As Above, So Below; The Heirophant Falls.

[Baobhan]

'Long may you rest within our hearts and within our souls...
Your strength, now ours forever.'​

... Funerals were never the most favorable of celebrations, though with them came a certain peace within the hearts and minds of the Order, death was not an ending, but a celebration of energy being passed on from one being to the others he had sired. The former Heirophant, the legendary leader who had stood over and watched Eris come to age, training her in the crucible of battle had allowed the star haired child to overcome her brother and to many who thought so, complete the prophesy that surrounded her birth. The man, though he was little more than a shadow on the wall behind Eris, was the closest thing to a father she had ever had, and it burned her up inside that she would not receive any of his strength upon his inevitable fate... In the days leading up to his death, the former Heirophant had said little of his waning health, simply retiring to watch and advise Eris as normal in secret and away from the spotlight while reaching out to turn the wheel and ready a replacement for himself. This process was not overt, so much as covert, vague missions and requests to others to bring potential candidates that the Heirophant had scouted in his brief time amongst the greater galaxy to draw them near.

All timed expertly to coincide with the time of the funeral.​

... The bonfire of the Heirophant on the moon of Zakuul lit up the sky as hundreds of people attended the funeral, though the Order of the Outsiders member-base was growing and expanding, it was still in its infancy in one way or another. Eris after exiting the funeral, her throat dry from giving the grandest speech of her lifetime, looked over the festivities that followed, she could see several people of interest that seemed to be milling around in different shades of mirth, anxiety and confustion. Each of them seemed to take to this bizzare festival in different ways. The Heirophant had two children to different wives, each of them were wrestling in a sandy arena, watched over by a Chaplain of the order, as were all sanctioned contests of personal prowess. They fought to tap into the power of their forefather, igniting his fire within them as it was passed down, feeling their grief and pride in their father translate into strength as they hoped to wield it in full. those who watched, in the burning brazzeres to either side, could almost swear that between the two of them, they could see the outline of the image of their grandfather, laying a hand on each of them. Though his soul had split in two between them, as they fought and grappled, they united it with blood, sweat and tears.

Yet another grand tradition.​

... Moving through the party, she could see Apophe in the distance with some of her Yahm drinking and cheering, relishing the official fighting pits as some of the Yahm would challenge some of the Order's honor guard, Chaplains explaining the slightly more intricate details of the arena as the Yahm, oddly enough, seemed oddly understanding of the concept that the battle was not simply a battle between two people, it was a ritual, it was spiritual, it was far grander than just two men clashing with blades or grinding muscle together. this unity, bought an immediate smile to Eris' face as she spoke under her breath, honoring her old friend and raising her glass to the sky. “See, we have the power to bring them together... you showed me away. Thank you.”

But the old man had a few surprises in store, even after he'd fallen.​

 

[Dune]

They called her, The Free. One among many uplifted from fear and brought into the fold. One could never escape fear though, to be alive is to hold a candle in the wind one sweep from it being extinguished forever. That is why we hold our candles close, for the night is dark and full of terrors. Jisang looks over the pyre of the late Heirophant. She was still new to this organization, but she knew that this figures goal was to be a leader, an adviser and a spine. Stability demands swift ascension and while, this man held high regard for his work in life it seemed, if the whispers were to be believed, that death had come too soon for him to perform that penultimate task.

If there was any disrespect lingering here it stopped at hard eyes and jaded smiles for there was still a bit of tact in this band of rebels, criminals, and barbarians. Jisang wasn't quite sure which category she fit in of that unholy trio, but what aspects she borrowed from each she took in good portion. Moving through the slowly dispersing crowd she grew close to the still burning body. Such wisdom, power, intelligence, all lost to the cosmos. From such strength to nothingness in but a moments spark. Like a star's supernova the human body goes swift leaving only a scream in the new everlasting night. Flickers of a man roll across the assassin in warm waves as she elongates her hand. Fire laps upon her palm lightly as she rolls it just out of reach of the truly hot flames. This moment of connection at its end she withdrew and pressed the palm to her forehead and bowed.

Moving away from the body she kept her head lowered, unknowing if her act had gained any attention. Jisang doubted this very much as the main focus of the evening was the contest between the late Heirophant's children. Strength, brute, physical, and final. It was the measure of a man, but Jisang knew the many sinews of strength and so few of them were muscular. Money, information, leverage, lies, these were the steps to the primary goal of all. Control. Existence was a temporary affliction, but it's symptoms could be treated. Most of all, Chaos.

Oddly enough Jisang's departure from perfect control was due to a desire for chaos, a call of the void at it's finest. It seemed a simple choice really when the control was not at all hers. Here in this place she could be herself, fight her battles, drink to her dead, and not get a second glance. As she preferred this time in the Void Serpents proved to her what she always knew. Discretion is best accidental.

Moving along the fighting pit, Jisang watched the glisten of struggle, the small rivulets of spill blood coming from clenched fists. Alcohol flowed around her bringing forth the cheers and unmitigated cries that polluted this sombre moment with the sacrilege of sport. Nothing in life was meant to be fair, so why sports became a tradition to the many races across the cosmos was unknown to the young woman. Still there was little time to quibble on philosophy as her eyes focused on the techniques.

Heavy focus on savagery, breaking, smashing. No guards, no finesse, no technique could hold against such unsheathed rage. Still a naked blade was just that, and vulnerable in the cold open void for none trust a weapon for it is a tool that can used on all equally. Jisang continued to watch hoping for some form of veracity in wit to match the barbarism of thrashing lips, but alas none came. Sighing the woman turned away and moved to the tapestry still being worked upon.

A man's life upon a single cloth, but such a glorious cloth was this. From when he was a small babe to his growing, his battles, his struggles, his love, and now as the black weave was finished, his death. Jisang took in the sight slowly, for a life is a series of moments and to not take every single one for it's worth was utter foolishness. As an assassin the woman knew a life could end at any moment, but this seemed to not be a well known fact based on the surprise on most of her victims faces. No matter as the tapestry was finished it was prepared to be lifted and borne to some forgotten room to dust. Each bearer held a significance in the man's life and away that life went only to fade now in Jisang's thoughts.

"Such is life," she muttered a hand still slightly burnt held just away from her face, "A hand clasped upon a rope of sand,"

Hollow words from a hollow person. Her mother

 

[Baobhan]

'"I agree"'​

... Eris spoke, moving around from behind the interesting looking foreigner, after wrestling herself away from some of the others who had already approached Eris about filling the opening that had now been officially left vacant in her ranks. While she doubted that Apophe would be the kind of person that would fill the hole herself, as it would be some degree of lowering of her current ranking, she was, to date, one of the only people who Eris trusted enough to be able to speak freely and bluntly with her as an adviser of any kind. Goblet clutched in one hand, the cold hammer forged steel pressed lightly to her lips as she drank the red alcaholic nectar that lay within it. The taste of the wine lingering on her lips and her breath subtly as the scent of a fragrant rose. Eris' eyes not for a moment seemed to focus on the woman beside her, rather standing parallel looking in the same direction, the same distaste for the festivities on her mind, but more out of grief than disapproval. She knew that the boys who were fighting in the arena were not honoring their father, if they were one of them would have won by now due to the tactics they were using being so impractical it bordered on insanity.

The former Heirophant would have had an annurism.​

... Moving her gaze to look at the woman for a moment to assess her reaction she would open her mouth to speak. “They fight with the belief that the spirit of their father has passed down between the both of them. So, they're calling upon the strength of their father between them to push them to greater heights than they had before, but also, within the clash, they make the spirit of their father whole between them... But they're fighting with their grieving hearts, and not with their heads,” She concluded openly “They want to prolong the fight as long as possible...” Eris smiled, wanting to know what the woman beside her would think of the cultural revelation, one of the benefits to being the leader of a small but growing order as they were in the present time, Eris knew most of the faces that were among their ranks. This womans' was not among them.

which begged the question, why was she here?​

... The Palatine immediately assumed that they were either a traveler, or, based on the interactions she had had prior, she was another of the intended suitors for the position of Heirophant. But, there was little point in speculation, until she knew the truth behind the matter.

“So, what brings you to Zakuul?”​

 

[Dune]

Jisang blinked twice before realizing she had been spoken to. Social events were so alien to her. In her previous life she had been to many, but it was always from afar, never speaking. She wasn't allowed to unless spoken to and she never was. Looking to the person questioning, the young woman recognized her immediately and already felt more at ease. Even among those colleagues she despised, she always preferred a familiar face to the unknown. Not that she hated Eris, in truth she held a high respect for the woman though she wouldn't gush.

"I'm glad you do Eris-err Lady Morgana?" she replied unsure of the protocol. Where was a damn droid when you needed one.

As it was a small rolling droid moved through right at this moment, but the only protocol it knew was not to bump into the guests and always offer them drinks, which Jisang took gladly. Taking a sip of the sweet liquid, the woman's mind briefly turned to the funerals she attended while young. They were a particularly high number and she remembered due to her peoples belief that suffering was respectful to the dead. Every meal was gruel and every smile came with a smack. It was a time to envy the dead. Perhaps that was the point.

When Jisang heard the tactful explanation of the 'fight' before her that had devolved into little more than a slapfest, the young woman nearly tittered when she realized the well hidden meaning behind the inflection of her words. Cutting to the heart of it as any good killer does, the young woman gave a small laugh and simply stated,

"How foolish."

Whether in their bed or upon the battlefield you never give an opponent a chance. Whether to disable or kill you take every opportunity to its fullest extend. No mercy, no hope, relentless and dogged as death itself. This play fighting was the fleshy bickering of sad children and how hopeless it was that these two were candidates for such a prestigious position as this.

A rather pedestrian question escaped Eris' lips at that moment and it left Jisang's interest piqued but she kept her demurred facade as she recalled precisely why she was here,

"I received a message after an assignment on the Outer Rim," Jisang hated that phrase as it gave too much importance to those nobodies in the Republic, such good they and the Sith had done for the galaxy in their fruitless wars, how casual their suffering and they had the audacity to pretend they had some central importance.

Turning from that mute point, Jisang realized a small frown had formed on her face and quickly dismissed it as she spoke further,

"They were cloaked and used a voice modulator, I found it odd, but the message seemed genuine enough. 'Return to the kindled flames,' cryptic to the outsider, but obvious to the Serpents."

Zakuul's people had a penchant for fire. It banished the spirits of fear from the darkest jungle and deepest bog. It was what separated men from the beast. Allowing us to be better and worse almost simultaneously. Here Jisang was to kindle the flames of her newfound people. She expected many of the other operators to have been recalled as well, though she recognized few here and could not tell. Still the curious inquiry of Eris led her to believe that wasn't the case,

"What are your thoughts?" she said plainly. Despite her deceptive nature in battle Jisang had little tolerance for social intrigue. If something was to that message, she wished to know.

 

[Baobhan]

'Oh to live in interesting times...'​

... Eris would let out a hum, and a nod, she felt like she could feel the soul of Jisang, she seemed to be cold, pragmatic, but also on some level inquisitive, or else she would not have come here. Eris was the kind of person who was fascinated by those who had lived much of their lives in the greater galaxy, compared to her and the core members of the order who had seen nothing beyond the Zakuulian system that they had called home for thousands of years. But as the fight finally came to a close people clapped and cheered as more notable fighters came into play. The last Heirophant had no students to speak of other than the Star haired Eris who had taken the mantle of Palatine. He was old, but he was experienced, it was true. Eris had grown up with the man ever since she was a child... he was closer to a parent than that of her own blood. But such were the way of things. When she heard the girls' comment, Eris would interject.

“I would not call them foolish, merely mourning, I understand their grief, and it has clouded their senses. They're young, and they have great boots to fill, but, alas, while they're great fighters, each of them worthy for high positions in the honor guard or chaplaincy... neither of them has what it takes to fill their fathers' role as Heirophant. ” she spoke almost sadly.

The gravity of her role appearing visible for but a moment.​

... Eris would then ask her question about her presence, and from that moment, she would listen with some curiosity at the message that had been sent, the message, although it seemed odd, was one that she recalled some time ago. It was while they were fighting in the civil war, it was her and her master, she would have been no older than nineteen. They had been fighting for hours on the front-lines as a Ssi-Ruuki force had made their way around the back to flank them, single handedly the powerful raptoids annihilated their forward command center, leaving the front-lines blind. the enemy force rallied, but her master, in one of the few times where he took direct control, rather than an advisary role in her training. Assumed command of the men around them, routing all of their communication to him as he would sit back and command the defensive force on his own, using the zeal of their emboldened enemy to lure them into a devastating trap.

One the battle was over, they returned to see what had become of the command post, blood lay everywhere, it was at the suggestion of the Heirophant that the bodies were to be burned to stave off disease and send their essence back to the cosmos. As they burned, he spoke those very words in his prayer, ''So return, to the kindled flames from which you were spawned and burn still eternally, as nothing ends, everything is remembered."

It was in that moment, that everything was confirmed.
Tears even began to form as she would tell the girl that very story.​

“All these years, and he's still a dozen steps ahead. The Old fool.” Eris would wipe her tears away before they could begin to form or roll down her face. Her eyes now beginning to focus on the woman that the Heirophant had led here, it was no coincidence that this happened the way that it did, her old teacher was wise and cunning, far more so than anyone else he had ever met, and if he had seen it appropriate to bring this woman here upon the time of his death. Eris supposed there could only be one translation to the intent of the action.

She was his intended replacement​

... The palatine gave out a chuckle... “So... Seeing as you were bought here without something as black or white as informed consent... I guess it is only right to ask you. Would you like to take on his title, and all it represents? If he deemed you suitable, I have always trusted his guidance.”

[ooc: sorry about the wait]

 

[Dune]

ooc: Not a problem

Jisang listened to the woman's observation as it countered her own. Even in disagreement one can learn much from someone full words and inflection. What is battle if not a martial disagreement and to not notice the subtle tipping of blades can be quite fatal then. As she spoke about her reasoning there was a curiosity about this Eris, she seemed quite interested in Jisang which was more than a little off putting. When one does their work from the shadows or in a mask, notice can be a strange thing.

Tears. Jisang blinked as she noted the twinkling upon this woman's face. Reverie with such power as to stir the soul. She once sought that with her music in the courts of her old life, but she was different now. Not the universe or her family or anything truly, just her. This moment of vulnerability was swept away with a single wipe of her eyes and there was a kindled determination remaining. A spark lit and as the flames rose, Jisang again felt her hand encroaching.

As the words were spoken, the assassin's mouth curled into a strange shape. Not a smile nor a frown nor anything resembling the usual curvatures. It was mixed emotion spread plainly and heavily across her as uncertainty mounted. Heirophant. That thought echoed through the halls of her mind a dirge against her previous legacy. Ancestors lined the shadowed halls and glared across at her, but her eyes did not meet theirs. A secret shame, but one that could not be reduced nor removed. Only endured.

Jisang noted that Eris seemed to suggest the old Heirophant, one she may soon refer to as her predecessor, as someone who would have suggested her. For a brevity the young woman had to wonder not only what had this man seen in her, but when he might have seen it. Looking about still silent to the question looming before her, the woman at last looked upon the tapestry just as it was being closed and borne away.

Those eyes

It was so obvious now. How the jokes of the universe are born and cackle for an age or more. Of course this man didn't know her. He knew her mother. Shaking her head, Jisang muttered, "Why must it always be her," before sighing and looking across all the gathered people. Free, Unchained, Yahm, three broken peoples made whole and stronger for it. Jisang came here to be apart, but now she had a chance to be a part of something again.

"That is a lot to consider," Jisang at last said, a small laugh escaping in response to the absurdity of this moment, "I'd never known the man so I can't trust him as you do, but I know you...if you interpret this message as some kind of blessing..."

At that moment Jisang looked over to the siblings still fighting and her eyes narrowed. Her head lowered as she considered yet another yoke, a burden like the one she had just escaped. She was not afraid of duty, she had done it all her life, but was there truly nothing else for Jisang?

"What would this honor entail?" the assassin queried, trying to buy just a little more time and breathing room from this choice, like a knife, thrust upon her.

 

[Baobhan]

'Intrigue, the precursor to acceptance. '​

... As Jisang spoke strange words about a woman, Eris would commit the comment to memory, but otherwise discard the comment, her words were muttered, hard to hear behind the mask, but the syllables, sounds and context gave Eris the general gist of the message that was conveyed. The sharper 's' tones far more recognizable than otherwise. It was what followed which piqued the Palatines' interest all the more, the fact that she seemed to be entertaining the thought was all the better, but she was right to question the nature of the job, as much as Eris thought that the title would almost be perfect for an assassins life-style... more than she had initially expected. But it seemed that Jisang was finally beginning to understand the scope of the man that had bought her here, she may not have known him, but he very likely knew her, moving around her, his reach like a shadow collecting information on her mannerisms, skills and no doubt, to a lesser extent, personality. Never from a position where he would be able to be caught, but no-one had zero ties, especially someone who belonged to the Void Serpents.

“You may not have known him, but I'm sure he knew you, in one form or another... Or, who knows...
Maybe it was just a hunch. Feeling and instinct can be just as important as hard data.”​

... Eris would wait a moment before continuing, she didn't want to rush the conversation, she was also a part of the celebration after all. People were moving past her, placing a hand on her shoulder to show some degree of solidarity. Which was fine. Eris would smile and nod to those people as they came past, raising her glass to them in honor as she would take a sip with them each time. With the sheer volume of sips that she had taken, it was astounding that she was still on her feet. Luckily for her, the culture of the Void Serpents had gotten her used to drinking quickly... In comparison, this was a paced exercise.

“The job is likely perfect for you, though, there is an amount of acculturation that would have to take place, learning our ways, our customs, but such is what you would do for any masque you would wear, i'm sure. To be a Heirophant, is to have absolute power, but also none. The Heirophant whispers in the ear of the Palatine, the most trusted of advisers... he or she is expected to be exceptionally intelligent, with knowledge of the world, people, names, a master of tactics, combat and strategy. But they hold no formal power within the order, such was a check to ensure no Palatine was usurped by their Heirophant. However, it is the duty of the Heirophant to gather, groom and train Apostles, people who exhibit genetic traits pertaining to the Palatines bloodline. These students are the next prospected palatine... widely considered the most elite of the order, and the orders' future. They must be better so to lead and demand respect, while their identities remain hidden to ensure no early support. In many ways, on paper, they sound like assassins. But they have to be more... they have to be leaders with our culture enshrined within them. But now, also that of the outside world... ”

She said with a final statement lingering, waiting to be said.​

“But you train them knowing only one can lead... ” Eris' would turn to look at Jisang, a stoic look with a grim visage which would carry the intent that traditionally, of all those chosen to be prospective Palatine, only one survived the trials. The others, as they were part of the Palatines' bloodline, their deaths would allow their energy to be absorbed by those who still lived, making them greater, hopefully pushing them further than the palatine before them. The task of the Heirophant was long, but it was rewarding.

“You would have absolute freedom, to do as you will with those under you, and you would be widely respected within the culture. You'd interract with others as little or as much as you deem necessary. But I will call upon you often... so long as you were in contact with me, and perform this one, unbelievably quintessential duty, you would be your own agent... and one of the most powerful people in the order, if not the Void Serpents. ” Eris would finish raising her glass to Jisang and drinking, as if stating the ending of her small speech. The beauty of the Heirophant, is that they were often left to their own devices, their method of practice varied wildly historically from person to person. Eris' own teacher, abducted her from Zakuul, plunging her into the middle of a civil war, making her work through the ranks of the armed force there and learning combat, tactics, and leadership within the midst of hellish combat. While the one prior, had been like a tutor, within the walls of temples teaching from books and inviting experts from around the globed to train the Apostle she later bested.

A trial by profaned flame.​

 

[Dune]

Jisang allowed the explanation to wash over her in waves. Once a daughter bearing a cross now she was a sister and part of something greater still. Why did destiny seem to find her fleeing. Perhaps she simply had to turn around, go back, give in. Shaking her head as the words continued to flow, Jisang met Eris' gaze and gritted her teeth a smile forming.

People ambled around them, many drunk beyond reason as others found reason to drink. Thinking to herself the assassin mulled over what hunch this man would have had about her that he wouldn't have had about a thousand more capable killers. It had to be here doing. Still why would her mother want her to be Heirophant, more importantly how had she even known she was still alive.

Jisang nodded at the learning aspect. All an assassin did was learn, unlike others they did not learn from their mistakes as they were afforded none. As the explanation of the unusual power situation, Jisang couldn't help but titter. Power was a myth, all that mattered were the whispers a man obeyed. They might come from their heart, their passion, their fear, but they did not come from power. Power is a story we tell ourselves at night and the night is eternal.

As for the gathering of the apostles. Jisang nodded as something clicked, as a curator I am curated. It was so obvious now, with such power as to select her successor should we find willing disciples, but also those pushing people upon her. Many knew in the shadows that the Serpents were rising and those clever wished to rise with them. As the assassin heard that final snippet about only one surviving she shook her head,

"More of this is familiar to me than I find comfortable," with a smile that offered no explanation she said simply, "Please continue."

As Eris finished speaking Jisang felt the weight of many upon her shoulders. Freedom came at such a high and unsightly price after all. Still deals like this did not come often. So the puppet masters wished to pull their strings, setting forth a path for her to follow to a certain doom. Jisang wouldn't care, she would carve her own path and when the strings were pulled, they would know they never held the power they had so much faith in. For power is a lie and the only choice one haves is to live.

"I am honored surely," she began wondering how much this honor may cost her, "With the weight of so many upon my shoulders, I feel I must accept."

Jisang looked across the party noting the many flames and remembered a snippet of something once said to her each night,

"Every flame is destined to die in the end, that is the cost of burning," Jisang turned to Eris and smiled, "I shall light the fires for you, Milady."

Producing her vibrosword swiftly the young woman allowed its tip to crack into the stony earth by her feet as she came to a knee. She was not aware of the customs here, but this was what she was always taught to do when great honors were bestowed upon them. Her head down though feeling the curious stares of many, she awaited the next action of Eris.

 

[Baobhan]

'The most humbled of smiles crossed the palatines lips'​

... Eris, unsure of whether to be honored herself, or embarrassed at the show of appreciation, concluded that this was something that Jisang felt that she had to do, so she would not correct her, in a matter of fact however, the Heirophant, was not a station which allowed you to bow to anyone. To such an extent that, without Jisang herself renouncing the title, or willingly refusing her few duties, Eris could not remove the title at all, so much as simply attempt to appoint a new one... but even that act, Jisang could contest in combat within the Great Arena should she wish. Jisang, never needed to bow to another man or woman ever again. Whether she did or not, would be entirely up to her own choices, of this fact, Eris was most certain.

Any chains Jisang was shackled of from this moment, were self made.​

... Placing a hand on Jisang's shoulder, Eris would beckon the girl to stand, as she did so, she would have one hand resting upon each of her shoulders. There needed to be no proclamation of the new Heirophant to the people, she would soon be known among them as one of their own, as the Order was still small, but growing. Loosening her lips, Eris would speak kindly, but in short, like an old friend; “Well now, Jisang... welcome to the Order of the Outsider, I hope that you will be all that I envision you to be. But a few words of advice, as Heirophant, it's your place to criticize action that you feel betrays me or our people. In many ways, you're their voice and interests, because as your title suggests, you hold the future in your hands. Do not shy from my anger, never feel you must still your tongue. You are my equal, our teacher, your position demands respect and admiration. Never let myself or any other lessen you. Sister.”

Eris concluded, her eyes like stone gems penetrating the night and reflecting the fires around them.

And so it was a star was born.​

 

[Dune]

So fall assassin, so rise Heirophant.

Jisang felt the hand upon her shoulder and shook lightly as she rose. Eyes were upon her now, even in the shadows she would be watched. By allies, admirers, enemies, their stares would bore into her and delve into the deep recesses of her mind. For a moment the young woman wanted to take it all back. Too late now. Jisang noted a tonal shift in Eris, an unspoken agreement, a new made bond. No longer was Jisang to bow, to anyone. Once a part of the Free she now was truly so.

All the advice fell over Jisang like heavy water, cold and swift. It woke her, shocked her senses, brought her into the light of a new day. Fires blazed all around as the assassin was at last led from the cave and shown the truth of the shadow puppets. Staring back into the hard eyes, Jisang felt her own eyes harden in response. She had always been cold and calculating, but always a servant to whatever whim or lord she found. Now she must change. She must be the pressure upon these people and upon this woman. It will be hard and not always will she be beloved or appreciated. But it was a necessary thing and that in itself was good.

With a nod, noting the short ceremony was already complete, Jisang moved away from the torches and said simply,

"Then my work is begun,"

Deep into the darkness of the night, Jisang brought no torch to guide her. Fire makes us forget the night, the power in the darkness, the fear primal. Jisang must be the reminder. I have much to remember myself. She thought as she moved into the deeper dark, but for now she simply had to think and to plan.

Just like her...