Private Darkness Within

[Lina Ovmar]

Dusk had fallen over Vardin City, elongated shadows cast by the castle stretching into the streets below. Lina was not unwelcome here per se, the fact the Korriban fell under the rule of Darth Caedes and not Darth Carnifex himself made it somewhat of a grey area. Still, better to be safe rather than sorry. Caedes was still an unknown variable, how likely he was to hand her over to the kainites remained to be seen.

As such, she waited patiently for the shadows to reach across to her quiet little alleyway, fading into them like smoke, traversing the lines between this realm and the next as she travelled from shadow to shadow, a keen eye might spot a set of dark wings gliding through, but they’d be gone after a moment.

The dark stone walls of Vardin castle gave her an added advantage as she followed the tug of her Blood Trail towards Strosius’ apprentice. She’d not been able to spend anywhere near as much time with her on the Malsheem as she had hoped. Things had moved faster than she had been able to anticipate and she had become consumed by her own grief. Not for the loss of Alisteri Haxim, but for the loss of her daughter. Lucia was not dead, but Lina would never see her again, not so long as Carnifex and Sarlow lived.

The shadows in Revna’s room began to pool together as she drew near, collecting in the centre of the room like a portal as Lina reached out in the force with a reassuring stroke against the apprentice's mind before she rose smoothly from it, dark wings folding around her like smoke, obsidian eyes scanning the room for danger before relaxing. The wings vanished, shadows retreating to where they belonged as her eyes shifted back to their normal emerald green.

“Well,” she said softly “This is much nicer than your little cell on the Malsheem, isn’t it?”

Revna

 

[Revna]

Late evening was perhaps one of Revna’s favorite period of time on Korriban; the lengthening shadows over the chilly red landscape brought a more ominous appearance to the ancient Tomb World of the Sith. She enjoyed pouring herself a glass of wine and sitting on a lounge chair that overlooked perhaps one of the best views the Palace offered: a vista of the Valley of the Dark Lords.

The quarters she had been given were lavish compared to what she was used to, and the palace radiated with Dark energy - something that both deepened Revna’s sorrow, as well as brought her a measure of joy. If she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine herself being back within the hallowed walls of the Formos Cathedral, and she could return home for a brief period of time.

But it deepened her pain…and upon doing so, deepened her power and connection to the Dark Side.

Korriban sang to her dark soul, and she felt an almost kindred connection to the ancient world. Almost as if she could feel and hear the whispers of the Sith who had long since died and turned to dust. She did find herself wishing on more than one occasion that she could talk to her late High Priest about it and hear what He had to say on the matter. But now it was something she'd have to ponder on her own. Maybe it was something she could ask the King about, the next time she saw him in person.

She was in her seat, lost in thought when she felt the Force shift near her and her senses came alive as molten orbs flickered over the room before settling on the pooling shadows that were coalescing in the center of her chamber. Wariness prickled over her skin, before a familiar presence touched against her mind and her tension somewhat eased.

Revna, dressed in black robes that might have been nightrobes, rose to her feet to greet the one who had come to visit her. A small smile curled on her pale face as the form of Lina Ovmar rose from the shadows on the floor, black wings wrapped around her form. Once the Sith Lord had scanned the area for danger and seemed pleased that there was none, her shadowy presence drained away and obsidian eyes returned to their emerald hue. The two Sith eyed one another for a brief moment before Lina broke the silence by commenting on Revna’s updated quarters.

“Yes - much nicer than my room on the Malsheem, that’s for certain. And the views…breathtaking. The King himself granted this chamber to me. I can actually leave my room here and roam when and where I wish, though it is still a gilded cage of sorts. My movements are tracked, but Lord Caedes has seen fit to grant me much more freedom than what I’ve had in months. And I am very thankful for it.” she said with a small but genuine smile, before pausing for a few moments to simply look upon Lina. Her presence might have felt...different to Lina from the last time they had been near to one another. Revna's aura was much colder now, devoid of the warmth and vibrancy that it once held. She still looked the same - save for faint spider-web like black veins that were just starting to become visible around her molten eyes.

“You look well. I…I must confess I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again. Especially after…” the young woman's voice trailed off for a moment as her thoughts started to return to that fateful moment in the Kaggath, before she pushed them back to the darkest parts of her mind and settled her gaze back on Lina’s face. “Well…after what happened I figured you’d want to move on with your life, considering your agreement made with my Master no longer applies. But…I am happy to see you.”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina's smile became sad as Revna stumbled over the death of her master. She could see it clear as day in her mind, so she did not doubt that the moment was embedded in the young woman's mind even more so. A memory she would relive over and over again. It was no wonder she seemed colder. Lina herself had never been fortunate enough to have such a bond with any of her tutors. Hers had all been built on hatred and pain, and she could not help but feel a touch of jealousy for Revna's fortune that she had found a master who did care.

"I have yet to determine on which side Lord Caedes lies, I have a strong suspicion that he is on his own side which, could work in our favour, or it could work against us. Though I think that entirely depends on what can be offered to offset the risk." She mused. Time and a conversation or two would certainly tell her the answer to that question. "I'm glad that you are at least out from under the boot and attention of Lord Prazutis and Carnifex."

She stepped closer to the girl, her emerald eyes searching her face. "I only promised Strosius information," she said softly "It was to you whom I made the promise to see you free, Revna. I still intend to see that promise through." she reached to take her hand "I cannot promise to fully understand your relationship with him, but I know he meant a great deal to you. I am truly sorry for your pain."

Gently, she turned Revna's hand over, looking down at it as she set a necklace in its palm, the pendant a small vial of darkened glass, set within silver fixtures, a grey glittering substance within. It was icy cold to the touch but would feel every bit familiar to Revna. "I hope this will help."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna saw Lina’s smile turn more melancholy as she mentioned her master, intent on shoving down the memories and the pain even further. She had wept much after her arrival on Korriban, mostly on her own as she knew she would - and did not feel like breaking down yet again.

Instead, she focused on Lina’s statements about Darth Caedes, and the woman’s musings, and she did smile in relieved agreement with the observation that she was no longer under the boot heel of the Kainate Dark Lords. Well, for now anyway. That could easily change…though she did hope she could make herself…useful enough to the King that he just might demand she stay on Korriban.

Her future, and who held her reins so to speak, was certainly up in the air but for the moment, she had been granted a reprieve and an opportunity and she wouldn’t waste it.

“Yes - Lord Caedes is an unknown right now.” Revna admitted, curiously using a title of respect for him whereas she rarely did this when speaking about the other Dark Lords. “However, I have the same suspicions as you do. He seemed to carry a respect for my Master, which is not shared by the others.” She mused softly before she caught Lina’s gaze, a seriousness coming over her. “I’m not a fool - I know that there is a give and take when it comes to these things. But, the circumstances for me have shifted. I still seek my freedom, and I will do what I must to have it returned to me.”

She briefly looked away, back out of the window and into the growing darkness that was descending over Korriban. The last light of Horuset cast an ominous dim red glow over the chilly desert. To Revna, it looked as if the landscape was being bathed in blood.

“I may have to trade one chain for another. But…I am far more willing to accept a chain that I create for myself, than one that is put on me against my will. No chain is preferable but sometimes, it cannot be helped. It is the price to pay.”

She looked back at Lina once more. “The Sith King brought me here for a reason…and what that is yet, I do not know. I am without a master now…it is entirely possible that he seeks to take up that position, but I am not sure. Time will tell.” She murmured, speaking her inner thoughts aloud as Lina stepped closer to her, emerald green eyes searching her face.

Revna was quiet and let the woman step into her personal space as Lina explained that she had only promised Darth Strosius information, while she had promised to help set Revna free - and she still intended to keep that promise. Guarded hope flickered in the little Sith’s eyes - oh what she wouldn’t give to truly be free once more - and her gaze lowered as Lina reached down to take one of her hands. Revna kept her hand balled in a loose fist as it was turned over, watching as the older woman revealed a length of chain that carried a sort of gilded vial on it, and Revna opened her hand to receive it as it was set gently onto her palm.

The moment it settled into her palm, a rush of familiarity came over the young woman. Her ember eyes were glued to the little vial that radiated a coldness that would unsettle most, but not her. A powerful yet oh so familiar presence could be felt coming from the object…and for a moment, Revna stood frozen in her place as she simply stared at the necklace.

It was like having Him there right in front of her, all over again. And for a moment…she could have sworn she saw Him standing there in His ornate battlerobes and His familiar mask, watching her silently.

The dam holding her tears back broke as her hand folded around the small and precious vial, and she wept anew once more - not even bothering to hide her tears from Lina. Her hand clenched tighter around the object as the soul pain that came from a deep loss rippled through her once more…deepening the curious cold void that resided within her. Revna’s own aura seemed to deepen and darken, as if synergizing with the potent dark essence that radiated from the vial itself. A darkness and power that almost seemed to beat with one pulse.

Feeling her knees grow weak, Revna forced herself to sit down on the lounge chair that was closest to her, the tears still flowing freely down her cheeks as she lifted her gaze back to Lina’s.

“...how?” came a strangled whisper as she tried to comprehend just what had come into her possession. “It’s like He’s here with me…right now. Right here…”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Revna's emotion hit her like a battering ram, but Lina was prepared for it this time, her only reaction being the small intake of breath before she reached gently to brush tears from Revna's face before the younger woman sank into a chair. Lina slipped neatly in beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders in comfort. "While you were grieving and Malum was posturing, I stole what I could of his ashes from the arena. I wasn't expecting them to be quite as potent as they are."

She caught herself before continuing, realising that the last thing Revna would want to hear would be how useful her dead master's ashes were proving to be, or that she had even experimented with them. "Sith never truly die. there is always a piece of them tethered to this plane somewhere, and one as ambitious and volatile as your master with as much unfinished business as he had..."

Lina trailed off, a frown creasing her head. "He is with you, Revna, he always will be." A thumb gently rubbed Revna's arm. "My mother died when I was younger than you, despite my greatest efforts to be rid of her, she still speaks to me. There will come a time when he will speak to you again. Until then, this will keep you connected to him."

Revna

 

[Revna]

She hardly registered the sensation of touch as Lina brushed the tears that had dripped down her cheeks before slipping into the chair beside her and embracing her, gently sharing with Revna that she’d procured some of the ashes of the fallen man, and that they were quite and unexpectedly potent.

For some reason, that brought out a broken laugh from the young Sith. “Of course they’d be potent. Everything that was influenced by him is potent to some degree.” she mused somewhat sorrowfully before falling into a contemplative silence as her more overt emotions began to settle back into their familiar numbness. Still, the tears dripped freely as she listened to what Lina shared with her.

Unfinished business… yes…He’d been taken far too soon. But, Revna knew deep down it would have happened eventually with how belligerent her Master had been towards well…everyone that had accrued His ire.

Lina trailed off for a moment and Revna simply sat there beside her, feeling the icy cold glass and silver in her hand and the deep darkness that seeped from that vial. This was now perhaps the most precious thing in her possession, besides her own life. And she knew she’d kill anyone who tried to take it from her.

More tears followed as Lina told her so gently that He was always there with her, and explained that perhaps He would speak to Revna one day, just as Lina’s mother still spoke to her. It took the little Disciple of Darth Strosius a few more moments to compose herself, but eventually she wiped her tears away before almost reverently lifting the necklace up and clasping it around her neck, letting the vial rest against her skin before she turned her gaze back to Lina.

“Thank you…You’ve no idea what this means for me, Lina.”

A sudden and rather concerning thought slipped into her mind and she frowned deeply. “...I can’t take this with me if I am recalled to the Malsheem. They’ll take it from me, destroy it. If that happens…I will leave them here, in a place that only you can find. You gave this to me, therefore you’re the only one I’ll truly trust with this.” she murmured, searching the woman’s face and eyes before her gaze hardened ever so slightly. “Just a warning though, in case you decide to do something foolish with this - I want you to understand that these ashes are not just from my Master, but from the only man I recognize as my father. And after everything that has happened, He is the only one of my family I truly care about.”

She looked away after a moment and glanced around her lavish chamber, before her eyes settled on the dark ebony wine stand with the goblets on its surface. She wasn’t sure about Lina but she could use a glass after that emotional outpour.

“...would you like some wine? It’s a good, vintage variety. Not sure where it comes from but the King certainly has good tastes…”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina pursed her lips at the mention of the Malsheem, her expression darkening. If Revna were recalled back there, she wouldn't be able to get close to her again. Everything she could do to free the girl would be reliant on a full-scale assault. With the church falling under the command of Carnifex and Malum taking up the head of both the Inquisition and the Tsis'Kaar the political landscape shifted. While she knew Malum would want to free his cousin, she did not see him jeopardising all he had gained through killing Strosius.

There was more underlying her words of warning, that Strosius had been a father to her...that he was the only family she cared about... Malum had killed Revna's father. She considered traversing down that path, testing the water, but something in Revna's gaze told her that perhaps today was not the day. Things were too raw. Instead, she smiled, took Revna's hand in hers and said, "You have my word that what you do not have in that vial, will be kept safe and secure from any foolish endeavours."

When asked about wine, Lina freed Revna's hand and nodded. "Wine would be lovely." Her expression became distant as she lost herself in thought for a moment before speaking again. "We should make the most of your time here on Korriban. Whatever Lord Caedes goal is, he does not hold dominion over Carnifex or Prazutis. The best I can tell their relationship is one of mutual understanding and tolerance and that can be bent either way. Carnifex is unpredictable at the best of times, though he has a new hobby to occupy himself so we may have some time..."

She sighed. "There are two things we need to establish. One is a way to communicate should you be taken back there. The other is how to remove the device in your spine."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna nodded mutely as Lina gave her word that she would not do anything nefarious with the ashes that were now in the little Disciple’s possession, and agreed to take a little bit of the offered wine. She froze, however, when Lina’s hand slipped into hers and she felt something…strange happen. The void in her center stirred to life and she suddenly felt very cold, and in desperate need for warmth, something to fill that void…to make her feel alive again.

But just as she felt a trickle of warmth start to spread from Lina and to her…the other woman pulled her hand away and the coldness retreated back into her core. Unnerved, Revna rose to her feet and made her approach to the wine table and listened to Lina as she poured a goblet of the beverage and returned to the woman, handing it over to her but making sure their hands did not touch this time.

“I agree. I…I have no proof of this, as of yet. But I think Lord Caedes has considered taking me on as a student of his. I don't want to say apprentice, but it is possible that is on the table. If he does that, then he would technically have “rights” over me, more so than the other two. Neither of them have claimed me, and when he told me to join him at the conclusion of the Kaggath…neither of them stopped him. And I have heard nothing from either of the Dark Lords since my arrival here. I don’t want to go back to that place, Lina. I’ll do whatever I need to… to make sure that doesn’t happen. If that means I make myself valuable to the Sith King…then that is exactly what I’m going to do.”

She sighed along with Lina after she heard the last couple of statements - about establishing a way of communication should Revna indeed be recalled back to that place, as well as a way to deal with the device still attached to her back. And…as if sensing that it was being spoken about, it decided to cramp down on her and send fire through her nervous system.

A pain she had long since come to terms with, and even accepted. But it was still something she did not enjoy feeling.

“I…I don’t know about the communication thing. That I think will prove to be a conundrum. I know there are ways through the Force to do that but…it's usually something permanent. As for the device…that is a whole different issue. I suppose, now that my Master is gone - I can make a request to Prazutis to remove it. But I don't see that going the way either of us want it to. And the only other way to be rid of it is through surgery…and if it’s not authorized, who knows what will happen.” She murmured, her gaze lowered as a somber shadow passed over her pale face.

“I fear I’m stuck with it for the remainder of my life. And honestly…I would rather die, than remain little more than a slave to the Shadow Hand. If it comes to that, then…it is what it is. I won't go down without a fight though.”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Was it possible that Prazutis and Carnifex had grown bored of their new plaything already? Now that Alisteri was dead, what purpose did keeping her serve? The only person they were tormenting was Revna herself. though there was the possibility that in keeping her they could keep Malum in check. but Malum had never been the point, it had always been in response to Strosius's actions. Her eyes glazed, distant for a moment as she half listened to Revna while her mind wandered over the possibilities.

She accepted the glass, a blink bringing the room and the younger woman back into her focus. There was only one way for Lina to see if Revna's suspicions were correct. She would need an audience with Darth Caedes , preferably private though Ling's were not exactly easy men to draw into such things. No, she would have to get his attention first and foremost, and Revan could help her do that.

First however, her original points needed addressing. "Let's start with the thing I can fix." she said softly, her heart aching at the sadness in Revna's expression. "There is a creature that I can summon, and teach you to summon that we can use to communicate. They are not corporeal and exist only in shadows so they would bypass any security that the Malsheem might have."

She took a sip from the goblet, enjoying the rich flavour as it danced across her tongue. "As for the device, I'd like to see it, if you're willing. Perhaps take a scan so I can do some research."

Revna

 

[Revna]

​

Revna took a drink of her own wine as she watched Lina, noticing that the woman seemed somewhat lost in thought. Upon hearing Revna confess that she wasn’t too sure about the communication idea, Lina returned her attention to the younger woman seated beside her and explained that there was a creature that she could teach Revna to summon, something that existed only in shadow and therefore could bypass any security measure.

Instantly, an eager gleam flashed in Revna’s eyes that erased the sadness that lay therein. “Oh, yes! That would be excellent. I’m always eager to learn something new and useful.”

Lina took a sip of the wine that Revna had passed to her, before asking if she could see the wretched device that was buried in the younger woman’s back. Revna pursed her lips for a moment, an expression of self-consciousness coming over her face for a moment.

“...Yes, I’m okay with you seeing it. Though I’d caution you with the scans; pretty sure this thing is partially sentient. Scanning it may alert him that I’m up to something. But…if it helps us to figure out a way to get it off , then it is a risk I’m willing to take.” Revna paused once more, looking down at the glossy black robe she wore. “Umm…Let me go put a wrap on; I’m not wearing anything else underneath this and it only opens from the front…” she murmured, her face blushing a deep red, before she rose to her feet and padded away to her sleeping quarters. With quick efficiency that came with a trained warrior who needed to dress fast for action, Revna re-appeared wearing only a black cloth wrap around her chest, and what appeared to be loose black pants.

With most of her upper body bare, it was instantly evident that the young Sith had endured much, for scars criss-crossed over her pale flesh - but none were more prominent than the tell tale scars left behind by being struck with Sith lightning. The scars wrapped around her, a few tracing up over her collarbone and fading out on her neck, and when she turned around to reveal her back to Lina - more scars would reveal themselves…those inflicted by a whip or lash, most heavily concentrated on her shoulders. Beauty marred by savagery - a cruel past that had been embraced to pave the way for Revna to become a Sith.

And there, on her lower back, was a black metallic object that radiated with Dark side and a presence that was distinctly similar to that of the Shadow Hand himself. It had a small, round “body” at the base of her spine, connected to a sort of thin “tail” that was connected, no, fused - to the bones of her back itself and stopped mid-way up her back - just at the level of her heart. And on either side of the tail were “legs”, that were buried deep into her flesh, and seemingly were hooked into the bones of her spine. It was incredibly durable and appeared as flexible as the rest of her body, and was enhanced and strengthened through Sith sorceries and alchemy.

And, as Lina looked upon the cruel and insidious device, the legs could be seen to almost contract, and shift - as if the device itself was shivering. Revna’s body tensed, an indication of pain, though she made no sound or other movement to indicate just how much pain she was enduring. Solemnly, Revna looked over her shoulder at the older woman.

“...It is an ugly thing, isn’t it?” she murmured, her voice tight and laced with bitterness. “There are only two others, besides you, who have seen this device.” Revna turned her face away once more, still standing with her back turned to give Lina time to scan it, if she wanted to. “Like I’ve said…I don’t see myself ever being rid of this thing. Unless by force…and I think we both know what will happen in that case. Or Prazutis oh so kindly decides to remove it out of the goodness of his black heart.”

Lina Ovmar
​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina could not help but smile at the eagerness on Rebna's face at the prospect of learning something new. She rarely shared the knowledge she had, not because she did not want to, but because it was ot often she was presented with opportunity nor a student worthy of her attention. As Revna disappeared to change, Lina rose to her feet, shifting her gaze out over the balcony that granted them a stunning view of the Valley of Dark Lords.

There was a tug at her heart and the lightsabers fixed tightly to her belt seemed to humm with the force. She'd buried her mothers holocron out there a decade ago, no ceremony nor tombstone marked the location but she would find it easy enough. It was calling to her and as much as she wished to ignore it, now was the time for her to draw on all the resources she could get.

The soft shuffle of bare feet on a stone floor drew her attention back to the room within and she turned, regarding Revna for a moment, her eyes trailing scars so similar to her own. There was no sadness, nor pity in her expression for every scar Revna bore made her who she was today, regardless of the suffering that had come with them. Lina stepped forward as she turned around, setting her goblet on the table as she approached.

The device was an ugly thing, akin to a parasite feeding on a host. Lina clicked her tongue in disapproval, settling into a chair to bring herself to eye level, warm hands gently catching Revna's waist to draw her closer so he could see it clearly. "If anything I do causes pain or discomfort, tell me and I will stop."

Moving one hand from her waist, she placed it on Revna's back close to the device and closed her eyes, a quiet yet deadly calm coming over Lina as she focused on the device, careful not to poke it the force but instead tracing lines around it, following its innards as they reached into Revna's spine creeping up through it, entwined with delicate nerves. Its reach trailed higher than she liked, reaching into the base of the woman's skull.

Lina felt icy dread settle in her stomach. The surgery to remove it would be extensive and dangerous to unravel the device from each nerve without causing damage to Revna herself would be near impossible, so the aim would be to remove it causing minimal damage. Even that would have to be done once it was deactivated or neutralised, and who knew what that would do to her. After several moments of committing the device to memory, she removed her hand, her face twisted with disgust.

"That Prazutis sees it necessary to use such a device to bring an apprentice to heel says a great deal about his lack of power and control." She lifted her emerald gaze up to Revna's. "You can cover up now, if you wish."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna allowed Lina to move and position her how she needed, so that she could get a better look at the device on the younger woman’s back. Lina told Revna to let her know if anything she did caused her pain, and Revna nodded in understanding before standing still as the Sith Lord fell quiet with concentration.

She could feel the energy shift around her, the probing of the Force as Lina tried to ascertain just what the device was and how deeply embedded into her body it was. A flash of pain radiated through her nerves, almost as if the device was aware that something or someone was trying to figure it out. She grimaced at the fiery burn as it came and went, and idly wondered if what she had felt was a warning.

“No need for you to stop…but the device did fire off a quick flash of pain. Maybe a warning, maybe not…I’m not too sure.” She said softly, informing Lina of what had just happened, and a few moments later the elder woman finished up her examination and removed her hand from Revna’s waist and looked back into the younger woman’s face.

She could see the disgust on Lina’s face and pursed her own lips as she heard the words the woman said about Prazutis and his methods, and her eyes glimmered with dark mirth.

“Indeed. But…I am partially responsible for it being there myself.” Revna confessed quietly as she looked down, almost as if in shame. “If I hadn’t been so…defiant and disrespectful and fiery, well…there may have been no need for it. He could have just…killed me outright. Well, he tried and would have succeeded. But he spared me at the last moment. If I can be honest…I struggle with that every day, Lina.”

She looked back at the woman, a vulnerability in her gaze that normally wasn’t there. “He had every right, as a Dark Lord…to kill me where I stood when I challenged him. Even though I was someone else’s apprentice. I should have known better. And now I’m paying for it.”

Revna moved and sat down beside Lina, pulling her knees up and hugging her legs to her chest. “I think about that every time I am summoned before him. I think often on if…he would remove this thing… if I simply just submitted to his will and accepted his authority over me. I wonder if I’m the reason why I’m still suffering, because I am too stubborn to give up the hope I have…had.”

A single tear dripped down a cheek as she continued to stare out the window in front of her. “My Master is gone, Lina. I have nothing to go home to, nothing to truly fight for anymore. The game I was playing…is over. Perhaps…it is time I accept my place here, and let go of what was.”

Revna reached up then to grip the vial that was resting against her chest as she shut her eyes tightly, a flash of disgust and anger directed at herself coming over her. “I hate this so much. Everything is just…dark. I can’t see my path anymore. I can’t see my purpose. I feel so lost and I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Lina Ovmar ​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

That the device reacted when she began prodding was a warning to be heard. It was possibly aware to some degree, punishing Revna for attempting to tamper with it but it also made Lina wonder if Darth Prazutis was also aware. She would need to take this into account when she began to see what could be done to remove it, if removal was at all possible.

Lina's eyes watched as Revna seemed to crumple, drawing her knees to her chest as she let down her walls, confessing her fears and pain. There was no pity in Lina's gaze, to pity Revna would do her an injustice. There was however, solemn understanding.

Gently the Sith Lord wrapped an arm around Revna's shoulders and drew her into an embrace. “The Zambrano's have always done things the cruel way. Death would have been a mercy in their eyes, instead they offer pain not just as a reminder they could have killed you but also because pain and suffering are the only ways they know how to encourage connection with the darkside.”

She lifted a hand to gently stroke the younger woman's raven locks. “I am all too familiar with their methods.” Her expression darkened momentarily before she continued.

“But you are wrong that you have nothing to fight for. You have the most important thing of all to fight for.” She pulled away a hand reaching to lift Revna's chin, brushing her tears away.

“You have yourself to fight for. To be a sith is to take what you want, to be what you want. It is about caring for something as deeply as you desire and being able to sacrifice it at your own leisure. You do not need a Master or a religion to give you purpose, your purpose is to live. Not exist or survive but truly live however you wish to live. Do not accept anything less than that.”

Revna

 

[Revna]

​

Lina drew Revna in close, despite the young woman letting down her guard to expose her fears, her anger, . She only did this because, whether foolish or not, Revna trusted Lina. She…wanted to trust the woman that was there with her. Lina had been one of the few to stay in contact, to step back into Revna’s life when everything had crumpled around her.

Revna ran a thumb over the vial in her grip, as Lina calmly and gently told the younger woman how the Zambrano family did things; how death would have been a mercy, in their eyes - and to that, Revna agreed and understood. The pain and torment they disguised as “necessary lessons”, was really just another way for them to remind her that they were in control, they had power over her and could do what they wished…and that she simply wasn’t strong enough to deny them.

That thought alone made a deep and dark fire burn within Revna. It once again solidified her decision, her choice, to remain with them - so she could become stronger, rise in her power…so she could face them in the future on equal footing.

She knew her decision would bring suffering, she just didn't realize how much. It had nearly killed her, numerous times. But she still lived.

Lina brought clarity to Revna’s momentary lapse into hopelessness as she lifted her chin and wiped her cooling tears away. She was right, of course. Revna was fighting for herself, ultimately. She was shaping herself into what she wanted to become, because she had that desire to not only live, but thrive - but pain and suffering and sacrifices would have to come with that, would come with that. It was part of being a Sith, of becoming a Sith.

Revna nodded slowly, understanding and accepting what the older Sith woman told her. “I-I understand. Thank you, for helping to ground me with that. No one is responsible for my fate, my destiny - except for me, and what I choose to do with myself.”

She cast her gaze away for a moment before looking back at Lina. “When…when Prazutis put that thing on my back, I knew that I was going to have to make difficult choices, in order to stay alive, choices I didn’t want to make. But…that is what is most important to me, really…to live. I can’t grow in my power, rise as a Sith, achieve the things I want to have in my life - if I’m dead. I can’t become what I want to be, if I am fighting everyone around me, all the time. My Master did that…and look what happened to Him. It caught up to Him, and in the end He destroyed Himself. I don’t want that to happen to me too. I will…do anything, make the sacrifices I need to, have done already, in order to ensure that I live and rise in my power - so that one day, I might have my vengeance against all those who would take from me, force their will upon me.”

Revna’s gaze was shadowed, hard, as she looked at Lina. “I chose to stay with them, despite the hell I knew would come, so that I could one day have the chance to face them on their level - and never fear being controlled or burned or broken by them ever again. My hatred is so deep…that I sacrificed my own freedom…just to have a chance at vengeance in the future. Despite what I knew it would do to my Master, how it would look…I did this anyway. Am…am I wrong for that?”

Lina Ovmar ​