Sifting Through Ashes and Lava For My Precious

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Veles"], @Bundori, [member="Darth Venefica"], [member="Kendrix"], [member="Darth Noxia"], [member="Darth Zarrah"]


Well, things had gotten organised, now our band of intrepid Sith and misc. darksiders could go on their thrilling quest to uncover the mysteries of the hellish hothouse called Mustafar, gain XP and hopefully lots of loot. Sumiko was not inclined to suddenly manifest 'sisterly' instincts, no matter what the sorority brochure said, but she was quite capable of working with others if it suited her goal.


In this particular situation cooperation made sense, especially since she was new and not a Master. For now Souldrinker had decided to stop pestering, though undoubtedly that would change soon. In all likelihood he had all sorts of insights to offer about this planet, but had decided not to share them because that would make things too easy!


She cocked her head slightly, looking towards the blonde Sith introduced as [member="Darth Timoris"]. If Sumiko had been oversexed to a degree a certain Countess was, she might have been more distracted by her looks. Then again, the planet was already terribly hot enough. She did find her sense of humour appealing though. So she gave Timoris and her friend - there seemed to be some prior history between the two - a nod. "Sure, I'm with you two. Should be good times. Got a direction in mind? I can read Sith if needed, so I suppose between the two of us there's little chance of us being stuck indefinitely outside a door," she added sardonically.

 

[Kendrix]

They were all ‘sisters’ of the coven. The term sister was thrown around so loosely Kendrix assumed most didn’t catch the blood relation. They only thing Kendrix and [member="Darth Venefica"] shared was their short stature and the obvious appearance of being a Vahla - or half in Kendrix case. In truth, the image of her sister haunted Kendrix slightly. She was the spitting image of their mother. The jaw, the hair, the eyes even. Everytime she looked at Venefica, Kendrix was bitterly reminded of their mother. Kendrix on the other hand favored that of her father. All except for her red hair and the one violet eye. In a forest of silver and green hair, Kendrix’s red sparked distrust and disdain. She didn’t look like a Theowei despite looking so much like her father, and for that reason she was mostly shunned and heckled by her own race. As a child, she wished she had her father’s silver hair and both of her eyes be his yellow instead of the heterochromia.

The one she now named Malengwen pulled her from her thoughts of her beloved father. Kendrix’s eyes narrowed at the blonde sith. Does she mock Kendrix and insult her so openly? No. She teases. Upon the realization, Kendrix gave a light chuckle.

“Careful not to take a swim in one of these pools. You will do more than... drown,” she countered lifting her chin as she remembered the last word. “I will have to resist the urge to postum you in.” She smirked and raised her eyebrows as she said push in Sith. Her eyes gave away how proud Kendrix was to know and remember the word. Her extent of the language barely reached farther than that. Yes, she was actually paying attention to her lessons now. Her master might find it to be a shock considering she still did battle with him at least four out of the five days a week. The sith she shared this banter with might have had something to do with the sudden interest in learning, but Kendrix would never admit that to her.

The one called Sumiko spoke next adding to the banter, but in such away that it made Kendrix brow furrow. She didn’t tease. At least to Kendrix’s ears it wasn’t teasing. Such an odd human. Was the planet so hot for her that she needed to squint like such? Anorhendesse… She also seemed to watch Malengwen with hungry eyes. Dark jedi is what Kendrix assumed she was. Limbthír told Kendrix that the dark jedi do not have the will to resist their primal urges or the taint of the darkside. They give themselves fully to both and become sadistic power hungry lunatics. Kendrix was glad her eyes did not look at her in the same way.

Malengwen already claimed Kendrix as part of her party. Kendrix felt indifferent toward the decision although uncomfortable with the third in the party. She was partial to searching and had no plans to share with either of her companions nor did she care if any spoils were shared with her. Then the horned master requested Kendrix to join her. Kendrix didn’t realize it until she noticed that [member="Darth Zarrah"] had her eyes fixed on her. This was new for Kendrix. In her youth, she was the least like. The least chosen. She didn’t understand why she was suddenly so popular. Maybe it was just by association. The old woman probably wanted to know more than just about Limbthír. Kendrix wasn’t one to talk freely unless it included a price. What price do you give a thief that isn’t greedy?

“Mael lín an Malengwen ospa ve lavan uresse, Anorhendesse,” Kendrix glared at Sumiko before switching to her sister’s apprentice. “Perhaps we will have more luck apart this time, Malengwen. Apologies.”

“Man tôg? Ur belthanín,” Kendrix turned her attention to the horned Darth Zarrah as her forarm wiped her brow. “I wish to start sooner rather than later.”

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Darth Timoris"] [member="Bundori "][member="Darth Noxia"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori was never one to wait around for others. If her Master's sister preferred to be with the others, so be it. And if she and Sumiko would end up being the 'pair,' that worked for her too. She allowed Kendrix' words wash over her. She knew her well enough to understand that the switch in language was to get a reaction from her. And the best way to deal with it, was to ignore it. Sooner of later she'd either stop through a lack of biting from Melori, or she'd start to translate in the hope of getting a reaction. Either way, Melori figured she'd won.

"OK," she said, "If anyone wants to join us, now is the time to shout out." She walked over to Sumiko. "Darth Timoris. Unless someone else steps in, it looks like it's you and me." She glanced around. "And given the landscape, one direction looks as good as any other. Unless you have some inside information?"

[member="Kendrix"] | [member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kendrix"], [member="Darth Timoris"]


Sumiko was also not one for waiting around either. Selfish? Well, yes, she was kind of self-centred. Past experiences on Atrisia after it turned into Space North Korea and purged its force-users, including its loyal servants the Inquisition, had sort of burned anything else out of her. Of course, Atrisia was now falling under the yoke of the One Sith and so now presumably the mundanes would be forced to see the error in their ways!


Sumiko was indifferent. In any case, now her totally trustworthy sword decided now would be the time to add to the conversation. This time it was speaking into the mind of all three. "A darkside cult called the Blackguard once called Mustafar their home. They sought knowledge from all Force traditions to further their understanding of the great mystery. A silly and naive viewpoint, never mind the absurd idea that there is only one Force. But they amassed relics of great power. I suppose you would have fit in well, Mistress."


"I have heard of this cult. Founded by a schismatic follower of Kaan, yes? He is said to have been skilled in mentalism and lightsabre combat. Supposedly they were exterminated ages ago. I take it you conveniently know the direction to their base?"


"Why, yes. It will be a long walk, though. In the ruins of the Jedi enclave near the Smoking Forest."


"And doubtless filled with a great many perils that will test us to make things more interesting but fortunately I have a weapon as powerful as you, right?" Why do I get the feeling you'd take a perverse delight in pitting us against one another to see who is 'worthy' to wield you? she wondered to herself, though she did not voice that thought. The sarcasm was dripping from her tone. Every dungeon required a stable of monsters whose sole function was to oppose the intrepid treasure hunters. Simplistic ecosystems for the win! The same applied to other scavengers who wanted the same treasures, but would inevitably end up being wiped out by the party simply because they were not the protagonists!


"Verily. Your grasp of the obvious is as inspiring as your wit."

 

[Bundori]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

"We are skipping, we are skipping, we are skipping." There was a smile on her face while she moved around and skipped in the ash and stone dancing a little more. "We're off to find the treasures, the wonderful treasure of Mustafar.... Because because because ...... because of the wonderful things it has." She bounced and took a breath for a little bit with her smile more getting wider. "Oh master... do you want snacks? My mommy gave me these jelly treats. Corellian Fish." The small packet of multi colored gummy candy in the shape of fish were there in her pocket. "Fishy fishy fishy I'm going to eat you head."

 

[Grima Volitu]

"Then let us not squander another precious moment," Zarrah said to the young girl. There was a cave not to far from where everyone was standing. The cave would be claimed by this pair. Zarrah walked in silence for now. It was not due to lack of words but due to the terrain they were walking over. Zarrah appalled distractions. Distractions would lead to demise. Judging by the swirling pools and rivers of hot liquid this demise would be quick and painless.

When the worse was behind them and they were standing at the mouth of the cave she looked over at the girl. "Anything we find is yours to keep. I don't need souvenirs. At my age I am fortunate to be still breathing." Zarrah entered the cave feeling the heat subside a bit. It was still hot but the cave was giving some reprieve to the temperatures outside. Spending the last ten years or so living in caves or darkened places her eyes adjusted quickly than they had in the past.

"The language you speak. I've never heard it before. I think the others haven't either," Zarrah said looking straight ahead. "If you allow me to say so. It's a unique trait to possess. You know. To have what others do not. Such a possession defines you as an individual." Zarrah looked over at the young girl. "Never allow anyone to steal your individualism. Never allow anyone to force equality or conformity on you. Stay true to who you are. Always."

The pair came to a fork in the road. Zarrah looked at both paths. "Tell me something special about you child." Zarrah began to step toward the right path and stopped. "Left or right? Your choices will dictate our fate this day."


[member="Kendrix"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori heard the voice in her heard and wondered if it were Sumiko. But the presence felt in some way inhuman. She glanced at Sumiko and wondered if she too heard the voice.

Before she could ask, she heard Sumiko respond to the voice. Clearly Melori was not affected by the heat. Or they both were. She preferred to believe the former.

Melori had never heard of the Blackguard but Kaan was a name she remembered. Her eldest sister loved that era of the Sith history and she’d been obliged to read up on the subject. She’d even had a close encounter with a prototype Thought Bomb to show for her troubles.

But she chose to listen and say nothing for now. The idea of visiting a Jedi enclave piqued her interest. It was unlikely to be in a fit state to destroy, but she lived in hope.

She rolled her eyes as the woman and whatever she was talking to verbally sparred and finally, when there was a lull in the proceedings, cast her eyes around desperately, hoping another would join them. Unfortunately nobody did.

“So…just the two of us,” she said. “Point me in the right direction and we’ll set off.” She gave a quick smile and for once was glad she wore her simply black robes and not her new mood armour that would have clearly indicated her current thoughts.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Timoris"]

Sometimes the sword was useful. Especially when it came to killing things. On other occasions it was plain annoying. Along with haughty, cryptic and all that. Anyhow, they had a destination now and presumably it would guide them to the right destination. Hopefully something of worth would have been left in the enclave. Holocrons were always good.


Anyhow, since she was quite certain that the heat was not affecting her judgement too much, Sumiko headed off along with Timoris. Off they went as they walked the surface of the lovely planet called Mustafar. A world if fire and brimstone, poisonous gasses and plenty of lava. There was especially a lot of lava, entire lakes of it. They glowed in menacing orange and yellow, which was truly picturesque. The air was unpleasant, and they had to endure extreme temperatures of a truly ridiculous sort.


It made Sumiko grateful for possessing a gas mask and having the useful space magic ability called tapas. Which was a handy way to ensure that unbearable temperatures were just extremely unpleasant rather than oppressive through the power of sheer handwavium...err, willpower! Yep, that was it. Crunching sounds were heard when her boots trode over skeletons of unlucy sentients who had come before them and clearly died an unpleasant death, for if their flesh had not been stripped from them to the bone, it was badly charred. Hopefully our heroines would meet a less unpleasant fate! Then again, apparently escaping the underworld was a lot less diffifcult than in the past.


Of course, our heroines would have to encounter some opposition on their quest. Like in every good dungeon, the threat posed by monsters and such would be slowly scaled up. Thus allowing the player to get used to facing more dangerous opponents before finally encountering an end boss. So it seemed fitting that they would soon encounter the local wild life. Perhaps the creatures believed the ladies meant their nests harm, perhaps darkside voodoo had made them expand their diet.


Either way, screeches were heard in the darkness, illuminated by occasional volcanic eruptions, and then suddenly very large, aggressive beetles were upon them as they charged out of a cave! Their teeth were large and sharp, their legs long and strong enough to grip a man and do unpleasant things to his limbs. Despite their size they were rather fast and seemed intent on swarming the two darksiders as they sought to surround them.


"I guess this is round one," Sumiko said dryly as she brought forth her bolt pistol and squeezed the trigger. BAAAM and so on and so forth. Thank you, Firemane Industries for APEB rounds. As tough as the armour of the beasties was, explosive rounds still punched through it. Ichor and brain matter was splattered across the scorched ground.


As a big beetle came close she used the gun as a club to bash into its head before shooting it. One big beetle managed to knock her down to the ground and she rolled when it tried to seize her, blowing one of its legs off. Unfortunately the pistol only had a very limited number of bullets so as the magazine clicked empty she dropped it, instead drawing her blade. "Mere animals. I desire to taste the blood of more challenging foes!" Souldrinker spoke into her mind as she began slicing and dicing through beasties, splattering the sword with blood.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The enthusiasm of her young apprentice was refreshing, joyful to watch in fact. But Darth Venefica knew that this little bundle of joy was dangerous. The Sith Lady remembered how she swung a chainsaw looking weapon around, perhaps hoping to make contact with one of Dagobah's resident dwellers. The little skipper would make a fine Sith one day.​

​

"Thanks for the offer.....but I'll allow you to enjoy your fish jelly bites," the Dagobah Sith said fighting back a smile.​

​

"You have more energy than usual.....who did you kill," she asked now smiling.​

​

"Or eat?"​

​

Before she realized what she was doing, Darth Venefica found herself skipping along the side of her young apprentice. Quickly she looked over her shoulder to make sure nobody was watching; if they were, she would never hear the end of it. The two skipped all the way to a cave, located on the far west side of the shuttles. Darth Venefica stopped and looked at it, smiling.​

​

"Up for some mischief little one," the Sith Lady asked, smiling again.​

​

​

[member="Bundori"]​

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix followed the woman to the cave remaining silent herself mainly because she had no words for the sith lady also because the heat was starting to take its toil on the girl’s small frame. Her eyes darted over her traveling companion however when the woman mentioned not needing what they find and being so old. Funny, Kendrix didn’t think the woman looked any older than her own mother. For Kendrix, the innards of the cave felt immensely better than the surface. The further the trekked inward the more Kendrix started to feel better. Her eyes proved her Theowei roots once again as the gave a reflective green glow in the half lit corridor of the cave. Another rare trait that seemed to only belong to Kendrix now that she no longer lived on Retalik.

Kendrix was about to roll her eyes when [member="Darth Zarrah"] mentioned no one knew her language, but then her next words caught Kendrix off guard. She found her mouth gaping at the horned woman. She quickly closed her mouth then looked forward and down An exhale of air left her lungs quickly then the corner of her mouth raised ever so slightly, “It is the language of my people. No, not Vahla. Theowei. These beings who hear me speak, they are ignorant. They think I speak this language for them. They like to think that I will translate for them or they believe that what I say next is my translation. They ignore and do not bother to ask what I say. I am not so prideful that I will not tell them. They may not like what I say in my language but that is another matter. I do not speak my words for them.” She paused rubbing the left side of her head - the side she keeps shaved. Her thoughts went to her father for a quick second. “I speak my language for me. I look as a Vahla. My skin. My hair. Growing up, they called me Seregwaur. It means dirty blood. It means I’m not pure. My life I’m told that I’m not a true Theowei.”

“Puimundo!” Kendrix spat. “They may see and assume that I am a Vahla but they will hear and know that I am a Theowei.”

At the fork, Kendrix stopped and watched as the woman favored the one on the right. Fate. Destiny. Kendrix shook her head, “I do not believe in fate… Left.”

She didn’t wait for an objection, and began walking the path on the left. Was she purposely choosing against Darth Zarrah? Who knew. Kendrix did favor the left. The left was the side of her face which showed she was Theowei. Her yellow eye and the tattoo her father gifted her. All except for the ear. She subconsciously pulled at it to make it pointed. It didn’t work but it was worth a shot.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori wondered why, given modern technology, why they ended up walking so much. And invariably on inhospitable planets. Surely they could be dropped off where they needed to be?

But she shrugged and kept walking. To some it was a beautiful sight. To Melori it was hot and smelly. And hot. But she might have mentioned that already. The sulphuric fumes were starting to really burn her nasal passages and she held her cloak in front of her face to shield herself from as much of the poisonous atmosphere as she could.

She had no vested interest in what they found. She had simple tastes — all the training she needed and a decent saber. But treasure hunts would be useful for the Sisterhood, so she persevered.

She glanced across at her companion - with her gas mask. Even if she had one, she would choose not to wear it. Just out of principle. She was a Sith and if Darth Vader could cope here, so could she. She glossed over the outcome of that particular visit however.

As they progressed, rock gave way to bones — which suggested they were close to something of note. Or something carnivorous. Or both of course.

Suddenly, screeches could be heard and very large, and territorial beetles were upon them as they charged out of a nearby cave. They clearly attacked as a swarm and given their size and rather formidable teeth, the two would face a tough challenge.

Two beetles were on Melori like a wind with teeth that glinted like a rack of knives in the red light. Melori added to the hue by activating her twin sabers. Even aided by the Force, Melori barely managed to dodge them.

She feinted to the right and then went to the left, bringing up her blade. But the creatures managed to alter their course, the lightsaber only scarring one of their shells.

The smell of burning wafted in the air as Melori moved warily backward, slowly moving the lightsaber blade back and forth before her.

The beetles simply continued their tag-team attack and Melori thought quickly. All she needed to put one away was a good slash with her saber, but to get close enough to strike also put her in danger. And the beetles were seemingly as fast as she was.

Finally cajoling them into position, she ignited then extinguished her light-saber rapidly several times, shouting at them as she did so.

The first beetle leaped toward her. She sprang forward and rolled in the air, landing under the hurtling creature. She kicked, her feet catching the beetle on its underbelly, sending it further than it had intended to spring; and no longer in control of its direction.

Despite this interference, it rolled into an upright position in midair, landing gracefully, its many feet clattering on the rocks and bones of the dead.

She hoped her accomplice was faring better.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Veles]

For a reason Veles could not explain yet, his apprentice had decided to go with his old master, separating from the two women after more words in her strange language left her lips. Such a shame he did not understand what she said – he would have liked to know the reason for the sudden decision to leave the two and join the red-skinned Togruta Sith Lady, but before a question could be voiced the two went their way to scour Mustafar’s surface. All others followed their example, the three groups of two quickly scattered and vanished behind mounds of ashes and scorched earth in search for artifacts and anomalies.

Their signatures started to become one with the thickness of the Dark Side looming over the planet, and soon the amphibious Sith Assassin recognized only two presences most familiar to him – Darth Zarrah and Kendrix. Although the bulbous orbs no longer saw their backs, his gaze in their direction remained, pride in his amber eyes watching the shimmering air above the horizon. It was wise of Kendrix to choose Lady Zarrah as her companion despite initially being more than intimidated by the powerful Togruta.

Turning around in a swift spin, the Sith Lord faced the last one left to stand there, [member="Darth Noxia"]. The lack of knowledge about each other the two of them shared worked very much in their favour now, as the blonde woman represented a one big unknown. Veles’ lips curled into a polite smile and three long and elegant strides indicating either a gentleman or a Makashi practitioner carried his form closer to the young Knight. The speed at which he did so bordered on crossing the natural limits an ordinary being was capable of.

“My lady.” A nod came the woman’s way, along with the Sith Lord’s surprisingly soothing and calm voice, uncommon to his species. The thick Imperial accent gave away many hints of Darth Veles’ origin.

“It seems we’re the only ones left. I hope you don’t mind if I accompany you, Knight Noxia.”

A brief glance to the left and right followed, scanning the paths and roads leading around the numerous lakes of lava. One wrong step and it was all over, but something told the Sith that what his companion most likely sought was guarded by danger and death.

“Shall we?” he asked, right flipper-like hand motioning in one direction where his cybernetic eye spotted dark dots in the rock, far in the distance. Many caves and caverns dotted the burned, rocky ground they travelled, but not many hid something of value, unfortunately.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Timoris"]


Well, these beetles were rather annoying! Hungry, aggressive and attacking in significant numbers, they were intent on zerg rushing our two heroines. Much like the young Raaf, Sumiko found herself on the receiving end of the loving attention of two beetles intent on filling their bellies with her flesh.


She brought up Souldrinker to defend herself, blocking attacks and counterattacking. But one disadvantage of using a Sith sword instead of a lightsabre was that it was obviously a good deal heavier and even with the Force strengthening her muscles and amplifying her speed, these creatures were fast despite their size. They clearly saw the danger the weapon posed and were canny enough to move out of reach when needed and then charge her when she was off-balance.


One slash managed to injure the shell of one of the creatures, but, seemingly overcome by rage, they bull rushed her move. Very soon they were driving her towards one of the lava lakes. As she tried to move away towards the rocks she found that more beetles were there, ready to pounce if needed.


Gathering the Force inside her she leapt into the air, though one beetle managed to slash into her ankle. Landing upon the ground with a thud she ducked under the strikes of one of the beetles, then rammed her blade into its belly with great force. There was a loud screech when Souldrinker penetrated its flesh and was splattered with blood, but there was little time for rejoicing since the second beetle suddenly rammed her from behind and she fell over, being tossed a fair bit. Hitting the ground hurt a good deal when she landed on rocks.. Ouch. In the blink of an eye the large beast was upon her. As the large beetle charged her Sumiko found that she had enough.


With blood dripping down her chin, she pulled at the tangled web of the Force to manifest a massive telekinetic hammer and then slam it into the beast's skull, smashing it. Telekinesis pulled Souldrinker into her grasp again, the dark side energies of the blade giving her fuel.


As she dodged more slashes and tried to get some distance between her and beetle creatures, a very fun thought popped into her mind. What if the beetles were to think that they were drowning in lava? After all, there was a lake close by and they were common beasts. "Yes, very entertaining. Doo it." Souldrinker spoke into her mind. "Timoris, keep them off my back. I'm going to mind rape them," Sumiko called out to her companion, then she once again pulled at the Force, trying to dig into the minds of the creatures and weave a web of lies and horror, aiming to capture them in it and put them through plenty of torment.

 

[Grima Volitu]

Zarrah was pleased with the response from the young girl. Zarrah did not know what a Vahla was or even a Theowi. Exile was cruel to the Togruta witch. "Whatever you are child matters not to me. What matters is that you are beautiful and possess a beautiful outlook. I do not judge others as I have been judged in the past. Speak your language freely and never feel you owe me a translation. I'm ignorant in the ways of language and do not feel I deserve to be educated in something you hold dear to your heart." Zarrah turned left after the young girl.

"So your Avreet's Apprentice," Zarrah blurted out while wiping beads of sweat from her brow. "Pray tell child. Is he training you properly or should I have a word of two with him?" Zarrah found she was thoroughly taking a liking to this girl. The girl was young but she had fire and passion in her eyes. "Right."

Zarrah led the girl into a side chamber. Something was wrong. Barring her pointed teeth she removed both of her lightsabers. "Blistmoks!" Zarrah knew their leathery stench anywhere. Pack hunters and very territorial pack hunters. In the back of the chamber several pairs of yellow eyes began to blink open. Hisses shortly followed. "Time to shake the webs of old age out of these bones."


[member="Kendrix"]

 

[Kendrix]

Beautiful? Kendrix frowned, but a corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. Her father use to call her Bainiel when she was a child. It means ‘daughter of beauty’. It was a nod to her mother as well as a complement for Kendrix. As she got older, he renamed her Baralissel. It means ‘fiery gleam in the girl's eyes’. It was the closest Kendrix got to having a Theowei name. It’s the reason she quickly renames those she meets. Her father doomed those around her.

This Zarrah was different however. When Kendrix poked at the being to find out who they are, they usually resented or refused to acknowledge her. This horned woman was giving Kendrix advice. Encouraging Kendrix to be an individual. She didn’t know what to make of it. It all seemed odd. Like a dream.

“Avreet?” She almost laughed. That seemed a worse name than Limbthír. Kendrix supressed even the chuckle that threatened its way through. “Limbthír is training me to be a true sith as he say. He says I will be a perfect Sith or I will die. I’m not dead so I must be on my way to becoming this sith, yes?”

Kendrix felt another presence in the force - more than one. A nest. Her trips hunting with her father taught her never to walk into a nest. She was happy to know she still had a good handle on force sense. It was very important on her hunting trips with her father. Her stealth abilities came in handy as well. So when she reached the corridor with the nest, Kendrix passed it by. Her companion however took the turn to the right.

“Dartho!” Kendrix shouted through gritted teeth turning and following behind the Togruta. Kendrix did her best tiptoed run after the older woman making it to her just after she shouted to alert the pack of… lizards? Kendrix didn’t know the creatures or the word her companion spoke. Her eyes allowed Kendrix to see the raise of their neck flaps as they hissed. The creatures weren’t happy to see them. Kendrix pushed Darth Zarrah’s sabers down. Luckily she didn’t ignite them yet. Kendrix remembered the lizards on her homeworld were attracted to heat.

“No, no,” Kendrix whispered to the older woman as she backed them away slowly. Her eyes didn’t leave the creatures. “We are unwelcome guest to their home. They find us a threat, but they only offer us a warning now. It is poor taste to kill a creature in their own home.”

The creatures didn’t pursue. Instead Kendrix and Zarrah backed out fairly easily. “If we plan to greet these beast in their homes perhaps I should borrow a light sword?” Kendrix smirked, “I would hate for you to have to tell Limbthír you lead his precious apprentice to her death. I bet the next creatures will not be so kind to us.”

Kendrix lifted her chin smugly. Then turned and continued to lead her companion the original direction away from the lizards, “Are you coming, Raisnaneth?”

[member="Darth Zarrah"]

 

[Bundori]

[member="Darth Venefica"]

When her master joined her it was the happiest moment of her time and Bundori gleamed moving forward her master now as she was always up for mischief. "Yes master." She small throaty laugh came out more maniacal and evil then she had expected but skipping with your master on a hellish world was worth it. She had her fishies and she had all the things she could look around and find. "Oh I wonder what we are going to find? There might be things and they do cool things.... Imagine if we found something big ot that shoots fire or a new creature we could ride around on?..... Oh oh oh are there dragons we could find a dragon that shoots fire from its mouth and has skin like that black stone."

 

[Komo]

The group had came and went. Finding their own partners, they had left to find whatever they so wished. And then there were two. Only two of them remained, Darth Noxia, herself and the Mon Calamari Sith Lord, [member="Darth Veles"]. It looks like they were about to become partners for this particular expedition through Mustafar. She did not know the Sith Lord, and she guessed the same went for him. Oh well, it was time to get to know each other then. All in due time, she would remind herself.

After all, if they were to work together, they had to at least know something about each other. She was sure, in time they would. For now, to be prudent, it was good enough to take it, one step at a time. Noxia was surprised at the grace and speed at which he moved, striding across next to her with hardly any effort at all. From the way he moved, she knew that he prided himself in the art of staying silent and in grace, very much stealthiness like an assassin.

He would then nod as he addressed her, and the blonde knight would return his greeting in kind with a similar nod. "My lord." Taking a quick glance around, she would answer "We are indeed. Why, of course not Lord Veles, two is always better than one, yes?" Gesturing in the distance ahead with a flipper, he would ask if they were ready to proceed.

Darth Noxia would answer. "We shall, Lord Veles. Lead the way. I hope you're good at finding stuff. Treasures or relics or what not." The blonde then rambled on about what she hoped to find in this blistering hot fiery world. Thankfully, her armour's atmospheric control kept her feeling cool and refreshed, safe from the stifling hot air of Mustafar.

 

[Darth Veles]

His lips curled into a polite smile, head turning towards his Sith companion as she revealed her hopes of finding something of value. Relics and treasures! Caring for neither, as he had already found the greatest of treasures in Darth Zarrah, the Mon Cal remained silent for a bit, letting his female colleague speak for as long as she desired. There were no interruptions from him, yet his large domed head occasionally nodded and one of the bulbous orbs always watched the woman to show he paid attention to what she had to say – also closely observing the curious apparel she wore. Hardened by Korriban, the Sith Lord had decided to tread the planet with little to no protection, focused on the aspect of conquering his great discomfort, becoming stronger, adapting to the unhospitable planet’s nature. While amphibious, the Force combined with years of hard training and experience ran through the veins of his strong body, more than ready to receive the environment’s punishment. At the same moment, the duo embarked on the searing journey across Mustafar’s black landscape. The road soon turned into a bumpy mess and the only sound heard around was the cracking of gravel beneath their boots as a result of [member="Darth Noxia"]’s pause after finishing the sentence, which prompted the Sith assassin to speak up, share a bit of info about himself in the process.

“I must admit finding vast riches and relics of the past is not my expertise, but given my chosen path being that of a messenger, finding assets to our cause certainly is, lady Noxia,” the Sith explained politely, “People, resources, ancient artifacts. All for the good of Sith Order. Of course, sometimes I have to deliver our regards to the liabilities hindering our progress – and as my blade kisses their throat, they are liabilities no more.”

There was no real destination in his mind, no path planned beforehand. With his mind open to the song of the Force, the Mon Calamari gave it a simple command to guide them, show them the way. The Dark Side and the Light Side alike obeyed the Sith Lord, increasing his awareness of their surroundings. There was something in the vast sea of the Force, not far away. Treasures? Power? Challenge? Only time would reveal the exact nature of the feeling. The way turned slightly upwards as the small dune of ashes and rock in front of them restricted the view, demanding both to ascend it before revealing what’s been hidden from their eyes.

“Fortunately, this task is free of liabilities – the purpose of my journey being the journey itself rather than the destination. Is there anything better for a brother of the Black Rose than to help his sister achieve perfection? To find an asset that benefits all Sith?” he flashed her his infamous disarming smile many women knew, “As of right now, I dare to say my mission here is complete, for I have found one that is beautiful, powerful, and intelligent. The deadliest of assets, my lady.”

Whether [member="Darth Noxia"] knew of the Mon Cal’s compliments he so often offered to women or not, Avreet did not know. As a gentlebeing, it was necessary for him to offer a kind word - whether he truly meant his words or not had yet to be revealed. One more step and he finally spied on just the right place to visit. A large lava lake sprawled in front of them, its burning flames intense enough to force the Sith Lord partially close his left eye and watch the area with the cybernetic replacement only. Right over the lake, beyond its tortured moans and screams made by the molten rock, his big eye saw a menacing outline of something with sharp edges and elegant design, starkly contrasting with the background of volcanos and rocks. A mining facility, probably abandoned and left to fall apart judging by some of the broken features the Mon Cal could see.

There lied their test and their prize.

 

[Grima Volitu]

Zarrah was a second away of igniting her two blades when she felt hands push them down. Hands belonging to the girl. Zarrah looked at her not with disgust but in amazement. In all her life not one person or alien ever successfully touched her or her blades. In her youth those that had tried were rendered permanently absent in the galaxy. She enjoyed her space. She enjoyed her blades. She despised killing but any approach to physically touch her or her beloved weapons was an act of invasion in the Togruta's mind. Today she didn't kill them. Today she simply exerted her will over them.

When the girl spoke of them trespassing in the lizard's territory and how it was poor taste to kill them in their home she said, "Agreed. We are smarter than the basic creatures that live freely in the galaxy. Killing them would brand us murders. Or worse. Puppet Sith." Zarrah placed one of her hilts back on her hip and held the other one out to the girl. "Keep it. I can always create another."

Zarrah stepped out of the chamber backwards whilst keeping an eye on the little creatures. The Force was showing her the beast's uneasiness was subsiding as they felt the threat to them and their home slowly vanish. Once outside the chamber Zarrah led the girl through the tunnels. "Avreet is training you well. Restraint from killing even the simplest beast is a step down the path of a True Sith."

Avreet would always be under her protection. Any fool who thought to kill or bring harm to her beloved mate would meet a fate far worse than death. Zarrah only held one spot in heart and it belonged to Avreet. Now a second spot was opening and this girl was well on her way to claiming it.


[member="Kendrix"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori knew little of mental Abilities, but she knew her way around a lightsaber. If Sumiko needed time, the blonde Sith would create it for her.

So she danced and twirled just out of reach of the giant beetles and parried their attempts to bite her whilst using Teräs Käsi to land martial kicks and punches. She managed to penetrate one of their thoraxes and managed to slam one against the rocks they’d emerged from.

And when one came too close, she positioned the lightsaber directly in front of her and took off one mandible face. She glanced across at her accomplice, wondering how much time she needed to create and then snapped her focus back on the creatures.

Straightening out of a wide-legged stance, she twirled her saber and scanned the beings she had killed and those she had maimed with chilling exactitude. Her yellow irises took the scene in with precision and speed as she maintained the dance whilst keeping the creatures sufficiently interested in her without scaring them off and therefore seeking Sumiko as a target.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]