Ask A Witch's Cabin

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Cold yellow eyes gazed out at a planet consumed. Infernos raged through formerly pristine forests, reducing plentiful flora and fauna alike to ash. Mag Mel lay in ruins, the desperate cries of a dying populace carried away on an indifferent evening breeze as dark abominations ran rampant. They stood atop the palace, a fistful of black curls in their hand forcing a broken regent to watch as his home was laid to waste. The king spit out blood, mumbling something, but it no longer mattered. With the sweep of a crimson blade the king shared in his planet's fate, his head placed upon a pike on the palace overlook so that even dead obsidian eyes might watch the final destruction of Annwfyn. The devil smiled with cold, heartless satisfaction as their betrayer became the first to taste their rage.

---

Belsavis​

Ayomi awoke with a start, red eyes with yellow-stained irises blinking open as they took a deep breath through the oxygen tube affixed over their mouth. They were floating, but not in a palace pool on Korriban; this was a bacta tank. A clear pane of glass surrounding the tank revealed the face of a medical droid, who after starting at a datapad for a long moment pressed a few buttons on a nearby control panel. The liquid around Ayomi began to drain as the realization finally hit them.

They were alive.

They slowly sank with the depleting bacta, falling into a kneeling position as the tank finished draining and the glass door slid open. The Tiefling slowly stood, stumbling as they took a few steps out of the tank and collapsed to the floor. Why couldn't they balance...? The memories of Korriban suddenly flooded back.

Pain. The ever-familiar feeling coursed through their body as Ayomi pushed up off the floor with their left hand and surveyed their body. Aside from tight-fitting white shorts and a similar sports-bra-like covering for their chest, the bruises and scars patterning their blue skin were plentiful. A bandaged stump where their right hand should be would prove a problem, but worse was the absence of their tail. Grimacing, they grabbed a nearby table to pull themself up and lean on as they surveyed the room around them.

It seemed to be a cross between a medbay and a labroatory, with a variety of droids performing different tasks involving racks of test tubes or organizing medical supplies. This wasn't good. For all Ayomi knew, this was all to prepare them to be dissected as part of one of Arcanos' science experiments. They stood with a wide, unbalanced stance and called upon the Force to pull the medical droid from earlier to their good hand, eyes flaring yellow as the Dark Side coursed through them.

"Where. Am. I?" the Tiefling asked the droid with a hoarse voice and a pain in their chest, the result of vocal chords that hadn't been used in over a week and ribs still recovering from severe fractures.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Spoiler: Music

Song

Serene's eyes opened while she was inside her meditation chamber. She sensed the tiefling was awake. The demands of Caerllion and Darth Arcanos had kept her busy though she still understood the value of meditation. The woman had not slept since the party, instead meditating on her motivations and goals, her shortcomings and strengths. Now was the time to see how much Ayomi was up for.

The dark side was strong on Belsavis with numerous ley lines running underneath its surface. The strength of the Bogan and the combined medical treatment would assist in the tiefling's rapid recovery. Furthermore, the Champion had not been idle on the world while Ayomi healed.

The interior of the medical suite was clean and devoid of another being aside from the attendant medical droid. Members of the Coven of Shadows had initially brought the Champion onboard and assisted with some triage but otherwise had left the patient alone. The machine's servos and joints whirred as it moved to one side of the medical suite.

"You are onboard the star yacht, Thistle Oasis, parked on the world of Belsavis under the benevolence of Champion Graves. Please do not strain yourself. You have sustained substantial trauma." The machine was programmed to be polite despite its affiliations. The droid used its manipulators to pick up a fresh set of packaged clothing which it then carried to Ayomi. The tielfing was broader than most of the members of Serene's Coven but the clothes provided would surely fit.

The door to the compartment hissed open, allowing Serene to not slow her calm stride as she walked into the room. "It is good to see you are up and about, Devil." Her eyes looked Ayomi up and down, getting an idea of what state they were in while casually addressing them. There was hatred that smelled familiar wafting from Ayomi that Serene could relate to. The warrior had received a worse treatment than the sorceress thus far but in a few weeks there was a chance Serene would share in their pain. "Get dressed." Whether they remained scantly clad or not Serene did not care. It was more of a suggestion than an order. "We have a great deal to discuss. But first, are you hungry?"

@René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Ayomi cautiously released their grip on the medical droid as it spoke, quietly processing what it had said. Champion Graves? The Tiefling searched their hazy mind for a connection as the mental fog slowly faded. Serene. They'd generally respected the woman's creepy vibe from afar, and even when they'd worked together on Utapau the two had barely spoken. Ayomi wasn't completely sure what to think of being on her ship, but it beat a laboratory on Korriban; and to their knowledge, Serene wasn't one of Darth Arcanos' close lackeys. Still, Sith never acted altruistically. If they were alive, it meant the woman saw something to gain. What that was remained to be seen.

Ayomi accepted the basic black robes offered by the medical droid, cautiously looking them over before beginning to slip them on. It wasn't what they were used to, but they really weren't in a position to care. It was then that the door hissed open, and the Tiefling instinctively snapped their gaze towards the entrance while their right arm moved to their waist where a phantom hand grasped for a lightsaber that wasn't there. Shit.

Thankfully, the person entering was Serene herself, offering well-wishes instead of hostility. The feral look in Ayomi's eyes faded as they relaxed, meeting the woman's calm gaze. "Serene." they replied in a cold tone, albeit still with a raspy voice. The Tiefling didn't need to be told twice to finish getting dressed, though it was substantially harder with only a single hand and no tail to help their balance. Ayomi ultimately leaned on the nearby table for support, well aware of how ridiculous they likely looked; but such physical weakness was only temporary. Their true weakness had died on Korriban.

"I—" the Tiefling began to reply to Serene's question, intending to decline. However, they could feel their stomach rumbling at the thought of food. If Serene had wanted them dead, leaving them to bleed out would have been much more efficient than healing the champion just to poison them. "It would seem I am hungry, thank you." Ayomi replied, pulling their handless arm through their tunic's sleeve as they crossed the room with slow, uneasy steps. "I suppose I should be thanking you for sparing my life back on Korriban." they asserted, following Serene out of the medbay. The Tiefling despised the thought of being at anyone's mercy, but Arcanos' party had made it abundantly apparent that they wouldn't get far without a few allies; yet their yellow gaze suspiciously watched Serene's face for any indications as to her intentions regardless.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

The droid's servos tried to find purchase beneath it in vain. Eventually the Tiefling would put them down. "Thank you." It would then return to its duties, ever the diligent machine.

Serene's eyes caught the angle of Ayomi's arm and its placement. Her eyes rising to meet the devaronian offshoot's gaze. There was definitely still fight left in them.

The sorceress waited as the blue-skinned champion struggled to dress themselves. Not having a limb was common and replacing it was not too difficult these days. However the same could not be said for their tail. That might be a more unique loss and prosthetic. Right now though, it was important that Ayomi recognize how weak they were without the hand. Things were hard now and they could be worse. But this could be a learning experience, one that allowed Ayomi to grow stronger and evolve into something better than they were before. Serene was glad to see and feel that the Tiefling was not feeling despondent to the point of weakness. She could work with this.

Serene gave a nod and turned to the door. Once Ayomi was fully dressed, Serene would lead them out of the room and down a hallway. "You may if you want to but I think we both know I am not the type to be charitable." Serene had no need or reason to kill the tiefling though they could have simply done nothing and let them die. "If you want to thank someone it should be Vossari." He was the one who had cut off their hand and held back from finishing them off.

The short walk would be slow paced, not rushing the healing Sith that followed Serene. The woman walked with her hands behind her back and her head turned slightly to watch Ayomi. But in a minute they would arrive at the mess hall. Over a dozen luxurious seats at three separate ornate tables were all empty allowing the pair to take any spot they wanted. Serene stepped aside once inside and allowed Ayomi to pick their preferred seat, wherever it was.

Another droid on the ship would attend to them. The menu in this star yacht was wide ranging. There were delicacies from every corner of the galaxy carried on the ship. The literal cooking machine was top notch and fit for work on the grandest of star yachts. Serene was not hungry for food however and would refrain from ordering anything.

"Oh, before I forget..." she held up a finger with a perfectly manicured nail, painted a deep black. "...you will hear eventually but apparently, Trodai Narat-iv-Adas...is dead." Serene looked to the healing Sith to see their reaction. They had been comatose since Korriban and likely assumed Trodai was in a similar state to them. But it was important for Serene that Ayomi know such things. They would find out sooner or later anyways. "Apparently it was Master Trael Osso who was responsible." There was a lot to unpack and Serene was patient.

@René

Spoiler: Ship map, level

link to ship, in case you want to know its layout/details

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Vossari? Why would they thank him for what happened on Korriban? Ayomi searched through hazy memories: losing their hand, the beating from Arcanos, their tail, then the pool. That was it. Hydromancy was the Wrean's specialty, wasn't it? Of all people, why save them though? The reason, if any, remained to be seen; that said, though, the Tiefling would not put their second chance to waste.

Their rebirth.

In the end, the only reaction Serene would be able to notice was a raised eyebrow as Ayomi continued walking slightly behind them. Their steps remained measured and careful, though more steady with each passing moment. Their missing tail was a problem, but for now the pain was fuel to continue moving forward. The Tiefling followed Serene into a large dining hall, one far fancier than they were used to, pausing for a moment to survey the room. Ayomi eventually picked the farthest of the three tables, determined both to practice their balance more and to display strength in front of champion.

Perhaps it ultimately didn't matter to the woman, but they were done with the whining, the complaining, the excuses. Ayomi would push themself as hard as need be, harder even, relishing in the pain that spurred them onward in pursuit of their goals; into hellfire itself.

Once they'd crossed the room the Tiefling sat at the table somewhat gingerly, the position feeling similarly odd as walking had. Taking a menu from one of the serving droids, they glanced it over rather quickly before ordering a simple meal of steak and mushrooms with eggs. Ayomi was in no position to be ordering the most exotic thing on the menu as if they were an honored guest like Darth Arcanos himself, and high end dining had never been their style anyways. Besides, bacta was nice and all but they needed protein to restore their body's physique.

Despite the air of calm they were attempted to maintain, Serene's next comments caught the Tiefling completely by surprise. A look of shock briefly flashed across their face before the facade returned, though not without a slightly more clenched jaw and ever-so narrowed eyes. "Champion Trodai is... dead?" Ayomi repeated quietly, as if pondering a deep philosophical question. Serene would feel the Dark Side surge within the Tiefling as emotions coursed through them, rage being primary among them. The Pureblood had been weakened by their hand, yet Arcanos' human lover thought it fit to sully that victory with a dishonorable assassination?

But in the end, what was honor to the Sith who were truly committed to the Dark Side? To power? The failure to grasp at an opportunity was weakness in itself, and while Trodai had been a constant thorn in Ayomi's side he'd been one born of petty jealousies; not the pure rage and suffering that burned within the Tiefling right now.

"The Dark Side has a way of culling the weak." they finally responded to Serene, a cold, uncaring look in their yellow eyes. "Trodai long toed the line between life and death like a cockroach that refused to die; but eventually, a true Sith must either rise above mere survival to victory, or be snuffed out." Ayomi paused, examining their remaining hand and the lightning-shaped burn scars that ran across it. "I only regret my own inability to end him with on fell strike earlier at the party. It seems that no longer matters, though, and my hate burns purer without him."

Not to mention, it seemed Caerllion's prize lover had been stolen away from him in the end. Assuming that connection had been the right one, at least. With a clearer mind, Ayomi was not longer certain of where exactly the thought of Trodai being the Annfyn's new lover had come from; had the images been a peak into Caerllion's mind, the constructions of their own obsessive hate for the Pureblood, or something else? If it was true, at least the first step to tearing out Caerllion's heart was already completed; and Ayomi planned to erase everyone he loved and who loved him, so that one day the Annfyn would know the pain of being unloved. A truth about their own nature he'd enlightend them to on Korriban.

The Tiefling looked back up at Serene, a knowing smirk on their face. "Although, I'm most curious to know of Lord Arcanos' role in all this." they asked. After all, Ayomi had seen the woman creeping around the edges of social events before; she was bound to have taken an interest in the events of the day. "Did he finally see fit to carve out the liability from his power base, or did Master Osso go behind his back?" If the excruciating pain Arcanos had inflicted upon their own body was any indication, the Sith Master was in for a lifetime of suffering at all levels if he'd betrayed the future Dark Lord.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

The Tiefling's confusion was not a surprise but it would be temporary. Serene wanted Ayomi thinking clearly by the end of this but she believed it would be easier to give them new information as it came up. The side effects from any drugs Ayomi had received would subside with time as well, allowing them to have clarity of mind. Even in their confused state, they had a sensible head on their shoulders.

The droid kitchen chef got to work preparing Ayomi's food. In a matter of minutes the dining hall would have the smell of juicy seasoned red meat. The scent of cooked mushrooms and eggs was delicious enough in smell alone to make even the fullest of guests salivate as the food was prepared.

The dark side witch nodded silently at the question about the deceased Pureblood was voiced. Serene could only guess what Ayomi was thinking but she could read the anger on their face and feel the dark rage swirling inside the tiefling's being without even reaching out. The horned champion likely felt cheated and now would not be able to get their revenge. The woman had her own feelings on vengeance after the events that night on Korriban but refrained from giving any advice on the matter, at least for now.

At first Serene thought Ayomi was simply coping with the words they spoke. But as they continued their words sounded more convincing and even a bit impressive to hear. "Well said." Serene replied after they finished.

In place of the dark rage, Serene sensed determination and a strong willed intent. Ayomi was becoming more focused with each passing moment. In time they would be the perfect instrument. While the sorceress intended to use their warrior counterpart for their own purposes, it would not be a solely one sided arrangement.

"Darth Arcanos is at the top. He is King. His role is currently the victor even despite his...losses." If either of them were to rise to the top they would have to deal with him. But such a thing would not come to pass for a long time. "He only has Vossari. Master Osso is being punished for his transgressions, severely." The Sith monarch had lost a lot that night and Serene had sensed a change even before the death of Trodai. It flipped his entire inner circle upside down. "But forget about him. Darth Arcanos will deal with him." She gave a wave of her hand, paying Trael no more mind than Ayomi considered about the life of the nerf her steak had come from. Trael was as good as dead and Serene would be surprised by any outcome other than boundless torture or execution.

The food would be brought out, steaming and fresh from the kitchen. The droid placed the plate and utensils beside the tiefling before giving a slight bow to the table and returning to the kitchen. Serene gave gesture for Ayomi to eat.

"We are, both of us, at a crossroads. We have a few things in common, perhaps more than either one of us realize. Both of us wish to see Master Cyfnos suffer. No... erased is a better word. We both wish to become stronger, to be victorious and have all slights be answered for, past, present, and future. Am I wrong?"

The sorceress would wait for an answer before continuing. "You should know that after you were incapacitated Lord Arcanos has appointed Master Cyfnos to oversee any and all of my operations and projects. This means that I will have a hard time keeping secrets from him. He will likely even ask about you which I will be required to answer. You, however are not under his command." She paused, hoping that Ayomi would understand what she was driving at. Serene also felt it best to not touch on Ayomi's and Caerllion's former tryst. It seemed to the woman that heartbreak was perhaps one source of anger for the tiefling and would hopefully make for a great motivator in the weeks to come. It was none-the-less important that Ayomi know that Serene would be forced to share details of her own activities. The same was not the case for Ayomi, allowing them more freedom and discretion to work independently from the witch while still working towards the same ends.

@René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Ayomi nodded in agreement to Serene's assertion that Arcanos remained the sole victor despite everything that had happened. The witch couldn't have been more correct; the Sith Lord was poised to become Dark Lord in the near future, if the rumors of his ambitions and Darth Tempest's unknown whereabouts were to be believed. Most curious, though, was the implication that master Trael Osso had gone behind his lover's back. Serene was right to dismiss the discussion, though; his situation, interesting of a gossip topic as it was, both champions had greater concerns at hand.

The food arrived in short order, the smell wafting up into Ayomi's nose and tempting them to shift all attention towards the plate they'd ordered. The Tiefling's mind had remained unconscious, sure, but their body was well aware of the fact that it had been over a week since it had consumed real food. They dug in with little hesitation, taste buds savoring every bite but keeping their intense yellow gaze mostly focused on Serene as the woman began to explain a shared goal: the complete annihilation of one Master Caerllion of Cyfnos, and in doing so climb the ranks of power.

"I believe this is the longest we've ever interacted, yet it seems we know each other so well already." Ayomi stated in response to the witch's question. They'd have to be careful with where this was going, but there seemed to be no benefit to Serene for attempting to deceive the Tiefling in any way. "Erasing Master Cyfnos even almost seems to kind for what I will have planned for him." the champion added with a devious smirk, a fresh surge of hate rolling off of them through the Force as they continued to draw on the Dark Side.

By the time Serene had finished describing the solution she had in mind, Ayomi's plate was empty and their full attention was turned towards the woman.

So, Arcanos had put Caerllion in charge of her work? The Tiefling had no doubt that this was the source of Serene's hatred towards the Annfyn; it had always been clear that the witch had preferred to stay out of sight and secretive, even among the rest of the Order. Likewise obvious was the nature of the partnership Serene appeared to be proposing; Ayomi was free of obligations to anyone save for the Dark Lord. That meant a loophole for the witch's research interests, and knowledge for the Tiefling.

"What is the nature of your research, then? It would seem I've recently become quite enamored by the power promised by the more arcane arts, and I would love to compare notes every now and then." Ayomi eventually replied a knowing smirk, relaying their understanding of Serene's subtle implications.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene let a smile crease her lips. She was an observer, preferring to analyze and understand the angles before taking action. Hearing Ayomi's comment about their interactions sounded like a compliment towards her skills in that regard which she happily accepted silently. Her skulkery had its uses and seemed to be paying off.

The blue skinned tiefling was set on revenge, a good motivator, but it was a double edge sword. "That may be the case, but he will be beneath you in time. My advice, see beyond your vengeance, Ayomi. After you have accomplished your revenge what then? You are still only one step above the man you hate. Can you call that victory? Rise above him so far that he is no more than a bug that you squashed and wiped away from the bottom of your boot to be forgotten. He will be nothing." A momentary flare of malice vented from the sorceress as she pictured herself ascending to apotheosis. She was not asking Ayomi to forget him. Far from it. But they were better than him and needed to prove it to the rest of the galaxy and more importantly, themselves.

It was a difficult balance to have the hatred for another strong enough to seek revenge. But it was a dangerous path to walk if that was all one wanted. Serene could still use the champion if that ended up being the case but there was more to Ayomi than a single vendetta. Serene had come to terms with her own anger and acknowledged how petty the feelings could be. "An emperor should not concern themselves with the trespasses of a single mosquito. Swat them individually, crush them entirely, eradicate utterly yes. But I rescued you because you can be more than just a fly swatter. If your comfortable living your life being only one step above a nerf-pie that is fine. But you are so much more than that."

A momentary pause would allow the words of the witch to sink in and be processed. Words were cheap and she had said many of them. "Sorry..." She apologized as she looked at the empty plate in front of the tailless tiefling. "...you were eating. Forgive my foul words." The sincere malevolence that had radiated from Serene returned back into the bottle from whence it came, contained and under control.

The serving droid would come around to collect the empty plate once Ayomi was finished eat. Serene was glad that Ayomi understood her own situation and why she was requesting the fellow champion's assistance. "I have many projects. First and foremost I have been studying Darth Raze's abominations and his exalted. Sith alchemy, blood magick, and force nexus's are my main areas of focus currently. I'm missing only a few pieces of the puzzle. I will share with you what I have so far and teach you what I know." While Serene doubted Ayomi had studied things to the extent that she had it was still worth sharing the information. Knowledge was power and Serene welcome it in any form.

@René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

The more they talked with Serene, the sharper Ayomi’s mind became. The woman’s point rang true; beneath all the rage and burning desire for revenge, there was renewed purpose. A desire for more than just a single death, or the aimless goal of perfecting a dueling form. They wanted true power, the respect they deserved, a fearful chill to run down the spines of every being in the galaxy with only a glance. To dominate, to create and destroy as they saw fit.

In a way, Caerllion was to thank for the push; unfortunately, the only thanks he would receive was a legacy as a forgotten and insignificant stepping stone on Ayomi's path to something greater.

As Serene continued, the Tiefling found themself momentarily taken aback by the respect the witch seemed to have for them. By all accounts, they'd accomplished next to nothing in their career as a Sith. Yet this woman had gone out of her way not only to spare their life and repair their broken body, but to genuinely aid in their metamorphosis away from the champion who'd lived an aimless life before Korriban. Ayomi was no fool to consider this altruistic; in fact, they'd be disgusted if it was. All the same, however, Serene was not just manipulating a loose cannon full of rage to her own ends but instead actively encouraging the Tiefling.

Taking her words to heart was not enough. They intended to prove them right.

Ayomi noticed how in the heat of the moment, Serene's typically calm demeanor give way to barely veiled anger as the Dark Side radiated throughout the room. Curiously, the witch apologized as she regained composure. "There is nothing to apologize for." the champion replied, moving the stump of their right arm as if waving a hand that was no longer there to dismiss the woman's concerns. "I'm not one for many words myself, but sometimes these things need to be said. Perhaps for both our sakes." the Tiefling added, making eye contact with their host.

Discussions of abstract feelings of purpose soon gave way to detailed conversations about the future as Serene explained the nature of her research. Despite an attempt to remain impassive, Ayomi couldn't help but let a smile creep onto their face as the woman disclosed her interest in Darth Raze's creations. They had no personal experience with the creatures, save for the knowledge that their former apprentice's father had been one, but the memories of the dreams they'd had while unconscious still lingered. Powerful, terrifying abombinations at their control, able to bring entire planets to their knees. And Serene's knowledge was just what they needed to begin making those dreams a reality.

"I must confess my skills and studies have previously been limited to the martial applications of the Force." Ayomi began. "Though I assure you I'm a quick learner. We'll find your final few pieces, and I might have a place to start. Beyond what you can teach me of your research, I suspect my former failure of an apprentice may be of some use to me yet. Those Mandalorians are all sentimental types, so perhaps it's time I investigate if the disgraced traitor Cremek Candorus left anything behind for his runt of a daughter."

As leads went, it wasn't much. There was not even a guarantee that Feifi would have access to anything remotely useful; hells, the acolyte herself certainly hadn't been. But what Serene offered was a partnership that would lead both champions to greater heights, and Ayomi intended to be an equal partner in that endeavor.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene's right eyebrow perked up at the mention of Ayomi's former apprentice. The young mandalorian had made many mistakes noticed by the sorceress both in social settings and on missions. She was the biological offspring of Cremek which meant she had similar genetic makeup. Perhaps after some further experimentation with her father's samples they would be able to use her to extrapolate the missing pieces. "Let me know what you find out."

The champion stood up from the table, indicating they were done spending time in the mess hall. "Come with me. I will introduce you to my Coven. Then..." She strode towards the door with all the composure of a matron. "...we will take Belsavis." The door hissed open.

Serene would give Ayomi a tour of the rest of her ship. The interior of the Thistle Oasis housed a garden that was reminiscent of Umbara and housed many plants from the dark world. Along the way they would meet several acolytes that introduced themselves one after another. The seven of them, along with a few cultivated assets would have to be enough. But once they had the icy world under control the criss-crossing lei lines along with the local populace would be put to use for their agenda.

End Thread​

@René