Chapter 3: Artifacts
A chamber opened before them.
The very core of the temple.
To sight and sound it seemed quiet, abandoned, though more perceptive senses immediately warned Viren that it was not so. His attention was brought to the center of the room where stood a pillar of stone that shone slightly in contrast to the pitch darkness that covered all other surfaces.
Atop it was a relic.
The relic.
The object of power that had drawn Viren's mind to it.
It sat atop an altar, situated between two fiery prongs. Pure black was the gem, yet still it glowed in a way, bending all light in the room to it.
Fixating Viren's eyes to its allure.
Hazel remained frozen as did Viren for a time.
But its hold on him did not last.
By the time Hazel stirred, Viren stood in front of it, his hand poised to grab the artifact.
He hesitated only for a moment before his grip sealed around it.
This was the weapon he needed to combat the Five.
o0o
Kriff, kriff, kriff!
What had happened? Why hadn't she been able to move?
Now Viren had the crystal in possession!
Hazel wanted to lunge for it, to rip it from his grasp, but she held back. If that thing had power, and it obviously did, she did not want to be on the receiving end of it. But oh how badly she wanted it. But she was going to have to wait to get it.
Patience was not one of Hazel's gifts.
She watched, scowling, as Viren backed away from the altar.
"Well, does it do anything?" Hazel asked as she advanced.
"I have no wish to use its powers without reason."
"So actually discovering what it does isn't reason enough?"
"I only mean that now is not the time, nor is this the place," said Viren. "Now come, we should continue exploring this place."
As Viren neared one of the doorways, Hazel moved to stand over the altar. Something was still there. Perhaps it was a remnant from the crystal, but it felt like a separate entity. Hazel's eyes scanned the area below the horned structure. There she found what had alerted her senses. On a lower shelf, almost obscured by dust, was a box, with rusted edges and carved letters now broken and faded. It was perhaps ten centimeters in length and width, with a keyhole that bore none of the damage that marred the rest of its surface.
As Hazel picked it up, she saw Viren turn and begin coming towards her again. Apparently, his discovery of the crystal had caused him to forget to search around where it was found and now he was regretting it.
"What is that?" asked Viren, his voice unbetraying of any emotion.
"It's mine is what it is," said Hazel.
"Do not be hard headed," chided Viren. "Obviously, these two artifacts which we hold have a connection to one another, so it would be foolish to separate them. Perhaps, until we learn more, it would be wise to cooperate."
"I doubt our motives are compatible," said Hazel before pausing. She would know that tug in the Force anywhere.
"Uncle Jacien," she muttered, cursing.
"Not good, I take it," said Viren.
"Definitely not," confirmed Hazel, before the sound of footsteps reached her ears. "No...they can't be here already, not without me knowing it."
"Give me the box," said Viren, "I can keep it safe and out of the hands of those who pursue you. It is you they seek, not me. If you are captured it will be taken, yet I can slip away from here."
"As if you would ever cooperate with me after that," laughed Hazel. "No, I think I'll take my chances."
"Hazel..." said Viren warningly but it was too late. Even as he moved forward Hazel sprinted out of the chamber.
Right into Uncle Jacien and a squad of his best agents.
A/N: I realize the past two chapters have been pretty tiny so for those of you who like that sort of thing, enjoy, and for those who don't, don't worry, they get longer from here. More comparable to the length of Chapter 1.
As always, I'd be more than happy to have any feedback you have to offer. Thanks for reading!