Below Is Darkness.

[Drogh]

The Pit a dark desecrated realm, below the belly of Coruscant, down in the furthest levels of this urban hell. Murder, poverty, petty wars and warlords with their trophies of bones roam this broken land. Dead bodies pile up, adding to the festering rot. The Vong in their towers of coral gaze down at the others, with a fury for blood, reaping more chaos and death with their biological blades. The Pit is a unwelcoming, unloving place, and if you want it's grace you must first shower your self in blood. Drogh found him self a home here, in death, disease and ruin. To Drogh this was a broken paradise, a shattered realm, a place where his darkness could reign supreme in him, and that he might start to master it's dark ways. For too long, the darkness had ruled over Drogh, unable to reach it, unable to control it, masterless and without guidance, Drogh knew he had to take matters into his own hands. Drogh would strangle to dark side, reach out and no longer whimper in fear but scream in pain for the powers that lay locked.

He was sitting down in a alleyway, the smell of feces and blood flooded him, it was a horrid smell, but it made little difference to Drogh. The darkness was so consuming here, both physically and metaphorically, as faint flickers of flame pocket the dead and dying city. Few synthetic lights beam, most of the light down here is fire, pure fire. Many have become blind to the constant state of darkness, and many more can not handle the burning sun, or even the brighter synthetic lights of the upper-world, luckily most will never go there. Drogh was there, sitting down, his hand being sheltered by his hands, rocking back and forth trying to uncover the secrets of darkness, the secrets of the darkside the power that laid within him. Drogh would force it out of him, and catch those demons with his flaming hands.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Even if she hadn't actually grown up on Coruscant like she had thought, she was still drawn to return. Every time she came, she always visited the orphanage and checked up on the little girl she had dropped off two years ago now. The little girl, Xian was growing like all children do and turning into quite the stunning child. Ra was now at a position in life she felt confident she could actually take care of the girl. After bidding the girl farewell, Ra actually went and spoke to the house parents and said she wanted to take Xian and adopt her when her business was done on the planet. It would give them to arrange for the paperwork and have everything ready for when she left.

Something else drew her here though and Ra had a very good idea what it was. There was a man she had met three times now here, he had become a harbinger to her. Whenever they met, soon after big changes happened in her life. Their encounters were always violent and turbulent. Never one had they met and not gotten into a fight. The last time they had met and fought in the ancient temple of the planet, they had become separated in the ruins when the tunnel collapsed. She had left him there trapped behind the rubble, but knowing he would escape and live on.

Now she returned and this time could feel him, the dark chaotic nexus that was Drogh. Her harbinger of fate. Following a trail of death, destruction and organized chaos, Ra found him. The foul odors of the surrounding are filled Ra's nose, but they didn't sway her from her path. She found him sitting in filth, rocking back and forth like a crazed old man. Darkness filled his soul and Ra smiled.

If he felt her, he would know of the change within her. She didn't wait for him to attack before placing her saber hilts in her hands, but she did not ignite them. Avoiding a confrontation would probably prove impossible, she did prepare for it. Standing not even ten feet from him now, she looked at the man she had beaten before and could do so again. Loathe to kill her harbinger, she remained silent to see if he noticed her.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh came to a halt, a sense that he recolonized, but wasn't the same. It was shattered, broken and beaten. Then it was some thing new, a new rift of feeling. Drogh was a shattered man him self, but he broke him self along time ago, no one needed to break him. Drogh turned his head towards the women, she found him, what a surprise. Why? What did she want, how did she find him? Questions bubbling inside his head, ready to burst out. The women looked down at him with a smile on her face, a smile he wanted to carve out, but he held his resolution for this moment. "What?" He said, disturbed from his journey into the darkness, trying to uncover it's forbidden and secrets, of his own demented mind. Then she walks in, looking down at him with that smug smile. Drogh lifted him self up from the dirt, since he was fully disturbed he may as well not bother.
@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Droug stopped his rocking and looked over at her. Ra's smile was not a friendly one, but it wasn't hostile either. They both knew if he attacked she could beat him again. He sat for a moment or two before he stood up. He asked what, that was all. A man of few words, but for once he appeared to have some working brain cells and not a total lunatic.

She felt his inward desire to murder her which he held off...for now.

The young woman considered her words before speaking. A clear and calculating look on her face, one Drogh had never seen on her before. Her gold eyes looked at him from head to toe and she shook her head, wondering if he was even worth attempting to train. Maybe that was why she was called here. It hadn't been a thought until that moment. The man had potential, but nothing formal to speak of, all his skills were natural. Things he had learned on his own.

"You seek power. If you would have that, come with me. If not, then stay here and rot."

That was all Ra said before turning her back on him. If he thought to attack her exposed back, she would surprise him with what she now knew. Ra was a sith lord and he would know it, one way or another.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh did not care, he did not care. The offer was ignored and so was she. Drogh needed not her power, his would be his own. If she wanted Drogh, which she clearly did, she'd have to crawl down and pray him from his seat. Drogh wanted none of her power, everything he ever achieved was done by his own merit, even if it is little. Power was radiating off her, like a controlled fire, while Drogh was a storm raging out of control. Yet, he cared not for her, so Drogh sat in his rot, smugly smiling to him self, he knew she'd be back, begging Drogh to come with her, a thought like that was rather nice. "Beg." Drogh said provokingly, her power was nothing more then dust, Drogh hated her more then he feared her,.Break him? Fine, Drogh was already snapped. Beat him? Nothing she had could threaten Drogh. Drogh was playing games, seeing if she had the pride to walk back and answer, show of her power, give some smug last words, or maybe even beg. Drogh wasn't coming with her willingly, even if she forced him to walk with her. If she wanted Drogh, he would force her to drag him along, if she didn't, well Drogh would just cackle in the darkness, rolling around in his rot. What ever she did, Drogh would win, if she came back to hurt him, Drogh got under her skin. If she ignored him, Drogh could focus on him self. And if she forced him, Drogh made her do so.

That calculating stern look, Drogh bet that her feel so smart. Thing is, the force doesn't make you any smarter, and it certainly didn't make Ra any smarter.
@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Drogh ignored Ra at first and then he said one word. She had not taken any steps away, just turned her back to him. He didn't follow her and asked her beg for him to join her. Ra knew he wanted her dead and bleeding at his feet. The hate of him for her would make him want to follow her. If not today or tomorrow, eventually he would seek her out.

Not saying or doing anything else, Ra chose to walk away.

Her back was still to him as his single and empty word that meant nothing hung in the air. Taking slow and steady steps back the way she came, Ra waited to see what the man would do.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh chuckled grimly. He hated her, of course he did. Yet there were other ways to see one suffer, to watch some one be denied some thing, no matter how little. These small victories is what Drogh held to, no matter how petty or pathetic. Drogh thought he was finally at peace, but then he was reminded rather violently, that peace was no an option in The Pit. This broken shattered city, with equally broken people could find no peace. The drums of war were sounded, they echoed down in the dark streets paved with blood, they yelled down in the broken skyscrapers and they shouted on top of the pillars of coral. Drogh found a wave of broken flesh flood down the alleyway, knowing he would be torn to shred by the incoming mob, rallying for the next "war".

Drogh jumped up, sliding his way past the sith, as the yells of agony echo down the alleyway, the mob comes down, like running water, flooding the city. This city knows no peace.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra had not taken more than twenty steps before a sound came from the area. Hearing the drums and voices rising of the broken people in the Pit, Ra turned around. The form of Drogh ran past her and she saw the shadows coming in their direction.

He thought to hide behind her for protection? He would get it, but not because it was something Ra was doing for him. What she did was for herself. He ran like a coward, weak and pathetic. Ra stood her ground and faced the oncoming tide.

In a flash, the Force filled the young lord, her golden eyes now glowing the dim light. Her left hand would reach out and something that looked like a sinkhole would appear in the path of the people racing their direction. The flow of the tide can not be stopped and they fell into the hole. As silence filled the street, the sound of terror would be heard from the pit in the street. With another wave of that same hand, the street returned to normal. The entire crowd of those aroused by the desire to shed blood was gone in almost a heartbeat.

Her eyes still glowing, Ra would turn and look at Drogh.

"Do you still seek to be alone?"

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh was speechless, fear was one emotion that was flaring up inside. What the Kark was that? Drogh knew of the power of the force, but that was some thing beyond reality. Even still, Drogh had hurt her before, and this reminder calmed him, as she could bleed and would bleed. The bloodlust was quelled, Ra in her smugness believed it was out of fear, no it was out of fear and hatred. The two are strongly linked, it is difficult to have one with out the other, maybe fear and hate at the same time. Fear breeds hatred, hatred breeds fear, they bounce of each other constantly, until you are utterly consumed by the vicious circle and it controls you. These people in the Pit had no resistance to that urge, hatred and fear was the very breath they breathed, the very polluted air is thick in hate and anger, their blood has it.

Drogh knew this, they would be back, as they fled in terror, that terror will be remembered, and it will slowly mutate and deform into hatred, they will be back, in larger numbers and in greater ferocity, but that did not matter for now. As Drogh paused, looking at Ra at her yellow stormy eyes, he saw hatred, yet it was lacking fear, a mistake on her part. Drogh walked up to Ra, her power radiating her like radiation, it had a passive effect, as if you was being crushed subtly and slowly. "You came all this way for me, in this urban hell, why?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Taking a read of Drogh's emotions, Ra knew he feared her. It was obvious from their previous meetings he also hated her. She didn't need the Force to know that. He walked up to her after the people were gone and asked why she had come from him, why Ra had hunted him down so far.

There were a few reasons. Which should she tell him now?

Her glowing eyes watched his approach and she did not fear him. It wasn't because she was stupid though. Ra knew what he could do if he chose to, that would be a mistake on his part though. She didn't fear him because she could beat him.

"I came to unlock your potential. You want power here, yes?"

Still maintaining her hold on the Force, she looked at him.

"Through me learn how to get the power you so want, come back and rule these broken people if you wish."

Deciding not to tell him all her reasons, just the one. In time, the whole truth would be known and what he meant to her personally. If he came with her.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Growling belly of the Pit was stirring, these broken people would soon come charging down, as the endless sound of drums beat down the halls of this city. Drogh glanced back down the shattered streets, in the deep darkness ahead there was a evil brewing and Drogh didn't want to be here when it happened. Drogh smiled under his crude mask, hoping that they would tear her apart limb from limb, flesh torn and belly gutted, the vision of her defiled corpse would be a lovely one indeed. Yet Drogh held his bitterness and hatred for her, just awhile longer. "Oh well aren't you so thoughtful, so kind of you to help me." Drogh said with sarcasm oozing from his lips, he allowed him self a light chuckle. "There was a Sith, a few years ago that wanted me to become a assassin, he would of brought to Panatha to start my training." Drogh paused for a moment. before carrying on "If I choose to follow you, I will not be your handyman, your assassin or hit-man." "No matter how hard you try Ra, because I know you will, you can not beat submission into me." Drogh offered out his hand, tattered and scarred but he offered it all the same. "Do we have a deal?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

The sound of the people stirring up again as more drums joined in the chorus, Ra knew they had to get moving. Not that she couldn't deal with whatever came at them, it was best not cause any more trouble than she already had among these broken people.

She sensed within Drogh his desire to see her dead, but yet he held off. He didn't call to these people or lash out at her. Instead he spoke with sarcasm and gave her his conditions if he chose to follow her. He also stated that somebody else had offered him a similar chance in the past, but that he would be used as an assassin. She would not get that use out of him, that she would not be able to beat submission into him. That was never an objective of hers, so she had no issue in agreeing to his deal.

His concept of who and what she was had been clouded by his personal knowledge of others, not her. He would find her a different type of person than what he expected. Taking his offered hand, they reached an agreement.

"Come with me to Helska. It is where one of my homes is."

The world was an ice world with only a few people that lived and worked for her. It was from them she got her title of Baroness.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh was suspicious, clouded by hateful fog and blinded by a haze of paranoia, Drogh did not trust her in the slightest. But, what else was there for him to turn back too? Living barely, scraping by on petty crime? There was nothing for him down here, and nothing for him up there yet she gave him a hand, a hand he would not trust. It didn't matter, Drogh looked behind the crowd was growing, crude metal shaped into cruel weapons and rustic blasters fashioned, "We need to leave now." Drogh said, as from the darkness broken men and women alike skin like pale stone and eyes devoid of colour, hair old and tattered, skin dry and boneless, not a sight one would care to gaze for very long.


@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

People were starting to return to the streets, the people that wouldn't be missed if they died. Unless they forced her hand like the previous group, Ra had no intention of laying a finger on them though. None of these people mattered to her though, just one next to her. When he said it was time to go, she nodded and turned back in the direction she came from.

Looking at Drogh out of the corner of her eye, she didn't trust him any more than she could throw him. "Then let's go," walking off, she lead the way out of the Pit and into what would hopefully be a better life for him. At least one where more opportunity could be had by him. Even if he returned here to lead those half people, it would be more than he could have done before.

"Do you have a ship of your own?"

She hoped the answer was​ yes, but if he didn't, then she would take him in hers.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

"No I don't." Drogh said loosely as he strained his attention on the growing crowd that was marching on them. Drogh started walking, if she wasn't going to move then Drogh would. The hordes screamed below and their darkened hearts roared with a blood lust that could not be quelled easily. It shaped them into animals, broken creatures that use the word "sentient" like a mocking to all others. Yet it was pointless to dwell on thoughts that had no value, these beats could easily be avoided, large hordes are clumsy and slow, a staggering giant. "We need to go now!" He repeated with more urgent and with a harsher bitter tone, like a snakes bite.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra nodded at his answer. She would have to take him on her ship and then see if she could arrange for him to get one of his own. Maybe something could be found on Helska for him. Many people came, but didn't leave and there might be something for sale from them.

Sensing the growing tension around them as the crowd grew, Ra looked at Drogh and felt his concern. It wasn't quite fear he had, but it was close. He had potential. Time would tell if it came to fruition. When he said they needed to go, Ra already facing the correct direction fell into step.

"Let's go then."

She would have to come back another time for Xian, but she promised the child she would.

They safely left The Pit and Ra turned to look back for a moment and then at Drogh.

"There's much more out there than this. C'mon let's get moving."

Taking him to her ship, she lowered the ramp.

"After you."

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh scoffed at her with that condensing statement "There's much more out there this", her vile words would suit a fist forced down her neck, choking her on her own obnoxiousness. Drogh held his fist, but his patience was waning. Drogh knew of the screams of the galaxy, the endless horrors and suffering that it indulged in. Drogh loved it and yet hated it, the endless screams grow on you as time goes by, gnawing at your soul. They are like faint whispers in the wind, but Drogh could hear them all, their tears, their agony, and their rage. The force was disturbed, the flooding darkness was beautifully horrid and Ra dared question him of his experience of the outside world. Drogh stared down at Ra, he sensed the flickers of light she still held on too, pathetic emotions like love. It was weakness, it was disease, it was vile and putrid. "I know there is more then this, Ra." his voice was flooding with a hidden rage, like sword just narrowly missing skin.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Following him aboard her ship, she closed the ramp behind them. Good or bad, they were stuck on board together for a while. Not trusting him one bit, Ra knew she would have to make sure she kept her room locked. Her ship wasn't the kind to hold a prisoner so he would have free run of it.

"You can pick a room to sleep in, I'll leave you alone and let you know when we get there. Just stay out of my galley."

That last part held a bit of a threat indicating if he messed with anything in her galley, he would face consequences for his actions. Heading to the cockpit, Ra left Drogh to his own devices and hoped he wouldn't do anything to saboteur her ship or their flight.

"I'm glad you know there is more, Drogh."

She wore half a smile as she heard his rage, an attempt to goad her into anger again. Shaking her head, she arranged for take off and set course for Helska.

[member="Drogh"]

 

[Drogh]

Drogh held his rage long enough, striking her would send him deep down to death, so his venom was his words.

"What can you really threaten me with Ra, hurt me, beat me?", "You haven't given me a reason for why you're doing this?" Drogh paused for a moment, staring at her with his eyes of cinder. "Are you just doing this from the goodness of your heart?" Drogh let out a dark and spiteful cackle, "Or do you intend to use me for some great scheme, because if you're not, then you really are a pathetic creature, you have no right to call your self "sith", who the kark even trained you?" It was a flurry of words, pouring out of him, leaking perhaps. Drogh would of spat at her if his mask wasn't blocking the way, and he was fairly certain she hadn't seen his face. Drogh watched with red eyes as she walked away, her threat meant nothing, what could she threaten Drogh with? Pain? Drogh knew what he could get away with, she wouldn't kill him, hurt him, certainly that was unavoidable, but kill him? He would have to try very hard for that to happen.
@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra heard every word Drogh said as she walked to the cockpit of her ship. Her back was to him as he spoke his words. He had asked her before why she had searched him out and she had given him a vague answer. Obviously it wasn't enough for him. Chuckling under her breath at some of what he said, she entered the cockpit and took the pilot's seat.

Arranging for departure and lifting the ship, once they reached space and had entered the hyperspace lanes, then she went back to face her companion and answer his questions.

Motioning for him to take a seat, she waited to see if he did. Even if he didn't, she would still answer him.

"I threaten you with nothing, Drogh. Where you come from is enough. The answer to your question about why is simple. You have potential, you ask what's in it for me. I expect nothing, what you do after is on your head. You're welcome to call me a pathetic sith if you wish."

Leaning back in her seat, Ra looked at him and placed her hands behind her head.

"The name of my master will mean nothing to you, but it was Gjeardt."

She felt him watching her.

"Is there anything else you wish to know?"

Her voice was entirely calm, but if he could pick up on emotions, he would know there was a bubbling cauldron within her. Just waiting for the correct catalyst to cause it to explode.

[member="Drogh"]