[Class]Farewell to Memories

[Negative Blessing]

Grima returned to Dathomir after being away for a few weeks taking care of Sith business and now it was time to get back to training her Apprentices and her former Apprentice. She had decided she would hold a class for the three to teach them the Sith spell Memory Rub, a spell she found more than useful on several different occasions.

She walked into her compound passing her servants and guards heading straight to the meditation chamber in the lower region of the compound. Once inside the meditation chamber, she sat down on the floor, closed her eyes, and took in the Dark Side energies surrounding both the planet and her compound.

She fell into a deep meditation trance letting the Force to show her visions to questions she was seeking answers to. Feeling satisfied and energized with the Dark Side energies from Dathomir, she rose to her feet.

She left her meditation chamber and moved to the training chamber where two former Nightsisters stood with prisoners she had brought to the compound from one of the local villages. They were going to need "volunteers" and it was better to have her students use prisoners than her own servants and guards. Making sure everything was in order, she waited.

 

[Bubák]

Avreet did not know the exact reason Grima chose Dathomir of all places, but it probably had to do something with her knowledge of several Nightsister spells. Maybe she used to train with them, maybe she had just taken their knowledge. Nevertheless, the Mon Calamari was on his way to visit his old Master and learn from her, again. Your Grave landed on the coordinates given by the Sith witch, an area large enough to allow such a large vessel as Avreet's ship to land, and the Mon Cal Sith walked out and looked over the former prison, now Grima's home, or whatever the Togruta used it as.

Her former apprentice certainly liked how the Sith Master managed to bring civilization to the Nightsisters and make herself a symbol of the power of the Empire. No longer the Empire had to watch over the Nightsisters rebelling all the time, as the Sith Master's presence alone made all the clans stay in line, or so Avreet hoped. On the other hand, the Sith Order did not bother Grima at all, probably not even knowing or caring where she was. After entering the complex, one of the servants guided Avreet to the training chamber where Grima already awaited him and her two current apprentices.

The amphibian briefly glanced at the prisoners before smiling at the Sith Master, "Nice to see you again, Grima. Let me say, I really like how you turned an abandoned prison into this. Really impressive work," he looked around, appreciating all the hard work the Togruta had to put into the place to make it habitable. Not to mention having servants and guards, most of them probably former Nightsisters. What did she do to make them serve her? Brainwash them? Enslave them?

Perhaps it had something to do with the Force power she would share with him, Memory rub. Whether that was the truth or not, Avreet would find the power to be very useful. The young assassin, no matter how hard he tried, could eventually have to deal with witnesses during one of his missions. Instead of killing them, he could just remove himself from their memories. Much more professional, much more ethical.

 

[LadyM]

I walked around Master Volitu's compound as I always do in the morning before my lessons begin to take in the various sights and sounds associated with the nearby Echil Jungle. The jungle, much like Dathomir itself, is rich in the dark side and it is because of this that my connection to the dark side of the Force has grown quickly, turning me into a powerful Sith. Though I have much to learn yet, I have learned patience through my training and from my failures I have learned to overcome them and strive for success and perfection. I looked up and saw a ship that I have never seen before landing in my Master's compound and through the Force felt a strong presence inside. Perhaps this was my Master's former Apprentice.

I bid farewell to he jungle and moved indoors making my way to the training chamber where my Master was holding a class to teach the Sith spell Memory Rub to us. Since my time as her Apprentice, I have learned many spells associated with Sith Sorcery and have seen things through visions and alchemy that are more unnatural than the dark side itself. Still, nothing can deter me from reaching my full potential.

I entered the training room and saw a Mon Calamari, though I never seen one in person only on holovids and in data banks, standing there speaking with my Master. His presence in the Force was strong but it was dwarfed by Master Volitu's presence and I stood in somewhat awe of these two powerful Sith.

Wasting no time, I walked up to the Mon Calamari and introduced myself. "Greetings Crusader. I am Trayzan, Apprentice to Sith Master Grima Volitu." He would earn no bow or kneel from me for my Master had taught me never to show submission.

 

[Negative Blessing]

"Welcome Crusader Zatarus to my....humble abode. I decided that it would be far more productive to train my new Apprentices away from the prying eyes of the Sith Order and for them to be spared from listening to the ramblings of the decrepit teachings from teachers who are to afraid to leave the comforts and safety of the Sith Temples. As for these servant and guards that serve me, they were once outcasts from their own clans and I scooped them up and gave them a new purpose in life. They serve me and they will give their lives for me if I wish it. Besides, unlike some amongst our Order, they know hounour," Grima says to her former Apprentice when she felt the stirrings in the Force and recognized it as the signature for her female Apprentice, Trayzan.

Trayzan entered and greeted Avreet first then her own Master. Master Volitu smiled slightly then said, "Crusader Zatarus, this one of my new Apprentices, Trayzan. She is a former Nightsister that has chosen to walk the path of the Sith and has great potential in the Dark Side of the Force. She has chosen to study the dark arts of Sith Sorcery....and will one day become a great and powerful Sith Sorceress."

Motioning to the "volunteers", Grima adds, "These will serve to assist us in our lesson for today. They have been sentenced to death by their respected village leaders but I managed to convince the chieftains that by giving them over to me I will see to it that they yet serve a purpose....for now. Now you two wish to learn the Sith Spell Memory Rub and let us not delay."

Gesturing for one of the prisoners to be brought before her, Grima looks the male human up and down and scoffs at him. Looking at Avreet and Trayzan she says, "The spell known as Memory Rub allows you to alter or erase the memories of an individual you have targeted. Like some Force powers, it focuses on the mind so you will have to meld your mind to theirs as you speak the spell word Zmir. 'Tis not a hard spell to learn and master and once you have mastered it, you can target more than one individual at a time as long as you can meld your mind to theirs."

Grima asks the human his name and where he is from and after the man answers her two questions, Grima melds her mind into his, speaks the spell word after taking hold of the man's mind and erases all memories of who he is or what he has done to earn his imprisonment. Backing out of his mind, she asks him again the two same questions and he can not remember who he is or where he came from. When asked of his crimes, he has no knowledge of it but is curious to where he is. Grima ignores the man and turns back to Avreet and Trayzan.

"Saying the spell word without invading the mind will have no affect. So, choose a prisoner....but do not kill them. Without their old memories now, they will serve a purpose to me and earn themselves a right to live and serve me. However, like the Hutts who have a such a dominate will and other species that are immune to the Force, Memory Rub will not work just as it will not work on a Sith for our wills are far to great to be dominated but it will work on Jedi."

 

[Bubák]

The Mon Cal Crusader smirked when Grima called her home a humble abode, understanding why the witch wanted to train her apprentices away from the rest of the Order. That was in stark contrast with what she thought of the Empress and her Council though. Avreet did not know why Grima, in all her wisdom, followed those people. While powerful, they were dangerous psychopaths and had to be removed, all of them. Had they corrupted his beloved Master so much she wasn't able to see through them and their intentions? Nevertheless, the young Mon Cal listened to Grima's explanation of the guards. What did she do to them to make them so loyal as she claimed them to be?

Feeling another Force sensitive approaching, Avreet's right eye looked behind to see the newcomer. It was a young girl, probably Master Volitu's new apprentice. The Togruta confirmed his thoughts, just as the girl who introduced herself to the Crusader. Avreet smiled and nodded, "Greetings, apprentice Trayzan. I am Crusader Zatarus, Master Volitu's former apprentice." It was interesting, the former and the current apprentice of the powerful Sith witch meeting each other. The Togruta claimed the girl was strong, so the amphibian had to wonder if she was more powerful than he used to be in her age...

Turning his gaze on the volunteers and listening to his former Master, Avreet finally knew how Master Volitu gained so many servants and guards. The concept of wiping out someone's memories to make them serve you sounded very promising, and although Avreet wouldn't go that far due to his morals, the power opened up a path for him, a path he did not dare to take a while ago. If he successfully understood how the power worked, he would ask his Master one certain question and then wipe her memory, saving her life. Unless, of course, she resisted or supported his idea. All in due time though. For now, he had to remember the spell. Avreet honestly doubted saying the spell word would be necessary once he learned the spell and practiced it many times, similiarly to some more Force powers. Actually, Force sensitives did not even have to move their hands to telekinetically move objects if they practiced telekinesis many, many years.

Absorbing the knowledge as Grima explained how to use the power, he carefully watched her demonstration of the power, extending his senses through the Force to feel what she was doing with the prisoner. He could feel the man's memories disappearing as the Sith witch erased them. The power seemed terrifying when he realized it's consequences. If anyone used it on him, Avreet might forget his whole life, his Master, and even be tricked into believing anything he would be told. The thought of his memory being wiped out by the Jedi, only to be replaced by a belief of being a Jedi Padawan loyal to the rebellion really scared him. He'd fight against his friends and ideals, killing his parents and friends without even realizing it. Creepy!

Grima calmed him down a bit by claiming their minds couldn't be affected by Memory rub, but Avreet still wasn't so sure. Truly, many Jedi were weak minded fool who wouldn't manage to do it, but what about the Council members? Avreet would not want to find out! To focus on something useful, he stepped closer to one of the prisoners and put his hand on the man's forehead, then closed his eyes and connected his mind to the one of the prisoner. The touch made the 'connection' more stable and stronger. Avreet, unlike his former Master, was not very experienced at going through someone's mind, so he did the same thing the Togruta did, although she did that just to demonstrate her power. By asking the prisoner questions, he made the thoughts and memories resurface in his mind, making catching them very easy. After that, Avreet could delete the thoughts just by saying the right word and focusing hard enough, but he hesitated to do so.

He did not havy any right to take away this man's identity, transforming him into Master Volitu's servant. Not wanting anyone to do it to him, he struggled to erase someone else's memories, but then he told himself the man was a prisoner sentenced to death. By erasing his memories, he'd effectively carry out the judgement without actually killing the body. "Zmir," whispered Avreet. It felt as if the memories held in his palm touching the man's head dissolved, slowly and painfully. He'd have to work on that to make it fast, as now he literally saw and felt as he killed the prisoner's personality, erasing the person he used to be. For some strange reason, he found this to be much more cruel than a simple death. It has served it's purpose though, displaying Avreet understood the power and could use it.

Taking his hand away and opening his eyes, he sadly looked at the confused man in front of him, quite a depressing sight. Stepping back and glaring at his Master, Avreet decided to ask his beloved Togruta a question. "Master Volitu, is it reversable? Let's say, if the Jedi captured me and their Grandmaster erased my memories, would anyone be able to return those memories to me?"

 

[Rasputin]

Cassus had sat in the room for sometime, patiently waiting in the shadows for the class to begin. Prior, he'd been roaming the jungles of Dathomir, feeding off the energies of the Dark Side. As Grima Volitu, followed by a Mon Calamari and Trayzan, Cassus watched with interest. The amphibious alien introduced himself as Avreet Zatarus. He'd heard some about him. Apparently, he was Volitu's apprentice-turned-Sith. He was here to learn, just as Cassus himself was.

The acolyte walked out of the shadows, smirking at Grima, but not making his presence known to Avreet and Trayzan just yet. For now, he listened intently to his master. As usual, the Togruta used prisoners as her test subjects. Like many spells, it would be easy to learn. However, like many mind powers, it will only work on those with weak will.

The crusader went first, approaching his prisoner. He stood tall, but Cassus could full his anxiety and his empathy for the prisoner. Was it a mask? Cassus could only watch and find out. The Mon Calamari successfully erased the memory, but not without obvious hesitation and guilt for the prisoner. The acolyte frowned. How pathetic. Despite his disgust, Zatarus clearly had power and that counted for something.

"Impressive," Cassus commented, revealing his presence to Avreet and Trayzan.

 

[LadyM]

"I have heard much about you Crusader Zatarus. Perhaps one day I can be as powerful as you or even more powerful," I said looking him up and down then turned from him letting him think whatever he wished. I was not looking for a rival or to make enemies with my fellow Sith but I would watch them closely and try to learn their habits and quirks.

I stood back from Master Volitu as she described the Sith spell Memory Rub. She had briefly spoke to me about once before but at the time I was not powerful enough in the dark side to be taught it but over the past years I have grown much more powerful and confident. So when it was time for us to exhibit the power ourselves, I was more than ready.

I watched as the Crusader went first and was impressed by his success. But he did ask a very important question and though I wanting to her the answer, I was more than eager to make my attempt. However, from the shadows stepped out Master Volitu's other Apprentice, Cassus. Not waiting for his approval to go, I closed my eyes blending my mind to the prisoner's mind. I scanned the mind looking for some of his more dominate memories, ones that were close to his heart. I caught glimpses of two young girls, perhaps his daughters, and with them came a flood of memories. I had no idea if he was going to die or become a servant to my Master but I knew it would be wise for him to live without such memories.

I slowly began to pluck them and erase them from his mind after speaking the word "Zmir." I did not do it out of mercy but out of necessity for me to learn the power. When i opened my eyes up after conducting the spell, i saw a tear run down the prisoner's cheek and a smile of joy appeared on my face. I'm not a monster like some of the Sith my Master speaks of, but I am not weak either.

 

[Rasputin]

Like Trayzan, Cassus did not await for his master to call him. He was just as a part of the lesson as her, or Avreet. The acolyte approached the final prisoner. He didn't look desperate or fearful. The prisoner only closed his eyes, knowing his fate.

Figuring physical connection would make things easier, the Sith placed two fingers on the man's forehead and closed his eyes. Slowly, he invaded the prisoner's mind. The hard part was not going to be erasing the memories, but melding with his mind. This much as clear.

"Zmir."

The incantation was essential. For without it, the spell would not work. Slowly, Cassus battled through the man's mind. He had quite the strong will. It took a few minutes, but the Sith won out, breaking through the prisoner's defenses. The apprentice walked among the memories. At first, he saw some of the man's more general memories, moving onto more specific memories such as his service to the Alliance. He found more of his deeper, meaningful memories. Cassus saw a woman, around the prisoner's age. Most likely his wife. There was also a young boy, no older than five. He would grow up without his father, it would seem.

Without remorse, Cassus erased the memories, as if they were meaningless. Opening his eyes, the Sith looked upon the prisoner. The spell was confirmed to be successful, with the prisoner completely unaware who he was or why he was here. The man had been stripped of his very identity. For many, it's a fate worse than death. For Cassus, it was a weapon far more powerful than murder.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima watched as each of her students performed the spell with success. Turning her attention to Avreet she answered, "There is a way to recover your lost memories Avreet in the event you allow yourself to be captured by the Jedi and undergo a memory wipe yourself. However, it would take the combine power of say, the Dark Council or the Empress herself perhaps, to undo the damage. But I do not see our fellow Sith helping you out. To them, you are no longer a threat to their power or a potential rival to stake claim to the leadership of the Sith if catastrophe befalls the Empress. My advice, choose death over capture."

Grima motions for the prisoners to be ushered out of the room. When the door closes behind them, she says, "Like I always state....the more you use a power the greater chance of mastering it. There is nothing more I can teach you in regards of this power. If there is anything else we need to discuss, please feel free to speak now. If not, then this class and session as come to an end."

 

[Bubák]

Frowning at the Acolyte, the Mon Calamari decided the man needed to be taught some manners. Avreet strongly disliked when Acolytes acted as if Crusaders were their equals. Someone had to show them their place in the Order. If Cassus was able to learn not to bow or kneel from Grima, surely he could learn to introduce himself to higher ranked Sith. Avreet allowed the other two Acolytes to finish their practice on prisoners and carefully listened to his Master. True, death was the honourable alternative to capture, but the Jedi fanatics like cutting off limbs, which would make any suicide attempt much harder. Maybe he could plant an explosive into his eye, then trigger it by a very specific movement or command?

Although the Togruta dismissed the class, Avreet turned to her, having a few more things on his mind, "Grima, I will have a question for you in a minute, but now I have to deal with something else." Turning to face Cassus, Avreet pointed at him with his right hand and released a pure manifestation of the Dark Side, Force lightning, to teach the Acolyte how to act. "Remember, Acolyte, that hiding from your superiors is not a good thing to do. One might think you want to kill them, and eliminate you as a result. Also, some species can see through darkness better than others, rendering your cover ineffective. And last and most important, when meeting a higher ranked Sith for the first time, introduce yourself."

Stopping the barrage of lightning, Avreet simply stared at the man. "Is that clear, Acolyte?" he calmly asked, slightly disturbed that Master Volitu had not taught him these things. Technically, Avreet had no right to punish someone else's apprentice, but given the fact Master Volitu was his former Master, he felt he had to make her job of teaching new Sith easier. Vyrzen would never dare not to adress higher ranked Sith improperly!

 

[Rasputin]

Cassus grunted in pain as the Mon Calamari blasted him with Sith lightning. It was quite painful, though not quite as painful as the lightning Grima had used during their first encounter. It was there he learnt his first lesson--never show submission. The acolyte immediately held contempt for this alien. Normally, he wouldn't allow himself to appear weak. However, something inside him told him to keep quiet for now. For now was not the time to fight. Besides, Avreet was clearly worth more alive. If the crusader gave him trouble again, however, he'd deal with him.

"Very well," the acolyte responded. He didn't bow or show submission. His master had taught him better.

Without another word, Cassus turned and left.

 

[Bubák]

With both Acolytes gone, Avreet turned his glare to face the Sith Master. He wasn't sure speaking with her was the greatest idea, but he needed the Sith witch to show him the right way. Master Volitu should know the right answer, in all her wisdom. "Master Volitu, you know what happened to Coruscant. After feeling what the Empress felt as she drained life energy from the planet, I realized how dangerous that woman is. And I don't mean her power, connection to the Dark Side, or having the whole Empire at her command. I mean her hunger. What makes us certain she won't devour the whole galaxy once we conquer it for her? I know she had shown no such intentions yet, but with no enemies, there will be no one to stop her. Her Council will protect her to the end, given how loyal those lapdogs are. I don't want to help her destroy everything."

The Mon Cal stared straight into the Togruta's eyes. "I want to kill her and everyone loyal to her. With her and her Council gone, there would be an empty throne. If we allowed the more power hungry Sith fight for it and eliminate each other while waiting for the right time, we could replace the leadership with more reasonable people once the dust settled. Someone wise who won't be consumed by hunger could rule the Empire much more effectively. Someone like you...," the young Mon Cal said with hope in his voice, seeing Grima as the next Empress. The wise Togruta surely wouldn't fall so low as to drain entire planets just to get a bit more power.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima listened to her former Apprentice speak his mind and took in every word he spoke, remaining silent until he was done. She thought about his words and knew what he was proposing was dangerous but was border line treason. He was taking a big chance speaking to her especially after he knew how she felt about the Empress and the Dark Council. But unlike the other Sith, she did not cast judgment on those who spoke their opinion, no matter how disheartened she felt about her former apprentice's views.

"Avreet....I did feel the power through the Force and you are right to have concerns as all Sith should but we know our sisters and brothers are two blind to see the truth in front of them. With nothing left to conqueror what will prevent her from turning in us to satisfy this hunger you says she has? Nothing. However, what's the main focus of being Sith.....survival. If she wishes to feed upon the galaxy and the Order itself then you and I should survive by any means necessary. But to challenge the Empress herself is folly and treasonous to speak of."

Grima stood in silence for a few passing minutes to gather her thoughts and to let her former Apprentice know that he had nothing to fear from her. She was not his enemy and he was not hers. But he was playing a dangerous game.

"Though I crave the throne myself just as all Sith do, I have no desire to fight for the throne then have to fight to hold onto it. I have patience like no other and if their is a void from the death of the Empress, then I will stand back and watch, letting others destroy themselves until someone proves to me or us that they are worthy of the throne. If no such candidate proves its worth, then I will make a grab for it but only then. My true cravings and desires lie elsewhere and if I have to call another Emperor or Empress until then, so be it. As for thoughts about killing the Empress," Grima said then stopped letting what she was about to say make sense to her former Apprentice.

"You should keep such thoughts buried deep Avreet or they will betray you my young friend. I do not condone nor do I disagree with your view on this subject but right now, patience is your best course of action. and if you feel this strongly about this, then perhaps quietly and delicately you should gather your allies if you wish to change the course of history as you perceive it."