Dagobah, location unknown
2232 local time
A wretched swamp world not too far from the main trade routes but so remote and inhospitable that few had touched down on its surface in its ancient history. A planet discovered and forgotten, scouted and catalogued, only to somehow slip through the cracks and be lost again and again. Empires had risen and fallen and it had simply been there, shrouded not by its location, but by something else that none could quite place their finger on. Perhaps there was something sinister in the dark bog, hidden by the canopy of gnarled branches and drooping leaves, deep within the forest that never saw the sun. He watched it through the window as their ship jumped out of hyperspace and the green orb slowly grew in front of them.
Dagobah. Home and final resting place of a Jedi Master who had always known more than he let on and who had somehow managed to discern the intricacies of the Galaxy, the inner working of the Force itself. Perhaps it had been this slimy backwater planet that had cleared his mind and opened his eyes. Perhaps he had just been an outlier, fated to be a sage the likes of which the Galaxy had never seen. Veles did not know if the answers could be found among the bog, and he was not here for answers. He was here out of curiosity.
Ever since his deep dive into sorcery and the mentorship of the Empress, he had begun to notice things he previously had not. As the power grew within him, it seemed as though the Galaxy opened itself up to him, as though the darkness perked up and began tugging at him from different corners of charted and uncharted space. To search every whim out would take a lifetime, but there were places that stood out from others. The darkness he felt emanating from Dagobah had threatened to drive him mad as he scoured and searched for mentions of the planet or its location. Partly helped by various texts and partly guided by following the tug, at last he had managed to find it.
"Approaching the surface," the pilot declared into their comms. "T minus 5 minutes to landing."
He turned away from the window and strapped his seatbelt on as the ship entered orbit and they began making their descent. Many an expedition had sought Dagobah out, only for the explorers to find themselves trapped in the swamp's waters. They would not be worrying about that today; an experienced pilot and appropriate ship ensured that. He was no longer a Champion stumbling aimlessly through the Galaxy. He was a Sith Lord now, and the responsibility hung heavy over him, a welcome burden. It ensured, at least, that he would not be left in want of anything ever again, now that the power was at the tips of his fingers.
The craft shook a little as they approached the ground, the wind humming as it clashed with the durasteel of the hull. Veles' gaze shifted upwards, his eyes setting on his companion for this trip. A clever mind and swift fighter indeed, but that was not why she was here. Truth be told, the Lord had taken an interest to the girl. Perhaps just harmless curiosity. Perhaps a subconscious desire to poke and prod and see what the teachings of Caelestis instilled in his only student. Nevertheless, Malou was the most competent Acolyte he had ever met, and he knew the promise she showed. And above all, he remembered Taris, and the way she carried herself in battle. This was someone who deserved to accompany him on this trip, who he knew would use any knowledge gained.
Oh, how he'd changed since they last met. He was not much older now, but the past two years had been eventful, and it was even visible on his physique. Slightly thinner but still just as toned, an appearance that many foolishly interpreted as frail. His skin paler than ever, his face bearing the telltale bruises of one who convened with the Shadow. His eyes had succumbed to the dark side, even the whites corrupted into a black sclera dark like obsidian. Then again, Malou was blind. He didn't suppose she would notice much of a difference visually, but the heavy, deep presence he radiated was unmistakable.
"Yes, it is a swampland," he admitted, clearing the air before the subject was even brought up. "But I promise next time I'll take you somewhere hospitable."
@lizziie