Bury Me Standing

[Neology]

Awareness returned – slowly, at first. Stale air and cold stone, the dusty smell of old decay. These were familiar. Novus drew a shaky breath and opened her eyes.

Bright sunlight slanted down through high windows set into dark stone walls. Novus blinked rapidly as her sensitive eyes adjusted to the light. Somewhere beyond the temple's walls, a jungle bird called to it's flock. The alter, a slab of shiny black stone that stretches the width of the room, appeared unchanged. Slowly, she released her grip on the edge.

Pain and hunger and a dizzying sense of lost time filter in. Novus sank to her knees, came nearly eye-to-hood with a slumped figure in heavy robes. She frowned, raised one hand, and flipped the hood back. Recognition brought a frown to her lips. A few deft motions relieved the body of it's lightsaber and she hooked the spare into her belt. Her fingers brushed the 'record' toggle on her comlink.

“Found Initiate Shilukar beside alter in main temple. Body is too far gone to tell cause of death.” That made no sense - the young man had been fine just last night, pestering her to make him her apprentice. She played the message back, as well as the entry before it. As she listened, her expression grew increasingly disturbed. A cheerful robotic voice informed her that there were three hundred and sixty-nine Galatic Standard Days between the two audio logs. Her gaze wandered to the etchings on the alter. She'd thought to have been making progress on the translation.

“This …” She stood, careful to give the stone alter a wide berth. “Complicates things, nonetheless.” Novus frowned at the corpse for a long moment, turned, and stepped into the hall. There was nothing else to be done for the unfortunate initiate.

–

The shuttle waited in an overgrown clearing. Her palm print opened the door and she stepped from the sweltering jungle into the relative comfort of the ship's interior. The on board computer chirped an automated welcome. Strangely, there was no sign that Shilukar had ever tried to gain access to the ship.

A trip to the refresher, a fresh change of clothes, and a visit to the mess later, Novus settled into the pilot's chair. The console flickered to life beneath her fingertips.

“Where to go?” She muttered to herself. A lot could change in a year. There was no telling what had become of the fledgling Sith, or how they might welcome her back. With smiles on their faces and knives behind their backs, I'm sure. The thought brought a mirthless grin to her lips. Truth be told, that wouldn't be much different from her last reception on Korriban.

A tingle traveled up and down her spine, a prickle of the Force that left her with goosebumps. “Maybe it's not time to go, after all.”

–

Novus left the comfort of her shuttle to ascend the ancient temple one last time. For now, she'd given up on it's secrets. This new presence, distant but heading this way, promised a new diversion. Whoever it was, she would meet them on the roof.

[Dutch]

Levin's jaw was set almost the entire trip. Days ago he had been plagued by visions in the Force as he slept. A familiar darkness stirring in the galaxy, a foreboding presence that only strengthened the Darkside. The Sith were about to regain a valuable resource, and Lev was not going to sit idle for it to return. After much meditation, he finally had discerned where this disturbance had emanated from. Vendaxa...

Of course it would be Vendaxa, a planet known within the Jedi to be strong in the Darkness. He knew that among the Jedi, he was one of very few with the ability to purge the Dark. Levin needed to face the monster at the Galaxy's door. He had gathered Kanika, telling her little outside 'We have a mission.' Levin failed to mention that this wasn't a mission for the Jedi. It was a mission for the Light.

-

The shuttle would drop out of hyperspace, Levin's stomach grateful for the flight to be reaching its finish. He had allowed Kanika to pilot the shuttle with assistance from the on board droid, hoping to help keep her distracted from his own travel sickness. Levin moved to the cockpit, silver-rimmed eyes looking down at his young apprentice.

"Kanika." Lev started as his hand moved to rest on her shoulder. "There is a temple in the south-west hemisphere. Trust in the Force, it will lead us there." He paused a moment, considering what to tell her next. If his meditations were correct, this person on Vendaxa was very powerful in the Darkside. And on top of that, it was a presence he had felt. Once before, on the frigid planet of Rhen Var. A presence Levin knew was one of the Darths. Would Kanika be ready to witness her first Darth? Sure she had faced off against Sith, what Blade hadn't? But a Darth was an entirely different monster, on par with Jedi of his level. He peered down, and squeezed her shoulder gently.

"Land the shuttle at one of the platforms." Levin paused again, still mulling over his decision. "You... must stay with the shuttle. It is our only way off Vendaxa and needs to be protected. If I do not return in six hours, go back to the Jedi. Find Vreem Took and inform him that the lost Darth has returned." Another gentle squeeze was given before Levin turned to head to the shuttle's exit.

-

The winds of Vendaxa would billow the cloak that Levin had donned. One by one he took the steps towards the top of the temple. With each the dark presence around him would increase, pressing onto his own presence in an attempt to penetrate his inner light. With a deep breath Levin pushed his own presence outwards, bright in the Force against the dark. It billowed outwards, sustained as he finally took the last steps to the top of the temple.

There she stood. Impossibly young for how potent the Force was within her. Pale and thin, her frame spoke of ill health and neglect. Had she been a prisoner? Too sick to leave? Why had her presence been so idle for over a year now? There were so many questions, and Levin was sure he'd not get many answers. His hands rose to lower the hood of his cloak, gaze stern and eyes focused.

"The last time I felt your presence, Rhen Var fell to your people."

[Neology]

Novus watched Vendaxa's too-bright sun slip slowly below the horizon, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The jungle was truly beautiful; unsullied and wild. She'd have liked to have more time to fully enjoy its splendor. Impossible, at least in the near-future.

The Force aura she had sensed some hours before was very near now, distracting in this open space. Had the arrival of a powerful Jedi been the key to her cage? Or was there something else at play here? Novus turned, pale eyes tracking the Jedi as he came up the temple steps and into view. He was handsome, despite that disapproving scowl, and scarcely taller than her. She rather thought she'd like to see what that face would look like with a smile, instead. Interestingly, he'd made no move to draw a weapon. Her eyebrows quirked up as he spoke.

“My people? I'd thank you not to assign ownership of that lot to me, but yes. I was there when the Sith took Rhen Var.” Specifically, her mission had been to get in quietly, assassinate a couple high-value targets, and get out again. Much like the overall conquest of the temple, her mission had been a success. She hadn't bothered to hide her presence on the way out.

So, someone had noticed. But not, at the time, followed. Her gaze flickered to the insignia on his sleeve, then back to meet his eyes. Seeing to the wounded; that made sense. As she recalled, she'd left no wounded to tend. Doubtlessly, other attackers had not had the luxury of being so thorough. A healer would have had no shortage of work.

“Well, here we both are, and you seem to know who I am. You haven't tried to kill me yet, and I'd prefer not to kill you, so I am left to assume that you must want to talk.” She paced slowly, arms folded behind her back, posture straight. Given the circumstances, she was loath to stand still. “In my experience, there's only one thing a Jedi could possibly want to speak to me about. So, go ahead; sell me. Recount my evil deeds and tell me how much better off I could be, if only I changed everything.”

[Dutch]

"No."

Levin's reply hung in the silence that followed, his eyes never once leaving hers. The Jedi did not even blink as he billowed his aura outwards, flaring light against a heady darkness. He did not reach for his lightsaber, but Lev would begin to slowly approach the girl. Her hair burned orange from the setting sun, the natural white color absorbing the hues easily. A mark of Arkanian heritage. It was difficult for him to judge the Sith's age. Arkanians did not age exactly the same as standard humans and with her being strong in the Force, she would look years younger than her actual age. Like himself.

"Not all Jedi believe in redemption, Sith." He started, stopping a couple meters away from the woman now. Levin could see her much clearer now, the sun hanging over his shoulder to cast its last light over her. Green eyes flicked over her to better gauge the Sith's health. His previous assumption about her physical state was proven true, the robes she wore were clearly custom tailored just for her body. Yet despite that, they seemed to hang slightly off her slighted frame.

"I came to answer a question." Levin reached up to the neckline of his cloak, his shoulders shrugging to assist in removing it. The Jedi let the heavy fabric pool onto the temple. The white fabric of his tunic took the same shade of orange as the Sith's hair, and the black sparring pants of a similar material billowed lightly in the breeze. He breathed the Force in deeply, the forests around them swelling with life's energies. Though tainted towards darkness, it would purify upon reaching Levin's presence. Such was his gift from the light. If possible, he would use it on the Sith. Something he had attempted several times before, but each time had been thwarted in some way.

Yet now here stood a powerful Sith, the two alone atop the heights of an ancient temple. No one to intervene, no one to distract. No one to stop him.

"Surrender to me."

[Neology]

“Oh?” Pale lips pressed into a thin line of momentary disappointment; she'd wanted him to play the game. The alternatives were significantly less entertaining – fight or flight. Judging by the strength of his aura, mostly likely the latter. A year and a day of imprisonment, subsisting on nothing more than her connection to the Force, had left her in no shape to fight a Jedi. Running and hiding, on the other hand? She was very, very good at those. Not the bravest or most honorable course of action, of course, but what use had she for those? Bravery and honor got you killed.

But it wasn't time to run. Not quite yet. Not until the lightsabers came out, if she got her way.

“You'd be the expert on Jedi, but the Order you describe sounds very different than the one I remember. Desperate times?...” Her voice trailed off invitingly and that wicked smile returned, lighting up her face. She matched his steps, her movements fluid and vaguely feline. Blue eyes closed for the span of a breath as she let her presence in the Force shrink down until it nearly disappeared, scarcely stronger than the jungle's buzzing feedback. It was easier than fighting to project over that sense-deadening bright. “Of course, it is possible I've simply forgotten - I don't remember Jedi being so handsome, either.”

She paced in slow circles around him. “How very sad,” she spoke to a space beyond his shoulder, her voice a velvet purr. “A healer who does not believe in redemption, in healing of the soul. A Jedi who has lost his faith. Why would I surrender to a man like that?”

Novus slowed to a stop, barely two hand spans between them. “Tell me, did you find the answer to your question?”

[Dutch]

The shrinking of the woman's presence caused Levin's eyes to narrow ever so slightly in suspicion. It was a rare talent to be able to suppress one's aura in the Force. Force sensitives with this gift were always dangerous foes, able to hide their true power from others. Levin did not have this ability, his energies from the Force billowed off the Jedi and only announced his presence.

“Of course, it is possible I've simply forgotten - I don't remember Jedi being so handsome, either.”

Levin blinked once. His brow furrowed slightly in confusion. Was... was she complimenting him? A member of the Sith Order praising a Jedi? He tensed visibly as the girl began to circle him and speak. Cautious more than afraid, outside of beheading him Lev was assured that he could heal any trick or sneak attack the Arkanian may attempt. The Jedi listened to her words carefully. She seemed to pity him, strange considering most Sith only ever showed cruelty over pity.

“Tell me, did you find the answer to your question?”

The Jedi looked directly into the Sith's blue eyes, the space of a breath between the two. It was strange that she didn't make a move for any weapon. Sith had always been 'kill first' so far since hostilities began. None had stopped to actually talk, outside of taunting or trying to turn a Jedi. And why hadn't he drawn his saber yet? Thus far Levin had taken a similar route with Sith. They were filth to be purged, nothing more. The pale, fragile looking creature before him didn't necessarily appear evil. Yet for all he knew, her innocent appearance was just a ploy.

"The soul can not be healed of a choice, Sith." Levin started, choosing to say nothing on her accusations towards him. For several moments the Jedi said nothing, a heavy silence fallen between the two. He measured his next words carefully, unsure himself of the answer.

"I did find the answer." He slowly nodded towards the Sith. "But you provoke more curiosity than reason, my answer has only lead to more questions."

[Neology]

“That is … an interesting opinion, Jedi, but an ignorant one. You suggest a world with no room for regret, a world without context.” Perhaps, for him, it really was that easy. Follow the code, never mind anything else. Her chin jerked up slightly, a defiant tic that she wasn't entirely conscious of. The Jedi had all the answers, of course. That was why so many of them left the Order for the Sith.

It hadn't been quite like that for her. Choice became nothing at all when the only other option was death.

The man lapsed in to silence and she contented herself with watching his subtle changes of expression. Was that stony resolve weakening? Was it because of her words, or merely because the Jedi could not longer sense her presence in the Force? Curious, either way.

When he did speak, his words surprised her. A slow smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “I know you didn't intend that as flattery, but I've heard worse.” She raised a hand, traced bare fingers down the line of his jaw. “Well. I was serious when I said I didn't want to kill you, whether you believe it or not. Ask as many questions as you like, but please, call me by my name. I believe you know it?” She trailed off, letting her arm drop back to her side. That bristle of beard stubble had proved an interesting tactile sensation – one that she wouldn't mind experiencing again. Of course, he just had to be a Jedi.

[Dutch]

Levin wasn't expecting the surprisingly gentle touch. His breath caught for a moment, eyes momentarily a mix of shock and suspicion. He had considered snapping his hand upwards, disabling the nerves of her wrist and subduing the woman right then. Yet a morbid curiosity struck him. And he did not stop her caress. Even after she removed her hand he could feel the lingering sensation of her soft fingertips.

Thus far every Sith who had encountered Levin had either tried to kill him or fled his presence. What was it that made this one different? The natural flight or fight instinct didn't seem to be apart of the woman's programming. His eyes remained narrowed in distrust as she spoke, interpreting her openness to questioning as trick to learn more about him. She taunted him, wanting him to say her name. Wanting to play games still.

"The Council had deemed you dead as of last week." The Jedi started, eyes searching the girl's face slowly. She was very good at hiding her emotions, a trait few Sith did well. Those few Sith thus far had been the ruling caste from what Levin had seen. He knew the creature's name that stood before him. He had known since the nightmare woke him days ago signaling her return. Levin's eyes burrowed into hers, unblinking as he continued. "The lost Darth: Novus. I will be informing them that you are alive next we meet."

Lev became aware of how closely Novus had moved next to him. He became tempted to step back, but still he suspected that it was all part of the dance. So he stood stoic instead, squaring his shoulders a bit more and looking down at the Arkanian. Still he felt the ghost of her hand upon his jaw.

"And I would ask where you have been this past year."

[Neology]

“Have they now?” Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. A memory surfaced; Trin's voice, pleading. 'I searched for you.' She banished the thought as a Renan bloodwolf would shed water, with a shake of her head. This was not the time to let her thoughts wander, not at this deadly range. Two untracked movements could mean death for either one of them. Something steadied in her, gaining ground as the seconds ticked by. A slow smile spread upon her lips.

“A dubious honor, indeed.” She shrugged her shoulders, meeting those intense green eyes. “It is not for the first time and, as you say, it will not be the last.” How many deaths would the Council have recorded for her, when all was said and done? Well, it just went to prove: you couldn't trust everything you read in the Archives.

She gave a small nod of acknowledgment when he said her name, though it was something else that sharpened the look in her eyes. The implications of his words were much more interesting than their base content. Whether he was aware of it or not, he'd as much as said that he wouldn't kill her. At least not today.

Still a surprising reprieve, to be coming from a member of the Blades.

Her smile tightened at the question, paling her lips. It wasn't that it was unexpected, so much as it was difficult to answer. What degree of honesty did she owe this Jedi? And owed or not, he'd likely see through any lie she cared to spin. The truth, then. Or something very near it.

“I have not left this planet is some time.” She broke eye contact to take in the temple roof with the sweep of her gaze. Dark stone and elaborate carvings, weathered to soft edges by long years of exposure. “I was studying the alter at the heart of this temple. My translation was, well, imperfect.” She shrugged, frowning faintly. A year of her life was too high a cost for so small a mistake. “In my hubris, it seems I set my foot in a trap. I slept for a very long time.” Thinking on it, the effects reminded her of a Jedi's Force Stasis, though much longer lasting. “I woke up only hours ago. I could sense something of your arrival. I was curious.”

Looking the Jedi up and down one more time, she did not begrudge the extra hour or two of waiting. While it was not exactly pleasant to watch those shoulders lock up, or to see the unveiled suspicion in those vibrant eyes, it was worth the price of admission. She found her thoughts on the subject were pleasantly muddled. 'Get out of here while you can, girl.' 'But he said...'

Impulse won out. Novus shifted her weight to her toes, leaned forward, and kissed him. The contact was brief, though vastly intriguing. Soft lips and the slight abrasiveness of beard stubble. She stepped back, grinning. “Goodbye, Levin.”

[Dutch]

"Recognizing your pride is the first step to overcome it."

Levin murmured, the words of his master's master tumbling from his lips. He was almost unconscious of his speech, eyes still meeting the Sith's. The Jedi felt her eyes as they fell to look him over. It was not something Lev was used to, the man unsure what to do with himself. Her body language didn't speak of an impending attack, in truth he found it difficult to read Novus in general. Levin was far from expecting the girl to sudden lean towards him, her lips momentarily melding into his.

A sudden burst of the Force howled through his presence, blinding and deafening the man in jumbled thoughts and images. Slowly it stabilized into flashing scenes. Twin red sabers clashing with a single silver. Ragged breathing as him and Novus fled on foot within overgrown ruins. Ragged breathing melding into panting, her pale form straddling his. Screams echoing throughout the Senate plaza, a building collapsing as it succumbed to flames. Standing atop a different pyramid with her, red stone every where baked by an unyielding sun. His saber piercing her flesh, her sabers piercing his. A cruel, foreign laugh echoing on the winds of Korriban.

As fast as it started Levin blinked the images away. What seemed like minutes proved to only be seconds as Novus dropped out of sight into the jungle below. Saber flipping to his hand and igniting Levin charged to the edge of the pyrimad. His senses billowing outward in the Force, it seemed Novus still cloaked her presence. Green eyes scanned the tree tops, not a trace of the Sith left for him to pursue.

Switching off his lightsaber, Levin pressed his lips into a line. Still he could feel her lips on his, internalizing the confused emotions that roiled with. Inhaling the Force into himself, another lingering image of her hand on his wounded chest wafted through his thoughts. After he could sense his presence stabilizing, though his thoughts were still troubled.

"... We will meet again, Novus." Mumbled the Jedi as he turned away from the jungle, steps leading him back to the transport.