Open Serenno The Culling

[Sybella Demici]

The Steppe of Serenno

​

On the magnificent planet of Serenno, where lush forests met sprawling mountains, a thrilling and primal event was about to take place—a wolf hunt like no other. The grand tradition had been passed down through a number of generations, entwining the Serenno people with the captivating prowess of the native wolf packs that roam their shared lands. As the afternoon sun began to cast its golden rays upon the verdant wilderness, a number of hunters started to gather; clad in sturdy leather garments, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols, the hunters were a testament to the harmonious coexistence between humanity and the untamed wild. Some were hired from off-world and were representing one or two of the Great Houses. Others actually belonged to the noble families themselves and were ready to take an active role in what was to come. Like Sybella Demici.

Whilst most of the gentry relaxed in the air on leisure barges, the lady Jedi was in the thick of the forest. Prepping her gear, and checking her mount, she remained mindful and ever observant. Seasoned trackers and guides would take the lead for the majority of the hunt. They did, after all, possess an intimate understanding of the wolves' behaviour and habits. It also meant they risked encountering the spine-wolves first. Therefore, each and every one of them carried a bow or a finely crafted rifle, attuned to the necessity of balancing the thrill of the chase with the need for conservation.

The wolves of Serenno, majestic creatures adorned with thick, spines instead of fur, embodied both the planet's regality and resilience. They were understandably rather fierce beasts. With no contending predators, it fell on the people to oversee the annual cull. Some may deem the practice cruel, but many agreed it was a necessary evil. With the hunters weaving through the undergrowth, the wolves responded with an almost preternatural intelligence, a dance would begin between predator and prey which transcended mere survival. The chase would most certainly become an intricate game of strategy and skill, where every step and every heartbeat held the promise of victory or defeat.

When Sybella had first arrived, some had sneered. A Jedi, actively partaking in a hunt? Indeed, the act of killing seemed counter-intuitive but for the most part, the heiress of House Demici ignored their jabs. Her mother, Countess Idesta, was watching like a hawk from overhead; today was not the day to break with tradition. If she wished to prove herself, she would endure this rite. Mounting her steed, the lady knight was conscious of her lightsabers still affixed to her belt. She understood the wolf hunt on Serenno was more than a mere pursuit; it is a testament to the enduring bond between humanity and the natural world. Yes, it was a blood sport but it ensured the equilibrium of their planet.

To many, it was a reminder that both predator and prey were essential threads; one compliments the other, especially when woven into the rich tapestry of life.

Spoiler

Premise: Partaking in a spot of hunting on the planet of Serenno. The cull is an annual event, most done with the purpose of controlling the predator popular. Main targets the spine-wolves of Serenno. Dice is allowed (if preferred) when engaging any of the beasts.

 

[Darth Raze]

The social experiments of engaging humans for chit chat continued to hold entertainment value for him. He could draw out whatever knowledge he sought forcefully, but it usually did some damage and he didn’t have the patience to deal with the aftermath. Charm came to him easily enough from having been Emryc Thorne for decades. One didn’t get to the top of the galaxy without knowing how to play social games.

He had his goals for Serenno, and that meant mingling and learning more about the local families. It was easy to mentally subjugate individuals, but it was far more effective to plant subtle seeds that they spread to others. House Malvern was already making moves that were benefiting him and he had little doubt others would follow. And if it went South? He would simply have a feast and destroy yet another planet. He knew how to be a scourge, it was time to try something subtle.

Alistair Winchester was in the viewer area, surrounded by a throng of women as he told them tales of his travels across the galaxy. They were all only partially embellished truths - after all, he really had been the President of a government spanning hundreds of thousands of planets in the Outer Rim. He had to partake in countless local customs and traditions in the name of diplomacy.

It wasn’t long before he engaged Countess Idesta as well - or more accurately her curiosity on this individual that was drawing so much attention lured her to him. Humans were predictable - anyone that presented even an illusion of importance automatically generated more to manufacture that into reality. All the giggling and admiration around him was enough to turn the heads of those he actually targeted.

He was nursing a glass of wine, glancing over to see his hunting group gathering with the others below. He would descend to deal the final blow, but he was not going to truck through the woods himself. Lady Malvern had taken a liking to him, and she was hovering around him almost possessively, giving Countess Idesta a forced smile as they approached.

“Lady Demici,” He said proactively as the older woman approached, “It is a pleasure,” He said as he grasped her hand and planted a kiss. He was dressed in formal attire for the occasion, his hair neatly tied in a low ponytail. For all intents and purposes he presented as a handsome, yet slightly elusive noble.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

Countess Idesta of House Demici was a woman of moderate age; naturally, she carried herself with regal poise, a true testament to her noble lineage. There was an unmistakable air of confidence about her, born from years of experience navigating the complexities of courtly life. When she approached Alistair, peers around her grew silent in order to observe the fated exchange. She had heard the tales; a mysterious figure had emerged within Serenno's social circles. Some, in hushed tones, called him a sycophant but the Countess (never one to rush in judgement) would reserve her verdict. More time was needed in order to better gauge him.

As one of the planet's leading figures, the Lady of House Demici commanded much respect. Her name carried weight. She was not a mere figure of elegance but rather a shrewd diplomat, serving her late husband faithfully as a wise advisor. Her wisdom and insight were often sought after by both friends and allies, making her a trusted confidante in matters of governance and personal affairs. Despite her influence, however, Countess Idesta was mostly genial in nature. She was known for her charitable endeavours, supporting various causes and lending a helping hand to those in need. Her generosity extended beyond her titles and wealth, as she genuinely cared for the well-being of those who inhabited her ancestral lands.

Accepting Alistair's kiss on the hand, the matronly woman returned the gesture with the customary curtsy. "Lord Winchester, I presume. So good of you to join us on this momentous day. I've heard many things..."

Mainly from the upstart Arlo and his rather irate family. It was a veiled reference, one she was sure the Anzat would recognise. Whilst her own daughter had remained stubbornly tight-lipped, the lesser gentry had made their displeasure abundantly clear. They were creating such a commotion, citing Alistair as the primary instigator. Perhaps it was for the best. Had the family more prominence, their fuss might have made a scandal; naturally, the countess squashed such qualms. She would tolerate many things, but never threats against her beloved house.

A yowl erupted from over the side of the barge. First blood had been drawn but none other than Sybella herself. Customary claps hang out amongst the spectators, yet the Countless hardly moved an inch. It would have been rude of her to disengage from her current conversation. Her daughter was more than capable of holding her own against mere beasts.

On the ground below, the Demici heiress (still mounted) twirled her spear till the blood of the spine-wolf was flung clean off. She had slashed the creature across the side of its face, saving another hunter and his unsuspecting guide. The animal snarled at her, snapping its jaws whilst its elongated tongue licked at the cranial wound. The hide was tough, and the muscles beneath equally dense. Yet in terms of size, the wolf wasn't anything special; more than likely, it was a scout. Her suspicions were confirmed when it reared back, unleashing a harrowing howl. It was calling for reinforcements. Soon, the rest of the pack would converge.

Sybella made a signal of her own, blowing on a traditional bugle. Other hunters were welcome to join her but she would be the one leading charge.

@Darth Raze
@Sreeya

 

[Darth Raze]

He heard the tone in her voice, and he decided he could manipulate this. The only Jedi in the area was far away in the forest and couldn’t sense any Force use here. That was by design. While Demici was a big name, Palermo, Nalju, Malvern and others were all in attendance. Countess Demici could prance about like a queen all she wanted, she was among a throng of big names. One of those names happened to Malvern - standing right next to him. He didn’t do much - but he did cause a light nudge in the Force through the minds of those around him. To invoke amplify thoughts and impulses that were there to begin with. Deep seeded rivalries, hatred, competition, scandals, all of it churned within the minds of those around him.

“Heard what things? That yet another attempt at getting your pathetic wretch of a daughter betrothed went awry?” Lady Malvern snapped, “You make all these charitable endeavors, all these humanitarian drives, but don’t think it fools any of us. It’s all to distract from the fact that you can’t manage to raise a single issue that would take up the mantle. Your daughter would rather grovel around the galaxy, doing errands no one else wants to do for peasants in the name of some religious cult. Your house is going extinct, so stop blaming everyone but yourself,” She finished with a scoff, throwing back her drink.

There was a collective, audible gasp all around them. Raze said nothing, brows raised in surprise. As if on cue, Arlo and his family emerged. Lady Demici hadn’t invited them - Raze had discreetly arranged for it - but the optics were terrible just the same. Naturally, Arlo, his mind addled by design, made a beeline right for Alistair Winchester. He tackled the Anzat who played along for now.

“Countess, what is the meaning of this!” Palermo shouted, “Why have you invited Vemec here after disgracing them?”

Shame. Shame. Shame. Countess Idesta was on stage. The spotlight was on her. She would feel the weight of all her failures. She had the attention like she always wanted, but in such a twisted, horrible way. Every Great House was looking at her. She would vaguely be aware of someone pulling Arlo off the Winchester noble. She didn’t invite them, but no one would believe that. Her daughter was down there in the dirt and mud playing at hunting instead of advancing the Demici line.

Shame. Shame. Shame.

It was the tolling of a bell that grew louder and louder. It made her head hurt and almost explode. In the distance, through the blurred seas of crowds, she would see a single figure. It was that Winchester again. But she glimpsed him as something else. Something unnatural. He calmly wiped away the faintest trace of blood from the corner of his graceful lips. His eyes met hers. She saw the wraith then. She saw a monster. A demon. She wanted to cry out, to point him out to others, but she couldn't find the words.

And then she felt the overwhelming, unstoppable compulsion to turn and throw herself off the edge of the barge's balcony.

@HoneyMagpie

 

[Darth Tiamat]

A hunt...how hard could this be? It wasn't like she would be taking down a krayt dragon or chasing down a specimen for the Lord Winchester now inhabited as he sat in the observation barge. The thought of Raze sitting up there brought an internal huff to the woman, the shadows in her mind teasing and pulling on the emotions she had locked so far and so deep to ensure she would always have the leverage before anyone else. But she couldn't deny they were there.

Ms. Asteria had received some curious looks, some smirks, and eyeing from some of the men, of whom Tia could feel their true intentions. She carried herself with confidence though, keeping to the ground with the guides and trackers, her pack close against her back with the gear she felt would be most needed; she carried Renfry's hunting knife at her side, and cradled the rifle in her arm. The woman kept a cautious eye on her surroundings, she was a stranger in a home of many predators. Her fingers grazed along the side of a tree, picking up on some bits of fur and dropped it into the palm of one of the guides. She turned her head, hearing the bugle call, but there was something else.

One of the trackers gave a whistle, signaling something ahead. Tia could feel it and readied her rifle.

@HoneyMagpie @Sreeya

 

[Sybella Demici]

At first, Countess Idesta did not respond. In fact, she seemed rather indifferent. Acknowledging such besmirchment would only validate it; having lived as long, and survived twice as much, she had seen her fair share of political carnage. The Great Houses were a formidable force when united, but occasionally they could also be their own worst enemies - picking at one another when it suited their betterment. To her credit, Countess Idesta kept up a flawless mask, even when under fire from the Lady of House Malvern. Impertinent woman. Glancing at the empty glass, the Demici matriarch did little but offer up a rather condescending arch of the brow; it was clear she implied Lady Malvern had already addled herself with too much drink - therefore, her words were inconsequential.

Arlo's brazen behaviour was harder to excuse. Palermo had outright accused Idesta, suggesting they were there by her invitation. Utter nonsense. Only a fool would commit such a societal blunder. Nevertheless, in tackling Alistair, Arlo and his family had further proven their unsuitability. She was about to give them a piece of her mind and restore some order when an odd sensation fell over her. It was heavy, the haze that ensnared her. Everything within her range of perception became strangely distant...except for Alistair. Except for him and those unsettling red eyes.

Her expression, now twisted reflected that of a great burden. Seemingly out of nowhere, a myriad of troubles plagued her mind. The weight of her responsibilities, the unrelenting pressures of societal expectations, and the loss of her beloved had taken their toll. At that moment, she believed that the only escape from her anguish lay in the abyss below. With a mixture of desperation and resignation, she took a step forward, her body leaning precariously into the void.

The air grew heavy with the collective gasps of onlookers who had been drawn to the scene by chance or intuition. Some shouted, imploring her to reconsider, their words laced with fear and concern. But the countess remained steadfast, her mind consumed by a cloud of despair that enveloped her every thought.

She leapt, apparently without a moment of hesitation.

As she plummeted towards the jagged rocks and solid earth, time seemed to slow down. The world became a blur of motion and emotion. Countess Idesta's heart beat frantically within her chest as a flicker of regret came upon the same moment realisation set in. She hadn't screamed, try as she might though. A gasp rose from the crowd as they witnessed her miraculous survival, but their relief was quickly replaced by concern. Countess Idesta lay motionless, her body broken and battered upon the unforgiving ground. Blood mingled with vibrant grass, seeping from the wounds that marked her fall. Cries rang out and attendants on the ground rushed to her side. At first, they thought her dead, seeing as her eyes remained closed. Somehow, as if by fate, the matriarch still drew breath, though it was heavily laboured and gargled with the collapsing of her lungs. Suspended between life and death, her existence hanging in a delicate balance. Medical authorities were summoned immediately, yet whether they could preserve her was beyond knowing.

Out in the forests, Sybella felt something. It was sharp and painful, unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Though some distance from the floating barges, her head turned in the general direction as if compelled by an unseen force.

"...Mother?"

Distracted, the Jedi didn't notice the spine-wolf leap from overhead. Using the weight of its bulky body, the beast unseated her from her panicking mount. Jaws snapped viciously at her, but the heiress used her spear to block its maw. Staring at the creature mere inches from her own face, Sybella let out a bawling shriek. She wasn't quite sure what had happened exactly, but she was almost certain it was something terrible. Something truly awful. Without a second thought, she used the Force to crush the spine-wolf's skull; thick, scorching blood spurted from its cranial orifices, painting the Jedi in an array of grotesque splotches.

It mattered not. With her heart thumping, the heiress kicked off the body and rose to her feet but soon more wolves emerged from the woods, blocking her path.

 

[Darth Raze]

He played his part well, Arlo pulled away by guards with his arms bound. He looked completely perplexed at his own actions, but he couldn’t deny the rage that burned inside. His mother was in hysterics as she was ushered away. Lady Malvern was left standing in stunned silence, throwing back drink after drink. Palermo and other nobles were fussing over Alistair Winchester, who had been physically attacked by a crazed man. And of course paramedics were sent down to find where Countess Demici landed.

Raze knew the implications of this - Sybella Demici could abandon the Jedi and take up the Demici mantle. She would come in disgraced as the Jedi Order name had been tarnished the past few decades. She would have to start from the very bottom. Or she could shirk the ascension and let Demici go extinct. Both scenarios favored Raze to make his own power play. Malvern wasn’t looking too great either and the other Houses would be clawing at one another. Vemec’s allies would be against Palermo for questioning Vemec’s inclusion to such an open event.

It was then that he decided to make his way down towards the forest. The other guests ran away and dispersed in terror, escorted by their private transports.

Meanwhile, Sybella would find herself across multiple beasts, all circling in on her. Some of the other hunters caught up to her, snapping at her for her sloppy behavior. These beasts could be easily agitated, and she made a show of killing one and lumbering through the forest. Of course, none of them could see the turmoil that was going on inside her mind. No one could feel the weak pulse of Idesta’s life slipping away into a place Sybella would never be able to reach.

The galaxy stood in Sybella’s way. From deep within her, a faint voice, one she thought she had silenced forever, whispered to her. It told her to silence everyone around her - wolves and hunters alike. It was almost easily missed. It was so subtle, but it was there. And she wouldn’t be able to tell whether it was her own conscience or something else.

@HoneyMagpie @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

There were more vocalized signals and whistles from the team, and Tiamat picked up her pace, finding they were backtracking on some of the trail before taking an adjacent path. They were meeting up with the others and there was a sense of urgency among the group. The forest as a whole felt hungry as Tiamat followed the trackers, she could hear the yelping and growling in the distance, then a feral yell- howls broke across the forest, making it near impossible to tell the wolves' location but they were close, and for a moment, Tia didn't understand why there was not a call of the bugle. Something was happening, it was in the very nature of the ebb and flow of life itself.

For a brief moment, her gaze took to the barge above, several transports coming and leaving before she realized there was something going on before reaching the young Demici woman who seemed to be having troubles of her own. Covered in filth and blood, and the carcass of a wolf beside her, several others jeered at the young woman, including those of whom Tiamat had arrived with, seeming to criticize her brutality and carelessness.

The redheaded woman took a step back, her rifle held readily as the beasts closed in, their yelps and cries growing louder and seemingly ignored by the other hunters for the chance to berate the woman. Though instead of feeling terror, anguish, or even the rage as others felt, Tiamat held a sense of curiousness, as though she were teetering on an edge that was quickly dissolving any sense of order.

She pursed her lips together, as though she could taste the chaos that was just out of reach.

She had not realized the hunger she had for it until now.

@Sreeya @HoneyMagpie

 

[Sybella Demici]

A red mist descended over Sybella. Blood from the wolf had literally trickled into her eyes, staining them. People were shouting - at her? She could faintly see the moving of lips but the Jedi could hardly distinguish any of their words. Even the snarls of the wolves were slowly drowned out, replaced only with whispers and static.

One thing was certain, however. "You're in my way..."

The forest became eerily tense as darkness swallowed the once-vibrant surroundings. Even the sun itself had retreated behind clouds, bathing the entire woodlands in shadow and shade. The pack of savage spine-wolves had made themselves known to her, their eyes glowing with feral hunger; the beasts even had the gall to bear their teeth at her in anticipation.

Sybella had always strived to embody the principles of the Jedi Order, seeking balance and harmony in all things. Any other time, under any other circumstance, she might have used her abilities in the Force to influence the animals; perhaps even force them into submission. But she didn't. Not this time. Something was taking root within her; with each heavy breath, it withered and writhed.

The spine-wolves, sensing her lapse in vulnerability, lunged forward with gaping jaws.

Instinctively, the knight extended her arm, her hand clenched in a tight fist. She called upon the Force, drinking it in rather greedily until the air grew heavy with unseen power; soon enough, a wave of raw energy pulsed outwards, with her being at the centre of it all. Both man and beast were thrown back, yelps of surprise mingling with the sound of breaking branches.

It wasn't enough. The pack, though momentarily stunned, quickly regained their footing. They launched themselves at Sybella once more, their teeth gnashing and claws slashing through the air. A fire ignited from within her heart. It pained her to such an extent, she wished to tear the damn thing out.

In that pivotal moment, something within Sybella just... snapped.

Her eyes burned with a newfound intensity as something sinisterly familiarly whispered seductive tidings. It could not be constrained, nor was she able to control the torrent that was to follow. With a primal scream, the knight discarded her spear, choosing instead to draw one of her lightsabers. There was no grace in her movement, nor any of the control taught to her by the Jedi. Instead, there was just a ferocity that bordered on the edge of darkness. The vibrant blue blade danced through the air, slashing and cutting at anything that came within range. Wolves fell one after another, their bodies rent by the sheer power of her strikes. Each swing of the lightsaber became more forceful, fueled by something she wished not to name.

As the last of the attacking wolves fell, Sybella stood amid the carnage, her breath ragged and her body trembling. The echoes of her anger still lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of blood and charred flesh. The remaining wolves (now cautious) shrunk back in fear. She stared at them with vacant eyes, and then at those around her. Her hands, she noted, were still trembling and with that, the reality of her actions finally sank in. The Jedi expected a sense of guilt. At least a portion of shame. Yet there was nothing.

There was only the need to keep moving; to find her mother.

@Sreeya
@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

A storm had been invited and Tiamat welcomed the darkness.

The woman savored the chaos, the pain, and the fear the enveloped the hunting party. There was a pause by the others on what to do, uncertainty and confusion as they faced the packed predators and the threat of one of their own. Tiamat stood silently within the shadow of the forest, it followed her command as the spine-wolves emerged, their pack numbers were unknown, but they were present. They were creatures without a predator, as this jedi woman knew, they would seek to restore balance to their forest as she and the others were the invaders.

They emerged from the brush and the trees, only to be blown back by the intensity of the blast from the Jedi woman. But, as the Demici woman knew, it was a dance between predator and prey, there would only be victory or defeat, a stark contrast to the Jedi Way of balance and compassion, knowledge and learning. It seemed Sybella did not intend to have this dance and the wolves could sense it, Tiamat could sense it. The jedi was in pain and she would cleave her path with death if she had the choice, and within that there would be no balance, no mercy, only the cries of those who meant to render her powerless. The dark woman decided she would help her along.

The darkness quickly rushed back in and the wolves attacked again, but there numbers more intense, calculated and coordinated, demonstrating a preternatural advancement that had been seen time and time again by expert hunters. Just as quickly as they attacked to subdue her, they all fell, unable to get close enough to overpower the young woman. It was hard to sense through the storm the jedi had created, the darkness flowed with shapes and figures that made it difficult to distinguish friend from foe as Tiamat crafted her art within the shadows. The screams were human and inhuman, seemingly unnatural sounds from a spine-wolf only, the smell of charred flesh, blood and limbs of both man and creature circled and the forest would be scarred for decades, the dark side smiled as Sybella lowered her weapon to look upon her destruction.

The shadows lifted, but there remained nearly a tangible residue of the darkness that lingered, the air was heavy and Sybella would see their guest, Anat Asteria, cowering with her head buried in a sole survivor of the original hunting party, clutching the stump of his missing arm. In the nothingness that Sybella felt, she would see the destruction she created, the wolves and man alike, her hunting party and predators laid mangled and dead around her.

"Please, Ms. Demici, mercy, please, don't hurt us!" the wounded tracker begged, clutching Tiamat closer to him, tears filled her own eyes as she witnessed the carnage before returning a fearful gaze to the Jedi woman.

"Please, don't, no more..." the redheaded woman begged.

@Sreeya @HoneyMagpie

 

[Darth Raze]

He made his way through the forest. The paramedics were rapidly working on trying to keep a feeble pulse going for Idesta, though her mind was already gone. She had mere moments, suffering in quiet agony. He walked with the others to retrieve Sybella Demici and inform her of her mother’s attempted suicide. The exquisite aroma of death lingered in the air to where the Anzat could sense it from a distance, and it drew him towards where he knew the hunting party was.

Raze arrived right in time to see Sybella amidst a throng of dead bodies. He had to actively fight to hold back the grin. This turned out better than what he designed, and his crimson gaze flicked over to a familiar redhead. He briefly looked her way while he knew there was a moment for Sybella to sort through her melodrama and whatever other worthless human weaknesses she had to combat. Time seemingly slowed down as he turned to look at her while he passed.

“You’ve never been more delicious, Lyra,” Tiamat would hear his voice sear into her mind, his presence pushing against the resistance of the Kravos mental protection. He was the only being in the galaxy that could shatter past it. He was playing with her, testing the defenses as a shark would brush past the cage with teeth oh so close to snapping off a limb.

His focus returned to Sybella, concern on his face, “What happened? Sybella, you mother..”

“What- What happened here!” Some of the others with him asked, everyone growing frantic at the sight. The scene they stumbled into was scandalous - Tiamat cowering with an injured man, the rest of the hunters dead and Sybella in the middle of it all with a crazed look on her face.

@HoneyMagpie @GABA

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella was visibly struggling; cracks were forming once again and she was trying her best to hold all of those pieces together. Silvery eyes darted from one corpse to another; tears, not yet shed, threatened to spill as did the bile that sat ready right in her throat. Shaking her head, the Jedi tried desperately to banish the morbid scene from memory. It was a nightmare. It had to be. The carnage that lay before her...it couldn't be real. It can't be.

Her hair, now exposed, was fisted tightly in a clenching grip. Sybella hadn't realised her colourful shawl had fallen loose; for some absurd reason, she scanned erratically for the fabric in an effort to reclaim it but such hopes were dashed when she found the shawl laying on the ground nearby. It was spoilt. Soaked in mud and equal parts blood. The sight of it made her sick.

The voices around her weren't helping. If anything, they were frustratingly disorientating. People were asking her questions, to which she could offer no answer. Why were they still talking to her? Silence! She needed -

"SILENCE!"

The Force had amplified the sound, making sound as awful as thunder. Even the Jedi flinched, cursing again at her lack of control. Eyes were on her, she could feel them; their slithering gazes judging her. Yet again, she felt the urge to shrink away. To become invisible and drown out everything else. Allowing complete and utter darkness to consume her never seemed so inviting; its inky depths offered safe haven from her onslaught of agony. It came with a price, however. A sinister visage flickered into view. Dark, seething malice twisted at her once fine features, much like the familiar, cold venom that morphed the very hues of her eyes.

Feeling the change, Sybella scrambled to fight it off. "No!" she cried, covering her eyes in a rather childish attempt to stay the change. "No..."

Lujayn. She ought to have perished on Iego. Yet the sights of her manifestation were unmistakable; Sybella had experienced the ordeal enough times to recognise her influence. Trying to control the shade had been an exhausting and relentless endeavour. The co-existence between them had been tumultuous at best, with Sybella fighting to maintain a sense of normalcy, but the fear... The fear of losing control had loomed over her every waking moment. The knight did what she could, using her training to try and meticulously manage her emotions. It became a burden, treading so cautiously through life, hoping to avoid triggering yet another transformation. Sybella thought the witch was purged from her for good but visions of her scarlet formed were appearing everywhere.

Amongst the slaughter. Looming over the woman Tiamat before finally standing adjacent to the Anzat. The red wraith had formed and appeared to be in the process of inspecting the bloody bedlam. Sickeningly, she appeared almost proud. To those attuned to the Force, she would emerge as a vapour, red in colour. The mist would solidify into a body draped in robes of a similar hue. Parasite. Existing in tandem with Sybella's own essence. How the two of them bickered back and forth, no better than her mother-

"My mother...?" Sybella paused, eyes wide and wild becoming fixed on a familiar face. She knew him. Alistair. Staggering on feet that were now unsteady, the Jedi reached for him. Her body, now heavy, lumbered to such an extent she had to cling to the lapels of the Anzat's fine jacket just to keep her balance.

"Something has happened..." What should have been a question came out more as a statement. Desperate eyes searched the depths of his, seeking an answer. "Tell me."

Like a vulture, the scarlet spectre followed her host, draping over her like some mocking cloak. It observed the Anzat closely, all whilst bathing in Sybella's torment.

@Sreeya
@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

"Please, help him, he saved my life..." Tiamat pleaded to one of the attendees that followed after Raze to where the hunting party once stood. A pair rushed over, helping the man she was clutching to his feet; it was clear he was going into shock: his skin cold, clammy, sweat trickled down his face, and he was almost as pale as the nobleman, Mr. Winchester. He let out a cry as he moved, his injuries apparent. Another helped Tiamat to her feet, trying to sooth the woman as she asked about the others, seemingly in shock by what she was witnessing. The redheaded woman felt something on her shoulders, a blanket as the responder tried to guide Tiamat away and out of the massacre.

The woman paused for a moment, watching as Raze walked passed and over to Sybella, but it wasn't without a passing thought, a voice burned, like a branding as he spoke her birth name. His presence pushed against her, she knew he was testing, a play with her defenses as the woman knew his power would easily crush any opposition she would place before him. However, there was a danger... a veiled threat in his words perhaps, a true dance of predator and prey. Internally she couldn't help to feel a satisfaction to his response, a feeling she had from her earliest days in her training, to ensure her master was satisfied with her work and progress. Or perhaps it was a feeling of worthiness from the love she still had carried all these years.

Regardless of the reason...it was terribly distracting.

Tia heard the responder speak and the woman shook her head, "She wouldn't stop, I can't get their screams to stop, I wanted to do something to-"

"Shh, Miss Asteria, you'll be okay, come with us so we can get you checked out." the responded continued to guide Tiamat back to the speeder. The woman glanced back, inhaling deeply, the darkness receding until the currents swelled again. Tia couldn't help but to feel this hunt was a success and reminded her how much she missed exercising her power, especially without the oversight of some force-forsaken emperor or inquisition. The woman sat down on the edge of a gurney while she was checked over, watching the forest to listen and see what would unfold next.

@HoneyMagpie @Sreeya

 

[Darth Raze]

He saw her of course - the spirit that lingered like a shadow over Sybella’s shoulder. He could see it through her eyes, as tangible as the trees and life around them. But if he saw any of it, none of it manifested on his face. He stood unwavering, his gaze flicking down as Sybella grasped at his jacket. He was cool to touch as always, but he did his part, his hands coming up to gently rest on Sybella’s biceps. He gave her a reassuring squeeze, finding the gesture unnatural.

“There was a terrible accident,” He said. It was all going to be speculation anyway - there would be disputes between whether she jumped, fell, or was even pushed. Raze was in no rush to spark some sort of vengeful fire in Sybella’s heart that might inspire her to take up the Demici mantle any quicker, “I did not witness all of it..I was charged by Arlo Vemec,” He admitted.

Raze ignored the specter for now, but the way he could see through the Force would allow her to realize he could see her just fine. He gazed at Sybella with a sense of urgency, "Sybella... they are saying you killed those people," He looked at the bodies behind her, "That you are a murderer...? But that can't be!" He trailed off, though the word 'murderer' would echo within the corners of her mind by design. A sense of dread would fill her.

Before he could say anything further, sirens were heard - Ranger sirens. Someone had called the authorities reporting the incident in the forest. It would be no time before the Rangers arrived to arrest Sybella. She had choices to make.

@HoneyMagpie @GABA

 

[Nick Shaw]

"Kriffing Nobles..." he thought to himself, hand twitching as the Sector Ranger dropship bounced as it flew over the trees. They had been a constant headache during his time on Serenno.

"Alright, let's keep this tight," the Lieutenant said over the comms to the other rangers on board. "Everything by the book." he finished, looking out over the forest below. The reports they had received were vague, but that wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Apparently, a Noble had attacked others. He wasn't super familiar with the workings of Serenno politics, but it certainly wouldn't be the first time someone thinking themselves above the law had attacked and killed others.

They had already received reports from paramedics that there were dead. He could already feel the headache coming in. It was days like this that made him miss the old days of busting up gangs on Coruscant.

"One minute out." the pilot announced over the comms.

@HoneyMagpie @GABA @Sreeya

 

[Sybella Demici]

Sybella's grip on the Anzat tightened, her mind becoming fixed on just that one single word, "Accident?"

That could mean anything. Why did the man she know as Alistair insist on tormenting her with such vague statements? She needed details. Sybella needed to know what had happened and what had become of her beloved mother. Though their relationship was strained at times, the Jedi still very much loved her. Adored her just as equally as she admired. All this uncertainty was causing the woman a great amount of agony; the torrents of pain were worse than any other grievous wound. If the Anzat had left it at that, and said nothing else, then she would have sprinted from that awful place; she'd run as fast as she could until she got where she needed to be.

With great intent, one of Sybella's hands came to rest on Alistair's. She meant to pry herself free but his next sequence of words stopped her dead. Instead of seeking release, the heiress clung to him even more.

"Murderer...." Such an ugly word. How it stabbed at her. "No. No, Alistair. Please, you must believe me. I - I was only-"

"-defending yourself."

"Defending...myself?" Sybella blinked, realising then her uncertain mimicry. Looking over her shoulder, the Jedi finally acknowledged the spirit of Lujayn.

Wrapping its arms around her shoulders, the wraith spoke directly into the ears of her unwitting vessel. "Dear child. Can't you see? There are those plotting against you. Against our house. Do you think it is a mere coincidence that both you and your mother fell afoul?" Briefly, Lujayn's ember eyes flickered over to Alistair. Both she and Sybella were wondering the same thing - the Anzat could see the spectre, that much was certain. Could he hear her, as well? Undaunted, Lujayn continued to spit her poisonous words. "Do you hear that? House Vemec - The nobles. They are to blame! Always scheming. Always conspiring. Some things never change..."

Against her better judgement, Sybella listened to the words of her ancestor. She had to admit, rather dismally, they had some merit. Then again, maybe the Jedi knight was feeling desperate. The guilt. The shame. It was all starting to strangle at her, more so than Lujayn's increasing influence. In her moment of weakness, the heiress would accept any hope of absolution. Had she not always acted with benevolence? Risked her safety for that of others? She was the picture of Jedi piety. Not some savage fiend.

The sirens, barring close by, doused such delusions and reality briefly made itself known. "Rangers..." They would investigate this mess and find her at the centre of it all. Regardless of her reasons, mortality within insisted that Sybella surrender herself and face judgement. It's what every other Jedi would do...right?

"I...I need to make this right."

In a whirl of motion, the wraith took hold of Sybella, spiriting her out and away from Alistair's grasp. The knight, still shaken, stumbled rather clumsily till the ghostly hands of Lujayn steadied her. In an almost motherly gesture, the spectre cupped her descendant's face; though tender in appearance, the embrace was less than comforting. As always, Lujayn's tone was like that of a harpy. "You NEED to do right by yourself. By your family. What good will it do, throwing away your freedom? Preserve our house by preserving yourself. It is your duty!"

"But those men. Those poor men..." Sybella, with her feeble voice, felt the tears begin to fall. Remorse was coming at her like the waves of a flood.

The phantom struck her. Hard. As hard as a disembodied entity could, at least. It was enough to shunt Sybella back. At first, she thought Alistair had been the one to hit her, but soon enough she reminded herself that the relationship between her and Lujayn was that of a symbiote. Power, equally shared, was just as easily stolen; in order to exist in the physical realm, Lujayn needed to siphon off Sybella. A painful lesson she should have remembered, given previous experiences.

With a sobering flick of the tongue, the Jedi confirmed the blow had split her lip; a small but steady stream of blood had started to trickle. Lujayn, however, appeared utterly unapologetic. Truly, her apathy knew no bounds. "It matters not—that of your own dwarfs their value. Are their pounds of flesh truly worth more than your life?" Drifting aimlessly, as if compelled by the wind, Lujayn continued to loom and linger. "We have not always seen eye to eye, this I will admit. But you must endure, child. By any means necessary."

@Sreeya
@GABA
@Raydo

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat sat quietly as her vitals were checked over, her gaze rested on the path where she could see several individuals begun to cover bodies with sheets and through their passing, the woman could see the back of Raze. He continued to stand there with the Jedi woman and Tiamat had not a clue why, she was a jedi who couldn't keep herself in check, what was Raze playing at? Was he consoling her? Did he want something from a jedi?

Though what bothered her the most was why it irritated her to see it.

She knew, and yet she continued to not want to believe it. The longing was a poison, the reminder burned through her chest and down her arms into the tips of her fingers. It threatened to swallow her whole and therefore, as she concluded many times before, it was safer to not bother - relationship after relationship, same results. It was such a stupid game with rules that everyone tended to change, she just hoped she had been able to teach Theia enough so she could protect herself from unnecessary heartache.

Her blue eyes narrowed as her thoughts seemed to quiet and internally she scoffed; like Lady Malvern and now this Demici Jedi who seem to be struck by the blitz of charm and comfort, seemed oblivious even if he were to tell them the truth of his origin. Plus, where did he get the name Alistair. Tia thought about how good a bottle of wine and a hot bath sounded about now.

@Sreeya @HoneyMagpie @Raydo

 

[Darth Raze]

He remained calm even as Sybella broke away from him. Outwardly she appeared more and more psychotic, invisible threads tugging at her and an unseen force suddenly throwing her to the ground. The paramedics and others in the area backed away in fright, quickly trying to leave the scene with Tiamat.

To Raze, this was all too perfect. The Rangers crept closer and closer, and Sybella had all corners of the wall closing in on her. However, before he handed her to the wolves, he decided to speak directly to the spirit.

“What is it you seek?”

He knew to converse in the plane of the Force, through means that only Lujayn would comprehend. He had existed as an entity within Emryc’s mind long enough to know to speak with another being like himself. To both Lujayn and himself, the bodies they manifested were nothing more than bags of blood and flesh. They could be discarded at any moment if they could possess something better. The difference was that Raze had killed his host. Why did Lujayn leave hers alive? Did she still possess silly human attachments?

@HoneyMagpie @Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

The Ranger's dropship landed in a nearby clearing; they would have to make the rest of the way on foot. The squad of rangers jumped out and made their way toward the coordinates given.

Nick had his weapon drawn, as did the other rangers, not sure exactly what they were walking into. Some carried rifles, but many just carried blaster pistols like Nick did. They moved quickly as they entered the treeline.

"When we get there, secure the scene. No one in or out." he radioed over the comms. "We will need to secure the suspect and then question the witnesses." he reminded them. It was always a delicate matter when dealing with nobles, often thinking they were above the law.

@GABA @HoneyMagpie @Sreeya

 

[Sybella Demici]

The embers of Lujayn's eyes flickered towards that of Anzat. Few had ever spoken to her in such a direct manner, mostly because they did not possess the ability to do so. Though the man appeared unassuming, the wraith determined there was more to him than meets the eye; she assessed him (rather openly) as one would assess a puzzle. She had encounters dark siders before, both in life and in death. This one, however, was different. There was a depths to him, one her ignorant descendant had yet to even consider.

Finally, after some consideration, the spectre gave an answer to his rather open ended question. 'What do I seek?' No longer interested in her descendant's moral tantrum, the wraith-like woman drifted closer to @Darth Raze. It was like watching a moth being drawn to an icy flame; he seemed similar to her and yet, at the same time, existed as something entirely different. 'Perhaps something similar to you? I seek many things. Knowledge. Power. My life and that of my lover...'

Her face twisted into something horrible. 'The Jedi. They stole it all. I will have it back. All of it, and more!'

So great was her anger, her entire red-robed form wavered and morphed. Tendrils flared, like creeping vines before solidifying once again into her more corporeal visage. Feeling something akin to frustration, Lujayn looked back at Sybella. How she rued over recent events. For a short time, the spectre had successfully overruled the Jedi's consciousness; if not for the intervention of Kalique, a Demici cousin, the possession would have lasted much longer. It could have very well been permanent, given Sybella's weakened state. Damn, that imperial knight; she had discovered the coins had served as Lujayn's main conduit. She even had the gall to try and purge them!

Quite vexing, really, considering no others had picked up on it. Most Sith, along with some dark acolytes, chose holocrons and weapons - the disgraced Lujayn opted for something more subtle. A family heirloom. It almost guaranteed her a familial successor, someone to whom she could better imprint upon. Luckily. time spent inhabiting Sybella's body had not been wasted; the red woman had reclaimed articles of information, and in doing so had activated one or two fail safes. It was thanks to them that her essence endured. However, one thing was more apparent than ever; it was actually something Lujayn had not quite accounted for. Their two minds were fast becoming merged. One bleeding into the other and vice versa. An unforeseen consequence she had yet to assess. Was this a blessing, or yet another hindrance? Only time would tell.

With the phantom seemingly occupied with Alistair, Sybella finally had a moment to think. To breathe. Taking in a lungful of air, she shakily tried to steady her nerves. Despite her torrent of emotions still simmering just below the surface, a fraction of control had finally returned. Closing her eyes, the Jedi tried to remember. Had Lujayn spoken true? Was she attacked? She remembered the wolves, but much of the violence had been but a blur. Though Sybella hate to admit it, the ghost might be right - this whole ordeal felt orchestrated. Had she truly been targetted by the other noble houses? If so, she really had overestimated cordial relations. If the gentry were so set on cannibalizing one another, then of course she would do everything in her power to protect her ancestral name.

Even if it meant using distasteful deceit.

In the distance was a familiar face. @Nick Shaw. Sybella had worked with the ranger before; in fact, the two of them had fought side by side against a rather nasty nightsister. Amongst the morbidness of it, the Jedi felt a slither of hope. Shaw knew her; surely he would then at least listen to what she had to say. Turning to look at Alistair now, Sybella considered him and his possible implications; he had arrived at the apparent mayhem, which meant he could neither confirm nor deny her version of events.

That woman, however... @Tiamat could contest. Her and that surviving hunter - they were witnesses. With a hardening expression, Sybella regarded the direction in which they and the responders had gone. Could they really have been involved in a plot to unseat her house? Had they truly tried to kill her?

Disgusted with herself, Sybella looked to Lujayn for further guidance; imagine her surprise to see her so closely drawn to Alistair. Cursing, the knight stepped forward, moving between the wraith and the Anzat as if to shield one from the other. It made the Lujayn titter like there was some jest the knight was not yet privy to. Choosing now to ignore the spirit, the Jedi looked at Alistair with a heavy heart. Blood was still trickling from her bleeding lip. "Alistair, things...aren't what they appear to be. I know we are but strangers and you owe me nothing. All that I ask is that you trust me and I will do my best to protect you from this...mess."

This was her burden to bear, consequences be damned. The last thing she wanted was to drag down those she deemed as innocent.