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commander-krios · 2 years

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"I think I love you." helene/zhilae? 👀

The angst is strong with this one. I hope you like it! Of course, their love is so complicated, but I adore them. <3

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The confession hung heavy in the air between them.

Andronikos Revel, feared pirate and murderer, the man who was not just her best friend in the entire galaxy but the only one she trusted, stared at her with round eyes. Clearing his throat, he glanced away to make sure that they were still alone. She could sense his discomfort. “What did you say?”

“I said-”

Holding up his hands, he stopped her from repeating the words. “I… wasn’t being serious. You don’t need to say it again.”

Helene Zythor sighed, dropping her face into her hands, mortified that she was actually having feelings for someone. And those feelings didn’t include anger. Or fear. Or hatred. All of the things that, as a Sith Lord, she used to gain power, to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies, to keep her allies in line.

And unfortunately, these new feelings involved someone who wasn’t going to be good for her now that she sat on the Dark Council. Attachments, not ones that were for pleasure, but true attachments that would end up making you weak, that became a liability… Those were the types that Helene avoided like the Balmorran Flu.

Until now, apparently.

“How did this happen?”

She wasn’t expecting an answer. Helene had never wanted this, so how could Andronikos even have any idea how her fickle heart worked.

“Do you want to know?” Andronikos asked, relaxing into the cushions of the sofa he sat on, concentrating on the drink in his hands. “Because I’ve been watching from the sidelines and I saw it coming-” The look she shot at him stopped his words cold.

“What would you say if I told you that I loved you?”

“Well, considering you never would-”

“I love you, Andronikos.” Helene teased, meeting his glare with a grin. The reaction was so worth it. “Humor me, please.”

“I hate you, crazy Sith.” He grumbled before taking a long swig of his drink.

“So is that your final answer?” Feeling a little lighter at the teasing, Helene rested against the cushions as well. The tension left her body at the sound of Andronikos’ gruff laughter. “I lay my heart bare and you tell me that you hate me. If I truly did love you, you would’ve broken my heart.”

Silence met her words. When she glanced at the pirate beside her, she was astonished to find him watching her seriously.

“If the bounty hunter doesn’t feel the same for you, it’s her loss.”

Helene leaned forward, a smile curling her lips. “You’re not going soft on me, are you, Revel?”

“You’re trying to bait me, Sith, and I’m not going to fall for it.” Andronikos stood, and taking his drink with him, left her alone in the lounge.

Helene rolled her eyes, but the smile didn’t fade. As much as she liked antagonizing Andronikos, he was probably the only true friend she had in this galaxy. Now, she didn’t have an excuse to not find Zhilae, to reveal her true feelings… and to see what intentions the Mandalorian might have.

Nothing about this situation with them was what they’d expected. Zhilae had stolen her ship, taken off with it to complete the Great Hunt. When Helene had caught up to her, with all of her thoughts focused on killing the person who stole her property, she found someone she could hire instead. She was already on Zash’s kill list, she knew that, and having a bounty hunter for protection would only benefit her.

In the end, they had ended up so much more.

She found Zhilae in the room where they’d set up a meditation room. It was in the furthest corner of the ship where the only sounds that broke the silence was the hum of the engines. It was the perfect place to set up cushions and focus on the Force. Little foot traffic, the engines a lull that could help her focus. Ashara spent most of her days there, hidden away from the rest of the crew.

Helene watched from the doorway as Zhilae paced the room, datapad in one hand while her other hand was busy stuffing items into a small bag on the floor. This was not what she wanted to see after the last few hours agonizing over what she would say to the woman she was falling in love with.

“I’m leaving.” Zhilae wouldn’t meet her gaze, but had obviously sensed her presence. Her eyes were focused on the datapad. “I have to finish my mission for Mandalore. I’ve been distracted for too long.”

“Is that what this is?” Helene couldn’t hide the way her voice shook. It was a weakness she couldn’t afford, to be this wrapped up in another person, but with Zhilae it had been easy. And all too pleasant. In the end, perhaps this would be for the best if the bounty hunter left, but she didn’t want to see her go. Not like this. “Am I just a distraction?”

Zhilae’s shoulders tensed at the question. And yet, she still wouldn’t face her.

“Go then.” She snapped, tilting her chin up stubbornly. “I’ll have Andronikos drop you off wherever you wish.”

“There’s no need. Torian has my ship and will meet us on Vaiken Spacedock.”

Helene was going to leave it at that, let Zhilae walk away without another word about their relationship, but as she turned to leave the room, her steps faltered.

The hum of the engines should’ve been soothing, but Helene’s entire world was crashing down around her. She could feel the power beneath her skin building, sparks tickling her fingertips, begging to find a release.

“I didn’t take you for a coward.”

Helene didn’t have to look to know that the words had struck the way she intended. She heard the sharp intake of breath. “Don’t you dare-”

Spinning around, she felt her anger reach its apex and burst from her. Lightning arced from her fingers, hitting the walls of the room with nothing more than a sputter of sparks. If she pleased, she could easily kill Zhilae where she stood. “I do dare. You’re the one who wanted this. A place on my ship. And in my bed.”

Zhilae finally met her gaze. Her face was devoid of any emotion, but those golden eyes said more than anything words could. “I… can’t, Helene. I thought you’d understand.”

Helene laughed without humor, the sound foreign to her ears. She was happy for the first time in her life, or at least she had been. “The cruelest part of all of this is that I… I think that I love you. I don’t have anything to compare it to, but you make me feel things that I never thought I was capable of. Good to know it was a lie.”

Zhilae flinched at her words, but Helene cared little for her feelings.

“I should kill you right now. I know Xalek or Khem would gladly tear you limb from limb. But I’m capable of restraint.”

“I’m sorry, Helene. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Zhilae sounded as if she meant it and maybe she did, but this was a turning point for Darth Nox. She wouldn’t trust her heart to another person again.

She should’ve listened to her head instead of her heart all of those months ago when she invited Zhilae into her bed.

“Hurt me? You don’t have that sort of power. No one can hurt me.”

Helene managed to hold herself together long enough to get to her quarters, leaving the bounty hunter to her packing… and her lies. Once the doors of her bedroom closed with a hiss, she collapsed into a heap on the floor, unable to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.

#aroserinosman #my writing #swtor #swtor fanfiction #star wars: the old republic #star wars the old republic #sith inquistior #bounty hunter #sith inquisitor x bounty hunter #helene zythor #zhilae mirai #andronikos revel #helene x zhilae #hurt with no comfort #angst

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bnbc · 7 months

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no context roleplay meme

#yes my baby is in love with the chair #good for them honestly #but tbh it finally happend bby got the full inquistior rank #tho they're actually just a dumb kid in comparement to others #but well #time to learn june time to learn #oc: june reynolds

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beastofmoss · 1 year

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Younger Deshan

#he'ji #im crying #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #deshan Lavellan #when you when you #this was a push for me now im gonna tale a deep nap for my trauma #inquistior lavellan

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costilyev · 1 year

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#dragon age #dragon age inquistor #dragon age inquisition #dai #inquisitor lavellan #t edits #Inquistior Lev #t ocs

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mercysought · 2 years

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@middener / @inquistior . dance + hover for abel from hal . seduction . accepting

( DANCE ) leaning in closer while they are slow dancing with mine.

( HOVER ) hovering their lips over mine’s.

It was perhaps the awful familiarity of it that made that moment far heavier than expected.

Like moving with drenched clothes and armour, a rock falling down just above your head as you slowly sink further and further down. It had not been Abel’s intention. Seating outside in one of the many balconies of the Winter Palace, he had sought it as a way to keep away from the crowd that had so quickly returned to normal while his own heart still raced. The adrenaline of the attack still clinging to his blood and body, refusing to let go completely.

The dull pain at his knee and leg far sharper and stronger than it had been earlier in the night when he had last spoken to the Inquisitor. Instead of the needling deep pain that shot across his body, a pain that had become familiar to him to the point of living in the back of his mind, it was instead sharp blades that serrated the side of his bone. Worse perhaps was the fact that he had been unable to do his duty, unable to protect the Empress.

And they all danced. They all continued dancing, as if nothing had happened. As if a part of their nation had not been robbed in front of their eyes. As if the blood of their royal family had not been spilled in those same stones they now partied in.

The fact that Gaspard had always been the rightful heir did nothing to wash the bitter taste on his tongue. Did nothing to alleviate the guilt and the failure that had lead to this. The fact that he had been fighting for Gaspard before becoming this way did not bring relief.

And despite it all, when Hawln had walked out to that same balcony, he still felt himself falling into the same steps that he had known once. Perhaps it was the sound of the piano coming from within the ballroom that had felt it right that he should ask Hawln to dance. A skeletal and ghostly image of what they had once done in a place that had embraced them both in what felt like a dream to Abel. It had felt like the right thing to do, in the moment, with the adrenaline and the golden light kissing Hawln’s hair and soft eyes.

Abel had never been a graceful dancer. His mother had always said that he should have the prowess to but his soul could not follow. The rhythm of his soul would not keep pace with any song but the thud of his own heart. His mother did have a way with words. Now as they swayed he felt like he was sinking.

A reminder that he could not keep pace with the world, with the music or with his own heart.

It was a macabre, distortion of a memory that he loved dearly with a man that could barely recognise him. He feels Hawln rest against his own body and lets the warm wash over him even as his body feels like freezing. Were he to find the right words he was sure that Hawln would know what it was, better than Abel. The tightness at his heart and lungs. A prickle of tears at the edge of his eyes that would not be allowed to persist. A deep sadness that feels distant as if he stood beneath a large body of water. The weight was certainly felt even if he felt himself descending further and further into that void.

Hawl’s lips are warm and for a moment Abel cannot find himself between memory and the present. The Inquisitor and the farmer that he had met. The soldier and the invalid. He felt cold. Mind raced, keeping himself grounded in the present and standing, dancing as best he could. Half watching from the distance and only barely feeling that he wanted this.

And he wanted this.

Gloved hands raised to Hawln’s shoulders, gripping him briefly and keeping him in place. A step, half hobbled, back, but keeping balance. He wanted this, but not like this. Not like this, not under this weight, not with his leg like that, not with his mind so far away. There is a scream within the tightness of his chest, in the heavy and restless heartbeat in his ears, in the slight curve of his eyebrows and briefly confused eyes that flood with comprehension.

And pity.

Abel inhales sharply, steeling himself and yet feeling as exposed as before. Still sinking and soon alone for he would return to his duties and to the lights within. And that would be good. They had had their time, had they not? Their moment in the sun. The Inquisitor had plenty of other things that would keep his mind busy, his heart full. And Abel refused to be an anchor as he seemed to soar.

But that was only part. Hawln would understand, he had always understood when words failed him. His hands hold Hawln’s shoulders strongly, blue eyes focus on his for a breathless second, two. Left hand briefly touches the side of his perfectly shaved face. He feels so unbelievably warm against the stark light from within.

He takes another step back, hand reaching to his aid, helping in carrying the weight as he sat back down.

#middener #inquistior #abel de clair ( muses )#raven received ( meme replies )#( anyway I had forgotten how painful it was to write abel )#internalised ableism tw #( I made it sad whoops )

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thekingofwinterblog · 8 months

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The Problem with Trespasser

So there has been said a lot about the flaws of tresspasser as a finale to Inquisition, as it can basically be divided into two sections.

There is the lore, the character stuff with your companions, and the actual titular trespasser section of the story, which is generally liked.

Then there is the Exalted Council part of the Story which is generally greatly disliked for the way it portrays Arl Teagen as an ungrateful arse, who even though he's in the right that the Inquisition really does need to disband, is such a bitch about it that a player might feel the desire to keeping it intact just to spite him, despite all the reasons that is a terrible idea(Such an organization being doomed to become the templars 2.0 being the single biggest). Not to mention the way it makes Thedas's nations look like they have the memory capacity of a goldfish, given how instrumental the inquisition was in stopping the last massive threat and might be so again against the plenty of obvious threats on the horizon(and sure enough, the stop the Dragon breath terrorist attacks that would have happened with or without them being there).

However, looking at the big picture, i don't think the actual writing of Arl teagen was the problem here.

No the problem is that Arl Teagen and the rest of the world's reaction to the Inquistion is very, very clearly taken from an older draft of this story, where the Inquisitor was far less... An unambiguous force for good, lets say.

The concept art for inquistion tells a story that is very, very different than what we get in game, with a lot more emphasis is put on the inquisitor very obviously being a dick, that is not well liked by anyone around them.

There is also the way said inquisitor could be far, far more pragmatic and morally grey or dark, like here, where the Inquisitor could force the Venatori to serve after defeating them.

Way more emphasis is built on the idea that the Inquisitor is creating a cult of personality around you, personally.

Essentially a dark mirror to the Hero of Ferelden and Galahad's journeys to defeat their own crisis'.

The option of letting celine die was always gonna be a part of the game, but rather than a pragmatic, move of standing aside and let it happen, your companions would have very negative reactions to this choice, with you having to force Blackwall in particular to stand back as he curses you.

And of course, it would all cuminate in the logical endpoint for the herald of andraste, the living embodiment of the Andrastian reformation as you took your place on the sunburst throne, and usher in whatever changes you want.

This outcome... makes perfect sense. Frankly speaking, this is a much more narratively fitting ending for the inquistior, that has a clear climax from where they start.

Of course we all know this didn't actually end up happening. The Inquisitor ended up being the most passive of all the PC's by a wide margin(you could shape them into having a personality, but not one with a true backbone like Hawke and the Warden), and all these very morally dubious options was taken out of the game in favor of a much more morally simple story.

The most evil thing you can do in DAI is to choose the templars over the mages... and rather than being portrayed as the clear evil choice as it should have been(and still been a legitimate and pragmatic option for you to take) there is instead attempts at making it more nuanced.

Other than that, you don't have the kind of options that the Warden had, and even hawke did(like selling Fenris into slavery), to be a dick.

With all this in mind, it's blatently obvious why Teagen and the world is so damn afraid of the Inquisition.

Because this part of the story was written from before this change in the direction of the game, and was never updated to fit the final product.

If the original vision of the game had to to pass, Teagen's extreme reactions to the Inquistion would have been far, far more understandable, and in it's own way a way of calling the player out on their bullshit.

However, the final product just makes it appear he's way overreacting, rather than maybe questioning that maybe Teagen is right, maybe it is time to end this inquisition for the good of all.

Its one of the biggest problem with what is otherwise a very good epilogue to Dragon Age Inquisition.

#dragon age inquisition #meta #concept art #original story direction #inquisitor #what could have been #arl teagen #teagen #ban teagen #trespasser

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loveandfictionforall · 11 months

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Can I ask for DAI Dorian headcanons for hearing his s/o valiantly defend him against a group of nobles, and when one of them suggests that s/o is just using Dorian for his body they snap at them and yell out about how much s/o loves Dorian and how he couldn’t care less if Dorian wanted to be with him intimately or not?

It had been a long day aqnd sadly one of those where nothing was really working out. Every enemy you saw managed to get a hit in. The side glances and nasty comments were hitting deeper than usual. And then you had a small fight with Dorian, your lover, over a small, silly thing you now barely remember. So, it was a really shitty day and you just wanted it to be over.

But sadly the day was far from over because your merry group was in a city full of nobles who were already pretty nasty and now they saw a gay couple and had even more to say. But alas: You had a fight with Dorian and now you lost your group...

And then you were surrounded by nobles, males and females, commenting about how wrong you were because of your sexuality, how you were not enough for the group and not a good support for the Inquistior.

Unbeknownst to you, Dorian always followed you, because even after the fight, he wanted to make sure that everything is alright and you were safe. Because he saw that you had a bad day and after all this fighting, he knew how tired and lost you felt. It took just the few sentences to nearly jump in but he hestitated as some of the women commented how you were a bad partner for him, how they were better. They talkes about how hot he looked and Dorian never felt so disgusted by the nobles and they had done a lot aready.

You breaking point though? As one women in a mask said "I would fuck him to for his power, money and body.", with a cheeky grin and a wink. You just exploded, all reational thought leaving you while Dorian ran to your side.

"I am so happy to be not like you because with that attitude of yours you will only get the lowest of the lowest men. I fucking love Dorian and I couldn't care less what you think about him! Because you know what? Yes, he is fucking hot and I am so damn lucky to have him with all his caring and sarcastic sides and even when we fight and he fucking annoys me so much: You all will never stand a chance against him."

And with that you turned away, walking straight into the chest of Dorian, who looked at you agape. Before you could even react, Dorian just kissed you, hot and with such a passion that you were feeling breathless. "You and me in our room.", was all he said against your lips before he pulled you away without sparing a single glance at the nobles.

#dragon age inquistion #dragon age: inquistion x reader #x reader #da:i #dragon age dorian #dragon age dorian x you #dragon age dorian x reader #dai dorian #dorian pavus #dragon age inquisition #dorian x reader #dorian x you #dorian dragon age #gay #gay couple #lgbtq

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mogwaei · 1 year

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just found your account, so in love with people that treat their inquistiors and DA characters with as much love as you do !!! it makes me feel very seen :] im very new to dragon age so i was really unsure at first how INTO it people got LOL so seeing artists like you makes me feel very comfortable and welcome !! (also i saw you have had followers submit their inquisitors before, is that still a thing :O? i didnt know if it was a special occassion or a thing you have open normally :3)

AHHH! HELLO HELLO! Welcome!! :D✨️

People get very into their characters, myself included, and I'm not sure if you know already about fanfic, but lots of DA people write their own stories! I started out writing one and got into art through that (and being extremely obsessed)

And yes - please send asks! Generally I like to hear about non-Inquisitor OCs because I think they get buried beneath all the Inquisitors, but I also think everyone deserves to share their excitement and be heard by someone, so by all means, let's see your lovely Inquisitors as well!

Side note for everyone else: I'd love for OC submissions to be a regular thing, it's so fun seeing the stories that people come up with. So the invitation is open indefinitely!

Thanks so much for reaching out @mochiflxwer, it means the world :'3

I hope you have a lovely day/night 💚🌻

#SO SWEET AHGGHGH #thank you again!#mogwaei.txts

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qutibahalfarouqitheclonetrooper · 1 year

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Gold Squad and Adventure of White Vortex Characters Photos Part 3

Main Antagonist

Apep/Apophis temporary host's

(Commander Cody, Asajj Ventress, Crosshair, Trilla Suduri/Second Sister, Grand Inquistior, Arc Trooper Jesse & Captain Weaver)

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commander-krios · 2 years

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[ HAIR ]: sender slowly reaches out to catch a loose strand of the receiver’s hair and tuck it gently and securely back behind their ear, letting their touch linger afterwards. (if the receiver has short hair, then the sender reaches out and gently runs their fingers through their hair to smooth it back.)

Here ya go! Part 2 of a 2 part fic. Part 1 is here. Used some Jonas/Keshani in the background of this fic, but I might do a follow up later about what happens a few days later between them, once they've both stopped being shaken over the events of the fic. Enjoy!

~~~~

“I can’t believe you just let her go.”

“I didn’t let her do anything.” Jonas snapped, crossing his arms over his chest as the Rattataki woman stood toe to toe with him. Kaliyo may be a full foot shorter than him, but she was capable of a lot of violence and he didn’t have any intention of being on the receiving end of it. “If you knew Keshani as well as you say you do, you know that arguing with her has no effect anyway.”

“She can’t argue if she’s unconscious.”

Derrick stared daggers at the mercenary, not finding any of this as amusing as she seemed to. “Considering Keshani is probably getting tortured at the moment, forgive me for not laughing.”

“Calm down, spook. She owes me credits. I’m not going to let her die.”

“Charming.” He muttered, moving to the window of the warehouse where they’d set up reconnaissance. The Sith knew they were there, Jonas figured she could sense the Alliance Commander’s anger in the Force, but she hadn’t done anything but fortify her base of operations. The entire building was swarming with Imperial guards now.

“Is there anything else we can do besides standing here?” Arcann asked, standing near the same window as Derrick.

Having Arcann this close made Jonas’ skin crawl. He swore it was because the former Eternal Emperor was responsible for killing so many of his friends during the Eternal Empire’s war against the Republic. He refused to consider the other option. The one that involved Keshani.

“I vote for explosives.” Kaliyo said with a savage grin. He had no idea what the former Imperial Agent saw in the Rattataki, but he could admit that she was perfect if they needed a distraction.

“We need to be careful with how we approach this. Keshani could get caught in the crossfire.” Lana explained as gently as she could, not even bothering to glance up from her datapad. “Theron agrees with the assessment.”

Jonas rolled his eyes. Theron, of course, had been busy on another assignment. What he wouldn’t give to have his best friend here besides the Sith. Although, her powers could come in handy.

“It doesn’t matter what Theron thinks, he isn’t here.” The Alliance Commander was the tallest person in the room, a hulking mass of a Sith, a warrior with no equal. Or so the rumors said. Jonas hadn’t seen him in action before, but just by looking at him, he believed them. Kieran Zythor was well over 6’5, long blonde hair brushing his shoulders, piercing green eyes that matched his twin’s. Three diagonal scars ran along the left side of his face. Cybernetics covered the other side. If that wasn’t enough to give a person pause, the terrifying calm he radiated would.

“Then what do you propose we do?” Arcann asked, the only person in the room besides Lana who could look the Commander in the eye and not flinch. “The more time we waste, the more likely we are to rescue a body.”

Jonas winced at that, unable to imagine Keshani dead at the hands of a vengeful Sith. To have all of these people gathered together to save her, to risk their own lives to make sure hers didn’t end, said a lot about the kind of person she was.

“Who’s the Zabrak?” Kaliyo asked, sitting on a rickety chair and throwing her feet up on the only table in the room. “I don’t recognize her from the Cipher days.”

Lana typed something into the datapad. “Lord Kallig. Birth name unknown. She was once a slave on Dromund Kaas until she was found to have an affinity for the Force. She apprenticed under Darth Nox.”

That name was familiar… and a terrible thought entered his head.

“Is… Is she doing this under Nox’s orders?”

The Commander bared his teeth in a vicious growl. “If she is, I’m going to rip Nox’s head from her body.”

“Kieran- perhaps threatening to murder the Empress of the Sith isn’t the best course of action.” Lana warned him gently.

“I’m not threatening the Empress. I’m threatening my sister. And I’ll damned well do what I want.” He hit the table in front of him so hard that it shook. Kaliyo immediately returned her feet to the floor, a look of alarm crossing her face.

“Whoa, big guy. We won’t let anything happen to her.” She said, in a way that could’ve been considered comforting if it was anyone but her.

“Don’t patronize me, Rattataki.”

Kaliyo rolled her eyes, but didn’t respond. Probably smart on her part.

“Listen, we don’t know what we’re walking into. Lord Kallig is a powerful assassin and a sorceress, much like the Empress.” Lana explained, her voice calm in the midst of turmoil. Jonas was positive that without Lana’s presence, the warehouse they stood in would’ve been in flames.

“We need a plan that doesn’t involve getting any of ourselves killed in the process. We are useless if we’re dead.” Derrick interjected, a permanent scowl on his face. He hadn’t been pleasant since Keshani had disappeared with that Zabrak. Not that Jonas could say he’d been either.

“Yes.” Lana agreed, finally setting her datapad down to look at those gathered. “I think a good place to start would be with Kaliyo and her explosives.”

The Rattataki perked right up at those words. “Yeah? Speak to me, oh Sithy one.”

Lana’s lips twitched with a shadow of a smile, but she managed to keep it at bay. “Let’s discuss options.”

~~~~

Her eyes opened to darkness.

Keshani wasn’t sure of how much time had passed since she’d surrendered herself to Lord Kallig, but by the ache in her arms and back, it had been hours at least. The chair she was secured to was uncomfortable, the cuffs rubbing the skin of her wrists raw. A dull throbbing in her head made her hiss in the silence. The Sith hadn’t been kind even though she came willingly.

Her head fell back against the chair, a groan slipping past her lips. She was most likely concussed and if that was true, she was going to have an awful time trying to escape.

“Good. You’re awake.”

The lights of the cell flickered on, blinding her. Keshani shut her eyes, trying to keep her breathing even and steady, trying to keep her anxiety from overwhelming her.

“Was this necessary?” She managed to ask, her eyes opening to slits so that she could watch the Zabrak Sith without worrying about getting a lightsaber in the gut.

The Zabrak shrugged, a grin curling her lips. “I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic.”

Keshani would have laughed if she wasn’t in pain. With all of the years she worked with Sith, Lord Kallig had been a whisper in the shadows, one of those Sith that parents told their kids about to get them to do their chores. While Keshani’s older sister was a force to be reckoned with, she’d managed to usurp Vowrawn not long ago, Kallig could be considered an equal in cruelty to the new Empress.

Kallig was more than an enemy. She was a threat to the entire Alliance.

Clearing her throat, Keshani waited briefly as her vision adjusted to the brightness. Then she met the Sith’s crimson eyes. “What things am I here to do for you?”

The smile turned suddenly cruel. “Oh Cipher. You think I brought you here for your help?”

The laugh that followed her question did little to ease her anxiety.

“Oh no, my darling. I have other plans for you.” Reaching out, Kallig scraped a sharp nail against her cheek. “So let’s get started, shall we?”

~~~~

Derrick laid on the ledge beside him, eye pressed to the scope of his rifle, keeping an eye on the guards below. Kieran, Lana, and Arcann were going to clear a path for the rest of them, their Force powers more powerful than any blaster was. The rest of them would follow once the guards were dispatched and then together, they would find the Sith and hopefully, Keshani.

Lana had supplied Kaliyo with a box of grenades and mines. Jonas didn’t want to know where the Sith had acquired them. All he wanted at that moment was to be looking for Keshani. He could only imagine the sorts of torture that she was suffering at the hands of a vicious Sith Lord.

Forcing the image from his mind, Jonas focused on the scene below. Lana and Kieran had sliced through the first set of guards, red and purple lightsabers making it easier to follow their progress. He didn’t see the former Eternal Emperor at first, but when a guard dropped to the ground dead a few feet from where the Sith were, the yellow glow of Arcann’s lightsaber signaled his arrival.

Derrick noticed it as well if his snort was any indication.

Jonas was momentarily distracted by the flash of the Alliance Commander’s weapons, violet and teal creating a beautiful whirlwind of colors in the darkness of the alley. Keshani was right about her brother: he was fiercely protective of her, but he was also one hell of a dramatic Sith.

With a growl, he threw one of his sabers at a guard. The blade sliced a devastating wound into the man’s chest and he dropped to the ground without a sound. Kieran didn’t notice the cloaked figure approaching him from behind, but Derrick did. His rifle cracked loudly, a bolt finding home in the skull of his target.

The Commander’s gaze briefly dropped to the body before finding Derrick above him. The tiniest of smiles curled his lips. He nodded his thanks before turning back to the task at hand.

“Show off,” Jonas muttered, securing a blaster in each hand before moving to the ladder.

Derrick was silent, intent on keeping his focus on the battlefield. It was probably for the best, Jonas didn’t want to get into an argument when they had other pressing concerns. He descended the ladder quickly, his feet finding solid ground only a few seconds later.

The Sith and Arcann had finished clearing out what guards were posted outside the main door. He had to step over a few bodies and scattered body parts before he reached their side. He tried to ignore the sudden disgust that turned his stomach, knowing that these Imperials probably weren’t all just ‘doing their job.’ Many of them enjoyed hurting others. Perhaps this was some sort of justice for crimes they committed.

“Are you going to be alright, Agent Balkar?” Lana’s eerily calm voice broke through his morose thoughts. “You could stay behind if you can’t handle the fight.”

Jonas wanted to scoff, to snap at her, but he managed to hold back those instincts. They wouldn’t serve him here. “I’m not… used to working with Sith. I’ll be fine.”

Lana didn’t appear convinced by the words, but she stayed silent.

“Is the Rattataki ready?” Kieran asked no one in particular, eyes on the door that sat only a few feet away.

To Jonas’ surprise, Arcann was the one to answer. “Yes.”

“Then blow the door. Kallig has a date with my lightsaber.”

~~~~

An explosion rocked the building, the light in her cell flickering wildly before casting the entire room in darkness.

“Oh goodie, our guests are here.”

Kallig sounded entirely too excited about coming face to face with whatever army Kieran had brought with him. No doubt, he’d already wiped out a large portion of her guards and would do anything he had to to bring her back home. And she knew, by his side, would be Jonas and Derrick.

The thought would’ve been relieving if she was in the hands of anyone else but a Sith Lord.

The glow of a purple-black core lightsaber was the only illumination in the room. Kallig held it close enough to her face so that her expression could be seen. Baring her sharp teeth in a grin, the Zabrak pulled Keshani from her chair with only the use of the force. She almost stumbled at the suddenness of it, but managed to stay upright.

“Come, Cipher. Let’s go say hello.”

They didn’t have to walk far from her cell. At the far end of the hallway was her brother and his entourage. Even with her cybernetic enhancements, it was hard to see who was who, but she would recognize the colors of his sabers no matter where they were.

When Kallig was certain he was in earshot, she let out a giggle that sounded completely unhinged. “I was hoping you would get my invitation, m’lord. You certainly are a difficult man to get in contact with.”

“Let her go, Vaka, and perhaps I’ll let you live.” Kieran growled, his lightsabers sparking wildly. His anger was barely in control and Keshani heard the threat in his voice. He would kill Kallig where she stood if she didn’t.

“Tsk, tsk, Kieran. We both know I can’t do that.” The Zabrak’s lightsaber was pointed at Keshani’s throat, the humming filling her ears and the heat scorching the skin. “I was sent here to kill both of you and I intend to honor my contracts.”

Movement behind her brother caught Keshani’s eye. Arcann was there, the glow of his own lightsaber joining Kieran’s. And next to him… was Jonas.

He was trying not to appear afraid, but she could see the way the corners of his eyes tightened, the twist of his lips into a frown, his body tense. Keshani knew he feared for her life, but this wasn’t the first time a Sith had threatened to kill her.

Her twin stepped forward, diverting her attention as he pointed his teal lightsaber at Kallig. “Duel me, coward. If you defeat me, then the Force wills it.”

Vaka’s crimson gaze turned to meet Kieran’s challenge. “Very well. We will see if the Alliance Commander is still as powerful as he thinks he is.”

“When you fall, I’ll send your head back to your Empress.”

A manic laugh escaped from Kallig’s mouth before she lunged. Kieran’s sabers came up defensively, stopping the single lightsaber she carried. With her free hand, she conjured a ball of lightning, but before she could aim it, Kieran spun away, his lightsabers flashing.

Keshani took the opportunity to press herself against the wall, keeping herself as far from the fight as possible. If she wanted to get out of here alive, and get her stubborn brother out alive, she was going to have to be smart. Her back collided with durasteel walls and she shifted closer to the encroaching darkness.

Kieran was focused on the fight, his face twisted as he snarled at Kallig. She ducked as he swung his violet lightsaber, getting an opportunity to unleash some of her chain lightning at him. His teal saber came down and deflected the majority of the attack, but he was still burned by a few bolts.

He used the pain to feed his anger, coming at Kallig without hesitation. She didn’t stand a chance against his brute strength, but the Zabrak was a Sith assassin. She disappeared into the shadows before his strike could connect, her laughter echoing after her. Kieran growled, glancing wildly into the darkness, searching for a hint of her location, anything that would give her away.

Kieran’s cybernetics weren’t the same ones that Keshani had spent years adjusting to her work. His were meant to administer painkillers, to help him heal the worst of his injuries, and to give him stimulants to keep him on his feet during a fight. Keshani’s, however, enhanced her eyesight and hearing. As a sniper, it was a necessity. Imperial Intelligence made sure that their agents had had advantages.

Lightning manifested behind Kieran, a violet and white so bright that it was blinding. He didn’t get his sabers in their defensive positions in time. The lightning hit him square in the chest, scorching the plating of his armor and forcing him back, a sickening crack following as his head smacked against the wall.

Keshani didn’t think.

With her arms still bound, she ran towards where the lightning had originated until her body collided with the shadowy figure of Kallig, both of them sprawling to the floor in a tangle of limbs. The Zabrak roared in anger when her cloaking failed, exposing her to Kieran’s allies.

None of them could get to her side fast enough. Kallig grabbed Keshani by the hair, yanking her backwards until she felt the Sith’s fangs sink into the tender flesh of her shoulder. She could easily rip her throat out from this angle and Keshani froze, her entire body waiting for that death strike.

The humming of Lana and Arcann’s lightsabers filled the silence. Keshani searched for Jonas in the darkness, relieved to find him well, but his expression did little to ease her own fears. Warm blood dripped down her neck, the sharp teeth stinging her with any small movement. If she was going to die, then at least she would be able to see Jonas one last time.

“Release her.”

The voice came from behind Kallig, not from the small group in front of them. And it wasn’t Kieran…but Derrick. Keshani couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. Hope fluttered in her chest for the first time that night.

Kallig removed her teeth enough to speak. “What makes you think you can stop me before I rip her throat out?”

Derrick was silent for a brief moment. Keshani could hear her brother moving a few feet away, but she didn’t dare look in his direction. Maybe Kallig wouldn’t notice him until it was too late.

Derrick let out a snort. “I’m the best shot that the SIS has. No offense, Keshani.”

Gods, she loved that man. She just would never tell him that.

Jonas took a step forward, blaster in hand. “Do you want to test that claim, Sith? Let her go. You’re outnumbered.”

Kallig growled viciously before removing her teeth completely. Then she shoved Keshani to the ground. She landed on her injured shoulder, the pain nearly enough to knock her out, but Jonas was suddenly there, cutting the bindings from her aching wrists. Arcann and Lana were on Kallig before she could think to escape.

When she lifted her eyes to meet Jonas’ concerned gaze, she felt like she could breathe again. She was alive, he was here with her. Kallig would end up in a disrupter collar somewhere on an Alliance base. Reaching out, Jonas brushed a stray piece of her blonde hair behind her ear, his fingertips lingering on her cheek momentarily before he checked her wound.

“What in the nine kriffing hells were you thinking?” He whispered, applying a kolto bandage to the bite marks. “Do you have a death wish?”

“I could ask you the same thing, Mr. ‘Broke Down Speeder’.” Keshani teased, ignoring the sudden lightheadedness she felt. She stopped herself from saying anything else when Derrick appeared at her shoulder.

“What the fucking hell-”

“I already asked her that.” Jonas interrupted sharper than he probably intended, but his jaw was clenched as he watched the Force users deal with the Sith. “The Commander and his crew seem to have everything in hand. Keshani needs medical attention. We need to get her to the safe house.”

Derrick glowered at his friend, but nodded his approval nonetheless. Once she was secured with one arm over each of their shoulders, they began to move in the direction that Jonas had entered the warehouse. Keshani glanced back briefly to see Kallig watching her with those crimson eyes, focused and full of vicious malice.

She knew that this encounter was far from over. Kallig wouldn’t rest until she and Kieran were dead.

However long that would take.

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