Blood Origins

[Darth Isolda]

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Red bow lips went curving into a faint smile, the dark black cowl shading the upper half of a woman's face, intricate gold lattice threads dangling from the headdress underneath. Here, within the depths of this long forgotten temple, Darth Isolda stood, a single tattooed hand lightly grazing over a small stone fountain, where water lightly bubbled forth over a basin only to waterfall down towards the floor, where it twisted and carved its way through the ruins and into the outside jungle.

Here she stood. Waiting.

The sound of rippling water would be a guide, the cooling liquid a faint call in the distance of the vast ruins within the jungle canopy. Mossy stone ruins were scattered across the terrain, with thick verdant vines clinging to their surface. A thick mist floated in the air, making it difficult to see beyond an area of about five feet.

But if you followed the bubbling water coming from the half buried temple ruins, the vast cave like entrance would not be difficult to find. There was a dark energy that lingered her, like a putrid ooze that clung with tar-like consistency to one's very soul.

Dangers lurked within the shadows of the petra temple and it's surrounding jungle. It was a perilous journey, but the rewards would be worth it.

For few had ever set foot within the walls of the Library of Silversisi for millenniums.

Until now.

Spoiler

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Spoiler

Daella Apparine

 

[Soeht]

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Standing before a cave, Daella peered into the darkness. Slowly trickling water brushed by the tip of her feet - clad in a light metal. A green hood covered her head and stretch out from there to form a cloak. She had a single lightsaber hilt on her hip with a metallic cross guard at the tip.

Just a kilometer from the site rested Daella’s ship - a Defender-class light corvette. Her walk had been a gradual climb across the dark, moss-covered land to the cave entrance filled with several confrontations against the planet’s native wildlife.

One beast that attacked her did so from above - hopping through the trees. Daella managed to avoid being struck by it through quick maneuvering and flexibility despite the thick air. Then, she managed to catch the beast off-guard and have it run into her lightsaber.

Since then, Daella managed to avoid several other confrontation with the fauna. Killing one of the apex predators of the jungle maintained a significant impact for beasts that operated through instinct.

At the mouth of the cavern, Daella took almost a minute to stand in front of it - unmoving.

Spoiler

@[member="Darth Isolda"]

 

[Darth Isolda]

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Perfect. Everything was... perfect.

Slender digits came to a sudden stop over the water basin, hovering over it as if in anticipation. The water stilled, it's ripples vanishing in an instant, turning as slick as glass; a singular reflection of the silver eyed Priestess. Isolda's lips parted, and a cloud of breath came spilling forth as if getting a foretaste of the sweet satisfaction that was to come.

She made no attempt to hide herself from her unlikely visitor. No, her power breathed off her skin like a nearly visible cloud, a beacon for the child at the mouth of the cavern.

There was no movements to her lips, no words that slipped passed to resonate towards the Jedi. Like the Dark Lord had once enveloped her with the mere word, she wove it round Daella, beckoning her in.

It was not a command. Nor an order.

But a promise.

Spoiler

@

Spoiler

Daella Apparine

 

[Soeht]

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As time passed, Daella continued to peer into the cavern. Then, she unclipped her lightsaber from her belt.

With her head straight forward, Daella took the first step into the cavern. Her cold blue eyes darted around as it tried to take in everything. She continued to take even more steps into the cave. Her eyes began to adjust to the dim lighting.

The walls of the cave seemed to be ripples coming from further within - a seemingly unnatural formation to Daella. The trickling of the stream bounced off the walls and drowned out Daella’s footsteps.

Drawn by @[member="Darth Isolda"]’s call, Daella would not stop unless the circumstances required.

 

[Darth Isolda]

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The sound of water trickling only grew louder the further Daella went into the cavern. Here, every single sound seemed to resonate, echoing through the dim lit corridors that would lead to the heart of the Library.

Here, the moisture in the air dwindled, and a soft glow of mineral crystals gave off ambient light. Here, the cracked stone path would slowly reveal polished stone.

However, that would not be the only interesting revelation for the Jedi. The question is, would it come too late? For there hidden within the Force, where the guardians of this particular library. Hssiss were creatures of the Force, but had a limited ability to mask their presence. They were drawn to suffering and carnage, and the blood stained path to reach the artifacts within the library's crumbling walls had provided over the centuries more than an ample bounty.

They hunted in pairs, and this would be no different, as the three meter long reptiles crept towards the Jedi. One bite would be all it would take, allowing the victim to succumb to the effects of a dark side poison.

A voice from the depths of her seemingly manic mind whispered in the dark. Truth.

Images went dancing through Moira's head, figures forged in shadows and the mists.

Ahhh.... what a curious emotion indeed.

 

[Soeht]

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Eventually, Daella entered the halls of the ruined library. The air bit at her skin. A soft bit of mist formed as she exhaled through her nostrils. Daella’s footsteps reverberated off the walls as she took each step.

After a minute, the soft sound of distant rustling pushed through the clap of Daella’s step. She halted immediately. Her eyes turned to the right. From the dim light, Daella noticed a shadow from beyond the corner. Daella ignited the yellow blade of her lightsaber.

Cautiously, Daella took a step to the bend. The shadow stopped moving. Upon taking another step, the shadow seemed to lower to the ground with a light scratching of the stone floor. Just after that, Daella heard a hiss behind her.

Immediately, Daella pivoted on her right foot to turn around. Before her was a Hssiss baring its sharp teeth while on its hind legs. Then, another Hssiss emerged from beyond the same corner that Daella noticed the shadow coming from. The one behind her crawled on all fours.

The Hssiss before her dropped onto all four legs. It was a couple meters away. Then, it began to trod toward Daella as if to attack. Daella opened her eyes wide. A cold gaze befell the creature. The Hssiss looked into the Jedi’s eyes for but a moment just as the deceased Darth Asmodea did.

It hesitated.

At the opportunity, Daella lunged forth and stabbed her lightsaber into the Hssiss’s head - killing it instantly.

The one behind Daella immediately leaped toward the woman. It lashed out with one of its claws and scratched the back of the woman. Daella stumbled forward with just a grunt and turned around to face the second Hssiss. The claws of the lizard managed to slice the cloth cloak that Daella wore - yet it did not pierce her backplate.

Once again, the Hssiss charged at Daella. The Jedi took a quick step to her left and slashed up at the same time. She managed to slice off the right front leg of the Hssiss as it swiped at her. The lizard fell on its face during the momentary imbalance.

Sparing no second, Daella stepped forward and swung her lightsaber down on the Hssiss’s head - chopping it off. As the beast expired, Daella released a single, long exhale of air.

With the quick fight over, Daella stood straight up. She continued to hold her lightsaber in hand. Undeterred by the attack, she walked further into the library to find the source of the voice and would not stop until another surprise.

 

[Darth Isolda]

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The red bow of Isolda's mouth gave just the faintest of upward curves. The pale tattooed digits of her fingers lightly skimming across the water of the fountain anew, spreading wet drops against the polished stone as they rose up to caress the rim. She took a step forward, the light rustle of vine-silk deliciously molding against her legs.

There would be no other obstacle for the Jedi now.

Save for her own demons to consider. What drove her here. What fueled her purpose.

From her perch, Darth Isolda's voice cut the din, welcoming the Jedi.

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[Soeht]

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Finally, Daella reached a chamber where before her was @[member="Darth Isolda"]. Her lightsaber continued to hum in the air and give a yellow hue in the cold air. Ice blue eyes glared at the Sith’s mouth - the only thing of Isolda’s face that Daella could see.

Blinking once, Daella’s eyes darted to her right to examine her surroundings. Then, she looked to the left. She seemed to kept her senses alert for any hidden threats - such as more Hssiss lizards.

Then, she looked back at Darth Isolda. Even though her lightsaber remained ignited, she remained in a passive stance with her arms to her side and feet just shoulder length apart.

Piercing the distance before them, Daella told Isolda, “I have no such name.”

 

[Darth Isolda]

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There was mild amusement blooming over the lower half of her face, that dark cowl turning towards @[member="Daella Apparine"] with a twist of her porcelain neck.

" Do you find offense in it?" came her question, one bare foot taking a step down from her perch.

"Saarai-Karr... Keeper of Truth." she repeated, her hips swaying lightly under the slick fabric of her dress.

[SIZE=10pt]"What is in a name? A title? An identity?" [/SIZE]she took another step down, her hand sliding from the basin to fall at her side. Her black cowl gave a slight incline to the right, studying the Jedi.

[SIZE=10pt]"Saarai-Karr belongs to you,"[/SIZE] she gave a slight wave of emphasis to Daella. [SIZE=10pt] "You are a Keeper of Truth, Daella Apparine." [/SIZE] came the revelation of truth from the Oracle.

[SIZE=10pt]"It is not a matter of 'having such a name'.. but of when." [/SIZE]

 

[Soeht]

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In response to @[member="Darth Isolda"]’s answer, Daella just blankly looked at the Sith with her mouth slightly ajar. Her eyes shifted to the right momentarily.

With a deflated tone, Daella muttered, “Oh.”

Just after saying that, Daella turned her eyes back on Isolda. She shifted her feet. Her arms bent slightly as her head dipped half an inch. She raised her lightsaber up a couple inches. Her body seemed to tighten in anticipation.

“Your name, now,” she demanded with a point of her left index finger.

 

[Darth Isolda]

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The faint amusement lingered upon Isolda's lips, as she took another step towards @[member="Daella Apparine"]. The incline of the saber towards her person did not phase the Darth, instead it seemingly increased her curiosity.

[SIZE=10pt]"I have many names," [/SIZE]she admitted, angling herself to walk slowly in a half circle in front of the blonde woman. [SIZE=10pt] "But my name is not what drives your curiosity, is it?"[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt] [/SIZE]
She gave a pause. [SIZE=10pt]"No... that lies elsewhere." [/SIZE]she said, musing aloud as voices and shadowy figures danced in her mind. Another pause, and her profile drew towards Daella. Studying her, seemingly as if recording her to memory.
[SIZE=10pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]" You've grown quite beautiful. " [/SIZE]she admitted, taking another step towards her.

 

[Soeht]

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With each step that @[member="Darth Isolda"] took closer to Daella, the more she shifted herself into a fighting stance. Her breaths were deep yet quiet. Sharp eyes still remained on Darth Isolda - never wavering at this point. Daella wrapped her left hand around her hilt - now firmly gripping it with both hands.

“I don’t appreciate dramatic pauses,” replied Daella - both not receiving Isolda’s name as well as the Sith not being direct in her speech.

 

[Darth Isolda]

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[SIZE=10pt]"Not surprising... He did not either."[/SIZE] Darth Isolda shot back without a bat of an eye, her pace still slow and steady as with every step she closed the distance between them, seemingly, without any fear of the saber that @[member="Daella Apparine"] held with a tight and practiced grip.

[SIZE=10pt]"Then again.... you get that from him, Daella."[/SIZE] she added, softly, almost as if... with wistful reminiscence.

 

[Soeht]

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Immediately, Daella squinted her eyes. Her head twitched. She held a slight sneer with the right corner of her mouth lifting up.

“What?” she asked aloud - highly accentuating her voice. She maintained her stance, though. Yet, her gripped tightened. Blood rushed through her body as her heart began to pump quicker - close to action.

 

[Darth Isolda]

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Ah, she hit a nerve. Another step closer, now only about five meters away. Internally, Isolda was enjoying the seemingly similarities between the Jedi and her Lord.

It was... intoxicating.

"He also relished in the art of combat -- his skills with a saber were beyond compare..." she added, her voice steady, informative, tantalizing, " He [SIZE=10pt]posed a danger to those even in simple hand to hand combat." [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]"Deceivingly fast. Agile. His attacks...precise." [/SIZE]The red bow mouth under the black cowl twisted into a seemingly nostalgic smile.

[SIZE=10pt]".... blood will tell after all," [/SIZE]her head rose a bit, revealing just a bit more of the pale lower half of her face.

 

[Soeht]

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Once more, Daella’s eyes shifted to the right momentarily as if in thought. Then, Daella looked at @[member="Darth Isolda"] with her cold blue eyes again as she stepped forward once with her left foot. She took a smooth, deep breath in.

“Enough,” she declared as her eyes and face opened up.

“Surrender now,” she commanded as she moved blade between herself and Isolda, “I’m tired of your jokes.”

 

[Darth Isolda]

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[SIZE=10pt]"I am an Oracle of Vahl, Daella,"[/SIZE] revealing just a bit more of herself, her stride never wavering in Daella's increasing battle stance, despite the blade extended towards her.

[SIZE=10pt]"I do not joke. I only see connections. Truth. Order. " [/SIZE]her voice came a bit more heavily accented, perhaps with increasing emotion? It was a bit deeper than that fragile throat should have held, as if the voice was an echo of immense power. There was no lie in her statement.

[SIZE=10pt]"Past. Present. Future. " [/SIZE] she told the Jedi, four meters now, each step lightly shadowed by the flutter of silk.

[SIZE=10pt]"I see them more in you than anyone else. Than Him. " [/SIZE] she seemingly admitted about the connections, unwavering.[SIZE=10pt] [/SIZE]Truth. [SIZE=10pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]"... you are much like your father." [/SIZE]came that bit of revelation, her head curiously canted towards her, as if in awe.

 

[Soeht]

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Upon the mentioning of Daella’s “father,” the Jedi released the grip of her left hand on her lightsaber. She held both arms out to her side from her waist to chest - her left hand open. Her eyes widened.

“What could you know about such a thing?” she said at nearly a roar.

As her arms lowered, Daella then told @[member="Darth Isolda"] with a stern voice, “I’ll hear no more of this.”

 

[Darth Isolda]

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[SIZE=10pt]"I know this and more, Daella... " [/SIZE]three meters now.

[SIZE=10pt]"You do as well," I[/SIZE]solda told her, seemingly suggesting that if the Jedi would only delve within herself, she would know the truth.

[SIZE=10pt]"It is why you are here. Why you found this forgotten temple with it's secrets of farseeing. Why you knew exactly how to find me." [/SIZE]she added, her voice remaining steady, no waver in her voice. "You may have forgotten, it has been so long..."

[SIZE=10pt]"But I have not. I knew this day would come. This very moment... this exact perfect moment in time." [/SIZE] there was no denying her surety in the situation -- she believed it with her core.

[SIZE=10pt]"The Keeper of Truth, my child. That is your purpose. Your destiny. " [/SIZE]There was purpose in her step. She would not be denied of the Goddess's purpose. Of the prophecy of the Saarai-kaar.

[SIZE=10pt]"Like mine." [/SIZE]

 

[Soeht]

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As Darth Isolda continued to speak, Daella's body tensed up even more. She glared at Isolda the entire time as the Sith spoke - from start to finish. Once Isolda finished, Daella took another deep breath in - yet this time it was slightly more forceful.

Without a word beforehand, Daella swung her lightsaber forward as she brought her right foot up to the same level as her left. She did not take a step toward @[member="Darth Isolda"], thus keeping the distance of the tip of her lightsaber to Isolda just over a meter. Her eyes narrowed on the Sith.

“The time for games has already ended, Sith!” she declared - as if intending attack just a moment after.