Pale Demon (Maja)

[Remy Singh]

Location: Tantorus, Sith Temple

The king was gone, Remy and her people didn't really know what to do after that. Some had gone to fight, some had sought to take power and some were waiting for the sith king and the One Sith to return. She had seen some of them from the wilderness while she was hunting and fighting with the purebloods that came after her as she slid the blade out from one of them. Moving in the cloth armor she jumped kicking another in the face as she came down and kept going through the mountains. She was one of the few who had left with the king to fight for the One sith so she was seen as favored which she didn't feel it favored but she felt like it was something that showed she was stronger then the cowards who had stayed to just be here. She was moving around it while her hair was plastered to her face and the tendrils on her face twitched, the one temple ahead she could make out and was heading towards.

[member="Maja Vern"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

The majority of Tantorus was covered by massive jungles. On flimsy that might have sounded cute. Fun even, but up close and personal it was just plain hot and humid. Perhaps form fitting animal hide was not the ideal dress for the occasion – but it was all she had.

It was one of the planets she knew of that still was home to Sith – not the cult but the race. Like her – considered extinct. Except the Sith primarily died out through interbreeding – the Jedi had looked to annihilate her people.

She was aware that their technology was infused with the Dark-side of the Force and she wondered what uses it could be put to. She was conversant in Sith magic and sorcery but was a novice when it came to alchemy.

She pushed her hair out of her eyes as she pressed on. Inevitable it was an image that brought her here. A Sith. A Sith woman to be precise – and a temple of some description. If she could have landed closer she’d be happier but she pressed on regardless. And she sensed others nearby and strong emotions – perhaps the one she sought was among them?

She shook her head and cleared her mind. The distractions of the insects and the undergrowth had to be pushed aside. She was an outsider here and knew how easily it was to be ambushed – given the ease by which she could be preoccupied.

She saw the trees thinning ahead and was sure she could make out a building. Now, at the last, she needed to maintain her focus – her eyes on the prize.

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Maja Vern"]

The temple ahead gave way to priests as Remy entered, her eyes a little glassed over from running and she wasn't focused on everything right away. The buzzing in the back of her skull like she was hearing an insect but when she turned it was gone. The greedy gulps of air she was breathing in as her chest heaved a little looking the people in there over. She didn't attack them but spoke more gutteral and with a slightly hiss to her voice. The sithese rolling off her tongue while the tonfa's with their toothed end were in one hand and then on her back. A small knife on her hips. "I need a place to rest." She had the old symbol of the king for what it was worth but not much else and was taken to some seats while she leaned over and was starring for the longest time at her feet. The small tendrils on her face twitching while she shook her head to brush off that buzzing. Something was there and it wasn't these priests.... perhaps she would luck out and her master would return.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja approached the building warily. It was certainly some sort of a temple – she just knew it somehow. And she was not afraid but the volume of people she sensed inside made her cautious.

She closed her eyes and entered Force Sight. The aura of each individual was visible to her – and one burned brighter with the Dark-side than the rest – but it seemed natural and untrained…no doubt how she’d appeared as she’d roamed the galaxy before meeting her first Master.

But she was a Sith and given the nature of those inside, her circumspection was possible over-cautious an approach. So she reverted to type and walking with a new-found swagger, she entered the building.

She immediately saw priests – but these were not who she sought. She’d been brought here for a reason and that aura she’d detected before had to be it.

She recognised the language being spoken in here. It was not exactly the same as the Sith language she’d been taught – but with a little effort she knew she could pick up the subtle differences. It felt like a live language that had no doubt evolved whereas the version she knew was from written records and was probably archaic sounding to someone for whom it was a native language.

The priest buzzed around her but kept an appropriate distance from her. As they parted in front of her as she surveyed the temple, she finally saw the reason she was here. Sitting on some seats, clearly showing signs of being exerted was a Sith woman, her tendrils a clear indicator of her heritage.

“Who are you?" she demanded in passable Sithese, her voice level but clearly one that expected to be answered. “And do you know who I am, or rather what I am?” she asked.

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

The sounds came to her, the sound of someone entering and they didn't use the walk of the warriors. It was more reserved, more feminine while she looked to it and saw a form between the robes of the pureblood priests. She heard the woman speak and it was rough like the sound of someone who wasn't used to speaking the language. She was guessing with the way they parted finally that she was one of the sith who had come with the One Sith when their king had joined them. The pureblood rose up and looked at the slightly smaller woman. Taking in the facial tattoo and the skin as signs of the darkside and the feeling in her rose up. Remy bowed with her head speaking and wrapping her tongue around the basic. "You are one of the human's from the One Sith, whom our king commanded we aid." Remy remained there standing for a moment though and held back a smile on her face. This might prove more then just another human sith wanting to learn their ways or try to emulate them. "What would you like of me?"

[member="Maja Vern"]

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja was pleased the young woman spoke Basic. Her Sithese was used only for known spells and translation and was not a conversational language.

“I am Darth Zilti, Sith Knight and I shall be your Master.” There was no debate or discussion. Maja knew from the moment she arrived that it was the Force that brought her here and for a very specific reason. This Sith was strong with the Force and it was Maja’s destiny to train her in the ways of Sith sorcery – she simply knew it.

"Once upon a time we had a Rule of Two that guided our Order. That has gone but the approach remains. You will be trained to increases the talent pool of the One Sith. If you are not good enough, not worthy, then you shall die.”

“Now I am the Master, and you are my chosen Apprentice. One day you will have nothing new to learn from me and will take your own Acolyte. Until that day you are loyal to me and me alone.”

She stared the woman in the eyes now, her own amber irises sparkling. “But I shall never trust you and you are well advised to do the same. This is the only time I shall share this advice. Take heed.”

“Now…what is your name and what do you know of the Force?”

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Maja Vern"]

She looked at the woman with her eyes like golden fire as she spoke. "Our king called me Remy for the humans." Her full name was half snarls as her mother had put it and she was listening to the rest of it though. Adopting the idea of conflict and teachings while she stood there looking at her master and she could accept that. Her master within the one sith who could teach her until it was time for her to take upon herself her own apprentice. Remy offered a half smile showing some sharp teeth with it as she bowed though. "What is thy bidding my master." She would get the handle of this basic and not need to revert to sithese for her conversations.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Darth Zilti considered the name. One chosen for the appeasement of others? She wondered if the girl despised it as much as the one she’d found it she was given at random – as her parents had effectively abandoned her as a baby. But it was a way of communicating if nothing else, so she nodded by way of agreement.

“Remy, I can and shall teach you the basics you require before progressing to Sith magic. Simply illusions I can show you but Sith sorcery? That you need a real talent for. I suspect the Force has brought me here for that very reason – but it is a dangerous route – using the Dark-side of the Force to manifest not illusions but tangible and deadly creations.”

“But then, that is always the way of the Sith. I am no baby-sitter to coddle your development. Much of what you need to do is about your own determination and tenacity. Much of your early training will be about tests. Overcome the obstacles and you will learn. Fail and…you were simply not worthy. I trust you see how it is.”

“My first requirement is simple. A common test. I am going to leave now. Meet me at Lake Natth, on the planet Ambria. How you get there is up to you. I suspect you’ll need to use the Force at some point but that is irrelevant – all that matters is that you are capable. I shall leave the lake in three days. If you are not there by then, I shall find myself a more laudable apprentice.”

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

Lake Natth.... Ambria. The names were foreign to her tongue as she rolled them around and bowed her head "Understood my master." The look she had though was one of neutrality. She wasn't going to fail in this task, getting to that would would... She'd just have to improvise and her mind was working now on the ways to do just that. To make it though she knew where she had to go. To the palace or what was left to it and to the ships her king had on the planet for the sith to go. What it might take to get there though she'd need a pilot or a crash course which either idea seemed a dangerous venture. "I shall head there now." The pureblood started moving out the doors and towards the mountains in the distance. The site of the old palace and the main ships they had. Her tuk'ata joining her as the large hound roared in the running.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja walked slowly to her shuttle that a short while later connected to her ship. A course was set and for once she had time on her hands. She did some basic research on the Sith species and the planet she’d left but her thoughts kept returning to Darth Zannah. How she’d struggled to reach Onderon as Bane had demanded – but she’d managed to do it regardless – thus proving her worthiness.

Maja considered the challenge she’d set no more arduous – although for Rain it was easy to get a lift from a planet that was being abandoned. Remy may fare a little harder, but she was a lot older.

She found she’d formed a grim smile on her lips as she contemplated the assignment. It was one thing to be an Acolyte – quite another to be a Master. But she had a few good role models – Vornskr, Matsu, Bane and Zannah to begin with. And her sister of course. She should not forget her input.

Which gave her an idea for her next challenge.

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

There were more questions coming to her mind, the ideas forming as she thought about a few of the others things. One being how a dy was measured.... A day on that planet, a day on Tantorus? There were more factors but she was still running and putting her energies into the force to sprint. Her normal control while she was climbing up the mountain path while she felt her ponytail loosen up. The movement and pumping jostling her blades into a position on her back when she came to the peak before looking down and running with a bounding steps down the mountain.

The sight of the old palace came into view and she stopped at one of the battlements before she was moving down the rocks with a purpose. Her grip on a rock coming loose while she dropped down tucking in and rolling. There were some of the human's who had been brought in to serve the king and stayed as workers on the equipment as she spoke. "You human, I need a ship to Ambria." The man was looking at her like she was crazy before she spoke again her tongue coming out and her words with more authority. "You will take me there human within two days."

There was a gulp from the man as she could see his visible fear and he was leading the way to one of the personal ships before letting her in and making the way. She stood there looking around at the filthy cargo ship and made her way towards the cockpit dragging him behind her. "Now get me there and I won't rip your spine out and use it as a belt." There was a look from him as he grumbled setting the ship to leave and bring them into orbit. She moved around in the ship going to the fresher and coming out with remnants of clothing fashioned into a second outfit as the others were being cleaned.

ooc note: The breakage is to give the master chance to get there and set it up while showing some progression of time.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Lake Natth. She’d been here a few times before and never tired of returning. It was of course here that Jedi Master Thon defeated Sith spirits that threatened to take the sector, and he contained their Dark-side energy beneath the lake. And over time, the power of the Dark-side warped the creatures of the lake, resulting in the creation of the vicious Hssiss.

So Maja set up camp – not that she would sleep outdoors – but it served as a beacon for her Acolyte when she landed – for she was sure she would. And of course the locals never came near the place because of the taint – that paradoxically drew Maja to the site.

And it was near here that Bane finally died at the hands of his Apprentice. Such happy memories that Maja simply sat and meditated, connecting with the Dark-side and listening for whatever the Force might tell her.

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

The trip there was strange... she was not used to these human customs and as the ship was setting down the pilot seemed cowered into doing as she asked when he was arriving. "Wher.... Where do you want to go?" There was an edge of fear to his voice and she stood there looking on. "Lake Naath." He seemed even more scared heading out there, towards it with her over his shoulder he seemed to sit there fidgeting. Most likely remembering when he tried to explain travel customs and had gotten surprised by her cruelty before the lake was coming into view. Remy lacing the boots she had while moving off of the ship.

The lake was strange and she felt.... amazing here. Stopping to drink the water when she noticed a campsite and moved around in it after the man took off on the ship. She could almost sense his relief that no one had seemed to be using it. Her tendrils twitched on her mouth while going towards the lake and changing only to not used recycled water from the fresher but actual water that pulsed with the darkside that attracted her into it while she washed away the scent of grease and human from her. She wanted to be away with it but the closest to a human she might find tolerable is her master.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Was it pure chance that Maja chose this planet to meet? Or just her affinity for Darth Zannah? Perhaps on either count. What was important was that this planet – or rather this place was significant for the Sith but more importantly for the Dark-side.

This very lake gave the galaxy a specific creature that was challenging to any Sith Knight, let alone an untrained Acolyte. But if getting here was part of the challenge, it was merely a taster for what Remy would face next.

And she sensed her would-be Apprentice had made it here, so a smile played on her lips. She did not believe in inflicting pain on Acolytes for the sake of it – but they needed to prove their worth before she’d invest any time in training them.

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

The acolyte stood there in the waters as she was feeling it, the darkside within it permeating into her pores while she heard the sound of something coming. Cloaking didn't work when you could splash water and she turned to face it snarling as small pointed teeth got a hiss from the creature. There was a flash of skin and teeth as it lunged at her and Remy jumped back into the water. Her breath coming in for a wide gulp before twisting in the water to the side and letting the creatures jaws go past her. She didn't have her weapons, she had some skill in the force but she had oxygen and the creature hadn't taken a breath to prepare and swim under the water.

That was her advantage while she grabbed a ridge of it and pressed herself against the hide feeling it dig into each section of her body. Remy brought her free arm around while the dark waters pushed her and made her blood boil, that instinct to destroy and tear the creatures head off with her bare hands while her hand found the ridge of its eyes and were digging into it. The bucking it did impaling her stomach and legs painfully on its back while she thrust that anger and hatred into her body to keep going. She felt a finger dig into the dragons eye while the ocular jelly went squish with it screaming and smashing its head back as it took in more water and was sinking into the ground.

Claws digging itself down deeper while Remy worked to stay calm under the water. She felt something hit her face while the taste of copper came to her mouth but she kept it closed feeling her eyes were burning with hatred and golden fire. She wanted to see this creature kneel while she kept pushing her fingers in to go deeper and scramble its brain. Her emotions adding power to her before she was going reaching up to start prying at its mouth when the thing let out a roar. The bubbles were there and she grabbed its mouth feeling the teeth sink into her palms while she pulled. The creature struggling before it seemed to stop moving with its mouth wide open and water filling it.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja sensed the creature approach her would-be Acolyte. She sensed just the one – which was fortunate as they commonly attacked in pairs. One visible and one hiding until it was upon you.

She closed her eyes and waited to see what the outcome would be. She sensed pain and anger and wondered if the Sith would become poisoned by the creature. Maja had no time to play nursemaid and carried no antidote either.

And then Maja sensed calm – or at least relative peace. Standing up now, she walked to where she’d imagined the altercation to take place and saw her Acolyte still alive and the creature’s belly breaking the surface of the lake as it hung upside down under the water.

Maja nodded. “You have done well. Now, tell me what Abilities you know and what you need to learn. And my ship is just over there, we should carry this conversation on there.”

And she turned and started to walk towards the horizon, clearly her ship had landed the other side of the ridge. And she was definitely not stopping to wait for her apprentice.

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

She head broke the surface of the water as she slowly rose up, feeling the sensation of the water in the air but then there was the stinging sensation from the small cuts that were bleeding across the length of her body from the spines and hide of the dragon. The puffiness from her face where it headbutted her making a dark red smear be on her face as she stood on the shore and spit a thick red line of blood onto the sand. Her hands bleeding as she waited for a moment bringing them to her mouth and sucking at the wounds. Blood and thick clear fluid while she was spitting it out and cleanign it in the water. Letting the darkside water irrigate the wounds as she grabbed her equipment and had wasted enough time. Her master was waiting for her and she got dressed in the simple hunter's gear while she was walking. The walk to the ship though behind her master nearly a dozen paces while she was going left her thinking about what she did know how to do with the force and what she was looking to learn. She wasn't certain how this worked but had assumed the master would shape the student like clay into something for them, something twisted like they wer so they could look in the mirror. "I know the barest skills in the force and sorcery master. Alchemy is something my people are taught but it needs someone to perfect it beyond a few things here and there. My skills in the world are as a hunter and scout."

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja looked back at her Apprentice as she walked. She’d taken quite a battering and would benefit from some bacta on the ship.

But she admired her hands on approach and was quietly pleased she’d survived.

When Remy finally spoke, Maja listened. Her only interest was in making her Acolyte strong. Strong enough not to dilute the Sith’s power – she was aware that the Sith Lord she most understood was gifted in Sith Sorcery whereas her Master did not understand it at all. It was simply about maximising potential.

“Good. Now what you want and what you’re good at may not coincide. Some Sith possess raw elemental power; they can unleash storms of lightning from their fingertips, or move mountains with their mere thoughts. Others are more gifted in the subtle intricacies of the Force, blessed with the ability to affect the minds of friend and foe alike through the arts of persuasion or battle meditation.”

She paused and fixed her Apprentice with a long stare, as if considering whether to say more.

"A rare few have a natural affinity for the Dark-side itself. They can delve into the depths of the Force and summon arcane energies to twist and warp the world around them. They can invoke the ancient rituals of the Sith; they can conjure power and unleash terrible spells and dark magics."

“It remains to be seen if you have the potential to become a Sith Sorceror.” From inside her robes she produced a thin leather-bound manuscript. "From various studies here are some spells that would be appropriate for you now. I transcribed them on the journey here. They will help you focus and channel your power for maximum effect... but only if you study them carefully."

“How are you with a saber?”

[member="Remy Singh"]

 

[Remy Singh]

[member="Darth Zilti"]

She was watching her master now as the woman explained things and it was... stranger. This human was speaking of what was birthed from her people and the human's who had come more like a teacher and it was something bizarre. For now though while she was looking over her instructions and what she was to be taught if she was skilled enough, the different paths and skills until the mention of sabers came up and Remy showed her blades. "I have never used a saber master." A defeated thought entered her thoughts for a moment though as she was thinking about it and aside from the skills she had as a pureblood for using the darkside. She had her blade skills and knew how to fight like the massassi from training sessions.

 

[Darth Zilti]

Maja seemed to stare into space for a few moments before her eyes revealed she was back in the here and now.

“You will face many foes who use a saber and it is my belief that you would do well to learn to use one. It may not become your primary weapon, but to purposefully avoid having it in your arsenal would be inappropriate.”

“Now…many Sith use synthetic crystals. I for one abhor them. They are functional but lack a certain personalisation. Perhaps I’m biased, but regardless, I want you to both earn a crystal and once more prove your worth. For where I have in mind will prove a test in reaching the place that they can be found in – but furthermore will represent an even greater challenge in taking one – as the site is renowned for showing you your greatest fears. Only by overcoming will you show your true worth.”

Maja opened a comlink and demanded the pilot set a course for Dagobah. “Until then, what can I show you that would make the journey profitable for you?”

[member="Remy Singh"]