Rise

[Vrak Nashar]

Athiss
[member="Neesa"]

Revenge was sweet.

There was no better taste, there was no better feeling. Vengeance was something that couldn't be put into words. The quaint sent of relief that flooded over oneself, the power you felt. It was like nothing else in the galaxy. Vrak had really only achieved vengeance, true vengeance twice before. The first was when he had killed his father. He remembered the sensation well, slicing the blade through the skin and drawing blood. It had been it's own sort of sweetness, a taste that he would never forget for the rest of his years. The very thought of it, the memory, made him smile more than any concubine.

The second time had been more petty. A Pureblood had insulted him within the Council halls. His death had been swift, and in truth not as satisfying as it should have been.

Yet here he now stood, on the eve of a vengeance greater than even the first. He smiled slightly as he looked down at the city. He could already see fires ranging within the walls, great burning blazes that had been set by Massassi he now controlled.

The Virus created by [member="Irajah Ven"] had worked, and the delivery system design by Yidhra had consumed the city below in a matter of hours. The Massassi within the city walls were now little more than mindless brutes, swaths of them having already fallen under the control of his battle meditation. They had slaughtered and murdered most of the civilian population of the city, only the fortress remaining now, Siedra hiding within. A small smile touched Vrak's lips as he watched the horizon, the sun slowly setting as he turned back towards his companions.

"Siedra is mine." He reminded them.

That vengeance needed to happen at his hand. Vrak wanted to see the life drain from her eyes, watch the horror on her face as she finally realized that she had lost.

The Pureblood glanced back towards the city one more time, watching as the massive gates slowly began to draw open, a horde of refugee streaming forth, among them ran the Massassi, slaughtering their prey. Vrak smiled for a moment more, then jumped from the cliff.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

"There was at least one Acolyte in there according to my informants," Neesa said in a hushed whisper as they came down on the outskirts of the city. She could see the hunger in his gaze, the need to see this through. She would follow him until this was done. His squabbles might have gone back decades with Siedra, but he wasn't the one sporting a scar from hip to sternum from her lightsaber.

The fortress was sealed tight, but not in any sense that made it impenetrable. Old, thick stone walls could suffer a bombardment, but did little against infiltration. There were no guards because she had none left. But the fortress had fallen silent, despite there having been a good number of massassi within the walls who should have turned. That meant there were at least a few capable warriors to have quelled the threat and sealed the doors.

Neesa didn't wait for a response. Keen eyes had already picked a path across rooftops towards the fortress. They could have gone in low and quiet but there were too many mindless massassi in the city. Skilled as they were a handful of the mindless brutes could be dangerous in close confines and Vrak could only hold so many under his sway at once. She leapt, the Force buoying her as her cloak fluttered in the cool morning air. She touched down lightly on uneven tiles and rushed across the roof. Massassi down in the street snarled at her appearance and tried to scale the building. She would be long gone by the time the brutes managed the task.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

None of the creatures attacked him, none of them had the mind to.

Unlike Neesa his path was not a subtle one, or one that required climbing. Such things were beneath him. Instead Vrak took the path that would find the least resistance for him; the front door. A small smile crept on his face as he wandered forward, heading directly towards the gates of the city itself. Refugees streamed past him, hunting, searching for something to kill. They grabbed refugees and tore into them, biting and gnashing the flesh and bone.

Yet they avoided him.

None of the Massassi even gave him a second glance as he wandered through the gates, his eyes slowly following the path of carnage up to the fortress. The smile that crept on his face only widened as he smelled the flames, his eyes wandering towards the rising smoke in the distance. Vrak strolled to the fortress, his path unobstructed as the infected Massassi continued to avoid him. None of them even spared him a second glance.

Quickly he found his way to the sealed gates.

Beyond he could sense Siedra, he could feel the presence of her acolytes.

His hand slowly crept to his waist, pulling the lightsaber free of his belt. The Crimson blade ignited with a loud snap-hiss, and then seconds later plunged into the gates.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

There was a rather open semi-circle around where Vrak stood. None of the massassi milling around the walls entered it. She saw one massassi bump into another to get out of it and the pair immediately started tearing chunks out of each other.

Neesa jumped and landed nearly a handful of steps behind the sith. Several of the massassi surrounding them snarled, but none advanced. She could smell fear. Just the other side of the door. As Vraks saber melted through the bars that barricaded the gates Neesa closed her eyes and began a quiet incantation. The air shimmered before her right hand. Her left held Sorrow tight.

The doors swung open. Two lightsabers extended out of the darkness before them. They were afraid. Afraid of the massassi, afraid of Vrak, afraid that their master would kill them if they retreated.

Neesa pushed her palm forwards. No warning was given before the dark tendrils shot out, enveloping the form of the acolyte on the right. His saber rolled harmlessly along the rough stone floor as he struggled. The other acolyte took two steps backwards as Neesa began to advance.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

A loud snap rang out as the acolyte was suddenly wrenched from his feet and his neck was snapped. The noise echoed through the hall, bouncing over and over again as Vrak stepped up behind Neesa, intent driven home onto his face.

There was no time for theatrics here, there was no fancy moves, no new technology, nothing. There was only their goal, there was only Siedra's death. He didn't care who stood in their way, he didn't care what they had to do to get there. All that mattered now was Siedra's death. He had worked so hard for all of this, slaved away for days at a time, gathered what he could, and now he was finally there. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his lightsaber.

Once she was dead, once she was bleeding at her feet he would have Athiss.

This world, his world would finally see the light at the end of a very long dark tunnel.

The Pureblood briefly glanced toward Neesa, though didn't slow down as he wandered into the belly of the keep. In the distance he could hear the ignition of another lightsaber, the low thrum ringing out as he turned the corner to face his new opponent. A Twi'lek stood there, tall and lithe, her skin painted with black tattoos. He frowned for a moment, then motioned for Neesa to attack.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Neesa didn't look back. She stalked towards the twi'lek with both blades out. Her opponent had a good advantage in height and reach, but neither of those mattered a great deal to anyone who could call the Force an ally.

She wouldn't, couldn't be deterred now. Vrak wouldn't get the satisfaction of killing Siedra alone. Not to mention the fact that wounded animals could be quite dangerous. Siedra was deadly at the best of times.

The sith before her was a stunning creature. Smooth scarlet skin and contrasting tattoos, tall and curvaceous. Neesa was slender and hard, her form hidden worn and tattered robes. The twi'lek looked down at her with disdain.

Neesa decided this one could bleed before she died.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

Vrak seemed to pay no attention at all to the two women. Perhaps it would have been more intelligent to turn Siedra's agents. To bring them into his fold one by one, but he had no patience for such things, no time. He wanted this done. He wanted to see his oldest enemy break and fall to knee. A small smile curved on his lips as he took a left, taking another path through the keep that he knew would lead him to the Throne room.

Siedra would be there, and Neesa could handle the Twi'lek. The Pureblood stalked forward, fingers tightly wrapped around his lightsaber, eyes set hard on the path before him. A small part of him could already feel the force crackling, the power that curved through his body as time grew closer. He could sense her more clearly now, her presence echoing through the halls as much as his own. He moved faster, his walk turning faster and faster.

"Vrak."

A voice echoed behind him, the Pureblood coming to a sudden stop.

Vrak turned around, scowl painted on his face as he peered back. His gaze settled on the figure looming within the shadows, then slowly realization dawn on him. He shook his head slowly, flipping the lightsaber in his hand to reorient it. "A shame. I had hoped you would abandon her."

The Pureblood said to his old teacher.

 

[Neesa]

@Neesa

Making her bleed meant landing a blow. The twi'lek had a long handled saber with a extended blood orange blade. She was quite content to use this to keep Neesa at bay.

The Nagai could swat it aside with the flat of her blade, but it didn't buy her enough time to close the distance. As Neesa considered her strategy her opponent advanced, driving her backwards.

Neesa faked left and darted to her right. Thirst came up and then down and around, slapping the saber away forcefully. There was an opening, but it was closed by a telekentic punch to the chest that sent Neesa back pedalling.

The twi'lek grinned at her and thrust one hip out to the side. That gesture made Neesa irrationally angry. That, of course, was the idea. Keep the assassin frustrated and delay her.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

"I am nothing if not loyal."

Vrak sneered at the words, in his eyes they were pathetic pandering. Purebloods were not meant to be loyal, they were meant to be selfish. Each of them had been created, crafted by the force itself for power. They were not meant to serve or bend knee, they were meant to stand tall. He scowled at his ancient teachers, his eyes settling on the aged Pureblood as he slowly stepped from the shadows. He looked at his old teacher, inspecting him with a careful eye.

"Disappointing." He said as his lightsaber snapped into life. "You yourself once told me we were not meant to serve."

This man had taught him more about their culture than his father ever had.

"Now you bend knee to this sow?" Disgust pulled on his lips.

The old man seemed to smile slightly, as if he had known exactly what Vrak would say. The action infuriated the younger Pureblood, but he didn't move to strike just yet. He knew this conversation was just taking up more time, allowing Siedra to prepare, but some respect was deserved.

"She is my daughter."

With that, the Elder dashed forward.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Neesa had learned a number of hard lessons in her life. One had nearly cut her learning short. A mark had spotted her tailing him. He had acted as if he hadnt seen her, moving as she expected. When he had led her to an ambush point and turned on her she had been caught off guard.

Neesa screamed in frustration and charged recklessly. There was a triumphant look on the twi'lek's face. A red palm came up and Neesa launched herself sideways into a roll. A blast of dark side energy struck the ground where she had been, burning a small crater into the ground.

Now the twi'lek looked frustrated. She had been saving up the strength for that attack and had been deceived. Now it was Neesa's turn to stalk. She walked a circle around her drained prey and looked for an opening. Quick, probing strikes tested her opponent's reaction speed and Neesa kept circling, preventing her opening from boxing her in.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

Vrak moved quickly.

He had shown his former teacher respect, but that was all he would get. There was no mercy to be had here. The fight would go quickly, Vrak would make sure of it. The two of them dashed forward, the younger Pureblood igniting his lightsaber in an instant, their crimson blades clashing with bright sparks.

The fight went fast.

Both of them seemed to move in the same way. Their blades took the same path, lightsaber darting high, then low. They clashed together again and again, a flurry of bright sparks that seemed to illuminate everything around them. They pressed against one another, blades bouncing back until finally Vrak broke free.

He twisted, half turning and pushing out his palm.

A surge of the force rushed out from him, sending the old man flying back into the far wall.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

In the end it was so very simple. Having what she felt was her main weapon stripped away, the twi'lek became increasingly desperate. It was a mistake of course. She could have stayed on the defensive and delayed Neesa almost indefinitely. Perhaps her stamina was running low, or Siedra had plans to enact that were time bound. The twi'lek overreached with a downwards swipe. Neesa gave a subtle pull on her shoulders with the Force.

The twi'lek stumbled. Neesa pushed her saber wide with one scimitar, the orange blade crackling in frustration as the sith sword held it down. The other blade came around hard. The biting edge cut clean through a lekku and deep into the back of the neck. Blood poured free from the wound as the twi'lek screamed in pain. Neesa felt the surge in the force and took two quick steps back and dropped into a defensive posture. Instead of attacking the twi'lek gathered her strength to try and leap away.

She leaped twenty feet into the air, but as she came back down to the ground it was clear she was done. Her saber rolled along the ground as she fell to all fours. Her left hand tried to stem the flow of blood as she tried to scramble away.

Neesa stalked after her, sheathing one blade. Now it had drawn blood she could sense the other woman's presence, could feel the raw despair. One booted heel met the twi'leks rear and pushed. A hand slipped on bloody ground and she fell flat. Neesa planted her boot between shoulder blades and swung down. There was a crack as Thirst shattered a skull and the fight was over.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

The old man smacked against the wall with the resounding smack of bone and a ringing cry of pain. Vrak watched as he fell from his place, tumbling to the ground. He could hear the distinct sound of a lightsaber rolling across the floor. The Pureblood smiled slightly, his own blade still ringing out with that constant thrum of plasma. Slowly he wandered across the open hall, his eyes settling on the crumple form laying on the floor. He saw the Elder's fingers twitch, felt power building, but it was too late.

His boot came down on the mans hand. "You chose the wrong side."

That was all there was left to say. There was nothing to discuss, nothing to say. Vrak had told himself there would be no mercy, and he had more than meant it. His saber-staff quickly spun around, one end of the blade raising, and then quickly stabbing down into the Elder's back. One final cry of pain erupted from the man, and then suddenly his life winked from existence.

Slowly Vrak withdrew the blade, then turned.

He left the old man behind, paying him no mind or attention. There was someone else he had to kill.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

"I hope that is the last of them," Neesa grunted as she drew alongside him. There was no need to say any more. She had already relayed her previous experience fighting Siedra directly. Her footwork was tight, she used short efficient swipes of the blade combined with weak telekentic strikes to hold a defensive circle and look for an opening.

The twi'lek had been a fool. If she had stuck to her original plan she might have worn Neesa down, perhaps just keep her occupied to give Siedra a chance to bring down Vrak. It was important to learn from the failings of others; they could fail utterly and leave Neesa still alive to learn from their mistakes.

They rounded a corner to find a narrow staircase. Siedra stood half way up it. She looked a long way from the victorious hunter she had been when Neesa had last seen them. Dark bags hung under her eyes, there was pure contempt in her gaze.

"I found it annoying when you stopped my experiments with an alchemically altered virus. It is almost impressive that you managed to turn it back on me."

The staircase was narrow. Too tight for a pair of scimitars and a dual blades saberstaff. The wounded animal had chosen a good spot for its stand. But why did they always have to talk?

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

"I just killed your father." Vrak began as the womans voice echoed within the hall, though there seemed to be no taunt within the words. The truth was he had cared for the Elder, as much as a Pureblood could do so anyway, and his death had annoyed him a great deal. He would have been a useful tool, an adviser when he sat upon the Council. The old man had been smart, and he'd known nearly every political player on Athiss for the last century.

"A shame."

Siedra sounded genuinely disheartened, though Vrak knew it was an act. Like he, she had no real care for the Old Man as a person, just an asset. Siedra was a cold as he, and had circumstances been different their conversation might very well have been reversed.

"He spoke highly of you, even until the end."

Vrak could see the same she was playing of course, the worms within her words. "One chance, Siedra."

He told her plainly.

"Once chance to end it yourself." He was not offering her mercy, he was not offering her a way out, she would still die. "Take your lightsaber and run it through your belly. Or I promise you a death far more painful."

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

The sith looked down at them both with disdain. Neesa had been immersed in the culture of the sith for years. She imagined having parents, tried to theorise what it would be like. She couldn't decide how she would react to having them killed, the concept was too far removed from her own reality.

No response was forthcoming for a few seconds. She knew Siedra wouldn't take him up on the offer, but it was clear she was deciding whether to make a stand or not. Perhaps the favourable position finalised the decision.

"You will have to try and do the work yourself," she called down. Neesa eyed the staircase above Siedra. The structure was old and crumbling, but she could perhaps get above the Sith with a big leap and small climb. Neesa made no move, she waited for Vrak's signal.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

"Pity." Power welled within him, something that Neesa and Siedra would both sense.

Vrak had never had talent for the old ways. Sith Sorcery and Alchemy escaped him, the deepest and darkest arts were far from his ability, but sheer, raw power? He had plenty of that. The Pureblood stiffened slightly, his lightsaber igniting with a loud snap-hiss as his gaze rose to the women on the steps. His free hand slowly began to rise. "You always were a disappointment."

His hand wrenched back.

Siedra lurched suddenly, one foot coming forward to catch herself upon the staircase, the force rising around her in a protective ward to break Vrak's grip. By the time she steadied herself however The Pureblood was already dashing forward. Both end of his lightsaber burned brightly, crimson illuminating the broken staircase as he slashed towards the marble beneath her feet.

Sparks flew, and lightning rushed from Siedra's fingers.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Siedra gave ground, but not much. Neesa knew she had to ensure there wasn't room to keep backing up and holding Vrak at bay. There was no room for her to slip in besides his saberstaff and attack from the front.

Both blades hissed as they were returned to their scabbards. She could sense the blades' reluctance to be put away but she needed her hands. Three steps and she was nearly at full speed. The Force left her almost weightless as she jumped for a perch on the wall. In one smooth motion she braced, coiled like a spring and twisted and jumped again.

The telekentic wave hit her as she was about to reach the top of the spiral staircase above Siedra. For an instant her stomach lurched as she prepared to fall.

Four white fingers grasped the edge of a stair between two columns that were pair of the stair rail. Another hand joined them a moment later.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

[member="Neesa"]

Her skill couldn't be underestimated. Whereas Vrak had always excelled with a lightsaber, Siedra had always pushed herself to the brink with the force. She could do things that others only thought could be found in the history books. The elders had said she had the greatest potential of any Sorcerer they'd seen in years. Powerful, graceful, and intelligent enough to keep the reigns. She was as dangerous as any of the four remaining Councilors.

They had to remember that.

Vrak's lightsaber flicked up, catching the bolts of lightning as Siedra sent an assault towards Neesa. Bright purple sparks crackled over his blade, Vrak twisting slightly to brace, and the dispel the lightning by pulling it further away from himself. He let out a hiss, then burst forward.

His leg kicked out towards hers, his lightsaber slicing towards Siedra's stomach.

The other Pureblood dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding Vrak's blade as she bounded up and over him, coming crashing down onto the floor with a muted thud.

 

[Neesa]

[member="Vrak Nashar"]

Neesa hauled herself up and over the railing, landing lightly on the stairs on the other side. Both blades were out in a fraction of a second. Siedra had wisely moved past Vrak whilst she was climbing. Neesa accepted that. It was a game of chess. She hadn't taken a piece but she had forced Siedra to. Reconsider her position.

On the widen open floor they could try and surround her, work her defences down as they had done to Baltha. Her hawkish gaze fell upon Siedra. A stalking predator, she slowly descended the stairs. If she had rushed down and the Pureblood had passed them by they would have been back where they started.

The runes on her swords faintly glowed. Perhaps it was that slow advance, or maybe that Neesa used the runes as a focus point instead of speaking the incantation. Maybe Siedra was just focussed on Vrak.

The reason didn't matter. What mattered was that Siedra had to hastily react to the blast of dark side energy that leapt from Neesa's hands over Vraks head. She was an almost unparalleled sorcerer on Athiss still, dispelling the assault as it reached her outstretched hand, but the skin of her hand turned dark, the pain and surprise etched into her features.

Neesa darted down the last few steps, eager to draw blood.