Realms of Darkness, Visions of Light - Chapter 1

[Mythos]

It was the third day and Mythos still had to be attended and helped by Medical Staff, his body was covered in bruises and none of them were any less severe than the last. His entire upper body was covered with them and internal injuries were abound. "Groom.... Groom... " His voice was slowly breaking as he spoke his call. The Faithful Tuk'ata came to him and sat by his side laying his head on Mythos' hand. He sent a message through the force to Groom, he would understand him, he would know... he had to. <<Find her and bring her to me Groom...>>

Without hesitation the Tuk'ata went off to find Aerena dashing through the sands with all the speed and might of his Limbs and body untill he saw her standing over a dune. Barking various times and running around her legs he bit her pants and pulled her over to Mythos' tent in an effort to get her to follow him. Groom was the smartest Tuk'ata in Korriban right now, and he was using that intelligence to find Serena and bring her to Mythos' tent as he commanded. The Medical staff was rushing around Mythos at the time Serena would come, and most of them felt an unnerving sense of dread around the Axe who pulsated Dark Force Energy as a beating Heart.

[member="Serena Bouie"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

[SIZE=12pt]She had reopened the tomb, she was watched each day as she entered brushing away the cobwebs of age. She could not read what was within, she went by instinct and her knowledge of tombs.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Tombs of Sith Lords contained booby traps for certain, she had found one trigged when she stepped down on a tile of a red sun on the floor, shooting from the wall came pointed wooden arrows, if not for her quick reflex and danger sense she’d have been skewered.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]As she made her way up the steps she saw Groom standing there looking down at her, she tilted her head and knew he would not be here unless two things, she was a threat or Animus had sent him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]So as she slowly walked up she waited to see if he would bear his teeth to her, he did not. A relief washed over her, and then excitement churned, so Animus was awake! OH.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]“Well let’s go” She and Groom traversed the distance from the sand dune to the tent in moments. Poking her head in she looked, “Animus?” She whispered, Groom brushed passed her to sit before his master.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“You awake?” She entered slow, still wanting to be sure that she did not trigger a response in Groom.[/SIZE]

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Mythos drank sips of water from the hands of the doctors before she came in, The doctors tried to stop her but groom was sure to be a great discouragement to that action. He nodded her to approach and whispered to her. The Pain was too much right now for him to speak in a normal tone, he would need a couple of weeks rest before he was ready to begin his training anew, but Mythos did not care, and as soon as his body allowed him, he was back in the fray and stronger because of it. "I am fine, just a scratch, you seem lovelier each morning" His eyes met hers still flexing through pain but to his knowledge they did not show.

He smiled through the pain, for her, she would not see him in weakness, ever, not as long as he could. He gut up from the bed as the men from the Doctors stands popped their eyes open in disbelief and shot up a protest. "Bring the Axe, whatever is down there might need a Key.Groom must have looked terrifying for a second. . He stood up on his hind legs and helped Mythos out of the tent before plopping down with a thud on all fours. He looked at the Digstie and smiled knowing the adventure and findings... were not yet over. Upon touched the axe, Serena would know of what the powers on the Blade were happening.


Korriban is wonderful... In so many ways, for a Sith, but no Jedi stays a Jedi in Korriban for long. Thousands of years of Sith Doctrine made this place a Dark Side Nexus and the Cortan blade even bigger Nexus and now the Axe, a condensed Nexus... and the Spirit of Adas himself.
[member="Serena Bouie"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

[SIZE=12pt]Something told her that he was covering, she looked at the doctors and to Groom, “Leave us alone” She knew Groom would still be there. Even as he stood up she could see within his aura how the flickers of light sparkled around him, sharp brilliance that could only mean one thing – pain.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Even as he stood there, the doctors tsking at him, ready to grab him Serena shook her head and held up a hand holding them to their place finally unable to convince him to stay they headed out of the tent. Animus ducked out the other side, the soft harsh breeze filtered in alerting her to what he had done.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She looked over towards the opening of the tent she saw him just beyond the slit he looked towards the dig site as she looked towards the Axe. She knew it contained great darkness, perhaps now was the time to talk to him about her past, “Animus, can we speak first” She did not go near the axe, yet. The tendrils of the darkness radiated from it, this was not like the Cortana Blade or like Animus himself this was a darkness that corrupted easily and without mercy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Animus” She moved to his side looking at his face, studying his aura. She would detain him give him time to breathe regroup. “ There was a creature about 8 years ago named Akala. She was in great pain, and the galaxy suffered because of her pain.”[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]She bit her lip for a moment, she did not talk often about this to anyone. She held her head up, “The force at the time would drop, be nonexistent, and there was a time at the end. There was no force and without it I was unable to keep her thoughts from me, and I could not resist anyone around me, and there were thousands upon thousands of minds, thoughts, emotions pressing upon me. The pain was excruciating.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She remembered that day to that moment, “it over whelmed my mind, and I fell that day. Lost all of my memory and then I wandered the galaxy, unsure of who or what I was” She put her hand to him, “the Axe it is rampant with darkness, I don’t want my memory to be gone again, and I’m hesitant to touch it in case that should happen. You have wielded it, do you think it is capable of taking my memory?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Korriban with its dark energy had so weakened her resistance, just as the battle with Adas has weakened her one more thing and who knew what would happen to her. All the emotions that she held back in check might spill upon the sands and take on a life of their own.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She sighed slightly, she telepathically said to him Your aura around you tells me you are in pain, please I know you are a strong warrior but please go slowly, I hate knowing you’re in pain I feel useless to helping you. Her blue eyes normally so clear were cloudy with pain and concern, a gentle pleading with him. An emotional plea for one who she cared about.[/SIZE]

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Mythos shook his head, he would never admit his weakness or his pain in any circumstance. "I'm fine really, it's just a few scratches, I can take on All of Korriban Trust me" His voice as reassuring shrugging when he finished, He smiled at her and kissed her while holding out his hand in the direction of the Axe. Using all the force he could muster he willed the Axe to his hand using the force and when it came to his hand it shot like a missile tearing through the Tent like a Lightsaber and crashing into his hand. He Used his Pain to make his Force Abilities... Much stronger.​

When the Axe hit his hand he knew exactly what she was talking about, Mythos was not good at reading the force powers and energies of objects which is partially the reason why he had no idea of the Abilities of the Cortan blade apart from being a great Interceptor before the recent happenings. He looked at the Axe as it Pulsed Dark Energy through his body and fed images to his mind that started piercing through the veil of his Mind.... The Ancient wars of Korriban flashed through his mind quickly and suddenly. "I see you are right... This axe is a powerful nexus of the Dark side... I don't know much about your abilities... but i think it is safe to say you will do good to stay away from this thing"

Having the Words split from his mouth with a sense of worry and uncertainty, he pointed the Axe towards a massive Stone Monolith and began to see it rise slowly fueled by his power duplicating his strength in the force with the Axe and the pain from his broken body acting as an Anchor to direct his Telekinetic energy from the Dark side of the Force. The Stone fell slowly and powerfully as he turned to face her shouldering the Axe as if it was a Rifle Carbine. "What do you say we go and check out that Tomb again?" His eyes flashed red for a second as the Axe Fed him strength and power, his steps became assured and his pain became a Cornerstone of his Will, Even Groom seemed pleased letting out a powerful roar of confidence as the Stone Slammed into the sands shaking the ground slightly. Her story earned her a nod, He took her handstrongly walking towards the tomb looking into her eyes, "Don't worry about me, I am as Strong as the Stone we come before, and besides we have Groom, he is the Security Expert" A slight chuckle brought his eyes back
[member="Serena Bouie"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

[SIZE=12pt]She looked at him, studied the strong hands that gripped the axe, studied his equally strong body. She traced a finger over his knuckles, she was touching him because it was right. Because she loved him. The axe, yes she believed it would be good to stay away from it too, but it was quite difficult to do so, when the one person you want to be with carried it proudly. She smiled and nodded her agreement.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]He was far more aggressive than she had expected his actions in the tomb had proven to her what a warrior he was, strength and passion were his guide posts. They walked up towards the tomb, no matter what façade he was putting on she could tell, but she would not push the issue with him. She would always worry about him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She would however take time to minister to his injuries in ways that perhaps would go un noticed such as her walking slower, smiling as she rubbed her arm her ribs to indicate she was hurt.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]“Yes we have Groom, he is most effective in his duties” She had to admit it he was, he was attuned to everything that approached. If he got wind of it, or sensed it, he was seen bounding off to check it out. Yes he was great security[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]How many shadows roamed that they did not see, how many h[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]overed within reach waiting for the moment to seize and fall upon them wreaking havoc and mayhem to achieve their own goals. Yes Adas had been the most formidable and his reputation and defeat in death should keep any of the power seekers from coming too near.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But there were fools born every minute in the galaxy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The effects of the Blade had been pushed away with the use of drugs and unconsciousness. However the dreams and images that lingered in Serena’s mind would not be denied, she could feel her fear growing over them.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The saving moments came when she was near Animus, only then did it seem that everything was normal. Considering what normal could be.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I’ve been able to brush much of the sand away, there are runes that I cannot interpret perhaps you can.” She smiled, “They’ve continued to excavate around the tomb as well, and as I suspected there was a village there. Not only did they bury Adas, but there was a thriving village that seemed to worship him. But we’ve not found the altar I know there has to be one, but inside.”[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]They walked slowly up the sand dune, “Animus, two of the walls sound hallow. But the works in front of them are stunning depicting battles that Adas was in. I am thinking that, there’s a secret way in, and that his actual tomb may be located within. It could be a whole complex, I don’t know though.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She hated destroying anything that had historical reference, and would not there had to be a way to get behind them.[/SIZE]

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Mythos shook his head. It has to be preserved, the depictions and the structure. they would not last in Korriban now exposed and would be destroyed by Pirates and grave robbers... This was not an easy call, but they had to dismantle all of it. "I will make a call to get heavy equipment, and a ships big enough to carry everything if your ship and the blade cant' and it wont, we have to disassemble the entire Tomb and move to place all the artifacts into the hands of Curators and Preserved in Museums, I know of such a place in Obredaan." He smiled and nodded as the men began their intended task.

Soon the men would begin to carve away at the stone meticulously and carefully to remove the depictions and frescoes with the Stone slabs and arrange them with the Grav Sleds they had procured, Mythos would now Arrange for Two Freighters of the three hundred he had called and payed from the TC Umbrella Corp who luckily would have clearance due to their Medical pre-facilities. "Let's check out the in facility to see what we can find inside, and get area on exactly how big the Tomb is" His voice as calm and as assured as his slow but powerful steps entering the tomb.

Suddenly that confidence was shaken when a trap of Mechanical Spikes killed one of the main workers, Is appeared out of the wall with massive pressure and went through his chest killing him instantly then the blade dropped to the floor with a clang. The Tomb well silent for that very moment once against as grabbed Serena's' hand instantly and raised the axe to his lips to hush the workers and for everyone to remain quiet. "Everyone be careful and examine your work areas"

A Pair of workers had opened a patch through the Hollow Walls revealing a passage way inside. "Let's get dirty shall we?" Mythos laughed and shit her a wink, as he walked into the dark tunnel grimacing through his pain and agony with sheer excitement of adventure, his body bruised and some of his bones broken did not seem to stop Mythos in the least of his worries as he led the oath through the darkness preparing himself for what may be.
[member="Serena Bouie"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

[SIZE=12pt]The work was laborious and intense as each piece was handled with care. Serena felt her heart thunder each time another piece was to be removed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]So old, “Ohh don’t break it” she whined like a first year student. It would surely hurt to find that after all this they broke one. Her eyes widened as the last piece was removed as she inched forward she felt it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The snap, the wisps of air, the shudder, and falling to the ground of the worker. Serena stared at him laying there, one moment alive the next dead. She felt Animus’ fingers, then his hand as he took hold of hers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She felt bad, but not as bad as perhaps she should have. She smiled at Animus this dark mischievous smirk. Serena’s mind was doing something, it was slowly fracturing into two people.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Slowly the nerdy Jedi was being replace by the dark jedi whose name was yet to be revealed, her fingers curled around Animus’s as she leaned towards him, “we will have to reward his family for the sacrifice, it could have been one of us”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She arched a brow, “Yes let’s go get dirty” the archaeologists spark of curiosity showed in her eyes, as she squeezed his hand gently.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]They slipped through the opening pausing. It was a stillness, no sound seemed to echo how odd. The darkness was soon illuminated by lanterns. Within the stone room another archway and stairs leading upwards. Twisting her neck she looked up false stairs they seem to end quite abruptly, but there was another set leading down small and steep.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Serena looked down and around. Even in here the walls were filled with depictions of Adas’ life. “wow” she whispered. It will take years to figure all of this out.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]She could feel the axe now, it seem to pulse harder as if it knew where it was. Did it know anything about what was ahead. It wasn’t uncommon to move deeper down. Serena could feel a cool breeze it came from the archway.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Deep enough to escape the heat.[/SIZE]

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Mythos smiled at her when she said a peculiar comment, and her shift in the force told him all he needed to know, slowly he began to understand this purpose, she was now born a New, no longer a Jedi, she had turned to the darkside, he could feel it in his bones. As they entered the cave in between each other Mythos could not help but to feel and follow his instincts in the darkness, letting the Darkside be his guide and protector. Indeed it would take months to properly excavate all the remains of this tomb and to rid it from the hands of grave robbers that eventually would come, it was sad to take the Tomb from it's intended resting place, but unforgivable to leave it in the dust to be destroyed by sentient beings or time it'self.

"What Abilities do you know my love?" his voice rumbling in the darkness as they slowly stepped deeper and deeper lead by the pulse of the Axe that lead them through the corridors. "Where does the Force light in you the strongest?" No sooner did he speak that he saw a vision of precognition, two massive bladed projectiles from the end of the hall, when they had stepped onto the stone in the floor, they had activated an ancient set of bladed edges that flew in a middle wedge at incredible speed,Mythos instinctively saw the attack coming, dropped Serena and himself down as the massive blades that came at them horizontally through all the lower Hall smashed to the back of the room over their heads. That was an Ability that he could not control, much life Force Scream he did not chose when it came. Now He was just glad to survive when he hit the stone floor.

"Are You ok?" he looked for her in the Dark, the Lanterns surely extinguished by the swift act of the massive blades that catapulted from the end of the room and smashed into the stone without mercy extracting the very stone of the wall and shaking the structure to it's core. The rumble of everything made Mythos appreciate the fact that this Temple was still very much dangerous. Closing his real eyes and opening his eyes of the Force he began to see everything as it was.
[member="Serena Bouie"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

"My skills, I'm a bit embarrassed. My training is more for my research, I have psychometry, shadow vision, far sight, basic shatter point, basic force light, many of the basic skills. My strongest skill is empathy, the ability to sense emotions, and see images associated with the emotions. This plays well into psychometry for me." She wasn't a warrior so to speak but with added confidence and skills perhaps she could be. "I never really thought about having to defend against someone, or something when sitting in the middle of ruins that have gone untouched for a hundred years."

Her parents had ever encountered trouble, least she didn't think they did, or had they and just hid it well?

Danger sense flared as each of them dove for the floor, dust rising up covering them quickly in the ancient sands that had once been trod upon by Worshipers of Adas, and even Adas himself. He would have inspected the Tomb before it was ready making changes as needed.

"I'm fine" The booby traps had started a bit sooner than she expected. The trigger had to be something they touched, or failed to touch before proceeding. She gave that nervous little half laugh. Serena had to use Shadow Vision to see in the darkness making the most of what she could see.

Her heart thumped hard in her chest as adrenaline rushed through her veins, she felt more aware. "Too bad the tomb did not come with how to instructions" she laughed again, trying to make light of a situation that had frightened her. She would push through it draw upon the confidence she had gained.

"Are you alright you are the one that supposed to be in bed, resting, and healing" She should have learned how to heal others, but even if she had he likely would have told her no. He was determined to do things on his own accord, to show his strength, intelligence, and power to overcome the odds.

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Well this was interesting predicament. Mythos was wounded and with broken ribs yet he still dove head first into a Booby-trapped riddled tomb black as night and with an air so damn and dark with the Evil side of the Force even to him it seemed oppressive. The Pain of his wounds and the shattered rib however was never going to stop him, slow him down yes, but stopping him was impossible at this point, he was too close to what he wanted to discover, what he believed to still be in this tomb. "Well if it came with a Manual anyone would find it"

He still smiled and acted all though through the pain and agony of hitting the deck hard landing on his side on his broken rib which still had not been patched up. His Sith Assassin Armor did little to protect him from pain when even moving was a challenge. "That's true, you should lead on then i am busted up like the Old Mech droids but i can keep up, trust me"

Rising from the ground slowly Mythos made no noise and no complaint or cry of pain, his eyes just narrowed and fixed to the final door at the end of the room. "Well your skills are much better than mine in a situation like this, damned traps must be littered everywhere, we would be wise to tread carefully" He walked closer to her and whispered in her ear, even in darkness he could see the outline of her force signature. "When we are done we will celebrate out finding properly, i assure you"

[member="Serena Bouie"]

​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

[SIZE=12pt]Serena looked at him as he quipped back at her as quickly as she had spoken, “True but then these little surprises wouldn’t be taken years off my life”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She nodded, “If you are sure. I never realized that “ she needed to choose these words carefully, “those on that side of the force went through such ordeals that you can withstand this” In truth she could see it all in the aura no matter what he said she saw his pain factor grow. Serena felt weak kneed but yet managed to stand and gather herself together.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]His eyes raked the way ahead before she took a step she felt him at her back, warmth spread on her cheeks at how near he was to her. She turned her head to look at him, “When you are better and not broken we will celebrate all of this properly.” Worry showed in her eyes she couldn’t help it she cared, and caring made it hard to be detached.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“We’ll do happy hour” she whispered to him before turning her head and gaze back to what lay before them. The floor has a grainy sensation to it Serena can feel the sand beneath her feet shifting on the well placed stone tiles. With great care she reached to tap the square in front of her.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]If the first one came at them horizontal, then the next ones might come vertical, but from above or below. She could feel the walls closing in the tunnel was getting smaller not as tall but it remained as wide.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Now if Adas had a sarcophagus they would have carried it in through here. So, “Animus did the Sith Lords have a custom of burying servants with them?” Serena had a feeling that whoever walked the sarcophagus in, did not walk out. One may have, as they set the traps.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Serena with great hesitation placed her palm to the wall her psychometry taking moments and then flashes of images in rapid succession assaulted her. She blinked as she tried to process.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Switches, “Oh god..there are switches…in the walls….” Serena took a breath…she needed a moment to clear them, removing her hand. Another reason not to touch the Axe.[/SIZE]

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

"I wouldn't say years, you still look more beautiful to me with each passing day" He smiled as he paced behind her in pure darkness, some light did manege to show and one could make an outline of things even without Force sight yet it strained the vision. Animus was the type of person that when in a bad situation while being breaths from imminent death thought it a grand time to banter sometimes, this was as bad as expected yet he did manege to pull through time and time again.

He smiled as she whispered in his ear, as always it was as expected and held sway with his spirit even at a time like this, it made him smile and look at her through the darkness with eyes of burning desire even in their situation that could very well be the last moment they see each other or anything else at that only made the moment all the more significant, their of them were deterred or phased at the Challenges ahead.

"I Have a sudden curiosity of what your definition of Happy Hour is." Eyes scanning and his hands firmly gripping the Axe he was slightly more confident now going further into the tomb seeing the Tunnel ceiling creep down upon them clamping down in stuffy air that alone worried Animus, he knew the dangers enclosed tombs could have, viruses and diseases lost to time having a second chance to plaguing the Galaxy.

"Some of the Sith Lords of Old yes, Naga Sadow comes to mind and Freeden Nadd. Sith Lords whose Tombs were also Tombs within themselves taking their servants to death or to use their spirits as guardians is not unheard of" His voice denoted his uncertainty. His trips to the tombs so far had been short and mostly walking upon empty halls with no more than Tuk'ata and Terentateks to show, Adas was the First True Sith Lord Mythos had come in contact with vie culture or anything else... It was a bit humbling even for the Sin of Pride. The Tomb's insides even in the Dark were traditional Sith Architecture old yet of a time like Mythos had discovered, when Korriban was split in tribes and just recently united.

"Switches?" Mythos confusedly stared "What do you mean Switches?" He looked at the Walls and saw nothing but Stone. "What's going to happen?" Mythos looked around and drew his axe prepared for what was going to happen.

[member="Serena Bouie"]

​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

[member="Darth Mythos"]

The dark usually blissfully cool did nothing to cool the thoughts she had as Animus gave her a compliment mix in the comment of happy hour and she had to control herself from turning and giving him a taste of what she meant.

She had to focus her sense the closer they moved down the tunnel the more she felt the touches of apprehension. The answer to the question some did bury slaves with them, “I am thinking that the triggers, or switches within the walls of the tomb, the ones that are setting off the booby traps were set once the sarcophagus was taken in by the slaves.” Serena moved along.

Serena made sure Animus was close, “When I touch the walls, I see things that show someone setting the traps. But I can’t tell if the trigger is pressure on a stone, or sound vibrations, so many variables” She stopped her foot felt like it was off the path, she twisted it around trying to tap the stones.

Serena’s trips into tombs had never been a simple task of open it up and catalogue what was inside. No this was pretty normal. The deeper they go inside the closer they get to the next obstacle.

The forms within the darkness shifted they were not alone but this did not feel like the spirits that she had encountered. This was something else. They were in no condition for a battle booby traps yes.

She felt again a cool breeze on her face.then there was the smell acidic, and musty, thick with….oil?

Serena could not create fire there was a thought though, “I smell oil, do you?” That was when her foot slipped, down not into liquid as she had thought but to nothing, she gasped. She pat around blind, “oh feth..I can only feel the path, I don’t feel anything beyond a shoulder’s length…”

Serena could hear the rocks slipping and falling into a liquid, plop plop, “oh my “ In the dark blind on a path she could not see.

 

[Mythos]

Well this just got much worse... Mythos had never actually trudged this deep into a an Ancient Cavern/Tomb and Ancient Architecture was not his strength. He knew much History and could tie some things together but the implementations of this complex were massive and the Technology used was way beyond what was written for the time so there was no way anyone could know what exactly was in this tomb by written Text alone, at least not the Texts Mythos had Read.


"I have to be honest with you, i'm a fighter not an Engineer. Stuff like that Confounds me" he paced carefully and dared not to move anywhere her feet did not touch before... it was now he regretted bringing the Axe due to it's weight.

Drudging on further Mythos shimmied through the dark stepped and heard the distinctive liquid sound of dropping liquid and the Smell of Damp Oil. The Cracked Stone beneath his feet started Crumbling but he could see clearly what was below, a Massive Well filled to the Brim with Black Oil and a Cavern below... the Dark Side Nexus Grew Stronger in this place than any other... it was a Pool of a Dark Matter unlike any other he had ever seen.

"It's time to take a Swim, i see a Cavern below.. this is a well of Black Tar Oil... One of the most Flammable substances in the Galaxy, it used to be used for Siege Defense and the Invaders would die such a painful death from it's burn the very sound and sight of them broke the spirits of the attackers... Or so the Legends say"

He knelt before the black pool and dipped his hand in the Tar bringing it out and examining his finger which was harder that it looked in the pitch Darkness. He put his finger in his mouth tasting the tar and spat it out nodding. "Primed. this is fresh. Meaning it comes form a Natural resource, if those springs are part of a Fire Trap, the Valley of the Dark Lords will have a massive Crater instantly"
[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

"I think I will pass on the swim" She remarked back to him, "it would make sense that there are pools of this. As old as Korriban is the decay of organics would create these untapped pools within the planet.

She got up exhaling to regain her calm. Fire was out of the question, they'd take half the valley with them. Just a little light she thought, "illumination" a small light appeared before her she looked about quickly.

"We'll stay on the path. I've often thought I should have taken up engineering but it didn't look near as much fun as this" She smiled brightly, "I never wanted to be anything else except a geologist and an archaeologist. My mom still wants to me be a paleontologist I have the degree only because classes over lapped, but still plants." She giggled a bit, "the most interesting one I've seen tried to eat me, and it was hybrid not a true plant"

Serena began to walk pushing the tiny bit of light ahead of her. She didn't want to fall into anything that was dark, and flammable.

Each step was tension filled, each step she breathed a sigh of relief. The tension was sinking into her muscles. She could feel them tighten with each step. Even still she looked around there wasn't much to see, no rune, no pictographs.

For a tomb it was so bare. Could she be wrong? All the indications said tomb. What if it wasn't Adas tomb, what if it was someone of his court?

Was the second test not setting the place on fire? She reached the end of the path once again the ground fanned out as she stepped forward she could see a wall before them. Squares filled with symbols, some she had seen on the doorway, others were new. She needed Animus' knowledge of sith runes.

Serena looked left and then right there was nowhere to go, except the wall. It looked like a huge stone puzzle. There were markings further above, she tilted her head back to see what it said. This had the intricate details of life painted onto the stones, alongside the carvings . What story did this tell? And now..what were they to do?

As she tried to decipher she could see the words transform, was she imagining it? Was it real?

He who holds power will open the door

She looked to Animus and then to his Axe, "I think we need to present the axe to the stones" Was there a symbiotic relationship between the two. Was it the key that said they were worthy to pass?

[member="Darth Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Mythos chuckled when he passed on the swim, it was the only thing he saw as a final breach but when she lit the `chambers and tunnels they quickly found another path. "Let us be very careful on how we thread on wards from now on shall we? If a fire ignited that well... we along with everyone in this dig will be blown sky high"

Moving forwards he noticed the peculiar signs of Sith runes speaking of Legends that overlapped or repeated the ones in the entrances. "This Tomb speaks of not only Adas but his men, brothers in War and Strong in Spirit. "Brotherhood and Will" Mythos pointed at some runes and traced his hand while reading them. "Strength and Honor bound within Stone till death and Chaos for eternity and..." Mythos looked puzzled...

"As your mind was mine..." His brow furrowed as his confusion was more than clear, "That makes no sense... It speaks of Subjugation through the Mind of thousands..." He continued to trace the runes until they reached a sealed room with what he could see Force Imbued stones...

"The Axe to the stones?... Let us try..." Mythos Raised his Axe high and while in his hand it left gliding by it's own accord into the Stones almost like magic. The Stones moved in protests and groaned from their thousand year slumber to open before their eyes giving way to a room filed with treasures and Jewels as far as the eye could see.

Mythos took the Axe from the wall and gazed upon the room... "Well it appears we are Rich" He smiled and looked to her, it had all been worth it, the Axe, the Discovery now the riches...
[member="Serena Bouie"]

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Serena had never seen so much gold, and precious gems, "oh my" She cautiously stepped inside. If this was any proof as to the influence and power Adas had in life whether this was plunder, or treasure, wow. Even in the darkness the small light provided glinted off the treasures inside the newest room. But even here etched onto the walls and ceilings were drawings of ceremonies, victories, and images of Adas.

She could not take in the details fast enough. The dry conditions of the room had kept the images in mint condition.

So enthralled by what lay before them Serena stepped in as the ball of her foot stepped onto the first tile, the subtle yet very audible click, sent her danger sense reeling. She turned to push Animus back to keep him from being harmed, just as the spears dropped from above, and punji sticks came up between the cracks in the floor, skewering her right foot, as a single blade slid along her arm.

She gasped and cried out her voice did not even carry. The space filled with treasure gave no room for vibrations. She looked back at Animus tears welling up as she immediately fell. She looked at the smooth stick it lacked barbs so she was able to pull her foot off. She sniffled and whimpered slightly. This dig was proving to be the most painful, eventful, eye opening, and productive she had ever participated in.

Her injuries were beginning to clot slowing the bleeding. She fought the desire to pull off her boot knowing it was only open it to dirt, and infection. She clenched her teeth convinced herself she was alright and got to her feet.

Was this just a treasure room, or was there another door at the back?

[member="Lord Mythos"]

 

[Mythos]

Mythos' eyes locked into the Gold and Jewels of the room as a child opening his presents on his birthday, the shining of the Treasure glimmered in his eyes like the blazing light of the sun even in the dark and dreary corridors that engulfed them. No sooner did he turn to glance at his beloved companion that she threw him to the side when she stepped and the trap activated skewering her foot and Mythos' eyes popped open.

"Serena! No!"

He crawled to her and examined the Injury in her foot, Luckily there was not indication of severe trauma on any vital part in her body but Mythos did not pay attention to that immediately instead he thought of the worst possible outcomes to the situation. Thoughts of infection or poison coarse through his mind as he saw the only woman he right now cared for bleeding after narrowly saving his life.

Clicking on the Wrist Com he sent out an order, "Med Station this is Animus, Serena has suffered an Injury due to a unknown Trap inside the Dig, we need medical assistance down here stat. "

"Copy that Animus we are sending a team, hold on down there Guys"

"Serena i need you to tell me right now" He bit back emotions and desperation trying to keep a calm disposition so worry could not be seen in his face, something he thought he could hide from Serena. "Do you feel Burning? Numbness or Fading?" It was the three initial sings of Poison, and if those stakes were prepared they might indeed have poison in them, which would make this a real life or death situation.

[member="Serena Bouie"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

She heard his voice, the urgency, the concern for some daft reason she smiled. What did she feel? She felt a bit odd. Then she laughed she felt heady, light, and drugged. How quick was that oh it was in the bloodstream she could feel it in there foreign and yet running rampant. She slid down the wall and sat on the floor.

She reached over to touch Animus's hair running her fingers through it, "I feel light, like I'm separated from my body" She leaned slightly. She looked over at him, she didn't feel pain anymore.

There was such an intensity in his gaze as he watched her, "You're hurt my love, you shouldn't be here you could be damaged further." She knew the medics could help but they were after all only medics.

Speaking of medics she could see lights bouncing up and down as they were coming down the stairs and trying to traverse the path. Hesitant, and frightened to enter the tomb she couldn't blame them.

"So we're rich? Us? Really? You'd share some of this with me? Ohhh that would be great my Mom could use the help." She felt her head begin to fall, "I could really use a vacation tombs are going to be the death of me"

She made a sad face, "I wanted to find the alter, or at least something that confirmed my suspicions that the workers worshiped the Sith like Gods after their death. An alter would..." She leaned slightly.

She took a deep audible breath, "maybe fading" she tried to shake her head, "so weird this feeling"

She closed her eyes for a minute then they popped open, "Ohhh maybe its outside, maybe...because of conditions, the dark inky stuff" so scientific she was at the moment, "maybe..they had to worship from outside"

She bit her lip, she thought about the last update to the dig map. The mosaic walkway that led to the entrance of the tomb. The entrance. The archway in. The obelisk.

"OH, it's a 5 sided star...I know where it's at..." She looked at Animus, "I think I got it" She would never give up she was tenacious like that.

[member="Lord Mythos"]