When they arrived at their destination, Theodore put the cloaking device up so that no natives would freak out wondering who the hell they were. Anderos gave the transponder code for the Shadow of Doubt, a Karzan stealth cruiser with a hull laced with coronite making it nearly undetectable, and they approached it to come in and dock.
Dolen had spent the intervening weeks fulfilling an unspoken agreement with Anderos, one watching Tarna and Theo for signs of danger while the other rested, then switching the duty back and forth, neither particularly inclined to trust the gentler nature of an admitted follower of Tzeentch too far. Dolen made certain that he was active at the time they are due to arrive, however, and he studies the instruments and screens thoughtfully.
"What does your master wish us to see here, hmm?" he inquired of Tarna, "I somehow doubt that he has the best interests of Lord Sedder at heart, though to see that one play a game of power against one of his rivals would not be unheard or thought of." He shook his head and sighed. "No matter, we shall see soon enough."
Once they had docked, they were met in the docking bay by a woman with black feathered wings and unnatural silvery skin, wearing mage robes. She looked over at them as they climbed out of the ship and said, "So you have come, as I knew you would." She gave a long, strange look to Tarna as well.
Dolen nodded in brief acknowledgement of the greeting, his expression showing reserved calm as his helm rested at his waist. "In truth, I am uncertain precisely what is to be found here, though by the inadequate description provided by our pilot I am inclined to ask whether you are the same Aviel which we have come seeking."
She was one-quarter elf, hence her pointy ears weren't really all that pointy. "I am Aviel Tintallia Sunmoss," the woman said smoothly. "Chronomancer and former Chaos Sorceress. Welcome aboard the Shadow of Doubt."
At least the last weeks had not been in vain, Dolen mused, directing a silent thanks to the direction of Tarna and Theo. Very silent. "I am Dolen Ista, late of Iyanden Craftworld, and currently in service to Lord Sedder, who, I am obligated to add, was rather insistent that you be sought out as the only possible source of aid for him." Quite rushed, he knew, but time was not their friend in this endeavor.
Alpha was hanging around nearby. "So... a newcomer. What's your story?" Alpha was dressed in clothing that might be best suited to modern-day Earth, a T-shirt and jeans, and wearing a lightsaber on his belt.
Dolen arched a brow, turning to look at the speaker. "I apologize if that was not clear. Lord Sedder has been reduced to a static state within this vessel, and the last he spoke was of a need to seek out Aviel."
"'Static'?" Alpha blinked. "Could you be a tad less oblique?"
Aviel said, "I will look at Sedder." She went into the ship.
Alpha watched Aviel as she went off.
"He remains suspended in time, his last actions spent combating an alternate version of himself apparently in service to the Chaos Gods." Dolen replied. "Is that clearer?"
Alpha nodded solemnly at Dolen.
Aviel brought Sedder out of the ship, hovering in the air behind her and still in stasis. "Yes, I see what is wrong with him," Aviel commented. "He did not defeat himself... he merged with himself. He did this to himself to prevent himself from harming you. I will take him to the angels."
Dolen straightened as she reappeared with Sedder, his expression grim, "Then it is another debt which I owe to him, for it was at least part of my doing that brought him to that place. Is there aught which I may do to serve in aid?"
Anderos did not even pretend to understand what she meant.
Alpha muttered under his breath. He seemed unsure if Sedder should be trusted, regardless of the circumstance.
Aviel headed toward the lift and said, "He will be fine once the angels have cleansed him. I will return momentarily." She stepped into the lift and headed off to another floor.
Tension reverberated within, but Dolen schooled himself to stillness and an easy attentive stance, prepared to await her return.
Alpha peered at Dolen.
Tarna scratched her head a bit. Tarna said, "Angels? Cleansed? What?"
"The Angels have apparently discovered a way to remove the Chaos taint completely," Alpha explained. "Both Kalli and Aviel have been cleansed."
Tarna just blinks at him slowly.
Alpha shrugged. "I don't get it either. I just know it works."
Dolen started, turning an incredulous glance on Alpha. "Surely you jest?" He then turned his gaze to Tarna and raised a brow in question.
"Okay," Tarna said. "So you're either gonna make me do that or you're gonna shoot me. Got ya. Where are they at?"
"Believe me... that's not something I would joke about... Kalli nearly lost her mind to Tzeentch." Alpha cared for Kalli, and it showed in his tone. "And Aviel just went to see them now... I'm sure when she's done with Sedder she can have them help you, if you wish."
A soft, silvery laugh was forced from Dolen at her statement. "A bit more blunt than I might have said it, but I would heartily recommend such a course of action." He gestured a hand to Alpha in acknowledgement. "Such a tale is common enough, and your fate should you not so choose to do so."
Alpha quirked an eyebrow, not fully grasping his point.
After all she'd been through during her lifetime, Tarna tended to be very good at gauging just when someone was likely to shoot her. Tarna nodded tersely and commented, "Very well. I shall do so."
Dolen could hardly believe such a thing possible, and trusting to it would take longer still, but even the possibility... it gave a hope in a bleak and Chaos-blasted landscape. "Then in that, you have my best wishes as well," he said, "And hope for its success."
The lift doors open shortly and Aviel returns, sans Sedder. "Sedder is being taken care of as we speak. The procedure is extremely painful and he will likely be unconscious for several days following this, but when it is complete he will be again be fully free of Chaos."
Dolen nodded shortly in reply, the tension seeping from him. "You have my greatest thanks then, and my sworn word to repay this debt should my aid ever be required or requested. The taint of the Foul Ones is something I had always been led to believe irrevocable. To see it not so gives something else as well."
Dolen shook his head and looked away, staring thoughtfully into the distance in silence. Alpha looked at Dolen oddly.
"It does not surprise me that those in your universe did not discover the means by which to do it," Aviel commented. "In my observation, few within your universe are willing to give those bound to Chaos the chance to do so, in the unlikely event that they were willing. Nor do I believe that most of them have quite the level of skill of the Elkandu in dealing with the matters of souls."
Dolen winced visibly at her speech, forced to acknowledge all too well the truth of it in many ways. Those of his world were indeed hard and unforgiving, but what might else they have been had they not been thrust forever into the crucible of war after war? He did not know, nor whether he himself might escape just such a vicious cycle of intolerance.
"You are... most perceptive," was his only, soft and melancholy reply.
"I am a Chronomancer," Aviel replied quietly. "I have to be." She gave Tarna directions to the room where the angels were in, and Tarna thanked her and headed for the lift and left.
"Honestly... This only works for people who want to have the taint removed," Alpha said. "The majority of Chaos' forces don't really care, I think."
"Painfully so," Dolen remarked with bitter amusement, turning his attention back to the winged woman. "You might consider it barbaric, and perhaps it is, a land where beings ride their machines of destruction roughshod across the stars in the name of their individual crusades. Yet, one might ask, what would you have us do? I have seen many strange things since arriving here, and much of it lies far beyond my power or comprehension. Am I to then dismiss all which has gone before me in the many years of my life? I can and shall surely adapt, but if this power to remove the taint of Chaos cannot be used on a grand scale then I fear that the paranoia and instant and unblinking reactions of such as myself are still quite needed."
Alpha stretched. "So... where'd you run into Sedder?"
"As to Lord Sedder..." Dolen shook his head, offering an enigmatic smile. "One might say that I stumbled across him at a crossroad, a turning point which set us upon a path most unexpected."
Alpha smirked. "Okay, we just met, so I'll forgive you this time. I absolutely hate riddles."
Aviel said, "During the timeline which was averted, before the Nameless Ones broke free of their prison and ravaged the universe, Sardill closed the Interdimensional Bridge between our universes and cleansed all traces of Chaos from this galaxy, aside from that which was previously inherent to it. Because of the Time-Change, this was undone, and the Black Fleet came and attacked Lezaria." She did not comment that she was the one directly responsible for this.
"What is in a name?" Dolen mused, "Whether it be Sardill or Khaine, perhaps another entirely that should never be mentioned. What comes of the works of Gods when other beings rise up to claim their power? New names, new places, and once again all changes... Chaos inherent to the system..." he trailed off, thoughtful.
"Indeed," Aviel said. "Sardill's powers are great and unmeasured. But it would be folly to do so to those who did not wish to be so. Not all are eager and willing to repent and embrace redemption."
"Either way..." Alpha said, "I have a feeling it's just going to get worse..."
Dolen was yet again reminded of his full lack of perspective in this place, the depths of the water he swam going far beyond anything he might never see. And yet he found those here and there, through listening and pondering, which gave new life to the faint and dying spark of hope which resided within.
"It will indeed grow worse, but will it grow better?" Dolen said. "I must believe so."
"It may... or it may not..." Alpha seemed a bit distracted by his thoughts, but shook his head to clear it.
Aviel smiled faintly. "Indeed so. Chaos is not absolute, as nothing truly is. In the end, the only thing certain is change. There is hope, and there will always be hope, if we are willing to dare to accept it. To save one soul is to save the entire universe."
"Yet the universe is surely lost if action is not taken," Dolen replied, feeling a stirring of tension once more. "You have seen much, and I must assume that you know of the events which passed in the Karzan Empire. Is there any other who is seeking to avert the dangers there that knows their true depth? Are any of these 'Elkandu' likely to intervene before Chaos grows too strong?"
Alpha snorted. "I may not be counted as an Elkandu, but if Chaos threatens me or those I love... Be assured I will fight them myself, if need be."
"I know which was transpiring within the Karzan Galaxy when we came here, however there were matters of importance to be dealt with here before aught else could be undertaken with regards to them," Aviel said. "At this time, however, fighting them directly would be folly. Far too many within the Karzan Galaxy willingly embrace the dark gods. There are those still who can be saved, but we must fight our battles one at a time."
Dolen nodded silently, raising a hand before him and turning it palm upward in acceptance. The scope of events which he now found himself embroiled in, and the powers surrounding them, were far beyond his abilities. This Alpha, at least, spoke of an attitude at least similar to his own. His own decision to remain had not been based solely upon personal danger or threat to those near him, however, merely a desire to see right prevail against Chaos.
"The fleet that came across the Interdimensional Bridge had originally intended to wage war upon your own universe," Aviel said slowly. "But while they are ravaging the Karzan Galaxy, there will be that many fewer of them who are ravaging your own. It is, however, time for us to leave this place. We have much to do elsewhere, and we have done what we came to do here."
Alpha said, "Well... I guess I should head back up to the bridge then."
Dolen looked around, suddenly at quite a loss, not only strange surroundings but suddenly without a purpose to drive him in any direction. He looked back at the ship they'd arrived in, remembering Theodore was still within, and quickly said, "I presume the full crew I arrived with is included in this 'we'," though he might wish else with one of them, "How then may we serve?"
Aviel said, "We must return to Lezaria. You are more than welcome to make yourself quarters aboard the Shadow of Doubt. There are plenty of empty quarters after a number of former crew members were evicted via the airlocks when this ship was taken over."
Dolen offered a crisp bow, "As you wish, and I am thankful for the offer."
Aviel headed off with the intent of having some private time with Asura, leaving them to do whatever they wanted with a short bow.
"If you want to follow me, I'll show you to some quarters you can use," Alpha said.
Dolen nodded, "I would appreciate that. I have nothing beyond what I carry upon me at the moment, so we may proceed at your leisure." He followed.
