Ask In The Beginning

[Nico Vandron]

DESERT WASTES, ASKAJ, OUTER RIM
0635hrs local time​

The ruined temple was deathly silent as dawn broke. Nico's footsteps echoed off the stone as he walked pensively between the columns, running a hand over the weather beaten surface. The place was old, but forgotten, long abandoned as a regular place of worship. Soon, it would collapse completely into the desert sands.

Everything had its time. Askaj's long sleep was over. Nicolai Vandron had come.

He had spent months preparing his plans for this world, carefully chosen to meet his needs. Step by step, he would bind the planet and its people to his cause, securing ground for the Sith Order, but more importantly laying the foundation for his own ascension.

Nico lingered in ancient doorway, dark eyes gazing out over the sands and runic robes fluttering in the breeze. He was only a mere acolyte of course and most of his brethren would laugh and chide him if they knew the extent of his ambitious. But their petty jealousies did not matter. Nico would become more than any of them had dreamed. He was strong enough, smart enough, with a clear path to power that blazed brightly in his mind.

He resented that he could not yet do it alone. Trusting others, accepting them as equals, was not in his nature and he was reticent to share even a fraction of his plans. But his work was only just beginning and it would need many hands to sow the seeds.

As always, Nico had chosen carefully, reaching out to a Sith with the experience and specialties required for his designs. He would have to persuade her of the benefits of combining their efforts, but there were ways and means. Even now, he sensed that she drew close.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

With every step Nico took, he indeed drew ever closer. Sah’ra had taken numerous steps to ensure she remained difficult to locate and reach out to, instead electing to distance herself from the majority of the fractured remnants of the Sith Order whilst they worked to rebuild. Yet despite these measures, this particular Acolyte had managed to do so all the same. A curious achievement, indeed.

Rather than leaving the request unanswered, a degree of curiosity instead drew her out from her seclusion. Partnered with the alchemic knowledge she had recently acquired and practiced, she decidedly departed for Askaj to test what she had learned.

As Nico continued into the ruins, he would not see Sah’ra but the image of a frail old woman from her past resting on a fallen column, dusty black robes draped over her frame. A projection of sorts that required a good deal of focus to maintain, but for the moment she preferred to remain relatively anonymous.

”You’re a long way from home, hm?” the old crone would question as she glanced upward from her seat. ”Not a place you’d hope to be caught when the sun is at its highest. I pray you return home before then. You wouldn’t happen to have some spare water with you, would you?” the crone would ask, a skeletal hand reaching up to massage her throat. ”I’ve… been out here for so long,”

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

When no one appeared on the desert horizon, Nico headed back into the ruin. Perhaps he had imagined it. He walked slowly between the crumbled walls, absentmindedly toying with his family ring. The only mark of the House he had had left far behind.

He froze when he saw the old crone. "Who are you?" he hissed, stiffening like a viper. Nico had reached the ruin an hour before sunrise and there had not been a soul in sight on his arrival. It was beyond belief that an elderly woman could have slipped past him in the time since.

"How did you get in here?" he demanded, ignoring her petty request for water. He was not about to share his limited supplies with a grasping hag. "Tell me!" his voice rose into the Force-amplified tone he was fond of using for effect. It was one of the few tricks that came to him quite naturally, but the woman did not scream or scamper away.

Anger rose in his bare chest and he stepped around the remains of an old altar, intending to close with her and teach her obedience.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Nico would see the crone cower briefly, her frail hands rising upward in a seeming attempt to shield herself as she looked to the stone floor of the ruins they occupied. Despite this cowardly appearance, it took a great deal of restraint for Sah’ra to keep the facade from faltering. It was, after all, one of her first few true attempts of deception and it thus far had proven to be effective.

”Oh, oh, please don’t shout!” she whimpered, graying and aged eyes rising to meet his own. ”It isn’t good for my heart to be treated as such! Please, please I beg of you!”

At first impression, the Acolyte gave the same impression Sah’ra had expected from many Sith of their failing Order. Of course, they had not yet had an appropriate introduction but she had already begun to analyze the young man. Any true Sith believed that one must earn their own after all, but to try and intimidate a feeble old woman seemed below who she had hoped to come here and meet. Nevertheless, she would not travel all this way to simply turn and return home.

”There are many entrances to the ruins, dear boy!” she continued, the apparent tone of panic remaining in her weak voice. ”As you observed the fields of sand, I entered through another archway to seek shelter!” She could feel the anger rolling off the young man before her, sensing his desire to subjugate the elderly woman before him. Behind her masquerade, the woman grinned in anticipation. Would he follow through on his desires?

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

Nico began reaching for the Force as he rounded on the old crone. It was simply not credible that the woman had wandered in while he was looking the other way; the temple was abandoned precisely because it was off the beaten track. It made no sense.

Just as it made no sense that she still did not run. She sat there bartering for her life with remarkable composure, pleading with him no more forcefully than if she were begging him for credits. Did she underestimate him so completely? Why did she not go to pieces?

He raised a ringed hand to strike her and for a second detected something off. Some working of the Force, but quite different to his own. He paused, dark eyes flashing snakelike with a newfound interest.

"Who are you?" he asked again, though the fierce insistence had gone from his voice. Standing so close, focused so intently on the old hag, he was increasingly certain she was not all she appeared. Could she be.....

He cocked his head to one side, his shoulders falling as his suspicion hardened. "You, you toy with me, don't you?". The mere possibility he had missed something so massive wounded his pride, but he had to know. There were few things that drew him like the knowledge behind power.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As his hand raised, so to did Sah’ra’s thrill from witnessing him preparing to allow his anger to get the better of him. She prepared for him to strike, ready to demonstrate as to why emotions were better utilized as a pointed tool rather than a weapon left unchecked, but soon the Acolyte reigned himself in.

The old woman stood, her face faltering from the panic he had witnessed to a sneer as pieces of visible flesh began to ripple and fall away, transitioning into wisps of black smoke before they could reach the ground. Before long, Sah’ra stood before him in her true form, arms crossed as she met his stare.

”I’m struggling to decide if I’m pleased or disappointed,” Sah’ra replied curtly as she looked the man over, her attention lingering only very briefly on his exposed chest before looking into his eyes once again. ”Does threatening the elderly make you feel powerful, Acolyte?” she taunted with a smirk.

A hand raised and soon the canteen on Nico’s belt would slap into her palm, Sah’ra twisting off the cap and taking a quick draw of its contents before capping it back off and tossing it back to the Acolyte. She wasn’t kidding about needing the drink, preferring to expend his supplies before her own. Why Sith always seemed to choose sweltering locales, she’d never understand. ”You have ambitions for this world and its people; why? Why here?” she asked before sitting back down on the fallen pillar, resting her chin on the knuckles of her hand whilst her elbow settled down on her knee.

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

When the old crone slowly rose to her feet, her expression hardening, Nico knew in his gut that he had miscalculated.

The form of the old lady fell away, a facade that evaporated so quickly he could scarcely believe he had fallen for it. He had read of such powers, but never seen them in the flesh. Now he watched in both fear and fascination, his mouth falling open slightly.

The woman that stood before him now was no old crone, but the Sith he had reached out to, he was sure of it. "Sah'ra Ryun" he said quietly, more a statement than a question. She was studying him, though in what way he could not be sure. It occured to Nico that he had not paused to truly consider the risks in summoning an experienced Sith Master, but they now dawned on him with crystal clarity as he met her steely blue gaze.

"You - she - would not tell me what I wanted to know" he replied, momentarily thrown off as she tore his water canteen from his belt. "I like to get what I want. Frailty is a weakness, not a defence". He managed to keep his poise and meet her glare, but he could do little but watch as she drank his precious water.

"The Askajians are ripe for domination" he answered, glad at least that she was direct. He did so hate wasting time. "They and their world are primitive, divided by tribal loyalties and with no technology to defend them". It was all true, but that much she likely already knew. "But they are numerous and hardy. Unified under a Sith, they could be slaves and warriors to use against our enemies".

Nico turned away slightly, pacing towards the temple wall as he considered how much to share. "They are deeply spiritual" he continued "having made a deity of this planet's moon and worshipping it for many centuries". He turned back to Sah'ra. "Their belief system can be exploited and a new religion begun, one with a Sith at its core". He resisted the urge to make any gesture, but his meaning would be clear. He intended to become the Askajians' new god.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra listened intently, silently, smiling as she watched the Acolyte pace across the temple floor explaining his designs for the people of Askaj. There was a level of intrigue at what he had to say, the Sith Master pondering on the benefits of enslaving such primitive people. Would it be as simple an endeavor as Nico boasted? Unifying warring clans is no easy task but given their disconnection from the galaxy at large, perhaps it would be entirely possible to mislead them with a few well timed ‘miracles’.

”Earning the piety and devotion of these people, have you come up with a plan to do it?” she asked, still remaining seated on the fallen pillar. ”Meddling with the beliefs of lesser races can be a fickle trick. They are just as likely to view your actions as an affront to their current gods as they are to embrace something new. More so, even. Despite their simple and naive minds, to believe them entirely inept could result in less than desirable outcomes,”

As Sah’ra spoke, a sinister glint in her gaze, she began contemplating how to spin this situation to benefit herself. After all, Nico was only an Acolyte and while she had no desire to rule over an undeveloped people, giving such responsibility to one who had not yet even attained the rank of Champion whilst leaving empty handed was an insult to her time and effort. Possibilities blossomed but she needed to know more of his plan before she could commit to anything.

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

She did not dismiss him out of hand, which was positive. "Of course" Nico said, puffing his chest out in spite of himself "I have a plan. I am very aware it needs to be approached delicately, I don't intend to go striding in trampling on their beliefs, however misplaced".

He gripped the old stone altar, but the hard rock made for poor stress relief. It frustrated him to have to account for himself like this, but he had little choice if he wanted her help. One day soon, he would hopefully need no one but himself.

"Their Moon Lady is after all, a moon" he continued "and I do not have the power to destroy a moon". Not yet he thought. "Instead, the new faith must be born from the old. I propose to make the Askajians believe that their Moon Lady has had a child with the 'Sun Lord'" he held his arms open expressively "and sent him here to lead them to greatness".

Nico smiled briefly for the first time, the joy of envisaging his plan coming to fruition softening him just for a moment. "I have ways to build the gospel" he added "but it must be told somewhere for the first time, planting seeds that will grow". He had reached the part where he needed another and he studied her closely for any sign of her thoughts.

"The Askajians would listen best to a representation of the Moon Lady herself...."

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra scoffed, only finally pushing herself to her feet from the fallen pillar. ”And this is where I come in, is it?” she asked disdainfully, though she would never admit that the plan did have some merit. Hell, if pressed she’d actually consider it to be solidly thought out, if not a bit archaic. Then again, the people it was meant to manipulate were archaic in their own right.

”Very well. Let us presume that I agree to offer you my assistance in this endeavor. Together, we place you above these simple minded life forms as a god. You enslave them to your service and you’ve been given the power you seek. What is it you offer me in return for my aid?”

While there were a few options she had considered for recompense, she was interested to see what he had in mind.

@Alhon

Spoiler

Short with no real substance, I know. I just wanted to get you something to keep from holding it up any longer >.<

 

[Nico Vandron]

For a moment, it seemed Sah'ra might not be content to play the part he had in mind, despite her obvious talents lending themselves perfectly to such deception. She stood, but did not leave, instead enquiring about what was in it for her.

Nico had expected this question; no true Sith helped another out of the goodness of their heart. He had no easy answer to it, having hoped something would come to him when he met his new ally. As it was, Sah'ra already seemed strong enough to have no need of the few things he could offer. Still, she may have interests he was unaware of.

"Askajian slaves?" he offered "guards even? They are hardy people and I intend to train many of them for war". It was possible the natives could be of some use to the Sith Master, but equally they may be beneath her notice. "Or credits, in time. A tithe from the wealth I hope to gather to this world". She must have designs of her own and most people could always make good use of more money.

He stepped around the altar again so he was a little closer, wishing he could see past her impassive exterior to read her mind. If neither slaves or credits piqued her interest, he would have little choice but to offer the only other thing he had. Himself. Giving his allegiance or obedience to anyone was counter to Nico's very nature, but he could survive it if pushed. He needed this world and he needed her to get it, whatever the cost.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As Nico presented his offer, Sah’ra countered with a sly grin of her own. ”Slaves, credits, all useful,” she replied plainly as she began to take measured strides around the Acolyte, her hands clasped behind her back. She knew precious little of the world they stood upon, of what wealth of resources may lay in wait beneath its surface. The slaves could be a more immediate gratification for her aide but she wouldn’t hold her breath to amassing a fortune from what may well come from Askaj that lacked a pulse.

”Sufficient, I suppose,” she continued as she circled around him, now standing behind him as her eyes peered into the back of his skull. ”You will provide me with slaves on a monthly basis. A dozen per shipment. I would have them be of high quality stock. Young, strong, undamaged. I will not take your cast offs,” she continued, still circling.

”Once you begin cultivating your fortune, I will expect monthly deposits alongside the slave shipments. Half of your profits. In time, we can renegotiate to your benefit,” As she made this demand, she would have come into his peripheral view and he would see her sinister stare. It was a harsh demand but fitting, given it was an Acolyte enlisting the aid of a Master.

”Though I do have… one last stipulation,” Finally her pacing would come to an end as she turned to face Nico fully, her eyes locking with his as she unclasped her hands and dug into her robes, pulling out a glass vial. ”A sample of your blood, drawn here and now,” She would let the final request linger in the air, offering no explanation as to what it was she needed it for or why.

”Do we have a deal, Acolyte Nico?” she asked, holding the vial out for him to take.

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

Nico stiffened as Sah'ra strode around him, forcing himself to turn slowly but anxious to follow her every move. If she wanted to attack him, she could likely do it without getting close, but all the same he felt vulnerable. He hated the sensation.

"Agreed" he granted in relation to the slaves. It was a fair exchange; the Askajians numbered in the millions, all of whom he expected to subdue. He would not miss a dozen a month, though he did wonder what use the Sith Master would have for them.

The share of his profits was harder to stomach, particularly as he had not yet quantified what they would be. "Half..." Nico mused. "Very well, but we renegotiate in one season" he suggested. Riches were not his primary aim, but ample credits were a necessity to fuel his rise. He would not be held back by Sah'ra any longer than he had to be.

The final request was wholly unexpected and out of the question. "My blood?!". Nico was affronted, and the tiniest bit scared. On some level, he bought into his propaganda about his divinity and felt violated by the very idea of this woman making off with a sample of his blood. But the burgeoning Sith scholar in him feared the ramifications even more. There was power in blood. "For what purpose? No!".

He tried to step away from her. "With your right hand you would offer to help me, and with your left you would curse my being". She would derive lasting benefit from the slaves and the credits, for relatively little effort here today. But his blood could give her a permanent power over him if she knew how, a risk Nico could scarcely bear to take. "Is there nothing else?".

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra expected his response. If he had agreed so blindly, she’d question what worth he truly had. Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth, the extended hand holding the vial lowered slightly as she stared deep into his eyes.

”Perhaps I’ve been unclear,” she stated coldly, her posture yet remaining loose and calm as he felt the cold tendrils of the Force coil themselves around him, pinning his arms to his sides and making it difficult for him to breathe. ”This is not a request. It is a demand,”

He had every right to fear what purpose she may have for a sample of his blood but while slaves and credits were useful, she required something more… tangible. Material wealth could only go so far but it was fear that kept subordinates in line within the Sith.

”If you truly believe that slaves and credits are fair compensation for elevating you to the rank of a god, even for simple minded beings such as these, then you have much to learn about being Sith, Vandron,” she hissed through smirking lips. ”Perhaps you would prefer I harvest it from you myself and leave you with all that you had arrived?”

She let the words hang in the air briefly, staring at the Acolyte before her eyes widened and her smirk grew.

”Or perhaps, unlike other Sith, you’re actually true to your word and you could benefit me in other ways?” Her free hand came up, a single finger tapping on the tip of her chin as she waited for a response.

@Alhon

Spoiler

Sorry for the delays, dude. RL slapped me in the face for a bit there.

 

[Nico Vandron]

Nico wrestled on the spot for a moment as her Force grip closed around him. He struck out impulsively in defense but he was not remotely her match and she soon pinned him to the spot, constraining his breathing.

He knew the slaves and credits alone would have been too good a deal. If she helped him here, all manner of things could flow from it. She was not blind to that and would expect more profit from his rise to power, or at least some insurance against that power ever being used against her.

Nico fought to think fast, but he knew virtually nothing of Sah'ra's aims and interests and he had little more to offer. "Alright, alright" he spluttered "whatever you require, my loyalty, even my blood". It was a sacrifice, but one he would have to make for any hope of advancing his plans.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

His meager attempt to break free from her control was laughable, though Sah’ra respected the effort. In due time, perhaps, but for now his natural talents with the Force were eclipsed by her years of training. Evidently, it soon became apparent to the Acolyte that he had little choice in the matter and finally conceded.

”Good,” was all she said in response, maintaining her grip on him as she approached. In the one hand remained the vial, of which the cork popped from its mouth with the slip of her thumb. The other, a dagger snapped from beneath her robes and soon had its sharp edge placed firmly against Nico’s exposed pectoral. ”A devout follower of the Thorne routine, I see?” Sah’ra teased as she slowly drug the blade across his flesh, freeing the life essence from his mortal capsule. Placing the vial below, the blood seeped within until it was finally full and she replaced the cork.

”Was that so complicated?” she cooed, hiding the vial away within her robes before finally releasing her grip on the young man. Dusting her hands against one another, she would smile sweetly at the young man as she clasped them together at her navel. ”Now then. We have struck our deal. It is time I live up to my end,”

”On my travels here, I had noticed a homestead of the primitives a short distance away. A small family, certainly. Perhaps we pay them a visit and discover when the wider population is next expected to gather to pay homage to this ‘Moon Mother’ or what have you,” Sah’ra suggested. In her mind, the greater the collection of Askajjians for their facade, the faster it would spread across the world. Of course, their presence here would need to remain secret until it was time for the ‘grand reveal’, so eliminating a family would be less likely to draw suspicion than that of a small village.

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

There were few times Nico had felt more vulnerable than there, in that dusty temple, bound by a power greater than his own, as a woman drew blood from his body. Trust the witch to cut him across the chest. If it scarred he really would kill her one day. That was a promise.

When she finally released him, he nearly lost his footing and found himself leaning against the altar, smarting from how she had bested him. It had maybe been inevitable, but all the same Nico felt he had miscalculated. Sah'ra now had his blood and had taken a fair bit of his pride too. At least she seemed impressed with his physique, though he had been too stupid to think of offering something so base to persuade her. Maybe that would have worked.

"Yes, the village is key" Nico answered, glad they were finally getting to practical matters. "It is a small one, but of some holy significance among the Askajians" he explained. "The small family there are of very old pedigree and in two days time will host chieftains from across the local sands. They come together to worship and share counsel". It was no accident that he had arranged to intervene in matters now and the upcoming gathering was central to his plans.

"I brought some silver silk" he said slyly, enjoying the prospect of putting Sah'ra in her own compromising position. "If you're going to appear to the tribal chiefs as Lady Moon, or her herald, then we need to make sure you look the part...".

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra smiled as she comprehended the degree of research done by the young Acolyte, promising that he had the potential for success here if their efforts proved fruitful. Yet even with the knowledge he had acquired prior to their arrival, what he asked would require a sacrifice, perhaps multiple, if the illusion was to be powerful enough to fool not only the general populace but shamans and the like as well. The village was their goal but the homestead that she had mentioned needed to be visited first.

Seeing the look in Nico’s eyes as he made mention of the silk he had brought with him, the Sith Master would need to be a fool to miss the underlying, secondary intention to the disguise. Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth thrice in succession, Sah’ra chuckled softly. ”We must place one foot in front of the other, dear Nico, rather than jump head first into the bog. Come with me, and let us take this first step together,”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Theme​

Father. Mother. Son. Daughter. All sat around the small fire within their hut, smiling and trading jokes and stories with one another as they passed around the ceramic pot that contained their morning’s breakfast. Wooden spoons heaved heavy portions of slop into carved bowls before being passed around, the mother tenderly tapping her daughter’s nose with a single finger, genuine smiles and lauhter all around.

Yet the son could feel something looming above, growing ever darker despite the sun rising higher and higher into the Askajian sky. His family paid him no mind as his smile diminished, the growing sensation of a shadow creeping across the only home he had ever known. His skin began to crawl, his complexion began to pale and he began to sweat profusely as he heard the thumpthump thumpthump of his twin hearts beating in his chest. <<”Father…”>> a weak voice carried out as he slumped back against the straw mat they sat upon. The patriarch grew concerned, seeing the state of his eldest child and only son, and quickly moved to scoop him into his arms, the remainder of the family only now becoming aware of what had become of the young boy.

As they mulled around him, the mother seeking out a wet damp cloth, all faces turned to the door of their home as they heard a series of yelps from outside followed by seconds of silence. By now, there was no ignoring the darkness that had come for them. The wooden door soon splintered into dozens of pieces as the corpse of their family canine collided with it at such speeds that blood and bone was all that remained of their faithful companion. And in that doorway stood a pale woman in black robes, her eyes piercing blue as she looked from one frightened expression to the next before crossing her arms. ”Good morning,” she spoke clearly, sweetly, before stepping aside to reveal the Acolyte behind her.

@Alhon

 

[Nico Vandron]

Nico accompanied Sah’ra to the homestead, having little choice but to follow.

It was not what he had planned. He had intended to have the Sith Master present herself to the gathering of elders in Kethle village, ostensibly as a herald of Lady Moon, or perhaps the goddess herself in human form. The Askajians were devout, simple minded people and he expected a few flashes of power from Sah’ra would convince them of her authenticity.

She would have told them of his coming, the coming of Nykos, the child of Lady Moon and Lord Sun. Their new god. By the time he too had appeared among the villages, working carefully crafted miracles, they would have been putty in his hands.

But in enlisting Sah’ra’s help, he had yielded control of events. The Sith woman intended something different it seemed, or at least a precursor of her own design. Nico was desperate to know her plan, but she had admonished him once already and he was still wary of attracting her wrath. He kept his questions to himself as they approached the homestead.

Her talk of sacrifice certainly intrigued him. A scion of a slaving family, he certainly had no problem using his new people in whatever way was needed. Sah’ra had already shown she was capable of weaving a deception far greater than he could have imagined. If blood needed to be spilled to fuel the next, so be it.

Nico hung back, trying to hide the fresh gash on his chest with his robe as Sah’ra worked her will on the petty Askajians. What she did to the homestead and its people in only a few minutes was a new lesson in power and cruelty for the Sennexian. His eyes went wide in awe and fascination and he lusted for the day he would reach such heights.

He followed Sah’ra into the broken home, positively high on the looks of fear and dread on the Askajians’ dirty furrowed faces.

“Kneel” he commanded, though whether it was for Sah’ra, him, or both, the cretins would not know. He threw the Force into his voice, demanding they obey.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Theme

​

The booming voice of Nico shook whatever few amenities existed within the homestead, utensils and the like falling from their places on the walls whilst the flames of their hearth billowed back in response. So too did the family, still clinging to the young boy as all eyes expressed untold fear. So far from the rest of society and even further detached from the events of the galaxy, an invasion such as this shook them to their very core.

Indeed Sah’ra had every intention of living up to her end of the bargain, performing the task exactly as Vandron had requested of her. However, she was not about to do something halfway. If this was to succeed, to wash over the entirety of the world and garner zero skepticism, then the arrival of the Lady Moon needed to be a display that would be spoken of for the coming centuries. Unfortunately for this small family, it was their fate to fuel the fire needed for the illusion.

Blue eyes moved from one Askajian to the next as she selected her offering. None of them would see beyond the walls of their home again but amongst them must have been the preferred choice. That was when the sickly young boy finally garnered her attention. Feeble and weak, sweating but not afraid. Or at least, not in comparison to the others. He seemed almost detached, absent. She reached into his mind but quickly found resistance. Force Sensitive, she soon surmised.

”Come, child,” Sah’ra cooed, lifting a hand as she coiled the Force around his neck. He soon began to lift from his father’s grasp as her other hand raised, throwing the three remaining family members against the wall of their home, forcing them to watch. Their fear would accentuate the magic she was about to employ. Even now, as the desperate cries from father, mother and daughter filled the air around them, Sah’ra could feel her powers growing stronger as she fed off their emotions.

She drew the boy in and slid his frozen form across the wooden table in the center of the room, sending ceramic bowls and plates crashing to the floor. As she drew the knife from within her robes, she began to recite the ancient ritual in ur-kittat as she placed the edge against his throat. Before she dug it into his flesh, she cast a glance over her shoulder towards Nico. ”Silver silk, you say?” she smirked before plunging her weapon deep into the son’s windpipe. Screams of his family became shrill, erratic as they watched their child slaughtered before their eyes.

She continued to recite the ritual, collecting the spilling blood in one of the ceramic bowls the family had laid out for their meal. As she did, she began to carve ancient runes in its exterior with her blood soaked blade whilst her free hand manipulated it with the Force. The fluid began to bubble and emit a soft glow, but she was not yet done. Whilst the son gurgled and gasped for air on the table, seconds from death, the hand she hovered over the bowl soon snapped up and towards the father, pulling him across the room until he came to a dead stop mere feet from her palm, incapable of moving. She dove into his mind, filtering through the primitive thoughts and desires, pulling memory after memory from within until she found what she required. As this occurred, his eyes began to roll back in his head before finally falling to the ground unconscious, earning another panicked scream from the remaining two family members.

Once more she manipulated the blood within the bowl, this time allowing the forcefully drawn out memories of the father’s religious past to influence her manipulation. It was nearing completion, only two final pieces needed. With the blade she had used to slaughter the son and to draw blood from Nico earlier, she lacerated the palm of her opposite hand and allowed her own blood to pour into the concoction. Returning the blade to it’s sheath, she then proceeded to draw the vial of Nico’s own blood and added a single drop before hiding it away on her person once more. He was, after all, to be the son of the Lady Moon. This would ensure that when the time came, his appearance, the air about him, would seem not of this realm.

”The silk, dear,” Sah’ra requested of the Acolyte behind her before shrugging the cloak from her shoulders and allowing it to drop to the floor. Piece by piece she shed her attire until her porcelain form was put on display. As the silk was produced, she would continue her recitation.

The homestead would soon be fully encompassed in darkness, even a hand mere inches from one’s face going unnoticed. All that could be heard was Sah’ra’s voice and the wails of mother and daughter until finally, a sudden bright, blinding light erupted from the bowl. Any who stood within the building would have their eyesight crippled but as it slowly returned, they would no longer see Sah’ra as they had come to know her standing before them. Instead, a woman wrapped in silver silk, her skin glowing bright. Her facial features had shifted, her eyes inky black and her head entirely bald. Lady Moon had come to Askajj at last.

”These people have served their purpose,” Sah’ra cooed as she turned to face the Acolyte, her voice honeyed; mystical. ”Be rid of them, would you?”

@Alhon