The Secret of the Ruined City

[Nimue Stormson]

When she’d asked about being impressed Nimue looked back to [member="Darth Arcanix"] and gave a little huff and smirk. She had to admit she was more powerful than anyone she’d seen before. That sort of power was the type of thing she hoped to one day possess herself. It would mean all would respect and fear her as a true Empress, while being able to protect those she cared for. A mistake of the past she didn’t want to happen again.​

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Following as always the Empress came into the room where she too began to look around at the ruins and old spell circles. They were carved into the floor, explaining how they’d not faded or been destroyed by the great disaster that had started here.​

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Hearing her speak of the intentions of the Sect before asking about them Nimue answered “Yes. Apparently my lineage is related to one of the members. It would explain my own abilities that have followed through the generations.” After that she followed up with “The Sect of Skyborn called themselves that because they believed they were born of the gods. They thought to use their power to, as you’ve said, control the world as it was their right. Obviously that didn’t work.”​

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The Empress looked around more, trying to see if this nexus was here, before Arcanix had spoken of it being dormant. “How do we awaken it?” she asked. “Don’t tell me we need to destroy another city just to do it.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"How interesting," Taeli mumbled as the Empress explained where they gained their name and their hubris. Certainly sounded like descendant of the Sith, which wouldn't be surprising in a way, but whatever they had retained when they arrived here at first had been twisted and warped over the ages to culminate in this ruined rituals.

When asked if they would need to kill another city to awaken the nexus, Taeli started laughing. That would be an extreme solution even for a Sith, well maybe not certain Sith she had met, but it would be for her.

"Nothing so drastic as killing an entire city of your people," she said, stifling her laughter. "The power from that incident is already here, we just need a catalyst to awaken it, and luckily we have plenty of those readily at hand. I suspect you won't mind too much if I deal with the pest problem that is residing within these ruins will you?"

Not waiting for an answer, as she could already guess what it would be, Taeli began reaching out to every Dwergi lifeform within the ruins, drawing on her concentration amulet to boost her senses and power to dominate the will of every single Dwergi, even the children and summon to this spire. It might be daylight outside, but they would heed her call as they didn't have a choice. She estimated that there were at least tens of thousand Dwergi within the city ruins, and she would need all of them for this. Every last male, female, and child.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

At least the idea of destroying a city was not needed. Nimue was glad of that. However given what [member="Darth Arcanix"] had recommended instead the Empress needed only a moment before fully realizing what she was talking about. She smirked before watching as the Stih Lady had seemed to draw from some great inner power.​

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The sound of something outside had caught her attention. Looking through a cracked window Nimue was surprised by the sight. Dwergi. All of them. They were walking in daylight as if in a trance. None of them flinched or tried to hide their eyes from the light. All were under the Sith’s control. The males had dropped their weapons while the females, still carrying dwergi spawn, had all come flocking to the spire.​

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Looking back Nimue was in awe of the Sith’s power. She could do all of this on her own, and yet there were other Sith, some stronger than her, out there in the galaxy. To stand among them would be, as the Empress thought of it, like standing among a pantheon. ​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"This is gonna require a ton of power," Taeli said, continuing to pull the Dwergi closer and closer to the spire, some of them moving into the chamber itself.

As more Dwergi filtered into the spire and milled around it, Taeli pulled out a small knife, a container, and brush kit. Taking the knife, she cut a long slice across her palm and allowed the blood to drip into the container. This ritual would require blood runes, on top of the sacrifice of life she was planning to happen simultaneously.

"I hope you aren't squeamish about mass death on this scale," Taeli said, making sure the container was completely full before placing a bacta patch over her hand and dipping a brush into the blood. As she slowly started to paint over the runes that were already on the floor, making sure not to make the mistakes the ancients had, she continued saying, "Such things are rather . . . unseemly, I know. If you can though, make sure the Dwergi do not get close to these runes. If they smudge, we both will die when the spell is released."

Even as she spoke, she was pouring dark side energies, from both herself and the wisps coming from the dormant nexus into the runes. They were slowly starting to glow with a black and purple energy as she continued creating the circle.

It was almost like Sith alchemy, and Taeli had to admit, she wasn't sure exactly if this would work completely. She was doing something she only read passing comments about, nothing she had performed herself, but Nimue didn't need to know that.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Talk of great power had caught Nimue’s attention. Seeing as the dwergi began to come into the chamber while [member="Darth Arcanix"] began the spell the Empress realized how great this was about to be. However given the warning about both a grand scale death of the dwergi while needing to keep them off the ruins had made Nimue realize she had something of great importance do to.​

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“With these creatures, death is all they’re good for.” She said before seeing as some of the entranced dwergi began to come closer.​

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Using her scepter up as defense she pushed forward, trying to move them back. It began to work a little but the combined power of the dwergi, even if they were under hypnosis, was starting to pile up. With a great push she managed to make a few stumble before dropping the scepter. It was only a little ways close to the ruins but Nimue didn’t see it. Instead she began to use the force, holding on hand up and pushing the beasts back. As they still tried to move she used both hands, the nearby area rumbling a little as the dwergi still persisted.​

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Looking back to the Sith she said “Whatever has to happen, it had better happen now!”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

Taeli had just finished the last blood rune when the Empress made her comment and she realized just how close the Dwergi were. No time like the present then. The runes were charged with the dark side, awaiting a sacrifice and Taeli was fully prepared to offer them that price to unlock the power within the city.

"Excita, o potestas tenebrarum. Expergiscere longo somno, uti pabulum illarum animarum que venture. Excita, o potestas tenebrarum. Ducite ab eaque potential, potential ex mille mortibus, satis potential saevire!"

As she chanted the spell, she began tying the connection she had to the Dwergi to the circle of runes that were starting to pulse. Her chanting only rose in volume, her concentration amulet bolstering her spell and power to perform the ritual. As she was yelling the words, she raised her hand above her head, the power of the dark side was now tangible in the room. The nexus was straining against its slumber, it could sense the offering now. The life forces that would fuel its revival.

"Hanc igitur oblationem vitae paenitentia est!" she screamed, clapping her hands together loudly, the echoes reverberating around the chamber. All at once, the Dwergi raised a clawed hand to their throat or their offspring's and tore them out voluntarily. Blood filled the air as death rolled across the chamber, and as their connection to Taeli had been tied to the spell, their life forces only went one place.

Silence filled the room for a heartbeat, then another, and then. . .

Taeli and the Empress were thrown back as the nexus exploded into life, the dark side energies raging free now, manifestations of the dark side started popping into existence as the death of tens of thousands at the same time were absorbed by the nexus, empowering it and allowing the whirling maelstrom to manifest eddies of its power.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

The loud chanting coming from [member="Darth Arcanix"] began to strain on Nimue’s ears. She was still doing what she could to hold the dwergi back as she could hear the Sith growing louder and louder in volume. It only made it harder to concentrate before finally, as she clapped her hands as part of the spell, the empress stumbled back and dropped the force push. However, as she realized, it was already done. The dwergi were killing themselves left and right. Tearing out their own throats and those of the young.​

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Truning away Nimue watched as all the blood ran into the spell created by the Sith. She watched as her eyes almost strained at the sight of all the darkside energy flowing through from the Sith lady into one spot. And then, in one feint heartbeat, the grand explosion had knocked Nimue off her feet and out of the chamber. She fell back, skidding against the ground for a moment, before realizing what must have happened.​

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Looking up from where she landed she could see the nexus growing like a miniature storm inside the spire. It was breathtaking. She could barely comprehend what she was seeing. Even as she stood among the dead remains of the dwergi tribe she only focused on what the Sith Lady had created: raw power.​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

Taeli blinked several times, exhaustion spreading through her limbs and making them shake. Struggling to a sitting position from where she had landed, she was panting as she gazed at the nexus roaring into life. It was a beautiful and thrilling expression of the dark side, of pure raw power, untainted by the light.

"Well that took a lot out of a girl," she said, her voice very hushed and hoarse from the yelling she had done during the spell, she would be feeling the aftereffects of this for quite some time. Chuckling slightly, she allowed herself to fall back onto the ground, some of the Dwergi blood still dripping past her and she could feel her back was wet with the blood too. Well, at least it wasn't hers.

"The sorcerers did their work well, if poorly if this is the result of what they accidentally created," she continued saying from the floor, trying to catch her breath. She started to draw upon the nexus a bit to rejuvenate her limbs for a time, she would need actual rest from this but it would do for now. "I just simply added some more power and awoke what was already there. I trust your Majesty is pleased with the result?"

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Upon entering and finding her Empress Nimue hurried over to [member="Darth Arcanix"] and held her up, trying to support her back and head as she continued to look at the nexus. Given what she’d said Nimue nodded at the Sith’s words before saying “Yes…very…” she tried helping her up more before adding “Now that we have this…nexus, what do we do with it?”​

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As she thought on it she looked to where her scepter hand landed, so close to the nexus. She reached out with the force to have it come to her but the thing had sparked for a moment, as if the contact with the force had made something react. Nimue jerked her hand away for a moment before giving an odd look to Arcanix, wondering what that meant.​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

Noticing the spark, Taeli groaned as she sat up more. Yep, she would definitely be feeling that for quite some time. Also noticing the Empress's perplexed look on why her scepter had sparked, she figured an answer should be forthcoming.

"Sometimes, when an object is exposed to a nexus for a period of time, it will gain certain traits," she explained, rubbing her throat where it hurt from all the yelling. "I would guess that because your scepter was near the epicenter of the nexus being awakened, it gained some traits already. I would hazard a guess it will never lose its edge now and can absorb some types of energies, such as my Force Lightning or a Jedi' counterpart, Electric Judgment."

Taeli started thinking though of another scepter though, one from legend that had unfortunately been destroyed centuries ago during the Disciples of Ragnos's first foray into trying to revive the long-dead lord of their namesake.

"Watch," she said, raising her hand, which was still shaking, and she unleashed a small bolt of lightning at the scepter. The scepter absorbed it greedily, looking none the worse for wear.

"There were once specters that could drain a nexus such as this, embody their power within it to be sent into other beings to make them sensitive to the Force, or be used as energy blasts in combat," she further explained. "Sadly, that scepter was destroyed centuries ago by the Jedi."

 

[Nimue Stormson]

At first the Empress found it hard to believe that her scepter had now become some sort of super-weapon thanks to exposure to the nexus’ creation. Looking at it for herself she wondered if it had just suffered some sort of side effect from the raw darkside powers that had been reawakened.​

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When [member="Darth Arcanix"] explained the history of one such weapon Nimue’s interests perked. And then, after seeing the demonstration with the force lighting, she was convinced. She gasped when the lighting was taken in, now stored within the jewel that decorated the center of the scepter itself. Hearing the Sith talk of something like it Nimue began to wonder if this had been the same case.​

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“You’re saying my scepter…is now a weapon against the force?” her eyes almost lit up at the fact. She tried reaching for it again but it sparked, making her jump away before saying “I think it’s a little….unstable. Is there anything you can do?”​

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(Trying to set up for another dev thread where you can work on the scepter lol) ​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"There might indeed be something I can do," Taeli said, examining the scepter closely. The jewel seemed to be key here and she knew that crystals could store vast amounts of power and energy, so perhaps. . .

"It will need to wait though, I'm a bit tired and need to rest before attempting using alchemy on the scepter," she continued, looking at the nexus. "We did something great here, the raw power of the dark side of the Force has awoken here." She started thinking that perhaps establishing herself and a small cadre of loyal minions within the ruins might be needed in the future, but that could be taken care of later.

"So what do I get for that display?' she asked, a small flirtatious smile on her face as she slowly stood up, swaying slightly on her feet. Using the Force minimally, she picked up the scepter with it and allowed it to float to the Empress's side. "I could go for some shuteye on my shuttle since it seems I've got another project to handle before leaving Effekt."

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Understanding her need to rest Nimue nodded, seeing as the scepter could potential become one of her main weapons in the future. No longer just a symbol of power, the scepter could be turned into a tool for one as well. Something that would need time it seemed.​

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Still cradling her the Empress helped [member="Darth Arcanix"] to her feet before slinging her arm over her shoulders. She made sure the Sith still had hold of the scepter before helping her to walk back to the shuttle. Surprisingly the Empress demonstrated more physical strength that what she’d seemed. Not as meek or power dependent as some had tended to think of her. ​

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As she walked and heard the Sith ask what she’d get in return, mentioning needing to rest on the shuttle, the Empress smirked before saying “In think you repayment will be there too.” Suddenly she hoisted her up in her arms, another demonstration of her unseen strength, before holding her like a bride being brought over the threshold. “This’ll make things faster.” She commented as she carried her. Sensing her question of how she managed this strength Nimue answered “My husband had me drink some of the toughest brewed ale in all the kingdoms. That and a little side training he gave me when we had nothing better to do was a big help.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"How very interesting," Taeli said, as she allowed her head to fall back. She was exhausted, she could feel that but it was good exhaustion, caused by hard work and creating some amazing. She wished her apprentice had been present, but Sophie had been bust doing other things as she was a Sith Knight herself.

She could still feel the nexus, even as they neared her shuttle. Its power was completely awoken, and those in the area that could feel the Force would sense it now. the Dwergi would fear this place as many had died here, all in all, a good way to spend a morning she thought.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Upon bringing her back into the shuttle Nimue helped her find a seat before helping to direct the floating scepter into a container. Once it was secure inside she sealed it, obviously knowing it would need to go with [member="Darth Arcanix"] for further study. Hopefully when it was returned it would be a more manageable weapon.​

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Before she could ask Nimue said “Don’t worry about the scepter. I have a few false ones back in the palace. Helps when you have thieves who’ve tried to claim it a few times.” After that she kneeled down, holding the Sith’s face before saying “Now let me thank you more properly.”​

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She leaned forward and kissed her again, being gentle since the Sith was still wounded. The empress wasn’t much for thinking about anything but carnal pleasure as a reward. After an event like this she was too ecstatic about the possibility of power to control from the scepter. Her built up emotions were getting the better of her as she continued to kiss Arcanix, possibly insisting more if she could get it out of her.​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

Yet again, Taeli found herself kissing the Empress again, and once again she could feel the powerful emotions dancing within her and Nimue. Responding to the kiss, she deepened it and pulled the Empress closer to her into an embrace, that quickly ended up with Taeli on top of the Empress as they fell to the floor in each others' arms.

At least when she finally did drift off to sleep, it would be after another rousing time with her female lover, a time that would show just how much the Empress appreciated her and she the Empress. It had definitely been an interesting two days, she thought, even as she began to lose all thoughts beyond getting the Empress writhing beneath her.