Ask Forest of Broken Things

[Darth Caelestis]

They were far from the Citadel, if you headed north to find them, then go even further for they were at the tip of the planet its pole. For here one of the last living areas of the planet survived a forest the size of a small continent, its trees were bare only a few leaves for each. As Artorigas Wessex now Darth Caelestis walked through the broken forest he wondered how any of these still stood. He could feel a small light within the trees and the area a small amount of The Living Force, though it felt like a raging sun against the cold dead deserts around The Citadel.

They had already walked a few miles, 'Calesvol' his personal Starfighter left on the outskirts for even though this broken forest looked dead, it was still thick and there was no room to land such a craft closer to their goal. Artorigas or Caelestis, he was still unsure what to really call himself at this time turned to his apprentice a warm smile still on his face. Though he had risen high in the echelons of the apparent evil and destructive Sith, the Sereenian Noble hope at least he was still his warm self to his apprentice and those others he cared about. "How does this place look to your sight? It is a mixture of dead and living to me, it must be fascinating to you?" He asked.

The Sith Lord had still not replaced his armour since Felucia, his mind undecided on what he wished to done himself in. So instead he just wore a basic set of armour he had found within The Citadel. Though his face was uncovered, long gone was his worries about the ties to the Sith, he no longer hid his face from the Galaxy he now embraced it all. The sandy surface of the planet was slowly fading away to hard dirt which crunched beneath there feet, it would have been hard to keep quiet and secretive as they walked through the forest but the pair did not need to. With the power the two now controlled nothing upon this planet could really stop them.

For they had journeyed here for a purpose, after they had found the broken vault room, most of its artefacts missing, Artorigas or Caelestis had spent much time looking over the archives what else once lay within its locked doors and one item stuck out to him. A weapon forged long ago, a blade of power and renown that could replace his lost blade. He had mediated on the item, sat before its old pedestal and The Force had guided him north, far beyond the field of destroyed ships, the endless white deserts and to this forest.

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Malou's time on Exegol had not quite come to an end. It probably would not come to an end any time soon. Her master's ascendancy to the rank of a Sith lord and his desire to build the seat of his western kingdom here on the planet meant there was a lot more work to be done. She had no reason to complain, however. Time away from Serenno was just fine with the acolyte, as the more time she spent away the less of a hold she felt her father still had on her.

The massive forests of the north pole were an interesting sight. The trees seemed to be holding on to their lives by the smallest of leaf stems, but Malou could see the wisps of the Force which inhabited the wooded area. "It is easy to see in places inhabited by the Living Force," the acolyte would reply to her master's question. "It is most certainly different here than back at the Citadel."

The girl didn't really expect Artorgias to change all that much, other than perhaps a bit of ego inflation. If she ever received the title of a Sith lord, she would definitely be proud of herself. It was reassuring to hear the same friendliness in his tone though. Malou had seen plenty a person change at the drop of a hat when they grew in power.

"Where exactly are we headed towards?"

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He looked over at the young women as he spoke, for he was truly intrigued on how she viewed the world, the galaxy. It was such a stark contrast to the way he could see it, if anything it was amazing the way she saw. They passed through a slightly denser part of the forest, though it was only about twelve to fifteen paces before the trees once again thinned out. Had something perished long ago upon that spot which had created all that growth? "Hopefully we will be able to spend some more time off world, we have plenty to do after this. Though we will still need to keep tabs on the citadel and the foundries."

With his new found rank and power Caelestis, had secured a larger droid workforce to both secure The Citadel itself as well as begin the activation of the foundries below Exegol's surface. He hoped to be producing more droids within the month, with a look to step up towards smaller ships by month three and capital ships in six months hence. "The exact location I am not sure of Malou." Artorigas continued stepping over a fallen tree. "I only know that The Force is pulling me in this direction. That what I seek is somewhere before me. How is the armour treating you?" He asked referencing to the ancient armour they had reclaimed from the vault a two weeks past.

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

"I don't mind Exegol all that much," Malou mused in response. The acolyte plucked a struggling leaf from one of the trees and inspected it as they continued. "It's growing on me, I suppose."

It was definitely cool to that her master was now a Sith lord, and the addition of droids was absolutely welcomed. Less work on her end would be met with relief. Once she had developed a strategy to seek out and eliminate the corrupted beasts of the Citadel, it had become exceedingly tedious. Leaving the droids to do the menial work was a welcomed break.

"The armor?" Malou had sent it back to Serenno to be fit to her measurements. Darth Phobos was of similar shape and height it seemed, but the two were not identical. There was no one yet on Exegol who could make expert alterations to the ancient armor. It had arrived a day or so ago, but Malou chose not to wear it on this trip. It was a bit heavier than the robes she was used to. If they were to be doing a lot of traveling she didn't want to be weighed down by it. "Well. It's a bit heavy though. I'll need to get used to wearing it."

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Malou was petite and had been brought up by her father to wear fancy dresses and bow to nobles not to fight so he was not surprised that the armour was heavy for her, perhaps even uncomfortable. "I would advise wearing it at all time on Exegol." He said as they continued to walk forward through the dry forest. "Not for safety but to get used to it, if one of the droids see you stumble a little here and there it is fine. But you don't want those in the rest of the Galaxy to look upon you until you are ready." Power was all about appearances and now that he had risen to the rank of Sith Lord not only Artorigas but Malou had to project power and strength.

Artorigas' hand reached down to touch the hilt of the borrowed saber, it was plain, silver and black a normal handle and a red blade. It was nothing special, just something to make do whilst they searched for what was ahead. For what the pair were looking for was a weapon to replace what he had lost at Felucia. Though unlike that blade or the one he had it hip, this was made of solid material, no burning plasma, but a real sword. He smiled at the name on the plinth back in the vault, one of the Sith Eternals original legions was named after the blade and its owner, 'Revan'.

"I have a question Malou, you have seen me rise to Sith Lord. I have been given the task and privilege of creating my own Kingdom, these are all things I wished to do. Now you have had time in the Sith what do you want in the galaxy?"

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

'Wear it all the time?' That made sense. She would much rather struggle now in front of droids rather than in front of the other members of the Sith, as he had suggested. "Understood," she replied. Malou would make a point to wear the armor from now on.

She continued on in silence for a bit longer, not having anything to say until Artorgias asked her another question. This one, though, left her struggling for an answer. 'What do I want in the galaxy?' Straight up "power" probably wasn't the best, nor most accurate, answer. Malou didn't necessarily want power, she just wanted to exist in a state where no one could subject her to tyranny. She didn't want her father to have the power over her that he did. She never wanted to be the victim of someone's tantrum, like Xeno had been subject to on Serenno.

"I don't know quite yet." It wasn't a lie. It wasn't a truth. "I want to focus on my training right now, to get stronger." When she found her goals, it would only help for her to have an upper hand.

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

"Concentrating on your training is a good and noble thing, but do not go through all of this training if there is not something you wish to gain by completing it." He chose not to poke further on the matter, Malou was still young perhaps ambition had not yet blossomed inside her as it had for him once he joined the Sith. Although Malou seemed to have no desires or goals for herself that was the same as her master, for Artorigas had a number of goals and ambition's for the young women. They would be selfish of course benefitting him as well as Malou but she would perhaps get the better end of the stick of it all. He only needed a little more time and a few more things to fall into position before he could reveal these to the Sith Acolyte.

The forest was silent apart form there feet crushing the dry earth, he could feel some small lifeforms which lived high in the trees or deep below the ground, but nothing larger than a small pet. It was nothing like the fertile lands of Serenno where every forest, thicket and meadow was alive with the sounds of wild things. The sun was slowly setting, though the day was more than twice as long here than his homeplanet so it would hang low in the sky for a long time yet. "I heard you have been practicing with fire? How goes the training?"

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

"Ah, a bit," Malou too noticed the slight change in scenery. "It's difficult to control."

The acolyte would continue to keep an eye on the area around them, searching for the bits of life she could sense. It seemed as if some sort of rodent lived in the forest here. She could see their little bodies clinging to the bark of the trees, much as the leaves of the trees held on for dear life. They were small, skinny, and hardly the healthy wildlife she remembered from Serenno.

"I figure I should learn to do it. If anything, knowing how it works means I can counter it easier." Fire was incredibly unpredictable, but it took a second to produce. If she ever came across a situation where she would need to fight someone using it, Malou would know to use that to her advantage.

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

"Fire is the greatest achievement civilisation has ever produced." He said raising his own hand a flame the size of his fist appeared before the open palm, unlike others his flames were blue instead of red. A product of his continued training with the Force ability, it had advanced well above those who dabble with the product instead it was now part of his identity. "With fire you can do anything, can warm yourself in the blistering cold, cleanse a blade or a needle ready to help heal a wound, cook food, light your way, burn away obstacles and attack both close and far away enemies. Fire is our greatest achievement and to master it will be your greatest achievement as my apprentice, Malou"

The fire continued to burn in his palm as they walked, the smile upon his face slowly moved away however as The Force began to feel alive around him. For they were no longer the only large living creatures in this forest they were getting closer, to what he was not sure, he was still not even sure of there destination. Only that wherever he was destined to go this day was shortly ahead of them. "I suspect we will find more of our mutated friends up here. Though they may appear different, so far from the Citadel. Be prepared Malou."

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

"Fire is our greatest achievement and to master it will be your greatest achievement as my apprentice, Malou." She couldn't imagine learning to control fire would be her greatest achievement, but if Artorgias considered it prudent enough then she would put her focus into it. The acolyte couldn't discern the difference between his fire and the first she'd seen others use, but she believed she understood his point.

As they continued, Malou became aware of the creatures up ahead. They were similar to the mutants, but were beast-like in form and figure. While Artorgias suspected their presence, she was able to confirm it, and she did. "I can see them, yes." Her hand hovered over a saber, ready to unclip and ignite it at a moment's notice. The creatures hadn't noticed them, and likely wouldn't until they got closer.

"They look more animal-like, but have the same...essence."

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The half Miralukan was a blessing, for her sight could see things he could not. And although he had mentioned it out loud and to himself a hundred times before it still needed mentioning every time it came to him. Artorigas spotted her reaching for the saber from the corner of his eye and he held out his non-flaming hand towards her. "Let us not be hasty Apprentice." For even though she could see the creatures better than him, he could feel something different. These were not the same as the mad beasts that stalked the halls of the Citadel.

He could see them now, as the trees began to thin, they were more beastlike, were the ones within The Citadel's flesh was a mixture of pink and white devoid of colour these were dark and hairy. They crouched over more, but there limbs were less deformed, if anything they seemed to have de-evolved slightly instead of mutated. Beyond the trees was a clearing, here small huts of stone and dirt seemed to have formed though they were not completely sealed from the elements. "Protection from the wind more than rain." He mumbled aloud as his eyes scanned across the clearing.

In the middle a giant altar had been constructed standing higher than any other building these creatures had created, atop it a pair of the creatures stood, all of them were looking at something metallic, the low light glinting off of its surface. "Circle around Malou, get an eye on what is here. Then I will go in first." He said pausing near the edge of the clearing.

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

He cautioned her to not be hasty, but while she gave him a nod of acknowledgement, her left hand stayed hovering over the blade. Malou stayed behind him as they approached, taking care to quiet her step to the best of her ability. Alerting the creatures to their presence was likely not the smartest move.

When they got closer, Malou could make out more detail in the form of the creatures. They were covered in a sort of hair or fur. 'Much more animal-like,' noted the acolyte. 'But still humanoid...-ish.' She wasn't sure if she would call them humanoid in any way. "De-evolved" was a good but strange way to describe their appearance.

"Okay." She split from Artorgias and headed to the West where the wind would not betray her location to the creatures. She didn't trust the trees to support her, so she stayed on the ground behind their trunks. The camp was roughly circular in shape, with the metallic structure in the middle. The earthen huts were concentrated mostly to the East with the entrances facing West, and the other parts of the little camp were either empty or contained what seemed to be broken crates of sorts.

Malou, once she found her desired position, waited for her master to enter.

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas waited a few minutes, Malou would easily be in a good position by this point so the Sith Lord chose to enter into the clearing. He got about five or so paces into the makeshift village before the first of the creatures spotted him from the corner of their eye. Quickly he let out a call and the group began to turn towards him, a few of the larger creatures from closer within began to advance towards him, they carried heavy clubs made off some of the thicker trees around them.

They took only a few steps however before they stopped, one of them shouted something which sounded like Ur-Kittat and pointed at his hand, the blue flame still hung above it. The shouting continued, a message somehow relayed from the front to the back and then back to the front again. The apparently warriors dropped there weapons, which was good but then more and more of these devolved creatures began to crowd towards him all trying to seemingly look at him and the fire. That was not so good.

He could feel Malou's presence to the West and hoped that she would move with the crowd encase something would happen. The crowd was getting closer and Artorigas was getting concerned. "Stop." He shouted in Ur-Kittat, whilst pouring more power into the flame upon his hand, it grew in size and stature and now coated not only his hand but his forearm, the bright blue flame was kept safe from his body by The Force but he could feel its heat upon his face.

The group did as they said, a few of them showing fear at the flames though more showed awe and amazement. From the middle of the crowd he could could see some shuffling around someone was coming towards him. Beg The Force he wished he could speak to Malou right now to know what she sees.

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Malou, as the group suddenly spotted and crowded around her master, nearly drew her saber to begin to attack. She was thankful that she hesitated for a moment though, because at the sight of Artorgias' flame they ceased to be aggressive and appeared to be either fearful, or curious. They grew closer to him, so she slowly began to make her way closer as well. At this point, she was about as curious as perhaps they were.

"Stop." Malou heard her master's voice call out from the front of the group. His shout caused them to pause, and she could see the bright flame in his hand grow larger. More of the creature began to appear out of the dens, though it was only a few here and there. It seemed the majority had exited immediately. There was a particular one of these creatures which, while not any larger than the rest, Malou could see a difference in. It was missing its fur in what seemed to be deliberate patterns. It was making its way to the front of the crowd.

Now that they were all sufficiently distracted, Malou continued to circle around until she was essentially behind the crowd of creatures. They would not spot her yet, but Artorgias might be able to she the red of her robes or the black of her hair as she settled into her new location.

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The Sith Lord smiled as he spotted the sign of his apprentice between the gaps of the approaching creatures. At least if this all went to tot, the creatures would have two directions to look when it came to fighting for there lives. Artorigas kept the flames burning bright around his lower arm as the show of power seemed to keep the more curious of them at bay. Finally after a lot of shuffling one of the creatures appeared before him. This one was different, he was missing patches of hair across his chest and stomach, his head was also bald apart from two extremely long eyebrows.

"You have the fire." It said in broken Ur-Kittat, its voice was croaky like it hadn't drunk water in three days, almost as if it hurt him to speak. "Yes I control the fire." Artorigas responded both verbally and with a show, pushing the flame brighter for a moment causing some of the closest to stumble back. Murmurs were now shifting through the group though what they were saying he could not catch. "I have come for something." This created more murmurs and the partially balded creature turned to discuss something with those closest around him. Between the gap Artorigas signalled Malou to slowly join him with a flick of his head. This was rather strange that was to say the least.

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

The creatures spoke with hoarse voices which paled in comparison to the sound of her master's. It was obvious that they were unsure of what to make of him, just as they were unsure of the creatures. At her master's subtle gesture, Malou began to circle back around to join him. She moved quickly, trying again to stay quiet, as she traced her path back until she returned to her original position.

As Malou made her way back, the creature who seemed to be the leader finished whispering to his group and turned back to face Artorgias. It straightened up a bit, though due to the curvature of its back it didn't do much to length him. He spoke again, this time inquiring, "What have you come for?" He regarded Artorgias with thin yellow eyes, his gaze faltering only when they noticed Malou make her approach to stand just behind her master a bit. When Malou stopped, she said nothing but made sure she would be ready to draw her saber should the creatures attack. From what she could see at the moment though, none of the creatures who had dropped their clubs had gone to pick them back up. Whatever conversation had gone on between the creatures did not seem to have been a discussion of how to take out the two Sith.

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas felt more than watched his apprentice move around the large group of creatures and come to a rest just behind him. Turning his head slightly he looked at his apprentice, his arm still aflame. "It seems they appreciate my fire." He said with a smirk referring back to his their earlier conversation. When they lead creature turned himself back to the face the pair, there was a glint of something within his eye, was it joy or anger he Artorigas was not sure.

"I come for a weapon, that was taken from The Citadel far to the South of here. I have claimed that Citadel now I come to claim that weapon." Artorigas said projecting his voice out across the crowd. This drew only more whispers and murmurs from those around, some glanced up at the makeshift altar they had constructed where something still caught the light of the slowly setting suns. "I believe you hold that weapon here and I Intent to not leave without it."

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

"Is it appreciation or fear?" Malou asked this of her master in her hushed voice. It could be taken as rhetorical question, but Malou was also still unsure if they feared or revered it. Regardless of its effect however, it was the reason they were able to communicate with these creatures.

Malou did not speak Ur-Kittat, so she was in the dark as far as what was being said between Artorgias and the creatures. Whatever he said to them caused a ripple through the crowd. Malou was able to notice this. The hair on their skin stood straight up, and the eyes of the marked leader twitched just the slightest. Whatever her master said to them, it was cause for a standoffish reaction from the creatures.

"I'm not sure they liked what you said," Malou remarked again in a hushed tone. The leader returned to his circle, turning so that his back faced her and Artorgias. The rest of the crowd began to stir and mutter among themselves. At this point, Malou wasn't sure if they were willing or unwilling to do what had been demanded (or asked) of them.

tag: @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

"Sometimes it can be both, we can only hope that whichever it is, this works." He replied to the women in galactic basic. The creatures around them looked at them but showed no sign of understanding what the pair where saying to each other. The whispers amongst the crowd began to turn to calls of words he could barely understand. However even if he did not understand there words he could understand there meaning. The hushed whispers from before were now outraged cries.

Artorigas began to ready himself, Malou would spot that the Sith Lord began to move slightly from side to side, loosening his muscles as he rocked slowly. The mythical power of The Force was being pulled into him just encase this all went down the drain. Eventually after what felt like forever the balding creature turned to face them. "From south, beyond the forest the west comes, with breath of flames, a drake's heart and nobles blood, to take what is lost, but never his. The red dragon comes, home to nest."

"Huh?" Artorigas was damn confused, for the man spoke perfectly basic when he sighted the poem and that more than anything threw him off course.

@lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

'Are you kidding me?' For once could someone just give them a straight answer and not some dumbass riddle? Though her blindfold hid her expression, Artorgias would feel the distinct aura of irritation form around the young acolyte. 'AND the thing spoke Basic this whole time? Give me a fucking break.'

The Miraluka turned to face the South and searched out into the woods. They ended, eventually, but what lied beyond she never got to see. Her attention was abruptly taken by movement in the crowd. The creatures were shuffling around again, but they weren't moving towards her or her master. They seemed to be returning to their dens. Beneath her blindfold, a singular eyebrow twitched just the slightest. Malou could only hide her suspicion of these creatures because her face was covered. She did not trust them.

"So... South we go?"

tag: @Braden Drake