A Repetition of the Past

[Ariealla Vareldi]

<Posts involving Darth Aria take place in the old Republic era, sometime around the 'Revan Reborn' Revanite uprising/war>

An utter disaster this had truly turned out to be, nearly beaten by a twice dead man who was but a shadow of his former self. Darth Aria was furious at the turn of events that had nearly risked her beloved empire's fall, and yet even still she could see the bonds holding it together shivering in the gentlest of breezes. The Sith were falling apart, again, and she was watching its death throes for this era. And to think that months ago she had simply set out to create her newest, most prized possession out of sentimentality and pride, a holocron describing the Sith History and her own personal lessons from said history. Now she might have to use it to preserve the integrity of history itself, lest the Jedi do what Jedi loved the most, destroying any remnant of the Sith they could touch.

To this end, she now sought out a hiding location for the somewhat sacred treasure, and knew only of one fitting location in which to hide away the entirety of History. It made her smile at the choice she made, though first she must reach her destination.

The landing craft settled, and the heavily robed Sith Lord stepped out onto the dusty, sandy steps of Korriban, and began to make her way across the windswept planet. Her destination, of course, was the Valley of the Lords. Where else would she find such a fitting place to hide away history, than in the very place the Sith themselves rediscovered it?

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Present Day

Connor sat on the large slab of warm rock that had once been part of an obelisk above the Sith tomb in the Valley of the Lords on Korriban. The Sanctum dominion had been a success, but not without loss. Right now, the clean up was in process and the Rogue Master was looking across the to cracked tomb where the Sith Lord Dredge had been defeated in.

He reached up and unclipped the collar on his armour and pulled his gloves off to get a little air. It smelt of destruction and death, a familiar stench when the Sith were involved.

There was little for the Jedi to do now except wait for the call to either push forward into the Valley and explore the area or return to Voss. He hoped for the call to stay and explore a little to root out any other nasty surprises lurking within the Valley.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

Upon reaching the Valley, she could taste the dark side in the air. It was, coppery, much like blood, just ever so slightly metallic, and sickly sweet. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around herself and hugged her body, oh how intoxicating it would ever remain. True, she had no contempt for the light in and of itself, but for all the great lights she was the darkness to consume the shadows it left behind. And that, she would revel in until her dying day. Assuming it ever came, of course. She giggled and shook her head, wiping away her idle musings for the moment. She had a job to do, and a very special item to hide away until she needed it next. With her objective cemented in her head again, she turned to head towards her favorite tomb.

That being, of course, the tomb of Tulak Hord himself. Ironic in a certain sense, that she would be relying once more on Hord for her own personal goals. He had given her so much without intending to, it was almost cruel of her to do such to the memory of a great lord like him. But, he was dead. She, was not, nor did she ever intend on allowing that to change. She was far too interested in what the future held to give up so easily. Even this, what was supposed to be her final sort of act, hiding away her newly fashioned holocron, would not be her final act as a Vareldi, but perhaps it would be Aria's..

She was stopped by two acolytes, who insisted that by order of, who was it, Marr? One of the councilmembers, that none were permitted entry into the tomb proper, and therefore the atrium, full of escaped slaves and reprogrammed droids, was prohibited. Even to Darths, it would seem. She sighed quietly to herself, before promptly tossing aside both acolytes with the force. They wouldn't die of course, but they probably wouldn't remember she had been there, which suited her just fine for this. She could get back out stealthily anyways.

Her boots seemed to make incredibly loud clicks with each and every step, until finally she reached the Atrium. SO much sand, so many broken pillars, and an alarming number of slaves with vibroblades and blasters wandering around. Disgusting, in it's own way. And an obstacle to overcome on her way to some of the deeper chambers of the tomb. The only question was, which route to take.1

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Present Day

He rose and walked away from the rocks and started to make a sweep of the Valley. It would take a while, but he would move around the perimeter of the Valley itself and assist where he could and simply ensure everyone was alright. It was his duty before leaving, and to make sure no Sith were waiting for a retaliation strike.

Letting a couple of medics pass by with their equipment, he patted one on the shoulder gently as they passed as a show of support for them doing the clean-up. Rangers were landing on the outskirts to secure the area and a few of the Sanctum Jedi were present still. Tents were being erected to keep wounded out of the sun and provide cover for the research and analysis consoles and monitors.

Connor looked right to the tombs that led into the Valley itself, with their damaged statues and obelisks decorating each entrance like some grand shrine to the fallen Sith before them. Glancing across the Valley he noted excavators and Rangers making sweeps of the tombs and venturing inside as a precaution.

Outside the tomb he was stood before, Connor glanced up at the forged statue out of rock which seemed to be peering down at him before smirking to himself. The Sith had lost this day and it was time to clear out any that remained. He walked up the stone steps that crumbled a little under his boots and surveyed the gloomy entrance as the general noise and chatter of the Sanctum crew continued behind him.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

The Past

Aria sighed as a pair of slaves rushed towards her, vibroblades held clumsily in their hands as they tried to garner freedom from her order. On a certain level their desire for freedom was admirable, and in many ways it made them more sith like than many an acolyte. Alas, she had no time for such trivial matters, and she was simply bored. She drew her saber staff and hurled it at them, the black-cored purple saber blades cutting them down as they ignited between the two slaves, now four pieces falling to the ground. She caught the blade and placed it on her hip once more, continuing out into the massive atrium further. More slaves, more slaughter, as she electrocuted some, and throttled others with the force. It was all.... boring.

She walked towards the north end of the dusty open area, and began to run a hand over the sandy stone, fingers looking for a hidden mechanism she had put in during the tomb's construction. All her old routes to the inner tomb were broken, left impossible to use in the modern day. Yet, perhaps she could still use this path, she had to try. The 'old' woman frowned as she looked, surely it had to be here... or, or was it the south wall? It had been so... so long since last she took this path, she wouldn't be able to remember it until she was already inside her hidden doorway. Her fingers continued to search, until..

Just as her fingers brushed over the mechanism and activated it, a voice spoke behind her. "Been holding out some information from the council, have you Darth Aria?" Aria herself smiled, turning now to look at the man who had spoken...

Present Day

Just outside the tomb of Tulak Hord, where previously some rubble had blocked passage, now open was the great tomb's entrance. Not unlike the other tombs, it radiated with dark force energies, so old and ancient it was ingrained in the very rock itself. Unlike others, however, there was another draw in the force, beckoning Connor Harrison to come inside and seek... something. Perhaps it was merely the flow of this world, the vile energies inside, but it was unmistakably the force beckoning the master to come look inside.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Present Day

Just inside the ridge of rock that acted as a gateway from the outside into the darkness – literally – Connor placed a hand on the orange grit and it crumbled under his fingers as he felt the Dark Side energy that had blossomed in and around the Valley for millennia.

The Sanctum would hold the planet for the future, that was granted, but it would one day fall back to the Sith. It was natural; part of the cycle. The Sanctum would take what they could as quickly as possible and preserve the history to the best of their ability – they were here to maintain peace and tranquillity, not loot and pillage.

The lure of the Dark Side was strong, but to Connor it was simply another side of the coin of the Force. He took steps inside and felt the chill that greeted him. The waning light faded the deeper the tomb went and so his lightsaber would have to suffice as surface light from the blue plasma blade.

A few feet in, as the wind funnelled past him, the Master saw the passageway down into the tomb. He unhooked his lightsaber, certain he would meet no Sith, and started down further to see just what that pull was.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

The Past

"Ah, Lord Oranos, what a pleasure it is to see you here. I wasn't quite expecting company, I must admit you've finally caught me off guard, I'm not in my formal wear. Not to mention I haven't done a karking thing with my hair today... would it be too much to request we meet again under more forgiving circumstances?" There was an elegance and joy to the woman's voice as she spoke to the man, a tall human towering above her, and bulging with muscles like an athlete with a few too many pills on hand. He wasn't famous by a long shot, but those who knew him understood the power the shien wielder held, and some modicum of respect for his martial prowess. Less known, however, was what Amalia noticed next, peeking out from behind the giant of a man. A much shorter, younger woman, bright blue eyes, blonde hair, a real gem. Unlike her brutish companion, hiding his face behind steel and blood.

"And I must assume this is your daughter? Amalia isn't it? A gem of a woman I must say... though utterly lacking as your apprentice unfortunately." She could imagine the scowl as the man's muscles bulged in anger, making her only laugh in response. It was so easy to drill into the minds of these people, so fun and exciting. It truly made the centuries go by faster. "Well then, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Oranos replied by drawing his red bladed weapon, the violent hiss of the blade sparking to life and telling all that need be told. His daughter Amalia too drew her own weapon, bringing forth a small sigh from the Darth in the room. "Ah, a pity then. You were always a useful knight, Oranos. But if you wish to rise up against your superior and take my place, I will indulge you in a last duel. It was lovely knowing you, Oranos. To the Victor then, Freedom." She tucked her holocron into her traveling robes and drew her saberstaff, igniting both the blades as she brought it into a ready stance, held with one blade in a low guard to the front, tilted to the left, and the other pointing back and up to the right.

It began within moments, a violent dance, Oranos attacking with furious, mighty blows, and his daughter with more refined motions made to fight a duelist. Makashi, perhaps? An interresting dynamic, but her blade and mastery was undeniable, perfectly tuned for fighting in such situations. All four blades collided together, time and again, as slowly the two circled around Aria to attack from both ends. However, it seemed the woman had expected, nay hoped this, as she kicked the youngest of the three combatants back, and with the force threw her into the newly opened passage. Ducking under a swing, Aria retreated in as well, with the door closing behind Oranos. Now in the hallways, the three continued to fight, slowly proceeding through the halls...

The Present

It would take little time to reach the atrium, wherein one could sense the years of torment the slaves once suffered through. The stones knew, and remembered, every drop of blood spilt, every tear spent. Here, in a near literal heart of darkness, the calling would continue, from the northern side of the empty, open area. It begged, pleaded to be explored, yet would give no guidance, no guide to find it. Merely, it would offer the chance, to pass the trials by force, or by wit.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Present Day

The walls were rotten, but forged with the souls of thousands who had lost their lives inside the tomb and the Valley itself. The rock was cool on Connor’s palm as he walked slowly forward, the blue light of the lightsaber illuminating the incline down.

All around him bore minuscule fingerprints of the past he could feel – lightsaber scorches, fibres from clothes, blood and spit from humans, metal and pain from droids. Who knew what adventures had been experienced down here in the search for power or redemption.

A small cavern opened up, and eternal flames bellowed out from the natural gas in the planet’s surface; the flames that would never die. Connor killed the blade and looked around the cavern thanks to the natural flames in small pockets along the wall, and noticed a twisted iron gate ahead and a destroyed R2 unit covered in sand and rock.

Kneeling down beside the wreck, complete with torn wire and parts on the ground, Connor inspected what he could to find anything to salvage, but there was little. Just a junk pile. He stood and weaved his way through the iron gate which looked like it had born the brunt of a Force user ripping it from the wall.

There was something beyond the gate that the Sith had been protecting from those entering, or preventing those escaping…

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

The blades danced elegantly through the air, digging into stone tunnels and carving out proof of their existence. In a way it was beautiful, elegant even. Time would never wear away these deep scars, and for the two she was fighting this would be their only memorial. There was much they had yet to do, truly a shame this was the path they chose. Down into the dark, through the tunnels of the tomb. Labyrinthine was almost too generous a term for the path they were taking, guided by Ariealla's knowledge of the death traps within. Spiked walls, cliche'd falling ceilings, most anything you could possibly expect. Including, as they came to the first of three grand, open chambers, a massive, locked door.

Here they would remain for some time, as the air was filled with their blade's ozone-esque scents. She needed to concentrate to solve the first of the puzzles she had put in, and they were not giving her such an opportunity. However, she was more than capable of fighting them, and with a swift jump back preformed her favorite technique. Reaching with the force, she clouded both their minds, effectively tricking them into losing their force sensitivity, before blasting both with enough lightning to force them back quite a ways.

Then to the door, with a myriad of locks. The massive thing's locks would slide along set paths when the force was used, however much like a number of children's puzzles, each lock shifted the path of others. The first of these trials was to pass the door, and it would take all her focus to move them just right.

Present Day

Though no longer what it once was, the tomb's dirty, gritty surroundings still held through the centuries. Eventually, were COnnor to proceed, he would come to find oddly clean, out of place bricks, something one would not find in ancient tombs. These were, of course, markers to denote the correct path to find the more hidden sections, however they were far less obvious than the lightsaber marks deeper into the tomb.

And in the first chamber, a dozen or so war droids began their power-up sequence, detecting life coming ever so slightly closer.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Present Day

As the Jedi Master leant forward a little to step under the cracked brick wall into the larger chamber, a typical formation of these tombs that would then lead to other areas, he noticed a dozen or so war droids powering up. Even after so long and no use, they still operated.

”Hm,” he said to himself, ”that’s a pain.”

Holding out his hands, the saber by his side and of no use now thank to the flames burning in the wall cavities, Connor emitted his Force aura. If he expected the droids to be an immediate barrier between Force users and non-Force users, it seemed to work.

The gangly droids whirred and stayed silent, but didn’t move. He took that as safe.

Those programmed to read midichlorian counts were effective guards preventing those deemed not worthy from continuing into the tombs, as he’d seen this setup before. However, it didn’t mean what lay ahead would be easier.

Connor walked forward slowly, looking straight ahead with confidence and assertiveness. He hoped that the tomb security stopped here, and that age had weakened anything else that lay head. All he wanted to do was explore and make sure the tomb was safe, but there was no way he could back out now like a coward.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

The Past

Satisfied with her work temporarily disabling the two, she turned her attention to the locks preventing further progress. Gripping the three or four points she had to manipulate, she moved the locks as one, twisting and shifting whole sections of the door's visible face until the whole mechanism clicked into place. From a mess of design, to a clean, crisp, and orderly set of runes going across the door. As it opened with a heavy sigh, the two she was fighting managed to collect themselves, and were engaging her once more. A chuckle filled the halls as she began her deadly dance with the two once more.


These hallways were less of the usual maze, in fact they were quite straight forward. Any traps that had once been there were now non-functioning, and up to the next chamber it was a rather simple duel. Upon reaching that chamber, another droid whirred to life, before deactivating as it identified Ariealla. They left through the main doorway, and into darkness.



The Present

The traps were still non-functioning, though now there were saber markings along the single passageway to the main chamber. And in that chamber, the aforementioned droid whirred to life, and began to prepare for the arrival of the newcomer. Unfortunately he had not be given new tea leaves, so he couldn't prepare a pot. Regardless, he setup a small table, and sat down to wait.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Present Day

Connor held his hand up to brush away a few webs from spiders making these tombs their home as he followed a dark passageway forward; for how long he did not know, but used his senses to track the danger of any potholes or sentient beings waiting. Gatekeepers or what not.

He emerged, and found a droid. Or what he thought was a droid. It looked like an advanced protocol droid, sat there. Waiting.

Connor looked around the room, noting runes on the walls below the burning torches. He was sure he could hear screams from years past; but it was probably the wind. Looking to the droid, the Jedi stood still. He hated these beings – totally relying on computer software and A.I. He much preferred flesh and blood.

”Greetings. I come in peace as a member of the Silver Sanctum Colaition. Korriban is under our jurisdiction and I am Master Connor Harrison, simply exploring tombs of the past.”

Inside, he rolled his eyes. He hated more these false introductions; it was so….regal, and so unlike him.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

Present

The Droid looked up from where it was seated, with its small table like setting, and focused on the man calling himself 'Master' Connor Harrison. "A Jedi then? A pity, I had quite hoped it would be on of the Mistress's brood to awaken me. Ah, but woeing for who it is to find this room would dishonor her memory. Come, sit with me, that your worthiness may be judged as the Mistress decreed. Though it pains me to say there are no tea leaves available." Clearly a very advanced droid, not only for its setting but given how it identified what 'Master' meant when it came to terminology.

"So, tell me Master Jedi, what is this 'Silver Sanctum Coalition'? I cannot find reference in my databanks. Has the Jedi Order fallen?" It was obvious the droid was not up to date on current events, and in fact it had a number of problems. Most notably, it referred to the 'mistress' despite the tomb belonging to a man...

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor looked around the room for any hidden traps, devices or creatures as the droid spoke. He was well versed in Basic, so his creators weren't the usual rag-tag bunch of mercs or pirates.

”No, I assure you the Order is still here. Just, a little less powerful than they were.” He stood, not choosing to sit. This wasn't a social call. ”We are here to make a sweep of the planet and the tombs - can you tell me what tomb this is, and of your Mistress? Did she serve the Sith?”

What a curious droid - waiting for its Mistress, but showing no signs of hostility towards the Jedi.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

The Present

"Interesting. I'll catalog this new information. As for where you now stand, you are in the tomb of the great Tulak Hord, Dark Lord of the Sith. As for my Mistress," He paused, as if looking through his programming to be certain what he was permitted to say. Of course, it was also in part due to the age of several parts of the droid, closer inspection could show the droid had several parts replaced over the years. "My Mistress was Darth Aria, Lord of the Sith and heir of a mighty bloodline. She programmed me to await her return and judge the worthiness of those who sought the secrets she left behind. Judging by your progress so far, you are quite capable and the force must certainly flow through your veins quite well.

Please, do sit. I am incapable of harming you, and this room has naught else but you and I inside of it. Though perhaps it would be best to tell you, then, the only way out of here is forward. The tomb should now be locked from where you entered this hidden passageway, and only the Mistress knows how to reopen the gate without the key." It was something of a bluff, of course, but the droid didn't know better. Any jedi master such as Connor could force the tomb open, though that would likely lead to the destruction of whatever secrets this Aria had left behind.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Nodding, Connor slowly took a seat on the old stool opposite the droid, but did so where he could easily spin away or jump up at the first sign of trouble. The wind from above could be heard around the cracks and caverns, feeding through all the small gaps to give the tomb an even more eerie feel than it needed.

”I won’t lie, but I have never heard of one Lord Aria. I know a Padawan called Aria, but that’s it. Of course, no disrespect is intended. I am sure she was a powerful figure in her day.”

He smacked his lips and looked around. Tulk Hord he had heard of however. Was there something to be found still within these walls?

”You do know that the planet and tomb is now under the jurisdiction of the Silvers, ok, and that means, I guess…you. Are you staying here until she returns, because I hate to spoil the surprise but she isn’t going to be returning.”

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

"Aria is no more a name than a title anymore. Though the first of them is the Mistress in full, I have ever acknowledged the followers. It is their right to try for her secret." The droid tilted his head, almost as if amused by the suggestion that the planet and tomb, and most of all himself, was under silver jurisdiction. "I belong to no one, save the Mistress's lineage. The tomb, belongs to no one, save the dead. And in time the 'Silvers' will be a distant memory, and a new faction will stand on Korriban.

And still, I will stay, and await the next Aria." The droid seemed to laugh as it leaned forward, putting its arms on the little table, and resting its head on the folded hands. "So tell me, what do you know about ancient history?"

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor didn't react in any way that could been as positive or negative; droids were, at the end of the day, circuit boards and metal and they didn't "get" sentient feelings and he didn't want to end up dead today.

”I know enough,” he said, ”to see me through. Rather fascinating.”

He sighed, looking around, feeling like he was at an awkward tea party.

”Regarding this tomb, I'm afraid my knowledge is lacking - do you know what is beyond this chamber? Are you protecting something, or someone? I ask purely out of interest for all things...historic.”

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]

 

[Ariealla Vareldi]

Present

"The majority of the tomb's most well known artifacts, those of course related to Tulak Hord himself, have long since been taken. Of course, other artifacts of Hord hidden deeper within have survived, and the same can be said of what Mistress Aria hid within this section for herself. Knowledge, wisdom, and by default, the power that brings. To that end, I am meant to judge those who seek it, that they might have some reason not to destroy that which she hid here.

In the labrynth beyond, I have the sole map to safety. Consider it a test, answer a question and I will guide you some way. At the next junction, I'll ask again, and so we go. Until you die, or until we reach the end. Mistress always thought it a lovely game to play." The droid remained where it was, calm and seated. It didn't seem hostile at all, frankly it didn't seem capable of it.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Inhaling a deep breath and reclining on the seat a little, taking stock of the situatoin, Connor could have gone two ways.

”Alright.” He took the sensible way. ”We'll play it her way, but I assure you my intentions are strictly honorable.”

With that, he rose and guestered forward.

”Shall we.”

He didn't want to die in a Sith Tomb. Not today.

[member="Ariealla Vareldi"]