Beyond - Legends Chronicles of Darkness, a Sith story.

Title: Chronicles of Darkness, a Sith story.
Author(s): dragonsith13, Mikaboshi
Timeframe: nearly one hundred years ABY
Characters:

Old Man

The Governor



Eiowe


Lord Cruor the Gen’dai Harbinger


Tarledesse Sythea


Lord Draconis


An Ice Worm


Genre: Dark Tragedy
Summary: For anyone who has followed the lineage of Sith Trials Games in the RPF you may have some familiarity with some of the characters. Cruor (Mikaboshi) and Draconis (dragonsith13) are Lords of such an era, driven through a story of a tenuous alliance as they both bend each other to accomplish some of their own goals. The alliance boarders on a mutual respect at times when they are not at each other’s throats. Both owe their lives to each other many times over, but as they are Sith to the core… this tends to be overshadowed by the darkness within them.


This is but the latest installment of several stories chronicling their adventures in between the various games.




To be posted shortly...

 

Just another story….

~Outer Rim – Maw Cluster – Unknown Penal Colony~

The intermittent sound of boots dragging across a cold stone floor echoed dully through the expansive lower dungeon of this unknown and undocumented prison. Distant screams of agony echoed down the hallways. A rat hissed and squeaked as it scattering away from a near bone corpse that it was giving attention to, having been startled as a large Gamorrean and hulking humanoid clasped a body one at each arm as they dragged it across the stone floor. Paying little mind to the effect of dragging it, nor to the way in which they took extra care in being exceedingly rough with the limp body they were dragging. The metallic latching sound of metal clasping together once, then twice was heard as each wrist of the body they held onto was clasped in faded durasteel braces attached to chains which subsequently attached to a series of rings anchored in the cold stone wall. Normally allowing for some subtle movement for whomever was unfortunate enough to find themselves linked up to the archaic restraints. Though in this instance the body hung limp almost lifeless with its arms above its head. The Gamorrean guard hammered down with an overhead strike to the side of the head of the clasped man. The impact being hard and forceful, though drawing little in reaction as the being was near unconscious to begin with. A grunt emanating from the sloppy guard as he took sport in continuing to punish the defenseless being, while the humanoid spat down onto the being with a fowl and disgusting mix of tar and chew.

Damp, cold, and dark rightly described this place, this darker reaching place resembling something out of a primitive almost uncivilized time, a stark contrast to some of the more modern facilities of the galaxy. Though this was a hell within the universe that officially did not exist. “You should just tell them what they want to hear. They will kill you then… at least faster…” A voice cut through the dimly lit dark dungeon. Draconis ears perked slightly at the sound of another being, as he lifted his head slightly in the direction of the voice. An older frail man wrapped in ragged robes, with a short but frazzled beard leaned against a durasteel cage weaving with holes large enough for an arm to pass through. The durasteel clearly compartmentalizing various cells, with this older man being in the one next to Draconis. The old man’s arms passed through as he seemed to rest them on the sectioned squares of the cells, his arms hanging over into Draconis’ cell. Draconis’ head fell down again hanging where it had been before he had attempted to hone in on the voice from the next cell. “Yep, you have something, you might as well give it up. Only going to get worse if you do not.” The voice again cutting across the dimly lit cells, as the old man continued to speak as if lecturing Draconis to the underworking of this torturous place. A gamorrean passed by the cell of the man slapping a cup of some liquid and a grain like ball of half cooked dough down on a ledge of the cell gate. The gamorrean stared through the cell inhabited by Draconis and as instead of placing the cup down on a similar ledge he flung it across the cell. The liquid spilling and splashing over Draconis as the cup fell empty and clanged against the stone floor. The guard snorting with laughter as he threw the bread as it bounced and rolled to a stop down in the cell, near the old man. The old man looked down at the bread in Draconis’ cell as he chewed on his own, and then up at Draconis hanging almost lifeless in his shackles anchored to the wall. “Friend you do not look too good, you should eat something.” A blunt and almost taunting statement from him as he envied to have the moldy old bread himself, without saying so bluntly. “You.. you going to eat that?” The old man stared down at the bread, as he finished off his own portion, and then back at Draconis as the bread was just out of his reach. The man reach with his foot in a vain attempt to knock and pull the bread towards him, while looking back at Draconis again as if keeping an eye out to make sure Draconis was not looking and noticing him trying to take his food.

“Your name?”The words came out slowly, but startled the old man suddenly aware that the shackled prisoner beside him was conscious. “Uhmmmm. My. My name.” The old man tried to play off that he had been trying to scoop Draconis’ meager portion out of his cell for himself. “You know friend...again you do not look too well! You sure you do not need to rest?” The old man played off his desire for the bread, quite frankly he could not care less about the being in the other cell. “Your nnname?”Draconis voice cut through the dark again, as the old man wondered when he would just pass out again, so he could get the bread just barely out of his reach. The man snarled under his breath slightly, annoyed at the question. “Right friend…” The man spoke as he strained the bread moving slightly just at his fingertips as he pressed himself against his cell grate wall reaching for the bread. “I’m not hungry.”Draconis’ voice rasped. Draconis’ foot missed kicking the bread in the direction of the old man. Intentionally. The old man’s eyes lit up slightly at the prospect of the bread being nudged within his reach. “Right friend!” Licking his lips, the old man spoke up, almost giddy at the idea that the Draconis had almost kicked it within his grasp. “My nam….” The old man’s voice trailed off as he watched as Draconis missed kicking the bread again, intentionally but clearly not known to the old man, almost connecting… nudging it slightly with his boot but not enough to place it within his reach. The old man reeled back clasping his hands together briefly as he was on the edge of exuberance, a slight “ohhhh” leaving his mouth with the prospect of the being in the other cell on the verge of nudging the bread within his grasp. “Pompelia… Wert Pompelia!” The old man blurted out as if hoping his revelation would elicit a reward of the bread finally, as he looked up at the being hanging shackled to the wall, just hanging there limp…

Brother to Shall Pompelia? Draconis’ voice got suddenly focused and stern. The old man could feel the bread on his fingertips… his eyes wide as he strained with it just out of reach. “Yes… YES! Brother! He is my brother!” Wert now spoke almost frantically, willing to divulge information now more freely as the bread was just within his grasp if only with a slight nudge from Draconis.

The bread was nudged slightly, but not by Draconis’ foot. It rolled ever so slightly with seemingly no physical push just enough and into the hands of Wert, whose eyes lit up as he felt the bread within his fingers as he pulled it quickly back towards him, bringing it up to his mouth and proceeding to stuff his face.

Wert felt his neck contract as a force was exuded around it, that of a hand clasping and choking it. Another hand clearly felt on the side of his head, the finger nails digging into the side if his skull as he was forcefully brought forward his forehead smashing against the durasteel cell grid. Wert’s eyes tried to focus as his sight blurred, still clearly the sight of a pair of shackles hanging and swaying slightly in the air brought horror upon his mind. Unable to process what was happening and believing what he was seeing, as the being previously shackled now had him ensnared through the cell dividers. A cough left Wert, as a piece of bread flew out of his mouth, a feeling of dread and helplessness following as something within his mind began to waver and twist. The meld was flowing as images, memories, and feelings flowed from Wert and into the vampire sucking him dry of thought and all life. Wert’s eyes rolled back into his head the whites exposed as he was clay in Draconis hands, giving up all that he knew. Wert’s leg and arms hung limp as his body was lifted slightly off the ground spasming as the life essence drained from.

Draconis had all he needed, truth confirmed, and transferred, as he released his grip of the old man whom fell with a thud onto the stone floor within his own cell. His arm falling alongside and hand opening, a small moldy half leavened piece of bread rolling from his grip and onto the stone floor just out of his lifeless bodies grasp.
Making their rounds, the hulking tar mouthed humanoid and Gamorrean moved down the dark dungeon hallways across various cells, coming to the old man Wert’s cell… that miserable beggar. He was once a noble, a governor some said… The humanoid smacked his fellow dungeon guard, the Gamorrean whom grunted initially, bringing his attention to the cell of the old man. The old man laid prone and lifeless on the stone floor, a piece of bread next to him. “Ehhhh you!” The man spouted off, trying to rouse the old man unsuccessfully. The Gamorrean grunted with a laugh as the humanoid joined in. “Looks like the ole Gov finally kicked it!” The humanoid spat mockingly as they took humor in the prisoner before them as the Gamorrean continued to heartily laugh. They both looked over into Draconis’ cell seeing the caged being hanging motionless and shackled to the wall.

“We bess git em outta ‘ere and ofta de doctor and fire place.” The cell door of the old man clanged open as he lurched it free with a key. Both of them reaching down and claspin the body one by each arm and dragging it out of the cell. “He feels heavier!!!” The humanoid spoke as both dragged the body down the hallway, both disappearing with the body as they moved to prepare it for disposal.

……..Two weeks earlier.

“I’m in.”The female voice spoke. A flash of information filled multiple screens, pictures and data files downloading as the female at the helm of the console continued to manipulate the keypads and screens diving deeper into the hacked network. Draconis stood next to her observing closely the screens and actions of the seated woman, peering over at the screens and taking in information as quickly as the young woman at the helm of it all did. Names, personnel files, financial record, itineraries, locations, and schematics. It was all there. “Vista Maw”Draconis spoke, noting the location and name of the section of the maw, their destination, a specific location within the grand outer rim and fabled Maw Cluster, a massive expanse of black holes, unexplored space, and hidden systems. “Penal Colony, 46327.” Tarle took note of the incoming data feed. “There he is… Pompelia.” Tarle focused on the screen reading deeper into one of the descriptions. “Call’s himself the Govenor…” Continuing to type across the holo-keypad bringing up more information. “Ok, Gov… na.”Tarle stated mockingly as she continued to slice and move throughout the secret Maw installation network. “Locked up in his tower… the high man in a castle.”Tarle continued to siphon information planting malicious code while extrapolating and displaying all that she found. “Says here that his older brother… Wert… was Warden and at one point Gevernor of the colony for years… until.”Draconis looked down at Tarle, inquiring with his question.

“Until?”

Tarle read further into the data file. “He framed his brother and pronounced himself Govenor.”Tarle continued to skim data. “Apparently… he has some connections. Black Sun, Hutts, even sector government… Imperial Remnant…”Tarle paused as the list of connections continued to reveale information, as Draconis hovered right next to her taking in the same. “Looks like he keeps his brother close, but under his thumb… imprisoned in the same colony he oversees… has to be keeping him alive for some reason!”Tarle scoffed briefly as she continued to put the network through its paces. “His DMZ is for kriffing sake pathetic…”Tarle stopped, bypassing additional security features then pausing as if having exhausted a resource. “I do not see it, no record of it master…” Draconis leaned in close, right next to her cheek as he reached down and manipulated the keyboard, inputting his own series of commands. Pulling up a specific file as Tarle looked on amazed as Draconis quickly found it and pulled it up on the screen. “There. Mention of a Vault file, he keeps IT there… off network and disconnected. Inaccessible but from his personal apartment.” Draconis spoke referring to “IT” as something clearly known to him and of importance asTarle took the controls over again, pulling up the data on the apartment as Draconis leaned back out.

“Lets go pay him a visit then…”Draconis spoke as her turned toward the cockpit peering out as he sat into one of the seats. “Nav Computer spinning up and dialing in.”Tarle stated.

The ship rocked slightly as it entered hyperspace en-route. Stars streaming to lines…

Outer Rim – Vista Maw Asteroid Belt- Penal Colony Zeta Chi 46327

A dense asteroid belt filled the viewport, with a singular massive rock coming into view as the ship slowed to sublight speed and pitched. Tarle grasped the controls of the infiltrator craft, the design unique but passed down from generations of Sith, as variations emerged building upon the previous Sith Infiltrator craft in the long traditional line of such ships. Cloaked moving forward undetected to the penal colony. A massive hulking frame came up behind Draconis and Tarle both seated in the cockpit chairs, clasping the back of Draconis’ seat, staring out through the cockpit viewport with them. “Easy Red.”Tarle spoke in a calming voice addressing the massive Gen’Dai Sith Lord, as she continued to smoothly bring the cloaked ship closer to one of the more massive asteroids in the field.

Cruor’s fiery eyes burned brightly from beneath his hood focused on that asteroid for a few moments longer, he turned to look upon the apprentice of Draconis. She had proven to be capable so far, efficient, and intelligent. She was becoming as valued a resource to him as Lord Draconis himself, though he wondered to what end. The master assassin had agendas of his own, this was known, only a fool would assume otherwise. Darth Cruor knew that their alliance was due to mutual gain, rather than mutual trust. As he shifted his sight back to the asteroid, his massive hand gripped the seat ever tighter, he had his secrets as well.

The asteroid was crescent in shape with structure, docks, hangars and landing pads spanning the gap between the two point arms of the crescent. Filling in a gap holding a small instillation the size of a small town within its embrace. “The gov’na….” Tarle mockingly embellished again. “has been busy it seems, funneling credits into this place… building his own castle upon the trash heap”Tarle remarked on the asteroid installation, as she rolled the infiltrator avoiding a small asteroid, as she began a final approach of the main installation.

Draconis rose from his seat as they approached an unspecified landing pad. Cruor’s glaring red eyes catching his as he passed by. Cruor was anxious for something. “Soon, my friend.” Draconis spoke as he passed by on his way to the boarding ramp as Tarle hovered over the pad. “MASTER.”Tarle yelled back as they passed through atmospheric dome barrier of one of the internal bays, simultaneously the rear ramp opened as the cabin depressurized briefly. Her concern a mix of announcing readiness as well as seeking reassurance in what was about to happen. Draconis looked back exuding confidence and silently reminding Tarle of the plan and detailed preparations in place, before he disappeared off the back of the infiltrator and landed on the pad. Through the viewport as Tarle began to pull back on the stick and give throttle, she sighted Draconis moving into the installation unopposed and in. Tarle pushed the throttle further as the infiltrator rolled further with her movement of the yoke bringing Tarle and Cruor to a distance away from the landing pad, and asteroid leaving Draconis.

***Governor’s apartment***​

​

A pair of fighters patrolling came into view, before disappearing as they passing by the Governor’s massive viewport in the main hall and office. The protected and pompous Shall Pompelia sat in his reclined chair staring out through the massive viewport overlooking much of the prison colony. A portly fellow, wearing a somewhat worn, but well-kept Imperial grey Governor’s uniform. However, the suit clearly seemed a size or two too small for the man as his belly protruded slightly bursting at the seams clearly it was meant for a younger man but still he seemed intent on wearing it for some reason. Regardless the man sat almost giddy as a king in his own protected castle, keeping isolated while overlooking his own personal agendas and prison colony. A protocol droid approached leaning in placing a datapad of normal recurrence. The same datapad that Shall receive everyday which briefed him in the colonies status, including prisoner manifest, death row inmates, executions, and crematorium and morgue activities. The regular daily routine it would seem. The large office was rather sterile aside from a medium size potted tree sitting within a large base, the tree was offset from Shall’s desk. This young, but sturdy Olbio tree contrasted with the dark and dank penal colony. A pair of dark tan almost bronze creatures were anchored into the side of the tree, their claws latched into it.

Ysalamir.

The force bubbles they created could spread and occupy rooms and even larger areas when large groups of them massed together. Shall was clearly aware of this, having a pair of the priceless animals occupy his apartment suppressing the force. A maintenance droid attended to the tree watering it, as it seemed very well taken care of. In fact a number of droids of various makes and models buzzed around his apartment – the lack of sentient beings was clearly evident. The governor was taking no more chances, with the recent run in with the assassin and close calls!!!! He had barely escaped that damn dark woman! Surrounded by droids the Governor felt more comfortable, trusting no one given recent events.

Droids were easy to maintain, reliable in their duties, and they did not ask questions! The Governor preferred it this way. Removed from potential threats and meddling of others. With consistent credits flowing undisturbed, he was making a killing in the slave trade and black market, and he could lock anyone one up forever or dispose of them when he pleased. This maw was ingenious for smuggling and hiding, not to mention the resources if one could navigate it, and he had such data allowing him to. Shall thumbed a datapad, a picture of a large space yacht with beautiful Twi’lek girls fawning over it on the main screen as his eyebrows raised envious of the thought of such. Reluctantly he put the luxury yacht picture down as he reached over grasping a second datapad as he began to look over the reeling data contained within, bringing an ornate cup of alcoholic liquid up to his lips, as he perused the daily updates. Smuggling and slave trade were steady as no one was the wiser for the dealings that went on behind the scenes of the remote station. Shall went through names and tasks… Name after name, operations station after station. He was at the very least thorough for all his misgivings. Another sip of clear high proof spirits, as he reached clasping a full bottle of the same refilling his glass, when his eyes focused on a name. His own name! No. His brother, Wert Pompleia. Shall’s feet came down off of his large expansive desk as his cup slammed spilling spirits all across a section of his massive desk. As he reached for his commlink…

***The cold slab of a Morgue***​

​

Shall paced down the hallway, leaning forward sweating as he lumbered towards his destination which was the morgue. The doors sliding open as he entered the dim lit sterile large room, that presided over the colonies dead on their way to incineration.

Shall stopped eyeing a worker, a physician maybe as he closed in on the startled doctor with a raised hand finger pointing to address the occupied man hovering over a cadaver. The morgue was lined with several black bags, housing bodies on metal slabs.

Shall interrupted the physician, impatiently intent on finding something or someone. “Prisoner AT5847125!” The physician stared back at the Governor clad in his Imperial uniform, his head adorned with odd looking goggles, a large mirror, and light for his examinations. The physician covered head to toe in sterile garments and gloves, with a mask covering his face. Staring back blankly for a moment, startled at the sudden intrusion before he recognized who was in front of him. The Governor. Snapping to an alarmed state as he exclaimed back “Prisoner AT5847125!” Repeating what had been said to him. “Prisoner AT5847125!” RIGHT! Yes Governor!” The panic and urgency to comply overtook the physician as he placed a bone saw in his hands currently marked with blood down on the examination slab he currently lorded over, the power saw coming to a slow stop as he moved passed the Governor frantically towards another examination table with a black body bag on it. Frantically the physician tried to match up the identifying prisoner number as he went from one black bag to the next until he stopped. “Here! Prisoner AT5847125!” The physician exclaimed almost proud as if having found a treasure. He had never met the Governor… he stood feeling a sense of having accomplished something, as he stood erect trying to seem useful and of importance. The governor’s guards had caught up at this point two of them now flanked him as he moved over top of the black body bag holding his brother.
The Governor Shall leaned in, his hand tracing the black back up to the tip of the zipper running down its length. “You kathhound! Wert.” Shall resented the fact that Wert always been the better and despite his imprisonment had remained silent despite Shall attempting to break him. Unfortunately, he had just driven his brother mad. Shall began to unzip the black bag, but quickly stumbled back as he opened the morgue bag.

A hand rose from the bag with a flash grasping the Governor…. slamming his head down into the metal examination slab, the governor reeled back stumbling into another table falling attempting to brace himself in his dizzy and confused state. The physician who was right next the same examination tensed, completely taken aback from the body seemingly rising from the dead. A hand plucking a scalpel from his sleeve…. flinging it across the table, striking one of the Governor’s body guards in the neck, the guard’s hand instantly clasping his neck as blood began to spurt as he stumbled and began to gag from his throat filling with blood. The second guard began to draw his blaster but before his could attempt to lift it to aim, he felt his whole body lurching upward and into the air as he slammed into the ceiling. Pinned briefly before he was slammed again, again, and again upward with force. Finally, the guards lifeless and bludgeoned body falling down to the floor with a thud. A pool of blood flowing from out underneath it.

The black bag on the examination table opened fully as a being sat up and peeled it off kicking it to the floor. Draconis’ bare feet touched the floor as the physician was dragged violently over a table into his grasp with the force. His neck and windpipe crumbling within his grip. Draconis could feel the heartbeat of the first guard wavering and coming to a halt as his blood pressure plummeted having bled out quickly from the scalpel to his neck. Draconis stepped forward in the ragged robes of the old man and that of the wretched forgotten dungeon of this colony, as he came up behind the Governor whom had managed to make his way almost to the morgue door despite being disoriented from the slam to the head. Draconis approached him plucking another scalpel from the examination table the now dead physician had been working on and with his other hand grasped the Governor by back of the man’s collar as the Governor flailed slightly and kicked trying to lose his attackers grasp. Figuratively grasping him by his scruff as he began to drag him down the hallway, back up to his apartment.

Draconis flung the man into his apartment as the doors opened having recognized the man’s proximity. Shall slid across the clean metal floor into his desk with a thud, a droid came out from behind an access panel startled and processing what was going on, eventually selecting defense as its arms raised dual mounted blasters. That is when Draconis felt it or rather felt the lack of its call! As they were anticipated per the brief but regardless still present, one could not plan for not prepare for such. The Ysalamir. They were clearly preventing him from calling upon the force. The governor struggled to pull himself up from the floor after slamming into his large metal desk. Draconis moved quickly forwards and past him towards the tree, as an assault droid began to come about and sight Draconis in.

Draconis slide in behind the tree, feeling the force being suppressed around him. There was hiding things… and there was hiding things… Draconis used the scalpel in his hand from the morgue, to slice a small incision into the inside of his forearm, as he began to pull from under his skin a small pen like cylinder. A grimace of pain as he executed the crude surgery on himself. Draconis slammed the cylinder down into his thigh as a flame erupted from one end. A white-hot flare igniting. Draconis casually tossed it over his shoulder down at the base of the tree. Standing up and rounding the tree as the droid picked him up in its tracking and targeting software and started to fire in his direction. It was pure physical prowess at this point as Draconis slide next to the large desk of the Governor his hand reaching and grabbing the bottle of spirits on it. With a flick and toss the bottle flew through the air, smashing on impact against the Olbio tree, the little flare was fed by an influx of high proof spirits which engulfed the trunk of the tree and the creatures on it, the Ysalamir. The docile creatures exuded a slight cry as they were roasted in a building inferno as the tree burst entirely into flames. Draconis rose up from behind the desk as the droid sighted him and began to raise its dual blasters.

The droids arm’s wretched and stopped mid-air as the outer shell casing began to clang and buckle before the droid imploded and fell to the floor crushed. Draconis’ lowered his hand, as he again was able to have access to the darkness.

An alarm sounded as water from a sprinkler system began to flow, in response to the smoke and flames filling the outer office of the Governors apartment. The Tree behind Draconis was doused in fire suppressant and water extinguishing the fire that had engulfed it, the two creatures previously attached to it charred and lifeless at its base.
Draconis stood water dripping off his face as the fire suppression system continued to rain down on the small area.

The Governor finally having become coherent scrambled to reach the side of his desk, pulling a pistol which popped up from a compartment as his arm raised with pistol in hand it was stopped mid-motion and twisted violently backwards. The Governor screamed in pain as his shoulder was dislocated and wristed snapped, the blaster falling from his grip to the floor as he wailed in pain.

“Open it.”Draconis calmly spoke as he pointed and eluded to the hidden panel on the wall he knew was there. The Governor stared back gritting his teeth in defiance at Draconis, not willing to give in. Draconis’ hand clenched slightly, as simultaneously the Governor felt one of the bones in his forearm of his dislocated arm snap. “Shall I ask again?” Draconis let the words hang… his hand raised as his fingers pointed at the Governor. The Governor reeled in more pain as he thumbed the console, with a hiss the wall shook and began to slide revealing a hidden vault.

“Thank you.”Draconis spoke as he grabbed the man by the collar once again, the repeated demeaning act was not only draining the man, the Governor, but instilling the feeling of helplessness. Draconis had infiltrated and thwarted his most robust security precautions and decimated his anti-force contingency. Drawn him out of his high-castle and exploited him.

Draconis walked into the room, coming to the back of it the room was filled with precious valuables looking about but only seeking one thing, the item which quickly found plucking it from the shelf. Turning and exiting the vault, the Governor leaning against the outside wall of the vault breathing heavily, his breaths labored and short, seemingly lost for words staring up at the thief in front of him…

Draconis came around the desk of the Governor’s apartment staring out through his massive viewport, which offered and impressive view of the asteroid field and expansive blackness of space.

Draconis brought up a console and quickly bypassed the security login measures. A black and green command line as he typed quickly, while plugging in a data drive into a port on the desk. The upload occurred quickly, syncing with the infiltrators network. Tarle at the corresponding console responding with everything having been synced and uploaded.

“Let’s go Governor.”Draconis satisfied with the results waved his hand across his face, the Governor’s eyes rolling back into his head as he was pushed into a sleep, going unconscious.

~Outer Rim – Vista Maw Asteroid Belt- Penal Colony Zeta Chi 46327 - undisclosed landing pad~

“What do you mean he… just… took… the ship?” Draconis spoke, referringto the Gen’Dai! His tone angered as he walked up the ramp of what was the Governor’s private shuttle, recently commandeered by Tarle. The scorn on Draconis’ face was evident, an emotional reaction. Though ultimately his fault. “We know where he is going…”Tarle paused, before quickly resuming, trying to reassure, and save face. “The Battery’s tracking device is linked to my control tablet, and I made a backup of all uploaded data you transmitted.” Tarle referring to the infiltrator the “Battery” as she toggled the commandeered shuttles controls, with both of them settling into the cockpit, the shuttle lifted off one of the penal colonies landing pads. The shuttle lumbered upward away from the massive asteroid, before settling and lurching into hyperspace.

***Clean escape***​

​

The hum of hyperspace was always a constant, but at least the sounds of the water raining down over him provided a simple escape. Weeks in that prison and transit to the morgue, produced this pungent smell. Draconis was not one to fret over a daily refresher, as in their line of work one was often kept from such at times, though ultimately one would not want to be given away from their stench. The governor’s shuttle was well equipped and provisioned, and this refresher spared no expense for such a small craft.

Draconis ran his hands over his head as the water cascaded over and down his body. Feeling a pair of hands under his arms and sliding across his chest. Tarle moved around his side coming in front of him as they embraced, their heads leaning in as their lips met and locked. The water of the refresher cascading and flowing down both of them as they became one… as Draconis forcefully pinned Tarle up against the refresher wall as he lifted her up. Her legs rising up and wrapping around his waist. The sound of the water splashing, shower of water falling in the refresher, and hum of hyperspace did not drown things out.

~Maw Custer - Moon Vista~

The freighter viewport offered a minimal view as they passed through the lower atmosphere of the moon, the landscape of the region becoming more pronounced and detailed. The moon was cold, not completely frozen like Hoth or Ilum, but tundra like offering a modest amount of life and potential. A few small forests offering a resource and shelter from harsh cold landscape, while cold arctic seas surrounded much of the land masses.

The signal brought them quickly into an approach. Draconis noted the billowing smoke from the region they flew down over. Skirting the ground as Tarle expertly maneuvered the shuttle to its limits bringing it down to a quick landing. From above it was clearly evident patches of the landscape were scorched and a flame, unnatural in its native state. Draconis was moving down the ramp even as the shuttle came to rest exiting and walking out onto frozen tundra. Emerging onto the cold and frigid landscape Draconis took a bearing of the direction that the village they had sighted from above was in… far in the distance smoke was clearly rising from the horizon.
Draconis and Tarle set out towards the rising smoke in the distance.

A settlement in the distance billowed smoke and flame as Draconis and Tarle cautiously and mindfully paced towards it, crossing the cold frozen landscape. Scorched earth, burning structures, disembowel beings and charred skeletons littered the area as Draconis drew closer, it did not take him long to find the origin of the chaos and destruction.
“You leave anyone for us?”Draconis offered the rhetorical question as he came up alongside the massive hulk of Cruor standing in the center of path of destruction carved through the landscape. Cruor dropped an object from his hand. Draconis looked down eying what Cruor had dropped from his grip, a clean and scorched skull with vertebrae still attached to it as it settled on the ground. The trees surrounding the village were lit as smoldering torches. All life had been extinguished.

“Not likely.” Cruor offered bluntly as he pressed forward into a walk.

“I didn’t know you could fly…” Draconis offered up the casual remark eluding to the fact that Cruor, had knocked Tarle unconscious and left on his own behest with the Battery without them, arriving here…

The smoldering village was on the edge of a large deep canyon which opened up for miles. Cruor leading the way, began traversing the cliff down a long narrow path taking them deep down into the canyon. Clearly the Gen’Dai was determined and focused as they came to the face of an ancient doorway carved into the canyon wall was before them.

Draconis looked at Cruor as he passed through the archway into the ancient ice cavern, his eyes narrowing. “I’ll be outside.” Draconis offered the parting remark as Cruor glared at him and passed into darkness out of site into the ancient ruin.

The quiet stillness of the cavern was a stark contrast to the battle that had raged not so long ago, that stillness kept hidden a secret deep within the ice. He could feel it, it called to him through the force and Darth Cruor meant to find it. At times the cavern narrowed so much that it appeared Darth Cruor would not fit, but his boneless physical structure was able to shift and amazingly slip through the crevasse with ease.

Deeper and deeper into the planet he traveled, the call grew stronger....but so did another sensation, something else resided her. Something powerful. It mattered not to the Sith Lord, nothing would stop him from drawing closer to reclaiming what was his.

***Bound and gagged***​

​

Tarle dragged the bound Governor into the center of the village as Draconis emerged from the canyon edge up from the narrow path Cruor and him had traveled. His robes fluttering in the chilling brisk wind which whisped through the canyon in the background. The governor rolled slightly as he was released from her grip and tossed down. A slight snowfall had begun as the fires from Cruor’s destructive path continued to burn around them in the village.

“MMMMhhmmmmmmm… mhhhmhmmmh” The muffled sound from the governor as he struggled with the gag in his mouth, still vainly trying to wrestle his bound hands free, as if he had a prayer of escaping.

Tarle stood nearby the bound man as she subtly flick of the fingers of her right hand… the Governor’s body tensed as a jolt of pain ran through his body, causing him to convulse before collapsing back into his futile struggle to free himself. Draconis sat on a small log timber, his legs crossed with a small dagger in one hand as he eyed it while picking at one of his finger nails on the opposite free hand. Seemingly content with doing little of nothing. Waiting.

The Governor’s gaze landed on Tarle. “Are you?.... Are you looking at my girl? Gov’na?!?!”Draconis’ voice piqued with mocking curiosity, adding the inflection in addressing the man as “Gov’na” in homage to Tarle’s internal joke from before. Clearly, he was playing the man for no more reason than continuing to torture him for his own amusement. Draconis leaned down towards him smacking his cheek lightly, before grasping his jaw, squeezing his cheeks together and turning his gaze up toward Tarle. Draconis breathed in deeply as he proudly spoke. Admiring her. “You know, you play your cards right Gov’na… You might just be lucky enough to find such woman yourself…“ Draconis released his grip of the man’s face and returned to his knife.

Tarle suddenly whirled as she felt something, looking skyward as she noticed a jet trail in the clouds high above. Draconis looked up briefly at the exhaust trail high above, before returning to the menial task of blade to fingernail. As if the event was expected and of no surprise to him.

“We have company, Master.”Tarle stated bluntly. She knew others would be after what they sought, it was to be expected, but so quickly after them having discovered it themselves.

“Our honored guest.” Draconis spoke as he finally rose up, standing and approaching the bound man still writhing on the cold tundra between Tarle and him.

***Status and appearance.***​

​

A dark armored figure approached the edge of the village… The snow was falling steadily now, one foot in front of the other as the being scanned the surrounding landscape. Burnt and in shambles, the village was devoid of life. The place was a bloodbath, now frozen in place as the freezing cold and snow attempt to cover the bodies strewn about the decimated village.

One foot in front of the other as the being approached cautiously. The landscape silent aside from the brisk sound of the cold wind whipping through the smoldering village. Approaching slowly the dark cover figure began to cross through the center of the village, making its way to the object that caught and drew its attention.

Before the dark clad figure, sat a chair with a man in it. The chair having been propped up and doctored to alter its originally plain appearance. A few stones and unmarked crated raised the chair off the ground. Red streaks painted the wooden planks, splattered, indiscriminately, and thoughtlessly about. Bones littered the area piled up against the seemingly crudely constructed THRONE.

The armored figure quickly observed the sight in front of it, reaching out elsewhere drawing in the force and seeking clarity, aware something was clearly amiss… The Governor was bound and strapped to the rails of the makeshift throne. Bound by wire. His arms and legs twistedly and harshly bound to the wooden arm and leg rails. His grey Imperial uniform was torn and tattered as the wire bindings cut into his skin even through the thick wool cloth of his Imperial Uniform. A sloppy and crudely painted red smile rising from his lips and across and high across his cheeks, offering a cartoon and clown like smile appearance.

The target and goal was within reach. But not like this. This was all wrong.

***Loose Ends***​

​

An improvised crown of scraps of metal sat upon the Governor’s head as his head lifted slightly seeing the dark clad armored figure before him, his eyes grew large with fear. As if he was not already in a situation of absolute humiliate and fear. The Governor clearly recognizing and knowing this being instantly. “mmmhmhmhm MMMMHHHHMMMHH!!!” The Governor incoherently tried to communicate, as his eyes darted around the smoldering village as if searching for something he knew was lurking and close. The gag was ripped from his mouth as the dark clad figure stepped back.

“He’s here!” The governor blurted out, as if the dark armored figure would know exactly whom he was referring to. Referring to something elsewhere, being more afraid and horrified of something in the shadows. In fact, the Governor had been planning intensely, trying avoiding the being in front of him, but clearly was more anxious and fearful of what was not seen. The dark clad figure’s vision narrowed on the governor’s face, which came more into focus as the dark clad figure’s hand lifted the Governor’s chin as the close up features were more visible now to the dark clad figure, noting he had been tormented and tortured beyond recognition.

The dark clad figure looked confused as his eyes narrowed… “Where is your brother?!?!”The dark clad figure leaned in grasping the Governor by the neck, forcefully looking to elicit a response. The words emanating from behind a mask which covered its face, the voice being slightly altered.

“He killed him!” The governor frantically spoke as he shook the chair, trying to free himself.

“You kriffing sloofwhaat!”The dark clad figure squeezed the Governors neck harder. “I do not care what brought you out of your high-castle!”

“All you know, is mine now!” The dark clad figure began to unbind the Governor attempting to free him, from his ceremonial throne. “I broke your brother and now I have you, and combined with his knowledge of the maw…” The dark clad figure stopped speaking, noticing the change upon the Governor’s face.
The Governor’s gaze froze, petrified as he stared forward. The trickling sound of him involuntarily reliving himself was faintly heard as he trembled.

The area was silent, aside from the cold wind.

Who’s drawing who out? The voice cut through the cold air, as the dark clad figure’s senses peaked in focus. The hooded Draconis stepped out from behind one of the huts and into the open. Standing in the open his dark black robes in stark contrast to the pure white snow surrounding him.

“Master.” The apprentice spoke addressing Draconis. Clearly both being familiar with each other. Draconis stepped to the side pacing slightly. “Master?!?!?!” Draconis responded back goading the being. “master….” Draconis stared back. “That is not a title you are privileged to utter.” The Apprentice glared across the center of the village at Draconis, infuriated at his remarks. “Undisciplined, unbridled… unfinished.”Draconis spoke as he continued to pace seemingly pointing out the shortcomings of the Sith in front of him.

“Who’s fault it that?” The scorn and hate directed back at Draconis by the figure was seething.

“I gave you everything you needed.”

“No you took everything from me!” The being screamed back from behind a mask that covered its face.

“Say it!”The dark clad figure screamed back angrily. “Say my name, master!”

“Very well…. Eoiwe.” Draconis spoke softly, indulging the dark figure.

A slight smile formed on the figures mouth as a feeling of being emboldened overcame the being. “I found him!”The apprentice spat forth angrily pointing back at the bound Governor.

“No. I gift wrapped him for you…”Draconis retorted.

“You said! By any means necessary!”The Eoiwe screamed back at Draconis.

Draconis glared back.

“End it.” Draconis spoke demeaningly referring to Eiowe… as he addressed his words to Tarle, whom emerged from behind another hut, having initially observed the conversation. Her single crimson lightsaber was already ignited as she paced forward glaring down the dark armored being before her. She had heard the word “Master” and subsequent conversation from her master… another apprentice? Her mind was full of questions. However, the overriding command from her Master drove her.
The Apprentice, Eoiwe produced and quickly ignited two violet lightsabers in response to the approaching threat… a clash of sabers flashed in the falling snow… red against violet as they engaged.

***Tryouts***​

​

Two trails ran through the dusting of snow covering the ground, running parallel to each other as they came to a stop. The lines having been caused by the legs of a chair, the chair the governor was bound to. The chair was tipped forward as Draconis dragged it by the head, whirling it around pivoting it on the legs contacting the ground. The chair settled in place with Draconis having dragged it through the snow, bringing it to rest at the edge of a cliff. The chair teetered slightly.

Draconis casually leaned against the chair that the governor was still strapped to as it teetered on the edge of the canyon wall. Several layers down, outcroppings and pillars of stone rose up acting as natural pedestals, that dotted the canyon in front of them. A flash of sabers could be seen on one of them, as a dance of red and purple sabers was visible from a distance.

They were both well matched, they had been at it for quite some time now as this was turning out to be potentially more fruitful than expected…

“Who are you rooting for?”Draconis poised the question to the governor as if they were spectators at an event.

The Governor did not answer.

An overhead slash was blocked with crossed violet sabers as Eoiwe countered with a kick to Tarle’s gut forcing her back. Eoiwe darted and slashed with both sabers, Tarle deflecting one and avoiding the follow through of the second blade. They were both clearly fatigued and drawing breath in the cold air as they stood staring back at each other as snow continued to fall across the landscape. They started in towards at each other almost simultaneously, as again their sabers met. Eoiwe parrying and bringing the second blade around slamming it down into Tarle’s blade. Tarle twisted her wrist landing a glancing strike on Eoiwe’s shoulder, causing Eoiwe to reel back slightly, though the armor preventing the strike from being anything significant. Tarle moved quickly to take advantage of the opening, slashing down across the second violet blade, striking the hilt and damaging the emitter of the blade enough to deactivate it. The dead saber fell to the ground as Eoiwe felt unbalanced, as Tarle swept Eoiwe’s legs with a crouching leg sweep. Eoiwe fell backwards but sprung back instantly flipping over Tarle who brought her saber instinctively around in a sweeping strike, which Eoiwe ducked and avoided. A roundhouse kick, the hard impact of a boot to her face as Eoiwe seamlessly countered with the acrobatic move. Tarle was spun hard falling to the ground, without thinking, sensing the danger rolling to the side barely avoiding the follow up saber slash which gouged through the hard snow covered stone where she had landed. Tarle brought her red lightsaber around knowing the strike was coming blocking the stab downward, but not enough as it grazed her shoulder. Searing through her light armored body suit, a kick to her ribs caused her to recoil in pain.

Lying on her back it took everything Tarle had to raise her saber to deflect another saber strike, but the force of the blow opened her up. Tarle vulnerable, grasped as her fingers sought out a nearby rock, grasping the rock in her hand Tarle smashed it into the side of Eoiwe’s knee as Eoiwe buckled and fell back. Tarle struggled to her feet, but instantly felt the coming danger as Eoiwe pressed… parrying Tarle’s saber again, slashing across her shoulder, and striking her in the chest with a force push that sent Tarle tumbling back and sliding off the edge of the pillar they occupied. Eoiwe approached the edge of the pillar formation they had been battling across, Tarle was nowhere to be seen. As only the steep drop down into the deeper sections of the canyon was visible.

“The Governor is mine!”Eoiwe shouted after a sequence of force leaps, as Eoiwe landed back up on top of the cliff where everything had previously started from. “Seems your training of late is lacking Master!” Eoiwe mockingly spat forth towards Draconis, referring to the fact the Eoiwe had struck down Tarle. Draconis was still leaning against the chair occupying the Governor.

“Seems you still never learned to finish.”Draconis retorted as his eyes moved slightly to the side referring to what he saw behind Eoiwe. Eoiwe sensed it and whirled around as Tarle ducked avoiding the violet blade that passed over her as she moved countering with a close in punch Eoiwe’s ribs, with a short blade attached and protruding from within Tarle’s sleeve that pierced right between a slit in the armor. Eoiwe cringed, swinging downward at Tarle… a flash of black and Tarle was not there, a slash across Eoiwe’s thigh, where the light armor was thinner, from the other side as Tarle seemed to have disappeared and reappeared with a flash. Tarle moved with a flash again as she was already in close proximity, raising her arms and clasping Eoiwe’s wrists stopping a downward slash. Eoiwe and Tarle twisted and spun dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. Tarle slashed across Eoiwe’s forearm with her wrist attached blade, right at the back edge of her light gauntlets.

Tarle leaned back in a controlled fall onto her back, gripping and pulling the dark clad figure down with her, using the momentum to roll and vault her overtop of her and out into the canyon air… and over the cliff edge. Tarle stood up at the cliff precipice staring down, where Eoiwe had been flung off the cliff and down into the abyss. Below the armored figure lay sprawled out, having clearly sustained a hard fall and impact onto a ledge below. Draconis watched as Tarle disappeared and dropped off the cliff edge. She landed in a crouch beside Eoiwe, who lay still… as only the chest armor moving slightly signifying the intake of labored breaths. One of Eoiwe’s legs was unnaturally bent as a bone protruded slightly notating a severe compound fracture. Tarle reached down cautiously removing the armored mask, pulling it off as she leaned back out. A woman, only slightly older that Tarle stared back at her. The features of the woman noted a previous beauty, however her face showed several deep scars, with a portion of her lower jaw showing significant damage with a small portion missing. She struggled for breaths as they were short and sudden, as she was on the verge of death.
“He’ll hurt you… and break you!”The augmented voice from before replaced, by a softer tone of a woman who struggled to get the words out. A warning seemingly based upon experience.

Tarle did not hesitate, as she ignited the violet blade now in her hand, shoving it down through the chest plate of the woman. Her eyes widened and with a final gasp she was gone, her head falling to the side. Tarle turned looking upward clearly sensing his gaze, Draconis was standing at the edge of the cliff staring down having observed it all. Draconis turned away and disappeared high above.

***Ties that bind***​

​

Draconis made his way over to the Governor. Who fearfully watched him the entire way, but somehow wondered if all of this was finally coming to an end as he began to frantically mutter. His blue lips showing his near frozen state. Shivering and fatigued as he stammered, teeth chattering… “Yyyy…. You have wwwwwwhat you want! Yyyyy You… you can let… mmmmmm mmmme go. O-o-ok. OK?!?!” The knife blade came across his vision slowly drawing back along his neck, as he began to gurgle before his head fell forward. Draconis subtly kicked on of the legs of the chair causing it to slide of the edge of the cliff as the chair proceeded to teeter forward before the dead Governor attached to it tumbled down into the deep icy canyon.

Tarle watched as the Governor tumbled past her as she traversed a thin path, emerging not to long thereafter at the top of the cliff once again. Approaching Draconis, she had so many questions that she wanted answers to which was coupled along with a surge of varying emotions as she tried to process everything that had and was happening. Draconis felt it.

The light grey snow filled sky began to take on a darker hue, as dark clouds began to gather. The rumble of something deep in the earth vibrated to the surface, causing a brief quake.

The recent events and finishing had not removed the questions from Tarle’s mind, even though she did her best to hide and suppress the thoughts in front of Draconis. Angst and perhaps a bit of doubt resided within her.

***Walking the path***​

​

Tarle paced slightly, keeping her guard up, as she eyed Draconis inquisitively. Her mental wall going up instantly as she tried to hide her mind and thoughts from him. She felt the deceit and lies as she called her master out.

“I see the Governor is of no more use to us?”Tafle inquired, trying to spur answers.

“This was never about the just the Governor.” Draconis responded plainly. Tarle’s head cocked, inquisitively beginning to wonder… The operation had taken months of intelligence, surveillance, and planning on both of their parts. Her master had spent months in that hell hole, searching, and infiltrating the whole prison network and suffered for what? The brothers – the Maw – this moon, and Lord Cruor. What was he playing at? There were gains from it all, Draconis knew such, he could feel the questions swirling in her head, and she was not adept enough yet to keep it from him. Draconis began to respond to her thoughts before she could speak them forth.

“There is always something gained apprentice.”Draconis offering the perspective. The words were not lost on Tarle as she took the lesson in, but there was still a growing anger in her. Resentment. The other woman. Apprentice! The words she had spoken in her death throws.

The deception, half-truths, and lies. Despite years of forged training from her master the sting of it all never diminished. The reveal of the other apprentice had brought it all to the surface. She tried to control it, mask it but Draconis recognized the seed in her mind before she could. Draconis stance shifted as he turned into her. Again, a subtle rumble from below as the ground shook, which was followed by a rumble above as a thunder clap echoed through the sky.

“You’re weak Tarle.”The blunt statement from her master caught her off guard as his words hissed at her. “I should have cast you off that cliff edge near your village on Korriban when I had the chance.”Draconis’ words cut deep, as he goaded her fueling her hatred of him. Tarle’s nostrils flared as her fist clenched, anger growing within her. She had only ever done her master bidding, loyally serving, and training. She had watched him die and suffer. Watched their bond deepen through the force and even intimately.

“Pulling your punches, barely able to defeat a failure, an apostate.”Draconis continued to lay into her verbally referring to Tarle and Eoiwe’s battle. The snow continued to fall as the thunder and wind picked up. A flash of lightning lit the sky as Tarle and Draconis stared at each other. The words of the woman, Eoiwe echoed in her mind… “…and break you.” The flash of another lightning but not from the sky, as Tarle felt the jolt of energy course through her. Driving her back stumbling away from Draconis.

The storm above was beginning to intensify, matching the rumbling from below as the ground began to shift a crack emerging as one of the charred village huts began to fall down into the widening gap.

Another flash of lightning from above and then one from Draconis, as Tarle finally buckled falling to the snowy ground. She rolled as she felt the searing heat of the lightning point burns. “You think there is loyalty?” Draconis kicked one of her legs out as she had began to try and rise back up, causing her to crash back into the snow. In a mocking show of toying with her. “You think you are safe from betrayal?” Draconis’ boot stomped and slammed into Tarle’s back forcing her down into the snow as she tried to crawl to her hands and knees. Tarle felt herself rising up as Draconis grasped her collar and yanked her up, his other hand clasping her throat and drawing her close to his face. Lightning flashed showing a reflection of the white streaks in Draconis’ black eyes. “You are but a tomorrow away from being cast aside.” Draconis tightened his grip, inflicting pain down into her mind and soul. “Don’t believe in tomorrow!”

Tarles’s eyes burned red and yellow as Draconis was forced back from the cone of energy from her, with her force scream breaking his grasp as he landed hard and rolled back away from her. A cloud of shadows flashed as Tarle emerged with her crimson red blade ignited, leveling a quick and precise slash at Draconis. Draconis rolled dodging the attack and springing up, the clipped blade from Eoiwe on Tarle’s belt flew into Draconis’ hand and ignited. Draconis parried her attack spinning away arms outstretched to the side inviting her to try again. Tarle feinted an attack with her saber and loosed a dagger in an upward motion which slashed inches away from him. Draconis stepped into the saber blade knocking it back, before slicing down and through the dagger in her off hand, which fell to the ground. Tarle pressed without fear, thrusting towards Draconis, forcing him back.

The ground beneath them began to shake abruptly even more than before, as a massive sinkhole opened up. Caving in a successive falling motion all the way the cliff edge as village huts began to fall down into the widening gap. Draconis and Tarle found themselves on opposite sides glaring and staring each other down from across the gap. Tarle wanted to rip Draconis open from within.

A fowl sound emanated from below, as shockwave that shook the ground preceded a rush of rock and ice being flung high into the air. The fowl sound emerging across the surrounding tundra in a billowing primal scream. Draconis and Tarle both stared up as a massive creature emerged from within the earth. What one could only to surmise to be the head, the figure of Cruor clinging to the writhing and buckling massive worm like creature with large crystal like features protruding from its back and across the exposed length of it. A circular mouth with rows of spirals of long teeth lining its mouth and down into its body flexed as it began to crash down to the ground. The same ground Tarle and Draconis occupied.

One of Darth Cruor's arms was separated into a vast web of muscular tendrils that had interlaced and twisted themselves around the crystal like structures on the great worm effectively preventing him from being thrown from the great beast, his other arm could be seen continually battering the nearly impenetrable shell of his adversary. He commanded the dark side to himself and amplified his already considerable strength, enhanced his reflexes and speed, and empowered his strikes with the destructive power of Chaos itself. Each strike would crack like thunder and echo over the tundra, though the creature was left unharmed by his greatest efforts.

Tarle and Draconis both broke into sprints running parallel to each other away from the massive falling worm, the subsequent crash and force sent a shockwave of rubble outward knocking both of them out into the wide open tundra outside the destroyed village. Cruor had managed to ride the beast down, but the impact was too much for him to maintain a hold as he was flung as well out away from the beast as its rough and jagged hide propelled it forward across the ground towards Draconis. The sheer size of the worm allowed it to cover massive distance with little effort. Draconis vaulted upward, but the worm slinked upward… its rough hide catching his legs sending him tumbling down the back of one of the armored rings that made up its body continuously down its length.

The vibrations of Lord Cruor drew the attention of the beast as its massive mouth crashed down looking to envelope him as he recovered from riding the worm down initially. His arm was weaving back into form as was driven back barely missing being engulfed by the rows of teeth as the worm crashed and dug into the tundra. The ground under his feet rose up suddenly as the worm moved underneath him, before emerging scattering earth and sending Cruor flying.

The storm above was raging… as what had begun naturally had been bent unnaturally, a vortex beginning to form as lightning flashed and thunder roared as Master and Apprentice poured their malice into each other. Coupled with the dark energy emanating from Cruor, darkness swirled all around them.

Draconis landed hard after having avoided the ice worm crashing back down into the earth, rolling into a run as best he could Draconis. He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder blade, as his head whirled to see a dagger imbedded and Tarle baring down on him out of the corner of his eye. Draconis grasp the dagger wrenching it out of his shoulder withdrawing the tip with a quick motion. Draconis spun away from Tarle and into a crouch, spinning back into her as she passed by. Both of Draconis’ hands came up in a force push that sent Tarle flying into the path of the ice worm. She barely missed the mouth of the beast as it moved past her, Draconis having unwittingly presented himself as the only target in its view now. Draconis turned running for the cliff edge as the ice worm closed in on him. In a full sprint Draconis reached the edge of the canyon cliff and vaulted into the air, arms and legs in motion as he flew through the air landing on a massive pillar breaking multiple ribs instantly. The ice worm reeled and slowed at the edge of the cliff as it coiled to avoid falling into the canyon, barely avoiding sliding off into the canyon. Its tail whipped around and smashed into the pillar, that Draconis was attempting to find footing on, causing it to fall back into the cliff face he had just vaulted from. The ice worm came about back towards the village drawn to the signatures of Cruor and Tarle.

The beast was keeping all of them at bay and clearly pushing them to the edge figuratively. Draconis vaulted back to the edge of the cliff rolling upon impact, rising to see the worm bearing down on Cruor and Tarle whom both were moving with speed to avoid the oncoming beast. Draconis broke into a sprint, drawing on pain and the swirling darkness as he landed on the midway up on the worms back. A quick shift from the worm as it twisted towards Cruor, as Draconis held on bracing the sudden movement before continuing up towards it head. Igniting the violet blade and driving it down into the skin of the ice worm near the base of what would be considered its head. The worm buckled and instantly sent Draconis flying off of it. The lightsaber having little effect in penetrating the hide of the ice worm. Tarle emerge vaulting overtop and slashing across a back section of worms hide, quickly realizing the same as Draconis had, that the saber had little effect on the beast. Landing near Draconis their blades clashed almost instantly as they both traded a flurry of slashes and parries still intent on maiming each other as they both sprinted away from the twisting worms tail that slid across the tundra sending earth up into the air as both of them were caught as the back end and tail smacked into their backs sending them both vaulting forward crashing forward.
Cruor was in a full sprint, as he avoided another driving dive from the beast as its head buried in the earth and began to arc back upward. Moving towards its side trying to get in close to avoid the head.

Tarle rolled sensing at the last moment the saber of Draconis as it came down into the ground looking to impale her even as she was still reeling in pain from the impact with the worm’s tail. Her own red saber whirled around after barely missing the strike, Draconis jumped as it swept under his legs. Tarle sprang back up attempting to bring her saber up, Draconis brought his forearm down into her own arm and followed with an elbow to the chest sending her back. Tarle felt her arms weaken as Draconis slashed across with the violet saber, she could not avoid the attack as it sliced through her own red saber. Tarle with her free hand loosed a dagger which winged off of Draconis’ far shoulder. Draconis brought his blade around again looking to cleave Tarle’s shoulder off, but was wrenched forward as she pulled with all of her power. Draconis was unbalanced as he lurched forward moving past her, Tarle jumped on his back… her legs locking around his waste, while around his neck one arm locked with the crook of her arm tightening around his neck choking him, after obtaining a solid choke hold instantly Tarle’s hand reached out as she drove her hand and pointed fingernails down into Draconis’ shoulder wound from the dagger strikes before. Draconis erupted in a thunderous scream from his apprentice digging into the open wound, and felt himself gagged as she tightened her arm around his neck from behind. The lightsaber falling from his grip as Tarle dug into his flesh. Draconis’ head vaulted back, the back of his head striking Tarle in the face and nose, sending blood spurting everywhere. Draconis reached around with his free hand clasping Tarle hand that was clawing at his shoulder, massive surge of pain shot into Tarle like she had never felt as searing, grinding, and sharp pain courses down her hand and arm… subsequently throughout her body. It took everything she had to try and hold onto Draconis, but could not maintain the hold as she began to slip off, Draconis whirled grasping her rib cage on both sides driving his fingers into her in between the bones as he lifted her up. Tarle’s hands came down onto Draconis face ripping at his eyes, but the pain in her sides as Draconis drove dark surging spirals of pain into her was too much. Her arm flailed as it tried to break his grip on her, but failed as the pain and fatigue was taking her, her whole body was racked in pain, as she questioned it all!!! Everything.

She felt his hands on her…. Her senses fading at the hands of HIM…. Her master…. her teacher…. her love…. she slipped into darkness…

Cruor closed in towards the beast from the side of its head passing dangerously close to its mouth, as a massive ball of black energy left his grasp… hurled across the worm’s mouth catching it on the inside of the opposite side of its massive mouth. From the inside the ball tore a wound, exiting through the side of what could be consider the head or end of it.

***Delerium***​

​

A massive bellowing scream emanated across the landscape and was heard by the three of them. Draconis’ gaze followed the sound back to its origin as his head turned slowly to see the massive worm rearing up and towering over Tarle and him. The worm was already driving down towards them its mouth of teeth wide and ready to consume them.

Draconis with a heave flung Tarle forward out away from the beast bearing down on them both! A mass of energy tore through the side of the worm’s mouth, as it bellowed again and twisted in pain. Causing it to break off its dive to envelope Draconis. Cruor. Draconis noted.

Seizing on the moment, Draconis concentrated and drew upon the darkside. A fever… That was growing. The hate and pain from this whole battle, as a fireball was pushed from him striking the ice worm almost dead center in the mouth erupting in a massive flame. A second larger dark orb flew through the sky as Cruor, now leaping onto of the worm, launched another attack as the dark energy passed through the worm’s burned vulnerable hide now. The ice worm lurched as Draconis re-positioned avoiding its body as it turned and twisted across the tundra.

If desired.... Go to and play, then resume reading……

She felt cold…. Alone. Rage. Anger. Hatred. All funneled and channeled.

Empowered.

Her burning yellow eyes opened.

A flash of a violet saber… as Tarle emerged from out of nowhere!

Having mere moments before having been lying on the cold tundra near death.

She vaulted up driving the blade into one of the exit wounds created by Cruor. As she pushed against the rough hide of the worm with her legs scaling the beast while dragging the lightsaber through the vulnerable hide, carving a massive slit that began to unfurl down below the ice worm’s needlelike teeth head, before falling and rolling down off to the side. In a swift deft move Tarle whirled and flung the saber up into the air.

In sync.

Draconis was already twisting over the worm catching the blade in one of his hands mid-air as it ignited instantly. The massive wound now even more exposed, was carved into once more as Draconis in a controlled fall dragged the blade even deeper along another slit created now. The initial wound several meters in circumference was now massive as a portion of the creature’s insides began to spill out.

Cruor was running down the back of the worm after landing atop it once again, as it twisted and writhed violently in pain. Cruor disappeared into the massive wound like a raging juggernaut. The worm twisted in pain further as it felt pain from the inside once again as a surging black orb burst through its hide once again. Followed by two red tips emerging from its hide as they began carving it apart from the inside. The worm raised upward almost the full front half lifting stories into the dark thunderous sky, as the bellow some roar from it drowned out the thunder above. Nearly one whole side of it spilling out from the massive internal damage. With a crescendo roar the worm plummeted to the ground, snow, rock, and ice were flung everywhere. The roar ceased as only the thunder from the raging storm above sounded off. The dust and debris settling as the ice worm lay motionless. Burned and half gutted. Dead.

Cruor emerged from its mouth as his two red lightsabers dis-ignited, as he dropped down onto solid ground. Cruor’s armor and robes were a mess punctured and shredded, with fleshy pieces of worm gut and blood all over him. Draconis and Tarle stood abreast each other facing Cruor, similarly covered in blood and guts from their part in bringing down the behemoth while also showing the signed of being maimed from their own scuffle.

The violet blade in Tarle’s grip dis-igniting. All three of them drawing in labored long breaths. With the massive dead worm in the background the three of them stared at each as if waiting for something or someone to break the ice, almost unsure of what to do now.

“You find what you were looking for?”Draconis spoke addressing Cruor as if nothing had happened, picking up on their earlier conversation from before when Cruor disappeared initially into the ancient ice tomb.

“I did.” Responded bluntly as massive piece of worm flesh slid off his shoulder and fell to the ground with a juicy thud.

“Did she pass?” Cruor offered up a question of his own to Draconis, as Cruor’s glace moved over to Tarle.

“She did.”Draconis spoke as his gaze equally turned slightly to his apprentice. Tarle’s expression was that of disbelief and astonishment upon hearing the exchange of Cruor and Draconis. The idea that all of this had been some buildup to some sort of test.

Insanity. Confusion. Madness.

Walking in darkness.

She could feel it creeping in her mind, festering and growing.

Cruor and Draconis both moved as they began to walk, making their way across the tundra. Tarle called her red lightsaber from a distance to her hand, the saber casting sliced in half by her master, the crystal inside was intact as she tucked it into her side. Tarle stared across the wreckage of the village reflecting on everything, a moment passing before she turned away from it all. Draconis and Cruor were ahead of her as she began to move to slowly catch up. Reflecting and taking it all in with each step before eventually coming up alongside Draconis and Cruor as now all three pressed out into the cold open tundra on the way back to the shuttle miles away.

“Could have done without the worm.”Draconis stated bluntly offering up the remark to Cruor, as he felt Tarle come up beside them. “It was a package deal.” Cruor retorted back in his despite his dark foreboding voice, a mild bit of amusement could be heard in his tone. Draconis smirked in his own rite as they paced forward the cold wind whipping across the open tundra. Tarle looked over at Cruor adding a subtle glance, before she turned back shaking her head subtly with amusement. Draconis looked over at Tarle. “You could have parked closer.”Draconis spoke in jest toward Tarle, before turning and looking forward as they continued traversing the frozen plain. Tarle looked over stunned with eyes wide from his impudent assessment of her landing. “My master told me to!!!” Tarle retorted, as Cruor huffed with a deep gruff of amusement. “Quiet red!” Tarle barked across to Cruor. Draconis smirked with a mild sense of pride. “Yes he did.” Draconis responded to his apprentice.

In the distances the dark storm was subsiding the sound of thunder and flash of lightning moved off into the distance across the canyon, while the rising smoke from the slaughtered and now void of life village was slowing. The lifeless broken body of Eiowe, a saber wound to the center of her chest a mask lying on the ground next to her. The governor’s frozen body still attached to his throne, blood frozen in place down his neck at the bottom of the canyon, and the massive hulk of the worm carcass began to be covered in a light sheen of snow with steam still rising from the open wounds.

All of it a massive insane path of destruction and death as the trio marched off slowly fading in the distance with the shuttle just beyond the horizon.





The end.
















Notes: [Lacuna Coil] (2016. July 21). Music video by Lacuna Coil performing Delirium. (C) 2016 Century Media Records Ltd. [Video File].