Diamonds and Ash

[Eddard Thul Drast]

When people spoke about Prakith, they spoke of legends and histories of the Jedi, the Sith and the Jedi Exiles. The Jedi Exiles; the Sith before they found their name, before they found their identity and actually made something of themselves.

Before Eddard's own ancestor, the Great Andraste, managed to drag every screaming wretch the Dark Side held sway over and bend them to her will, to suit her purpose. The purpose of forming the Sith and then taking the Sith across the Galaxy, capturing hearts, minds and territory until there was no doubt that the dominant power in the Galaxy had a name.

And it's name was Sith.

Prakith, and places like it, were the starting point of all of it.

He didn't know why but Eddard felt the urge to come back here, to step outside of the borders of the Imperial Republica to find something that he felt was missing. There was something missing in him, missing in the Empire and that was a spark, a spark of resolve that Andraste had held within her through years of suffering and years more of campaigning and war.

The Empire needed people with that spark again, now that they had reached a place where their enemies were numerous and their internal problems more so. If it was the spark of resolve inside Andraste that had forged the Empire then it was up to her descendants and the children of her Empire to find it again and hold the torch up high.

Talik and Allerius were with him on this... pilgrimage?

It seemed like the right word.

Either way, they were here with him on this day, on this journey. Having landed the ship, he stepped out and stared at the capital city of Prakith in the near distance. It looked old and that was good because what he was looking for would be old.

He was looking for an ancient text that was said to be held here, a text that revealed clues about where the ancient Jedi Temple could be located. The Jedi Temple built on top of the Exile Temple that came before it. But first they would need to actually find someone who had some kind of idea as to where to find it.

Even now he could feel the world - he could feel how the entire world just radiated, bathed, in the Dark Side of the Force.

"Do you feel that?" he asked his companions, "That is why we are here - if we can find the source of that we can find the source of the Dark Side on this planet and the very beginnings of our Empire."

He smirked ever so slightly.

"And the Dark Side gives so many rewards..." he continued before beginning the walk towards the city, "Have either of you done this before? A pilgrimage to a Dark Side Nexus?"

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Lazy Swordsman

 

[Talik Kru]

Prakith; the place was steeped in mystery, the stuff of legends, and somewhere the Twi’lek never thought to be visiting in person anymore than she imagined returning to Ryloth. Talik hadn’t expected a lot of things however, she never did.

For instance, she mused as she gazed at the two nobles, Sith Lords and Oh so eligible men of Alderaanian nobility, ’How the frak did a Rycrit herder wind up in such company?’ The young attache closed her eyes rather than indulge in glaring her hatred at the back of Allerius’ head. It only brought him pleasure.

In transit to the planet she had largely been uncommunicative keeping her mind closed off as she examined the changes to which she was awakening. Her skill had grown in shielding her mind since leaving the Academy and being thrust into the hands of this assassin again. A begrudging respect for her captor awoke bringing with it a sense of mental nausea that she had him to thank for the privacy of her own thoughts. She wanted to lash out and kick his head through the glass of the ship with a great big THANK YOU MASTER ringing in his ears.

Her training had taken on a drastic change as she struggled to grasp the methodologies that fed Katress his strength, gave him the control of such rage… she couldn’t count the number of times his fury could have killed her but for the finesse with which he wielded his might. The attacks, those lessons that were interspersed between missions, never ceased; the results proving the effectiveness of his teaching.

Oddly enough this trip would be the first time the pair were heading off on anything other than Imperial business. A break? Not really she mused, knowing that such pilgrimages to a Nexus would be anything but relaxing. The idea was laughable, and once they had arrived to actually set foot upon the planet, the overwhelming presence of the force became intoxicating.

The Lethan bent to press her right knee to the sand, driving her fingers down into the moist grains at the edge of the tidemark where the waves washed up against the shore. Sobrosh Res had often expressed the importance of making connections with nature and the living force of the land, it being the practice of the Togruta’s people to walk around unshod. She did indeed feel the cloying touch of the force on the world and refrained from being drawn into its embrace.

Her voice was tinged with just a hint of reproach once Eddard had ceased speaking. His question was typical of the clueless elite who took such things for granted. ”No, I have never been on sabbatical”, she replied while rising to her feet. Dusting her fingers off at her side, the grains fell along the length of her skirt, while the cloak covering her rippled from her motions. Setting her eyes upon Allerius, she tweaked the man by asking, ”What about you Allerius?”, knowing his answer could be pure truth or full of lies. His mask was always near impenetrable, but that didn’t keep her from attempting to find cracks through which to glean his true thoughts.

@Lazy Swordsman , @Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

A sabbatical?

That was somewhat annoying he had to admit. This wasn't a sabbatical - this was a pilgrimage to a place that was as close to sacred as one could reasonably be expected to get when you were a Sith. But Talik was often insolent and insulting just to get a rise out of him so Eddard paid it no mind. Instead he started to make his way towards the city that they had landed near.

The journey itself had been rather rough - navigation had been a massive chore - and he was eager to actually get to where they were heading. He frowned slightly as he touched one of the lightsabers at his side. This entire place resonated with the Dark Side but there was something out there, under the waves, that was... worse.

Worse than the rest of this place.

He didn't know what it was or what might have caused it.

All he knew was that there was 'living' Dark Side energies under the waves and he didn't trust it. The energy was deep, it was dark, it was hungry and it seemed to be reacting to their presence, if at tad sleepily, and it was angry.

"Talik... step away from the water." he urged her quietly, "There's no fishing boats or boats of any kind. No water birds or fish. There's something in that water darker and more powerful than all of us combined."

Eddard backed further away from the water's edge but still headed in the direction of the city.

"What do you remember of Prakith from your history lessons at the academy?"

Because he remembered something, something that resided in the water, and he really hoped that he was wrong.

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Allerius was of two minds as he walked the planet’s surface. The Dark Side was powerful here, he could feel it infusing the air and flowing through him as a conduit of its power. On one hand it made him feel strong, invigorated and, frankly, alive. However on the other hand it was always dangerous to be in such places, even for the Sith or at least Sith like him. For a Dark Side Adept who prided himself on control the temptation to give into his passions, to sink into the emotional storm that the Dark Side influence could draw one into.

Still Prakith was special and that’s why he’d agreed to come here. There had been a Jedi Exile Temple here at one time, then long after that the Jedi Order had built their own sanctuaries here. One particularly fortified temple which he’d read was referred to as “The Jedi Fortress” had once been found in the Asonel Mountains. Allerius had no idea if any of it still remained though or if the Sith Order had built their own facility on top of it. He was also aware of the battles that had occurred here over five centuries ago between the growing Sith power and the fading Jedi Order. In fact one could still feel the ripples of the ancient conflict through the Force here.

“This planet calls to our people.” he said softly, his voice severe and lacking its usual frivolity. “If power like this could be harnessed...” he trailed off and shook his head slightly. He could see why the old tales of Sith Sorcerers often described them as going mad and becoming obsessed. Perhaps that’s why it’s use was practically forbidden within Imperial Republica territory.

It was odd to consider this as some sort of pilgrimage. The Sith didn’t typically value such things although in truth even the most pragmatic individuals of the Order, which Allerius considered himself to be one of, still delved into esoteric aspects of the Dark Side teachings for power. Following the teachings of the Sith was akin to worshipping at the altar of power, to being a devout member of a religion where you placed yourself in the seat of God. Well he’d read that somewhere anyway. Allerius considered the Force to be nothing more than a tool, it was just the quest to find a balance between gaining strength and utilising it only when needed that typically kept Allerius preoccupied.

Allerius was quite preoccupied with feeling the power of the planet. This was the sort of thing he didn’t tend to delve in when it came to the Force. As such he didn’t respond or engage with either individual as they spoke, well that is up until Talik made one of her typical comments. Shooting a glance at the woman he raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you graduate about a week ago?” he pointed out drily. “I think you have to do a bit of work before your employer considers granting you some holiday leave.”

Shaking his head he glanced off into the distance. The Twi’lek’s constant snark wouldn’t be so bad if she actually took some things seriously. She was too busy with her victim complex that the woman was completely risking her chance to get in good with Eddard, a man well enough connected that he could help her rise high in the Order one day despite her being of what many would consider to be an inferior race. “Especially a slave race of all things.” he thought to himself idly.

Half-distracted by his thoughts it took Allerius to sense the dangerous undercurrent, it was only his paranoid instincts which drew his attention to the Force. The Assassin’s hand rested lightly on his lightsaber hilt as he glanced around. Like Eddard, but a moment slower, he turned his gaze to the dark waters that Talik was beside. “He’s right, move it if you want to be alive long enough to earn that sabbatical.”

He would wait for Talik to move away before resuming to follow Eddard. “And yes I’ve been to a few fulcrums such as this although I don’t have a particular interest in such things.” he added.

Even as he looked away Allerius kept his attention, through the Force, on the waters behind them. It wasn’t paranoia if the danger was real.

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Nefieslab

 

[Talik Kru]

Eddard’s failure to rise to the bait was only mildly disappointing. But then her true target’s reaction didn’t bring satisfaction either. It felt petty causing her to quirk a lopsided grin, nod her head and say, ”Fair enough”. If she were honest, what annoyed her most these days was her changing views of the man. Typically irritating he was not all horrid but had his admirable qualities too and thoughts like that made her feel she was betraying everything. Only she wasn’t sure what that meant anymore; betrayal of self or her hatred. That the two were separate in her mind at all was cause for concern.

Talik let her eyes range out over the open shoreline once more. She could still feel the touch of the sand upon her hand and she even considered removing her boots to walk barefoot along the water’s edge; anything really, to quiet the weight in her stomach. Her stance shifted so that her back was to the men but her gaze was drawn far out across the water and she took no further steps. A sense of dread began to rise within her, confusing because the force seemed to...Eddard’s voice caused her to turn and look his way.

The urgency in his voice only caused her sense of dread to mount. The man was right, she realized, though she had been too preoccupied to notice; there was no activity out here at all. Allerius’ actually put her to motion, and as she walked away she turned to look back out over the water. There was something out there and she didn’t feel like finding out what that might be. Catching up to the men, she kept quiet listening to Allerius speaking.

He claimed that he didn’t have any particular interest in the Dark Nexus, and yet he was here. They both were embarking into very dangerous territory. She thought on Eddard’s earlier question and said, ”I can’t claim any specialized knowledge of the planet, just basic history, minor studies on the concentration of the force.” If she had studied any of the fauna to be found it had long since escaped her memory. Her eyes went back to the water, ”What do you suppose that was?”

@Lazy Swordsman
@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

So Allerius had been to some places like this as well? Made sense.

Some of the Academies were better funded than others and they had field trips to places like this. Places where the Dark Side of the Force was so very strong and there was no beacon of the Light or anything else. These places were nothing to the non-Force Sensitives of the Galaxy but they meant so much more to Dark Siders. The true font of power on Prakith, currently lose to records, would be truly beyond reckoning.

It would be beautiful, cruel, seductive and bitter - and it would likely ensnare many people. But finding it? Using it's power to add to their own even for just a moment?

Sometimes it was worth the risk.

"I love visiting place like this." He remarked easily as they continued on, "I like to look at places of power, to taste the strength, to feel the energy... but Prakith is different. The Dark here is an evil all it's own."

He gestured to the sea.

"Legends say there is a creature, a Dark Side abomination, that resides in the seas of Prakith. It's children are monstrous in strength and size - more than a match for all but the most powerful Force Users. The creature itself is rarely seen but legends say it emerged during a great battle between Jedi and Jedi Exiles... between people who's sheer power dwarfed our own... and they fled from it's wrath."

They were entering the city now.

"Find a book dealer... we are looking for reference to the location of the Nexus." he told the two of them with a frown, "I would see us find it once more."

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Allerius felt his mind sinking beneath the surface of the water, drawing deeper and deeper into it’s dark depth as something sang to him, called to him, drew him in. Power pulsed through his mind and invaded every atom of his being. A bit further and he would find the source. A little deeper and he would find it…

He almost stumbled as he tore his attention back to the present. Allerius felt his heart beating like a drum in his chest as he refocused on his surroundings. His mind’s defences where still kept tightly secure stopping his thoughts and emotions from leaking free. However deep inside he was unsettled. Something had tried to steal him away… that was dangerous, very dangerous.

Hearing Eddard’s remark on what lay beneath he rubbed at his chin in thought feeling calm once more. “I wonder where it originated. I have heard tales of the Ancient Sith, back in the days when the powers and research of the esoteric where far more common.” he said considering the Sith Magics that some rare individuals of the Old Empire had at their command. The Imperial Republica did not allow for such things, it was looked down upon even more than being a Xenos in Allerius’ experience. “It is said the great sorcerers of legend could create leviathans, great beings created through the mastery of the Dark Side and with power far greater than even the Sith Lords. It would certainly be interesting if such a being still existed. There’s always some truth to the legends.”

Once they reached the city Eddard told them what they were looking for. Allerius nodded with a smile. “Alright we’ve all got our communicators, we’ll let one another know when we find something.” he said and with a wave the assassin strode off into the city.

It didn’t take long for Allerius to find a bookstore and feeling victorious he strode into the shop. With a wave at the shopkeeper who barely paid him any mind as he entered. The Sith spent 15 minutes going through the store shelves, it was a surprisingly big shop until it became rather obvious what type of bookstore it was.

It was a smut shop. ♦

Finding a particularly interesting story about a Twi’leki slave and her kind master Allerius found himself distracted as he read the dirty book.

@Kayenta Moenkopi @Nefieslab

 

[Talik Kru]

Her eyes looked away from the water taking in the view of the city situated upon the large promontory, its spire rising all along the various levels with the faint motion of aircraft barely detectable. Eddard’s confession surprised her and she looked away from the city as he spoke on. She could well imagine the feel of this place lingering with her for many years to come perhaps even creating a desire to return again and again. But how long before that desire turned to obsession even madness? Certainly the endurance required to live here full time would be staggering only growing worse as the years rolled by.

And yet history told them that is precisely what the masters of old had done. So much power was unknown to Talik and yet even men and women such as those had not been able to withstand this living darkness. Her eyes went back to the city noting there was a large section of the space port actually projected out over the sea. The man was sickened by how far the Republic had fallen so finding the source of power he sought might be the spark to infuse his quest. But what of Allerius.

She had noted his near stumble walking to his side as she were, instinctively swaying in her walk to compensate for the slight movement. He was always so closed in mind and emotions only ever showing her what he wished. It had been part of what attracted her to his teachings for the promise of this strength. But the man had been especially quiet when they first arrived and he seemed absorbed in his own thoughts for all the lore he then would share.

Speaking seemed to break the impression she detected, the gesture of him rubbing his chin in thought served as some transitional phase between the thoughts he held captive and those he released. Listening to him speak of the sorcerers, beings greater even than the Sith Lords, she could feel the weight of his words letting her speculations rest for a while.

And here they were in such a place that had seen the greats of lore drawn by the force that lived in such great abundance. The resonance of the mighty were undoubtedly imprinted into the very land from which they awakened to such might. The lure of drinking from such a well was overwhelming as much as it was frightful. A person very well could drown.

It was just as well when it came for them to split up and search the city for she was beginning to feel a bit like the little sister that two big brothers were trying to scare with tales of darkness and dangers untold. Very much more of that and they would have had her startling at shadows.

”Try not to miss me too much”, she said and cut in the opposite direction of the large space port. The bustle of the place was considerable, the people lived a fairly good life if the signs of manufacturing and commerce doing a brisk business meant anything. Naturally economic diversity was everywhere for there were sections of the city where signs of poverty were obvious.

The few bookstores she had browsed through were not very promising and catered to mainstream mentality: fictional novels, glamour biographies of the galactic-ally famous, historical romances, but even their historical selections were broad sweeping generalizations rather than any specific topic. The only materials even remotely Sith related was in the children’s section right along side mythologies and bedtime stories.

So frustrating she thought as she picked up a book called The Big Bad Sith and read through its contents. Some innocent blonde human, trotting through the inactive lava flows to go see her granny and didn’t listen to her mother who said to stay on the path but instead was lured into a bizarre set of tunnels that riddled the promontory. She put it back and then grabbed up another book, this one about smugglers who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor who lived in the Enchanted Asonel Caves.

This was a complete waste of time. For spite she purchased both to present as the find of the day thoroughly disgusted by the idea of an ancient scroll being in a stupid book store. Something so historic...she grinned as she left the store with her purchases stopping before a large building. ”A museum….”, she breathed out with a grin upon her face. Paying the entry fee she decided to get some education and took herself a five credit tour.

@Lazy Swordsman
@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

They split up to look for clues.

It sounded like something out of a Saturday morning holovid cartoon but that was what they did and soon Eddard found himself stalking down the streets of the city alone. Alone aside from the crowds of people but they took one look at him and began to back away. People here were more acutely attuned to the feeling of the Dark Side.

People were afraid of people who could use it.

It was entirely by accident that he felt it - a sense of something... other. He followed the sensation, the ice running down his spine, and he stepped into the book store.

It was old, the books and tomes looked ancient.

He touched his com link.

"I think I've found it."

There was something in here... something that reeked of the Dark Side and begged to be found.

@Lazy Swordsman @Kayenta Moenkopi

 

[Allerius Katress]

The Sith blinked as the message came through the Comms and he realised he’d been standing in the book shop for about fifteen minutes, he reluctantly but the “novel” down. It had just been starting to get good. Sighing he put it down and as he began to walk out the shopkeeper shouted if he was sure that he didn’t want anything.

“No!” Allerius replied with an intense petulance. The sheer amount of mockery he’d receive from Talik for having such a thing didn’t make it worthwhile. No matter how much he wanted to know how it ended. Maybe he’d do a little search on the Holonet later.

Leaving the store and walking down the street he replied over the Comms. “On my way.”

It didn’t take long to find Eddard. The Dark Side pulsated throughout the town, it seemed to heighten Allerius’ senses and although the Force was strong here he could only sense two individuals within the City that where conduits of the Force, the Dark Side, itself. He knew which one was Talik, he could read her presence easily enough so the other had to be Eddard.

Coming to an old, run down, looking store he stepped inside. Seeing Eddard he nodded at him and glanced at the book. “Is that what we came for?”

 

[Talik Kru]

Upon entering the large stone building she admire the abundance of volcanic rocks employed in its construction and ornamentation. Talik had naturally gravitated toward the Natural History wing but breezed through the displays of the geologic history in order to reach those that were more anthropological in nature. She was looking at pottery shards, of all things, housed in environmentally controlled display cases, that were next to a life sized diorama of an ancient dwelling through which she could walk. Being replicas in this dwelling, she was free let her fingers glide over the surfaces of the furnishings and dwelling walls, intrigued by the artistry of the carvings with which they were adorned.

It was then she got the call from Eddard and Allerius’ answering reply. ”Wonderful; see you soon”, she replied over the comm. Leaving the dead in search, she looked back once more to the carvings with the vague sense of familiarity coursing through her mind. Whatever it was teasing her subconscious would have to wait. Heading off in the general direction of where they had split up to conduct their search, she let the force lead her back to her companions. The ease with which she could feel their presence here was seductive tempting her to draw deeper upon that energy.

Upon entering the book store she could hardly fail to notice Allerius and Eddard conversing. Filled with the force as she was their combined presence felt almost as though the flows of energy in the area were converging upon them. Releasing her hold reluctantly the impression faded to little more than a background awareness of their force sensitivity.

Before approaching she looked around to see where the owner of the store might be hiding but whoever ran the establishment must be in the back. Drawing near, she held the children’s books in her arms glancing at the book before them questioningly. ”What have you got there?” she inquired softly.

@Lazy Swordsman
@Nefieslab