Fortress Caedis I: In the Shadow of the Colossus

[Elias Reach]

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Elias Reach was deep in the Force in the spacious room he set aside for meditation within his modest Dromund Kaas apartment. The large, clear window stretched out in front of him gave him a magnificent view of Kaas City and of the blue-tinted storms flashing in the distance. One of his lightsabers floated perfectly vertical in-front of him—it's red blade comforting him with a steady hum. But his gaze was neither on his weapon nor on the storm outside, rather it was on the storm inside.

When he meditated upon the Force, he imagined himself floating cross-legged over an ocean of black water. Lightning occasionally flashed from the storm clouds above him and the dark waters were tinted crimson from the light emanating from no one other than himself. He, on the other hand, was a formless wraith above the water—mostly composed of shadows; but there were twinges of light here and there from those parts of him still guilty over abandoning his mother so many years ago. He loathed those tiny bits of light and frequently sought to dye them black... but they were as much apart of him as the shadows, and difficult to purge.

Still, Elias was not one to give up. He had located a text he thought might help him to purge the light from himself once and for all. More, he had also secured the aid of a fellow, like-minded Sith to help him reach these texts he sought. Now, he needed only to be patient. Once this help arrived, he could set to work making his plans a reality. In the meantime, he meditated and loathed his mother for the weakness she had imparted to him. Once again, he furiously lashed out at the light within himself. In the real world, a small corner of his glass window cracked as his anger rippled out through the Force.

So he remained until he sensed another presence at his door, followed by a knock. He did not open his eyes or drop his meditation. Not yet. Instead, he simply projected his voice. "Come in." @Wit

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[Nymeria (TL8)]

There were times when reality fell well short of your expectations, that had very much been the case for Nymeria her time since graduating from the Sith Academy. The vast and glorious Sith Empire seemed to have fallen from the lofty heights her teachers had taught her about in the Academy, and she was definitely left wanting. So she had begun seeking more, to search for something to fill in gap to make reality match her expectation. The way to do that was of course to first raise herself to the heights she had been looking for in the Empire. Once she was in a position to affect change she could guide the Empire on the path to greater heights.

Today was meant to be another small step on that path. To forge another alliance, to gain another piece on the board, to continue moving forward. That was why she had agreed to meet Elias, because if she saw in him a kindred spirit. The Empire, or Empires as they were now were, had few the Sith of old would consider worthy, and while Nymeria was not arrogant enough to think that she in that list just yet, she did know that Elias was another who might some day get there.

Pushing the door open on hearing the response to her knock, she stepped into the spacious room and looked around for her host. She sensed him within, beyond another door passing through which brought her within what could only be a meditation chamber. And there she found Elias, eyes closed, floating cross legged above the ground.

"Elias." She knew he could sense her, she hadn't really been hiding her presence. So that single word was greeting enough. It was time for him to share whatever he had in mind, there would be time enough for pleasantries after.

@Malon

 

[Elias Reach]

Elias opened his eyes and snatched his lightsaber out of the air, holding its thrumming blade only a moment before extinguishing and belting it. The time for meditation was over. It was finally time to put the first step of his plan into motion. She was a beauty, this other Sith. Slightly older than him, he could tell, and powerful for her age—as he was. But he could not consider those things now. He needed to treat her for what she was: an ally, for the moment, but a potential rival at any moment. No matter what she looked like, he could not allow such trivial thins to distract him or he would be a dead man.

"Nymeria," he replied curtly. He glanced at the door behind her and closed it with a thought. "You're earlier than expected. Still, it was good of you to come. Thank you for answering my call. I'll skip right to the point to avoid wasting any of your time."

In reality, he was avoiding wasting his own time but the formalities need be observed... for the moment. He took two steps backwards and one to his left, then hit a button on his desk. The room dimmed and a hologram appeared above the desk's holoprojector. "I hope you aren't squeamish about tombs. The texts I seek to retrieve are interred in the depths of the tomb of Lord Andros, the very Sith Lord that built the city we stand in right now." He glanced up at the projection, a bust of Lord Andros, who was an Anzati Sith Lord. "You could say I am building somewhat of a library and his works are to be the first on the shelf. Lord Andros was a minor Sith Lord in comparison to some of the others who have reigned over the last five centuries, but his tomb might still be riddled with tests and traps. That's why I need you."

He shifted his gaze backwards towards his large window, which showed an airtaxi arriving on the outdoor apartment landing pad. Right on time. That taxi was their transport to the excavation site where their mission would begin. "In exchange for your help, I will permit you to look at the texts—copy them, even, if you like—and take part in any experiment resulting from them." He looked to her to gauge a reaction. "The knowledge you gain from that should be a sufficient payment. Are we agreed?"

Short. Simple. To the point. That was the way he liked it. @Wit