A Trial of Blood

[Darth Carnifex]

​

Kursid

The sharp silhouette of the Emperor's flagship moored in orbit cast a dark pall over the arid landscape, shrouding a large portion of a mountainous plateau in darkness. A single shuttle descended through the wispy white clouds, coming down upon the portion of the plateau not yet blanketed in darkness and setting down upon its dry surface. Disembarkation ramp descended and with it came a pair of Sith garbed in black cloaks that billowed in the wind, the faint light of a distant start tinkling off of the weapons at their hips.

"This world has long been documented in the annuls of the Sith, forgotten by the rest of the galaxy. In ages past, the Lords of the Sith would come to this world and do battle with the primitive people that inhabit it, honing both their own skill and that of the surviving primitives. I have revived this ancient tradition, and bring you now on the eve of their religious festival."

Out in the distance, they could see the distinct lights of civilization, though their settlements were far less advanced than anything else in the galaxy, and a dull chanting could be heard over the vast waste.

"They will be upon us by nightfall, you will prepare to face them."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

It had been months since the last proper training session between Ryder and Carnifex. While he had been rather busy off leading his armies by the front of the blows, she herself wasn't quite ready for the risk of combat; she was happier improving her intellectual knowledge in vast collections of tombs assigned to her. Not that the girl couldn't fight, she gave the man before her a decent run for his credits if he wasn't fully exerting his potential. However she found no joy in following the armies to slaughter, at least not while she was somewhat vulnerable, and in her words 'squishy'.

As she stepped off the ship in tow with one of the most powerful people these primitives would ever meet, Ryder couldn't help but catch the words "Lords" and "honing their skills". Removing her own hood her now fully brown hair shimmered slightly off the distant light, no longer red and showing of her rebellious self. She had grown much in ways of maturity over the last few months, she no longer had a point to make, and more so simply a position to prove.

"Now, if I heard you correctly you just said this was a training of lords. You do quite remember I am not a lord yet yes?" Her words seethed with dramatic and jokeful sass, looking up to the massive figure. "It would be a shame if I couldn't witness your strategies here, we only learn from the best of us. Please do say you plan on staying?"

Glancing to the distant lights, the girl made check mentally of everything on her belt, the knives, the saber, an emergency holocom that she guaranteed herself was simply for admitting weakness.

"If you don't plan on staying, is this more me proving to myself I can defeat an enemy or more so you watching to see if I survive and how?"

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Of course I shall stay, apprentice. But my presence will not be to aid you in your trial, it will serve as a constant reminder that I will always be watching you."

The Sith Emperor crossed both of his arms over his chest, his face turned towards the fading light in the sky as darkness rapidly encroached upon the land. Distant lights growing brighter as all ambient light from the sky receded and eventually disappeared.

"Soon they will come upon this land, with archaic weapons of a bygone age. Rarely do they bring combustion projectile weapons, their culture has evolved around the use of the blade and the spear. I would take this time to prepare yourself, apprentice. Build what fortifications you desire and lay what traps you may, the tools around you are to be at your disposal. I will observe."

And that is where he would stand, stoic and unmoving as his eyes glared out at the distant horizon. Possessing a stronger clarity than most normal people, the Emperor could see the brutish primitives in their dwellings, making their sacrifices and prayers to profane idols whose names have long since been lost to history. Soon they would gather and approach the hallowed earth that sat beneath the Sith's feet. No doubt they would attempt to assault him, as was their nature, but he would not lift a finger to aid his apprentice.

This was to be her trial, as it had been his over thirty years ago.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

There weren't many words shared after that moment, quickly she began to prepare herself for the onslaught of what likely could be dozens of primitive warriors. Briefly studying her surroundings she began making a plan. These people were probably rather good at tracking, however she didn't have much time to clean up after her movements; she really didn't have time for anything.

In the last moments of silence she figured she would have here, she simply sat on the ground, and began to meditate on the dark side of the force. Focusing all of her hatred and anger to hopefully give her the brute force advantage of this fight. Closing her eyes, she began to focus and listen for the likely approaching footsteps, or the sounds of an ambush.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Once the local star had fully dipped below the distant horizon, and the sounds of the night began to take hold of the air, they emerged from their settlements in organized bands. Each warrior in the individual groups was marked with certain symbols, their bronze skin marked by bright and vibrant pigments derived from plants, clay, and soul, a fine dusting of pulverized bone powder coating that. In their hands they carried clubs embedded with razor-sharp wedges of finely crafted metals, swords sharpened to such an extent that even light contact would draw blood, and elongated eight-foot spears tipped with inlaid jade opulence. Some also carried shields, thickly cut wooden slabs bound together by spiked metal bands.

A procession of torches marked their approach, there was no fear in their steps as they approached the sacred plateau. They had trained for their entire lives to one day partake in this sacred ritual, to fight the gods from beyond the stars of heaven.

The Sith Emperor moved, the first time in almost an hour, and reached out with an intangible grasp to wrench his apprentice's lightsaber from her hip to his hand. In its place, a Force Pike was flung at her feet as she meditated. "It is tradition to use non-lethal methods to subdue your opponents, for there is no truer test of agility, speed, and accuracy. Once you have defeated all but one of these primitives, I will return your Sith weapon to you for the climax of this rite of passage."

Carnifex now stepped back, darkness shrouding his presence from the feeble-minded so that he could observe without interference.

And the throng began to close in.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

As the steps got as close as perhaps ten feet or so, Ryder stood and took hold of the pike. Her mannerisms were calm and collected, her eyes faintly glowing with the energy coursing through her; pure focused hatred and anger took hold, yet were masked under a rather cold looking face. In her mind the only thoughts she could think were about how doomed she was for this fight, the last minute change of weaponry no exactly helping.

You can do this. You have no choice but to do this. Calm. 'Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion I gain strength.'

Gripping the pike tightly her form relaxed as the trees and brush slightly parted, greeted by the warriors she did nothing but stare them down as they neared the end of their approach. Her sulfuric eyes reflected of the faint starlight, she was seen, there was no doubt about that.

'Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory.' Nothing lethal. That rules out most abilities. They are primitives, probably just rely on strength rather than secrecy. Would secrecy fool them? Probably not I'm sure they have hunted sneaky things. I suppose-

Her thoughts were interrupted, however they were surely answered. Without being able to continue the train of thought a warrior made a leap at her holding sword and shield in hand. This man was quickly cut off by her batting them away with the pike and a swift kick to the stomach, however it likely wouldn't be enough to put him out. The fun was just beginning. Hopefully her master enjoyed a show.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

They did not come at her in coordinate waves, nor did they attempt to mob rush her.

Curiously, they instead came at her in ones, twos, and threes, each one seeking to outmatch the Sith in a heroic personal display of strength and skill. To them, this was a ritual of passage, something that was considered holy and sacred among them dating back hundreds or perhaps thousands of years. No armor covered their muscular bodies, only paint, oil, and bone dust. Their weapons, again, were crude but effective, a commendation of their artisan skill in smithing.

But ultimately, such weapons would pale in comparison to the weapon the Sith Emperor had gifted his apprentice.

Those that were beaten back by the apprentice did not attempt to attack again, their shame already apparent to both those in attendance and to the gods that they revered so zealously. But for the Emperor, he paid no attention to how well any of the primitives fought, his attention was solely placed on his apprentice and how she conducted herself when faced with a number of opponents. Her every move, her every attack and the surface emotions that radiated off of her were analyzed as closely as one would analyze action reports during a space battle.

"Good, let your hate flow through you, apprentice. Let it sharpen your every movement." whispered the voice of the Sith Emperor into Vixen's ear, as if he were standing right beside her.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

Her motions weren't full of hate truly as much as they had been full of determination. She couldn't really hate beings that determined their entire lives based on one fight, let alone the fact that all of them were truly pathetic. It was idiotic to base their lives on the pride and result of one fight, especially if it were they wear to wear no armor and use such primitive weapons. The same could be said that they didn't fight as long as possible, they were disgraced with one kick, that had been rather irritating.

It had only been a few times throughout this fighting that she lost slight resolve, her calm melting into a slight bit of worry as she faced few opponents that stood match to her abilities. While her face remained stone cold and neutral all the same. However, she had been training in combat for plenty long enough to pull through on top.

It hadn't been until her last fight that she had a fair challenge, the last warrior shoved forward that tried not for the idiotic and dramatic flair the others had shown. This was a smart woman who dodged and struck away Ryder's blade in smart slaps with her own weapon. A small smirk crept across Vixen's lips as she met the worthy opponent with nothing more than a soft jab to the stomach, then a kick to the chest. As the woman stumbled up and away, Ryder would glance around to see if any had been left to try their pride against her.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

As the primitive woman tumbled back, an invisible Force seized her in its icy grip and levitated her into the air. The Emperor dropped the illusion concealing himself, scattering the wounded with a blast of energy that cleared the plateau for several meters around him and his apprentice. Carnifex walked forward, bringing the woman down to his and Vixen's level as she was unceremoniously deprived of every article of clothing and every weapon she once possessed.

"Come, apprentice. Now we begin the ritual."

His right hand dipped down to his side, plucking his apprentice's lightsaber from where he had clipped it on his belt. He held it out to Vixen, offering it back to her now that the combat portion of her trial had been fulfilled. When she took it, the Emperor would then explain what she was about to do next.

"Activate your weapon and make an incision right beneath the collarbone and down towards her navel, I will perform the extraction."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

Ryder wasn't about to argue with ritual or tradition, it seemed a little disappointing that the best of them were to be the one she carved open like an animal for slaughter; but such was the way of life.

For a moment the now fading eyes of power stared into the woman's, almost through her really. As she activated the lightsaber Vixen made on last final glance and began to make the incision down the front of the sad being before her. A slow breath escaped her as the focus from the fight vanished, her body calming from the energy that once ran through her.

With a final flourish the blade was removed when it would almost be down her midsection. Looking to Carnifex she remained quiet for the first time in a long while, despite the screams of pain that likely filled the area.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor pried open the chest cavity with both hands, widening the horrendous gash that his apprentice had carved in the woman's torso. Blood seeped out from injuries not fully cauterized by her lightsabers, staining the Emperor's gloves a dark crimson as he rifled around for a moment. With deftly clean movements he snapped several of the woman's ribs, tearing them away until the soft organ of her heart was exposed to the open air.

And then he tore it out as one would pluck an apple from a tree.

Offering it up to his apprentice, the Emperor spoke; "Consume it, the dark blood that yet lingers will offer you a vision of your future. I was once where you stood, an apprentice to a being who was greater and stronger than I. I passed these same trials, and you shall as well."

He continued to hold the bloodied organ in his hand until she took it, watching her intently the entire time.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

Vixen glanced over the scene before the two, the night fully coming to a peak as the distant clattering of thrown weaponry filled the sounds of the sky. The many tribesmen around watched as this event occurred; some dared to even try to step forward to stop it though were grabbed by those around them. In these moments, they were powerless. A cry came from the distance as the likely partner of the woman melted slightly; though the most honorable in these fights, she was the one to die.

Pausing for moments, the surrounds noises buzzed in her ears, the silence becoming deafening as her own mind struggled to keep up at that very second. Consume it, the dark blood that yet lingers will offer you a vision of your future. I was once where you stood, an apprentice to a being who was greater and stronger than I. I passed these same trials, and you shall as well.

Looking to Carnifex's hand she saw the heart give its final attempted beat. The woman collapsed in seconds without the support of her organs and the loss of blood, she would bleed out only seconds later. Feeling sick slightly at the thought of consuming the heart, she looked to him, and in that moment he would sense the doubt, the disgust.

"I-..."

Hesitation is death, apprentice. Do so again and I will end you myself. The voice permeated the silence of her mind within seconds.

Something in her head at that moment, something shattered. Whether it was the child's happiness that once haunted her days, or what little innocence was left. It could have been anything, but in that moment, staring over the many broken faces, the woman slain at her feet, or the pulsing heart pressed into her own hand, something broke. What so many had tried to do in the academy once before now happened before his own eyes; taking a shallow breath he'd see what little light remained in her eyes fade, with only quiet words left on her lips.

"Yes, my Lord."

In those following seconds she followed the orders, consuming the heart and the dark blood with it.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Dark energy would flood his apprentice's being, heralding the onset of ominous premonitions.

Distant worlds, foreign people, all consumed by a flame that spread out from the far edge of the galaxy towards the core. Thousands of angular warships filled the emptiness of space across the galaxy, bringing destruction and death wherever they went. Emblazoned on their shadowy hulls was the insignia of a crimson lidless eye wreathed in a fiery sunburst. Her memories might serve her well to recognize the symbol, for she had seen it hanging from banners in the Emperor's own fortress on Bastion.

Another image flashed before her eyes, that of endless ranks of identical men in gleaming white armor marching across plains, wastelands, deserts, and through cities of all architectural shapes and cultures. They too wore the lidless eye on their shoulders, their faces twisted in grim determination as millions fled before them. And where was the apprentice in all of this? Her future balanced on a knife's edge between death and triumph, her position amongst this prophetic horde tenuous and insubstantial; for the future was always shifting in the hands of those who possessed the strength to influence it.

By the time the apprentice was jarred out from her visions, significant time had passed and her skin was slick with sweat. The Emperor, unmoving, had watched over her ever since she took her first bite, and his dark eyes stared down at her still.

"What did you see?"

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

There would be a moment where she'd come to, quickly she flipped herself over and before her stomach had a chance to purge itself.

"The vision offered me nothing-" Ryder wiped her mouth, pulling her hair out of the way looking to the dead woman on the ground as she began picking herself back up. "The trip was pointless. This vision told me anything could happen, yet your armies would be victorious in the end no matter what."

Other than that she was silent, gathering herself for the moments to come, whether it be questioning or simply heading home. All she could wish for at the moment was to be rid of this place and clean herself of the grime.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Is that so?"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow to his apprentice, still recovering on the ground from her prophetic ordeal. "Regardless of what you saw, we are done here. Collect yourself and meet me back on the ship. I have one more thing yet to do."

The Sith Emperor slowly approached the mutilated corpse of the native warrioress, his gaze falling upon her as he stood above the body. Reaching out he breathed a short incantation into the wind, igniting his words into incandescent blue flames that engulfed the body and began to burn away skin, muscle, organs, and finally bone. Only the skull remained, untouched and pristinely cleaned of any fleshy impurities. With a smooth gesture he called the skull up to his outstretched hand, the skull landing deftly in the palm of his glove. As he beheld the bare skull for a moment, dark energies suffused its surface and began to fundamentally alter it until it was an intricate maze of brilliant gold and shining lapis lazuli latticework.

Depositing the gilded skull in one of his satchels, the Emperor finally turned to leave the planet; never to return unless he sired another apprentice.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

Standing up Vixen finally the gazed over the faces now beginning to turn away towards the village. There was nothing left for them to do aside from mourn their champion of sorts. The woman would likely have a memorial, at the very least some time of silence among the village; however whatever would happen later was truly none of her worry. With nothing left to say she began the approach to the ship, already planning on what she was to do after this last piece of the wrong puzzle.

Stepping on board she retrieved her robe before anything else progressed, covering up her form until something more suitable was presented. Once settled Ryder made way down the hall to her Master, who was more than likely displeased with the actions of the day.

Occasionally the girl had wondered what it would have been like if she remained at the academy. Most acolytes that cause trouble face death or a worse punishment. Perhaps she could have made away and done better on her own, though that time was far behind her. There was no doubt in her mind if she even considered truly leaving now she wouldn't make it a foot from the door. Though, having the lesser worries of a smuggler or bounty hunter would have always been nice.

It would be at that moment she entered the room with the far taller man, her eyes peering up to him as she tightened her robe and still held the saber in hand, having no where yet to put it as she lacked most clothing aside from the robe.

"And what is this last step. Hopefully not yet another useless prophecy that contains nothing of my future."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]