[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Ishara knelt near the fire in the center of Varia’s sanctuary…

“You summoned me Shadow Priestess?” Ishara asked in a low voice.

“They are coming.”

“They?”

“Yes, the others who I told you about. They are coming to follow you because the time has come.”

Ishara was growing confused. “The time for what?”

Varia sighed. “The time has come for you to return to the Temple of the Nightsisters. You and your companions are ready, as early as things may seem to you.”

Ishara’s eyes winced. “If we return now, we will be killed. I am also not ready to confront Selene in a challenge for leadership.” Ishara laughed, “I’m still a Learner!”

Varia hissed as she waived her arm at Ishara after she made her comment. “You have more allies than you realize My Sister. The Shadow Priestess Surpanakha and I have been in constant communication for quite some time. She knew who you were the moment she first sensed your presence and has been responsible for setting the wheels in motion for you to take leadership of the Nightsisters. She and I can finish your training, even if you are the Matriarch.”

Varia pointed outside. “Soon the others will arrive led by the Lexian Saladin. He commands an army of Lexians who have been in hiding until the Chosen One comes to lead them to a new age. You, as you have come to learn, are that one.

The Nightsister have hidden on this world and enjoyed being worshipped by the people here. They do not realize what the stars have to offer. You, Ishara, have been out there and know what the benefits of spreading out among the galaxy could provide. You will bring that to the Nightsisters and send them out like a swarm of wasps bringing their venomous stings wherever they go.

You will lead your…”

Ishara interrupted and whispered as if she knew what to say. “…Legio Domina.”

Varia grinned. “Yes, your Legio Domina. A Gauntlet is to take place and your arrival will not be expected as Selene will take more interest in humiliating those in the arena. Surpanakha has secretly sent word to the villages. All the Lexians will stand at your side until death.”

Allysha ran into the sanctuary. “Forgive me but…”

Ishara interrupted as she rose to her feet. “An army of Lexians is arriving led by a Lexian male.”

Allysha was confused. “Yes My Sister, you are correct.”

Ishara walked passed Allysha and stepped outside where Saladin stood. He knelt down before Ishara as his ancient Lexian armor rubbed together. “I am Saladin. I am yours to command.”

“As are we all” Varia added.

For the first time Ishara had clarity of thought. It felt as though the very essence of what and who she was to become had entered her very soul.

“When is the Gauntlet to take place Varia?”

“Tomorrow, My Sister.”

Ishara nodded...

“We leave at first light.”[/FONT]

Allysha could not sleep. Perhaps it was the thought of all the Lexians outside or perhaps it was the fact they were led by this Saladin. Whatever the reason, Allysha decided to go for an evening walk.

As she walked among the Lexians, they gave her the same respect the villagers near the temple did. They would bow their heads to her as she passed by. This was different since there were numerous male warriors among them. They also seemed educated more so than what she was used to and they didn't act as if they were simple natives to the planet. Instead, they seemed as if they were holding on to what they once were so many ages ago, reliving customs and wearing age old armor passed down through the generations.

Allysha was surprised to see Talia also walking at such a late hour. The same look of curiosity Allysha had seemed shared with Talia. Talia bowed, "They are so different than the Lexians we have come to know, are they not my Sister?" "Very different." Allysha replied.

The two of them continued to walk in silence together. Each knew tomorrow would prove to be a turning point for both them and the rest of the Nightsisters. Each also had a new found confidence that they would succeed, something they might have questioned when they first left the temple.

Ishara did seem to be the answer to the Nightsisters new future. There was so much more than remaining hidden on Lexia. Allysha could taste the endless possibilities and wanted to grasp them in her hands and squeeze the very life out of it. As she looked up at the stars, she could only imagine what the universe would think when the Nightsisters made themselves know to them.

It was late evening as Krista returned to her quarters in the temple. She had been paying close attention to the visitors from the Sith Order since their arrival and the unordinary interest Lexus had been taking in them. Krista was not sure if it was idle curiosity on Lexus’ part or if she had other motives behind it.

As she walked out onto her terrace, Krista stared in the distance at the waving trees. She was preparing for her evening meditation when she was interrupted. A voice in her mind had one thing to say.

“Tomorrow.”

It was Ishara’s voice. It seemed her return was going to be much sooner than she had expected. It would be the day of the Gauntlet.

"There's not much time to alert the others" Krista said to herself.

(OOC: Events of the Gauntlet have taken place in Strange Visitors From Another Planet)


[FONT=Palatino Linotype]It was time to act…

Lexus threw herself toward Xara and swung her lightsaber up to block the downward thrust of her swing. As the two blades struck, they cracked and Lexus struggled as she felt the strength of Selene’s power being channeled through Xara.

Xara then grabbed Lexus’ throat in a grip that most droids could not maintain. Lexus was losing air and began choking. She managed to keep what force she could against Xara’s blade to keep it from slashing through her body.

Lexus dropped to one knee…

Suddenly, Xara’s grip loosened and it seemed as if Selene had begun to release her control over her. Lexus fell back and leveraged her body to be able to throw Xara over her and send her to the ground.

Lexus jumped to her feet as she gasped for air. She looked up and noticed Selene’s attention did move away from what was happening in the arena.

Lexus then sensed it too…

Thousands upon thousands of souls could be felt arriving in the distance. Then she felt others from the surrounding villages suddenly coming to the support of them.

She then felt the presence of Ishara.

Lexus grabbed Kayla’s arm and lifted her to her feet. “We need to leave… now!” She then led Kayla to one of the cave exits while above, Selene was attempting to rally support to fight her opposition.

Lexus then froze. “Something is wrong. Not everyone is obeying the Matriarch.”

“What? Your followers?” Kayla asked.

“No… Ishara’s. Keep moving.”[/FONT]