A New Beginning

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek Santii had spent all of his life on Shili. He hadn't been long on Coruscant, but what little time he had spent there had been eventful. The way things were looking now, he hadn't yet seen half of it. In many ways his eyes had been opened to a new concept of power. The Sith Knight he had encountered in the Undercity had immediately asserted his dominance without lifting a finger. Or rather, that was precisely what he had done. He had lifted one finger. Requiring no weapon but his own mind, he had subjugated Tanek to his reality, until Tanek had found the will to break free. All of this before Tanek even saw the man. Had [member=Sage Bane]'s motivation been murder instead of curiosity, Tanek would've been dead by now. Such was the power of the Sith. Safe to say, this cult had the young Togruta hunter's full attention.

It was that same Sith Knight that now brought him to the Coruscanti penthouse of one Kaine Zambrano, although Tanek had not been informed of that name. It would seem that Tanek, in his first encounter with the Sith had left an impression. As Sage Bane led him into to the penthouse, guiding him down the halls, he looked at the splendour around him. He wasn't sure if this truly was the shortest route to their destination, or if there was some message behind this. Though the owner was nowhere to be seen, he could see the what he surrounded himself with. Artwork in many different shapes and forms could be seen, from elaborate and sometimes horrific paintings to imposing busts. The impression left on Tanek, was that of wealth and influence. The place seemed well protected alright, he could spot a few guards, though they paid no attention to him.

Finally the Togruta was led into a sizable room. It looked to be a training room of sorts. This was also where Sage Bane left him, and the only words he left him with were "good luck". Watching as this powerful man stepped out, door shutting behind him, Tanek took his time to wander around the room, examine it, looking for more clues as to the owner of the penthouse. He knew it was not the Sith he had already met. Was it another Sith? He assumed so. Despite being an outwardly calm and collected individual, Tanek could barely stand still. He felt as if his life was about to take a momentous turn, as if standing on the doorstep of his destiny. Yet he couldn't quite figure out what it had in store for him. Power, or death.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Oh, the minds of the hungering, the ambitious, and the ones eager to learn at the feet of the masters.

Such a fragile thing, the Sith thought, always hungering for more and more, and when denied it becomes oh so brittle. Constant nurture is required, but nurture must be tempered with neglect, to foster the feelings of anger, pain, sadness... despair? Yes, even those emotions one would not consider to be counted among the Sith must be raised as well, for is not unfathomable depression as powerful as unbridled rage? The neophytes that litter the temples and academies would puff up their chests and confidently tell you that there was no place for sadness, for the deepest shades of blue, only room for the darkest shades of crimson gilded by blackness. They were fools not yet experienced in the way the psyche of men, let alone their own barely developed ones, but he could forgive them for their ignorance. It would be stamped out down the line, but those who failed to learn were cut down like wheat, an ignominious death for the ignorant and the incapable.

This one, this boy who was lead into the lair of the wolf by one of the Banes, did not seem that way, no. His mind was a buzz of activity that caught the wolf's attention, and so from his concealed hiding place he crawled forth to test the boy's worth. The Force, while also being a tool of destruction, was also a tool of stealth and thus for a master such as he it was trivial to conceal his presence from the senses of the unblooded and untrained. It was easier still to cling to the smooth, grooveless walls with the Force as adherent to keep him attached with each quiet step.

And then... when directly above his prey... he struck.

There was a loud whoosh of air as the three hundred and ninety-seven pound two-point-oh-six meter tall behemoth descended from the ceiling with the force of an artillery strike to land directly behind the Togruta with such power that it sent a shockwave that reverberated across the floor, yet it's composure held under the strain. The muscular titan was dressed in only a simple loincloth, and his large square frame of muscle was visible as he suddenly unleashed a flurry of short jabs with his fists towards the no-doubt surprised Togruta.

This was but the first test.

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek waited. The Sith Knight had seemed to approve of him. He wondered if this one would as well, and what would happen if he didn't. To have the power to walk through a crowd, unarmed, and still cripple them all. He envied them. His own accomplishments, symbolized by the akul teeth necklace that he had once been so proud of diminished by comparison.

While the Togruta's mind wandered, looking back on his time on Coruscant, the predator was approaching. Then suddenly, the giant descended. Tanek jumped, in the heat of the moment he wasn't sure if it was in surprise or due to the impact itself. He had sensed nothing. Normally, without really being able to explain how, he'd been able to sense when he was in danger. Now he had felt nothing. It had been the quiet before the storm, but now the hurricane was upon him and he stood within the eye.

Tanek had been waiting for an entrance, but he had certainly not expected that one. Immediately he'd turn around in surprise, eyes wide as he looked upon the considerably larger male. The power of a Sith was enough to make anyone not trained in their arts feel small. Now he felt actually physically small. No introductions were made, no time was wasted before he was upon him. Tanek hurried to defend himself, stepping backwards as he raised his arms in a guard to absorb his blows. Despite catching a few, he took his fair share of beating as well, several making their way past the Togruta's defence. He had allowed himself to lower his guard while waiting in the training room, and now he suffered for it. The hunter was used to people of a similar build being slower, but this one maintained a speed higher than any of the Togruta hunters he knew on Shili, regardless of size (not that he was used to people of this size).

Whenever pressed in danger, Tanek had been able to rely on his superior defence, having his opponents with an increasing frustration struggle to break through it, forcing them to reveal an opening. So far, his defence had not saved him, and he had seen no holes in his attacker's form. The combination of surprise attack and shock value alone had had him on the retreat, mind on high alert as he tried to predict where the next one would land. He seemed to have recovered some, quicker and sharper now, yet he was still taking a beating.

[member="Darth Vornskr"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The massive man masterfully executed the complex and lightning-fast maneuvers of Teräs Käsi, the fighting style of the Followers of Palawa, and with seemingly no effort he was able to predict and counter each of Tanek's attacks, and correctly return with much greater ferocity. He had learned this martial arts from a Palawan master during his training in the Imperial Academy on Lianna, where he trained day and night for nearly two years to become one of the few Imperial Agents for the Old Empire during it's pre-Emperor days. He had risen through the ranks with unnatural speed, becoming the undisputed Minister of Imperial Intelligence shortly before the Imperial-Mandalorian War almost twenty years ago. He never forgot his teachings, and ever since those days he constantly trained to hone and improve his style to include the training he received from the Sith Daxton Bane, along with other martial arts forms he learned over the years.

However; it was becoming evident that the lad before him was incapable of correctly countering his style, and thus if he continued on it would boil down to a literal beating. So, Kaine incorporated a rather heavy Force Push into his sequence to send the Togruta flying away from him should he be caught off-guard. The Sith Lord then dropped his guard, and crossed both arms across his muscular chest.

"So this is the neophyte the Bane boy brings me? Heh, amusing."

The Sith Lord's voice was deep with the flavor of aristocracy rife throughout it's tone, not surprising considering the man had been the scion of a defunct great family from Panatha that had been despoiled and exiled a year after his birth, but the traditions never left the Zambranos. They had attempted to create their own dynasty on Thyferra, but their ambitions were short-sighted and selfish, and that led to their deaths at the hands of their eldest son. Now, thirty-eight years later and the wayward murderer was the Emperor of the people who had exiled his family years earlier, and was a champion of the Dark Side, Lord of the Sith, Voice of the Dark Lord, and held many great and terrible titles that spoke aplenty of his grisly accomplishments.

"Still, if he saw you fit to come to me, there must be some merit... Tell me your name, boy."

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek sadly didn't recognize the style of Teräs Käsi, he only recognized the fact that he was facing a far superior foe. He wasn't used to being put in this spot. Against many opponents at once, perhaps, but this was but one man, albeit a large one... As Tanek's mindset was finally able to switch in on combat, he dished out some counters. He saw an opening, and he thought he had him as Tanek dodged away from one strike, following up with one of his own. His adversary didn't even seem surprised, almost as if he had invited it, intentionally leaving a small opening to test if Tanek would be able to spot it. The counter left the Togruta's arm feel limp, and he was once more pushed back.

It quickly became clear he was outmatched. The Sith seemed to have reached the same conclusion, as Tanek was flung across the room, body crashing into the wall. He was indeed not prepared for the Force Push, and as far as Tanek could remember, this was his first time witnessing it. He was raw, untrained, but with such potential building within him. Tanek staggered to his feet shortly after his introduction to the wall. He'd gotten the breath knocked out of him, and his body felt bruised up. Yet he was not one to lick his wounds and crawl away, even up against someone like this, he would not back down until his body betrayed him. The Togruta was ready to re-engage, but then the other spoke.

By the sound of it, this one had not been impressed in the same way Sage Bane had been. It made sense, however, as up to this point Tanek hadn't shown anything of note, his performance so far found lacking. This angered him. The problem wasn't that he had gotten beat, but the degree to which he had been beaten. The fact that the Sith did not sound impressed glaced over it, adding to the stab at Tanek's pride. He had considered himself a fine warrior. Did he not know what he was talking about after all? "Tanek Santii" he replied with his name, attempting to cover up any trace of fatigue or hurt in his voice. "And what do I call you?" The Sith Knight from before seemed convinced Tanek had it in him to become Sith. He had imparted some knowledge, then he had redirected him here, implying that this one could show him even more truths about the ways of the Sith, and the Dark Side. Suppose that was why he was there; to learn. What use would there be in learning from him if they were of equal skill? He was far better, but Tanek was determined to one day reach the same heights. It was not in him to give up, to surrender. He would succeed or he would not be at all.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"I am known by many names, boy. But you may call me Vornskr."

The Vornskr was a vicious canine beast that hunted it's prey through the Force, so being that this Sith carried it's name in some fashion gave hints as to the deeds hidden beneath. His arms remained crossed, the blackened nails digging slightly into the flesh of his muscular forearms, and his stance was tall, prideful, and commanding. His hair was styled into a short militaristic that was combed back and to the right, his face was somewhat wide with a thick jawline, and his eyes were a brooding emerald that seemed to pierce beyond the veil of the mortal coil and stared directly into the soul. Under such a gaze many found it hard to look the Sith Lord directly in the eyes, let alone keep their composure in the face of scrutinizing interrogation and inspection. Past what bangs had fallen loose from his otherwise composed hair there blazed a Sith rune smack-dab in the center of his forehead, the Dark Mark of the Dark Lord of the Sith that marked him as a true follower of the One Sith.

His arms uncrossed, and he let them hang nonchalantly at his sides, and then took a single step forward towards the bruised and beaten. "I am the Voice of the Dark Lord of the Sith, his chosen champion, and the executioner of his will across the Empire. I oversee many administrative aspects of Imperial life, and am one of the many to charge headfirst into the filed ranks of the enemy, and cut them to ribbons in the name of our Lord. You have been chosen because it was believed you may benefit from my tutelage, but your pride is unfounded. Compared to me you are nothing but a gnat, but soon you will become more powerful than any Jedi, and more powerful than most Sith. I will teach you, but you must be ready to face the crucible of the Dark Side."

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek was not familiar with the Vornskr, and did not make the connection. Looking upon this man, he couldn't help but wonder if he had always been like this. Presumably he wasn't born this big, but was it a result of nature's gift or hard dedication? In comparison to him, the Togruta was a small being, but he came with his own strengths. Ten years from now, how would he look? Who would he be? The man who Tanek now knew as Vornskr bore a lethal stare. The young hunter forced himself to meet his gaze, even as he felt his blood freeze. Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back at you. He felt as if he had been stripped naked and cast out into the cold and lonely depths of space itself. But if he couldn't even look a Sith in the eyes, how could he expect to become one?

The Sith had many titles, each following their own accomplishments, he was sure. The Dark Lord ran the Sith, yes? In that case, this Vornskr sounded like he was close to the Dark Lord himself. It convinced him he had the opportunity to learn straight from the source, from the highest echelons of the Sith hierarchy. If he proved worthy, he would benefit greatly. "Teach me, Vornskr. I am most willing to learn." the proper way to address him would likely have been master, and learn perhaps ought to have been substituted with serve, but Tanek knew not of these things. He was drawn in, tempted by the power within his grasp. Even more powerful than the Jedi, he thought to himself. The Jedi had a reputation for strong warriors. Some had come to Shili once. He didn't know why, but from the very first moment he had carried a strong dislike for them. There was something about the way they carried themselves, superior, as if better than him because of the robes they wore and the lightsaber they carried. Nothing more than a gnat. It wounded, but he knew it to be true. Rather than sulk about it, he would face the reality of his situation, and he'd do something about it. "I will not disappoint you. I will face whatever you tell me to." he said, without really knowing fully what he was signing up for. He did not share the same intimate relationship with the Dark Side as Vornskr did. But he would learn. "What will be my first lesson?" he was eager to learn. He wasn't sure if he was out of his place to ask so, he was not yet familiar with Sith etiquette.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Anyone can say that they are willing to learn, but we will see how far your dedication goes when you are laid bare on the anvil, and at the mercy of my hammer." The Sith Lord crossed the chamber floor to pick up a small brown satchel that was propped up against the wall, and from it's confines he produced a long black zeyd-cloth robe. He flung the cloak over his shoulders, and let it cling to his massive form, and then turned back to the Togruta. "Your first lesson will not be one of skill or physical prowess, that comes later. You are a neophyte, a lesser initiate to the Sith Order. In order to become a true Sith, you must learn our ways, become knowledgeable in our creed, in our history, and in what we strive for." He pulled his cloak forward, allowing it to drape further over his chest and arms, and then he gestured to the gateway leading deeper into the Coruscanti estate.

"Follow me."

Without another word about where they were going, the Sith Lord turned and began to walk with long, purposeful, strides that covered long distances quickly. He left the training room and turned right down the hall, leading his newest pupil deeper and deeper into his lair. Finally they would reach a room resembling a circular spire dominated by a large spiral staircase that jutted up straight through the center of the room, and was surrounded by shelves upon shelves filled with holodiscs, archaic tomes, and various other forms of written and visual information. However; above all those there were several items that stood out as special, and those were the four holocrons resting gently on four pillars situated at the cardinal points of the bottom floor.

"You will spend a week of your time here, learning from my reservoir of knowledge to further your understanding of the Force, the Dark Side, and the Sith." He turned to face the young man, "Do not mistake my words, a Sith is not just about physical superiority, but also superiority of mind, of spirit... Too often there are many who disregard such practices as weak and unnecessary, and they are the rot, the cancer, eating away at the foundation of our order. If I am to train anyone, I will mold them to be a true Sith, not a butcher, but a true warrior."

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Vornskr was reserved, perhaps sceptical, but it was understandable to Tanek. So far he had proved nothing. For all his confidence in him being worthy, he had yet to prove so. However, Tanek's determination was strong as ever, assured that in time, he would prove it to the Sith Lord. Lesser beings might've felt regret or fear as he made the hammer and anvil analogy. The thought of being at the mercy of Vornskr's hammer would surely strike fear into many, for it was a glorious hammer, but all that Tanek could think of was what a perfect blade it would forge. "I understand" he said, wanting to express that he caught the Sith's meaning.

The would-be Sith Acolyte listened to Vornskr's instructions with keen interest, not wanting to miss any words or hidden meanings. It drew a slight smirk from Tanek's grey lips, revealing those sharp teeth of his. This excited him. While a study of Sith history and philosophy might've bored some, it seemed the perfect task to sate Tanek's growing curiosity. He had so many questions, about the Force, about the Sith. Perhaps in the records Vornskr provided him with, he might find answers. Having found the ways of the hunter community on Shili lacking, he was sorely needing a creed, an understanding of what it was he would try to become, and an overarching moral code of conduct, filled with guidelines as to how to best get there. He also wondered how well the ways of the Sith would fit his own world view.

Tanek walked with the Sith, making an effort to walk alongside him, despite Vornskr's more purposeful steps. As they reached their destination, he slowed down, eyes curiously scanning every inch of the room, impressed by all it held. If the Lord permitted him, he would certainly wish to explore the contents of this room as part of his initiation into the Sith Order. His eyes lingered on the holocrons, not familiar with their design or their purpose. Were they simply ornamental, or was there a deeper meaning behind them? "What are those?" he heard himself ask before Vornskr had spoken, eventually managing to take his eyes off them.

Tanek listened once more as the Voice went on about his first assignment. He approved of his reasoning (not that his approval was in any way required) as well as the task. The smirk he had held before transitioned into a wider grin. That he would be allowed free reign in this library for a week excited him, he even felt tempted to ask for an extension. "I accept those terms." he replied. "I wish to become more than a skilled hunter. I wish to become Sith" he added, perhaps redundantly, though he wanted to assure him of his dedication to the cause. It was a cause he did not yet understand or fully comprehend, but even so it was one he had made up his mind to dedicate his life to. A blade without purpose served no function, but to slash blindly at the wind. A blade with one, however, would strike harder and faster than any other, with an unyielding dedication to hit its mark.

He wasn't sure what came next, whether Vornskr would leave him be in this library, or if he had something else in store for him. Perhaps unsurprisingly at this point, Tanek was up to the task, ready for whatever the Sith had planned, as usual having little else in mind than his own improvement. "Where should I start?" he was unsure to what extent the the Sith would guide him, and to what extent he would have to find out for himself.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"That is not a question I am at liberty to answer." The Sith Lord said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, his brows furrowing at the question itself, because he was not here to guide Tanek by the hand, he would have to rely on his own intuition and faith from here on out. The Sith crossed his hands across his chest, and walked to the threshold from which they both entered the chamber, and his form dominated the space between. "Listen to the whispers of the Force, the whispers that tug at your soul with the gentleness of a lover. Hearken to them, and then plunge yourself into the darkness hidden beneath the surface, and give yourself to the Dark Side of the Force. Once you have fully immersed yourself, then the answer you seek will be revealed to you, but only if the darkness finds you worthy enough to bear it's message. Then, and only then, you will know where to start, and what to do."

That was when the Sith Lord left the acolyte to his own devices, deep int he heart of his sanctum, and with a wave of his hand he closed the door behind him. The lights inside the library would dim on the Lord's departure, the artificial lamps set to do so when the door to the library was closed. It added a sense of mood to the entire room, plunging it into perpetual gloom so one may feel better at home when they delve into ancient tomes of Sith from the Age of Antiquity, and plunge into stories of monsters, war, murder, conquest, and other forms of dark tales. The holocrons, when their purpose was finally revealed to the young acolyte, would contained various lessons on the Sith Codes and it's interpretation by the various organizations and orders that had been birthed in the wake of the Exile's discovery of Sith space, but it would all lead up to the current interpretation by the members of the One Sith.

They followed the ancient teachings of the Dark Lord, Darth Krayt, who reformed the Sith Order in secrecy on the tomb world of Korriban in 30 ABY into an organization that emphasized the needs of the Order over the needs of the individual, and explained a vision in where a greater galaxy was born from conquest and death, and ruled collectively by the Sith. It was one that Vornskr believed in whole-heartedly, and constantly worked towards with everything he did, even when teaching a new disciple. The more minds and bodies he could mold to fit the needs of the vision, the closer the Sith would come to overwhelming victory, and then the galaxy will finally be rid of the warring factions that constantly divided it and weakened it, and all would bow to a galactic power so great it would last for over a thousand years.

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

It became clear he would receive no help, but would have to make it on his own. His task seemed all the more taxing. How much time would go wasted? Though suppose, coming from nothing, any information at all would aid him. He knew, deep within that what Vornskr' said was true. It was not his responsibility to guide him every step of the way, it was his own responsibility to learn. Before his thoughts traced much further off, the Lord offered some valuable advice. Give yourself to the Dark Side of the Force. He had only recently become aware of it, at least in its more true sense. How does one go about making oneself appealing to the Force? Tanek was left to ponder this, as the Sith Lord left him.

The door shut and the lights dimmed. His first thought was that it didn't seem ideal for reading, although it did add a certain dramatic effect, making the librarian's quest a daring and momentous one. Perhaps in the silence and the dimmed lights, the whispers would come to him. Or did he have to seek them out? His eyes scanned the shelves, countless holodiscs and tomes.

He felt a tingle, as if a slight pull. When he stopped and focused on it, he realized, it was all around him. Hearken to them, and then plunge yourself into the darkness hidden beneath the surface. Tanek closed his eyes for a moment, trying to focus on what he felt around him, imagining a faint sound and attempted to make it larger. Thinking back on when his powers had manifested, it had usually been when he lost his temper. He tried to awaken similar emotions, reliving past transgressions done to him, reopening his heart to the fire and hatred that he had felt then. And he focused on the air around him, what he believed to be the Force, in an attempt to open himself to it.

He wasn't sure if that in any way influenced his decision, but he pulled a holodisc form one of the shelves, blowing some dust off it. It felt right in his hand, it felt like the right choice. Was it? He didn't know. Regardless, it was here he would start, and he would take it from there. It seemed to contain quite a bit of information as he skimmed through it. Tanek sat down in the staircase, and began reading, his mind becoming like a sponge, ready to suck up any information the disc was willing to give him. "In the last days of the Old Republic, the Sith - followers of the Force's dark side and ancient enemies of the Jedi order - numbered only two: one Master and one apprentice. yet it was not always so. A thousand years before the Republic's collapse and Emperor Palpatine's rise to power, the Sith were legion..." - The Chronicles of Darth Bane.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Tanek started reading from it like he would any other space-book (datapad?). It didn't take him long to get drawn in fully, unable to put it down. This was more than a simple 'book'. It was history that mattered, its importance needing no academic explanation, it was evident. This was knowledge he could use, that would help him grow and understand. It was of immediate importance to his quest. Tanek lost himself in the knowledge, the story, easily forgetting about the basic necessities such as food and water. Rest; that came later.

He plowed through the story of Darth Bane, of Darth Zannah, at a reading pace he did not know he possessed. He followed the line of succession from those two, all the way down through to Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis, followed by Darth Sidious, until the line was cut off with Darth Vader. It was a very fascinating story, one that opened his eyes even more. More than rumours, here were historic sources of specific powers and accomplishments. His view on reality, and of what was possible within it was reframed.

He had lost track of time. There was no light but the artificial in Kaine's tomb of knowledge. Time did not matter. What mattered was that he could not rest, he was not finished. He wanted more, he needed more. Next came the story of Darth Krayt, who had once been a Jedi. Tanek eventually understood that this philosophy represented that of the current Sith Order, and it was an ideology that suited him well. Togruta culture was known for having a strong sense of unity. However, Tanek had never truly felt a part of the community he was born into on Shili. He was beginning to understand, however, that the reason for this was simply that he had been in the wrong community. Thus it was easy for him to accept this philosophy into his view of the Sith. Though believing in unity, he did agree with Darth Bane's accusations of the Dark Brotherhood. The difference seemed clear to Tanek, and the way of the One Sith was something he deemed superior. The Sith had no room for absolute equality, whether faked or not, and Tanek supported an established hierarchy.

The Rule of Two was a fascinating piece of Sith philosophy. While Tanek admired Darth Bane, even viewing the Rule of Two as necessary at the time, he was not blind to its flaws. It worked well when the Sith were the underdogs, but if they ever hoped to rule the galaxy, assume control, they would need more. The fact that so much depended on so few was a scary thought, history clearly having shown the potential damage of Sith being turned to the Jedi. If anything, he saw Darth Plagueis modification of the Rule of Two as a better one, where apprentice and master would eventually grow into being equals, becoming partners. It resembled the makeup of the current Sith Order, as far as he gathered, where different Voices controlled their own sectors, equals, division of labour and responsibility. The one word that came to mind in describing it was effective. Of course, Plagueis had died, much due to a miscalculation about his apprentice, though that did not prove that the idea itself was flawed, Tanek thought.

He wondered if a form of the Rule of Two could exist within the Rule of One, where instead of there only being two Sith at a time, there would be many cells of two. In the end, he discarded this, not being able to make much sense of it. The master-apprentice system itself was sort of a reflection of this idea. However, it wasn't an ideology unique or different enough to be worthy of distinction as a rule of its own. As he had lain the datapads down, reflecting on the knowledge he had gained, he felt his physical body catching up on him. He was feeling tired. Thoughts went back to what he had read about Darth Bane and Darth Plagueis, how the former had rejuvenated his body using the Dark Side and the latter had reached the point where he did not require sleep at all. The young Togruta was impressed.

Tanek sat down on the floor, attempting to meditate. His body weary, exhaustion dawning upon him, it was all he could do not to collapse on the floor and fall into deep sleep. The Acolyte tried to clear his mind, ripping thoughts of rest and sustenance away from his mind. He focused on memories of the past, using them to draw out the emotions of anger and hatred, letting it swell up inside him, using it to help his focus and determination. He tried imagining the hunger fading, his body rejuvenating and removing the feeling of being tired. When nothing happened, he tried to expand his view, trying to feel the Force, asking it to help him. Suspecting his focus was not great enough, not being trained in meditation, he decided to recite the Sith Code, as another means of pushing all other thoughts away, staying focused on his task.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength
Through strength, I gain power
Through power, I gain victory
Through victory, my chains are broken
The Force shall set me free

It dawned on him that he was looking at it from the wrong angle. He wouldn't ask, he would demand. He was Sith, and his mere presence ought to demand obedience and compliance. Slowly, he felt his strength returning to him...

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Most of the night (or was it day again?) had been spent in deep meditation, reflecting upon the vast amount of knowledge he had gained. He was still new to meditating, but his studies had provided him with a few useful tips. Eventually he was starting to get the hang of it. He felt the Dark Side rush through his body, hitting against him like waves upon a rock. Tanek's focus was sharpened, his strength returning to him. He no longer felt fatigued, he only felt the Force.

The following days were spent in similar fashion, going through holodiscs, archaic tomes and various other forms of written and visual information. Anything in the quest to gain knowledge of the Sith and of the Dark Side. His insight into these matters had increased significantly. This was not really a surprise, as his knowledge of this had been very basic prior to his meeting with Sage Bane and Darth Vornskr. While the knowledge satisfied him, his curiosity growing with each thing he read, he was getting more and more eager to start his training, ultimately leading to him stepping into the ranks of the Sith. He longed for the day he no longer would be addressed by his master as neophyte. Yet he acknowledged it was what he was, now more than ever. It was not disheartening at all, quite the opposite. Tanek had viewed himself as strong, and quite skilled. To learn he was anything but, nothing more than a mere insect in comparison to the might of the Sith, was a glorious revelation. Instead of seeing what he wasn't, Tanek saw what he could become. No longer would he crawl across the dirty ground, eyes never looking up. Tanek would learn to fly.

The natural next step was to investigate the peculiar items, the four cubes resting gently on four pillars situated at the cardinal points of the bottom floor. He had not known what they were before, but now, he suspected he knew. They were holocrons. It was something he had come across in his studies. They seemed like sources of great knowledge, but not everyone had access to them. He picked up the first, standing next to it in deep concentration, as he summoned the Dark Side, tuning in on his own unique presence, and extended it, reaching out to envelop the holocron, touching it. It came alive. The following days were spent focusing on these four holocrons, determined to suck out all the knowledge of the Sith they possessed. When he felt tired, he would redo the process he had before, attempting to rejuvenate himself through the Force. His Master had given him a deadline of one week, and Tanek would spend every moment of it expanding his knowledge, honing his skills. Each holocron showed him more about what it meant to be Sith. Hungry for any knowledge at all, he took everything revealed to him to heart, although he permitted himself to view them in light of his own interpretations.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Once Tanek finally stepped out from this den of knowledge, he would do so a changed man. Not only had the way he viewed the Sith changed, as his prejudices were swept aside, but his whole worldview had been altered. The way he viewed other sentient beings, their purpose in life, their ultimate goals, and their relevance compared to him. Social ties and bonds got revaluated, everyone's usefulness reassessed. Did he truly understand what it meant to be Sith? Did he truly comprehend the Dark Side? Maybe. Maybe not. If he didn't, his master was likely to beat it into him.

He understood now, why so many Sith went by the name of Darth. In fact, it wasn't a name, but it was a title. Even more than that, it was a challenge, to bow down or be destroyed. It was a title that demanded respect, and should someone claim it without being ready for it, it demanded their destruction. The Sith Order, past or present, had no room for weakness. The Sith had tested their strength up against each other, honing it in battle and through living in a constant state of conflict, only to unleash their combined force and knowledge upon the Jedi. Tanek would become such a force. Tanek would become a Darth, but only when he was truly ready. Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Today Tanek declared war on all those who stood in his way, who opposed his path to greatness. Bow down or be destroyed.

One holocron had dealt with these matters, the Sith Code, its interpretation and philosophy, as well as what it meant to be Sith, what it meant to be Darth. Others had revealed stories of ancient Sith, secrets he had not found in the records he'd been reading through before. Tales of great powers and abilities, Sith alchemy and sorcery, powers that Tanek hungered for. Power for power's sake, that was the way of the Dark Side. The tales of ancient Sith, like Tulak Hord, Ajunta Pall, Marka Ragnos, Naga Sadow and Freedon Nadd fascinated him greatly. It was more than an interesting story, it was a recipe for power and greatness. In some cases, it was a recipe for fall and destruction, how power and pride could blind. All of these Sith made him want to visit Korriban. It was unlikely that he would find their tombs intact, likely they'd all been robbed by now. But he wondered, did something linger? Was there any chance he could find a holocron? That the spirit of one ancient Sith lived on, and could pass on its knowledge to him? Or would Tanek, like Darth Bane before him, find Korriban to be a dead planet? Regardless, he knew he had to go, at some point.

The week was near its end, though Tanek had lost all track of time. How long had it been? Days? Months? Time and such details became irrelevant when studying the Dark Side. He was feeding his knowledge, preparing his mind for when he'd be unleashed upon the galaxy, reborn. Not as Tanek the hunter, but as a Sith. Through strength, I gain power. He was curious now, how he would view Darth Vornskr in their next meeting. How did he hold up to the standards of the Sith of old, to the philosophy of One Sith? Though only recently introduced to the religion, Tanek was quickly becoming a fanatic. The will of the Sith and the Dark Side came first, and in its service, he would subjugate worlds, throw entire species at his feet. His ambition and sense of purpose got reawakened in the unseen fires of Darth Vornskr's library. Tanek would not be content with simply being Sith. He would be Darth, he would lead, rise through the hierarchy of the Sith, and bring glory to the order. Ambitious and undoubtedly dangerous - it was a path that would have him make a lot of enemies. It was no matter. He would reach his goals or be destroyed. If he truly was Sith, any opposition would not matter. If he fell, then he was not Sith after all, and deserved death. Tanek's philosophy was becoming increasingly absolute. Through victory, my chains are broken.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The week was over and while the apprentice was furthering his knowledge beyond the realms of what he previously perceived, the master had been away on business elsewhere in the Empire. The will of the Dark Lord, and the Dark Side itself, was ever present and demanding and as a Voice he was charged with exerting that will over it's subjects. But now he had returned, his shuttle coming in low above the landing pad that jutted out from the upper reaches of the Coruscant skyscraper, slowing to a steady idle before lowering itself onto the flat surface of the platform. Once landed the forward boarding ramp descended onto the floor and Darth Vornskr emerged from the confines of the ship flanked on either side by two black and crimson Crownguard, their vibropikes held at their sides as the tips pointed straight up towards the sky. The Sith Lord was greeted at the entrance by several of his servants, but he waved them away as he entered his abode and made a straight beeline from the entrance to the arcanum, where by now the apprentice would be finishing his week-long studying period.

Upon reaching the door he waved his two guard away, and then proceeded to open the door with another wave of his hand. The door slide open silently, and Vornskr moved to occupy the door frame with his impressive bulk, staring into the gloom as he eyes instantly adjusted to the change in illumination.

"I sense you have learned much, my apprentice. Regale to me what you have discovered."

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

The week was at an end. He had endured. He had evolved. No longer was he simply the hunter, yet he did not seize to be a predator. The Togruta was well on the way of developing into a beast, so close to being consumed by the Dark Side. If tipped over the edge, would he resurface? Would he conquer the darkness, or find himself devoured by it?

Darth Vornskr would find his apprentice situated in the middle of the room, seated and in deep meditation. He was getting the hang of this now. His dark eyes slowly opened, and he looked up at the beast of a man standing before him. What had he discovered? Where would he begin? He was growing so much more aware, of himself, of his surroundings and of the Force. Yet there was so much he didn't know, didn't master. For a moment he considered throwing himself at the Lord in an attack, to see if he was on his guard. Though the sheer might of his presence, the power resonating heavily from his voice dissuaded any such attempt. It was not the Master that was to be tested, it was the Apprentice. The neophyte.

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion
Through passion, I gain strength
Through strength, I gain power
Through power, I gain victory
Through victory, my chains are broken
The Force shall set me free"

His first words were reciting the Sith Code. Basic, perhaps, but it was upon this, the very core of their belief, that the Sith Order was built. It felt like an appropriate place to start.

"I have discovered what it means to be Sith" he said in the raspy voice of someone who had not tasted water in a while. It was a bold statement, one which the Lord might not be so inclined to accept at face value. But what did it mean to be Sith, if not to be bold, to assert oneself? "I have discovered what it meant to be Sith" this was in reference to the Sith of old. "I have read about the Dark Lords that lay buried on Korriban. Their powers, be that prowess with a sword or sorcery. I have learned about Kaan's failed Dark Brotherhood, and the Great Purge execute by Darth Bane. I have seen the Rule of Two save the Sith, only to grow obsolete, and threaten to destroy the order. From the ashes of a misguided rule, I have seen the rise of One Sith, and the dawn of a new era." this order, he believed, had learned from the mistakes of the past, and was stronger because of it. The best of Rule of Two and Kaan's Brotherhood had merged together, stripping itself of the failings of both, in the attempt to create an order closer to perfection. "I have accessed the holocrons" he continued. Perhaps also basic, though he wanted to show that he had been able to open them, and make them share their knowledge with him. "They have showed me much, of what is possible within the Dark Side. Of what I can become. Of what I will become" he corrected himself. As Vornskr had told him before, words meant nothing if they could not be backed up by action, but his determination was key.

Now it was time for judgement to be passed. Was his master satisfied with what he had learned? Had he not learned enough, or had he learned more than he had expected? Would his training continue, or would he be discarded? Regardless, Tanek could not turn back to his old life now. He knew what was possible now. Above all else, he craved that power, and he would stop at nothing to obtain it.

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

He clasped both of his hands behind his back, and breathed in deeply as Tanek recited the Sith Creed and what knowledge and understanding he had gleamed from the tools Vornskr had laid at his feet to better progress his training. He nodded, it was good. The apprentice was quick to absorb knowledge and understand the important of what he was shown, but there was one thing that Vornskr must inquire to complete this segment of Tanek's training. "You have done well, my apprentice. You know more about our ancient heritage than most who come from the academies... There are some who would wish to ignore the failings of those who came long before our Order, and that is foolish. Learning from the past is the key to prevailing in the future, and I have made sure you know all there is to know about Bane and Kaan." The Sith Lord took a step closer to Tanek, leaving the middle of the doorway to step further into the darkened room.

"But tell me this. Explain the significance of our order, and why we have prevailed where so many before us have failed. We have taken Coruscant, the Jewel of the Galaxy, and smashed the Republic and Jedi armies on the field of battle multiple times. Under the guiding hand of the Dark Lord we have prospered, and we have wiped away the failings of the Old Empire."

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

His Master appeared pleased with his progress. This was good. His comment where he compared him to the Acolytes coming from the academies pleased him in particular. Tanek had received a quick introduction to the Sith from Sage Bane, before he was left at the porch of Darth Vornskr. He hadn't had time to mingle with the apprentices roaming the halls of the many Sith academies, and as such, he was unaware of their abilities, their growth. In short, he wasn't sure what was expected of him, and how he compared to those who had received training far longer than him. To know that at least in one area, he was ahead, pleased him.

"Kaan's Brotherhood made the same mistake, when they neglected the teachings of the ancient Sith." Korriban died on their watch. Tanek was determined not to repeat that mistake. History was important to him. Reject at your own peril.

Yet now came another test. Tanek listened to Vornskr, and took time to think before formulating his reply. What did the Lord want from him? What was the answer he sought? It was a gamble, but Tanek spoke his mind freely, and gave his interpretation of it all.

"The Rule of Two was necessary. It purged the Order from the Brotherhood's weakness, and rebuilt the strength of the Sith. Given the way of the galaxy at the time, the Sith needed to use stealth and manipulation to survive, and gain the upper-hand. They did. However, after the Sith took their rightful place as rulers of an Empire, the rule of Two became a weakness, an obstacle. It was a tradition better suited to an older time, not adapting to the new." Tanek started, giving his thoughts briefly on why the Rule of Two had to be discarded. "Once the Sith were out in the open, the Rule of Two left us exposed. Darth Sidious' failure to see this became his undoing. That is why the One Sith rose, that is why the One Sit is necessary. We are no longer hiding. We are at the heart of the galaxy, conquering worlds and driving our enemies further and further towards the edges of space." he was getting to the core of his argument. "Unlike Kaan, the Dark Lord understands we need an established hierarchy. All Sith serve their purpose, and are given a chance to prove their worth, and grow in service of the Dark Side. Only one can truly be the Dark Lord. Only a few can truly be his Emissaries, the Voices and the Hand. Of the Acolytes there are many, and they are expendable" he said, full aware he was admitting his own insignificance. "Yet even Acolytes hold the potential to grow strong, with the potential to subjugate worlds. The Voices have been given their own Sectors to oversee. This brings focus and improves the effectiveness of our Order, as well as prevent in-fighting over prestige." If a Voice sought to outclass another Voice, all he or she had to do was to lay waste to or conquer his or her sector. "Everything about One Sith ideology promotes Sith growth and expansion. It brings a lethal focus, while maintaining large numbers." Despite numbers, being many, they also left room for individual growth and reward.

Tanek allowed his voice to take a little break, eager to hear his master's thoughts on the matter. What had he missed? Where had he hit the mark, if he even had done so at all?

[member=Darth Vornskr]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Very good, Very good... You have learned quickly, my apprentice." The Sith Lord cooed ever so softly in the gloom, his eyes shining like burning coals as the darkness descended upon his face. "You have learned much about the ways of the Sith, and the ideals of our order. But knowledge cannot be all that you possess, which brings us to the next section of your training. Physical training coupled with thorough study in the ways of battle will make you stronger and smarter than your opponents, and by the birthright of our ancient order you will lead generations of future Sith down the path to ultimate glory, and eventually victory against the Jedi." The darkness seemed to swell with Vornskr's words, as if every breath he exhaled brought forth new evil to stain the air around them, making it thick and greasy with bitterness and ominous doom.

"Come then, apprentice. We shall begin immediately."

[member="Tanek Santii"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Darth Vornskr was pleased. Tanek Santii was pleased. It would appear that he had understood a few things during this week, and that his views on the One Sith corresponded well with those of his master. As always, he listened carefully when the Voice spoke, eager to absorb any knowledge he decided to share. It would appear that he was ready to begin the next phase of his training. "Yes, my master" It would appear the week had taught him a little something about Sith etiquette as well. His cold voice masked his excitement upon hearing those words, easily tempted and drawn in by Vornskr's corrupting darkness. Tanek was eager to begin his training, eager to improve. He had a long way to go if he were to become Sith, but he would build his new life around walking that path.

The Togruta rose to his feet, showing he was ready to follow. Wherever his master led him, he would follow.