Thanatopsis.

[Dakota]

​

KORRIBAN. MID-DAY.

Unlike the seemingly limitless sands of Korriban, its sister world is steeped in a thick, heavy layer of darkness. A weight bares down upon the shoulders of any who dare step upon these sacred grounds. But such is the price to pay for the affirmation of power. Vyrdesseus had done it once before. Though, when the Brotherhood was young, there were none of appropriate station to accompany him. Such conditions made the journey that much more treacherous, but also served to bolster his legend. He allowed the whispers to spread, rumors that he was no mere man, but a centuries old Sith re-incarnate. Of course these things were nothing more than falsehoods. But myths are among the simplest forms of power, so he has done nothing to curb the flames, even after stepping down from the throne.

Now, he leads another through the shroud; across the veil that separates the mortal from the Divine. The entirety of Vyrdesseus' body is cloaked in shadow, his hood drawn over his face. This is typical dress for him, but required when walking the hallowed paths of Moraband. Moments pass before he turns to the man at his side, the one who's turn it is now to test his power in the Grand Pyramid and truly ascend. " ...You are the third to take this throne now, Lord Venator," his voice crackled. " You have been blessed with opportunities that...many other leaders would beg at the feet of Bogan for. "

He refers to his colleague in respectful, but plain terms. In the eyes of Vyrdesseus, the two remain equal. They will be until the ceremony is complete. " The Jedi....in their fervent attempts to wipe us from the galaxy...have taken more and more steps toward becoming us. " For a moment, he stops speaking. In the weeks since his decision to relieve himself of the throne, Vyrdesseus has become something of a trusted adviser to the Sith leadership. For it was not weakness that vacated his throne, merely the idea that a throne and bloodshed was beneath him. " You must...use this, to your advantage. The Dark Side calls to them...they pretend, feebly so, that they are the champions of the just. The galaxy has yet to see them for what they have truly become. " He stops. There's a sneering grin hidden beneath the shadow cast by his hood. " The Brotherhood is prideful...it is small, but the Jedi have grown over-confident in their ability to resist the call the shadows' song. This...I advise...must be your first move. " His fingers steeple under the robes. The war had only just begun.

@Phœnix (but it won't show up).

 

[Phoenix]

Darth Venator. Many wouldn't know who he was. His life had been one of shadow and stealth. He'd done his work for the Brotherhood and exercised his power and skill day in and day out. He'd tested the others in the order and waited. Waited for his opportunity. Waited for the chance to seize his position and title. Now he'd succeeded. Even now, though many would come to know and fear his name, he didn't overplay his hand. Never showed his power unnecessarily so as to keep others guessing about what he could - and would - do.

Though his ascension would come as a surprise to some, he knew it was coming. It was the path he'd set his eyes on years earlier. As he walked along, hood pulled up over his face as well, he listened to the words of the Lord Vyrdesseus. Knowledge was power, and Venator was interested in both. So, like it or not, he listened to the other man's words, gleaning what he could from it.

Even as he listened, he sensed the darkness around him. It was a festering pit. No, no it wasn't. It was a vortex, and it felt far more alive than he would have expected from a place that seemed so dead. So many spirits, but they still felt so alive. The hate was almost palpable, certainly to any with the Force, there would be no missing it.

The Jedi have chosen their path. They've chosen violence and are on the very path to becoming what they claim to hate. They kill and maim in the name of "justice" or "peace" or some other farce. In reality, they are one step from falling away. With a slight nudge, their order will implode and be destroyed from the inside out.

Of course, he knew that it was easier to say all of this than to implement it, but he also knew the Jedi were hypocrites. It wasn't that he really hated them, but they were a disaster. Their weakness was costing this galaxy and destabilizing it. They didn't deserve to hold power in their current state.