Private Evermore [Darth Malipant]

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

Raihane was not so emotionless as Maliphant was capable of being. The tenured diplomat looked positively torn between mother and daughter while they suffered the same symptoms of the gentling elixir that had been prepared. Just as the young lad chained his daughter, so did he, bind the chains to his wife in a similar fashion. "This is barbaric, Aeris. Please…"

"She must learn."

The cold response was no more than he had expected, but he would have been remiss not to try. His memory was long and he had seen more than a few fate trials in several clans. The tasks differed. The end result remained the same. Brutality. He took several steps away from the platform and came to stand near Srina's chosen. He was quite, calm. For one that had proclaimed to want to wed his eldest so freely before the festival the night before—Raihane found it disturbing.

It was a sobering and sudden thought, struck, with clarity. He did not know. Srina, hadn't told him.

"If either of us interferes without being declared or ushered in…Our Lady loses."

The illuminator that had called for the test to begin, quickly, moved toward the outer rings of the arena while several women in white stepped forward. Whereas Raihane visibly tensed they revealed nothing. It was tradition. The trials, regardless, the fact that House Talon had always held an affinity for frost always included four known elements. Not everyone specialized in the same way.

These women were, notably, of the Air.

Their hands moved and their bodies began to sway in time with one another. Pulling. Pushing an invisible wind that began to move the clothing of both Srina and Aeris. It wouldn't be long before both women appeared to be having trouble breathing. It started slowly. Then—Worsened incrementally. It wouldn't be long before it would appear they were being smothered by air pressure closing itself around them. Making the oxygen too thick to breathe. While both tried to stand tall…It was an exercise of futility. Soon, they would both struggle against the chains.

There would be no option to quit. The trial would only end when one or both women broke beneath the pressure. As if that weren't bad enough, the air invokers, reversed the process. Instead of making the air solid, they pushed it forward. Filling their lungs with it to a painful capacity. It was enough that they wouldn't pass out—But the pain would be unimaginable. It was only the choked silence created by the trial of air that made it remotely bearable.

After several rounds of a less than gentle back and forth, after several hours, when both women hung weakly in their moorings, one of them began to give. Whereas Srina seemed to be conserving her energy between rounds—Aeris had found something else to do. To taunt her daughter, raspy, and cruel. Reminding her that she had asked for this agony. That she had declared it necessary.

"Enough, Nan— "

Was all Srina could get out before her lungs started rapidly expanding. Just when she thought her body would take no more there came a deafening crack from the other side of the pavilion. The Air Invokers stopped and a shrill scream pierced the air before it deadened. Stifled, by stubbornness. Aeris had three broken ribs for her troubles. Panting and hanging from muscles that were sore and strained she could only focus on breathing while healers rushed in.

"That is One Point for Lady Talon, the younger!"​

The healers pried off her chains and immediately laid hands on her. One of them gestured that Maliphant come—Help hold her. Help her stand. To decide if he would step in for her or if she would attempt the fast-approaching next event on her own. There was a brief, much-needed, intermission for the contenders to recuperate before the next trial.

Fire.

White smoke rose toward the sky signaling that Srina had won and her hands would reach for Maliphant unashamed. Few stood after the Air Trials. Fewer, were left conscious. Srina could be proud of that. When he got near her form would fall against his while the healers still did their best. She was less damaged than Aeris who had no problem letting everyone know it. Bitter. Angered, with her loss.

"Just three more…", Srina wheezed, her voice broken and torn, as if she'd gargled with gravel.

"Just…Three more…"

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"Then don't interfere.", Rhysion said simply to the Raihane, without even looking upon him.​

​

The fear that dripped from him was understandable - a Sith could sense what type of fear it was. For those that were close to him, to the consequences of the trials, Maliphant could not blame him for such. What he could blame him for was his impossible sensitivity to trials and combat coming from a culture so closely aligned to martial prowess. The Sith did worse, they held trials that were simply torture for the sake of torture - but if Srina had demanded she go through one, Maliphant would do nothing to stop her until she requested his help.​

​

Even still, it took an extra careful dedication to still his emotions, his face. Deeper, he held many of his own - fear, disgust, passion and love for that which he had promised himself to. For him, these were buried deeper and further into his being. Compacted with all the terrors he had experienced, they formed a solid block of fury and fuel he would let loose upon whoever made the mistake of crossing him.​

​

As Maliphant witnessed the trial, he exhaled entirely - and then without anyones notice - held his breath. A few attempted to talk to him, but he offered them nothing, not even the attention of a glance. He had trained to not breath for days - but that was with the help of the Force. It had however, done well to train his body to work without oxygen. If his wife to be would suffer, he would not abandon her to suffer alone.​

​

And so he reduced his breath entirely - one every half minute, one every minute, one every five. His heart slowed by training, his thoughts fell away until his focus was on surviving and supporting Srina, until his gaze saw nothing but her. He did not move, did not struggle - for anyone but Srina, they likely would never know he had even done such a thing.​

​

But when it was over and she was unchained, he took a full breath and moved towards her. His muscles held some numbness from hibernating, but as he coaxed them into command they responded immediately. All of his strength moved to hold her tall - so that even the impression she was suffering would not be entirely noticeable. He embraced her, held her before the crowd, and brushed what loose strands of hair back into the braids.​

​

"You will not suffer alone - even if I can not intervene. Know that I am with you always in these trials, my sun and sky.", he offered her gently.​

​

"I am proud of you. You are strong, and you will be a hero for our children."​

​

Srina Talon​

 

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

Cold.

That was the impression that Raihane was left with. The young man that his daughter had brought home was either unaware of the viciousness in their culture or was entirely indifferent to it. What father would ever want to see his wife and child at odds? He had to accept the fact that one of them very well could kill the other—And it was intolerable.

To watch them suffer in any capacity was almost more than he could bear. But—He would endure. That was their way. To stand strong and stalwart against any ailment, any storm, as a pillar of House Talon.

It could not be allowed weakness. It could not, be allowed to fall.

The Trial of Vilya, of air, was not without a price. They both knew it. Srina felt pains in places that she hadn't known existed. The menders worked their will and her struggle to breathe oxygen with overtaxed lungs slowly lessened. Her chest heaved—But her silence was better than the guttural wail that escaped the other side of the arena. A good daughter would have winced, felt remorse, to hear their mother in such agony but her expression remained impassive.

Something instinctual kicked in when Maliphant neared and she found herself leaning back into him. His history and actions as a Sith Lord were slowly spreading through Hriweag and the veiled healers that saw to her needs paused, briefly, when his arms enfolded the form of their mistress. They were wisely cautious of their proximity to him but unafraid. When it seemed, they would not be scolded their work continued, flawlessly. "You needn't suffer with me in every round…", she breathed, though, his touch was a balm to every invisible wound. She stood firm, strong, but was so much like a little bird.

Taking comfort in his invisible wings.

"I will need you for the Trial of Naur, of fire, my moon and stars."

The menders visibly glanced at one another at their chosen endearments. Referring to anyone in the same epitaphs as their Bright Lady was a very thin line between heretical and the ultimate expression of devotion. Never had the second child of Raihane and Aeris bandied about affection so casually. Her voice was broken, torn, but the sincerity in her tone changed it. Made it beautiful, again.

Her arms rose to wrap around the middle of her lover and her shoulders screamed from how hard she'd reflexively pulled at the chains. She could use this trial, and the next, to delay and recover. Srina had learned to command more than ice over the years, especially, when tied to Maliphant. It was a knock to her pride but flame was still a weaker element. Raihane had married into House Talon. He was not of House Talon—And therefore had never had that problem. "…I need not be their hero…"

"Just their mother."

The young Echani did not want to win these trials for glory, fame, or anything so pedestrian. She had to win. A clean sweep that could not be contested for the sake of their collective futures. Aeris would never do what needed to be done as long as she maintained sole control. Bound by the old ways and her self-destructive ego. If Srina was able to conceive…She wanted a place to bring their would-be children that would gift them culture. Safety. Not the impersonal halls of a palace, a dark throne, or the desolate hollows of a ship hull. They would have everything that Maliphant had never had and everything that she had been denied because of the war with the Collective.

What parent wouldn't do anything, give anything, even their own lives for their children?

"When I choose you…She will choose my father. Do not be lulled by his gentleness. He is a diplomat by trade, but, not by choice. We are all warriors, here."

It was hard to picture it at times. The willowy women, fair, and close to perfection were only made even more gentle by the way they framed themselves around their male counterparts. They didn't always look like the warring culture the galaxy thought them to be. But behind ever mild-mannered beauty and aristocrat lay a sharpness that was merciless. "Flame may come from any source in the arena. The Force will not be muted for either of you, however, victory is honor bound. You may only command fire."

"I had hoped not to bring you in at all. But, I will need time to ready myself for the remaining two trials. I can only tap my second for one."

She had underestimated what it was like to be cut off from the Force. She felt heavy. Weak. Her skill in hand-to-hand combat was a commonality because most Echani were fairly adept. She might have been better. Perhaps, not. But it was the Force that gave her the edge.

Srina loathed the poison in the vial she had partaken with every fiber of her being.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"We are one, Srina.", he reminded her, like a gentle chiding low enough not even those close enough could hear.​

​

"When you suffer, I suffer. All I can do is suffer as an equal, because the option to stand solely on the side hurts far more."​

​

He kissed her on the forehead and moved just far enough back so that she could be tended to by the healers. They were careful to avoid him, never looking into his metallic eyes. Of that, he could not blame them. Those metallic creations made by his own hand carried the corrupted souls of sentients within, like a thousand tortured souls peering all around him - to look into them was to look into the visage of Death.​

​

He would not hold that much against them.​

​

"I believe all my gentleness has fled me, my dear.", he smiled, "I know not what this flame trial has in store - but fear not."​

​

"No matter who stands against me, they will face strength. Force or not, I would show you've chosen your husband with care - that I am to be the most dangerous thing in this place. Next to you, of course.", he said with a second beam - a soft pressure to remind him he was close in spirit as well as physically.​

​

"And you - will you recover well enough for what is to come? Or should I buy you time?"​

​

Srina Talon​

 

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

Srina stopped protesting at the touch of his lips to her forehead. Often—Maliphant would find that the simple act of affection settled her more than words ever could. Her head found its usual place while menders worked their will. It was easier to breathe with every passing moment. The left side of the arena had also stopped exuding the wails of an injured foal so it could only be assumed that the Trials would resume shortly.

While she noted the way the women around her danced around Maliphant as if he were made of killing fire—She let it be. They would grow accustomed to his presence and deeds as she had. Her sisters made the same mistake that a good majority of the galaxy was also guilty of. They feared that which they could not understand. "I find that you can be…Quite gentle.", Srina responded, softly, with a slightly tongue-in-cheek gleam that most would find quite foreign. "When you want to be."

Hearing him say the word…husband…caused a curious trill to run down her spine. There had been a time when she'd firmly believed that no one would ever come to know her well enough that she might consider sharing their bed, let alone, to bind herself to them for all eternity. She hadn't been found fit to be a mother. She assumed that being a wife was much the same. A hopeless endeavor. A silly notion, a farce, made for girlish dreaming. She didn't need anyone.

She wanted him.

That was the difference. She chose him. To "need" someone was akin to buying herself a first-class ticket to the land of insufferable codependence. Wanting, on the other hand, she considered to be a platform where truth might bloom. Maliphant had, perhaps unintentionally, created a space where she could learn to love someone again. He made her human. Made her smile, though, often on the inside. Time slipped through their fingers…And she didn't mind. Srina was happy, to let it go.

She was happy. Barely breathing, horse, and with pains in her chest so acute that she felt like she was having a heart attack—His arms were around her. His spirit with her. Only, with her. Never pulled from place to place or compromising what they had for some foolish ideal.

She was happy.

The white-haired woman breathed in suddenly when his question about her recovery pulled her from her silent musings. Elegant eyebrows drew a little closer together for a moment while she considered it. Would she be at her peak? No. But, she fared better than Aeris Talon. The more time she allowed to pass only offered further opportunity for the matriarch to undo the damage that had been done by the Air invokers. Srina, didn't intend to give her an inch.

"End it, my love, as you see fit."

As if the illuminator was somehow aware of her decision he once again called for silence in the crowd. The Echani that had whispered amongst themselves, speculating, and worrying themselves over the sanctity of succession fell silent. It wasn't unpleasant to feel so many eyes boring holes through her but she would have been lying to say she didn't want to swat it away.

"Lady Talon, the younger, maintains the lead. The Trial of Naur holds the power to unleash indominable will and determination. Flame is complex. It may burn with joy or anger just as easily as it may offer life-giving light and heat or destruction. Oblivion. The participant left standing will claim victory."​

The white-haired Echani stood with his arms crossed behind his back. His expression was neutral with long robes of white and gray that betrayed the youthful face that sat above them. The illuminator was very likely far older than he appeared. "Who will compete?"

"Daughters or sons?"

There was a brief pause. Srina glanced, momentarily, toward Maliphant before she heard a clear voice all out from the left. Her mother always had a way of trying to be the most important person in the room. It drove her crazy when the light shifted to someone else. "Son. My second, Raihane, will be my shield."

More whispers. More, speculation.

"Son.", Srina repeated, though, her voice lacked the arrogant edge her mother maintained. "My second, Rhysion, Darth Maliphant, will be my sword."

For those that didn't know he was Sith—They knew it now. She had promised him the night before during the festival. No more hiding.

No more pretending.

The illuminator accepted their decisions and the two parties would find themselves suddenly split as the arena began to change. One group pressed to the far north and one to the south. The dry earth opened and bright orange light began to flow down trenches to reveal active lava flow. It did not harden with air and seemed to burn bright while a wealth of steam began to rise. Her vision wavered, not from fear, but from the sheer heat. This was the power of the leylines that Hirwaeg had been built on. To change the environment, protect, empower, or destroy. "When our Sons are ready. Begin."

Raihane didn't move for a moment, but, when he turned from his wife his handsome features seemed to have sharpened. He pushed from the platform that was suspended far enough from the lava where it wouldn't burn and the powered jump let him clear the blaze. He landed in the arena, white and blue robes flowing, and without an ounce of effort. If a man could be referred to as beautiful—It was her father. The elegance and grace that Srina oft exuded had obviously come from him.

His right hand moved to the side and he summoned a sword of blue flame that spread from his fingertips. It hardened and he held the hilt while the air around the weapon seemed to weave and rend while oxygen evaporated. "Come forward, then."

"Let me officially meet the man that wishes to marry my daughter."

 

[Darth Empyrean]

There was a deep softness when she said his new name, like new skin after a burn. It was sensitive on his ears, more so in his heart - but the sound of the title he earned spurred a vicious, wicked grin on his lips. He went from the calm and collected statue of a man watching torture, to the deep and vivid expression of predation. He could smell the fear wash over the crowd, the soft murmurs creating the softest cacophony barely audible above the background noises.​

​

He couldn't help but breath it in, ingest it as fuel for his needs. For all that he was, he could never break himself from the fear that came with his name. It was the power of building one up on your own merit - when it was spoken, it carried the weight of deeds. Soon everyone in this room would know of his great efforts, but more than that, they'd learn to fear his crimes.​

​

When the ground split, Maliphant turned to face it. While the others retreated, or shuttered their eyes, Maliphant was far from mortal. His metal eyes looked into the heat unflinching, even as his hair singed and flew off his shoulders. He took some time to roll up his sleeves as he approached the arena, letting the Force gently float him into the confines of hell manifest.​

​

Where Raihane carried a deep elegance in his nature and form, Maliphant mirrored him in beauty only. His was a form of dangerous authority, confidence exuding in totality - he was terror's hierophant. He gave the image of a being none could stand against, a carefully crafted demeanor he had developed so that none could question him for his origins. A weakness turned to a strength.​

​

When he was finished rolling up his sleeves, taking his time in doing so, he looked up to his Father-In-Law-To-Be and beamed wildly. The heat threatened to scorch his clothes, burning the edges of the fabric as he lowered himself into a weaponless stance. If he was going to win on his conditions - he was going to show that weapon or no, he was better.​

​

Stronger.​

​

There would be no further challenges to his ability on this planet, and none would doubt his ability to protect Srina or the Talon family.​

​

"Know your new son for what he is, then.", he said with that same dangerous grin.​

​

He shot forward, without utilizing the Force, he watched for the blade to intercept him. His first move would be simple, grab Rhysion by the wrist -​

​

Whisper, "Death Incarnate."; he did, afterall, always enjoy being extra. Even if he didn't intend to kill Raihane.​

​

- then, as the words left his mouth he'd twist back around to bring his full weight into an elbow strike at the exposed ribs of his Father. He knew it would be a surprise predicated on surprise, especially as he hamstrung himself to not utilize the Force. Were it that simple, he'd of just picked the poor man up and embarresed him to the crowd, but that would do little but make him enemies.​

​

If he was going to win, he'd have to do it in the Echani way.​

​

Srina Talon​

 

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

…Death Incarnate?

Raihane couldn't help but internally grimace. It was a title that most would never take with such fervor, or passion, and for good reason. Loss of life was a loss of potential. It was promise extinguished. No one but a Sith would claim it while at the same time also attempting to secure a bride. The elder Echani could not yet see what it was that his Srina found in this young man but that didn't necessarily mean anything. It was not for him to see, but for her heart to know.

The feeling of a disturbingly pointy elbow digging into his ribcage caused the taller man to issue a faint grunt. His feet were pushed back a few inches, sliding, but he soon found purchase and recovery while his wrist twisted free. It was an unclean movement. Smooth…But only because Raihane did not have the spirit for this battle. Perhaps, he was getting old. Embarrassing his daughter or his wife were impossible options but they were the only ones on the table. Some would see it as representing their honor.

He did not.

Raihane approached Darth Maliphant, a middle guard with the point held out before him. Heat rushed around them in disorienting torrents. While his wife was the epitome of frozen water the same could not be said for his roots. Bursts of searing air would singe his clothing, but, the silver-eyed man didn't seem to be overly strained—Yet. Lesser men would have already succumbed to heat stroke. The air was thick, so much so, that it felt like he could chew through it.

His future son-in-law had the demeanor of a cat playing with a mouse.

The Lord of Hirwaeg may not have exuded the overblown ego of his people but his pride was firmly intact. He hated feeling like the underdog in his own home, but there was a slight twang of unbidden excitement in testing his skill. House Talon was full of talented warriors but they all held a very similar style. He was curious to see what this Sith would emulate. His daughter—Or something new. Not knowing his opponent could make reactions twitchy and unpredictable. He was the one who held a sword of flame…But that hadn't stopped the Sith from creeping right into his measure.

Raihane suddenly leapt offline and cut at Maliphant's upper arm. It wasn't the "edge" of this blade to be feared but the effects of proximity. It would sear flesh from bone. Whatever counter the Sith managed to pull would find a lightning fast, powerful, response.

Four openings know,​

Aim so you hit knowingly,​

in all driving​

without confusion for how he acts.​

The flame sword arced before him, slicing swiftly, with each angle aimed to throw Maliphant off balance as a curving crest of fire shot toward him. Raihane would stop suddenly and confidently close the distance while his weapon slashed this way and that. Pressing the Sith backward and into a defensive stance from the clean fury of his movements sang through the air like whistling glass. His feet were never still and he whirled with skillful evasion in a blur of white and blue. When an opening came Maliphant might have expected the sword, however, it was the open palm of Raihane slamming into his side that would try and force him back further toward the lava. The Echani spun around again and struck out with a kick toward the younger man's knee that sought to disable.

While his knowledge of the arcane likely paled in comparison to what a true Sith Lord knew—Raihane was no stranger to combat. His people were watching. His daughter, his wife, were watching. He didn't care about proving who had greater skill.

He only wished to do them justice.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

A good, clean first hit. Maliphant lowered himself into his traditional Teras Kasi form - and watched. On the surface he carried his confident, destructive, dangerous demeanor - it was a powerful skill for a Sith to always pretend to play with their prey. Some used the more basic verbal insults and words to upset their opponent, a more basic form of Dun Moch, but Maliphant had grown accustomed to different variations.​

​

The truth became clear quickly that Raihane was not the average Mandalorian, nor even the average mercenary. He was better than most, his skill great - his wife, Srina's mother, had chosen him well. The blade struck out from the side, but Maliphant brought up his arm to stop it - while his palm slammed the blade just as it struck. He'd get burned, but it wouldn't cut to bone.​

​

A counter didn't come, as Maliphant recognized the footing of his strike. It was a prod to pull out from him a strike, so the second feint forced him to dodge aside to not be run through. Only then did Maliphant finally take steps back from his planted position. Ducking, bobbing, weaving from the sword that came for him. In some capacity he was glad his robes had burned away on the edges - made it less likely they'd catch under his foot.​

​

Maliphant had been pushed back to the cusp of the lava that surrounded them - and he could feel the fire calling him. A deeper urge to pull on the Force and show that he was not to be pressured, to prove he was stronger than even what they could guess. Under any normal circumstance, a man as skilled as Raihane would've been dead in a matter of seconds - Maliphant rarely allowed drawn out conflict if he did not need to.​

​

This was not a match for killing however - and he wouldn't draw upon the Force unless he was truly going to lose.​

​

As the sword broke its rythmn, Maliphant's metal eyes witnessed the strike coming before Raihane would have the committment to throw it. None here knew what the artifacts in his eye sockets could do, so it was a brief advantage he would take advantage of. His hand shot out and caught Raihane just before the strike hit his ribs - and as the leg shot up to take his knee out, Maliphant simply raised his foot and kicked it back down.​

​

A smile broke on his lips. Twisting, he planted his leg behind Raihane's, shot his free hand up to his throat, and ripped him downwards over the Sith's hip just above the lava. Strands of Raihane's hair would fall in, the heat of it would boil sweat - burn skin. But Maliphant would speak only over the sound of the lava popping;​

​

"Surrender."​

​

Srina Talon​

 

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

"Never."

Raihane, admittedly, hadn't expected to be bested so soon. He was one of the premier fighters on the planet let alone in Hriwaeg. He could have twisted free. Perhaps, with a few fancy moves that might have spared him a severe burning. The lava that snapped and popped beneath them was as real as the air they breathed. Yet—He could not surrender. Not while the eyes of his wife, children, and people were glued to the rapidly shifting arena.

Not to mention that it was hardly the point.

Death was not the goal. Defeat, was the goal. This was the test of the man that wanted to stand at the side of the new Matriarch. He had to be strong, know their ways, fight, and have the wisdom for when the fiercest of repercussions needed to be withheld. He had to be the wall that held back the wave of fury that came from the Talon women. If he hadn't seen it yet…He would.

And he would need to be prepared for it.

A willingness to sacrifice everything fulfilled his end of the test. He could feel silent gaze of his wife and noted that her force-sensitivity had begun to return. It wasn't much…But it was there. Enough that he could reach her troubled heart, burdened mind, with reassurances. She was the better fighter between them. She blamed herself for ever inch of long, white, beautiful hair that singed off and burned away in the lava flow. Raihane took her guilt. Swallowed it, whole.

For that…Was love. His other half, his wife, and he would protect her eternally. Even while his life hung in the balance. "Make your choice, Rhysion…End it."

There were a million things to consider. The game that his daughter demanded he win—Without knowing their customs well enough to make educated decisions. Echani drew thrill from combat and war. They communicated through every attack and would rather trade blows into eternity before actually killing one another. It was the fight that mattered.

Not bloodshed.

Raihane drew his hand up and released his flame sword. It fell into nothing while a strong grasp wrapped around the hand that held him firmly by the throat.

Was this man so confident in his affections with his daughter that he thought she would forgive him for killing her father? Was he so secure, so content, that he would ever be welcomed by making the mother of his beloved a widower? He fought fiercely—Respectably. But, did he have enough passion to carry him through without crossing the line? Could he endure that fire?

"They won't wait all day, son."

 

[Darth Empyrean]

He could feel the resolve in the man, his willingness to die for this competition - and for a brief moment, Maliphant's darker urges whispered for him to drop him. Someone who doubted him, tried to question his resolve, should be put to the sword. Raihane would see that settle into his brow as he spoke;​

​

"I can always make her a new family.", he said - letting his grip loosen ever so slightly to burn away more strands of hair. Liquid fire to burn away this obstacle, centimeter by centimeter. Yet even then, Raihane did not surrender.​

​

Annoyance grew on Maliphant, that this man had resolved himself to death for nothing more than a competition - but he would not allow the Mother's ambition to ruin their happiness. Even still, when the resolve washed over him to surrender her Father to death - he imagined her face, her feelings, her loss. There was nothing he could do to secure victory and keep Srina happy.​

​

So he twisted, threw the man to the middle of the arena, let his body roll and settle far from him. Maliphant lowered himself to a sitting position and raised his hands; closing his eyes with a vaguely annoyed smile.​

​

"I surrender.", he announced to the Arena. Letting a wash of murmurs follow.​

​

A shame he couldn't have won, to pull some stress off Srina. It would seem he failed her, if only to keep her close to her family.​

​

Srina Talon​

 

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

"But the memory…It is memory that binds."

Raihane hadn't been overly judgmental of the young man his daughter brought to Hriwaeg. Skeptical—But not hostile as Aeris had been. When it came down to it, so close, the Echani noted the darkness that lived in Rhysion. It wasn't always obvious. He was an excellent actor…But he knew it now. Knew that the rumors of the Sith Lord were true. Knew, that his position was precarious.

He knew what the crowd didn't. What his wife didn't.

That—His life was actually in danger.

The long-haired man could smell the rancid odor of his hair burning. The heat against his back while it ate through his robes was excruciating but Raine remained steadfast in his decision. There was a long moment where Raihane thought that death might come. A very, long moment. Rather than toss him into the lava Raihane suddenly found himself being shoved toward the middle of the arena. He rolled before catching himself gracefully, fingers touching the floor, while immediately observing his opponent.

Who remained…seated. Hands up in defeat.

He cast a startled glance toward the Illuminator who began to call the fight in favor for his daughter but the young man uttered two words that had the arena stunned to silence.

"I surrender.", he announced to the Arena. Letting a wash of murmurs follow.

The Illuminator blinked a few times. Then, proceeded to adjust the score accordingly. It was a very strange turn of events. "…The Trial of Naur is decided through forfeit. Our Matriarch carries this torch."

"The score has been made even."

Raihane slowly came to stand as the battle had obviously come to a swift close. It was not the outcome that he had expected, but the victory would please his wife. No matter how it had come about. He walked toward his future son and extended a hand to help him rise. Rhysion, Darth Maliphant, was more honorable than rumors allotted. He could have won. But, at what cost?

That he was willing to swallow his pride, throw the fight, and accept public a loss in order to keep from harming his daughter spoke volumes. "For the record…"

"If you had not surrendered—You would have won. We aren't bloodthirsty Mandalorian mongrels…But the promise of combat eternal allows us to hold a conversation. To speak without words, to dance, and live our truth. I do not know you yet. But, I know you better…I will not forget your love for her."

There wasn't much time between this trial and the next. Srina, once again, found her arms wrapping around Maliphant during the brief span of time where announcements were made. She wasn't upset about the loss. Butterfly kisses would find his neck, jaw, and cheek in a discrete line. Silent assurances that would tell him she understood. That she was proud of him. That he hadn't let her down—But proved a far more meaningful point to every member of her family that was in Hriwaeg to witness it. He placed her needs before his own. Her happiness—Above his darkness.

She could see Bibiana swooning in the stands.

There were only two trials left to go. The next would be that of Nén—Water. It was not necessarily limited to the element itself but was a symbol of undifferentiated chaos. It was survival. Building blocks of life. It was, for the most part, another test of combat. This time between mother and daughter as their second had already been utilized for the Trial of Naur. Whether they were ready for it or not after the Trial of Vilya didn't matter.

It was here. Now.

Once again Srina found herself staring down the Matriarch. Her mother. Someone that should have cherished her always, but, had turned her back when the prodigy had failed to meet certain expectations. Aeris blamed Srina for the death of several of her siblings. Not because she had actually brought harm to them but simply because the great Srina Talon had failed to save them while she was off saving so many other worlds. She should have been home.

They should have been home. Safe. And thus—Aeris sneered darkly at her little avatar of death.

"You cannot win."

Srina did not respond. Everything in her refused to take the bait from her mother. She knew that part of her tactics involved unsettling her opponents and she would not provide that opening willingly. Aeris was taller than Srina, willowy, and extremely quick. She was just as technical as Srina with the use of crisp and precise movements that spoke of canonical techniques and skill passed down through generations. Aeris advanced aggressively, as she often did.

The daughter hopped out of range and created just enough threat with a sharp snap of her fist to keep her mother from gaining any ground. Aeris retreated to reorient. Just as she moved to take another step Srina leapt forward, blindingly fast, and struck the larger woman in the jaw before backing off quickly. Covering herself against a possible after blow. It was an insult. A cheeky one, at that.

Aeris glowered and her cheek had an undue amount of redness signifying that she had been hit but that was the only evidence of it. She started forward aggressively again and Srina could feel her anger. Aeris attacked and Srina blocked with her left arm before countering, controlling the center, while they began to devolve into a flurry of blows that could barely be seen. Aeris had a wealth of experience but Srina had perfected the techniques that she'd been taught as a girl.

There was no punch she couldn't block. No blow she couldn't see coming.

Eventually, Aeris seemed to realize that and threw out an ice wall to buy herself some time to recuperate her energy. Srina flipped backward on her hands several times to avoid getting hit and landed neatly on her feet.

"It seems that the tonic has worn off. Are you sure you want to do it like this, Naneth?"

Aeris didn't respond but shattered the ice wall and sent the sharp fragments hurling in Srina's direction. Silver eyes narrowed on her mother. She'd given her the choice to leave the Force out of it but her kindness hadn't been heeded. Srina turned the fragments back on her mother who immediately transmuted it to water. The distraction cost her and Srina once again landed a hard hook on her mother that sent her staggering backward. Blinded, by her own attack.

Srina responded with her own attack this time and electricity arched from her fingertips in crackling bursts. The crowd began to murmur in confusion. The Talons were known for ice were they not?

Even Aeris seemed…Taken aback. Enough that she only narrowly avoided being hit. This fight would go on and on while they seemed to toy with one another. Testing their limits. Strengths and weaknesses. Srina would only let it go on for so long. Aeris was…decent. Serviceable, if only her opponents were washed up Thyrsians and other warriors from this planet.

Srina was simply…Better.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant strode from the arena with a touch more than an inkling of annoyance, deep and foundational to his core. To lose was to be weak, to be out maneuvered by the will of another reminded him the dangers of the path he walked - to love was to open himself up to a situation he could not control, reminded him how dangerous it had been for him so long ago. Others had once taken advantage of him, used his feelings and loyalty for their own ends - abused him so deeply and profoundly he had never recovered.​

​

This was hardly the same, but those echo's of trauma ran deep, and the Sith Lord did everything he could not to slam a fist into the nearest stone wall - imagining to shatter it, bring this arena down around his head. Of course that was neither likely nor appropriate, but the Sith couldn't help but imagine it, the joy in destruction. It was his only comfort until Raihane approached, speaking to him with some confidence.​

​

It helped to drive those emotions deeper, as he had trained himself to do. His face fell placid and respectable, nodding to Srina's Father.​

​

"I didn't want to risk it. I can sense a strong resolve, and wouldn't dishonor Srina or you by torture - It wasn't how I would want to win.", he said with a frown.​

​

"And I'm sorry - for what I said. I've long practiced a combat style known as Dun Moch. I hoped to break your spirit, but alas...", he said with a bit of a snort - laughing at his own underestimations. He patted her father on the shoulder, then moved to find Srina. She, in all her glorious love, did not comment on his surrender. She simply loved him, gave him unconditionally her entire person.​

​

It reminded him that winning was not always the best path for her - despite his ambitions whispers. He rested his arms around her and kissed back when able - allowing her to depart only as the next round was called. Then he moved to find a place among the stands, staring onto the combat arena to watch the mother and daughter strike out against one another.​

​

Every few moments, another of her family would approach to draw his attention, to try and flirt with him, to try and challenge him - some even doubted his strength again with his surrender. By proxy, they doubted her Father's strength - convinced they now could beat them both. He doubted very much any of these silver haired upstarts would hold a candle to Raihane, but that would be something Raihane would have to deal with.​

​

For now, he simply watched.​

​

Srina Talon​

 

[Srina Talon]

| E S H A N |
| HRIWEAG|
Tag: Darth Empyrean
_____________________________________________________​

Raihane shook his head slightly and a lion's mane of white hair fell around his shoulders. It wasn't with amusement that he regarded this Darth Maliphant but with some measure of understanding. Perhaps, with a tick of pride. It was clear that the blood of a warrior thrummed in his veins and regardless his civilized words it was his actions that would speak the loudest. Not just to him—But the entirety of the Talon Clan that had squeezed themselves into the arena. "I am familiar with that approach. I'm afraid that my linguistic skills are better reserved for trade…Regardless…", the Lord of Winter's Reach stepped aside to let his future son-in-law pass. "No harm done."

The polite exchange was not what he had expected.

His eyes rose from the sight of his daughter wrapping herself around the strange Sith as if they had been cast from the same mold. They entwined. Not just with arms and form—But spirit. Surging back and forth to soothe all matter of injury or slight.

He could feel the eyes of his wife and turned away to return to her side.

"What did he do to you?"

Her instant demand made Raihane smile while she similarly began to check him for injury. He had little more than some singed hair that a good trim wouldn't solve, but she was relentless. A deep chuckle settled in his chest while his hand found her cheek so that he might still the accusations and distrust. "Nothing, Aya.", he murmured. Once, twice, before she grudgingly settled. "No more than I did to him. Just… Look. Really, look at them."

Aeris was hesitant to sees things that she didn't want to acknowledge and resisted at first. Eventually, she let her husband turn her gaze toward their opponents. Their child, perhaps, their children. The first thing that her eyes gleaned from the pair was a sense of imminent violence. It was an odd thing to pull from a couple locked in such a seemingly sweet embrace, but there it was. Not toward each other. Toward everything else. It almost seemed as if at any moment them might move as one and take whomever the pleased to the mists beyond without a second thought.

Beyond that—She saw what Raihane saw. Devotion.

"Would it be so terrible to let such strength take control? Do we not deserve to rest?"

Aeris pulled her eyes away as the Illuminator called for the next round. Raihane was right—But that wasn't their way. "A challenge issued; A challenge met.", she replied tersely, knowing, as well as he did that even if she backed down now it wouldn't matter. It would only weaken the position of the next Matriarch and solidify the chance for uprisings. Especially…After seeing Raihane lose and win on a forfeit. She had to fight. Srina had begun this farce. She, intended to end it.

One way or the other.

The hour grew late while both wintry women threw blow after blow at each other. It ranged from general combat, to mixed martial arts, and the fire dancing Echani were so known for. They moved so quickly at times that an untrained eye wouldn't be able to follow—Save for when a blow connected. The sound was deafening in the arena. When it seemed that typical fighting techniques wouldn't be enough Aeris kept pressing her luck by drawing on the Force. Srina, thus far, had only escalated in hand to hand.

She hadn't pushed past the level of Force attacks that her mother sent in her direction. Regardless, she could see exhaustion beginning to make her mother slow down. Her movements were less precise. She never pulled a punch deliberately but she did pick and choose where to strike. Soon enough—Srina had Aeris backed into a corner. Breathing hard. Bruised and leaning a little too much on her right leg. Srina had similar bruises on her arms from blocking. Unlike her mother, she did not seem winded at all.

Instead—Hawkish eyes were glued to her opponent without an ounce of sympathy.

"Yield."

Aeris refused by moving to attack her again. Which, Srina expertly side stepped. Too slow.

"Yield."

Maliphant would recognize that tone. It meant that she was done playing games. Done—With pretending that she wasn't better than this. That she couldn't have ended it long ago. Aeris also recognized that tone and in her stubborn nature refused to give up. A good Echani, never gave up. Never surrendered. She pulled on the water in the ground beneath the arena, tearing it through the earth, draining the aqueducts. In the span of a breath Srina would find herself surrounded by water on all sides that immediately slammed into her.

Before it froze.

There wasn't time to breathe. Time to scream—Or move. Aeris did not look…Victorious. Instead, she seemed almost upset while the crowd began to whisper. The sounds grew louder with every passing moment where the tower of sharp ice encased the young heiress. Raihane crossed his arms. Jaw, tight. They could not interfere. They could not interfere.

Aeris glanced in his direction and he caught her wild eyes. A sharp jut of his chin caused her to glance at the Illuminator. How long could Srina last without air? How long before the intense cold created by the Force crept into her being and did permanent damage? The Illuminator seemed to hurriedly catch on.

"The Trial of Nén—"​

He stopped speaking when he realized that the remnants of the sun had begun to blot out. Clouds pulled in across the horizon, lined with silver lightning, that illuminated a flash storm. The wind kicked up and pulled at their clothes. It wouldn't take long to realize that the weather had only changed above the arena in Hriwaeg. One bolt of lighting and a crash of deafening thunder. Another. It struck the ice and the crack it released was so loud that it seemed to carry over the billowing wind. Over and over it struck until the frost tower crashed and fell to the fighting platform.

Srina—In the blocks of ice, the avalanche, and the sparking bits of electricity that lingered in a standing current. She wasn't unharmed from the shock but she was still standing. The part that caused her mother to openly stare were the bright, fierce, corrupted eyes of gold that looked back at her. It hardly looked like her daughter while such darkness marred her delicate face. The storm did not lessen.

If anything—It drew down around Srina, almost defensively, and her chin raised in defiance.

"Yield."

Aeris had always been certain in her abilities…But now? With her child controlling nature as if it bent to her whim? It gave her reason to pause. Still. She could not relent. Her hands raised and she pulled on the shards of ice that had fallen to bend them to her will…But found that she could not move them. No matter how hard she tried.

"I said…Yield."

The voice that crawled from her daughter's throat did not belong to her. But, for the first time…For the very first time in a very long time she knew fear. She was afraid of what her inquisitive Srina had become in her absence. Aeris watched as her daughter raised her hands, only to raise her, own.

Surrender.

She was afraid…More importantly, her daughter knew it.

Enjoyed it.

For a moment it seemed as if Srina would not relent. Aeris had given in not only for herself but for the safety of Winter's Reach. The lightning that struck down like the wrath of an angry god didn't seem to have any rhyme or reason other than to destroy. As much as she hated it. Loathed, it. She couldn't let their home be destroyed by her pride. Srina, certainly wasn't backing down.

"The Trial of Nén has concluded. The winner, the young Lady Talon by means of…Surrender."​

"Unconditional surrender.", Srina barked at her mother, who nodded, which in turn caused the Dread Queen to let go of the weather patterns she had pulled on. The sky returned to what it had once been and the gold in her eyes receded. The heartless expression on her face remained. It begged the woman to see the truth. To understand that leaving her to the mercy of a marriage with a warlord hell bent on assimilating their clan had been the biggest mistake of her life. That—Leaving that burden to a woman-child barely able to let go of her apron strings would now be her undoing.

Come. Her eyes called—Challengingly cruel. Come and see what you have made. Accept it. Accept me.
It wasn't until her gaze tore from Aeris that the Matriarch breathed. Her shoulders sagged while she watched her eldest daughter return to the Sith she had brought home. Once again, she watched while Srina wrapped her arms around this man. Laid her head against his chest while curling into him like a languishing, pleased, feline. There it was again. She understood it now.

The violence.​

Srina's shoulders rolled while she curled back into Maliphant. She felt like her skin was singed. On fire. The medics were too afraid to come close. It didn't matter. Now, they knew. Her lips parted to brush a dry kiss against his cloth covered chest. "…She wouldn't yield."

For what it was worth…Srina had tried.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The arena shook at first with the lightning and storms of fury Srina held in her grasp, but soon it began to vibrate with the fear and terror that spread through the crowd. Some moved out of their seats as a rising cacophony of worry rose in unison with the claps of thunder, but in the midst of it all Maliphant stood unmoving, unflinching. He could feel the darkness in Srina exuding, but more than that he could feel her control over it. She was so much more than anyone had given her a chance to express herself as.​

​

And it brought a smile to his lips. Next to that thought was a bit of annoyance - that he could've simply scared the entire Talon family into accepting them, but knowing deeper that if he had done it, it would've only driven them to be enemies of them both. Srina doing this deed made it so they had to respect her capacity as Matriarch, not Maliphant's unfathomable tyranny.​

​

As the announcement was brought out, he lowered himself to the edge of the arena and let his arms out to wrap around his love, his soul mate, his bonded dyad. She had done everything and more to achieve her victory, and he was all the more in love with her for it.​

​

"You did well, my sun and sky.", he said with a gentle kiss to her forehead.​

​

"Do you need help to stand?", he asked as his arms inperceptiably wrapped around her waste in just a way to hold her up. He would not allow anyone to doubt her strength, even in her victory.​

​

Srina Talon​