Like Light To The Flies

[Lief]

Vader's Castle​

Mustafar​

​

An oppressive heat lingered all around, brought forth from volcanic vents and surface lava that remained too hot to form into a layer of igneous rock; the deep catacombs of her pyramidal home had kept much of the desert warmth from bothering her, for months now as she toiled in the pit - carrying out the will of her God. Each breath she took burned the back of her throat, and an ashen layer of soot lingered on any exposed skin.

The runes which ran black along her pale skin were raised more so than usual, so much so that when she ran her left hand over her right arm she could feel the bumps which made up the ink-like markings. She was still confused over how they had appeared, though she had no doubt the parasite on her soul had something to do with it. One day she would find a way to walk without it... For now? She paid it no further mind.

Why had she come to this magmatic world? There was still so much work to do, even with the Gate open... Too much work to do. And yet there she was, walking along the edge of bubbling lava lakes, her bright orange gaze lingering over the various pits which could easily spell her end. It was not often the Force misdirected her. It had led her to her God, after all... And now it led her here. But why?

In the distance, the silhouette of a large structure made itself known, black against the almost perpetually orange-hued sky, partially covered with steam and smoke from the various vents. Was this it? This... thing? It was no Pyramid. It barely held her attention at all, in truth. With heavy sigh she began to near it, keeping an eye out for any sort of security that might keep her out.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel had recently come home to Vader's Castle. He had not been here since before the conquering of Zonoma Sekot and finishing business on Dosuun Regarding Project Silencer. He was meditating within his own meditation chamber as he pondered what his next mission would be. So far he was still getting adjusted to being flesh and blood again. Such things he had known in perhaps a little over two years, and now he was here able to feel the heat of Mustafar on his face.

As he finished his meditation, he looked across and now what used to be his armor was merely a symbol, perhaps even a decoration or even a piece of nostalgia as on the wall was Darth Vader's Armor in all of its entirety. Vader a being Kyrel worshipped as if he was a god, and now in a sense still held him in high respects, but now that he was Human he recognized that he was able to surpass such ancient beings and now was focused on himself, and finally unlocking his own potential.

He snapped out of his thoughts as soon as he sensed someone, someone dark and powerful.... Not Ren.... Sith Perhaps? He exited the room as quickly as he could and traveled to the assembly room. There he saw a woman.... Recognizing her as no Ren and perhaps a threat and so he pulled out one of his saber hilts. "Who are you and why have you come to my home?" He said inquisitively slowly approaching her with caution.


[member="Maelasi Eramar"]

 

[Lief]

The closer she got, the more she realized nothing was stopping her from walking right up to the doors and entering. What a strange thing... Perhaps it was the fact that so few would ever bother enough to come to such a sweltering world, much less approach so foreboding a structure as this?

Whatever the cause, Maelasi did not care. The invisible chain around her throat pulled her on, the Will of the Force or some chit... She did not really care for all of that, she never had done, but now that she served a higher purpose perhaps it was time to try. It had led her this far, how much further did it expect her to go?

A small creaking sound resonated through the hall beyond as the door opened, and for a moment she stared into the foyer as the glower of the lava pools outside brought it to light. Her hesitance did not last long, and soon enough she was pacing through the rooms of the lower level, on and on until the tugging ceased and she was free to simply stand and breathe.

She seemed to be in an atrium of sorts, an audience chamber, and her gaze shifted to the various seats and stations throughout. For such a large abode, it was surprisingly devoid of life. Though there was at least one presence she could sense, which approached rather swiftly.

No vibroblade to speak of today, no blaster. Such things had been deemed improper. On her belt, however, sat her curved hilt, and she immediately reached for it without bothering to turn toward the individual who had just spoken.

It seemed as though she wasn't going to respond at all. She continued to stare down the length of the room, pondering on her reasoning for being here. Boots clacked against the ground as the man approached, and she hummed under her breath.

"It is strange, is it not, how the Force presumes to draw us to a specific point in time and space?"

She turned then, her gaze shifting over the form of the man she had been pushed towards by unseen hands. Remaining rooted in place where she had paused, she tilted her head slowly to the left, her bright orange eyes glistening in what little light the room held. The raised markings which ran along the length of her body began to prickle, but it was not an unpleasant sensation.

All the while the parasite on her soul screamed out in her mind. Blood, it cried... We need Blood...

Despite this, she stayed her hand.

[member="Kyrel Ren"]

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel was surprised by the young woman, as he reached out with the Force and whatever she was, she was indeed powerful and strong with the darkness. It made him all the more wary of her as he kept his saber to his side, from what he could see her saber was out as well and would appear as if the two would do combat, whether they would or not could not be said for right now, as Kyrel inspected her. She was young perhaps close to his age and covered in tattoos that he did not recognize but still, she gave him every reason to be wary.

Of course they were alone right now, and so Kyrel was slightly worried that if he was taken out maybe she would go after the disciples but he had no cause to worry for now, his face slowly softening as she looked harmless for right now then she began to speak describing how it was strange for the Force to draw them here at such a random point, and in response his face softened and was about to speak before she spoke again this time sounding monstrous which made Kyrel go into a defensive stance.

He then began to speak his voice softer this time, the core world accent sounding elegant but still carried an air of caution. "Indeed but I warn you to move to attack and I will defend myself. Now tell me why are you here? What are you doing here.?" He said keeping a firm grip on his saber just in case the girl was to make the wrong move.


[member="Maelasi Eramar"]

 

[Lief]

She did not remove the hilt from its place at her belt.

Instead she watched him, watched the signs of wariness he exhibited, the uncertainty, hearing the caution in his voice. She began to move then, several slow steps to the left, calculated movements that would begin to encircle him without ever stepping any closer, simply watching, observing from any angles she could, their conversation obviously not something she held in high regard in that instance.

His grip on that lightsaber hilt seemed to strengthen, her own remaining just as light as it had been, as though her fingertips merely gazed over the surface. The heat of this world was oppressive even in here, and she could feel very slight beads of sweat forming on her forehead, she did not like it, but at least it was dry heat. Dry heat was bearable.

"You're no fun," she finally said, with a tilt of her head and a very subtle frown, "So many questions, so tense and insecure..." Still she moved around him, encircling as though he were prey, eyeing him up from top to bottom, before all at once she simply halted.

"Do you really wish to know the answers? They are quite... boring...."

[member="Kyrel Ren"]