Wake Up

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He grasped her hand, though he didn't use it to pull himself up. He was afraid that if he did so, Kira would end up on the floor or on top of him. The last thing they needed now was another pair of concussions. Any more injury than they already had would likely be the death of them. Slowly he raised himself up, pushing to himself to his feet with the heavy fur cloak sitting on his shoulders.

Standing to his full height proved easy, the detachment from the pain he had earlier felt made it simple, though he knew that he was trading no pain now, for agony later. That thought made him frown. No one enjoyed pain, but before, it had a use for him. Now it was nothing but useless. A tinge of regret filled him and for a moment he considered reaching towards the darkness once more, perhaps with it...

No.

His eyes caught Kira's.

No.

Shaking his head Soliael spoke. “Don't have a throne, that belongs to my brother and his wife, though I think they might have two.”

With a grin he swept past her. With only a thought Soliael brought the bright glowing orb into his palm, the orange light bathing him and everything around him in a pale amber glow. Half turning, Soliael waited for Kira to catch up to him as he reached the entrance to a large tunnel.

 

[Kira Talith]

A shadow would sweep across his eyes. It was there, barely for a second, before his shoulders would set in his decision.

With the way the light would bloom within his palm, it made Kira pause. He did so, so easily. Just what else did he know? Or was he just that gifted with the Force?

Curious.

She'd fall in step beside him, grateful for the light he'd provide so that she wouldn't stumble over the jagged rocks of the cavern's floor.

"Oh, and what throne is that? Mmm?" she'd ask, curious. Talking was good. Talking was great. It would keep their minds busy while they would make the trek -hopefully- towards the keep.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael moved into the cavern, dropping into place besides Kira instead of walking in front of her. Truthfully he was still worried about her falling over or her bending over and somehow breaking herself in half. It wasn't that Soliael didn't trust her, it just seemed that gravity seemed to have something extra against Kira, and without Soliael around he was afraid she would somehow end up impaled on one of the stalactites sitting around on the cave floor.

“The Throne of Byss.” Soliael said almost off handed, as if it was a normal thing to have a brother that controlled one of the largest Fortress worlds in the entire galaxy. “My father controlled Byss for centuries, he hid himself of course, but for the last thousand years or so Byss belonged to my father. When he died, Nemene was in the outer rim...” He said that name very carefully “...and my father did not know about me, so all of the land holdings went to my brother, Sven.”

That was how Moridin had controlled Byss, by owning nearly eighty percent of the planet, an easy thing to do when you were a Sith Lord before the Gulag Plague. “My brother was kind to the people, so when he made the move to a monarchy he was more than supported. Same goes for his wife.”

Though Sable was hardly the loveable type, at least to anyone but Sven.

Soliael shrugged, this was all normal to him. “As his brother, I'm technically a prince. They have no children, so if the both of them were to die, a distinct possibility, i would take the planet.”

He also held some form of title among the Beast Riders of Onderon since his mother was Beastia, though he would hardly call that a princedom.

 

[Kira Talith]

He'd keep talking and she'd come to a slow stop, staring at him blankly for a moment. After another second she'd return to her pace, attempting to catch up.

Annnnnnnnnd promptly slip on a rock. Hands went waving and she'd catch onto his arm for balance. Enter another sheepish half grin, "Sorry..." she'd apologize.

Yup, gravity had it out for her. Had to be. She was cursed to trip at least once a day! Or so the belief goes.

Either way, it was a bit odd to hear that he was of a line descendant of kings and queens. Compared to her, well...

"Ahh. Guess the 'your highness' fits then?" she'd joke, mainly to avoid the embarrassment of not being quite up to par to keep her balance.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“It does, but for you Soliael is fine. I have seen you naked after all.” He winked at her.

Soliael stopped as she tripped again, chuckling slightly.

She had fallen so many times now that he had lost count, each time it had amused and worried him, each time it had caused a slight spike of fear. He grinned down at her, helping her get to her feet. “Are you sure you don't want me to carry you? Maybe having an extra layer between yourself and the earth would be worthwhile.”

He asked as they kept walking through the tunnels. Every once in a while they would reach a fork or a small cavern, and each time Soliael would inspect where it was that they were, and how the tunnel stretched out before them. He used the light in his palm, sending it down the cave halls to inspect and see what was done the way.

It was remarkable how much control he already had over the technique.

Eventually he lead them forward, heading what he thought to be north, towards the fortress.

 

[Kira Talith]

"I'm fine!" Kira would say, if a bit defensively. Chin would rise, and her blue eye would be bright. Granted, it didn't do much for the flush of embarrassment at his pointing out that she had a chronic issue with keeping herself from face planting. That and, the whole reminding her that he's seen her in the...

Grr!!

"And i wasn't the only one!," she'd quip, referencing that she wasn't the only one without a stitch on a time or two. In hindsight, she should have known that particular scenario wasn't quite the big deal for him. Sigh...

The light from the bioluminescent surroundings would continue to guide their way. Deeper and deeper still. Following the opposite flow of the underwater lake and streams would seem to do the trick -- she wouldn't know that the flow of this particular water originated from one specific area where a certain sithspawn tree held in honor and deity would rest.

That nagging suspicion to how easily he was able to summon the Force would come to the fore of her mind. Finally, she'd ask, " ... so what else can you do?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael wandered for a time, leading Kira though the caves by following natural signs. It was slow going, the ground was rocky and Kira had to be careful, yet slowly Soliael began to recognize things. He saw certain landmarks that he remembered from the maps the servants had made. He heard noises of work, and he began to smell a familiar smell that wafted through the caves.

Another few hours, and they would be somewhere safe, they would be home.

When she asked him what he could do he looked down at her, a grin sitting on his face. “Oh so many things.”

Soliael for all intense and purposes was one of the most powerful force users in the galaxy. To him, the force was more than a crutch, more than something to help him, it was part of him. In the terms of a whole, The force was like his arms.

“In part, the use of the force is genetic.” He began to speak as if giving a lecture, he had told this to his apprentices as well. His hands began to gesture as he spoke, the orb of light floating at his shoulder. “The power one holds within it is decided by certain factors. My father was a powerful Force User, a Sith Lord who became Emperor. His father was a Jedi Master of old. My Mother as well is an incredibly powerful force user, so was my Grandmother and so it my great grandmother. I come from two dynasties of incredibly strong force users.”

He left out that both of those dynasties were mostly Sith. “You could say I was predispositioned to use the force. To me, the force comes as naturally as moving an arm.”

Though that in it of itself had its failings.

 

[Kira Talith]

Okay, I can do this. I'm good. That was Kira's mantra, a half ear to what Soliael was telling her. Oh her curiosity was piqued, but she also had to concentrate to make sure she didn't slip and fall again.

She'd never live it down if she did.

Her breathing would spike, but she'd continue on. Muscles would burn, protest, and she had to widen her stride a bit to keep up. At least, she thought she did when in reality he was shortening his stride for her.

"Huh... that so?" she's mull over that. Then over think things. Did she make herself seem like a complete idiot when explaining to him how to create an orb of light? Did he already know how to?

Ahh, the mind. Always a horrible thing for second guessing.

"Must be nice." she'd say, in turn getting a bit quieter as they'd move towards a fork in the streams. Above them, the formation of crystals would grown more prevalent, so much so that the glow they would emit would give them more light.

A frown would mar her forehead, and a puff of warm air would blow her bangs from her lips as she'd pause for a moment, taking the time to look overhead.

"What kind of crystals are these?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“It's not to say I know everything. In truth, I know only half of what I should like and a fourth of what my grandmother knows.” He smiled, that little bit of humility having a ringing of truth. Most of his studies in the force up until now had been in Sith Magic. Learning it, controlling it, testing the very limits of it, and now?

Well that was the funny part wasn't it.

Soliael looked up when Kira asked about the crystals. He eyed them for a moment, searching for the answer within his mind. He remembered suddenly, his thoughts slowed by hunger, exhaustion, and a hint of the distraction that was Kira Liadain.

“Angraal Crystals.” He said as he stopped to peer at a very large crop of them growing on the ceiling. They gave off a slim dark purple light that seemed looming. “They grow naturally here on Exocron, dotting these tunnels every few miles. A growth as large as this is uncommon.”

These crystals could only be found here on Exocron, and only within these tunnels. They had first been noticed in the Tree Chamber, though those had been eliminated quickly to make room. Soliael had no idea what their purpose was, or what they could be used for. Geology was never really his thing, suddenly he looked down at her. “Would you like some?”

 

[Kira Talith]

Ever one to just jump with both feet before looking, took a small moment to get a closer look. They were indeed, purple like crystals, the closer she would get to them, the more she'd have this sort of calm relaxed feeling come washing over her.

A spare glance would be darted over to Soliael's direction, "Hmm?" she'd make a small noise, driven from her reverie. She finally registered his question.

"Oh.." her attention would flicker back to the growth of crystals. Truth be told, she did -- and it would show in her face. Truthfully, there wasn't anything that could not be read across her face. She was so expressive, and drifting across her face was rather piqued curiosity that would relay that yes, she did.

"Ah... well... don't want to be a bother." she's say, although her eyes certainly kept drifting back to them.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael smiled at her.

It wasn't a bother, heck the ceiling was so low perhaps he could...

Soliael reached over to Kira, grasping her tiny body for a few moments. His back would probably not like this later, but for now Crucitorn kept the pain in check so he was able to ignore it for now. The False god lifted Kira up from the floor, grasping her by the hip and pushing her up towards the lightsaber crystals.

“Take all you want.” He said to her with a grin on her face.

If these crystals were anything like other crystals, they wouldn't need more than a strong knock to their base to dislodge. I Kira could manage to use her tiny fists of fury or even a light push in the force, she could very likely dislodge quite a few of the purple shards.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Ohmygosh!" came Kira's sudden gasp of surprise as Sol would lift her up, getting her within an arms reach from the growth of purple crystals.

She couldn't' help but laugh, her eyes bright. "hey.. careful there booyo!" she'd warn, reaching up to do just that, dislodge a couple of of the crystals themselves.

Once she held them in her hand, a sudden sensation of calm and peace would flow over her. A faint smile would crack her lips.

"so beautiful.."

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael took a moment to enjoy the view that sat in front of him as he lifted Kira up to get some of the crystals. The tight thermal pants she wore really brought out her...ahem...As soon as she got the crystals Soliael slowly lowered Kira to the floor, noticing that she had about half a dozen of the purple shards.

Slowly Soliael reached down, interested in the strange crystals. He smiled, grabbing one of the crystals between his thumb an index finger.

Almost immediately Soliaels eyes popped open. He felt a strange sense of calm wash over him, the darkness that had been pulling at him shrunk, and everything in the world seemed to go...alright. Soliaels mind tried to wrap its head around the sudden change, and he very early took a step back out of pure shock.

It wasn't a mystery what had caused the feeling of calm, his orange eyes narrowed on the crystal, then he slowly placed it back in Kira's palm.

His face was an expression in discomfort.

 

[Kira Talith]

"What's wrong?" came kira's sudden question, able to read the sudden flicker of discomfort across his face. As she'd slide down against him when he'd bring her back down, she'd watch him curiously.

"You okay?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He looked at her, shifting his gaze to the crystals.

“The effects of the crystal are...odd.” Soliael said truthfully. It wasn't that they scared him, but the disconnection from the darkside had only been started...yesterday.

It already seemed like an age since then, since he had last used the darkness that dwelled within him. His eyes took on an interesting sheen for a second, then he blinked it away. The Darkside was a powerful draw, like a drug, a potent drug. He frowned slightly, then turned away from Kira for a moment before returning his gaze to her. A genuine smile bloomed on his face.

“Things are changing.” Was all he said before he tore off a strip of cloth from his sleeve, he knew he didn't need it anymore. “Here, wrap the crystals. We'll see if we can't do something with them back at the fortress. Were close now.”

His smile was warm, encouraging.

 

[Kira Talith]

There was no stilling her protests, "What are you doing!?" fancy crystals were not worth his health. No, he was more important to her than mere crystals.

"No.. " she'd shake her head. " You need every bit of warmth you can get." she'd say.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael smiled, shifting the cloak to cover his now bare arm.

“See that lake.” He pointed towards the dark end of the cavern, the globe of light dulled for a second, then another light appeared at the far end of the corridor where Soliael was pointing. The light built up, then illuminated a massive cavern with a lake inside of it, rocks dotted throughout the lake to make them appear as stepping stones.

“I recognize it.” Soliael said quietly. “We've walked around fifteen miles, the caves beneath the fortress were mapped, I read the map, that lake is on the map. We go across that lake, to the far tunnel, take a right after another mile, then we stumble into the springs, then the fortress lays above.”

The relief on his face was almost overbearing.

 

[Kira Talith]

Kira would suck in a breath. Had they really traveled that far? Were they really that close to the Fortress? Anything could go here, but reading the lines of his body, the quiet manner in which he'd relay their potential position relative to their objective.

"So we are close?" she'd ask, taking a step or two towards the direction he'd point to. The water over the lake would shimmer from where he'd direct to. A weary, but relieved smile would shine at him.

While the thought of springs was VERY intriguing, she was so worn out and relieved that she'd just be happy to see the walls of the fortress again.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael nodded. They were indeed that close. Their trip had seen them come far ad move along quite a bit. He remembered what areas of the cavern they had been to before, where they had gone, and he would add it to the map later. The False God moved passed her for a moment, and then turned back towards her. “Wrap up those crystals.”

He said it in a playfully commanding tone.

Heading over the lake would likely test Kira's balance quite a bit, if not strain it to its very limits. In the end he would likely have to fish her out of the water. He grinned at that, then moved on quickly to the edge of the lake. There, across the lake sat a series of large boulders, dotted throughout the water as a sort of path.

That was what they would have to cross.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Yes, master," Kira would joke with notable sarcasm. Granted she did so, wrapping the crystals in the length of fabric he'd given her. The more she'd held them in her hands, the calmer she'd feel.

How curious, she'd muse, before the blonde crown her her head would lift to catch his gaze anew. Enter a grimace as he'd point out the trail of boulders that they'd need to cross in order to get to their objective.

She'd take a deep breath, securing the small bag of crystals to her belt at her hip, " ... great, I was looking forward to a swimming lesson," she'd mutter under her breath. So maybe she wasn't quite adept at swimming. It wasn't like Kuat or the various temples she'd called home would have deep enough hot springs or bodies of water where she'd be able to learn how to swim.

An uneasiness would fill her, but she wouldn't dare to show it. Instead she'd shine him a half smile, " Ready when you are."

But really, was she? Likely not.