See it, Feel it, Command it (Vandal Saar)

[Darth Ophidia]

Candlelight was a strange commodity in this day and age, favoured only by some mystics who liked the presence of the flame and the flickering shadows it cast. The catacomb was lined with candles, casting a continual firelight through the winding path of smooth stone that ran under the surface. Above, the ceiling arched into a point, supported by a series of pointed brick arches that wound down the path like the ribs of a serpent. There were no colours to break the monotony, save for the nuances of grey in stone and masonry and what illusions the candlelight conjured in the mind of a restless acolyte seeking guidance.

Yet, there was a sensation that drew them in. It was like a sweet scent that pulled at one's nose or a cold hand pushing at one's back. It was a whisper so clear, yet just so distant that one had to perpetually lean in to hear. In the end, after a series of stairs and winding corridors, there were only a pair of rust-red metal doors. Each door was adorned with a rather lifelike image of a humanoid skeleton standing like sentinels with their bony fingers lodged in the crack of the door. They were not closed but stood slightly ajar. Beyond that crack, there was only darkness. Above the door there were words carved into the stone:

Peace is a lie; there is only passion.

Within was a chamber; the walls alight with innumerable candles that threw their invisible plumes of smoke up against an unseen ceiling. The walls were covered in murals, text in the language of the ancient Sith. On the far wall the text amassed into a large black serpent with eyes of crackling lightning and a forked tongue of red fire. There were seemingly no one in the room, but in front of the serpent there lay pillows, recently used, by the look of it. Two cups filled with liquid framed a kettle placed near the pillows. The steam still rose from the hot water, spreading a herbal fragrance into the room.

[member="Vandal Saar"]

 

[Vandal Saar]

Was there fear in Vandal's heart once he'd entered the catacombs? Yes. Only a fool or a master of the darkside would have no true fear of this place. But that was why he was here. He needed to become a master and not fear the dark or what lied within. Even more than that, he wanted to become the thing they feared in the dark. At his age Vandal could not fully rely on strength to win battles. Even for being an apprentice to the Sith and the ways of the darkside Vandal was smart enough to understand that, at his age, it was not strength he needed but cunning.

He'd heard of this assassin, [member="Darth Ophidia"] before. His master, Kalus Ro, had mentioned her. During his training with those in the First Order there was talk of the Sith assassins, the deadly warriors of shadow and darkness. This little excursion for Vandal was in fact due to his master's suggestion on how he needed to think with his mind before fighting with his body. Even for a knight Kalus Ro had a great many teachings for the young acolyte.

After descending into the catacombs to find the darkened room, barley anything visible, he stopped and looked around to see if this Ophidia was even hear. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade while he looked about, gaining a sense that he was indeed not alone.

"I come to seek the ways of the Sith." he spoke to the darkness. "To be a blade in the darkness. An assassin. Like you."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

As the boy entered the room, hand on his hilt, he would not see a single soul. Despite the warm, fragrant liquids, the room appeared to be abandoned. After he spoke, something stirred between the pillows and a white serpent slithered out and onto one of the seats. It turned its red eyes to Vandal and observed him, tongue lashing out to taste the air he gave off. Behind Vandal, the doors slammed shut, sending a flicked through the flames before they once more settled down. The white serpent stared at the boy with its lidless eyes. Before soon, a voice called out from all directions at once, or was it simply inside Vandal's head?

Have a seat, taste my tea. It is quite delicious.

As the words were spoken in a cold, rasped, but distinctly female voice, the serpent nodded to the spread of pillows and to the two steaming cups. The words seemingly echoed off the walls and sent ripples through every flame with no detectable epicentre. Shifting, the serpent coiled up on the largest pillow, purple in colour, and seemingly fell to rest while watching Vandal. Once more, the voice spoke.

How is it you have come upon my chamber? Who spoke my name?

[member="Vandal Saar"]

 

[Vandal Saar]

The hissing of the serpent had gained enough of Vandal's attention to make him clip the blade out of it's sheath. He was ready if it decided to strike. However as it sat there and stared at him he kept a still breath. But then came the voice which also caught him off-guard. He jumped for a moment before his attention went back to the serpent. The cold voice seemed to come from nowhere, Vandal almost thinking the serpent itself had spoken. When a seat was offered he hesitated for a moment before finally, silently, agreeing.

As he took his seat he noticed the brewed tea the voice also offered. He didn't like the look of it. Maybe it was poisoned. Maybe not. All the same he didn't feel a desire for it anyway. His nervous knot in his stomach was the more crucial thing he felt as the voice then asked who had spoken of it.

"M-My master. Kalus Ro. Of the First Order." Vandal replied while trying to keep a brave tone. "He s-spoke of you. Heard of your....talents."

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Kalus Ro of the First Order.

What a fool to speak the name of the Sphere of Mysteries. She would have to pay him a visit some time and ask him to hold his tongue, or she would have to remove it. Ophidia had always quite enjoyed her obscurity, such leaks were not taken lightly. Even if he had only told an apprentice. The better way would have been to ask her to meet him.

My talents, yes. Few ever hear, because few ever live to tell.

The serpent shifted, one of the two cups floated up and towards the serpent before setting down in front of the pillow. It leaned down and tapped the liquid with its forked tongue to test the temperature before it drew in some of the fragrant tea. while drinking, its unblinking eyes kept a vigilant watch on Vandal.

Then let me ask you this, you who would be one with the shadow, what makes you worthy?

[member="Vandal Saar"]