The Temple of Pain...

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Planet Fresia,
Near location of The Temple of Pain

---

The Bastion Class Personal Transport landed smoothly, the piloting droid in control of the craft being both precise and methodical, as Ruin touched down on the grassy knoll. In a clearing between intermittent trees, and long grasses amid dusty patches of ground, the ship powered down and the rampway lowered. From within walked a robed figure, hood high covering his face. From within, two glowing green eyes pierced the darkness, scanning the area nearby for potential danger. There were rumors of Sithspawn and twisted creatures in the region surrounding the Temple of Pain, and it wouldn't do for the very first mission of the Dark Magus to end with its members being devoured before stepping foot on the planet.

Pulling the hood back, Darth Excidium glanced over his shoulder, motioning with his head for the remaining members of the dark side group to disembark. His hand went to the lightsaber clipped on his belt, above his right hip, as he waited. Taking in the surrounding environment, the Sith Lord couldn't help but catch the stench of death and suffering, as though it had fused with the very land itself. Clearly the information from Darth Ferus had been correct, not that Excidium had expected anything less, and the temple was indeed nearby...

"The Temple of Pain is beyond the treeline ahead," Excidium said, turning to look at the gathered Sith nearest the ship. "We must be aware of the foul creatures in this area, and be prepared to fight our way to the temple. Do not hesitate, do not disappoint me."

Taking the lead, Darth Excidium took in another deep breath. Despite the stench, he enjoyed the planet. It rippled with the dark side, powerful forces beckoning and whispering to him. If all went as planned - which he presumed it wouldn't - then the first task of the Dark Magus order would be of benefit to them in the future. Overcoming such an obstacle was a feat in and of itself, which was why all four members of the newly formed group, under the Sith Empire's flag, were present. It would take a concentrated effort to defeat that which waited beyond.

"Obviously you have questions, but for now let us focus on reaching our destination alive," Excidium muttered, tilting his head as he avoided a low hanging branch of dying leaves. If there was going to be trouble, it would be in the forest. And if the distant sensation of danger suddenly flowing over him was any indication, that trouble was rapidly approaching. "Prepare. Sithspawn are upon us. They attack in packs."

Pulling his lightsaber free from his belt, Darth Excidium activated the weapon and planted his boots in the soft ground. He and the other Dark Magus would hold formation and defeat the creatures, which were reported as being like dark side twisted Nexu, as they came. The howl cut through the trees like lightning, before several other howls followed. It was time, the fight had begun and the Dark Magus were now on being judged...

[member="Olrunn Darr"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]​

 

[Olrunn Darr]

She had missed the feeling of her armor against her skin, to her it was like falling back into the arms of protection and she thought how foolish those who believed this were. The usefulness of armor was undeniable and so were the weaknesses of it, the simple fact that it was not unbreachable. Understanding battle like a game of the mind in the very first place, Olrunn could only come to the conclusion that feeling safe was tremendously counterproductive to ones purpose of staying alive. Confidence, yes, that was required in a certain degree to ensure best performance but being wrongly assured of one's safety was a mistake, a deadly one. Many more aspects of her current life followed this theory, and she always found the answer in measure, in constriction, in knowing when to unleash. Today, she would once again bring that which fueled her dangerously close to the surface, where it would work to support an otherwise feeble armor. The Dark was the only unbreachable constant.

She scanned through her equipment one last time, knowing that the Ruin was making its descent and would soon ground near the Temple of Pain. She could feel the mass of obscure anticipation starting to sizzle within her, the coals that could ignite a fire. But for now, her cold demeanor remain untainted by it. Once the craft had landed, she swiftly made her way through the corridors she had already grown familiar with. It was often that she accompanied her Master in missions aboard this very ship, as observant as Olrunn tended to be that was more than enough to remember her way around the parts of it known to her. Her bright, orange eyes followed the shape of her Master as he was the first to disembark and awaited for his signal before she did too. Excidium, she had learnt, was also an observant man, maybe even more so than herself; a quality of the many she appraised and looked up to which the Sith Lord embodied.

Alas, sign was given and the Gurlanin was swift and silent in her descent through the ramp making her way near her Master, keeping herself a few steps behind him. The heaviness of the atmosphere was not missed by the acolyte, even if she had lacked a sense of smell that was currently churning given the pungency of the air, there was something violent and dark that clung to this land as a shadow trying to swallow its bearer. The Force pulled at her chest, the familiar feeling indicating that trouble was ahead, that she was currently standing in the way of danger.

The sizzling within her grew to a feeble spark, and she could very clearly feel her body and her mind readying themselves for the obstacle rapidly approaching the Sith party. Her gaze shifted for a moment to meet that of her Master, she was prepared. Olrunn had never been one to easily excuse herself for her mistakes, and her order was not to disappoint. This was the first mission of the Dark Magus, leaded by her Master. They all had something to prove and it was in the best interest, for all of their sakes, to see themselves successful. The purple blade of her saber was ignited as her eyes set on the threat that was gaining ground upon them. Now it was time to fight.

[member="Darth Excidium"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]

 

[Armand Temi]

**earlier**​

Rausvas considered herself lucky that she’d arrived on Ziost, still free of her family burden to continue the Sveni lineage within the ranks of The Sith Empire. Presently she was cleaning her father’s expansive study along with an ancient T3-series droid.

Wikmu had replaced her with another librarian named Ahoikair and for the first three days that Rausvas was back on her homeplanet, she’d convinced the fellow pureblood that she was the Head Librarian and had him scuttling around, fetching her books and stimcaf.

Cleaning Wikmu’s office was punishment for her charade.

“Rausvas, sit down.” Her father stood behind her and she was not sure how long he’d been standing there, so lost in thought she was. “Tomorrow you go to Fresia. You can’t escape your destiny for much longer.”

She knew exactly what he was talking about and began to protest, but stopped when she recalled that she could not set foot on Nar Shaada again. Not with Rabozz’s small bounty on her head.

Besides I’m done fighting and running and scraping by, she mused. Under the care of Wikmu and whoever he had picked out to take her on as an Acolyte, life would be a little less touch and go, right? She’d have square meals and a comfortable bed. I’d have to give up my spice…

“Okay. Whatever you say.”

His eyebrow stalks quirked upward in surprise, but he gave her a warm grin nonetheless.

Yes, she’d been mistreated by the last Sith Lord, not to mention Rabozz the Hutt. But look how convincingly she’d fooled poor, gullible Ahoikair. Persuasion and street smarts. How much would those come in handy?

**now**​

While Rausvas could not categorize her unease as fear, a restless, nervous flutter made its home in her stomach, her mind awhirl with the likelihood of danger on such a mysteries and dark-imbued planet such as Fresia.

With no lightsaber and little practical application of the magic she studied for hours on end as a historical archivist on Ziost, the honey-locked pureblood could have been in deep poodoo for all she knew. Her new Master, [member="Darth Excidium"] and her fellow novitiates were complete strangers. But she and the Sith Lord did know her father, so at least they had that in common.

The blood-curdling howl of a creature broke her away from her self-serving thoughts and into survival mode, but with only a vibro-dagger and blaster as her weapons, she would need to rely on magic alone to save her crimson-hued skin and impress the one who judged with the most discerning green eyes. Rausvas's yellow orbs landed on [member="Olrunn Darr"] and [member="Vereshin"].

"Let's begin."

 

[Vereshin]

Four Sith strode across the descending ramp as the ship touched down upon the surface of the ripe world. Vereshin walked among them. Since finding his place among a group of dark magi within the ranks of the Empire, the young sorcerer had yet prove himself worthy of the higher title. A feat he endeavored to enact today. The smell of grass soaked with blood and flesh filled the air and tinged his senses and he welcomed the empowering sensation of the dark energy wavering thick above the surface. Wearing his usual black coat with the standing collar, he carried no weapons aside from his arcane prowess. Boots with pointed toes and lined with silver buckles covered his feet. He gripped the edges of his coat and took in the air, musing on where to make their first move.

"Miss Darr, Miss Sveni, it is a pleasure." He chimed to the two women next to him, not being able to help his habitual courtesy. As they stood by the ramp of the ship, he offered his hand to the Pureblood Sith to shake, lightly wrapping his icy fingers around her red hand. "My name is Vereshin. I go by Vi if you like." He offered his nickname to the group before diverting his attention to the mission at hand, realizing the other Sith present probably did not care for pleasantries at such a time. Shrieks muted by the undergrowth coursed through the trees and Vereshin turned around abruptly. He picked up his feet to follow the others into the forest and heightened his senses in preparation for what was to come.

Mutated nexu swarmed the group in packs and they pressed onto the trees. Picking up his heels, Vereshin dissipated the light making his form visible and vanished from view. Black energy emanated from his presence and swirled around where he moved. With a wave of his hands, the opaque smoke moved away from his body and compacted in separate areas, forming shapes and assuming four exact duplicates of himself. Planting his back against a rock while he concealed himself with the Force, Vereshin controlled the doppelgangers which confronted each nexu and drove them away from their pack out of confusion.

Each duplicate wore sleek black robes and lightning danced off their fingertips, driving the creatures into an enraged state. Pouring more energy into the illusions, Vereshin froze each nexu they faced in the position where they stood. He raised a hand, and the duplicates each released a surge of lavender fire and incinerated the beasts. They stood unmoved, fixated in the Force and burnt without a sound. Another one of the creatures who had not been caught by one of Vereshin's puppets, clawed at him from the side. With a gasp, he released his hold on the Force and darted to one side. After gaining some space between himself and the creature, he extended a hand and gripped him through the Force.

"Back beastie!" He called as he twisted the space the nexu occupied. The creature whined as particles of ash floated away from his back. They vanished fast into the air and the nexu smoldered into nothing and dispersed from reality. Scrambling to his feet, Vereshin ran too a series of stone steps which lead to an alter covered in moss and vines. The steps were narrow and entwined in a spiral, making it difficult for the creatures to reach him. He brushed down his clothes and climbed to his perch, gazing across the forest for any more approaching creatures.

[member="Darth Excidium"], [member="Olrunn Darr"], [member="Rausvas Sveni"]

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

The mutated Nexu were upon them; the battle had begun in earnest.

Darth Excidium stepped forward to meet his enemies, as several of the twisted creatures rushed him, jaws snapping and eyes wild. The red lightsaber was held steady in both hands, the Sith Lord keeping his balance firm and his senses open. He adopted a stance from Form III, Soresu. The creatures were said to attack with cunning, using ambushes from flanks while distracting prey. Not wanting to find himself overwhelmed, Excidium opened himself to the Force - channeling his controlled hatred and anger - and allowed the power of Force Sight to overcome and envelop his senses and awareness. Like a light in a dark room, the surrounding area opened to Excidium, as his mind processed every direction, from the mutated Nexu before him, the fighting form of Vereshin to his right, and even the insects and rodents that burrowed beneath their feet. Like one large visual x-ray, everything around was visible, including the creature that was slinking up behind the Sith Lord, running low to the ground to avoid attention, clearly about to pounce...

Stepping to his left, passing through a cloud of ash that had been an opponent to Vereshin, the Sith Lord slashed with his lightsaber in the same fluid motion, severing the leaping creature's head from its neck. And without skipping a beat with the use of his unnatural reflexes, Excidium brought the shortened blade around incredibly fast, almost quicker than perceptible, and slashed across the flank of another mutated Nexu that had stepped too close. It fell with a howl, kicking legs and filling the air with the stink of ozone.

Taking stock of the other Sith, Excidium was confident in their ability to defeat the creatures. At the end of it, the twisted things were animals, and while intelligent, they ultimately acted as animals. They had limited options available to them; and if they didn't use speed, claw or tooth, then they had little else to defeat them with. Still, there was an underlying menace and threat to the dark creatures, one that kept the Sith Lord on the ready...

"Something's coming," Excidium said, his now pale blue eyes narrowed as he looked toward a disturbance in the Force, approaching from a distance. "End these creatures now!"

Stepping forward, the Sith Lord lashed out with his weapon, slicing through tough hide and fur, hearing more collective howls of pain and death. Still aware of the approaching shadow in the Force, but still unable to determine what it was exactly, Excidium knew that the Dark Magus were about to run out of time. Almost half a dozen mutated Nexu remained, and already the distant sound of breaking trees and crushed rocks could be heard rapidly nearing their location. Whatever it was, it was big and it was filled with uncontrolled rage and anger... and it was about to bound into the clearing.

Spinning on his heel, Excidium sent his short blade outward again, striking another Nexu. And as the animal corpse hit the ground, so to did a monstrous, hulking mutated Nexu - easily three times the height of the pack members - bound through nearby trees, splintering the trunks as though they were little more than grass before a scythe. The creature was covered in dark veins, eyes wide, teeth as long as a human's arm. There was a moment as it stared at the aftermath of the fight, seeing the dead creatures that it clearly identified, and all Excidium could think was that this was nothing less than...

"The pack alpha. We must work together. Prepare."

[member="Olrunn Darr"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]​

 

[Olrunn Darr]

And just as if a swift, generous breeze of air had managed to break its way into the very depths of the Acolyte, what had been a flame of hatred, rage, pain and envy had exploded into a wildfire inside of her. The eyes had abandoned their natural orange shade to take on a more vivid one, the one belonging to those who had spent enough time pulling on the Dark-side of the Force, swaddled in its obscure embrace. She channeled the fumes of that energy, guiding them forcefully into carefully chosen pipes to control the exact way in which this reached the surface. How could one so silent and measured be so full of energy was outstanding.

Olrunn had cleared her mind from everything but the presence of her allies and the swift approach of her agile enemies. Instincts were pushing her on, the more base of her emotions feeling as if she was being challenged by another predator. But she did no longer fall into frenzies, she hardened her mind and patiently, coldly waited for the first of the Nexu to reach her. Soon enough it did, pouncing at her in a vicious attack. The acolyte maneuvered around the animal's intended direction, plunging her saber just above its neck and bringing a swift end to it. She could predict the creature's tactics fairly well, they were not unlike what she used to do when hunting. And she had a natural advantage over the creatures, one she was willing to exploit.

Another one of the Nexu came rushing at her, at a higher speed than the previous one and attempting to parry the attack was a dangerous option. So she reached into the Force to heighten her speed, and rushed at it too. The gurlanin Force jumped into the air at the same time the Nexu pounced, and her shape vanished into thin air just before the creature snapped its jaws around her. The animal landed on the floor, confused about the sudden disappearance of its intended prey. Olrunn made a swift reappearance, falling onto the Nexu's back and plunging her saber just behind its shoulder and through its ribcage, reaching its heart. The gurlanin's ability with a saber was far from remarkable, her movements were instinctual and though they retained some semblance of the movements described in Form I, the way of the Sarlacc, there was plenty of room for improvement. Her only remarkable attribute as a duelist was derived from her natural abilities as a Gurlanin and her more experienced use of the Force.

With her current foe down, the acolyte had some second to assess the dark presence that Excidium had warned the Dark Magus about. Her gaze was locked into the tree-line, were she could see and hear the trees groaning painfully as the large form that rushed towards them pushed and hurt them. Olrunn was the closest one to the tree-line at the moment, and her eyes locked into those of her Master for a moment. She had no choice but to pull back, rushing to the side of Excidium and Vereshin, not out of cowardice but of simple logic. She stood no chances alone against the approaching beast, it would have been a stupid death. Now better formed alongside the Sith Lord and Knight, she braced herself for the danger about to emerge.

[member="Darth Excidium"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]

 

[Armand Temi]

(OOC: I'll be slow due to other commitments so please move on without me )

[member="Olrunn Darr"] [member="Darth Excidium"] [member="Vereshin"]

 

[Vereshin]

From his perch, Vereshin could see more nexu emerge from the undergrowth. As they came in packs, the Sith sorcerer splayed both his arms wide from the alter and penetrated each of their minds with his presence in the Force. The windows of his eyes turned black as he saw through their perception. With the beasts under his control, he caused them to turn on one another. Each nexu lashed his claws into the next and tore the flesh from each while under the influence of Vereshin's spell, hopefully giving the other Sith time to prepare for the arrival of the pack alpha.

"Quickly, wipe them out while they are distracted!" Vereshin called into the minds of the three other Sith. The last effect of his spell began to wane, allowing them just enough time to eliminate the remaining nexu before the larger target approached. As the bloodbath commenced, Vereshin relaxed his casting stance and regained his vision. He scrambled down the staircase from the alter and ran around the side of the cliff face to join his fellows. The alpha nexu trudged forward, the smell of rotting flesh on his fangs. The sight of his pack mauling one another clearly enraged him and he released a low roar towards the three Sith.

With Olrunn behind himself and Exidium, Vereshin sent a wrist forward and destroyed the light surrounding the massive creature. The alpha nexu's vision was left in a shadow of complete darkness, giving the Sith a chance to push their numbers forward and weaken him. The combatants attacked from the front and Vereshin broke off from the group to make his way behind the back of the creature. He prepared to conduct more spells to allow his fellows room to make damage with their lightsabers.

[member="Darth Excidium"], [member="Olrunn Darr"], [member="Rausvas Sveni"]

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Vereshin was proving very useful as spellweaving support. The Sith's knowledge and use of the Dark Arts was impressive, so much so that Excidium knew that the decision to promote him within the Dark Magus had been a prudent choice. As combatants, both Olrunn and Rausvas were also proving themselves, though their lesser knowledge of Dark Arts was obvious. But, just because they weren't using spells like Vereshin now, in this particular fight, didn't mean that they had nothing to offer, in that regard. After all, the Dark Magus had to be able to get their hands dirty with the other Sith in the trenches, they couldn't always sit on high and oversee armies of wraiths or perform Sith Battle Meditation. Sometimes a lightsaber was required.

"Olrunn, attack the alpha's legs," Excidium shouted, gritting his teeth as he rushed forward into Vereshin's sphere of darkness. With Force Sight flowing, the Sith Lord was prepared for combat within the shadow on the area. "Rausvas, finish the remaining Nexu pack!"

Bounding through the wall of darkness, Excidium immediately had to duck beneath a massive clawed paw that swept through the air angrily. Clearly confused, the alpha was trying to slash at anything within range. The effects of Force Sight were limited in the sphere, but gave enough information that the Sith Lord could avoid suffering severe cuts. Moving rapidly, knowing that Olrunn was doing the same on the opposite side of the alpha, Excidium brought his red lightsaber down with a grunt on the large Nexu's front leg. The creature howled, recoiling, simultaneously raising the injured leg and planting the other front leg - offering Olrunn an opportune moment to inflect significant damage.

Continuing his forward momentum, Excidium slashed at the flank of the alpha, carving deep gashes in the thick hide and fur. The smell of burning skin and hair filled the area, only to be suppressed by the darkness. Everything seemed muted, sluggish, in the effect of Vereshin's spell. Knowing they had to fight an even greater threat, Excidium had to finish the fight before things got out of hand. If the Dark Magus were too injured to continue, their mission would be for naught and they would fail their first true test as a group within the Sith Empire. And the Sith Lord couldn't tolerate such a shortcoming.

"Olrunn," Excidium shouted, his voice sounding hollow and distant. "Keep the alpha busy. And be ready to dodge!"

Without another word, the Sith Lord disappeared out the other side of the dark sphere, making his way to the treeline. Seeing the item for the task he had in mind, the ragged Sith stopped, lifted his lightsaber and threw it toward the trees. The red blade twirled, even as Excidium took hold of it with the Force, controlling its path through the air, slashing away thick branches from a particular tree. Now out of the sphere of darkness, Excidium's senses returned in full; he saw Vereshin preparing more support, and saw the last of the Nexu pack falling before Rausvas' blade...

Things are going well. Almost done with this fight.

[member="Olrunn Darr"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]​

 

[Olrunn Darr]

The Gurlanin's attention switched incredibly fast as soon as the voice of the sorcerer Vereshin resonated in her mind. Aiding herself with her natural speed, the acolyte helped finish off the remaining Nexu before returning to her previous position, having tapped on the Force so that this last prelude to the final battle did not hinder her stamina. As soon as the pack's Alpha crossed the tree-line, fervent in its intent to destroy them, she could see how it grew suddenly confused, his sight obfuscated by the Magic of Vereshin and its rage growing in the face of its current state. Time was not to be wasted in a scenario as delicate at this, and she charged forward with impressive agility, jumping over one of the paws of the creature before commencing her attack to its flank.

Following her orders, the Gurlanin was trying to deal enough damage to the articulated areas of the Nexu's legs. Yes, the bone was thicker and therefore harder to damage but on the other hand, an injured joint would ensure no further movement of that appendix. No further threat from another pair of claws. Yet nothing could have warned her of the quick change of scenario. The Nexu swished its whip-like tail with immense speed towards her, a potentially lethal blow she managed to barely dodge, much to the cost of her balance and footing. The acolyte was down, her back flat against the ground.

The creature, knowing it had one of its enemies at a deadly disadvantage, proceeded to move its thick, yet unharmed neck to close its fang-filled jaws around the Gurlanin. She put her weight up on the elbows but there was no way in which she could stand fast enough. Olrunn could die. Her instincts kicked in, her eyes trained in the red ones of the creature and all she knew was that suddenly she was overcome with rage, pure hatred and above all, terror. Fear for her life. Her free hand was extended and next she knew, a red beam of pure dark energy blasted from her hand, burning the Nexu's face and eliciting a mighty roar from the Alpha and saving her life. Olrunn had conjured a Force Blast, a power derived from Sith Magic with the potential of obliterating objects and even living-beings. Her version was yet weak and hardly controlled, it had been born out of necessity and instinct and had only managed to severely burn the Nexu's nose and eyes...together with her own palm due to her lack of control of the used power. Right now, the Dark-side was making Olrunn imperceptive to the pain of her burned hand and she jumped back into action, taking a standing in which she could defend herself again.

One last blow with her saber, and the Nexu's front shoulder gave in, the creature fell out of its strong standing and she knew this would be the moment her Master had been waiting for. Olrunn moved away from the creature as fast as she could, giving Excidium a clear shot as she returned back to their previous formation. Whenever the sting on her hand started traveling up her arm she silenced it with the Force, she still did not want to look at it but she was certain it would make for an interesting scar.

[member="Darth Excidium"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Mild NPCing to keep thread moving with two members' hiatus.

---

Excidium walked back into the sphere of darkness, the smile on his face not exactly pleasant, and one arm raised above his head. As soon as the Sith Lord saw the scene, he knew that his Apprentice had performed exactly as expected. Olrunn was rapidly proving herself an asset, and more than capable of learning the lessons Excidium had to teach. He also considered the potential threat someone as talented as she would become, but for now that wasn't too big a concern. The alpha Nexu was. And eyes shifting to the wounded beast, Excidium sneered as he brought his arm around and down - and suddenly from above, entering through the top of the sphere, a long sharpened tree trunk slammed to the ground. There was a howl of pain, as the alpha was stabbed clean through the neck, between the shoulder blades, and then forcefully pushed to the ground from the weight of the makeshift weapon.

Walking to the large head of the creature, Excidium sighed. Such a beautiful thing. It had been a shame to kill it. Not wanting the alpha to suffer, the Sith Lord pushed his lightsaber blade into the side of the creature's head, killing the brain and stopping its suffering. And around that time, the sphere began disappearing, with Vereshin and Rausvas having completed their tasks. Both looked injured, and it was with reluctance that Excidium spoke over the sudden quiet of the area.

"Olrunn and myself will handle this next task," He said simply, deactivating his weapon as he looked to his first Apprentice. "Vereshin and Rausvas remain with the ship, begin tending your wounds, and we shall be along shortly..."

Without another word, Excidium nodded to Olrunn and began leading the way through the trees to the temple beyond. The next task was going to take most of their capabilities, and Excidium had to admit even he was beginning to wonder if they were going to be able to complete the objective - especially now they were down two members of the Magus. Still, Sith didn't quit, and Excidium refused to let the potential of this planet, and the sacred places on it, slip through his grasp.

"Prepare yourself, Olrunn," Excidium muttered, glancing over his shoulder, as he gripped his lightsaber handle tighter. "Our next target is in the lake beyond this treeline... a leviathan guarding the temple and surrounding area. We are going to dominate it, and turn it to our will."

If only it were as simple as saying it.

[member="Olrunn Darr"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]​

 

[Olrunn Darr]

Olrunn had removed herself just in time for Excidium to successfully launch the final attack on the Alpha Nexu. Her eyes locked onto the scene, flooded by a strange sense of awe as the tree trunk materialized on top of the Nexu and descended, cutting through its neck before crashing against the ground, the weight of the impaled creature providing increased strength to the collision. Wood splintered and sharp, long shards went flying haphazardly through the proximate area like debris from an explosion. She felt glad to have cleared before the Sith Lord maneuvered the trunk, those splinters might have easily killed her and even if they did not it would have been a pain she'd rather save herself from.

Finally, the creature was dead. The acolyte couldn't help but classify it as necessary collateral damage. She was sure the Alpha could have served purposes far more useful than dying alongside its carnaged pack. One way or the other, they had done what needed to be done and so Olrunn took advantage of these moments to catch much needed breath. The knots of stress rolled over the muscled tissue in her body, covering it in light yet stinging pain. She reached beneath the plate covering her stomach and teared a piece of dark cloth from her underarmor. Next, she lifted the palm that had been scorched by her very first, uncontrolled attempt at using a power derived from Sith Magic. Her steel blue eyes scanned through the ripples left behind on the seared, slimy flesh before growling slightly and wrapping the cloth around the hand. The pain intensified but she still needed to use that hand and she had best not to grab things with the burn exposed like that.

Her eyes traveled back to Excidium as he began to speak and she could not avoid feeling slight frustration at their current situation. They were down to half of their members and they still had a long way to go before they could stamp this mission as accomplished. Olrunn did not deceive herself with false pretense, she knew she was still far too unskilled to think of surviving a mission like this one without the aid of her fellow sith, without the aid of her Master. If this was not enough to start the rise of anger within her, she though of how irate and ashamed she would feel if they returned to Bastion with their heads lowered in defeat, when this was meant to be the first success in her Master's visions for the Magus. No, she would not have it be so.

The resolution born from the frustration and fear fed the darkness within her, feeling her with renewed vigor and intent. Before following her Master, she bowed her head at the Sith Sorcerer [member="Vereshin"], for his status was above her and it would have been a lack of respect to not acknowledge him before turning her back and following Excidium. As they walked, the Gurlanin payed close attention to his words. She had never seen a leviathan before, only heard tales of their monstrous power. But she trusted her Master, and would follow him and his commands.

"I follow your lead, Master." The tree line grew closer with each step they took.

[member="Darth Excidium"] [member="Vereshin"] [member="Rausvas Sveni"]