Private Secrets We Carry

[Darth Rellik]

LOCATION: Aboard the DSD - Vault Bulwark

Lord Rellik was taking stock of his new crew when he recieved word from the other head of the Diarchy. His brother had communicated directly to him over their personal comms. "Brother, I have need of you on the planet Ossus, there is need to fix a grievous mistake made by the force. A young Jedi here is in need of bringing a loved one back. Come prepared"

A task that can never be taken lightly. Rellik did not need to say anything else to his brother beyond "Understood. I will be arriving shortly."

With that the Dark Lord went to his personal chambers. There he brought out several items, searching for varying levels of dark side energy. He did not know what kind of spirit his new Jedi friend lost or why Reign deemed it necessary to go through the trouble of bringing him back but he did not want to bring an artifact that would swallow a light sider whole.

"Blast it all to the wills. All of these items are teeming with the dark. I must find something else." With that Rellik headed back down to the hanger where he saw an Officer orienting some of his new troopers. He watched them for a time pondering his situation when he saw something peculiar.

A young officer, who could not be any older than 21 pulled out a locket. Admiring it lovingly. - The Dark Lord approached the young man, having already searched his thoughts he knew what the locket meant to him. "Officer Ryleigh, may I have a moment of your time."

The young man - anxious but not scared. Came to attention, saluted the dark lord and crossed his arms behind his back and in a prompt military fashion replied. "Yes my lord."

"I wish to ask you a heavy favor. I know what the locket you hold behind you in your palms means to you. I wish to take it, if I may."
"Yes my lord" He replied with a confused face. Now realizing that the Sith called him by his first name without them ever meeting. He proceeded to reluctantly hand over the Locket.
"Come with me and I will explain the necessity of what is happening. As well for now when it is just the two of us you man talk to me without all of the decorum. In front of the men you must be on your best behavior though. I respect you and know what I ask."

"I know you loved this woman and that the raid on your previous employers ship took her life. I wish to use this locket to hopefully help another. Thank you Ryleigh." Rellik putting his hand on the mans shoulder and reassuring him he valued his sacrifice with even such a small thing, he than took the womans picture out of the locket and handed it to the officer. "This part, you may keep forever. Don't ruin my ship while I am gone young man."

With a laugh and an eagerness to prove knowledge of the force Rellik headed to his personal shuttle. Ready for the trip to Ossus.

Darth Reign Azurine Varek

 

[Azurine Varek]

The Depths I'll Sink

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Vibrosword

"Two methods." Azurine repeated, frankly quite confused. How could there possibly be more than one way to do something like this. It didn't necessarily sit right on her, weighing on her chest and causing her to question her willingness here. She still hadn't agreed to participate in anything, only asked to be provided with the knowledge. "What kind of dangers?"

A thought clawed at her mind to flee. Just forget about this whole thing before she had the chance to sink under the waves that were so very clearly over her head. Her attention was brought to the young children once again, who could obviously sense her sadness. She didn't know if she could be steadfast to what she had said a moment ago or not, but she didn't think there was any way to back out now, even if she wanted to. The confliction and desperation radiated off of her aura in waves.

"No!" The voice echoed into the room rather than just in her mind, strong and yet ethreal at the same time. "I will not allow this to continue."

The whispy image of a young Pantoran man with golden tattoos beneath his eyes starlight eyes that mimicked the rays of the sun shimmered into view. Anyone with enough force sensitivity would be able to see and hear him, and yet he didn't care. "Though I appreciate some of the insights you have, I think it's time for us to take our leave." He said, grasping his hand onto Azzie's shoulder. Being able to interact with the world was difficult, but because of the state of their bond, it tended to take much less effort to do so with her.

"Kynn, what-"

"I'm not letting you make such a reckless mistake because of me," he cut her off very quickly, but a burning desperation ripped through her chest, and she pushed back.

"Would you just shut up and let me do something to save you for once?!"

The silence that followed could have been cut through with a knife. Though his eyes looked soft and gentle, full of love, while his gaze was on her, the moment he turned to Darth Reign, they burned white hot like a dying star. He'd protected her hibernation site for 900 years, and despite the fact that he didn't know how much power he had here in this situation, he was done watching it without action. He took a swift step between her and the three sith before them. If it turned out that he couldn't do anything, he at least knew someone who could, even if alerting her would eat the remainder of his energy for a while.

Darth Reign | Darth Rellik​

 

[Darth Reign]

Darth Reign was a man seldom caught by surprise. But to see the shimmering apparition before him. The way he looked at the young Jedi before Reign spoke volumes to their relationship. Reign knew that he would do anything to protect Azurine.

Taking a friendly tone The Dark Lord said "You must be the one she is missing, I can tell by the way you look at her, even though I can't sense your feelings through the force, that you feel for her the same as she does for you." Reign wanted the spirit to know that he would never force the other Jedi into anything, he was just providing the skill. Opening the door as it were, it was up to her to walk through.

"I can see the hatred you hold for me, while I can not say that it is unexpected, I believe it is unwarranted. Your friend is in no danger today. All I offer is knowledge, and a path to rectify an error in the will of the force. Whether or not to take the step is up to her. She is not being coerced or threatened I assure you." The Dark Lord held his hands up in a placating gesture, he would not pick a fight today.

If his knowledge of force ghosts was correct, the specter would not be able to stop him if it came to it, but Reign would not want to lose the ground he had made with the living jedi. "Tell me Jedi, is it the knowledge I intend to pass that worries you? Knowledge itself is neither good nor evil, it is what the individual does with it that determines it's alignment. How is that different than the ruins we are standing in? The Jedi sought out knowledge, and stored it here, were those Jedi corrupted as you fear your padawan will be? I believe she is strong enough to know. Whether she acts upon it, is up to her."

Azurine Varek Darth Rellik

 

[Azurine Varek]

The Depths I'll Sink

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Vibrosword

"Hate is not necessarily the word I would use for you. Pity, holding sympathy is more true to fact. I'm sorry that you feel the need to remain so far within the dark that you cannot see the effect it has on you and could have on your children," Kynn said, his voice was an eerily dangerous calm. It made Azzie's eyes fly wide. The last time she heard him speak in such a manner was when he'd confronted the Thirteenth Brother while they were captured, the day that would later take her arm, stuck in antiforce containment without their weapons, "I may even believe you truly think that you're helping, because the other option would provoke my ire and I choose to provide a benifit of the doubt, but the road to evil is paved with good intentions."

"Stop, Kynn!" Azzie quickly reached for his arm to force him to face her once again. It was always an odd feeling touching him like this. It felt like holding onto a fist full of cotten, like if she moved too quickly, it would slip right through her fingers. "You ... you're not welcome in this right now." It ripped her heart apart to say that to him. He had always been able to bring out a gentler side of her that no one else was capable of finding, but not now.

"Listen to yourself. What would Master Noble say if she knew this was happening?"

That alone brought a hesitation to her. All this time, that thought hadn't crossed her mind. She had been so preoccupied with finding a way out, and now she didn't want to think about that. She hadn't sought out this interaction. It came to her, and her desperation pushed along by her curiosity was allowing the darkness in her to win out if only a small bit. Maybe she wasn't in her right mind, but she couldn't dare admit that to herself now.

"She won't understand..." she finally said, staring directly into those starlight eyes she'd always fallen for, then at the ground from the weight of seeing how ethreal and ghostly hey were, just like the rest of him, "I need to know if I can save you, that's it. Nothing else."

Taking a deep breath, she walked straight through him to be face to face with Darth Reign again, "Just tell me everything you can."

Darth Reign | Darth Rellik​

 

[Darth Rellik]

Lord Relliks Arrival

Ossus was close to where the Diarchy was currently operating and the trip was not a long one. Casually descending from the sky with his oblong ship, he landed in a clearing roughly 50 meters to the rear of his brother. Sensing tension but not battle he gathered the locket he took earlier from his officer and departed his vessel.

As the Dark Lord walked down the ramp of his vessel it was clear to him he was the most cold blooded creature in this encounter. Even then, when he saw his nieces he was taken aback for a moment.

As he approached he cordially bowed to the Jedi. "I am Darth Rellik, if you have earned the sincerity of my brother than please assume you have mine as well. I know you can sense the type of man that I am. I wish to assure you I am no monster. I merely know that I can fight only for something that I love, love only what I respect, and respect only what I at least know. This is the only life I have known, therefore, I must fight for it. Same as everyone else in this galaxy."

Leaving her to ponder his words he turned to Darth Reign . In a hushed whisper as he spoke. "These magics are beyond them. If they attempt anything like this, they will surely die." Knowing Reign understood the severity of these rituals he did not wait for permission and knew his nieces respected his knowledge and authority. "Girls! Go to my vessel at once and inform Onyx to take you into the upper atmosphere. He will obey your commands but know this, he records everything for me. If you do not heed my instructions, I will know." With that the two girls went to the vessel without another word. Presumably from Lord Relliks view they were disappointed to not be allowed to witness.

Returning to face the Jedi Rellik spoke again. "Know this Jedi, no matter what technique we teach you here today there are risks that must be mitigated. If you falter in your will, you will die, the spirit you reach for may be lost to the void forever. You must steady yourself and be sure of your actions. If you can tell me this is truly what you want than we will begin instructions. For this is not some party trick that may be used at a whim."

Darth Reign Azurine Varek

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign was relieved to see his brother, the Dark Lord was always more secure in his power when they were side by side. Giving a slight nod to his daughters when his brother sent them away.

“Listen to your uncle. This is beyond you” he said as they walked away. Reign moved next to his brother as he explained the inherent risks to the Jedi. It was good that he was here, the ins and outs of such an intricate ritual would be in the other Diarchs wheelhouse not Reigns.

Putting his input in as well Reigns said “again we will not force anything upon you, but if this knowledge is what you desire, we will teach you. What you do with it is on your shoulders. We know this will make us enemies in your order but, we in the Diarchy believe that knowledge and power are meant to be shared. And know this, if your order shuns you for touching this darkness.. as Jedi are wont to do.. our doors will be open to you”

Azurine Varek Darth Rellik

 

[Azurine Varek]

The Depths I'll Sink

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Vibrosword

Azurine looked from Darth Reign to the newset sith who had made their way to this place. She could feel how even in this place that somehow held a balance, the darkness was beginning to overpower it, mimicing not just the situation but her soul as well. Her hand twitched at her side, nearing the lightsaber she had hanging from her belt, and she took a small step back. Fear crept into her mind from this new presence. It was absolutely nothing like the force aura of his brothers. Yet, she still listened intently to everything he had to say.

"If you falter in your will, you will die, the spirit you reach for may be lost to the void forever."

The statement struck her heart, and she bit her lip. Still, all she wanted was the knowledge. Nothing would have to become of it. Her mind was clouded so heavily by her tumbling chaotic emotions, and she gave a swift nod to them. She didn't trust them in the slightest, but Reign had managed to snake his way through her defences and poke at a wound that was still very much fresh. A failure in the will of the force Reign had called it. Maybe he was right ...

"Even if you learn and succeed, you would no longer be the person I loved. Don't, I beg you." The ghost tried one more desperate attempt to break through the swirling darkness to get through to her. She had always had one foot dangerously too close to the edge, for as long as he had known her, it had been that way, but she had always been so strong in her steadfastness to keep her head above, even if she had to claw and fight her way back up.

Her refusal to look at him was all the answer he needed in that moment.

Azzie kept her focus on Darth Reign and Darth Rellik, still watchful of them, especially now that the children were gone and she no longer feared having to hurt them if the two before her decided to make an ambush. "Just because I'm not going anywhere doesn't mean that I want to be part of it. The only thing I want .... is to learn, to know if I'm being played or if this is truly possible, so yeah, teach me," she stated to the two of them. She tried to tell herself that if she could confirm the possibility, then maybe she'd be able to find an equivalent elsewhere.

The spirit of Kynn let his eyes drift closed and listened quietly to Azzie's thoughts through the bond they still shared until he found the information he was looking for, the location of Valery Noble . He knew exactly where she was, having seen it before, and therefore could project himself to her, but he wouldn't have much time when he got there. "I'm sorry," he whispered, brushing his fingertips against her arm while he vanished.

~~~​

When he reappeared again, he was standing in front of the Grandmaster, his eyes alone showed the gravity of the situation. It's Azurine. I didn't realize how much pain our bond has given her, and she is not thinking clearly. He said, but his voice was as soft as whistles in a forest into her mind. His image faultered constantly like a mirrage, having expended every part of his energy to get here, ... Grave mistake ... necromancy .... Ossus. The words faded in and out, struggling to pass through to the living world even just into a single mind, and as his presence faded back to its place at Azzie's side where it was bound, he hoped that his message had reached her and she would make it before it was too late.

Darth Reign | Darth Rellik​

 

[Darth Rellik]

So be it.

The Dark Lord pulled several items from underneath his outer robes. Laying them on the ground before the Jedi and Darth Reign.
Alchemical tools, several funnels, flasks, scales and alembics.
"No matter the process for which you go through this you will be using Sith Alchemy. You will be denying the wills of the force and must tap into dark side energy to do so. The only light sider who has been able to use such a technique lost her ability to tap into the light side of the force afterwards. I believe using alchemy might mitigate this as she did not, nor did she have additional life energy to use. I am not sure if that will happen to you but be warned."

With that warning Rellik unveiled a locket from his pocket.
"The first and least monstrous version of this process comes from finding an inanimate object and transferring the essence of a being into it. Still this will take immense focus and require you to tap into the dark side. You will need to use alchemy as well to enchant the object. Once the process is complete while you are wearing the now artifact you can communicate, see, and if you are connected enough in the force even enter the artifact and be with the person inside. With this your friend will not struggle to appear near you in the real world. This does not bring the person back to the world in a sense that you may touch them but it has the least possibility to kill you, the spirit and does not require another's life energy. Be warned, the artifact can succumb to dark side degradation and malevolence. I have brought you Nullification resin but you will run out eventually. If you do not continue to apply the resin your loved one will succumb to the Dark side. Lastly, the spirit must be willing and put in effort to enter the vessel as well or they will be lost to the void."

Now for the harsher truth.
"If you wish to bring your loved one back to the world of the living permanently, to live a full life with you, you must sacrifice another. This process usually kills the practitioner. Throughout history many Sith have used clones to fulfill this purpose as the sacrifice of a clone does not have an awakened consciousness that can resist the entering of the practitioner. Depending on the willpower of the person you wish to take control of, the process might be ruined again, leaving the spirit to the void and the practitioner to die. For you to not die using this process you must sacrifice several people. Stealing their life for your goals."

With that Lord Rellik began to start the alchemical process for Essence transfer to an artifact to show the young Jedi.
"Have you ever made a holocron before Jedi? The process is similar but you will connect yourself more intimately with this object. If you are bringing another being into the equation than they must be willing and ready to risk it all to be again. Defy the whills of the force and push beyond."

With that he showed the entirety of the alchemical process, than he sat down in a meditative posture.
"You know how to feel the Whill of the force Jedi, tap into it, bring yourself to the fold of the universe. Now learn to mold it to your wishes."
Lighting began to form in small particles around Rellik as he manipulated the force.
"Break its boundaries, expel your teachings. Guide the force instead of succumbing to its flow."

The dark lord continued in his teachings until he had demonstrated severe domination of the force. To the point where if he were to have additional life essence he would be able to dominate another being or enter some of the trinkets he brought. Letting go of the process before he felt like he would be lost forever himself.

He arose from his trance, handed the locket he had to the Jedi.
"This trinket only has a small amount of Dark side energy in it from its short time with me and through my demonstration. Its original owner had lost a loved one and held unto it in their memory. I hope that stored emotion and power will help you if you decide to go down this path. Best wishes to you Jedi. I must go and rest for a while."

Not wanting to leave the Jedi completely if she had any questions the Dark Lord rose and walked over to some foliage nearby. Resting against a tree, close enough to hear but far enough to not feel in danger.

Darth Reign Azurine Varek

 

[Azurine Varek]

The Depths I'll Sink

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Vibrosword

Azzie watched on with a morbid fascination as Rellik took out different items and placed them on the ground in front of her. The curiosity she had could be such an asset, but it was also a curse when it was focused on the wrong things. Her mind screamed that everything about this was wrong, and that scream only got louder and louder as the words progressed until she was at war with herself over it.

Sadly, the first option sounded too similar to the situation she was already in, but somehow ten times worse and not worth risking. The second option, though ... his words sent cold shivers through her body. To sacrifice actual lives in such a manner, it cut through her heart. Could she ever be so cold as to even consider that kind of horror? Before her stasis, she would have answered not a chance in hell. Now, though, there was a small pinch of doubt even if the answer was still an unequivocal no. They had to be ready and willing. He would never, and she knew that for a fact.

The way that Darth Rellik concentrated on his demonstration was so strikingly horrible, yet hauntingly interesting at the same time. She'd never witnessed anything like it in her life, and she knew she should be petrified in her place. She found herself leaning forward, reaching out with her senses to try to analyze everything she was witnessing. That's when she felt it, like the force around him was screaming in pure agony at being bent and broken in such ways, and she jumped back in abject terror that floated through her eyes with a gastly smoke.

She muttered a couple of curses under her breath in the Zabraki language, hitting her fist against the wall opposite her, which chipped and cracked from her unintentional channeling of the force into her hand. What was all of this even for, then?! Staying when she should have taken the first opportunity she had to flee like she'd wanted to in the first place? Was it really fruitless? There had to be an equivalent that didn't involve sacrificing lives. If she went looking, then maybe she'd be able to find it.

She reached down cautiously, her eyes still remaining focused on Reign and Rellik. The gloved hand brushed across that of the locket momentarily, shifting her gaze to examine it until she'd lifted it to get a closer look. As a psychometrist, she knew how much power echoes woven into objects could hold, even just the older and quieter ones, and that's why she wore a glove on her biological hand in the first place. A thought rushed through her brain that made her hesitate.

Take off your glove, see it as it is.

She shook her head to clear it away, but the effects lingered.

Bad idea. Very bad idea. Unless ... No, absolutely not.

Darth Reign | Darth Rellik | Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Operative Suit | Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Ship: Link
Weapons: Lightsabers

The air around Ossus was still, almost too quiet, as the disturbance in the Force began to ripple outward. The Sith, Reign, and Rellik, may have felt it first — a tremor so deep that it resonated in the very core of the planet, carrying with it a warning. But this was not anger. It was not rage. It was power — controlled, focused, and undeniable.

High above the planet, Valery Noble, the Sword of the Jedi, descended in her ship like a storm about to break. Her presence had been sent across the stars by Kynn's warning, and now, the Force itself screamed with her arrival. As the ship broke through the atmosphere, the ground beneath the ancient temple on Ossus began to tremble. Small rocks and dust lifted into the air as if pulled by an unseen force, and the vibration grew stronger with each passing second.

With a deafening crack, Valery's ship landed not far from the temple, sending a shockwave of energy through the area. Stone structures, ancient and weathered, shuddered and split as her raw power pressed into the Force. Even before she stepped out, the Sith would have known she was there. The very air felt heavy, oppressive, as if it bent under the weight of her presence.

Then, the ramp lowered, and Valery emerged. Her silhouette cut sharply against the backdrop of the ruined temple, her amber eyes glowing with a fierce, protective light. The Force swirled around her like a tempest, so potent it felt alive. Each step she took toward the Sith caused the ground to quake, cracks forming in the stone beneath her boots, small pieces of debris shattering and falling as if the world itself was buckling under the power she held.

She said nothing at first. There was no need. The Force around her screamed for justice, for retribution. It roared like a beast unleashed, sending tremors through the minds of those present. But Valery's expression remained calm, cold even, as she approached the two Sith with measured, deliberate steps.

When she spoke, her voice was steady, but it carried a weight that made the air around her seem to still entirely. And with it came peace, as the earth stopped trembling and shattering.

"I do not know who you are," Valery began as she stepped within range, "But I am here to bring my Padawan back."

The words echoed, cutting through the tension like a blade. The Force trembled at her command, and the ground beneath the Sith seemed to pulse in warning. Her hand drifted to the hilt of her lightsaber, but she did not ignite it. Not yet.

"You've made a grave mistake by involving her in your schemes." Her eyes locked on Reign and Rellik, her gaze unyielding. "But I am giving you one chance to walk away."

Azurine Varek Darth Reign Darth Rellik ​

 

[Darth Reign]

Darth Reign felt her before he saw her. The fabled Valery Noble, he couldn't help but smile that such a small lesson could bring such a large response. But, as he had said to the younger Jedi before, he had known this would make them enemies.

As the Jedi Master entered the area, Reign turned to face her, the lesson had been completed, and there was nothing left for them here. However, he would not cow down to a Jedi, no matter how powerful, his own power rising in response to the Jedi Master in a silent acknowledgement of the threat she posed. outwardly in response he smiled at the woman. "Your padawan is yours to take, she is not being held here, and is in no danger from us. By all means, take her"

Reign had placed his hands on his hips, one near his lightsaber, should the Jedi prove to be unyielding. As she did not ignite her blade, the Sith Lord kept his clipped as well. Placing himself between the grandmaster and his brother as should she strike, Reign would take the first blow.
"I can assure you Master Noble, there are no schemes here, your Padawan came seeking knowledge, knowledge we provided, with no ulterior motive. What she chooses to do with that knowledge is between you Jedi. Just know this, your apprentice was not coerced, not threatened, and certainly not held against her will. There is a pain in her that runs deep, I wonder why she did not come to you for aid."

Turning to Azurine he added "Remember what I have told you, knowledge is just knowledge, what you choose to do with it, decides who you are. You have a friend in me, should you ever desire. I will be there."

Returning his focus to the Jedi Master he added "I have no desire to test my mettle against you today Noble, but I am sure our paths will cross again. On that day, may your blade swing true. If it is all the same, We will take our leave."

Valery Noble Darth Rellik Azurine Varek

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Operative Suit | Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Ship: Link
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's amber eyes never wavered from Reign as he spoke, his words crawling through the air with a dangerous calm that mirrored her own. But there was no room in her for discussion, not with a Sith who could so easily twist the situation to his advantage. His insistence that there were no schemes here rang hollow to her, and she felt a dark current ripple in the Force — one that sent a chill crawling up her spine.

"Hold your tongue, snake," Valery replied sharply, her voice like the crack of thunder in the oppressive silence that followed. The way he spoke, as if he could sway her with claims of innocence, only deepened her distrust. Her hand flexed subtly at her side, never moving far from her lightsaber hilt, but her intent was clear — she had no interest in his justifications or his attempts to sow doubt.

Her eyes flicked to Azurine then, softening only slightly as she addressed her Padawan, though the urgency remained in her tone. "We're leaving. Now." The statement left no room for argument, a command forged from the weight of responsibility and the fierce protection she felt for her Padawan.

She stepped closer to Azurine, her posture strong and uncompromising as she kept a watchful eye on the Sith. Despite his calm exterior and willingness to let them go, Valery couldn't help but feel unsettled by how easily he was backing down. Most Sith did not give up so quickly, especially not after boasting about their power and knowledge. Was it a ploy? A trap to draw her further in?

Thinking about it only confused her further, but it mattered little now. Her priority was clear — get Azurine out safely, and they would talk later. The presence of Reign and Rellik was a lingering threat, but Valery refused to be baited or distracted from her mission.

Azurine Varek Darth Reign Darth Rellik ​

 

[Darth Reign]

Reign couldn't help but smirk at the "snake" line, he could feel the unease his demeanor had caused the grandmaster, good he thought to himself. Let it be known he was unlike any she'd faced before.

"So quick to anger master one might think there's less difference between us than you would hope" He put emphasis on the word master, while it had been established that Reign was going to let them go, he wondered if the Master would bare insult.

Reign's eyes never left the Jedi as she approached her apprentice, the protectiveness stoking his interest. Speaking to the younger Jedi he said "Remember my offer young Jedi, and my warning, hear the anger in your master, see how she Shuns simple knowledge. I will be here for you when they turn their back, as they are sure too. And don't forget, I will always be there for you.." he smirked at the Jedi Master again, he would not instigate a duel, he wanted Azurine to see her master strike out in anger. Wanted to leave that impression on the great Valery Noble.

Valery Noble Azurine Varek Darth Rellik

 

[Darth Rellik]

In The Minds of the Sith

As Rellik gathered his strength away from the fluster of everything that was going on he appeared to be half asleep. Not directly interacting with anyone in the moment and with his eyes closed. This could not be further from the truth.

The Dark Lord had whispered into his communicator for his personal droid to inform Reigns daughters to get the ship ready. His IV-9 RangeMaster Scout Ship had a fixed medium cannon on it that if it came down to it, would be used to blast everyone here since the four combatants were all on the ground without air support of their own. Rellik did not believe he had gathered enough strength to put up a good fight and was willing to win even if it meant firing a canon on himself and his brother. He would not die leaning on a tree in the middle of nowhere, helping someone he did not know.

Beyond that, he did his best to dig into the righteous anger of the Grand Master. He doubted he could influence such a stalwart and knowledgeable Jedi, especially while being weakened. Hoping the current situation and swell of dark side energy from the initiation of the ritual might lower he guard against mental invasion he still tried. If anyone was going to start the fight today, it would be her. Leading Azzie to see the two brothers were not intent on being the aggressors, moving her to their side even more. In a fight against a grand master they would need all the help they could get.

As the grandmaster and Darth Reign threw verbal jabs and insinuations at each other Rellik had one last thing to say to the Young Jedi he had taught the ritual to. Azurine Varek "If I did not make myself clear. When within the amulet with your lover you will be able to hold them, love them, spend your days with them. They will just not directly be in the world with you in a physical body. If the locket is safe, they are safe. With you in spirit always and sometimes, physically. As well if you can find a weak minded individual you may put the locket on them, say a clone. This would give him the body you seek for him to fully physically be within this world."

After he spoke Rellik closed his eyes again. If they all knew he was secretly fighting in his own way or if they assumed he was defenseless did not matter to him. He needed to gather his strength if this fight was to happen or just to dodge the cannon fire if it came to it.

Darth Reign Azurine Varek Valery Noble

 

[Azurine Varek]

The Depths I'll Sink

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Vibrosword

Azzie hadn't even gotten the chance to let the intrusive thought win out, all the better for her really. Her shock and overwhelm at the situation instantly took a backseat the moment a very familiar aura could be felt closing in on the position, her eyes snapping back towards the walkway that had gotten her here before this entire encounter had even begun. Instinctively, she stashed the locket into the pouch of her belt before everything could explode like a collapsing supernova. "Master Noble, I-" she didn't finish the statement, watching closely as Valery positioned herself between her and the two lords. The tension had become so palpable it could be sliced with a knife.

She tried not to let the anger rise in her chest when Reign made it out like she had come here specifically for this intent, a statement that was disguised with sympathy he directed to her. When she'd gotten here she hadn't even really been sure she was looking for anything and certainly hadn't wanted to end up in a room alone with a sith lord. Maybe it was the way her mind was already clouded and effected by everything she had witnessed, but her eyes narrowed like daggers directly boring into the pale yellow eyes of theirs. The anger stretched out until it spilled over into rage, carrying and overflow of darkness right along with it. She felt played, cheated, deceived. Pulled into a cloud of slow poison that had worn it's was into lowering her guard when she never should have allowed it in the first place.

Maybe if the things she had seen and felt hadn't been so clearly against her burning morals and had trickled slowly, she might have even continued to fall for it now. She was easily manipulated, and they used it against her. It seemed in trying to anger the Grandmaster, they'd had an the opposite effect.

"You do not get to use me like a blasted pawn stuck in the middle of a game board! I don't care who you think you are!" She screamed. All she had wanted in staying was a way to save the person she loved. After everything she had witnessed today, she didn't think she could justify staying in this place any longer. It didn't matter what other questions the remaining morbid curiosity still had. Now, she was angry. No pain, anguish, only a white hot fury.

I could break their minds if I really wanted to, find everything last horrid moment and make it new again ... The thought moved into her head as the anger spilled out, lingering along with the sudden confliction it carried with it.

Whatever the game was the two had been getting at, even if they lost this day, a scar had been made using her own inner darkness against her.

She gripped her head in her hands, and forced herself to turn away. "Shut up! Both of you shut up! Stay the hell out of my head and leave me alone!"

Darth Reign | Darth Rellik | Valery Noble​

 

[Darth Reign]

At the young Jedi’s outburst the Dark Lord looked in her direction. His gaze softened when he did. He had not meant to cause distress but understood what was happening. The Jedi was scared, fear he understood.

“You may not believe anything I have to say, but please hear this. We only intended you aid, we have no schemes, only to provide knowledge in how to heal this grievous wrong done to you, I am sorry for what you are going through”
He took a step towards the Jedi, seeking to console, but thought better of it with the grandmaster standing there. Settling for a low bow.

He felt a form of protectiveness for this broken Jedi. Similar to the protectiveness he felt for the padawan Roman Vossari , he had only been trying to help.

“When this pain fades, know I will be here for you should you need me. I am sorry, come brother let us take our leave”

With that he moved toward the exit, as he passed by the Jedi, he slipped a data card into her robes, leaving his personal contact information. Although the touch of darkness they had experienced together had linked them, he’d always feel her presence.

Azurine Varek Valery Noble Darth Rellik

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Operative Suit | Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Ship: Link
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery felt the pull of Azurine's anger and distress. Still, she remained a steady presence, her focus solely on her Padawan, ignoring the Sith's words and any attempts to provoke her further. She could feel the dark side swirling around them like a storm, but Valery stood strong, determined not to let it take root within her or her Padawan. The moment's tension pressed against her, but her face remained calm, her amber eyes steady and clear.

As Azurine's outburst exploded, Valery stepped forward, her expression softening with empathy. She didn't need to speak immediately — her presence alone radiated calm, the kind of stillness that could soothe even the most turbulent of emotions. She understood the rage and confusion her Padawan felt, but it was her duty to guide her back from that dangerous edge.

"Azurine," Valery spoke softly, her tone firm but filled with care, "Breathe. We're leaving." She reached out, not physically, but through their growing bond, offering a reassuring sense of calm to help pull Azurine away from the chaos in her mind. "You're not alone. I'm right here."

Her attention flickered briefly to Reign and Rellik as they began to leave, but she refused to engage further. Instead, she offered them a final, stern warning. "Stay away from my Padawan. She will not need you."

With that, Valery turned back to Azurine, her voice gentle yet commanding, "Come, we'll talk once we're far from here. You're safe now." She kept a protective stance beside her Padawan, ready to lead her away from the clutches of the dark side and the manipulations of the Sith.

Azurine Varek Darth Reign Darth Rellik​

 

[Azurine Varek]

The Depths I'll Sink

Outfit: Clothing | Right Arm | Glove
Weapons: Lightsaber | Vibrosword

Whether or not Azurine believed what Reign said about the situation, she couldn't seem to keep her focus off of his statement that there had been a grevious wrong with the trajectory of how things had gone. She hated that he had a point, especially in all of the rage she felt spiraling out of control. It was a point she couldn't necessarily find any solace in through it. All she could see right then was the anger that turned to hate.

Anger at her situation, anger at her loss, anger at the force, anger at Reign and Rellik ... anger at herself.

It colored her vision red as if the world had been set on fire. A dangerous kind of calm settled over her, though her aura stull pulsed with that wild fury, and she took a step forward, raising her hand outward with intent. She was stopped mid movement when Valery turned to her, speaking with that same gentleness she'd grown to rely on. The rage in her eyes faultered, conflicted, mixing quickly with a guilt that flipped the rage inward at herself. She couldn't bring herself to meet her masters eyes any longer than that, casting her gaze to the ground and keeping it fixated there.

She felt like she had nothing she could say to obsolve her of the sins of this place and remained in an eerie silence that was out of character for her normally loud and brazen self.

"If your order shuns you for touching this darkness... as Jedi are to do"

Those words flitted back and forth through her head, only making her own inner animosity pierce through her soul.

"I should ... go get the ship I took," Azzie finally whispered quietly. She didn't want it to be stranded here when she'd had permission to take it in the first place. Though she hadn't yet noticed the information that had been left in her robes, this was not likely an encounter that would ever be forgotten.

Valery Noble | Darth Reign | Darth Rellik​