Ask Visiting the Ancients

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Rakata Prime, also known as Lehon, was a planet with many mysteries. It was the homeworld of the legendary Rakata, the species that supposedly was the first to develop hyperspace travel. While it wasn’t possible to verify if these rumors were real, the existence of the Rakata was very tangible. They had left thousands of abandoned temples and ruins on the planet's surface. With the most famous of them being the Temple of Ancients.

It was because of this temple that Caerllion had decided to visit the planet. The Rakata were also rumored to have learned secrets of the Force. The Annfyn thought that by visiting the temple he could find something that could have been left behind by the extinct inhabitants of the world.

Before he landed on the planet, the Champion had stopped in a refueling station that orbited around Rakata Prime. After flying from Annwfyn to here, his ship needed more fuel. Besides, he could eat something. For some reason, a local caff shop had appeared in a holomagazine as one of the best in the Galaxy.

He was already surprised that anyone knew that this backwater planet existed and even more that he learned that the locals knew how to make caf.

Surprisingly, the caff store had a nice appearance. He could even say that it was cozy. There were printed pages of holomagazines that mentioned the local in the wall near the entrance and the place was well illuminated. The Annfyn walked toward the counter and sat in a nearby seat. “I want a cappuccino with a piece of strawberry cake.” he asked the barista, a male Twi’lek.

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

The planet Lehon was a monument to a truth of the galaxy: things decayed, died, and were forgotten. Lehon had once been the center of an empire that spanned half the galaxy and ruled with an iron fist. Now it was a backwater refueling station that most people had never even heard of.

The Rakata were interesting, but even more than them, Arla had come here to continue a quest she had started shortly after leaving the Sith: tracking Darth Bane. His journey across the stars had been indescribably important to the face of the galaxy and the Sith. He had gone to many places, but one of them was this world. This almost-forgotten world.

She knew it wasn't likely that she could manage to truly find anything of use here, but she could try. But even more than that, she felt it calling to her, and she had discovered long ago that when the Shadow called to her, she was wise to listen. There was something here she was bound to find.

She had set her ship down at the edge of one of the settlements, gathering some of her equipment together before heading out to find somewhere she could buy food for her journey. As it turned out, there weren't a lot of grocery stores here, but it seemed that people who wanted non-perishables bought them directly from the half-cantina, half-swift mart.

She smacked the button for the door to open and it leapt wide to allow her inside, her saberwolf, Fenris, close in tow as she started perusing the goods at the far wall, earning her a couple of wary gazes less for herself and more for the literal wolf standing behind her.

Hey, he can't be in here, the barista quickly said to which Arla fixed him with an unhappy, silvery glare.

Fenris, snaruzhi, she said, and the wolf headed toward the door. Her gaze didn't break from the barista, and for the moment she failed to notice Caerillion sitting there as she started down the barman a bit unnecessarily. To be honest, she mostly wanted to see the man squirm a bit.

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

When his order arrived, Caerllion stared at it with a raised eyebrow. The cappuccino and the cake looked so simple that he was doubting if they were so divine like all these holomagazines used to say. The Annfyn grabbed a fork and slowly cut a piece of the desert, before moving it to his mouth.

As soon as it touched his taste buds, he felt a wonderful explosion of flavor. It was the best strawberry cake that he ever ate. After carefully munching it, the Annfyn picked another piece. Indeed, it was very good. Excellent, even. The chef really deserved all the praise for this dessert.

Caerllion was so distracted eating his cake that he didn’t notice Arla’s arrival, even less when she entered the shop with the wolf. He turned to look at the newcomer when the bartender started protesting about the animals presence. First he noticed the creature walking out of the building, immediately wondering who was crazy enough to carry this thing around. Then he turned to look at the person properly.

And he saw Arla.

The woman that had been one of his crushes. The other was now resting seven feet below the ground.

His fork slipped from his hand, falling over the plate. “Arla?” he said, staring at her with surprise and wondering if the half-Sephi still remembered him, or if she had completely forgotten about his existence.

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Arla actually jumped just a tiny bit when she heard her name, surprised to find anyone here she knew. Or wondering if someone had hunted her to here. Who was... her head jerked back a bit in shock.

Caer? she said aloud. Her eyes darted around a bit wondering why he was here. The thought was quickly replaced by wondering if this was a trap. Apex had worked with Sith before but she had also personally turned in Sith for bounties before. But when weren't Sith fighting and bickering among themselves? No, she doubted he was here to fight her. Plus she could sense surprise in him. He was as surprised as she was.

It's been a long time, she said, moving over nearer to him and taking in how he had changed or not over the years. She was more confident, and her mind was closed off behind Force of Will. And yet, she was still the same woman she had always been in so many ways.

She slipped into a seat next to him.

What brings you out to Lehon? she asked.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

When she turned to look at him, the Annfyn could see her better. Arla continued with her beautiful appearance, but she had also gotten older. She was a complete woman now. Being honest to himself, Caerllion thought that she was already an adult woman when they were younger and did missions together. He was the one that acted like an arrogant boy full of himself

”Yes, we haven't seen each other since…” Caerllion paused, trying to remember when was the last time that the two had interacted. “I think that was this time in the Academy. When I helped you steal a book or something like that.” so many things happened. The Sith were expelled from the Empire. She left the Sith Order, he stayed behind. Wodan was dead. Only now he noticed that most of these things were bad. “How have you been since then?”

Her next question made Caerllion unsure. In the past, he would have trusted her about the details of his little exploration. However, it had been a long time since they talked to each other and he didn’t know if she could be trusted anymore. Due to that, the Annfyn decided to go with a half truth.

“I always wanted to give a look at the Rakatan ruins, like the Temple of Ancients. Now that I have my own ship, I can do it.” he said, revealing to her only part of the reason. If she proved to be like the same Arla from the past, the one that he could trust, then the Annfyn would tell her that he wanted to explore the temple. “And you, what are you doing here?”

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

In a lot of ways it felt strange to see him again. Not in a bad way, mind you, but in a way that brought back a life she had almost forgotten. She'd left the Sith behind and in so many ways it felt like she had been a completely different person at the time. Apart from Nakoa she had lost almost all of her former connections to that life and started fresh. Wodan was gone, she hadn't spoken to Vahliri in any really meaningful way in months, and she hadn't seen Caer in ages.

I've been good, she said. Set up my own company, and it's thriving. I'm constantly busy, she said, though it wasn't a bad thing. She was never bored or restless these days. She always had either administrative duties that she side stepped and delegated as much as possible or she was out on the hunt herself and recruiting new people, which she was far more adept at doing.

And you? she asked.

Sounded like he was here for personal travel and to see the Rakatan ruins, although she doubted that any Sith was interested purely for passive reasons. The Rakatan were potentially a path to incredible power if their secrets were unlocked. It seemed like more of a pipe dream at this point, but even then, the Sith might be able to pick up bits and pieces here and there.

When I left the Sith I started following Darth Bane's trail. Life finally came together to try to continue that. And something felt like it pulled me here, she said.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”I’m happy that you are well.” it was good to know that at least someone from his past had found a better life. The rest were mostly dead or became traitors. It was a welcome change from this dark pattern. “What type of company is it?” he asked, curious to know more about Arla’s new life.

“Well, I’m doing the same as always. Working to advance the Order’s agenda in my homeworld, while helping increase the power across the Galaxy.” different of her, Caerllion didn’t do many different things so far. Only the typical Sith stuff. “Oh, I also had been practicing with some experiments.”

He sipped some of his cappuccino, while hearing Arla talk about Darth Bane. It was a surprise for him that she was still interested in Sith knowledge, even after leaving the Order. Caerllion knew that the half-Sephi was a Nightsister, so dealing with the Dark Side was normal to her. However, studying the actions of a Darth was still peculiar.

“Maybe you’ll find your answers in the Temple of Ancients. I heard that some Sith visited this place centuries ago.” according to stories, several Dark Siders had visited the ruins in search of knowledge. Perhaps what she wanted was there too. “Do you want to go with me? I was going there, and only stopped to eat.”

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Military contracting, she said. Apex had become quite proficient at handling unusual contracts and things that others couldn't with only a small group. That was at least in part to the fact that she recruited unusual beings - including Force users - into her sect. It had its benefits to be a Nightsister and former-Sith.

Apex Military Contractors, specifically, she said. She knew that they had taken a contract to help defend Thule, although to call that public knowledge would have been a stretch too far. She didn't know how far the information had spread in the Sith. Or, for that matter, how far it had spread that she had also hunted Sith.

She noted the vagueness with which he spoke about the agendas he had advanced, and though she assumed it was distrust of her, she didn't take it with offense. After all, he'd have been irresponsible to share all of that with someone who was a potential enemy.

Seems as good a place as any. It's rumored that he either went there or somewhere close to it, she said, her voice more hushed now. Even on a remote world like this, openly admitting to either being Sith or pursuing Sith knowledge was asking for trouble.

I came here to get supplies, she said, rising to her feet and gathering the necessary supplies in question before tossing some crowns on the counter and heading for the door.

Caerllion, this is Fenris. Fenris, Caerllion, she said, touching the mind of her wolf with the Shadow. The two shared something of a connection that was beyond just words. It was a bond through the Shadow itself.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”I hear about them. They seem to be good with what they do.” Caerllion had heard that the Apex had helped in the defense of Thule during a recent attempted raid here. Thinking about their success made the Annfyn have an idea. “Do you know, my homeworld could use a military contract. Would you be interested in it? I can arrange a meeting with the parliament.”

“Then it can be the first place where you can start your search.” Caerllion said, before eating what remained from his cake and drinking his cappuccino. “You should try these later. They are pretty good.” he said to Arla, before grabbing his EZPhone and leaving a five star to the establishment. They deserved.

Once they paid for what they bought, the two Force sensitives left the shop. Arla presented her wolf to Caerllion. He could feel that the two had a bond. The Annfyn smiled at the animal. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” then he turned to look at the ex-Sith. “I always thought that you were a dog person. So I was right.”

“I like all animals, but cats are my favorite.” a meow was heard behind them and Caerllion’s smile grew. Up on a roof, watching the three was Teekl. Her eyes red due to the bond that she shared with the Annfyn.

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Arla's attention was definitely piqued by Caer's mention of Annfyn needing a contract. Thule had been particularly lucrative, and while Apex wasn't large enough to fight battles for entire planets yet, they could most certainly supplement local defense or perform actions that were pivotal to the course of planets. In other words, they were scalpels that could take apart anything they had to.

I would certainly be interested in hearing more about it, she said, giving the true executive's answer. After all, she was an executive now, and she had to think like one, but another planetary contract could potentially be very lucrative.

I like all animals, she admitted. It wasn't limited to dogs, but that was what she had found as a pup. She thought back to Rattatak and Celeste. She knew the other woman had died, but that seemed to be the way for them. They lived by violence, and most of them died by it as well. Her own mother was a testament to that. Now even Raze was. It dawned on her that one day she would as well. But they all died eventually. That was the circle of life.

She returned to her ship and loaded her supplies onto her speeder and waiting for him to either retrieve his own or hop onto the back of hers before loading up the coordinates on her EZphone.

You ready?

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”Then we had something in common.” he laughed, while Teekl jumped on his shoulders. She looked at Fenris with suspicion, not wanting to get to the ground while the wolf remained around. “My Arkanian dragon is back in Annwfyn, but now she can’t stay near the fireplace anymore. She is too big for that now.”

They briefly parted ways. Caerllion returned to his ship where he grabbed some supplies and left Teekl. The temple wasn’t going to be a place to stay. Rather than staying on her own bed, the loth-cat rushed to find a place in the middle of the Annfyn’s bed. She cuddled against the expensive sheets, yawned and slept.

Then, the Annfyn walked to where Arla had said that they should meet to leave toward the temple. She already was on a speeder. He had thought to rent one for him, but since the half-Sephi had some space and offered a ride, Caerllion ended up not doing it. "I'm ready!" The Annfyn said, before jumping on the back.

“I heard that after their collapse, the Rakata had repented from their tyranny and tried to bury all that their knowledge inside the temple.” Caerllion said, remembering from what he had heard in some stories. “What do you think that caused their collapse? Some say that it’s a plague, others the Force and even the Celestials. I think that it was the plague.”

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Good, Arla said, gunning the engine and taking off like an absolute mad woman. One of the things she and Vahliri had always had in common was their ability to ride and fly like absolute mad people, and with her brother's affinity for podracing perhaps it just ran in the family.

She turned her attention back again to what Caer was saying and pondered his question. It was all speculation, of course, and Arla wasn't sure what the answer was. He speculated that it was a plague, and that was possible, but Arla had a different idea.

That's possible, she agreed, and his guess was as good as hers, but Arla was at least in part a student of history.

But I think they just lost their nerve and their purpose, she said. Or turned on themselves, she said. It was the story of what had happened to the Sith over the generations. They had risen to power and then crumbled time and again.

Rakattans were largely Dark Siders as the Sith are, and what has happened to the Sith time and again? she asked, though the question was mostly rhetorical.

She looked out as they raced across the surface of the planet. They zoomed past lakes and mountains in the direction that the Temple was speculated to be. Of course, finding it was easier said than done and it was largely something that your average galactic citizen just doesn't care about. But people like them... they were different.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion was relieved that he had put on his security belt, because as soon as Arla gunned the engine, the Annfyn realized that he would have been thrown out of the speeder. He never had a ride with the half-Sephi, so the fact that she drove like a bat fleeing from hell was a total surprise to him.

Arla’s theory for the Rakata’s demise was plausible. Historical records say that they were violent, even against themselves. It would not be a surprise if their Empire ended up imploding due to internal conflicts. Perhaps his idea about the plague was what forced them to enter in barbarism.

Her comment about the Sith made Caerllion stay in silence. He wondered if it was a jab to him. Would the Sith infighting be what made Arla leave the Order? With the exception of Altair’s betrayal, the Order didn’t fight against each other for a long time. A part of him wanted to say that it didn’t happen anymore, that they had left this part of their past behind.

But it would be foolish. An internal fight between the Sith would happen, be tomorrow or in five years.

With his mind full with these thoughts about the future, Caerllion turned to look at the landscape. There were parts of ruins spread in the landscape, remnants of what the Rakata once were. Looking at clear signals of the past made the Champion wonder about what Arla did besides organizing the Apex. Does she still live in Dathomir? Did she marry?

“Are you still single?” he asked without thinking and immediately regreted. “Err, sorry, you don’t need to answer it.”

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Arla's mind melted into the landscape and nestled into the Shadow that swept up all around her. It suffused everything out here, and away from the mega metropolises that populated so much of the galaxy or even the space-faring semi-serene existence of the upper levels of Galactica, it was peaceful.

Her thoughts on that topic were broken by Caer's... question. She was thrust back into her own body again so to speak, and his question really caught her off guard. She blinked several times as she processed the question and what it might imply.

I am, she said and promptly didn't elaborate further. Her mind was taken away to those two words. She and Nakoa had almost had something, she had, of course, had her moments with Wodan, and even had a good time with foxboy from the cruise, but the galaxy just had never lined up for her to find someone to actually settle down with. Probably because she was nowhere near "settling" in her life. She was still just ramping up in power and skill.

And what have you been doing on your homeworld? she asked. Based on his offer of contract earlier, she had to assume he still lived there and was heavily involved. She also knew that they weren't likely to like her on that planet, and saw little reason to go there outside of employment.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”Oh, ok.” it was only what the Annfyn could say, feeling happy that she couldn’t see how his face was red and his ear twitching. It was a simple question, there was no reason for him to be all flustered about it. Caerllion couldn’t understand why he was acting like a teenager. It was so stupid.

However, a part of him felt warm with her answer. The one that corresponded to the teenager that never forgot about his crush.

He was relieved when Arla changed the subject of the conversation. The Annfyn was starting to think that an uncomfortable silence would rise between them. “Well, I’m more involved with the parliament. My grandaunt is still ruling as a very healthy queen, but my Ileaud cousins are already waiting for her to die so they can make their move. I need to find allies to avoid it.”

His future position on the throne was still “official”, but he would only feel relief when he was seated in the throne with the crown on his head.

“I thought that bringing a security force here would give me some points with the rest of the parliament. The Outer Rim is a dangerous place, we could really use an additional protection.” of course, their headquarters would need to be in the space station that was located in the orbit of the planet. But these details would be discussed later.

Now Caerllion was more interested in knowing from where was coming this strong Dark Side presence that he suddenly felt.

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Arla listened to what he said about the political situation on Annfyn and thought about what it meant. She also couldn't turn off that business part of her brain that was not only wanting to analyze this from a huntress's point of view, but also the part that was still very much Sith despite everything that had happened.

I take it you're not close to them? Distant enough to just have them... removed? she asked. Apex had taken its fair share of assassination contracts. In fact, it was one of the hidden things that suspended the organization. It's Anzati hunters, in particular, were potent killers with years to decades of experience.

She guided the speeder along as they spoke, the time seeming to fly like the landscape until she began to slow once again. The darkness was growing stronger, and she could feel it practically calling to her. No doubt, Caer would feel it as well as they drew closer to a large set of ancient ruins.

Old, crumbling towers of stone and steel sprung up from the surroundings and grasses and dirt had begun to grow over them. But even as Arla reached out to the Force, it felt different here in a way that told her more was going on.

Still, until it manifested itself, she remained on alert.

The whole galaxy is a dangerous place, she agreed with what he had said earlier, but even upped the intensity. Apex took contracts to kill off people even in Core high society. Things in the Core were simply more subtle.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

A smirk appeared on Caerllion's lips when he heard Arla’s question. It proved to him that the half-Sephi was still capable of thinking like a Sith. He was happy that the time away from the Order didn’t take her cunning away. “Not even a bit. I hate all of them and the feeling is mutual.” they could hide under pleasantries during family gatherings, but he knew very well that his aunt and uncle wanted him dead and their son in the throne.

Meanwhile, his cousin was a fool that would bring ruin to Annwfyn.

“I would not mind if they disappeared. I believe that they would think the same about me, the only question is who is going to dispatch the other first.” he only needed to be faster and clever than them. “I would be very grateful if it happened someday.” Caerllion wondered if Arla would understand the hidden request behind his words.

While Arla started to slow down the speeder, Caerllion could feel the darkness growing as they approached a certain area. It was covered by parts of ancient buildings, now being slowly covered by vegetation. “You are right, and I think that we are going to stumble in one of them.”

As if answering what he said, the speeder would slowly approach a particular arch made of stone. The darkness seemed to be coming from it.

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Apex offers excellent services for that. Off the record, of course, she said, without missing a beat. Oh yes, knocking off royalty was just up their alley... for the right price, of course. As it turned out, she was even more direct than he was about it. It was only the two of them out here, after all. They both knew who and what they were, and Arla had never been the type for dancing around the issue.

Not stumble. We are here by intention, she corrected. It was quite true that at the end of the day they both chose to be here and Arla did her best to maintain control of the world around her. She often failed, but that was the goal. Grow and become more and that only came through failure. Failure that she hated.

She could sense the darkness emanating from the caverns ahead and pulled the speeder to a stop, climbing off and touching over her gear quickly to make sure it was all in place.

She could almost make out the sounds of whispers carried on the air, though precisely who or what it was, she wasn't sure.

This place is cursed, I think, she finally said after a moment more. There were all manner of arcane arts in the galaxy that people didn't delve into and even with her experience, there was still a lot she didn't know. But she knew a dark curse when she sensed it.

I think we should look around first, she added.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

"I'll be careful when contacting your services." he said, this time not trying to hide his murderous intentions against relatives. Caerllion was so used to the lies of the political stage that he had forgotten completely the fact that at the moment it was only he and Arla. No one else would hear them plotting.

He stopped a moment to think about what she was saying. Indeed, they both chose to visit this planet, even if for different reasons. Both of them were trying to find answers among the ruins of the Rakatas. If they were feeling the darkness so strongly, it was because they were getting close to their goal.

When the speeder stopped, Caerllion followed Arla out of it. The feeling of darkness seemed to be coming from the caverns in front of them. They didn’t seem to be natural, with their entrances being too circular. The Annfyn could bet that they were made artificially. Perhaps it was the effects of him delving with sorcery, but the Champion was sure that he was hearing whispers.

"I think the same. I can hear whispers in the wind, warnings that we shouldn’t be here." whoever cursed this place, Caerllion was sure that he and Arla would be able to break it. While he looked around, the Annfyn saw a large slab of stone, perhaps what once was part of a wall. There were figures sculpted on it, two humanoid creatures seemed to be fighting. One seemed to be feminine and the other masculine. "What do you think that it means?"

@Phoenix

 

[Arla]

Well you can always contact me, she said. Most people couldn't reach her directly, but he wasn't just most people, was he? They had known each other for years now even if they hadn't talked much in recent days.

She stopped and looked around. If it weren't for the chill running down her spine, it was actually a relatively beautiful place. Forgotten ruins far away from society that had been claimed by nature. Relaxing in its own way... except that there was a chill running down her spine and something in her mind that tried to tell her to run. She gritted her teeth and pushed on through it.

She could almost hear the whispers as well, though she knew they weren't there. She stopped to look at the carvings in the ruins and her head tilted slightly to the side.

Someone who was egotistical might have thought it was the two of them fighting, but that was a bit silly, wasn't it? Carved millennia ago and assuming they were the only male and female to come through here were unrealistic.

I couldn't say, she admitted, looking at the carvings but seeing no others nearby to shed more light on the topic. She did see words written in some old language or perhaps they were just symbols. She wasn't sure, but let her gaze linger on it for a long moment before bending down to run her fingers along a chunk of stone still etched with the old, forgotten language.

People claim that we're not just animals, but we all fade and die eventually. Time passes, Empires fall, and we all return to dust, she said quietly, as much to herself as Caer. It was a truth that everyone tried to deny. A cold, hard truth.