Ask Serenno As Darkness Takes The Day...

[Sybella Demici]

Mantero, smallest of two moons orbiting Serenno. Outer Rim Territory ​

Whilst she mourned the passing of her father, Lady Sybella did not grieve. Death, after all, was a natural part of life; a wise Jedi once wrote rather than rage at the loss, it was better to rejoice, for those loved ones would transcend the mortal plane and return once more to the Force itself. Though gone, they were never truly lost, nor were they forgotten. Still, there was heartache. There was pain.

Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force. ​

Repeating the creed again and again allowed Sybella to remain remarkably stoic. With great dignity, she walked arm in arm with her weeping mother, leading the funeral in its final procession. Countless generations had to laid to rest on this moon and beneath the shrine itself was an intricately built system of tunnels; some likened the burial site to a maze, filled with endless crypts and multiple vaults, but to the Demici family, it as hallowed ground. Even Jedi, related by the blood, were entombed within the ossuary, including the Old Republic hero, Javaid Demici. If Sybella's memory was correct, there was a statue of the legend himself, standing as an effigy. Such adornments were not unusual, but only the greatest of their name were afforded such honour. However, most chambers were far more modest and others completely sealed off.

At the mouth of the memorial, mourners gathered dressed in black. The sermon itself was solemn, but brief. People paid their respects and offered their sincerest condolences. Sybella's father, Aramis III, was a good man and several heads of the Serenno houses showed their solidarity whilst lamenting the loss; they spoke fondly of the Demici patriarch and offered pleasant stories, retelling tales and recounting events. Some smiled at the nostalia of it all, whilst others felt renewed in their sorrow.

All fell silent once again when a low chime was heard. It was time for the final stage, the entombing of the coffin.

Wary from weeping, Countess Demici could hardly bring herself to move. Through tearful tremors, she attempted to speak "The vigil. I must...It is tradition."

Sybella, being the ever dutiful daughter, sought to spare her mother any further woe. She offered to go instead. "I shall stand the vigil, mother. Go back with our guests..."

The usually resolute matriarch was surprisingly compliant, agreeing to her child's suggestion without much coaxing. An ill omen, most assuredly. Sybella recognised it for what it was. The acquisition of her status. Now widowed, her mother was little more of a regnant, meaning Sybella herself would soon expected to forgo her role as heir and instead ssume her position as head of the Demici House. There were no siblings, no cousins to supplant her. She had duties attend to, expectations to fulfil - now more than ever.

But that would have to wait. In order to complete the vigil, a small party would enter the crypt and oversee the placing of the coffin. They would then stand watch for the rest of the night, paying homage to the memory of the one departed from them. Usually, only family were permitted entrance to this sacred space, but @Faen Akatosh was special. He was a fellow Jedi. On this occasion, he was granted entry and Syballa was silently thankful for his company. Instead of pity, the seer brought with him great comfort. It was much appreciated, especially as the two had grown so close, serving the Jedi Order on multiple missions and assignments.

Offering her friend a subtle signal, they began their slow descent into darkness.

@Charles

 

[Faen Akatosh]

It was an honor to hold the ceremonial vigil for the dead, and Faen made sure he was as polite and respectful as possible when greeting the Demici family. The loss of the patriarch was a solemn day, and the Seer could only empathize. He, too, lost his father and mother when the Sith began the incursion on Denon. But, Faen believed in life after death- that becoming one with the Force meant the ultimate sacrifice. Even if he never would feel the comfort of his parents again, it was comforting enough to know that they were never truly gone forever.

"Your father was a great man, Sybella. I am humbled by your request to hold the vigil with you." He would say to his Jedi companion. Of course, everyone else wasn't aware of Faen's affiliations, but this wasn't a day for propaganda. It was a day to mourn the loss of a good leader and honor his memory. So many had seemed to pass in the last few weeks. One councilor and two knights had fallen, and moral was at a serious low. It was Faen's duty as a Seer to watch over those who suffered and to bring them comfort.

"Are there any fond memories you have of him?" Faen asked with a friendly smile. Today was sad, yes, but the Hybrid wouldn't allow for it to be a gloomy.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

@Faen Akatosh 's presence gave Sybella some much-needed reassurance. She had made this journey once before, during the burial of her grandmother and it had been a harrowing experience; as a child, the darkness of the crypts frightened her. In her young mind, the shadows came alive, moving and morphing into predatory beasts that licked at her heels. Even now, the low light had caused her much unease.

In truth, what they were doing was risky. Entering Sith space, after the ceasefire had been revoked? Unthinkable. Yet, here she was. After nearly ten years in exile, she finally returned to her homeworld (admittedly, not under the best of circumstances). There were, of course, certain stipulations. She was to conceal her allegiance to the Light and, by morning, vacate the planet without delay. Sybella wished she could stay longer, and console her mother more but deep down she knew it was for the best; arguments had already been brought up, about her inheritance, and potential for marriage.

Under the guise of mourning, the Serennian would hear nothing of sort. She was here for one thing and one thing only. To lay her father to rest and make her peace with his passing.

"Fond memories? Yes. But they are few." Her smile, though faint, was a sad one. The more she reflected on the matter, the more she came to regret it. "My father was a peaceful man. Calm and patient. I admired him, very much."

Sybella had been adamant about becoming a Jedi, and it was actually her father who indulged such wishfulness. She was off-world when the planet fell under the influence of the Sith; unable to return, she stayed with the Order, becoming the Knight she is today but she never lost her love for Serenno, nor for its people and her family. Deep down, part of her never forgave herself for leaving; she felt as though she had abandoned her home in order to pursue her own ambition.

With the coffin placed within the tomb, the rest of the attendants took their leave. Only Sybella and Faen remained to take the vigil; alone, and free from prying eyes, the young knight finally allowed the mask to crumble. "I wanted to make him proud. To restore my family's honour and glory, as it was in the bygone eras." Shaking her head, she lamented at the irony of it all, "Instead, all I became was an exile."

 

[Faen Akatosh]

"You are no exile, Sybella." Faen said reassuringly. It saddened him to see her so distraught. There was probably a huge burden left for her to carry in the absence of her father. Leading an entire noble house did not sound appealing if it was being thrown at you with no warning. "You are a Jedi Knight. Your father would be proud of who've you become." Strength and courage were two attributes any Jedi needed to carry on, and Faen believed those were defining traits of Sybella Demici.

"Whatever lies ahead for you, know that I will always be there to fight by your side." The darkness may have unsettled Sybella, but Faen had grown to find comfort in the dark. The Force would be his eyes and the dark could hide nothing from him. It was the fact that the darkness forced him to rely on his senses that he enjoyed being immersed in it. The connection with the Force would only be strengthened. "Do you think there could be a way for you to rule your House? Surely it cannot simply end with you. There has to be an heir, right?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Touched by Faen's words, Sybella's tears began anew; it was a relief, knowing she could be vulnerable around the seer and speak freely without the fear of being judged. But still, she cursed, somewhat abashed, and promptly wiped at her eyes, but not before offering her friend a chastened smile. "Truly, where would I be without you, Faen?"

With a sigh, the heiress reluctantly switched her focus; it was true, she needed to properly contemplate the mess that lay before her. Unfortunately, ignoring it didn't negate its importance. "The Sith Empire has its claws in deep. Propaganda also runs rampant. In the past, my father curried favour with other nobles; he often acquiesced to their whims for the sake of keeping the peace. My mother fears for our future. It would be easy for Sith supporters to depose us..."

It had happened in the past, with other Heads of Houses; power grabs and scheming had been their folly, leaving only chaos and ruin in their wake. It was a wonder the Demici family was left relatively untouched, especially given their existing history with both the Sith and Jedi. Though indomitable, Sybella's mother had her limits. If an upstart of the Empire tried their luck for the title ofCount, there would be little in the way of opposition.

"I could assume the headship but it would mean concealing my ties with the Jedi. I doubt my 'powers of deception' would fool the Sith for long..." Though Sybella would rather fight the Sith head-on, it would be foolish to do so now. She knew this and it vexed her to no end.

Then came the other issue. "My mother...She has asked me to leave the Jedi Order. To do my duty and return to the family. People have been asking questions, regarding my absence. Some may already suspect-"

There was a noise. Faint at first, but audible nonetheless. It sounded like footsteps. Sybella looked at Faen, as if to confirm the sound as well. Had someone else entered the crypt?

"This is sanctified ground. No one else has been permitted entry." Were there potential trespassers? Just the very thought angered the young knight. Without thinking, she stormed out of the antechamber and entered the darkened tunnel, ready to confront any scoundrel that dared to breach the shrine's interior.

But at first glance, there was no one. Just darkness...

 

[Faen Akatosh]

The Seer could only smile after Sybella gave her words of affirmation. He only thought he was doing his duty as a Seer, and sometimes he forgot about the great deal of peace it gave others. It made the Jedi feel as if he actually was making a difference in the galaxy, even if he was just a simple man trying to make his way throughout the galaxy.

"I see..." Given his companion's comments on how deep the Sith have gotten with propaganda gave Faen an idea. "Sybella, I think there is a way for you to stay true as a Jedi and serve your people here. I don't know much about the organization, but the Order has a Jedi Shadow operation. From what I can gather, they seem to go deep undercover for situations just like this."

It could work almost perfectly given the timing of everything. Though the death of Sybella's father was tragic, his passing into the Force would give his heir the chance to do what she was born to do without losing her place among the Jedi. Faen still wasn't sure how one became a Shadow, so he would have to ask around- but even then, Sybella would have to be willing to go through with this as well. But, she would not do it alone, and if she let him, Faen would be by her side through it all.

"Again, I have little information on the group besides a few rumors, but I think this could be the bridge between both worlds." But, something shifted inside the tomb, and Faen could feel it's presence through the Force. Sybella only confirmed that she felt it, too, when she mentioned that no one else was permitted down here. Without hesitating, Faen drew his the hilt of his lightsaber, but did not activate it yet. With his free hand, he channeled the light into an illuminating ball that shined brightly in the dark tomb.

"Show yourself. This is sacred ground and you are trespassing on it. Show yourself and leave now."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella had heard of the Jedi Shadows and their covert operation but had yet to meet any in person. Then again, that seemed to be the entire point; remaining faceless and nameless in order to ensure their success when going deep uncover. Rumours of their exploits ran rife but little ever really confirmed. Though a daunting prospect, the idea actually intrigued Sybella; she could strike out at the Sith from within their own Empire, and use their own deceitful tactics against them.

But such thoughts would have to wait. The knight's first priority now was finding the intruder. @Faen Akatosh 's ball of light served them well, banishing the immediate darkness within the tomb and its many tunnels. Cautiously, Sybella scanned the nearby area, her ears straining for even the slightest of sound. There was something but it was faint. Following the noise would lead them off on a tangent, into a part yet developed. The Serennian recognised the area immediately. The empty chambers here were yet to be finished; they were allocated for future Demici kin, including Sybella.

The thought made her shiver, entering what could be her very own tomb, but the knight persisted, following the disturbance till she reached its source. It was an inharmonic sound, unusual yet soothing in its tones; it danced through the air, bouncing from one wall to the next. Entering the crypt first, Sybella looked up and recognised instantly the origins of the noise.

"Mourning chimes..." They were placed in almost every tomb, allowing the bereaved to ring them during the vigil.

But this particular space of empty, not yet inhabited by those dearly departed. Why ring the chimes here? Was this some kind of sick joke? Growing frustrated, Sybella turned to leave, only to find the mouth of the crypt sealing itself shut on her. Bathed once more in darkness, the kohl-eyed knight was understandably panicked. She cried to push open the crude stone slab that blocked her way, but the damn thing would budge.

She shouted for Faen, bashing her fists in hopes he would hear her.

Little did she know he was not alone. Some distance from him stood a familiar figure, one draped in red. It was a ghost of the Demici family, the spectre who haunted Sybella herself.

Lady Lujayn.

“Mes macias darval, jidai. Tapti'.” She beckoned. “ Nu zinot kaienas kia parod tu.”

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Ironically, Faen was relieved to find out that the perpetrator was only a shade of what once was. After a quick sigh, the Seer relaxed himself and looked to Sybella. Was she okay with this? Disturbing the resting place of her father? Of all the places to do this it had to be here and now. If Sybella wasn't angry, Faen would be for her. This ghost had no class at all- especially for a noble of one of the greatest houses on Serenno.

"Should we follow it? Or should we hunt it?" He would let Sybella decide the fate that laid ahead of them. What could Lujayn possibly have to show them that could be more important than standing the vigil? A small part of Faen whispered, Well...It's not like he's going anywhere. But it was the principle of the thing! What friend would the Seer be if he left Sybella alone to chase after another dead ancestor?

"Strangely enough, I don't sense any ill intent. Do you?" Whatever Lujayn had in store, it better be important enough to disturb the two under such whims.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Frustrated with her entrapment, Sybella's mood was only made worse by Faen's revelation. The spectre was here? Why? Admittedly, it had been some time since she last made a corporal appearance. The knight had actually hoped the ordeal on Yavin IV had permanently palled the ghost away; being banished by the light had certainly hampered its presence. Still, Sybella should have known better than to get too hopeful. Thinking about it, wasn't the body of her ancestor buried within this very catacomb? She paled at the thought, wondering if that would perhaps strengthen its spectral essence. Renewed in her struggles, the knight tried once more to free herself from the crypt.

The visage of Lady Lujayn, however, appeared rather mirthful, smiling towards the direction of Sybella's 'tomb' before turning her focus once more to Faen. Once more, she beckoned for him to follow, fading out of sight before appearing further down one of the adjoining passages. It appeared she wished to separate the two Jedi, choosing the Jedi Seer as her main quarry.

Feeling drained already, Sybella relented in her bid to escape. After some silent deliberation, she finally decided to concede. Calling to @Faen Akatosh, she hoped her voice would not be too encumbered by the great stone currently occupying the space between them.

"Go. See what she wants. You can deal with her better than I can..."

Trailing off, Sybella noticed something. In the darkness of the tomb, it appeared as if the shadows were...moving? At first, she thought her eyes were surely playing a trick, like in her youth. Yet the more she watched, the more entranced she became as visions began to reveal themselves in a chaotic frenzy. She was no longer staring into the darkness, but rather into something far more vast; an abyss without measure.

She fell completely silent, realising that indeed this void was also staring into her depths.

 

[Faen Akatosh]

"As you wish, Mi Lady." Faen would echo back. The Seer did not like the idea of splitting up, but if Sybella thought he could handle the shade, then he'd do his best to do just that. "Alright, you weird phantom... Show yourself." He muttered into the dark, using his light to better see where the lady had went. After putting away his saber, he continued down the path the shade had taken, loosely following the red-robed ghost.

"Where are you taking me? Why don't you want Sybella with us?" He would ask curiously, keeping his skeptical glare locked onto the ghost. Physical weapons, as far as Faen was concerned, would have little effect on wraith, so he would have to utilize his skills with the Force. "Don't try anything funny." Faen warned. It was strange that the ghost wanted to pester Faen rather than Sybella, however. Was she distracting him so she could torment the other Knight? What would the dead ancestor of someone else want with him?

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Holding her head in pain, Sybella fell to her knees; the near-constant barrage of visions was starting to overwhelm her. She couldn't even distinguish one thing from the next. Was she gazing upon the past? Peering someplace else in the present? Or was she looking upon the future? Try as she might, she couldn't focus on any particular visage. Why? It was clear the Force was trying to show her something, but something was hindering the process. At first, Sybella thought it was because of her own ineptitude but now she wasn't so sure. This inference. It must have come from another source...

Concentrating once more, the Serennian began to exert herself once more attempting to channel these visions; she needed to find a focal point, something on which she grasp but with each passing second, the pain grew greater. The ordeal was undoubtedly stressful, causing a stream of blood to trickle from her nose. She couldn't withstand this, not for much longer.

What is it? What am I supposed to see? Show me!

Almost instantaneously, the mirage of mania condensed itself into one singular cataclysm. A feeling of lightning coursed through Sybella's body, rendering her entire numb. Completely helpless, to the point where she couldn't even scream from the agony of what she was made to witness. In the chaos before her, stood a figure. It was an imposing form, warped within living darkness. Try as she might, the kohl-eyed knight could not break her gaze, it was as if she was compelled the witness the birth of such a beast.

It spoke from under a mask of shadows, and Sybella's entire world turned black.

Elsewhere, the spirit of Lady Lujayn paused, casting yet another withering glance behind her. Was she checking Faen's steady progress or was she gazing back at something else? The upwards quirk of her lips revealed as much. She hadn't given the Jedi Seer much in the way of answers, other than an odd phrase here and there. “Tave mesinis iv mesinis kash nenx yet guvus. Rasiz niekada valia buti. Kad kash tu, nu ziur midwan.”

Leading @Faen Akatosh deeper within, the catacombs became more antiquated. These were not the tombs from decades gone by; instead, they housed centuries-old Demici kin. The spectre had paused only once, looking down on an isolated lane. She seemed to frown (as if displeased) but said nothing. Down that darkened passage was Lujayn's own crypt. The family, in their shame, had nestled her away, far from sight. Admittedly, it was to be expected. She had turned besmirched the Demici name, growing so crazed by the dark side that she even adopted the ancient, old language of Sith. Still, she had expected a little more....reverence.

Growing indifferent, the spectre continued, disapparating here before appearing someplace else. Finally, the exploration would end in front of a sepulchre. Centuries had dirtied the once fine stone carving. The ghost looked eager (as if such a thing were even possible). Her lifeless eyes would have surely glistened if they could muster any light at all.

Once more, she beckoned for Faen, “Stai lies Hetton. Jri ss'horunas.”

The fine tapestries and clothes that once hung as a door were now rotted to rags, leaving the mouth of the crypt wide open. Despite it, it looked as if the tomb had been left undisturbed, likely due to the complex maze one would need to navigate in order to find it. Inside, there was the expected stone coffin, as well as an unremarkable bust with a man's likeness. It all seemed rather unassuming, save for a few reliquaries. These chests seemed of great interest as the spectre attempted to caress the dust from their locks.

“Stai tu valia xauti... Ny azinimas.”

With that, the visage of Lady Lujayn vanished, leaving Faen alone in the tomb of Hetton.

 

[Faen Akatosh]

"Seriously?" Faen grunted after the ghost had left with the most ambiguous comments in the galaxy. Well, what was he really expecting from the mysterious Lady in Red? Faen guessed that whatever she wanted with Sybella, she couldn't get from her. But why, of all the people in the galaxy, choose him? Whatever lay hidden in these crypts- the Tomb of Hetton -could potentially answer his questions. However, the Dark Side of the Force was prominent here. Any action taken, would be taken with caution.

Before him laid several intricate boxes and chests with rusted locks, atop each one of them lied an old journal. Faen picked up one of the journals and began reading about one of Hetton's discoveries; a memory crystal said to have belonged to a long-dead Sith Lord with no name and only a strange title. This 'Overlord', as he was named, dwelled on some strange planet Hetton discovered, but Faen did not recall the system. De'Moro was the name, which gave the Seer impression that it was Hetton who named it.

Demici...De'Moro...I can respect a family guy. Faen mused as he read on, finding vague descriptions of the crystal's power. So, he set the journal aside and opened the small box, finding a glowing red kyber crystal sitting in an embroidered velvet silk. The ominous glow of red made the Seer grimace, but he pulled the crystal from it's box nonetheless. It whispered to him, begging to be heard, but no matter how tempted Faen was, he knew this wasn't place. There many more relics to investigate, but he felt strange plundering them without Sybella.

Speaking of which... How was she fairing by her lonesome?

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

With a groan, Sybella woke. The accumulation of visions had been a painful experience, to say the least. Even now, her head throbbed from such bitter memories. Such chaos. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. When visions came to her, they were usually more fluid, more gentle. It was like a river of water, washing over her in a steady stream of consciousness. What Sybella had seen though had frightened her, especially that darkened figure. Who was he? A new threat? An enemy to the Light? More than likely.

Pushing herself up from the cold, hard ground, Sybella stood up and dusted off the dirt. "The council...I have to warn them."

“Kodel? Tau valia nenx klazje. Tave jidai niekada klazje.”

Just hearing that voice renwed Sybella's frustrations. She turned and, as expected, there stood the spectre. The ghost of her ancestor, Lady Lujayn.

"Stop! Just stop! Don't you dare speak that vile tongue! Not in front of me. Not here..." Features that were once calm now appeared twisted and wrapped. She was angry. Angry at the fact she had to engage again with the menace that was this phantom. Yet Sybella felt something. She felt concerned, especially when she noticed Faen was nowhere in sight. At first, she feared the worst. "Where is he? I swear if you've hurt him-"

"Calm yourself, child. The Seer is unharmed. He is willing to listen, to learn. Yet you are not."

So, the Lady in Red could speak the common tongue. This placated Sybella, for yet another moment. With a begrudging sigh, she waved her ancestor all, all whilst swiping from her nose the blood from earlier. "What do you want? No more riddles, I need answers."

"I have told you, time and again but you refuse to listen." Inch by inch, the spectre moved closer. She wasn't walking, of course, but rather gliding, appearing both ethereal and infernal. "Accept what I have to offer or you will not survive what is to come."

"...Why do you care?"

There was a pause. As if Lady Lujayn was considering which words would fit best. Eventually, she supplied only this, "You are my legacy."

There was a laugh. A harsh, beguiling one and it came from Sybella's thinning lips. She was smiling, but there was no joy to it. Only sneering derision. Sybella shook her head, stating as much. "I refuse. I refuse to let my destiny be dedicated to me by some ancestral wraith."

"I have foreseen it. All those years ago, before you formed in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I knew you would be set apart. Do not deviate now from what is laid before you. Your path is set, child. Accept the truth."

"You're wrong. Visions can be wrong." How desperate she was to believe her own words. But even now, Sybella thought back, reminded once more of the figure which haunted her. The man of shadows, the one of darkness.

Lady Lujayn, however, appeared unconvinced. Her lifeless eyes had seen so much in her youth that she ultimately believed herself better than her willful descendent. "Not mine. Never mine..."

 

[Faen Akatosh]

When Faen attempted to leave the tomb of Hetton, another one of his visions flashed before his eyes. The glowing crystal in his hands began to float out of his palm into the hands of another figure obscured in the darkness, but the Seer could make out the silhouette of an armor man adorning a crooked crowned helm. The Dark Side seeped out of the man like a riptide, extinguishing the Light that Faen had recently made with his off hand.

"I know you..." Faen muttered, choking on his own words. "I am you." Then, a fiery light exploded from the figure, but this light was not welcoming. It destroyed the tomb around him, the inferno crumbled the crypt away until Faen was somewhere else entirely. He stood atop a black tower overlooking what looked like hordes and hordes of legions marching to war. The figure's black armor glistened as the wretched fire ceased. The figure examined a ring upon his finger before clenching his fist, turning to look at the Seer.

"No...No, this can't be... I won't believe it!" But then, the man in black took off his dread helm, and all of the hope drained from Faen simultaneously as he gazed upon himself. A darker self. "Do not fear what is to come. This is the path that leads to Order. This is the path that leads to Peace. This... This is your Salvation." Then the vision ceased and the Seer found himself back in Hetton's burial place. Panting and exhausted, Faen glanced at the red crystal in his palm and let out a cry of anger and resentment. Was that truly his doom? How could have Faen fallen that far? Why would anyone call that salvation?

That word kept echoing in the back of Faen's mind as the crystal still whispered, asking for the Seer to delve into it's secrets. What could the Dark Side possibly hold that the Seer desired? But, the power of the darker Faen was far greater than anything the Seer thought he would amount to. Doubt settled in the Jedi's mind. Doubt in the Order, in the Light, and in himself. He would need to ponder this vision further before speaking to anyone about it. Did that include Sybella?

No. I will speak to her first.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella would have stood there, arguing till dawn but she didn't. She had sensed something - a disturbance. Faen. Something had distressed him and his usual demeanour was now shattered. What could have possibly shaken the inflammable seer?

An accusatory glare was sent towards the Lady in Red, who all but confirmed it with just a smirk. "It begins..." As before and the same again, she began to crumble, decay away until nothing remained.

Cursing under her breath, Sybella tried once more to move the great stone slab. The damned thing was still wedged, sealing her in. "Enough of this..."

Having finally lost her patience, the kohl-eyed knight chose to use a more forceful method. Placing her hand upon the stone, she called on the Force and poured it into every single she could find. Sure enough, the rock began to rupture, splitting into pieces before collapsing into fragments. It was a rather explosive feat, but it worked nonetheless.

Coughing slightly on the dust and dirt, Sybella called out, hoping to find her friend. "Faen! Where are you?"

She had no clue where in the catacombs he had been led, but hopefully, he hear her echoes and know she was searching for him. She made her signature within the Force bright, hoping it would act as a sort of beacon in the dark.

 

[Faen Akatosh]

Sitting alone in the dark with nothing but the comfort of the dreaded memory crystal only made Faen feel more alone. Was this what lied ahead for the Seer? Darkness? Betrayal of everyone he cared about? Or... Or did you really know that? What if this future brought forth the future Faen wanted for everyone? This doubt only seeped deeper and deeper in the Jedi's heart, tugging at his core beliefs to test how strong they really were.

Then, a light from the darkness grabbed the Seer's attention. It was Sybella. Faen let out a sigh of relief, but the vision had drained him heavily. All he could do was sit and breath to try and gather himself.

With what he could muster, he tried doing as Sybella had to create some sort of faint beacon for her to hone on. It was all he could do for now and hopefully it would be enough.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Finding Faen a little worse for wear, Sybella decided it was a better time than any to flee the catacombs. The visions they had endured were terrifying, to say the least, and both needed time to recuperate. Thankfully, the journey back to Serenno was rather silent. The seer, claiming fatigue, retired quickly to his bunk. As much as Sybella wished to stay, she knew it was unwise; the planet she called home was not safe. It was time to settle what remained of her father's affairs and get off-world, preferably before she drew too much attention. Only those closest to the family had attended the funeral, but she knew more than anyone how quickly words could spread. The last thing her grieving mother needed was an inquisitorial visit from the Empire...

After satisfying herself with the final arrangements, the lady Jedi came to lament the lateness of the hour. So much for bidding a fond farewell to her kith and kin. Honestly though, if Sybella had any sense, she would leave now and spare herself the heartache. Instead, against her better judgement, the heiress spent the waning night wandering her ancestral home; soon enough, childhood impulse brought her to the fondest of places. The estate's botanical gardens.

Sybella, wishing to savour the symphony of scents, closed her eyes in tranquil bliss. Sadly, most of the flowers were ephemeral in nature; their seasonal blooms were already starting to fade. Soon enough, they'd wilt and wither. Still, it was enough for her just to stand there and bask in the memories that were conjured. The cascading petals and accomplice lunar light - it all vanished from view until all that remained within Sybella's mind was the peace from her past.

It did not last, however. She soon realised she was not entirely alone...

@LadyRen
@Kalique Demici

 

[Kalique Baize]

A recent passing of her uncle was the reason why Kalique found herself close the planet she had considered home as a child. Serenno was Imperial territory, just likes its moons, so there was no reason for Kalique to hide, but a funeral was not the occasion to appear in her regular uniform, but obviously she had decorously chosen something fitting.

Adorned in a relatively unpretentious black dress, yet spun out of expensive, soft fabrics, she had actually watched the ceremony from within the crowd, blending in with the multiple shades of black and grey and not drawing any attention, not even from her own parents, generally wanting to avoid unnecessary conversations. The Knight was still planning to pay her respects, which was still a thing she didn't do because it was expected of her, but a thing she wanted to do, regardless of how far she had distances herself from her own house.

Having joined the military was surely something honorable, but her family had always expected her to stay a noble lady, doing nothing but sipping wine and getting engaged in insignificant conversations all day and that has never been what the young woman had imagined. She was actively ensuring that Serenno was prospering, just the rest of the Empire and was fine with reducing interactions with her family to a bare minimum.

Undetected, Kalique had paid her respect, but had still refrained from any actual conversations. The personalized holo-messages were on their way, thus an actual wishing of condolences had been done, yet she already knew that her own parents wouldn't agree with her rather distant, digital well-wishing, but that's why she'd inform them afterwards that she had actually been present. The woman didn't bother about this emotional coldness as she had more import things to focus on, yet before she had actually managed to leave, another thought crossed her mind.

Her cousin Sybella had always been the one closest to her age and while still being kids, the two girls had actually gotten along quite well. That was until Sybella had chosen start on a path Kalique had never understood. While she tolerated the Jedi, there had been no way she would have ever considered joining them and dedicating her life to the Order, but hadn't Sybella always been the oh so righteous, stoic kind? Obviously, her choice had been more than problematic given their heritage and while Kalique herself didn't share much interest in keeping the fine lineage, Sybella was actually in a much more vital position.

Over the years Kalique had gathered information on the woman every now and then, checked on sightings on mission and thus knew exactly how the grown woman looked like now. Kalique was someone who enjoyed staying informed, so keeping up with her estranged cousin's business every now and then was something she had never stopped. Still, she hadn't talked to her cousin for over a decade, so perhaps it was time to change that.

A soft smirk had crossed her lip as she watched a young woman with the unmistakable headpiece board her shuttle. After having boarded her own shuttle, she immediately sped to catch up, keeping a safe distance but trying hard not to lose track of her while simultaneously ensuring the Jedi wouldn't feel followed, but it seemed like reaching a point where this long overdue reunion would actually happen was not that easy.

Instead of leaving the orbit and jumping out, Sybella was headed back to Serenno and steered towards the botanical gardens, which made the Knight raise a brow at first. Admittedly, it added up though. She could picture Sybella standing there in silence, simply meditating under the moon light or whatsoever, but for Kalique this all meant parking her ship around a few corners and walking up to the gardens before slowly rounding the corners of the delicately cut hedgerows and letting the Force guide her.

She approached her calmly, keeping all emotions controlled while she could perceive a whole lot more radiating off her cousin. She seemed lost in nostalgia on the one hand, while there was also a hint of an overwhelming desperation seemingly troubling the Jedi. She exhaled slowly as she finally came into sight, her arms crossed in front of her chest as their gazes met for the first time in so many years.

"Knight Demici, you are aware that you're not allowed to set foot on Imperial territory, right?". While Kalique was officially off duty today, she couldn't stop enforcing the law. Still, her expressions softened a little as Sybella had a good reason to be here, giving that her father had passed and Kalique would make sure she'd leave at some point and not wander around unsupervised.

"My genuine condolences, cousin. I was sorry to hear about your father's passing" she added, the subtle sympathy in her voice faked though. She hadn't been in contact with her extended family in ages, so he was nothing more than a stranger to her, yet she was not the one having forgotten all about where they hadnonce came from. "Are you here to finally fulfill your duty?". She hadn't initially intended to accuse her of having left, yet the thought had never left her mind. With her father dead, Sybella was actually forced to reconsider her life choices or threaten their house's future, so while Kalique really didn't want to be in her place, there were still questions that needed answering.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Frowning at the rude intrusion, Sybella turned rather sharply to face the unwelcome guest. Her indifferent expression, like a well-polished mask, concealed much. Except for her eyes. Within their depths was a silent pain, a kind of hurt that was not easily hidden. Truthfully though, the last thing Sybella wanted was a fight. If this imperial supporter wanted her gone, she'd humour them and leave - just like her father, choosing the path of least resistance.

Yet she paused, taking a moment to survey her new acquaintance. They seemed oddly familiar, but the Jedi couldn't quite place them. The stranger revealed they were a relative but the only cousin Sybella knew well enough was- "Kalique? It's been so long! I hardly even recognised you..."

How long had it been since they'd last seen one another? A decade, at least. The years had been kind and it warmed a part of Sybella's heart, to see her little cousin so grown up. Though not identical, they had their share of similar features. In their childhood, they were often mistaken for sisters, and to a certain degree, they were. They played together, studied together, and even attended the same functions and events. Choosing to leave it all behind hadn't been easy but the life of a Jedi was full of sacrifice - a tragedy Sybella often had to remind herself of. Whilst not easy, it was a decision she would honour, no matter the cost. Still, that didn't stop her kinsmen from badgering her about the family's precarious situation. First her mother, and now Kalique?

With a mirthless chuckle, Sybella shook her head. Was her little cousin really going to stand there and give a lecture? "I'm afraid we have a very different idea as to what constitutes as one's duty. Believe it or not, I answer to a higher calling..."

Kalique could have joined her. She could have become a Jedi and helped shoulder the burden. Instead, she remained, if not by choice, then by necessity. How would things have played out, she wondered, if the two of them had indeed walked the same path?

"Fear not. My mother will continue to serve as matriarch; she will keep our family safe..."

It wasn't the best of solutions, but it was all Sybella had to offer.

 

[Kalique Baize]

Following news and studying footage was obviously nothing like facing someone after a very last time. Sybella had matured and grown into a a beautiful woman whose features reminded her of Kalique's aunt, hence her mother, but also of her own mother, as they shared their blood, given by their parents.

While Sybella and Kalique were just cousins, there were still some superficial similarities to their appearance like their feminine, delicate features or the light eyes, but they had both grown from children to women with a completely different story and indeed that were not exactly thinking alike. "Same...but the headpiece gave you away". There was no need to share more information about how much Kalique actually knew about her older cousin and so she was blaming it all on the heirloom.

"A higher calling" she kept herself from rolling her eyes, but her tone was somewhat scoffing when she repeated the Jedi's outline. "Our sense of duty is different, yes, but without starting a philosophical debate, I feel like I'm still obligated to warn you of your shortsightedness. What happens after your mother, Syb? You've walked your path for years, maybe it's time to reconsider...".

Kalique started to circle her, but only to walk over to a delicate, white flower with multiple, semi-transparent petals glistening under the moonlight. "Speaking of which, how goes your intergalactic studying?" it wasn't supposed to be another veiled jab, but the House usually refrained from addressing Sybella's personal life directly. "You had a funeral to attend, but I really need to ask you to leave with me. I'll accompany you out of Serenno's orbit".

@HoneyMagpie