Private When Two Worlds Meet

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

~ Moments after the events of the dominion. ~

Eina is likely to arrive at her home in Geiseric’s arms. As the duo crossed the rift, the first thing they could feel was the cold. Although there was no cloud in the sky, only the beautiful northern light was visible, the snow was falling. They were on a higher part, from here they could see the city, which was at the same time very modern, but still showed traces of archaic (Midwinter) culture. The whole thing looked very good together. It was just cold. They arrived near a temple-like building, on a large public square with cobblestone ground.

What was immediately noticeable was that the Force had a fairly strong presence here, and Eina's faint colour also immediately became stronger. The place felt completely neutral. There were countless light sources in the city, smoking chimneys. This, where the duo was, located in the eastern part of the city close to the mountains, in some places the city was also built into the mountains, making it difficult to build walls. Behind them, the mountains were visible. And the building they arrived at:

The headquarters of the Völva clan was built on the part where most of the rifts are located within the Sanctuary. Inside this building is also the actual Gate to the Realspace (leads to Terraria), both sides of which are guarded and supervised. No one can use it without the clan leaders knowing about it. In addition, the place is very permeated by the Force, numerous artefacts can also be found here. Members of the Völva clan learn Force using here, and the place also has a huge library. Although only a strong Force presence was felt by the man.

Eina returned to her original form a few seconds later. Her size and features were the same, only her skin was blue and her hair was black, full of stars and smoky. Like the woman, though she still had a physical figure. A tall, strange-looking woman came out of the building. Then several followed her. Everyone had colourful, radiant skin, body, or hair, they were tall, airy, and barely physical in nature. Members of Valkyrja. Only the first female figure came close, staring at the knight a little distrustfully.

"What happened to her? Almost all the Force ran out of her. What drained the First so much?" she asked, not even noticing that Geiseric might be cold since there were hard frosts here.

 

[Geiseric]

"She saved my life." a deep chill ran through him as he mustered an answer for the iridescent spirit. It took him a few moments to adjust to what he was seeing. Eina transforming before his eyes... the place as a whole. It was a lot to take in. His mind doubled back to what she had said. The First? Was that Eina? he thought to himself. "She said... she had to come back here, that it would heal her." he could barely stand the freezing temperature, the only slight source of warmth being the crimson kyber crystal he had stowed in his pocket before leaving the ship. Its dark presence, combined with his own light presence, were surely out of place to the spirits.

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

She pretended to sigh and shook her head. What may have been striking was that the woman was not breathing, but it was true of the other Valkyrjas as well as Eina. Because of the cold, Geiseric's breath was visible, the locals' are not. The Sith crystal, even if they were felt, did not respond to it. Moments later, after the woman looked again at what happened to Eina, she spoke.

"You were dying... She should have accompanied your soul here and she had to offer you to become one of Valkyrja, not to try to save you at the cost of her own life. We may be late." she said coldly, then continued in a softer voice. "I see her mark in your soul, you can be important to her. Come before you freeze to death and her self-sacrifice will be in vain…"

She waved her hand for the man to follow her. He was escorted to the temple-like building. It was normal temperature inside, there was heating. It was a university-like place, it was both modern and old-fashioned. Here, the members of Valkyrja wanted to take over Eina from the man.

"Please give her to us so we can heal her. While this process is going on, you will also receive environmentally friendly clothing and food and drink if you require them. And if she is awake and has enough strength to talk to you, I will tell you." she asked and offered.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

The warmth of the building shook through him as it expelled the cold, and his body relaxed with relief as he passed his unconscious friend to the crowd of spirits who would look after her. The offer a meal and clothing was welcome, given that his body had begun to waste away, and his prisoner's fatigue were torn all over. He was grateful for their hospitality, but still confused. There were many things he still didn't understand . He knew he was in the Netherworld. He'd been here before... not here here, but in this plane of existence. Yet, he couldn't quite fathom the sights. This city, though spectacular by mortal standards, was very much a physical place, or so it seemed. He knew he wasn't hallucinating.

"Answer me some things spirit: where are we?" even as they took Eina away he could feel her presence in the Force. Something told him she would survive, even if the other Valkyrja seemed worried.

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

"Someone is coming soon who will answer your questions, I have to go help the others! Wait here in this room, please!" she said and pointed with her hand to the door next to them.

The door was open and he could see into the room. Inside were high bookshelves with lots of paper-based books, a table with a bowl of fruits on it, all known in Realspace. A jug of water, several glasses on the table. Around the table were chairs, on the floor lay a wampa fur coat in front of the fireplace, in which the fire bounced merrily. Shields and weapons hung on the walls. Through the window were the snowy mountains and a beautiful large castle-like building further away from the city, but still as part of it, at the foot of the mountains. A few minutes later came a man dressed in noble clothes with two standard protocol droids. One brought a general Puritan clothing used by the Jedi with matching boots and a cloak for the man, the other fried meats and various garnishes.

"Welcome, I'm Runar Ævar. I was sent to answer your questions. And before you ask, no, I’m not a Valkyrja, and I’m not dead either. I am a living creature as you, we only belong to a different species, and yes I also come from Realspace." he said in a theatrical voice.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

Before Geiseric could utter another word, she was gone. He turned and made his way into the rustic room. He poured himself a glass of water and quickly downed it, then he poured another to sip on. He perused books with little intent, simply running his fingers over their leather bindings and leafing through the pages. He didn't recognize any of them, but it wasn't their content that captivated him. He had never held a physical book made of paper, bound in real leather. Such books were locked deep in the Jedi temple, and the cheap plastic alternatives to paper such as flimsiplast paled in comparison to what he held.

As Geiseric placed the book he held back on the shelf, the man he assumed would be answering his questions entered.

"Welcome, I'm Runar Ævar. I was sent to answer your questions. And before you ask, no, I’m not a Valkyrja, and I’m not dead either. I am a living creature as you, we only belong to a different species, and yes I also come from Realspace." he said in a theatrical voice.

Geiseric was correct. He took the Jedi robes from the first droid and placed them neatly on the table, then he placed his meal next to them. The odd man's introduction may have surprised Geiseric before, but after todays events and what he'd seen, he figured little could surprise him anymore.

"My name is Master Geiseric of the Jedi Order," though that name rang hollow these days. The Jedi Order seemed to fracture more every day under the weight of fighting the Sith. "You seem quite... in tune with these people, but if you're not one of them, where do you hail from?"

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

"It was a long time ago, I don't remember. But I was probably born on Thustra because I was once Sephi, now a Sangnir. I accidentally got into Netherworld, a very, very long time ago, and then I stayed here, I don’t really want to go back to Realspace. So a Jedi, I think you are the first Jedi in the city." he chuckled.

He went to one of the chairs and sat down, gesturing to Geiseric to do so.

"Your first question was mentioned. This city is the Hǫrgr, on a common language, the Sanctuary. Eina was the first Valkyrja, she was created differently than the others. She was a coincidence, all of High Born are creatures of the Eternal Empress. The Battle Borns are selected by Valkyrja because they are warriors and worthy to belong to this species. The Low Born, the third caste, they are accidentally became this when Battle Borns are born on the battlefield, a lot of energy is released and very sometimes other souls are transformed. They were originally created to look after the soul of Darth Prospero, the remains that are scattered throughout the Nether. But through Eina, they developed further, becoming a society, a people, a civilization. They protect the weak, the needy, they are protected them from evil and stronger demons, creatures."

He was silent here for a moment.

"Eina had no purpose for a while after her "birth", ironically she spent her time with the species her father created, the Shadows. When her mother began to create the other Valkyrja, about two hundred years ago, Eina founded the city and became the leader of her people. As more and more people and more refugees arrived, the city prospered. It is now one of the jewels of the Netherworld. Two hundred years… time passes here differently than in Realspace. Eina may be about three hundred years old, but looking at the time she used in Realspace, she was barely born four years ago. I hope it’s not too confusing because I can imagine it could be." he chuckled.

He poured himself a glass of water.

"And who are you? A lot of people are curious about you, Mr. Jedi. She always let living people into the city, but she didn’t usually bring them here voluntarily, especially not to this quarter. She just did it with you, and with her brother. You can be a special person. How and where did you meet?" he grinned eloquently as he placed his feet comfortably on the table.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

Geiseric listened carefully to the man's story. The crusader had to swallow a great deal of information, though it was important knowledge.

"That is... a lot to process. I first met Eina here, in the Netherworld, when the Hypergates activated. My people, and our crusade, needed to make sure it was safe. We established ourselves on this plane, but Bogan is strong here. We found Eina searching for the same dark spirit as us, and she aided us. She has been a good ally to our cause... to me. She sees what we're doing is right and wants to continue helping us. She... didn't give up on me when the others thought I was dead. Without her... I would have been. To be put in the same category as her brother... I feel honoured. And this brother... is like me? From what you call Realspace?"

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

"Oh, yes… Omni!" he nodded. "It caused quite a lot of trouble here too… However, it disappeared after the attack of the Eternal Empire. I hope it won't show up again…" he said.

He listened intently to the man and nodded several times, but now he didn't interrupt the man.

"I remember a shadow dragon-like. The knights, the dragon and the angel. It fits into a very poetic and literary work. Yes, she is always selfless and helpful, many times she doesn’t even think of herself, just others. Which is ironic because she is a sorcerer and warlord who has shown no mercy to the demons on the battlefield. She will do anything for the weak, the vulnerable, his people, those who live here, and those close to her." he chuckled.

Runar took another sip.

"Yes, Adrian Vandiir II is as mortal as we are. The kid was there at the siege of Serenno when the Empress surrendered to something of an Imperial Knight… It was a long time ago, more than twenty years for us. So the Valkyrja, not Eina, the others did not trust the man as much as the Empress. When they were on their way home to Kalidan, they went for her and brought him here, literally kidnapping the prince. The kid grew up here until a year passed up there, almost eighteen here." he said.

He paused again.

"Realspace, yes. After all, this is the afterlife, appropriate and creative when the world of the living is called Realspace. Bogan? This term is unfamiliar to me." he asked back.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

It seemed Eina had more of a connection to her family than Geiseric had realized, but not the one he'd expected. When she'd told him her origin, he'd hoped it included a part where she was estranged from her parents, the Empress and the Dark Councilman. It seemed that was the case after all.

"I think I should one day like to meet this Adrian, if he is like Eina. She is noble, and beautiful, and..." he caught himself before going any further, shooing away the image of Eina, of her fire-haired mortal form, in his mind. He took a long gulp of water and changed the topic.

"You wanted to know what the Bogan is. It's a Jedi term. Well, Je'daii," he emphasized the syllables to try and differentiate two similar terms. He usually didn't need to explain this to people, but then again he usually didn't leave the company of other Jedi, Ashlan or not. This was as far from the ordinary as he'd ever been. "The latter came first, some twenty thousand years ago, probably millions here. Bogan is the embodiment of the Dark Side, of all that is wrong. The Bogan is a sickness that plagues the Force and it's children. My people, not the Jedi, but the Essonians, have pledged to destroy it. Eina saved me from its clutches."

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Runar chuckled at the man's words, then laughed out loud. Probably he knew the young man in person.

"No, he's not nearly as Eina. Adrian, well, much more worldly. As a teenager he is usually interested in pleasure, women, parties, fun, and all that science, experimentation and strength. Anyway, he no longer lives here, he returned home to his mother and stepfather. When the Empress was released from captivity, she no longer had to take care of him." he explained.

Under his words, he smiled mysteriously throughout; to the existence of a man, he seemed to understand exactly why Geiseric had said what he had said.

"Kind, devoted, caring and wonderful. Yes… and stubborn, and none of the demons would agree with these from the thousands of the killed ones whom she killed to protect the weak and the city. To them she is the worst nightmare." he chuckled again. The man was just talking, he didn't think of these attributes in such a way like Gei did. "Most importantly, she is not human. For her, the fact that she is direct, helpful, and often does something that is only customary in a relationship stems from her character. I’m not a Force user, but I’ve learned a couple of things since I've lived here. As far as I can see she really inherited unconditional care, love and devotion, these were created her, to protect others. Innocent and pure; to the best of my knowledge, she never had a relationship. Here, most things are created by the Force, or are just multiplying by division. Actual relationships are rare, they are more spiritual, the couples are spiritual companions. I saw someone like us trying to flirt with Eina because he misunderstood her. She didn't understand. No one taught her this, but she didn’t feel it like that in other people's direction either. Her heart was never broken. But you are different…"

He looked at the man seriously.

"I have known her for over two hundred years. For her, death is part of life, as it is not the end of existence. I also saw in Realspace that she never helped because she can’t, it is nearly forbidden, they are observers. Yet she saved you, almost at the cost of her life. Which in reality was about a year in captivity for you… she and I spent years searching for you here in the Nether because she never gave up. Maybe it will be you who have to teach her what is obvious to a teenager like us. Probably she is more vulnerable than others. Try not to crush her."

"Tython, Ashla and Bogan, and the Rakata era! You're so stupid, Runar!" a young girl's voice came from the doorway as Gei continued to speak.

A thirteen- to fourteen-year-old mirialan Jedi girl stood in the doorway. She bowed politely, Jedi custom, toward Gei.

"Master Jedi, Lady Eina woke up. I'll escort you to her, if you want." she offered.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

"I guess I still have much to learn about her, and her people. This realm is still hard for me to wrap my head around, but I want to understand her. I can't," he hesitated, "I won't crush her. I only want to help her as she has helped me." he said with conviction, blissfully unaware how things were soon going to change between the crusader and his guardian angel.

When the Mirialan girl entered, he returned her bow. "Thank you, child. Please show me the way." he attempted to hide his eagerness to see Eina, to know that she was ok. He couldn't bare to think of the guilt he'd hold if she sacrificed herself for him.

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

"Kids!" the man grinned at the crusader's response, then at Lirri's words he just shook his head and repeated the previous ones. "Kids!"

The little girl walked inside the building to show her the way. As they got deeper and deeper, the place became more and more dreamy, the ceiling disappeared, constellations appeared on it, the galaxy. The picture changed in part to show what the person looking at it wanted to see. The Force was much stronger here, neutral yet reassuring, helping to keep the mind clean and focused. After a good few minutes' walk, Lirri stopped in front of one of the rooms.

"She's inside, I'm going now, I have to continue my studies!" she bowed again, and ran away.

The room was not much different from any traditional Realspace infirmary, it seemed to be designed to cater for living people as well. Inside, Eina lay on one of the beds, again in mortal form, but without wings. When she sensed Gei's arrival, she opened her eyes and smiled kindly at the man. The Valkyrja still felt weak, but she was happy to see the crusader and tried to sit up.

"I'm happy to see you, but you should rest, Lord Geiseric. You went through difficult and tough times. I'm sorry I didn't find you earlier." she said.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

Geiseric followed the peculiar little girl, yet another denizen of this place who wasn't a spirit, though he wasn't certain he could call any of them people who belonged to the real world. He understood why they might have chosen to stay among the Valkryja. It was tranquil, easy, without the damnation of the world outside that constantly put people in fear.

The gradual change in the beautiful architecture astounded him. Where the ceiling had once been, a gorgeously rendered star map. He stopped in the middle of the hallway to look up at it, recognizing it as a map of the Corporate sector. He easily pointed out Ession and smiled, then continued to follow Lirri, who's determined pace had gotten her far down the hall from him.

When Lirri dismissed herself, he bowed in return and bid her well in her studies. He pushed the door open to see Eina, who expectantly rose to greet him.

"Please, don't try to get up on my account. You need the rest more than I. I may rest when I'm dead." he said light-heartedly, although it was his true attitude, he just didn't want to show it. She had done so much for him. He stepped across the room and picked up a chair, moving it to Eina's bedside and taking a seat.

"I am thankful just knowing you looked for me. But might I ask... why? I have always prepared myself to die at the hands of the Sith. If I cannot stand against them, my duty is to die trying. Even when I return to my brothers in arms, I will not fault them for believing I had perished."

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

"This is not the first time I have heard this saying. But that's not true… if you're dead, you don't need to sleep anymore, and there's almost never time to rest here." she explained seriously, for she did not understand that this was just a joke."I don’t understand why the mortals thinking they are able to rest after they die."

Eina hadn't tried to sit up yet, she just turned sideways on the bed, lying down and looking at the man that way. She wanted to answer the question quickly, but no sound came out of her throat. The Valkyrja had to realise the fact that she didn't really know the answer. I mean, she knew, but she didn't understand. This was difficult to explain in words; it would have been much simpler with thoughts, images, and feelings. But mortals preferred words.

"I don't even want you to blame them! I don't want this! I don't either! And I don't want you to feel uncomfortable about it." she said.

Still, while thinking, she was forced to sit up. She didn't feel appropriate to lying during the conversation.

"Honestly? I don't know, I don't understand why I did it. But according to them, the others told you that I had broken our unwritten laws by doing so. I… I have heard your prayers several times... when you prayed to your goddess, Ashla... they found their way to me. I know you called her, but I found you with their help, and because of your desire to die. You may be ready to die, but deep in your heart and soul, I felt like you still want to live. I felt like you are still destined to many things, and many things wait for you, as a mortal. That as a human you can do more for others than you might as a Valkyrja… although not. As far as I know it would be contrary to your religion to accept the offer of my people and join us."

She tried to explain, but she didn't really understand either, she just did what she thought was right.

"I hope I didn’t offend you and your religion with this, I didn’t want to…" she looked into Gei's eyes with a little confusion...

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

Geiseric grasped her hand and folded it between his own two, and returned her gaze.

"I have told you this before, whether you believe it or not is irrelevent. I think you are a Boon from Ashla. I cannot be mad at your intercession of my prayers, because you have made them come true. It is I who should be apolgizing for making you feel uncomfortable. The Dark Side gripped me aboard that ship, seeping into the cracks as it broke my mind. But it didn't win. We together made sure of that, and I... I'm sorry about whatever I may have thought regarding you parentage. Your, butler... I'm not entirely sure who he was... told me that you're centuries old. I can tell you are not wise in the ways of my world, but here in yours, in the Force, you are wiser than I could ever be. And I sense no trace of darkness or corruption in your soul."

It pained him to deliver his next set of thoughts in the form of words, so he reached out through the Force, hoping she would receive his thoughts with her telepathy. If he were in her situation, he wasn't sure how he would react to such a request, but he wanted to know if she was prepared to fight the Sith, given who her father was, or had been.

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Eina let Geiseric take her hand when it happened, then she smiled kindly at the man. She listened intently through the man's words, but did not interrupt him. When Gei mentioned Runar, she chuckled a little. The sangnir would be upset if he had heard that.

"I don’t know if Ashla exists or not … but if you think she wanted me to be born then, I will accept and believe you. That she wanted me to be able to help you later. Mortals are prejudiced ones, you don’t have to apologize for that. I try to assume the best of everyone and I'm not judging anyone by their words or by what I have heard about them. You weren’t the friendliest when we first met, nor the others. But your actions and intent were clear, pure, that was important to me." she said kindly.

With her free hand, if the crusader allowed, she stroked the man's face gently.

"That is why I do not condemn Lord Grayson for what he did at Csilla, because I know that he was driven only by good intentions, even if he made a wrong decision. He wanted good." she explained. "And I know you didn't want to hurt me on purpose either, Bogan's curse can be strong."

She wondered for a moment how she should "make a statement" about Runar, which was a pretty delicate matter. Eina finally chuckled a little, amusing glimmer in her blue eyes.

"Runar is not a butler. He is the local Crime Lord, information broker. He has a lot of useful connections in the Nether, so I let him stay in the town. I started looking for you when I heard your first prayer. I thought you were trapped by one of the predators who eat souls, like Darth Voracitos . But we haven’t found you anywhere in nearly a decade. I didn't think I could hear you because you were still alive. If I found out this earlier, if I realised in time… I could have found you sooner."

She looked aside a little ashamed before looking back at the crusader.

"I don’t know how old I am, I don’t count. But maybe I can get close to three hundred. It doesn’t really matter, and yes, the behaviour of mortals is often chaotic and difficult to understand. But I didn’t go to Realspace too much before I met you, and there aren’t that many people from the living world here."

After the telepathic words, the woman leaned closer, and if the man let her, she kissed him on the forehead, finally smiling while she replied in words:

"I help and protect those who are weak and need help. But you have to understand, it's not my first thought to kill anyone. Much more to help them, in any way. Even to find their way back to the path of Light. I will help you, but if any of them ask me to help, I must help them find salvation. Or I would be unable to kill someone who is otherwise harmless but serves the Sith because they know nothing else just this. Can you accept this?" she asked, as she weaved her fingers between the man's fingers.

 

[Geiseric]

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir

The warmth of her hand touching him again and the gently touch of her soft lips on his rough, furrowed brow brought back the pain of his captivity, and the thought of how she soothed it. He listened to her carefully, realizing she perhaps understood the Ashlans better than he’d realized. He chose to ignore the revelation of Runar’s business, for it was none of Geiseric’s. Not now at least. He wouldn’t antagonize his hosts for anything, since he knew they were already uneasy towards him.

"I help and protect those who are weak and need help. But you have to understand, it's not my first thought to kill anyone. Much more to help them, in any way. Even to find their way back to the path of Light. I will help you, but if any of them ask me to help, I must help them find salvation. Or I would be unable to kill someone who is otherwise harmless but serves the Sith because they know nothing else just this. Can you accept this?"

“I have to. It is salvation in the Light’s golden rays that we all strive for, whether we realize it or not. Many Sith choose to remain in the Dark, whether because they are blinded by it, or because they have truly lost their minds. But not all are so far gone. I have killed scores of Sith not because I enjoy it, but because it is the will of Ashla. You will learn in time that a quick death is merciful to those who have fully succumbed to the Bogan, but I will never stop you from healing those who can be. You healed me, not just my weak physical form, but my spirit as well. You brought me back from the edge of the abyss once more. I have walked dangerously close to the Bogan throughout my life, I must admit. The first time was when the Sith ravaged Ession, my homeworld. I felt trapped by the Jedi Order and estranged from my heritage. But from that darkness I felt… I learned something. I cannot rewrite history, but I can pen the future. The loss of my people led me to rediscover our religion, to devote myself to Ashla, to serve the Grayson Imperium. If the Sith had never attacked Ession, I wouldn’t be here. Nor would Lord Grayson and the Crusade. I would never have… met you.”

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Eina L’lerim-Vandiir, the First
Princess of the Eternal Empire and Terraris; Angelic mascot of the Ashlan Crusade
Matriarch of the Valkyrja; Leader of Sanctuary; Liaison of the Fjölkyngi Smiðr Guild​

Location: Sanctuary, Netherworld
Objective: Recover.
Equipment: Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Writing With:: Geiseric

[ Dawn ]
<"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Eina was very relieved when Gei accepted what the Valkyrja offered. That made it a lot easier. She didn't want to have to fight the members of the Ashlan Crusader. Especially that their intentions were quite similar. She listened to the man with a smile, then at the end of his words, if Geseric didn’t linger, she gently put her fingers on the man’s lips for a few moments to prevent further speech.

"Shhh! You don't have to explain yourself because of your actions!" said softly as she smiled kindly to the man. "Thank you for accepting this. I know I can’t help everyone and we can’t heal everyone unless they want to. The demons here are no different from what you mention. Nor do I find happiness in killing them, but I must protect the ones in need. I think we are much more similar to each other than I thought, and I’m happy for it."

She smiled kindly again.

"For me, the Force is very different, like for you, I am essentially a living Force. I am able to use such abilities that are Dark Side powers for you without affecting me, the same is true for Light Side abilities. I think the point is to know where the boundary is. Where are our own boundaries. And you know it, you know yourself, that’s why Bogan never corrupted your mind and your heart."

She thought for a moment, suddenly not knowing what to say.

"You forgot Omni out of line." she chuckled kindly. "Unfortunately, I did not have such decisions that would have led to you. I’d rather just think thanks to my parents that we know each other and that I exist. Maybe fate wanted it that way, or even the Force. Whatever it is, I’m glad it happened. But I promise one thing for you. Whatever happens, I'll be there with you when you return to Ession. I will help to save your people and free your planet from Sith oppression. I swear it, Geiseric!" she promised, for a Valkyrja, their promises and oaths were such that they would never be broken, it is considered a great dishonesty if they do otherwise.