The Cold Truth

[Orion Darkstar]

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Time: 22:34:12​

Night Time​

Current Weather: Blizzard​

Objective: Find the Culprit​

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It had been months since Orion heard of his master's death. The red assassin no longer a threat to the galaxy at large. At least, that's what many had thought. What stood in place of his untimely death was an eager student and worse a prospect to take the reigns as the red assassin when the time came. The only issue with such plans was his incomplete training and lack of guidance. Although, it felt like a weight on his shoulders shifted the day he got the news. As if he was released from a shackle, no longer contained to orders. The link in the force he shared with the once great [member=Krest] no longer remained, leaving Orion confused about how he felt. It wasn't sadness or irrefutable angry, just confusion. He had gained so much knowledge from the great sith and became so much more under his tutelage. He couldn't bear to lose such a valuable asset, but if that were true, why no tears? He wondered. It couldn't have been the lack of fighting alongside his master or the fact that Orion, himself, managed to acquire the War's Edge through valiant efforts. No. It was something entirely different. Whatever it was it drew him to seek out the culprit, the one strong enough to snuff out the bright red aura of a once great warrior and teacher. ​

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It was almost subliminally, the course of the past few months took place. Putting his studies to the wayside, Orion devoted his time gathering information on the events that took place on Bastion. It took a lot of credits and a few bloody interrogations, but he managed to link it all together, bringing him to a place of everlasting winter, Mygeeto. It wasn't his first time on the planet, much less the city of Jygat. Orion knew that it would be cold, but the night's cold was far different than what he experienced the last time he touched down on the planet. Over the course of a few minutes of finally reaching the outskirts of the city, Orion stepped out from underneath the massive snow bunker. His attire was that of a heavy cloak, styled with the gold trim on the edges, capable of hiding all his deadly weapons. Still, a lot of ground had yet to be made if he was going to find the culprit behind his sudden motive. Questions ran through his mind like a bolt of lightning branching off into the most important ones. ​

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Who killed Krest?​

Why?​

Was it one of his many Apprentices?​

What does this all mean for me?​

Should I let them get away with this?​

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The consistent pestering over such feeble things never got to him so much than it had now. The confusion was frustrating, to the point that Orion, for the first time in a long time after all his progress...felt lost. Were there things playing a bigger part in the grand scheme of things that Krest hid from him? Orion felt close to him in the past, only as of recent on his virtuous expeditions did he sense a wave of separation between them. Orion understood that Krest was a man of many pupils, but was he one that krest trusted with his darkest secrets? After letting someone so influential to the dark side corrupting his outlook on life, did he throw away his Kovani name for nothing? Were the fruits of his labor going to fizzle out because of some impudent whelp on a power stride willing to stick it to the old man...​

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Orion didn't think so, but without a teacher meant slower progression. Which in all honesty was rarely an issue anyway, he had been in the service of the sith ways for a long time, still he refused the titles that many sought for in lesser years than himself. He wanted more, no, he needed more. The hunger that went unfed in his willingness to succeed had been parched, dehydrated in the absence of his master. Even as Orion walked the frigid streets of Jygat, he could feel the looming shadow of his master over him, nagging at him to find his killer. Lucky for him, Orion was a man of curiosity and wisdom. He wasn't going to let someone kill his master without answers, not tonight...​

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[member="Kaalia Voldaren"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Meanwhile, in another part of Jygat​

Objective: Head back home​

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Darth Avacyn was heading home.

The last number of days had been spent on the surface of Mygeeto, or rather below it. Inside one of the old mining stations completely reconstructed to serve as the Valkyrie fortress the woman had mostly been overseeing the progress of the recently recruited initiates. The war with the Silver Jedi had caused a small spike in their numbers as then-Jedi witnessed the wanton destruction by the hands of the people they had considered to be their allies, the conflict on Mirial being the catalyst. It forced her to be present on the planet more often, although soon there would be a sufficient amount of teachers to lift that burden off of her shoulders. Although the Valkyries were partially her creation and it was her major contribution to the Sith Empire, it was not the only thing she did as a Lady of the Sith. Time was precious, and not all of it was spent as Darth Avacyn.

Despite her work here, she did not spend a single night on the frozen planet. Every night, and today was no exception, her ship would leave the spaceport and head back home, where Avacyn would go to sleep and Kaalia would awaken. They had become two distinctly different people, and there were only two people in the galaxy who had ever seen both. The first was her fellow founder of the Valkyries and friend [member='Aria Vale'], who she had known before she even was a Sith in the first place. The second was [member='Ishana Pavanos'], the woman she came home to every night. Ishana was the reason she made that trip to and from Mygeeto every day instead of simply staying here for as long as she had business here, and already was she looking forward to spending the night with her again.

There had been a third who had known both sides of her, however. He had known against her will and used it against her, even if it was to teach her. That man was [member='Krest'], Avacyn's former master and someone she had begrudgingly respected. Those loose ends had been tied up a few months ago, however. By her hand the zabrak was no more, something that had lifted a lot of weight off of her shoulders. There were many reasons why she had wanted him dead- to carry on the Sith way, to remove someone who knew her better than she wanted, and perhaps there was a slight tinge of revenge in there. He had spied on her, tortured her and so much more, and that score was now settled. Despite that the woman had this nagging feeling the story was not yet over however, although she was not sure why.

The thought was cast to the back of her mind however, as the redhead walked the cold streets of Jygat to make her way to the spaceport. She was still clad in her armor, which doubled as her attire for any outing in which she represented the Valkyries. Her lightsabers were clipped to her belt, although a thick coat removed them from sight. The name Darth Avacyn had become well-known in these parts, and her presence had become just as familiar. She interacted with the citizens from time to time as well, whether it was during a visit to a cantina in wait for her ship to be ready to leave or otherwise. At this time however the streets she walked were empty as people sought shelter from the evening cold, leaving her alone. It was definitely a quieter part of the city, although she far from minded the moment of solitude. For some reason she had the feeling that would not last much longer, however.

[member="Orion Darkstar"]​

 

[Orion Darkstar]

The soft white blanket that perpetually fell refused to let up. The tall mounds of snow that were shoveled to the wayside told anyone, including Orion, that the snow wouldn't be wavering anytime soon. The cold was something that never really bothered him, until now. The swift currents of wind that swept the flakes into him as he walked, meandered into his hood from time to time, leaving a chilling sting and spots of water upon his face. Almost agitated at the harmless snowflakes, he trudged on flapping his hand every so often to prevent another from slipping into his hood. Still, it mattered little and the further he continued the stronger the howling winds of Mygeeto toyed with him. The snow wasn't the only sign of disturbing forces beyond his control, like a blood letter slipping into the core of his mind, a spark of intensity hit him. It was the force, a wave of magical energy shuddering through him. At first it felt familiar, then in the seconds of comfort the signal went dark.​

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Orion's eyes shot upward from the narrow stone walkway to tell if something was close. Instead, he found closed shops and an empty walkway. The veil of white impaired his vision, but his gifts in the forced told him the truth, someone was coming. With a few more steps he took a breath, a sudden shock reaching his knees. It felt like his master's presence for only a moment and then like before faded. It was odd to think that someone like Krest could have had an equal, but he did and some even above him. Then like a tn of bricks it hit him...​

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Was this the one capable of killing his master? After everything he went through to find them, were they close by? Or worse, following him? ​

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It couldn't have been the latter, he was too careful in his pursuit and the other two unanswered question would have to be left to fate. Even the force couldn't delineate whether or not the new disturbance in the force was the killer or not. Like all great questions, Orion would have to face the answer head on. He took one last step as the sickles of ice slammed into his dark attire, his boot digging deep to maintain balance on the uneven snow beneath him. The white wall of snow split just enough to find a silhouette slowly approaching. He hadn't the time to conceal himself from force sensitives, whoever was coming was clearly strong in the force, something that despite his confusion he still respected. Standing still he hesitated, anxious to see what or who lied behind the blanket of white powder dropping from the dark clouds above. The consistent howls of the wind reminded him, that what he currently stood in, was a blizzard, soon to become much more violent. Still, he slowly walked forward. ​

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Orion, was usually patient when it came to endeavors, but the consistent clawing in the back of his mind forced him to bow his head and move closer. The dark side was now more apparent in the air engulfing it like a steel cage. Just as he caught the scent of another his head rose slightly to peek. The whipping wind clearing the snow for Orion to see. ​

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The darkside had been called many things...Wrong, Black, Angry, Empty. Despite all such accusations, it was red, like the color of blood. Orion's eyes widened as he caught the glimpse of a scarlet strand of long hair snapping at him as he crossed paths with the force user. Almost touching her as he passed, he knew it, the force spoke to him in dreary whispers in the voice of his dead master. ​

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The redhead...just like they all told you...it's her, she's the one that killed him...​

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Do it....​

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Kill Her...​

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[member="Kaalia Voldaren"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

The empty streets had something comforting. Despite the biting cold, the glowing feeling that the coat brought about and the solace of short-lived solitude caused a feeling that simply couldn't be replicated. The wind blew from behind her, meaning the hood was enough to protect her visage from the snow, although the view in front of her was nothing to write home about. The only things she could see beyond the few meters of clear vision were the blips of light coming from the buildings around her, and to someone who was not sensitive to the Force would not have known what Avacyn knew. Through the Force she sensed another soul, coming closer with each step she took. This was no ordinary person however, no, whoever they were was strong in the Force, although it was power that was not yet mastered like she herself had mastered it. But power there most definitely was. Somebody's apprentice, perhaps.

It did not take long for the figure of the person to come into sight. Step by step the image became clearer and her eyes became fixated on the stranger, taking in his features as far as the snowstorm allowed her to. Once more the Force was what told the real story, however. His emotions danced around him and showed vengefulness, perhaps a tinge of frustration, but most importantly, they showed uncertainty. Perhaps the man was on Mygeeto for answers, but the question eluded her. What brought a follower of the Dark side to Mygeeto in search of answers?

Then, she noticed something. It was almost familiar, yet it was still foreign. It was something subtle, like the slightest of breezes on a summer evening. It reminded her of someone else, although it took a moment to place it. Once the pieces clicked however, the picture was much clearer. There was no mistaking it, he knew somebody she had known herself quite well. Perhaps he would have noticed a very faint smile on the woman's face as she walked closer and closer.

Your mind is plagued with questions. Krest... is he the reason you are here?​

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When the two passed each other Avacyn casually flicked the wisp of crimson hair back into her hood while nodding towards the stranger, the smile still present. On the outside she seemed completely calm and unassuming, but the redhead knew better than to be off-guard around anyone who carried the Dark side with them. Her hands were close to her concealed sabers, ready to reach to them at a moment's notice. Despite that she simply kept on walking past, waiting for him to move first.

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Orion felt a sudden warmth, despite the two of them being caught in a world of endless white snow. The tension forced him to swivel his wrist in a manner that would make it easy to strike her. The whispers that teased him to strike made him bite down hard, his teeth clenched as he resisted. It wasn't right to just blindly kill, regardless if he was a sith or not. He knew how the hierarchy worked in the cruel game of sithly politics. Sith Lords came and went just like everyone else in the galaxy. It was only a matter of time that Krest would have met his demise. Still, Orion couldn't bring himself to listen to the tiny nudge that the corrupted voices of the dark side tempted him to do. Instead, he allowed the red scarlet killer to walk away unscathed. This was everything he'd been working toward for the past couple months, but now he couldn't decipher the right move. Orion's viridescent eyes shifted to the right as a vicious smile creased upon the face of the murderer. She knew, he had been found out. ​

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Orion froze, the last step he took digging into the snow, leaving a perfect foot print. he stood motionless considering everything. He knew Krest was killed in his chambers, but how and why. His hand flickered for only a moment and reached into the pocket of his heavy, black cloak. With his back turned away from the other force user he pulled out a small piece of paper and examined it. closely he traced his fingers over the female figure that was drawn by one of the witnesses. The puzzle pieces connected, the same red hair, and to be on Mygeeto just like the informant told him. Orion refused to believe in coincidences, she was definitely the killer. Crumbling the paper in his right hand he spun around in a furious manner. The itch in his throat told him everything, he wanted to challenge her wisely. With words. ​

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Orion was in a trance as he watched her stride through the storm. He wouldn't let her get far without really getting her attention. There was nothing between them except the chilling presence of one another and the haze of white flakes blowing in the wind. The itch in his throat grew into a growl, the thought of a lesser sith standing in place of his master. The, before he realized what happened, the words like a raging fire escaped his mouth. Like a beast stopping it's prey in their tracks he screamed. ​

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"Why!?" Orion's voice split through the silent fury of the storm. It echoed with a cold that was no match for the world of Mygeeto, hate filling his thoughts. "I should kill you! Where am I supposed to stand now!?" The anger remained. "With you!?" Orion paused gripping onto his hilt. "I don't think so!"​

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Like a steel monster rising to the storm above he unsheathed the blade, held firmly to the center of his chest. The weight of it was unlike his sabers, instead it was heavy. He had been practicing wielding it for some time now, what would have seemed heavy for an inexperienced user, came naturally to him, the blade remained still as his left hand clenched tighter. Then, like a beacon of hope the steel began to glow a bright red, the War's Edge was alive for the first time in ages. If Krest could see him now, the red skinned zabrak would be finally proud of him. ​

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[member="Kaalia Voldaren"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

When Avacyn passed the man she closed her eyes, closing herself off from the outside world for a moment, but only just a moment. It did not slow down her pace however, outwardly still pretending there was nothing wrong. He was the one who wanted to connect the dots, so he would have to do it himself. The question whether the woman was the one who killed Krest or not was for him to answer. Although she did not boast about what many would have called an achievement, those who sought the truth would get it from her if they asked, and claims from those who had found it themselves would not be answered with anything but that same truth.

The Force became her sight as the world around her became black, and what she saw now was that which surrounded the one she passed by. His emotions, his power, everything that he exerted through that which connected everything.

She felt anger, and it was strong.

The Kro Varian's grin returned as she fed on his emotion, letting it swirl around her and grasping it tightly through the Force. The emerald green of her eyes, still removed from the outside world, slowly gave way as corrupting red and sulphur bled into her irises, the Dark side strengthening within her being. The man stood still and for a moment she was tempted to stop, turn around, and ask what was wrong, but there was no point in that. They both knew what was going on, but despite that she still walked. If he was truly Sith he would give her a reason to stop, he would make his will reality. For that, she did not have to wait long.

"Why!?"

Oh, that hatred you bear.

The silence was finally broken. With that grin still on her face Darth Avacyn halted, the sound of her boots compressing the snow under her with every step ceasing. Her eyes, filled with the Dark side, slowly opened as she listened to his words. There was desperation, but instead of merely letting it fuel him he laid it bare. It was a weakness, one that with the right touch could completely cripple anyone.

"I should kill you! Where am I supposed to stand now!?"

What a peculiar question.

Wisps of crimson hair fluttered around in the storm as her smile turned to simple amusement. She herself had been lost all those years ago, when she had walked away from her Jedi master. He had raised her from age three, she knew no better, yet there she stood alone without anything or anyone to guide her. Eventually she would find the Dark side, and later the Sith, but those three years of seemingly aimless wandering were not forgotten. On her own she would have never found her way, and perhaps he needed guidance himself. Krest was without doubt that guide, but he was gone.
The thought made the redhead realize that the extent of the consequences of her actions went reached further than she would probably ever know. Despite that she did not regret what she did, or had any remorse. The strong would find another way to power, the weak would be culled. That was how the galaxy was.

"With you!? I don't think so!"

Avacyn stood still as the sound of a blade unsheathing filled her ears, taking in the aura that the weapon exerted. It was the source of the familiar feeling, that which connected the stranger with Krest. His signature was all over the weapon, but now it was in the hands of another. There was more to him than met the eye, it seemed.

A short pause followed the man's words, before Avacyn finally spoke out herself. Her voice was calm on the surface, but her intonation revealed an edge of the Dark side that was aimed at making him very aware of what she was capable of. An oppressive wave of power spread through the blanket of the Force, not leaving her mastery over it to the imagination. "I don't think I ever told you to stand with me, did I?" There was no fear in her being, and her voice made that clear. "You're uncertain. I wonder why."

Slowly the woman would turn around, her corrupted eyes, one of them decorated by a scar that was often quick to draw attention, revealing themselves to the man. "If you want answers, I would put that weapon away if I were you. Unless you want to hear it from Krest himself." She would have no issue with returning him to the Force, although she never did so without reason. He would have to make her.

"I was a student of his, once. He showed me the way of the Sith, taught me what their philosophies meant. It is thanks to him that I carry the title of Sith Lady. Yet, I hated him," Avacyn continued. As the emotion rose to the surface she let it course through her, adding more fuel to her inner fire. "I begrudgingly respected him. He was superior to me, until he was no longer. When that time came, I proved I had become more powerful than him." The apprentice would overcome the master in time. It was the way it was supposed to be. "I killed him." It was utterly liberating to say those three words. "But that is only one of the myriad of answers I can give to that simple question of 'why', and all of them bear the truth." Avacyn's corrupted gaze pierced directly into his eyes as a short-lived kick of wind blasted through, the hood and the stray stands of hair that had escaped it reacting in kind. "Now I have a question of my own. What were you hoping to find? What did you wish to gain from this?"

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

The red thin line that sprouted from the center of the hilt revealed what hung underneath his hood as it lifted closer to Orion's face. A chrome plated monster finally revealing itself. The emotion that hid behind it already painted a picture of hatred and anger. If his voice didn't send the right signals, the weapon that was held firmly in front of him should have given the sith lady all she needed to gauge the situation. Orion could feel the presence of his master the tighter he held onto the steel hilt. The alchemized weapon almost roared with Krest's spirit, but before Orion snapped into a furious charge he waited, like a patient student waiting to be taught. The only person that could correct his broken world finally stood before him. He could feel her darkness, the flowing force that wrapped around her was overwhelming. Still, it almost tainted what he felt with his previous master, like an infection that refused to lay somber. ​

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The ice-cold stare that continued between the both was cut short by the first of many things spitting from the treacherous scarlet killer's mouth. ​

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"I don't think I ever told you to stand with me, did I?"​

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Orion felt a twinge of anger. He had played the word game before, but this chilly night would be no different. He would snap back, Orion's quick wits illustrating his strength. He wouldn't be made a fool of...but unbeknown to him the unsheathing of his blade was a rookie mistake, a naive, foolish move. Orion gave her a perfect opportunity to seize control of a confused soul, it was uncommon to see the wise sith act so quickly but he had. Paying for it would come in due time. Then like a spinning woman of pure dark side energy, red corrupted eyes met his masked green irises. She looked far more menacing now, even so Orion refused to lower his weapon. The freezing chill no longer bothered him and for that split second he felt doubt, not out of fear for her, but what came next. ​

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"If you want answers, I would put that weapon away if I were you. Unless you want to hear it from Krest himself."​

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The grip loosened, as if the words already spoke the truth of his desultory actions. Orion could feel her words burn through him. The command wouldn't have meant much if not for the fact that he too, knew she was right. Her power far exceeded his own and all the studies in the world couldn't have gotten him out alive. Although, for only a moment maybe being with Krest in the afterlife wouldn't have been so bad. At least in the spirit world he would have some guidance, a direction to continue on, if possible. Orion knew of stories about the dathomirian witches being capable of walking in the spirit world, perhaps in death he could find some way to do it forever. It was a sickening thought, he had far too much potential to call it quits and so the blade slowly lowered. ​

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"I was a student of his, once. He showed me the way of the Sith, taught me what their philosophies meant. It is thanks to him that I carry the title of Sith Lady. Yet, I hated him,"​

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Orion already considered that Krest's killer was an apprentice he had not met and he was right. He deduced everyone and everything only to realize that there could have been others. His own student, taking the crown for themselves. It was the sith way, but without him, Orion would be starved when it came to more dark side arts, the redhead had stunted his growth. Her words weighed heavy on him, Orion hated Krest for a lot of reasons but was more thankful for it in the end. He used to be weak and unfit for the life of a sith. Now, he embraced it...or at least was trying to. There was still more being spilled from the crimson scarred sith. ​

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"I begrudgingly respected him. He was superior to me, until he was no longer. When that time came, I proved I had become more powerful than him." "​

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More powerful than Krest? The words sounded deceptive, another tactic taught by the one that came before her. She was sly, but what hurt more is Orion knew the truth. Her aura was tainted with the darkside, far more than he had seen with Krest. She was truly in all sense of the word, powerful. ​

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Then like a serum of poison entering his veins, the truth came.​

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"I killed him."​

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Orion already knew as soon as they crossed paths that she was the one, but even with the force speaking to him, telling him the exact thing he wanted hear, her words sliced through his weakened resolve. He wasn't going to kill anyone, Orion was broken as soon as the truth finally fluttered out of the vicious woman's mouth. The scarlet hair that resurfaced to the painting of white snowflakes caused a crease underneath his mask and what came next was out of place. ​

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Laughter...​

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Orion dropped the blade, snow embracing it as the once lit saber part of the weapon died out. A tiny strand of steam rose to the air. The maniacal laughs continued as Orion hunched forward, uncontrollably laughing. A wash of emotions spread through him and the only way his emotions reacted was in pure cynical laughter. Krest had met his demise and yet even though everything about his loss hurt, the truth behind the veil had been shattered. Orion wasn't angry or confused, he was liberated. Regardless of not having a master it was almost a blessing in disguise, if he was too weak to survive, like the very way he forced Orion to survive an attack, then he didn't belong. The irony of it was brilliant. The cackles stirred something dark in him and before his demeanor went cold he felt it, like a shift in his heart. Krest no longer mattered, he had been given an answer and even better, the woman before him could bare the fruit of his labor even more. Orion considered it for only a moment before he let out one last laugh and clasped his hands in an applause. ​

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"That's truly...ha..great." Orion sighed, catching his breath. His entire persona switching a gear to a seriousness that would have chilled others to the bone. "Gain?" Orion shook his head. "What is there to gain when I no longer have a master. As far as finding something, I think I already have..." Orion stepped forward and tilted his head so that the menacing mask displayed itself to her. ​

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"You." ​

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Orion grinned under his chrome face, he was on to something. A resolution to his entire issue. He grinned even more as he thought about it. ​

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"Perhaps there is something to gain here...seeing as you've admitted to killing him. Answers is what I sought and without a fight you willingly gave them, you're the first in a long time to tell it straight. I respect that, however, in return for disrupting the order and putting the old man to sleep for good, I have a proposition..."​

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Orion wouldn't settle for anything less than a new master and who better than the one that did in his old one. It was a cold, but calculated move. Like water the words flowed out. ​

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"Teach me, I can gain everything I need from you, can I not?"​

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The request was smooth and the calming tone spoke volumes of the sudden change of emotion. Orion had become an empty shell, a vessel for the darkside. He was the perfect student, staring down the sith lady before him. As if the force itself, serendipitous in its ways, placed them in front of one another. ​

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[member="Kaalia Voldaren"]​

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[Kaalia Pavanos]

For a moment Avacyn simply stood there, unmoving as the masked man seemed to have lost it. There were many ways in which she had thought of this scenario playing out, and for those she was prepared. An outburst of anger leading to them clashing, a war of words, perhaps even an ambush of more of Krest's former apprentives. What actually happened however completely caught her off-guard. Luckily it didn't require much of a reaction on her behalf, and so she simply watched. Would attack still happen however, she was more than prepared for it. An unstable mind was also unpredictable, and even the most composed of people under the right circumstances could break under the pressure.

The laughter was fairly short-lived, however. He quickly shifted back to something much more serious, causing the woman to once more show that ever-common smirk. It was a facial expression that not only reflected her confidence in her command over the Force, but to a small number of people it was utterly infuriating. It had broken their focus, a mistep that had spelled their demise. Although it was likely not necessary here it simply came naturally to her, and she did not often hide how she felt about things. As deceptive as Sith could be, for Avacyn concealing the truth was only done when absolutely necessary. It simply wasn't who she was.

Intrigue started seeping into the woman's face as the man spoke, although it did not take long to find out what he meant by having found her. The way he worded his thoughts was amusing, although the premise was something she did not oppose. "Teach you..." She seemed to be mulling the thought in her head for a moment, a small pause following the musing words. "I owe you nothing. Killing him created no obligation towards you, what I did stands at the foundation of what it means to be Sith. However, it would be a waste of potential to simply let you walk away." Perhaps the task of guiding others to power had fallen upon her now that the zabrak had died, something she would gladly do. A nod was sent the man's way- she would honor his request.

"Then I will be your teacher. I will show you the Dark Side and the way of Sith, but know that I am not Krest. I do things my own way." The redhead would not aim to be like her own master, but instead she looked to truly do it in a way that embodied her own outlook on the Force. "I am Darth Avacyn."

[member="Orion Darkstar"]​

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Orion had hooked her with his words, presenting himself like a servant of the darkside, ripe for the taking. How could she not at least entertain the thought. The only thing that could happen now was to listen. Although, the same grin continued to meet him through his sprouting words of peculiarity, he felt the wave of the darkness in her. The most notorious Sith in history were greedy, such greed could lead to opportunity. The sith lady before him seemed slightly enthused at the proposition he had set before her. The seed of greed had been planted. Even if she didn't take the bait he could tell the gears in her head were spinning. The worst outcome could be rejection. Which Orion was already a master at accepting thanks to his ruthless father. The chilling howl that hung in the air for a moment felt like an endless pit of silence. Orion felt like the sith lady was going to turn and ignore him, but suddenly a confident voice split through the howling winter winds.​

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"I owe you nothing. Killing him created no obligation towards you, what I did stands at the foundation of what it means to be Sith. However, it would be a waste of potential to simply let you walk away."​

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She was right. Everything that had led him here didn't guarantee him a free pass. The sith had been vicious in their pursuit to remain strong, unfortunately such things meant the loss of other sith in their way. The concept was so cold, but necessary. Nothing about the philosophy behind Krest's death was misunderstood. At least, not anymore. It was funny that Orion happened to have a sudden clarity about everything. Not only was it bizarre, but self improving as well. It finally clicked, there was no room for hesitation in the life of a sith. You had to take what you wanted, why else would the empire allow such freedom. It was to birth true and strong influential sith. The next few words force an eyebrow upward, concealed by the chrome mask that hung over his face. ​

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"Then I will be your teacher. I will show you the Dark Side and the way of Sith, but know that I am not Krest. I do things my own way."​

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Acceptance. Orion found it odd to see the sith lady nonchalantly agree to such terms. There was no trust built, perhaps later that would come. They were strangers both unaware of each other's existence, maybe in time they would grow to depend on one another. Most of all, both of them shared different views on the man that made them who they were. Not even time could change such things. In fact, the more Orion thought about the whole exchange, he determined the only thing the two of them had going for them was they were both willing to serve the darkside and were taught by the same red zabrak. Still, he needed a master and someone capable of causing his progression to blossom. ​

​

The title she bore throughout her reign as a sith lady came last. Orion liked it.​

​

"Darth Avacyn..." Orion's voice was relaxed as he considered the name. He hadn't heard it recently, knowing many other lords and lady's was always a good thing. Assets were a strong factor in climbing the ladder. "Nice to meet you, Darth Avacyn." Orion paused, as he bent behind him to re-sheathe his blade with a grin. As soon as the protective sheathe clicked he spoke once more. "I'm Orion Darkstar, I'd expect you to do things however you see fit. It's quite the honor, to think that you beat plenty others going after that old zabarak." The grin turned to a smile, it was truly a liberating thing to say. "One more thing." Orion walked forward, until he was a foot or two away from the scarlet beauty. His left arm extending from his side outward toward her.​

​

"When do we start?"
​

[member="Kaalia Voldaren"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Perhaps Avacyn did not know the man, which made it seem foolish to fulfil his wish, but it was not a completely blind decision. Krest did not take students without potential, yet he was one. That fact alone would have told her enough, but the weapon he wielded only made that point even stronger. He could become truly powerful, that much was obvious to her, and to see that potential be fulfilled was something that would be utterly satisfying. She would see to his growth, so that one day he would ascend to Lordhood or die trying.

How he would end up in the end, only the future would tell. The Sith Lady would preferrably seem him succeed, for there would be no point to her teachings, but to say she would be any more than disappointed if he failed would very much have been a lie. That feeling was going to allow her to push his limits without hesitation, the only way he could truly grow. Boundaries would have to be pushed, overcome, and shattered, and Avacyn would be the one to push him.

"I was at the right place, at the right time. I just happened to be the first to show up when his time had come." Avacyn had felt Krest's acceptance of what had eventually happened. He did not go out without a fight, that simply wouldn't have been the way for a true Sith to go out, but there was no anger towards the situation when it began, nor was there desperation or panic when it actually happened. "Although looking back, I am very much surprised I was the one who got it done. I suppose there will be a reputation that comes with it." The ability to claim she had killed a Sith Lord by her own hands was not why she had done it, but it was definitely not the case that she didn't feel any pride over that fact. Not nearly enough to let it show, but it was proof she was not to be taken lightly.

The man then intoduced himself as Orion Darkstar, the mask hiding his face but the Force told her his demeanor had shifted. The woman shook his hand and smiled at his question, glad to see his drive showing already. "Tomorrow at noon, right here where we are standing now. I want to see what you are made of, so that is what I will assess first." She wanted to see what he already knew, so that she could teach him from there. "But for now, I am going home. Have a good evening, Orion Darkstar. I will see you tomorrow."

[member="Orion Darkstar"]