Private Family ritual

[Lyssara Thrynn]

Here I am, somewhere on Dathomir. This blood-red planet, shrouded in thick mist and twisted roots, is the homeland of the Nightsisters and other... let's say, colorful tribes you might stumble upon if you stray too far off the path. Today, I have a rather special appointment. A family meeting.

My own mother decided to make the journey. She wants to meet me here, on this ground heavy with history and secrets. A symbolic place, no doubt chosen carefully. Or strategically.
Hands in my pockets, I walk toward the coordinates she gave me. The Dathomirian forest swallows me gradually. The trees are gnarled, almost alive, and a faint green mist lingers lazily between the trunks. From time to time, I hear spirits whispering fragments of forgotten words. I hear them, of course. How could I not? But I didn't come for them. Their murmurs don't call for me. Not today.

What could she possibly want? Why now? When I was younger, she never spoke about this planet, or about the blood that runs through our veins. She always kept that part of herself hidden. Of us, really. So why reach out now? Why stir it up?

Eventually, I reach a small clearing, ringed with ancient moss-covered stones. The silence here feels heavier. Alive. I sit on a half-rotten tree trunk, senses sharpened, and close my eyes to meditate. A place like this might have terrified me once. But now? I feel at peace. As if something in the damp, magic-laced air recognizes me.

I breathe slowly. My heartbeat syncs with the pulse of the ground. I'm ready to listen.

 

[Nyxara]

A low humming sound echoed through the damp air, weaving its way between Dathomir's twisted trees. A small, standard-model starship, gray and slightly weathered from travel, slowly descended between massive roots and moss-covered rocks. It landed in a nearby clearing, stirring up a cloud of red dust and dead leaves.

The engine noise faded, giving way to the strange, humming silence of the planet. The ramp lowered with a soft hiss. She stepped down calmly, one hand on the railing for balance. She wore a simple but neat outfit, practical for travel, with a long dark cloak draped over her shoulders.

She gave her surroundings a quick glance, took a deep breath, and gently closed the ramp behind her. Her expression was calm, though a hint of tension showed in her features a restrained emotion. Without hesitation, she set off along the narrow path that led to the designated clearing.

A few minutes later, the soft sound of her steps through the dead leaves announced her arrival. She pushed aside a branch and stepped into the clearing, where Lyssara was waiting.

The moment she saw her, her face lit up.

"My darling..."

Without waiting for a response, She quickly approached and wrapped her daughter in a hug, holding her tightly.
A real embrace, without formality or distance. Just a mother, truly happy to see her child again.

"I missed you so much, Lyssara. And... thank you for coming. Really. I didn't know if you'd accept this meeting, but I'm so glad you did."

She stepped back slightly, her hands still resting on Lyssara's shoulders, taking a better look at her. Her eyes sparkled with sincere tenderness, mixed with relief and pride.

"How are you? You look well. Really."

She offered a soft, almost shy smile, as if despite the time apart, she was rediscovering something precious.

"It means so much to see you here. What's up ? How the business work ? "

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

"Hey, Mom."

I see her walking calmly toward me to give me a hug it's been a while since we last saw each other. I feel a little awkward, not being the most affectionate person, but I can't really blame her for it.

She asks way too many questions about my personal life. Still, I guess I'll answer them anyway. I slowly lift my arms to return her hug, offering a friendly smile. Keeping connections alive is hard in our line of work. We're constantly being pulled to the far corners of the galaxy, and sometimes we have to make choices.

Today, that choice brought us here to the land of our ancestors. Apparently, she has a few surprises to show me. I'm curious to see what they are.

"Yeah, I'm doing fine. And you?"

She asks about work next. Honestly, my business is doing well I've got billions of credits at my disposal. I'm now fully part of the Diarchy, and I'd say I've done pretty well for myself, career-wise.

"I'm managing, I suppose. I've joined a pretty solid group. They've taught me a lot of incredible things. I've got plenty of good memories from it."

I pull out a thermos of coffee and take a slow sip once my mother lets go of me.

"And you, what's new? What brings you to Dathomir for this little meeting? I'm guessing this isn't just about having caf together?"

 

[Nyxara]

She smiled warmly, clearly pleased to hear her daughter speak with such confidence.

"Well, it sounds like things are going smoothly for you... and that really makes me happy, you know. You seem well surrounded, stable, strong. That's all I ever hoped for."

She paused for a moment, letting her gaze wander across the forest around them. The twisted, ancient trees seemed to watch in silence. Then she looked back at Lyssara.

"And yes... you're right, I didn't come here just to share a cup of caf. Even if I wouldn't say no to a second one,"

she added with a small smile. Without rushing, she sat down on the fallen trunk next to her daughter and, in a familiar, easy gesture, reached for the thermos beside her. She poured herself a bit of coffee, as if that simple, everyday action helped ease the moment. After taking a quiet sip, she continued, her voice softer.

"I felt something recently. A stirring in the ichor... something familiar. Your awakening. That connection you carry, even if you didn't ask for it. And I thought it was time."

She leaned in slightly, not forcefully, just enough to emphasize her sincerity.

"I never brought it up before because I didn't want to impose that path on you. You had your own journey to follow, and I wanted to respect that. But now that the ichor has recognized you... if you want, I can share a bit of what I know. Nothing dramatic. Just a few basics. Enough for you to start understanding what you're feeling. What you carry."

She gave a small shrug, a knowing, playful smile tugging at her lips.

"And if you'd rather talk credits, tactics, or the latest starship models, I'm always up for that too. Of course! So, what do you want started, today ? "

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

So it was to talk to me about my origins that she decided to come all this way. In a way, it's for the best if I can learn directly from her, I've found myself a private tutor. And on the land of our ancestors, no less. The ichor is particularly strong here. Every emotion we feel can trigger subtle changes in the planet itself. It's as if it responds to our very essence.

She didn't answer my question about what she's been up to, but it's not a big deal. I suppose she's been busy with matters here and there. I watch her casually helping herself to my flask, but… well, I can make an exception when it comes to coffee.

"Now that you mention it, I do have one or two questions, actually."

She wants to teach me the basics I'm not about to say no to better control over the ichor. It'll be useful in the future, and a bit of improvised training can only help.

The fact that she chose Dathomir is clearly no coincidence either. That old saying about Nightsisters being connected to one another... maybe there's some truth to it. Like a master and an apprentice. You can feel it. I have to give her that much.

"You know, I have big ambitions, and I fully intend to see them through. Would you be willing to help me? I might need your expertise."

My command of the ichor is still pretty basic for now. I decide to tell her about what I've learned to do with the Dathomirian steel ingot how I can transform that metal into a sword or an energy bow. It's really quite a practical thing to have.

"I performed a ritual to learn how to control the ichor and its properties within a clan. I received my special steel ingot, and I take great care of it. I can shape it into a blade or something else if needed."

 

[Nyxara]

She listens without interrupting, fingers wrapped around the warm cup she filled earlier. Her eyes never leave her daughter, and a faint smile begins to form at the corner of her lips as the words come out. She nods slowly, approving silently, letting Lyssara finish speaking.

When she hears about the steel ingot and the ability to shape it, her smile deepens just a little. She takes one last sip of the coffee, empties the cup calmly, then sets it down on the moss-covered trunk beside her.

"That's very good, you've already begun to touch the ichor, to let it flow through you. Shaping metal, creating weapons... That's no small feat. Few young initiates go that far, that quickly."

She says at last. She lets a quiet pause settle between them, almost reverent, then adds in a softer tone:

"But it's only the beginning."

Her voice shifts slightly. It becomes more grounded, more deliberate not cold or solemn, but deeper.

"The ichor is alive. It runs through the roots, through the stone, through our bones. The stronger your bond with it, the more it becomes... responsive. Close. It can answer your will, yes but it can also warn you, protect you, teach you."

She lowers her gaze slightly, as if to weigh her words.

"There are other forms of expression: illusion, manipulation of perception... possession, when mastered... even the weather, in some cases. But one thing at a time. You need to strengthen your sacred link first. Without that, everything you do will remain surface-level. Unstable. Vulnerable."

She lifts her eyes again to Lyssara, with quiet sincerity.

"You've already passed the first threshold. Now, if you're willing, we can begin to open the others. One by one."

She extends her hand, palm open not as a command or a test, but as a simple invitation. A bridge.

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

I look at her hand for a second, weighing the offer. I know exactly what it means this isn't just about learning a few tricks. Mastering the ichor is control, it's strength, and it's making sure no one ever gets the upper hand on me again.

I take one last sip from my thermos, letting the warmth settle in my chest, then set it down beside me. Without breaking eye contact, I step forward and clasp her hand firmly. Her grip is steady, warm, and there's a current in it subtle, but impossible to ignore.

"All right, One threshold at a time."

I say, keeping my voice even. I can feel a faint pressure in my palm where our hands meet, not unpleasant, but different like the ichor itself is acknowledging the connection. I don't let go.

"You've kept a lot to yourself over the years,"

I add with a small, knowing smile.

"I guess it's time I see what you've been saving for me. So thanks you mom, i accept your lesson. "

There's no hesitation in me now. If she's ready to teach, I'm ready to take it all in. And here, face to face, I know this is exactly where it needs to start.

 

[Nyxara]

I feel a smile brighten my face despite myself. When her hand squeezes mine, a weight lifts inside me. She accepts, and it's everything I hoped for. My heart beats faster, but with a gentle warmth, not with worry.

"You can't imagine how much this means to me. Not just because I get to teach you… but because you're choosing to open this door. Our door."

I take a slow breath, letting the ichor-saturated air fill my lungs. It feels denser, almost alive, vibrating around us. With a small motion of my thumb over my shoulder, I point toward a large dark boulder, streaked with moss and red veins, lying at the edge of the stone.

"We never start with great rituals. The first step is simple mastery. Direct. You spoke of your steel, of what you've already managed to shape. Then show me. The ichor isn't only meant to create… it can also strike, break. Use your bow."

I shift a few steps to the side, standing at an angle to give her all the space she needs. My hands fold together in front of me, almost like a silent prayer. Then I turn fully toward the stone, fixing it with an intent gaze.

"Focus. Breathe with it. Then aim at this rock."

I say nothing more, but my silence is filled with expectation and trust. My eyes remain on the stone, restraining myself from looking at her. This is her moment.

"Let the ichor speak. Show me its voice through you."

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

I watch her step aside, her movements precise, confident. She gives me all the space I need, and I understand exactly what she expects of me. The air is heavy around us, saturated with energy that seeps into every breath. I can already feel the ichor responding, ready to manifest.

My eyes lock on the boulder she pointed to. A simple block of stone, solid, unmoving. It will be my target.

I close my eyes for a moment to find my rhythm. My breathing aligns with that inner pulse I know so well. It manifests as always: a deep green glow, dark yet luminous, spreading through my veins and all the way to my fingertips. The steel ingot at my belt vibrates softly, as if reminding me of its presence. I raise my hand. The energy gathers and shapes itself almost on its own. The bow appears, translucent, streaked with shifting green reflections. I hold it firmly. The string pulses faintly, taut, ready to release whatever I channel into it.

I shift my stance, one foot back, and take aim. A green arrow forms between my fingers, sharp, thin, vibrating with power

I release.

The impact echoes immediately. The ichor projectile slams into the boulder in a flash of green, and the explosion shatters its surface. The stone bursts apart into several fragments, spraying shards and dust across the clearing. Cracks spread so quickly they split the boulder entirely, until it collapses in broken chunks.

I keep the bow in my hand for a moment longer, savoring the power of the strike, then let it fade away. It dissolves into the air, vanishing as though it had never existed.

I turn back to my mother, a proud smile tugging at my lips.

"So? What do you think?"

 

[Nyxara]

A small, genuine laugh escapes me. Pride warms my eyes, clear enough for her to see, though I don't want her to think that what she just did is already the height of it.

"Not bad at all, Lyssara… really."

Nodding in approval, I tilt my chin slightly toward another boulder, larger and heavier, standing a bit farther away. Its rough surface is lined with old cracks, its size far greater than the one she just destroyed.

"But watch this."

Closing my eyes, I draw in a slow breath as my right hand rises, fingers slightly spread. The ichor gathers through my arm, vibrating like a tension that waits to be released. Dark light coils around my palm before focusing into a sharp burst that lashes out in a single strike.

The impact is brutal. The stone resists for only a second before splitting with a harsh crack. The block bursts apart, heavy fragments scattering outward and slamming to the ground with a deep, thunderous sound. Dust swirls up, drifting back down into the clearing.

Lowering my hand, I rest it on my hip with a faint smirk. With a playful, almost theatrical motion, I blow across my index finger as if it were the barrel of a blaster, before lifting my gaze back to my daughter.

"You have potential, and I'm proud of what you just showed me. But you still have a long way to go. Your father, Darth Malakar, is capable of equivalent feats… sometimes even beyond. If you want to match him one day, you'll need to train, to progress, and to strengthen your bond with the ichor."

My smile softens then, warm and maternal.

"And I'll be here to help you."

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

"That big rock? You can't be serious…"

The words slip out almost on their own, halfway between disbelief and surprise. But the moment I watch the massive boulder shatter into pieces under the force of her ichor, my remark dies in my throat. I freeze, eyes locked on the scene, mesmerized by the raw power my mother just unleashed. Where a solid block once stood, only scattered fragments remain, cloaked in a haze of dust.

A sharp breath escapes me as I try to steady myself after what I've just witnessed. The contrast with my own shot is undeniable. The difference in mastery is striking… and instead of discouraging me, it lights a fire in my chest. If she can reach that level, then so can I. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day.

My fingers curl slightly, as if to recall the lingering warmth of the bow I held moments ago. My thoughts are already racing: the discipline, the training, the hours I'll need to put in. Excitement mingles with admiration, and before I realize it, I'm smiling to myself.

When I finally lift my gaze back to her, my eyes are bright with fascination and determination. A true smile spreads across my lips.

"So… when do we start?"

A short laugh follows, almost amused at my own eagerness. Arms folding across my chest, though my stance leans forward just a little, I make it clear she has my full focus.

"You have all of my attention."

 

[Nyxara]

I clap my hands together with enthusiasm, unable to hold back the energy of the moment. It's simple, clear, and exactly what I was waiting for.

"We start now."

With a nod, I motion for Lyssara to follow and lead the way along the path. The ground is cluttered with thick roots, fallen branches, and slick stones, but my steps remain steady. I know this trail well. The only sounds are the press of our boots against the damp earth and the steady rhythm of our breathing.

After several minutes, a small clearing opens up ahead. My ship rests there, tucked between tall trees, its hull still marked with the red dust from landing. I stride up the ramp and into the hold. From a side compartment, I pull out a worn leather satchel. One by one, I place inside the tools I'll need: a few vials of stabilized ichor, fragments of talismans, an old cloth etched with runes, and a small blade forged from Dathomirian steel. Simple items, but essential.

Stepping back down the ramp, I tighten the strap of the satchel across my shoulder. Lyssara waits just ahead, standing tall, her focus unwavering. Our eyes meet, and I can tell she's ready.

"We're heading for the mountains. The ichor there is more concentrated. It's the perfect place to begin your real training."

A brief pause follows, then I tilt my head toward the path.

"Come on. It's time to move."

This time, I walk at her side. The clearing fades behind us as we press forward, the mountains looming ahead, clear in our minds as our next destination.