Private The Otherside

[Revna Marr]

Darth Strosius // Lina Ovmar ​

Revna felt the mind of Alisteri brush against her own, pressing inwards and she offered no resistance, allowing the Sith Lord to sink into the dark depths of her mind. Revna’s presence was still very much there, and she was still mostly in control of her own mind - but the eyes behind the Void lurked in there too, watching intently.

The sounds of the Nether would fade the deeper Darth Strosius went into the darkness of her mind, as if He were walking or floating down a corridor. Almost immediately, images of her past would flicker along the “walls” of the darkened corridor, giving Him snapshots of different points in her life - from childhood and her enslavement, all the way up to more recent events. The situation was desperate and dangerous enough that Revna didn’t really think to block or hide certain memories from Him, especially the more vivid ones or memories that plagued her with powerful emotions such as fear, rage, regret, or even positive emotions like joy and love.

Glimpses of her time in slavery could be seen, and snapshots of her early days under His tutelage as a scared and nervous Acolyte. Her rather many escapades out from Formos or Faldos, her adventures that led to either enlightenment or danger.

In one memory, Alisteri would see her sitting at a fire, talking with a man across from her and sharing a bowl of stew he had made…a man who was a Jedi. Their encounter was not hostile, more curious than anything - both learning about the other and departing on neutral terms.

In another memory, her Father would see her in Jutrand, at the Palace - arm in arm with a rather handsome young man that He would know: it was Empyrean’s grandson, a young Sith man whom she had developed a crush on for a while, though they eventually had gone their separate ways.

Many other smaller memories flashed by, though the deeper Alisteri went into Revna’s mind - the darker the memories became.

He would see a snapshot of the day of her capture: the moment she faced down Darth Prazutis, the fight for her life - the agony of being burned alive. He would see other things too, things she couldn’t hide from Him in time. Like the memory of Darth Carnifex showing her mercy and healing the damage the Shadow Hand had done to her, and sitting down with her to have a rather normal conversation. Revealed before Strosius too was the Dark Lord’s offer extended to her - one she didn’t turn away immediately. In fact, she accepted it, after a period of time - willingly putting herself under Darth Carnifex’s authority to learn directly from the Dark Lord of the Kainate himself.

A series of memories involving her training with both Carnifex and Prazutis would flash between the shared mental link - but none quite stood out as prominently as the moment where Revna was ordered to exterminate a couple of Wonosan outposts out in Wild Space…locations that she had previously tried to hide from Prazutis, but was unable to do so in the end. Knowing that her very life hung in the balance, Revna did as she was ordered - though it shattered her to do so. Wonosans fell at her hand as she marched against them under the Kainate banner - utter despair filling every part of her. It would be clear that, despite the memories her Father would see, that she hadn’t wanted to do any of it - but obedience was compelled by the device in her spine.

Shame and regret and feelings of betrayal seeped from that dark memory, but just like all the others, it continued on. The Kaggath, the Force Scream, the moment Caedes stepped in to save her life, his gentle coaxing for her to come back from the grasp of the Void…her arrival to Korriban after Caedes had taken her into his 'possession' and away from the Dyarchs. Memory after memory zipped by, almost as if the Void was trying to hinder them both and stop whatever aid would reach Revna…that was until Strosius was suddenly engulfed by one in particular.

A Garden and a water fountain, built into the Palace of Vardin itself. It was utterly beautiful, filled with flowers and foliage both native and non-native to Korriban, the place presenting an atmosphere of tranquility and peace even. It was here that Revna’s presence was strongest.

In the Garden’s center was the knelt figure of Revna herself - hands clenched into fists as she rocked back and forth ever so slightly on her knees. She was whispering words that didn’t seem to make any sense, and she didn’t really seem aware of her Father’s presence, not yet anyway. Like she was lost within her own mind, or perhaps that she was engaged in a fight for ownership of her very soul.

Slowly, corruption from the Void was beginning to seep further into the Garden, the sacred space. Alisteri would get the impression that this place within her mind was where she retreated to when she needed an escape, a place of safety when everything else was crumbling around her. A place where she could draw strength from to face her challenges.

And the Void was seeking to rip it away from her, and leaving nothing behind except the fate it had in store for her. ​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius idly sensed the lattice shield forming around Him even as Revna allowed Him to delve into her consciousness, a stream of memories flowing around Him that He barely paid any heed to. Some of them were familiar enough from the last time that He'd been inside her mind, specifically to train her against intrusions such as this one oddly enough, but of course they weren't His aim anyway. Whatever snippets of memory that did flitter into His focus were thankfully brief and did little to bring Him pause. For the most part at least.

Her escapades were hardly of interest, and frankly there was a part of Him which would rather not know them. The dinner with what must have been a Jedi of some sort made Him raise a proverbial eyebrow but it was nothing important really, even He had spoken and worked with Jedi before. The sight of His daughter arm in arm with the corpse's brat made Him snarl, physically beneath His mask, but it too wasn't worth His attention for long. Finally He seemed to be breaching into the depths of her mind and with it came some sights that did forcefully snag His attention however.

Her capture wasn't at a scene that Darth Strosius wished to see but it was one that He simply couldn't tear His gaze away from, guilt and hatred coiling tight within His being at the sickening memory and Prazutis himself before it transitioned to an offer of mercy and tutelage from Carnifex of all monsters. For what purpose He wasn't certain, aside from the typical Zambrano pride and assumption that all would bend the knee to them. True to her nature as a survivor she did accept the offer, not at all what He would have done in her circumstances of course but her survival was all that mattered.

That she was trained by both of the Zambranos was quite surprising and unusual indeed, though in the back of His mind He idly noted the details of such training for His own usage later. Insight on His enemies wasn't exactly the most available of resources after all. What sent a cold spike straight through Him however were the recollections involving Wonosans whilst Revna was in Kainite hands. His body slumped at the sight, falling to His knees as His breath hitched and choked. He almost instinctively retreated from her mind but He forced Himself to persevere.

Even as He had to watch more of His followers suffer and perish at the hands of His foes, not even decent enough to do the job themselves and instead forcing Revna to do it on their behalf. Wretched Zambrano filth. His mood was hardly soothed by the memory of the Kaggath and the reveal of the Void lurking within her being, unable to resist a glare at the sight of Caedes so easily swooping in to take advantage of Revna in moment of vulnerability. All that talk of not being a sycophant and there he was with the Kainites all the same. He'd wring that "king"'s throat before too long, of that He was certain.

Soon enough however the specific memories began to blur and become all the less distinct until finally He was freed from them and present with a garden of sorts. It was tranquil, idyllic even. Darth Strosius spared a curious glance around before His gaze settled on where Revna herself sat in the center, the decay of the Void seeming to bind tighter around her with each passing moment. "It would be a pity to let such a place pass into ruin." In an odd return to form He appeared and spoke He did in the realm of the living, unlike the chorus and gleaming appearance that He sported in the Nether.

He didn't even seem to have His "wings" at all as He slowly approached Revna to place a hand on her shoulder. Whether this projection was a cloak crafted for Him by her very own mind and memory or was one fo His choice was unclear and He made no comment on it either way. "What troubles you, my dear?" His voice was gentle, lacking any urgency in spite of the Void's ever-creeping advance. "Why do you allow the claws of such a vile thing to sink into the depths of your being? Banish it back to its dark corner where it belongs."

Lina Ovmar / Revna Marr

 

[Lina Ovmar]

A handful of creatures landed on the lattice protecting Strosius, tentacled faces wrapping around the shadow trying to tear they way in, those the dove for Revna were turned to ash by the glowing red tendrils that flowed from her. It was becoming clear to them that their best target was the only one still moving. Lina's lightsaber scored through the black ice at her feet, unsure if doing so would harm Revna in anyway, she was left with no choice but to try and free her leg before she was overwhelmed.

Yet no sooner had her blade finished its line, it had grown back, the cold digging deeper into the flesh of her leg. "Chit." Shadow leapt at her command, her own ink black tendrils punching for the airborne fiends, tearing holes through them. She carved one from head to tail, forming a spear of midnight black with her riposte and launche it into the air with a flick of her fingers, skewering two of the beast before they got into range, her offhand saber spun, splitting a wing from a body.

For every one she carved away, there was another to replace it, and every moment that passed she had to hold the lattice, to hold the drain back on Revna. If she faltered, they were all doomed. Her hand crackled, reaching into the air as she filled the sky with white lightening, incinerating and incoming wave, giving her self a beat, but only one.

One was enough.

Lina delved deep, immersing herself not just in the darkside, but in the chaotic energy of the Netherworld. "Kinisrsa! An ki!" the words, were spoken softly, but they travelled far. A command that could not be ignored, no matter how much they despised the forest. the creatures were upon her again, but beyond the hum and hiss of her lightsabers she could hear them. Their heavy foot falls crashing through the forest as the crawled out of shadows coming to her aide.

Standing at over nine feet tall and made from pure darkness, they tore through the tree line, reaching with large hands sporting elongated fingers to swipe the creatures out of the air. Their appearance sent the batlike creatures into a panic scattering them as the forest filled once more with their shrieks. Lina sagged as they redirected their attacks diving for the Kinisrsa instead. A long hand reach from behind her, stretching for Revna, seeking to handle the other threat to their Queen.

"RA! Nindz ji!" The Kinisrsa bellowed in response, looking between Revna, the red tinted tendrils and the ice that had engulfed her entire leg, it let out a long mournful cry, reaching again. "Dari nindz tash tu'iyia raka ant ki Tinira!" Her voice was filled with panic, panic that the Kinisrsa seemed to understand, retracting its hand and coming instead to stand over Lina, snatching another bat like creature from the sky.

Revna Marr Darth Strosius

 

[Revna Marr]

Darth Strosius // Lina Ovmar
​

~"It would be a pity to let such a place pass into ruin."~

Revna gasped, seemingly startled, when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. Her head lifted and turned around to settle upon the figure of Darth Strosius there with her in the sanctity of her safe space. She appeared as she normally did - except that the corruption of the Dark Side was gone from her. In its place was the young woman that had met Alisteri those years prior on Formos.

~"What troubles you, my dear?"~

Blue-gray eyes blinked at Him for a moment, before she rose to her feet and practically threw her arms around Him in a ghostly embrace. “Oh thank Bogan You are here…” she whispered, her voice free of the slight distortion the Void often projected when she spoke aloud. The embrace didn’t last longer that necessary, and she stepped back after a moment to cast her gaze around the garden, noticing the gray lifelessness that had begun to seep into her safe space - though its incursion had halted.

~"Why do you allow the claws of such a vile thing to sink into the depths of your being? Banish it back to its dark corner where it belongs."~

Revna returned her gaze back to her Father, a somewhat tired look on her face. “If only it was that easy…especially when I’m fighting alone. But now that You are here, I can renew my efforts to push it back.” Her stormy eyes turned to the outside edges of the garden once more, where the presence of the Void curled and waited like some stalking predator. Through her symbiotic bond with the Void, she could feel its wariness. Something about Darth Strosius unsettled it, made it stay at a distance.

Was it because He was partially divine in nature? Blessed by Bogan directly? She wasn’t sure…but it was something she could capitalize on. Already she could feel its presence loosen upon her, its abyssal grip having retreated some.

“The Void…the moment You came into this place, I felt its hold loosen on me. It knows You…something about You makes it wary. I can use that to my advantage.” Revna lifted up her hands, ungloved and bare here in the depths of her mind. Both of them were safe there. “Take my hands. I asked You to come in here because You are my anchor point - my point to bring me back to reality and to draw strength from to overpower the will of the Void.”

She would wait for her Father to do so, before closing her eyes and focusing, using her Father’s presence as an anchor point for her. Here, she set about reinforcing her Will, drawing courage and strength from her Father’s presence there with her. It was why she had encouraged Him to find her in this place - for if it had worked with Caedes, then surely it would work with Alisteri. It was a temporary solution, however. Eventually - she would have to learn how to exercise her Will over that of the Void’s, without outside aid.

That was proving to be the challenging part. And here, in the Nether, the Void’s will was so strong. The fact that she had been able to hold it off as long as she had here was nothing short of a miracle and spoke to the sheer strength of her own Will.

Slowly, the Void began to withdraw - both within her and beyond her physical body. Beyond her mindscape, Lina would feel the drain on herself lesson and withdraw, the black ice like substance crumbling away from her leg. Revna maintained her focus, smothering the Hunger underneath layers of herself, supplanting the need that surged through her veins with other things that brought her hope and joy and life. It was paramount that she did not give in to negative emotions or feelings here - for that would only empower the Void in this delicate and critical moment.

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime though it had only been mere moments, her Father would notice a sense of ease fall over her, the sensation shared with Him too. “Thank You for...being willing to do this. I…I hope I haven’t hurt You or Lina…I don’t know what I would do if I had…” Revna murmured softly with genuine concern as she finally opened her blue eyes, her hands gripping His own as if they were a lifeline.

“It’s…it’s back under my control again. We should return and make sure Lina is still okay. We don’t want to be trapped in here. In the Nether...that is.”

 

[Darth Strosius]

There was a slight startle when Revna first looked at Him, memories of their first meeting which felt so long ago now briefly occupying His mind at the sight of her. Free from the stains of the Void and even the telltale blessings of the Dark Side. Very nostalgic in the most wistful sense that one could imagine, but of course Darth Strosius couldn't quite slip into reminiscence whilst there was the encroaching threat at hand. Another time perhaps, but not now and not here.

He didn't hesitate to return the embrace of course and He was rather thankful for the grounding that physical contact, in a sense at least, provided. No matter how brief it was. "It is that easy, my dear." There was little room for doubt in His words. "I will aid you in your struggle now, but in time I will ensure that you can properly fend off the Void on your own. I know that you are capable of it." She had to be, He wouldn't be around her at all times after all.

But now was not the time for instruction and lesson it was a time for action. That the Void was apparently wary of His presence brought a warm, if somewhat dark, chuckle from the masked man. Oh He'd give it a reason to be wary alright. Darth Strosius took her bare hands in His own gloved ones, His fingers rather notably more full and firm here than they were elsewhere. More alive one might say. As Revna focused herself on turning back the Void, He too closed His eyes and set His attention on a goal.

That of reinforcing the garden at the core of her mind against the grasping claws of the Void's influence, even as she worked to dampen and push it back. The Void's willpower was incredibly strong, ancient even in a manner that He had only glimpsed before. But Darth Strosius had torn His own mortality apart through sheer force of will Himself, and He'd be damned if He faltered now when His daughter was at stake. With the Void withdrawing He shrouded her deepest self from its predations. A temporary measure to be sure, a simple barrier that it would inevitably break through.

Yet one that should hold until they were out of this accursed realm and back in the one of the living. When she eased Darth Strosius didn't lighten His grip on her hands, instead gently squeezing to reaffirm His own presence and her success. "Think nothing of it Revna." Whether He meant in regards to her thanks or her concerns it wasn't clear. "Yes, we do have other matters to attend to. Like getting out of this horrid forest." Beneath His mask He smiled and reached up to pat her on her cheek.

"Nu nulis j'us, nuyak Dukra. Always."

The next moment His golden eyes were opening in the waking world again, His exit from Revna's mind far swifter than His entrance and expedited even further by the urgency of the situation. He glanced around at the shield that had been formed around Him, His "wings" stretching to press against it as He loudly cleared His throat. "Lady Ovmar, if you would?"

Lina Ovmar / Revna Marr

 

[Lina Ovmar]

The ice that continued to creep its way up her thigh and bit into her hip seized its advance, the pull she had felt on her essence faded and Lina immediately let go of her own draw, twisting her leg the ice shattered, a deep seated exhaustion seeking to take root in the core of her being as she toppled forward to her hands and knees. Her shadow formed guardian shifted over her, letting out a soft whine that swiftly shifted into a snarl as a stray winged creature flitted to close. It's flight ended abruptly as it was snatched from the air and crushed, its body consumed with a sickening sound of crunching bone.

There were few of them left now, fleeing for the treeline as the Kinisrsa settled onto their haunches forming a circle around the trio. They were restless, uncomfortable in the presence of the whispering trees but they stayed, refusing to let their own natural fear force them away from the woman who commanded them.

When Lord Strosius voice drifted to her she shifted upright, settling onto her heels and reached a hand towards the net that encased him. It peeled away drifting back into the pool of shadow that rested at her feet. Her gaze moved from him to Revna, the Kinisrsa standing over her let out a guttural growl.

"Tuti dyiasi, ki wirjuri, ri nirasa shiyi wiri"

She reached a palm to pat the beasts foot, the only thing she could reach from her position on the floor.

"Revna?"

Revna Marr Darth Strosius

 

[Revna Marr]

Lina Ovmar // Darth Strosius ​

Alisteri’s reassurances were like a gentle balm on Revna’s soul; His confidence in her helped to reinforce her own Will as she sought to push back the encroaching Hunger. Seeing and speaking to Him here, in this place, allowed her to distance herself from the whispers, from the near mind numbing temptations the Void spoke into her mind. It was why she had called the Sith Lord here to this place within her mind, for she had done this before with Caedes and it had worked, so she knew it would work with her Father too.

Thankfully, the usually stubborn man didn’t fight or balk at her command for Him to take her hands, and while she noted that His hands felt…different…in her grasp, she put that observation aside for the time being so she could focus her energy on reinforcing her Will against the Void, and her adopted Father set about His own goal: doing His part to reinforce the garden sanctuary within her mind. She noted this as well, though somewhat distantly, and she was thankful for the added support for it took some of the weight off her shoulders when it came to battling back the Void Hunger itself.

The will of the Hunger was a powerful thing, consuming and undeniable. It made its presence known to the Sith Lord that dared to trespass within what it considered its “property”, but it recognized the Touch of Bogan upon this individual. There was power there, a sort of power that not even the Void could deny or challenge. It withdrew, begrudgingly, slowly, hatefully - but it did so nonetheless. The more its presence retreated, the more that Darth Strosius’s presence shrouded the Void’s living vessel from its sight - effectively cutting it off from Revna, at least for the time being.

But the Void was always there in the background, watching and waiting. She would have to give in to its Hunger again, and again, and again. The Void was eternally patient, for it knew that it would have its prize, one way or another, one day.

Revna took comfort and strength in the gentle squeeze Alisteri gave her hands. He seemed to wave off her comments, or at least didn’t truly respond to them, though He did agree that they still had work to do and it was best if they returned to Lina, and to reality…or however reality appeared while in the Nether. He reached up and gently patted her cheek, and though she couldn’t see the smile He bore behind the mask, she could feel it.

His next words, spoken directly into her mind in the Sith tongue, stunned her for a moment - and physically she inhaled a small breath of surprise. She had never heard Him utter those words, not to her at least. And she tucked that moment, that memory, away for later reflection.

A surge of warmth would pass from her to her Father, her way of saying I love you too, before both of them returned to the present moment.

Revna blinked a couple of times, the current situation crashing down around her and bringing her back to the moment sharply. The creatures were still above them, still dive bombing them…but their numbers had been significantly reduced, and most of those that still remained were already fleeing. Raw power flooded through Revna’s form, and bled out of her in near tangible wisps of dark energy. She heard Lina’s voice, calling her name softly, and the young Sith woman turned around to see Lina on her knees.

She hadn’t been like that when Revna had surrendered to the Void Hunger. What had happened?

“Lina? Are you okay?!” Revna exclaimed as she turned more directly towards the woman, though she cast a wary glance at the shadow guardians around Lina. She could tell that Lina was exhausted, and it made a chill race up and down Revna’s spine. “...I didn’t hurt you did I?” she asked, her voice tight with concern and worry.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius rose as the shield around Him receded, His wings flaring wide as though stretching from their brief stint in confinement. The warmth that still coiled within His mind from His daughter but that feeling was rather quickly pushed to the wayside as He noticed the new creature which towered over Lady Ovmar. Thankfully, for its sake, she didn't seem at all bothered by it. Rather it was clearly guarding against the predations of the flying vermin, upon a second glance.

Vermin which were still trying to find something to gnaw on or sweep up among them it seemed, albeit with fewer still in the air than He remembered from before He had to delve into Revna's mind. With her coming to from the little mental trip as well and moving to Lina's side, His golden gaze shifted skyward before narrowing. He was sure that He was speaking for the lot of them that the pests had long since worn out their welcome and were in dire need of extermination.

So He leapt up, His wings carrying Him into what remained of the nuisances in a flurry of claws. Unlike them though, His wings weren't a necessity to keep Him in the air and as such He was more than capable of swatting the little pests down with all of His limbs. Although He was sorely tempted to show the few of them that did dare to latch onto His arm as it reared back or managed to nip at one of the tendrils before it cast them down just how hard He could bite back.

Lina Ovmar / Revna Marr

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Relief flooded her as Revna turned to face her, her voice soft and full of worry, she let out a relieved chuckle and pushed herself with effort to her feet, feeling the shadows coils around her skin, sinking deep as she drew on the darkness to sustain her. Their work was not done, she had survived longer in the nether than this, she would endure until the beast was under her sway.

She closed the distance between her and Revna with a few quick steps pulling the younger Vahla into a tight embrace. "I'm okay, ki ardira. You did not hurt me." she drew back, far enough to take Revna's face in her hands, thumbs brushing her cheeks. "I always knew something was hiding in you, yet I never..." she trailed off, the sound flesh being rend from bone as Alisteri tore into the remaining beast in a fury of claws and ethereal wings. She placed a kiss on Revna's forehead. "We can talk about it when we get out of here."

It wasn't a lie, Revna had not hurt her, she wouldn't. the creature that lurked inside her though was another matter and not one they had time to discuss here. Lina had many questions, for both of them, but for now, she took Revna's hand in hers and looked up to the man who was tearing into the stragglers with fervour that suggested his patience with them and with this place was at its end. She felt something stir in her chest emotion she was fighting to keep at bay and let out a small breath, entranced for a moment before a rumble from the Kinisrsa reminded her where they were.

She cleared her throat. "Al--Lord Strosius," the correction was quick, hopefully unnoticeable, "The Kinisrsa will protect us the rest of the way, their ability to stay here is limited, so we should move quickly and make the most of them."

Revna Marr Darth Strosius

 

[Revna Marr]

Lina Ovmar // Darth Strosius ​

Revna’s attention snapped to her Father for a moment when she felt Him move, and watched for only a heartbeat as He tore viciously into the last of the creatures that dared to attack them, before she returned her attention back to Lina as the other woman stepped into her space and wrapped her up in an embrace. Revna felt relief (tinged with some uncertainty to Lina’s truthfulness) when the older woman assured her that she hadn’t been harmed by Revna while in the throes of her Hunger.

Lina drew back and settled her hands on either side of Revna’s face, cupping her cheeks in a tender and motherly sort of way, and a spike of warm pain pierced Revna’s heart. Did Lina truly know how such gestures affected Revna? What they meant to her?

Lina made a comment about that which resided within Revna - but said they could discuss it later, when they had left the Nether, placing a kiss on her forehead which only added to the warmth that Revna felt coiling within her heart as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, we can worry about it and discuss the nature of my...other side...later on. I am just relieved that I didn't harm you."

Revna felt Lina’s hand settle in her own, a grounding gesture that further chased away the dark shadows of the Void that lingered at the edges of her consciousness. Together, she and Lina watched the Sith Lord tear apart the last of the pests, before Lina called out to Strosius, informing Him that her shadow guardian would protect them the rest of the way, but time was limited and they needed to hustle.

While they waited for the Sith Lord to return to them, Revna took what time remained to further center herself and bring herself back from the edge. The Void was there, still lingering in the background, but for now it was silent. Revna had a moment’s worth of peace and rest from the constant Hunger, but she knew it would return. It always did.

At least now she was oozing enough power and dark energy to fuel the other two Sith Lords there with her, at least for a short period of time. She hoped that they would use it when they needed it - especially for the battle that was to come yet. It was the least Revna could do for these two precious beings that she felt so connected and loyal to.

 

[Darth Strosius]

By the time that Darth Strosius had dispatched the last of the fluttering vermin with a simple squeeze of His claws He was far from satisfied yet the annoyance and frustration which had riddled Him from the forest's machinations had been soothed at least. Although in truth He was silently musing that He should have just done this from the beginning and let the pair of Sith below continue on down the path whilst He had His fill of the creatures. He was almost starting to enjoy the taste of ether.

Yet all good things came to an end and Lin-Lady Ovmar's call drew His gaze back downwards as He flicked the last bit of pest from His claws. He allowed Himself to fall, wings snapping out to catch right before He impact the ground before pulling themselves against His back as He landed back on the path. "You know, I'm starting to wonder how many large beasts lurk around this realm given the circumstances." His golden gaze trailed up and down the Kinisrsa before flickering back to Lady Ovmar herself. "And how many you've already tamed."

If it was willing to provide some protection and expedite their mission in this accursed place then He had no qualms with moving on while it was still by their side. Anything to get back to the realm of the living sooner rather than later. Darth Strosius turned His attention back to His daughter and gave her a proper once-over now that they had no more distractions at hand. She appeared to be back to normal, or at least what was her normal in this state, and for now that would have to be enough.

He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze, a brief gesture but such things were a necessity when on the clock as it were. His touch lingered on her shoulder for another moment before He pulled away and began striding forward, finding the rope to grasp it again as He glanced back at the two of them and the looming creature. "How much farther until we find our quarry, do you think?"

Lina Ovmar / Revna Marr

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina's thumb idly caressed the back of Revna's hand, feeling the power and darkness pouring from her. As they watched Lord Strosius she reached in the force towards it curiosity getting the better of her as she pressed against its edge, testing its response, trying to discern it From Revna before she drew on it, just enough to find strength return to her legs. Lord Strosius's sudden drop made her start, drawing back from her investigation as his feet touched the floor and he approached them, the question drawing a small smile.

"More than I have had the chance to categorise." She said gesturing at the shattered remains of their winged assailants. Her smile widened as his gaze settled back to her. "And not nearly enough for my liking."

She followed him back to the rope, her hand still in that of the Vahlan's until they reached the rope, passing close to Strosius, her hand brushing his arm. She hadn't forgotten the way he'd said her name, nor the panic in his voice. The contact left him as she took up the lead again, glancing back once to check they were all ready before setting off.

In truth she didn't know how much further, she'd never made it far enough alone to gauge the distance. Her eyes drifted to one of the hulking shadows beside her, issuing a silent command. It let out a low growl before thundering ahead to find out. "With any luck, we're on the last leg." she answered softly, feeling the press of the forest on the edge of the mind. Less insistent than before, like it understood that they were not prey that would come easily.

Lina kept them moving at a steady pace, mere minutes had passed when the Kinisrsa returned. "We're close." Relief flooded her. No matter what fight lay ahead, it was simply that; a fight. No nightmares, no memories, just a great beast that had to be brought to heel.

Revna Marr Darth Strosius

 

[Revna Marr]

Lina Ovmar // Darth Strosius ​

Revna felt the tug on the energy that was nothing but a maelstrom within her, and she felt some of it ebb away. Not nearly enough to weaken her or even scratch the surface of what practically poured from her - but she felt it all the same. It took her a moment to realize that it had been Lina who had siphoned away some of that excess energy. No doubt more from curiosity than malicious intent. Revna made no move or gesture to show that she was even aware of the action taking place, as she didn’t want Lina to feel like she overstepped a boundary.

As soon as Alisteri had dropped back down to the ground however, the pull vanished and Lina responded to the other Sith Lord’s question, even as He squeezed Revna’s shoulder in a comforting, steading manner. It didn’t linger, but it certainly helped bolster Revna’s courage and steady her nerves further.

Together, the trio made their way back to the rope Lina had made for them earlier, Revna’s hand still in Lina’s. The older woman communicated with the hulking shadow that had been with them through the fight and beforehand, sending it ahead of them to see just how much farther they needed to go.

Hopefully - not too much farther. Revna was enjoying her Netherworld outing with Lina and her Father but she was ready to be back on Korriban and in the present world. Especially as the Forest around them tried to creep back into their minds, though to a lesser extent that it had done so before.

Lina moved them at a steady pace, with Revna behind her and Alisteri behind Revna. What only felt like minutes later, the giant shadow reappeared and Lina told her two companions that they were close.

“Oh good. As much as I enjoy this outing with the two of you, I am about ready to go home.” Revna murmured, an edge of seriousness mixed with some playfulness in her voice.

 

[Darth Strosius]

An eyebrow quirked at Lady Ovmar's response to His inquiry, squinting at her smile for a moment before simply nodding. Naturally her answer had only generated far more questions, yet He'd much rather hear more of these beasts and their taming when they weren't at risk of falling prey to the wild ones still roaming about. Even with the Kinisrsa to aid in their protection He couldn't help but keep His head on a swivel, watchful for anything else that might come their way.

Well that, and partially due to wishing to rid Himself of the glimpses of familiar faces and scenes that He caught in the corner of His eyes. Darth Strosius found little respite amidst the forest even without the threat of something diving down at them on the path. He was stirred from what was almost a manic glancing and cocking of His head by the brushing touch of Lady Ovmar, His golden gaze flickering to regard her with a surprised yet otherwise unreadable expression.

At least once they were moving again He could steady Himself by watching the pair of them lead the way along the rope's length. Just to remind Him of what was real and what were simple illusions tugging at the periphery of His senses. As the shadow left their side He found Himself clicking His tongue, dissatisfied with Lady Ovmar's answer but knowing better than to voice His full concerns. "I'm not a believer in luck myself, nor it in me." Darth Strosius muttered the response, more of a nitpick than any real remark.

Yet it did somewhat betray the nerves that He was having to keep suppressed with each step He took. Thankfully the Kinisrsa returned in short order, meaning that their target must have been fairly nearby. Quite the relieved sigh left Him at Lady Ovmar's confirmation of that. "Oh thank the Force." He hoped this creature would be worth all the trouble that they had gone through to hunt it down, but even more so He hoped that it wouldn't put up much of a fight and they would be able to make a swift exit.

His daughter did echo His unspoken sentiment but tinged with a far more positive one as well, although He found Himself wondering what exactly it was that she was enjoying about the three of them wandering through this accursed place. He supposed that she and Lina were a fair bit closer than He'd initially thought, so that might have been it. Did she expect Him to wish for more outings together as well? "If we ever have another such outing, I greatly prefer to pick the locale. No offense of course, Lady Ovmar." He decided rather quickly that He wouldn't be opposed to the idea.

Lina Ovmar / Revna Marr