Ask Breaker Of Chains

[The Storyteller]

In a dark room
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC

A man wonders…can I count the strands in a woman’s hair?
A woman has no hair. She has lekku. Tendrils. Tentacles…
He has…counted these…before…pulled them…like…wings.

A woman is Ryssa—
—Ryssa Kalayli—
—Sips tea—cup—
—Does she?—What?
—Something’s…not right—
—His eyes…are not bright—
—That man…is…so violent—
—Deep sea sleeps beneath—
—Grey eyes—not twilight!—
—A governor…can bleed—
A woman is Kalayli.

A man grows…impatient.
A woman answers wrong.
At a gate—death’s waiting.
Yes…to cry…death’s gong.

“You need…to call it..."
No ‘please’—but honest.
A man shakes his head.
“I cannot call it for you.”
But fate can call death.
A man knows the truth.

A man is a Shade.
Shades know pain.
Just ask…a Maze.

They call him the Ninja.
His enemies—in blood.
But a man is not a killer.
He’s just fate’s deliverer.

A man knows little about bugs.
Time’s at a standstill in this one.
Must remember this thread is old.
But, true to character, cards unfold.

A blaster is in a man’s hand.
If a man can kill, this one can.

“Do you know what date is on this coin?”
AMS virus—dying pyres—Killiks—Joiners.
A woman is terrified—he answers for her.
“129 ABY. It’s been traveling 22 years…”
A Shade’s mouth hangs—bares fangs...
“And now it’s here…and it’s either heads.”
He does not kill, but he kills—fate at rest.
Not a game, it’s real; a woman may wail.
“Or it’s tails.” There is no grin. “...Call it…”

Finger is on the trigger.
“This is your last chance.”
A concept he understands.

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

Lanster Gate
Mazeryl Xiron
Vadrian

Spoiler: Music OOC

Mazeryl thinks..Focus. Breathe.
The alleyway was like a grave.
It was nestled near the street.
Where that battle took place.
It was a long stretch of rock.
Where once slaves walked.
Nameless...ageless slaves...

Maze might have suspected.
Ryssa’s kidnapper—location.
Yet, so close?—unexpected.
Darkness…and damnation…
That would be a man’s grave!
So said that woman! A MAZE!
Blood’s red—black is a mane!

Woman, man—Vadrian’s gaze.
Swept into hers—her black rays.
In the wall….a door; small not tall.
Within it…death….yes…would fall.

But it would not be a woman’s!
No, neither. It would be a man’s!
If a woman can kill—this one can!
Mazeryl Xiron: Protector of the land!
Her people! Men, women of Karazak!

The alleyway is dark at Lanster Gate..
Time stands still in the mind of Maze.
Feels fear again…for friend…her fate.
Ryssa Kalayli…if not dead…in pain…

If so…the Ninja would feel…such rage!
From the Lady Protector—and her blade!
She’s a woman, swordswoman—can play!
Has crossed blades with Blades and Shades!

Arm at hip, hand resting atop pommel of hilt.
Maze leans in, traces finger on metal built in.

“A door was filled in here…”
She reveals—for all to hear.
Her company of dark Shades.
And her army of bright Blades!

She turns to one, stone cold eyes.
Dark lights with rigid lips in a line.
Woman is a warrior—that is no lie.
A heart of dark starlight—a frown.
“Bring it down.”

And the door gives way!
Yes, that entrance breaks!
Heartbeats become like steps!
Drawing farther away—like breath!

Maze takes the lead and down the stairs.
There is poor light, torches lead the way.
It’s a hallway, a corridor: stands up hairs.
A woman is a warrior—but she is scared.

Father…
Will I find her?
You will find her.
Is she dead!?
Not yet!

MOVE, DAUGHTER.
YES, FATHER.

…In a corridor…
…Splits into more…
…Hallway to the left…
…Hallway to the right…

“Do we go right? Or left..?”
She alive or is she dead?
There was no evidence.
So was no telling just yet.

Picking a way was like flipping a coin.
Team splits into two—but still joined.

“Take them that way, Captain...”
Maze speaks toward lieutenant.
Vadrian named; finger leftward.
“I’ll take my group to the right.”

Forward, always, Maze.
Father..always forward!

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Hope. It was a beautiful thing, but it felt so out of reach in this dark room. The man insisted she answer, his finger brushing the trigger in an obvious attempt to threaten her. She swallowed, her breath escaping her in a little sigh.

“Very well.” Heads or tails? It wasn’t even worth thinking about. Might as well just appease the man… and maybe, just maybe, she could get out of here alive. However, that hope was starting to fade.

“I call heads.” Her voice sounded so tired. Right or wrong, it wouldn’t make a difference. She just wanted this to be over. The man hadn’t pulled her down here for a simple coin toss game, and he was the one with the blaster. Whatever would happen, he would have the final word.

And here I am… just another governor. Maybe it was a mercy she wouldn’t be there to see what the tabloids would say.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

Lanster Gate
Mazeryl Xiron
Vadrian
​

Left or right, heads or tails. Decisions to make in precious time that was quickly slipping away like sand in a sieve. Maze’s group chose right, and that left Vadrian with the left. With a wave of his hand, his men and women would follow him into the darkness.

Each door they came upon they would attempt to open, trying the handle first before Vadrian would order one man carrying his cutting tools to open it. The first one was empty, filled with nothing but old metal chairs covered by a fine layer of dust. No governor to be found here.

“Next one. No time to lose,” Vadrian said as the group pressed on. Two, three locked doors pried open, nothing worthy to note in either, but they would surely come back later to do a full investigation. That was, once they found the governor.

Then they arrived at the end of the hall, with a single door marking it. Treating it like any other, the Shades would try to open it first, but like the others, it was locked.

“Open it.” If this wasn’t the one, then they would immediately head to Maze, but if it was, Vadrian and his men were prepared for the worst.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

In a dark room
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC

A man—
A man—
A man—
A man—a man—
—man—a—man

A woman…has a head.
A woman calls heads.
A woman has a tail.
Does not call tails.

Eyes…into…eyes…
A man has grey eyes.
A woman has gold eyes.
Two eyes become four eyes.

A man has learned how to detect lies.
In his grey eyes there is not much life.
In her gold eyes there is…all that light.
Staring in shadow in a room not bright.

“You call heads.”
But nothing yet.
Still is the hand.
Still is..the man.

A fist begins to open.
Cold kiss on his lips.
She may be broken.
Death is like a kiss.

Ryssa Kalayli is her name…
Death is carried within fate…
Ryssa Kayali was her name…
Life in darkness—we do await…

Fingers begin to spread.
Coin in palm beneath head.
A woman emits a petrified breath.
Sweat glistening—her panting chest.
Fate, not chance, climbs death’s steps.
A man needs to feed! He has not yet fed!
A woman is living but may yet soon be dead!
Purple queen of Ryloth, a moth, and such dread!

In flickering firelight—the lighting within this abyss.
A woman’s face, a man’s face, hot—cold—naked.
A man is a Shade…he is a ninja…he’s an assassin.
A blaster is in his lap, finger on trigger…then a -click-.

The Ninja holds his hand out, stretches beside head!
Reveals the coin flip to his guest—and it is…it’s heads!
Whether that is good or bad for her—life—whether death.
This isn’t a man’s doing, not his fault; he’s fate’s deliverance.

“Heads then.”
What is next?
“Well done…”

A man flips the coin over to the that one woman.
May be too scared to catch so it lands in her lap.

“Don’t put it in your pocket.”
His face suddenly changed.
An almost benevolent gaze.
“Or it will get mixed in with
The others and become
Just a coin again.”
Stands up then.
“Which it is.”

Blaster points at his new friend.
“We are leaving. Follow me.”
Like that, they would leave.
First she must get to feet.

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

In a dark room
Mazeryl Xiron

Spoiler: Music OOC

Palpitations.
Heart is quaking.
Frustrations.
Lady is raging!

She is at the vanguard.
Her lithe if deadly arms.
Has arms—at her back.
Who carry blades at that.

They hurry down a corridor.
No time to waste! No more!
No more delay. Open door!
Check the walls and floor!

But she isn’t there…
A woman is missing…
A woman is scared…
Ryssa…Kalayli…

If she was dead.
Is it my fault then!?
Maze’s blood—red!
Gaze of vengeance!

Then they arrived at the end of the hall.
With a single door marking it—it is tall.
Treating it like any other, the Shades.
Would try to open it first—no blades.

But, like others it was locked.
And a woman’s fury goes off!

“OPEN IT.”

They do as bid!
As commanded!

And a door opens…
A woman steps in…
No…it isn’t Vadrian…
No light…it is…dim…

So a woman makes it bright again!
Would burn the sky for her friend!
Eager for her life—cannot be dead!
If she is…will put a Ninja to death!

Breath is O so very heavy in her chest.
Mazeryl Xiron is panting and panicking.

Father…I am afraid!
YOU ARE A MAZE.

“She…she’s not here…”
A woman can feel fear!

DON’T STOP.
DAUGHTER.
YES, FATHER.

“Vadrian!”

Voice comms over!
Quaking so closer!
Will search again!

A woman…is afraid!
A LADY IS A MAZE!

She’s finished with this room!
“Hang on! I’m coming to you!”

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Not knowing whether or not she should fear being right, Ryssa kept her eyes on that coin in the man’s hand. She was definitely not expecting him to flip it over to her, so when he did, she couldn’t help flinching as if it were some grenade that had landed in her lap.

It’s just a coin. Steadying herself again, she glanced nervously at the man.

She had no intention of putting it in her pocket, so she slowly put it down on the armrest of the seat when he told her not to. When he stood up, she leaned back in her seat, and it was only until he pointed his blaster at her that she forced herself to get up. Or at least attempt to. She didn’t know what was happening, why they were leaving, where he was taking her. She just knew that whatever it was, it wasn’t good. That expression on his face wasn’t the most reassuring either.

But Ryssa soon found that when she tried to get on her feet, she couldn’t. Her legs felt completely numb and stiff as if frozen in a giant block of ice. She had to grab the chair to hold herself up, and with the blaster pointed at her, it didn’t make it any easier to move. Instead, she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as if she were getting ready to vomit, and the back of her eyes began to feel hot with tears. She just couldn’t anymore.

“Please. Please, let’s stay here,” she begged him. Her dignity had all but disappeared. “I don’t— I can’t move. Please.” She didn’t want to leave, to go wherever he wanted to take her. If he was going to kill her, might as well do it in here. She just didn’t want to be kept in the dark any longer.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

Mazeryl Xiron
Vadrian
​

There were sirens in the streets now, more voices coming down the hall. The Shades and Blades of House Xiron were not alone— far from it. The door was soon ripped open, and Vadrian’s patrol stepped inside with flashlights and blaster barrels leading.

“Sir! There’s no one here!” came a voice, and Vadrian shook his head. That was impossible! The Terel man said she would be here. And he knew he hadn’t been lying, he just knew it.

“Search again,” he ordered crisply, and the Shades went to work. This time, however, they did appear to find something— yet another old door leading to another room. Once again, it was locked.

“Sir, we found—”

“Get it open. NOW!” They went to work, and that one was pried open. The flashlights that shone in revealed the woman they were looking for, and another man that was the Ninja. It looked like they had come just in time.

“Put your blaster down,” Vadrian ordered as his men quickly secured the perimeter of the room. His own was pointed at the man standing in front of a metal chair. “I said, put your blaster down!” It was all broadcasted on comms so that Maze could hear, and he heard her quick message back. But his focus had to be on the here and now.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

In a dark room
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

A man…
…Is a wolf...
Is a dragon.
With claws.
With a jaw.

A man hears a woman plead.
Pleas are...almost deafening.
His ears don’t bleed mercy.
To fate—it means nothing.

A man bares his teeth.
He is almost smiling.
In truth, he’s eating.
Peanut—it’s salty.

“Get up. We leave.”
A man is not asking.
Then his ears peak.
When noises bleed.
They are coming…

A Ninja has a blade!
A Shade can erase!
To him—not a game!
This…is…just…fate!

…In a dark room…
…Is a wolf’s lair…
…Death’s a tune…
…She is scared...

A man flips a coin, he can.
But not right now, no time.
Fate delivers from a hand.
But…neither is left or right.

“Put your blaster down!”
And a man looks around.
One hand is on a blaster.
Twi’lek’s neck’s the other.
“I said put your blaster down!”
A man is not smiling—frowns.

A man does not focus on Ryssa Kalayli.
Silence is broken; focuses on his enemy.
A man, a Shade, a Ninja—blaster in hand.
Before that, however…he has laid…traps...

Trap of
-CLING!-
Trap of
-CLANG!-

Cast was a die.
Result's a nine.

A coin was flipped again.
Only…in the man’s head.

-CLING!-
-CLANG!-

And the lasers sprang!
Horizontal from the walls!
Upon encircled necks, land!
In an instant yet, as bodies fall!

Man after woman.
Even…Vadrian…
Decapitation.
Damnation.
Fate had
Chosen
A man’s
Token.

But not all heads fall from necks..
Some of them—still standing yet.
A smoke grenade swarms the rest.
Blaster bolts—at heads and chests.

Like a coin, a man just gave fate back.
As flies buzz in the night—spots a rat.
As lasers retract—Ryssa is crouched.
Ninja too—didn’t put blaster down.

“We leave now.”
A patrol is cold.
By door’s bolt.
It is blocked.
It is locked.
No crowd.

Reinforcements would not get in yet.
Lets two survivors to make the exit.
This time the man binds her wrists.
Resistance is futile; leads to death.

The floor opens; a circle like before.
Like that Xiron patrol after that door.
It’s an elevator. Finger points down a void.
“Move along. Or do you need another coin?”

Spoiler: Coin Flip

Heads: Off with his head

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

In a dark room
Mazeryl Xiron
Vadrian

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

A woman…is afraid.
A woman…is Maze.
A LADY IN A MAZE!
A WOMAN’S GRAVE!

And her heart’s pounding!
Pulsating—and quaking!
Seconds fly, no counting!
A corridor—she is racing!

“Get it open. NOW!”
Comm’s broadcast.
Move! Get her out!
Found her, a man.

Meanwhile, Maze is running!
Not up a hill—down a maze!
She makes left—takes a right!
Ribcage breaking—the fright!

A woman has a bad feeling about this.
Can’t put finger on it—situation’s amiss.
Left hand rests on a pommel at hilt’s grip.
Right hand slices air—a woman runs quick!

FATHER!
GIVE ME STRENGTH!
YES, DAUGHTER!
GIVE ME SPEED!
YES, DAUGHTER!
NOW GO, MAZE!
GO SAVE HER!
YES, FATHER.

And she’s flying!
Arms are wings!
Spanning around!
“Put your blaster down!”

A door is up ahead!
There at hallway’s end!
It mark’s Maze’s entrance!
And it mark’s a maze’s exit!

Violent breath!
I am a Maze!
With a blade!
In my chest!

“I said put your blaster down!”

A woman is quick!
A lady takes a leap!
Gives a flying kick!
Battering ram’s feet!

And the door flies open!
And our woman flies in!
But doesn't see anyone!
No…doesn’t see Vadrian!

“PROTECTOR! THERE!”
It’s another door again!
Looks new, so fresh!
I AM THE WIND!
I AM A MAZE!
“BREAK IT.”

Breakers of Chains!
They obey their Maze!
While fall faint echoes.
Mazeryl knows those.

Blasters!
“FASTER.”

And the door opens!
And our lady goes in!
Sword sings from sheath!
A lady’s blade leads the way!
Terrible is this woman’s gaze!
They call her Breaker of Chains!
Lady Protector! Karazak’s Maze!

And she searches within!
Her patrols are scattered!
Some are holding blasters!
Lights of others extinguished!

Maze and team find nothing.
Apart from the dead bodies.
Just a still room…so empty.
Walls, a floor and a ceiling.

“Lady…Protector…”
...Calls yet another…
Maze knows his face.
“Lieutenant Roener?”
He points…to a face.
It has…Maze’s gaze.
No…No!...No way!

“Va…”
And she stumbles!
Struggles to stand!
Eyes burn brightly!
Lips are quivering!
Heart’s shivering!
“...Vadrian…”
Part of him.
All of him.
A head.
Dead.
Va…
..Dri
An..

And a woman is weak!
A lady falls to her knees!
A lady, a woman is Maze!
And all of her is…so afraid!

“WHERE IS SHE!?”
To her! To him!
Her gaze is a fist!
Maze’s pain twists!
“RYSSA KALAYLI!!”

But they cannot answer!
No, they cannot help her!

“...F…Father…”
Tears, they sweep.
Trickle onto cheeks.

Yes, daughter?
I am…so afraid…
I know…Maze…
Father...Father…
An empty gaze.

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Ryssa’s head jerked up the moment she heard another voice and saw others entering the room. They were all she could see, the hope that burned bright and was so tangible. She was saved! She began to move toward them, but suddenly felt pressure close around her throat. No!

“Let— me go,” she choked out, desperately trying to pry his fingers from her neck, but she stopped the moment the walls opened up. Red light engulfed the room as lasers came out from the wall, and Ryssa could only watch as they ripped into the men and women who had come to rescue her. All of them. Gone. A smoke bomb was thrown after that, and the man dropped her. The shock for what she’d just witnessed didn’t give her a chance to catch herself, so she ended up hitting her head on the chair she’d just been sitting in.

More blaster bolts fired, though Ryssa could only see the red that reflected off the dull metal floor. She didn’t have enough air to scream or cry or do any of that, and the tears that had threatened to spill out before were all but gone. Instead, they left only a burning heat behind her eyes. Her breaths, free from any amount of control, came in dry, heaving sobs. Crumpled on the floor, she didn’t resist when she felt cuffs being placed around her wrists. The complete and utter hatred combined with dread at what would come next was overwhelming, and what made it even worse was that she still was powerless to do anything about it. There was nothing she could do. Nothing. Except to do what he said and go down that dark hole that would surely be the last thing she ever saw.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

In A Dark Room
Mazeryl Xiron
​

Red was the last color that Vadrian ever saw. The moment he saw it on the walls, he knew that for the first time in his life, he’d been outplayed.

“Run!” But it was already too late.

Bodies dropped to the floor and two of them into it, and in the smoke the Ninja was able to escape with his quarry. The scene left behind was one of an uncanny silence, much like how it had been earlier. However, the smoke and dust wouldn’t have much time to settle before the other governor burst her way in, the door swinging wide to reveal the carnage inside.

As tears streamed freely down Maze’s cheeks seeing the body of her most loyal Blade, Lieutenant Roener would try to gather himself as he stepped over another of a fallen comrade. Despite the circumstances, these warriors had died honorably… and their sacrifice would have been for nothing if they didn’t move on, as much as it pained him to realize it.

“Lady Protector…” he said again, slowly walking up to her and getting to one knee by her side. “It is not my place… but we must keep moving.” He urged her as gently as his hand rested on her left shoulder. “We’re close. I know it.” As he spoke, the others would work on opening the door, and the lieutenant looked up when he saw that they had completed their task.

“Lady Xiron. Permission to move forth?”

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

In an elevator
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC

A man is…so cold.
Not as in not warm.
Grey eyes; a storm.
Like death—so old.

Sweat on a woman’s skin.
A Twi’lek—lekku like fins.
Iced fear in her breath...
Such…such cold sweat.

…An elevator…
…An undertaker…
…Takes them under…
…Deeper…underground…
…A man…wears a frown…

There are no more peanuts.
No more—an empty bag.
Blaster’s still in right hand.
Silent, violent—he isn’t nuts.

They call him...the Ninja....
Because he get things done.
A Shade. He’s killed other ones.
Name’s Canton Higurh. That one.
No one knows it. He is like the dust.

The lift that takes them down
Is barren metal so very round.
Canton no longer wears a frown.
Weighs death like flesh for pound.

He has since given in to fate.
Relinquished emotion—hate.
Does not roll dice—rolls a coin.
Doesn't flip it; death toll’s voice.

“Let me ask you something…”

Grey eyes gazing, no blinking.
Apart from that lifeless hum…
Of an elevator that’s in motion.
Silent. Little light. A violent mind.

Pain receptors in lekku?
A man stares—thinking.
Haunting, Ryssa, it's true.

“If the rule you followed…”

Wonders after her pink skin.
But…not as most men may.
Not even as those who flay.
With Canton it is…different.

“Brought you to…this…”

Free hand—gestures with.
In a dark hole, a Kalayli is.

“Of what use was the rule?”

The music is from Resident Evil.
Even a cold man can be...so evil.

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

In the wolf's lair
Mazeryl Xiron
Roener

Spoiler: Music OOC

…A woman…
…Is broken…
…Vadrian…
No mere friend.
A loyal Shade!
A loyal Blade!

Mazeryl Xiron!
That's her name!

LONG MAY SHE REIGN.
OUR LADY—IN A MAZE.

As tears stream like rivers.
Twisting rivulets of moisture.
We know she is not Lannister.
House Xiron’s blood is yet hers.

“Twisting rivulets of moisture.”
Quote and our House Lannister.
Are thanks to the author GRRM.
But hopefully this isn’t stealing…
If so will most certainly just delete!
A…kinda roleplaya…kinda…thinks?

Anyway…we came back to the Maze.
Mazeryl Xiron’s a lost lady in a maze.
Not with scimitar but katana—slays.
It is all she could do to simply gaze.

Vadrian. Vadrian is her comrade’s name.
If this is a game, it is a Game of Thrones.
A woman does know how to feel…pain.
Also fear. Both in her blood and bones.

“Lady Protector…”
Two ears on her.
She doesn’t listen!
She cannot hear him!

Her warrior had died honorably.
Lived well—but he died terribly.
By a Shade’s trap, he had died.
No…for you…he has sacrificed.

Maybe…that's what was the thing.
Lady Protector, Governor of Karazak.
This is all…my fault…yes…EVERYTHING.
Father…you taught me…not to...look back.

“It is not my place…
But we must keep
Moving.”
She is weak!
On her knees!
But I don't bow!
They do for me!

But she is not power-hungry!
A woman is a mountain!
Must feed the hungry!
So it meant power then.
Means…strength and speed.

A woman isn’t haughty!
No, Maze is not Cersei!

FATHER!
I AM AFRAID!
MY DAUGHTER!
YOU ARE MY MAZE!

“Lady Xiron.”
Her eyes are off.
Black orbs—obsidian.
Maze’s face—Mandalorian!
“Permission to move forth?”

“Every door.”
And she rises!
Her voice and feet!
Maze can be very violent!
Only when she needs to be!

“Break them all down!”
Daggers in her gaze!
Swords in her frown!
Companions around!

“Every kriffing wall!”
A woman stands tall!
“Every karking window!”
Raises fist—points close!

Not with finger—with blade!
A woman—A lady is a maze!

“Tear this place apart!”
There’s fire in her arm!
There she is: Mazeryl Xiron!
“Find me the Governor of Ryloth!”

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

The rule. What rule? Her rule? The ISC’s rule? None of that mattered. In all honesty Ryssa was barely listening to what the man was saying, and she couldn’t manage a response. She was too busy trying to accept her fate, yet she still found herself unwilling to. The strange thing was, she knew that there was no hope, but the stubbornness inside refused to believe otherwise. It made for a swirling, confusing mix of emotions that made her both want to laugh and cry. However, she could do neither.

The elevator soon touched the bottom, and another door opened up. It was still dark here, though not as dark as it had been in the elevator. This room was empty aside from the dim light embedded into the ceiling. The light… Was it true what they said, that one’s life flashed before one’s eyes before death? She stumbled in as the man gave her a push, not bothering to catch herself as she felt herself lose control of her legs again. The tears finally came now, but they were silent.

“No use.” The answer to his question came late, very late, and it was so quiet that she could barely hear it herself.

“I should never have come here.” The thought from before was voiced aloud again, but then again... what was the use?

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

Mazeryl Xiron
Roener
​

“Yes, Lady Protector!” A salute from the lieutenant told her all she needed to know, and what all the others needed to know as they broke off into smaller groups to keep searching. They wouldn’t stop until they found where she’d gone.

They would search the walls, the windows, the halls, storage rooms, light and dark, flashlights out and scanning the facility for any sort of abnormality. There was nothing. The doors that had previously been sealed were all open now, every crate overturned, rooms turned upside down. Lieutenant Roener stayed with the group in this one, feeling for any crack in the wall or maybe even a secret passageway. But the walls were as solid as the steel that held them up.

It was only when he took a step back to examine the wall in front that a dull hum made its way to his ears. He lifted his foot, stepped again. A low ring, a vibration in the ground. Boom. Boom. Boom.

Sure enough, when he looked, there was a faint outline surrounding the area.

“Lady Xiron? I think I might have found something.”

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

In a dark room
Ryssa Kalayli
Canton Higurh

Spoiler: Music IC

A man…likes music.
Moving—to the tune.

Not me—but me too.
No, a man in a room.

A woman—
—Express —
—Breath—
—”No use”—
—Answer—
—To her—
—Question—
—And his—
—Voiceless—
—Sinister?—
—Ask her—
A woman.

And ask another question.
Is a man Force-sensitive?
If so—she can’t sense it.
Canton Higurh—think it.
If this man was…a Sith…

Moving on.
“Get up.”
Move along.
“I said get up.”

A woman has no choice.
A man has a dead voice.
Her knees—are so weak.
Wobbly—jelly in her feet.

Has she not yet learned? See?
That this man has no mercy?
Why in the world would he?
Fate doesn’t. He’s the jury.

He is the judge.
The executioner.
Ryssa gets up.
“...Hush…”
Voice to quiet her.

“There… Sit.”
Another chair.
“I will be quick.”
Lekku—no hair.

Guitar strings.
From ceiling.
A heartbeat.
Screaming.

Another woman’s voice.
Sings from the speakers.
Drums. Thrums. Chorus.
Death itself can eat her.

A blaster points at a woman’s skull.
A bolt can drill into it, leave a hole.
Gaping—yes, a bit like chaos’ pit.
Ask again: Is a man 'sensitive'?

A man takes a seat.
Safely from her feet.
“You’re right, Kalayli.
About…one…thing...”

The music surrounds the room.
Bare of light, bare of life—doom.
In a woman’s golden eyes again.
Gaze grey eyes—grey as death.

And a woman is petrified with fear.
“You should never have come here.”
Beside music—otherwise is silence.
A man’s heart lowers…but hers rises.

Then…
Like a friend…
There is light again!
It comes out of nowhere!
Light! Light! Don’t be scared!

Then…then again.
A man is no friend.

The light that bathes this one Twi’lek woman.
Is bright enough to keep her from seeing him.

“You are being recorded. Every word. Every flinch.”
Blaster back in lap. Reliving the past. Don’t. Twitch.

“Repeat after me.”
Voice is…so deep.
“My name is…Ryssa Kalayli.”
Refuse? Fate worse than flaying.

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

In the wolf's lair
Mazeryl Xiron
Roener

Spoiler: Music OOC

"Yes, Lady Protector!"
Obedience. Roener.
It wasn’t blind loyalty.
A lady is not royalty.

“You can never be queen, daughter.”
“But am I not your princess, father?”
“You are, and Mazeryl of House Xiron.
As with slaves...those days are gone.
No more does Karazak suffer a crown.
Not of gold, nor thorns, not a throne.
Government, it is indeed a pyramid.
All built it—not alone—one ground.”

Usually she would be with her troops.
Even a Lady gets her hands dirty too.
She stands in the middle of the room.
Hand on hilt…uncertain of what to do.

Father…what good is a Protector…
…If she cannot protect her people?

Does a governor assume a savior?
Both merely try to drive away evil.

What does that...make me..?
It makes you a person, Maze.
How do I…break these chains?
By realizing you’re already free.

Time passes by quickly, slowly.
Shades and Blades are searching.
Maze is ever and always remembering.
As is an author of LOTR; scene with Durin.

A prince’s father is quite like her father.
“Forever am I with you, my son. Even in
Anger. Sometimes in anger most of all.”
Just then, the Lieutenant finds the wall.

Boom. Boom. Boom.
There stands a lady…
There stands a Lady…
In the middle of a room!

And that woman looks around!
Eyes into floor—looks down!
Toward the circle so round!
A...door…in…the...ground…

Mazeryl lifts her head again!
And she gives him her eyes!
Fingers coil around that hilt.
She pictures a Shade to kill.

“Open it.”

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Ryssa didn’t have much of an option except to get up as the man asked and make her way over to the chair. All of this still felt surreal, but she did manage to put one foot after another until she was in front of the seat. Setting herself down, she was once again greeted by the cold embrace of metal, but this time, there was strange music in the background. It barely registered, however, as bright lights suddenly beamed on as if she were on some set filming an ad. As much as she disliked doing those… she would give anything to be there again now. Anything to not have a blaster pointed at her head.

The lights blinded her for a moment, and she didn’t bother raising up her hand to block it out. She heard the man talking in the background, affirming what she’d said earlier. For once they could agree on something, but when he said that she was being recorded, she couldn’t help stiffening up even more than she had been, her senses kicking in again.

“What?” She couldn’t see him, but he would surely be able to see the horrified expression on her face as she looked around frantically for the camera. “Where?” This couldn’t get out. What would the galaxy say? Well, wherever it was, Ryssa wasn’t about to let him get what he wanted.

“My name is Ryssa Kalayli.” She repeated that, but in the same desperate breath, she went on. “Anyone who’s watching, I’m in Harmonhal, Karazak— get me out of here, please! There’s a man here with a blaster. I don’t know what’s going on, but I need to get out!”

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

Mazeryl Xiron
Roener
​

Maze didn’t have to say it twice. The Shade carrying the cutting tools already knew her duty, and she quickly stepped up to slice through the door. When it finished, the metal would fall and clatter to reveal what looked like an elevator underneath. Looking closer, Roener noticed that some of the controls had been damaged by the fallen piece of hot metal, but they were still usable nonetheless.

He would be the first to make his way down, climbing in carefully to make sure this wasn’t another trap like what had occurred in the room. When nothing appeared to happen, he beckoned for the others to jump down as well, glancing over at the only button there was in this.

“Down.” He would press it and the elevator would begin to descend. Above them, there would be more Shades coming into the room to secure it, though now fully aware and prepared for the dangers. Wherever this would lead, he would be by his Lady Protector’s side.

@Die Shize