It Is Then, With Quiet Steps

[Vinny]

Aristocracy had, among many of it's perks a few gems that made it all the more worth while to have integrated in the ever evolving Imperial Culture. Among these particular gems, one that stood out among the others was the rather uncanny ability of nobles to find the best ways to brown-nose their superiors. Especially when they wanted something from someone in a station many tiers higher than themselves. It was because of that, that Darth Cain was often showered with gifts of various values and levels of curiosity tied to them. None were more curious-though-than the statuette that was brought to him on a chill morning. Kaas city was in between major storms, and a few minutes reprieve from the endless clap of thunder was soothing in the brisk air of dawn. Dew had settled on Cain's gloves and face even as he turned the statuette over in his hand.

"Where is it from?" Cain asked. Rotating the oddly carved effigy of an avian skull over in his palm. It seemed to have a potent aura about it-as if the very depiction drew the Dark Side to it in some way. Fascinating. The nobleman whom had presented it to him bowed several times.

"My Dark Lord. I have been told it was retrieved during a scouting mission to a now-inhospitable world named Zakuul." The nobleman said. Cain flipped the skull over again in his hand and looked up at the noble.

"Who told you this world was 'now-inhospitable'?" The Dark Lord of the Sith asked. The man paused, considering, his mind felt as if it were a jumble. As if something had been shifted out of place so carefully that if one was not as well versed in the ways of the mind as Darth Cain, one would have never noticed it.

"The scouting team?" The nobleman offered, unsure. Darth Cain's smile twisted and he placed a hand on the foolish man's shoulder.

"Of course. Please, return home, and thank you for this gift." Cain turned away and strode toward his home. With quiet steps he turned the skull over in his hand. "This very curious gift." Cain said and flashed a smile.

It took nearly a week of study to fully grasp Zakuul's position in the cosmos. Several inquisitors were dispatched to acquire portions of the information from numerous different locations across the Empire. Yet it was the archives on Tund that proved to bear the most fruit on the forgotten world. Capital of an ancient empire, Zakuul was lost to memory. At least the memory of the greater galaxy, anyway. Darth Cain tapped the screen of the display in front of him and rested his finger on the point where Zakuul had been triangulated. The information would be transferred to the navicom on his private starship.

Why had Cain become so obsessed? It certainly was not the skull. No. It was records of a tapestry on Zakuul. An image that was said to depict a being so horrific it drew the forceless mad and Jedi into fits of doubt. One with a powerful and labyrinthine mind like Cain's would certainly be able to lay eyes on the effigy, examine it, and replicate it. Turning the visage into a weapon all his own-and then studying the history and power of the thing-was a worthy goal for furthering the power of the Dark Side. Perhaps this too was another mystery of the Dark that he was meant to unravel.

Regardless. One moment he was in his office. The next he was on his private shuttle. And then he was orbiting the darkened world of Zakuul, his navicomputer preparing a list of possible landing points before bringing the naboo-class shuttle down to the dusty surface.

@Baobhan

 

[Baobhan]

'Lo and Behold, the Grand Arena!'​

... Eris stood, reaching her hands down in the sand, her fingers feeling the heat that the white silt had absorbed from the evening sun as it began to set upon the horizon bathing the sky in a crimson glow of fire-colours which cast long shadows across the baked earth. Raising her head in full helmet, her body in full combat regalia, shield at her side and sword sheathed at her hip. Eris represented the act of tracking, telling the audience of the time her ancestor stalked her prey. The grand arena was not simply about the art of gladitorial bouts. It was a theatre, a church, a school... one would teach their history through actions within it, combat like a prayer as they channeled the power of their ancestors within their blood to gain their skills by recreating the trials they had long accomplished...

Clenching her fist in the sand, the palatine would bring her fist to her nose, the sand spilling from her fingers as it was caught by the wind, blowing far away until she let the sand fall. Whipping her blade out at speed the beast that she was to do battle with was released unto the arena. Eris would make a full leap to a side, slamming her shield flat on the ground as she would roll, white spear-like furr from the beast would rend the clay beneath them apart as the massive feline creature would erupt from the sand beneath them, missing the palatine by inches...

The crowd would hush as the suspense brewed.​

... Not waiting for the creature to take to its offense, she would rush it, two steps following a third as she would throw her weight into a bladed strike down for the cat's head, her strike holding the sheer intent of cleaving its skull in two. But agile was her foe, it would lunge backwards, prepare for an attack, but its prey-turned-hunter would be there waiting. Advancing ever more Eris would let out a primal yell as strike after strike she would wield her blade hitting nothing but air in a skillful flurry. Alas she would hit nothing as the creature would let out a violent swipe in response. Raising her shield, Eris would tank the blow, the strength of the creature nearly toppling her as she slid her foot out to her side to brace herself and halt her momentum.... The claws of the creature wrapped around the shield in a grab as its mouth came down upon her, and her sword charged up for it.

With a single cut, Eris would pivot out from under the arm of the creature as it fell...
blood gushing from its throat as it gurgled on it... and the crowd cheered.​

... Cradling her shoulder, she knew that were she her ancestor, blocking the swipe from the nearly four meter long beast would have resulted in immediate dislocation of her arm, but, her cybernetic properties allowed her to brace it, though the dull ache of the effort made her arm more than stiff. Looking to the Chaplain who overlooked the battle, the man in super-heavy armour nodded in her direction, acknowledging the trial as Eris felt herself elated at the success of the fight.

Afterwards, Eris would meet with her people, talk strategy and equipment. The Order had been fed equipment from the captured city they had taken on Zakuul in the Serpents' efforts to take complete control of the sector. With the fall of the prince, they now had a puppet to gain legitimacy, but also with the converts, won battles and more, they also had the ability to upgrade and equip the many more people who had come into their ranks. Eris could not help but smile at the influx of legatine forces that had opted into the ranks of the Order for the sense of normalcy that they provided instead of assimilating into the Yahm, Unchained or the Free. The order were Zakuulian after all.

Night would fall​

... The palatine would be tired, mulling over descriptions of the units, touchable screens as opposed to holopads spread out before her with information on the three newly appointed heads of her order. A chaplain, who appeared to be vampyric on some level... a grand-master who was some form of sorceress, and a Heirophant whom had used to be an assassin of the highest calibur. No sign of an applicant for the position of High Almoner, a thinker, as opposed to a fighter. But, time would no doubt reveal talent. Eris only needed to be patient and these things would come in time. Tired, and weary, she would take a rest at her desk, looking out into the night sky to see the Light cruiser they had liberated from the princes forces. The Luxury Shakula Class Corvette was something of a miracle to many of the fighters here, but it was an excellent compliment to the Void Serpents in the mean time.

“Things are only going to become more interesting from this point forward... I hope we're ready...”

 

[Vinny]

Dusty had not been an appropriate word to describe the surface of Zakuul. Though from afar it seemed to be a patchwork of grays, greens and blues that reminded him of some lunar ponds. The world was far more vibrant with life than he had given it credit for. The moment the ship settled down, he could feel the teeming throb of the planet's life force rocking through him. This world was a swampy, wet, and life encrusted world. There was a darkness to it-a savage will that seemed to permeate the place. It was utterly balanced within the force, and that unsettled him greatly. Places of light would weaken him, but neutral places like this-they would resist his incursion, fear it. This balanced place would refute his desire to bring it out of balance. He would be the primary target of any beast that walked this world.

But the will of the Dark Side was stronger.

The Steward of the Dark Side stood calm as the boarding ramp lowered down to the moist surface of the world. He strode down the ramp, his concious mind sweeping over the twelve or so animal minds that dwelled just out of immediate eyeshot. Hungry beasts that had enough sense to work together to take down a very dangerous kill. Cain's lip twitched as he reached the edge of the boarding ramp. Still they waited. They knew-somehow-that it was not until he had stepped off the durasteel ramp that they would have him in their clutches. Pack animals perhaps? They seemed familiar.

The instant Cain stepped off the ramp, his lightsaber was in his hand. Twelve massive beasts that looked more than just familiar leaped out from the foliage. Tuk'ata, or some variation thereof. Their skin was a pallid gray instead of the off-browns, reds and blacks native to Korriban. Their bodies were more catlike than the hounds he was familiar with-and they had the largest eyes he had ever seen on one of their species-with an equally larger head. Which meant a larger brain cavity. Cain ducked low, flicking his lightsaber out and to the left-cutting down the first attacker by bisecting it's head. The second was upon him in a millionth of a second, trying to force him into the foliage by maneuvering to a position behind him.

Cain laughed and reached out with the force, grasping the creature by the windpipe just as the third, bewildered by the first's death, leapt straight into Cain's lightsaber, skewering himself. The Dark Lord threw his choking victim into two others who lunged as one-bones snapping and crumbling under the force of Cain's telekinetic prowess. The Dark Lord rounded on the sixth who shied back only to be tackled to the ground by the Seventh. The Seventh looked up at Cain, his eyes huge and yellow unlike the off-reds of the others in his pack. He growled low at Cain, and then flicked his head toward the trees. His kin rushed off into the foliage-beaten.

"You must be in charge..." Cain cooed, taking a step forward. The massive beast snarled and ducked it's head, it's muscles tensing to leap into action. Cain could feel the pressure building and the raw force behind it's next possible move. He wondered if he could block in time. Excitement nearly overrode logic but he managed to calm himself. "Go then. I am not here for you or your own." Cain growled, his six eyes flashing for an instant. The beast did not cower, but it did obey. Prideful thing.

Surrounded by the carcasses of separately evolved Tuk'ata and on an unknown world. Cain decided it would be best to set up camp. He would be here for a few days.

 

[Baobhan]

'Peace, shatters so beautifully.'​

... Any amount of calm was obliterated on the world when scouts came charging through the crowd claiming that an unidentified ship had landed in a remote location west of their position, the ship didn't look too large, but it was far more advanced than any of the ones at their disposal, and seemed combat tuned. Eris scowled, though she didn't seem to be too worried about the entire thing, Zakuul was used to nomadic visitors, so long as they were not hostile, they would be hospitable to their newfound guests. But, just in case, with a gesture, Eris called over the messenger as well as several others, ordering them to deliver messages to the Arch Chaplain and Grand-Masters of the order, telling them that they were to have troops ready and armed for combat on the off-chance that something bad would come to pass... Nursing her arm, Eris came to the realization that save for her spear she was already equipped for battle, her helmet on and her clothing, although a little blood-spattered was still fit for purpose.

Save for the long claw-marks across her shield.​

... Calling out sharply to two of her honor-guard, Eris would make her way to hoverbikes which would rapidly transport them to the destination of the Sith new-comer. As they approached, Eris could begin to feel a tingling sensation, like the numb absence of a headache created by medication. Focusing, she could remember shapes and figures, something light, and bright as a laser hanging by the side of one of them. The memory was a like a long forgotten dream, void of all details other than those which would stand out against the tests of time. The bright light, hovering in place like a weapon made of light, and the other was a sensation of dread, that, even without sensitivity in the force, she was capable of picking up as they drew closer to the veritable avatar of the Dark side that was Darth Cain.

It was like approaching a predator, and you were the prey.​

... As the group arrived, they could see the corpses of the Tukata that had been slain, Eris looked to them, it seemed that they had been cut apart by something hot, and with deft skill. Something not unlike their heated blades, but the cuts were not clean, there was no cut, merely burn in a line. Eris could see that there was in fact about two inches of width where the beasts were just missing... This was the work of a weapon they had not encountered, which immediately put Eris on her highest of guards. moving her sight away from the victims of the assault, but more-so onto the man who stood apart from the rest, she would open her mouth in order to speak, not yet removing her helmet in fear that there may be some conflict.

“Greetings... and fear not, my companions and I mean you no harm so long as you share in that vision. My name is Eris Morgana, Palatine and Leader of the Order of the Outsider, it's in our land you've made birth. We're just here to ask your intentions... and if you require any aid.”​

... Her tone of voice was objective, like a warrior going through the motions of peace, it was as if she was ticking boxed more than offering a sincere offer. It would not take the talents of the lord of the mind to assert that she was on edge because of the technology wielded by the newcomers. The technology they wore, their unique, heated vibro-blades and blasters at their hips under their hands looked like they were echoes of a forgotten era evolved to barely skim what would be considered antique technology made new, however effective they may be. The woman standing before him would be clad in armour from head to toe, looking like that of a Teutonic knight that had been elevated to the space age. Fleur de lis patters adhorning the helm as well as the armour with other sacred symbols as a hooded mantle and waist sash made the armour appear more regal than the two who appeared at her sides, glimmers of machinations lighting up the inner recesses of the steel and helmet, implying that they weren't simply metal on chain suits.

Such as it was, they weren't so far gone.​

 

[Vinny]

Darth Cain sensed them long before they arrived. This world was jam packed with life forces that reacted rather predictably when something approached. Despite their number-three in all-he contented himself with continuing to set up his equipment alongside the sleek semi-chrome transport. There was no point in spending time setting traps or ranging for an ambush. He was one and they understood the lay of the land far better than he. They would notice disturbances in the terrain and tension in the air that he would not. A trap was pointless and Cain was not one to waste time or resources on the pointless and hopeless.

When they approached, they first kept their distance. He could sense three minds. One stronger than the others-the leader. The two weaker minds were like open books, providing some information to him in the form of visual detail and general intent. They had come to greet him and avoid hostilities if possible. They also did not have any reason to welcome him into their ... what was that? Order? He tilted his head to the right in thought even as he kept his back to the three in the foliage beyond. The scent of carrion barely even registering in his brain until he turned around and was reminded of the bloodbath he had created earlier. Perhaps he should have moved the bodies. No matter.

That was when she approached. Just before he could open his mouth and call them out.

The first thing he thought of when he saw her, was that she was perhaps some manner of Templar from the priesthood, come to see to his needs. That was at least how she appeared. Her armor was heavy and traditional-much like the templars and both the sash and mantle were adorned with heavy symbolism. Though they were certainly not the symbolism of his order, his faith. She spoke, her helmet still in place-rude-and she used a tone of clipped objectivity. It was as if she were simply going through the motions of offering peace and not really expecting to have the offer accepted. In fact, as he reached out and focused on her, he could sense her tension-her adjitation in the presence of him and his technology.

Technology is the least of your worries.

Cain's lip curled.

"A kind offer, and in basic no less. It would seem that my subordinate was quite wrong about this world-it is very much inhabited." Cain said, cracking a smile. He gave a slight bow, his eyes remaining fixed on the face of her mask. "I am Cain. I come here to study this world and unearth the truth concerning a tale about it's history." The Dark Lord offered, a half truth was more than enough at this point. He rose back up to his full height-which was not very impressive. "Though... I sense that you are uneasy. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the weapons and equipment I bring with me to your world?" He asked pointedly.

 

[Baobhan]

'With burning tongues and glorious eyes, it was the gods who torched the skies...'​

... The words of the man who stood before Eris were silken and to the likes of Eris, devious. She had never met a person who was this friendly and did not have an agenda that they were seeking to push. Cold indifference would have been more welcome, but, none the less, it seemed this man was intent on playing one game or another. Although she could not ascertain what, she could almost feel the will of the man testing her mind with her own, like scouting the terrain of a location that may stage a later battle. Her soldiers had picked up the sensation as well, the feeling had made the honor-guard uneasy as he gathered information through the force, as much as he had not been invasive to the point of doing so. After listening to the mans' words, the Palatine would curl her digits around the edge of her helmet and pulling it from her head, her hair, consisting of varying shades of white would fall around her eyes and jaw-line for a moment before she brushed it calmly away, placing her helm under her arm for the most part... though the steely gaze of her attention would not falter from the man before her. Eris could not help but note that he had introduced no title or status upon revealing his name.

Trust was not easily gained, but, it seemed he had made a first step, so, she felt she should also in kind.​

“You must understand, our people here for the longest time have been isolated from the inner galaxy, the technology we have grown to has been provided by a mix of traders and the knowledge of the Outsider as far back as we care to know, the former even are a rarity. So, we are rightfully cautious about the weaponry of the inner worlds, seeing as we would soon be facing them. ” Eris spoke calmly in her same objective tone, not wanting to offend, but at the same time feeling the uneasiness of the two men to her sides... it would be clear to the mentalist she was posturing, keeping strong and a touch more aggressive to keep her men in line, a simple and effective tactic to ensure that relations went smoothly. “However, seeing as you are here to learn of our history, or the history of this world, perhaps the two of us could come to some sort of arrangement. My people for hundreds of years have kept an immaculate record of this world, albeit, from our slightly more, interesting perspective I'm sure... is there anything in particular that you're seeking?”

Her final sentence, finally beginning to loose the authority into her words, waning into genuine curiosity.​

... The Palatine speculated with this bizzare feeling she got from around the man, that he, like several members of the Void Serpents, was some form of wielder of cosmic forces. Former Palatines and great members of the Order had been such warriors, using the powers of the cosmos in order to achieve their goals. It was a dangerous gift, but not one that Eris' master had not trained her in dealing with in one form or another. Though, the thought that there could be an institution of beings capable of wielding the power, numbering in their thousands was simply beyond the imagination of Eris... as it stood, the Palatine had yet to meet a Sith or a Jedi, or even hear mention of them or their respective Orders or beliefs. Whether they would clash or compliment one another was a test that had yet to be undertaken.

The seemingly endless potential of possibility laid out before the two weighted down the arms of fate.​

 

[Vinny]

The Dark Lord of the Sith was, admittedly, distracted for a moment when the helmet came off. He almost wished she hadn't. Easier to deal with rude than gorgeous. Because that is exactly what she was. White haired and statuesque. Like a goddess carved of marble. He blinked a few times, honestly speechless as he regained himself. He hadn't expected a human, for one thing. Then came the speech. His composure returned to him and he reset his face with that same corellian half-grin that he had introduced himself with before. She was intentionally objective in her assessment of her people's view of the inner worlds and their technology. A wise stance, she had a diplomat's mind. That note of curiosity though, he thought as her tone began to waver near the end of her speech, that was interesting.

He gave a low bow, a practiced maneuver born out of his tireless efforts to create a proper aristocracy in the Sith Empire.

"Then it is a good thing that we two have met so quickly." He began in his usual playful drawl. He turned and reached into one of the small containers to his left, pulling out the skull wrapped in swaddled cloth. "One of my agents came to your world and discovered this trinket." He said casually, unwrapping it and revealing the avian effigy. The skull still had that sticky aura of darkness about it, it was strange, like it had been attributed that darkness by others. Fear. He scented fear on it in the force. He turned anyway and held it out. "Being an artifact of your world, I sought to return it, and to... learn more of it. Something about the thing compelled me to come here to learn and understand."

Truths, more and more truths, but beneath the surface of those carefully layered truths was the Viper that was the Dark Lord of the Sith. Hungrily seeking ways to increase the power of the Dark Side, of the Sith. His secret, sacred purpose in this galaxy was still left unfulfilled. He needed more, the ghosts of the Sith would not let him rest until he had more and more and more. He rolled the skull over in his hands and looked up at her, his lips quirking into a smile. There was something about her, a tingle on the force. She was not strong in it, but she could feel it's tug. Interesting.

"Does something trouble you about my presence, my new friend?" He asked, letting his head tilt to the side in an expression of curiosity.

 

[Baobhan]

'Some allies are worth watching.'​

... Looking at the trinket, Eris coult hardly believe her eyes, the men at her side would gaze upon the skull and step back as the dark artifact was uncovered, but Eris unlike them stood forward. Reaching out and asking for the skull like trinket she would hope the man would hand it over for inspection. Should he, Eris would quickly recognize the small symbols carved within its frame so that it may take the guize of the grooves feathers would leave. Reading them for most would be difficult, but Eris already knew what they said, these artifacts were made from a dark ritual, but it was one of warding. The markings on the bone were made to absorb the essence of the adversary should it come into contact with them, that way its tainting influence could not spread or take hold of the world around it. To force sensitives, especially those of the dark pursuasion, it would feel like an alluring pull, much like the lure of the dark itself. But little else.

Such was its task​

... The man before her seemed to want answers, and Eris was happy to provide them “This artifact is a Dark one, but, not in an evil way, the devourer, the Adversary, has great reach and influence over the cosmos, these vessels seek to contain his influence as it reaches out and hold it. They're not often used by those other than those mystics who would walk the thin line between vice and virtue. Many of my people fear such things, as they think they could be used as... batteries for dark magic. Thus they're often purified by those who know how. Thank you for returning this to us, it is surely kind. I will send this to be purified and it could be used by one who wills it. Though, such mystics are few and far between.” Eris would finish, cradling the avian skull under her arm for safe keeping, but as the nomad asked her if his presence made her uneasy, the Palatine would have to think about her answer, ever the pragmatist, she didn't want to offend the man.

Such matters could be delicate.​

“I don't find it unnerving so much as odd, the technology you wield and the ship you came in on is above and beyond what I have experienced with those who are already here, and you seem to have an air about you like that of a mystic. You are also inquiring about dark artifacts, which gives me some idea that you have interest in the occult. I often find that these people have demons in their life that they wish to slay. So, I'm not so much unnerved by you, as, the demons who may follow in your wake in search of you. ” The Palatine would sigh heavily, before perking up in a more optimistic tone. “But should something like that come our way, we'll just have to crush it like any other threat.”

She couldn't help but laugh.​

... With a wave of her hand, Eris would invite the man back to her village for the mean time, they would offer what hospitality they had to spare, and she would happily answer any of the mans' questions along the way or once they got there.
“Come, you must be weary after a long journey, you also said you had questions, allow me to answer.”

This could be the beginning of something grand.​