Private The ugliness behind the mask

[Credius Nargath]

Hefi, Outer rim, a certain cantina in a certain city

A man dressed in the finest of robes of purple romex, auridium and electrum lining and piping, silken shirt and the most expensive of leathers for boots walked through the drearie, sandy streets of a small city on one of the many landmasses of the planet Hefi. behind this man, another dressed in shining armor, red colored armorweave cloak with a hood and ominous eyes hidden behind an eerie mask followed, with lastly, directly behind them a small escort of soldiers clad in white armor, each with a golden, red cloak and armed with a large blaster rifle.

This was quite an unusual sight in such a small, quaint city barely even worth that denomination. Kids hurried to the street to see this unlikely procession, yet for some reason older men and women seemed to whimper and cower, pulling the children aside and out of sight, frightened without knowing why. Such were the mysteries of the force, that even those not touched by its presence were still capable of feeling the cold as the air shifted and the shadows seemed to grow when in the presence of such a deep abyss within the force itself. Windows were closed, doors were shut and for a moment, one might think the city had just died right there and then.

With a good pace, this unusual party marched through the streets, until they suddenly took a turn, walking into a rather obscure alleyway, where at the end, one might find themselves walking into a small cantina. It was there, where the events of this tale would take place...
​

"Bos Haphid, you know why we are here," Kredius sent the Valkan guards outside to keep a look out and sat down calmly on one of the benches within the cantina, not taking any sip from the wine he had ordered upon arrival. The people within the tavern looked at Kredius and his companion with interest, but also with an undertone of hatred. Bos Haphid, the owner of the cantina, was a smuggler, one who dabbled with artifacts both common and rare, from modern and bygone ages, sith, jedi and in between, yet despite all this, he had failed them, his information on a certain artifact had been given to others as well and due to this leak, Kredius and his companion were unable to procure said desired artifact. "Care to explain why and how some...sith lord managed to find out about the artifact we asked for?"

The large, brutishly built bartender and owner of the cantina looked at the duo, tilting his head to the side, picking his large tusks with his rough fingers. "Ye be getting on me nerves ye jumped up fantsy schmantsy," The boarish man placed his free hand upon the counter and leaned a bit forward. His frame rather large and intimidating for any an untrained man. "Issal just business, I got me many a fellow tryin' to git sum info on da gud stuffz. Yer not da only one with money and yer certainly not me boss...I can give da info to all who pay."

"To all who pay, you say, hmm" Kredius tone was cold and somewhat threatening, his eyes scanning the cantina, as the eyes of the other people in the bar seemed to be fixed on him. He could see their hands reaching down, some of them grinning, others scowling or grumbling. It looked like they were all Haphid's cronies and they really thought they had him cornered. "You see, my friend here disagrees with that idea and so do I. We conducted business, we made an agreement. We made a deal, but what you did afterwards is not business, it is blatant tomfoolery. You made a deal with us, we paid you not for the information, but the certainty of the artifact's existence, location and off course the procurement thereof. Due to your breach of our deal, we did not procure the artifact, thus we demand recompense."

"If yer askin' fer yer money, all ye be getting is da door on yer way out," The large Bos Haphid pointed towards the door of the cantina and let out a loud laughter. "Now...either yer willing to pay me for another artifact or ye be getting out." The bartender gave a sign to the men in the cantina, who instantly stood up, pointing their guns at Kredius and the masked man, grinning from ear to ear only until the properly dressed man simply let out a sigh. "Whut, hav ye decided whut it'll be?"

"No...I have," Before any of the man could react, the masked man had already jumped from his seat to the counter, placing his hand against the face of Boss Haphid, gripping it tightly with inhuman strength. "Let's have a look in that mind of yours."

The large Boss Haphid started to squeal like the pig he was, screaming bloody murder when the life was being drained out of him. his thick skin started to discolour, his eyes dried up and vanished, leaving nothing but the withered remains of the hog-man, looking like a thousand year old, dried up prune.

As the masked man dropped the lifeless corpse to the ground, a volley of shots could be heard from outside, followed by a loud concerto of screams, then there was only silence, eerie and sinister silence...

"You had to drain all of them, milord?" The spitting image of Credius, sitting on the seat with a rather smug smile, leaned a bit backwards while looking at the masked man behind who no seemed to be relaxing, sitting on one of the stools near the counter. "so...how will we explain these corpses?"

"Don't worry...you just keep in your role...I sense we'll be having a little guest soon," The masked man looked at a glass of liquor in front of him, his eyes transfixed on the image he could see within it. "Sometimes it is best to enjoy the little things in life..."

tag: Raven Ashe ​

 

[Raven Ashe]

Outfit: Sith Lord

Silently a robed figure strode through the streets of the illustrious world of Hefi. The metal helm that hid its wearer's face was shrouded in shadow by the cowl pulled up around it. Whether the people of this grand world even knew what a Sith Lord was -- or some trivial name incapable of distinguishing between one that wielded the 'Light' versus that of the 'Dark' -- hardly mattered. Nor did making a show of it. They kept their distance and still their tongues wisely. Perhaps feeling something resonate with the procession that had come through not too terribly long ago. Fortunate they that did not have the pleasure of learning the subtle differences.

When she came to the turn that led down the alleyway where the guards stood, Raven made it without hesitation. Her Master had informed them what this persona's armored looked like, hadn't he? If he had not, the man could hardly fault her for brutalizing any of them that tried to stop her.

A slight gesture with her fingers and the door opened to admit the cloaked figure into the tomb Credius had built about himself. Dried, withered husks did not register in her thoughts. When she had been new to the horrors of becoming Stih it would have plagued her for days -- perhaps weeks. Such was no longer the case. Far from it, in fact. Dark whispers had prompted her to embrace it and so leaving corpses in her wake had simply become a facet of being alive.

On that note, Raven could feel the darkness writhe within and across her flesh as she stepped into the cantina. How strong the urge was to rip the life out of Credius as he had the meager morsels found in this hole. However, she'd learned to control the hunger -- a different sort of control from the one Credius had tasked himself with some time ago. The corruption had taken a new level and with it a new level of control, though it was still early in the process. Early when it involved an ancient Force-devouring monster reawakened from its imprisonment only a few scant years ago.

"Will that sate you for a time, Master?" The helm split apart and slid back to reveal the Pantoran's blue flesh after it became clear no witnesses yet lived. Her question a mild form of mirth pondering whether they might set upon one another famished for the life force of others. "I would be interested to hear your thoughts, having tasted it for yourself." Did he understand the need that had clawed upon her every sense when they first met? It was no addiction. No sickness of the mind. Everything had to eat.

Tag: Credius Nargath

 

[Credius Nargath]

"Seems she's the first to actually see right through us, sir," The one looking like an exact copy of the Viceroy of Eriadu smiled at the sith who had just arrived, its holographic image dissipating and revealing the protocol droid underneath. It's voice now sounded more like how it always sounded when KRONOS was still just a floating core. "I guess she gets passing marks for that."

"Don't get overly cocky, KRONOS...you may have been gifted with a suitable body for your own needs and purpose, but remember than anyone of at the very least her caliber could instantly take away that privilege," The masked man at the counter hardly reacted at the fact that this woman in particular had managed to deduce his identity so easily, but than again, she was familiar with his guards and with her own 'affliction' she was more than capable of simply putting the pieces together. The man simply let out a sigh, turning the barstool a bit so he was facing into Raven's direction, tilting his head a bit to the left. "You seem to have gotten quite cocky as well, my dear. Or should I say you have become rather boastful and arrogant, calling yourself a sith lord."

Tilting his head even a bit further to the left, a soft, yet somewhat sinister sounding chuckle escaped the man's lips hidden behind his mask. "Now, all the bluster aside...Do you really think I'd enjoy the taste of a man's lifeforce when they are but the lowest rung on society's ladder? Alas, my current...condition does not allow me to be too choosy with my prey," Letting out another chuckle, the masked man placed his hand on the barstool next to him and tapped it a few times, to motion Raven to take a seat. "I'd prefer the rich and satiating taste of those with a deep connection to the force...than again, I'm not in the mood of exerting myself just to get another meal...no, my targets are well chosen, for their power, their knowledge, their intellect and their info. All they know will be mine and as such, this...distasteful group of people was a handy snack."

Gently motioning at the cabinet filled with glasses and liquor behind the counter, the masked man calmly managed to lift up two glasses and a bottle of liquor in a casual manner, with the force, bringing the three items all the way from the cabinet to the counter, we're he'd poor two glasses and slid one towards the woman. "How I see it now...it seems you have two choices...Claim your title of sith lord right here and now or yet again acknowledge me as your master...What will it be, Darth Invicta?"

tag: Raven Ashe ​

 

[Raven Ashe]

The moment she'd entered the room it seemed apparent which of them were a Master of the Force. Then again, she could see the currents in the Force in ways few else probably could; and Raven doubted Credius would use another as a crutch the way the droid had. With this parade of power and a puppet put before insensitive and Force sensitive alike, the game seemed to reveal itself. Fortunately, Raven had a unique perspective most others would lack in that regard.

Raven strode calmly through the establishment to find the seat Credius graciously offered. To think it would only be a few more seconds before the threat would be laid upon the proverbial table. She mounted that bar stool and turned to regard the man with her golden gaze as he poured the drink. The glass was swept up soon as it was slid in her direction. The poisonous liquid within slowly slid about as the vessel was rolled between her fingers.

"Things have changed. The predator within the Force and I have come to an understanding. Its power is my power, as my vessel is its vessel." Raven smiled over at the robed figure. "However," the smile faded, "I am not so arrogant; presumptuous, perhaps. Raw power is only part of being truly powerful. I still have much I could learn from you if you would have it, Master." She pivoted the glass to the side curious if the man would accept her once more, or if one of them was leaving the room with their hunger sated for a time.

Tag: Credius Nargath

 

[Credius Nargath]

The masked man chuckled again, the sound muffled and distorted by the voice modulator. His free hand reached for the white plasteel covered part of the mask, a swooshing sound preceeding the removal of said part. His eyes blazed like burning coal, slit pupils looking into her golden eyes. His features were softer, less sharp and less...aged, but a shadow seemed to swirl around his face, his skin on one side torn open completely, showing black flesh inderneath. He himself looked...younger, but at the same time older and everything in between.

"When one realizes their place, continues to value the power of knowledge and wisdom, they do not need to fear my wrath," Saluting raven with his glass, the man gulped down the liquor with a single swig, letting out a satisfying sigh. Leaning over towards the Pantoran woman, the man's guntlet reached gently to her chin, lifting it slightly upwards. "Just as such, as long as I live, my power, my will, my knowledge are yours."

Leaning back again, Credius started to laugh, motioning towards the bottle, so that it rose up again and started filling his glass with liquor once more. This was a much better and much less exhausting outcome than he had expected. he was positively certain that he could take Raven down, but he doubted it would've been an easy task, heck he doubted he'd even have much lifeforce left after such an altercation, given that she was an amalgamation of two beings, a wound in the force comparable in power to himself before he got afflicted, that alone would worry anyone.

"You know, Darth Invicta...this meeting is more than opportune," when completely gulping up the liquor yet again in a single swig, the man placed his mask in front of his face again, the whirring of the mechanism which kept it in place this time very audible. He motioned to the droid containing KRONOS, who instantly approached and displayed a holographic image of the Valkan Citadel upon the counter, after another motion by the masked man, the image rose up, while a seeming network of tunnels and halls appeared on the display underneath the aforementioned location. "I've discovered something very interesting located underneath my very home, a dark nexus...a tomb and a place where you could possibly further attune yourself to the force. Now tell me, would you be interested in that?"

Raven Ashe ​

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven joined Credius in consuming the alcohol. It held a pleasant sting, but was far from satisfying. While what the pair of them sought was similar at a fundamental level it seemed there were differences. For instance, she wouldn't have bothered with enjoying the free drinks made available by slaughtering the owner and all witnesses. With there being no one left alive to judge her actions there would be no reason to maintain the facade of being 'normal.' Yes, her...situation was not without its drawbacks. Then again, when your overwhelming need was to consume all life in the galaxy engaging in mild forms of social amusement naturally lost their luster.

The moment the man's fingers touch her chin, the white of Raven's eyes turned black. Rings of gold suspended into an abyss regarded the 'younger' appearance of Credius Nargath without his mask. How undeniably alluring the thought to tear the very life out of him. The physical contact might as well have been an invitation. Fortunately, even though she did so by the tips of her fingers, the infected Pantoran monster managed to retain control of those urges. Even when the man drew back, however, the dark gaze of his Apprentice did not abate. She had his 'scent' in the Force now. A hunter did not salivating about its prey simply because it had put a scant few inches between them.

Danger? Oh, yes, Credius was more experienced in the Dark Side than she. Had applied intellect toward its manipulation. Likely, he'd engaged in combat with it as well. Her Master would be an ever so deadly prey. Raven, however, was not paralyzed by fear at the thought of engaging him openly. The two of them were of a mind even if they disagreed on the outcome.

As her dark lips curled upward, the golden discs seemed to glow beneath the paltry light of the cantina as Credius spoke. A Dark Nexus. Raven knew of such things, but almost all of those she knew of were monitored or controlled by others. Here her Master offered one for her to explore at length freely. Though. his thought to further attune herself to the Force brought a bit of mirth to the Pantoran's thoughts. Did she need further attunement? Had her Masters not delighted enough in exposing her to the darkness? Did a creature born of it and now inhabiting her require it? No, it would not do for that. It would, however, be a welcome buffet.

"Master, you know I delved into such ancient places before I came into your service. I would be willing and able to help explore such an opportunity to its fullest." If there were traps, they would evade them. Locks? They would crack. A heart of darkness? They would feast. "You need only tell me where to begin."

Tag: Credius Nargath

 

[Credius Nargath]

Letting out a chuckle, Credius found raven's reaction to his touch quite amusing, though he wondered if it was hatred, disgust or fear which was now coursing through her mind. Not that it truly mattered, it was just a question floating in the Sith lord's thoughts when the student's eyes suddenly got their golden sheen, the scleri turning black in front of him. With his own fiery eyes tune in on those almost demonic eyes, a grin creeped onto Credius' face, the black flesh writing underneath, the shadows swirling around.

As he had his mask on again, the man let out a chuckle when hearing the reaction from Darth Invicta, of course she would be interested in finding out this dark nexus he had discovered, but she was probably not thinking about just visiting it and exploring its secrets. Credius knew that the demon was still stirring within her, forcing her to feel the hunger, forcing her to feed it, but if she wished to feed upon the nexus she'd probably have more issues than she might be able to contain.

"The nexus is located somewhere underneath the palace and is linked to my forefather's tomb," Walking over to the droid, the masked man waved with his hand once, the droid instantly taking on the image of Darth Mephis, which even though no Force was involved, did show that this was no ordinary man, no ordinary sith lord, but one ancient and wise. "Arcosius Nargath the first, a genius in his time, a monster and a dangerous mastermind within the shadows. You might be able to evade the traps within the nexus...but he was known for his rather...unorthodox ways. You won't be going alone, you'll be accompanied by another...promising child with a hunger esual to your own if I might add."

Tilting his head when looking at Raven Ashe again, the masked man chuckled rather sinisterly. "I told you before not to let yourself be guided by your hunger...you may have grown stronger, but you have still much to learn. When you fully control that hunger, you will be so much more. For now, I just want you...home."

 

[Raven Ashe]

Raven turned in her seat to regard Credius' demonstration with his droid. Information could be worth its weight in gold when exploring ancient ruins. Despite the power that filled her veins now, Raven had been a young if capable explorer before her first Master. The old ways had not yet been forgotten, nor had she left them sit idle. After all, they led her to one of her most recent, and more accomplished finds not too long ago.

Talk of another 'child' -- if Raven's expression were any flatter it wouldn't be visible to the naked eye -- with a hunger equal to her own? Great. Were they as experienced in exploring dungeons and tombs too? Apparently her dear Master had found another to play with while she was away. No doubt he'd gotten lonely. No matter, the Pantoran mentally sought to recenter herself, if it was his will this other creature tagged along then it would be so.

One corner of Raven's lips was pulled upward with her Master's gentle reminder. Her chin lowered. Her eyes fell upon an empty glass. "I do," she agreed. "Have much to learn. How to control the power of the cosmos. How to control people." An inky tendril shot out from her shoulder, curled around, and stabbed itself into the husk of the former bartender. His lifeless shell shot to its feet. His hand snatched a bottle and refilled the Pantoran's glass. When his task was complete, the tendril vanished and Raven calmly plucked her drink from the countertop to saver the burning sensation. "And I am ready."

She turned to the side once more, only this time she slipped off the perch and onto her feet. "Ready to return home with you, Master." She'd had the time to suffer -- to nearly be swallowed by the darkness -- and to come to terms with what she was, or perhaps what she could be. Yes, it was all still so new. Raven only hoped Credius didn't think her too new. Sith Lords were known to fall prey to turning a blind eye to one's pupil. Touch early to be slaying her Lord though. Time would see if the same was true for this other student of his.

Tag: Credius Nargath