SithLore

SLAM!

The very foundations of the ship shook as the drill-driven pod of the Sith's infiltration slammed into its side. The sheer devastating force brought great infliction upon the ships interior and exterior, the metal screeching and tearing open as it penetrated and splayed its blossoming trapdoors to leak forth metallic limbs of pursuing combat droids that make the initial entrance. Like the story of the arc, a tetralogy of hyper metal warriors stepped forth and drew their weapons with celerity, sparking alive a mechanical vigil, lethal intent paid testament to by the horrific lights in their eyes which flared up, spelling doom for the trio of Miraluka and the naive pilot of the ship, who had ensnared them in this predicament in the first place. A fatal disarray that would soon unfold to an unforgiving chaos that is to pay punishment for the four within; the pilot having drifted too far through the border of Sith space, and the Miraluka who had sought out the shifty deal from the less than able navigator who was looking for some quick credit.

The entire ship shook, cradling in the great dark beyond planets in a violent motion, having been rocked completely by the massive impact of built up momentum as Kroxata's ship came plummeting forth. The explosions and fortunately minuscule novas of failing mechanics and volatile electricity flashed around the interior of the ship as a subtle but ever-growing surge of gravity bled out from inside, and warning alarms rung relentlessly in the huddled space, piercing all sentimental beings' ears and shaking their drums with violent ringings, whilst the entire scene became a controlled myriad of energies being slung around like fireworks.

Equal, even greater alarm burst forth in panicked preparations from the tension that built up ever since the initial, mocking transmission came in from the mysterious, sinister voice that was the unknown Slade's. However, the Jedi knights that were Xendiss' parents generally kept their composure, sustaining a vigil as they withdrew the lightsabers from their belts, giving life to two lengths of cyan blue laser after gathering back up to their feet from stumbling at impact.

"Xendiss! Get to the hull! Do not interfere." Xendiss' father ordered with a vigorous, leveled yell through the cacophonous scene that gave rise to hurried havoc. With a simple nod, Xendiss perked up straight in gripping fear and anticipation, quickly darting off to the back of the ship. Defying orders from her father, however, she could not hold back the sheer angst and fear she had for her parents out of adoration and despair, popping her blindfold wrapped head around the side of a corner, several terminals' buttons and beeping lights which would otherwise obstruct vision causing no obstacle for her own sight that saw with the energies of the Force. She prepared herself mentally and froze up.

Her Jedi kin prepared for the onslaught from the quad set of droids that had emerged to dispense the justice for their folly. But that was not the crux of it.

All three sensed a dark, warped presence aboard the ship, and forcibly set themselves into an extremely concentrated state to ready themselves against what was to come with the barrage of the droids' attacks.

A Harbinger of the Sith was aboard, encroaching at a steady pace to root out every last essence of life on the ship. Even the pilot, who worked in a frenzy to withdraw them from the trap.

In their minds they prayed for a miracle, extreme fortune. Even the Jedi of grand skill and composure in this fatal moment that could seal their fates and long-lived lives once and for all, alongside their young daughter's.

They had to endure. There had to be some kind of serendipity that would provide them with an escape from an accursed Sith fleet that hovered above, its darkness already impending upon their position. Right in front of them.

((Aaaaahh. I tried editing the orignal post but somehow ended up sending it again here and I can't figure out how to delete posts. Stupid phone.))

The interior of the small transport was much darker than he first anticipated, the droids switch to their searchlights, their crimson beams of optics scanned the room their blasters aimed to where they looked, the tight claustrophobic corridors swerved around like a serpent, even the droids could not predict what would be on the other side of each bend following their protocols to expect anything as a threat. The Bx series Commando droids were probably the most skilled in tactical strategy and skill during the Clone Wars but here they were modified to be even better than the originals, engineered by the Verpine infamous for their enhanced skill in manufacture and technology, Kroxata's infiltration battalion had never failed a mission, but neither had they ever faced a Force user. A full squad of around seven commandos began fanning out to cover the most ground in a small space of time, they were all connected to the same frequency comm link meaning when one fell the others would instantly know of the unit's location to easily rendezvous if need be.

Silence followed, the only sound that could be heard where the light taps of the droids metallic feet on the plated deck like rats scurrying below until finally a massive crash could be heard, all the units picked up the frequency rushing down to one single place to find the remains of a squad member, its body was cut into 3 pieces, the points it was cut at were smouldered apart with sparks flickering off them every two seconds but no sign or trace of their target. They pressed on, this time as a group and took far less care in their element of surprise, with one unit down they changed tactics, the enemy knew they were here, using stealth was no longer effective, the tapping sound now becoming a banging, the commandos now lightly jogged through the hallways reaching the cockpit where a middle aged man immediately jumped out from his seat begging for mercy, his hand raised high above his head he was visibly seen shaking in fear, "Please! Don't shoot! Do-" the shot of blaster brought the sounds of the ship back to silence, the pilot collapsed to the floor with no scream of pain or agony, for the commandos were precise with their shots, they looked for the most efficient way to kill their targets.

The squad leader approached the pilot's corpse stepping over it without a even slight sense of emotion of empathy studied the coordinates set at the cockpit, fortunately enough the transport also had a security camera feed in case of any infiltration. The droid's head darted to each camera seeing nothing through the display until he reached the camera set directly outside the cockpit, two blurry figures were inches away from them and as the droid turned around it saw already two of its units broken apart, it raises its blaster quickly trying to blast the unknown identities, but a crystal blue beam of light ignited from the two dashing towards the squad, pieces of scrap flew out of the cockpit until nothing remained except a small pile of metal.

The two miraluka Jedi nod to each other in approval offering a smile to their success in bringing down their intruders, but a Dark presence still loomed over the darkened hallways of what they initially thought as their escape to freedom. They exit the cockpit to enter a reasonable large room being the main quarters connecting with all the curving corridors, the power barely being able to stay online as the lights flickered and sparked with electricity, but from the sparks there was a small shadow in the distance of the corridor directly in front of Jedi, each time the exposed wiring sparked the shadow grew bigger and became more clearer turning from a blur to a figure, a figure of malice and death, a figure that all came to know as...the sparks cease.

The Miraluka ready their blades, taking into the traditional Form one Shii-Cho, the dark presence was at its strongest, the sheer bout of the Dark Side within this being throbbed the very room, destroying the balance between light and dark. From the pitch black dark a crimson Lightsaber shoots to life, its illuminating glow revealed a giant of a man, then another blade from the other side ignites revealing the face of a Zabrak with a grin of evil intent upon him, no words needed to be exchanged, the two Jedi leaped forward trying to gain the advantage by throwing the first strike but did not anticipate the Sith Lord to spin his blade around his body thrusting towards them with a whirlwind causing the two to hesitate on their assault, exploiting this moment of hesitation, Kroxata finally stops his whirlwind reaching out his hand thrusting a wave of the Force striking the male, causing him to fly into the air smashing against the plated wall. The female looked to attend to her lover but was quickly greeted with the double ended Lightstaff clashing up against her's the blades locking with one another, testing each others strength tough this was merely a foolish game.

Kroxata with ease began forcing the female jedi back sending her to a crouched position continuing to push her into the ground, a struggling groans were heard from the female until she was almost kneeling before the Dathomiri hammer. Kroxata took great pleasure in putting the Light wielders in their place but was rudely interrupted, his senses throbbed at his mind picking up the change in the flow of the Force, turning a sharp right angle he blocked an overhead attack from the recovered male, this one was stronger than his female companion, strike after strike he swung away at the Sith, looking to perhaps tire him with a barrage, however this Jedi clearly had never dealt with a user of a double bladed Lightstaff, for every attack he struck he directed it to one end of Kroxata's blade. Seeing this inexperience with dealing with a fighting style, Kroxata knew he could end this very quickly, the barrage continued forcing Kroxata back into the corridor where he tried leaping over the top of his once dealing a disarming move that would easily stun a wielder with a single bladed Lightsaber, but this was not a wielder of a single bladed Lightsaber, the Dathomiri span his blade enough to be able to strike the male's single blade twice but the second time being twice more powerful sending the lightsaber to disappear into the room they had just left. A brief moment of overconfidence came to the Zabrak, playing around with his prey until a massive crate of cargo smashed into the back of him, causing him to stagger, he could deflect the second crate the jedi threw at him but in doing so causing Kroxata to bring his guard down to keep ahold of his blade. Seeing the opportunity to grab his blade, the jedi attempts to leap over the Dathomirian in his staggered state to gain some distance and rethink his strategy but as the male landed on the other side a crimson blade pierced through his chest, although the jedi managed to disengage one blade, there still remained another. The miraluka drops to the ground, but Kroxata was not finished with his prize, tapping into his reserve of the Force, he began lifting the jedi using the Dark Side bringing him closer to his blade, and in one swipe the Dathomiri Hammer slices the head of the jedi, another trophy to add to his collection.

In the distance a scream of anger came from the main quarters, the female jedi looked in horror to her lovers death enraged she tried to run towards Kroxata but within no more than a second, Kroxata dashed towards her with inhumane speed grabbing her by the neck smashing her against the hull of the ship, she desperately tries braking free until Kroxata ran out of patience for her struggling, he clutches his hand tighter, the jedi begins gasping for air until finally, a loud snap could be heard that echoed throughout the ship, her lifeless body fell to the ground.

"No..."

Xendiss followed in tow from the darkness of the ship, staying shrugged and ducked in the metallic depths, out of detection from the coruscating, flashing alarms that still rung across the entire interior. She watched at a fair distance, but still threateningly close, with awe at the crashing gleams, celerity of movements and combat prowess being displayed in a grandeur of skill in front of him, whilst fear began to slowly coil over her mind like ensnaring tendrils. The young Miraluka simply could not stand tension, but she was smart to know that getting herself into the mix of the fray would get her slain. Mother and father could deal with it... she knew it.

But when her father's lightsaber was slung out of his grasp, chucked out towards the pool of darkness in front of her, the heart that pounded in her chest sunk with a stressing apprehension. Another pulse of fear shook its way over her mind and body, sending a quivering tremble through her entity. Her dainty, petite plump lips weighed down heavily, as if she was having a stroke in the strongest of summers, shaking with a rapid spasm before she forced her hands up to her face, gripping down on her jaws and yanking down on her veil.

Watching out on a constantly heightened vigil, Xendiss wished she could call out to her kin in the defensive, aiding them tactically from a safe distance, but she once again retained the knowledge that if she were to give any sense of her presence, she would be instantly targeted and cut down, ultimately weakening their parents' morale to be cut down with even greater ease. They already struggle as it was against the being of sickening tenebrosity. The antithesis of Light clashed with Dark in a conflicting, fate-declaring skirmish, but the old precept of the light piercing even the darkest of shadows began to dwindle.

"No!..."

It didn't seem possible for a heart to sink so deep in such dread. In such despair.

Her father fell, impaled on the twisting crimson blade that crackled in a perfectly forged rod of laser beam. The youngling, usually sprightly and jolly, albeit generally secluded, fell to complete melancholy and fright. Consequences were dire and the scene was horrific, traumatising to her, but Xendiss clung on, attempting to grasp down on what remnants of hope she had left as she instantaneously looked over to her screaming mother as her mourning scream of anger and utter terror shook the inside of the ship from seeing her lover fall. Distraught of her mother naturally further gave life to the inferno of feelings that boiled over inside her, consuming her mind and flooding in with a great influx.

Every muscle tensed up as her mother rapidly caught herself in the predicament of being caught at the neck by the hulking Sith Zabrak, her entire entity freezing up in contraction as she prayed for a miracle in her mind.

"No, no, no, no no no!"

Until.

Snap.

Respiration heightened, heaving shattered breaths at a rapid pace whilst the beats of her heartbeat rocked her core, sending massive, unrelenting quakes over her body. Everything else seemed to halt, including her mind, which had now been completely devoured by the unprecedented level of emotion, inflicted by the loss of the only two she held so dearly in front of her.

The slump of her mother's body sent a vibration through the floor that finally drew her over the edge, a quick, coursing transition of grasping sensations twisting from despair and converting into absolute, sheer rage and hatred for the invading opponent who had so brazenly snatched those who would have forged her destiny to the Light side. The sense of regret in her constant denial of the Light side did not shake over her - she didn't even consider the influential powers of the Force at this moment in time - but if only she could have made the greater stand with its teachings and practices.

But what hope did she stand with? After two Jedi Knights, elevated in skill, unwavering focus and increased serenity and affinity with the Force fell towards this harbinger of black, distorted natural essences, what could she truly do?

All logic of this escaped her mind as ensnaring, striking emotions flooded out from her mind, wrapping an instant spark of rage as her her mind throbbed and Force vision hazed over in a bloodied craze, a testament to the sudden relentless madness that embodied itself in her actions.

"NO!"

The feral roar instantly gave out her position. The petite figure darted forth, ducking down mid-sprint as she lifted her father's fallen lightsaber from the darkness, unsheathing its potent, energised blade. Every movement was careless but zealously deranged as the girl of undeveloped height but young adult figure of 5'3" darted towards the towering Zabrak of hulking strength and full length of over 7' tall, swinging the hand grasping the lightsaber up towards his front in a mighty arc, her characterised scream of terrific, terrible rage rippling around the ship that now emanated no other sound than the repetitive ringing of the alarm, crackling electronics and utter anger.

((6', for Krox, not 7. Cx))

Kroxata took a brief moment of peace to reflect on his glorious victory, every Jedi he killed became a notable act of strength to the Sith and hi s own pride. Soon he would have the strength to once again face that insectoid master of the Light, the many times they have clashed have merely led to the proud champions defeat, he had to prove his worth if he wished to face him once again in a battle for the ages, it would be a battle sung throughout the galaxy, the ultimate clash of the Light and Dark he did not care who would come out victorious, it would be an honourable death nevertheless. His glowing amber pupils gaze to his fallen prey with a smile of delight, they were good sport for the most part, though he could sense something else, something far more powerful and yet so very well hidden. Another Jedi perhaps? No, it could not be, the presence was a Dark aura, one that Kroxata became very well accustom to, one where his power thrives, though this was the essence of anger, the flow was much more violent and rapid then the aura, it was more of a burning rage being unleashes out towards... the realisation struck him.

His sense began throbbing his thoughts he quickly ignites one blade of his Lightstaff locking with the small Miraluka girl her sheer rage and anger almost being a challenge to the Dathomiri hammer, holding his blade with only one hand unable to prepare himself properly for this surprise encounter the unstable crimson blade sparking energies as the two lightsabers collided with one another. The Sith Lord could feel the anger within her, this unrelenting rage, reminding him very much of himself during his voyage as an Acolyte under his master Darth Tormentous, a wicked smile was visible on his face until finally with the greater roar strength Kroxata thrusting forward disengaging the two with such force that it would knock over a normal man, but maybe she could resist, seeing much potential in this fearless ravenous beast, maybe finally after all this time a worthy apprentice.

Many had fallen in the trials of Kroxata, they were even deemed more terrifying to take than Tormentous' himself, hunting down traitors, accompanying him to the most hostile of planets to find a new prey for his collection, or even straight up ordering an assassination expecting his apprentice to survive the encounter, a trait he took from his own training. However Kroxata saw something that he had not saw since his encounter with the former bounty hunter Slade, now knows as Lord Blood, the determination and will power to become one of the few chosen to wield the true power of the Dark Side. For once instead of killing this fool that dared tried to harm the Dathomiri Hammer he felt almost compelled to teach the young girl, maybe not explicitly yet, but enough for her to realise.

Kroxata holds out his other hand, slowly moving it to grip onto the hilt of the Lightstaff tightly shaking it as he does so, indicating his eyes to it. "Follow..." he then begins performing the simple moves of Shii-Cho, enough to keep his guard up in case he is interrupted by any means. One particular move he repeated often was an overhead strike that worked as a way of disarming your opponent after completing his small demonstration he stands into a defensive guard staring at Xendiss awaiting her next move, would she comply, or not be what the Zabrak first saw in her "Begin!" he yells walking slowly forward dealing a side strike, hoping she payed attention to the attack to be able to block it.

The sheer overwhelming force sent the petite Miraluka lunging back through the ship's interior, falling airborne for over a second. A grunt of startled frustration muffled her rage for such a brief moment, the impact breaking an equally broken growl that quickly distorted into a whimper. Seeing through the power of her Force vision, a natural attribute of the innate Force sensitive race, Xendiss saw the fallen Raynes ahead - the last of her family. To know that she would be the last...

Until the stygian clad, shadowy warrior stopped, giving her a moment to wipe the crimson, sweat-sodden locks that had plastered themselves to her alabaster pale face. The lungs in her chest pounded with exasperated breath, allowing her a brief moment of respite from where she had collided against the metallic surface of the ship in an unprofessional manner, differentiating from the ways she had otherwise been taught, which would have been to articulately land back on her feet with perfect balance. But all elegance and grace of her usual prowess, albeit underdeveloped, remained absent, baring Xendiss as a barren being of nothing but utter rage. And now, confusion, as she watched the wretched Zabrak suddenly halt his advance, showing a display of grand skill through the means of Shii-Cho right before her non-existent eyes, that were in fact two horrific sockets impacted into her skull that carried no eyes whatsoever, but evoked the aura of her Force sensitivity and permitted Force sight, studying his every move. What was he doing? Mocking her? Offering her...?

The skill was undeniably a display of excellence, but Xendiss did not admire as she remained sobbing in her raging spasmodic, hyperventilating state. Consideration of his offering or mocking gestures, whatever it was to her in this illogical trance, only further gave rise to fury, but before she had the chance to strike back with her lightsaber, she was forced on the defensive, quickly putting every last bit of tension and effort into her arms as she held her blade aside, holding his attack to the side with admirable strength that had lifted tenfold for a girl of her minuscule stature. Despite her size she hosted a generous amount of muscle on her acrobatic figure.

She stand true, stalwart, but laxing her output would only put her in grave danger...

Impressive, most impressive, not only had she managed to deflect a basic move of Shii-Cho with no knowledge of how to use a Lightsaber but also withstand the mighty strength of such a massive foe and not immediately fall to the ground. Although she was sloppy, she had no technique of combat, it was clear she was relying only on her instinct the more time he spent testing this small girl, the more he came realise how similar the two were, the rage that was built within them the sheer anger that could stand up to any force in the this galaxy, despite the impressive physical strength of the small cloaked women ,who wore a blindfold for a reason the Zabrak had not fully understood yet, The Sith slowly pushed himself forward with his blade, his muscular arms straining pushing the blade closer narrowing the gap between her and her own father’s blade, sparks erupted from the unstable kyber crystal within gradually flickering close and closer to Xendiss’ skin.

Kroxata still remained unconvinced of this promising individual before the great Dathomiri Hammer, despite the sheer rage flowing through the Force around her, Kroxata could not help to feel a small presence of the Light still lingering over her, preventing her from unlocking her true power even if it were to be momentarily. “You are holding back, against me child, I can feel that hungering rage inside you, let it out! I killed your guardians, now you should kill me!” Kroxata jolts forward sending the small girl to her knees feeling her strength fading, scuffing to her weakness, she was not built to be a warrior, it seemed no one was forged to be a weapon anymore. Until, Kroxata could feel a small sense of resistance, he could feel the flow of light being consumed by something else, something the Sith lord required for his approval to take this girl as his apprentice, with one swift motion a boot jabbed into Kroxata’s chest a deceiving amount of strength knocking him back enough to create a small gap between the two to engage each other once again.

The giant Nightbrother held his arms out wide as if he were about to embrace someone, his crimson blade still ignited, his eyes glowing much more vibrant yellow widening in joy, his pupils staring to this embodiment of pain and rage “Unleash it! I want to see everything! Come, kill me!” his voiced boomed throughout the small shuttle echoing across the corridors that were all intertwined to this very room, replicating the effect of his words being repeated over and over again in a hushed echo for her to hear.

It seemed like a flame burnt away at her absent eyes, giving life to two spherules of raging inferno from behind her veil. If she had eyes, the pure fury would have only been further emphasised to unknown heights of utter anger and distraught, but her contorted, tense countenance was enough to make her trance-inducing fit. An extraordinary amount constricted every muscle in her facial structure, causing her lips to part out in a feral snarl, sharp canines gleaming red from the ringing alarm, as if dripping blood.

But in truth, her hunger for brutal vengeance was left without sating. And she'd stop at nothing in the heat of the moment to feed it. Sprinting back into the bestial Zabrak, Xendiss rose her arms, contracting her muscles tightly before letting them flail out, both hands still gripped around the hilt of the lightsaber. As she quickly closed the gap between both of them, her heightened pace and brief distance allowed her to gain great momentum which coalesced with the extreme levels of anger that she bled forth from her aura, arms swinging down from behind her in one mighty strike.

The sizzling scream of both of the lightsabers' energies colliding sent sparks flying everywhere, flickering over their flesh and causing a purple hue to glow over both of them as the combined colours of their blue and red lasers ground against one another. Unable to best the great Nightbrother's strength in her physical form, she relied on celerity and constantly renewed momentum, seeking to tire him out before he could forcibly fatigue her into submission and defeat.

Yet it was true, that she truly wavered, but it was not evident in her relentless advance as she constantly swung back her arm, clashing down her lightsaber against his pressuring defense, sending it slamming down over and over and over again, pummeling with her minor weight but extreme level of physical output, the speed forcing Kroxata to edge back in careful steps.

The test was nearing its end, so far the Sith Zabrak was most pleased with the determination, the ability to learn quickly and most importantly her connection with the Dark Side. She may not even realise it, but she was already a slave to its power, relying on her hatred of Kroxata being the cause of this traumatic event present now. He knew that the two Miraluka Jedi he killed earlier played a crucial role in this small girl’s life, perhaps they were guardians, family, close friends, he did not care for the who he killed. In the end they were followers of the Light, the eternal enemy for the followers of the Dark, it was natural for this to occur, but what he cared for most was the reaction to their deaths, the intense influx with the Dark Side that radiated off her like, as if it has been locked away for so very long finally allowed to breathe from its prison.

Kroxata came to realise that whatever happened in this Universe was the doing by the Will of the Force, one day hoping to control that Will so that he may conduct the Universe to his own desire, nothing happened due to luck or coincidence, the Force had caused these series of events to be set in motion and the Sith would dare lose such a golden opportunity.

Without hesitation, the small Miralukan girl charged forward unleashing everything she has left against the mighty Dathomirian champion, each strike being more drawn out and draining of her energy Kroxata masterfully dlefecting each blow but was forced to retreat, edging backwards to the reckless assault, many opportunities appeared to him to simply end the duel but that would injure or kill his latest apprentice, something he does not plan to do intentionally. His ground was running out, every lenient move he allowed her to execute the further Kroxata was pushed back, not wanting to hurt her until finally he had seen enough.

Locking the blades together, he held her close, running his free hand down the hilt of his Lightstaff, reaching the switch at the other end, with one parry he pushed his and her blade to the sky igniting the second crimson blade from the other end spinning it through his hands creating a quick whirlwind and upon returning back to face Xendiss, he struck his blade in an uppercut swoosh, with extreme precision and accuracy chopping the Miraluka’s blade in half destroying the emitter of the kyper crystal, flying from, her hand. He then quickly shot out his hand and as if the air itself obeyed his command, a massive thrust of the Force knocked into her sending her flying into the wall behind smashing her head against the metal falling limb, but not dead.

The reinforcement strike team breached the ship searching through the narrow corridors until finally reaching their master, the sound of clicking blasters being activated came next, all droids aiming their sights to the unconscious Miraluka, “No!” commanded Kroxata, his voice authoritative and booming, the droids obey halting their protocol turning their fleshless metallic heads to their master awaiting their next order. “Take her to the holding cell, lock her in there and ensure she does not escape, turn off all power and let the dark consume her, the Will of the Force shall see to this child’s fate.”

~~End thread