Open Blood In The Snow

[Darth Tempest]

.

Despite the protection of her armor, Darth Tempest could still feel the bitter cold that cut across the surface of Excarga, sending a chill across her bronze skin. It blanketed the horizon in layers of ice and snow, and it sent skeletal fingers of frost with every howling gust of the wind. It was not unlike Tokmia and Hoth before it - and it was utterly miserable to endure. And yet, even still, the Dark Lord found herself marching across its frozen surface all the same.

While inhospitable, the planet was home to various Mining Guild operations - carving deep below the surface to extract Gold, Platinum and other precious minerals. It was not, however, the material wealth of the planet that attracted Tempest - but rather it was the weeks spent in study that had ultimately drawn her to the planet. Scattered records indicated Rakatan presence on the planet eons ago - and the promise of their technology and artifacts hidden deep within the natural caverns of the planet.

It didn’t take the Dark Lord long to stumble upon the outskirts of the mining operation - shining like a beacon amongst the frozen landscape. She was adorned in her signature armor and cloak - with the newly crafted Lightsaber swinging from her hip. While the camp was still a few meters away, Tempest had already dispatched the security that roamed the perimeter - leaving the broken chassisses and handful of bodies scattered across the path behind her.

For her expedition, Darth Tempest had called upon one of the remaining Champions of her order - providing Ambrosia with the rough coordinates of where to rendezvous. She had little experience with the woman in question, but opted to wait for her arrival before advancing further towards the Mining Camp.

Instead, Tempest reached out with the Force and pulled a Datapad from the corpse of a security guard, casually scrolling across the device for any useful information she could glean from the device.

@lizziie

 

[Ambrosia]

Arkania, Ambrosia's homeworld, was a frozen desert of a planet much like Excarga. Though the Arkanian elites, their families, and their pets lived in luxurious cities that kept the cold at bay, she was much more at home in the cold than she was in the heat. She liked the way the icy wind bit at the thin skin on her lips. She liked the way it cut across her exposed cheeks.

After landing nearby, the Arkanian descended from her ship and entered the wasteland, breathing in sharply and filling her lungs with the frigid air. Her eyes closed, fluttered back open, and stared out into the distance toward the mining camp she'd received coordinates for. She could see another ship off amongst the white, and an armored figure waiting off further toward the camp.

Her arrival would be announced by the shuffling of boots through snow - a sound Tempest would surely pick up on - and Ambrosia would bow down, dropping her head until it was level with her chest once the Dark Lord looked her way. Unlike the half-Annfyn woman, Ambrosia was not armored and wore only a winter getup covered with a heavy wool poncho with a hood pulled up over her hair. Its light colors and pale fabrics, along side her porcelain skin, were almost light camouflage among the snow. Upon her belt was a stun baton, her only weapon, and a pouch containing rations and unused hand warmers.

"M'lady," was all she said as she straightened up.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Indeed, Tempest kept her gaze fixed on the datapad - drinking in every bit of information she could find - until Ambrosia arrived. Fortunately, there was a detailed list of shift rotations and shipping logs from recent Mining Guild freighters. It gave the half-Annfyn a rough idea of when security patrols would be lightest, and when slipping into the mines would be easiest. Even if she possessed the power to bulldoze her way through the encampment, moving discreetly was simply less complicated.

Her thoughts briefly turned back to her own research on the planet - picking apart the suggested Rakatan history. She couldn’t help but wonder if any of them - miners, or the corporation they worked for - had any idea what they were truly sitting on?

Beneath the helmet she wore, the sound of footsteps approaching caused the faintest flick of the half-Annfyn’s fluted ears. Her visor tilted towards Ambrosia at once, taking a moment to glance over her almost translucent features. There was an almost innocent beauty to the girl - one that contrasted starkly against her presence in the Force. Amber eyes flicked down to the stun baton, regarding the weapon with an inkling of interest.

Tempest didn’t miss the way that Ambrosia dipped into a bow before the Dark Lord - offering a greeting in accordance to the station. It was an approach that certainly appealed to her, as she offered the Champion a small nod of her head in response. “Ambrosia, I presume.” She said, her voice mechanized by the filter contained in her mask.

Not feeling the need to introduce herself for obvious reasons, Tempest gestured towards the camp ahead of them. “We will be infiltrating the eastern Mine-shaft to find what we are looking for. Change in security would allow us the opportunity,” She said simply - floating the Datapad towards Ambrosia if the woman chose to glance it over. It gave them roughly ten minutes before needing to make their attack.

“I do not recall you as a Champion amongst the Empire,” She said simply.

@lizziie

 

[Ambrosia]

She nodded as Tempest spoke her name, giving the Dark Lord the courtesy of confirming who she was. Her eyes hovered around Tempest’s face, not quite making eye contact, but making it clear that the Arkanian offshoot was listening to what the woman was saying. They were infiltrating a mineshaft by abusing a change in security. Though she wasn’t quite sure why they were doing so yet, she did not dare to ask and simply nodded once more.

With the datapad from Tempest in her hands, Ambrosia observed the information provided to her as the half-Anfynn addressed her again. There was a noticeable pause in her when the Dark Lord asked her question; Ambrosia's pale violet eyes stopped scrolling left to right across the screen and settled on a singular word on her screen, unfocused as she considered her words.

She would not expect the Dark Lord of the Sith to know every Champion, nor especially every Acolyte. Especially with the schism within the Empire and the banishment of the Sith, it would be impossible for Tempest to know who still remained among their ranks. But Ambrosia was not so brazen, not so proud to think that this was more than just small talk between the two of them. She could not be sure whether or not the woman already knew the answer to the question she was posing with her words, or whether or not she was simply curious. Ambrosia would not take the chance at lying. She knew better than that.

Ambrosia lifted her head to look at Tempest as she answered, her voice steady. "Before the Imperials drove us from the Empire, I was an acolyte training in the former Kingdom of Avillion, on Adumar," she began, reaching out her hand and offering the datapad back to the half-Anfynn as she spoke. "After, when I was forced to flee, I was left without many things, a master included." Her nose crinkled as her brows furrowed, her eyes still respectfully avoiding eye contact but maintaining attention. There was an edge in her voice when she spoke as if the words she placed in the air before her came from a place of disdain. Perhaps the Dark Lord would pick up on what she was implying - her master had been a traitor, and he had given up his truth for peace with the Imperials.

"There was no longer anyone to decide whether I was ready to become a champion, so I decided for myself," she said. "I had no desire to wait around for someone to come to hold my hand."

Ambrosia had admitted the truth to Tempest; if a trial was a requirement to become a champion, then she was an acolyte masquerading as one. But when the Sith were betrayed, she left with them of her own accord, even when her superiors remained. Without guidance, she had chosen to guide herself. Though perhaps she lacked the polished skills a Champion had, she was not helpless. She had survived her escape from Imperial territory, and she had survived until this day.

She waited, then, for Tempest to pass judgment. Was Ambrosia's decision a step out of line, or acceptable in the Dark Lord's view?

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

“There are relics within those mines that I intend to make my own.” The Dark Lord answered out of nowhere - as if discerning the curious question that Ambrosia wondered at but didn’t dare to voice aloud. She didn’t reveal everything, but it would give the Champion a basic idea of what their goals were within the mines.

While she kept her eyes on their target ahead, Tempest kept her real focus on Ambrosia - listening as the Champion came up with an answer. Even if she didn’t know every member of the previous Sith Order, Vahliri made a point of familiarizing herself with their ranks before the split. Even now, Ambrosia was an enigma to her. It was a source of curiosity at the edge of the Dark Lord’s mind - especially as their ranks had been quelled of their majority. The New Order would be stronger. Purer than what had come before - and how the Champion operated would determine if she had a place in it.

Tempest paused for a moment, considering everything that Ambrosia said. She didn’t miss the edge to her voice when her old Master was mentioned - and the method in which the girl had ascended to Championhood. She could sense the girl was nothing but honest, and it offered a brief glimpse into her innermost beliefs as a Sith. “To forge your own path and ambition in the Galaxy - free of restraint - is the way of the Sith.” She said after a long moment, glancing back to the girl. She had outgrown her former master and asserted her place in the new order. “We shall see if you live up to it.”

Without any additional delay, Tempest glanced down her her commlink - knowing the security was just about to make their routine change. The Dark Lord rose up from where she’d been standing, beginning to march along the outskirts of the camp and rapidly towards the entrance to the Eastern Mineshaft.

As predicted, Ambrosia and Tempest would find the cavern entrance briefly unguarded - as security droids cycled off to be recharged, and a new squadron was still moving from another section of the mines. In the meantime, only a pair of organic troopers - decked out in Miner’s Guild armor - stood in front of the frost-covered fissure in the mountainside.

@lizziie

 

[Ambrosia]

It appeared that Tempest's judgment was yet to be passed. That was what she inferred from the woman's response, at least. For now, she would focus on 'living up to it', as the Dark Lord had said. Though her personal opinion of the woman was almost entirely neutral, no one could deny the benefit of being in her good graces.

Ambrosia followed without a word, keeping just a few meters behind the woman. She'd always expected the woman to be much taller, though her presence made up for the lack of physical intimidation. Still, they moved quickly, and it wasn't long before they were approaching the entrance. The guards noticed their approach, and one of them called out as they grew closer.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING OUT HERE?" His voice didn't carry very far with the winter winds, and Ambrosia could barely make out his voice. For that reason, she did not respond, and the other guard reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a radio of sorts. Ambrosia threw her hand out, balled it into a fist, and yanked it right out of his hands with help from the Force. There would be none of that.

As they began to draw their weapons, Ambrosia dashed forward and pulled her stun baton from her belt. She swung, first making contact with the hilt of one guard's blaster before redirecting her swing and bashing it against his head. The gun was tossed to the side, and though it was not a very hard hit, the man was briefly stunned and fell backwards into the snow. It was then that she pulled the Force into her arm, swinging her baton from her front and twisting around to smack the remaining guard as hard as she could with the weapon. There was a noticeable crack! when the baton met bone, and he too crumpled into the snow.

That baton would beat into the head of the first guard several times before she was finished. Her movements were nimble, almost like that of a dancer, but her attacks were brutal and lacked lethality. The guards had not met a kind, quick death by her hand.

"This one appears to have a key of sorts," she commented, pulling a keycard out of one of their pockets. She looked between the corpses. Perhaps she should move them under the snow.

@Altaris

 

[Thel Xeros]

The planet was as cold as he expected. A biting wind blew across the snowy landscape. Thel had made sure to layer up. He was wearing his usual black cloak over his black robes, but he also had a poncho on under his cloak to add an extra layer. Thel felt confident that his leather gloves and boots would be able to keep his hands and feet sufficiently warm. The colour of the poncho, gloves and boots matched the rest of his attire. He had a small leather bag strapped to his back.

Thel trudged through the snow, grimacing as another gust of wind blew against him. Peering ahead, he could just about see the mining outpost in the distance. His reason for being there was far from noble. He knew that the Mining Guild extracted gold here. Despite the constant upheaval and changes in the galaxy, it was always possible to find a place where gold would fetch a good price. Even a small collection of stolen nuggets would be of value to him. He didn’t expect much challenge from the security at the outpost.

Step by step, Thel drew closer to the camp. Nearly there. As he advanced on the outpost, he spotted figures laying in the snow. He raised an eyebrow quizzically. Slowly making his way towards the figures, it soon became apparent why they were there. Dead bodies strewn across the snow. He quickly scanned around. The cold had been a distraction. Suddenly he was focused, his senses more attuned. He could feel a dark, yet somewhat familiar, presence. He unclipped his Lightsaber but did not ignite it. Rather than enter the camp, he decided to skirt along the edges of it to see if he could spot anyone.

Moving along the edge of the outpost, Thel carefully checked his surroundings. He was ready for an attack; there could still be security patrols. Eventually, as a cavern came into view, he caught sight of two figures. He squinted to see better, but it was difficult from a distance. Getting closer, it became apparent that the powerful dark presence was emanating from one of the figures. Suddenly, it clicked. He realised who it was. The Sith Lord he had attempted to rescue from the prison facility: Darth Tempest. Why is she here. Thel clipped his Lightsaber back onto his belt. He didn’t want to antagonise one so powerful. Continuing to close the distance on the Sith Lord and the other figure, he pondered why they were there.

 

[Darth Tempest]

Despite the poor weather and increasing snowfall, Tempest kept a steady pace towards their objective - amber eyes locked onto the narrow mineshaft that opened into the earth. Even though the Dark Lord could see the two men guarding the entrance, she paid them little mind at all - instead watching as the Champion took the initiative to dispatch them. She kept both hands tucked against the small of her back, not even reaching for the lightsaber that swayed from her belt with every step through the snow.

Beneath the visor of her mask, Tempest watched as Ambrosia dashed forward with the Force - drawing the stun baton from her belt. Tempest didn’t fail to take note of the lack of Lightsaber, a fact that the Dark Lord would rectify sooner rather than later. Nor did she fail to notice how Ambrosia pulled the Force into her swing - amplifying the strength behind her arm, compensating for her smaller size. It was a technique that the Dark Lord herself had relied upon as an Acolyte and Champion, in order to cope with her smaller stature and build compared to most.

There was the smallest hint of a smirk as the Champion viciously clobbered her opponents, feeling some silent appreciation for the otherwise crude weapon. Tempest offered Ambrosia a simple nod of acknowledgement as the final guard stopped moving, and the keycard was procured. “Bury them,” She said simply. Leaving trail or sign of their presence wasn’t wise, even for them.

While Ambrosia focused on covering their tracks, Darth Tempest turned her attention elsewhere. Her consciousness expanded through the Force all around her - subtly probing the surrounding camp to ensure they weren’t in danger of being discovered. Her own senses as half-Annfyn were only amplified beyond their normal range - piercing across the surrounding area and howling wind. Amongst the others, Tempest felt the presence that lurked nearby - a Darkness that heralded one of her own followers, and a familiarity she couldn’t quite place.

As Thel began to approach, the Champion would feel the Force constrict around his torso. With a power far beyond his own, the Sith skidded across the snow and towards the entrance to the Cave - halted just to the left of Tempest. She didn’t release her grip immediately, ensuring that he wasn’t able to reach for his saber or otherwise lash out against the Dark Lord.

Only after a small pause did the half-Annfyn turn to regard the Sith - studying him for a moment. Only then did she realize where he was familiar from. Manaan.

“You will accompany us further into the mines during our search,” She said, finally releasing her grip on Thel, “You may keep whatever you find, so long as it does not conflict.”

 

[Ambrosia]

'Bury them.' Ambrosia lifted her hand and snatched both the corpses in the Force, moving their already-freezing bodies up and out of the snow they'd fallen in and out of the way. The snow here was thick and likely packed down several feet, so it was not difficult for her to bury them. Blunt weapons had the advantage of not leaving cuts that bled excessively, but there was still red splattered across the snow. Just as she finished sweeping it away, a weight in the Force whooshed by her ear.

The Arkanian looked to the side, only turning her body when she saw Thel suspended in the air in front of Tempest. She watched as the Dark Lord watched the man, the shine of anticipation in her eyes dulling when nothing happened to the man. 'You will accompany us,' she'd told him. Ambrosia would've preferred a different outcome.

The three of them would continue into the mine. It began fairly even but soon began to slope down as they followed the path the miners had dug. Packed snow turned into thick permafrost which turned into bedrock. Durasteel supports held the earth above them, and soon the only light that guided their way was the warm lighting of electric lanterns.

Despite the woman's initial disappointment, she did not know who Thel was, and therefore her opinion of him remained decidedly neutral. As they walked, she observed him, pale violets studying the pale, sunken skin on his face and the tall, lean build of his body. He was Sith - she could tell by the lightsaber at his side. At least then, perhaps, he would be an asset rather than a hindrance.

"There are others up ahead," she commented out of the blue. She could barely hear them, but the shapes of their shadows against the wall further down were just barely discernable. The mine took a sharp left turn, making it impossible to see who was down there. For now, Ambrosia continued, making an effort to tread more lightly with her hand grazing the hilt of her stun baton.

@Altaris @DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel continued to move carefully towards Tempest and the person with them. He was still intent upon acquiring gold. However, he appreciated that it was a rare opportunity to perhaps be able to offer some assistance to a Sith Lord. He stopped. He could feel something start to wrap around his body. Almost as if a Rancor’s hand had grabbed hold of him. “Ah!” He let out a small shout as he was thrown off his feet. His body was dragged through the snow at speed. The wind whooshed through his ears as the surrounding area became a blur. He continued to skid across the ground until he came to a sudden stop. He began to catch his breath, coughing as he tried to compose himself. The feeling of powerlessness brought to mind memories of his training as an acolyte. Looking up at the helmeted head of the Sith Lord, he maintained as calm an expression as possible. Tempest’s words came as a great relief. Thel felt her grip release and he dropped to the ground. Finally, having caught his breath, he gave a bow of his head to the Sith Lord. “Thank you, master.” Rising to his feet, Thel finally got a better look at the other figure. Average height, thin and pale skinned. He couldn’t see a Lightsaber clipped to their belt. An acolyte perhaps.

The three of them made their way into the mine. At least it’s slightly warmer down here. No words were exchanged between them. Thel didn’t know what Tempest was searching for, but he was sure it would soon become clear. He was fairly certain she wasn’t just looking for gold, like he was. “There are others up ahead.” Thel had also spotted the shadows moving across the wall ahead of them. Turning to Tempest, he gestured towards the other in their group. “Shall we scout ahead for you, master?”

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest allowed her gaze to hang on Thel - observing the new arrival for a moment or two. She waited until the Champion bowed his head low, offering a small hum of approval before looking ahead. Had he been any other person attempting to sneak up on her - had he forgotten the proper respect and reverence? There would have been another body to bury. She could practically feel that anticipation that radiated off of Ambrosia, a viciousness roiling just beneath the surface.

It brought the hints of a smirk to the half-Annfyn’s lips, but she otherwise said nothing at all. Instead, she focused on the path ahead of them - sensitive hearing trained down the cavern. Without a word, the hilt of her crimson saber snapped into her hand, appearing from beneath the folds of her cloak. Though she didn’t ignite the blade, her fingers tightened against the blade with anticipation.

“Remain close,” She said simply, waiting until they came upon their enemy before splitting off. Even she didn’t know who was down there, and had little desire to wastefully sacrifice the pair of Sith beside her.

As the trio began to round the corner, they wouldn’t remain in mystery for long. Long, willowy webs began to cover the walls and string from Durasteel beams of the Mine Shaft - and the sound of movement became far more clear. Dozens of legs, scrambling and tap-tapping across the cave floor. Illuminated by only faint light, the frame of five adult Kinrath came into view at the end of the tunnel - all of them preoccupied. They were latched onto large, cocoon-like shapes secured against the walls, fangs buried deep to feast upon them. Upon closer inspection, they might notice the vague shape of hands and a human face, pressing against the webbing. Immobolized. Screaming out in agony and fear through the Force.

The fate of those unfortunate miners.

Beyond the Kinrath were a trio of diverging paths, leading deeper into the cave. But for the moment, they would need to deal with the Insectoid before making any decision on direction. Perhaps it was the sound of movement, or perhaps the Kinrath could simply smell the new prey that wandered into the mines, but it didn’t take them long to turn to face the Sith. The sound of screeching filled the cavern tunnels, as the spiders began to approach and scuttle towards them.

At last, Tempest ignited the crimson blade of her saber.

@lizziie @DMCK

 

[Ambrosia]

'Remain close.' Ambrosia rounded the corner standing a close but respectful distance behind Tempest, her eyes relaxed but attentive. The shadows on the wall were soon covered by the trio's own as their eyes locked onto the scene in front of them. Men and women were strangled by the web and murdered by the fangs and venom of the spiders that inhabited them.

The corners of her lips twitched upward into the ghost of a smile as the champion felt the agony and fear of their dying screams echo through the Force. It sent a shiver down Ambrosia's spine. Her first taste of the Dark Side, years ago, had left the Arkanian offshoot fiending for more. It was addicting. She loved every drop of it.

The spiders descended upon them, Tempest's blade ignited, and Ambrosia leapt forward to meet them. Her fingers curled around her stun baton and ripped it from her belt, swinging out in an arc from her hip into the head of the first arachnid to leap at her. The stun immediately stunned the insect, allowing her to beat it twice more in quick succession until its exoskeleton cracked and dark ichor leaked out onto the cold stone floor.

Another spider leapt at her, fangs bared and legs outstretched to grab at her. She caught its mouth with her baton, the fangs clicking at her clothed forearm as it tried to get at her even as she fought against the weight of it and its mouth. Using her free hand, Ambrosia channeled the Dark Side into her palm, then placed it firmly on the spider's head and released a burning flame right into its skin. Her emotions were running high, and the flame left bubbling skin in its wake and caused the insect to fall to the side as its brain cooked in place.

In the meantime, two spiders leapt for @Thel Xeros, one after another, attempting to overwhelm the man with their combined weight. Three went for @Darth Tempest, with two attacking her from the front and another attempting to flank her from the side.

@Altaris @DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

As the three of them journeyed further into the mine, it soon became apparent what they were faced with: Kinrath. An unpleasant species. Thel could just about see the creatures in the dim light. The screams of the Kinrath’s victims reverberated through the force. He grimaced at the thought of their fate. The tunnel was quiet. All that could be heard was the faint hum of the lights and the pitter patter of the Kinrath’s legs. He had his lightsaber in hand, ready to ignite it. A screech cut through the tunnels. The arachnoids were alerted to the trio’s presence and quickly set upon them. Thel ignited his lightsaber, the red blade helping to illuminate the tunnel. Here we go.

The Kinrath swarmed the three sith. Thel braced himself as two of the creatures scurried up the tunnel and then lunged at him. He switched off his saber as he dived to the side, but one of the creatures’ legs caught his cloak and tore through part of it. Fortunately, the thick layers he had worn to protect from the cold meant the creature had not reached his skin. Tucking into a roll as he landed, Thel used one arm to bring himself to a stop. He quickly checked his cloak, only superficial damage. Igniting his lightsaber again, he attacked. Sweeping his lightsaber down low at the first Kinrath, the blade cut through two of its leg. The spider collapsed to the side, unable to balance. Quickly turning to the other one, he slashed at its body. The creature fell to the ground, the top part of its body rolling away across the floor. The other Kinrath writhed on the floor, unable to get up after Thel sliced off two of its legs. Bringing his saber down in a stabbing motion, the blade impaled the spider through the main part of its body. It struggled for a few seconds before going limp.

Thel turned to face the two other members of the group. The one who he didn’t know had made quick work of some of the creatures. Tempest would surely have no difficulty.

@Altaris @lizziie

 

[Darth Tempest]

Though it wasn’t visible beneath her mask, Tempest immediately grimaced upon spotting the Kinrath. Since the time she was an Acolyte, the half-Annfyn couldn’t stand the sight of giant insects and spiders - a fear that likely came around after that first encounter on Zakuul with AcoSquad. Much to her displeasure, Altair and Cairo had hauled around that spider hatchling for years, until the thing was the size of a small dog.

She quickly put those memories aside - focusing on the task at hand. Just as Anbrosia swung with her stun baton, Tempest stepped forward with the crimson blade she wielded. The Force tightened and constrained down upon the Kinrath, forcing the Insectoid to slow down and struggle to free itself from stasis. The Dark Lord wouldn’t give it the opportunity, carving her lightsaber in elegant strokes to two legs and then the head from the rest of its body.

Her gaze immediately snapped to the next Kinrath. With her free hand, Tempest channeled Pyrokinesis - conjuring fire through the air where the Insectoid charges. Streams of flame swirled and enclosed the Kinrath, cooking the spider within its own exoskeleton in a matter of seconds. By the time her channeling ceased, there was little else but a charred shell.

Only once the cluster of Kinrath were dead did Tempest glance back to the path ahead of them - spotting the divulging paths that the cave took. There was no sign or indication of which way to go. After a moment, the Dark Lord simply grumbled.

“Keep in contact with your commlink.” She said. Without another word, she began down the central path - clearly with the expectation that her two companions would make a choice for themselves. Curiously, Ambrosia alone would be able to feel something calling out to her in the Force - connection that threaded to the Champion, though was very clearly not another Kinrath. It would lead her deeper into the nest and likely towards danger, but she would feel compelled to do so all the same.

 

[Ambrosia]

The spider creature dropped dead before her, and Ambrosia regarded it with a disgusted curl of her lip until Tempest spoke up about commlinks. She quickly checked her belt to make sure hers was there - it was - then watched as the woman started down the middle-most one.

So, she had a choice. Her eyes immediately gravitated to the path on the right, already sensitive to the way the Force was tugging at her psyche and calling her that way. They narrowed, then dashed over to where Thel was still standing. She offered the champion a small smile - the first time she'd really acknowledged him since he'd joined them - then turned and started down the rightmost path. This left Thel two options: follow one of them, or take the leftmost path by himself.

Ambrosia pulled a lightstick from her belt and cracked it, allowing it to illuminate her tunnel with a dim, white light. The tunnel was strewn with icy webs and continued on far enough without turning that she couldn't see the end of it. But she could still feel the heartbeat of something in the Force, so she continued with caution.

The remaining tunnel, the leftmost one, was clear of webs but almost immediately turned to the left and appeared to descend quite quickly.

@Altaris @DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Tempest quickly dispatched of the other attacking arachnoids, leaving the tunnel clear. The tunnel ahead was split into three diverging paths. Tempest made her decision quickly. She swiftly moved down the central tunnel, without giving any indication as to whether she wanted her fellow Sith to follow her. Thel surveyed the three paths. The one to the left looked like it had a steep incline, but it appeared to be fairly clear of webbing.

Turning around, Thel noticed the other Sith give him a small smile. He returned a smile. She appeared to have chosen the rightmost tunnel. The light from her lightstick shone a dim white light. Peering down the tunnel, it appeared to be covered in webs. Thel couldn’t see the end of the tunnel. Given the fact there were Kinrath in the tunnels, he preferred not to move through the tunnels alone; there was a greater risk of being swarmed. Peering down the central tunnel, Tempest had already disappeared into the darkness. Moving back towards the rightmost tunnel, the other Sith was still clearly visible. Decision made it seems. Thel quickly advanced down the path, towards the other Sith. “Perhaps it would be better if we worked together.” His voice was calm as he addressed the other Sith.

@Altaris @lizziie

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest flexed her gloved fingers - dispelling the energies of the Force that gathered around her. At least in the immediate area she could sense that the Kinrath had been dispatched, once more leaving the trio of Sith alone in the abandoned mineshaft. Without an immediate threat present, her lightsaber snapped back onto her belt - taking a moment to glance around the tunnel and corridors. Along the walls, she could see the cocoon-like figures suspended against the carved stone passages or hanging from thick ropes of webbing, their faces grey and dehydrated from being fed upon. It was a horrible and slow fate to endure, and one that the Dark Lord was loath to repeat.

While her two companions moved together, Tempest began to forge her own path ahead - allowing the Force to guide her deeper into the subterranean passages. Her hands tucked against the small of her back and posture straightened, moving with a sense of purpose behind every step. Her sensitive hearing was utilized to pick up on any echoes or movement throughout the tunnel, knowing that the acoustics of the stone tunnel gave her an advantage if anyone attempted to sneak up on her.

The longer she walked, Tempest began to see some changes in her surroundings. Support beams and mining pits gradually began to fade, even though the tunnel continued deeper into the earth. It had been carved with natural pillars of the earth to hold up the ceiling above, foreign runes carved into the side walls in a language she didn’t understand.

Whatever was to be found, Tempest knew she was drawing closer.

---​

Elsewhere, Ambrosia and Thel would quickly find themselves delving deeper into the webbed-over tunnels of the mineshaft. The carved stone walls and durasteel support beams disappeared, leaving only a thick sheet of spider-silk visible on all sides of them. It wouldn’t take much to realize that they were crawling deeper into the nest of the Kinrath, with the sound of crawling and movement audible deeper down the passageway.

Even still, Ambrosia would be able to feel that heartbeat in the Force - something that drew her further along with almost a compulsion to do so. It was sentient and alive in the Force, but very clearly distinct from the Kinrath they’d been fighting since entering the tunnels.

As they continued to crawl, the pair would eventually tumble upon a large, webbed chamber - circular in shape and with multiple diverging tunnels. Tucked into the back of the chamber, a clutch of eggs was nestled and tied together in a spool of webs. Ambrosia would feel the Force echoing from the clutch, drawing her towards the eggs for reasons unknown.

Before either of them could, however, the sound of movement began to echo. The webs began to rock and sway as something massive began to approach - insectoid legs creeping out, one by one, from one of the circular tunnels that led deeper into the nest. Slowly but surely, a giant version of the Kinrath began to step into view - the broodmother who had laid the eggs the pair had been drawn to. It turned its multiple eyes towards the pair of Sith, fangs dripping with venom and spines flexing at the end of its eight legs.

@lizziie @DMCK

 

[Ambrosia]

Ambrosia looked back as Thel hurried to follow down the same path, her chin tilting upward the closer he got to account for the height difference between the two of them. "Shouldn't hurt," she responded, her tone friendly enough. She didn't change her stride to match his, so unless Thel shortened his significantly, the man would find himself always a few steps ahead of the porcelain-skinned woman.

It wasn't long before they were surrounded by silk webs on all sides. They would have to tread carefully now so as to not step into the sticky webbing on the floor either as bits of it reached toward their feet from the wall. The glow stick swinging from Ambrosia's belt provided enough light for the Arkanian offshoot to see just fine, though Thel might find the dim light a bit lacking without infrared vision of his own.

Despite the feeling she had about walking into the lion's den - or spider's nest - Ambrosia continued to follow the pull in the Force. It did, however, eventually lead the two of them straight into danger. The broodmother descended upon them, pinchers clicking and dripping with venom as it reared up and attempted to squash the both of them beneath its claws front legs. It moved surprisingly fast for something of its size, and Ambrosia had to quickly roll to the side to avoid the attack. She rolled somewhere between its left legs, and in one swift movement, grabbed her stun baton and slammed it with one hand into one of the ligaments.

---

Where Tempest had once walked along drilled walls held up by metal supports, she now walked on uneven, weathered ground. The walls were rough and jagged, no light followed her, and there were no supports to hold up the ceiling above her. The sentient-made tunnels had transitioned into natural-made ones, perhaps sculpted eons ago by long-dead volcanic activity and lava tunnels.

Every step she took no matter how light, was audible in the empty earth. Every rock kicked by her foot tumbled forward and echoed, some rolling quite a ways down the path. The tunnel itself was descending quicker and quicker, growing much more difficult to walk straight down without shuffling the feet sideways or bending back at the knee. The writing appeared before long, beginning as simple scratches, but soon covering almost the entirely of the tunnel with symbols and hieroglyphs Tempest would not understand.

Eventually, the tunnel would give way to a massive cavern. It stopped at a sheer drop that sank so far down that she would only see blackness. A hundred or so feet out looked like the continuation of the path, with several thin, precarious stone columns rising up to bridge the gap at random intervals. Far out to her left was a mess of webbing covering just a single small area, and far in front of her was a massive stone door. More obstacles would lie between her and that door, but first she would have to cross the chasm without tripping into the abyss.

@DMCK @Altaris

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel was glad that the other Sith seemed receptive to them working together to navigate the tunnels. Sith didn’t always make for good team players. As they moved down the tunnel, the webbing became denser. Thel was careful with his footing, helped by the fact that he had to shorten his stride to not move too far ahead of his fellow Sith. The low level of light was an annoyance. Igniting his lightsaber, the red blade did help to slightly brighten the tunnel; it also helped with slicing through the thick webs invading the path in front of them.

Eventually, they emerged from the tunnel into a large circular chamber with tunnels leading off in different directions. Thel squinted as he checked the room. The webbing appeared to form a tubular shape at the back of the room, though it was difficult to see clearly. Before he could investigate, a heavy thudding suddenly echoed from a distance. The webbing around them began to shake. Closer. The sound became louder. He turned towards the direction of the sound and began to back away, his lightsaber held in one hand. How many are there? Expecting a horde of Kinrath, his eyes widened at what he saw. An enormous Kinrath crawled out from the tunnel. It was a fearsome sight. Thel glanced over at the other Sith. They were in for a fight.

The giant Kinrath set upon the Sith with unexpected speed. Rearing up, the creature attempted to bring its front legs down onto them. Thel leapt backwards. The creature’s leg crashed onto the spot where he had been standing. Allowing the momentum to carry him backwards, his body spun around once before he gracefully landed back on his feet. Swiftly advancing towards the creature, he slashed at the joint in the middle of its front right leg. The blade easily cut through; the Kinrath’s lower leg dropped to the ground. The creature let out a loud shriek which reverberated around the chamber.

@Altaris @lizziie

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest kept her hands folded against the small of her back - each, purposeful step bringing the Dark Lord closer to her goal. Despite her studies and research, the runes that lined the wall escaped her understanding completely. Their presence in what was otherwise an every-day mine, however, revealed that her Intel was valid. It made her far more confident that the rest of what she read was accurate, and that the true purpose of her search couldn’t have been far.

Her senses continued to scan and prob the surrounding area, searching for any sign of movement or presence of life. She didn’t feel anything nearby, but she remained keenly aware for the moment things changed.

It didn’t take the Dark Lord long to reach the chasm ahead - Amber eyes flicked down to the void-like drop beneath her feet. She didn’t need to test it’s limits to know that falling wasn’t going to be in her interest. Her gaze gradually moved towards the stone outcroppings admist the chasm, providing a jump-able path to reach the other side.

Tempest tilted her head a bit - though made no attempt to jump across the chasm. She was the Dark Lord of the Sith, and commanded a control of the Force surpassed by few others in the Galaxy. It built and swirled around her body, billowing forth with the flick of her gloved fingers.

The earth just ahead of her feet - forming the ledge of the chasm - began to splinter and crack, shattering from the rest of the landmass of the cave. The stone columns followed suit - the very tops of each earthen outcropping breaking off with the gesture of Tempest’s fingertips. Boulders and chunks of earth swirled through the air, floating together to form a single platform that hovered in the air - levitating a single step ahead of the Dark Lord.

Stepping into the platform of her own creation, Tempest began to cross the chasm without ever moving her feet, floating atop the platform and towards the stone door ahead.

—
​

Furious, inhuman shrieking echoed across the Broodmother’s nest - howling in agony as the pair of Sith mounted their attack. Thel’s attack found purchase and cost the Kinrath one of its legs, while the attack from Ambrosia left another left completely limp and unusable.

But the Kinrath didn’t need those limbs to kill them. With six more legs to operate with, the Spider Queen reared back - its maw opening and fangs tilted up.

Without warning, a spray of neon green venom would spray from the tips of Kinrath’d fangs - spraying across the webbing and attempting to cover the two Sith. Almost immediately, it would begin melting the webs beneath their feet and wherever the venom had landed. As the floor began to melt away, it would reveal a sheer drop into the void just beneath their feet. It was clear that this section of the cave had been naturally formed and never mined, and the chasm beneath them had only been hidden by the natural tunnels and webbing formed by the Kinrath nest.

They would need to act quickly - either to avoid the venom or from dropping to their deaths.