Bird of Prey

[Batty]

Felucian birds were far from a delicacy, but they were a meal none the less. The taste was on the bitter side and the skin was hardly salvagable, yet it always went down smooth. Xakoxa had been stranded on this planet his entire life, and with the exception of his companion Legs the Acklay- he had been all alone for nearly a century. If it weren't for the reflection of the Felucian waters, he would struggle to remember what a humanoid even looked like- let alone how pale his Zabrak skin was, or the blue tint to his eyes. Legs was getting so big. He now reached just above Xakoxa by a few inches, putting the Acklays three eyes at horn-level.

The duo had been searching for ages across the plains of Felucia for the fabled Rancor that tore about his previous companions, and more importantly the mysterious arcane woman who bestowed within him, the power of prolonged natural life. Her words still echo in his ears every time the wind blows...

"When the time is right, you will join us. We will return for you..."

Xakoxa stood from his sitting position and readied his blaster and darkstick in his belt as Legs stood beside him and stretched his 6 mighty appendages preparing for the days journey ahead. The pair had grown very accustomed to walking, nomadic tendencies were a way of life by now. There was no specific place on this floral wasteland that was home to them, and rarely did they ever follow a routine or pattern to their trek across the surface. Xakoxa was lucky to have Legs with him, as Felucia has a large volume of surface water and being semi-amphibious, Acklay were perfect surfing mounts for crossing bodies of water, and this was once again time for Xak to take advantage of that fact. Crossing the watery passageway, they arrive on shore once more and whilst dismounting the Acklay a noise is heard in the distance. the shrill "kakawww" of a bird echoes across the land, and Xakoxa freezes in his stance and thinks aloud:

"That's no native Felucian bird... this is most concerning."

The shriek of the bird is heard once more, and with that instant direction is established, and the pair make a full forward sprint towards the source of the noise. A clearing is ahead of them in approximately a mile. His heart-rate begins to climb and with each beat of his two organic muscles, within his head the shallow sound of a cackling woman can be heard...

[OOC] This is an introduction Story RP to help establish the relationship between Xakoxa Kotaku and Vyrzhal Kushara. Both Pure and i highly encourage open participation from outsiders as the story continues, and welcome combat. We just ask it stays non lethal as both of our characters are brand new. Thanks again! [/OOC]

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

The Felucian glen was shrouded in an eerie green mist; a mist that carried ethereal whispers upon what should be a still wind. At the heart sat several uniquely clad figures, each of them were chanting the same otherworldly voices that shrouded the air. All of them, save for one who was sat in a cross-legged position. Her eyes were wide open, yet they were not her natural red eyes and nor were they looking upon the chanting men and women; no, for Clan Mother Vyrzhal Kushara, her eyes were bottomless black of a raven. Her vision through the bird made her smile.

He's so perfect now, she thought. The Stormstride Clan of the Nightsisters had come here for a goal. A goal for fulfilling an oath to a boy, now a man, to be welcomed into a family in due time. Now that time had come. The Zabrak Clan Mother chuckled slightly, its otherworldly echoes carrying across the fungus-dotted planet. Morrigan, the Raven familiar through whom Vyrzhal gazed through, had her eyes on their quarry. Beckoning an arcane command to the bird, she commanded to fly to another tree, drawing the promised one closer to his eager new family. The Clan Mother wove her hands in arcane movements, beckoning the spirits to bring forth a message through the winds.

Come to us child, we wait for you here just as we have promised a lifetime ago.

 

[Batty]

He could feel it in his soul- What he had been searching for was finally here on the other side of this woodland, and the energy in his body was surging. Focused on what lied ahead, he failed to notice Legs trailing behind him as he approached his destination, and the brush began to thin. The black clad figures became visible through the thinning foliage, and his anger became matched only by his anticipation as he approached the last of the treeline. He drew his blaster and his darkstick in one motion and become face to face with the chanting coven. He ceased his charge about 30 feet ahead of the circle and began mentally noting what he saw around him. It was in that moment he head the creature. The shrill little voice that had caught his attention at the shore line was now above him, and as he looked up he only witnessed the bird. A black bird that was not native to this planet by any stretch of the imagination..

"Who are you?! What do you people want with me?!?!"

Xakoxa screamed to the crowd who was visually unmoved by his demand. It was then he noticed the woman: That face, the colors, the robes... It was the witch who he saw nearly a century again with that phantom Rancor. Xakoxas hearts pounded as he gripped his weapons tight, ready for any confrontation that may be to come, but more than anything he wanted answers.

Why was he here? what had he been waiting for? and what had she done to him all those years ago?

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Vyrzhal smiled as the younger Zabrak came forward, Morrigan had done her task well. The Clan Mother reached out her arm, the otherworldly Raven came in to land. After doing so, Vyrzhal whispered something into the bird's ear, it cawed in excitement. She then returned her attentions to their guest, anticipation and fear radiated from him in equal measure. The female Zabrak's eyes returned to their normal red colour.

"A choice question...Xakoxa." Vyrzhal smiled, "as to why we are here, I could say many things. Perhaps we are here to take your life? Perhaps we are here to torment you for our own delights? No, we are here because..."

The Clan Mother opened one of her hands, to reveal a cluster of carved, luminescent animal bones. She threw them into the magick circle, they revealed the same thing to her ever since she had granted Xakoxa the gift of longer life all those years ago. Vyrzhal spoke again, her otherworldly vice grew more solemn.

"You have the touch of destiny about you my child, as to further why we are here and who we are..." The Nightsister spread her arms out, lights of coruscating purple and green energies danced throughout her form. "We are your family, Xakoxa. I have come to make good on an oath I have made a lifetime ago. We bid you come with us and become one of the Stormstride."

 

[Batty]

Xakoxa flinched aggressively every time he heard the witch speak his name. He didn't know what it was about her, but something made her was the perfect storm of tension, and attraction. He felt himself drawn to her- but was this a spell, or was this something simpler?. He looked tensely around at the men and women encircled in front of him, waiting for one to jump and make a move.

"What do you want with me? What did i do to deserve this 'honor' of yours?"

Xak was prodding. He wanted answers or a reaction out of the woman and began inquiring further:

"What if i decide not to come with you lot? Maybe i want to conduct a test of me own..."

As he spoke a snide smile stretched across Xakoxa's lips as he and Legs both reared back and genuflected in a display of power.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

The Clan Mother smiled, the other Nightsisters and Nightbrothers seemed poised to attack Xokoxa. Vyrzhal raised her hand to halt them.

"No...leave him be, he has much spirit in him!"

Her bodyguards relented, with her other hand, she let Morrigan fly free. The Clan Mother rose to her feet and drew her staff, she left her lightsaber where it was.

"Like I said, we've come to bring you home Xokoxa. The spirits have marked for a great undertaking."

Vyrzhal then proceeded to smile, before bursting into a haunting, soul-rending cackle that would unnerve those who did not know her. Her final response was much more coherent and spoken with a raised eyebrow.

"I've never said anything about a test...but if you insist."

She thrust her hand forward, invoking the spirits of lightning to channel their power through her. An immaterial purple flame shrouded her hand, absolutely throbbing with power. The Clan Mother bellowed a word of power before the snakes of fiery pain flew forth. For all the show, she knew it wasn't lethal; merely there to show the younger Zabrak what he was dealing.

 

[Batty]

Xakoxa heard as the head witch beckoned her minions away and smiled. He hadn't felt the rush of battle in generations, and it was high time he had once more. The underlings relaxed as their master began her ritualistic movement, and Xakoxa watched intentfully as her hands begin to wave and then glow. He looked to his side and sees Legs arching down, reading to spring forward but briefly raises a hand to signal that his faithful companion stand down for the moment. It was now time to take action and see just what these people were all about.

"If you want to take me, than show me what you really have to prove!"

With that call Xakoxa lunged forward raising both of his weapons up to eye level. Aiming his DE-10 blaster directly at the opened hand of the witch, he quickly squeezed out two shots before attempting to shield himself from the ensuing barrage. It became unclear to Xak whether his blaster bolts found his mark, as he was soon met with a powerful surge of lighting that caused his body to seize and spasm uncontrollably. Crippling his muscled and bending him to his knees, Xak drove his darkstick into the ground and began pulling himself towards the witch foot by foot with the aid of his tool. With that he attempted to stand after crawling a few feet and began to will himself through the tremendous pain he was feeling.

"You want to break me, witch?! it will take much more than a little light show to do that!"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Intriguing, thought Vyrzhal; the spirits were definitely right to mark this one, she forced out her staff to catch the blaster bolts he fired. Still he pressed on even whilst enduring the volleys of Spirit lightning she projected. Cackling, the Clan Mother stopped this assault and began an entirely new one. Vyrzhal then began to reach out to the spirits of Felucia's plant life, commanding that they twist and beckon themselves to her will. Using the lashing vines as a distraction, the old Zabrak then reached down to her belt to draw the dagger of the scorned. She then let fly free towards her target, but it wasn't his flesh she was aiming at...rather it was his hair. The small blade shrieked through the air, taking a piece of Xakoxa's hair as it returned to its mistress' hand.

However, he was very close to her. Vyrzhal simple smiled a coy a grin.

"Let me assure those are not my only tricks, allow me to share them."

The Clan Mother raised her empty hand to the sky, muttering an incantation, a blinding psychedelic light manifested from her palms. Content with the distraction it would offer, Vyrzhal began to split the essence of her spirit; this would create 10 ethereal, illusory images of herself.

"If you want me child,", the Clan Mother effigies intoned as one. "Then you must find the real me."

She then reached into her robe, several of the apparitions did the same whilst the rest moved in to 'attack' Xokoxa. Feeling the loose weavings of straw and clay, Vyrzhal began to chant as she began to infuse the hair. She better be quick since she cannot maintain the illusion and infuse her doll with power.

 

[Batty]

Xakoxa flinched as the blade severed his long silver locks, and readied himself for the onslaught the foliage was about to procure. It was now that we began to see just how in sync he was with his companion Legs.

"There Legs, cover to the West!"

The order came down and like a beautifully scripted ballet, the duo lined up back to back fending off the assaulting vines and tree limbs. Legs swinging his appendages to and fro, severing them as they struck and ending each ones movement. As the assault became contained, Xak became aware of the spell The Witch was concocting right before his eyes as doppelganger after doppelganger spawned in front of him, he switched his focus to the Witch...es? They began performing a ritual with the hair struck from his head and Xak knew this wasn't going to end well.

"Legs, get them! stop all the Witches from performing their ritual!"

At that instant the Acklay sprang forward and assaulted the apparitions, dispelling 2 quickly into a cloud of smoke. As Legs charged through the figures, Xakoxa raised his blaster and put three quick bolts into one, before realizing it too was a decoy. He rushed forward with his darkstick, hoping this was the real deal, and he could stop her in time.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Most impressive, thought Vyrzhal; Xakoxa's spirit-bond with his acklay had ensured the creation of a deadly team. Oh the spirits must be spoiling me today. It would do the younger Zabrak little good, for he had only struck an illusion. The Clan Mother continued to work ferociously on her Voodoo doll. Just as she finished it, the acklay was almost bearing down her. Vyrzhal thrust out her hand, her eyes began to glow as the power of the spirits coursing through her.

"Back down child of Felucia! Know that I do not wish to kill your friend."

The razor-legged creature backed down, and Vyrzhal drew the dagger of the scorned once more. Chanting eerily, the Clan Mother thruster the blade into the dollar's back. It's clay flesh seeped spirit ichor, soon Xakoxa will feel the greater effects of Nightsister magicks.

 

[Batty]

Xakoxa screamed in agony as the force of the blade drove through his body and pierced his flesh. Legs halted in his tracks inches from the Mistress Witch, writhing as he watched his master howl in pain. Xak panted as he regained his composure, and his eyes wandered over to his partner who had his own glare fixated upon the Witch, waiting for the opportunity to tear her in two.

"Breathe easy friend, i will overcome."

He turned his gave to the Witch and said:

"You think you can break me.. You believe that physical pain is not accustomed to my people. YOU will learn."

As he uttered those final words, Legs lunged forward, tackling the Witch, attempting to lodge the doll free from her grasp. The pair tumbled to the ground, and Xakoxa summoned a reserve of energy to heave his darkstick, arcing like a boomarang doing away with three more of the decoys and turned to afix his gave upon the cult assuring that they remained in the passive stances.

 

[Ars Neon]

"What have we down there Smarty?"

He had been flying around Felucia in his Delta-7 looking for a settlement to offer his services. Below him, in a wide clearing was some sort of fight. A robbed figure was shooting what looks like lighting towards a Zabark.

"Alright Smarty, take us down. Lets see what this little tiff is about." Ars proclaimed.
"Beep" chimed Smarty
"Whats your point? Take us down anyway, I don't care if you think its 'dangerous', or that is 'none of our business'." Ars ended the argument there. Smarty started to land the Delta-7, yet 'forgot' to put down the landing struts.

The Delta-7 landed in the clearing with a loud thud, on the opposite of where the fighting was occurring. The ship was in an awkward position after the landing. Due to the nature of the ship, it was titled to one side. There was minimal hull damage to the bottom of the ship.

"BEEP" Smarty's alarm sounded.
"Well ya, that's what happens when you don't put the landing struts down!" Ars yelled.

After exiting the small craft, and sliding down into the mud, he ran towards the ensuing brawl, with Smarty following three feet behind...

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Vyrzhal felt the acklay's weight crash into her, yet she maintained her grip on the voodoo doll. The impact knocked her headdress off, revealing her snow-white hair and short Zabrak horns. Knowing she would need the hand, the Clan Mother set the doll alight with her power, knowing the brief moment of intense pain would distract the creature with that of its master; this would allow her to grasp her lightsaber as she invoked the spirits of the wind to cast the creature aside. Their otherworldly cacophonies echoed through the Glen, Vyrzhal finally ignited her lightsaber, revealing its purple blade. She turned towards the younger Zabrak.

"Why would I break you? Why would I want to change that which is perfect already?" She smiled, brushing her hair aside to reveal her horns again. "After all, we are the same people."

Something than seemed to draw the spirits attention, someone was here watching them. Vyrzhal locked into the presence and began to use the spirits to convey a message into the mind of the newcomer.

I know you are there, do not be afraid for we will soon be done here."

She then turned to Xakoxa.

"Let us end this now kinsmen, we have new company with us besides...I believe you've proven yourself worthy to be one of us."

 

[Batty]

Xakoxa panted and watched as the human and droid scurried over to the battle sight. He took a moment to catch his breath and digest the situation and thought to himself:

"She is a Zabrak too? that explains a lot.. but what do they want with me?"

"What do you you want with me Witch?! How do you know my name- Why are you here?!"

He bellowed out to the woman, begging for answers and observing the human walking towards them. The Witch was not trying to hurt him, she was testing him. Like a carefully grown fruit, she was examining him... critiquing him as if she had cultivated him over the course of a lifetime. He reared his head and beckoned the human:

"You.. What is your name and what are you doing here? Speak now!"

 

[Ars Neon]

Ars and Smarty both ran to within 5 feet of the tumbling pair. Ars slid to a stop and Smarty jumped up and stuck 'disco' pose upon landing.

"BeeYoop" Smarty beeped with a hint of smugness.
"Yes, yes, you are fancy. Now what are you two doing?" Ars said with a quizzical look on his face.

A mysterious voice echoed in his head:

"I know you are there, do not be afraid for we will soon be done here."

"What in the P2 series was that? Smarty, you playing tricks on me again?" Ars said with a look of growing concern on his face.
"Weeop" Whirled Smarty.
"Well if its not you, it must be them two!" Ars screamed as he pulls his DH-7 out and fires wildly, yet clearly hitting no-one.

He then hears the voice of the man: "You.. What is your name and what are you doing here? Speak now!"

Still a bit stunned, Ars replies, "My name is Ars. This here is Smarty. Are you in need of help?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

"I have already said it Xokoxa, we have come to take you home. Felucia has shaped you into the very thing the spirits said you would be."

She bowed in what would be genuine respect, her fellow Nightsisters seemed a little confused.

"I am Vyrzhal Kushara, Clan Mother of the Stormstride Nightsister clan. You Xokoxa shall be the Nightfather."

The female Zabrak then turned to the human before them, who introduced himself as Ars Neon. She smiled, and spoke once more in her unearthly tone.

"You can be of a more...permanent help my child. It seems you have a talent for machines that many on Dathomir lack."

 

[Batty]

"...The NIghtsisters.. a Nightfather?.. am i reall destined for this? is this what i've become...

Xakoxa could feel the power inside him no more than ever. The connection he has with Legs, the fact that his aging has practically stopped... It all evened out. He looked over at Legs who began walking back over to him, and back to the Witch. He was a Nightsister. She had traveled all this distance to uncover him, and he was meant to restore the Nightsister name. Even this insignificant human had a purpose. His darkstick rested at his hip, and he holstered his blaster as he approached Vyrzhal and returned with:

"What is our objective my Queen?"

"His adrenaline spiked once me.. He had a feeling. Resting his hand on the grip of his pistol...

 

[Ars Neon]

He saw the man and woman exchange a few words and the fight between them suddenly stopped. they stood, nearly side by side.

"Go get the ship ready Smarty, and this time put the landing struts down." Ars stated to back up, while Smarty ran in a very haphazard way to the ship.
"Chirp!" Smarty chirped as he went back to the ship, and let out more chirps every few feet.

Seeing the man place his hand on his gun, Ars asked, "Who are you? What do you want with me? And what did you mean by, 'More permanent help'? Are you going to eat me?"

Ars was clearly alarmed at the thought. He kept his gun up aimed in the general direction of the pair, awaiting their response.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Vyrzhal smiled.

"Do not worry human, we won't eat you. Your kind are far too stringy these days. You seek employment as we seek an individual who knows machines."

The Clan Mother then turned to Xakoxa.

"At this time, your objective is to come home and know your family. For i is they you will be fighting alongside.

 

[Batty]

Family? Xakoxa hadn't dared use that word in nearly a century since his group of travelers had been slain by the rancor. Xakoxa understood the womans plea, and interjected with a final question:

"But how will we get off this planet? And Legs too.. i'm sure not leaving him behind."

He looked back at his companion and at that moment saw a flash of what was to come.. the power... the legacy.. the world of Dathomir.