Ask Coruscant Fates and sabers crossing

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

Coroscant.​

A metropolitan city, the famous, or infamous (depending on who you were asking) "jewel of the core worlds"

Seat of the first galactic empire.. that's why Cremek had came, rumors of a particularly juicy find via a broker had lured cremek to coroscant, one that could provide more of the peices to the training of the one, the only, preatorian guard, the defenders of the first sith eternal himself.. why coroscant, he had no clue, mayhaps this is where the second Holocron would be found, then again, how could he resist such a hint, even if it was just a trap.. or false alarm, his twisted sense of honor demanded the mando-sith historians attention. the dragon slayer would exit a alley, well, sort of one, he still had a few layers to go if he wanted to get to the underworld, where his broker was holled up, placing his signature helmet on his head.

---

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

It had been some time since Sybella had visited one of the Core Worlds. Stepping through the bustling streets of Coruscant, she found herself immersed in a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds. The planet's capital city, also known as Galactic City, stretched out before her, its towering skyscrapers piercing the sky like colossal sentinels. Neon lights adorned the towering structures, casting a kaleidoscope of colours onto the bustling crowds below.

Forgoing her usual robes, Sybella had instead decided to dress in more subtle attire. Like a living shadow, the Jedi in disguise effortlessly weaved through the throngs of beings from countless species, each going about their own business. Eyes of liquid silver darted from one place to another, absorbing the mosaic of Coruscant's inhabitants; alien languages echoed in her ears as she passed by traders haggling over exotic wares, all whilst droids passed and speeders zipping through the air above. Navigating the maze-like streets, the woman occasionally paused at the vast windows of towering edifices, their reflective surfaces mirroring her image against the backdrop of the ever-changing cityscape.

As beautiful as the upper decks were, business brought Sybella down into the depths of the Undercity. Soon, the dimly lit surroundings began casting eerie shadows on the walls. Clad in a rugged cloak, her silhouette blended seamlessly with the gritty environment. Wisps of her dark hair peeked out from beneath a hood; instead of wearing her silver coins in their usual fashion, Sybella instead chose to wear them more as a chest piece, out of sight from would-be thieves. Checking her location once more, she cursed at the sheer amount of labyrinthine alleys; they were admittedly difficult to differentiate, especially for an outlander like her. Still, she was determined and pushed on. With each stride, she dodged shadowy figures, the dregs of Corouscant's society.

Word through the vine had reached her ears. A holocron was on the market, for the right price. She wondered where such a relic had been found. From the ruins of the old Jedi Temple, perhaps? LIkely. Though the masters had expressed a sense of caution, Sybella didn't hesitate to investigate. The sale would go down that very evening, along with other interesting items. The location? A warehouse, of some sort. The outside of it looked rather unimpressive, but upon gaining entry, Sybella was dismayed to see there were quite a few people in attendance. Apparently, the seller wanted to encourage a healthy amount of bidding.

A Dug alien came onto a makeshift stage, thumping one of his muscular legs against the flooring of crates. "Listen up. Top tier items, ready for purchase. Credits only, no bonds."

Hovering platforms began to showcase the items behind thick security glass; armoured droids were also on hand, should any prospective buyers decide to cause trouble. There were some odd bits and pieces; nothing of fantastical interest - yet. Perhaps the seller was saving the best for last. Slipping in and out of the crowd, Sybella looked on as each piece of put on display.

Something felt...off. An unseen danger, perhaps? Most likely, given her present company. Glancing about her once more, she searched for the source of her unease.

Much to her dismay, it felt familiar.

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

Cremek felt the presence of something quite familiar, he made a mental note of it, stopping to look around, there simply couldn't be a way SHE was here, not after their incident, oh how inexperienced he was! his first real taste of Jedi combat, oh the memories, of course Cremeks skill had almost quadrupled with the knowledge and lessions he had gained over time, to put it simply, it was truly a mistake to have run. Shifting through the crowd like a ghost, he had already put an extensive price for a.. "private" bidding.

"Fenn, I'm expected."
Of course Cremek used his false name, there was bound to be someone brave enough to try their luck on the sith bounty, no need to bother himself putting down such fools, he was led to a back room to discuss the.. finer details of the purchase, paid to have connections, though he had used almost every favor he had..

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella took no part in the bidding. Instead, once out of sight, she cloaked herself entirely using the Force - essentially, becoming invisible to the naked eye. Slipping off the side, in a private room where the items were stored, she made short work of destroying the droids guarding them. Naturally, she had to do so as quietly and quickly as possible. Using the abilities in the Force, she dismantled the droids down to their very bolts and nuts, until they were nothing but piles of scrap.

Locating the holocron, the Jedi was disturbed to confirm her worst fear; it was undoubtedly made by a Sith; the shape alone was a dead give away. She could try to steal it, and spirit away from this place, but she didn't want to risk potential discovery. Sybella had to determine the exacts contents of the relic, and decide whether or not it was worth the risk. Noting the item hadn't been called upon yet, the hooded woman acted quickly.

She attempted the activate it, though but to her annoyance it remained dormant - apparently, it was uninterested in her presence.

"Damned thing..." Muttering under her breath, Sybella knew what she had to do. As much as she disliked it, she called on the dark essence within her. The spectral parasite of Lujayn. After much tension, the two had formed an uneasy alliance. In return for her aid, the spectre was granted certain favours.

Black tendrils licked at Sybella's very soul; for but a moment, they took root both in her heart and within her mind. She felt cold, the feeling utterly foreign to her, but she allowed it for the sake of opening the holocron. It worked. With a ignition of colour, the artefact bled into consciousness, clicking and opening in small facets. Knowing she wouldn't be able to maintain the forbidden connection for long, Sybella sought through the contents rapidly.

It seemed more like a record than anything else. Similar to a journal, belonging to some dark sider. The discovery, at first, seemed disappointing - why would they have created a holocron, for some mediocre knowledge?

'Keep searching. There is more...'

The wraith was right. Within the eye of Sybella's mind, she began to register of maps of some sorts. Stars? Planets, perhaps? She just needed a moment longed.

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

The hiss of the door clicking and locking could be heard behind her, as the dark presence could be felt exactly behind her.

"You hide well, I almost didn't see you. But you did not sheild your presence, rookie mistake."

Cremek did not bother to even mask his presence, letting his own suppression down.

"Wacha doing, that's mine, a bit rude to try and steel something that doesn't belong to you, no?."

His armor was much different than the last time they met, the mask was replaced by a full helmet, the saber on his side was different as well, resembling a vibroblades hilt rather than a typical saber. three long scratches went down the split visor of his helmet, a testimony to Cremeks rising skill, his very presence displayed much more... Control over himself, and the force.

"I never got your name before you oh so rudely ran away."

 

[Sybella Demici]

Uttering a curse, Sybella had no choice but to sever the connection. The darkness within subsided and the holocron, once again, went dead. It her a moment to centre herself, to beat back at the tendrils that still flickered on the edge psyche. Exhaling, she looked over her shoulder, seeming less than impressed. The dark sider had changed somewhat in appearance but his presence was just as suffocating as it was before. He was right. She should have known better but suppressing one's presence from both sight and sense was incredibly burdensome. It was a risk, one that unfortunately did not pay out.

"Stealing? A tad presumptive of you. The bidding is not over yet - ergo, doesn't belong to you." Nonetheless, Sybella released her hold of the relic. She had seen enough. The holocron was a record, yes. But the map it had shown her potentially offered something else.

Where in the past, the Jedi would have lashed out, she had instead learnt to temper such impulse. For now, at least. Glancing past the Sith, Sybella noticed he had sealed the room. She could fight her way out, yes, but that would alert every ruffian and thug within the whole building.

What had her masters always advised? Path of least resistance...

With her expression ever guarded, the heiress reluctantly offered her name, all whilst choosing to ignore his rather overt barb. Again, he wasn't wrong - she had ran.

"Sybella. My name is Sybella..."

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"see, I already bought it, I called in a few favors, it pays to offer the illusion of service and friendship, you should try it sometime, then again, haven't the Jedi been doing that for generations?.."

He tauntingly had his hands behind his back.

"So In actuality, it is mine, until I deliver it to the dark lord themself, so be a dear, just step away."

He placed his hands back to his side, under his cloak, he was playing with her, it was clear that he was deeply offended by her attempt to steal his orders history, most likely to disrespect such a peice, how could she understand the significance of such a Holocron, she was no Jedi shadow, but she was just as boorish, he stifled his external anger.

"And I of course, am cremek candorus. See, is that hard to have civility?.."

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella's ears perked. Dark Lord? So the holocron was of great importance, especially if it warranted the attention of the Sith hierarchy. Still, the Jedi decided to play a more subtle game, going so far as hold her hands up in a mocking show of surrender.

"I couldn't help myself; curiosity and whatnot..."

The Sith always seemed so fixated on corrupting those around them, finding weakness within those they sought to conquer. Perhaps she could play that to her advantage - at least until she thought of an exit strategy.

"You know, I've been thinking a lot about what you said..."

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

what sybella failed to realize, is that cremek wasn't, nor never has been, like most sith. his only concern was the holocron, his own goals, and pushing the boundaries of what was considered the norm.

"now isn't that dandy, and?"
now cremek frankly did not give a damn about her, she would be eaten alive in the sith order anyways, but he figured he would play the game.

"does she take me for a fool?.."

he thought to himself, his ire growing by the second.

 

[Sybella Demici]

'You're a terrible lair...'

Sybella flinched, knowing it was true. Deception did not come easily to the Jedi. Despite the mask that covered his face, Cremek didn't seem the least bit convinced. Still, it wasn't a complete lie. The Jedi had been haunted by their first encounter, yet she still thought back to it from time to time.

It vexed her, having to admit it.

"...I have questions. And I want answers"

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"well, ask."

He took a seat in front of the door, sitting on a crate, he placed his saber on a table, a show of good faith, or was it?

He rested his head on his fist, his ever unreadable helmet glaring daggers into her.

 

[Sybella Demici]

Cremek was certainly persistent, continuing his blockage of the only exit. It was hard to read him, given the mask. That made the situation all the more tense. Glancing at the discarded saber, Sybella didn't for a second consider her opponent any less threatening. The dark sider had proved himself quite adept during their first encounter. It would be foolish to underestimate him again.

Reluctantly though, Sybella matched his gesture, placing her own sabers off to the side. Time would tell how long their 'civility' would last.

"Back on Stobar, you were so willing to die. Why? Self-preservation is a baseline instinct. Is your allegiance to the dark side truly worth more to you than your life?"

She asked that because, in a way, it mirrored her own loyalty. Would she too risk mortal danger in order to serve the Light? Sybella always thought Sith were more selfish than that. Fanatical, yes, but still mostly self serving.

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"because I do not fear the end, I will die on my terms, and the sith order is my house, I wouldn't expect a jedi to know a damn thing about commitment, or family, or comradery. "

he shot back, taunting her.

"And yes, it is, because my life means nothing, my only value lies in what value I can create, if I am worthless, or not needed, I should be killed and discarded by those above me."

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella's lips twitched, a sign of her own building ire. "Don't you dare talk to me about commitment and family..."

Ten years she spent in exile, away from Serenno. Ten years, she was parted from her family, all because the Sith and its Empire decided to steal control of the planet. Thankfully, her homeworld had recently been liberated and her family (what was left) were safe. Still, so much time had been wasted.

Choosing to move away from the rather touchy topic, the Jedi silently wish to admonish Cremek for his rather nihilistic perspective. "I refuse to believe that. All lives, even yours, have meaning. Potential beyond the mere scope of a tool..." She then trailed off, wondering if perhaps it was all in vain. Could she really change his mind, any more than he could change hers?

There was something else, however, she wanted to know. "Your ambitions. What are they? And I don't mean the ambitions of your Order, or your superiors 'above you'. What do you, Cremek, hope to achieve? What do you strive to become? You said it yourself, not all Sith are brutes and thugs. Surely, by that logic, you must possess aspirations. What are they?"

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"To serve my order."

He said flatly, almost mechanical.

"My aspirations died when I was nine."

How the hell would this woman, a Jedi, understand what HE wanted, and that was to butcher the fucker who tore him from his father and clan, of course he couldn't do that, because his mother was the one who did that.

"I have written my OWN demise, I have accepted that, when I am no longer useful, I will be discarded, it is a simple aspect of life."

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella thought she ought to pity him, yet the better part of her knew such feelings were inconsequential. From what she could infer, it seemed Cremek had been walking down his path of darkness for some time now; apparently since his adolescence. How ironic, he had started to serve his order roughly the same time Sybella had aligned with hers. Yet the champion wasn't like others she had encountered, others who were not better than cultists. In the past, the Jedi had tried to redeem such people.

This one, however, desired no such thing. Even the concept of trying seemed pointless.

"So, what happens now? You appear to have me at a disadvantage...."

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"what, were you expecting something different? Something that you could use? Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's too late for me to do anything other than fight and die."

He crossed his arms, it was true, he did not see the light untill he was already a fully grown man, then again, It would be nothing but blinding to him, some sith were BORN in darkness, molded, forged into a weapon by it, like him, while others are simply whisked into it.

He wanted to pretend his morals were as dead as his mother's love, putting himself in denial, "peace is a lie... peace is a lie... peace is a lie..." he repeated it in his head, over and over, trying to tune out that.. that judgement, "is she judging me!?..." It made his blood god damn boil..

What else was there to say? The sith is HIS house.. his family, better than the damn rats who threw him at them.. It frankly confounded him how some of his ilk can be so... backstabbing..

"Well, I'll keep talking until I get bored, then take my Holocron and ambush you along the alleyway."

He said bluntly.

 

[Sybella Demici]

"Can't blame me for being hopeful..." She didn't want to use him, as others had done. In fact, Sybella rarely ever wanted to use anyone in that way. It just wasn't humane. Yet, she couldn't deny either how easily such things happened. Despite what Cremak might think of her, Sybella wasn't naive. Despite the family's polished exterior, they had secrets of their own; betrayals had occurred, some of which lead to the spilling of familial blood. Try as they might to deny it...

Still, the Jedi believed in breaking the cycle, lest it just repeat itself.

Raising a brow at his rather frank plan of action, Sybella queried him once again. "Whilst I appreciate the candour, I have to ask - why not attack me now? Why delay what is apparently the inevitable?"

Perhaps she had seen too much? Did he know what information was contained within that holocron? Sybella had seen a map of sorts, a star system she could not yet identify. Despite this...the Jedi didn't plan of revealing her findings to the Order. No. This was something personal...a project of her own design.

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"because there's stuff here I don't wanna break?" He said it like she was an absolute idiot.

"Like come on, woman, you think I'm gonna risk it here?"

Ohoh nothing would give him more pleasure than to simply wipe her off the face of the galaxy here and now, but he held off.

"Have some common sense."

He sighed, crossing his arms.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Scoffing at his remarks, the Jedi refused to allow Cremek and his words to strike at any of her nerves. Like her wise mother had always said, 'he who angers you, conquers you'. Responding to taunts and jabs would only open someone up to more attacks.

"Well, isn't this all rather riveting..."

She then mimicked Cremek, crossing her arms in apparent resignation. Talking to the dark sider was like bleeding a stone; little could be yielded, despite her efforts and attempts.