Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Affiliation: Academy of Iridonia - Blackguard Reborn
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Post by Vasari on Apr 2, 2020 20:06:29 GMT -8
The waters of her mind parted before her rising consciousness, it didn't take her long to regain control of her subconscious with the spirits dedicated to their assault, she was merely a vessel for them, she hadn't truly been possessed. Opening up her mind little by little she slipped into her conscious thought and her eyes finally opened...
Vasari gasped and coughed as her lungs burned from the constriction the medicine that had put her under had caused. She blinked rapidly attempting to clear her vision and saw Viox bent over her - the gem in his chest that she had barely even noticed before now pulsing widely with color and power. Her eyes lost focus as a pain shot in her head behind her eyes and they rolled back causing her to lose consciousness again
Her mind was devastated by the poison and the invading spirit and nothing remained of the labyrinth she had constructed to protect her mind - she turned her thoughts towards the spirit that was assaulting Viox - if she could push the spirit from her mind it would give Viox the focus and clarity to purge the poison from her body and her mind. The spirit was too late to realize the attack and then just as an all out assault would fall victim to a flanking sweep the spirit's presence shrieked in pain and surprise as the power of Vasari's unconscious thought crushed it upon the stone walls of Viox's defenses.
The Zabrak woman's eyes opened wide and she choked a little as if something was caught in her throat. Her bright orange eyes flashed green for a brief moment and then began to bleed from the edges, dark green tears from both corners of each eye spilling down her tattooed face. Her mouth opened wider and she screamed - an unknown pain causing her to shiver, then as her weeping eyes closed her head tilted back and she passed out once more... the assault on Viox's mind abruptly ending.
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Post by Viox Savage on Apr 16, 2020 11:32:14 GMT -8
As the assault against his own mental defenses abruptly ceased, he was granted a brief reprieve, though it was short lived. He was still contending with the poison that seemed determined to wipe his apprentice out. And that wasn't something he was going to allow.
Aware of the fact that Vasari had briefly woken twice, his grip never faltered on her hand. Nor did his concentration. And the flow of blood from his nose and ears ceased as well, as the mental strain he was under lessened significantly. The storm outside was beginning to abate as well, though that was of no consequence to him at the moment. His apprentice's life was all that mattered. Not even his estranged Empress mattered anymore...
Within the confines of Vasari's mind, whatever spirits that had been assaulting him, had ceased, and their presence seemed to fade away slowly. Gaining the upper hand, he focused his efforts on purging the poison from Vasari's body. And assuring her mental awareness that she was going to live. Ceasing his chanting, he spoke directly to Vasari's conscious mind.
"Be strong, apprentice. You have weathered the storm. I am here for you. Connect with me and together we will triumph!"
Despite his best efforts, he wasn't strong enough to completely purge the poisons from her body without her help, in whatever form she could currently muster...
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Affiliation: Academy of Iridonia - Blackguard Reborn
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Post by Vasari on Apr 17, 2020 14:25:53 GMT -8
With the pressing threat finally purged from her mind Vasari wanted nothing more than to fall into the peacefull nothingness of sleep - or death... honestly either was more appealing to her right now than continuing to fight. The poison had done its job well - it had weakened her warriors body to the point of complete failure and up until then her mind and the Spirit had been the only think keeping her together. She could even feel Viox's emence strength beginning to wain and for those next few moments she considered just letting herself die... and how nice it would be to finally be able to sleep without the constant threat of pain or waking up in a fevered sweat. The thought hung heavily in the weakened fingers of her fragile mind, but before she could consider it much further she felt the invasive presence of a mind coming unbidden upon her own. She recognized the voice at once, and while she was not angered by the presence - she was far to weak of mind to muster the response that her savior rightly deserved.
Oh... you... Just leave me...before she could continue much further however Viox spoke, urging her to keep fighting.
If she was conscious she might have smiled at that - he actually seemed to muster the deceptive talent to sound like he cared.I have no more strength left...
Her minds voice was barely a whisper and her single heart beat low in her chest. The Zabrak's great strength, speed, and natural endurance came from their physiology. Two hearts meant twice the blood flow, twice the energy, and twice the stamina. Like those few races who had two brains... the teachings of which had taught her to basics of the Mind of Many technique she used so often. It had actually been from the writings of a Cerean Jedi Master she had found secreted away in the Archives on Iridonia.
Jedi teachings were rare at the Academy, and so she had told no one of her study of the technique - though it had eventually had come up with the Mistress Spellweaver. While it would have been the easiest thing to separate that defeated part of her mind away and follow Viox's orders when she had been more alive, now with her mindscape literally destroyed and burning down within her brain she couldn't even think about mind splitting without feeling sick in the stomach. She moaned in defeat and annoyance, like a spoiled child not wanting to wake, but she endeavored to do as she was bid, reaching out for Viox's presence that seemed to be pulling further away the closer she got to it... he was weakening as well and she could feel him beckoning her towards him. She couldn't feel anything but death from him, but she felt a strength there.
I'll try... Master... I'll...
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on May 4, 2020 16:36:35 GMT -8
Having managed to get a medical droid and a few devices into the shuttle bay, Vasari was now wired with monitoring devices, and various other medical equipment as a droid sterilized her gaping wound and went about applying synthflesh. As that was taking place, another droid was beginning to run IV fluids into the dehydrated and weakened Zabrak. And another still, was connecting an IV line from the Sith'ari to Vasari, transferring blood to the weakened female. Being of the same blood type, while incredibly rare, was beneficial in this situation. As the droids and medical staff went about reviving the faint Zabrak, the situation within Vasari's mind was slowly beginning to stabilize...Normally he'd have scoffed her for such a complaint, but in her physically weakened state, the mind usually followed, especially when under attack by an outside influence. Channeling some of his strength to her mind, now that he wasn't fighting a second presence within her, was easier. Though he was still drained from the ordeal, the Elders within his mind were aiding him by funneling their strength to him. It wasn't much at this point, as all six of them had devoted a large amount of energy to combating the rogue presence, but it was enough to stave off complete exhaustion.You will do it, apprentice. Trying is for the weak, it means you have your doubts....have I not taught you better then that? We do not try, we just do.
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on May 14, 2020 11:53:54 GMT -8
The more Vasari's mind returned to itself the more she was aware of what was going on around her. The main problem - she had discovered had been largely dealt with - the poison that was had been sapping her phsyical strength letting the spirit not only possess her body but also her mind. It had been a mistake, she realized to return to Iridonia, to return to Viox. Her mind held doubt that the spirits could have succeeded in their goal of destroying the terrifyingly strong Sith, but feeling him now, his waning strength, the presence of his mind so close to hers - she couldn't help but feel responsible for the risk. What would have happened to the Blackguard if he died here attempting to save her? That question soon led her to the most obvious question... what had she done to earn such a risk? The fires in her mind were being put out and while she was months away from being able to reorder her mind she was at least able to take inventory of the damage that had been done. She wouldn't be able to cast for some time, let alone split her mind. It would take every bit of her mental focus simply to fight, and even then most of her martial skill would be based on her muscle memory training and the hours of forms practice she had done at the academy. She had never been so broken in her entire life...
The mental prodding from Viox caused her mind to stir and she reached out towards him once again, fighting with her consciousness to allow her mind in its weakened state control over her body. She won the fight, after a long series of bickering and bargaining with herself, and at last her eyes opened. A mistake. The first thing she felt was the dryness of her eyes and her mouth - the pounding headache that came with dehydration came next, and then the throbbing ache of every muscle in her body like she had run fifty miles to collapse here in Viox's arms. She blinked attempting to figure out where they were - they were not in her hovel at the academy anymore. The lack of scent and the brightly polished duraplast gave her the first clues to their location - a medical shuttle - no doubt then Viox had taken her to the capital. She hadn't been here before.
"Master...I..'vee... failed you."
Her voice was soft and dry, but it wasn't a pitiful mewing sound of apology. She spoke simply, an admission of her own guilt in aiding in the attempted assassination - even though it had been unwitting, that was perhaps the greater failure. She moved a little - another mistake and the sharp pain of her wound beings stitched back together with synthflesh caused her to twitch bringing on a chiding from the medical droid attempting to perform its core programming. She ignored the droid and tilted her head to see the lines connecting her to the machines, following each to determine their purpose, then taking special note of the IV that connected Viox to her through a blood transfusion machine. Her eyes narrowed at the machine then widened at Viox - had she more blood beneath her cheeks she would have blushed. She wouldn't be able to feel the affects of Viox's blood right away, but it would aide greatly in her recovery before its potency was washed through her system. There was another feeling that was pulling her - a series of feelings, she felt more than his own presence - like she had that once at the academy when she had reached out to his mind what was she feeling... who was she feeling?
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
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Post by Viox Savage on Jun 9, 2020 13:34:02 GMT -8
Silently observing his apprentice, as she stirred and seemed to regain consciousness, a wave of relief washed over him. An odd sensation, for the Sith Lord to feel, certainly, but still welcome. Between the odd draining sensation accompanied with his blood being transfused to Vasari and the throbbing headache he now possessed, he merely shook his head slightly.
"Failure is in the eye of the beholder. You have not failed me so much as you have failed yourself, apprentice. Failure would have resulted in your death. Where you see failure, I see success...you have overcome a trial, nothing more. Take comfort in knowing that you were stronger than the spirits that would have killed you and attempted to take my life..."
They weren't exactly comforting words, though that should not have been surprising, coming from a man such as the Sith'ari. But they also weren't berating words either. On one hand, Vasari's entire ordeal could be viewed as a failure. Lack of control, the inability to perceive the threat from within, but on the other hand, she possessed the willpower to successfully overcome her affliction. Sure, he may have aided her to some degree, but Vasari's willpower is what allowed her to pull through. Lesser minds would have been utterly destroyed. From both the rampaging spirits and the Sith'ari's own ravenous presence within her mind. Unintentional as it may be, his hungering, corrupting influence had the tendency to consume those he touched minds with. Fortunately, it seemed to have very little effect on his apprentice, at least at the moment.
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Jun 28, 2020 11:35:15 GMT -8
The apprentice remained in the medical transport until the blood transfusion was complete, as moving either of them during the time could have been dangerous for both. But soon a team from the Medical facility below had arrived to relocate the Master and Apprentice to a special room kept aside for high profile patients such as the Sith'ari or anyone he accompanied.
Vasari had never been to the Capital before, let alone this or any other medical facility outside the university. She had seen medical triage camps set up on the battlefields to treat Viox's soldiers wounded or fallen in battle, but the only place she had ever been was the medical wing of the Academy - and even that was not a place she had enjoyed being. She was hesitant every time the doctors or nurses approached her, she refused to give up any of her newly acquired blood on three separate occasions and even threatened to tear a doctor's face from his skull if he showed himself to her again. She wasn't proud of her behavior but she did not want to be in the company of people right now, though it could be seen as a blessing that she had the strength to put up such a fight. She noticed that Viox had remained with her, which did not seem as curious to her as the fact that everyone in the room seemed to avoid him, and with the exception of a few of the more bold doctors no one even looked at him. No one but Vasari. Vasari hadn't taken her eyes off of him the entire time the team had worked to make sure that she would survive the transfusion and the event that she had just been through. When they were finally alone Vasari finally spoke - having thought long and hard about his comment - but even passed that... something was bothering her.
"I feel nothing but death from you..."She paused for a moment."When you came for me... i thought you were like a shade from the stories... a reaper sent for my spirit."
Vasari didn't look away from Viox, there wasn't fear or trepidation in her voice or her expressions... just an open curiosity. She thought she knew what this was, but she was hesitant to bring up the topic. She had been hesitant about Viox since the first time they had met at the academy, and with the events of the last... she stopped looking around for a time piece, realizing she had no clue how long it had been, how long she had been on the verge of death, but then looked back at Viox realizing the simple truth that it didn't matter, cept perhaps the timeline of Viox's expansion in building his empire.
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
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Post by Viox Savage on Aug 29, 2020 17:18:02 GMT -8
Having been moved from the confines of the medical shuttle, to the patient suite that was normally reserved for high ranking individuals such as himself or a handful of others, the Sith'ari merely lost himself in thought until such time that Vasari broke the silence.
Seated across from her bed, the Zabrak's fierce yellow eyes avoided the inquisitive stare from his apprentice. Curiosity, despite everything, was the one emotion, the one mental state she chose to muster at this point in time. He shouldn't have been surprised, honestly. Vasari was naturally curious and craved more. Always more. So, the fact that she had a better glimpse into his mind than most could ever fathom, her curiosity was expected, regardless of however ill placed it might have been. With a heavy sigh, the Sith'ari's gaze finally shifted back to that of his apprentice. Though this time, there seemed to be a hint of sadness in his gaze, rather than contempt or malice.
"There are many...sacrifices one must make in the pursuit of greater power, apprentice. As a follower of the Sith philosophy, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I, of all people, have made a great deal of sacrifices to attain the power I wield..."
The small hint of sadness in his gaze dissolved as he spoke, replaced by a zealous fervor. The Sith'ari had indeed sacrificed much to achieve his power. More so than anyone could ever understand.
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Aug 31, 2020 10:26:20 GMT -8
Since the patient had regained consciousness and stabilized the Master and Apprentice had been left alone, knowing they could have a team on hand in moments if it was necessary, but the danger for the younger Zabrak had largely passed. She would be weak for a long time, and with only one heart she could never hope to achieve the physical prowess and dominance of body that the Zabrak race were known for. It would be like any lesser being losing the use of a lung, fully capable of performing, but never at the same level as when they had been whole. She would live, but she was significantly weakened, and there was nothing that could save apprentices heart, not here. The poison had been drawn from her body and with her Master's blood running through her veins she wouldn't feel the emptiness for some time, but when her remaining heart cycled it all threw her body and the power from his blood faded she would be left with an emptiness inside that she couldn't overcome alone.
Vasari's mind was nowhere on this fact however, her entire focus sense awakening had been her Master. She had never seen him like this. He wasn't... weak, but there something about him. She had no doubt that he could still level this entire building with the force alone but there was a softness in him that didn't quite register to her as softness yet - at the moment it was just... odd. She wasn't sure if she liked it. The mention of Sacrifice caused her head to bow slightly. She had given up so much for that damned book, it hadn't even been what she was really searching for, just a journal written by one who had read it himself, and passed down through the years. She wasn't sure yet if what she had gained was worth the price she had paid.
"Have you ever had to a pay a price that was... too great?"She whispered the question - not entirely to him, but loud enough to be heard of course. Had she not just flirted rather intimately with death she never would have asked such a question of her Master. It just wasn't the way that their relationship worked. He taught her what she thought she should learn, or he put her in situations where she learned something or grew stronger, but they never really had a connection, not one that would warrant such a personal question
As if it was a habit she reached her mind out towards his, but something was wrong. She lacked focus, her thoughts drifted and her mind fell to pieces before she even got close enough to brush the outer defenses of his generally well shielded mind. A wash of confusion played across her rather docile and worn features and she shook her head finding it fuzzy and pained... like she had just released a five way binding... but she couldn't even focus her mind enough to split once, and just the thought of it now left her mind throbbing in pain. Reaching up a hand to steady herself she exhaled slowly and brought her mind back closing herself off a little, but raising any sort of defense at all felt just as painful. Her mind was open, broken and wide open... she panicked a little then, her lonely heart racing and her widened eyes focused on her Master trying to ignore it... hoping against any logical conclusion that he couldn't notice how... exposed she was right now.
"I read about Wounds... in the force, I didn't think they were real... I had thought i felt a Ripple once, when i was training at the Academy. Many of the authors simply... theorized...She was still struggling with the pain in her head, but as she tried not to think, not to do anything the pain subsided a little, which allowed her to focus more on the conversation and what she was actually saying. Her eyes narrowed a little in curiosity.... How am i still alive?"
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on Aug 31, 2020 16:29:15 GMT -8
Mentally drained, and physically worn out from the entire ordeal of saving his apprentice from certain death, the two were left alone in the medical clinic. Not overly used to this sort of quiet setting, at least not with his apprentice, he merely sat and observed her as she poised questions and started to gather her bearings, though even without actively trying, he could feel the pain radiating off of her. The physical pain could be managed fairly easily. The mental pain, that would require a few days of meditation away from everyone and every thing. And the spiritual pain? That depended entirely on whether or not Vasari wanted to heal or not. Regardless, she would heal, given time and a select few meds.
Smirking as she posed her first question, and eventually came around to the second. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, he cleared his throat and began speaking.
"The cost of any sacrifice is measured by the one who is doing the sacrificing. If one deems the sacrifice too great, then the gain isn't worth it. If it feels as though the sacrifice is too little, one could end up being duped. As Sith, we sacrifice what we must to achieve greater power. And as history has shown, no sacrifice is too great to accomplish that end. Now...to answer your second question..."
The Sith trailed off for a moment, collecting the right words. After a moment or two of silence, the Zabrak's eyes flashed back towards his apprentice.
"You are still alive because I wanted you to be. Because I did not desire to consume your essence. The Zabrak Elders that currently reside within my mind afford me a modicum of control over the gnawing, empty sensation one feels in my presence. Combined with this 'focusing point'...-" The Zabrak brought his gloved left hand up and opened his tunic, revealing his bare tattooed chest. And smack in the center was a pulsing red crystal, embedded within his flesh. While it certainly appeared painful, it had mostly healed since the procedure had been done."-...I have afforded myself more time before insanity and madness claims my mind."
Lowering his hand and leaning forward, he spoke again, this time asking Vasari a question of his own.
"Tell me, apprentice. Since my conquest of Iridonia, surely you have felt the instability growing within my mind, no?"
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Sept 7, 2020 13:24:00 GMT -8
It took her several long moments to take in what her Master was telling her. Now that she was here, alive, and possibly in a position to learn and grow more powerful because of the journal she had won from Dathomir she weighed that against the price she had to pay for it. The loss of Luxeria... that thought caused her to come up short for a moment and she pushed it away long before the reality of that reached her lonely heart. The loss of her heart, the spirit that had possessed her and the poison that had nearly killed her... she was weaker now than she had ever been in her life, but she was alive.
"It wouldn't matter for me, one way or another what the cost was... I've paid it, and I am here because of it. I've sacrificed more than I was willing, perhaps... but what does it matter now?
She exhaled a little shaking away the momentary feelings of self pity and focused on what she had left. Her mental focus was shot, but she knew that she could rebuild herself from that, she had had too many minds within her, the spirits of the Nightsisters that had possessed her had left her mind in shambles, her labyrinth of thought broken and burning having attempted to restrain the power of so many long dead beings. There was a price to pay for Nightsister magic, and that price had been paid long ago, when she was a child. That price had been her life. And yet she lived.
It was a long con gambit in hopes of defeating Viox, possessing a being of such power would have given them the ability to restore themselves to life. With his power the now long dead clan would have returned with power to spare, and all of dathomir would have been brought to heel under their restoration to glory. But they had failed. Viox had been too strong, and her link to him... that thought made her pause, and she looked at him curiously.
"I'm alive... even though i betrayed you."Her voice was soft, as if she was speaking more to herself than him. He had fought to free her from the Sister's possession, it would have been easier for him to simply kill her. Why hadn't he just done away with her. The question lingered in her mind but she didn't ask it. Then her Masters question brought her to focus on him once again as he asked about his own mental state and if she had noticed. Of course she had noticed. A momentary look of indignation crossed her features before she lowered her eyes to hide it - too late.
"The day you came to Iridonia i sensed struggle within you... great power yes, but you were wrestling with it, just as much as you were wrestling for control of Iridonia."She lifted her shoulders in a bit of a shrug."I've felt it off and on ever sense... Mustafar, Felucia.. you were holding back on Felucia I didn't know why, Anzat i assumed it was weakness but that was intentional i think... You've hidden it behind strategic brilliance. But had any of them been as smart as you... or smarter, they would have seen it for what it was and they would have destroyed you."
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Darth Craxious
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Craxious on Oct 9, 2020 0:36:30 GMT -8
The locals would be awaken by the proclamation of the new regime. The likeness of Viox Savage was struck down all over the city and the sigil of the Blackguard disappeared from sight, replaced by bran new ones. Red and black stormtroopers poured from transports, patroling the streets. Teams of commandos hunted down local government officers unwilling to participate in the new regime and their bodies were never to be seen again. Offworlders, coming from Vallius' cadre of servants and aides replaced every missing individual. Many of them were Dark Side adepts, lesser members of the Sith, that virtually worshipped their masters. Soon, the capital of Iridonia was firmly under the new lordship, with the threat of a Imperial Star Destroyer looming in the distance. In a few days, all that remained of Viox's thrall over the planet was destroyed and wrecked. The new government lowered prices accross the board and gave tax exemptions to the citizens that had eagerly supported the change. Headhunters scoured the slums looking for Force Sensitive children, to serve the new planet's master. A new dawn.
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Darth Craxious
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Craxious on Oct 16, 2020 0:25:32 GMT -8
"Sire"
Said an officer in imperial gray.
"The capital's resistance has been subdued. There're pockets of rebels and loyalists in the Southern hemisphere, but everything else is under your thrall"
She was on her knee, head low and eyes to the ground. Vallius was walking around, in simple-cut robes, open at the chest, revealing the ink designs on his skin.
"Yes, yes"
He hissed.
"Show no mercy. Make an example of the leaders. I want every lightsaber-wielding loyalist dead, they forfeited their life when they chose to follow my father instead of me"
Vallius clenched a fist, snarling.
"Parade their bodies. Example shall be made of their lunacy and idiocy!"
"As you wish, master"
The woman left and Vallius was left alone in the chamber, a building in the Northern half of the city, overlooking a district that had been hard fought. With a simple gesture he produced a holodisk, that he floated to the ground, where it was lit, revealing the figure of an Acolyte, clad in the vestments of the dark brotherhood that served the Sith on Mustafar.
"Harasshin"
"Lord Craxius"
"You may speak, which news transpire from Mustafar?"
The alien looked at the Zabrak with beady eyes.
"My liege, your father is losing his grip. Darth Malvus is all but gone, my eyes and ears speak of an actual seccession. Numbers upon numbers of your father's men are no-where to be seen and your lady sister is gone from his side too"
"He's reaping what he sow, go on"
"Any communication between throneworld and the Sith homeworlds are lost, sire. Korriban is a blackout, everyone who owed the pretended Emperor is gone or silent"
"Malvus..."
Hissed the Zabrak. He knew his master, as good as one could, and the Sith pureblood surely went and holed himself in the holiest place, Moraband, Korriban, birthplace of Darkness.
"Yes... What of Lord Znalost? My father's minion"
"He has been raised in office, now parades himself as master of all"
"Hubris. That always was their sin... A Sith must be proud, but arrogance is what killed Palpatine and Lumiya... and Krayt, and all the pretenders since Bane"
The Zabrak clasped hands behind his back and looked through the viewport. The fires of the fight were gone, only charred craters and a few ruined streets were testament of the battle.
"Keep me informed. And you shall be rewarded when the time comes"
"As you wish, master"
With a gesture he turns off the holodisk. Vallius frowned as he looked through the window. He closed his eyes, openned himself to the Force and sough his master's mind, dark tentacles of will looking for a known force. They were connected, as any master and apprentice, moreso them, who had wandered the pathways of darkness and lore... He saw flashes, fragmented images, like a trail of waves in the water. He smelled sulfur and magic. Dark, ancient magic.
So, you were playing games, eh... Unsprising, you were always smarter than... him
He keyed the comm.
"Droid, prepare my ship"
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
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Post by Viox Savage on Oct 18, 2020 17:19:05 GMT -8
It took her several long moments to take in what her Master was telling her. Now that she was here, alive, and possibly in a position to learn and grow more powerful because of the journal she had won from Dathomir she weighed that against the price she had to pay for it. The loss of Luxeria... that thought caused her to come up short for a moment and she pushed it away long before the reality of that reached her lonely heart. The loss of her heart, the spirit that had possessed her and the poison that had nearly killed her... she was weaker now than she had ever been in her life, but she was alive."It wouldn't matter for me, one way or another what the cost was... I've paid it, and I am here because of it. I've sacrificed more than I was willing, perhaps... but what does it matter now?She exhaled a little shaking away the momentary feelings of self pity and focused on what she had left. Her mental focus was shot, but she knew that she could rebuild herself from that, she had had too many minds within her, the spirits of the Nightsisters that had possessed her had left her mind in shambles, her labyrinth of thought broken and burning having attempted to restrain the power of so many long dead beings. There was a price to pay for Nightsister magic, and that price had been paid long ago, when she was a child. That price had been her life. And yet she lived.
It was a long con gambit in hopes of defeating Viox, possessing a being of such power would have given them the ability to restore themselves to life. With his power the now long dead clan would have returned with power to spare, and all of dathomir would have been brought to heel under their restoration to glory. But they had failed. Viox had been too strong, and her link to him... that thought made her pause, and she looked at him curiously."I'm alive... even though i betrayed you."Her voice was soft, as if she was speaking more to herself than him. He had fought to free her from the Sister's possession, it would have been easier for him to simply kill her. Why hadn't he just done away with her. The question lingered in her mind but she didn't ask it. Then her Masters question brought her to focus on him once again as he asked about his own mental state and if she had noticed. Of course she had noticed. A momentary look of indignation crossed her features before she lowered her eyes to hide it - too late."The day you came to Iridonia i sensed struggle within you... great power yes, but you were wrestling with it, just as much as you were wrestling for control of Iridonia."She lifted her shoulders in a bit of a shrug."I've felt it off and on ever sense... Mustafar, Felucia.. you were holding back on Felucia I didn't know why, Anzat i assumed it was weakness but that was intentional i think... You've hidden it behind strategic brilliance. But had any of them been as smart as you... or smarter, they would have seen it for what it was and they would have destroyed you." |
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
Posts: 1,244
Affiliation: Academy of Iridonia - Blackguard Reborn
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Post by Vasari on Oct 28, 2020 15:49:28 GMT -8
There was something about her Masters candor that sent a shiver up her spine, and had she been in full control of her mind and her senses of perception were to the heights they generally were then she would have known that something was seriously wrong with her Master - or at least that his mind lingered on something that troubled him, perhaps even worried him. But now - with her body still recovering and her mental faculties in shambles she took her masters frank and ... oddly friendly openness as his caring for her. Even the threat that lay behind his voice when he mentioned whether or not she was 'truly his successor' seemed more compassionate than normal. All of it was above her, and it wouldnt be until she reflected on this moment much later that she would realize that she might have been able to ask him a great deal in that moment and he might have actually have given her straight and honest answers, in the days to come she would look back on this moment with much regret, but with much more fondness. Instead her limited frame of mind was focused on her injury, and the darkness of the void seeping from a pit in his chest.
"I... wasn't very patient when I went to Dathomir"There was a tone of reflection in her voice as she considered the study and preparation that she had put into locating the journal, but the lack of restraint she had in planning the incursion that nearly cost her her life, and that lost her - perhaps forever the one she had thought she loved.
The mention of her master looking into the future to see his own fate caught her offguard, and it took her a moment to fully comprehend what he was actually saying. Did their mental battle, and his brush with death facing the full weight of her mind, plus the power of the Nightsister spirits cause him to question his own power, his own 'mortality'? Or was he mentioning something else, something her limited vision had been able to see.
"Master...She began a bit reluctant"... your Empire is vast, dozens of worlds and their inhabitance look to you for leadership, whether of their own accord, or due to the weight of your Fist on their throats."She paused and smirked a little at the comment - she might have laughed, but the tightness in her chest kept her from spending the effort. That and there was something in Viox's tone that led her to believe he wasn't joking.
"What do you see, Master? Tell me and I will guard you from this fate."
Her voice was more sure than she felt in her current state, but she found that she believed her words and would be willing to stand by them, even in her current state. Viox had risked his life, and his empire for her... and whether he was aware of it or not, he had gained an ally that would never betray him, and never turn her back on him. Vasari blade, and service was his, and his alone.
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Post by Viox Savage on Nov 11, 2020 15:51:41 GMT -8
Casting off her concern for a moment, he chuckled to himself, loudly enough for her to hear. It wasn't meant to be insulting, more of an amused chuckle than anything else. Rising to his feet, bearing in mind he was tethered to her via an I.V, he merely paced to the opening of the shuttle's passenger bay and stared out at the beings milling about, carrying out their everyday tasks.
"Vast though it may be...the sheer vastness of my Empire isn't enough to prevent the inevitable...."
He paused, then clasped his hands behind his back, still watching.
"The longer I retain the power of the Elders within my mind, the more damage that is done, over time. Right now, its headaches, migraines, insomnia...but insanity lingers, just beyond the edge of my perceptions...a cancerous growth that only continues to grow as time progresses..."
Seemingly snapping out of his reverie, he turned to face Vasari.
"My Empire will fracture. Malvus and his ilk will betray us. Betray everything we sought to achieve...and Vallius...my own son...he will rear his head in ambition. He will take what he feels is rightfully his...mistaken as he may be, he will do what he feels necessary. Regardless, these are truly of no consequence to me. Let the ungrateful masses flee to their false idols and become the very thing we fought to rid this galaxy of. From this, we will emerge stronger..."
Pausing again, to consider what he had just said and to perhaps reflect on it, he remained silent for a few more moments before finding his seat across from Vasari once more.
"My fate is not something that can be guarded against. Power comes at a price...and when the time comes, I will pay it. No. Don't waste your energies on my fate. Instead, take my knowledge. Learn everything you can from me. Ascend and become the most powerful being the galaxy has ever seen. That is my wish for you. Everything else will take care of itself. This much I know for certain. Those devoutly loyal to the Blackguard will remain...perhaps some may even return, but for the time being, you need to heal and recover...
The Zabrak eyed up the wounded woman laying on the cot before him, knowing full well all of his ambitions would soon become directly tied to her. Thankfully her own ambitions seemed to align with his for the time being. Though, if everything that he had foreseen came to pass, she might not remain so loyal...
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
Posts: 1,244
Affiliation: Academy of Iridonia - Blackguard Reborn
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Post by Vasari on Nov 19, 2020 13:17:40 GMT -8
Vasari fell still, and remained silent. Her Master was not one for many words and so when he spoke, she shut up and listened. Much of what he was talking about did not make much sense to her, the Elders she was able to piece together were his ancestors, being of great power that had found a way to preserve their power in him even long after their death. What would come of them when he passed on? Would he Pass on... or simply become one of them? With him gone could their power be harnessed? Would he join them and add his power to their own? A hundred such questions came to mind but she swallowed them all back and instead remained focused on what she knew to be the more important topic. The impending 'price' to be paid for the power and the success that he had achieved thus far.
At the mention of Malvus betraying him her eyes narrowed. She never cared much for Luxeria's former Master, in truth... however she had never really spent much time talking or otherwise getting to know him. Their joined mission to Pzob was really the only time they were even on the same planet for longer than a few hours - at least to her knowledge.
Then there was the mention of a son, which caused her eyebrows to widen a little in surprise. She didn't doubt that he had spawned progeny... he had spoken briefly of a woman when they had first met, and though she had only met the woman one time, when the Academy fell to Viox's new rule on Iridonia, she knew the woman to be worthy of baring him children at the very least in his eyes. This upstart would be a problem she would no doubt have to deal with later.
She exhaled as he came to sit across from her once again, taking everything in as quickly and as patiently as she could in her weakened and drugged state. He wished more for her than to attempt to guard him against this coming struggle. And if he was correct and the price to pay was for the power he had attained she may have to pay a similar price one day, and so she looked to him in this moment and noted his calmness and his serenity in the choice that he seemed to have already made. The old way of the Sith, the Rule of Two, was for the Apprentice to overcome the master in all things and while that law was impossible to follow in these days with Upstarts naming themselves Sith every other hour she saw that this is what Viox wanted for her. She caught his look near the end, and while she couldn't tell what exactly was on his mind she could see that his thoughts now lingered on her, and what she would become, and the choices that she would make that had not even yet come before her.
"I will do everything in my power to honor what you have taught me... once you are gone. But you are not gone yet."
She flashed him a weak but playful smile her hand reaching up half towards him as if to ask for his own, but the weakness in her muscles caused the arm to fall to her side once again. She narrowed her eyes at the obstinate limb but did nothing to repeat the gesture, simply looked up at him as her smile turned softer.
"I have much yet to learn... And we finally have some alone time... so, Teach me, Master."
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Affiliation: Sith Order
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Post by Viox Savage on Dec 14, 2020 18:53:12 GMT -8
Given everything that had transpired in the past few hours, normally he'd want to be left alone. But is apprentice was still not well. And due to his duties as the Sith'ari, he had been quite absent and distant with her. Not something a good teacher would do. And while Vasari was intelligent, she couldn't learn what he wouldn't share. And the semblance of a playful smile, typical to Vasari's nature, did not go unnoticed. Gazing back at her, as she spoke to him, his gaze softened, It wasn't nearly as harsh as it usually was when he was dealing with everyone and everything else in the Blackguard. Exhaling slowly and reaching out for her hand, he locked eyes with her and spoke.
"I can teach you a great many things, apprentice."
At this point he could have taught her just about everything he knew. But he has a suspicion that she had something particular in mind.
"What do you wish to learn...?"
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Affiliation: Academy of Iridonia - Blackguard Reborn
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Post by Vasari on Dec 14, 2020 23:27:13 GMT -8
It was only Vasari's exhaustion that kept her from bouncing up and down against the gurney, even as she looked back into her masters eyes though there was that self same hint of enjoyment and excitement. She squeezed her Master's hand gently, in truth it took a good amount of her focus and her energy to do even that, before her hand fell back to the rough fabric beneath her. She barely kept the word "everything" from slipping from her lips at the question. It was cliche even for her when it could be argued that she meant it more than perhaps anyone else that had uttered those words in answer to that question. Her eyebrows knit together for a moment and she focused on his gentle gaze.
"How do you focus your mind around the many voices and powers within you? They dont control your actions or your mind, but i've seen you struggle at times with something I never quite understood."
She knew it wasn't the same, and any technique he used would of course have to be modified for her "Mind of Many" technique. She had developed it as a child, a way of learning twice as fast. which soon evolved into a fighting technique that focused around the dual bladed weapon she chose to fight with and her defensive saber style with her offensive spellcasting. It made her a difficult dualist to anticipate because her physical actions would always be defensive even passing up slips in opponents own form to keep herself focused on her own endgame. When she learned Battle Meditation it allowed her to connect with many minds at the same time, focusing her own mental defenses on the minds of those that would be attacked under her 'umbrella' of protection she would simply guide the attacks to her own mind and dispose of them with a strength of will that was unexpected from most attackers. If she could learn to enhance this ability, make it stronger to the point that Viox's mind had to be to contend with the various voices and wills within him, then without that same draw back, her mind would be nearly unbreakable. She wouldn't fail her master in the same way she just had again.
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Viox Savage
Blackguard Imperium
"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
Posts: 2,938
Affiliation: Sith Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Viox Savage on Dec 31, 2020 11:55:01 GMT -8
As his hand was released and the question spilled forth, he pulled his hand up to his rough hewn tunic and pulled it open. Beneath was his bare, muscular, tattooed chest. Positioned smack in the middle of his chest was a faintly glowing red crystal. A focusing point which allowed the Zabrak more control over the elders within his mind. The edges around the crystal were raised and scarred. As if to indicate the crystal had been piping hot when it was embedded within his flesh."This crystal acts as a focusing point. After my Force Walking ritual within the ruins of my old family estate, here on Iridonia, I bound six individual essences to my own. My willpower and mental focus is much stronger than the dead, and I am the host for these essences, which allows me to retain control over my own mind and body....though that hasn't prevented them from trying to assert their own control..."The words practically spilled forth, from his mouth. In all his years, there had only been one in his life that was this easy to talk to. Larissa Novax was his lover and current Empress, though with everything that had transpired since the First Order's invasion of Iridonia, she had become increasingly distant and hard to talk to. Adding in his own problems and the inability to speak about them, the two had drifted apart. Finally having someone he trusted enough to speak to was actually quite enjoyable. Perhaps Vasari would see it the same way as well, who knew. All in all, he was prepared to divulge nearly anything she wished to know, in order to better prepare her for the future of the Imperium and his inevitable demise...
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