First Reply [Sith] Depths of Korriban

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira paused mid-step, her back to Kaen as his defiant words echoed through the now-silent chamber. The oppressive darkness had receded, leaving the air lighter, though the faint thrumming of the Dark Side lingered in its wake. Slowly, she turned to face him, her violet eyes gleaming with both amusement and a spark of intrigue.

"You bend your knee to no one," she repeated, her voice low and edged with an almost mocking tone. "A dangerous but wise philosophy."

She stepped closer, her figure towering in the dim crimson glow that pulsed faintly from the runes. Her smirk softened into a more serious expression, though the intensity in her eyes did not waver. "This tomb is not just a burial site for Sith long forgotten. It is a vault of ancient knowledge. Secrets buried here were once wielded by alchemists and sorcerers whose mastery shaped the very foundations of our Order."

Her voice dropped lower, resonating with an almost reverent tone. "Sithspawn, Kaen. Creatures of flesh and nightmare, molded by the Dark Side into perfect instruments of power and destruction. Sorzus Syn was the first to codify the art of their creation, but her work has always been incomplete. The alchemists who followed her experimented, refined, and expanded her methods, and some of their greatest discoveries were buried here."

Nyxira gestured to the walls of the chamber, where faint traces of ancient inscriptions remained visible, worn but still pulsing faintly with energy. "This place holds the formulas, plans, and experimental data that can bridge the gaps left by Sorzus Syn. With them, I will create an army of Sithspawn unlike anything seen since her time. Beasts of war. Soldiers of unbreakable loyalty. An unstoppable tide that will carry my storm to every corner of the galaxy."

She took another step toward him, her presence pressing against his like a suffocating shadow. "That is what I am after, Kaen. Not power for its own sake, but the means to reshape it. To wield the Dark Side as it was meant to be wielded: to create, to destroy, to dominate."

Her smirk returned, sharper now, as she regarded him with cold amusement.

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Sithspawn.

Kaen bared his teeth in an agitated snarl, turning his head away from Nyxira, though his reaction to her news would have been impossible to miss. Much like Korriban, it was impossible not to know about Sithspawn in the galaxy. With the march of the Sith Order against the Galactic Alliance and the neutral worlds of the galaxy, the mass production and deployment of Sithspawn was in all the holonet reports. Kaen had seen their deployment himself a few times, and he had been largely unimpressed.

A lot of resources spent to create almost rudimentary mindless creatures. Powerful, perhaps, but easily defeated by the more intelligent warriors. Kaen had a preference towards mortal soldiers, or perhaps even droid soldiers. If they could find a way to perfect Sithspawn though, make them more intelligent...

Perhaps there would be hope.

"The armies of the Great Schism were powerful," Kaen said, "but in the end they were defeated by the nascent Jedi Order of that age. The Dark Jedi were broken an exiled, and while the practice of creating Sithspawn never faded from those ancient Sith, it was never brought back to the level of prominence until modern times. Trained soldiers, machines of war, those became the method of war that the Sith would expand upon for centuries."

Kaen turned to look back at Nyxira. "What makes you think the knowledge we find here will truly fix their failings?"

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira watched Kaen's reaction with quiet amusement, her piercing violet gaze taking in every flicker of emotion that crossed his features. His skepticism was palpable, as was his distaste for the concept of Sithspawn. Yet beneath the surface, she sensed curiosity — a flicker of possibility that intrigued her far more than outright agreement ever could.

"Because their failings were never in the concept. The fault lies in the execution."

Her gaze shifted to the ancient inscriptions along the chamber walls, the faintly glowing runes a testament to the knowledge buried here. "Sithspawn as they exist today are crude imitations of what they were meant to be. Mindless brutes, unleashed with no strategy beyond overwhelming force. They lack finesse, intelligence, and most damning of all, they lack loyalty."

Nyxira turned her attention back to Kaen, her expression sharp and unyielding. "But what if they didn't? What if we could create creatures that were more than weapons of chaos? Beings imbued with intelligence, strategy, and purpose — not just tools of destruction, but extensions of their master's will? Soldiers who cannot be swayed, armies that do not falter, and generals who can outthink their enemies."

Her smirk returned, sharp as the edge of a blade. "This knowledge, these secrets — they are the foundation for something greater. With what lies in this tomb, we can correct the mistakes of the past and create something entirely new."

The storm outside rumbled faintly, its energy mirrored in her presence. She tilted her head slightly, her smirk deepening. This army was only one piece of her puzzle.

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

"Such an army would be powerful," Kaen said carefully, weighing the words in his mind before continuing. "To craft such a force though would require more than just the knowledge for how to do so. You would need the resources to fuel such an enterprise. Weapons to equip such an army. Starships to transport them from warzone to warzone." Kaen turned an inquisitive eye towards Nyxira. "Your ship looked a little small to be moving world conquering armies around."

Levity aside, the idea had merit, and as they traveled deeper into the tomb, Kaen could find more merit to it. It was a dangerous performance she sought to play, and from the way she spoke, she was determined to see out every scene to an exacting detail. Kaen could not hide the urge, the curiosity bubbling within him to see the final act himself.

"You would not speak so openly of this if you thought I could stop you," Kaen said, a bitter taste in his mouth. Foolishly rushing into spilling all the details of ones plans were rarely the foundation for a successful Sith. Nyxira clearly did not consider Kaen much of a threat at the moment. Or perhaps she was taking a risk. Maybe she sought to find a willing scion in this adventure of hers. Sithspawn were well and good, but the need for true Sith warriors to aid her in whatever tasks she sought.

Kaen paused midstride, his eyes widening for a moment as realization struck him. "The Holy Worlds...you are planning to strike nearby. You won't need vast amounts of resources then, and any conquest would secure you everything you needed."

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk deepened as she paused to face Kaen, her violet eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and approval. The storm outside the tomb rumbled faintly, a subtle echo of her own simmering power. "Clever," she said, her voice smooth and edged with a quiet intensity. "Very clever. I see there is more to you than brute strength and skepticism."

She took a deliberate step closer, her imposing presence filling the space between them. "Dromund Kaas," she said, the name rolling off her tongue like a whispered promise. "A world steeped in the Dark Side, the seat of Sith power for generations. Its storms are wild, but malleable — much like its current rulers."

Nyxira gestured slightly, the faint crackle of crimson energy dancing along her fingertips. "The Kainites hold it in their iron grip, their stagnant rule choking the life out of what should be the heart of the Sith Order. They grow complacent, Kaen. Weak. Content to sit on their thrones while true power slips through their fingers."

Her smirk sharpened, cutting through the dim light of the chamber like a blade. "And I intend to take it from them. Dromund Kaas will not only serve as the proving ground for my Sithspawn but as the foundation of something far greater. With its resources, its secrets, and its storm bending to my will, I will succeed where they've failed for decennia."

She let her words hang in the charged air between them, watching Kaen carefully, gauging his reaction. "But you're right about one thing," she added, her tone laced with a hint of mockery. "I wouldn't speak so openly if I thought you could stop me. I've seen your ambition, Kaen, your hunger for strength and purpose. That's why I'm giving you the chance to be part of this."

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Kaen inclines his head ever so slightly, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The distant thunder plays a quiet counterpoint to his voice, low and precise as a vibroblade's edge. "You flatter me, Nyxira," he begins, his tone rich with a sardonic undercurrent. "Yet I wonder if you truly understand what it means to extend such an offer to me." He steps forward, closing the distance she had so confidently bridged, his amber eyes narrowed, calculating.

"Dromund Kaas," he muses, lingering on the name as though savoring a rare vintage. "A world where power crackles in the very air, where the old masters grew lazy in their fiefs of lightning and stone. You speak of storms as though they were pets to be tamed, and perhaps they are. The Kainites certainly wield their authority like a rusted blade; dangerous, but dull. It would be poetic, wouldn't it, to see that blade finally shatter?"

He regards her carefully, as if weighing her worth against the countless secrets he has hoarded. "Your ambition is impressive, as is your clarity of purpose. Many claim the Sith mantle but possess no real appetite for growth; they pose, they posture, and ultimately they rot." His smile widens slightly, revealing the predatory gleam beneath his cultivated calm. "Weakness offends me, Nyxira, as it offends you. The difference is, you have a plan to solve that weakness. For that, you intrigue me."

With a final, faint laugh; a sound more felt than truly heard, Kaen lifts one gloved hand, the slightest hint of darkness coalescing around his fingertips. "You assume I cannot stop you. Perhaps not, perhaps so. But this isn't about thwarting greatness, is it? It's about fostering it. And if aligning with you means an opportunity to carve something new from old bones, to reshape stagnant institutions into conduits of true power, then I would be a fool to dismiss it."

He lets the silence stretch for a heartbeat, his gaze holding hers without flinching. "So let's test this foundation you plan to build," he says quietly, each word a challenge. "Show me that you're more than just another pretender. Show me that your vision transcends hollow aspirations. If you can," he inclines his head again, mock civility spiking his tone, "Then perhaps our shared hunger can birth something far stronger than the wretches who rest so comfortably on Dromund Kaas."

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk deepened, her glowing violet eyes locking onto Kaen's with a mixture of approval and challenge. The storm outside seemed to echo her mood, a low rumble of thunder rolling across the heavens. She took another deliberate step forward, closing the already minimal distance between them, her presence looming like the storm she commanded.

"You flatter yourself, Kaen," she said smoothly, her voice carrying the weight of both confidence and amusement. "But I wouldn't have come this far with mere pretenders in my wake. I see more in you than just words — and I've no use for hollow allies."

Her gaze flicked briefly to the crackling energy gathering at his fingertips, and her smirk sharpened. "Weakness offends us both, and weakness festers under the rule of those who thrive without challenge. But their stagnation is not merely a symptom of their leadership — it's a disease infecting the Sith Order itself. A disease I intend to excise."

Nyxira leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a near-whisper, though the power behind her words was unmistakable. "You want to test me? To see if my vision transcends the rot of this galaxy? Then join me, Kaen. Witness the storm as it builds. And when it breaks, stand beside me, not as a follower, but as something greater."

She straightened, her piercing gaze holding his for a moment longer before she turned away, her cloak billowing as she began to move deeper into the tomb. "The foundations of my empire are already being laid," she called over her shoulder. "The only question is whether you will help shape them or be buried beneath them."

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis


Kaen's golden eyes narrowed, glowing faintly in the dim light of the tomb as Nyxira's words rolled over him like the thunder outside. The crackling energy in his hands dissipated, though the raw tension in his posture remained. He stood unmoving as she stepped closer, her storm-like presence pushing against his own like colliding fronts of power.

"Flattery has never been my way, Nyxira," Kaen replied, his voice low and edged like a blade tempered in fire. "But neither is blind allegiance. You speak of excising weakness, yet you presume to know the measure of my strength before we've even crossed blades."

His gaze followed her as she turned, the words of her challenge settling into his mind like a seed taking root. Kaen's lips curled into a faint smirk, a flicker of intrigue cutting through his usual intensity. "You call the Sith Order a disease, and perhaps you're right. Its foundations crumble under the weight of tradition and ambition turned inward. Yet the storms you summon, the empire you claim to be building—are they not wrought from the same chaos? Will you truly rise above, or will you be devoured like so many before you?"

Kaen took a step forward, his boots echoing faintly on the stone as he followed her into the shadows of the tomb. His voice carried easily, calm but forceful, like a tide that could not be ignored. "You want me to witness your storm, Nyxira? To help shape the empire you envision? Then prove to me you are more than just another pretender draped in power. Show me the strength that will make me stand beside you—not as a servant, but as an equal."

He stopped, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, with a faint smirk of his own, he added, "Let's see if your vision truly transcends the rot, or if it's just another lie waiting to be exposed. Lead on."

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira slowed her stride, Kaen's words trailing after her like an echo through the hollow tomb. She stopped, her back still to him, her form framed by the faint crimson light emanating from the ancient inscriptions etched into the walls. The storm outside rumbled low, a drumbeat that seemed to mirror the pulse of her own power. Slowly, deliberately, she turned to face him.

Her violet eyes glowed faintly, their intensity cutting through the dim chamber as she regarded him with a mixture of amusement and predatory intent. "You ask for proof," she said, her voice smooth and resonant, carrying both confidence and challenge. "Proof that I am not like the rest. Proof that my vision transcends the rot. Proof that I am worthy of standing beside you as an equal."

Without another word, Nyxira raised her hand toward the storm raging outside. The air within the tomb seemed to shift, thickening with the oppressive weight of the Dark Side as the faint rumble of thunder grew louder, deeper. Her smirk widened, sharp as a blade, as she spoke, her voice dropping to a near whisper.

"Very well, Kaen. Let the storm speak for me."

The ground beneath their feet trembled as the storm outside surged in response to her command. Lightning cracked across the sky, its blinding light illuminating the chamber for a fraction of a second before plunging them back into darkness. The roar of thunder followed, deafening, as Nyxira's power manifested. The air itself seemed alive with electricity, crackling around her like a living thing.

With a flick of her wrist, the energy from the storm above surged through the tomb, a jagged bolt of crimson lightning streaking toward Kaen with violent precision from behind. It wasn't meant to kill, but to test him, to force him to defend himself, to prove he was worthy of her attention.

"Fight me, Kaen," she commanded, her voice echoing with the force of her will. "Show me your strength. Show me you are more than words. And I will show you mine."

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Kaen stood firm, the crimson lightning reflecting in his intense gaze, the faint embers of his presence beginning to smolder. The oppressive weight of the Dark Side around Nyxira was palpable, but Kaen did not falter. Instead, he inhaled deeply, drawing on the Force as though it were fuel for a fire only he could ignite.

"You want to see my strength?" he said, his voice steady but laced with a quiet intensity that hinted at the storm within. "Then let me show you what happens when fire meets the storm."

The moment the jagged bolt of crimson lightning surged toward him, Kaen moved. With a sweep of his hand, he channeled his power into a blazing wall of flame that erupted in front of him, catching the bolt mid-flight. The fire and lightning collided in a violent explosion of energy, illuminating the tomb with fiery hues and crimson arcs. Sparks danced around him, but he was already in motion, using the cover of the eruption to close the distance.

As he surged forward, Kaen's hand dropped to his belt, his thumb brushing the ignition switch of his lightsaber. With a snap-hiss, a blade of fiery orange sprang to life, its glow casting long, flickering shadows across the ancient inscriptions. The air around him rippled with heat, distorting the space as though the Force itself burned in his wake.

Kaen darted toward Nyxira, his saber blazing as he brought it down in a calculated strike aimed to disrupt her balance. Flames licked at his arms as he drew upon his unique connection to fire, the heat amplifying the intensity of his every movement.

"If you want to test me, Nyxira," he growled, his voice sharp as the crackling flames surrounding them, "then face me up close. Let's see how your storm holds when it's surrounded by fire."

Kaen's strikes came swift and unrelenting, his lightsaber weaving fiery arcs through the charged air. Each swing of the blade was accompanied by the oppressive heat of his power, forcing Nyxira to adapt or be consumed. Yet beneath the ferocity, there was control—a calculated rhythm that mirrored not only his fighting style but the smoldering determination in his soul.

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk deepened as the wall of flame erupted to meet her lightning, the clash of energy painting the tomb in fiery reds and oranges. The storm's fury roared around them, and yet it was the fire Kaen summoned that commanded her full attention. He wasn't just defending himself; he was meeting her challenge head-on, and that pleased her more than she cared to admit.

As he surged forward, saber blazing with searing orange light, Nyxira's violet eyes glowed brighter, a gleam of satisfaction flickering within them. She raised her own hand, summoning her weapon — a dark, curved hilt that hummed with sinister energy. With a snap-hiss, her crimson blade ignited, the light a stark contrast against the fiery glow of Kaen's strikes.

"Good," she said, her voice sharp and resonant as she sidestepped his first strike, her blade parrying his with a clash that sent sparks flying. "Show me more, Kaen. Prove to me your fire isn't just for show."

Nyxira twisted her body with serpentine grace, her crimson saber weaving intricate patterns through the air to intercept his relentless blows. But she didn't just defend; she countered with strikes of her own, her movements a seamless blend of precision and raw aggression. Each swing of her blade was calculated, probing his defenses, testing his resolve.

The oppressive weight of the Dark Side swirled around her, feeding her strength as she fought. With a sudden burst of power, she released a kinetic blast aimed to drive him back, the air between them rippling like the surface of a disturbed pond.

"The fire burns hot, Kaen," she taunted, her voice dripping with challenge as she pressed forward, closing the distance he had sought to create. "But storms endure. They consume everything."

Lightning crackled to life in her free hand, arcing between her fingers as she unleashed a focused burst toward him mid-combat. It wasn't wild or chaotic — it was precise, aimed to test his reflexes and force him to react under pressure.

"Come on," she growled, her saber cutting through the charged air as she advanced with relentless precision. "Fight harder, or your fire will be snuffed out before it can even scorch me."

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Kaen's smirk mirrored Nyxira's as her taunts filled the tomb, her lightning crackling with precision and menace. He stood his ground, his orange saber held firm, its searing glow a defiant contrast to the storm she wielded. The oppressive heat of his presence pushed back against the chill of her power, the fiery intensity of his will refusing to be snuffed out.

When the focused burst of lightning streaked toward him, Kaen reacted in an instant. His free hand swept outward, summoning a swirling arc of fire that surged to meet the lightning. The collision erupted in a violent spray of sparks and flame, the air alive with the chaos of their clashing powers. But Kaen was already moving, pressing his advantage.

"You think storms endure," he said, his voice sharp and steady, "but fire doesn't just burn—it devours."

Kaen planted his feet and extended both arms, the Force radiating through him as he channeled his connection to fire. A roaring wall of flame erupted in a semicircle around Nyxira, the inferno cutting through the ancient tomb with oppressive heat. The flames leapt higher, hemming her in, their hungry tongues licking closer as Kaen pulled them toward her with subtle, deliberate movements of his hands.

As the fire encroached, Kaen surged forward, his saber slicing through the charged air in powerful, precise strikes. Each swing of his blade was designed not just to hit but to drive her backward, forcing her closer to the flames. He pressed her relentlessly, his attacks unyielding, the oppressive heat of the wall behind her making it harder for her to maneuver.

"You wanted fire," he growled, his orange saber crashing against her crimson blade with the force of a smith's hammer striking an anvil. "Let's see how your storm fares when it's surrounded by an inferno."

Nyxira's counters were swift, her strikes probing and sharp, but Kaen met them head-on, his saber weaving a fiery arc through her crimson assault. She was strong, swift, and an excellent duelist, and between his concentration with the flames and his own bladework, it took everything he had to not be eviscerated. He would not let that truth be evident though.

When she attempted to break his momentum with a kinetic blast, Kaen braced himself, using the Force to anchor his position and counter the rippling shockwave with a surge of heat. The fire flared in response, its searing intensity doubling as he poured his will into it.

"You talk of storms consuming everything," Kaen said, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. "But I am the fire that reduces storms to ash."

With a sudden flourish, Kaen swung his saber in a wide arc, releasing a torrent of flame in its wake, the fiery wave surging toward Nyxira. He stepped forward, his strikes coming faster, harder, each one driving her closer to the blazing barrier that threatened to engulf her. The tomb was a furnace now, the oppressive heat a testament to Kaen's mastery of his power.

"Fight harder," he said, a mocking in her tone, "unless this is all that you can do."

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk never wavered as the flames surged closer, their oppressive heat searing the air and licking at the edges of her cloak. Kaen pressed hard, his relentless strikes driving her toward the encroaching inferno. Yet there was no fear in her glowing violet eyes, only an amused glint as if she were humoring his fiery assault.

"Impressive," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos.

As his saber came crashing down in another powerful strike, Nyxira spun gracefully, her crimson blade parrying his in a shower of sparks. She moved with the fluidity of water, her form a stark contrast to the raging fire surrounding her. Her free hand extended, and with a sharp burst of kinetic energy, she launched herself backward, the Force propelling her away from the furnace Kaen had conjured.

Landing lightly several meters away, Nyxira stood tall, the flames framing her like a living crown. Her hand rose slowly, her index finger pointing upward as her smirk widened. The storm above responded instantly to her silent command, thunder roaring as the air grew dense with energy.

"You've brought fire," she said, her voice carrying over the roar of the flames. "Allow me to show you the storm's shadows."

Around her, the darkness seemed to pulse and writhe, as if alive. Invisible to the naked eye, but palpable in the Force, she summoned them — Darkshear, weapons of pure darkness and malice. They formed silently, their presence felt as sharp, biting pressure in the Force, like daggers poised for a kill.

With a slow, deliberate flick of her finger, the first of the Darkshear lances shot forward, an invisible spear of death aimed directly at Kaen's chest. A second followed, then a third, each one precise and unrelenting, streaking through the space between them with lethal intent.

The ground beneath them trembled as Nyxira unleashed her power. The storm outside raged harder, crimson lightning crashing into the tomb and sending jagged cracks racing through the ancient stone. The oppressive weight of the Dark Side pressed down on the chamber like a vice, her presence suffocating in its intensity.

She raised her free hand, her fingers curling as the Force roiled around her. The Darkshear lances multiplied, a dozen of them hovering around her in menacing silence. With a sweeping gesture, she sent them all flying toward Kaen in a deadly barrage, their trajectory unpredictable, their speed blinding.

A true test of not just strength, but wit.

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis


Kaen's grip on his orange saber tightened as Nyxira's Darkshear lances streaked toward him. The oppressive weight of the Dark Side bore down on the chamber, and his fiery domain began to falter under the strain of her assault. The flames hemming her in wavered and dimmed as his focus fractured, the invisible lances cutting through his concentration like shards of ice.

He deflected the first lance with a desperate swing of his saber, the invisible weapon screeching against the blade in a burst of sparks. The second grazed his shoulder, a biting cold that tore through his robes and left a searing ache in its wake. Kaen staggered but refused to yield, his fiery aura flickering as his attention turned inward, drawing on the Force to steel himself.

"Shadows and storms," he muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse but resolute. "They won't break me."

Another Darkshear lance came streaking toward him, and Kaen barely sidestepped it, the invisible blade tearing a jagged furrow in the stone behind him. He knew he couldn't maintain the distance; the lances were too precise, their trajectories too unpredictable. Gritting his teeth, he let the remnants of his fire collapse inward, channeling the last embers into a desperate gambit. As the wave of Darkshear strikes came towards him, Kaen redirected what was left of his flames into a wall in front of him, and as the Darkshear collided with the barrier, they detonated.

With a burst of speed fueled by the Force, Kaen lunged forward, rushing through the detonations even as they cut and battered his body, closing the distance between them in a single, fiery leap. His saber slashed in a wide arc, not to strike her directly but to force her to react, to pull her focus away from the Darkshear barrage. The oppressive heat of his proximity was a weapon in itself, the air around him shimmering as he sought to turn his fading fire into a smothering advantage.

"You rely on distance," he growled, his voice carrying over the roar of the storm. "Let's see how your shadows fare when there's nowhere to hide."

Kaen's strikes were relentless, his orange blade blazing as it clashed with her crimson saber. He pressed in close, his movements tight and controlled, forcing her to engage him in the confined space of their melee. His left hand lashed out, channeling a burst of searing heat aimed to disrupt her balance, his attacks a desperate blend of skill and raw determination.

Despite the pain and the weight of the Dark Side pressing down on him, Kaen stood firm, his presence in the Force a stubborn ember that refused to be snuffed out. Even as the battle tilted in Nyxira's favor, his resolve burned as brightly as his saber.

"Your storm is strong, Nyxira," he said through gritted teeth, their blades locked in a fiery clash. "But strength means nothing if you can't break your opponent's will."

The last of his fire coiled around them, a fleeting barrier of heat and light that flickered like his waning strength. But Kaen's eyes burned with defiance, his focus now singular: close the gap, disrupt her precision, and fight until the last ember.

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk faltered for the first time as Kaen's fiery leap carried him through the barrage of Darkshear lances, the explosions throwing sparks and shards of stone into the air. His determination was palpable, his strength impressive, and his ability to counter her ranged assault had forced her to adapt.

As his orange saber slashed toward her, she raised her crimson blade in a swift parry, sparks cascading between them as their weapons collided. The heat radiating from him was stifling, the air shimmering with the intensity of his proximity. For a moment, her fluid grace faltered under the pressure of his relentless strikes, his blade hammering against hers with raw power.

Kaen's left hand lashed out, a burst of searing heat slamming into her side and disrupting her balance. Nyxira staggered back, the fabric of her cloak catching alight before she extinguished it with a sharp gesture. Pain radiated from the burned flesh beneath her armor, but her violet eyes flared with renewed intensity.

"Impressive," she hissed, her voice low and edged with grudging respect. "But will it be enough?"

Nyxira ducked under another swing of his saber, her movements tighter now, more defensive as she maneuvered within the confined space of their melee. She countered with quick, precise strikes, her crimson blade weaving patterns designed to keep him guessing, but his raw aggression forced her to remain on the back foot.

As their blades locked once more, Kaen's defiance burned in his gaze, and she felt the oppressive heat of his fire pressing against her will. For a brief moment, the storm above seemed to hesitate, as though reflecting her momentary struggle.

But then Nyxira's expression hardened, her smirk returning with an edge of malice.

"Enough."

With a sudden burst of power, Nyxira unleashed the storm within. The ground beneath them trembled as the Dark Side surged through her, cracks spiderwebbing across the ancient stone floor. Lightning arced from her free hand, striking the walls and ceiling in a chaotic dance of destruction.

The storm outside responded to her call, crimson lightning ripping through the sky and crashing down onto the tomb itself. The air grew suffocating as she drew the storm's fury into herself, channeling it into a single, devastating act of power.

With a primal scream, Nyxira thrust both hands forward, her saber momentarily forgotten as a massive wave of energy exploded outward. It carried with it shards of stone, arcs of lightning, and the raw, crushing weight of the Dark Side. The force of the blast was enough to send debris flying in all directions, aimed directly at Kaen in an effort to overwhelm him.

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Kaen had no time to dodge. The massive wave of energy, debris, and lightning surged toward him with unstoppable fury, threatening to crush everything in its path. Instinct and training took over as he thrust his free hand forward, summoning the Force with every ounce of his will.

A shimmering barrier of golden-red energy materialized before him, crackling like molten glass as it absorbed the brunt of the onslaught. Shards of stone and arcs of lightning smashed against it, some slipping through to strike him, but the barrier held firm against the worst of the storm's power.

Behind the barrier, Kaen braced himself for the inevitable. The sheer force of the blast threatened to throw him across the tomb, and he quickly extended the Force behind him, shaping it into a cushion of energy. The impact struck like a hammer, sending him flying backward. His body slammed into the Force cushion, lessening the blow but not sparing him entirely. Pain flared in his chest and limbs as the pressure rippled through him, and he landed hard against the cracked stone floor, his breath forced from his lungs.

For a moment, the chamber was a cacophony of settling debris and crackling energy. Kaen groaned as he pushed himself to his knees, his orange saber still clutched tightly in his hand. Blood trickled down his temple, and his armor bore new dents and scorch marks. His left shoulder throbbed with a sharp ache, likely dislocated, but he refused to let the injuries deter him.

The flickering remnants of his barrier dissipated, and Kaen forced himself to his feet, his fiery aura dim but not extinguished. His gaze locked on Nyxira, who stood framed by the aftermath of her storm, her presence radiating malice and power.

"You think that would stop me?" he rasped, his voice hoarse but resolute. His orange saber ignited anew, its glow cutting through the dust-filled air. He steadied himself, his footing uneven but determined, and began to advance.

"You've thrown the storm at me, Nyxira," he continued, each step heavy with purpose. "But I am still here. Your shadows, your fury—they batter me, but they cannot break me."

The flames around him flickered weakly, responding to his fractured focus, but they remained, a testament to his unyielding resolve. He raised his saber, its orange light casting his battered form in a fiery glow.

"You wanted to test me," Kaen growled, his voice carrying through the tomb. "So keep testing. I'll keep standing."

Though pain coursed through his body and his strength waned, Kaen pressed forward, his fire smoldering but defiant. Even as the storm's aftermath echoed through the chamber, he stood tall, ready to meet whatever came next.

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira watched Kaen rise from the wreckage of her unleashed fury, his battered form illuminated by the dim glow of his orange saber. Blood stained his temple, his armor bore the scars of their battle, and yet he stood, defiance burning in his eyes. The remnants of the storm crackled around her, arcs of crimson lightning skittering across the fractured tomb walls as the oppressive weight of the Dark Side settled like a shroud.

Her violet gaze narrowed, a flicker of something unspoken — approval, perhaps — passing through her expression as Kaen's voice carried through the dust-filled air. His words were bold, unyielding, and his advance, though labored, spoke of determination that refused to die.

"You are relentless," Nyxira said, her tone low and resonant as she watched him approach. "And perhaps, that is what sets you apart."

She allowed him to close the distance, her crimson blade extinguished but still held loosely in her hand. The storm's energy surged around her, the crackling air a testament to the power she still commanded. But she made no move to attack, no further test of his resilience. Instead, as Kaen took another step, she raised her hand, palm outstretched, and summoned a barrier of shimmering Force energy between them.

The barrier flared to life with a resonant hum, its translucent surface rippling like the surface of a disturbed pond. Kaen's advance halted as the invisible wall held him at bay, a silent but unmistakable declaration of control. Nyxira's gaze burned into his, her voice cutting through the charged air with a finality that left no room for argument.

"Enough."

The storm above began to wane, the thunder rolling into a distant murmur as she lowered her hand slightly, her barrier shimmering but holding firm. The strain in her body and pool of energy visible. "You have proven your point, Kaen. You have tasted my power and stood against it. Few can claim as much."

She stepped closer, the barrier a mere whisper between them as her violet eyes locked onto his with piercing intensity. "I have seen your fire, your resolve. You are no mere pretender, no shadow of greatness waiting to be snuffed out. But tell me, Kaen..." Her voice dropped lower, carrying the weight of her challenge.

"Are you satisfied?"

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Kaen stood before the shimmering barrier, his orange saber still ignited but lowered, its glow casting flickering shadows across his battered form. Blood trickled down his temple, and the ache of his injuries radiated with every breath, but his eyes never left Nyxira's. Despite the toll of their clash, his fire still burned, though tempered now by something deeper: respect.

As her challenge hung in the air, he deactivated his saber with a sharp hiss and let his arm fall to his side. The dim light of the tomb painted him in shades of crimson and orange, his defiance still present but softened by the understanding that this battle had reached its conclusion. He straightened, ignoring the protests of his battered body, and met her gaze with unwavering resolve.

"I am satisfied," he said, his voice steady despite its hoarse edge. "You've shown me the strength of your storm, Nyxira. You've tested my fire and proven you're not just another hollow wielder of power."

He stepped closer to the barrier, his movements slow but deliberate, the faint shimmer of the Force energy between them a symbolic line that he did not attempt to cross. "You command more than fury. You have purpose, control. And that is something worth following."

The flicker of approval in her gaze had not gone unnoticed, and Kaen allowed a faint smirk to touch his lips, though it lacked mockery or malice. Instead, it was a reflection of the respect he had come to feel during their duel. He raised his chin slightly, his tone calm but resolute.

"For now, I will follow where you lead. You've earned that much."

Kaen glanced briefly at the fractured walls of the tomb, the remnants of their power etched into the very stone, before his eyes returned to hers. "But know this, Nyxira," he added, his voice carrying a quiet but unmistakable edge. "Fire is not content to follow forever. If your path falters, if I find your storm is more destruction than purpose, my fire will consume it."

He extended his hand toward the barrier, palm open in a gesture of both truce and acknowledgment. "Lead, Nyxira. I'll walk this path with you, for now. Let's see if your storm truly has the power to shape the galaxy—or if it will burn out in the face of the inferno."

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's gaze remained locked onto Kaen as he extended his hand toward the shimmering barrier. The faint smile that curved her lips was sharp, edged with satisfaction and amusement. His words carried both respect and warning, a balance of submission and defiance that intrigued her far more than blind allegiance ever could.

"You speak wisely, Kaen," she said, her voice low but resonant, her tone holding an almost seductive quality.

With a flick of her wrist, the shimmering barrier dissolved, fading into the air like mist burned away by the sun. She stepped closer to him, her presence still commanding, the weight of her power palpable even in this moment of truce. Her violet eyes gleamed with unhidden approval, the storm around her now subdued but still roiling in the distance.

"You've earned your place, Kaen," Nyxira continued, her voice carrying a note of finality. "Few would stand before me as you have, and fewer still would survive it. Your fire burns brightly, and it has not gone unnoticed." A fire that could not be tamed forever, but she had no desire to do so.

A fire should be allowed to ravage on its own.

She extended her hand toward his, her grip firm and deliberate as she clasped his in a gesture of acknowledgment. For a moment, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by the crackling undercurrent of a newfound partnership — one forged in battle and tempered by mutual respect.

"But heed this," she said, her tone softening but losing none of its edge. "The path I walk is not one of reckless destruction. My storm does not burn itself out in chaos — it reshapes, rebuilds, and bends the galaxy to its will. If your fire seeks to consume me, Kaen, you may find that storms do not die so easily."

Releasing his hand, Nyxira stepped back, her cloak billowing slightly as she turned her gaze toward the shattered walls of the tomb. The air was thick with the remnants of their duel, the scars of their power etched into the stone as a testament to the storm and flame that had clashed here.

"Though if I were to ever become the very thing we're fighting now, I expect you to kill me." She paysed, then turned away with a softer smile. "Come," she said, her voice regaining its commanding timbre. "We have a few secrets to uncover before we leave this tomb behind."

Kaen Alaron ​

 

[Kaen Alaron]

Location: Korriban
Tags: Nyxira Valis

Kaen stood still for a moment, his gaze following the dissolution of the shimmering barrier that had separated them. The air between him and Nyxira seemed charged, not with hostility but with the unspoken understanding forged in the crucible of their duel. His orange saber extinguished with a soft hiss, leaving the dim glow of the tomb's fractured walls to light their way.

When she clasped his hand, her grip firm and deliberate, Kaen returned it with equal strength. It wasn't just an acknowledgment of mutual respect; it was an unspoken agreement that they would walk this path together, for now. He didn't speak immediately, instead allowing her words to settle, the weight of her presence palpable even in this moment of calm.

"You've shown me your strength," he said at last, his voice steady and low. "And your vision. If the storm you wield truly reshapes and rebuilds, then it's a storm worth following."

Kaen released her hand as she stepped back, his eyes following her as she turned toward the tomb's jagged walls. He didn't flinch at her expectation of him should she falter, nor did he offer any quip or challenge. Instead, he nodded, his expression firm and resolute.

"Then let's ensure that day never comes, at least until I am healed." he said simply.

As she commanded him to follow, Kaen fell into step behind her without hesitation. The ache of his injuries lingered, a sharp reminder of their battle, but he pushed it aside. The deeper shadows of the tomb seemed to beckon, their secrets waiting to be uncovered. Kaen felt a renewed sense of purpose—not just to see what lay ahead but to test the strength of their alliance against whatever awaited them.

The storm and the fire moved forward as one, deeper into the ancient tomb, their path lit by the remnants of their shared power.