Till Salvation Do Us Part

[Sreeya]

Andraste was up in the high tower of the Korriban academy. She was seated casually next to the garden she had tended to since she was a child. Andraste had plucked a lily, inhaling the scent and letting the petals brush gently against her lips. It hadn't been long since she had been out of the bacta tank, her natural abilities finishing the rest of her healing. Scars remained, but the pain was away. She twirled the flower between her fingers, as she often had, mesmerized by the beauty.

It was pin drop silence all around her. She had often come up here, simply to find solace in the beauty of the garden. Andraste peered at the flower for a long moment, her yellow gaze roaming over the intricate details. As she continued spinning the flower between her fingers, the petals abruptly burst into flames. The fire quickly traveled down the step, disintegrating between her fingers. Andraste gazed at the empty space, where the flower was, as if it were still there.

A small spark of fire erupted at the edge of the small garden. The spark expanded, abruptly catching onto the rest of the plants. Andraste remained seated, watching as the fire began to spread out over the small garden, destroying everything in its path, destroying years of effort. Her expression remained unchanged, her eyes even betraying hints of amusement. The fire was controlled, devastating the plants and not reaching out to the rest of the tower. The reflection glinted off the glassy surface of her eyes.

Andraste slowly rose to her feet, flicking her wrist. In an instant, the fire disappeared, leaving behind a thick plume of smoke. She did not linger, turning away to leave the tower and making her way through the academy. Andraste was to be at the palace, but she had purposely delayed by stopping at the garden first.

Words were hushed, whispers stifled, and noises quelled as she passed. Though she had passed the halls countless times, something was different. Something had changed. She did not project a violently dark aura, but it was one of authority, deadly authority. Her face was devoid of expression, and she made eye contact with no one. Each step was precise, each subtle motion practiced, each turn unnaturally graceful. No one had spoken to her since her return, and she secretly relished the silence.

---​

The guards did nothing more than nod as she strode past them. She had donned a long, black dress that hugged her curves, the ends of it trailing on the ground behind her. Her skin was chalk white in contrast, her dark hair falling in cascades. She had been greeted at the palace every time she had approached, but no one said a word this time. Andraste did not look at any of them, gliding right past in silence, leaving a chilled atmosphere in her wake.

She walked down the halls of the palace, towards the very heart of it. She had come across a long set of staircases that spiraled downwards. Andraste began her descent, the dress trailing behind her as she made her way towards the central chamber located deep within the roots of the palace.

The stairs lead to a large, open hall. She had been here before, but only to explore, never with purpose. Andraste had been summoned here, though she hadn't bothered inquiring about the purpose. She walked into the hall, taking the time to look over the various paintings on the walls. The scenes of battle depicted upon the walls made her grin with amusement. So glorified they were.. painting the scenes of battle as being exalted to martyrdom, when it was nothing but a twisted and gruesome affair that left everyone devoid of humanity. Andraste did not look away from the walls before she spoke.

"Why have you called me here?"

 

[Demiurge]

Darkness. Shadows overwhelming, bearing flickers of light within, like torches in the night. Resonating like the beating of hearts, the lights pulsated, growing larger, growing brighter with each vibrant motion. At that, the flickers of light began to merge and culminate, forming into what appeared as ten stars in the blackness of space. And the ten beacons of light, the ten stars, then aligned into a circle. And then as if by fire, the ten stars ignited into white flames with black cores at their base.

At that, the darkness at the core of the flames took form, stretching out as a black hand. Te black hand reached out, until it was as if it were touching the far edge of the galaxy. Then the white of the flames remained behind, and at the same time formed into a second hand, white as the core of a new star. And from the other end of the galaxy's edge, the white hand stretched forth, until it reached beneath the palm of the black hand.

At that, the hand of the darkness and the hand light reached for the other, as if grasping each other's hands. And it came about that when the darkness touched the light, it beaconed forth as created inbetween as a force unlike anything else. The darkness and light then began to spiral together, rotating and compressing until there was a single star in its wake, with flames of brilliant light, and a core of utter darkness. And the single star itself began to grow and grow, become brighter and brighter until finally a spark of light appeared in the center of the dark.

A figure stood there, with their back to galaxy, as an unseeable silhouette. What appeared to be long hair fell down its back, levitating slightly as if the figure itself were underwater. Alone it stood, as it became forged from darkness and light. Then, finally, the figure began to turn, slowly about as the side of its face became revealed, although still shrouded. And as it did, a flicker of red, bright as the most fiery and blazing crimson star, shined forth on the galaxy.

And the galaxy descended into chaos, tearing itself apart as the light spread forth, into many figures. And in response, the figures of darkness rose as well. And the darkness and light came to a terrible war, the likes of which had never before been witnessed by the galaxy. And then the figure spoke with a soft female's voice, yet her words were beyond what any could understand.

"Q'ssa... de'tekara..."
​

________

Exodeus eyes shot open as he felt a presence enter the palace, distracting him from the episodic event. Levitating in the air in a cross-legged position, Exodeus extended his legs, dropping to the ground. Not since he was an Acolyte had he happened upon a vision that he could not comprehend, not fathom. It was a mildly disturbing thing, especially as it was not the first time he'd seen this vision since returning from Rakata Prime. But as with all, Exodeus passed it by. Visions were seen by him almost as the manipulation of the Force on sentient beings sensitive to it. Vague, cryptic... interpreted in countless ways.

The Dark Lord meditated often, using it to center himself, control his focus. Yet, it was barred to him, as if he'd lost something... or something had occurred that was damning to him. Restraining his sheer frustration, Exodeus walked about to the far end of the room, dressed in a blackened robe, regal and lined with gold, as he stared at the carvings engraved on the walls. He recognized every depiction; the Campaign of Ruusan, the Sacking of Coruscant, the Great Hyperspace War, and more as he closed his eyes, awaiting her arrival until she finally entered the room.

Her presence was different that before. Colder, harsher, almost as if there were a vast emptiness within. It was ironic. For so long, he'd strived to draw out the malevolence within her, and now that he has, he found himself almost nostalgic for who she once was. Without turning to face her, or even opening his eyes, the Dark Lord addressed Andraste.

"Do you not already know the answer?"

Exodeus tilted his head slightly, as he saw through the Force, staring at Andraste, at the dark nexus that had become dominant within her.

"I call you are here, because there is nowhere else you belong. Because every path, every event in your life, has led you here... led you to this. By my side. Do you not know why I call to you?"
​

 

[Sreeya]

She listened to the words, quiet and withdrawn within her thoughts. She was difficult to read, her visage a blank slate. Her yellow eyes reflected off the smooth walls, and she saw a vague outline of her gaunt countenance, her chalk white skin visible on the black surface. Silence lingered within the air after he had finished speaking. Andraste made no move to face him, making no indication of the effect of the words.

She had found it difficult to gaze upon herself in the mirror. The golden eyes were not her own. But who was she? She had lost her identity on Lehon, with the loss of her child. Andraste absentmindedly ran a hand over her abdomen, which had been swollen so recently, when her baby resided within it. So safe she had been. Andraste cursed ever giving birth, ever letting her child detach from her. She could still remember the light kicks, or the first time she had held the baby in her arms. She recalled the smooth skin, the red eyes that shined with curiosity. Those eyes would never open again, and those curiosities would never be satisfied.

Andraste quelled the thoughts altogether, exhaling audibly. Little hints of her old persona streamed into her thoughts at moments, but they were easily subjugated by the cold, calloused being she had become. Andraste finally turned to face him, not as his apprentice, but as his equal.

"I am by your side, as I have always been. What more do you wish of me?"

 

[Demiurge]

"What I wish for is what I'd spoken there on Lehon."

Exodeus head drifted slightly, as if something were swaying it. It seemed that more and more, he'd forsaken his physical sights for the metaphysical. It offered to him so much more, so much insight, truth, abstracts beyond what one not tied to the Force could ever hope to comprehend.

"Union. Joining. Oneness.... There are many names of it, many titles conveying it, but one common thread tying them all together under the mark of one purpose."

At that, Exodeus opened his eyes, revealing the black eyes and red irises trademark to him. At that, he turned about, physically facing Andraste as he slowly walked toward her. Although she did not face him, his vision was no longer physical, but it was as if the Force granted him omnipresence within that room, seeing all in his proximity. Even her face, as her back was to him. He was seeing her as if she were before him, staring him in the eye.

"And that is what I desire of you. To stand by me... that is something which you've already done, which you still do to this day. I ask of you no longer to simply stand near, but to stand with me, together over our Empire, as one flesh, one in unity with the other."

At that, in following the way paved by the ancient Sith tradition carried forth from Korriban, Exodeus faced his head down as he lowered his posture down to one knee. His left hand came into a fist against the ground, as his right hand loosely fell over his upright knee.

"With me, as my Empress, and I your Emperor."

At that, Exodeus allowed a brief moment to pass, before he spoke his final words.

"Skar'rah kesh jarg'adon tar-A'eak sahr, tar-T'cha vor'hja?"

 

[Sreeya]

Silence hung within the chambers, the atmosphere heavy and ominous. It was a moment every young girl dreamed of. She had been no exception to it. She had been a child, dressing up little dolls for their big day. Now here she was, as a woman, facing that pivotal moment in her life. And it was a twisted perversion of it, a warped, contorted version of a union of two souls, of two lovers eternally bound. It was so perfectly fitting for her, fitting for the monster she had become.

Andraste remained standing, towering above as he lowered himself to one knee. It was a curious sight, and one that would have made the hearts of anyone witnessing it stop. She said nothing for a moment, letting the Ancient Sith he uttered run through her mind repeatedly. They were the words of unity, of love, of marriage.. could this be called a marriage? Would this be a compromise? Was she capable of love? Andraste gazed down upon him, committing this sight to memory, the image of him bowing before her. It exalted her, just as it guided her right back to him. He had asked a question, and she was to give an answer.

"Sa'u valia."

She whispered the words, tilting her head to gaze upon him. There was no warmth in her features. When she spoke, her words were laced with venom.

"If you are to be my husband, rise to be my equal. Kneeling does not suit you."

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus slowly rose by her words, although it was evident that she misunderstood his act of kneeling, or at least applied her own ideology to it. Nevertheless, it was nothing so adamant that it could not have been done away with.

"Chey'uk ka'ss-huun."

Her voice was was apathetic, despite her words. Forceful, piercing, not unlike his own speech. It was almost an abnormality, how much she was like him now.

"Hy'jhar sa'u gher'ag zhes'ksar..."

At that, Exodeus reached out his hand between him and Andraste, and from the back of the room, pulled an object across the room nearly instantaneously. It was a talisman of sorts, an amulet. With a purple hue, it pulsated like a living thing, even as any that touched the Force could feel the Dark Side breathing within.

"Ash'ika gar'mok lo'ol sa'u fer'resak var'ammar or'ohk zael'szel... Xeka var su'ask."

After that, Exodeus took the two strands of the amulet in his hands as he moved forward, to her, tying it around her neck. And as he did, he felt a strange sensation come over him as he himself realized that this was perhaps the most alien of revelations he'd seen, he'd witnessed in himself. For the first time, he resided at the side of one who stood as an equal before him, and yet without the desire, without the primal instinct, to purge it as a dangerous existence to his own. And it translated through him as his fingers paused for but a brief moment as he tied the talisman around her neck, and all the while, all he could do was recall the vision he'd seen so long ago.. and yet all he could feel was attachment. Him for her, and her to him.

 

[Sreeya]

Andraste almost stepped back as he approached, his touch distant and cold. Her own skin would be icy to touch. However, she stopped moving back, gazing up at him. He was taller, but she did not feel any less, as she had used to. Her golden eyes pierced into his red, staring into them as he tied the amulet around her neck. The reality of the situation was settling in. She would marry him. She would marry Exodeus, the man that had torn her away from everything. The man that had taken and had given nothing back.

And yet..

She saw it there, even there beyond the crimson irises, love plain as day. He had his own doubts. He had not foreseen his love for her, the love that had brought him to his knees. He had not seen it any more than she had expected to see the truth of his words. Had he truly snatched away anything that truly belonged to her? Perhaps this was what she was entitled to, the man standing before her. Perhaps this was her fate, to live and die by his side, as he would be by hers.

She did not take her eyes off his as he finished tying the necklace. She could almost taste hints of trepidation emanating from him. She could see his self conflict, a small war that raged within his mind. Andraste raised her hand and grasped his wrist as he began to pull away. It was an action she had done countless times, but it was different all at once. She did not look away from him, her gaze unblinking.

She did not say a word, leaning in slightly, enough to put her face mere inches away from his. Andraste did not release him, but her gaze finally lowered. There was an inner battle within her mind as well. She drew in further, her lips grazing his, the lips she had tasted so often. The moment was tense, the passion obscure. Andraste lingered there, so close to capturing his lips with her own, but standing upon the brink.

At last, she released his wrist. Andraste pulled back slowly, taking the moment back with her. She gazed up at him again, unable to understand why it was so difficult, why it was so alien. Andraste stepped back, putting distance between them. There was a barrier between them, a barrier she could not understand. It took her a moment to realize the barrier was one around her own heart. It was not one he could see as well.

 

[Demiurge]

"Jessh hak'ta."

He said, in a near whisper to her. As Andraste neared him, the Dark Lord could sense her conflicting feelings, which were even more profound than his own. He could feel her confusion, bewilderment. In a way, it was almost how he was, during his own years of isolation. But with that, came his self assurance. She would learn. She would evolve.

At that, Exodeus turned to lead his lover, his partner. There was a sanctum within the palace that no one but he and those chosen aforetime to his own ascension. A place where no one but the Dark Lord himself could tread. It was hallowed ground, a sacred place. And it was where each successor of the leader of the Order of the Sith Lords was christened, anointed to be the leader, acknowledged as the strongest.

Leading Andraste to a long corridor, Exodeus led the way to a massive door at the deepest core of the palace. It was the only addition Darth Aveum implemented into the Imperial Palace, the only modification. A circling spiral of stone stairs led down into the depths of the palace, of Bastion itself. And it ran down deep, so far down submerged beneath the surface that it was like treading the path to hell itself, and until even the light of day could no longer pierce its darkness.

After several seconds, a beacon of light suddenly shined. A torch, mounted on the wall, suddenly combusted and lit, burning with a dark blue flame, lighting the way for several stairs. And as they continued down, another torch lit again, the same way, burning with the unnatural fire, again and again until finally they reached a ground floor, leading to a large stone door. As Exodeus approached it, he pressed his hand against the center, and it was as if sections of the door imploded, as its mechanisms turned and twisted, opening the large stone barrier.

At that, Exodeus spoke out aloud, as if into the darkness.

"Mehy'shauk! Avar'nakr dke tcoor'rahk!"

At that, the room lit with dark flames lighting that walls and ceilings. The walls were filled with carved runes and glyphs, depictions and images of figures, beings, events. It was a sacred chamber unlike any in the Sith Imperium. And as the room continued to brighten, ten figures revealed themselves in the darkness, all cloaked in red and black robes, extravagantly designed. They were tall beings, even more so than Exodeus himself, and hunched, as they stood deathly still.

"T'sha ne'kah. Ges'hora fhey kaz'zan sa'ak."

At that, the ten figures began to murmur, as if chanting in horrid, deep grating voices. Then, one near to the middle of their formed circle stepped into the center, where an altar stood.

"Jhan'kura... mes'sjar zhoun."

 

[Sreeya]

Andraste stepped forth as she was commanded. However, two of the figures broke away from the group, approaching her. She stood her ground, not backing down as the daunting figures came closer. They were faceless, difficult to read even with the Force. There was strength, but in the form of mysticism. Andraste gazed forward, as two of them stood at her sides. She felt her dress slowly draw away from her shoulders, guided by the Force. She did not move, gazing ahead at the rest of the hooded figures.

The cold chill brushed her pale flesh as she was undressed. Her hair was lifted and tied, as more hooded figures approached. Andraste did not move, suddenly feeling icy cold hands over her skin, along with chants being murmured softly. She involuntarily gasped as she felt the brushes roam over her body, realizing that she was being painted. Andraste did not look to see what was being painted, but the designs extended to her limbs, her back, her chest and her legs.

She realized it was red paint, the mark of a Sith, of a pureblood, and of blood itself. Andraste closed her eyes, understanding that this was more than marriage. It was ascendance. It was transcendence. She was stepping into the role of an Empress, the place of a true ruler, and a position that meant she would be impacting the galaxy.

"Aras j'us taisyija?"

Andraste's eyes opened. It was as if the woman had read her mind, asking if she was prepared. She remained silent, surveying the faceless elder. She finally nodded, the figures at her sides leaving her. Andraste turned to face Exodeus, the elder moving to stand behind the altar.

"Mes vokti nudien nuo tave asd'ara iv dir es'i iv tave monot vele."

Andraste remained quiet, meeting Exodeus' gaze.

"Sis valia buti zo rysys iv kraujas anas dekomet alst'u Sith jari Daemon kia jiso nulisia Andraste."

Andraste lowered her gazed. The binding was forever. She had always known, but to have it openly uttered, to know that she was taking a step she could never turn back from was daunting. And yet, she could never look back. The woman continued to speak, now explaining the newly exalted role Andraste would embrace. Her words were ominous, the way the woman spoke chilling.

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus bowed his head in respect as the other elders spoke, closing his eyes as the Force stirred around him like a spectre. The hair of his skin rose, as if an electrical static current were ambient around him as a tense sensation struck is body. A friction like sensation irritated him as the chanting increased. It was low, like a hollow rumbling in the afterthought, yet it struck his ears as if they were standing right there, beside him.

The weight on his body began to lift as if felt as if the clothes on his back were scorched away, falling to the ground. Exodeus finally rose his head, opening his eyes to see one of the elders before him.

"Kys'ca h'deak shar'sho zha kys'zalar qo'nok vras'kra.."

At that, the elder stretched out his hand and thrust it onto Exodeus' bare chest. And at the moment of contact, streams of smoke emanated from the Dark Lord's chest. Exodeus clinched his teeth in a sudden action as the Force branded him. Slowly, as the elder began channeling the Force against Exodeus, a strange runic symbol began to appear on his chest, growing larger, extending out across his upper torso, eventually creating a single, whole glyph.

The entire symbol burned as if by heat or flame, and his chest bled from the mark, yet there was no heat at all. Simply the intensity of the Force against him flesh. The elder then pulled his hand away, revealing the mark, as it slowly began to resonate with a low, low pitch, further extended to his back, encompassing his torso entirely. It was his mark, his own... the mark of the Sith.

"Mes vokti nudien nuo tave asd'ara iv dir es'i iv tave monot vele."

Exodeus then looked up to Andraste's eyes, silent in the presence of the elders.

"Sis valia buti zo rysys iv kraujas anas dekomet alst'u Sith jari Daemon kia jiso nulisia Andraste."

As the elder spoke, emphasizing the new role of Andraste, and defining his again, another two elders approached the center altar, both from opposite sides of the room. The first approached, and in his hands held a golden plate, with white markings drawn over it. And as he approached the center altar, the elder fell to his knees, holding the plate up to Exodeus, Andraste, and the first eldar.

At that, the second elder approached, and in her hands was a long anelace, an ebony blade with gold carvings engraved into the center of the blade's sides. And as she, the third eldar, approached the center altar, she too fell to her knees, presenting the anelace up to the other three.

And at that, the first elder stood and placed her hand up, between Andraste and Exodeus. And as she did, the Force obeyed her command, as she drew both of their hands up, near to each other - Andraste's and Exodeus' - but not in contact. At that, the first eldar used the Force and telekinetically took the plate and placed it upon the altar. After that, she then telekinetically drew the anelace to her hand, and grasped Exodeus wrist, placing it over the plate.

"Ir su sis vyras sekleti buti ta'yak-za kia ji jiso ke'tar su jises eka vele eka esencija eka yhur'zouk."

And at that, the elder took Exodeus' hand, and with the anelace's blade, cut his hand, spilling his blood onto the golden plate, staining it with crimson. After that, the eldar released Exodeus' hand, still chanting as she then grabbed hold of Andraste's.

"Ir su sis patele sekleti buti ta'yak-za kia jiso ji ke'tar su jises eka vele eka esencija eka yhur'zouk."

And with that, the eldar brought the blade to Andraste's palm, and spilled her blood into the plate, mixing it with Exodeus'. After that, the blade was taken away, and the first elder began chanting with the rest, growing louder and louder as she brought Exodeus' and Andraste's bleeding hands together, pressing his wound against hers.

"Zal'ekur aras tave Sith... Zal'ekur aras tave berniuk iv tave Jen'Garthaz.. Dekomet sekleti dema ealk'ar vi nors zak'ara or'kar tave zen'ekra ori. Dekomet eka ata'tca. Dekomet eka vele."

At that, the plate with their blood burst into an amber-scarlet flame, completely engulfing the vicinity of their spilled lifeblood. The flame burned so bright, so intensely, the room itself was lit beyond the extent of the blue flames of the torches. And yet, the fire bred no heat, no harshness. Only illumination.

Exodeus stared into Andraste's eyes throughout the entire ordeal, meeting and matching her gaze with his own. And as the chanting grew, as the fires burned, a new sensation viced his hand. It was like tearing, as if his flesh were being cut, yet he did not move - did not deviate. He would not. This day was theirs. This day, was his.

 

[Sreeya]

Andraste gazed into his eyes, her bleeding palm almost fused with his. It was excruciatingly painful, but she knew it was a bind beyond the physicality. It was on an exalted plane of existence, and it was their energies converging as one. The wounds were healing, their energies sustaining one another. Andraste did not pull away from him.

One of the figures approached her, presenting an amulet that Andraste gingerly picked up. She had withdrawn her hand from his by now, the wounds healed, but a mark remaining. It was an odd, faint insignia of sorts, one she doubt would ever fade. Andraste gazed upon it for a moment, finding it oddly curious. The elder woman spoke once again, turning to Andraste.

"Dary j'us, Andraste, vykti Sith jari Daemon kia buti nien valdyto ir kal'evos kia er'tir ir kia zri'ist pro patamsis ir athur ru'l mirtis ej'tka j'us abid?"

She gazed back at Exodeus, the amulet in her hands. There was a moment of silence as she stared at him. Was she truly ready for this? Did she truly love him? Was she prepared to be bound to him forever as his wife and Empress? After a few seconds, she spoke, barely above a whisper.

"Sau dary.."

After she spoke the words, she stepped forth, reaching up to tie the amulet around his neck. Andraste did not step back from him, keeping her gaze upon his, her hands slowly returning to her sides after she had tied the amulet.

The elder then turned to Exodeus.

"Dary j'us, Daemon, vykti Sith zeon Andraste kia buti nien foxa ir kal'linas kia er'tir ir kia zri'ist pro patamsis ir athur ru'l mirtis ej'tka j'us abid?"

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus tilted his head forward as Andraste placed the amulet around his neck, adamantly focusing her eyes into his, and he did to her.

"Dary j'us, Daemon, vykti Sith zeon Andraste kia buti nien foxa ir kal'linas kia er'tir ir kia zri'ist pro patamsis ir athur ru'l mirtis ej'tka j'us abid?"

Exodeus remained silent for a moment, as the eldar spoke, and even after. It was not a silence of hesitance or one of question, it was simply his way. And it was then that Exodeus closed his eyes and then opened, in a strange, almost solemn blink. These vows were not like any he'd taken before, so foreign, demanding. But it was the path he'd walk, he'd chosen to tread.

"Sau dary..."

At that the eldar used the Force to raise both Exodeus' and Andraste's hands, bringing the other's hand to the amulets of their lovers' neck.

"T'kar haz'sk he'rlek sa'ah kesh'mhun dak'kkon ule'syya ka'hta ya'tek zo'r suy qua gak'akr."

It was as if a clairvoyance of knowledge had fallen over Exodeus. An impulse, an instinct. Somehow, he knew what he was to do, what he had to do. His lifeforce, an echo of himself and all that he was, would forever be with her, not unlike the very bond they already shared. And without haste, Exodeus channeled his dark lifeforce into the amulet around his bride's neck, causing it to glow with in brilliant amethyst light.

 

[Sreeya]

The last words of the elder echoed hauntingly within her mind, sealing and entwining their destinies together forever. Andraste touched the cold metal on his neck, letting her fingers brush over the amulet. She felt him channeling his energy into the crystal upon her neck, and she did the same to him. It was almost a reflex, and it felt strangely natural. There was low, quiet chanting around them as the female elder stepped back.

Andraste continued pouring herself into the amulet, her very essence being driven into the material object, her body used as a conduit. The surge of energy exploded from them both, as if an unnatural wind surrounded them. For a moment, it was not unlike the incident on Lehon, where she had fully embraced the Force. Her eyes faded from yellow to a glowing white, as she surrendered herself to the Force. This time, she was not there alone, but she was bound to him, even on an almost astral plane of existence.

She stepped closer as he leaned in. She tilted her head, meeting his lips with her own. There was no hesitation this time. Her eyes remained white, the Force whirling within her. It was foreign how easily she had been able to slip into the transformation, when it usually took incredible amounts of agony to invoke it. Andraste curled her fingers against the back of his head, keeping her lips locked with his. At that moment, the rest of the hall began to fade away, melting into an abstraction, as an artist would smear a painting.

The chanting blended into the atmosphere, becoming a surreal addition to the strange plane they were in. Andraste felt connected to Exodeus, both body and soul, eternally bound to him. It was an indescribable feeling, and it was one of mutual understanding, conveyed and projected all through their kiss.

After a long moment, Andraste finally pulled back. Her eyes had returned to yellow, her expression difficult to read. Her love for him, buried so deeply, had been communicated to him through the kiss, through the single moment where he could see and understand her in a way she could never express with words. She simply gazed at him, the halls deathly silent. After a moment, she looked around herself, at the elders, at the candles, at all the prepwork.

"Imagine facing the elders if I had said no."

The comment was unnaturally out of place at first. It was an Andraste he had known in the past. The moment was fleeting, and it disappeared the moment it came, but he would have caught it nonetheless. Her face became devoid of emotion once again, as if she had said nothing. Andraste herself appeared confused at the slip up.

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus shot a glance at Andraste's comment, giving her a perplexed look, almost akin to one sighting something in sheer disbelief. The nature of her comment was something that'd been smitten with peculiarity, that much was an obvious certainty.

But it was the nature of what she said that caught Exodeus in a momentary cloud of bewilderment. What she had said to him, smacked of the persona she'd left behind... or at least, so they both had thought. Without a word Exodeus shook his head casually, and turned to the eldars again.

"Shar ka'haa. Me'zar kad jeta, kiea otio aaj j'het ur'tan. Jaie ksua wahd ahwe, e'ut alk ej'ar kwo la'sooa. Q'uao tou'aw jar'hak en'ghe qouy oiq dos'houp ou'hyu. Gal'war Zak'an'zon... var'll wyoun kean'kesh."

At that, the torches in the room extinguished as the room darkened. It was an obvious sign, an indicator that the ceremony was over. He gazed back at Andraste, a memory abruptly coming to his mind.

---​

It seemed as if it were so long ago, on the plains of Aurora. Even as truly as she was a different person. Back then it was only then, without the war, displaced from reality. She had been casually draped across his chest, and he had an arm lazily placed around her body.

"Hey!! If we get married, you should dramatically sweep me off my feet like in those HoloMovies!"

"..."

"Don't look at me like that!"

"That is not the order of things, nor how I would ever--"

"STOP RUINING THE MOMENT, DAEMON!"

The sound of her laughter spread through the air, resonating like a light in the darkness. It was the hallmark, the emblematic sign of a different time... and of a different woman, whose heart of shadows had once been filled with the spark of light... and of hope.

---​

At that, Exodeus, in an uncharacteristic motion, knelt down and brought his arm underneath Andraste's knees. His facial expression remained firm, unchanged in the action, although his mind was displaced.

Even if she had changed in her heart, she was still the same woman he'd sworn at her request to sweep her into his arms should he ever wed her. At that, Exodeus turned his head down to her, gazing into her starkly baffled golden eyes, confused at the entire ordeal as he walked away from the Chamber of the Eldars, carrying her in his arms. It was his own code, his law. Never would he adamantly break his own word. Not to the greatest, nor to the least. Not even to a woman lost the very despair of her own heart.