New Times, New Sith [ Mass Teaching ]

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

It had been quite the years since the Gen'dai had been in the public eye. Few knew of Kezeroths return to the One Sith capital Coruscant, in fact only one major Sithlord knew this information. As of now the 8'5ft armored Giant was considered a minor Sithlord on the scene, He did not attend the political meeting, no trials, nothing. Kezeroth hated Sith Politics, it was the reason he left. Looking up to the Emperors Throne room atop of spire in the capital he smiled.

The Lord of Malice was back...

Standing in the main square, wide and vast in space of the Sith Temple the Armored Gen'dai waited for those to respond the the training class he had listed on the One Sith network. The main square had many objects to be used as well, training circles of saber combat, numerous hefty stones for force techniques, Target dummies, various Droids.... It would be enough. With both hands behind his back and his stance places evenly apart Kezeroth waited quietly, face mask folding back two red eyes glew faintly and a face of stone gaze through the very beings of those to walked by.

" Hmmm...." he hummed slightly focusing on the darkside and a grin grew.

[member="Darth Ferus"]
[member="Darth Metus"]
[member="Elensa Jari"]
[member="Sage Bane"]
[member="Zambrano the Hutt"]
[member="Melori Raaf"]

 

[Elensa Jari]

[member="Darth Ferus"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Sage Bane"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Melori Raaf"]

To think that a Sith Temple might exist now at the heart of Coruscant was an odd thing, a notion that in itself seemed wrong, purely by dint of natural association. For thousands of years, this place was a world protected by the Jedi, the very centre of galactic politics, only rarely touched by the Sith. That was not to say that Coruscant was unsuitable for Sith occupation - quite the opposite, given it's importance. It still seems wrong, though. Sith were better off on Korriban, on Ziost, on Dromund Kaas - those worlds of strong ancient significance to their Order, that were so much more naturally attuned to the desires, methodologies and beliefs of the Sith. There were our traditions founded. Here...nothing.

Nonetheless, here they were: a large spacious outpost centred within the midst of this planet-wide city, an ecumenopolis unrivalled by any in the Galaxy. For the Sith to be centred here spoke both of their aspirations in no uncertain terms: the Sith sought to be a dominant force, and so they had taken the capital world that had, for so long, been the focal point of political power. Here, Republics and Empires have reigned. Now it was the turn of the Sith once more.

Elensa couldn't help but feel a touch of disquiet as she roamed through the halls of the Temple, feeling oddly both at home and yet simultaneously as though she were walking through the dwelling place of a stranger, someone unknown to her that clearly did not want her here. But is that because of how I feel about my new brothers and sisters, or simply because there is a lingering sense of my old ones? It was hard to tell, but the sense of it left her on edge at the best of times. Not ideal when surrounded by beings who can pick up an impression of your feelings from across a room. She was having to do her very best to keep her thoughts quiet so as just to ensure that none of her fellow Acolytes decided to remove a potential rival, or force her into subjugation and into their service. Here, to expose a vulnerability is to have it pounced upon. That much could not be denied by anyone.

A change in the light intensity gave indication that she was reaching the exit of the inner Temple, the planet's orbital mirrors directing light and warmth to the surface, often giving it the impression of bright daylight and lovely sunshine, even though this was artificially imposed. How ironically Sith, she thought quietly, stepping through the portal into the broad open courtyard at the centre of the facility. Imposing order upon an untamed environment to make it suit their purposes.

As her eyes adjusted to the bright light, she began walking down the steps that filed into the inner courtyard, her long skirts flurrying gently around her ankles with each step. The square was oddly filled with lots of different instruments: droids of various type, large objects of various weight and density, even rocks that seemed to have no purpose, yet clearly weren't intended to be decorative. What a strange setup to be here. It didn't seem in keeping with the Sith preference for grandiose but austere architecture: indeed, the whole courtyard was a mess compared to many of the simpler rooms and corridors of the Temple. Must have some interesting purpose here.

Only a single being stood within this mess: an armoured being, far taller and more massive than her diminutive self, intimidating with respect to size, glaring out across the courtyard as though contemptuous of the entire setup, though she could not sense anything coming forth from the Sith so as to have any true insight into his mental state. Interesting, but not a being anyone would wish to provoke, unless they want to end their day as a smear on the duracrete. Her expression calm, she offered a sufficiently respectful bow so as not to cause comment, then straightened up. Elensa had come for training, and she had to presuppose that this one was to provide it.

 

[Zambrano the Starweird]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Darth Ferus"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Sage Bane"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Melori Raaf"]


Pain.... the pain was gone. Upon entering the Netherworld on Dromund Kaas, and setting free the deadly spirit of his grandson, and returning to the Galaxy after Akala was defeated... the throbbing turbulence in the force halted and now his mind was rational. As rational as it had ever been. It was as if, a part of him returned to his mind. In this way, the Hutt could empathize with the Gen'Dai. He could empathize too, with his advanced age... it would come as a surprise to him that in fact the clone was his senior! The malevolent master's mind had also been fractured from the turmoil of the eons, similar to the many death's Zambrano had to face. These are facts however, that the sociopath was not privy to know.

Once again on Coruscant, the Hutt felt his presence in the force flourish for the first time since inheriting his Hutt body. For the first time in a long time, he felt less like poor depraved Titus Zambrano, and far more like the Arcane Master of Flesh, Darth Durablis. Now a days he still remained as Titus within his demented mind... still Zambrano. Due to his feelings however, a great desire to influence the dark side came over him, and the opportunity to learn seemed strangely overwhelming. Thus far he relied solely upon instinct and chance. Using the force to inflict pain only when it cause him less pain, or when pain was so overwhelming he could not control himself but to attempt to inflict it in desperation. Today though, his mind would be in great pain, as he pushed the boundaries of what he was capable of.

Slithering through the hallways of the temple, the Hutt took little notice of the environment. He merely stretched his existence as far as he could, to sense all the spirits walking the hallways. His hands grazed the walls... taking in their experiences... listening to the silence, laughter, or screams of the ages. Blood practically poured out of his nostrils like rivers, taking an uncommon pleasure in causing self harm.

The Hutt arrived at the Courtyard, much in the same manner as the mute Elensa, to witness the imposing figure whose presence in the dark side was palpable. Due to the Hutts strange innate sense for the flesh, he knew upon sensing him he was at least partially Gen'Dai. It was difficult to tell both due to the rarity of that race, and the highly augmented nature of the figure, but he got the sense this was the genuine article. Oddly, he felt relatable to him, drawn to his age as well... his experience. This was certainly a master he could learn from... if of course, he was not distracted by other students in his midst that had a bone to pick.

Devoid of his Throne, the Hutt was left fairly vulnerable in terms of mobility, but he maintained his signature whip... at some point he would need to procure something more practical. The Hutt though, unless the artifact was made out of living tissue, was not one to look for practical items, and for this he suffers. Though having grown little since arriving on the galactic scene, should something happen today, it would be good to see the growth of others around him. Especially in a very particular Acolyte who was set to be here today.

Only time would tell how this session would end up...

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori was upset at the demise of Corellia – but not for the reason most who were native to that planet were. Her disappointment was simple – no Corellia meant no Academy. The home of the Green Jedi was no more. And even if you were able to fathom this far, you’d still not be close to the real reason for her anger. Her hatred ran so deep that no sooner had she left the world for Prakith than she planned how she would one day return and defile that which her former teachers held sacred.

But now it was gone and her hopes of revenge were dashed. As much as it was special to walk in the old Jedi Temple here on Coruscant and imagine that special night when Lord Vader had started Palpatine’s Purge, she felt she'd missed out on the action. That man knew what he was doing – he understood the vermin. ‘The Jedi are relentless. If they are not destroyed, it will be civil war without end.’ Now she wasn’t bothered about the war part – in truth she was ambivalent – but the eradication of the Jedi in this very Temple was so wonderful. His only mistake was letting a hundred escape, including Kenobi and the GrandMaster. She shook her head at the very title that had stained her thoughts and her eyes flashed from baby blue to yellow before slowly morphing back to their natural hue.

She was aware that some Sith felt uncomfortable being here – but to Melori, it seemed perfect. If she could have a home anywhere in the galaxy it would be the Academy on Ossus – her home. How sweet would that be?

The trappings of the Jedi had gone but it still had the air of a Jedi Temple. Every now and then she turned a corner and if she didn’t know where she was, she could have been in any Jedi Enclave, anywhere in the universe. But then the Jedi were like that – lacking in imagination. She’d heard the talk of tearing Tython down and as soon as the word was given, she would be there.

Her sister and Master was trying to discourage her single-minded hatred of the Jedi, but it was hard to shake. She’d been learning patience through some rather challenging lessons from her Master on Ambria – but in truth, it simply helped her delay her desire to exact revenge until she was ready.

So she hastened to the main courtyard – to where a training session had been organised to find she wasn’t the first to arrive. The two others she recognised from the recent trip to Korriban, and so she nodded to both by way of an acknowledgement and simply stood, watching the ‘giant’ that was clearly going to instruct them.

[member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"]

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

As time passed the students began to show, waiting till majority of them had come Kezeroth slowly scanned the area. Inspecting the Acolytes who had arrived and stood before him. Two females, one looking classy in her dress and a...Hutt? The Gen'dais mind fell in awe at the three Acolytes that had shown so far. This was the new generation of Sith? Very interesting at the least. Raising his forearm to the front of his waist Kezeroth checked the time and reverted back to placing his hands behind his back again.

As a faint breeze blew past his face Kezeroth looked up into the busy sky of Coruscant and said. " I encourage you all to meditate on the Darkside, Push through the distractions of this pathetic excuse for a planet and hone in to what calls..." he paused and looked back towards them. " We shall begin soon..." and with that said the Gen'dai himself closed his eyes and show case what he stated. It was as simple as focusing on the force but the moment he began a change could be felt. He viewed it as a warm-up exercise..

[member="Melori Raaf"]
[member="Zambrano the Hutt"]
[member="Elensa Jari"]
[member="Darth Ferus"]
[member="Darth Metus"]
[member="Sage Bane"]
[member="Ostanes"]
@Khallesh

 

[Julius Sedaire]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] |

Ostanes heard the giant gen'dai speak as he walked into the area that the training session had been specified to be at. He again, as was his usual want, wore the form of Exar Kun, Qel-Droma being abandoned after the stint on Korriban. With confidence, he decided to obey the towering beast, and even with a hint of irony the Sith Alchemist stretched his arms and closed his eyes, meditating on the way the Force felt here.

It was a delicious feeling, to be sure... The loss and sadness echoed off this planet like a scream down a mineshaft. It was layered with such pain one could almost taste it. There was a delicious irony in being Sith and yet still being here, on the old capital of the Republic, walking through the halls of the former Jedi Temple, sensing the corruption and degradation of what was once sacred. Far from a traditional Sith Ostanes prized knowledge above petty emotions, and would do whatever it took to gain such. But he was not above admitting there was something to this place that was magnificent.

 

[Elensa Jari]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Darth Ferus"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Sage Bane"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Ostanes"]

Meditate on the Dark Side, he had said, their tall, strangely-built instructor looking at them all as though they were merely insects crawling along his holoprojector, staring at each of them in turn with undisguised curiousity. She hadn't seen him before, either, but with the number of instructors she had met since being forced into Sith service, she hardly paid any attention. With this instruction, though, how could she not? None of the Sith were overly forgiving of failure, and not paying attention to orders given in the middle of a lesson would be something that would be treated with severe consequence.

Such a strange thing to request of her here, though: standing in the courtyard of what had once been the Jedi Temple, the centre of their power and authority within the Galaxy. Elensa had been here before as one of them, dressed in those light tan robes with the darker brown robe on top, the silvery-metallic cylinder of her lightsaber pinned to her belt, her long blonde hair tied firmly but for a long braid that hung down across her left shoulder, indicator of her status as a student. A lifetime ago, it seems. Now she was here among the Sith, dressed severely in black with little adornment, long skirts concealing the knee-high boots, black tunic fastened and coupled at her waist with a sash of black synthcloth. A veil of thin black Shraa silk rested on her head, though she had drawn it back so that her face was visible. Not the clothing of a Jedi, she reflected. Much had changed since the last time she'd been here, that was for certain.

Reflecting on such a change would do her little good here, so perhaps it was best to fall back on that very first lesson she had learned among their number: obedience is the tool of every student, and it is right and appropriate to follow the instructions of one's betters. This had been beaten into all of them from the first moment, and even though it was expected that a student would one day stand up to their teachers, they were to do this only when strong enough to oppose their betters in a way that ensured victory. Thus are the Sith ultimately strengthened.

Adjusting her dress, Elensa knelt down onto the hard flagstones at her feet, her knees uncomfortable in their new resting position, but this was an irrelevance. Embrace pain, for only then can you learn from it. She folded her hands to rest in her lap, the lids of her deep blue eyes closing to cover them, her lips parting slightly to exhale a soft breath. Another gentle inhalation, then exhale again. Breathing was always where a meditation started, a simplistic focus common to them all that caused the mind to concentrate on something particular, blocking out extraneous concerns to fixate on that one thing.

She reached out with her mind, could see the world around her falling away as her thoughts moved beyond herself, stretching out to find the Force as she had always been taught. She felt like she could hear it, a sound that you had to truly strain in order to perceive it, but it was noticeably there once your focus fell to it. The Dark Side wasn't hard to find here: the whole planet was choked by it. The arrogance of those who rule, living high above those who suffer, their labours serving to support the beings who reside in opulent, indulgent housing, their every whim attended to. It had always amazed Elensa that the Jedi had never perceived this: the natural disorder and chaos of their society a breeding ground for the dark energies upon which the Sith were nourished.

A woman crying quietly in the corner while her abusive husband watches Lightball on the Holoprojector; the fear of a being backed against a wall by thugs more interested in the contents of his wallet than his life; the shady demeanour of the spice-dealer on the corner, waiting for a client; the feral games of those children running wild in the streets, abandoned by parents left dead in a gang war. She could feel it all, a wave of negative emotional energy that struck out so strongly that even the weakest of Force users might sense it. And this is the Dark Side: the energies of destruction, death, chaos and loss. It is pain, torment and life extinguished, the promise of the Galaxy unmade. She breathed it all in, feeling the violence of it smashing against her senses. Even as tears rolled silently as ever down her pale cheeks, she did nothing to stop the onslaught.

Only through pain are we strengthened, she remembered. My own, that of others, that of a Galaxy that is born and dies in each and every moment. We must seek this, understand this, accept this. Only by overcoming that exquisite agony do we gain strength. That was the way of the Sith.

 

[Zambrano the Starweird]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Darth Ferus"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Ostanes"]

(OOC: Sorry all, kept getting distracted!)

Meditate? Did Zambrano even know how to meditate? He grumbled slightly in opposition, slightly frustrated. Sniffling up some blood, he wiped away the slime covering his massive upper lip. Well... without eyes to see, it sorta made it easier on him. He closed his one eye that wasn't a patched up hole in his head, and stretched out his awareness again. Not really sure what he was doing, he sort of brought his arms closer together as he made subtly straining noises as he tapped into his spiritual knowledge.

Once upon a time, he had found solace through a lifetime of meditation. In another, rage and great sadness. Later even still, empowering success and pride. Most recently, failure and disgrace. How would this life be described now? If meditation spoke anything of his being, would he be described as broken and useless? Or perhaps merely damaged and delusional? Would it not make sense though, given his recent failures in life, that he would described instead as disturbingly capable and innate?

All of a sudden the Hutt without conscious effort found his body breathing in the old habit, dwelling deeply within himself. It was an odd sensation... stretching outwards to fill the presence that was within. A swelling darkness extended outwards, touching the surface of the floor, the pillars, the walls, the equipment, students and masters alike, penetrating the very air as it tasted everything. Absorbed it all into its collective experience. In moments the Hutt had progressed from dim witted and simple minded, to intellectual and complicated. Thoughts that were once bloody were now cooled to being merely darkness... an absence of thought focused entirely upon focusing.

The anomaly within him was almost palpable to the observant. The extremely perceptive might find themselves feeling watched, by an unseen gaze, that had its sources from inside the rank flesh of the gastropod. His body began rigid and motionless, like the corpses that ordinarily adorned his throne, which was not present with him this day. He even left behind his Vaapad. There would be no distractions today... there would only be:

Zambrano.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori stood there in her black robes and boots, simple but practical for the lesson ahead. Fashioned after Darth Maul's they allowed for freedom of movement and presented an intimidating sight. She eschewed the current fad for armour, in her mind, if she were worthy she wouldn't need it.

She listened to the Sith Lord and focused on the matter in hand. He clearly had no time for this planet - yet to her it provided a tremendous amount of incentive to progress as a Sith. To ignore the Jedi and their legacy was to miss her very reason for being. To underestimate their power was to aim too low in her development.

To be ultimately set free she needed to be victorious and only through ridding the galaxy of the vermin would she truly reach her full potential. So she recited the Code over and over, connecting to the Force, her eyes morphing yellow under her closed lids as she waited for the others to arrive.

It reminded her of her first lesson with her sister, when she recovered from the coma only a short distance from here. The Code was so simple yet so complex - so straightforward yet so powerful. And so she meditated upon it - in her own mind she’d discovered passion but was still at the stage where she was gaining strength. Her desire to learn was insatiable but she knew her limitations - despite her arrogance. She had so much to learn and so much catching up to do.

She was oblivious to the others here - she knew many would look to compare progress and abilities, but to her she was only interested in one person…herself. By focusing on her own development and pushing herself, she intended to be an asset to the One Sith. Not to be seen as better than this acolyte or worse than that one - but to be Melori Rae - the best Sith she can be. Deep down she knew that was good enough, but good wasn’t acceptable to her, she wanted to be the best - so good she was beyond comparison. Being judged was for losers. She intended to be on a different plane and through hard work, dedication and her passion, she would gain strength.

To her it was inevitable.

[member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Ostanes"] | [member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] |

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Mmm...

Yes, The Darkside was flowing well now, like a branching stream it could be felt through focus. The sensation was different for everyone and thus far Kezeroth could only grin feeling his oldest friend by his side " The Darkside ". If only the Acolytes could see and feel how the he felt the Darkside. It was not a Beast of burden nor fiend of nature it was his ally, master & bestfriend. It was his everything and yet his nothing. Complex.

With the Meditations flowing and acolytes feeding on the Darkside the large Gen'dai opened his eyes and said rather loudly " It empowered you! And feeds you as its own, Meditating on the Dark side in itself is a skill that can be used to sustain you. Remember that the next time your in a tricky situation." folding his arms against his chest he eyed everyone with his red gaze. Time passed rather quickly and Acolytes progressed quicker. Here they were ready to learn.

" Direct your attention to the Various Training Pillars..." he nodded to them directly behind the line of acolytes. Each pillar was semi heavy and was designed to be lifted with the force into the proper bases. It was a Strenuous puzzle to solve in basic terms. Walking over to the left side of the courtyard he started to explain the first task. " These pillars are designed to test your understanding of the Telekinesis, Each Base is patterned different from the rest." he paused extended one arm and summoned six pillars to the air rotating them around to show case the difference in each of the ones shapes. Dropping them in a thump he continued. ​" You will pair yourselves up in twos. One will feel the base pattern as the other keeps two pillars in the air. Once all six Pillars are placed in the correct slots you will trade places, undo the process and start again." he stated the instructions and smiled

" Failure to finish the task as a whole will be met with repercussions.... Any Questions?" he eyed everyone once more, This time making eye contact with them all.

((Task: One person will feel the base and tell their partners what shape matches. Other Partner lifts the pillar with the force and drops it in the base. Reapeat this intill all six are done Then swap places, reset.. do it again.))

[member="Melori Raaf"]
[member="Zambrano the Hutt"]
[member="Elensa Jari"]
[member="Ostanes"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

To Melori the Force was a tool – like any other. She used it as and when she needed it and discarded it when it served no purpose. She accepted it was arguably the most useful weapon in her arsenal – but in a sense it was no differentiator. Every Sith used the Force. Every Acolyte would look to manipulate it to their own ends to advance. What would separate her, in her own opinion, were the intangibles she brought to the party – the aspects that were hers and hers alone.

Unlike the Jedi that seemed to be cloned from the same toothless sheep, Sith came in all manner of flavours. But unlike many who liked to advertise their differences, she was determined to follow the tenets of one of her Master’s poster-girls – Darth Zannah. Secrecy, patience and ingenuity. She was learning the second and with her unbridled ambition, she knew she’d master all three. These would become her greatest assets over time.

But time was irrelevant, she had a task in hand. So she listened to the Sith Lord and glanced at the Training Pillars when he referenced them.

She didn’t wait to be paired, she simply strode forward silently and momentarily closing her eyes, she lifted two of the pillars. She was used to manipulating objects and any one of the pillars would have been as much as she’d previously lifted – but two were heavier than she’d ever attempted before. Her eyes went from blue to pale yellow to a deeper yellow and finally the circumference of the irises turned a crimson hue. She fed more and more energy into the task until – as instructed – she was holding two pillars in the air, and now simply waited for someone to step up and feel the base pattern. She did not intend to fail and she smiled as she realised this was already a test of her new-found patience.

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Ostanes"]

 

[Zambrano the Starweird]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | Me | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Ostanes"]

Dwelling on the darkside, Zambrano attempted to touch everything in the room, using his puny flesh as a conduit for the otherworldly strength that flowed through him, increasing the death-like star hidden with his chest, consuming, growing, and ultimately remembering. A flash vision, reminded him of a time when he remained a student on Korriban two lifetimes ago. He nearly missed the instructions as this vision happened, but despite this knew that when the Acolyte nearest to him strained to keep two large pillars aloft, he would be the one to reach out and feel these particular structures intimately. Without so much as quavering, his attention consolidated from his position all around the room, and burned invisible tendrils through the air to stroke the floating objects, as the smoky darkness collapsed under his will to fill the crevices of the stone structures.

Somehow, the Hutt knew what the master had intended for him, knew the task at hand. He never really knew what he had said, but knew enough from the differing structures aloft in the air. On one pillar, the bases consisted of several edges, all congruent to each other, and only three vertices; thus it was clear that this base fit with the triangular base. The other pillar consisted of no edges, and no vertices, but was rather curved and evenly rounded; it was clear that this base fit with the circular base. The task was fairly mundane, and if he had the brawn in the force to lift the pillars in the air, he could have done it on his own... but he supposed that was the point of this drill, as everyone had their own set of skills to be used in their own unique way.

Finished with analyzing the pillars, his attention in the force collapsed in on itself once more, as the unseen shadows stretching out from within him into the environment surrounding him turned into ash on the floor before scuttling to the feet of the one holding the pillars, crawling over her footwear, under clothes, beneath her skin, into her bones, and traveling all the way up into her mind where thoughts were projected into her head like a telegraph wire system connecting the two minds. With a disturbed edge in his thoughts voice, his words softly echoed a cold message into her thoughts, directing her exactly where to place the pillars.

Once the task was complete, the crawling ash from under her skin retracted into the Hutt as he centered his attention within himself, which then sent out the particles of the darkside throughout the room without discrimination. This was his vision now... smoke, ash, and shadow... not at all like the blood, bones, and crimson he was used to and so desperately desired. If all went well... perhaps he would not have to wait so long....

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori waited, and then waited some more. At the point she would typically have lost her patience, she calmed herself and waited a little longer. In truth, only a handful of seconds had past, but she’d previously had a real lack of tolerance to waiting.

Then she felt a presence. It was unlike any telepathy she’d encountered before. It felt alien for a start – but then as she’d only ever connected with near-human species, that could explain it. But the connection felt uncomfortable and therefore like an invasion. But she stuck to her task as she felt the presence quite literally crawl over her feet and travel up her skin before entering it and finally reaching her mind.

The message was simple enough. The pillar on her left fitted the hole with the triangular shape and the other was for the circular base. Carefully but quickly she placed each in the appropriate holes and stepped back. Having achieved their two, no doubt another Acolyte would step forward and pick up the next two pillars.

As she turned she looked at the Hutt. She was sure it was him she was working with, her skin still felt ashen but she shook off the sensation. She’d face a lot worse if she achieved only a fraction of her ambitions.

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Ostanes"]

 

[Ignatius]

There was a meeting for Knights, and Acolytes to have a training lesson under a Gen'Dai. They were a huge species that were known for their strength and longevity. Considering this one was also a Sith Lord, I was sure that brute tactics may be involved. Nonetheless, I dressed myself appropriately, I carried my vibroblade, and my lightsaber, I knew I was late, and I was probably going to have some kind of consequence for that. Run laps, get hit, whatever. I would probably just deal with it. While in the Galaxy I was rather high up, Here at the Sith Temple, I was the lowest rank.

I would have to work my way up from the bottom. Meaning I needed to make connections, and to prove that I was worthy of my title. I wanted to work hard. I needed to. Not just for myself, but for him. I moved on past others through the temple. Making my way towards the training grounds. I was running late, and from some distance I could see them lifting pillars and the hulking mass of a being standing by watching. I made my way towards them and stopped in front of the man.

Bowing down my head and at my waist, I spoke a few words in a rather soft easy tone.

"Pardon me for my tardiness my lord."

Righting myself up, I looked to the others who were already training. Turning my attention back to the man, I had to look almost completely up to look at his face. To see if he was angered or disappointed. It hurt my neck a little to do so. Even then, I was prepared to be thrown around or even just scolded.

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"], [member="Melori Raaf"], [member="Zambrano the Hutt"], [member="Elensa Jari"], [member="Ostanes"],

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Things were going to plan so far. Each Acolyte was beginning to get in the grove, some started right way into the task at hand and others went at their own pace. It mattered not the speed as long as the task was completed. Crossing his arms against his chest Kezeroth smiled as the training started to begin. The Expressions on many of the Acolytes faces were...unexplained to watch. The Giant fed off everyone's emotations and feelings as they put in work. He was never given a proper training when he was a padawan and so the Acolytes would get one instead, Besides what didn't kill them only made them stronger. A rule of life Kezeroth knew for fact since he had survived so much.

Caught in his thoughts suddenly the Gen'dai watched as [member="Akuma"] another acolyte arrived. She bowed and begged a pardon, Afterward he could only gaze at her. His Red eyes met hers different than the others though, He did not see a mere Sith Acolyte he saw himself, He saw someone who knew pain. He did not know her but because of this simple fact and her mild interruption a example was to be made of her. One that would be both a punishment and test.

" Your words mean nothing to me, Wurm. You will be without a partner for the exercise and you will manage." he grinned knowing the opposite would happen due to what he was planning for her and the class. " You will take the Right set of Pillars and partake in the exercise. The task is simple enough... Complete the puzzle by putting each pillar in the correct spot... However since you came you I expect to see you have two pillars in the air at all times." he grinned wide at [member="Akuma"] knowing he was assigning her double work. Finding the correct base for one pillar would had its own challenges in itself, two even more so but the task was not impossible.

Walking off to the Right set of Pillars he waited for her to start immediately. Was amazing how fast the Gen'dais mood seemed to change from calm to some what annoyed. As the Giant looked back to the other Acolytes he shouted " Get to work you maggots! This batch of Acolytes has failed to impress me at all... Heh. Pathetic all of you..." Insults and mockery, slowly he would get the results he wanted to see by pushing them to their limits as he did with all his apprentices.

[member="Melori Raaf"]
[member="Zambrano the Hutt"]
[member="Elensa Jari"]
[member="Ostanes"]

 

[Ignatius]

Looking up into the deep red eyes that matched my own, I could see the annoyance upon his face, yet there was a slight hint of understanding. Understanding of me. Who I was. Where I came from. Considering I had scars over the entirety of my body, it was not hard to see I have gone through pain. I have even experienced death. Something that these people have not felt. None the less, he began to give me orders. Telling me the task we were given. Moving large pillars with the force, to fit into the holes in the ground. The right set of six were the ones I were given.

As so, he told me that two would have to be in the air at all times. Nodding my head and accepting it. He told me to start. I might be breaking the rules a little with this, but he did not give me the exact orders not to. Raising both hands up, two pillars were lifted into the air. Only inches from the ground. I was trying to resist using too much energy just to lift the pillars. I see how well of a grip I had on them, and once I was satisfied, I walked over to the other halves. The indents in the ground for me to find out which parts would be put in where.

Finding one in the shape of a triangle with a line cutting through the middle, I looked for the pillar that would be matching it. Laying on the ground, I found the correct piece, and picked it up with the force as well. While letting the one in my off hand fall. Moving it over to the correct hole, I stopped before putting it in. I lifted the dropped pillar from earlier while the one I desired was put down on the ground. Just for the sake of organization.

Continuing this process, I would flip and flop pillars to be placed in the correct order, trying my best to keep two of them up. My arms were shaking in trying to keep the two pillars up at the same time. I was not well versed in the use of Telekinesis. Yet I tried my best. Stopping for a moment, I closed my eyes and focused. Using all the sadness of my friends death, the sorrow of letting him die in my arms, the pain of being alone. I fueled my spirit with the such tribulations of my past. Opening my eyes I worked faster.

As I righted one of the pillars, and slowly eased it to the ground, another off to my right was raised. I would slowly walk in front of the pieces, shifting them down the line slowly so I wouldn't drop them, but I had noticed my arm wasn't shaking so much as before. I flicked my head for a moment to get the sweat out of my eyes. Feeling lightheaded as I continued on without another pause. As soon as there were only two pillars left, I slowly inched both of them down and had to stop so I could spin one around just enough to fit rightly into the other piece.

I let my grip go, and with two solid thuds came the pillars to fall into the correct places. I raised my head to the sky as I could feel the tension, and pain subside from my mind, as well as my body. Falling down to my knees. I breathed heavily from the exertion. I felt sore as though I have been lifting weights for a good hour. A sick feeling came to my stomach, but I held it back so I wouldn't embarrass myself.

I looked towards the Gen'dai, half expecting him to tell me to do it again for the hell of it, or just because I was late.

"Was the task done to your satisfaction my lord?"

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"],
[member="Melori Raaf"],
[member="Zambrano the Hutt"],
[member="Elensa Jari"],
[member="Ostanes"],

 

[Wolf]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Ostanes"] | [member="Akuma"]

Wolfgang Krieger was not one to arrive late. He was disciplined and trained in the military, he was punctual and driven to succeed. He was well aware of the gruelling punishments his military superiors had for those who were tardy.

Hang on, so why is he running through the halls of the Sith Temple when the class had already started?

------------

Flashback. Around 30 minutes ago.

"I don't like the way you're looking at me." Came the weasly voice of a Sith acolyte who had barely gotten through puberty.

Wolfgang had been walking through the hallways of the Sith Temple and had given the acolyte only a momentary glance as he walked past. He was stopped in his tracks by the statement. Wolf turned and faced the young acolyte, and had to force back a snort of amusement as he beheld him. The acolyte stood at around 5'6", was deathly thin, and had long, dyed-black hair with red highlights, pale skin and what seemed to be yellow ​contact lenses in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" came Wolf's reply.

The boy retorted, "You don't want to mess with me. I'm a monster, mentally unstable and hungry for blood. I'm full of rage. I am destined to be the greatest Sith Lord alive."

"Right. I should go-"

"Don't cross me ever again."

"Yeah-"

"Say sorry."

"Ehm..."

"Say sorry."

"Okay. Sorry."

The boy was taken aback that the man who stood well above his own height had just apologised. The surprise on his face soon contorted into a sneer and a wimpish laugh that was probably meant to be a menacing cackle.

"Only the weak apologise, fool! You betray your submissiveness, you were born to be nothing more than a slave!"

"Actually I really just need to get somewhere, I'm going to be late-"

"Enough! You will taste my wrath!" The acolyte raised his hands, and Wolf could see crackling dark energy begin to form around the boy's palms. What had been an amusing delay was now slightly concerning. This was probably a parlour trick, but Wolf had little knowledge of the Force and wasn't in the mood for taking chances.

He acted quickly, his right fist clenched as he sent a strong blow to the acolyte's jaw, with an audible pop as knuckle connected with jawbone. The boy, in return, yelled in shock and upon impact became limp, his eyes rolling back in their sockets as he fell to the ground.

Wolfgang sighed. How many bloodthirsty pre-pubescent maniacs were around in this Temple? He turned away from the body that now lay on the ground and refocussed his attention on getting to the training session. He would surely be late now. He picked up the pace and began to walk briskly, he had only managed about 20 feet down the corridor before the same weasly voice came yelling from behind him, "Stop!"

Wolf turned, visibly sighing as he faced the acolyte once more. The boy's face had noticeably gone from pale to red now, and he sported a swollen bruise on his left jaw. Wolf was about to turn around and keep on moving, until he felt a strange force around him. The boy was laughing and raising his hand, and Wolfgang found himself being lifted into the air, his feet now quite clearly no longer touching the ground.

The man was lifted higher and higher into the air, and his lack of experience with the Force meant that he had no idea how he was supposed to resist this, unless he had a blaster on him, which he didn't.

"Oh for crying out loud..." he said to himself as he struggled helplessly in mid-air. The boy let out another irritating wimpish cackle, before lowering his hand suddenly and pulling Wolfgang to the ground with velocity. Wolf growled in annoyance as he was sent face first straight into the ground. All went black.

Wolf woke up to a bloody nose and an aching back. It wasn't anything remotely serious, though it was incredibly irritating. What's more, he was now most definitely late for the training session.

Did I really just get knocked unconscious by some acolyte brat with an attitude?

Yes Wolf. Yes you did.

Damn.

----------------

The present

And so, that's why Wolf was running through the halls, and why he was late.

The disciplined man came running into the main square, his nose bloody and his appearance unkempt. He was greeted by people lifting pillars with the Force and an unmissable huge Gen'dai, the one who was taking the lesson. He bowed low in respect to him.

"I apologise. I was delayed."

Are you going to tell him how you were beaten up by a kid who hadn't yet grown facial hair?

Not a chance.

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Pain was the similarity...

It was a great pain that the Acolyte [member="Akuma"] and Kezeroth had incommon. It could been seen in their gaze their body language and in the way they reacted to one another. Both had been through hell and back in thier own ways... and survived. Knowing this Kezeroth knew [member="Akuma"] could achieve so much more because he himself had done the same. " Goood. Now keep them above your head. No more jokes use that pain you have stored way... It wont go away it will only grow bigger for you to feed on. Trust me" he said glareing at her and extended his hand to blast her with Force Lightning. " Discomfort is your greatest ally and you have yet to embrace it..." he stated and turned his head to watched others practice. The Gen'dais face was like stone once more, He showed no emotion but his eyes held a malevolent hate.

As the giants head turned he eyed yet another acolyte that had arrived late to class. The same actions again, a bow, a begged pardon & then the stare. Looking down at [member="Wolf"] the new arrival with a frustrated look, A purple vein showed on Kezeroths face as he closed his eyes and made his jaw stern. Opening his eyes and relaxing his jaw the Gen'dai suddenly made a fist with his left hand. With a fist roughly the size of a basketball Kezeroth cocked his arm across his chest and swung his backhand at [member="Wolf"] knowing if it connected right the man would get knocked back couple feet.

" Take your maggot self to the Right set of pillars! Double time, Acolyte!" He snarled at him and pointed at the location [member="Akuma"] was at. Kezeroth started to pace and placed his hands behind his back once more. After few minutes he stopped at turned his attention to the class, the late arrivals ticked him off some and the task he had given was getting done faster than he expected.

" Listen up! You will lift all six pillars over your head and sort them one by one to complete the puzzle. No more medicore games, I wanna feel the Darkside flow though each one! Summon hate, Fear & Anger. Now Get to work! This will require two people in order to complete! Get it done!" He shouted demanding to see real progress and pushing his will onto everyone around him. Growling slightly he added " No stalling, No Whining! If you need motivation Ill give you some." Which was a open offer to get electrocuted with force Lightning or worse. It only meant pain.

[member="Ostanes"]
[member="Elensa Jari"]
@[member="Melori Raaf"]
[member="Zambrano the Hutt"]

 

[Elensa Jari]

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Akuma"] | [member="Wolf"] | [member="Ostanes"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Zambrano the Hutt"]

Her eyes fluttering open at the new set of instructions, Elensa gazed around the open courtyard, searching for the pillars that the imposing Sith Lord had spoken of. She turned around with the heels of her boots clicking softly against the stone paving beneath her feet, observing the object of the exercise resting behind her, large stone pillars of identical shape, with the base of each one being a slightly different one, she noticed. Nearby were a set of holes cut into the stone that would allow for these to be placed upon them correctly - failure would invariably mean the collapse of the pillar. Probably falling onto us and crushing us as a result. That would be a typical Sith exercise, for certain: where failure guaranteed injury or death. It's not about learning from your mistakes such as learning not to make a mistake in the first place.

A moment of panic gripped her when she realised what was required of them. She had studied Telekinesis before, of course, and had used it effectively in her duel in the Acolyte Tournament, but this... She'd always understood there to be two different types, the first being Burst TK, which was one that required the individual to gather their energy and expel it in a single motion, usually as a wave, a push or even as a pull, in more advanced versions. The type that Kezeroth demanded was Sustained Telekinesis, which required that one be able to draw energy from the Force and project it as a constant stream over a period of time, which is how both Jedi and Sith were able to move objects at a distance without touching them. Reach out and grasp the object, then direct it's motion without dropping it. Not such a simple skill at all.

A deep breath inhaled to steady her thoughts, she reached out and started to draw Force energy from the environment around her, feeling a rush through her arms and shoulders as it began to gather, giving that pleasant numbness that she had long since become familiar with. All this energy...what to do with it? She could see the pillars assigned to her standing in front of her, imposing, immovable, still. Just reach out and grab one, she thought, offering herself a little encouragement. She could do this. Or else.

She extended her right arm, her hand a pale contrast against the soft black fabric of her dress' sleeve, slender fingers splayed outward as if to warn something to stay back. The temptation to close her eyes was considerable, but Elensa knew that she needed to be able to see what she was doing, so she resisted this with tremendous effort. Allowing the energy she had gathered to surge out from within, she felt it shoot it's way down her arm with an odd mingling of pleasure and agony, projecting outward in an invisible tendril. Her hand turned until it appeared with the palm facing upward, and she gestured in a lifting motion, that ethereal energy moving to mimic her actions.

The first pillar shook slightly, clearly being moved by something, but she was not yet pouring sufficient energy into it to move it from the ground. A soft sign escaped her involuntarily, but she added a little more power to her technique now, having to draw and project quickly now, an open stream of energy that was using her as a conduit to convert it from one form to another. The pillar steadied, no longer shivering, lifting up perhaps a few centimetres, hovering now above the base in a smoother manner. That's it! Project and sustain!

Perspiration beaded on her forehead - she could feel the warmth of her exertions clear enough even as she sought to block out the distraction to concentrate on her task. Her hand tingled in a way that was nearly uncomfortable as it served as the focal point of the energetic projection, and the muscles of that same arm were tight and strained as she sought to hold it all together. Now let's move you. She needed to work fast, or she was going to exhaust herself. Her hand shakily moved a little to the right, dragging as if she were drawing a line in the air. The heavy stone pillar shivered again, then moved to match that motion, gliding smoothly across the divide, moving clear away from the others.

Next there was an almighty crash, stone on stone, as the Acolyte blinked as she realised her control had been severed for an absent nanosecond, and she had released her hold over the pillar. As gravity was always an opportunistic force, it had grasped at the weight of the pillar and dragged it back to the ground with shocking speed, causing it to hit the ground beneath with casual speed. She had no time to adjust, no time to correct. Elensa just stared, her lips parted slightly in what might have been a gasp from any other being, unsure what had happened. She lowered her arm and rubbed at it, trying to return feeling to the flesh, trying to process the moment in which she had achieved control and then lost it again, her pillar now lying on it's side in a dust cloud that was rapidly dissipating.

Maybe next time you can ask us just to move it with a push, she thought with an internal sigh. I'd at least have a chance to succeeding with that one!

 

[Zambrano the Starweird]

"Blech..." The slug audibly produced the sounds after being given the task. It was rather rare for the slug to express dissatisfaction, but having reconnected with the force so intimately, something seemed to... click, inside him that began to express more complicated things within him than simple, base, and primal desire. Desire was powerful indeed, but it was a one trick pony. It was not complicated or advanced, it merely drove something. It did not possess the same features as say, hate, where it was a desire with a purpose: do all one can out of spite of something else. It had a greater drive on far more complicated and abstract levels than the sociopath could imagine. Except, he would not draw from hate... not entirely however.

Instead, the gastropod drew upon something else... something more... recent in his experiences... something he was constantly reminded of from the all encompassing darkness that surrounded his vision. Spiders. He feared them now like little else, it was why his face was so bloody. He had not merely been practicing his psychometry as he walked the halls... anything that made a sound or quavered ever slightly, reminded him of the spideress he had faced in the Tournament. It was imprinted upon his psyche to be surrounding him invisibly hiding in every dark place of his mind... and he was blind. For him, it was like the sociopath was in a constant panic attack, where no matter how much information he gained to discredit any dread feeling that a spider might be nearby, he would perceive it as a spider nonetheless.

Fear however, quickly bleed into hate. He hated spiders. On any other being he would merely wish to open them up, but now for any arachnid creature he would wish to make them still and silent, so as to have no longer a reminder of them given they had dashed away his sight. His hate began to brood within him since the duel, making little sparks out of the oily texture of his soul, producing light embers within his hollow flesh. There was little way of knowing however, how this might translate into sustained telekinesis... it was unlikely the slug could produce that kind of control over the force... so instead of trying he merely began to reach out and sense each one of them at the same time.

Shadow, ash, and oil, poured out of the many cysts like molasses out of a sieve, taking its good old time to stretch and spread. The slowness was almost deliberate, as if the manifestations of his awareness were somehow cautious of every meter it crawled over, the invisible presence sliding over the floor in the hopes of touching the bases of the pillars... before being turned to dust by a resounding crash upon the courtyard floor. Startled and caught unawares, sharp tendrils formed in the mist, prepared to slash through the mind of a spider in the dark. The gasp was audible as the acolyte made the mistake, and smooth mist began to cover the courtyard as the sharp tendrils dissipated from a presence of combat to a presence of inquiry, hoping to locate the mistake maker. From what had been slow and deliberate, had become voluptuous and savage in its search for the one who suffered the deed of failure.

Pinpoints of blackness appeared around Elensa like a thousand unseen eyes, aware of the girl and her loss of control, they waited now only to see what punishment laid in wait for her... unaware of any possibility punishment might await him for his failure to pick up where she left off along with his partner...

[member="Kezeroth the Malevolent"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | Me | [member="Elensa Jari"] | [member="Ostanes"] | [member="Akuma"] | [member="Wolf"]