The Wicked Garden

[CholmisTyr]

Tund

​

From halls of blessed shadow in the Black Basilica, into the biome of knotted fauna and trees, where giant mushrooms sheltered golden flies and empty-bellied parasites that delighted in the flesh of the great beasts that ground thickets to a leafy pulp underfoot. It was a strange contrast in Cholmis' opinion, to step from desolate halls to be confronted with messy optimism of an alien jungle, a canvas where no square inch isn't without some oddity buzzing or glowing or whining to ensnare the unwary explorer. The Sith was still a stranger to the planet, but there was no apprehension found in carapace of flesh and matter that must have lurked beneath the glower of his mask, only the serene confidence of a faithful man -- or creature.

Cryptic thoughts became as tangled as his surroundings, for Cholmis was still coming to terms with the vastness of knowledge now available to him at the Basilica, and he hoped to find some clarity in the chaos of the jungle, not expecting another to be as gutsy as to venture out alone. Armored fingers were as resplendent as his mask, and their cruel edges fit snugly when they came together across his midriff in half-prayer. It would have been impossible to discern where he true gaze was set, but from the manner in which he sailed along -- ignorant to roots and predators -- it was forward. The wildlife was clever enough to avoid the zealot.

"Behold the savage garden, where the Dark's disciples are tempered for a higher destiny." He recited as if testing the statement on the tip of his acrid tongue, serenading the growth-clinging critters that spied on him. "Are the miscarriages of faith crushed with coldsalt? Is the bud of personality pulped, perhaps even irrigated by purposes of a new origin?" For those that listened on the Sith spoke of nothing particular, merely thoughts he seemed to believe could be answered better by giving them a voice.

Coming to a clearing, thickset trees fell away to a grove of sorts, where an inky rivulet ran through its center carrying a noxious liquid that would make the nose of any person wrinkle. The burning sky above was tiered with dark-bellied clouds, and the humid air threatened the senses -- Tund was a hostile world, and it bred just that.

 

[Richie B.]

Asher hated this planet, Tund was a world that was nothing like Nar Shadda, and at least Korriban wasn't so humid and full of animals. At least on Korriban you can have a clear picture of the dark side, here it was hidden by nature itself. But he was out here mostly just to avoid the stupid force church, sure Darth Cain was powerful and high up in the Sith order but those that fool themselves into devoting themselves would be taken advantage of like everyone else. No the only true measure of power to be obtain my the dark side is what you take, not pray for.

There was a small fire in front of him, where a large feline creature was being roasted over, sure they had numbing poison but if one avoids that they taste just the same as everything else. And so as the time past, Asher took a piece of meat and began to eat an was content with spending time like this, and sadly that was interrupted when someone began walking into the jungle. Which wasn't usual, mostly those preachers was content with reading the books and being in comfort while in the temple. Not something Asher was into though and though he hated the jungle he had a bit of respect for it, more so then the temple which just seemed wasted as a place to pray for the dark side when it should make weeding out the weak. Power wasn't for everyone it needed to be allowed to be in only the strong and worthy not given out as wishes from those unworthy.

Figured it could possible that a chance as presented itself for a way of eliminating some of the competition all Asher needed to do was figure out who it was. With both vibroblades and his pistol and shotgun on him, the acolyte look to see who it was so Asher broke the fire and allowed the remains of the feline creature to rot most likely another creature to eat it. Asher kept low to the ground hoping that despite his large stature he can get close to whoever it was that had entered the jungle.

As he got closer the acolyte heard talking, it sounded crazy no doubt and whoever it was probably was from the temple. So as Asher broke the brush line and saw a strange man standing and talking to no one. And that was all Asher needed to know this man was crazy, and would take a few moments before approaching him, so Asher would wait and see.

@CholmisTyr

 

[CholmisTyr]

Having left the veiling shrine of the forest and opted for the clearing, the Sith was fair game for those of predacious inclination, and though he knew it, there wasn't a kink in his posture to suggest he anticipated the greedy strivings of another of his kin. Forge-born eyes had found their mark upon a bald segment of earth that was wreathed by a stone outcrop, wet soil which had embraced the malignancy of the stream that spat nearby. Unwilling to deign himself and come to a knee when the Dark Lord wasn't present, a single talon-tipped digit broke away from its peers to strike the ground in small Force-driven increments.

As if sketched with an invisible pen, crude illustration emerged in the soil, like a chalk omen scraped to ward off cosmic monsters. The hieroglyph was apparently of little importance though, for the moment after its construction all six lidless eyes drifted up when the mind below was made privy to a stirring in the Force. The sudden drop in the aetherial current that Cholmis was so intrinsically aware of propagated an awareness of another, a Sith, if his idle probings were to any effect.

"Your progress is swift and sure, but can you reach me?" Baleful words constructed by a rasp of a voice that was strangely audible even from afar, almost as if the forest itself spoke. "Another hopeful imbued with newfound convictions? Perhaps here to wield a weapon and strike high and low into the wormrot you dare not face for fear of humiliation? The last who did fell to his knees and wept before me." The fanatical Sith was confident, and barbed words sought to coax his could-be-assassin into the light, for those ever-seeing eyes had already narrowed in on his location.

"Maybe you are here to watch and study. Are you an opportunist? A fitting place for an opportunist to be. Come and speak."

 

[Richie B.]

Asher had expected the Sith to continue talking to himself, just as derange as the acolyte thought the man was. Carefully watching the crazy man lift his finger to do something, what he wasn't sure but it seemed like he was writing something. Whatever it was Asher was sure it wouldn't affect him one bit, so he didn't pay any attention to what was craved into the ground, that was until it felt like something changed in the man.

As if his attention was stopped, and changed to something, maybe he could sense Asher. Yet Asher wouldn't speak until the man had finished whatever it was he said. The weirdo spoke about being swift and sure, being full of conviction, and how those that fought him wept before him. Asher almost chuckled thinking the man was quiet full of himself. Of course by the end Asher was sure the Sith was talking about him, no one else was around that Asher could see so unless the man was truly that crazy, the Annoo-Dat had been found out. So he stood up his armored vest, two vibroblades, and red crystal hanging on his neck was a good sign he wasn't a full Sith yet. Though the strap which held the shotgun, and the pistol at his hips the four armed acolyte was probably the most unlikely looking Sith on the planet.

"Only one of us is talking to themselves, not sure your conviction is really healthy. But only fools don't take up opportunities to gain more power, if one sees a chance they most take it or remain weak. Only those with the strength to sacrifice, deserve it. I would imagine most Sith would think like this, but there seems to be a large number of unworthy fools gaining power that they do no deserve." Asher said beginning a slow walk, circling the Sith but keeping his hands away from his weapons as to no show any need for violence yet.

Asher was still new but any chance he got to gain connections was needed for his rise, and possible making this man lower his guard for a sneak attack. Asher cared little for honor or pride those were for fools, only power and controlled matter. Hopefully on this the two can agree.

"Now why does one who seems busy speaking to the air, need to be out in this dangerous jungle?" Asher needed information, and hopefully by using words for now he could get it.

@CholmisTyr

 

[CholmisTyr]

Thus the four-armed reptilian was born from amidst a cloak of leaf and shade, stalking into sight and casting a shadow of magnificent proportion, naturally towering over the smaller Priest whose golden face watched on in apathy, all six eyes trained on Asher's ridged head. It was when the hulking creature began its steady pacing that a wariness finally crested the indifference in Cholmis, for no sane being would come up against this creature without some modicum of respect for its obvious ability in combat. Armored digits were wed again across his front, a steeple of talon-tipped fingers that battled with the silver thread of his frock. Unwilling to fall prey to the cautious prowl of the predatory Annoo-dat, Cholmis had forsaken his roost of safety and approached, stopping short of the muscle-rippled behemoth and turning the righteous fury of his fire-forged eyes upon the creature, smiting him with a clear and cold shaft of judgement.

"So avarice is your guiding hand." The Sith mused, voice tightening while he regarded the Acolyte. "Careful what you utter here, Acolyte, lest you be set on the Path of Traps and condemned to the glass wracks. Better Sith have suffered that fate." The warning was clear, and the reptile's question was answered in the moments following in vagaries. "The unwary soul that fails to grapple with the mocking demon of selfishness is one that will perish to viscid oils and the ambition of others. Maybe I'm here to contend with that." He was agonizingly unclear about everything, but such could have been by design.

The Annoo-dat's weaponry was considered by corrupted eyes, and the positioning of its hands quickly joined the list of things noted. Unwilling to soften the web of the Force around himself, Cholmis watched and waited patiently, feeling for that single pluck of violent resolve to shake its entirety so that he might fall into action. The Sith's weaponry wasn't hidden, it was astride his hip, a polished hilt with limpid flats designed to fit into his gauntlets, and its base ringed by copper and stretches of noble silver. "What can I do for you, child?"

 

[Richie B.]

Asher was surprised by the man approaching him, the acolyte did not give credit to many of the preachers for having the guts to do such a thing. Maybe this one was different in which could mean he was a threat to him or could be a possible tool for later use. Either way Asher was impressed with the man unlike most he has met here. Though if he was looking for a fight the acolyte was perfectly fine with that but the Annoo-Dat would rather have a better position for the fight.

"What wrongs have I said, that the strong most rule, that the strong most be willing to do what it takes to obtain power. Do you not agree that power is the ultimate goal for the Sith? Or have you learned of some other secret goal in the universe?" Asher doubted the man could argue against the desire of power considering it was one of the few goals of the Sith.

Watching the man, and Asher was sure the Sith had eyed up the acolytes weapons which was smart and was sure the man didn't have some opinion on why the acolyte didn't have a lightsaber on him. But the acolyte was sure that he wouldn't need one to fight a Sith/Jedi. If he was capable of getting some sort of advantage and the man shows himself to be a future threat Asher might try something. But for now the Sith would sense no immediate threat coming from the Annoo-Dats.

But Asher eyes when he looked at the whole body of the Sith his eye did stay on a lightsaber for a fraction of a second longer then the rest of the man. But Asher wasn't sure either he was ready to start his journey and getting a lightsaber for himself. But when the man asked what he could do for Asher the acolyte smiled wondering on how the man would reply to his next statement.

"Well purely speculative would you be interested in working with a humble acolyte as myself to eliminate those that would threaten your position with the Dark lord? I ensure you this is only just talk." Asher had a smile or at least his species attempt of one considering his lips was full teeth.

@CholmisTyr