Private A Forbidden Lesson

[Kaila Irons]

Darth Anathemous continued sketching the ancient carvings upon the altar, deep inside the Ando sith temple and down the damp corridors which sat uncomfortably close to the swamplands below, built into the brick foundations at the bottom of the old tower. The runes here were standard at a glance, rows of ur-Kittat which seemed so common of ancient sith and even high republic ruins from before the ban long ago. But as she read them, a few words and pronunciations stood out as being High Sith, denoting the temples far more ancient origins than others she had studied. Even the majority of statues here carried stone swords as opposed to the usual cylindrical designs meant to evoke images of the legendary lightsabers.

The young but ever curious sorceress wiped the dust and cobwebs off the final passage, a halo-like ring of runes surrounding a life sized handprint, matching another on the opposite side, the fingertips nearly touching, the longest of which each ending in small holes into the altar itself.

"...Is... kraujas..." she began muttering the translation.

"Tuti mis... rirmi..."

From blood we are born. Or was it borne? Similarly to basic, the two words were identical and yet bore entirely different meanings. A puzzle perhaps? The dark scholar brushed a lock of curling gold back into her hood and behind her ear using the back end of her pencil, and continued writing her translation into the parchment.

What a fascinating little room.



Serina Calis

​

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith temple.
Tag: Kaila Irons

The chill of the ancient Sith temple sent a shiver through Serina Calis, but her excitement was palpable as she moved silently down the dimly lit corridors. Her footfalls were soft against the cold stone, barely audible above the distant drip of water echoing through the vast, empty halls. The air was thick with the scent of mold and the must of centuries, and each breath felt heavy with the weight of unspoken secrets.

After weeks of meticulous study and deciphering cryptic maps, Serina had finally located the entrance to a hidden chamber, rumored to house a powerful Dark Side artifact. The chamber's door, adorned with intricate bas-reliefs and ominous dark symbols, loomed before her, its presence both daunting and magnetic. The lock mechanism was ancient, requiring more than a simple key—it demanded knowledge and a touch of the Dark Side itself.

Carefully, she withdrew a small, delicately crafted holocron from her utility belt, the artifact humming softly with energy as she activated it. The device projected a complex pattern of lights and shadows onto the chamber door, aligning perfectly with the engravings. With a deep breath, Serina reached out with the Force, her mind focusing on the pulsating patterns, coaxing them to reveal the secrets they held. Slowly, the door began to groan, the sound of grinding stone reverberating through the hall as the ancient barrier slid aside to grant her entry.

Inside, the chamber was bathed in an eerie, unnatural darkness that seemed to swallow the light from her torch. The walls were lined with relics and tomes, each item a testament to the Sith's enduring obsession with power and conquest. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested the artifact she had come so far to find—a small, black crystal that pulsed with a malevolent energy. Its power was undeniable, and it called to her, whispering promises of strength and secrets yet uncovered.

Serina approached cautiously, her senses heightened. She could feel the dark energy emanating from the crystal, its whispers growing louder, more insistent. It was a voice she had heard before, in the quiet moments of meditation when the boundaries between light and dark seemed to blur. Now, it spoke of power, of potential, of the paths that could be hers to walk if only she would embrace the darkness within.

With a tentative hand, she reached out towards the crystal, her fingers hovering just inches from its surface. The air around her crackled with power, the hair on her arms standing on end. She could feel the dark side flowing through the room, enveloping her in its seductive embrace. But there was no fear in her heart—only a burning curiosity and a fierce desire to understand, to control, to master.

As her fingers finally made contact with the crystal, a surge of energy shot through her body, visions flashing before her eyes—battles fought, empires built and crumbled, the rise and fall of the Sith across the ages. She saw herself standing among them, her power unmatched. The visions were intoxicating, overwhelming, but she held on, determined to learn, to absorb, to control.

When the visions subsided, Serina stood breathless, the crystal warm in her grasp. She knew she had crossed a threshold, but whether it was one of great power or great peril, only time would tell. For now, she was content to study the artifact, to unlock its secrets, and to ponder the new paths that now lay open before her. The darkness within the chamber felt like a cloak around her shoulders, heavy but familiar, as she began the meticulous work of documenting her find.

What a fascinating little room it was indeed.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Stone grated against stone and the ears of Darth Anathemous. At first it did little more than annoy the dark scholar, no doubt a crumbling pillar or a shifting brick against the fragile swampland ground she thought, causing her jaw to clench ever so slightly as she focused on sketching the altar, even if her artistic skills were nothing to write home about.

But then it came again, and for longer than before.

She turned to regard the hallway as it echoed throughout the ruins, drawing the sith to her feet as she stowed the expedition journal inside a satchel, golden eyes aglow as they scanned the dark ruins she walked.

The sounds drew her down winding corridors and back up the stairs until she approached a junction, back pressing to the stone walls as she listened carefully, hoping for some auditory guidance. Yet it was no perceptible sound which drew her to upon the correct path, but an energy, powerful and radiant the way streaks of lightning were in a dark storm. This surge within the dark side of the force caused her eyes to widen and her feet to travel as if possessed once more by dark spirits.

Carried by the force, her unnaturally heavy steps were yet as mere pitter patters against the stone floor as she ran towards the source, coming to a sliding stop before a doorway that had not opened when last she visited this floor.

And there she beheld the source of this disturbance;

A girl...?

Not so very different from herself in that she sported hair like fields of windswept grain, and felt of a presence in the force that was dark, yet strangely shone with a feint glimmer of light yet. But she was smaller, and she was not surrounded by souls of the damned as she was...

Though Jedi or Sith, she could not rightly say in this dimly lit ruin, but curiosity drew her in as it had with so many before. She crept forward on glove-like footwear, eerily quiet for such a tall woman, her cloak swaying gently, eyes fixed upon the back of this girl's head like a predator stalking an animal it had never seen before, unsure if it were looking at food, or something else entirely...

Curiously however, her lightsabers remained upon her belt, where they would stay until combat initiated. Even if her hand lingered cautiously near.

Her head began to tilt, more concerned with feeding voracious curiosity than taking initiate in a fight which may not occur.

"Curious," she spoke up at last, her voice soft, yet commanding.

"That you should open this door which refused me."

"Who are you, exactly...?"



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith temple.
Tag: Kaila Irons

​

The sudden voice sliced through the heavy silence of the chamber, startling Serina, though she managed to mask her surprise quickly. Her blue eyes flickered from the dark artifact in her hand to the tall, imposing figure that now stood in the doorway. The woman's presence was undeniable—commanding and draped in darkness, yet her eyes held a curious glint that Serina found intriguing.

Serina turned fully, her posture relaxed but alert, and she allowed a small, enigmatic smile to play at the corners of her lips. Her gaze traveled from the woman's gloved hand, lingering near her lightsaber, to her eyes, meeting them with a confident and slightly playful expression.

"Curiosity seems to be a trait we share," Serina replied, her voice smooth and slightly melodic, designed to put the other at ease while masking her own cautious analysis. "As for this door," she continued, gesturing elegantly to the now open entrance with a flick of her wrist, still holding the artifact, "it seems it only yields to those who know exactly how to ask. And who am I, you ask?"

She took a step closer, her movements fluid like a dance, the light from the crystal casting shadows on her face. "I am someone who seeks to understand the deeper secrets of the Force, much like you, I presume." Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, "Someone who isn't afraid to walk in the shadows to find her answers."

Her eyes never left the woman's, trying to gauge her reaction while keeping the atmosphere light, yet charged with an unspoken challenge. "And who do I have the honor of addressing in these dark and hallowed halls?" she asked, her tone mixing respect with a hint of daring, as if inviting the woman to share in a secret only they might understand.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Her brows raised the barest inch. Not necessarily at the figure's calm, although that was certainly noteworthy, but rather that one so young found themselves here of all places...

She had began her own training under Darth Carnifex at that age, barely 18 and thrust into that world of dark powers and intrigue for the very first time. This young woman was already exploring temples, alone, or so it seemed. She was confident too, either an acolyte of some experience or simply bold, certainly more than herself at that age.

Her movements especially caught her eye, drawing her gaze but momentarily, and alluding to a degree of skill and grace.

Ataru, perhaps. or even Makashi?. Styles that trained that involved heavy focus on one's footwork could explain the girl's fluidity, causing the avid Niman user to think carefully about how she would fend off the girl's blows if she drew a lightsaber.

But it never came, and the figure remained out of reach as she spoke.

"Someone who isn't afraid to walk in the shadows to find her answers."

"Hmh." she smiled faintly.

There was something about her particular choice of words which the young darth found intriguing. She was no sith if she felt the need to clarify her emboldened stance towards the dark arts, not yet, at least. A Jedi then, and on the cusp of leaving the belighted servants to take charge of her own destiny. How delightful.

"And who do I have the honor of addressing in these dark and hallowed halls?"

And unusually respectful too, a lost art among both sith and jedi of late.

"I am called Darth Anathemous." she introduced herself with an accompanying dip of the chin.

She forwent her other titles however, curious if this young force wielder knew them already. Anathemous was a most controversial name among the order as of late, and if she did not know the name already, it would confirm to her that this was no sith she was speaking with.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Although... I cannot help noticing you've not given me your name."

She added with a feint but playful smile, hooking her thumbs into her belt, noticeably more distant from her lightsabers even if easily in reach still.

"I must say, you are younger than expected. Either well trained or quite bold indeed. Did you come here of your own volition or has another sent you, I wonder?"



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith temple.
Tag: Kaila Irons

Serina's eyes sparkled with amusement and intrigue as Darth Anathemous introduced herself. The name carried weight, even to Serina's relatively inexperienced ears, and she filed away each piece of information for later reflection. The Sith's posture relaxed slightly, her thumbs hooking into her belt away from her weapons, which did not go unnoticed by the keen-eyed Padawan. Serina took this as a cue to maintain the cordial tone of their unexpected meeting.

"Ah, Darth Anathemous," Serina responded with a light nod, her tone warm yet measured. "It is indeed an honor. As for my name, I am Serina Calis." She gave a graceful, almost theatrical bow, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful smile. "A mere wanderer of the galaxy, seeking the wisdom held within these ancient walls."

She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting to the shadows cast by the flickering lights before returning to meet Anathemous's golden eyes. "And to your question, yes, I came here of my own volition. There's a certain allure to the forbidden, wouldn't you agree? A lure that calls to those of us who dare to venture beyond the well-trodden path." Her voice carried a hint of flirtation, teasing the boundaries of their conversation while carefully maintaining a respectful distance.

Internally, Serina acknowledged the power radiating from the Sith Lord. She knew well that in a direct confrontation, she might find herself outmatched. Yet, this realization did not dampen her spirit; instead, it sharpened her mind, pushing her to rely on her wit and charm to navigate the encounter.

"I must confess, your reputation precedes you, Darth Anathemous," Serina continued, her eyes locked on the Sith as she spoke with a mix of genuine respect and calculated boldness. "It's said that those who bear the mantle of 'Darth' possess knowledge and power far beyond the ordinary. I find myself curious—what brings a figure of your stature to this forsaken place? Surely, we're not both here for mere historical curiosity?"

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Serina Calis." she hummed softly, as if testing a taste at the end of her tongue.

But to her surprise, Serina knew the dark flavor of the name Anathemous upon her lips however, yet with every word spoke, it became apparent that she did not know merely because she was sith. The empire's "youngest darth", as The Empress called her, simply underestimated how far news of her successful coup would travel.

"I've seen the wake you have left even if you have not."

She seemed distant for a moment as she recalled The Emperor's words upon their first meeting. It was troubling to think that perhaps even wayward Jedi held her in higher regard than she herself, unless of course Serina was merely trying to bring about a false sense of security.

Either way it was clear that, for the time being, the young darksider planned to remain on her good side. As made evident by her flirtatious use of the words allure and lure, causing the young darth to blink, and a subtle color return to her fair skin. Flirting with danger and all things forbidden had always been a... guilty pleasure of Kaila's, something that had landed her in the arms many women in the past, drifting from one to the other until they had all inevitably wronged her in the end.

If this were another time, before meeting Ala Quin , it is entirely possible that Serina Calis would have been another name on that list.

"Yes," she forced a smile whilst averting her gaze. "I suppose it does."

It did not return until Serina spoke her name again, and the question on both their minds was asked.

"I find a certain... charm..." she let the word linger a moment "In such historic locations. But you are correct, I have reason to be here."

"This place is ancient, yet so many cults have come to dwell here."

Kaila stepped forward, casting a glance and gesture about the faces carved into the ceiling and the old, web-strewn walls with their carved runes and halved statues.

"Men claiming to be sith have been buried in temples not their own for centuries even before the great plague. Now we burry our dead in new tombs beneath the red sands of Korriban, but before reclaiming our ancestral home, A sith lord's followers would have buried him in places like these."

She stopped, having already made a distant half-circle around Serina before turning to regard her.

"I seek a Dark side spirit believed to slumber in another chamber..."

"But as it happens, his altar requires two to open." she offered a knowing smile, steepled fingers pointed towards her.

"Tell me... do you believe in fate, Serina Calis?"



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith temple.
Tag: Kaila Irons

Serina listened intently, her eyes following Kaila's gestures and absorbing every word with the kind of focus that betrayed a deep, almost obsessive curiosity. The notion of ancient Sith lords and dark spirits was not merely academic to her—it was a call to a deeper understanding, a siren's song that resonated with her own dark fascinations.

"Men claiming to be Sith buried in temples not their own... It's a poignant reminder of the transient nature of power, isn't it?" Serina mused aloud, her voice a soft echo in the vast chamber. She pivoted slightly, maintaining an engaging distance as she spoke, her movements as much a part of her expression as her words.

As Kaila spoke of the altar requiring two to open, a playful yet intrigued smile danced across Serina's lips. "Fate," she echoed, her tone light but thoughtful. "I find the concept of fate a curious one. Is it a path laid before us, or merely the sum of our choices, daring us to defy it?" Her gaze met Kaila's, sparkling with challenge and allure.

"To answer your question, Darth Anathemous," Serina continued, stepping a fraction closer, her voice lowering to a more intimate whisper. "I believe in bending fate, shaping it just as we shape the Force. Nothing is beyond our control if we possess the will—and the power—to command it."

Her eyes briefly flicked to the doorway through which she had entered, then back to Kaila. "So, if fate—or chance—has brought us together at this altar, then perhaps it's an opportunity. An opportunity for both of us to unlock secrets that were meant to be discovered. To bend fate to our will."

Serina's smile widened, a mixture of daring and charm. "What do you say, Darth Anathemous? Shall we see what destinies we can rewrite together? After all, if this dark spirit slumbers behind a door that requires two, it seems only fitting that we, two seekers of the shadows, should be the ones to awaken it."

Her offer was genuine, as was the flicker of excitement in her eyes. Collaborating with a Sith of Anathemous' caliber could be dangerous, but Serina thrived on such risks—they were what made her path so exhilarating. And if they were successful, the power and knowledge gained could redefine her understanding of the Force itself.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Bending fate." Anathemous once again tested the flavor of her words. Savored it, even.

Serina was so close, she thought, to mirroring the very views which had made her a true sith. To her rare understanding of the force, shared only by her own apprentice, and The Emperor himself. And perhaps, one other sith, who had passed so many lifetimes ago that her name was all but forgotten.

Her smile was subtle, forcibly so, for there was a delighted shine to her eye matching the padawan's own.

"What do you say, Darth Anathemous? Shall we see what destinies we can rewrite together? After all, if this dark spirit slumbers behind a door that requires two, it seems only fitting that we, two seekers of the shadows, should be the ones to awaken it."

"I say you are wiser than most who walk the shade, even if missing a piece of the great puzzle."

Collaborating with Darth Anathemous would indeed redefine one's understanding of the force, if only they would listen. Though if her own understanding were true, or merely a subtle form of dogma, was difficult to say. Yet she believed in it with something akin to zeal.

"Fate is real indeed, though not in a sense of predetermination. The Will which we call "force" influences the weak willed, shaping events around us towards a desired outcome which we may never know. Jedi serve the will, naïvely believing it a benevolent and caring thing."

"It is not."

"It steals from us our agency. Our fate."

The more she spoke, the more sithly hate bled into her voice, no matter how measured. The smiles were gone, the fiery glow brighter than before. But there was a strange sense of hope, peculiar and twisted.

It was a warning, as much as a lesson.

"But... You are correct, fate brings us an opportunity for now. You will see, once the door is open."

"Come."

Anathemous gestured to follow with a gloved hand, no longer hovering by her lightsabers.

"Perhaps in time you will indeed learn to bend The Will to your own, if you can temper the darkness within you. It is as hot steel, waiting to be shaped by skilled hands. Let it burn freely however, and it may consume you..."

"So which do you carry, I wonder?"

The pyromancer glanced toward that dark crystal.

"Fire or steel?"



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith Temple
Tag: Kaila Irons

Serina's eyes mirrored the depth of the darkness around her, the faintest shimmer of blue now swallowed by a more profound obscurity as she listened to Darth Anathemous. Her stance, poised yet relaxed, seemed to draw in the shadows, embracing the chill that seeped from the ancient stones. The air around her felt charged, as if the very Force itself anticipated her response, ready to ripple with the consequences of her words. As she let down her mental shield, her entire presence within the force itself, changed to the most pure darkness, as if the Dark Side itself was the puppeteer of her body.

"Fire or steel?" she repeated softly, her voice carrying a new edge, one honed by revelation and resurrection. The dark crystal in her hand pulsed more fervently, as if reacting to the burgeoning power within her grasp. She held it up slightly, the dim light catching its facets, casting ominous shadows.

"The force you speak of, this Will that seeks to shape us—it is a force that has tried to bind me, to dictate my path as it does so many others," Serina's tone was calm, but beneath it lay a fierce determination. "But I am not one to be shaped by external forces, nor am I content to merely wield the power at my disposal."

She stepped closer to Anathemous, her presence undeniably commanding, every word imbued with the conviction of someone who had faced death and returned to tell the tale. "I carry both fire and steel, Darth Anathemous. The fire to ignite change and the steel to forge a new reality. The darkness does not just call to me; it answers to me."

Her gaze intensified, locking with that of the Sith Lord. "The teachings of the Jedi are far behind me, as naive and fleeting as the light of a dying star. And the Sith? They understand the nature of power but not its potential for absolute dominion. I will succeed where others have faltered. I will break the wheel, shatter the cycle, and bend not just the Force, but everything—every thread of destiny—to my will."

She allowed a moment for her words to permeate the air, the dark side swirling around them like a storm gathering strength. "This spirit that slumbers here, it will not just be awakened; it will be subjugated, made to serve a greater purpose. Our purpose."

With that, Serina extended her hand toward the altar, ready to unleash the combined might of their dark wills upon whatever lay beyond, her eyes alight with the fire of ambition and the cold resolve of steel.

 

[Kaila Irons]

There was a shift in her momentary companion which gave the young darth pause, a latent darkness stirring from dormancy.

It wasn't necessarily the power that unsettled her, for Anathemous finally beginning to shed away the many doubts which once plagued her. Rather it was the fact she had not seen it sooner, that Serina had hidden the scope of it's hold upon her soul if not it's presence. Or perhaps, if what the wayward padawan claimed was true, her hold on darkness.

Kaila showed this only in her silence as she walked, hands clasped behind her as if she were an officer listening carefully to a debriefing.

And what she heard then was eerily similar to thoughts she dared not speak aloud. However different their motives, their goals were one in the same. It was... almost uncanny, that they should look and think so similarly. Yet it was clear that a few but stark differences contrasted the two women; For she desired merely freedom, and Serina, control. Though she supposed their backgrounds were not terribly dissimilar; practically raised by fanatics who sought to impose upon them their dogmatic rule.

Serina however, had clearly not been humbled by her masters the way she had.

"This spirit that slumbers here, it will not just be awakened; it will be subjugated, made to serve a greater purpose. Our purpose."

She gave her a sidelong glance, or perhaps an intrigued glare.

Surely she could not be speaking of Force Walking, could she? Only two others could perform this lost ritual to her knowledge. Herself, and Darth Varynx before her. But how could a rogue padawan have learned such a thing?

The force walker chose not to speak of it, turning her gaze down the ruinous corridors once more.

"Our purpose..."

That at least had a nice ring to it, if it were true. Perhaps, if her ambitions could be tempered properly, Serina too could become a soldier in her war against fate, just as her apprentice, Tamsin Graves .

"Allies are in short supply among the sith, you know."

"But in high demand..." she glanced at her again as they entered the room.

Serina still had a long way to go, but Anathemous knew, perhaps better than most, just how quickly a sith could rise. What's more, she wasn't much older than this mysterious padawan. In barely a few years time, She could either grow into a frustrating enemy, or perhaps a most useful ally...

Most sith would opt to slay her, once the door was open.

But Darth Anathemous wasn't most sith, and she needed allies. Now more than ever.

"Tell me, Serina, can you read high sith?"

She gestured towards the altar, deciding to test her potential ally.

"Help me open this, and I'll not ask to inspect that crystal of yours. Though I'd very much like to know what it is."



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith Temple
Tag: Kaila Irons

Serina's features softened slightly with intrigue at Kaila's mention of High Sith, a rare and ancient dialect that few could claim proficiency in. Her eyes, however, remained alight with the fiery determination that had marked her transformation. The prospect of delving deeper into the secrets of the Dark Side, coupled with the challenge laid out by Darth Anathemous, only fueled her ambition further.

"I can indeed read High Sith," Serina replied, her voice maintaining its commanding edge as she approached the altar beside Anathemous. "Malak taught me as much." She let this slip, wanting to gauge her reaction to such a revelation.

She glanced at the crystal she held, its dark aura pulsing more vigorously in response to the proximity of the altar. "As for this crystal, consider it a key to greater depths—not just of power, but of understanding. It's a relic of a dark legacy, resonating with energies that few can comprehend, let alone control. Not even I can in my, current form." Her tone hinted at the depth of her connection to the artifact, suggesting it was as much a part of her as her very will.

Turning her attention back to the altar, Serina placed her free hand upon the ancient stone, feeling the cold bite of its surface. She closed her eyes briefly, tuning into the echoes of the past that lingered like faint whispers in the dark. "The texts here speak of binding and release, of the power to summon and subjugate. They are a testament to the Sith's mastery over the forces that others fear to touch, but this art, it is lost and forgotten."

Opening her eyes, she met Anathemous's gaze with a look of shared purpose. "Together, we can awaken what sleeps here. Not as master and servant, but as allies in pursuit of a greater truth. The spirit bound to this place will be another step in our journey, another force to bend to our combined will."

Serina's expression hardened with resolve as she prepared to channel her energy into the altar, her voice a soft murmur carrying the weight of destiny. "Let us unlock this door, Darth Anathemous. Show me how we might reshape the very fabric of the Force together." A weird feeling crossed her when she said her name, something about the letter S...

The darkness was whispering to her.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Malak. She narrowed her eyes momentarily. It was a name she'd not heard in quite some time.

"You've a holocron, don't you."

That explained... a lot. She'd have to keep an eye on this one, perhaps even bargain for some time with a certain jawless imitation, if not steal the thing for herself.

"There is a legend I've been hoping to learn the truth of, something only he could tell me now. I must ensure our paths cross again."

To the rest she remained silent. The padawan's explanation of the crystal was vague, either intentionally or because she did not fully comprehend what she was carrying. Even still, it seemed as though she'd done research before coming here. Certainly enough to pass the warrior-enchantress' test.

"Very good. The spirit we seek was once thought to be the final keeper of a power that I have particular interest in."

"This," she finally approached, gesturing to the altar.

"I believe is a sarcophagus, housing his remains. I want to open it."

Kaila drew a gloved finger along it's stony edge, tracing a circle around the runes she'd translated earlier that day.

"Note the message around these opposing hands engraved into the lid?"

"Is kraujas tuti mis rirmi."

"You're not afraid of blood, are you?" she flashed a coy smile.

"It's a key component of sith alchemy. I'm sure you see where this is going."



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith Temple
Tag: Kaila Irons

The dim light of the ancient chamber seemed to flicker with anticipation as Serina absorbed Kaila's insights and the mention of blood as a key component in Sith alchemy. Her smile, though light and somewhat playful, never quite reached the cold depths of her eyes, which remained fixed on the intricacies of the altar before them.

"Blood," Serina repeated, the word rolling off her tongue with a mixture of intrigue and determination. "In many cultures, it's seen as the essence of life itself, a potent symbol of power and sacrifice. It's no wonder the Sith, in their unending quest for dominance, would incorporate such a primal element into their rituals."

She turned slightly, her gaze drifting back to meet Anathemous's, her expression a blend of challenge and allure. "I'm not afraid of blood, Darth Anathemous. Nor am I afraid of what must be done to uncover the secrets that slumber within these walls. If blood is the key, then let us use it to unlock the ancient powers that wait beyond."

Serina's hand hovered over the engraved hands on the sarcophagus lid, her fingers tracing the air just above the stone as if feeling the residual energies. "I find your pursuit of this lost power captivating, and your mastery of these forgotten arts... it's an alluring prospect, indeed. It would be a privilege to delve deeper into these mysteries with you."

The darkness that clung to her words was palpable, a stark reminder of the path she had chosen—one marked by ambition and the relentless pursuit of power. "And as for meeting again, consider it inevitable. Our paths crossed here, in this nexus of dark energies, drawn together by fate or perhaps by the very will of the Force. I look forward to our next encounter, Darth Anathemous. There is much I can learn from you, and perhaps there are depths yet unexplored that we might discover together."

Another one of these odd feelings crosses her again, then, a quick flashback occurred, if only for the briefest of moments, all she could make out was some sort of battle, a name, lost and forgotten to history, it stirred within her, but she could only put her tongue to the first letter, S...

Serina's smile widened slightly, her charm and flirtatious manner returning as she prepared to engage in the ritual. "Now, let's proceed with the awakening. I am eager to see what lies beneath and to test the limits of our combined strength." Her tone was inviting, suggesting a partnership that, while fraught with the dangers inherent to their dark ambitions, promised the thrill of discovery and the allure of shared power.

If she had to draw her own blood, so be it.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Her pale chin rose the barest inch at an unusual sound; praise.

So many years spent toiling beneath her master, a slave in all but name, thanklessly stocking the shelves of a library the likes of which not even the jedi temple could boast.

But even the humblest fall victim to the allure, once in awhile. She must be careful lest this praise go to her head. Too many kings and queens had been manipulated and their blood shed by knives rendered hot in the flames of arrogance fanned in such a way. Or perhaps it was genuine, an ever common paranoia destroying a friendship before it even began. It had happened before.

Rather than dwell on the thought, she chose to dole out some of her own, to keep thoughts and actions at pace.

"You seem... passionate about your work." she spoke in a husky, near whisper.

"It is a rare quality these days, even among sith."

At least, towards anything but mindless cruelty. For her part, even Anathemous had diluted her passions of late, becoming a being of sharp focus, and little else. She survived this way, yes, but it was good to see someone live.

"And well read, it seems."

Anathemous slowly withdrew a throwing knife from somewhere within her cloak, sleek black armor over a surprisingly less demure frame on display for but a moment as she produced the iron point in hand, carefully removing a glove from the other using her teeth. When at last the leather had been removed and slender fingers exposed to the dim light, the glove seemingly returned to her belt unbidden by physical means, nary even a gesture.

All the while, she continued imparting lessons on the smaller sith-to-be.

"Sith Alchemy, much like the force itself, is about intent you see. Blood spilled in anger, sacrifice, these things carry over to objects we enchant, as if the midi-chlorians live on, giving steel and stone new life."

"This alter, I believe, was constructed for an early Banite sith, before alchemy fell out of practice in favor of more... mundane pursuits of power. A balance you see, between mystical tradition and modern innovation, is the key to our order's survival, even if some no longer believe in anything..."

"I believe this altar was meant to be opened by a master and an apprentice."

She glanced at Serina a moment, a faint but knowing smile on her lips.

"I suppose we'll have to do."

Her lip twitched then, just barely, as she pricked her finger upon the blade's point, black polished tip linger a moment to allow the blood's trickling.

After which she placed her hand in the indicated space, and held the knife for Serina to do the same, although her grip was most firm. She wasn't going to simply hand it over so soon.

"Fingers please."



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith Temple
Tag: Kaila Irons

Serina's gaze flickered briefly with satisfaction as she detected the subtle approval in Anathemous's voice—a recognition that might be as close to a compliment as one Sith could offer another. It was an acknowledgment of shared ambition and capability, and Serina absorbed it with the grace of someone who had long thrived on less overt forms of praise.

"Passion is the very heart of the Force, Darth Anathemous," Serina replied, her voice low and reflective, echoing the other's husky whisper. "Without it, our powers are mere tools, devoid of purpose or direction. You, too, embody this passion, albeit tempered with a focus that few can claim. It's a rare blend that makes you not just a survivor but a formidable architect of fate."

She knew what she said wasn't enough, so again she opened her mouth, her words, for the first time in the conversation, trembling. "In simpler words, thank you, I admire you." These words were something so genuine, so heartfelt, that Serina allowed herself a single tear.

Her eyes watched intently as Anathemous drew the knife and spoke of Sith Alchemy, her interest deepening with every word. The mention of blood carrying the intent of its shedding resonated with Serina, aligning with her own understanding of the Force as a conduit for emotion and will.

As the knife was presented to her, Serina didn't hesitate. She extended her own fingers towards the blade, the dim light of the chamber casting shadows that seemed to dance with anticipation of the ritual to come. "The balance between tradition and innovation," she mused aloud, echoing Anathemous's thoughts as she gently allowed her fingertip to meet the sharp edge of the knife. A small bead of blood welled up, vibrant against her pale skin.

"It's a dance of power, isn't it? One that we are poised to master." Serina's tone conveyed a deep respect for the ancient arts they were about to invoke, infused with the thrill of stepping into the unknown together. She carefully positioned her bloodied finger above the altar, mirroring Anathemous's actions.

"As for the roles of master and apprentice," she continued, her smile broadening with a blend of mischief and admiration, "today, we redefine them. Today, we are united in purpose, to bend this universe to our collective will."

With that, she pressed her finger against the designated spot on the altar, feeling the ancient stone pulse beneath her touch as if awakening from a long slumber. The air around them seemed to thicken with power, a silent acknowledgment of the dark ritual they were performing.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"In simpler words, thank you, I admire you."

Anathemous was nothing if not perceptive. Years of hyper vigilance, of intercepting the lies, of killing her fellow apprentices just before their inevitable betrayal, had developed a keen eye and swift judgement.

But this... this was something she'd seen only once before.

Her lips pursed at the sight, gaze trailing a single tear as it streaked down the padawan's cheek. Many sith would have seen this moment of genuine honesty, of raw emotion that stemmed not from anger, but admiration, as a moment of weakness to be shunned. Kaila however, was not one of them, for in those rare moments of quiet between the fighting, she had shed a few of her own. Kaila was... thankful, for this brief but rare moment of vulnerability.

She glanced away, simply tossing the dagger aside. It was clear now that she would not need it here.

But when her gaze returned, even as the stone altar began to radiate it's dark energy, Kaila reached out. Those last moments before it opened were spent wiping away that tear with a gloved hand.


"Who..." a dry voice reverberated through the chamber, causing the young darth to take a few cautious steps back, just in time for the altar to begin moving, the top half sliding off with a rocky ✱thud✱ where she once stood, revealing that it was no altar, but a sarcophagus.

"Dares..."

From the dusty remains inside, Ash began to rise as if the sands of an hourglass in reverse. Flakes began to light aflame, the tiniest of embers which began to take shape amidst the grave powder hovering above the sarcophagus.

"Disturb the slumber of a Dark Lord?"

The embers began to form eyes which glared at the two women, hate enough to wake the dead radiating from his being, decayed sinew and burnt flesh taking shape about the spirit's form, seared to plates of blackened armor and tattered robes.

Kaila swallowed, having seen but one other shade of this manner.

"...stay close."



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith Temple
Tag: Kaila Irons

As the sarcophagus slid open and the chamber was filled with the dark and stirring energies of the awakened spirit, Serina felt a chill course through her veins—a chill not of fear, but of exhilaration at the confrontation that awaited them. The voice that thundered through the chamber was ancient and powerful, charged with a palpable wrath that resonated with the very stones around them.

Serina's gaze fixed upon the emerging figure, the dark lord whose slumber they had disturbed. She observed the ashes coalescing into a form, the flickers of flame knitting sinew and armor back together, each ember casting sinister shadows across the walls. Her hand instinctively moved to her side, though she carried a lightsaber—her readiness was one of spirit and mind, her training in the Force her true weapon.

Standing beside Kaila, Serina felt the weight of the moment, recognizing the significance of their combined strength in this confrontation. When Kaila reached out to wipe away her tear, Serina appreciated the gesture—comfort was something she had truly missed.

Again, a similar vision overwhelmed her, a great, intense battle, a name being thrown at Serina's mind again and again, but all she could make out was that first letter, S...

As the figure fully materialized, its eyes burning with ancient hate, Serina steeled herself, her expression hardening into a mask of determination. She recognized the importance of deferring to Kaila in this moment; the other's experience and knowledge of Sith rituals and ancient spirits far surpassed her own.

"Lead the way, Darth Anathemous," Serina said, her voice steady and her tone respectful yet resolute. "I am ready to follow your lead. Together, we will face whatever this dark lord throws at us."

She positioned herself slightly behind and to the side of Kaila, giving the Sith Lord room to take charge of the situation, yet close enough to act as a unified front against the spectral adversary. Her mind raced through various strategies and Force techniques that might serve them in the battle to come, prepared to harness the dark energies they had unleashed.

As the tension in the air thickened with the spirit's growing presence, Serina focused her senses, tapping into the deeper currents of the Force. She was ready to react, to adapt her power to complement Kaila's actions, ensuring that their encounter with the dark lord would not end in their destruction but in a triumphant mastery of the ancient force they dared to awaken.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Anathemous gazed over her shoulder, a solemn nod the only signal needed to reaffirm their alliance.

"Together."

A deep, dark chuckling sound stole back her attention as the spirit descended from atop the sarcophagus, wrinkled feet floating mere inches from the ground, slowly approaching.

"What fools are you, to seek combat with the dead?" it sneered.

It had fangs. Fangs which Anathemous had seen many times before, though she remained ignorant of the species which bore them.

"Only one may seat this sanguine coffin. Find your own."

This bloodthirsty undead, long overdue to feed, lunged with unnatural speed even for the wraiths she'd encountered. Anathemous however was nothing if not quick thinking, instinctually raising an unseen barrier between the two women and this frenzied shade. The spirit collided with the barrier, it's spectral fangs poised to tear into flesh and bone alike.

Whatever this thing was. It had physical presence.

Taking her chance, and trusting Serina to aid provide aid even if she did not yet know how, Anathemous began a force walk.

A baleful glow black-tinged violet overtook her eyes, adding to the bramble-like shadows which began to twist and turn, followed by eerie bolts of something akin to lightning beginning to uncoil from her form, casting her hood down and her curling hair to defy gravity.

"I can do this...!" she hissed through grit teeth, throwing her hands up to support both the barrier and her striking tendrils.

"I just... need... time...!"

The spirit however had other plans, and with the flick of it's boney wrist, summoned a flame to it's hand which quickly took shape. A lightsaber, red and warped by hate.

It began to float a few paces back, readying to lunge with unnatural might.



Serina Calis

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Ando, Ancient Sith Temple
Tag: Kaila Irons

The escalating confrontation with the spectral figure drew Serina into a heightened state of alertness, her senses attuned to every subtle shift in the dark energy that filled the chamber. As Kaila initiated her force walk, the air crackled with the raw power of the Dark Side, shadows twisting and dark lightning flashing from the Sith Lord's form. Serina recognized the strain on Kaila's features, the immense concentration required to maintain the barrier while harnessing such potent energies.

With the spirit preparing its own counterattack, Serina knew her moment to act had arrived. Drawing her aqua lightsaber, she ignited the blade with a hiss, the pale blue light casting eerie shadows across the ancient stone walls. The contrast of her weapon's color against the darkness around them seemed almost symbolic of the complex duality of her own nature—trained as a Jedi, yet now delving deep into the forbidden knowledge of the Sith.

The name came to her, as if the Dark Side itself has whispered something so personal into Serina's ear, something forbidden. Then it finally hit her, the visions, the battle, she was seeing the whispers of a memory long purged. Just as she had with Malak's residual presence on the Leviathan, though here it was far weaker, much because of Serina's inability to control this phenomena, she could not understand more than a couple letters.

That name was still to harsh for her to comprehend, the letter, S, than now an, o?

Then, at the moment that Darth Anathemous shielded her, when she heard those words of determination, it all finally clicked.

Solus?

A name that was dead, that should of been left unsaid.

"Solus, drop the barrier and focus! No harm will come to you!" Serina called out, her voice a mix of determination and panic, causing her to let the name slip, as if the metal sword of a warrior had dropped in a lonely, marble room.

With her use of Force speed, Serina's movements blurred, enhancing her agility to match that of the spectral adversary. The spirit's red lightsaber, warped by centuries of hatred, was a deadly threat, but Serina was not deterred. She maneuvered with precision, her enhanced speed allowing her to dodge and weave around the spirit's attacks, creating a dynamic contrast to Kaila's stationary defense.

As she engaged the spirit, Serina focused on finding an opening, her blade moving in a series of calculated strikes designed to test the spirit's defenses, classic Form II, Makashi. Each swing and thrust of her lightsaber was accompanied by a sharp crackle of energy, the air humming with the power of her attacks.

"Whatever you are, your time here is done!" Serina shouted over the clash of their blades. Her words were not just a challenge but a declaration of her refusal to be intimidated by this relic of the past.

With each pass, she aimed to draw the spirit's attention away from Kaila, giving her ally the time she needed to complete her plans. Serina was aware of the risk involved in directly engaging such a powerful enemy, but her resolve was firm, bolstered by the trust in their combined strength.

The chamber echoed with the sounds of battle, the spectral spirit's malicious intent clashing with Serina's defiant courage. It was a dance as old as the Force itself—a battle of wills, each contestant vying for supremacy, their powers a testament to the paths they had chosen.

"You and your ilk will never harm her again!" Serina reaffirmed in defiance and support, her blade a whirlwind of light amidst the darkness, ready to strike decisively the moment the opportunity presented itself.

She did not know who Solus was.

She did not know how Solus died.

But she knew.

She wouldn't let Solus die again.​