For Will to Power

[Darth Ophidia]

Bastion Capital of the Sith Empire

Darth Bane had once said that a Master without an apprentice was a master of nothing.

While Darth Ophidia had not opted to take a new apprentice yet, she recognised her need to contribute to the learning process of a new generation of Sith. After all, it was the duty of masters to ensure that those who followed grew only stronger than their predecessors. If she did not share her strengths then she was not Sith. Once she had welcomed an apprentice so swiftly. She had been so eager to further her line, as her master had done before her.

As her mind delved into memories, she plucked the curved lightsabre from her side and turned it between her fingers. Its twin pressed against the opposite hip. She had been so eager once. Age had tempered her, given her patience, but never quenched the smouldering malice that drove her.

One had to prove oneself to study under Darth Ophidia: Success or death.

She had thumbed through the files and requested to meet with a young man who had reported himself for duty, and for training in the ways of the Force. He was untested, that was certain. Yet so was she once. So she would test him. She would see if he was worthy of the Sith Empire's attention, and perhaps hers. If worthy, if successful. If not? Well, no one would miss him.

So she had called for him. No name was given, just a location and sufficient paperwork to get there. A message was delivered, summoning him to the Sith Temple on Bastion.

There she waited.

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri Haxim could confidently say that the Sith Empire was by far the most magnificent civilization that he had seen.

Kessel had always been relatively small and underwhelming, with his vision of it having always been those of any other miner. Cramped tunnels, bleak landing pads, and the overwhelming odor of spice and sweat.

It hadn't set a good precedent for him, but when had anything ever done so?

The young man's little quest and immigration into the Sith Empire had been...rather hectic. After all, showing up in a flithy, corpse-ridden pirate ship hardly enthused any sort of immigration officer.

Nevertheless, Alisteri had done his best to secure himself as one among the many that attempted to join the ranks of the Sith.

After a few weeks of living as best he could off of the streets of the new city that he called home, his patience was rewarded.

There he stood, at the doorway of the Sith Temple on Bastion, everything that he owned being either worn by him or stuffed somewhere in his pack.

The paperwork was rather sudden and, frustratingly, anonymous. Alisteri could never know what awaited him behind those doors, but he knew that it was important enough for him to be there.

He straightened his posture and let out a sigh before stepping into the temple, idly feeling the pull of the Force nagging in the back of his head as he stepped inside.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

The moment the newcomer stepped into the temple, he was met with the sound of distant bustling steps and muffled conversations as adepts, servants, and the odd, errant apprentice went on with their business. Pointedly, they all ignored that which did not directly concern them, like a man ignores an insect.

The architecture of the temple was made to impress, to make the weak feel weak and to inspire the strong to greatness. The sharp corners and angular design recalled the traditions of Sith that came before, but refined and ordered with the temperance of imperialism.

In the midst of it all sat a figure.

The black robe clung to her gaunt figure, austere in comparison to it's surroundings. The hood draped over her face, only revealing the pointed tip of her nose, the ashen cheeks, and a chin marked with tattoos. She sat on a block of black stone, a seat for pairs or small groups in quiet contemplation. In her hand was a metal object, which she tilted to have water pour into one of a collection of metal cups placed upon a tray.

The scent of the water wafted out, smelling sweet, then bitter.

As she filled the second cup, she placed down the pot and looked up in the direction of Alisteri- No, she looked right at him. Even under the cast shade of her hood, her eyes were like embers, smouldering scarle. Around her seemed to be a pocket of silence, as if time slowed or the very air was sucked out. She never blinked, nor did her eyes waver. They were fixed, as though inanimate. She was cold, not in the sense of experiencing it, but rather in the way snow was cold, or the wind.

With a simple turn of an ashen hand, she beckoned him, asked him to sit.

 

[Darth Strosius]

The very structure of the temple gave the young man a moment of pause, his gaze roaming the architecture and followimg every line and detail that he found. There were only a few times that Alisteri had managed to get ahold of any written descriptions or records that described Sith structures.

Literature never did the Sith any justice, that was the most evident fact that he had learned from his limited time on Bastion.

His gaze soon landed on the figure that sat on the stone block, another small sigh leaving him. Well...if he were a betting man...

When the figure turned and stared at him, Alisteri froze. His right eye and his fingers twitched for a moment, as if his soul was attempting to crawl out of the way of her gaze. He fought back the urge to gulp and shiver, he knew a test when he saw one.

He strode forward at her command, clenching his hands to stop his fingers from shaking again as he sat down on the block.

Alisteri glanced to his left, determined to try and bury his nerves as he attempted to see the face of the figure.

"You were the one who summoned me here, yes?"

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

As he approached, she remained sitting still, inviting him.

However he craned and moved to see her face, the shadows remained fixed like a mask. The illumination of their surroundings did not cast the shade, nor could it dispel it. Thus, her face remained obscured. However, as he came closer, Alisteri would be able to see the lines at the edges of her mouth, the tattoos that drew her mouth like a constant frown. He would also be able to see the scarring that crept down her cheek, like the fingertips of an arm of lightning.

"The Force called you here." "I am merely its messenger."

She pushed one of the filled cups closer to Alisteri, then lifted one of her own. Her eyes closed as she breathed in the scent of the boiled leaf juice. It had a cloudy, white colour that shifted when the cup was tilted this way or that.

"Please, drink. You must be thirsty."

Her voice was like a hiss, low and dry. It did not carry any malice. If anything, she sounded genuinely hospitable. Yet, her eyes, when opened again, still burned with the same intensity.

Quietly, behind the offer of tea and the burning eyes, she watched him intently. Darth Ophidia could see how he straightened his back in the presence of the Sith. He has posed her a question, but not groveled nor made demands. Every twitch, or lack thereof, told her something about him.

"I have a query for you."

She drank deeply from her cup, draining half. She let a silence fall between them in that moment, teasing him into curiosity.

"Why you?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

He raised an eyebrow at the shadows clouding the figure's face, his gaze shifting to the filled cup that was offered to him. Well, he supposed that the Sith were naturally inclined to secrecy and treachery. With that in mind Alisteri picked up the cup and idly swirled it around for a moment, as if looking for something in the tea.

Well...only one way to test if it's poisoned then.

He brought the cup to his mouth and took a small drink, only now noticing how parched he had been. Originally he had planned on only taking a small sip, but he drank a little more before moving the cup away from his face.

"Thank you, this is very refreshing."

Tea was a new drink for him, but one that he was eager to get acquainted with. He took another sip, pausing and glancing back at the figure when she spoke again.

Why him indeed?

He took one last sip before moving the cup down, idly swirling it around as he thought of his response.

"I suppose I was lucky for once? That, or you know something I don't, which is far more likely."

He punctuated his reply with another sip of his tea.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

Good, he drank the tea.

Some thought it better to display their suspicion like a badge of honour. It amused her when beginners thought they saw through her little machinations. Especially when there were no machinations in play. Well, nothing in the tea at any rate.

In response to his answer, she cocked her head ever so slightly to the side. Half a smile lurked on her cerulean lips.

"Luck?"

Her voice rang with bemusement. Even the intensity of her eyes was somewhat lessened by how her eyelids narrowed.

"I think you fail to comprehend my question in its entirety. So let me be more specific."

She turned the cup between her fingers as her knuckles rested in her lap. The motion perpetuated a wave that swirled endlessly around and around in the little pool, kept always on its toes, never quite crashing.

"Do you know the meaning of the word 'Sith'?" She paused half a breath to let the question sink, but not afford him time to answer before she cut in. "It means to be 'perfect'."

Another pause to let the statement settle. Her previous bemusement faded as she leaned into the gravitas of her inquiry.

"What makes you worthy of pursuing such a title?"

She punctuated her question with another sip of her own cup, finally ending the motion of her perpetual wave.

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

There was something in that halfway smile that made him twitch for just one moment.

So, it was the latter option after all then.

He paused to take another sip as she spoke, he felt that he would need whatever energy the drink could give him for the upcomibg conversation.

His idle gaze rested on the little wave inside her cup, deciding that it was far less intimidating than the figure's eyes. He made a mental note to learn that little trick later if he had the chance.

A simple answer to a simple question, if only it were that easy. He closed his mouth as quickly as he had opened it to respond, his eye twitching at the answer.

Perfection. Hm.

"Worthy?" At that a small smirk found its way onto his face before disappearing in his response. "I'm worthy of nothing."

"Worth of anything or anyone is subjective. There is no worth to a person, other than the extent of their confidence and determination."

He paused and finally met her gaze again.

"I do not seek to become Sith because I believe I deserve it. I want the power that you Sith possess, and that is why I'm here."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

Darth Ophidia appeared pleased with his answer. The small smile had returned to the corner of her mouth. A desire for power, it was a good answer.

"'Worthy of nothing', indeed."

She drank from her cup a third time, draining the little vessel before placing it back on the tray with the bottom facing up. The finality of the action made it reasonable to conclude she had made some sort of decision. Her hand, as it pulled away from the cup, had long and slender fingers, nails painted blue. Between the knuckles ran little, jagged lines of finely crafted tattoos that disappeared into the hem of her sleeve. The knuckles themselves were rough, the skin showed scarring and the bones were slightly off kilter; tell-tale signs of fighting.

"And if I were to refuse your request?"

Her two, ashen hands came together, fingers intertwining before resting in her lap. With this movement, the lightsabre at her side became visible, having previously been covered by her sleeve or the angle at which she sat. The hilt was short, curved, and just blow where the blade would emit there was a perpendicular silver quillon, presumably protecting the wielder's fingers. The weapon looked well-worn.

"Or what if you were to die pursuing it?"

This time, she made sure he would have time to answer both questions.

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

A quirked eyebrow was his only response to her remark, an idle thought running through his head that he gave a right answer. Or a satisfying one atleast.

His eye twitched again at the first question, his gaze shifting to the weapon at her side.

There was no need of an introduction, he knew a lightsabre when he saw one. Even if it was the first one he had seen.

He thought very carefully for a moment, looking down at his half-empty cup of tea.

"If you refuse abd allow me to leave, then I will continue to try and learn the ways of the Force. If I die then so be it, death comes for us all. I might as well be attempting to do something worthwhile when my time is up."

With that he downed the rest of the tea, setting the cup down with a satisfied sigh.

"I suppose that isn't up to me at the momemt though, is it?"

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

So one way or another, this young one would seek out the Force. It was an admirable answer, better than many, worse than some.

Her little smile spread into a wicked grin, pale blue lips giving way for white teeth.

"Oh, you always have a choice."

Old words sprung to her mind: Success or death. It had been the mantra her teacher had instilled in her, one that she had given form, and one which she had in turn instilled in her apprentices since. It was not a mantra all Sith subscribed to, no, it was more like an heirloom of her line.

"You have endless choices, but I think only one gives you what you most desire."

From between her fingers, seemingly out of thin air, she produced a disk of dull grey metal. It flitted between her fingers as she passed it casually from one knuckle to the other, then vanished into her palm all in the span of two breaths. She opened her left hand to show the coin laying flat in her palm. It had some kind of mark embossed in it, difficult to see unless brought up close.

"Take this, show it to one of the acolytes and they will show you where to go next." she brought the hand forward in offering "I will meet you there, if you choose."

The disk was strangely cold to the touch and had a presence beyond its weight and mass. It was almost as if the disk was a person waiting expectantly for you to say something.

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

Her smile gave the young man mixed emotions, although it did seem to assure him that he wouldn't be killed right then and there. That was always a positive, and always a valid concern. Perhaps that was just his minor paranoia talking.

His posture straightened ever so slightly at her words. He supposed she wasn't incorrect, there was only one real way that he could become a Sith.

Regardless of how many other solutions he desired.

He watched the disk with interest and slight confusion, knowing somewhere in the back of his mind that it was more than it seemed. He didn't bother hesitating as he picked up the disk, turning it around in his hand for a moment to examine it before nodding. "Thank you."

Alisteri stood, casting one last glance at the figure before he turned away. One choice. One chance. No worth, just the way he liked it. With the disk secured in his palm he stepped off of the stone and scanned the temple. He wasn't sure where to find an acolyte that could help him, but he wasn't going to ask for any more direction either.

He might as well have a good look around the temple then.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

When Alisteri looked back at her after taking the disk, she was gone; there was no ashen woman in sight, nor a tray with its black kettle and little metal cups.

The little bubble of silence around her was entirely gone and the temple seemed far more busy than it had been just moments before. In fact, it may have suddenly become apparent that during their entire conversation there had not been another person in sight. Yet, now it was bustling.

The temple had two floors visible from this hall, one ground floor on which they had conversed, and a second floor accessed by a large stone stair. Between the first and second level, accessible by the same stairs, there were two parallel mezzanines that overlooked the ground floor. Both had little alcoves for study and whispering, some of the alcoves had murals or statues depicting Sith of old or new. At the top of the stairs, a tall set of double doors lead into the inner portions of the temple. The double doors were shaped from triangular panes of red glass, held together by a black iron, decorated with fine gold details.

At the second level, between the door and stairs, one could head to either side and find more rooms of various uses.

In this multi-levelled space, one could see persons of all sorts of species, humanoid or not. They all walked in groups or pairs, with the odd solitary figure. Some sat and conversed quietly. Some, but not all, were dressed in long, black robes. Some appeared to carry lightsabres.

Several of them eyed Alisteri suspiciously.

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

He had to admit that he was rather impressed by the woman's disappearance, taking a moment to scan over the stone before sighing and looking at the disk in his hand.

Right, the Sith were a tricky bunch weren't they?

There was alot of ground to cover, and a part of him wanted to spend some time looking around and try to learn something from everything in the temple.

He brushed that part aside for now, he could always come back later. Alisteri wasn't sure if any of the people here could or would help him, but he had an idea of where to start.

"If I were an acolyte..." His wandering gaze landed on some of the robed figures, specifically the ones with lightsabres at their sides. "Then I'd be dressed liks that."

He straightened his posture, ignoring any stares he got as he ascened the stone stairs to the second level.

Right, easy part done.

Now to try and flag down an acolyte without catching a blade in his gut. He walked along the second level, taking his time to glance over possible candidates before settling on one of the lone figures off to the side.

"Excuse me, I hate to bother you," He held up the disk, turning it to show both sides, "could you help me with this?"

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

The acolyte Alisteri approached looked up from his datapad with mild surprise, eyes flitting to either side before settling on the newcomer. The robed tiss'shar narrowed his eyes before looking down at the disk Alisteri presented.

"Why, curiousss." "And what does Ta'lar receive in return?"

The theropod turned his datapad over and held out a taloned hand to receive the disk.

His neck swayed slowly one way, then the other, as if measuring Alisteri. Black eyes watched intently, showing considerable intelligence in what less enlightened folk considered a bestial form. The tiss'shar had been a part of the Empire for some time now and a number of acolytes had joined the ranks of the Sith. One was even apprenticed to the Dark Lord of the Sith himself.

Among the Sith these reptilian beings enjoyed a certain reputation for their cunning, and in the Empire they were known in part for their greed. No deed was done for free nor without purpose. This one seemed open to trade.

Alisteri could definitely have chosen worse.

"And how may He be of service?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

Alisteri was only a bit surprised by Ta'lar, as it were. He had met many of the galaxy's more peculiar species throughout his earlier years. Trade attracts all sorts of people after all. He had never dealt with a tiss'shar himself, but he had heard the occasional story from a drunk smuggler here and there.

"Apparently this disk should lead me to somewhere, or signify something so that I may be pointed in the right direction."

He didn't want to give too much away, he'd rather keep his story vague and have some level of secrecy. If this Ta'lar wanted more information, then he would simply move on and try again. He figured he had...an amount of time to find his way.

"I suppose you don't just take some credits for that kind of information?"

He didn't like owing anything to anyone, especially not to a dangerous character such as a Sith. He got a sinking feeling that he was going to have to step far out of his comfort zone on this little quest of his. Then again, when was he ever in his comfort zone?

"Name your price."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

A tail wrapped around the Ta'lar like a third arm, curling into a hook and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Take you somewhere, you say."

He looked more closely, then stopped suddenly.

"Credits are fine, but boring. I do not think you can afford my interest." The tail tip swayed in gesturing then stopped, tip pointing up like a finger "Favours are better."

It was to be expected. The tiss'shar's face split into a wide grin as the second, clawed hand tucked into his robes then came out with a flimsiplast sheet, neatly folded so that it had to be torn in order to be read.

"I would ask the favour now, no need to wait." "Will you accept?"

Ta'lar had a shrewd look, but there appeared to be no deceit in his words. Either he was an extremely good liar or he was telling the truth. He turned the paper back and forth between his fingers. There was writing on it, aurebesh, hand written, hard to read when he was moving it and covering a bit with his fingers.

"Do this for me, and I will tell you all about your precious."

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

Of course he wanted a favour, that was one of the many things that he had been afraid of. He supposed it wasn't the worst price to pay, and he could've been flat out denied. Still, he didn't have to be happy about it.

"Fine. A favour for a favour."

Alisteri had a feeling in the back of his mind that he might regret this, owing a Sith anything sounded like the start of a bad joke. He wasn't blind to the threat that a Sith, even an acolyte, could pose. Even other Force users had a difficult time putting them down.

He did his best to give Ta'lar a neutral look, as if the whole situation didn't bother him.

"Tell me what you want me to do then, as long as you tell me what I need to know."

Yeah, he had a bad feeling about this.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Alisteri Haxim"]

Ta'lar seemed all too pleased with the conclusion.

"Excellent"

He handed Alisteri the flimsiplast note whilst looking over his shoulder, then stood up and leaned in close as to whisper.

"See the young human over there?"

Ta'lar gestured with his tail, pointing to a young man on the mezzanine below and to the left. The young man looked nervous, wringing his hands and pacing back and forth. His robes were stiff and pristine, and he kept smoothing down his hair before pacing again. In his hand, he had a note identical to the one Ta'lar handed Alisteri.

"Bump into him, steal his letter, and replace it with mine." "That is all. When you come back, give me his letter."

The tiss'shar held up both hands so as to show he had no tricks up his sleeve.

"Do this for me and I will tell you anything you wish." His wide grin had settled down into a cocky smile. "Do you think you can do it?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

Alisteri cocked an eyebrow in confusion, his gaze shifting between the young man and the tiss'shar for a moment before taking the flimsiplast note. He had never been much of a pickpocket, usually he was the one defending against those sorts of things. He wasn't all too unfamiliar with the concept though.

"I'm guessing that you're not just being a good friend by replacing a terrible love note or essay with a good one?"

He didn't care much for the answer, sighing as he slipped the disk into his pocket and doing his best to tuck the note into his sleeve.

"Just don't run off while I'm gone."

He muttered before moving away from Ta'lar, going out of his way to go back the way that he came before turning around and heading towards the lower mezzanine. He glanced around and occasionally took a misstep or walked in a direction before stopping, a concerned and unsure look on his face. Finally he reached the young man, a relieved look crossing his face.

"Oh excuse me sir, could I please have a moment of your time?"