From the Ashes, To Glory

[Sinistra]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abjE9Qx0O60

Bloodied but resolute...​

​

The coming of the light upon the capital of the Sith Triumvirate had been brief but tumultuous. The Valley of the Jedi smoked for days following the invasion, the very fabric of this plane wrenched open to devour those souls whom raged upon the everlasting wound of sorrow and despair. Ruusan claimed her tithes in blood once more.

It had been a week since the Jedi retreated from Triumvirate space.

The angry scar of the Nether had dissipated, and all around Ruusan lay the carnage of the clash of the Silver Coalition against the stalwart Sith Triumvirate. Relief efforts were beginning in Olomondo however, the detritus from the battle would have to be excavated before rebuilding could begin. Supply ships were coming as quickly as they could be arranged however in the aftermath of victory, the Triumvirate learned what cost their resilience had claimed.

The Triumvirs were lost.

In this vacuum, new leadership would emerge, putting will to work and refusing to let the loss of Adekos, Orcus and Carach spell the end of the ideals they espoused.

There had been endless petitioners in the days following the battle, but now on this sabbath, the Sith Triumvirate gathered to pay homage to the beacons of their founding and to lay the dead and lost to rest.

The Valley of the Jedi had been cleared of the largest debris for the gathering of the remainder of the military, dignitaries, bureaucrats, citizens, and Sith. Before the garrison proper, a massive pyre had been constructed to receive the blessed dead.

Today the Sith Triumvirate would commend their lost to Chaos.

From the Ashes, To Glory.​

​

​

​

Sinistra watched the preparations being carried out, the ceremony set to begin shortly. She had never bothered to put her mask back on after the battle, and now her stern features and barking orders had become a fixture around the garrison as she spearheaded the efforts to bring in aid supplies to the garrison and the Valley. Things were getting done, but not as quickly as she would have liked.

Ruusan had been a nightmare made flesh. Coordination was abysmal, and she was amazed that more had not been lost on either side. It had highlighted the shortcomings of both organizations, though she would argue they paid the more dear price for their inexperience.

They needed cohesion and organization. They needed so much of everything at the moment.

She couldn't think of the list right now. She had to keep to the task at hand. She raised a now cold cup of caf to her lips and sipped it anyway.

Fela stood not far from her, on the walls of the fort looking out over the smoldering ruins of the Valley.

"My Lord, it's time."

"Yes," she remarked, her voice hard as she turned to look her second, sulfuric yellow eyes in a pale face. "Let's not keep the dead waiting."

Spoiler

[member="Ameli Trahir"]
[member="Ashmedai"]
[member="Belis Verd"]
[member="Caid Centurion"]
[member="Catalys Maijora"]
[member="Count Morcus"]
[member="Dagorn"]
[member="Darth Adekos"]
[member="Darell Irani"]
[member="Darth Crucifere"]
[member="Darth Kentarch"]
[member="Darth Orcus"]
[member="Darth Veles"]
[member="Enyo Typhos"]
[member="Evangeline Ovmar"]
[member="Grundark"]
[member="Gunther Creed"]
[member="Haytham Kaze"]
[member="Jacen Cavill"]
[member="Juliet Varos"]
[member="Lassiter"]
[member="Matsu Xiangu"]
[member="Nerius"]
[member="Niysha"]
[member="Rhuza Kingpriest"]
[member="Seren Ordavo"]
[member="Shae Corvani"]
[member="Siyndacha Aerin"]
[member="Tyro Ventari"]
[member="Viru Lentus"]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Olmondo
Two Hours Earlier

The sound of fabric fluttering in the breeze and rocks crunching beneath the soles of his boots was the only accompaniment to the symphony of nature within the ruins of Olmondo. The city had never really been much to look at, devastated as it was during the initial Triumvirate-lead Rebellion of the planet. Since that day, the Triumvirate had certainly made...efforts to rebuild, to improve upon the quality of life of the citizens of Ruusan. However, they had fallen short in that crusade, a crusade which began long before Ashmedai ever became a member.

Recovery efforts in the city would rather shortly be underway. Cameron Centurion had already presented the Triumvirate's case to the Eve Foundation. Though the relief efforts they were capable of bringing to bear were impressive, he understood that it would take time to mobilize. In that visit Cameron had made a promise to someone very important to him...a promise that they would be able to spend and extended amount of time together. The promise, unfortunately, had been broken mere days later. It was an unfortunate circumstance that was dangerously close to becoming a habit where [member="Amorella Shamalain"] was concerned. Still, he was fortunate to have someone that understood it was nigh on impossible for Cameron to ignore a call for help or assistance.

Over the course of the past several decades, the Sith Lord had been content to remain in the background. He was always happy to advise and assist, but he'd avoided being vaulted to any real element of authority for good reason. He'd been in that lifestyle before, and he preferred the flexibility staying out of the limelight provided. Not to mention, it was infinitely easier for him to conduct his personal affairs. Perhaps it was different this time because he had been here, on the ground during the so-called Sanctum's attempt to overrun a planet that neither needed nor wanted its assistance. The galaxy was changing yet again...the supposed 'heroes of the galaxy' spilled more blood than many of those they opposed.

As a rule, the Triumvirate did not approve of slavery or genocide. Was there an understanding that collateral damage often occurred? Certainly...such a concept was inevitable in any war. That did not make their methods any less exacting when it came to establishing justice and security in any pocket of the galaxy.

Pausing his progress, the Sith Lord's silver-green gaze drifted to an access hatch. The cover was mostly obscured by dirt from the shifting sands on the surface, but it was clear that it had been accessed somewhat recently. Without turning, the Sith Lord spoke to a cloaked figure standing behind him. "Initiate the relocation procedures to the Diligent. It will have to be the new home away from home for the immediate future. We cannot house all the remaining survivors in the temporary quarters below ground any longer."

"As you command, Mi'lord." Lord Marduk stepped away slightly to make a series of transmissions to the fleet orbiting the planet, a presence that had increased nearly three-fold due to the large gathering of Triumvirate members on the planet.

With a wave of his hand, Cameron forced the entrance to the access shaft open. A pungent torrent of body odor assaulted the Sith Lord's nostrils as he jumped down the shaft to the first corridor of the underground labyrinth. He owed a debt to the people that had survived...and the soldiers that had been directed to stay behind to safeguard them.

------
Olmondo
Present

Cameron shielded his eyes as yet another transport lifted off into the Ruusan sky. The line of civilians waiting to be extracted from the ruins of Olmondo snaked throughout the city. A number of them had broken off to mourn love ones that might not have made it out. The bodies of fallen soldiers and civilians alike had already been removed, relocated to vessels in orbit in preparation for proper burial at the discretion of whatever next of kin existed. The bodies of their enemies had been stacked into a pile a few kilometers away and burned, a more honorable burial than any of them deserved.

"Mi'lord..."

The tone of Marduk's voice was enough to elicit a shallow nod from Ashmedai. "I know. Prepare my Infiltrator. We depart for the Valley."

Marduk bowed respectfully. "Yes, Mi'lord."

A series of rapid tugs at the tail of his overcoat immediately redirected the Sith's attention from the departing transports. Silver-green eyes gazed at the miniature form with casual indifference. Cameron said nothing.

A woman tentatively approached but stopped several meters away to call her child to her. "Jahlil come!"

Vibrant eyes tracked from child to mother and back to child before the Sith Lord bent down. His expressionless mask was not a display of anger or curiosity. Cameron had been around plenty of children before. However, in that instant, a thought occurred to him that he quickly stamped out. There is no use, Cameron. "Go," he gently commanded in his deep voice. "Do not keep your mother waiting."

The child blinked several times before smiling with a brief chuckle and running off towards his mother.

Standing back to his full height, the Sith Lord watched in silence as he heard the soft whine of his Daisya Infiltrator passing overhead. With a subtle nod to the smiling woman and child, Cameron leaped high into the air and manipulated the Force to levitate him up to the extended loading ramp of his vessel. By the time he had disappeared inside, the vessel cloaked and shot off into the distance.

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

It was through some fault of her wanderlust, a refusal to dedicate herself to anything since the early days of her time with the One Sith, that saw her without when the Sanctum had come to Ruusan. She was not so foolish as to believe her presence would have turned the tide, but she could not help but think it might have saved the lives that mattered.

Her clothes rustled softly as she glided towards where the ceremony was set to be held. A confection of blood-red lace and black silk reinforced by armorweave, she was covered from head to toe, the fabric even coming up over the bottom of her face to hide the ruined mouth. Synthflesh and fabricated bone had replaced much of what Valiens Nantaris had carved away with his lightsaber, but her vocal cords could not be replaced - not with her own voice. And the extent of the damage meant either rebuilding her face completely or leaving the damage and healing it as much as was natural. She’d chosen nature, and while it was horrific to look at, it reminded her of her purpose. It reminded her of the monsters that refused to see they were just like her, that Sanctum that had come and proven themselves such that day on Ruusan. And nothing great was achieved without suffering.

And wasn’t that the purpose of today’s ceremony? To honor the dead who’d begun their journey out of the ashes and waste of empires less concerned with a long-term goal as wanton destruction?

Matsu had always chosen solitude, and some part of her still craved it. But affection could trump that instinct, and now it was her job as one of the only surviving things from Carach’s long-distant past to continue that which he’d started. And perhaps Adekos had never called her friend (had he called anyone friend?) but she would do the same for him.

Thinking of things that could not be changed was a waste of energy, and there was so much to be done.

“Right this way, my Lord,” said a woman in armor, though through the face mask Matsu could see her wince in preparation for the response she knew was coming. She must have been with the Triumvirate for a while as it was something the Atrisian noticed in people familiar with the fact she had to enter their minds to respond as she had no true spech.

“I can take it from here, thank you,” she said, drifting towards the massive pyre and feeling like she’d been here before.

 

[Sinistra]

It was hot in the Valley, and there was a sharp lack of anything green. A wide gash of bare stones and dead soils incapable of supporting anything where just a few kilometers away, the landscape was speckled with trees and scrubs before becoming verdant but somehow still tinged by the events of the past. It was as if the scar from the thought bomb choked out any other rebirth from taking root there. Sentient species were often stubborn and forced their survival upon places that were clearly arrayed against it. This place on Ruusan was no different.

She could feel it as she stayed here, the permeating atmosphere of death. She would not openly admit to the grief she felt but it was there nonetheless. Only a week from the event and she could not decide whether Carach's disappearance did her a kindness. It had pushed her to remain here, to step into being a more vocal and visual presence within the Triumvirate. The spy would no longer keep to the shadows and now she openly flaunted her appearance, with little regard to her identical sister Gaisa. She did nothing to address the rumors that she was the Republic official, though she was certain Gaisa was doing all the damage control she could.

Fela followed her through the garrison, banners waving in the winds as the pomp and ceremony were brought out for the occasion. Her second was just a little behind her, close enough that she could hear her questions.

"Any word?"

"No, my Lord. We have expanded the search to any and all known aliases but we have no traces."

"Understood. Send for Gorja."

If Fela disagreed with the order, her body language did not show it but it was no secret to Sinistra that Fela detested the man.

"At once."

The crowds were assembling and Sinistra made her way to the dais where surviving Sith lords had been given places of honor for the lighting of the pyre. Tall pillars of flame danced in the breeze at the edges of the stage, at places where the kindling and fuel would be sure to catch the bier. The passing of the torch so to speak, even if the torch was used to burn their remains.

She smoothed her robes beneath her legs as she took a seat, her golden jewel toned eye catching Fela heading off to see that her wishes were carried out. She folded her hands in her lap and tried to focus on the ceremony but the only thing in her mind was a sunset on Garqi. The garden that night was full of torches; that night that was hot enough to burn though it wasn't the fire that threatened to consume her.

Now there was only the acrid stench of smoke and sulfur and the blossoming thought of loss and revenge. The Silvers had robbed her of the opportunity of one more ... well...

...one more anything.

The Coalition would pay for it in the only other currency she trafficked in.

Pain.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Once his vessel had arrived in the Valley, the Sith Lord disembarked alone. Silver-green eyes gazed up the length of what would forever be a scar of the Triumvirate's past. No matter how much they rebuilt or renovated the area, the presence of the dead would always linger here. In the not-too-distant future, stories would be told of the Triumvirate's struggle against the Sanctum on Ruusan. Ashmedai had no doubt that the names of Adekos, Carach, and Orcus would pass into legend at some point. History rarely cared for the length of an individual's rule...merely the quality. What tangible accomplishments were made? There was denying that the innovators behind the Sith Triumvirate deserved much credit.

Saying nothing to the steadily growing crowds of individuals, Ashmedai walked casually towards the dais. As he passed, he drew the occasional stare...a reality he was rather well used to by now. A byproduct of different physical features in different locations. Today, however, he was quite certain it was curiosity more than anything. A rather recent member of the Triumvirate, he'd gone out of his way to rather keenly limit his exposure to accolades. Publicity was not a thing he desired, and it was, in fact, detrimental to the one thing he did desire in life.

As he stepped out onto the dais, the Sith Lord made no real effort to acknowledge anyone. Taking his seat, his silver-green eyes seemingly remained transfixed on the pyre. In truth, however, he'd seen a small handful of faces he recognized, [member="Sinistra"] most immediately, seated a few spots down from himself. While Ashmedai knew not of her...connection to Carach, he recalled the circumstances of their meeting on Chalacta. So it stood to reason, she had at least known the man.

Spoiler

[member="Ameli Trahir"]
[member="Almudena Dresden"]
@Ashmedai
[member="Belis Verd"]
[member="Catalys Maijora"]
[member="Count Morcus"]
[member="Dagorn"]
[member="Dak Canton"]
[member="Darell Irani"]
[member="Darth Adekos"]
[member="Darth Crucifere"]
@Darth Mephirium
[member="Darth Orcus"]
[member="Evangeline Ovmar"]
[member="Grace Darkson"]
[member="Grundark"]
[member="Gunther Creed"]
[member="Haytham Kaze"]
[member="Jhoren Drenall"]
[member="Juliet Varos"]
[member="Lachlan Thorne"]
[member="Lassiter"]
[member="Matsu Xiangu"]
[member="Nehemiah Verd"]
[member="Nerius"]
[member="Niysha"]
[member="Rausvas Sveni"]
[member="Rhuza Kingpriest"]
[member="Saffron"]
[member="Seren Ordavo"]
[member="Shae Corvani"]
[member="Shargon'Ta"]
[member="Sinistra"]
[member="Siyndacha Aerin"]
[member="Spark Finn"]
[member="Tmoxin Temi"]
[member="Tyro Ventari"]
[member="Viru Lentus"]

 

[Lassiter]

And so it was that the only connection that Lassiter had to the Sith Triumvirate was dead. She couldn’t really claim she gave a single damn about either Orcus or Adekos, but the loss of Carach was something she mourned for no other reason than because it affected the ease with which she could insert herself into the organisation. Alive there had been many words to describe all three of them, but dead there was only the one: useless. Actually, Sena could probably think of a whole barrage of words to use that would describe their current state, but none of them felt as appropriate and to the point as ‘useless’ did. They were useless to the cause, useless to everything they had spent so much time building up, but most of all they were useless to her and that was what upset her the most.

The dust and grime from Olmondo still lingered on her sullen face. She wanted revenge for this. She had spent so much time trying to find Carach again only to find him slipping through her fingers. She would find retribution for this shameful display of cowardice. For this singular purpose she would find herself at the pyre. If not to seek comfort in the flames, then to enjoy the sight of the few burning away into oblivion. She tugged [member="Ameli Trahir"] along for it, kept the apprentice close at hand. She didn’t really need to be there, but as far as Sena was aware this entire ordeal was more about respect than anything else.

Even if she had none to spare.

“They were too weak to fight for their rights to live,” She whispered after leaning in to Ameli's ear. “I don’t see why we’re celebrating that.”

That’d be like celebrating another year of survival since birth. A concept that was just as pointless as this whole event.

“When I die, don’t you dare celebrate me.”

 

[Allana S'hadar]

Surrounded by the chaos that had consumed the planet, Allana took a few steps towards the pyre, shoving her way through the growing crowd. She had been absent from the invasion, having only discovered the presence of the Triumvirate through her First Order connections. However it appeared she had indeed missed quite the conflict as she felt the immense disturbance through the Force that could only be the tear in reality created by the Netherworld portal. Although even with such an enigma, Allana could not help but notice the aura of her mother. The familiar presence only added to the regret of having missed the fight, longing for a chance to face the Shi'ido Jedi Master. However Allana had faith in the Force that such a meeting would occur in due time. The Coalition would fall alongside the death of her hated mother; all that was required was a bit of patience.

As activity began to occur atop the pyre platform, Allana's attention focused forward. The woman gazed curiously at the three figures that had now gathered beside the fallen Triumvirs, each having been defeated by the forces of the Silver Sanctum. Having been new to the organisation, Allana had not known of the abilities of the deceased, although she had indeed heard tales of the three prominent lords. Their defeat lessened her admiration, but she was still willing to serve whomever followed in their stead; until of course they had sated her boredom.

Looking down at her chrono, Allana began to tap her foot impatiently. As the cold winds of Ruusan swept through the crowd, the woman shivered, only adding to her growing frustration. Surely we can get this show on the road? We're just burning some bodies. she thought to herself, turning to catch a glimpse of any other like-minded individuals that may have gathered. Letting out a sigh, she gripped the edges of her cloak, wrapping them firmly around her exposed shoulders. As a thought crept into her mind, she smiled, chuckling at the idea that now dominated her mind. She would not have need of her cloak much longer, the warmth of burning bodies would ease her of the chill soon enough.

 

[Haytham Kaze]

Darth Athyssius's feet touched down as he watched the bodies burn.

Earlier in the day, the Dark Lord of the Sith had stripped Orcus's body of the weapons and tools he had been wearing before he had been taken for the pyre. He was his Apprentice, the only person to be there in the last moments of his Master's life. He had struck out for only a handful of reasons. He had struck out for the Herglic had strayed from the path that he had taught his Apprentices. He had even explained the need for being calm and calculating. Leading up to the event that was his death, the former Jedi Knight had left that point.

It was also out of anger for multiple reasons. But no one would be learning of that.

The final reason, was because it was the Way of the Sith. The Apprentice slayed the Master and they themselves proved they were ready to become the Master. There was hardly combat involved when the Apprentice took the place of the Master. Most situations where the Apprentice believed themselves ready to ascend to the title of Dark Lord, they assassinated them. Or rather, struck down their Master when they felt most safe. Secure.

As Orcus had, before the shikar had pierced his flesh and the glass blade was lodged in there.

Now he was the Master, but he did not plan to take an Apprentice to continue the legacy that his Master had laid out for him.

He watched the fire, the golden orbs within his hood watching many of those around as he took in every single figure.

None of them cared, he knew. He could sense the impatience.

He strode from the back of the event and took a seat in the front.

No one commands me any longer.

 

[T. Greg]

Tristan sat on cracked rock on a cliff side just above the great pyre looking down from the cliff Tristan kicked himself for not being able to fight in such a greta battle which no dout would go down as one of the siths most major victory over the retched jedi scum he had only arrived a few minutes after the battle was over seeing a few sith carry out bodies to make room for the pyre Tristan was never one to like being isolated but he just had the feeling like he had to reflct on his life despite not even bein gpart of the fight he felt like this was a major victory for himself he thought to himself.

" every Sith must be thinking this right now "

he shakes his inner thoughts away and decides to join the rest of his brothers and sisters at the pyre. Down below as he starts to climb down the large cliff with somewhat ease but this would be a challenge for him the rough jagged edges parts of the rocks not even hurting his hands. Due to the rough calluses developed on his hands from years of hard larbor and also from his half pureblood heritage purebloods being known for there hard to penetrant skin. He is almost to the bottom as Tristan hits a weak spot eroded from probably a pervious rain the rock he is currently holding onto crack and breaks off sending Tristan falling. But he didn't panic latching onto the rock slding down the jagged rock scarping against his chest and stomach but slowing his decent down. He comes to a complete stop a couple of feet from the ground he lets go dropping down examing his chest and his robes scarped and surprising scrap wounds on his chest and stomach.

" Fark"

He says to himself wanting to look somewhat presentable at the pyre but at this point he didn't care deep down. Ripping the rest of his upper robe off leaving him in a undershirt used for training he puts he hair back into a ponytail as he makes his way to the pyre about 100 yards away. Deeper into the valley the large fire making it easily seen plus the large crowd of people.

 

[Sinistra]

The rest of the crowds filtered in and the empty seats on the dais were eventually filled bringing with it a new level of intrigue for Sinistra. The woman seated in the chair for Matsu Xangu was the one who commanded the zombies at the first battle of Ruusan.

Funny how things went.

Sinistra had not quite run into her for a proper introduction yet but there would be time for that after the ceremony.

On her other side was the one called Ashmedai whom she had become acquainted with on Chalacta. Taciturn fellow that one.

Sinistra was not wearing a mask today, not an armored one as she usually did. Today, the mask was internal. The Triumvirate needed a strong hand to continue. Three to be exact and she blithely wondered if her counterparts on the stage were up to the task.

A priest took the podium and delivered an opening remark before he stepped aside and motioned for Sinistra to take the stage.

She did not look at the pyre as she made her way to the microphone, the legions of soldiers and Sith in lines and battalions facing her. The remains of the dead had been prepared for cremation but the stench of death could not be assuaged. Maybe it was all in her head. After meeting Carach, there were a lot of things that were all in her head.

She took a deep breath and began.

"Brothers and sisters, commanders and warriors. Today we come together to turn the page on the losses we have suffered. From the beginning of the vision shared by Orcus, Adekos and Carach, this movement has had a single minded purpose and vision. We bring order to the disarray. We bring stability and justice to those who are content to wallow in their dens of anarchy, fat on money and drugs, while the people chafe under the under the lashes of their greed for power.

We have not lost that mission. We took our lessons hard. We dared to shake our fist at the Coalition and when they crudely decided to test our mettle, we broke them on the stones of Ruusan!" Her rising voice broke into a shout.

"Yes, we have suffered a blow, but we did not break. This Triumvirate is not merely the men we lost. It is every single person standing in this Valley. It is every strike we land against the ones who think that we can be so callously dismissed. We will not be silent. We will not be still. The Triumvirate lives and it does not forget those who trespass on our lands." She paused, her cold hard alto strongly ringing through the Valley.

"Today, we commend our founders to the depths of Chaos, and in one voice proclaim that the Jedi cannot destroy us, even if they kill legions of us. We are more than a trio of Lords, we are more than a pocket of systems, more than armies or fleets, or a vision of order. We are a movement, we are an idea. The Coalition will pay for their hubris and we will carve a path through their holdings until they break apart like spindles of glass!"

"Today we light the beacon of their destruction with the ashes of our fallen. May the Darkness consume them first because they will find no such mercy in us!"

She let her sentiments echo through the assembled crowds, opening up the podium for whoever else wished to make remarks. Smoothing her robes beneath her, she retook her place on the dais, golden pools of sulfur taking in the masses before them.

Spoiler

[member="Ameli Trahir"]
[member="Almudena Dresden"]
[member="Ashmedai"]
[member="Belis Verd"]
[member="Catalys Maijora"]
[member="Count Morcus"]
[member="Dagorn"]
[member="Dak Canton"]
[member="Darell Irani"]
[member="Darth Adekos"]
[member="Darth Crucifere"]
[member="Darth Orcus"]
[member="Evangeline Ovmar"]
[member="Grace Darkson"]
[member="Grundark"]
[member="Gunther Creed"]
[member="Haytham Kaze"]
[member="Jhoren Drenall"]
[member="Juliet Varos"]
[member="Lachlan Thorne"]
[member="Lassiter"]
[member="Matsu Xiangu"]
[member="Nehemiah Verd"]
[member="Nerius"]
[member="Niysha"]
[member="Rausvas Sveni"]
[member="Rhuza Kingpriest"]
[member="Saffron"]
[member="Seren Ordavo"]
[member="Shae Corvani"]
[member="Shargon'Ta"]
[member="Siyndacha Aerin"]
[member="Spark Finn"]
[member="Tmoxin Temi"]
[member="Tristan Gregory"]
[member="Tyro Ventari"]
[member="Viru Lentus"]
[member="Allana S'hadar"]