Private Into the Dark

[Darth Nefaron]

It was done.

Through death, Veradun had proven himself.
​

As color left Garren's features, Nefaron at last addressed his Apprentice once more. Gently, the Corpse Lord laid his hand atop the boy's bowed head, and the power of the Dark Side now flowed through them both. As a reward for his deeds, Nefaron used his terrible power to crudely knit the boy's wound. There was pain, scars would remain, but his strength was at last returned. Veradun was gaunt and thin from His time in the slave pits, but a feast awaited him above in the chambers Nefaron had promised him long ago.

“You have proven yourself, Apprentice. Through your will to survive, you now return to my side stronger than ever before. Your loyalty is what I desire, though one day I expect you to turn against me and claim my title. You fail, you fail again and again, but through each attempt you will grow stronger.”

Nefaron removed his hand from the boy's head and beckoned him to rise. Indeed, Veradun would try to claim the Corpse Lord's life, but he was far from ready. His speed was exceptional, his skill with a blade more so, but he had yet to fully explore the power of the force, and in this, Nefaron would always hold mastery. Decades of experience lay within the Dark Lord's mind, time spent in the darkest reaches of space seeking out the ancient Sith and their undiscovered teachings. Nefaron would grant this knowledge to his Apprentice, but only when he proved himself ready for such a thing. Yet there was more to Veradun's victory this day, it was a rebuke of the teachings of the High Prophet that had rescued Veradun from mediocrity. When Darth Strosius perished in the area, the galaxy at last knew that his way was false, his power lacking. He was a failed Sith, but the boy who stood at Nefaron's side? He was on his own path, a path to true power that would see the galaxy burn before him. The Pale Death was a fitting monicker for what the boy would one day become, for he would be a weapon of truly terrible power, and with Nefaron's guidance, he would become so much greater than he could ever imagine.

"There will be much to do in the coming days. Great change is coming to the galaxy, and it is time you see how we fight our war with our ancient enemy. Then we may begin your training in earnest, for it is time you learned the true nature of the force. Not a simple tool, but as a door through which every great Sith must pass if they are to take the galaxy as their own for eternity."

The great gate opened once more, a procession of Legionaries arrayed on either side of the pair of Sith, and knelt, bending their heads before the twin rulers of Anoat. Veradun had proven to be a masterful warrior, but in the en,d even he was subservient to the power of the Corpse Lord."

"I have other gifts for you, my Apprentice. If you are to kill my enemies and lead my forces, then you will need to look the part. Awaiting you in your chambers is a feast, but also attire more fitting to your new station. You have bound yourself to my cause, and I expect that all previous loyalties you held died with that old fool in the arena."

Nefaron turned his head slightly, offering one final message to his Apprentice as they proceeded back to the surface.

"This was a warning, Apprentice. Should you ever side with another against me, I will sentence you to a fate far worse than slavery. Heed me when I tell you that there are fates far worse than what you experienced."

TAG: Veradun Sharr ​

 

[Veradun Sharr]

Tag: Darth Nefaron​

The boy, exhausted and truly feeling the pain now from the injuries sustained in his fight with the Champion, flinched when he felt the hand of the Corpse Lord set gently upon the top of his head. Almost as if by instinct, there was a jolt of fear that flashed through Veradun - the fear that came when one didn’t know if they were going to live or die.

But, instead of death, the bloodied boy felt the dark side swell within his Master and then flow from the Dark Lord and into him. There was pain, savage and cruel, but with it came healing. Not complete healing, for he was left with scars as reminders of his survival - but in the process, the Sith Lord also rejuvenated the young boy and returned his strength to him. Veradun gasped - in surprise and with the pain - but as quickly as it had come, it was gone.

As he heard his Master’s judgment, he almost seemed to sink a little further into the bloodied arena as a swell of gratitude rose up within his thin frame. He had proven himself worthy to be the Dark Lord’s Apprentice - at least this time. He listened intently to every word Nefaron said, and made sure to remember that what his Master wanted from him was loyalty - despite knowing that at some point in the future, Veradun would more than likely try and kill him. He offered a bit of further hope to the boy, the assurance that he would fail…multiple times. But with each failure he would get stronger.

So long as he rendered due loyalty to his Master, and continued to prove worthy - then his place at Nefaron’s side was assured.

Nefaron bid the Nagai boy to rise up on his feet, and Veradun did so without delay. He glanced briefly at the robed figure, before averting his gaze once more. It was a gesture of subservience, one that had been ingrained in him during his time in the slave pits, and though he hated it he was simply too afraid to not show respect.

Especially with his victory being so fresh.

Nefaron continued to address the boy as he moved forward towards the great gates, and Veradun was right there beside him, keen to hear what his Master wished to tell him. He took note of the Sith Lord’s statements, that much was to be done and the galaxy was changing around them, and Veradun was due to see just how they would deal with their ancient enemy - the Jedi. He then told Veradun that together, they would begin the boy’s training in earnest - and Veradun would begin to learn the ways of the Force. Not as a tool, but as something greater than that.

A door through which he needed to pass through, according to Darth Nefaron. Especially if they were to claim the galaxy for their own, as the Sith rightfully should.

The boy bowed his head in understanding. “Yes, Master. I look forward to learning what you have to teach me.” he murmured as the gates before them began to open, revealing rows of Legionaries on either side. Pale eyes watched as the soldiers of Nefaron knelt down, heads bowed as Master and Apprentice passed them by.

To see them on their knees, stirred something within the young Nagai. Pride? Arrogance? Dominance? It was hard to say for sure - but the boy felt good to see such acknowledgment from those who were lesser than he was.

Nefaron continued, telling the boy at his side that he had gifts for him - and the Nagai’s icy eyes brightened with curiosity. He soon learned that a feast awaited him - as well as attire more befitting of his station as a Sith Apprentice. Attire that would mark him as the second in command amongst the Dark Lord’s forces.

Of course, Nefaron would remain the true ruler of everything he held dominion over. But Veradun wasn’t blind to the fact that his Master had just granted him an immense measure of power, simply as a reward for proving himself. It was enough to make the boy raise his head a bit higher and walk a bit straighter.

“-You have bound yourself to my cause, and I expect that all previous loyalties you held died with that old fool in the arena."

Veradun felt a sudden lump form in his throat; he had tried shutting out what had happened in that arena so many months ago, the terrible loss of his High Priest, his Mentor. To be reminded of it again, now, was like a knife reopening old wounds. He was tempted to feel anger at his Master for referring to the fallen High Priest of Wonosa as an old fool - but he had learned his lesson.

Every bitter emotion felt towards Nefaron, needed to be buried deep - and saved for later for when he truly needed it. And of course, for when he was much more powerful than he was now.

As they came to the surface, the Sith Lord turned towards Veradun and gave the boy a warning, one that sank deep into his mind. One that Veradun knew he would have to remember, if he was going to dare to ever make a move against his Master - when the time came.

For now though, he needed to give assurance that he was indeed bound to Darth Nefaron.

“I understand. I... swore myself to you as your Apprentice, and I intend to abide by that oath.” Veradun said in a muted and cautious voice, before he steeled himself and looked directly at the Corpse Lord and further sold his soul to this demon. “My loyalty lies with you, and you alone. Your enemies are my enemies now, my Master.”