Zaryaa's Journey

[Lord Iezkon]

Part One

“I was told to believe that being a Sith meant the eradication of your enemies, to be stronger than your rival and then crush them. Claiming all they hold, and putting it to better use. Destruction, death, violence and chaos. But, have you ever read the scripts of our ancestors? Gone through our history in understanding them? I never read it, at-least not at first.”

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The sky was dark and the rain continued to pour onto the surface of the landing pad, a wisp of wind howled over the heightened man made structure, it’s metal freezing cold and the rain felt like shards of glass piercing the skin, it could make someone miss the slightest feel of sun as they closed their eyes and layed on the softened grass, keeping their mind at peace. Dromund Kaas was utterly relentless, a true place for the Sith to reside- The Empire’s capital. Small silhouettes of men and women, even children down below would rush through the stormy conditions that were of this crowded capital, it filled with man’s metal constructs that felt as if they were closing in on you by the second. But now, now there was desperation as the building halted suddenly, the shouting of man shouting at others, the cracks of whips littered the stormy air, and the blinding lights of the thunder illuminated everything in sight. There was no peace here, fitting for a Sith.

As the hooded figure looked over these conditions, they thought to themselves- in deep contemplation; ‘What is my place in all this? Am I just another pawn in this proclaimed hallowed tradition? To embark in this folly?' Their crimson eyes illuminated beneath their cowled hood which displayed a hint of their also reddish skin, smooth and gentle. They shut out the depression of what they saw. In their tight grasp was a triangular pyramid shaped metallic item that offered a light hue of illuminating crimson which seeped through the loosened fingers of the female figure. A holocron, and its purpose meaningful to its wielder. “I am not ready.”  She mumbled in a softened and hesitant manner to themselves, repeatedly; “I am not ready.” Their eyes opened to look across the landscape once more, their contemplation turning to deep determination. “I am not ready.”  They uttered more confidently this time, much more than they did, but these words tore her apart from the inside, she knew it, even through her own triumphs until this exact moment- she knew it.

A moment of silence overwhelmed this figure as she clenched onto their trinket that sat in their grasp, a moment of peace as they took their breaths slower than before. For once, they could find themselves in a moment of utter focus, this moment they shut everything out apart from their thoughts to themselves. Her gaze lowered itself onto the holocron, and it’s light beamed upwards to her own eyes, a beautiful piece of Sith magic, forged centuries ago. Now it is held in the hands of this young Sith, the destined Sith for this tool. “I know what I need to do.” And so she did, this prideful warrior pushed herself from this moment of peace and set out as she always did, confidently. The holocron stuffed away in her robe, her strides bringing purpose and meaning. She had somewhere to be, nothing would stop her. Her heart raced and everything seemed to be quickened, she was scared but always was determined to see what the force had in store for her. Quickly did she go through the estate of which she was staying, and quickly did she advance to the shuttles of which she would use to depart herself from this world.

Though she did not wish to admit it in this moment, she was ready.

(*Post by Sierra/A'tul/Kayla V.*)

[Lord Iezkon]

Part 2

First sight was the darkness that shrouded the vision of all things as many a gaze looked around the mist of the void, there a vision of all life that could have been, now slaughtered and devoured under the violet blade of a figure whose clutches were loosened around the metallic hilt of what could be made out to be on a saber. The skeletons and corpses of people charred and broken littered around the nameless and faceless figure. The mist shrouds the figure and now begins the continuous echoing chimes of metal clanking against a metal surface beneath, a voice who cried out in terror for a moment before falling deafeningly silent, the very voice of a brother and one so close. The sound of a mother now smothered in the blinding, crackling light of electricity as that too consumes them in the void of death. All around was simply that, death and chaos, yet a darkened voice called out in one final moment to the figure who envisioned this dream; "You could not save them. No-one can." Their knees hit the ground beneath them as tears streamed down their cheek, arms widened and lifted to the air as the yell of the woman echoed around the misty void, a yell only that of pain caused from the chaos.

Yet the vision fades, and the crackling sound of thunder strikes, awakening the now terrified Pureblooded female from her dream who fell onto her hands and knees on the ground, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and tears pacing downwards onto the ground in little droplets. The dream almost felt real, but the reality was not so - The reality was that this was no void, this was the same shuttle that departed from Dromund Kaas, and had now seemingly reached its destination. Zaryaa pushed herself in a timely manner to her feet and slowly made her way into the cockpit, to which sat a familiar figure in the pilots seat; “Oh, you’re awake. Thank Typhojem, perhaps now I can sleep without you spurting your nonsense when tossing and turning.” The twin looked up towards his sister with a sly expression as per usual, alas, it faded almost instantly as he witnessed the very facial expression of his sister, fear accompanied by tears on her cheeks; “A bad dream?” He asked carefully, only to be met with a slight snarl on his sisters part as she looked out the cockpit window, of which lit up with a planet displaying nothing but the atmosphere of an arid world. “Athiss.” Said Zrisin as he too faced to the window to observe the planet they both had come to witness. “I hope you know, this is entirely illegal in both the Empire’s views and House Horuset’s.” - “I am aware, Zrisin. Take us down there, we must find the source.” Zaryaa would then turn around as if going to make preparations for herself. “Make the landing she says, find the source she says.” Zrisin muttered to himself, offering a poor imitation of his sister.

The shuttle rushed downwards towards the ground, blowing dust in every direction as the humming buzz of the shuttles thrusters come to a stop and a light thud against the ground beneath them. The landing was a smooth one to be sure, but as to where remained a mystery to both Zaryaa and Zrisin. The ramp of the shuttle then lowered itself towards the ground, offering but one final hiss as the metallic flying object became stoic entirely; “This place is cursed.” Said the Male Pureblood as both he and his sister walked into what seemed to be a stone courtyard, surrounded by numerous stone workings that resembled tombs of ancient Sith, each baring different markings. “Tales say this place is home to numerous sorcerers who defied Emperor Vitiate and were banished here for eternity to live with nothing but the chaotic drums of the dark side bashing against their skull. Enough to drive you into madness.” He added. “At-least I won't die here alone.” Zaryaa spoke in jest, looking towards her brother with the same slyness he offers her, only to be met by the very frown that she offers him to such humerous remarks. However, it would not take long for Zaryaa to take the lead as she beckoned Zrisin along, both wearing heavy backpacks on themselves as they venture forth onto the next stage of their journey.

Though the tombs of Athiss remain vast, the thickness of the jungles and growth between them grew in bulk, making the navigation of the pathways unbearably tedious for both Zaryaa and Zrisin, though there was one benefit in all this, and Zaryaa knew this; “The markings on these walls are all different, which makes finding what we’re looking for much less challenging.” To which Zrisin replied; “If only we had a scholar here who knew how to navigate tombs of dead relatives.” He spoke obviously in a mocking tonnage of voice, suggesting something that may cause a sense of anger to his sister, of which it did. Though, she chose not to retort as it could make the situation a lot more tense.

The pair continued their journey throughout the canyon between tombs, stretching through forests that remained thick for many a mile. The journey had just began.

(*Post by Sierra/A'tul/Kayla V.*)