Ask The Final Culling

[Silas Ryun]

The only familiarity Silas would find on Umbara to the life he had left behind was just how dark it was. Everything else was entirely foreign to him, further amplified by the confusion on why his father had even brought him here to begin with. For days he racked his mind, battled the mysterious migraines that had plagued him since he had been abducted, and continued to come up with no answers but only more questions. His father's final, departing advice; remain anonymous and perhaps he would survive. Silas could only wonder if Tren was even aware of what transpired in this forsaken place. He supposed not, or why else would his father decide to bring him to such a dystopian hellhole.

He didn't even fully understand what a 'Sith' was, let alone why he was meant to be trained as one. Yet for some reason he couldn't comprehend, there was a voice in his mind that demanded ambition. One that wasn't his own. A woman, whispering in his mind, encouraging him to take the steps he was required to take. That was when the migraines would always take hold. Baffling in the simplest terms.

Weeks had passed since he had been abandoned here, though he had been opened up to something familiar. Something that had been with him his whole life but was only to naive to comprehend. His ability to predict simple movements, to see things before they happen. He was one of the fortunate few in the galaxy who could 'mould and manipulate' the Force at will. It was difficult at first but he had at least a simple understanding by now.

Today he found himself drawn together into a group of fellow initiates and brought beyond the Academy walls, out into the shadowy wilds of Umbara. It was rumoured that today was a 'final culling'. The unworthy would be removed and those who succeeded in the trials today would be granted the rank of Acolyte. It had drawn some interest from those who had already passed these trials as Acolytes and Champions alike arrived to watch and observe. Of those who succeeded today could well find themselves selected to train under a sole Master or be marked as a threat to others.

As the group awaited their guide, Silas separated himself slightly from the group and closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath. He had no idea why he had been brought here but he could hear her voice, pushing him onward. He didn't know why he was here but he knew that he would not allow himself to fail.

@LadyRen @Xorism​

 

[Juin Nayem]

Juin came to Umbara with high hopes of continuing a string of successes, both on and off the field. How very quaint that this exercise would be called the 'final culling' which suggested that they would be undertaking something lively rather than a boring exam. But the benefit to such activities meant that there was almost always a crowd and thus a chance to show off.

The half-mirialan couldn't say that he agreed with the choice in decor, but perhaps that was the point. They weren't supposed to feel comfortable and cruise through the challenge. A small chill rolled down his back as the others gathered, signalling that it was almost time. There would be without doubt many strategies in use here, some might have come in with strong alliances, others perhaps struck some now and then there were those that attempted to do the whole thing alone.

Oh look, there's one now. He said, spotting a human about his age trying to disappear by himself. @Tulos

Juin didn't fancy following in his footsteps and instead glanced about looking for someone to compete with. It didn't take long before he laid his eyes upon a tough looking ashen girl that would probably give him a run for his money. @LadyRen

Naturally, the half-mirialan approached her, flipping a coin along his fingers with a cheeky smile. "Week of chores says I score higher than you today, you in?" Assuming, of course, she couldn't come up with a more fun wager.

@Tulos @LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Today's prospects weren't actually that bad. It was time for "the final culling" and it sounded much more promising than the regular boring days of theory heavy classes. While no instructors were around, the Half-Sephi casually scrolled through her GalaxyGram feed and a smirk crossed her lips as she saw how many likes her recent post had gotten.

She was currently promising dresses for a fellow acolyte and while it had pushed his business, she had also gathered more spotlight. She didn't even do it for the likes, but she simply enjoyed sharing some stuff there, even if she strictly separated her social media life from her training here.

She suddenly noticed that something green approached her, but even before she had stored the phone away again, it adressed her. Looking up, she realized she had seen the dude before, but his name didn't dawn bsd just yet...hadn't her Twi'Lek friend Siria mentioned a Mirialian daredevil at some point? Looking up, she noticed he looked quite charming, but Freyja wasn't interested in flirting.

Her eyes quickly drifted down to his coin before she moved her own fingers a split second later and flicked the coin over into her own her with the Force. "Chores? Boring. I'd need something more tempting". Freyja was always down for a little competition or some shenanigans, so she was at least somewhat intrigued.

While she waited for him to come up with something more interesting, she noticed someone else in her periphery, a dark haired human who looked a little troubled as he split from the rest of the group. "Yo!", she bluntly called over, addressing the next unknown face rather directly, "the more the merrier, why don't you join us?".

@Xorism @Tulos

 

[Silas Ryun]

As the remainder of the Initiates filed through the gates, Silas allowed himself a moment to size up each as they approached. Majority of them appeared worried. Some as though they had spent the entirety of the previous night tossing and turning in anticipation of the event they were looking upon. These were the initiates who would undoubtedly not make the final cut. He pondered briefly on just what would become of them? Would they be cast out? Reconditioned to fill a different role? He would find out in due time.

Some of the faces he saw were confident. Overly so. He'd seen it once if he'd seen it a hundred times. Over reaching, unable to comprehend their own limits. Silas had been instructed to always strive for more but he knew what would happen if you reached too far. You'd land on your face. No, these faces would be difficult to deal with but they'd likely end up dealing with themselves if left to their own.

Two others did catch his attention, however. They weren't so far away that he couldn't overhear a wager being placed and Silas found himself intrigued. They didn't have the same air to them as the others, and he quickly wondered if these would be the candidates that would prove to be the most difficult to surpass. As the girl called out to him, Silas realized he had been absently staring in their direction and quickly snapped himself back to reality. "Well, no point in denying that I was eaves dropping I guess,"

“What? Put a bet on something when we don't even know what it is we're going to do?” Silas laughed from his spot, his arms crossed as he leaned back on the complex barrier trying to look cool and confident, only for the mud under his boot to slip out from under him and cause him to stumble slightly. His eyes opened wide as his hand reached for the wall to sturdy himself. Confident he wasn't about to fall on his face anymore, he continued. “Sounds like something I'd do, sure,” he chuckled. “Instead of chores, how about we bet on punishment? Winner gets to put the losers through something embarrassing and they can't say no?”

@LadyRen @Xorism​

 

[Juin Nayem]

Juin chuckled as Freyja stole the coin from his hand, clearly not impressed with his choice of wager. While he stood there to consider another option, the other fellow standing at a stand-off distance seemed to have been caught within her view and dragged on over.

The additional contestant both upped the stakes and created a bit more excitement for the challenge. No longer just trying to impress one, but now the pair, he smiled as an idea came into fruition.

"That's not a bad idea, uh? Bud but what about a booze run?" Juin was practically tight with his coach and had overheard rumours that one staff rooms had a locked draw full of the good stuff. "Losing two have to break into Room 1C and find the hidden loot, winner gets first dibs on whatever is found." Looking to Freyja and then Silas, he offered a compromise. "Unless you have a better idea?"

@Tulos @LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

justify] The dark haired acolytes attention was surely piqued right away and it didn't take long until he joined them. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Freyja studied him with a smirk on her lips, definitely vibing well with the confidence of both of them. "Yeah", she clarified as the newcomer asked whether not knowing the task and betting was really what they'd do, and her smirk just widened.

Cool, another one in. "Oh...now things are getting interesting. Punishment sounds fun", the cat like eyes flicked to the green boy, throwing him a challenging smirk that accompanied the expectant glance. Loot and punishment mixed with the perfect thrilling dare? Oh this was getting even better.

"Agreed. I'd just love to add one more detail: The winner also decides what the looser wears and no one is allowed to complain about some embarrassing Galaxygram pics", she added with a devious smirk, glancing from one to the other again before she flicked back the coin to the green boy. "I'm Freyja, by the way". She was sure they had either heard of her or were already following her on social media, but a proper introduction was still due,

@Xorism @Tulos

 

[Silas Ryun]

“Galaxygram? Hang on, I don't think-” Silas began, a knot forming in the back of his throat. The idea of being broadcasted across the holonet in fishnet leggings flashed across his mind, the only thing deeper than the wedgie of the shorts he could be forced to wear being the scowl plastered across his face, but he wasn't about to be named a coward. Clearly the only choice was to make sure he came out on top. “Fuck it,” he breathed deeply. “But you can damn well bet on me coming out on top,” he added brazenly, convincing to potentially all but himself. “I'm Silas. Silas Ry-”

“That's quite enough gabbing, whelps!” The booming voice of a massive man immediately silenced most, if not all of the Initiates who all quickly stood firm. Silas spun on his heel and watched as the brute of an Instructor pushed his way through the group. Scars lined each side of his face, one eye missing, as well as a few teeth..

“I don't imagine he's winning any beauty pageants,” Silas whispered jokingly to Freyja and Juin with a sly smirk but was quickly silenced as an invisible grip coiled itself around his neck, squeezing tightly. His hands shot up to try and pry himself free but found nothing to grab onto. Choking and sputtering, he saw the brute with fire in his eyes, hand outstretched.

“Insolence will not serve you well here, boy,” he hissed through clenched teeth before releasing his grip. Silas immediately drew in whatever air he could as he dropped to his knees.

“I see nothing more than useless hopefuls. If your aspirations are for an early grave, then you're in the right place. Nevertheless, I've been instructed to oversee the Final Culling. Should any of you be not entirely inadequate, you will be granted the rank of Acolyte and your training will truly begin. Though I don't expect much from you lot,”

“Beyond the facility you will encounter a wide array of brutal, unforgiving beasts and plants that could peel the skin from your body,” the brute paused, looking the crowd over as his thin lips turned into a sly smirk. “It's truly a wondrous sight to behold for an observer. Less so for the victim, I'm afraid. Until now, the dangers you've faced have been mitigated and controlled. Out there, no one is coming to save you should you fail. Your corpse will feed the Umbaran wilds and your families, should you have one, will never know your fate,”

“Your goal is to locate one of the several Vixus beasts that inhabit this planet. A vicious creature that blends into it's environment with an uncanny manner of separating the worthy from the damned. Those who return with a tooth of the beast will pass. Those who return empty handed will be marched back to the nest and fed to the Vixus as the price of failure. If you return, tooth in hand, after one full rotation, you will face the same fate. There is no room for the weak among us,”


The Sith began to return to the compound but quickly came to a halt, holding a hand with a single finger raised upward. “Oh, and one last thing,” the brute added, nodding to a pair of Acolytes who proceeded to walk among the group of Initiates. Any who had come wielding weapons and supplies of their own were soon stripped of them and given a only simple dagger. As the weapon was shoved into Silas' chest, he took hold of the hilt and looked it over carefully, his anxieties bubbling over. “Fight well, whelps. It is every man and woman for themselves. Trust no one,” he barked before walking back within the compound with the door sealing shut behind him. Faces among the group looked between each other before darting into the jungle.

“Fuck,”

@Xorism @LadyRen​

 

[Juin Nayem]

The viridescent youth nodded along as the pair spoke, seemingly in agreement with the proposition when the big scary instructor came along to explain their task. Juin, much like a scarecrow, was outstanding in his field and felt complete confidence that he'd win in any leg race and therefore had nothing to fear about any tight-fitting pictures being uploaded.

As the instructor bullied Silas, Juin winced and remained silent lest the wrath be directed their way next. No point in earning an unnecessary ass whopping in the defence of someone he'd just met, after all. But once the man had moved on, a bit further out of earshot, the Half-Mirialan turned to the pair with a cheeky smile.

"Okay, so a quick run to the dentist and back, sounds like a piece of cake." His broad smile lasted a brief moment before catching sight of an Acolyte coming their way handing out daggers. Taking his, he examined it for a few seconds before putting it away. "I'm Juin, if you already hadn't heard." Considering his athletic prowess, that was certainly possible.

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Freyja]

Silas Ry? She wasn't familiar with the name, but before they could dwell on their conversation, their brute instructor cut them off. Freyja's cat like eyes flicked over to the man, watching him with a relatively neutral expression before he suddenly lashed out at Silas, the Force coiled around his neck.

Freyja slightly flinched at the sudden attack, her first reaction even led her to reaching out with a hand, but she quickly dropped it again, counting on him not having noticed her reaction. Silas had surely provoked it, but Freyja was no fan of those brute, sadistic bully instructors who only knew full dominance as a means to correct them.

With her eyes slightly narrowed, she kept listening intently, taking mental notes on the details before her gaze immediately flicked between the two across from her. She had been handed a dagger, but obviously it was ridiculous, given the task ahead. "You're fairly confident still, huh?", she asked Juin, a smirk tugging at her lips, before she faced Silas. "And you aren't anymore". She didn't even necessarily want to rub it in, but she was a little surprised by the change of heart.

"A scary story and a little choking and you've lost your boldness already?", she still teasingly added, a playful grin on her lips after she had made sure the brute was out of earshot, before she glanced to Juin again. "Not sure what your plan is, but even if our little bet is absolutely on, we could at least try to work together for now". It was a genuine offer, and she expectantly awaited an answer from either.

It would clearly be a strategic advantage, and even if she didn't want to see either of the dead, she couldn't wait to win this and see one of them in fishnet stockings...She knew she couldn't fully trust either, but she was still counting on a little alliance to locate their prey for now.

@Tulos @Xorism

 

[Silas Ryun]

Dagger in one hand, the other rubbing his neck, Silas dwelled on how this was far from anything he had expected. He was, after all, brought here unwillingly and subjected to this torment by forces beyond his own. Even so, the burning desire to succeed that had plagued him much of his life wouldn’t allow him to back down, regardless of how he felt.

His feelings also would prove to be a handicap as Freyja sensed the emotions rolling off of him, unchecked and allowed to run rampant. With limited initial training, he was a far cry from being able to shut anyone out and seal his mind from intrusions. He was, in essence, an open book to those with the ability to read his pages.

“Maybe you like to start your day with a little choking but I can’t say it’s a high priority for me,” Silas coughed one final time, his throat and lungs recuperating. “Whatever gets your rocks off, I suppose,” he added teasingly, averting his attention from her to Juin.

While one of the earliest lessons he had learned after arriving was to rely on no one but yourself, there was opportunity in working together. A combined effort increased the chances for success, but what would happen after the fact? The disfigured Champion made it clear that people would die here today. Naturally, this did not bode well for any sort of alliance being a lasting one. Would they turn on him the first chance they got? Was it even conceivable for him to muster the courage and strength to do the same to them?

“Obviously we work together,” Silas continued with a faux grin. “We need to keep an eye on each other and make sure we’re all playing fair after all. Now let’s get a move on!” he finished, nodding towards the jungle as he tucked the dagger blade into his belt. Fair. He suspected this would be a far cry from fair.

@Xorism @LadyRen​

 

[Juin Nayem]

Juin's confidence would only increase as Freyja egged them on and Silas joked. Their prospects as a group were of course higher, but this was a competition after all, and no doubt they would all be tested individually as well.

"Sure thing buddy." His smiling wink to Silas as he mentioned keeping an eye on each other just before breaking into a sprint towards the jungle edge. "But you'll have to watch my ass." His voice trailed, almost laughing as his little green legs hoofed it. They wouldn't be the first to reach the edge, but neither did he want to be the last.

In this part of the event, his natural talent and expertise would come in clutch, allowing Juin to reach the edge fast as he dipped through the first level of fauna. Catching glimpses over his shoulder, he expected the other two to be right behind and thus still in the competition.

The first obstacle they would have to clear was a small river, several initiates already having cleared it with ease. Some of the less fortunate ones found themselves splashing unfortunately early in the murky waters. Though, they'd better get a move on quick, as something seemed to stir...

It was certainly possible to simply jump across while others looked for another spot to cross. One student found a log to run across, and yet another still decided to swim.

Juin was having none of that, although he didn't care how the others followed or found their own way. With a wink and a cheeky flex, the green menace sprinted toward the river's edge with runners speed, before launching himself over the watery depths and landing on the other side with a cheer.

"Cmon, it's easy!" He yelled back toward them, with any luck they'd soon join him and they'd be off on their way to the next messed up challenge.

@LadyRen @Tulos

Roll: 20

 

[Freyja]

"Wow, lame", she couldn't help but tease back as he mentioned it wasn't a priority for him, throwing him a playful smirk. Humor seemed to match with both of them at least, so Freyja was fine with the company as she knew many other acolytes that simply just sucked.

Her gaze flicked between the two as both agreed with their alliance and Freyja added, "Right. Sticking to the rules is essential", in a sarcastic tone before Juin was already at it. Freyja was rebellious by nature, yet she knew that working together was a clever move for now. The problem was, however, that Green Boi started racing off like a maniac, way too eager and energetic for her taste, so that for a moment she stood there somewhat dumbfounded before she let out a little sigh.

"Well then", she threw Silas one last smirk before she, too, started running, however obviously not catching up with the green lightning. They reached a little river that apperently separated them from their targets, and so without slowing down, she attempted to simply leap over it as well.

What she didn't see was that another competitor (the one who had basically ran right along side her) jumped at just the exact time and their trajectories met mid air, so that bith simply dropped into the water. She was submerged for a moment, her head slightly spinning from the collision and she was holding onto the dagger as best as she could.

The current wasn't hard, but she absolutely wasn't thrilled to find herself in the murky waters and so as soon as she was back at the surface, she furiously glared at the one who had gotten her into this shitty situation. "You idiot!", she hissed, gaze fiercely locked onto him, but as she knew she couldn't afford any delays, she immediately started swimming. She was certain Green Boi would laugh at her alright, but it didn't matter.

Climbing out of the water with a scowl, she immediately said, "Let's continue", waiting for the trio to be complete again. Her determination was unbroken, but her clothes were now fully soaked and her mood ruined for the moment.

@Xorism @Tulos

 

[Silas Ryun]

And just like that, they were left standing there as Juin began to bolt off into the jungle like a wild animal. It took him a moment to gather himself, watching as the Mirialan moved with speed he couldn't have ever anticipated. This bet he had made was only getting worse and worse but as Freyja began to follow suit, so too did he.

Bounding across the dark landscape was a challenge, everything at their feet concealed in shadows, but he managed to stay upright. Ahead he could see Freyja, farther yet was Juin with Silas bringing up the rear. Gritting his teeth, he ignored the burning in his legs and pushed on. Running was easy enough. Surely easier than whatever may lay in wait ahead.

As it turned out, the first obstacle would be a river. Relatively slow moving, narrow, but the banks were coated in a slippery mud that never received sunlight to properly dry into dirt. Juin was already on the other side, beaming with confidence. Freyja was not so fortunate, though she and the other Acolyte that had gone down with her provided opportunity.

A sly grin formed as Silas allowed himself a small leap, his first foot down finding the right shoulder of the Acolyte that had collided with Freyja. He pushed off and his other foot would find Freyja's own left shoulder, potentially dunking her back under the water. It didn't matter. Silas had found himself on the opposite river bed, dry and successful.

As she crawled towards them, Silas wordlessly beamed down at her with an offered hand to get her back on her feet. He didn't need to say a damn thing. The glint in his eye said everything he wished to express.

@Xorism @LadyRen​

 

[Juin Nayem]

Juin watched with amusement as the other initiates attempted to navigate the best way across. Some, like himself, soared over the tricky obstacle, while others had a bit more difficulty. The murky waters scored a number of victims from the clumsy or unfortunate, such as Freyja being knocked in by one ambitious fool. Silas cleared it, but not without some unwilling assistance from the former, which was sure to bite him in the butt later.

The Half-Mirialan's face was thoroughly enjoying the developing scene, only to be stunned into a mild panic. Unbeknownst to the group, the waters were not entirely unoccupied, and the very same idiot that had bumped Freyja out of the air trailed just slightly behind her as they raced for the shore line. Unfortunately for this would be Acolyte, something from the depths below grappled him and in a flash his entire body disappeared under the waters surface without a trace.

"We should probably go." It was all that Juin could muster to the group, as it seemed like a grand idea to put some distance between the river's edge and their current position. There was still an unknown amount of distance and obstacles they'd have to get through before reaching their destination and while he was attempting to keep in mind the path they were taking, it seemed to be a treacherous one already.

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Freyja]

As if the unwanted bath wasn't bad enough, one of her temporary allies made a really big mistake - pissing the Ashen haired acolyte even more of than before by casually dunking her once again. She was glaring daggers at Silas when she was back on the surface and soon climbed out of the water.

Freyja took more than a huge mental note. The Half-Sephi was in 'silent rage mode' which was much more than aggressive rage mode and he'd probably learn that at some point, but for now they really had to get going. She accepted his hand, but as he pulled her up, just as their eyes would lock, an icy shiver would run right through him. Freyja didn't even notice that something attacked a different acolyte, but her mind was already back on the task.

There would be revenge. "Keep up, boys". Who knew what else they had to face, but Freyja was still keen on the idea of reaching the creatures first and dealing with them before the others would even find them.

Upon leaving the river behind, they'd soon enter a relatively gloomy forest with thick roots and bushes all around that would eventually slow them down. "We should be careful here...who knows what lurks in the dark". Freyja was quite bold per se, but she was clever and thus knew when to be careful, too. She'd adress the other two once they'd all catch up and hoped they were aboard with the decision.

@Xorism @Tulos

 

[Silas Ryun]

Silas knew he had a long way to go before he could consider himself truly a Sith. He lacked much of what the other initiates had instilled in themselves, be it merciless disregard for their fellow classmates or the stomach for death. The only common ground he truly had with these others, Juin and Freyja chief among them, was his desire to just be better than everyone else.

His eyes still sang songs of pride as Freyja took his hand, glaring up at him from the water with daggers in her own, but as her hand met his something changed. Pride vanished and was replaced with a chill of fury, Silas knowing full well that he would need to keep a close eye on her. Revenge was coming and likely not in the form of fishnets and galaxygram posts.

His attention diverted from her as the nameless Initiate was pulled back below. The water was shallow but the murkiness combined with the darkness of Umbara made seeing below the surface impossible. Briefly, he thought he had caught a glimpse of red mixed in with brown but he couldn't be sure. He didn't want to find out.

“Right,” was all he could muster before continuing on with the others, deeper into the forest.

------------------------------------------------------​

Back at the Academy, the brute of an Overseer watched from the outer baily with his arms crossed and a pair of Sith Champions at his side. The hopeful Initiates had faded from view but he could still sense them in the shadows. Most of them anyway, as the culling had begun and the weak were pruned from the worthy.

“Release the Tuk'ata. We've starved them long enough,” he ordered. “And prepare to join the expedition yourselves,”

“As you command, Master,” they replied in unison, bowing before moving on to carry out their orders.

@LadyRen @Xorism​

 

[Juin Nayem]

Racing off from the river was relatively easy, with the trio leaving behind anyone who wasn't quick enough to keep up. Various groups had scattered to the wind, with some getting lost in the dense forest, others finding themselves taking the longer route through and an even smaller group somehow managing to keep their bearings.

Ever the show-off, Juin began running backwards between the other two, which seemed to work for some time. He even managed to avoid running into a large tree, roots and rocks and would have thoroughly impressed them, he assumed. But alas it was not to last as he seemingly misjudged an obstacle which sent his green hide stumbling, then rolling over with a loud yelp.

After what felt like an eternity of embarrassment, Juin finally locked eyes with Silas and Freyja with his signature sheepish grin as his athleticism was overtaken by his ego...

"DID YOU SEE THAT!!" His startled eye's darted across the forest floor, only to rack his brain in confusion. "I swear I saw the tree root move.." To add to the fun and horror, distant screams from far behind them rang out, which could only mean something bad. Obviously.

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Freyja]

Without a clue about the beasts that had been released anger them, they carried on together. Internally, Freyja was literally fuming, but her expressions still remained rather cold and hard to decipher.

They covered quite a distance until they reached a more secluded part of the forest that literally forced them to check on each and every step they intended to plant before actually setting the foot down as it weren't just thick, convoluted tree roots they had to overcome, but avoid stepping on bugs, into muddy patches or natural holes in the ground as well.

As Juin suddenly screeched, Freyja's eyes widened as it wasn't just the movement, but the sudden presence that was palpable around. "Fuck...", she muttered breathlessly, clutching the dagger in her hand even tighter as she stepped back a little. "We should hurry...let's continue and get that tooth, I don't wanna know what else awaits us here".

She glanced around carefully, waiting for the boys to agree as her plan was to quickly locate the beasts, but the screams behind them didn't help a single bit.

@Xorism @Tulos