Dancing in Moonlight between the Headstones (complete)

[Muad Dib]

"The runes are very perceptive."

He laughed at the irony of the specific rune she had pointed out. Anything with fire seemed to be drawn to him, or he to it. However it was just one rune among many. Curiously his eyes wandered the length of his arm, the blue if the runes standing in stark contrast to his skin. He wanted to know more about them but was hesitant to know what it said for the future. He fully believed that everyone made their own fates, and despised those that followed a path just because something or someone told them to walk it.

Of course he had never been a follower. Which, perhaps in hind sight, added to the difficulties of his life. But it was his life and he would be the one to choose how it went. Looking away his eyes followed the curves of the runes upon Bella's arm. Gift was appropriate in his opinion. With a sly smile his eyes wandered from the curves of the runes to the curves of her body. Curves he knew intimately.

"Why does it seem that events always conspire to keep us apart?"

During their time with the Sith they were inseparable, even when they weren't acknowledging the bond that had developed between them ... or out right denying it. But ever since Arabella had departed the Order and then he had cast off the decay of it's constraints the universe seemed determined to see them on opposite sides of galaxy.

"How is [member="Garith Darkhold"] doing? And your mother? You told me once before of her and the 'old' man's feelings. How goes the interaction?"

His glowing eyes looked to her face. He truly wanted to hear if how she had been, her family. Her happiness was always of upmost importance to him. Tracing the bond he feels her emotions and bared his own to her. Through the bond he whispered.

And do you know who you are now that you are no longer Sith?

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

"My father is doing ok. He was gone for a long time Muadie, like you, and then one day he was back. Different" She didn't want to say her father showed up as a woman. That just wouldn't do, and she couldn't tell him of the other things after the revelations, the emotions, and all that he had told her. Muadie her one true love, her lover, friend, conspirator and she couldn't share with him what she carried right now within her.

"I don't think my mother likes me. She acts odd around me, like I reminder of her something distasteful and she just wants to put it far away from her." Bella shrugged she didn't know and at times she didn't care or try anymore. She had her father, her brother, and Muadie OH and Faith she needed little else.

Then their bond vibrated she smiled at him she felt a few things in the bond like his appreciation of her curves. Then she spoke to him to clear away the cobwebs of their connection.

I may not be Sith but I am not Jedi either. I do what I think is right, what feels right to me. Sometimes that means being good, other times it means being really bad. Do you love me less for not being Sith?

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

He turned his head sideways in a grin, knowing his Bella knew what was on his mind. When she mentioned her father he felt the discomfort there. He felt the slight withdraw of certain thoughts and emotions. Knowing Garith, he figured that Arabella was protecting her father's secrets. He respected the Master enough not to delve in for more information. And he cared enough for Arabella that he would never violate her trust in such a way.

When she spoke of her mother there were too many emotions to even attempt to decipher. He never had the issue of attempting to fit in, with parents. Or anyone for that matter. It was one of the things that marked him as unique. But that didn't derail from the fact that he sympathized with his lover.

"Finding your place with your mother must be ... difficult. And vice versa. It's not a position I envy."

The bond came alive with her own words to him. The Mad Knight chuckled at the question he felt. Opening himself and baring his own emotions he fed into the crystal clear connection that was re-established, though it was never broken nor denied.

Jedi... Sith... A bastion of balance... I could care less if you were the high priestess of the ewok gods... You are mine, and I yours. I offer you everything I have, everything I am. Because the suns could go supernova, the planets tear themselves from orbit and hurtle from the galaxy, the gods of Dathomir, mando'ade, Yuuzhan Vong, or any other Pantheon of deities could oppose us ... Everything could end, and still I would love you with every breath. And when I cease to exist, I will decry the gods, the Force, the very fabric of existence to transcend my death ... Just for one more moment with you.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

See these were some of the moment she loved him most. He had a way with words that he just knew how to phrase them and make her feel all the warmth that fire could bring. Yeah.

I couldn't breath without you Muadie. I've lived all the time moving from one thing to other because I had to in order to keep living. But it was a life without life no fire. You are my life, my breath, my soul only with you am I ever complete. If you disappear again I'll kill you myself She smiled he would know her intent.

"She is, I sense disappointment from her. I sense I remind her of my father who she patterns all men after. But my father is not who he was when they were on Aldera. She has to know that. But in his own way he loves her, why else would he have made Garith and I" She laughed. "maybe you can help with making that bridge Muadie."

The ship beeped, "Looks like we are nearing Tund, are you ready?"

 

[Muad Dib]

"You should know the answer to that by now. I'm always ready."

He turned his head, smirking as his eyes glowed a fair bit brighter. As they approached their destination through hyperspace he felt a faint chill echoing through the Force. A thing of import was about to unfold. Whether it was the discovery of their runes, a life and death situation, or (he grinned) a more intimate and fiery reunion he could not be sure.

Contemplating Arabella's words over her mother Muad's brows creased slightly. He wasn't exactly the boy you take home to mother. He was bloody, soaked in the choices of his past. He was a warmonger, more at home with sword in hand and death falling all around. He was disconcerting, an air of danger and barely restrained primal urges felt by even the non force-sensitive. He was forward, speaking what was on his mind despite what etiquette recommended.

And yet he was more then that. Arabella had tempered the madness and all consuming fire within. Even as a sith the tactics and strategy of a master commander began to unfold. Becoming a Mandalorian have him an honor he didn't know he was lacking. Rising to Alor he learned compassion and patience. Taking the position of Scion within the Confederacy revealed a fondness for discipline and the realization that he was respected. Combined with his Adumari heritage and the nobility that ran through his veins he had the ability to simulate a facade of civilization.

"I would be delighted to meet your mother. I never met your brother, Garith, however I did once meet your sister Faith who was with her husband Draco, a vod. But I'd be thrilled to see the Oldman, Master [member="Garith Darkhold"] once again."

Muad knew that Bella was aware that he was akin to a wild predator. They tended to do what they wanted when they wanted and were nigh impossible to domesticate. But he wanted Arabella to know he would be willing to do just about anything for her and, by extension, her family.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

"Yes you are always ready, for....almost anything" She looked back at him and laughed. It was hard to catch him off guard, "the carnival we went to, do you remember it?" She was easing the ship around

"Well Muadie since you and I already share a bond deeper than any marriage license could grant us, or any vows spoken would give us. I think you should meet dear old Mom." She smiled, "my brother you need to meet, he's great. You should like him. I love him" She did she loved her brother [member="Garith Organa"] even if he didn't have her name anymore he was till her brother.

She missed her father for a moment she had missed him all the time he had been gone. She missed him as much as she missed the madman with her. In time they would renew their deep bond in other ways but for now she felt complete with him there. Whispering his support and toying with her emotions with words and actions that made her want to park the ship and put off following leads.

They were both predators and the hunt was on. Whatever it was that was here, they'd find it.

She finally got them into a level spot and looked out at Tund. "not quite what I expected" What did she expect...she made a face.

 

[Muad Dib]

A smirk crossed his face as he felt her feelings, emotions, and desires burning through their bond. Teeth glinted in the light as he, too, contemplated their reunion in more intimate ways. But they were both predators and the scent of their quarry was in their proverbial noses.

"Almost anything."

He could see the familial bonds had indeed affected her. Once upon a Time Arabella cared only for her father. But now she had a wider sense of family, a bigger world. Time changed them all just as it had with himself. Nodding slightly as she mentioned her mother she smiled again.

"That would truly be entertaining. Bringing old Muad home to meet the parents."

He laughed lightly as Arabella landed the ship and remarked on the landscape. His glowing blue eyes looked out as well. Having been here once before he knew the planet didn't offer a grand visage. But the secrets of the Sorcerers of Tund were not easy to ferret out. Ahead of them was a mountain, standing sentry over the plain they had landed in. It was there he felt the gentle urging of the Force.

A great heaviness seemed to lay upon the land, a heaviness reflected through the force. Unstrapping he stood from his seat, his right hand brushing the tip of Bella's ear teasingly. A playful attitude momentarily interrupting the focus of the mission. But the shadow of the mountain feel upon them and once more the man was ready for action, for almost anything.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

She tilted her head slightly as familiar warm fingers brushed against her ear. She stared out at the landscape they had seen worse, and better. They would chalk it up to one more place.

"You might like her, might." Cobalt blue eyes peered up at him, no one could understand the peace that the mad knight gave her. Nor could they fathom the depth of understanding they shared. They were truly made for one another.

She reached for his hand just for a brief moment to know that heat. Her fingers curled around his, "SHall we go forth ?"

There was more to say but for this moment they had to deal with the calling. She felt it stronger than before.

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Jia Darkhold]

Within the stone wall of her room Jia finished dressing. As she slid home the daggers into their sheaths she moved to her dresser, the only furniture within the room save for the pallet upon the floor, and collected her quiver and arrows. Placing them upon her back she paused, blue eyes looking at the revolving images projecting from the cube upon the dresser top.

First of her 'grandfather' standing within a Jedi courtyard, ancient armor adorning his body. The cold smile upon his face didn't reach the empty eyes. The next image was another scene of footage. Muad Dib training within a stone coliseum, his swordplay against another lightning fast. The bare upper body revealed the man's own scars upon his back and Jia lightly touched her upper shoulder unconsciously where a scar from the whip had sliced deeply. The final image was of Arabella Darkhold sitting upon the sands of a desert. An old tome or scroll rested in her lap. But her eyes looked out into the distance. Every time this image appeared Jia found herself moving to her extreme left where it almost appeared her 'mother' was looking at her.

But the time had come for her to return to Master Quasi and so she left the room silently and moved down the halls until she was once again within the cold throne room. Quasi lightly stroked the 'Book of the King', an ancient collection about the Sith, runes, and prophecies. It was written in Adas' own hand and was one of his most prized possessions.

Old eyes turned to the darkness again, a haughty laugh echoing in the cavernous throne room. "They come. I read that they would. I saw it in the bones. You shall kill them, but first they must make it here."

Even as he spoke , his commands were being followed. A slate of stone was raised in front of the resting ship, inviting and full of danger. To make it to the throne room three halls would have to be traversed. And each contained something waiting for the pair of Interlopers.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"] [member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

His hand tightened in hers. The rare, genuine smile crossed his lips, the hard lines melting away from his face as her took in the freedom of the moment. But then a portion of the mountain opened, it's dark maw beckoning. The lips turned hard, furrowed brow appeared, and glowing eyes grew predatory as Muad shifted back into the Mad Knight.

Rising from his seat he moved from the ship, boots stirring up the dust upon the planet's surface. He had left his beskar'gam upon the ship but had retrieved his beskad that lay upon his back. The wind drove the sand which scored everything under it's relentless assault. Feeling the coarse sand upon his exposed skin brought him back to several places in his past. But that was the past and this the present.

Standing at the edge of the entrance he looked into the darkness. The feeling of despair and evil which radiated from within the mountain was strong enough to melt the spine of the bravest and most steadfast warrior of light. Smirking Muad looked to Arabella.

"Feels like fun."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

The air burned the back of her throat reminding her of the harshness of Tund. All around she sensed something hovering and waiting.

She squeezed Muadie’s hand once more and let it go making sure she had her saber, and a blaster but she had this feeling deep inside that neither were going to go her good.
She could feel Muadie slip back into his protective personality back to the Mad Knight. She knew too well why he needed it, just as much as she needed hers.

For a moment she closed her eyes when she opened them the cobalt blue was gone and obsidian stared ahead scanning. “Feels like” she moved forward her senses touching and being touched, “we will feast on the screams of the past”

She smiled, “let’s see whose home in the mountain.” She began to walk slowly as she adjusted to her surroundings. Something kept nagging at her back something kept jumping around but what was it? Was it what had called?

An ancient evil, couldn’t be Adas he was in the axe but others they could be here.

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

He looked to his right. Arabella was ready. The midnight black eyes were a sight he had seen in several occasions and always when she had opened herself to the force and the power inherent within her. To think that the pink frills and flowery mannerisms were all that the young woman claimed was foolish. She was powerful and deadly in her own right. The grin widened as he walked ahead and entered the chasm before them.

The entrance widened and the floor sloped as they traversed the passage that delved deep into the mountain. With each step the way grew colder, their breath easily seen as the moisture from every exhale crystallized. After several minutes the silence of the cavern was broken by the rumble of rolling stone. Pausing he looked back to see the faint light from their entry extinguished as their line of retreat was removed. Chuckling he spoke through their bond, As if retreat were ever an option for us. He winked playfully before continuing.

Up ahead a red glow illuminated the path and an ancient stone archway. Continuing they reached it finally and Muad walked through it. Pausing he looked around and took in the sight.

The path narrowed to a broken bridge that spanned a cavernous room . Below, far below, there was ancient passages and rising from the floor were giant statues of hooded figures that lined the path. Walking out he tested each step the the broken gap.

"A leap of faith perhaps?"

A laugh and he bounded across, using the force to strengthen his body. At the apex of his jump he felt a warning through the force and he twisted as three arrows pierced through where he had just passed. Landing he rolled to his knee, his imbued beskad pulled from scabbard and in his hand as blue eyes scanned for the origin of the attack.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Jia Darkhold]

She was watching from the shadows cast by one of the figures. Trained to keep her presence unseen in the force she had waited silently for the two to cross the path. Many times she had leaped the gap and many times she had struck down those who followed their curiosity. But this time the man avoided her arrows as none before had.

Quickly she notched and fired the more of the poisoned arrows, this time at the woman, before melting away. The end of the passage would open into another chamber where the Sorcerer Supreme would be waiting between them and the last door leading to the throne room.

She would move to lend assistance to the Sorcerer, but none ever survived his mental attacks to even clash swords with the master. Let alone cross the great seal of Adas and the ancient Sith Magik within to move through the passage to see the Sorcerer King.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella looked back as the way was blocked, "clearly they don't know us very well" She looked around using tapas to keep warm, "don't imagine you're very cold in here Muadie" She purposely blew out to see her breath.

The air was so cool they were going deeper into the mountain, she stared up at the stone hooded figures. "You know I'm beginning to see why people think Sith are only about one thing. Ever notice how when you go into a sanctuary no matter where it is, there's always something looking like them." She got it Sith, Hoods, hiding their faces. Yep, been done.

She looked across, "I thought only assassins had to take leaps of faith."

She watched Muadie leap, waiting to follow. Bella saw the arrows raised her hand ready to deflect them away but the wiry madmen dodged them easily. "I think they are ready play" She winked at him drawing her blade. There was the slightest disturbance to the air Bella turned and dropped to her knees as the arrows passed over her head, she turned quickly looking in what she thought was the direction they came.

Only shadows remained. "We are not alone in here Muadie.." Bella tilted her head but sensed only Muadie...she stood up and then made the leap to the other side.

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

Stretching out in the force he sensed nothing from the catacombs below. As Bella leaped he kept careful watch, a snarl etched on his face. Danger was something they were both accustomed to. Many times they had faced perilous situations, alone and united, and they always made it to the other side. But it still fanned the flames or rage when his lover was targeted.

With Arabella reaching this side of the broken bridge he took her by the waist and kissed her. Hard. Then breaking away he winked and moved forward.

"We are not alone, aye. But they think we are trapped in here with them. They're wrong. They are trapped in here with us."

Smirking he continued forward. As they passed the massive figures of stone he laughed , agreeing with Belly.

"You know what's funny? The Sith build massive monuments to famed Sith Lords, but so do the Jedi build great statues of their Jedi Masters. There are so many similarities between the two sides that the hypocrisy is overwhelming."

Shaking his head he neared the end of the bridge and looked across the courtyard. A smaller bridge connected their side to a circular courtyard with glyphs and runes carved all the way around. At the center was a large insignia etched into the cold, hard stone. A single, robbed being stood at the other end holding a staff that faintly echoed it's presence in the Force. Muad called out loudly, his voice echoing in the cavernous room.

"Let me guess. None shall pass. Or maybe, You shall not pass. Or better yet, Turn back. I've got one for you mate. Kill yourself because if either of us get to you before you die, you're going to wish for a quick ending."

The figure raised his staff and slammed it to the ground once. Cracks of light appeared and spread out to the borders of the courtyard and as they watched the decaying figures of any they held dear formed to approach them.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

That stomping of the staff to the ground answered the question.........YOU SHALL NOT PASS! She laughed for she could see the holo movie in her head she and Muadie had just watched it last week before coming out here. The only thing missing so far was a few Selphi she looked around to make sure there weren't any.

But then the images appeared and took form this was an illusion had to be. Her training as an inquisitor had taught her such things all she needed to do was find the flaw and focus on it. The images would disappear once she figured it out.

She looked at her brother Garith. His hair longer than usual but still that same clean cut look everything looked perfect. Just as she remembered him. She knew him better than any other so there had to be something about this image this form that would scream loudly that it was false.

"OH look Muadie I think we are having a family dinner or a party? did you give him a guest list dearest for it seems he has brought forth everyone we know" Yes all those that were closest to them. Her father stood there crossed armed and brooding. Damn....he looked mad...someone must have woke him up.

[member="Muad Dib"]

 

[Muad Dib]

Looking around at his own incoming cadre of loved ones he couldn't but try to contain a laugh. Several beings flickered until only two men stood before him. One was his brother Derek, the other his blood brother Dresdin. Looking between the two in amusement he shook his head as Derek extended a hand. "Muad come with me and we will be a family." Dresdin, too, stretched forth his hand. "Come on you crazy mad man. We can give you peace."

Now Muad did throw his head back and howl in laughter. Wiping tears of North from his eyes he turned to the mage while spinning his blade in his hand.

"You come at me with a man who had found his own peace in the duality of darkness and light. And another raving about peace while he still wears the totem of the Phobis Devices around your neck. Your illusions are a parlor trick. But don't worry, we'll show you true power."

Splitting from Arabella he curved to the right of the small court closing in on the Sorcerer. His left hand clenched and sparks of electricity ran along his finger tips as he figured the two of them would close in on the Sorcerer from two different directions and attacks. One a former Marauder, the other a former Inquisitor.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[SIZE=14pt]She saw Muad move off and in turn started left looking back at the images, “My family and I have reconciled they no longer look at me with such…disdain. But the images are good…I just they are not real..” They weren’t and she would not give them cause to even feel real for a moment if she did she’d be lost in the web being wove.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]She looked up at the Sorcerer what purpose did this serve, another test? Lord how sick she was of other sith testing. She smiled instead as she saw his face outlined against the darkness, she began to try and break through the barriers of his mind two could play at the game of illusion.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]She tried to feel Muad as he moved to keep tabs on him. She called her light saber but did not yet activate it. She was not ready to cut him down that pleasure she left to Muad who she knew reveled in the fight while she wanted to rip the man from the inside.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=14pt]Your defenses are strong[/SIZE][SIZE=14pt]” she whispered as she edged closer her gaze fixed on him as she used the force to wind it around him to draw his attention to her and forget the Muad was moving in for the kill.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt][member="Muad Dib"][/SIZE]

 

[Muad Dib]

Muad and Arabella slowly circled to close in on the Sorcerer. But he wasn't done. As they passed the great seal of Adas the runes on the floor flared bright yellow. As it did the Sorcerer laughed. Yellow tendrils of light flashed and twisted up the legs of both Bella and Muad. Rapidly climbing their bodies. Looking down the blue eyes narrowed with concern at the rush of power he felt trying to enter his body.

But just as the power was to ensnare them something happened. The runes on their bodies flashed, growing hot, and the tendrils of power were scattered off and denied their purchase upon them. The sorcerer's moth gapped for a moment with incomprehension as the power was denied.

Gathering himself from the shock and disbelief he attacked, the staff rising and falling only to be blocked by the imbued beskad. His mental defenses had faltered at the surprise and now Arabella would sense his fear. Fear of the Sorcerer King.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Muad Dib"]

It felt like stepping onto a million tiny pins sharp pointed pain shot through her until the power slithered down her arms and struck the runes tattooed there. Then the power shattered.

It was a single moment that waver in belief at what he saw with his own eyes. Bella and Muad had received the runes from a long dead sith in an ancient temple on Korriban something they had fallen across and now she could see that there was more to it than just ancient runes for some reason it deflected what the sorcerer had tried to do.

Bella only needed that moment to slip into his mind and slowly begin to pull it apart with her own illusions of what he saw,...the memories he had...she paused there was a name her name....muadie's name...and...one that she didn't recognize.

Now uncertain of what she was pulling forth she tried to diver futher into his mind to find it what was it....a wall began to form as he worked to protect what he could....Bella clenched her teeth..."He's hiding something. or someone......."