Ask A Forced Perspective

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
The Journey into the Unknown regions so far, whilst seemingly uneventful when compared to system wide clashes and shifts in power that was being seen across the wider galaxy - it was by no means without incident. Whilst the greater goal of tracking down and finding the source of the growing void that had been pulling on the periphery senses of the Sith Lord's meditations, was still elusive. The travels of the two opposing Force users through the unmapped depths of the Unknown regions was gradually building in momentum, and hopefully would bring them closer to the answer that they sought. Their current destination, a world that had once been referred to, based on historical data obtained from the First Order assassin droid, as the Iron planet, or Demir.

A world, that's surface was tinted almost a blood crimson hue, not as a result of a lifetime of warfare and death, but because of the Iron rich nature of the planet's geology - although going from the historical information that F03-3A or Foley had retained, the world had been subject to a long drawn out campaign between the First Order and the native Demirians, so it was safe to say that the world was not innocent and without conflict.

With the ship shrinking in the distance behind them, connected only by a trail of foot prints the two female figures made their way through the rocky crimson plains, coming to a standstill as the blonde human of the party came to an abrupt halt, to squat down and pick up a dark metallic rock that had piqued her interest. With intent eyes the blonde turned over the raw lump of iron, her lips pursing thoughtfully as she probed and reached out with the Force into the inanimate material, her eyes narrowing as she sensed it's reaction to the Force. The metal acting almost in a similar nature to that of the Sarrassian Iron of which her Sith Lord armour had been fashioned from, more notably how it resonated with the Darkside.

Raising back up to her full height, the Sith Lord looked over the rock a final time before dropping it down onto the ground with a light thud. "That would explain why this world stood out" Alyse spoke as she nodded to the discarded metal, knowing that the Jedi would undoubtedly have sensed the same reaction from the rock as she had. "Whatever is here, it's connection to the Darkside is being amplified" she added with a a degree of caution to her words, though knew that the Jedi Master was no fool of course, she figured it would be wise to make clear all the same for the Jedi to guard herself before they resumed their hike, following the darkened threads of the Force that was leading them towards a deep cavernous valley up ahead.

As the pair continued on their path, the blonde turned her gaze and attention to the Jedi master beside her, her eyes narrowing as she looked over the Jedi seemingly studying her for a few silent moments. "Master Tallis" Alyse spoke, breaking the silence with her sudden and unexpected formal addressing of the woman who was strictly speaking her captive. "Have you touched or drawn upon the Darkside?" she questioned rather directly, her tone carrying that it was not a rhetorical question but one with a degree of severity. "I'm not referring to our little encounter on Ontotho, where you had allowed for your anger to momentarily get the better of you"
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
The scarred Zeltron met Alyse's sudden question with a raised eyebrow and an otherwise stony expression. It really did come out of the blue. The mention of Ontotho in particular evoked old memories, now almost buried by swathes of newer ones. Even Nykoria's first confrontation with the Sith and with Alyse in particular had since then been eclipsed by the massacres on Coruscant, attack on Ryloth, the battle of Sullust, and the sacking of Jedi Temple on Ajan Kloss. Compared to that, Ontotho almost seemed like a good memory from another lifetime... Even though the young Knights Kori Tallis and Nara Allam, beaten almost to death by the ancient automatons, would've begged to differ at the time.

"I do not recall tapping into the Dark Side on Ontotho," she replied after some consideration."If anything, I tried to stop that fight. Failing that, to save a Padawan's life." The brown eyes focused on the Sith blonde, who had been the reason of that Padawan's predicament. Although largely neutral, the delivery was closer to a quip than to a reproach.

And then, for the first time on the oppressive surface of Demir, Nykoria... smiled. It was brief, fleeting, but a smile nonetheless. She continued to look at her vis-a-vis without any hostility. "But there was another time. Almost a decade before Ontotho." If anything, she was curious what her companion would have to say about that story. So, after just a little pause, she let it out: a story and delivery that one would expect from a friend by a bar counter: "Found out that my boyfriend and my BFF had a thing. So I lashed out and knocked her down with the Force. That's how the Jedi found me."

For a moment, she shifted her gaze towards the looming presence of the valley in the distance. Whatever was out there, it seemed that the Force had made the place their destination. If so, the Force made for a poor tourist agency. She could have picked something in the Known Regions, and with better infrastructure. Maybe a warm beach.

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
A pensive expression lingered over the blonde's features as the Jedi responded, initially commenting that she had no recollection of channelling the dark side of the Force, before her features scrunched a little at the follow up comment - citing that she had tried to stop the fight and save the Padawan's life. A sigh escaping from the Sith lord's lips as she shook her head at first, clearly there was the understandable chasm between the two recollections.

"The Pantoran's life was not in danger" Alyse stated, as she returned her attention back to the Jedi. "I had no intent to harm her, she was an innocent afterall" she added, whether or not the Jedi chose to accept it or not still remained to be seen. "But, you like the other Jedi who were with you, were being influenced by the Dark side at the time. The Vratrix in particular gave into her anger so readily" the blonde continued before pausing for a brief moment. "The fervor that had overcome you all to strike down the Sith, was the influence of the Dark Side. It had blinded you all, so much you had left the young Pantoran unprotected"

A brief silence fell for a few moments as the Sith allowed for her words to sink in, before continuing. "Was it not the sight of the young girl being strangled that had snapped you all out of that fervor?" Alyse resumed casting the Jedi a questioning look, before her gaze shifted to the ground infront of them, her brow furrowing as if she were trying to recall something specific. "You were cautioned, that the Darkside resonates strongly within this temple. Yet you did not guard yourselves against it's influence. Yet you act out of your own emotions and prejudices, clouding your minds and allowing for the Darkside to take root. Stand down and leave, or continue and give the darkside more purchase on your essences" the blonde recited, the very cautioning words she spoke out to the Jedi within the temple when she had been holding the young Pantoran aloft.

"The reason I raise this" Alyse spoke out after a brief moment, as her gaze and attention returned to meet the Zeltron's. "Is so you understand and appreciate that the dark side is not as black and white as the Jedi teachings would have you believe" she added, before taking a deep breath. "The darkside you felt then on Ontotho and when you were younger is what and how the Jedi would define the Sith" she continued, before raising her hand and almost cupping it into a curled claw, a sudden wash of a firey hatred resonated within the Force before violent crackling arcs of electricity darted between each of the fingers. "Raw power, derived from emotion, hatred anger, malice" Alyse resumed, as her gaze moved from her hand and up to the Jedi. "Using and giving into it is like drinking salt water, the more you do, the more dehydrated you become as you waste away"

The crackling arks of electricity continued their violent dance for a few moments longer, sparks jutting out and reaching indiscriminately away from the edges of the Sith lords hand, before her eyes started to phase into a milky white state. As they did so, leaving no trace of any of her natural eye's appearance, the wild and violent arcs of lightning started to become almost placid in nature, running almost uniformly along the lengths of her digits - yet despite the benign appearance and behaviour of the conjured electricity, the hum and even the smell of the O-zone being produced by the arcs conveyed an equal raw strength within the generated energy. "Like how your tenants state, there is no chaos there only harmony. They apply to the Dark side as well" Alyse offered, before the arcs of electricity and the milky state of her eyes phased into obscurity with just a slight wave of her hand.
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
Once again, it turned out that Alyse had a point. If she had truly wished to murder the Padawan that day, she could've done so. Of course, the Jedi couldn't have known her true intentions. The few Sith, who had exposed themselves to the Galaxy before that, proved rather violent and murderous. But Kori couldn't deny that her friend Izel had been overzealous that day. Score for the Sith here, I guess. Alyse's ability to recite her apparently exact words from years before further secured that.

What followed was the surge of the Dark that made the Zeltron call onto the Light: both inside her, and what little she could find around her. As electricity crackled between Sith's fingers, the Jedi remained seemingly unfazed. The only difference was her hair swinging slightly—as if in a light breeze—even though the air was perfectly still. She just listened to what Alyse had to say on the matter, before she could offer her own opinion.

That's not to say that the sight wasn't intimidating. Never before had the Zeltron seen someone so deformed by the Dark. There was only a little part of the attractive petite blonde left in the seemingly-evil witch that you could scare children with. The "wind' in Kori's hair grew stronger in response, but died down as soon as Alyse returned to "normal".

"It's less about the Dark Side..." the Zeltron replied slowly, as if savoring her own words for veracity. A valid check, given what she had just seen. "... And more about the karked-up druk that the Darksiders tend do." This time it was Kori's turn to let her words sink in, as she recited "The Eternal's broadcast, bow down or die. Slaughter of defenseless Padawans, and at the Sector Ranger facilities. All-out attacks on planets. Countless civilian casualties..."

And then she stopped, her gaze looking not at the blonde, but past her now. A sigh escaped her lips as she realized something. When Nykoria thought back, it finally dawned on her that the Jedi weren't much better. Did they not blow up the gates of the prison on Sullust, causing the deaths of many innocent prison guards? Did they not start another uprising there—admittedly for "liberation", but still? The moment a Jedi attacked to "make things right", the difference between Jedi and Sith became blurry. The old lesson of the Jedi "using their abilities only for defense, never for offense", finally made sense now. This was the only clear way to draw the line between the "good" and the "bad".

The Zeltron lingered a while longer. It was a step too hard and long; to finally admit that she had been misguided about many things, and partook in the things she deemed despicable. "The Sith and the Jedi are complicit in things being like this. I'm sure there was a time when the Jedi did something as atrocious. It's an endless cycle of murder. We justify that it's all for the right cause and end up... Well, like this." Nykoria shrugged. "So my only concern is to avoid drinking salt water myself... And help to make sure that those who do, don't end up ruining someone else's life."

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
The blonde's brow furrowed as she listened to the Jedi, initially and seemingly hesitantly commenting that it wasn't the Dark side that had concerned the Zeltron, but it was the actions of those who wield the dark side. Again citing the Eternal's broadcast, bringing up the slaughter of defenceless Padawan's, and the attacks that had been carried out across the Galaxy. Only to then fall silent, for a duration. A surprised expression crossing the Sith's features as the Jedi master then proceeded to not only blame the Sith for the various atrocities that have been carried out. But also the Jedi, implying that they were almost equally complicit for the endless cycle of murder.

Had the Sith not been present or involved during the Jedi Master's holding of Ellora, she may have questioned why the Jedi had not been turned to the Sith. The change in tone was such a stark contrast to the almost vehement defence that the Jedi Master had touted, claims that the Jedi were there to maintain the status quo, help people out, making people feel better one person at a time. Kori's words were by no means indication that she had become fully subscribed to the mentality of the Sith, but it gave clear sign that there is now progress being made - The Jedi Master was finally starting to take a step back and view the machinations of the wider galaxy, viewing it as herself and not as a Jedi.

A light smile curled on the edge of the blonde human's lips as she looked towards the Jedi, her chestnut hued eyes meeting the Jedi's with a look of understanding. "It is neither the Ideals of the Jedi or the Sith that are complicit" Alyse offered, as she held a hand out to the side, summoning a small metallic pebble sized rock to her hand, its composition identical to the one she had earlier examined. "The Jedi texts preach, the advancement of civilisation is achieved through ideals of Harmony, wisdom and pacifism. The Sith texts preach that advancement is achieved through conflict and growth" she continued, whilst fidgeting with the newly summoned stone, her fingers and thumb running over the cold smooth surface. "Both ideals whilst conflicting have elements of truth to them" she added, as she gave the Jedi a knowing look.

"The problem is, that it is not the Ideals that are the cause. It is the people. Whether they have the Force or not, the parallels will always be the same. Greed consumes the selfish, anger consumes the spiteful, reluctance consumes the incompetent, pacifism consumes the unwilling. The Jedi and the Sith are the more prominent as we because of our connection to the Force make the most noise, if you look beyond the walls of our respective houses you will see the same acts perpetrated by countless others, slavers and traffickers murdering and destroying settlements, societies crumbling at the expense of the citizens due to their governments indecision and poor judgement"

A light sigh escaped the Sith Lord's lips as her expression grew thoughtful for a few moments, before looking back to the Jedi and tossing her the pebble that resonated with the Darkside. "As for avoiding the consumption of salt water, well you will need to build a tolerance of it" Alyse spoke, before gesturing to the pebble. "Some cultures train with weighted belts strapped to their bodies, to build their stamina and strength. You would be best focusing in on your emotions, learn to control and temper them, not suppress them" she explained, before a slight but almost forced grin crossed her features, belying that there was more to come from the Sith Lord.

"The key is controlling the Force, both elements of it. Not to be controlled by it. I learnt this the hard way" she resumed, before falling silent with a sigh. "I was raised and groomed to become a tool of a Self proclaimed Prophet of the Sith, from birth I have known nothing but the touch of the dark side. And, like many within the cult I was to be forced to give myself fully to the Darkside, become a slave to my emotions, become little more than a weapon for the Prophet's scheme to enslave first Bakura and the Galaxy" The blonde revealed, her gaze narrowing as it moved away from the Jedi and onto the path ahead of them, opting to remain alone and introverted in her recollection of her past. "But, despite the years of coercion, punishments and attempts on my life..." she continued, before falling silent, her brow furrowing with a visible bitterness, recalling the sensations of having the air drained from her lungs, the searing lash of Force lighting cascade over her body as the self titled Darth Locura attempted to break her into serving him. "Despite their attempts, it was ultimately the cult... was reduced to ash by my will alone"
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
Saying that the Jedi might've done something wrong back on Sullust felt... strangely liberating. Back in the day, Nykoria would've deemed the Jedi attack on Sullust and the impromptu distraction with an exploding ship as clever... But now, it seemed a reckless act of mass murder and revenge. Isn't it funny how the distance in time and place make you look at the situation from another angle?

The change could be due to the Dark Side aura dominating Demir. It could be due to all the broadcasts that Kori's captors had made her listen to. But more likely than not, it was a natural development. Nykoria had seen a lot since the time she had been captured. Mainly, a not-murder-happy Sith who seemed to care about the people whose planet she was governing.

That Sith also brought up a good point. So much so, that Nykoria simply listened, unable to counter anything Alyse said. Not that she didn't want to; the Jedi Master's mind processed everything, and yet couldn't find a point to disagree on. All sentients, Force-sensitive or not, ultimately had the same nature. The Force was just a catalyst that amplified the troubles one could cause. Was the Dark Side's corruption and influence still a threat? Probably. But it all came down tho the people who wielded the Force... Or power... Or weapons. A question that Nykoria had been ruminating lately.

The Jedi reflexes kicked in just in time to catch the tossed pebble with both hands. Even then, the Zeltron was so deep in thought that she had almost missed and dropped it. Taking a quick glance at the small rock and getting the feel for its lingering Dark Side aura, the Jedi held it in a lowered hand while listening to what else Alyse had to say. And by the Force, did she have a story to tell.

She didn't need to put everything to words. Just reminiscing the pain, averting the gaze, and a change in expression would've been enough for the Zeltron to catch on that something was wrong. She pocketed the rock and remained silent as well, unsure what to say. The pause would last for half a dozen of seconds, before the Jedi Master finally had something to reply. Alyse's revelation did come out of the blue.

"That's one karked up childhood," Nykoria replied seriously, her voice a mixture of consolation and concern. A good by-the-book Jedi would've told Alyse not to dwell on her past. To learn to let go of the untold horrors that had been inflicted on her. To find forgiveness. But saying so would've been so hypocritical. What would Kori herself had done if someone had done something similar to her? For example, inflicted harm on her family? "Had I been in your shoes, I might have... Well, slipped up."

For the first time in a while, the Jedi didn't have a solid opinion that she was eager to share. One of her hands found the pocket where the pebble resided, focusing on it. As if sensing the small sliver of Darkness inside would better allow the Zeltron to understand what her vis-a-vis had gone through.

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
"Perhaps" Alyse spoke out in response, as the pair continued to walk along the crimson dunes, her eyes narrowing slightly for a few moments before her gaze moved to meet the Jedi's for a brief moment. "But its only when you are truly taken beyond the edge of your limits that you come to understand the full potential of your own will" Alyse offered, with a light shrug before her gaze returned back to the path ahead of them, her eyes visibly studying the terrain ahead of them, the ground on the horizon was starting to rise, whilst the path they appeared to be walking along, looked as if it was about to lower down, her brow furrowing as she drew on the Force to make sure that she was leading them on the right path.

With their route confirmed, the Sith lead the pair down into a gorge, though from what could be seen from the formation of the gorge, it did not look as if it had been of a natural occurrence - there was no sign or evidence of erosion, but rather as if the earth itself had been torn apart, the sheered rocks either side of the gorge matched each over in their deformation. Though what was perhaps more notable was the further they progressed through the chasm, the stronger the darkside seemed to resonate, giving indication that the deformation of the ground had been a result of the Dark side or some cataclysm created by the Force.

gmd-renders-main.jpg
What was surprising and unexpected for the Sith and undoubtedly the Jedi, was as they turned a sharp corner, their sight was met with a large structure that had been carved into black obsidian like stone. The ancient structure appeared to be gilded with a golden hued metallic material. The styling was unlike anything that the Sith lord had seen before, it lacked the ornate and ritualistic appearance of the Jedi, the imposing grandeur of the Sith - Even though the world permeated with the Darkside, the Darth could tell that this structure held no significant affiliation or link to the Sith Order, past present or even ancient. If she were to happen a guess whomever had fashioned this structure would have been a cult that followed the darkside - and perhaps more concerning was the nature of the gorge's formation, whomever had once resided here was potent in their connection.

Approaching the large stone doors, the blonde sith narrowed her eyes as she examined the entrance, seeing no clear signs of technology. With a deep breath Alyse placed her hand upon the door, before swiftly pulling her hand back. Her eyes moving to meet Kori's for a few lingering moments, before they phased into their deathly white state and proceeding to place both hands onto the door. The area around them was suddenly filled with the sound of air suddenly rushing, almost as if it was being sucked out of an airlock or forced through the exhaust of an Engine running at full throttle. The material that formed the entrance's gilding started to change in hue, turning away from its golden tint to a deep crimson.

The sound continued for what perhaps must for the Jedi have been, an uncomfortable few moments given the intensity of the Dark side that was now resonating around her. Before it fell eerily silent, the stillness lingering for a tense few seconds before the gorge was filled with the sound of heavy stone grinding open as the door parted. Revealing an deep dark chamber beyond the threshold, lowering her head the Sith breathed deeply - working to recoup her energies and compose herself, before eventually raising her head back up, and then turning to look to the Jedi for a silent moment. With another deep breath, the Sith lord turned her attention back towards the opened entrance, stepping into the ancient chambers and looking around, pausing for a moment to raise her hands, summoning small bouts of fire that erupted within dormant braziers that lined the chamber.
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
Once again, Nykoria had nothing to reply to the Sith. Only an affirmative hum, as they walked in silence towards their destination. The Zeltron's thoughts dwelled on what Alyse had told her. It all boiled down to one thing: compassion. Kori still couldn't imagine what it was like: being brought up by the likes of those who had sacked the temple on Ajan Kloss. Those who'd threaten, kill, and torture, sometimes seemingly at a whim.

And somehow, despite all that, Alyse seemed like a decent human being. Smart, reasonable, wise, and not too violent. As for her revenge and reducing the cult to ash... Supposedly, it stood against what the Jedi were. Or rather, what their tenets were. But was anyone Kori knew truly a Jedi? No doubt there would be plenty of people, Force-sensitive or otherwise, who'd do the same thing in Alyse's place; Nykoria included.

Meanwhile, the path led the unlikely duo through the ominous gorge. Even when the ground was rather even, it seemed like an uphill walk for Kori. Subconsciously, a part of her held on to the Light, warding off the impeding Darkness. For the moment, it wasn't taking the Zeltron much effort. But it was a conscious effort nonetheless. Enough to prevent the Jedi Master from missing some of the finer details that the Darth picked up along the way.

The look the two shared resulted in Alyse's eyes going pale white again. There was something about the Sith's transformation that irked Kori. Seeing it felt almost as cringey as hearing the croak of the chalkboard. It could give even the movement of air and the general aura of the place a run for its credits.

There was a dark passage before them now, and Kori didn't pack a lightsaber, or even a glowrod. She was about to summon a wisp of light, but Alyse took care of it beforehand, lighting the braziers, so that the duo could see where the Force had led them. With a shrug of slight reluctance, the Zeltron simply followed the blonde into the chamber. A part of her wanted to say something to ease the mood. But none of what she had in mind would really fit the moment...

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
The chamber illuminated with an ambler glow, the light flickering with a pulsing burning energy as the once dormant braziers crackled with life. The chamber much like it's exterior was formed of an obsidian like stone, with various sigils and runes engraved into the glossy stone surface, the flickering amber light touching the outer glossy surface with a golden hue, allowing for the engravings to stand out as if they were shadows trapped beneath the surface. Within the very centre of the chamber stood a large sarcophagus, beside a single altar both fashioned with the same black stone, but with altar was adorned with various artefacts ranging from tomes, scrolls and pieces of armour.

Pursing her lips as she ventured further towards the centre sarcophagus, the blonde narrowed her eyes as she viewed a single bladed weapon that rested upon the surface of the lid. It's composition looked archaic in comparison to its current equivalents seen within the wider known galaxy, devoid of any signs of power packs that would be expected with Vibroblades or even at a push lighsabers, the blade was jagged and barbed along the one edge - designed not to provide a clean cut but rather to rip and tear at the flesh of those on the receiving end.

The Sith drew closer to the Sarcophagus, standing no further than a few feet away from it. Her eyes intently studying the Blade, head cocking to the side slightly as she raised a hand up from her side, slowly moving it towards the weapon, before hesitating for a moment and instead electing to cup her fingers around her chin in thought. She had enough experience and knowledge from Sith Tombs to know that even if they were benign in appearance, looks would undoubtedly be deceptive - so much so that to slightly disturb anything that was to be found could trigger various traps designed to end the lives of fools who would seek only to claim treasures held within who were unworthy of doing so.

Sighing the Sith took a step away from the edge of the sarcophagus, her eyes narrowing as she slowly and subtly moved her gaze over her shoulder, something felt out of place. Even on a world that resonated with the dark side, the closest comparison that she could draw upon as if she were presently standing on Korriban, where within the various tombs it would feel as if the spirits of the dead were always watching.
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
When Alyse looked over her shoulders, she would realize what and why felt so off. It was the air inside the chamber that had stopped moving. The reason was simple: the passage that the duo had taken to get inside was sealed again. An obsidian wall was in its place—just like everywhere else in the chamber. It had all happened quickly and quietly, without alerting the Jedi and the Sith. They'd have to find a switch or another way out.

But speaking of "them": Nykoria Tallis was nowhere to be seen. It was as if the Zeltron had vanished into thin air: without a sound and without a trace, while Alyse wasn't looking. All that remained was the chamber, its treasures, whatever traps it held, and the braziers that Ti'Varnus herself had lit.

"Aren't you a smart little thing?" a distorted voice rolled through the blonde's mind slowly. Its gender undetermined, its tone sweet and gooey, just with a little bit of superiority on top of it, like icing on the cake. "Came here for the sword, but wondering if you can take it?" The voice continued rather matter-of-factly. After a brief pause, it added: "Well, if you want it, then go ahead. I won't murder you for that. Neither I, nor the defenses, the traps, the toxins, or the beasts. Figured you'd like to hear that clarification, smarts."

With that, the voice would remain silent until addressed again. All that remained was the weapon: standing out among other treasures, dripping with the Dark Side, almost begging for a Sith to take it. That, and the unyielding sense of morbid curiosity.

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
The blonde's eyes narrowed as her gaze panned over the rest of the chamber, her chestnut hued irises darting about as she searched for the slightest sign of the Jedi Master who had accompanied her within the chamber. Yet her search was fruitless, there was no sign of the Zeltron, and the stone doors of the entrance had been sealed shut. Feeling the edges of her eyelids tighten, as if the blonde's eyes were bordering on the precipice of squinting.

Her head snapping to the side as an unfamiliar voice spoke out from seemingly the shadows of the chamber, its tone sickly sweet and dripping with temptation - carried a near underlying sense of condescending self superiority to it. The spirit revealing its presence by remarking on the Sith's hesitance to lay her hand upon the blade that was sat upon the Sarcophagus lid as if it were the main prize. Before proceeding to goad the blonde Sith, claiming that it won't murder her for touching the weapon, nor would the various defences that the spirit then proceeded to boast about.

A wry smirk curled on the edge of the Sith lord's lips, as her hand rather than taking up the invite, simply fell to her side. "Such an arrogant claim" the Darth retorted, with a sigh, as she took a step back away from the centre of the room. "To assume that I care for such a prize" Alyse spoke, her tone whilst neutral carried a conviction to her words. "Though to declare the nature of the defences that reside here, would imply that the sword is but a meagre token in comparison to what else is contained here"



Without warning the fires around the Zeltron extinguished themselves, plunging the chamber into near darkness. All that was faintly visible ahead of the Jedi Master as a single shadowy figure. There was little definition to figure ahead of the Jedi, no distinguishing features baring its silhouette, being that of a female human's form. The shadowy profile was bobbing slowly upwards and downwards - seemingly as if it was slowly walking away from the Jedi, even if the Jedi was physically stationary the sight of the shifting figure ahead of her gave the impression that she was moving, regardless of whether she was willing to do so.

The darkness and the shadowy figure remained the status quo for a few moments, before an arch of blue fire erupted into life ahead of the figure. The arch was perhaps a little more than a few feet wider and taller than the outline of the en-shadowed figure, its blue ethereal like flames flowing outwards as if it were a pool of flammable liquid that had just had a lit match thrown into the centre. Yet despite the intensive blaze that stood ahead of the figure, the movement remained un hindered or even undeterred.

Without any sign of hesitation, the figure ahead of the Jedi approached the wall of fire ahead of her and without slowing stepped through it, the flickering sapphire hued flames licking around the contours of the figure's body before consuming it whole, before settling back down to its original state, with only a faint glimmer of the figure's outline, distorted and warped as if buried beneath a wall of ice

46trbDR.gif
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
For a few moments, there was no reply to Alyse's actions and remarks. It was as if the voice was deep in thought. Then it rolled in Alyse's head again, with a quick and arrogantly-dismissive: "Of course, of course." Then, after a moment, it continued with amusement and confidence even more prominent: "If you do not care for the sword, then why did you reach out to touch it?"

Clearly, the entity deemed the previous question rhetorical. The next question, however, was not: "But you're correct, little thing. There is a lot more here than a sword, even if it is a powerful sword. And since you have your sights are set on so much more, then speak thine's heart's desire." Again, the entity remained quiet after that. Yet despite that, its hungry anticipation was almost palpable. It was looking forward to Alyse's reply.



"Kriff," the Zeltron cursed quietly as the place went dark. With a trained motion, she raised her hand to evoke a small spark of light that would replace the extinguished braziers. But despite all of Nykoria's efforts, the spark never flickered to life. A simple technique, that even some Padawans could utilize... And the Jedi Master couldn't reproduce it. It would be pitch-black if it weren't for the light ahead.

"Alyse?" she addressed the figure ahead of her, concern and a note of fear audible in her voice. Of course, neither the Ti'Varnus up ahead, and definitely nor the one talking to the entity, would hear her. Then the Zeltron had to curse again as the figure up ahead was consumed by the flames. The worst part? Kori felt nothing at all, as if she was cut from the Force.

With a sigh of grim determination, she took a few cautious steps towards the flame and the distorted figure that remained...

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
There truly was something to be said of the arrogance of those who saw themselves as untouchable, and clearly the sentiment carried across the mortal plain. Usually it was the reserve of corrupt officials, war lords and tyrants who could safeguard their arrogance by having a wall of loyal pawns standing between them and those they sought to rile. This spirit however was banking on the belief that they were separated by the mortal coil.

Not that it would have concerned the Sith Lord, having already encountered hostile spirits that sought to assail her on Korriban. The vengeful spirits of the Ancient Sith had swiftly found themselves subject of the Darth's wrath, and perhaps this spirit would find its fate to be wrapped in hellish flames should it try her temper - to ensure that the spirit would know that she was not some ignorant interloper, the images of the Sith spirits writhing in ethereal fire was brought to the forefront of the Darth's memory's.

Choosing not to answer the spirits question as to why she had initially reached for the blade, the answer was simple enough, because of the Dark Side's lure. It was easy to be drawn to it like moth to a flame, the real task was having the will to resist and not be burnt.

Rather the question that would hang in the air was what was the Sith Lord's desire. A wry smirk curled on the blondes lips, the spirit claimed that there was more than a powerful sword held within the chamber. But the question that the Sith lord had on her mind was just what the Spirit was even capable of possessing, to even have the eagerness to question the blonde's own desires. What was it that the Darth wanted? Power, wealth, immortality, absolute rule over all life?

The Death of the Force” Alyse spoke, her words short simple and perhaps abrupt. Her eyes narrowing as she continued to survey the tombs interior, looking for the slightest sign of the apperitian's appearance manifesting itself.




As the Jedi took those few tentative steps forward, towards the archway that had consumed the figure ahead of her. The shimmering blue flames dissipated into nothingness, as soon as the Master was within touching distance of it, it's extinguishing was as if a door had been slammed shut in Kori's face, denying her the ability to proceed any further. All that remained ahead of the Jedi was the misshapen form of a humanoid figure, its shoulders slouched, arms hanging and swaying loosely - but it was not just the arms that was swaying as if a breeze was toying with the figure. The rest of the body seemed to subtly swing from side to side as they hung limply in the air, pivoting from the figure's neck and tilted head.

With the last step that the Jedi took, the blue flames returned, but this time dancing along the outline of the misshapen figure, which like before seemed complete un-phased by the fact it was being consumed by an ethereal flame - instead all it seemed to do was twist it's tilted head so that it could look the Jedi through the corner of it's eye.

izwqXlU.gif

"Je'Daii" the figure spoke, its voice raspy as if its throat was suffering from an eternal thirst - one that could not longer be quenched owing to it's skeletal appearance. "Je'Daii... Child of Ashla.... why follow child of Bogan as you do so willingly" the figure questioned, as it's empty sockets starred right into the Jedi Master's gaze.
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
"Boo-hoo, so scary," there was more amusement than ever, now that the Sith Lord had reminisced her past dealings with ancient spirits, clearly intent on the entity sensing it. "A part of me is almost tempted to see you lash out and burn this place to the ground. That purple friend of yours must have faced your wrath before, huh?" Again, that was a question that didn't require an answer. But if intimidation was the goal of the Sith Lord, then it didn't work one bit.

Alyse's actual reply caused... silence. It lasted for a while; one could say that the entity was deep in thought. The reply was slower, graver, and with even more curiosity: "Now, why would a Sith want such a thing? The Force is what sets you apart from the rest, gives you your power. And yet you'd seek to give it up? Foolishness!" The spirit's delivery was still oddly friendly; as if it was explaining something obvious to a child. But given the age difference, it was appropriate without any "as ifs". "But ok, have it your way, blondie. That'll teach you to be careful what you wish for."

After a brief pause, the voice added cheekily: "The safe word is 'Sorry, I was a fool.' Remember it, smarts." And then the presence disappeared, as if it was never there. All that remained was the sealed chamber. The empty old tomb, with a sarcophagus and the metallic sword on top of it. Some books, scrolls, and pyramids lying around. And none of them radiated the Dark Side now. Even Alyse's own lightsaber felt different. Should she try to ignite it, it would produce no blade. After all, Kyber crystals were closely connected to the Force. And the Force was dead.

The Sith (if she could still be called that) was free to survey the chamber. She wouldn't see anything she hadn't seen already. And if she tried to call onto the Force...



The voice and the look of the ethereal presence gave Zeltron the chills. Instinctively, Kori's feet stepped into a stance, even though the Jedi had no weapon to defend herself. All she could do was let the Force flow through her, preparing to deal with whatever consequence that her reply would have. At least she tried; it seemed as if the place itself had been drained of the Force, leaving only Nykoria and the vision she was facing.

It was tough to actually answer the question. Why did she follow Alyse? "Circumstances..." Nykoria said the first thing that came to her mind. After all, had it not been for her unlikely and unconventional imprisonment on Bakura, she could still be fighting the threat that the Sith represented. But there was more to Kori's decision than that. "... and curiosity."

Indeed, that was reason number two. Alyse wasn't what you'd call a stereotypical Sith; so far, she hadn't given the Jedi Master a reason to think that her methods would misalign with Nykoria's own. And if they would, Kori would have a chance to see it, and maybe avert bloodshed. But somehow, she doubted that they'd ever reach that point.

"I just feel that something good can come out of it."

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
The Sith Lord remained silent, still and stoic after the words of her heart's desire had parted her lips. Her eyes narrowed as she cast her mind over the latter exchange from the entity that had been speaking to her, it had seen the images and memories that she had brought to the forefront of her mind - and the spirit had clearly reacted to it with mocking and amusement to what it had seen. Before proceeding to goad the Sith, declaring its temptation to have her lash out and flood the chamber with fire - mentioning that the Zeltron would once again be on the recieving end of her wrath.

Well that was one answer given as to what had set upon the empty tomb, this spirit or entity was within her mind, and influencing her perception. Since the spirit had first made it's presence known, the chamber had been notably vacant of the Jedi who had accompanied the Sith into the chamber - yet there was the implication that should Alyse unleash her wrath, Kori would feel it.

For a while it seemed that there was nothing but silence within the chamber, clearly the response given by the Darth had given the entity cause to re-assess those who had entered it's chamber. The spirit eventually spoke, questioning why the Sith would wish for such a thing, citing that it was the Force that set her above all other's, it gave her the power. Only to then lambast her choice as being one of a fool, the delivery as if it were speaking to an infant further emphasising the belief.

Then there was nothing, not even a numbness but a still silence that fell over everything. Broken only by the spirit's parting words, giving the lord an instruction on what to say to put an end to it. Closing her eyes the Sith simply took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air and holding it. Sensing nothing, feeling nothing but the slight draught running over her flesh, hearing nothing. Not even the whispers of the Force! For the first time in her life, there was nothing but her own thoughts and the sensation of her own body.

After savouring the peace and quiet that the 'death of the Force' had brought for perhaps what must be ten to fifteen minutes. Alyse opened her eyes, a slight grin curling at the edge of her lips, lingering for a few moments before she slowly started to walk around the perimeter of the sarcophagus, her eyes intently studying the burial plinth. Picking out the various details of the inscriptions that had been carved into the black rock, and looking to draw comparison to the runes of High Sith, Dathomiri or even Massassi to see whether there were any shared parallels to draw upon.

Knowing in part to the parting statement made by the spirit, that it's presence would be remaining, listening out for what she would guess to be the pleadings of a regretful and repentant Sith. The blonde pursed her lips in thought, as she continued to wonder around the chamber, visually examining everything that was being held on display. "You know, The universal law of the Force is but for mere lackeys" Alyse spoke, as her eyes ran along the visible texts of one of the tomes sat upon the altar. "Lackeys use and abide by the rules of the Force, and use it to pursue their own gain" she continued, as her attention moved away from the tome, and looked to focus upon the next artifact that sat beside it. "That is where context comes in, Kings see the Force, not for its rules, but a tool" she added, before taking a step back from the altar and instead paced her way around the perimeter of the chamber.



The ethereal skeletal form remained still and unmoving, continuing to regard the Jedi master through the corner of its empty eye sockets. It remained silent as it studied the Jedi after her response, answering that she merely followed the Sith out of circumstance, curiosity and the belief that something good would come out of it. The figure remained almost as if on pause for what seemed like several minutes, as if it's attention had truly been pulled else where - before after the tense eerie stillness the skeletal head moved away from regarding the Jedi and its gaze set seemingly on what was ahead of it.

"Circumstance, curiosity and the belief that something good would come as a result" The spectre spoke out, as it resumed it's path away from the Jedi. "Can you truly justify pretending to be one of them, Even as little by little it kills the person you truly are" it resumed after a brief silence, giving for a momentary pause to look over its shoulder at the Jedi once again. Its words seemed plain and simple enough, but there was an apparent double meaning implied through the tone in which the spirit spoke.

As the spectral form of the figure continued to move forwards, small shadowy forms laying on the floor could be seen drawing closer. At first they would look to be of little significance, only when the Jedi Master had stepped close enough to them, would she see that they were robed bodies, of varying species, age and size, but all of them shared a common trait, each of them clutching a small cylindrical object loosely in their hands, with the distinguishable signs of there being a lightsabre strike intersecting with their body.

The figure stopped once again, this time now to fully turn around and look at the Jedi directly, its limp hand moving towards its waist as if to reach for its weapon. Only for the spectre to suddenly fade away in a cloud of ash, revealing behind it another figure, it's features obscured from a hooded cloak that was draped over its upper body. But it's form was clearly that of another female, notably of a larger and less petite build. Standing there with a pair of ignited cyan hued blades, that gave illumination to a heavy scarred and mottled face, and a pair of blood shot eyes staring coldly at the Jedi. "If only you can see the look on my face"
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
The Sith Lord has apparently deduced what she was facing. Though it remained to be seen whether or not her guess and course of action were correct remained to be seen. She did restrain her wrath for the moment, and chose to remain an observer. Well, with Kori and the Force gone, the blonde had all the time in the world. The entity remained silent... Perhaps gone together with the Force. So the remarks that Alyse made were to herself and herself alone. Even her inspection of the runes would prove fruitless: the language used wouldn't be anything she had seen before.

But if the blonde would choose look at the inscriptions again, after making her speech, she would indeed find something. The runes covering the tomb would actually prove an old variant of Massassi; something that a scholar like Alyse would be familiar with. The runes could be roughly translated as "Frustrating errors of my past self." Curiously enough, averting the gaze for one moment would result in the runes changing, being replaced with Dathomiri: "My regrets for my past folly."

After a while, upon next glance, the runes would once again transform into High Sith. The language having these words, it would finally read "Sorry, I was a fool. Smart is boring, by the way." Should that prove not enough of a hint, the Sith runes would cheekily transform into Aurebesh in plain sight: "Want to say it yet?"



The Zeltron just shrugged at the double-bottomed remark of the entity: "I don't really delve as deep. I just do what I think is right at the moment. And learn from my mistakes when I'm proven wrong." Her glance went around all the dead Jedi who were surrounded her. "Jedi, Sith... Those are just blanket terms, with people behind them. A wise man once said that the Galaxy consisted of individuals, not of the collective."

Kori took a deep as she approached the figure, standing just a few meters away from it. That's when she heard the familiar voice, saw the familiar cyan blades. That massacre... She knew she couldn't have done that. She never would. Yet it didn't make the prospect any less revolting.

"It is irrelevant," she replied calmly, with just a little softness in her voice. "What I care about more is the path that brought you where you are."

@Topher
 

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
With the exception of the sound of the heal of her boots connecting with the stone floor, with a light and repetitive clicking sound. The blonde remained silent as she continued to circle the chamber, her chestnut hued eyes intently continuing to survey the interior, perhaps in part looking for clues, but also biding her time keeping her mind focused and contained within itself. She didn't require the need of the Force to centre herself and maintain order within her thoughts, that born from years of discipline, patience and concealment of her own intentions from Locura and the rest of his cult.

Aylse slowed down in her pace, as her eyes caught a brief glimpse of Massassi Runes, engraved on the sarcophagus. A curious arch raising on her brow as she read the text, that had since the last time she looked at it became readable to a degree. A simple "heh" past the blonde's lips as she slightly rolled her shoulders and then proceeded to continue walking around the perimeter of the chamber - this time to spice things up, she had turned on her heel before backtracking on herself. Stopping for a brief moment to cover her mouth as she yawned, before stretching out her arms, followed by a slight sweep of her left leg to the side, before taking a few more steps and sweeping her right further out to the side and then proceeding to continue along walking around the perimeter of the sarcophagus, seemingly keeping more of an interest on where she was placing her feet,

Once she had leisurely lapped around the perimeter, the Sith lord cocked her head to the side, as her eyes glanced over yet another change in the runes, this time the words speaking of regrets for a past folly was inscribed in the script of the Dathomiri night witches. This time the Sith simply smiled, before proceeding to continue with her pacing around the perimeter. This time taking a quick side step, to widen the circumference of the loop she was walking around the chamber.

"So the spirit, has frustrations over it's past regrets" Alyse spoke out, more as if she was thinking aloud, but also just in case the spirit was still lingering. After all that was enough evidence to point towards it's continued presence, with the changing of the proverbial writings on the wall as it were. "I wonder what those errors could be?" she continued, with a slight grin on her features.



A sickening twisted smile wrapped around the apparition's features, as the Jedi Master in front of her so readily dismissed the sight around her and also before her as being irrelevant, declaring that of all things she was more concerned about the path that had brought the visage of the Jedi Master to where she was now presently standing. The Sickening smile twisted into a tooth baring smirk, as it tilted its head backwards slightly. "I Just did what was right for the moment" The Jedi master's mirrored self responded before pointing one of the lightsaber blades towards the scattered bodies on Kori's left hand side. "It's the Sith, we need to do something about them" the doppelganger spoke, with a warped smile as it walked over and crouched down beside one of the bodies, forcefully pulling away the hood, to reveal a mask typical to that worn by the acolytes of the Sith Order

"But I do know one thing. We the Jedi, are best suited to do something about it" she continued before proceeding to once again forcefully remove the next layer from the body, revealing a pasty faced young male, who whilst despite being in his late teens, had the clear expression that betrayed the internal conflict that lay behind the blood stained face. Raising to its full height the visage, turned it's attention back towards the Jedi Master, its blood shot eyes staring hard at the Jedi. "This is the path you instigated, inspiring so many to follow in your footsteps" the vision resumed, before it walked to the next body crouching down and this time removing the shrouding hood with a degree of reverence, revealing the face of a familiar one eyed Jedi Councillor.

Looking up from the body of the fallen councillor, the visage cast a pensive expression, as it sought to delve within 'it's' own memories, before a raising a hand as if having a eureka moment. "Thats right! he was there to support you! right or wrong, but he didn't want to fight and lose friends engaging in active conflict with the Sith" it spoke out, as its tired blood shot eyes looked back at the Jedi Master. "Such a great leader I turned out to be eh? Sharing a nest with a Scorpion, and ignoring every opportunity to strike when it's back is turned"
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
The blonde was proving by the minute that she wasn't as smart as she looked. All it would take was to say the damned words! And yet she took her sweet time walking around and pretending that she didn't get the point. For as shrewd of a person as her, that was clearly a ruse. Mockery even. That just wouldn't do.

Far above the center of the room, a green flash of light emerged briefly, producing a lightning that hit the floor next to the sarcophagus. In a moment, the green glow disappeared into nothingness. Instead, a cloaked and hooded figure stood in the chamber, turning towards Alyse. It's richly-adorned black robes and an ornate mask betrayed a certain status. But the figure itself phased from side to side, as if its presence wasn't truly physical.

"Insolent wretch!" this time the voice didn't roll in Alyse's head, but rather rang across the room. Distorted by the mask, the age or gender of the person were left a mystery. The only thing that was obvious was the entity's mounting anger: "Not entertaining at all! And for that..." Raising both hands and aiming the crooked gloved fingers, it added menacingly: "... I'll make you kneel, and paint this place with your blood."

Another green flash across the entire chamber, and the blue torrents of lightning darted towards the blonde. Intent to deliver a world of hurt to the Sith who had dared to invoke the wrath of her betters.



It took a mirrored reply from her dark alter ego for Kori to realize what the entity had tried to show her. The Zeltron's very own approach of "doing the right thing in the moment". The approach that led to the ill-fated attack on Sullust; to leaving Ajan Kloss open for the Sith attack; to encouraging others to fight and risk their lives... And for what? Were Nykoria's true motives genuine when she had started her Guardians movement? In retrospect, the Jedi Master had to admit that they were not.

Kori couldn't really reply anything to the doppelganger that stared at her. Instead, she simply listened and watched. All the words were the very same that Nykoria had once said to her friends and fellow Jedi. When the vision changed faces again, she saw but a kid; almost as young as her own sister, if not younger. She didn't recognize the face; she wasn't even certain if she saw a Sith or a Jedi.

But did it truly matter? In the end, what she saw was an indoctrinated boy, misguided by one side or the other. "I'm sorry," she whispered, reminiscing the moments on Yavin IV, just after they had learned what had transpired on Ajan Kloss. "I lacked the foresight or strength to do what had to be done." The Master's gaze fell on the dead Councillor, one whom she had known since her Knight years.

Speechless, the Zeltron listened to the tirade that her alternate self had to offer. In a way, there was much more in common between them than Kori had thought initially. "That's right," she shrugged, as her gaze wandered between the countless others slain Jedi on display. Even though she knew it wasn't real, Kori felt she owed them as much. "I wanted to defeat the Sith..." Reminiscing that time felt like moving boulders; and yet the Zeltron continued; each confession coming more difficult than the previous one. "To lead... To be on the Jedi Council... To be hailed as a hero. And all those desires ain't worth a single life."

But there was more to it when the regret and the wrongdoings of one Zeltron. Nykoria shifted her gaze to her alter ego: "And yet, Max did the same. For reasons better than mine, but he did confront the Sith. He didn't want it, but he wouldn't have it any other way." She exhaled through her nose, as a sad smirk formed on her lips. "He came to the same conclusions and made the same decision as I did. He just proved to be a better Jedi than me."

"And that is why I won't kill her. Because he wouldn't have done it," the Zeltron turned towards her alternate self, compassion in her voice. "Because he detested violence when there was any other way. And he wouldn't strike in the back. Especially not someone who can still be redeemed. He'd lift her up, not bring her down. And that's what I intend to do."

An award pause ensued, as Nykoria looked at the corpses of those she would've fought with. For the first time in a long while, there was no anger, grief, or humiliation. Just a quiet sadness over what could have been... And a determination to do things right this time. Something that her alter ego would probably be feeling too. Turning towards the entity, the Jedi did something one might consider foolish. She extended an open hand: "All we can do while we're alive is to try and make things right."

@Topher
 
Last edited:

Alyse Ti'Varnus

Character
Sith Order
Rank
Champion

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Topher
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
333
Reaction score
264
Well finally the charade was lifted! The spirit seemingly either bored with the blonde's despondent and uncaring attitude to the situation she had found herself within, or going by the tone of it's opening words was infuriated by the Sith's lack and unwillingness to comply with the little game it was playing. The Form of the spirit now that it had revealed itself, carried a fair resemblance to a sight that she knew all to well, cloak, hood and an ornate mask. Regardless of what ever incarnation or denomination so to speak, the Spirit's attire was similar to that of a Sith Lord.

The words that followed, continued to drip with a building anger, that came to the inevitable climax that she knew all to well. A threat! that only elicited a wry grin from the Sith as she simply shook her head. Closing her eyes, she braced herself for the lash of Force lightning that would envelop her. Her hands balling up into tight fists, clenching harder and harder as she force lighting cascaded over her body, but despite a slight flinch of her body the blonde remained standing in defiance.

Instead the Sith simply looked back at the apparition hovering infront of her. Her chestnut hued eyes narrowed, as a brief glint of her own anger was betrayed through the steely gaze she continued to direct at the spirit. "Who said I would ever indulge you for entertainment" Alyse spoke, her words short sharp and dripping with a practiced authority. Before taking a step backwards, and sweeping her fore leg round in a wide arc. "Timias ridis tuti kinriatsa, Nu tuti ros kûjana sis mazo anas ri tsosûtijoma ir Tsis kiara uri, kad akizi oi ai zo tarati dzitka ao a" The blonde spoke out once her foreleg came to a rest. Her eyes darkening a little as her hands raised up from the side.

As her hands raised, a red glow started spread out from where Alyse was standing, spreading around the chamber, following the lines that had been formed on the floor by the footprints left by the blonde whilst she had been seemingly walking around the chamber and mocking the Spirit with her lack of interest to the simulated death of the Force. But her movements had been with a purpose, drawing out an enlarged binding circle that she had learnt from her hours studying ancient Sith texts and scriptures, she had previously used an incantation from the texts on Moraband when trying to interrogate a captured raider that was defiling an Ancient Sith tomb, but the intent for this incantation was to seal the spirit within the confines of the red glowing circle in front of her that encircled the sarcophagus.

"Identify yourself, and speak your purpose"



The doppelganger tilted her head for a moment, listening to the Zelton spout out her failings, declaring that it was her want to defeat the Sith, to be a leader, to sit on the Jedi council and hailed a hero. With each thing Kori rattled off, the smirk on the visage grew in intensity, widening and widening to the point that the grin could be almost parallel to a nexu cat. The grin did soften a little as the heartfelt words continued, this time reflecting on the late Jedi Council member Maxims, who sought the same thing but in comparison to the list of the Jedi Master's own faults had chose to do so reluctantly.

"That is why you are just a pretender" The war ravaged visage of the Zeltron spoke out with a slight cackle as it defiantly swung it's two lightsaber blades off to the side, dismissing the offer of the Jedi's hand. "A true Jedi would never desire such petty things as to be a Hero, to sit in high office, to win the war. No they do not seek such titles, they only reluctantly accept them" The visage continued before taking a step closer, raising one of her sabers and pointing it towards the Jedi's chest. "And deep down you know it" she added with a almost knowing tone, the bloodshot and tired eyes staring hard into the Zelton's own.

Before Kori would have the opportunity to respond or offer her rebuttal, the visage of her self started to fade into a cloud of smoke, starting with the blades of the cyan lightsabers before working its way towards the core of the apparition. "And you will not kill her, because you owe her your life......" the visage spoke just before the haze had consumed its mouth, it's parting words were almost barely audible above a faint whisper.

caGUS0A.gif
The cloud then rolled backwards away from the Jedi master, and hovered there for a few moments before continuing to move away, this time as it the haze retreated another familiar figure had started to come into sight, this one being a tall and rather stocky build Zeltron male, his stance conveying a degree of almost militaristic discipline. His eyes looking around the immediate area before falling upon the Zeltron Jedi. A mixed look of familial affection and disappointment formed on the man's features as he regarded his 'daughter'. For a few moments the man simply stared in silence at the Jedi, wearing the familiar looking law enforcement fatigues and armour that the Jedi would remember from a past life.

"My little dreamer" The man spoke, with a light smile on his features trying to move away from the slight flash of disappointment that he had conveyed initially. "Did you not learn anything from your time at the Academy?" he spoke before with out there being anything visible near by, seemingly sat down on something with a slight grunt of discomfort. "You concealed your true self from your fellow cadets, when we knew of your connection to the Force, your mother and I understood why you wanted to go train with the Jedi to better control your abilities" the man resumed before leaning forwards and resting his elbows on his knees. "But even now, you are still concealing yourself away"
 

Nykoria Tallis

Character
Jedi Order
Rank
Jedi Master

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Catbert
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
467
Reaction score
436
The blonde's resistance came across as... unexpected. For a moment, the torrents of lighting would stop, as if the spirit had ceased the assault. But the ancient Lord's hands still pointed at Alyse, and the barrage resumed with twice the intensity. And yet, it didn't seem to be enough. Through sheer strength of her will, the invader resisted the torturous lightning. She demonstrated her cautiousness, self-regard, conviction, and ability. And more importantly—and to the spirit's possible dismay—the skills in the Dark Arts that would be unattainable by your average Sith brute.

As Alyse spoke her incantation, the red glow spread from her position and around the chamber. Only for a moment did it collide with another brief flash of green glow hovering a few meters above the sarcophagus. But that little collision of powers didn't seem to affect the blonde's plan. As the red glow reached the apparition, it started shoving the spirit closer towards the sarcophagus, into the circle that the woman had prepared quite insidiously. The spirit groaned in anger and raised its arms again, as if resisting an unstoppable gale. And yet, despite its efforts, soon it was standing by the sarcophagus, hands beating the nigh-invisible red wall in futile attempts.

Realizing the futility of its attempts, the spirit stopped beating on the invisible walls and lowered its arms despondently. When Alyse approached and demanded to know the nature of the spirit, it would finally raise its head again. Eyeless mask stared at the young Sith for a moment. And then followed a reply much different than before. It was no longer a pleasant voice oozing in your head. It wasn't the rambling of an ancient deranged Darksider. It was calm, serious, and authoritative; superiority shown not in words, but in confident indifference.

"You haven't earned it to learn my name just yet," the spirit replied plainly, staring at his captor through the immaterial wall. "But you will learn my purpose." With that, the spirit took a step forward. Another green flash above the sarcophagus, and the ancient Sith walked through the red barrier like it was nothing. Now standing face to face with the blonde.

In a split-second, the spirit's palm shot up, intent on connecting to her abdomen. It would be accompanied by another green flash at the same spot—longer this time—and a surge of the Force befitting a Darth. A surge that could send the blonde flying a few meters and dropping on her back. The spirit, however, wouldn't continue it's attack. Lowering its arm, it would add plainly: "I'm here to test you." And although the spirit said nothing else, other thoughts, not entirely her own, would surge in her brain.

Your incantation has failed. You do not even know what you're truly up against. What are you going to do now?



The wider her alter-ego's grin became, the more important it became to Nykoria to convince her other self. For a while, it even seemed like it worked. Perhaps Kori could hope to win that struggle for peace that most Jedi were going through. But then her hopes came crashing as the other Zeltron rejected it outright. As ever, her other self was precise in her assessments... Even more precise than Kori herself could've been. She did owe Alyse her life and her freedom, however relative it was.

"Yes," the Jedi Master whispered, her slow delivery betraying uncertainty and the thought process going. But those words would fall on a disappearing Zeltron... And a strange green flash that accompanied the emergence of another figure. The figure that Kori knew all too well. Her mind told her it was impossible. And yet here he stood: her father, in the flesh.

"I know..." were the first words that managed to escape Kori's mouth after her "father's" heartfelt explanation. She wanted to add "... you are not real", but something prevented her. In the end, did it truly matter? If Kori couldn't prove her point to the person who looked, spoke, and probably even thought her father (she'd even wager that the welcome she got this time was much warmer), then what difference would it make?

"My other self has just told me I'm a pretender," she responded quietly, her tone showing just how knackered the woman was emotionally from confronting her mistakes. "I tried my best, I really did. Threw myself into harm's way for others on Coruscant, Ryloth, and Sullust. Tried to let go of my desires, as a Jedi should. But..." She snorted briefly through her nose, finally verbalizing something that she had felt long before. "Being a Jedi isn't a state, it's a process." The brown eyes looked at the man desperately, eager to catch a slightest change or reaction.

"My Master once explained to me that in some ways, a Force is like a weapon. Something you handle with care," Nykoria shrugged, walking towards her "father" to stand by his side. "I always liked this explanation. It doesn't give you the understanding of the Force itself, but it does put things into perspective. In a way, a Force-wielder ain't much different from a guy with a gun." Only now did Nykoria realize how closely it matched to what Alyse had told you minutes before, during their walk towards this place.

"Some use the weapons for their personal gains," she explained, eager to share her outlook and feelings. "Others—to do right by people around them, To prevent violence by merely being out there with the weapon. Or by disarming someone who'd use the weapon for illicit goals," the Zeltron paused, her mind trying to put together a good example or a conclusion for the line of thought. "I guess, what I mean to say is... The police guidelines do help in the Jedi Order as well. And that despite all my failures, I know what I am and what I am not."

@Topher
 
Top