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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:06:41 GMT -5
The trail was easy to follow. The girl had been obviously hit on the head by a thud bug. The blood trail was faint, but evident. Rau unleashed his blood leaches, and watched them slither across the cold, granite floor, following the droplets to the source. He followed discreetly, for the better part of an a half hour, looking out for traps, but surprisingly there were none. His foe was sloppy, or arrogant.
Either way he would pay dearly.
The small grotto that he entered was dimly lit, and filled with the sound of pain. Human pain.
This is why his foe had evaded him thus far. He had taken refuge in the catacombs of the unused temple. The girl was foolish enough to wander too close to his domain. He should let her pay for her stupidity, but he could not.
He clenched his fists in anger. Yuuzhan Vong warriors were not supposed to care for anyone but themselves. That is why he was exiled, because he sometimes asked why, instead of simply acting. He could feel her pain even now, and it was a far worse experience than he imagined.
When he saw her entwined in the Embrace of Pain, his blood run cold. Vong did not torture, as this one did. They taught their opponent a lesson. This was blatant cruelty, and a warrior was never cruel. He gave his opponent a clean death.
He stepped out from the shadow, his anger with every breath.
"Your terror is at end Txa Khan. The human is not worthy of your time. If you have any valor left, fight me for your life"!
"Worthy", Khan spat, "infidels should be beneath our contempt! You bring disgrace upon your domain for such words". The stout warrior turned to glare at the brash child, and with a clawed hand, slapped her face. The sound clapped like thunder, drawing more than blood, as it tore a jagged scar from brow to cheek.
"Leave now, or I will kill her slowly, and painfully"!
Rau prepared himself as his serpent staff hissed menacingly. "I will stop your heinous acts Khan. I will restore my honor with the spilling of your blood"!
He lept forward in a blur, and the battle was begun.
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:07:03 GMT -5
Aleia couldn't believe what she saw. The other Vong was defending her, but she didn't know why. She didn't even have time to think of it as the one known as Txa Khan strod forward and slapped her across the face. Her face felt as if it were on fire and she shook, the restraints adding to the pain as she screamed. Then she felt it, the warmth across her face as the blood begain to flow down her face. Aleia knew this one would scar by how much she could feel running down.
As the two Vong started to attack the young girl saw somthing comming up the torture rack. They looked like some kind of leeche and at first she thought that they were going to attack her. One came up near her shoulder and Aleia froze amdist the pain. The thing stopped and started to chew threw her bindings!
Rau looked up past his opponent. The leaches were doing their job and the girl was staying quiet.Or as quiet as one could get. He found that remarkable but didn't dwell at it as he sent his staff foward. It hissed and grabbed against the flesh but Kahn only laguhed.
"Your blood has never been worthy.. and I shall take your head back as proof of your failure woth the Infidel's. Proving that you had grown soft to care for such things is beneath even the Shamed Ones. "
Rau roared in anger, calling the staff back to his hand as he launched himself at Kahn. Hitting his target hard they fell to the ground. Kahn expecting such an attack kicked up and sent Rau flying back against the wall. Before he could move Kahn revealed a tooth like knife, from the Kragnen and launched it at him. He couldn't move fast enough as it sank into his right shoulder. The Vong shook and tried to mve. Not expecting his prey to have that much skill with it. The knife went clean threw to the other side, and had locked itself into the wall. A wall that also pierced him with small wounds from lightsaber crystals that poked threw the Earth
"Now Shamed One.. you will die..."
Not paying attention to Aleia the leeches chewed threw quickly. Falling to the floor she gave out a cry to keep the other vong distracted. Even though she wanted nothing more then to not move she forced herself up and looked around. Parts of the wall were gone and she could see crystals. Not even thinking she went to the wall and pulled on the first crystal. It felt right and it came loose. The crystal itself was avout ten inches long, the end jagged and perfect as a weapon.
Turning her head she saw Kahn reach to it's side and pull another strange weapon from it's side. By all means she should have ran, but she was to be a Jedi and he had saved her by letting the leaches free. She ran, leanding out the last bit of energy from a reserve she didn't know she had.
"NO!"
Launching herself at Kahn she put herself in harms way. The strange weapon came down against her right shoulder and pain seared threw her like molten lava. The cit was deep and went down towards her breast,. At the same time Aleia stabbed up and met it's flesh in what she hoped was the heart. She wasn't even sure how much went it, only that in reaction the Vong kicked her away, snapping off part of the crystal that she clutched. Aleia fell to the ground shaking in pain as her emerald eyes looked up at her enemy and then over to Rau....
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:07:23 GMT -5
Rau watched in amazement and stunned silence as the young human came to his aid. Khan had fought dishonorably, using a concealed weapon, rather than fighting Amphistaff to Amphistaff. It was, however, his comment about him being beneath a Shamed One that stung more than the Kragnen tooth now lodged deep in his shoulder.
Shimmra had shamed his entire line. The words of the traitor had been true. Rau Dilong would never be accepted back amongst his own kind. He was alone now, a rogue, much like Khan.
Honor was never again to be his.
Tragically, for Khan, he had not been wearing his Vondun Crab armor, and so the sharpened crystal plunged deep into his breast, but narrowly missed his heart. Vong anatomy was slightly different from humans, so while it missed the most vital of organs, it was still a wound that left him defenseless, if even for only a fraction of a second.
Rau pulled the tooth from his own shoulder, wincing as blood poured out from the gaping wound. He stood quickly, and slammed it just beneath Khan's chin, watching as its tip protruded from the top of his skull.
"There is no shame in my name. I am not my forefather".
With that, the enemy collapsed in a heap, like a sack of Burellian potatoes. He staggered, but remained standing, afterall, pain was his eternal ally.
He eyed the girl carefully, looking at the scar she had received from Khan. He did not know how to say what he needed to, but as his old father had said, even a warrior must offer thanks after a victory, lest the Gods abandon you in battle.
"Your bravery is commendable infi....", he stammered over his words, "human, but you risked your life for one who would willingly kill you, if the situation demanded it. I must know why".
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:07:40 GMT -5
Aleia watched as Rau lunged foward and and killed their foe. Aleia had thought she was next and only looked at him in stunned silence as he gave her a sort of thanks and then asked why she did that. Her gaze still held onto his and she thought about it for a moment and then opened her lips.
"For the same reason you saved me..."
She started, wincing in pain as she took her hands and tore part of her shirt off by her stomach but after she placed the crystal down by her feet. Bringing it up across her face she blotted the blood. Wincing in pain as she pulled it back. People are going to laugh at me.. Only then did she look down and saw how badly she was hurt from the cut across her chest. The blood still pooled out and didn't seem to stop as she then placed her hands over the wound in an attempt to try and stop it. Despite the pain she was threw she was still moving when most would have probably passed out. It was her shame in the secret that was behind that.
"I thought I was past that.."
The girl whispered low so he wouldn't hear her.
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:07:58 GMT -5
"I did not save you. It was an unforeseen consequence of my hunt. A son of Yun Yuuzhan does not have attachements". Did he truly mean that? Was he not expelled because of what he just denied? It was easy to run away, but no matter how far you traveled, you could never escape your own conscious.
He truly was a shamed on, just as Khan had mocked.
"You are injured badly. I have a few Crishna's that could help you". A Chrishna was a sort of living Vong plant which had numbing and healing properties. It was standard issue to all warriors. Many times it was all that stood between life and death. Hesitantly, he handed her a few rolls of the bright green leaf.
"Do not fear girl, I mean you know harm. You saved my life, and I thus owe you respect, even if it repels me to be in your presence".
He did not truly mean that, but it was what a Yuuzhan Vong was expected to say. He looked away, but his next words were not so harsh.
"Your new wounds are a badge of honor. Wear them proudly fleshling".
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:08:17 GMT -5
She took the offered gift but looked at him as he turned his back to her. Aleia didn't believe what he said. She knew enough from reading about his kind that he would have killed her long before now. Aleia also knew not to piss them off.
"I don't believe that.."
The girl grunted in pain as she stood. Still keeping at least one hand on her wound she looked and could see that he was bleeding as badly as she was. "You could have left me on that..thing to be tortured to death.. or killed me by the river.. Your diffrent then what I have read about.."
Aleia took the few steps towards him and reached up with the Crishna in her hand. She pressed it against his shoulder even as she felt his blood run down her arm and began to dribble against her own wounds. "You need this more.. I have survived much worse with no pain remidies..." Refering to her back.
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:08:33 GMT -5
"Do not hope to believe such things. I am indifferent to you, but in your debt nonetheless human". He was frustrated, and out of his element. A Warrior was a man of action, not one of words and kindness. His creche brothers would have killed her, or worse yet, left her in the Embrace of Pain.
"Our kind should be ruling this galaxy, but my ancestor, the Supreme Overlord, Shimmra, deceived our people, leading us on this foolish crusade. We are warriors, but without vision, and true purpose, we are nothing. Your kind did not defeat us, we cut our own throats with the sharp Grashal".
He dropped the leaves to the ground. "I do not need your pity human. I need my honor back, but that is gone, as is our Empire. But one like you could never understand our world. You shrink from your wounds, where we wear them like a badge of valor. What could you possibly know about our lives"?
He turned to leave, but he stopped just at the edge of shadow. "I will seek my answers on my own. I will demand to the Jedi to surrender this world. Perhaps, when enough blood is spilled, I will regain my vision, and have true purpose once more".
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:08:50 GMT -5
"I may not know everything and your right.. I do shrink from my wounds. Not in an act of shame but something else that I...never mind.."
She dropped her voice off but went after him. Blood still seeping from her wounds yet starting to slow. "But I do know that you should have killed me.. why? Why didn't you.."
Not that she wasn't gratefull. It was a far better thing to be alive then dead. Yet death never bothered her in the slightest. Even as she passed the dead vong she didn't even glance at the corpse. She reached out and grabbed his hand before he could leave. Determination in her eyes she wasn't afarid of him in the least. Now, she was more intrested in him. "If your in my debt then teach me about your people. Tell me of your warriors race so I can understand better then reading from databases."
ALeia knew how dangerous it was to reach out like that. But she wanted to know everything about him and his race. It was far better then getting un-truths from texts. That and something in her gut wanted more and told her this was right. She had been alone for such along time and life had ridden on her as much as it had him. "You don't need to kill to have answers. Come back with me and talk with my Master..."
She winced again in pain from her scars, but it also gave her something else and she hated herself for it.
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:09:13 GMT -5
"It was not the", and he searched for the right word, that did not exist in his cultures vocabulary "proper thing to do, given you had caused me no direct harm. A warrior should face another equal in combat, not a mere novice. The slaughter of trillions a century ago, is in no way honorable. We were duped by a clever lie, but even now, the blood stains my hands, passed down from generation to generation".
Her touch startled him. Physical contact was not looked highly upon. He resisted the urge to kill her, not out of pity, but in a effort to resist his innate reflexes, which was the product of thousands of years of conditioning.
"What could a Jeedai possibly want to know of our kind? We were once your mortal enemies. We slayed thousands, and corrupted many more. All I know is that of our past, but when Shimmra lied, it seemed the past too was a lie. Many do not know this, but it was a Shamed one, named Omini, who cleverly controlled my ancestor. You see, Omini was the only Yuuzhan Vong to ever touch what you call the Force, and he used it to deceive our people. His deeds, amplified through the Force, ruined our people".
He thought back to what the old Elder had told him, just before he had been expelled.
"I too, they say, have contracted this curse. I feel things that I should not. Like Omini, I am now d**ned to a Godless fate. Like that charlatan, my blood is diseased, and so to our my actions. The Force eats away at my flesh".
Her words seemed sincere, but all infidels were inherently liars. "I came to Ossus to kill Txa Khan. He exposed my secret, and now he has paid his debt in his own blood. I intend to purge myself of this disease, but the Gods who I once believed to be true, no longer exist. If your Jeedai Masters see me, they will recall the wounds of the past, and kill me. You cannot help me human".
He pulled his own hand away, moving back from her, his words now hard as steel.
"If I draw the Master's one by one here, I wil fight them. Most will die, but perhaps one will best me in battle. Only on my death can I be certain that this affliction will be purged, and not spread and result in another Omini that will destroy my people to the last warrior, priest, and childling".
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:09:32 GMT -5
"Because I am not a Jedi... not yet.. I don't see things the way they do, but by all means I shouldn't have been taken as a student for being too old. My Master will accept you and others will."
She started to say and thought about what else he had said. Aleia wasn't repulsed by him as she had held his hand. Even when he pulled away she still moved closer towards him. Despit the hardness of his voice she knew that he had to come with her.
"It's not a curse.. if what you say is true then you are like me with a gift. Master Odon could teach you how to use that power."
Only then she backed away and went to the dead Vong. Her hands pushed thedead creature asside as she looked for the crystal that she had shoved into it. Then with a sickening sound she dug her fingers into the dead flesh and pulled out the other half of the crystal. She wasn't sure what color the stone would be. Covered in blood she went back to him, picking up the half she had placed on the floor, and gave him the stone that she had. Herself keeping the bloodied stone.
"Would you then kill me if you have to fight them. FOr times have changed and I would rather you not be enemies. Learn with me and the ppower you have you would be able to stop future things like what you said from happening. I.. I know it won't bring your honor back..but you would be able to avenge your line and destory others such as the carcuss on the floor."
Aleia wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say. Sometimes words would just happen to come out but she also didn't want him to leave her. Not after what she went threw.
"Besides.. if I go back without you and they see my wounds they will think you did these things.. and I don't want you hurt..."
Mabey now should be the time to admit it to him
She thought as she watched him carefully. Aleia wasn't one to admit something as massive, but with the new scars she was going to have it was only a matter of time.
"The reason why I can stand and move after all that agony.. it.. it goes in hand from how I earned my first set of scars..I got them about five years ago.. and.. even though I escaped and killed my attacker.. I.. I enjoyed the pain.. "
There. She said it and Aleia thought it was foolish. That was why she was suprised that Odon took her as an apprentice to begin with.
"So don't tell me I wouldn't understand.. your the first that I could even tell.. and now the others will laugh at me when they see my face. It's not that I am ashamed of them.. its the way society is. I have been alone my whole life and those who had seen my back called me a freak..."
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:09:51 GMT -5
"Most cultures rebuke pain. It is to be avoided, but life itself is filled with it. We are born in pain, and thus we die in it. It is not to be shunned, but rather embraced fully, of we are to understand it. Tell me Jeedai, how are we to ever know our own limits, or that of our enemies, if we do not know our own threshold, or tolerance of it"?
Human culture was weak, and did its best to avoid pain and suffering. The Yuuzhan Vong were a society that thrived on it, or at least they once had. Now they were a scattered group of rogues and zealots, hated by all, and not even loved by each other.
His life was in tatters, but did it necessarily have to end in suicide? What did the warrior do when their was no more wars to fight?
Why had Onimi done what he did? Had he used the lightside, or the darkside, as the Jedi called it, to possess Shimmra? Was it feasible that his ancestor was not the guilty party? But if that were true, was it not the Force itself that was responsible?
His decision was made. "I will not kill them, unless the answers they give me confirm my deepest fear. Until that time, I am in your hands Jeedai".
He remembered the Jeedai Heresy, where the Shamed ones had risen against their Master's, and accepted that these mystics were a brotherhood only concerned with peace. Could that be true? He must know. If he were an abomination, then he must die, as Onimi, but if he was not, then perhaps he could regain his honor.
Holding the crystal tightly, he reached out, and touched her face, tracing his hand down the crooked cut. "You are not a freak girl. You are now a warrior, and any who contest that fact, will find my blade deep in their flesh. I will trust you, but if I am betrayed, your death will be swift".
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:10:09 GMT -5
Holding the crystal tightly, he reached out, and touched her face, tracing his hand down the crooked cut. "You are not a freak girl. You are now a warrior, and any who contest that fact, will find my blade deep in their flesh. I will trust you, but if I am betrayed, your death will be swift".
She had expected much from him. Yet as he had touched her the pain seemed to lift for a moment as he in a way.. threatened her. By all means she shoulnd't have even offrered. But something told her there was much more to them both.
A warrior...
"I will never betray you, but if I am to die I would rather it be by your hands then anyone else's."
Aleia would say as he pulled his hand back from her. Strangely she wanted him to still touch her wounds, but she quickly shook the feeling asside.
"My name's Aleia..and I hope you will be my friend warrior.."
Her soft words pooled out as they both left together. Aleia hoped he would see her as a friend someday. Never had she really anyone she could call a friend. She never had times for such things as well as she never let anyone in close. It was why she had mainly stayed away from the other Jedi students aprt from Master Odon.
They moved quickly back threw the forest. Her time under the earth had already brought them back to a new day. Aleia hoped she didn't cause too much of a problem when they would return. Even though she was injured her body moved as if there was nothing wrong. Strength added to the fact that she was not going to appear weak anymore. SOmething about the Vong with her seemed to help give her more of a purpose. It was almost dusk by the time the pair came out of the forest. She still clutched her crystal and went first into the gardens edge. A young padawan of about six years of age opened his eyes wide as he got a look of the pair.
"No-no.. It's alright -" She started as the young boy bolted up on his feet and ran screaming at the top of his lungs.
"MASTER AKARI, MASTER AKARI. ALEIA'S BACK. SHE'S HURT AND A VONG IS WITH HER!"
"Great. not what I had in mind for a return.."
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:10:35 GMT -5
This human was unlike any other he had experienced. Perhaps the Jeedai were brave, afterall, many a Vong warrior had been slain in battle by the peaceful warriors. Perhaps it was his destiny to become something else. He wished he could ask the Gods, but they did not exist.
"You will receive a good, clean death, if that is your destiny", he assured her.
He tested her name on his tongue. "Aleeiaa, I am Rau Dilong, of the Domain Jummane. It is an honor to make your acquantance".
The journey towards the Jedi Temple was uneventful, as they both moved in tandem through the dense canopy of tree's. The curious Vong creatures steered clear, sensing his presence, and all others were too preoccupied to care about two humanoids trouncing about.
They reached their destination about dusk, and it was just as he expected; not a warm welcome. As the young Jeedai ran screaming, Rau tensed, as his slithery serpentine weapon elongated to battle length. He did not make any overt moves, out of respect for her, but he would not be captured, or caught off guard.
It was then that he saw a small, brazen figure storming from the gathering crowd. "Unhand her you beast", came the obvious reply, "and surrender your weapon immediately, or be disarmed Vong"!
One younger Knight spoke a bit more cautiously. "Master Akari, perhaps we should wait for Master Baas".
"Nonsense, all Vong are murderers, and I will not let this continue a moment longer. Surrender immediately"!
Rau kept his Amphistaff ready, but did not make any threatening moves, yet. "A Yuuzhan Vong does not surrender Jeedai. I did not bring harm to this girl".
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:10:54 GMT -5
Aleia put herself in front of Rau and at the same time placed her left hand on the Vong's wrist. His Staff didn't touch her and she backed up a step to prove as such. The Jedi Master only looked at her with shock.
"Rau didn't harm me. In fact he saved me from the other Vong that captured me once I got to the temple."
Her voice gave off a hard edge and still Master Akari wasn't convenced. Instead the Sulleston reached to his side and pulled out his lightsaber. Rau stiffened, his muscles readying for a fight.
"Child, it's obvious your too hurt.. He's done something to you..."
"NO! He hasn't.. Part of these wounds I earned saving his life as well. Master Odon told me to go out there. He didn't know what was there and I should have died..Yet he saved me. Rau can feel the Force and is diffrent then the other Vong. If Jedi arn't about peace and understanding then why are you here Master? Rau is my friend and I will not have anyone hurt him."
She wondered if Rau would think of her diffrently but it didn't matter. If they fought things were going to get messy and then everything she had said to him would be nothing. Master Akari frowned as the other Jedi grabbed his shoulder and whispered something to him. Only whatever was said it didn't matter.
"You haven't been here long Padawan. You don't know what you are asking. His kind nearly destroyed everything. He could be here to start another war..."
"No Jeedai, it is you who would start another.." Rau spoke up. Aleia took another step back, pressing her back to Rau's chest.
"Youngling, please.. come forward. Let us take you to Med bay and heal your scars.." The Knight spoke up. Aleia shook her head.
"No. I will bare these scars in honor and as a reminder of what I did today." She shot her free hand forward and opened her dirt covered palm up to reveal the broken crystal covered in Vong blood. "Rau stays with me. If the Jedi really are peace seekers then let him stay... Rau.. Rau and I need each other."
Her body shook slighty from the loss of blood, but she still stood straight. Her wounds were bad but it didn't matter. If she was seperated from him the chances that a fight would break out would be even worse.
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 7, 2008 12:11:18 GMT -5
Odon Baas moved through the crowd quickly, his eyes stern, and his gait powerful. At almost six foot-eight, he was an imposing figure. He was just at the outskirts of the gathering crowd, and he caught first glimpse of Aleia. Many were whispering.
"She was attacked by a Vong, and he is holding her hostage! Master Akari is trying to disarm him"!
The old Corellian shook his head. Akari was a thick hided Sullustan who had seen no true action. He was a teacher, and he lived in a world of theory, not practicality. He made his way through the throng, and spoke loudly.
"Master Akari, sheathe your weapon immediately. Do you truly think he would bring her all the way to the Temple just to kill her? Why not do it in the deep forest, where there are no witnesses"?
The Sullustan glared hard. "I am Headmaster of this Praxeum Master Baas, and I will be the judge of who is guilty or not. He is a Vong. A monster who slays the innocent. His kind killed trillions".
Odon moved closer to the old Master. "Yes, they did, but this warrior did not. He is not guilty of those who came before him. Until proven otherwise, he is innocent, and as far as my own Padawan is concerned, I alone will be the judge".
With an almost imperceptible flick of his hand, Akari's weapon turned off, to his surprise, giving him just enough time to move between the tense parties.
"Yuuzhan Vong warrior. I thank you for esorting my student back to the Praxeum. It seems you both need medical attention. I know of your peoples aversion to technology, but we do have several healer who use more holistic and natural methods".
He looked at his student. "Are you ok Padawan"? Now that he was here, if she was in true danger, she could alert him, but he knew that was not the case. She was in a defensive stance, ready to protect this Vong warrior
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