Kavaraa scanned the surface of Vallereth as Theron began to pilot the ship down to the surface, there was an awkward air between them and Kavaraa could tell Theron was getting more and more anxious about their absence from the alliance, she didn't know how much longer she could keep this up.

She looked at the console "ok air is breathable but choppy at times so we're going to need EVA masks" Kavaraa could see the life sign on the scanner it hadn't moved in a while which she couldn't tell if that was worrying or not. She'd been trying to sense the presence but this planet had such a strange residual force energy it was blocking her ability to decipher any more than that the presence existed and it was familiar.

Theron nodded "ok good the ship is mostly holding up in the atmosphere we've only sustained minor damage" he brought the ship down still quiet despite the shaky landing

Kavaraa decided to speak up "look I know you wanted to go back to the alliance and I promise you we will I just wouldn't feel right leaving this threat out there" Theron nodded as he began to find his gear

He sighed "it's fine this is pressing but once it's dealt with we have to go back you understand that right" Kavaraa nodded she knew she'd have to face Kyradia eventually she just wished it would have lasted longer

Kavaraa shuddered "yeah I know I'm ready to face it even if it starts a fight" she fully expected it to, her opinion on the issue hadn't changed and she knew Kyradia had a short fuse "but I will be making return trips here afterwards, I won't force you to come with me" Theron nodded as he suited up

He put a hand on her shoulder "I know it's hard but you can't keep hiding" Kavaraa nodded "and don't worry I'll come when it's important, it's just we're not young kids anymore we have responsibilities we can't just run away from" Kavaraa knew he was right she smiled up at him

She chuckled "when did you become the voice of reason we did get old" Theron laughed shaking his head at her

He smiled "when I married you and hey I'm still as spry as I used to be" Kavaraa smiled didn't she know it

They both suited up and headed out of the ship, the surface of Vallereth was barren and very dusty, the ground seemed to crunch under their footsteps as they walked out, fog littered the air, the mists coiling together into lime wispy clouds.

Theron joked "not exactly the vacation spot I imagined" Kavaraa rolled her eyes as they walked into the mist moving towards the life sign "have you been able to work anything out about the dark presence" Kavaraa shook her head she wished she had

Kavaraa sighed "not really it's kinda hard to tell this planet has its own dark aura clouding my vision whatever ancient civilisation used to live here I think they may have caused their own downfall" it certainly seemed like a wasteland. Kavaraa had seen a few vague structures but they were crude and undeveloped at best which begged the question what would have the power to mess with the whole planet.

Theron groaned "looks like we're just going to have to rely on my tech then" they continued to follow the direction of the life sign for most of the day before Theron started to pick up something else on his scanner "there's going to be some kind of storm we need to get inside" Kavaraa nodded and they headed towards a small cave

Once inside Kavaraa took the gadget "what kinda storm is this" it's readings were similar to a normal storm but she sensed it was different maybe even alive in some way

Theron shrugged "I've seen a lot of weird stuff since I've know you so really it could be anything" he began to set up a makeshift camp "but if I were to hazard a guess it's a storm that exists as a result of whatever disaster happened here which makes it very dangerous" Kavaraa agreed with him there as she concentrated sealing up the cave entrance with rocks

She smiled "we should be safe for now" she sat down next to him and smiled "thanks for helping me with this I know you didn't have to" Theron nodded as he got out some rations passing them to Kavaraa

Theron shrugged "it's not like I wasn't going to help you Kav" Kavaraa blushed until he continued "you think you could handle this on your own without overthinking everything" Kavaraa pouted at him sulking "aw come on I'm just kidding"

Kavaraa sighed "I guess you're right but still I'd be lost without you" Theron wrapped his arm around her kissing her forehead

He smiled "me too I love you" Kavaraa blushed she knew he did but it was always nice to hear it, they waited out the storm in the meantime Kavaraa tried to sense the presence again, she could tell it was the familiar part of what she sensed but she felt like she didn't know it well enough or she'd recognise it instantly.

Theron tapped on her shoulder breaking her out of her meditation "the storms over Kavaraa come on the suns going down" Kavaraa got up and followed him out

They made towards the life sign quickly seeing a large ridge with a light emanating from it faintly, Theron smiled whispering "looks like we found our life sign" he gestured for Kavaraa to follow her quietly

Kavaraa frowned looking up at the ridge there seemed to be a plateau where she could see the fog from earlier seemed to be moving around there was something going on up there, they crept slowly up the hill the cave becoming clearer and an actual structure coming into view. It seemed tribal in nature but competent enough as an entrance the light was emanating from inside as mist gathered around the entrance.

They crept up behind a rock and watched the entrance Kavaraa whispered "somethings off about this Theron I think someones performing a ritual" Theron nodded cleary having put the same conclusion together

Theron whispered back "we should be careful don't engage until we know it's dangerous" he had his hand on his blaster anyway

Kavaraa could sense the presence stronger now she knew she recognised it but from where, suddenly she saw a silhouette in the mist, long robes, tall physique and a distinct hood.

Kavaraa's eyes widened as the figure lifted up a weapon and the mist surrounded it coiling around it, as the mist dissipated a red saber came into view the mist surrounding it like a sleeve. But below it a pale Rattataki appeared seething quietly her hair grown out parted down one side of her head and her robes more beaten up than before, but still the unrecognizable form of the former Emperors rath Zoyin came into view her snarl as present as ever as she moved the blade in her hand and smiled

Theron shuddered "that'll do it" looks like they may be here a while longer...