Battle of Coruscant: This Ends Now

[Proleptic]

Maliel moved to start Kira walking out the door, but the woman didn't follow immediately. She turned to Mal, smiling sadly. "I've never really had a problem hurting you have I Maliel?" Kira said frankly. Maliel winced at that, knowing it was true, and wishing it was a lie. Maliel recognized that Kira truly didn't have much regard for the well-being of others, after Eryn at least. All the evidence was there, and it all pointed to Maliel being nothing more than a fun little tool, but she refused to listen to logic and fact.

Seeing the way she kissed Argus served only as proof of the sad truth: Maliel was just a tool. Maliel continually ignored this in favor of a better reality, one where she was wanted, and even loved. Whenever a new piece of evidence came along, it joined the rest of the painful stabs that Maliel endured continually. It mattered not that she gave her pain, for the happiness she had felt, if only for a few fleeting moments, overshadowed even the darkest of nights.

Maliel's little episode was over as quickly as it had come, and she moved onto the objectives at hand. She chose not to bother responding to Kira's words, choosing instead to press on with leaving the brig. Before she could move to usher Kira away, the woman broke off, limping back to the bodies of the Jedi she had killed, grabbing one of their communicators from a body. The speech she delivered to the Jedi Army was one of utter confidence and certainty, certainty that all those who stood before her, and her army, would perish. It would seem that Vosrik was at the top of that very long list.

Maliel quickly moved to get Kira from the room, knowing that it wouldn't be long before more forces arrived to ensure the security of the prisoner. Moving Kira along, they departed the room, just in time to hear a small voice, the girl whom Argus had dispatched, making an announcement across Jedi communication lines. "Do not trust the Jedi accompanying the prisoner. She is not an ally." Maliel cursed under her breath, knowing that she needed to get this over with so that she could be down and out, appearing to have defended the Jedi against the prisoner. That would be cause for suspicion, but no grounds for reprimand, truly.

Just as they reached the hangar, all that was spoiled. She heard a shout from behind her, a voice that she recognized all too well. "Kira." the voice shouted, cold and emotionless. "Give it up. It's over." he said, and Maliel turned to face the former Sith Lord. Mal looked upon the man with distaste. This man was the one who would cast her out from the Jedi. This was the man who would cast her out of the only home she had ever known. At least, he would if he lived.

"Back off, Venator." Maliel said spitefully. "This isn't even close to over." Maliel growled spitefully. There went every chance of staying with the Jedi any longer. Anger broiled within her, but she pushed it away. The Dark Side wasn't her way, not yet, and it would only get in the way here. She called her lightsabers to her hands, ready for a fight. "Kira is leaving, and you're not invited." she said, her tone daring him to challenge, and she knew he was more than up to it.

@Phœnix

 

[Vosrik]

"Captain Rimgard, what's your status?"

A strained, but determined voice replied. "Taking some hits, Lord Tanari, but we're making progress. Ions did a number on their engines, but one of our Marauder's turbolasers is out of commission. Locking all tractor beams now."

It was then that Kira decided to flout the remains of her pride across the comms of the Strength of Ilum. Her words further proved to Vosrik that he had done the right thing. He had dealt a serious moral blow to them by simply taking away the essence of their power, and therefore their pride. Taking up the comms, the Jedi Lord replied - both to Kira and to the Jedi Army.

"Kira Elan, you are neither a Darth or a Dark Lord any more. An Acolyte has more claim to that title than you. We are boarded, yes, but soon the little party of Sith will be dealt with. It is by the might of the Army of Light that we are keeping the rest of your fleet at bay. We will never surrender. The amount of Sith aboard is laughable really - even now your positions are being tracked. The Army is stronger than ever before, and we will continue to rout you like we did at Telos, at Lothal, and at Onderon. The words of a powerless Sith mean nothing."

"Jedi, rise and fight! Not only do you defend this ship, but the free peoples of the Galaxy. These Sith are an abomination of the Force, let them befoul the Strength of Ilum no more."

Knowing that a detachment of Sith forces lay just outside the bridge, the Jedi Lord had preemptively shut the blast doors. Not really expecting them to hold against those wielding a lightsaber, it was no surprise as Argus and his squad of Sacred Band burst through. Standing and facing the intruder, Vosrik released his embroidered cloak and snapped his twin blades to his hands. Erupting in a blaze of bright emerald, one would be reminded why Sith quailed in the face of the Lord of the Jedi.

"Public execution is not the way of the Jedi, though one so corrupt as you wouldn't understand. There is a fine line between evil and good, Sith - it's called Justice. Kira's state is rather mild in comparison to the heinous acts of your Brotherhood."

"Admiral Yon-Das, you have the bridge. Jedi Knights, send these demons back where they came."

The amount of guns leveled at the Knights clearly didn't bother them as a greater force of Jedi and Antarian Rangers charged with a great cry, various lightsabers hacking through opposition and blasters gunning down the bottleneck at the exit. Vosrik, now having rested sufficiently enough to fight at his near full potential, began by leaping immediately to Argus' position. The green blades of the Lord hacked and slashed towards the Sith in a blur of movement, a testament to his mastery of Ataru. Strike after strike, Vosrik unexpectedly outstretched both arms in a sudden effort to send his opponent through the open bridge doors and into the hallways of the Strength of Ilum. Not leaving a single opportunity for respite, he rushed forward to continue his barrage of attacks.

@Argus
cPvP yayayay​

 

[Wit]

It seemed to him that all he was doing today was cleanup. The ship was suddenly crawling with Sith and Jedi out to rip each other's throats out, and it was taking all he was worth to help Jedi without making it look like he was helping them. He would sneak up on them from behind and knock them out, or sending them slamming into walls to put them temporarily out of commission. He knew the Sith mandate was rescuing Kira, that was the priority. So if they didn't have Jedi acting as obstacles in their path, the Sith would move with all haste towards Kira.

Not that he was having any luck on that front either. Kira and Maliel, who seemed to be involved in some weird college fantasy threeway with the blue guy, seemed to be hell bent on provoking anyone and everyone in the Galaxy. By the time he finally caught up with them once again, Kira had already managed to send out a broadcast taunting the Jedi, and spurring Cain on to wreck havoc among the Jedi. That didn't help his plans, not one bit.

So of course he wasn't surprised to find Corvo had beaten him to the two women, or that he and Maliel seemed to be locking blades. But that was something he wasn't pissed with, if Maliel really was a traitor that the blind Jedi had warned about over the comms then she deserved whatever hell Corvo was going to bring to her. For now Kira was his problem. Running up to her, just as Vosrik's announcement was winding up, he grabbed her from behind and slung her over his shoulder. Turning around with one last look at Corvo, he ran, making a beeline for the hangar and their escape from this fiasco.

What in the Force is wrong with you? He was genuinely pissed at her, firstly for being responsible for his current situations, and second for all the additional headache he had to cope with today. I go to all the trouble of distracting the Jedi, creating a clear path for you to escape and you go and shout out your location to the entire Galaxy. You think your pet Jedi will be able to save you when the entire Jedi Order descends upon you? Hasn't that arrogance of yours gotten you into enough trouble already that you're going around welcoming more?

 

[Prudence]

Though Kira was still devoid of the Force she didn't need a metaphysical sense to detect the sadness within Maliel. She knew the smaller girl well, and sadness was painted across her frame as clear as day. She was quieter now, more reserved and timid in her actions and Kira knew why. She wanted to reassure Maliel, to let her know how she felt, but this wasn't the time. That always seemed to be the case, nothing was ever the time for Kira until it was too late. She was turning to leave when she heard the voice that sent chills down her spine. She spun around quickly and her head began to swirl, her vision blurring for a moment. Venator had come back for her, like the ghost of death come for her soul. I'll die when I'm good and ready. Kira thought to herself as she lunged forward quickly. She drew one of Maliel's Dual-phase pistols from her belt and raised it, firing its full clip off towards Venator. She had no doubt that he could deflect it, but in the moment her anger had gotten the best of her.

"Suck spa-" Her venomous words were cut off as she felt someone sieze her from behind, throwing her over his shoulder. She squirmed a bit, kicking him in the stomach as she did so and eventually gave up her struggle. Her body was weaker right now, and without the Force she wasn't going to overpower this one... if she remembered right Moff Arpha. He rebuked her for not having run faster, and being overly arrogant.

"The real question is what in the Force is wrong with you?" She bit back, "At least by me dinner before you get all physical. For your reference I have a boyfriend. And a.. uh... girl lover? Girl toy? I dunno I have her too though. You can't just sweep me off my feet like this!" Luckily by this point they were out of earshot of Maliel, as she would have surely been hurt by this.

 

[Wit]

Valin ignored her, concentrating instead on where his feet were carrying him, getting more and more conscious of how tired he felt. Luckily for him the Chiss had more or less cleared the path from the hanger to the holding cells, all that was left for them was a simply matter of retracing his steps. They reached the hanger quickly enough, running through empty corridors in near silence, minus Kira shouting away at him.

Finally they reached the hanger, and Valin almost burst out laughing when he realized he felt relieved to walk into a room full of Sith. Not stoping until they were at the entrance to the docked Leviathan, Valin finally paid attention to what Kira had been saying. "At least buy me dinner before you get all physical. For your reference I have a boyfriend. And a.. uh... girl lover? Girl toy? I dunno I have her too though. You can't just sweep me off my feet like this!"

He dropped her to her feet, and acting on a moment of impulse, used the Force to gently tug her foot out from under her, sending her crashing to the floor. Well I can, and I just did. And all your toys didn't stop you from falling for me. With that he walked past her, into the docked Leviathan and the courier that was supposedly waiting within.

@Kira Elan

 

[Phoenix]

Move aside before I move you aside, he threatened menacingly toward the ex-Jedi Master. His right saber activated and cast the hallway in a strange combination of violet and black that seemed wholly unnatural against the plain metallic colors of the ship's interior. His intentions were set and if he had to fight his way through someone to bring Kira down, he'd do it without a second's hesitation.

In something akin to a fit of rage - which was far less intimidating without the Dark Lord's abilities in the Force - Kira lashed out with a pistol, sending shot after shot his direction to be battered off towards the walls. His left hand fell to his side and - with the unoccupied fingers - seized one of the small throwing knives he kept there and sent it straight toward Kira's leg as she was pulled away by another unknown Sith. The blade was dipped in the stinger venom of the Kouhun and while it wasn't lethal, it would cause immense burning pain that would be almost paralyzing for the limb.

Unfortunately, for the moment that seemed to be the only parting gift until he'd battered his way through the traitorous Jedi. While he hadn't devoted his attention wholly to Kira, he now directed it primarily toward the woman. Even now he could feel it: death. But not just any death, it was the darkness that clung to a person who had committed cold-blooded murder. He was intimately familiar with its aura as it had latched onto him more times than he could count. But there was something else there that acted as a deeper emotion that he had become more familiar with in recent days. He sensed sorrow and... love?

Why would you be party to the murder of billions? That's what you're doing if you let her go. He shook his head in disgust, but what do you care, as long as you get to be Kira's side whore then it doesn't matter who has to die. It was a bit of a guess, but people didn't take such brash actions without deep emotion and the feelings she had shown were as clearly felt as black on white.

He'd moved slowly closer as he spoke, nearly to within striking distance, ever alert to her movements and the ebb and flow of the Force around him. He knew he didn't have all day as he could see his prey escaping down the hall. Without warning his right arm lashed out aiming to strike her from her left thigh to her right shoulder, completely uncaring as to whether or not she was killed in the engagement. He was beyond such restrictions and presented himself in the Force as a swirling pool of aggression that was focused only on bringing down the Dark Lord of the Sith. @Prudence @Proleptic

 

[Proleptic]

"Move aside before I move you aside." Venator said menacingly, with far more venom then Maliel had mustered for her own words. His saber activated, pushing Maliel to activate her dual blades, the cool mint aura countering the harsh aura of purple and black field created by Venator's own blades. The light from his seemed to envelop that of Mal's own, like a darkness so complete that it fought against light itself. It was almost amusing, coming from the turned-around Dark Lord of the Sith. Maliel simply didn't have time for amusement.

Maliel watched Venator through squinting eyes, ready for any movement the man would make. So ready was she for any attacks to come her way, that she missed Venator's true target entirely. When the glowing knife came whizzing past her, Maliel was helplessly out of range, and too slow to react. She heard the sickening squelch as the knife embedded itself deep into Kira's leg. Maliel flinched at the sound, fighting to keep her eyes glued to her opponent. She grit her teeth, anger, plain and present, showing on her face.

Maliel had to fight the pull of the dark side as it tugged at her subconscious. Regardless of her own efforts, the acts she had committed in cold blood, in the name of Kira's safety, took their toll upon the woman. The corruption wasn't so ravaging in a physical sense, but her very essence was tainted by the bloodshed. She could feel the tug stronger than ever before. The desire to hurt, to maim, to kill the enemy who stood before her. She pushed away the desires, denying the dark side as she had so strongly for so many years. She wouldn't give in.

Maliel calmed herself, though her anger simmered beneath the surface. Her face was a mask of the mess of emotions she had been enduring for so long now. The confusion she had faced at the realization that the Jedi and the Sith were not simply black and white had forced her into a period of reconstruction. She had remade her philosophies, building herself into a new, better, and stronger person. That was all torn asunder when she got close to Kira. She had given into temptation—she had given into Kira.

Kira's very existence, to Maliel, was personified temptation, the raw essence of desires she had fought to keep control over for her entire life. When she had truly met her trials, she had lost, and spectacularly, at that. Maliel tried not to question herself once again. She pushed aside the doubts about her decisions, and the path she had chosen to follow. When had her life become this, revolving around her love for a woman who didn't, and probably never would, love her back?

"Why would you be party to the murder of billions? That's what you're doing if you let her go." Venator taunted in disgust. "But what do you care, as long as you get to be Kira's side whore then it doesn't matter who has to die." he continued, viciously targeting the heart of Maliel's own mental instability. She winced, her face screwing into a mess of pain, guilt, and anger. The words took a moment to sink in as Maliel pushed aside the pain that came with knowing every word he said was true. When had she sunk so low as to commit cold-blooded murder for love?

Maliel realized right then that she had always been this person. She had always been the cold-blooded murder, she had just changed skins. She began murdering Sith in cold blood, solely for the love of her deceased family. She had graduated to murdering them for the sake of her deceased master. Finally, she had moved onto murdering any who would stand in the way of her, and those she loved. This time, however, it was for the sake of one who would murder billions without question.

Maliel's focus had shifted. She had lost her concentration on the man before her, and she had missed as he started slowly stalking towards her. She missed as he closed the gap to being within striking distance, and she nearly lost her life to an existential crisis. Only her time-honed reflexes saved her from being bisected from hip to shoulder. As Venator's blade came searing through the air, thrumming angrily with murderous energy, Maliel threw her weight into a backwards somersault, temporarily deactivating her lightsabers as she did so.

She felt the blade whiz through the air as she dodged, and came up to her feet ready for action. Venator's strike had the advantage of drawing her from her own mind, focusing her back on the real world. She threw her hands out in front of her, throwing a strong wave of force energy down the hall. The narrow hall would leave little room to dodge the invisible force, and would hopefully give Mal the opportunity to retreat. She knew she wasn't in any state to fight an opponent of this magnitude, especially when he could emotionally strike her so deeply.

This was a masterful opponent, not only of physical skill, but also intellectual. He was too dangerous for Maliel right now, and she was terrified.

After sending her push towards Venator, Maliel reactivated her blades and shot off down the hall, sprinting away from the man, hoping to flee from the monstrosity of an opponent. She could see the retreating forms of Kira and some unknown man, and her thoughts focused, scrambled as they were, on the one thing that seemed right, despite all logic. Seeing Kira's face, gritted in pain from her injuries, gave Maliel the fire she needed, stopping her in her tracks. The longer I fight Venator, the longer Kira has to escape.

Maliel grit her teeth and turned on her heel, facing the man who was undoubtedly in hot pursuit, and settled herself into a ready stance, preparing for the fight to come. Her fear was washed away, her resolve tightened, and her focus less scrambled. Be safe, my dear.

@Phœnix

 

[Vinny]

Cain enjoyed a good joke as much as the next person, but he also did not tolerate foolishness. Rokuro, the young man whom he had shared a sandy beach with on Corellia, was making a lot of noise for someone so small. The sith lord kept his focus on the much stronger opponent across from him. His lip quirked. "Your Jedi youth are becoming more and more barbaric by the day. That one's got a bit of sith in him, doesn't he?" Lord Cain teased, taking a few steps to the right. It was just then that the intercom flared to life. The Sith Lord's eyes flashed with glowing light as he heard Darth Solum's voice over the speakers. She was angling for Dun Moch? Gloriously audacious! Cain nearly laughed before the second part of the speech was broadcast.

Cain's fingers went numb as she spoke.

Cain slowly tilted his head back down to level his gaze with the Jedi General's. His expression was a mixture of misbelief, joy, and malice. His devotion to the dark lady swelled, a flame growing brighter and brighter in the force. With it, grew his power. Zeal was the source of his strength, and the deeper his devotion, the mightier he became. His chest was heaving with the anticipation of the moment. "So this is what they call a field promotion." Darth Cain snarled. Admittedly he had issued a challenge to be taken up by Darth Vulpus, but he had never heard the official results of that challenge. He would have to ask Solum the full details once they get out of this. He rolled his shoulders and bounced on his heels. "Well, you heard the Dark Lady. I have orders." He tilted his head a bit to catch Rokuro's face.

"You are part of everyone, Rokuro. Run."

--------------------

Nimarra finally worked up the strength to leap from her small cubby to the detention level above. The bone fractures across her body were too much, though, she collapsed in a heap on the detention level, blood streaming from her nose.

 

[Cheshire]

Rokuro couldn't help but let out a little giggle, grinning at the irony and the clearly angled sentence at him and speaking to the general infront of him. He gave a small grin before peeking from behind the general. "Darling Cain, Sith is the new fashion trend plus I'm quite surprised that many people are complaining. Personally, learning in depth about the Sith is good for the body and the mind, expands the mind's view after all." He grinned before watching the encounter infront of him. He knew he would be in for a world of questioning and a sort of punishment when they arrived back on Tython or Illum, wherever the arm was located nowadays, he didn't really care.

He however when he heard Kira over the loudspeakers, his heart dropped as she ordered the man, his "friend" to murder everyone onboard. Of course it was murder, yet there was a lot more effective means rather than death. Still, his life was now properly in danger, especially since he was stuck in a hallway with a Darth and a General. When Cain addressed him, he felt a sense of sadness as Cain accepted his promotion and specifically told Rokuro that he was to run away too.

He, gave a slow nod and a sad smile to the man before going to turn away, however he looked back over, to the Jedi and the Darth one last time. "Well Cain I'm hurt! Until next time! I suppose we can bond over alcohol and a blade next time. You know where to find me. General, please run, I think Cain is very deadly serious." He quickly picked up his pace as he sprinted away, running directly to an escape pod then he remembered the woman that helped him earlier, and knew that he had to make sure she was okay. He tried sensing her through the force and found her, weak and fragile. He sprinted to the detention level, and knew that he had to help her, especially since they were fleeing their ship. He carefully scooped her up, and jumped in a nearby escape pod, shooting down to the planet below, knowing that she would be safest in his hands rather on the floor of a doomed ship.

@Vinny @Richie B.

 

[Phoenix]

Corvo could almost feel the indecision inside of her and for a moment thought he might have been getting through. Making her second guess what she was doing, but he didn't have all day for her to make up her mind. As she flipped backward he felt the flux of energy from her and sent a pulsing wave in her direction to counter it. She beat him out with her attack, though. The two pulses of energy smashed together just in front of him and sent the telekinetic energies in every direction, shoving him backward as his boots skidded along the floor and he arched his back forward to maintain balance.

By the time he looked up, he could see the Jedi was already on the run, chasing after the Dark Lord, but just as she imagined he was right on her tail. For the briefest moment he considered kicking on his boots but decided the risk outweighed the reward and continued on foot, slowly gaining on her: benefits of longer legs. Then, almost without warning, she spun to face him. It caught him a bit off guard, but wasn't totally illogical. She needed to buy time which meant Corvo needed to get around or through her.

He swung his right saber upward at a 60 degree angle aiming to cut the inside of her left thigh to the outside and remove the leg, hoping the injury would prevent her from pursuing him and allowing him to chase Kira down, though he wasn't hopeful. This is your last chance to prevent mass genocide. Let me stop her. You used to believe in protecting the weak, imagine how many innocent families are going to suffer unimaginable grief as they clutch the charred corpse of their infant after a Sith bombardment. Are you willing to do that? Those deaths are on you if you let this happen. @Proleptic

 

[Richie B.]

Brand watched the Sith attempt something in the dark side, watching him the Jedi could feel him trying to make the Jedi feel.. love? It was sure a shock but one the Sith would soon regret. Love was a powerful emotion one that could push the Jedi over the edge if they weren't careful but if one knew how to harness without allowing the love to blind them they would still be capable and ever more powerful feeling the need to protect. An despite the Padawan Rokuro rushing away the general knowing it was his job to make sure the rest of the Jedi survived, gathered the force empowered thanks to the Sith's magic and sent a powerful force wave against the Darth, which would require the sith's full attention to defend, but if he continued the Sith magic he wouldn't have enough strength to do both.

Hopefully if the Sith wasn't ready and be sent to the wall which would give the general sometime to maybe take on some other Sith giving some of the Jedi some breathing time. Looking around watching the Sith and Jedi forces battling it out the general hoped to encourage them as the fighting for the capital ship needed to be won.

"Come now brothers and sisters, the Sith are here, time to show them what the army of light can do." Looking at a Jedi and Sith fighting and throwing his shoto blade into the back of one Sith, ending the man quick as the blade stock out of his chest.

Quickly calling it back and allowing the Jedi knight to go back and help his fellow Jedi. The fighting seemed to get more intense as more and more Sith attempted to board the ship. If this was to continue Brand figured he needed to finish this fight quickly so that the Jedi can start pushing the Sith off. Though he did feel better knowing he could be a part of the battle rather then just waiting to see the ships beat each other up.

"Cain is it? I suggest you rethink what you are doing here. Do you honestly feel that fighting us will serve a greater purpose?" Brand said his standard green blade pointed to the Darth or at least newly appointed one.

And if the Padawan truly knew the Darth then maybe he should focus his attention more on finishing the supposed strongest opponent in front of him.

@Vinny

 

[Proleptic]

Maliel stood her ground as Venator stalked forward, and when he swung his right blade towards her left leg, she was ready for the move. She pivoted on her right foot, stepping back with her left, and blocked his blade with her right one, pushing the sabers to the ground, digging into the metal floor with a hiss. Maliel kept the pressure with her right blade, preparing to strike or block with her left.

“This is your last chance to prevent mass genocide. Let me stop her. You used to believe in protecting the weak, imagine how many innocent families are going to suffer unimaginable grief as they clutch the charred corpse of their infant after a Sith bombardment. Are you willing to do that? Those deaths are on you if you let this happen.” Venator said with a deadly seriousness, such that Mal believed him wholeheartedly.

Maliel's eyes burned Venator's face plate as she contemplated her answer. She searched her mind, but she knew she didn't have it in her to give him the answer he wanted. She took a deep breath, knowing that if she didn't say something, she would miss her opportunity. "Venator, please, listen to me." she said quickly. "You of all people can understand my position here! I just....I can't let you kill her." Maliel said, her voice pleading with Venator to understand.

She knew there was no way this could work, but she felt like she needed to say it anyway. "I know that keeping her alive means the death of billions. I know that I'm probably nothing but a tool, and she will probably never love me, or even care for me. If you don't think I know that I'm some side whore, you're dead wrong, but that's not what matters. None of that matters!" Maliel said, tears pooling in her eyes. "I know this is renouncing everything I've ever fought for, but isn't that exactly what you did?" she said quietly.

"Venator....would you do any less for Shae?" Maliel was just searching for something she was never going to get. She wanted someone, anyone, to justify the atrocities that she was committing. She was desperately searching for a peace of mind that she had lost many months ago. She stuck in an ocean, calling for a ship that would never come, and she would drown at the hands of her own foolishness.

 

[Prudence]

The ride over Arpha's shoulder had been bumpy and confusing. Kira had been facing backwards through the whole ordeal and was completely shaken up by the time they reached their destination. As they had departed from where Maliel and Venator had been fighting she felt something stab through her leg. She didn't know for sure what it was, but knowing Venator it was likely one of his damned throwing knives. Her guess was confirmed when she felt an intense feeling of pain radiate through her leg as the venom took affect. When Arpha had tripped her with the Force she let loose a stream of curses towards him. She had landed on her injured leg which had also set forth a cacophony of muted groans as she pulled the blade from her wound.

"I'm going to fekking kill you when we get back to Sith space." She screamed at Arpha, her rage building. As she struggled to her feet she looked over to her left and saw a familiar face, the young Sith Lord who she always knew would be by her side, Cain. A slight smile crossed her face as she called out to him, "Right on time, Lord Cain. Hold the hangar, we are still waiting on two others." Her voice was hoarse, the pain causing her to strain already. She kept limping towards the War Leviathan, and she could see already that they were prepping an Icarus-Class Ship to depart on from the underbelly hangar aboard the Leviathan. Even now Kira was worried about Maliel. She had left the Jedi to face off against a phoe foe that even she had not been able to defeat in her prime. Fear gnawed at her soul as the powerless Lord climbed into the ship. Low and behold, waiting for her within the getaway ship was one of her Moff's, and a rising Sith within the ranks, Malon.

Kira coughed violently, the pain in her leg overcoming her and causing her to take a seat just within the door and catch her breath. She looked up at the Sith, her eyes hard with pain and desperation, "Malon" Kira blurted between quick breaths, "There is a Jedi beyond those walls, near the detention block, locked in combat with Former-Lord Venator." Kira took a sharp breath as she began to apply pressure to the bleeding wound, "She is of utmost importance to me, and I demand her safe return." Kira withdrew her lightsaber and snapped it on. The hot red blade illuminated the darkened loading area as she slowly held the blade closer and closer to her leg, until the skin began to darken. Her jaw clenched as her hand began to tremble, and after a moment she cut the blade off. Her wound had been sufficiently cauterized. Her breathing was quick and ragged but on the mend, "Go get my Jedi, Darth Malon."

 

[Malon]

For Malon, Coruscant had been a treasure trove of victories. On the surface, he had successfully defeated two Jedi Knights and driven them, along with their Republic pilot friend—Malon's former lover, Taryn—off-world. Though his helmet had been damaged in the fight, exposing the right half of his face, he had emerged victorious and the dark side of the Force burned strongly within him as a result. However, hearing of the madness going on in space above, he had arrived just in time to render aid to the Dark Lord of the Sith herself. And now—

Now this.

He recognized this for what it was. When he arrived on Coruscant, he was but the reclusive Moff of Saleucami, striking out mostly on his own to further the Brotherhood's goals. But his arrival here—and, he thought, his victories on the planet's surface—had anointed him at last with a title to match his mastery of the dark side. Darth Malon. He bowed to the Dark Lord. "As you command," the newly christened Darth Malon said, "so it shall be."

He had no time to question why the Dark Lord wanted a Jedi. The story would have to come later. Unclipping the obsidian lightsaber on his belt, he thumbed the emitter switch, and his blade spat crimson fire. With his head held high, Darth Malon, Lord of the Sith, left the presence of his Master and set about fulfilling her orders.

Stalking into the chaos of the battle, the Sith Lord fell into the Force and began to sprint towards his destination. To any third party, he would look like a juggernaut of death as he charged towards the detention block. The dark side of the Force guided his path—he could sense his targets some distance away, locked in heated combat. It did not take him long to reach his destination. Just outside the detention block, he could hear the clashing of two foes locked in deadly combat. One, a tremendous signature in the Force, he knew to be the Former-Lord Venator. He was going to enjoy this.

The lights flickered in the hall. In that moment, as he stepped into the threshold where the Dark Lord's Jedi and the Former-Lord Venator were dueling, he looked like a wraith, basking in the bloodshine glow of his lightsaber. For a moment, he stood in the doorway, gathering the tremendous power of the dark side to him. Then, he spoke:

"That will be enough, traitor," the Sith Lord said menacingly, though his voice remained flat and calm. He eyed the woman—clearly the Jedi—with his exposed eye. "You are to return to the Dark Lord's side. It is her command. You on the other hand—" He paused, his burnt-golden eye sliding over to appraise the traitorous Supreme Leader. "—will die here and now. It is her desire."

@Phoenix @Prudence

 

[Argus]

The speech was enticing, offering to bend the weak willed to a different mind, yet each soldier held fast with their leader. Rage, imbued between every person on the side of their Chiss leader, fueled the ice pumping through his veins. As a lunge was made, Argus stepped inwards, bracing against the plunging attack of the Jedi Lord. And brace he did, surprised at the power behind each attack of the flurry, or lack thereof. It was overestimation, he thought as he parried each blow away before intercepting another right after the last, or maybe the exertion of stripping someone of the force away brought these two closer in terms of strength. Of course, the Jedi Lord had his experience and wisdom of battle, yet the death of those around them fueled the Sith. Every moment he grew stronger, as another soldier fell, vibroblades clashed against lightsabers all around the two locked in combat. Utterly even was the battle which raged the bridge, screams and war cries, until the sound of the force boomed a mighty roar which pushed the Chiss back. Matched with a weaker yet steady counter, Argus kept to his feet, as he slid back towards the opening. He found time to probe the Jedi Lord once again, before charging into the flurry of emerald once more.

“And what of your Order, Jedi? Of such high regard, preaching sweet words to the masses, while you slay countless lives and turn blind eyes to your own evil.”

The words stung with spite, each being used to pierce into the righteousness of the Jedi Order. As he charged, crimson eyes matched the radiating glow of his saber, digging in with each step past the reach of his enemy's offense. Parrying the right saber, stepping in before the left could close, in a spin that directed Argus' elbow towards the jaw of Vosrik that would lightly stun if connected. Even for a split moment that the Sith could wane against the Jedi's offense, warp the mind of his opponent, it would be a small victory for him. Although through the threat of the double sabers, Argus stalled to observe, once again seeing what would happen in the clash of the pair. Raising his own saber, tip angled towards the eyes of the Jedi, Argus would look to sink his teeth deeper into the mind of his enemy.

“For all your views on evil, it was the Sith that broke my bonds of slavery. You wouldn't know how many people are sold because you Jedi ignore it, so close to freeing those indentured, yet your backs are turned because you rather not see the trash underneath your feet!”

@Vosrik
cPvP yeayeayeayeayeayeayea~

 

[Wit]

Valin turned back to look at the disheveled Dark Lord, noting the anger in her eyes and any pity that he might have felt at her plight vanishing as he recalled all the atrocities she was responsible for. Still unaware of the fact that Malak, the man he now claimed to be, had himself played a role in the death of Ithor, he simply knew Kira was to blame for the death of an entire planet.

He was just as worried as Kira was, not for her pet Jedi though, a traitor only he might be in a position to deal with, but for the friends he had left behind. Even now he feel the darkness swirling around Corvo, even from here he could sense the powers converging on him. He not only feared for the life of his friend, but what would happen to Shae should anything happen to him. He had seen how easily the Darkness had tempted her when Kira had threatened her family, and he prayed to the Force she was never forced to deal with worse.

Having dispensed of the Jedi robes he was dressed in, he returned to Kira's side just as she was sending another off to do her bidding.

"Go get my Jedi, Darth Malon."

Melon? You sent a melon to deal with Venator? You do know who he is right? The bastard defeated you and nearly killed me. He'll send back a bloody fruit salad. He had picked up a bottle of water along the way and took a few long gulps to sooth his parched throat, his activities had left him way more tired than he had expected. Come to think of it, he didn't almost kill me, you did. And yet I help you, only to have my life threatened once more. Not really inspiring loyalty, are you? He chuckled and pulled out another bottle of water, tossing it to Kira.

Wash that, you don't wanna lose the Force and a leg in the same day.

From what little he had managed to gather about Malak, he was something of an oddball, a lose canon who was just as likely to drag an giant umbrella into a Moff meeting as he was to jump blindly into a clash between dark side monsters out of some weird sense of loyalty. It seemed to him that acting as unpredictably as he could was the best way to maintain his cover. If only he knew what unpredictable was for a Sith.

@Kira Elan @Darth Malon

 

[Phoenix]

For what it may have been worth, he understood far more than he would have let on to her. He would have done anything for Shae and, in fact, had done things for Shae that most would turn their noses at. It was all a side of him that most in the galaxy would never see or understand, and he was fine with that. There was more strength in them thinking him a monster. After all, people are afraid of monsters. But this one - this former Jedi Master - perhaps she understood him better than most or perhaps she was just taking shots in the dark to throw him off his game. Whatever the reason, she did something most had failed to do: she gave him pause, if only for a moment. Not because he agreed with her, but because he had to reflect on whether he would do the same in her situation. Would he condemn her for trying to save those she loved?

Yes.

The truth was, not only was empathy not his strong suit, her analysis of him was missing important details. While Shae had been a critical catalyst for bringing him to the Light - or at least out of the Dark - his epiphany about the Sith and the spirit on Moraband had been what had driven him to such a contrary philosophical position to what he had clung to throughout his life.

With sabers locked and hissing against the metal of the floor he'd listened to her plea before leaping back several feet and speaking, are you so desperate for affirmation that you would ask a monster for justification? He shook his head, take it from someone who's walked the path and regrets it every day of his life: you don't want this. Don't choose the life of a demon.

He would have walked through hell and back for Shae, but that was the last thing that Maliel needed to hear, not because he would lie to her about it, but because she was a woman looking for justification and the understanding of a monster ≠ justification. Shae would never ask me to murder for her because there is love, respect, and honor. Does Kira have that for you? Don't be a pawn to someone else's game because that's what Sith use people for: tools.

As he finished his sentence, something else drew a fragment of his attention. From further down the hall where the lights flickered and the physical darkness seemed to match the aura of the Force, he saw a new rival. Unquestionably a Sith and undoubtedly with a chip on his shoulder against the former Supreme Leader as his words seemed to support. He knew the feelings of anger, hatred, and disdain all too well and they seemed to emanate off of the newcomer.

He seemed to be calling Maliel back, urging her to leave with the Dark Lord. Quietly, so that the Sith Lord wouldn't hear, Corvo made an appeal. Don't be caught in her game. Don't be her tool. You are your own person and there's power and good in you still. Love isn't evil, but you can't let it control you. Look at what it's already made you do: murder and betrayal of friends. With the newcomer, he couldn't keep her from leaving, but he could plant the seeds of betrayal now. She knew who and what she would be to the Dark Lord, all he could do was hope that she turned her back on it.

The Sith Lord's threats fell on all but deaf ears. He'd heard it all before and he'd hear it all again. You're not the first to try and you won't be the last, he said in a cold and even tone. The man seemed to be a hulking behemoth, but it was nothing new to Venator. He'd seen it all before, he'd fought worse, and he'd beaten them.

The bigger they are...

@Malon @Proleptic​

 

[Valen Pelora]

Valen leaned against the cold durasteel wall, trying to detach himself from the public trial he was watching. Feeling the Force ripped from the Dark Lord had left a deep pit inside of his stomach. A dark feeling worming its way through his soul. All living creatures were connected to the Force; it was the height of perversion to sever that tie. What Lord Vosrik had done was not at the will of the Light. His actions came from a darker place, forcing Valen to question how much longer he would call himself a Jedi. The Order was not the beacon of hope it should have been and the Army was becoming something he didn’t recognize. He understood the cost of war, but they sacrificed too much. If the Army continued to walk this path until the war was over, he was certain they would not recognize themselves.

He had seen enough. He gathered himself and prepared to grab Irx and Sigal to leave. He took one step and chaos erupted. Alarms blared, the bridge was basked in red as hostile ships were identified. Jedi, officers, and droids sprang into motion. For a brief moment he wondered how before he realized it didn’t matter. The Sith had come to reclaim their Dark Lord. He could feel it. The small armada hurtling towards the Jedi Flagship, it was a nexus of the Darkside. He didn’t have to wait long before the Light and Dark clashed. The entire ship shook as the Jedi realized the inevitable. They were being rammed. The Force cried out as lives were lost and the Darkside began to advance throughout the ship. It felt like Coruscant.

The Light being snuffed out as the Darkness marched ever forward. A shiver went down his spine. He was tired, beaten and broken. He didn’t want to fight. He was tired of fighting, but what choice did he have? He had taken Irx and Sigal to the Strength of Ilum to keep them safe. He had thought the Jedi Flagship would be a place of sanctuary. The three Jedi could heal and leave. Their fight had been over; they had given all they had on Coruscant. Lord Vosrik had put them all at risk by bringing her here. The heart of the Sith had been cut out, they had come to reclaim it.

With a sigh he thumbed the hilt of his Lightsaber. The emerald green blade came to life with a familiar snap-hiss. He took a deep breath and let the Lightside pour through him. He could still feel the edges of Force exhaustion pulling at his mind. He pushed the feeling away as he had so many times in the streets of Coruscant. He watched Jedi rush off, he heard Lord Vosrik yell commands, he felt Sith moving through the ship, he heard Darths taunting the Jedi on their own coms, and he cared for none of it. The Dark Lord of the Sith was escaping. He couldn’t stop her and he didn’t want to try. Right now, in this moment, all he cared for was making sure his students got away from all of this. They had been through more than some Jedi would experience in their entire lives. They did not need to feel, to see, more death. They would make their way to a safe location, wait for the Jedi to repel the Sith, and then they would leave. He wasn’t sure where but he wanted to get far away from all of this. He was done with war.

“Irx, Sigal! We are leaving, now!” He called out to his student, motioning for them to follow him through the halls of the Strength of Ilum.

@Irxirola Mishka @Esther Nyx

 

[Malon]

Darth Malon raised his lightsaber above his head and angled it back and down at a forty-five degree angle: the classic opening stance of Form V, Djem So. The former Supreme Leader was confident, and he had every reason to be. Malon could sense his power in the Force; it was unlike anything he had ever felt before. Perhaps, he thought, it was fitting that one so strong had once led the Sith. But this man, Venator, had given into weakness by turning his back on the dark side. Still, the Sith Lord thought. I should exercise caution. If he brings his full power to bear, then I must be able to bring mine, uninhibited by thoughtless arrogance and blinding rage.

Too many Sith had fallen for that trap. Blinded by their own self-importance—blinded by the rage they thought would grant them near invincibility—they succumbed easily to surprise. But Malon would be no such fool; this would not be like fighting the Jedi Knights he had encountered on the surface. Even now, as the former Supreme Leader whispered useless platitudes to Darth Solum's Jedi and made a bold proclamation to Malon himself, the Sith Lord gathered the dark side unto himself. As his power built, the very shadows along the edge of the detention chamber seemed to move towards him, like servants flocking to their master.

The Force cleansed Malon of distracting thoughts and emotion. He allowed the anger he felt towards the traitorous Supreme Leader to sit deep in his belly, offering its fiery power, which spread outward like molten rivers through his veins. Whereas the Jedi used the Force to take them to the center of the universe and sharpen their perception, Malon used it to make him the center. His senses sharpened and finally he felt prepared.

"I hope so, Venator, for your sake," Darth Malon said in reply to his foe. "We shall soon see if the Force is with you, or if your former position and power has made you arrogant."

@Phoenix

 

[Vinny]

There were so many emotions burning on the ship. So much pride and zeal on both sides. Cain could feel it in his bones, it was like mercury seeping through his organs and penetrating his insides. It was so powerful, it was almost painful. He had always been empathetic, perhaps that was why he had chosen the dark side so readily. Choosing to master, control, and wield emotion rather than discarding it was- there was a surge. The jedi had taken the feeling of being loved, had drawn on that emotion and had thrown it right back at Cain. The Sith Lord barely had enough time to snarl before he spun, hard, his body spinning in mid air at least six or seven times before he landed, his boot pressed hard against the wall behind him.

What lunacy was this? Were the Jedi so weak that they would abandon their principles for the sake of victory? He swore, cursing the tepidity of his enemies. Had these men been republic troops, they would have burned with Zeal and stood their ground on the belief they had in their republic. These jedi were becoming more and more morose with each passing moment. Dark emotions popping up across the ship in places where he had not sensed Jedi before. The Dark Mentalist watched as the Jedi General turned to face the Sith under Cain's command. One of them impaled like an initiate. He felt other presences approaching, one familiar, yet so tiny and broken it was hard to see clearly in his mind's eye.

Solum

His heart skipped a beat, fire burning in his lungs. His Dark Lady was approaching, and she seemed to be in good health, all things considered. He allowed himself a smile as the Jedi General taunted him. Brand, was it? Cain allowed his devotion to Solum, to the Sith, to the Dark Side, to fan the flame in his heart like a bellows. The flame became larger and larger, the heat more intense, the power rising to a plateau just out of sight.

"Did I not just get done saying that I preferred other methods rather than fighting?' Cain asked incredulously from where he stood, announcing his presence. He whipped his head to the right, dragging a Jedi from where he stood and flinging the helpless youth at the General. Cain continued his approach, his weapon angled once more. He shifted a few paces to the left, changing the angle of his approach. Not a moment too soon. Lady Solum was being carried into the room by some... he didn't even know. She swore at her escort violently before taking a moment to regard her steward. Her words sent a chill of excitement through him, though he dared not take his gaze away from his target.

"It was your Steward's duty to be prompt, my lady. Please proceed, I will be with you shortly." Cain drawled, and lunged at the General. Cain's lightsaber flickered on and off at random intervals, the blade disappearing and reappearing even as Cain maintained his attack posture. Trakata, a devious and deliberately confusing lightsaber technique. Cain preferred using it in a darkened room, but he needed all of his tricks to put down such a strong opponent.

@Richie B. @Prudence