Private The Devil & The Twins

[Kyrel Ren]

It was unlike Kyrel to seek out the mysterious voices in his head. Yet he felt compelled to do so just the same. Just as it was when it came to feeding the never ending void that he had to feed within. He felt the connection these two force wielders made. They communicated to him, and while they weren’t afraid of him. He also wondered if anyone in their own right mind would seek him out willingly. His power was growing with what came from the Second Great Hyperspace War. As taxing as the void within him was. He couldn’t deny that it was what fueled him the most.

These two mentioned of sentient ships. Living machines in a sense that were not too far off from the Vong, or the Sith Meditation Spheres. It was not uncommon either to see strange Force sects emerge. The Knights of Ren themselves were a barbaric force that emerged from the Unknown Regions. Still with the two of them divulging so much, did they not realize he could burn it all down in an instant. He was the only one that stood in the way of destroying them all, and taking what he wanted to supply the Maw War Machine against the rest of the galaxy.

They suggested that he come to them, yet if he were to come in his massive Star Destroyer he would be tempted to consume them all. Tempted to kill them without a second thought. Instead his curiousity had drove him to seek the two of them out. He sent both of them coordinates. Close to where they were, yet there no other systems. No one in the darkness of space. All that stood out among the sea of stars was the black hull of the Devourer. The void would echo in the Force to them. Like a beacon he would seek them out, if only to divulge what use they could be to him. If worse came to worse he could always kill them. His dark form loomed over the bridge. Watching and waiting for these two mystics to come to him. Instructing that they would not be harmed.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

It was hard for Willow and Ivy not to notice Kyrel Ren getting close to the. His strand in the webs of the Force was the darkest that they had ever seen. It was almost as though it was akin to a black hole, taking everything with it that got close to it.

In their curiosity, they had observed him too closely in their meditation and he had heard them speaking to eachother. The resulting conversation had ended with the proposal of a meeting, one in which neither would cause harm to the other.

Never before had the twins encountered one such as Kyrel Ren before. Yes, they knew evil, they knew cruelty. Up until now they had lived their lives under the authority of others that would beat them or starve them if they didn't do as they were told. Or if they had gone anywhere that was forbidden to them.

But now they were free. They had a station to call home and people that cherished them and their gifts. They weren't being used for profit or for political gain. Instead they helped to protect their home. And that was just fine for them. But they also had to be wary of bounty hunters like Karkosuchus wanting to bring them back to the Hutts and take away everything that they had gained.

Maybe that was partly what drew the pair to meet with Kyrel Ren. Perhaps through him they could gain some sort of protection, if not by his reputation alone. Surely there were many that were afraid of him.

Arriving near the Devourer inside of a Gospel Class Dropship, Willow and Ivy looked to the vessel in awe. "She's beautiful...."

"Yes, she is, Ivy."

As they stared, their ship's Captain hailed the vessel. ~This is Captain Stenwood of the Nomadic People's Coalition. I am escorting the prophets Willow and Ivy as requested. Permission to come aboard.~

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel could feel the twins when they emerged in the utter darkness of the stars they were surrounded by. He was still wary of these two as they did not know what powers they were dealing with. They were dealing with something that made an ordinary Sith seemed to pale in comparison. Did they not know he could turn they’re whole world upside down in a blink of an eye. Many would be mad to openly seek the Wrath of the Maw out, and still these two had the courage to seek him out. His gaze was a pensive one as he stared deeply into the abyss before him. Watching as a starship slowly emerged.

The ship itself was tiny in comparison to the behemoth that was the Devourer. It size was comparable to a miniature super star destroyer, even larger than the just of the First Order vessel it was carved out of. As soon as the craft exited from hyperspace two TIE Fighters roared from the belly of the beast, the fighters still resembled First Imperial designs, and yet felt corrupted, bastardized in a sense. The fighters headed straight for the craft as if to provide escort back to where they came from. On the viewscreen appeared the bone covered Commander Grodd.

Speaking back to the Captain, Grodd replied as attentive as he could. “This is Commander Grodd of the Crimson Hands, and the Brotherhood of the Maw. Permission is granted my Wrath will be expecting you.” He said before the screen was cut off. The dark entity that was Kyrel had called out in a chilling echo to both the girls. The fighters took them close to the main hanger before breaking off from its escort. When the craft would land the inside was bathed in darkness, albeit dimly with a crimson glow like blood. They would find themselves unnerved as there was an eerie silence that gave into the reflection that the crew served the will of their dark master.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Without even a chance to acknowledge Commander Grodd, the communication was cut off. Captain Stenwood tilted his head to the side a bit as he put his finger in his collar, as though that would help his body from overheating due to the stress. "Okay then..." He looked to the two TIE Fighters on either side and then took to the controls once more, following them to the main hanger, landing the craft gently where it was designated to do so.

Captain Stenwood powered the vessel down reluctantly. He wanted the shields to remain fully active, just in case. Yet the prophets told him they weren't to be harmed, so he believed them. Reluctantly.

Willow and Ivy felt the change in the atmosphere as soon as their little steel Angel entered the Star Destroyer. Their eyes darted around, almost searching the shadows for ghosts or monsters to emerge. But there weren't any, of course. "I wonder what Kyrel Ren will look like?"

"Kind of scary, I think. We'll soon find out."

They got to their feet and dusted off their silver robes before exiting their ship with Chopper and Chappie flanking them on either side. Their hoods remained drawn up as their fingers of their closest hands were intwined with one another.

It was dark and quiet all around them, oppressing even. But still they walked at an even pace until they came near to some figures in the dark that the pair had assumed was members of the ship's crew. "Please take us to Kyrel Ren. We are Willow and Ivy. And these are our guards, Chopper and Chappie. They are friendly. We are training them. We hope it's okay..."

 

[Kyrel Ren]

The eerie silence still persisted throughout the rest of the ship. As soon as the twins ventured out there was nothing but the cold that gripped them. That had quickly take hold. Hardly a soul was in sight throughout the dimly lit vessel. One could barely find the way around with the ship interior constantly bathed in a crimson glow. It mixed in the darkness while the two would not feel overly frightened. The atmosphere on board the massive destroyer was made to provide fear and intimidation to all enemies of Kyrel Ren.

When the pair had walked around, the silence persisted among the sound of the ships own functions. Occasionally footsteps were heard, but who or what it was remained unknown. There were many levels to the massive starship, and each corridor and hallway had seemed like a maze. Navigating around the Destroyer would remain tricky, unless one knew where to look. The twins wouldn’t know where to start, or where to find the nearest turbo lift. It wasn’t until they found one of the half dead crew members. When they spoke they saw the pale lifeless eyes of the man. His veins popping out, and his skin as pale as death. He didn’t speak, instead he only responded with a sort of grunt. Shambling his way through the hallway to lead the girls on the path towards the Wrath of the Maw.

He directed the two to the nearest turbolift that would take them to the bridge. He didn’t speak, just remained walking through the halls as if devoid of life altogether. Such was the corrupting influence that was Kyrel. It was a long way to the bridge, but when they arrived they were greeted with the familiar bridge design of the star destroyer. The bridge crews in the pit were working tirelessly to operate the vessel according to Kyrel’s needs. They would see a large shadowy figure standing in front of the hexagonal windows watching the darkness of space. With each step they took they could feel his evil, his corrupting influence.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow and Ivy were only a little bothered by the silence. Damascus Station was much noisier and busier, expect for in the atrium where they liked to spend most of their time. It was mostly their footfalls and those of their battledogs that they heard as they followed the crew member thst seemed to be showing them where to go.

Easily the twins could get lost. They were used to much smaller spaces. Even Broka's Sky Palace was much smaller than the Devourer. The coldness, accompanied by the darkness, bade Willow and Ivy to reflect on how insignificant they were in the vastness of the Galaxy. Yet they were doing their best. This was the first time that they had ventured on their own. This was the first point in their lives in which they weren't someone elses property. To live on their own accord at first was too scary of a concept to even think about escaping the Hutts. And now they had such command over their own lives that people followed them and gave them gifts. It was such an amazing turn in their lives.

As they rode in the turbolift, Chopper and Chappie sat next to them, patiently waiting for the twins to move again. "We're almost there. His strand is different here."

"I know. It's not just thicker, but it's branching out. It's splitting in many directions...."

"Let's not look too closely. We don't need to become ensnared too."

"We are stronger than the others. But you're right, we shouldn't look too closely."

The doors to the lift opened then. Their eyes were drawn to Kyrel Ren as he stood ahead of them. A second or two later they began to walk towards him, being sure to stick to the center of the catwalk. Chopper and Chappie flanked either side of them with their metal feet clanking on the floor. And as they neared him, Willow and Ivy found themselves feeling colder, as though the Devourer offered them no protection at all from the cold vastness of space that surrounded them all. It was a feeling that they didn't just feel, but see as well.

The twins stopped their approach once they were twenty feet away. It felt to them to be a respectable distance. They bowed their heads in unison, knkwing that he was probably watching their reflection in the transparasteel glass.

"Greetings Kyrel Ren. We thank you for the honour of this visit."

"Your Angel is incredible, the largest that we've ever seen so far."

"You are lucky to have been gifted her."

"Perhaps one day we will share in that luck."

The twins did their best to keep their conversation light. It helped them to retain their focus. The darkness surrounded them and they did not yet want to be swallowed within it.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

The atmosphere on the Devourer was dim at best. There was nothing but darkness that had contaminated every inch of the ship. Even now as the girls walked towards the Wrath of the Maw, the silence was occasionally broken by the sound of howling, screaming. Such was the work of bled Kyber crystals almost too numerous to count as they powered much of the craft’s own weapon systems should it need to engage in a battle that would take on several capital ships at a time. Truly the ship overall reflected that of its dark master.

When Kyrel sensed the two approach, he didn’t once dare move any differently. For all intents and purposes Kyrel had largely considered himself the harbinger of death. The likes of which had rivaled the ilk of Carnifex, and what had come before. He was the evolution of darkness hellbent on consuming all life in the galaxy. Till there was nothing left but the silence.

His shadowy form was unflinching. He didn’t even turn to look the two travelers in the eye. Only as they stood so close they would feel the need to run. To embrace what they’re instincts had told of them, yet they remained simply out of purpose that had guided them to the dark master. The man who’s very name was synonymous with the Maw itself. “Spare me the civilities regarding the instrument of my will. Both of you speak. Why have you dared to enter aboard my ship, or contact me no less? If you know of the Maw then you invite yourselves to your own death.” Kyrel was irritated, he didn’t have these two seek him out just to comment on his Star Destroyer. He wanted to get straight to the point of why they had come here, and why would they risk everything in front of the man that would be the World Eater.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow and Ivy tightened their grip on eachother. The way that Kyrel Ren spoke to them in person was different than when they had communicated privately. It was harsher and colder. Goosebumps raised on their skin and yet they remained in place, no matter how much they felt they should run.

But it wasn't the first time that they were in such a position. They had faced evil before, however this was an evil of a different sort. This one was bred from ancient times. It was no wonder that his strand in the web of the Force was so different.

"We came to your Angel because you invited us."

"Curiosity of your strand in the Force had sought us to look closer."

"You are the first to hear us when we've looked."

"Somehow our lives are intertwined, even if it is just for a short while."

"We know very little of the Maw for our exposure to the Galaxy has been very small and there are some that want it to be smaller still."

"We have gained our freedom and wish to keep it. But there are those that hunt us for the warlords and Hutts to bring us back to their cages."

"The Navi do their best to protect us, and for the moment they are enough. But they might not always be."

"If we could receive....support, even if it's as simple as keeping your people from attacking our home station, we would be in your debt."

The Navi needed them, and the twins needed the Navi. Their religion and practice of embetting souls into ships was growing. Yet their enemies was set to grow in numbers as well. And it wasn't just the Hutts, hunters and warlords that they needed to avoid, but another threat entirely. One that threatened the very existence of the Angels that protected them, of all Angels in the Galaxy. And that included the one that they stood in right now.

But that threat was still vague in their minds. It was too far away. The twins hadn't taken enough steps yet to be able to see it more clearly. However this meeting was one in that direction that if successful would give them more clarity. And if it failed it could be a major setback.

Kyrel was pivitol for them, one way or another....

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel stood before the two young girls. They were too young to know where the man had originally came from, nor did they have memory of a time when First Imperial rule was placed over the wider Outer Rim. Those times seemed like another lifetime in of itself. They wouldn’t know a thing about order, and he was more surprised to learn that they did not know of the Maw. They did not know the wider conflicts playing out into the galaxy. They did not know the horrors that came from being the Maw’s emissary.

The way they referred to his ship as an angel was laughable to him. He didn’t know of a religion based on sentient ships, and while his ship wasn’t sentient it followed the dark will of its master all the same. His head turned to listen closely as they suggested the offer of having him offer some type of aid. Did they not know who they were dealing with? A man that would see the galaxy burn time and time again. To make this deal would not be an easy one. They would have to pay the toll sooner or later.

He finally spoke his words still carried the same chill as before. “So, you both come aboard thinking that you can gain protection? Hahahahahahaha.” He paused letting out a laugh that was deeply unsettling. “Sure, I could make that call. Go as far as to burn down the rest of the galaxy… What can you both give me that I do not already possess? Maybe it might help you spare your worlds… for last.” He said implying a hint of a threat in his words. His undead gaze staring deep into the twins, as if to see what was inside.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow and Ivy looked at eachother as Kyrel Ren began laughing at them. The very air around the pair seemed to grow colder still, while everyone else seemed to grow larger as they shrank. It was lucky for them that orders had been given that they wouldn't be harmed. But how long would that last?

The monster before them could change his mind at any given moment.

"With all due respect, we do not know of all that you possess." The twins hadn't dared try to touch him yet to see what he was searching for. Nor have they even tried to touch the Devourer to hear her. They knew that they weren't ready to face the horrors that would come to light with such an undertaking. Unlike the warlords and Hutts, Kyrel wasn't after them for their abilities.

"But we could offer you one of our creations. The Angel Navis Operating System works in conjunction with the Holy Communion Neural Implant to allow Captains to better operate their...ships..."

"It would give you more of an advantage in battle..."

The twins were ever thankful that their home lay on a station that could be moved, rather than on a planet stuck in orbit. If they were to be spared for last, then they needed to be able to flee if they had to.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel had mostly remained silent. Hearing both of them out, we’re these two largely ignorant of anything in the wider galaxy? He raised an eyebrow in curiosity. When they did not know what he possessed, a holo activated before them. The holo image showed the galaxy itself with the Maw’s territory pushing deep into the wider galactic alliance. The images would change to the darker imagery of the Maw, drenched in blood showed the Maw’s symbol and then the likes towards his Imperial Remnant known as the Crimson Hands. “You two must not know anything… Allow me to introduce myself fully. I am The Wrath of the Maw, it’s deadly enforcer and Warmaster. The Brotherhood of the Maw is a powerful group. Focused on a new religion that comes from the Maw system. We follow a basic mantra one I will put simply.” He paused his words taking a more sinister turn. “War, death, rebirth.” He paused again letting the two learn what little they could from the holo before them.

When he was given the offering he looked inward toward the bone covered officer known as Grodd. “Grodd!!” He yelled and soon came the fast walk of an officer who dared not look Ren in the eyes. He spoke with a slight stutter. “Y-yes my Wrath?” He asked, and soon found the gifts being shoved into the officers arms. “See what you can do with these toys these girls have offered. Have the tech looked into, and if useful apply it to the Devourer’s own systems.” Kyrel said looking the officer into the eyes with a deadly glare. “Y-yes my Wrath at once.” He said as he quickly scurried off into the darkness. Kyrel’s own gaze focused back on the girls.

There was a moment of silence before Kyrel’s own voice once again silenced it. “It seems you can be useful. I will not destroy what you have, unless I find any reason to. As I have showed you I have enemies to destroy first. Now beyond the assurances I’ve given I feel there is more you both seek from me. I’m curious as to what that is.” His scowl turned into an inquisitive gaze as he tried to reach through the Force to discover what purpose they sought after.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow and Ivy watched the holo images that played out. They had seen a map of the Galaxy once or twice before, but not in the manner of which it was shown now. But they recognized it for what it was, having heard of such talk by Broka and his Warlords. It was conquest.

The mantra that Kyrel Ren spoke of gave them both chills that ran down their spines. It threatened to show them images, yet they cut it off, instead focusing on Grodd taking their tech. Normally the twins were required for helping to imbed the implant into a ship's Captain and to entench a soul into the ship itself. But would their skills be needed here? Or would Kyrel do it on his own?

Their thoughts refocused again as a bitter cold enveloped them. The dark strands of the Force, colourless at such close range seemed to poke at their own strands, working it's way to coil around them.

"If you find our tech worthy enough, then we can help to assimulate it with your Devourer. She will need a soul to be sacrificed worthy of her character to be entenched. And whomever you trust to Captain her, we can help to bind them to the Devourer."

"But we won't impose and can leave that all in your capable hands should you have the time to spare for it."

However that wasn't in answer to his question. He wanted to know what else they wanted from him, instead of what they could offer. Given their isolation and restrictions for most of their lives, there was at least something that they could ask Kyrel for.

"We have very little means to protect ourselves on our own..."

"Weapons were always forbidden to us..."

"The Angels and our battle dogs are our weapons now...."

"But there could be times in which we are out of reach of them all. If you could teach us how to stop hunters and the like from capturing us, we would be grateful."

"You don't even have to do it yourself. You could send someone to us, or lend us a book or a scroll."

"We promise to return them."

The twins had never had instruction from a Force User before. The few skills that they had were all self taught.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel had stared at the twins with the same curiousity. It wasn’t like the Wrath of the Maw to meet those that sought out danger. He had to commend the two regardless for making it this far. The two girls were able to withstand the corrupting darkness that had enveloped the Devourer like a cold embrace had not fully worked on the two. Regardless the Master of Ren largely remained impatient, as he had suspected that the both of them had arrived for something more than just giving him new technology that would give his warship an edge in combat.

He nodded to the words of installing such new devices deep into the heart of the beast. The technology the twins provided was silent to him, similar concepts could have been practiced, and yet he had never come across such things before. “Perhaps it would be best for you two to help in the installation of such machinery.”

When the two finally reached the point he smiled as the two asked for training. It was foolish for the both of them to seek out a Master such as him. Still he couldn’t deny that both of them could be used for his own sinister purposes, and if could not be of any use then they would be cast aside. “So the hunted seeks out the hunter eh? Both of you are bold to come to me with this offer, even when I have many plans to bring the galaxy to its knees. I’m intrigued nonetheless, but I will warn you my teachings do not come easily.” He said staring down both of them in the eyes.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Kyrel Ren accepted their help. That was fortunate. In his presence everything seemed....different. Or it could be that the Devourer was reaching out to them, making them aware of just what kind of affect on them her voice would have.

Willow and Ivy returned their focus back to Kyrel as he spoke to them again. He agreed to train them and that was a relief for them both.

"We understand. Anything worthwhile is never easy to gain."

"The element of surprise is what could give us the edge we need to remain out of cages."

"We will not take your lessons for granted."

The twins returned his stare with their own. Determination was what kept them from running. Facing fears was common for them. It was only with the Navi that they had truly become elevated and with purpose other than finding things or foretelling the future. Kyrel's teachings could extend another branch of that, and help to ensure the safety of the Navi.

At least for now.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

What the twins had agreed to was something that wouldn’t be easy. The dark side is corrupting and for the two like them, who had seemed gifted in the use of foresight could be another level for the Master of Ren to achieve his aim of total galactic Annihilation. These two were signing a deal with the devil that they would either benefit from or regret. Kyrel’s pensive gaze stared deeply into the two as they spoke on the proposition. Just as he suspected it seemed that the two of them had accepted taking the dark temptations.

“I wouldn’t be so quick for such lessons. My way is dark, brutal. The things I will teach will drive you both deeper into the abyss.” He said his form casting a long shadow over the two of them. His whole right hand was covered in red as he placed his hand on both of the girls. He left a bloody hand insignia on the both of them. “Just as my Crimson Hands with the bloody hand you won’t be harmed. You are in the presence of the Maw, and you will be marked for safe travel through Maw territory. With my mark no one would dare cross the Wrath of the Maw.” He spoke plainly as his mark was made on the two. “The dark side is a path many consider too terribly for some. You two will make a fine question to that theory.” He said an ugly smirk soon appearing behind his death mask.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow and Ivy kept their gaze on his, never faultering. Back when they were 'employed' by Broka the Hutt and others, they would keep their eyes cast downwards and kept quiet. But now that they were experiencing freedom for the first time in their lives, and had been elevated to positions of leadership over a planet-sized group of people, the twins allowed themselves to be more bold. They were not equal to Kyrel Ren , yet they were more than what they had been in the past.

"We are not strangers to brutality."

"And we will learn when you have the time to spare."

The twins didn't flinch as he touched them, even though it felt icy cold, even though they felt the need to recoil. Even his shadow cast upon them felt unnerving, but that could be in large part because of the sinister vibes his Devourer gave out.

They were marked, and of course the question popped into their minds as to whether or not it could be washed off. But that thought was merely a fleeting one. The two knew otherwise that those within the Maw that respected or feared Kyrel would follow his instructions. It was how Broka protected them from the other warlords. Yet they hadn't been around the Maw before, so they had little knowledge of their political structure and where Kyrel stood on that ladder. However they were confident that what they were given was enough if ever they find themselves so far away from where Damascus Station currently resides.

"We hope to do well by your teachings."

"And as we are safe in your territory, you will have safe passage in Damascus Station as well. It sits within Elysium space, but we have brokered a deal to retain our independence and keep seperate from them."

"Our Angels will provide you full escort should the Elysium be made aware of your approach."

The twins figured that their section of space wasn't heavily monitored, so they didn't have to worry.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel’s pensive and expectant gaze didn’t cease from watching the two. They seemed eager on the proposal he had made, and yet he wondered how low they would go into the abyss. What he suggested wasn’t an easy task, instead the dark side required a sacrifice of sorts. What would the girls sacrifice he wasn’t entirely sure. There was some unsettling silence the more he studied the two. He didn’t know how to properly show them the way. Perhaps he would do best by enticing them more.

Finally the silence was broken after the both of them offered such passage into where they came from. “What experience do you both have with the dark side? The machines you carry while interesting I do not wish to sacrifice my only captain to utilize such technology. Would an artificial soul serve me just as well?” He said also asking on the strange technology the girls brought with him to use. Grodd had been a faithful servant in commanding his destroyer, and yet he didn’t want to lose him. The mindless beings that was the bridge crew were corrupted by his dark influence. Hardly worthy to serve as a source for this dark tech.

“I will also say that I won’t be forgiving to either one of you. I will slowly ease you into the darkness, and what comes after you both will not be the same. The dark side is considered a slippery slope.” He said his gaze staring both of them down. He was looking for weakness, for a reaction as he wanted to know how to approach his own brutal methods of teaching.

Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow and Ivy's gaze didn't waver from that of Kyrel Ren 's. His eyes were the only part of his face that they could see and they bore into the twins' own, unyielding. And there was silence. Yet the twins knew well enough that while being in the presence of certain individuals, it was better to speak only when spoken to. And so they kept quiet.

For a time.

Until at last Kyrel spoke up, inquiring about a few things, to which the two dutifully responded. "Outside of the Empress of the Eternal Empire, you are the only Darksider that we have encountered."

"And we doubt that you would be the last."

"Most people that we come across have no Force abilities at all.". And that was probably a good thing, given that they weren't able to protect themselves.

"With our tech, your Captain would not be sacrificed. His soul would not be the one enteched, but another, such as an engineer that knows the Devourer well."

"Your captain would be bonded to the Devourer by the way of an implant that would enable them to hear the Devourer speak and control her with greater ease."

"We have not heard of artificial souls as we have only enteched authentic ones, so we are unsure of whether or not it would be successful."

"But we could still give it a try."

Kyrel then warned them of what was to come should he start to train them. Willow and Ivy hardly expected him to go easy on them at all. With the exception of the Navi, no one else had treated them with due care. As far as they were aware, they were well prepared.

"No one is ever the same after learning a new skill."

"No one is ever the same after reaching a turning point in their lives."

"We just hope that we do well enough for your approval."

The twins had no desire to be greater than Kyrel, but only to be greater than their enemies that seek to have them caged. That was their motivation.