[member="Tegaea Alcori"]
Once again she found herself in a throne room. But this time it was different, for it was intact. There was no ash, no pile of rubble, no signs of struggle. A large throne loomed before her. It was gilded and made from the skull of a Krayt Dragon. Perhaps the dragon she and Laira Darkhold had slain together on Terax. Those had been happier, more innocent times. Now they felt like they belonged to another life, another Elpsis.
The throne room was filled with people. Warriors, leaders and courtiers of a myriad races had assembled. All her lovers, both past and present, were there, looking upon her with pure adoration. "The Queen of Fire!" a herald declared and these words soon became a clarion call. Warriors raised their swords into the air and hailed her. One by one, those assembled prostrated themselves before her.
"Stop it. This...this isn't me. It's Siobhan," Elpsis yelled, but they did not seem to hear her.
"It could be you," a deep yet feminine voice spoke. Suddenly the Red Lady manifested next to her. She looked as ageless and immaculate as ever. A long mane of copper cascaded past her shoulders and the ruby on her choker shone brightly. "Siobhan's time is past. One day a braver, younger, more beautiful queen will come..."
"Is there a point to this charade? This is the future she wants to force on me. I don't want a throne. I don't want lackeys who worship me."
"Do you truly think you do not deserve any of this? You have battled monsters and abominations, giving no thought to yourself or any worldly reward. Time and again, you shed your own blood in defence of innocents. You fought [member="Matsu Xiangu"]. You freed the prisoners of Serene Springs. Without you, they would have perished."
"That's supposed makes me special? It doesn't. I did...what was needed."
"And you could do so much more...if only you took the reins and accepted your destiny."
Suddenly she was pulled away from the throne room. Instead she perceived a vision of imperial glory and righteous purgation. She saw herself as an untouchable fire goddess, leading legions into battle and raining down destruction upon the wicked. Slavers, Jedi and Sith alike fell before her might, consumed by a fire that never went out. Their screams were drowned out by the cheers of her noble followers. The oppressed were freed from their chains and cheered her. Her minions distributed food and medical supplies to those in need. They were hailed as heroes. She saw Tephrike rise again, united and free of oppression. All under the banner of the Phoenix.
Elpsis could not deny that it was...beautiful. "The Galaxy is harsh and cold. Corruption and evil flourishes," the Red Lady spoke. "Time and again, you have suffered. My heart breaks for how much you have endured. But you have withstood temptation. You can be the flaming sword that smites the wicked, and the prophetess who leads the enslaved to freedom and happiness."
The apparition of herself stared back at Elpsis. The girl could not help stare into those fathomless, milky-white eyes, as if mesmerised. The Elpsis who stood before her was strong, wild and fearless. She was the baleful flame. Beautiful. Untouchable. Terrible. Perfect.
"I could do so much good. I could restore true justice and protect the innocent," Elpsis admitted. The apparition's gaze was hypnotic.
"Yes. And no one will ever hurt you again," the Red Lady said quietly, her warm breath caressing Elpsis' ear. The vision shifted once more and she saw the oppressed lifting up the apparition of Elpsis, celebrating her as their saviour.
"The Lifeweb chose you, Elpsis," the entity continued. "When I found you, I saw raw, untamed power and beyond that impressive potential. Greater than in anyone I have ever guided. You can wield the power of a goddess."
When I found you, I saw raw, untamed power. The words resonated in Elpsis' mind. She tensed. Her eyes dug deeper into the apparition of herself. She forced herself to truly see, and pierce the veil. She looked past her beauty and saw callousness and haughtiness. There was little care in her heart for those who carried her. She looked at the oppressed she had freed and saw fear. She looked further and saw burning cities. She saw great monuments built upon the backs of the innocent. No one being could claim to be omnipotent. No one should be omnipotent. The Lifeweb stood above all.
She turned away, feeling a deep shame. "No," she said quietly. "I'm no queen. Certainly no goddess. I'm a child of the Lifeweb. I will burn anyone who hurts the innocent. I will punish the Jedi and Sith. But I won't wear a crown or force people into being my slaves. I will teach them to be strong so that they don't need to kneel to anyone. And you are not the Red Lady. Show yourself and let me out before I frakking make you!"
The apparition's expression turned contemptuous. Sheer malice radiated from her. Her visage was vile to behold. "So be it, girl. You had such potential...but I see it now. You are just a stupid girl with stupid dreams who's never learned. A pawn of those with more vision than you."
Shadowy tendrils, shaped from the void, manifested and started to reach Elpsis. She screamed in agony, feeling as if she was burning and being drained. Rage rose up inside her. A burning fury that was expressed in form of a massive wave of flame. She was a Phoenix and she could not be contained. The apparition cried out in anger and anguish.
The ground beneath them trembled before being torn asunder. Elpsis fell through the pit. She fell and fell. Darkness swallowed her. She was back in the camp. Back in Serene Springs.