Ask Moraband Fires in the Dark

[Malus]

A Star Wars Story​

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Malus found himself awaiting the presence of a fellow Sith. One who wished to learn more about Sith Alchemy. The little green Sith was willing, but only because he wanted to see how promising this other Dark Sider was. If Malus was planning on invoking the Rule of Two, he needed an apprentice to start with. Yes, the other Sith was a Champion, but here she was, searching for a teacher.

The location Malus decided to congregate in was a refurbished tomb that belonged to a handful Darths from ages ago- probably from before Malus was born. Inside was an bowl shaped alter that hovered above the ground enough for Malus to mess around with. It was black and glossy- made and designed specifically for Sith Alchemy.

What did the woman wish to learn? Poisons? Mutagenic formulas? Stimulants? Tonics? The possibilities were practically endless, but hopefully she came with a plan in mind. Malus did not want to go over the basics if she was only looking to know how to create an acid that only reacted when it came into contact with flesh.

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Cassandra Victus would be making an arrangement today. A fellow Sith Champion promised that he'd be able to help her seek unkempt power that could express her goals. Perhaps she could make an ally with him; a mutual relationship of benefits. They seemed that they would start within the tombs on the planet of Morraband, a place of high levels of knowledge and saturated with the powers of the Dark Side.

The Champion would stride into the entrance of the tomb, expecting Malus to be there waiting already. It seemed the tomb was quite dead and empty compared to most, as usually interrupting a Darth's tomb would result in some sort of challenge. She'd tower over Malus in height and stature, her armor gleaming and hiding most of her identity except for a rather uncorrupt looking face. Sith Alchemy was most certainly on the menu.

"Greetings, ally. You heard of my call for a companion in this pursuit of knowledge?" she'd say in a musing tone. Her voice was quite calm and civil compared to most Sith her age, already blighting from corruption. It didn't attack her appearance but the saturation of the Dark Side and her creed definitely was brewing in the air. She'd peer at the bowl that was ready for them. "You've informed me you have knowledge you could pass on to me regarding Alchemy? Perhaps we could work together to uncover secrets both buried and reburied.. Yes..." she gleamed with a more light tone. "A kinship of mutual gain.."

@Charles

 

[Malus]

It was curious to see someone call you an ally while garbed in a warrior's armor. Malus wasn't sure they were on terms of being allies just yet. He could only recall seeing her face on Korriban, and even then, their meeting was brief. However, her ambitious nature and surprising control of the Dark Side's tendency to show corruption would earn Cassandra a small smidge of respect from the small green Sith.

"Know these things you speak of, I do. Hrm?" Malus answered the eager Sith, his cynical glare becoming more and more apparent. "Allies benefit from one another, yes? I teach you alchemy, yes, but a gift for me, you have?" Inquired the green alien. There wasn't much that anyone could offer Malus besides a few trinkets that had already been claimed. This was a favor- not a mutual relationship. Cassandra owed Malus for this lesson.

"Dangerous and demanding, this will be for you. Yes. Very demanding, indeed." The smaller Sith tapped a single finger on his forehead. "Demanding of the mind! Hrrmmm? In order to preform the rites, the will you must have. But first..." He hobbled over to the alter and filled his being with the Darkness until it literally blackened the room around them. Then, Malus closed his eyes and outstretched a single hand, red lightning flashing from his finger tips into the alter.

The alter hissed and snarled as the energy began to liquidize into an electric red pool. Malus continued this process until the alter was half filled. Then, he drew a single scalpel and handed it to Cassandra.

"Your blood drawn, it must be. Feelings...visions...the Dark Side, you will encounter. Yes...Yes, stay true to the Sith, you must, or pain you will feel. Great Pain! Hrm?"

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Malus seemed to be inspecting her motion, he character, and her fortitude. Cassie was a peculiar character herself and so was this green Sith. Both have most certainly come from diverse and buried pasts. His dialect wasn’t familiar yet it intrigued her. She felt a matched potential with this potential comrade. They could do a great many things together, such as this.

“You spoke of knowledge.. Naturally, knowledge and power spreads for greatness.” she began, then pondering about the idea of payment. In due time… In due time something will be of your gain.. The pursuit of knowledge always brings something to the table…” she said with a cool yet pensive tone.

Cassandra always believed in mutual benefit among the Sith. A unified order under the might of strength and knowledge she always believed would be much more effective given the deep histories of the past.

“Pain and Demand? Danger? These are all natural in my life, as it is with any Sith.” she spoke with her lip curled sinisterly. “Pain is necessary within our lives. The perseverance through it. The relish in success and the freedom gained upon living through it… That is the way I live and my own interpretation of our design.” Her voice always spoke from a muse to an entire poetic song anytime she was speaking philosophy or in a topic of passion. Her own past in slavery and demand for freedom pushes her forward and into the dark side.

Cassie would reach her hand to take the scalpel. She inspected the small blade for a moment, before moving her robes to reveal her hand and the scars up on her arms and all. This wasn’t new to her, but the unknown always brought some kind of dark outcome. She’d relish in the darkness as it would push her forward. She would cut deep into the palm of her hand, showing a rather small reaction to pain as she let her darkness take over, and the iron of her blood swam with the ink of the dark side as it poured out of her hand. She would close her fist over the altar to release the blood sacrifice into the hungry altar’s maw. It was clear that something deep inside her was beyond the muse, that her passion for knowledge and unlocking potential within the Force itself went beyond boundaries.

@Charles

 

[Malus]

Malus gave a small nod in agreement with what Cassandra had purposed. Knowledge was valuable to all who sought to rise up above the mold. There was great power that came from knowledge, so maybe this beneficial relationship would pay off for the small green species in the end. However, he was still skeptical of what she could possibly teach him. Malus would still keep a close eye on her, because her abilities were promising as of yet.

When Cassandra's blood touched the red liquid, it churned and bubbled, it's red coloring darkening until it was completely black and still. This was promising, indeed. Cassandra was a devout follower of the Dark Side with hesitation. The alter sensed it and so could Malus. Now they could truly begin, as his new comrade was worthy and able of tampering with the more physical aspects of the Dark Side successfully.

"Good...good, Cassandra." Malus was no longer grimacing, but he wasn't sure he was going to smile just yet. "Begin, we may." Malus pointed a finger towards the cut on Cassandra's hand, and it began to mend itself, albeit slowly. "First...know what you want, you must. To inflict pain? To damage the mind? To disorient the senses, hrrmmm? Yes, many paths, there are." Malus then raised his hand over the alter, warping the black liquid to his will. It began swirling slowly into a whirlpool, Malus wanted to keep it potent.

"Feel it's ichor...See what you want, you must, and will it so! Yes! Some potions require material components, they do. But most can be done by one's self and the Dark Side." Malus explained as he gazed into the swirling black liquid. There was only so much you could do without a few ingredients, but if one knew the basics of chemistry and botany, Sith Alchemy would come almost naturally for them. Maybe it would come naturally for Cassandra.

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Her blood would catalyze and simmer into the bowl, creating quite a sight. It took a liking to her energy and clearly the power of Darkness would be already deep into her veins. Malus' continued encouragement brought the true Sith deep inside, her desire for power and wielding said power to do great feats. She wanted to shape things her way and her way alone, inflict magic upon her enemies and benefit her allies.

As Malus began going through the process and mixing their creation, she concentrated on her desires more, giving in as her eyes went from their faded green to a contrasting yellow. They dilated as her will to weaken foes and turn them to hopelessness and dread continued. Cassandra wanted her enemies to suffer, the ones who brought her and the Sith unworthy pain and binding them by chains deserved pain.

"Let darkness consume enemies... Ones who deserve pain inflicted upon them, yes.." she said, her tone moving rather unnaturally and dangerously. It seemed the song of her personality has turned to a more sinister end as the liquid would begin to animate itself rather violently. Black, foul, smoke would arise from the cauldron and spread through the air, saturating the darkness beyond its previous form. The energy of the force would manipulate the potion more, toxifying it and making it a potential agent of death and destruction if used that way.

The inky darkness of the potion would begin to consolidate as it would manipulate more wildly, making more and more consistency with its shapes; omens perhaps. It would most certainly a sight to behold, both devilish and glorious...

@Charles

 

[Malus]

So Cassandra wished to destroy her enemies like the rest of the Sith Order. However, her guile was far greater and purer- a truly devout follower of the Sith Code and philosophy. It was that which made the liquid smoke and hiss in the alter. Malus closed his eyes and focused on the dangerous liquid, lifting about a handful of it into the air. Then, it was slowly poured into a vial where it continued to smoke like a rabid volcano. After a cork was place in it, trapping the deadly potion inside, Malus placed the vial in Cassandra's hands through the Force.

"Well done, comrade. Well done!" Malus believed that Cassandra was qualified to learn more on her own. "Understood the Dark Side, you have. Yes, an alchemist, you will surely become." But there was still much for her to learn down the road. "But remember...falter in your belief, and destroy it will." With a wave of his hand, the black liquid churned and shifted back into it's red sizzling form from before. "Again, hrm? Something different, you should try." But this time, Malus took the scalpel and slit his own palm, lettng the blood drizzle into the pot. As before, the liquid soon became darker and darker until it was as black as Malus's cloak.

"My blood this time, yes? With my essence, my mind you will see. My desires! Hrmm?" Malus inquired of her. When using someone else's blood, one was usually capable of watching that person until the potency of the blood wore off. Because Malus was right next to Cassandra, however, it would not be as difficult. If she were to successfully pry into the small green alien's mind, she would see visions of his past. Most importantly, his meetings with the visage of Darth Bane and the teachings of the Rule of Two. Her anticipated reaction was what Malus was going to use to decide what to make of the opposing Sith.

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

The excitement and passion within the room was palpable. She had accomplished and proven her worth to Malus, showing a grip over Alchemy that could be certainly expanded upon. It was clear that Cassandra's devotion to the Sith Cause was more extreme than most other Sith even at higher ranks than her. She would take the vial and put it in a safe place, eager to use it on whoever deserves to suffer its wrath.

Before she could experiment further with Sith Alchemy, Malus began to attempt at another concoction. His own blood sacrifice would imbue the concoction, revealing his own philosophy and teachings. It intrigued her, yes, but she had her own staunch beliefs that perfectly aligned with the current leadership of the Empire. She stood with peculiarity, examining and observing, prodding on to see what his desires and thoughts were. She saw what he thought of the Rule of Two, and she did indeed disagree with it given the current state of the Empire. Perhaps a different Rule of Two could benefit them, a duality rather than a hierarchy. As it was, her loyalty was exclusively to the Dark Lord and the Empress herself...

@Charles

 

[Malus]

The alter began to shimmer, the black ichor slowly becoming more and more glossy until vivid images could be seen in the swirling liquid. Cassandra would see Malus communing with Darth Bane at his tomb here on Moraband- the teachings on the power of sorcery on Korriban. Then, she would see the rise of the Sith Eternal where Malus practiced the Rule of Two, killing off the destructive Sith Guardians that thought they were above the Sith Code. Then, it would fade back to black with the potency finally wearing out. By itself, this time, the ichor bled bright red once again.

"Believe in the power of the Rule of Two, I do, yes." Malus watched the red sizzling ichor carefully. "But...I, too, am loyal to the Empress and only the Empress. Exterminate one another, I disagree with. Correcting the Sith, I will surely do however." Malus explained his own philosophy on the subject. The Inquisitorious shared his views on the subject, but Malus did not wish to join their ranks. No, the green alien's eyes were set on the planet of Ambria, where the Dark Lord Darth Bane had perished due to his own philosophy. That planet was home to a few mining settlements and it's main resources were that of valuable ores, metals, and minerals. Malus wanted the planet for himself, but it would also benefit the Empire as it was strategically placed near some of the FWA's most prominent systems.

"Your public speaking skill, how good are they, hrm?" Malus inquired, shifting his gaze to the Sith. "Hard for me, it is. Funny, I speak, yes...Yes, very funny..." Malus moved the hovering alter aside so it was no longer a distraction. "Through alchemy and each other, a planet we shall take, yes? A special planet, hrm? Ambria- Yes, Ambria." Malus laid both hands on his walking stick. "Know of it's significance, do you not?"

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

The philosophy, the vision, they were all quite interesting. To Cassandra, Malus seemed to be an advent of Darth Bane’s teachings. While she didn’t necessarily agree with them, she respected the knowledge and attainment to the Sith Code with them.

“I see.. I agree with your sentiment. The Sith need not infighting. It has been the primary reason for any downfall in our history..” she mused, nodding with acknowledgment. Loyalty and Unity were major components of her ideology and she intended to promote it however she can. Cassie’s devotion would most certainly be proven in this regard.


She sensed a physical vision manifesting. A desire of a location, one of historic significance. “Ambria.. the proving grounds of Darth Bane and his trainings… its where he had his betrayal and his teachings passed on…” she responded, recalling the codex of Bane as taught by numerous sources.

“As with my public speaking, my voice I intend to use to unify under the banner of the Empress and Dark Lord of the Sith, which is also my own banner. Nothing more.. nothing less..” she said with a smooth tone, speaking methodically and rather animated. Cassie’s voice was always used as a device to her means. A sound of civility compared to most Sith who would speak aggressively and brashly..

@Charles

 

[Malus]

Cassandra's intellect was a welcome surprise for Malus. Ambria would be the perfect place for the Empire to hide in plain sight. Not only was the planet already rife with the Dark Side, but there were a few other subjects Malus wanted to cover. The draconic beasts known as the Hssiss dwelled on it's surface. Their bites were known to have been able to inflict Dark Side corruption into Force users. If Malus and Cassandra could get their hands on that venom, they could poison the Jedi with an improved alchemical tonic.

"Yes! Yes...Strong in the Dark Side, Ambria is. Very strong." His raspy voice echoed in the empty tomb. "So strong in fact, that the surface changed, hrm? Dark Side dragons, potent their venom is. Potent enough to sway a Jedi's mind, yes?" If these two were going to work together as Alchemists for the Sith, this would be the perfect opportunity. "Darth Bane's lightsaber, rumors there are. His armor, hidden away it is. Like a dirty secret." Malus wanted the saber, assuming that the armor wouldn't fit his very small build. But maybe Cassandra could find a use for it, as ancient as it was.

"A plan, I have. Yes, a plan...The face of the people, I will be. Master of Arms, you shall be. Very old, I may be, but wisdom comes with wrinkles, hrm?" A feint smile appeared on Malus's face. "Valuable, your youth is. Raise an army, you will, with your silvered tongue." Malus hobbled over to the exit of the tombs where he took a seat on the top most stair step, taking the time to admire the barren desert planet.

"Outdated, the Rule of Two is, yes? Maybe a new Dyad, we shall make. Hrmmm? Learned much from Darth Bane, I have. Master and Apprentice, a powerful concept it is." Malus did think that there was some truth to the ancient Sith Lord's belief. It had worked, after all, with Darth Sidious being the last follower of such a philosophy a thousand years after it's creation. Right now, the Empire was strong, so there was no need for such things to be re-incorporated. However, at the first sign of weakness among the Sith, Malus would be the first to introduce the ancient method of Sith rule.

"Practice technique, you should. If we are to be General and Senator, every advantage we should have." Malus said, gesturing to the Alter without turning around. "Any questions, have you not?"

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Indeed the planet’s service held resources of danger and darkness. Ones that could be challenges and of use to them. They were thinking similarly.

Cassandra would listen on to his pondering and ideals, taking agreements and acknowledgments both. “Our individual skills can bring numerous skills to the Sith as well as our own duo. We will work together well…” she said with incense. She would have a sense of determination and goals set in stone: working with Malus would most certainly bring things to the Empire that would benefit them all.

But one ideal would be hidden from Malus completely. She would be watching with inquisitive eyes. Any bout of potential divergence from the Empress’ word and it will be noted…

@Charles

 

[Malus]

"Yes, yes. Together...Sow chaos within the FWA, we shall." Malus chuckled a bit. In fact, Malus was actually looking forward to something and his excitement had peaked. Ambria was the next best place aside from Malus's home world on Moraband. There were many things to soon discover with his new ally. He could finally call her as such, too.

"For the Empire, hrm? For the Empress." Malus gave a small nod and closed his eyes, listening to the way the breeze picked up the dust and dirt, whirling into dust devils. There would be a newer adaptation of the Rule of Two. Instead of a typical master and apprentice, it would be more of a...Rule of Duality.

Yes, that did sound right in Malus's mind. Teachers learned from students and students learned from teachers, so instead of a basic chain of command, you would be partners instead. Helping each other grow in the Dark Side until you both reached unimaginable power. For now, Malus would ponder on their mission to Ambria. It would need to be convincing, and maybe with Malus's appearance being shared with that of the old Jedi Master Yoda, he might be able to gain favor with the public for his wisdom, rather than his abilities with the Force.

"The first target, a mining corporation it will be." Malus spoke up, breaking the silence. "What remains of the planet, they run and govern. To earn leadership, we shall earn respect, hrm?" The planet was filled with oil rigs and mine shafts, some of which had been closed do to the Hssiss. If Malus and Cassandra could drive them out and reclaim some of the major rigs, the planet would surely be in their debt.

"Perhaps you know something I don't, yes? Share your ideas, you should. Hmmm, together, strong our minds are."

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Sowing chaos. Creating dissonance in the name of ultimate unity. Words that contracted perfectly with her. Agreements upon agreements. At last Cassandra felt right donning Malus as a comrade, an ally within the Sith. They will most certainly work together well to forward the Sith Empire's agenda, and grow more powerfully as a Duality. This reminded Cassandra of the Sith Triumvirate of the past, equals in all means but skilled in other things.

"Yes... For the Empress and the Sith Empire itself... The Force shall set us free.." she indoctrinated, feeling a rush of energy and eagerness. For once this was someone she could potentially trust, but of course she would keep her eye and guard as anyone of her kind would.

"Corporate Greed exists among the galaxy... Businessmen are extremely easy to manipulate. I grew up on Serenno so I know all about it... How... feeble their minds are... Putting them within our debt would give a gridlock they couldn't do anything but accept, and they would assimilate their own policies in favor of the Sith." she said, her words as fluid as the slithering of a snake. Perhaps the Mining Facility could be both personal and Sith gain. She needed influence for her goals after all.. to gain more knowledge.. To embolden her flames of Ambition and devotedness to the Sith Code.

@Charles

 

[Malus]

If Cassandra could pull this off, then the Sith would gain a huge foothold in their war with the Jedi. Ambria could potentially cut off bigger Alliance planets such Onderon and Hapes. With the glassing of Kashyyyk, there wasn't much back up for either system. If Ambria fell under the duo's debt and began spreading propaganda about the benefits of the Sith Empre, they may be able to sway a few more planets. But then another idea plopped inside of Malus's elder mind...

"What if, unknown we are, to the public? What if only Malus and Cassandra, they see, hrm?" What better way to hide than to hide in plain sight. "Our identities as Sith, hidden and kept secret, they would, yes. New names, he could carry. Further our reach this way, we can." And with Cassandra's skills as a business woman, this might actually be possible. "Know what big corporations want to hear, I do. Smaller ones, especially." Malus wasn't a politician but he could definitely get a point across if he wanted to.

"Covertly take over the mines, you should prepare for. Indispensable, you shall make yourself." If Cassandra could eliminate the competition, then this whole operation would run a lot smoother. With Cassandra in charge of the mining facilities, Malus's rise to Senator would be a breeze. "Hm, missing something, am I?"

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

A block of territory would most certainly be useful to them. Their hand could grow even further than it is and the setbacks of the FWA’s actions could be setback upon themselves. Propaganda and gaslighting. Things she would be well skilled at.

Once the idea of having another identity came out. She began to ponder further. She already maintained a second facade for.. other.. deeds, but a third one? Her name was only marked by the former House Victus of Serenno. Nothing more. “My identity in the public life has already been seperate and impressionable from the Sith itself. My name only contains impact on Serenno from a now fallen house…” she began. “As of now our names contain little kindling but being from the Sith could actually bring more favoritism and credibility, if we manipulate words against other factions…” The cat would take a while to be out of the bag, and manipulation towards the Sith itself could be beneficial in truly turning worlds to ppenly

“We should certainly dually lead identities and manipulate things to prevent the connection of dots…” she said with the voice of a songbird, another smirk would be painted on her face. There wasn’t anything missing, perhaps another idea could settle it. “We both could work in the shadows for eachother. If they don’t listen to you, they listen to me and vice versa. People will have their own preferences…”

@Charles

 

[Malus]

Cassandra was correct. House Victus was a minor house, so minor in fact, that not even Malus had heard of it nor it's fall during his many years with the Sith. Malus also agreed with Cassandra's perfect plan. Manipulation was a very powerful ability that came with mastering the sorcery of Korriban Magick. Malus had turned brothers and sisters on each other- given people nightmares, convincing them that Malus was their only savior from the illusion of darkness they thought they were in danger from.

"Decided then, it has been, hrm?" With Cassandra logistically leading the people of Ambria and Malus as the spokesperson, nothing would stop them. Malus could inform Cassandra of what was brewing among the senate and Cassandra could educate Malus concerning what needed to be done to improve the planet's overall circulation and what the best way to sway the galaxy would be. "The Hssiss, important they are to me, yes? The venom, I must have." There were a number of reasons for claiming Ambria, but right now, the best one would be to harness the powers of the Hssiss into a liquid that would inflict Dark Side corruption into the Jedi. Malus and Cassandra could be responsible for the entire Jedi Order if they played their card carefully and correctly.

"Leave to Ambria, we should. Scout out potential advantages and adversaries, yes. Then, make our moves, we shall. But, an identity I would require. Illusions and ideas, I have, hrm? Many ideas..." With a little time and effort, Malus could enchant a simple necklace to give him the appearance of another similarly sized being with a different name. What came first was a Symeong- a similar creature to Malus in terms of size along with their long pointy ears, but he would appear to be an ape of sorts. "Make our move, we shall. A shuttle, have you not? Preferably without Sith identification, yes? Reveal ourselves, in time we will, but for now saviors we shall play. Then, they will know the Sith to be their heroes, hrm? Sway the masses this way we will."

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Cassandra nodded with agreement. Everything they had to do was set in stone. They decided their alliance and one of the moves they could do to start their push for power and glory. Cassie would be the sword and Malus the shield in their work together.

"The planet is of much importance than what most realize. The resources can be used quite valiantly for the Sith, especially personally as I dabble with Sith Sorcery..." she simpered. She had more motives than just attacking Jedi with them, she wasn't that aggressive compared to Malus. She intended to gaslight and experiment in her personal studies as well as the ones she would be inevitably ordered to do.

"As for my ship, it is personal and not Sith identified. We will not need to worry about it. And for your identity, perhaps they would be more willing to follow one as yourself through your politics over my own human self.. You definitely could erase the traces of the Dark Side surrounding yourself, as well as I would do myself... A Force Veil perhaps..."

Their resources had been planned out and everything was set for a re-conquest that would benefit the Sith. This would give some great field action and insight for Inquisitor Cassandra..

@Charles

 

[Malus]

"Yes, hide the Dark Side we will. No one shall know." Malus agreed. But, as he noted before, when the time was right they would have no qualms over their allegiance to the Sith. Together, these two could keep tabs on one another to further their reach. "Your ship then, we shall use, hrm?" The Keshir I was registered under an Imperial chain code, so it would bring lots of unwelcomed attention and suspicion. Everything was proceeding well, and Malus truly believed he had found an ally today.

"Your lesson...finished you have." The little Sith got back to his feet and hobbled out of the tomb. "Meet you on Ambria, I will." But for now, it was time for meditation. Malus needed to make sure his mind was sound also needed to prepare an illusion to hide his identity when he worked covertly. The public would see Malus, but his enemies would see...well, that still had yet to be decided.

[/Exit Thread]

@ByakuyaXVMarkov

 

[Cassandra Victus]

.

Cassandra nodded with agreement once again, enticed to the idea of being within stealth. This would be slightly less secretive than being an Inquisitor, but it will be fun nevertheless. "My ship is ready, Malus.." she said with a cool tone. She would intitially follow Malus, and then she would gesture the green Sith to her ship for when he needed to identify it. They will meet later of course, ready to begin their first main conquest for the Sith. For the Empire.

//End Thread

@Charles