Private Make Lao-Mononade

[Vella Forte]

Unknown Regions // Lao Mon
Vora Kaar ​

The lurker had proven to be helpful. The time they’d spent at the abandoned Jedi beacon had exposed them to many languages and translations, enough so that they could interpret the abstract texts that Vella had been drawn to.

The lurker had also proven to be frustrating, rejecting her proposal to aid her further and navigate on her behalf.

The lurker had proven cowardice, pleading for their life when her wrath couldn’t be contained. After she’d taken the artifacts she required, the long abandoned outpost of history and secrets had been reduced to ashes from the destructive retribution of the Vahla.

As it was, her finger ran over the ridges of the caged orb that contained the coordinates to the last documented whereabouts of Vahla. The hope that they were still there was nothing more than a sliver, but even if they’d taken off, perhaps there were more clues for her to interpret. For if the Bladeborn wanted to grow the influence of her people, she’d want to find more of them. The Empire had consumed two that she knew of, residual soldiers from the days of Isolda. Now, they couldn’t be trusted. They were chained and contained, lost touch with the influences of the flames.

Pocketing the sphere into the drapes of cloth overtop her dark armour, she turned her attentions to her accomplice. A fellow cultist in his own right, though not Ember born. There were many causes to dedicate to, it seemed. The fervency of dedication not diluted from cause to cause, if anything, the exposure to more focus only charged her more to hunt down any remaining believers to the Goddess of Destruction. A useful group to surround herself with to grow in her power, and further aid the upcoming task of slaughtering and hunting down the Jedi. For all intents and purposes, this was a recruitment mission. No matter how one looked at it.

“You weren’t initially impressed with the Passionate Lord’s suggestion.” Vella broke the silence to her travel companion, rising from her seat as the pilot droid of their shuttle indicated all the procedures to park the thing had been adhered to. The world outside was green and lush, stretching with shapeshifters which could prove useful. “Have you encountered a Jedi before?”

Even just saying the word jedi made her lips curl, peeling away in a near-hiss.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Recruitment is a job typically kept for those of the Sith Blades, or an individual that which would be held at a lower... echelon than that of the Cabal. The Lord of None as Vora was coming to be known as, joined in accordance with Vella Forte. A Vahl who sought her own people out. Not for the idea of being a Sith, but her kindred Vahl. People who have long been influenced by the Dark side of the force for what many could consider an eon or more. Valuing a darkened flame for their "light" against many who may have sought to snuff them out.

Their world was gone and was not considered to be recoverable. Destroyed, lost, or abandoned for any number of reasons. Yet these individuals remained due to their steadfast belief of the Ember of Vahl. A hidden smile formed underneath the helmet of Vora as there was a silence between the two of them. An unease of the devotee was felt. Unsure of what was to come? Nervousness of the Sphere of Strengths presence? Or maybe was not fond of being kept within the ship?

No judgement was passed as the woman stood. Bringing up the Lords... distaste for the recent events that had transpired upon the Dark Praxeum. It seemed to be more of a fleeting response to get their attention. A simple nod was given from beneath the helmet and mask of the Lord. Continuing to sit in the co-pilot seat as the woman moved about. Preparing to disembark from the vessel so that the world below would be searched and have an encounter with potential allies. Standing up with little else to do, The lord's visor continued to stare out of the viewport of the ship. Watching as the world came into view with the lush jungle and flora that covered the planet. Filled to the brim with colors of greens, browns, and the like. Signs of growth in sunlight and terraforming the planets carbon emissions into that of breathable oxygen.

"You have an opinion of the Jedi already Blade Forte. Asking me will not quell your distaste for them."

Reaching to their shoulders, a cowl gently lifted to cover the blackened dome of their helmet. The lord turned to look at the woman as they made their exit after the ship had landed. Hydraulic systems hissing with the lowering of a ramp from the ship. Reaching within the robes, almost as though the robes were filled with nothing but a void, a little droid had been pulled out. Beginning to hover as the glowing orange eye turned to face the Lord.

"Search the area discreetly. Find scans of any lifeforms that match the genetics of the Vahla near-human species. Return to me if they are found."
"It will be done."

The black shell of a floating droid zoomed away from the two into the depths of the planet to search while the two Sith would perform their own searches.

"What are your thoughts of the Jedi? Who do you think they are?"

Vella Forte

 

[Vella Forte]

"I don't want my distaste to be quelled. Reinforced, perhaps, more informed, but not quelled."

It wasn't so much opinions on the Jedi she was after, it was weight. Attests to their mettle in combat, if there was any merit to their flowery words and hem-handed promises she'd heard so much about. Pathetic pleas to join them in the worship of their goddess, the Ashla. Even thinking about this caused a flare in her psyche -- like a muted caterwaul from an agitated nexu.

Her ruby-drenched gaze trailed after the drone as it disappeared into the jungle. The fog, dispersed by a slight mist of rain, snaked around the tall grasses around the landing zone in diaphanous swirls. Handy little thing, that. She had to appreciate the practicality of Vora Kaar bringing one of those along to speed this up.

Vella produced the object from her pocket and gave it a decisive twist, causing a schism between the top and bottom of the orb so that it might be overtaken by a wondrous glow. Runes projected from it, overlaying the scene with sigils and markings that she hadn't known the translation of until recently.

"Who are they? They're a rag-tag collection of soldiers who embrace only the easiest parts of The Force. Avoiding pain, fear, and drenching themselves in hubris." Her lips thinned, unable to find a better way to communicate her distaste than to share a recollection. "They slaughtered my people. My family."

Giving way to vulnerability, the Knight frowned. "I hope we're not too late. The records that brought us here were from a decade ago. Typically Vahla don't linger that long, unless they could...influence the indigenous."

 

[Vora Kaar]

A small crack in the facade of a honed edge. One that the Lord of None could see starting to fester like an infection. While her initial retort of wishing to be more informed, to have knowledge of the Jedi and their hubris. While the Vahla was focused upon the artifact. Informing of any potential position in which these remaining kindred, a shake of the head. An ideal had formed in the woman's head of how a Jedi was. A "Holy Knight" Corrupted by their own "Divine justice." While the plight of the Vahla was rather vague in some accounts, with others conflicting.

"Hope, the wishful and yearned desire against insurmountable odds, or circumstances."

Taking steps forward, simply sauntering into the depths of this planet, not account for whatever direction this artifact may be providing her, The cloaked figure simply gave the definition of hope with floury words. However, turning around, the mask with no hint of emotion presented itself before the woman.

"Your biased, and opinionated nature of the past, gives you hope of your own kind, but also desires the blood of those who are long dead. Hope is for those who no longer have resources or avenues of which to further themselves in their progression of self, community, or otherwise. Hope is a prayer to dead gods, and leaves one wanting."

Simply standing there. Defying in almost all of who this woman was. Outright calling the gods of all past religions dead. Hope that this woman would find others like herself. Wishing to bring down the Jedi and any who bore the name of their ancestors that may have slaughtered her people, and then called her character into question. A motive was clear in the lords voice. One that would not be spoken of so easily it seemed.

"Keep your thoughts, emotions, and strength in check. Reserve them. Otherwise, you will never find what you seek."

Indicating onwards deeper into the jungle that was slowly coming forward among the two of them, they moved inward. Following after no trail paved for them, for which the cowl of the Blackened Sith moved very lightly from side, to side, and taking light ganders of the surrounding area. It didn't take an individual well versed in the intricacies of the force to know that today would not be an easy one.

Eyes could see them. Vora could feel it. Attempting to pierce his cloak and helm. Leaving it behind, and moving onward, but not forgetting that some eyes, were not simply watching, but hungered.

Vella Forte

 

[Vella Forte]

She drew her mouth into a thin line at the lesson on hope and it's futility. Or rather, that it was for lesser than her. An expression that should be stricken from her vocabulary.

Wasn't a little want healthy? Desire to keep achieving?

It was new to her, the ability to set her own path. The Empire's clutches had given their jurisdiction for too long, setting her on different paths and missions to hunt on their behalf. Now she was able to determine her own prey.

"Hm."

Vora Kaar 's intonations suggested it was more than basic semantics that were incorrect. Hope was something for the Jedi. She had to replace it with something more objective: goals, desires, objectives. Each one placed the outcome on the horizon, but put more power in her hands to achieve less on the whims of the tides of time or other exterior variables.

The raven-haired knight shouldered to the right, avoiding a looping vine. Lush greens stretched toward them, clawing at their clothing and begging them to stop and enjoy the scenery. The red runes projected from the orb were a stark contrast to the richness of the emerald all around them.

Any more questions could leave her nascent self governance exposed, so she sought a response with an alternative angle: "What are you guided by, then?"

A rustle to the left, and up ahead became an unignorable sound. The characters that projected against the leaves began to pulse and grow. "We're close." Vella murmured, doing her best to keep the hope out of her voice.

Those rustles became manifestations pretty quickly. Large creatures with rolling muscles stretching down their backs and legs broke through the leaves, snarling. The hairs on their shoulders was spiked, and they weaved in and out of visibility while encircling the pair of Sith.

She was surprised. She'd felt more than what she could see –– There were only two. Uncommon for Vornskr. Equally uncommon for them to be on the planet of Lao-Mon. Whatever these creatures had started the day as had knowledge of legends. Vornskr was a curious choice, one of them must have been a Force sensitive with the insight to understand the history of the canine hunters and their original intentions and uses. They could be helpful, validate the truth of their map.

"Shi'ido." The Vahl deduced, clenching the orb tighter and snapping her blade to her hand. "Keep one alive."

Her words were cut short by one of the shadowy coloured creatures hissing and leaping through the foliage, breaking from it's pacing for a trajectory throat-height right at the pair.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Mental steps were taken back. Clearly whatever Vora had spoken, made an impact upon the Sith Blade. How much it would affect her, would be up to what she would do with it. The emotions that had been carried by her, a longing, a yearning were slowly being quenched and left with nothingness. Yet onward they continued to walk as a duo. Following this device not unlike a Sith Compass. However, used for a more specific purpose. Leading them towards this point in which they may, just may be able to find others.

However, any answer to the proposed question of what Kaar used to sustain themselves to move forward, and onward other than hope, was the addition of suddenly two visible Vornskr. Rather large in specimen. They hunted in packs. However, there were a small number of them here, with clearly discernible presence of others hidden.

The slight tilt and almost shake of the head implied that the eyes of Vora were rolled while hidden behind the helmet. The gloved hands of the Lord were brought up in an open stance. One foot in front of the other but opened wide in a stance. Making themselves look almost bigger, or attempting to seem stronger than they were.

Should the accompanying Sith be privy to emotional connection through the force, One could easily feel the rage and almost anger that this annoyance would have caused. Or the fact that the primal desire to kill, to feed, and attack the Sith was drawn upon and fed upon by the Sith Lord. As though just their presence alone was strengthening their frame. A heavily deepened voice was thrust out from the Sith. Imposing a dominating and influencing tone.

"Come at me. Lets see your Primal Rage against mine!"

There was a small silence before the Lord took a leap forward with an inhuman growl. One that was more reminiscence of a creature than a human. In that same moment, the Vornskr on the left leapt to meet the Lord. However, an echoing boom within the force thrust downward upon the feline being. Thrusting it hard into the ground and sliding through the flora of the planet. Coming to a stop. Yet it was not done. The Lord of Black was upon it in an instant. Slamming a closed fist into the side of the creatures head. Snapping bone with force that should not be possible of any near-human. Followed by the hand forming into a blade shape. A chopping hand, but was thrust into the creatures chest cavity. Exploding with gore as a rib was ripped out with parts of the lungs being removed as well.

Turning around with a snap of the head, the cowl that had been covering the helmet, fell from the sudden movements. Exposing the blackened steel dome. One of the hidden allies of this first one, sprung out from its shadows. Attempting to strike out at the person who attacked their kin. However, an out stretched hand force the creature to be held in a static position. A stasis of movement where the lord closed the distance, then using the crown of the helmet, slammed into the head of the creature. A harmonious metallic ring, and cracking of skull sounded off while the creature fell. Only to be yanked up from the ground, and thrown like a sack of flour.

Followed by yet another, primal yell of the Sith Lord. More akin to the creatures they fought, rather than the humans the looked to be.

Vella Forte

 

[Vella Forte]

A wicked grin flickered across the woman's pale lips at her companion's goading to the creatures.

The immediate action of the cowl-covered warrior left Vella mostly to an observational role. Despite their animalistic appearances, Vella was most assured in her assessment that they were indeed indigenous to Lao-Mon. This was proven by the swift action by her Lord accomplice. The one who's Vornskr innards and bones had been ripped apart quivered and shuddered, fading and morphing back to their humanoid, grey selves. Their body was broken and beaten, no rise or fall came from their chest torn asunder.

"Impressive." She murmured, nodding once and extending a hand in the warrior's direction. She'd said once already to preserve once, and he'd done that, but the rage and thunder to his breath threatened to break. In contrast, Vella had yet to unleash any sort of wrath and remained comparatively composed. "Hold off on that one."

Swiftly, she moved to the discarded form of it's brethren. Unconscious and crumpled, the Shi'ido's concentration had been broken with that collision of helmet versus skull. Its tongue fell out of its mouth, and this shapeshifter too had reverted back to its original form. Her sword remained unignited, but she kept it in her hand. Crouching, she extended her free hand's fingertips against the temple of the unconscious Shi'ido. A course of heat flared through her veins, sparking around her nails and against the pallid skin of the transformer. It did not wake.

"You did quite a number here.." The Vahla murmured, the wayward compliment would find its way over her shoulder to Vora Kaar while she intercepted the unrequited mind of the indigenous. Typically more advantageous for those who were overwrought with their own emotions, the dark woman intercepted and hunted through the mess of the alien's mind. It never stirred back to awareness, and it's memories were fraught with confusion, threatening loss to the eternal void. "Maybe a bit too much.." the former inquisitor snarled, closing herself off to anything but her hunt within the memories, probing deeper. A technique she'd learned from the more senior inquisitors of The Empire to get what she wanted.

Fractals of recollections pieced together in a half-hazard mosaic. Spirals, silhouettes, patterns. Pale persons, limber folks. Flames. Fire. Dancing. Chants.

Her dark eyes were knit shut for the duration of the destructive interpretation before she withdrew her hand and stood up with a finality. The body beneath her discarded and spent.

"They're guardians of a remnant collection of Vahla." The woman announced, clipping her blade back to her hip while the threats deteriorated before their eyes. He'd told her not to hope. Anything that would have been a hopeful glimmer in her eyes was merely a glint of anticipation now.

"I don't know if there are more or not, but they're under the influence of The Goddess, so they're nothing more than vessels trying to prove their worth." Vella took no time to consider any pulses, marking the corpses as nullified before she pressed deeper into the jungles.

"Your rage –– when did you learn to harness it."

 

[Vora Kaar]

The rage of the feral animal Vora had become from the extremely short bout of combat, was there for the moments it was needed, but seemed to slowly flow and ease away from the frame of the dark robed figure. While Vella tended to the one that had been kept alive, barely, The awkward twisting, and bending and stretching seemed to be evidence of a creature trying to regain composure. As such, the blood that was spilled upon their hands was wiped clean with a rag, and swiftly put away. Even as the Sith Blade commented on the handiwork of the Lord.

To be of the truth, the Lord was here to make sure an asset of the Sith was not lost. Vella had shown some talent and usage to the Cabal of the Sith Keepers, and as such was to be looked after. Not as a safety, but as a protection of assets. The attitude of the woman did make Vora feel as though every chance to egg her on, or to push her buttons would be rather enjoyable.

By the time Vella was done performing a form of Psycometry, a skill Vora also knew, and was well versed in, It seemed the Monster that had came from the being was completely gone. Once more replaced with the almost annoyed form. As though this were a waste of time

"They would not bet their safety on so few. Be assured we may find more."

As Vella stood, and began to walk further into the condensing jungle environment, A question was thrown back at the Lord of None. Specifically asking of harnessing a well known wild, and extremely difficult emotion. Would Vella be paying close attention to the voice, she might have heard a soft curt chuckle start, but not continue.

"Rage is not a singular emotion. Rage is an action from emotions Blade Forte. Even a Jedi can formulate a rage of which can be felt for generations. It is entirely depending upon which emotions one uses. Hatred, Anger, Passion, Love, Spite. All could be factors within such formation."

Twisting their neck again, soft pops came from their neckline. Releasing stress from the pent up actions being held back from the fight mere moments ago.

"A rage, is best used in small, controlled bursts. Releasing too much, can dull the senses to such a degree, one could lose sight of their mission, their purpose, and even themselves. I have seen many who give into such, and cannot stay their hand. Causing too much damage, or damage the one thing they may care about."

A small clicking seemed to come from the helmet, almost as though it were a judgmental click of the tongue. Countering the point just made.

"Its only when you can control all of your emotions, being in a constant state of anger, or having no emotion at all, where upon you can use a rage, or hatred for duration at which can last entire battles, and even wars."

Kaar then suddenly went silent. Knowing that speaking too much may draw too much attention away from their goal and purpose here. Instead, The distance was closed to the frame of the woman. Looking down at the contraption within her hands. Slowly learning from sensing it within the force, as well as using their own psycometry, could Vora understand what this device could do.

"Devil's advocate for the moment, Can you be sure this is leading you to them, or could it be meant to purposefully lead you astray?"

Vella Forte

 

[Vella Forte]

The pale-skinned Vahla nodded once in affirmation to Vora Kaar 's suggestion that two would not be the only guardians. "Agreed. Likely scouts."

His explanation of rage mirrored her own entanglements with the emotion. A powerful dosage at the hands of Beatrice Govan had sent her on a spiritual awakening of sorts. Where she'd been able to physically separate herself from the fury within, before she allowed it to consume her. Since that day, she hadn't a reason to unleash the fire within but..seeing Vora so easily turn it on and off against a Vornskr suggested that she should be more willing to entertain it in even trivial matters. Faithful in little, faithful in many sorts of mentality.

"A reasonable and good question. I suppose that skepticism means you're a man that puts faith only in something proven."

Serendipity chose to answer on Vella's behalf, and the scout droid her companion had sent out when they arrived cut through the foliage to them. It chimed something indicative, it's red lights flashing in communication. It was affirmative of more lifeforms half a Klick from their location.

"This language is written in ancient Vahl.

For you, it would say something different. Something misleading. For me, it's taking me to the last known location. Which is why...your droid can corroborate my interpretation of the orb and probably negate anything you think you can read from the runes." A proud grin spread through her lips, cracking the edges upward. Pride in her nation was obvious.

Beneath their boots, the ground sagged and cracked. A medley of moist dirt and brittle sticks littered on the jungle floor. That foreboding sensation she'd felt when the pair of scouts had attacked them grew and collected at the corners of her mind. Joining the sensation was something more innate, heated almost. Akin to someone encroaching a bonfire.

"Even if it's the right location, this is...decades old. Vahla don't stay in one place for too long. Those scouts were the only positive indication of even a select few." She kept her voice low, the droid hovering near it's owner as if ushering Vora along in the direction it had detected life forms. "Strange location, though. I'd expect Shi'ido to be trickier to influence." That pride crept into her tone again, finding delight in the influence of her people.

"Why did you agree to come along with me?"

 

[Vora Kaar]

Faith in what one has seen, or what one can perceive is, while some may consider intelligent, is also a foolish deception of the mind. Just because you see it, doesn't mean it can be real, or is the truth. Such things as optical illusions should be better named as "Brain failures." What you interpret as an illusion, is really just your mind attempting to understand what is within your vision, but cannot due to the complexity of it. Thus, the illusion takes place. A secondary argument against this, is the supposed atoms, and molecules that make up so much of the living worlds. Cells that are life itself, and the so very controversial midi-chlorians. Cells that some thought to be the source of the force within an individual.

Were they a real thing? or was it just some bug in living cells that was thought to be able to harness the force? One could never be sure, and Vora is of the same mind. Questioning everything will only lead you to more questions that will remain unanswered. However, having a skeptical mind, one that seeks the simple answers, typically brought you the most results. Only when everything else was ruled out, could you believe that it was something much more.

"Of a sorts."

A very quick answer to the Knights question towards the Sphere as the little floating droid came back. Reporting the information of life signs pertaining to the Vahl. The prideful boasting of how she could interpret the symbols and whatever Vora could discern from it. Almost as though she enjoyed the aspect of proving one wrong. Yet, Vora was not attempting to do so. Just asking questions to get a better idea and grasp of the situation.

Her voice continued about the location being older. And with Shi'ido being a rather mentally hardy species, being conformed to being scouts for these people, Vora spoke up. Tapping the temple of the exposed dome of the helmet.

"The mind can be conquered in many ways. While one mind may be feeble, many can be strong. OR, enhanced through many means of the force, and its perversions."

An amulet to increase potency with force powers? Trained in mental force powers? There are still many possible solutions to the answer this Vahl Knight sought. One that could only be answered by finding the source. Were she not so completely engrossed by the artifact in her grasp, and keeping situational awareness of the force, and its presence, she could feel that the force was gathered in one location not all too far ahead of them.

"Looking so intently at your own feet, will only make you run into a tree. Feel the flow of the force drawing and gathering ahead. I feel all your questions and more will be answered."

A set of two fingers beckoned the droid to close the distance and hover about the robed Sith Lord. Hovering over their shoulder like a second shadow.

"As for why I am here? I see this as an opportunity to learn, and to see others within the Keepers operate. Secondary to protecting potential assets at my disposal."

Vella Forte

 

[Vella Forte]

The unsolicited advice prompted a bemused expression from the woman. Silhouettes amidst the foliage, they pressed on undeterred.

"I suppose if we're successful today, The Keepers would be expanding their influence over these assets."

She elected to take assets as a compliment to her talents; even if it wasn't even indirectly about her. Then she realized any cultists they might uncover were to become assets for the Qotsisajakaar. The thought didn't sit right. Shouldering to the left, she avoided a low overhanging branch. Slight mists were up ahead, curling amidst outstretched palms in diaphanous swirls. It would be foolish to think this realm was as calm as it seemed. The Vahl thrived on destruction and terror. Conflagrative and full of passionate rage all in servitude to the Goddess.

They were so close, Vella could almost smell them.

"I'm not going to let them. Consciousness and choice is part of a nomadic nation. It's intrinsic to who we are."

Something within her tightened, and the quiver of the orb still in her clutches was as good an indicative whisper as any guide. A few more steps would reveal a dip in the planet's plating, a ravine that sprawled down to a more sparse location. Dust and dirt instead of moss and leaves. Near the edge of the clearing looked to be an alter, cracked and scorched. Her breath hitched with anticipation, and she held out an arm of warning to Vora Kaar .

"That," she pointed toward the collection of ruins. The tip of her nail would line up with the centre of a stroke of lines that glowed a dim red, as if the rock it had been carved on had a pulse of its own. The margins of the lines were bright without illuminating anything or casting shadows, sharp and terrible. And within the boundary, darkness swirled. It was more than an absence. There was a structure within it, layers interpenetrating like shadows casting shadows. It throbbed with inhuman power, tidal, deep, and painful. Vella closed her eyes and inhaled a sharp, welcoming breath -- the blackness responded with a bubble of flame. It was as if she could see the spaces between molecules in the air, like the atoms themselves had become a thin smoke.

Triumphant, a wicked grin crept through the cracks of her lips.

"Is a sigil of Vahl."