To Hold True Power

[Cortan]

Many only saw Korriban for the vast desert that stretched across its surface, or for the small pockets of inhabitance established by the Sith. That much was understandable - in terms of providing for basic life, it was a somewhat lacking planet, beaten down by shifts to its environment over the ages. But there were other things here to be considered, by those of enough mind. Creatures great and small, a mineral wealth that had served the Sith for centuries, and places beneath the surface where life, in some sense, might resemble that of other worlds. Azur had been shown one such place by the Dark Lord some time ago, and for the purpose of today, he had found one such place himself. The Crusader, dressed in red and black, sat close to a vast spring lake, situated beneath a mountain range, north of the Academy. He had found it by way of a small tributary that fed into a river that helped alleviate the Academy's need for water to keep its students and teachers alike sufficiently hydrated. On a desert world, that was somewhat important, and moisture farming could only do so much.

It was to here that he had told today's student to come, and now the Crusader waited, drinking the remarkably fresh water with a silver goblet. His seat was a piece of stone he had carved out from the nearby wall, and by what could be easily deduced by its uneven, previous molten sides. The lightsaber sat silent and inactive now, waiting on Azur's belt, and instead in Azur's other hand, was a holocron. The pyramidal structure was an odd, green colour, pulsing slightly. Though he had a small collection now hidden away in the Valley of Golg, what he toyed with there was still something of a gamble. But this? He had assurances from the keeper of the heresies with whom he was now familiar, and he knew vaguely the secrets hidden inside. Whether or not the student would find them interesting would be another matter entirely, and not one he'd necessarily care for.

Now then, when would they find the cave entrance...?

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Ah... Open air. There was always a certain sense of rightness which Kilchii obtained when he could feel a warm breeze on his skin and the sun on his face. More than that... He felt connected to the world beneath his feet. As if he was a part of the planet, rather than just along for the ride on its surface. However... Today there was more to it than that. He could feel it in the air, as if the winds of fate were blowing in a new direction. For better or for worse, the Togruta didn't know. He just knew that something interesting was coming.

Which probably had something to do with the summons he had received. It was... Odd. Well, odd for someone who wasn't an acolyte to take interest in his career enough to extend an invitation. The directions to their meeting place were odd. Instead of one of the usual training rooms or old ruins, these instructions had Kilchii traipsing to the north of the academy. Following the instructions until he found... The entrance to a cave. Most interesting. He could smell the moisture, a precious commodity on such an arid world. And with water, comes life.

Kilchii entered the cave quietly, stalking like a predator and relying on his excellent low light vision to guide him through the darker patches. While he abhorred Starships and Space Stations... A natural cave? Fresh with the promise of life? That didn't make him feel claustrophobic in the least. If anything, it made him all the more exciting for what the day might yield. The Togruta passed into the main chamber and took a deep breath, humid air around the water soothing parched lungs. It didn't take long to notice the one who had summoned him. A blue skinned sentient of a species he was not familiar with. Interesting. Red and Blue.

"You sent for me?"

It was not a question, but a mildly amused statement. Kilchii continued his approach as he spoke, crossing the distance to stand several yards from Azur with his hands clasped behind his back. Parade rest style. His lightsaber remained hooked at his side, plain unadorned metal catching the low light. Predatory senses were alive with the promise of something new. Something he had not yet encountered.

 

[Cortan]

"I did."

Azur turned his head, blue skin standing in contrast to the red he wore, and the red of Kilchii's skin. He raised one hand, signalling for the acolyte to come no further, whilst he in turn rose to his feet. The two were of similar height, though the togruta won out thanks to his montrals. If Azur still possessed a topknot, he might be able to make a challenge for vertical superiority, but it had been cut down, and his hair made white now. Yellow eyes, naturally so and not corrupted by the dark side, stared at the new figure, taking in all that could be gleamed from a few glances in key places. Likely not from a background of the same social standing as himself. The saber at their belt was basic, implying a practical - or otherwise uncaring - wielder, but the metal was not freshly forged. And yet, though this required knowledge that Azur had gotten out of records, the acolyte was still new to the Order, a clear contradiction. A myriad number of explanations came to mind, but Azur would put aside weeding out the truth for now. Instead, he saw that the togruta was eager, from more than merely seeing the potential in today's training. If he had to wager a guess, he would be very keen with what he was to learn.

"Kelchii Keme. What teachers you've had so far have noted your disposition to... physical attributes. Acting upon things in a clear, physical matter. Admirable, and certainly qualities I would see encouraged in any Sith, given my own status as a Crusader and Warrior." Azur began his spiel, making note of the student's record so far, short as it was.
"But the force is more than simply an enhancement. It can do more than extend your reach across a room, or fling you high into the air. Consider this: If the force binds and connects all life together, then it follows that we, who are able to make the force bend to our will, should through that connection, be able to do the same with life." Pausing, he raised his gauntlet in one hand, and took a sip. As he did so, he tossed the holocron towards the togruta, before lowering his drink as he continued speaking.
"If you wish to see such a power for yourself, you will begin by opening that holocron. Though, be warned: That is not merely some data recorder in an odd shape. It is a legacy of our forebearers - the ancient Sith - and will only open for you, if you prove yourself their successor. It shall only respond if you are strong in the force." And then, he drank again, sitting back down as he watched the acolyte, seeing how they would perform.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

The Togruta came to a stop with a frown, watching the blue skinned sith as he... Sipped a drink from a cup of some kind? Well then. From what he gathered during their interaction so far... The other Male was high born in whatever society he came from. The extravagant air and flair for the dramatic told him as much... That is, once he began to speak. And boy did he speak. Long winded as any sentient could be. Still... He made some interesting points. And as the more experienced sith tossed the Holocron to him, Kilchii reached out to catch it. Reflexes compensating for the movement and turning of the object.

Kilchii turned the holocron in his hands and gazed down at it. Yellow eyes flashing a little in the dark. Most interesting... The power to bend life to his will... Certainly something that seemed useful... And at the very least, it would give him greater understanding of the force. Something which he knew he had to obtain if he wanted to get anywhere as a Sith... And oh, how he very much wanted to get somewhere. Even as much as he wanted to experience the journey of it.

"Understood. Master."

With that, the Togruta sat down on the cool floor of the cave in a cross legged position. The Holocron was placed just in front of him on the ground. Kilchii had limited experience with Holocrons... And he had certainly never accessed one that contained anything so... Interesting. The Acolyte took a deep breath and closed his eyes, sense in the force coming to life as he reached out his hands towards the Holocron. He slowly picked the green pyramid up with the force and began to rotate it in front of him. Feeling for it in the force.

There was resistance then... The Holocron pushed against his mental grip on it. Fought against his hold on it through the force like some greased up deaf guy. However Kilchii's resolve never wavered. His mind remained a durasteel trap, gripping the Holocron as he reached out to it in the force. Searching for any exploit. Any trick that would open it. Bathing it in his aura in the force. He didnt know exactly what would happen when the Holocron responded to him... And truthfully, he was almost more curious about that than the actual contents of the device.

Almost.

 

[Cortan]

A young man of few words so far, but Azur could hardly fault anyone for that. Especially when such was the student, set to learn from the teacher. Or rather, teachers, as the acolyte would learn, if and when he managed to open up the holocron.
Azur watched him as he tried, making small notes of how the acolyte handled the attempt to peer beneath the small, pyramidal shell. Small, subtle actions and instinct showed how they perceived the problem - their hands extended, reaching out to the holocron like he might any other object to be lifted by the force. Perhaps he thought the 'lock' on the holocron was physical. That if he moved the right thing, or stressed a part long enough, the device would finally give, and pop in to reveal the prize inside. But that was not the way - no Sith would ever let it be. A pupil had to prove themselves to the Sith, even thousands of years after their demise, lest they would never-
Click.
Oh, it had begun.

As Azur raised his head, and a curious eyebrow, he watched as the tip of the holocron split. The plates of metal folded back to reveal a darkened crystal within, at the heart of the circuitry that pulsed with the red glow. From it, a light began to flicker, until finally, a shape was formed, in shimmering, shaking blue. The sentient on display - though one would be forgiven for mistaking it a creature, by sheer (albeit scaled down) size - was dressed in archaic clothing, leather pads and and gilded jewellery marking him as a warrior, but one of rank. Pierced tendrils hung from their face, and though all the image was blue, by its shading, one would imagine the being's skin to have been, in life, some kind of vivid red.
"I... am Enkidu..." The massassi struggled to speak, likely having had little mastery of Basic when he was alive. "There is not a creature in this galaxy... lacking in sentience... that I could not break. Enslave. Make its power and fury... mine." As Enkidu continued to speak, Azur rose to his feet, and began to scan the waters behind him. Extending his hand, he reached through the force, and slowly, two turtles emerged from the clear liquid. These were, as with all beings on Korriban, quite violent creatures, snapping their heads wildly as they realised - but to grasp - some kind of threat to them.

"Do you seek... the power... to make all beasts... kneel before you?"

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Well wasnt that interesting. At the click, Kilchii slowly lowered his hands and opened his yellow eyes. Mouth tilted down in a frown of concentration as he focused on the small figure projected from the interior of the Holocron. While superficially no different from a normal holo recording... Through he force he could feel it was something else entirely. Some part of the creator remained invested within the crystal matrices which made up the Holocron. A portion of their knowledge held suspended and a consciousness capable of judging and teaching. Even through the force.

In the background, Kilchii was vaguely aware of the goings on by the water. Although his attention remained on the Holocron's guardian his Montrals allowed him to feel the movement of Azur. Even as he felt the man exert his power through the force. All small things that the togruta picked up while his mind was attuned to it.

However, before he could muse just what the blue sith was doing, Kilchii was presented with a choice. Did he wish for mastery over the beasts of the verse? The ability to warp them to his will as he saw fit? The dilemma was real for the Togruta. On the one hand... He enjoyed the hunt. And what fun would the hunt be if his prey kneeled before him. On the other... There was greater prey to be had. The prey of the jedi, still cowering in their holes. The thought of the Jedi huddled like small varmints made the decision for him. And when he spoke, his will in the force rang true. Unyielding, just as he was.

"I do."

 

[Cortan]

"...Good. Bring me... Creatures..."

The image of ancient Enkidu seemed to smile at the thought of teaching others to subjugate, so they would do just as he had.
"Already done, great Enkidu." Azur turned on heel, bringing the two turtles down to the ground of the cave. They were fairly sizeable creatures, though clearly only somewhat suited to the surface of dry land, and not the cool waters. Possessing of enough freedom to move that the two Sith would be able to test their power, once they understood it, but without worry for the beasts acting out of control whilst they listened to the words. His task done, Azur lowered his hands, and then came to sit beside the acolyte, hands resting upon his knees. In these circumstances, he too was a student once more.

"These... creatures... good to learn, not for mastery. You must... seek, greater challenge than this... once you know." Enkidu affirmed with a nod, and deeper in the cave, there came a rumbling noise. Azur shot the hologram a knowing look, and there was silent approval from the deceased Sith Master.
"In concept... the way is simple. In execution... less so. First you must... reach." Enkidu held his hands, as if focusing a power he could not rightly hold much if anything of any longer, but nevertheless doing so.
"Through the force... all things are felt. All can be seen. But to know... what is life and what simply... is, you must discern that. Find where the force has... a tiny will acting upon it. The mind of a primitive creature. Able to act... but not comprehend. Not as we do." His hands began to move, as if sifting, reaching for something. As the larger turtles snapped their jaws and crawled towards the two living Sith, Azur merely closed his eyes, and tried, as instructed, to feel.

Opening up his senses invited a realm of power to seep against his mind, and though briefly it was if it blinded him, Azur forced his comprehension of the wealth of energies to narrow. A few prominent points were felt, among them the acolyte right beside him, but those were not Azur sought. Smaller... smaller... creatures whose only presence within the force was that they, by virtue of living, were within it...
"...Can you feel them, Keme?" Azur asked, a small laugh escaping him as he smiled.
"They're... so small. Tiny little sparks... compared to our power."