You need simply come as you are, all you will need will be provided. I either have it on site, or it can be produced as we need it." Rita, "Wow, that is great. I would need this whole room filled with my 'stuff' otherwise." Iriisii, "Let us be on our way. Reaper?" Reaper, "Creating portal for you now. Engaging singularity link. Linking to your Timeless City." A slightly different kind of portal to those they have seen so far forms in their penthouse. It glows with a violet/green color. Its edges just a bit smoky as if they were a little out of sync with reality. As it opens, they see through it to her Timeless City. The view takes their breath away. In that instant thinking, no, wondering, no, wishing that Night City could be like this city they see stretched out before them. Iriisii knows what thoughts are coursing through them right now and comments to them. Iriisii, "I know what is running through your minds. Know that it is indeed possible that Night City could share in what you see before you now. It is not an easy path to take, but it is one worth considering. Come, in the time you stay within it, learn what it is, what it can be, how it could change all your lives, the lives of the people that live here in Night City, if they can realize that this is something they could achieve. If so, we can build the ground work, train those who can guide it on this path." 'V', "What about the AIs? What, if any place, can they have in what we see?" Iriisii, "That is a good question. Whether they have a place or not is up to them. But they can have a city of their own coexistent with the one we can show the people of Night City they can build. One that to them will be as this one could be to you. All of them will not see it, not choose to see it, and so other arrangements will have to be made for them. But there are those who can and will take them in. Show them a better way and guide them on that path."

     They all pile through and the expanse of the Timeless City only then makes its full impact on them. Judy, "I cannot imagine a place like this could be real!" Iriisii, "Come, I have had quarters built for you. You each have a full bed and bath, connected to a main common room with its kitchen. There is a large balcony accessed from the common room. It overlooks a large pool underneath. There is a diving deck reached from the balcony, as well as a set of steps leading down to the pool should you wish a more sedate path to it." Rita, "I cannot wait to dive into that pool!" 'V' looks up into the sky and sees all of the stars and patterns present. 'V', "I don't recognize any of them." Iriisii, "There are no native stars here, so I had a projection made that recreated the sky of Nirn. It is so calming to me to be able to see the sky I grew up with when I am working here. Ah, our transport arrives." A maglev short train  arrives and hovers close by, waiting for them to board. So Mi asks, "What do we do if we need anything?" Iriisii, I will show you when we arrive at your quarters."

     It is a trip of about a half hour to reach their quarters. As they travel, they see so many wonders. Different gardens of many kinds all tended by robots. Iriisii, "As I have seen interesting buildings, gardens, parks, I have reproduced them here. The plants and animals in the gardens are real. There are even some of a nocturnal nature further out on the edges. I have tried to capture the flavor of everything while attempting only the barest amount of changes to allow everything to blend in harmony." 'V', "I think you did a marvelous job of it. This city is one to make every other one envious." Iriisii, "I must caution you all, any location with a red skull prominently displayed by the entrance could be dangerous to enter, even deadly in certain circumstances. I made this place to be 'balanced' in all that is here. So of the visitors I have had would welcome those places as they mirror their homeworlds. There is no way for the dangerous elements to be released in the general areas, that I have made sure of with leveled protections. Should one by chance fail or be bypassed, there are several others present, and none are dependent upon a single source of power or control. And the City Guardian has local nodes that oversee everything." Rita thinks to ask a question that has been on her mind since seeing the Timeless City. Rita, "Uhh, how are we to find our way around, get supplies, that sort of thing. I mean this place is huge, bigger than Night City." Iriisii, "I have that taken care of." She whistles and four animatrons walk out of a hidden closet. Iriisii, "Each one of these is keyed to one of you. It will obey whatever command you give to it, as long as no one would be injured or hurt by your command. They can give you directions or escort you to wherever you wish to go. They can display a holographic map showing exactly where you are in the city, and where certain landmarks are, including your quarters. They can provide food, cooked to your specifications, and even recommend dishes that while new to you, will not send you running for the bathroom. Should you access the 'alcohol' list, they will not stop you from getting drunk, but they will take extra care of you to keep you from harming yourself, or emptying your stomach against the walls or furniture. Certain 'drinks' contain ingredients that do not mix well with certain others, they will keep track of what you have consumed and restrict you from drinking any that when combined would be dangerous or if you drink too much of certain ones that would cause health issues. I know that sounds like a lot but the animatrons will keep track so you do not have to. Just remember if they say, 'no' to something there is a good reason for it. Take time to settle, training starts in the morning. If any of you would like to join 'V' and I for certain portions, you are welcome. There is a list of them for each of you showing which sessions you can join us for. It is up to each of you how deep you go with this." Judy, "Why is there some we can join in on and some we cannot?" Iriisii, "Some require certain skill levels that she qualifies for that you do not, mainly physical, but some also spiritual. Some she does not qualify for right now but later as she progresses she will. Depending on which ones you decide to share in with us, that would open up others to you later. It depends strictly on what and how far you are comfortable with going. It will be your choice, so long as you meet the qualifications. If you have further questions concerning anything, just ask your 'valet', if they cannot answer they will relay the question to the central guardian or to me to get you an answer."

     The morning light rises, there is no sun, the light seems to come from everywhere. 'V' rises and quietly sees herself to the door. she turns around to look at the suite of rooms that are hers and her output's. Then she sees 'her' automaton standing silently some five feet away. Ad she nods to it, she is surprised to see it nod back to her. She then turns back to the door, opens it and leaves to go down the steps to the ground, hearing the automaton close the door behind her and follow in her footsteps. As she reaches the ground the decidedly unusual voice of the automaton pipes up, "Transport to the training area is on its way." Strangely the automaton's voice does not sound mechanical at all. She cannot quite place it, but thinks she will inquire later about it. Once the mag-lev tram arrives, they seat themselves. She feels a slight force surround her, keeping her comfortably seated as the velocity of the tram effortlessly gains until the view almost blurs.

     Training, consisting of physical, mental, spiritual, meditation, sleep teaching, and later beginning the merging of all of these disciplines. A good bit of time is given to relax and explore the city with all it has to offer. So Mi, Judy, and Rita all take part in those areas that draw their curiosity. Everyone progresses at their own pace, understanding being the prime factor in each proceeding from one level to the next. Iriisii has Judy scroll the adventures they get into as they explore everything. Then Judy immerses herself into editing the scrolls into BDs, thinking that when they get back home these will sell faster than they can make more. When she asks Iriisii about it, she replied that they could very well propel the Fourth Studios higher than any other BD studio has ever climbed to. And it would be but the first of a brand new spate of companies to grow and take on the megacorps. Judy asks her, "Will we see the end of the Megacorps?" Iriisii answers, "We will see our companies placed on the track they need to be on to do just that. But by that time we will be called elsewhere. Existence is vast, and so many places within it need our hands to help show them the 'Way'." Judy, "I understand now. I didn't when we started, I was just following 'V' because I wanted to be near her and not lose her." Iriisii, "But now, you see what your part in this can be, and how it brings you and 'V' even closer. You will always have your individuality, you will always be yourself, no matter how close you and she grow together. That is the secret to those relationships that can last for all time itself. Revel in who you are, who she is, and the place each of you has made for the other next to each."

     Judy asks, "But what of you? I have seen no one here for you in the time we have been here." Iriisii smiles, "They have been here, with me, within me." Judy, "Within you?" Iriisii, " I have places set aside in my mind that my mates and I have fashioned just for us. They come and visit with me in those places." Judy, "But it cannot be the same, can it not?" Iriisii, "It can be as real as we make it. It was in just such a place where my Dettlaff gifted me with our daughter, Kallekiiraaz." Judy, "You mean it was actually possible to..." Iriisii, "Go in dreaming perfectly normal and walk out, awake and pregnant? Yes, it happened just that way. I still have not learned the secret of how it could be, but I know it happened. And it made me very, very happy."

     Subjectively the years pass by, everyone progresses, some faster than others, then they slow while the others catch up. The closeness they share is sometimes scary a bit, but they have come to appreciate that quality, as it tells them they are breaking new ground in their relationship. They are anxious to get back and see what their newfound skills, knowledge, and outlook can change things for them and the city around them. They share the last night together before returning. Iriisii has promised them a treat like no other they have experienced. When she shows up, she has them follow her on a little walk. They walk in the darkness and it seems that the shadows come out to play with them. Hiding one from another for a few seconds before moving to another. Soon enough they seem to notice the differences in where they are from the rest of the city. They think they are in a special nocturnal garden when they notice three moons starting to rise, one blue, one orange, and the third, a gorgeous rose. Iriisii, "A fortuitous night, the 'Night Rose' blooms in the sky tonight. I almost think it has been waiting just for us to arrive." They continue down the path that has seemed to arise under their feet from nowhere. A small light shining in the distance. A light smell of something warm and wonderful floating on the gentle breeze. As they approach the light, they begin to see the outline of a large old, wooden home with an expansive covered porch. Several rocking chairs are sitting on it and one is occupied. A pot of something sitting on a small table next to the occupied rocker.

     The figure stands and slowly walks to the edge, in the light of a paper lantern they notice an old woman. The fine lines of a life well lived, define her face and light up when she sees Iriisii walking toward her. As Iriisii steps up onto the porch, she wraps her arms around the old woman and warmly greets her. "Well met, mother of my Dettlaff. The night greets our reunion with the 'Night Rose' blooming in all of her glory." Mother, "I still remember that first night my son brought you here to see me. How the 'Night Rose' bloomed that night, and the moths danced in her light all night. How have you been, my child?" Iriisii, "Much has happened since I was last here, both good and bad. I found my Kathea, my lost daughter, took her home and through her I have a new 'son' and two grandchildren. Aleytys and Arioch have two children of their own. Darius and Ragnar are still too restless to settle down and start a family." Mother, "What of Kalle and her sister, I have not seen them in a while." Iriisii, "They now sit at their brother's feet, Mithrandir is teaching them of the 'Great Balance' and their place within it." Mother, "So the Jihad approaches close." Iriisii: "Yes, it does. I feel it just beyond the rise, and now I bring these four to meet you. Two of them called out in deepest despair, their very lives depending on their word reaching me. Many were the hands raised against them, and all that they sought was healing each for the other. They called out into the Great Void, bared their souls in their cry. In those darkest moments, she, one of the greatest of the powers, found them, drew them and wove their very souls two into one. They were returned to where they left their bodies with the promise that I would come to them. I did so, feeling the currents of destiny flowing around them as they once flowed around me and truthfully still do. That I feel will never cease, not even when I return home." Mother, "And what of the others, what is their tale?" Iriisii, "After 'V' and So Mi were parted, neither knew if they would ever be close again. 'V' was drawn into Judy's life, to be her healer and share her pain over the loss of one so close to her. They came to fall in love, each needing the other to heal their spirits, even as I needed Dettlaff to show me how he could heal mine, and in so doing heal the wounds he kept hidden and had forgotten he had. So Mi heard 'V's words to her before they were parted as they were told to her again and again to help her heal from the wounds 'V' sent her away to be healed of. And so she resolved to find her way back to 'V' whatever the cost to her. To help her with what was slowly killing her from within. She promised herself to find a 'cure' for 'V', and if she could not, then to be with her and care for her until the end of her days." Mother, "That is a strong 'love', a binding 'love', soul deep and strong as the sea." Iriisii, "'V' brought So Mi and Judy together, to explain what happened, so that each could see what they meant to 'V'. And so know this was not a 'game ' to her but real as she gave her heart to both. Rita came later, seeking an answer to a problem she felt 'V' could help her with. That which dwells deep within 'V' was the catalyst between them, drawing them together. Now they are four lives, four souls, their fates, destinies, entwined together, as theirs is now being entwined with mine." Mother, "Come pull up a chair and sit, have a cup of hot Tisane tea. We can enjoy the night for which this forest is known."

     They sit, rocking back and forth, sipping on Tisane tea. A fluttering of the foliage just beyond the clearing in which the house sits. Iriisii extends her senses and knows who it is that wants to come to her but does not know the company she has around her. She puts aside her cup and rises. "I will be just a few moments, a good friend awaits my presence." Then she steps down and walks out into the clearing. Stopping halfway, she extends a hand out beckoning the guest to come and greet her. The others are wondering what is going on as they heard and saw nothing. Then they see Night Tiger step from the foliage and make his way to Iriisii amidst the ohs, ahs, and gasps as they realize his size. He reaches her and coils himself around her, rubbing and marking her as his. She slips her hand behind his head and scratches behind his ears. The others relax and they see Night Tiger stretch his head for her to reach under and scratch his jaw.

     Judy glances at Mother and sees her smile. Judy, "You know of how they came together?" Mother, "He is the Night Forest's gift to her, for the love she has of it. For she gave one of herself, to take up the holy name of she who once was the soul of the Night Forest. Thus as her 'splinter child', given to her by my son, Dettlaff, through their ritual of blood sharing, was the first to take a name for herself. And by taking the name of the old soul of the Forest, became Kali-Mah reborn once more." Judy, "What is it that you called a 'splinter child'?" Mother, "My son is a High Vampire, chosen by Iriisii, who is Aasimar, to be her Vyrkolos. He was declared to be Vampire mate to her Aasimar War Goddess. Thus as they share each other's blood, he rises as she goes up the Celestial Ladder of Power. The Vyrkolos is spoken of in the 'Hallowed Scrolls of Skelos', once 'Archmage' and 'Prophet' of Dark and Ancient Acheron. He is to take power over all of the undead, gather them to himself and lead them next to Iriisii when she goes out to begin the Jihad of Truth. Each gave the other, gifts of the Blood, many and varied they were. One of his was to have within her grow one to be her 'beast', that which lives within the High Vampire race. To come out when the hunger and bloodlust would be released and appeased lest it overcome all control. In her it became sentient, learned of what she could teach it, thus it opens the path so that all of them may one day recover what they lost when they became 'beasts'.

     How did they became 'beasts'? Who were they before then? What happened that they changed? That knowledge was lost uncounted ages ago, so long that even the Gods of Dream have no remaining knowledge of it. We are not even certain how they came to be within us, which also happened in our darkest history. All that is remembered is it happened after a war that almost killed us all. A result of the death curse of the one who brought that war to us when what was left of us, called upon those we once worshipped to aid us against him. We only found out much later that he was a failed 'Vyrkolos', one that could not complete the ritual and so went homicidally insane. Even in a failed state, the power he wielded was incredible. So strong that it took the power of our old gods to stop him. But the Mother of the Cosmos, who chose Iriisii from all other possibilities, blessed be her 'name', placed her feet upon the path that brought them together. And has kept them together, even to giving them a 'child', Kallekiiraaz, she who bears the 'Wings of the White Phoenix'. In the 'Jihad of Truth' to come, she will be her 'Mother's Blade'. What that means, literal, figurative, something in between, we do not know or even begin to understand. It is only known that it goes back to the earliest times of the Aasimar, when they first knew the 'Great Balance' and served as its protectors. As she is now its Champion and within her is her twin brother, who died before he could be born. So strong was their bond, his soul would not leave her and pass on. And so he went to sleep within her until the time of his awakening, when he would be 'Protector' to her 'Scourge', as she is to be the Blade of the Aasimar, so shall he be her Shield. It is thought that Skelos wrote of this, but if so that scroll has not been revealed. Perhaps the Hidden Prophet will reveal it, but that is not for any of us to know."

    Judy, "I sense great tragedy in the past when you speak of your son, Dettlaff. Would you speak to me of him?" A little dismay crosses Mother's mind as she sits and takes up a cup of Tisane. She carefully sips it and asks Judy to sit near her. Mother, "First, I must tell you of myself, so that it will clarify exactly who and what I am. You see, I died here, over a hundred thousand years ago." Judy's jaw drops as it begins to dawn on her what Mother said. Mother continues, "Let me start back then, when this tale began. Dettlaff's father and I moved here to be away from persecution. There had arisen a series of prophecies spoken by our Oracles. The head of their order was my sister, so she made certain we had advance warning of the contents before it was presented to the High Council. When they began to understand what it meant, they began putting the pieces together and came hunting for Dettlaff. You must understand, he was just a little boy when this occurred. He had no way or experience to understand what it all meant. The High Council saw only a threat to their power in his future, one that they thought to take care of before it came to fruition."

      Judy, "But he was only a little boy, what kind of...?" Mother, "Monsters? Yes they were then and still are now. But now they cannot touch him, he is well above them in the hierarchy of the Celestial. But that would not stop them from going after those he cares about. But I digress, I am sorry." Judy, "It matters not, please go on." Mother, "Thank you, dear one. We lived in a home, Dettlaff's father built for us, that this one is a reflection of. We felt safe finally for several years. Until the High Council sent agents to the local Baron, asking for Dettlaff to be taken from us and brought before the Council. What they either had on him or used to sway him to their point of view, I cannot speak to. A combined force came for him one overcast rainy day. His father had already made arrangements for Dettlaff to go far away with a good friend of his now known as Regis. Dettlaff was already gone when they got here and we knew what fate awaited us if they took us alive. I had hidden an artifact from our deepest past, a time of wonders and terrors unimagined, from the time before we became High Vampires.

     Within the artifact was an entity of power, similar to what you know as an AI, but Sharra was far more. I knew our deaths were imminent but we resolved to take as many to the Dark Hells as we could. We let them come into our home, and I released Sharra from her prison. Our home exploded into naught but shards and splinters, then burned until there was nothing but ash. Only one of those who came for us survived, and Sharra allowed him to live to send word to the High Council not to attempt to follow or find her. Or their fate would be the same as our home and all within." Judy, "If you died so long ago, what truly are you?" Mother, "I am formed out of the memories my son has of me, as he grew in power, that power allowed me to become as you see me now. He gave me the memories I have, and I began to have thoughts, desires of my own. I began to grow, but he is still my son, and I love him with all my heart and soul. So I have remained here for him, and those close to him. Offering whatever I can that they need to find the answers they seek."

      Judy, "You were stronger than most who call themselves mothers, but then they have never faced what you had to face. You remind me of my own grandmother, 'tough as nails', 'with the heart of a bulldog', but with those she loves, she would give anything she had, dare anything she must to protect them." Mother, "That must be why you were drawn here, you are also one who can understand me. Iriisii has come to understand me, and has trusted me with her deepest secrets. She accepts me as I am, for who I am. There is no one else I could have chosen that is better for my Dettlaff. But it was he who chose her. When they started down this road they walk, it was on a high ledge of a tall rocky spire. On a desert world as harsh and deadly as any you could imagine. She spoke to him of what she had been given to see in a vision. That he was one that could accompany her on the quest to find her lost daughter Kathea. Find her and all return alive from it. For they had to journey through 'Where Dead Gods Lie Dreaming'. A place where none before have ever entered and came back from.

     She was completely honest with him that night. Spoke of the journey, her unshaken resolve to go and rescue her daughter, whatever it cost her. And of what it would do to my Dettlaff, and to her." Judy, "What did it ask of them?" Mother, "She told him that she would have to share her blood with him, for only that would cause the Dream Lands to open its gates to a vampire. And her blood would bind them together, bind them even closer than man and wife. And so, on the top of that rocky spire, she offered herself to him, totally and completely, to let him see with his eyes, feel with his touch, what he would gain. It was that moment of trust that made his mind up for him. He could have said 'no' and she would have went on, and thought no less of him. But he said 'yes' as he took her into his arms, laid with her, and each shared their blood with the other. You have to understand that among our kind, what he did was something very rare. We are not easy to trust, even among our own, for barring war, and murder, we are almost immortal. Accidents, if we are old enough when they occur, with enough time we can recover. But they have been together ever since, and not only did they recover Kathea. But they did something unheard of in our history. He, and one not of our kind, had a child." Judy, "So you are normally different enough that you cannot have children with any but your own?" Mother, "And rare enough at that. Our birthrate is very low. I suspect it is because of our longevity as vampires. But that is as it is, it is late and I see some among you beginning to need sleep. There are more than enough beds upstairs, divide them as you will."

     Iriisii, "I could use some sleep. I have found sleeping here to be very restful. I will see you all in the morning. Goodnight and good dreams." Iriisii stands and goes through the open doorway to the stairs up to the second floor." So Mi, "I could use some as well, the last few days have been very strenuous." Looking toward 'V' she asks, "Coming?" 'V', "I will be up very soon." So Mi, "No problem, just snuggle next to me if I am already asleep." Rita, "Judy, will you..." Judy smiles as she replies, "Here, help me up and we can find ourselves a bed. I believe I hear one calling our names." Rita shares her smile as she holds out a hand to pull her up and out of the chair. Then arm in arm they walk upstairs. Mother waits to listen to what 'V' has to say.

     'V', "Please do not let me keep you." Mother, "Not at all. It would not be the first time and likely not the last either. What troubles you?" 'V', "Honestly, everything that is happening in my life right now. I put on a strong face, but it is so far from anything that I understand." Mother, "Tell me what you are comfortable telling me about, maybe we can find out where the problem lies." 'V' spills everything that has happened to her since all this started. Mother simply sits and gently rocks as she listens. After 'V' is done, Mother thinks for a few long seconds. Mother, "Indeed there has been a great many different things happen to you in a very short period of time. So many ups and downs it is difficult for anyone to find a stable place to stand with it all going on. Some you have come to accept, and understanding is working its way through you. But I think it is Iriisii and what she represents that is what is concerning you the most, as it would any other in the same circumstances. For that matter, even she had the same sorts of doubts when she was dealing with the same issues."

     'V', "She has the same issues as I do?" Mother, "Oh yes, she was once as you are, mortal, young, and then her entire world flipped itself upside down on her when she was not looking. Her problems started even earlier than yours did. She too lost her family, and had to accept what her life had become. When the chance came she escaped it, and started to put the pieces back together, when her old life came looking for her again. Chased her all the way to the other side of her homeworld." 'V', "What did she do?" Mother, "She did what she had to do.  They would never leave her alone, and she was not going back. So she put them all into the ground. Not that they did not deserve it, because they did. Nobody shed a tear over their disappearance. But you are wondering about this path ahead of you, where is it going, what is it going to do to you? Both valid questions with little understanding of the answers. Truthfully, there are few answers because this opportunity is very rare, very rare indeed. But if I may say, the parallels between the two of you are so close it is astounding. Enough that I can say, that if you look closely at her life now. How she lives and reacts to things. The kind of person she projects herself as, is in truth who she is. And if you walk her path with her, she will help you along it. I believe the two of you could become sisters. not twins in any case, but close enough to be sisters. If that makes any kind of sense." 'V', thinks a little bit and nods her head, "Yes, I believe I can agree with that. And then seeing that she has dealt with it all, means that I can as well, and she will be there to help and explain." Mother, "Indeed, even with the extra guests you have, she has had some of her own as well. And they have come to be an integral part of her memory and conscience. She will listen when they have anything to say on a matter, but the final decision will always be hers." 'V' "That is what I needed to hear. It gives me hope that everything is not totally out of control. That I can and will bring it all together. I think I can now go join so Mi in bed and not wake her tossing and turning. Thank you, Mother. I am glad she thought to bring us tonight." Mother, "And I am glad she did as well. I will see you all in the morning, for breakfast." They enter the house, head for their respective bedrooms. Night Tiger lays curled up on the porch in front of the door. The night moths fly up into the air trying to reach the rose colored moon. A cool, gentle mist flows from the trees and collects on the ground, as the air grows cool. Time seems to stand still in the clearing, and around the house. And the Gods and Goddesses of Dream are now content that they have done the best that they can to help this path along. A little stronger, and heading in the right direction."

     Everyone surrounds 'V' this morning offering her support. She is to attend a meeting at City Hall between Mayor Perales and NUSA President Myers. So Mi comes out of her bedroom, dressed smartly. As 'V' sees what she is wearing, she knows what So Mi has in mind. 'V', "And what do you think you are going to do, dressed like that?" So Mi, "I am going with you of course, no way am I going to allow you in the same room with that 'viper'." 'V', "She doesn't know I will be there. Mayor Perales has kept a tight lid on who is going to be by his side in this." So Mi, "Even so, you need to go in this with the expectation that she knows and is prepared for it. She may still want me very badly, but you are not far behind me. Cyberspace is very heavy with traffic seeking any information, not only on us but on who his new Security Chief is. When she learns we are in fact still alive and here in Night City, there is no telling what she may pull." 'V', "I know, you are right. You know her better than anyone else here right now. But we have a huge advantage." Judy pipes in, "What advantage would that be?" 'V', "Implants for one." Judy lightly smacks her hand on her head, "Shit, that's right, You have the new organic implants. At first she will not be sure it is you, so she will scan you with her implants and..." So Mi, "See nothing at all. Nothing to identify her as the 'V' she knows. She will not know what to do, but she will hide it very well. 'Balance' yourself as you have been taught and that will keep her off-balance for the entire meeting. She knew the old 'V' was dangerous, you proved that by avoiding her attack in the shuttle and turning it on her. I have only seen a handful over the years do that to her. Then getting her through all of Hansen's goons and into the museum. She respected you for how you handled yourself. Now however, you are so much more than you were then. She will look at you in the old ways, body language, positioning strength, how you look around the room on entering, evaluating what to do no matter what happens from whatever source or corner. She will notice these things and this is good for it will put her on edge. For it screams that you are more than competent, that you are the most dangerous apex predator around. And you take nothing for granted. Further, you should say as little as possible, let Mayor Perales introduce you however he wants. This will show her that you have the utmost confidence in him. And his choice of you for his Chief of Security Operations will raise him in her judgment. She will have to wonder how the two of you work together, are the two of you seamless or is there anything she could use as a lever between you. Enough now, you will be late, I will stay outside unless you call for me." 'V', "Ok, I know when I am beaten. Judy, Rita, c'mere."

     At City Hall, 'V' and So Mi make their way through the halls to the conference room where the meeting is going to take place. She sees a couple of the PD officers standing outside the room. They see her and come to attention. 'V', "I guess this is where the meeting is going to happen?" Officer, "Yes, Ma'am. The Mayor has been waiting, the President has arrived just a few minutes ago." 'V', "So Mi wait here with these officers unless I call for you." So Mi, "Don't worry about me, you have this in the bag. Myers will not know what hit her!" 'V', "Thanks. Here goes." 'V' knocks so that the Mayor knows it is her, then opens the door. Blending her disparate sides into a matched whole, she feels the energy soaring through her mind and veins. Her senses sharpen until she can hear the breath being pulled back into Myer's lungs as she get her first sight of the Mayor's new Chief of Security Operations, and for a split second almost calls out 'V'. Perales stands and shakes 'V's hand, with the other he waves toward Myers and introduces 'V'. Mayor Perales, "President Myers, I would like to introduce you to my Chief of Security Operations, Valerie. We do not use her last name for security reasons. Val, this is the President of the NUSA, Rosalind Myers. 'V' without hesitation leans in toward Myers, taking her outstretched hand, she grasps it and exerts the exact same amount of pressure as Myers is exerting. When she feels Myers begin her release she does the same.

     Myers cannot believe that any of her sensory implants can not detect anything that would allow her to make a positive ID of this woman She is left with a total blank. She resembles the merc 'V' she had dealings with before, but this one has too many differences in her posture, bearing, confidence, she thinks her training is also far more extensive than 'V's was. No, the resemblance must be coincidental. But from what she can see so far, she must be very careful with this 'Valerie'. She appears to have no implants at all, but that seems impossible. She thinks she will have to speak to her medical techs to see if they know of a way to camouflage implants to make them undetectable. She comes back to herself just as Perales was finishing asking a question. Thinking fast she scans the last few seconds of her audio recording and prepares an answer. A knock at the door and one of the two guards hurries inside, "Urgent message for the Chief Security Officer." 'V' waves him over to her and he whispers the coded message in her ear. She translates it and holds onto herself for dear life. She calmly rises and looks toward the Mayor. 'V', "My apologies, Mr. Mayor, Madame President, there is a issue that I must see to immediately." Perales stands and, "Of course, is there anything I can do to help?" 'V', "No, Mr. Mayor, it is best if I handle this, I will add more guards to both of your security details until I have this sorted out." She turns to go out and issues orders to the guards, "Stay with the Mayor and Madame President, call dispatch and tell them I said to mobilize the standby details, add another detail here. I will want a Max-Tac unit on the AV pad, equipped and ready to move when I get there. Have the other details spread around City Hall, they know where I want them." As she reaches the door, she turns and bows to Perales and Myers, "Again, my apologies, I hope we can conclude this later with no further interruptions." Myers, nods her head in respect for the way 'Valerie' is handling the situation. Perales bows back to 'Valerie' as she turns back to the hallway, he hears Valerie issue one last command to the guard. 'V', "Have Elizabeth Perales' guards put on alert. Put an exfil team on standby at their penthouse just in case they might be needed." Guard, "Orders have been issued and acknowledged. Max Tac is on deck and waiting. Secondary guard detail will be here in thirty seconds. Building entrances will be covered in forty-five seconds."

     'V' is within sight of the AV pad when she gets a holocall from 'Hands'. 'V', "I hope you are calling with good news for me?" Hands, "I do not know if it is good or bad as yet. I have my people monitoring over all of Dogtown for any signs. We were able to determine that it was the Voodoo Boys, which faction is still in question. But as soon as I know you will know." 'V', "Thanks Hands, I will owe you one for this." Hands, "You owe me nothing, your actions in taking care of business for me here has substantially elevated my position. This will in some small way help to balance the scales between us, but alas I am still indebted to you." 'V', "I am certain before this is all said and done the slate will be wiped clean." Hands, "One can only hope so, but until that time go, retrieve your output, and keep her safe. You are infinitely more valuable when your family is safe and waiting for you at home." 'V', "I am in complete agreement with you on that. But if they harm a hair on her, I will not leave a single one alive behind me." Hands, "I understand. Go and do what you must."

     Back in the conference room, Myers, "Where did you ever find her? She is a polished diamond among raw stones." Perales, "I know. When she came to officially accept the position, she stopped a double assassination attempt on me, here at City Hall, and my wife Elizabeth, at our penthouse." Myers, "Did she find out who was behind it?" Perales, "The ones executing the plans were human, just expendable tools, the planners, she says it is a corporate AI." Myers, with both fear and curiosity in her voice, "An AI? You are certain?" Perales, "She explained what she knows of them. There are at least five classes of them. The first are Dedicated Heuristic Controllers: The simplest and most mundane AIs. They have very limited self-awareness and are hard-programmed to handle specific, repetitive tasks. Then there are the Symbolic Analysis: These AIs are designed to emulate human thinking patterns. They act primarily as assistants, secretaries, or advisers that can render advice and guide decision-making. Third are the Soulkilled Pseudo Intellects (SPI): These are the digital engrams or consciousnesses of deceased humans extracted by Arasaka's Soulkiller program. Because they are digitized humans rather than natively coded algorithms, they act more like virtual intelligences. Fourth are the Transcendental Sentience (TS AIs): Apocryphal, highly advanced entities that naturally emerged out of cyberspace and complex network processors. They are incredibly intelligent, with thought patterns so foreign to humanity they are practically alien. Most communication with them is impossible. And last, Critical Pathway Plateau (CPP): A classification used to describe AIs that have evolved significantly beyond their original programming. These are essentially the "rogue" AIs that roam the Old Net." Myers, "How is it she knows all of this about them?" Perales, "I know that she dug very deep and even more carefully to find all of this. It has to do with someone she called 'Barry the Street Prophet'. It seems that from the first time she heard him spouting off about Aliens, Werewolves, Vampires, and the like, she realized there were kernels of truth in his words. Not literally though, she explained he was speaking in heavy allegory, hiding the information behind a mythological smokescreen. Some people would parse out a bit here and there, Valerie listened closely enough to start piecing it together and then it was driven home to her in some of the encounters she has had across the city." Myers, "What kind of encounters?" Perales, "She has worked on a special project with Regina, the Fixer for Watson. Regina wanted someone to capture as many cyberpsychos as she could, alive." Myers, "You are kidding me, alive?" Perales, "Yes, alive. Regina wanted them to put them in a special treatment regimen, to try and learn all she could about just what cyberpsychosis is, how it starts, how to cure or at least treat it." Myers, "How many did she manage to capture? " Perales, "Seventeen, all alive. But it is one in particular that has concerned her the most."