Chapter 33
A/N: Hello everyone, welcome back! Good to see everyone here again! I'm happy to see everyone's enjoying it so far. Anyways, my classes are over for the semester, so hopefully I'll be able to work on this stuff more often!
Remember, I'm just the writer, Gabeherdon308 and Mandalore the Survivor own most of the major OCs, I only have a few minor ones in there as of right now.
It was cold. That was the first thing Trezac noticed as consciousness began to return to him. And, it didn't feel natural. No, this wasn't the bite of a cool desert night. This was something sinister, something dark.
Sitting up, Trezac dug his fingers into Sol Regem's fur, climbing up the dragon's neck until he was able to grab onto one of his many horns. "We're close, aren't we?"
"Yes," Sol Regem replied as they came over the peak of a dune, "we are."
The black pyramid rose from the obsidian sands, illuminated by the harsh scarlet glow radiating from the ancient runes on the obelisks. Every now and then, red light could be seen flowing through the cracks in the ancient structure. Trezac shivered as the temple grew closer, the air around them seemed to chill further and for a moment the padawan almost swore he could see his breath.
And yet, it didn't feel hostile. Every other time he'd been near the Sith or close to one of their strongpoints, he'd felt like the force around him had been violated. But…here, this temple, it didn't feel like that. He couldn't explain it.
"I'll be back," he said, patting Sol Regem's horn. Leaping down from his head, Trezac landed on the ground.
He didn't get far before a massive amber-colored tail blocked his path. "There is something wrong here. You should not go in alone."
Trezac didn't disagree, but he highly doubted Sol Regem could follow him. Not unless the titanic dragon could suddenly fit through a person-sized door. "Unless you can shrink, I don't think we really have a choice," he replied jumping over the dragon's tail. "I'll be back in an hour."
He heard Sol Regem give an irritated huff, but he offered no further protest as Trezac strode up the steps of the temple. The doors slowly began to glow as red light pooled into the intricately carved runes as he approached, the light seeming to pulse in sync with his heart.
If it wasn't so terrifying, it could've been considered beautiful.
A dull thud echoed over the landscape as the doors began to slowly creak open, a fine layer of sand falling away as a icy breeze flowed from the temple seeming to swirl around him as if beckoning him to come inside.
Biting the inside of his cheek, Trezac glanced back to the moonlight landscape. Maybe it would've been better to wait till they all could come to the temple, because now he wasn't sure if he wanted to enter alone. Taking a deep breath, Trezac did his best to let go of his feeling about the situation. It was too late for that now, he was here, and he had to deal with it.
Stepping inside, he refused to turn around as the doors slowly groaned shut behind him.
-.-
"My, my, Queen already?" Aaravos chuckled as he leaned against the columns beside her throne. "I mean, I knew it was coming, but I didn't think you'd make a move so soon my dear."
Glancing in the direction of the shimmering form, Eleven leaned back in her throne, "Well, I'm not one to waste a golden opportunity when I see it. The boy was about to abdicate anyways, I figured I would just…push it along."
The Startouch elf chuckled, "I can see. And no doubt your reign will be a long and prosperous one. I look forwards to conquering Xadia with you."
"As do I," Eleven grinned. "I for one, can't wait to raze their armies to the ground. Of course, there is one problem I need to deal with before that."
"Oh?" Aaravos mused, "And what might that be?"
"Not a what, but a who," she corrected waving her hand. At the other end of the hall, the massive doors groaned as the Force pulled them open. "Lord Viren, welcome to my court."
The High Mage seemed to sputter, before a glare settled on his face "Your court?"
Several of her men made to step forwards, before being stopped as she waved her hand dismissively. "Yes, Viren, my court," she repeated slowly rising to her feet. Putting her hands on her hips, she raised a brow at the mage, "Do you have a problem with that?"
Viren scoffed, "Do—Do I have a problem with that?! Of course I have a problem with this! What were you thinking?! The plan was to put me on the throne!"
"Ah yes, the plan," Eleven drawled, inspecting her nails. "I had to make a few…minor adjustments to that."
"Minor adjustments?" Viren sputtered.
"What? Did you really think you could just walk on in here and the people would cheer as if you were some sort of hero?" she sneered. "Yes, the High Mage who committed treason, who lied and said the princes were dead so he could be regent, who then sent his children to execute the rightful heirs to the throne, who stole the king's seal to illegally summon the pentarchy only to fail to convince them to go to war, and…should I mention," her voice lowered as she leaned in, "sent shadow assassins to kill the leaders of the other kingdoms when he didn't get his way. I wonder, what would the people think of you after if that interesting detail somehow…slipped out to King Ahling's son, Prince Kasef? I highly doubt it would end well for you."
Viren paled, his short interactions with the foreign prince had left a powerful impression. The young man was fearsome, and more than willing to do whatever it took to avenge his father. Right now, he was willing to raze Xadia to the ground for what he believed the elves had done. But…if he found out the truth, that the real reason his father had been injured, the prince of Neolandia would turn on him in a heartbeat. He would demand his death, or worse if Katolis wanted their help in attacking Xadia. Or Neoloandia and the other kingdoms would wage war on Katolis. Either way, all of Viren's dreams of achieving a greater future for humanity would be ruined.
A large grin spread across the woman's face, "It sure would be a shame. But…I might be able to prevent such a thing from happening if you were to support my reign?"
-.-
Silver light illuminated the hall as Trezac ignited one of his sabers. Holding the glowing blade up, the pale light stood stark against the dim scarlet glow of runes inscribed on the obsidian obelisks lining the path on either side.
His footsteps echoed loudly down the dimly lit hall as he moved forwards. Every now and then, there would be a doorway on either side, stretching out into darkness. If he had the time, perhaps Trezac would have gone down them. But right now, he just needed to see if anything major was stored at the end of the main passage. He could come back later to fully explore the temple.
However, now that he was going deeper into the temple, the biting cold he'd come to associate with the Dark Side began to fade away. It was getting warmer, but, it wasn't what he was used to. The Light had always felt calming, peaceful. But this, it felt similar, yet so different at the same time. It was warm, almost comforting, but powerful and ready to lash out at any moment.
Slowing down, Trezac came to a stop as he came to an arched doorway with glowing runes inscribed on them. Cautiously, he stretched his free hand forwards and watched as the carvings began to glow brighter upon contact. Trezac could feel the powerful energy thrumming under his fingertips, as if trying to beckon him inside. The massive doors groaned as they slowly opened to reveal what had to be the main chamber.
On either side of him, torches on the platform and on those of the other entrances burst to life. But the extra light wasn't necessary as he watched in awe as blue magma falls poured into the room from the walls flowing into the room forming a small moat around a central platform carved from obsidian stone encrusted with gold. Around the room he could see four other platforms in the four corners of the room, each surrounded by their own moat with intricately carved bridges extending over the magma, creating a network of walkways over the molten rock.
The former padawan slowly began to descend the steps, still holding his saber up. This was too easy. It was a Sith Temple, surely there had to be traps, or something. And yet, he could sense nothing. No traps, no monsters, nothing but the calling pulses of the various artifacts stations around the room.
But the loudest call seemed to be from the center platform.
Stepping up to it, Trezac's brows furrowed as he noticed it was empty. Yet, he could still feel something calling out to him. Deactivating his saber, he hung it back on his hip so he could brush off the fine layer of dust that had formed. Hidden runes on the ring began to glow upon his touch, causing the young man to take a step back as the ring shifted and the center began to open as a smaller platform began to rise from the table.
Trezac froze as he saw the source of what he'd felt calling out to him. The small pyramid was inscribed with ancient runes he'd seen all throughout the temple on his way there, the black markings illuminated by a eerie glow. Holding up a hand, Trezac called it over with the Force, letting the artifact hover over it as he stared.
A holocron, Trezac was actually holding a real Sith holocron. He'd never really seen many Jedi holocrons save for the one his Masters had let him mess with once.
And even that small interaction was against the rules. The knowledge contained within the holocrons was for Masters only, sometimes even only Masters on the Council. Which…now that he thought about it, never made much sense. The Jedi Order was about the pursuit of knowledge and maintaining peace throughout the galaxy. It was even part of their code. How could they be without ignorance if they could not gain knowledge? Why was some of that knowledge only available to select individuals? It seemed…contradictory.
"Well, well…I was wondering what was in this room," a horrifyingly familiar voice snarled. "But how did you of all people open it?"
-.-
"Any luck?" Amaya inquired as she and Gren approached the Mandalorian leaders.
"Nothing yet," Xena huffed crossing her arms. "Even with the Zabraks she's being awfully stubborn. If it wasn't so irritating I'd almost be impressed. But, if this keeps going, we may have to go to more…extreme means."
"You mean torture?"
"The Zeltron woman nodded, "Yes. Hopefully she's smart enough to realize that cooperating is her best course of action."
Amaya nodded in agreement. Torture wasn't one of her favorite methods to extract information. It felt like sinking down to the elves' level by using such brutality. However, if her nephews weren't found soon, she would personally ensure the elf would see death as a mercy. The elves had something to do with this, she knew it. Why else would that Moonshadow assassin kidnap them?
She hoped Corvis sent word soon. Amaya needed to know that her sister's children were safe from both the elves and Viren.
Xena, Gren, and A'den all seemed to perk up as if they heard something. Turning, Amaya followed their gaze to see Commander Fen running over to her, letter in hand. For the love of God this better have been good to be worth interrupting their interrogation.
Snatching the letter from his hand, she pulled it open, a sigh immediately escaping her lips as she read the first lines. Corvis had finally caught up to the boys. They were healthy and safe. Callum had apparently learned how to do magic; a smile crossed the General's face, she new he'd find something that'd suit him eventually. Callum never had struck her as a warrior.
And…they had made friends with the elf. Her nephews were friends with the elf that kidnapped them. What?
Reading the lines again, she paid more attention to the part where Corvis was recapping the information about the assassination attempt in the castle and their interaction at the lodge. Amaya was pleasantly surprised to learn that the elf had refused to kill Ezran because the Dragon King's egg hadn't been destroyed. And, frankly, it took a great weight off her heart knowing that by returning this egg that the elven threat to her nephews would likely be over.
However, that concern returned tenfold when she read the next lines. Eleven and Viren had staged a coup. A successful coup. Ezran was alive, but he was in the dungeons—though he wouldn't be for long given how sharp Corvis's writing had gotten, he must've been furious. Good, he would ensure Ezran's escape.
Anything Corvis needed from her to free her nephew, she would provide. No one in her battalion would stand for a false king; especially as she looked over the next paragraphs. Viren and the witch were calling for war against Xadia. They were rallying the other kingdoms and armies were already arriving.
Callum, Trezac, and the elf were on their way to end this war with the child of Thunder, and Viren was going to ruin any hope for peace if he attacked them.
"What's going on?" Gren signed to her, his brows furrowed in concern.
"Gather everyone immediately, we're going to war."