Discovery

[Korogum]

"To unlock the future, we must accept our past."

'It has been 7 months since we discovered this vast academy building. it's walls and chambers still remain a ghostly husk of what they may been at one point, but our efforts to restore it are starting to bear fruit. The first few chambers are almost entirely modernized, with proper lighting and ventilation. The further in one goes, the less this reality is maintained. We have fully mapped out the building but something does not sit well with me. The way this structure is designed implicates that there would be either a second floor, or a sub-level. Yet we found no evidence of either of these having existed. I still hold my doubts that we have found everything this place has to offer, there seems to be missing pieces to the puzzle of this "Jen'Tevas" we've found so much on in the vast library this maze holds. After my vision, I've been having many restless nights, more visions have come to me in my sleep. In my dreams I feel cramped, there is no sunlight and no warmth, I do not understand what it could mean. Just last night, I had a dream that was more vivid than ever: I found myself standing before a great alter, with a massive reflecting pool in its center. As I walked to it, I could feel a presence surrounding me, but I was not able to understand where it was coming from. It did not feel living. I have read many a tome on what the presence of Force ghosts can feel like, and it did not come off as such in my dream. I then found myself at the edge of the reflecting pool in my dream, and I looked down onto it. Only, my reflection was not of myself. I saw in it, a silhouette of ebony hue. It glared back at me with piercing red points of lights where its eyes should have been. At that moment, the presence that had encompassed my area, suddenly pressed down around me. It felt like it would crush me with its hulking aura, but at that moment I awoke.'


Korogum made his way down the halls of the academy, reflecting on his dream, until he reached his destination: The designated meeting room of the group. Korogum entered to find everyone had already seated themselves and he too took his seat at one side of the table.

"Apologies for my late arrival, I was served another vision last night." He stated with a tone of irritation. "What is the plan for this week, more reconstruction, or perhaps organization of the library?"

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[member="Etheriud Yvvera"] [member="Xhinx"] [member="Xaryus"]

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

"To accept our past, we must have a will."

Xhinx stood awaiting for a mission, a purpose. "We must first lay down the foundation. We will need to organize the library in order to understand our wants and needs." Xhinx paused. "But what is our want and need?" Xhinx began reading various tomes and scrolls, only to come up empty handed. Xhinx looked up. "Colonization... We must set out to colonize, set the roots of our cause, feed it, let it grow." Xhinx turned to the others, awaiting a response. He thought for a moment as if something else was out there.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

7 months. Had it really been that long? Etheriud hadn't even stopped to think of how long they had truly been within the confines of these walls. He had immersed himself in his studies of the force, religion, and language as he embarked on a path of some sort of righteous way. He had studied the Sith script, Kittat, thoroughly and had a very strong grasp of both that and the language that it entailed. Many a book had been read that detailed the academy, the Sith, the Republic, the old empires, but every once in a while there would be tattered books that always contained the same few words that connected them together. Jen'Tevas, Vidinis Evitanos, Tave Atiduo. Dark Father, Inner Creations, the Return. The same headlines to many different texts that held within them many stories that always linked back to the same figures. Etheriud had begun to sleep restlessly as the same occurring nightmare continued to appear: A dark figure, almost as tall as the room itself, seething with hatred and anger. The figure would scream, and the nightmare would end, only to repeat itself the next night. Etheriud snapped back to reality when Korogum spoke,

"It's fine."

Etheriud stopped and thought for a moment, what were they going to do now? The academy had mostly been reconstructed, the library mostly in tact, and everyone's needs fulfilled at the basic levels. But something kept calling out, something continued to seem out of place...

"I think a visit to the library would do us some good. Perhaps we can find some more information on this academy and the visions you continue to see."

 

[Korogum]

"Then it is decided, we will attend the library for today." Korogum declared, standing up from his seat and exiting the room with the others following suite.

As the group entered the large library within the bowels of the academy, they gathered at the center of the library, which held a large stone pillar, intricately engraved with ancient texts. This pillar also held niches that were dug out of it to hold tomes almost as old as the stone upon which they rested. From here the group decided upon different tasks, and as they each individually dispersed to attend to said tasks, Korogum stayed behind at the pillar to begin arranging the oldest of the tomes. As his allies shifted out of sight, he began poring over the tomes and their contents.

"Hhm, an entire journal based on the documentation of K'lor'Slug migration, not that interesting. Oh, what's this?"
Korogum could feel a sensation he almost recognized emanating from a higher shelf. Backing away and looking up, he found the source to be a dusty scroll on the highest shelf. Channeling the Force, he willed the scroll to roll from it's resting place and flutter downwards to him, as the tome fell, dust streamed off of it and fell around him as it landed in his hand. The instant he made contact with the rough parchment, a vision struck him and he fell to one knee in an instant of weakness. The vision had only affected him for a single moment, but it flashed in his mind like an eternity of time had passed. In his vision he could feel the same overpowering force from his dream the previous night, but now, it emanated from the pillar he stood before now. Out of the corner of his eye, Korogum thought he could see tendrils connected to the pillar, but upon turning towards them, they vanished. All throughout the vision, glyphs from the pillar flashed into bright patterns, connecting themselves to form sentences he couldn't translate.

"If only Etheriud could see this, he thought to himself, then maybe I could discern this."

The vision continued, and the words slowly began to dim until only one was left. Korogum committed this single word to memory, as it must have some significance. The vision faded after this, and Korogum willed himself to stand up once more.

"Etheriud, I need your assistance with something!" He called out.

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

Xhinx began finding books and scrolls and their predecessors lifestyle, ways of survival and creed. He closely studied each and every books learning how to properly colonize and establish their roots. After a moment of talking he began studying this large pillar with its ancient runes carved into it. Almost as if it were speaking to them. Xhinx continued on for hours delving deeper into the ancient scrolls and books learning about the history and conditions of this area.

Xhinx returned to his ship trying to survey to immediate location to get a grasp on their surroundings. He found suitable living conditions, and resources nearby the compound. One thing was out of the ordinary though, a series of caves and tunnels directly under to compound, with no apparent end. There appeared to be no real entrance into the caves. The others would want to know this he thought. As he started to return to the compound.

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud kept quietly within his own little section of the library. There, tomes were kept detailing the Sith histories, language, prophecies since fulfilled, accounts of Sith Lords long dead, and finally an obviously old and heavily worn book with a phrase written in Kittat: "Jen'Qo" or "Dark Path" in Basic. Etheriud knew to tread lightly with direct translations with the Sith language, as most of the time phrases such as this had a very different connotation than they sounded. Etheriud kept this book to himself rather than place it back among the myriad of other tomes in the re-done section of the library. Etheriud opened the tome and began reading the fragile paper within and the old, semi-faded runes that filled the pages. On the very first page, in a very clear red writing that had somehow survived the ages of wear and use, a small prayer was left to introduce the book. Etheriud read the section and mouthed it to himself,

"Tevas'ari, Jen'Tevas,
Vestiatul Mus!"

At that moment, Etheriud heard Korogum call over and sped over to his location, his lightsaber in hand. As soon as he reached Korogum, he saw that there was no danger to be seen and put his lightsaber back into his cloak and spoke.

"Yes? What do you need?"


*Translation: "Lord Father, Dark Father, Guide us."

 

[Korogum]

Korogum collected himself and recounted the vision he had just incurred after coming into contact with the pillar to Etheriud.

"I was granted another vision, but this one was far stronger than any previous. It occurred when I touched this pillar here. I saw some words that I couldn't translate myself, I figured you would have better understanding of them."

Korogum recited the few phrases he could remember.

"Tave Noreti. Byloti tave virmse redis. Sliuz ra tave qo. Kilti. That is all I can remember of the words, do they mean anything to you?"

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud stood and pondered the words as they entered his head. A long moment filled the room as Etheriud traveled through his memory in search of the words that Korogum had spoken. The Sith that he stated was old, not quite the more modern Sith that Etheriud had studied for so long. However, Etheriud was still able to grasp the basic concept of what Korogum was trying to say. Etheriud looked towards Korogum and translated the phrase,

"The choice. Speak the holy word. Locks deny the path. Ascend."

Etheriud looked towards the pillar after having translated the words, his eyes scanning around the pillar in search of any signs of hidden mechanics hidden within the object. The material seemed ancient, much like most of the facility had been before the group had renovated most of it. Etheriud began to also wonder on the nature of these visions and how they had slowly become more and more powerful the longer that the group had stayed within the facility. Now, Etheriud guessed, whatever the group had been seeing had led them to the right location and was trying to lead them to wherever it wanted them to go. 'Very well', Etheriud thought to himself, 'We'll see what this has in store..'

Etheriud looked towards Korogum and spoke once again,

"Well? What do you think we should do?"

 

[Korogum]

Korogum recited the translation to himself and stepped closer to the pillar, running his gloved hand across the etched surface of the ancient stone. Korogum could feel an overwhelming aura emanating from within the rock, seeping out of it into the air around him. He wasn't sure if the others could feel it, but it was too strong to deny for himself.

"I think there is something within the pillar, Etheriud. Something that wants us to find it. I can feel it."

Korogum continued to run his hand across the many carvings of the pillar until he stopped on one. This particular carving felt different from the rest. As soon as he placed his palm over the hieroglyph, he felt a jolt of energy surge up through his arm and into his head, like a bad static shock. As soon as this had passed, he moved his hand away from the glyph to see it depressing into the pillar. Korogum stepped back, slightly bewildered by this stroke of pure luck, as the pillar before him and Etheriud began to open itself. After moments of stone grinding against stone, the pillar held an open doorway, filled with nothing but a darkness that the lights of the room simply could not illuminate.

"I think we found it." Korogum remarked with an audible tinge of sarcasm.

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

A sudden sense of pressure and intensity underwent Xhinx and the others as soon as Korogum unlocked the pillar, and secret to the compound. Xhinx rushed back to the others witnessing the stone fall into it's place. He listened to his currently unofficial leader Korogum, and stepped up to enter the pit. Surrounded by darkness he was plagued with visions, the sort of visions Korogum had, revelations of previous thoughts.

A black light saber, covered in blood. The blade is smoking from the liquid blood splashing on the blade. A hand rising with a dark aura, a deep pressure. A war zone with a dark figure and death and destruction everywhere, only bodies remained. A figure praying to a seated figure. An idea. The visions became clearer. Xhinx appeared kneeling to the now apparent master and all father. The Jen'Tevas. Who and where this Jen'Tevas is, is unknown. His purposed was fully enacted. He remembered the very word, no, idea that gave life to his being. Destroy, and so Xhinx was awakened. Xhinx called for the others aware of his own purpose and his dark father's.

 

[Korogum]

Korogum studied the dark entryway before stepping to the front of the group, igniting his makeshift lightsaber in his dominant hand.

"Well we won't find out anything from up here."

He stated, walking into the darkness with his weapon in front of him as a source of light. The others followed suite behind close behind him as they descended the many steps through the darkness, the only sound being the deep vibrant hum of Korogum's blade. The crimson light splaying across the walls and steps around them in an eerie blood-tinged glow as they descended deeper and deeper into the world. As they descended further, Korogum felt the dark presence surrounding him earlier to be gaining pressure the further he went, almost to a point of fear now. Not wanting to show weakness, Korogum steeled himself and continued his descent with the others in tow behind him. More time passed by without notice by the time Korogum spotted light ahead of him, and he unconsciously pressed forward faster than before. Breaking out into a large chamber, Korogum noted the architecture of the room. It seemed ancient, even more so than the pillars of the Academy. The stone that the area was carved in was a mixture of onyx black stone and tattered cloth from banners long since decayed and rotten away. Korogum also noted that somehow, braziers lit the room easily with a strangely colored flame unlike any he had ever seen. The chambers walls and ceiling extended into shadow, as if the group stood in the midst of a massive cavern. The center of this area held a tiered platform, with a large centerpiece design on the floor. The design resembled something from the Sith language, but Korogum could not place it. What appeared to be blood was stained and congealed across many parts of this symbol, so black and aged that Korogum did not doubt it had existed well before he did. Korogum realized that this part of the chamber resembled some kind of altar, or perhaps a sacrificial tomb of some sort.

"This is a very odd place indeed..." He thought to himself.

Korogum sheathed his blade and returned it to his belt, forgetting he had no need to keep it on any longer in the lit chamber. He returned to the altar platform and knelt down to attempt to remove the crusted blood to get a better look at the design. No sooner had his hand touched the ground did he hear an echo in the forefront of his mind.

"You'll do perfectly."

 

[Etherius Yvvera]

Etheriud followed quietly as Korogum ventured first into the entryway. His red, priestly cloak flowed as they made their way down the ancient stairs. While Korogum had his red lightsaber ignited, Etheriud kept his elegant, orange blade in his hand and ready to ignite if the need were to arise. As the trio descended further down the stairway, Etheriud could feel the pressure gathering more and more. Fear, anger, jealousy, depression, all of these emotions flashed through Etheriud as they continued their journey. Etheriud searched his mind for possible clues and evidence as to what this place could be; where they could possibly be heading in this academy that they had explored top to bottom. Etheriud remembered the verses of one of the vaguely religious texts he had found during his examinations of the academy:

"A broken mind,
A broken body,
A broken weapon.
Only he who is without attachment may know his divine name."

The verse continued to replay within Etheriud's head as they continued downwards. Suddenly, a faint light appeared in the distance, leading the trio to quickly press forward with Korogum at the head. Within notime, they burst into a grand and illustrious chamber decorated with torn banners and ancient stones. Intricate runes and carvings surrounded the pillars within the chamber as well as a large altar placed atop a tiered platform. No sooner had they arrived that the pressure and energy within the room rose dramatically, a powerful force weighing upon Etheriud as he looked towards Korogum kneeling down on the altar.

"This can't be good..." Etheriud thought to himself as he once again placed his lightsaber in his hand, ready to defend himself if the need were to arise.

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

Xhinx wandered in with the others, seeing various dark passages and and narrow inlets. Eventually the trio came upon this large open room, what seemed to be a ritual room. The large brooding figure came upon various scrolls books and tomes that intrigued him. Some on sacrificial processes, others on ways of the dark side. The man perused many of the texts, hoping to gain from such knowledge.

Meanwhile Korogum seemed like a statue, praying at this tiered altar. Xhinx wasn't sure is he should join in, he later let him be, lest not break his concentration. The man in black continued meditating and studying each of the scrolls hoping to advance his powers and knowledge, but alas...

 

[Korogum]

Korogum was startled by the voice that reverberated through his mind, but could not find it within himself to jolt away from the blood-soaked altar. After regaining his composure, he attempted to stand up but found he had no control over his body, as if something was rooting him to the spot he was knelt in. Before he could even begin to panic, his senses were assaulted from what felt like every angle, a darkness closing in around him as he could only gape in fear and confusion of what was happening. Within seconds, he lost consciousness to the growing void within his vision.



The figure clad in his black cloak, exuding a dark presence, stood up from the altar. He brought his hands up to his eyes face and touched the cold outline of his mask. With a surge of strength, the mask cracked down the center, and fell into two pieces at the figure's feet. Feeling his skin, the figure grimaced a wide, head splitting smile, chuckling deeply to himself.

"Oh at long last..." The figure muttered to himself.

Dropping his hands, the figure clenched them numerous times, gauging his own strength. Satisfied with his vessel, the figure turned his uncovered face to his bodies cohorts.

With another huge sneer, the figure spoke up and announced with a deep, brooding laugh,
"We have some work to do!"