A/N: Hi this is CosmicGirl22...the other writer of the fic...Hi! how are you? In case you haven't noticed yet, I'm obsessed with The Purifier...and Vaako...but mostly The Purifier. Blueskies and I have been talking about The Purifier's death...and we think he's got it pretty bad already....what with being a survivor of the great infanticide... hawking a religion he doesn't like...finding a girl to love then catching her with Vaako....and then bam he kills himself on crematoria.. so we were wondering if you think maybe he should live in this fic (Happily ever after ending)...or...should he go ahead and kill himself (angsty death scene ending.) Its up to you!!
This is Blue, I say let the poor man live or else…. I'll uh… do… something… Yeah!
Enjoy! And don't forget to tell us whether he should live (yay!) or die (No!).
Everyone was up and about, except Riddick who was still chained into his seat. They all looked out the cockpit window to see the blackened planet of Crematoria with its rising sun.
"I've got seven hundred degrees on the day side." The crew member checked the screen again. "Negative three hundred on the night side."
Enya stood next to Toombs. The pilot was going about his business but seemed nervous about something. Enya couldn't tell what he was so tense about, but she wrote it off as anxiety about landing on Crematoria. It was extremely dangerous to try to land between the scorching sun and the freezing night.
"If I owned this place and hell," said Toombs as he looked out the window. "I would rent this place out and live in hell." His blue eyes turned to Enya and he smirked. Placing a hand on her waist, he pulled her a little closer. "You'd live with me, right sweetheart?"
Enya's burgundy eyes slowly turned to him and she smiled innocently. "If I had a choice between Crematoria and your bedroom," Her innocent smile broadened. "I would choose this place."
Toombs grinned. "I love a feisty woman," he said pulling Enya even closer.
From under her clothes, Enya's diamond armor rubbed against his leg. Toombs' smile faltered. Without a word, Enya reached up and pinched his cheek. She smiled wickedly before turning away and taking her seat.
Once everyone was strapped in, the pilot pulled his goggles down over his eyes. He flipped a few switches before taking hold of the steering.
The skiff dive-bombed, hurtling itself through the atmosphere in a nosedive. The engines shook the entire skiff and rumbled loudly. Their level of decent was dangerous and if the pilot wasn't good, they'd crash and burn, and then burn again when the sun hit them.
Toombs laughed loudly, enjoying the thrill. One of his crewmen was doing the same. They were like children on a roller coaster ride. The crewmember raised his hands which evoked more laughter from both him and Toombs.
Enya was perfectly relaxed. She had done more dangerous landings than this one and she had landed on Crematoria more times than most mercs. Many pilots couldn't brag about being able to land on Crematoria, most wouldn't even try it.
The skiff began to skid along the runway, a long strip of flat land in the middle of a field of jagged rocks. The entire landscape of Crematoria was rocky, full of fissures which led to the molten rock below. All of the rocks on the surface were formed by the burning air which combusts as the sun heats it, melting and burning everything in its path.
As the skiff slid rapidly across the runway, the sun rose above the small bluffs surrounding the runway. Beating down on the skiff, the sun immediately began to heat it. Everyone had to turn away from the blinding light, even the pilot who had put on protective goggles.
Enya blinked a few times, letting her burgundy eyes get used to the brilliance of the sun. Her eyes skimmed over the faces of the crew and Toombs before she glanced back at Riddick. With his welding goggles on, his eyes were immune to the light.
Someone had hit the party poppers and the two jets sprang from the ship, slowing it down. The skiff reached the hangar safely, the thick doors closing behind them. The three men Toombs had picked up let out a collective sigh.
"I think I shit my pants," the biggest one said.
Both Enya and Riddick looked to him. "Skittish, Toombs," Riddick said, shaking his head. "Very skittish."
Enya was the first to jump out. She circled the skiff, examining it to see what the damage was. A small smile reached her lips when she saw the metal was red hot. Only on Crematoria she thought.
Riddick got chained into the back of the cart. Two of the crewmembers took the front two seats while Toombs and Enya took the back seats. The biggest man sat on Riddick, his gun pointed at the con's face.
Before the ride even started Enya heard the crewmember say to Riddick, "When this rides' over, your goggles are mine."
Turning in her seat, Enya looked at him. "That's even if you make it to the end of the ride," she called to him as the cart began to move.
They were hurtling down the tunnel at breakneck speed. The overhead lights flashed as they periodically passed them. Enya's slightly glowing hair gave off a faint light, the boyishly short hair catching the wind and blowing occasionally.
A loud crash echoed from behind. Both Enya and Toombs turned to see Riddick looking back at them. The man who had been sitting on him was nowhere to be found.
When Riddick shrugged, Toombs turned back to Enya and nudged her. "Four way split," he shouted gleefully.
The cart slowed to a stop and the four merc climbed out. The two remaining members of the crew went to Riddick. Enya and Toombs both moved towards the doors leading into the slam. They stopped and looked at each other, each one wanted to do the negotiating.
"Let me do the talking," Enya said looking up at Toombs' blue eyes. "I know how to handle the boss here."
Toombs raised an eyebrow. "I'll do the talking, woman," he growled. "They won't listen to you, no matter how good you think you are."
Enya's eyes widened and her fists clenched into fists. "You know, half the cons in this slam are here because of me."
"And you probably got swindled out of each payday." Toombs was looking at her with an air of superiority. "Let me do the talking."
Enya was either about to retort or punch Toombs, when the doors opened and a few guards stepped out. When he saw the slam boss enter, Toombs stepped forward slightly, blocking Enya from view.
"So," said the boss. "This is Riddick?"
Before Toombs could say a word, Enya stepped out from behind him. "Yeah, this it Riddick." She crossed her arms.
Recognition spread across the boss' face when he saw her. "Ah, Enya," he said in his thick accent. "Back so soon? I guess this means I will have to give pay more than I had planned."
Turning, Enya smiled sweetly to Toombs. The merc grumbled something about women before turning and joining his crew. Before she turned away, Enya noticed the pilot begin to whisper something to Toombs.
"Come," said the clam boss, calling Enya back. "Let us discuss the payday." As Enya followed him, she gave a quick glance over her shoulder, wondering why she felt like there was a conspiracy going on.
Eithne stood in her cell pacing. How could she have been such a fool? She tried to tell herself that it wasn't her fault that Vaako had kissed her, that Luthan had jumped to a conclusion, but inside she knew she was wrong. She had enjoyed that kiss as much as Vaako had. Now, her mind raced with thoughts of both of them, Vaako the Necromonger Commander, and Luthan the Necromonger Purifier.
The door to her cell slid back. Once her eyes adjusted to the light she saw it was Luthan, hands behind his back. For a moment, he only stood there looking at her, with a quiet reserve, and when he spoke, it was with a tone that seemed to suggest they were only mildly acquainted.
"Vaako..." the name seemed bitter in his mouth. "...has found a trace. Your sister and the Furyan's headed toward the Misae system. The Lord Marshal has decided that Vaako and I should take a frigate, to go and cleanse them."
"I know how it looked...." she hadn't even taken in the information that he had just given her. "...but you have to believe me I love you, Luthan."
"Don't use that name." he said with a detached tone. "Luthan is dead, he's been dead since I came here."
"I know that's not true. He was alive when we were together." she tried to step towards him, but as he pulled out a knife, she recoiled back.
"Perhaps." he said as he approached her. "But it doesn't matter now, Luthan is dead...and soon, so too will be The Purifier."
"What are you talking about?" he eyes glinted to the knife then back to his eyes.
Luthan was standing close to her. His eyes portrayed the pain inside.
"Kill me." he said, holding the knife out to her. "End my pain."
"Stop it..." she said, her eyes filling with tears.
"Go on...." he held the knife closer to her. "It can't hurt anymore than it already does."
"No." Eithne turned away, unable to bare facing Luthan. "I could never intentionally hurt you."
Luthan let out a hollow laugh. "Are you implying that you never intended to kiss Vaako?" he asked bitterly.
Eithne turned back to face him and nodded, her eyes begging him to forgive her. Luthan wanted to believe her but Dame Vaako's words and what he had seen were too fresh in his memory.
He held the knife up high and let it fall to the floor in front of her. He turned to leave then paused at the door. "If I do find your sister....is there a message you'd like sent?"
"I can't let you leave like this...." she reached out and touched his shoulder but he recoiled from her.
"Filthy elemental whore." he spat. "Only the pure, converted are allowed to touch me."
"He kissed me, Luthan." she tried to explain. "I just wish you would understand..."
"I said don't call me that." he stepped closer to the door. "And from what I saw you weren't exactly trying to stop him."
"I was confused..."
"Confused?" he said venomously. "Did you mistake him for me?"
Eithne's eyes closed. She didn't feel like arguing with him.
"I see you don't have an answer. " with that the door shut behind him and he was gone. Leaving Eithne alone to cry.
Enya watched as the guards of Crematoria and the two men left of Toombs' crew hooked Riddick up. He was attached to a long rope which slowly lowered him down hundreds of feet into the pit where the other prisoners stayed.
"Well," said the slam boss. "how much were you thinking." His question was directed at Enya who was crouched over the hole in floor, watching Riddick being lowered. "The usual for the cons you bring in?"
"I want 900,000 for him," Toombs cut in, glaring at Enya as he hit the lever to stop the pulley from lowering Riddick.
Both Enya and the slam boss ignored him. "It is a good price, the usual," the boss' heavy accented said lightly as he turned the pulley back on. "You have accepted it without fail for every con you've brought in." It was true, Enya had brought in at least half the convicts who now sat in the bowels of the slam. She was probably the most hated merc when it came to the prisoners.
With a laugh, Enya stood up. "For him," she asked pointing down the hole. "The usual payment wouldn't come anywhere near enough."
Again Toombs tried to interject while pulling the lever. "900,000 is..."
The boss interrupted, once again directing his comments to Enya. "How about 800? I'm sure that will be enough for you."
Enya looked back down the hole and nodded, knowing the boss was stubborn and wouldn't pay anything more. "We'll take it," she said holding out her hand. Below them, Riddick was working on getting himself out of the restraints.
"What," Toombs roared as he rounded on Enya. "800,000 for Riddick?" He was slowly advancing on her now but she stood her ground. "Is that part of you plan? To get a dirt cheap price for him and then help him escape?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about," Enya asked calmly.
"Don't play games with me, woman." Toombs was furious. "After all the moves I made on you, you're still helping him." Now Toombs was inches from Enya. "I bet you were sleeping with him the whole time."
Enya's fiery hair glowed brighter as her temper flared. Her open palm made contact with Toombs' face, sending a sickening sound throughout the room. "Don't you ever imply anything like that again," she growled warningly.
Toombs faced Enya. There was a bright red hand print on his cheek. "I wasn't implying it. I was down right saying it." His blue eyes held a deadly hatred. "Say hi to your lover for me," he calmly whispered in his raspy voice before Enya could punch him.
Shit! Enya thought as Toombs shoved her. Down the hole she fell, down into the pit where she would probably have to fight for her life. Fuckin' prick. Well, I won't be winning any popularity contests while I'm down there.
If Enya hadn't been half wind Elemental then she would have been falling at a much faster rate, picking up speed as she went. Instead she was falling at the same pace, like a rock sinking in water.
The ground was coming closer and Enya braced herself for the impact. No matter how slowly she fell, landing on her ass would still hurt. She waited but the ground never came, only two strong arms.
Enya turned her head to see the owner of the body she was pressed against. Her eyes met with a pair of curious, silver eyes. Immediately she was lost in their depth and beauty. She could practically see the wheels turning as Riddick's eyes held her gaze just like strong arms held her body close to his.
Oh man, thought Enya as her heart rate picked up. I never thought falling into a pit of people who hate me would be such a rush… A little voice inside told her that wasn't the real reason her heart was pounding. No, it can't be him. That's… no I've dedicated my life to catching guys like Riddick… I can't…
"What the hell did you do that for," an angry female voice asked, pulling Enya out of her frenzied thoughts. "She's the reason why I'm here."
Looking up Enya saw a girl, a little younger than her with long curly hair. Enya blinked a few times, as she recognized the toned girl as Kyra. Riddick set Enya down, she was partially grateful but at the same time she wanted to jump back into his arms.
"Me?" Enya asked, not believing what she just heard. "I'm not the one that went on a killing spree"
"Oh well," said the girl as she came closer. "Now I get to kill her myself."
Before Enya could protest, the girl came after her with a shiv. Enya dodged with ease. The girl dropped to the ground and kicked Enya's feet out from under her.
Enya grimaced at the dull pain throbbing through her backside. She tried to get up but in a flash the girl was on top of her, holding her knife to Enya's throat.
"Now, this is a change," the girl hissed. "Wasn't it five years ago that you were the one with knife to my neck?"
"Yeah," Enya said flatly as she kept eye contact with the girl. "I see you've learned a few things since then."
The girl smiled smugly. "I've learned to kill without emotion, too."
It was Enya's turn to smile. With one deft movement, she raised her right arm and knocked the girl off of her. Enya pulled out her own knife and held it to the girl's throat.
"You still need to learn how to watch your left side." The girl glared at Enya. "Drop the shiv." She could feel the blade against her back, dangerously close to her sweet spot.
The girl didn't move, she looked over Enya's shoulder to Riddick. The muscular approached them and crossed his arms.
"As fun as it is to watch you two go at it," his deep voice rumbled. "I'm going to have to cut it short."
When Riddick looked pointedly at the girl, she dropped her shiv. Enya stood up and offered her a hand. The girl angrily pushed Enya's hand away and helped herself up.
"Don't forget, merc," the girl spat. "I almost had you." With that she turned and walked away.
"I take it you two know each other," Riddick said, his silver eyes on Enya.
"Yeah, her and pretty much everyone else in this pit." Enya's eyes skimmed over the slam. Everyone was looking at her condemningly.
Riddick's gaze followed hers. "Toombs found out about your little plan?"
Nodding Enya said, "Yeah. That he didn't like the idea of only getting 800 grand for you." She laughed slightly as she continued to look at the angry faces of the cons. "Just wait until the boss lowers the offer."
From above they could just make out the sounds of raised voices. This caused Enya to grin. Poor Toombs. If he had kept me around he'd have gotten a couple grand more.
"There are convicts and there are inmates," a voice called loudly. Both Riddick and Enya turned to see a man, flanked by two others approaching. "A convict follows a certain code, he knows to help his fellow prisoners." He looked to Riddick before turning his eyes to Enya. "An inmate however, pulls the pin on his fellow men. Brings shame to the game." The man's eyes darted from Enya to Riddick. "Which are you?"
He pulled down his black goggles. "Me? I'm just passing though." He lingered for a moment, taking in his surroundings.
The man's eyes turned to Enya and she smiled. "Well Guv, its been awhile."
"What are you doing down here," he asked, eyeing Enya.
"My partner and I had different creative ideals and he got… agitated. Decided to push me down."
The Guv raised an eyebrow. "Partner? As far as I can remember you always worked solo. Find a con, leave you crew, bag him and get paid. Wasn't that how you said it worked."
Enya smiled. "You know me too well." Her eyes looked around to the cons surrounding her. "What do I have to do to not get my ass handed to me?"
A low laughed escaped from Riddick. "You could take them," he said simply before walking away.
"He's right." The Guv watched as Riddick left. "It might take awhile but you could do it."
It was Enya's turn to laugh. "Maybe if it were one at a time but I know how you boys like to play. I'd be jumped by everyone at once."
The Guv smirked, showing his skuzzy teeth. "I like you. You're a merc and you're the one who brought me here but I like you."
"I'm so glad you feel that way."
"I can guarantee you protection form my boys." The Guv walked by her. "But the inmates like to play rough."
Well at least someone likes me. Enya looked in the direction Riddick had gone in. Now to get baldy and blow this joint.
"So you wanted to see me?" The Lord Marshal sat on his throne, two women standing beside him, their noses in the air. A few soldiers and members of the court gathered around.
"I'm here to humbly request a favor." Eithne said as she approached his throne. "I'm here to ask that you do not send The Purifier on this task."
"And why should I grant such a favor, to a prisoner?" he asked. His voice cold, though his curiosity was peaked.
"Because I will no longer be your prisoner." Eithne gracefully, went down on one knee in front of the Lord Marshal. Gasps resounded through the Necropolis.
"Are you saying what I think you are?" The Lord Marshal could hardly suppress the smile.
"I am asking to be purified." Eithne's face looked up. "I ask that you grant my wish, as a newly converted Necromonger." More voices rang through the hall as though everyone were whispering at once.
"I will grant one of your requests." The Lord Marshal stood in front of her. "You will be purified. However, I cannot fulfill your second....as it is too late. The Purifier is already gone."
"No...." Eithne muttered. "No ...he can't have."
"Why not?" It was Dame Vaako stepping forward out of the crowd.
"You wouldn't understand." Eithne's face showed with hatred.
"Try me." Dame Vaako rounded around her.
"I am an elemental...the odds of The Purifier returning from this quest are minimal."
"And what of Vaako? He is on the same frigate." Dame Vaako demanded.
"As if you cared..." Eithne spat. "You're only use of him is how far he can promote your standing."
Dame Vaako seethed.
"Your Vaako is going up against the Alpha Furyan. You can calculate those odds yourself." Eithne tried her best to sound hateful, instead of scared. The Lord Marshal seemed to stiffen. "And don't forget my sister is there to help him....." her eyes went to the Lord Marshal's. He seemed to be connecting the dots.
"A Furyan with the aid of a Chengi Elemental female....." Eithne smirked. "That is how it goes isn't it?"
"Elementals..." Dame Vaako drew herself up, and sounded superior. "Always making their little predictions." Then, she turned to the Lord Marshal. "She is a false prophet sent to weaken our faith." she hissed at him. "She claims to want to be purified, but why now...unless it is one of her elemental tricks. I say we kill her, before she weakens us, like she did The Purifier."
"No, she will be purified." The Lord Marshal commanded. "She has been down on her knees....that's good enough for me." He walked down off the platform. "Dame Vaako, take the Elemental and have her prepared for purification." Dame Vaako's eyes seemed to grow out of her skull. He astro traveled towards Dame Vaako, until he was right beside her. "And if anything happens to my bride-to-be....you shall be held responsible."
The water washed over Enya. The faint glow from her hair made rainbows as the waterfall continually beat down on her. It felt so good to wash away the grime even if she was fully clothed.
So far she hadn't been attacked by any of the inmates. The Guv's word had held so far and none of his cronies had gone near her. But Enya couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her.
As Enya stepped out from under the waterfall she walked face first into a broad chest. Instinctively her hand went for her knife but a strong hand stopped her, wrapping around her arm. Looking up she saw a pair of black goggles.
She turned away, unable to hold his gaze. "What are you doing here," Enya asked as she ran a hand though her already dry hair.
"Why did you become a merc." Riddick's question was to the point, no beating around the bush.
"Revenge." Enya's tone held a certain bitterness.
"Revenge?" She could feel Riddick move closer. "What con hurt you?"
Her temper flared and her hair glowed brighter. Enya whirled around to face Riddick, her eyes blazing. "The one that killed my parents and left the corpses in their bed for me and my sister to find when we were ten years old," she hissed with icy calmness, putting an emphasis on the last three words.
Riddick lifted his goggles and looked at her with his piercing silver eyes. "So you decided to become a greedy merc because one guy killed your parents?"
"I'm not greedy. I take what money I need to make sure that what happened to me doesn't happen to someone else." Her eyes narrowed at him. "I've been putting scum like you behind bars since I was sixteen."
Riddick grabbed Enya and pinned her against the wall. "Scum like me," he growled, staring Enya in the eye. For a long moment he held her there before letting her drop the floor. "Scum like me saved your ass."
Enya watched as he walked away. She knew he was right. If he hadn't stopped Kyra, then Enya would probably be dead. For a moment she paced, thinking about whether or not she should go after him and apologize.
Turning in the direction Riddick had gone, Enya took a deep breath. Apologizing was never her strong point.
As she was about to walk after him, a voice came on over the loudspeaker, filling the entire room. "Feeding time," it yelled gleefully. A buzzer rang and Enya watched as prisoners sprang into action.
Everyone scrambled to their cells, slamming the doors closed. It was quite amusing to watch but it also made Enya wonder what they were so afraid of. She didn't have to think for long though.
There was a low growl from behind her. Slowly Enya turned to see a very large and scaly head break the curtain of water. Her burgundy stared into the silver eyes of the scaly dog-like beast.
Slowly the Hellhound approached, baring its teeth. Enya cautiously crouched down in front of the beast. Its pointy scales bristled as it turned a deeper shade of red.
"Easy," Enya whispered. Her eyes traveled down the Hellhound's body and rested on one of it's hind legs which it favored slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you." Enya slowly extended her hand for the beast.
When it growled, Enya stopped. She knew she was getting to close for the beast's comfort. She peered into its burgundy eyes, trying not to blink. Slowly the beast came forward and sniffed her hand with extreme caution.
Its silver eyes remained on Enya while it took in her scent. Suddenly it jumped on her, knocking her over.
As Riddick made his way through the slam, he heard a scream. He spun around to face the direction the scream had come from. All around him Riddick could hear the prisoners shouting and the Hellhounds hunting them down. A strange panic overcame him when he thought of the scream.
"Enya…" he uttered before taking off.