Open Frozen Depths

Darth Tempest

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Weeks of research and meditation had finally culminated in Darth Tempest making the journey out to one planet in particular - deep within the Unknown Regions, far removed from any star map or conventional navigation. Despite the state of exile their order found themselves in, the half-Annfyn didn’t neglect to pursue her own ambitions and artifacts whenever able. The unexplained pulse in the Force had left her on edge for days - even as she attempted to put it into the back of her mind.

The knowledge that there was something so dark and powerful that roamed free in the Galaxy - something that could easily challenge her position and come after her - left the half-Annfyn preparing herself for the worst.

As she stepped down the ramp of her shuttle, the Dark Lord was greeted by a gale of cold air - rustling against the fabric of her dark hood. The horizon was bleak and devoid of any civilization - browned, empty tundra capped with snowy peaks in the distance. The wind howled across her sensitive ears, and the elements were only partially mitigated by the armor that she wore. The moment she stepped foot on solid ground, however, the half-Annfyn could feel the presence in the Force that emanated from the planet - pulsating with a heartbeat of its own.

It was all the confirmation she needed to know that she had come to the right place.

Before she began her hike downward, Tempest paused atop a ridge - waiting for another to join her there. The Dark Lord had reached out to one Champion in particular to accompany her on the expedition - though for what reason remained a mystery to Lux.

Wordlessly, the Dark Lord gazed out across the horizon - staring off into the distance, as if drawn to the subtle heartbeat that echoed in the Force.


@Logan
 

Lux Avery

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The request from Darth Tempest had come with a little surprise to Lux. As far as she could remember the two had never had any true interaction, though Lux was obviously aware of who Tempest was and the weight such a request carried.

Obviously Lux was going to heed the call without question, though she couldn't keep her mind from running with just exactly what they would be doing and why exactly the Dark Lord had asked for her.

Never much of a pilot, Lux sat in the common area of the freighter she'd.. borrowed for this excursion. An astromech she lovingly nicknamed Pork Rind was handling the navigation, and when the ship finally dropped out of hyperspace in the Unknown Regions, Lux made a mental note to get the little tin can a gift whenever they got back. Another successful trip, at least so far as showing up unexploded went.

Whether or not Lux made it off the planet itself or ended up as another forgotten corpse half-buried in the tundra was another story. You never really knew when it came to Sith like Darth Tempest.

With the relative lack of details on what they would be doing, Lux opted for a standard adventuring outfit. The wind bit through some of the thinner parts of her garb for for the most part Lux could mitigate what cold she did feel with the force.

Though she was sure that Tempest was already well aware of her presence, Lux approached the Darth without much of a word having spotted her gazing into the distance. Stepping up to the woman's side, Lux cast her a glance from the corner of her eye before turning her own eyes out toward the rolling expanse of barren land in front of them.

The force calls, Lux said, speaking of the wind. She pulled her hood a little tighter as the icy, skeleton like fingers of cold ran up her spine. Does it say what you expected?


@Altaris
 

Darth Tempest

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Tempest waited for several minutes more, feeling the frigid breeze that brushed against her hood. There was a part of her that would always despise the climate and find herself at home within the tropics - just like those of her native Indupar. But she was resolved to face just about any discomfort or nuisance to achieve what she wanted. Whatever it was, the Darkness drew the Dark Lord towards the snowy hills beyond. And there is where her path - their path - would take them. Regardless of what was waiting for them.

It wasn’t until Lux arrived that the Dark Lord tilted her head away from the horizon - red visor turning to regard the Sith Champion. Her features were hidden behind the mask that she wore, leaving the girl with little to decipher from the Dark Lord.

“Perhaps. We shall see soon enough,” The half-Annfyn said, regarding the woman for a long moment before turning her attention back to the horizon. Towards their destination.

“I trust you’ve come sufficiently prepared.” It went without saying that any expedition with the Dark Lord likely involved some risk to her life and well-being.

The half-Annfyn didn’t wait any longer to behind marching down towards the frozen hills - keeping her hands tucked against the small of her back. The woman made little attempt at small talk - but eventually tilted her visor back to Lux. “You chose to remain with the Sith through the betrayal of the Empire. Tell me why.”
 

Lux Avery

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Ah, so Tempest was one of those kinds of Sith. The ones with their pointed questions where it seemed like wrong answer wasn't met with a look of disapproval but with the business end of a lightsaber. With the thought of her own severed head rolling down the hillside, Lux cast a look towards the Darth from the corner of her eye before answering.

The Sith gave me purpose in a life that otherwise had none. She said simply, keeping pace with Tempest as they walked down the snow covered hillside. And more importantly, I am not a traitor. The rats that fled the ship with the Empire will get their comeuppance sooner than they think. Until then, they spend their days and waste their lives propping up a castle built upon a foundation of sand.

Lux left her answer hang between the two of them before saying anything more, at least for a few moments. She was a little annoyed that Tempest had opted to wear a visor to conceal her face, Lux extremely curious to see the Darth's expressions. It was both difficult and annoying trying to read the woman's vibe just from the scant amount of body language she was given.

So what are we looking for? Lux asked eventually, figuring she should at least have some details about why they were here and why she was currently freezing her ass off.

The image from before of her head rolling down the hill still played on loop in her mind, but at least the weather was cold enough that whoever managed to find her would still be able to identify the body.


@Altaris
 

Darth Tempest

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Darth Tempest didn’t immediately offer any additional commentary - even as Lux began to formulate her answer. In truth, the Dark Lord wasn’t so inclined to execute her own underlings based on nothing but a poorly answered question, or without giving the opportunity for them to grow. Nevertheless, Lux had chosen to remain with the tattered remnants of their Order, despite the clear benefits that siding with the Imperials, or even operating independently. It offered a brief insight into the mind of the Champion and the Sith that still fell under her authority.

“And still have much to be taught,” The Darth said after a moment, finally glancing over to Lux. “Should you be willing to sacrifice for it.” The Sith had given the Champion purpose thus far in her life - and the Dark Lord offered to elevate the woman to heights she previously couldn’t have dreamed of. All of it came with sacrifice. Loyalty to her most of all.

She made no further commentary on the Empire - merely offering the Champion a nod. Her thoughts on the new regime - on Altair - where still something Tempest kept close to her chest. Moreover, the bitterness and need for vengeance was something she had encouraged amongst her followers. Too many times in the past, Sith had blurred the lines with their enemy. Embarrassment that it was, their expulsion and humiliation on Junction would stifle any notion amongst her followers of making peace with those in the Warmaster’s Empire.

“An artifact,” She said after a long moment. As they made their way towards the mountainside, even Lux would be able to feel it. A pulse in the Dark side that radiated out through the Force - running across the Champion’s consciousness. It was like a second heartbeat in her ears, and it would send a chill down her spine. A desire to get as far away from the source as she possibly could. Even still, Tempest forged ahead - using that sensation as a beacon to follow. “Hoarded here on this planet by unworthy hands.”

As they approached the mouth of a canyon, Tempest could see the beginning of what they were looking for. A natural cavern had been widened and clearly occupied in the past - still framed by a carved, stone doorway that led deeper into the subterranean complex. Wide, frosted stepped led upwards - inviting the pair to begin the climb. None of it seemed entirely out of place, as far as ancient ruins went.

Except for perhaps the skeletal figure that turned to face then - eyes black and smoking.

“That is encouraging.." He said after a moment, continuing towards the ruins.
 
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