Zalia Bronwyn studied the slinking shapes descending the sides of the canyon, focusing her mind on Harkun, and feeling the familiar hate and anger buildup.

Curling the fingers of her left hand, she let fly a bolt of lightning, which caught the nearest Tuk'ata in the face, causing it to fall back with a pained howl.

The others readied themselves as the beasts charged, though she felt the ripples as Eryon lashed tendrils of electricity into the hoard.

Resisting the urge to leap in, Shreave moved quickly to cover Eryon, as a defense both against the attackers, and preventing Eryon from striking down Zalia.

Alif moved over, and Zalia heard him take a position at her side, lunging forwards, meeting a massive Tuk'ata in midair, driving his blade into it's neck.

Zalia raised her hands, ignoring Eryon and Shreave, trusting that the latter would hold their side.

Loosing her power, the purple crackling lightning danced in front of her, catching the beasts as they charged, pushing them back, and holding them at bay.

Alif retreated to her side, standing there, ready and waiting, in case one broke through.

Zalia heard screams and grunts from behind her, but resisted the urge to turn, putting all her focus into the beasts coming at her.

Seconds later, the beasts broke and ran, leaving almost two dozen dead, and many of the others injured or burned.

Zalia turned, panting, and then her vision blurred. Darkness was creeping in from the sides, and as she took a step forwards, her legs gave out.

She was caught by someone, and then the world faded out, with Shreave's voice saying, "It's alright, I got you."

Shreave Rhell caught Zalia as she slumped, her hands smoking, and her entire body appearing slightly charged.

As he touched her robe, he felt a number of static shocks, though he ignored them, lowering her gently to the ground.

Alif was staring in awe, and said, "She- All alone! Except one, all those are hers!"

Eryon looked at him, and said, "You're willing to admit that level of failure, Alif? You are weak."

Alif flipped him off, and as Eryon stepped forwards, Shreave rose to his full height, glaring at the Twi'lek.

"Touch him, and you die, Eryon." Eryon quivered, then stiffened, stepping forwards, nose to nose with Shreave.

"Try me." Eryon sneered, and attempted to push past the Pureblood.

Shreave grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him back and down, his head bouncing on the ground.

"You will not touch any of us, Eryon, or I will shove my saber through your neck."

Eryon nodded, baleful eyes radiating hatred.

Shreave stood up, and said, "Alif, can you carry her?"

The ex-acolyte nodded, and scooped the small woman up, her black hair draped over his arm, almost to his knee.

"Lead the way." Alif said, nodding to Shreave.

The massive Pureblood turned, moving down the valley, carrying both his own blade, and Zalia's.

There were no further attacks, the fearsome Tuk'ata having decided that these prey were too dangerous.

The sun was sinking by the time the four arrived at the outpost, and a couple armored guards jogged out at their approach.

"Halt! Who are you?" The one asked, rifle raised menacingly.

"I'm Shreave Rhell. This is Zalia Bronwyn, Eryon Noonecares, and Alif Heneversaid." Shreave said, smiling broadly.

Eryon snarled angrily, his hand dropping to his saber, while Alif chuckled over his load.

"It's Alif Dorne, Sir," He said, while Eryon contented himself with a growl.

The troopers nodded, and allowed them in. As soon as they had passed within the walls, a crimson laser gate rose, preventing the marauding Tuk'ata from entering.

"Lord Renning holds the fort right now. He's working on something involving those disgusting creatures out there, but I have had no desire to know more." The heavier of the two guards said, gesturing towards the far side of the enclosure, where massive spotlights shone on a very large Sith, and what looked like a dissection table.

Shreave curled a lip, and asked, "Anywhere we can sleep?"

The guard nodded, and took them over to a series of light tents set up in a row.

"This is our barracks. You're welcome to use them, though I can't guarantee the girl her privacy. Does she need a doctor?"

Shreave shook his head, and said, "Just Fore exhaustion. I've seen it a few times before. A good night's rest should cure her."

The soldier nodded, and gestured to the far tent. "You'll have the most privacy there. Can all four of you cram into one?"

Shreave nodded, and the soldier gave a quick salute, striding back towards the gate.

Motioning to Alif, Shreave led the way to the far tent, and the two entered, Alif laying Zalia on the nearest cot, while Shreave lay one of the scratchy blankets over her passed out form.

"Alright, get some rest. We need to be leaving fairly early in the morning."

The others nodded, and Eryon to no one's surprise, took the bunk farthest away from the others.

Groaning, Shreave collapsed onto the cot, reveling in the feeling of laying down after the long day.

"Night." He called, and only Alif answered, with a pleasant "Good Night, Shreave."

Shreave watched the sun rise over the distant cliff that the Academy had been built on.

Quickly pulling his gear together, and straightening his cot, he moved over, nudging Zalia gently.

She moaned softly, pulling the rough blanket up over her head, muttering, "G'way. 'M Tryna sleep."

Shreave chuckled softly, and said, "Very Sithy Zal. That's the kind of thing that strikes fear into the hearts of the Jedi."

Zalia sat up, glaring at him, and snapped, "Like you're any more intimidating when you just wake up."

Shreave shrugged. "I've never woken myself up. If I do, I'll check what the first thing I say is."

She turned away sharply, reaching for her pack and saber, which Shreave had sent by her bed for her.

"What happened, Shreave?" She asked, looking a little scared. "I've never passed out like that before."

He sat down next to her, and said, "Force Exhaustion. Most of us never have to worry about it. We don't command to kind of power you do, so we never have to build our endurance for it."

She gave him a confused look, and he sighed. "Look, calling lightning in tiring, right?"

She nodded, and said, "If I call too much for too long." Shreave actually smirked.

"You drove back almost three dozen Tuk'ata, killed several, and injured most of the other. You were literall glowing purple, Zal. You have an insane level of power."

She stared back at him, and said, "Seriously?"

He nodded. "Eryon will never admit it, but you really impressed him this time. Alif as well."

She smiled faintly, and he said, "You feel up to continuing to the tomb today?"

"Yeah. Let's go." Grunting, Zalia hoisted herself to her feet, stretching her back out, and then swinging the pack on, and strapping on the saber.

"Want me to take the pack?" Shreave offered, noticing her wincing as she took a step.

"I'm fine, Shreave. Just…. Let's take it slow today."

He nodded, and said, "Eryon and Alif are talking to Lord Renning, or rather, Alif is, and Eryon's being twitchier than usual because he has to obey Alif."

She smiled slightly, and allowed Shreave to help her to the door, where she straightened up, and walked out under her own power.

The two of them exited the barracks, and moved out to the central grounds, where they saw Alif talking to a young woman who appeared to be Renning's apprentice.

Eryon stalked over to them, and spat, "We've been reduced to pest control, thanks to that kriffing Alif brat."

Shreave raised an eyebrow, and Eryon clarified. "We're hunting a mutant Tuk'ata to bring it's brain back for His Lordship, Renning."

Shreave shrugged. "Alright. I could always use the extra credits." Eryon spat angrily, and stormed off.

"I don't think he likes our plan." Zalia said, and Shreave shrugged.

"Since when do we care what the psycho likes?"

The soldier from the night before ran up to them, and asked, "You guys on your way to the tomb of Marka Ragnos?"

Shreave nodded, and he said, "Be careful. You probably don't need it, but ninety percent of the regular soldiers and archaeologists who go in there, go mad. They'll hunt anything living and not insane, and rip them to pieces We found out when Commander Tynes went missing, with an entire regiment of the Empire's finest."

Shreave blinked in surprise. "That sounds miserable."

Zalia looked up, and said, "I always guessed Harkun wants me dead, but this is overkill."

Shreave chuckled, and said, "I'm apparently marked for death as well. I'm here too."

The soldier glanced between them, and said, "Uh.. Ok? We good?"

Shreave nodded. "Thanks for the warning, soldier."

The man nodded, and strode away.

Rounding up Alif and Eryon, Shreave moved to the gate, which lowered.

"Ready for this?" He asked, and they shrugged.

"No? Alright! Let's go!"