The Shadow Over Us

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

The Resurrection hovered over the planet of Eclipstica as Romeo sat in his room on the floor, meditating. Frecker and Jager could be found in the mess hall, eating a quick lunch before landing while a new female Blood Knight had been stationed on the Shinigami after an accident a conflict with a cult saw her pass away. Frecker was not to saddened by it, not that he didn't care, it was just he understood he had to make sure he had his head on his shoulders. Jager on the other hand had become distant, the Chiss had become good friends with the female Vahla. Asira had been a long term member of the Blood Knight Order...she had been the Paladin of Authority while the Knight Commander was away with Romeo on their way to the Red Ravens during the Rapture of Many as Eclipstica was beginning to call it.

In his room, Romeo was more relaxing than he was trying to meditate. Vahl had been quite for sometime, maybe he had upset her. Maybe she was gone for good. Romeo smirked at this thought, how great it would be to have her out of his mind, constantly pestering him about many things that mattered little to him. A knock on his door brought him back from his thoughts: Venon, the new Blood Knight. She was young, only hitting the age of seventeen but a few weeks ago before completing her training. Frecker was impressed by her, but Jager had been distant to her, attempting to avoid her at all cost. Sooner or later, the Chiss would have to come to ends with the death of his friend.

"Enter."

Venon was a female Vahla, orphaned on Eclipstica after the death of her refugee family during the Netherworld events.

As she entered, the cloak was a little too long on her and drug further back than it should have, while her tiny attire seemed to be engulfed in metal armor. It, to put it politely, looked amusing. She stopped a few feet from him with a bow that was as awkward as her armor. She did not speak, the proper way of the knights' teaching. Never speak before your lord unless spoken to first.

Romeo waved his hand, permission that she may speak.

"My lord, I-I....why am I here? I am but still a child compared to your other knights on board the Resurrection, and there were many fine Tyro's back on Eclipstica. Many of them ready to become Paladins, and be given authority worthy of a Blood Knight."

"Because, you are young, and show much more potential than those back at the kingdom. In order for that potential to grow, it must be surrounded by the best. Survival of the fittest. If you fail here, you will not make it anywhere else in the Shadow Dynasty. Frecker told me you have the highest scores, scores not even Tyro Frecker was able to get when I first reinstated the Blood Knight Order. Venon, you are here because you remind me of myself when I was your age. Trust Frecker, and I. Let Jager show you the ropes. Trust yourself and you will soon one day become Knight Commander. Now...please leave me alone with my thoughts. I hope this has cleansed any doubt in your mind, cause I never had any doubt about you."

Venon looked almost surprised beyond believe with his words. The king complimented her? Why that was quite an honor for a Tyro. Venon bowed, this time with more confidence, and walked away looking more like a knight who's armor was a little too big for them, but a knight regardless. After the door shut behind her, he closed his eyes once more, this time with a sigh.

 

[Mmystie]

From her room, Mystie fought to regain control of her senses. Sitting quietly she closed her eyes and focused first on calmly the rapidity of her heart beat. Asira's death had effected them all differently and right now the barrage of emotions rapidly flowing through her were not her own. Amidst them was a darkness she could not pinpoint, it had her rattled to her core. Slowing her breathing and focusing on beach breath she systematically identified each feeling and discarded it. Frecker's determination to maintain control, Jager's despair, the many others onboard who's emotions ranged from minor interest to rage to utter sadness. As Venon passed her room, Mystie could feel her pride and confidence, she smiled slightly finding the positive emotion went along way to settle the others. Mystie still couldn't shake or identify one, it was different than anything she had ever felt before and difficult to explain. She must make Romeo aware immediately. Eyes still closed, she focused on him opening her mind as their well developed connection allowed her the capability to do without any risk of him entering her mind causing pain. "Romeo, I need to talk to you. Come, please" They had once promised to always respect each others abilities and privacy and to only use them minimally on each other without prior permission. She kept to her pledge and rather than intrude simply sent the wish telepathically and remained open to his response. Her confidence that he would recognize the importance didn't waiver as she continued her exercises to shut out all feelings except the one.

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Life was a precious thing lost, but not always a thing to be sadden by when it is forever gone, for one day they would be accompanied by your own life's loss. That was Romeo's policy on this whole situation. Asira was his soldier, his loyal protector, and he did not enjoy the thought of her gone. The cult had take something that belonged to him away. They would pay one day. Malachor V was not far from Eclipstica, he would return, and bombard that damn planet with all he had.

This, however did not stop things from happening now. Something was up, the message that was received mentally. Standing up, the Sith Lord quickly made his way to the room of his adviser. He knocked once, and opened it without a word. He knew Mystie would feel him outside, and that announcing himself was unnecessary.

His red eyes were hidden behind the faceless black mask the resembled much of his original one that his daughter Erika know possessed. Patricia either despised him for that gift, or thought it was best that their daughter have it.

"How may I be of assistance?"

 

[Mmystie]

Eyes still closed, she heard the knock and heard him enter the room. Their connection had always been such that required no announcement to know the other was near. His entrance served its purpose and immediately calmed her, an effect that she had never truly been able to explain. "I do not know quite yet, my lord." Shifting her focus slightly she allowed herself to absorb the steady practicality emanating from him, while tuning down the anger she could feel beneath it's surface. She was aware of his views on death and how little he dwelled on the emotions most associated with loss. His anger while subdued was more about the loss of something he deemed his than the loss of life itself. "Admidst all the emotions raging around us is a darkness that I can't identify. It is unlike anything I have ever encountered and the source of it seems to be using the rest as a method to deflect detection. I hope your presence will give me the boost I need in order to discern the answers you will need." Opening her eyes she saw the faceless mask, instinctively she flinched and rose quickly moving away as she did. "Romeo...." she whispered softly as she realized that the presence she was trying to track down, she had inadvertently invited into her room.

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

As the feeling of something bad was about to come overcame Romeo, Mystie spoke his name and backed away from him. Quickly, he removed the mask with no face, his hair falling down to his neck as he did.

"What, what is it Mystie? I do not understand."

Fear was not something Romeo knew anymore, but he saw it within her eyes, and it made him uneasy to see such a thing in a person as close to him as she was.

"Speak to me...what did I do wrong? Advise me. Command me."

 

[Mmystie]

The moment she saw his face, her fear began to subside. She heard him asking questions she had little answers to yet. Her eyes moved to the mask he still held, it had little effect on her. Locking her gaze with his, she felt all the familiar feelings his presence brought her. She was as confused as he. "Romeo, I am unsure. Put the mask back on please."

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Romeo stared at the blonde for a moment, then complied to her wishes. He slid on the mask, his face disappearing into blackness and smooth metal. There he would stand, and await her reaction to whatever it was she was feeling.

 

[Mmystie]

As she waited for him to redon the mask, thoughts tumbled through her mind. Was her reaction due to her expectation to see Romeo standing before her and opening her eyes to the unexpected? Was what she felt related to the mask itself or Romeo wearing it? There was only one way to know for sure.
As the mask covered his face, she braced herself for whatever emotions may come. She could still feel an unidentified darkness that all her senses screamed at her was a threat to them all.
She studied him closely as he stood waiting for her reaction, there was no change. Now that she knew it was Romeo behind the mask, the fear was not the same as her initial reaction. While still present, it was not overpowering nor caused by him.
She thought a moment, puzzling this through "Romeo, may I hold the mask, please?" Now that she knew it wasn't a combination of Romeo and the mask she had to rule out other possibilities.

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Curiosity now rising up in the man, he removed the mask, and looking at the woman before him, he gripped the mask tightly, not sure why. Whatever it was that had troubled Mystie, now troubled him, his lack of memory, and the concept of the battle had him wondering. What if this was not all that it had seemed to be, and everyone but the blonde fortune teller could tell? He handed the mask over, his thoughts moving to a further notion, what if it was him that was causing something.

 

[Mmystie]

Taking the mask from him, she felt compelled to put it on. As the mask settled in place she felt an anger surge through her, a white hot rage with no rational source or target. Without a word she lashed out at Romeo, though she didn't know why. The anger and darkness overtook her senses faster than she could block them. Striking him a second time, her only conscious thought was to destroy.

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Without hesitation, Romeo quickly moved out of the way of the first strike, then ducked the second. Now, he was greatly surprised, and not happy at all. His hand moved forward as the Force wrapped around his friend and suspended her in the air. Romeo's free hand came up, and with a single flick, the mask was removed from her face.

"Mystie?"

 

[Mmystie]

She heard Romeo speak her name and she met his gaze confused, the angle that she looked down at him from puzzled her. The last thing she remembered was taking the mask from his hands. Something had obviously happened, Romeo would never use Force powers on her under normal circumstances. "Romeo, something is very wrong here. I don't remember what just happened. Where did that mask come from?" Mystie was doing her best to control the fear in her voice. Her inability to recall what had just occurred left her with a vulnerability she hadn't felt in years. "My apologies, My Lord!!! What did I do??" Fighting back tears, Mystie battled the panicked fear rising within her. What had she done? What would Romeo's reaction be?

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Romeo stared at her for a second, realizing very well what was going on here to be an act of darkside taint, now his concerns were more so on the mask, and what had happened on Malachor V. Gently, Romeo sat down Mystie as he turned to walk out the door with the mask coming to his hand. There was only one way to test this theory that had become a wild accusation.

"Come, we are about to learn what this is. I swore this to be a replacement mask of an old relic of mine, nothing of power is placed on, well...there wasn't supposed to be at least. The mask is basic Durasteel...but with I now believe...this is not my mask. Something happened on Malachor V...something terrible. I can feel it in my stomach.."

The King of Shadows was speaking more of an out loud thinking sort rather than speaking directly to Mystie. A press of a button would summon his Blood Knights, from there, he would have each one place the mask on under a controlled environment.

 

[Mmystie]

Still trying to figure out what had just happened, Mystic followed him. His words fell in deaf ears as she worked to regain her emotional balance and recover her missing memory. Relief washed over her as she felt concern rather than anger coming from Romeo. He was emanating a gist if emotions that he was keeping tightly reigned in as he focused on finding the answers to what was happening. As she followed him she trusted they would have answers soon enough. Not everyone understood how their connection worked or the implicit trust they shared with each other. Whatever Romeo had in mind next, she had to be prepared to assist in any way necessary.

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Moments later, in the medical bay area, Frecker, Jager, and Venon were now strapped to beds, and without their armor. Romeo and Mystie would find themselves before them, with mask in hand. Here, the Sith Lord observed his Blood Knights, then the mask. His hands gently felt over it. It felt the same as always, no difference, no dark aura beamed from it. So why had it corrupted his friend so quickly.

"Frecker, you will be first. I will place this mask on you. Should nothing change in how you feel, please say so. Otherwise...we will see the changes."

Romeo stepped over his friend, his guardian, his protector, and slid the mask on. Moments passed before Frecker started to strain his muscles. Unlike Mystie, Frecker was trained to use the darkside of the force, to embrace it. So what was happening now was very apparent to Romeo.

"That is not my mask Mystie. Right now, Frecker is feeling an extreme darkside aura, and it's feeding him power. Unlike you, Frecker is well trained, and practices in the ways of the darkside everyday. He's resisting the culling of it, and attempting to bind it his will."

Suddenly, Frecker went limp, then his muscle twitched as he began to roar in rage. His muscles bulged as he attempted to break free of his restraints. With a quick motion of his hand, the force wrapped around the helmet, and peeled the mask of his face. Strange, though, why was it able to effect Mystie so much?

Frecker began to breathe heavy as his mind came back to.

"See, this mask is not mine. Something happened on Malachor V, something happened to my mask."

 

[Mmystie]

As she watched Frecker's reaction to the mask, Mystie tried to make sense of what she was feeling. Romeo's words were more a background noise than anything. She focused on Frecker and his reaction to the mask. The darkness became stronger before he finally removed it, but the fear and rage she felt earlier weren't present. This mask seemed to cause each wearer to react differently. Romeo said it was not his mask, how was that possible? What had occurred on Malachor V? "Romeo, I don't understand. Who would switch your mask and why?"

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

It wasn't more so who, but what switched it. Romeo gently ran his hand through his hair, and sighed. The mask was something he could not grasp. What happened?

He took the mask, and looked at Mystie.

"Well...let's find out."

He placed the mask on his face, and concentrated on the mask. Darkness swelled inside his mind instantly, clouding everything in his mind. Whatever happened was oblivious to Romeo.

 

[Mmystie]

As his faced was covered with the mask, she instantly felt the difference. The feeling of darkness mixed with anger overtook her. A rage unlike any she had felt before consumed her. Mystic made her way to the door, looked over her shoulder at Romeo. She had never felt anything of this strength, she couldn't define where he ended and she began. At the back of her mind, was a sliver of light that had yet to be corrupted. It was this that had compelled her to the door, she had to leave this room and get away from that mask. As she looked at him, she knew she couldn't just leave him wearing that mask, if she did it would consume them both. She focused with all her might on the light inside her and moved quickly back across the room to Romeo. She had to get the mask from him. Concentrating with all her energy, she focused on the mask and Romeo. Closing her eyes, she reached out to him with her mind, hopefully he hadn't been corrupted beyond her reach. "Romeo, remove it now!!!"

[member="Darth Seraphic"]

 

[Darth Seraphic]

[member="Mystie"]

Memories flashed suddenly in his head, death by his hands of people who served him. A bloodlust, no...a hunger for something more than what he already had consumed him, and began to slither into the dark depths of his mind. It dark..empty, and nothing could fill the spaces between him and the mask. On his knees, it continued to attempt control over his mind, and desires. More and more the whispers to gain more power continued to sink in deep.

With his knights strapped down, there was nothing that could have been done for the Vahla, until a voice echoed in the shadows of evil. The voice was familiar, something from a dream maybe? Was it Vahl? No...it was Mystie.

Once more another memory played, Coruscant, his battle with the Sith Lords there continued to repeat before his eyes over and over. The hatred of losing, the feeling of being humiliated and controlled by chemicals from an unknown person's doing.

Again, the voice called his name, Mystie reached out for him.

With every once of his strength, he reached up in the darkness, gripped his face. In agonizing pain, he removed it, the face of a Sith Lord, the face of evil. Breathing heavily, he dropped it on the ground, the eyeless sockets beckoning to be put back on. Romeo reached for his chest to calm his nerves. It had shown it's true face now, white, with a space for eyes, and a opening for a mouth. This was not his mask at all.

"This mask...I remember...I remember it all..."

 

[Mmystie]

She felt the moment she broke through the darkness threatening to consume them both. The connection they shared allowed them access that they consciously worked to not abuse. Whatever was happening had no respect for that agreement. If Romeo allowed it to consume him, she was not sure how long she would be able to fight off whatever was responsible for the darkness. Continuing to focus on the light and Romeo, she struggled to shut out the pain threatening to overwhelm her as she watched him struggle to remove the mask. As she watched it fall to the floor, Romeo held his chest. She closed her eyes and focusing on him hoping to lend any strength she could in his battle with this darkness. Opening her eyes she waited until he finished speaking and whispered "Romeo, can it be destroyed??"

[member="Darth Seraphic"]