Chapter 6: Into the night (Part I)

When leaving the arena, the only sounds were of the wind and the heavy steps of Alarak. Occasionally, they could hear the robotic cries of a probe or sentry, rushing through the streets, without minding the two protoss.

While he guided her through the city, the Highlord noticed Vorazun admiring the architecture of the Tal'darim city.

"Our buildings aren't megalomaniac as those of the templar." He told without facing her.

"They are interesting. This city is different from the ones I saw in Slayn. Somehow more pleasant, well designed."

"Of course, it is. I designed it myself." He said in a jester tone.

"I didn't know you were also an architect."

"Oh, please. You don't know about half of my talents." He answered.

"If you say so..." Somehow, his boasting made her chuckle.

"Am I noticing some incredulity?"

"At this point you must have realized that I normally believe what I see."

"Maybe later..." He stopped for a moment and turned to face her. "Follow me."

Vorazun noticed that they walked through a different path from what she took earlier to reach the private chambers. However, chose to say nothing, since the Highlord seemed so docile.

They kept moving away from the center of the city, entering ever narrower and empty streets, until reaching the walls that surrounded the city.

Alarak touched a console on the wall and a platform detached from the floor. He stepped on it, and glanced at the Matriarch, expecting her to do the same. However, Vorazun was hesitant to follow him. He rolled his eyes.

"Why do you have to waste time on every decision?"

Without giving time for her to answer, he grabbed her wrist. The Tal'darim made sure to touch her psi gauntlet instead of her skin, and pulled her towards himself. But he misjudged his strength, dragging her crudely. The smaller female body slammed against his, her face went straight into his chest plate armor.

He looked down and was rewarded by Vorazun's angry look. Alarak chuckled softly as she struggled to get out of his grasp. He fought the idea of holding the Nerazim just to see her squirming. She freed herself and took a step away from him.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked coldly.

"Since you were indisposed during the day, you will have the pleasure of being guided by me now." He answered jesterly.

The female became silent while the platform moved up, climbing the walls to its top.

The top of the wall was chastised by the chilly wind of the desert. Alarak flinched when he felt the cold on the little exposed skin he had, while Vorazun remained unfazed. The Highlord quickly walked inside one of the watchtowers that were integrated into the wall.

The room was small and cold, but at least protected them from the wind. Alarak showed Vorazun the large window that faced the city. There were buildings for the warrior's accommodations, training grounds, citadel, and even leisure spaces. However, the magnificent black and red city did not hold the Matriarch attention for long.

The other window, at the opposite side of the room was directed at the desertic landscape. Vorazun slowly walked towards the window, almost in trance.

The night masked the reddish color of the stones and sand, making everything look even more like her former home. Alarak followed her, analyzing her reactions. The expression he saw earlier that day was there, but stronger. Her eyes glowed like stars in the dark room.

Alarak was interested; he saw more expressions of the Nerazim in this visit, than the whole time he spent at the Spear of Adun. He saw her anger, her discomfort, her silliness, but this look was what got his attention the most.

Vorazun was called back from her distraction by the feeling of someone trying to sneak into her mind. She quickly closed herself and heard the Highlord groan.

She sighed. "What do you want?"

"I was simply wondering what was in your mind, since you were so distracted."

"You could've just asked me." Her voice showed a bit of sadness. "This planet... it's just so like Shakuras. It brings emotions that I still can't escape from."

"I can't relate to your feelings." He said honestly. "From all worlds the Tal'darim claimed, none was important to me."

"That's why you tried to peek into my mind?"

Alarak cursed himself for letting her notice his attempt. The Matriarch faced him, her eyes green eyes looked straight into his as she was pondering something. After a moment, she made her decision and lowered her mind defenses, inviting him in. Which he obliged.

"I will probably regret this later." She said.

In the initial memories, there were always a female. Her resemblance to Vorazun was uncanny. Except she was older, her eyes were golden and she radiated peace e comfort. Alarak realized that Vorazun shared with him memories of the times she spent with her mother. Raszagal was a kind mother, who would take any free time she had to watch the stars, explore the caves and canyons of Shakuras with her daughter. One of her memories took place in an underground river, the former matriarch tried to teach Vorazun to swim.

He saw the first time she ignited her psi blades and when she had her shadow walk. The various places she explored in the desert. The lessons she had with her mentor, Mohandar, and the various pupils she tutored. Dozens of festivities and dances she took part in. The visit of Tassadar, the first Khalai she met, and his departure with Zeratul. The zerg invasion where she hunted down the hidralisk which skull now adornmed her shoulder.

Suddenly as it initiated, the flow of memories stopped. Vorazun returned to look through the window, Alarak gave himself some minutes to process all the feelings and thoughts that he experienced.

He walked to her side, the Matriarch was still looking at the desert, her eyes had a slightly flux of energy, a sign of sadness and distress. For the first time, Alarak felt like he should not explore someone else vulnerability. He liked to see her anger and frustration, especially when he was the cause, but somehow, he did not appreciate her sadness. He felt troubled to see her like that, enough to make him want to interfere.

"I noticed you seem to have a lot of concern about your culture. Are you scared of losing your identity within the Daelaam?"

"Yes, it's an old concern of mine. But with the destroying of Shakuras it made me worry even more. All our temples, buildings, all the history we built was there." She sighed. "Although I tell myself and the others that our culture is strong enough to resist this merge. It still concerns me."

"Honestly, that was also one of the reasons I never accepted to make part of the Daelaam. However, the Nerazim are your people, not mine." He stopped for a moment and faced the Matriarch. "And as long as the Dark Templars live, their culture will not fade. Other worlds can be claimed and structures can be rebuilt. What matters is your people; they are the ones who carry your culture."

Vorazun looked at him wide eyed. From all the outcomes she expected, the Highlord trying to comfort her was not one of them.

"And, as someone who saw all my religion and every pillar of my traditions turn out to be a lie. I can tell you, stop dwelling into the past, Matriarch. It won't give you any relief and it's a waste of time."

"Thank you, Alarak..." She said softly. "That was surprisingly thoughtful of you."

The Highlord was taken aback by the mild look she gave him and avoided her gaze. They admired the landscape in silence for some moments.

Vorazun leaned over the window sill, lost in her thoughts. One of the fine fabrics strips that were attached to her severed nerve cords slipped over her shoulder; she absentmindedly picked it up between her fingers.

"There was something that called my attention in your memories." Alarak started.

"What was it?"

"This face veil of yours, not all Dark Templars use it."

Vorazun hummed in response. "Although it is a traditional garment of some Nerazim tribes, it's not like its use is mandatory."

"Does it serve any purpose?"

"It shields our face from wind of the desert. The sand scratches our skin. It does not hurt much, but it can be very uncomfortable."

"You don't live in the middle of the desert now. Talematros seemed to be a quite large city to sand be a problem. Do you use it to honor tradition or it's just an attempt to look mysterious?" He joked.

Vorazun turned around to face him and crossed her arms "Are you trying to be mysterious? I never saw your face either."

"This serves a purpose." He said while pointing his neck protection. "It is armor, not an accessory like yours."

"I guess you can call it tradition." She touched the cloth lightly. "My mother used them and she gave me my first veil when I was a youngling. I used them for all my life. It seems natural to me to have it. I kind of feel very exposed without wearing this kind of garment." As soon as she finished her sentence, the Highlord eyes blazed with malice.

"Really?" He said playfully while slowly cornering her against the window.

"No." She warned. Her eyes glowed aggressively. "Don't you dare."

He quickly raised his hand and snatched her face veil. However, Alarak was disappointed to see that only smoke filled the space between him and the window. She escaped.

"Are you that unwilling to show your face, Dark Templar?" He laughed. "How timid of you."

He looked at the delicate cloth in his hand; it was completely destroyed by his clawed gauntlet.

"What a pity. I really liked that veil." She said within the darkness.

Alarak looked around unable to locate her in the dark room. He pondered calling an observer, but gave up the idea. She would leave before it could arrive there.

"I will return to my chamber now. Have a nice evening, Highlord." Her voice sounded playful.