A Legacy of Monsters

[Ellie Mors]

Krayiss II - 847 A.B.Y​

2132 Hours​

What became of the ancient Sith empire was all but an afterthought nowadays, with the One Sith stampeding throughout the galaxy and free thought suppressed like almost never before, but even the sands of time have only hidden, buried, the relics of that past. Well-known planets, like Ziost and Korriban or Dromund Kaas, have all been plundered for their goods, ransacked for their treasures, and stripped of their libraries and halls of knowledge. Yet there remain lesser-known planets, planets which were of similar importance, where immense knowledge and treasures remain locked away. Moons like Khar Shian, or planets like Ch'hodos. In search of ancient knowledge, and for the sake of studying such an ancient empire - one which predated herself - Braith had ventured to the planet of Krayiss II with her girlfriend, and partner, [member="Corvus Raaf"].

Their arrival on the arid, forgotten, and almost silent world was without notice - no patrol ships to stop them from landing, no armadas to hunt them down. Curiously enough, Krayiss was one of the last of the five holy Sith worlds to not be conquered by the Primeval. Perhaps that bit was beneficial, it meant there was little-to-no interference. They had arrived on the planet in the middle of the night, darkness masking their landing even better than the absence of people to see them. Stepping off of the ramp and onto the reddish clay that covered much of the planet's visible surface was Braith Achlys, wearing somewhat more clothing than normal - just a coat with pockets on the inside. "I know how you feel about the Sith and all, Corvus, but locating this temple-library place and studying is very important to me. I will be reading, looking, and so on." She said, repeating what she must have said for a thousand times. "I know bringing you with me wasn't an excuse for added protection, there's something I'd like to talk about - but it will have to wait until we are inside."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

A mission to Krayiss Two. There was a familiar ring to it. One that did not bode so well. At least not to a Jedi.

She was an historian and knew what happened when well-meaning Jedi tried to access Sith obelisks to gain knowledge. If there was a subtle difference it was that she was not travelling to learn the secrets of the Sith.

But whereas the previous Jedi was naïve enough to believe she could access the knowledge by fooling those that protected the secrets, Corvus was different. She was here for one reason and one reason only — to help her partner. If Braith needed to find something found only here, Corvus would do whatever it took to help her. But she was also a Jedi and wondered if she might become a liability if the fragments of history of the previous attempt to gain information were true.

But she was knowledgeable of the Sith, not as Braith was, but more than the average Jedi — and judging by her contact during Invasions — more than the average Sith too! And unlike those that were practitioners of both the Light and Dark-side, she did not underestimate the power of the Force. And, to be fair, how many Jedi had a slither of a Sith Lord gatekeeper’s consciousness in their brain for years and not succumbed to the Dark-side? Maybe it’s shadow might yet prove useful?

Yes, she was strong, as was Braith. But she would not enter the mission lightly. She knew the risks and was wary — and hoped that reticence to be too brave or foolhardy would stand her in good stead. For she expected to be ensnared, to be trapped. So from this starting point she would plan her every move and response to minimise any Dark-sided tricks.

Corvus knew of the five sacred planets and — on reflection — it was odd it hadn’t been ransacked by now. But it was still effectively an independent planet and so — hopefully, they would only have to deal with Sith spirits and not hordes of live ones.

Their arrival was relatively anti-climatic. The twin-mooned planet was arid. It was forgotten to the point of feeling abandoned. There was a familiar feeling, stepping onto a world that felt seeped in the Dark-side. The temple must be close. Corvus was unsure if the stories were entirely true. Would they encounter a temple or an obelisk? Time would tell.

She was shaken from her thoughts by Braith. She nodded, aware she’d gone very quiet. Deep down, she knew Braith didn’t need protecting. Her presence here was for an entirely different reason. She knew that. But the truth was for later, and Corvus respected that. So she walked forward in her familiar Jedi robes, her features were entirely calm...determined. She was, after all, the Shield of the Jedi.

“Whatever you need, mo chroi. I shall be there for you. Always. I won’t allow you to come to any harm. And I’ll see this through. You have my word.”

[member="Braith Achlys"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmzrEzrZ7dw[/media]​

The search for the ancient temple that housed the archives for the Sith would have, likely, taken months to find on their own - but Braith hadn't just stumbled upon the name of the planet in some old book, or on the map for that matter. Being ever the avid learner, the studious master that tried to never stop learning, Braith came into the ownership of one holocron of Marka Ragnos, a former Dark Lord of the Sith - greatest of the ancient Sith Lords. Of course, she hadn't quite gotten around to telling Corvus yet, about it or here, and had reserved that for later - though it wouldn't be much longer now. According to the words of the Dark Lord of the Sith the temple was very close to where they had landed, with its entrance being the only portion left above the sandy, arid, landscape.

"Please be careful once we're inside." Braith said, after having nodded to Corvus's committed answer. In truth the trip to the entrance to the library-temple was a bit longer than she'd anticipated, but it was still short than the hour - and once at the entrance it was only a matter of time before they'd be well within. The entrance to the temple itself turned out to not be much of an entrance at all, simply an obelisk that jutted out from the sand like it had been buried there. With an expression of curiosity, Braith ran her fingers along the sith hieroglyphics that ran up the length of the massive needle and tilted her head with a knit brow. The words were vaguely similar to her own language, based on the way she sounded the words out in her head, but aside from that there was almost no similarity between the two. Taking a moment to glance back at her girlfriend, whom she knew was at a greater risk in the following moments, the witch looked back up towards the slab of rock and sighed.

"Imdniji dzis ki."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcUza_wWCfA

The black obelisk seemed to absorb even the meagre illumination shed by Krayiss Two's twin moons. Ahead of them in the half-light was a massive structure, albeit the obelisk she’d been half expecting. It made her wonder what the entire structure would look like. How vast it might be.

She heard Braith almost breathe the words. Corvus knew enough to understand Sith rites had to be followed with exacting care, for to abandon even one element of the prescribed procedure could spell doom for the uninitiated. And Corvus did not wish to tempt the Dark-side by offering it an opening to exploit.

She remained still and stared at the obelisk, daring for a moment to glance at the perfect symmetry of its smooth face and the precise lines that marked its edges. Beauty of course, but such wicked elegance.

Corvus held her breath. The obelisk in front of them had stood for millennia. It may not have opened for centuries. Maybe longer. And Corvus wondered if it would remain statuesque, as if ignoring their presence.

Her natural reaction was to call on the Force. To hold on to it for quick protection. But calling the Light-side here and more importantly now was not a good idea. So she relied on her Teräs Käsi training to alert her if she needed to move — or more importantly protect Braith.

[member="Braith Achlys"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=astOp9emCNM[/media]​

For thousands of years the library of Krayiss Two was left undisturbed, largely forgotten by time and Sith alike, even in the modern era it remained hidden, buried. Even those few that had came to venture out to the remote world, the Sith Pureblood holy world, only a small handful had managed to unravel the secrets of the temple, to discover the library that lay beneath the shifting sands. In truth the same sort of disappointment that many had faced would have been Braith's own if she had ventured her without prior knowledge of the obelisk and its dark secrets. A fact that likely remained unknown to Corvus, for the moment, was that she had been led here by the ancient Dark Lords of the Sith themselves, one of whom was the legendary Marka Ragnos himself - three Dark Lords kept preserved by their holocrons, one very literally so. The words, the ritual, all of it was mapped out for her before she'd even stepped foot onto the dark, arid, world.

As if on cue, triggered by her very words, the black obelisk seemed to creak, to groan, and then the ground beneath them, the very sandy desert that surrounded them in every direction for kilometers on end, shook and shuddered - boomed. The sudden, loud, displacement of sand was coupled by the rising of the obelisk and what lay beneath and behind it. A step or two closer and the Jedi master and Braith might have ended up standing atop a massive architectural wonder, but instead they were faced with a towering, wide, and likely expansive library-temple and its dark door. The sight of the complex rising itself was enough to awe even the most ingenious of engineers and sorcerers, a wonder that likely had never been repeated or replicated anywhere else - or perhaps lay hidden similarly on each of the other four holy worlds. But it wasn't the structure which kept her on her toes, no, it was the spirit of an ancient Sith Lord that she waited to appear, one which had killed uncounted Jedi Masters thousands of years prior in the same display.

She motioned, with an extended hand, for Corvus to remain back - the spirit would likely target her, pure of heart, as its first kill rather than deal with the witch if she was too close. "Another comes to seek knowledge, power, and curiously brings a master of the Light with them." Came the detached voice of what was likely the Sith spirit. Knowing physical objects likely wouldn't have much of an impact on such apparitions, Braith did what she was prepared for - a barrier of the force erected like a dome around Corvus, turning her head for a moment to give her a nod of assurance, that she wouldn't let anything bad happen to them. To her. "Two little doves, wandering into the nest of eagles - so foolish, so care-free, such idiocy. You underestimate the power of the dark side." The voice continued, Braith concentrating on perceiving its source, to rid them of the troublesome danger, but it seemed well-hidden, prepared even for people like her perhaps. "I underestimate nothing - your power is an illusion, nothing you do will bring me harm unless I allow it." She replied curtly, glancing around and then back towards the door of the library.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DrjnffvVSQ

A low rumble issued from deep within the hard ground, growing from a bare whisper to a deafening cacophony over the space of a dozen heartbeats. The land beneath them quivered, and then shook.

She glanced toward the obelisk, and though her vision jumped with each tremor, she thought she saw the massive stone moving, sliding upward, its base growing ever wider. The ground groaned and then cracked in a series of sharp fracturings.

The obelisk itself had become nothing more than a spire atop a monstrous structure of angled walls and pyramidal towers. She recognised it from ancient writings as a library-temple, a place where sorcerers of pure Sith blood would come to meditate and to set down the knowledge they had gained from their experiments. A shiver gripped her body for a moment as she realised that they were standing at the foot of such a powerful place, an edifice that had witnessed the evolution of Sith techniques for accessing great dark side energies over dozens of millennia. How long had it been buried, its halls lifeless?

The ground quieted, and the silence of Krayiss Two's night cycle fell upon them once more. It was Sith but there was no denying its natural beauty and black power that radiated from its every centimetre. She could feel its imposing presence leering at her, measuring her. The chill of Dark- side power wanted to caress her, and she knew that Braith’s barrier alone kept it at bay, for now.

And she acceded to Braith’s request, nodding wordlessly and remained silent and unconnected to the Force.

No more than six meters away stood the massive double-door that formed a tall trapezoid at the structure's base. Sith markings ran around the door's perimeter and along the seam in the middle. Though she couldn't read them, she knew that such engravings warned intruders of certain death. Those who dared to penetrate the temple would be attacked by that energy — and who was to say any had survived the Dark-side power?

It was down to Braith to stop them falling to the same fate. But as she trusted the Force, she trusted her partner.

[member="Braith Achlys"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz50D7d6Yzs[/media]

Evil is, and has always been, a formidable force, a foe that has never quite been vanquished throughout every page of history. Heroes might prevail over villainous foes, but rarely were those slain truly the epitome of the darkness that ebbed and flowed within the river of death and destruction, and not once has evil ceased to be. Here, on the barren world of Krayiss II, Braith stood firm between the faceless voice and the woman that kept her anchored to a visible world, to the light. Evil taunted her, tested her, and though she, perhaps arrogantly, believed the threat to be nothing more than harmless words to her, the quiet chuckling of that voice filled the air as the sealed doors to the library-temple cracked open. A cold chill flew from its dank, dark, corridors and unnerved the witch.

"Enter, contradictory two - enter but never leave. This will be your tomb." The voice taunted, though its amused words ceased once Braith stepped forwards. "Stay close to me, Corvus." She said, ignoring the presumably empty threat and the aura of uncertainty that lay beyond the double doors towering ahead. Though the witch wasn't quite afraid of the spirits within the temple, nor this 'dark side' of the force, she did find it necessary to seek comfort in the force, believing perhaps that it might alleviate any concerns her Jedi girlfriend might have of the temple within. Green smoke-like apparitions seeped from her robes, shrouding the two from prying eyes as they walked in, curling up and around Corvus like protective arms cradling a small child as she stayed at the lead.

Inside, as massive as the exterior was, it was clear this sinking and rising temple extended deep underground rather than leading straight back, a staircase leading down to the unlit and cold landing below waiting just behind the large doors. The stairwell was kept illuminated by the faint green smoke-like mist, ensuring no sudden stumbles or missteps might occur, and the walking space itself was narrow, strange for how tall the ceiling must have been as it remained out of sight. Although the two were essentially alone, there was still the feeling of eyes staring at the couple, perhaps just harmless spirits - perhaps worse - but Braith was sure that they would at least make it well within the building before any serious risks might show themselves. Part of her was still yearning to hear at least some comment from Corvus, whether it be comforting or otherwise.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehizf4vrsaw

Corvus sensed the stored energy within the temple — and wondered if anyone could survive a deluge of the Dark-side power. She hoped that the spirits would judge them worthy and not cast their hatred down upon them — thus avoiding testing their ability to withstand the potential wrath.

She dared to move forward, at Braith’s side. She wanted to whisper her support but before a sound escaped her lips, she decided this would sound weak — fallible. So she spoke with a normal and clear voice, albeit her usual soft tones carried in the unnatural silence of the structure.

“I trust you mo chroi. Together we shall endure — together we shall always prevail.” She gave Braith’s hand a squeeze. She felt an energy swarm but they seemed to walk through the invisible barrier of energy radiated by the library-temple. The plane of ionisation was clearly some defensive shield, but had allowed them to pass through. It seemed that the spirits had accepted their right to enter.

If there was a benefit to being Corvus it was that she was able to close her emotions down. So it didn’t matter what they faced, she would show no fear — as the part of the brain that would elicit such a response was temporarily disconnected to the part that would recognise and act on the emotion.

So she stood defiantly at Braith’s side, no longer apologetic or hiding the fact she was Light-sided. Instead she would show she was worthy of whatever the spirits could throw at them — for Braith’s sake, which was all that mattered to her.

[member="Braith Achlys"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ5yjFYIgpk[/media]

Deep within the bowels of the temple, exiting the long hallway that led from the stairwell the two had entered the building from, the perpetual darkness, illuminated previously only by the green smoke that emanated from Braith's person, scattered and was swallowed up by the sudden glow that filled the chamber the moment the base of her heel touched the smooth tiles of the chamber within. A faint, deep, red glow filled the room, which was incredibly tall and equally long and wide with pillars that supported the massive ceiling. The source of the light appeared to be magenta flames that were clearly fueled by some mechanization devised with the force as its trigger and source, perhaps how the Sith of old were able to keep their hidden temples lit without sunlight or advanced technology.

She wasn't here to study anthropology and culture, however, she was here for something more specific - something she'd been told by her benefactor was likely still residing in the untouched temple. For thousands of years the library-temple had simply collected dust or consumed those who tried to enter before they'd even set foot into the compound, and now the two of them - Corvus and Braith - were walking into a large chamber that likely hadn't been seen by mortal eyes in a millennium. It was a massive reservoir of power, of knowledge in the dark side, an entire culture dedicated to its worship and an ambitious, obsessive, goal with making each generation more in-tune and powerful with the dark side than the last, but Braith wasn't here for power, or at least not in the literal sense.

The words that Corvus had told her, earlier, when she had taken her hand on their way down the stairs, had assuaged her fears momentarily, but now she felt infinitesimally small compared not just to the massive library by to the galaxy and life in general. Death, perhaps, had that effect on people - as it encroached on those it aimed to claim - and it was nearing Braith's own time now. She hadn't told the Jedi, she couldn't bring herself to it - to have so suddenly pulled her into her life, so ignorant to her own illness that lurked around the corner, only to be ripped out of her life and break her heart. And, amidst all the doom and gloom, the eerie ambiance, it felt right. With a voice full of trepidation, a conscience heavy with self-doubt, Braith swallowed hard and steeled herself for what she knew was going to be uncomfortable at best. "Corvus, I have something to tell you." The words stung at the back of her throat, like sand poured down her mouth to dry it out, and she stopped still to turn towards Corvus anxiously.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDpnjE1LUvE

If it were not so malevolent a building, if their situation was not so precarious, then the architecture would be worth investigating. But as it was, Corvus’ attention was directed at whatever they were going to face. The Jedi was sure that a library like this would not be full of books to peruse, but much of the information would be held by spirits — like the one they’d already encountered.

There were records of many Jedi seeking secrets in this way. She remembered the fact there were no accounts of any returning successfully from such a trip.

The flames cast an eery glow, and the flickering was disconcerting — casting regular shadows and confusing the eye — making you see movement where there was none.

The power of the building was even more impressive here and more oppressive too. She understood why so many fell to the Dark-side, how its power would seem intoxicating, enticing.

As they walked forward, they slowed and finally Corvus was aware that Braith was addressing her directly.

"Corvus, I have something to tell you."

A million options flashed across Corvus’ mind simultaneously. The words did not bode well. Her emotions were under lock and key right now, but even the logical part of her brain steeled her for bad news. Was it a trap they’d stumbled into? Was there no exit once inside? Did Braith remember something from her past?
Corvus used that self-same logic to evaluate the situation. She loved Braith and Braith loved her. That she knew — or was at very least sure of as any fact she believed to be true. So whatever fate befell them? They would face it together, and that piece of information alone was all she needed to keep her strong.

Whatever the Dark-side could throw at them. Whatever the Sith might scheme. Whatever the library could summon? They would face it together.

And if they were not worthy? They were together. Corvus was always pragmatic about death. She would die one day and join the Force. She never wanted it to be today. Or tomorrow, but she knew only the date was variable. Her eventual fate was not. So to die with Braith? Infinitely better than to live without her.

But she still found her mouth dry when she went to speak. She licked dry lips.

“Yes mo chuisle? What is it? You can tell me…anything.”

[member="Braith Achlys"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htrfnbl5Jak[/media]

For all the things that could potentially be lurking behind every dark pillar, around every unlit corner, and for all the spirits and ghosts that lingered with strength enough to still bring harm to the two of them, Braith felt no form of anxiety, no fear or uncertainty, in regards to their location or the dangers of being there. No, she watched Corvus wet her lips to speak, and that blind acceptance burned another hole through her already weak heart. In a twist of fate, Corvus was the idol in the relationship, and if it wasn't clear that she was put on a pedestal by Braith then she must be failing somewhere, so it was only logical that the conversation she was going to have, where they were going to have it, and when, struck a cord with such intensity that she feared a falter in Corvus's voice more than anything right now. If those few foreboding words didn't hearken to an inevitable, uncomfortable, discussion then her actions that followed most certainly did.

Every moment that ticked by after Corvus had responded was filled with an over-complicated series of thoughts and subtle changes in facial expression until, at last, she was determined to answer. Her lips pursed, eyes slowly blinked and her face relaxed and paled, and a pained expression of uncertainty slipping through the surface like ripples in a pond. Her lips, suddenly parched, parted, her chest heaved up as she readied herself to speak, but in a moment of hesitation she closed her lips, pursed, and exhaled softly through her nose. Frustration filled her face to the brim, heating it red, and she ground her right heel into the ground, hard, and choked on her own breath as she tilted her head and blinked. She never could have known that this was going to be so hard, that it would ever be so short. In a final moment of hesitation, internal conflict and turmoil abound, her jawline clenched and her left brow twitched. She could even feel the sting arriving in the back of her throat and at the corner of her eyes before the words ever got forced out of her mouth.

"I-I'm.. dying..."

The words were hoarse, they were rough, like sandpaper on the ears, and inside she felt like half of her life had just been ripped from her as they sputtered from her lips. If she had been sick before, just from the thought of breaking the hold on what she'd known for the short time that she did, now she felt like she was about to drop at any moment, as her hesitation and reveal had implied. Physically ill, if only from the revelation, and her own words shocked her as much as the discovery itself had just over a month prior. She fought hard, strong, with everything from science and medication to the force at her disposal, yet nothing could be done - nothing yet, at any rate. There were few hopeful straws yet to grasp at, but now they numbered less than the fingers on her hand, and she knew it would have hurt Corvus more to keep it quiet until an unexpected death than to break it now. The options she had left were grim, and they were options which she wouldn't let Corvus be exposed to - not without the promise of sure success, and the guarantee that the effects, however negative, could be reversed.

She wasn't sure if what she said, and where they were, would have made any connection in her girlfriend's head, but she had no doubt in her mind that, if she was not pushing the force down to keep free of the Sith influence and lingering effects of the dark side, the fear and pain that was coursing through her veins was very obvious - at least as obvious as it was, now, on her face. Unable to restrain herself, wholly, she let the reddening of her face bring out the scared little thing that had lurked below. What had been fear, pain, became the start of what would be sobbing. Her brow arched, not at all in a way she'd think pleasant on any day of the week, and her lips formed a deep frown, quivering. Scorching pain at the back of the base of her throat and tears quickly began to trickle down her dimpled cheeks. To say the words, now, was the acknowledgement that nothing was permanent. Not even a ten thousand year-old witch. She slowly shook her head from side to side as she lost her composure, hands coming up to cover her mouth with her arms pressed tight against her chest as she, herself, began to shake.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4eO_6kRiC0

A sixth sense? The Force? A woman’s intuition? Corvus knew that whatever Braith was about to say would be bad. But not that bad.

Since she was little, the Jedi had shut down emotions. For self-preservation reasons. If she didn’t limit the flow, she was beset by every living creature in the proximity. Now she was overwhelmed by just one – herself.

Corvus feared nothing. Certainly not death. It was one of life’s certainties and she was resigned to joining the Force one day. Today, tomorrow, next year? Only the date was variable. And now, as she contemplated that very fact, she was struck by how the Code had prepared her for her own death so well, yet failed to give her notice of how she’d feel faced with the prospect of Braith’s demise.

She’d dealt with death. But from a viewpoint of looking back – never looking forward. Once more the ever-present in her life pushed to the forefront of her consciousness. The Code. Attachments. She’d always wondered why the warning was there. She was a Jedi, surely she didn’t need to be told that decisions should be emotion-free. Right now? There was nothing she wouldn’t do to make this all go away. To fix Braith

Corvus was always the calm one. The quiet and strong one. Something of a rock and at the same time a candle. Steadfast and a beacon – however small. A sign that however dark it got, there was always the Light. It could never be extinguished. And like the rock, she was immovable.

Right now the flame was flickering and the rock was anything but steady.

Emotions flooded her. So many new ones and all at once. She wanted to be strong for Braith. She needed to be her rock. Just as she was with the Jedi that looked to her for guidance and security on a daily basis.

So who was there for Corvus to lean on? She felt anger. Anger at the injustice of it all. Why Braith and why her? It was all wrong. She felt like she had to be brave and positive and the pillar for Braith to lean on, when all she wanted to do was curl up and cry. For someone to comfort her. To hold her tight and tell her they’d make it all right. They’d fix Braith and she would have nothing to worry about.

‘NOOOOOOOO…….’ Her mind railed against the emotion. She daren’t vocalise her frustration. Her sheer panic at the situation. She was sure the Sith would have a way of saving Braith’s life.

She’d spent many years with a fragment of a Sith Lord’s personality embedded in her brain. Despite its presence, not once did she think of the Sith as a solution to any problem. When, on Kashyyyk, that Sith had tainted her and the Sith in her mind had fought for control, she’d overcome it. She’d refused to be seduced.

When the Sith Lord Balaya had tricked her into wearing a ring that tainted her? Even as a Padawan she’d resisted. When coming back from the dead and the side-effects of that had allowed the Sith fragment in her brain access to her mind? She’d not fallen.

So why oh why now was she wondering what more she could do for Braith if she were a Sith and not a Jedi.

Nothing meant more to Corvus than being a Jedi. She was a member of the Order. First, foremost and only. So why would she now gladly throw it all away for the promise of Braith’s health?

Corvus was holding Braith tightly now. Their mutual tears flowing unabated and it was a good thing Braith could not see the fear and anger on Corvus’ face.

Corvus’ eyes looked upwards. She trusted the Force. Implicitly. So why had it let her down? She’d kept up her side of the bargain, hadn’t she? She’d lived the life of a Jedi impeccably. Until Silara and Braith, she’d denied herself emotion. Surely that was worth something in the trade that was devoting your life to being a Jedi.

A range of emotions shamed Corvus. Anger, selfishness, hopelessness, frustration. Shame itself. Shame for having these emotions and shame for not trusting in the Force. And she didn’t trust herself to speak for some time. But finally she stopped hugging Braith and instead stepped back and, arms extended, held her by the shoulders.

“Mo chuisle. Braith…there is a way. There is always a way. And we shall find it.” Her tears had dried and her face was hard. Almost ugly in its defiance. “I refuse to believe anything else.”

She stepped away from her beloved now, staring once more at the room’s high ceiling. “There is always a solution, yes?” she called out loud. “As long as we’re prepared to pay the price, right?"

"Trust me…I’m prepared.”

[member="Braith Achlys"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVBtvWbYuJM[/media]

Of all the days that Braith would have assumed Corvus would have been supportive rather than reactionary, that she would have been a symbolic fortress against Braith's doubt, today should have been that day. It wasn't disappointing that Corvus was more enthusiastic than she was in her, likely, obvious search for a cure, but it was slightly worrisome that she was going about it an entirely different way than she'd suspected the Jedi to act. Perhaps she had misjudged her, maybe she knew less about the woman than she thought she had known, but her words were more akin to something she, herself, would have said. The words she spoke were as saturated with disillusionment and distaste as Braith had been a very, very, long time ago. She wasn't exactly certain what to have expected, but it was more along the lines of crying and holding than defiance, and this most definitely gave the witch a reason to look after Corvus more than ever.

"Yes." She answered curiously, almost as a question, to the rather statement-like response her partner had made. "I believe there is a way, but I am not certain if my quest for such knowledge will be finished before I... Well, before the inevitable." Braith stated frankly with a raised brow, her cheeks still flushed from the brief moment of tears. "But, Corvus, if the price is something that will ruin us and make us resent that choice, then I would sooner watch myself slip away then make us something ugly." She added. She hoped it was obvious what she was implying - she didn't want to ruin their relationship just to extend her life, and she didn't want to make Corvus resent her for going back to the pits of the dark side for answers, either. What she had heard, however, made her wonder if Corvus was willing her to do just that - and quietly she let that slide to the back of her mind, because quite frankly their surroundings were going to become a more pressing concern for them soon. A holocron doesn't find itself, anyways.

"Let's keep moving, we can talk while we walk. I didn't want to come here just to tell you that, I thought there might be a lead on what could prevent .. that.. but if that wasn't the case, I'm not sure how much more time I might have." Braith explained, no longer willing to lurk in the dimly lit great hall any longer. "The library shouldn't be much further now, anyway." She said off-handedly, making a sweeping gesture with her left hand at the unlit hallway to their right, some fifty meters ahead. Purposefully she had left out just how she had came across the temple and known its contents, but she figured it was far less important to the Jedi than finding what they had came here for. She wasn't so sure how well she would take Braith having the holocron of Marka Ragnos and Darth Andeddu on her person. Especially the latter, considering the slight.. attachment the Jedi had to it. Regardless, it was clear she knew the way - or at least thought she did, and while it was still relatively peaceful and quiet, as good ancient temples ought to be, Braith was keen on getting in and out as quickly as possible as to avoid any slumbering spirits that might decide their stroll through the complex was unwanted.

And the last thing she wanted was Corvus to be taken advantage of in a place so corrupt.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vglfenMaiR0

Corvus remained staring at the ceiling – looking for the Sith spirits to show themselves again. The cocktail of emotions were new to her. In truth she was terrified – she simply didn’t know it. It was a totally new feeling. She’d feared nothing before – not at this level of intensity.

Her emotions were playing games with her mind. She was proverbially all over the place. Emotions closed down, she would have been the Jedi Braith knew. Logic told her to close them down. But how do you deny yourself emotions triggered by responses to and for the one you love? Love more than life itself, certainly more than your own.

She had no idea how long Braith had known about this. How long she’d bottled it up. But one thing she did know, anger or blame in the direction of her chuisle was ridiculous. It was there – momentarily. Corvus could not deny that. Why not tell her sooner? Why tell her here of all places? Why not give her a chance to come to terms with it in a less dangerous location. But these thoughts – despite being real – were fleeting. They were entirely selfish and that was something Corvus could never be accused of.

Slowly – perhaps too slowly for Braith – the anger and feeling of injustice subsided. The emotions were still present, vying for her attention. Most she recognised, but still not all.

And Braith’s voice speeded up the recovery process. Braith. Her chroi. What must she think of her? Corvus’ cheeks flushed as she realised what a show she must have put on. How her beloved wanted Corvus – Corvus the Shield of the Jedi. Corvus the candle. Corvus the rock. What she’d presented was a distance away from what she knew – deep down – that Braith needed.

She took a deep breath, pulled the Force to her to centre herself and stared into Braith’s eyes. “If there is a way…” Her voice was calm now. Corvus was once again in control of herself. “Then we shall find it. And two heads are faster than one, surely.” She gave a smile. One she often shared with Braith. It spoke of their love and affection. And of certainty.

“Let us not pre-judge the future. Whoever said it was better to have loved and lost was…quite frankly…an idiot.” Her smile returned again. “I will not hear talk of you slipping anywhere. We will resolve this and then take stock. Saving a life, any life, is a Jedi’s pledge. It’s foremost in our Code.”

“Along with trust. I trust in the Force. Not a lot…or even an awful lot. I trust in it implicitly. I always have and I always will. Allow me to maintain that trust and we shall endure.”

She held Braith’s hand now and lifted it to her lips.

“Now, you’re right, let’s keep moving.” She looked in the direction Braith was indicating the library was situated. “And tell me, what leads do you have and where are they pointing you?”

[member="Braith Achlys"]