At the Feet of the Dark Lord

[Vinny]

DROMUND KAAS
SEAT OF THE DARK LORD
KAAS CITY CITADEL

Lightning crackled as it always did over Dromund Kaas. The stormy sky was pitch black, basking in the everpresent power of the Dark Side. It was a place of malice and raw power, and it was the home of the Dark Council. Over the past five years, Darth Cain had meticulously monitored and groomed the next generation of Darths. Those who would be unflaggingly loyal to the Empire and it's greater task, of uplifting the Dark Side and spreading it's shadow throughout the Galaxy. Now the time had finally come to finally establish this new Dark Council.

The Dark Lord of the Sith had called upon the most promising of his students to Dromund Kaas, among them, one would be chosen to be leveled with the title of Darth and reborn as a Dark Councillor. This same person would be instilled with the rank of Grand Inquisitor and be given chief authority among the Inquisition. They would be his hand against heresy and his weapon against the Jedi.

Within the depths of those sheer black walls and high up in the farthest reaches of the Citadel. Darth Cain sat on his throne amidst a small cadre of high priests, all of their heads hung and swaying left and right, chanting prayers and spells. He had thrown away his guise as Wake Olpierr for the time being, cast aside like a ragged set of clothing. Cain sat as a towering dark figure that seemed to be made of stone, six eyes burned out from a bald gray head. The crystaline growths on his body had completely encased his skin making him not unlike a statue after having smoothed out. His mouth stretched across his face and the needle like teeth that had been there now appeared to be carved cleanly out of his form.

The hard surface of his fingers scraped against the arm of his throne as he tapped them, his head leaned back and his chest unmoving. He wondered, for a moment, if he was even alive at all.

He felt a disturbance in the force, tilting his head. The first had arrived. One priest opened his mouth to speak and he raised a hand.

"I know."

@Richie B. @Comrade Matt @Simonev @Flamjetxx @Valen Pelora

 

[Richie B.]

Asher didn't like how he was called to Dromund Kass, something wasn't right, despite his training for the past 5 years. Never did he get used to pretending to bend the knee for the human lord. Still thanks to Darth Cain Asher now was capable of becoming stronger then he ever dreamed. His desire for power and his willingness to do whatever it took will see to that. His black cloak kept to his body, covering his four arms if all the supposed Sith under Cain here suppose to come he would be cautious of back stabbing. With a vest under the cloak, and lightsaber prepared on his hips with a pistol also on the belt. Though he was still growing in his force powers today was going to be a interesting day from what he could sense.

Asher had stepped off the ship, and began walking into the Citadel the lightning made the mood all the better in Asher opinion. Though depending on what happened here today Asher's mood might take a serious hit. The Sith wondered in with full confidence in his own abilities but aware of the fact he still wasn't strong enough. His desire has brought him to reading more and more, despite what others would think, has be interested in the concept of using the force to drain another. He would need to work on this later when he had the time and power to do so.

The closer he got the more he could hear the silly man and women praying, as if such a thing will really give them more strength. Only the willingness to do whatever it takes will become stronger not asking from the source of the power. One most take it with both hands. So as he walked the hood was over his head but his form would clearly make him out, the tail the large statue and his Annoo-Dat face. Walking into the room the Sit could tell he was the first to get here which made him smile. But it was only a small thing, and so Asher walked closer to the Dark lord in his throne. A throne that Darth Cain needs to protect over all, and once he got close Asher gave a slight bow. Still proud and willing to annoy Cain.

"You called?" Asher said leaving out the title that Cain had earned simply to see what will happen.

@Vinny

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia Therases Morr walked the streets of the great city on Dromund Kass. She wore a beautiful black dress, high arching heels, and her Lightsaber clipped to her hip. Her lips were painted an alluring bright red. There had been a time she never would have been so brazen. A time she would have feared being struck down by another Sith. The Empire’s rise had changed the Order. The Sith had come to realize what she had always known. The true faithful should have nothing to fear from one another. Only the faithless should be struck down. Her faith was as strong as it had ever been. Unwavering and fervent.

For Five long years she had poured herself into the faith. She spent every waking moment of her life atoning for her defeat at the hands of Venator. She worshiped the Darkness. She preached the purity of the Darkside. She hunted down the heretics. She served the Emperor and Lord Cain as faithfully as ever. The Empire was growing, but they could not forget their core. The truth of the Darkside was the only reason for their existence. She had become a powerful sorceress. The Darkside flowed easily through her. Even as she walked towards the seat of the Dark Council, the Darkside was with her. Lord Cain had summoned her here, along with the others who vied to be his apprentice. She knew why they were being called. The Dark Lord had finally come to a decision. He had chosen who would serve at his right hand. She was not nervous. She had done all she could do. She had tried to show Lord Cain her devotion burned brighter than her competitors. She had tried to show Lord Cain she was the best choice to serve him. She prayed it had been enough. If she failed, if he chose another, she was not certain what she would do. She had lived much of her life striving to finally become his apprentice.

Her thoughts had carried her through the city, into the massive citadel, and finally to the throne of Lord Cain. Alexia grimaced. She was not the first to arrive. The brash idiot had beat her to the throne room. She did not speak to the other Sith. She strode past him, uncaring for what he might have said. She knelt at the foot of the throne. Lord Cain was displayed in his full glory as the Priests chanted. His dark power radiated through the room. She was close to her Dark Lord. Close enough to see every terrifying inch of him. She kept her eyes on the floor.

“My Lord.” That was all she offered.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

The Dark Lord of the Sith leveled his glowing gaze on the two who entered and kneeled. His six eyes first lingered on Asher before then resting on Alexia. The two had been promising students in their own right-both of them still had quirks to work out. Both of them still had much to learn. But the time had come to make a decision, he was more disappointed by the fact that no more had come. He raised a statue like hand to his chin and rested his palm against it.

"Only two of you? Very well." He waved a hand and gestured toward the doors behind them. The priests all departed with haste, bowing their heads reverently to their Dark Lord. Cain's mouth did not shift once as he spoke. Sound simply erupted from the morbid looking ediface that was his face. When the last of the priests left the room and the door shut tightly behind them-the air became so very much colder. Six glowing red eyes seemed to peer down at both of them at once.

"I see you. Alexia Morr and Asher Khor." He growled through the force, "Today, one of you will leave this room as a Sith Lord and a member of my new Dark Council. The other shall return to the Basilica on Tund, and pray that they do not fail to impress me a second time." Cain intoned, tapping his finger on the arm of his throne.

"Rise!"

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia had grown used to Lord Cain’s gaze, those haunting eyes resting on her kneeling form. It still sent a shiver down her spine. The pure radiating Darkness was intoxicating. That was the power she still craved. The desire that burned deep in her soul. It was why she had given all of herself to learning at Lord Cain’s side. She had helped subdue Eadu, stalked the lost Temple of Malachor, explored the hidden depths of Darth Drax’s tomb, and expunged the Mines of Jabiim. She had poured herself into cementing the status of the Priesthood. Alexia had served as the Priesthood had grown stronger, becoming a critical institution in the ever-expanding Empire. She had hunted the faithless who had abandoned their glorious purpose. She had done all she could. Her fate was in the hands of the Darkside and Lord Cain.

They were the only two left. Lord Cain seemed disappointed, but the others had spectacularly failed. Their dedication had waned or they had perished in the war. The voice of the Dark Lord of the Sith echoed through the room as the priests fled. She felt the Darkness tightening around them. The air grew cold in the throne room. She rose when commanded. Her heart beginning to race in her chest. She looked into Lord Cain’s piercing eyes. She was so close to everything she had ever wanted. It felt like she could just reach out a grab it. Lord Cain presiding just a few feet away from them, Asher just to her left. Alexia was silent as she waited. She knew what came next. Everything she had been waiting for or crushing disappointment.

@Vinny @Richie B.

 

[Richie B.]

The Templar simply smiled seeing the grimace on the girls face knowing she was not the first to come. Asher cared little for pleasing Darth Cain but he did take a joy in causing others displeasure. Yet he kept his mental barriers in check preventing anyone from reading his thoughts, though the small smile, or what passes for a smile by Annoo-Dat standard was clearly visible. Eyeing the woman as she walked to Cain's feet and practically starting kissing them. It was a sickening sight truly. Almost no seeming pride in herself, at least not one where it didn't involved bending the knee to another. Asher understood that Darth Cain was the strongest of them currently but it didn't mean one need to give up ones desire to become greater for oneself not for another's pleasure.

Watching Darth Cain giving no seemingly reply to the Priestess Asher laugh internally knowing that despite Alexia's desire to be notice she got nothing for her efforts. But then he spoke to them both, and the priests left which made the room a thousand times better. No longer where the fools praying when they should be honing their skills and proving their worth. And with the cold Asher blood began to pump faster, feeling something prepared to happen Asher waited to see what that was.

Though in case of anything the cloak covered the fact that Asher held one hand on the blade he got from becoming a Templar. It wasn't for him to strike or anything like that but in case of some betrayal he wanted to be prepared. For that was the true nature of the dark side not this religion. Power most be taken, and fought for so that one can truly call it their own.

Asher made sure to stand the entire time, listening to the words that came from Darth Cain, a member of the dark council, it was something that Asher dreamed off. A spot of important where he could later use to grab for more power. It was a step but Asher made sure to eye the Darth, but he made sure to look in the corner of his eye at Alexia just in case of anything. He would no have his power taken from him, not while it was this close. Yet he knew better then to try anything yet, not unless he needed to. Still he said nothing and waited.

@Vinny @Valen Pelora

 

[EmilyHuene]

Darth Cain's rule was life. His word was truth. His will their devotion. Ashlyn Sera had come to the Priesthood during the first round of initiates. She was there at the Basilica for the first of the rituals. It was there she was provoked and attacked by Alexia Morr who felt Ashlyn did not deserve to kneel at the Dark Lord's feet. But Lord Cain felt otherwise. He punished Alexia, then he punished Ashlyn. He felt the two needed to learn a lesson in devotion and belief. Neither of them understood what it meant to be a disciple of the Dark side so he put them through a task that at first seemed cruel, then turned into the greatest blessings of them all. Lord Cain bound their souls together. Where one should fail, both shall fall. Where one succeeds, together they rise. Months would pass as the two struggled to understand the bond. But when they finally came together as one the two would become so powerful. Five years later the two were inseparable.

While Alexia pushed herself further and harder to pledge her loyalty to Darth Cain, Ashlyn was there to welcome her home and care for her wounds. She was Alexia's better half. Ashlyn loved Alexia in a way no other soul could understand. They were Soul Mates, or soul sisters as Ashlyn called them. She was always there to pick up Alexia when she fell, or to give her strength in battle to succeed. Today, she walked with Alexia to the highest of rooms and kissed her one last time for good luck. She then waited outside the halls, gently praying to the Gods and the Dark Force that she obeyed. She prayed that Alexia would come out on top and reach the goal she had worked so hard for. When the doors opened again she fearfully searched the auras of the priests with her blind eyes; Alexia was not with them. She had passed the first test. She was still inside with their Lord, but another was too. So Ashlyn continued to pray. SHe thanked the Dark forces for allowing Alexia to come this far and would continued to pour her support into the bond so that Alexia would know her sister was outside the walls giving her strength.

"You can do it," she whispered in her mind. "I know you can."

Spoiler: OOC

You don't have to respond to my post. Just wanted to throw my support in for @Valen Pelora /Alexia

 

[Vinny]

The Dark Lord of the Sith rose, his stone-like body grating against the surface of the throne. A lightsaber rose into the air from his left and spun, stopping abruptly a foot in front of him. It ignited, a crimson blade flickering to life that rose up to point at the ceiling. Cain stood like a statue, his transformed body looming over them, larger than he had ever been as a normal man. The effects of touching the Dark Side in all it's purity twice in his life was unquestionable. He was hardly human anymore. His head slowly turned to look down at Asher.

"Asher Khor. The Dark Side is with you. I feel it's power flowing through your very essence. You are eager to learn and filled with promise." He paused. "Yet you are so pathetically inept in your ability to hide your naked ambition that it has disappointed me time and time again. You could no sooner turn a Jedi as you would turn over a mountain! Let alone lead the faithful of the Empire. You have power, but no discipline, no faith, and no concept of duty. As you are now, you are not ready to take up this cup." Cain admonished. "Be grateful I have chosen to spare your miserable life and give you an opportunity to rise, grow stronger and try once more. Be gone!" He snarled before turning to look at Alexia.

"Step forward and kneel, Alexia Morr, and face your final test as well as your rebirth. For after this, you will be forever changed." He swore.

@Valen Pelora @Richie B.

 

[Valen Pelora]

Alexia followed Lord Cain as he slowly rose from his throne. Despite her best efforts her heart was beating faster and faster. Her pulse hammered in her ears. It felt like she was in a fever dream. She had never thought this moment would come. She was so close. When Venator had stood over her, questioning her involvement in the Priesthood, she had thought it was over. She had thought she would never feel the sweet embrace of the Darkside again. She had banished all her hopes and dreams. She had failed. Alexia had spent every waking moment of her life atoning for that failure.

She had rededicated herself to faith. She had worked tirelessly with Ashlyn to spread the Darkness. Now, she prayed it was all coming to fruition. As Lord Cain moved she kept her senses thrown wide. She was careful not to lose focus on her competitor. She would take no chances. A single red Lightsaber rose into the air, floating before the Sith. Her heart beat faster. Then the impossible happened. Her undying faith was rewarded. A wave of relief washed over Alexia, she had to fight to keep the smile for her face. She knew Lord Cain too well.

The final test would push her to the very edge. The Darkside gave no gifts easily. The truths of the Darkness were harsh and terrible. Pain, agony, and true sacrifice. She was ready. Alexia had readied herself for this moment. She had endured every pain she could imagen. In the moment, she adored her father for all the pain he inflicted. She thanked Venator for her very destruction and she loved Ashlyn for rebuilding her. This was it. Alexia stepped forward and kneeled, readying her body for the final test. She was not afraid. Perhaps she should have been. Through it all she never lost sight of Asher. Lord Cain had made his intentions clear.

 

[Richie B.]

Asher listened to Cain, knowing that was coming next besides this just meant he know have a excuse to get some payback against Alexia later. And now he kept his emotions bottled up, and a simply smile was there. He looked over to Alexia once it was clear he wasn't needed. And so the Templar realized he would need to find ways to eliminate those that would get in his way. Though Cain could have been more quiet about his ambitions but at least now he had a solid target. And so Asher gave a slight bow before beginning to walk away.

Already plans began to form in his mind, and targets became clear, Asher wasn't good at hiding his intentions maybe but one thing was for sure, Asher was always going to get his target. And so he walked out of the room with the crocked smile, angry and passionate about only one thing getting more power.

@Valen Pelora @Vinny

(Peace out)

 

[Vinny]

The doors closed shut behind Asher Khor with a boom that struck of an executioners finality. The room grew colder, breath became visible, the light dimmed to near darkness and the world became angry. The storm above the world raged like it had never raged before, lightning flashing and rain pelting the surface in torrents. The downpour undermining construction and even laying waste to fields and mountainsides. The Dark Side was here. Not in any sort of philosophical or tertiary way. The Eyes of the Dark Force were on the Citadel, and it was Cain that had drawn them there.

Cain stood without moving. A statue blanketed by shadow and engulfed in dark purpose. He raised his hands at last, fingertips billowing with his might.

"Alexia Morr shall die today! In her place, a Sith Lord shall rise!" He roared, the room shaking with every word. Power leapt from him, an icy chill that swallowed the room in an ocean of malice. It dived into her body, pushing against every seam of her will. He forced her to the very edge of the darkness and then shoved her down into it. He consumed her, ripping at her mind, tearing at her insecurities, feasting on her hopes, her dreams, her love and filling her with power. It would be an agony unlike any other, heart-stopping, mind-breaking, unchecked power to let her-for only a moment, feel what it would be like to become an Avatar of the Dark Side.

"PEACE IS A LIE! THERE IS ONLY PASSION!" He bellowed, releasing another pulse of raw power.

"THROUGH PASSION, YOU GAIN STRENGTH!" He chanted.

"THROUGH STRENGTH, YOU GAIN POWER!" The intensity increased.

"THROUGH POWER, YOU GAIN VICTORY!" He roared, the room shook, the shadows wailed, the ghosts of the Dark Lords who always accompanied Cain rose out to bare witness to the birth of a new Darth. Lords of the Sith, Ancient and Recent, even two very familiar faces, glared down at the supplicant as she burned with the power of the dark side. She would be forever changed, forever marked, forever twisted. Just as Cain was.

"THROUGH VICTORY, YOUR CHAINS ARE BROKEN!" He howled and the roaring reached a deafening din, the shrieking and chaos of the room swirled as power barraged Alexia. The cold turned into an inferno, fire welling up from inside and without like wildfire until finally it subsided. Cain's hands fell to his sides. His fists clenched.

"Your devotion is your passion, your zeal is your fire. You have been reborn. Rise, and Claim your new weapon, the blade belonging to she who was known as Darth Solum. Rise, and utter your new name in the presence of your ancestors, so that they may hear it and be pleased." He rumbled, the glowing blade slowly floating toward her.

 

[Valen Pelora]

The doors slammed closed. The singular moment she had been waiting for all her life had finally come. Alexia and Lord Cain were blessedly alone. The Force began to boil as the room grew colder. Her body vibrated with the sheer power descending on the throne room. Darkness coiled above, flowing across the planet’s surface. The Darkside screamed in her mind as it built within the room. Her mind could scarcely comprehend what she felt. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The bonding could not compare. She had explored the deepest depth of the Darkness but not like this. She felt the very heart of the Darkside. The purest Darkness. The true faith. She heard Lord Cain proclaim her death and so it was.

Pain. No. This was not pain. Her body, mind, and soul were shredded. Somewhere she heard the booming voice of Lord Cain. All she felt was death. She saw the face of her father screaming at her in the night. His belt lashing her back for every mistake. He hammered the faith into her heart, demanded she serve the Darkness. She had prayed every day for his death. The Dark had given her the strength to ram that foolish man’s Lightsaber deep in his gut. For all his torment, all her pain, the Darkness had set her free.

She saw Venator’s Lightsaber shinning in the armor of storm trooper. She felt the blade slicing into her back, bringing her to her knees. She cried out for death. The pain of being cut off from the Force seared her soul. She prayed for one last taste of the Darkside. She prayed to be taken from his clutches. She prayed to die. Ashlyn had given her strength. Alexia had found her faith and the Darkness had set her free.

She saw the face of a frightened child cowering in the city streets. Her Lightsaber glowed red in the descending darkness. She started at the child, she could feel the fear. She was reminded of herself. The lost lonely child. Alexia raised her Lightsaber and the darkness set the child free. She was back in the throne room. The sweet torturous pain ripping through her chest. She had touched the soul of the Darkside. She would never be the same again. The pain ebbed, the fires died, and she was reborn. Alexia Morr was dead and gone. The Darkness had set her free. She stood and grabbed the Lightsaber of the former Sith Lord. An image from the ritual flashed through her mind. She had seen the faces of Darth Solum and Emperor Kyuss. She stared at Darth Cain, her eyes filled with inquisitorial fire. “I am Darth Adava.” Her lips curved into a terrible smile.

@Vinny

 

[Vinny]

If the Dark Lord's true form could smile, it would have. Cain levitated back into his seat, resting down in his throne and falling deathly still. Six red eyes still glowed and a horrific light flashed from within that carved maw.

"You are well met, Darth Adava. The Dark Side is indeed with you. I name you Grand Inquisitor of the Empire and instill in you all the authority of the Imperial Inquisition. Within the borders of the Empire, you shall maintain order and discipline and root out all vestiges of heresy. Your priests, your inquisitors, and your templars stand ready, my First Apprentice." He raised his right hand and gestured to the throne that rose against the wall to his immediate right.

"Take your seat, Darth Adava. Welcome to the Dark Council."

 

[EmilyHuene]

Feeling the Dark side rise further in the room behind her Ashlyn again began to feel fear. Fear that something was going wrong. But her belief in the Dark side far outweighed the fear in her heart. Then everything was calm again as the other person who'd been in there with Alexia left. So it was. Alexia had passed her test.

Or so Ashlyn thought. The Darkness grew eve more powerful and she could feel Alexia's pain as her own. She gripped the cloth of her robe as she tried to settle the pain in her bond. "Pull through, Sister. Pull through." She gave all the support she could and then it all stopped once again. More powerful than ever her sister rose up and claimed what was rightfully hers. Ashlyn couldn't have been more proud.

 

[Valen Pelora]

Darth Adava’s smile widened as Darth Cain returned to his seat. The weight of his words settled around her shoulders. She had been given a tremendous responsibility to shepherd the faith. It was her solemn duty to guard and protect the Darkness. She would not fail. She would do as she had always done, serve until her very last breath. Adava was the Darkside’s loyal supplicant. She would not let the Empire falter. She would burn the unfaithful from the galaxy. At Darth Cain’s instruction, she took her seat on the throne to his right. She felt a shift in the Force. Yes, this was how it was meant to be. A new chapter had begun. The Inquisition would thrive. As she settled in her seat, she could feel Ashlyn in the bond. She reassured her soul sister all was well. Alexia Morr was dead but Darth Adava’s journey had just begun.

@Vinny
OOC: End thread.