fragments of the lost

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Learning to accept her new reality
Unknown: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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These days, it felt like she was standing still while the world passed her by.

She was lost and adrift in the vast ocean of emotions that she could barely name. There were fleeting moments of clarity where she broke through its surface and thought to herself – perhaps this time – only to find herself dragged back into the depths of self-loathing and desolation. Marriskcal was drowning, and she did not know how to save herself.

She only knew she wanted to go home and how much she missed the only life she had known. But she also knew that the path was barred to her now, and the people she once thought of as her family will hunt her without mercy. Just like she would were she in their place.

Her eyes continued to burn, but tears refused to fall. For her pride did not allow for such an indulgence.

In her need to escape from a place her heart refused to acknowledge as her new life just yet, the young woman seized every opportunity to wander, often vanishing from Byss without word for a few days before returning to her brother’s side.

The blonde continued her journey, her gaze focused intently on every single step that she took. Before, Marriskcal would have once paused to peer in wonderment at the breathtaking panorama of verdant trees and silver mists that laid over the edge of the precipice, but alone and trapped in the dark mire of her thoughts, her usual curiousity and zest for adventure were subdued.

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard, Praetorian Overlord​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour - Bilari Electro-Chainwhip​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: On the Hunt​

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He waited.

For three long days, he sat beneath the shade of pine trees, invisible to the world as he waited for the correct moment in time. Even though He t͏̴r͜͞͏̴i͏̵͢e̸͞͠d͏̴ ̧̨͜ţ͠҉ò̢̀ ̧͘͟҉k̶i͟҉͝l̨l̵̵͜͠ ̷̡͟͢͡m̧͏̕è̵͘͢ had punished him, he still wished to make amends with his master in the form of the Lati girl. His former colleague had A҉̴̢͝B̸͘͡Ą̵͘͠N̷̡̛͟D҉̨͞Ǫ́̕͜Ń̷Ę̸D̸̡̢͟͝ ̷̨͏҉͟Ḿ̸Ę̶̛͞ gone missing from First Order space, and it was his duty to return her to Him.

The Guardsman's proficiency in the Force had permitted him a single vision, of both the world he currently occupied and of his target herself, however, it did not give him the time that this event would have occurred.

But he could feel it coming, like a storm on the horizon; all of the shatterpoints led to this exact spot, a small opening in the sea of beautiful trees. She would f͡r̵͞e͝e҉̨ ͏m̷̡e̷͏ join him, which he fully expected her to do, or perish at his hands if she refused. He was certain she would see reason, she was b́̕ŗ̀́͢á͝i͢͜͞͏͜ǹ̵̨̛ẁ͠a҉̷̢s̢̛͢h͞͡ȩ̴́͘d̀̕͜ loyal like him after all.

She would be h̕͢͡͞i͞͏̸́s҉͠ His once more.

[member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Reckless & confrontational
Unknown: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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Careless though she may be, Marriskcal was still a favoured child of the Force. Slowly but surely, the gentle hum of dread crept up her spine, even as the everpresent flow of energy began to whisper of danger and the need for caution to her senses.

After a moment's pause, the young woman continued her wandering, her boots crunching noisily against rough gravel and fallen branches, her strides grew long and measured as she followed the sharp warning notes sung by the Force to its source. It was reckless of her, especially since she was alone and far away from her brother's side. But it was never in her nature to avoid a confrontation, even if it was to her detriment.

A frisson of anticipation caused a tremble to course through her body as she stepped within the boundary of the clearing. As she stepped out of the shadow of the nearby pine, her eyes swept across the sunlit glade. Though her senses was unable to perceive a presence, the discordant song that continued its leitmotif of dangercautionleaveNOW told her she was not alone.

"Are you here at his behest to take me back?" Marriskcal inclined her head in feigned nonchalance as she spoke to air. "Or are you here to serve as my reaper?"

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard, Praetorian Overlord​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour - Bilari Electro-Chainwhip​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: Engaging​

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He heard her voice and, for a split second, a glimmer of hope shined through like sunlight reflecting off of her golden hair; however, the darkness was too overwhelming even for a man of his power, the blood red mark on his left forearm throbbing with the power of the Dark Side, the power of Him. His thoughts lingered on the memory of the sickly green potion he was made to imbibe on the Wrath several days ago, the event still evoking a feeling of bubbling rage inside of him.

The Eighth Guard stood, dropping his illusion and revealing himself to the girl, his crimson armour contrasting against the lush foliage behind him. He stood there in silence for a moment, the fabric of his robe swaying lightly as they stared at each other. His left hand curled into a fist, the man about to take a step forward but seemingly hesitating, until his signature weapon appeared in his grasp. A single tear rolled down his masked face, his expression of anguish suddenly becoming lax and neutral. I̷̛'̧҉̨͏̸m ̶̷̡̧̧s̶̶̢͟o͜͏̶̡rr̵̛͡y̛͟͜.͞͝

A voice foreign to both of them spoke out.

"Both."

He charged at her.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Suspicious
Hostile: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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Marriskcal found herself frozen as the shroud fell, only to reveal a familiar form. Clad in the crimson regalia of the Praetorian Guard, the Overlord stood before her, his presence oppressive and imposing.

It felt like winter has reached out a hand and caught her in its indomitable grasp. The cold that permeated her entire being was soul deep and the pain that further shredded her already fragile heart was akin to being cut by shards of ice crystals. Despite her earlier audacity, the blonde found herself quailing as she took an unsteady step away from her counterpart.

I should have known, Marriskcal thought bitterly, a spark of fire and brimstone lighting up within her. Though a part of her still adored the great being that she has been raised to revere, she had never hidden from the faults and foibles of her once Lord and Master. He was contemptuous of betrayal, and once crossed, his capacity for malice was boundless.

To him, this would be poetic justice.

And has the Eighth Guard chosen to maintain his silence, the blonde would have surrendered herself to his judgment without a fight. But he spoke and the warm voice and mellifluous lilt which she so loved was absent, replaced by an unfamiliar monotone.

Her blue eyes widened as he lunged towards her, the embers of her anger slowly beginning to flare as her suspicions were roused. Marriskcal drew her own arbir blade as she moved toward to meet him. “You are not him,” her words were spoken in a low hiss. “What did he do to you?”

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard, Praetorian Overlord​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour - Bilari Electro-Chainwhip​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: Engaging​

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The Eighth Guard remained silent for a small moment, the man looming dangerously over the lithe form of his mark. This once-kind man was now replaced with what appeared to be a mindless automaton, the chivalrous behaviour that made him him ripped away, leaving only one of the deadliest warriors in the Galaxy. "He was weak. He was replaced," The crimson-clad entity responded, "and soon, so shall you." A clank sounded as the chainwhip in his hand decompressed, allowing it access to its deadliest, serpent-like form.

Snap-hiss

An equally-crimson blade sprouted from the hilt in his offhand while he began to swing the other, the hum of electricity radiating through the air. "No idea why he was sent after some silly little girl who ran off to cry in the forest because she abandoned her beau." The being growled, stepping forward again, cautiously this time. "Perhaps the Master wanted you to suffer, instead of just lopping off his head. We don't wish to disappoint, though."

And with that, he spun on the spot, his lightsaber catching against the ground and leaving a circle of scorched earth as he brought the chain around in an attempt to hit the girl. To make matters worse, he brought the sabre up and attempted to relieve her of one of her extremities at the same time.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Furious
Hostile: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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Weak.

Replaced.

Like they were nothing more than dolls…

The abyss of her despair continued to bury itself deeper within her being, dark and relenting, consuming what little hope and tentative light she had managed to capture in the past few days. But beyond her sorrow, buried beneath her despondency and anguish, the embers that the impostor has began to stoke started to burn once more, melting away the sharp edges of ice and cold.

Marriskcal stayed quiet even as the other continued to speak as they parted, her form deceptively languid as his cruel words roused and incited the flames of her heart to burn even brighter and fiercer.

“Your observation is astute, imposter,” she graced him with a response. “Your Master knows my mind and heart well. He sought to use someone precious to me because he knew it would hurt me deeply. He knew that my silly affections for Eight would mean that I would hesitate to raise my blade against him.” Marriskcal gave the Overlord a pleasant smile as the electro-plasma whip curled towards her.

“But you are not him.”

She burst into motion, the first twin of her arbir blade moving to intercept the incoming chain, allowing it to curl around its edge. Pointing it skywards to hinder the Overlord from retracting it, Marriskcal parried his lightsaber with the second twin. As always when it came to a clash with an opponent who was more experienced and held every vantage over her, the Hunter could only take risks and hope for the best.

With her first blade pulling the chain taut and keeping the impostor close, the blonde lashed out with an enhanced kick, the flat of her boot landing at the center of his armoured form even as she lowered her blade to release the electro-chainwhip.

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard, Praetorian Overlord​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour - Bilari Electro-Chainwhip​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: Engaging​

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Despite her speed and accuracy, something that would've made the man quite proud if he wasn't indisposed at the moment, the Overlord was simply faster than his counterpart. With precision that could make a Corellian smuggler blush, he threw the useless hilt of his chainwhip into the air, his hand racing to wrap around the girl's ankle; however, he was off with the timing, the energy from the kick transferring to his chest plate and causing him to stutter for just a second before his reflexes kicked in.

His hand was still gripping her leg and, with that, he pulled hard, sending her over his head and towards the ground behind him. It was just as well too, as the hilt of his chainwhip flew into view and he released her to grab it. With both of his weapons in hand, he retracted the whip into a blade and lunged downward, aiming to either kill her or pin her to the ground with the sabre and the chainwhip.

The Eighth Guard knew it was futile, though, and proceeded to leap backwards while sending a volley of Force lightning at her to cover his withdrawal. She knew how to counter his basic fighting form, therefore he would improvise and try to keep distance between the two. He had several surprises in store, some of the darker powers in his arsenal that he had prepared in case he ever had to fight against a Jedi or a rogue Knight of Ren.

How it came to this, the man trapped inside his own body would never know.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Tenacious
Hostile: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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A tendril of dread weaved itself into her presence when a hand closed around her ankle. She had not expected that the Overlord would relinquish his chainwhip in favour of capturing her. Marriskcal braced herself for the retaliation that was sure to follow, for she knew well enough that any mistakes made in a clash with the male would be severely punished.

But instead of the strike she had expected, the young woman found herself soaring above her counterpart. With an instinctive arch and twist of her lithe form, Marriskcal landed on the ground in a crouch, her body coiled to lash out.

The gleam of her gaze was wary and resolute as the Eighth Guard returned his chainwhip into its bladed form and he made another attempt at an offensive. Just as she was preparing herself to intercept him, the other abandoned his initial intention. And Marriskcal would have seized the opportunity to press her own assault had she not caught the telltale trace of ozone and static gathering in the air. She snapped her blades together as the crackle of lightning rushed towards her, her hand drawing three of her knives and casting them towards the surge of energy even as she moved out of its path.

With the auspices of the Force coursing throughout her form, Marriskcal tore across the clearing swiftly as she moved to angle herself to engage with the sabre in his offhand. The moment the Overlord locked blades with her, she intended to overwhelm his vision with a vivid spark of light, using it as a guise to obscure her true intentions of influencing the close bond they once shared to affect his equilibrium before she aimed for his neck with her waiting lightsaber.

While she was not sure if her efforts would even affect her counterpart, the blonde knew it was a gamble she would have to chance.

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard, Praetorian Overlord​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour - Bilari Electro-Chainwhip​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: Engaging​

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Perhaps they had underestimated her after all, she was quite competent in her battle strategy and had kept him on his toes for the entirety of the duel. But perhaps it was time to cease toying with their prey and finish the mission, the Overlord raising his hand and disintegrating the knives. What he did not expect, however, was his target racing to close the distance even after little manoeuvre with the lightning, his lightsaber and chainwhip raising to lock with her own weapons.

A sudden flash of light blinded the praetorian, with the resulting wave of nausea causing him to hunch over slightly right as his opponent's lightsaber impacted against his crimson armour, glancing off of the helmet but blasting a chunk off of it in the process.

Those within smiled to themselves, realizing fully that this would finish their jobs for them. The mist clouding the Eighth Guard's eyes disappeared slightly, the neutral expression on his face replaced with unadulterated hatred as the man quickly analyzed what had happened, the fact that that strike was aimed for his neck, where his armour was weak.

She knew he was being influenced.

She tried to kill him.

SHE KNEW.

His once-brown eyes changed to a corrupted shade of yellow, the grass around both of them wilting away in the presence of such dark energy. He let go of his weapons, both of them beginning to orbit around him instead of falling to the ground, his arms jutting upwards as a sickening crunch could be heard behind him, two trees being ripped from the ground effortlessly and thrown at her.

Not bothering to wait to see the damage inflicted, he clasped his hands together and pulled them apart, shards of some sort of transparent energy being created and hurled at the girl. But that was not the end, for as the final barrage was sent off in her direction, he extended an invisible hand in an attempt to wrap it around her neck.

Remembering her statement from earlier, he opened his mouth to utter only a single phrase, this time in the all-too-familiar voice of the Eighth Guard.

"Then you will die."

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Shattered
Hostile: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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Resolute and unrelenting.

These were the tenets of her life.

Nature and nurture has saw to it that Marriskcal would never yield nor waver, no matter how futile a battle was. She was raised to be the first to enter a battle, and the last to leave it. She was raised to be an indomitable blade that cleared a path for her Lord and Master, and to be an unfaltering shield that protected him from every strike.

Even if she had wanted to, Marriskcal no longer knew how to retreat.

There was no feeling of joy even as she could feel the familiar curl of her presence entwining with his, nor was there any sense of triumph as she twisted and influenced the bond they once shared, only grim acceptance. Even as the Force sang its lament through her very being, the blonde slashed down with her blue sabre, knowing no matter the outcome, she has lost.

But even with her bold exclamation, her heart was weak. And with the slightest shift of his form, Marriskcal’s aim did not strike true, only breaking off a part of its faceplate as it slid off the crimson laminate. A bitter smile curved at the edges of her lips even as she leapt out of his immediate reach. This was the path she had chosen, and she held no regrets that she has failed.

The sudden expanse of dark presence that tainted the air was overwhelming, and if Marrisckal did not possess a defiant spirit and prideful soul, she would have succumbed to it and fell to her knees. As a creature that was more light than dark, she could feel her body trembling at the malevolence that veiled the Overlord.

Affected as she was, the young woman found herself unable to focus on her surroundings. Even as she moved out of the way of the first tree that was thrown towards her, the second tree glanced past her shoulder, the pain that emanated from the wound forcing her to release the arbir blades. The pause in her movements meant that she was vulnerable when the burst of energy impacted with her person and the blonde found her form wracked with pain even as it sent her sprawling to the hard ground.

Even then, she refused to give her counterpart the satisfaction of seeing her in agony.

She clenched her teeth to stop the whimper she could feel at the back of her throat from escaping as she felt an invisible leash close around her neck. Willful to the very end, Marriskcal glared venomously at the sulfuric eyes that was staring down at her own, even as she could feel his hold slowly closing and constricting around her throat. She did not fear death, for she had long accepted that she would die in battle. It did not matter if her life was to be extinguished today, tomorrow, or even decades later. She would face it with defiance in her eyes.

Once again, the Eighth Guard spoke, his familiar lilt cold and harsh and wrathful.

And her heart shattered.

Whether it was from relief, or anger, or even sadness; her tears began to fall, trailing down her fair features. While there was no way for her to tell if this was all part of her former Master’s design, it was enough for her to know that a shard of his consciousness still existed.

She closed her eyes for a moment to blink away the tears that has clouded her vision.

“Goodbye,” she whispered.

Forget me.

All the fire in her spirit were doused and her arms fell limp against her sides.

“Live well.”

I love you.

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard, Praetorian Overlord​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour - Bilari Electro-Chainwhip​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: Shattered​

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The Eighth Guard released his grip on the girl, those within cackling madly at the sight before them. The Master would've been pleased with their, albeit messy, handiwork in dealing with the traitors. Now all that was left was to dispose of the male praetorian, a simple task now that the only threat to their control had been dispatched. They willed him to step forward, still taking in the dark energy that was radiating off of him; however, the Overlord remained still, seemingly oblivious to the commands of his captors.

They tried again, and again, and only when he removed the gauntlet covering the mark on his skin did they comprehend what they had done. In one quick motion, the Eighth Guard grabbed a knife from his belt and sheared the crimson patch from his forearm, those within letting out a shrill screech of protest as their power dwindled until finally, they were defeated.

Frederic Salan took one look at the limp body of Marriskcal Lati and let out a bloodcurdling yell, looking down at his trembling hands before calming down enough to act.

He had to move fast before the toxins set in, the man using his remaining energy to convince the newly-created scar to heal, falling to his knees in the process.

He was not done, not yet.

He began to crawl towards the unconscious form of his lover, fighting against the urge to give up his mortal coil. He gritted his teeth when he almost fell forward, his helmet sliding off in the process, each and every movement generating a new type of pain that intensified throughout his body, but he trudged on until he was next to her, lifting up her torso and cradling her in his arms as he realized what was about to happen.

Tears streamed down his cheeks, dropping down and being absorbed by her clothing. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but all that came out was a weak whine, the man hugging her closer to his body.

"Please...f-forgive me, Marr." He wept openly, "I can't live without you. I-I-I...


...love you."

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati, Lost & Broken
Equipment: Vibro-Arbir Blade, Lightsaber (Blue), Throwing Knives
Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core
Status: Grateful
Interacting with: [member="Eighth Guard"]

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She drifted through oblivion, carried by the gentle swirls of the Force.

Here, there was neither pain nor sorrow, only peace and calm.

Was this what ‘death’ felt like? If it was so, why were some people so afraid of dying? Every story had a beginning and an ending. And some were just shorter than others. She knew that it did not make one’s tale any less satisfying, nor any less momentous than another’s. Even then, it was still a bittersweet thought for her to realise that she had reached the last chapter of her life.

But she supposed that there was nothing she could do about it, as she was journeying towards the beyond.

Even as she allowed the Force to guide her through the expanse of here, she could still feel the echoes of her life from before thrumming through her. Though she could see nothing but the dark of the void and the incandescent streams of energy, she could feel her form being moved and pulled into an embrace.

Her memories were so far away, and the further she flowed along the river of life, the hazier they became. Even then, she wanted to reach out and let the man know that she was fine, and that he would be fine as well. But… that was not true, was it?

Even though her memories continued to fade, she knew he was someone precious to her once. She may not be able to remember his face, but the mere thought of him caused her heart to blossom with exquisite pain. And perhaps... she was just as dear to him once, for she has never heard such raw anguish in his voice before, nor has she ever known him capable of weeping. It was strange how she knew this even when she has forgotten both of their names, but her heart knew it to be true.

Though she wanted to embrace the serenity of here, she desired to stay by his side.

She started to struggle against the flow.

And perhaps, that was all Marriskcal had needed to do – to refuse the story that fate had weaved for her.

Her clear eyes fluttered open to the visage of her lover leaning over her, her heart aching when she saw him weeping. The blonde lifted a hand and laid it against his jaw, her thumb moving weakly to wipe away the tears that trailed down his features. “I’m–” her hoarse voice broke after one word. Marriskcal took a shuddering breath before she tried again. “I’m here.”

And I’m not going anywhere without you.

Her own tears started to flow afresh.

“I love you. I love you so very much.”

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[Eighth Guard]

The Eighth Guard​

Equipment: Praetorian Armour​

Location: Tryast, Empress Teta System, Deep Core​

Status: Free​

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His heart fluttered when he felt her hand touch his jaw, doubly so when he heard her speak. The Eighth Guard hugged her tightly, afraid that he would lose her if he let go, the tears intensifying but this time a mix of both joy and sorrow. "I love you, I love you!" He exclaimed in return, the words soothing all of the pain that he had felt previously. The foreign man was so ecstatic that he didn't feel his remaining energy leave his body, his legs finally giving out and causing him to tumble onto his side with her in tow.

But he didn't care, all that mattered was that she was firmly in his grasp, alive and well and that he was the same. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for what happened." He murmured quietly, his eyes still watering, "I'm very glad that you're alive, my bunny."

And as he laid there with her in his embrace, something finally dawned upon him now that the worst of his emotions had been let loose.

After all this time, he was free. Free from Sieger Ren, free from the Praetorian Guard, free from the First Order.

Free to love his Marriskcal.

And he was never happier.