Whispering Shadows

[Adron Malvern]

Objective: Gauge his worth
Location: Illyria, Royal Palace
Tags: [member="Aeneis Valdemar"]

​

​

"The dark side of the force is a pathway to many abilities, some considered to be unnatural." -Darth Sidious​

​

The night is darkest when evil is at work. It was something that Darth Malphas' father had often said when speaking of the Dark Side of the Force. He believed the powers that came from shadow and fire were to be shunned, destroyed even. His scion had long since learned the truth behind the Force that was at work. It was cold, distant, and demanded respect. To ever survive in such a galaxy, you must be it's equal and then one day, it's harbinger. The Royal Palace of Illyria was quiet, so quiet that the night's winds could be heard down the deepest halls. Darth Malphas, the King of this once-forgotten world, enjoyed the soft whistles that could be heard as he roamed through the halls. It was some time since he had been able to enjoy the comfort of his own home, a comfort he would soon abandon once again.

No doubt, [member="Alessandra Creed"] would notice his departure from their bed. He did that often, escape in the dead of night while the would-be Queen was yet sleeping soundly. If he could manage, he would return before she would care to notice. This night, he would not, what he had planned would take some time to bring to completion.

He wore a navy robe which seemed nearly black in the darkness. A hand ran through the matted mess that laid on his hair, idly he worked to pick a few strands of his hair free. He moved down the hall, from corridor to corridor until he found himself staring at a large Obsidian door. It was of a design much like the doors in the Temple of Kruel. Activated by a certain Force Signature, it was essentially impregnable to those untouched by the powers of the Dark Side. He produced his arm, watching as the symbols etched into the door began to glow a vibrant amethyst in response. His own eyes mirrored this phenomenon, glowing as vibrantly as a new born star. "Ouvrir." He commanded, in the tongue of Illyria, the language he found himself using more and more. A number of mechanical clicks echoed out, one after another signifying the door's compliance to it's master's command. When finally the door began to open, Malphas glanced back down the hall, gazing out silently.

He said no more and made his way into the chamber, the door shutting behind him with a loud bang.

Inside the chamber, the first sense to adjust to is the sound.

Water.

It ran from one side of the chamber to the other, in thin little rivers that had been etched into the marble floor. All of these rivers twisted and turned, forming an intricate design. In the center of this design was a pool, only a few feet wide and filled with the pristine waters. The Sith Lord pulled at his robe, allowing it to fall to the floor beside him. His torso had a number of scars. Many of them thin and undefined, yet there were a number of noticeable scars. Chief among them was the large, glaring patch of a scar on the left side of his abdomen. He considered it his first unofficial welcome to the Confederacy.

Stripping down to his bare body, the Sith Lord walked across the room, stepping into the waters. They were cold, chillingly so. He exhaled, before allowing his form to fall into the waters almost lifelessly. In that single moment, the Crystals that lined the inside of the pool came to life with a green hue, signifying their reaction with Malphas. It felt as if he had ripped himself from out of the physical world. Commanding the Force, he had dipped himself into the ethereal plane for one purpose.

[member="Aeneis Valdemar"].

Whether she knew it or not, when [member="Shakti Sweet"] entered combat with the man, she had made his presence a beacon to Malphas. He could sense the hunger for power, the need for control. He was unlike any other that Malphas had seen and in this moment the decision was made. He would be empowered by the Dark Side, and take a new role. He would be the Sith Lord's newest apprentice. And so, Malphas flourished in the Dark Side, bringing himself to Aeneis' mind in the dead of night.

Nightmares from hell and dreams from the heavens would have to wait. Darkness would fill the young man's mind and in the next moment there would be nothing but a soft tap.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Again and again this would echo throughout the dream realm. Perhaps Aeneis would notice the realism of the dream, or perhaps he would wonder what the hell was going on? Either way, the darkness would part to present the Dark Lord. He was wrapped in a fine suit, draped in shadows and darkness. Staring at the shadows would cause Aeneis to hear what sounded like pain-filled moans of agony. Best not to gaze too long, or he would surely join those who had been absorbed into the power that was Darth Malphas. The tapping came from the cane in the man's hand. The wolf, with a crown etched into the top of the head, topped this ebony cane.

"Well, Lieutenant. Here I am." Malphas had an accent that was both refined and militant, many wrongfully believed the man was born under the rule of the Sith Empire, however those with a keen ear would notice the subtle differences.

He swept his arms open in a welcoming expression, before clasping his hands around the crown of his cane. "You summoned me here, I assumed it was for a reason."

"Although...You may not remember because you did not do it consciously. No. You see, you called out to me every time you wished for change. Every time you looked out to the rotting, festering, waste land that is the universe and felt your anger rise, you were summoning me."

"Now I am here, so what do you seek?"

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

For a soldier whose seen the depths of depravity, who’s witnessed unspeakable atrocities, and was sworn to secrecy by those he served it was the nights that were the hardest. The nightmares that come, enough to break the weak, and wittle away at the will of the strong. Laying there in a soft bed was Aeneis, the bed not lush or with fancy sheets. It was basic with a comforter that had been kicked off to the floor in the man’s slumber. Toss and turn he did in the bed, his body slick from sweat. The moonlight of Corellia framed his body causing his silver-white hair to shine all the more. It caused his eyes to squint in his sleep. The sounds of Coronet city came up to the apartment window yet couldn’t wake the man. Then in the blink of an eye, it all went quiet. The moonlight had retreated, replaced by darkness.

Eyes shooting open Aeneis shot upright, gasping as he felt a deep chill form at the area between his shoulders and radiate to consume his entire being. An invisible weight pressed in on him from all around, and wherever those gold eyes looked there was nothing but darkness in every direction. The longer he looked into the abyss the faster his heart began to beat. Opening and closing his hands Aeneis looked down to them and could see them despite the darkness. Reaching up to cup his face he could feel the dampness of his skin from the sweat. In a last-ditch attempt to wake himself up or see if everything around him was a dream the Corellian bit the inside of his cheek.

The taste of copper filled the soldier's mouth, the warmth of the blood felt as danced across his tongue. The pain-causing the Arkanian to wince. Rising to his feet Aeneis yelled into the abyss, all that came back was a faint tapping. A tapping that seemed to reverberate throughout the dreamscape. That vibrated the Lieutenant's body all the way to his core. “Hello?!” The Corellian shouted once more into the void.

This time the void answered. The abyss pulled back and as though out of thin air welcomed a second individual. A second individual that radiated malevolent energy. Who’s presence immediately caused the soldier to recoil visibly as his budding abilities in the force reacted to him. The man appeared not too much older than Aeneis, yet he was dressed in a fine suit. At least what Aeneis thought was a suit till he glanced at it. A glance that led to him grabbing his head and shutting his eyes. Bloodcurdling screams penetrated his mind, echoing within his conscious and dragging him to a knee before the mysterious figure.

Eyes glancing to the ground Aeneis dare not look up. He simply stared into the abyss below him. “I-I nev-” He started but was forced to breathe and swallow his spittle as the terrors he’d just experienced had robbed him of what little composure he had remaining. Instead of finishing his first thought Aeneis let the man continue, not even thinking to rise to his feet.

The fact that the dreamscape felt so real robbed Aeneis of the thought of this being a simple dream or even a premonition such as the ones he’d had as a youth. No this was something beyond him, the being that stood there watching and speaking far more powerful. Perhaps to simply erase Aeneis from existence. Yet the words were of welcome, they spoke to the fiber of the Corellian’s being.

"Now I am here, so what do you seek?"

It was these words that brought the air back into Aeneis’ lungs. That gave him the strength to look up into the violet eyes of this entity. It was what he’d always been seeking and waiting for. “I seek to bring change, I seek the power to bring order to a galaxy where there is truly none. I… I seek the strength to destroy those who would stop me from implementing such order on the galaxy.”

Yet Aeneis was no fool, offers such as this didn’t come without a cost. No… There would be some debt, some right to confer. “But who are you? Why did you come to me only now?” There were nights Aeneis had laid awake wishing for the ability to change the galaxy, even taking to pursuits into politics. Asking the universe itself for a way to stop the rampant spread of Chaos.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​

​

[member="Aeneis Valdemar"]​

​

Was I like this, as a boy?​

​

The thought crossed the Sith Lord's mind and the faintest curve of his lips betrayed the smirk he was showing. Malphas had been raised in the ways of the Force, though he did not discover the darkness until sometime later. What stood before the man was not a boy, he was a man and a soldier at that. Soldiers always had a keen view on how the galaxy operated. As the defenders and facilitators of death, they learned first hand the hellish truth of the galaxy. Perhaps that was why the Sith Lord seemed intent on taking them as his apprentices, or maybe it was something else. As the man peered through the windows of Aeneis' soul, he saw precisely what it was that gravitated him towards the soldier.

Will.

Malphas was amused by the soldier's response. It had a power behind it that most would not hold in the presence of a Sith Lord. The cane swung forward, pressing into Aeneis' chest. Though it did not seem to truly press into his being, instead it phased through him as if it was an apparition conjured by spirits. "Well, lieutenant. It seems you do have the heart of a soldier." He pulled the cane back from the man, pressing it into the floor of darkness and shadows that had formed from beneath his feet. Malphas noticeably ignored the man's question, instead choosing to pace around him, as a predator stalking his prey. "The galaxy is in distress." In a single moment, a massive shift would occur. Buildings began to materialize around them. Thick clouds of smoky shadows twisted and writhed, working to create a picture upon the canvas of eternity that surrounded them. The buildings soon took shape and color, and the pitch black void was replaced with clear blue skies and a towering city, a Corellian city.

"It came for my world as it will come for yours." Clasping his hands on his cane, Malphas gazed out as the buildings seemed to stand tall, proud in the evening sun. Yet, the sun itself seemed to turn against the world, spitting from it thick crimson streams of fire and death. Turbolaser fire. These rounds slammed into the buildings around Malphas and Aeneis until the quaking of the planet was the only sound that could be heard. When Aeneis looked around, Malphas would be gone, disappeared from the scene he had painted. All around Aeneis, the world was crumbling. The enemy fleet that seemed to emerge from the pits of the sun itself, were now blocking out the skies. It moved upon the planet, destroying all, until all that remained was Aeneis. Alone.

Would you fare better than I did? The voice was considerate, though there was the underlying tone of mockery there. As the ships threatened to descend upon Aeneis' his own hand would rise. Through his own power, the Fleet would falter. The ships would scream out as the metal twisted upon itself. It continued until finally....the explosion was deafening. The sight was so bright it would force the man to shield his eyes. When he could see once more, he would see he had actually not raised his hand of his own will, yet Malphas' had a firm grip on his arm and had raised it to the skies himself.

"Very few people get the chance to change their fate and the fate of that which they care about." As he spoke, there was no mistaking the lack of patience, the anger, that burned through him as he spoke through gritted teeth. "Will you be another who will fall to uselessness or will you fight?!" His burning words seemed to resonate to the man's arm, because a hot rush would flow onto the man's forearm until finally, steam swept from under Malphas' grip. That burning sensation would be enough to bring a man to his knees, still it was interesting to see how Aeneis would respond. In time, Malphas pulled back, his hand falling back to his side. It dripped with the crimson liquid of life. However, the blood did not seem to come from Aeneis, instead it came a cut upon Malphas' arm.

It seemed now that Malphas chose to acknowledge Aeneis' words.

"I am the one who can provide you with a path. You are the one you will decide to walk it or run from it."

Upon Aeneis' forearm was a mark, conjured from Malphas' blood and his command over the Dark Side of the Force. If there was any doubt of the dream's reality, it would be proven when the soldier awoke, because that mark would remain.

"If you truly wish to bring order, find the home of the wolf. Only there can it be determined if you are ready to bring change to the galaxy." As the man spoke, his very being seemed to be swallowed by shadows and darkness. Yet, there were four words, spoken as the man disappeared from Aeneis' dreams.

Do what you must.

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

They say when you glance into someone's soul you see what sort of person they truly were. In the entity before him Aeneis saw nothing but more darkness, a cold abyss that reached out enveloping him. This darkness grew more and from within it boiled out fragments of other emotions, rage, hatred, jealousy. Feeling as though he were doomed Aeneis broke the gaze and instead glanced down to the ethereal cane that had penetrated him. The sensation it left odd, no pain but more of a disturbing tingle from within his core.

With each circle Aeneis found himself wondering if such an individual could even be considered mortal? If what he faced now was a deity coming down from on high to give what he’d prayed years for. Or if someone it was no more than a man that had been gifted and had reached a higher echelon of power. All while pondering this the dreamscape around the Corellian began to change, shift, and take on the appearance of his home.

For a Corellian nothing was more important than their home, the entire galaxy could burn for all they cared and as long as the planet itself survived they’d be content. It was why when the world was broken it had been so damning for their people. The moral and pride they once had an overabundance of snatched away in the blink of an eye. From where he stood now Aeneis watched damnation fall upon his world once more.

Eclipsing the primary of Corellia the fleet of Star Destroyers loomed over Aeneis and unleashed a hell upon Coronet city the likes of which hadn’t been known in centuries. In the blink of an eye entire buildings were evaporated leaving nothing but smoldering craters. The screams of innocents filled Aeneis’ ears as he was forced to watch. From within the soldier came a hellish wraith, a righteous fury that filled his being and bubbled forth. Hand stretching to the ships above the man bellowed releasing every ounce of strength he could muster upon the ship. The shriek of metal being bent and stressed was heard, then the others followed suit before exploding in a mini-nova that scorched the Corellians eyes.

Looking away and blinking away the black spots that had began to form in his vision he saw the grip of the entity, how he’d guided him. How it hadn’t been his own power but could one day if he sought to claim it. And as the hand of the manifestation of darkness retreated all that remained was an ebony brand. “Wait of what wolf? I need more?!” Aeneis shouted after the being and attempted to give chase but before he could he felt the void dragging him down. From below strands of darkness tore at Aeneis’ being dragging him down, deeper and deeper. He screamed out before they filled his mouth smothering him.

This time when Aeneis’ eyes opened he found himself home and rushed to the window. Outside it was still dark. Rain batted against the large canopy window. In that slight reflection, the Arkanian could see that same ebony mark from his dream embedded upon his tan skin. His breathing quickened, it all hadn’t been a dream. It was more than just a mere premonition or illusion. No everything he’d felt, everything he’d seen had been real. He had been given a purpose, called by one who’d seen him as worthy. Aeneis was not going to give that up.

-----------------

Lothal
3 weeks later

Three weeks into his journey and Aeneis was still searching for the home of the wolf as he’d been told. The hint he’d been given was if anything more aggravating than helpful. Even after the soldier had cross-referenced wolf species with planets connected to Force cults or religions that still left with close to a dozen that he’d have to visit. Tatooine despite connections to the Sith and sporting wolves of a sort was useless and led to nothing but days of searching the vast desert expanses.

Haruun Kal had ended up with Aeneis being trapped within the wilderness for days forced to survive alongside the locals till they were able to forge a path back to the starport. Finally, here he was on Lothal. Hope was beginning to wear thin on the man as he stepped down the landing ramp of his shuttle and looked into the distance. Across the planes large spires stood out, reaching skywards.

Dressed in nothing but a pair of tan explorers pants and a green tank top, Aeneis looked more like a survivalist than a soldier and budding politician. Wrapped around his right arm, where the mark had been placed there was now a bandage covering it. Not out of shame, not out of any want to hide it, but to keep himself from clawing at it. When the Arkanian had first set out there was nothing but a light tingle coming from the mark, yet with each passing day it worsened. What was once a small tingle became a faint burning, what became a faint burning turning into an inferno that consumed the entirety of Aeneis’ upper arm. He had dug at it, clawed at it to where at one point the skin was raw and bleeding, revealing the pink flesh underneath and yet the mark had still remained.

Taking a swig from the canteen slung across his shoulders Aeneis did a cautionary glance over the area the Corellian sighed. He’d given up so much in chase of what seemed to be a fruitless endeavor. He had gone in search of something beyond himself but it was too late to turn back as there would always be that haunting thought of “what if”. What if he could’ve found the power and strength he sought? What if the entity was waiting for him?

“If you’re out there, I could really use a bit of help… I’m trying, but how much further must I go?” Listening for a bit, hoping for a vision of a sort, yet there was nothing. With a heavy sigh Aeneis began the long trek towards what remained of the ancient Lothal temple.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​

​

Lothal​

​

The Sith Lord found Lothal to be, quite honestly, sickening. He could feel the light side of the Force on this world. It was so powerful here. So many had come and gone, searching for the truths of the Force as it stood. Many were Jedi, hoping to find the ruins of their ancient temple. Others, were Sith Lords hell bent on commanding time and space, as the ancient rumors and text had led them to this planet with such hopes. He stood in the middle of the sun, with it's burning rays falling upon him. They meant nothing. They were as phasing as a summer breeze, for the Force kept the Sith Lord's body from heating in the extreme heat.

It was easy enough to find the Jedi Temple. Rather, it was easy enough to find what remained. The "ruins" that most found were piles of rock and stone piled under years of sand and rock. The Sith Lord cared little for this. No, what he searched for was something far more useful.

An order of Sith Lords, long after the time of Darth Sidious found the temple of the Jedi and attempted to use it as a place to capture the many wayward Jedi spread through the galaxy. Over years, they captured many Jedi, each more foolish than the last. It was a vain attempt to destroy the Jedi order and it's beliefs. Yet, they had left something behind that would be useful to the new Sith Order. Knowledge. They had created an enclave only a few miles away from the Jedi temple and Malphas was intent on claiming it. However, first he must claim the true prize on this world.

Aeneis Valdemar was close.

Malphas looked out at the sands. The man was very close, so close that he would soon arrive at the Jedi temple.

The mark on the young man's arm would begin to burn. As hot as fire, the Mark called to it's true master. "He is powerful..." He muttered.

The Sith projected his voice into the man's mind, granting him some words but truthfully granting little.

You have chosen well. Now, close your eyes and open yourself to my power.

Malphas raised his arms, calling onto the Dark Side and the great power it granted him. The winds began to twist and writhe under his command. They washed over the rocky lands and created a great storm of sand and dust. Aeneis would find his sight struck away by the storm. To escape this, he would have to rely on his sixth sense, the Force. He would have to have the true will to do what was necessary.

Follow me. Malphas commanded.

The Dark Lord turned away from the Jedi Temple and now moved towards the true destination. The Sith Enclave.

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

The oppressive heat of Lothal continued to bear down upon the Corellian with no remorse. His head covered in a fresh sheen of sweat, the pits of his shirt slowly beginning to darken. The Arkanian offshoots eyes forced to squint as the natural ability to see infrared took its toll on the gold orbs that adorned his skull. With each step the mark on his arm continued to itch, slowly growing from that to a stinging sensation. By the time Aeneis closed in on the remains of the Jedi Temple that stinging turned into a full on burn. It felt as if his entire arm had been dunked into flames. Face contorting, teeth grinding against each other, the soldier fell to his knees in the sand clutching the appendage.

Unwilling to scream the soldier simply clutched at the limb looking around. The pain beyond any that he’d experienced over the past few weeks. Snatching at the bandage Aeneis uncovered his mark that now stood out more apparent than it had before. The skin that had been torn asunder around it began to knit itself back together. Lost in his pain, the words of Adron almost went unnoticed. The presence within Aeneis’ mind was felt, it was an odd sensation as though another presence was within his own conscious.

You have chosen well. Now, close your eyes and open yourself to my power.

The words came, and with them came a breeze. An unnatural one at that. The Corellian tried to spot the Sith Lord around the ruins of the temple to no avail. Not even his vision as an Arkanian could aid him in the endeavor. There was nothing to see, and then he was stripped of even that. The wind whipped up into a frenzy, sand flung into the man’s eyes. A pain almost as bad as the marks burn. “Is this what you want?! Is this what you called me out here for?!” Aeneis shouted to the storm and beyond it.

Then there came the call to follow. The voice echoing in the Offshoot’s mind and not giving any direction to follow. Rising to his feet, still clutching his arm, the mark now beginning to ooze blood the Corellian dare not open his eyes again. Not while the storm was at its peak, yet standing in the open would lead to certain death. With him buried beneath the sands unable to find a way home.

So Aeneis walked. Ever since he’d been young he knew he had a gift, it sometimes displayed itself by him being able to convince others to do things that they’d never do in their right mind. Other times it had come to him in premonitions or moments of great speed and strength far beyond that of an Arkanian. This talent had been Aeneis’ saving grace, yet he did not know how to control it or when it would show itself. If you’re going to help, now would be a fine time. The soldier thought to himself, focusing on himself and opening who he was. Focusing on that sensation that had accompanied the abilities in times past.

Soon there was a faint coolness in his core, a small kettle of energy that slowly began to rise. That energy creating a line of silver energy that Aeneis could see clearly. Not see with his eyes, but with something far beyond the physical. At the end of the line stood the figure of the shadow man, and as such Aeneis set out approaching them through the sands. Eyes never opening, his focus on keeping the silver line from vanishing he grew ever closer.

“Why did you bring me here? What could you want from this world?” Aeneis called out. Bits of sand landing in his mouth, the grit odd against his tongue.

 

[Adron Malvern]

​

[member="Aeneis Valdemar"]​

​

He could feel him, dipping his hands deeper and deeper into the well of the Force. He was learning. Fast. Faster than any apprentice the Dark Lord had ever trained. What many struggled to learn through years of grueling regiment, he was learning through pure intuition. Was there any surprise? He was a soldier after all. Malphas had always had a soft spot for soldiers and their doctrine. Complete commitment to something better than themselves, a flawless aspect. Now he merely had to show this soldier, that his commitment was best held in the Sith's hands. The two of them made a trek, albeit a short one, through the sands and winds until finally they found themselves staring at the mouth of an odd cave formation. It seemed as if it was swallowing the sands of the world into it's jagged maw.

The Sith Lord heard the man call out and for the first time he spoke back to the man. "I did not bring you here, you led yourself here." He said simply, making his way into the Sith Enclave. The moment he stepped inside, his eyes befell a single rune that laid on the inside of the cavern wall. It was similar to his own Dark Mark, yet it was considerably smaller and was glowing a faint shade of crimson. So, his thoughts were true. This enclave had belonged to one of his predecessors. He ran a hand over the rune, watching as it came alive with a vibrant crimson glow.

The Dark Side lashed out of Malphas as he pressed his palm to the rune. He growled softly, watching as the crimson aura shifted to match his own amethyst presence. Once the rune was vibrantly glowing purple he turned away from it. The cave before him had appeared as nothing more than a simple dessert cavern, yet as the run activated the rocks before them began to shift and grind against each other. They collapsed and rebuilt themselves until they formed a smooth surface, an entrance into the enclave. Malphas turned back to Aeneis, his amethyst eyes settling on the man evenly. There was not mistaking the weight behind his eyes as he looked to the man and said a single word. "Order." He spoke, the words seeming both an inferno and an autumn breeze in the same moment.

He turned towards the main entryway of the enclave and as he approached the door's opened unto him. The hall before them was finely carved in an obsidian-like stone. On either side of the path were a number of doors and halls leading into the labyrinth of a enclave. The rooms seemed fresh and clean, while the halls were well maintained and pristine. Still, it was as silent as a grave. There was no one here, nothing but the stale smell of recycled air.

As they walked down the hall, the shadows that formed the darkness within seemed to gravitate towards Malphas, wrapping around him and forming a suit of midnight blackness. Once the suit was formed, with a tie that had a single violet stripe down the center, the two found themselves standing in the middle of a large chamber. The chamber was lined with statues of the ancient Sith of old. Tulak Hord, Naga Sadow, Darth Marr, Darth Vitiate, Darth Plageous, Darth Sidious, Darth Vadar, Darth Krayt, and many others. The chamber held over fifty statues that stretched up to the top of the atrium. When they reached the center, Malphas turned to Aeneis and looked to him expectantly. He glanced at the man's features which showed the promise of power, as well as his platinum hair and other identifying parts of him.

"Earlier you asked me why I brought you here. The truth is simple. You have three things that I need." He began, as he began to pace around the man, much as he had in the vision he trapped the soldier in.

"First. You have a power within you. Something that you have heard in the most quiet of moments and felt only in it's most vague sense. You do not understand it, but you know it is there and you know it can be used. Maybe you've rationalized it as luck or a supernatural talent. You'd be wrong and right in that assumption."

"Second. Your heart." He said, pressing a finger into the man's chest. "Ready to fight. Ready to die. Ready to sacrifice. You know what it means to devote yourself to something, knowing full well the price you will pay."

"Finally." The Sith Lord said, pausing right in front of the man. "Your mind. You know the truth, don't you?" He whispered, as if what he spoke of was a hushed secret. "You know that the galaxy needs order, stability? It needs to be organized and controlled, bent to the proper path by those who know better."

"So tell me."

"Can you be the one to do it?"

​