Private Seek And Ye Shall Find

[Revna]

Revna pondered on Darth Strosius’s words about fear no longer being a limitation, but a tool for her to use now. She knew how fear could be used to motivate others…she had been on the receiving end of that herself a few times in her short life. But for her to now put it into practice? To no longer be beholden to fear? It was a good feeling to have. To use fear to her advantage moving forward was a foreign concept to her; it was yet another thing she had to look forward to with her new direction in life.

Her smirk widened slightly when the High Priest confirmed that shyness was not a trait encouraged in or by the Sith. With what little she knew of them right now, it made sense. She was putting together that to be a Sith was to be a warrior, and warriors were not shy.

She tilted her head in thought as the Sith mentioned mastering one’s emotions. “I…feel like being a silent, more mysterious individual fits who I am personally. I like to watch and listen and go about my business without really being noticed anyway. I had to do that a lot as a slave; I learned some things by doing so. Well, truthfully...I actually don't know that for certain. Maybe I'll surprise myself and be a more 'in your face' kind of person once I've gotten out of my slave mindset.” A thoughtful, mildly cunning expression passed across her face and she narrowed her eyes as a thought passed through her head. “Perhaps…I can use my shyness to my advantage in the future. No one would suspect that I am more dangerous than what I appear to be if I pretend to be more shy and meek. Actually…I feel that a lot of my more negative traits could be turned to my advantage now. No longer a weakness, but a strength…a tool to use. Once I’ve learned to actually…control them instead of letting them control me.” She murmured in thought to the robed man beside her.

Revna stepped down from the Cathedral with Darth Strosius, keeping close as he weaved his way through the gathered crowd, greeting some of them as he passed through. She was very intrigued by the interactions between him and the citizens of the settlement, his people really. She observed those around the two of them, noting the sense of gratitude that hung in the air; these people respected their High Priest and were loyal to him, and it brought another small smile to the woman’s face. It was a good sign to her; if the people of the settlement reacted this way to Darth Strosius…then she could place her loyalty and trust in the man as well.

Once clear of the crowd and back towards the spaceport, she moved to step alongside him. “You clearly seem to have made an impression upon the people here; they seem to be loyal and respectful of you.” She remarked softly as they continued onward, taking a glance at him. "I can see why, too. You carry with you a clear impression of authority here, of power and strength-and based on how these people react towards you, you don't lord over them like some tyrant. And that in and of itself is worthy of loyalty and respect, at least to me. I certainly would give my loyalty to someone like that."


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

There were many benefits to not being the center of attention, benefits that Darth Strosius himself had been enjoying since his first days as a Sith. While some sought glory and recognition he had learned from his master, as well as plenty of personal experience, that it was often better to go unseen and unheard of. Much like Revna pondering on her meek and quiet demeanor being turned into an advantage in the realms of observation, he had put into the practice the arts of subtlety and anonymity. How could one properly prepare to face off against him if they didn't know much if anything about him and what he could bring to bear? Suffice to say her musing brought a smile to his masked face.

With such an analytical and tactical mind he had no doubt that Revna would go far in her career as a Sith. So long as her more physical skills weren't neglected in favor of mental games anyway, that he would have to make sure of himself. There was potential in the young Acolyte that was obvious even before any true lessons on the Sith were imparted and the masked man had no intention to squander or squash that potential. His gaze shifted back to her as they walked side by side once more and he idly wondered what she would become. Someone to be respected and feared no doubt, but the exact nature of that was unclear for now. How exciting.

Darth Strosius chuckled in response to the remark and slowly looked back forward as she kept speaking, his hands crossing behind his back as he responded. "Respect can be garnered in many ways young Revna. Fear. Reputation. Strength. Even something like honor, as foolish as it can be, all accrue respect from those that beat witness or learn of such deeds and actions." That was how he had come into his own within the Sith Order, by displays of strength and capability that could not be denied. A simple but very effective method.

"But loyalty is not earned quite so simply. It requires dedication, conviction, and proof that you hold the best interests of those around you at heart." As he spoke he nodded at one of the few groups that they passed by, a patrol of soldiers that all saluted in return. "For many Sith, allegiance and obedience is enough. To follow orders and demonstrate submission is all that they ask of their subordinates and thus that is all they get. That line of thinking is why we're here on this backwater world, rather than spanning across the galaxy in a unified and unstoppable empire." The disdain that seeped into the masked man's tone ran deep and cold, chilling yet thankfully brief as he continued.

"I do not ask such simple things from my cult, nor shall I ask them of you. I expect more, I know that obedience is not enough. There must be something to strive for, something to look forward to when times are grim, something that propels even the weakest individuals to feats of strength just to achieve." Darth Strosius gestured outwards towards the homes as they walked, to where families lived and where some could even be seen going about their day. "I offer to these people a faith and a home, a goal and an ideal, and they follow me in order to achieve that. To defend it once they have it. To see their visions of a brighter and orderly future brought into reality. That is how I lead Revna. Not as a tyrannical lord, but as the guiding hand that drags victory and opportunity from this cruel galaxy and brings it to those that follow my guidance."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna bowed her head as they walked and she listened to what the Sith had to say to her remarks. She glanced at the soldiers who saluted him, her curious and attentive mind noting how they saluted, the position of their body and arms, and even what they were wearing and the weapons they had with them-the ones she could see anyway-before she returned her gaze back to the pathway ahead of her. The petite woman was absorbing and learning everything she could from the Sith as he spoke to her. She noted when he touched on a subject that garnered a rather cold response, and she slightly tilted her head in his direction as she assessed his words. She realized that she was rather in the dark about Sith politics and the status of the Sith Order in the galaxy, and she held her silence on that topic. She couldn’t speak on something she didn’t know about. I am sure that is also something I will learn in time as I progress in my training, came the thought through her mind.

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and looked to watch a group of children run between a few structures, giggling and laughing as they went. She felt her lips twitch in an amused smirk before she returned her gaze to the path ahead.

“I may not know much about leadership, and granted I’ve only been here for a very short while but clearly the way you lead your people has worked. It is something I have observed and will continue to observe and learn from.” the little woman said, before turning more contemplative.

“Life is…a hollow existence if you don’t have anything to fight for or work towards. Those that are here, that have stayed at least, found purpose in what you had to offer them. And not only was it offered but you gave them the ability to achieve their purpose and live their best life; their goals and passions and dreams. And in return, they give you their respect and loyalty…and their obedience and allegiance as well. The more I listen to you the more I am certain that I am in the right place. I could have gone anywhere in this galaxy; I could have been recaptured, killed, fallen into the hands of a different Sith who would have enslaved me to their own will…or I could have ended up in the hands of one of those Jedi you mentioned before. But I was guided here, of all places. And here…I have everything worth living and fighting for. I will give you my best that I have to offer; it is the least I can do to show how truly grateful I am for this opportunity given to me.”

Revna briefly looked down at the ground at her feet as they continued their journey, before lifting her gaze to the sky above her for a few moments. “Eventually, I hope to be able to help free others from their shackles too, and bring them here so they can be given the opportunity to become something greater than what they were before. To help do my part in the vision of ridding the galaxy of slavery and the filth that would see us all chained and bowed to their every whim…be they Sith or otherwise. To help bring that unity you’ve mentioned now a few times. I find purpose in those goals, something to strive for.” She said with a sideways glance and a small smirk at the masked Sith.


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius was silent was Revna's observations grew more serious and overarching, both about the cultists around them and about her own place amongst them. Such introspection and perspective was refreshing to hear, a far cry from the usual gratitude and at times blind loyalty that most of his followers showed him. He appreciated it greatly. To know that one could take a step back from the gilded future and humble present and acknowledge that the work of both himself and the cult at large was worthy of loyalty was gratifying. Not that he intended to let her know that of course. "Purpose is such a common need, and one that we who once were bound in servitude know is precious to have."

When freedom was a dream and service was life, purpose was drilled into one's mind and being. A slave was dominated in both chains and in mentality until one of them broke and set the other free as a result. "I am pleased to know that you intend to strive and struggle for the betterment of us all young Revna, you're already shaping up to be quite the wise Sith." He looked back at her with a nod as she smirked. "You'll have your chance at bringing vengeance and liberation in time. I expect nothing less from my Sith."

To further goals and reach of the Order was the main task of the Squires after all, to shepherd those in need and those willing to do the same for others. To bring death and ruin to the enemies of the Sith, no matter what form they took. From slavers to tyrants all were targets of Wonosa's Sith. It was just a matter of how soon they met their end at the hands of the Dark Side's most fervent servants. "Remember this determination and these people, they will be able to fuel your hardest struggles. So long as you do not lose sight of what you fight for then you will never know defeat, for you will never allow yourself to be defeated." When one was faced with total destruction of all they held dear then they would fight to the bitter end to ensure any amount of victory. As was the nature of the Sith.

As they walked farther away from the center of the settlement the activity around them gradually faded as well until once more the houses ended and the open stretch between the homes and the spaceport was before them once more. "Perhaps you'll even be able to teach the Squires something today, after our talks." The punctuating chuckle implied that the remark was a jest of some kind but there was some truth to his words. Revna simply had far more personal attention from him than the other Sith, more akin to an Apprentice already than simply another one of his Sith.

"We can acquire some equipment and some proper Sith attire for you while we visit their training grounds. Given the time of the day, if they have stayed true to their usual schedule, they should be on their daily physical exercises." Darth Strosius noted as they walked past the building that the pair had first met in, straying off to the right where other similar buildings could be seen rather than heading straight on towards the actual landing pads. The ship that had brought Revna and the other arrivals alongside her was still there, being tended to by the pilot and what appeared to be some technicians. There were a few others dotting the pads as well, more inconspicuous shuttles that were offloading cargo rather than arrivals.

Revna

 

[Revna]

“Vengeance…” she spoke softly, just barely above a whisper, rolling the word around as if testing it. It was a potent word, one that she rather liked. She could now embody it, she realized internally. There was just so much she could be and could become now. Her mind and heart kept drifting back to that understanding. Her future certainly was looking brighter already. Revna listened as the Sith encouraged her to never lose sight of what she was fighting for, especially when in the midst of struggles. She had known defeat in her life; it had been such a bitter, hated thing to swallow. But her fiery, aggressive soul refused to let her stay down and defeated forever. The Dark Side goaded her out of her defeated state of being, now that she looked back on it.

“I’ve been in the place of defeat before. I will never go back to that place again. I would rather die, or kill, or enduring pain and suffering than allow myself to be whipped back and cowed. It is why I ended up…killing those individuals who tried to recapture me after I freed myself. I wasn’t going to go back to that place of defeat, of enslavement, of nothingness.” Revna hissed, her entire body heating up with the intensity of her feelings on that topic. Her hands clenched tightly and she felt the hard pulse of blood in her ears. Briefly her mind was filled with acts of violence against those who would ever dare to try and drag her back down, before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself back into her relatively calm and easy going state of being. She smiled, putting on a “happier” face while her eyes still burned with the fires of her conviction before they too retreated back into the depths of her soul.

Together, she and Darth Strosius left the settlement proper and entered back into the area of the spaceport. The Sith’s humorous comment about teaching his Squires something made her give him a look and a raised eyebrow. “Oh yes, let me impart what little wisdom and advice I have to give.” she smirked with mild sarcasm, before turning thoughtful and a little serious. “Maybe one day I will be able to share or teach others. That…actually sounds enjoyable to me. Imparting knowledge and wisdom to another. But I need to gain that knowledge and wisdom first!” she chuckled as she followed along, noticing the ship she had arrived in was still there and being tended to. She passed by the building she had met the Sith in, and they headed off in a different direction.

She noted the masked man’s comments, and wondered what this attire and equipment would consist of and look like.

And now she also knew that physical training would be involved in her own training regime. That thought did send an anxious chill over her skin; yes, she had worked hard as a slave but most of her duties had not involved labor intensive, physical work. She was as fit as she could be given her background, but she was smart and wise enough to know that she was in for a rough start in getting herself into shape physically. Look at it this way-now you get to prove just how determined you are to succeed and put action to where your words are, voiced her conscience in her head.

“Physical exercises?” Revna finally voiced aloud, looking at the masked Sith with some apprehension. “And I think it’s safe to assume that I too will be expected to do such things? And I also assume that they are going to be…very strenuous and challenging? I mean…it only makes sense if you’re training warriors.” She took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. “Oh boy.” she muttered before lifting her head slightly and setting her face in a determined expression once more.


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

He could sense the emotions swirling within the Acolyte as she spoke of vengeance and then of never knowing defeat again, a potent cocktail of determination and rage that brought a smile to his face. It was quickly suppressed but the brief glance at it was more than enough. Revna had the makings of a good Sith Acolyte already it seemed, just needed the proper training to harness what was already there. Training that she would receive very soon at this rate.

Darth Strosius nodded as he noted her willingness to one day teach others as she would be taught, to continue and spread the teachings of the Sith. A desirable quality that he had fostered in many of his own Sith. While he was still the most senior in experience and the most powerful amongst the Sith of the Order of Wonosa, he still knew the value in having a diverse set of instructors. Even if said instructors had all been trained by himself. "Worry not Revna, your initial exercises will not be as taxing as you may be imagining." He assured her with a chuckle as they passed by the landing pads and the welcoming buildings. "First we will see what you are able to do now, then we will work on getting your body to a proper level of fitness and strength."

While not seen among the Squires that were born within the cult, those brought in from outside often suffered from malnutrition and the detriments of hard physical labor and as such the exercises were a bit flexible in the beginning to account for such things. Training a broken body to serve as an instrument of the Dark Side took time and care, and thankfully the cult could provide both. "You won't be expected to be combat ready right at the start. Only after a good few weeks of proper training will we begin to have such expectations from you." That would be when the missions began.

Soon enough the pair of them passed beyond the welcoming buildings and warehouses around the landing pads that comprised the spaceport and another set of buildings could be seen. One appeared to be another warehouse while the other two looked more like some sort of barracks buildings, a field of obstacles as well as a track stretching between the three buildings. The obstacles, things that one might expect such as climbing walls and barricades as well as mock bridges, were currently occupied by a group of Squires. Seven of them were running along the obstacle course, vaulting over barricades, climbing up walls, and leaping from one ledge to another in a fairly impressive display of agility.

At the edge of the field another figure stood with a datapad, dressed a bit differently from the Squires running the course. Darth Strosius headed towards the man that seemed to be overseeing the obstacle course and called out as they drew closer. "Battlelord Ninzos, I see the trainees are hard at work as usual?" The other masked man jumped a bit and spun on his heel to greet the pair with a small bow. "Indeed they are High Priest." He straightened up and his gaze shifted to Revna a moment before moving back to the Sith Lord. "My apologies sir, had I known you were stopping by today I'd have prepared a more elaborate display of their skill for you."

Darth Strosius waved off the apology and shook his head as his arms crossed behind his back. "The daily exercises impress me enough already Ninzos, you know that. I'm not here to oversee training today actually, rather I'm here to introduce a future Sith to her peers." He gestured to Revna with a nod. "Revna, this is Battlelord Ninzos. He's one of the main trainers of Squires and keeps the training ground in full operation." The other masked man offered the younger woman a small bow of his head. "A pleasure to meet you, future sister."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Though she felt a bit of relief at hearing that she wouldn’t be expected to perform taxing physical exercises right away, she also felt another ripple of excitement with all the looming training ahead of her, replacing the initial apprehension and anxiety she had been feeling. Soon, she could truly see what she was made of, as would everyone else.

“From what I am understanding, I will be undergoing an initial testing phase to assess where my strengths and weaknesses are. And once that is cleared up, then the real work will begin…yes?” she questioned as they left the port area behind and entered into a different part of the settlement, one that carried more of a military presence to it than any of the other places she had seen. Her quick and curious gaze danced over everything before her, taking in everything as they approached a track and course that held various obstacles. A group of seven individuals who were currently utilizing the course caught her attention, and she perked up with keen interest, watching them intently. The invisible energy field she felt around her at all times shifted ever so slightly the closer she came to the field, and to the individuals within. Unlike the citizens in the settlement, or the others in the Cathedral, she felt a flicker from these individuals. It wasn’t a strong feeling, and had she not been so alert or open, she might not have picked up on the sensation. They carried the Force within them, she realized, just like she and the Sith with her did. A smile touched her face and she glanced at Darth Strosius, a glint in her stormy blue eyes.

“That looks fun!” she exclaimed with almost childlike excitement before looking back at the course, before snorting in amusement. “I say that now. I’ll probably be saying something different after I’ve been made to run that who knows how many times in a row.” she amended, thinking more realistically. Some things on the course certainly looked like they would be challenging for her, due to her short stature.

She watched the group for a few moments longer, before her eyes shifted to another figure who stood at the end of the field, focused enough on a datapad in their hand that they did not immediately notice the arrival of the Sith and his small tag-along. The closer they came to this man, however, she felt a stronger presence radiating from him which was definitely more noticeable. He was dressed differently, and held a cool air of presence and authority about him.

Revna watched him jump a little when Darth Strosius called out to him upon their approach, and she had to stifle a snort of laughter. It was hard to wipe the smirk off her face and put on a more serious one, but she managed after a moment. Watching others be startled had always greatly amused her. As a child, she had enjoyed startling or spooking others; oftentimes it was the only kind of play or amusement she could have or participate in.

The ‘Battlelord’, as the High Priest had referred to him by, gave a small bow and greeting. Revna stood in respectful silence beside Darth Strosius, actively resisting the nearly overpowering urge to lower her gaze and act submissive and meek. She felt so small and almost insignificant next to these men. It was hard to force herself out of her deeply ingrained conditioning. She clenched her jaw a little and kept her head level, not allowing her eyes to look away from him. For a brief moment, an internal battle ensued, before the urge gradually retreated into the background and she felt a tremor of joy dance through her at her small, personal victory.

Revna was introduced to the man, returning his bow of greeting with one of her own. Though her heart raced away in her chest at meeting someone new, she kept her composure.

“A pleasure to meet you as well, Battlelord Ninzos.” She replied in respect, mildly surprised that her voice didn’t carry its usual tremor.


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"Indeed." Her assessment of what was to come in regards to her initial training was spot on. First they had to know what she was working with and how well she was with it. Agility, strength, endurance, coordination, all would be trained up but figuring out where she currently stood in such categories was essential so that needless training was not done. Then it was just a matter of seeing what needed to be honed and what was lacking to a great extent to determine what sort of training regiment Revna would need to undergo in order to compensate and compliment her strengths and weaknesses.

A process that was by no means quick but one that would result in an efficent and capable warrior once it was all said and done. Given her initial reaction to the obstacle course before her, perhaps her eager nature would help make the process go much smoother. One could hope at least. "Gather the Squires, I wish to address them and introduce them to their new comrade properly." The Battlelord nodded at the command and quickly moved to go collect the seven Squires as they finished up the course one after another at the far end of the field.

"Chin up young Acolyte." Darth Strosius said suddenly as the other masked man moved out of earshot, sparing Revna a glance. "You are among equals here. Only Ninzos and myself are of higher ranking." A casual reminder but one that hinted at his awareness of her internal apprehension. First impressions could never be made twice, so ensuring that Revna did not come across as hesitant to the Squires was essential. It wouldn't do for them to think that they'd need to compensate for her. The Squires had to trust in one another's capabilities and any doubt had to be rooted out so that their missions were not impacted.

Soon enough the Battlelord returned with the Squires in tow, all seven of them arranged before the High Priest with their arms behind their backs as Ninzos stood next to the pair of Sith with his datapad at the ready. "Squires, stand at attention and address the High Priest." Most of the Squires reached up and pulled their helmets free from their heads, leaving on one Squire still masked as they began to introduce themselves in order from left to right with either a salute or a bow.

"Squire Rilan Sonima reporting for duty High Priest." A tall Pau'an man saluted, red markings adorning his otherwise pale white face that were eerily reminiscent of some of the pillar decorations in the Cathedral. "Squire Cha Xeevirs reporting for duty High Priest." The Zabrak woman next to him was only a head shorter, her striking red skin complimented by small sets of grey horns and some grey facial tattoos around her eyes. "Squire Astava Ninzos reporting for duty High Priest." The Mirialan woman saluted, seemingly the youngest of the bunch and only a slight bit taller than Revna, and her gaze briefly flickered from Darth Strosius to the Battlelord at his side as the latter tapped on his datapad.

"Squire Unrik Sedril reporting for duty High Priest." The sole masked Squire bowed as he spoke, his voice deep and slightly hoarse. "Squire Citran Etuz reporting for duty High Priest." The blue Twi'lek man gave a flourishing bow and flashed a grin to the three Sith before them. "Squire Fames Idre reporting for duty High Priest." The Zygerrian man bowed his head solemnly and stood at attention. "Squire Alchun reporting for duty High Priest." The final Squire, a Human woman that appeared rather built and who's height was only surpassed by the Pau'an, bowed deeply. The Battlelord nodded and typed on his datapad for a moment. "All Squires reporting for duty High Priest."

Darth Strosius looked over the assembled Sith and nodded in satisfaction, an impressive set of recruits indeed. "It is a pleasure to visit you all today. I have not come for a social call though I'm afraid, rather I have come to make some announcements. First and foremost," He gestured to Revna with a wave of his hand and idly beckoned her to step forward a bit. ", I bring our newest Sith who will be joining you in your training after the next few weeks. This is Revna."

Revna

 

[Revna]

The young woman watched the Battlelord turn to walk away and gather the seven Squires that were on the course, and startled slightly when Darth Strosius issued her the command to chin up. It was said casually, but his message was clear to her: her shyness and nervous nature was not going to be encouraged or really tolerated anymore. She blinked for a moment as she processed the order and the brief explanation that she and the Squires were equal here, and only the Battlelord and himself were of higher rank, and she dipped her head in a nod of understanding:

“Understood, High Priest.” she said in a more steady voice, before briefly closing her eyes to take a deep, steadying breath. Her two natures fought against each other briefly, before she actively rejected the side of her that was bound to her former life as a slave. She was no longer that person. She knew that. She just had to believe it now. Not just believe it, but accept it. Within the confines of her own mind, she imagined her two selves fighting-wrestling for control over her-before the warrior within slayed her weaker, slave self. What remained was who she truly was meant to be. It all took but a few moments, and when she opened her eyes again, her gaze was steady and she stood straighter and with confidence beside the Sith. His words were exactly what she needed to hear.

She watched the group approach them from down the way, letting it sink into her mind that these seven individuals-and those that were not present-were on the same level she was. Equals. Even if their training was not on par with each other. That was a foreign concept for her, but one she readily accepted in silence. It would be a little bit of a challenge to remind herself of this, at least in the beginning as she started her training and became more settled within her new home and her new status as a Sith Acolyte.

The seven individuals, all of different sizes and shapes, came to a halt before Darth Strosius and Revna, each coming to attention as Battlelord Ninzos ordered them to. Helmets were removed except from one individual, and Revna was given a first look at her new brothers and sisters. She was rather curious as to why the one did not remove his helm, but she figured she would find out at some point.

One by one, each announced their name and status and saluted in their own unique way, and the small woman recognized a couple last names, specifically Sonima and Ninzos, and curiously pondered the relation between these two Squires and the Battlelord beside the High Priest, and the Sister who had been tasked with setting up her room within the Cathedral. Her excitement began to grow within her, though she maintained her focus and composure, the last bits of residual fear she had felt in meeting these new individuals disappearing altogether.

Darth Strosius addressed the gathered Squires before raising a hand and beckoning her forward, and Revna took a couple steps towards them, her gaze dancing over each as a small, confident smile graced her face and that was reflected in her stormy eyes.

“Greetings, my brothers and sisters.” she said, her voice echoing the collected confidence and growing eagerness she was feeling. She was excited to get to know them each, to train with them, and to eventually fight alongside them and become a formidable warrior in her own right.


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The Squires all responded to Revna's greeting in various ways but were all receptive regardless. Rilan, Unrik, and Alchun all gave her a deep bow of their heads, what seemed to be a common greeting or show of acknowledgement in the cult. Cha and Citran responded with smiles and subtle nods while Astava gave a small wave and Fames gave her a small salute. If Darth Strosius or Ninzos had any comment on their responses, they didn't share them as the High priest continued. "In time I have no doubt that she will find her place among your ranks, but first she has much to learn and as such will only be an observer in your trainings until she is fit to serve alongside you."

Better to temper their expectations of a new member right out of the gate, especially with what he said next. "Speaking of your training, soon we will have a new starfighter model that will mainly be used by Squires and other ace pilots. Your ship training will be primarily switched to focusing on this new model once they enter full production, and positions for ranks in the Starfighter Corps. will be opened to those interested and able." That certainly made the Squires perk up. Shiny new ships all their own and the possibility of making use of them amidst space conflicts, what wasn't to like?

"However, before you receive your new ships or your new sister, there will be some hard days ahead of you." A few of the Squires had flickers of reactions both on their faces and within the Force, concern and trepidation as well as determination being chief amongst them. Despite how brief they were, the tapping of Battlelord Ninzos meant that they had not gone unnoticed. "Our forces are spread thin as of late. With our resources being tied up in the wider Sith Order for the time being due to our...recently colored history, the forces at our disposal in the Kessel Sector are limited. As such, the seven of you will be moving to active service a couple of weeks ahead of schedule." The masked man kept his arms crossed behind his back as he began to slowly pace down the line of assembled Sith, his hidden gaze boring into their own with an intensity that one could almost feel.

"Battlelord Ninzos has assured me that you are all combat ready and mission capable and I trust his judgement. Whatever rough edges and lacking feats you possess will be ironed out over the course of your first few assignments." He paused as he reached the end of the line where Rilan stood, having to look up at the taller Sith yet seeming no less in control for it given the slight worry on the Pau'an's face. "If you cannot do so, then you will suffer for it." Darth Strosius turned on his heel and paced the other way, allowing Rilan a bit of reprieve from his direct attention. "Your enemy will not be merciful. If they see your failings and shortcomings then they will exploit them to their fullest extent. You are Sith. You cannot fail. You cannot be bested by the slime of the Outer Rim. Even if there is to be a hundred of them for every one of you, you must succeed."

Again the masked man's stride paused, this time standing before Astava and Unrik as his gaze shifted between the two of them. "The fate of your homes, your families, the Order of Wonosa itself, could very well rest in your hands during your missions. I expect that you will not allow any doubts to keep you from fulfilling your assignments, not with so much at stake." Unrik offered a solemn nod as Astava gulped and nodded as well before Darth Strosius continued his pacing. "You are Squires. The tip of the spear, those blessed with the Force and given the chance to serve its will more than most. I know that you will not waste your power nor your opportunity to see the work of the Dark Side done." He turned on his heel once more after Alchun had nodded and soon took his spot beside Revna and Ninzos once more.

"Trust in the Force. Trust in yourselves and eachother, and nothing will be able to stop you. You will be sent on your first missions two days from now, prepare accordingly. Dismissed." The Squires all offered bows and salutes as they had before and idly shared looks and chatter amongst themselves as Darth Strosius turned to Ninzos. "There will be no training regimen tomorrow, they will have time to make personal preparations and whatever other business they must." "As you wish, my lord." The Battlelord gave a deep bow and slid his datapad into his robes, turning to march towards one of the barracks with Astava quickly breaking away from the other Squires and following after him.

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna welcomed the greetings she received, before falling silent and turning her gaze to Darth Strosius as he continued, giving him her full attention. Her curiosity piqued a bit at the mention of the new starfighters coming in before her attention moved on to follow the rest of what the Sith was saying.

A slight frown creased her brow when the High Priest informed the others that they were facing some rough days ahead of them, and she listened more closely. Her head tilted ever so slightly to the side and her gaze narrowed a touch; though this message for the seven Squires in front of her, she knew that the information she was hearing would be important for her as well. It was a glimpse, a window, into what she would be facing in the future too…once she was trained and ready, anyways. Her curiosity was further heightened when the Sith touched on some recent events which had transpired, which in turn had caused their forces to be spread thin, and she made a mental note to perhaps inquire about that later. She learned that these seven were going to be moved to active duty sooner than expected, and though she didn’t let it be expressed on her face, she did feel a twinge of sadness at the news. She had just met these individuals, and soon they were going to be gone doing their duty for the Order.

Darth Strosius began to pace before the seven Squires, and the energy in the area shifted ever so slightly, enough to make Revna straighten a little herself unconsciously, her eyes glued to the Sith’s form. There was a hard, stern edge to his voice as he addressed them, and made it clear that anything that was less than perfect in their form and training would be dealt with over the course of their first assignments, and that failure was not an option for them. She continued to listen intently, knowing that even though he was speaking to them, it was also a reminder to her of what would be expected of her in the not-so-distant future with her own training. The message he was giving them was sinking in deep for her as well, as was the weight of the burden she had agreed to carry in serving the Order of Wonosa, and the Sith.

Revna watched as the High Priest paused briefly before individuals, and she was quick to understand that he was calling out any issues they may have had during their training, both encouraging them and reprimanding them at the same time to do better and be better as they moved on from their training, especially with what was at stake.

When he had finished with his firm yet inspiring speech to the seven Squires, he returned to stand beside Revna and the Battlelord. She remained a little stiff in her posture beside him, not out of fear or anxiety, but from the weight of the message he had given to them, and though he hadn’t directly spoken to her, it was a message for her as well and she knew it. She only allowed herself to relax slightly when he dismissed the others and turned to speak to Battlelord Ninzos.

Revna quietly reflected the words that had been spoken, her expression a little distant with her thoughts. Her focus snapped back to the present when she noticed movement and she watched the younger Mirialan hurry off to follow the Battlelord towards a building in the distance. She returned her gaze to the masked Sith beside her, a small smile touching her lips.

“Well that was…sternly inspiring.”


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"As it should be," Darth Strosius nodded, his voice lowering to a whisper that only Revna could hear as he continued. ", it could be the last thing that I say to some of them, or perhaps even all of them." There was a flicker of melancholy in his tone as he spoke, a far cry from the grim determination and fanatical devotion that his words were usually interlaced with. A hint of sadness at the thought of losing members of his cult that was genuine no matter how brief it was.

He straightened back up and nodded towards the warehouse as the Squires began parting ways, some of them heading towards the barracks while a couple others moved to head towards the settlement. "Now, let's see about getting you some proper equipment to match the rest of your fellow Sith shall we?" The masked man gestured for Revna to follow as he began making his way to the warehouse, not speaking again until the pair of them of were a fair distance away from the last of the lingering Squires. "Ninzos assures me that they're ready, and I've seen the recordings of them training as well as tested them in sparring myself. But no amount of training prepares one for a real battle."

Not even the training sessions with real weapons held the same level of danger, as they could still be halted whenever was necessary and medical attention was always on hand. Actual conflicts did not have such luxuries of safety. "One mistake in battle could be the fatal error that results in death, either for yourself or for those around you. That realization breaks people. Those in positions of command have it even worse given that they are responsible for more than just themselves. The Sith of the cult, yourself included, are different however." The warehouse loomed over them as they left the training field and track behind and moved to a small door situated on its right side.

He typed in a code and the door slid open to allow them access, with the masked man wasting no time in slipping inside. "We are symbols Revna. Examples of the cult as well as their deadliest weapons. Above all else we must be as infallible as possible, for the Force has given us the tools to do so. If we are to falter, to show that beneath all of our blessings and training that we are nothing more than children playing with the powers of the Force, then the cult itself will lose faith." Lights flickered on as they walked inside the building, illuminating a long and fairly unremarkable hallway aside from three doors littering both sides of the hall. "That faith can never be restored, I've seen it happen before. That's what killed the Sith Empire."

Darth Strosius strode down the hallway until he arrived at the door roughly in the center of the hall, opening it with a press on the console next to it. It revealed a storage room as one would expect, with weapon racks on the left side holding blasters and melee weapons such as vibroblades while the right side held shelves. Crates sat upon these shelves and the masked man moved to inspect a few of them as he continued. "For all of our foes, our defeats, the empire of old was brought down when our internal resolve and morale crumbled. The people lost faith in the Sith, and given the tyrants which abandoned us at the first opportunity I don't blame them."

After another few moments of searching he pulled a crate from a low shelf and held it up, inspecting some writing on the exterior before turning to face Revna. "When I established my cult, I knew that we had to be better. That we had to succeed where the tyrants of old failed and ensure that the people never lost their faith. It was easy when I was the lone Sith, when I alone had to bear the burden of being the Dark Side's will. But now others must undertake that burden. The Sith of the Order of Wonosa are examples of the Dark Side itself. Beacons of strength, of power, of freedom."

He opened the crate to reveal a set of Squire armor that looked like it should fit her, complete with the standard mask whose empty lenses seemed to bore into her gaze. He offered her the crate and its contents as he continued. "This is the burden that we of the cult's blessed are responsible to carry and uphold. That you are now responsible for. I trust that you won't fail, but I need you to trust in yourself as well. There are no doubts from this moment forward Revna. From now on, you are an Acolyte of the Sith and a Squire of the Order of Wonosa."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Her gaze returned to the group of Squires that were still around, wondering herself if she might see any of them again. She hoped so. There was something…painful…that came with the knowledge that she might actually lose some of her new family before she ever truly got to know any of them. Yet the sad feeling that passed over her was only a glimmer of what the High Priest must have felt: he had known them a lot longer than she had, afterall. Hearing the emotion laced within his words caused Revna to regard him in a new light. This man, he truly cared. He was different from the first Sith she had ever met, and her respect for him only grew because of it.

She followed along with him when he turned to head towards a warehouse in order to get her the gear she would need. The Sith was silent for a little bit, making sure any Squires were out of earshot before he began speaking again. Revna listened and glanced at him from time to time, absorbing the wisdom he imparted to her. She was further sobered as he told her the seriousness of true battle, but she understood the very real and terrifying sensation of fighting for one’s life. But she knew, in her heart, that there was a difference in fighting only for one’s self versus fighting on behalf and for another. She didn’t want to be killed, not so soon anyway, before she’d had a chance to make her mark on the galaxy. And she didn’t want others to suffer because she lacked discipline and allowed her weaknesses to get the better of her. So she silently determined that she would do everything in her power to perfect herself in her training moving forward. She did not want to make those mistakes that might cost her life, or the lives of others around her.

Revna was quiet and a little somber as the Sith typed a code into the door before them and followed him inside without hesitation. That was going to be something she worked on within herself; committing to whatever lay before her with courage and confidence. Lights turned on to illuminate their way ahead, and the little woman turned her gaze towards Darth Strosius as he continued to speak until they reached a center door, which he opened to reveal a sort of storage room.

She took everything he said to her to heart, and something about his words really hit her. This was no game, but a sacred pathway upon which she was treading. For a moment, she felt the rise of uncertainty in her heart. She looked away from the Sith, almost afraid that he might see the clashing within her heart upon her face and in her eyes.

Did she truly want to commit to this? To this cult, to the Sith, to any of it? -echoed the thoughts in her mind. She gazed back in her mind over the recent events of the day, of everything that had happened to her up until this point; from the torments of her enslavement to the joy of truly realizing she was free. She realized that she could have left it at that, and lived a normal life in her new found freedom.

But the Force had given her its gift, and she was responsible for it; for learning and growing in it. And she firmly believed that it had guided her to this pathway, this sacred vocation. She had a choice in the matter, yes. And she had made her choice. She felt her resolve and conviction harden, and she destroyed the uncertainty that had dared to show its face to her. She turned her face back towards the Sith, a hardness in her eyes that reflected her conviction. She wasn’t going to run away from this.

She would become a weapon, aimed at the heart of everything that should not be. The only thing that could possibly stop her now was herself, and she was determined to never let that happen.

She let her eyes drift over the various crates and items in the storage room, looking over the weapon’s rack and seeing items she didn’t recognize or know what they were. Her attention was pulled back to the High Priest when he pulled a crate down from the shelf and seemed to inspect it before turning back to face her. She looked into his masked face, not a single hint of her usual shyness present. She didn’t know anything about this former Sith Empire, but she did understand the sacredness of being given a new start, a new life, a new chance to do something better. She felt emboldened by his statement; if she was meant to be a symbol of the Dark Side, then that was what she would become.

She was handed a crate and she curiously peered inside of it, seeing a set of armor and clothes that were exactly like the ones the Squires were wearing, albeit a bit smaller. She gazed at the mask, the reality of everything settling in as Darth Strosius made it clear to her in that moment exactly who and what she was. There was a swelling of emotion in her chest, and she couldn’t really tell what it was, as she had never felt it before, and she looked back up at him.

“I am honored to serve the Order, its people, and you as a Squire, and as a Sith. I will not let my gift go to waste; if I am to be an instrument of the Dark Side, then that is what I will become, to the fullest extent that I can be. I am not afraid anymore; this is who I am now. I will commit, body and soul, to this.” She murmured, her voice carrying the conviction which she felt so strongly now. She looked back at the crate and the armor within it, a physical symbol of who she was now.

She gave the High Priest a curious frown and head tilt before asking: “Do you want me to be wearing this for when I start my training tomorrow, High Priest?”

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius gave Revna a deep bow of his head in response to her vow, accepting it and offering it the respect that such an oath deserved. "Then welcome Revna, to the Order of Wonosa and to the Sith Order. It will a pleasure to serve alongside you." While the ceremonies for inducting new Squires were usually held within the Cathedral, it wasn't uncommon for such things to be done elsewhere as well. He had even done so in the midst of battles or right at the beginning of their aftermaths but those were typically only if Force Sensitivity was observed during said combat and even then they were few and far between. Still, there was nothing wrong with a more secluded and humble ceremony.

"It will not be necessary tomorrow no, not until the combat portion of your training begins in a few days. If you wish to wear it regardless then do feel free to do so, some Squires such as Unrik prefer to remain garbed in their Sith attire at almost all times. Something to cement their rebirth in the cult in a more physical manner." He paused and idly gestured to his own masked visage with a small chuckle. "A sentiment that I have accidentally created through my own preference to do so." Even the regular rank and file of the cult had a habit of donning masks and robes for certain sermons and celebrations to imitate their High Priest, for better or worse.

"But standard robes or other more casual attire will be suitable for the next few days of your training. It will mostly be in the realm of the self." As if such a vague statement explained anything, he crossed his arms behind his back and stepped past Revna once more. "We'll wait to get you a weapon until your training with them begins, but do feel free to have a glance and think on what you may prefer." He gestured to the left side of the room where the weapons were held as he moved back towards the door.

As expected there was a variety of blasters, everything from pistols to carbines to large rifles, and a plethora of vibroweaponry as well. There were even a few staffs thrown into the mix. What stood out most however were the swords arranged on their own separate racks away from the rest of the standard weapons. They emanated a very minor and subtle presence within the Force, the dark metal that composed their blades glinting in the dim light to show off wickedly sharp edges. Some of the blades were inscribed with lettering and phrases similar to that of the Cathedral's pillars as well and these inscriptions noticeably glowed a dull red as the masked man walked by them to the door.

"Now, while I do admire your eagerness in regards to familiarizing yourself with the cult and the settlement, I really must insist that you get some rest. Tomorrow will be mentally taxing and such tolls are best alleviated by rested bodies." There was more to see of course, even just within the warehouse itself, but Darth Strosius knew the value of rest. So many new arrivals and Squires were too eager to jump right in and exhaust themselves. Exhaustion meant mistakes and unnecessary exertion and as such it had no place amongst the daily affairs of the cult. "Come, I'll show you to your chambers and you'll be free to rest up before dinner."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna felt humbled by the words spoken to her, and with it also came a sense of pride, of worth, of belonging. With the declaration of the High Priest... she knew her fate and future were sealed.

And what a glorious future it would be.

She bowed her head to him, saying softly: "Thank you, High Priest."

He remarked that she was not required to wear her new Squire armor, at least not right away, and mentioned that some of her fellow Squires preferred to wear their armor as a physical representation of their new life and service to the cult itself. She did find this intriguing and understood the reasoning behind it. She was quick to pick up on the hint that others liked to emulate their High Priest. And why shouldn't they? She mused to herself as a ghost of a smile touched her lips. But, if she had the choice between wearing robes or armor, she'd choose the robes for now. She would wear her armor when required.

She collected her new gear as Darth Strosius walked past her, gesturing to the side where the weapons sat on racks and encouraging her to think on one she might prefer to train with. She recognized the blaster pistols and rifles, and even the vibroblades...but what truly drew her attention were the wicked looking swords in their own rack that gave out a slight reddish glow as the Sith passed by them and towards the door.

She stepped towards them, drawn in by their presence in the Force, and chill caress of the Dark side that she felt from them. She narrowed her eyes and tried to read the strange lettering on one of the lethal looking blades, recognizing the script as the same that was inside the Cathedral, decorating the pillars and floors and walls, but couldn't make heads or tails of the letters. Then of course, she hardly knew any languages beside Galactic Basic and a touch of Huttese, so she wasn't surprised that she didn't know what language was written on the swords or in the Cathedral.

She tore herself away from the swords to regard Darth Strosius.

"I think it would be wise for me to at least learn the basics of each weapon...that way I can discover naturally which weapon better suits me. Though...I will admit, I like the swords. They seem to call to me." She said as she stepped towards him. She smiled a little ruefully at his firm insistence that she should rest now.

"Yes...you are right, of course. It has been an eventful day, and resting a bit will be very helpful and much appreciated." Revna agreed as she followed him out of the warehouse. She let him guide her back towards the Cathedral, where her new quarters awaited her. She couldn't wait to actually bathe and refresh herself. She knew she would be a lot better once she did and be more presentable to the others she might meet at dinner time.

As Revna walked beside Darth Strosius, she couldn't help but listen to the sounds both their feet made on the ground together, his a little heavier than hers due to the size and weight difference between them. The sound and the sight of simply walking together made Revna feel something she never expected to feel: a sense of unity.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

He noted her attraction to the swords with a nod, something that he had expected. They were the standard issue weapons of the Squires after all but mainly they were enhanced and enchanted by Sith Alchemy which gave them a presence that exuded the Dark Side, albeit a very minor one. Still, for those unfamiliar with the Force they were easy to sense and no doubt a source of interest as a result. The Cathedral would be the only other point of comparison in that regard. "Oh you'll become familiar with them all in time for certain. I expect nothing less."

Darth Strosius lead the way out of the warehouse, across the Squire area and past the spaceport, back into the settlement with the Cathedral standing tall above the rest of the buildings. The crowds were far less present now, more focused on their own little activities and groupings rather than moving around to one place or another. Aside from the occasional wave and short greeting the pair of Sith returned to the Cathedral without any further delays or pauses, and Revna was guided to her room. It was sparse and simple, just a bed with a desk and chair next to some drawers, but it was cozy enough despite the chill that the Cathedral itself gave off.

The masked man left Revna to her devices and moved on to handle the handful of affairs that he still had to attend to, mostly in the forms of reading reports and giving out a few orders to the scouts and distant outposts. There were preparations to be made after all and having the proper reconnaissance information was the first step. The rest were discussed the next morning during the meeting that he had postponed yesterday, debates and questions that were all eventually settled and agreed upon in one form or another.

Two main objectives emerged for the cult's forces but both of them would take more time and preparation before they could be sought after fully, and thus the meeting concluded. The rest would be decided upon with the military minds and leadership present. Before that though, Darth Strosius bid the upper echelons of the Order farewell for the time being and left the meeting room in short order.

He had hoped to start on the first session of training right after breakfast was served for the priests but a few extra concerns had been raised that he hadn't accounted for. They were soothed of course but the extra deliberation did cause him to be a bit later than he had intended. Now he found himself outside of the door to Revna's quarters where he had left her yesterday, reaching up to knock on the sliding door that secluded the room from the rest of the Cathedral. "Acolyte Revna? It is time for your training to begin."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Revna maintained her silence as they made the journey back towards the Cathedral; though it was still light out, she felt the heavy sensation of exhaustion drape across her shoulders-and this time she could not ignore it or push it away. Her silence now was due in part to how tired she was feeling, as well a growing headache that was clawing into the back of her skull. Besides a couple of stops to greet some folks, the two made their way back to the Cathedral without much issue. Even with her exhaustion and headache addled brain, Revna was still struck by the presence in and around the Cathedral. She knew in time she would grow accustomed to the chill presence that saturated the compound, but right now it was still raw and new to her.

As promised, Darth Strosius brought Revna to her new quarters and from there they parted ways for the time being. As the Sith walked away and the door slid closed, she felt a strange clash of feelings she wasn’t used to given the circumstances: one was relief, the other was a twinge of sadness. Or at least, that’s what it felt like to her. She had been surrounded by people for who knew how long and now…she was alone. The silence that befell her was deafening, and she recognized the sadness that she felt was actually that of loneliness.

But she wasn’t truly alone here, she told herself. She was alone, in her very own room, but there were still people around. She knew that if she tried to reach out with her magic, with the Force, she would feel them-bright sparks of flame set in an abyssal sea of darkness. The knowledge brought a small smile to her face as she turned to look over the interior of her private quarters.

To most, this room would have been sparse and basic. To her, it was like a royal suite. There was an actual bed for her to sleep in and a desk for her to sit at. Neatly folded on the desk was some clothes of some sort, dark in color. There was a door in one of the walls, and curiously the small woman approached it and opened it to reveal a simple lavatory with a sink, a toilet, and a shower stall. She almost broke down into tears right there; as tired as she was, she would not go another night without cleansing herself. Stepping inside the washroom, Revna quickly ripped off her old, soiled clothing and trench-cloak and did not wait for the water in the fresher to warm up before she stepped in, accepting the chill bite of the liquid against her skin. For a few moments, she simply stood there, feeling the refreshing water dance across her skin and wash away more than just the grime and filth; it also washed away the sudden deluge of tears that flooded down her cheeks as everything suddenly surged through her exhausted mind and soul, overloading all her emotional senses. She sank to her knees and let her tears run their course. Eventually, she felt composed enough to finish washing her hair and scrubbing her skin until it was almost raw and bleeding before stepping out and drying off with one of the simple towels that was hanging beside the shower. Finally clean, refreshed, and relieved, she shuffled into the other room and reached for the neatly folded pile on the desk.

The clothes-a sort of shirt or tunic and some trouser pants-were made of dark, inexpensive, but breathable cloth and despite a hint of apprehension, she found that they fit her rather well. The legs were a little long in length, but she could work with that. The other article of clothing with the shirt and pants was a black robe, made of some sort of cloth she had never seen nor felt before. She felt like she was holding a literal shadow in her hands as she slipped it over her petite frame and wrapped the sash around her waist. She walked around the room, testing the feel of the clothes before removing the robe and neatly folding it on the desk. She would be sure to wear it for her lessons the following day.

Revna knew that dinner would be coming up soon, but she was simply too exhausted to even think about eating. Taking a deep breath, she moved to the small, simple bed and laid down. It was like laying on a cloud; for the three years her last slave-owner had kept her, she had been provided a mat on the floor of a windowless room that was barely large enough to hold her; no pillow, and only a thread-bare blanket to ward off the chill and cover her. She was only permitted to enter or leave under her owner’s directive, and it was made clear to her early on that it was her cell, not a room. So having this magnificent room, and this impossibly soft and comfortable bed, was truly a blessing. She lay there on her back, staring up at the ceiling of her new quarters, feeling the all encompassing chill presence that permeated the Cathedral. It bit into her skin ever so slightly, seemingly almost alive and sentient, testing and prodding her ever so slightly.

Rest in my embrace, my child - came the familiar whisper of the Voice as it slithered across her mind, and in the silence of her room and in the moments before unconsciousness claimed her, she finally and truly understood that the Voice she had heard her entire life and the dark presence that saturated the Cathedral were one and the same.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +​

No one bothered her that night-or if someone had, she had been dead to the world and hadn’t noticed. She awoke on her own at some point in the morning and she took some time to wake up and gather her bearings as her stomach clenched with the all too familiar pang of anxious anticipation.

Her training began today. She had no idea what the day would look like, and so she didn’t bother to speculate on it.

All the events of the previous day flashed back to her, and almost fearfully she reached up to touch her neck to reassure herself that the dreaded collar was finally gone. Her enslavement still left its marks on her-physically in the form of scars as well as mental and spiritual wounds-but now she looked at them in a new light: they were marks from a battle she had won. The cruelty of slavery hadn’t claimed her or laid her low, and she would ensure that it never had the chance to do so again.

And she would do her part to make sure that it didn’t claim anyone else. That was part of her purpose now, but not the whole of her purpose. She was wise enough to know and understand that she would be asked...directed...to do things that fell outside the workings of the cult.

Getting up and dressed, Revna refreshed herself and used her small fingers to comb out the few tangles that had formed in her hair while she had slept. She wrapped herself up in the black robe, wrapping the sash around her waist to hold it in place. Though the clothes and the robe itself were not skin tight by any means, they still showed off her figure. Her pale, ivory toned skin contrasted elegantly against the shadowy-black of the robe and her glossy, slightly wavy black and silver-tinted locks draped across her shoulders. She didn’t have anything to tie her hair up, so she left it down and free-flowing.

For the first time in her life, Revna felt…beautiful. Maybe that was due to the realization that she was a free person now, and she could actually feel some sort of worth for herself.

She debated heading towards the small cafeteria for breakfast, but her wariness of being around people she didn’t know was too strong to ignore at the moment and she remained in her room for the time being. It honestly felt good to just…sit and do nothing. She knew she would be busy very soon, and she wanted to enjoy these fleeting moments while they lasted.

At some point, later in the morning or perhaps even in the early parts of the afternoon, Revna felt a sensation tickle across her mind-a sense that something was about to happen, or that someone was coming. She went alert, and a moment later she heard a knock on the door to her room and the slightly muffled yet familiar voice of Darth Strosius came through from the other side, informing her that the time had come for her to begin her training. The words had barely left his mouth before the door opened up with a swift motion and the small woman stood there before him in her new robes, her stormy eyes glinting with eager, albeit slightly nervous, excitement as a small smile graced her face.

“And I am ready to begin.”


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The door opened rather quickly and the eager expression adorning the face of the woman beyond explained the haste immediately. For a moment his hidden gaze looked her up and down, idly relieved to see Revna cleaned up from yesterday. She certainly looked the part of a fresh faced member of his cult at least. Finally satisficed by his quick assessment he nodded and stepped away from the doorway as he gestured for her to follow after him. "Very good. Come along, your first lesson requires a bit of distance from the Cathedral."

Tapping into the Force, especially the Dark Side, was easy within the walls of the Cathedral given how present the Dark Side itself was here. It was designed that way after all. It made those that could tap into it more powerful and able to accomplish greater feats and powers using the Force as one would expect. While that did make it very useful, when it came to teaching how to use the Force without assistance the Cathedral's presence would make such a process easy. Too easy. There was a reason that the Squires were trained on the far side of the settlement after all.

For Revna to get a proper grasp on her ability to connect to and draw strength from the Force there couldn't be any assistance or ease of access, as there would be none whenever she was out and about on assignments and missions like the other Squires. In time meditation within the walls of the Cathedral would be a necessity to understand her full potential and capabilities, but for now it would be a hinderance. "I hope you don't mind a short walk, we'll be venturing to the top of the canyon wall today. It's a rather lovely view." And the perfect place for watchtowers in case of attack, but obviously that went unsaid. She'd get her instruction in strategy and environmental awareness later on.

"Did you rest well?" Given how upright and eager she had been yesterday after a long day of travel, he was interested to see how she would perform without any fatigue to slow her down. He led the way out of the Cathedral once more, not paying any mind to the priests that seemed to be tidying up around the place. Little tasks such as sweeping and lighting candles, not to mention refilling some of the hanging incense burners that were strung up along the pillars.

The bright sun of the morning hit the pair as they stepped out of the Cathedral's grand doors again to be greeted by the morning crowd. Unlike at lunch the people of the settlement seemed far more interested in actually travelling, more than likely either to their places of work or back from them. The masked man took a right as they left the building behind, towards where the canyon walls that contained the rear of the settlement loomed over the homes. "Today you'll learn how to properly sense and connect with the Force. To understand how it coils within you and how that connection can be used to influence the wider world around you."

Revna

 

[Revna]

Closing the door behind her, Revna curiously followed Darth Strosius as he explained that her first lesson would be done away from the Cathedral. He didn’t explain the ‘why’, at first but she knew she would learn the reasoning behind it soon enough. In her eagerness, the little woman caught herself walking side by side with the Sith, almost brushing elbows, and she dropped back just a touch so that she was once more slightly behind on his left side. It was a deeply ingrained, trained action on her part-those of lesser ‘status’ always put themselves behind their superiors.

“I don’t mind the excursion. I welcome the chance to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.” She replied with the same touch of eagerness that showed on her face. She felt energized now, the excitement and brooding anticipation for what was to come making her light on her feet. She glanced at the robed and masked Sith when he inquired how she had rested.

“Oh I rested wonderfully. Best sleep I’ve had in years, I daresay. Sure beats sleeping on a mat in a cell, or on a pile of trash. I wasn’t sure if I was going to wake up on time, to be honest. It was difficult to get out of that cloud of a bed.” she chuckled with her enthusiasm. She certainly was proving to be more…animated…than she had been the day previous. Her entire body seemed to thrum with barely contained energy; she felt alive and whole. She observed the priests within the Cathedral going about their duties in a quick assessment before stepping out of the darkened Cathedral and into the sunlit town center. Revna had to squint her eyes and blink back against the sharp pain that the bright light caused her, but she adjusted within a few moments as she trotted down the steps alongside her new mentor. She sucked in a deep breath of the morning air, letting it fill her lungs as the heat of the star above seeped through the black of her robes to warm her skin.

Despite the number of people out and about, no one really bothered the two of them as Darth Strosius took a right and led his young charge towards the canyon wall which loomed above them in the near distance. She listened as he told her that her first lesson would be on connecting and feeling the Force, and she felt a surge of renewed excitement within her with the knowledge. She was curious to see how well she could feel it or even reach into it now that she had a better understanding of what her magic truly was.

As their journey continued away from the Cathedral, Revna was able to discern a hint as to why her lesson would be done away from the structure that brewed and flowed with energy and power. She tilted her head and a thoughtful frown flashed over her face before she narrowed her eyes in understanding: her ability to feel and sense the Dark side would be brought down to a more natural state. Being inside the Cathedral allowed her to sense the presence of power far more easily than she otherwise would have.

She turned her narrowed, thoughtful gaze towards the Sith. “I was a bit curious as to why this lesson wouldn’t be inside the Cathedral. But…I think I know why now.”


Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Sure enough the excitement of the younger Sith hadn't lost any luster, and in fact she seemed very much rejuvenated as he had expected. A good rest in a warm bed did wonders for the body and mind alike and Revna certainly seemed to exemplify that already given how vibrant she was. Said nature would be even more evident given the more solemn disposition of the masked man that she trailed behind. "I'm glad that you're adjusting to your new quarters well then."

The area around the Cathedral was still mostly comprised of houses but the closer that they drew to the canyon wall more and more construction zones would crop up before them. The houses here seemed older as well, seemingly composed of older materials and built somewhat haphazardly here and there. The signs of either quick or inexperienced construction that nonetheless still stood strong in spite of its flaws.

"Ah, made the connection already have we?" Darth Strosius glanced back at Revna at her realization as he nodded. "The Dark Side's presence in the Cathedral is strong. It yearns to be used and felt. To be trained to find the Force within its walls would be like being trained to use a blaster with the target attached to the end of the barrel. It would be impossible to miss." Of course he didn't exactly expect her to fail given that she already knew she was capable of using the Force, but the struggle itself was the goal. The reality of the galaxy itself was that of struggle and strife, to not properly train and prepare her for such would be a great disservice to the young Acolyte.

Already Revna knew well enough the harshness of the wider galaxy, now it was simply a matter of ensuring that she would be ready and able to face it once more when she eventually left the walls of the settlement. "The Force is always present around us Acolyte. On every world and even in the gaps between them. If you are to count yourself amongst the ranks of the Sith then knowing how to sense and make use of the Force no matter where you are is essential." Not long after the pair of them were completely surrounded by construction sites and equipment, they finally made it to the canyon wall itself. An elevator was dug into the rock before them, tunnels and other building sites visible in the wall even from the ground. It seemed as though the cult had great plans in store for the canyon wall indeed.

The masked man stepped into the elevator doors as they slid open and waited for Revna to join him before he pressed on the control panel, the doors sliding closed before the elevator departed to make its way up to the top of the canyon wall. "We'll be far away from the Cathedral and the other Sith up here. You'll have to rely on your own ability to use your blessings." He looked at her, having to tilt his head down a bit to do so, as he spoke. "I've also had a little testing ground set up so that you can attempt to harness your connection to the Force in more physical manners as well. I think you'll find that portion of your training particularly exciting."

Revna