DATHOMIR

"YOU KNOW, WE COULD'VE DONE THIS THE EASY WAY!"

"I DON'T LIKE IT!"

"CAL, IT'S SO SIMPLE!"

"I HATE IT WHEN YOU DO IT THOUGH!"

"OH, I'M SORRY, I FORGOT TO INCLUDE A HEALTH MANUAL AND A PUKEBAG!"

"SINCE WHEN DID YOU LEARN SARCASM?"

"HAVE YOU MET BD-1?"

"BOOO-BOO BOOP!"

"SEE?!"

"BD! DON'T ENCOURAGE HER!"

The tables had quickly turned on the trio. They were finding themselves cornered with each step they took. Diane did suggest flying them to a nearby bridge she'd seen, but Cal insisted they walk there.

Diane knew she could easily take out every Nightbrother there, but she chose the safety of her friends first. She flew over to Cal and held him, as BD gripped her shoulder.

"What are you— NO!"

The trio found themselves on a somewhat sturdy wooden platform attached to what appeared to be a bridge made of an orange-colored stone. In front of them was the beginning of the bridge and it looked like a small climb since a vine-like plant was growing on it. However, it looked dead due to its gray color and the orange sticking at the ends.

Cal covered his mouth and ran to the edge, allowing the contents from his stomach to fall down the bottomless pit.

"Last time you didn't puke. Now you do. See, this is why we need to do it more often. So it lessens."

Cal wiped the back of his mouth and glared at her. He didn't say anything and started climbing. She looked at BD-1, with a bit of amusement beneath her eyes before catching up to him.

The trio saw a massive building in front. It looked as though it was a temple. Judging from the look Cal was giving it, the angel knew they were heading in the right direction.

"Oh, fellow wanders!"

They turned their heads to see an older man holding a black cloak tightly to himself.

"I see you've met the resident Nightsister but uh... Unlike most, you're alive."

He glanced down.

"Oh, a lightsaber."

Cal's hand went to push his saber back and Diane took a protective step forward, placing a hand behind her.

"No, no. It's okay. Don't hide it," he said. "That would explain your survival."

"Who are you?" Cal asked.

"You don't... No, no one to fear. Just a traveler. Studying the nature of," he glanced, "extinct culture and dead philosophies."

"You studying the Nightsisters?"

Diane saw as Cal let his guard down a bit, but she wasn't buying it.

The man leaned in and Cal started walking toward him.

"I study many things," he said, in a whisper-like voice.

Diane peered into his soul and saw darkness. She clenched her jaw and wanted nothing more than to get him away from the stranger.

"But that Nightsister... She was only a child when war came to this world. She had to watch her whole family perish."

Cal didn't say anything and Diane knew what he was thinking about.

"What do you know about those ruins?" He gestured toward the temple.

"Oh." The man laughed. "Ancient beyond belief."

He glanced at Diane before looking at Cal.

"The Nightsister and her warrior kin were seduced by the power that lurks within. Avoid the ruin. O-Or, suffer the same fate."

"How do you know so much about the Nightsister?" Diane asked.

He looked at her.

"Observation. I've seen many things since coming here."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"Must it mean something? Too many minds have gone astray in pursuit of...order."

"Right," Diane said. "So in order to have the knowledge you have, you must've been here for a long time, correct?"

"Long enough. This world provided a sanctum when I was in need."

"Diane."

The angel looked at the redhead who beckoned to follow him. Diane took one last look at the stranger before following him.

⸻╳⸻

HEAVEN - BUILDING THREE
FLOOR 888

Michael walked up and down the hallway. Archon had heard of their little 'visit' and decided to personally talk to them. One on one.

Gabriel was in questioning and Michael knew he'd tell the other Archangel about the deal they'd made with the rouge angel.

Usually, there would be no reason to fear another Archangel. They had the same amount of power after all. But with Archon... Michael knew from the moment he was created, he would be unpredictable. He was created to lead. Not strategize. Lately, he'd been good at bossing other angels around.

This concerned him.

There was something wrong with the Archangel Archon and Michael couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was.

It was bugging him. He felt as though it was staring at him right in the face.

"Michael."

He looked up at watched as Gabriel walked out in a daze-like state. He looked up at him and saw the look in his eyes. And there it was, something he hadn't seen in a very long time.

Fear.

Archon stepped aside and opened the door.

Michael patted Gabriel's back and straightened his suit jacket before walking into the room.