The Sickest Of Us All, Are Generally Our Favorites

[Flamjetxx]

Participants: Kes (NPC'd), Arkteleus Krayzen
Ziost

The Sickest Of Us All, Are Generally Our Favorites​

The window in Ark's private quarters was open, and the fresh snow drifted in to precariously set themselves upon the warmed floor. Ark was particularly in a mix of emotions right now. SO many things were on his mind, and he was deeply concerned whether or not he'd be able to sort everything out in time.

Not only 15 minutes ago, he'd had a visitor, an extremely common one around the Temple, that had brought him news that was, for a lack of better words, disturbing and perplexing. And that along carried the most questions for him. So many questions that simply had no answers. In fact, there were a plethora of things it meant for Ark that was simply too much for him to think of, and the nostalgia of the story he'd been told was all too familiar. It nearly caused tears to well up in this eyes, but like any bad *ss Sith Juggernaut, he forced them down and pretended it was impossible to cry.

The War raged about him, Rebels, Dark Jedi, the Jedi, and worst of all, the Coterie. Perplexing was all he could say. How could the Sith fight them all off? And worst of all, he felt like he was the only one on the frontlines of battle until just recently. Ironically, it was now that was the moment he felt most alone.

Ark taught himself as an Acolyte that there was no one he could truly count on, and yet throughout his career, he'd found several individuals he believed he could actually trust in one way or another. However, the first of those was none other than his next visitor today. Kes. Ark had met him as an Acolyte, and it forced him into his first real friend around the Sith Temples. In fact, it was on this very planet that Ark had first met Kes, and in a Blizzard no less.

When all hope seemed to be quickly draining away, Kes had stepped in just in time to help Ark out when all else had abandoned him. It was the first moment that he considered the fact that there was in fact, at least, one person in the Order that Ark could possibly care about. f 'course, there were others, but Kes stood out the first, and they'd subsequently dragged each other into training exercises that quickened their bond. And now, during War and the dawn of the worst news, Ark had him near.

Ark's fur brushed against the wind, almost a if to want to be carried away in it. It covered the battle scars he wore as proud reminders of his accomplishments, and it held the culture of his home world, Kashyyyk. It had grown very long, as compared to the extremely neatly trimmed shorter, hair that Ark had first displayed to Kes. Despite how long it was, Ark managed to keep it incomprehensibly clean and out of the way. Tribal braiding and beads hung on his facial fur as a plethora of symbols from the Tribe he frequented, showcasing acceptance by the local Wookie population, and the pattern the beads he wore showed a story all in themselves; However, those who could read it were rare, and the story was something too difficult to tell in words, and as such, Ark wore it on his face for everyone to see, but not understand. It was his own little inside joke to the rest of the world.

Ark had nothing on him, allowing every flake that entered the room to either bounce off of his body or latch onto his long fur. The white and black patterning seemed to show a muscle definition that was somewhat common amongst the greatest of athletes among the Order, but it was a mirage of what Ark truly was, where the fur rounded out the true definition of what tones really was for a Kushari. If shaved fur... well, Ark would look quite foolish, but one would also find that Ark's muscle definition was impossible, explaining how he could weigh so much more than any other creature in the Temple, while standing only as tall as he was. The only thing that didn't seem to show such muscle was the tail that flicked from side to side. And if anyone were to be able to read the body language of a Kushari's tail, they'd find that Ark was in deep contemplation.

Ark's thoughts, however, were broken by the sudden approach of Kes' familiar Force signature. There were many Force signatures, that Ark had an intimate knowledge of, but Kes' was one of an ancient friendliness that was hard to replace. Ark closed the window to the chambers, ceasing the influx of the snow, where the ambient roar of the heating systems could be heard moving in overdrive to equalize the temperature Ark had let fall. However, it was only the brisk still in the room that was the only remnant of when the window was opened, and though it could be still felt by anyone in the room when first entering.

Ark's Force signature had increased tenfold, the sin of a true Warrior of the Sith at the potential of Mastery, having finally found it. Though Ark wasn't necessarily at his peak, he was near it, and the signature would tell the shadow of stories of what Ark had accomplish. It would only lead Ark to wonder what Kes would think of him. Would he believe Ark to be the same person he'd met so long ago in the Blizzard of Ziost? Or would he think Ark had taken on the brutish role of every Master they've both feared in the hallways of Ziost and Korriban? IN reality, Ark hoped it was somewhere in between... At least for Kes. Approachable, but certainly changed from the days long past. It was nice to finally see Kes after so long, and sharing their stories would be exciting.

Before Kes opened, Ark walked to a small clearing on the far side of the chambers, in which Ark had several rooms within the chambers, each dedicated to a particular function. This particular room was still visible from the entrance, and it was a cleared space with different tiling, made from the wood of a Wroshyr Tree, where Ark would practice his Martial Arts in solitude. Kes would gain the honor of joining Ark.

Catching a pose from Teras Kasi, Ark remembered that Kes was also a practitioner, and he'd instantly be greeted by familiarity, when the doors to the Chambers opened for him almost preemptively, "Welcome Kes, my old friend."

 

[TheSilentWind]

The Empire he had sworn to defend with his life was an Empire that was crumbling from internal and external attacks. First, it was Naboo. Somehow, a massive Rebel fleet had been amassed comprising of Bogan, Cartel, and Rebel made ships. Then it was Fondor when the ancient Dark Jedi had returned, and they had attacked one of the Imperium's most critical assets. The Empire was loosing victory after victory, and the Rebellion was becoming more stronger than ever. Kes needed to do what he could to stop this threat once and for all.

The man had not been Ziost in a long time. He had been sent on various missions by the Imperial Intelligence, working to infiltrate Rebel cells and give information to the Sith. Kes had done his work but he knew that it wasn't enough. He knew that the Sith were being internally weakened and that made trusting individuals extremely hard. Luckily for him, their was only one person he could trust, and that person had just invited him to his private chambers.

He wondered how the Kushari had been. Ark knew that a lot had changed since they last met. With Viole being promoted to Master, and him being close to the promotion himself. It seemed that the people that were once his equals were growing and he was staying on the same level. Nevertheless, despite some concealed jealousy, the Mandalorian certainly was happy for his friend, his only friend to be more specific.

"My lord" he stated, bowing to the newly promoted Sith Master. Ark had certainly grown, and his exploits had reached the Assassin's years. Kes wondered how their friendship would be now that Ark was a Master, and Kes was a Crusader. More importantly, he wondered why of all people had been summoned. Why would Ark summon him? Only time would tell.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Taking the time to recompose himself into a form from the Wookie Martial Art, Wrruushi, Ark raised his paw for one of the poses, incidentally nudging the Crusader from his bowing position, not so that he'd feel like Ark was controlling him, but it was enough to make him feel like his body was floating upward, out of his bow, "Thank you Kes," Ark acknowledged the respect for his new Rank and from a friend no less.

It was the first person to do so, and to call him Lord. The little tickle of Pride and arrogance rose in his throat before Ark pushed it down, determined not to make an *ss of himself, simply because he held a higher Rank. It was something of honor that he didn't want to give the impression of unapproachability, or that would compel Kes to act as if he were someone that would intentionally go out of his way to Force him to bow to the newly promoted Master. Especially not to an old friend. Ark had excelled past Kes in skill and the Force, but Ark didn't want to show that with such things, he'd fallen from honor and loyalty, which were the two things most important to Ark... Among other things that is.

Falling out of the power-oriented, Wookie stance, Ark melted into a relaxed standing pose that was reminiscent of the earliest poses learned in Teras Kasi, "I trust you remember your basic Teras Kasi?" Ark asked Kes, knowing that it wasn't something easily forgotten, but more of something that would be harder to bring back to the forefronts of ones memory, when considering the far more advanced moves one learns by Mastering such a form.

It was the basics, ad they were the foundation upon what the more complicated poses were based from, and though all Masters of Teras Kasi perform them, it's generally without thought, and purposely falling into the most basic of poses was something too simple for them. However, for Ark, he had long Mastered Teras Kasi, being able to call upon the simplest of movements, no matter how old they were, because of years of practicing what was already been mastered, reviewing it over and over again. For Ark, the basics were most important, because he used them as a foundation, not only just for the advanced moves of Teras Kasi, but as a base for translating to the basics of multiple other Martial Arts forms he practices, such as Wrruushi and even Kushari Martial Arts.

And that was what Ark was doing here today, he was going back to the basics of their friendship, calling upon something he may be rusty in, but is necessary in translating what he wants to eventually talk to Kes about, "Tell me Kes, What have you been up to since we've last spoken?"

Simple. It provoked a generalized response, with the option to add a more precise addition to his response or responses. And all in all, it would give Ark insight on what was most important to Kes by the manner in which he responds. Eventually, Ark would be able to casually throw in what he want's to talk to him about, in an attempt to relate it to him. It would be weird to act all friendly to, even a friend, someone he'd not seen in so long. Ark knew it was quite odd too. Regardless, there was a lot to talk about on both sides.

 

[Kes]

"Certainly." he stated. He knew what Teras Kasi was, and more importantly, he knew what it could do. Kes was well aware that Teras Kasi was one of, if not the best martial art to fight force sensitives with. It had been used for centuries, and many people had mastered it outside of the organization known as the Followers of Palawa (the original creation of Teras Kasi). It was certainly interesting to remember Ark teaching the martial art form to it. While Kes' proficiency had grown, he was no master.


"My life has been busy. I have been infiltrating Rebel cells here and there, revealing their info to Imperial Intelligence. That is why I haven't been to any of the temples, including Korriban since I have been constantly redeployed. I don't think I will need to be doing that anymore considering the Rebellion has unfortunately grown quite stronger. Right now, I am focusing on helping the Imperium with whatever I can, such as doing missions and training students. " he stated. He knew it wasn't really the most exciting thing but Kes was someone that didn't really care if it was exciting or not. Kes even took pride at training prideful acolytes, and teaching them discipline. As long as he was helping the Imperium survive, he was happy.

"What have you been up to my Lord?" he stated. He knew some of Ark's exploits, such as the recent battle he won in Fondor. Nevertheless, he was still interested, and it was respectful to ask a question like that, especially after they hadn't seen each other in a while.

 

[Flamjetxx]

"Please Kes, you've known me as Ark the entire time we've known each other. There's no superior reason to change that now," Ark stated in response to Kes naming him Lord. It was particularly ironic that most would call a Master a Lord though, considering it isn't their actual rank. It would take some getting used to, especially where he'd actually demand he be called either Lord Ark or Master Ark; Mostly the Acolytes and Crusaders he teaches.

Kes stated what he was up to casually, making it seem unimportant, but Ark had to say he was impressed to know that Kes had relentlessly infiltrated and fed such information. In fact, there was a chunk in Ark's time as a Crusader, where he'd simply vanished, contributing nothing to the Order... Simply wasted. However, Ark was quick to his feet, where he'd make a name for himself in such battles as Fondor and in thwarting the attempted overthrow of Fantasea.

"I would take pride in your actions. In fact, I think the single most, internal, function a higher Ranking Sith can perform is preparing the younger generations for what we currently are capable of. It only gets harder the further we ascend our Ranks," Ark says, careful to mention the teaching of Acolytes. It had even brought back the notion of Jorath Baylor, Ark's first true Apprentice who'd become a Crusader almost solely upon Ark's teachings. And he shifted to Drakia, his current Apprentice, though no one would realize he had become involved with her. And it would be the absolute last thing anyone would know, for the safety of his unborn child. The sovereignty of his child's unmolded thoughts depended on such secrecy. Everyone had their own skew on the galaxy, and it was the rare few that could give such information to a child without warping their views one way or another. Ark couldn't even trust himself not to alter his own child's perspective, and so he'd need the child protected in a way that wouldn't even so much as draw the hint of such a question that would lead down the path of persuasion. Completely untouched is what the child needed, and it was something Ark was determined to give it. The greatest gift Ark could give in benefitting the child's mind.


Snapping out of his deeper thoughts, Ark struck a defensive pose, unconsciously reflecting how he'd become defensive upon the mention of Apprentices, because of what it would lead him to think of, "I'm sure you've heard of my exploits to some degree," Ark began.

Such things as The second battle of Fondor reached many ears among the Sith and Rebels alike. After all, defending a severely weakened facility from a second attack wasn't an easy feat by any means. Some would even say Ark managed a handful of luck by managing it, and how could Ark disagree when so many things still plagued his thoughts of such a thing.

"But why should I bore you with the stories you're already likely to have heard?" Ark continued, "In fact, there are a few things that some may not already know. Since my promotion, I've garnered enough attention form my superiors in the Dark Council to earn a prestigious place in directly aiding a particular, unnamed, Darth," of 'course, Ark wouldn't be at liberty to divulge the name of the Darth, but it would be relatively easy to guess giving the context. However, the point was that Ark was quickly ascending in influence around the Sith.

"I've uncovered a few ancient Sith secrets, even going as far as discovering an ancient Sith Sword. I've since gifted it to our High Arcanist though, and in return he's helping me to construct some alchemically enhanced armor," Ark lets out an almost natural chuckle, "Can you remember the days where even Darth Maleficar was known as Sin'ryk?"

"And, finally, I've reconnected, even if briefly, with my Kushari roots... before they disappeared from the rest of the Galaxy. Only a few of us remain, but..." Ark stopped himself. He was getting dangerously close to hinting that Ark had a child, and it was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.

Ark fell to a more solemn demeanor, "I'm afraid that I won't be around forever. If not the war, then something else will get me. I need to make a difference in my being here, " Ark states, bringing on a very serious tone to their conversation that quickly went from the jocularity of speaking of their past to their very real, current, situation.

It was a funny thing to realize one's own mortality, and the way one discovers it is the most intriguing to say the least. Ark's own mortality was only just recently realized, and it's odd to find that he's in the presence of someone he feels he can trust, and that it wasn't planned that Kes would be there for his confession. how close were they really then that Ark could trust him with a secret so divine he was willing to unquestionably share his own mortality secrets, but not willing to divulge that he has a child? Perhaps well worthy enough to know of the child, but Ark may not even be able to see that yet.

 

[Kes]

"Alright, Ark" he stated. Kes was surprised that Ark did not want Kes to refer to him as a Lord, or Master. Considering the fact that a lot of Sith Masters and Lords wanted to be referred to that way, it made Kes wonder if Ark was still the same Kushari friend he had saved on Ziost ages ago. The Kushari certainly was interesting, especially in his behavior.

"With all due respect Ark, I don't really care about my actions. I simply believe that I am doing the duty that a Sith Crusader is supposed to be doing. I don't really care about my actions" he quickly replied. The Mandalorian then continued to here about Ark's rising influence, as well as Ark practically being the secret hand of a Darth. He could only guess that this was Darth Kova since he was the new Warmaster but he didn't really care about Ark's status, all he cared about was that he was meeting his friend.

"Well I suppose you have revealed a lot of information so I guess I should return the favor." he stated. The seconds that came after were Kes thinking about telling Ark the biggest secret in his life, the secret that no one except Sin'ryk knew, that he was a Mandalorian. No one knew this except Sin'ryk, and Sin'ryk had not told anybody. He was grateful the High Arcanist had kept quiet, and was thankful for what he had done.

"I am a Mandalorian, so I am well aware of how you feel when you say that their are only a few Kushari. Ever since the Mandalorians refused the generous peace deal offered to them by Lord Vereor, the Sith have continued to hunt them, and I unfortunately had to kill a few Mandalorians but I was ordered to do that by my superiors, and I will do what they ask to the best of my ability." he stated, quickly replying. Kes wondered how Ark would react. He wondered if the Kushari would tell some other Sith as he waited for his response.

 

[Flamjetxx]

The call of threat that was the name of Mandolorian, seemed like a long past dream. Ark didn't even seem to be conscious to the fact that Kes named himself a Mandolorian. And yet it took a lot of gall to announce such a thing. However, such a thing did, in fact, reason to Ark on a number of levels. The Mandolorianss, though bitter towards the Sith, were an ancient problem. Even Ark no longer held a grudge towards them, and that was coming from one of the most loyal individuals of the Order. Though Ark wasn't happy to know of a Mandolorian within the midst of his presence, it was also a Sith; And by the looks of it, he was primarily a Sith, even admitting to favoring the Sith. Such things, loyalties, were often unavoidable, but prioritizing his Sith loyalties over Mandolorian priorities was something that even Ark couldn't do to this very day.

However, despite priorities and loyalties, Ark was also taken by the very fact that Kes confided such a sensitive matter to him. It was a true show of trust, and even loyalty to a friend. What spurred such a thing, Ark could only speculate, but what it meant was something within Ark's grasp and could even take a lifetime to figure out. A life time wasn't something that Ark had left in him... not these days anyway. However, trust was an element of Honor, in which Ark knew himself to need in times like this.

"When I was fighting on Fondor..." Ark began, attempting to form the precariously placed words, "One of the two combatants I was Forced to fight were a Kushari. A fellow remnant of my lost species. He is one of two that I can know to be able to contact. I didn't, at the time, know he was a Jedi until he'd revealed himself to me on the battlefield. A friend turned foe," Ark stated, and knowing where he was going with it hurt him to think about it, "At that moment, I knew that I was faced with the decision. Kill my only remaining contact to the Kushari within me for my Sith, or abandon my longstanding loyalties to the Sith, let the Jedi Kushari live, but at the cost of the lives and my loyalties to the Sith. What I found was that..."

Ark allowed the painfully long pause to fill the air between them with empty silence before speaking again, only the moment that Kes would want such an uncomfortable moment to cease, "I could kill that last link to my Kushari roots. The last Kushari I know if, and I was willing to kill him. In fact, I formulated dozens of plans on the spot on how to kill him. Get past his defenses, out maneuver him, run him through the chest and watch the light fade from his presence as it dies out completely."

The silence returned ever so briefly as the tone of bitter cold turned casual, "And I even made multiple actions that would have easily accomplished that. In the end, he survived to leave me be. His honor...loyalty to Kushari got to me. I've let myself slip into the better grips of darkness, Kes. Don't let that happen to you. Remember what I've always said, is that the Sith is the greatest medium to accomplishing your own goals," Ark sighed, knowing that a light, though weighing burden had been removed from his conscious. But there was even more yet to come, and something in Ark's usually expressionless face said it all.

"I appreciate what trust you've taken in me. I suppose that such a thing wouldn't be shared, and with my own honor, you can count on it never leaving the inner sanctity of my mind. However, I realize the repercussions if I were to take it the wrong was for you, were tremendous," Ark stated. "For that, I think I owe you more than just a tiny excerpt of my own problems," Ark said, falling out of the pose he'd last chosen.

Looking him right in the eye, Ark slightly squinted as if to get some sort of reading off of Kes' face, "I'm dying."

 

[Kes]

:Kes heard about Ark's exploits on Fondor, he heard about the personal struggle that the Kushari Juggernaut experienced. He himself had experienced those struggles, as he himself had fought a Mandalorian although he had lost. Kes was very unhappy to have lost that battle. If he hadn't made the decision to use the force to capture that Mandalorian on the spot, the Sith Crusader would have certainly been able to find where the other terrorists were.

"I have experienced the same problems. I have experienced what you have experienced. I know what you have gone through. I fought a Mandalorian once but I somehow was able to overcome he was a Mandalorian and attack him, not caring if I killed him or if I didn't. It is unfortunate that you had to experience the same thing that I did but always remember that the Sith are the number one interests all Sith should have, especially for you since you are a Sith Master Ark."

He continued to hear what Ark was saying until he mentally was shaken when he heard that his friend, Ark was dying. How could this be? Was the force really that cruel to the Kushari? While Kes was shaken on the inside, the Mandalorian spoke optimistically on the outside. "Come on Ark. This is no time for jokes. We have one of the best Sorcerers of the era, Sin'ryk who can help you and heal you. In addition to that, we control the bacta, and some of the best doctors in the galaxy can come and help you. This is no time for jokes Ark." he stated. Kes awaited for his response as he wondered how he could help his Kushari friend.

 

[Flamjetxx]

"There is no joke here Kes," Ark stated, knowing it was simply a nervous conjuring of synthetic truth in an attempt to hide the fact that Ark was indeed dying. It was obvious. Ark was never one to joke, not to mention to even understand most jokes. Kes was sure to know that already, and the notion that it was a joke would have otherwise astounded Ark.

"One of the system's most accomplished Doctors just left my room with the results. I am in fact dying, and the reason is unexplained," Ark began, sudden memories from his youth flooding his mind, "You may not have heard of my origins, but my father, Warren Krayzen, had succumbed to an unknown illness. There aren't any records of his illness, though the Force tells me its one of the same, somehow communicated into me. It likely laid dormant in my system until now, where something triggered it."

The sudden realization of his past began to make sense. Did Warren Krayzen know the illness was communicable? Is that why he sent Ark away as a child? To the Academies here on Ziost and on the late Korriban? Did he die alone in an attempt to save Ark from the illness? Hmmph. A failed attempt. And it only begged the question, who else was effected by it?

"I was able to catch it earlier, because it is working faster than it had on my father," Ark continued, the emotions held back like floods by a dam, "The illness was supposed to take hold of me throughout the duration of a few years, but I am given a year at most. Something in my immune system is missing, allowing it to take a hold of me with greater ease. The doc said it was from some sort of drug or other foreign substance such as a poison," Ark states thinking back to his time in captivityy where he was practically drowned in an unknown drug that brought out his feral side tenfold.

"Why am I even telling him this?" Ark thought to himself.

 

[Kes]

"No doctors' opinion can compare to the power of the force, especially its force healing abilities." the Mandalorain stated. The Sith Crusader was extremely shaken, not knowing what was going on. Kes did not want this to happen to his friend. No, he did not want this to happen to his brother, someone that he had worked with and had known for many years. The Kushari was an important friend to Kes, his only friend to be more specific.

As he continued to hear Ark speak, he could see Ark trying to hold back his emotions. The Mandalorian for the firs time was also being flooded with emotions. Why is this happening? he thought. Part of being an Assassin was him making sure that he suppressed his emotions to their greatest extent. In his opinion, it allowed for someone to be more flexible and serve the Sith and the Imperium in a better way. Kes however was also holding his emotions, wondering why he felt this way while at the same time wanting to make sure that he did not reveal something that he thought was a weakness.

"Sin'ryk can still help you Ark. He can still help you." he stated, wanting to reassure his friend not to give up.

 

[Flamjetxx]

"Unfortunately, over a decade ago, the same problem had been explored in depth. I will continue to go through anything I can in order to find a cure, Kes, But I'm afraid I don't have anything normal. This took my father, and it will take me as well," Ark began to explain, recalling the exact same illness that had taken Ark's father from him long ago.

"I've accepted the fact that the disease will claim me, but what I haven't accepted is what little time I have left to make arraignments for the end of my life," Ark began, not even knowing where he was taking himself, "Who would this effect? How will this leave a mark on my legacy? How will the war go on without my supporting it?" Ark wondered out loud.

Ark treated Kes more as an emotional vent than anything else, not realizing how dangerously close he was coming to revealing the family he had hidden away on Kashyyyk. After all, what did a Sith Master have to miss him when he was gone? Several things were already weighing on him as he spoke, and it was getting harder and harder to conceal his true emotions. Finding out he was dying was one thing, but talking about the damn thing only strengthened the feelings that came with it. Even worse, he was growing dangerously close to bringing up what his greatest fear truly was, and it wasn't revealing the hiding place of his child.