Just the Beginning

Fandom: Chronicles of Riddick
Pairing: Riddick/Vaako
Rating: Overall NC-17
Feedback: Yes please! :)
Disclaimers: The Chronicles of Riddick is the playtoy of David Twohy and Universal Studios, not mine. :(
Summary: More explanations.
Notes: This chapter is a little long but things should be picking up soon after. And thanks so much for the reviews! :D

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They were picked up and brought to Basilica in practically no time at all. Riddick stepped onto the large ship with Vaako close behind, and set out to confront the Elemental waiting in the council room.

Aereon's body wavered as she paced down one side of the room, her robe fluttering in her wake. She halted when she turned, seeing Riddick and Vaako enter the room.

"What are the Phantoms, and how do we stop them?" Riddick said, getting to the point as usual.

"I see you have discovered their existence."

"Just answer my questions and hope I keep my cool. You knew about them, and you said nothing."

"My people weren't sure if they were behind the Necromongers march across the galaxy. You have just confirmed that it is the Phantoms that started this war," she said with a sigh almost becoming translucent as she moved to take a seat.

"Please sit. It will take a little time for the telling."

Vaako glanced at Riddick and subtly gestured to a chair. Riddick grimaced but sat at the head seat, legs swinging up to rest on the large rectangular table. Vaako took the seat to his right, both watching the Elemental as she gathered her thoughts.

"Many years ago, my people encountered a race called the Phantoms via an event that was almost a tragedy. One of our ships came to close to a black hole and began being inexorably pulled to its center, soon to be destroyed. A shadowy ship appeared from the blackness surrounding the black hole, and pulled the ship into its bowls, saving them from a certain death. Their shapeless spectral appearance suited their name, the Phantoms. My people were grateful, and naturally curious about what creatures could survive and resist a black hole."

"Once the rest of us were informed of the powerful creatures, and that they were interested in trade, my people began to associate with the race of shadow-like beings. We found their very substance was taken from energy of phenomenon like the black hole's darkness they emerged from, their weapons and ships made with similar energy, power the former Lord Marshal possessed."

"As you know, Elementals calculate the future. We are curious to know what will happen before it does, but we could never in our wildest dreams calculate the events that transpired."

Riddick watched her with glowing eyes, examining the frown in her face as she became lost in the past.

"The Phantoms were considered trustworthy, and we allowed them onto our world with little security. For once, there was a race technologically equal to us, though on a different level. Some of us were weary of a race so powerful, who sucked their life force from the dark places in our universe. But they were ignored...Until we were attacked. Much damage was done before we fortified our defenses enough to fight them off. Off-worlders were contacted and warned to cut all communication with the Phantoms."

"At first we didn't understand the reason they betrayed us, but it soon became clear. They lied when they told us they nourished only on the dark. They took from the light matter as well, in fact we found they became more powerful from taking light energy and using a device they built to turn it into consumable dark matter."

"We scrambled to discover who they were and where they came from, and fortunately chanced upon records mentioning their name. There was an ancient race that created them by an accidental collision of dark matter with a cellular life-form on one of their outposts. When they found the destructiveness inherent to the shadowy beings, they found a way to keep them in suspension with the black hole. That is why the way the Lord Marshal took souls, the essence, the energy, aroused our alarm. The Phantoms sucked in energy in the same manner."

"So how did you fight them off?" Vaako asked, interested in the history woven in their mind's eye by the Elemental.

"We were fortunate. Our race knew of the Furyan gate, told from our ancestors of the Abyssinians who left the gate and key in their care. In discovering so, we also noticed Furya, and her inhabitants were impervious to Phantom energy consumption. Using a 'key' of our own, my people managed to open the gate to what we presumed to be an empty dimension, as far as our instruments could tell. We lured them through with false readings of a particular light energy they covet," she said, raising an eyebrow at the surprise on their faces at her mention of the gate.

"My people were information gatherers, historians if you will. We collect folktales, myths, stories, and factual history from as many races as we can, even if only to preserve. The Furyan's were almost wiped out, but we had collected much about them in our history stores."

"Do you have access to those information stores?" Riddick asked, as he sat up, his feet hitting the floor with a heavy thunk.

"Yes, of course. All Elementals can access the information stores."

"Good. I want you to gather everything you can about Furyan's and put them on data pads."

"It will be done as soon as we are done here."

"You put no thought into the possibility of the Phantoms finding a way back to this dimension?" Vaako asked as he steepled his hands together, steering the conversation to the situation at hand.

"At the time, no. We were unaware of there being another key. Once the gate was closed, we ceased to consider the Phantoms a risk, until the appearance of the Necromongers and the Lord Marshal's powers. No matter what happens, these creatures were going to consume all the energy in our galaxy, whether from our souls or matter. They must not be allowed to return."

~~~

Vaako watched Riddick as he paced in the confined room empty beside themselves, his footfalls echoing off the walls. He knew Riddick was deep in thought, about the Phantoms, the stores of information soon to be theirs as well as the welfare and future of his people. He looked down as his comm. unit went off, and quickly pulled it out.

"Vaako."

"Ah, yes Vaako. This is Mother Soryn. Is Riddick there? I wish to invite him to this evenings festival in light of his discovery, and return to us."

"I will inform him of your event," Vaako said as he watched Riddick's brow furrow in thought, clearly not paying attention to their discussion.

"We also have discovered that there is a store of history of the Furyan race from an outside source. We will bring it down as well."

"Of course...Vaako, you must understand this is for our future First Councilman Riddick, your presence would be...awkward at best. This event will be the first for us in a long time, and Riddick is our guest of honor. There will also be...suitable...companions awaiting to meet him. I'm sure you remember the significance of this from our previous conversation. I'm sure you've put thought in your role in his life and found it lacking as I have. Let him rediscover our people, and make a 'true' bond."

"Yes, Mother Soryn. I will be sure he makes it to the festival," he said with gritted teeth. Riddick turned at his raised sharp tone, an eyebrow quirking in question.

"Vaako out," Vaako said, snapping the connection off. He looked up and raised his own eyebrow in outward calm. And took a deep, silent breath to settle the hackles that rose at the tone of superiority in her voice.

"It seems you are invited to a festival in honor of your return to Furya," Vaako said, smirking when Riddick rolled his eyes.

"I should've known they'd start rolling out the festivities. But maybe we can get some fun out of this thing. When is it?"

"Tonight. I will prep your ship and see about Aereon's status."

"We don't we have a ship drop us off, I doubt we'll be heading up for a while. We can do our planning on Furya."

"I won't be attending. I have some duties that I have neglected that I can take care of tonight."

Riddick frowned, eyes narrowing as he stared at Vaako's bowed head, watching as his hand clenched and unclenched.

"You can't leave it to the advisors?"

"No, I should take care of some things. I'll come to the planet tomorrow morning," Vaako said, keeping his voice steady. He raised his head and stared Riddick in the eye, knowing that the only way to get off the hook was to assure Riddick nothing was going on by staring him in the face. He's done it enough to know he could pass, if he kept his emotions under the surface.

"Right..." Riddick said as he glided to his side, bending at the waist 'til his lips were level with Vaako's ear.

"So I can expect you in my bed when I wake up."

Vaako shivered once, and stood suddenly, his chair sliding backwards as he stepped away from Riddick's bent form, away from temptation.

"What you can expect, is for me to be in the study room trying to find a way to stop the Phantoms," Vaako said, body tense, his voice brooking no argument. Riddick slowly straightened up, advancing on him with predatory grace.

"We have plenty of time for that during the day. Since when do you pass it up?" Riddick asked as he backed Vaako into a wall, boxing him in with his arms as his body pressed close.

"I've 'passed it up' before," Vaako said, voice low as his eyes narrowed. He swallowed when Riddick smirked and slid his hand through his hair, which grew at a rapid rate, already long enough for him to grip the strands in his fist.

"We resolved those issues," Riddick said as his tongue lapped at the corner of Vaako's frowning mouth. Vaako couldn't help but make a soft noise in response to the blaze Riddick seemed to have no trouble starting in his belly.

Riddick smirked and moved back enough to stare in his heavy lidded eyes. Vaako tried to turn away, but was held fast by Riddick's fist. Tilting Vaako's head with his grip, Riddick mouthed his smooth jaw, inhaling the warm spicy scent that seemed to burst from him when he was heated. Vaako closed his eyes, his hands moving to slide up Riddick's chest as he leaned into the touch.

"So why?" Riddick asked as he mouthed at the spot beneath his ear. Vaako shivered and moved his hand to grip the back of Riddick's neck.

"Riddick," he throatily whispered, as he tugged the man from his neck to stare into his glowing eyes.

"I...I just need a little time to think," Vaako said, as he came to the sudden conclusion that that was what he really needed. Time to think...And to see if he could let Riddick go to what he knew was just a glorified matchmaking party.

Riddick studied him for a minute, then slowly nodded when he saw the honesty in his statement.

"Fine. But you will tell me what's got you all tied up later," Riddick said as he gave the man some space.

"As you wish," Vaako sighed. Riddick grinned and cracked his knuckles.

"I'll get on Aereon for the data pads before I head out, and keep in touch when I get on Furya."

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

~~~

'So I can let him go,' Vaako thought in the dark of his quarters. He checked and double checked each system, and prowled the ship with what others thought was his usual concern for the ships condition. Only he knew what raged behind the blank mask he portrayed.

Mother Soryn's insistence that Riddick bond with a woman on the planet troubled him, for he wasn't used to such feelings of possessive attachment to anyone. After the infatuation for his ex-wife faded he simply went about his business, caring or being concerned about anyone else in that manner never entered his mind. Until he met Riddick. Did he really expect what he and Riddick had to last any amount of time once he was through with them? Hadn't he said commanding the Necromonger army was just for fun?

'But why would he stick around then? He's certainly seen by now that being Lord Marshal isn't just fun and games,' he thought as paced back and forth from the bed to his desk.

No, perhaps some space to cool off the attraction between them was needed. To give him more time to acclimate to the fact that Riddick might not be his for much longer.

"It just hurts more than I expected..."

~~~

Riddick gritted his teeth as yet another woman practically climbed him like a tree. Normally he didn't mind a little play with the female sex, but tonight found him irritated and impatient for the festival to end.

'I could use Vaako's dry humor right about now,' he thought as Mother Soryn found him and pulled him to meet another group of women.

After dinner they headed outside where a fire was blazing and everyone lounged around to talk on blankets lying around. He enjoyed the night air, until what were subtle hints to hook-up became blatant attempts as the night wore on.

"Riddick, this is Risa. I'm sure you remember her from the first time you met the council."

He nodded to the dark haired woman, as she inclined her head.

"Yeah, I remember you had a disrespectful smart mouth."

Risa smirked, her green eyes catching the glow of the various fires in the village-city square.

"And I remember thinking of you as a dumb brute. My opinion hasn't changed."

Mother Soryn glared at the woman, but turned in surprise when Riddick chuckled.

"Well than I guess the proper thing to do is to change your mind. But I'm not real into doing the proper thing," Riddick said, flashing straight white teeth, much as a predator would.

"I didn't think you were. Perhaps you can entertain me instead," she said, her eyes narrowing as she looked him up and down.

"Better than staying around here. Why don't you show me around the village."

"Follow me," Risa said as she turned on her heel, hair swaying with her movement as she was swallowed into the shadows.

Riddick smirked and stealthily moved into the dark, easily keeping up with her. Mother Soryn smiled and rubbed her hands together as she returned to the festival.

"I'm glad you don't do those festivals often," he said as they walked through the quiet village-city.

"The last time we had one, I was just into my womanhood. Some Furyan men returned home, and there was a celebration, just as boring than as it was tonight...This area holds the majority of our people's quarters. That building over there is where we train," she said as they walked through a section obviously not occupied at the moment with most of the women at the festival.

He kept the location in mind, suddenly remembering his promise to Trey for a work out.

"Where do the children stay if their mothers are out?"

"Tonight they are in the teaching center. The children live with their mother's, but because everyone has their duty, they are mostly raised by the village-city as a whole. They spend most of their time in the center and are taught together. It promotes unity among the young ones. Come I will show you. It's this way," she said turning left at the squat training center.

They walked silently, both hearing a commotion at the same time.

"What the hell is that?" Riddick asked as she picked up her pace.

"It seems to be coming from the children's center."

"Aren't they being watched?"

"They should be sleeping at this hour. But yes, an adult usually stays with them," she said as they came around a corner, coming to stand in front of a wide wing-tipped building. She opened the doors and pushed through, jogging to the back as the noise increased now that they were inside.

Riddick followed her closely, both coming to a stop in an archway leading into the sleeping quarters. The children were in full swing, jumping, rolling, mock fighting, and throwing pillows, with some quietly playing in the corner with their toys.

"What is this?" Risa asked, raising her voice over the noise.

Two dozen heads swung her way, eyes comically popping as they landed on the two Furyan adults.

"It was my fault, Sister Risa," a quiet voice said, the young man who spoke them being revealed as the children parted to let him through.

"And what happened here, Trey?" she asked with a frown.

"Everyone was so excited about the festival, I thought I'd volunteer to watch the children so everyone could go. Kara put them to sleep, and I just had to watch them, but something woke Starn up. And he woke everyone else up. I was getting it under control though," Trey said his head rising at the end, earnest for her to believe him.

Riddick sank back into the shadow of the hallway, and let the smirk that wanted to escape out. The boy was covered in feathers, as were the children surrounding him.

Risa sighed and surveyed the mess as the children stood around them.

"Well I suggest you begin cleaning up. You don't wish Mother Soryn to see this mess," she said, an eyebrow raising at the condition of the room.

The children shuffled away and began cleaning the mess, but Trey stood in front of her, arms moving to rest behind his back.

"Next time, perhaps you will come get an adult, Trey, as you are not one yet," Risa said, finally addressing the teen.

"I thought I could-" he started, but shut his mouth at her look. "Yes, Sister Risa."

"Remember that you are not a man, but a boy, Trey. And take this lesson with you: if you cannot even guide the children, you are not ready to guide at all. Now why don't you help them with the room."

Trey nodded and started to turn away, when he caught Riddick's shadow in the door. He flushed with embarrassment, and tensed, whirling to hurry away and help the younger children.

Risa moved back to the archway and leaned against the door, glancing back at Riddick.

"He's a good kid. Why so hard with him?"

"He thinks himself to be an adult, but he doesn't have the experience or strength in character yet. I remind him of this, for at times he fancies himself a full grown man, ready to take responsibility for the people."

Riddick nodded and watched them as Risa went to begin returning the children to their beds when the room was clean. Trey helped, and soon the room returned to its former calm.

"I will stay with the children for now, until Kara returns. Trey, if you'll escort Brother Riddick to his quarters. I will speak with you later, Riddick."

"Sure," Riddick said, surprised at her acceptance of him as a part of them.

Trey nodded, his head down as they left. Riddick glanced at him, and his glowing eyes lost the usual hardened edge at the self-doubt and insecurity he read in the boys face.

"Don't beat yourself up over it. Shit happens."

Trey glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and shrugged as they made their way to the center dome building.

"Yeah well it seems to only happen to me. I couldn't handle them as quickly as I should have."

Riddick chuckled in the night, catching the surprised look Trey shot him.

"Yeah well you handled it better than I probably would. I'd end up yelling at them to shut up and sleep, and have a room of crying kids."

The corner of Trey's mouth twitched, than rose as he imagined Riddick watching the kids.

"I don't know. I think you'd do a good job," he said softly.

Riddick ruffled a hand through the boy's hair and smirked down at him.

"If you say so. Hey, I promised you a spar. Why don't we duck in here for a little while," he said as they were passing the training center, shooting Trey a grin.

Trey looked up, unsure for a moment, then grinning back with enthusiasm.

"Mother Soryn probably won't approve, but I'd like to."

"Well then let's go."

~~~

"Vaako."

"This is Mother Soryn."

"Did you receive the data pads?"

"Yes, I did. I'm sure they will be most informative...I just wanted to inform you that Riddick took well to the festival. Has in fact left with Risa, the Council member you met before when we were in the study, a stout woman. A strong bond will come of this, I'm sure, for the prophecy is meant to come true. You made the correct decision Vaako"

"I'm...glad your plans worked to your satisfaction. If you'll excuse me, I have some duties to complete."

"Yes, of course. I must return to the festivities. Good evening."

Vaako silently stared at his comm. unit as something in his chest tightened up, before carefully placing it down. It was a long time before he was able to pick up the data pad report he'd been in the process of studying, and even longer before he could understand it.

~~~

On Furya, Mother Soryn raised an eyebrow at the Vaako's shortness. Though he was a worthy man, he had no place in Furya's future. And she was simply making sure it was going be glorious.

~~~

"Oh no!" Trey said as Riddick and he walked, or in his case slightly limped from his bottom constantly connecting with the hard mat. The cool night air breezed by, drying the sweat of a good workout on their skin.

Riddick whipped his head about at the boy's cry, and relaxed when he perceived there was no threat.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot about Rayna," he said waving his arms about. At Riddick's raised eyebrow, he sighed and picked up his pace.

"Rayna is a girl who doesn't have any parents, either. I've known her since she was a baby since we both stay with Mother Soryn, and she's become like a fleshly sister. Mother Soryn puts her to bed, and I usually read her a story or something, but I got so excited about watching the children that I didn't go tonight. I hope she isn't to mad."

"Well when we get there, why don't you check in on her?" he asked as they drew near to the center dome building.

"Yeah. I'll probably have to eat breakfast and play with her all day to be forgiven. Would you-?" Trey asked, but stopped, as he remembered Sister Risa's words about him not being an adult.

"Would I what?" Riddick asked, looking down at the teen as he rounded his shoulders.

"I...If you wanted, I'd like it if you ate with us. I talk about you a lot, so I know Rayna wouldn't mind," he said, a flush flooding his face when he realized what he said.

Riddick grinned at Trey's discomfort, and decided to save the boy from his embarrassment as they entered the building, stopping in the hall leading to Riddick's room.

"I'll let Vaako know you'll be over for breakfast."

Trey grinned up at him, and bounced a little.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow, Brother Riddick."

"Yeah, see ya kid," he said, stopping to watch as Trey jogged back down the hall, presumably to Rayna's room.

He let himself in and took a quick shower before grabbing his comm. unit and settling down on the bed.

"Vaako," came a slightly strained voice.

Riddick's eyes narrowed at the tone and shifted on the bed, switching the comm. unit to one hand as he pulled a pillow under his head.

"It's Riddick."

"Is something wrong?" Vaako asked, his voice becoming stronger with concern, though still tinged with a strange tension.

"Nah, just checking up on ya. Did you finish handling business?"

"Yes, everything's running smoothly, the ship is fully operational, as well as the crew. We will be prepared for the fight to come. Riddick, I was thinking about our current situation, and I though the advisors know, I thought that you should inform the people about what's going on. They are completely in the dark, and they have the right to choose their stance, either by you or not."

"Yeah, and it probably won't be the same as the council," Riddick said with a snort.

"I think perhaps they will surprise you. Many of them have come to accept you."

"We'll see. Oh, and tomorrow we'll be having company for breakfast."

"...I see. Did you want me to wait to meet you until the afternoon?"

"No. Just wanted you to be prepared before you got here, though they'll be pretty easy to please, so you can relax."

"As you wish. I'm glad you had an enjoyable time at the festival," Vaako said, his tone slightly raised as if to question.

'Why am I digging,' Vaako thought at the pause on Riddick's end, 'do I really want to hear the details of him with someone else?'

"It was alright, kinda boring. But the end of the night turned out to be fun. I'll talk to you tomorrow Vaako, I'm going to sleep. Though I'd expect certain company would put me under a lot faster," Riddick said letting a hint hunger deepen his voice, thinking he'd sleep better after fucking Vaako.

Vaako closed his eyes against the pressure that squeezed in his chest simultaneously with the flare in his belly at Riddick's gravelly voice. He gritted his teeth as the image of Riddick, his naked body straining in pleasure as he thrust into the fair skinned, dark haired woman he'd occasionally seen. Quickly opening his eyes, he sighed, weary to the point of sleep.

"Of course. Good night Riddick."

Riddick stared at the silent comm. unit in his hand, then shrugged. Something was up with Vaako, and he'd make sure to find out what.