Secrets of the Dark Side III [Wolf]

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Wolf"] |

The second night had come. Instead of sitting at the edge of the bed, as she had done with [member="Darth Veles"] and Viktor DuSang, Avedia was stood at the transparisteel window that overlooked Dosuun, capital world of the First Order. She was hooded, the cowl of her robe raised above her head to conceal most of her face from view. Her arms were clasped in either sleeve, of which a Lightsaber was tucked beneath her arms. Behind her, the plinth was stood in the center of the room, as it had been in the previous meetings with the Knights of Ren.

A curious group, she thought, whilst she waited for the newest Knight to arrive. The antithesis to the Jedi and Sith, made up of individuals from varying pursuits, worlds and religions, without a code for them to follow. Driven only by the will of a man, or perhaps a woman, who never shows their face. It occurred to the Sith that the Supreme Leader was aware of her. Or perhaps not. It was difficult to tell. She was, however, unperturbed with the situation. Darth Vupua knew exactly what she was doing.

Resting beneath a glass orb was the Holocron. A sheet covered the orb, thus shielding the fist sized pyramid from view. When this Wolf, whose name she hoped to be as ferocious as it sounded, turned up to her summons, Avedia would unveil the Holocron to him, as she had done to Veles, Viktor and @Vaulkhar. Then they would talk.

 

[Wolf]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

The opportunity to learn from the legendary Darth Revan was one too good to pass up. He was truly a fascinating man, one who entertained both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force, and held a wealth of knowledge that would help develop Wolfgang Krieger's abilities. The young man was eager to grow stronger and further the First Order's cause. He was unsure of this woman, Avedia Lacroix's, intentions, although it appeared she wished to aid the First Order, but nevertheless Wolf had to be on his guard.

He had arrived at the Star Destroyer in his antiquated TIE fighter, more a family heirloom than a capable fighting vessel. And now he approached Avedia Lacroix herself, his steps cautious. He wore a black suit, his vibrosword resting reassuringly at his side. He was unskilled in the Force and yet could already feel the gulf that existed between the two in terms of power. Should he bow before her? She was clearly much more powerful than him. Wolf did not really know who she was however, she held no rank in the Knights of Ren, so he concluded that she had no reason to earn his submission. Darkness seemed to ebb and flow from her, and Wolf had to steel himself as he approached her. Wolf stood at 6'4", and yet felt much smaller than her.

His mind was suddenly struck by another presence, and that was that of the holocron that sat under the glass orb. A sheet covered it from view, and yet Wolf could already feel the power that emanated from it. His mind already whispered to him tales of power and ambition, and what he could become. Wolf took a few steps forward to the transparisteel window, keeping a safe distance away from Lacroix while looking out the window at Dosuun, his hands clasped behind his back.

Wolf remembered the First Order takeover of Yalara, and felt as though he had sensed this woman's presence there before. He was unskilled in Force sense however, and could only hazard a guess. Her face was obscured from view, so he did not have much to go on. "Have we met before?" Wolf's brows furrowed as he looked out at Dosuun, he did not know what he was getting himself into. He turned his head to look at her. "Regardless, we have not been properly introduced. I am Wolfgang Krieger, though clearly you know that already."

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Wolf"] |

"Yes... I know who you are." When Avedia had met with Avreet, she had to proven her strength. For Viktor DuSang, she had made clear the gulf that separated the both of them. Two different ways to gain the allegiance of both. But for Wolf Krieger, Avedia had chosen to adopt an era of mystery. It was by no accident that she did not turn to face Wolf as he entered. "But this is our first meeting, Wolf."

Avedia observed a squadron of TIEs fly by the window. As she followed the progress of the security patrol, the Sith Lord said: "You know why you are here. The knowledge that can be made available to you is rare. It will make you dangerous. Strong. But to learn the ways of the dark side, one must be ready to sacrifice. Are you ready to sacrifice, Wolf?"

 

[Wolf]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

Wolf continued to look out over Dosuun and the stars that speckled the empty vacuum of space as the woman spoke. They had not met before? Interesting. Wolf wondered why she took such an interest in him then, and would offer him such knowledge. And how could he trust her? His eyes trained on a satellite in the distance that orbited Dosuun, picking out the various details and grooves that adorned it. He said nothing for a few moments as the woman finished what she was saying. Was he ready to sacrifice? Wolf smiled as he looked out. Of course he would not be given the secrets of this holocron for free. He should have known there would be strings attached.

Thoughts of power and prestige crossed his mind, he could only imagine the sorts of secrets the holocron would hold, and the mysteries it would teach him. With such power he could become a valuable asset to the Knights of Ren, and surely prove his worth to the Supreme Leader. Surely any price would be worth paying, for such a gift?

No, not any price.

Wolf continued to look out as he spoke. "That depends on what the sacrifice is."

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Wolf"] |

Voice soft, Avedia turned her eyes to Wolf as she spoke. "There are three people. Gatekeepers, if you will. I want you to kill these three people, so that I can take what they are protecting. This is what I mean by sacrifice. Are you a killer, Wolf Krieger?"

Turning away from the transparisteel window, Avedia made her way to the center of the room. She stood behind it, so that it would be between herself and Wolf. Stretching a hand to the sheet, Avedia pulled back and dropped it onto the floor behind. The crimson light of the fist sized pyramid, that was Darth Revan's Sith Holocron, illuminated the room once more. Strange shadows were cast on it's surface, blinding out the artificial lights that had been there previously.

Avedia's yellow, predatory eyes lit up in the focus on the Holocron's light. The beast within her lifted it's snout, ready to bare it's teeth upon her victims, only to discover that the man stood before her was not her target. Yet. Instead, the dark side of the Force was used to pull Wolf deeper into the enigma, rather than outright destroy him. "In exchange for the knowledge, I want you to agree to kill the three Gatekeepers. Three lives in exchange for the ultimate weapon."

Lowering her gaze, Avedia peered into the past, when she had first learned of the Thoughtbomb. The knowledge has transformed her, bringing her deeper into the enigma of the dark side, away from the light. Not so long after that momentous night on Sojourn, she had murdered Darth Ayra and finally emerged to scream at the galaxy that she was Darth Vupua. But the galaxy was a large, distant thing. It would be sometime until the Jedi heard her. But this Knight of Ren, and the others she would meet, or had already met, were beginning to listen.

 

[Wolf]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

Three people. Gatekeepers. She wanted him to kill them? Wolf's face was expressionless, but his mind was full of questions. So there was indeed a steep price to pay for the knowledge to be found in this holocron. And why did she want these people dead? The term 'gatekeeper' brought up images of some ancient warrior that defended some great relic. Are you a killer, Wolf Krieger? That went without saying. Wolf's time in the military had meant he had seen many people die from the bolt of his blaster or the edge of his blade. But that was on the battlefield, in the frenzy of warfare. Outside of the battlefield, his time on Sekalus had resulted in the demise of many Croa at his hands, though it was more a mercy to their souls to have taken their wretched lives. To seek, track and kill three people, for reasons unclear, troubled Wolf. For the Supreme Leader he would accept commands without question. But for this woman?

Wolf turned to watch as the Sith Lady moved to the centre of the room, behind the concealed holocron that emanated such power. Wolf's doubts were quickly forgotten as the sheet was pulled back from the orb, revealing the holocron that lay inside. Crimson light illuminated the room, and Wolf's mouth was left agape as he stared at the pyramid. Whispers of the Force called out to him. Promises of power and might. Promises of the unlimited power that the Dark Side could offer. Wolf could not help but slowly take a few steps forward, his hands unclasping and coming down to his sides as he cautiously approached.

The power that radiated from the holocron was seductive, and Wolf had never felt anything like it before. Visions of ambition filled his mind. He could see himself becoming a feared and powerful Master that could extend an iron rule across the galaxy. He had to stop and remind himself what he fought for, and the ideals that drove him. No, not selfish ambition. Not greed. I am no Sith. The Dark Side was his ally, but it would be his ally in giving him up to the will of the Supreme Leader, the only one who Wolf had concluded could truly rule the galaxy and bring order and peace. He could not succumb to the passions and desires of his own flesh for his own vain ambition. Regaining his senses, he stopped before he could walk within striking distance of the Sith Lady, and inquired further. Wolf would not allow his assistance to be so easily bought. What intentions did this woman have? Clearly what he was asked to do would be benefitting her in some way. But to what end? What was she trying to accomplish?

"You make a tempting offer indeed. But who are these Gatekeepers? Why do you want them dead? How does this benefit you?"

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Wolf"] |

Smart, aren't you? Lifting her hands up to the cowl of her robe, Avedia lowered the hood to reveal herself. Lowering her hands to her side, Avedia looked down at the Holocron. He should have a little more trust in me, now. How easy it is to play on ones chords with the simple motion of showing them your face.

"They took something from me," replied Avedia, keeping her gaze on the Holocron. "They each possess a Holocron each, much like the one that rests before you. And for me to take them back, they will have to die so that they can return to their rightful owner. So, will you help me, Wolf?"

 

[Wolf]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

Wolf watched as she lowered her cowl to reveal her face. Yes, he was sure he had seen her before, on Yalara? She was an attractive woman, and Wolf listened intently to her words. So these gatekeepers had taken the Holocrons from her, and she wanted them back. It seemed a fair offer indeed. What reason did Wolf have to refuse her? In return he would gain great power and knowledge, which could aid the Supreme Leader in his goals. Wolf studied her features, and felt as though he could trust her.

Why can you trust her? Because she's good-looking?

Wolf opened his mouth to speak, his eyes transfixed with hers, wanting to tell her he would help her in any way he could. He stopped himself before he could say anything. He hesitated as he stepped forward, his mind full of doubt and unease.

You were an acolyte with the One Sith, and you appear to have learned nothing about them.

Wolf cleared his throat, his voice unsure as he spoke.

"I am flattered by your offer. But I was unaware of the strings that would be attached. I confess I should have known better. I do not know you, nor your ulterior motives. Who is to say that I will not come to regret giving you my assistance in the years to come? There are others who may leap at the chance for power without a second thought. I am not one of them. Until you tell me your real motives, I must decline."

Unsure of her reaction, his right hand slowly lowered down to hover over the hilt of his vibrosword. He stood still, his mind racing as he prepared himself for any sudden movements on her part. She would have to be a bold one indeed to attack a Disciple of Ren while orbiting the First Order's very capital, but Wolf was not taking any chances. Even if she were to tell him her real motives, would he like them? He may still have to refuse her, and his mind immediately began thinking of the ways in which he could leave the Star Destroyer as soon as possible.