Afraid of the Dark

[Claire Organa]

Screaming I knew I was screaming we were going to hit the ice shelf and die in a big splat concealed by armor, no one would find us and we'd be frozen until the next time someone decided to come this way....where was Sariel now!!

I closed my eyes waiting for it to end.

A sudden jolt and stop and well I wasn't splattered. I let go of the breath I had been holding, "Scare me...yes you scared ME! What the feth!" Were weren't dangling we were moving steadily down.

"I will get you for that you wait and see."

"Cable launcher ok got it next time I want to jump off a cliff I'll be sure to keep that in mind." I wasn't really as irritated as I sounded I was slowly calming down.

I wanted to whirl around, "we are going to drop!" Oh my god! I trusted him right, I relied on him right....if he kills me I'll haunt him till his dying day.

"ok I..." I looked down, oh man, "yes I'm ready do it!"

I couldn't help but laugh he said closer any more closer than we had been I wouldn't be able to walk. "we've already been much closer, connected even." She smiled hoping it sounded as funny to him as it did to her.

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

"I'd like to think connecting and re-connecting is something we both highly enjoy. As for getting me back I suppose that could be intriguing... Freefall in 3, 2, 1." On one I simply disconnected the cable holding us and I triggered the jets in my armor to slow our descent when we hit five feet I cut the thrusters and landed. I was glad the suit took the shock instead of my knees. "If it makes you feel any better Claire I found you under attack by pirates and simply launched myself toward your ship. Once you get comfortable in that suit I'll show you a view of the stars that beats everything."

Cutting the chatter I headed over towards the Lotus exploration craft and opened the vehicles' cabin. Looking at Claire I said "Well hop in love."

​

​

As soon as Claire entered the cabin I closed it up and started powering up the vehicle. In a few moments we'd be breaching the ice and headed to the temple underwater....

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Yes he had found her under attack, "I thought we had already seen some pretty spectacular views." She remembered the space walk to from his ship to hers to gather up the data and deal with the pirates.

How long ago was that now? her memory wouldn't give her a date perhaps because she had so much more happen since then. Shrugging her shoulders she looked over at Andorreth. He made her smile even in the worst of scenarios.

I listened and followed instructions I knew if I didn't bad things would happen. I was such a newb at all of this really it wasn't surprising how much I had to learn just to get from point A to B.

I 'hopped in' "There's a lot of things that make me feel better as you are well aware. But this mission is important to me I've been reading about such things for so long I just want the first one to be perfect. You're being her makes it almost perfect. Going down there seeing the ruins, seeing what was once there THAT will make it 100% perfect."

I sat back ready to go and see what this new adventure would produce.

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Activating the laser cutters I opened a hole in the ice, ensuring the cabin was sealed I activated the ion thrusters and took us under the ice shelf. The lighting looked ethereal here and it bathed Claire's skin in a captivating glow. Pushing the engines the craft moved forward and I felt with The Force the draw of the temple, I wondered if Claire felt anything from the temple.... I felt her lean against me though and I hoped that soon we'd be at House Vikar enjoying more intimate moments together....

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Bluish green hues everywhere bathed us in its light. It was so beautiful the water moved effortlessly I didn't notice the cold but out there in the darkness where the water went deep turning dark hiding away from view the ruins.

Somehow I knew it was there even though I had never seen it before I knew it was there waiting for us. We both seemed oddly quiet adding to the mystery of the moment. My attention was drawn to the right a glowing light radiated towards us.

​

"Andorreth do you know what that is there?" It looked like a school of fish surrounding the glow but why? I had never seen anything like it. Perhaps it was a luminescent creature like the ones in the caves back on Alderaan. Oddly I felt calm.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

I'd noticed the glow as well....and I had no idea. Reaching out with The Force I felt the controls being taken over. Looking over at Claire I said "I'm not steering cya'rika....whatever the glow is it's taking us wherever it wants now." I felt at peace though....I looked at the course I'd plotted and saw the luminescent light was now taking us towards the temple faster. Interesting.....looking at Claire I simply began ejecting and retracting my hidden blade...I didn't like not driving but something told me I'd appreciate it. Looking at Claire I anxiously waited until we'd arrive by the temple airlock....

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

"You aren't driving." I didn't know what to say to that I could panic but what good would it do right now? None. I watched as we drew ever closer to the deepest part of the lake. The water around us grew darker until the only light we had was the warm glow from the ship lights and the glow guiding us through the waters.

I looked over at Andorreth he was not comfortable I reached over and touched his arm just a gesture to say its ok. We are ok. I looked ahead again and knew it with certainty.

Suddenly we passed under giant arches of stone a bit crumbling but clean. The cold water preserved the formations as I stared out the glow touched upon statues hidden in the darkness. I couldn't make them out not sure what they were. The causeway however was unmistakeable we were heading towards a structure that had been significant when it had been occupied.

I wished I could see more.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

I heard it in my head "The past is to be learned from young one so make sure you do." Then it was gone, the controls released back to me. Flicking on a separate set of lights I saw UV trails leading to......a hangar. Looking at Claire I said "Hangar is ahead. We'll go ahead and get inside then see what's up." I began docking procedures and the hangar opened up, throttling forward a bit. We made our way inside the hangar and I triggered the door shut behind us. I heard the rumbling finality of the door coming sealed. Looking over at Claire I smiled then a warning chime came on... cabin pressure failing. Looking at Claire I said "helmet on Cya'rika we're going for a swim it seems...." Making sure the seals on my suit were closed and secured I pulled my helm on twisted it to the right securing it. Checking over Claire's suit seals I saw they were secure. Pressurizing my suit and helm I engaged the rebreather and oxygen supply.

Seemed we'd have to swim for a bit....well wouldn't be easy....if it were well it wouldn't be me.

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]​

​

A hangar after all this time how I wished I knew when this was built. I wanted to see more I wanted to feel the stones under my fingertips and know the people who had been here. I was lost in thoughts when the alarm began chiming.

Of course too good to be true that we could actually move about, I nodded and put the helmet on. i watched as Andorreth made sure I was all sealed up wouldn't do to have a leak down here at this level. First I'd freeze, second..well once I froze I'd be dead so no second.

Swimming, "We spend a lot of time in water." I smiled hoping he heard the levity in my voice. "I'm right behind you. Let's go see what we can" My nerves seem to have worn off somewhere leaving behind the anticipation of something new.

We were out and moving through the water following some unknown thread that kept tugging us in a single direction. We would need lights down here the depth made it darker than it was. I couldn't help but look up the ice shelf was up there. It wasn't a comfort.

I kept Andorreth in sight this was for us both but what would we find.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Smirking at Claire's comment of spending a lot of time in water I said "Well cya'rika, odds are you'll be enjoying the hotspring waters back at house vikar before too long." Looking at my HUD I blinked twice in rapid succession flicking on ghostly purple lights. My helmet was set to scan any glyphs and store them for decryption and analysis later. Looking at Claire I glanced towards a flaw in the durasteel doors. Pulling my saber free I looked at Claire and said "Claire stand behind me please." Igniting my saber underwater the water boiled around the blade, inserting the tip of the blade against the frame I began cutting....movement was slowed underwater but before long I'd breached the door. Using The Force I moved the door out and away from the frame and clipped my saber back to my belt. Heading into the door I waited for Claire to rejoin me so we could make our way into the temple....

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

I could nod and listen most of the time when Andorreth spoke I watched him cut through the door, a purple blade, unique I had not seen one before. Once through the doors though it was different at the sides it glowed in low amber tones, when I took a step forward the square lit up under my feet.

"Wow" I was amazed it working after how long? What I saw made me think ancient but how far back? What temple was this, across the way I could see a blue glow. Without even thinking I began to walk towards it. I felt like it was pulling me forward but it was probably my curiosity more than anything else. I had to know what it was.

"Andorreth do you see that?" I thought I better make sure of what I was seeing. I could be hallucinating. I hoped not.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

While still in the water we passed into a room that had low amber lighting. Claire stepped forward and a square of pure onyx lit up as though translucent, this place was old though...... very old. With Claire's feet hitting the square I stepped forward to be by her side, suddenly water rushed out of the room and drained. Leaving the room free of water I looked around and broke the seal on my helm, clipping it to my belt I glanced around. I noticed a blue glow as Claire began walking towards it, this seemed off... "The sword you carry was forged here young prince. We hid much and there is much that should remain here." I heard Claire asked if I saw the glow and I certainly did. "Aye, I see it cya'rika. The Force sometimes manifests energy visibly....usually around artifacts of great significance too." I'd deactivated my saber and clipped it back to my belt but now after the voice I'd heard I pulled the blade that'd come from The Vikar armory. clearing it from the sheathe I twirled it out to the side and saw violet runes glow along the blade. Defender of a noble lady, blade of justice, wolf'f fang. The runes kept shifting to show separate names for the blade.

"Claire....be cautious if you feel drawn to something. Not everything touched by The Force is good or pure...." Launching a probe I sent it to gather information and download any digital data. It'd photograph any written records or runes as well. I felt uneasy about leaving Claire by herself though....

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

Listening and yet only half listening I removed the helmet but kept walking. The glow was enticing it seemed to call and whisper, "I'll be careful" I whispered back to him without giving him a look though which perhaps I should have. It would have broken my concentration and I didn't or couldn't take my eyes from the glow.

A few more steps and I'd be within reach of it. It wasn't a globe like I thought it was....more like a spark, a flame standing on its own without fuel. How was it able to do that? I looked under and then slowly around.It flickered once or twice, was it going out?

OH...without thinking I reached out to touch it.

Too late did I realize my mistake what felt like burning breached my gloves and ran up my arm, I could barely speak, "Andorreth" was all I could utter. I could feel my body going rigid as my head tilted back I stared at the ceiling above. Images danced so quickly I barely could take them in. The room seemed to be getting brighter blue....oh....my heart was pounding as blood rushed every where.

Suddenly I fell to my knees, as the pain increased and fluttered, then crashed, my senses...were every where....'oh god'

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

I looked over to Claire and realized she'd touched something... darting over to her side I caught her as she fell. Reaching out with The Force I placed one hand on her chest and hissed as I took in what she was feeling. It'd been so long I'd nearly forgotten. Her heart-rate was racing and I spoke to her mind through The Force. "Claire...don't struggle. Lean into the sound of my voice Claire, breathe my love. What you're feeling is touching The Force for the first time. I know it's overwhelming cya'rika, but just let your senses begin to adjust...." I'd heard of what she'd touched in old journals.... Flame of The Force...said to have been touched by Jedi such as Ulic-Qel-Droma....A man or woman stripped of their connection to The Force could touch the flame and have their connection re-established. It was akin to ripping blinders off an animal who'd not seen the sun ever.

Humming in old Eshanese I sang softly. "The wind through the reeds, flex in the breeze. The raindrops begin to pour, where once there was thought now emptied is the pot. A storm begins to rage, wind and waves in a sea of change as lighting strikes the ground. The doors have been opened now child come and claim what is yours. A life born anew, the universe joins with you power to now be tamed. A teacher, a lover, no need for another...This The Force gives to you."

Looking down at Claire I spoke softly "Claire...let it in....I'm here for you my love...."

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

Adjust! I felt like fire was coursing through my veins as everything around me lit up with the same fire. Breath...breath....I was trying but even the slightest intake of air hurt my ribs and lungs. Force? If this was the force who wanted this kind of agony?

Let it in.

How should I do that? I already felt it had invaded me there was no letting it in, it was there! With every ounce of my own strength I turned my head and tried to nod. The soft voice that had sounded so welcoming and gentle was now pressing against my ears almost drowning out the soft tones of Andorreth's voice. I turned my focus on that his voice if I could just find a way to calm down.

He was here. He was protecting me. He wouldn't let anything happen...I was safe. I reminded myself over and over my own mantra of comfort. Slowly the rigidness left and the fire calmed it no longer burned but it was still there. I closed my eyes.

Deep breath. Calm. Quiet. "it hurts some still" But I was breathing.

I opened my eyes and looked up at Andorreth unknown to me my eyes were now brilliant flame blue.

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

Adjust! I felt like fire was coursing through my veins as everything around me lit up with the same fire. Breath...breath....I was trying but even the slightest intake of air hurt my ribs and lungs. Force? If this was the force who wanted this kind of agony?

Let it in.

How should I do that? I already felt it had invaded me there was no letting it in, it was there! With every ounce of my own strength I turned my head and tried to nod. The soft voice that had sounded so welcoming and gentle was now pressing against my ears almost drowning out the soft tones of Andorreth's voice. I turned my focus on that his voice if I could just find a way to calm down.

He was here. He was protecting me. He wouldn't let anything happen...I was safe. I reminded myself over and over my own mantra of comfort. Slowly the rigidness left and the fire calmed it no longer burned but it was still there. I closed my eyes.

Deep breath. Calm. Quiet. "it hurts some still" But I was breathing.

I opened my eyes and looked up at Andorreth unknown to me my eyes were now brilliant flame blue.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Well that was... interesting. Glaring at the flame I realized something.....first Claire's eyes had turned an icy blue. So The Force had physically altered her while granting her it's touch. "That's normal cya'rika, the artifact you touched...it's called a Flame of The Force. In ages long ago this flame was touched by those who had their connection to The Force severed, mostly due to horrific decisions and as extreme punishment. Those who redeemed themselves or were forgiven by those wronged could hold their hand through the flame and have it purge their misdeeds. Like purifying gold or steel to remove the impurities. The pain....that was from decisions you've made, or things you hold yourself accountable for. We are our own worst enemies at holding ourselves accountable for the past."

Bowing towards the flame I looked at Claire and said "Cya'rika, look into my eyes." Concentrating I simply dropped a visual filter. My eyes flashed into their now normal hue, vivid lilac with striking blue and hazel flecks. "The Force can alter a person physically. My eyes for example...I have both lilac and hazel green eyes Claire. Now lay still..." Reaching out into The Force I excited the particles in the air and drew on the energy around me. My left hand from the wrist up was beginning to be wreathed in a soft lilac flame. One of the Force powers I'd learned....Healing flame could touch bare skin and yet not burn the person. Now I was sending this flame to coat Claire. The warmness would relax her muscles and begin to soothe her body.

Kissing her lips softly I said "Relax my love, let my fire heal you...."

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

"My own worst enemy" she laughed, "imagine that." The pain was subsiding and I could feel the cold. I didn't move though looking up at Andorreth. I was listening and not listening I could hear so many different sounds right now.

The odd sound of silence and how even just their heart beats were suddenly loud enough I could count the beats. "Your fire" I nodded, "I got your fire right here actually." I lifted her hand without thinking tiny blue sparks danced in her palm and then faded.

"I feel different. I just" I took another breath, "don't know if its for the good or some other dismal purpose" But for once I had to admit I wasn't scared.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Smirking at Claire's outlook on things I noticed the sparks in her hand....interesting. "Remember this Claire my love, power is neither inherently good or bad....what matters is the intent with which those powers are used."

Looking around I checked the logs on my forearm gauntlet. Looked like the sensor nodes were scanning in all relevant data that could be acquired here... Looking at Claire I planted my hand against the polished stone floor and my free hand against her abdomen. Channeling energy from the waters outside and the life teeming about out there I funneled the energy into Claire.

Odds were she'd be feeling more energized soon... meeting her eyes I said "Cya'rika those sparks? That likely means you have an affinity for wielding lightning and fire, the same as me actually. I've branched out from those powers but as someone with experience and as your love I'd like to help you learn how to grow and use those powers. I won't leave you Claire you are MINE."

My fangs elongated slightly and I softly kissed her neck and gently bit her neck afterwards. The pheromones and enzymes would also help with her healing and I wanted her to feel safe.

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

"Intent." There were many things that she could do with intent.

I laid there for a moment feeling new energy surge through my muscles, "Yours, yes.ssss" I nearly hissed it back at him the feel of his fangs on my skin sent those some shivers down my spine. My mind wandered for a moment, "I'm ready."

I was ready for....getting off the floor, for finding out...what all this meant..."same as you...time will tell on all things though won't it." I wasn't asking him I was merely stating what I believed to be a fact. This place was slowly losing all the warmth that it once held.

It was falling back into the darkness and we needed to finish up and go. "Did we get everything we need?"

Perhaps it was all about the flame and nothing else, I didn't know. I'd find out though.