Private Dominion of Knowledge [Darth Maliphant]

[Darth Ahriman]

Dominion of Knowledge​

---

Location: Odavessa.
Objective: Contact Darth Empyrean .
Starship: The Chimera.
Apparel: Acolyte Apparel | Sith Lightsaber.

---

From out of hyperspace, the Chimera shot back into real space with a dull thud as the hyperdrive released the corvette from swirling channels of space and time, back out into the brilliant gaze of the looming world, Odavessa. Sat within the pilot's chair, Valen stared up through the transparisteel port with a crimson glare, a stare of deep and intense thought worn beneath the black hood that draped over his head, the black robe light and easy to discard if the need of combat were ever to arise.

Hereupon this world, with the intention of meeting a Sith Lord, the possibility was all so very real and made the venture all that much more of a thrill. Valen had come for reasons of personal ambition, yet within the former Sith Empire had made a small name for himself within combat against their enemies at the time. Those upon Odavessa were connected to, if not directly part of the former Empire's wartime rivalry of the past. Just as he had put his life at risk seeking out the Sith Empire as a civilian walking into the Battle of Generis against the New Imperial Order, here he was doing something similarily dangerous by seeking out the wisdom of a potential enemy.

...-On the other hand, it was also very real that among the millions of soldiers that had fought and died during those years of war between the Sith Empire and rival armies, Darth Maliphant and his peers might know nothing of him, his name or his past deeds. He was a clone, after all, something he had learned very recently and was at the point of contact with Odavessa, something that he was seeking to remain in denial of until he had an adequate source to vent his shame and rage upon. Why would the likes of a Sith Lord know anything about a mere Clone lest it presents itself in front of the Sith Lord's very path?

Upon entry into orbit of the swirling world of power, the communications terminal sounded off as the Chimera was hailed from the capital city's port. Answering the call, was the nameless droid who obediently acted as the vessel's co-pilot in the absence of any sentient life Valen was willing to permit such a role. "Chimera to traffic control. Requesting capital landing permissions. Sending identification codes through now" The droid complied and made the request for their arrival unto the capital city. The inclusion of the Chimera's IFF transponder codes would flag the vessel as a known association to the former Sith Empire, as well as the Kainate.

As the droid continued to guide the Corvette in towards the capital of Odavessa, Valen rose from his seat and turned back to head for the cargo bay, preparing to step out in front of whatever awaited him there. His presence in the Force remained full and free-flowing around him, concealing nothing in the way of the power that he had learned to harness through the teachings of Zeptepi Zambrano , a daughter of Carnifex himself.

"Please inform whoever it might concern, that my Master seeks an audience with the Sith Lord, Darth Empyrean " the droid added, speaking somewhat cluelessly and simply abiding by the orders it had been given, knowing not the possible risk that such words might bring upon the vessel still awaiting flight and landing clearance.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Valen would be given a grand and intoxicating view of a world many centuries in the making. A hideout of sith architecture and control founded and built near the end of the Galactic Empire - perhaps even before. There would be no issues he would find with his arrival, taken as a liason of the Kainite. In orbit, he may even see Sith Empire ships - some mothballed as defensive platforms, others simply waiting for the call of Darth Carnifex .

When he finally landed and the hanger droids committed his ship to refueling and investigation - he would be guided from the vessel and given to two giant soldiers. They spoke through death trooper vocoders, undecipherable and foreign. They motioned for him to follow - leading him to an airspeeder, and eventually a massive obsidian tower with their Master.

Taken to his office, Valen would see Maliphant reading a dossier on a holopad. He'd glance up to him, meeting his eyes with black metal orbs replacing his own eyes. He'd toss the holopad- and before it'd shut off, Valen would see the report on file was of him.

"Valen. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Darth Maliphant. What have you come to me for?"

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Valen would leave the confines of the Chimera, soon meeting face to face with the two large soldiers clad in their black death trooper armour reminiscent of the same fashion as Sigma-Five-Delta, the special forces squadron under Valen's command. As they waved him on to follow in their stead, Valen would nod in acknowledgement.

Silence followed the trio as they moved towards the speeder. Boarding the vehicle, Valen took the time to study their surroundings. Odavessa was a very impressive looking world, similar to that of Dromund Kaas when Valen first arrived at the seat of the Empire's power back then. It had been a curious sight to recognize some of the decommissioned vessels in the orbit above, some of which still looked to be intact and operating while bearing the old signature of the fallen Sith Empire, leading Valen to wonder about the state of politics within whichever hegemony of Sith believed themselves to be the dominant power of today.

The welcome party were bid no questions, only complacency as he was being lead to the source of his interest thereon Odavessa, the Sith Lord who Valen believed could answer any of his curiosities regarding the state of the Sith Order, their allies as well as their present opposition. The looming obsidian tower marked a clearly authoritative shadow across the cityscape, and obviously their intended destination the closer the speeder drove forward.

It would not be long before Valen was escorted to the office of Darth Empyrean , there where that which Valen assumed to be the Sith Lord he had been seeking, could be seen looking over a datapad before discarding it. The contents of the datapad's screen did not go amiss before it faded to black and the Sith Lord addressed the Acolyte of the Darkside directly.

Maliphant's question was a simple one. Expected. Yet the answer was not so clear cut and dry. Before Valen would respond, he first cast a careful eye back over his shoulder, denoting the two significantly large soldiers standing behind him still. He wasn't intimidated by them, size was often a deceitful impression, especially before the embrace of the Force itself, yet their presence remained a reminder in that he needed to choose his words carefully. Valen was yet to be certain of where his standing was, thereupon unfamiliar territory.

"I seek to enhance my knowledge within the doctrine of the Sith. To better understand what it means to be Sith" Valen replied, his gaze turning back towards Darth Maliphant, a crimson glow within his eyes, evidence of his clear devotion to the Darkside of the Force, yet only one half of the journey in his mind. He did not seek to be a mindless drone, a tool for destruction as his creator may have intended, but to exceed all expectations and rise above all others that he might prove his worth among the strongest of their kind.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant, relaxed and apathetic, let the silence hang for a moment as he contemplated. A momentary hum, and he steepled his fingers.

"Many have requested that of me. To learn about Doctrine, philosophy, power. Traditionally, power to the sith comes easy - so when I've told them it is not so simple they reject me. I've yet to see one rise to a position I could respect."

His expression scowled ever so slightly, and his voice grew dark before he relaxed again.

"So I'll ask you two questions. What do you hope to achieve, and to what end are you willing to cast aside what you know?"

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

"Nothing I've found I've wanted to achieve has been simple, but that has not stopped me" Valen replied, speaking confidently in the fact. His first test to earn his Masters favour had been to be pit against five other prospective apprentices; he had never killed before that day and this was merely to qualify in her consideration of him, not the deciding factor that would solidify his apprenticeship under her at the time.

"You are not the first I have sought out. I have been trained by others under the former Sith Empire. I understand that their way may well differ from your own, and I seek to learn from those who hold varying beliefs that I might finally decide upon my own conclusion. I will not cast aside the teachings of those before me, nor do I intend to forsake that which is offered to me henceforth" Valen responded once more. He would not follow one man's beliefs with blind faith, but explore what perspectives could be offered up to him, that he might discern for himself that which came with experience and the elevation of his own mantle of power. Furthermore, he was not willing to disrespect his Master and sole-trusted ally in the Sith Order by dismissing all that she had offered him. He would continue to learn and grow, but not at Zeptepi's expense.

"If you are concerned that I have fallen under delusions relative to that of the Sith Empire, or owe some sense of loyalty to the Kainate..." Valen gestured to the datapad that lay upon the desk in front of Darth Empyrean , inactive; "...-I am loyal to one person alone, that of my former Master. Her teachings opened the door, and now I walk my own path in the pursuit of greater power but make no mistake, I mean little to the Kainate nor the remnants of the Sith Empire. My absence in their ranks will not have been noticed, nor will my past shackle the promise of my future ascension".

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Quiet contemplation, then a reply.

"Acceptable.", he said.

"The reality is you have to accept your own view, your own interpretation. A dogmatic sith dies a dogmatic death - remember that."

He leaned forward now, and looked over Valen closely.

"I am a student of the Worm Emperor - and the Eternalist Doctrine. So that I can introduce you to the concepts, I need to know where you currently stand as a Sith."

"What is the goal of the Sith as an Order? What about as an individual? The Sith Code - what does that mean to you?"

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

"I know little of the Worm Emperor. I fail to understand why he would wish to be referred to as a worm" Valen responded, speaking plainly. Being referred to as some form of an insect seemed like an insult to Valen more so than anything else.

"The Qotsisajak is familiar to me, though my time spent as a Sith has been less theoretical than most. I entered the Sith Empire during the height of war, and it was there that I found my way" Valen explained, having been thrust headlong into the battlefield and forced to either find some way of not only surviving but fulfilling his orders in battle, or perishing as a nameless victim to weakness and submission under duress.

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion - This contrasts with the Jedi code in which their peace leads only to complacency, yet passion is the foundation of ambition and leads the Sith to rise above the status quo" Valen concluded in the first line of the Sith Code, keeping it as brief as needed. Darth Empyrean did not need to be drawn into a long-winded lecture lest he is the one to start it.

"Through passion I gain strength - This is the result of ambition fulfilled. In my case, I learned to draw strength from the lifeforce of the fallen, this was not taught to me but something I gained through perseverance in desperation" Valen continued to recite the Qotsisajak.

"Through strength, I gain power - The wisdom and skill to overcome my enemies. The power of influence and prestige among my peers. Those who are strong will inevitably rise above the weak, while those who lack promise will be discarded". This was proven on day one of his entrance into the Sith Empire, and every battle fought since that day where he had survived and those who had challenged him had failed.

"Through power I gain victory. Through Victory my chains are broken" Should I live long enough, there will come a day where I see my goals achieved and there will be no one left to question my worth. That which holds me back will have been discarded and my victory in life will elevate me to greater aspirations.

"The Force will free me - The power of the Dark Side is my weapon, a tool to be used against those who stand in my way to greater success and through training to gain greater power over the Force, nothing will stand in my way".

Valen gave pause as he had recited the last line of the Qotsisajak, allowing Darth Maliphant the time to comprehend his words before the younger man would seek to answer his question regarding the goals of the Sith Order. "The goals of the Sith differ from person to person. Dominion over the Galaxy, the elimination of one's enemies and the complete and uncontested acknowledgement of Sith rule. As for my personal goals...-I have thus far fulfilled them. Now I seek to grow in strength and reputation as a Sith...-Beyond that, I have yet to decide".

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant watched him, unflinching until he came towards the end of the code. When the mentions of victory, of breaking chains, and what the Orders goal was - the subtle appearance of a frown would cast shade on his expression.

"You're thinking of the world in a purely materialistic manner, Valen - everything you speak of is for lesser Sith, slaves to riches, to power for powers sake, corrupted selfishness."

He sighed then readjusted as his tone lost that sadness, washed over by acceptance.

"But I suppose that's why you've come here, isn't it?"

He stood, wandering to a nearby bookshelf and grabbed from it an aged leather tome. Ur-Kittat scrawled in human leather - the soft force signature of a torture jedi enveloping its velum pages.

"The Sith long ago lost the true goal we sought. Total domination of the Force - everything after that is secondary, Valen. Empires rise and fall, riches burn in a single planetary raid. What you seek is not eternal, but limited and temporary. What you should seek is something infinite."

He motioned to the book as he tossed it on the table before him.

"The Force is a sentient entity, and it is a tyrant. Ruled by the Celestials, it strives to keep the galaxy in a cycle of trauma for all eternity - and it is the goal of the Sith to upend that. Some seek ascension to create a galaxy of peace - some seek it to become God. What you seek is your goal - and the worthiness of that goal is determined by your strength to lead the Order, and if you can't then it simply wasn't meant to be."

"Do you understand what I'm telling you, or do you need evidence of such?"

 

[Darth Ahriman]

"Celestials?" Valen answered Darth Empyrean with the single worded question, soon to elaborate on his unfamiliarity with the notion; "I was under the impression there was nothing greater than that of the Force. That we seek to use it to our whim, to control and shape it by our own will...-But this is the first I have heard of beings beyond that of the Force itself".

Valen's mind presumed these Celestials to be the likes of Gods that lesser men and women clung to in false hope, to comfort them when their weaknesses were most present, but to hear from a Sith Lord speaking of such things in control of the Force itself...-This was not the same rhetoric shared with him by those from the former Sith Empire.

"What are these beings called? Do they go by another name?" he asked, seeking to know whether he had not heard of them by another calling or through some offhand myth in his studies of the Darkside; "What purpose do they fulfil in keeping the Galaxy under this consistent chaos. What is their objective?" He questioned further. Maliphant had successfully piqued his interest and Valen sought to know more about these Gods. Why such things had been so easily missed, unheard of in the years since he had become one with the Sith Brotherhood.

"I require evidence..." He answered finally, seeking more than the word alone from Darth Maliphant. Not simply out of curiosity, but because he refused to believe one man's word alone without being given some form of confirmation to these claims. Valen had been lied to enough in his short lifespan to have learned not to be so gullible.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"The Empire knew of the Celestials. Worked tirelessly to usurp them - but letting that information free was a threat to thr machinations of the Dark Council.", he said simply.

"In truth - I don't know if they have names any longer. I couldn't tell you if there is one parading as three, or thousands parading one. It's hard to say."

He motioned to the book again, the Force flipping to one of the later pages. Inscriptions, drawings, diagrams - all centered on a Celestial archeological dig near the Core. More likely, Valen might even recognize the Rakata symbolism in some of the etchings.

"They disappeared tens of thousands of years ago in the slave uprising of the Rakata. Archeological evidence shows it was abrupt, but no mainstream historians have identified the purpose of such - if they even believe they even exist."

"It wasn't until I studied Valkorians Holocron I found the ritual he had done on Nathema was based on a far older ritual done by the Celestials. They absorbed their entire species to stop the Rakata, and in doing so ascended reality - creating the light and dark."

"They live in a place called Mortis, but their control weakens. Under my own theory, I believe they keep the galaxy in a cycle to stop us from unseating them. Constant and wicked, they send agents of the Force like the Jedi to stop us time and time again."

"And they often succeed. Telling you this is only to show you our eventual goal, Valen - how we get there is what true Eternalism follows."

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Valen wondered if Zeptepi Zambrano had been aware of these beings, and even more so whether the Witch Mother Pom Stych Tivé had delved into such things. The Nightsisters Coven were to thank for Valen's grasp over the Darkside of the Force, the origin of power in which he had been introduced, was due to Zeptepi and her Mother.

Moving forward to take a closer look at the ancient book which Darth Empyrean had placed between them, Valen's eyes scrolled the dialect, paying careful attention to the diagrams and indeed recognizing the old Rakatan symbol that was shown.

"Nathema. Much farther from the Core Worlds" Valen muttered to himself thoughtfully, soon gesturing to the Rakatan symbol as he spoke further, "As is Rakata Prime from memory". The page described dig sites all situated near to the core worlds, and yet both of these worlds were on the outskirts of the core, within the Unknown Regions and the Tingel Arm. "Was there any indication on how far their reach spanned across the Galaxy within this Valkorian Holocron you discovered?" Valen turned to look upon the Sith Lord with clear intrigue.

These celestials sounded as though they made natural-born sentients out to be as inferior as typical society viewed clones by comparison. Such beings of omnipotence offered some small insight as to what one could become with such power in hand, contrasting Valen's own feelings of inferiority since he had learned of his artificial creation. There was nothing fated about his being there, merely the will of a lesser man, one whom Valen had recently slain. On the other hand, were he to realize such potential, there would be no questioning his significance.

"You believe these Celestials to be the source of the Jedi's discrimination against our way?" Valen questioned further, finding this to be rather surprising. He had guessed that the Jedi were as ignorant as Valen himself had been prior to being told all of this and that they were following their own flowed ideologies of their own design, not of some greater calling beyond that which the Jedi considered the Force to be.

"So then, how would these Eternalists seek to fulfil such a goal. What does that look like realistically?".

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"There has been Celestial artifacts and archeological sites found across the Galaxy. It is still not known which species were created by them and which weren't - so if I were to make a simple guess, I'd guess they controlled the entire Galaxy at one point. Technically speaking from their current position, they still do.", he said flatly, watching the book in thought.

His gaze rose to Valen 's again.

"I do believe they guide the Jedi. The Jedi often see the Force as a peaceful guiding wind - simple and elegant, as though the Galaxy has a balance to be achieved. Their balance often consists of the removal of our kind - again and again they have attempted such much to their own failure. It is the Celestials who have fooled them into thinking they do not exist - only that they are the nebulous idea of good in the galaxy."

"As far as how we seek to fulfill our goal - again, that gets complicated.", he cleared his throat as he began.

"Some of these strategies are beyond what I can tell you now - but know that there are many parallels between the eternalists and traditional doctrine. The Sith seek to create stronger generations of Sith, onwards and onwards until we are powerful enough to take on the Celestials. Combat, struggle, theories - the Sith are and should be led by the strong until the strong are no longer strong enough. Eventually, through that partial darwinism - we grow strong enough."

"That is the simple premise, at least. How we do that is more complicated. Empires, wealth, knowledge in the Force, and even armies help us get there - by reducing the influence of the Force. Some intend to use ancient artifacts to kill the Celestials, others like Valkorian wanted to use the same ritual the Celestials used to usurp them - nearly succeeding in his attempt. The Worm believes in the absorption and inheritance of a Sith'ari Dyad - but the Sepulchral know just what that means and how deep it goes. The reality is, there are numerous groups in the galaxy attempting to do this - all with different ideas on how."

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

"This is why the Sith Eternal targeted the Sith Empire?" Valen asked, seeking confirmation and understanding; "I recall one such battle where I found myself facing off against Sith of another banner. I did not understand it at the time, I was younger then and presumed them to be traitors to the Empire and to the Sith Brotherhood...".

The younger male's brow furrowing as he frowned at the memory, images of the slain lying before him and recalling his annoyance at the waste of what could have otherwise been loyal servants of the Empire; "But of course, one Emperor would not concede to another without bloodshed. It just seems like a waste of time and resources. The weak may eventually be culled in the constant fighting, yet our enemies gain from our inability to join as one", part of what Darth Empyrean was explaining to him made sense, yet it also sounded too masochistic for the Sith Order to continuously fight among themselves while the rest of the Galaxy sought their end.

"This is all news to me however, I will need time and further research to understand all of this as you do" Valen concluded, knowing he only had a hint of the full story, offered to him by that of the Sith Lord standing before him. "What then, are the Eternalists more immediate goals?" he questioned, thinking more upon the more immediate future; "And what can they offer me?".

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"In some sense. The Worm rose from darkness because the Rule of Order had led to a weakened Sith at the benefit of a singular one - Carnifex. When he left the Empire and let it split, splinter, and dissolve, it was evidence enough that the Rule of Order could not be maintained. Now, he operates a cult around himself - similar, but slightly different than what it was before.", he said with a shrug.

"More immediately, the Eternalists intend to corner more of the Sith influence - so that the Kainites and Maw can not truly assert themselves as the domineering Sith again - as the Empire did with the Rule of Order. More Eternalists, more strength, the more likely they won't lose sight of our true goal afterall."

"As for what they can offer you - resources. Men. Agency. Knowledge. Whatever it is you seek, it can be supplied - I am a very influential person, Valen. Simply ask, and you very well may recieve - and in time, you'll learn through Eternalism techniques that can make you more powerful than any traditional Sith alive today."

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Nothing was free, that much was a given; But in the way of Valen's ambitions and that which he would like to gain, the younger male still had yet to truly decide for himself. There were only broad desires that came to mind at that moment. "I wish to be recognized as a true Sith, and I wish to gain the influence that you yourself possess" Valen replied without hesitation, for these were things that he knew without a doubt to be true.

Valen studied Darth Maliphant for a moment, seeking to gauge the Sith Lords' reaction and possible body language for any telling signs throughout their discussion, yet there in speaking on his desire to be recognized, Valen also considered speaking on that which he had learned of his origins in the bid to elaborate on why he sought such things. "Perhaps you already know this...-But I am a clone. I was created by a Sith Lord who turned against the Empire, a traitor and a deluded fool who had become too confident in that which he believed of himself" Valen spoke with malice within his tone now as he described that of Darth Veneer and the former Disciples of Typhojem.

"Do you know what it is to learn that your entire reason for being created was an idea born on a whim of a lesser man?" Valen nearly spat the words as he continued, the Darkside of the Force swirling in response to his emotions, his disgust and anger broiling within as he spoke of it all for the first time since killing the zealous Sith Lord and his brainwashed followers. "I know what others will think!" Valen snapped, turning a daring glare upon that of Maliphant in the turmoil of his passion, "A clone. A fake. Incapable of meeting the potential of a true Sith" he seethed.

His hands balled into fists at either side, his eyes leaving that of Darth Maliphant as Valen sought to regain control over himself. Were it as easy as simply killing those who doubted him...-But he knew that in order to become a true Sith, it meant garnering the influence of other Sith. To gain repute among the Order and to ensure that those weaker than him would not be able to deny their inferiority. That he could one day lead an army, just as he did Sigma-Five-Delta.

"...-Perhaps I just want to watch every world burn beneath my feet but not for the sheer sake of it. I want the Galaxy to see me and fear what I am. I want those who doubt me to be brought to heel. Strength. Authority. Supremecy. All of it until my disgust for this life is sated!" that crimson fire in his eyes almost seemed to brighten as he finished speaking. Ripples of malevolence rolled throughout the presence of the Force within the room, unseen yet palpable and easily felt by the Sith Lord who stood nearby. His emotions were erratic, he was still young and not nearly as experienced as Darth Maliphant himself, yet the potential that churned within his presence and aura of the Force would be undeniable.

If Maliphant had the eye for such things, he would clearly see that there appeared to be an ethereal connection between Valen and something distant, elusive but also tied to the ease of power that swirled around the younger Sith. Something beyond the ability that the Nightsisters of Dathomir had awakened within him. Something that Zeptepi Zambrano had witnessed, yet not been able to make sense of at the time.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant watched, studying both his words and the ethereal connection that spread and moved. He hummed in curiosity for a moment, but let it slide away as he brought himself back to the situation at hand. Whatever it was - it could be dealt with later, or at least studied. For now, he needed to reassure the 'clone' of what it meant to be Sith.

He leaned forward, metal orbs for eyes moving oddly in their sockets as he spoke;

"Once, Sith cared about lineage. Some still do - you'll often hear of those seeking out those of pure blood quantums, better ethnicities to the purebloods of old. Today - it means little and less, because the purebloods have long since been outdone by the likes of us muddled Sith.", he said without so much as a smile.

"I know how you feel better than you'd think, Valen. You know me as Darth Maliphant - but that is a title earned from the fear I inspire and my status as a Sith Lord. In reality, I have no name - because I was born a slave. Surely I had identification numbers, nicknames as I grew, was sold. None of those matter now - because nobody remembers I was a slave."

He leaned back once more.

"Fight for the respect you deserve, but never feel sorry for yourself for what you are - make it what you were. Once a clone, but a Sith now. Just as I was once a slave, but a Darth now. Remember that - and build an empire on that premise that nobody shall forget what you are."

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

"I am much more than I was back then..." Valen responded, there within his tone of voice, both agreement in what Darth Empyrean was saying, as well as the sound of dark resentment towards the past before him.

It was safe to admit that Valen had not anticipated the Maliphant to have once been a slave to others. Not when looking upon the man now who exhibited such power and dominance as a Lord of the Sith. If such a man had surfaced from a past of slavery to become so strongly established within the Sith Order, then there was indeed hope for Valen to break the chains of his past, shaping his future by his own design.

"You have done well for yourself, it would seem" Valen turned to look back to the Sith Lord, raising his head a little in a half nod of acknowledgement to Darth Maliphant's success, that which Valen would relate to more than anything yet disclosed between them since his arrival; "That is something that I can respect. Coming into your own and breaking away from what others deemed you to be. I seek similar vindication".

"If you will allow it, I would like to spend more time among your Order of Eternals. I wish to further study your philosophy and benefit from the teachings that you might be willing to part with" Valen asked of the Sith Lord, seeking the older males' approval to remain on Odavessa. "My former Master resides with the Kainate at present. My loyalty to her will not compromise you or the Order of Eternals".

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"I trust you to hold to that - or I'll show you what vindication can be worth."

He motioned to the books before pulling an emblem from his top drawer -

"These books and more can be gotten by holding the badge with you. Show it as a mark of my acceptance - so that none of the others will doubt you. If you have more questions, Valen, seek me out and I'll answer what I can."

"Is there anything else?"

Valen

 

[Darth Ahriman]

For the first time during their meeting, a smirk broke out across the younger man's face as Darth Empyrean threatened him. Valen didn't appear intimidated at all, although he understood the validity of the threat and the likelihood of the encounter being an uphill battle.

Watching the Sith Lord closely, Valen's head tilted ever so slightly at the sight of the seal which Maliphant drew out and placed upon the desk between them. A sign of authority, consent of which others would not question. "Understood" he replied in short.

As for further requests, Valen wondered where he would best start with regards to the rest of the Eternalist Order; "Who among the Order of yours are considered to be the wisest and most capable? Not in theory alone but also combat. I wish to test myself against the height of your hierarchy".

 

[Darth Empyrean]

"Beyond myself, Darth Nito, Vulcanus, the Worm Emperor - while others are in league with the Worm, but perhaps could not be called Eternalists.", he said with a passive wave.

"Ophidia, Arcanix, Demiurge. You'd be hard pressed to truly test yourself against them - but it may be worth investigating their theories as well."

Valen