Ask In Her Footsteps

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was beyond busy juggling a new company, his university courseload and also managing his duties as a Jedi. Between all that, he had to put off going to Fortress Infernum with Silvi. Almost a year had passed since they last met about it, and they all got buried in their respective studies and work. By some miracle, she didn’t simply venture off without help, and they finally found a time to chase this down.

With Raze on the loose and the Sith attacking on multiple fronts, anything that could help understand the enemy would be vital. On top of that, there were certain things perhaps only Silvi could unlock. This led Ezra back to Christophsis during one of his holiday breaks. He looked slightly different now - taller, a bit more stubble and a more defined physique thanks to continuing the Thorne routine. He also had a lot more confidence in his abilities as a Jedi, his powers rivaling those of a Master’s.

The Thorne agreed to meet Silvi near a landing bay where her mother’s ship was supposedly stored. Ezra arrived on one of his speeder bikes, dressed accordingly. He stepped off, his shades obscuring his icy gaze for now, “Long time,” He said with a half grin when he spotted her.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

A year could be a long time. Time enough to grow for some, and for others, to learn more about themselves and the world they lived in.

While they agreed to pursue Doctor Morata's footsteps, it took every instinct of hers not to follow those charts to the place Fortress Infernum was probably located. Instead, to countermand her grief, she lost herself to her work with Carrick, and slowly building her own political rapport. With the events of Sullust now past, and successfully completing her double-major Masters in political science and xenobiology, she allowed time to ease some of the pain. Though many expected her to follow premed, she decided she would carve her own path.

Just as he changed, so had she.

Though only slightly taller than before, her hair was once again a long silvery sheen, now tied back in a braided ponytail. She held her head high, and when she looked at Ezra, she couldn't help the answering grin that echoed on her lips, though this time, it was different.

Unclouded by longing, and surrendering her feelings that would never be reciprocated, in her mind, was a long, difficult process, but over time and distance, it became easier. Now, with things the way they were in the galaxy, she could be of help to Ezra; true to her word, she waited for him.

Blue eyes crinkled to show the smile she was fighting to hide but failing to actually do, "Long time, but good to see you, Ez. Looks like the space wizard life is settling in better." Though silvery eyes never failed to bring warmth to her chest... it was easier, now. Even more so with his gaze shielded by the glasses.

Tilting her head at the hangar, she turned away to pace towards the door. He would see she was wearing a black pilot's uniform; a blaster was tucked away on a holster, but the outfit was practical, a not too far cry from her more modest public attire. "I haven't gone into the ship yet," she spoke over a shoulder, glancing at him again, "But I did check on the exterior. It's pretty sound still, so that's good."

Her voice took on a small echo as they stepped in; in the gloom, he would see the distinctive shape of the Rangemaster come into view. Covered in a fine veil of dust, she paused to look up at it. She had less and less nightmares these days... but it didn't help that every now and then, she could almost swear at sensing her mother.

There was still so much she didn't know. Now that they had the ability to find more answers, she wasn't sure how she would handle them. Ezra would see her hesitate for a moment as she reached up for the lever for the loading ramp, but she pulled it down before anything could be said and began climbing into the ship.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was surprised by her change in look as well. She had only grown more beautiful over time, much more self assured than the shy girl he met those years back. Ezra placed his shades over his head, following her to the ship. He could sense the hesitation, and it reminded him of his father’s ship. It held countless memories and had his aura all over it that he could sense. Every good and bad. It was also where he discovered that his father was Darth Raze. A sick feeling gripped his stomach, and he wondered if Silvi would come across facts about her mother that were reprehensible.

“Silvi,” He said calmly, reaching over to place a hand over hers before she could pull that lever, “Whatever we find in there..whatever we discover.. Just remember that your mother’s life outside of you - any mistakes she made, anything she did in a prior life - none of that changes how much she may have cared for you,” Ezra stated flatly before drawing his hand away again. He went through this painful chapter in his own life and he had a feeling she was about to go through the same.

The ramp opened and he followed her inside, the cargo hold small enough to bring his speeder bike in. It would be useful to have a transport once they reached their destination. Ezra also brought a large duffel bag along with supplies and rations, always the type to be prepared for any situation.

“Did your parents travel around in this?” He asked curiously, wondering what part this ship played in the Morata story.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

When Ezra leaned in behind her, she flinched back slightly in surprise. His hand was warm, and she could smell a faint trace of cologne. Closing her eyes, she swallowed once, trying to quell the swell of emotions that the simple touch brought roaring back.

It's been a full year... yet why can't these feelings just fade? Anxiety still thrummed in her chest, but when he released her, she offered him a faint smile. There was a touch of sadness that glimmered in blue eyes before it abruptly faded. "I know. It's just... an adjustment."

Biggest understatement of the year really, but perhaps he, more than anyone else, would understand.

Sharing in the narrow living quarters, the remnants of a medical bed and long-abandoned diagnostic equipment sat. Slowly, blue eyes panned over the bed, and she began to step forward. Her hand trembled slightly, almost in sync with the sickening race of her own heart, and she forced herself to swallow, an odd feeling of anxiety spiking in her chest. It felt... wrong. An instinctive hush silenced her breath, and she rubbed a hand over her throat, easing the knot of tension that threatened to rise.

Thankfully, Ezra's question was enough to distract her, and she glanced up at him, shaking her head slightly. "Mother used it whenever she didn't want to be noticed... and Dad had this antique YT-1800." She chuckled, but the sound wasn't particularly happy as she tucked a stray strand of silvery hair out of her face. "This was hers years before she knew my dad, I know that much. But..." She turned on a heel, beginning to make her way to the pilot's cockpit, before... something tugged her back. An instinct of some kind. Almost a voice, whispering at the edge of her thoughts... she paused, walking back out and pointed towards the pilot's quarters. "I'll look in here, see if I can't find a map. Mind checking on the pilot's blackbox for me while I do that?" She tried to keep her voice neutral, but it would be obvious even to the most oblivious of people being in the ship still gave her a sense of unease, like she was prying into something and she would be caught at any moment.

Flicking her gaze away from his, she disappeared through the doorway.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra nodded and walked over investigate the black box. He was far more handy with tech than most people - after all he was CEO of a technology corporation and a student at one of the most prestigious engineering universities in the galaxy. He began tinkering and was able to retrieve a lot more data than most would have extracted.

He found Silvi again, “I think I pieced together some coordinates when listening in on the blackbox and tracking the Navilogs,” Ezra explained, “Do you know someone named..Kai?” He asked, his brows furrowed in slight confusion. As far as he knew, that was definitely not the name of Silvi’s father, nor was it referring to the Jedi Master she mentioned.

In any case, if she was prepared to go, he walked over to the passenger seat. He preferred piloting himself, but he wouldn’t stand in the way of Silvi driving this journey forth.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Entering her private quarters was starting to bring it all back.

Her mother must have flown this, just before returning to Paqualis III. Aside from the personal escort she took, this was probably the last place she stood in. Breathed in.

That sick feeling spread in her chest again, and shakily, she pressed her palm to the door. When it slid noiselessly open, she had to swallow back the knot that only grew.

Perhaps once, in the Doctor's care, these travelling plants were her pride and joy. Ilana had a deep affection for the rare, the exotic... to see them withered, long since dead, was an odd kind of grief. She lightly skimmed a hand over one that once looked like a maple bonsai tree, its' leaves long since shed and it standing piteously, lost in a sea of long since dead potted companions.

Tearing her gaze away, she began to search.

Kneeling by the bedside, she began to rummage around in the small desk near the bed. Though her mother prided herself on her secrets, she couldn't hide everything from Silvi; she was notoriously bad at keeping hidden drawers.

When Ezra approached, she was still kneeling, but she looked up at him when he spoke, clutching something to her chest. A slender white cylinder, that he would be familiar with. A white saber hilt, with a simplistic handle grip design inlaid with silver details.

A saber which, when she held it in her hands, felt almost... right.

At the mention of Kai, silvery brows drew together, and she shook her head, rising. There was time to explore more later.

"No, I don't know anyone named Kai. There was Sevrin, and Shane. Those are the only two I knew about... and Korre. Perhaps it's a pet name for her?" her head cocked, following him into the cockpit.

Memories filtered in. Though her mother seemed like the type to love Nubian starships, their sleek lines and silver shells her aesthetic. But this ship... there seemed more secrets resting here. Perhaps finding Fortress Infernum would only be the beginning.

Giving him a thin grin, she slid into the pilot's seat, buckling in, and began to power the ship, clipping the lightsaber to her hip. "Let's find a heading, then... and see what made this place worth dying for." Her features hardened speaking the last part, jaw clenching as she glared ahead. Blue eyes seemed to turn frosty, but even without the Force, Ezra would see it wasn't anger that motivated the aspiring Senator, but determination.

No matter what the knowledge would bring, she would do her best to see it through. Even if it hurt.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra’s jaw hardened when she reminded them both that Ilana had died for this. He had to stay silent about the fact that it was Raze - a creation of his father- that killed Silvi’s mother. How could he say that without betraying his family? Without revealing that Emryc Thorne, President of the ISC, was not only a Force Sensitive, but the former Dark Lord of the Sith? And he was one half of a whole that killed her mother brutally? The part Sephi felt sick to his stomach, and he kept his gaze trained forward as Silvi powered up the ship and coasted up towards space. He had already punched in the heading based on what he pieced together.

“What..do you think we’ll find there?” He asked quietly, more to push his own thoughts aside than anything else. For a while he couldn’t look at her, but he finally glanced over. His fingers were fidgeting idly with the saber hilt on his hip. Ezra finally straightened up in his seat to avoid being obvious.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Seeing his face from the corner of her eye, she watched his expression as she spoke, and winced inwardly. Yeah... bringing up the ghost of her mother had to be an odd subject. Though Ezra hadn't lost a parent, she recalled last year, when he seemed to become estranged with part of them... was it his choice to become a Jedi that would cause such tension?

She wanted to ask, but... was it really her place to know? Something seemed to bother him, but she merely shifted in her seat, looking away just as he was starting to look at her. At his question, she swallowed, shaking her head once.

"I'm not sure."

Her voice was quiet, small in the cockpit, as she trained her eyes ahead, forcing herself to ease the grip on the controls. That sick feeling still lingered, a sour tang in the back of her throat. Whatever it was, it was worth not sacrificing any answers. What ties did the Doctor have to this attacker? Why her? What else was her mother hiding?

Watching the ship's viewport expand into the familiar vortex of hyperspace, she slanted a pale-eyed glance his way, head cocking slightly.

"I feel like I'm going backwards, or going crazy; chasing after ghosts, after something that might not even be real. I wanted to let it go, but every time I close my eyes, I can see her." She looked away again, jaw clenching as she swallowed hard.

"I still hear his voice in my dreams. Am I crazy for not letting go?" She paused, taking in a deep, slow breath, before releasing it to rub at the space between her eyebrows, letting out a low sigh.

"I'm not sure anymore, Ez."

Admitting this, out loud, echoed hollowly in her chest. It felt like she was losing all her progress again, and though the answers dangled within reach, she wasn't sure if she should be dragging down one of her only friends with her. Would it be worth it?

"All I know is I'll find answers."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

“We will find answers,” He quietly corrected her, tilted his head to gaze at her. He even offered a faint smile - smiles didn’t come to him easily. If she gazed at him intently enough, she would notice some oddly uncanny similarities to Sevrin’s mannerisms and appearance or perhaps things Amariel may have mentioned about him.

The journey was largely uneventful, and they broke the surface of Bal’demnic. Ezra leaned close to the viewing ports to take in sight of the planet covered largely in oceans. Up ahead, he could see unnatural clouds swirling above a particular section of the planet. His brows furrowed in suspicion, “Any chance that shady place is not where we need to go?” He asked with a sigh. Of course it was where their destination likely was with a ridiculous name like Fortress Infernum.

“I think we should land far and hike our way there in case there’s trouble waiting,” Ezra suggested, patting himself on the back for thinking ahead. Countless instances of charging in and paying the price prepared him better now.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

At his words, she took in a deep, slow breath. This was true; she wasn't doing this alone. She didn't have to; her best friend was here.

Slanting him a sideways look, she offered a small smile in return, and merely nodded. There was nothing else that needed to be said; he was right on the credit.

At his comment, she chuckled, angling the ship closer to one sheer cliffside. "What, you mean this planet doesn't feel a little dark to you?" came her sarcastic comment, face tightening in focus as dark waves roared up. An odd sense tugged at the wings; almost like some force wanted her to plunge the ship down into the hissing waves, before it dissipated as she continued near the cliff face, scanning for a place level enough to land.

At the mention of hiking, she merely nodded. Though Ilana seemed to constantly revolt against any idea of even being active in most cases, Silvi prided herself in many survival skills, in due to no small part of her avid curiosity for other biospheres. Again, an odd feeling began to wrap around her neck; a coldness, slithering down her spine, but something oddly familiar, almost like it was calling her in.

Coming in close to land on one narrow strip of rock, the impact was a bit jarring but eventually settled, and her grip on the controls eased.

Closing her eyes briefly, she could feel her heart pounding, feel her hands begin to shake slightly as the promise of answers seemed to swell up to reality in her mind. She had an idea that the one that killed her might be Sith, but what if it was more than that? What if--

She stood up before the thoughts would begin to crowd in again, before that dark being's holographic image would come to life in her mind's eye again, and she offered Ezra a thin smile.

"Up for a little rock-climbing; how about you, Ez?"

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra didn’t miss how she disappeared again - deep into the confines of her mind. He didn’t miss how she practically shivered as if they were in an icy tundra. She didn’t want to do this as much as she wanted to, and the paradox would eat her alive. It ate him alive when he had to grapple with the reality of his father being Raze. The part Sephi didn’t prod, gathering his things. He was always the type to overpack and prepare for any scenario. He had a hiking backpack, a large one that he could hoist now thanks to all his training.

“Are you?” He quipped with a smirk, “Or did all that paper pushing put you out of shape?” Ezra chirped as he began to make his way towards a path that would allow them to move towards the fortress without being seen. He couldn’t spot any movements or signs of life in their immediate vicinity and it made things all the more unsettling.

Ezra hoisted himself up easily onto a higher ledge, his height always helping with situations like these. He glanced back down and extended a hand to help Silvi up. They walked slightly further and the wall was completely vertical. He looked around until he spotted a bit of vine. Silvi would see the vine begin to grow before her eyes, several more sprouting and weaving down the length of the wall. It was a technique that was exclusively Jedi and Ezra commanded it effortlessly as a master level.

He tested the vine before he began to use several of them to start climbing and walking up the wall. Ezra looked over to see how Silvi was faring, “Let the vines do the work for you and lean your weight into them,” He explained, focusing the Force so it felt like nothing more than a horizontal stroll up a steep and dangerous cliffside.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

His quip brought a smile to her face, and light blue eyes slanted him a glance, a sudden chuckle released.

"If you're curious, I'm sure I could prove my stamina more later," she fired back, grateful that he didn't try to coddle her with false calming words or feigned bravado. If it had been anyone else...

Hoisting her own hiking pack around her shoulders, she followed Ezra at an easy pace, though some of the rocks were a little harder to clamber over with her legs not being so long. However, whenever Ezra would extend a hand, she would wordlessly accept, only pausing when she saw how effortlessly he seemed to call down the vines from above.

Though her biological father's bias against Force Users was once a strong sway over how she perceived them, it had noticeably lessened over the years; but seeing such feats, effortlessly used, still made her eyes go almost comically wide and her jaw to drop. At first, she hesitated to wrap her hands in them, but at his words, she looked up, and nodded once more, taking in a deep breath.

"He wouldn't take me this far only to let me drop," she muttered to herself, leaning back into the vines' embrace and beginning the sheer climb up. She had to keep fighting the instinct to look down; far below, she could hear the rumble and hiss of the waves, and the wind began to whip fiercely at white hair. She began to clench her grip into the vines the further up they walked, but once Ezra would come closer to the top, he would be able to feel it.

Almost like a shuddering sudden revolt against his casual use of the Light side of the Force, a teeth-clattering crack could be heard, loose stones plummeting past the two of them, and a feeling of deep malevolence, a chilling hatred not unlike that of a Sith, a sibilant hiss in the wind that was more than the perpetual storm that rumbled rainlessly above. However, just as quickly as the feeling came, it would vanish again, and the stark nature of Bal'Demnic's natural scene would once again become eerily quiet.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Was she flirting? He wasn’t even sure and his ears suddenly burned very hot and turned red. He said nothing in response, focusing intently on the climb all of a sudden. Fortunately, the vines proved tough and allowed them to hoist themselves over the edge. It left as abruptly as it came, but it was profound. He felt chilled to his bones, and his knees felt weak. He collapsed abruptly, dropping to a crouch on the ground. The darkness felt heavy and tangible, constricting around his entire form. It tore open wounds he thought were healed, the poison of Raze in his psyche that he tried to destroy.

Because he was a Jedi, it impacted him that much worse. He exhaled and slowly rose to his feet, focusing the Force to protect his mind. Ezra looked over to ensure that Silvi was all right before he began to walk forward again. Thunder cracked above and the clouds grew darker.

The tower was visible in the distance, and he knew that was the Fortress. The path towards it looked largely empty and he kept walking. However, that was when he suddenly saw movement. It looked like a beast of some sort, moving on four legs but unnatural. It looked oddly similar to the creatures seen in footage from Byblos - and he was sure they were called ‘abominations’.

“Wait,” He warned Silvi, hand reaching for the saber. He knew they were being stalked. He saw the creature briefly before it disappeared again. Rushing in fighting was going to get them killed, so he needed to be cautious, “Stay close to me,” He said barely above a whisper.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Once again, that sickening feeling pressed all around her, and nausea crawled up the back of her throat, a sudden sense of vertigo clouding her sense of up. Swaying on her feet, she also collapsed to her knees with a choked gasp, pressing a hand to her temple and closing her eyes until the feeling vanished, leaving her shaken.

When Ezra looked to her, she looked back, and grimly nodded.

I won't be swayed by these damn Force tricks.

When the creature suddenly darted away from them, she flinched, reaching a hand towards her heavy pistol. At his word she stilled, fighting the instinct to whip out her blaster, to chase after whatever the hell that thing was, and take it out. As the rest of his words drifted to her ears, she nodded, slowly reaching for her blaster in a careful grip, mindful to keep her finger close to the trigger, but not quite on it.

Not yet, at least.

"I'll watch our backs," she whispered in return, pale gaze panning out to either side. Though there were large spaces with jagged rocks in between, there were too many assault points, too many spaces where they could easily be ambushed. Far ahead, the ruins of Fortress Infernum loomed, wreathed in a crown of black clouds tinged with green, swirling madly in what seemed like an unnatural speed.

Amongst the rocks, there came a keening cry, not unlike that of a child wailing. It shrilly screeched, echoing amongst the stones, echoing around them until it sounded like a cacophony of pathetic cries, until something thick, dark and green lashed out, whizzing towards Ezra's front center mass with a sudden burst of dizzying speed.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

The screeching was almost too much for him. He quickly grabbed his EZPods and popped them into his ears, switching on the custom dampeners to dull the noise. While having sensitive ears provided perks, it also had significant downsides. The part Sephi was almost caught off guard when one of the beasts launched at him, and he could make out the gleaming red eyes. His saber was out in a flash and he started with a blast of the Force to send the beast bodily hurtling backwards, “Take cover!” He called out to Silvi, fearing for her safety.

He rushed in with his saber to swing it at the beast’s leg. He managed to slash into it, but another came from the side and managed to claw at his bicep. Ezra let out a grunt through gritted teeth, unleashing the Force to send a concussive blast around himself. He was a whirlwind of motions, wielding his blade as he spun to cut into the multiple beasts attacking him.

However, he began to remember something from his Jedi training - how abominations were made from the Darkest sides of the Force. As a result, it was the Light they feared the most. Ezra applied Force Light when he had a moment, a brilliant light bright enough to almost blind. It was searing to the abominations and the hounds cried out in pain and agony.

Ezra used that to his advantage, his saber whirling quickly and methodically to slice through them and drop them at last. At the end of it, he was breathing heavily from the encounter, his left arm bleeding profusely and another small gash on his leg. He exhaled and plopped down to sit, four of the abomination hounds cut into pieces around him.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

"What?!"

Did he seriously expect that she would duck and hide away while he threw himself into danger? Seriously, what was it with Jedi and suicidal heroism? She gritted her jaw, stepping back. Just like she'd practiced. Just like she'd done before.

Two abominations had come running for the back, aiming to take down the bigger threat of Ezra before she quickly shot them both down, one in the head and the other in the neck abruptly. But she wasn't quick enough; she couldn't protect him. And though she knew he wouldn't need much protecting from her... she had to try.

Thankfully, her focus was away from the light that he suddenly released, but not enough to avoid the brightness. Staggering and trying to blink away the bright spots with an uttered curse, she looked up, only to watch as he seemed to almost effortlessly combat so many foes at once. It was almost mesmerizing...

But the sight of his blood changed that fast.

Seeing him drop down, she rushed over, heart pounding as she dropped her pack at her feet.

"Let me get that," she nodded to his arm, her tone brooking no argument. She was digging through her pack as she spoke, pulling out a bacta bandage and gauze. But then she paused, staring at his face, before shaking her head once. She knew he could handle himself; he had survived pretty well before coming here, after all. But being without these powers and gifts... seeing at how he handled things, she was reminded that even wtih the skills she had, she would never be on his level. But she would do what she could. It was the most she could do, after all.

Reaching over with the bandage, she instead focused on stopping the bleeding and patching the more major wound first.

"Might sting a bit."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

His ears almost flattened entirely when she patched him up, even with the warning that it would sting. He grimaced slightly, but didn’t make a noise. His gaze met hers, eyeing her curiously, “I’m surprised you didn’t want to go into medicine..”He mused as he observed her methodical and professional patching job. He doubted she was out in field combat, so she must have learned it from her mother.

The part Sephi flexed his fingers, feeling pain shoot through but the bleeding had stopped. He gave her a faint smirk, “Thanks,” He said quietly before slowly rising up to his feet. Ezra looked at the dead abominations, “I don’t….sense Darth Raze here, but these creatures are usually of his design," He looked at her, “If there is any possibility of Raze being here, we need to get away immediately.”

His look suggested this was not up for debate. Raze had killed her mother and he far outclassed Ezra in strength. He moved much slower, but he started to walk with her again towards the tower. Thunder cracked and the clouds above churned, the skies growing dark as they approached closer.

“There is something still in there..” He mused aloud, “Perhaps an artifact.”

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

She grimaced when he mentioned her going into medicine.

"You and most of the galaxy," she muttered, giving him a wry grin. "Including Mother. 'Why be blessed with my talents when you won't even use them?'" she mimicked the doctor perfectly, giving him an arched white brow and a cock of her head, before shaking her head, mouth set in a firm line.

"I just didn't feel like doing what everyone else wants or expects of me." Despite the serious tone in her voice, her eyes glinted a bit with humor, as she stood and stretched. Seeing Ez so serious... she nodded. Any lightness that was in her expression immediately faded, melting into a hard expression at the mention of Darth Raze.

"I don't plan to face him," she muttered, packing away the medical supplies and once more taking her blaster from its' holster. "At least not yet. I need to get stronger first, do some research. And this place..." she gazed up at the imposing tower, glaring at the edifice with pale blue eyes that seemed to sheen silver, "might hold some answers to that."

At the mention of an artifact, she simply nodded, and began to step forward.

"Only one way to find out."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra remained silent, realizing that he mentioned a touchy topic. He was reminded again why it was best to stay silent. His father had perfected the art and, as a result, never ran into socially awkward scenarios. When she mentioned ‘not yet’, Ezra bit back from saying anything at all. She had no chance against something like Raze. Even the Grandmaster herself would be stretched to her limits facing a beast like that. This time, however, he knew better than to blurt words.

He slowly rose to stand, wincing in pain. While it hurt, he was able to walk and progress towards the tower. The oceans surrounding the fortress churned and crashed against the rocks that supported the spire. There was so much darkness around it that it unsettled him. The Light he possessed recoiled and reeled from it, everything telling him to run the opposite direction. He wouldn’t budge - he had come here with Silvi and he wouldn’t turn back now.

They arrived at the door and he grimaced at once, “I knew it’d be one of these..” He grumbled under his breath. There was no ‘door’. It was an empty wall and there was a little stone divet that looked harmless, but he knew it was to collect blood. Ezra wouldn’t even let Silvi speculate on what it was in case she got the bright idea to offer herself.

The part Sephi removed one of her intricately done bandages, pressing down on the wound on his arm. He gritted his teeth as blood seeped from it, a few drops landing in the engraving. Almost right away, there was a rumble as the blood began to seep into the stone. Streaks of red painted across the flat, stone surface. A fissure appeared down the middle of the slab, the two halves breaking apart to reveal an entrance.

“Force users can be really dramatic..” Ezra muttered as he haphazardly attempted to put the bandages back like they were. He had the one handed coordination of a toddler.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Sometimes, silence was a good thing. Around Ezra, she didn't feel the urge to fill the silence; the oppressive darkness did that enough, like a heavy stone pressing on her throat, smothering her words. She had seen the reports. Knew what she was facing up against held impossible odds; she couldn't dare face Raze as she was, a non-Force Sensitive, and a weak politico. But she would try her best to make it happen. Just as he took something irreplaceable from her, she wanted to do the same to him. She wanted him to become nothingness, to die fully, completely, to become nothing more than ashes in the wind. But she knew it was a fool's hope.

Still, she had to try.

Approaching the wall, blue eyes scanned the tall bredth, brows drawing close. "How do we--" She was about to reach up as though to push on it, but a flash of movement in her periphery made her turn her head. Watching Ezra undo his bandages, she felt her spine stiffen, and she reached out as though to grab his arm at the elbow, stopping a second short as he smeared his blood on the stone.

"Ez! What the hell are you-?!"

At the creaking and cracking of stone, she flinched back again, as her hand reached for the blaster. At his words, all she could give him was a hard glare, turning to help him put on the bandages once more. "Clearly." She had half a mind to yank extra hard out of spite, but didn't, instead carefully smoothing it over, not meeting his gaze.

Turning her head away, she stared into the darkness.

"Give a girl a warning next time, will you?"

Beyond, the yawning depths waited. Once more withdrawing her blaster from its' holster, she'd make sure to point it at the floor, giving the space ahead a sweep. The occasional forked crack of lightning would illuminate black stone halls, the silence within as thick and heavy as smoke. Though most of it seemed to have been levelled some time ago by some sort of aerial attack, it seemed some parts of it still stood.

The open hall waited, giving the impression of the throat of some large beast, waiting to devour them whole. The Darkness within waited, listened. Watched for a crack in their minds, a chink to slink into and begin, held at bay for now by the vile presence of the Light. It would bide its' time to wait, and to strike. Though it seemed empty, who knew what could lurk in such Dark-steeped corners.

@Sreeya