Private Two Paths, One Wound

[Anneliese Kaohal-Delaine]

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Tags: Caden Larsen Kharis Larsen


Chandrila | Hanna City | Elaris Forrest
OBJ 1: Subdue the Governor, Locate Darkside Artifact
OBJ 2: Cleanse Elaris Forrest

The carrier glided through Chandrila's atmosphere as though the sky itself recognized restraint. Clouds thinned in pale veils, revealing Hanna City—white stone terraces stepping down gentle hills, towers rising clean and elegant against the green. Sunlight spilled across plazas and waterways, too perfect to suspect what lay beneath.

Southward, the land shifted.

The forests deepened in color, ancient canopies pressing close together, the light dimming where the Elaris Forest began. Something there tugged softly at the Force—not a scream, but a bruise.

Anneliese stood near the viewport, unguarded in posture yet unmistakably centered.

Her hair—fiery, copper-bright—had been tied back with minimal effort, thick strands already slipping loose to frame her face. Freckles traced her cheeks and shoulders like constellations, softening features shaped by discipline and survival. Her emerald eyes reflected the planet below—alive, discerning, carrying neither fear nor urgency.

She breathed in slowly.

Qiilura had taught her this: lead from stillness.

When she turned, Caden and Kharis stood together as they always did—siblings bound by years of shared growth and quiet loyalty. They didn't need to look at one another to know where the other was. Annie noticed. She always did.

Her expression warmed—not indulgent, but proud.

"Today, we have two objectives," she said, voice even, carrying without pressing. "They are separate—but they touch the same wound."

She gestured toward the city first.

"Objective one is Hanna City," Annie continued.
"Governor Rel Vantos has refused three senatorial audits by the republic yet indulged multiple Imperial inquisitorial reviews. That alone tells us he believes himself protected." Her eyes hardened. "Intelligence confirms a dark side artifact in his possession. Old. Subtle. It isn't controlling him outright—it's feeding what's already there."

Her gaze settled on Caden.

"You're going to remind him who he was before it found him," she said. "Not by accusation. Not by force. By clarity." A pause. "You will present my missives, in sequence. Each one gives him a chance to step away with dignity."

She let that sink in, and then, she spoke, her hand coming up, one solitary finger held up.

"Missive One — Governor Rel Vantos is formally requested to yield executive authority to the High Republic provisional council, effective immediately, and to step down from his post without contest."

Another finger.

"Two… All artifacts, advisors, and external influences tied to your recent governance—particularly those acquired without Senate or Order sanction—are to be surrendered into Jedi custody for neutralization."

And a final finger lifted, her eyes dead serious.

"Three — Any individual acting as intermediary, cult facilitator, or 'activist' liaison between the governor's office and destabilizing forces is to be surrendered peacefully for investigation by the council. This is not a negotiation - and we will not back down."

She took a deep breath, her gaze never once faltering.

"If he chooses to listen," Annie said softly, "we preserve the city, the chain of command, and the people's faith that governance still means something." Then, calmly: "If he refuses, we contain the damage—cleanly, publicly, and without spectacle."

She turned slightly, acknowledging Knight Thalos Verenn.

"Knight Verenn will be with you. Your safety is not negotiable. If the situation shifts, you withdraw. That is not failure. That is discipline."

The older Mirialan simply bowed his head in respect and acknowledgement. "I will not fail nor allow harm to come to the young Padawan Knight Kaohal — you have my word."

Anneliese, smiled. “I know you won’t Thalos, your insight and presence will be an asset to us while we are here on our mission…” then she turned toward the viewport again, eyes drawn south, toward the darkened tree line.

"Objective two is the Elaris Forest," she said. "The artifact's influence doesn't end in the city. It has fed something older—Sith spawn bound to the land itself. They are hunting civilians. Teaching the forest to fear the wrong things."

Her attention moved to Kharis—steady, intentional.

"You'll come with me," Annie said. "Not as witness—as backup." A faint, knowing curve touched her mouth. "You've trained for precision. This will teach you purpose."

She folded her hands loosely behind her back.

"We are not going in to burn the forest," she said. "We are going in to sever what doesn't belong there. That means choosing targets carefully. Protecting what can still be healed. Ending what cannot."

Her emerald eyes sharpened—not with anger, but certainty.

"You'll see how the wolf moves when she's guarding her territory. No waste. No cruelty. Just teeth where teeth are needed."

The carrier gave a gentle shudder as landing thrusters engaged. Sunlight spilled across the hangar bay, warm and almost inviting. The ramp began to lower, letting in the scent of green leaves, polished stone—and something faintly wrong beneath it all.

Anneliese stepped forward, boots touching Chandrilan soil first. Her fiery hair caught the light; freckles brightened under the sun. She paused just long enough for them to gather behind her.

"Stay aware," she said quietly. "Stay together."

Annie lifted her gaze—city ahead, forest beyond.

"Let's give this world back its breath."

And with that, she led them forward—steady, unforced, and utterly certain of the path.