In the Gloom [Cairyn Midore]

[Darth Sibilus]

​

Beneath Caordos ​

Xanha Archipelago​

Panatha​

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The dungeon was still. Little sound came from the deep cavern, bar the gentle buzz of the pod-racing, coming from a wall-mounted projector under which a loose congregation of guards on their breaks huddled, betting slips tightly grasped in their sweaty palms as their square eyes locked upon the screen, each begging for any sort of money to help feed their families.

Water trickled from some far off leak, causing moss and other green nasties to climb the walls in search for their beloved aqua, chocking some parts of the stones in their veridium clutches. Lights barely flickered above the numerous cell blocks, and as such torches shone with a muted ferocity upon the walls, spaced perfectly so that no shadows congregated in the centre aisles (along which the cells themselves were placed), so that no potential escapee could linger in darkness should they squeeze from the bars of their cells. Occasionally, a trio of guards would wander along the corridors, their vigilant eyes searching for any signs of disturbance through their ebon masks.

The facility stored both enemies of the Sith Lord which guarded it, Lord Aurum, and enemies of the state alike. Hidden away from the lights of the capital and the other cities across Panatha, the gloomy citadel could hide away enemies of the First Order and Pacanth Reach just as easily as the Sith Lord which shackled his foes here could hide his.

​

​

Barely audible footsteps were all that betrayed the presence of the ruler of these parts as he promenaded along the dank and dreary hallways towards his prey, who he had chained with the utmost security in the deepest cell of the facility. He himself had hidden his presence in the Force and to the untrained he would appear only as another one of the guards, doing one of their routine checks upon [member="Cairyn Midore"]. The Sith Lord had taken pity on the young man, after he had annihilated him upon Thyferra and had imprisoned him in the most horrendous of places.

In a few moments, Drios rounded a mossy corner and with a flurry of taps upon a keypad, the cell doors rolled open and the lights within blared with an instant hum of electricity. The Teevan had been kept in solitude, with only basic nourishment and hydration in the cold, wet darkness of the cell with only the rats to keep him company.

In Drios' hands laid a dish, covered in some sort of foil and piping hot, eager to be devoured by the surely ravenous captive. He awaited his return to consciousness without a sound, or even indication that he was there.

 

[Cairyn Midore]

Cairyn had been mostly unresponsive ever since his humiliating defeat on Thyferra. Medics had tended to his wounds just enough to ensure his survival, given him enough painkillers to keep him docile, then had left the restrained fellow to be transported elsewhere. He had an addiction to the painkillers, they had noted. Or rather, the parasite residing in his head had developed the addiction and by default, he couldn't live without them.

To the guards, he was an oddity if ever there was one. When he was unconscious, and he often was, he was the prime example of a prisoner. When he was conscious? Now that was a toss-up. Much of the time he was still well behaved, odd, but well behaved. He minded his own business, scarcely moving beyond necessity, casually talking to the rodents he shared a cell with. It was when he grew bored of just the rats that he got...unsettling. The boy was oddly talkative at times - a good sign for any who had concerns for his health, a bad sign for the health of others. One guard had made the mistake of being lenient with the Teevan - after all, what could a little kid do? Said guard soon found out when the boy took a chunk out of his ear. Other instances often involved no physical violence, just unsettling conversation.

When Drios arrived, he'd find the boy laying on his stomach, the shaggy mop that was his hair hiding his face from the world. He almost appeared dead, unmoving save for the slight rise and fall of his breathing. "'tis a bit early if you wanna see my friends do tricks," he said with a slow drawl, voice muffled by how he lay. The moment the smell hit his nose his head jerked up like some caged beast who hadn't been fed in weeks. Another thing about the parasites, he was always essentially eating for two. The moment he saw Drios he slowed his actions, eyes still glued to the plate of food. "Oh, it's you."

[member="Darth Aurum"]​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

The plate was lowered to the cold duracrete and pushed towards the prisoner with a large boot, and a chuckle escaped his lips just as it had on Thyferra. A few bandages were wrapped around his middle, possibly from the Star Destroyer which had been sent plummeting to the surface like a demonic meteorite, sending debris and dust into his stomach, narrowly missing his stomach which, if ruptured would have killed the Sith Lord for sure. However, his visual pain was kept to a minimum and he still maintained a tall stance, towering above the crouched Teevan but naturally these were hidden from view.

The door behind him shut slowly, thudding on its hinges and dust flew into the thick air like a plume of volcanic ash before settling in some far off corner. Darth Aurum gently sat himself on the ground, crossing his legs and studied the Sith Knight before him. "You don't look pleased to see me." Drios said plainly, reaching out and unwrapping the foil from the plate before taking a leg of meat, probably poultry from the metal dish and ripping into it with powerful teeth. "I, and by extension the Empire have some questions for you, Cairyn Midore." he grunted again, between bites.

This time around, he was much more mysterious to the eye. Covered head to toe in a traditional Sith robe, a dark shadow loomed across his face and only his mouth and nostrils were visible.

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

Cairyn found himself drawn to the plate as it was pushed closer to him, drawing closer. Not by conventional means, though. No, while others were sit up and scoot over to the plate, the boy elected to inch his way to the plate, reminiscent of a worm. His eyes flicked to the Sith Lord as he took a seat but inevitably went back to the plate, as to be expected from the teenager. "What's there to be pleased about?" he inquired with a tilt of the head. He sounded bored, like he couldn't be bothered with this conversation. He'd lost interest the moment the Sith Lord started eating, a pretty clear indication that he probably wouldn't be getting any of that food. This was just another ploy at torturing him, one the boy didn't want to give Drios' the satisfaction of knowing it worked.

He rolled over onto his back with a lazy huff. He wanted some form of entertainment, someone to play with. Unfortunately, Drios would hardly be suited for his games. No, not when the Sith Lord could easily just knock him down again. "What would the Empire have to ask lil ol' me?" His inquiry was high in pitch, a little song behind it. The Teevan stretched, head leaning back to stare at Drios in such a way that only Cairyn would find remotely comfortable. "Especially since I, uh, don't answer to your little Empire?" Again, his eyes flicked to the meat, his hunger dictating his actions more than he would like. He was trying to be difficult here, why wouldn't his stomach cooperate?

[member="Darth Aurum"]​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Drios simply shook his head at the boy, pausing a moment to rub his temples before internally seething at the boy's apparent nonchalance. Perhaps he would pull the strings a little longer before things got serious, or perhaps he'd get straight into it. Nah. He outstretched the piece of meat towards the teen, wiggling it before his face in a gesture which meant, go ahead, take it. Concurrently, he began to speak. "You see, I want to know what you were doing on Thyferra. Killing my men, aiding the loathsome Galactic Alliance and acting like a little brat." he whispered bluntly, eyes scanning the boy's orbalisk shell curiously, seeking weakspots after the electrical assault he dealt to the shell, desperate to find any sort of potential insecurity to poke at and prod. To find the line, and to eventually cross it.

"I'd advise you to answer truthfully. Your life depends on it." he would follow up, ominously a faint smirk etching its way across his features. He didn't expect the boy to be much phased by a trivial matter such as execution, and of course his life truly didn't depend on it, all because Darth Aurum wanted the kid for himself, an apprentice which would in turn become an equal, and attack dog and a partner. The boy would be his, eventually, and if he had to break him before he could mould him, then so be it.

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

He didn't need to be given permission twice. Swiping the piece of meat from the Lord's grasp, he tore into the flesh, ripping it to shreds and only stopping to wonder if it was poisoned when the majority of the food was on its way to his stomach. Even then, he continued to chow down. Oh well, if he died, at least he died not nearly as hungry as before. He trusted Drios about as far as he could throw him - so not at all, but food was food and if it kept coming, perhaps Cairyn would be inclined to divulge his little secrets. "Now that doesn't sound like a question the, uh, Empire would ask," he noted, licking his gloved fingers and reaching for another piece of meat. With the ever-present protection of the Orbalisks - each positioned by the boy himself - was also the threat that they would expand and grow to cover everything. He'd been condemned to a life of wearing specially made gloves, boots, and neck piece. Orbalisks were a hefty burden to bear, one Cairyn had no intention of losing anytime soon. Not again.

Somewhat satisfied, or at least a little less moody than before, he whirled about again into a seated position, with one leg pulled up to his chest. Somehow, he doubted that his life was truly in danger. Either that or he couldn't bring himself to care. "Oh, it suited me." He said with a shrug. It wasn't a lie. Maybe lacking on the details leading up to it, sure, but by no means a lie. And suited him, it did, right up to the point before he collided with the Sith Lord. He cast a blank stare at Drios, almost as if he was daring the man to question him.

[member="Lord Rapux"]​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Drios didn't look amused to say the least, and a deep sigh escaped from his lips in frustration. "Now now, Cairyn, you know that wasn't the answer I was looking for." Darth Sibilus growled menacingly, and outstretched a hand directed at the food in the Teevan's hand. Instantly, it was engulfed in a fiery ball of red hot flame which licked and bit at Cairyn's hand like a cat gone savage. He gave a contemptuous hiss and then seized Cairyn's throat in one gloved hand, raising him from the ground as Drios himself stood up.

Slowly, he inched towards Cairyn's face, his expression volatile and his nostrils flaring as air quickly escaped the seething Epicanthix in terror. It almost looked as if he were to lock Cairyn into a passionate seal of love, and upon the parting of his lips to speak, an audible snort of laughter could be heard from a guard outside.

"I'll ask again, shall I?" came a whisper, "Who sent you to Thyferra?"

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

With a surprised squeak, Cairyn flung the flaming piece of food in Drios' general direction. Without any real focus in aim, it soared across the room, landing closer to the guard than the Sith Lord. Geez, what a waste of food. He would've said something about it, too, had Drios not already had hand upon his throat. With how close Drios' head was to his, the boy momentarily considered just bashing his head against the Sith Lord in some weird attempt at a headbutt. But that would be a headache among many other unpleasant things, so he refrained for the time being.

Suspended by his throat, he very nearly fell into the role of a scared child. It would've been an easy role to take on, certainly. But then he caught sound of the laughter, his eyes flicking to where the guard stood watch. The fact that such a lowlife had the audacity to even think of laughing at his suffering was something Cairyn was not going to tolerate. As to how the guard would pay, however, Cairyn wasn't quite sure yet. Still, rather than the raises in pitch and the little voice cracks his overly excited self would normally display, his eyes slowly moved back to Drios, those orbs as dangerously calm as ever. "I already told you, no one sent me. It suited me, so I went." His tone was forcibly even, like someone on the verge of snapping.

@Darth Sibilus​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

A quiet rage had been bubbling away within Darth Sibilus like a dark broth, twisting and warping his sensible demeanour into that of a dangerous, angered and violent man, a contrast to the almost warm being the Lord of Torment manifested himself into the next moment. "You disappoint me, Cairyn Midore. I don't warm well to liars." Drios wickedly hissed, releasing his grasp upon Cairyn's fragile throat, and battering away the temptation to utterly crush the Teevan's trachea.

Slowly, the room seemed to draw cold, and the shadows appeared to warp into dark shapes upon the walls as the the darkness lingered, drawing slowly into the Sith Lord, and just as it had on Thyferra, Drios' voice appeared to emanate from everywhere, yet nowhere, from the stone itself, from Cairyn's brain itself. "I want you to tell me the truth." it growled, the voice, for Sibilus' lips appeared to not move as he melted with the shadows and the room began to spin, slowly at first before speeding up as Drios tried to invade Cairyn's mind.

It was a test as much as an attempt at uncovering the truth. If he could resist him, perhaps he was truly worthy of what Darth Sibilus had always wondered, ever since their first encounter on Vjun all those years ago.

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

Released from Drios' grip on his throat, it was several moments before he felt he could speak again, coughing the entire time. "Oh, come on now, would I lie to you?" The overly jovial smile should've been a sufficient enough answer to that. This was a being who would tell the most blatant of lies with a smile upon his face. The very same smile that'd tell a friend how dear they were to him. The threat of suffocation aside, he seemed fairly unbothered by the whole ordeal. He'd told the truth, after all. What had he to fear? Would Drios' prefer he spice up the story, throw in some extra details for the dramatic effect? He'd be happy to do so, Drios need only say the word.

The boy gave a shudder as the temperature dropped. He'd been chilly before, as to be expected by the state of the cell. If not for his armor he'd surely be freezing. As the shadows warped and shifted, he maintained a stony exterior, one almost matching the hollow shell that had become his mind. "I already told you the truth. Twice now and I don't like repeating myself." He answered with an oddly even pitch giving the situation. It was when the room started spinning that his composure began to suffer, the boy blindly searching for something to grab on to or lean upon. He'd built his arsenal about the more physical forms of combat, while almost completely ignoring the other aspects. Even if Drios' skills were rudimentary, he'd find more resistance in the Sroasha than he would Cairyn himself.

And so the scenes he saw were in fragments.

A seething Gamemaster, incredibly annoyed by a late guest of honor. Naturally, he'd thrown said guest to the pits. Unfortunately, their competence with a blade had left him down a rancor and beloved pet. Still, a win was a win, and he'd elected to give the said guest the private audience they'd requested. An audience member hadn't been so happy with the apparently disappointing show and decided to voice it. Their mistake, really, and they paid for it. Everyone should know to annoy the Gamemaster without being noticeably stronger than him was a death sentence in its own right.

That wasn't the first time he'd taken an annoyance into his own hands. Nor would it be the last. For some reason, however, his superiors didn't take kindly to the loss of the citizens. Just as Cairyn hadn't taken well to the lecture that followed, leaving the boy storming out, hopping on to a ship, and getting off wherever the transport landed. A few more stops along the way, a few more bodies to add to the pile, and before one knew it, Thyferra. He could've left then, too, but boredom took over as it so often did, compelling the boy to stick around and contribute to the carnage. Certainly not one of his best ideas.

[member="Darth Sibilus"]​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Searing pain roared within Drios' head as his very biology rejected what he was doing, his immunity to mental assault being torn and resulting in intense agony within his skull, as if his very brain had ripped in two, and burst in a fiery inferno. Wrenching himself free from Cairyn's mind, Darth Sibilus felt the room return to normal, and the effects of his exertion began to take a toll on his body and every fibre, every muscle seemed to ache deeply, cramping and stiffening as the Dark Side of the Force poisoned him.

He had underestimated the Teevan, underestimated his untapped power, his unmolded insanity which could be sculpted into the perfect spear. Oh yes, he would suffice. He would suffice marvellously. Drios had found himself flattened out on the floor, propped up only by his palms as his chest rose and fell rapidly, black veins sprouting on his face which appeared sallow and his eyes were alive with fury, entirely engulfed in volcanic rage - his whites had been stained a ghastly xenthous, and his iris was a torrid, disgusting scarlet.

Standing up slowly, his limbs feeling as if he had weights strapped to him and just as he had on Thyferra, the Lord of Torment outstretched a hand, inviting the boy to join him. This time he had no intentions of electrocuting him, he just yearned for the untapped power deep within him. "So much potential, my young apprentice, beneath me I shall teach you how to wield the Dark Side of the Force with as much passion and hatred as you are destined. You shall be my Eyes, my Ears, my Fist... my Dark Knight..." a grim, malicious smile spread like wildfire across his slowly normalising features, and his eyes never left Cairyn, not for a moment.

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

While he had no real defense to mental attacks, his recovery time was nothing in comparison to Drios. He almost forgot what the Sith Lord had just done to him, entranced by the man's pained state on the floor. One could daresay it entertained him, just watching the Epicanthix suffer. Oh how the tables had turned and this was a turn Cairyn quite enjoyed. It was a curious thing, for sure, the boy wasn't quite sure if Drios would pull through, having never seen such a violent reaction to who knows what. That's what he got for interrupting Cairyn's meal.

All too soon it was over and the Sith Lord was back on his feet, granted he seemed to have lost a bit of that oppressive strength that had beaten the boy more times than he'd like to think. If Drios had been the least bit intimidating before, he'd lost that illusion now. The Teevan found a small joy in seeing the giant fall and hard. And yet Drios continued on, going on with some speech, offering a hand. Did Cairyn hear correctly? Did he just refer to him as apprentice? The boy certainly didn't remember becoming an apprentice to anyone. An occasional sidekick, maybe, so long as he benefitted from it, but never a permanent situation. Not even Grace had the honor of claiming that.

Cairyn's laugh sounded incredibly genuine. It rang clear, almost like bells of a cathedral, filled with false warmth and joviality. "Oh, I'm an apprentice now, huh? Funny thing about that," It sounded as if he was setting up a joke too funny to withhold the punchline. One moment, it looked as if he was going to accept Drios' offer, reaching for his hand, the next moment he struck like a serpent. Missing Drios' hand entirely, he grabbed the man's wrist, giving it a mighty wrench. In that same instant, he delivered a kick to the Epicanthix's knees, trying to bring the man down to his level. All of the sudden, that smile was gone, replaced by only cold. "Y'see, I, uh, don't belong to anyone."

@Darth Sibilus​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

Cairyn's laughter only served to infuriate the Sith Lord further, quickly reminding him of his deep hatred of the boy, his utter abhorrence of his very being, and the sickness he felt whenever his dangerous eyes rested upon the odd little child. He could taste his confusion, and tracked his hand to meet his own with muted excitement, before surprise overwhelmed him as the small boy yanked Drios into unbalance, before a powerful kick brought Darth Sibilus to Cairyn's eye level.

From his knees, Darth Sibilus summoned a blast of telekinetic energy from his palm, and sent it tumbling at Cairyn, before catching him with a Force Grip mid-flight. He rose to his feet, pain jutting like lightning bolts across his right knee, but the fatigue from his feat was flushed from his body, the absolute disdain, fury and rage which Cairyn had kindled deep within Drios' gut powered him, and he was going to make the traitorous scum pay for what he dared do to the Sith Lord.

"That's where you're wrong, Cairyn. You belong to me!" Drios bellowed, spit flying from his mouth as if they were fired from a catapult. On the word 'me" and with a tremendous effort, he released yet another blast of Force energy towards Cairyn, hopefully sending him into the far wall with bone-shattering power.

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

There was a sort of sick satisfaction that came with having knocked Drios down a peg. Sure, it was entertaining to see him sprawled across the floor before, but that paled in comparison to the Epicanthix's suffering dealt by his own hand and leg. It was exhilarating, addicting. He wanted to inflict more suffering, especially against those who had done the same to him. The pained surprise on Drios' face when he struck was intoxicating, a sensation rarely experienced by the boy despite being one so eager to obey his own whims.

However, all good things must come to an end. Even in his weakened state, Drios maintained a mastery over the Force Cairyn had never learned or had been bothered to attempt learning. His skills with the Force were almost entirely natural, from the bursts of telekinetic attacks to the way he interacted with his beasts. That was part of the game, he supposed. It'd hardly be fun if things were easy. Forcing things to go his way, to obey his will without the extra help gave him the teensiest bit of satisfaction, especially when there were those who relied on the Force yet still fell flat. Funny how things worked like that.

His armor absorbing most of the hit, he didn't bother getting up as his body sank down the wall and to the floor. Staring up at Drios, there was still a cold light in the boy's eyes, not clouded by rage or pain as it had on Thyferra, nor the distracted excitement of Vjun.There was almost an air of superiority about that gaze, one that wasn't about to relent to such a silly proclamation. "Obviously not," he said, obviously referring to the previous display. "You really gotta learn something in control. Why, even I know that."

[member="Darth Sibilus"]​

 

[Darth Sibilus]

A few short moments allowed the Sith Lord to regain his composure and quell the urge to stride over to the boy and strangle him where he lay, and instead he opted for a less brutal reaction to the prisoner's cheek. Tapping into a com-channel on his wrist, he spoke into it coolly and collectively, in stark contrast to his explosion of rage demonstrated a few moments earlier.

"Restrain the prisoner; number 2445 and bring the pikes." without waiting for a reply, he shut off his com-link and stood at the entrance of the cell, sliding slowly to the side as two prison guards entered the room, each wielding a stun-pike and restraints. They made a move to stun the boy, and place on the restraints quickly and efficiently, their hands steady even under the pressure of their commander, who had a tendency to electrocute those who did not conform to his will.

"One day, my young apprentice, you will learn your place." Darth Sibilus hissed, before turning with his guards, the door slamming behind him and isolating the boy the gloom of Caordos once more. Silently, he cursed himself for showing weakness; realising that he had probably gravely faltered in his efforts to secure the Teevan's loyalties.

[member="Cairyn Midore"]

 

[Cairyn Midore]

Cairyn half expected the Epicanthix to advance on him again, inflicting some other sort of torment. When he didn't, the boy perked up in interest and a bit of concern. Cairyn was all about surprises, sure, but it was also easier to deal with pain he knew was coming. The more he knew the beast, and Drios could be included among the list, the better chance he had of controlling them. Not knowing left an odd taste in his mouth, though that also could be in part of craving more of whatever that meat was.

His eyes widened as he overhead Drios' command, the demand for pikes hardly being a reassuring one. By the time the guards did arrive, he'd managed to rise to his feet, delivering some sort of fight before he was overwhelmed. A few solid kicks were the best he could bring to the table before the stun-pikes got to him. With a short shriek of protest, he slumped to the floor, entirely unable to defend himself from the restraints. Once again, he was rendered entirely docile, helpless should Drios or any guard wish to inflict more pain upon his person.

This wasn't a position he enjoyed being in. No, he'd certainly be in a far from pleasant mood the moment he returned to the world. He'd never admit this to her face, but he was growing to almost miss the company of his guardian of sorts. At least back at the arenas, he had his pets, particularly his darling Griz, to entertain him. Here it would be just waiting in and out of consciousness for someone to come by. Something that, when he came to, he'd doubt would happen nearly as often now. Perhaps the boredom would get to him before anything Drios could think of.

@Darth Sibilus​