The next chapter in the history of the galaxy…

[Darth Timoris]

The Sisterhood lacked a planet to call home. They had an orbiting space station – but that was a base of operations, never a home.

Given Melori had no interest in Corellia when she lived there, she shed no tears at its demise – but as she hopped from planet to planet she found a lack of a place to ‘return’ to odd. She lived out of ships as a rule now and felt something of a vagrant. So she was on Coruscant, as close to a home as she had, given she’d boarded her as an Apprentice to her eldest sister – before Taeli fled for the Jedi of course.
Since then she’d chosen not to return to her apartment but practicality said she had to vacate her lodgings, so she’d collected what she wanted and left the remainder in a nearby corridor – people around her tended to hoard anything – and then headed to the old Jedi Temple to do some research.

It was a magnet for Sith and Dark Jedi the galaxy over. Why she felt compelled to travel there, she had no idea. But she did, wandering around the archives, looking for anything that caught her fancy, before grabbing a datacron on Dun Möch and grabbing a seat at a desk with a magnificent view of the library. She placed her black cloak over the back of her chair and sat there in her simple black robes, her blonde hair tied back in a pony-tail for a change.

And she mused that her only Acolyte had failed her. She’d been sent on a mission and never returned. Melori cared little at the outcome – but was frustrated at the time invested that had gone to waste. Those that were worthy lived. And the others? They deserved what they got.

So she reflected that she’d chosen poorly and would not make the same mistake again. Her next Acolyte would be tested. She already knew how Sidious had pushed Maul and decided similar trials would be necessary. And despite his perceived cruelty, Sidious was an accomplished Master – his charges tended to rise to infamy, if not greatness.

So she scanned the crowd, her baby blue eyes dancing from person to person, wondering if the next hopeful to walk past could be her new Apprentice. And her eyes fell upon a young woman wearing a black cloak with black boots and noticeably red laces. She was clearly Chiss and was probably about the same age as Melori. But there was something about her that set her apart from the others.

As she walked by, Melori pushed a chair away from the table using the Force, so as to make her intentions clear. She expected the young woman to sit. One Apprentice would not be enough, but one would be a start…

[member="Zaria"]

 

[Zaria]

Coruscant was different than she imagined. A planet that was covered from head to toe in one massive city should have been something more in her opinion. Of course when the Sith had razed much of the planet and turned sections of Galactic City into a cesspool of it's former self it was no surprise that desperation was everywhere. She had no educated opinion of the Sith. She embraced the idea of walking through the galaxy as a Dark Jedi and left the other Dark Siders alone. There were some issues between Sith and Dark Jedi but that was all politics. She hated politics. Zaria treated others based on how they treated her. It was a simple formula for her survival but it worked for her. Sith, Dark Jedi, Jedi, or whatever namesake they clung to mattered not to her. ​

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So after spending time doing her own thing she had decided to join up with this Sisterhood. This Covenant of the Black Rose. It was also time for her to advance herself both in the Force and lightsaber knowledge. Much of what she knew was directed by the teachings of her 'Father' and from her own survival instincts. What Zaria needed was a proper Master. But before she could seek one out, she needed to complete her mission for the Sisterhood. It wasn't a test of loyalty or skill just a routine package drop. Complete the mission and return to the space station when she could.​

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The mission was successful. The contact had thanked her and transferred the agreed funds into an account Zaria had provided him with at the request of the Sisterhood's High Council. With more free time than the Chiss could fathom she decided to pay a visit to the library here on Coruscant. The choice to do so seemed odd to her because a library was the last place she ever thought to find herself in. ​

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The library was filled with patrons of every race and species. Patrons were either lost in a book, a holonet terminal, in deep conversations, or simply browsing the library. Zaria was unsure what to do. So she began to browse the library herself. Her eyes were directed elsewhere and nearly ran into a chair that was magically pushed out toward her. Zaria looked at the chair and the girl sitting at the table. Clearly the girl wanted her to sit.​

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Zaria obliged the blonde hair woman and took a seat never taking her eyes of the girl. "Well?"​

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[member="Darth Timoris"]​

 

[Darth Timoris]

If the Chiss looked out of place here, Melori didn’t care. When young she hated the library on Corellia – and saw it not as a necessary evil…but just evil. She gained nothing from it

But her eldest sister had instilled a degree of interest in learning in her. Not mindless study, like her two remaining siblings. They read because there were datacrons. That seemed to be their driver. Melori studied when she had to and when it benefited her. And had learned much – somewhat to her surprise.

But she could not be considered a book-worm by any stretch of the imagination. She was an action-oriented learner – her efforts to learn the Sith language a prime example. No manner of datacron or flimsi had ever managed to press the knowledge into her brain.

But that was academic (no pun intended). She was here now and had a task in hand.

Melori didn’t smile. She was more of a ‘get straight to the facts’ kind of girl. If anyone wanted a social chat, they were looking at the wrong person. “The well is that you look lost. Not here as such,” Melori waved a hand to illustrate the library, “Although you don’t strike me as someone who spends a lot of time here. No…I meant in need of direction.”

Melori shrugged. “Just a thought, no more. If you have a Master and if they’re as good as me, then I won’t detain you.” Melori had watched the young woman walk through the crowds. She carried herself like a fighter. Someone used to duelling – as opposed to those that focused on the mental side of the Force. The sorcerers.

“My relationship with my Acolytes is complex. I would rule you. I would order you and direct you. Yet we are equals and though you would be my Apprentice I will share with you my power. As I have grown, so will you. You will stand by my side, but slightly behind, in my shadow.”

“And you must be content there. You still have much to learn. You must be taught to see weakness and exploit it. Sense anger and inflame it.”

Melori stared the Chiss in the eyes. “In fact, regardless of any Master that may lay claim to you, you have just traded up. You are a duellist – I know this. I can teach you more than you could imagine. And one day you will no longer be at my side. You will stand alone – and the process will begin anew with you taking an Apprentice.”

This was no rousing recruitment speech. Melori’s voice was calm. Dispassionate. Her words simply the truth as she saw it. It did not occur to her that she would be turned down. “Now it’s my turn…” Finally a small curl appeared in the corner of her mouth.

“Well?”

[member="Zaria"]

 

[Zaria]

The blonde haired girl was correct. She needed direction. She needed to understand more than what her 'Father' had instructed her on back on Yavin. Zaria was lost. She was unprepared to handle the responsibilities that came with being a Force wielder. She had much to learn. Much growing up to do and what she was hearing from the girl across from her. It made sense to pledge herself to this girl's teachings.​

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"I have no Master." Zaria remained quiet out of respect to allow the girl to continue. When the time had come to make a choice. A choice she knew that would change her life forever. She thought long and hard on her answer. The girl had mentioned a trade up if she did have a Master. Zaria took that to mean the girl was powerful and extremely confident in her own abilities. Even more confident in her teaching skills.​

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Zaria looked around the library watching people moving through their daily lives. Routines. She wondered how many of them were happy? How many were just content with their standing in the galaxy? How many actually thought a change in their life was needed when they laid down at night to sleep and reflected on it? How many had been offered a chance to toss aside their old life and work toward creating a new one?​

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Even as she was thinking these question she was already answering them based off how she felt.​

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"I accept."​

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[member="Darth Timoris"]​

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[Darth Timoris]

Melori didn't nod or smile or even reflect outwardly on the acceptance. In her arrogant mind, she had expected it. But arrogance begats a drive for perfection and the young Chiss would be worked hard and tirelessly. And in the end would become the best she could be. Better than she expected or even knew she was capable of. She might even eclipse Melori. But that would be to the Sisterhood's gain.

Melori would be a hard task-master but the rewards would be worth it.

She sat in silence for a few seconds before unleashing a barrage of questions. "So, tell me, are you Sith? And what do you already know? And what do you want to learn. No not want...desire. What would you give ten years off your life expectancy for me to teach you?"

Her irises flashed yellow as she finished speaking. Finally she was being passionate. Learning was pointless and dull unless you really wanted it. She wanted to know what drove the woman in front of her. She needed to know.

[member="Zaria"]

 

[Zaria]

Zaria leaned back in her chair letting her mind come up with the proper responses to the questions. She didn't want to blurt out answers making her appear to be over eager in front of her Master. "I've been called Sith before. I am no Sith. I uphold the tenants of the Dark Side which makes me a Dark Jedi. I suppose." The first time she heard the term Dark Jedi was when her late 'Father' mention it. At the time she didn't understand the difference between Sith and Dark Jedi. She still didn't. Zaria did know she wasn't Sith.​

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"The basics. I know the basics. My most cherished ability is Force Flash. I know enough of lightsaber combat to survive," Zaria explained. With the absence of a teacher she was weak in her mind. She knew compared to most Force wielders she was still an infant. "I know Ataru. My Father taught it to me. He also taught me Trakata and Jar'kai. All of this is still a learning experience to me."​

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Zaria was quiet. The last parts of the question was difficult to answer. What did she want to know? Desire her Master called it. Before now Zaria really never gave it much attention. She had seen others perform feats that awed her. Scared her. Opened her eyes to possibilities. So what did she desire? "Power," the word came exploding out of her mouth. "I desire power! I desire to institute fear in those that stand against me. I desire to be a champion of the Dark Side!"​

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Zaria could not believe the words had poured so neatly from her lips. It might not be the answer her Master was waiting for but it was the answer her Master would receive. "Ten years is not enough. I pledge the remaining of my existence to you, Master." Did she really just say that? She meant it. "I am clay. You are the artist. Mold me into a priceless work of art."​

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[member="Darth Timoris"]​

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori listened intently. At the words spoken and the ones left unsaid. She read the Chiss’ facial expressions – what were her real passions and when was she saying what she thought Melori wanted to hear?

Dark Jedi or Sith? Once upon a time it might have mattered to Melori. Jedi mattered. Jedi of the Republic Order mattered…but Sith or Dark Jedi? The Sisterhood needed capable warriors. The learning would be the same, so the blonde discarded the notion of difference as immaterial.

She wrinkled her nose at the concept of survival – Melori wore her heart on her sleeve and could not suppress the involuntary response.

“The fourth Form is good, and the use of two blades good, but I’d recommend a second Form. Circumstances don’t always fall the way you want and against say a Soresu user, you need an option.”

But it was the remainder of her thoughts that really caught the Sith Knight’s attention. And she was equally animated.

“Power I can grant you. I shall make you a storm. Death itself. A storm to wash away the old and complacent. To rid the galaxy of the weak. To command obedience and even loyalty from those who are worthy.”

"In time you will come to understand that you are one with the Dark-side of the Force, and that your power is beyond contradiction. But until I tell you differently, your obedience to me is your overriding thought. Through me you will gain strength and it is with that might that you will obtain the power you seek."

“You pledge a lifetime but I request you spend your time wisely. Waiting time is training time. Every minute of your life must be devoted to learning as well as hard physical training. Keep yourself in a constant state of readiness. When you meet the Jedi in combat, you will be at the peak of your power.”

“Every training exercise will have value, even the most basic ones. Training drives out fear. Be prepared to lose your life at any time. If not, you are not committed. And if you are not committed you will fail. When I am finished with you, your body will be as strong as durasteel and as fluid as water. Your lightsaber will no longer be a separate weapon, but part of your arm.”

Melori finally broke her stare. “I have been summoned to visit my Master. We are looking to secure a planet. I must rendezvous with the attack ship. All you have to do is find me there. Consider it your first test.”

And with that Melori rose to leave. “I care little if you fail me now. If you do, you were not worthy of being my Apprentice. Training will commence once you have proven yourself.”

Not that she expected a failure, not from this one.

[member="Zaria"]

 

[Zaria]

"Yes, Master." Zaria thought on the words as she watched her leave the library section they currently were visiting. She needed to train more now than she had ever done in the previous days prior to finding a Master. The thought of how weak she was crept into her mind. With a clenching of her jaw she expunged the thought away. She wasn't weak. She was just poorly trained at both the hands of her dead 'Father' and herself. Self-training will commence now. Perfect training with Master coming shortly.​

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Zaria entered the seedier areas of Courscant's Underworld. The city that lived under the shadow of the shining jewel that was or is called Galactic City would prove worthy enough for the Chiss. A small detour of training first then she would seek out her Master on the attack ship. It didn't take long for her to find a training partner. Rather three training partners. Thugs. Criminals. Perfect targets.​

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Six eyes stared at the female Chiss as she was drawing closer and closer to them. One of them opened his mouth to speak and was shoved backwards into a set of trash receptacles by unseen forces. "Nothing personal boys," she told them whilst retrieving her hilt from her side. "My Master told me I need to spend my free time wisely. So here I am spending it wisely." With a push on the activation button on her hilt a amber blade appeared on the left side of the hilt followed by one of the same colour on the right.​

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"Wait! We are unarmed," a voice from one cut through the air. Zaria continued walking toward them shaking her head saying, "This is Underworld, liar. Everyone is armed." Zaria lunged the left blade forward piercing clothes and flesh of the closest baddie to her. A brief glance to her right she caught one of the 'unarmed' thugs reaching for his hidden hold-out blaster. Gripping the hilt of the double-bladed weapon she swung the right blade up severing armed hand from body. One baddie dropped dead. One howled in pain. One attempt to scramble to his feet with visions of escaping.​

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A nudge from unseen forces and the scrambler went down amidst the trash a second time. "Mercy! Please I beg you," the one handed liar spoke out. Zaria granted him mercy by way of killing him fast. The last sat on the ground and began to cry. "Tears! Cute." She walked down the alley leaving the three dead bodies behind. Her training exercise did not go as she planned. Though it was a start. Now to find her Master and complete her first lesson.​

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[member="Darth Timoris"]​