Private Crash Course

[Amani Serys]

Amani gave the business card one last look over. So this was the place. She stood in front of a set of doors leading to the purported office of one Darth Argentum . They had met prior on Lannik. Amani had no intentions of following up on that meeting. Now, here she was.

Getting here had been a pain enough, the grueling bureaucratic process she had to suffer through just to get permission to enter was enough to make her second guess coming. But it seemed Amani had been given special clearance to be here. No doubt thanks to her apparent benefactor. Apparently she was a “potential investor” as far as anyone was concerned.

Whatever. As long as it got her inside.

When the door opened, Amani stood tall, betraying very little emotion. Only a cold determination to see things through. She spoke with brevity, “I have questions.”

 

[Darth Argentum]

Amani Serys had come to JanFathal, finally. He'd expected her call for some time. But the young Mirialin had held out longer than he'd imagined she would. Strong of will, she was, something he'd have to always remember.

What she didn't fully understand yet was that she'd walked into a krayt dragon's den. This world was not like the one's she'd ever been to. Getting in was only possible because he'd invited her. Leaving would only happen at his pleasure...or in a garbage skip.

The Muun looked up at her over steepled fingers upon her entrance. Behind his desk, he grinned as she spoke. There was a new hardness about her. Not just in her speech. It was in the way she held herself and even in her presence in the Force.

"Of course you do, my friend," he said said with a rich chuckle.

He gestured to the single chair before his desk. Both far more ostentatious than he'd ever select with their exotic woods and silks. Yet they conveyed a certain impression which suited him for now. Rewards that others might attain upon working with him.

"Sit, please. We have much to discuss."

 

[Amani Serys]

Darth Argentum

Her eyes wandered to the chair for a moment before fixing back on the Sith in front of her. She needed something from him, that didn't mean she trusted him. Amani slowly made her way into the seat, sitting down cautiously while never taking her gaze wander too far. "I'll keep it brief, then." She finally took a moment to scan her surroundings, sensing the office for anything out of place before continuing.

"On Lannik, you told me the dark side would help me realize my true potential." Amani leaned forward, examining the Muun's features for any hint of betrayal. "I'm here to take you up on the offer. I need strength, and I need it now." This was a rabbit hole she was prepared to dive into head first, precautions be damned. She had little time for those.

 

[Darth Argentum]

He saw her hesitation, the way she glanced around the room nervously. As if there were traps hidden everywhere or an assassin waited. It genuinely amused him but she finally sat. No, this was an ordinary office except for it's resident Muun.

Argentum placed his hands on his desk and listened. He studied her carefully and made no initial reply. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and began to rub his hands together slowly, indicating deep consideration. Their eyes were locked and he peered into the depths of her soul.

There was fear and uncertainty as before. Yet the fiery anger and determination was back and far stronger. Where before it had been fleeting, a flicker in the dark, now it made her eyes glow like coals. Amani Serys probably didn't realize exactly how she'd transformed.

"Impatience is very un-Jedi of you, Amani," he said finally "As is the desire for power. Does this mean you've left behind the foolishness of your Order?"

Argentum leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk and lacing his fingers together.

"Do not lie to me, girl," he said with an edge in his voice "The Dark Side can swallow your soul. If I don't first."

 

[Amani Serys]

Darth Argentum

“What does it matter? I’m here aren’t I?” She responded curtly. Her irritation bubbled up momentarily, less than satisfied with the edge to his tone. The girl might have had fear in her heart, but her crusade was more than enough drive to stay the intimidation of this Sith. At least, for the moment.

With a roll of her eyes Amani leaned forward, calming down somewhat.. As impatient as she was, being rude likely wasn’t going to help her. The rogue Jedi adjusted her tone, less rude but still lacking much emotion, “Look, I didn’t come here for a philosophy lecture. I want to know if you can help me with what I need. Otherwise this meeting is a waste of time for both of us.”

 

[Darth Argentum]

The Muun leaned back in his chair, seeming to calm down. He resumed his contemplative posture from a moment before. A gentle smile even crossed his features for a split-second. But then he thrust out a hand, sending a wave of Force energy out towards the Mirialan.

She was sent back into the wall with a tremendous thud. He held her there with his long-fingered hand extended out and he rose to his feet. He well knew just what she was feeling. Like a giant's claw crushing her, barely allowing breath.

Argentum crossed the floor to stand before Amani Serys and he regarded her in the same way his own Master had once regarded him. The situation's irony wasn't lost on him. Now he could see the wisdom in his teacher's rough treatment of him that first time. The Muun had to learn how things worked.

"It's not enough to simply 'be here'," he growled at her "You must commit yourself if you want real power. Fallen Jedi who still cling to their old ways are only children scratching the surface. The Dark Side is a contract requiring payment in full."

He'd allowed his mask to fall, revealing once again the corpse-like pallor and radioactive eyes.

"Now, Amani, what is your answer?," he asked "Are you doing away with the Jedi foolishness. Don't give me the wrong answer."

He released her, lowering his hand down to his side....

 

[Amani Serys]

Darth Argentum

Amani only had time to wince in surprise as the Force rushed into her, slamming the Mirialan against the wall and crushing her through sheer power alone. She struggled futilely against it, the breath literally being squeezed out of her as the grip tightened. Instincts kicked in, and her eyes flashed yellow.

The Sith finally relinquished, and had he not done so sooner, she may very well have broke out. He would see her power all the same. As she fell to the ground, the darkness she was building up exploded outward, throwing anything in the room that wasn’t pinned down, and making them levitating around.

Amani threw herself back to her feet, unsheathing her pike instinctively in preparation for a second attack. She ignited the blade... now maroon in color. This one had already made some progress of her own. Her panicked breaths slowed, and she lowered the weapon to the floor, staring the Sith in the eyes. Her irises sank back into their normal teal color, and the objects levitating around the room clattered to the floor.

There was exceptional power in her. Raw. Unrefined. Amani did not speak. If that was not answer enough, then she wasn’t interested in playing the game any longer.

 

[Darth Argentum]

Amani Serys was back on her feet in an instant as he thought she'd be. But her response was entirely unexpected. First her lightsaber, now a corrupted shade of maroon. Then the surge of purest rage and hatred.

He barely had time to throw up a barrier to shield himself from the worst of it. Still, he was sent skidding back until he bumped into the wall behind him. Argentum recovered and continued to hold the Force in readiness for another such wave. Yet no such attack came.

Instead, he glanced around him at the ruins of his office floating all around him. And he laughed with delight. He'd seen her eyes flash the telltale colour of Dark Side corruption. She must've drawn very deeply indeed to show it already.

"Excellent, my friend," he said with a nod of approval "Yes, I can teach you."

He'd have to be careful with her. Her link with the Dark Side was unpolished but she could prove dangerous to him.

 

[Amani Serys]

Darth Argentum

Amani extinguished her blade, putting the weapon away and composing herself. “Good.” she panted. The padawan’s emotions oscillated rapidly, the anger quickly subsiding in favor of her more typical nature, at least for the time being. “Thank you.” She offered more amiably before returning focus to the business at hand.

“I need to get as powerful as I can, as quickly as I can… and I need to know how to kill a Sith Lord.” Amani hesitantly added the last part, but spoke with no less conviction. The Sith were a traitorous lot, to her knowledge, and split among several factions as is. She figured the death of another would not bother him. Perhaps he would even welcome it. Either way, it wouldn't stop the vengeance that burned in her heart. The scar over it had healed, but the reminder of her failure was ever present.

 

[Darth Argentum]

He nodded slowly as he began to piece things together. The rage, the missing arm and the desire for power. It was clear what had happened. A Sith had defeated her and gravely wounded the young woman.

"It's true the Dark Side can lead to power much more quickly," he told her "But to kill a Sith Lord is not just a matter of raw power."

Argentum spoke the truth though he noted her request. If he taught her everything he knew, she could kill him.

"I can help you, as I told you on Lannik. But it will take time to hone your power. Remember, that this Sith Lord will know almost everything you do. And what's more, they will have had a lifetime in the Dark."

"What I can tell you now is this: you must harness your rage, your fear, your suffering. Everything must be fed into the flames in order for them to grow. Do not turn away from these things as you were taught once. They are the source of your real power."

He gestured to the remains of his office.

"All this was possible once you let go of the lies. There is so much for you to learn. So much that I can show you. But first, you must concentrate your power."

"Until you do so, you will not reach any true level of strength. Therefore, you must meditate upon your feelings and realize they speak the truth. Learn to draw from your life's agonies."

Argentum knew she would struggle, being conflicted in her soul as to what was right. Yet he was confident Amani Serys would choose power. It was, after all, so terribly seductive. And once it had sunk it's hooks in you, the Dark Side would always remain....

 

[Amani Serys]

Darth Argentum

Amani shook her head, “I don’t have time.” Though as much as she didn’t want to accept it, his words rang true. Whatever she knew, a Sith lord would have mastered far beyond her own skill. “It doesn’t matter. I could still win.” A padawan slaying a master. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened. But it wasn’t exactly the norm.

Her gaze fell to the ruins of the office as he gestured towards them. Perhaps he was right. She did have great potential, and the dark side would show it to her. For every time she used it, Amani never felt in control. It was explosive, powerful but gone in an instant. “I’ve tried that. At least I thought I did. But I still haven’t found that focus.”

 

[Darth Argentum]

"Then you must find the focus," he told her "Learn to control it."

"The difference is that there is much anger in you, much desire for revenge. It's there, the fuel you need."

He gestured to Amani Serys as he continued to explain the path to her.

"You are your own greatest asset and your own liability. There are many barriers put up in your past training. You need to destroy them. Throw out your sense of past morals and ethics. The Jedi only hold you back, even now, through their teachings."

"I didn't lie to you when we spoke on Lannik, Amani," he told her with a surprising earnestness "I can help you destroy your walls and help you find the new way. The way to revenge and then real power."

Argentum sighed and shook his head. When he spoke again, it was very quiet but held a low intensity. He looked to the ground.

"Power, but not for it's own sake. Instead it's power to break free of your chains. Freedom is the real, true way. The freedom to live without the yoke of others upon you. Without their expectations and barriers."

He looked up with his eyes full of fire and met hers.

"You called me a monster, young one, and placed your judgement upon me. But I don't seek to rule and control others, to harm and kill them. They force my hand. I simply want to be free."

 

[Amani Serys]

Darth Argentum

“Power, but not for it's own sake. Instead it's power to break free of your chains. Freedom is the real, true way.”

Right there was the hook she latched on to. Freedom. The word rang in her ears. Her whole life was in servitude to something else. It never bothered her until recently. Or at least, she told herself it never bothered her. Not just the Jedi, but now the Sith. Their conflict defined her life as of late, and it hung over her like a dark cloud. An ever present curse that haunted every decision she made.

“Everybody keeps doubting me. They don’t think I can do this. I’m done hearing it.”

She matched his gaze, eyes burning with a similar fire.

"I simply want to be free."

“How do I start?”

 

[Darth Argentum]

He smiled at Amani Serys and spread his hands wide.

"You already have."

"By making this choice, you have begun to walk down the path of self-determination."

Argentum gestured towards himself as he began to speak of his own past.

"I also broke free of my own chains. The Rule of Order and it's followers are slaves just as much as the Jedi. My own Master, when he found me, tried to convince me of it's validity. Except, during my years as his student, I grew to see things as they truly were."

He shook his elongated head and continued on, his voice tinged with disgust.

"Everything they do is for the glory of their Emperor. They believe themselves to be strong but they are chained to the throne. They are slaves play-acting at real power. They're everything the Sith Order should not be."

The Muun's tone grew friendlier as he spoke to the young Mirialin, changing the subject.

"But enough of those fools. I left them behind and now I grow in strength. This bank, this world are only the start. Imagine, Amani, what the future holds for you. Revenge will be yours, but then what will you do. I offer you a chance to learn from me and gain everything you've ever dreamed of."

"Yet I am a practical being. For now, we shall focus on the the start."

He began to explain the way one fed their anger into the Dark Side. How the flames grew ever higher and began to form an infinite loop. More passion, more fury leading to ever more power. More power leading to more passion and desire....