A New Path

[Ameli Trahir]

Ameli's fingers travelled across the edges of books and scrolls. She was at the library. Again. Ameli had never been a diligent student. She was used to either picking up things as she went along, or having it simply land straight into her lap. The thought of actually having to work to accomplish her goals was a little bit disgusting. Disgusting, but for the first time it felt worth it. She could see the potential, imagine a future where she wielded the power she sought. Power was like a drug to her, one the Sith had given her a taste of. It was hard to let go.

Ameli had taken several moves with the intended goal being expanding her knowledge and increasing her power. These were moves she could not have imagined doing after having abandoned the Sith Academy of Coruscant in the first place. Yet here she was, willingly seeking out the Sith Academy of Glee Anselm. Ameli had even signed up for several lessons, although she did not view herself as an official student, at least not in any permanent capacity. She was here to get what she wanted, then she was out.

However, as genuine as her interest in sneaking in on various lessons had been, she did have an ulterior motive to coming to exact this place. There was one thing in particular she had been curious to learn about. Alchemy. And the records of the academy on this planet were said to be vast, and contain large amounts of literature on the subject.

The process of gathering information had taken days. She wasn't allowed to take the books and scrolls outside of the library, so she had instead gathered up what she could and created her own little circle. Returning to her own little corner-space with another batch of scrolls, Ameli sat down in the middle of it all. Datapads, flimsiplast, scrolls, books; it was all spread around her in a disorganized fashion. Unwillingly, she became the student who learned through reading and not action. That would come later.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Now that she had successfully gathered what she needed, next came the process of sifting through it all. Having thought the mundane task of collecting scrolls a bore, Ameli found that this would be even more taxing. The more she read, however, the more she got drawn in. The fact that she had sought out this information herself and was motivated by the idea of possessing this knowledge, drove her onwards. New revelations became exciting. Oftentimes she took breaks from her reading, not because she couldn't stand the activity anymore, but to reflect upon what she had just discovered. Her mind drifted to ponder on what kind of creations she could make, and how this would shape her future.

Alchemy encompassed any power or technique which used the Dark Side of the Force to permanently alter an item or living being. The options laid out before her appeared limitless, and she could not wait to test it herself. She tried to suck in what knowledge she could, and make notes of footnotes that could come in handy whenever she started working on creating things of that particular nature herself. Some of the literature she was going through had notes from previous Sith Lords who had read and revised it, and sometimes added to it. On the topic of altering living beings, she saw a note that showed the preference of another. In the opinion of this Sith Lord, using alchemy to later dead creatures was easier because dead cells, unlike living ones, could not resist.

This whole process took her weeks. Most of her waking hours would be spent in the library, digging into scrolls and datapads. It wasn't as if she could go for any refreshing strolls and get some fresh air, in this gloomy underwater academy. Finding herself trapped underneath tons of water, this seemed the most productive time to spend her time. It had not been intentional, but it worked out well. The complete absence of parties, drinking, and other social events, removed what would otherwise have been a great distraction on the young blonde's mind.

By the end of her studies, she would be aware of various manifestations of alchemy, as well as have suggested notes on further reading within specific sub-topics. The mass of information was overwhelming, but she was determined to learn it all. Naturally, this was not something she would accomplish in mere two weeks, but at the very least she would establish a solid foundation from which to work from.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Ameli left the library a new woman. It was as if she had gotten in touch with some inner discipline she had thus far gone without. The only cases in which it seemed to manifest, however, was when she had something to gain. And in this Ameli stood to gain immensely. The entire process had been exhausting, and it was only when she closed the final piece of research material that she discovered how worn out she had been. She had neglected many of her basic needs. Though she hadn't stopped eating, she reckoned she had only eaten half of her usual amount. After the whole ordeal she slept for what felt like half a week. It was likely closer to one or two days.

As eager as Ameli was to get off this planet, she was not ready to leave just yet. On the flip side, she would be able to leave this dark, wretched place of an academy, something which she took as some minor relief. Ameli gathered up her personal effects, and got on a shuttle to take her away. Her next destination became Pieralos, and she had absolutely no intention of behaving or keeping the peace. It was time to experiment.

Theory filled her mind. Her horizons were opened wide to the possibilities, many of which she had never imagined to be even remotely close to possible. Ameli had become aware of the existence of Sith Swords, but little did she know of the weapon's many variation. Some, she discovered, had had its molecular structure altered, making it stronger and sharper, as well well as reverse its magnetic polarity, turning it into a high-temperature superconductor that could deflect blaster bolts and other particle weapons as if magnetically sealed. A Sith Lord by the name of Kaox Krul had combined Sith alchemy and magic to reinforce his battle armour with Dark Side energy, which offered him nominal protection from Jedi attacks by emanating a defensive aura around its wearer.

What caught Ameli's immediate attention were the Sith talismans, the powerful Sith artefacts used to amplify the effects of Sith magic.Partially this was tied in with the simple fact that Ameli liked jewellery. Jewellery that also empowered her in one way or another, was too much of a treat to pass up on. Another big reason was simply that influencing a small ring or necklace seemed more within her range of power. Empowering great armours or forging mighty swords seemed far away from her capabilities. She may be arrogant, but she wasn't blind. Meddling with trinkets seemed a better place to start.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

The journey to Pieralos was long and dull. The view was nice enough, but once you'd seen it one minute, you kind of knew what was in store for the rest of the trip. Water, water, goldfish, and even more water. Big whoop. Ameli's mind drifted away, again embroiled with thoughts of alchemy - it was hard to do anything else after it had occupied her ever waking moment the past weeks.

At some point she had fallen asleep. She must've, for in one moment she had remembered thinking of what she could do to the knife Sena had given her while staring out into the deep blue, and in the next she was being poked by a droid informing her they had arrived and that she needed to get off. Had it been organic, she might've stabbed the thing.

Ameli strolled out into the open. Well, open was a matter of perspective. It was artificial. A hub of society on the bottom of the sea, where no such settlements by right out to be able to survive. Wandering through the streets, she eventually came across something that caught her eyes. A jewellery store. Perfect.

After it was over, Ameli felt like she had been in there five minutes. In truth, she had spent nearly a full hour looking at various rings, necklaces, amulets - the whole lot of it. Though she had spent long, she needed it to be just right. Ultimately, it was the ability that mattered. That was no reason to completely throw away the aesthetic appeal. To be perfect it would have to look perfect. She would not wear some outdated rusty baubles even if it made her the most powerful woman in the galaxy. After all, she had class.

"Great, I'm done. That'll be it. Thanks" she said almost flatly, though the wide smile masked any lack of emotion in her tone. The Nautolan woman smiled, slowly shaking her head. She had not followed the blonde human around for half an hour, giving tips and reference certain items' history for nothing. "I'm happy for you, but you will still need to pay." Ameli, halfway out the door already stopped. Pay. Of course. Ameli had not forgotten, but she was not in the mood to spend any money today. "What are you talking about? I already paid you" she said, waving her hand dismissively as if to underline her point while looking at the Nautolan as if she was growing senile right before her. The woman turned silent for a moment, thoughtful, then embarrassment showed on her face. "Oh.. Of course!"

Ameli's smile before she walked out onto the streets again showed that all was forgiven. The lesson in mind control that Sena had given her before she had left for Glee Anselm was already proving useful. She could get used to this.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Now that she finally had the equipment she needed, Ameli was ready to move on to the next stage. The tension was building. It took ever bit of self-restraint she possessed to keep walking forwards at a normal pace.Moving into a residential area, she picked her target and made her way towards the house.

She could of course have gone back to the academy, but she had no intentions of doing any such thing. This was her own pet project, and she wanted to do it free from rivals or mocking acolytes should she fail. This particular house had been picked because the owners were on vacation. How did she know? She just had her way with these things.

After successfully breaking and entering without incident, she moved towards the living room. She laid out rings and amulents on a table next to her, and from her robes produced a scroll she had smuggled out of the academy. One more reason not to return. Before she was able to start though, she was interrupted by the high-pitched voice of a female Nautolan, walking into the living room. She had some sort household object in her hand, no doubt to be used on this occasion to double as a weapon. Ameli walked over, and in a flash of orange impaled the woman. It was a quick affair. There was no remorse. Like she said, the owners were on vacation.

Ameli's narrative protected, she could finally proceed with the ritual. She would follow the scroll's instructions to the letter. It was by no means a brief endeavour. Likely she would be staying there a while. Hopefully though, she would emerge from the home with a new toy. First she would have to get in the zone. She seated herself comfortably on the floor in the middle of the room.

Like so many times before, Ameli entered into a meditative state. She sought to gain some heightened awareness of herself,while drawing upon the dark side. She felt the power swelling up within her. The room was drenched by the overflowing darkness, consuming it and making it its own. Ameli drew upon memories of abandonment, her early days at the Sith Academy on Coruscant, and that one time someone ruined her new dress literally two minutes after she had acquired it. Suffice to say, she was fuming. The furnace of her mind was in full flame, and the Dark Side empowered her, replenishing her energy reserves and pushing her limits further than their natural capacity.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Ameli embraced the Dark Side, and welcomed the chilling waves as they washed over her. She became the conduit towards which the Force was drawn to. It came out corrupted. Tainted with her own greed and lust for power, she surrounded herself in the heavy heated air now summoned by her will.

It engulfed the ring laid out before her, elevating it to levitate in the air before her. Ameli did not need to see it for herself. Every inch of the ring, every minimal mark made upon it was one she made herself familiar of. Drawing upon the calm hatred now thick in the air, she diverted it all towards the ring. It was an effort to see it absorbed by it, then have it mould it according to its design.

Ameli attempted to assert her will, and impose it upon the creation in front of her, and give it different properties entirely. It would not be a short process, she knew. And so, the blonde kept this up in total silence. The day passed, though she barely took note of it. Her focus and dedication to this task was immense. The ring would obey her, and then it would become a symbol of her power.

There was nothing remarkable about the ring itself. It had a simple design, though it looked pretty enough. The material was of no doubt of the finest quality. Ameli had really got it at a great bargain price. Free. It was practically robbery! It was but one of many she had gotten that day, though out of the group of rings, that was the one that stood out to her later.

Another day would pass, and the strain of the process began to weigh down on Ameli. She had never attempted something like this before. In truth, she did not know how long it would take. Vague references in the literature she had gone through had given her an indication, although given her inexperience, she had no way of knowing how she'd compare. She knew the process could take days. Knowing her required time might be double of that was disheartening at best. But she was past the point of no return now. To surrender here was not an option she entertained. She would return from the planet successful. There simply would be no other acceptable way.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Three days passed, but she was still at it. Thanks to the Dark Side, she replenished her reserves. The whole ordeal made her feel hollow though, like her body had carved out the remaining resources from within her, and now was sustaining itself on darkness alone. To feed upon corruption for survival was surely not the secret to a healthy diet, and it was taking its toll on her mental state.

Was this a project doomed to fail? Was she doing something wrong? These questions swirled in the back of her mind, though she tried to suppress them. Distractions would not do. Ameli didn't even know if she could take a break. Would that undo all the progress she had made? Was it similar to when one made holocrons? Though she did not know how to do so herself exactly, she had read how concentration being broken for but a moment could see the entire process undone. Was Ameli about to be undone?

The slowly rising sense of pessimism surely wasn't helping her efforts in the slightest. She held out for as long as she could, but she simply reached a point where she could hold on no longer. The ring fell to the floor, the landing sounding like the loudest noise she had even heard. It was amplified by the state she was in. In a fit of rage, furniture were flung up into the air, hitting walls as well as roof.

Finally she calmed. When she did, she examined the ring. After all, she was new at this. For all she knew it had been enough. Doubting but hopeful still, slender fingers picked up the ring with care. She looked, both with eyes and the Force. Something was wrong. Though the darkness ever pressing down on her and the room, the ring appeared to have taken none of it to its core. What had she done wrong?

Ameli struggled with the questions of the how and why. What she could not get away from, however, was the simple fact that nothing had happened. All that had changed since Ameli's arrival here was the rearrangement of furniture and the death of an unknown Nautolan woman. Fortunately for her, she was already dead, and could not fall victim to any further outbursts of rage. Indeed, Ameli would have taken it out on her if she could. Instead she was forced to wrestle with the slow realization of her own failure alone.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

After the failed attempt of the day before, Ameli had taken the day off. She needed to recuperate. Her reserves had been exhausted, and all she wanted to do now was rest, eat, and recover. While doing so, her mind had been replaying the process over, and over again, trying to figure out where she had gone wrong. She consulted the scroll, but to no avail.

Memory flashed to one of the many pieces of documents she had examined. Finally, it dawned on her what she had done wrong. Ameli had naively attempted to influence the ring to change its identity. She had inserted herself at the end of the ring's evolution. Simply the power of will had not been enough to bound the object to the Dark Side for a prolonged period of time. Perhaps what she had attempted had been possible by someone powerful enough in the Force, but perhaps not.

What Ameli found herself convinced of now, however, was that she would need to be present from the very start of the ring's creation. A late arrival, telling the object how to behave would not do. She would have to forge itself, and from the very outset of their interaction, force it to bend according to her design. Perhaps the conclusion she had reached was not the correct one, but she was so sure of herself now that not even once did doubt beset her. She had failed before, but she knew what to do now. Her failure had not come due to a weakness or inability within herself, but rather a product of her lacking understanding of the process.

Though the source material was vague on the subject, and seemed to offer different alternatives here and there, another thing Ameli was convinced of was the requirement of blood sacrifice of some kind. Perhaps a small part of her questioned whether it was truly necessary, but it was never voiced and louder than a hushed whisper. Perhaps she was driven by the demons within her, that demanded blood, that demanded the kill. Ameli's second conclusion, moreover than simply reforging the ring in her own image, was that she would need a new sacrifice.

The Nautolan woman would not count a second time, that was a sacrifice spent and gone to waste. Thanks to influences from her new social circle, she had gotten the idea put into her mind that Vahl demanded a suitable sacrifice in return for his blessing. With this in mind, Ameli set out to find just that.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

The Nautolan couple turned around the corner, laughing. They were just about to return home after a most successful date. Tegan had promised to take his wife Kalira out two nights before. Alas, he had forgot to call in and reserve a table for them. Naturally, it was upsetting, as the restaurant was of the fancy kind where one often had to wait months on a reservation. But Kalira forgave him. These things happened.

Having put the matter behind her, she was shocked when Tegan had surprised her with the reservations for tonight. He called in a favour with an old colleague, he said. After overcoming that first obstacle to their plans, everything else had gone swimmingly. The food was good, the company was better.

The hour had gotten later than first intended. It was past the bedtime of their son, Drusos, but neither of them imagined he had gone to bed on his own accord. He was old enough to stay home by himself without the need of a sitter, but he was clearly not old enough to abide by the rules of sleep that governed everyone else. The lights were dimmed, however, so perhaps tonight would be an exception.

When they entered through the main door to their home and softly called out to their son, no reply became. Sleep then. The following silence was broken by a wicked shriek from Kalira as the pair walked into the living room. There on the floor in a pool of his own blood lay their son, Drusos, murdered. Kalira was immediately down by her son's side, lifting his head. She called out to him as if her words could pull him back to the land of the living. She was unsuccessful. His father simply leaned against the doorframe. Mouth agasp, he looked as if he had been frozen in time.

Neither had been aware of the presence of another. The sudden hum of a lightsaber and the orange glow the living room now basked in alerted them to Ameli Trahir. The lightsaber had not been the weapon that ended their son's life, but Ameli figured it would be the best one to get their attention. Tegan, suddenly pulled back from reality, rushed from his position by the entryway to the room and stepped in between his wife and the unknown female.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

Before Tegan could speak, Ameli simply waved her hand dismissively. They probably wanted an explanation. No, scratch that, they probably wanted their son to be alive. Oh well, can't have it all. In lieu of that, Ameli could offer insight into what would happen next.

"Now I imagine there's alot of questions in your mind. Who are you? Why did you do this? Why-" Ameli had started talking, while coming off as smug and a little too pleased with herself over the whole situations. She never got very far, however, as she was interrupted by the desperate shouts of a kneeling ex-mother. "Why?! Why did you do this?! Give me back my son!"

Ameli looked sideways, as if her face had met with a sudden and uncomfortable gust of wind. "Please don't interrupt me. It's really rather rude" Ameli returned sounding peeved, and rightly so! It was after all her show. With her fingers pinching air, the mother suddenly seized her wailing and instead began to gasp for air. Tegan looked upon his wife with desperation before he stepped quickly towards Ameli. He had a will to fight? Good. Sadly for him, he found himself Force choked as well.

"Better" Ameli remarked on the sudden silence. Well, silent, if you didn't count the gurgling sounds of someone struggling to breathe. But as had previously been established, one couldn't always have it all. "As I was saying... I could spend a whole lot of time talking about what I did, but really, I am more interested in telling you what happens next. You two will fight to the death. Only one of you will live." she paused, letting her words sink in. After reading their facial expressions and deciding they had indeed heard her, she let both of them free of her grip.

After dropping to the floor, coughing and gasping for air, Tegan sneered at her. "I would never do that! The only one who will die here is you!" Ameli threw her arms up, as if close to give up on a nagging friend. "Well, technically your son also died. But details" her words only caused the sobbing of Kalira to intensify. This was going to be a long night.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

"It's simple and complicated at the same time. Simple, because you two will fight and one of you will die. Complicated, because the extended family on the losing side will get eradicated." the silence that followed made Ameli wonder if she had been heard or not, but re-reading their facial expressions and exchanged looks, she figured they had heard her just fine.

"You couldn't-" Tegan started, but this time it was Ameli's turn to interrupt him. "Couldn't I? Are you telling me you have no pictures, no info whatsoever in this place that tells me anything about who you're related to? I think you've seen murder doesn't frighten me. And let's not forget I have the Force." she smiled. "I will find other members of your family. And I will kill them." Ameli assured them with such confidence that it removed any hints of doubt. Confidence, and the gentle nudge of the Force, to guide them to the conclusions she wanted them to reach.

Suddenly much more was at stake. It was clear they loved each other and would never have struck against the other. Now though, with the subtle yet intense pressure of the Force influencing their decision-making, and the threat of further killing of their loved ones, the choice was not quite so simple. Tegan had never truly gotten along with his mother-in-law. He would never have dreamed of killing her, but was he willing to sacrifice himself for his loved ones, if it meant she lived, while his own mother, brothers and sisters fell to this madwoman? Of course he could hope she would be caught before it came to that, but she was a Sith. Glee Anselm belonged to the Sith now. Was he willing to risk everything on that chance?

While letting them mull their options over, Ameli tossed them a knife. It was the very same that Sena had given her when they first met. In a way, its meaning today was symbolic to her. In a sense, Sena played a part in this little act despite being half the galaxy away. It looked as if Kalira considered for a moment grabbing the knife and rushing Ameli, but it was hard to ignore the lightsaber she still held firmly in her hand. She knew the reputation the Sith had for swordplay. It was futile. If she failed, not only did she doom herself, but her family. It was all too much to risk on a slim chance.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

The once so happy couple stared nervously at one-another and the knife that lay between them. Though neither wanted to actually kill the other, it was equally hard to doom their families. Kalira's side had never quite approved of her marriage to Tegan. Had they, in some mysterious way been right? For a few seconds both were caught in that moment where neither wanted to be the first to reach for the knife, but neither dared wait and let the other grab it before them. In hindsight, perhaps Ameli should've brought two knives, but she really only carried one on her person.

In a moment of slow realization, as the final inevitable conclusion drew near, the two lovers stared at each other. Tears nearly blocked out their sight, which was just as good, as neither wanted to look at the other in this moment of betrayal. "I love you" said Kalira through sobbing breaths. "I love you too" replied Tegan, equally tearful.

He was the first to reach. Already on his knees he cast himself forwards to grab the knife. When his hand landed, the dagger was not there. Though he had moved first, Kalira was faster. "I'm sorry" she whispered, apologizing about her swiftness. The reply that came was a simple "forgive me", though whether it was intended to his wife or family was up for debate.

Kalira screamed loudly and shut her eyes. Her plan seemed to have been to block both senses, hearing and seeing, and thus distract herself from realizing what she was doing. The dagger dived deep into the flesh of Tegan, digging itself in almost perfectly placed between his shoulder blades. He had never managed to get up again after he threw himself towards the knife. Perhaps after all that had happened, he had lost both will to live and to fight, and he just wanted it all to end. And end it did.

Kalira had not heard the young Sith female approach, but suddenly she was crouched beside her, a comforting hand on the Nautolan's shoulder. For a moment the gentle touched seemed understanding and almost appreciative of what she had done. "I lied" Looking down, Kalira could see Ameli's orange lightsaber that had entered from her back, exit through her stomach. In the next moments they would fade, and die in each other's arms.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

The sacrifice had been made. What Ameli was about to do demanded blood, and blood she had offered plentiful.
With that out of the way, Ameli knelt down beside the trio of corpses. Once more she reached into the depths of her mind and entered into a state of meditation. This time she was determined not to fail.

Out from her pocket the rings and trinkets she had gotten from the jewellery store floated up into the air. They circled above and in front of Ameli, and they were soon joined by the hilt of her lightsaber. With a familiar snap-hiss, it ignited. The living room that had become consumed by darkness no bathed in the dim light of orange.

The blade and the rings danced together, inching closer and closer to each other. It was likely there were tools far better for this, and methods much more efficient, but this was what she had at her disposal. It would do. She could not risk moving to another place. It had to be here.

The process was slow and meticulous, and Ameli approached it with caution. With the help of her weapon, she melted down the rings. Her eyes remained closed for the entirety of it all. This required a precision she could not depend on her senses to grant her. Once satisfied with what she had before her, the material was shaped into an orb.

The lightsaber switched off, and slowly sunk down by the side of her right leg. The silver orb slowly descended, into the open wound through Kalira's stomach. Within her, Ameli would shape it as she saw fit. It would be an object born out of blood and sacrifice.

She absorbed the darkness of the horror that had just transpired. All that had happened had sent an echo into the Force. A child had been sacrificed, husband had turned on wife. The final act was sealed with treachery as Ameli avenged the fallen life partner. The remnants of the act still lingered thick in the air. Ameli drew upon it to fuel the process.

 

[Ameli Trahir]

This time around, Ameli had been there from the start. What the ring had once been was destroyed. From the remnants of that old, insignificant trinket, Ameli was forging something with meaning. Bathed in the blood of Kalira, the orb was slowly taking shape. Soon it was an orb no more, but broke off to take on the shape of a ring. This one, however, looked completely different than what it originally had.

This time around, Ameli's would not be ignored. She imposed her desires upon it, by the power vested in her by the Dark Side and with the blessing of the Goddess of Vahl. Blood had been demanded, and blood was demanded. The sacrifice she had offered, she was sure, would be pleasing.

The ring now floated in the air in front of her. As the blood dripped off it, its clear silver colour shined through. The circle on the inner side was smooth and perfect, but the same could not be said for the outside. It was rugged and almost wavy. It had likely solidified as it was being shaped. The final appearance of the thing was more in thanks to Ameli's lacking experience than it being any clear design from the start. This was after all the first time she had attempted to forge a ring like this. Even so, she was pleased with how it appeared. Unintentional as it was, it looked stylish. And that would be her excuse if anything pointed it out. She had always planned for it to turn out this way, for stylistic purposes.

The insecurities that had beset her after her first failed attempt were nowhere to be found. As the darkness withdrew and Ameli's senses returned with focus, it became clear that the Force would not withdraw from the ring. It had found home within its silver walls, and it intended to linger. The presence was distinctly dark, but it was slowly fading. Fading, not because what power Ameli had established into it was vanishing. Rather, it was doing precisely what it was intended to do; corrupting the perception of it as viewed through the Force. This gift it would also bestow upon Ameli.

Ameli rose to her feet. With a content smirk she allowed the ring to slip onto her finger for the first time. It was a perfect fit. It felt right. The young Sith left the slaughterhouse behind her. She was finished with Glee Anselm.