Riel Stories Epic

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic
One 28.2[92]
Of Burning Deaths

 

That the twins had come through the Waygate, to get there, seemed at first to be of little importance; they could have walked to there through the Shades, though with more trouble. Yet they were soon noting what appeared to be newly opened wall sections, apart from that which had hidden the Waygate.

 

Samsal frowned softly. "Coming through the Waygateways meant that we triggered hidden areas to be exposed and I doubt that was a coincidence. It was a way to stop those, coming into the area by more common means, from finding the hidden areas."

 

Olisha noted that there was an exposed alcove chamber that held a set of strange Grand Aldmer machines of metallic stone cubes and diagonally upright crystal capsules. Inside each one was a Mer figure, naked but only part revealed in a kind of misty liquid effect. "The eight people, in the eight capsules, are Ayleid. I do not know how I know this. They are in suspended animation and caught just before they would have suffered burning deaths. They were placed in the Grand Aldmer machine to be researched by Ayleid specialists. Seems the Grand Aldmer had to deal with the burning deaths in this area (the Shades) as did the Ayleid much later."

 

The ghost, of the Shades woman who had perished from a burning death, had suggested they should go to the Good Freshing Temple but they had assumed it was to be by more normal means than by the Waygateways.

 

Then they saw it, in another exposed alcove, a dangerously twisted looking mechanism. A crystal box was on one side of a crazy series of metallic stone cubes, globes and other shapes. On the other was another crystal box. Somehow both of them knew that this thing, as created by the Grand Aldmer, had something to do with the 'Freshing' that the Ayleid had later used as part of the name for the place (Good Freshing Temple). Except that the two Slayers did not 'sense' much that was good about it. Yet they also 'sensed' that the machine was linked to the core answer of the cause of the burning deaths.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 29.1[93]

Of Burning Deaths

 

He came seemingly out of nowhere and took general charge of the Imperial defense effort. He was known to the Legionaries, and other Imperial fighters, but it was something else about him that had them follow his directives, his advise. Very soon he was helping to improve the situation for the Empire. He was the Eternal Warrior and, at that time, bore the identity of Star Marshal Drake Septum. He was allowed to use the name 'Septum' with the Imperium's gratitude from another time he had assisted the Empire.

 

Marshal Terisha Septum, distant cousin to the Emperor, not only strengthened her defensive position but drove some decisive counter strikes into the odd enemy forces. The enemies were an odd mixture of human like fleshkynes, other kynes, human cultists and a kind of glimmering mist entity that protected the kynes from the sunshine. The ambush, of the restructured 10^_th Legion, had been clever but had also contained mistakes.

 

Even as the enemies drove at the Legion with lines of steel golems, hundreds of kynes, the cult-soldiers were obviously having troubles. The kynes would often turn upon them and the glimmering mist was making them sick. It was not hard to predict that the cultists would try to leave, in an organized manner, fighting as they went. As they were the ones who were using the steammagic machines, hulking and armored on four or six wheels, and the ones directing the golems, they were soon using both against the kynes.

 

Marshal Terisha Septum went against her own feelings and sent out messages to the cult-soldiers giving them amnesty in exchange for fighting for the Empire. Having little choice, they agreed. When she met the officers, of the cult-soldiers, she was soon to be surprised as were her Legionaries attending the meeting. For the cult-soldiers were albino like humans with pale pink eyes. They were formidable fighters and some were elite soldiers. They had not come from the Septum Empire but from the Tamriellan Underworld, from the Albiri Empire of Albirisho. The soldiers wore armour, and weapons, somewhat like those of the Blades but also carried some curious zipdart guns being pistols, carbines and rifles.

 

They met in a glade and the Abirins clearly preferred the shade on that fairly hot afternoon. Terisha frowned softly at the Albiri Marshal. "Why did your people attack us?"

Edited February 26, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 29.1[93]

Of Burning Deaths

 

"Fear of the Nameless Enemy, of the infestation and our own insane God-Emperor. He is only a demigod but a very powerful one." The male Marshal was almost expressionless compared to the Imperial. "When it was discovered that we soldiers, of the 55^th CuttingGlory, had become infested in our battles against the Szykyne, the God-Emperor sold us to the evil plotting against the Septum Empire. We were then provided with Imperial Guild manufactured steammagic, and other magical, devices with out anybody to train us properly in their use. With little real knowledge, and poor planning, we found ourselves assaulting your Legion. That is until the kynes attacked us and the glimmering mist began to make us sick. We will help you defeat the evil that is here. Then we will return to the Underworld and help to destroy the God-Emperor."

 

The female Marshal nodded, in obvious thought, and then spoke. "The StarMarshal will have to approve but, more importantly, so will the Emperor. Despite that I will find a place for you to defend against the kynes. Perhaps our two empires may form some kind of agreement in the longer term."

Edited February 26, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 30.1[94]

Of Burning Deaths

 

Tall, armored Star Marshal Drake Septum stood observing as Marshal Karashi Levento sent the restructured 5^th Legion into a series of decisive counter attacks against a force of kynes, shielded by the glimmering mist, and treacherous cult-soldiers from Tamriel.

 

Drake had learned of the exotic albino soldiers, that he knew much about already, through mage communications. He warned Marshal Terisha Septum that the Abirins had some odd ways but that generally they could be trusted. The story spoken of the God-Emperor was, unfortunately, true for there had been a time when the same entity had been a great and fair leader; that is until he fell under the influences of a dark, subtle, evil entity.

 

Arcane, elemental and divine magics were used by the Imperial Forces while steammagic machines smashed against the enemy forces.

 

The Eternal Warrior had brought magical devices that protected soldiers from the glimmering mist, even driving it back. As darkness fell the mist became more disturbing to look upon and some kynes rose out of it to fly through the air.

 

Magical wingboats shot volleys of steamgun balls at the flying creatures that spat back jets of burning acid, spinedarts and other lethal attacks. A bigger wingship burned thanks to burning acid having splashed one of its great magical wings. Kynes died and burned away with even more dramatic effect in the darkness.

 

Powerful Imperial golems grappled with powerful monstrous kynes.

 

The traitor humans fled, in disarray, as kynes turned upon them and the glimmering mist made them sick while the Imperial Forces also struck against them. The cultists ran straight into imperial ambushes and the few that survived, that surrendered, were going to be executed anyway.

 

The fighting went on.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Maharg67

[Robert55]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :nuke:

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 31.1[95]

Of Burning Deaths

 

The LittleFatMan did not need to meet the LittleFatWoman very often and visa-verso. They were semiautonomous aspects of the same base entity that itself was an aspect of the God-Goddess, the balancing divinity of all existence in the Multiverse. Except that Mundus was outside the Multiverse, proper, at the very fringe of existence. So there, in Mundus, they found the need to meet.

 

They did so on the planet that was the home realm of Akatosh and other deities that had less influence over it. True dragons soared in the skies above and swam in the great ocean in the distance. Wingless dragons, not of the aquatic type with fins, were active on the plains, and in the hills, that the two LittleFatOnes could easily observe. Dragons were relatively few in number, being outnumbered by more standard flora and fauna. Herds of antelopes shared the plains with wild horses, elephants and other creatures while the hills were forest clad and birds dared to share the skies with the dragons.

 

Akatosh was aware of them but was wary, would not come out to meet with though a dozen of his most powerful DivineDragons openly watched the pair. The DivineDragons were actually Demidivines, were the celestial children of Akatosh himself.

 

"Will the Divines ever learn?" The LittleFatMan asked a rhetorical question as he sat in a golden wooden rocking chair that slowly rocked itself. He was knitting. "Will they ever get over what happened and stop being so fearful of interfering too much in the mortal realms?"

 

That planet was one of the Divine Worlds and not part of the mortals realms just as the Plains of Oblivion were not part of the mortal realms of Mundus.

 

"The burning deaths, the deep dark truth that they point to, will force them to do something. We already have an answer." The LittleFatWoman sat in her own self rocking chair. She was also knitting. They were knitting the same thing that was forming out of mid air, being a rainbow metallic dragon of multiple elements. It would be their liaison with Akatosh. "The dragons are purposely agitated and forming part of a strong military force."

 

A massive, glittering, dragon appeared being Akatosh himself who looked peaceful; even he was influenced by the calming influences of the pair of LittleFatOnes.

Edited March 2, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic
One 31.2[96]
Of Burning Deaths

 

Akatosh sighed heavily and did not speak in his normal booming way. "Mother-Father, what do you wish that we do? We have made many mistakes. Now there are the burning deaths that are so much more than mere mortals know."

 

The LittleFatMan smiled. "Mortals are not 'mere', son, and there are mortals who know more of the truth than you do though lesser immortals know much more than they, in most cases."

 

The creation of Mundus had been troublesome in ways hard to truly fathom. The elemental divine artifact, the ElderScrolls, told the truth of Mundus but in different ways to different peoples, individuals etc. Even if one 'read' the ElderScrolls it did not mean one got the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; this was not the fault of the ElderScrolls but due to the limitations of those that did the 'reading'. The Dwemer had been overly clever in finding a short cut to reading the ElderScrolls but, in doing so, had gained distorted readings that had helped lead them to their great disaster.

 

Akatosh became a little sulky. "The burning deaths will be cured as a problem but that is but a side show to the real danger that the burning deaths indicate. We, the Nine Divines (of the Thirteen Divines) have noted the Orbis being active in Mundus, even observing us as we observe it. We have 'sensed your presence'. The Wild Divines have become involved more directly in what is going on. So now we Nine Divines will do so. The Three Divines (of the Thirteen Divines) continue to be lost to us and the Great Divinity continues to block us from connecting with it."

 

The LittleFatWoman smiled. "Son, it is you Nine Divines that truly block the link with the Divinity because you have not dealt with what happened or have faced your deeper fears. This divine rainbow dragon will act as a liaison between us and will serve you also as an adviser, a special bodyguard and special companion."

 

Akatosh was still sulky but now avidly curious about the divine rainbow dragon. It was a new 'divine toy' and all of the Divines loved such things, especially ones of a kind that they themselves were unable to create. "Very well, we Nine Divines will try to reconnect with the Grand Divinity by doing as you advise. We will send small, powerful, forces to assist the mortals of the Septum Empire."

Edited March 2, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 31.3[97]

Of Burning Deaths

 

The LittleFatMan smiled. "We, your Father-Mother, are aspects of the Prime Divinity that is an aspect of the Greater Divinity beyond Mundus but still including it."

 

Akatosh grumbled softly. "We suspected the truth! We will send assistance to the Septum Empire but not just in the fighting sense. I will send one hundred dragons led by one DivineDragon."

 

The LittleFatWoman smiled. "That is very good! Now, cheer up for we will provide a feast for your followers, and yourself, that will be most delightful."

 

That is what happened with hundreds of dragons joining in the feast, including the DivineDragons.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 32.1[98]

Of Burning Deaths

 

A hopeful solution came to the burning deaths when Willow gave unto the Sisterhood of Compassion the divine magical means of creating an odd, but useful list, of survival items; the vials of healing serum, when added to shakooma, cleansed all those who took it of the infestation and took away any possibilities of dying of the burning deaths. Problem was one vial of healing potion was needed for each bottle of shakooma, making it into healkooma, and there was the difficulty of distribution even using the big network run by the Sisterhood of Compassion.

 

The three Slayer battlemages were at the Hub Markets where the Sisterhood had set up a distribution centre. Refugees were still coming out of the Shades, often protected by militia units set up by Shaders themselves. They had received a message from Olisha, and Samsal, about the twins arriving at the Good Freshing Temple along with six furroaches. A group had gone off to join them, to assist them in gaining more knowledge about the mystery of the burning deaths, including the other furroaches, Mulder and Scully.

 

Aisha shook her head as she noted Legionards, and Shades Sheriff's people, trying to keep order amongst frightened people. Those with the red rashes were getting first priority, for the logical reason they were closest to the burning death, but fear was bringing out the worst in many people. "There goes another fool being dragged off for trying to bribe an imperial law enforcer. He has no sign at all of being even close to danger."

 

Trento frowned hard. "The flow of refugees has been steadily increasing, the groups getting bigger and better armed."

 

Vaish spoke. "The Followers of the Divinity have gained enhancements of older divine magic and also new divine magical abilities. Healers are having far more success against the red rashes and also other sicknesses. The Shades Cathedral is taking in many more sick now and discharging them more quickly."

 

There was hope!

 

Workers were busy building up a series of barricades for defense purposes. The Hub Markets were growing into a sprawling underground refugee metropolis and already people were settling in to try to make some kind of living.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Maharg67

[Maharg67]

Riel Stories Epic

One 32.2[99]

Of Burning Deaths

 

There was a screaming noise and the battlemages noted that the fool, who had tried to bribe somebody, was thrashing crazily on the ground but he was not burning but glowing softly red. No, he was transforming into something quite terrible being a red platelet armored creature, a humanoid that was bigger and more hulking than either the noidkynes and shapeshifting fleshkynes.

 

It hurled the two constables, that had been taking the human to be charged, through the air as if they were small children and not the tough, muscular adults that they were. It roared rage and then the three battlemages were striking at it with magical crossbow bolts. The thing howled in agony, and rage, then burned away as kynes did when they were killed.

 

Aisha cursed softly as people, who had been taken by surprise and who had not had much time to do anything in reaction to what had taken place, looked in shock and horror at the burned left overs of the dead creature. "People turning into kyne monsters and not even with the Red Rashes to give warning of what is going to take place. We must warn others of this as soon as we can."

 

Trento shook his head. "What kind of kyne was it? It was a humanoid but not a fleshkyne or noidkyne as reported by the Imperium."

 

Willow stood there with a sad smile on her face. "That was a hulkkynde that can use basic weapons as any noidkyne or fleshkyne can but, as was obvious, much bigger. Victims, of the infestation, will change into different humanoid versions of the kynes but most will be noidkynes. I am the Wild Divine Willow and I desire you to do something for the peoples of Tamriel but, more directly, for those of the Grand Imperial Undercity."

 

The battlemages, knowing they were with an avatar of an actual Divine, stared in shock but something was wrong for it was as if they were being pressured somehow. Then they bowed in respect before Aisha spoke. "We would be glad to serve you, oh wondrous Willow."

 

Willow smiled. "Thank you, Aisha! Now each of you will use one of these special bags full of these odd glowing small polished stones. There are only ten glowing stones in each bag but when the bag is empty it will start to fill up with more stones. I need you to spread these glowing stones through out the Shades. It will help protect people against the burning deaths."

Edited March 3, 2014 by Maharg67