Of Old Gods and New

[Karne]

An incessant dripping teased his ears, the abhorrent mixture of wet and cold stirring him from the unfeeling comfort that was the nothing of unconsciousness. Dimly, he was aware of hushed voices that scrambled over one another fervantly; words that seemed to concern him solely. There was a sudden burning in his chest and he realized, with some bemusement, that it was from lack of air flow. He sucked in the stagnant oxygen this torchlit, murky chamber had to offer and then bolted upright to continue dragging air into his deprived lungs. The whispers had faltered and once he was certain he was caught up on breath, he guided the eerie glow of his gaze across each hooded countenance that surrounded him.


Upon observance, he noticed that he had been laid out on a narrow stone slab; one that was built several feet off of the ground and matched in material the encompassing chamber. Sconces of zoetic, green fire burned at every pillar of the room and illuminated the dais he was propped upon. His eyes narrowed and his fingers clenched upon the weathered stone beneath them, his body slowly angling itself toward the bulk of individuals at the base of the tribune. His legs, numb as they were, swept over the side of his resting place and his bare feet touched upon the cool steps leading down to the main floor. He watched them move as he did, backing up a pace and then another, as though he meant to launch himself from his berth on limbs he could hardly feel.


"What is..." His voice was deep and it reverberated in the stone cavity that housed them, prompting a startled pause from him. His gaze flicked down to the pair of roughened black slacks, his only garment, that clung to his legs. Then, he tested his ability to stand and found he was more than capable. Needles of numbness pricked at his toes but he slowly made his way down the steps to stand on equal footing with his mysterious company. His eyes narrowed as he glanced side to side. "I am owed answers. What is this place? Who are you and why-"


He paused, the last bit of information he had demanded bringing his racing thoughts to a halt. "Who am.."


"Karne. We have long awaited your arrival." One of the hooded figures stepped forward upon witnessing his confusion. His head was bowed beneath the overwhelming cowl he wore and so he could not determine his species. Clearly, he entertained some kind leadership role among these cultists; an assumption he made based purely upon appearance. As it happened, he was not far off the mark. "It is clear there is much you don't remember, as the prophecy foretold. We are your humble servants, meant to guide you when you reawakened into this time. Your memories and power still linger, waiting to be reclaimed on the sacred Sith worlds of old."


A single brow lofted and a disbelieving sneer appeared on his face. There was a great deal he did not remember, the greatest mystery revolving around his personal memories. But, bits of information trickled into his thoughts with each word the man spoke. Sith, the Dark Side, the Force. His fingers unfurled from their clenched position at his side and he glanced down to them on a whim, noticing the slate blue hue of his skin. Chiss. Yes, it was all coming back to him... ever so slowly.


"Where is my first destination; if I am to reclaim these memories you speak of." He spoke callously, his lapse in recollection seeming to have no effect on his austere personality and the overwhelming thirst for that knowledge which had fled him.


"Arkam and Rajeer have been chosen among our devotees to assist you. There are others, suspended in the void as you once were. We must go to them now. There is a ship, armaments, and an archive aboard for your use. The prophecy dictates you venture to Obulette and from there, your journey can begin."


Two men stepped forward, their hoods lowered by their hands and revealing their faces to be human in nature. Karne, the only name he had to go by at this point, inclined his head rather proudly and then swept a dismissive hand toward the yawning mouth of the chamber's exit. "Very well. Let us go."


He spoke with an unfounded confidence, having little aplomb and wisdom to bolster such things. Still, they tread near him fearfully and spoke with great respect for what he supposedly once was. That was enough to stir the beginnings of long lost conceit that would not be barricaded by the passing of time or spirit. He followed his two guides silently, down a circular stairway and into a immense foyer that echoed with distant thunder and chanting. The sound pounded within his head, dislodging something that had been lost before.


The rain, the structure he stood within, the damp smell that permeated the air, and the long stretch of sloping wetlands that met his eyes once they were outside; Dromund Kaas.


"My lord. The shuttle." One of the men cleared his throat nervously and Karne's unnerving gaze slithered toward him. He started forward silently, climbing up the ramp and into the ship that would carry him toward Obulette. The first step on his path of reclaimation.

[Irina An'Telkis]

In the meantime on Obulette.

The first rays of the sun peeked through the window, indicating that night was drawing near its end. Irina looked up from her desk, once again having got engrossed in her reading again. The sixteen year old heiress to the High Lady of House Mecetti was a renowned bookworm at the palace. Yet, most knew that she was more than that, besides the fearful respect they owed to the reigning family. Her twin sister, Aurora, had embraced the prospects of training for the Mecrosa Order while she was more interested in understanding history and politics, to one day serve House Mecetti in a public manner. One particular topic that had always fascinated her was old religions and cults, particularly Dark Side oriented ones. While most people had no idea about it, for Force Users still remained an elusive species in the galaxy of today, the An'Telkis twins knew that their mother was trained as a Sith. Irina found so much solace in knowing that and being fully able to spend hours studying old archives her mother possessed in a secure vault.

She had learned so much and yet she felt that her lonesome pursuits required her to travel and see certain places for herself. She had felt the pull of the Force as it was called more than once in her life. It had been quiet stirs to the right piece to read and drawing parallels with greater quickness than even an educated woman such as her should have. She didn't know when or how she would seek training, but even her raw potential made her certain that her interests were meaningful. She believed that old cults would teach her so much more than simple history and political lessons. Being knowledgeable about the Tapani Sector was one thing and she didn't plan to establish some weird religion out of thin air to keep subjects under ruling, but these cults have approaches that enlightened and inspired people. There were undeniable leadership abilities at play.

She had expressed interest in traveling abroad, outside of Tapani sector, but so far her mother had flatly refused. She had allowed her all access to reading materials, as well as an area once magnified with dark history, in the northern continent of Obulette. But space travel beyond the borders had been denied over and over again. She had been very clear about it. While Irina felt she had a calling, and didn't hesitate to stand her ground, she was also respectful of her mother and her High Lady.

Yawning as she hadn't slept at all because of her studies, she decided to have her shuttle prepared for the early afternoon. After that she would get some sleep and pack when getting up. She was going to the ancient ruins in high north of Obulette. She felt she had to travel there and nothing would stand in her way.

[Karne]

Arkham, as far as Karne could tell from their brief interactions, was more of the silent type. Rajeer, however, was more than willing to discuss anything he was interested in and beyond that; in fact, the man couldn't seem to shut up. Karne reclined indolently in one of the passenger seats inside the ship's cabin, the fingers of his right hand desperately trying to alleviate the headache that had steadily begun building since the acolyte had opened his mouth. So far, he had learned a great deal about space travel and how it had evolved since his 'slumber'. It would take a matter of days to reach their destination which was some distance away from their point of origin. He learned of Obulette, the Tapani Sector, and then the ruling forces of the galaxy itself. Recent events, recent advances, and newly formed forces all came into discussion; he was surprised to find that several planetary names sounded familiar to him, as did the existence of an Empire and Alliance.


Eventually, when he could no longer take the man's incessant albeit informative ramblings, he cut him off with a brusque wave and then rose. "You'll find your quarters down the corridor and to the right, my lord. There is a portable archive, clothing, and a sonic shower available for you. If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask Arkham or me."


With that, he departed their company. Once inside his assigned quarters, Karne sat on the edge of the bed and stared straight ahead at the unadorned wall with his hands braced against the plush mattress. There was so much he did not understand, so much he was forced to accept as being reality when there was no memory to reinforce what was truth. Still, there was an innate part of him that readily accepted and it was that which served as a guide. Not these two buffoons that chartered his journey. With a resolute sigh, he lay back on the bed and closed his eyes; sleep, it seemed, felt most familiar.


The sojourn was passed in study, familiarizing himself with the intricacies of the modern day so he would not seem overtly strange when passing into the public eye. Once they reached Obulette, a northern part of the main inhabited continent, Karne dressed himself in dark attire and then stepped out of his quarters to meet with Rajeer and Arkham. The ramp to the ship was set out already and a sea-scented breeze wafted into the shuttle to tease his nose. Nodding faintly to his companions, he started down the ramp and out into the ashen landscape.


Crimson twilight reigned, as he knew it would from his study of the world. Weathered ruins spanned the rocky landscape before him, giving him the impression of a once great civilization that ruled over this now desolate land. It seemed a fitting site for whatever dark purpose ordained his destiny to start here. Now, all he needed was a sign. Something to lead him in the right direction...

[Irina An'Telkis]

While Irina had found beauty in her few off-world trips, she had deep love for the never-ending crimson light bathing her home world. She found inspiration in it and she was looking forward to spend time in the ruins up north. For most it was out of reach, and it was good as such. It kept nosy visitors away, in this galaxy where Force wielders remained in the shadows, like her mother and her aunt. She sought to eventually learn the dark arts as they did, but her mother had made it clear that her sole pupil was Dangereuse and that down the road, Irina and her sister Aurora would find their own tutor to mold them into fine Sith. She saw no reason to even consider turning to the Light. The Dark Side was of the same blazing beauty as House Mecetti: it transcended limiting beliefs and encouraged fine craft and clever actions.

The flight to the ruins, nestled deep into the mountains went without problems. She was going there alone, regardless of how her mother didn't like it. Yet, she knew her family had other matters to attend and given the dark side nature of the ruins and her strong interest in it, it was safer for all that it stayed in the family and remained unknown from the majority.

The brunette might not be the most skilled pilot but she was competent enough to navigate through the maze of mountains until she found a rocky plateau where to land her craft. She relished into the traces of lost power that permeated the area. It was empowering and she couldn't quench the yearning in her soul to know more about what her mother had been trained in. She knew that spending time here wouldn't be any formal training but it would maybe help her awaken her gift more, and give her ideas of where to look for deep in the ruins, for more than met the eyes remained.

The young woman eventually retrieved her backpack and adjusted the straps on her shoulders, checking she had everything needed on her person and she left the ship, venturing towards the ruins.

[Karne]

He lost himself in the ruins, letting the ethereal hands of the Force push him this way and that. Booted feet nimbly traversed the uneven landscape, the soft leather soles cushioning each step into silence unless he chose to slide down a particularly steep slope. The crimson atmosphere of the planet's entirety painted the world in pleasing hues, reminding him of the intense glow of his Chiss eyes that panned around observantly. The path he leisurely strode along eventually dissolved, ending at the skeletal remains of a building or more accurately, the weather worn steps that led up to such. Karne canted his head back, considering what the structure might have been at one time. Then, he slowly made it half way up the steps before he sat; his feet posted so his knees were slightly apart and his forearms leaning upon them, his back arched and his head tilted upright so the hood he wore did not obscure his view.

Silence pervaded, occasionally disrupted by the lonely howl of a north wind. Then, the faint patter of footsteps lured his attention sideward. When the woman happened into view, his eyes smoothed over her appreciatively; all of the interest he entertained concealed behind a supremely austere veneer. He reached up, removing his hood so the luminosity of his gaze would not seem entirely eerie; a foolish notion, considering he was an outsider perched within a long forsaken place, staring at her with rapidly burgeoning hunger. She hadn't seemed to notice him yet but she soon would. The pull of the Force was undeniable in that instant, almost as though it was a tangible bit of thread linking them and tugging at his core with each step closer she took. He inhaled sharply but quietly, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles snapped quite audibly. He waited for her to speak, to flee, to notice; no matter what she did, destiny had answered his call and she would be his.

[Irina An'Telkis]

Irina loved her family with every fiber of her being and was proud of her lineage. Yet, she had always felt that something was amiss, and it had nothing to do with her father passing away when she was only a child. She saw it in her mother, sister and cousin. They were all bound by that assassin path. As much as she knew it wasn't for her, Irina sometimes felt cast away. They never meant it and she would fight to the death for her loved ones, but it was undeniable she was the odd bird in the nest. She had felt the pull of the dark side on many occasions and was set on carving her own story, but it didn't erase the oddness she could sometimes experience in her own family.

Thoughts swirled in her head as she advanced through the uneven terrain, making her way to the ruins that called to her so vividly. It wasn't peace that she felt as she progressed forward but a curious sense of wholeness. It surprised her and she longed for honing her talent so she would decipher her emotions and sensations with magnified clarity. Her breath was sharped and she pressed on, as if something was awaiting her and she had to get there.

She felt the profound pull and her brilliant eyes turned to another spot of the ruins as she stood at the top if the staircases. In the bloodlit haze, she saw him. Maybe she should have been scared, maybe she should have run away.

She did not. She looked at him with certainty. The dark side permeated not only the place but her heart, or should she say theirs? It was an odd impression but it made sense.

"Here you are."

[Karne]

He straightened a measure as her brilliant gaze fell upon him, his shoulders squaring from their previously arced position and his hands coming to fold over each respective knee. That north wind howled once more, clambering down over the eroded stone encircling them and tugging at their attire insistently; as though trying to bring them closer to one another. A moment later, he was pushing himself back into a stand, doing so with fluid grace. Then, he began to move toward her in predatory slowness; his pace deliberate but every muscle in his body drifting through the phases of tension expected from a wild creature poised to give chase. She did not seem startled by his presence in the least, however. No, she looked upon him as though he was expected and she was resigned to whatever fate had designed for them.

He reached the base of the dilapidated stairway she lingered on, one foot lifting to test the bottom step and pausing his progression to see if she would startle. When she did not and instead spoke, his lips turned faintly upward in a purely arrogant smirk and he resumed his climb up the steps once more. He stopped on one beneath her but his height compared to her own still had him towering some inches above her. He looked down into her eyes, urges both violent and lustful coalescing within him to the point where he had to bite down on the inside of his cheek quite hard and let the pain rein him back in. His smirk faded somewhat but did not disappear completely, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides as the desire to touch her grew stronger.

"Here I am." He replied huskily, angling his face down toward her neck as he did so. Her scent teased him, the elevated thrumming of her pulse maddened him, and still he managed control. His gloved hands lifted but merely traced the silhouette of her frame, just out of reach; around the curve of her shoulders and down her arms, then back up again; distributing heat from his palms as they went. Then, he forcefully grasped her upper arms and dragged her closer to him; hauling her onto her tiptoes until his lips were very close to her own. "You should have run from me, you should have stayed where it was safe. Now, you will never be the same." He promised in a growl, looking away from her and back in the direction of the ship where Rajeer and Arkham waited. "Will you come willingly? Or..?"

[Irina An'Telkis]

Maybe a normal person's instincts would have warned Irina to run for her life, but on the contrary, she felt her life was bound to the man before her. Everything about him heightened her perceptions and she sensed danger, darkness, violence, but also realization and betterment. The wind howled and tried to pull them closer as if they were meant to intertwine in the deepest possible way. The sixteen year old woman might still be innocent by many's standards but she had thought about numerous matters and studied for years, including in dark history and subjects. She knew there was more to life than what she had experienced and the distant promise of being one day trained like her mother and cousin had been in the Sith knowledge wasn't enough. She hungered for more. She needed to become more than she was, not only for her people she would one day lead, but for herself in the first place. A weak leader wasn't the Mecetti way and certainly not the Von Balis one.

By the gods, he made her heart skip a beat, and yet she felt her blood turn warmer in his presence. She watched him with eagerness as he approached her. He was way taller than she had first thought but she didn't step back. She didn't cower in fear. It wasn't pure carelessness. She knew fate had brought them together. She couldn't explain it by trivial standards but she didn't care. They both understood what was at stake, for the way he stared at her revealed it to her. Her body shivered as his gloved hands barely traced the contour of her silhouette, mostly concealed under her cloak.

When he forcefully pulled her closer, she didn't scream, still holding his crimson gaze, alike to the eternal Obulette twilight. His promise gave her renewed life. While he grabbed her forearms, her fingers clinged to the fabric of his attire. It wasn't fear, it was certainty that made her do that. "I won't turn away from my fate."

Her hands curled more strongly into his clothing as she looked up at him once again. "I will."

It was an oath that bound her for eternity. She felt it in her bones and soul. She didn't know what her family would think but the Von Balis also marched to their own beat, and it was exactly what she was doing now.

[Karne]

The hard lines of arrogance carved into his slate blue features softened at her words, somewhat taken aback by her acceptance. There was only one explanation for it. She felt it too. His grip on her arms loosened, less punishing but still edgy with desperation. She was no stranger to the manipulations of the Force, whether it be in physical demonstrations or the more obscure transit of fate. There would be time enough for him to learn of her, to memorize every intricate detail of her mind and body so that he would know precisely how to possess her. For now, he had what he came for and there was no longer a reason to tarry here. Well, beyond the privacy these oblique ruins afforded them.

His cardinal gaze dipped down to his chest, where her hands clung into the complicated fabric of his ebony top layer. That arrogant smile was back in place immediately and deftly, his fingers traveled along her shoulders and up her neck. One hand, contact still deprived by the roughened leather of his gloves, cupped the base of her throat; the other came to the side of her jaw, his thumb smoothing over her lower lip almost adoringly. "Good." He murmured this word hauntingly close to her mouth before disengaging from her completely, starting down the steps. When he reached the bottom, he looked back up at her. "Come, we have much to discuss and I'd rather do so aboard my ship."

[Irina An'Telkis]

Everything should have pushed Irina away from the Chiss before her, but it was as if she felt her life begin. Her soul was awakening in ways she had never dreamed of. It was magnetic and visceral and she couldn't turn away. Obscurity magnifying the bond between them was a beacon of life. She wanted - needed - him and it wasn't mere intoxication. It was more complex and she yearned to discover how far it ran. The Force had brought her to these ruins several times but today she understood why. Timing hadn't been right before but on this very day, fate was beckoning her to take a leap of faith.

How could she not take it? Beyond fear of the unknown, this man unlocked the key to her future, whatever it might bring. She wasn't going to walk away from him. She would never do that.

She shivered in the nearness of him, under his barely-there touch. Impressions of deja-vu briefly passed through her psyche. Unable to explain these figments of what must be her imagination, she focused on him, rooting herself in the present and this defining moment.

Watching him go to the bottom of the stairs, she adjusted the strap of the bag she carried with her, carrying all she needed to take with her. She didn't even consider going back to her own ship, for all she needed was on her person or in front of her.

"Let's go." She said firmly, trotting down the steps and coming to his side.

[Karne]

He had been anticipating some kind of resistance. The fact that it was not present, however, did not disappoint him. If she had been obtuse, no doubt the cruel streak he felt simmering below the surface would have made itself known. Instead, he led them at a pace amenable to the young woman and even offered her a hand when the terrain became treacherous to navigate. Eventually, they arrived at the clearing where his ship was perched and he fought down a smirk at the looks of surprise his two guides bestowed upon him. Then, he came to a halt and placed a hand on her shoulder, encouraging her to face him with a firm squeeze there.

"I am called Karne. This is Arkham..." He nodded toward the larger of the pair. "And Rajeer." He nodded to the other, his stare promising swift punishment if they were rude to his guest. They bowed their heads but could not resist sharing a bewildered look between them. The knuckles of the hand not resting on her shoulder brushed against her cheek softly, allowing her time to introduce herself.

"Will the lady be requiring my quarters, my lord?" Rajeer asked, respectfully.

Karne turned his crimson gaze upon the man contemplatively. Then, they turned back down to her. "That won't be necessary. Irina will stay with me."

[Irina An'Telkis]

Irina came from a family of power, leading House Mecetti in the Tapani sector and the Force flew in her veins thanks to her maternal lineage. Her ancestry counted many Mecrosa assassins as well. While the young woman had been rather quiet and less violent in her exhibited ways, compared to her loved ones, the dark side had called to her for many years. She had felt that mostly untapped power give strength to her heart and mind on more than one occasion. What could look like adolescent wilderness was actually a strong and mature choice for her life. She knew it was fate guiding her to the Chiss and that only through the journey awaiting her - them - would she embrace her true nature and wield the talents that had remained mostly dormant until now.

When she looked at her companion, she took the information in as he offered his name and then his followers'. She saw the surprise on their faces but simply spared them curt nods of acknowledgement. "I am Irina." She said without further details about her bloodline and origin. That would eventually be shared with Karne, but not with this audience.

His words regarding her place of stay caught her off-guard, but it didn't scare her. She craved to be near him and she knew that them sharing quarters were only right. All of this was uncharted territories and yet, it felt going back to a home she had no recollection of. "Indeed." She confirmed, expressing her agreement about his decision.

[Karne]

Her answer was rewarded with a rare, small smile from the Chiss. The hand that had cupped her shoulder slowly smoothed across her cloak covered spine, dipping lower to rest at the small of her back. Then, he guided them both toward the ramp of the ship.

"We'll leave immediately."

"Our destination, my lord?" Rajeer asked uncertainly from the base of the ramp.

Karne turned toward him briefly. "To be decided. Keep us moving and I will give you a heading when I have one."

Once they were within the shuttle, Karne directed their new passenger toward his personal quarters. A narrow door frame admitted them entry into a dimly lit chamber; complete with a meditation area, a sizable bed, refresher, a work desk, and a holo-map projector that was currently activated. The thrum of the ship's engines caused the paneling beneath their feet to rumble gently and before long, they were well on their way to leaving Obulette behind.

"It is a remarkable world. Something about the perpetual twilight calls to me." He confessed to her suddenly, his crimson eyes taking her in. He stepped in front of her, his hands availing themselves of the ties binding her cloak at the front. Artfully, he removed it from her and then draped the fine material over the edge of the bed. With predatory grace, he moved to the holo-projector and beckoned her forward with the crook of his finger. "I am told that the Force can draw individuals together, forging their destinies into a bond that cannot be broken. I had not believed these words until I saw you, Irina." He continued, his hands finding her waist and positioning her between him and the transparent map. His breath fanned heatedly across the back of her neck, his lips hovering mere centimeters from her enticing skin. "Because of you, I have come to trust where the Force might lead me. But now, I want you to choose. Anywhere you desire, anything you want. Tell me and it will be yours."

[Irina An'Telkis]

Irina couldn't explain how Karne could be so familiar to her, but she felt as if he was exactly who she had been longing for without even realizing it. That nagging feeling of not fitting in, of wanting - needing - more had been part of her since she was a child, wiser beyond her years for a long time already. She had found a measure of solace in her studies and digging so deep into the past that was as a part of her own history. And here he was, and she was following him, knowing they had much to accomplish and that they would do it together, bringing to the table their respective skills and personality. They made an unstoppable duet and she knew in her soul it went back to eons ago.

She placed her bag near the bed, not feeling any apprehension at the thought of sharing quarters and even a bed with him. She felt like coming home for home was him more than an actual place. She wasn't betraying her family, her bloodline, but she knew he was her destiny, and that they would unleash so much now their paths had collided once more.

His abrupt confession coaxed fragmental memories out of the depths of her mind. "I have always sought the night to come, expecting it to bring me where I belonged but the unending twilight of Obulette is stubborn," she replied with a firm tone, for it had felt as such for so long. She canted her head to the side as he removed the cloak from around her. She kept her vibrant gaze upon him, taking in details, searching other memories that his presence elicited.

"I read it can happen. Some ancient civilizations believed it even more than what I know of more recent Sith hint at." Her words showed that she was no stranger to matters of the Force and especially the dark side, but she had no reason to hide what her bloodline meant in this world. "I had dreams and interests for all my life, that I couldn't fully explain, and everything only came into place when we met, Karne," she added.

She moved closer to him, standing by his side as her eyes studied the map. His nearness was distracting to a degree but her impatience for personal connection didn't taint her judgement as she studied the map. She did it methodically to a point, until her instinct told her where to go, for it connected with some of her readings and research as well. For sure, the Force was guiding her, even when she still longed to be properly trained.

"We must go to Krayiss Two."

[Karne]

She would never know what great pleasure it gave him just to hear his name on her lips. He waited, patient as she scanned the map and considered the sea of stellar composition that awaited them. Finally, a planet was named and a wicked smile curved his mouth. He had said the choice was her's to make but it seemed that fate was guiding them, after all. It was Dornek Thursk who had first mentioned the sacred archive of the Stygian Empire to him, designating it as the official meeting place for them once his business was concluded. It seemed now was the time.

"Very well." He said rather dutifully, bowing his head and disentangling himself from her alluring form. He moved across the room, indenting his finger on the intercom switch that would distribute his message to the cockpit. "Krayiss Two, Arkham. I think it's about time we stop dallying around, don't you?"

"Yes, sir." Came the man's gruff reply.

Karne withdrew from the intercom and slowly pivoted to face her, his crimson eyes giving no indication of the encompassing glance he raked over her entirety. He made his way to the bed and patted the spot next to him, reaching up to begin unfastening the intricate ties of his leather doublet. "Come, Irina. Tell me about yourself. You are young but wise, I am guessing you could tell me much."

[Irina An'Telkis]

There was danger lurking ahead. Irina knew it deep in her bones. It was one of these raw feelings she had learned to trust over her young years. Yet, she wasn't scared of Karne. She knew that others should be frightened of them. She licked her lips briefly as she entertained the thought, finding pleasure in it. She had seemed like the more scholarly and quieter of both An'Telkis twins but the strong darkness and power permeating the maternal bloodline was evident in her being as well. It was just waiting for the right moment to fully blossom and this journey was it. Her education in history would also serve her well as she had demonstrated it already.

Her vibrant eyes remained on Karne as he relayed orders. He was a natural at taking charge and she liked that a lot. He didn't just see an heiress to woo nor did he take her for granted or a simple book worm. She was curious as to what had woven their lives together in ancient past but she was dying to find out and see how it would develop in this current one.

The faintest grin curved her lips as she walked with grace and certainty to sit by his side. "I have often felt as if I was older than my years. Not only because of my in depth studies of dark side cults and religion history, but also because I had this strong intuition there was more to life." She paused, finding a better way to clarify. "Not in a way that made me want to discover it but rather re-discover it."

She canted her head to her side, still gazing at her companion. "The Force runs strong in my family. I have never formally began training but I was born to a Sith maternal lineage," She explained for it was a hidden truth but one she saw no reason to hide from Karne for they had already felt the strong pulse of the Force at play in their encounter.

"What about you?"

[Karne]

The leather doublet was divested, folded neatly and placed beside him; beneath it, he wore a dark grey longsleeve complete with a hood. His feet were distanced from one another by several inches with his knees cocked out, his now idle hands posed behind him to support the depressed angle of his back. His head tilted as she spoke, his crimson eyes and the motion itself demonstrating his interest in what she divulged about herself. There was no denying that fate, the Force, had brought them together on Obulette; so uncanny were the similarities in their shared interest in re-discovery. What limited knowledge Rajeer and Arkham had provided him had laid down the base of a very intricate puzzle and now, his new companion was steadily filling in the pieces without even realizing it.

He reached out slowly, taking her hand into his own; his own skin very warm. He turned her palm up and brought his other hand into play, looking down to his index finger's tip as it began to trace a swirl pattern in the middle of her hand. "Long ago, an Empire possessed a majority of the galaxy we inhabit. Given the advanced nature of their technology, produced by knowledge provided by a race far older than we can track, they were uncontested in their rule. Like so many warriors of times long past, the royal family and generals of the Empire were eventually observed as deities; powerful, untouchable, and undeniable."

His index finger departed the center of her palm, his other fingers joining in as his neatly groomed groomed nails softly scratched their way along her wrist. "Like Gods, these individuals were granted guardianship over various subjects that contributed to the perseverance of the Empire's reign. There was a Goddess of War, a God of the Underworld, a Goddess of Prophecy, a God of Valor. So on and so forth, their pantheon was quite vast." His fingers trailed along the crook of her elbow now, circling a prominent vein. "One day, these individuals lost their leader. The Emperor. Knowing that their dominion would shatter at his passing, they decided to perform a ritual... one that would allow them to be reborn eternal with the noble sacrifice of their most devout."

"But..." His caresses halted, his gaze lifting to her's. "On the eve of their ascension, they were betrayed. It is unclear who is responsible. But, these powerful Force Users suffered greatly at this traitor's misdeeds. He rose from the bed, striding over to his dresser as a sudden, profound wave of anger rushed over him. "Some were sealed away, buried alive and forgotten; among these the most powerful. Others were caught during the conclusion of the ritual, their spiritual essence cast onto the ever churning wheel of fate to await a time when the Force allowed for the reunion of souls."

His back still to her, shoulders bunched high with tension, he stared ahead at the slate hued wall. "I awoke only a week ago. Arkham and Rajeer, a man named Dornek Thursk; they are descendants of the Devout and have been seeking out those lost." He turned to face her, his expression conflicted. "I am to accept these tales on a whim and yet, I cannot deny they have never felt more real until I found myself in your presence. It is Krayiss Two where we gather, to reunite with those that came before. There is no coincidence in our meeting and I daresay you will play a more vital role than can be determined at this time."

He smiled in a bittersweet way. "Are you afraid?"

[Irina An'Telkis]

The whole ordeal was supernatural. Beyond the mysticism of the Force itself, fate was playing at a greater speed and in mesmerizing depth in this moment. Irina was no fool despite her young age. Her soul had felt out of place and time more than once and the spark was ablaze in Karne's presence. Was she undeniably attracted to him? There was no reason to lie to herself, but it was more than mere infatuation at first sight. They were pulled to each other with astonishing magnetism and she yearned to find more about why it was as such.

Her piercing intelligent eyes never wandered away from him. She observed him, but more importantly, she listened to him, devoting her full attention to what he was revealing to her. Her focus slightly wavered under his touch. A shiver ran down her spine, but she pulled herself together, curiosity and burning longing for knowledge devouring her soul anew.

She had read all she could find about old religions and cults and some of what he was saying rang a vague bell but nothing as tangible as a matter she had directly studied. It frustrated her, because she felt that added documentation could prove useful. Of course, she hadn't read every single thing she had had access to thanks to her mother.

She met his gaze the moment she felt the air come to a still between them. Although raw, her perceptions were heightened not only due to her potential but because of his closeness. Her breath stopped as he revealed the betrayal that had occurred. Pressure hammered her chest under an invisible weight and she felt pain dive within her. Brief and troubling flashes permeated her mind but were gone in the blink of an eye, leaving her slightly dizzy right after Karne had got up in a surge of anger.

She steadied herself, gripping the edge of the bed with both hands. She couldn't make sense of what had just happened but she knew enough to recognize that her reaction was consequence to his revelation.

She eventually got to her feet as well. She closed the distance between them. She was about to reach out to him as he turned to face her again. Her extended arms had her hands fall naturally upon his chest. She looked up at him and she pondered his question. "I am afraid of not finding answers."

She paused for a moment. "I don't know how much we will find there, nor what else I can scavenge from the readings I have copied on my device, but we will go there. We will uncover the past one way or the other." A subtle but truthful fierceness echoed in her tone.