Ask Hoth A monster meets the Devil

[Gareth Gin]

As the cold numbed his face and the snow started to pile on his shoulders, the old White Lion of Zaa Fenn finally stood in front of the castle of what was the most dangerous creature in the galaxy. He had felt the pulse in the force when it was born or, rather, awoken, but he had not mustered the courage to delve too deep into it, at least, not at first...But although feeling that presence had been terrifying, to someone as fallen as Gareth it was also captivating. It had peeked his interest and, as he cared less and less about his own life or about things he had once stood for, he eventually found himself standing at the door's of what one could only describe as the Devil.

The Miralukan stood completely still, patiently waiting without moving an inch in an environment where lesser men would fall to the coldness of the climate, he had made his presence known in the force, and now he was just waiting for an answer. What the future held for him if he kept tempting the force by interacting with something so terrible, he didn't know: Answers, a purpose, a fight that he couldn't hope to win, all choices that appealed to a man so lost as he was, a proud warrior that had been brought to his lowest, most uncertain point. Once he had controlled millions and ruined planets, but now he had come back to just do jobs beneath him, his family now working for the slug that was half the reason he was put away in the first place, a slave, a prisoner and a dog most of his life...a life that ultimately brought him to this point.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Raze]

The wraith was used to people - no, snacks - showing up at this doorway. Normally he made meals of them, sometimes he did far worse to them before putting them out of their misery, and a few rare times he kept them. He had recently returned from his excursion on Utapau with an artifact that he intended to put to use right away. He had spent the last few weeks in an attempt to modify it and mold it to his liking. The artifact resisted him at first, as did most things constructed by Renfry, but he was finally piercing through it.

His pet, Rax, had warned him about someone approaching and he made his way towards the entrance. Gareth would be able to cross the icy bridge to the fortress without trouble. The massive double doors opened and a tall, formidable Fras stood at the doorway.

The Miralukan was led down a corridor lined with statues and decor. It was clear Raze had a penchant for the arts. Another set of doors opened to reveal a large chamber with a tall throne in the middle. The Anzat was casually sitting on the seat, leaned to one side with his chin resting on his fingers. He gave a nod to dismiss his loyal pet, his crimson gaze focusing on the Miralukan.

Gareth would see Raze through the Force, and it was the inkiest black he would have ever seen a presence in the Force. It was a wound in the cosmic balance of life, a poisonous entity and a perversion of everything natural and good. He would see all of that personified in the figure that sat on the throne in front of him.

Raze recognized Gareth, of course, he had handed him packaged and with a bow on top to the Mon Cala diplomats years prior. However, that was Emryc’s concern, not his. The Anzat studied him for a moment, practically smelling the strength he carried in the Force. And with it, he studied the almost defeated posture. If Gareth did not have the sense to kneel, Raze would make short work of him by feasting. However, if he did kneel, dialogue would proceed.

“Have you come to die, Gareth Gin, Legend of Nar Shaddaa?” He asked, amusement bleeding into his tone as he called out the lofty title.

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

Gareth followed the servant, not uttering a single word uttered to him, the servant was raw muscle and strength, but the old Lion was hardly impressed by that anymore. The Miralukan's head hardly moved as he walked around, the force relaying information even as detailed as the paintings that surrounded him, although the way Gareth perceived them was much different than most people, including those that had learned to see through the force but were not born with such an ability.

And as someone that used the force to see, he saw Darth Raze for what he truly was, even more so than the average person could tell: Pure malice, a malice that he could recognize even though the two of them had never formally met "So, it was you after all..." The old legend muttered, his tone of voice betraying that he already suspected that to be the case. Had he suddenly reverted back to his younger years, back when he was both more inexperienced and had more care for his life, Gareth would be sweating buckets, knowing that even someone like him had little chance to make it out alive if he made the wrong move.

But even though he lacked the ability to care about his life, respect would still be given to Raze's presence by the fact that his body involuntarily tensed up in front of him, being in full alert as he knew that, right now, the wrong move would turn the lion into nothing but prey, prey that struggled more than most, but prey regardless.

"Mhm..." His fists clenched as Raze asked his question, genuinely considering for a second if dying here was what he wanted. Indeed, suicide by fighting the most dangerous creature in the galaxy was not the worst way to go in his eyes, it was something he would be content with.

"No." The Lion would, indeed, kneel before Darth Raze. It was not a secret that Gareth hated the sith. Ever since they betrayed Preef and put a bounty on his head as if they hadn't done much worse than the Lion. He hated the way they used him to look better and he hated how dishonest they were about their nature. Raze, however, never did that. He was the monster that destroyed everyone that came for him, he was what Gareth had hoped to be once, but the devastation of Mon Cala's was child's play in comparison to the ruination the sith lord had brought...

...He needed to gain inspiration from the best "I've come to find purpose." Gareth would declare, hoping that Raze had any use for him. Any other person in the galaxy wouldn't do, many would pay to have Gareth under their paycheck, but he found them all unworthy, greedy dirtbags...Not even Preef felt good enough, working for a Hutt, the other one to put a prize on his head as a PR stunt besides the Empress no less. No, it had to be him.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Raze]

The Anzat sat silently, eyeing Gareth as if appraising a work of art. The man was far larger and more formidable in appearance than Raze was, which made their dynamic all the more interesting. It was always impossible to tell what the wraith was thinking - it could be appraising for potential service to him or a meal. A powerful Force entity like Gareth was absolutely decadent to an Anzat.

“Your timing is fortuitous,” He said as he reached for the glass of wine he had been nursing from before Gareth walked in, “By walking in through those doors,” His gaze flicked to the doors behind Gareth, “You have surrendered your life to me. You are mine to do with as I please,” It was not a request - it was a declaration of facts, “Your purpose is to serve me.”

Raze drained his goblet and set it down, rising to his feet. He was pale and thin in appearance, standing several inches shorter than the Miralukan. But his strength and his commanding presence was unmistakable. Someone like Gareth would always be reminded of what stood before him - if not from the signature in the Force then by the brisk chill of the room that had nothing to do with Hoth’s temperatures.

“But it comes with...benefits,” He said as he practically glided past Gareth, gesturing him to follow with a lazy wave of his graceful fingers, “You will know power beyond what you could have ever achieved on your own. More power than what anyone can teach you,” He explained as he started to go down a spiraling set of stairs to the dungeons below. Already Gareth would feel a pulse in the Force. He would know there was something down below that throbbed with power in the Force. The wraith was always aware of his surroundings, not ignorant enough to drop his guard even as Gareth walked behind him. A toe out of line and the Miralukan would become a meal.


@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

The Miralukan stood silent as Raze proclaimed that the White Lion's life was now his, that his purpose was to serve him. Gareth would not object to this, he knew that was one of the two things that could've happened after coming to Hoth, it was the better alternative, truth be told. The Lion had never truly been free, always a prisoner or a slave in one way or the other, even if he didn't want to admit it, it was true...Once a slave, always a slave, like he had been told in the past. But he had chose a worthy path now, he just had to make sure to follow it.

When Raze told him that his life now belonged to him, the Miralukan couldn't help but smirk a little bit, it was not disrespect, nor was it arrogance, and it was certainly not the Miralukan challenging that statement "So be it, I've been dead for decades" it was amusement at the fact that anyone could call the lost husk that was he someone with a "life" to surrender, a spiritualist like Gareth had low opinions on those who wandered aimlessly, that included himself "Today is the day I live, and such is the price to pay." The fallen Matukai would add, still kneeling until Raze gestured him to follow.

Gareth followed the Anzat, silently listening as he talked, the promises of power piquing his interest as they went deeper and deeper below. Of course, the senses of the Miralukan would be quick to pick up on the force pulse quite quickly, something almost as wicked as the man he was currently following, but quite different, it was not a living creature, or at least it didn't feel like one "...An artifact?" The fallen Matukai would ask, whatever it was, it was obvious they were heading towards it, but that seemed to be the most likely guess.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Raze]

The dungeons opened up to a massive, open space with a huge orb suspended mid air. It pulsed with power and a darkness that was almost tangible. Raze had been meddling with it, and it warped with energies that were his own. Streaks of green crackled and burned, and even though Gareth wouldn’t be able to see it, he would sense the presence of magick.

“Kneel there,” He said calmly, indicating to a square shape on the floor, “And open yourself to me,” It was the closest anyone got to Raze asking before he took. The wraith wanted to delve into Gareth’s mind and begin twisting and warping things. His first subject had walked in so willingly, he was more than thrilled to oblige. He hadn't tested this prior, and he didn't know if the subject would even survive. However, he had claimed to be dead, so it didn't matter either way.

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

As they got closer to the artifact, the Miralukan was able to sense it better, the way it felt, the way it felt in the force, the energy that crackled from it and the darkness that it exuded. It was enough to give even someone like Gareth pause: Even though he did not care for what happened, a part of him subconsciously tried to pull him away. The last embers of his old self, clinging to him, trying to remind him of values he one held, trying to stop him from becoming someone, something, even worse.

However, that part of him would give him pause, but nothing more. The White Lion would do as told, ditting on his knees, inhaling sharply before letting out a big exhale, preparing himself for whatever came ahead before finally opening himself to the force "I am ready." He would say, letting the Wraith know, his life was now in his hands, and it was something he had accepted, as his fate now he had to go through and endure whatever he had in store for him.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Raze]

It would be subtle at first. He would see memories of his tribe, the ways he shaped and manipulated the Force. The way he was used as a weapon. He would see glimpses of Preef Callo, Aska Ryun and others that all contributed to his story in some shape or form. He would see his dilemmas in the mines where he failed to save the Jedi he was with as the Killik overran everyone. He would see his own weaknesses and strengths, and he would feel a foreign presence in his mind.

It was the most vivid picture he would ever have witnessed, with all the colors and vibrant details. It was almost overwhelming to the senses, but he would be drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Raze had an insidious way of working where his victims sometimes didn’t understand what happened as he tore away at them bit by bit. The wraith half created and half feasted upon Gareth, eating at his essence and filling himself as he pleased. Gareth wouldn’t know the difference and he wouldn’t realize more and more of his individuality was being consumed and manipulated.

Though it felt like an eternity, only moments passed. The wraith stepped back to stare at Gareth. The Miralukan wouldn’t feel much different, but would feel an overwhelming compulsion to obey the wraith before him. Dark veins pulsed throughout his body as if his blood were inky black. They pulsed only for a moment before fading, but it was a sign that he wasn’t the same anymore.

“Come,” Raze said simply, leading him out of the dungeons and out into a wide, open field outside. Once there, he turned to face Gareth, a cruel smile gracing his lips, “Now let me see you,” He said simply, bidding his new creation to obey and transform.

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

It was like he was looking back on every important moment of his life, flashing as if he was dying...And in a sense, he was. As parts of him were modified and consumed, the Miralukan couldn't help on fixating on those events: All of them failures. His failure to avoid being captured when he was young, his failure to defeat the ISC, his failure to rise and take over Zaa Fenn...His failure to move on after that. Failures, failures, failures, the word that had resonated within his head for most of his life. Weakness that, alongside the need for loyalty his subconscious craved, made it easier for the Wraith to change parts of him as he deemed fit, aligning his loyalty so it could be his and his alone.

Eventually, however, the Lion would snap out of it, his head turning towards the man he now felt compelled to follow. Of course, the unnatural change of opinion on him was not something that flew over his head. The Lion could gather that something had been influence to change the dynamic between the two of them even further, but he did not care, chances are he would have not cared before either, this was a newfound purpose, it was what he had asked for.

The Lion would silently follow Darth Raze outside, the Miralukan's head turning towards the open field as he heard the words come out of the Wraith's mouth.

And then, it happened.

 

[Fallen Beast of Zaa Fenn]

Once more, every single event that had led the White Lion to this replayed on his head, his rage increasing at a fast pace as he let all of the negative feelings that had taken hold of his heart resurface at once: Hatred, loneliness, sadness, anger, frustration, all of them rising...But they were not enough, no, there was an event in particular that would serve as the last ingredient: The desolation of Mon Cal; that singular day when the worst parts of Gareth took a hold of him...and the sick pleasure he felt from it all. Bones being broken, lifes being ended. The satisfaction of having a whole planet poisoned and his leaders killed because of his commands. Things he had supressed for most of his life, but not anymore.

The thrill of the hunt, the sensation of death, feelings on the opposite side of the spectrum, yet just as sick and twisted as the others. This, in combination with his hatred, became the catalyst as Gareth felt to his knees, a powerful, gutwrenching howl coming out of him as his flesh began to change and mutate, painful beyond anything else the fallen Matukai had felt, but just as cathartic.

As his skin began to twist and mutate, the Miralukan's features would change, turning into those of a beast: His mouth grew sharper teeth, his size increased even further, dwarfing even the biggest sentient species in the galaxy, and his face even grew eyes, the glow in his face hiding the tears that came out of his new sense of vision, the pain of seeing light for the first time since he was born being overwhelimg at first.

At the same time, black tendrils started to come out of his skin, wrapping around his body as they basically replaced it, some of it would band together to add extra appendages, such as the three tendrils that would constitute a tail or the four piercing talons on his back. Not only that, but the tendrils toughened and solidified in certain places, such as the torso, where it acted as natural armor...However, where it toughened the most was around his Matukai gauntlets, weapons that once were a extension of his body in a metaphorical sense, now literally as the tendrils twisted them into clawed gauntlets, brutal weapons that were much more brutal without lacking effectiveness.

Eventually, the transformation would be finished and the abomination would get up, letting out a bestial howl, his new form towering over the wraith as the creature looked at him with labored breath. It was clear that there was aggressiveness emanating from the beast, craving blood and flesh to feast upon in order to crown its transformation. While it had not completely lost all of his sense and sapience at the moment, the only one safe from his hunger right now was Raze himself.

 

[Darth Raze]

He was there to witness the transformation, hearing every snap of bone, every crunch or tearing of muscle. It was beautiful to behold, and like music to his ears. He stood like a sentry, a god before his subject, a creator to his creation. The beast towered over him, and let out an unnatural howl. The wraith stood there listening to the howl carry through the winds, far beyond his fortress and through the skies. It was to herald a new era, a new curse upon the galaxy, a new hell to unleash.

Raze stared at his creation, his lips curling into a smile. His efforts had paid off - his experimentation and tweaking with Renfry’s orb had worked. The beast was his and his to command. He could feel that the mental thread between him and the beast was undeniable. He gave a subtle gesture with his fingers and the abomination would be forced to kneel.

The wraith stepped forth to take in sight of the monster. He looked into the eyes and he could see the single hint of what the beast had been originally - Gareth. He was buried in there somewhere, deep down inside. He had no control over this body, no will to exert. He was imprisoned in this form, forced to obey as Raze demanded.

“Perfection,” The Anzat whispered, his red eyes gleaming with delight at his creature. He couldn’t very well keep such a beautiful beast chained up. No, the White Lion would be set free to prowl.

@Versok