Zaryaa's Journey

[Lord Iezkon]

Part 2

First sight was the darkness that shrouded the vision of all things as many a gaze looked around the mist of the void, there a vision of all life that could have been, now slaughtered and devoured under the violet blade of a figure whose clutches were loosened around the metallic hilt of what could be made out to be on a saber. The skeletons and corpses of people charred and broken littered around the nameless and faceless figure. The mist shrouds the figure and now begins the continuous echoing chimes of metal clanking against a metal surface beneath, a voice who cried out in terror for a moment before falling deafeningly silent, the very voice of a brother and one so close. The sound of a mother now smothered in the blinding, crackling light of electricity as that too consumes them in the void of death. All around was simply that, death and chaos, yet a darkened voice called out in one final moment to the figure who envisioned this dream; "You could not save them. No-one can." Their knees hit the ground beneath them as tears streamed down their cheek, arms widened and lifted to the air as the yell of the woman echoed around the misty void, a yell only that of pain caused from the chaos.

Yet the vision fades, and the crackling sound of thunder strikes, awakening the now terrified Pureblooded female from her dream who fell onto her hands and knees on the ground, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and tears pacing downwards onto the ground in little droplets. The dream almost felt real, but the reality was not so - The reality was that this was no void, this was the same shuttle that departed from Dromund Kaas, and had now seemingly reached its destination. Zaryaa pushed herself in a timely manner to her feet and slowly made her way into the cockpit, to which sat a familiar figure in the pilots seat; “Oh, you’re awake. Thank Typhojem, perhaps now I can sleep without you spurting your nonsense when tossing and turning.” The twin looked up towards his sister with a sly expression as per usual, alas, it faded almost instantly as he witnessed the very facial expression of his sister, fear accompanied by tears on her cheeks; “A bad dream?” He asked carefully, only to be met with a slight snarl on his sisters part as she looked out the cockpit window, of which lit up with a planet displaying nothing but the atmosphere of an arid world. “Athiss.” Said Zrisin as he too faced to the window to observe the planet they both had come to witness. “I hope you know, this is entirely illegal in both the Empire’s views and House Horuset’s.” - “I am aware, Zrisin. Take us down there, we must find the source.” Zaryaa would then turn around as if going to make preparations for herself. “Make the landing she says, find the source she says.” Zrisin muttered to himself, offering a poor imitation of his sister.

The shuttle rushed downwards towards the ground, blowing dust in every direction as the humming buzz of the shuttles thrusters come to a stop and a light thud against the ground beneath them. The landing was a smooth one to be sure, but as to where remained a mystery to both Zaryaa and Zrisin. The ramp of the shuttle then lowered itself towards the ground, offering but one final hiss as the metallic flying object became stoic entirely; “This place is cursed.” Said the Male Pureblood as both he and his sister walked into what seemed to be a stone courtyard, surrounded by numerous stone workings that resembled tombs of ancient Sith, each baring different markings. “Tales say this place is home to numerous sorcerers who defied Emperor Vitiate and were banished here for eternity to live with nothing but the chaotic drums of the dark side bashing against their skull. Enough to drive you into madness.” He added. “At-least I won't die here alone.” Zaryaa spoke in jest, looking towards her brother with the same slyness he offers her, only to be met by the very frown that she offers him to such humerous remarks. However, it would not take long for Zaryaa to take the lead as she beckoned Zrisin along, both wearing heavy backpacks on themselves as they venture forth onto the next stage of their journey.

Though the tombs of Athiss remain vast, the thickness of the jungles and growth between them grew in bulk, making the navigation of the pathways unbearably tedious for both Zaryaa and Zrisin, though there was one benefit in all this, and Zaryaa knew this; “The markings on these walls are all different, which makes finding what we’re looking for much less challenging.” To which Zrisin replied; “If only we had a scholar here who knew how to navigate tombs of dead relatives.” He spoke obviously in a mocking tonnage of voice, suggesting something that may cause a sense of anger to his sister, of which it did. Though, she chose not to retort as it could make the situation a lot more tense.

The pair continued their journey throughout the canyon between tombs, stretching through forests that remained thick for many a mile. The journey had just began.

(*Post by Sierra/A'tul/Kayla V.*)