Private Fire and Ruin — Scars of Keshi

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The air was thick with the scent of ash and charred earth, a heavy reminder of the destruction that had swept through Keshi. Valery stood on the crest of a small hill, her figure framed by the overcast sky, its gray hues blending with the muted tones of the ruined landscape below. The Bastion rested silently behind them, a sentinel to their arrival, its sleek hull gleaming faintly under the pale light.

Valery's dark hair moved slightly in the breeze, her posture rigid and unmoving as her fiery gaze locked onto the shattered remains of her hometown. The devastation was staggering — homes reduced to skeletal frameworks, streets choked with rubble, and the echoes of lives uprooted lingering like ghosts in the wind. Through their bond, Kahlil could feel her intensity like a storm waiting to break. It wasn't just sorrow or loss — it was anger, raw and unfiltered, tempered only by the iron grip of her self-control.

It was a side of Valery he hadn't felt in a long time.

Her fists clenched at her sides as her chest rose and fell with each measured breath. "It's worse than I thought," Valery murmured, her voice low but carrying a tremor of restrained fury. "They didn't just attack. They left nothing behind. And for what?"

She didn't turn to face him, but her words carried through the stillness, sharp and cutting. "These were my people."

There was a pause, a moment heavy with meaning, before her tone softened ever so slightly, though the anger remained beneath the surface. "I need your help," she said, finally glancing back at him over her shoulder, her fiery eyes meeting his. "Whatever's left of Keshi… whatever's still happening here… I need to make it right." She had heard about the opportunists taking advantage of Keshi's weaker state. It infuriated her, but justice would come to them very soon.

Her gaze flicked back to the ruins, and her voice grew quieter, more resolved. "For them. For us. For her." Her hand dropped briefly to her side, brushing against the hilt of her lightsaber before falling still.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"They had orders to burn everything. A raid for resources, then a crippling to what remains. Logically, it doesn't make sense to do that. If they left it out to rebuild, they could feasibly target them again, or move in to make use of the land themselves." Kahlil spoke calmly as he looked about the ruin. He wasn't sure how he felt being back here, in truth. Keshi was Valery's homeland, without a doubt a place they should seek to protect. But the memories weren't the best. Not of the raid, not of how he fought to keep her and Yvaine safe.

How many other families weren't as fortunate?

"They likely sought to eliminate a rival fighting culture, and to send a message to them. There's nothing to make right, but we'll make sure your people are free again."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery gaze remained locked on the ruins below, her chest rising and falling with steady breaths that failed to tame the storm within. Kahlil's calm words of logic filled the silence, but they did little to soothe the fire burning in her heart. She listened, understanding his analysis, but her mind betrayed her with flashes of grief and anger — the faces of the people she once knew, the streets she once walked, now unrecognizable under the weight of destruction.

Justice, a part of her whispered. But another, darker voice curled within her thoughts like smoke. Revenge.

Her fingers brushed against the hilt of her lightsaber, and for a fleeting moment, she entertained the notion of hunting down those responsible, of making them feel the pain they had wrought upon her people. The thought passed quickly, and she shoved it down into the depths of her mind, knowing it was not the Jedi way. It wasn't who she wanted to be.

But the fury lingered, smoldering beneath the surface.

Finally, Valery turned to face Kahlil, her movements deliberate and slow, as if carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her gaze met his, but this time, there was a sadness in her amber eyes that even the brightest flames couldn't mask. She sighed, her shoulders falling slightly as the tension in her body gave way to the gravity of the situation.

She stepped closer to him, the crunch of ash and broken earth beneath her boots breaking the silence. Reaching out, she took his hand briefly, her grip firm yet trembling with unspoken emotion.

"We start at the Island," she said, her voice softer now but no less resolute. "Some of the warriors might still be out there. If we can save them, if we can rally what's left of them…" Her voice faltered for a moment as her gaze flicked back toward the ruins. "They'll help us protect the rest of my people. We can't do this alone and we should give them the ability back to protect themselves, either way."

Her hands clenched at her sides again, and she glanced toward the distant horizon where the Island lay hidden. "I just feel something awful in the Force. Something that goes beyond the Mandalorian raid." Her fiery gaze hardened again as she turned back to him.

"I'm glad you're here with me," she said softly.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil squeezed Valery's hand firmly, really firmly, as she took his hand. He knew the weight this brought on her shoulders. They were going to make this work, together. They would help the Keshian. "Whatever's here that you feel, we'll handle it. I'm not sure what it could be, though. Mandalorians aren't the type to be manipulated, so I don't think there's anything more than their raid."

He didn't think there could be anything more with it. They had too much bad blood with.. Everyone, now that he thought more on it.

"Let's focus on regrouping with the warriors. If there is something more, we'll see it soon enough."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery felt the tension in her chest loosen, just slightly, as Kahlil squeezed her hand. The grounding warmth of his touch was enough to keep the storm within her at bay, at least for the moment. She let out a slow breath and turned her fiery gaze to meet his, the weight of his steady confidence reassuring her in a way few others ever could.

"I don't think this is about the Mandalorians," she said softly, her voice tinged with the kind of certainty that came from the Force itself. "Most of them likely left after the raid. Maybe what I feel came in the wake of their attack." Her words lingered in the air for a moment, heavy with implication. "But there's only one way to find out."

She allowed herself a brief moment of vulnerability, her free hand reaching up to gently cup his cheek while she smiled at him. Her thumb brushed over his skin in a small, affectionate gesture, and her amber eyes softened with a glimmer of gratitude. The moment passed quickly, the fire in her gaze reigniting as she turned to look downhill toward the lake that shimmered faintly in the distance. The Island, hidden in the mists of the water, called to her like a beacon in the Force. Without hesitation, she released his hand and started walking, her steps sure and purposeful despite the uneven terrain.

"We shouldn't fly," she called back to him, her voice carrying over the soft crunch of ash and debris beneath her boots. "If we're being watched, it'll give away our position too easily."

As they neared the lake's edge, Valery stopped and turned to him, her fiery gaze flicking toward the misty expanse of water. "Do you think you can freeze us a path across?" she asked, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Or maybe you've got some other clever idea to get us to the Island without drawing attention?"

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Something moved in, then? That seemed much more likely. He looked across the water towards the island, humming soft in thought. They needed to get over there without flying? He chuckled as he lifted a hand and let his senses drift. Across the waters, towards the island itself. He raised a hand, humming soft as he let his mind focus on a point.

Then the Force shifted. He pulled open a door, leading right to the other side. A distortion in space itself.

"There, that should work. Shall we?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery arched an eyebrow as the shimmering doorway appeared before her, the distortion rippling faintly in the air. She turned to Kahlil, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Show off," she said with a playful tone, her fiery eyes flicking between him and his handiwork. But the soft affection in her voice betrayed her pride in him. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and passed through the doorway.

On the other side, the scene that unfolded around them was harrowing. Smoke plumes rose into the air. The remnants of what had once been the proud stronghold of the Faedra lay in ruins. Crumbled walls, charred buildings, and scattered debris spoke to the ferocity of the assault that had taken place. Then, there were the bodies — it made Valery tense up more than she had imagined it would.

Yet, amidst the destruction, there were flickers of life.

Valery closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the Force guide her senses. There were presences here — some sharp and hostile, pulsing with aggression and danger. Others were fragile, trembling with fear and pain. Her jaw tightened, her protective instincts immediately surging to the forefront. The Faedra had been fierce warriors, a beacon of resistance on Keshi. Seeing their home reduced to this state only stoked the fire within her.

Her focus was drawn sharply to a voice shouting from the other side of a cluster of toppled buildings. The words were muffled by the crackle of nearby fires but clear enough to recognize the grim command.

"Line them up! On their knees!"

Valery's amber eyes snapped open, blazing with resolve. Her hand instinctively moved to her lightsaber hilt, the familiar weight of the weapon grounding her. "That's the Faedra," she said, her voice low and steady as she glanced at Kahlil. "We can't let this happen."

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Then we act."

Kahlil said nothing further as he raised a hand. What Valery felt, it was enough for him to tap into their Dyad to pull on the Force. Weight. The hostile targets were suddenly and abruptly bringing those hostile signatures signatures right to the ground. Enough that Valery would be able to move in and insure the Faedra would be safe. No hesitation, no restraint.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery nodded firmly, her fiery eyes flicking to Kahlil as he raised his hand. She felt the surge of power through their Dyad, the seamless connection between them amplifying his command of the Force. The hostile presences she’d sensed moments ago were suddenly pulled to the ground, their aggression stifled by the invisible weight pressing them down. It was her cue to act, and she didn’t hesitate.

With practiced precision, Valery ignited her lightsaber, the violet blade casting an eerie glow against the smoke-filled air. She darted forward, her movements fluid and deliberate as she approached the toppled buildings where the Faedra were being lined up. The attackers were pinned, groaning and struggling under Kahlil’s influence, but none were in any position to resist. Valery’s attention, however, was focused on the women.

Her sharp gaze scanned the group, quickly finding Eleya among them. The blonde Keshian’s fierce expression and proud posture were diminished by the dirt and blood streaked across her face. Despite their history — and Eleya’s infuriating habit of flirting with her husband — Valery didn’t hesitate. She deactivated her lightsaber and moved to her side, gripping Eleya’s arm to help her to her feet.

“Eleya,” Valery said, her tone steady but urgent. “I'm glad to see you're still alive.”

Eleya staggered slightly but steadied herself with Valery’s help. Her striking blue eyes flicked between Valery and Kahlil, and for the first time, the tension in her face melted into something softer. Relief. “You have no idea how glad I am to see friendly faces,” Eleya said, her voice hoarse but filled with sincerity. “The Mandalorians left, but Keshi… it’s in utter chaos.”

Valery’s jaw tightened as she glanced over the group of Faedra, taking in their battered forms and the weight of Eleya’s words. “Few of us are left, but we hoped to bring peace. That's when these people showed up and overwhelmed us." Eleya frowned and looked at Valery, then Kahlil, who still held the attackers pinned down.

"Will you help us?"

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Who are they?"

Kahlil had gone about the group, tracing runes on open wounds to at least seal them. They weren't healed, but they wouldn't bleed out for the time being, which should be enough. But as soon as he was done with that he was over the other bodies, his gaze drifting over the intruders to try and figure out who they were. Any identifying marks, even identification in the form of dog tags or holopads or the like. A group that knew to capitalize on the Mandalorian strike was something very dangerous.

Were they stalking after the Mandalorians like scavengers all this time?

"We'll help, of course. But we do need to know who they are."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's gaze softened as she glanced toward Kahlil, watching him carefully trace runes over the open wounds of the Keshian women. Her lips curved into a small, grateful smile. She wasn't the only one to notice. The women, battered and weary as they were, murmured quiet thanks and offered faint, appreciative nods to the man who had eased their suffering.

But Kahlil's attention soon shifted to the attackers, and Valery followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing as he examined their gear. A faint insignia caught her attention — a jagged, circular emblem resembling shattered chains, etched onto their armor and equipment. It was crude but distinctive, a clear mark of identity for the group.

Kahlil's question hung in the air, and before Valery could respond, Eleya stepped forward, her expression grim. "I don't know exactly who they are," she admitted, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. "From what I've gathered, they're a newer group — maybe a splinter cell from some larger organization. They don't operate like most others."

Valery arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "How so?"

Eleya crossed her arms, glancing briefly at Kahlil before locking eyes with Valery. "They don't have bases or hideouts on planets. At least, not that I've been able to find. Instead, they move in small fleets — always mobile, always on the move. It makes them hard to track and even harder to pin down."

She paused, her gaze shifting to the horizon as if the thought alone weighed heavily on her. "Right now, they've taken control of several Keshian towns. I've also learned that a portion of their fleet is hidden behind the Keshian moon. It's not large, but it's enough to maintain control and keep the planet in chaos until they move on to their next target."

Valery's jaw tightened as she absorbed Eleya's explanation. Her fiery eyes flicked to Kahlil, her expression steady but brimming with determination.

They could do something about this, right?

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

A pirate fleet, perhaps?

Kahlil glanced to Valery before he shook his head. They were strong together, perhaps the strongest, but if this group was used to traveling around, they weren't going to be enough. What was left of the people here weren't going to be enough. "Do you have locations of survivors? We're going to round them up, get them off world." That's what was needed right now. They needed to get everyone safe, on world or not.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery gaze lingered on Kahlil as he spoke, his steady resolve and focus a huge strength to her. She could see the sense in his plan — the survivors needed safety above all else. But the thought of leaving these attackers unchecked gnawed at her.

Eleya, standing nearby, caught the subtle shift in Valery's expression and turned toward one of her warriors. "Bring him a datapad," she instructed, her voice firm despite her weariness. "Mark the settlements where we know survivors are holding out. Focus on the more vulnerable groups."

The warrior nodded briskly and hurried off, leaving Eleya to turn back to Valery and Kahlil. Her arms crossed, and a faint frown pulled at her lips. "Moving them off-world... I don’t know. We're a proud people," she said, her voice thoughtful. "Why not bring them to the Island? It’s secure now, and we could consolidate our forces here. It would give us a stronger position to hold Keshi."

Valery’s brows furrowed slightly as she considered Eleya’s suggestion. The Island was a defensible position, but it wouldn’t address the larger threat. She turned to Kahlil, her fiery eyes locking onto his. "We can help the survivors," she began, her tone steady but there was more on her mind. "But what about the fleet?"

Her gaze shifted briefly to Eleya before settling back on Kahlil. "What if we did more than evacuate survivors? What if we went after the fleet? Infiltrate their lead vessel, disrupt their operations, and dismantle them from within."

Valery’s lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced at the datapad now being handed to Kahlil. Typical of a Noble to suggest a bold strike, but she clearly cared a lot.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"We're two people, not an army love. And before you suggest it, Eleya, your people have been beaten by more than one group now. This is just an outpost. We can take care of a ship perhaps, but the others? No. And when they call reinforcements? No. We're going to get your people off world and safe. Regroup, then figure out a plan to handle not just this portion of the group, but the whole organization."

There were still innocents here. Far too many to pull the main group. And they would, without a doubt. Kahlil looked right to Valery. He knew what this meant to her, but to strike out now wasn't going to help anyone. It was a call for revenge. Vengeance. "We regroup off world, find allies, and take all this down."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery’s fiery gaze dimmed slightly as Kahlil spoke, his steady reasoning cutting through the emotional storm raging within her. She knew he was right in many ways — they were only two people against a mobile, dangerous fleet. But it didn’t stop the frustration from bubbling up inside her. Keshi was suffering, and every moment they delayed felt like a betrayal of the planet and its people.

Eleya let out a reluctant sigh, her expression hardening as she crossed her arms. “If we leave, where will we go?” she asked, her tone sharp with tension. “Keshi is our home. We don’t have colonies or allies waiting to take us in.”

Valery glanced between Eleya and Kahlil, the tension in her jaw visible as she bit back a response. She took a step back, and cast her gaze to the horizon. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and the flicker in her fiery eyes betrayed the thoughts racing through her mind.

She was getting stubborn, and Kahlil would notice the familiar set of her shoulders, the tilt of her head that always preceded a push.

Finally, Valery spoke, her voice quieter but no less resolute. “Why can’t we handle it?” she asked, turning her fiery gaze to Kahlil. “It’s only a few ships, and we’re not alone in this. The Epicanthix, the Hapans — we could ask them for help."

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Where do you think we're going to go with the survivors? I'm not saying we leave for an extended time. We get everyone off world, regroup and get assistance, then come back and ensure when we take Keshi back we can defend the counter attack. They'll punish this world if we strike against the fleet now, and us two aren't enough as is to defend it."

Kahlil looked over the list now, his expression calm for the time being. They needed to be careful, or it was going to be the people who already suffered paying for it. "Let's start rounding people up. Once we've gotten everyone together, I suppose we'll need a big enough ship to get everyone off world." He smirked after a moment, glancing to Valery.

"So we'll borrow one of theirs, yeah?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's lips quirked into a small, reluctant smile as Kahlil clarified his plan. He wasn't suggesting abandoning Keshi; he was ensuring they could protect it properly. She let out a soft sigh, her fiery gaze meeting his with a flicker of understanding.

Eleya's sharp nod broke the moment. "I'll gather my warriors and start retaking some of the smaller settlements," she said, her voice resolute. "We'll evacuate the people and regroup with you two." With a glance at both of them, Eleya turned on her heel and strode away, already barking orders to the nearest group of Keshian fighters.

Once Eleya was gone, Valery turned back to Kahlil, stepping closer until she could slip her arms around him in a quiet, lingering hug. She didn't speak right away, letting the moment settle between them. Finally, she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her expression softening into something far more tender than her earlier stubbornness.

"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of her gratitude. Her smile widened slightly, a warmth returning to her fiery gaze. With that, she stepped back fully and straightened, her focus sharpening once more. "We could start with one of the larger towns," she suggested, glancing toward the datapad he held. "They're more likely to have civilians in hiding, and they're more likely to be too dangerous for what remains of the Faedra."

But not for them.

Her lips twitched into a teasing smirk as she continued, "The only question is, how do you want to approach? The Bastion, on foot… or are we using the flying beasts again?"

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"As fun as it would be, I think it'd be important to have the Bastion. More room for passengers." Kahlil chuckled and shook his head. He had a feeling she might want to go flying again, but there wasn't enough room to actually ferry people about. They'd need to find extra transport as it was, and that brought it's own danger of being found out and having the fleet come down on them. He frowned faintly, mulling over the best choice.

".. We have to be quick now. With the pirates here already taken out they'll probably start moving, start trying to find us and maybe punishing civilians. So, let's be quick." He raised a hand, pulling on the air before him. He already had a mark on the Bastion, and in a flash another of the 'doors' seemed to open towards it.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery pouted slightly, the playful glint in her fiery eyes dimming just a bit as Kahlil mentioned using the Bastion instead of the flying beasts. "Fine," she relented, crossing her arms and tilting her head with a mock huff. "It's the better choice. Just... not as fun." The faintest smirk tugged at her lips, betraying her tease.

When Kahlil opened the runic portal, Valery sighed softly, bracing herself for the odd sensation. The Dyad's unique teleportation felt natural, seamless, but the runes always threw her off. She stepped through alongside him, her fiery eyes blinking rapidly as the world shifted around them.

"Ugh," she groaned softly, pressing a hand to her forehead once they appeared aboard the Bastion. "Still not used to that. How do you make it look so easy?"

Valery shook off the lingering dizziness and glanced toward Kahlil with a smirk. "Alright, I'll get behind the guns. There's a town nearby — if we're lucky, we can provide some support from above before we move in."

Or she'd be able to offer protection if the pirates had small craft.

Her tone shifted slightly, taking on the focused edge of a seasoned warrior. "I'll keep an eye out for any signs of trouble, and you can get us there fast. Let's show them that the people of Keshi aren't alone."

With that, Valery moved quickly to the Bastion's turret, her fiery gaze scanning the horizon as the vessel began its course toward the embattled town. The weight of the fight ahead settled in her chest, but the flicker of her determined smirk hinted at her readiness.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"For me it is easy."

Kahlil only offered a smirk as he followed Valery through the door and made his way to the controls to get the Bastion in air while Valery went right for the turrets. Leave it to her to look for something to shoot. He snickered at the thought, btu she was right that they needed to lay down suppressing fire to at least clear some problems around the town.

The Bastion took right off then, soaring through the air under his control as he guided them towards the destination. "We'll be there in a moment. You ready to hit them?"

Valery Noble