S L A Y E R
THE END IS THE BEGINNING
:: Hanger, Avatar of War
:: Hanger, Avatar of War
The Maw had a proclivity toward grand conjuring of power; to laying claim to entire planets and commending the heavens to kneel before their glory. So many did these things as individuals; even as Avatars of some deity -- like the Father in the void of whom Onrai spoke. Then there were the Jedi. A collective that seemed opposed to such wild and dangerous magicks. Even after so long few that studied history could forget the Light that expunged not only the evil of the Enemy, but that of the darkness within the innocent. A costly mistake born of a demonstration of equal power by people that did not wield it so freely -- that lacked the familiarity and discipline with such ravenous displays.
Runi Kuryida, however, was the Speaker of the Mandokarla. A Shaman that basked in the presence of the Manda each and every day. Someone that enjoyed a relatively low profile because it wasn't about her -- little good came for strengthening the whole if it became about a single individual. A people that did not ascribe to Light or Dark, Good or Evil, except as a means of conveying a thought. That which was Good ensure the peace and prosperity of one's people. Mandalorians were neither Agents of Darkness nor Paladins of Light, but that did not mean they were lesser for their desire to live humble lives. An existence born through tireless effort; to strive and become greater than they were as an individual so that the whole was uplifted.
Dodhorn Harert was not Evil as most would use the term. She was misguided. Errant. But not so far astray that Runi would call her Lost -- Echoy'la. They disagreed on much, but this did not mean she was a soulless monster.
Then, Dodhorn did something... unexpected.
Butchery and murder were inescapable truths of the battlefield. Mandalorians would die today. Those that lived might suffer all the same. They would need the Mandokarla to provide a place of refuge so that they might find their Way once more. Some might hold such pains against one's enemy, but could you fault them for engaging in the same acts you yourself committed in battle? Hypocrisy was a fruitless pursuit. There came an end to all fighting, and then a need to resume a life of peace -- of training -- until the next trial came along.
Yes, such was war.
What Dodhorn had done, however, was not war. Nor was it sacrilege. The Manda did not demand honor or reverence; it made no commandments nor levied judgment and punishment. Every person was their own judge. Their own torturer for the sins they had committed and refused to rectify. But there were some crimes -- some acts -- for which certain elements, like a humble Shaman, could not ignore.
Speaker Runi Kuryida, Shaman and reification of something beyond, felt the dark powers the woman had gathered. As one felt a stiff, chill breeze surrounded in the warmth and comfort of that which was most familiar. A break in what should have been. A rending of what was tolerable.
Her form was enveloped in the blinding light within Onrai's cocoon. Only the hazel of Runi's eyes were left for a split second, which burst into bright flames. Do not disturb the souls of the fallen, Runi's voice echoed throughout the hanger in the minds of those without telepathic shields.
They had done this once before in her presence. On Panatha. She had sought to suppress that foul magick then, and she would do so now. The difference, however, was that the Sith had chosen now of all times to find one of those few things that truly enraged the Shaman. Now, when she had been amassing power for a demonstration in refutation of Onrai's belief that they would all be better off kneeling before her.
Onrai's spear of coral snapped at its base as it shot into the nova her shell contained.
Pops and snaps followed as fissures grew. The pressure on her trap swelled.
Then it stopped.
The light had gone out suddenly and without a sound.
A blinding cloud burst into beaming and took on a vaguely Mandalorian form as it strode away from Onrai's cocoon. "Gar ibac sraya'nr at cuyir Manda'yaim. Gar ibac tarja at o'aryihida Mando bu'yrao Mando o'r tarbr at a jare dir. Gar beraoa at katralkahya ta'hyagr be Ka'ne bal larhb'adya trattok'or par gar oduilye copad? Miak rala gar subr nada. Rala etid bu'lesa gar." <Mando'a:You that claims to be Mandalore. You that seeks to set Mandalorian against Mandalorian in service to a false god. You dare to violate the sanctity of the Manda and conscript the fallen for your selfish desires? Then let your powers reign. Let them consume you.>
A wash of energy erupted outward from the figure and revealed Runi wearing a pure white beskar'gam. Those that had risen under Dodhorn's command did not instantly collapse as though the spell were instantly reversed. No, that would be too merciful for the crime committed in the Shaman's very presence. Instead, she touched those poor souls or fragments of souls and gave them the purpose they would had always desired -- to deliver vengeance on the foes that had not only slain them in life, but sought to rob them in death.
The Sith and Mawites resurrected would do as they pleased, but Runi had no doubt the Jedi and Mandalorian fallen would gladly seek to counter the advantage Dodhorn sought. And, for those fortunate enough to be near the Mandalore, perhaps even exact their pound of flesh for her trouble.
As for Fear and Darkness, Runi swept her hand through the air to dispel the miasma in the hanger as a mighty gust before a putrid cloud. If the Brotherhood wanted a fight then they would have one, and everything that came with it. Onrai had mentioned there was a cost to be paid... it was well past time that was so.
:: Allied:
Sergeant Omen
|
Romul Saxon
|
Varik Awaud
|
Gwyneira Vizsla
|
Vulcan Krayt
|
Fenn Stag
|
Shakka Bralor
| Kaz Krayt | Javik sudant
:: At Risk: Tor'r Tal'Verda | Kralmus Orr | Vorm | Marlon Sularen
:: Engaged: Onrai | Dodhorn Harert
:: At Risk: Tor'r Tal'Verda | Kralmus Orr | Vorm | Marlon Sularen
:: Engaged: Onrai | Dodhorn Harert
Runi escaped Onrai's cocoon to turn the Undead Champions of Light back on their Sith forces that raised them -- gave them back a bit of their Will/Autonomy that the necromancy sought to rob them.