Prologue: Solis Ortus

[Valessia Brentioch]

THE IMPERIAL'S RISE: BLOODSTAINED
PROLOGUE: SOLIS ORTUS
ON BRENTAAL IV THE SCION HAS NOW SUCCESSFULLY SECURED HER SEAT
WITHIN THE UPPER HOUSE AND SETS HER SIGHTS ON THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR A COVETED
SEAT AMONG THE BOARD. SOMEWHERE ON RYOONE, VALESSIA BRENTIOCH AND HER BEAU, SUMIKO TANAKA
REUNITE ONCE MORE. THIS TIME, THE COUPLE AIMS TO TRAIN VALESSIA IN THE WAYS
OF THE FORCE. HAVING DISCOVERED THAT VALESSIA IS THE DESCENDANT OF THE ANCIENT
DARK LORDS, DARTH NOX AND KALLIG. SUMIKO AND VALESSIA PLAN TO TAP INTO THAT BLOODLINE.
HAVING ALREADY DISPLAYED ABILITIES SUCH AS FORCE PUSH AND PERSUASION,
IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE VALESSIA RISES TO CLAIM HER BIRTHRIGHT AS THE NEXT
DARK LORD OF HER LINE...



Ryoone, deep beneath the surface far flung from the now established First Order mines. Valessia Brentioch stood with her back to the door, hands along the railing as she looked out of the transparisteel frames. Watching as the lava flowed serving as the molten heater for much of the refineries that were here, now. All because the Lyunesi wished to establish full dominance over the region. The dominance that the First Order provided, at Valessia's hand. Her darken eyes glimmered within the reflection of the lava and for a moment she could see the flicker of the dark side that brewed inside. Traces of her ancient past in the names of the dark lords who had come before her, but that had been more than several millennium's ago. Bloodlines only got you so far, slowly Valessia turned from her reflection - her heels clicked and clacked against the floor.

Durasteel reinforced with several different blends of metals to keep these chambers safe, the scion of House Brentioch, now representative of the First Order and soon... Sith acolyte could be added to her titles walked across these floors. Passing through corridors that were blank, and empty, devoid of any decor or personality. For no one could know what was to happen, what was to begin here - would not end here...

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sqmnry8LXE[/media]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"]


Strictly speaking, by now there were probably many people who could claim descent from Darth Nox, who'd lived almost five thousand years ago. For the sake of comparison, all US Presidents except van Buren had been related to King John of England. Small world, right?


However, it was likely that only a fraction of these hypothetical scions had Force potential and most probably did not do anything with it. It was up to Valessia to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Dark Master and walk the road of a Sith. It was the way of blood and iron.


"I hear the Lyunesi were brought into the dominion of the First Order by promising them greatness they could not achieve on their own. Congratulations. You see how weaker entities bend to stronger ones, eager for scraps of power and influence? Existence is constant struggle, and the Force a gift to those who bear the mark of greatness, though most fall short of their potential," the Atrisian spoke when she suddenly appeared at Valessia's side, glancing out of the transparisteel frames into the rivers of molten lava. There'd been no forewarning, no sound of footsteps and she was not traceable in the Force until she revealed herself. She'd just suddenly manifested, seemingly out of nowhere.


"To embrace it is to walk the path of freedom. From the limitations others place upon you and, more importantly, from those within you. Tell me, dear, do you believe the tales your propaganda machine spreads about the Supreme Leader's power are true? Or is he just a projection used to keep the masses in line by giving them a symbol to worship?" In other words, a faux idol, like a Wizard of Oz figure.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia drew breath as she crossed from where Sumiko had materialized, exhaling she turned to face Sumiko. The room in which they both stood was surrounded partially by the transparisteel and mostly by solid metal. "Manipulation of the starving, the weak and the willing can be done even without the force, my dear," she replied her voice was cool, nearly as cold as it had been when they first met. Though there was something different about it here, true, Nox and Kallig's blood no doubt had been distributed among many in the galaxy. Just as many could call themselves Imperials. Given the enormous territory the Galactic Empire once held. How many were willing to act on it? Acknowledge it, take it by the horns and ram it down the galaxy's throat? Not many.

"The force is a tool and I intend to use it, properly, with your help - of course," her resolve did not change, any other intentions she may have had were shut away behind a cold look. She listened to Sumiko speak of the supreme leader and if she believed in him, "I believe that others believe." No, she didn't believe in this Seiger Ren. She put her faith in things she could touch, she could see in things that she could feel. "He is a figure that keeps the masses in line, he is how we control them." She had no doubt that Natasi Fortan did truly know of him and has spoken with him but that was the extent of it.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"]


"Oh, it can, but ask yourself why 0.01% of the Galaxy's total population rule so much? Even the First Order cannot do without them. Hence why they accepted Sith exiles. Mundanes can accomplish great things but their perspective is still so...narrow." Her tone was equally chilly, cold enough to freeze a world. The Atrisian had gotten where she was through blood and sacrifice - including that of other people. The power of the Force flowed through her veins and she did nothing to obscure her dark aura, revealing it in all its majesty. It felt potent enough to fill the room. Today, she need not obscure who and what she was: A Sith.


"The Supreme Leader is a good symbol to compel the lower orders to obey. They yearn for a leader figure. Like the One Sith with their Dark Lord...till he died one too many times," she said and chuckled, though there was little mirth in her tone. Sumiko was too cynical to feel loyalty to any organisation or galactic nation.


"If you become Sith, you will embark upon a road lined with thorns. It's the path of blood and iron. The Force is an instrument, but it does not yield its secrets easily. It must be compelled to see you as worthy and become your servant. I will test, humble and hurt you...in order to make you great. Know that once you walk this path, everything will change for you. It will forever change how we interact. Affection will have no influence. As your master, I shall demand obedience."

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

There could be no mistaking this, there could be no going back - there would be no going back. Valessia took in a deep breath and her heart, her heart wanted what it wanted but her mind, Her mind and the quest for power were greater than her heart's need. She moved toward the transparisteel lined wall and watched as the lava flowed. Her eyes saw her life and how every moment led to this. She could see the person who wanted to emerge, in her own image - dark side corruption compensated for through cosmetics and makeup. Jewelry made to conceal her aura, all the while she would still walk the halls of power in Avalonia, and move beyond the First Order.

Her mind wandered and thought on Sumiko's words carefully. Was Valessia willing to sacrifice whatever progress they had, as a couple - if they had ever even once considered themselves such... in order to achieve what she wanted to achieve? Internally, she gathered there would be little to stand in their way if they worked together, but something tugged at her. Warning her that if she chose this path, she would forever seal her fate. And yet, she refused to be trained by another, refused to think of anyone else - for no one could be more qualified to train her thank Sumiko Tanaka. Valessia opened her mouth as if to speak but then she shut it, no - there would be no cake here. She could not have her cake and eat it too. By choosing this path, Valessia knew she was essentially crushing her own heart. She closed her eyes and steeled herself, crossing toward Sumiko she placed a single hand along the Atrisian's face caressing it. A last caress? Perhaps.

Dropping her hand to her side, the cold steel of her voice in determination and want of power came through, "the First Order can achieve much more than what their feeble minds allow them to imagine." Taking in another breath she walked back, stepping away from Sumiko. Creating a sacred place in her mind for the memories that would see her through this terrible road, that would see her through this darkness. The touches, the kisses, and the voices in which they cried for one another, "I imagine even in the wake of the Supreme Leader's death - the masses would be fine, for they have their Grand Moff to cherish and love. It is her voice that steers them it is her hand that guides them, and after her survival of Castameer. I can scarcely blame them..." Her voice trailed off and she regained her focus.

When the sacred memories were stored, she looked into Sumiko's eyes, and spoke as an apprentice does, "it is as you say, master."

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYOaLrcszfo[/media]​

​

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]​

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"]


Sumiko laughed. Somehow, even this sounded venomous. "If I were Fortan, I'd bump off the faux Supreme Leader no one has seen anyway and take his place. Spin a grand yarn about how he passed away and anointed her as his heir. The rabble loves her and she's a very able woman...for a Force blind."


That was a crucial difference between Siobhan and Sumiko. Though tremendously arrogant, Siobhan was a social creature and did not look down on Non-Force-users. After all, she was married to one! Ironically, Siobhan's desire to be liked by others made her act nice.


By contrast, Sumiko saw the Force blind as beneath her. She could respect individuals such as Fortan, but it was similar to how a racist person might decide that this or that member of the 'inferior race' was above the others.


However, Valessia had made her choice. The die had been cast, the Rubicon crossed. There would be no kindness. Sumiko was a different woman now. One could not play with darkside artefacts like Souldrinker and the Ring without being morphed. The ring in her pocket pulsed with power and though she did not put it on, she played with it. "Come with me, apprentice," the Sith spoke commandingly, guiding Valessia down the corridor and into a chamber that seemed to be some sort of storage room. The door was opened casually through telekinetic manipulation.


Inside, Valessia would find a pair of simple dark robes and shoes. They were uncomfortable and itchy if you wore them. As for the shoes, their quality was very low and they were not made for this type of environment. "Strip and put these on. We're going for a walk outside to the planet's surface. You will run as long and as fast as I command."


Outside there was blazing heat. Ryonne was not only a hellish hothouse, but characterised by a seemingly permanent suspesion of ash in the atmosphere. This meant that it would be hard to breathe. Neither of them would wear a breath mask though. The lava pits looked lovely this season. "The Force will give you everything you need, if you're strong enough.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz77LWHXzM8[/media]​

​

"She can be convinced," Valessia commented, but it was all she said on the matter. Her eyes shut for the moment seizing a moment of silence as she focused on her surroundings. Centering herself as she did as commanded, piece by piece her old clothes would be taken off and as her eyes opened she would place her new robes on. Looking inside herself she could see that her heart, her soul was turning black - and with each step and each movement...

Peace is a lie.​

​

Her childhood memories now revealed to her, washed in - the day in the tomb. The moment she made contact with Kallig and Nox, the day she turned Yvaine Dajaal into a mindless woman. The moments in between as she worked for the Curovao's and the Rufigioni's. Each little moment was leading to this, wasn't it?

There is only, Passion.​

​

Valessia's memories washed away, and the passion she felt in her life burned. The intricate moments with her ex-husband, but the moments with Edra. Yvaine's seduction and the love that was made with Siobhan, to the love she made to Sumiko. To her desires and want for power, for strength and piece by piece her heart blackened.

Through passion, I gain Strength.​

​

Strength. Strength like passion could be defined in so many aspects. Valessia had had the strength to stand up to her brother. She had had the strength to carry out her plan. To stand here and place these robes on her body, to take those steps toward the surface of Ryoone. To do as her master, her lover, commander - were they even that anymore? It did not matter, she would have the strength to carry on, to see this plan through to its end. She would be the strongest of Nox's kin to rise up and reclaim the mantel, Valessia Brentioch would become her mask and her life, as a dark one - would begin.

Through strength, I gain Power.​

​

She coveted power so much, so much so - she was willing to kill for it. Although, she needn't be so harsh... yet, her parents were abiding by the terms agreed upon. Soon, soon she would ascend to the Chamber of Brentaal IV, and soon she would begin her own unyielding reign. For now she remained part of the fractal of power that was the First Order. As she ascended the steps to the surface of Ryoone, she knew she was leaving behind who she had been and embracing who she would be.

Through power, I gain Victory.​

​

Victory over her demons, over her family, over everyone. To lord over them all to shape everything into her vision, to renew what had been and combine it with what will be. Her black robes swayed by the heat that radiated from Ryoone, her heart now completely engulfed in darkness, any pain she had felt in the moments before this were gone. Turned into rage that would fuel the run she would make, Ryoone's atmosphere would not be kind, but neither would she be.

Through victory, my chains will be broken.​

​

The surface was scalding but she did not care, as it was said - the Force would provide her with what she needed. As her feet ran, and her lungs choked for air. Coreros looked within herself as she ran, as her body begged for her to stop. Force speed took over and she turned this pain, and this burning within her lungs in on itself. Breathing through the force as her once force neutral aura began to bleed into the darkness.

The Force Shall Free Me.​

​

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

​

​

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"]


Outside, there was naught but blazing, scalding heat. The ground was so hot that it could burn your feet, and Valessia's shoes were of poor quality, so it was likely that they would soon end up with holes with them. There was a strong wind blowing across the land, transporting columns of sand along with it. Breathing was difficult due to the immense concentration of ash in the atmosphere.


However, Sumiko still ran at a gruelling pace. She felt the heat and the strong burning in her lungs, but the Dark Side gave her what she needed. Pain and aches were turned into strength as she let them fuel her. They passed rivers of lava and surmounted mountains. Valessia would be expected to run until she was exhausted or the Sith Lady ordered her to stop.


Passion, strength and power were mere stepping stones. Anyone who embraced the Dark Side could let their passion fuel them, drawing strength from their desires. However, many a darksider failed to realise that this was a means to an end, not an end in itself. They hated Jedi because that's what they'd been taught - or simply because they wanted to make their bloodlust seem more relevant.


The end goal was the shattering of your chains. You achieved victory over yourself, and ascended, becoming an exalted being. As Valessia raced across the scalding surface, as the blazing wind swept across her itchy robes and as her feet may or may not have already started to feel sore and burn, Sumiko would seek to enter her mind. There was nothing kind or gentle about her mental onslaught. Nor did she give a warning.


Sith training made the Angelii and the Fire Order look gentle. Taldir, Tempest and Kerrigan were not the coddling sort, but they had some limits. Then again, the Angelii and the Fire Sisters were professional soldiers and thus training was about breaking you down and reforging you, but also ensuring that you and your buddies could function as a coherent unit.


A powerful, burning shard would dig into Valessia's mind, splitting into a hundred pieces as it exploded. The experience would probably be agonising. The Scion of Nox would be struck with dark visions as Sumiko sought to force her to relive the darkest episodes of her life, focusing especially on that dark day in the tomb of Kallig.


Perhaps Valessia would see a vision of Nox, perhaps the smug, arrogant Curovaos as they lorded their power over her and used her to do their dirty work, perhaps her mother. as she scorned and looked down upon her daughter and finally her brother, when he dared to strike her.


The visions would intensify with each passing moment, becoming more and more vivid. The Atrisian would stoke the fires of her hatred against all those who'd humiliated her and kept her down, making them manifest as literal demons with monstrous features, seeking to pull her down into the abyss. The voices of the shapes would resonate in her mind, beginning as whispers, but soon turn into a loud, headache-inducing chorus. No matter how far and how fast she ran, there would be no escape.

Spoiler

[member="Valiens Nantaris"], you may post the sword if you want

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Two there should be; no more, no less. One to embody power, the other to crave it."​

- Darth Bane.​

​

Coreros could feel the shoes on her feet burn away from her soles, the columns of sand tore through the landscape bringing with it more of the planet's ash. Choking her lungs with the density of ash, Coreros being so new to this did not yet know how to turn every painful sting into strength. Her ability to do this would be forced, for if she did not learn now; she would die. She would run until Sumiko commanded her to stop or until she fell.

As Coreros raced across the surface of Ryoone, as she dealt with the ash, the soot and the low-quality robes that made her skin crawl. Sumiko assaulted her mind, a powerful burning struck her mind - spreading across like a thousand sharp burns stinging into the very fiber of her memories. The first memory to be extorted had been the day in the tomb, the tomb of Kallig. She'd been a child when she had entered unharmed. It was as she had left it - when she left it, that the horrors began. The terrors the tomb unleashed the death traps that claimed the young life of the childhood friend that had gone with her. This was nothing compared the next set of memories that were unleashed to into her mind as she did her best to combat the mental assault she was faltering on her run.

Curovaos and their arrogance, dispatching a lonely girl to do their work. How many times had she pulled the trigger, how many times had she given the final blow? How many times did they strike her, how many times did they send her home battered and bruised? All of this stirred to provoke her hatred, to provoke her anger and her rage. And it was done so, masterfully. Her rage was building, her hatred stoked her already red hot flames.

Images of her mother and brother, both in vile in their own right. Only increased her emotions, sending them ever closer toward the searing white-hot peak.

Each extortion of memory, each show increased in their intensity morphing them into something else entirely. Morphing into literal demons and monsters. The distortion of her memories, combined with the searing white-hot rage she experienced, culminated into a headache from hell. Overwhelming her mind, making it impossible for her to continue the run and fight this off at the same time. Physical pain from the thickening ash in her lungs, from the burning of her feet, worked up to a crescendo until her body could carry on, no more - and she collapsed.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"] [member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

As Valessia suffered through her trials and Sumiko became the Sith she was born to be, the sword observed all. Though it lacked eyes in the physical sense it very much perceived events around it. As Valessia collapsed to the ground it sounded decidedly unimpressed.

“Well that was dramatic. If your paramour is half as good at being a Sith as she is at fainting she will rival Marka Ragnos in power,” he commented snidely.
“Still, let us hope that this swooning fit is not a common occurrence or it will make even the feeble Jedi able to defeat her.”

It levitated menacingly over the fallen acolyte.
“I will wake her up. It won’t hurt her much…permanently.”

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"], [member="Valessia Brentioch"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"]


"I shall handle this." There was a flicker of something on Sumiko's face, but it was soon replaced by contempt. She looked unimpressed. "Get up. I did not give you permission to faint, girl. If you're terrified of mere illusions, I have no interest in teaching you. Face your demons, or join the muck." She raised her hand and lightning shrieked from her fingertips. Bolts of electrcity would jolt Valessia out of unconsciousness. The spirit trapped inside the evil ring in her pocket laughed, approving of where this was going.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia's body had been overwhelmed in every sense of the word. While the sword and Sumiko spoke, something within her began. Coreros and Valessia were at war, two dueling sides of the ego fighting to perform on behalf of the id. Her ancient blood burned beneath the surface of her skin. Memories flooded into her mind but they were not her own, the day in the tomb - the moment she had come face to face with Kallig, with Nox wrought through her mind like a hurricane slamming against a defenseless isle in the middle of the sea.

A large force wave emerged from body and she gasped for air as if for the first time. Tattered robes burnt and frayed at the edges, holes torn into them from the run along Ryoone's surface. Darth Issari it seemed was going to come through, Issari was another descendant of Nox, but right now - it was all too much for her Valessia's mind to handle. She looked down at her hands, they were different in color. Hands came to her face for a moment, how many years had Issari been asleep? She prodded her hostess to rise to her feet. Coreros for now was tempered by Issari , "and in so many years it seems the Sith have become both rude and senile" Valessia's voice was unnatural as it spoke, Issari was fighting but she was weak, as was her descendant. Something she did not like at all...

"I shall complete this one's trials as you direct, dark one," for now, Issari remarked forcing Valessia's body to do as it was told. How had this one become? How weak was her line? Issari would ensure that Coreros would rise to power, whether or not Valessia agreed.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"] | [member="Darth Shadow"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"]


Sumiko narrowed her eyes when a spirit suddenly manifested and meat puppeted Valessia, declaring it would finish her training. Unfortunately, that was not how Sith training worked. It was survival of the fittest. Inquisition training had been hell, yet Sumiko had succeeded on her own, even though her boss Inquistor Lai had been a sadist. It had made her and [member="Mirien Valdier"] stronger.


The Atrisian did not fear the noncorporeal. She could feel cold fury building up inside her. "Valessia is my apprentice, shade, not you. Return Valessia to me or I will destroy both of you together. If she is too weak to complete the trials alone this shall be her end," she hissed. The ring pulsed fairly with dark power and clearly approved. Those to weak to become Sith are nothing but slaves, it whispered.


Meanwhile, the sword was hovering in the air. "I see she's following in her illustrious ancestors' footsteps. Calling on ghosts to save her if she breaks a nail. As for being Sith, the abilities shown thus far are uninspiring. I yearn to see if can consume you spirit," it circled her menacingly like a vulture.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

The spirit did not reply nor did it comply with Sumiko's request and instead proceeded to utilized Valessia's body to its will. Valessia in the meantime was locked in a battle for control, control over her own body and perhaps her life. As it stood now, Issari refused to relinquish control - at least not without a fight. Valessia or Coreros as she was transforming into would neither yield nor stop until she had regained control of herself.

As the spirit pressed the physical form forward into a force speed run, Valessia's eyes flickered and her aura began to flicker as well. An outward display of the battle within...

I am Coreros, without heart, without love - for I have sacrificed this in exchange for my power. Your time, Issari has passed and if you'll excuse me, I have a Galaxy to conquer.

Feeble minded child, you have no idea what I am capable of. It is I who powers your body. It is I who has control, not you, you shall simply be the tool.

No, Issari. Your time is done, and I think it's about time you leave.


Her body jerked left and then right, force lightning sparked into her hand and in the other hand a fireball appeared. Blood red aura clashed against the deep majestic purple, the chosen color. Long before Sumiko and Valessia came together, Valessia had chosen this majestic color out of her own vanity. Seeing herself as more than she was, as a royal of Brentaal IV.

Tattered in robes, the heat of Ryoone forced the physical form to sweat, forced it to perform against its own capabilities as the struggle for control ensued. A bright flame seemed to emerge from Valessia but rather - the spiritual form of Issari broke away from Valessia. Issari a progenitor of Val's line now faced the descendant the one who would carry on their bloodline's legacy.


[member="Sumiko Tanaka"] | [member="Darth Shadow"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Valessia Brentioch"], [member="Darth Shadow"]


Somehow, it seemed the spirit had escaped detection for a long time, since it had not been noticed by either Siobhan or Sumiko. This was more than a little baffling. Regardless, the spiritual form of Issari suddenly broke away from Valessia, bursting free.


Sumiko had not been bluffing when she said that she'd destroy both the ghost and Valessia if the spirit did not depart. The Atrisian cocked her head to the side slightly as she drew upon the malevolent power of the Dark Side. "Souldrinker, consume it," she commanded icily.


Old the spirit might be, but if was really powerful, it would've been detected before. Sumiko was a Master of the Dark Side in her own right. Souldrinker was an ancient blade that carried within it in the souls of Sith, and the Sith Master's ring was a horcrux. Presumably playing with such evil toys had also helped alter the Atrisian's mental state a bit and make her a lot crueller, but that was besides the point. Besides, an untrained acolyte had been able to exorcise the ghost.


"Well, isn't this fun? She has broken free of the spirit. Hurrah. I grow weary of these travails. I shall collect this spirit as my own!" Souldrinker was plunged into the spirit. Ethereal tendrils born of the Dark Side would grip it the noncorporal entity like vices, devouring it.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia had not excorised the spirit, this would have required more mental capabilities than she currently possessed. Rather, a handwavium moment to move the plot. Issari had been dealt with and Valessia was free of her.

Her body was exhausted but her mental state was something else entirely. Internally she was still in shock from this, internally Valessia and Coreros were merging as one. Mirror, mirror on the wall who is strongest of them all. This battle between the egos for the id was still being waged, Issari had used the distraction to fill the empty host as the darkside of Valessia waged its war with her human conciousness.

Outwardly, Valessia had taken a knee. Her heart still beat but she herself was exhausted. Neither Sumiko nor Siobhan had been able to detect the spirit because the physical host had not yet been awakened to her inherent force abilities. Upon her own force awakening, it stirred something in her blood - bringing to the surface the spirit who had been in waiting for years for someone in their line to tap into their force powers.

As it was now, the itchy robes - what was left of them still clung to Valessia's body. Her voice was weakened but she didn't bother to ask if she should still run or not, she would continue to run - and would do this on sheer will power, which at this point was absolutely necessary.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"] | [member="Darth Shadow"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"]