Evolution of the Sith

[Darth Tagus]

The throne room of the main temple of Korriban, the temple of the Sith and of the Empress Andraste, was a room that had undergone more than a fair few changes. Since the time of the 'benevolent' Empress of the first Empire, subsequent Emperors, Empresses and Dark Lords and Ladies had decided that it needed to be changed.

That it needed to be designed to intimidate all who came before the throne.

Tagus had always thought it was rather a shame that it had changed over the years. By all accounts it had started life as a rather bright and light room that made all feel as though the Empress cared about their troubles. If she did or not was entirely unimportant back then and was even less so now and even the scholar inside Tagus could say that with confidence.

He just mused about how much more interesting and appealing a room it would be without all the spikes and the fires and the general edge that seemed to scream of the young, the stupid and those who had delved too deeply, too quickly, into the Dark Side and emerged from their studies without even the barest shred of a personality to speak of.

As one of two remaining members of the Dark Council, Tagus had called for Darth Victress to join him here. At the same time, he had called for the two Sith Lords of some note remaining in the Galaxy after the death of the strange Deucalian woman.

The royal guards surrounded the room, having accepted and admitted him with bows of their heads. They were... well, the annoying truth was that they were likely used to this type of thing by now and wasn't that a depressing thought?

Tagus had raided one of the treasury rooms before arriving first into the throne room, allowing him to sit upon the throne in his armour with a crown resting atop his head. He had been spinning the circlet crown around one of his fingers for some time but as he could feel the presence of the others approaching, he placed it atop his head.

Personally he didn't much care for the thing but appearances meant a lot to an awful lot of people.

And sometimes you needed to bend to accommodate change. Wearing a crown he disliked would be worth it.

Spoiler: Crown

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[Darth Perilius]

.

The dark side of the force was strong internally in these dark times. Another Empress, another leader gone, and more propaganda to be used against the Sith. Recently, Darth Perilius had risen as one of the most prominent Lords in the Galaxy alongside his co-apprentice, Darth Kados. They were to meet with Darth Victress and Darth Tagus in order to discuss the state of the Sith and who was to be regent. Perilius doubted he’d have any chance given he was the newest Darth there, but he kept his hopes.

Perilius entered the familiar throne room of Korriban, seeing little change since his last encounter inside: his meeting with Rask. The Lord entered the room in a calm, but serious posture as he eyed Darth Tagus on the throne. He seemed to have taken a crown for himself, and understandably so given the circumstances of succession. The royal guards around the room stood firm as if there wasn’t 5 different rulers of the Empire in the last 8 years

He did not speak, as he had little to say, but he stood as he waited for the remaining lords to enter the room. All of the most powerful Sith were going to be inside one room, and hopefully they’d accomplish plans in order to save the Empire and select a new Emperor.


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[Mid Samekh]

Mid had seen the news. He had gotten the summons. And he would lie if he said he didn't see it coming.

This wasn't something to be happy about. Given the utterly horrible track record of leaders that seated on the throne then left just like that was something to be ashamed of. People would think they installed a faulty seat warmer with how quickly leadership changed in the Empire.

Darth Kados marched through the hallways of the great temple. He ran a hand along the wall for a bit, not taking being in the building for granted one bit. Losing Korriban was a shock to him more than any other Sith. But where he failed to join in the defence, he made up for in taking it back. Even now he was working on two new lightsabers to show it. But they weren't ready just yet. For now the dreary ones he had on his hips had to make do. He reached the throne room and took a second or two before finally entering. He stopped in the doorway as he saw Darth Tagus on the throne wearing the crown. He smirked behind his helmet as he rested a hand on his hip. "If you jump in red paint and get a proper Lanvarok you might pass for king Adas for Halloween." he quipped, making his way towards the throne.

His left hand rested on the pommel of a lightsaber while the right removed the helmet from his head. "In all honesty, I saw this coming from a lightyear away. After the footage on that news feed I half expected this to happen." he spoke idly as he stood a few meters from the summit of the throne, looking it over. "Such a sad design. Too bland and dark. Compared to how it looked five centuries ago, this is an eyesore. I have half a mind to invite the Mandalorians in here because I'm sure their decorations would be an improvement." he commented, looking it over along with the rest of the decor.

"And congratulations on the ascendance, Darth Perilius." he said to Markov, giving a small bow in respect. He looked back to Tagus, waiting to see if he had any input.

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[Darth Victress]

.

And then, there were four.

Four powerful beings to rule over the greatest Empire still in the galaxy. It was daunting to say the least, but considering where each of the four had come from, not unbelievable. The throne room saturated with their collective darkened auras, reflecting not only their presence but also the wrath of their ancestors. It was surreal, the locus of evil as it mutated and changed over the years, from her early days as an acolyte to where she stood now as a Dark Councilor. As Tagus sat on the throne, the doors to the main room opened as lights momentarily dimmed in the lobby along with an unnatural wail of tortured souls. Clad in Black Hades as she had been, the force forged armor glistening with its sinister power.

Golden eyes glanced towards the two Sith Lords; there were no loyalties that ran without limits and even the dearest of friends would turn on each other, fueled by their desire and hunger for power. Needless to say, there was a little part in her that took pride in knowing that the two Sith she had chosen as her apprentices had now ascended to rank of Darth. They were her near equals, and Darth Tagus would be foolish to challenge her outright, lest he took the gamble of being outnumbered. Would there be bloodshed today? Perhaps, perhaps not.

That was yet to be determined, the faith...of the Empire.

Darth Victress acknowledged her former apprentices as she moved closer into the chamber, eyes shifting slowly before they came to rest upon the Mirialan who sat on the throne, before nodding. "Darth Tagus..."

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[Darth Tagus]

The lesser arrived first.

The Sith Lords, those who had ascended to the rank of Darth but had not yet taken their place amongst the Dark Council. Perhaps they would prove themselves worthy of such a place in the future but for now? They remained lesser. He didn't say anything to the new one, the one with the title so stupid that Tagus would decline to utter it unless absolutely necessary, but he noted Kados and he noted his utter contempt for station.

"And even without a crown I stand among the Council, above you, Kados." he mused bluntly, his eyes flashing along with the whites of his teeth, "Unless you wish to finally declare your Kaggath against the absent Inheris to ascend higher of course."

Rumors had been swirling about Kados' intent in that regard and it amused Tagus to tug on the Pureblood's little face tendrils with the jab. If he rose to the bait he was weak, if he didn't then he accepted the rebuke. It was all politics and it was all so very repetitive.

He nodded his head, however, to Darth Victress, the only person within the chamber who had achieved a rank comparable to his own. The two of them had never gotten along, it was true, but she was a stubborn woman and had refused to die so he could respect her in that regard at least.

"Darth Victress."

He did not rise from the throne.

"The Empress Aadya Drast has failed in the worst way possible; she has publicly been shamed, for actions that were truly hers and truly foolish in nature. To compound her own weakness and that of the Empire she admitted to this and broadcast it throughout the Galaxy." he gestured to the crown, "You know that all and you accept it all, I know. You want to know why you should accept that I should sit upon this throne in her stead. You are all allies after all... and therein lies your problem."

He pointed to Victress.

"You are the only viable alternative - and then what? The apprentice kills the master. We all know this. How long before you 'favour' one over the other and we war amongst ourselves?" he asked her pointedly, "Then one or more of you three die; and I likely take the throne then."

He continued.

"Kados. You have potential, true, but you need more experience. Would your Master follow you? Your fellow apprentice? No, I think not." he tapped his crown, "The crown would suit you ill as you are right now."

His gaze moved.

"And you... Perilius." He managed to not quite sneer at the name, "Are simply too weak. You stand weakest of all of us assembled in power and tainted by your association with the last Empress' greatest failure. Who would follow you as Emperor? Not I. Not your fellow, stronger, apprentice and certainly not your Master."

Tagus tapped his chest.

"And I? I have seen enough of Drasts failing. I have seen enough of cliques and factions within the Empire teaming up and weakening us as a whole as they better themselves as a minority." he tapped his chest, "I am the outsider here - I am linked to none of you or anyone else within the Empire. I am impartial. I am the man who has sacrificed all held dear for the Sith and the Sith alone. I hold no friendships or bonds to anything but the Sith and I sit here because we need that. We need that dedication if we are to progress."

Taking the crown from atop his head, Tagus stood from the throne and tossed it to the floor at the top of the stairs. With his right hand resting against the hilt of his lightsaber at his waist, hidden from direct sight by his robes, Tagus gestured to the crown in front of him.

"If I have spoken falsely, let the one who would think to challenge my claim step forwards. If not..." his eyes moved to Victress, "Then stand beside me as Dark Lord, Darth Victress."

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[Darth Victress]

.

Darth Victress smirked at Tagus' jabs towards her apprentices, it was Sith custom for those of weaker descent to be able to earn their reputation and along that came the ability to withstand the storm, in this case it was purely verbal and if she was being honest, consistently entertaining. As the conversation turned to a more serious tone, her golden eyes met the gaze of her counterpart, the only other Sith who was her equivalent in power and rank in the Empire. It was true, their rivalry stemmed from their initial meeting in the caves of Korriban but like her, he had weathered against resistance and seemingly also refused to die. Perhaps a little part in her, paid him that equivalent respect.

As the crown was tossed on the ground, her eyes scanned it for a brief moment; the second turned to several, time slowing in its wake as Tagus would easily sense the darkness and conflict arose within the woman. Darth Victress did not care for the Mirialan, but would she allow him to ascend to Emperor? Was that his destiny or was that hers. Right hand slipped momentarily to the hilt of the Fallen Blade, how ceremonial for the fallen blade to clash with the first blade? An echo to the ancient beginnings of Jedi and Sith alike.

But no, Empress was not for her. She was a Sith, and with Tagus as ruler, she remained the most powerful Sith Lord in the Galaxy. Her left hand reached outwards, levitating the crown off the ground as if she was going to bring it to her own head. A challenge, to determine which of the two would reign supreme. But..in that last moment, it was a decision that she felt would be best for the order and the Empire. Darth Victress levitated the crown back towards Tagus, granting him his desire and thus indirectly removing a choice of contestation from her apprentices. She agreed with her co-councilor, the two Sith she had trained were strong and would one day be worthy of the throne, but today was not that day.

Darth Victress turned her attention back towards Tagus, nodding before him. "Very well Darth Tagus, you have my support..." She said, igniting the crimson weapon of the Fallen Blade as she took a few paces to the side. Her attention fell upon her two apprentices to see what their decision would be. Would they agree with her and side in this new era of Sith? Would they serve Tagus' empire and her order? Or did one of their ambitions run high enough to claim another destiny? Regardless of who sat on the throne, the Galaxy would fear a ripple through its void, inflicting those that could sense her presence and power.

....The new Dark Lord of the Sith...

 

[Darth Perilius]

.

Darth Perilius watched as his comrades, or in ways, competitors enter the room as Tagus began his speech about deciding an Emperor. First he jabbed at Victress, which he agreed with; the two apprentices would surely gang up and then infighting would occur. Then he turned to Kados as he pointed out his flaws, which he related to strongly. More infighting would occur to steal the throne from him.

And then he turned to Perilius, which he gave the most brutal of insult, however he was precise. The new Darth was the weakest out of the quartet due to his advents in the unknown regions disconnecting him from the outside, but he agreed. After all, there was much for the Lord to learn and accomplish before he had the ability to run the great Empire. Then he attacked on his saving of the Empress, which is felt partially foul about: he was solely doing the service necessary for the Empire, not expecting her betrayal. If he could change that action to leaving her outright, then perhaps he would.

“So be it.. but I shall empower myself serving as one of your disciples... and only then I will feel ready to take a crown...” Perilius said in a cold tone, emphasizing how he still could catch up in time. “It would be foolish of me to make an attempt on your lives.. both due to my current power in comparison as well as my own ideals...”

Darth Perilius didn’t have much fondness for Tagus, especially because his suggestion to kaggath for a throne. He was against the concept of infighting and he felt that any act towards the depletion of other Sith would be foolish. He’d be willing, however, to serve and align himself with whoever was the regent, as he was loyal to the Empire, but he’d make an attempt whenever necessary, and now wasn’t the time.

He stood his ground as Victress ignited her blade, ready to see a possible duel occur.


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[Mid Samekh]

Mid gave a huff as he eyed Tagus, both amused and ticked off by the Mirialan's comment. "I prefer earning my ranks, not simply taking them because they're there." he fired back. If the situation allowed, he wouldn't mind a verbal sparring match with the Sith Lord. But right now things were rather tense and the situation didn't allow for such banter.

Darth Victress finally arrived and Mid stood at attention, waiting to see what they had to say.

Tagus started, quickly filling them in on what they already knew. It was shameful to be in this situation. He then went on to defend his claim to the throne. And as much as Mid wanted to deny it, Tagus was right. Mid couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't fight Victress one day. And even if he did, could he trust her or even Markov? He then went on to explain why Mid wouldn't fit...and again he was right. As much as the Pureblood wanted to smack his green face into the stone floor, he was right.

He explained his claim and tossed the crown to the ground. Mid followed the ugly thing with his eyes then looked back up to Tagus. He had to keep his surprise to himself when he asked Victress to stand with him as Dark Lord of the Sith. Jen'ari...the holiest and most honoured titles a Sith could hope for. The jealousy would easily be felt for a second or two from Kados, though he would be an idiot to challenge her. But on the flip side, she had proven herself. In the Empire, in battle, she had proven herself worthy of the ancient title of Jen'ari.

Markov agreed on it, wisely admitting that trying to make a move against any of them would be suicide. Mid glanced between the three Sith Lords, then finally settled on looking Tagus in the eye. "I'll follow you on one condition, lord Tagus." he said calmly, gis golden eyes staring into Tagus' soul (or what's left of it). "You get this Empire out of the neck-deep mess it's in." he said to the Mirialan with a stern voice. He moved to stand right across from him, then drew his lightsaber. Though his demeanor didn't convey any threat or aggression at all.

He ignited his lightsaber, the crimson blade and crossguards flaring to life with a deep droning hum. He took it in a reverse grip and held it with both hands in front of his chest, like an ancient statue one might find by the tombs of Dark Lords with their ancient Sith swords. "J'us zinot nuyak spaga, Sith'ari. Vi dary j'us, Jen'ari" he said in the Sith tongue. One might have expected him to bow or kneel. But he did that for no man or woman. No matter who they were.

One thing was for certain: Thay had his allegiance, without a shadow of a doubt.

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[Darth Tagus]

And they accepted their roles in the continuation of the Sith and that was that. They knew their places and he assumed his own for better or for worse. He listened to them speak and he felt them flaring their auras in the Dark Side like under-stimulated teenage boys showing their excitement at the drop of a hat.

Such a lack of control over themselves, their emotions and their power sickened Tagus.

Was this truly the best that the Empire could produce? Truly, it was no wonder that they found themselves in such a state when these were the best he had to call on. He accepted the crown but did not wear it on his head. Instead he held onto it in his free hand for a moment before attaching it to his belt.

"Stop standing around posing." he chastised them all bluntly, "There's been far too much of that already. As my first official act as Emperor of the Sith Empire - I am doing what is best for the Sith Order."

Stepping away from the others, he moved over to a projector that had long since been installed in the area. He placed his crown atop of it and turned to face them as he lightly pressed a button on the console, beginning to power it up.

"The biggest problem to the Sith is the Empire itself; it's bloated, cancerous and far beyond it's sell-by date. We are seen as the villains of every story, the evil oppressors and we have allowed ourselves to take on those roles far too easily over the years. It is this that feeds the Galactic Alliance and the Mandalorians. People join them because they can honestly claim a moral high ground - we have forgotten what Andraste herself did to forge an Empire in the first place and taken it for granted for far too long."

He tapped the projector.

"We broke chains of oppression. We spread across the stars through our strength and our determination to set ourselves, and others, free. And. They. Loved US!" he roared in anger, "Now we shite on those who serve our whims. We think ourselves better than them because we have the Force, because we are stronger; and they arm themselves and run into the arms of our enemies, who use the disenfranchised of our own people against us to devastating effect."

Taking a step away from the console as it burst into life with the announcement, Tagus let a small smirk take it's place on his face.

"And before anyone gets cute and tries to tell me I can't... I already did."

The announcement played for them for the first time but it had already been played across the Galaxy already, probably several times.

"I am the Lord of the Sith, not the Emperor of a defunct Empire."

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[Mid Samekh]

Mid extinguished and holstered his lightsaber, not taking chances with the new Emperor. He clearly had a plan of some sort and he was determined to get it rolling. He followed Tagus to the projector and folded his arms over his chest as the man spoke.

He listened intently as Tagus explained his part and thoughts. Mid couldn't deny that they really did muck things up royally. What did catch his ear was the way Tagus spoke about the Sith Order, not the Empire. He didn't interrupt though. He wanted to see where this was going. It didn't take long for the Emperor to put on an announcement of some sorts. Mid gave him a curious look before focusing on the announcement. As he listened, his eyes went wide. A hand brushed the tendrils on his chin as if it were a beard as he watched the announcement.

When it was done he looked back to Tagus. "...You literally just killed the Sith Empire." he commented. He couldn't help but form a smile as he thought about it. "Very bold move, my lord. Though I'm sure this doesn't mean the Mandalorians will stop coming after us. I'm sure you know that." he said, looking back to the announcement. "So what's your plan, my lord?"

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