A/N: Okay. CosmicGirl22 and I were talking about the Chronicles of Riddick when we had this idea for a fic. So after a few days, a million cups of coffee, and several late nighters, we got all the kinks worked out. So here it is people, our child… I mean fic. Don't forget that half of the credit goes to my partner in crime. Hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: We don't own anything… except the stuff we own. If you can't tell the difference I suggest you turn back now you non-Riddick fan you!
Balance is everything to an elemental. We have 33 different words for it, but for now I must tell you of Chengi, the word that means unbalance of self.
It is looked down upon in our society when Elementals interbreed for nothing takes to Air like Air itself---two fires burn brighter when combined. However, there are times, when earth is attracted to flame, wind is drawn to ether. And when this happens it is known as Chengi, for the offspring of such a pairing can never be truly balanced.
When my brother, Zepher took a Fire Elemental as his mate, there was a scandal. And when my nieces were born, there were those who called for their death, saying they brought unbalance to our planet. Instead it was decided Zepher and his wife, Nuria, would take the twin girls off-world , to start a new life in a new place. It was here that tragedy struck.
Zepher and Nuria were killed by a random act of violence. A man who was an escaped convict murdered the both of them while they slept. The ten year old girls were left, undisturbed. He made off with the family's money and was never seen or heard of again.
My two nieces, then orphans, took very different paths in their lives. Both of them were very gifted, possessing the ability to foresee, and exhibiting a strong psychic connection 8 when one experienced an intense emotion, the other felt it as well, and sometimes when they were apart they would dream of what they other saw.
Enya never forgot finding her parents in their beds that next morning, never forgave herself for not somehow stopping it. Enya's life became dedicated to catching criminals. She didn't refer to herself as a merc whose motto is "The Creed is Greed." No, she saw herself as a lone justifier, she took bounty money and gave it to the victims-minus what supplies she needed and the salary for her crew. She was skilled at what she did, for as she is an elemental she could calculate to exacting result the whereabouts of almost any con.
Eithne, however , became a Chengi diplomat, honoring her parents in another way. Eithne felt that if they had not been forced to move off-world that her parents would still be living, blaming herself as well for their demise. Eithne became my assistant and often helped me to argue cases, using her fiery spirit and passion to win the support of others.
I tried take them both in, after all they were my nieces, but Eithne was the one who stayed with me. I wonder, if perhaps it was a mistake, now that Eithne has been taken in my place.
The papers rustled slightly as Eithne's slender fingers organized them. She pulled one out and sat back in the chair to read it. Her burgundy eyes skimmed quickly across the sheet. Her eyelids were getting heavier with every word she read and it was an effort to stifle her yawns.
It had been several hours ago that she had stepped into her aunt's office and began to read some of the files. The room was fair sized with a large desk and a comfortable chair. The walls were lined with filing cabinets and the surface of the desk was cluttered with folders.
Eithne gave a sigh and brushed back a lock of her shimmering red hair. It was often said that her long hair seemed to glow and give off a faint light. This made perfect sense because even part fire elementals seem to radiate a certain light.
Standing up, Eithne began to collect the folders and returned them to the filing cabinets. She couldn't wait to go back to her room, crawl into her bed and sleep. A faint smile played across her lips as she thought of her cozy bed.
Her happy thoughts were interrupted by a loud knocking on the office door. Eithne looked at the clock in puzzlement. Why would anyone be banging on aunt Areon's door at this hour? she wondered. It didn't take long for her question to be answered.
The door bust open, revealing several men in dark armor. The one in front carried a large axe and had a knife sticking out of his back. His dark, emotionless eyes fell on Eithne and her blood froze. Fear is what enveloped her as she watched this scarred menace with murderous eyes. She was fearing for her life.
He strode across the room, his long legs bringing him in front of Eithne with only three steps. He looked down at the wide-eyed girl, his lip curling slightly. With one deft movement his fingers were around Eithne's throat, strangling her.
The room around her burst into view as Enya jolted awake. She reached one of her calloused hands to her throat, the feeling of being strangled lingering like a slap in the face. Beads of cold sweat covered her body, dampening her short, shimmering hair.
Her hand felt the thin silver chain around her neck and her fingers closed around the flame red pendant. It was the same pendant she wore everyday, never removing it. It was the same flame shaped necklace that her twin sister had given her. The same one Eithne was wearing now.
Eithne…she thought. It had only been a few days ago she had last spoken to her sister via the communicator in her ship. What happened? Is she still alive? The thoughts swirled around her mind as she pulled her black pants and blood red shirt on.
"Captain," a voice crackled through the intercom near the door. "Captain, are you up?"
Grumbling, Enya climbed out of her bed and stumbled to the intercom. "Yeah Johnson," she said into it. "I'm up. What do you need?"
"There's a call for you," the young man said. "It's im-"
"Tell her I'm on my way," Enya cut him off.
In a record time she had pulled her work boots on and was dashing down the metal halls towards the control room. Her feet clunked slightly as she hurried though her ship.
Enya threw herself into a vacant chair and flipped a switch. The face of her aunt blinked onto the screen and she could see how worried it was.
"Enya," her aunt began. "I don't know how to tell you this but…"
"Areon just tell me where she is," Enya said urgently.
The older woman nodded. "She has been taken to Necropolis. They thought she…"
"Was you," Enya finished, earning another solemn nod. "Who are they?"
Her aunt paused and took a deep breath. "Necromongers."
The word almost sent a chill down Enya's spine. Eithne had told her about them the other day. She explained how they went from place to place, trying to find people to convert to their religion before they destroyed the entire planet. They were extremely dangerous, and not to be reckoned with.
"Is she alive," Enya asked, her hand going her throat as she remembered the very real dream.
"She was taken in my place so, yes, most likely. But I fear her life is in great danger." Her image shimmied a bit on the screen but her eyes remained locked on Enya's. "You'll need help on this. There is a man, a Furyian male. He is very dangerous but he will be able to help you."
Furyian? She remembered Eithne mentioning Furyians when they last talked. Enya of course thought it was rubbish. The Furyians had all died long ago, it was irrational to think that one would survive. Enya suppressed a sigh, if believing in some prophecy would get her sister back then so be it.
Enya began to flip switches and push buttons. "Where can I find him?"
Areon gave a slight smile at her determined niece. "He is on UV 6, the ice planet," she said over the clicking of switches. "Are you sure want to go after him, Enya?"
"The course is already set," replied the young girl. "So who is this dangerous guy living on a frozen planet?"
There was a moment of silence from Areon as she observed her niece. "Richard B. Riddick," she finally said.
Shit. Enya looked up at the screen. "Are you sure he's the only one who can help?"
Areon nodded and said, "Yes. He is our only hope."
Enya looked to the plotted course on her navigations system. "Right," she said forcefully. "Areon, prepare the extra beds. Eithne and I are coming home."
"Is that a prediction," asked the older woman as she looked at her admirable niece.
"No," said Enya flatly. "It's a promise."
Meanwhile Eithne was being led through the frigate by Irgun, the necromonger soldier, who had taken her captive.
"Are you aware there's a knife lodged into your back?" Eithne asked as she was being dragged behind him, her arms wrapped in chains. Irgun didn't answer her, he only kept walking. There was another voice, however, that did.
"It is a badge of honor, it proves that he is impervious to the pain."
Eithne turned and saw a man, not much taller than her. He had his hands clasped behind his back as he walked along beside her. He wore a black cloak that trailed to his feet and had on his head a helmet, with the look of a spine.
"It proves to me he has little sense..." Eithne smirked, for a split second she almost thought she saw him smile. "Who are you anyway?"
"I am The Purifier. I was sent to tell you of our plight." He continued as they walked towards the holding cell. "The Lord Marshal has requested that you go before him, so that you may... help us… in our campaign."
"Help you to destroy more worlds? and why would I do that?"
"Because if you don't...he will kill you." The finality in The Purifier's voice gave Eithne a cold chill - something that rarely happens to a Fire elemental.
They reached the cell and Irgun tossed Eithne inside. The Purifier pursed his lips and gave her an apologetic look for the brute force used. "We will be arriving to Necropolis soon," He said after Irgun had left and only one guard remained to watch her. "If there is anything I can get you, you need only ask."
"I need nothing from you..." she answered lowly, as the sleepiness returned from before and she yawned in spite of herself.
"Then I shall let you be,." he said after a slight pause. The Purifier backed up and the door shut in front of him. It would have left Eithne in total darkness, if her hair didn't still leave the cell with a faint glow.