Private The Sweet Sting of Music

[Adron Malvern]

N A B O O

"The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider unnatural." - Darth Sidious
​

Naboo. It was a world that had bore witness to more than a few of the galaxy's most traumatic events. Few planets hold apt descriptions of the history of the galaxy, however in the schools and theater's of Naboo there are stunningly accurate details about the past and what it held. From the fall of the Old Republic, to the Dominion of the One Sith, through the Gulag plague, and far more. The Naboo had kept an eye on it all. Is it a wonder the planet had a knack for drawing attention to itself? It had been years since Adron had physically come to the world. Years since he found a small boy with a knack for the Force and a certain disregard for life.

As the Sith Lord, Darth Malphas, Adron had visited the boy many times in his youth to plant certain seeds. Oh, certainly the Force was strong with the boy but the Dark Side took special cultivation to achieve true worth. The boy's anger against his parents and their need to drown him in the monotony of the arts had been a perfect centerfold. He'd been abused, physically and mentally, was it any wonder he was so open to Malphas? So prepared to receive his teachings?

No. There was no wonder at all.

The Library on Naboo was a beautiful wonder. Not just data chronicles but actual leather bound books were kept in the massive teal shelves that stretched from floor to the ceiling a few floors above.

Malphas was no demon. He was not some beast malformed by the Dark Side to where flesh fell from bone and blood dripped in place of tears. Malphas was young and handsome. He had raven black strands of hair that were neatly trimmed and combed back over his head. His eyes were a brilliant shade of blue that could make the clearest waters on the planet green with envy. His body was not devoid of color either, his skin had the hot touches of a slight tan. He did not wear his Sith Armor. No, a fine silk suit would do for the occasion. it was made of a fine material, ebony with wine blue accents. It was his natural state after all. He was not only a Sith Lord but a King of the world Illyria. It would be unbecoming for him to travel in his Sith attire at all times.

His hands brushed over the spines of several books as if searching for a certain tome, yet his eyes were far from the shelves. No, they were resting on a young man who had just entered the library. The boy had ice blue eyes that were comparable to Malphas' own, yet in the young man's eyes their was naivety where Malphas long ago gained wisdom.

"Adam." He called out in greeting. His tone was considerate, yet there was a harshness behind it, an expectancy that would never fade.

Adam's final task to truly begin his training with the Sith Lord had been given to him days ago. So the question now would be was he ready to commit himself to the Order of Sith Lords? Commit himself to a new path entirely. "Is it done?" He asked.

No sooner than he'd ask did he chuckle a bit, realizing it wasn't as simple as that. So, he thought he'd clarify it. "Did you kill your parents, boy?" He asked with a curious gaze.

Adam Roywood

​

 

[Adam Roywood]

Location: Library of Naboo
Wearing: Suit
Tags: Adron Malvern

A transporter just landed on a free space in one of the Buildings near Naboo's main city. Adam who couldn't wait to tell his master, his success of his mission, got out of the transporter and walked right to the city. He knew already, where to meet his master and quickly found his way to the library of Naboo. He knew the way very good since the library was the one place, he could always escape to. The library was always quiet. That's what Adam liked the most about it. Not hearing anything. Being away from the Notes and punches that followed him with every step until now. Now everything changed. He was free, or was he? He still didn't know what it meant to be a Sith. Would it be some different kind of prison?

The main doors opened themselves almost automatically to the fullest, when Adam laid his hand at the huge gates, that separated the library from the outside of the world. Gates that would open a path to knowledge. Filled with history, books of different languages, and many more. Everything one could imagine would probably be here, waiting to be picked up. Adam was waiting for the gates to be opened fully, then he entered the main hall. There were only a few people in here. It wasn't crowded as it used to be.

And there he was. Adron Malvern already looked at him. Adam quickly picked up a shuura fruit, which was in a bowl on a table. He loved the shuura fruit. Quickly his eyes turned again to his master, as he picked up the sweet fruit. He walked up to his master and threw the fruit a few times into the air, just to catch it again.

"Master" he replied and bowed shortly in front of him, to show him his utmost respect for the Sith Lord. He knew, that Adron was full of wisdom and strength. After all, it was him, telling Adam about the force. Telling him he could finally escape out of this hell, he was trapped in. Because of him, Adam finally felt free, for the first time in his life.

"Yes master, they are both dead. The plan worked" he replied. "Nobody suspects me to be the killer" he added, to inform Adron, that nobody would come looking after him. "So...does that mean, that my training will now begin ?" His icy blue eyes were looking right into the eyes of Aldron. It reminded him, of the first time, Aldron actually came to him. And yet he still asks himself, why Aldron had chosen him, to train. Was he special? So far the only special thing he could do was comforting one's ears with music. Since that, was his only purpose before.

 

[Adron Malvern]

The Sith Lord's eyes looked to the boy expectantly. From the moment he bowed before him until he finally spoke the words Adron's eyes did not turn from him. Finally, he looked up and exhaled with an unchanged expression. The boy had done it. "To be a true Sith requires a certain sacrifice. Something you hold close to you, cherish. It will be stripped from your life in a crucial time, where you least expect it." He turned from the man, gesturing for him to follow him as he moved down an aisle of books.

"Killing your parents was a release, to give your mind peace while you focus on your training. However, the true test of the Sith will be in your true moment of sacrifice. It could be the very thing you hope to safeguard, hope to maintain. It could even be your very humanity." When Adron turned back to the boy, his eyes had begun to shift. The blue pools were being washed away by a wave of crystal amethyst. "The Dark Side creates only after it destroys." He warned the boy. "If you can stand to become a harbinger of the Dark Side and be prepared to sacrifice all then I can teach you, but be warned..."

Adron seemed to smile as if blissfully standing in a cool summer rain while the rays of sunshine heated him. In the center of the aisle he seemed so at peace, yet Adam would feel an overwhelming pressure wash over him. The Dark Side was heavy and oppressive while being as chilling as a winter storm. It penetrated to his very core and in the next moment their eyes would lock. Darth Malphas was a demon wrapped in the flesh of a man and in his gaze, hell itself sat in waiting. "...There is no turning back." His voice was a bestial roar compared to the fine silk that usually fell from his lips. He sounded more like a raging rancor than a man, yet nothing had changed but the hue of his eyes.

The Dark Lord seemed to hum at the boy. A small sound showing some interest in whatever the choice would be for the young boy. Without another word, Adron would turn from Adam, not shunning him or abandoning him, but leading him.

The books on the shelves would shiver with the Force before one by one they would fly from one shelf, hovering in the air above them. The book shelves melded into darkness until a black void surrounded the two of them. Surrounding Adam was nothing, beside Adam was nothing, all that laid was what was before him. A path shrouded in darkness. Even his master would seem to fade from reality and in his place a large, black door stood before the boy.

I can show you the door. You must walk through it. Adron's words echoed through the boy's head.

Adam Roywood

 

[Adam Roywood]

Adam stood in front of Adron Malvern as he was speaking to him.

A sacrifice.....

A sacrifice had to be made? What sacrifice was he talking about? Adam couldn't imagine what it was. But for the first time, Adam was quite frankly afraid, of what was ahead of him. What sounded like a dream come true at the beginning would now begin to sound like a process in becoming inhuman. It sounded like selling one's soul to the devil. And the devil stood right in front of him. Adron, the personification of the devil himself. In the beginning, it may have been a funny reference, but as his eyes suddenly changed in color, this reference couldn't be more precise than that.

The dark sides creates after it destroys

What exactly needed to be destroyed....to create what? A servant of the dark side? It seemed for Adam, that his master was talking in riddles. Thing's he wouldn't understand now, but would later on. Maybe....when it is too late.

Sacrificing all. Adam was more than ready to sacrifice everything. But he had to show it to his master, and that was, what was happening right now.

Adam felt this pressure upon him. It felt weird, but there was more to that. He had goosebumps. A sign, that something was wrong. That he was feeling something.

There is no turning back

Adams's eyes were wide open, as he embraced fear. He was now witnessing the dark side. The voice of his master that changed and now sounded like a wild animal yelling at him made his mind and also his body shivers deep into his bones.

"What is happening ?" was he saying to himself as he watched the books shaking and floating around. His mind was at war. Not even for a second, he could hold a thought, as the dark side seemed to deny him this ability. But instead, he was feeling it.


Anger....

Fear.....

Hatred...


The words of his master constantly repeated itself in Adam's mind. Adron suddenly disappeared in the deep void that appeared and swallowed himself, leaving him in complete darkness. Never in his life, was he so afraid than now at this moment. But where his master disappeared, something else appeared. A door just appeared where his master was standing a few moments ago before he got eaten by darkness.

Walk through the door

That was the task, his master has given him. But was he ready for it? His whole body was shaking, but slowly he managed to make a step, just to find out, that walking towards the door, wouldn't be as easy as it sounds, as with every step he took, the dark side got into his mind and was releasing memories of Adam's past.

The steps he made, were creating unnatural echos in the deep void, making everything look like it wasn't real and only in Adam's head.

CLONK......


CLONK......


CLONK.....


Finally, the door handle was in reach. Heavily breathing and shaking, Adam touched it but didn't open it. It was like something was holding him back. He was sweating like he just returned from a nice little jog, around the beautiful nature of Naboo.


//You just killed your parents....// A thought that was reaching in Adam's mind, like poison spreading to every corner of his mind. Suddenly he was kind of regretting it.


"No....no...it had to be done. I am free now" He said to himself, to comfort him, but it wasn't over. Adam slowly turned his head, just to witness, his parents. Standing behind him.


"What did you do to us son!? For everything WE did for you, you just kill us? Your own parents!?" Were the words of his father, who spoke for not only himself but also Adam's mother.


Panic...


Now Adam was panicking. He rattled the door handle to open it, but it didn't open. "come on, open!" he quickly looked behind him to his parents. "You're not real! And don't you dare call yourself a parent. All I did was suffer. I hope you two, will suffer wherever you are now!" he continued, while still trying to open the door.

come on....

Come on.....


Come on!

Adam started to get angry. And his anger grew with every moment, that he had to be in the same room as his parents were. He suffered. A lot.
BAM!
the door slammed open as he was aggressively trying to open it since he got so angry about it and Adam fell into the door, which created a path. But a path to lead where?

---

Adron Malvern

 

[Adron Malvern]

Seven Days Later...
​

When finally Adam returned to the conscious world a week had passed. The boy had chosen to walk down the path of the Sith and for his devotion Darth Malphas had put the boy into a short coma.

Adam would awaken with his body feeling tight as if he'd had a long long night's sleep. The room he was in was a small one, yet it was not without modern luxury. The bed was soft enough, perhaps softer than Adam was used to. There was a desk less than a foot from the boy, with a number of black books and stacked upon it. They were ponderous tomes. Documents explaining the planet of Illyria, it's language, an the history of her people. Beside the desk was a door that led to a refresher with a shower, toilet, and fully stocked sink. Adam was dressed in a black, silk cloak with a curious purple emblem embedded on the shoulder. The emblem seemed little more than a random squiggle, yet it was professionally embroidered on the silk. His hair was freshly cut and his chin shaved bare. His body smelled of soaps and shampoos, he'd been seen to well why he was asleep.

The dark room was a curious one. However the door to the room was locked and it was a reinforced blast door. It would not adjust for him or any other. When it was time for the door to open, it would.

The window behind the bed showed a city shrouded in dark storm clouds. Rain fell over what would be a shining realm with no lacking in modern ingenuity. Light rails flowed from one side of the city to another and the streets below, which were barely visible from Adam's room, was filled with all kinds of people, mostly human.

Beside Adam's desk was a smaller table with a small note on it. The note read as such.

You walked through the door, now it is time to take your first steps on a much larger path. Take the crystal.
​

What Adam would notice now that he did not before was a small crystal sitting on the desk. It was pale in color and seemed to have no special characteristics to it. Still, there was a faint shimmering that fell from the dull stone, almost a power that seemed to call out to Adam and begged to be tampered with.

Adam Roywood

 

[Adam Roywood]

Like a bad dream that was ending, Adam woke up in an instant. His eyes, confused about his whereabouts, were looking around, just to realize, he was somewhere else. There was no library, filled with books neither a deep void of darkness. It seemed like opening the door, has led him to a small room.

Adam felt this tightness as if he hasn't moved in weeks. Softly and slowly, he tried to lift his upper body up. His icy blue eyes, still looking around analyzing where he is now. But he couldn't figure it out by simply looking in the room.
//This doesn't look like a typical Naboo room. Where did he take me ?//

After a few moments, he decided to get up this somehow very soft and comfortable bed. His body still felt very tight but he tried to ignore it. His curiosity won over the strange feeling of his body. He wanted to know where he was. Like a reflex, he instantly targeted the window, that was behind his bed. It wasn't Naboo anymore, where he was. This was a completely different planet. A planet, that looked mysterious. Dark. Dark clouds seemed to dominate heaven, paired with a heavy rainstorm falling down to earth. The bad weather conditions made it hard to see what was beneath Adam and so he decided to go take a look outside. Completely ignoring everything else, he went to the door, that separated the room he was in with the rest of the world, just to find out, that it wouldn't open. He was trapped in here.

sigh

Since he was now locked in this room, it was more or less time, to look for anything giving clues. He was pretty sure, that his master has left something here, to explain the situation. It didn't take long, when Adam's eyes locked themselves on the staple of books, laying on a desk. Books about a planet. Illyria, a planet, Adam has never ever heard about in his life. He quickly read the titles of the other books. Now he got it. His master wanted him to study the planet, ist language, it's people. Was this, the planet his master would call home? He quickly looked outside the window again. It looked like it. The outside reminded him of his master. Mysterious, dangerous. If a heavy thunderstorm would now appear, it wouldn't surprise him, quite the contrary. It would even describe his master more in his eyes. What would look like a normal rainstorm, could instantly turn into something horrifying.

But what was that? Just now, he realized, that he was wearing completely different clothes. A cloak, with a purple symbol on it. Unfortunately, the books hadn't had this symbol. How long was he gone? He quickly went to the room, that one would probably call the bathroom, and looked in the mirror. He couldn't believe it. His hair was shorter, his face freshly shaved. It seemed like someone took good care of him, while he was 'sleeping'. His hand that brushed against his cheeks softly, went down to the purple symbol on his cloak. What did this symbol represent? Maybe his master would answer this question, as soon as he saw him again. He took a last look at himself before he left the bathroom again.

This time, something else caught his attention. The small table, next to the desk, that had a note on it.

Take the crystal

Which crystal? He quickly looked around and found the crystal after he looked at the desk again. The crystal was there. Why didn't he see it before? Did he just overlook it? His hand grabbed the pale crystal without hesitating even for a second. Like the crystal had called upon him. Something powerful radiated from it. He closed his hand, turning it into a fist. The crystal was now protected by his hand. Whatever it was, whatever purpose this crystal had. Adam was determined to protect it. He felt something like a connection between himself and this quite boring looking crystal.

Adam started to think about, what needed to be done with this crystal. One thing was clear. Probably something with the force. Maybe led the dark side flow into it?

---

Adron Malvern

 

[Adron Malvern]

"At least you can follow instructions."

The voice came from behind Adam, seemingly materializing itself out of nowhere. Adron stood in center of the room, his blue eyes washing over the area before finally landing on the boy himself. "Questions swimming around your mind like errant children. When you find yourself posed with a question, try to answer it yourself before conjuring more of them, won't you?" He told the boy. Adam's mind was like an open book to the Sith Lord, especially in the days since they'd left Naboo. Whether Adam knew it or not the bond of apprenticeship was already tethering itself to them through the Force.

"This planet is Illyria and it is my home." He told Adam, confirming his suspicions. "We're in Azurine City, the capitol of this world and the Seat of my power." The man pulled a small code cylinder from his pocket and handed it to Adam. "I've had you commissioned as a citizen so you can come and go as you please." After passing the code cylinder off, Adron walked past the boy and made his way to the desk, pulling out the chair and settling down into it. He tapped the books that were on the desk. "High Illyrian is not a very complex language, I'm sure you will become fluent in less than a year. You will also read the histories of the world that we've gathered and study the government system. Knighthood, Nobility, Legalism, you will learn about it all. Once you've finished your studies on Illyria then you will begin learning about other planets. Coruscant, Geonosis, Ryloth, Dromund Kaas, Mandalore, Nar Shadaa, several more. You'll be tested, quizzed, and examed by some schooling droids I have to help you."

"After that they will go over your mathematics, physics, and simple studies with you to ensure you're at a more proficient level."

"I'll have a protocol droid assign you a schedule to help you keep everything straight. No less than four hours of studies a day when you're not training with me. Which will be often as your body needs time to heal and mature in it's own right."

"Now, the next subject. Your training begins immediately and it begins with that crystal. Before I waste any time explaining the Force to you in a more complicated manner you must grasp it's essence. That crystal is capable of magnifying your power in the force many fold, you need only focus on the Dark Side of the Force." He told Adam.

"The Dark Side is more than hatred and anger and if you do not become conscious of that then you will become swallowed by your emotions. It is pride, love, lust, passion, commitment, and power. So first you must commit yourself to an idea. Commit yourself to a goal that will bring about a use or a reason for your power. Without conviction you will never be worth anything. So tell me, what is your purpose boy? What do you want?" He asked, resting his hand on his chin as he spoke.

Adam Roywood

 

[Adam Roywood]

Scared for a second, Adam turned around. His master was behind him. Like a magician, he manifested himself. His words held a kind of a disappointment to it, Adam thought. But he was right though. So far, he only summoned questions upon his mind. What could you blame him? After all, he found himself in a completely new situation. "I am sorry, master" he replied. Adam realized, that he had to change his behavior in many points now. Not only would this be training in the force, but also a lot about changing oneself's Character. Maturing, gaining knowledge and experience. "I will try not to do that again. It's just all new to me"

As Adron continued, confirming Adam's suspicions and talking about the planet, he grabbed the code cylinder and placed it in a pocket. Now he was also a citizen of this planet. Thanks to Adron. But there was more. Adron gave him freedom. He could now come and go as he pleased. A right, he has never had before. He started smiling because of that. What some people would consider a normal human right, was taken away from him at birth. But now, now he was free.

Adam watched his master, as he walked past him, to sit on a chair, that he pulled out of the desk. It seemed like he had more to say. So Adam remained quiet. His lips shut, but his ears, wide open, to listen to everything he had to say and teach. From what his master was telling him, it seemed like he already made up a plan, that covers everything. Everything was planned. But like this, everything had its order. Now it was all about learning about this planet. Then math and physics. The thought about those, already made his stomach feel weird. Sadly, he has never been the best at school, due to his parents, forcing him to study only one subject.....Music. But it didn't end there. After Illyrian, there were other planets. A few of them, Adam has already heard about. Of course, he knew about the center of the Galaxie, the planet, which was one big city, Coruscant. And who hasn't heard about the people on Mandalore. Famous for being the best mercenaries, weapon addicted, and war addicted soldiers, fighting for honor. The other examples were planets, Adam maybe has heard about, but he didn't know anything about them.

To give his master the confirmation, that he understood, he nodded with his head.

He continued to listen closely because now it was his turn to talk. The crystal. The first task of his training. And the first question he had to ask himself. What was his purpose? Adam opened his hand, revealing the crystal. "My purpose....." The last words of his master were floating through Adam's mind. So far, anger and hatred were the things, showing him the way to free oneself. But there was more to that.

He took a deep breath, closing his hand again, forming a fist. As his hand started shaking, Adam started to talk calmly, but there was a tension in his voice. "I've been a prisoner my whole life until now. I want to learn and study. Become strong and wise. Fight for my freedom. I never ever want to be dominated again. I want to be my own master, master of my own choices." As he was talking, he slowly led his power flow into the crystal. Not only his emotions but also his goal. He paid attention not to be controlled by emotions, but to use them. Like his master just told him, that he should be conscious about his emotions, not letting them swallow him.

Anger, for the uncontrolled rage, he bears in himself.

Hate, for what he felt for his parents, making his life a living hell.

Passion, as for as passionate he used to be when it came to music. This passion shall now be seen in his studies.

And finally to be free. Because through the dark side of the force, my chains will be broken.

The force shall free me.

 

[Adron Malvern]

Rage was the fire of the Dark Side. In terms of raw power it could not be challenged. As Adam poured his anger, his hatred into the crystal the small stone would begin to shimmer with fain flecks of light. They started out yellow like the sun that often hovered over Illyria, but in the next second those yellow spots would ignite into crimson flames, dancing in the center of the crystal.

Adron watched with some interest. He could feel the darkness building inside the boy and he found that it was suitable. "Only the Force can free you." He said simply, bending down to pluck the crystal from the boy's hand. It turned pale once again, yet it was stained with crimson. Adron turned the jewel over in his hands as he examined it. His eyes stared into the stone as if it hid some untold secret. Eventually he simply smirked and tucked the crystal into his breast pocket.

"Good." He said.

The Dark Lord turned from Adam, brushing a pat over the boy's shoulder as he made his way out of the room. "You have some studying to do. Start with the history and then move on to the language. A droid will bring you some dinner this evening." He said, clasping his arms behind his back. The door to the small apartment opened as Adron approached it. He'd gently pressed into the force to make it so. Adron paused at the door before glancing back to the boy. "I should tell you. Hell itself awaits you." He said, offering a rather small smile before stepping out, the door closing behind him.

Adam Roywood

 

[Adam Roywood]

Adam stared at the crystal as it started to change its colors. Progress was seen and therefore Adam was more than happy about it. But as Adron took the crystal, Adam stopped his process. He watched how the crystal went back to its original color. He still smiled though and it seemed like he did well. His Adron's feedback was short but clear. He nodded satisfied to his master. The pat on his shoulder made it even clearer, that he did good right now. Even though it was a small step, it was a step. Adam wasn't going backward. He was going forward. Slowly but surely.

As Adron, went past Adam, he quickly turned around.
"Yes, master. Next time I will be better prepared. fewer questions in my mind, more answers"
But his smile wasn't for long. The last sentence, Adron spoke, made Adam fear a little again. With those last words, the door closed itself.
"Oh no...."

Now he was alone. But Adam had been given a task and so he instantly went to the desk and opened the first book about the history of this, for now, alien planet. The next hours, days, would now be used to study.

---

Adron Malvern