A Monster of Destruction, and a Monster of War

[Garza]

M U U N I L I N S T

Alkor is one strange man, yet I felt like I knew him. Ever since our little bouts on the Omega Flagship, and in the tournament, I had been invited to join him and this group of "Hunters." A force sect of the Mandalorian Crusaders. This Corellian was one of these hunters. Joining him, and Kyra? Keira? Kattie? seemed like a smart choice for me. First of all, Both of us were powerful force users, and duelists in our own right. Secondly, I respected the man greatly. Even after our skirmishes, I had decided to join forces with him rather than fight it. With this in mind, I was being integrated into their society.

The lead of that was Alkor. I would have to learn from him about what he knew, as well as others who were leading the charge. Best people for me to reach about this, were the hunters. They needed me anyways. It seemed like they were lacking in numbers for some sections of their forces. With that in mind, I walked beside the Corellian. My form towering over the man by a head and neck above him, and maybe a little more. His strength resided within his ability to use weapons, and ability with the force. Even though he seemed to lack in that department? No... not lacked, more so lacked a wide arsenal, and focused upon very few abilities to perfection.

That's how the man was able to take the destructive energy of my Blast at the Gen'Dai previously known as Savaerok, into literally a sun. The only power that could do that was Shatterpoint. A power I had heard was rarely used, and never seen before that moment. I can see why it's power was coveted. If we were working together, I wanted to become stronger. Not for my sake alone, but if I were partnering with him, I wanted us to be able to meld together.

To do that, I wanted to discover something new. As for what? I had no idea. Instead I was just with him. Wanting to learn more. Hence, my all vague question,

"Why did you want me to join?"

[member="Alkor Centaris"],

 

[Alkor Centaris]

The spires of Harnaidan scratched its skyline. Orange haze seeped across the ashen sky of the Muun homeworld, a byproduct of volcanic activity somewhere off the coast. Alkor glanced toward [member="Atheus"] when he asked why the fallen Jen'jidai thought he should join the Hunters. "This was home, once," the Corellian exile explained. "Togoria before that, though I remained on neither world for more than a handful of years." It was the lot of men like them to wander, or never to remain too long in one place or another. Harsh battle and heinous acts of war drove them away, and earned them only animosity.

"Men like us do not often find places that we can belong." Their trek through the city was filled with the sounds of commerce and technology, a testament to the vast wealth of the Banking Clan. "War is in our blood. We cry out for battle through lips sewn together by horror and bloodshed, and luck strikes, we are heard."

He gestured for the Voidwalker to take the spot next to him on a turbolift, and a Muun bowed its head in deference. "To the vault, then?" the androgynous alien queried. "You have been authorized to view and access all resources owned by House Verd. Make no attempts on items not under the jurisdiction of your head of house, or security will take action against you."

"I would like to request access to deeper vaults," the Demon of Corellia stated flatly.

"On what basis?"

"The Vaults of the Jen'jidai," he recited. The Muun tilted his head. "I wish to inspect the vaults untouched since before the Gulag Plague. Its former owner is no longer alive to dispute my request, I am certain."

For several moments, the banker turned away and muttered into a comm. When he turned back, Alkor could feel the uncertainty permeating him. "You have permission," the Muun warned, "but anything you find is subject to search and seizure by the banking clan. Be warned; if you go into the depths of the vaults, there is no telling what you will find. The Dark Jedi left security measures that vastly outweigh our own-"

"To protect their treasury," Alkor nodded. "I am aware. I will debrief you on any spoils."

The Dark Jedi Master turned to Atheus as they plummeted into the depths of Muunilinst. Luminous orbs shone vibrantly on them as he spoke. "The Mandalorians hear those stifled cries for conflict. They offer no judgment, nor do they seek to placate our efforts. They show us no hatred that we have not earned, and they do not require us to enslave ourselves to their will."

He glanced down into the chasm below, his cerulean eyes ablaze with deep thought. "If you seek belonging as I have, then the Hunters are your only chance at it. Failing this opportunity, I will return to a life among the stars."

"But I have some faith in this path."

 

[Garza]

Alkor spoke. he referenced how both of us were the type to never to stay in one place. Never making relations with others to resist the idea of weaknesses upon ourselves. Or the pure fact of moving to where the work was. Each of us had our purpose. However, Alkor had found a place. One that could potentially be something more for the both of us. I wasn't too sure if he was actually lending a hand to other "monsters" of our kind, or if he was just trying to get us together for some bigger purpose.

To be completely honest, I didn't care of the man's motives. He had his reasons for his actions. I had mine. If they worked well together, then I would accept it. If they conflicted, then I would see to it that one of us would only live from the experience. However, in pure hand to hand combat, It seemed that this Alkor, could best me. I didn't like that. However, I had respect for him. He didn't kill me for the fact that I was a Monster just like him.

HIs words rang in my ears as we were headed into the vaults of the bank. One that had been built and fortified above a previous foundation long ago. Even from the words of the banker, The Dark Jedi before had set up this place before Alkor and I were born. That got me thinking. How was Alkor cutting off this man mid sentence as though he were reading his mind, about information that bankers, and very few of others would know?

Alkor truly had his secrets.

Descending into the depths of this place, Alkor turned to me once more. His voice echoed slightly in the enclosed space as his words of faith lead him to be with the Hunters. I couldn't agree more. The Hunters seemed like a group who would welcome me. I am sure I wouldn't get hugs, and a kiss on my ouchies, but it was a place that would offer any necessities should I want any. I wanted to be truthful to the man. Reaching behind my head, I undid the clasps around my mask, and removed it from my face. There was no point to leave it on any more.

"I don't want a place to belong. That is not my motive."

Attaching the mask to my belt, on my left side, I continued to speak as we were nearing the bottom of this chamber.

"Respect that I can earn by my skill, and prowess alone."

Looking to the man who I had come to respect, and could almost trust should we be in arms upon a field of blood, I looked at him directly with my silver eyes. If he had seen my kind before, he might notice I was a Hellyni. One of the few who left their world in pursuit of a better life.

"I have faith that I can find people with this respect."

Looking down at my hands as they clasped one another in front of me, I just had to think, If I hadn't allowed her to die, then maybe I wouldn't be the monster I am.

[member="Alkor Centaris"],

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"A man told me once," Alkor explained, "that from my size, from my look, right down to the person that I am, many people in this galaxy will look me over as an afterthought. He told me that I could try to change that for my whole life and never be satisfied. A man obsessed with his image spends all his time building himself up as an idol." He recalled those words with no trace of emotion, but their origin was one of his most hated people. "It occurs to me in retrospect that his words may have been intended to strip me of some preconceived notion of Corellian pride. I have never had much attachment to my birthworld though."

He glanced into the blinding light that cascaded down from the ceiling as the shaft opened into a massive antechamber with seemingly no bottom. If they fell, they might fall forever.

"These vaults are located the the darkest depths of Harnaidan's underbelly," the Muun explained. "A man designed them to be unnavigable without the express knowledge of the path, or some unparalleled sensory perception."

"Plaga liked his secrets," Alkor concurred. "And the heirlooms of the Dark Jedi Order are worth more than all the wealth of the Hapes Consortium, to the right people."

His gaze turned to [member="Atheus"] again. "My point is not that I do not recognize your worth as a combatant. Obviously, you would have died if I did not consider you a worthy foe. I was taught that to kill someone who drives you toward becoming stronger is a waste. I see few men who I consider a challenge in this galaxy of ours, and those who I do, I would rather call Brothers than enemies."

He did know the striking features of the Hellyni when he saw them. His head tilted only slightly at the realization.

As the turbolift screeched to a halt, Alkor gestured toward the platform ahead- it moved out into the darkness for several paces, then dropped off into the abyss.

"The path forward will take a moment to find," he explained.

For a moment, Alkor thought he felt some semblance of death wash over the other man. It made sense. They were both killers. Perhaps this was a man who understood murder and death the way the Demon did. Perhaps his memories were similar.

It was inconsequential.

Alkor jumped forward, off the edge of the platform. As he fell, the shape of another materialized beneath his feet. He glanced back from his perch on the ethereal surface. "Quickly," he beckoned. "They do not remain long on this plane."

Alkor threw himself into another jump.

"I confess, I got sick of simply playing the part of tool for various organizations," Alkor explained as he touched down a second time. "I am sure you relate to that, on some level."

 

[Garza]

Alkor seemed to want to explain a lot. More so, explain how he came to such conclusions was... nice? More so just exposition for who this man really was. He had things figured out farther than I had. I was still taking jobs here and there. This man had found a place where he was calling people brothers and sisters. Keira? I think thats her name, was one such. Remembering how she called him a more formal form of vod. It seemed to me they had a fairly close relation to one another. Not in the romantic sense, but one of comradery, and one that they could trust one another with any of each action the other took.

I had that once. Once.

Alkor continued to speak about this Plaga. Likely a mentor, or a friend of Alkors from long ago. From what I could tell, the man had passed, or was long gone. Even more so when hearing about the Dark Jedi Order. Many kept their secrets. And this faction of Dark Jedi seemed to be one such. Their legacy of Alkor was the only reason they continued. If this group was so coveted, how did it fall? And if so, was Alkor trying to recreate this group out of the Hunters, and others he had met?

I had been wanting to do such for a while. Gathering people who I could possibly count on in a time of need. If I could see this man for who he was. A Monster who wanted to be a man, then I knew I could trust him as far as he could trust me to join him in the Hunters. Alkor then explained that this lift would not be here long. Something shifted back and forth between times? Or was it something else. Either way, I jumped after the Corellian. Landing down onto another lift, I landed rather hard on my feet, and went down to my left arm. Looking up, I saw Alkor jump again.

I took a few hurried steps and followed after him. Landing down with a roll to reduce the amount of impact I took on my legs. Coming up to look at the man slightly ahead of me. He knew exactly how I felt. I hated being at the whim of others just to earn a few credits. I needed to use my rage to suit myself instead.

Alkor had an answer to this? Possibly.

"Agreed."

I rolled my shoulders after jumping. I hadn't expected to be jumping from those heights, nor do a lot of work. I hadn't prepared myself as I should have.

"Those who pay don't care for a background. Just that you get the job done for the cheapest they can."

Looking at the man as I stopped. I flexed and released my left wrist with my right hand. A very faint whine sound could be heard as my arm was charging up should it become necessary. You never knew now with how Alkor had said Plaga wanted his secrets to stay that way.

"You have found an answer to being this, or close to it, I assume."

[member="Alkor Centaris"]

 

[Alkor Centaris]

The platform beneath their feet did not seem to exist, but it supported them as they walked along. Faint reminders of its presence glowed an ethereal white beneath each step. "Answers are often more difficult to find than we hope," he intoned as he lifted a hand and touched the air ahead of them. His hand pressed against the open space and it met with resistance. His eyes narrowed as he let out a soft, almost undetectable breath.

"We can seek them with all that we are for years and never find something sufficient." His fingers stopped as they brushed over something that felt oblong, distended from the unseen obstacle like entrails from a bloated corpse. He depressed the mechanism with a stiff touch. "And sometimes, the answers we do find are not what we thought at all." The room shivered and trembled as a whole other world was brought low. What began as a tremor blossomed into nearly an earthquake. From behind them, the Muun screamed out in terror.

Alkor glanced back to Atheus. "I have found people willing to take a chance on me, and not as a killer. They ask me for my opinion, and they value my feedback. They seek to treat me as an equal, not as a weapon to be used. These things are not consistent with my previous experience."

He pressed forward along the path. Atheus would notice as they walked that the world around them shifted, and as they crossed an ephemeral threshold, the bridge became visible. Ivory obelisks jutting upward and downward formed their path forward, and pulsating red streaks flecked the hellish scene that materialized around them. It was almost like walking through a single vein within a body, glancing out at the complex circulatory system beyond.

They funneled out into another antechamber, this one smaller than the last by far.

"Plaga was a master of Alchemy and the Dark Arts," he explained. "His delving into the Sith sorceries was deeper than any of his contemporaries. This place is a mirror of his soul." As he slowly turned, [member="Atheus"] would recognize the spell slowly creeping all around them. Darkness crept beneath their flesh and threatened to rip out the deep-seated emotion in their chests and turn it on them. Despair screamed across the world and images of the horrific battle that tore apart the order came to life. Things Alkor could no longer hide were manifested, ripped directly from his memory.

He watched as Brother cut down Brother.

All of the Jen'jidai, their forces, and the innocent people of Muunilinst.

It was chaos.

 

[Garza]

Looking down at my feet, the platform seemed to be suspended, but above a void below that could swallow armies of people, and never sedate it's hunger. My attention averted back to Alkor as a corporal door stood before us. His hands moving across the surface like ice. Searching for what was needed as he continued to speak. Saying that it wasn't people, but how they acted. How they had shown him a kindness for his opinion, rather than have him hunt down the next guy on the list.

I had felt the same way. It was just another person to cut from the thread of life. As though I were the scissors Fate held in her hand. Now I could see why Alkor named his sword as such. Atropos. A goddess of Fate and Destiny wielding him to cut the life strand of all others. I smirked lightly at the revelation. Following after Alkor into another chamber as I looked around.

Plaga came up again. A Master of Alchemy and the Darker Arts of the force. As the red in the room seemed to encompass us in its despair. Walking lightly where I tread, The screams of innocents flowed to my ears. Seeing men fighting one another. Men who wore similar armor cutting one another down without another thought. Even the civilians who were here, wrong place, wrong time.

All of this was from Alkor. He was there when the Dark Jedi Order fell. That's why he was the last of them. So was Alkor training the Hunters to become the next Dark Jedi Order? Was he trying to recreate this faction into something better than just this massacre? Forgoing the new information about the killing, I could almost feel the pain from Alkor. I could feel this man's emotions about it. He knew he was a monster who killed people. He didn't like it, nor did he hate it.

He accepted it.

"You don't seek redemption. You seek acceptance.'

[member="Alkor Centaris"]