The Hunt Continues

[Natise]

Vinculis took a long drawn out drag from his cig as he looked over the main courtyard. He had been tracking Circe for several weeks now, ever since their last encounter. That attempt at her life had not gone as well with the unpleasant interruptions. Now though, on the planet of Mannan, nobody would be able to save her, not even Lord Elixis. Vinculis hope that his victory would please the lord enough to make up for the direct disobedience he planne in showing.

Vinculis was snapped out of his trance when he sensed her emerge onto the courtyard. He could not identify her immediately, so he would wait for her to make her presence obvious.

 

[Fusion]

Circe had come to Manaan to pay her respects. Leon Kovik, her good friend, had been buried, and despite her having attended the funeral, she still felt an urge to visit his grave every time she came to this watery planet. As she walked into the courtyard, she felt something... A sort of presence that trickled at the corners of her mind. Immediately she shifted, an illusion forming in her place of a dark-haired woman wearing a set of black robes. She knew who this was and why he was here, but she guessed he did not know that she was a Sith now.

 

[Natise]

There. He had sense her alter her form, and now he had her targeted. Vinculis activate his comm.

" Alright Leiutenant, clear the courtyard if you do not want any of your people dying "

" You have ten minutes Sith. "

Vinculis smiled. As if the Selkath actually had a say in how long his battle would take. People began clearing out of the courtyard. As they did, Vinculis dropped down from the second story, and made his way to the center of the courtyard. Once he did, he would be sanding a mere ten feet away from Circe, staring her down in the eyes.

" Hello sweetheart "

Vinculis said with a threatining smile, unsheathing his katana as he said it.

 

[Fusion]

Circe smiled as she looked at Vinculis.

Back again, I see... So you intend to finish what you started?

Circe paused, altering her illusory shroud to that of someone Vinculis would recognize quite well: Empress Andraste. It was a perfect copy: the darkness, the physical appearance... Even the voice.

You made me lose my cover, Vinculis... I could have you exterminated for your foolish act!

She pointed at him.

But if you simply come with me quietly, I'll be kind enough to forget everything that's happened. Besides, you wouldn't want to suffer the Emperor's wrath, would you?

 

[Natise]

" You think you can fool me with your pathetic illusions!? Me!? I am no child! I am a sith! "

Vinculis rose his left hand, releasing a massive force push at Circe. He than dashed forwards, lifting the katana in his right hand up, ready to bring it down once he reached her.

 

[Fusion]

Circe found me... I pursuaded her to join our cause as a Sith Crusader. She belongs to us now. Now cease your silly activity, Vinculis, or I'll be forced to destroy you.

Anger coursed through Circe's veins as she dodged the Force Push. A pair of illusory lightsabers flew towards the Sith Crusader. One would block his strike, and the other would circle him, ready to plunge into his body at extremely high speed if it continued.

This... Is your final warning. Stop. Now.

 

[Natise]

Vinculis vanished in a puff of smoke and appeared behind Circe moments later. As soon as he appeared, he grabbed her by the back of the neck, and slammed her into the wall. As she made impact, he faced her and grabbe her by the neck, shifting her up against the wall and staring into her eyes, katana pointed at her throat.

" I know you are Circe, but what you are saying...you are not lying. Tell me exactly what ha happened. "

 

[Fusion]

As "Andraste" was slammed into the wall, she disappeared herself, only for her to slam Vinculis forward into the wall as illusory tendrils of the Dark Side grabbed him and restrained him.

You still have much to learn, Vinculis...

At the moment, she was trying so hard that she actually believed she was Andraste.

The report I received from Sith Lady Asuka Trang indicates that it was she who pursuaded Circe to join us. Evidently, she gladly accepted. It shows how useful friendship can be to bring new members into our ranks...

 

[Natise]

The tendrils did not hurt, they only annoyed Vinculis. He hated when he was not in control, and now this bitch had the upper hand. He took in her words. Why did she talk of herself in the third person? Was she still trying to fool him about her identity? This made Vinculis think perhaps she had been lying...but still his instincts told him that she actually was of the sith now.

As these thoughts raced around his mind, Vinculis built up some energy into both arms. Once enough was there, he bursts out of the tendrils, and faced Circe, the remaining energy forming at his finger tips in the form of lightning.

" If your words are true, you should have nothing to fear. Reveal your true self. "

 

[Fusion]

Circe finally snapped out of her trance-like state as "Andraste" disappeared. She still acted as though Andraste herself had been there.

The Empress was right. Asuka convinced me to join the Sith be leave the Fire Force. Oh yes, did she convince me...

Circe moaned a bit, reminiscing what had happened in the bedroom.

Yes, I have joined the Sith. My apprentices do not yet know this, though I will tell them eventually.

 

[Natise]

Vinculis rose one of his eyebrows. Either Circe was on some drugs that he wanted very badly, or she was even crazier than him. Was she still trying to trick Vinculis? The Empress was long gone, out of Imperial space. Circe impersonating her would most likely not sit well with many of the higher ranked sith. This gave Vinculis more of an urge to attack her. Also, she had apparently betrayed her little organization, and not even made it clear to them yet. It seemed as if all of her bridges were burning, but she still had one that brought fear to Vinculis, and that was his own master, Elixis. Her death would need to be postponed it seemed.

Vinculis sheathed his katana and dispelled the sparks into the ground, forming two large burn marks on the ground. Perhaps he should gain something to make this waste of time valuable, he thought.

" Well then, if your words are true seductress, why dont you make my trip worth while. Teach me how to conjure fire. "

 

[Fusion]

As Circe came closer to the Sith Crusader, she ran a finger along the side of his face.

While I can do so much more for you then simply that, I suppose I could teach you this... After all, your master is my own. Perhaps even more...

She chuckled at that last sentence before backing up. A ball of fire formed in her hands that began to grow stronger. With a swift motion, she turned towards the open water as a massive arc of fire flowed from her hands over into the water like a fiery rainbow.

Focus on your anger, your passion. Let it form itself as fire in your hands.

 

[Natise]

" If it was that simple, I think I would have managed to figure it out by now. Every time I try, only lightning is formed. There must be some specific action you have to do...some passion you need. "

A Vinculis ended his show of disapproval, and slight flirtation, he stepped close to Circe, taking her by both hands and looking down into her eyes.

" Show me the passion. "

 

[Fusion]

Truthfully there is not, but there are ones easier to draw on. Lust, desire, pleasure... Emotions and passions such as these seem to be breeding grounds for fire. But well, if you want me to show you the passion you need to draw on...

Circe pulled Vinculis tightly towards her as her lips touched his own. This was an experience he would not soon forget.

 

[Natise]

Her words were strange. Lust, desire, pleasure. These were all emotions that Vinculis had blocked out since his parents died. When he was known as Desmond, he had "cured" himself of them to ensure that he would not have any distractions during his rise to power. Suddenly a face flashed across his mind. Ruby, the only person he had loved. The person he beheaded with his bare hands to become a crusader. Vinculis was about to mock Circe when she suddenly reache up and kissed him. It was soft at first, and it sent amazing feelings through Vinculis. He decided then and there that he was no longer Desomond, so he no longer had a code of rules to live by.

Vinculis rose one hand to Circe's face and brought it to his, kidding her again. This time more...passionately. Once he was done he removed his hand and took a step back.

" I can see what you are speaking of...it feels amazing. Almost intoxicating. "

Vinculis said with a sick smile as he stretched out both of his hands, and allowed his energies to mi with his passion instead of just his anger. A brilliant blue fire formed on his hands, and he smile as he looked at it. The flames grew larger and smaller, they danced around him in circles and beautiful designs. Finally he flicked his wrist, sending the fire to the wall behind him.

 

[Fusion]

Oh it is... When you wield this powerful tool, it can sometimes overcome you, but the results are something to be quite proud of.

Looking at the blue fire emanating from Vinculis' hands, she smiled. He was doing quite well.

Of course, this is only a small taste of the pleasure at your command. To... unlock more of it, you must dive deeper.

 

[Natise]

Vinculis smiled at her words. The temptation was great, but he had spent way to much time here in the open. The guards had began building up a large enough group to feel comfortable attacking the two sith, and they were nearly ready. He did not want to stick around.

" I'm afraid our time must be cut short. But we shall meet again...I am sure of it. "

With a small wave, Vinculis vanished in a cloud of smoke.

 

[Fusion]

Circe smiled as she saw Vinculis disappear. Turning and looking at the soldiers preparing to attack, she herself disappeared in a puff of Dark Side energy, traveling to her shuttle and leaving the planet. Her time here was up, and she had things to get to that were far more important then simply this.