Morrigan was renewed with a breath of life as their 11-day trip to Escostia was coming to an end, her excitement to see her family growing more intense as they approached. Mo’Emori and Nora kept her occupied for most of the trip though; the three women swapping stories of their lives as well as Stephanie visiting Morrigan’s quarters frequently to stoke the fire of her and Nora’s renewed sistership.

  Nora had even convinced Stephanie to teach her and Morrigan her sign language as awkward as it was. Despite being happy that she no longer had to worry about the sisters being at each other's throats, there was still the lingering guilt that kept Morrigan at arms length of Stephanie.

  It was also a chaotic mess once Yekku discovered that Mo’Emori was on the Archangel, having remembered how rambunctious and fun the Eskarii woman was, which created several eventful evenings of Yekku and Mo’Emori chasing each other around the ship like a couple of children. Many of the crew grew fond of Mo’Emori’s presence on the ship as her childish demeanor breathed a new air across anyone she came across.

  To Nora’s surprise, everyone she saw on the ship seemed happy to see her making a full recovery, especially Admiral Shepard, whom appeared to have grown an attachment to the foul-mouthed woman, often visiting the girls each day to check up on the three of them and regale in her own stories as she, Morrigan, Nora and Sigurd had done before.

  Nora however, became protective of Mo’Emori and made it a point to keep overly friendly crewmembers at knife point, threatening to kick their asses from one end of the ship to the other even with one functional arm. This left Morrigan constantly embarrassed and amused seeing as many people found the quirky alien girl irresistible.

  But in a strange way, it seemed as if Morrigan’s life had once again turned around in the right direction which left her feeling content and only mildly impacted by her constant worries thanks to her role as Lord Inquisitor.

  Apollyon even enjoyed the sudden shift of events despite spending over a week without Morrigan shedding the blood of her enemies. The deity often spent its time ruining moments with perverse commentary or generally making fun of those around Morrigan for its own self amusement.

  However, upon the final hour before their arrival, as the trio of women ate a late lunch with the full Clarke clan; Yekku chittering away with excitement as Mo’Emori listened intently to his nonsense, a mildly worrying thought occurred to Morrigan.

  “Hey, um, they're not going to try and shoot us down, are they?” Morrigan asked as she set her empty plate on the counter.

  Mo’Emori looked up in confusion as Nora started chuckling at the question for its validity.

  “Oh, it’s a total trend. Show up, get shot out of the sky, precious here makes an example out of the leadership and nobody dies-oh wait… the pilot on Tik’Taq’To didn't survive, I forgot about that,” Nora mused before realizing that the validity of the question was more dire than she considered.

  Understanding what was being asked, Mo’Emori shook her head, “No, I sent my ship ahead to announce our arrival. There is no way my Mem-eni would let something happen to us.”

  “Right, cuz your mother is the bloody queen…” Morrigan commented, still in disbelief that the first two Eskarii she had ever made friends with turned out to be not only bad ass special forces, but royalty too.

  “Oh, that's right! Oh, wait, isn't there a saying about… nah, never mind,” Nora prattled in thought which only made both women curious.

  Look at that grin, you know she's thinking some lewd things in that little head of hers, Apollyon commented in amusement which made Morrigan snort and nod.

  “Most likely, knowing her,” she thought back before turning back to Mo’Emori, only to be cut off by the hissing exclamation made by Yekku. Everyone watched the S’randin slink across the floor and to the bag Morrigan had requisitioned for him to use for work before he moved closer to Mo’Emori.

  Digging in the bag, he stepped behind her to reveal a blackened metal circlet designed in the likeness of a tiara, complimentary with polished metal pieces to act as gems along its face before he gently placed it upon her head.

  Everyone froze as Mo’Emori giggled, reaching up to touch what he had placed on her head only to gasp as the tips of her fingers danced along the intricate design and discovered its shape. Quickly, she pulled it down in front of her to see the blackened metal tiara inlaid with onyx colored metal, “Oh my goddess… did you make me a crown!?” she asked emotionally as tears welled in her eyes.

  Yekku circled around her and began bobbing his head excitedly before pushing her hands back towards her head. Mo’Emori obliged and placed the tiara back on her head before pulling Yekku into a tight hug.

  “Dude, what the hell?” Nora exclaimed in offense, “You make her a crown but not me?”

  Yekku’s head shot up just to stare at Nora with wide eyes as he tilted his head in contemplation, his tongue flicking adorably which made Morrigan and Mo’Emori laugh.

  “To be fair hun, she is royalty,” Morrigan commented in amusement.

  “Psh! So am I! That's what happens when you bang a queen! You become royalty by osmosis,” Nora pouted crossing her arms.

  Morrigan rolled her eyes with a defeated sigh all the while Mo’Emori giggled like a maniac, “That's… that's not how that works, and for the last time I’m not a queen, you brat.”

  “But you’re a queen to me!” Nora stated slyly, her dramatic pouting lips shifting seamlessly into a seductive smirk as she batted her eye lashes, her personality flipping as quickly as a light switch.

  Morrigan mouthed the word “Wow” several times as she shook her head a she blushed, “I can’t believe you really just said that,” she murmured loud enough to be heard, Nora winging her eyebrows at her with a big grin.

  Mo’Emori awed loudly, “That was so cute and cheesy!” Yekku even chittered his agreement before bobbing his head.

  “Keep it up over there and I'll be a queen by the end of the night,” Nora alluded to Mo’Emori playfully, causing Mo’Emori’s eyes to go wide as Morrigan face palmed her own blushing face.

  “Anyways!” Morrigan exclaimed, “What should I be expecting? I mean, how are we going to get to wherever it is you live? I’m not sure what the protocol is here…”

  Mo’Emori snorted as she leaned into her lap, “Well, if I told you that then it wouldn’t be a surprise, silly!”

  Oh, oh! I know! We fly down and land while the ship rains fire down upon the world! Now that is an entrance of a goddess! Apollyon stated excitedly making Morrigan shake her head in disappointment.

  “There is no way in hell we are doing that! You know better,” she thought back as she sighed

  “But can my sister come? I think it’d be cool for us to have a little sister vacation!” Nora asked with pleading eyes to Mo’Emori.

  Mo’Emori’s expression sunk at the request as she hummed in question, “I don’t know… I think it’d be nice too but… my Mem-eni only wants to see Mori… I don’t know how many we could bring before it caused problems.”

  “Wait, does that mean I can’t go!?” Nora exclaimed in heart breaking shock.

  “I am going,” Xol followed up over Nora’s complaint.

  Everyone looked at Xol in disbelief, though not everyone knew what he said, his tone giving way to the obvious.

  “Xol, you do realize it's a bad idea for you to go with, right?” Morrigan asked incredulously.

  Xol only sneered at that. “She's right, our species were at war for a long time, Xol… you being on my home world could cause a diplomatic incident,” Mo’Emori explained.

  “I am going, that is final,” Xol countered.

  “Not if I say you’re not!” Morrigan pointed out sharply, reminding Xol of her position over him. However, with a moment to think, Morrigan sighed, “But, I think it’s actually a good idea if he does…”

  Mo’Emori’s eyes went wide in disbelieving shock, “You can't be serious… Mori, that’s a very bad…”

  Morrigan cut her off as she raised her hand, “Hear me out. This is a diplomatic mission, and my goal is to gain your mother’s support and to do that… it might be a good idea to show her that I even earned the Marmuro’k’s trust, well, respect at least. That may sell the need to band together more especially if he behaves and supports me on that,” she stated looking to Xol who nodded in agreement.

  “Or, it could have the complete opposite effect and we start a war with the Eskarii?” Nora commented hypothetically.

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  Mo’Emori nodded in distress, “It could do that! This is a very risky idea Mori…” Mo’Emori sighed as she considered the option. “I guess if we're doing this…then I don't see how we can cause more of a problem with more people…” she sighed.

  “Yes! I'm going to go tell her!” Nora exclaimed before scampering out of the room before anyone could stop her.

  Suurreee, say no to the rain of fire but let’s bring down every single person that could start a war, I’m almost proud of you, Apollyon snickered in her head as she sighed.

  ◇◇◇

  With the dropship prepared, Clan Clarke, along with Taylor and Stephanie, began getting ready outside of the ship as Morrigan explained her plan to Shepard, who walked with her through the hanger as the Archangel drifted over Escostia.

  Everyone aboard the Archangel were told to remain vigilant and prepare for anything seeing as the Federation were reaching farther and farther each day, making for a busy ship to navigate through.

  “Everyone ready?” she asked as she approached the dropship.

  “Yeah! Let’s go!” Mo’Emori cheered, excited for everyone to meet her family despite the looming possibility that Morrigan’s plan could backfire. Mo’Emori’s excitement matched Morrigan’s nervousness, knowing soon she was about to meet the queen of an entire race she adored inside and out; and more importantly, the mother of someone she cared deeply about.

  The fact Mo’Emori had no idea why her mother requested she find her made it even more nerve wracking.

  With a solemn farewell from Shepard everyone boarded the dropship only to be caught off guard as massive feet treaded up the ramp of the dropship before Skoll let out a howl that nearly deafened everyone aboard.

  “No, No! This is getting ridiculous Mori! I told you how my people feel about the Danth?r!” Mo’Emori shouted sharply in protest only for Skoll to sit in front of the ramp obstinately as he stared at Morrigan.

  Come now, think of how you would look riding him through the heart of their capital? You may not want the first idea I had but treat yourself girl! Apollyon commented. The deity’s vocabulary never ceased to amaze Morrigan as she struggled to hold in the chuckle that threatened to slip out.

  Morrigan knew she was already running a massive risk however, it suddenly dawned on her that she had been requested. As a Lord Inquisitor, it would be expected for her to not only have a powerful retinue, but also have a flair of power. It was actually an ideology Dora mentioned back when he explained his years as a warlord, which was something she couldn't believe to that day.

  She missed the eccentric gay man. Dora had been right about everything he pointed out; between his certainty in her and Nora’s feelings to her opinion of the Inquisition before she even knew it herself all the way to how she would do remarkable things no one else would manage to do because there she was, on a ship half filled with Marmuro’k and a creature of legend that would follow her into the abyss of space, about to land on the Eskarii home world. If anything, Dora was a more personable version of Solomon it seemed, if one could be personable with a man that had Nora’s sex drive and the personality of a drag queen.

  The thought finally broke Morrigan’s focus as she chuckled aloud, “Fuck it. We’re already a spectacle at this point.”

  Mo’Emori's ears drooped as someone closed the ramp of the dropship, “This is going to go so bad… I wanted this to be special…”

  Morrigan frowned, realizing she was being selfish and wrapped an arm around the slowly panicking Eskarii.

  “It is special, and it'll be okay, I promise. I have the feeling this’ll go exactly how it went on Tik’Taq’To,” Morrigan stated with a level of certainty.

  “Didn’t you have to fight a bunch of them?” Mo’Emori asked dolefully as she leaned into the embrace.

  That cornered Morrigan as the ship began to take off, the pilot having not been aware of the delegation happening. She hummed in defeat, “Yeah, there was that… well, consider this then. Everyone here will listen to me or risk a very, very painful experience, except for Nora, we’ll have to keep an eye on her,” she retorted light heartedly.

  With success, Mo’Emori giggled with a weak smile. “Hey! I heard that!” Nora punctuated.

  Both women turned to see Nora grinning deviously as she talked with her sister, who also smiled knowingly at the comment. The interaction was enough for Morrigan to sense her friend’s nerves relax but to make sure, she commented, “Besides, can you imagine the look on Torvil’s face?”

  Mo’Emori sputtered into childish laughter as she imagined not only her brother’s reaction, but her sisters’ too, at the sight of not only Morrigan, but three Marmuro’k, a Danth?r, two ex pirates and an Inquisition soldier, walking through their home.

  “That is going to be sooo funny!” she squeaked, feeling better about the coming situation despite the high impact it would have.

  Mo’Emori sighed wistfully as she thought about all the fun their meeting would be, “I guess I’m worrying too much. No one will argue with the queen and I’m sure she foresaw this...”

  The comment drew Morrigan’s curiosity, “Foresaw this? What do you mean?” Mo’Emori only stated that her mother wished to speak to Morrigan but didn't know why.

  Mo’Emori chewed on her lip as she looked over at Morrigan, “I think it would be best for her to explain.”

  Morrigan furrowed her brow at that before the dropship cut through the clouds to reveal a barren world below. “What's with this? I thought your home would be more…”

  Everyone heard her comment, making Nora and Stephanie look out the viewing window of the ship in curiosity.

  “This is how it's always been since the war… the Marmuro’k destroyed the surface with their ships,” she stated factually.

  “Is that true?” Morrigan asked Xol as she began to reconsider her plan to have Xol, H?’tet and Yekku along. Xol grunted giving a noncommittal response which left Morrigan curious if he even knew the truth or not, begging the question of their presence even more.

  “Oh! I have to tell the pilot where we're going!” she chirped before wriggling between everyone in the cramped hold as Skoll took up a large portion of the area, her renewed excitement only increasing the closer they came to her home.

  After a moment, Morrigan watched the ship bank as she studied the surface of the planet, letting her mind wander over many details she didn't consider. Many things came to mind as she saw the haze of heat over the horizon as far distant mountains silhouetted behind the pale beige sand and dirt. It made her wonder how such a wonderful species managed to survive and prosper, but then again, she saw no sign of life outside of the stray bungalow amongst the desolate landscape which made her wonder where all the Eskarii were.

  Mo’Emori shouted something in her language causing everyone to freeze at the expectation of anti air fire only for the dropship to take a steep dive. “What the hell is this?” Taylor exclaimed while Morrigan braced herself in the corner of the hold watching the surface draw closer at speed. In a nerve wracking moment, the ground passed over the window as everyone braced for impact only for Morrigan to open her eyes to see layers upon layers of the world passing by.

  “This is so cool!” Nora exclaimed as she cackled like a mad woman, her sister grinning beside her as they supported one another to stare out of the viewing glass.

  Morrigan paid no mind to the mix of panic and glee amongst her retinue as the ship veered and banked with enough force to misbalance some of them. What she did pay attention to was the sinking feeling that began to spread throughout her body, a soft fuzzy feeling of her own energy panicking within her.

  Well shit, that's not good, Apollyon commented in her head.

  Morrigan looked around in a panic as she searched for the source of her discomfort, “What is it? What's going on?”

  Apollyon shuddered as if uncomfortable about the new found feeling, That, is the feeling of us separating from the cosmos… we've crossed the threshold between freedom and a potential prison once again.

  Morrigan's eyes widened in shock having completely forgotten that the inside of a celestial body was a barrier between her and the endless ambient power of creation.

  “Shit, shit, shit!” Morrigan exclaimed in rising tempo as she heard Mo’Emori giggling joyously while the ship lurched.

  Morrigan calm down! I've met blenders that make more sense than you right now! Apollyon tried to shout in her mind only to be drown out by innumerable panicked thoughts.

  After a moment the momentum of the ship slowed, the violent pressure of subterranean travel at speed fading as the pilot coasted out, “That was really impressive!” Mo'Emori exclaimed as she complimented the pilot.

  She returned to the hold to find everyone staring at a clearly panicking Morrigan, looking around wildly as she clung to the corner hyperventilating, Yekku squawking incessantly as he pointed at Morrigan.

  “Mori! What's wrong?” Mo’Emori squealed as she and Nora raced to kneel to either side of her.

  “We’re underground- we need to go, to go- the s-s-surface, can't… I can't, too deep, too d-deep…we need to get out of h-here,” Morrigan stuttered as she felt the rising swell of energy in her core, her power threatening to take over as her fear continued to rise.

  “Ah shit, why didn’t you tell us we were going underground!” Nora complained angrily as she realized the issue, something she too had forgotten.

  Mo’Emori shrank at the comment, uncertain what was wrong as her wide yellow eyes filled with tears. Her worry for Morrigan peaked the more she realized it was her fault for her distress, never putting her brief and vague stories of the two years spent within an underground prison and the heart of her home together.

  “We’ll get her to a doctor! Pilot! Take the upper left tunnel!” Mo’Emori offered as a shot in the dark.

  Nora shook her head sharply with a grunt before placing her hand on Morrigan’s face, “Baby! Look at me!” she said forcefully, gaining Morrigan’s attention.

  Nora gently pressed her palm into her cheek, her icy blue eyes searing a hole into the cacophony of images that flashed through her mind. Dark caverns only she could see, giant insects that gnashed at the limbs of fleeing people, viscera and gore that dripped underneath an illuminating crimson glow, a sharp pain as she was crushed by a giant slithering creature before a primal fear radiated behind her eyes as she looked out from behind shattered debris to see the beautiful chaos of love and madness that reeked of home.

  Morrigan’s eyes dilated beyond a normal range as she met Nora’s eyes before looking around to see eight worried faces. Her synapse fired on all cylinders as she tried to cohesively take in her surroundings, only able to feel the warm of Nora’s hand against her cold and clammy cheek.

  “It’s okay, precious,” Nora said softly as she gently brushed her thumb across Morrigan’s cheek bone causing Morrigan to jump slightly before her eyes locked onto Nora once again. “You’re not trapped sweetie, you’re okay.”

  Morrigan could smell Nora, her hand stinking of crisp oxygen, iron and aromatic herbs, quite similar to the food they ate only hours before their descent into a new hell. Morrigan, in a moment of calming clarity as her breathing stopped, realized it was Nora’s blood she could smell which gently pulsed through her hand against her skin.

  “Mori?” a soft, girlish voice said her name as a new smell reached her nose; the smell of hot atmosphere as she glanced to see Mo’Emori. Not only could she smell Mo’Emori, but she could feel her presence in rapid waves as the Eskarii girl’s heart raced.

  Something inside told Morrigan that she needed what was inside the Eskarii woman, the woman she knew and adored, something that held the key to her inner most desire. Except… it wasn’t her desire.

  Morrigan shook her head as she forced herself to look back to Nora’s worried eyes, “No!” she exclaimed shakily as she refused to take a breath before something familiar began to radiate within her mind, an anger and disapproval she vaguely recalled. “I-” Morrigan started only for a spike of pain to ram into her brain causing her to jerk.

  Everyone watched as the back of Morrigan’s skull bounced off the metal wall of the ship’s hold before laying limply in the corner, each one of her team displaying varying levels of shock before Taylor finally broke the silence, “Uh, just what in the ever-living fuck was that?”

  Nora sighed in disappointment and pain as she leaned forward to continue caressing the cheek of her now unconscious lover. “Something we didn't bother to consider… I'm sorry but, this may have been a bad idea.”