#Baron Valisk

[littlepinkneko]

No More.

//This is just part one cause I am still working on how I am going to proceed with part 2. Cause WARNING, it is going to be NSFW. so here you go.//

Weeks had gone by ever so slowly ever since the change of season had begun. The leaves of the trees turning to the colors of liquid golds, bright oranges and scarlet reds. Many of the trees were barren and with that the young whelps were enjoying themselves in the leaves. Piling them up into large mounds to jump into and practice their 'surprise attacks' on any Eliksni that passed by the pile. Even a few of the Dregs had begun to join in on the fun and began adding more leaves, to the whelp's pleasure.

That was another thing that came with the changing of the seasons, attacks and raiding parties from enemies had been slim. The weather had that effect on the Cabal since they really didn't seem to like the cold that much and stayed near their Base for warmth. That just left him and his crew more opportunities to go and gather Ether a little more peacefully and with haste. There were still Guardians after all.

Valisk had the upper hand though when a Guardian was approaching any Ether resupply location and it was all thanks to Nia pulling a few of The Spider's strings to get what was needed from the Mod Leader. The Warlock had traded some old Golden Age treasures she hold of in exchange of the armor of the mobster's goons wore.

They were incredibly ridiculous but it had worked with barely no trouble at all.

"Lost in thought again Valisk?" a voice spoke with amusement. Turning his head the Baron couldn't help but purr as Nia approached up beside him. Ever since the Red Legion had made a surprise attack and basically destroyed her home the Warlock and his nephews had made themselves at home on his Ketch. It was a silent blessing that the female caved in and decided to alliance herself with the House of Dusk.

Things had never been better.

"You always seem to catch me when I am et-sha." he chuckled reaching and taking her right hand in his.  How could someone so small and fragile could be so powerful? Indeed she was one of the chosen of the Great Machine, but the female had more abilities that were strictly forbidden for her class. Of course Nia was always the rebellious and did what she pleased.

She was her own Kell and not even Valisk the Selfless could not even stop this Guardian.

"Why must you always flatter me Valisk, you don't need to say such things." Nia sighed with some annoyance giving the Baron a small frown. Valisk's eyes gleamed with amusement at the woman's annoyance and knelt to her height to brush away a few strands of hair from her face. An eye as green as emeralds and the other as white as the moon looked at him with no hint of hostility but they were filled with  so much exhaustion from her weeks in The Dreaming City.

"I only speak the truth Nia, when you will ever accept that?" he huffed carefully brushing his thumb over her left eye. It was an ugly scar that made her permanently blind but to him, it was quite admiring. Why he was attracted to any scars she bore the Baron really did not know. So far he had only seen the one upon her face.

He wanted to find more.

"Et-sha, Nia, I know you are aware of my intentions for you. Why do not accept me as a mate? Is it-" "No Valisk it is not because of our difference in species." Nia cut him off quickly placing her hands on each side of his head. The annoyed demeanor was replaced with sadness and something guarded.  Humans always made such odd facial expressions but it was the best way for his kind to understand their emotions. Valisk was still learning but they were very tedious and always angered him.

"Then why?! Why will you not let me court you?" he snarled in anger gripping on to her wrists and pulled her so close to his face that she could smell the scent of the earth and rain on her skin. Nia did not flinch, she did fight her Baron nor did she strike him down.  But instead spoke softly enough for Valisk's ears alone.

"Death follows me for every step I take my dear Baron, I fear it will take you as it has to my once beloved Husband. That is why I cannot be yours."

Everything went to silence as the Baron processed Nia's words, he knew of her to be fearless, facing any dangers that the House faced and whatever danger threatened his nephews. But for her to have this fear of him to die? Sentimental and something that someone of her stature to not fear so much. Breaking the silence by snatching the Warlock up in his upper arms the female let out a yelp of surprise. Holding her body to close to his chest and quickly walking towards his Ketch Valisk was going to ease her of this fear once and for all.

[littlepinkneko]

Surprise

It had been a few weeks since the incident with the warbeasts coming into the territory. In those weeks Nia had kept watch and threw anyone off the trail of her cavern home. The pups had ever only gone outside under the watch of their protective mother, though Cob had stayed with his mother due to his injuries, it was frustrating for him but the whelp didn’t even dare to argue with his Warlock mother.

Cob had watched his younger and older sibling from the mouth of the cave with envy. Playing in this white stuff, what their mother had said it was called snow, while he just sat and watched in pure boredom. Picking up any sticks and stripping the bark or helping his mother grind up herbs or prep up the Servitor to go collect ether for himself and brother’s growth.

But every month they would have visitors from other’s just like them.

The House of Dusk Eliksni would either come alone, in pairs or in a large group. They would either come to do trades with their mother, have a few shrapnel cannons repaired or collecting healing herbs for their wounded. But every time anyone from the House visited the boys made sure to ask questions or learn a few things from the Dregs.

On this visit it was only Valisk that had came to visit. One of the Baron’s and the first ever to come into the cavern, why he came alone and not with a entourage of Vandal guard’s the boys didn’t know.

“Warlock Nia you are looking well.” Valisk spoke taking a seat among a pile of pillows and blankets. Nia had taken a seat right across from the Baron with a bored expression on her face. The Warlock had just returned from doing a daily patrol when her son’s informed her of the Baron.

Atleast he had manners to wait by the mouth of the cave.

“As you as well Baron..tell me what brings you here, and so close to sunset. It is unlike for someone as high of rank to be out alone.” Nia spoke calmly leaning against her own pile of pillows. Gil had climbed up into her lab and made himself comfortable, Juh and Cob had nuzzled up on each side to join in the conversation that was going to happen. Valisk only had tilted his head at the whelps before turning his attention back to Nia.

“Should the whelps even-”

“My son’s are allowed in this Baron..Whatever concern’s you have my son’s will listen.” she grumbled pulling her son’s close. If this conversation was going to be any threat to them Nia would not hesitate to ‘escort’ the Baron out. The a low grumble Valisk gave up and turned his attention to a small bag that was attached to his belt. Untying the the string and set the bag in between the Warlock and himself the Baron spoke.

“A few of my troops have come across these...things.. that were hiding among our supplies. I came to you in hoping you know what they are.”

The whelp’s interest increased as they fidgeting and stared at the large bag with curiosity in their eyes. Gil, being the smallest and the shyest of the bunch was the first to approach the bag and open it up with caution. The youngest whelp nearly pushed the bag back at the Baron when a small mewling cry came from it.

Three small kittens had climbed out and stared around mewing to each other.

Nia had burst out into a fit of laughter as Gil quickly crawled back into her lap and stared wide eyed at the weird creatures. Valisk seemed amused as well as one of the kittens, a orange fluff ball, followed after the whelp and climbed into Nia’s lap as well and climbing on top of Gil.

“Why Baron these creature’s are considered the most successful predators of this world! Felidae, or cats.” Nia giggled picking up a black kitten and placing it on her shoulder. Scratching underneath its chin and petting the small creature with fondness.

“Though they’re not fully grown just yet, they are very useful of keeping pests away from food sources. Plus they are wonderful company to have.”

Gil had slowly relaxed and began to copy his mother’s actions, petting and nuzzling his head against the orange fluff. The young whelp snickered as it batted at his mandibles and face. Juh reached out and picked up the last of the three kittens, a small calico.

“Mom can we keep them?!” Cob asked eagerly while wiggling his upper claws at the black kitten on her shoulder. All three of her sons seemed very fond of the new arrivals and were already grew attached to the small kittens. Letting out a hum in thought the woman crossed her arms over her chest and thought quietly to herself, eyes scanning over her son’s and the kittens before locking her attention back to Valisk before her.

“If only Valisk has no use of them..” she let the words hang in the air for the Baron to finish.

“I see no use for something this small, you may have them as a gift from the House of Dusk for all that you have done for us Warlock.” Valisk shrugged with indifference about what happened to the creatures.

Nia was nearly pushed back as the Whelp’s cheered in delight, each holding a kitten of their own and scrambling off deeper into the cave to discuss over names for each.

“You truly do care for those whelps don’t you Nia..”

“Of course I do, what ever makes them happy I am happy.”

“You are truly a benevolent Warlock.”

“I try honestly.”

[littlepinkneko]

Memory

It was a unusually warm day in the dead of winter on this day. The sun was out and the snow was ever so slowly melting, though the temperature was still cold enough to make the snow still stick around. Which Nia found on her part unfortunate, the Warlock didn’t much care but the cold bothered her scar on her face.

The pups on the other hand didn’t seem to mind it at all. With Cob’s ankle all healed he was allowed to go out and join his brothers out in the snow. Gil asked if their new pets could play but Nia denied that wish.  They were still a little young and not quite big to be in this cold weather.

Sitting on the inside of the cave the Warlock quietly watched over her children play in the snow. Throwing snowballs at another, rolling in the snow, or digging tunnels or either their own ‘hide outs.’ Ahh to be young and unknowing of the true dangers of the outside world. Nia’s gaze was adverted when Valisk sat along side the woman and stared out and watched the pups as well.

“Good Morning Valisk, did you sleep well?” Nia greeted with a tired smile on her face. The Baron simply nodded, turning his head around a few times to crack his spine. A small grumble and growling to clear his throat Valisk spoke in return at the woman’s question.

“A little rough sleeping on the skins of dead creatures...but yes I did sleep well enough.” he grumbled trying to shake the sleep off his shoulders. The Eliksni had an odd way of doing morning routines, it was similar of watching cats stretch themselves and turn their bodies in the oddest of turns. Valisk was just stretching his arms and legs this way and that but still sat in place. Mandibles chittering as he stretched his jaws and cracked anything back into place. He was just taking his sweet time of trying to get himself to be fully awake.

He was stalling.

“Valisk, is there something you want to talk about?” Nia spoke in a comedic tone. Valisk stopped in mid stretched as if startled that he had been caught in something that might had offended the woman. Lowering his arms and turning his attention to her he cleared his throat, speaking cautiously.

“There is..and it has bothered meet since the very few times we met.” he said with dignity. Straightening his back and resting his upper hands on his knees and the second pair crossed over his lower chest he continued.

“Ever since I heard of you taking in Taliks’s whelp’s after her death, I was to say, angered. Out of all of the House she chose an enemy and not her kind. That day when I came here to take them back with me, I understood why my sister chose you..”

The Baron could remember their first meeting like it was yesterday. The day he came with his troops, armed to the mandibles with weapons and elite captains to go get back his nephews. A few of Talik’s comrades had come along, a few dregs and Vandals, to plead to him that it was his sister’s wish and that he should honor it. But their pleads had fallen on deaf ears.

The cave was surprisingly hard to locate and there were many traps. The traps didn’t kill any of his own but a few had stepped into them and a leg would be snapped in a bear trap. Luckily they didn’t shut to wear a limb had to be cut off. Blinding grenades of their own were also scattered around and trip wires lying in weight in the brush.

Thankfully a few knew how to disarm them and the goal was close at hand.

First the Baron had sent out his Marauders  to traverse into the cave to look at the surroundings. The Elites,Vandals, Dregs and himself stayed behind and waited for their return. All of them waited patiently and quietly listened for any sound from the inside or out.

Valisk was becoming very impatient and was beginning to lose his patience.

Just when he was about to send another order, they all had heard the sound of a young whelp’s cry.

The Baron had wasted no time in rushing in, blades drawn with arc energy dancing up and down the length of the swords. Why did his sister leave her children to something as dangerous as a Warlock!?! They were far worse than those of Hunters are Titans.

Valisk knew of what Warlock’s were capable ofl The Baron knew the Warlocks had captured, dissected, and experimented on for their own gain. It was horrible to even imagine it.

Its what made the Baron charge even faster into the cave.

Entering the belly of the cave the Baron had screamed ready for a big battle. But when he came it he only saw what he had not expected at all.

The Marauders did have the Warlock backed up into a section of the cavern wall. It was a female Warlock as he looked the Guardian over, short brown hair that reached to her shoulders, somewhat of a choppy look as if she had done it herself. The right side of her face covered with a large wound that was still healing. Right eye pure white from being blind, her other eye a green hazel color.

She looked fearsome and used her own body to cover and protect from their intrusion. No weapons in her hands, just herself with a pup in her coat, while the other two stood behind her.

“What do you want House of Dusk!? I have no business to fight with you! Begone!” the Warlock snarled in his tongue and tried to keep the other two pups out of their sight. This Warlock was acting as if these pups were her own, this dangerous female that could take out a Kell with her power, was dedicating herself to a race she was not a part of. This warlock had clearly gone insane, delusional!

But Valisk felt odd when his gaze fell upon her, all of that rage just ceased to disappear. He had oddly felt calm but uneasy about charging in screaming on the top of his lungs. His heart had skipped a beat when her gaze fell upon him and he felt like the very fabric of his being was open to the world to look at.

He was in love.

Valisk had snapped out of his memory when a ball of snow slammed right into his face and sent him falling on his back. The cries of laughter coming from Cob and the panicked screams from Gil and Juh made himself stop from going into attack mode.

“Cob! What did I tell you about doing things like that!” Nia scolded the pup throwing a snowball herself at the pup. It made contact on his stomach but he just laughed and continued to throw snowballs at not only at Valisk, but at his mother as well.

Nia sprung up on her feet and charge at the whelps screaming in a playful manner and joined in their games. Valisk had just remained in place and watched with silent adornment in this odd family.

Something he silently wished to be a part of one day when he gathered up the courage.

[littlepinkneko]

Babysitting

It was a very short notice on both himself and the Warlock’s time. The woman had received a broadcast from the Tower and she really did not much of a choice in the matter. Cob had begun to throw a tantrum at his mother about wanting to come along but Nia denied him his request and said ‘another day’. Gil didn’t say a single word and just silently trailed close to his mother as she prepared for departure. Juh being the eldest sibling tried to calm Cob down to the best of his ability but that only led up to a fight between the two brothers.

That’s when Valisk stepped in and separated them, holding them by the back of their shirts and just letting them dangle out of reach of each other and the floor. It was amusing as they struggled and tried to tear at each other, hissing and spitting but being as old as they were the pups shouldn’t be acting like well..

Whelps.

A loud yell of annoyance from Valisk himself is what made the two brother’s freeze in place and look to the Baron with some fear in their small eyes.

“You two are well old enough to not be acting like pups anymore! You are all well old enough to start training by now! Especially you Cob, your mother is only going to be away for a day or two.” Valisk spoke with stern before setting the brother’s down on the ground. It didn’t really take them a second before the two scattered off to begin trailing off after Nia as well.

That’s one way you get them to straighten up.

“Mama do you really have to go?” Juh whined clinging at the edge of her robe.

“You could just say you didn’t get the message! We know how old Hugo is!” Cob protested pointing a accused claw at the Ghost. Hugo swiveled around so fast that he was a blur. Before the pp could even retort, the ghost shoved its shell against Cob’s face and screamed.

“OLD!?! WHO THE TRAVELER ARE YOU CALLING OLD YOU LITTLE SHRIMP!!?”

Among all of the screaming between Cob and Hugo and Juh trying to get his mother to see reason Gil tugged on his mother’s left sleeve to grab her attention.

“Can Uncle Valisk watch us?” he asked cautiously sending a quick look at the Baron. Before the young pup could say anything both Cob and Juh cried out and protest and shot deadly glares at their smallest sibling, Gil just clamped his mouth shut and tried to hide behind Nia.

The Warlock had just had enough with the screaming and quickly shoved Hugo into her pocket and slapped each hand over Juh and Cob’s mouths.

“THAT will be enough out of the both of you.” she spoke with a ambivalent tone uncertain and hesitant about Gil’s question. Surely the Baron wouldn’t mind watching the boys for a few days while she did the missions and do a few errands for herself. Turning her attention Valisk with a hopeful glint in her eyes, Nia gave the Baron the sweetest smile she could muster.

“Valisk, you don’t mind watching my son’s do you?” she silently implored him. The cave was filled with a heavy, dreading silence as Valisk just stood there and stammered, trying to find the words to say as each eye landed among Juh, Cob and finally Gil.

Gil didn’t seem to mind as the pup eagerly nodded his head to Valisk as the other two quickly shook their head in protest. Those two were already terrified of him with the stern talk they had but Gil silently adored him from a distance.

“Please??” Gil whispered loud enough for him to hear, eyes big and round and full of hope that Valisk would say yes.

There was a human term for the expression that Gil was giving him, what was it??.

Ah yes.

‘Puppy Dog Eyes.’

Sighing in defeat and strolling over to Nia the Baron did not hesitate to take her hands in his.

“I shall watch them as if they were my own..you shall have no fear when you are away.” he spoke with sincerity. Nia looked so relieved to his answer that the Warlock just suddenly hugged the Eliksni tightly. The sudden movement startled Valisk but he awkwardly hugged the woman back.

All packed and heading out on her ship, all four of the Eliksni stood quietly side by side as the Cerulean Flash was nothing but a spec high into the sky. Valisk began to grow uncomfortable as if all simultaneously all turned to face him. Juh and Cob had a dark gleam in their eyes, hiding something mischievous as the Baron could see the cog’s turn inside of their minds. Before he could speak ot them both of the pups bolted back into the cave and out of his sight.

That just left Gil and himself.

Walking up and grabbing a hold of the Baron’s lower left arm the small pup tilted his head back and purred. At least out of all the three Gil was the only one that tolerated his presence and enjoyed his company.

This was going to be a LONG weekend..

[littlepinkneko]

Babysitting 2

It had been longer than two days as Nia had said. What from what he felt it was more like a week of torture. Valisk was NOT meant to be a babysitter at all, he was a Baron! A high and proud rank among the House of Dusk, commanding ranks of Captains, Vandals, Dregs and most operations that was given to him.

Instead he was watching his three nephews while their adopted mother was away with her Vanguard. From what she had told him that the Warlock hadn’t been back at this Tower for nearly three decades. A very long solitude for a Guardian in his perspective.

“Cob...can you NOT do that?.” Valisk grumbled in annoyance as a every second pass a loud pop echoed through out the cave.  The young whelp was making it VERY clear that he was bored by popping a material called ‘bubble wrap’ at each second. Out of all three of his nephews, Cob had to be at least the biggest pain in every fiber of his being.

“But I’m bored.” Cob mumbled before popping another bubble for his own amusement.  Valisk’s left eyes twitched at the noise and dug all of his claws into the furs beneath him. A Baron could only take so much from something so small before snapping.

Is this what insanity was?

“Cob...not only for my sake but for your brothers’s sakes...PLEASE...cease that POPPING!” he hissed quietly, careful not to wake Juh and Gil from their nap. Both the elder and younger brother were curled up beside one another on their mountain of furs and blankets, obviously oblivious to the racket that their sibling was making.

At a time like this Valisk was envying their heavy sleep.

A long silent minute pass and he finally thought there was peace within the cave. Cob wasn’t popping the wrap and it was the perfect silence for himself to take a nap. Of course that silence was broken when the pesky nephew broke it with not only another pop, but a question that make Valisk stop himself from strangling the whelp until he went to sleep.

“Do you like mom?”

Why would someone so young ask such a question? This very question caused him to stirr in his bed and to look towards his nephew with a long hard look. Cob defiantly stared back him, his upper claws ever so carefully squishing down on a bubble. A threat that if Valisk didn’t answer, more popping would ensue.

“Of course I do..she’s the only Guardian that has any sense-”

“No! Do you like LIKE her. You know. Love?”

Valisk nearly shot up from his bed and scramble at the pup to cover his mouth. But he help himself back and the Eliksni’s body tensed as he turned his back at the young pup. How in the Prime’s id he know about love?! He was still too young to know such an emotion just yet. What in the living Kells was Nia teaching his nephews?!?

“You shouldn’t ask these things at your age Cob. You are too young to understand this ‘love’. Its something you’ll learn when you are my age. Now go to sleep before I suffocate you with your ‘bubble wrap.’ ” he grumbled pulling a blanket up and over his head to try and sleep.

Waiting and listening for a few more minutes the old Eliksni let out a silent sigh of relief as he heard Cob shuffle over to his spot with his brothers. Hearing Juh grumble a quiet protest at Cob for his spot and Gil whine softly. After a few more seconds the cave returned to peaceful silence.

Drifting off to sleep Valisk had heard Cob utter another sound.

“Because I think Mom loves you..”

[littlepinkneko]

Loyalty

The House of Dusk were all in a hustle in this late summer night. From Dregs to the highest of ranks, all of the Fallen were busy preparing for something. Whatever it was the Warlock was not aware of any ‘festive’ battles that were going to unfold.

When she had arrived at the base of operations Nia had nearly forgotten she was still in the form of a Lunastra and had sent the base into a frenzy of pure panic and all the Fallen to go into a fighting frenzy against her. Luckily for the Warlock Valisk, the Baron of House of Dusks knew of her power and recognized who it was.

So laying off to the sidelines and quietly watching the scene unfurl before her the old Warlock still remained vigilant over her pups who were trying there best to help their kind.

By helping they were running around and looking and exploring to their hearts content.

“Lady Nia.”

Taking one last look at the pups Nia had turned her attention to a shaking Dreg before her. Crossing her massive paws and resting her head Nia stared directly at the poor Fallen creature before her.  It was somewhat amusing to see someone tremble before her when she was either form, but this was a Fallen, a long time ally so it was somewhat a sad sight to see.

“What is it?”  she responded with no enthusiasm as her single eye bore into the small Fallen. He was fidgeting with his claws and was trying to find his words before Nia growled lowly. A sign that she was running out of patience and wanted the Dreg to speak.

“T-The Baron Valisk wishes to speak w-with you! L-Lady Nia!” with a quick bow he rushed back to his other duties. Some of Fallen were watching and some chittered with amusement at the Dreg’s behavior before returning back to their duties. The pups were also watching before they ran over to see what was going on.

“Way to scare him mom!” Cob snickered laying his small form against her muzzle.

“It was not intentional Cob, that I swear.” she purred before gently nudging Cob off and rising up on her paws. Stretching out her wings and yawning the Lunastra trotted off across the grounds. The pups were close pursuit before placing her tail in front of the three whelps.

“All of you stay here, you can’t come with me this time. Juh watch your brothers, I will return once I speak with your Uncle.”  With that said she continued on her way to where the Baron waited patiently near treeline. Valisk seemed tense about something from what she could tell from his posture.

Something was up.

“Nia.”

“Valisk you seem tense, that is unlike you. What is wrong?”

“Come with me please, I don’t want any of the pups to catch wind of this.” The Baron spoke with urgency in his tone as he quickly turned his back to her and quickly walked deeper into the forest. Standing around for a few seconds the Warlock followed behind, taking in slow strides since she could easily catch up.

Perhaps it was wise to go back in her original form, this seemed serious after all. 

With every step that was taken the Lunastra form began to burn in blue flame. It was similar to watching paper burn around the edges and the ashes float away into the wind. There were blue flames that remained in the scorched earth beneath her feet but quickly dispersed into nothing once back in her human form.

Damn her body ached like hell for being that form for too long. She’ll need at least an hour in a hot springs to get rid of the crinks in her back and neck. 

Spotting Valisk in a small clearing Nia quickened her pace and walked up beside the Baron. There was a momentary silence before Valisk himself broke it with a hesitant tone, as if he was unsure if he should even tell her about the information he had received.

“We received a call from Uldren Sov.” he spoke with bluntness.

“What?...But I was told he had died with his sister when they launched an attack against Oryx.” Nia said with utter confusion and some shock. That was long ago when the Queen had launched a battalion against the Taken King, of course she had failed and all had perished in the blast.

Or so she was told.

It was somewhat of a surprise to hear that the House of Dusk had gotten a call from the Prince. What would he want with them in the first place? Didn’t he have enough Fallen to control on the Reef as it is? Why would he even bother with the House of Dusk anyway?

“Well what did he even say Valisk?”

“There were not much spoken between us but he said ‘Be prepared for a new Age.” Turning his attention to the Warlock beside him the Baron took hands in his primaries and gave her hands a gentle squeeze before taking in a deep breath and bowed his head, thinking for his next choice of words. What shocked Nia the most was that Valisk had went on his knees and buried his face into her hands. Seeing a Fallen of such a high rank on their knees was unheard of, to see a dear friend such a Valisk like this...

“All I know is this...Something WILL happen that can change everything. What those will be I am not for certain. All I ask of you is to not only watch over my nephews...but to stay by my side. No matter what happens..That is all I ask of you.”

Nia remained silent as she thought over his plea. Of course she would never put her son’s lives in any danger, that will always be her first priority. If she didn’t remain with the House of Dusk, would Uldren see her as a threat in his plans and go after her head on?

It would be a foolish attempt really but, the Prince was always unpredictable and she couldn’t put the pup’s in harm’s way.

“Valisk get up, someone of your caliber shouldn’t be on their knees..” Nia scoffed helping the Baron on his feet. Browns furrowed and with small frown upon her face the Warlock squeezed and held on to his claws.

“This is my House...whatever happens I will stay. But Valisk...if this is to go too far and brings my son’s in any danger. I will step in and make sure Uldren, whatever he is planning with us to a grinding hault.”  she said with the utmost seriousness.

It had been so long since she had done this, but it was her turn to kneel before the Baron.

“I, Nia Falcor. Pledge my loyalty to the House of Dusk. Where they go, I shall follow. Who they fight, I shall fight until my time has ended.”

“Knowing you, Death can never touch you.” Valisk laughed pulling the woman up on her feet and resting her forehead against hers. A personal gesture he shared with the small Warlock whenever he had the chance to be alone with her.  All Eliksni did this while courting another or with their mate. Of course right now he was courting the Warlock, he can wait a little longer for when he asked of her to be his life partner.

“I believe you look better in our colors than just simply black.” he teased escorting Nia on their way back to the base

“Well with black, once cannot see the color of blood on themselves.” she retorted with a hint of amusement.

“Now...let us see what the ‘Prince’ has in store for us.”

[littlepinkneko]

Regret

The winter night’s air stung the woman’s cheeks as she stood alone quietly outside the cave. There was one thing she was grateful for and that was for the clear night skies and the moon hanging high above. The only light she needed on this lonely night.

The pups had already gone to sleep hours ago and she was grateful for the silence, she had hoped her cries of her nightmares wake them up. It had always been the same, very vivid dreams of a love that was taken from her. Of course she had taken her revenge.

But the image of her husband laying dead in Oryx’s grasp, that was something no Ghost can fully erase.

“Nia?”

Her heart had nearly jumped out her chest at Valisk’s sudden appearance. She had not heard the Baron’s footsteps nor was really paying attention to her surroundings, a stupid mistake on her part. Quickly wiping away any tears lingering and taking a breath Nia forced a smile on her face and faced Valisk.

“Valisk, you are up early, I didn’t wake you did I?” she asked pulling the blanket closer around her form. The chill was becoming a little unbearable by just standing out here, better to try to move the start of this conversation inside the cave.

“Actually hold that question we better-”

“Who was Kirium?”

A silence hung in the air as the Baron’s question hanged in the air, waiting to be answered. Taking a few steps forward to block Nia’s path the Fallen Baron kneeled to her level  and stare into her eyes with a fierce gaze. Valisk was trying to read her again.

“They were close to you...were they?”

“What? Oh no! They-”

“You were crying out to them while you were sleeping Nia.” he pressed grabbing a hold of her wrists to keep her in place. She was trying to avoid his question’s, he could see the vulnerability inside of her eyes. This was a topic that he himself she not even tread upon himself but Valisk did not want to see the woman in pain.

There was also pain inside her eyes when he spoke of this Kirium.

“Kirium was my husband..” she choked quietly pulling her hands out of Valisk’s grasp.  Now she looked so small, so broken; This was not the Nia that the Baron knew, there was no wall standing in front of his was every time he tried to figure out. Always standing tall and proud of any work she overcome, not a single crack in the wall she had built so high to protect herself.

Now that she spoke of Kirium, there was no wall. But a broken, sabotaged woman lying on the ground. Old wounds bloody and opened for him to finally see. Valisk had nearly panicked at the sight of fluid leaking from her left eye and fall down her cheek. Reaching out and holding her face in his hands Valisk brushed his thumb to wipe it away.

“Husband? As in your mate? What-” it had suddenly hit him at full force and the Baron wanted to hit himself on why he had not figured it out. Nia’s mate was no longer here in this plain of existence.

He had finally moved on into the next life. Free of his duties with no need to wake ever again.

“Nia..Forgive me I didn’t mean to-” he was cut off of his words as the Warlock placed her left hand over his mouth. The liquid from her left eye was still coming and he wiped it away once more, but she didn’t seem concerned about it at all. Nia had just gave Valisk a broken smile before taking a deep breath before speaking again.

“He had died a few years ago..You remember when Oryx came into the solar system?”

“Yes, we had lost so many of our kind.” he growled seeing the very image of his comrades turning into ‘Taken’ and fighting against them. He had only wished that he could had faced the monster himself to end the slaughter.

“We were sent to a Cabal base on Phobos...to investigate energy readings a-and why the Cabal were leaving.”Her gaze was turned away from him, the Warlock was gazing off somewhere far off, somewhere no one nor anything could see but herself.

“We were separated...there were so many Taken..when I finally found him..” Nia’s face contorted into a mixture of pain, sorrow, and anger; the Warlock’s body was shaking as if the very memory was tearing her into pieces. Bit by little bit. Valisk didn’t need to hear anymore, he figured out the rest and the reason for her solitude in the EDZ and away from her superiors.

Awkwardly pulling the woman close to his chest and bringing them to sit on the cold ground beneath them Valisk pulled her into his lap. Resting his head on top of Nia’s the Baron held her close into his embrace. Nia didn’t fight him, she did not protest, she quietly accepted it and buried her face into his chest. Body shaking as she sobbed and held on to him, as if fearing that he would disappear as well.

“I am here...I shall always be here if only you wish me to be.”