Private Winds of Change

[Lilianna L'lerim]

Information

Crown Princess of Aaven, Priestess of Ashla​

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Objective: Survive
Location: En route Aaven
Equipment: Noble Attire | Ashlan Rosary || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m

Cesare Demici​

We ultimately could not finish our previous journey, for we had to return to the Core Worlds after the attack against Atrisia… and now, here we were again, on our way to Aaven. I don’t know why, but I think things are even worse now than before. The first time, all we needed was to report to my father, the king, that Cesare wished to help, because the Galactic Empire, for some reason, desired our planet. But now? Now that Ession was no longer near us, and even the Holy World of Ashla could provide no support… This threat had grown so much darker, so much heavier.

I had to tell my father that after the collapse of the Galactic Alliance, the Emperor’s men had captured my twin brother, Tancred L'lerim, and they intended to execute him. Execute him to set an example… to show that the might of the Ashlan Crusade - the faith and influence of Ashla - is fading, and that the Emperor or the Empire, having already slain the Cardinal, Pietro Demici, would now publicly execute an Ashlan Saint… my own twin brother.

How did we fall into such a dreadful situation in only a few months? Why has Ashla placed us in such a painful and hopeless position? No matter how much I prayed, I could not find the answer. That is why I was in no mood to talk… I only prayed silently, or lay in my room, staring at the wall. I tried to avoid Cesare for as long as I could, but as we drew closer to Aaven, I could no longer escape him. And then I had to ask him one very important question… because so much depended on the answer.

So, when we were already near my home, I gathered my courage, showered, and changed my clothes. They could not see that something was wrong. Even so, I still chose a simple white dress, without any jewellery. Modesty and humility have always been guiding qualities for me. I searched for where Cesare was, and when I stepped into the room, I finally spoke.

"What do you think… will you be able to protect my brother from execution, and save him from what my sister intends for him?" I asked, worry tightening my voice.

 

[Cesare Demici]

Tags: Lord Creuat, Prowler II, Casi Braste, Meliant, Krasskorr the Maw, Imperius Indomitus

He approached the precipice of the room not knowing what may lay in store for him, but in his mind, there were few things that truly set him on any given path. Sure, he had known what was 'meant' for him... he had known that since birth. And there was a part of him that almost believed that Lilli believed it too. Yet, they were worlds apart, and all he could do was hope that she might see some semblance of his goal.

He entered the room, hearing her words and knowing exactly what they meant, both for her brother and for himself.

"I cannot save him..."

The words pained him more than she might ever know, but in her naivete, she might never understand the vastness of the game he was playing.

"I can only promise that I will do what I can..."

 

[Lilianna L'lerim]

Information

Crown Princess of Aaven, Priestess of Ashla​

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Objective: Survive
Location: En route Aaven
Equipment: Noble Attire | Ashlan Rosary || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m

Cesare Demici​

I did not know what kind of answer I had been expecting, for I did not know what kind of relationship he had with my sister, and yet, the moment Cesare said that he could not save my brother, it felt as though the world turned upside down around me. I could not breathe, and suddenly I felt so unbearably weak. In the next moment, pain shot through my knees and heat burned across my face as I collapsed to them, sobbing. I did not want him to see me like this, so weak and broken, but I was no longer capable of remaining strong. Ella had explained in great detail what she was planning…

"I did not even get to see him..." I said hoarsely, my voice choking and raw.

Aboard the Death Star III, by the time I sensed that he was in the room and turned towards him, all I caught was the flutter of his cloak as he hurried out. Not long after, he was captured, and no matter how desperately I wanted it, I was not allowed to see him; not even for a single minute. It had been more than ten years since I had last seen my own twin brother. Though there was a Force-bond between us, that sensation could never replace actually seeing him. And… and what Ella was preparing to do would tear that bond apart forever, utterly destroying him.

"Does Ella truly wield such influence? You answer directly to the Emperor..." I whispered, my words laced with pain.

I did not fully understand the Imperial hierarchy, for I had not been there long enough. I had already asked Severus Barran for help in saving my brother, but I had to cling to every chance, every fragile thread of hope. I was not a warrior. I could not go there and stop it myself. If I had been capable of it, I would have done so without hesitation, but I was not; all I could do was ask others to risk their lives. I would have sacrificed my own life to save Tancred, yet there was nothing I could do.

"If she only wished to execute him, it would not torment me so, for I know there is life in the Netherworld, and that Ashla is there as well. But Ella… Ella wants to destroy Tancred’s soul. She wants to give it to the Dark Three. He would not merely die... he would be erased forever..." I sobbed, burying my face in my hands as my body shook with weeping.

I tried to continue, to say that I would do anything Cesare asked if he would help, but no matter how hard I tried, not a single sound could force its way past the sobs. I heard him say something, yet through the crying I could not understand it… in that moment, it felt as though the pain of helplessness was consuming me entirely.