Private Arcanaeum

[Nate Phantoms]

Coruscant​

Slow methodical steps brought the man ever closer to the end of the alleyway, a free hand pressed against the nearest building, holding him up as his thoughts swam. Probably due to the quarter full bottle clutched tightly in his other hand. It was the only thing that kept his anger in check recently; the liquor. It also helped him find sleep easier, but his reoccurring nightmares still brought a sudden and terrifying end to the short lived tranquility of his dreamspace. With a grunt, he pushed on towards the door, bashing his way into the dimly lit interior, a thin layer of fog swirling around his feet and cloak.

After contemplating another deep sip, he looked around the establishment, his flaming gaze resting on the assistant staring at him cooly, like she was accustomed to drunks barging into your space. The only sound to pierce the air was the few steps he took and then the slight clink as he dropped the bottle on the counter.

Silence greeted his ears while his gaze ran over the rest of the room, before his scrutinizing gaze landed back on the assistant, her half lidded gaze meeting his with a easy smile. He had heard of a woman, a witch better yet, and a seemingly powerful one at that. Bad luck usually followed him when he messed with them, but his best bets were here. That or the bottom of a bottle.

"We don't usually have guests this late, but how can I help you?" An equally cool voice matched the assistants gaze as she clasped her hands together in front of her, such nonchalant words causing his eyebrow to raise slightly.

"Your boss."


Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

LITTLE WICKED​

If you want something done right...

The Lady of Conquest had little kittens all over the Galaxy. But kittens can be bought. So Dani tended to travel to the big hubs herself to get the information she needed.

Trust was a word that did not exist in her vocabulary.

The little counselling office was a nice front for Danika to get the information she required in the Galaxy's capital. People tend to talk about all kinds of things when they are lying on a couch, wanting answers from a clairvoyant.

How pitiful the Coruscanti were.

She had squeezed some aide to a senator dry of any information on the Galactic Senate, when she felt to approaching Force. Turning her teal eyes on the sobbing Pantoran, she lofted a brow.
"Darling, if politics are so oppressive, then I do believe you are in the wrong profession. Perhaps it's time to reconsider your career." she said with feigned kindness before rising to her feet, the ever present arcane breeze stroking her raven hair. "Unfortunately, our time is up for now, but do swing by tomorrow. Talk to Liv about making another appointment." she added, before walking out of the office.

As she walked out onto the street, she noticed a Falleen shift his stance on the corner of the building. Samron Gerron was out of uniform to blend in his mistress' operation, but the General of the Legion of Bone was still as dangerous and vigilant as ever. Throwing him a nod, she then glided down the street a little ways before taking a seat on a curbside bench, waiting.

And kept an eye on the door to the office.

After a while, the Force presence she had felt, stumbled through the door of the office. She got up before beckoning at Gerron with her chin. He did not feel like a Light Sider, but Jedi Shadows were quite adept at scrambling their Force signatures. She had dealt with them enough to know how good they are.

She arrived in the door just in time to hear him demanding to see her while glowering at Liv. She could smell the liquor on him even though he was across the room. Gerron shifted his stance behind his warlord.
<He's not a pure Jedi, Dani. That much is clear.> Era Knox's specter said as it stood next to the Lady of Bone.
Danika lifted her brows. <Clearly.> she replied telepathically before lifting her chin.
"Liv, please brew our guest some good caf. He's going to need it." the Herald of Death's sultry voice instructed as she finally glided back into the room. Turning her teal eyes on the stranger.
"You have found me. What do you want?" she asked as Liv scrambled to the back to get the caf machine working. Gerron stepped into the office as well, keeping an eye on the stranger, even though he knew that Danika hardly ever needed back up.

Danika's hands rested on her hips as she regarded the drunk Force User in front of her.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

Internally he jumped, not feeling either of their presences draw nearer, his thoughts too foggy to quickly register. Mentally cursing himself and his love of drinks he turned around, now fully aware of the two who followed into the office. With more than just his sight he focused on the male behind her, taking in his stature and aura, before turning to the woman infront of him, her pose not matching her silk like words.

Barely inclining his head as a greeting he sighed, he wasn't one to require assistance often. Least of all with his mindscape. "What could you do about sleep loss.." Burning irises met her otherworldly blue-green ones for a brief moment before continuing, his voice a bit softer as it wasn't exactly flattering. "...Or nightmares?"

It was hard enough to ask for help, but a stranger who had no knowledge or idea of his past? Tragic really. It appeared pain followed him everywhere, even in his dreams the cosmos seemingly working against him.

Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

POWERFUL​

A brow lofted as she regarded the drunk in front of her.

Danika walked around him, looking him up and down, hands still on her hips as she listened to him speak. His Force signature was all confused. He was all over the place.

She then came to a stand still next to the reception counter, looking into the back room.
"Liv! I need that caf yesterday." she ordered to the back, before looking back at the worn down man. "It all depends on what exactly is plaguing you." she said coolly.

She finally crossed her arms over her chest. Cocking her head to the side, teal eyes looked with new vision at the stranger.
"I sense the Force resides quite strong on you. Dulled and confused but strong." she remarked. Clearly, this man had latched onto her ruse of a helping hand. What intrigued her is that someone with such a Force presence would seek her help.

With a sweep of her arm, she then motioned down the hall before leading the way herself.
"Have a seat." she said as she glided into the room while Gerron quietly took position outside the door.
Taking a seat herself, she rested her chin on some of her fingers as she looked at the gangling man.
"Who are you and what is haunting you?" she asked him in her otherwordly voice as Liv brought some caf into the room.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

His eyes followed her silk like movements until she came back around into view, a tight smile barely appearing on his features before disappearing almost immediately. A soft sigh could be heard as he reached up, freeing the mess of mostly brown hair from the confines of his cowl to fall to his eyebrows.

"Listen miss-" His mouth promptly shut at her words about his Force signature, a grimace stretching across his lips. There was a time those words would have actually stung, but he knew the truth within them. At least, at this moment. Before his dark exile, there were whispers of his feats, most knowing to steer clear of the fiery rage that ignited at the snap of a finger. If only she knew. Alas, those times were long gone. Kissing his teeth he spoke softly, grumbling while following behind her. "...It's been rough to say the least."

After her invitation he paused above his seat, the dark room speaking to his senses. Dark, barely lit spaces always called to him, allowing respite from the turmoil of battle and emotions. Slipping his arms out his cloak, he folded it before letting it rest across his legs as he sat. He could feel her gaze boring into him, but his flicked up to the assistant taking the caf with an outstretched hand and a slight nod.

Dark embers peeked over the rim of the mug as he brought it to his lips. The nearly scalding liquid had a pleasant taste and brought a sharp streak of clarity through his foggy thoughts. Grunting at her words his gaze turned to his drink, downing the rest of it without as much as a blink. Closing his eyes momentarily he spoke, setting the mug down besides him.

"That depends on who you ask." The miniature infernos now blazed as he shook the majority of the few too many drinks, crossing his arms against his stomach while reclining into the seat. He was going to need to be comfortable for this one.
"What would be an understatement. My past has been resurfacing at night and..." Paused, he clenched his jaw and ran his tongue along his teeth in annoyance. "I can't fething sleep without watching someone or myself die."

Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

IN THE AIR​

Danika leaned back in her chair.

Her otherworldly eyes still regarded the sobering man in front of her as he spoke. Cocking her head to the side, she thought for a moment before finally answering.
"Reality exists on different planes. Some you can see here and now and some require Second Sight. All of them are real - the Past, the Present and the Future." she began. "You keep seeing those things, because they are really happening - the repeating past." she continued.

Danika leaned forward once more, a shadow falling over her face, giving it the appearance of a Dark, yet beautiful, skull.
"You keep seeing it, because you are allowing that plane into your current reality. You have given it traction on this plane. Do you truly wish it to be gone or do you keep clinging to that past for fear of losing the only sight you have of certain individuals that you have lost?" she then asked, her voice suddenly cold with the essence of the Nether. She cared very little about how her words would affect the ego of the stranger in front of her.

To her, there was only power and how to use it.

Rising to her feet, she then glided to a corner table that housed an ancient bowl carved from Marilite. Next to it stood a carafe made from the same stone. Picking up both objects, the Lady of Conquest then returned to set them down on the desk.

Resting her hands on either side of the objects in front of her, she then looked back at the troubled man.
"I can help you to send back the repeating past from whence it came. It will not be a fun or pleasant experience for you. It will be riddled with emotional pain and temptations trying to coax you into allowing all of it onto this current plane. It will turn violent with each denial. Are you ready and strong enough to withstand it and do what needs to be done?" she asked him coolly. "I have to add that I would need to know your name if the ritual is to be done right." she added.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

Her words rung out in the otherwise silent room, reverberating in his skull. Truth be told he hadn't thought much of the lack of sleep. Just the nightmares. Bad luck always followed whoever he had envisioned in his dreams. That was the scary part; it as always him dying. Watching his impromptu interrogator, his brow perked up at her. Silently he ran through the many faces taken by the sands of time, memories flying past like a photo reel. If it was that simple he would have just stayed a drunk.

Watching her glide past his face deadpanned, deep in thought at her words. Quite honestly he didn't know, facing his inner demons was never fun. Luckily it wasn't the first time, but maybe the last. Internally he could feel his strength fading away more and more with each passing day. But that was going to have to wait as his otherworldly host slide back into his field of view. His flaming gaze meeting hers briefly before closing his eyes with a sigh.

"Now that I can handle, let's just get it over with." Pain was something the man had grown accustomed to. Nightmares and nearly becoming an insomniac was new however. Clearing his mind he sat there in a half meditative state, preparing his dark conscious for whatever was ahead. Slowly opening his eyes he sucked in his cheek, pinching it between his teeth. "Nathan."

Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

O~~>STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL<~~O​

A sinister light was in her eyes.

Taking hold of the carafe, she then poured a clear liquid into the bowl.
"Well, Nathan, that which haunts you is about to become very real. You will either fall prey to it completely, or you will dominate it and cast it away forever. The choice is yours and yours alone." she said hauntingly before turning her eyes to the bowl.

Her hair starting whipping around her and her eyes were burning a bright teal before she called upon the ancient and dreaded Sith tongue to do her bidding. A mist started rising from the liquid in the bowl and the air grew cold around them. Numerous, distant could be heard - whispers softly uttering indistinct words.

Throwing her arms wide to either side, the mist then flooded the room, never-ending from the bowl.

Within seconds, silhouettes could be seen within the mist. Turning her attention back to Nathan.
"Rise, Master, and call forth those you wish to cast back into the abyss. Bring forth those who haunt you and face them." Her voice was eerily deep and haunting, as if others spoke through her as one from the deepest depths of the abyss.

The veil had been lifted, revealing those that were dead and restless.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

The fire in his eyes flashed momentarily, like a breeze ran through the normally bright and unbridled flames. "Yeah yeah..." A mutter escaped his lips, watching the mist begin to envelope his boots, steadily rising at an alarming rate. "It always is." Rising to his feet slowly, her eyes caught his attention. Unnatural and unsettling. It felt as if her two glowing teal orbs were passing through him, seeing through his body. Like he too was made of fog.

Feeling the familiar tug at his senses when a known aura was near his eyes scanned the fog, tense all over. He knew who it was without even seeing. Already it set his heart racing, a mixture of feelings and emotions brewing inside him, threatening to spill over. Bending at the knees slightly, his head whipped around, following a faint whisper as is spun around him.

"Feth." Through gritted teeth he muttered to himself, a hand reaching to the small of his back. Before his hand could wrap around the familiar durasteel of his saber, he stiffened. Feeling an almost fey and cold hand slide into his worn and calloused palm, his brow furrowed. Still and unmoving he resisted the urge to shiver at the touch, knowing all too well who the voice in his mind belonged to.

On split second whim, he spun around on a back step, the crimson blade igniting before him. Dark red shadows were cast across his features, being brought face to face with his long deceased mother.

Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

O~~>RUN RUN REBEL<~~O​

The faint whispers had grown to a deafening chorus.

Her gift was both a blessing and a curse. The voices of the dead were never quiet. For Danika, the Galaxy was much more crowded than how some others would perceive it. Over the years, she had learnt how to filter through the bodies - to manage the planes she walked on. Who she chose to see and those that did not mean anything as of yet. But when the veil was lifted as it was now, the voices, the cries, the prayers were overwhelming.

The Abyss echoing in her mind.

With some effort, she focused her attention on Nate just as he spun around to face his first phantom with weapon drawn. A sinister smile spread on her face as she slowly moved away from the bowl that was now suspended in mid air - all furniture had been stripped away from the current reality.
She did wonder who this woman was to the man - why did she bring about this reaction?

Sweeping to a stand still still a few feet from the confrontation, she watched in earnest.
"You would cut down one unarmed?" she asked, her voice still echoing with the hollowness and cold of the Void. She was curious to see what kind phantoms haunted this man of fire.

It could not be worse than the thousands of souls screaming at her.

Those she had cut down in conquest.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

Words formed behind his lips but were unheard amongst the many other voices, the chorus being deafening in both his surroundings and mind. Flaming eyes remained locked on the long flowing brown tresses of the woman before him, her slow glide-like steps bringer her ever closer. The closer she drew, the less he heard, his muscles locking up keeping him in place.

Internally his mind was screaming in despair, trying to pull him back into reality. His heart however, lurched towards his mother. Her familiar aura washed over his senses, her voice speaking louder than the rest in his mind. A whisper that managed to cut through everything else, soothing his hesitation. Her hands moved over his, slowly moving to deactivate the crimson blade.

Being cast into near darkness, he closed his eyes, shivering at the only calming presence of his mother. ~Let me back in, I miss you so much my dearest~ Struggling to pull away from her touch, he clenched his jaw. Her seemingly earnest pleadings tugging at his heart.

It was only the sorceresses words that jerked him from his near trance like state. Leaping away his flaming eyes searched around for either women. ~I DIED FOR YOU!~ The ethereal screech shattered his mind space, a sixth sense telling him to turn. Spinning on the heel of a boot, an arm raised defensively to block the sudden charge from his mother. Muscle memory took command, all emotions and thoughts ceasing as the signals coursed through his body. Like clock work, the years of training bringing the hilt of his saber up.

A sharp exhale could be heard from the man at the sound of his saber activating. Crimson glow illuminating the now still form of his mother in his arms as he sank to a knee. Before there was even time to react, her form melted through outstretched arms into a cloud of black smoke. As the smoke dissipated the chorus started back up, even louder than before.

Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

O~~>RIVER OF FIRE<~~O​

Some of the whispers died down.

With Danika's eyes burning with the power of the Nether, she could see clearly as events unfolded - the burning crimson blade and the shock on her patron's face.

She could not tell if she was relieved or disappointed that he had snapped out of his reverie and retaliated against the advances of his phantom. Danika cocked her head in curiosity. She waved a hand slightly and the whispers were dampened somewhat.
"Who was she?" she asked Nate where he was still on his knees. "Family?"

Interesting that he would cut down family.

Danika could feel the spirits pressing against the ward she had created momentarily. Turning her attention back to Nate, she spoke.
"On your feet, Master. Time for grieving has long since passed. There is one who wishes to see you badly." Her tone was ominous as she listened to the incessant words drifting to her ears through the ward.

The plot about this man just seemed to thicken.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

The question lingered in the air for a few seconds, the dark and violent emotions slowly but surely becoming unsnarled from his mental restraints. It was inevitable. Clenching his jaw he turned his increasingly brighter stare towards the sorceress, pushing himself up onto his feet. Grunting in response to her words, the force swelled around him as his second saber spun into his outstretched palm.

"She was." The words rumbled from his chest, adverting his gaze to a dark cluster forming at the end of the room. The same dark form mirrored the one growing in him. Internally he felt it rise, clouding his judgement, and rendering all emotions other than the darkest possible non existent. The internal and mental response to the presence he felt told all that was necessary to distinguish who exactly was beckoning.

Her words fell on nearly deaf ears, he knew what was coming. The sour taste of long forgotten regret greeted him as the whispers grew around them. Echos filling his head as he pushed past Danika, the voice multiplying, splitting off to surround him on either sides, a funnel like shape of dark figures around him.

The malice rolled off him in waves, countless pairs of yellow and green eyes appearing before him. Each pair had a voice screaming a different story, all long lost friends or the many souls taken in combat. The white and crimson blades cast unnatural shadows across his face as they ignited with the familiar crackle. They all wanted the same thing, but they all stood in his way.

Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

O~~>PAINT IT BLACK<~~O​

What an enigma of a man.

The longer Danika studied this stranger, the curiouser he became to her. The plot kept thickening around him. She could sense the building shadows within him. Whoever it was that had demanded to see him, carried an immense amount of weight.

Nate's stance had shifted, the sabers burning brightly against the darkness. All the other spectres vying for his attention could not seem to make a dent on him. He was focused on one and one alone.

Lifting a brow in interest, Danika turned to face the situation fully.
"Bring them forth, Nathan." she said. "No more evading. No more cowering. Face your shadow!" The Lady of Bone was quite interested to see how he would fare against his greatest demon. Years of walking on both planes, Danika had learnt that a person's greatest weakness, was the shadow carried within. That which the psyche and being could not come to terms with.

The incessant din coming from one and one alone had the Herald of Death most interested.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

Her words would be drowned out by the unending ringing between his ears. Flaming eyes squinted as the room seemed to elongate, the distance growing. Grinding his jaw together he took a step forward, the weight of multiple worlds seemingly pressing against his shoulders. Shadowy taloned hands reached out, straining to pull at the fabric of his clothes, to carve lines into his skin. Another step. Another inch closer to the dark mob. The closer he got the more rowdy they spirits became, the first rank beginning to jump closer.

Growling, a swift back hand dissipated the first of the charging spirits, soon followed by the next. After the third, the rest charged at Nates slowly advancing form. Red and white flashed against the growing shadows of the mob, the screeches and wails filling the room. Anger and trained muscles ruled his movements, cutting a path straight through the crowd.

Taloned hands would tear through his clothing, long gashes appearing along his body. Minor inconveniences fueling him on even more, the darkness surrounding him being challenged by none other than his own. Soon, the last spirit crumbled and felt away to smoke. Silhouetted through the smoke, his panting and now disheveled form could be seen just before the still form that had beckoned. Moving in a rage his arms pulled back, sabers crackling in a violent arc of light, aimed at the neck of his greatest demon.

Alas, the large, pleading brown eyes of his younger sister sent all resolve and hate to a roaring stop. His flaming gaze widened slightly locking onto hers, even the slightest hesitation, and his heart wrenched. Mentally he screamed for his arms to continue moving, to flex and end the dark dreamscape. But they wouldn't budge anymore, and the bright blades stayed where they were. Inches from the dark brown tresses that cascaded over her shoulders and neck.

"I- I can't."


Anja Doreva

 

[Anja Doreva]

TAG: Nate Phantoms

O~~>IN THE END<~~O​

Danika's interest was highly piqued.

The plot around the Force Master seemed to thicken with every step he took - the complete disregard to any of the other spectres that vied for his attention.
<Such resolve can be a fine addition to our ranks, Dani-gril.> Era Knox said as she materialised next to Danika.
<It can. I just doubt that he would agree to it.> Danika answered her as she watched Nate wade through the pool of grabbing spectral hands.
<See what you can do, my dear.>
<I'll see if I can keep up with his alcohol consumption.> Danika answered dryly before focusing her attention back on the Force Master who was approaching his quarry.

She was a young, pretty thing and clearly held great importance - even more than his mother had done. Danika cocked her head to the side as his resolve buckled mid swing.

"I- I can't."

"Can't or won't?" she asked as she moved forward, the spirits parting like a sea before her. She was most interested as to why this girl had such a reaction from a man surrounded by violence. "Tell me why. How did she end up here?" the Herald of Death asked.

It was nothing to her whether he succeeded or failed. She just wanted to know what made this specific soul so special from the rest. She may even have a use for the soul itself if she could find it again after this.

The realm of the dead was vast.

 

[Nate Phantoms]

At the question, just enough resolve coursed through him, knowing deep down it was inevitable should he ever want to escape this restless state. Clenching his jaw his gaze flicked to watch the sorceress glide closer, her ethereal movement being mirrored by the spirits around them. Turning back, his face deadpanned as his sister had disappeared. Feth.

"Her death is my biggest regret." Shielding his eyes from an increasingly brighter light, he spoke softly. "It was my fault." Peeking through his fingers, his heart lurched as his surroundings had changed to match that same fateful night.

"Is this yo-" Stopping mid turn, his eyes were greeted by nothing more than the rest of the dark alleyway, the rain falling in sheets over him. It was surreal, the identicality of his surroundings. "Perfect." Grunting, a loud explosion jarred him from his standstill, jogging through the alley he remembered so vividly. Bursting into the open he was showered in debris and rubble as the storefront exploded out towards him. The sounds of blaster fire and screams echoed out over the square as everything seemingly moved in slow motion.

The day stood out to him immediately, everything was just how he remembered it. Meaning I'd be- Looking to his left he watched as his younger self pulled away from a fleeing crowd, the form of his sister clinging to his neck and chest. His stomach tightened as he knew this was only ending one way.

Stepping over a corpse his gaze followed the pair into the shop front, knowing that he would have left here there for a moment while he ran to try and find their parents, only to return to the store front being torched. Stopping in his tracks he felt another presence behind him once again, turning to ignite the crimson blade, he stiffened as he felt her smaller arms snake around his waist, hugging him tightly. It was unnatural how real it felt, but his guilt and overwhelming amount of sorrow washed over him and his shoulders relaxed, melting into the embrace.

It was only when he felt his core temperature dropping, and his strength fading did he realize she was draining his life essence. His arms pinned to his sides, he grunted in exertion as her grip tightened. His lightsaber clattered against the ground as his wrist was smashed against his hips. As the chill reached his lower chest he felt himself becoming fatigued, his eyes fluttering. Groaning against his teeth his finger pulled at the grip of his pistol, barely being able to wrestle it free of the holster. Pushing the barrel between them, he tightened his finger against the trigger. Once. Twice. Now being able to escape he pushed himself free, pushing the blaster against her forehead. A final squeeze and her body too dissolved into black smoke, his surroundings soon melting into the dimly lit room.

Anja Doreva