Private Beyond the Event Horizon: The Paradox of Light and Dark

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex


Where darkness sleeps and shadows creep,
In realms where ancient secrets keep,
A whisper soft, a hidden sigh,
Beneath the moon's pale, watchful eye.

In caverns deep, where silence reigns,
And time flows through forgotten veins,
The echoes of a bygone age
Are etched upon a spectral page.

Among the stars, in night's embrace,
A dance of shadows leaves no trace,
Yet in the heart of stillness lies
A spark that in the darkness flies.

So tread with care, where shadows weave,
For in their depths, the dreams they leave,
And find within the night's domain
The truth that light cannot explain.​

Following the events on Jutrand, Valor was given a task in which Braze was in charge of him. Not something he was even remotely thrilled about. He had spent enough time practicing calligraphy in dull rooms and making enough tea that the scent lingered on him even after showering. The idea of getting some 'fresh air' was at least stimulating enough to get him to begrudgingly agree to this caper. Learning humility and teamwork wasn't high on his priorities, but the adults didn't need to know this.

Besides, what harm could Braze be? Valor caught an inkling that something was wrong, something like Braze's little flame of power was flickering out. This uneasy feeling lingered whne he regarded Braze, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the adventure ahead.

He had boarded the Ashwing with Braze to go out on a patrol, but Braze had other ideas of seeing if a peculiar location existed. He had read about it in some old, nearly forgotten book he had found when the temple was making a move of their library.

As the ship approaches the Maw, the view from the cockpit is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The inky darkness of space is punctuated by the swirling, menacing presence of two massive black holes. Their immense gravitational pull distorts the very fabric of space around them, creating a surreal, warping effect against the back drop of the twinkling skies of endless space. They were so close to one another that navigation would be a nearly impossible task.

Braze hands steady but heart racing, takes a deep breath. This is the point of no return. The ship's sensors scream in protest, alerting to the extreme gravitational forces at play up ahead. The viewport displays a narrow corridor of relatively stable space, the "eye of the needle," lying between the two voracious cosmic giants.

"There it is... It... it does exist," Braze said, slowing the starfighter to a crawl, watching the area up ahead in the distance. The view was mesmerizing and terrifying. He was keeping far enough away to stay well out of the danger zone of the black holes, but the gravitational pull could still be felt, a subtle yet persistent tug drawing them closer.

Valor shifted in the back seat and squinted into the darkness of space ahead of them, marveling at the bright colors of gas swirling around each other. The sight was both beautiful and haunting, the gas clouds glowing with iridescent hues as they danced around the black holes.

"That's uh... terrifying," he offered, his voice barely above a whisper, his usual bravado stripped away by the cosmic spectacle.

"Yeah..." Braze said, his voice fading with a sense of awe. He was transfixed, eyes wide with fascination.

"The window of entry is very small... too close and you might get pulled into either one," Braze explained, his voice trailing off as he calculated their approach. The starfighter's sensors were buzzing with warnings, the display showing the gravitational fields in a complex, shifting pattern.

Valor shifted uneasily. "Yeah, no we're not doing that, that's insane."

Braze glanced back at him, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I mean we could get perilously close and theoretically... get slingshot-ed back out," Braze said with a little edge of mirth in his voice that made Valor's blood run cold. The thought of navigating such a dangerous maneuver was enough to make his heart sink.

"Oh no... no no no no. We are NOT doing that. You're not doing that!" Valor sounded panicked, his voice rising in pitch. He could already feel the pull of the black holes, the slight but unmistakable drag that hinted at the immense forces at play.

"You're forgetting who's in the pilot seat... what was it you said to me about walking on water? Did you need me to hold your hand Valor?" Braze asked with a devious little glint in his tone as he started to engage various systems, getting ready to make the plunge. Valor's panic rose as he saw the controls light up, the ship beginning to respond to Braze's commands.

The Ashwing's engines roared to life, and Braze's hands moved deftly over the controls, adjusting their trajectory with precision. The ship shuddered slightly as it approached the critical point, the gravitational forces increasing with every passing second. Valor's knuckles were white as he gripped his seat, his eyes wide with fear.

"Braze, this is crazy! We could get killed!" Valor shouted, but Braze's focus was on the task ahead. He had a determined look in his pale jade green eyes, a blend of confidence and curiosity that Valor had never seen.

"Trust me, Valor. I've got this," Braze said calmly.The starfighter edged closer to the narrow corridor between the black holes, the swirling gases creating a mesmerizing but deadly tunnel.

As they neared the entrance, the ship's hull creaked under the immense gravitational forces. Valor could see the readouts on the control panel, flashing warnings about the increasing stress. His heart pounded in his chest, the fear almost paralyzing as he gripped the bracing handles with a white nuckled grip.

With a deft flick of the controls, Braze adjusted their course, and the Ashwing slipped into the narrow corridor. The swirling gases and gravitational anomalies created a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes outside the cockpit, a surreal and deadly dance. Valor's breath caught in his throat as they plunged deeper into the passage. The small star-ship entered a spinning maneuver, twirling in to a cone as the reached max speed.

Time seemed to stretch as they navigated the perilous path, every second feeling like an eternity. Valor could feel the ship being tugged and twisted by the immense gravitational forces, but Braze's skillful piloting kept them on course. The Ashwing's engines roared as they fought against the pull, the ship vibrating with the strain.

"Hold on, we're almost through," Braze said, his voice calm and steady despite the chaos that shook the small star fighter. His hands moved with practiced precision, making constant adjustments to keep them on the narrow path.


With a final, powerful burst of speed, the Ashwing broke free from the corridor's grasp. The ship rocketed out into the open expanse of space, the gravitational forces releasing their hold. The violent spinning ceased, and the vessel stabilized, gliding smoothly through the darkness, the black holes receding behind them. As the Ashwing stabilized, and the alarms quieted down. Valor let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his body trembling with a mix of relief and adrenaline. Braze glanced back at him, a triumphant, and smug, smile on his face.

"See? Easy." Braze said, his voice filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Valor shook his head, still trying to process what had just happened. "You're insane, Braze. Completely insane," he muttered, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice.

The view ahead was breathtaking. Against the backdrop of a dark black and blue star field, a massive derelict ship loomed. It floated silently, an ancient and imposing silhouette against the starry canvas. The ship's hull was scarred and pockmarked, evidence of countless battles and the passage of time. Fractured sections glowed faintly with the eerie light escaping from within.

Gas clouds, remnants of the hazardous corridor, still swirled around the derelict ship, casting an otherworldly glow. The debris field surrounding it sparkled with fragments of metal and remnants of smaller vessels, creating a hauntingly beautiful yet ominous scene.

"There it is," Braze said, his voice filled with awe "The ship."

Valor, finally catching his breath, stared at the massive vessel ahead. "That's... incredible," he whispered, a touch of fear and wonder in his voice.

Braze guided the Ashwing closer, navigating through the debris with expert precision. As they approached a large breach in the hull, the true scale of the derelict became apparent. It was a relic from a bygone era, its design archaic. Who knew what lost knowledge and power it once held.

"We're here," Braze chirped, "Let's uncover its secrets."

The Ashwing docked with the derelict ship, its magnetic landing gear clicking into place and securing the vessel with a firm grip. The interior lights of the Ashwing dimmed, and Braze and Valor donned their helmets, the seals hissing as they locked into place. The hatch opened with a resounding clank, the sound reverberating through the silent void. Braze and Valor stood at the top of the ramp, their breaths visible in the cold air of the ancient ship. They exchanged a look before stepping onto the derelict, ready to face whatever awaited them within its dark and mysterious depths.

Braze led the way, his steps cautious but confident. They found an entrance through a maintenance hatch, its rusted edges creaking as they forced it open. As they stepped inside, the ship seemed to stir, flickering to life. The remnants of its backup reserves powered on, the dim lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. The sound of atmospheric pressure equalizing echoed through the corridor as the ship resealed behind them, the hiss of air adding to the unsettling ambiance.

Valor glanced left and right down the hallways, taking in the ship's ancient architecture. The walls were adorned with faded symbols and worn-out panels, hinting to its long-forgotten past. "What are we here for anyway?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled by the helmet. He turned on a torch, its beam cutting through the darkness, revealing more of the ship's dilapidated interior. The flickering light cast long shadows, and Valor couldn't shake the creepy feeling crawling up the back of his neck. Abandoned places like this always made him wonder if they were truly deserted or if some unknown terror lurked in the shadows.

"It's a crystal... You have to feel it out in the Force... It might reach out to you," Braze replied, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "I... I'm not so sure I can do it right... You're going to have to try."

Valor frowned, his snowy white brows furrowing. "That doesn't sound like very helpful advice," he huffed. Although he appeared slightly older than Braze, he was, in truth, younger. Created and trained in a lab, Valor had been given accelerated growth, and he knew very little about the world outside that sterile environment. This was all foreign territory for the teen, and the uncertainty gnawed at him.

As they moved deeper into the ship, they came across a series of eerie and unsettling sights. The first was a room filled with decayed equipment, the remnants of long-abandoned experiments. Broken glass containers littered the floor, their contents long since evaporated, leaving only dark stains behind. The air was thick with the smell of chemicals and decay, and the faint hum of ancient machinery struggling to function added to the eerie atmosphere.

"What kind of place was this?" Valor muttered, his torch illuminating the twisted remains of what might have been a laboratory. "This doesn't look like a ship where you'd find a crystal."

"Maybe it was a research vessel," Braze suggested, though his tone lacked confidence. "We need to keep moving."

In another corridor, they found strange markings on the walls, written in a language neither of them could understand. The symbols were jagged and chaotic, almost as if they had been carved in a fit of madness. Some were smeared with a dark substance that looked disturbingly like dried blood.

"Great, now we have creepy writing on the walls," Valor grumbled, eyeing the symbols warily. "Any idea what it says?"

Braze shook his head, his expression grim. "No, but it's not a good sign. We should be careful."

As they continued, they encountered more unsettling signs. Doors that had been forcibly ripped open, their edges twisted and torn. Rooms filled with old, decayed bodies, their skeletal remains still wearing the remnants of uniforms. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional creak and groan of the ship settling.

"This place gives me the creeps," Valor admitted, shivering despite the environmental suit. "Why did we have to come here, anyway? Couldn't we just, I don't know, go to a nice, quiet planet?"

"Because we need that crystal," Braze replied, though he didn't sound entirely convinced himself. "Just keep your eyes open and stay close."

They entered a large chamber, its walls adorned with more of the strange symbols. In the center of the room was a large, empty pedestal, as if something important had once rested there. Surrounding the pedestal were the remains of what looked like a battle—blaster scorch marks, broken weapons, and more skeletal remains.

Valor approached the pedestal, his torch casting long shadows on the walls. "What do you think happened here?" he asked, his voice echoing in the empty chamber.

"Whatever it was, it wasn't good," Braze replied, examining the scorch marks. "Let's keep moving. We need to find that crystal before something else finds us."

As they turned to leave the chamber, Valor noticed something scrawled on the far wall. It was written in the same jagged script, but this time, there was a crude drawing alongside it—a figure standing over a crystal, surrounded by dark, swirling shapes.

"Hey, Braze, look at this," Valor called out, pointing to the wall.

Braze joined him, his eyes narrowing as he examined the drawing. "It looks like a warning," he said quietly. "We need to be careful. What we're looking for, it's not going to be easy to find."

"Wait.... There's something here in Basic. " Valor stated

"The Light is lost. The Dark whispers. Seek, but beware. The worthy will see. The unprepared will fall."

Braze and Valor continued to stare at the eerie message, the weight of the words sinking in. The drawing of the figure over the crystal, surrounded by dark, swirling shapes, seemed even more ominous now.

"Great, just what we needed." Valor muttered, his sarcasm barely masking his unease.

Braze traced the symbols with his gloved hand, his brow furrowed in thought. "The Dark whispers. Seek, but beware," he repeated softly. "It means we need to be cautious. The Force can be a guide, but it can also be a trap."

Valor shook his head. "And how exactly are we supposed to tell the difference? This place is already a nightmare, and now we have to worry about whispers and shadows?"

Braze turned to him, his expression serious. "We stick together and trust our instincts. The Force led us here for a reason. We just have to be careful and not let the darkness overwhelm us. There might be other artifacts aboard this ship if it really was a research ship... that INCLUDES dark sider stuff. "

Valor sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Fine, but if we get out of here alive, you're explaining to the council why we decided to play treasure hunters in a haunted ship."

Braze managed a small smile. "Deal. Now, let's keep moving. We still have a crystal to find."

The ship's dark corridors seemed to close in around them, the flickering lights casting long, unsettling shadows...

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"The signal was detected five cycles ago."

The holographic display was enlarged, astrographical data spilling across multiple viewscreens as a section of the galaxy was enlarged to show a twisted cluster of black holes and debris. For several rotations, finely-tuned sensor nodes had been seeded in the more stable sectors around the black holes, waiting and scanning local space for anomalies and disturbances. Being so close to so many black holes, the nodes were programmed to brute-force analyze vast quantities of information determined to be typical of the erstwhile chaotic environment.

A ship passing close enough to one of the hidden nodes, however, was enough to activate certain protocols within the machinery. What was essentially an alarm began to sound silently across the endless expanse of space, picked up by equally sensitive instruments half a galaxy away. The technicians who received the signal passed it through several laborious tests before coming to the conclusion that the information was genuine, thereby allowing them to inform their superior.

Said superior watched the technicians carefully, His eyes smoldering with the ever-present threat of violence. At any moment He could reach with His hand to extinguish their lives, something He could do with a whisper just as easily as a gesture. But, fortunately for them, they were spared of such an ignoble fate. Their Lord rose, towering over them with His cloak of black scales, His shadow engulfing them as He approached the display. Reaching out, He touched a pair of black holes so near one another they were almost combining into one.

"Prepare a team, we leave immediately."

​

Sometime later, a ship slipped out of hyperspace amidst the chaos of the Maw. It was spindly, virtually skeletal, with large solar sails unfurled along it's prow and lateral wings. These quickly furled back into the ship itself, the twisted raptors talon surging ahead as powerful ion engines burned bright purple against the endless dark. All along the ship's hull were runic symbols ornately shaped into the metal itself, as beautiful as they were grotesque; a ship crafted just as much by magic as it was technology.

Ahead, the twin black holes loomed large. Between them was a narrow strip of space, seemingly impossible to navigate. But the data did not lie, a ship had come through this way. It's destruction was not confirmed, and the Lord of the vessel did not believe it had been lost. As His eyes stared out towards the eye of the needle, He knew that they had slipped through the gap and made it to the other side. They had to have been quite skilled.

But He did not intend to make the crossing through skill alone, but through the power of the Dark Side of the Force. The ship beneath His feet was not just driven by complex machinery and powerful computers, but by sorcery dredged from the darkest recesses of antiquity. Below, a dozen astral navigators were hooked together by cable and wire, their eyes replaced with spherical orbs writ with an ancient language. Without mouths they communed as one, driving the ship forward through the blackness.

They need not cross the narrow gap, but bypass it completely. As one, the navigators arched their backs as space folded in on itself, catapulting the ship forward instantaneously. One second they had been on one side of the gap, now they were on the other. Before them lay their prize, an ancient vessel wreathed in nebulous smog. The crooked ship sailed up alongside the derelict, attaching itself to the hull with magnetic harpoons and drawing itself close.

Plasma-cutters seared through the ancient metal, carving out an opening wide enough for a docking umbilical to connect. The umbilical fastened itself to the newly made opening, vacuum sealing its edges and pumping in fresh, recycled air. The first creatures to emerge from the newly arrived ship were various analysts and researchers, those whose skill lay in determining the archaic and esoteric. Behind them loomed the great shadow of their nefarious Lord, His imperious gaze watching them as they marshaled forward into the unknown.

Whatever secrets lay hidden within this ancient vessel would soon belong to Darth Carnifex, Dark Lord of the Sith.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

​

Braze and Valor moved cautiously through the derelict ship, the eerie silence and occasional creak of metal keeping them on edge. Room after room, they found little of interest until they reached a heavily secured door. Valor's intuition told him they had found something significant.

"Let's try here," Valor said, pointing to the door. He waved his hand over it, and with a hiss, the door to the captain's quarters slid open. The room was dimly lit as lights flickered on, the air thick with the scent of dust and decay. Personal belongings were scattered across the floor, and a skeletal body lay huddled on the bed to the right. A large desk dominated the center of the room, and on it, an old datapad lay, partially buried under a pile of ancient papers.

Braze picked up the datapad, brushing off the dust. "Let's see what secrets this old diary holds," he said, activating the device. The screen flickered to life, displaying a series of log entries. "This looks like the ship's log," Braze commented, paging through it. "The name of this ship is 'The Ghost of the Stars,'" he said softly. "Ah... I found the last few entries..." Braze trailed off.

Valor stepped away from the skeleton he was examining and moved to Braze's side.

"Yeah? What do they say?" Valor asked, peering over Braze's shoulder.

"I'll pick out a few to read. I want to know why they were out here," Braze said, paging through the datapad.

Entry 545 - Chief Engineer

"The gravitational anomalies are wreaking havoc on our systems. The engines are failing, and life support is unstable. We're running out of options and supplies. Morale is low, and tensions are high. If we don't find a solution soon, we'll be lost forever in this abyss."

Valor frowned at that.

Entry 552 - Captain

"Desperation has taken root among the crew. Fights have broken out over rations, and some have resorted to desperate measures. Our mission to find the crystal seems like a cruel joke now. I fear we're past the point of no return."

Entry 560 - Science Officer

"We've detected a faint energy signature that could be the crystal we were sent to find. However, the crew's deteriorating mental state makes any organized effort to retrieve it nearly impossible. The black holes' gravitational forces continue to distort our instruments and our minds."

"Wait, so is it even on this ship?" Valor asked.

Braze shrugged with a frown. "I'm not sure. It seems like they were after the same thing we're looking for, though. It looks like The Ghost of the Stars was once an exploration vessel launched by the Eriaduan Exploratory Corps. Judging by the logs, it was tasked with charting uncharted regions of the galaxy, including hazardous areas near black holes."

Entry 566 - Security Officer

"Security breach in sector 7. Several crew members have attempted to seize control of the ship, believing they can pilot us out of here. I had to lock down multiple sections to maintain order. The situation is becoming dire."

Valor scanned the entry, his expression turning grim. "Looks like the crew turned on each other. Desperation does terrible things."

Braze nodded, continuing to scroll through the logs. "Let's see what else we can find. Maybe there's more about this crystal."

Entry 570 - Unknown Crew Member

"This will be my last entry. The ship is falling apart, and so are we. I can hear the whispers of the void, calling us to join it. To whoever finds this: we were once explorers, but now, we are merely echoes in the dark."

Entry 572 - Unknown Crew Member

"There are sounds now, in the darkness. At first, I thought it was just the ship settling, but it's more than that. Whispers and footsteps echo through the corridors, but no one else is supposed to be here. We're not alone."

Valor's eyes widened. "Whispers and footsteps? Do you think it's still here?"

Braze shook his head, trying to stay calm. "Unlikely. But we should stay alert. Something definitely happened here."

Entry 573 - Unknown Crew Member

"Another one of us is missing. First it was Engineer Varis, now Lieutenant Voss. They vanish without a trace, leaving behind only their screams in the night. I can feel eyes watching us from the shadows. Something is hunting us."

Valor shivered. "People went missing. Do you think it was the same thing we're after?"

Braze looked thoughtful. "Maybe. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Whatever it was, it's a warning for us."

Entry 574 - Unknown Crew Member

"I saw it today. A fleeting glimpse of a figure, tall and cloaked in shadows, slipping through the bulkheads as if they weren't there. The temperature dropped, and the air felt heavy. Whatever it is, it's not human. It's not of this world."

Valor frowned. "A figure slipping through bulkheads? Sounds like ghost stories."

Entry 576 - Unknown Crew Member

"The lights flicker more frequently now, and every time they do, we lose someone. We're running out of places to hide. It's like the ship itself is conspiring against us, guiding this thing to us. We are being hunted in our own sanctuary."

Braze trailed off with a frown. He took a steadying breath before continuing to read.

Entry 577 - Unknown Crew Member

"I can hear it breathing, a raspy, unnatural sound that fills the air with dread. It whispers in a language I can't understand, but the malice is clear. It feeds on our fear, growing stronger with each passing moment. Our fate was sealed the moment it came aboard."

Entry 578 - Unknown Crew Member

"I am the last one left. The others have all fallen, taken by the shadow. I write this with trembling hands, knowing it's only a matter of time before it finds me too. To whoever finds this: beware the darkness. It's alive, and it's coming for you next."

The moment of silence between Braze and Valor stretched into an eternity, turquoise blue eyes meeting jade green, each reflecting the tension and unease of the other. The oppressive quiet was shattered by a sudden, resonant sound—something latching onto the vessel, the impact reverberating through the metal corridors.

Both boys startled. Valor's instincts took over as he drew his blade, the orange crackling saber sparking to life and flooding the room with an intense, flickering light. Shadows danced wildly on the walls, amplifying the sense of imminent danger.

Braze remained still, his senses extending outward. He felt it—a vaguely familiar presence creeping into the periphery of his awareness. More noises followed, a cacophony of metal and pressure. The realization hit him like a cold wave: something was boarding the vessel, and it wasn't friendly.

A sense of dread tightened in his chest. He stood abruptly, moving to grab Valor by the wrist. "We need to go," he said, his voice low but urgent. The gravity of his tone left no room for argument.

Braze pulled Valor, and they sprinted back toward the way they had come, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

Valor, less experienced in worldly dangers, followed closely behind, his voice tinged with fear. "What was that sound? Do you think it's still here?"

Braze shook his head, his expression grim. "No, something worse is here."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Technicians with scanners preceded the shadow, finely tuned antennae waving over every centimeter of wall and floor. Even from a cursory glance they could tell the ship was older than living memory, segregated from the rest of the galaxy by the gravitational forces of the Maw. That it had managed to survive more or less intact for untold centuries was nothing shorty of miraculous, though the Dark Lord would scoff at the very notion. Nothing happened by accident, the ship remained as it was because it had yet to serve a purpose.

One that may yet be fulfilled by His coming. Or, perhaps, the coming of another.

The shadow continued through the dilapidated halls, always following in the wake of technicians and analysts committed to studying every minute detail. Most was useless, corroded from years of disuse or intentionally broken by hands long since committed to eternity. Beams of light surged through each darkened room, casting illumination on what had been lost to darkness centuries earlier. Some rooms still possessed functioning lightning systems, but more often than not each room was powerless and abandoned.

Several technicians were fiddling with a nearby power panel, sparks flying as they attempted to reroute bad connections and access more of the ship's internal functions. If they could run a rudimentary diagnostic, perhaps they could uncover something of value to their Lord. Unfortunately, much of the panel's components were too badly damaged to be repaired on the spot, they'd need to fetch suitable replacements or build an entirely new apparatus in its place.

The Dark Lord found Himself at the crossroads of four corridors, each one spiraling out into darkness. He reached out with His power, His awareness flooding through the darkened ship. When they had boarded, the Dark Lord had sensed recognition from somewhere deep within the vessel. Someone, or something, had noticed their coming and had recognized them. Now He would seek to uncover their true nature.

"You cannot hide," His voice echoed through the darkness, "Step forth."

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

Braze and Valor had no choice but to move forward. Their escape route was blocked by the dark sider. As Carnifex's voice echoed from up ahead, Braze stopped abruptly and activated a small homing beacon on his comlink, sending out a coded message. Yet, the black holes' unique interference ensured it wouldn't reach anyone.

They were as stranded as the ship's previous inhabitants.

Valor, curious, stepped toward the voice, but Braze grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "Wait," he whispered, his voice low and urgent.

Braze grabbed Valor's arm firmly and whispered, "Wait. That voice belongs to a Sith Lord. He's extremely dangerous. We can't afford to make any mistakes. Please, don't disagree with me here. Don't reach for your weapon; it's only going to provoke him."

Valor's eyes flashed with a mix of curiosity and frustration. He hesitated, his hand hovering over his weapon, clearly worried. What if it's someone looking for Sasha? Anxiety gnawed at him. "Alright, I'll follow your lead. But we can't just stay hidden forever. What's the plan if things go south?"

Braze's grip tightened. "I know you're worried, but right now, we need to be careful. If you draw your weapon, it'll only make things worse."

Valor's frustration boiled over, his whisper harsh. "Careful? We're sitting ducks here! We can't just hide and hope for the best. We need a real plan!"

"We will find a way out," Braze insisted, his voice firm but low. "But fighting him is not an option. We have to play nice, Trust me on this."

Valor sighed, the tension clear in his voice. He reluctantly put his weapon away. "Fine. But if he finds us, we need to be ready to..."

" Cooperate." Braze said, softening slightly. "But only if we have no other choice. Stay close and be ready to move."
After their quiet, tense conversation, Braze took a deep breath and let it out slowly before walking toward the voice, positioning himself slightly ahead of Valor.

Slowly but surely, two pale youths stepped out of the shadows into the dim lighting of the derelict's hallway, several feet ahead of the group.

"Didn't think I'd run into you again so soon," Braze said, his jade green eyes locking onto the towering man.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Burning eyes moved to settle upon the young Jedi to the sensation of being thrust out in front of a glaring spotlight, no cover to protect you from its withering gaze. All your inadequacies, all of your weaknesses laid bare before an unfeeling beacon, left to shrivel into nothingness. It was such a gaze that cut through the pair of Jedi, the Dark Lord's attention enough to turn even a veteran soldier's stomach to water. It was like being cornered by a ravenous beast, no amount of bargaining to spare you from it's gnashing jaws.

But instead of such an ignoble end, Braze and his companion were met only with a faint smirk; one with the faint glimmer of teeth behind smiling lips. There was no warmth in the expression, only the cold implication of violence. "Ah, how strange fate turns." The voice of the Dark Lord rumbled through the metal of the ship, up through their bones and into their cores. "Curious to see you, Padawan Braze, without your handler. I did not believe he would ever let you leave his sight again, not after all that has transpired."

The Dark Lord walked into the corridor shared by the Jedi, ducking down slightly to avoid the overhang of piping and duct-work that had spilled free from the ceiling tile. His voluminous cloak did much to conceal His body, though in the moment He ducked down the two Jedi could see the lightsaber that hung loosely from His side. It was a queer contraption, the hilt only long enough to be grasped in one of the Dark Lord's wide, powerful hands. The rest was a shard of black crystal anchored to thew hilt by sharp, metallic talons biting deep into the crystal.

"Though you are not truly by your lonesome. I do not believe your friend has been well acquainted."

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex ​

Braze felt the oppressive presence wash over him and Valor, the Dark Lord's cold gaze cutting through them like a spotlight, exposing all their weaknesses. His eyes flickered to the unusual lightsaber at the Dark Lord's side, noting its ominous design, his gaze did not linger with the fleeting glance.

"Fate indeed has a peculiar way of guiding us," Braze began, his voice steady despite the tumult within. "And I did not believe you would have such beautiful offspring. Though I suppose your gorgeous wife certainly contributed. Nevertheless, it seems we're both poor fortune tellers."

He watched Carnifex with caution. He only really knew of the man from his master's tales of terror and horror, and those of the damages he had inflicted on many lives, and the damage he'd done to Jasper Kai'el , yet he knew also of the tenderness he had shown to Teresa to win her heart. This man was an entity of immense power, and Braze understood the proper procedures for courtly behavior, recognizing the mercy being shown with a cordial invitation.

" Jasper Kai'el , is not my handler. He is my Master. I am here because the Force wills it."

Braze took a step forward, positioning himself protectively between the Dark Lord and his companion.

Understanding the gravity of the moment and recalling the proper protocols of courtly behavior, Braze stepped up to fulfill his role. "Padawan Hopeful Valor, it is my honor to introduce you to Darth Carnifex, the Dark Lord of the Sith. Lord Carnifex, this is Initiate Valor, a promising member of the New Jedi Order."

There was fear emanating from one of the two pale youths before him. But it was the kind of fear born from a morbid curiosity about the unknown dangers lurking just beyond the edge of the seashore at night—the kind of fear that came from gazing into the black abyss and feeling it gaze back.

Valor could easily feel the oppressive presence washing over them with that cold gaze. He glanced nervously between Braze and Carnifex, unsure of what to do. The weight of the Dark Lord's presence bore down on him, making it difficult to maintain his composure.

"It is an honor...Lord Carnifex," he managed to say, his voice meek and uneasy. He warily eased back, his uncertainty and fear visible as he tried to muster the courage to stand firm. Valor's unease was plainly evident, but he drew strength from Braze's demeanor. Valor's hands were drawn up and slipped beneath the open sleeves of his robes as he cupped each of his wrists with in each hand busying them to keep them away from his weapons.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Careful now," breathed the Dark Lord of the Sith, hand extended out as a small spark of electricity danced on the tip of His index finger. "My lady wife is fond of you, but that does not give you leave to speak so openly. Be careful where your tongue wags, such things are known to be easily severed." Darth Carnifex allowed the built up electrical charge to harmlessly dissipate into the air, red streaks of energy dancing chaotically before fizzling out. The blood-stained glow in His eyes shone all the brighter afterwards, His awareness fully crashing down on the pair of them.

It first settled on Braze, the primary speaker of the pair, but it soon would fall upon Valor. The Dark Lord could see so many things etched onto the youth's face, it was like an open book. The nervous vibration in the eyes, the clammy pallor of his skin, the way in which he held his hands out of both fear and anxiety. The boy so desperately wished to reach for his weapon, to feel the safety of its weight in his hand, but held himself back out of necessary survival.

He took a step forward, His shadow stretching farther across the floor, moving in contradiction to the direction of the light above. It seemed to ebb and flow of its own volition, moving by itself with a wide, cheshire grin. "Merely an initiate then, no master to speak of. Very amusing. I wonder if he knows the fate that awaits him as a Jedi, how he'll die before ever becoming a knight. War again spreads across the galaxy like a pox, and for so many years all the Jedi have known is peace. But peace is a lie. The Jedi send children to their deaths."

Again, He looked to Braze. "I do wonder why you have come to this place, wandering the halls of a derelict hulk. What could you be after, Padawan Braze, that you would risk the life of an initiate as well as your own?" He smiled widened, "Does your master know you are here?"

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

Braze held a plucky and fiery gaze, his jade green eyes reflecting defiance as he leaned back from the sparking electricity. His attention shifted to Valor as Carnifex settled his gaze on the younger initiate. With a subtle movement, Braze positioned himself more fully in front of Valor, directly shielding him.

Valor steadied his trembling hands, adopting a parade rest pose by drawing them behind the small of his back, setting his feet shoulder-width apart, and standing up straight. This stance, a remnant of his teachings under Ace, helped him maintain composure. He let out a slow, smooth breath, steadying his heart and mind before responding in kind.

"In their misguided wisdom, the Jedi coddle their younglings, sheltering them from the harsh realities of war. Rather than forge them into warriors, they wrap them in a cocoon of softness, hiding them away from the battlefield," Valor said, his voice calm yet filled with conviction. He didn't meet the Dark Lord's gaze, instead focusing his turquoise eyes on the floor, recalling the mottos and beliefs Ace had imparted upon him, Alexandros Xanathos , and the others. The Jedi were very different from the militaristic life he had been raised to believe in.

Valor resisted the instinctive urge to draw his blade, recalling the intense training sessions under Ace and the other instructors. They would often get in his face, pushing him to the brink, trying to provoke him into losing control. But Valor knew better; he had learned the value of restraint and composure under pressure. His discipline was a result of the rigorous training he had undergone, embodying the order and control his mentors had instilled in him.

In stark contrast, Braze stood beside him, a wild and untamed force. He was like an untrained dog compared to Valor's disciplined obedience. Braze's unpredictability and lack of strict guidance made him a free spirit, raw and untamed. This stark difference between them was evident in moments like these. Valor's composed demeanor, a product of methodical training and self-control, clashed with Braze's unbridled energy, reflecting their divergent paths and philosophies.

Braze stepped forward, his squeaky voice cutting through the tension. "The Sith may claim peace is a lie, but in truth, it's they who weave the most dangerous falsehood. They sell a beautiful lie of freedom, all while enslaving those desperate enough to buy into their promises of power. Peace, though difficult, is part of a cycle that we should strive for—not something to discard in pursuit of hollow ambitions."

Braze's words held a wisdom that belied his years, revealing his awareness of the Sith's manipulations and their propensity to prey on insecurities, exploiting the desperate and down trod.

While Valor had the militaristic training instilled in him, Braze embodied the loose discipline of the new Jedi Order. Braze's worldly experience contrasted sharply with Valor's indoctrinated and isolationist beliefs, showcasing clear differences in their upbringings and approaches to the Force.

Though they may look strikingly similar on the outside, the truth was they were worlds apart. Valor was gripped by fear for the near future, while Braze maintained a cautious vigilance, always ready to attack at a moment's notice. Their outward appearances belied the profound differences in their inner worlds and perspectives.

Braze was known as a brazen brat, always requesting high-risk tasks despite being told he was too young. He wanted to be where the action was, never content with playing it safe. However, this mission was supposed to be relatively safe—a no-contact exercise to hone his navigational skills. Oh, how wrong they were.

He tilted his head, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "This was supposed to be a straightforward scouting mission, you know, just a chance to brush up on navigational skills. Funny how things turn out." Braze's smirk widened as he continued, "But since we're on the topic of people being out of place, why are you here, Dark Lord? Shouldn't you be at home, keeping your beautiful wife and darling daughter company?"

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Freedom is the providence of those with the power to seize it, young Jedi. Power is all. There are those who possess it, and those who do not. If one wants freedom, then they take it with their own hands; it cannot be bestowed. Those who are too weak to do so are destined to serve their betters, the powerful -- the free. The Sith know this truth, the Sith understand this. Our chief aim is to see the galaxy returned to its natural order, where the strong rule and the weak suffer the indignities of their lot."

In contrast to Braze's fiery, untamed nature, and the sullen, anxious demeanor of Valor, the Dark Lord exuded a dark majesty, an umbral regality that just barely concealed the viciousness lurking beneath its facade. The Dark Lord oft enjoyed the refined image of nobility, masking His savagery with the finery of upper society. But at any moment that veil could slip, revealing His true nature -- the butcher. Every word spoken, regardless of its mundanity, held the implicit threat of violence.

Had He been so inclined, He could have stretched forth His hand and peeled the flesh from Braze's bones with such casual disregard it would have sickened the soul. But He did not, He refrained. More than anything, He found the youth's bratty personality amusing, there were very few alive in the galaxy who would stand so brazenly against the Black Iron Tyrant.

"Indeed? You have chosen quite the area of space to test yourself, young Jedi, the Maw is not so kind to the uninitiated." The Dark Lord reached to His side and unclipped the lightsaber from His hip, holding it aloft in His open hand. Now that it had been withdrawn from the confines of His cloak, both could now see the weapon in all of its strangeness. The shard of glossy black crystal was actually bisected down the center, made into a jagged fork. Another black crystal lay within the gap, nestled right at the base where it initially began. Both radiated with the Dark Side, whispers of the immense cruelty that had gone into the weapon's construction creeping up the vertebrae of their spines.

The Dark Lord's smile widened, predatory. "But was it truly just the curiosity of youth that made you venture into the bowels of this forlorn ruin? Or, perhaps, is there more that you are not divulging to me, young Braze. You are precocious and without fear, but that will only get you so far. Even now as you test the limits of what you can achieve, you draw ever closer to the edge of a knife you didn't know you were straddling." He pointed the jagged crystalline end of His lightsaber towards the pair, but left it unlit.

"Just know that it will not be you who suffers if you transgress against me, Braze. My lady wife would be wroth to know misfortune befell you, but she cares not for the company you keep."

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

​

What Carnifex spoke of was something Valor seemed to understand all too well—it echoed the teachings ingrained in him by his predecessor: a world where only the fittest survived in a brutal, dog-eat-dog existence. The Dark Lord was unknown to Valor, but he had never felt such a malevolent presence before. Each word from Carnifex sent shivers down his spine, amplifying his dread.

Braze, on the other hand, stood in stark contrast to this sentiment. As Carnifex raised his blade towards them, Braze eased back from him half a step moving away, his heart pounding. Yet his resolve remained unshaken, though a small creeping fear gnawed at the edges of his courage. He didn't want to see any one he cared about harmed in any way.

"Those who wield power to subjugate others, fear of a world where they are not in control," he declared, his voice growing more impassioned with each word, attempting to mask his own growing concern.

"Love, Friendship, and Hope—these are the greatest powers of all. They cannot be forced or taken; they must be earned and given freely. As long as you chase that viscous cycle you will never be free. " he said, his defiant tone challenging Carnifex to prove him wrong, even as dread threatened to overwhelm him.

"We're looking for the Concordant Crystal," Valor spoke up finally. He wanted to go home, to be free of the oppressive danger that loomed so closely. The malevolence of Carnifex's presence weighed heavily on him, fueling his fear and frustration. He hoped that by giving the Dark Lord what he wanted, they would be left in peace.

Braze turned to Valor, his eyes filled with hurt and frustration. The plea for the crystal felt like a betrayal, a capitulation to the darkness they both stood against. His expression conveyed the silent question: Why are you giving in?

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Such things are powerful indeed," admitted the Dark Lord. He would not have lied about such things, not when He had witnessed the strength of love, friendship, and hope firsthand. "But they are not immutable; love can be twisted into jealousy and obsession, friendship can be frayed with mistrust and insecurity, hope can be broken by fear and violence. One's strength in these concepts are only as strong as their faith in them, but faith can be shaken, it can be lost. Every Jedi has their breaking point, even Valery Noble , even Jasper Kai'el ."

The Dark Lord of the Sith spoke from experience, one cultivated over many decades of trial and error. He had become a savant in the art of breaking spirits just as well as He broke bodies. He reveled in the challenge the Jedi posed to His craft, their indomitable spirit a crucible for which to perfect the breaking of lesser wills. The Dark Lord walked away from every encounter with the greatest of the Jedi having learned something new, gained some new insight into how they thought and how they reacted to His actions.

"I wonder what your breaking point will be, Padawan Braze? Perhaps we will have a moment to find out." Carnifex rubbed the flat pad of His thumb against His lightsaber's activator switch, never applying enough pressure to switch it on, but just enough to be noticeable. In all things, the Dark Lord of the Sith traded in violence. No conversation was safe from violence's blood-stained specter, for the Dark Lord lived His life by the maxim of violence's truths.

But His attention shifted to the youth at Braze's side, the one who had spoken up and revealed their intentions out of fear. "Ah," breathed the Dark Lord, "The truth at last revealed. I should have suspected. The Jedi scurry forever in search of the next pretty bauble, as if it would absolve them of their numerous sins." He looked back to Braze, "Tell me, Padawan, what do you hope to gain by acquiring the Concordant Crystal? Do you believe that it can give you what you seek? The power of many?" He chuckled darkly, a throaty rasp.

"If you give it to me, I'll let both of you leave without a single scratch. Defy me and we shall put your master's instruction to the test."

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

Braze felt the weight of the Dark Lord's words, each syllable like a dagger aimed at his resolve. He wanted to argue, to counter the Sith's twisted logic, but the Padawan held his tongue, knowing this was not the time for a battle of words.

The subtle gesture of Carnifex's thumb grazing the lightsaber activator did not escape Braze's notice. Both he and Valor had trained in the Echani arts, masters of reading even the slightest muscle movement, the unspoken language of the body. They knew what that touch meant—Carnifex craved action, the dance of combat where blood and energy clashed.

Braze's voice was soft, a mere whisper against the storm that raged within him, "And one might even wonder what your breaking point might be, Dark Lord."

The words hung in the air, a challenge as much as a question. The Dark Lord's eyes likely narrowed, but Braze did not flinch. At the mention of the Concordant Crystal, Braze hesitated, his thoughts racing. The proposal to trade the crystal for their lives was not an offer; it was a test, a trap.

He turned slightly, catching Valor's gaze. Muted jade-green eyes met pale sapphire-blue in a silent exchange, a shared understanding passing between them. They knew the truth that would never escape their lips—they didn't have the crystal, nor did they know its exact location.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken tension, as Braze finally spoke, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of steely resolve, "The crystal is beyond your reach, as it should be."

Valor's hand tightened around the hilt of his lightsaber, not yet ignited, but ready. The dance of violence that the Dark Lord longed for might come, but it would be on their terms, not his.

A sudden, searing flash erupted from the Lightveil Circlet, flooding the room with a blinding brilliance. The light was disorienting, a radiant burst that momentarily turned everything to stark white. Braze was the first to react, his movements fluid and precise despite the chaos. With a swift motion, he hurled three E.G.G.S. devices to the ground, their casings hissing as they released dense, billowing clouds of smoke.

Drawing on what little remained of his connection to the Force, Braze summoned a gust of wind, directing the swirling smoke straight toward Carnifex, aiming to obscure the Dark Lord's vision and senses. The clouds roiled and twisted, a shroud of confusion in the midst of the radiant light.

Without hesitation, Valor and Braze turned on their heels, vanishing into the shadows, their footsteps silent as they fled down the darkened corridor. As they darted away, Braze's voice echoed back, resolute and defiant: " You'll find no surrender here, Carnifex. Not today, not ever!"

It appeared the two Padawans had no intention of facing the Dark Lord head-on—not yet. Instead, they had chosen to scatter, splitting up as they vanished into the labyrinth of shadows. The chase had begun, and the battle was far from over.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Dark Lord knew that they would not accept His offer, how could they? There was nothing in them that would willingly submit to the demands of their enemy, even the one riddled with anxious fear found resolve when faced with such an ultimatum. It was preferable this way, the Dark Lord reasoned, He would rather the Jedi struggle in vain against His power than cave immediately. He took a step forward, preparing to activate His blasphemous blade, before He was struck by a blinding light.

Eyes instinctively closed, though not quickly enough to avoid being temporarily blinded. But the Dark Lord did not need His sight, it could betray Him. Rather, He continued to stretch out with His other senses, honed to a razor's edge, and feel for His two enemies amidst the blinding light. Smoke filled the corridor, adding to the already blinding situation. Neither moved to an attack, an action that the Dark Lord knew would be futile; as they had undoubtedly concluded.

As His vision swam back to Him, the Dark Lord blew aside the lingering smoke with a wave of His hand. They had gone, fled deeper into the bowels of the ship. Walking over to where they had once stood, the Dark Lord knelt and placed His hand against the cold metal; the faint imprint of their footwear barely visible against the corroded floor. His other hand slipped into the confines of His cloak and produced a small communicator. Activating it, the Dark Lord spoke into the receiver.

"Two adversaries, Jedi. Seal escape routes, locate their ship. If encountered, do not engage, report and monitor from a distance."

Placing the device back into His cloak, the Dark Lord again focused on the floor beneath Him. A shadow moved to meet Him, placing their hand upon His. The hand lifted up, taking on a shape similar to that of flesh and bone. From the darkness came the face of a woman, black hair cascading down either side of her face. Her eyes shone a bright, rich amber. Her smile stretched from one ear to the other, frighteningly wide. And when she spoke, it was with words of fermented honey; bitingly bitter, but still sweet.

"Bold little toy, wouldn't you agree? Who knew the Jedi still made em so?"

Rising, the Dark Lord brushed some dust from His fingertips as the shadowy woman coiled around His body like a serpent. She pressed her lips against His ear, whispering darkness with a vicious grin. "Oh, the things you'd do to such a creature if you got your hands on them. Even though Teresa would be wroth, it would bring you such satisfaction." The Dark Lord took the shadow by the chin, drawing her lips to His in a hungry embrace. When they parted, the shadow looked exceedingly pleased.

"Quiet now," replied the Dark Lord, "I want them alive. Mutilation may come later." The shadow pouted, but never lost that playful grin. "Very well, I eagerly await such deliciousness." Then she was gone, returned to the darkness at His back.

Then, after a moment of repose, the Dark Lord began to follow the two Jedi through the ship. Whenever He would encounter a bulkhead that dipped too low for His liking, He would widen it with the Force; stretching the metal and causing it to burst at the seams until it was suitable. His fingers playfully toyed with the lightsaber returned to His hip, eager to bring it forth but restraining Himself until such terror would be the most flavorful. When the crimson light fell upon the walls of the ship, it would be so that the Jedi knew that He was upon them.

Not a moment sooner.

"Running is pointless, Padawan. You only prolong the inevitable."

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

Braze and Valor had split ways, their paths diverging into the shadows of the ancient, decaying research vessel. Both knew where their ship was docked outside, anchored to a lonely hatch, but neither fully grasped the labyrinthine depths of the ship they were navigating. The corridors were a dilapidated maze, each turn presenting a potential for danger. The air itself seemed thick with the weight of forgotten horrors, and every shadow whispered of unknown threats lurking just out of sight as it's old hull creaked.

Valor now had a moment to focus, even as his legs carried him swiftly down the dimly lit corridors. He excelled in drills, in practicing under pressure, but the unknown—a confrontation with something or someone unpredictable—made his heart pound with more than just exertion. The presence of Carnifex was especially unnerving, a looming shadow in the back of his mind that he couldn't shake. He was danger unequivocated.

The crystal they sought had to be here. Valor's blue eyes darted around the room, searching frantically. He could feel it—close, just out of reach. The Force thrummed with its resonance, a distant echo at the edge of his consciousness, calling out to him. With each step, the crystal's presence grew stronger, its soft, melodic hum resonating deep within his bones.

Valor made a sudden, sharp turn, his boots skidding on the slick floor as he hurtled down the narrow hallway. The sound grew louder, pounding in his ears like a war drum. His heart hammered in his chest, and his lungs burned with every desperate gasp of the stale, musty air. The walls seemed to close in, pressing against him, squeezing the breath from his lungs. It felt as if the ship itself was alive, suffocating him with its decaying, oppressive weight, as though it was determined to crush him from all sides.

Valor couldn't stop. The crystal was close, its pulse syncing with the frantic beat of his heart. He forced air into his lungs and pushed forward.

He reached a heavily secured door, its scarred surface hinting at the significance of what lay beyond. With a hiss, the door slid open, revealing a vast, dimly lit laboratory in ruins. Broken glass, shattered instruments, and overturned tables cluttered the floor, all coated in thick dust. Rusted cabinets lined the walls, their contents spilled in chaotic disarray.

At the far end, a circular platform caught his eye. Tall pillars inscribed with ancient symbols surrounded it, and in the center, the crystal hovered, suspended by dark, pulsating vines that seemed to grow from the ship itself. The skeletal remains of those who had perished lay scattered around, their hands forever reaching for the crystal in vain.

The air was thick with decay and a faint, acrid odor. The room was silent, save for the crystal's soft hum, which resonated through the walls. The eerie glow of the crystal cast unsettling shadows, making the space feel alive, as if the ship itself was watching him.

Valor took a deep breath panting as he approached the crystal, its eerie glow intensifying with each step. The dark vines seemed to sense his intent, pulsating ominously. He hesitated briefly, but the crystal's pull was too strong to resist.

With a swift motion, Valor snatched the crystal from its cradle. A surge of power shot through him, and the vines recoiled violently as the room dimmed further. Without waiting, Valor clutched the crystal and sprinted toward the exit. The ship reacted, walls groaning and the floor shuddering as if trying to trap him.

As he rounded a corner, Valor collided with Braze. He must have been following the same 'sound'. Both stumbled, then quickly regained their balance. Braze's eyes locked onto the crystal in Valor's hand.

"You found it," Braze said urgently. "We need to get out, now."
Braze hissed, grabbing Valor by the arm and pulling him toward the exit. The two boys bolted down the hallway, their footsteps echoing in unison with their racing hearts.

They darted around corners and ducked through doorways, narrowly avoiding the squads Carnifex had brought with him. The air was thick with tension as they dodged the oppsoition and scrambled through the ship's decaying passageways. Each time they thought they had found a way out, another group would appear, cutting off their escape and forcing them to double back. They were small and fit in places other didn't quite fit allowing them too narrowly escape.

The walls seemed to close in on them as they were pushed further and further to one side of the ship. The once vast, open corridors became narrower and more confining, each turn leading them closer to a dead end. Sweat dripped down Valor's face as the panic mounted. His breathing was ragged, and he could feel his grip on the crystal tightening.

Finally, they reached a small area just outside the cockpit. The sound of metal being sliced open reached their ears—Carnifex, methodically cutting through the ship's interior, drawing ever closer. The cold, calculated precision of it sent a chill down their spines.

"We're trapped," Valor whispered, his voice trembling as he looked at Braze, fear and desperation in his eyes. "What do we do?"

Braze, equally panicked but trying to maintain some semblance of control, stared at the sealed cockpit door ahead of them. The heavy footsteps and the sound of metal being sheared were getting closer, too close.

"Give me the crystal," Braze said suddenly, his voice steady but urgent.

Valor hesitated, his mind racing. "But—"

"Now!" Braze insisted.

With no other options and the dread of Carnifex's imminent arrival overwhelming him, Valor handed over the crystal. Without a second thought, Braze swallowed it, his face contorting slightly as he forced it down.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Valor whispered harshly, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "That's insane!"

As Carnifex's relentless cutting grew louder, but the doors to the cockpit were jammed shut. Panic flared in Braze's eyes.

"Valor, use the Force—get these doors open!" he urged, his voice tight with fear.

Valor nodded, extending his hand toward the stubborn doors. He focused, feeling the rusty mechanisms within, barely holding together. With a deep breath, he pushed with the Force, and the doors groaned before finally sliding open.

They rushed inside, the doors clanging shut behind them. The cockpit was dim, the consoles barely flickering with what little power remained. Braze dashed to the controls, frantically pressing buttons, trying to coax some life out of the dying systems.

"Come on, there has to be something!" he muttered, desperation creeping into his voice.

Valor scanned the room, his heart pounding. "We need a way out—anything!"

But the ship was on its last legs, the systems barely functioning, running on the final dregs of backup power. The dim lights flickered, and the consoles offered nothing but static and error messages. The sound of Carnifex's cutting was deafening now, closing in on them.

Time was running out. The boys were trapped, their options disappearing as the relentless Sith Lord drew nearer, the ship's failing power offering no hope of escape.

Teal light flooded the room as Braze ignited his saber, the glow casting eerie shadows across the cockpit. Desperation driving him, he lunged toward the viewport, the lightsaber slashed at the thick, reinforced glass. Sparks flew as the blade met resistance, the heat from the saber creating a harsh, hissing sound. Braze pressed on, carving into the glass with frantic precision, each second feeling like an eternity as he fought to cut through, their only hope for escape dwindling with every heartbeat.

Valor spun, drawing his orange blade in a flash. He locked his gaze on the cockpit doors, his stance firm and ready. The hum of his lightsaber filled the room as he prepared to defend Braze's back.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Metal groaned.

A creaking shriek emanating from beyond the margins of the cockpit bulkhead.

A blade that shone like blood-red rubies struck through the door, molten metal dripping from where the blade had pierced. In a counter-clockwise motion, the blade dragged itself through the metal door accompanied by the caustic wail of metal giving way to ruthless plasma. Sparks flew as the metal began to sag inwards, the structural integrity completely compromised by the sudden influx of heat and vicious laceration.

The blade completed its circuit, the sawed open metal falling forward with a terrible clang. Only darkness seemed to exist beyond the yawning portal, even the light of the blade that had made such a gruesome incision had giving way to blackness. The moments dragged on, ragged breath loud in their ears.

Reaching through, a hand gripped the cooling edge. The Dark Lord's face pushed through the shadows, the rest of Him following as He hauled Himself through the man-made opening. "I would advise against your current course of action, Padawan. You're only going to make this more painful for the both of you." He outstretched His hand, palm up, as if expecting them to hand over their prize. "If you give it to me now, then nothing else will befall you save the terror you have already experienced. You can ask your masters of your afforded mercy, they will swear to you that such a thing is an impossibility. Be grateful that I am acting in such a benevolent manner."

There was no doubt that if they refused now.

He would take it by force.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

Little shrieks of terror escaped from Valor, the fear gripping him tighter with each passing second. He had faced Vazz before, but this—this was different. The cold, calculated terror emanating from the Dark Lord as he tore through the metal barrier made Valor's blood run cold. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as the shadowed hand reached through the jagged hole, fingers curling around the edge. Valor instinctively backed away, his fear overtaking any semblance of the bravery he had once shown. Eyes brimmed with glassy crystal droplets as he began to cry.

Beside him, Braze heaved with all his might, his muscles straining as he fought to complete the cut. The ship shuddered violently as the hole began to widen, the air around them rapidly depressurizing. The temperature plummeted, frost forming along the edges of the breach. Braze could feel the energy draining from his body, the Force slipping through his fingers like water. He was too weak, or so he believed, to summon the strength needed to bolster his efforts. With a frustrated gasp, he withdrew his blade, panting heavily as he turned to face the encroaching darkness.

They were trapped—cornered like a pair of field mice under the unyielding gaze of a panther ready to pounce. The weight of their doom pressed down upon them, suffocating and inescapable.

"We have no reason to trust you!" Braze's voice cracked as he spat the words, desperation lacing his tone. "You delight in terror and torture! You're nothing but an overgrown bully who thrives on throwing your weight around!" His grip on his lightsaber tightened, and with a determined whirl, he positioned himself between Carnifex and Valor, his breath ragged and shallow, as the oppressive darkness of the Dark Lord's presence bore down on them.

Valor's breaths came in ragged gasps, his heart hammering in his chest as the Dark Lord loomed ever closer. The crimson blade of Carnifex's saber cast an eerie glow, its malevolent light reflecting off the metal walls. Desperation seized Valor's mind, a frantic thought taking hold—a wild, impossible hope that if he could just disarm the Dark Lord, they might have a chance.

In a blind panic, Valor reached up, his hands trembling as he pressed himself back against the command consol. His eyes were wide, filled with terror, as he tried to focus on the weapon that had torn through their defenses with such ease. He could feel the oppressive weight of the Force pressing down on him, but he fought against it, his fear fueling his frantic efforts.

With a tearful gasp, Valor stretched out with the Force, his fingers fumbling as they reached for the blade—or the large crystal that powered it. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, a chaotic swirl of fear and desperation. If he could just twist it, turn it, dislodge it—anything to make the blade flicker out, to make survival seem even the slightest bit more realistic.

His hands shook as he tried to wrench the saber apart, his mind screaming with the effort. But the weapon was unyielding, its dark power surging through the Force like a tidal wave, pushing back against his feeble attempts. Tears streamed down Valor's face as he fought, his body trembling with the strain of his hopeless endeavor.

Braze, sensing his companion's terror, spared a glance back. The sight of Valor's desperate struggle only deepened his resolve, though it was tainted with the bitter taste of despair. They were outmatched, outgunned, and out of time—but he couldn't let Valor face this horror alone. Braze blinked away his own warm heated tears that had started to grow.

The Dark Lord's presence grew ever closer, the weight of inevitability pressing down on them both as Valor's futile efforts continued. In truth, these were still children—frightened, crying children whom the Dark Lord had cornered.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"I see."

The Dark Lord of the Kainate continued to stare at the two of them, even as they shivered in fear; their knuckles turning white as they held tightly to their weapons, their sole source of comfort. The tears which began to well up in their eyes froze as they slipped down their cheeks, the temperature plummeting rapidly as more and more oxygen was sucked out through the narrow gap. Carnifex's cloak billowed at His back, catching the wind as it flowed out from the corridor and into the cockpit.

"You're not so different from your masters, padawan." The Dark Lord watched as the one Braze referred to as Valor raised his hands towards Him. Carnifex looked down towards the weapon held in His hand, the hilt rattling softly in His grip. But for all of his desperation and exertion, the boy was simply no match for someone as powerful as the Dark Lord, who shrugged off his attempts with frightening ease. "For they are to blame for your weakness, the one which renders your impotent against true power. Do you believe that power has responsibility? That it must be used in the service of others? What infantile justifications you must harbor. Power needs no justification, padawan, power is justification."

"If I desire something, I seize it. If I can seize it, then it belongs to me. The Jedi run themselves in circles over petty moralization. Is it right? Is it just? I cannot be limited, I cannot be bound." He angled His blade directly at them now. "I gave you a choice, padawan, revel in what you yourself have wrought." Rather than attack them or move against them in an aggressive manner, the Dark Lord stretched out with His other hand. His fingers outstretched, the Dark Lord inflicted His will upon the world around them.

The viewport, damaged by Braze's earlier labors, buckled outward and completely burst open.

Subjecting the whole cockpit to rapid depressurization.

Braze ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Darth Carnifex

​

As the viewport shattered and the cockpit was instantly exposed to the vacuum of space, the force of the depressurization was immediate and violent. Braze and Valor were pulled toward the gaping breach with terrifying speed. Braze felt the air rush out of his lungs as the pressure dropped, his ears popping painfully. Instinct kicked in, and he grabbed for the nearest solid object, barely managing to latch onto a twisted piece of the cockpit's frame. Valor, just behind him, was less fortunate, his body already being dragged toward the void.

"Valor!" Braze's voice was muffled through his sealed mask, but it was filled with urgency. "Secure your mask!"

Valor fumbled with his mask, his gloved hands shaking as the wind whipped past them, but managed to get it secured just in time as the last vestiges of atmosphere were sucked out into space. His eyes wide with fear, he locked gazes with Braze, who reached out a hand to him. They had to stick together.

Grabbing hold of each other, they clung tightly, their fingers gripping with a strength born of desperation. The stars twinkled coldly beyond the shattered viewport, the endless void of space a deadly expanse they were now a part of. They had only moments to act before they'd drift too far from the ship.

"Kick off the debris!" Braze commanded, his voice firm despite the situation. "We need to reach the exterior of the ship and get to our fighter."

They kicked together, propelling themselves off a large piece of metal that had also been sucked out with them. It spun away into the darkness as they launched toward the ship's hull. Braze quickly activated the mag boots on his suit, feeling the reassuring tug as they clamped onto the ship's exterior. He pulled Valor along with him, the magnetic pull anchoring them both as they slowly made their way across the ship's surface.

The exterior was smooth and cold, the stars reflecting off its dark metal. Moving carefully, Braze led the way, his eyes scanning for their fighter, which had been docked nearby. Every movement was slow and deliberate, the lack of gravity making each step feel like wading through thick water. But they couldn't afford to make a mistake; the limited air in their masks was ensured time was not on their side.

Finally, they spotted the outline of their fighter, clinging to the ship's hull like a lifeline. Braze felt a surge of relief but knew they weren't safe yet. He urged Valor to move faster, guiding him toward the cockpit hatch.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Dark Lord watched the pair be violently siphoned out through the broken viewport, accompanied by anything that had not been bolted down. He remained fixed where He'd been standing, anchored to the floor through the power of the Dark Side. Air continued to flow past Him as the hallway at His back was subject to the same rapid depressurization as the cockpit had been, due in part to the fact that He'd cut through the door to enter. Eventually, however, one of the subroutines controlling the automatic lock-down procedure finally kicked in, and what doors could close did.

The cockpit stabilized as the vacuum outside became the vacuum inside, both now indivisible. Striding forward, the Dark Lord reached out and took hold of one of the more stable edges of the broken viewport, hoisting Himself out from the ship and into the endless void. Pivoting, He floated down onto the outer hull, both feet now suctioning to the frigid metal as if they had been magnetized. Despite wearing no protective gear or even an oxygen mask, the Dark Lord did not appear to be troubled by the absolute vacuum around Him.

And with one foot in front of the other, He began to make His advance across the ship's hull; much more quickly than the pair ahead of Him. But, He did not seem to be in any great hurry to catch up to them, stalking them just beyond the periphery of their sight like a predator of the jungle. They would know He was there, but there was little they could do about it. What was even more odd was that even though light was being cast upon the ship's hull, the Dark Lord cast no shadow.

His shadow had gone elsewhere, waiting for what was to come.

-This will not avail you.- The voice came not from afar, but as if the speaker whispered it right into their ears. -But the time for negotiation has passed, young padawan. Now you shall reap.- Hand extended, the power of the Dark Lord seemed to tighten around the young Valor, like the bone-crushing grip of a constrictor serpent. Not only that, but it sought to drag him away from their awaiting escape, pulling him towards the approaching Dark Lord instead.

-All that shall pass does by your actions.-

Braze ​