They Called You A God...

[Placeholder 04]

...I wanted to see if they were right.

[member="Soeht"] was an unknown. The man, as he assumed it was male, had shown up on Lujo, or so the records went. Mephirium had heard the rumors and asked all the right questions. The general consensus was that it was not a good idea to go seeking out this individual, and that he would be better off seeing if the fabled warrior was sympathetic to his cause or not once things had taken off.

In the past, Mephirium might have paid these warnings some mind. Things had changed as of late. He planned the challenge what was arguably the most powerful being in the galaxy: the Dark Lord of the One Sith. Whatever fears he might have held in his heart had fled long ago. If he was to bring order to the galaxy; true, righteous order, then he had to take chances. Change could not be brought about any other way.

Besides, if this figure served the Dark Lord, then he was nothing for Mephirium to fear. He would respect the being's power and accomplishments, try to understand what drove it, but groveling? Shying away for the sake of his own mortality?

Mephirium would not dare.

His shuttle hung over Coruscant in the shadow of the defensive fleet. A contact had provided him a means of possibly(?) making contact with the being known as Soeht.

Drawing in a deep breath, Mephirium keyed the comm frequency.

"This is Darth Mephirium. I am attempting to speak with the being called Soeht on matters of the One Sith's future," he paused, "Preferably face to face."

The message was sent. He had no idea who might be listening on the other side, but he trusted his contact. The worst that could happen would be that he might be ignored. Disappointing, but it would not put a stop to his plans.

 

[Soeht]

[member="Darth Mephirium"] was answered. A hologram reply was sent to him.

It would show the armored, masked appearance of Soeht kneeling.

“Darth Mephirium, I’ll make my way to Coruscant to speak with you. I should be there by tomorrow,” said Soeht.

And that was it. Regardless of whether or not [member="Darth Mephirium"] would reply, there would be no further message from Soeht.
_________________________________________

Just as Soeht said, it would be a day before he ventured to Coruscant to meet Darth Mephirium at a designated meeting place.

 

[Placeholder 04]

Mephirium did not bother with a worded reply, instead sending an address.

[member="Soeht"] would come to speak with him, and he would need to find the right words. Otherwise, this would be a complete waste of time. While Mephirium was not restricted from Coruscant, he did not have any place of his own to meet with the Sith Lord. Instead, he called upon the assistance of one of his followers - an informant that had sworn herself to Mephirium's cause a month ago.

The young woman had been eager to donate her apartment to Mephirium for the evening. It was a shabby little thing, but it would do. Better no one knew they were meeting at all anyway.

Mephirium could only hope that Soeht was not expecting opulence - he was not the type for vanity to begin with, and the dingy little home would only serve to further sully the stranger's opinion of him.

Regardless, Mephirium awaited. He did not allow himself to worry over such trivial things as appearance. He intended to bring the Sith in line with what they once were. No one with their right mind would care what color he chose to paint the walls.

That was his hope, anyway.

 

[Soeht]

At the appointed time, Soeht reached the apartment. He entered without much of a word.

As soon as [member="Darth Mephirium"] came into Soeht's view, the Sith would kneel before the Darth. Despite his actions on Lujo and the knowledge that Darth Vornskr and Braxus Zambrano had, Soeht was supposed to be just Darth Isolda's apprentice. He did not even have the Mark of Darkness, neither was he given a Darth title by the Dark Lord. By all formal technicalities, Soeht was in an inferior position compared to Darth Mephirium.

And Soeht was committed to play the role of a Sith Acolyte - for now.

"How may I serve, Darth Mephirium?" asked Soeht.

 

[Placeholder 04]

Mephirium was taken aback, and the surprise showed on his face, however temporarily. He quickly reigned himself in as [member="Soeht"] spoke his words. Perhaps the rumor had been false? Perhaps this was simply a trick?

Either way, Mephirium managed to regain some semblance of control. This being was kneeling to him; it spoke to him with a sense of inferiority, of reverence. It was not what Mephirium had expected out of this meeting. It was something he could entirely work with if he deigned this to be true, rather than an act.

"Before I begin," his voice was level and held the same steadiness it had when speaking with the Sith Lords he had previously recruited to his cause, "Your master, who is he? I am curious."

His arms folded over his chest and he lofted a brow, curious as to the would-be-acolyte's reply. He would need to be careful. Though word of his treason had not yet found its way to the Dark Lord himself, there were whispers here and there. If the Dark Lord or any of his retinue found out before the coup could even begin, then all would be lost.

Very careful indeed.

If Soeht was truly this, and only this, then his master's identity would determine Mephirium's level of honesty. Still, he had read the Galactic Alliance's reports on the man - he still had access. His absence was nothing new, and his revelation had been a quite one. He reckoned it would be about another week until someone learned of his change of heart; he would need to look over their report on this Soeht once again.

 

[Soeht]

There was no command to rise, so Soeht simply remained kneeling.

"My master is the Eye of the Dark Lord, Darth Isolda," Soeht answered [member="Darth Mephirium"].

 

[Placeholder 04]

The Eye of the Dark Lord.

Isolda had become quiet as of late, though he knew she was still active to some degree. She and her Vahl were high up on the list of possible loyalists. [member="Soeht"] being her apprentice made things interesting, to say the least.

Part of him suspected a trap, though he was sure the young woman who owned this apartment would inform him of such if she saw men moving toward the complex. That was what she had been instructed to do, anyway. It wasn't much more than a warning system, but then that was all he would need.

His gaze shifted over Soeht to the door beyond. He had called the man here assuming him to be some form of legend. To be shown an apprentice was...well, he could work with such things.

He only needed to prod a little bit.

"You may rise." An order, not a request. His surprise was gone now - he'd accepted what Soeht truly was, or what he had chosen to perceive him to be anyway.

"Do you hope to achieve a similar rank as your master?" He asked quietly, arms folding over his chest. With some, he simply asked the question. With others, he needed to peel away layers. Soeht was going to be the latter, and something told him getting to the core of the Sith Apprentice was going to be quite difficult, and in the end, he might not like what he saw.

"I ask out of simple curiosity. She is the only one I know of that has held the title of the Eye, though I may be incorrect."

 

[Soeht]

As soon as [member="Darth Mephirium"] said to, Soeht stood back up. Compared to Mephirium, Soeht was just a couple inches taller. While this was supposed to be a meeting between Sith, Soeht was still armed. As his cape pulled back slightly, it would reveal at least four lightsaber hilts strapped to his legs.

“To become Eye of the Dark Lord?” questioned Soeht.

There was a pause after Soeht asked this.

Yet, Soeht was not looking for an answer as he then told Mephirium, “Only the Dark Lord can bestow such a title on someone.”

Such was an obvious fact, yet Soeht stated it regardless.

“And no,” Soeht finally answered, “I’m not interested in h̢e̶r̷͜ title.”

 

[Placeholder 04]

He had gotten [member="Soeht"] to speak more than a handful of words. That was a start, at the very least.

Within the One Sith, Mephirium had grown accustomed to looking up. It seemed every man that held claim to the title of Sith Lord was two meters in height and built like a freight speeder. At the very least, with Soeht, he did not feel so overwhelmed. Still, he found himself missing the days when he could stand at eye level with most folks he came across.

Summarily, the One Sith must have some amazing kind of alchemy milk they gave to their kids. Mephirium would find this beverage and harness such power for his own ends, but that was a discussion for another time.

"I'm pleased to hear you aren't." Mephirium admitted, though he was capable to gauge Soeht's reaction. "Both the Wrath and a handful of Voices have either betrayed us or -" he made a held up a hand and made a puffing noise - "Gone like smoke. The Eye remains, yet it seems she misses much."

Mephirium shook his head.

"No, I see in you something beyond that of a simple soothsayer. I'm sure you see it as well."

A pause.

"Stop to consider why these prominent Sith Lords are turning on us. These men and women who have served the Dark Lord so faithfully over the years, who walked into gunfire in his name, slew thousands, burned entire worlds - why would they ever turn their back on us?"

 

[Soeht]

“I remember Darth Junra’s betrayal,” began Soeht, “And I’ve heard even more.”

“But I’m not knowledgeable of the hearts of every one that betrays the Dark Lord,” claimed Soeht.

Soeht took a single step toward [member="Darth Mephirium"].

"Why do you think they do?" he asked Mephirium.

 

[Placeholder 04]

"A number of betrayals, yes," Mephirium frowned, "Junra made a mistake."

He had not been present, but Mephirium heard the tales all the same. The woman who he had worked with on Ossus - something he could still justify to himself, had met a grisly end. Her mistake had been to challenge the Dark Lord alone. Mephirium had a fleet.

"Perhaps not, but you're intelligent enough to surmise things," Mephirium quipped back. He stood his ground as [member="Soeht"] took a step forward.

"I think they were dissatisfied with the status-quo. I think they wanted things the Dark Lord could not provide. He's led us to greatness, yes, but there are dissenting opinions. Some feel they have been wronged."

His voice was a level thing. He gave no direct indications that he might be one of those dissenting voices. Soeht was still a mystery. Mephirium would need to gauge where he stood - he had come to understand the reverence with which some spoke of the Dark Lord was simply an act. Though he doubted such with Soeht, the possibility was there.

He would not close this door just yet.

 

[Soeht]

Soeht took another step toward [member="Darth Mephirium"] after the Darth had spoken. The distance between the two was closing. It might have been close enough for Mephirium to hear Soeht breathing through his helmet. A low hiss followed every intake of air.

"Are you one of those that feels dissa͢ti͝sf̕i͘e͞d a̢n̢d́ ̀wro̷nge̷d̨?" asked Soeht.

 

[Placeholder 04]

Mephirium would not allow himself to be intimidated.

The Sith Lord's brow furrowed with what might have been annoyance. He had to tilt his head back a bit to meet what he perceived to be [member="Soeht"]'s gaze, but he did so with as much dignity as he could managed. His arms remained rigid at his sides, his fingers brushing alone the cold steel of his lightsaber.

"I am. I plan to challenge him for his place." He stated plainly, eyes narrowing somewhat as he searched the expressionless visage for some small vestige of humanity. He found none. "If I fall, then the One Sith is better for it, and my supporters will fall back into line. If I am right, then I will take his place, and my vision will replace his own."

Displeasure laced his words. "You've a reputation, Soeht. I've heard of you, but I will tell you, I do not fear legends." He lofted a brow. "I don't know where your loyalties truly lay, but I will tell you that standing with the Dark Lord is not wise. There are others such as myself. Millions." Not a threat, but a fact.

"If you decide what I've told you right now is a threat to your goals, your current standing, or otherwise, then I expect you to try and stop me. Still, I would urge you to consider the way the galaxy turns. Change is the way of the Sith. This is stagnation. Were you to kill me, others would take my place."

Darth Mephirium stood his ground. He did not fear legends. He did not fear gods. He most certainly did not fear the Dark Lord of the Sith or those foolish enough to stand with him during his twilight.

He prepared to defend himself, erecting a thin invisible barrier around his chest with the force. It would keep the larger man from shattering his rib cage with a blast of telekinetic energy, at the very least.

"Make your choice. Join us, walk away, or remain by the side of an old fool who would like nothing more than for you to worship him as if he were a god until the end of your days."

If you kill me, another will rise up to take my place.

 

[Soeht]

A sort of miniature speech. Soeht stood before [member="Darth Mephirium"] - unmoving - throughout the whole thing. Unlike Mephirium, Soeht's hands did not budge. He merely watched and listened.

And once Mephirium was finished, Soeht told him, "A bold confession."

An infectious, diseased sensation in the Force would begin to emanate from Soeht. He actively commanded the dark side of the Force before Mephirium. Point-blank range. Soeht's domain. Despite Mephirium's efforts to defend himself, he would have to deal with Soeht at a disadvantage. If he had read the Galactic Alliance files, then Mephirium would have had the chance to know this.

Yet, Soeht turned away. A brief respite from the growing tension. He seemed as if he was going to, slowly, make his departure.

After walking a mere few feet away from Mephirium, Soeht stopped. He turned his head back slightly and asked, "Do you want to know the secret to the Dark Lord's power?"

 

[Placeholder 04]

Mephirium did not dare breath an audible sigh of relief, but he did allow him to relax the moment [member="Soeht"] turned about on him. He had been ready to fight the warrior, but he could not afford grievous injuries. Though he did not doubt his own power, even a victory over this one would leave him scarred. Few would follow a wounded man into battle against a being such as the Dark Lord.

Yet still, he found his interest piqued when Soeht continued to speak. A brow lofted.

"Tell me."

 

[Soeht]

As soon as [member="Darth Mephirium"] answered, Soeht turned back around to face him. He did not approach him this time.

"It's belief," answered Soeht.

"He is strong by himself," Soeht continued, "But it's the reverence of those that bear his mark and the fear of his enemies that turn him into a... 'god'."

 

[Placeholder 04]

Then I must become a god.

Mephirium nodded - and that nod become a slight bow of the head. He was not one to assume he was entitled to this. The old guard had, in one way or another, given him their blessing, or at the very least let him pass. He paid respect where it was due.

"I will take your words to heart, Soeht."

He drew his cowl over his face.

"When next we meet, I hope that we may do so as allies."

[member="Soeht"]

 

[Soeht]

Before [member="Darth Mephirium"] could leave, Soeht gave an offer.

"As you are now, death is what waits for you," Soeht told Mephirium.

"The power the Dark Lord has is very real," he explained, "And others crave his title."

Then as Soeht gestured his right hand toward Mephirium, Soeht said, "But I can share some of my knowledge (power) with you."

 

[Placeholder 04]

Mephirium stopped halfway to the door. He did not respond all at once, blue eyes flickering to gaze at [member="Soeht"] from just beyond his cowl. He was well aware of the Dark Lord's strength - of how much the Dark Lord held over him in terms of strength.

He would be a fool to refuse the man's offer.

"I will take whatever you can give," Mephirium frowned, "Though there is little I have to offer save for my plans for the future."

Still, he turned to face Soeht. "What is it you would show me?"

 

[Soeht]

"Think of it as a gift," Soeht said.

A red light built up within Soeht's right hand as sparks of red lightning danced around. He faced his palm toward [member="Darth Mephirium"]. A tether of lightning soon followed and raced toward Mephirium. Yet rather than damage and harm Mephirium, the channel of lightning supplied a power that could invigorate Mephirium.

So long as he continued to accept it during this ritual.

And if Mephirium did accept it, he would become empowered by the corrupting power that drove Soeht. Those that knew of Soeht's power would likely fear Mephirium in the coming battles.