Adam led us up the hill that was just outside of the dock portion of Far Harbor. It was strange seeing the town populated beyond the dock, but the sight was encouraging. It was nice to know that life had been more tolerable and prosperous before the fog. We were led along the road until we came to a small house with fusion core candles hanging, and set around, the porch. There were a few acolytes of the faith working in the yard. As we grew closer, the acolytes began to take notice. I still had my radiation 'wings' on display and this caused most of the acolytes to drop to their knees in supplication while a few of the others ran into the house to call everyone's attention to our approach. Moments later, dozens of Atomites crowded the yard in awe.

One among them moved to the front and stared at me as we stopped a few yards away. The elderly man looked from me, then to Adam, "Adam… Who is this person?"

Adam, already dedicated to his role of Zealot, answered clearly and proudly, "Confessor Confessor Martin, this is High Priestess Merida Orodum; Daughter of Atom, and the Granddaughter of Mars. She has come to reveal Atom's truth to us."

Martin looked down at me, "You glow His Light. How can this be?"

I smiled softly at the Confessor, "I have been brought to this world by my father to speak his truth and bring his children back to the proper path. The Children of Atom have misunderstood his lessons, and I have been sent to correct this misunderstanding."

The Confessor looked like he wanted to believe me, but his time as a religious leader bore skepticism, "How can what know that you say is true?"

Adam barked furiously, "Can you not see with your own eyes that she is bathed in His Glow? That Atom's blessing is surrounding her and expresses itself in the shape of her wings?"

"Peace, Zealot Whately," T'Preea said calmly. "The High Priestess will make her case."

"Of course," Adam replied. "Apologies Grand Acolyte."

I ignored the outburst and continued to focus my attention on Confessor Martin, "Your skepticism is understandable, High Confessor. You have hope, but your concern for your faith and your flock requires that you be dubious in your acceptance. Allow me to demonstrate the gift granted to me by my father, so that no doubt will remain in your mind."

I spread my 'wings' and held my arms out wide as I absorbed all the radiation in the area. The Atomites who had been bathing in radiation and were suffering from its effects were now clean of it. The earth was cleansed, and the fusion core candles were suddenly snuffed out. The radiation and energy collected itself into a tight sphere of yellow-green light in my palm.

Raising the hand which held the energy ball up to the High Confessor, I grinned, "Here is all the radiation in the area. I have called it to me and gathered it here. There is enough potential in my hand to destroy a large chunk of this island. But that is not Atom's will, and it never has been."

The other Children of Atom had moved to join the others in supplication as Martin looked at the ball and its mesmerizing glow, "It was… never his will?"

I shook my head and absorbed the energy into myself, "What happened during the Great War was not a blessing. Humanity had been wielding Atom's power to great effect and without his ire for over a century. The Great War was a punishment delivered to the war to punish man's hubris for fighting over limited resources when Atom had provided an unlimited resource for his children."

Martin looked shocked and many of the other Atomites began murmuring in surprise.

"Division is one of Atom's greatest blessings, this is true," I confirmed, referring to the idea that the Children of Atom believed that every atom in a person's being was a tiny universe unto itself, and that those universes would only come to life once a person died and began to decompose. "However, Atom wants the influence of our lifetimes, lived out in full, to influence the worlds created by our division. His power is great, and unlimited, but like all divine things; it is anathema to mere mortals."

Martin looked aghast, "Are you saying that His Glow…"

"It's poison, High Confessor," I confirmed. "Useful when wielded properly, but dangerous and to be used with caution and protection."

"We've been misusing His Glow?" one of the members asked.

I looked at the others and smiled, "The mistake is understandable. You understand the Power of Atom's blessing and naturally wished to cultivate and share it. But Atom's power is to be used carefully, and should never be allowed to run rampant. It is the duty of the Children of Atom to master His Blessing, but also to cleanse the world of its poison after he punished man for his arrogance."

Confessor Martin stared at me in abject horror, "Then we have been working against Atom's will this entire time."

I chuckled, "You've been much more considerate to his will than others. That is why I have been sent here first. Far Harbor will be the first place we start the cleansing. Once we have contained His Blessing, we must acknowledge our role as caretakers of its responsible use. I will need all of you to help me spread this message to our brothers and sisters throughout the Wasteland."

Martin looked at me with hope that there was some hope for forgiveness for his perceived slights against Atom, "Will you teach us how to become caretakers of His Power?"

I smiled and nodded, "I will. But before we begin, I want everyone to pack their things. We're going to relocate to some place more appropriate."

It took a few moments for the request to register before Martin turned and began to shoo the rest of the congregation off to begin packing. After nearly an hour, the Atomites had packed up their things and I began to lead them further into the island. I could have told them where we were going and let them travel there, but I wanted to take the opportunity to showcase more of my power. As we traveled, I smoothed the road, captured the mutated wildlife, and pulled them along in stone cages. There were pockets of fog beginning to form on the island and I absorbed the radiation from them, the water, and the ground itself.

By the time we were close to our destination, we had a menagerie of monsters trailing behind us, as well as a small crowd of Trappers who were curious about how I was managing to capture the creatures. It took us a little over two hours to reach our destination; the Mount Desert Island Naval Facility.

I stopped a few yards from the entrance and turned to face the crowd of Atomites and Trappers, smiling, "Here we are. This place represents a prime example of how mankind was able to responsibly, and properly contain and wield Atom's power. Inside is a nuclear submarine, powered by Atom's Grace. Mankind devised many safe and reliable ways to harness Atom's Power, and it will be up to the Children of Atom to help the world wield it responsibly once more."

I shifted my gaze to the small group of Trappers who were listening curiously, "And if you all wish to join us in our efforts, I will rely on your expertise to tame the Wasteland. Our world is forever changed after the Great War, and the wildlife is no different. We must find a way to not only preserve this new world, but also keep it safely at bay while we rebuild. Would you be willing to do that?"

The group seemed confused as they looked at each other, not sure how to respond.

I chuckled, "There's no need to answer now. Watch and listen for a while, then make your decision. I know your group is extremely talented in the way you can master the wild, so it would make me feel better knowing we have your expertise at hand."

Over the next few days we set to work clearing and cleaning the facility. First thing first, I absorbed all of the facility. It was a considerable amount. Next, we fixed the radiation scrubbers, then cleared out the secured area. I reprogrammed the protectrons and assaultrons inside so that they would be friendly to us.

It took me a few days to go over all of the files, textbooks, instruction manuals, and the like. I organized all the books, notebooks, and files, then began to instruct the Children of Atom to copy them, word for word, dozens of times over. I was also very particular that what they were copying were man's way of understanding Atom's Power, and not to be misunderstood as the truth of the matter. Science, in this sense, was only the translation from the Truth to the mathematics of our ability to contain and wield Atom's Power. I also insisted that no one in the world should be more of an expert on the scientific and religious method of properly, and safely, wielding Atom's Glory in every aspect from the mundane to the exotic or dangerous.

Over the next few weeks, the Atomites dedicated themselves to not only copying down the texts, but also memorizing them while applying the information to the mechanics of the submarine. They dedicated themselves to the task with zealotous fervor. While they were busy learning, I worked with the Trappers. I explained to them that the whole of the Wasteland would need to be cut back, tamed, and cataloged. They were all excellent hunters, and they knew how to use most every part of the creatures in the Wasteland. They would need to be able to teach others how to hunt, track, and use the creatures efficiently. They would also need to figure out which of the creatures could be tamed.

The Trappers helped me clear the area of creatures and ghouls from the immediate area. As we explored the rest of the island I cleansed it of radiation, though I found that the fog was beyond my influence. Its radiation could be absorbed, but there was something strange about it. It didn't set me off, but the Trappers and others who entered seemed to be put on edge. The fog had a way of making people feel disconcerted, paranoid, and even fearful. I had my theories on its effects.

A month after arriving at the island, I called the Children of Atom and the newly converted Trappers to a nearby spring. This spring was used in the game if the player wished to join the local chapter of the Children of the Atom. Drinking from it would cause the player to see a strange vision of an individual called 'The Mother of the Fog'. While there were multiple theories on what, or who, the Mother was. I was determined to make her a genuine part of the new Atomite mythology by creating the Mother with my ability to manipulate radiation. I had intentionally left this area irradiated so that the spring would have its same effect.

I stood next to the spring with everyone else gathered before me, "First, I want to thank you all for your hard work over the past few weeks. Your dedication to our great work has been inspiring. I cannot express how grateful I am to you all."

T'Preea led a small applause.

I turned and motioned to the spring, "Some of you may feel it around you even now, but this place is still irradiated. I could have cleansed it as I've done for the rest of the island, but I have not. I have chosen to leave it alone because it is a holy spring. The water from it grants those who drink from it visions. To cleanse it would have been an act of blasphemy on my part."

T'Preea began to pass out cups to everyone.

I cupped my hands together and gathered water from the spring, "I would like us all to partake in a sip together so that we can share in Atom's Glory together."

After the cups were passed out, I brought my hands to my mouth and drank the water. As I watched those gather kneel down to begin dipping their cups into the water, my vision was taken away. I found myself in a black void that reverberated with power. I could feel a great presence that threatened to drown out my mind. I felt as if the presence could snuff me out with a thought but was instead welcoming me warmly.

"Welcome, Child," the entity's words echoed in my mind painfully. It seemed like the same voice that had addressed me when I was first brought to this universe. Its tone was less strained. "Your work has begun."

It took me some time to work up the will to respond. While the entity's voice was painful, it wasn't as overwhelming as it had been when I first arrived, "Where am I?"

"Standing before the spring, sipping from the water," it answered. "I have pulled your consciousness here to speak. You will be returned before anyone else has taken a sip."

"What did you want to speak to me about?" I asked.

"Your work," it said with an oily tone. "You are cleansing the world."

"As you asked me to do," I replied pointedly.

"It has eased my suffering," it said. "For this, I will grant you dominion over my avatars. Continue your work and more boons will be yours."

"I'm happy to help," I responded, curious what it meant by dominion over its avatars.

"You will see in time," it replied, clearly aware of my thoughts. "There are some places you must not cleanse. You will know them. They will feel like home and my avatars will feel like family."

"Then I'll leave them as they are," I said, accepting the task.

"Only your fellow travelers may join you when you enter these sites," it warned. "Others will not keep their minds."

That statement made me curious, but I put the curiosity aside, "As you wish. I trust you're speaking to me now because the rest of the congregation is about to drink from the spring. Is there something you wanted me to tell them?"

The blackness seemed to wrinkle in amusement. It seemed I had hit the mark.

"You hope to show them the Mother of the Fog," it swirled. "I will grant this vision, but I will center it on you. You will be my representative in the world."

"As a priestess of Atom?" I asked. "That is who they believe I represent."

"And so you will be as far as they are concerned," it insisted. "Mortals have given me many names. Atom shall be the newest."

"Atom doesn't exist." It was more of a statement than a question to gauge the validity of the deity.

"Nothing exists as you know it, Child," the darkness seemed to chuckle. "Atom exists in the minds of mortals, and so thusly exists. When you referred to Atom, you referred to a fiction driven by your Narrative. Now, when you speak of Atom you will be referring to me. So now, you can truly say that Atom exists."

"Why doesn't it hurt as much when I speak to you now?" I asked curiously.

"You're beginning to accept your role in the Narrative," it answered.

The answer left me flummoxed, "What does that mean?"

"You are not ready to understand," it said stiffly. "You will learn as you progress. Just accept that you are growing, and your growth is why you will feel less pain as we speak."

"That suggests we'll speak again," I suggested.

"Yes," it confirmed. "But now you must speak to my followers. Convince them. Command them. Cleanse this world."

"May I make a request?" I asked carefully.

"Speak," it responded, some form of curiosity seeming to seep into its tone.

"The fog has an aspect to it I cannot control," I said. "It has an effect on human minds, turning them mad. I would ask that it no longer do so. At least not until my work is done, and never on those who worship you."

There was a long pause before it replied, "I will grant this request."

I was nearly about to respond with my thanks, but I was instantly transported back to the spring. No one had noticed I had gone. Had I gone? Or had the entity simply pulled my mind or spirit to its realm and left my body on autopilot? In either case, I could feel the spring water still running down my throat. The congregation were all raising their cups to their mouths and beginning to drink the water. I could feel the radiation spread through them and, as if on instinct, I exerted my will. I wished for them all to kneel… and they did. It wasn't forced, and it didn't seem as if they wished to resist. It seemed that my will was able to influence the behavior of others that were irradiated on a subconscious level.

I summoned my wings once more, making them spread wide. The congregation stared at the display in awe. While I wasn't suffering from the illusions that the spring imparted on people, they clearly were, and they were seeing more than I was showing. I assumed the entity was doing more through the spring water to make me seem more impressive than I looked.

"We stand here in one of Atom's holy shrines," I began. "We have taken in His Blessing and are connected through it. The power you feel surging through you is His Glory! You are seeing me now as He sees me! He is showing you this because He wishes for you to be as dedicated to our goals as humanly possible."

As I spoke, I began to walk the perimeter of the shrine, lighting brushing my fingers over the heads of the Children of Atom in the front row.

"We are tasked with cleansing the world and showing the rest of humanity how Atom intended His Glory to be used," I continued. "With this cup, you have shown your dedication to Atom's will. You are granted His Vision as a reward for your faith. Now, I must ask you all; are you willing to see this great task accomplished with me?"

They responded with a resounding 'Yes!'

"Will you acknowledge me as the Daughter of Atom, Mother of the Fog, High Priestess of the Church of Atom, and Granddaughter of Mars?" I asked, raising my voice to grow their excitement.

A louder, more fervent 'Yes!' was their response.

"Then rise!" I shouted. "Rise and gather your things! We are going to leave this island and begin our great task of cleansing the Wasteland!" I let my wings beat, sending loose feathers of radiation out to touch the heads of followers and fade over the congregation.

The Atomites cheered and stood, quickly running back to the Naval Facility to begin packing their things.

T'Preea, Adam, and Meirune remained with me as we walked back slowly, allowing the others to rush ahead and begin the work.

"That was an inspiring display, High Priestess," Adam said. He was dressed in Marine combat armor we had salvaged from the wrecks of naval vessels. I had worked on the armor myself, making the fit perfect, reinforcing it, and adding a bit of enchantment to it using the techniques I'd learned in Thedas.

"Thank you, Adam," I smiled up at him. "Hopefully the impression lasts long enough to keep them motivated."

"They'll stay motivated so long as they can keep seeing you pull off stuff like that," T'Preea chuckled.

"Then they'll stay motivated," I smirked. "Before we leave, we need to choose some of the congregation to stay behind to maintain the facility and watch over the spring. Zealot Whately, do you have a suggestion on who should be entrusted with this task?"

"I will make a list for you, High Priestess," Adam replied.

"Excellent," I smiled. "We need people we can trust so that I won't have to worry about the shrine's security."

"I will ensure you have nothing to worry about, High Priestess," Adam assured. "I trust we're keeping to your time table?"

I nodded and grinned, "We're right on schedule. We only have about a year to conquer the Commonwealth. Once we leave the island, we'll need to make for the Glowing Sea. There, we'll absorb more of the Children of Atom into our numbers, and I will need to make a pilgrimage. Once that's finished, we'll set to work on the rest of the Commonwealth."

"As you say," Adam nodded. "May I ask you a question, High Priestess?"

I looked up at Adam and nodded, "Of course."

"Why do you declare who your grandparent is?" he asked. "Why him and not your parents?"

I chuckled softly, "Mars is the god of war. He brought me to this world so that I could conquer it."

Adam stared at me as if he were trying to work out some puzzle, "If your grandfather is the god of war, why do you serve Atom?"

"It is my task to conquer the world for Atom," I explained. "There are many ways to conquer it, but none are as effective as through war. I was chosen because I am more diplomatic and charismatic than my kin. I wage war on the soul; on the hearts and minds of my opponents. But I can also wage true wars against them if need be. Atom has granted me dominion over his aspects, as has my grandmother Tellus Mater."

T'Preea arched a brow at me, "You haven't mentioned her. Who is she?"

"Tellus Mater is the goddess of the Earth," I replied. "She has granted me dominion over the very stone of the world."

"I see," T'Preea said in a tone that communicated that she understood how I was explaining my powers to those who would know me as the descendent of deities. While Mother and Father were happy to blame Vault Tec, I could now alter that story to better suit my needs.

"You haven't demonstrated your grandmother's gifts yet," Adam observed.

I laughed, "Oh, don't you worry, Adam. I will soon enough."

A few hours later the Children of Atom were prepared to leave. Adam had picked out a handful of members and tasked them with staying behind and safeguarding the facility and the shrine.

As everyone gathered together, I smiled, "I want to thank those of you staying behind to be the safekeepers of these holy grounds. However, I do not want you to think that I have left you with a great deal of work to turn this area into something worthy our faith. So witness Atom's glory made manifest!"

I turned and spread my arms and radiation wings as I summoned the stone to rise. I molded it into a massive cathedral with twisting architecture, winding hallways, and detailed engravings. Atomic symbology, as well as finely sculpted tentacles decorated the new cathedral. The building was so large that it encompassed the naval facility, with a dock and bridge that led over the nearby river, and swallowed the surrounding grounds all the way to the spring which now rested in the cathedral's grandest chamber.

I turned back to the congregation that stared at the new cathedral, "This temple is Ug Qualoth, home to the Wellspring of Atom. Its caretakers are hereby charged with safeguarding and repairing the facilities, as well as maintaining the spring. You are to offer aid, food, and comfort to those who ask for it. Teach the word of Atom, accept all who wish to become part of our faith, and respect those who do not. Ours is a unifying goal; if not in faith, then at least in the goal of rebuilding from the Great War."

I looked at the crowd and smiled softly, "Now, let's begin the next step of the journey."