Private Atrisian Ghoul

[Darth Bellum]

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SITH ACADEMY, BASTION​

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Bastion... The grand capital of the mighty Sith Empire that stood as the untouchable and immune to any notion of harm from threats beyond their territories. Its cities reached for the sky as imperial architecture dominated the surface of the planet. One building, in particular, stood out amongst the rest; the Sith Academy where those seeking knowledge and training in the Dark Side of the Force came together to learn and train. It served as the foundation for the youth of the Empire.​

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The transport shuttle carrying the Anzati Sith, Kor Vexen accompanied by his second in command and shadow Darth Utoretis sailed through the air. Normally, Vexen refused to set foot on the planet, typically only being present via holograms for any sort of Dark Council meetings, but the recent assembly had made the Anzati feel a change of heart - that and the Sith had sensed an interesting presence in the Force. Vexen had regularly visited such locations, overseeing the training of Acolytes and Knights to gauge the potential of the future Sith, though many failed to live up to his lofty expectations; such a visit while unexpected was not out of the ordinary. ​

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The Dark Councillor responsible for overseeing all military branches and operations remained silent, bathed in a crimson glow as Utoretis stood in absolute silence, their crimson gaze locked on the back of Vexen's head as his hands were held in front of him. The shuttle rumbled as it arrived at the landing pad, the ramp lowering as the Anzati stepped out, closely followed by his shadow as a nervous overseer scrambled to greet him. The young man was fumbling with his words as he was taken off guard by the surprise visit from the Lord General, " L-L-Lord S-s-Sacrorum! It's a plea-. " The Anzati raised a hand to silence the man as he continued to walk his own path, speaking plainly, " Spare me the pleasantries. Your presence is not required, overseer. " The man stepped back hesitantly before nodding, a strained gulp heard as they decided it be best to leave the Anzati alone rather than try to provide a tour or direct them. Vexen moved with purpose, feeling the intriguing presence grow stronger. ​

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Kasa Shii ​

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[Kasa Shii]

A coppery stench pervaded the open air, and lips met with flesh.

The muscles tensed, resisting the maw set upon it.

Teeth ripped through skin, the tongue flickered upon tasting sanguine delight.

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A young acolyte attempted to scream for help, yet no sounds came from his clamped throat. Kasa's teeth sank in deep, she widened her jaw, slowly tearing away a large mass of tissue and part of her victim's neck. Crimson sprayed upon her porcelain face, and her lips quivered with a perverse sense of satisfaction. Her pupils dilated as she began to chew and swallow - relishing in the moment of her first kill in some time. Upon the rest of the acolyte's body were multiple scorch marks and open wounds. Evidence of their utter failure to properly defend themselves as they fell to Kasa's insatiable hunger.

Always hungry. Starving.

The body twitched and convulsed, the life fading from its very bones. Kasa tore free another solid chunk of flesh, growling lightly as she savored the taste. This one fought hard, but was too tender - too fragile to save their own lives. They did not deserve to serve the Force, for it only required those that can carry its burden - its gift of being truly worthy. There was simply no room for mercy.

Kasa stared at her kill, blood covering her face. Her breathing was heavy and slow - the hunger was sated for the time being. She stood over the corpse, admiring her own handiwork.

This was her gift to the galaxy - this was her nature.

She snapped her head around... something was coming...

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

The sounds of heavy metal footsteps would echo, moving at a slow and methodical pace like the ticking of an antique clock. The atmosphere surrounding the Sith Academy was thick with bloodlust, and given how the assembly where the Sith had congregated ended, the wolves among the Sith seemed to be emerging from the shadows to bare their fangs. It was up to Vexen to find them and bring them into the fold and foster a better generation of Sith - those who truly craved power, and would tear anyone who stood in their way apart.​

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The scent of blood filtered through Vexen's helmet, the familiar scent of it drawing a faint smile to his grotesque lips. Perhaps because the Anzati recalled fond memories of his youth or some other nostalgic memory. He could sense the terror, the fear and then nothing - the feeling of insatiable hunger however hung above it all, not unlike the kind Vexen often experienced. It was this very feeling of hunger that drew him closer and closer.​

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The sound of his footsteps would stop as the sound of heavy breathing filled the silent void, the shadow of the large Anzati falling upon Kasa as she whipped around, his silent gaze scrutinizing the young Atrisian Sith before him. Behind him, Utoretis's eyes narrowed as he spotted the cannibalized Acolyte laying in a pool of their own blood and the woman standing in front of it. They appeared to step forward to discipline the repugnant knight, only to be halted by Vexen raising a hand to stop him. ​

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The Lord of Atonement would pause as his gaze turned to Vexen before the Arkanian spoke telepathically in Vexen's mind, keeping his opinion from the Knight in front of the two, " This is unacceptable Sacrorum... Bloodshed at the Academy amongst Sith? At the heart of the Empire no less? " Utoretis conformed more to the ideals of modern Sith, the idea of infighting and killing amongst the Sith was abhorrent to him. Vexen's silence however spoke volumes as Utoretis stepped down, for the time being. Vexen's gaze remained fixated on Kasa, as if expecting her to speak and defend herself on the situation, or to simply see how the Knight before him would react.​

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Kasa Shii ​

 

[Kasa Shii]

A crooked grin cracked along Kasa's lips as her gaze fixated upon a peculiar figure - his stature was monstrous in comparison to the Atrisian's own physical capacity. She didn't pay much attention to the provocateur accompanying him whom seemed intent on striking her down outright, only giving him a once-over glance as the only form of acknowledgement, even if the two figures before her were potentially higher in the chain of command. Her sense of caring did not find itself at odds with a disrespectful demeanor. Kasa never had much use for the niceties of the Sith Empire - their sense of entitlement and focus upon infrastructure meant weakness, and their lack of displaying their worth was insulting.

These were different times now... and Kasa now considered many - if not all of her peers to be on the menu. A smorgasbord of options and prey... delicious prey.

"If you think I fear death or torment, then you are mistaken. This acolyte was going to be a waste anyhow, I'd liken this to me doing the galaxy a favor."

Kasa scoffed. "Waste of flesh, too." Reaching underneath her cloak, she retrieved a matte black helmet that seemed to come alive at her touch. Placing it over her head, the visor flashed with an intense crimson glare before fading into a lighter hue. As she began to speak again, her voice became heavily modulated with an eerie dissonance.

"Now, what do you want?"

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

Silence remained as the Sith Knight spoke, the Anzati scrutinizing everything about the young Atrisian before him. No remorse, no fear, no mercy. Admirable qualities within one so young who would have only been taught the modern teachings of Sith. Yet they held no love or respect for the system as was plainly seen by them slaying one of their less-skilled peers. The Lord of Atonement beside Vexen crossed his arms over his chest as his voice echoed through Kasa's mind, " Petulant child. What you have committed is sin against the Empire and its teachings. You are to be reprimanded at once. "​

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The voice would retreat from Kasa's mind as Vexen's vocoded spoke, " Your name little one. " It was spoken as a demand rather than a question. The statement seemed to draw the disapproval of his companion, glowing eyes glaring and seeming to bore a hole into Vexen's back. There was the sound of moving fabric as the Lord of Atonement sent a powerful Force imbued kick towards Vexen's neck, seeing this as a moment of weakness within the Anzati. Vexen's body would soon twist as he grabbed the leg and turned his body, dragging along his former 'friend' as he sent the old Arkanian flying into the wall as it fractured the duracrete and watched as the body fall to the ground, the man unable to utter any audible sounds. A wheezing voice was heard echoing in the minds of both Kasa and Vexen, " You would betray the very Empire you helped build? Everything we've fought for and built upon with their ideals? "​

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Four hundred and fifty-three fights he had with Utoretis ever since the two met... Four hundred and fifty-three draws because Vexen analyzed the way the man fought and learned. It wasn't until after the battle of Kintan that Vexen's skill and power were evenly matched to the martial prowess of his peer. But Vexen had dealt with someone who fought like Utoretis and learned from that experience. He had adapted and been driven with hunger to be able to defeat the Jedi he had let go during the battle, and the essence of his subordinate would serve to be the stepping stone he needed to continue to adapt. It was merely a matter of time before this day came.​

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Vexen stepped over to his injured companion, his form bending over as he gripped the man by the throat and lifted him off the ground. The force of the impact had shattered several bones inside of his subordinate, ruptured organs as well as a gratuitous amount of internal bleeding. Had his kick landed with full force, Vexen would have lost his head, but the surprise counter had instead put the Arkanian at a surprise disadvantage - it was over in an instant as Vexen spoke, " I would. The Sith as they are now are weak and that is why you have perished... For nothing. " ​

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A sharp crack was heard as Vexen's grip tightened and snapped the Arkanian's neck on the spot, an ephemeral aura seeming to bleed from Utoretis as Vexen used Force Drain to absorb his essence, allowing the Arkanian to live on in his sea of memories. Not a single shred of remorse was felt within the Anzati - he had admired and respected Utoretis' skill and prowess during their tenure together, but it was clear that the old Arkanian would not change with the times. Vexen would turn to Kasa as he tossed the lifeless corpse over to her before speaking, " Death or torment are concepts created by the weak to justify consequences for their actions. To fear them is to fear those who you believe are superior to you. The strong do not fear such trivial things. "​

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Kasa Shii ​

 

[Kasa Shii]

This was not an Empire Kasa helped to construct - neither internally nor for the lapdog nature of some that appeared complacent in the hands of those that would manipulate such behaviors into what they saw fit. Evidence was now clearly displayed before the eyes of the Atrisian of just how far this incarnation of the Sith had fallen. They bent the knee to the idea of unity and falsehood, they bowed their heads to a false god that drew breath only to diminish them further into puppets unable to act upon their own accord. Kasa sneered beneath her visor at the insult of being called a child, in fact, being a child was something the young woman never got to experience.

Her innocence was long dead, anything that made her a person was rotted down to the core. Death followed her like the sickly sweet aroma of putrid flesh, and with it came only decadence. The Atrisian watched as the towering figure brutalized his comrade for what could only be described as disrespect, and only just before she could utter her name in response to the man's demand. A voice invaded Kasa's mind as a dying whimper, a pathetic death-whine only suitable for a lowly animal.

This was not her home. These chains were not hers to be bound to. Kasa belonged to nothing but the Force.

Excitement rushed into Kasa's torso as her heart began to palpitate, the urge to feed swarming inside of her as saliva began to accumulate in her mouth. This man's hunger, his sheer will, was intoxicating. It was something to behold - to be cautious of, as well as potentially challenge at another time. Nothing else - not even the slain acolyte held such a demanding presence.

This could be promising, or utterly detrimental. Perhaps both.

Kasa spoke, her eyes trained upon the fresh corpse thrown to her feet. "My name is Kasa." Said aloud, but monotone. Her head tilted to the side as she paced around the Sith's corpse, trailing her gaze up towards the man questioning her. "And it is for such a reason that I aim to gorge myself on their weak skin and brittle bones. I share nothing with these so called Sith. They do not wish to transcend this complacency."

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

" Kasa... "​

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Vexen spoke her name slowly as if with an exhale. Vexen would slowly step closer over towards the young Atrisian as she began to pace about the corpse of his former second in command. He sensed great potential in the Knight, a nostalgic feeling about her that reminded him of his youth. He'd let her finish her statement as he offered a nod of approval before speaking, " Indeed... You too must feel that the Sith are falling apart... " ​

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Vexen would reach down as he grasped the helmet of his fallen comrade, a quiet hiss heard as it was unlocked before pulling the helmet off to reveal the pale Arkanian beneath. The man's eyes had glazed over with death as his mouth was contorted in a display of pain and suffering with his head cocked at a sickening angle. Vexen would rise as he held the helmet in his hand, staring down at the pitch-black sockets staring blankly back at him. He'd speak further, " Though you should not feed off the weak and sickly that plagues the ranks of the empire; you should gorge yourself on the flesh of those stronger than you. Let their essence elevate you to greater heights. "​

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Vexen's hands would lower as he held the helmet in one hand and gesturing with his free hand as if to allow her to feast on his companion. " Feeding on lowly Acolytes is beneath someone of your stature. You must crave stronger prey if you wish to grow young one. " Vexen seemed to pause as he glanced down at the helmet in one hand before once again speaking, " It appears that I now lack a shadow... Perhaps you would like to take his place, and achieve what he could not... "​

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" Purpose... In this wretched galaxy where the weak run rampant. "​

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Kasa Shii ​

 

[Kasa Shii]

Kasa raised her right hand to the side of her helmet, a sensor activating and raising the visor to fully reveal her face. Her mouth and cheeks still stained by dried blood. She came to a stop, standing directly over the fallen Sith. Dead, cold eyes stared intently at the corpse as Kasa's tongue rolled over her lips. Something inside of her resonated with the words of the man before her - as if he understood what it was to feel this perpetual hunger. The Atrisian did indeed desire stronger prey... and it stood before her waggling its tongue; however, she would entertain this conversation. This man... this fellow Sith was wise, and with such wisdom came opportunity.

This was her chance to finally ascend. To draw closer to the Force, closer than any of the lowly scum that would soon be beneath her feet. "Is it not a wonder how this so-called empire has progressed this far? The acolyte you found me feeding on hardly put up a fight. I saw fear in his eyes - tears streaming down his cheeks. He felt a certain dread that made his demise all the more amusing. Do they truly believe this will be enough?"

Kasa knelt down before the slain Sith. "It is but a farce. Delusion has taken hold like a cancer. They inadvertently cry out for death, and I will oblige such a plea." With that said, the Atrisian dove her face into the neck of the man's companion, sinking her teeth deep within his flesh all the while suckling fresh crimson. The metallic silk slid down her throat with ease as she removed a portion of flesh. Her eyes cast upward in contemplation at the man, considering his offer. Before answering, she ripped free yet another morsel and swallowed it whole.

"Purpose?"

Blood and bits of gore slid down her chin. A wicked grin playing upon her darkened lips. A nonverbal, subtle sign of acceptance.

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen crouched down as he rested his forearms on his bent knees while Kasa tore into and feasted on Utoretis' corpse, still a giant despite having brought himself down to a lower level. Hunger was one of the most ancient and primal of all instincts present in every living creature across the galaxy, and many individuals across the years had embraced it as their source of power. It was an innate quality that made those that embraced it a veritable force of nature. It was only natural that those who recognized it and lived by it stood above all others. Hence why Vexen had resolved to betray the very Empire he had served - for their lack of desire and hunger for greater power, Vexen would raise wolves that would turn and tear the feeble apart.​

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Vexen tilted his head to the side as porcelain teeth stained in crimson blood tore at flesh, tearing swaths away from the corpse as he stared at her. She was young, but it did not take a prodigy to realize that everything around them was a mere illusion of grandeur. He'd nod as he spoke in response to her inquisitive response, raising an armored hand up to her head " Yes... Purpose... " The hand would rest upon her head, almost in a reassuring and comforting manner as Vexen peered into the abyss.​

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Pain...Suffering...Betrayal...Abandonment...These were all emotions he glimpsed briefly as he probed her mind though much of the details were locked away in the deep subconscious, taking only the briefest of moments in real-time. Whether or not Kasa would feel his intrusion mattered not. In some aspects, he shared much in common with the young Atrisian. For a brief moment, he felt compelled to raise the little one to become even stronger and give his extended existence some purpose of its own. A brief break in the gnawing hunger that consumed his existence. Perhaps...​

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Vexen's brief intrusion would break as he lifted his hand from her head as he returned his arm to rest on his bent knees, " You are young and unrefined... I will give you the strength and knowledge to become something greater... Together, we will show the Galaxy what it means to truly despair, and feast upon their fear. "​

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Kasa Shii ​

 

[Kasa Shii]

His words hung in the air as if what he spoke of was nearly a tangible reality, a similar promise compared to what the Jedi Order offered her some time ago - in a different life. Followers of a so-called fairness and truth that would rather leave a young girl to die on her own because they saw something they couldn't quite comprehend, an evil that brewed like boiling tar within the darkest reaches of Kasa's psyche. Evil did not exist; only natural occurrence, an evolution of the senses and mind that transformed Kasa into a being of primal, visceral reality. She embodied what they were too afraid to embrace, and for that they would one day come to repent for their transgressions and incompetence.

The way his hand felt upon her hair, a reassuring notion that this was indeed a path that fit with the shape of her rage and fury - an ever changing constant that snaked and slithered into every dream and sentiment of hers. Kasa felt something akin to a completeness, a finalization borne from the desperation she'd endured until this very moment. But would it last?

What if his words were just as hollow?

As Kasa felt she couldn't continue her feast, she ceased her consumption and stared up at the Sith before her, rising to her feet without a word. A slow, deep nod met with the man's own sentiment. He understood her, accepted her for what she was. This was unlike anything the Atrisian had experienced before. Something akin to happiness swelled within her chest, her eyes watering slightly before turning away.

For the first time in a long time, she felt something real.

She didn't want to be alone anymore.

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen would rise to his full height as the young Atrisian stopped eating, staring down at her as she stood as well with cold indifference as she felt something. His hunger would become hers, and perhaps someday exceed his own. If not, then he would have raised a fine meal for himself once she reached her peak, something the Lord of Assimilation looked forward to. ​

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He had no place for emotions to cloud his judgement or vision. They were mere strings that he can pull to manipulate the young girl how he saw fit. In this galaxy. there are only those who use and those who are used- She would become his tool and serve his cause. ​

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The atmosphere seemed to shift and contort, the very air off to the side of Vexen seeming to bend and warp before tearing into the nothingness of the Netherealm as the amulet at Vexen's side activated, Vexen raising a hand up as the half-eaten corpses of the Acolyte and Utoretis were lifted off the ground like grotesque puppets before being unceremoniously thrown into the void, thus erasing their bodies from existence. The tear in reality would soon contort and twist once more as the gap closed in on itself as if nothing had happened.​

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He took a half step forward, resting a hand on her shoulder as he looked down at her, his vocoded voice speaking, " Come then little one... Seize the future you desire with your own hands, and find your true purpose. " Vexen would lift his hand as it returned to his side, the Anzati walking past her to return to his ship. ​

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He had come to Bastion for what he needed.​

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Kasa Shii ​

 

[Kasa Shii]

To shake hands with the devil was to delude one's self with their own visions of grandeur, blind to the consequences bound to unfurl along the way down into a dark pit from which there was no escape. Kasa did have her own suspicions, but the very notion of someone accepting her was what she ultimately desired within the deeper recesses of her own decrepit heart. A bastardized version of adoption - twisted with malicious intentions festering within both parties; however, Kasa was of a less wise disposition. Emotions ran wild within her, an amalgamation of longing and anguish - hatred and sorrow. But in this moment was a glimmer of beauty, albeit a far cry among what others would consider a touching moment.

She would serve this man - this Sith that she could, for the time being, sympathize with. Together they would devour those that dared to stand in the way of a coming change - both evolution and revolution. This was the way of things, a new horizon where the pompous would learn humiliation and annihilation. With teeth and glaring fiery crimson, a new way of life would be borne from the disfigured carcasses of the Sith Empire.

Kasa gazed upon the man as he spoke, silently listening and resonating with this words. As he walked past her, she began to follow.

Towards destiny, she stepped firmly.

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

The Anzati General continued to walk back towards his ship with his new disciple and shadow in tow. With his business concluded on Bastion, he had matters to handle elsewhere with others who shared his vision and sentiments about the Sith Empire; those who stood up and bared their fangs at an Empire that was greater in size than them. Revolution would make way for evolution, and cycle itself back and forth till the Galaxy had reached its apex.​

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Vexen would pause as their path was blocked by the timid overseer, accompanied by a pair of Sith Knights. The overseer let out a nervous cough as he did his best to straighten his posture and retain an air of authority, something he failed to do in the presence of the Lord of Assimilation as he spoke, " L-L-Lord Sacrorum... By order of the Emperor, you are hereby ordered to stand down and surrender yourself over to the Saariashash... " Vexen remained stoic beneath his helmet silently staring at the overseer and the two Sith behind him. ​

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Vexen raised his hand up towards the overseer, his fingers curled as if wrapped around an invisible object before slowly curling it into a fist. The man before him gasped as he reached for his chest, feeling an iron grip clasping around his heart before crushing it with impunity. The overseer fell forward on his knees before falling flat on his face after his heart exploded. The two Sith would get in a combat stance, one activating a double-bladed lightsaber while the other activated a lightsaber in each hand. Vexen would look down at Kasa before speaking, ​

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" No witnesses... No survivors... "​

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This was an opportunity for Vexen to observe her skills, and for her to prove that she was worthy of the position she had been given.​

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Kasa Shii ​

 

[Kasa Shii]

Kasa watched as the timid, foolish overseer met his fate at the hands of her master. An expression of fear and cowardice forever twisting his face; his service to the Empire was a life of pity granted from those on high, a spineless thing forced to bend a knee, otherwise offering nothing to anyone, nor the galaxy. Her gaze falling upon the two Sith Knights, the Atrisian reached within her cloak, retrieving a peculiar hilt wrapped in a dirty crimson fabric. As they ignited their blades, she would follow suit, exposing a chaotic bastardization that most Sith would likely scoff at. Kasa's own blade hissed and discharged wildly - sparks of dissonant energy striking at her as she tightened her grasp upon the hilt, gritting her teeth behind her helm.

Pain resonated within Kasa, her stance held no notable origin in which to discern whether or not the woman had any formal practice with lightsaber combat. Suddenly she bolted forward, leaping high into the air before crashing down upon the Sith Knight wielding two lightsabers, her weight and strength enhanced through the Force as the Knight buckled upon impact, causing him to stumble and lose his focus. As he attempted to regain his composure, he would witness Kasa already rushing towards him again, but now dropping low to the ground and sweeping his legs out from under him. With her freakishly enhanced capabilities, she would raise her boot heel and send it down upon the Sith's head, crushing it against duracrete.

Kasa's gaze then fell upon the remaining opponent, her frame quivering slightly as the Dark Side ravaged her body. "This Empire will burn... and all of you will scream for mercy. I will feast upon your bones and become your every fear. This is the fate you've chosen, you've all brought this upon yourselves." Kasa would slowly begin pacing around her prey, allowing the unstable arcs of energy from her blade to feed her masochistic method of strengthening herself through the Force. Her target held firm, watching and waiting for the Atrisian to strike.

Darth Bellum

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen stood by and watched as the Atrisian lunged at her prey like a hungry beast, blade drawn as she unleashed her ferocity against them. This was the way of Sith, as much as Vexen did not adhere to its teachings or beliefs as he viewed the Force as a mere tool; unbridled rage and aggression to decimate any foe that was foolish enough to stand between them and their goals. Stagnation was weakness, and that was all the Anzati saw within the Empire.​

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While Kasa was busy painting the floor with the blood of the foolish Sith Knights that crossed their paths Vexen's comm would begin to beep as he started to receive a transmission over an encrypted channel. Vexen would extend his hand out as a small holographic image of his naval counterpart, Vice Admiral Koruuna appeared on his palm with his hands crossed behind his back, a smirk on his face as he spoke, " It seems you've gotten yourself into quite a fine mess this time sir... " He paused as his smug expression soon transitioned into a serious one, " There are orders within the battlenet for your arrest...And termination should you resist. That being said... Gehenna stands with you. I have fought alongside you for far too long to wish to be against you sir. What are your orders? " ​

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Vexen stared down at the miniature figure of his subordinate as he gave a subtle nod, " Ready the fleet and prepare for our departure from the system. Those who remain loyal to me within the fourth field army and beyond are to rendezvous outside of the Sith Empire's reach. We will carve our own future that the Emperor has seen fit to rob us of... " The Vice Admiral would offer a nod before offering a salute, Vexen's fingers curling into a fist as the transmission was terminated.​

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His gaze would return to Kasa as she locked blades with the remaining Sith Knight. Vexen raised a hand, a finger extending out as an unseen hand reached out to pry one of the sabers from the cold dead hands of the Knight that had their skull stomped in, a crimson blade igniting as Vexen made a horizontal swiping motion with his finger. The lightsaber would spin as it slashed at the knight's heel to give Kasa an opportunity to overwhelm her opponent. Pain and suffering were excellent multipliers for one's strength, something Vexen had taken into consideration upon seeing how Kasa fought, as brief as it may have been. Few things remained a mystery to Vexen once under his scrutiny.​

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Kasa Shii ​