- Joined
- Nov 26, 2016
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There were very few things that could set off Darth Cain's temper. He prided himself on being cool headed, using his passions and emotions to draw power at the most opportune time. Some called him a coward, he preferred the term 'sane'. Yet as he strode down the narrow path that stretched like an extended blade between monoliths of glossy black stone, he was furious, and he made no effort to hide his loss of temperament. A scowl shattered his normally well kept good looks and his eyes glowed with unspeakable deeds as of yet not committed.
The promenade that he walked made up the entry way to the Basilica of Tund, the very core of his precious Inquisition and the place where he found his greatest solace. He stopped at the impressive gates, carefully designed to appear as part of the walls themselves, only to thrust his hand forward. An eruption of energy threw the mighty doors open and he strode through them as the Basilica security moved to intercept. Cain tilted his head, looking each of them in the eye as they moved into position, confusion plastered on their faces. One of them lowered his weapon.
"M-my lord? What are-" He was not given an opportunity to pose his question.
"Die." Cain ordered, forcing his will upon those present. His mind blasted through their own, grasping at their will, their hearts, their emotions and drawing them all down into the pits of absolute despair. They cried out in grief that they did not understand-and never would-as they threw themselves onto their own weapons. Acrid steam rose from their corpses as Cain strode past. He raised his voice.
"Cardamon!" Cain roared. Silence gripped the basilica as he called out the name of the high priest again, and again, and again. Each time he thrust his will out into the force, grasping at columns and throwing them to the ground. Power danced around him like a hurricane, teeth of raw force power ripping through the flesh of any who dared approach him. Cain let out another empowered shout, pushing through the doors into the sanctuary.
Standing at the altar, High Priest Cardamon turned on his heel, a smile playing on his lips.
"My Lord, Darth Cain! It is an honor t-" He froze, clawing at his throat. Cain raised a hand cupped in a pinching gesture. He squeezed down on the man's trachea. Cardamon struggled, trying to use his own power to push off Cain's grip, but to no avail. Cain stormed up the steps and physically grabbed the man by the throat, squeezing him until he stopped resisting.
"Cardamon... you imbecile. You ordered that assault?" Cain bellowed into his face. The man gasped, trying to speak, his fear tasting to Cain like fine wine. "Do you think I am a fool? Do you think my Grand Inquisitor a fool?" He demanded, squeezing harder now, his fingers digging into the man's flesh as if he wanted to physically puncture it with them. The man gagged and tried to shake his head, tried to plead his case.
"You think, that because I like to have a little fun now and then that I am not a being capable of upholding my station?! What do you take me for?!" He snarled, lifting him bodily by one hand and casting him down to the steps. Cardamon tumbled, striking each step as he fell to the base of the podium. Cain rounded on him, stalking in his direction. Cardamon coughed, trying to get to his feet.
"M-my Lord! I-I-I would never!" Cardamon pleaded, dropping to his knees. His bewilderment palpable; and his embarrassment complete. Dozens of young acolytes stood in the sanctuary around them, watching as their Dark Lord rained judgment upon a sinner. "T-they were heretics, my lord! Heretics!" Cain threw out his hand and flames lept from his fingertips, coating Cardamon. Cardamon screamed, writhing in agony as the flames began to consume him.
"They were a weapon of the Empire! They were a resource! Property of the Emperor!" Cain cried, throwing out his other hand. "And you! You have outlived your usefulness to this Empire! Your wasteful disregard for my will has cost the Empire dearly! You will pay for it with your life." Cain hissed as the man fell silent beneath the blanket of flames. Cain ended his onslaught, whipping his hands down and turning to the crowd.
"Where is the highest ranking Inquisitor here? SPEAK!" He bellowed.
The promenade that he walked made up the entry way to the Basilica of Tund, the very core of his precious Inquisition and the place where he found his greatest solace. He stopped at the impressive gates, carefully designed to appear as part of the walls themselves, only to thrust his hand forward. An eruption of energy threw the mighty doors open and he strode through them as the Basilica security moved to intercept. Cain tilted his head, looking each of them in the eye as they moved into position, confusion plastered on their faces. One of them lowered his weapon.
"M-my lord? What are-" He was not given an opportunity to pose his question.
"Die." Cain ordered, forcing his will upon those present. His mind blasted through their own, grasping at their will, their hearts, their emotions and drawing them all down into the pits of absolute despair. They cried out in grief that they did not understand-and never would-as they threw themselves onto their own weapons. Acrid steam rose from their corpses as Cain strode past. He raised his voice.
"Cardamon!" Cain roared. Silence gripped the basilica as he called out the name of the high priest again, and again, and again. Each time he thrust his will out into the force, grasping at columns and throwing them to the ground. Power danced around him like a hurricane, teeth of raw force power ripping through the flesh of any who dared approach him. Cain let out another empowered shout, pushing through the doors into the sanctuary.
Standing at the altar, High Priest Cardamon turned on his heel, a smile playing on his lips.
"My Lord, Darth Cain! It is an honor t-" He froze, clawing at his throat. Cain raised a hand cupped in a pinching gesture. He squeezed down on the man's trachea. Cardamon struggled, trying to use his own power to push off Cain's grip, but to no avail. Cain stormed up the steps and physically grabbed the man by the throat, squeezing him until he stopped resisting.
"Cardamon... you imbecile. You ordered that assault?" Cain bellowed into his face. The man gasped, trying to speak, his fear tasting to Cain like fine wine. "Do you think I am a fool? Do you think my Grand Inquisitor a fool?" He demanded, squeezing harder now, his fingers digging into the man's flesh as if he wanted to physically puncture it with them. The man gagged and tried to shake his head, tried to plead his case.
"You think, that because I like to have a little fun now and then that I am not a being capable of upholding my station?! What do you take me for?!" He snarled, lifting him bodily by one hand and casting him down to the steps. Cardamon tumbled, striking each step as he fell to the base of the podium. Cain rounded on him, stalking in his direction. Cardamon coughed, trying to get to his feet.
"M-my Lord! I-I-I would never!" Cardamon pleaded, dropping to his knees. His bewilderment palpable; and his embarrassment complete. Dozens of young acolytes stood in the sanctuary around them, watching as their Dark Lord rained judgment upon a sinner. "T-they were heretics, my lord! Heretics!" Cain threw out his hand and flames lept from his fingertips, coating Cardamon. Cardamon screamed, writhing in agony as the flames began to consume him.
"They were a weapon of the Empire! They were a resource! Property of the Emperor!" Cain cried, throwing out his other hand. "And you! You have outlived your usefulness to this Empire! Your wasteful disregard for my will has cost the Empire dearly! You will pay for it with your life." Cain hissed as the man fell silent beneath the blanket of flames. Cain ended his onslaught, whipping his hands down and turning to the crowd.
"Where is the highest ranking Inquisitor here? SPEAK!" He bellowed.
@EmilyHuene