Ask Faults in the Line

[Karys]

Ziost l Death Enabled​

Ziost, a world who’s secrets had been protected by countless layers of ice. Temples and ziggurats lost to time. Their secrets unplundered, untouched for countless generations. Occasionally, fault lines would shift on the tumultuous world and tunnels leading below the ice would be created. Tunnels that could lead to untold treasures or the doom of those brave enough to tread deep below the surface.

Karys was a soul that dared to test fate for power.

The shift in fault lines had unveiled a tunnel near his reclaimed manor. An opportunity that couldn’t be squandered. The missive he sent to the Sith Order was quickly answered by one of his husband’s former apprentices, Freyja. He’d only met the younger Sith once, the end of his training marked the beginning of hers. She had recently been christened a Sith and was looking to prove herself, he’d give her the opportunity.

Karys waited in his manor for the woman’s arrival. In the meantime, he cooked his famous stew with bread bowls served with a glass of wine. There were traditions to uphold, and Karys was one for patterns. He wore one of his infamous aprons over thick fur lined layers. He would feed Freyja before they ventured to their potential demise.

Or discovered power untold.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

The cold. It always managed to raise Freyja's spirits just like that. Even if she had never been on Ziost before she seemed to like the planet already. The magic of frozen landscapes never failed to mesmerize her, yet it was far more than that...

When Karys had reached out, the young Champion had been more than curious about the endeavor he proposed and while it certainly spoke of dangers, she was thrilled to find out what they'd discover, so he had received an answer rather quickly. She had always been enthralled by studying the past, and Ziost was a planet with a long history and countless legends.

Instead of venturing right into the wild and cold right away though, she was invited to meet him in his mansion. Hence, the Deucalian showed up right on time, with all her equipment, yet with a little present as well. Even if she hadn't worked with him directly, she knew quite a bit about him through his husband and her former master, Azar.

As she knew the Master enjoyed cooking and food, and because it was a traditional Deucalian gesture of graciousness for the invite, she brought him a decent portion of fine, spicy seasoned elk jerky together with a delicately engraved silver dagger - she refrained from an alchemical enhancement, simply because she knew that Karys was also a former student of Azar and a much more experienced one anyway - and it would allow him to lace it with whatever he deemed fit.

Everything was wrapped into a perfectly white bundle of arctic fox fur and she carried it under her arm as she approached the door. Assuming he knew she was there already, she'd wait for him to open the door and great him with a respectful incline of her head. "Master iv-Kressh".

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys felt the approach of Freyja, he hadn’t interacted with the woman long enough for her presence to be familiar. However, she was the only company he was expecting and if it was assassins sent by his father, he likely wouldn’t have sensed them coming. So when the presence came to a halt roughly in front of his door, Karys reached out with the Force and tugged the door open. He was cooking, he wasn’t about to leave his kitchen to answer the door.

When Freyja entered, she could find Karys by simply following the scent of spices and the sounds of a knife as it sliced through vegetables. She would find the titan of a man hard at work in the largest of the manor’s kitchens. When he heard her footfalls approaching his kitchen, Karys’ would pause what he was doing. He’d place the knife down on the cutting board, wipe his hands on his apron, then lift his golden eyes to gaze at the entry way she’d have to pass through to enter the kitchen.

“Champion Freyja.” He’d offer as a formal greeting. “Please take a seat.” He’d continue, gesturing to a small table with a pair of seats on the left most wall of the room. “Did my husband teach you Ur-kittat?” He asked casually as he returned to what he was doing. “If so I’d prefer us speaking in my native tongue.”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Instead of Karys openening the door, it swung open through a subtle application of the Force. She sensed it, and him, but in wasn't just the presence she followed, but the wonderful combination of spices that lingered in the air. So he was cooking already? Hospitality surely didn't come short here.

"Ychi", she confirmed with a simple 'yes', before she added, <of course>. Azar had taught her...so had her old master, and Arak. She had also studied it during her research, but she was obviously no Native speaker. She spoke many languages, Ur-Kittât now fluently as well, even if she knew that her pronunciation wasn't always fully on point. Still, she obviously accepted his wish.

<It smells great>, she remarked, a soft smile on her lips as she placed her bundle on the counter across from him. <I've brought you something>. She glanced at everything he was preparing and was already excited to try it, however before she moved to the table, she asked, <Can I assist you with anything?>.

She'd do so if he agreed, otherwise she'd take a seat as indicated, assuming they'd be feasting in a moment. <How long have you been living here on Ziost? It's lovely...this mansion is stunning>, and so was the planet. Perhaps not as beautiful as Sverend, but close.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys nodded when Freyja confirmed she could speak Ur-kittat. That was to be expected. The way she pronounced some of the words was flat, while she spoke clearly, it was obvious to a native speaker this wasn’t her first language. Nor her second. But Karys didn’t mind, he preferred Ur-kittat and so speaking in it made him more comfortable.

<It is Magma Stew.> Karys informed her without looking up. <The heat and spice pushes back the cold of Ziost.> He explained. <It is a common meal here.>

Karys did glance up from his work when Freyja informed him that she’d brought gifts. That was something he wasn’t used to. He watched as she placed the gifts on the countertop but did not move to touch them, not yet.

Nothing came between Karys and cooking in his kitchen. Not even the lure of presents.

When Freyja asked if she could help him with the cooking, Karys quirked an eyebrow ridge. <No, just sit and enjoy the conversation for now.> He instructed her.

There was only person Karys allowed in his kitchen, much less to help with cooking and that was Azar. No one else stepped foot within his sanctum. When the stew was ready to be turned to a simmer for a while, Karys would do so. Then, he would pour himself a glass of wine before pouring Freyja one, scoop her gifts from the counter, and sit opposite of her at the table.

He’d gingerly place her wine glass before her and then turn his attention to the bundle. Karys listened as he unwrapped what she’d brought him. His expression remained unreadable as he plucked the dagger from the wrappings and used it to slice a chunk of the elk jerky. He popped it into his mouth and let himself savor the spices.

<This is good jerky.> He complimented before pushing both the gifts to one side of the table.

<I have only been on world for a few weeks.> Karys told her. <I retook the manor as it is part of my powerbase by right of Kaggath.> Karys explained. <It is…not what I’ve grown accustomed to on Korriban.> He admitted. <But thank you, I am sure my ancestors appreciate the compliment on their home.>

Karys would cross one massive leg over the other and take a sip from his wine.

<I hear you have ambitions of your own Freyja.> Karys commented. <Tell me of them.>

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Magma Stew? Sounded spicy and hot, so she was definitely intrigued. <Magma Stew...sounds promising". She doubted it was anything like the Deucalian cuisine, but they made spicy stews too, so, who knew. Just like on Sverend though, she assumed the local cuisine was restricted to whatever grew and lived here, which probably wasn't a lot either, so she was thrilled for the new experience.

She didn't object when he instructed her to sit, knowing her place in all this after all. She watched him pour the wine and soon make his way over before inspecting the gifts, and even if it didn't surprise her he liked the jerky, it brought a smile to her lips. Elk jerky was nutritious, high in protein and tender - together with the spicy seasoning it made for a nice snack.

Freyja placed both hands on the table, patiently waiting for him to take a first sip before she did the same. What he told her about how he got into possession of the manor was an interesting story and she wondered whether he had challenged a former family member, given the way he phrased it. For now though, she didn't ask. Instead, he turned the conversation onto her anyway.

<I do...I'm following my blood's origin. What remains the Deucalians is scattered, unorganized, without guidance...I intent to all that change that>. It was an ambitious endeavor, but she was on it. She wasn't surprised that he wanted to know what she was up to these days, but the interest was mutual.

<And you're currently focusing on building your powerbase here?>, she curiously returned the question. It was admirable that he had already come this far while she was literally at the beginning of building her own powerbase.

<Is that also what I can assist you with, Master iv-Kressh?>. Maybe their venture into the depth was exactly that - not just research, but helping with a future goal of his. She was in regardless, but she was curious to learn more. Her green-yellowish gaze still rested on the golden orbs of the impressive figure in front of her as she took a sip of the wine, which was quite delectable.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys listened to her brief overview of her plans. Starting with your homeworld was the best way of building a larger powerbase. Gaining control over it showed an ability to control and lead, key to becoming among the most powerful of Sith.

<Starting your powerbase with your own culture is wise.> Karys appraised. <They will typically be more tolerant of missteps if you have a slip up.> He advised. <In addition, playing the part of a unifier will earn undying loyalty…the trick is actually pulling that off.> He mused aloud.

When Freyja asked if he was currently building his powerbase here, Karys nodded. He sipped from his wine glass before responding.

<That is my intention, yes.> He confirmed. <But I will not be able to play the part of unifier, I will have to be a conqueror.> He explained. <Which means I will need to do a different sort of leg work.> He continued. <Alliances with those who have what I need must be forged. Armies built and rallied. The task is…monumental but achievable.>

Karys stood from the table and made his way back to his kitchen. The stew and his bread bowls should be ready now. He made himself busy while Freyja posed her next question. He glanced over at her as he prepared the bread bowls.

<No, today we will not be focusing on that aspect of my powerbase.> He replied. <Instead, there is a tunnel that opened leading down beneath the ice to a subterranean ziggurat.> Karys explained. <I have had droids expand and stabilize the tunnel leading down but the exploration of the structure will be up to us.> He gave her a close lipped, small, thin smile.

The danger of entering into an ancient sith structure didn’t need to be explained. Neither did the potential value of whatever they could find. There was no telling what this ziggurat hid but Karys intended to claim it.

<But for now, enjoy the food.> Karys told her as he served himself and then her. <Be sure to let me know how you like it.>

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

He seemed to agree with her, and thus she found herself nodding again as well. <I don't intend missteps>, a slight smirk tugged at her lips, but it was sheer determination that burned in her fiery gaze.

<I know what you mean though. They're my blood. The right to rule is somewhat innate, what I'm working on is connecting all the loose threads for now>, her own story had just begun, but her ambitions were clear. Through skilled manipulations, endurance and strength, she'd work her way through the clans. She was beginning to plant the seeds already.

While some first seeds sprouted through, she was currently here, helping him, and thus she found used her mind on the presence, and that were the finishing touches Karys gave their meal as he shared his own plans. <There's nothing wrong with that. In a way, it's more straightforward, but it surely comes with its own risks. It sounds like a massive endeavor...but I don't doubt you'll be successful>. She had huge respects for the man though, and thus she didn't doubt he'd succeed.

He already had a foot in the door as he was here, but she was curious to watch and assist those developments for sure. <I'm very intrigued...is this an open exploration or are we looking for something specific?>, the more insights she had, the better she could adapt to the task. He then started serving and once again, she waited for him to take the first bite out of courtesy before she tried it.

The spices perfectly blended into each other and the fiery combination of herbs and spices did not fail to live up to is name. A deep, pleasant warmth spread through her, replacing the inner chill with a fierce warmth she hadn't felt like that for a while, but it was not at all irritating. <It's exquisite...really>, it was surely spicy, but she couldn't stomach it. In a way, the subtle pain was pleasant anyway. <Where do these...peppers grow?>, it was quite a unique flavor, but she really liked it.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys internally chuckled at her response. Ambition was good. It would take her far but she would be tempered by failure, every Sith was, even him. No one ever intended to misstep or fail, those things just tended to happen from time to time. It wasn’t the failure that would define her but how she responded to it and what she learned from it that would. She still had much to learn about being Sith and that okay, she couldn’t be expected to understand the scope of it yet. Not even he truly did.

<Indeed.> He replied. <The relationships you build with clan leaders will need to be carefully tended to. You will need guile and cunning to navigate those waters.> Karys explained. <And maybe just a little influence, something I can teach you.> He offered, nothing was free, including her aiding him in this endeavor. A lesson would suffice as payment.

Karys was in the middle of tearing chunks of his bread and tossing them into the bowl to soak the broth when Freyja spoke again. She asked about what his intentions, she wanted to know if they were going to explore a particular section, if they were looking for something specifically or if it was general exploration. That was a good question.

<Preliminary scans show sublevels to the ziggurat.> Karys began. <We will we be descending into those levels to explore their depths.> He stated plainly. <The upper levels can be explored later and I have someone in mind to take with me as well.> He wouldn’t explain further on the who he mentioned. <What lurks in the depths? I do not know.> He admitted. <Sith Abominations, Tarantatek, Hssiss, any manner of Dark Side creature could wait for us.> He offered with a shrug. <You must be ready to kill them.>

With that Karys would return his focus to his meal. He was pleased to hear that Freyja enjoyed it. He often cooked for his own satisfaction, hearing praise for his craft was secondary to the pleasure the simple act gave him. When Freyja asked where the peppers came from, Karys would look up from the remnants of his meal to her.

<Follow me.> He told her as he stood to his feet.

Karys would lead her to a door that led to an outdoor balcony. It overlooked the thermal lake at the rear of the property. At the far shore a small village could be seen but in the waters on the manor side of the lake was an aquatic farm. There, tended by Grotthu, were countless vegetables, fruit, and herbs.

<The thermal lakes here are nutrient and provide the warmth needed for plant life.> Karys explained. <This is one of the most contested resources on Ziost, the thermal lakes and seas.> He continued. <And to truly secure my foothold I will need to first secure this lake before expanding outward.>

Karys would gaze out at the village beyond. He would soon move to claim it but first he would need to muster forces. That would take time, time he wasn’t sure he had.

<If you have questions, ask them.> He told her without bothering to look in her direction.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

While Freyja had responded to his call, she hadn't forgotten that they hadn't spoken about what she'd get in return. She often traded her assistance for knowledge, and as he continued outlining what she'd require, he mentioned exactly that.

A smile immediately spread across her lips as she met his gaze again. <Thanks for the wise words...and I'd love that. I had a feeling you'd be just the right person for that>. She remembered well what had happened on Thule and the impression Karys often had on others. It was respect-commanding and thus mesmerizing.

She knew it wasn't just the way he carried himself, but that he had talents deeply connected to the Force, and she knew that those were essential to a certain extent. She was always an eager learner, even if she was no acolyte anymore, but expanding not just your skills, but your sphere of influence was surely something she'd always pursue.

<I will be ready>, she assured him. She had killed one of Raze's abominations after all. She was certain Karys knew she had managed that as her master had been with her, and she didn't fear those creatures either. <I sense a lot of darkness on Ziost...I don't doubt we'll find many dwellers down there>. Such creatures were attracted by the darkness, it was natural for them to reside underground, so whatever they'd find, this was about to get ugly.

Hence the meal really wasn't a bad idea...

After her pepper question, he asked her to follow and while there was still some leftovers in her bowl, she did so immediately, curious about where he'd lead her. She soon found herself on a balcony and marveled at the view in front of her for a moment while she listened to what he explained.

<That's absolutely beautiful...>, she was truly impressed, and it took her a moment to take it all in. The lake had something unreal, simply because the landscape around it was totally different. As she looked up to him again, there was still awe in her expressions. <I understand>. It made sense...the thermal lakes provided important resources and those were surely sparse.

The beginning would be tough, but it would get easier. More and more would witness his strength and join him if his first conquest would prove successful. To get their, though, she didn't doubt he had quite some work ahead of him. <Where did you intend to get your troops from?>, would he ask Azar, or was this his solo conquest?

<And why Ziost? Because of its past alone?>. She hadn't lost her natural curiosity, and as he seemed to allow questions, she asked. She slightly leaned against the balcony while she glanced up at him.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys listened as she evaluated the world, she could sense the wellspring of the Dark Side here. Good, it meant she was attuned well to the Force. It was just as expected with Azar, to raise up potent Sith.

<Ziost is saturated in the Dark Side.> Karys stated in agreement. <My people ensured that.>

Karys was certain that this ziggurat would be defended by being symbiotic with the Dark Side. It would be more than test for Freyja, it would also be one for him. But risk was always the price for power, the only thing he could do was mitigate the risk as much as possible. Thus, Freyja.

When he led Freyja to the balcony she was enthralled by the suddenly shift in climate and landscape around the lake. Karys gazed out at it, the beauty wasn’t lost on him but that wasn’t his focus. This lake would feed soldiers and subjects alike, it would cut the costs of supply lines, lakes like this were the key to controlling Ziost.

<It will serve its purpose.> Karys stated simply. <Just as all things do.> He continued. <I will not squander this resource like the Nevizkas intended to.>

When Freyja asked about where he’d get his forces and why he chose Ziost, Karys finally glanced down at her. He wasn’t about to name the worlds loyal to him, he didn’t know her and she was still Sith. She could only be trusted to a certain point, if she was wise she’d understand that as well.

<My powerbase encompasses many worlds. I will pull from them.> He told her. <As for Ziost, this is my homeworld and I will rule it.> He stated firmly before walking back in from the balcony.

Karys would return to his kitchen and begin cleaning it spotlessly. Once that was done he would gather both Sadowbane and his lightsaber. It was time to begin the trek into the dark depths of Ziost’s bowels.

<Come Freyja, it is time you added another tale to your sagas.> He told her.

Karys would guide the pair of them to the mouth of the tunnel where a squad of battle droids stood guard. Karys passed them by without notice. The trek to the Ziggurat would take the better part of an hour. The tunnel would twist and turn as it sloped downward. But eventually they would find themselves before the Ziggurat.

<Reach out with the Force, attune yourself to the Dark Side here.> Karys instructed. <Feel the currents of power here.> He continued. <Steep yourself in them.> Karys’ words were steady. <Draw power from Ziost.>

Karys would wait until Freyja had done just that. She had to taste the power of this place to sense subtle changes in the ziggurat itself. It would be crucial to her survival here.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

The Nevizkas. Freyja also remembered well how the former Sith master had been defeated by Karys, after the conflict with Voss had ensued. She didn't doubt the lake would feed many people, yet it was interesting to see that Karys saw everything in a rather pragmatic way.

He was one to get the job done, which was good to know. She wasn't here to take a dip in the lake either, so as he walked back in, she followed. <Good>, she could see him ruling the world, even if she didn't know a lot about it, but she understood the argument about the home world well.

As for how Ziost was drenched in darkness, yes, the place was truly vibrating with it. It felt empowering, and she felt the pull and gravitational forces of such worlds enticing, so she was eager to venture deeper into its depths.

As instructed, she stayed away from the kitchen area and readied her equipment instead. Karys returned after a while, also looking ready to head out and so she got back up and followed behind. They walked in relatively silence and Freyja used the time to focus her mind through meditating.

Connecting with what the Force offered was vital, and the closer they got to the mound, the stronger she felt the Force ebb and flow. Once inside, she noticed a slight shift in temperature and a decent shift in light, but most apparent was the way the Force started to feel different...much more vibrant, much more powerful.

She came to a halt not far from Karys, her green gaze flicking back up to him. She felt it already, but as instructed, she closed her eyes and sank deeper into it. She felt its current, she felt its strength, and as she ventured in deeper, the way it soon flowed right through her was thrilling.

As she opened her eyes, pure molten gold was swirling in her gaze just as she perceived a slight tug in the midst of her mind. From deep inside the tunnels, she perceived some kind of a pulse, but it was to fuzzy to read. <Something is in here...something strong>, perhaps it was reached out, too...but there was something for sure. <We should be on our guard>.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys listened as Freyja warned him of something she sensed, something powerful. This wasn’t overly surprising to Karys, the ziggurats like these were often home to potent Sith spirits or insane abominations. Even as she spoke, Karys kept moving forward at an even pace. The prospect of a creature or spirit didn’t deter him from his goal.

<If it is powerful, it likely knows we are here already.> Karys stated calmly. <We will just have to kill or banish it.> He confined.

When the pair entered the antechamber, Freyja and Karys would find the ground was actually solid ice. Just beneath it seemed to be unfrozen water. They could peer down and see strange creatures swimming in the depths. Some appeared predatory, others did not. Karys glanced down as he continued forward towards the ziggurat, not commenting on if he found it interesting or not.

As they grew closer to the ziggurat the ice grew progressively thinner. Spiderweb cracks spread out underfoot and Karys paused. He looked to Freyja.

<You will aid me in thickening this ice.> Karys stated expectantly. <Do you understand Cyrokinesis?> He asked.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

<You're right...>, even if she wasn't thrilled about whatever it was knowing that they were here already, he definitely had a point. She was a huntress though, so it seemed like he had at least asked the right person for the job, yet the earlier they encountered troubles, the more dangerous it would get the further they went.

<It's my specialty, actually>, she disclosed as he asked about cryokinesis, a smirk tugging at her lips. Freyja had always had a natural aptitude for cryokinesis and only recently had she mastered the trick of thickening ice, even when it covered moving waters. <Only recently I had to cross a not fully frozen lake with someone much talled than me...>, she inhaled the icy air slowly, not only embracing the cold but once again connecting further to the darkness Ziost offered.

Drawing strength from it, she reached out and targeted the ground ahead, slowing the molecules, so that slowly but steadily, the slightly blueish white shades of the frozen ground changed. Karys was more than twice her weight, perhaps even thrice. Maybe she would have managed to cross without using the Force, but it was obvious that in order to allow both of them to make it over there safely, the cryokinesis was needed.

<May I?>, she indicated that she intended to pass him. She did ask for permission, wanting to test the solidity of the ground herself first before letting him follow, already having noticed how he wanted to control each and every step, each and every minute. Thus, she wasn't just going to do it, the power hierarchy was clear.

If he agreed, she'd use a safe distance to pass and continue on, focusing on the ground in front of them while simultaneously checking for presences nearby though. If not, she'd keep on following him while doing the same, however much more carefully monitoring where he stepped. It was mentally draining, but she was hoping that once they'd vanish into the depths, the ground would be more solid.

<Have your droids found anything out of the ordinary while scanning?>, she asked him curiously, knowing that it hadn't sounded like they had encountered any creatures of the dark, yet perhaps peculiar structures or uncommon ores or minerals had already hinted at what had been going on here centuries ago.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys listened as Freyja told him that was her speciality. There was a slight upturn of his lips at that. Good. Karys would watch as Freyja got to work freezing the partially thawed ice before them. His golden eyes would watch as she worked, this is what he’d brought her for.

When she was done she asked permission to check the ice herself. <By all means.> Karys replied and gestured for her to take the lead.

Once Freyja had tested the ice, Karys would follow her to the base of the ziggurat. His gaze would trail up to the entrance of the temple. <There is an antechamber deeper within, a droid team was annihilated by something…large.> Karys explained. <I want to find it and enslave it to my will.> He offered as a simple explanation.

Karys would steadily make his way up the steps and pause at an ancient altar. <This is where Grotthu were sacrificed to the gods.> Karys explained, his fingers lightly running over the stone table. He wouldn’t linger long, he had a goal to achieve.

Karys would lead them deeper into the ziggurat until they reached a massive door. On it was a riddle which read.

There is something I seek.
While it is bound, it chooses kings and peasants.
When it is freed, it foretells war or woe.
While it bound, it propels men's lusts and furies.
When it is freed, it tumbles, falls, and fades.
While it is bound, life will often thrive.
When it is freed, death will often follow.
What do I seek?

Karys read the riddle and was fairly certain he knew the answer to it. But he wanted Freyja to get it and so he remained silent.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

She took the lead and as she noticed no shifting, not even the faintest cracking, she deemed it safe for him, too. They passed effortlessly and once across, she focused her mind back into a meditative state to replenish the stamina she had just lost.

<Hmm...>, knowing it was massive was one part, but it was obvious that the droids could neither assess its power, nor its danger. <What if it doesn't bow?>, she asked, not because she was pessimistic, but rather because they had to consider some backup plans. The cave system wasn't hard to navigate, but the ice could crack and walls implode...<Do you intend to keep it alive?> Perhaps as alive as such a thing could even be then...

The nearer they drew, the more obvious became the presence. It was as if they approached a strange, twisted, subtle and yet powerful vibration...surely an anomaly, and while it didn't feel hostile just yet, it seemed to be waiting. After Karys told her about the Grotthu, she briefly looked up to him before they continued deeper inside, descending further into the sublevels where the air grew somewhat thicker.

An eerie silence lingered in the air as they drew closer to a heavy door and it was fairly obvious that it wouldn't budge under any physical force. With her eyes having adjusted to the darkness, it wasn't hard to read the riddle, yet an icy chill crept down her spine as she did so.

As her gaze drifted across the last line, she turned to him, quielty saying, <It demands a sacrifice...>, also nothing new, especially not for such ancient tombs and temples. A price you had to pay to enter, a means of weakening those who even dared trying and usually a toll collected from each and every visitor requesting permission to gain the chance of unveiling secrets of the past.

<Did you bring the dagger?>, she asked him, finding it quite ironic that it would prove the perfect tool for this sacrifice. <A few drops should be enough...>, at least that was how she had experienced it before. If he hadn't brought it, she'd reach for her thigh where her own little silver dagger was fastened.

As this was Ziost, she wondered whether his blood was worth more, or perhaps the door would generally open for a pureblood like him only, but they were about to find out. One way or another, she'd carefully run the blade across the side of her hand where the cut wouldn't affect her any further while she waited for him to do the same. Her mind was fully focused, her attention laid mainly on Karys as whatever dwelled inside still didn't seem poised to attack right away.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys smiled as Freyja understood the riddle. The temple desired a blood sacrifice, that was just the first price for the opportunity at power. Karys drew out the dagger she had given him and gently dragged it across his palm. The skin and flesh parted neatly and a pool of blood rapidly pooled before beginning to spill from the sides of his hand.

The blood never touched the floor as he flowed. Instead, the black liquid began to float in air before him. Streams of red and black trailed from Freyja and Karys and was fed into the door. Steadily an arcane symbol was filled with their mixed blood and an audible click issued from the door. The door rumbled before rolling out to the side into the frame and allowed them to pass.

Only then did Karys address her earlier questions.

<If the creature will not submit, we will break its will and force it to serve.> The response was calm and collected.

Karys had personally killed at least three Terentatek at Murzana, he wasn’t concerned about what the tomb could throw at him. Freyja on the other hand? She was relatively untested in his eyes. He’d see if she was capable, if she proved herself he might be able to find use for her in the larger campaign.

As they walked Karys felt a shift in the Dark Side. The sounds of scales being dragged along the floor was barely audible. His hand reached out and grasped Freyja’s shoulder the other steadily pulled Sadowbane from its sheathe.

<We are not alone here.> He whispered.

——————

The bulk of the massive Hssiss dragged itself on the stone floor. The Dark Side cloaked its physical form and caused an unnatural echo to cover its movement as it slid through the darkness of its home. The last two of it’s brood easily snakes alongside their parent. They hissed and snapped at one another greedily until the door clicked and rumbled. Then the pair of them joined their mother, they became translucent predators, hidden in shadow and darkness.

Sensitive noses picked up on freshly spilled blood and allowed the two broodlings to hone in on their prey. Each of them was as long as a man and three time’s his weight. Except for their ancient mother. She was twice Karys’ height in length and weighed twice as much as well. Her terrible power was almost unmatched in this first sublevel. And her hunger was unending.

The attack from the broodlings would be sudden and from the rear, hoping to draw attention from their mother. If successful she would fire an arc of lightning from her jaws, another gift from the Dark Side. It would paralyze and allow the Hssiss to drag their prey back to the den to be consumed.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Freyja assumed their blood to slowly drip to the ground and seep into the ground, but after almost cutting themselves in some kind of a twisted unison, the blood started pooling and levitated towards the door where it dispensed.

Their was a slight hint of awe written in her features, but she didn't avert her gaze from the entry port ahead while she was acutely aware of their surroundings. Her breaths were shallow and soundless and while their breaths were visible, for a moment it was again the eerie silence that lingered before the ground began to tremble.

With a powerful rumble, the door finally opened, allowing them not only to enter, but reaching the next level of challenges to face. "Good", she finally said, a faint smile touching her lips as she followed him again, one hand readily resting on her lightsabers hilt while she kept the Force coiled around the other.

While helping Karys in the sublevels, his part of the deal was to teach her some of how he asserting his dominance in all his facades - because of that, she was partly looking forward to the encounter, even if the uncertainty about what exactly they'd be dealing with bugged her. She was a huntress, skilled in handling beasts of many sorts, yet forcing dark sides abominations into submission was something she had only some experience with.

She glanced around attentively and while she found herself nodding at his comment, her eyes narrowed almost simultaneously. She sensed it, too, and her sensitive ears picked up the shifts of sound shortly after a tingly sensation in the back of her mind warned her of the danger ahead.

They were indeed not alone anymore, and it seemed like the massive threat ahead wasn't the only danger luring in he dark as two other presences alerted her from behind in the exact same second. Still grasping the hilt of her lightsaber, the blade was out almost in an instance and hissed into life just as the two broodlings intended to narrow in on them from their rear.

Freyja's blade followed a quick diagonal arc down, intending to cleanly cut through the first and render it void before the other smaller Hssiss would be gripped by the Force and thrown back forcefully, presumably hitting the wall behind it, hard and thus incapacitating it for now as well.

Freyja was a little closer to the broodlings, so she dealt with them first, her quick reactions however making her spin just in time for the incoming lightning of the mother of whom she was hoping Karys would be involved with already.

@Apollyon
Roll= 16/20

 

[Karys]

Freyja’s keen senses alerted her to the danger that was impending. She turned to deal with the two juvenile Hssiss, but Karys’ golden eyes narrowed as he searched for the other presence. As the two young launched their ambush and Freyja turned and dispatched them, the mother launched her attack. Karys snapped Sadowbane up and channeled the might of the Dark Side into it.

The unnaturally green flames that flickered down the length of the blade leapt out and collided with the Hssiss’ lightning. The fire and lightning entangled themselves as the hungering flames consumed the arcs before pulling back onto Sadowbane itself. The blade shone brightly with a sickly green glow, it was brimming with power that was ready to be unleashed.

Karys did just that.

He pointed the tip of Sadowbane at the bloated Hssiss those same flames rushed down the length of his blade. They poured from the tip towards his target. The fat Hssiss tried to evade the lethal gout of flame that scorched the air around her. But her bulk was too great, her body was too slow. She howled in agony as Sadowbane’s potent energies washed over her, consuming her body and soul. The flames didn’t linger on her burnt up husk, they slithered along the ground and up through the air, back onto Sadowbane. The sound of the Hssiss’ dying moments could be faintly heard again as the blade drank in her soul, trapping it within the weapon forever.

Karys’ sheathed his weapon once more. His gaze fell to Freyja, it was coldly neutral. He looked to the two dead Hssiss and then to her again.

“You handled them well.” He stated simply before continuing onward.

“Tell me of your culture, Champion Freyja.” He stated without looking at her as they continued downwards into the bowels of the ziggurat.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

With Freyja spinning right after having slain the broodlings, she got to witness the Sith master and his weapon of choice in action, which was, admittedly, quite a spectacle to behold. She had seen Sith swords before, but the way it handled the lightning attack of the massive Hssiss was unlike anything she had ever seen.

The dark sided lightning seemed to consume the greenish flames of the blade before, while Freyja, with widened eyes, was about to prepare a quick leap forwards, assuming the blade would capture the Force attack of the beast.

Instead though, before she even moved again, the blade's flames starting dancing around the lightning before they both melted into one another, leaving a mesmerizing streak of green blueish, flaming energy that shot right back at the Hssiss.

The impressive display left her in awe for a moment before he looked back at her. <Your weapon is fascinating...did you craft it yourself?>, she curiously asked him as she deactivated her lightsaber and inhaled slowly. Her mind was still reeling, but remembering her teachings, she forced herself to focus again.

They started moving again, before Karys decided to break the silence with yet another question about herself. <We are born warriors. Fearless and strong-willed, prioritizing and honoring traditions passed down from our ancestors...there are not many Deucalians left>, she explained calmly, following him deeper into the sublevels.

She didn't even let her guard down the slightest, expecting more unpleasant surprised down here. <Was it easy for you to decide to take Azar's name?>. Azar had taught her about Korriban's bloodlines, and Freyja remembered Karys' original name well. While Deuclians and purebloods deviated in many regards, both ancient peoples also had a few things in common, just like how she and Karys had a few things in common about their aspirations.

@Apollyon