Voices from the Past

[Nassier Zirfae]

"So why did we come all the way out here again?" The Daughter and current acting Shaman of the Lylek wondered, looking to her companions with wide eyes. The Caprine hadn't asked questions when they'd bored the vessel. She'd tried her best to keep a cheery conversation with both of them while on their journey, but where they were actually going and why hadn't come up.

And here they were now, ready to enter some valley.

She wasn't complaining, of course. Nassier enjoyed a good adventure. Adorned in standard attire, complete with rips and tears only befitting the rambunctious Lylek, she was ready and waiting to get going. One foot played host to a sandal, its strings wrapped around her leg to just under the knee. The other foot had mysteriously lost its sandal somewhere between the ship and here. She couldn't say she was too beat up about the loss. Frankly, she was looking for the right opportunity to ditch the other.

"What's so special 'bout this place, anyway? Seems pretty boring to me." Save for the sheer amount of energy she got from this valley. If it was important, it'd probably get explained.

[member="Lady Psyona"] [member="Causstik Rahn"]​

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Causstik Rahn eyed the caprine with a disinterested gaze. He was adorned in his usual armor and accompanying him were twelve guards from his warband. He walked through the valley boredly followed by his retinue. He had been hired by Lady Psyona to guard herself and Nassier whilst they explored the place.

“I am here for credits,” He said simply. “This place holds no importance to me…” He finished with a growl.

At his hip was his ebony stock scattergun and on his back was his gold lined Phrik long sword. His armor was pitch black with gold trim and adorned in fine jewels. The most coveted of the gems was the void stone that peppered his armor. Beneath the phrik plate was beskar chain mail that served to act as a third barrier between himself and any attacker. The first unseen barrier was a Mandalorian power shield. The device, like the rest of his armor, was capable of stopping even lightsabers.

The Trandoshan was ready for anything that came his way. Especially Jedi. His most favorite prey. Lightsabers lined his waist and scalps tied to a rope hung loosely from his shoulder. The trophy hunter loved taking prizes from anything he killed. At least from the things he didn't eat...

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] / [member="Lady Psyona"]

 

[Grace Darkson]

Grace had tried her best to keep up with the Caprine's bubbly conversation style for the flight over, but now, as they stood at the entrance to the Valley of the Jedi, she seemed to ignore the other women. Golden eyes drunk in the sight, perhaps boring to one who didn't understand the history and lore behind this place. She could understand that. But as a Force-User, and a Sith in particular, this place was important to her history, to the very thing that defined what was Grace Darkson. So, yes, she was excited. The massive grin she wore told that well enough.

"I'm not surprised you find it boring, Causstik. I didn't expect you to be able to understand it." The words were not in an insulting tone, simply one of a teacher. "You can't feel it like we can." With that, she looked at the Caprine, the look in her eye almost wild. "Can't you sense it? The very land here is drenched in the Force. It bleeds from every rock. What the Sith did here scarred the land forever, leaving it irreversibly marked by the Force." She swept a hand out to indicate the valley, including the massive cave system beyond. "This is one of the biggest Force Nexuses in the Galaxy. Magic gathers here like a cistern, piling up until it shapes the land itself." Her smile only seemed to grow as she talked, like that one teacher who simply loved their job more than anyone who deals with mobs of adolescents ever should. "Deep in those caves, a ritual known as the Thought Bomb was concocted, and its use destroyed all life for miles, trapping the souls of hundreds of Jedi and Sith here. All that death so fast created a Force nexus like the galaxy had never seen." Her face grew sour.

"And then some idiot ripped open a portal to hell in the middle of it."

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]​

 

[Nassier Zirfae]

"Well, whatever works for you, I guess," She replied, nodding at their reptilian friend. Nassier was fairly certain she'd never seen this Causstik fellow before, save for the beginning of this mission. Regardless, he seemed friendly enough. A bit heavy on the weapons and armor side of things but hey, everyone had their preferences and toys. She wasn't about to judge his lifestyle.

It seemed almost as if Grace and Nassier's temperments had about switched, with Grace being way too excited about a bunch of rocks and tunnels and Nassier being a bit subdued. Nassier was interested, of course, she just didn't quite understand what half of Grace's speech actually meant. History had never been her forte, nor had geology. Regardless, she could still feel the dark side energy seeping into her bones, making her feel a bit larger than life, if only for the duration of their stay. Her fingertips almost buzzed with the lightning she was almost constantly ready to generate, the excess energy leaving her eager to explore yet still trying to listen attentively to Grace's story. Despite a relatively wild upbringing, she was a much better student than some

"There's a portal to hell here?" At the mention of that, the horned woman perked up, her curiosity peaking. "Can we go see it? Pretty please?"

[member="Causstik Rahn"] | [member="Lady Psyona"]​

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Causstik Rahn pretended to listen to Lady Psyona as he used a clawed talon to pick his nose.

“Very interesting…” He said sarcastically.

Causstik eyed the large booger he had claimed and flicked it away before anyone could see. His attention turned to the surrounding statues and temples curiously. He wondered what treasures might be hidden within the recesses of their bowels.

“Say um… Psyona.. You think there's gold in Hell?” Causstik growled.

He had never heard of such a place, but it sounded nice. The word Hell had a kind ring to it. He was sure it was loaded to the brim with loot. He and his war band would have to make a raid on this place one day…

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] / [member="Lady Psyona"]

 

[Grace Darkson]

Neither of the others seemed as excited about the history. Ah, well. As amazing as it was, the simple truth was, most people didn't care for the past. Only the here and now mattered. Still, that last part seemed to catch their attention. "That was in the plan." The words seemed there to calm Nassier's excitement. "Although, as far as going inside, I don't think that would be particularly safe." As she said those last words escaped her, the woman turned to Causstik. His question gave her pause. Maybe he didn't know the term. Corellia's slang wasn't truly everywhere, after all.

"What do you think happens when we die, Causstik?" The question was meant to go unanswered, as she gave him no time to respond. "I'll tell you. There's a realm in the Force, often called the Netherworld. They say there are regions to it, and that some are better than others. The Corellians called it Hell in their mythology. Most cultures call it Chaos. My own people called it Vahl's Inferno, and yours refer to it as the Scorekeeper's Hunting Grounds." Yellow eyes, the original grey devoured by years of the Dark Side's rot, seemed to burn with fire. "But it is very real. And some of us have been there." A haunted tone entered that last phrase as if her very soul was scarred from it. If the others could read her, they would see something rarely shown so plainly.

Grace was afraid.

"I want to see how the Force Nexus is affected by the tear." There was a pause, and the Vahla walked forward. "And if anything spilled through."

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]​

 

[Nassier Zirfae]

"Yes, but is there gold in Chaos?" Gold held little meaning to the Caprine. Whatever finances the Lylek dealt with were handled by the Shaman, something Nassier was not looking forward to and quite frankly planned on pawning the responsibility off to the next daughter or son should she ever get promoted to Shaman officially. Still, Causstik's question deserved a legitimate answer. That and if she or Grace found it first, they could always pretend that gold was part of the Trandoshan's payment. Not exactly an honest payment, no, but Nassier wasn't certain of how this exchange was working in the process. How much did this protection detail cost? How was Grace going to pay for it? Obviously, Nassier had a lot to learn.

"So we see if this tear or whatever ye call it's still open and then what? Pop in for tea?" She wouldn't say no to a good cup of tea, even if it was made by some dead persons. For all she knew, they could've learned some ultra good tea making skills from other dead. "What do we intend to do with this tear?"

@Casstik Rahn [member="Lady Psyona"]​

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Causstik grumbled as the woman spoke of the Scorekeeper’s hunting grounds. If hell was anything like the Trandoshan after life than surely it was rich with plunder. Causstik could not wait to get there. He rubbed his hands together and began excitedly thinking of ways to mount a raid on Hell. But, first Causstik had a job to do. He would protect Psyona and her odd companion until they were done with their strange quest.

Causstik patted his belly boredly. “I’m hungry,” The T’doshok complained. “Is there any fresh meat a guy can sink his teeth into at this tear place?” Causstik asked.

A hungry Causstik was an unhappy Causstik and over three hundred pounds of crying reptile was fun for no one. He searched his satchel and was pleased to find he still had some left overs. He withdrew a bloated Gammorean arm and began to munch on it happily. “Boy, that hits the spot,” he waved the arm around and the hand flopped in several different directions “Anyone want some?” He offered politely around a mouthful of Gammorean.

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] / [member="Lady Psyona"]

 

[Grace Darkson]

There was a silence from the Vahla as she pinched the bridge of her nose, the tips of slender fingers rubbing the corners of her eyes. Causstik's response was to be expected, of course. He was the hired muscle, not the brain. But the Daughter's response was even more disappointing. Have a spot of tea in the Netherworld? Was she crazy?

They've never gone there. The Jart spoke in her brain, causing her to shutter. They don't understand.

He wanted patience, a trait foreign to some of the other pacts. She would give him patience. After all, her plans would take many years to fall into place. But they would. She would make sure of it. The Force shall free me.

"If something has crept through, we need to kill it. If not, then we leave it be, because whatever's on the other side is worse than anything you've ever seen before. There's a reason most cultures fear coming here." Her words intended to be warnings as she walked towards the open maw of the cave. She could feel it already. The burning in the back of her skull, the rotten stench. Wait. No. That last one was just the Trandoshan's snack.

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] [member="Causstik Rahn"]

 

[Nassier Zirfae]

Yeah but you never answered the question. The Daughter held her tongue this time, though, feeling the disappointment almost radiating off of the Jart. As curious as she was, the Lylek still had a reputation they had to uphold. Mysterious and quirky, yes, that was them. Stupid was by no means an aspect of their being, though, and Nassier couldn't have herself appear all that dimwitted, poor attention span aside. It didn't help that Nassier was far from socialized with the common world, as demonstrated with just about everything about her, down to her very dress and posture.

"But death is a part of us all, it is," she said with a bit of a nod. The Lylek moved in the shadows, often only being seen when it was too late to defend. They understood death perhaps better than the other pacts, or at least with a different intensity. They delivered death's embrace a bit more frequently than their more physical and scholarly counterparts. It wasn't their job to understand, just obey as was the will of the Lylek.

Nassier felt the call, though it was different than ever felt before. It was darker, almost a perversion of the call she had grown used to feeling. Under other circumstances, she'd suspect the call wasn't that of the Lylek at all. That is, if she had known anything other than the Lylek. No, this surely was what the Lylek wanted. She'd be a fool to resist the call, especially when it was this potent.

As the Trandoshan withdrew an entire arm from his satchel, Nassier found herself drawing closer to the Jart. She wasn't necessarily repelled by the sight, more so just surprised to no end. Still, it was appreciated that he'd take the time to offer to the others. "I have to pass, thank you. We should get going, see what this Chaos is like and whatnot."

[member="Lady Psyona"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]​

 

[Causstik Rahn]

[SIZE=11pt]Causstik meandered closer to the mouth of the cave and he felt a cool breeze wafting through its gaping maw. The Trandoshan entered the shadowy cavern and began making his way through the grotto. Stalactites hung from the roof of the cave and the odd droplet of water dripped from the roof, splashing gently on his Phrik armor. Moss clung to the walls and floors and Causstik felt it softly squish beneath his feet, it made him think he was walking on plush cushions. Small bugs and other insects scattered at the Trandoshan’s heavy foot falls as he continued onward. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Slowly like the bugs that crawled through the mossy earth Causstik’s voices began to worm their way back into his head. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]You’re approaching the gate[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“What?” Causstik whispered to himself[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Fool, the gate to the nether. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Mhmm... “ Causstik growled. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He was already tired of the talkative creature that only he could hear...[/SIZE]

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] / [member="Lady Psyona"]

 

[Grace Darkson]

The pressure in her head seemed to build as she got closer, the burning sensation feeling like it would engulf her, every hair on her neck standing up. The woman frowned, muttering words in a tongue long dead, asking the Fanged Beast to shield her from the realm of the dead. The tunnels seemed to wind forever, and in the end, she began to run her hand along the wall as they got closer, feeling the moss fade to bare rock. The power of the Nexus increased, and everything living seemed to fade away. There were no more bugs, no more moss, no more anything. It was as if the passage had been scrubbed clean before they arrived. They were getting close to the heart of Darkness. To the tear in reality.

One more corner took them to it, a massive cave, seeming to reach high above them. They were well below the earth now, and she doubted the roof was more than ten stories above them, but it still loomed high. The round cavern was punctuated by the massive tear in reality. Beyond it, the noise of screams and cries poured from the amber gateway, calling to them Save us! Free us! She knew some of them. She'd killed some of them. But one of the others...

"Mom?" She whispered, her voice barely audible in the empty cavern. Fear crept over her, and she stared, blank-faced, at the portal. Then, without a word, she ran. She ran for the portal, not heeding anything else. She had to know. She had to see for herself.

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]​

 

[Nassier Zirfae]

Quick to follow the other two, Nassier actually ended up running just a bit ahead before realizing and letting them catch up. Her bare foot dug into the unfamiliar soil, getting a feel for its coarse texture and the overall feeling of land not often tread upon. She walked with a sort of spark in her step, reminiscent of the electricity that flowed through her person, generated and moderated by the Force. Even with her over-excited spring in her step, she moved with a silence befitting a child of Lylek.

As they neared the cave, she could hear the voices calling out to them. Most of which faded into obscurity, barely registering to the Caprine's curious mind. She had the sinking feeling that of the more prominent voices, many were ones in which she had a direct hand in sending to Chaos, all the more reason to ignore them. In committing to a life of shadows, one knows not to miss things. At the same time, one learns how best to filter out the unnecessary.

Still, there were other voices that rippled in her consciousness and refused to take their leave. One, familiar, sounding all too similar to the previous Shaman. The other, barely a whisper yet still resonating in such a way that Nassier simply couldn't ignore. For a brief moment, she thought it was the Lylek itself, beckoning her away from her companions but also conveniently in the same direction. With the sensation came the overwhelming urge to discover the source.

When the Jart woman ran, there was little choice but to follow. As soon as they crossed the threshold into the portal, that voice that so oddly stuck with Nassier was gone, the pulling sensation now pulling in the opposite direction. The Caprine was at a loss for what to do, either stay with the group or find out what was going on herself. About to turn tail and embark on her little solo mission, she was stopped only by the other, more familiar voice. "Shaman?"

​

[member="Causstik Rahn"] | [member="Lady Psyona"]​

 

[Causstik Rahn]

Causstik tread through winding tunnels and darkened corridors as he followed Psyona. The deeper they went the bleaker the cave became. The signs of life slowly giving away to nothing but bleak black rock. Causstik withdrew a cigarra from a leather pouch that lined his chest plate then flicked his wrist so as to activate the flamethrower mounted there.

Using the flamethrowers ignition flame he lit the cigarra and idly puffed on it. The embers on the tip of the smoke providing the only light in the otherwise dark tunnel. Causstik was prepared to turn another corridor when he spied a light shining from around its edge. He peered round and watched as Psyona and Nassier descended into the new light. Causstik shielded his eyes for a moment as they adjusted to the new scene.

You have found the tear

“What do I do now?” Causstik asked the disembodied voice.

Enter, but be weary of it’s tricks. You will find no Scorekeeper or great hunt here. Only the hells of the damned

Causstik merely nodded along dumbly. He believed the voice within his head to be the will of the Scorekeeper and if it wanted him to go into the depths of Hell, he would gladly follow. Causstik took one more drag from his cigar and entered the void.

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] / [member="Lady Psyona"]

 

[Grace Darkson]

As she stepped through the portal, she remembered falling...

Her body felt like it was coursing with fire, her very blood burning as hell took her for its own. Cuts and gouges seemed to materilize on her skin, pouring out her soul into the underworld.

IDIOT CHILD. The voice was familiar and foreign all at once. She knew him, remembered him, and yet, she couldn't tell. ALWAYS A FAILURE.

She's always been one. She knew that voice. Her brother. The family idiot who had managed to blunder his way to whatever he wanted. Never knew when to quit, never understood she was messing with things beyond her comprehention.

AND NOW SHE COMES TO US! That voice... She knew that voice. Her old master. WE WILL DEVOUR YOU, INSIGNIFICANT WORM!

Cast your spell, child. Her patron. She smilied weakly. Cracked lips formed the old sylables, and her feet hit solid ground. And she was there.

"Sweetheart, why did you come here? It's not safe!" The woman's tone was soothing. Grace looked up, stariing at the woman's etherial form, She was as the Vahla had remembered her, save for one thing. A line of blood crossed her neck. Someone had slit her throat. "It was Naz'ara." The woman replied, frowning as she noticed her daughter's gaze. "He killed me in my sleep." There was a tired nod. The normally strong willed woman sat on the ground, tears escaping her, shoulders heaving.

"I meant to call, to try and contact you, but I was always busy. Always had work or school or some mad project to save the galaxy..." Her voice caught, each word trying to force past some grate intent on keeping her silent. "But I should have called. I didn't think... I thought I had time..."

"I thought I had time..."

[member="Nassier Zirfae"] [member="Causstik Rahn"]​

 

[Nassier Zirfae]

Well if there was any question regarding the whereabouts of who should've been Shaman of the Lylek, they were wiped away now. Nassier stared up at the form hidden by shadow. The Daughter felt both the urge to embrace the shadows and the need to keep her distance. So she settled for not moving at all and simply staring with wide eyes.

"Papa?"

He wasn't her real father, no, though he might as well be. He who took her in while others would've just as easily tossed her aside, he who essentially adopted her into the daughter position, despite it already being filled (though that would soon remedy itself). The former Shaman of Lylek had been just as real of a father than any other father figure could be, thus why his very presence had the otherwise scatterbrained Caprine completely invested.

"My child, it's not your time yet." She didn't understand. What was he doing here? There had been no news confirming the Shaman's death, no request for ransom, no increase in enemies.Though she couldn't hear him, couldn't read his expression, almost a weight upon her kept her from arguing. "The Lylek has great plans, my dear, ones you will see come to fruition. But not here. No, here is nothingness. You cannot stay here."

"But Papa, don't leave me! Not again." Her plea, just seconds too late, was met without response, leaving Caprine visibly shaken. That sensation pulling her back the way she came was as pull at her once more. This time, however, followed the urge. Going back the way she came didn't garner the expected results, however. Rather, she ended up in a new area entirely. It was a desolate area, decorated solely by that lovely piece of jewelry in the midst of everything. It was this thing that had been calling to her, a call she felt even more compelled to follow. After all, it was pretty and overall harmless. How bad could it be?

Approaching the jewelry, Nassier took it up in her hands, observing the craftsmanship. It was a nice weapon indeed. What Nas didn't notice, however, was the apparent sentience of the creature, as demonstrated when it seemed to come to life on its own. While she moved to clasp it to her neck, the thing clamped down, digging into her flesh. It was excruciating first, the Caprine's knees buckling under the sheer weight of whatever this was. It felt her head was about to burst, like someone else had entered and made themselves home. When she mustered the ability to look up, another being stood before her.

"Who are you?"

She received no immediate response, the being looking the girl up and down, and, when they seemed pleased with what they found, sneering down at her. Said being looked to be entirely entertained by Nassier's suffering, stopping only to mock concern, offering a hand to help her up when the majority of the pain subsided. Nassier was enthusiastic to take the stranger's hand, just as enthusiastic as she was when she passed through the being, landing on the floor. "You'll do."

[member="Lady Psyona"] | [member="Causstik Rahn"]​