[IC] Ascendancy

[Joslae]

Peace is a lie...

The tainted grey sky covering the earth beneath, beams of light barely being able to break through the corrupted heaven above, chilling waves of oxygen rich air from the core to it's surface were continuously surfing on the wind as they cooled the planet from the ground up.
Blending sounds of airborne wildlife shrieking through sky, the ignition of metalized birds marked with the imperial symbol, thrusters and engines boosting and decreasing in volume, the rabble of citizens down below, as well as the diverse noises of conflict, all being mixed together, then distilled, taking the form a pleasing echo that would resonate on without pause.
The marvelous landscapes of this sacred world filled with dangers and scenes still unexplored, arid wastelands protected by nature itself, soaring frost shrouded mountains of doom. Yet this revered earth held many wonders of life, from the howling beasts hunting their prey in the icy forests, to the screeching birds racing through the sky, but on top of the food chain, the true predators, those of purity, the Sith. These red skinned sentients resided in cities, greater, more powerful, more wealthy than one could imagine.
One of these great cities was known as New Adasta, filled with conflict yet unity, a prime example of tradition. The megalopolitan of the rich, the capable, the influential, the dark side. A society in which the strong rule the weak, the families of note crush those who hold no value. One such family worthy of mentioning were the Roniths, however they would not exist without the Vipions.
A Ronith, still young, inexperienced and without value would finally return from his occasional visit to the birthplace of the supiriour species’. The imperial marked bird of durasteel descended upon one of many specified landing nests. Metal meeting metal, creating a bothersome noise to those within the vicinity, only to take part in the astonishing composition of harmonics.
Before long it’s wings pulled back, allowing the craft to erupt a blast of snow-melting steam, searing the frozen layers of ice while it’s mouth opened, and slowly slid it’s tongue outwards. There he stood Khatatas Woashi Ronith, the inexperienced, the Acolyte. The pureblooded man slowly traced his feet down the ramp and gazed up at the sky, the red skinned being remained in place as he absorbed it’s beauty.
As soon as the young Ronith finished his admiration of his home, a sensation of nostalgia falling upon the man as he moved forward, marching through the city, giving him a heartwarming impression. Observing the erea, noting it deep within the corners of his psyche, locking it there, protecting it within the barriers of the pureblooded soul.
During Khatatas’ hike through the megalopolitan towards his destination, home, his vision got blurred, his consciousness hesitated. In response the man shaked his head, clenched his eyes multiple times. And as he did the vision upon his surroundings flickered, as if the quality of the holorecording got interrupted through technical error.
But then, there was a sudden flash of light, blinding the pureblood for a mere second, it felt like ages from the young Roniths perspective however. And then, just as sudden as the bright white radiation appeared, it turned into a veil of darkness. Fear taking hold of the man, confusion mingling with the horror of memory.
Slowly, the darkness faded, something the pureblood was relieved about at first until his vision had returned. The stench of death filled his nostrils while his ears were forced to absorb the sound of the populace crying out of help. Khatatas looked around, panicking. New Adasta, destroyed, it’s people, gone, trapped inside the void. Without warning a thick fog fell down upon the desecrated grounds of New Adasta, nothing was visible. Nothing but two silhouettes, two figures who were hidden in the mist. These shadows felt familiar, and as such the pureblood ran towards them without thought. But then what he encountered is something he did not expect in the slightest, the lifeless corpses of the two people he was able to be around and enjoy their presence, Temekel and Zutauha. The young Ronith closed his eyes in despair.
His eyes suddenly spat open as he sat up, panting rappidly. The golden yellow eyes instantly searched their surroundings. The Vipion estate, his room. The man wiped his forehead, feeling himself covered in sweat, a shaky breath escaping his mouth as he does. It started again, the nightmare of Ziost. He realized, peace truly is a lie…

[Joslae]

...there is only passion.

The sky above was full of tumultuous, dark and ragged clouds, thunder roared and lightning flashed across the sky, mingling with the howling of the wind which made the tree branches dance. It was just like any other day on the surface of Dromund Kaas.

Not far from the borders of Kaas City were the vast, wildlife filled, cold jungles of the Sith planet. Sand turned to mud by the shower of the heaven. It was there that the young Khatatas Ronith sat down upon the ground, a meditative position, his robes, soaked and covered in a cloak of mud. His training saber, unactivated in front of him, gathering the wet earth. The pureblood has his eyes closed, muttering the Sith code under his controlled breath.

Not long before he ventured here, Sith Cautus adviced him to go here, meditate, summon the memory that removed his own control when angered. Which was exactly what he was doing. Such meditation became a part of his daily training regime, practicing his skill in the use of force tapas while he was on it, making sure to maintain his body temperature as it should be even in the destructive weather. The red-skinned Acolyte called upon the deepest of emotions, the darkest of desires and the most agonizing of memories, channeling them, seething.

During the young Roniths meditation he heard his holocommunicator create a pleasing noise of harmonics as it called for him, wanted him to answer whoever it was that required his attention. At first, he didn't even notice, it didn't stop however. And finally after several moments he woke up from his trance and took the holocom within his left hand, turning it on while opening his eyes.

Zutuaha Ronith, his cousin. The Apprentice was frowning at first, however it faded near instantly, Khatatas couldn't say if it was because of him or not, he reacted before she could however, performing a simple but respectfull bow of his drenched head. ''Greetings, Dota, what can I do for you?'' he asked politely ''Dota. I have just attempted to make holo contact with Agent Frost only to discover that I encountered only static, following up on your mail.'' The elder Ronith said with a form of dissapointment.

Khatatas would then realise why she was frowning once he had answered, which was made visible by the subtle smirm on his face, even so it dissappeared relatively quickly, the man would frown himself now as he thought ''Hmm... that is... pecular, but unfortunatelly I do not know why that is the case...'' He told her, still thinking on what the cause might be. ''It does not bode especially well. Do attempt to call him yourself at some point, would you?'' Asked the female pureblood, to which the male replied with. ''I shall do so, Dota. May i suggest to contact... Lord Rumsi about the matter, he might wish to be informed.''

''I will contact Lord Rumsi the moment our call has finished, yes.'' She told her cousin, having the thought long before Khatatas mentioned it. It was then that a sudden gust of wind bashed into the Acolytes face, which caused him to clench his eyes shut, not opening them before it appeared to be over. The pureblooded man would clear his throat before he spoke once more. ''Very well then, Dota. Anything else I can help you with?''

''Update me as to your progress.'' Zutauha asked as an inquisitive expression formed upon her visage. ''So I shall, have a fine evening, Dota.'' Is what Khatatas said relatively quickly and as he was about to end the holo his cousin spoke up, slightly agitated. ''I mean now, Khatatas.'' the red-skinned Acolyte appeared to be a tad confused, it took him several moments figure it out and once he did, he'd open his mouth to speak. ''Oh, uhm, yes of course. My studies are progressing as they should, my physical practices however are still somewhat.... less than desirable. And...'' He would pause for a moment, thinking. ''...Sith Cautus is assisting me with, personal problems...'' He told her, referring to the Ziost incident.

The female's eyes narrowed slightly, though her gaze cound't be considered cruel. ''I see. Be extremely carefull what you exactly disclose to him, Dota.'' The man would tilt his head to the sight ever so slightly to the right, a somewhat confused expression upon his visage. ''Of course, Dota. But... may I ask, what is wrong with Sith Cautus?'' His question was answered with silence at first, which caused Khatatas to raise the bonespur above his right eye. ''Nothing is wrong with Sith Cautus as an ally, Dota, but see that you do not serve him blindly. If you tell him of... The cause of Ziost I will not be pleased.'' The Acolyte returned to a neutral expression, the tone in which he spoke however did not, it'd became very cautious. ''And... hypothatically speaking, what would happen if I did?'' it was at the young Ronith's question that the Apprentice narrowed her eyes once more, this time it was dangerously indeed. ''You would tell me if you had.''

Khatatas continued to speak with caution, the expression on his face joining in his vigilant posture. ''I... have told Sith Cautus, Dota.'' The man would quickly inhale before he'd continue to speak. ''But he appeared to help me, like really understanding. I've been meditating here, in the jungles of Dromund Kaas by his advice!'' He added in his and Sith Cautus' defense. ''I am certain that he does desire to help you, though it'll be for selfish reasions. And if the inquisition learns of this? Did you feel like another encounter with them!?'' the man lowered his head and closed his eyes for a moment as he replied. ''No... not at all...''

Zutauha takes a deep breath, closing her eyes much like her cousin. ''Understand this, Dota. You will tell no one else of this knowledge for now, nor will you engage in discussions on him with Cautus unless you truly need to.'' The slighlty darker skinned pureblood opened his eyes once more, resting his head on the rock formation behind him. ''Very well then... Dota. I just thought... that he could help, especially since it's getting worse ever since we went to the tomb of the deceased Lord Zashrai.'' the woman blew wind thorugh her front teeth in frustration, though she no longer appeared to be as angry as much as she appeared to be annoyeed and perhaps even a hint of sadness. ''I know it is, and it will do. We all have bad days. Go to Temekel next time you need help with this.''

Then all of a sudden the Acolytes muscles tensed, his breathing increased in speed and anger was almost visibly burning within his golden yellow eyes. ''Zutauha it's not just anymore! it's constantly happening! When I sleep, when I wake up, when I study and practice!'' He yelled at her in a sudden burst of incontrollable rage, he'd bare his teeth once he finished shouting, creating this unsightly image upon the man's visage. Zutauha raised herself to the challenge, something feral igniting within her own eyes and her lips curling to expose her own teeth. ''Watch your tone, boy!'' She glares at him in this manner for as long as it was deemed necessary by the woman. ''I do not know how to help you, but relying on someone who could throw you under the speeder in an instant is no help either. If you must tell someone what occurred, then you have to have leverage upon them in turn.'' The combination of the female's expression as well as he words was very effective, some might consider it to have been too effective against another pureblood. Khatatas visibly backed down, almost as if the man shrunk right in front of the woman's eyes. His own eyes slightly shifting away from hers, embarassed by his own lack of self-control in front of a supiriour. ''Y-you're right, I apoligise for my actions...''

''Enough. Do not shy away from whatever backbone you may have. Find something that could hurt Sith Cautus if revealed, and hold onto it. You must be protected.'' Khatatas then realised, Zuta does care about him and wants to help but is just unable to. He was on the road of becoming Sith after all, he just needed to embrace his anger, his emotions, his passion. the man would regain his posture and speak with respect once more. ''Of course, Zutauha... I shall, and I will speak with Temekel about the matter from this point and onward.'' The Apprentice relaxed ever so slightly, altough her cousin was unable to notice it. ''Good. Now go, and do not let your combat training suffer for the sake of your research.'' Khatatas allowed the moment to be filled with the sound of his surroundings, absorbing it's unexpectedly beautifull resonance. ''As you wish, ki ari.'' the man gave her a respectfull dip of his head. ''Force serve.'' The young Ronith then hang up on Apprentice Zutauha and relaxed for a moment, resting his head against the rock formation behind him. A smile of amusement appearing on his face. ''Just... have to accept it, embrace it and become stronger in the process.'' he chuckled quietly, engraving the first line of the sith code deep within his mind.