The Cold Embrace [Coci]

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Ziost atmosphere
Outer Rim

The Grandmaster had felt a disturbance in the Force, and knew it came from the ice planet of Ziost, once under Sith Empire control and now in Mandalorian space. It is uninhabited as far as anyone knows, but if Master E'ron believes this to be the place, it's safe to assume there are sentients on the planet, most likely with dark intents. She has now sent Jedi Masters Heavenshield and Sinopi to investigate the creeping darkness, now also palpable to both Thurion and Coci as the Oathkeeper descends through the atmosphere.

Sat in the captain's chair, he gazed upon the white, somewhat sickly surface of Ziost. He was no stranger to ice planets by now, with both Hoth and more recently Midvinter under his belt, and so had prepared for the cold by bringing a few of the thick furs his father gave him to survive the freezing temperatures of his homeplanet. Beyond that, he wore warm layers of winter clothing, and would also don the furs before stepping outside. Teetoo was with him, acting as both navigator and technician whenever he would step off the bridge, and do he did this time.

Now within his personal quarters, recently sharing it with his fiancée accompanying him, he moved to a large chest stood upon the floor. Within lay his knighthood armour worn on so many occasions, both in times of peace and war. It was very basic, consisting only of a cuirass and pauldrons of a simple design, both made of durasteel. Expecting trouble of any kind upon investigating, he donned the pieces of armour and wrapped one of the furs over his head and shoulders. He stepped out of the room, adjusting his gauntlets and various straps as he laid eyes on Coci, meeting her in the hallway.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


Her hand rested on the back of the Captain's chair looking at the same sickly view out of the window. Coci could sense the darkness, see it almost, and it seemed Master E'ron is correct, something or someone is down there. She reached out through the force, senses directed toward the planet but it is a quagmire .. a sickly soup of dark side presence that even she could not pin point. So much history of darkness pitted the very core of the planet and throbbed with it's essence, it was making her stomach churn in disgust.

Coci's eye flick to Thurion as he rose to move to prepare for their landing. The force bond telling her, he is worried and this mind focused on the mission, as was hers. She would not speak to him for the moment, not wishing to disrupt his thoughts as they are needed to set the mind to the task. This is something she fully understands, mental preparation as well as readying the weapons.

Instead she walks over to Teetoo asking him to check co-ordinates and commence an aggressive scan on the area, she watches the screen as the results filter in. High energy readings concentrated around the location, indiscernible to the origin of it.

"Teetoo, keep continuous scanning and report to me if anything changes. Keep the ship prepared for take off and eyes to the skies, I don't want any surprises", she asked of him.

Under her clothing she wore her thermals, over which she dressed into her Artic Suit, although she is not one for wearing armour as she finds it to restricting, today would be different. She has no personal armour, but Silver Jedi standard issue would be fine. No White Mouse this day, the subzero weather would effect her rifle, rendering it unstable. However, she light saber is firmly chipped to her belt as well as her personal blaster. She stood for a moment eyes closed, and quieten her mind, removing all distractions and closing them down and away toward the back of her mind.

It was time to find Thurion.

As she approached she met him in the corridor, his preparations complete and ready. "You look as though you mean business", she said to lighten the situation, as her lips curled slightly in a smile. "It is time to go".

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

It was nerve-wrecking, going to such an evil place with your loved one. Any number of things could happen to either of them, and if something did happen, he wouldn't know what he would do. The closer they'd gotten to Ziost the more quiet he'd become, but after all that the mere sight of her coupled with her sweet-sounding voice made him take a deep breath before managing a faint smile in response to her own.

"I'm not taking any chances", he replied, walking up to her. "There's no way of knowing what's down there, but it can't be good." He stopped just short of a feet in front of her, gazing down into her eyes. His gloved hand cupped her cheek before he wrapped his arms around her for a close embrace. He couldn't say anything in fear of his words being inadequate to describe how he felt for her, as well as the actual fear he felt at this moment. The fear of losing her.

"No matter what happens, I'll keep you safe. Don't do anything foolish, you hear?" he whispered past her ear before placing his lips upon her cheek.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

This was going to be a test for them both. Each step they would take, each movement and each decision could influence and impact on the rest of their lives. A thought had crossed her mind, as to why Master E'ron had sent them, was she testing them as well? Coci had faced the dark side on many occasions and each time came away with more knowledge of it, a firmer understanding of it which informed her of the way in which it can be destroyed.

His words concerned her the most, she knew he would place himself before a threat to her and forfeit his own. She placed her arms around him and just held tight not wishing to ever let go, she would forfeit her life for him. "I don't have that in my plans", she whispered back, pulling back to look into his brilliant blue eyes, "I am not the one who goes of solo after pirates with little thought for safety", she grinned, but is feel away quickly.

"Just stay close to me", she added with not lifting her voice, then took in a deep breath as the time had come to depart.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He couldn't help but sound a little chuckle at her quip, but it ultimately failed to lift his spirits. His heart ached and beseeched him to take the ship back up into orbit and jump back into hyperspace, just to keep her safe from harm. His mind, however, reminded him of his duties as a Jedi and the devotion he had to keep up to inspire those around him. It was the way of things for the elders to teach and motivate the younger generations, even in matters as dire such as these. He swallowed hard and joined her by her side at the ship entrance moments before they touched ground.

The ramp slowly lowered, at which point he reached for her hand, entwining their fingers as he stared ahead of him at the scenery opening up before their eyes. It was blindingly white, at first, forcing him to squint in order to make out any kind of textures other than utter brightness. Once his eyes had adjusted to the light, he turned his head towards Coci stood beside him, and he managed a brief smile before leading her down the ramp, still holding her hand. His feet touched the crystal-clear snow with a light *crunch*, and once his fiancée joined him on the planet's surface he put his arms around her to hold her close, moments before he signalled Teetoo to take off into orbit. If there were darksiders around, he wouldn't risk losing his ship to them.

As the ship took off, he gazed into Coci's eyes until he could no longer keep himself from pressing his lips against hers. Their warm breaths contrasted the cold air surrounding them as they now stood alone together in the vast emptiness of Ziost.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

She could hear the ship fire up on his command, as it lifted off and she could feel the heat issuing from engines, they are now truly alone on his forsaken place. Her hand in his gripped tighter in a reassuring manner, just as much for her as for him. This total isolation is not new to her, but that did not make it any easier, especially now Thurion is here. Her beloved Thurion, who more then anything in the galaxy is to be protected at all costs. He is far to valuable then she, a Jedi Master steep in respect and strength and one that has done more for the galaxy then she could hope to achieve. But moreover, she loves him and for that alone she will see him safe.

Her eyes dived into those wonderful sapphire blue eyes and held his gaze, only to close them at the touch of his lips on hers. This kiss, ended all to soon and she spoke.

"Let those who are in favour with their stars
Of public honour and proud titles boast,
Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars
Unlook'd for joy in that I honour most...​

Then happy I, that love and am beloved,
Where I may not remove nor be removed". ​

​

A gentle smile formed on her lips as she turned to face the white of the ice field before them. "If there is someone here, then we more then likely have been detected .. we need to get to cover immediately".

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Keeping his arms around her waist, he cast glances around them. "Easier said than done...", he said, not realising how hilariously right he was. As far as their eyes could see there was nothing but the neverending glacier encompassing the planet. They would have to move quickly as there are no means of building a fire in this desolate place, and should night arrive they would have to abort the mission. Neither of them would want that; their sense of duty prevented them from such thoughts altogether.

Still embracing her, Thurion closed his eyes shut and rested his forehead against hers. He summoned the Force to show them the way, to guide them in their time of need. His brows furrowed as he was soon struck with the darkness lighting up like a beacon in his mind, although it was difficult to ascertain where it came from since the entire planet was wrought with the dark side of the Force. "I see... a great fortress. Hidden. Buried..." he spoke, eyes slowly opening to meet her gaze. "There is great evil, there."

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


Their force bond prickled as Thurion reached out through the force, searching and penetrating to find their true destination. She could sense his trepidations which only matched her own, but they had to move on and fast. However, cover will be provided .. by her. The vision he saw, projected imprinted on to her mind, "I see it", she whispered. Her head turned in the direction the force had provided them, her black eyes narrowed as she absorbed the surroundings. Sheer white fields of ice, plenty of reflective light which will make her job in providing cover much easier.

Although Coci, can conceal her force signature and render herself invisible, she can not hide his. But she can encase him in the bubble of concealment if he remains close to her. If someone is there, they would sense him, but not her, but concealed physically would give them some advantage.

"Thurion you must remain close to me, I can conceal your physical presence, but not your force presence. It is better then nothing", as least for a while they would make progress before any detection is made and only then however was there would only detect one.

Her hand still holding his, gently pulled him closer to her. Pulling the force to her she began to bend the white light forming a concealment bubble around them both. Thurion's eyes would see a shimmer as if the air blurred around him before becoming clear again. Within the concealment bubble all sound vanished a spoken word would not be hear, or their breathing, or foot falls .. nothing. They would have to communication telepathically. Now the two are shrouded in the sea of white.

Of course there are many dangers here, immediate danger of the glacier and what pitfalls may lay beneath its surface. One false step and they could find themselves at the bottom of a crevasse. Regardless, Coci and Thurion began their journey to the unknown.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Shrouded by Coci's powers of concealment, they were encased by the bubble which would protect them from being seen. It flickered before his eyes for only a second before becoming like air around them, and he couldn't help but try to reach out and touch it. Of course, it neither reacted to his touch or come off as even being there in the first place. He looked to Coci, and gave her an approving nod to support her idea. He would lend her his strength should she feel weak by keeping this up. He'd done so before, back when she fought off the Taung spirit in her head.

They set off in the direction they'd both managed to discern from the vision the Force had offered them. A large fortress, buried beneath the ice to hide it from plain sight. Thurion's guess was that there could exist a darkside sect there, still, who managed to survive the many wars and battles fought on the surface. If nobody else has ever found any traces of this fortress for decades or more, what chance would the two of them have?

For what seemed like hours they journeyed across the desolate, frozen surface of Ziost, ever guided by visions granted by the Force without knowing how close they were or if they would make it there in time before nightfall, at which point they would have to abort the mission. There was no way for them to weather out the cold night without finding shelter, and there was none to be had from the looks of it.

His hand found hers as they wandered, and offered a faint smile as comfort.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


Although Coci had never concealed two people before this, her energy levels remained as long as she remained focused. She would not draw from him any energy, as to do so would deplete him and her which in the end could be dangerous to them both. If it came to it, she would drop the concealment and face whatever dangers that could threaten them. They would both need strength to get through this or abort if needed.

She felt his hand tighten on hers, she returned the reassuring grip but her eyes remained scanning the environment. As far as the eye can see, only more white and ice, nothing to indicate any form of structure or presence save for this overwhelming sense of darkness. As they progressed the presence of darkness grew strong, as if searching and sense a threat to it. The whispers through the force warning her of it, like an encroaching bout of sickness. Whether it would find Thurion she would not know.

Then her eyes fell on what appeared to be an in situ, a indentation on the surface of the glacier that appeared unnatural to the environment. She raised her arm and point this out to Thurion.

There, do you see it? there is something there...

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He did see it; thin lines cut into the ice, all working together and connecting to form some kind of symbol upon the ground. He kneeled down and began brushing away the layer of snow and traced the lines into its centre, where there ice had been carved into the shape of a clenched fist, as if someone had punched it and left a dent. "Over here", he said, looking over at Coci.

"Maybe..." he thought aloud, clenching his gloved fist and pressing it against the markings in the ice. His knuckles fit perfectly into place, and for a moment nothing happened. He was about to remove his hand when he suddently found out that he couldn't. It was if the ice had taken hold of his fist, refusing to let go no matter how hard he tugged and pulled. "I'm stuck...!" he told her, holding onto her hand for extra strength as he tried to come loose.

Then, suddenly, the ice let go of its grasp of his fist, and he was thrown onto his back due to the sudden release. Thurion and Coci then looked around them as the circular symbol around them began to sink, like an elevator taking them down through the massive glacier. The further down they got, darkness followed with no sources of light available. He held his loved one close as they descended, finally reaching below the ice itself, and before their eyes appeared that which they had both seen in their visions.

"Holy...!" was all he could say as the elevator finally stopped some distance from the fortress itself, with a long, winding stairway leading up to the entrance.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


She had scrambled over to Thurion after the circular platform began it's descent. Holding him close, she lifted onto her knee as her arms remained around his shoulders. The quaking of the platform shuddered through her body, an unnatural motion which did not appear to be made my beings but the ill workings of some invisible force. As the descent took them into darkness, Coci's eyes quickly adjusted, her pupils widening to absorb what little natural light was afforded them, penetrating and see the shadows cast in the distance. long pointed shadows, the author of which at this moment, unknown to her.

She took only are few steps away from Thurion as her eyes fell on the same sight towering above them. Majestic arches curved out of the ice face, cracked and chipped with age and weather no doubt, old smaller columns in ruin lay on the surface crumbled in decay. Her eyes could see markings on the column, a language she did not know, symbols of strange shapes that held no meaning to her. They had arrived and no need for concealment now, as whatever or whoever now expected their arrival.

"Thurion are you alright?", she looked back at him, her black eyes more black then he would have ever seen. "Do you know this language?", she asked hoping he might have knowledge of it. Her feet moved off the platform, her hand went to her saber and held it ready. Something is here. "We had best keep moving my love", she whispered as if the ice had ears and eyes, watching them. Coci pushed through the force, search out and on alert, that concentration of energy the ship had detected, she now sensed it too. She looked toward the staircase, "They are expecting us".

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"I'm alright", he answered as he got back up on his feet, moments before he joined her in studying the runes carved into the ice and rock. They were unlike any he'd ever seen before, although his expertise lay far from that of languages and ancient architecture. Whoever they were, they'd been here for a long time. "I don't know. They do not resemble any language I know of..." he said, tracing the carved lines with his fingertips before they decided to move on.

Coci was right; it did feel as if the ice itself had both eyes and ears, and the feeling that they were being watched put him on the alert. His lightsaber, too, came off his belt and now rested firmly in his hand as they ventured forth through the glacial ruins. "How could these people survive down here? Where do they get their food from?" he whispered, keeping his eyes sharp ahead. Each step up the stairs presented them with more questions, as well as increasing the level of unease they both experienced.

His free hand reached for hers, keeping a firm hold of her.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

With each step of the ascending staircase, her feet began to feel heavy, as if something was trying to prevent them from progressing forward. The unease they both felt, palpable and began to eat away at their resolve. Her hand gripped his firmer then before, her fingers entwined and gripped again to reassure herself of his touch.

"There is more to this then first thought, indeed .. they must be supplied with food for nothing will grow here". She stole a quick glance up into his face, a face now void of soft countenance but firmly etched in concern as his brow knitted. Her's would reflect his. Her eyes lift up the remainder of the stairs, she could make out a set of large doors, carved with the same language they had seen. Coci took in a deep breath to set her determination once more and continued up.

So Thurion and Coci would reach the end of the climb and walk onto a platform, before them stood the double doors, white polished marble hewn from the rock beneath the glacier. It is strange there is a wind now, as before nothing and it chilled her to the bone regardless of her protective equipment. The howl began, as the wind swirled around the ruin columns, to her it seemed deliberate, to orchestrated and it was this thought that aided her to strengthen. Pulling the light side of the force to her, summoning the strength and brilliance of it, she imbued every fibre of her body with energy and power.

"Who ever this is, is try to weaken us, put doubts in our minds, we are better then this Thurion and I will not allow this 'thing' to influence us so", she said her voice more firm and louder with authority.

It was soft at first, but soon the cracking became louder and louder as the double door began to slowly swing open. A hiss of stale air issued from the doors, the smell putrid and made her stomach heave, the smell of ions of decay and corruption and ..

.. Coci's purple light saber ignited.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

They reached the sealed entrance, but they only remained sealed for so long. Loud creaking noises accompanied the massive doors as they slowly swung open. Through the crack a foul stench poured forth, filling their every senses with dread and evil intent, and upon glancing inside there was complete darkness. The doors came to a halt with a loud boom, echoing through the chambers and presenting the entrance.

His eyes scanned the dark void within, then sought Coci's gaze. "They're inviting us", he said. "Let's not disappoint them." Confidence settled upon his face as he spoke, and upon taking his first step towards the entrance his azure lightsaber came alive, lighting up the inscriptions carved upon the open doors - the same markings they'd encountered earlier.

Now stood at the threshold, he glanced back at Coci and offered a brief yet reassuring smile before stepping inside, swallowed whole by the blackness within.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


She had once told Thurion that she would jump into the abyss if he asked her, or walk side by side into the gates of hell .. and he had just asked her. A slow smile grew on her face as she watch only for a moment as he moved toward the gaping entrance, she followed him without hesitation and her eye firmly fixed on his back. The gigantic doors open like a mouth waiting to be feed, to consume them once passed the threshold, Coci entered the blackness, it shroud her body and stuck to her skin.

Coci cared little for the grandeur of the place now, as she moved up beside him. "You are right it would be bad manners to keep them waiting", she whispered with set resolve. The colour of her purple saber blended with this blue, however little light from them aided their progress only filling the immediate area. There seemed to be an echo with each of their foot falls, telling them they now walked within a vast room, the darkness as if fighting against the light continued its assault on their senses. However, she pushed out through the force to 'see' there way. She sense a long void, a corridor lined with towering columns, thick and set on a base of marble for structural support. It is so cold here, colder then outside and her breath issued out of her mouth in streams of mist.

A strange noise which started low, tickled her ears, like the sound of breaking glass tinkling to the floor, but the noise is voices, several of them which began to grow louder. Was it a strange language unknown to her? Lyrical in a way but ill boding and she found her hands coming up to cover her ears, as if that would help. But before she could, the voices subsided and vanished.

Moving forward through the blackness, Coci sensed yet another set of doors at the end of the room.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The two remained close to eachother as they stepped inside the large chamber. It was much too dark to see even three feet ahead of them, and getting lost would not be difficult. Who knows how many entrances and exits there exists, and one never knows whether there's a sudden drop where the floor ends and an endless abyss takes its place. The hum of their lightsabers remained the only sound for the time being, save for that of their hushed breaths and careful footsteps.

As they reached what was probably the middle of the room Thurion stopped, grabbing hold of Coci's arm to make sure she did not take a step further. Surrounding them was complete silence and utter darkness, but he knew something was up. Shortly after the two stopped a red lightsource appeared straight ahead of them. It was soon followed by several others, all red. Looking around them, there were at least a dozen of them now, humming familiarly in unison.

"At last, the Jedi have sent their tribute to our God..." came a repulsive voice, grotesque and guttural, and Thurion's eyes snapped to where he believed it came from. The room was then illuminated by a sickly green light, its source unknown, yet before him stood no-one. Surrounding them were people wearing black robes and white masks, all wielding Sith lightsabers. Thurion remained as calm as he could, despite his heart beating at a rapid pace. He could then feel a stranger's hand upon his shoulder, and he immediately spun around to face the man, slapping away the hand off his shoulder in defiance.

There stood a ghostly figure, eyes of a corruptive orange tint staring into his and Coci's soul respectively. His face was largely shrouded by the black hood he wore, coupled with the mask covering the entirety of his jaw, and all Thurion could make out was his sickly white and disfigured skin. "Welcome...", the man said, gesturing to the chambers they were in. "...to our site of worship to the One True God, Masters Heavenshield and Sinopi."

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


She felt the tug on her arm and immediately stopped. Coci's head quickly snapped around to look at Thurion's face, only to turn back again to follow his gaze. Then the humming, a sound which grated on the nerves, the red eyes lighting up in the darkness as if someone had turned of small lights. She moved back toward Thurion, not taking her eyes off the approaching beings.

Such unnatural light filled the area now green and insipid as if diseased, but a powerful presence approached the direction unclear through the force until he spoke. Her feet moved sideways as Coci positioned herself to Thurion's back, and her back pressed against his as the red eyes encircled them now. Her light saber extended and her eyes watching, her body prepared for anything.

"I care little for Gods", she spat to the man, yet her eyes remained searching for any sign of movement from the others, her feet kept moving slightly ready to take action. The force summon, she strength all her limbs and mind, her hands pulsed with power as it held the hilt of the saber. However, she had other weapons beside the sword that might give them a chance to get out of this situation alive. The dark side is strong but so to the light side and equally so.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Coci seemed to be gunning for a fight, but Thurion would know more of just who these people were before jumping head-first into battle. They'd obviously gone to such great efforts to lure them here, that it almost seemed rude to start a fight when they had yet to declare their intent. "Coci, wait..." he advised, settling a hand upon her shoulder. "I would know who you are, Sith. You obviously know who we are", he directed to the man before them, defiance in both his posture and voice. "Seems only fair, don't you think?"

The man looked between the two casually, and he could swear he was smiling wickedly behind his mask. Then he turned and raised his hands above his head, as if in prayer. "We are His children! His disciples... and you are His chosen ones!" The man turned back to face the two once more, and even offered a slight bow. "I am Calagar, the Flayed-One. I am His tongue, for He has none, but His eyes and ears are everywhere..." he said, gesturing to each of the masked men surrounding them. "These people have infiltrated every corner of the galaxy, and have watched from afar. Even you, Master Heavenshield, and your beloved fiancée... Miss Sinopi. Or is it already 'Mrs', and I haven't been told?" His eyes met hers.

"You are one who would strike at evil before even giving them a chance at redemption, are you not? You fancy yourself an expert at the darkness within us all, hmm? Bah!" He began to pace around them, slowly and deliberately, like a predator stalking its prey. "And you, 'Shield of the Heavens'... Tell me: when your brother died before your eyes so long ago, are you sure you didn't just leave him to die as you watched his skin melt away and become a pile of ash and bone upon the ground?" Thurion's brows furrowed at the mention of his brother's death, and part of him wanted nothing more than to cut this man's head from his body. His grip of his lightsaber tightened as he pointed an accusing finger at Calagar. "Enough of this! I demand to know who this God of yours is, Calagar!"

He was met with a wicked cackle. "I do not need to tell you anything, Jedi. Besides - you'll both meet him soon enough when we toss your skinned bodies onto the pyre in sacrifice to his glorious name." Calagar then turned and walked towards the exit. In his place the surrounding Sith closed in on them, keeping them from leaving. "Dispose of them. Let them know of Gods fury and taste His punishment..." The doors shut behind him with a loud *slam*.

[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]


She heart ached as she listen to the words of the sicking man. Coci did not have knowledge of Thurion's brothers death as he had kept details to himself, she now understood why. Through their force bond she sensed his want to kill the man for speaking in such an accusing manner. Thurion was a small child when it happened, his brother probably not much older and Coci knew that if it was possible for Thurion to have save his brother he would have.

"The only time a Sith asks for 'redemption' is when their lives are in danger, the cowards will beg for mercy when they would give none. The day I meet a Sith that does not beg for his or her life but rather would face judgement for their actions will be the day I stay my blade". She knew her words would fall on deaf ears.

Coci summon the force to her palm as she dropped one hand away from her saber. She moved back into her position and faced the oncoming 'disciples' of this god. She too wanted to know more, wanted to find out who this Calagar was, she did not believe there to be a god, but rather something constructed by him to control others. It is always to convenient, to say they are the vessel in which a God interacts with the world.

Get ready to protect your eyes I am going to blind them, she warned Thurion through telepathy, as Coci is about to use her skill of force flash. Her arm raised and from her palm a brilliant flash of light emitted from her directed toward the Sith near her.