Ask Felucia Riddles in the Dark

[Morgon]

Morgon enjoyed Felucia's native flora and fauna. If you didn't pay close enough attention, it killed you. What sort of beauty couldn't be explored further? The Sith had once operated on the jungle world, and the Champion was here to pick up the pieces they left behind. He found a cave that belonged to someone who hunted the Sith- a mercenary who could wield the Force. Morgon had been stalking him for a while now and first picked up his trail on Dagobah where he killed three Sith and took their crystals as his own. There was something on this mercenary that emanated darkness like no other, and Morgon wanted it for himself.

"Come out, Alduin," The catcall in his deep guttural voice echoed. "Silly name to call one's self. You have something that I desire..." He activated his red lightsaber, illuminating the dark the cave in a bloody glare. Interrogating a few local farmers gave Morgon all the information he needed to find this strange being. "Does it weigh you down, Alduin? Perhaps I can lift your burden and ease your pain." A crude smile crept upon the Anzat's face, the Force was strong in this cave and Morgon had a feeling his quarry was still here.

"You are no Jedi, yes? But I feel your hate for the Sith... Please, come to the light and quit your hiding, if you are even here..." Alduin had dooped Morgon once already using a strange trick that confused the Anzat's ability to determine a nearby presence. However, Alduin left behind many logs and writings of strange visions and dreams he had. Morgon enjoyed reading them, and perhaps that is why Alduin left them, so that the Champion could learn more and more about Alduin. It was a strange relationship for sure. "Your nightmares tell a valuable story- Come hither so that I might explain them to you. I do not bite, mhm." Something moved in the darkness- but it was not Alduin.

"Ah... I was not expecting visitors." He chuckled again, his throaty laugh echoing throughout the cave system. "This one is Jedi, hm? I can smell the stench of your light even in the thick darkness." Morgon then drew his blaster, but held it at ease. If a fight could be avoided, then Morgon could potentially learn more about the enemy. "Do you seek Alduin? Does he linger yet in your mind as he does in mind?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella had tracked the Sith for a while now, not that it was particularly hard given the sheer devastation left in his wake. Cloaking herself, the Jedi believed she had remained largely unseen, both in terms of physical sight and within the eye of the Force. It appeared, however, she needed more practice; the dark sider had managed to detect her.

He had, however, not located her and for that reason, the knight retained her cover. Moving purposefully through the cave, she tried her best to pinpoint the Sith's exact position; the echoes of his voice made it hard though, as did the sheer and utter darkness. That is, until, she saw the unmistakable glow of a red saber. Finally, her quarry had been found. And yet, strangely enough, he himself seemed in search as well. He sought someone by the name of Alduin - though the name wasn't one she could recollect, the eerie visage of a black figure did appear, flashing in her mind. No matter how hard she tried, Sybella would never forget that awful, awful vision. Could it all be a coincidence?

"The only thing I seek is justice. You will pay for your crimes, Sith. Those people you hurt...they were innocent. And they will be avenged."

Taking a position on top of a boulder, Sybella looked down upon her enemy. She wouldn't activate her saber just yet; it would give away her position too easily. As much as she hated to admit it, she was curious. "Who is this Alduin of which you speak? What have they done to earn your ire? Speak, while you can..."

Could they be a potential ally, perhaps? Or merely someone in need of saving?

@Charles
@Morgon

 

[Morgon]

"Alduin hunts my people- successfully -unlike you, aha!" Morgon scoffed, listening carefully to the voice of a woman who had been stalking him. "Show yourself, Madam, and I may reveal more..." He inquired, smiling crudely yet again, deactivating his lightsaber to let the darkness consume him yet again. With his free hand, he created a small green flame in the palm of his hand that acted as a torch. Witch Magick would reveal this stalker of shadows eventually.

"Vengeance is not the way of a Jedi, hmm?" Morgon chided, levitating his witch-light into the air above him, it's ghostly light chasing away the shadow. The Force did not lie, and Morgon did not feel another Sith but the being in the cave with him was hiding herself well. "Perhaps you are not Jedi, but blood for blood leaves only more corpses to be piled." Violence was not needed any more unless the woman wanted it herself. The feeling of righteous deliverance emanated through her thoughts were the only thing that caused Morgon to keep his hand on the hilt of his heavy blaster pistol.

"Do you seek justice? Or do you seek to bleed your soul as I did my kyber crystal? Hate feeds hate. Kill me, and you will only replace me, mhrmhrm..."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

There was someone else hunting Sith? Almost instantly, they had Sybella's admiration; though detached now from the Empire itself, the dark siders were still an inherent threat. Any strike against them was to be counted favourably. This one, in particular, seemed especially problematic, given the greenish flame now emitting from the very palm of his hand.

Magick. A most twisted form of the Force.

After a rather fretful encounter, the knight had started reading up on the anomaly; frustratingly, the Order's archives were sparse on the matter, only making the most minor of mentions. From the looks of it, however, this seemed quite similar to the power of Nightsisters. Yes, the longer Sybella stared, the more sinister it seemed in its familiarity to her.

It was, however, rather bewitching to behold.

"You Sith are all the same, spitting such venom. Your words mean... nothing..."

The flame, she couldn't look away. It held her in its thrall, though a part of her did try to resist. Sybella knew she ought to take cover, to escape the scope of its eerie reach, yet she couldn't quite find the will to move. With a curse, the greenish rays fell upon her, banishing any and all blindings she may try to use; now revealed, in full view of the Sith, Sybella scowled, trying her best to shield her eyes.

Reaching for her saber, the Jedi seemed set on striking the first blow, had she not been made aware of the red mist now lingering about her. Why? Why had the presence of the spectre registered so visibly, yet without manifestation? Meditation seemed to have calmed it back into remission, until now.

Was it perhaps the magic of flame, revealing more than what was to be expected?

 

[Morgon]

There she was, in full view at last to the Anzat Nightbrother. When the woman reached for her lightsaber, it became apparent that this was a Jedi or likeminded individual who despised Sith all the same. However, the red loud that soon swarmed her gave him another impression. His murderous smile only grew as Morgon watched with a crude wonder. Was this some sort of Force art Morgon hadn't heard of before? No... Something far more exciting.

"I am unlike anyone else in this galaxy," Spat Morgon, extinguishing the flame with a sudden flick of his wrist. He let out a deep throaty cackle in the darkness. "As are you, Madam..." Morgon moved through the shadow taking small steps back from the boulder, slowly and calmly as to not provoke the saber-wielding woman. "Aji ki ridis diâ maiyira! Titsû ri Jina'tis maiyijia wa kam shiyi tuti shias is ki..." The words were spoken in High Sith, and they provoked the Dark Side and it's malice with every word and syllable.

The crimson mist felt dark and Morgon wanted it to expose itself before the pair. This was far more interesting than an encounter with Alduin.

"Alduin spoke of a woman who was plagued by her past... It was red. Blood red, mhmhmhmm..." Morgon drew his lightsaber hilt, but did not active it for now. If Sybella wanted a fight, Morgon would deliver, but his mind peaked at the opportunity of dissecting her psyche first. Knowledge was power after all.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Bristling under the Sith's heavy gaze, Sybella couldn't help but notice that he (like his brethren before him) seemed to delight over her sordid burden. With a gnash of her teeth, the Jedi yet again resisted the urge to strike. Even when darkness once more enveloped the cave, she waited, allowing her eyes to try and adjust; she wouldn't be rash about this, not after what happened last time. After much reflection, a pattern of sorts had emerged. The spectre only revealed itself when Sybella's life was under threat. Like a true parasite, the essence of Lujayn only cared for herself and her own self-preservation. Staying calm, even under pressure, kept the wraith at bay.

Yet those vile words, spoken in a tongue most foul, did seem to rouse something within the recesses of Sybella's consciousness. She was there, listening. Lingering on the precipitous of her host's psyche. A predator of the mind, curious as to the predator of flesh standing in opposition.

'Breathe...Maintain control... Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force.'

Centring herself once more, Sybella's eyes narrowed at the surrounding darkness. The Sith, like a shade, had melted away into the blackness of the cave. But he was still there, throwing verbal jabs. The Jedi, with her mask-like expression, betrayed nothing of her inner thoughts. If anything, she was extremely dubious. Why should she believe such words? The Sith were notorious for their lies; manipulation and trickery were ingrained within their very foundation.

And yet, disturbingly enough, she couldn't sense any explicit deceit. It didn't make any sense; no one else knew about the ghost, none of her allies at least...

'Unless...' Could it be true? Was this Alduin person somehow linked to "...Faen?"

Sybella needed to know more. Could she bait this dark sider into telling her more? It was a gambit, a dangerous one but perhaps the reward would justify the risk. "I have a proposition for you, Sith." With a tentative lick of her lips, the Knight tried to keep her tone steady as she spoke. "I have questions, and I suspect you do as well. I am willing to partake in an exchange of answers if you too are so inclined..."

 

[Morgon]

"Set aside your more than unfriendly desires with me and I shall ponder about it." Morgon retorted from the dark. There was a name she uttered that Morgon heard clearly- was it the name of Alduin? Was she somehow connected as he suspected? What was this red mist that followed her like a sick puppy? Why did she seem so amiss and angry and confused? So many questions yet to be answered, and the Anzat was more than happy to wait for the answers.

"Let me leave with my life or I will take yours if it comes to it," Morgon chuckled to himself, wearily watching the woman's silhouette. "Then our mysterious will be lost to the other for good. Fair enough by my standards..." If violence was chosen, the Nightbrother would relish every second of it as he would if she spoke more about her curious situation. Trust was almost out of the question- almost.

If Sybella wanted to her throat away from Morgon's pointed teeth, then she'd have to speak first. Felucia was partial to the Sith and this woman was obviously not of the Nightbrother's caste. The Dark Side was prevelent here, more so with the appearance of the crimson cloud. That was Morgon's first priority- learning whether or not this Force User developed a new skill or if she was truly haunted by some sort of spirit. Morgon believed it was the latter.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Frowning, Sybella debated her rather limited options. She could push forward and go on the offensive; the terrain, however, would put her at a disadvantage however. It wasn't the darkness of the cave that concerned her, but rather the black, miasmic energy that surrounded her. This planet. It felt...sick. As if it were tainted by the Dark Side itself. Simplifying traversing the land itself was cumbersome; Sybela would have had better chances wadding through a swamp. At least then, she could better sense her surroundings. The Sith. He was blurring in and out of her focus; not just visually, but through the Force as well. It shouldn't surprise her though. Darkness begot more darkness.

The other option was for Sybella to choose the path of least resistance; instead of trading blows, she would trade words instead. Distasteful as it was, a ceasefire did seem like the better route - for the moment, at least.

"Very well..." Believing they were now united (on a rather tentative agreement), Sybella lowered the hilt of her saber. Could he even see the gesture, she wondered? The darkness of the cave was so damn constant. Was the Sith moving around? Hard to say; the resonating echoes certainly didn't help either. Wary as ever, the Jedi remained vigilant, glancing about her from atop her boulder pedestal.

Never one to mince her words, Sybella was keen to start without further delay. "Let us begin, then...Tell me. How did you first come to know of Alduin?"

 

[Morgon]

"He tried to kill me, but failed." Morgon replied coolly. "It was a very similar situation to the one we are in now. Except, I would be you, and you would be him, hmhm." The Anzat chuckled darkly as recalled the memory where the Sith-Hunter had given up so many interesting secrets that only inspired Morgon to hunt the hunter himself. Though killing Alduin would get rid of a pest for the Sith, Morgon wanted to learn all of the lore that Alduin learned first.

"And now for you..." When the woman lowered her hilt, Morgon did the same, but kept it in his hand all the same. "What is this aura of darkness that swarms you? I would like to learn how to produce one myself, you see..." Another devilish cackle echoed throughout the cave. It was probably fair to assume that Sybella wouldn't want to reveal such a trick to the Sith. However, it almost made Morgon believe she was a Dark Sider herself- what if the Nightbrother could reverse and perfect the ability and fool the Jedi?

"Shall I bring some light to this conversation in the dark? Or do you see as perfectly as I?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Alduin was an ally, it seemed. A Sith-killer? He might as well have been a man after Sybella's own heart. A shame he failed to dispatch this one, though. This particular dark sider was especially vexing; his sense of humour was downright morbid, and horrid cackling of his was throwing off the Jedi's sense of direction. If Sybella didn't know any better, it was as if he was closing in on her, from every angle of the cave.

Mindful of this, the Knight decided to move from her location; from one boulder, she jumped to another, ever watchful of the blackness about her. The truce, though unorthodox, was tentative at best. It wouldn't last for long, and thinking anything otherwise was nothing short of foolish.

When it was the Sith's turn, the question he asked wasn't at all surprising. It was, however, rather irksome. "...It is a curse. Nothing more."

Was the presence of Lujayn's malevolent essence truly that fascinating? Much to Sybella's dismay, other Sith had reacted rather similarly during past encounters. There had been records of Force ghosts however entries from the Jedi archives suggested it was almost impossible for dark siders to achieve such a feat. Those that tried became entirely something different; they were but wraiths and shades, barely able to hold a candle to their Jedi counterparts.

"No. No light." Sybella snapped. The least the maniac could do was spare her the sight of him. "My question again. That flame you conjured earlier, it wasn't normal. How are you able to yield such power?"

The Jedi was no stranger to fire; she herself was able to produce them (through the use of the Force). But green flames? That was different. That was...obscene.

'Sorcery...Dathomir...'

Flinching, Sybella cradled the crown of her head. The voice was louder than before. Was it because of the planet's dark alignment? A reasonable assumption; yet another factor to consider.

'Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force.'

 

[Morgon]

So the woman was plagued by a spirit. Alduin knew this woman and now Morgon knew her, too. How often he spoke of her in his memoirs... It was a curious thing, really. Alduin was once a different man- a Jedi, even, but his unholy crusade changed him. Not just his name, but even the way he wrote, Morgon saw the drastic changes. If the Nightbrother knew any better, he would say that Alduin had become the very thing he swore to hunt.

"I am a native to Dathomir- One fortunate enough to learn such power." Darth Draugr held a lesson for his clan, himself. Morgon wouldn't ever forget it, nor would he put these new talents to waste. Watching the woman jump from a different rock to another made the Anzat smile more. She wished for no light, and yet she desperately tried wrangling the darkness. How...counterintuitive.

"Calm yourself, madam..." Morgon said in a gentler tone, feeling her rising stress. "Should we leave this cave, instead? What can I do to ease your addled mind?" The entrance wasn't too far off, and if Sybella wasn't a Jedi, she could prove to be another strange ally. Morgon and Alduin did not like each other, but they helped each get what they both wanted. "But, alas, another question... Are you Jedi? My name is Morgon Dul'Goroth of the Black Mountain Clan- remember it well, madam."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Another Force user from Dathomir? That made, rather unfortunate, sense. Sybella was no stranger to that infernal world; she also knew better than to underestimate those who hailed from its wretched wastelands. Whilst on a mission, the Knight had battled a Nightsister, one who possessed frightening skills in (what could only be described as) necromancy. Such an awful perversion of the source; more than likely, this Sith would be no different.

When it was Sybella's turn to chuckle, there wasn't much mirth, "Ease me? I doubt that, very much."

And addled mind? Did even the Sith think her crazy? Sometimes, it did feel very much like that. Before meeting Faen, Sybella did think herself to be insane, or as close to it as one could ever be. In his presence, there was hope for peace. There was tranquillity. How long has it been, since she last saw him? Was he well? How desperately she would have liked for him to reach out to her. Just once, for the sake of contentment.

The Sith was asking whether or not they should leave the cave. And for a moment, Sybella did consider it. She couldn't help but wonder, though. What had brought the dark sider here in the first place? Was there something here, within the confines of the cave? Ought she have explored first, before allowing the Sith to confront her? Too many questions, yet she was limited to only one at a time.

Morgon Dul'Goroth. Yes, she would need his name for the mission report; had others of the Order encountered him before? Worse, had they even survived? Now, the shrouded lady had a choice. She could tell the truth, and reveal her true identity, or she could just as easily lie and provide a fake alias. Would the Sith be able to sense her deception, though? More than likely. Despite the smoke and mirrors, Sybella wasn't particularly adept in the art of subterfuge. What really did she have to lose?

"I am Sybella Demici and I am a knight of the Jedi Order." The ancestors that came before her had dedicated themselves to the Force, serving as champions of the Light. Though some had strayed from the righteous path, others (like her) fought with the belief they were serving the greater good. There was to be no shame in that.

"My question..." Perhaps her last, was this "...What were you hoping to find in this cave? Alduin, yes. But what else?"

Whilst speaking, the lady once more readied her weapon. Her foe knew who she was now, who she was aligned to. Would he really remain so 'civil'? Perhaps she ought to strike first. Why delay the inevitable, given their factions' historical conflict?

 

[Morgon]

Morgon already knew her name, he was just giving her the convenience of knowing his because it was fair. Or at least it seemed fair in the Anzat's eyes. Sybella Demici was a Jedi Knight- for now -and Morgon, a Sith Champion. How could such opposites decide not to murder the other? Quite simply, they could leave and forget they saw each other. No blood needed to be spilled- but Morgon had too ravenous an appetite to forego such an endeavor.

"Alduin holds something I want for myself... It is small, and seemingly pointless, but I desire it all the same." Morgon withheld himself from cackling again, but his grim smile would've chilled any who saw it. Of course, Morgon had no intention of revealing whatever Alduin held, and surely Sybella understood. Knowledge was power, afterall.

"Though, there was one more thing I was after..." Morgon began to walk through the darkness, positioning himself further into the shadows where he could see Sybella. "Something that Alduin forsook..." With a flick of his wrist, an illusionary duplicate of Morgon appeared across from his own position. It was a ploy to try and bait Sybella to come down from her perch. From the duplicate's mouth came Morgon's voice, "Something that caused him more grief than losing his own family... Someone, Sybella Demici, and that someone...is you."

Another shrill cackle escaped from both ends of the cave, creating an evil and malicious echo of the damned Anzat's voice. A storm of the Dark Side swelled throughout the planet, and this cave was no different.

Sybella should've chosen to light the darkness.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Whirling to the left of her, and then to the right, Sybella's eyes searched the darkness desperately. A second voice? How was that possible? Were there really two of them? She hadn't sensed another presence; then again, that wasn't saying much. It was like the entire planet was working against her, defying her at every opportunity.

Realising too late the danger she was in, a voice instead rang out from within. 'Run, you fool...'

With an all-mighty jump, the Jedi abandoned her perch. Tumbling to the ground, Sybella rolled and recovered into a sprint. Open ground, outside the cave, would provide better opportunities; right now, she was too enclosed. The Sith would likely make the cavernous dugout her tomb if given half the chance.

Seeing him there, standing before her, almost made her skid to a stop but yet again, a spectral voice urged her forward. 'Only an illusion... Flee'

Against her better judgement, Sybella obeyed. Lurching herself further ahead, she rocketed through the illusionary mass. It surprised her, sure enough, but she wasted no time; calling on the Force, the Jedi yet again augmented her speed. In a mad dash, she covered a great amount of ground, vaulting from one rock before jumping over another. The ground, strangely enough, was cracking beneath; soon enough, great craters formed seemingly intent on swallowing her whole. One last leap of faith finally carried her out.

Skidding rather unceremoniously to a sudden stop, the Jedi rounded the mouth of the cave. In a moment of desperation, she reached out her hands and attempted to command Felucia's great fauna. The Force flowed strongly through the fibres of the plants; giant, iridescent mushrooms twisted and warped themselves into apparent animation...yet they did not wholly obey.

'They're...fighting me?' Sybella realised. She had hoped to collapse the entrance of the cave, or at least block most of its space. The plants, however, continued their violent dance, undulating in abandon before finally slamming down, dormant once more.

 

[Morgon]

Brave one, wasn't she... Running straight into the illusion wasn't what Morgon expected. Sybella was stronger than she gave herself credit for. Most Jedi would've already panicked and tried to kill Morgon, falling into his trap. But, this Jedi remained level headed and left the cave all to the Anzat, spoiling his malicious intent.

Carefully and thoughtfully, the Nightbrother stalked Sybella, pacing a good distance behind her. There was no weapon drawn as both were now place on his hip. For now, he'd continue to play with his food until it bit back. Once the woman got outside the cave, Morgon began coiling the shadows around him, darkening the area and covering it in shadow as he exited the cave, bringing the caverns darkness with him.

"You are connected to Alduin- and I most know how and why, Sybella Demici." Morgon grinned in the summoned darkness before releasing the shadows. As they dispersed, Sybella would see Morgon's outstretched hand offering a handshake. "Share with me, Sybella Demici, and I will promise never to plague you or your people again." There was no deceit in the promise, and Sybella would know it. Morgon couldn't make this offer for the entirety of his people, but currently, the Empire posed the biggest threat to the Sith. Not the Jedi. "No more lies... No more secrets... I will not offer this a second time, Sybella Demici. Will you sit and converse with a Sith or will you be my long awaited lunch?"

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Looking at the Sith's outstretched hand, Sybella almost wanted to laugh. Out of sheer disbelief, of course. Was he serious? After all his taunting and veiled threats, he expected her to take his hand - just like that? She'd sooner cut off her own appendage before willingly offering it to him in return. Better yet, she ought to relieve him of the hand himself.

But just when Sybella was about to activate her saber, a piercing voice rang out within her mind. It was so strong, it stayed her hand, halting its movement. 'Do as he instructs...'

Blinking in apparent disbelief, the shrouded lady spoke out, rather absently, "What...?"

'You can not beat him. Not as you are.'

Now Sybella did laugh, though the sound was utterly humourless. Honestly, she felt insulted; after everything they'd been through, after all the jabs and barbs - this was the proverbial line in the sand? Feeling somewhat spiteful, the Jedi was almost tempted to prove the spectre wrong. 'You can't...you can't know that!'

'Oh, but I do. Foolish girl, have you forgotten? I see all. I know all...If only you had listened to me sooner, then perhaps you stood a chance. But this...the power he wields, it is beyond your ken. If you were to relinquish control to me, however, then we may-'

"No! No, no..." Trailing off, Sybella realised her error. She had spoken aloud. If she was lucky, the Sith would just think her struck stupid with fear. Composing herself once more, all be it with gritted teeth, the Jedi submitted to the comprise. "No... No tricks, Sith. We will converse, but that is all. I swear, if you try anything like that again-" she said, gesturing to the cave, "- then this will be the last conversation you'll ever have."

 

[Morgon]

There it is... Morgon had no interest in the Jedi, but only in the wraith that stalked her. The dark tendrils conversed with her through the Force- Morgon's helmet blocked his view and forced him to see using the Force to better attune to his surroundings. It allowed him to see the oddities like these that even most Force Sensitives would miss.

"Let it out, so we may converse." The Anzat cackled at his cruel ploy. "Might I speak my dark language again? Provoke it, Sybella Demici, and force it to show itself again." When the green witch-light flickered in the cave, it unmasked the red mist's presence. Did that need to happen again or did it randomly project itself whenever it felt like it? Was it truly a spirit as Alduin described, or was this the true Sybella Demici held within?

Speak to me, Dead-Thing. Morgon's voice would grumble in Sybella's head. Telepathy was such a wonderful gift for instances like this. Tuti j'us zo dritis? Diyis dari j'us inamsi tsi muis And how on earth did this dark thing come to meet a Jedi? Why not choose a Sith- Or perhaps, it chose Sybella because she was Demici. Yes, that made sense. This was some long lost ancestor, wasn't it.

"And you will call me Morgon." He receded his hand back to his side as he spat at Sybella. "If you call me 'Sith', I will not know which one you speak of- The one in front of you, or the one inside you, mhm..."

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

How desperately Sybella wished to deny them. To actually allow them to speak to one another, and converse? It was a calamity waiting to happen. For the most part, the Demici family ignored the transgressions of their past; those who brought shame to the family name were often cast aside in the hereditary tomes. Lujayn had been no different; it didn't stop Sybella from researching what she could though. Know your enemy, and all that. Jedi archives confirmed the sordid story.

The woman in red had continued the familial tradition of joining the Jedi ranks. Admitedly, her feats and accomplishments were of little repute; she, like many others, had fought on behalf of the Galactic Republic. Perhaps not the most accomplished fighter, records suggested Lujayn's skills lay more in the Force. She was a surprisingly accurate seer, though the council at the time limited the faith in such persuits. How she fell under the influence of Count Dooku was still very much mystery; then again, many had fallen under his sway. From what Sybella could gleam, Lujayn was in pursuit of something - knowledge, most likely. Siding with the Sith, and his dark acoltyes, was apparently a price she was willing to pay in order to obtain it.

A sensation washed over the young Jedi. She shivered ever so slightly, before casting to her side a withering look. It was as she feared. "She needs no provoking. Not anymore..."

Just the mere thought of her was enough to invite the spectre into being. Red, fog like tendrils began to materialised; like a swarm of locust, they converged, amassing into shape the figure of a woman garbed in only in dated robes. The resemblance was rather uncanny, though the face of Lady Lujayn looked rather gaunt. Talon like fingers attempted to caress Sybella's cheek but she wouldn't allow it, choosing instead to scuttle back out of reach.

Tutting at Sybella's usual antics, the spectre muttered a customary insult, "Perpetual child..."

It then turned, seeming ready to acknowledge the presence of another. With eyes of burning embers, the spectre seemed to assess Morgon; meetings with Sith were becoming so frequent, it actually seemed interested in making comparisons. There was the inquisitor on the costal planet, and the stark, raving mad one in the backwater of nowhere. This one however spoke the ancient language, the wraith of Lady Lujayn seemed to appreciate this. Though not her native tongue, she had gorged herself on so many Sith relics, she had all but adopted the language.

“Berniuk kraujas. Nu sua nenx kraygerys”

Fading in and out of corporeal form, the spectre's visage was ever shifting. Sometimes, it appeared solid with a face of woman beyond her prime. It would then appear as if she was wilting, the flesh exposed to view apparently melting away. It was a constant cycle, the price of existing within a plane of existence she no longer had right to occupy.

Sybella couldn't even stand to look at her, and the ghost acknowledged this with a rueful sneer. “Tave mesinis iv nuyak mesinis. Xisad mazo inoruti. Nu zinot ny kia doz'van, ar tik m'tye tariam klazje ”

The Jedi, not privy to the foul language, glanced uneasily between the two figures. One clad in darkness, whilst the other was bathed in red. Sybella wouldn't remember being in a situation worse than this. She needed to think of a way to escape, whilst the two remained occupied with one another's presence.

 

[Morgon]

Morgon was...no longer captivated. Perhaps he set his expectations too high? For some reason, the Anzat was half expecting Count Dooku to stand before them but this nobody of a wraith appeared instead. No matter, there was still much to learn and abuse. Sybella was holding all of this back and remained a Jedi? It was respectable indeed, though if the woman understood what sort of advantage she had... Perhaps it was best not to teach the Jedi.

"Why would you attach yourself to her of all people?" Morgon asked with great skepticism. Did this thing wish to repent of past sins? Likely not, given how Sybella reacted to her very presence. Maybe it was an accident that neither had control of. "What is it you seek? What will lay your spirit to rest, Dead-Thing?" Now the Nightbrother was curious, occasionally glancing at Sybella to make sure she didn't try anything stupid.

"And you, Sybella Demici of the Jedi Order- Do your allies know of this? What do you think would happen to you if they found out? There is great skill that comes with wielding the Darkness. It does not make you weak if your will is strong." He cackled again and smiled his fanged smile. "You have been given an opportunity like no other... Why waste it?" It must have been torture to have another being live in your head that shared perverse ideologies compared to your own. How had the Jedi resisted this for so long?

Morgon hoped that his words about her Order would provoke something else. Was this a secret, or did her council know? If they did, they probably wouldn't have sent her anywhere too far away from the Jedi. Or maybe her Jedi Council was testing her by sending her after Sith like Morgon, to see if she was strong enough. That didn't seem very Jedi-like to the Nightbrother, but then again, Alduin wasn't your typical Dark Sider either.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella chose not to answer. Her souring expression said enough though. Of course, the Jedi knew nothing of this; there had been one, a Councilor, but he had perished in battle shortly after the discovery. Faen had known as well, yet never did he offend her with any judgement. For that she was thankful; the Knight was more than capable of shaming herself - she did not need it from others; what would her Order say, should they bear witness to the spectre? Would they pity her, recognising her plight or would they be aghast at the wraith's very existence? Darkness begets darkness, as the saying goes.

Once again, the spirit of Lady Lujayn chortled; she found much delight in the torment of her kin. "They will betray you. The Jedi. You know this - Have I not warned you, time and time again? Still, you refuse to listen." The mirthful smile then turned rueful. "You think yourself above this? We are one and the same. Again and again, you choose to seek out conflict; instead of wasting away like the rest of them, pursuing peace." As if to prove this point, the wraith then gestured to Morgon.

Shaking her head, Sybella did as she had always done. She refused to listen. "You are vile, spitting nothing but poison..."

"And you are ungrateful. It is I who has kept you alive. Me, and me alone, who has preserved you! Us!"

Agitated, yet again, the wraith wrapped in red turned from her unruly kin; it was as if she could no longer bear the sight of such disobedience. Instead, the spectre of Lady Lujayn turned her amber-eyed gaze back once more to Morgon. He had asked her what she sought. The question, ironically, seemed to amuse her - like there was a scheme the Sith was not yet privy to. “Antai kash savaka kia buti see ir nu adata lot okuny kia dary zhol...”