The Priestess Discovered, The balance of good and evil I PM for details

[Ardgal Raxis]

The map of what was left of the city spread out before Ardgal like a dinner feast--except he had to search and scavenge for his meal. The enemy was playing hard to find, as usual. They had scattered into smaller fighting groups. It was more of a nuisance than a hazard, like flee not a viper. But as all flees, it would be crushed. Red marks showed where they had crushed the enemy, then there were body counts, injury tallies, weapons garnered, weapons spent, speeders captured, speeders burned, and so on and so forth. But all the information pointed to one growing trend; victory on the side of RMIA and loss on the side of the enemy.

"General," Prometheus interjected from the General's doorway.

Ardgal looked up from his figures, "Yes?"

"Sir, she went to the morgue, she didn't take it well."

Ardgal sighed in his nose, "Where is she now?"

"Sir, are you sure--"

"Where?" Ardgal pressed him.

"Her room."

Ardgal rose and brushed himself off before making his way to her room. He couldn't deny the rising feeling of--irritation as he made his way through the halls. He didn't have time to keep fending for waifs who didn't listen to him when he had a war to win. This was more than just irritating it was--well wasteful. He hated waste.

He mustered every ounce of kindness left in his being before he stepped back into the room where she lay.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly. "Why did you go to the morgue?"

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara was still staring at the doll and stroking its hair.​

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"... For all his stubbornness, Allesan can't yet go to sleep without someone by his bed. He refuses to close his eyes without someone there next to him..."​

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Her face twitched a little bit. Her hands were shaking.​

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"... I saw him lying in that room... I should go back to him. He needs me to sit next to him so he can go to sleep..."​

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Her fingers started clawing the little doll's hair now.​

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"... But his... Eyes aren't there. They aren't there... How can he sleep if his eyes aren't there?..."​

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Even her voice began to quake, as if it would give out at any moment.​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal had seen enough deaths and grieving to know where this was going. It was a breaking point. If he knew anything about any sort of psychology--or people for that matter--he would have known how truly volatile this moment was. But even with his limited nature of knowledge of people, he had an idea of what this meant. He could feel the irritation in his body subsiding some.

He reached over and clasped her forearm gently. He had never helped a mother lose her child. He had never helped a woman grieve to this level. He had never seen such loss before. His eyes dark brown eyes studied her yellow ones, waiting for her to break, waiting for the pain to kick in and for her world to come crashing down around her like a shattered stain glass window.

"They are dead, Taara," he said as softly as he could. "they didn't make it."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

"... T-They..."​

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The doll slipped from Taara's hands, hitting the floor with a soft thud. She stared back at him. Her eyes widened as if a blindfold was being lifted from them.​

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"N-No... Peran was taking us to a new home... Allesan just turned twelve.... Kayda's ninth birthday was only two months ago... Marsya is only four years old..."​

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They can't be gone. They can't all be gone. Not all at once. No... No... They can't leave her here alone....​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Chard bits of the doll flecked off it as it hit the ground, some peppered his pressed black dress pants with a spray of--the dead. The god was too absorbed in the moment to notice. He was trying to find the words to find to fix this, the words he needed to get this back. It was like trying to use a water wheel to power a batter operated radio.

His hand gripped hers where the doll had been, trying to draw her attention to him. He noticed her fingers were cold, her palms were frigid. His eyes bored into hers like they were delving deep into her soul. It was ironic. He was soulless, without a spiritual connection anymore, trying to find his way to connect to someone else's.

He hated lying. It was a crime against humanity, a breaking of laws, and liars deserved imprisonment but--

"Peran," Ardgal said the name, it was foreign to him, it came out like a rusty sound from a broken voice box, "Before he died," the general swallowed, bracing himself before plunging into his lie, "He wanted you to know, he loved you. He wanted you--he wanted me-to take care of you."

Of course this was a lie. By the time the commandos were there, he was long gone, but that wasn't what matted. She needed something to hold on to. She needed something to keep her going.

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Her lost gaze finally seemed to hone in on Ardgal for the first time.​

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"Peran... Said that?"​

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She was desperate and confused and angry and sad and exhausted. She didn't know what to believe. But she wanted to believe his words now. She very much wanted to believe that there was something, anything left...​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

She bought it--or she was. He knew that people needed something to believe in. He knew they needed hope, more than food, more than water, soldiers needed hope, just like all people. He just had to build it, make the fire grow, delicately and slowly with careful precision. Just like winning a war, all things required a steady mind, a strong eye, and a brave heart.

"He did," Ardgal assured her, warming her hands in his own. He nodded, buying a few moments to think of where to take this. He didn't know this 'Peran' but he knew that every loving husband would say a few things if he was making arrangements for his wife. "He told me you were his everything. He made me swear to take care of you," his eyes gave a glimmer of truth, which always helped when weaving lies.

"And I will protect you. I swear that."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara's eyes welled very suddenly. Her head tilted downward as a soft, whimpering sob escaped her trembling form. She couldn't form words anymore. Her hands remained held by Ardgal's as she began to weep in front of him.​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

It was almost natural for him, as Ardgal pulled her close to him in a well-meaning but awkward embrace. He had never been hugged as a child. It sounded like a cop-out or a silly saying but it was true; he had been raised by warriors, hard strong warriors who made him harder and stronger. His arms wrapped around her like a rusty, awkward movement. He had seen it with civilians on the streets, it was a universal sign of caring and comforting it seemed.

He swallowed, letting his hand rub her back gently. Was that comforting too? He hoped so, he had seen people do that too, it seemed to help.

"Everything will work out," he assured her, whispering in her ear, "I will make it work out. I am a savior, a god. I take care of people. I rescue them, I will take care of you too."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

A god? Taara didn't really focus on his words. Her face was buried in his shoulder as the tears continued to escape her. Her arms unconsciously wrapped around Ardgal, squeezing him. It was like he was the only solid thing in the room. If she were to let him go now, she felt like she was going to fall over.​

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What was this sensation? As the minutes crept past, a new feeling started to emerge from Taara. Above the chaotic mess of emotion...​

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Was this relief? Admiration? Or maybe it was hope...​

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Whatever it was, it helped to slow her tears to a halt not too long after they had begun.​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Well, he did something right. That was good. After the minutes her tears stopped. Hope was a powerful thing, something he was glad he could give to other beings, it was what he lived for. It was his mission and purpose in this life. He had to help people, he had to give them order, protection, and hope.

He pulled away just enough for her to see his face. He offered the warmest smile a being could muster. The most assuring he could give. His thumbs caressed her cheeks, clearing the cheeks from her tender, smooth blue skin. His dark brown eyes looked deep into her yellow eyes. Usually he only made eye contact to challenge, to terrify, or to inspire. But--well, he wasn't sure what exactly he was doing now. Studying? Inspiring? Why study? She was certainly not a potential thread. And why did his right hand caressing her side with a mind of its own? It refused to leave its wrap around her.

His mind went blank as words seemed to no longer exist now. Nothing seemed to matter or exist outside of them, this moment.

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

There was something is his eyes... Even though the wounds were still very fresh for Taara, the way he was looking at her now was lifting a bit of the weight away. She stared into them for a little while longer.​

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"... Tell me what I need to do..."​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal inclined his head towards her, bringing him closer, much closer. He didn't know why he wanted to be closer to her face. It took a conscious effort to stop just--just here. Just here so he could emphasis the point. That was why he was getting closer--or that was what he was telling himself.

"Worship me," he whispered softly, his voice so soft it was barely audible. "Worship me, but don't do it like the others," no he wanted her worship to be special, unique, one of a kind. Just like she was. He was still trying to work out why he wanted that, but he wanted it, deeply, badly, strongly like nothing he had felt in quite a while. It ached in his bones like his need to bring justice to the galaxy. Even deeper, perhaps.

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered even softer, his breath faintly brushing on her skin, "I want you to be my Priestess. I want you to lead others to worship. I want you to show them how. To be the perfect worshiper. Can you do that?"

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara received goosebumps from this. A very soft, shuddering sigh escaped her as he spoke. This was so very strange to her... Why did he ask her to worship him? What purpose could that serve? She didn't fully understand what he wanted from her.​

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As much as these questions boiled beneath her skin, something entirely different came out.​

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"... Y-Yes..." ​

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She whispered very quietly in response to him. What had compelled her to say that? And why did she feel so suddenly inclined to give him what he wanted?​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal let the words linger in his ear. They felt good. Incredibly good. Almost like the smell of incense rising, burned to his own worship, burned for his own temple. The euphoria lingered in the air. He felt his head tilt towards her neck, almost in slow motion he could feel his lips press against her neck gently, barely brushing. It was like he was watching someone else act, someone else kiss, but--but--it felt so good. He was surprised what it felt like, he had, after all, never kissed anyone before.

He looked into her eyes and something in him wanted something more. Something he couldn't quite distinguish. Something he couldn't put his finger on just quite. He searched her eyes for the answer, for even what he was craving let alone where the hunger was coming from. It was like realizing you were hungry for the first time. Or needing to breath for the first time.

He felt his hands rising up along her sides, her back, feeling and searching out every inch of Taara's skin, feeling along every crevice, every blue lithe muscle, every tender point. Part of him wanted to stop, the rest of him knew he couldn't.

"Good," he said at last, his voice stronger than he expected, fuller of power and gentle command. He could feel himself losing the battle of the moment. "Tell me how your going to do that."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

To feel Ardgal's soft lips against her neck sent another wave of goosebumps over her. But with it came a piercing pain. This felt... Wrong... ​

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She too searched his eyes when he pulled back to look at her. She couldn't figure out what he might be feeling... Taara didn't even know what she was feeling. But most of all, she wasn't really sure how to answer his next question. How was she supposed to "worship" him? What did he want from her?​

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"I... I don't know exactly yet..."​

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She replied honestly.​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

Ardgal opened his mouth to speak but he felt he hairs on the back of his neck begin to rise. His skin tingled in a familiar sensation of death. A man didn't spend his life on the battle field without picking up a sixth sense for when someone was pointing a weapon at him and pulling the trigger.

Time seemed to slow as he instinctively grabbed Taara and pulled her to the ground, his body over her, shielding her. The window shattered, sending the shards of razor-edged glass flying through the air. He felt bits of it tear at his skin, bringing forth streams of blood and stinging pain through the back of his arms, legs, and back. An explosion resounded with a dull thud, rocking Ardgal to his core. Heat covered his back, blistering it in burns. He clenched his teeth in pain, gripping her for dear life.

The general willed his body to roll to his side, easing his weight off the woman. What had been the wall was gone, replaced by crumbling rubble. This wing of the hospital was going down soon, he could hear and feel the ground under them begin to give way.

"We've got to--get out of here," he managed, wheezing.

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara let out a surprised scream as she was crushed by Ardgal's weight. As he rolled off of her, she saw what had caused him to cover her. Yes, they needed to get out of here!​

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Taara hurriedly grabbed the bracelet and the doll in one hand. She then attempted to help Ardgal to his feet. He was rather heavy, but she had to get him out!​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Ardgal Raxis]

The buzz of the explosion was still ringing in his ears. The burn across his back, tearing along his implant and his fresh cuts were stinging with intensity. He had to--he had to-get up.

He was struggling to find what had caused this perfect moment suddenly come crashing down around them in a fiery blast. He staggered to his feet, following after her into the hall. The ground was giving way with every step as he swayed to keep his balance. His muscles refused to co-operate--at least not mostly. He could feel himself brushing against the wall, leaning on it, struggling to keep aright. A second explosion rocked the hall, sending plaster raining down. Wiring came loose and dangled from the ceiling, the lighting gave out as they came into the lobby, people were scurrying here and there, fleeing with terror and trying to find safety.

Ardgal gripped Taara's shoulder, "I--need you to inspire them," he managed to grunt, "Get their attention. Tell them to evacc. Everyone. We have--" he winced in pain, "To get them to safety."

[member="Taara Sehko"]

 

[Taara Sehko]

Taara continued to support Ardgal as they hobbled as fast as they possibly could out of the building. Everyone was in disarray and chaos. If they didn't organize, the wounded would all die!!​

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She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Alright. Concentrate. What would Peran do...?​

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Her eyes flew open with a suddenly determined expression.​

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"SOLDIERS!! STOP RUNNING AND ASSIST THE DOCTORS WITH THE WOUNDED!!"

Though the building was crumbling around them, people were screaming and running with the sounds of artillery filled the air, Taara's voice rang clear and strong through the noise. Several of those running stopped to look at her. They seemed confused and afraid. She continued moving forward and yelling at them.​

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"IF WE DON'T ORGANIZE OURSELVES RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!! SO FOCUS ON GETTING THE WOUNDED OUTSIDE BEFORE THIS BUILDING COMES DOWN ON ALL OUR HEADS!!"​

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[member="Ardgal Raxis"]
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