Ask First Steps

[Darth Arcanos]

“You must open your mind to the Force and harness your emotions as weapons which you then use to strike upon the nexus,” He explained, taking a seat and bidding her to do the same, “This place has many memories..of both the defenders and the attackers. You may be overwhelmed at times, but you must hold fast.”

He would instruct her to close her eyes and focus, emptying her mind to the Force, “Reach from deep within you. Pull from your memories both good and bad, from your worst pains, your biggest fears. Create something within you that is raw and broken. Connect with the nexus and drink from it the knowledge it possesses.”

If Freyja did as instructed, nothing would happen at first. After a moment, she would hear faint whispers. She would get glimpses of a normal day in this very temple, of padawans and Knights wandering about their day. She would see faces from over two decades ago. She would start to feel pain as that image twisted and broke, shattering into a million pieces.

There would be unbearable pain that would encompass her entire body. She would suddenly lose all control, everything around her turning to black. She would see a vibrant green glow of magick, she would hear laughter, a chill running down her spine. She would hear the agonizing screams of everyone around her. The screams were juxtaposed above the screams of her dying family and village back on Deucalia. They were all dying at once, their essence stripped away in the plane of the Force itself. All of it would make Freyja writhe in pain and flail around clawing at the ground.

Azar didn’t pull her back from it, letting her fall deeper in.

I’m here but you must walk alone, His voice would echo in her mind. She would feel the Dark Side siphoning out from many layers below the Jedi’s attempts to purge this place. A single crack was all it took to start extracting the violence of the past all over again in all its fury.

Freyja would see figures of the Sith Lords of the past that stormed this place that fateful day. She would see the Grandmaster gasping his last. However, abruptly and suddenly, everything would change and she would feel a whole wave of new pain. It would feel as if a hundred wounds were cut open across her back all at once.

She would be transported to a different plane entirely and would see a figure standing before her. The male turned around to gaze at her, revealing a beautiful face of a boy no older than she was now. Striking silver eyes would regard her moments before a hand would come up to clutch her throat. She would be slammed into a wall behind her, the face of the male leaning in. A cruel, tantalizing smirk graced his lips, “Tell them I’m waiting,” The deep, smooth baritone voice resounded before Freyja would be jerked out of the vision and thrown clear across the room.

When she came to, Azar would be standing above her, having used the Force to cushion her impact against the wall. His eyes were wide in shock as he crouched down next to her, “What did you see? WHAT DID YOU SEE?” He hissed, hints of fear in his voice. Azar couldn’t stop looking at her neck - a deep, red hand print where she had been gripped in a way that transcended time and plane.

@LadyRen @Phoenix @GABA

 

[Freyja]

Freyja's heart was wildly beating in her chest while she intently listened to her Master. She knew this wouldn't be easy...most certainly not even pleasant, but she was ready. She felt like with him, she could make this work. She took a seat across from him and took a deep breath, her stomach already turning itself upside down, but she forced her mind to stay focused on the powerful vibrations all around.

She then started pouring her mind into the nexus that surrounding them, just like instructed, but even as she began rummaging through old memories, she was flinching. It was like with each and every trauma she touched upon, the Force began to hurt her, attempting to rip her open from the inside even, and for a moment, she was frightened to push on.

Azar's voice kept echoing through her mind as she went through the torture her old Master had inflicted on her, the sheer agony and desperation she had felt when her family had gotten taken away from her, brutally murdered in front of her very eyes, the rage that followed soon after and the fear of losing control completely that was often entailed. Yet through it all, their were hints of a happy past, too.

The Force stopped responding and for a moment, she felt empty and somewhat alone, until it suddenly showed her an echo of the past. Everything was so...vivid. She could even see the colors, hear their voices, the chattering, even catch a whiff of a dish that was being prepared for what, was it lunch time? And then the vision shattered into countless pieces that seemed to tear right through her before she was forced to live through terrible memories and the horrors this place had witnessed.

She screeched loudly and sheer, almost unbearable pain while she started flailing. She rolled across the cold, hard floor, her nails digging into it while her body twitched. For a moment, she thought the nexus was killing her. Visions of what happened here flooded her right as her own past mercilessly washed over her, stirring up every tiny pieces of dread and terror from within her.

I’m here but you must walk alone. Again, it was his voice that somehow kept her clinging onto her life. She couldn't walk, for a moment, all she could was crawling, but onwards she went, even if she felt barely conscious. She relieved through the old Grandmaster's death, and right after, she was consumed by a new wave of unbearable agony that slowly tore her into shreds that were only filled my the pain that had already existed before. She couldn't waver. She couldn't let this shatter her...yet despite her determination, she felt her strength waning.

It stopped a moment later, and only for a brief moment, she could inhale sharply. The imagined wounds on her back were burning still, yet it was as if they were no longer bleeding. She was alone, until she wasn't as she sensed a presence ahead. A boy...potentially Sephi even, and she didn't know him. Perhaps his face wasn't even fully unfamiliar, but while she found herself on the ground, trembling, she did at least intend to open her mouth to say something. There were countless questions on her mind, yet none would leave her lips as her windpipe was suddenly violently repressed as his tight grip was suddenly around her throat.

He slammed her against the wall behind her and her head spun mercilessly. A pounding pain erupted in her head while she met his gaze and she barely understood his words, before she was suddenly hurled away. An impenetrable darkness followed, and she wondered whether it would consume her...until her eyes fluttered open a while later and she found Azar above her.

She was breathless and soon gasping for air, while her own shaking hand found its way to her deeply bruised, painful throat. Her thoughts were racing and it was impossible to articulate what she had felt, hence the raised head immediately plopped back down. Her whole body was shaking, and she felt ice cold.

It took her a moment to catch both her breath and somehow regain composure, yet asnher bewildered eyes found Azar's, she was reaching for his hand in panic. Her voice was all hoarse and quiet, yet she managed to mutter, "he's...waiting". Her thoughts were running wild completely, and she was close to hyperventilated while her heart began thundering in her chest again.

She held onto Azar's hand and pulled herself up, her complete body still shaking as she slowly connected the dots. The presence she had felt had been unlike anything she had ever felt before and the deceiving facade of the boy was haunting. He had been...much stronger than the Dark Lord herself in his presence, this she had even gathered from the very short moment in which he had touched her "Silver...eyes". Was all she still mananged to say before she'd collapse and descend into darkness anew.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

“Waiting?” Azar asked. A chill ran down his spine. He could only vaguely feel what she felt in the Force, and even that much was enough to make him nervous, “Silver eyes?” He asked, his brows furrowing. Now this was a curious detail. The Pureblood was silent as his apprentice faded from consciousness, keeping her in his arms. His thoughts were far away and he glanced for a long time at the imprint on her neck. It was haunting and it spoke of something far more powerful than should have been allowed to exist.

Once she came to again, Azar was meditating across from her. If he heard her, he would offer her water and other refreshments to fully come back to the present, “That was..unexpected,” He said, his gaze flicking back towards the nexus, “It appears something is trapped there…the fragment of a spirit and a memory from a time when this great attack happened.”

Darth Raze was an entity since before Freyja was born and she would only have known about him as a legend that was recently destroyed. Azar said nothing else, glancing back towards the nexus, “It may be too dangerous for you to meddle in that,” He remarked, “You must not go seeking whoever that is.”

Azar’s gaze flicked to her neck, “Whatever was in there…was capable of killing you. Even from a memory and the plane of the Force. It can reach across time and reality. Do not go chasing it.”

He exhaled and looked around, “However, you embraced the Dark Side and have done well, apprentice. Did you feel the power coursing through you?”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

In Freyja's unconscious state there was nothing but the impenetrable darkness. No dreams, no more visions, her mind was just empty. When she woke up, she rose with a gasp, the haunting memories intensely surfacing for a second, before they all faded away.

It seemed like a nightmare, but the realization about how this all had actually happened soon hit her and left her once again speechless. Her throat hurt and as her fingers grazed the bruised skin, she shivered. "Unexpected? Why...what happened?". She felt dazed and exhausted, yet adrenaline was once again rushing through her veins, clearing her haze mind a little and she slowly remembered.

"Wasn't that...the nexus?". But why did the nexus have a face? And how in the Galaxy could whoever dwelled inside be so incredibly powerful? Her voice was quiet and raspy, her vocal cords swollen and her still somewhat compressed windpipe making it somewhat hard to breathe. Her continued breathing was rather shallow and there was a hint of terror in her eyes as she met Azar's unsettled gaze, realizing that nothing of what had happened was good...

She took his words in, yet her mind began reeling again. She was intrigued and her curiosity bled into the terrors she felt. Whoever this was...his presence had been utterly intoxicating. She wanted to know more...figure out who they were dealing with and why they had chosen to interact with her like that. "I believe...he could have killed me. But he chose not to. Why?". She doubted he had the answer to that question, yet she voiced it aloud anyway. Perhaps he had needed her to deliver the message? The warning? "The message?".

She nodded slowly, not doubting seeking such an experience again was dangerous, potentially deadly even, but she couldn't help but feel this urge to uncover the truth behind this ethereal manifestation. "I have...it was...incredible". Despite all the pain and terror, she had also sensed its power. His praise meant she had done it correctly, yet her mind circled back to the silver eyed boy. "Master...what does this all mean?". And why had his touch...this choke been so empowering?

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar shook his head, “It wasn’t the nexus,” He confirmed, “It was.. A memory..of something trapped in there in time. I didn’t see it, but I did feel it through you,” He said. This was especially confirmed when she kept referring to a ‘he’. Azar was silent for a moment as he carefully chose his words. Hearing her calling it ‘incredible’ and fiddling with the handprint caused him to raise a brow.

“Don’t delude yourself into thinking this spirit did you any kind of courtesy,” Azar said, “He likely released you to pass a message along, but the spirit is extremely dangerous and capable to easily killing you,” He said with a sigh, already realizing that she was fascinated and would likely go behind his back. He had been an acolyte once too. However, he would let her make her own choices - Sith were owners of their own destiny in a lot of ways.

Azar helped her to her feet, glancing back towards the nexus, “It means this nexus is too dangerous to touch by anyone but a Sith Master,” He deduced, “This room is where the Grandmaster was killed in the charge led by Darth Raze over twenty years ago,” Azar explained, “A Sith Lord died as well fighting a Sith Councilor the next room over.”

He led her through the other chambers, letting her feel the darkness that still lingered here, “Tell me your interpretation of the Sith Code.”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

A memory? It had felt like much more than that...something so powerful that it had transcended the past and prodded her mind to deliver a message relevant for the future? It was absolutely wild, and nothing she had ever seen, heard or experienced before.

She looked up and met his gaze as he explained it would likely kill her and that the message had been her only purpose. She wasn't suicidal...neither was she stupid...but this was tempting. Would she dare to indulge again? "How is that possible...can such...force spirits always interact with our plane like that?". She attempted clearing her throat right after as her voice was cracking, but all it did was hurt.

She took his hand and still felt dizzy as she stood, but a part of her strength was slowly returning. "This place is special...thank you for sharing it with me". Even if it had almost killed her, she had learned a lot. About its history, its story, and she had tasted a part of the power the nexus held.

Her mind was still reeling and her steps staggering while she actively fought to keep her mind focused again. Azar suddenly asked her about the code and she was about to cite what her old Master had almost burned into her mind, but she discarded those thoughts fiercely and focused on what she had always understood of it.

"The dark side will ultimately free us from our shackles. If we give in to it, passion will guide us to great power", she summarized the gist as they walked through the next chamber. "There is no peace...this line explains why we're not only attracted from chaos...but faning out the flames". This was something that had always triggered her...if there was something going on already, stiring it up was easy and tempting. But she also kept wondering whether ultimately, they weren't slaves to the dark side if they abided by its will.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

“Only exceedingly powerful entities can do that,” Azar told her, his thoughts briefly lingering on Raze. There was no doubt that it was him that she saw. Curiosity burned at him. Silver eyes? He had only seen the ghostly figure of Raze splashed across media. Had he appeared different before and who was it? The man had always been masked in his original form. Azar’s thoughts were interrupted when Freyja thanked him. He smiled sadly, “Even though it almost killed you?” He asked, “It is special..” He agreed eventually, “When Sith come together to act on a vision, it is a very powerful thing. It creates a sense of purpose and also… home,” Azar said quietly, “A sense of belonging.”

Both of them were far from their homes and past lives, and it was difficult to survive if that sense of home couldn’t be found elsewhere. The Sith Order and Tempest had been critical for that. He found his home in Umbara and with all the people he knew. However, he couldn’t deny that his mind often drifted back to Korriban.

“Here’s a secret..” Azar said with a smile, “There can be peace,” He said, “Peace with your own actions because you do not regret them. Peace because you have confidence in what you have done without regard for whether it’s wrong or right for someone else. There are many ways to harness the Dark Side of the Force without succumbing to it. Most of that comes from believing in your own strength. That is exactly what allowed this group of Sith Lords to succeed.”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

"This part...I might wanna skip next time", for the first time, a smirk tugged at her lips again. While this intense interaction had been intoxicating, maybe he was right about it not having been good. She still had to keep her mind from flicking back there and especially not lingering on the silver-eyed boy. Entity! That's what he was. No, she shouldn't mentally stay there.

Belonging. Something she had lacked for years...and perhaps it was exactly the reason for why she found the interactions with her Master so precious. He wasn't just teaching her shit tons of us, but he gave her a sense of belonging and purpose...and she finally had actual ambitions again.

She let his words linger, the vision he created fascinating her and turning the subtle smirk on her lips into a genuine, soft smile. As he continued, she met his gaze again, pondering on his words carefully. It was inspiring...something that strengthened her sense of direction and something she'd keep remembering going forward.

"So you've already found that peace?", she wanted to know, her tone still quiet. She knew he was powerful...she admired his strength, but she wondered whether this peace was something that entailed a life long striving. She was genuinely curious where he saw himself on this path. Perhaps this entity that had touched her thus hadn't.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar chuckled at her question, “If I had that peace, I would be Dark Lord already or perhaps more,” He shrugged. It was a constant journey for him and he found himself second guessing at every turn. However, he wouldn’t reveal that side to an apprentice, not when she needed to find her own footing. He would be the unwavering direction to get her to Champion.

“We have studied the code and we have dabbled into alchemy,” Azar explained, “There will be other missions I send you on that round out your skills in diplomacy and other practical ventures that will ultimately help you create your own powerbase,” He explained, “The Sith Order has fiefdoms and powerbases - perhaps not unlike Deucalians and their clans. You are responsible for managing your own enterprises and that requires a whole gambit of skills that go far beyond just swinging an axe.”

He paused there for a moment, “However, you are not truly liberated until you have faced things that hold you back. Things…from your past,” Azar said quietly, “We need to go back to the site of your last Master’s location. I received word he has not been with the Order as of late and is considered a deserter.”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Freyja couldn't help but join in on his soft chuckle as he confirmed he was on a journey still as well. She wondered whether he'd in fact volunteer to lead the Sith if he ever got into a position where he could seize that power, but she figured that was a question for later.

She nodded as he outlined the journey ahead of her would still entail and she was eager to develop her skills further. She slowly but steadily gained a feeling of direction in her own path and it felt great to know that with his guidance, she was progressing so quickly.

While there was an enthusiastic smile on her lips at first, it faded as he suddenly mentioned her master. Inside her, a hint of rage slowly began to bubble while she inhaled slowly. "That doesn't surprise me...". He was full of shit and had never truly been part of the Order from what she had gathered.

"When he had dropped me on Umbara, he mentioned something about Almas...not sure whether he honestly went for that fortress". Maybe the hostile territory had then already done her the favor of ending his miserable life...or maybe not...maybe Azad was right and slaying him with her own hands would be just what was needed to let go of those ties of the past...

"Sounds like we have to track that bastard down first", she exhaled slowly, before she was once again forced to clear her throat. It was as if an invisible grip was still around it, but she refrained from touching the bruises again this time and tried not to dwell on it for now.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar didn’t miss how she struggled to talk a bit from that mark on her neck. He bristled at the thought, burying the anger and also the sliver of fear he felt at the entity. Azar’s miscalculations almost cost her life, and for no real purpose. It would have been no fault of her own. The Pureblood was pulled out of his thoughts when she spoke again.

“Did you ever establish a Force bond with him?” He asked curiously. He recalled the one he shared with Karys early on in his training whether he liked it or not. There was a faint one forming with Freyja that would only grow stronger over time, “It could be leveraged to locate him if you take the time to meditate.”

Azar gestured for her to follow him back to his ship. He had no desire to linger in the temple longer than necessary, though he did cast another glance back as he left. If not Kaldar, then it would be someone else that finally unlocked what was trapped there. And the galaxy would once again have a demon walking among it.

Was that really so awful?

Regardless of Freyja’s answer, he would chart a course for Almas, letting the droid take over the piloting as usual.

“Tell me everything about your experience with this man,” Azar said calmly when there was a moment of silence. She would have to dig up all her painful memories, but it was necessary to understand this elusive Sith they would hunt not just for Freyja, but for the Order.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

As he asked his first question about her old Master, her gaze immediately flicked up from the ground and locked onto his. Had she developed a force bond? She bristled at the thought. It was hard to admit...she had been with him for quite some time, so yes, after a while she had felt something growing between them, but she always had fought hard to deny it.

She nodded slowly, a pang of regret prodding at her mind. It hadn't been a conscious decision...yet she had always hated it. It had made her feel at unease so often...but he was right. His tyranny and all the dread he had often managed to stir up inside her might have at least been good for something.

"I can try to access it...". Did those feelings ever fade? Vanish? Whenever she had felt incredibly angry, he was often back with her to punish her before she even noticed he was coming. She hadn't felt him for quite some time though...would meditation bring that back? She dreaded the thought...she didn't want to feel what he was feeling ever again, but they needed something.

She followed him without any objections. The halls of the temple still made her feel unease and the longer she stayed, the harder it became to keep her mind of the silver eyes stranger. Would the pain fade quickly? Or would it remind her of what happened for a while? Back in his ship, she'd settle in the common area across from Azar, immediately finding herself confronted with what she had dreaded.

"He was ruthless...but directionless", she began coldly, one of the scars at her side suddenly beginning to burn. It was something she had realized way too late, but this piece of shit had never intended to show her what you could do if you fully opened yourself up to the dark side.

"He was basically a renegate...filled with hate. He usually just dragged me along...was quick to punish even if he never explained what he wanted me to do instead. He lacked patience in all regards...it took me years to notice, but his connection to the dark side was never as strong as he claimed it was. He drew joy from slaughtering the innocent...but it was like he never knew where he was going". Perhaps he was a madman. Perhaps he was incapable of finding the peace Azar had mentioned.

She had to clear her throat again and began coughing soon after, before she let out a sigh. "Despite the terror he inflicted on me...I felt so alone the entire time that being with him still felt like the better choice", she admitted, her voice even growing quieter. Those memories hurt, and Azar wouldn't just sense it, but soon see it as well as tears began welling in her eyes. She had lost everything, and he had been all she had left, even if the hate she felt for him had grown with each and every day. It had been a toxic vicious circle and she once again realized how grateful she had to be for Azar..."I want him dead...I need him dead".

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar listened as she spoke about her master, picking up on the nuances. It wasn’t uncommon for Sith to torment their acolytes, and in many cases that applied even back on Korriban. However, it wasn’t as common due to the different castes being naturally good at their respect skills. That Freyja wasn’t already excelling at alchemy was odd to Azar, but he adapted his teaching methods knowing that she was not Kissai and needed to learn from the basics.

“You fear being alone,” He said quietly, looking at her as he walked over to a little kitchen area and began to prepare a meal. Azar always had chefs and cooks back on Korriban, but being around Karys allowed him to pick up a few things. Within moments, the delicious scent of a stew was permeating through the air.

“The fear of being alone is deadly,” He cautioned her, “It lowers your guard and raises your tolerance for nonsense. People can take advantage of you,” Azar offered her a bowl of the stew, sitting down across from her.

“You must be tactical in your approach in all scenarios whether they are official missions or social situations with Sith,” He explained, “Always make sure you know more about others than they do about you. It is all right to form attachments, but always validate the other party is at least mutually there or you are left defenseless,” Azar explained, “And you must learn to be comfortable in your own company, apprentice,” He said sharply, “I do not want to hear of instances of you being a leech or clinging to others to allow them to exploit you.”

He stared at her for a moment, “I do not punish you without reason, but I will not stand for unnecessary failures.”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Azar listened intently and she followed him to the kitchen area. She hadn't forgotten about the stew she'd make him one day, but for now she curiously watched what he was choosing to prepare. Their conversation was heavy, everything but easy, but it was something he had to know and something they had to discuss for sure.

She desperately didn't want to depend on others, and yet she often found herself drawn to strangers in the most random situations. She was usually engaging in talks to learn and gather information, yet she also had a tendency to keep some of them close a little longer. Fully platonically, yet while she knew well how to defend herself, being alone often came with memories she loved keeping repressed instead and with Azar, she was hoping to overcome them all.

"Not if I take advantage of them while keeping them close", she replied as he handed her the bowl and she could finally take in the full aroma of it. "It smells great...thank you", a warm meal would probably provide her with the strength she'd need to track him through meditation.

Azar elaborated on what he meant and she saw herself in what he described. While she was discreet and subtle, she was often collecting information. She rarely immediately acted on in, and she never let them know that she was already more involved than it seemed. She soaked it all in as confirmation though and knew it would only sharpen her awareness further, until he circled back to her uneasiness whenever she was left alone.

"Thank you...for all the advice...and you're right. I believe it will all become easier once this old chapter is closed", she met his gaze again and held it before another understanding nod followed. "I will not disappoint you, Master". Freyja respected the man in front of her greatly and she knew she wouldn't let him down, even if working through those fears from the past would be difficult.

The tension that had formerly lingered in the air slowly faded and a moment later, they began eating. The warmth of the stew soon filled her from the inside. "Do you expect me to kill him quickly or can I make him suffer?", Freyja would ask after a few more spoons after she had let her mind wander a little. She slowly began to understand what he had meant when he had talked about passion as this was something she knew she needed to do. For everything he had done, she wanted to make him pay. Freyja was not the person for meaningless brutality, but it was different in this cade and the moment her mind circled back to him, that spark of anger was immediately ignited.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar nodded to her sentiment about taking advantage, “Being a Sith is far more than just waving around weapons and using the Force. A lot of it is mental. All of my exploits that you may have heard about were done without raising a weapon,” He explained. Doubtless she would know about Zygerria, Panatha and other moves he made that hugely changed things for the Order, “People always have patterns. Look for those patterns and weave yourself in where you see a weakness. Always command control of the situation and always be the narrator of your story.”

She would learn soon enough that wisdom was perhaps the biggest component of his teaching methodology. Azar smirked when she said she wouldn’t disappoint him.

“Of course you will,” He stated curtly, “You cannot grow if you do not fail. You will disappoint me, I will take corrective action and you will learn and not fail again,” Azar stated flatly.

He only smiled when she asked about the ways to kill her Master, “You will know what to do when it is time.”

It wasn’t long before the ship began to take off, a course plotted for the planet in question.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Mental games, power plays - she had seen a lot, yet her old master had never been good at it while Azar seemed to have it all under control. Command control...that was something she had surely lacked before, but was craving for now - to write her own story, to carve her own path, to forge her own fate.

Again, she soaked in his wise words and as he mentioned failure, met his gaze. While she'd agree with him that it was needed for proper growth, she wondered how she'd then fail him. By disregarding his instructions? Not heeding his words as carefully as she now intended or even choosing a path he wouldn't agree with? Right now, she couldn't see it, perhaps he was right about that as well.

"Alright then...", while it sounded like he literally expected her to fail, they both knew that no one was perfect and technically she had even failed at her first alchemy attempt as well. The part about her Master she also had to accept with a curt "okay", but she was hoping they'd manage to find him soon for real.

She quickly cleared the table and tidied up before she took a seat across from him again, this time, however, closing her eyes. She then took a deep breath and quietly said, "I'll see whether I can locate him", before she forced her mind to focus properly. The earlier swirl of emotions had faded and what remained was a subtle feeling of uneasiness that she tried to channel.

She slowly began rummaging through memories, especially of those that were connected to this kind of a toxic bond they had formed. Her features twitched repeatedly, while she even flinched every now and then as she slowly but steadily reached out to sense. There was nothing at first, but the longer she pushed for it, the more emotions were stirred up in the process.

After another moment, a sudden pain rushed through her left arm before she saw a mental image of a dark, weirdly shaped sphere with eerie blue indentations. "He might be hurt...or was hurt...and I saw a place I haven't seen before...". What lingered in her mind after was anger...perhaps even reproach. Did he know she had been trying to find that bond again?

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

After a while, the ship descended down to the surface of the planet. Azar was growing more comfortable with flying over time, so he actually gazed out through the window. He spotted the plains of kaluthin grass, noting the curious surface of the planet. Even now he could sense a pulse of the Force - in what was described as ‘the Dark Side’ though to him it was simply the Force. Azar looked over at Freyja, “Be on your guard… there is something on this planet.. Something your master may have been seeking.”

Azar stepped off the ramp when they arrived, feeling that sense of dread that often came with a beacon of the oppressive nature of the Force. While he was familiar with it, he could tell it had a toxic draw that held dangers. Azar wondered if that was where her master went and, if so, why did he break away from the Sith Order to do it?

“What you sense now - that uneasy presence - that’s a conduit of the Force,” Azar explained, “Sometimes they are indirectly created and other times they are manufactured on purpose. Ajan Kloss was an example where the events of a battle forced the creation of a nexus. This…feels like someone actively made it,” Azar said, not familiar with this planet’s specific history. He despised not being completely up to speed on knowledge, but there was little to no information available here.

“In order to avoid draining your Force reserves, we may have to stop by…and ask people for directions,” Azar said with a smirk.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Some time later, the outline of Almas became visible through the viewport right as the pilot droid pulled them out of hyperspace. She had mixed feelings about this all, as while her determination was huge, she also knew that this wouldn't be easy. "I don't doubt it...". Whatever he had been up to, it certaintly wasn't anything good. But this all had to end.

They were headed to the outskirts of the capital right now, but while they approached the city, she already had this undeniable sense of dread and terror surfacing. Was he really here? Or had she just seen a vision of the past? "Someone? Do you think one single person would be capable of doing so?", she tilted her head to the side as they started walking down the ramp alongside each other.

What had this bastard been searching for here? The dark side was omnipresent here...it was twisted, alluring, yet threatening. Before embarking, Freyja had dressed casually, but her backpack was stuffed with her equipment. She doubted she needed the bow, so this one she had left in his ship.

"Possibly...he's not known for being subtle, he might have caused a stir somewhere", she replied calmly, her mind still relatively focused. While she knew this would certaintly grow more difficult the further they'd progressed, it was his presence that kept her calm for now. "Should we start looking downtown? I guess that's where it's the busiest...and where most people would have noticed something", she suggested. Freyja hated cities...especially crowded ones, but it was worth a try.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar nodded, “Powerful Sith can create nexuses. Darth Raze is an example of someone that did just that across several planets,” He explained, “This was perhaps created by someone many years ago and the presence lingers even today.”

He nodded in agreement about the downtown which was still a distance away from the spaceport. Azar walked over towards speeder rental area, “Acolyte, you will be driving us to our destination,” He stated flatly as he paid for the speeder rental. It was a piece of crap because he couldn’t tell what was or wasn’t effective, so he went with a hot pink colored one and that was the extent of evaluating their transportation.

Azar looked down at a datapad, “Looks like the downtown is just a few miles from here. Ready to go?”

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

While Darth Raze was most certainly capable of creating nexuses, she doubted her old Master could have done that all by himself. What if he had helped though? He had always been a loner...but what if he had drawn from what someone else, much more powerful had created?

The thoughts kept her busy for quite a while, even as they started strolling through the city. She absent-mindedly followed him for a moment, not fully processing that they were entering a speeder rental before he suddenly turned to her. "What?!", she instantly blurted out, incredulously meeting his gaze.

"Noooo", at first, the no escaped her way too loudly before she managed to lower her voice accordingly. They didn't want to cause a scene after all, but his idea was just horrible. "Master...I don't usually drive", she truthfully admitted, her cheeks turning slightly red. She usually wasn't embarrassed...but now that she reconsidered why he always had his droid pilot flying all the time and given that he was from Korriban, she got a really bad feeling.

As soon as they were left alone and handed the keys, she bit her lip, her gaze frantically scanning the bright pink vehicle. "Me driving is a terrible idea", she tried again, hoping that ever since he had left Korriban he had potentially gained some first-hand experience while a literal shiver crept down her spine.

@Sreeya