Sister Act: Tomb Raider Edition

[Amaya Tanaka]

Amaya sighed quietly. Her life wasn't exactly simple. It hadn't been in a long while. Not since before the Inquisition on Atrisia had gotten a hold of Sumiko - well saved her. Soon after getting Sumiko, they came for her. She was a few years younger, not as strong or wise and was drug into the strange world of intelligence, secrecy, sabotage, and backstabbing.

Every single day was about survival, because everywhere one turned there was a potential enemy, even within the supposed safe walls of the citadel. She trusted no one, save maybe her sister. Even then, there were limits to her trust. It had been years since the two of them had seen one another. They barely knew one another now, so trust didn't exactly come first.

Seeing Sumiko again, had come as quite the shock. Amaya had assumed, wrongly assumed that Sumiko perished in the purge back on Atrisia. Thinking her sister dead while out in the desert sands of Tatooine, only to actually run into her, yeah ... Definitely the shock of a lifetime.

And now, she was on Sumiko's ship. Amaya had spread out across the bed, a datapad in hand reading through galaxy wide news. They were on their way to some planet or another, the name of which she hadn't quite caught. Or maybe she just hadn't been paying attention. Nonetheless they were here to root around and see if there was anything left of Naga Sadow's stronghold, and with some luck there'd be an artifact or two left behind from Naga, or more recent occupants. At least, one could hope.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


Sumiko's footsteps were light. Not as light as those of a feather, but very quiet, though she was wearing boots. This was a useful quality for an Inquisitor or assassin. A precise manipulation of sound waves accomplished the rest. Her Force Signature was obscured from detection. Not to subatomic levels, but close enough. To perceive her presence would require the magical equivalent of a high-tech microscope. She closed her long pianist fingers around the cold, metal doorknob and opened the door, stepping inside without bothering to knock first.


Only then did she drop the metaphysical cloak that enveloped her body and let her signature blossom in all its dark majesty. Perhaps it had been a test of her sister's senses. Or maybe she had just felt like being a troll. It had been so long. "Catching up the news, I see. Vapid celebrity gossip or something earth-shattering? I hear the forces of self-righteousness and the Sith are clashing again," she spoke with a sarcastic edge to her voice.

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

Amaya's mind couldn't have been further from being aware of her situation and surroundings. The ever so light sound of her sister's footsteps had gone unnoticed. And well she wasn't looking out for any attacker in this particular ship. It was safe, after all, or was it?

Amaya jumped, more than a little startled as she looked up to her sister, having dropped the datapad. "You know, sis.... That's a good way to get shot. Just sayin'...." She gave a shrug and picked the datapad back up, "Just looking really ... seems there's some invasion between some frivolous new sith government, and the SSC." The girl sighed, as she sat up and crossed her legs beneath her. "Sith these days don't have any class. It's a shame really. The old ones at least had style and could be admired for what they did, and how they did it. Even if it technically wasn't the best thing for the galaxy. The ones that make the news these days are all emo, rather lame and have no originality. They whine about their pain and suffering, and hold no specific goals beyond kill everything, or vainly attempt to amass a ton of power. And fail, I might add. I've yet to see anyone rival the likes of Exar Kun, and Naga Sadow. And that, that dear sister, is rather shameful."

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


"And being inattentive is a good way to get stabbed in the back. You need to hone your senses and be more aware of your surroundings," Sumiko said tartly. Sisterly love was such a wonderful thing. She crossed the distance and sat down on the bed. Her hand stretched out and she stroked Amaya's brown hair. When was the last time she'd done that? Many, many years ago. The Inquisition had robbed them of so much. It still weird to her.


"The Sith of today are like children trying to stand upon the lofty shoulders of giants and claim scraps of the glory of titans. I suppose I should consider it progress that they don't follow an unseen Dark Lord like sheep anymore, but that is damning with faint praise. But the Jedi are just as lacking. Always splitting and moralising. I'm surprised the Silver Coalition actually got the guts to attack. I find it ironic that their ranks are packed with 'darksiders', but then Jedi make appalling soldiers."


Sumiko loved making smug, moderately bitchy comments. "But if the two cults spend their time killing each other, good. The less of them are alive, the better. We have concerns beyond their Jihad." Personally Sumiko doubted that the average commoner took much of an interest in the 'Eternal Religious War'. No matter who won, the common folk paid the price.

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

Amaya gave a shrug, "We're on your ship. A ship that is devoid of life but you and I. And it's been checked for explosives and the like, so I see little reason to be on the look out." Well at least that was her line of thinking. She tensed slightly at first when her sister stroked her hair. "You've not done that, in I don't know when." Her brow knitted together as it dawned on her just how much they had lost. "I've missed it, and you." She admitted quietly, so quietly. It wasn't the sort of thing she was bound to admit to more than once.

Amaya chuckled a little. "That they are. Clumsy children making a mess of it all." The younger girl smirked, "That whole Dark Lord thing was quiet amusing. Especially how blind they were to the manipulation. The Jedi are equally as foolish, naive and just about as stupid. And you're right they make horrible soldiers."

Amaya smiled, looking up to her sister, "I agree. Plus them killing one another does lead to some rather entertaining news stories." The younger Tanaka sister seemed to have a rather morbid sense of humor when it came to things like this. Though give her line of work it only seemed natural. "Concerns beyond their little Jihad? So, where are we wandering off to this time?"

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


I've missed it and you.


Those simple words gave Sumiko pause. She did not know how to respond. This might sound because the answer was obvious: I've missed you, too. It was how she felt...but she could not say the words. It was like her heart was encased in chains of ice. The binds were strong and refused to break. "I am glad you survived the Purge," she said finally. That's what she said instead. It sounded hollow in comparison. "And I see you're still as inattentive as ever," she chided the girl. However, her reproach seemed to lack its usual bite.


"As you ought to know, we're headed towards Khar Shian. It's the only moon of Khal Delba, barren, covered in ice and the site of Naga Sadow's true stronghold. Sadow destroyed Ludo Kressh's fleet when the latter attacked his decoy fortress on Delba. The moon was plundered by Republic minions after the Great Hyperspace War, but it's been less inundated with looters than Korriban, Kaas and so one. So I'm confident we'll find something of value."

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

"I'm rather surprised you survived, but hey!" She chirped playfully. "That's what you get for all those long dull hours with the queen. Survival." Her name didn't need to be mentioned here. Amaya was still a bit sore about that whole being shot for the good of the group thing. That just wasn't okay in her book, ever. There were better ways of handling her, that didn't involve a blaster. "I suppose that totally explains the personality though. That much time spent with her, is bound to turn anyone into a dull bland mess. But at least you're still alive. That counts for something." Trolling? Oh, yes. That's what families are for. The girl was grinning, seemingly oh, so playful right in that moment.

"I vaguely remember having this conversation. I also remember being more interested in the chip on my fingernail at the time." She gave a shrug with a cheerful smile, still partly trolling.

"Mmm Naga Sadow was one of the good ones. It should at least prove interesting to wander through the stronghold and see what has been left behind after all these years." Ah, yes Amaya finally got around to being serious. See, she was capable of it from time to time. Amaya just had her preferences for trolling while the adventure was still lighthearted and no one was in serious danger.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


"I see you're still sour about getting shot for being undisciplined. You're lucky it was Mirien and not me administering punishment. It should be a lesson to you," Sumiko said very sternly. "And if you want to forego actually learning something because you're more interested in your fingernails, you should take better care of them." Sumiko was not extremely girly, but took pride in her appearance and was a bit of a neat freak.


"In any event, I'm pleased you're taking an interest in this quest. It should prove illuminating." There, she finally had something nice to say! In any event, the Revenant soon slipped out of hyperspace, emerging in the system. Space was big, cold and dark. The distant moon felt evil.

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

"Not sour. There are just some things you don't do to family, blood or otherwise." The girl grumbled. Oh, she was definitely still upset about that, and didn't share the same feelings in the least that Sumiko seemed to have for her. "But she is your like crush or whatever. Answer her beck and call like you owe her something. Which for the record, you don't owe her a thing."

"Eh, I'll care about keeping up my finger nails, when it actually becomes important." Amaya might have been more the tom boy with her appearance, hardly paying much mind to the details. "I don't have an obsessive need for everything to be in perfect order. Unlike a certain someone ...." Her voice was still lighthearted, still playful and mostly teasing at this point because she could. Just wait until she discovers some of the things Summy has been up to lately and there's bound to be more of that.

"In theory, it should. Or we're both going to die in some leftover trap from some other Sith scum that inhabited the place along the way. You know, the usual." Feeling them make the drop out of hyperspace, Amaya rolled off the bed with ease and headed into the cockpit of their craft to get a look at the moon just visible in the distance. "One can say, Naga had some class. This place almost feels like home. Almost." Home, something neither of them could go back to, and not that their family would want them or care. Atrisia was just a distant memory now. A world, Amaya had almost forgotten.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


Sumiko narrowed her eyes slightly and gave Amaya a cold look. Someone else might have been chilled by it, but the effect was less so when it was your sister! "I do not serve Mirien," she said icily. "Or anyone else. I simply respect her and have the maturity to look past old grudges. For the time being, we have a common enemy that wants us dead. I believe you're confusing me with that codependent weakling Naamah, who always followed her around like a dog eager for a treat."


Wow, the former spook was really a big ball of sunshine. "Just make sure you look appropriate when we're not stalking dusty old tombs and battling Archangel robots. We may be moving up to higher places soon. Now come on, we've arrived," having said these words she got up and followed her sister out of the bedroom and to the cockpit. One of Sumiko's droid minions was piloting the ship. The moon was visible in the distance. It was barren and covered in ice. Truly a magnificient vacation spot. For some reason Sith Lords almost always built their strongholds on terribly inhospitable planets, many of which were death worlds.


Home. Almost. "Atrisia is not home anymore. In many ways, it never was. We shall make our own." For the first time since the conversation had began, Sumiko's voice softened. She gave her sister a pat on the shoulder.


"There it is, the citadel," she added when the stealth craft pierced the atmosphere and they flew over the snow-covered ground and mountains. In the far distance one could make out a predictably grandiose and ominous structure. Its towers rose up into the sky as if trying to grasp the heavens. The structure bore a more than passing resemblance to a ziggurat. "Grab whatever gear you need, we're landing."

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

"You can keep saying that, but I don't buy it. I saw how you were checking out her ass. It's kinda hard to miss when it's that blatant." She giggled, clearly amused with herself and the thoughts that were running through her head.

Amaya shrugged, "Eh, I'll pay someone to do it. Not worried about it for now. After all there is one of those prior mentioned tombs we'll be wandering through soon." Business, yep. This did require a certain degree of seriousness and focus.

She gave a nod, "I know. It's not like we can really go back there. And I frankly see no reason to do so. Our enemies are no longer hiding there and have moved on. Now, if Madeline were still breathing in the usual manner and Empress, then we might have to take a small trip back. However that problem no longer exists. Shame we didn't get to be involved in that affair."

Her attention was soon drawn to the Citadel as her sister pointed it out on their flyby. "Aye aye, sis!" She said with a mock salute as she wandered off to the bedroom to grab her gear. Which included a bolter, a couple of good knives, rope (one never knew when it was needed, or in what way, for it had fun uses too), a hold out blaster. Her saber was always on her, so there was no need to grab that as it was conveniently hidden in the seam of her pants.

Quickly she slipped her hair up into a loose bun, placing what appeared to be an ornate hair decoration. However, that wasn't exactly so. Not when it's tips were razor sharp and easily could be used as a weapon if push came to shove. After all, it wasn't the blade you saw that killed you. It was the one you didn't. Hell, even a pen was deadly if you knew were to stab it, like the jugular artery. Her playfulness had mostly faded as she slung her bag over her shoulder and went to meet with her sister once more.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


Sumiko did not deign to reply to Amaya's snarky comment. Fact was, she had stared at Mirien's butt a lot! Truth be told, many Inquisitors had probably lusted after her. It was only natural, for she was a woman of beauty, intelligence and power. It was a lethal combination.


Thing was, Sumiko would never have settled for being a subordinate. The feeling of having been out of control was what fuelled her ambition and desire for power. Two alpha females seldom got on, especially if both were the product of an environment as unforgiving as the Inquisition. Never mind the fact that Sumiko was very selfish.


"You may get the chance to put her down," Sumiko spoke softly when her sister took off to grab her gear. "By pumping ion shells into her presumably now very metallic frame." By the time the younger woman had returned, the ship had descended and was about to land, since it seemed the citadel's landing pad was still functional. Predictably, it looked very gloomy outside. It also looked terribly cold and there was a lot of snow. She gave her sister a nod, approving of her arsenal. "Put a thick coat on. It's very cold outside." Aww, such sisterly concern!


"What a sweet sisterly reunion. Perhaps you two will move past the sappy bonding and go scavenge the ruins of Sadow's prize? Pity he met such an unfortunate end. Maybe if he had not thought it wise to entrust his campaign to a kid from the land of his enemies. Try not to get yourself killed, for you, after all, mortal." Souldrinker was a big ball of sunshine.


"Ignore, Souldrinker. He's an arse," Sumiko retorted flatly. "He'll cheer up when he gets to kill something, while lecturing us endlessly and impotently about our own inadequacy." The landing ramp lowered with a hiss and let them behold the fortress ahead. Naturally it was forebodingly quiet, save for the howl of the wind. Snowflakes were falling from the heavens.

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

"Right, coat." That detail she'd forgotten as she stepped back into their room to retrieve her coat and quickly wrapped it around herself as she returned once more to her sister's side.

Hearing the sword, she lifted a brow and cocked her head to the side. "Souldrinker? You couldn't come up with a better name than that?" She shook her head in disbelief. "I'd have thought you a better villain. But I suppose that's why you're stuck in a sword, and we're out here." Trolling a sword? That's where Amaya decided to go, even if it wasn't logical in the least. At least the trolling was keeping her in a good mood.

"Very interesting sword you have. I suppose we needed one more troll in the family. Because we weren't enough. Tsk. Tsk." Amaya only glanced back once as she walked down the ramp and into the cold icy winds, snowflakes catching in her hair so easily. With a sigh, she started off in the deep snow, heading for the fortress. "I'm going to assume that there are booby-traps, because who would leave a fortress like this unguarded." Few places, especially old Sith strongholds, didn't have at least one or two traps to try and catch intruders by surprise. So, for protection for the moment, all she could do was spread her awareness out, letting it reach as far as she could. So far, it seemed that they were alone but that was bound to change.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


Sumiko...actually laughed. Wait, what? Since when did she do that? Amaya, stop making your sister act like a human being. "You're right. It does kind of sound like the name of a comic book supervillain," she declared.


Suffice to say the sword was annoyed. "Yes, go ahead, puff yourselves up and mock your most powerful weapons, mortals. It shall be amusing to watch you helplessly flail in the dark without my power. Now, do you intend to carry out your grand quest?"


The former Inquisitor just snorted and stepped out onto the cold moon. Icy winds blew across the land, chilling her skin. Snowflakes dropped down from the air and got caught inside her dark hair. Snow crunched beneath her boots. It was so cold outside she could see her breath. The Atrisian could not shake off the feeling that something was watching them, but it was difficult to pinpoint the sensation. An aura of malevolence enveloped the citadel.


Then suddenly her senses tingled! An expression of alarm crossed her features. "Stop. Now!" she ordered quickly. "Don't take another step forward. There's a booby trap in front of you. Deep in the snow, beneath those bones. You cannot see it with your physical eyes, but the enchantment leaves an imprint. It has a scent. Concentrate on the Force."

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

Amaya could hardly help but giggle hearing her sister's reaction. It was good to see Sumiko laugh. It'd been a long while since she had last heard that. "I'm so glad you see it too."

The sword's annoyance was almost palpable in the air, which entirely made Amaya's day. "Awww, I didn't hurt your poor little feelings, did I?" She asked in a slightly mocking tone. "Most powerful weapon?" The younger Tanaka sister scoffed, "Oh honey, I think you place far too much value on your power. You're never half as great as you believe, darling." Oh, how amused she was by this point. Trolling her sister, trolling a magic sword. "Oh, you kids, have made my day so much more delightful."

Now for Amaya's part, she wasn't the best at rooting out illusions within the force. That always had been a challenge for her. However, she still had a primal sense of danger to fall back on. She hesitated in step the moment her sister spoke, and quickly froze not taking a step further. That tone of her sister's she knew it too well. It was not meant to be disobeyed. Not under these circumstances. "Of course there is. I'd expect nothing less."

For the moment the trap had not been triggered. "Have I ever told you how much I loathe illusions?" They definitely were her least favorite of force powers. Mostly that had to do with her sucking at using them, seeing them and sensing them. That and she loathed trying to fight something that she couldn't touch and kill in return. Small problems that she'd one day have to work on.

The dark haired woman then reached out in the force to touch upon what was in front of her. She needed to get a feel for it as she sank down into the force. Focusing her abilities much closer Amaya finally got a feel for what they were up against. "It's not the only one." She said quickly as her hand dropped down to retrieve her saber from the hidden seam. "I count six, and they are intertwined to one another. I can feel the threads that bind them. There may even be more. Unless we get rid of these, our path is greatly impeded. This gives us an opportunity to be ready and not have joyous surprises come up."

That same creepy feeling of being watched had only grown stronger in the few seconds that had passed them by. It was that kind of feeling that made the hair stand up on the back of her neck, forcing a shudder down her spine. "And rest assured, someone, or something IS watching us outside this threat."

With that Amaya activated her saber with that same familiar snap-hiss that she was so accustomed to. Something about that familiar sound gave her a small measure of comfort and assurance. That blade had more than gotten her out of trouble a time or perhaps ten.

"Be on your toes. No telling what this is going to be." Stars knew the older generation of Sith, the kind like Sadow, had class, style and were actually creative. So, there was bound to be a surprise or two in store for the Tanaka sisters.

Taking in a deep breath, she readied herself before reaching out into the force and wrapping her telekinetic grasp around a single bone in the pile beneath the snow. Amaya took one last breath before she tugged on the singular bone to trigger the trap.

Instantly a frigid blast of wind exploded outwards from the bone pile tossing snow up into the air. There was something innately malevolent about that air. Something so cold, and dark that she was almost certain it could swallow them whole and suck them all down to some place of nightmares. The kind of cold and darkness that sank deep into the soul.

As that wind collided with Amaya and knocked her backwards. And in that moment as she rolled backwards and back onto her feet, the rancid scent hit her like a ton of bricks as it tainted the very air around them both. Something about it, spoke of the darkness and evil that still lingered here.

Then the sound echoed out of claws against stone. At least, that is what Amaya thought it to be as she looked left to right searching for the source. And now under the stone, she could pick out a handful of red eyes. Snow shifted, and soon seven undead beings had risen up from multiple piles of bones scattered across the field. At least their weapons seemed rather primitive on the surface, with luck they'd be that in practice. The undead animations gave no pause as they darted across the snow in unnatural movements, to close the distance between themselves and the two Atrisian girls.

"Animated Skeletons. Cute." This was far from what she'd expected. She'd expected something simpler. A nice spike trap, or some sith spirit to jump out to attempt to kill them. This was a little different.

A small part of her, might have regretted triggering the trap. But unfortunately for them, traps were bound to be everywhere and not all could be avoided. As the first warriors had now closed the distance completely Amaya slammed her saber against the blade of the first skeleton to reach her. Her saber easily tore through the metal, giving some clue to how old these guys were. That or the Sith lord that made them gave no mind to keeping their weaponry more current. She didn't hesitate as the skeleton stumbled backwards before racing for her once more. With telekinesis she threw the same one back.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


And so a loud, almost deafening explosion erupted when Amaya activated the mystical trap. Piles of snow were blown everywhere through the air. The detonation was accompanied by a psychic scream that seemed evil and malevolent. It was an echo of ancient evil that still held power over this place, for though Naga Sadow had died aeons ago, his presence still lingered on.


Then suddenly zombies emerged, having seemingly risen from beneath the disturbed, cursed ground. Despite their age, the reanimated undead gave them no pause and quickly charged the two Atrisians. Their weapons were primitive, but their red eyes glowed with primal hunger and their teeth were sharp. Contrary to the common cliched associated with zombies, these living skeletons were quite fast on their feet.


Sumiko had used her stronger command of the Force to anchor herself and take the brunt of the explosion without being blown away. Now, as the undead pounced upon them, she tried to stretch out with her will and pull at the threads of power, seeking to bend them to her will. Nothing happened! It appeared that whichever Sith magician created them had also imbued them with an enchantment that made them resistant to mental domination.


In time, she could probably break it, but they did not have that luxury. The good old fashioned way would suffice. She moved her blade with lightning speed to parry a sword and dive it aside when a zombie tried to stab her in the chest, before cleaving the creature in twain. A second zombie got his spear cut in half, then when it lunged at her she thrust her blade into its repulsive skull. Its putrid essence was drawn in and absorbed by the blade.


"Do not resist the darkness around you. Feed on it. Draw it into you," she spoke calmly, backflipping to avoid a sword blow directed towards her legs. Claws slashed into her back when she landed, she suppressed a cry of pain, spun around and smashed the zombie into the ground with such force that blood spread across the white snow.


The creature snarled like a beast and pounced at her, but she pulled at the tangled web of power to unleash a psychic wave and turn the creature's brain and brain stem into mush, killing the strings that gave the creature direction so that it gave up the ghost. "Unleash it."

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

And so the battle had begun. Undead were generally unpleasant on even the best of days. Today, Amaya just wasn't in the mood for this crap. Add to it being an illusion that had hidden the trap, just irritated her more. After all, she was just eager to get to Sadow's toys. This was just one more thing in the way.

She gave a nod to her sister. The darkness touched everything here, tugging at her and her sister alike. With a deep breath she sank into the force and let the sinister darkness seep into her body. In there was so much power ready for the taking. It was a source that undoubtedly would help them along the way.

The zombies were moving fast, sneaking up. Whoever had created this enchantment had done well. These creatures seemed smart, intelligent and it certainly seemed like they worked together with a plan to murder the two women. As the first swung at her midsection, Amaya lept back and clear of the blade. Taking her own saber she brushed his next strike away and taking her saber she brought it down upon the creature's skull and cleaved the zombie in two.

Behind her she could hear snow crunch and ducked in the nick of time, narrowly ducking to avoid the monster from behind. Spinning on her heels she turned to face this new attack. In doing so she mixed the third sneaking up on her. A white hot pain seared through her shoulder forcing Amaya to cry out. Instinctively she used the force to throw both creatures back and ripped the small dagger free from her shoulder. Anger now rose up within the Atrisian woman as she launched herself at the two zombies.

The creatures came from both sides, seeking to flank her and draw her attention away just for a fraction of second so they could succeed in taking her down. The first brought its sword up seeking to crush the girl's head. The other on her right aimed it's blade towards her thigh. In a fraction of a second, time seemed to slow for Amaya and she could almost see these attacks moments before they were to land. Though knowing didn't help that much, there was no way to defend from both attacks without getting at least another wound. Welp, this is going to hurt.

She could live with a leg wound, her head .... not so much. Diving deeper into the darkness that surrounded this place, Amaya slammed her blade into the neck of the skeleton that had been trying to decapitate her. Telekinesis helped to slow the attack of the last zombie on her side. It still didn't stop the metal from sinking into her thigh. The wound, thankfully wasn't deep or life threatening. Her grip tightened on the creature, squeezing harder and harder as her anger grew. Finally the skeleton exploded into a cloud of dust. Now without a target she raced back to her sister's side to do what she could to help her.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


The traditional stereotype of the zombie was that it was a dim-witted, slow-moving creature that could not think of a tactic more complex than death charging enemies armed with guns. This made one wonder how modern militaries were constantly depicted as being absolutely useless in Holowood holovids. Sumiko had long concluded that most movie directors were fools and did not understand how devastating modern firepower was. This was a bit bizarre since there always seemed to be a war going on somewhere.


Anyhow, this slightly meta rant aside, the two Atrisians faced down the zombie creatures. The darkness touched everything here. It permeated the air and suffused every being upon this moon. Even the most dedicated Jedi would hear its siren call and taste the taint. Amaya was doing well taking out the undead monstrosities that assailed her, leaving Sumiko to deal with the last, for the creatures seemed to have been lying in wait before bursting out of the snow.


Her Sith sword moved with lightning speed to deflect a furious blow that was launched towards her head and cut the spear in twain. The creature snarled like a beast and she executed her own counterattack, impaling it upon her blood-drenched sword, but the beast tried to grab the sword hilt with its clawed hands. However, it was then that she perceived a warning in the Force...too late. The zombie attacking her head-on had only been a distraction for the real attack.


The snowy ground behind her suddenly burst and flew in all directions. A white hot pain seared through her shoulder when she dove and the second zombie rammed an ancient hammer endowed with ornate runes into her shoulder. Souldrinker fell out of her grasp and she tumbled to the ground, then instincts took over and she rolled quickly to avoid another blow.


The zombie pulled the Sith sword out of its bleeding torso and gripped it, wielding it somewhat clumsily with both hands. Oh, so now you falter, mistress. What a shame. Could you not give me a better wielder than a brainless undead, the sword naturally saw fit to complain. Rage rose inside of the Atrisian when the two zombies launched themselves at her with reckless abandon.


Pulling the Force into her muscles, she leapt into the air to gain distance and backflipped, ramming her boot into the hammer-wielding zombie on the way. She rolled hard when she hit the ground, just as a sonic wave hammered into her, for an undead creature had picked up a discarded pistol that must have belonged to a recent traveller. Blood poured from her ears and nose, but she pushed through due to sheer will.


The creatures threw themselves at her with fury and rage. Suddenly time seemed to freeze for both of them when she pulled at the tangled web of power that was the Force, paralysing both creatures. They were still conscious, but it seemed their bodies had been shut down. Their limbs refused to heed their commands, no matter how much they struggled. Then she took control over the first zombie's arm, controlling it as if she was pulling on strings.


"I am your only mistress," she thundered. Unable to resist her power, the zombie proceeded to use Souldrinker to stab itself through the throat until the malevolent sword pierced its brain and turned it to mush. Freed from her control, the second zombie charged, hammer held high while it fired its gun. The creature was blinded when she tossed snow into its eyes. Then she disintegrated it with shots from her disruptor pistol.

 

[Amaya Tanaka]

When the last zombie fell, Amaya breathed a sigh of relief and looked to her sister. Her own leg was dripped blood onto the crisp white snow below, but that wound was manageable. "You know Sis, whoever left these, I like him. Smart zombies. That's not something you see every day."

Sighing she limped over to Sumiko to sit down for a moment. Reaching into her bag she dug out some bandages and other supplies to care for her leg. "I'm assuming you didn't get hurt, too badly, eh?" She asked playfully. Which was just a sign that despite her injury she was perfectly fine and relatively worry free.

"Mind giving me a hand with this?" She asked as she motioned to her leg. "Then we can get moving on and maybe actually get within the compound before we find the next joyous boobytrap."

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Amaya Tanaka"]


Smart zombies were truly a novelty. For some unfathomable reason, the average Sith magician insisted on summoning dim-witted, slow-moving creatures that could be mowed down with impunity by the plucky heroes. "I should take you to Denon some time. The slums are infested with rather smart undead. Predictably the Jedi haven't noticed." Or didn't care. Sumiko had long come to the conclusion that Jedi didn't give a damn about the common people. Just about looking good by playing hero. She rolled her eyes at her sister's comments, but walked over and helped her bandage her wound.


Then she approached the great, stone door, snow crunching beneath her boots. The structure was helpd up by great, obsidian pillars. Somehow they had withstood the test of time, for little decay could be seen. Sumiko ran a hand across the black stone. She could smell that magic was in the air, for the rock was enchanted. She studied the symbols engraved upon the stone, then her lips moved in a chant.



"Nwûl tash.
Dzwol shâsotkun.
Shâsotjontû châtsatul nu tyûk.
Tyûkjontû châtsatul nu midwan.
Midwanjontû châtsatul nu asha.
Ashajontû kotswinot itsu nuyak.
Wonoksh Qyâsik nun."


There was an ethereal quality to her voice when these words left her lips. Dark power swelled inside her when she spoke in the forbidden tongue, for it was the language of the ancient Sith. It seemed to get even colder, if such a thing were possible. The disembodied whispers and screams that could be heard over the howl of the wind grew louder, as if agitated by the magicks at work. Without hesitation Sumiko removed her glove and made a small cut across the palm of her hand. Then she pressed it against a rune on one of the pillars.


"The code of the Sith. There's wisdom in it. Passion, strength, power are all intermediate, stepping stones, that's it. They result in victory. Over our enemies, but above all over our own limitations. Over every obstacle within us that stands between us and what we want. The Force helps those who help themselves - and sets us free. Few Sith understand," for they just killed because they enjoyed it. They hated Jedi because they'd been taught to. Or simply to tell themselves and everyone else that their savagery had an actual purpose.


Tendrils of crimson energy leapt from her hand and swam gracefully through the air. They coiled across the pillars like snakes, causing the runes to glow faintly. Perhaps for the first time in ages. Slowly but surely, the great stone door moved and granted them entrance with a hiss. It was very dark inside the ancient and now fairly run-down citadel.