Viox Savage
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"You want the same as me. My redemption, eternal ascension. Setting me free."
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Post by Viox Savage on Jan 4, 2018 16:22:25 GMT -8
Mustafar - Darth Vader's Castle. The Black Stairs.
He knew not what was laid out ahead of them in the Castle itself, but Savage was determined to claim the Castle for himself, as well as the Blackguard, naturally. As he began to climb the smooth, obsidian steps, he bent down and placed his bare right hand on the obsidian surface. Despite Mustafar's raging volcanic terrain and the sweltering heat, the steps were ice cold to the touch. Closing his eyes, he extended his perceptions outwards. He could feel the Castle itself seemingly reacting to his presence. It was as if the Castle itself was alive within the dark side of the Force. And for all he knew, it very well could have been. The disturbance was still present as well, but he was unable to focus on it. It was as if it was purposely evading his tentative reach, staying on the very edges of his perceptions, just out of reach. That was enough to keep the Zabrak on guard. Something was very much alive within the Castle, yet there were no easily detected force signatures. Whatever is was, it seemed to stem from something that had lived at one point. Opening his eyes and standing upright, he motioned for Xakire to follow him. As Xakire fell into step, the duo climbed the steps with ease. There was no resistance to be met. The concentration of droids seemed to be only throughout Mustafar's volcanic terrain, not the Castle itself. Climbing up the steps even further, he was greeted with the sight of the ominous obsidian doors that would lead further into the depths of the Castle. Inspecting the door, there was no visible means to open them physically. A minor setback. Looking to his apprentice, he spoke.
"Reach out with the Force, my apprentice. Allow the darkness of this place to flow through you. Empty your mind and focus solely on the door...only then shall we be granted entrance..."
Such tasks were not foreign to him. Back on Rhommamool, the only way he could access the Halls of the Triumvirate was through using the Force to open the door. It would appear as though the same would need to be done here. Hopefully, combining their power, Xakire and himself would be enough to open the door...
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Vasari
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Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Jan 7, 2018 12:29:06 GMT -8
~Vader's Castle - Approaching Vader's Meditation Chambers~
Vasari fell in line behind the Troopers as they group moved up the last stairway towards the Cavern that Vader had build this castle on top of. That place would have the strongest connection to the darkside and as they neared the Meditation Chamber Vasari could feel her mind beginning to cloud once more. Something had been driving her partner since the last antechamber they had found - and something told her that Luxeria's mind was not focused on the task at hand - something was distracting her, just like something was distracting all of them. The two parts of her mind worked independently of one another leading her towards her goal, but at the same time attempting to track down the intruder within her mind. It had been moving deeper and had recently escaped the Sea of thought and memory Vasari had used as an initial defense, now she was struggling to track the intruder within the labyrinth she had created that served as the second layer of defense within her mind. This was her place, and yet her intruder seemed to always be one step ahead of her, somehow it knew what it was doing, it knew its way around and Vasari was struggling to keep up.
Vasari quickened her pace, the same that drove Luxeria driving her as well, but for different purpose. Slipping through the troopers she gained on her partner but couldn't catch her before she reached the opening to the chamber above. She at first attempted to call out - urging Luxeria to wait, to focus and to regroup - but something stopped her and she was unable to speak. Finally she reached the Meditation chamber to find Luxeria already standing in the doorway to the room. Lava flowed out the entrance cascading down to the pools below, where they had found their entrance. In the Center of the room was a dais of sorts, a stone table perhaps, and around the cave etched on the walls were ancient markings that even with her extensive study of this place she could not decipher. The moment she stepped into the room to join Luxeria the markings upon the cave walls began to glow, the energy within the cave rising.
"Luxeria..."Vasari whispered softly taking a step closer to her partner, sensing something about to happen, her hearts beat faster and she felt danger nearing. It didn't bring fear to her mind, she was tired of being afraid of this place, as much of a nightmare as it seemed to be to her."Whatever comes we must face it together... whatever is going on inside your mind you've got to put it aside... I need you here, now!"
Following her own words she closed off the second level of her mind, looping the Labyrinth of thoughts and secrets upon itself so whatever was invading her mind would be lost within it - it would by her time at least. Then she reached out to Luxeria's mind, her own now focused upon reestablishing the link between them - for the first time noticing the extend of the damage the illusions had played upon their relationship. No words would fix that, it was in her head and she would have to deal with it, anything she said now would just play into the lingering effect of the illusion in her mind. Caressing Luxeria's mind with her own she looked for the first time towards the center of the dais... the dark altar Vader had come to long ago - upon the center of the stone slab lay the necklace they had seen before - displayed before them like a prize. It all seemed too easy...
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Luxeria
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“Even the strongest mind can be manipulated. It’s simply a matter of finding its weakness.”
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Post by Luxeria on Jan 7, 2018 13:52:05 GMT -8
Luxeria had quickened her pace, now short of a dead run. She had to get there, nothing else mattered. Anything that stood in her way would be eliminated. The means to acquire the power she sought lay up ahead. She had to beat Viox there, couldn't allow him to take for himself the artifacts that laid within the castle's walls.
It wasn't long before she reached the opening to the final chamber, the one that mattered above all the others. She glanced around the room, the small hall with ancient markings adorned on the wall, the large stone table within the center of the open room and the final stairs that led up to the castle. Just a few more steps and she'd be where she wanted. With each passing moment, her mind began to solidify, locked solely upon her greed, her lusting desire for power. If she made it to the chamber in her state, she'd forever be lost to the old realities of the Sith: selfishness, lust for power that couldn't be slaked. It would cost her her life in the end, either she'd kill everyone around and die herself while intently looking through the artifacts, or die by the hands that were her allies.
She was about to run for the stairs when Vasari came up beside her. Her gaze shifted to the walls as they began to glow. It sought to keep her at bay. Of that, she wouldn't allow. It was then she heard Vasari's voice. Her head shot quickly in its turn to focus on Vasari, her forest green eyes lost to the darkness within. However, they weren't the burning orange they had been earlier on the surface. They were blood red now, as most typical of Sith. For Luxeria, it signified a losing of control. The darkness bore the greater power and it was taking over. Even when she spoke, the voice that had been Luxeria's was fading. "What I need to do is get to the artifacts within the castle before that sad excuse for a leader, Viox, gets to them. You really think he has any intention for them outside of taking them for himself? We are just the tools to clear his path. Within those walls lies what I need to acquire the power I seek. In his hands, they'll be lost to me. And if you are not going to help me get there quicker, you are clearly working with him to hold me back."
Before Luxeria had the time to take any action against Vasari and the troopers to hinder their own progression, she noticed the necklace that started this laying on the table. Pushing Vasari hard into the wall and back down the stairs, she walked towards the necklace. The start to her dominance over others, her elevation to a goddess was right there. It would be the first piece of her conquest. As she grew closer, she reached out to take it.
Words were no longer capable of reaching Luxeria. No form of imagery or anything of the sort would quell the surge of darkness in her mind. So close would she be locked away. All that was left was to try and reach her from inside, reaching the depths of her mind. Never had Luxeria craved power in this way, always understanding patience and the desire to work for it, truly making her the master of her power and the darkness she used. But now she was captured by the infected darkness, becoming the power hungry monster many Sith used to be.
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Vasari
Blackguard Imperium
Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Jan 7, 2018 15:09:09 GMT -8
Vasari's mind practically recoiled under the pressure of Luxeria's hate and rage and for all intent... jealousy and lust. Every negative emotion that drove the Sith to greatness, every negative emotion that fed their power - she was giving way to all of it. Her words - spoken with venom and paranoia - did not cut Vasari as deeply as they might have in other circumstances but still they hurt. Luxeria was the student of a powerful Sith - from what Vasari had heard - and this sort of reaction was not something she had expected. In the moments she was attempting to think through Luxeria's loathing monologue she was taken even more off guard by the shove that nearly sent her back down the stairs, only to be caught by the stoic yet powerful arms of Locklear who seemed to judge her even through the helmet he wore. She gave him a biting frown in return and leaned forward off his chest to watch Luxeria dart towards the dais. Locklear's men had already began to fan out around the room their weapons half drawn in the process - they would not tolerate any form of betrayal against their Master.
"Keep your men back... let me speak with her..."
She whispered to the soldier, knowing that any action from them would just solidify the illusions message, and turn her further against them all - then Vasari would have to explain their deaths to Viox - something she was loath to do in her current situation with him. Vasari stalked towards Luxeria from behind raising her cloak off her shoulders allowing it to billow back into Locklear's face as she tilted her head over her shoulder and winked at him, a soft giggle escaping her lips.
Vasari was not one to employ a failing strategy twice - words could not reach her ill fallen partner - she would have to rely upon her command of the Force, even in her weakened state she was a powerful sorceress - and by this point well trained in the art of Qazoi Kyantuska. Closing her eyes she reached out to Luxiera's body as she reached out to take the necklace - if she touched the object of this dark Illusion now she would be lost to it, and it would control her, not the other way around. Raising her hand towards her partner she exhaled and shouted with the words of power granted to her by the dying art of the ancient mind control.
"STOP!!"
Vasari felt the walls tremble at the power of her words, and even the runes glowing upon the walls seemed to dim under the weight of her power. The words were not necessary of course, and the call was only a focus point for Vasari's own mind, a way for her to channel her own energy through the force and into Luxeria's already open mind. The link they maintained gave her a step up, but even then on a normal day Luxeria might have been able to resist, but falling victim to this illusion would mean her mind was already open to such manipulation. Vasari did not pause, continuing to move closer to Luxeria trusting in her own power...
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on Jan 7, 2018 15:43:28 GMT -8
Luxeria didn't even seem to notice the movement of the troopers behind her and the actions that were about to befall her. All that held her mind was the necklace before her. She was so close. Just another step, another and another. Within arm's reach, there was nothing left to hold her back as she felt it beckoning her forward.
Yet, just before she touched it, she froze, her hand millimeters away from grasping the faded silver pendant. So easily was she taken over by Vasari's technique, the mind so focused upon that which was in front of her. Once again, the darkness around them had miscalculated. First, in her own illusion by not shutting off the memories that would help her find her way back, then the faltering look in the eyes of the would be Vasari. And now, so certain of Luxeria's fall into its control, the thought that whatever control they had over Vasari was enough to hinder her. Clearly, it was wrong. But this was only the start. All that had been accomplished was delaying the woman's descent. It tried to redirect itself to push back against Vasari's solid ability, releasing some of the control it had over her mind, opening a tunnel deeper into Luxeria's mind.
There, Vasari would finally see the illusion that first took hold of Luxeria. She would see the breaking mind followed by the illusion of herself ready to bring down the killing strike. Shortly followed would Luxeria's sudden surge of strength be seen as she beat back the first illusion. So what was keeping her from doing the same now? Luxeria had shown strength focus, and control in battle and through the darkness thus far until the chest was opened. So what was different now?
Further into the mind, Vasari would find certain doors now opened enough to see snippets of memory. She'd see the change in Luxeria's heart in her early teenage years, seeing the power her beauty had over others, the moment of her first denial by a man she truly liked, which awakened the Force the first time. There would she see the denial of training from the Jedi and her determination to grow on her own if no others would train her. From there, things began to shake and become distorted as the darkness tried to further resist Vasari's presence and power, for the weakness had been exploited and it was harder to form a resistance against something already inside.
The last thing Vasari would see would be something that seemed less like a memory and a simple illusion of Luxeria and a single state of mind she had. With it, the revelation of Luxeria's true belief on power and its acquisition would be revealed to Vasari: time, experience, and patience was the key to gaining any power. Nothing would substitute such things and true power was only achieved in this way. Anything else was a lie. A lie she had some how fallen for within the confines of her mind.
As Vasari pressed deeper, the area would shift to reveal something more understood through lower perception. A red and orange room, twisting and swaying as if capable of causing disorientation. Outside of that, two Luxeria stood before her: one bound by smokey black chains over her body, the grip tightening and new links forming to bind her further and another, a slightly more twisted version turning to look at Vasari. And so revealed the internal battle between Luxeria and the darker variation of herself that was nearly in complete control.
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Vasari
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Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Jan 13, 2018 16:48:32 GMT -8
Vasari felt more than watched her power take hold of Luxeria's body - felt her partners forward momentum come to a halt just inches from grasping her goal, the object of her most recent obsession - which still lay before her resting upon the flat dragon glass stone table. She had no doubt that now that she had gained control of Luxeria's mind that she could hold her there - indefinitely if need be, but something in Vasari's breast beats urged her to be swift with whatever game she was playing with Luxeria's mind. Exhaling she slipped between the girl and the Dragon glass table slipping her butt over the edge of the lip inside Luxeria's outstretched arms - her body still hung in perfect stillness by the power of the Qazoi Kyantuska. Vasari looked into her partners eyes but they were still - expressionless - she didn't find the girl she had come to know in these last few hours anywhere within, but she felt her - she was not gone yet.
Reaching her slinder tattooed fingers up she softly caressed Luxeri's cheek, a gentle touch of comfort and presence but not enough to disturb her eternal stillness - a way to ground herself more than anything else, a feeling of what she knew to be real before she attempted what she had planned. She exhaled as she moved closer to Luxeria's face the other hand now lingering around the girls neck - her bare arms glistening with sweat in the light of the fire pouring out the mouth of the cave. Centering her mind she split her focus between maintaining Luxeria's mind and bringing her consciousness forth... beckoning her partners mind from the prison it was being kept in. Leaning forward Vasari pressed her thin tattooed lips to Luxeria's...
Her mind's eye was thrust open as she was pulled into a red and orange room. The feelings of vertigo and the discomfort that came with being so disoriented swelled within her mind fighting with her own focus and control - a fight she quickly won, focusing on her own mind dropping like a stone... a heart of stone... into the currents of the force drawing on the power of this place only enough to maintain her stillness. She felt her own mind rebelling against the intrusion into another's mind, it was as if the Illusions that held both their minds enraptured came in two parts, and now that they were so close to one another the illusions became more powerful as well. She felt her own racing now towards the center of the Maze of thought that held precious the entrance to the last layer of her mind - the last line of defense.
Forcing her own problems aside she was met with a shocking image, twin Luxeria's standing opposite one another before her. One bound in chains of smoke and darkness, the other a twisted, distorted, perverted image of the one she had quickly come to feel as more than just a partner in the Blackguard... the image was wrong, everything about this place was wrong. Yet it was here that she found Luxeria's mind, trussed up and made helpless by the illusions Vader's ghosts or whomever had brought to bare against their intrusion upon this place.
Vasari remembered her own training - the Ghost and the Darkness that the shade of Marka Ragnos had cast against her. This illusion was no different, preying upon their connection to the force, preying upon their connection to the darkside, forcing them to run, forcing them to evade it, but it always was there a step behind tracking them, feeding off the energy they were using to escape it. As sure as death it would catch them... this devil that had come to Mustafar. ~Quey'tek~ The thought was simple, the answer that Vasari had employed against the Ghost and the Darkness. She had pulled her mind away from the Force, lifting from the currents of the force to exist above it, separated from it. A form of meditation so powerful and requiring such focus you could actually hide yourself from the Force itself. Vasari wondered if that same trick would work here... As she began to raise herself from the currents of the Living Force she felt the draw to the darkness weaken, but with it her power and strength waned. She had experienced this problem before stillness and oneness and a separation from the Force, but an inability to do anything but maintain the Meditation. As the weakness crept in she began to lose track of where she was - the red and orange room seeming to be her entire world now, but it appeared more shadowed, and now the twisted version of Luxeria was gazing about for her - as if a flicker of an image out of the corner of her eye had just faded at last from sight and she was tilting her head just slightly to see if it would come back into focus - but Vasari would not - she was beyond the touch of the Force now... and quickly losing herself without the power to ground her...
Heat rose within the room - the power of the Castle began to feel Vasari's mind slip away and that angered the darkness - the lava around them grew hot and came alive - the symbols that pulsed with light flickered quicker now and Vasari could feel her skin growing hot. What did she feel here... what was this place? Then she felt the touch of another's lips upon hers - a lifeless still touch, but a grounding that was unmistakably real. Her eyes had opened momentarily as she had begun to lose focus - a result of her ill practiced discipline in the art of Quey'tek meditation, but now she knew where she was, she knew what was real... and she had to go back from Luxeria.
Vasari's mind's eye opened once again to the red and orange room, this time behind the twin Luxeria's. She reached out and touched the chains that bound her friend. Friend. and the chains broke before her fingers. Not broke... faded away. They were made by the illusion - maintained by the darkside of the Force, and Vasari had moved beyond the reach of the Force. She could not force Luxeria's mind into the state of Quey'tek meditation necessary to free herself, but she could guide her if Luxeria but knew that she was there. Moving behind the bound form she wrapped her own ghostly arms around her partner and whispered softly against her mind's ear... speaking... but also opening her mind to allow Luxeria to feel how she had freed herself from the Illusion that held her bound. Still Luxeria had to be swift. That feeling of urgency was growing more powerful within Vasari's mind... She was running out of time...
<<Let go of the darkside... Let go... and I will guide you...>>
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on Jan 14, 2018 8:44:00 GMT -8
The darker form of Luxeria began looking about the room as Vasari just seemed to disappear from sight. Out of sight and out of mind, or so it seemed. No even a trace of the Zabrak's presence was left lingering in Luxeria's mind. Giving a smirk, the invading darkness seemed confident in the failure Vasari's feeble attempt to break Luxeria free. Just a simple sight of what became of her partner and she fled. All that was left was the regain control of the body, tearing it free of Vasari's control. And for which, the other half inside Vasari began to stir more. It had already been made clear earlier on to the darkness of the bond that was forming and the strength they gained from it. Despite the assumed victory in the moment, it couldn't let them connect again and push it out of their minds.
Yet, while Vasari herself was still hiding in the Force, the twin Luxeria felt the chains suddenly fading. Turning back, she looked surprised....for a moment. Soon her surprise shifted to a smirk as she shook her head. "Not bad, hiding yourself away like that. A good plan, Quey'tek. Well, good for you as the outside presence. But tell me, how do you simply hide away from that which is already inside? How can you remove yourself room that which has interwoven itself into your thoughts and and taken control of your mind? Just look at her. Does she look like someone who has control? With each moment, the chains bind her further, taking from her her ability to think and move. She is but a shell, the last remnant of her will soon to be eliminated forever. And when I am finished with her, I'll take hold of you."
And it was true. As Luxeria stood there in chains, she looked so far out of it that it seemed like nothing was left. Her eyes even appeared lifeless. While the chain that faded away in Vasari's hand didn't return, the others continued to tighten. It wasn't something that could be done by hiding herself away. Luxeria's mind was nearly gone, lost to this darkness. Her thoughts were over run, effectively shut out this time so that she couldn't look through her memories and thoughts to reestablished a connection. It had learned from the previous encounter. As long as she couldn't find the truth inside that countered the illusions, she'd never break free. It wasn't about the darkness and letting it go, not for Luxeria. The current state was all about her desire for power. The illusion had convinced her of need for power, the quickness to getting it, and by any means. And Vasari would know from her descent that Luxeria didn't think that way, had a different view. To break free, she'd have to remember to regain control, but she was out of touch to do so.
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on Jan 20, 2018 13:32:51 GMT -8
Vasari's presence was deeply concealed within Luxeria's mind - the personification the illusion took, the visage of which was reflected in Luxeria's own features, was more than aware of her presence but was powerless to do anything about it - a ghost within the system of Luxeria's mind. The personification was right... being unable to extend her own meditation to encompass Luxeria's mind her options were running thin and she felt her partners mind continue to slip away - the chains about her mind returning no longer susceptible to her 'touch'.
<<You talk too much...>>
Vasari's mind answered simply - refusing to engage in such meaningless banter with the personification of the same illusion she was at that same moment chasing down within the maze of her own mind. The longer she remained within her meditative trance - her body still clinging arm and lip to Luxeria's in the real world - the quicker she moved within her own mind ever on the heels of the evil she chased. Within moments she began to see the evil personified within her own mind as she finally discerned its path - the center of the maze the last gate to the secrets she kept hidden within her mind - and likewise the control of her own body as Luxeria had fallen victim too.
Vasari's split mind shifted through the walls of the maze in response to the last safeguard she had in place to protect herself from intrusion and at last came face to face with the intruder - a form she recognized but had not seen since her days at the Academy - Marka Ragnos. Her shifting form phased around the spectre's own form - Marka's ghost was unable to see her still within the trance of the Quey'tek - but they were perfectly aware of one another. He had reached the very doors of her inner most thoughts, where else would she be?
"I will not fail... continue to test me all you wish..."
The other half of her mind, having ignored the presence of the illusion within Luxeria's mind, set her thoughts to purpose that which was determining means to free her friend from the clutches of this illusion. She wrapped her arms tighter around the form of Luxeria's mind, whispering softly against her ear.
<<This isn't you... remember!>>
Vasari's thoughts replayed Luxeria's own memories before her mind's eye - the struggles she had shared through Kesh and beyond her training and her own growth over the course of which - everything coming to the head that was Mustafar and the current dangers they were facing. Vasari felt the strange pulling of the bond they had created over the time spent together - until now she wasn't sure what it was, but now that she had felt the connection with her, even through the Quey'tek trance she was sure of what it was... a rare side effect of the Battle Meditation she had implemented as they broke atmo... they way they had moved with one another in combat... the memories that seemed to be shared and felt with one another without thought or effort. A force meld. The back of her mind came to be aware of this as a passing thought even as she shared Luxeria's own memories with her - pushing attempting to force her to see who she really was, not the lie the power of this place was attempting to force upon her.
<<This is the power you wield... do not allow it to wield you!>>
Vasari's skin was afire from the rising heat within the meditation chamber - or at least that was how it felt. Her lips, still pressed tightly against Luxeria's as a way of grounding were dry and cracking, her fingers gripping tightly to her partners waist and neck growing weaker as the effort of existing within both of their minds at once while maintaining the Quey-tek meditation continued to wear upon her body to further protect her mind. The roiling magma surrounding the chambers land path towards the exit and towards the stairs leading up into the castle itself began to spray upwards onto the path and onto the rock within the center of the room that housed the necklace that was the focus of Luxeria's current desires. The runes circling the ceiling and the upper walls began to glow even brighter the power and mastery of the Force being shown by the young Zabrak pulling the power of very planet to bare to strengthen the illusions hold upon the waning strength of her mind.
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on Jan 21, 2018 12:19:12 GMT -8
The illusion watched as the chains began to reform, signifying just how much control it had over the situation. Giving off a laughed that was twisted and distorted, her gaze focused upon Luxeria, knowing that Vasari had to be there. "Poor little, Luxeria. Led by her desire for power, her desire to rule the minds of others. She may have said that power had to be earned, worked at, convinced herself over and over that seeking to fully understand and develop was what determined true mastery. But deep down, it was lie to herself and everyone, ever Lord Malvus. She has sought power as quick as it could be obtained. The only reason that mindset ruled was because of the slow process of studying and being taught. Yet, here, where so many artifact and relics rest, that power is just within her grasp. Do you really think that the lie she told herself would remain? No, it has shattered completely. Thanks to me, the real Luxeria is coming out. This is what she's always been. Behold and see the truth of the so called, Goddess of Illumination!" The illusion began to shift and change, its form of Luxeria becoming heavily distorted by the idea of power, corrupted by the dark side as some Sith Lords had become. Aging, deforming, she was no longer the enchanting young woman that had been walking around, but something entirely different, disfigured and grotesque.
*At this point, the darkness held such confidence, almost arrogant at the control it had, little did it truly realize the depth of the meld the two shared. Admist the darkness, the lifeless looking body of Luxeria floated there, lost among the waves of darkness that had overpowered her mind. Somehow, she had become overcome with greed, the thought of power taking hold of her until this was what became of her. Her mind was empty, unable to think. She was brain dead here, nothing but the shell her twin considered her to be. It had ensured she couldn't reflect upon herself, couldn't find a way out. So quickly had it learned from its mistakes earlier.
Yet, as she floated there, a voice spoke. She couldn't make out the words, her mind unable to form a single thought. Still, the voice seemed to resonate, repeat, and echo in the hollow blackness. But it was more than a voice. It was but the channel for something else. Slowly, small twitches came from her fingers as some semblance of thought returned to her. Bit by bit, she was able to think and reflect, the words slowly taking shape. How much time seemed to go by: minutes, hours, days? Within the dreamscape of her mind, time was uncertain without a connection to reality.
Finally the words began to fill her mind, though she couldn't pace the voice. ~Who are you? What are you telling me?~ As the her own words began to form in her head, her memories and thoughts began to reappear, almost being shaped like a potter with clay. ~Is this...me? Who am I?~ With each thought and memory, a new one came to life again. Before long, her vision began to come back, but she saw something she wasn't expecting. She saw herself there as if she was laying over a pool of water. It shimmered in front of her words being mouthed from it. Luxeria only watched, focused upon what it was trying to say before she picked up on the audible sound, the words she had told herself and others about power. It wasn't a lie, it was very much the truth, a truth that had been successfully twisted and turned on her. But those words to herself was all it took as the memories began flooding back know. And with it, the words in her mind gained a face. "Vasari!" With the call of her friend's name, the blackness around her shattered.*
As Vasari began to connect to Luxeria's dormant mind, the words reaching her, the memories returning, links began to slowly break off from the chains. The Illusion took a step back as it watched a link faded here, then there, before long a strand falling from its place and disappearing. "No! This can't be! How can you be regaining control!? I won't let you push me out! I control you now!" It lifted its hands as more chains appeared and wrapped around Luxeria, but the slow progressing of breaking chains continued. Vasari would be able to feel Luxeria's mind returning, regaining itself more and more quickly until suddenly the lifeless Luxeria called out Vasari's name at the same time her deeper mind did. From there, everything happened in an instant. The chains all shatter at once, the twisting red and orange room solidified into a burning orange color, showing Luxeria dominance over her mind, then suddenly, a flash of light as Luxeria's mind exploded back to life, casting them all out of her own mind.
The darkness that was taking control was gone, but there wasn't a return to reality. In the resurgence of her control, Luxeria had followed the guiding mind that pulled her out, unable to stop herself in her own mind, but crossing the borders between them into her, appearing where Vasari was in her maze. With Luxeria free, Vasari's mind would be free to return to full singular focus on her own intruder. Whether or not the darkness in Luxeria was cast out completely and joined with what resided in Vasari's mind was unknown.
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Xakire
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Post by Xakire on Jan 21, 2018 20:34:13 GMT -8
Mustafar - Darth Vader's Castle. The Black Stairs.He knew not what was laid out ahead of them in the Castle itself, but Savage was determined to claim the Castle for himself, as well as the Blackguard, naturally. As he began to climb the smooth, obsidian steps, he bent down and placed his bare right hand on the obsidian surface. Despite Mustafar's raging volcanic terrain and the sweltering heat, the steps were ice cold to the touch. Closing his eyes, he extended his perceptions outwards. He could feel the Castle itself seemingly reacting to his presence. It was as if the Castle itself was alive within the dark side of the Force. And for all he knew, it very well could have been. The disturbance was still present as well, but he was unable to focus on it. It was as if it was purposely evading his tentative reach, staying on the very edges of his perceptions, just out of reach. That was enough to keep the Zabrak on guard. Something was very much alive within the Castle, yet there were no easily detected force signatures. Whatever is was, it seemed to stem from something that had lived at one point. Opening his eyes and standing upright, he motioned for Xakire to follow him. As Xakire fell into step, the duo climbed the steps with ease. There was no resistance to be met. The concentration of droids seemed to be only throughout Mustafar's volcanic terrain, not the Castle itself. Climbing up the steps even further, he was greeted with the sight of the ominous obsidian doors that would lead further into the depths of the Castle. Inspecting the door, there was no visible means to open them physically. A minor setback. Looking to his apprentice, he spoke."Reach out with the Force, my apprentice. Allow the darkness of this place to flow through you. Empty your mind and focus solely on the door...only then shall we be granted entrance..."Such tasks were not foreign to him. Back on Rhommamool, the only way he could access the Halls of the Triumvirate was through using the Force to open the door. It would appear as though the same would need to be done here. Hopefully, combining their power, Xakire and himself would be enough to open the door...
Soon the reached large imposing obsidian doors, clearly marking the entrance to the castle. Darth Vader likley constructed doors like this with no physical way of opening to make sure that only he himself could enter, leaving it impossible for non-Force users to enter. Likley this also protected whatever lay inside from looters and scavengers.
He closed his eyes as he tried to block everything but the door from his mind...the fear of what lurked behind that door, the adrenaline rush of the fight against the battle droids...the questions that still hung in his mind over what had happened to his master...he blocked all that out, focusing completly on the door. He reached his hand out and focused the Force on opening the huge doors, as his master instructed him. |
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on Jan 23, 2018 6:19:27 GMT -8
Extending his hands outwards, turned up, fingers curled as if he was lifting something, he exhaled slowly. Feeling his apprentice empty his mind and focus on the door before them, Savage did the same. Easier said than done, given the essences of several long dead Zabraks crawling around within his mind, but he managed to empty his mind, just the same. Feeling the cold, smooth edges of the door within his mind, he focused on lifting. At first, nothing happened. But then the door began to move. Slowly and unsteadily at first, it lifted upwards. Becoming more steady as it went, the door rose up into place. With a loud click that resonated into the dark confines of the Castle before them, the door stopped rising, instead it stayed in place. Opening his eyes and releasing his grip on the door itself, Savage extended his perceptions outwards, probing the ominous darkness that permeated the Castle itself. Something seemed to be very much alive within. Something powerful. And old. Not as old as the Zabrak Elders he had encountered on Iridonia, in the ruins of his family's former estate, but old enough to pique his interest. Motioning for his apprentice to follow, Savage began to walk into the main atrium of the Castle. Despite the heat outside the Castle, the interior was almost ice cold. As he continued forward, yellow eyes darting back and forth, scanning for anything and everything that could pose a potential threat, that's when he heard what sounded like respirator, faint and barely audible, but unmistakable. Rounding a corner, everything seemed to tilt oddly on its axis. Tensing up and glancing back to his apprentice, he noticed Xakire was no longer present. With a brief moment of confusion, he finally understood what was going on. The Darkness within the Castle was testing him. Or trying to keep him out. A small smirk crossed his face. The chamber around him seemed to be bleeding black smoke. Whisps of it oozed from the walls and trailed to the floor. The darkness was powerful here. Almost suffocatingly so. But Savage pressed on. Knowing he needed to overcome whatever the essence within the Castle had in store for him, it was too late to turn back now.
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Vasari
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Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Jan 23, 2018 18:41:35 GMT -8
The matters that transpired within Luxeria's mind lay at the furthest tip of the fingers of Vasari's mind, just beyond cognition but close enough to be aware of them through her subconscious, as though seen through a shroud of confusion and smoke. The last she saw was the laughter of the illusion fade to a scream of rage as the chains around Luxeria were broken setting her free - that she saw without shroud, as clear as day and as bright as the morning sun of Iridonia. There was little time to savor the taste of victory - seeing her partner freed from such evil. Her mind felt the tug to her own - feeling the danger of the illusion gaining favor within her own thoughts - a feeling not long felt for the power of Luxeria's mind cast her and every other outside influence.
Vasari's eyes opened but for a moment the power of the planet roiling beneath her just as the stone she sat upon shook with the power she brought to bare against the ghosts of Mustafar. She felt her dry lips upon Luxeria's and pressed them deeper against her partners just as her eyes closed and her mind returned with purpose to the labyrinth of her thoughts.
The center of the labyrinth was like a garden - the middle of which held a spring its water warm and still like the stillness of her thoughts in the face of the threat that now sought ripple to enter the stillness and cause strife and pain. One stood upon the stones circling the spring, one cloaked and shrouded in darkness. Marka Ragnos had often appeared in the fever dreams of youth, and yet again in the dungeons below the academy where Vasari's testing began. He appeared now before her - though his baring was different than before. The likeness of Vasari appeared on the other side of the still spring - her eyes cast upon the shade from her past.
"You appear to me now a lie, just as then..."
"You speak to test me just as before... I lived then, I live now. Be gone from my mind - you speak with the tongue of one not belonging to you. Granted voice only by the strength of Mustafar, and those that dwell here. BE GONE!"
Vasari stood tall - back straight and chin raised - against the shadow opposing her upon the spring. The wills of the two beings stood against one another in strife their countenance tested so that only one might emerge the victor. Vasari felt the strength of the darkness double the freeing of Luxeria's mind brought the full force of the illusion down upon her, and now her own mind was united in task against the invader. She felt not the presence of Luxeria beside her - here within the center of all thought and memory - she felt only the strength of the Living Force to aide in her struggle against the darkness that sought her subjugation. She was not one to bow before any - not the shade of Ragnos, nor the power that yet remained within the castle upon Mustafar, her will would not be broken by such.
"You will... heed... me!"
Vasari's mind exploded with an emerald light upon the darkness that stood within the presence of her mind and the darkness pushed back - a black cloud against the emerald light as the two made war for the dominance of this mind. Never before had one come so close to the still pool of thought that gave strength and purpose to Vasari's mind, and now the unity of her mind in purpose against the invader pushed him back. Once again a light pulsed from Vasari's likeness and broke upon the shadow - encroaching upon the form of Marka Ragnos until the shield of darkness that protected the illusion was all but gone, and the shade stood alone surrounded by the emerald light of the living force. Vasari's eyes burned with an orange fire as her sight was cast upon the illusion once again before it too was cast from her mind - the shade fading to nothing leaving but her and Luxeria alone within the presence of Vasari's thoughts.
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on Jan 24, 2018 14:24:40 GMT -8
It was the shared connection that fully helped guide Luxeria back. It let the exposed memories Vasari saw to return to her and helped her connect the dots back to regain control. But further more, it was the link that she took hold of to pull her back, instead of just regaining control. As Vasari's mind tugged the Zabrak into her own mind, it had brought Luxeria along for the ride, one Luxeria followed willingly.
She said nothing as she stood next to Vasari. At no point did she speak her name or even acknowledge her. It made the woman wonder if her friend was even aware she was there or simply focused upon that which was invading her mind. For now, she remained quiet as the two spoke and fought each other in a battle of wills. She didn't recognize the being before her, being not as well versed in the past and those who came before. But in the end, Vasari proved to have the stronger will and cast the illusion out herself. It said much for the Zabrak, being capable of casting out the illusion by sheer will.
With nothing left, she glanced around, her mind trying to understand what this plane truly was. Their connection gave a sense of understanding, letting her see this as the final gate before reaching Vasari's inner thoughts. While Luxeria had witnessed Vasari seemingly broken earlier when the illusions began to take them, Luxeria was starting to see the bigger picture. At no point outside of that instance had Vasari been different, seeing mere flashes of illusions of memory. But not once had she fallen to any illusion. What transpired earlier, to the best Luxeria could grasp was the inward retreat and disconnection from reality to raise her defenses and give chase to that which invaded her mind. It caused a stir in her connection to the Force, but while the darkness had gotten in, the defenses Vasari had were too great to simply gain control and cause influence that easily. This whole time the darkness had been working its way to this point, traversing the labyrinth therein with Vasari in pursuit. Split between reality and aiding herself, this illusion had made its way this far, getting this close to possibly taking hold of her friend. If the entirety of Vasari's focus could have been put here, it could have possibly been cast out some time ago.
But all of this brought about a new truth to Luxeria. Despite her training, her defenses were weak. Then again, perhaps it was less weakness and simply too direct and basic. That too would falter faster then the layers Vasari had. When it came to the Zabrak, trying to gain control and see what lay inside took time and effort. And so, in this art, Vasari was leagues ahead of her. From this Luxeria grew frustrated, not as she normally would against another female who proved stronger, but simply against herself and her own training. No, she commended how her friend was capable of creating such defenses while splitting her mind, not once being a slave to another's will. Already, it seemed, a true and prosperous rivalry was beginning. But for now, as the thoughts came to her, she pushed them aside. The threats in their minds had been cast out. All that was left was to finish up securing the cave, then meet up with Viox and Xakire.
With all finished, she placed a hand upon Vasari's shoulder giving a small smile and nod before fading, letting herself retreat from her friend's mind and back to reality. When her eyes began to open, her senses returned, feeling the rising heat of the cave, and most importantly, the feel of Vasari's lips on her own. She pulled back slowly, simply looking back at Vasari, seeking to understand what had happened and why her new friend and chosen to kiss her. It was short though as she began to look around, feeling something off within the cave.
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on Jan 25, 2018 14:11:38 GMT -8
Vader's Castle. Central Atrium.
The lure of the dark side was incredibly hard to resist here. The power emanating from the dark obsidian walls was overwhelming and tantalizing. Seductive even. And despite his decades of training, honing his body and mind, Viox himself, was unable to resist what this place could do to him. Aware of the fact that all of this was likely taking place in his head, since Xakire was nowhere to be seen, it still didn't stop if from being real. Or at least real enough to inflict actual pain. As the robed Zabrak walked forward, the ever present sound of a respirator grew louder. Finally, entering the main atrium of the Castle, the souce had become apparent. Standing before him, blocking the path forward, was none other than the Sith Lord Darth Vader himself. The helm, the suit and cape, the flashing lights on the figure's chest and the undeniable sound of the breathing apparatus was unmistakable. Despite having never met the Sith Lord himself, Savage had studied up on the powerful being before launching his invasion of Mustafar. Without breaking his stride, he continued to walk forward. For the first few steps, the apparition of Vader did not move. But as Savage grew closer, the Sith Lord drew his lightsaber. The red blade sprang to life.
You shall proceed no further.
Hearing the Sith speak cause Savage to stop in his tracks. His yellow eyes staring at the Sith before him. A slight twitch at the corners of his mouth caused him to smirk.
"Indeed."
The Zabrak stood his ground, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I seek the secrets buried here. And a Sith Lord such as yourself will not stop me."
The apparition of Vader didn't move. And the pace at which he was breathing did not change either.
Even in death, I am more powerful than you know.
A small chuckle escaped the Zabrak. Savage replied to the Sith.
"Are you certain of that, Vader? Much has changed since your time. While the dead should not be underestimated, you do not know whom you stand before. Stand aside and let me pass..."
Savage knew how this was going to play out. And he was confident in his own abilities. While Vader may have been the best of his time, aside from Palpatine, Savage was now the Sith of his. Times had indeed changed. With the Zabrak Elders in his head and the power he was consolidating across the galaxy, Savage was a force to be reckoned with. The apparition of Vader shifted slightly, adjusting his stance.
Return to your ship. There is nothing here for you.
Savage cocked his left eyebrow, quizzically.
"Clearly you do not know who I am, Vader. And you have made it apparent that there is only one way this is going to go down...."
Savage undid the clasp on his cloak and shrugged it off. Plucking his lightsaber hilt from his belt with his left hand, he thumbed the activation studs. Both blades sprang to life. The vibrant orange blades spun gracefully as Savage twirled the hilt.
"I've been itching for a good fight. Let's see how good you really are, Darth Vader."
And with that, Savage sprinted forward. Vader merely shifted into a defensive stance as Savage closed the gap between them. Adopting his own version of Juyo, Savage lunged forward, front blade low, rear blade raised. Slashing out against Vader's saber, the blades clashed, crackling and spitting sparks as they exchanged blows. After a brief push on the offensive, Savage managed to break away and widen the gap between them. The apparition of Vader was still determined, it seemed. Adjusting his stance, Savage motioned for Vader to come to him. Obliging, the Sith lunged forward. He struck left, right, high low. He was fast and his blows were heavy. Heavier than Savage expected. But it was nothing he couldn't beat. The revered Sith was powerful, but his attacks lacked a certain grace and fluidity to them. And he lacked the sheer agility that Savage possessed. Their blades locked and Vader used his bulk to his advantage, pressing down on Savage. Gritting his teeth, he spoke.
"Your skill is impressive, for a dead Sith Lord. You certainly would have been a tough and worthy adversary, if you still lived. Perhaps the most difficult opponent I have faced yet. But you sorely overestimate your own abilities..."
Shoving the Sith back, Savage, aided by the Force, vaulted backwards. Landing lightly on his feet he inhaled deeply. Closing his eyes, he began drawing on the power the Zabrak Elders offered him. Delving deep into the currents of the Force, black wisps of what looked like smoke began to lick their way up the Zabrak. And once he opened his eyes again, the fierce yellow gaze that usually greeted his opponent was replaced by a fiery purple gaze. And then he was once again on the move. Charging forward at startling speed, Vader had just enough time to brace, and then Savage was upon him. High, low, left, right, mid, slash, thrust, parry, block. Savage's hands were a blur of motion as he pressed his attack. Even as an apparition within his own domian, Vader began to falter. And then Savage began to push him back. The helmed Sith was having difficulties keeping pace with Savage's attack. Both the ferocity and agility with which he moved was nothing short of inhuman. As the tempo of the duel quickened, Vader and Savage fell into a rhythm. Vader's breathing came in short gasps. And finally, he gave the opening Savage needed. As Savage feigned a high strike, Vader moved to block it. And then Savage struck mid, with everything he could muster. A pained gasp escaped the Sith Lord as Savage's orange blade pierced through Vader's abdomen and exited somewhere between his shoulder blades.
"Be free of this place, Skywalker. It no longer needs to be your tomb."
The dark wisps and fiery purple gaze faded away as Savage stopped tapping into the Force. The Zabrak knew that at least some part of Vader had been trapped here. Why else would the Dark Lord appear before him and fight so adamantly against Savage's intrusion? And Savage had enough honor and respect for him to know that when your time had come, you at the very least deserved some measure of peace. And this course of action seemed to be the simplest way to get whatever part of Vader that was lurking around here to leave. He didn't want anything to threaten his reign here. And a dead Sith Lord certainly wasn't going to stand in his way. Breathing heavily and perspiring, Savage withdrew his saber blade from the abdomen of the Sith. As Vader fell, the whole Castle seemed to shift oddly on it's axis. After the sensation of vertigo passed, Savage looked around. Things seemed to have returned to normal, though he wasn't entirely sure where Xakire had wandered off to...
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Vasari
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Tell me that I wont feel a thing...
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Post by Vasari on Jan 25, 2018 21:14:56 GMT -8
The visage of the Zabrak woman seemed to sink under the weight of what she had done. The test of this place had been apparent, a mastery of the dark side was required to walk within the walls of this Castle unscathed - she had failed this test, and answered its like with betrayal in kind. Marka Ragnos was right, her mastery over the darkside had yet to begin, she was still clinging to the ways of the Living Force, ignoring and even turning away from the nature of the dark side to maintain control of herself and the spells she had learned - and yet the connection was there. The lingering touch of the darkness weighed upon her spirit and at times of great passion or anger she was able to touch its grandeur and harness its power. Yet without training in that regard she would continue to fall victim to her own weaknesses.
The touch upon her mind fabricated into this reality by Luxeria gracing her shoulder with her hand pulled her from her thoughts of failure, and she turned, a smile on her face - her emotions and feelings unable to be hidden from the woman - here at the gates of her very consciousness. Upon ground she never figured any would walk freely here she was, even if only for a moment. Before Vasari could form thought to speak the visage of Luxeria faded - returning to reality. Alone once again she cast a glance around the room and nodded - making note to return soon and see to her mental defenses, changes had to be made, and soon...
Vasari opened her eyes again to find Luxeria pulling away from her - a blush came to her cheeks, but if it was caused by the heat or something else entirely she gave no inclination either way, simply lowered her gaze as she sat without cloak all but on display before her partner on the dias of the meditation chamber. Her hand fell back to brace herself enough to stand, her fingers falling upon something cold and metallic. She half turned her head as her fingers closed around the thing... the necklace that had come to be the fixation of Luxeria's desire. Lifting the necklace from the hot stone she regained her feet and stepped close to Luxeria, fingers deftly unclasping the chain before slipping the medallion around Luxeria's neck before clasping it again.
"A trophy well worth the toil hmm? It suits you..."
Her voice was but a distracted whisper as her eyes tore before the beauty before her, something was nagging at the back of her mind, a feeling about the cave set her skin a tingle with energy and threat. The heat remained but the roiling of the magma around them had ceased and was yet flowing smoothly out the mouth of the cave and over the cliff to the lava pools below. The threat had been cast from their minds, she was sure of it, the Force Meld had granted her clarity over Luxeria's mental state when their linked minds cast out the invading threat, but the feeling of the threat was still there, still very much alive. At first she had believed that they had battled the planet itself, the lingering presence of the Dark Side that was strong here, perhaps a nexus of power centered within this very cave. The power remained, its dark presence permeating every present thought and feeling that passed through her heart.
"There is something..."
Her words were cut short as she pushed Luxeria back and then a sudden scream pierced the would be silence of the cave - more of shock than pain as the dias cracked open a large piece of it stuck Vasari square in the back causing her to fall to the ground where Luxeria had once stood. The pieces of the dias crumbled to the sides, its breaking no natural feat - proven moments later by the monstrosity that clawed its way from the tunnel beneath where the circular rock once stood. Cloaked in dark ragged robes a being emerged from the darkness below. A grotesque humanoid torso with arms and legs composed of a collection of droid parts fused and welded together by what could only be an expert hand at droid mechanics clawed at the hole lifting itself into the cave - the source and the power that gave strength to the illusions had finally been forced to present itself. Lava fell from the tips of the beings limbs several miniature shield generators providing the beast with the ability to scoop up and hurl the lava at its enemies. As the droid/human hybrid moved into more clear view another set of limbs revealed themselves from the beings hunched back each wielded a blaster of some variety fused into the limb while the main hand gripped the hilt of what could only be a light saber... as yet ignited. One look at the creature from Vasari's crumbled position upon the ground and she knew what had killed the group they had found in the previous antichamber to this room. The guardian of the castles only other entrance...
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Luxeria
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Post by Luxeria on Jan 26, 2018 16:56:19 GMT -8
In those few moments before fading away, Luxeria saw the smile and could feel what Vasari felt, saw how she failed. And just as she could see what Vasari felt in her failure, so was the Zabrak able to see her own. In their own ways had they failed the tests the planet placed upon them. Luckily, they had each other to pull each other through. The smile was returned as they retreated from her mind.
She watched as Vasari blushed and diverted her gaze. She then heard the slight sound of something metallic as Vasari's hand brushed against something while trying to brace herself. She didn't move as her friend lifted the necklace and placed it around her neck. As she spoke, she looked down at it, holding the pendant in her hand. This had led her into the depths of the illusion that trapped her. Part of her wanted to remove it and cast it into the lava. But what would that truly accomplish? No, it was a relic, an artifact that Viox would want, even if she didn't. She would hold on to it, but remember the truth that this didn't grant real power, it only aided in strengthening it. And with the necklace firmly attached, Luxeria's power seemed to rise a bit, though it wasn't really her power, but just her presence. An artifact that crafted the illusion of a being more powerful than they were,
an attempt to intimidate others into backing down.
But they both could feel that something was off, that the darkness still existed as it had in their minds, intention and purpose. Luxeria glanced around, caught completely off guard as
Vasari pushed her back. Loosing her footing, she fell back, though regained enough of her focus to roll back onto her knees, left hand forward and pressed against the ground. She watched as the creature that had broken the dias and began to rise from it. Her breathing began to grow heavier as the drive for battle began to rise up. This was the last threat before the goal.
For now, she stayed hunched down, eyes shifted slightly between the creature and Vasari. She wanted to get her friend out of there, but didn't want to make any sudden movements just yet. She knew nothing of what laid in front of her and making any movements with it watching them carefully was unwise. But she was ready, ready to remove her lightsaber, ready to pull Vasari away, and ready to use everything around her against the creature.
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Xakire
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Post by Xakire on Jan 27, 2018 22:48:13 GMT -8
”Master?” Xakire asked as he silently appeared behind Viox. When his master seemingly lost control again, Xakire checked the chamber for anyone or anything else that might have been causing whatever was happening, though he found nothing of note. ”What’s going on? This is the second time you’ve....lost control...” he asked not sure quite how to phrase whatever was going on with his master, because he had no idea what was going on.
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Viox Savage
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Post by Viox Savage on Jan 31, 2018 14:13:47 GMT -8
As Xakire appeared behind him and spoke, a smirk crossed his lips. Ignorance. That was all it was. Perhaps it was time to inform his apprentice of what was really going on. Turning to face the young man, Savage spoke.
"I haven't lost control of anything. You have remained in the dark with what is going on with me because I have wanted it. Not for lack of trust in you or your abilities, but because it is a delicate matter."
Savage inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly.
"During the invasion of Iridonia, I ventured to the ruins of my old family estate. A place long dead, but tainted by the past actions of my father. Restless spirits haunted the ruins...to fully understand, you would have to read the Tome of the Ancients, a very old, very sacred tome of the past. Dating back to the third or fourth generation of my people. Powerful rituals, locations of artifacts and a history of my clan. Most of it is irrelevant, but there is, however, many secrets that can enhance ones power, if you interpret the rituals correctly. I managed to succeed in one such ritual. A ritual of Force-Walking. And in so doing, I was able to acquire the powerful essences of several long dead Zabrak elders. They now reside within my mind, granting me power that hasn't been seen in eons. But everything comes at a price...my...sudden outburst before we reached the Castle was the Elders becoming restless. This last 'outburst', if you want to call it that, was confronting an apparition of Darth Vader himself. He has since been defeated. Aside for whatever else that lingers within these walls, Vader will plague us no more. Of that, you can be certain."
Savage watched his apprentice closely. What he had just said was a lot to digest. And to understand. Unfortunately, Xakire would never truly understand, as he was not a Zabrak. But that wasn't his fault. Vasari, on the other hand, would be made privy to the Tome of the Ancients in due time, once she became more disciplined. With Vasari's natural affinity to mind control and understanding of ancient texts and tomes, she was a natural choice. Xakire would have to find some way to prove himself, eventually. Only one human in the past had been worthy of being Savage's apprentice, Amaris Jade. She, despite all odds, managed to push through the brutal physical training regime, learned to harness her powers and became Savage's equal in many aspects. Not that he'd ever admit to that. She had been his most prized pupil. Xakire now had very high standards to live up to, but with the proper training, Savage was certain he could carve Xakire into an apprentice that would rival Jade's abilities...
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Xakire
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Post by Xakire on Feb 8, 2018 16:46:15 GMT -8
As Xakire appeared behind him and spoke, a smirk crossed his lips. Ignorance. That was all it was. Perhaps it was time to inform his apprentice of what was really going on. Turning to face the young man, Savage spoke."I haven't lost control of anything. You have remained in the dark with what is going on with me because I have wanted it. Not for lack of trust in you or your abilities, but because it is a delicate matter."Savage inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly."During the invasion of Iridonia, I ventured to the ruins of my old family estate. A place long dead, but tainted by the past actions of my father. Restless spirits haunted the ruins...to fully understand, you would have to read the Tome of the Ancients, a very old, very sacred tome of the past. Dating back to the third or fourth generation of my people. Powerful rituals, locations of artifacts and a history of my clan. Most of it is irrelevant, but there is, however, many secrets that can enhance ones power, if you interpret the rituals correctly. I managed to succeed in one such ritual. A ritual of Force-Walking. And in so doing, I was able to acquire the powerful essences of several long dead Zabrak elders. They now reside within my mind, granting me power that hasn't been seen in eons. But everything comes at a price...my...sudden outburst before we reached the Castle was the Elders becoming restless. This last 'outburst', if you want to call it that, was confronting an apparition of Darth Vader himself. He has since been defeated. Aside for whatever else that lingers within these walls, Vader will plague us no more. Of that, you can be certain."Savage watched his apprentice closely. What he had just said was a lot to digest. And to understand. Unfortunately, Xakire would never truly understand, as he was not a Zabrak. But that wasn't his fault. Vasari, on the other hand, would be made privy to the Tome of the Ancients in due time, once she became more disciplined. With Vasari's natural affinity to mind control and understanding of ancient texts and tomes, she was a natural choice. Xakire would have to find some way to prove himself, eventually. Only one human in the past had been worthy of being Savage's apprentice, Amaris Jade. She, despite all odds, managed to push through the brutal physical training regime, learned to harness her powers and became Savage's equal in many aspects. Not that he'd ever admit to that. She had been his most prized pupil. Xakire now had very high standards to live up to, but with the proper training, Savage was certain he could carve Xakire into an apprentice that would rival Jade's abilities... |
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Vasari
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Post by Vasari on Feb 13, 2018 13:53:24 GMT -8
In those few moments before fading away, Luxeria saw the smile and could feel what Vasari felt, saw how she failed. And just as she could see what Vasari felt in her failure, so was the Zabrak able to see her own. In their own ways had they failed the tests the planet placed upon them. Luckily, they had each other to pull each other through. The smile was returned as they retreated from her mind.
She watched as Vasari blushed and diverted her gaze. She then heard the slight sound of something metallic as Vasari's hand brushed against something while trying to brace herself. She didn't move as her friend lifted the necklace and placed it around her neck. As she spoke, she looked down at it, holding the pendant in her hand. This had led her into the depths of the illusion that trapped her. Part of her wanted to remove it and cast it into the lava. But what would that truly accomplish? No, it was a relic, an artifact that Viox would want, even if she didn't. She would hold on to it, but remember the truth that this didn't grant real power, it only aided in strengthening it. And with the necklace firmly attached, Luxeria's power seemed to rise a bit, though it wasn't really her power, but just her presence. An artifact that crafted the illusion of a being more powerful than they were,
an attempt to intimidate others into backing down.
But they both could feel that something was off, that the darkness still existed as it had in their minds, intention and purpose. Luxeria glanced around, caught completely off guard as
Vasari pushed her back. Loosing her footing, she fell back, though regained enough of her focus to roll back onto her knees, left hand forward and pressed against the ground. She watched as the creature that had broken the dias and began to rise from it. Her breathing began to grow heavier as the drive for battle began to rise up. This was the last threat before the goal.
For now, she stayed hunched down, eyes shifted slightly between the creature and Vasari. She wanted to get her friend out of there, but didn't want to make any sudden movements just yet. She knew nothing of what laid in front of her and making any movements with it watching them carefully was unwise. But she was ready, ready to remove her lightsaber, ready to pull Vasari away, and ready to use everything around her against the creature.
Vasari's back hit the stone and arched under the pressure - increasing the pain but saving her head from slamming flush against stone, causing further problems. She hissed and bared her teeth in retaliation raising her hand towards her saberstaff moments before the creature lunged at her. The sight of the thing brought pause to him/it? and then raised its arms slighty in defense a grotesque sound issuing from the hole that used to be the things mouth - was that sound? was it laughing at her? Vasari left the blade unlit and narrowed her eyes. She could feel the minds of those around her slipping further into the state of readiness needed for battle, the soldiers were already there - weapons trained on the droid creature simply waiting for Vasari to clear their line of fire.
She remained motionless for several seconds watching as the creature took inventory of his opponents and then its eyes fell back on Vasari and she raised the force in defense of her the ground splintering and rising from behind her like a cocoon as he voice pierced the stillness of the cavern and she yelled..."FIRE!"Upon the command the group of soldiers unleashed hell upon the beast that had crawled from the darkness, setting aside their pikes to bring their blasters to bear against the droids tough metallic skin and armor. Vasari watched as the blasterfire charred but did not break the surface of the creatures armor - it was made of something more tough than regular droids - forged in the heat of Mustafar itself. She quickly had her feet underneath her, still ducking under the cover the shattered stone behind her provided. She trusted the aim of the soldiers more than most, but still..."Luxeria... Blind it!"Trusting her partner to know her craft and trusting her to succeed in her task Vasari darted forward. The creature stood easily twelve foot high when its spidery legs extended completely out of the hole it had wrapped itself in beneath the surface, and even as the ground beneath them shattered and the lava poured back into the hole the creature had now vacated its armor seemed to ignore the heat from that as well. Vasari slipped between the creatures legs - it had four of them now, not eight as she had originally thought - the bisection of the appendages created an illusion of more as they connected to the gruesome things torso. Finally igniting one of her twin blades she drove it home against one of the 'knees' of the closest leg. The knee did not part as she had anticipated but she was not caught totally unprepared for the eventuality of it - whatever this was made out of, was strong enough to hold against a saberblade, blaster fire, and the heat of the planets blood itself. |
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